Realistic Fiction Book Reviews
288 book reviews found, page 50 of 58. Narrow results by selecting age range:
Summer of the Swans
Betsy Byars (1970), 144 pages
Illustrated by Ted CoConis
Audience: 4th Grade - 8th Grade
Middle school student Sara feels as if she exists on two planes. Sometimes, she is happy and excited, the next moment, she is plunged into despair. Sara has been living with her Aunt Willie, her older sister, Wanda, and younger brother, Charlie, since her mother died and her father left. An illness with a high fever has left Charlie unable to speak and with the intelligence of a much younger child. Sara feels it is her responsibility to care for Charlie and defend him against the world, especially against boys like Joe Melby. Charlie disappears one night and Sara is sure that he has gone to look for the swans they watched the previous day. Before too long, Aunt Willie calls the police and the whole community is on the alert. When Joe Melby offers to help Sara search for Charlie, she isn't at all sure she wants to accept. While the suspense builds, Sara finds she is also on another search, for herself.
Similar books: The Silent Boy by Lois Lowry
Awards won: John Newbery Medal
Reviewed by: vverscaj
Date read: 1/13/2011
ISBN-10: 0670681903
ISBN-13: 9780670681907
Check the library catalog
Just two months after his grandmother dies, ten-year-old Spoon is already starting to forget her. His dreams about her are starting to fade. He knows he needs to find something to help him remember her. Taking her well-worn playing cards from his grandfather's house soothes him, but when he hears his grandfather is looking for them, he is lost about what to do. This is a poetic, gentle book about learning to cope with the loss of someone you love.
Reviewed by: emc
Date read: 12/31/2009
ISBN-10: 0141300957
ISBN-13: 9780141300955
Alex's imitation of Brick Johnson, a big, tough kid in his grade, gets a lot of laughs, but he doesn't realize Brick is watching. After Brick's reaction, Alex knows he's in trouble. What was he thinking to make fun of a bully? Alex decides his only hope is a karate class, to make him a 'sleek fighting machine.' What will he do when Brick shows up for karate, too?
Reviewed by: emc
Date read: 2/4/2010
ISBN-10: 0395980313
ISBN-13: 9780395980316
Swimming with Sharks
Betty Hicks (2008), 64 pages
Illustrated by Adam McCauley
Audience: 2nd Grade - 4th Grade
'The worst day of Rita's life was the day she became a dolphin.' The Dolphins are the slower swim team, and all of Rita's friends made the team called the Sharks. They won't even swim at the same meets! Can Rita conquer the flip turn and win a place on the Sharks, or will she be stuck swimming with the Dolphins forever? This fun read makes a great pick for readers just beginning to read chapter books.
Book Series: Gym Shorts
Reviewed by: emc
Date read: 9/29/2010
ISBN-10: 1596432454
ISBN-13: 9781596432451
Sasha Silver is accepted to Canterwood Crest Academy. Can she prove to the school bullies that she belongs there? Join Sasha and her horse Charm to find out!
Book Series: Canterwood Crest
Reviewed by: St. Charles Reader
Date read: 10/22/2009
ISBN-10: 1416958401
ISBN-13: 9781416958406
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