'In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.' Thus begins the classic story when Bilbo Baggins, the Hobbit, joins with a group of dwarves and a wizard to defeat a wicked dragon. Elves, giants, evil spiders, mighty eagles- this story has it all, and sets the stage for the author's later (and darker) Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Reviewed by: msp

Date read: 9/30/2010

ISBN-10: 0395520215

ISBN-13: 9780395520215

Check the library catalog

Unfortunate circumstances leave Stanley Yelnats at the mercy of the warden of Camp Green Lake, where he, and other inmates, are forced to dig five-foot deep holes all day, every day, to 'build character.' After hearing rumors of hidden treasure, and a bandit named Kissin' Kate Barlow, Stanley tries to dig up the truth. Can he untangle the mess of clues before he sweats to death, or the yellow-spotted lizards kill him? This book won the Newbery Medal in 1999 and the Rebecca Caudill Award in 2002.

Awards won: John Newbery Medal, Rebecca Caudill Award

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/12/2009

ISBN-10: 0374332657

ISBN-13: 9780374332655

Check the library catalog

Commenter: St. Charles Reader, grade 0

Holly's world is very crazy. Her mom is divorced. Both her and her friend are crushing on Jared Wilkins. An embarrassing moment leaves Holly wondering. To top it off Holly's dad lives in California, while she lives in Colorado. This book has romance excitement, humor, and more!

Similar books: Elsie Dinsmore, A Life of Faith Series by Martha Finley

Reviewed by: hpotterfan1129

Date read: 7/20/2011

ISBN-10: 076420458

ISBN-13: 9780764204586

Check the library catalog

Commenter: Ellie, grade 4

Commenter: Hpotterfan1129, grade 0

Kek arrives in America on the 'flying boat.' The helping man, Dave, meets him at the airport to take him to live with his aunt and cousin. Kek's father and brother, as well as his uncle, were killed in the war in Sudan. Kek and his mother made it to a refugee camp only to be separated when it too was attacked. Now Kek has to get used to a whole new life. We see his confusion with air so cold it hurts, trees that just 'pretend' to be dead, and the miracle of washing machines, which he learns the hard way are for clothes not dishes. He makes new friends, including an old cow that helps when he misses the cattle he used to tend back home. We also feel Kek's pain as he shares memories of his family and the horrors of war and the refugee camp. Kek's aunt says that, 'Kek finds sun when the sky is dark.' Can he continue to do so as he struggles to maintain hope that his mother will be found and they will be reunited; or will he believe his cousin when he says, 'A man knows when he is defeated.'?

Reviewed by: cal

Date read: 5/19/2009

ISBN-10: 0312535635

ISBN-13: 9780312535636

Check the library catalog

Commenter: St. Charles Reader, grade 0

Four kids walk and walk to find their grandmother after their mother leaves them on their own.

Reviewed by: St. Charles Reader

Date read: 2/24/2010

ISBN-10: 0689863616

ISBN-13: 9780689863615

Check the library catalog