SHOOTING KABUL by N.H. Senzai

Senzai, N.H. Shooting Kabul. Simon and Schuster, 2011. ISBN-13: 9781442401952. $6.99.

Special Feature: Review by an elementary school student.

N.H. Senzai’s amazing talent is clearly shown in Shooting Kabul, her first novel. In her fictionalized account of her husband’s escape from Afghanistan, a bittersweet and terrifying world comes to life.

In the book, the main character, eleven-year-old Fadi, tries to cope (along with his family) with his move to Little Kabul in Fremont, CA, a lifetime away from the real city in Afghanistan, dominated at the time by the Taliban. Adding to the pressures of being Muslim asylum-seekers in a Christian country, Fadi is carrying the burden of guilt, as he feels it was his fault his six-year-old sister Mariam was accidentally left behind. Once the 9/11 attacks happen, the chances of finding Mariam practically disappear.

Suddenly, Fadi finds new hope. At his new middle school, he joins the photography club, paying for it with money he borrows from his older sister Noor. Through the club he finds out about a photography contest sponsored by the Societe Geographique. The grand prize is a trip to Kenya, China or India. Remembering how close India is to Afghanistan, Fadi figures this could be a way to find his beloved sister and restore his father’s honor. As he strives to win the contest, Fadi learns many important lessons about life.

I read this book on the recommendation of my mother, who heard about it on National Public Radio. It was one of the books chosen for their kids’ Backseat Book Club in early 2012. I am glad I decided to read it because it truly is a great book. I would especially recommend it for readers ten years old (my age) and up.

Review by Raquel Rivera, 5th grade

SERIOUSLY, NORMAN! by Chris Rashka

Rashka, Chris. Seriously, Norman! Scholastic, 2011. ISBN-13: 9780545298773. $13.49.


Special Feature: Review by an elementary school student.

Seriously, Norman! is a hilarious, inspiring, mind-blowing, mysterious book. I was at Borders trying to figure out which book I would read, but none of them stood out. Finally a person that knows my taste for books suggested Seriously, Norman! to me. Once I read the prologue, I was amazed! So I went to the counter to check it out.

Seriously, Norman! is a story about a 12-year-old boy named Norman Normann, who can’t pass a test to go to a good school. Finally his mom, Norma Normann, and his lazy dad, Orman Normann, hire a tutor, Balthazar Birdsong. Little does Norman know that an assignment from Mr. B will open up a new world to him. Mr. B’s assignment to Norman is to read the dictionary, from A-Z. Reading the dictionary increases Norman’s vocabulary. It also gives him clues necessary to find out why his father’s last business trip took longer than expected.

I relate to Norman because I struggle in math, while Norman struggles in various subjects. Additionally, as in life, the conflicts and problems presented in the story make it suspenseful. It also makes me feel the urge to laugh, be happy, and be sad at the same time. All of these emotions and events are ingredients for a fantastic story.

My favorite part of the book is when Norman plays with his action figure, Alfred the Great. He would have Alfred jump through spaces of time and go on adventures in new worlds. I connect to the book because I want to get good grades so that I can go to a good school. I will always remember this book because Norman’s imagination is a lot like mine. Through Norman’s adventurous imagination, I learned new words and their meanings. I highly recommend this awesome book to kids of all ages with big imaginations.

Review by Tatyanna Shillinger, 5th grade

AMOS DARAGON, THE MASK WEARER by Bryan Perro

Perro, Bryan. Amos Daragon, The Mask Wearer. Random House Children’s Books, 2012. ISBN-13: 9780375859762. $6.99.


Special Feature: Review by an elementary school student.

Amos Daragon, The Mask Wearer is an amazing novel that promises to fascinate readers of many ages. This action-packed mystery is an adventure to read and a pleasure to share. Bryan Perro has created an epic tale that should be required reading material for grades 4 and up. Well, I guess it was required reading for me. When my teacher introduced this book to the class, I was hooked.

This novel is about an adventurous boy named Amos Daragon. Amos is sent on a quest by the “Queen of the Sea.” Along the way, Amos befriends a mysterious boy named Beorf and an elusive young girl named Medusa. Can these young figures be trusted? What will Amos discover next?

Amos’ intelligence and creativity will make you laugh out loud as you read this fantastic book, which is a perfect blend of mythology and fantasy. When you finish it, you will see the world differently.

Review by Mackie Cates, 5th grade 

THE STONE CHILD by Dan Poblocki

Poblocki, Dan. The Stone Child. Random House Children’s Books, 2010. ISBN-13: 9780375842559. $7.99.

Special Feature: Review by an elementary school student.


The Stone Child is a supernatural horror story. I picked this book out because my friend suggested it to me. She handed me the book and I locked into the thoughts of reading it when I saw the milky white stone child, surrounded by a dark forest, gazing down upon her thick stone book.

The main characters in the book are three young kids, Eddie, Harris, and Maggie. Eddie is very inquisitive and is determined to complete his mission. Harris is the silver-tongued yet warm-hearted character. Maggie is the brainy person who demands education. I relate to Eddie the most because when something strange happens I demand answers just like he does.

The three kids try to unravel the mystery of the author Nathaniel Olmsted’s disappearance. A very important and terrifying event in the story is the discovery of The Woman in Black. I felt pity for these kids because I thought the end was near for them. I have read the book by Susan Hill and the title character spares no one.

