Book Reviews by Kids - December 2007

Alphabet of Dreams

by Susan Fletcher

Fourteen-year old Mitra and her little brother Babak are members of an exiled Persian royal family. Living on the streets, they are forced to steal to survive, until Mitra discovers Babak's mysterious power. If Babak sleeps with someone's article of clothing, he will have a dream about that person, which will sometimes predict the individual's future. Mitra recognizes this gift as profitable and begins selling Babak's dreams. Soon however, the operation backfires and Mitra and Babak become slaves to the Magus Melchior, who uses Babak to dream about a newborn king. Soon, they are undertaking a long journey to the far-away land of Bethlehem, to see this new king that will change the world. 

This is a highly original take on the story of the Three Wise Men, as well as an entertaining book in its own right. Master storyteller Susan Fletcher spins the tale with vivid detail and imagery. One thing I enjoyed about this book was the genuineness and imperfection of the characters, especially Mitra. Passionate and feisty, she is also selfish and prideful, a welcome relief to the almost-perfect protagonist of many novels. "Alphabet of Dreams" is a great read for the Christmas season and for any time of year. 
Reviewed by Pirate Princess - age 16

Frankenstein

by Mary Shelley

Victor Frankenstein is a young scientist from Switzerland with great ambition. At the age of 18 he goes to study at the university of Inglostadt. Through his studies he learns a lot, and begins work on bringing a corpse to life. He gathers body parts from dead people then puts them together to form his creation. After bringing it to life, however, Frankenstein is suddenly terrified of its monstrous appearance and runs away. The monster wanders off and learns how to read, write, talk, and do everything a human can, but no matter where he goes he is rejected and treated as a monster. Now the monster seeks revenge against Frankenstein for making him so miserable. 

Frankenstein is filled with enough action and intense scenes to keep you reading for hours, and at the same time shows the wrongs of prejudices, as well as showing the importance of knowing others’ perspectives. 

Reviewed by Dude Man - Age 15

Daniel's Story

by Carol Matas 

Daniel lived in Auschwitz, Germany with his normal Jewish Family. Everything was going great until Hitler came into power. Adolf Hitler was a powerful man that hated Jews. First he blames the Jews for everything that goes wrong. No one likes the Jews. Daniel doesn’t know what to do. The public persecutes his family and all of their Jewish friends and none of them can think of anything worse. All of the sudden Nazis raid the town, forcing all the Jews out of their homes. They ride train ride after train ride, cramped shoulder to shoulder, not knowing where they are going. Finally they reach their destination and it’s not very pretty. They were sent to an isolated town for Jews and outcasts. The only way to live is to work and remain healthy otherwise they are sent to “other places”. Not one single person knows where or what the “other places” are but they have their suspicions. Will Daniel be able to survive? Read this exciting book filled with adventure to find out.

Reviewed by Peach - Age 12

Among the Enemy

by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Among the Enemy is about three kids who are illegal because they are the third child and have to live on the streets to hide from the population police. It had some really intense and scary parts.

Reviewed by Sports Guy - Age 10