Emerson Middle School Reviews

Adam Canfield of the Slash by Hope
“He had a feeling if he didn't stop her now... it could take weeks, maybe months, to undo the damage.”  Adam Canfield is the star reporter of the award winning Harris Elementary/Middle School newspaper, the SLASH.  Now Adam has to fit that into his smashed together schedule.  He has Gladiator Quiz Bowl at 3:00 p.m . , Jazz Band at 4:15 p.m ., prep class, at 5:00 p.m ., and the list goes on and on.  Not only is he way to busy, he's always late.  He just wants time to shoot hoops.  Now, thamnks to his friend, Jennifer, he's co-editor of the SLASH.  How would Adam deal with that?  He also has to pretend to be friends with Ms. Marris, the principal and editor of the SLASH.  Then, when he thought it was all over, a third grader discovers the story that will have Adam digging deeper into the lives of others than he ever has before.Michael Winerip's first novel has just enough suspense to make you think... is that really true?   This book really reflects how everyday you have the chance to find the story of the century.      

Chicken Boy by Jenny
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in the family where all of the kids are bullies? Well, in the book Chicken Boy by Francis O'Roark Dowell, this is the type of family Tobin McCauley belongs to. Tobin tries real hard to live up to the family name but he just isn't as bad as his siblings. Also, it doesn't help to have a dad and a granny who hate each other so badly that they can't even stand to be in the same room together. They will just do stuff to get each other mad. For example, Tobin's granny drives him to school every day. On the day right before the first day of seventh grade, his dad gets his brother to talk to him. His dad wanted his brother to convince Tobin not to ride with his Granny so his brother says stuff like “Beats everybody seeing Granny drop you off at the front of the school”. Tobin's gone through a lot of hard times, but he will never believe how much his life will be flipped upside down until he meets Henry Otis. To find out  what happens to Tobin and Henry, read this thrilling book. Once you start reading, you will not be able to put it down until you're done.

Chicken Boy by Phill
Chicken Boy is about a boy named Tobin McCauley. Tobin was stereotyped reputation for having bad behavior. This is because his mom died at a very young age, which left their father to take care of four kids. Tobin started not doing his homework, the dishes in the sink looked like they've been pushed in by accident, and the sink had this line of crusty gunk running around it where the dishwashing water had stood for awhile before it drained out. A pot of dried-out macaroni and cheese sat on the stove, next to a pot of alphabet soup that had been there so long, little stars of mold were sprouting in-between the letters. Tobin finally found a friend named Henry. Henry loves chickens so Henry eventually got Tobin into chickens but during the chicken project Tobins grand  mother calls social security. Tobin gets shipped away to the Paulsons house.   I'd rate this book a 3.5 out of 5, it was very gripping but had a disappointing ending. This book is for you if you are into people who overcome their hardships.

Drums, Girls, & Dangerous Pie by Madelyn
“I guess a good place to start would be the longest journal I've ever written in English class... The topic was the most annoying thing in  the world.”  Meet Steven Alper a thirteen-year-old who loves to play the drums.  He even plays in the all-city band, and is the first seventh grader ever to make the drum section.  Though, now he's in eighth grade.  This is quit an accomplishment considering all of the city's drummers try out for a chance to get in.  Unfortunately, at school Steven is just a skinny geek and Renee Albert, only the hottest girl in the whole eighth grade, doesn't even know he's alive.  Though, Steven has a crush on her despite her unawareness of him.    However, the most annoying thing in the world is his little brother, Jeffrey.  Steven is a geek, and Jeffrey is cute and gets all the attention.  For one thing, Jeffrey has blond curly hair and straight white little-kid teeth, strongly contrasting to Steven's braces and mousy brown hair.  Plus, Jeffrey will never leave Steven alone.  “It's not that he hates me... The kid follows me around like I'm Elvis or something.”  Though Steven thinks he leads a horrible life he's about to find out what he takes for granted and how much worse it can really get.

