Grade 5
Book Reviews
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Grade 5 Book Reviews Sorted by Genre
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Adventure
Hostile Hospital (Series of Unfortunate Events) by Lemony Snicket (Adventure)
Perils of Peppermints by Barbara Wallace (Realistic Fiction/ Adventure/ Mystery)
Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo (Adventure Fiction)
The Wizard Abroad by Diane Duane (Fantasy/ Adventure)
Autobiography
Under the Looking Glass by Nelly Lewin (Autobiography)
Fantasy
The Doll People by Ann M. Martin & Laura Godwin (Fantasy/Mystery)
Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke (Fantasy)
Eragon by Christopher Paolini (Fantasy)
The Mattimeo by Brian Jacques (Fantasy)
The Silver Chair by C. S. Lewis (Fantasy)
The Wizard Abroad by Diane Duane (Fantasy/ Adventure)
Fiction
Christina's Ghost by Betty Ren Wright (Fiction)
Molly Moons by Georgia Bryng (Fiction)
Historical Fiction
True North by Kathryn Lasky (Historical Fiction)
Mystery
Bernie and Magruder by Stephan Manes (Mystery)
The Doll People by Ann M. Martin & Laura Godwin (Fantasy/Mystery)
Perils of Peppermints by Barbara Wallace (Realistic Fiction/ Adventure/ Mystery)
Non-fiction
Top 10 NBA Most Valuable Players by John Albert Torres (Non-fiction)
Realistic Fiction
Boy Who Saved Baseball by John Ritter (Realistic Fiction)
Captive by Gary Paulsen (Realistic Fiction)
D-3 Mighty Ducks by Johnathan Schmidt (Realistic Fiction)
Everest Book 1: The Contest by Gordon Korman (Realistic Fiction)
Island series by Gordon Korman (Realistic Fiction)
Perils of Peppermints by Barbara Wallace (Realistic Fiction/ Adventure/ Mystery)
Tangerine by Edward Bloor (Realistic Fiction)
The Truth About Stacey by Ann Martin (Realistic Fiction)
Adventure
Author: Lemony Snicket
Genre: Adventure/Fiction
Book Review by: Ronnie P.
The Hostile Hospital is about three kids. Their names are Violet, Sunny and Klaus. They are at a hospital in disguises because people think they are murderers. Count Olaf is a very bad person who is going after the three kids' fortune.
The themes of this book are: ”No one should ever try to steal something from somebody,” and "You should always care about your brothers and sisters."
I like this book because it has a lot of mysteries that you have to solve, and you have to keep on reading to find them out. This book is the 8th book of the series. I have read all the other ones too. These books are very interesting!
Author: Barbara Wallace
Genre: Fiction- Realistic, Adventure, Mystery
Book Review by: Allison L.
Perils of Peppermints is the sequel to Peppermints in the Parlor. Perils of Peppermints is about an eleven-year-old girl named Emily. Emily is sent to boarding school because her aunt and uncle are going away for business. Emily gets dropped off at Mrs. Spilking’s Select Academy for Young Ladies. Emily makes two friends at the academy, Sarah and Emily. Emily finds out Mrs. Spilking is "up to no good;" so it’s up to Emily to stop her.
Barbara Wallace was trying to tell the readers that sometimes you just have to be brave and strong. Emily wanted to cry, but she knew she couldn’t. Emily always had to be strong and so do we.
Perils of Peppermints is an awesome book. The author writes the book so it keeps you guessing about what’s going to happen next. Perils of Peppermints is a book you can enjoy reading. It made me want to keep reading. The way Barbara Wallace wrote the story, it was easy to make a picture in your mind. Even though Perils of Peppermints is a thick book, it is definitely worth reading.
Author: Kate DiCamillo
Genre: fairy tale/adventure fiction
Book Review by: Natasha K.
