Cinder

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I really liked this book. It was hard to put this book down. I really wanted to see how this book ended. I was disappointed in the end though. I realized that it was the first book in a series but I would have liked for this book to be a stand-alone novel and for there to be a better conclusion. There were several questions that were left unanswered that I would have liked more information on. (how the disease started and is spreading, how did Cinder become a cyborg, how did she come to be adopted) I have recommended this book to others and everyone is really excited to hear the quick summary. Now I will have to wait for the next book.



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The Strange Case of Origami Yoda

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I gave it 4 out of 5 stars because I sometimes felt like it was hard to follow who was writing each chapter. I liked the premise of the story and feel the book has a great message for young students learning how to get along/fit in with their classmates. The book is perfect for 4 - 6 grades. I look forward to making my own paper origami Yoda.



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Forge

Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


In the second book of the Seeds of America trilogy, the story is told from the point of view of Curzon. The story picks up with Curzon on his own after leaving Isabel to travel to Charleston by herself to rescue her sister. Curzon finds himself in the middle of the fighting and is recruited into the rebel Colonial army. His troop is to report to Valley Forge and is instructed to build their own hut. Food and supplies are scarce. Curzon becomes friends with several of the men but they are unaware of his entire history. Fate would have it that his former owner, Bellingham, would come to visit the Forge. Curzon finds Isabel has been captured and sold to Bellingham. Bellingham requires Curzon to return to the officer's manor. The two must once again find a way to escape their bondage.

Just as the author did in the first book, Chains, each chapter begins with a quote from a historical document. The obvious research that was done is incredible. Even though I thought I knew everything about the Revolutionary War, Laurie Halse Anderson teaches me something new. I think this book would be a perfect read-aloud in a middle school American History class.

I really liked this book and look forward to reading the third and final book, Ashes.



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War Horse

War Horse - Audio by Michael Morpurgo

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is a historical fiction book intended for fifth grade to eighth graders. Those with a special love for horses will not be disappointed with this book. I also believe young boys will enjoy the battle scences. The book is set during WWI in France. Joey is bought at a market by a miserable man but his son Albert takes over the care of the horse with a stubborn attitude. When the war starts, the family must sell Joey to the war effort. Albert vows to find Joey one day. Joey finds himself working pulling an ambulance for the British army alongside his new horse friend, Topthorne, and then as an artillary cart horse. He is captured by the German army but his stubborn attitude pushes him to trot away from the troops to get to the quiet.

The book is told from the point of view of the horse and did have some parts that were difficult to hold my attention. The narrator did a fine job of using authentic dialogue with British accent as well as German dialect.



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