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Student Book Reviews
The Tail of Emily Windsnap by Liz Kessler
Who Is Jane Goodall? by Roberta Edwards
Jane Goodall, born in London, England, always loved animals and wanted to study them in their natural habitats. So at age twenty-six, off she went to Africa! Goodall's up-close observations of chimpanzees changed what we know about them and paved the way for many female scientists who came after her. Now her story comes to life in this biography with black-and-white illustrations throughout.
Reviewed by Sullivan, 5th grade
“I did a book review on the Who is Jane Goodall? I learned that Jane Goodall went to Kenya Africa. She saved chimps from all over the world by giving speeches and doing projects, such as TACARE, ChimpanZoo, and Roots & Shoots Club. Ever since she was a little girl she wanted to live among wild chimps. Jane Goodall was in magazines, TV shows, movies, and newspapers. She also worked with a lot of other people, known as Hugo van Lawick, Vanne, and Judy. Who would of thought it all started with a stuffed monkey named Jubilee!”
I Lived on Butterfly Hill by Marjorie Agosin
When her beloved country, Chile, is taken over by a militaristic, sadistic government, Celeste is sent to America for her safety and her parents must go into hiding before they "disappear."
Winner of the 2015 Pura Belpre Award, presented to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth.
Reviewed by Kathryn, 7th grade
“This book brings me joy and I like it because it is well written, it has good characters, and an exciting plot. I love the characters Tia Graciela and Abuela Frida because they seem like the people I would want to know. Their backgrounds are both mysterious so it is exciting to get to know them. I love the plot because it leaves you hanging at some points but not for long. You can’t guess what is going to happen next most of the time, which is also good. I love reading it because it has a good mix of emotions and isn’t really dull.”
The Only Road by Alexandra Diaz
Twelve-year-old Jaime makes the treacherous journey from his home in Guatemala to his older brother in New Mexico after his cousin is murdered by a drug cartel.
2017 Pura Belpre Honor Book, presented to Latino/Latina writers and illustrators whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth.
Reviewed by Kathryn, 8th grade
"The Only Road is an excellent book. The story is sad, but also has some heartwarming scenes. The author, Alexandrea Diaz, does a great job and the book is very well written. The Only Road starts out with the main character, Jamie, drawing in his room, when he finds out his cousin, who is like his brother, is dead. There is hardly any time to grieve Miguel’s death before the Alphas, the local gang that killed Miguel, try to persuade Jamie and his cousin, Miguel’s sister Angela, to join. Their family hurriedly sets up arrangements, pools their money, and send them out to make the dangerous journey from Guatemala to the United States. This book well deserves to be called a Pura Belpre Honor Book and is a great read."
Overdrive - Download audiobooks, eBooks, music and more!
Library Catalog
NoveList - Reading recommendations, read-alikes, book discussion guides, thematic book lists and more.
Bestsellers Club for Kids & Tweens
New York Times best seller lists:
Fiction & Non-Fiction - Ever read a story that is fiction, but based on facts and want to know more about the facts? Check out this list of fiction & non-fiction book pairs, that will give you a great story and the true-to-life information that inspired the story. See a book on the list you like? Click on the book cover and it will take you to the library catalog, where you can find out if we have the book at the Barberton Public Library, or place a hold on the book.
Student Book Reviews
The Tail of Emily Windsnap by Liz Kessler
After finally convincing her mother that she should take swimming lessons, twelve-year-old Emily discovers a terrible and wonderful secret about herself that opens up a whole new world. The Tail of Emily Windsnap is the first book in the Emily Windsnap series.
Reviewed by Hadley, 5th grade
The Tail of Emily Windsnap is one of my favorite books. The book is about a teenager named Emily who finds out she is a mermaid. Emily goes on an adventure with her friend Shona and her mom to find her imprisoned merman father. I love this because I love to read fantasy books. They have different creatures and different worlds that I think are fun to read about. I think anybody who loves fantasy books or just books in general should read this great book.
Reviewed by Hadley, 5th grade
The Tail of Emily Windsnap is one of my favorite books. The book is about a teenager named Emily who finds out she is a mermaid. Emily goes on an adventure with her friend Shona and her mom to find her imprisoned merman father. I love this because I love to read fantasy books. They have different creatures and different worlds that I think are fun to read about. I think anybody who loves fantasy books or just books in general should read this great book.
Who Is Jane Goodall? by Roberta EdwardsJane Goodall, born in London, England, always loved animals and wanted to study them in their natural habitats. So at age twenty-six, off she went to Africa! Goodall's up-close observations of chimpanzees changed what we know about them and paved the way for many female scientists who came after her. Now her story comes to life in this biography with black-and-white illustrations throughout.
Reviewed by Sullivan, 5th grade
“I did a book review on the Who is Jane Goodall? I learned that Jane Goodall went to Kenya Africa. She saved chimps from all over the world by giving speeches and doing projects, such as TACARE, ChimpanZoo, and Roots & Shoots Club. Ever since she was a little girl she wanted to live among wild chimps. Jane Goodall was in magazines, TV shows, movies, and newspapers. She also worked with a lot of other people, known as Hugo van Lawick, Vanne, and Judy. Who would of thought it all started with a stuffed monkey named Jubilee!”
I Lived on Butterfly Hill by Marjorie AgosinWhen her beloved country, Chile, is taken over by a militaristic, sadistic government, Celeste is sent to America for her safety and her parents must go into hiding before they "disappear."
Winner of the 2015 Pura Belpre Award, presented to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth.
Reviewed by Kathryn, 7th grade
“This book brings me joy and I like it because it is well written, it has good characters, and an exciting plot. I love the characters Tia Graciela and Abuela Frida because they seem like the people I would want to know. Their backgrounds are both mysterious so it is exciting to get to know them. I love the plot because it leaves you hanging at some points but not for long. You can’t guess what is going to happen next most of the time, which is also good. I love reading it because it has a good mix of emotions and isn’t really dull.”
The Only Road by Alexandra DiazTwelve-year-old Jaime makes the treacherous journey from his home in Guatemala to his older brother in New Mexico after his cousin is murdered by a drug cartel.
2017 Pura Belpre Honor Book, presented to Latino/Latina writers and illustrators whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth.
Reviewed by Kathryn, 8th grade
"The Only Road is an excellent book. The story is sad, but also has some heartwarming scenes. The author, Alexandrea Diaz, does a great job and the book is very well written. The Only Road starts out with the main character, Jamie, drawing in his room, when he finds out his cousin, who is like his brother, is dead. There is hardly any time to grieve Miguel’s death before the Alphas, the local gang that killed Miguel, try to persuade Jamie and his cousin, Miguel’s sister Angela, to join. Their family hurriedly sets up arrangements, pools their money, and send them out to make the dangerous journey from Guatemala to the United States. This book well deserves to be called a Pura Belpre Honor Book and is a great read."