I connect to this book because just like Nathaniel I love to study symbology and mythology. My favorite part of this book is the details the author uses to describe the town of Gatesweed where the story takes place, such as, “Out the window, Eddie watched as they passed a crooked iron fence on the left side of the road. Dead vines were wrapped around the rusty spikes, as if the woods were trying to drag the fence down into the dirt”(12).

Throughout this book the feeling is dark. I’ll never forget when Eddie is walking through the town and he sees the big words spray painted on the back of the book store, “THE WOMAN IS WATCHING.” This book does not fail to deliver a thrill to those seeking it.

Reviewed by Malcolm Young, 5th grade

SHAKESPEARE MAKES THE PLAYOFFS by Ron Koertge

Koertge, Ron. Shakespeare Makes the Playoffs. Candlewick Press, 2012. ISBN-13: 9780763658526. $5.99.

Special Feature: Review by an elementary school student.


Ron Koertge writes the wonderful novel Shakespeare Makes the Playoffs with such style, personality, and humor that it is almost impossible to put this lovely realistic fiction down. When I look for a book, it must be unique, and this title really caught my eye. You may think it is all about sports, but as you read on, you realize there is much more to this story.

Kevin is a talented and funny 14 year old. He has pretty cool and supportive friends whom he plays baseball with, but he has a talent that they don't have. You see, Kevin's a real wiz at writing poetry, which earns him the nickname Shakespeare. When his Father gives him a red notebook called "Shakespeare's Secret Diary," he begins a new collection of poems with topics such as playoff practice or Ms. Baldwin, the creepy geography teacher.

A lot of people think that you can only either be a jock or a nerd, that you have to focus on sports or creativity; this book shows that you can be all of the above. You don't have to limit yourself. I believe many people would enjoy this fantastic book.

Review by MaeLin Janus, 5th grade

THE GIRL BEHIND THE GLASS by Jane Kelley

Kelley, Jane. The Girl Behind The Glass. Random House Children’s Books, 2011. ISBN-13: 9780375862205. $16.99.


Special Feature: Review by an elementary school student.

The Girl Behind The Glass by Jane Kelley is a book that is abundant with mystery. This book attracted me to it because the front cover looked mysterious and sinister. It seemed like the perfect one! I took it home and read it immediately. The main characters in the book are 11-year-old twins Hannah and Anna, along with a peculiar creature. Hannah is a curious and clever girl who loves to read. She can also hear a voice that others can’t. Anna is a smart and likable girl who also loves books. The creature is a lonely and determined soul. I can relate to Hannah and Anna because I absolutely adore books! I am like the creature because it cares for others and has a light temper. The overall plot of the book is to get back at a lady named Mildred because she really mistreated the creature when they were young. One of the important events in the book is when Selena, the twins' sister, senses that something is lurking in her closet. Another critical event is when someone’s life is in serious danger and Anna finally hears the voice that Hannah has been hearing. This book definitely made me feel curious and sometimes worried. I love getting that nervous feeling when something spooky is about to happen!

I had a lot of favorite parts, but, overall I enjoyed the part when the twins planned to scare Selena. They terrify her and she becomes completely freaked out! I connected to the book because I have a sister and we like to play pranks on each other just like Hannah and Anna do to Selena. This book made me realize that it is important to do the right thing. It doesn’t matter who it is or what it is, it just always feels good to be nice, even if you really dislike that person.

The Girl Behind the Glass starts out kind of slow, really picks up in the middle and in the end leaves you hoping that there will be a second book! I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys spooky stories with a cheerful twist. When you pick up this book, prepare yourself for a great read!

Review by Sydney Korovec, 5th grade

TURTLE IN PARADISE by Jennifer S. Holm

Holm, Jennifer S. Turtle in Paradise. Random House Children’s Books, 2011. ISBN-13: 9780375836909. $6.99. Newbery Honor Book.

Special Feature: Review by an elementary school student.

Turtle is an angry 11-year-old girl. She got her name from her mother, who said “You have a hard shell but a soft belly.” Turtle doesn’t believe that! Turtle thinks she is a tough girl because she hangs out with the Diaper Gang. The Diaper Gang is very funny. They have a lot of adventures with babies who have diaper rashes. Bean has a secret formula that is called cornstarch, but nobody knows what it is. As a reader, I was surprised that they went around taking care of babies, but it was very funny.

It's the year 1935, and Turtle moves to Florida to stay with relatives. Turtle meets many relatives whom she didn’t know about. The first relatives she meets are Aunt Minnie, Uncle Vernon, and four cousins. She then meets Nana Philly, the grandmother she thought was dead. Turtle also meets a man named Slow Poke, who becomes a good friend. I found out at the end of the story something very special about Slow Poke, and that was also very surprising.

There is an exciting and scary adventure in this book. Turtle finds the map of Captain Caesar’s treasure. She and the Diaper Gang go on a boat to an island where they find a huge rock that the treasure is buried under. I really enjoyed this adventure because I would like to go hunting for treasure with them, and I was excited about what it might be. The Diaper Gang got into a lot of trouble during this adventure, and I was hoping they all would be safe.

The ending of the story was both sad and happy. I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to my friends. They would enjoy the ending also!

Review by Finnegan McCool, 5th grade