Middle School Books
The Stupid Crook Book
By Leland Gregory
Rating: 😄
The Stupid Crook Book by Leland Gregory is really awesome. I’ve read this book approximately 3 times and I still love it. It doesn’t have a plotline or an ending or beginning or anything a normal story has but it’s still a terrific book. Every page is a different story about a crook that was stupid when committing a crime.
Although The Stupid Crook Book isn’t a real story it’s a great book to read in between finishing a book and starting a new one if you just want to laugh at someone’s stupidity. The author includes the story and then adds a punch line at the end of each story making you laugh if you didn’t laugh at the story. If you're not sure if this is the right book for you, I’m going to summarize one of my favorites for you. In New Zealand, a man held a radio station manager hostage, locked them both in the studio, and forced him to play the song, “The Rainbow Connection,” by Kermit the Frog.
This is such an incredible book to read. If you feel like a laugh and want to try something new read a book without the characteristics of a story, and read The Stupid Crook Book by Leland Gregory.
Keeper of The Lost Cities
By Shannon Messenger
Rating: 😐
Keeper of The Lost Cities is a great book.
The main character, Sophie can read people's thoughts and has always been doing since she woke up from a head injury at 5. Little does Sophie know that one class field trip leads her to learn something about herself she never would’ve guessed. She is an elf. No, I’m not talking about the Keebler Elf kind. I’m talking about the magical kind. A boy named Fitz brings her to the elf world but Sophie learns of disturbing things about her past and has to fight in a big battle. Sophie must face dangers of all kinds but can a single girl really beat an evil organization.
This is a good book and it has a great plotline but frankly, this book is so hectic. All the different names and ideas and skills and people it’s so confusing and every time the character mentions something I have to strain my mind to remember what it is. Even though I didn’t love this book, someone else with a great memory might so that is why I’m reviewing this book. The things I loved about this book is the mix of humor, action, and entertainment. This book does a great job of always having you love this book whether you're laughing at the humor hoping for Sophie to win a battle or watching as the story unfolds you’ll love this fun book. If you’re looking for a fantasy book with a great plotline and you have a good memory you’ll LOVE this book.
Ender’s Game
By Orson Scott Card
Rating: 😒
Ender’s Game is a pretty good book that has gotten lots of praise and numerous awards. Personally, it was not my favorite but check out the summary and maybe you’ll like it.
This is a book about a 5-year-old named Ender that is living in a time when humans are at war with aliens. He is drafted to go to space and train to defeat the aliens. There, many kids train and participate in low gravity games. Different houses get to trade kids and each house tries to win the low gravity game. Ender becomes a prodigy after being traded a ton and facing cruelty. Throughout this book, Ender trains and goes through many challenges to become a general in battle.
Many people love this book but I don’t for the following reasons: 1. It doesn’t make sense for a 5-year-old to be that good at battle strategy 2. Everyone is overly and unnecessarily harsh like adults are beating up a 5-year-old 3. There are many things that don’t make sense like aliens attacking Earth for no reason. I would not recommend this book but if you like the plot try it out.
Gone
By Michael Grant
Rating: 🙂
Gone is a thriller that has you on your toes the entire book. The book is 600 pages and the series is 12 books so I wouldn’t recommend starting this series unless you read a lot. Also, towards the 9th book, the book can start to get inappropriate so before continuing you should ask your parents. However, the first book is appropriate for middle schoolers.
Gone is a book about a town called Pedidro Beach where everybody above the age of 15 goes missing. They just disappear. They don’t die, they just "poof". While this happens, a barrier is placed around Pedidro Beach, and nobody can get in or out. Their new home, they call the Fallout Alley Youth Zone otherwise known as FAYZ. Also, other things aren’t normal, some children experience powers beyond belief, and animals start to mutate. Sam, an average 14-year-old, is just as panicked as everyone else when this happens. In this book, you follow Sam through his journey in the FAYZ and how he must fight to get everything under control.
Read this book and you will not be disappointed. It is truly a great book!
Genius
By: Leopoldo Gout
Rating: 😁
This is a really underrated book that I love. In a lot of books, there are parts where the characters are just talking so you get bored of the book and put it down but Mr. Gout does a great job of keeping you engaged throughout the whole book. If you love books with spies, a ton of action, and cool gadgets this is the book for you.
This is about three teens, Rex, Tunde and Painted Wolf. Each from different parts of the world but united by one common trait, they are all geniuses. They have never met in person until a famous tech billionaire sets up a game with all geniuses and all three attend. Things may seem perfect but as time goes on things are not as they appear and this game becomes something much bigger and more dangerous.
This is definitely one of my favorite books because this plot is something that I haven’t seen before but Mr. Gout manages to make it work. If you want to try something new this is definitely the book for you.
Ground Zero
By Alan Gratz
Rating: 😁
Not many books can capture the true horror of 9/11 but Alan Gratz did it with Ground Zero. It is such a sad read but it is a really great and important one. This book helps the reader understand what actually happened to the people trapped in the Twin Towers. Ground Zero is also about a girl living in Afghanistan years after the attack and it shows the war torn country the Taliban and US military created. Overall, Gratz does an outstanding job of showing the devastation and impact of 9/11.
In the book, Brandon is visiting the World Trade Center on September 11th. When the plane crashes into the building, he is horrified and is faced with the critical decision of how to get out. Luckily, he is on a floor that is below where the plane hit. Unfortunately, his dad wasn’t so lucky. Brandon must fight his way down 100 flights of stairs from hell. On his way down, he faces decisions that could save or end his life.
In 2019, Reshmina a girl that lives in Afghanistan, is caught up in the war between the Taliban and the US. Her brother joins the Taliban and Reshmina doesn’t know if she should join too, not as a soldier but as a follower. She is faced with even more decisions when she finds an injured American soldier named Taz. Reshmina must choose between her country and family or her beliefs.
This book does a phenomenal job of illustrating the horrors that happened on 9/11 and the effects on society too. As the saying goes, if we do not learn about the past, we are doomed to repeat it. Alan Gratz makes sure that the next generation is informed about 9/11 in the right way. This book is so important and impactful. In my opinion, it is a must read.
