BEST BOOK REVIEWS: Ages 9-12
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Book 4) by J. K. Rowling and Mary GrandPré
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 752 pages
Publisher: Scholastic
Paperbacks (July 30, 2002)
In the fourth installment of the famous Harry Potter series, Harry and his two best friends, Ron Weasley and Hermoine Granger, are back in an epic adventure. This year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry competes in the Triwizard Tournament against two other schools, Beaubaton and Durmstrang. Here Harry faces one of the most dangerous quests yet, learning about the infamous dark wizard Lord Voldemort. People of all ages will love this next book in the series from the wonderful mind of J.K. Rowling. This wonderful book has taken on more fans than any other book and it is sure to please die-hard Harry fans.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Book 3) by J. K. Rowling and Mary GrandPré
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 435 pages
Publisher: Scholastic (September 8, 1999)
Like Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the third book in the Harry Potter series will not disappoint. Faced with the problem after problem over the summer, Harry first blows up his aunt, then in fear he runs away, to be encountered by the Knight Bus, and stays in Diagon Alley. All the while, Sirius Black, has escaped from the Wizard prison Azkaban and is on the list. Harry soon learns he is connected to Black and the awful crime he was convicted of. Rowling weaves details so artfully in this story it will keep you guessing until the end who is on Harry’s side and what the truth really is.
Ella Enchanted (Trophy Newbery) by Gail Carson Levine
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins (July 16, 1998)
This story is a modern tale on the twist of the best known fairy tale, Cinderella. But here, the main character Ella suffers from a curse at the age of birth by her fairy godmother whom gifts her obedience. Here, Ella must do everything she is told, no matter what it is. Her mother soon dies, leaving her with an absent father and two awful stepsisters; she goes on a quest for her freedom. On the way, she finds herself falling for Prince Charmont. Soon, Ella will find her fairy godmother and have her curse undone, in order to liver her happily ever after.
Alanna: The First Adventure (Song of the Lioness, Book 1) by Tamora Pierce
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Mass Market Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: Simon Pulse (January 6, 2005)
Alanna yearns to be a legend. But she soon finds that it is tougher than it looks. She dresses up like a boy and begins to train to become a knight. As she learns the many skills she will need in order to be a knight, she learns many lessons along the way. This book is filled with adventure and sorcery, intriguing to any age, boy or girl. Young adults will find pieces of themselves in Alanna and the chacraters in her book. Alanna has a dream and she does anything she can in order to achieve that dream. This story is a positive one by master-storyteller Tamora Pierce.
Chicken Soup for the Teenage
Soul by Mark Victor Hansen and Jack Canfield
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Library Binding: 375 pages
This Chicken Soup for the Soul edition is filled with real life stories, pictures, and poems about the problems that teens face in life everyday. These stories are meant to inspire and renew meaning in things like love and friendship. They are also meant to teach teens lessons about what can happen when they do something they shouldn’t. This book, however, is not didactic in any way. It is perfect for people looking for a little inspiration in life’s everyday occurrences. This book is great for teens of any age to sit down and learn about the ups and downs of life.
Mossflower (Redwall, Book 2) by Brian Jacques and Gary Chalk
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 432 pages
Publisher: Firebird (September 30, 2002)
In this second book in the Redwall series by Brian Jacques and Gary Chalk, take on the lovely characters of mice that make up this story. In the sequel, readers are thrust back into the old fashioned world in the medieval days when knights and kings existed. The Corim are here still fighting about the evil Kortir. More animals find their way into this story this time around, such as Lady Amber, the Squirrel Chief, baby hedgehogs Ferdy and Coggs, and Chibb, the Robin. Here is the continuation of the already loved book Redwall picking up right where it left off.
The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles by Julie Edwards
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 224 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins (December 16, 1996)
In this imaginative story by Julie Edwards, children are introduced to some interesting creatures, the Whangdoodle, furry Flukes, and the sligh High-Behind Splintercat. These creatures are threatened in their existence by people no longer believing in them. So a professor and three children go on a journey that is full of imagination and wonder, and sometimes a little danger, to reach Whangdoodle Land. This book is excellent for children because it allows them to use their active imagination. They will learn about the Whangdoodles and other wonderful creatures filled in this book and the land that the characters wish to reach.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw by Jeff Kinney
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 224 pages
Publisher: Amulet Books (January 13, 2009)
The third book in this great series by Jeff Kinney, the famous middle school boy, Greg Heffley returns. Kinney tops the charts with cartoon illustrations and deadpan humor. Here in this book, Greg makes a New Year’s resolution to help improve people. Soon through the course of the book where it ends in summer, he’s wrecked his soccer team’s perfect season, sent anonymous mean valentines, and been threatened by military school by his father to make him more of a man. But Greg somehow still survives in this hilarious story that is capturing children’s attention everywhere. Boys will especially find this series one to read.
The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 4) by Rick Riordan
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Hyperion Book
CH (April 7, 2009)
In the fourth book in the widely popular and chart topping Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, Percy is again on an adventure. This son of Poseidon is tested for his abilities and strengths when the battle literally begins. Percy and his friends Grover and Annabeth must fight against time, trying to stop Luke, a friend gone bad, get to the entrance of the Labyrinth before they do. The son of Hades starts to wreak Havoc on the whole United Stated
through the form of McDonald’s Happy Meals. This story is chalk full of adventure and humor showing exactly why Rick Riordan is a master story teller.
Into The Land Of The Unicorns (Unicorn Chronicles) by Bruce Coville
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 159 pages
Publisher: Scholastic
Paperbacks (August 1, 2008)
This fantasy novel is the first in the series of the Unicorn Chronicles by Bruce Coville. Here the main character Cara, takes her grandmother’s advice and follows the instructions she gives her. In doing so, Cara finds herself in the magical land of the Unicorns. Cara must guard a sacred amulet and deliver a message to the might Unicorn Queen. When she gets there she finds the land teeming with unicorns, dragons, delvers, and other creatures. The ending of the story is a cliff hanger on the point in Cara’s journey, awaiting the beginning for the next book in the series, Song of the Wanderer. |
