Kids Read it First! Book Reviews for Summer 2023
Title: The Ruby Code
by Jessica Khoury
Reviewed by Samyukta, age 10
11/10, amazing. I read it over and over again. You should publish it right now. But if you do publish it, please check spelling. I saw Locke spelled as Lock in one of the pages.
This book is wonderful, and I hope you make more like this Jessica Khoury. P.S. I love how Ruby and Ash look.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Title: Reggie, Kid Penguin
by Jen de Oliveira
Reviewed by Otto, age 7
I want this to be published.
Title: Alias Anna
by Susan Hood
Reviewed by Rosaleen, age 12
My definition of a 5-star rating means that "This book blew me away!", which is exactly what Alias Anna felt like to me.
This true story, which is about the childhood of Zhanna Arshanskaya (a pianist) and her sister Frina, when they experienced the Holocaust, inspired me with the bravery of the two young girls. Zhanna (Alias "Anna") and Frina (alias "Marina") ended up being the only known survivors of the massacre at the Dobitsky Yara and later made it to America with their musical talent. The truthful comments of Zhanna (written down by her son Greg) swirled perfectly with Susan Hood's poetry, creating a biography that touched my heart and also taught me more about the Holocaust.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Saddlehill Academy : sweet & bitter rivals
by Jessica Burkhart
The book was really good, but I would have liked a bit of more explanation in the beginning, because it was hard to understand.
Can't wait for book 2.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Miracle
by Karen S Chow
Reviewed by Chaya, age 9
I gave this book 3 stars because I thought it was sort of sad. I also didn't really relate to it. But I would also say that you should read this book if you are experiencing hard things, like a family member or anyone else who is close to your heart dying or getting sick. Also, if you don't really relate to that you can still read this book. I think that it is not very light.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Goblin Market
by Diane Zahler.
Reviewed by Avery, age 11
I loved the book, it was very good. So good you HAVE TO MAKE ANOTHER BOOK J I really liked how you described the text and the colors. And I know that the cover isn’t final but it really describes Minka, Lizzie, and Emil of how they are in the story and the background has a bunch of the thing that happens in the story. I really liked the books so please write another one please J
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Where the Black Flowers Bloom
by Ronald L. Smith
reviewed by Dylan, age 8
Where the Black Flowers Bloom is an amazing story. The emotions are described so strongly. It almost feels as though the characters are real! I like how the story kind of unravels itself into zone, and it can get you transfixed for ages.
The history and origin is well placed in the words, and, it could well become one of the greatest books for all time!
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
The Boy Who Followed His Father Into Auschwitz
by Jeremy Dronfield
Reviewed by Benny, age 12
Why you should read The Boy Who Followed His Father Into Auschwitz:
This book really helped me understand World War II and how the concentration camps were used. It is an amazing story of survival and loss and it is very informative about what happened. I really like how the writer explained how they got the quotes and information from the concentration camp survivors. Nowadays, a lot of people think the Holocaust never happened and it shows undeniable evidence that it really did happen. Many people have ancestors that were involved one way or another in World War II and the Holocaust.
Another reason to read this story is because World War II was horrible and we need to make sure something like it will never happen again. False information has spread a lot about World War II and people need to realize that they shouldn’t deny something they know nothing about. Overall, this is a great story about World War II and the Holocaust and I definitely recommend reading this book to gain a greater understanding of historic events like these.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Once I Was You - adapted for young readers
by Maria Hinojosa
Reviewed by Ruby G, age 11
Once I Was You is a relatable story about a girl who at a young age moves away from her huge family in Mexico to the USA. Despite having english as her second language she pursues a career in journalism.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Roar like a lion
by Carlie Sorosiak.
Reviewed by K L, age 9
I like this book because I can really see through the animals' eyes because I've been through some of the problems too. I like the penguins because they are really determined and they don't care what others think.
Sally's Big Day
by Andrew Larson
Reviewed by Harriet, age 6
"It is great"
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Undercover Latina
by Aya de León
Reviewer anonymous
"An incredibly thrilling story of a Latina teen spy stopping a terrorist. Every page was intense. From an undercover Latina girl getting info from a terrorist's son to chasing an identity thief and saving hundreds of thousands of people on camera, every part was amazing."
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Reviews from 2022
Bigfoot Crossing
by Gail Anderson Dargatz
Reviewed by Trisha, age 9
It was really good. I just think the mom should not be called Stomp. It should be called Green or something more reasonable. I also think that Geenie is an ok name but maybe Ivy for the kid? You can say that the small big foot is covered in ivy so that’s what you called her. I loved your book very much. I personally have a hobby for comic books but I also like to read interesting novels. In the future I might say my favourite book is this!
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 1/2
Elephant Girl
by James Patterson
Reviewed by Leo, age 9
It’s not my favourite book because there wasn’t any humour or action. For me it was boring.
⭐⭐ 1/2
New Dragon City
by Mari Mancusi
Reviewed by Brendan, age 11
An exciting, narrative, expressive book that captures a dire situation, in a well written way. It shows us how fixated we can be, and how to get over it. Fans of Dragon Rider will find this book enjoyable.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Honey and Me
by Meira Drazin
Reviewed by Hailey, age 12
I think the first few chapters of the book are kinda boring. But as I go through each chapter, the chapters get more interesting and exciting. The book is about a girl named Milla getting ready for middle school with her best friend Honey. At firs, she and Honey are getting along. After a few weeks of school Honey and Milla started to argue, Honey getting more popular and stepping into Milla’s spotlight
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