The Two Princesses of Bamarre

The Two Princesses of Bamarre; Gail Carson Levine: was an extremely excellent book. I have loved all of Gail Carson Levine's that I've read so far. She mainly writes more fantasy, stuff about princesses (most of her books have something to do with them, but not all), dragons, curses, and adventures. But one of her books I read wasn't really fantasy (it was called Dave At Night, but I don't remember it that well). Anyway, The Two Princesses of Bamarre had to do a lot with finding courage. It also had princesses (of course), dragons, sickness, fairies and many more fantasy things.

Summary of the Story: The Two Princesses of Bamarre is about Princess Addie's adventure to find the cure to the Gray Death. After her sister Meryl has fallen ill with the Gray Death Addie is determined to find the cure. But for Addie this will take lots of courage because Meryl was always the brave, fearless one. Along the way Addie faces many trials and encounters many unwanted creatures, like ogres and dragons. In the end Addie found that she could be brave, like her sister, but in a different way.

I would have to give it 5 out of 5 stars.

Number the Stars

Number the Stars; by Lois Lowry: wasn't my favorite book, but it wasn't bad either. The thing I didn't like about was that Annemarie didn't seem to have a too much of a distinct mission, except for that she was trying to save her friend Ellen, although that is a very good mission. And it didn't keep my interest as much as other books have, even though I liked it. But I did like how one of the things the story could've been saying was, you should always be loyal to your friends and if they're having a hard time to help them out. Also that we should always not think about ourselves, but to be brave and to think about others and how you can help them.

Summary of the Story: Number the Stars is about Annemarie, age 10, and her life during World War 2. It is about her mission to save her best friend Ellen, who is Jewish. The Nazi soldiers are trying to relocate the Jews. But Annemarie and the rest of her family are trying their best to keep Ellen and her parents safe.

I guess I would give it 4 out of 5 stars, one reason is because it shows true friendship between two girls.

The Giver

The Giver; by Lois Lowry: was very different from many other stories I've read. Although, I did enjoy it. The story took place in a future community that was kinda creepy. But it made me glad I live during this time, in my country and not theirs. But how the community was set up was one of the interesting parts. Some things surprised me however, because I got an intention something was one way, but it was really another way.

Summary of the Story: The Giver was about when a boy named Jonas turned 12. And in his community when someone turns twelve years old, that was when they received their job. Jonas got assigned a job (which I won't say if you're going to read the book) that was very high in honor. And something that he would have to do more alone. Something that was very rare to be called to do. The job would put Jonas through much physical pain, that he had never felt before, but he would also gain lots of wisdom.

Pictures of Hollis Woods

Pictures of Hollis Woods; by, Patricia Reilly Giff: This was a very well written and good story. It showed the importance of family and the wanting for a place to belong in a twelve year old girl. It shows how not having a family can affect some kid's life. It shows how important having a family is, having a place where you belong, and that having a family is a wonderful thing.

Summary of the Story: 12 year old Hollis Woods is an orphan. And she has been to so many foster homes she can't even name them all. Hollis is a mountain of trouble, she runs away from the foster homes, and then, finally when Hollis has finally found a family that wants to adopt her, she runs away from them too. But when Hollis gets sent to live with Josie, an elderly artist, Hollis wants to stay. But Josie gets more and more forgetful everyday. If the agency finds out Hollis won't be able to live with Josie anymore. Even as Hollis plans a future for Josie and her, she still dreams about the one family wanting to give her a home.

I would have to give this story 5 out of 5 stars.

Kira-Kira

Kira-Kira; by, Cynthia Kadohata: was a very, very good book. And a very well written story. I really liked how the author put things into words, and what the older sister, Lynn had to say about things. I liked Lynn's output life, for the story, and how she somehow comforted the whole family, especially her little sister Katie, who was the one telling the story. I really did like the whole story, the plot, the details, and everything else.

Summary of the Story: This story was about when the Takeshima's (Katie's and Lynn's family) moved to Georgia and what their life was like there as Japanese. Lynn is the one who teaches Katie many things and why people would stop to stare at them. But, when Lynn becomes desperately ill, the family is pulled apart. And it was up to Katie to help pull her family back together.

The story shows how close families really are and what can happen when one thing (like Lynn's illness) occurs. It also tells about differently Japanese are treated in the city. One last thing this story showed is there is always something glittering (kira-kira) in the future even when something goes terribly wrong.

This wasn't really the type of story I'd usually read, but I really liked and would have to give it 5 out 5 stars.

Dormia

Dormia; by Jake Halpern & Peter Kujawinski: was better than I expected it was going to be. One thing I liked about it was how it kept you interested and wanting to know what happened next. It was also I fantasy story and fantasy is one of my favorite types of books to read. The story was good, and I liked the idea of it. The authors are planning to make a second and a third book, and the first book was good enough to make me want to read more.

Summary of the Story: Dormia is about a boy named Alfonso who goes on an adventure to a land where his Dad was born (Dormia). But his Dad is dead and Alfonso has never heard of Dormia his whole life until one day, a man, who claims to be Alfonso's Uncle, tells Alfonso, his mom, and his Grandpa about it. And according to Alfonso's so called Uncle, Alfonso must deliver the Dormian bloom (a plant that Alfonso grew) to Somnos, the remaining city of Dormia or the city of Somonos will die and all the people living there. Alfonso's journey there isn't easy, but even when he gets to Dormia there are still more challenges.

I would give it 4 out of 5 stars.