” Trapped Between The Lash And The Gun” by: Arvella Whitmore May 19, 2010

This month I got the chance to read “Trapped: Between The Lash and the Gun” by Arvella Whitmore. This book is about a boy named Jordan, an African American, who choses to lead his life down the wrong path. Jordan doesn’t do very well in school, and tends to lie. Jordan learns his lesson when he needs money so bad he steals from his grandfather. This story takes place in the 19th century.

Jordan is in a gang know as the Cobras. The leader of the gang, King, tells Jordan he needs a gun. Jordan knows to follow King’s orders. When Jordan goes over to his grandfathers house he steals his Hilltop watch that has been passed down for generations. He intends to go to the pawn shop, get money, and buy a gun. On Jordan’s way to the pawn shop, he passes through an underpass. When Jordan comes out on the other side, he’s standing in a field. The watch sends Jordan back in time to where African Americans were slaves.

Jordan knows there is only one way to go back, the watch. Jordan has no idea where the watch is. Jordan ends up being a slave with his ancestors. The headmaster, his grandpa, makes his pick cotton under the lash, and the burning hot sun. Jordan ends up getting sold at a slave auction to a new owner. Does this owner set him free? Does he ever get back? Is Jordan going to learn his lesson about stealing?

This book was so interesting. I really loved this book because it showed me what life was like in the 19th century. It really made me grateful for all the things we have that they didn’t. It also makes me realize to choose the right path. I give this book 5 stars! I definetely think you would love this book!

Among the Barons by: Margaret Haddix March 30, 2010

I read the book Among The Barons by Margaret Haddix this month. The main character is Luke Garner. Luke was the third child in his family, in a society that only allows two children. Luke has a very fun personality. He cares lots about other kids, and not just himself. Luke gets scared sometimes because he was hiding for 12 years and never knows who he can trust. The story takes place in many different locations including Hendricks School for Boys, and the Barons house.

Luke was given the freedom of an identity card that belonged to Lee Grant, a former Baron (a member of the highest class of society), and was sent to a boarding school as Lee. All the kids at Hendricks School are third children. Things were going great until Lee’s little brother, Smits, arrives at school. Lee and Smits have to pretend they are brothers and have lived with each other all there lives. Luke, a.k.a, Lee, and Smits didn’t get along well when they first met. Lee and Smits gradually warm up to each other. Smits tells Luke, the new Lee, his stories of the times he and the real Lee have spent together. But things get really bad when Smits tries to get rid of his bodyguard, Oscar, and he sets fire to the school.

Luke finds himself in a cluster of lies. He is in a lot of danger and doesn’t know who he can trust, Smits, or even his bodyguard Oscar. Things get even worse when Luke has to go live with the Barons in their mansion. When he gets there, he’s confused about where all the rooms are. When he goes to sleep, someone wakes him up. Mr. Grant. Mr. Grant leads him to a secret room and discussses why “Lee” is here. The Grants’ want him to die, or fake his death, because Smits has been telling everyone that Lee is dead and everyone thinks he’s crazy. So they come up with this plan. They’ll show him off in parties and then they’ll “kill” him and Luke would have to go back into hiding. That very same night, Oscar wakes him in the middle of the night and brings him into the secret room. He explains why the Grants’ want to make him go into hiding, they were being blackmailed. What happens to Luke? Does he go back into hiding? Can Luke trust Smits or even his menacing bodyguard Oscar?

The story Among the Barons was a great book to read. You get to read about Luke trying to survive in a place were only two children are allowed and watching Luke making risky decisions. The book has a lot of suspense. It keeps you wanting to read more and more. You should read this book if you like to figure out whats going to happen next. Also if you like this book you should read  the rest of   the series.

Because of Winn Dixie by: Kate Di Camillo February 26, 2010

This month I got the chance to read the book Because of Winn Dixie by Kate Di Camillo. It was a very heartwarming story with many main characters. India Opal Buloni is one of the main characters. She is very kind but lonely in the beginning of the book. She is very warmhearted and loves to listen to stories. She wants to learn about her mother throughout the book. The other main character is Winn Dixie. Winn Dixie helps Opal make many new friends. He has a very charming smile, and continues to put one on the face of everyone he meets. The story took place in a little town known as Naomi.

The first line of the book is ” My name is India Opal Buloni, and last summer my daddy, the preacher, sent me to the store for a box of macaroni-and-cheese, some white rice, and two tomatoes and I came back with a dog.” With those words, Opal begins her new life with the new family member that ends up changing her life. She names him Winn Dixie after the store. She was not sure what her dad would say when she brought him home  because dogs are not allowed in her trailer park. The preacher allows her to keep the dog because he is always talking about the less fortunate.

