Review: The Playbook: 52 Rules to Aim, Shoot, and Score in This Game Called Life

The Playbook: 52 Rules to Aim, Shoot, and Score in This Game Called Life by Kwame Alexander
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Kwame Alexander is giving advice to young readers. It's given in the form of a playbook, organized through basketball. He supports his advice with quotes from famous athletes. It's a quick read. It started out being inspirational, but somehow it felt a bit preachy by the end. I liked the examples of famous athletes that begin each section. I found those to be very inspirational. I especially liked the examples from his life. That was where the strength of this book lay.

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Review: House Arrest

House Arrest by K.A. Holt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Timothy lives with his mother and medically fragile baby brother. His father left the family unexpectedly right after the baby brother's birth. Timothy and his mother are doing the best they can, but it's never enough. Not enough money, medicine, or time. In a weak moment Timothy steals a wallet to pay for his brother's medicine. As a part of his punishment he's placed under house arrest; must see his probation officer, and court appointed psychologist weekly; and must keep a journal. This book is his journal.

This is a beautifully written book. The emotion is raw and believable. I was truly unable to put this book down once I started it.

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Review: As Brave As You

As Brave As You by Jason Reynolds
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ernie and Genie are brothers growing up in Brooklyn who need to spend a month with grandparents they don't know. These grandparents live in rural Virginia and their lifestyle is as different from the boys' as night is from day.

This is a wonderful book. I loved the way the characters are brought to life. The two boys are very different, and each stayed true to themselves throughout the book. I really enjoyed seeing the boys develop their relationships with their grandparents.

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Review: Out of My Mind

Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Melody is a girl with a photographic memory and cerebral palsy. She is unable to speak, but has a lot to say. This is mostly the story of her 5th grade year. It's told from her perspective, and at times it's funny, but also very heartbreaking.

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Review: Socks

Socks by Beverly Cleary
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Socks is a cat who has all of his owner's attention...until a new baby arrives. Now Socks is demoted to cat and he DOESN'T like it one bit! This story is told from Socks point of view.

I really like the Henry Huggins and Ramona Quimby books that Beverly Cleary has written. I had higher expectations for this book.

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Review: Why Did the Underwear Cross the Road?

Why Did the Underwear Cross the Road? by Gordon Korman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Justin is an "Idea Man". He has BIG plans for everything he does. His school has declared that the month of April is "Good Deed" month and the team that earns the most points for doing good deeds will win a trip to the water park. Justin is determined to win, but he is paired with teammates who don't share Justin's drive and desire...and then there are all those BIG IDEAS that all seem to go wrong - in BIG WAYS.

This is a fun book for the 3rd-4th grade reader. Justin's plans are pretty hilarious when they backfire and they always do. The book is a bit far-fetched, but the farce makes it a fun read.

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Review: Summerlost

Summerlost by Ally Condie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the story of a great friendship. Cedar and her brother and mother have purchased a summer home in the small town her mother grew up it. They are working on recovering from a devastating tragedy. Cedar finds Leo, a friend who introduces her to Summerlost, the local Shakespearean summer festival and to a mystery.

This is one of the best children's books I've read in a while. The characters are true and the emotions are raw. This one will stay with me for a long while.

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Review: Booked by Kwame Alexander

Booked by Kwame Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Nick is a star soccer player who's life is going pretty well until the class bullies are back in school, his parent's give him news that will rock his world, and then there's soccer.

This book is written in free verse and is full of interesting characters who handle real life situations in ways I think kids might. There is also a fun, caring, and quirky librarian - what's not to love about that? I love the attention to words that this book brings.

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Review: 100 Cupboards

100 Cupboards by N.D. Wilson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Henry is orphaned when his parents disappear while biking in another country. He's sent to live with his aunt, uncle, and cousins that he doesn't know very well. Strange things are happening in their house and they only get stranger when Henry discovers locked cupboards that have been plastered over.

This book has a lot of promise, but it was slow starting out. I usually like fantasy books, but this one didn't grab me. I think there were too many characters and too much explaining. I know it's the first in a series. Maybe the other books move a bit faster since I now know the background information.

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