The Tale of Despereaux is about a mouse, Despereaux, who isn’t a normal mouse. His brothers and sisters show him how to act as a normal mouse, but he always gets distracted. One day he meets Princess Pea and falls in love with her and had to talk to her. Once he breaks the number one rule, "Don’t talk to humans;" he immediately gets sent to the dungeon. There he meets Gregory the Jailor. Roscurro is a rat that accidentally killed the queen and wants to get his revenge on the Princess Pea. Will Despereaux save the princess? What is Roscurro’s plan? You’ll have to find out when you read this book.
The message of the book is no matter who you are, anything is possible. Despereaux, even though he was a small mouse, did something no other mouse had the courage to do.
I liked this book because the main character is an animal. I also enjoyed Despereaux’s personality, and I think you will too if you read this adventure fairy tale.Author: Diane Duane
Genre: Fantasy/Adventure Fiction
Book Review by: Charles S.
Nita, a 14 year old wizard, was given a vacation from magic and her partner, Kit, by her parents. She was to go to Ireland for six weeks and live with her odd Aunt Annie. As you know Ireland is a land of many myths. Now, could you imagine if these myths became reality? Well they were for Nita. She had to face these creatures in head-to-head combat, with only one weapon-wizardry. Will she prevail?
The author’s message of this book is though you may not like it, you have to do it. Nita reluctantly went to Ireland, but there, she had her first kiss, an adventure of a lifetime.
I thought this book was one of the best ones yet. It is a mixture of mythology, and wizardry-(my favorite!) This book is the 4th in an excitable series. I really enjoyed book four for its colorful detail, and rich historical myths. If you have a chance, read them all: 1-So You Want to Be a Wizard, 2-Deep Wizardry, 3- High Wizardry, 4-A Wizard Abroad, 5-The Wizard’s Dilemma, 6- A Wizard Alone, 7-A Wizard’s Holiday.
Autobiography
Title: Under the Looking Glass
Author: Nelly Lewin
Genre: Autobiography
Book Review by: Elizabeth M.
Under the Looking Glass is about a girl named Nelly. Nelly is a Jewish girl who was 11 years old during the Holocaust. She had to hide out for a long time in the bathroom of a non-Jewish couple who were against the Germans. The one thing that she has left of her family memories was her diary. She writes and paints in it still today. This book is mainly based on her diary.
I think that the author really wanted to tell the readers about her childhood. When the Holocaust occurred it was a depressing time. She wanted to let you know what Hitler and his men did was a horrible unthinkable thing.
I loved this book because it taught me a lot about how the Jewish were treated very poorly during the Holocaust. This scared me a little bit. However, it also showed me how other countries are a lot different than ours. So you should definitely pick this book up and read it!
Fantasy
Author: Ann M. Martin and Laura Godwin
Genre: fiction- fantasy, mystery
Book Review by: Carolyn C.
The Doll People is about a family of dolls. They are bored all the time because they can’t get caught talking by their owner Kate. They had an Auntie Sarah, but a long time ago she left the house and never came back. They missed her very much. Then one day they went searching for Sarah. While they were searching for Sarah they met another doll family named the Funcrafts. They became close friends.
Ann M. Martin and Laura Godwin wanted to tell us to know that you should never give up. I think this because when they couldn’t find Auntie Sarah they didn’t give up. They just kept searching until they found her. Even if they thought it was impossible to find her, they kept on looking.
I liked it because it was always interesting. It always kept me guessing. I liked when the Funcrafts and the Dolls went all over the house searching for poor Auntie Sarah. They had so many good adventures that they went on. I wish that I could go on them too. I loved the adventures.
Author: Cornelia Funke
Genre: Fantasy
Book Review by: Joshua A.
Dragon Rider is a book about a dragon, a kid, and a “brownie”, which is similar to a cat. They are on a quest to find a place where dragons can live in peace. Along the way they meet an evil villain.
The author wanted to say you don’t have to be old to go on an adventure. Firedrake, the dragon, is really shy. He learns to be brave along the way.
I liked that Cornelia made a good fantasy tale about a dragon, a boy and a “brownie”. They had to work together in order to get through some tough situations. It is a good book.
