Kids' Book Reviews - June 2002

Homeless Bird

by Gloria Whelan 

Homeless Bird is about a girl named Koly. She lives in India. When she is only 13 she is married to a boy named Hari. Unfortunately, his parents didn't tell Koly that Hari was very sick and would die any day. He dies and Koly becomes  a widow.

In this book you can almost see what she is seeing and feel what she is feeling. When bad things happen to her you feel sad and when good things happen to fix the bad, you feel relieved, like she would. You really get involved in the book.

Reviewed by Princess Toenails - age 11

The Indian in the Cupboard

by Lynne Reid Banks

The Indian in the Cupboard is about a boy named Omri. For his birthday he had just gotten a cupboard, a key, and a plastic Indian. When went to bed that night he put the Indian inside the cupboard and locked the door. Later that night he looked inside the cupboard and he saw that the Indian had come alive. 

When the Indian first sees Omri, he doesn't like him, but eventually they become friends. The Indian even stabs Omri's finger with his knife that had also become real. I think it's awesome how Omri finds out how to turn plastic toys into real people.

Reviewed by Dude Man - Age 10

Junie B. Jones and that Meanie Jim's Birthday

by Barbara Park and illustrated by Denise Brunkus

That Meanie Jim has invited everyone in Room Nine to his birthday party on Saturday except Junie B. I liked it when Junie B. put a bag on her so no one could see her when she was in the principal's office. It was funny when she said she was going to move because Meanie Jim wouldn't invite her to his birthday party. Later, Jim invites Junie B. and she buys a working belt for Jim, but she wants to keep it and she takes off her teddy bear's nose with a tool.

Reviewed by Peach - Age 7