Listening for Lions by Maggie
Hot, humid, and amazing, Africa is the perfect place for Rachel Sheridan, even though she is English.  She loves the shack she lives in with her parents,  and she loves the animals that sing around her.  "It crept upon us like the hyenas that I hear at my bedroom window,"  Hyenas are just 1 incredible animal that is in Africa.  That is why Rachel and her parents live happily in Africa until influenza strikes the Sheridan's hospital and surrounding Africa. Rachel's parents are at the hospital hour after hour, day after day. One tragic day, Mrs. Sheridan died.  A day after that, Rachel's dad died. Both of them died from the flu.  That means that Rachel is now an orphan,  or is she?  She is offered to be in a money scheme by the wealthiest couple in Africa, the Pritchards.  She has to pretend she is their daughter and she has to fool her "Grandpa"  She agrees to go along with it.  The Pritchards send her to England. Rachel is not very happy about this.  The rest of the book is adventurous, surprising, and the chapters are cliffhangers!!  Listening For Lions is a well-written book!!

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Crystal, Andrew, and Matt
We liked The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane because it was very interesting to read.  Some parts were sad and some were scary.  In the beginning you might think that the story is boring but by the end it's awesome.  We did not see the end coming, it was a good surprise ending! You should read this book!

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Janelle, Ahmad, and Mike
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulance was an amazing story.  We liked the story because it had so much action and adventure.  Edward winds up in many difficult situations.  We kept wondering what would happen next.  We think that the author should write another book about Edward Tulane.  We were really surprised how much we liked this book.  This is one book you should read!

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Shayla, Allen, and Joe
We thought The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane was a terrific book.  There were some exciting parts that made you sit on the edge of your seat.  Edward meets many new people on his journey.  We recommend that you read this book because it has stunning, shocking and incredible parts.

MVP*: *Magellan Voyage Project by Clay B.
 "Madam I'm Adam" is one of Adam Stories favorite and most frequently used palindromes throughout this adventure filled book.  Adam is chosen to circumnavigate the world in 40 days or less, if he is the first child to do so he will win $4,000,000.  Smart,quiet, and adventurous, Adam Story, a 12 year old  boy, living in an apartment with his mother, sets out on a 40 day journey to circumnavigate the world.  Adam is alone most of the time, but he doesn't mind it.  Will the trackers and stoppers keep Adam from winning.  The prize is like winning the lottery without a trip around the world.  Will Adam win the $4,000,000 and take him and his mother out of a two bedroom apartment?  Find out, read MVP by Doug Evans.

MVP*: *Magellan Voyage Project by Everett
Will an twelve-year-old boy make it around the world in forty days? Well Adam Story hopes so, when he embarks on that very journey. He is very suspicious about Prince Oh, the person who encourages him to start the journey. Adam thinks it's a big joke until Prince Oh says "I haven't mentioned the prize yet, Adam Story. If you become the first twelve-year to travel around the world, solo, crossing land and sea only, and you do it within the forty day limit, MVP will reward you with four million dollars. That's for certain. Adam had been living in an apartment for years and his mom works as a school lunch lady, so how could he turn this offer down? When will he have the time to go round the world without his mom knowing? He has exactly forty days of summer camp. He decided to go on this journey. Was it a good choice?

Princess Academy by Elise H.
This past summer, the priests of the creator god took council on the birthday of the prince. They read the omens and divined the home of his future bride. All the signs indicated Mount Eskel. Would the lowlanders really let a girl from Mount Eskel be princess? Miri, a fourteen year old girl from Mount Eskel, the mountain above Dasland. spends her days taking care of the house while her sister, Marda, and father work in the quarry. Then a message comes from the lowlands. The priests have  decided the next princess is to come from Mount Eskel. All the girls from twelve to seventeen must come to an academy to learn how to be a princess. All the the girls compete to be princess including Miri. But soon when danger comes Miri must try and save her classmates. This is a very good book and I recommend it to people who like fantasy stories.

Princess Academy by Nicole
It was a lovely idea, a beautiful story, and for a moment Miri wished she could believe it, but she knew no lowlander would let  a crown sit on a mountain girls head. Mount Eskel is only a territory of the Danland Kingdom, which is not very high.  The people there make a living off a stone called linder.  Almost everyone there works in the quarry except for Miri.  One day the chief delegate comes and tells the town that all girls ages 12 to 17 must attend the Princess Academy because the prince is going to ask one of them to be his princess.  The girls set off from their homeland.  All of them are from Mount Eskel except  one girl, Britta.  The academy is hard and cold.  Their tutor, Olana, is very strict and has the worst punishments.  The girls hang on for a while and wait for the ball where they finally will meet the prince.  Miri starts finding secret after secret.  Then something horrible happens.  Can the academy get through this?    This realistic fiction is great for a person who loves adventure, mystery, and wants to be a princess.