Her mother had left her family when she was three, and Opal starts to wonder about her mother having her father tell her ten things about her mother for the ten years of her life. As the summer goes on, Opal meets new people and gains friendship. She was very lonely to start, having to leave all of her friends back home. Winn Dixie helps Opal meet new people, every age and type. You get to hear about everyones story. Otiss’ trip to jail, Mrs Franny Blocks fight with a bear, and even Gloria Dumps superstitions with the bottles on her trees.

Everything was going great with her new friends in Naomi. Opal decided to have a party with Gloria Dump. The weather did not cooperate and the sky started to rumble. Everyone went in, and realized Winn Dixie was no where in sight. Opal went outside and screamed his name. She searched everywhere, and Winn Dixie did not show. The darkness hid Opals tears she was trying to hold back. Did Winn Dixie come back?? Did Winn Dixie get hurt?? Did someone steal Winn Dixie?

This book was so much fun to read. I loved hearing about Opals adventures in everyday life. I was able to relate to many of her struggles throughout the book. I wish we could read this out loud like “The Lightning Thief”. This book teaches a very good lesson everyone will enjoy reading about. At some point of a persons like they feel alone and lonely. This book shows you that you can make as many friends as you want. I actually started to pick up the book for the second time to read it over. I hope you will go out and read this book, I am positive you will enjoy it!!!!!

Claudette Colvin Twice Toward Justice by Phillip Hoose January 6, 2010

Claudette Colvin Twice Toward Justice by Phillip Hoose is a biography/autobiography of Claudette Colvins history changing life. Claudette was born September 5, 1939 in Birmingham, Alabama. When she was a baby, she went off to live with her great aunt, Mary Ann Colvin, and her great uncle, Q.P. Colvin, in a little town called Pine Level only 30 miles away from Montgomery. Claudette was a tomboy, skinny, and fast. She loved to learn. She was very religious, and went to church often. Claudette would always stand up for what she believe in. That is what helped her change history.

When she was little, she went to an all black school called Spring Hill. She thought it wasn’t challenging enough for herself. When she was eight, she moved to Montgomery with her great aunt and and uncle. She didn’t mind the move and everything was going well. But tragedy struck when Claudette’s sister Delphine died September 5, 1952 on Claudette’s 13th birthday. Claudette was heart broken. When she started her new school, Brooker T. Washington High, another tragedy struck. One of her good friends Jeremiah Reeves was executed for raping a girl. This was the turning point when everyone started thinking about racism, since the judge was white.

On March 2, 1955, Claudette was the riding the bus home with a bunch of her school mates. She was sitting in the “black” section, when a white women came on. Claudette refused to give up her seat. Immediately, the police came on and arrested Claudette. She was only 15 years old. On March 18, 1955 Claudette was found guilty of violating the segregation law, disrupting peace, and “assaulting” police officers. Her pastor later bailed her out. The news spread quickly. Claudette was afraid she would have a criminal record. Everyone looked up to Claudette and her bravery.

All negro people were fed up with segregation. People decided to boycott the buses. No negro person rode the bus. They later decided to take it to court. On May 11, 1956, the day of the trial, every negro person was at the hearing. It was the 159th day of the boycott. Claudette was a witness. Claudette gave a wonderful speech that had people crying. At the end of the hearing, the judges met and made a decision. Will the busses be segregated??? Will they win their freedom??? What was the judges decision???

I would recommend this book to everyone. It kept me wanting to keep reading about her life. It really was an amazing story. Just when you thought they were going to win, something else happens. I stayed up for hours reading on and on. If you like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, you will love this story. So go out and read this book now!!!

The 39 Clues Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan November 14, 2009

In the beginning of the story, Grace, the beloved grandmother of Amy and Dan, has just died. All distant members of the Cahill family have gathered round to hear the reading of the will. They hear the news that the Cahills are the most powerful family in the world!  Everyone is astonished at the news. Just about every really great person in history is a member of this super large family, the Cahills. Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, and Harry Houdini are all members but each of a different clan or tribe of the family.

The power of the family is hidden somewhere in the world.  Only a select few members of the family are given a choice, take a million dollars right now and walk away, or be given the first clue in race to find the secrect of the Cahills!  They have to compete against everyone else and ONLY ONE will win!  The competition gets ugly–double crosses, betrayal and danger complete with injuries! Will they find the secret power of the family????

The main characters are Amy and Dan. They are siblings. Amy is 14 and Dan is 11. Their hometown is Boston, Massachusetts.  They both have green eyes. Amy has brownish red hair and Dan has dark blond hair. They’re both very smart. Dan loves to collect things and has a wild spirit. Amy hates crowds and is shy. They are both orphans and live with their Aunt Beatrice, who doesnt treat them with respect.

This is a thriller!!!! It reminds me of National Treasure and The Amazing Race for kids. I think anyone who likes adventure mixed with mystery will LOVE this book. It really kept me wanting to read more and more and more! I couldnt put it down. I cant wait to read the next book in the series!!!! Every book is written by a new author so I think you will really enjoy them!!! =)