Book Reviews by Kids - February 2007

Double Identity

by Margaret Peterson Haddix

When Bethany's protective parents suddenly abandon her in a small town to live with an aunt she's never met, she gets a little creeped out. Things get even weirder when she realizes that everyone in town thinks she looks exactly like a girl named Elizabeth who died years before. Before long Bethany makes a startling discovery about herself...a discovery that could threaten her life and the lives of her parents. This book was extremely exciting. With each surprising turn the story took, I became more and more engaged in Bethany's struggle to establish an identity and preserve her life. This book is just as good, if not better than, Haddix's other classics, "Among the Hidden," and "Running out of Time." 

Reviewed by Pirate Princess - age 16

Pawn of Prophecy

by David Eddings

Garion was just a young farm boy living in the country of Sendaria, until suddenly, one day without warning, his Aunt Pol whisks him away on a journey to recover the stolen Orb of Aldur, a powerful magic stone, and to destroy the evil God Torak. Although this book drags on a bit at times, for the most part it is a thrilling book that will keep all but the most reluctant readers entertained for hours. This book is an awesome start to the Belgariad series, which will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very last page.

Reviewed by Dude Man - Age 15

Wait 'till Helen Comes

by Mary Downing Hahn

Molly enjoyed her family very much, that is until her mother married her step dad Dave. Its not Dave that bothers Molly, its his annoying daughter (Molly's "poor stepsister") Heather. Heather blames everything on Michael (Molly's brother) and Molly. Molly is getting very annoyed but then she finds out about Heather's mysterious friend, Helen. Heather met Helen in the graveyard behind their house. Helen isn't actually a person though, she's a ghost. Molly then realizes why Helen wants to be Heathers friend, Helen is lonely and needs a friend for "all eternity." Heather doesn't realize this, but her friendship with this ghost could cause her death. Molly must face her fears to save her stepsister from this mysterious ghost.

Reviewed by Peach - Age 12

Eragon

by Christopher Paolini

In this book there is this guy named Eragon who owns a dragon and uses it to travel and defend himself. I like this book because it is an adventure book. I also like it because it has lots of action like the big war at the end for a city called Tronjeim. In that battle there were bad people called the Urgals and the Razac. There were also the good people called the Elves, the Dwarves, and the Humans.

Reviewed by Sports Guy - Age 9