The Ruins of Gorlan by Brendan
The book The Ruins of Gorlan is a phenomenally well written book.  It's about a boy who is orphaned because his mother died when she was giving birth to him, his father died a hero. So he grows up in the Castle Redmont.  When Will turns fifteen what will happen to him on choosing day? Will he be chosen to be a Knight like his friend Horace.  This great book is probably one of the best books I have ever read.  The author of this amazing book is John Flannogan. There are also books to and third book that are both great books.  Anyone who likes adventure /fantasy story I think should read this book. When you read this book it just pulls you in to the story right down to the last period. Find out if Will becomes a great Knight like his dream , or  becomes a farm hand for for life, if no one needs him. To find out read this book.

Shakespeare's Secret by Alexa
“A good hiding place is also a good finding place,” says Hero's new neighbor Mrs.Roth. Hero Netherfield moves from place to place and is starting sixth grade at a new school. She can't wait to get teased and suffer because of her name. Hero's name is from the Shakespeare play Much Ado About Nothing. She hasn't attempted to even read the play.    Everything changes when Hero meets Mrs.Roth. Mrs.Roth knows about a million-dollar diamond that might be hidden in Hero's house, and Mrs.Roth wants Hero to find it. Mrs.Roth also mentioned a 500 year old necklace and a mystery dating back to Shakespeare 's day.    A mystery is waiting to be solved and Hero is ready to accept the challenge.   

Thunder from the Sea by Elenna D.F.
"I'm not risking my life for a dog!... Bert yelled." Thunder From the Sea is a wonderful book about a wonderful dog. Tom Cambell had been recently adopted by Encoch Murray, a fisherman in need of a little extra help fishing. The story hs a stormy start. Quite literally actually! Tom was hoping maybe the Murray's would have a dog for him to play with but, alas there is none. Things went from bad to worse when he met Bert, a selfish, quirky idiotic boy who's always picking on Tom.    One day on a fishing trip, despite everything less than ideal, what's that over there?A black newfoundland dog was swimming in the water! Tom names the dog Thunder. Bert, being a selfish brat wants the dog for himself, even though he did nothing to help thunder!    Arguments Galore arise from feuding friends, and things go from bad to worse when Fiona Murray falls ill! Thunder plays a huge part in her well being because he is a wonderful dog.    Nothing lasts long in this book as Fiona is pregnant and Thunders previous owner returns. Is Thunder Tom's dog or this mans dog? Will the Murray's feel like Tom is THEIR son? I'll never tell.

Thunder from the Sea by Lauren
Boom, clash, bang! The tsunami hit Back O' The Moon, but everyone was all right thanks to Thunder. Thunder was a black Newfoundland dog that Tom found out at sea during a bad storm. Toy will love this novel if you enjoy realistic fiction. This is a book of courage, bravery, and sadness. Tom Campbell and his “adopted” dog live on a little island, Back O' The Moon along with some other families. They go through many troubles between Back O' The Moon and Chance-Along, but they overcame most of them. For instance when Tom was teaching somebody to read, Rowena disappeared, later Thunder found her on top of a mountain. Later in the spring Mr. Fowler comes to pick up his dog.

Worth by Christopher S.
 "Brutally honest, "Lyrical," "Amazing." That is what other readers have thought of this novel, but my opinion is that it was not great but not bad either. I thought it was nicely written, but I am not a big fan of realistic fiction. It's all about Nathaniel, a hard working kid who lived a normal life in Nebraska until... BOOM! a thunder storm scares the horses and Nathaniel gets trampled and crushed by them. His leg is in horrible condition now. Then he encounters many problems with going to school for the first time ever, like dealing with bullies and fitting in.  Also, he cannot see his dad much anymore because Nathaniel is always in bed or at school while his dad is working on the farm Plus, his dad now adopted an orphan, John Worth, without letting Nathaniel know. Soon Nathaniel and John have many problems with each other. Will Nathaniel defeat his problems, or will he get defeated by them? Read to find out!