Author: Christopher Paolini
Genre: Fantasy
Book Review by: Aleah L.
Eragon is about a boy who is very poor, about 16 years old, who finds a magic stone. He thinks it is bad luck because it came from a dangerous mountain range where very few could survive when they journeyed into it. Little did the boy, Eragon, know that his stone was sent by an elf protecting it. Eragon has much to learn!
Christopher Paolini wanted to tell his readers that magic is in all of us. Eragon had to uncover the magic within him. I also think he wanted readers to understand that things can happen when you least expect them.
I liked the book because Christopher Paolini used his imagination really well while writing this book. Magic was a good topic for him to write about. The suspense was seemingly impossible! Paolini timed the suspense well! I wanted to know everything that would happen next, so I read one night until 2:00 AM! I can’t wait until the next book comes out!
Author: Brian Jacques
Genre: Fiction – Fantasy
Book Review by: David H.
The book Mattimeo is the fourth book in the Redwall series, so to really be able to enjoy it; you should read the first three books. Mattimeo starts out with a cruel fox that hates Redwall Abbey and all who live in it. His plan is to kidnap all of the children of Redwall Abbey. Somehow he succeeds, but to know exactly how, you have to read the book for yourself. The parents of the children of Redwall chase the fox, who is known as Slagar, across the country, meeting many obstacles along the way. While all of the warriors are gone, Redwall is attacked by a pack of crows led by one very vicious one, Lord Ironbeak.
Brian Jacques wrote this book to thrill his readers. There is a great mix of action adventure and some comedy. Jacques wanted to tell the readers that anything could be accomplished depending on how hard you try and how much you believe.
I like the book because everything, besides the part that it was based on animals, seemed so real. It could have taken place long ago during the time of knights and castles, but the friendships could be from today. It also had my favorite combination of action, adventure, and humor. It was a truly enjoyable story.Author: C.S. Lewis
Genre: Fantasy
Book Review by: Connor S.
The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis was about a boy named Eustace, and a girl named Jill. Eustace knows of a wonderful world of magic, but Jill doesn’t believe him. Then Eustace takes her to Narnia, and she is amazed. There is a missing prince, so Jill and Eustace are summoned to find him by the queen.
C.S. Lewis, the author, is trying to tell us that anyone can help make a difference. He probably also wanted us to believe in magic!
I liked how this book had lots of magic and suspense. This book is in the series, The Chronicles of Narnia, by C.S. Lewis. I have read the books The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, and The Magician’s Nephew, which are all well written too. I really enjoyed this book; so I know you will too!
Author: Diane Duane
Genre: Fantasy/Adventure Fiction
Book Review by: Charles S.
Nita, a 14 year old wizard, was given a vacation from magic and her partner, Kit, by her parents. She was to go to Ireland for six weeks and live with her odd Aunt Annie. As you know Ireland is a land of many myths. Now, could you imagine if these myths became reality? Well they were for Nita. She had to face these creatures in head-to-head combat, with only one weapon-wizardry. Will she prevail?
The author’s message of this book is though you may not like it, you have to do it. Nita reluctantly went to Ireland, but there, she had her first kiss, an adventure of a lifetime.
I thought this book was one of the best ones yet. It is a mixture of mythology, and wizardry-(my favorite!) This book is the 4th in an excitable series. I really enjoyed book four for its colorful detail, and rich historical myths. If you have a chance, read them all: 1-So You Want to Be a Wizard, 2-Deep Wizardry, 3- High Wizardry, 4-A Wizard Abroad, 5-The Wizard’s Dilemma, 6- A Wizard Alone, 7-A Wizard’s Holiday.
Fiction
Author: Betty Ren Wright
Genre: Fiction Book
Book Review by Danielle L.
Christina's Ghost is about a girl named Christina who is traveling with her sister Jenny and her mean Uncle Ralph to her grandma’s house. Then when they arrive their Aunt Grace is there to tell her that her grandma is in the hospital. When she is at the cottage, Christina soon sees this weird little ghost boy.
