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Newbery Award/Newbery Honor Award Book Reviews
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Title: Amos Fortune ********************************************************** Author: Elizabeth Yates Genre: Newbery Rating: 8 Critique: I liked this book because it told about a man who never gave up on freeing other African Americans from slavery. Library Location: home (also available at St. Leo School Main Library) Brian Grade 6
Title: Bridge to Terabithia ********************************************************** Author: Katherine Paterson Genre: Newbery Rating: 8 Critique: Because the book is so descriptive and it makes you feel like you are there, I gave it an 8. I also liked this book because it shows a relationship between a boy and girl which is not very common in today’s society. Library Location: classroom library (also available at St. Leo School Main Library) Matt Grade 6
Title: A Girl Named Disaster ********************************************************** Author: Nancy Farmer Genre: Newbery (Realistic Fiction) Rating: 7 Critique: I rated this book a 7 because it was interesting, but the plot and point of view were not always clear. It was always adventurous, and I really like it, but I will admit it was boring in some parts. Library Location: home (also available at St. Leo School Main Library) Alex Grade 6
Title: Because of Winn-Dixie ********************************************************** Author: Kate Dicamillo Genre: Newbery Rating: 10 Critique: Because of Winn-Dixie is about a girl named India Opal, and her dog Winn-Dixie and all the wonderful adventures they have together. I gave this book a 10 because it is a heart-warming story that is good for all ages. Library Location: St. Leo School Library Gabby Grade 8
Title: The Giver ********************************************************** Author: Lowry Genre: Newbery Rating: 9 Critique: The Giver was about a boy named Jonas who was given the assignment of the Receiver of Memory. So, from the Giver, he gets all these memories from the past, such as sunshine, sunburn, and other feelings. In the end, Jonals decides to leave the town, so that other may also have the memories he has. I gave this book a nine because it was very suspenseful and exciting. Library Location: St. Leo School Library Jennifer Grade 8
Title: Holes ********************************************************** Author: Louis Sachar Genre: Newbery Honor (Realistic fiction) Rating: 10 Critique: I loved this book! I enjoyed it because it was so descriptive and I felt that I was right there in the story. I also thought it was cool how the author zoned in on the main character’s thoughts and how they sometimes had one paragraph that was in the present and then it started to talk about the past, about his great-great gradfather. This was an important part of the book. I had fun reading it because it was adventurous, and at the same time very realistic to life. I definitely think that it deserved a newbery award. Library Location: home (also available at St. Leo School Main Library) Hana Grade 6
Title: Holes ********************************************************** Author: Louis Sachar Genre: Newbery Rating: 9 Critique: This is a great book to read. It is very interesting and exciting. It is about a boy named Stanley who is sent to Camp Green Lake. While there, he becomes friends with someone named Zero. They escape, then come back and dig up buried treasure belonging to Stanley’s great-grandfather. I would recommend this book to anyone who just loves to read a great book. Library Location: St. Leo School Library Patrick Grade 8
Title: Jacob Have I Loved ********************************************************** Author: Katherine Paterson Genre: Newbery Rating: 10 Critique: This story is about two sisters who despise each other. It takes place during the summer of 1941. Louise is jealous of her younger sister Caroline, because she thinks Caroline gets all the attention. I gave this book a 10 because it’s the kind of book that draws you in. You feel like you’re experiencing the conflict. I found this book a little difficult to read but it was enjoyable. Library Location: Home (also available at St. Leo School Library) Meghan Grade 8
Title: A Long Way From Chicago ********************************************************** Author: Richard Peck Genre: Newbery (Realistic Fiction) Rating: 9.5 Critique: The book was funny and wild, not what you would read every day. Library Location: St. Leo School Main Library Julia Grade 6
Title: Mr. Popper’s Penguins ********************************************************** Author: Richard and Florence Atwater Genre: Newbery Rating: 8 Critique: This book was really easy to read, and I understood what the author was telling or explaining in the story. The book is about Mr. Popper, who is a house painter, and who lives a normal life with his family. But then a penguin is in a box brought to them by a delivery guy. The penguin’s name is Mr. Cook. Eventually, Mr. Cook meets a girl penguin and they have babies. Mr. Popper turns his ordinary penguins into performers. This book taught me how to have patience with little kids. Library Location: Home (also available at St. Leo School Library) Elizabeth Grade 8
