Book Reviews by Kids - May 2005

Les Miserables

by Victor Hugo

I recently read Victor Hugo’s classic novel, “Les Miserables”. This book is about the life of the escaped convict, Jean Valijean. It takes place in France, mostly Paris, in the 19th century. After Jean Valijean, arrested for stealing a loaf of bread, is released from prison, he meets a kind bishop who shows him how to be good again. So, Jean Valijean reforms and becomes an amazing man. But, he has committed a second offense, so the police are on his tail. He has to go into hiding under an assumed name, and live a hidden life. This book is the story of his life and of the events following the French Revolution.

I think that this is a very good book. It has stirring prose that makes you think, and contemplate the nature of everything; of revolution, of the universe, of man himself. It has action that keeps you unable to set the book down. Unfortunately, it also has boring parts. Victor Hugo philosophizes a lot and recounts much of French history, and after a while, it gets dull, unless you have an amazingly long attention span. Fortunately, a lot of these less interesting parts are not relevant to the plot, so you can quickly skim, or altogether skip them. Aside from these slow parts though, this book has a great plot, awesome characters, and great detail which make it definitely worth reading. 

Reviewed by Princess Toenails - age 14

Les Miserables Movie on DVD

Les Miserables - The Dreamcast in Concert

Stones’ Quest: In Search of its Master

by LaRene R. Ellis

What would it be like to have a little whit stone control your actions? What would it be like to have your best friend killed in an effort to save you? What would it be like to be hunted down by both the good guys and the bad guys? Commander Ghonllier experiences all these things and more on his quest to bond with the Master Stones, become Master of the Galaxy, and to wipe out all evil from the universe in Stones’ Quest: In Search of its Master.

Reviewed by Dude Man - Age 13

Charlie Bone and the Time Twister

by Jenny Nimmo

Don’t you think it would be cool to be twisted threw time? What if it meant that you would never see your family or friends again? That’s what happened to Henry Yewbeam. He looked at a marble called the time twister and it twisted him threw time! He landed in the time of his great, great grandson, Charlie Bone. A lot of people probably think it would cool to be twisted threw time. But Henry hated it! How will Henry get back to the right time or will he get back?! Read this book and find out what happened you won’t be able to take your eyes off the book! .

Reviewed by Peach - Age 10

Stone Fox

by John Reynolds Gardiner

I really like stone fox. In it this kid's Grampa is sick. the kid gets pulled by the dogs in a snow sled and goes to the doctor and gets medicine. I  really like sledding and I like winter. I would like to do the exact thing that the boy did.  It is a really good book you should read it.

Reviewed by Sports Guy - Age 8