Book Reviews by Kids - September 2007

The Ransom of Mercy Carter

by Caroline B. Cooney

When Indians kidnap all of the children of Mercy’s village, the only thing the children can think of is ransom. The hope that their parents will come and buy their freedom sustains them. Soon, however, as Mercy and the other children grow accustomed to their captor’s ways, they find themselves becoming less English and more Indian. Mercy misses her English family, but still she wonders: if the chance for ransom comes, will she take it?

This book, by the author of The Face on the Milk Carton, carries the reader on a journey of thrilling suspense. Also, the honesty with which Mercy narrates the story makes it easy to understand and relate to. This is an excellent reading choice for all kinds of readers. 
Reviewed by Pirate Princess - age 16

The Midnighters: The Secret Hour

by Scott Westerfield

15-year-old Jessica Day has just moved to the small, isolated town of Bixby, Oklahoma. At first it seems to be a fairly boring, but normal town. However, one night as she is lying in bed, the world stops in time. She soon figures out that at the stroke of midnight, there is an hour where the rest of the world freezes, except for her and several other teenagers living in Bixby. However, in this secret hour, there are also strange creatures, darklings, which after years of hiding are ready to take their revenge on the Midnighters, as well as the rest of the human race. This is an extremely exciting book with some very deeply detailed characters that will keep readers thinking of it long after they have put the book down. 

Reviewed by Dude Man - Age 15

And Then There Were None (also published as Ten Little Indians)

by Agatha Christie 

Indian Island, a private island just off the coast of Devon, had always been a strange place. It had been bought and sold many times. By now no one new for sure who owned it, but there had been rumors. Strangely enough a curious assortment of ten people had been invited for a weekend there. Why you might ask would this collection of people be "curious". All that these guests have in common is a wicked past, a past they are each very unwilling to reveal- and a secret that will seal their fate. For they have each been marked for murder. One by one they will fall. Before the weekend is done each will be gone forever. 
This book is a very exciting mystery filled with intense thinking, thrill, and a serial murderer. Read this book to find out the guests wicked pasts.

Reviewed by Peach - Age 12

The Man in the Iron Mask

by Paul Mantell

This book is about a king and queen that have babies that are twins so they have one be king and the other one has to be sent to live somewhere else where no one can know his identity except the person he lives with. 

I liked it when one of the king's helpers went to the prison where the twin was. The twin didn't know his identity but the helper told him his identity. The helper said he could make the twin in prison become king, and have the king go to prison. You should read this book if you like historic fiction. It is a good book.

Reviewed by Sports Guy - Age 10