Title: On My Honor ********************************************************** Author: Bauer Genre: Newbery Rating: 9 Critique: I gave this book a 9 because it was an adventurous book. I also like sad books and it teaches many lessons. I really liked it also because I liked the author, and the way everything was describes. Library Location: Public Library (also available at St. Leo Main Library) Arielle Grade 6
Title: Out of the Dust ********************************************************** Author: Hesse Genre: Newbery (realistic fiction) Rating: 8 Critique: The book was very sad, but it was a fun story to read because of the unpredictable ending. Library Location: classroom library (also available at St. Leo School Main Library) Michael Grade 6
Title: Shadow of a Bull ********************************************************** Author: Maria Wojciechowska Genre: Newbery (Realistic Fiction) Rating: 9 Critique: I liked it because it was about a boy named Manolo. He doesn’t want to be a bullfighter but his parents want him to be like his father. I think the book was interesting and good to read. I also think it was enjoyable. Library Location: Public Library St. Leo School Main Library Adam Grade 6
Title: The Sign of the Beaver ********************************************************** Author: Elizabeth George Speare Genre: Newbery Rating: 10 Critique: This story tells about survival in the frontier country. Matt is left behind to take care of the cabin while his family goes to another piece of land they own. As he is waiting for their return, he makes friends with Attean, an Indian. Winter is coming, and Matt still hasn’t seen any sign of his family. Attean offers Matt to come and travel with the tribe to go north. Matt is left with a difficult decision: to go with the tribe or to stay and wait for his family. This story is very realistic, and is backed up with true facts about the Indians and life on the frontier. Library Location: Home (also available at St. Leo School Library Catherine Grade 8
Title: The Middle Moffat ********************************************************** Author: Eleanor Estes Genre: Newbery (Realistic Fiction) Rating: 10 Critique: I like this book because it was realistic, and you never knew what was going to happen next. I think that it related to a lot of people. Library Location: a friend (also available at St. Leo School Main Library) Marissa Grade 6
Title: Number the Stars ********************************************************** Author: Lowry Genre: Newbery Rating: 8 Critique: This book was about two families during the Holocaust. One is Jewish and the other is not. The book shows the hardships of the war. I gave it an 8 because it was very interesting, though not the best I ever read. Library Location: Public Library (also available at St. Leo School Library Jennifer Grade 8
Title: A Single Shard ********************************************************** Author: Linda Sue Park Genre: Newbery Rating: 5 Critique: It was an interesting book, but at times it dragged and you can get lost easily. The story line was very interesting. The names were a little strange, but I got used to it as I went further into the book. It was about a boy named Tree-ear who was an orphan. He became an assistant to one of the greatest potters in all the land. His boss did not treat him very well, although his wife always gave Tree-ear a nice meal. Tree-Ear began to feel sorry for his friend Crane, a man who never had a good meal. I would recommend this book to middle school students. Library Location: St. Leo School Library Ellie Grade 8
Title: Sounder ********************************************************** Author: William Armstrong Genre: Newbery Rating: 10 Critique: This book was very interesting. It whowed how mankind can have a relationship with animals. I thought the author really expressed this idea. Although many parts were very sad, I still thought it was great. I hope you will read it too. Library Location: St. Leo School Main Library Lea Grade 7
Title: The Wanderer ********************************************************** Author: Sharon Creech Genre: Newbery Honor Rating: 9 Critique: This book is about a 13-year old girl (named Sophie) who sails across the ocean from Connecticut to Ireland to visit her grandfather, Bompie. She is the oly girl on the sailboat, the wanderer, with her three uncles and two cousins. She finds the past as she sails along the ocean. Library Location: home (also available at St. Leo School Main Library) Bonnie Grade 6
Title: A Year Down Yonder ********************************************************** Author: Richard Peck Genre: Newbery (historical fiction) Rating: 9 Critique: I really enjoyed reading this book! It had interesting characters, a perfect plot and the events were woven together. You had to read one event to understand the next event. The main character, Mary Alice from Chicago, moves to a small farm town with her Grandma. Read this book to find out their adventures. Library Location: home (also available at St. Leo School Main Library) Molly Grade 6
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