OVER THE EDGE

OVER THE EDGE
Mysteries in Our National Parks #7
By Gloria Skurzynski and Alane Ferguson.
160 pages. National Geographic Society. $4.99 (Ages 9 and up)

ISBN
9781426301773

Rating: 5 Stars

      This book tells you about a family who goes to the Grand Canyon to solve the mystery of the condors, but have to take a boy called Morgan with them.
      The brother and the father in the family want to take Morgan with them but the mother and sister don't. A few days later the mother finds out that Morgan wrote some bad stuff about the sister. What happens when somebody pushes the mother over the Grand Canyon and everyone thinks Morgan did it? Is Morgan innocent or is he not?
      My favourite character is Morgan because he becomes good at the end. My favourite part is when the mother falls over the edge and everyone accuses Morgan of pushing her because that's the most exciting bit. I think ages eight through fifteen should read this brilliant book. I think this book deserves five out of five stars. This book made me go back in time to when I was at the Grand Canyon and makes me remember the fear of falling and the beauty of the colourful rocks.

THE BAREFOOT BOOK OF BALLET STORIES

THE BAREFOOT BOOK OF BALLET STORIES (with CD)
By Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple. Illustrated by Rebecca Guay
80 pages. Barefoot Books. $23.99 (Ages 8 and up)

ISBN
9781846862625

Rating: ? Stars

Its about stories that have dancing in it. That's why it's called ballet stories. I like the book because I like dancing and singing because it's fun. And I like
princes dress and princess too and they're beautiful. and the princess is kind too.

the parts that I don't like are: Cinderella's stepmother and stepsisters are so mean. Aurora's sixth fairy is so mean too.and It's scary.

I like the part when the princesses dance and sing. I like to read princess books.And it's fun to see dress's.it's a fun book.

Cinderella is kind princess.Aurora is a nice princess. Copelia is a lie.but i like the book. because I like princess.

the part that I don't like is:mean people.like Cinderella's stepmother. copela's dad. and I hate it. it's like you are a made

THE WORST THINGS IN LIFE ARE ALSO FREE

THE WORST THINGS IN LIFE ARE ALSO FREE
Dear Dumb Diary Series: #10
By Jim Benton
160 pages. Scholastic. $5.99 (Ages 9 and up)

ISBN
9780545116145

Rating: ? Stars

I like this book because it is funny. The funny part is melt 1000 Popsicle and re - freeze them into a massive Popsicle. And birds sing for free but they poo for free to. And Isabella cut all of her hair. And Isabella is her 3rd friend.

This book is about she's fining money for going to the amusement park. But it's is long time for getting 100 dollars. But Emmily said "it is not hard to mack 100 dollar". So she mack car wash for $4.50. Emmily is her best friend.

I do not like this book because. I do not like the part when Isabella cut her hair. And punch James mom. james is me. And Riky pup a lot.

The mean part is when Angeline drank the lemonade. and James set on baby's so it's easy to babysit. Angeline is her 1st friend.and Isabella yells at baby's to.

fun stuff for James is. merry-go-rounds with real animals.and all games have cash and diamonds. cotton candy.

TALINA IN THE TOWER

TALINA IN THE TOWER
By Michelle Louric
320 pages. Orion. £9.99. (Ages 12 and up).

ISBN
9781444003383

Rating: 5 Stars

      This book tells you of the adventures Talina had when her parents were taken away by the Ravageurs.
      When neither of Talina’s parents came home that night she is taken to her guardian’s tower. Talina, deep in the belief that her parents are not dead, tries to escape and find them. Talina is then turned into a cat and nearly drowned by her guardian. What happens when the Ravageurs decide to burn Venice? Will Talina be able to stop them or not?
      My favourite character is Talina because she’s the only one who tries to stop the Ravageurs. My favourite part is when Talina pours Dandelion and Daisy and Liquid Lullaby into the Ravageurs' food. I think ages eight through twelve should read this book. I think this book deserves five out of five stars. You could tell I was enjoying this book because whenever I read it I had a smile on my face. This book was so good that even when my parents were talking loudly (they’re very noisy) I was swept away into its magical adventures.

Comparison: A TALE DARK AND GRIMM and THE GRIMM LEGACY

A TALE DARK AND GRIMM
By Adam Gidwitz
272 pages. Andersen. £5.99. (Ages 9 and up).

ISBN
9781849393706

Rating: 5 Stars


THE GRIMM LEGACY
By Polly Shulman
336 pages. Putnam Juvenile. $16.99. (Ages 10 and up).

ISBN
9780399250965

Rating: 5 Stars

      A Tale Dark and Grimm tells you the true story about Hansel and Gretel. It is about a king who marries a beautiful princess. His faithful servant, Johannes, turns to stone for saving them. However, that’s not the whole story because then they have children and they cut off their heads so that Johannes will come back to life. Although that’s not where the story ends. The children then come back to life and run away to find new parents. Hansel and Gretel are then pushed around to different parents but never is one good enough.
      My favourite character is Gretel because she kills a dragon. My favourite part is when Gretel goes to a murderer’s house. I think ages eight through twelve should read this brilliant book. I think this book deserves five out of five stars. I like this book so much that I just want to read it over and over again but sadly it belongs to the library, I just wish I had it!
      The Grimm Legacy is about a young girl called Elizabeth who works at a library that isn’t really a library of books. To find out what the library has in it read the book yourself.
      A Tale Dark and Grimm and The Grimm Legacy are both amazingly good but I think that A Tale Dark and Grimm is better because there’s no kissing.Both of these books have some things to do with the Grimm's fairy tales and actually involve some of my favourite fairy tales. I think that the way The Grimm Legacy is connected to the Grimm's fairy tales is good because they take things from the fairy tales and try to say what would happen if they were in our world. On the other hand A Tale Dark and Grimm is actually retelling one of the Grimm's fairy tales.

also on Guardian Children's Books Site