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Ghost Buddy: Zero to Hero
by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver
Series: Ghost Buddy #1
Reading level: Ages 8 and up
Paperback: 176 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks (January 1, 2012)
Buy the book: Amazon

Billy Broccoli is new to the neighborhood, and wants cool friends and a spot on the baseball team more than anything. But the one thing he never wanted is his own personal ghost. So imagine his surprise when he ends up sharing a room with Hoover Porterhouse, a funny ghost with a whole lot of attitude.

When an obnoxious school bully sets out to demolish Billy, the Hoove comes up with a plan for revenge. It’s all in the Hoove’s Rule Number Forty-Two: Stay cool. And like it or not, Billy and the Hoove have to stick together if Billy ever wants to get in style, get even, and conquer the school.

I really liked this book.  It is funny and interesting and it made me keep reading for a long time.  I like the whole story and how it has a part about Hoover (the ghost) and a part about Billy.  It was easy to read so I could read it myself.

It ended it a big cliffhanger, so I can't wait to read the next book!

I recommend this to people who like funny books, or ghost stories, or books about someone's life.

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Justin Case: Shells, Smells, and the Horrible Flip-Flops of Doom
by Rachel Vail
Series: Justin Case #2
Reading level: Ages 7 and up
Hardcover: 192 pages
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends (May 8, 2012)
Buy the book: Amazon

Justin is going to start fourth grade—but first, he has to survive the summer. He “gets” to go to camp every day on a bus. He “gets” to experience all sorts of new things: Bugs. Mess hall food. Flip-flops (they hurt the space between his toes and they’re hard to walk in). And (gulp!) swimming.

Justin’s little sister, Elizabeth, seems to deal with camp just fine. So do his friends. Justin is trying very hard not to be a worried kid anymore, especially when it comes to making friends at camp, including a new kid who is kind of . . . rough. After all, Justin is going to be in fourth grade. It’s time to be brave. Right?

This book is about a kid named Justin Case and his life in the summer.  Justin is a weird kid.   He usually goes to a science camp, but he wants to go to a camp called Camp Goldenbrook, which is all about sports.  When he gets there, he finds out he is no good at sports, but he keeps trying. 

I really liked this book a lot.  It is a funny book and I liked how he keeps trying.  It's really easy for me to read, too, which is awesome.  This is one of my favorite books to read on my own.  I recommend this book to people who like reading about normal life, but really funny ones!

You don't have to have read the first Justin Case book to read this one, but you want to!!  Trust me!  Here's my review of Justin Case: School, Drool, and Other Daily Disasters

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The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan
Reading level: Ages 10 and up
Hardcover: 544 pages
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH; First Edition edition (October 4, 2011)
Buy The Book: Amazon

Percy is confused. When he awoke after his long sleep, he didn’t know much more than his name. His brain-fuzz is lingering, even after the wolf Lupa told him he is a demigod and trained him to fight. Somehow Percy managed to make it to the camp for half-bloods, despite the fact that he had to continually kill monsters that, annoyingly, would not stay dead. But the camp doesn't ring any bells with him.

Hazel is supposed to be dead. When she lived before, she didn’t do a very good job of it. When the Voice took over her mother and commanded Hazel to use her “gift” for an evil purpose, Hazel couldn’t say no. Now, because of her mistake, the future of the world is at risk.

This book is about Percy Jackson. He lost his memory because Juno, aka Hera, has taken it and sent him to a Roman camp called Camp Jupiter. Juno sent him to try to bring the Greek camp, Camp Half-Blood, and the Roman camp, Camp Jupiter, together. Rome and Greece have a rivalry. There are giants that are the sons of Gia the Goddess of the earth and they are trying to beat the gods.

I really liked this book and I hope the next one comes out soon. I recommend this book to people who like the gods and action. You should read Percy Jackson and the Olympians. The reader on the audiobook is good after you get used to him.

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Reading level: Ages 10 and up
Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins (January 3, 2012)
Buy The Book: Amazon
Listening Length: 7 hours and 43 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Harper Audio
Buy The Audio: Audible

In Artie Kingfisher's world, wizards named Merlin, fire-breathing dragons, and swords called Excalibur exist only in legends and lore - until the day his video game Otherworld springs to life.
You are special, Arthur, Says the mysterious message in his game. In one week's time you will come to me at the it.
Cryptic clues lead Artie to a strange place called the Invisible Tower, where he discovers that nothing in his life is as it seems. Artie is none other than King Arthur, brought to life in the twenty-first century. Artie has won the battle in the virtual Otherworld - now the key to saving the real Otherworld lies in his hands as well.
Green dragons, hungry wolves, powerful sorcerers - suddenly Artie must battle them all as he wields Excalibur and embarks on a quest worthy of the Knights of the Round Table. With his sister, Kay, by his side, Artie steps into the Otherworld - straight toward his destiny.

I really liked this book.   It is funny and has action, adventure, and fantasy.  I like how the book is like The Sword and the Stone.  My favorite character is Arty.  He is funy and brave.

I listened to it on audio and like the reader.  I would suggest it to people who like The Sword and the Stone and fantasy!

Here's my sister, Reagan's review!

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Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 7 hours and 51 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Harper Audio
Audible.com Release Date: September 27, 2011
Ready by:  Kirby Heyborne
Buy the book:  Audible | Hardcover

Once upon a time, Hazel and Jack were best friends. But that was before he stopped talking to her and disappeared into a forest with a mysterious woman made of ice. Now it's up to Hazel to go in after him. Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's "The Snow Queen," Breadcrumbs is a story of the struggle to hold on, and the things we leave behind.

