Mrs. Nelson's Toy and Book Shop

Reviewed by Emily C. age 11 ½ B.C. Mambo is a graphic novel about a bunny that finds a portal of doom in his bathroom! He falls into it and becomes a god. Willie, who plans to rule the world with a burger hut, then kidnaps him. Can this bunny get back to the present, before it’s to late? I think this is a good book for kids with a good imagination. Good book for ages 7-10

Reviewed by Jahnavi C. “Paisley Hanover Acts Out”, by Cameron Tuttle, is a lively story filled with deeper morals about today’s daily life. When Paisley loses the chance to be in Yearbook and is instead switched to Drama, she meets a cast of characters…from retro queen Cate Maduro to irresistible bad-boy Clint Bedard. In meeting those deemed “weird” by the jocks and cheerleaders of Pleasant Hill (a.k.a. Pleasant Hell) High School, Paisley realizes that half of herself fits in with these people, the half of her that is okay with being weird, and funny, and spontaneous. Unfortunately though, the other side of Paisley is still an average Popular, following the trends like a robot. This all changes after one single incident—this incident causing Paisley to go Un. Unconformist, UnPredictable, and UnPopular. After this declared sentiment goes public in the school newspaper, though, things really begin to heat up and a question is asked: What is popularity after all? “Paisley Hanover Acts Out” is filled with lighthearted scenes that between the lines question today’s social ranks in schools everywhere. It is a definite read for teens. Recommended for readers aged 13+.

Reviewed by Robert S., age 14, Damien HS Wintergirls is a fiction book about an anorexic girl named Lia who is facing major problems in high school. She just found out that her best friend Cassie died alone, and it might have been her fault. Lia has to go through high school and confront herself with all the problems she has caused with her obsession. I thought that this book was very thrilling and suspenseful to read, as the author puts the reader very close with the character, so it seems like the reader is actually listening to her thoughts. Laurie also uses some very interesting ways of writing to mask how the character really feels. I recommend this book for high school readers, as they will understand it more. For all of this, I give it a 9.5 out of 10.

A Review by John H. This book is about a boy named Newton Starker. All the Starker family relatives except for Newton and his great-grandmother were killed by lightening. He is sent to a survival academy to learn how to survive being hit by lightening. At school he wanted to get top marks. When he tried to get truffles for a cooking class, he gets a pig instead of a lot of truffles (a kind of fungus/mushrooms). The pig, Jennifer, becomes his friend—she is super talented and is trained to find truffles. Does he learn how to avoid lightening? You will have to read the book to find out. I recommend this book for ages 10-44.

Reviewed by Samantha A. Just Grace Goes Green is a good book because it teaches you how to go green in many ways. My favorite part of the book is when Grace’s Mom stops her from selling a doll named Wee Tiny Mee Mee that she had since she was only two years old. Grace was going to sell it at her very own yard sale. She was having the sale because it would help people reuse things rather than throwing them away or buying new ones. There are lots of other things to do that save the earth that Grace talks about in this book. I think it is the best book in the Just Grace series. When I read this book, I didn’t want to put it down! I recommend this book for 7 to 10 year olds.

Reviewed by Kate D., age 13 Annika’s brother makes a wish; a wish that a magical genie will bring actor Steve Raleigh, who plays teen Robin Hood, to come meet him. Only Jeremy doesn’t think that he is an actor, he expects the real Robin Hood – who shoots arrows and gives to the poor, the one he sees on TV every Saturday – to show up on his doorstep. Annika, a persevering individual, goes to Hollywood with her best friend Madison to find Steve, and convince him to meet her little brother. This is one of those can’t-put-it-down books, with a plot that will keep you guessing, and an ending that will make you cry. A must read for ages 10 to 15.

Reviewed by Kate D., age 13 Be Mine is a tale of your average high school drama, with a spoonful of romance and a pinch of jealousy. I liked this book because it started out as many different stories, but finished with them all intertwining, forming a well written book. Jennifer has a big mouth, and tells Claudia (the “mean girl” of the story) lies that she can’t live up to. Eden gets dumped by her boyfriend right before Valentine’s Day, Natalie is unhappy with her relationship with Tom. Claudia just wants to win most romantic couple of the year, and Will—the heartbreaker—is falling for Jennifer. As the story progresses the characters all gain knowledge about who they are, and who they want to be. It is a quickly moving story, with predictable turns, but good none the less. Ages 12 to 16.