Betty Ren Wright has been scaring and entertaining young readers for many years.
I liked this book because there was a lot of suspense in the book. I also like reading ghost stories too.
Title: Molly Moons Incredible Book of Hypnotism
Author: Georgia Byng
Genre: Fiction
Book Review by: Stephanie G.
Molly Moons Incredible Book of Hypnotism is about an 11-12 year old orphan. She finds an incredible discovery in the town’s library. After losing a friend she makes it all the way to the top with a special talent. However, there is always someone watching her wherever she goes. When she is reunited with a friend she realizes she didn’t need everything she had. Then she gets back to the orphanage and makes a horrifying discovery.
Georgia Byng is trying to tell us to be happy with ourselves because in the end, that’s what is really important. Like Molly, we all are unhappy with our lives sometimes, but we shouldn’t pretend to be something or someone we’re not.
I really like this book and know you will too. I read this book any chance I had and was left hanging on every page and chapter. I just wanted to keep reading. Molly Moons is a series, and I am reading the second book, Molly Moons Stops the World.
Historical Fiction
Author: Kathryn Lasky
Genre: Historical Fiction
Book Review By: Aileen F.
True North is a story about the Underground Railroad. The story is about two girls: Afrika and Lucy. Afrika is a slave girl running to Canada, and Lucy helps her along the way. Once, as Afrika sleeps in tall grass, slave catchers find her!
The author wants to tell us that you should do what you think is right. Lucy did the right thing to help Afrika, but she was risking her own life by possibly being seen helping a slave run away. She could have been arrested if she was older than she was. She was about 13-14 years old. Also the author wanted to tell us you can do anything, if you try.
I liked this book because it showed two different points of view of the Underground Railroad. It told me what it was like to be a runaway slave or a “ conductor” for the Railroad. It shows the fears of being caught by slave catchers or being caught with a runaway slave. I like how the author connects two different people in different situations during the story.
Mystery
Author: Stephan Manes
Genre: Mystery
Book Review by: Frankie M.
Bernie and Magruder is about a twelve-year-old boy and his family. Bernie has two older brothers and a mom and dad. They live in the Besseldorf Hotel because his dad is the manager of the hotel. Then, bodies start disappearing at the hotel. Bernie’s family and friends think someone is setting them up to make them lose their job. Mr. Fairchild, the owner of the hotel, gets angrier and angrier every time a body is missing at the hotel.
The author’s message is to never give up if you are about to lose your job. I think that the author’s message is that because they never give up when they are trying to find out who is setting them up. Another reason why I think that is the message is because they make up different strategies to see if the bodies are really dead.
I liked this book for many different reasons. One reason why I liked this book was because I like reading mysteries. The second reason was because it kept me guessing after every chapter and because it stayed exciting throughout the whole book. The last reason why I liked this book was because I could visualize what was happening throughout the whole book. I loved reading Bernie and Magruder.
Author: Ann M. Martin and Laura Godwin
Genre: fiction- fantasy, mystery
Book Review by: Carolyn C.
The Doll People is about a family of dolls. They are bored all the time because they can’t get caught talking by their owner Kate. They had an Auntie Sarah, but a long time ago she left the house and never came back. They missed her very much. Then one day they went searching for Sarah. While they were searching for Sarah they met another doll family named the Funcrafts. They became close friends.
Ann M. Martin and Laura Godwin wanted to tell us to know that you should never give up. I think this because when they couldn’t find Auntie Sarah they didn’t give up. They just kept searching until they found her. Even if they thought it was impossible to find her, they kept on looking.
I liked it because it was always interesting. It always kept me guessing. I liked when the Funcrafts and the Dolls went all over the house searching for poor Auntie Sarah. They had so many good adventures that they went on. I wish that I could go on them too. I loved the adventures.
Author: Barbara Wallace
Genre: Fiction- Realistic, Adventure, Mystery
Book Review by: Allison L.
