Dead Puzzling
Sue Birch
YouWriteOn, March 1, 2009
ISBN: 184923891X
Genre: Fiction

My mum bought me “Dead Puzzling” by Sue Birch. I love reading and really enjoy the Charlie Bone series and The Famous Five. I loved this book because it was a really thrilling story with lots of cliff hangers. I was trying to solve the mystery all the way through but I was ‘dead puzzled’! When I reached the end of the book and discovered the truth it all fell into place.

My favourite character was Oliver. I read this book in one go – for about the first few pages I didn’t quite get it but then WOW I couldn’t put it down and just had to get to the end (even though I should have been asleep!).

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Cousins
Virginia Hamilton
Scholastic Paperbacks, January 1992
ISBN: 0590454366
Genre: Fiction

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

One interesting thing about the book, is how much Cammy hated her cousin. I have never experienced that. I think it was not nice.

I like this book, because of how much Cammy loved her grandmother.

Reviewed by Zion
Elementary School, NC

Purchase Cousins today!

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The Report Card
Written by Andrew Clements
Reading Level: Ages: 9 – 12

Rating: 5

Reviewed by Josh, Guest Reviewer

In the story, The Report Card, there’s a main character named Nick, he is a bad effort student. He has gotten straight D’s and one C. There’s a list of things that people did around Nick, and those were… Nick had a group of grown-ups, or should I say teachers thinking about his grades. The group of teachers were all convinced that Nick didn’t know anything, but when you read this book you’ll find out that Nick is different than that. Nick’s mom even got so upset about Nick’s Report Card, she cried and she couldn’t say a word. Also Nick’s dad was even more upset about the report card, He was so upset, that he wanted to punch someone. Now guess what the teachers have to do now on Nick, EVALUATON TESTS.
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Arthur Ashe and Me
Written by Allen B. Boyer
Reading Level: Ages 9 – 12

Rating: 5

Review by Beth, Guest Reviewer

I like this book because it was a good mystery. This girl was a real good tennis player and she just quit playing and no one knew why. Then she gets a job at a tennis club and meets the ghost of Arthur Ashe. They become friends and he helps her with a problem that’s keeping her from playing tennis.

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A Hole In My Heart
Written by Edward Booker & Rose Jackson-Beavers
Reading Level: Young Adult

Rating: 5 

Reviewed by Adeesha, Guest Reviewer

15 year old Edward Booker teams with Rose Jackson-Beavers to write a book to help parents, teachers and children to understand the impact of drugs on the family.

This book shows the way that drugs hurt the whole family. Thirteen year old Darrius goes through so many problems and pains while living with his grandmother. His mother is a drug abuser, yet she loves her children and comes around often. Darrius confides in his best friend Nathan how much it hurts to see his mother in this condition. He also confides in his aunt Javia who gets help for him through counseling. This book has recieved many great reviews.

Purchase Book:

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Mister and Me
Kimberly Willis Holt
Reading Level: 9 – 12 

Rating: 5 

Reviewed by G.R.I.T.S. Kidz Book Club

Jolene Jasmine Johnson’s father died when she was just a baby leaving her to be raised by her mother, Ruby, and Grandpa Foster. Now, she feels she is losing another parent — her mom! She isn’t losing her to death, but in marriage to the loudest, sweatiest logger in town, Leroy Redfield! To avoid getting to know him, Jolene decides not to call him Mr. Redfield or Leroy as he suggest. Instead, she chooses to simply call him . . . Mister.
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Eddie’s Ordeal
Written by Kelly Starling-Lyons
Reading Level: Ages 9 – 12

Rating: 5

Reviewer: PBR, Guest Reviewer

This is a beautifully written book that focuses primarily on Floyd Delaney’s relationship with his son, Eddie. In addition, Starling Lyons creates wonderful subplots that include Eddie’s closest friends, the NEATE crew.
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Little Lion Goes to School
by Kellie Magnus
Art by Michael Robinson
Reading Level: Ages 4 – 8

Rating: 5 

Reviewed by G.R.I.T.S. Kidz Book Club

“Yes my name is Zachariah Zion
My Papa calls me Little Lion
I might be small and I might be poor
But one day I’ll have a mighty roar . . .”
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Mess at Loch Ness
Written by Dwayne J. Ferguson
Reading Level: Ages 9 – 12

Rating: 5 

Reviewed by G.R.I.T.S. Kidz Book Club

Kid Caramel and his trusty side-kick, Earnie Todd, are back on the job solving life’s perplexing occurrences. This time they find themselves whisked away to the country of Scotland in search of a classmate’s missing grandfather. In addition to the missing relative, stories of the infamous Loch Ness Monster surfaces causing Kid’s keen detective skills to kick into overdrive. Will he be successful in finding his dear friend’s family member in time? Well, you will just have to read this one to find out! 
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Taneesha’s Treasures of the Heart
Written by M. LaVora Perry
Illustrated by Chris R. Seaman
Reading Level: Ages 4 – 8

Rating: 4 

Reviewed by G.R.I.T.S. Kidz Book Club

Taneesha’s Treasures of the Heart is a sincere story that centers on a problem many school age children face from time to time – bullies! I found the Buddhist perspectives presented by Ms. Perry in this book to be a very good introduction into the religion and, one that will give young readers another perspective on dealing with their social conflicts. This story filled with kindness and tolerance is an excellent read for all ages!
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