Book Reviews by Kids - February 2008

Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians

by Brandon Sanderson

Alcatraz Smedrey was a thirteen-year-old foster child with the unusual talent of breaking things. One day though, he received a bag of sand as an inheritance from his parents, and his life changed forever. Later that day, the sands were stolen by a group of people called the Librarians. He soon learns that the world isn’t at all that he thinks it is, and it is up to him and a few of his relatives to stop the Librarians from completely taking over the world. 

One thing that makes this book interesting is how the story is told from Alcatraz’s point of view, and throughout the entire book he tries to convince the reader that he is just a loser, while at the same time presenting the exhilarating story in an entertaining way. Brandon Sanderson has a very unique style of writing that is extremely fun to read and will entertain the reader with tons of new and exciting ideas, such as evil cults of Librarians trying to take over the world.

Reviewed by Dude Man - age 15

Duckling Ugly

by Neal Shusterman

Have you ever met someone who was so ugly that they could break mirrors? Cara De Fido has. In fact, she herself can. The mirrors are just to proud to show the reflection of someone with so much ugliness. Not even her own parents deny her ugliness and no amount of attention from them could ever make up for the cruelty she receives at school. No matter how smart or talented she is, her fellow classmates can’t see beyond her horribly ugly face. Then Cara receives a mysterious note from a mysterious person. “Find the Answers” it said. 

Will Cara be able to "Find the Answers"? Find out be reading Duckling Ugly. It's full of surprises, revenge, and even a little bit of magic!  

Reviewed by Peach - Age 12

And Nobody Got Hurt

by Len Berman and illustrated by Kent Gamble 

This book is about how there are so many weird sports stories in sports history. My favorite part is when it told about how in a football game one team beat the other team 222 to 0. That was the most points ever scored in a football game. If you like funny things and things that are hard to believe, you'll like this book.

Reviewed by Sports Guy - Age 10

Freckleface Strawberry

by Julianne Moore and illustrated by LeUyen Pham

It was about Freckleface Strawberry and how she didn't like her freckles. She tried marker but her mom got mad at her and then she told a lie and said, "I'm wearing makeup." I thought it was kind of funny because she said "I'm wearing makeup" and it didn't even look like makeup because it was all over her body. I think that Freckleface Strawberry is cute and she has red hair like me and freckles like me except she has more. It's a funny book and some of the things that they say are funny.

Reviewed by Dancing Flower - Age 6