Perils of Peppermints is the sequel to Peppermints in the Parlor. Perils of Peppermints is about an eleven-year-old girl named Emily. Emily is sent to boarding school because her aunt and uncle are going away for business. Emily gets dropped off at Mrs. Spilking’s Select Academy for Young Ladies. Emily makes two friends at the academy, Sarah and Emily. Emily finds out Mrs. Spilking is "up to no good;" so it’s up to Emily to stop her.
Barbara Wallace was trying to tell the readers that sometimes you just have to be brave and strong. Emily wanted to cry, but she knew she couldn’t. Emily always had to be strong and so do we.
Perils of Peppermints is an awesome book. The author writes the book so it keeps you guessing about what’s going to happen next. Perils of Peppermints is a book you can enjoy reading. It made me want to keep reading. The way Barbara Wallace wrote the story, it was easy to make a picture in your mind. Even though Perils of Peppermints is a thick book, it is definitely worth reading.Non-fiction
Title: The Top 10 NBA Most Valuable Players
Author: John Albert Torres
Genre: Nonfiction
Book Review by: Anthony C.
This book is about 10 awesome basketball players. One important part of the book is how they each became famous and became one of the most valuable players of all time.
This book contains a lot of interesting information. The information is easy to follow. Some of the illustrations are black and white, and some other illustrations are colorful.
The author wrote the book because he might have been interested and impressed with the accomplishments in basketball. The author wants to share with you what these NBA players have done.
Realistic Fiction
Title: The Boy Who Saved Baseball
Author: John Ritter
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Book Review by: Derek S.
The Boy Who Saved Baseball is about a group of kids who are going to play in a baseball game over the fate of the town they live in, Dillontown. If they beat their rivals the Vikings, the Lucky Stripes Baseball field in Dillontown will stay where it is. If they lose, the field will be knocked down and be replaced with many new houses and a man-made lake. The players are very nervous, and both teams have been practicing four hours a day, seven days a week.
The message the author is trying to get across is to never give up and try to find the best in everyone. Just because you don’t expect somebody to do something great; it doesn’t mean they’re not capable of doing it.
The Boy Who Saved Baseball has a lot of qualities that I like about it. For one, it kept me guessing to the very end. It was very unpredictable and very well written. I liked the fact that the most unlikely of characters could end up being the hero.
Author: Gary Paulsen
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Book Review by: Rebecca K.
The book Captive is about a class and a teacher who get captured. Some of the students get left on a broken down bus and some get taken with the robbers. Then the robbers bury the bus and some of the children.
Gary Paulsen, the author, wanted to tell his readers to always do the right thing. He also wants to tell his readers to always watch out for what you are doing.
I liked this book because everything seemed so real, and it had a very exciting beginning. I like books that have interesting beginnings because it makes me want to continue reading the whole book. Gary Paulsen made this story very believable. I was actually scared during some parts of this book.
Author: Jonathan Schmidt
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Book Review by: Mike B.
The Mighty Ducks is about a peewee hockey team that goes to a nice school called Eden Hall Academy. The peewee hockey team was able to play on the Junior Varsity team. This book is also about a high school hockey team becoming “The Mighty Ducks” again.
Jonathan Schmidt is trying to tell his readers that any team can beat any team. I also think he is trying to say that a team should be a family.
I like every part about the book because I also play hockey, and I believe that this book could really happen. The story seems so real to me. It is a wonderful book!
Title: Everest Book 1 The Contest
Author: Gordon Korman
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Book Review by: Stephanie H.
My book, Everest Book 1 The Contest, is about numerous kids going to a training camp to try and win their way to be able to climb the highest mountain in the world, Mt. Everest. Some kids got into the training camp by being recommended, and some got to the camp by winning a contest. Cut by cut, they would be narrowed down to four kids.
This book’s theme was "survival." The kids have to survive by breathing "thin air" and withstanding freezing temperatures.
