The Saddle Club: Horse Crazy by Bonnie Bryant (135 pages)

 Summary

Stevie Lake and Carole Hanson are not only BFF's but are the most experienced when it comes to horse riding at Pine Hollow Stables. When Lisa Atwood signs up for riding lessons, Stevie and Carole aren't sure that she has what it takes to become an expert rider. Meanwhile, Stevie is having problems of her own. If she doesn't bring up her grades, she won't be allowed to go to the overnight horse camp with Carole. Will things work out for her, or not?  

Opinion 

I really never thought I would like this book, but as it turns out, I really did enjoy it. The characters were portrayed well and I loved the horses. The plot was not exciting, but overall the story was acceptable. If you like horses, you might enjoy this book.

Rating

***(3 stars)

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Dungeon Academy: Tourney of Terror by Madeleine Roux (221 pages)

 Summary

In this second book of the Dungeon Academy series, Zellidora Stormclash, Hugo, Snabla and Bauble are back with more challenges. One of them being nightmares. Zelli decides to confront the cause of the problem, Lord Carrion. Lord Carrion makes the nightmares stop, but something fishy still lies in the air. Zelli discovers that Travian Truescale is not only a dragon, but is also a human. Although Travian claims to be their friend, in reality he may not be. Zelli, Hugo, Bauble, Snabla and their new friend, Travain, face many adventures, before they solve the mystery that lies within their school. 

Opinion 

I thought that this book had a great plot twist. I was quite surprised and sad when Flash, the blink dog, and Zelli's mother both disappear through a portal. My favorite character was Zelli because she was brave enough to confront the enemy and was kind to all of her friends. If you read the first book in this awesome series and liked it, please do read this one.

Rating

*****(5 stars)

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From The Mixed-Up Files Of Mrs. Basil E. FrankWeiler by E.L. Konigsburg (162 pages)

 Summary 

Claudia Kincaid wanted to run away, but couldn't ever do it by herself. She finally decided to run away and take her brother, Jamie, with her. They run away to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which is beautiful and comfy. As they settle into their new environment, they discover a mystery that has made the headlines. Will these two figure out the mystery or will they fail?

Opinion 

 I honestly didn't like this book. One reason is that I found it to be a bit confusing because the characters jumped around too much. Another reason was that the story lacked action and I felt there was no adventure. Even though I didn't care for this book, if you decide to read it, I would enjoy hearing your thoughts.

Rating 

**(2 stars)

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Who Was Henry Ford? by Michael Burgan (105 pages)

Summary

On July 30, 1863 in Dearborn, Michigan, a boy was born who would change the world. Who was this boy? His name was Henry Ford. Henry had five siblings in all. Sadly his mother died while giving birth to her seventh child. Henry loved to take things apart and put them back together again. This passion allowed him to find his true dream of becoming an inventor and aided him in manufacturing the first car.

 Opinion 

I really enjoyed this book because I loved learning about how the first cars were made. One thing that upset me was that Henry's mother died along with one of his siblings. I found that the story about how Henry used an ax to take down a wall so that he could test his first car was rather amusing. I had no clue how hard it would have been to create a car. If you like history and cars, then this is a perfect book for you.

Rating

****(4 stars)

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Bonus Review: The Guggenheim Mystery by Robin Stevens (323 pages)

 Summary

Ted Sparks along with his sister solved the mystery of how their cousin, Salim, disappeared. Some months later, Ted, his sister and Salim need to discover how a painting disappeared from the Guggenheim Museum without anyone seeing it being taken. Sadly, all the evidence is pointing to Salim's mother, Gloria. Now it's up to the trio to clear Gloria's name and find out what really happened to the painting

Opinion 

I thought this book was fair. I felt as if the story line was a bit dry and lacked action. Although the characters were portrayed well, I didn't have a favorite character this time around. If you decide to try this book, I would be interested to hear your thoughts.

Rating

***(3 stars)

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Explorer Academy: The Falcon's Feather by: Trudi Trueit (215 pages)

 Summary

Cruz Coronado is on a mission to find all 8 pieces to his mother's cipher, which explains the serum that she discovered while working on a pain medication at Nebula Pharmaceuticals. She was killed in an accidental fire, but Nebula was to blame. This book only covers his adventures while trying to locate the second piece of the cipher. Cruz overcomes many challenges in his endeavor to locate this valuable piece. Will he succeed?

Opinion 

This is the second book in the Explorer Academy series. Even though I never read the first book, the author recaps the story and I was able to understand what was happening. I absolutely loved the plot twist. My favorite character was Cruz because he's brave, daring and kind-hearted. I really wasn't sure about this book when I started to read it, but after ten chapters I was really into it. I even fell asleep while reading it! If you like mystery, adventures and surprising betrayals, then definitely read this book. 