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Reading level: Ages 9-12
Mass Market Paperback: 160 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks (October 1, 2009)
Goosebumps Official Site: http://www.scholastic.com/goosebumps/
Buy the Book:  Amazon

There is something weird happening in Fever Swamp. Something really horrible. It started with the strange howling at night. Then there was the rabbit, torn to shreds. Everyone thinks Grady's new dog is responsible. After all, he looks just like a wolf. And he seems a little on the wild side.

But Grady knows his dog is just a regular old dog. And most dogs don't howl at the moon. Or disappear at midnight. Or change into terrifying creatures when the moon is full.

Or do they?

 Goosebumps:

This is my second Goosebumps book and I really liked them both, but I liked this one SO much more than the other.  

What's it about?

This one is about how Grady and his family move to Florida because his mom and dad are scientists.  His dad caught some swamp deer and so he took them there to experiment and see if they could survive in the swamp.  Grady decides to explore the swamp with his sister, Emily, and while they were there, they were looking around and found a bog.  As they went farther in, they discovered a small, old hut where a hunched man lived.  When he opened his mouth, he had really sharp teeth.  They ran away as fast as they could, but ended up getting lost.  They told their parents about the Swamp Hermit, but their parents said it was nothing to worry about.  When Grady started hearing howls and scratches at night, during the full moon, he began to suspect that the hermit might be a werewolf.  But things aren't always what they seem, and Grady (and I) were very surprised by the outcome!

What I thought:

I LOVED THIS BOOK!! My favorite character was Grady.  He's the main character and I learned the most about him.  I liked how this book was a mystery, and it was really dangerous for Grady.  I love how everything was connected and how it all came together in the end.  The book was scary for the characters, but it didn't scare me.  My sister's friend thinks these books are too gross and scary, but I really like them!  So, maybe these books aren't good for girls!!  These books are pretty easy to read, and I like that because I got through it really quickly.  I'll be reading more of these books!

Parents:  This book has no bad language, but it can be a little scary and gross.
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Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: Square Fish (May 24, 2011)
Buy the book:  Paperback

It’s the start of the school year, and nothing feels right to Justin. He didn’t get the teacher he wanted, he’s not in the same class as his best friend, and his little sister, Elizabeth, is starting kindergarten at his school. Elizabeth doesn’t seem nervous at all. Justin is very nervous about third grade. And to top it off, he’s lost his favorite stuffed animal, but he can’t tell anyone, because technically he’s too old to still have stuffed animals. Right?

Title and Author
Justin Case Rachel Vail

Plot Summary
It's about a boy named Justin and his life in elementary/3rd grade. Nothing feels right to him. He hates it because he is moved from the classroom that his 2nd best friend Noah is in!

Plot High Point
My favorite part was when he woke up and realized he had no worries at all anymore. He is not afraid of bad guys or jiggly food or getting beat up by runny-aroundy kids or loud noises or death or dogs that growl. He has become the bravest kid on earth. April Fools.

Main Characters
Justin, Xavier, Gianni, Montana C., Daisy and Noah

Setting
It took place at his house and his school. It is the present.

Personal Opinion
I love this book!!!!!! I liked reading about his life and what it's like to be at school (because I'm home schooled). I liked Justin a lot. He's just like a normal kid. But he freaks out a lot about tons of different things. He's really funny because he exaggerates a lot. Like he thought that if he didn't climb this rope that was really high that he wouldn't pass third grade and he'd have to do it all over again. This book was pretty easy for me to read (I'm almost 9). I really loved it a lot!

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Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 400 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Press (October 1, 2010)
Author's Website:   http://matthewjkirby.com/kirbside/
Buy the book:  Audio, Hardcover

Three ordinary children are brought together by extraordinary events. . .

Giuseppe is an orphaned street musician from Italy, who was sold by his uncle to work as a slave for an evil padrone in the U.S. But when a mysterious green violin enters his life he begins to imagine a life of freedom.

Hannah is a soft-hearted, strong-willed girl from the tenements, who supports her family as a hotel maid when tragedy strikes and her father can no longer work.

She learns about a hidden treasure, which she knows will save her family -- if she can find it.

And Frederick, the talented and intense clockmaker's apprentice, seeks to learn the truth about his mother while trying to forget the nightmares of the orphanage where she left him. He is determined to build an automaton and enter the clockmakers guild -- if only he can create a working head.

Together, the three discover they have phenomenal power when they team up as friends, and that they can overcome even the darkest of fears.

Bransen's Thoughts:

I really loved this book.  I thought it had a LOT of adventure and activity.  My favorite character was Giuseppe.  I liked how the author sort of got this book off of real history.  I liked how Giuseppe ran away from his padrone, Stephano, and that he didn't care how badly he got punished, he just kept going.  I liked how he had good friends that would help him.

I loved how Frederick was so determined to build a clockwork.  Even though he made some bad decisions.  It was hard for him to trust Master Branch because he was bro

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• Reading level: Ages 9-12
• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; Reprint edition (February 1, 2010)
• Author's Website:
• Buy the book:  Paperback, Hardcover

Follows the further adventures and misadventures of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III as his Viking training continues and his father leads a stranger and the Hairy Hooligans to the Isle of Skullions in search of a pirate's treasure.

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• Reading level: Ages 9-12
• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (April 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316014443
• ISBN-13: 978-0316014441
• Vampirates Website 

Twins, Connor and Grace, never dreamed that there was any truth to the Vampirate shanty their father sang to them before he died, but that was before the two were shipwrecked and separated from each other. For Connor, who is taken aboard a pirate ship, there's the chance to learn to swordfight, but for Grace, aboard a mysterious ship of vampire pirates, the danger is great. What will it take for them to find each other?

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