Media Center: Moultonborough School District

Olive's Ocean by Kevin Henkes	Art Work by Kelsey	Olive's Ocean by Kevin Henkes Book Reviewed by Kelsey, Grade 4 May 2009 Olive’s Ocean was a great book by Kevin Henkes because when Olive dies, everyone feels they should have been a little nicer to her, especially Martha Boyle. After Olive’s death, her mom says that Martha deserves Olive’s entry in her journal called My Hopes. Then Martha realizes they both shared the same secret and they could have been good friends. Olive wanted to get to know Martha because she thought Martha was the nicest kid in her class. Martha is excited to spend the summer at her grandmother Godbee’s house. When Martha gets to the ocean, all she can think about is how Olive always wanted to go to, but never got the chance. What made Martha so special and kind that Olive Barstow wanted to be her friend? I recommend this charming and emotional book to people who like to travel to a whole new world when they read.
Fairest by Gail Carson Levine	Art Work by Madison	Fairest by Gail Carson Levine Book Reviewed By Madison, Grade 4 December 2008 I enjoyed the book Fairest because it was scary, sad, and funny. It is about a girl named Asa who lives in Athora. She thinks she is very ugly but she is not the only one who thinks so. Everyone at the Featherbed thinks she is ugly too. But she has a beautiful voice and can sing beautifully. One day at the Featherbed a royal lady comes and she invites Asa to go to the king’s wedding to sing. When she is there she meets the king, queen, and the prince. But one horrible day the king gets injured and the Queen doesn't know what to do so she makes horrible decisions! It’s up to Asa to make things right. One of my favorite parts is when Asa tries to make herself beautiful by drinking a potion and she turns to stone! I would recommend this book to people who like books where they have to use their imagination and like to step into another world.
A Dog's Life by Ann M. Martin	Art Work by Kelsey	A Dog’s Life by Ann M Martin Book Reviewed by Kelsey, Grade 4 December 2008 I enjoyed this book because it is funny, sad, happy, heartwarming, and anything else you can imagine. In this book Squirrel and her brother Bone were both born in the shed with their mother but then their mother left them. So they set off alone not knowing what awaits them. For awhile it’s looking good for Squirrel and Bone until they’re separated. Then the trouble starts. Squirrel is stuck in the forest all alone but then she meets her friend Moon and they have fun together for awhile until something awful happens to Moon. Things are looking like Squirrel will be a lonely stray for the rest of her life until someone enlightens her life and there is a great surprise for Squirrel. I recommend this fantastic tale for all animal lovers.
Yellow Star by Jennifer Roy	Art Work by Madison	Yellow Star by Jennifer Roy Book Reviewed by Madison, Grade 4 January 2009 I enjoyed the book Yellow Star because it always has you on the edge of your seat. It is about a 4-year-old girl named Sylvia. She is Jewish and it takes place in Germany. Her father and mother decide that they have to leave their home because it is not safe after finding out the neighbors are captured. But when they leave and go to the new home, there are no jobs available! So her family has to back to their house. When they are there they get captured! They are taken to a Lodez ghetto. The family is kept prisoners for many years. All of Sylvia’s friends are disappearing. Will she be next? Read this touching story to find out. I recommend this book for readers who love exciting and historical books. The author based this book on her aunt’s life so the reader is left knowing that this is part of history.
Little Genie Double Trouble by Miranda Jones	Art Work by Jillian	Little Genie Double Trouble by Miranda Jones Book Reviewed by Jillian, Grade 4 March 2009 I liked Little Genie Double Trouble because it is exciting and funny. Nine-year-old Ali decides to have Little Genie take her place at school. When Little Genie secretly pretends to be Ali, she discovers that it is challenging to be someone else. One of things Genie does is to try to put orange juice in her Frosty Flakes. Ali has her own set of challenges! She gets to travel Genie style and finds out that it is scary. Is being a genie really fun? Is it always a good idea to make wishes that could come true? Read this story to find out what it is like to have a genie in your life. I would recommend this book to kids who like magic and like to laugh while reading.
Old Willis Place by Mary Downing Hahn	Art Work by Madison	The Old Willis Place: A Ghost Story by Mary Drowning Hahn Book Reviewed by Madison, Grade 4 March 2009 The Old Willis Place is about a girl named Diana. She lives with her brother Georgie on a farm where there is an old house. Ten years ago a wicked women died there. One day a caretaker comes to take care of the old house. When Georgie and Diana spy on the caretaker, they figure out that he has a daughter Diana’s age. Diana and Georgie have always had a strict set of rules that they have to follow. But when Diana breaks one of the rules to make friends with the caretakers daughter, trouble starts. Can Diana keep from telling Georgie’s and her deepest secret? Or will things come crashing down? I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to read ghost stories.
Stranded by Ben Mikaelsen	Art Work by Kelsey	Stranded by Ben Mikaelsen Book Reviewed by Kelsey, Grade 4 March 2009 Stranded by Ben Mikaelsen was a great book because it was a sad, adventurous, and a heartwarming tale. It’s about a girl named Koby Easton who is less fortunate than most people. Here are just a few reasons: she loss her foot in an accident, her parents are very cold to each other, and now she has to live with Tess Morgan, her mom’s annoying friend on land instead on a boat. Just when she thinks she can stand no more, she finds herself stranded out in the middle of the sand flats with two dying pilot whales. It’s up to Koby to save them now! I recommend this exciting tale to people who love adventure and animals.