All American Girl

All American Girl by Meg Cabot is the story of Samantha, a teenager growing up in DC. She is completely average... until she saves the President's life. Her world is then turned upside down - secret service, TV interviews, and of course, she still has to deal with school, her family, and boys. As she becomes America's Hero, she also becomes friends with David, who is the President's son. This catches the attention of everyone, and soon Sam wishes none of it ever happened.

This book is so easy to read and enjoy due to the fact that it is written exactly how kids talk. The characters are so easy to relate to, and the story becomes so real. I found myself laughing at every page turn, and it kept my interest until the last word. The sequel, Ready or Not, is just as funny and a great continuation of the Samantha Madison story.

To explore the front and back cover of All American Girl click here.

Review by Amelia

Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy

by Gary D Schmidt

Race, poverty, red shutters, religion, and mental health are some issues contained in Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy. There are differences between people. What are the reactions to individual differencs? If everyone has white houses with green shutters, what if you paint your shutters red? It seems like a simple, almost silly or trivial matter. Is it? What kinds of differences can or should be tolerated in people - different religions? Oh, my! And, what of the poor? What about people who vary in color? There are a lot of issus in this book. Like most really good stories, it is about a relationship. A relationship between a preacher's boy (white) and a poor girl (black) who enjoy sailing, throwing rocks, fishing, and hanging out. They are young and innocent as almost all people start out. But, alas, societal forces act to end innocence. Wake up and live in the real world kind of thing. What do they do? Can they hang in there? And what about great organ music and red shutters? Life is complicated - or not.


This is a book of historical fiction based on a colony of former slaves living on an island in New England. The white community on the mainland decides to confiscate the island and make it a tourist attraction. In the time of the book, a person could be committed to a mental institution if any two citizens signed a petition. Guess what. The island was full of not poor former slaves, but mentally unstable people.

To explore the front and back cover of Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy click here.

Review by Bob

Make Lemonade

I recommend the book because when I read it in 9th grade I related to the main character LaVaughn. She was a 14 year old girl who was looking for a babysitting job. The moral of the book is as the title suggests that despite hard times you can find hope and turn bad situations into good ones.

The book is about LaVaughn who becomes a babysitter for two kids named Jeremy and Jilly. They live with their mother, Jolly, in a very dirty apartment. Although the conditions are poor, LaVaughn becomes attached to the family. The story continues with LaVaughn trying to spend more time helping the family, even through some difficult situations.

To explore the front and back cover of Make Lemonade click here.

Review by Rachel

Number the Stars

Number the Stars, by Lois Lowry

When I was younger, I was always really intrigued (and horrified) by the Holocaust. Since there are a lot of books on that subject, it was easy for me to feed my interest! I don't remember who introduced me to this book, but it stood out among the many Holocaust stories that I read and made a big impression on me as a middle school student.

Number the Stars is a book about the persecution of Jews during World War 2, and the impact that it had on every person, including the book's main character, Annemarie Johansen. She is a 10-year-old living in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1943 and is caught up in the events surrounding the rescue of Danish Jews. She and her family risk their lives to help Annemarie's best friend, Ellen Rosen, avoid Nazi persecution and eventually escape by pretending that she is Annemarie's older sister who died earlier in the war as part of the Resistance, and later smuggling her and her family into Sweden. The book ends with the Germans surrendering to the Allied Forces. Denmark celebrates as it is returned to a free country. At that point, Annemarie finally learns all that really happened during the War and the Resistance, and resolves to wear Ellen's necklace until Ellen can return.

To explore the front and back cover of Number the Stars click here.

Review by Megan

Pobre Ana

I recommend the level I, elementary Spanish reader Pobre Ana, written by Blaine Ray. This simple, beginner "novela" is a perfect choice for students enrolled in Spanish I. Native speakers requiring a bit of basic review and limited vocabulary practice, may also enjoy the first chapter book in the Pobre Ana series. As a middle school Spanish instructor, I believe the Pobre Ana series is an essential tool for foreign language learning. Personally, I supplement my Spanish level I curriculum with cultural investigation, field study, focus on individual self-actualization, communication skills, and literature. The focused vocabulary bank (300-words) and applicable story line invites students to dive into Spanish literature.



Ana is the book's 15-year lead character. Readers can relate to Ana's struggles. She disagrees with her mother and father. She doesn't have new, designer clothes. She is a teenage student in a Californian school. When the opportunity to visit a family in Mexico arises, Ana jumps at the chance to "vacation" away from her family and her troubles. Will Mexico be the dream trip Ana envisions? Will Ana's troubles disappear? Readers will discover "si Ana es una chica con
problemas."

To learn more about Pobre Ana click here.

Review by Senorita Swanson

The Truth About Forever

I was first introduced to this book by a friend of mine and I am very glad I read it! I would recommend this book to anyone because it is just an enjoyable read. The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen is the perfect read for teenagers as it deals with hardships, friendship, love and heartbreak; everything that teenagers can relate to. Trust me, you will not want to put this book down!


The Truth About Forever starts out at the beginning of summer. Macy Queen is already prepared for what she thinks is going to be the worst summer ever. Her boyfriend is leaving for camp and all Macy can think about is how alone she is going to be all summer. Then Macy meets a group of crazy people in a catering business and they convince her to work with them. Macy is doing something totally out of her comfort zone for the first time in her life, taking a chance. Macy ends up meeting Wes, a boy who has a completely difference lifestyle than Macy. At first look, Macy and Wes are complete opposites, but once they start talking and sharing stories, they see they are not so different after all.

To explore the front and back cover of The Truth About Forever click here.

Review by Carly

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

Have you ever spent the night in a museum? Claudia and her little brother Jamie do! To find out what it would be like, read From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg. This book has won numerous awards including a Newberry Medal and I can understand why. I enjoyed this book because of the adventure involved in the story. The characters in the book are very likable and the sibling relationship is both humorous and heartwarming. I love a good mystery and this book satisfied this component for me.


At the onset, twelve year old Claudia makes the decision to run away from home. Although she has three siblings, Claudia has her reasons for asking her younger brother Jamie to accompany her. She selects the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York as their place to hide out. The book describes their adventures of being inside of the museum, both during the day and at night. Claudia and Jamie become intrigued with a particular statue in the museum. Now, the mystery begins. You will have to read the book to find out what happens next! Although this book is over thirty years old, the characters are fresh. It is a fast-moving book that will keep your interest. I hope you like it!

To see the explore the front and back cover of From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler click here.

Review by Debbie