TRACKER by: Gary Paulsen

John’s Grandfather has cancer so he has to hunt alone this year. He waits and waits, but cannot see a single deer. Finally he comes apon a doe in a clearing. He picks up his gun and tries to pull the trigger, but he can’t bring himself to do it. He stalks the deer through the forest for a while until he comes very close to the doe. He reaches out and touches the doe. Then he heads home.  It had no story line what so ever.It lacked excitement.  The character development was okay, but John didn’t really do anything besides walk in the woods. This book gets 2 out of 5 shields. Usually I love Gary Paulsen’s books, but this one didn’t live up to my expectations.

♦♦◊◊◊ 2 out of 5 shields

HATCHET by:Gary Paulsen

When Brian goes to see his father the pilot of his plane suddenly has a heart attack. Brian manages to land it, but can he survive with only a hatchet? Can he face the dangers of the wild? I give this book 4 out of 5 shields. I really liked the parts about the little things that Brian starts to notice while he is in the wild. The situations and problems Brian gets into are very creative. You can always count on Gary Paulsen for a good survival story. Here is a link to his website: www.randomhouse/features/garypaulsen.com.

♦♦♦♦◊ 4 out of 5 shields

AL CAPONE DOES MY SHIRTS by: Gennifer Choldenko

Moose Flanagan moves to Alcatraz. Is he happy about that? NOT ONE BIT! A sister with autism only makes things harder. Especially when his sister might be friends with one of the convincts! The daughter of the warden then makes a plan to make some money… illegaly! Moose gets caught up in the whole plan. Finally things start to be more normal, but his sister can’t get into a school for Autistic children. Moose is desperate so he writes Al Capone a letter. Is there a response? I picked this book up and once I started reading it I busted out laughing the whole time. It was funny and fast-paced. I give it 4 out of 5 shields. I really liked how she described Moose’s feelings about his sister.

♦♦♦♦◊ 4 out of 5 shields

THEODORE BOONE: THE ABDUCTION by: John Grisham

When Theo’s friend April disappears, of course, he tries to find her. The police find that April had recently been in touch with a criminal named Jack Leeper. Did Jack abduct April?! If not who did?! I give this book 4 out of 5 shields for the wonderful characters that really develop through the story. I could not stop reading this book because of the suspense. John Grisham really puts you right next to Theo as he tries to find April. This is the second book in the Theodore Boone series.

♦♦♦♦◊ 4 out of 5 shields

HOLES by Louis Sachar

 Stanley Yelnats is sent to Camp Green Lake to serve his juvenile detention time. There isn’t a lake at camp, but rather a desert. He is pushed around by the other kids there. There is so called curse on the Yelnats family. Can Stanley fulfill his destiny and stop the curse? I give this book 5 out of 5 shields for the suspense and fast-paced story. I couldn’t stop reading this book once I got started.

♦♦♦♦♦ 5 out of 5 shields

THEODORE BOONE: KID LAWYER by: John Grisham

 This book is great for anyone who likes an interesting twist of plot, humor, and lots of action. It’s about a 13 year old kid trying to prove a man guilty of murder. But the one and only witness is stuck between a rock and a hard place. I give this book 4 out of 5 shields because of the mind-boggling dilemma and the great characters. I recommend this book to both kids and adults.

♦♦♦♦◊ 4 out of 5 shields