JULY BOOK CLUB 2014

Spirit Animals Series: Fire and Ice
Review by Erik of thiskidreviewsbooks.com
"When I first read about this new series by Scholastic I thought, “Okay so they are just making another 39 Clues type series” (series of books written by different authors). The 39 Clues is one of my most favorite series and I was thinking this one wouldn’t be as good. But then I started reading the series and was really blown away by it! The Spirit Animals series is a fantasy series with a bit of humor and a ton of action. The world of Erdas is fascinating and I love learning more and more about the characters in each book. Each book in the series is written by a different author and I think it’s cool to see the different styles of each author and the different things they bring to the story. Fire and Ice is Book 4 of the series. It is written by Shannon Hale (she also wrote a very cool short story in the Guys Reads Other Worlds book called “Bouncing the Grinning Goat” (one of my favorites from that book) and she writes the Ever After High series (my sister Josie likes them). I would recommend reading the books in the series in order, just so you don’t miss out on anything! The series is that great!  I think fans of The 39 Clues and fantasy books will love the Spirit Animal series!
Like The 39 Clues and The Infinity Ring, Spirit Animals has an online game.  The online game is a fantasy role-playing game where you choose a character and a Spirit Animal. You get to train your animal and go around and collect items and try to defeat animals infected with a poison called  “the Bile.” It plays well and is easy to use. My sister and I have both tried it out and we both agree it’s very cool."

Ninja Red Riding Hood Review by Josie, age 10
"I liked this book because the wolf practiced to get better at karate (I practice karate too) but he wanted to do karate to fight (I do karate for self-control). Then he went to grandmother’s house and pretended that he was grandmother but Riding Hood came in and did very good karate and the wolf couldn’t beat her. I thought it was funny that they wrecked grandmother’s house. Then grandmother came in and gave him pie. Then he did yoga. That was funny. I liked the pictures and that it shows karate is better when you control yourself." 

The Count of Monte Cristo
Summary by Erik of thiskidreviewsbooks.com
*SPECIFIC STORY DETAILS SHARED*

It was the year 1815, and Edmond Dantès was walking along fortune road. He had a good chance of becoming captain of a ship when he was only 20 years of age, and that day, he was going to marry the love of his life. Then disaster struck. Men came to the banquet before the wedding, calling for the arrest of Edmond Dantès, on the accusation that he was a Bonapartist working with Napoleon (when in reality, Dantès was only listening to the dying order of his Captain, and knew nothing of what was going on). He was in jail for 14 years. In the meantime, the love of his life married his rival-in-love, his rival on the ship grew rich from being a banker, his friend and neighbor is dirt-poor, and his beloved father died. When the son of his rival-in-love, Viscount Albert de Morcerf, is on a trip in Italy visiting a friend, young Albert gets kidnapped by thieves. A man calling himself the Count of Monte Cristo saves him. Thus, the Count is introduced to the people who live in Paris: Count de Morcerf – Dantès rival-in-love; Mercédès – Dantès’ old fiancée; Monsieur Morrel – son of Dantès’ old ship owner; the Baron Danglars – Dantès’ rival; and Monsieur de Villefort – Dantès’ old judge.

ERIK'S RECOMMENDATION:
"This is an awesome book! Alexandre Dumas is one of my favorite authors, and this book doesn’t disappoint me! The plot kept me on the edge of my seat at all times! I am a fan of the Count of Monte Cristo character. I love how he used his misfortune to his advantage! I think that this book would be good for kids 9+ in the abridged version or 13+ for the unabridged version.  10 out of 5 stars for this book!"

JUNE BOOK CLUB 2014

"Cockle Doodle Oops! is funny.  I really like the twist ending."
Sydney, Age 8

"It's a funny book.  I like all the animals trying to say cockle doodle doo!" Sammy, Age 3

"I liked this book because they got tangled up.  I think it is funny." Sophia, Age 6

"The Mysterious Benedict Society was an intriguing MUST read.  It was awesome and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a little bit of mystery and abnormally gifted children. "  Naomi, Age 11

"The Mysterious Benedict Society is definitely one of the best middle grade books I've read in a while.  It's witty and clever with well developed character and an interesting plot!" Kirsti Call, Author of The Raindrop Who Couldn't Fall

A note from Erik Weibel at This Kid Reviews Books

"Jackpot is the next great book in the Swindle series. Griffin Bing and his friends are very normal kids, with special talents, in extraordinary circumstances, that you could easily be friends with. Mr. Korman writes excellent stories and easily enters the mind of his characters. He is a master of the written word, and I admire him.

I recommend this book to kids 8+."

For Erik's review of Loot, and many other great reviews "click here.

"Ender's Game is one of my all time favorite books by one of my favorite authors.  I love the complexity of the Ender's world and the idea of a young boy making such a powerful impact on the universe." Kirsti Call, Author of The Raindrop Who Couldn't Fall

"City of Bones is intriguing and compelling. The characters are likable and relatable.  The plot and story are fast paced.  I give this book 4 stars!" Kirsti Call, Author of The Raindrop Who Couldn't Fall

July Book Club

"This book is good because he doesn't breathe fire and the little knight tries to make him breath fire with his red hot stuff."Sydney, 7 years

"I thought the dragon blew funny fire!" Sophia, 5 years

"I like the dragon!" Sammy, 3 years

"This book was interesting because it's a different point of view. The dragon is good and the big knight is bad!" Naomi, 10 years

""This is one of the best picture books I've read."
James, 11 years

"Tara Lazar's debut picture-book "THE MONSTORE" is a thrilling story full of twists at every turn. You won't want to miss a minute of this hilariously brilliant MONSTORE-piece.- Ashley Bohmer, Children's Writer

By Little C, Age 8

"This book is very interesting because Percy is the son of a very important and mighty God so he can breath under water. I also love how the lightning gets stolen." Naomi, 10 years

"Lightening Thief is a really great book. It's a good way to learn Greek Mythology in a book that is fun to read."
James, 11 years

Percy Jackson Manga by Collin Brown, Age 13

"I like Harry Potter because there are wizards and magic and it is really interesting." 
Syd, 7 years old

June Book Club

"Being Frank is a good because Frank says things that he thinks are true and hurts everyone's feelings. He finally learns to say the things that he likes about things without hurting people's feelings." -Sydney C., age: 7 and 3/4

"While Being Frank is a children's picture book, it's great for adults, too! I don't care who you are, it's funny." -Rachel Welch, Artist/Musician

"Allow me to be frank:  Donna W. Earnhardt wrote a remarkable book!-- It's incredibly relatable and I love how there's a message snuck in between the hilarity. Being Frank is an instant classic." -Ashley Bohmer, Children’s Writer

Being Frank is a funny book. My favorite part is: "I like circles more than squares." -Hayden H., Age 5 and Chloe B., Age 8

Video review (above), art, and writing: Carter D.

Chloe and the Lion: I like how they argued. It was funny. -Bentley H., Age 8

"I think Wonder was a phenomenal book because he has a face problem and people were mean to him and he still was kind. He also has some great friends." -Naomi C., age: a decade (and 28 days)

"I really liked the book Wonder because it has a happy ending and it's all about a kid who gets teased a lot because his face is misshapen. Then at the end his friends stand up for him and it makes him feel very good. It's just a heartwarming ending." -James C., age: 11

Video review (above), art, and writing: Conner D.

Video Review (below) and Art: Cooper D., Age 10

Road to Reading by Collin, of The Brown Bunch

Spread the Word By "E-Rock", of The Brown Bunch