I liked how in the book the kids actually had a chance if they just won by being in the contest. I also liked how all the kids worked as hard as they had ever worked in their life.
Title: Island series (3 books)
Author: Gordon Korman
Genre: Realistic fiction
Book review by Eric H.
The Island series is a fantastic set of creative books. The books in the series are called Shipwreck, Survival, and Escape. They are suspenseful, sad, exciting, dramatic, and out-of-this-world types of books. Basically the series starts with a group of juvenile kids in high school (6 kids) who take a boat trip to straighten out their life. The boat goes into a nasty storm that sinks the boat. The group of 6 kids lose 2, and now there are only 4. They drift out to sea for 3 weeks and get stuck on an island in the middle of nowhere. There are 4 killers on the island too.
The theme of these books is that you should not think that you’re the only important person in the world. Don’t wait for your help to come right to you. You must survive for the time that you are spending where you are. Another theme is to help others.
The entire series is the best set of books in the WORLD!!! All of the characters have personalities of their own. One of them is a "jerk," one helps, one is a tv-a-holic, one is too into athletics. I STRONGLY SUGGEST YOU READ IT!!!!
Author: Barbara Wallace
Genre: Fiction- Realistic, Adventure, Mystery
Book Review by: Allison L.
Perils of Peppermints is the sequel to Peppermints in the Parlor. Perils of Peppermints is about an eleven-year-old girl named Emily. Emily is sent to boarding school because her aunt and uncle are going away for business. Emily gets dropped off at Mrs. Spilking’s Select Academy for Young Ladies. Emily makes two friends at the academy, Sarah and Emily. Emily finds out Mrs. Spilking is "up to no good;" so it’s up to Emily to stop her.
Barbara Wallace was trying to tell the readers that sometimes you just have to be brave and strong. Emily wanted to cry, but she knew she couldn’t. Emily always had to be strong and so do we.
Perils of Peppermints is an awesome book. The author writes the book so it keeps you guessing about what’s going to happen next. Perils of Peppermints is a book you can enjoy reading. It made me want to keep reading. The way Barbara Wallace wrote the story, it was easy to make a picture in your mind. Even though Perils of Peppermints is a thick book, it is definitely worth reading.Author: Edward Bloor
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Book Review by: Rebecca C.
Tangerine is about a boy named Paul, who moves to Florida. He has trouble fitting in because of his thick glasses. He plays soccer, but is soon kicked off for his disability – his eyes have a very hard time seeing. He goes to another school and gets accepted on the soccer team. Incidents happen, and Paul gets in very big trouble.
Edward Bloor wanted to tell the readers to always have self–confidence. Paul had times when he didn’t believe in himself.
I liked the book because the author made the characters seem like regular kids doing normal activities. I liked this book so much that I couldn’t put it down, and it only took me 3 days to read it!
Author: Ann M. Martin
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Book Review by: Tori C.
What happens when you develop diabetes and move to Stoneybrook, Connecticut from New York? A lot. In The Truth About Stacey, a girl named Stacey McGill has a lot of problems with her disease. Her friend, Laine, acts very strange when she finds out, and Stacey doesn’t know why. Stacey’s parents decide to take her away from the violent city and move her to nice, quiet Connecticut. To make matters worse, the “ Babysitters Club” has a new rival called the “ Babysitters Agency”! Can Stacey help save the club and fight her sickness?
Ann M. Martin, the author, wanted to make people understand that you can’t just stop being someone’s friend because of a disease. Laine, Stacey’s friend, becomes afraid of her just because of a disease. She also wanted people to know that rivalry is okay with a little competition, but you should not hurt others with it.
I liked this book because it was very exciting, and I like this type of series. Ann M. Martin is a very intelligent writer. I really recommend for you to read the Babysitter’s Little Sister series. I like realistic fiction books. I could really relate to how Stacey McGill felt. She felt like she was in a tight spot and couldn’t get out. This book is one of the best books that I’ve ever read!
Created by K Stone
Revised May 11, 2005
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