Rating

*****(5 stars)

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Bonus Review: Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George (228 pages)

 Summary

Princess Celie's favorite day has to be Tuesday because Castle Glower either grows a new roomer, a new passage or even a new tower! However, all hope is lost when the King and Queen disappear off the face of the earth. Although the Councilors come to help and advise Princess Celie and her siblings, something amiss lies in the air. Secret meetings are held, a new tower and a new secret passage appear, and the Councilors don't want the children to discover this. Consequently, it's up to Celie and her faithful siblings to save the kingdom, find their parents and stop whatever the Councilors are doing. Will they accomplish their mission?

Opinion 

I absolutely loved this book. It had a perfect twist, amazing mystery and best of all, the author described the characters so well that I felt like I was part of the story! Princess Celie was my favorite character because she was sneaky, kind, caring to everyone she meets and pretty. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes royalty, mystery and surprising betrayals. I hope you enjoy!

Rating 

*****(5 stars)

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The Prophecy of the Stones by Flavia Bujor (386 pages)

Summary

Three young girls, Jade, Opal and Amber have been chosen to fulfill an ancient prophecy and they set out on a journey that they will never forget. Darkness has taken over Fairytale, a magical realm, and these three, brave girls only have three, magical stones, one for each of them, to defeat the evil that lurks in Fairytale. On their journey, Amber, Jade and Opal learn to trust and work together. Will these three, unique girls be able too defeat evil? The fate of Fairytale lies in their hands.

Opinion 

My aunt bought this book for me because she noticed that a fifteen year old girl wrote it. This book has been published in more than 21 countries and is still a best seller in France and Germany. My favorite of the three girls was Amber because she seems to care about people and is very brave. Jade, on the other hand, is a little disappointing because she thinks that she owns everything and is the boss of everyone. As the story progresses, Jade becomes a more likable character because she finally learns that the world belongs to everyone not just her. If you are amazed by the fact that a fifteen year old girl can write a breath-taking novel, then definitely try this captivating story.

Rating 

*****(5 stars)

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Bonus Review: The Van Gogh Deception by Deron Hicks (306 pages)

 Summary

Art, a young boy, who supposedly has amnesia was found sitting in front of a Degas sculpture with no memory of how he got there. While trying to locate his origins, he discovers a mystery that seems to be connected to him.. As he pieces clues together, he realizes that he will need to stop the biggest art fraud in history. On top of that he is faced with figuring out why a group of vicious villains are after him. Read this                      exciting book to discover Art's fate.

Opinion 

I really enjoyed this book. The plot was spectacular! It had twists, turns, challenges and best of all a mystery! The characters had awesome personalities and were extremely brave. My favorite character had to be Camille because of her spunky attitude and her kindness to others. I was even stumped by Art's identity. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes art and mystery mixed in one great story. Enjoy!

Rating

*****(5 stars)

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Spy School Project X by Stuart Gibbs (329 pages)

Summary 

As the school year draws to an end, Benjamin Ripley faces a big issue. Not only does everybody in the world think he's an alien, but every assassin wants him dead in order to receive a payment of 20,000,000 dollars. Murray Hill, a devious criminal, will do anything to ruin Ben's life. Now that Ben has lots of enemies, how will he get out of this big dilemma? 

Opinion 

First of all, I really enjoyed Spy School Project X. I liked it because it was action-packed, exciting and adventurous. I was very excited to finally meet Mary Hale, Erica's grandmother. Erica Hale will always be my favorite character because she's daring and brave. I enjoyed the fact that this story took place in Florida, and finally, I really liked how Stuart Gibbs described all the action parts. I highly recommend this book to anybody who likes mystery, action and adventure. I hope you enjoy it, if you decide to read it. 

Rating 

*****(5 stars)

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Regina Silsby's Secret War by Thomas U. Brodeur (248 pages)

 Summary

Everything is peaceful in the Winslow household until Captain Dudley and his soldiers decide to board in their house. Rachel Winslow hears Dudley's plan to capture the Sons of Liberty, which includes her brother!! So she decides to save them by masquerading as her great-aunt, Regina Silsby, who died mysteriously thirty years ago. During her bold adventures, Dudley arrests somebody as a trap to capture Rachel. Can she avoid this trap or will she be discovered?

Opinion 

We read this book in class and then were assigned to do a diorama. I chose the arresting scene for my diorama. Overall, this book was really good because it was eventful, action-packed and filled with suspense. Although my favorite character was Rachel because she was both courageous and daring, Grandfather was also an interesting character because he was rather sneaky, very smart and definitely kind. If you're looking for a book that dates back to the 1700's and is both mystifying and adventurous, try this one.

Rating

*****(5 stars)

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