Sam is the new boy at school and he hates homework, but Brenton has made a machine over the summer. Not just any machine, a homework machine! His friends, Judy and Kelsey know about it, but when it causes them trouble down the road they wonder if it’s a good idea...

I did like it because of the whole idea of a machine doing your homework! There is some freaky stuff, but no rude words and no complicated language.

If you like this book, you might also like, Nancy Drew, Killer Pizza and Harry Potter.

Review by Nicole, Grade 5

Grade Level: 5

Rating: *****

The Homework Machine is about two girls and two boys who invent a homework machine named Belch, that does their homework perfectly. Judy, Kelsey, Sam, and Brenton were hopng they wouldn't get caught. They loved having Belch do their homework, but it didn't feel right to them. So read the Homework Machine!

I liked it because there was an adventure in the story: finding out if they were going to get caught! If you like this book you may like a book called Loser.

Caution: Some complicated language.

Review by Gabby, Grade 6

Grade level: 4 -6

Caution: I found it sad

Rating: *****

Sam and his classmates, Kelsey, Judy and Brenton were not good friends until Brenton (the smart one) comes up with an idea to invent a homework machine. He does not share it with anyone but later tells Sam by mistake. Will they get caught and even go to jail or will the homework machine do it all?

Review by Sydney, Grade 5 - April 3 2009

The Homework Machine was ok. It definitely was not my favorite book. At first, compared to other books I read I was surprised at how Dan Gutman decided to write the story, but throughout the story I realized why the author decided to write this way. Oh, and if you are wondering what this style, or way I should say, is then you should read this book for yourself! I think I did not I like this book that much because I found it not that entertaining. I don’t think it was very describing. I guess, it was pretty decent-described. Another thing was it was an easy read. Just because I say it was an easy read doesn’t mean that everyone in the world will be able to read it. I am just saying that it was an easy read for me. I know most people in Whistler can read very well (considering your age) but for me it was just too easy. If you read this book and like it (author, how it was set, the story line, etc.) then you might want to check out the following books written by Dan Gutman: Nightmare at the Book Fair and Getting Air, all written by Dan Gutman as I said before. I would recommend this book for 6-10 (maybe eleven) year olds. Depending on your reading skill. If you question this review please feel free to go check out the Homework Machine from your school library or The Whistler Public Library

Swindle by Gordon Korman

Review by Makenna, Grade 6 – July, 2009

Age level: 8 -11 years old

Rating: *****

Griffin Bing collects a group of friends and enemies so he can collect an old baseball card. Griffin has a couple of obstacles, an old man, a security system, a guard dog and a vault. But when Griffin and his friend break into the store they find the vault has been moved to the house. But in the house is an obstacle, an even bigger one.

I loved this book; it was full of adventure and a bit of mystery/action.

Review by Sydney - April 3 2009

Swindle I think was a good enough book. At first, I did not like the Idea that it was about baseball. Considering that I am a girl and I have never been interested in baseball. But if you read the book you will find that it’s really only about a baseball card. Pretend you find a baseball card and a man at a shop cons you to sell it to him but later you find something out about the card the man did not tell you, well that is exactly it for Griffin Bing aka the Man With the Plan and his best friend Ben Slovak when they plan a secret sleepover at a abandoned house near their own houses. Soon they encounter financial problems, a dog and two men one being an old man who likes to play backgammon the other a cruel, dishonest and a con man. What to find out what else they encounter along with a few other friends, then you should read Swindle. Oh, and of course you should read this book if you are like any baseball fan (or a baseball fan). Hope you read Swindle!

Th e English Roses by Madonna

Review by Nicole, Grade 6 - July 18th, 2009

Rating: ****

Grade level: 4

The English Roses is about five best friends. When Grace thinks she is going to move somewhere she gets very worried that she will move far away. The other Roses, Nicole, Amy, Charlotte and Binah try to help her feel better by having a sleepover at Charlotte’s house. Grace’s brothers have a friend named Anthony Strong and Grace really likes him.

I liked it because all five best friends stick up for each other.

You might also like the Babymouse Series of books

English Roses: Friends for Life by Madonna

Review by Makenna, Grade 6 - July, 2009

Age level: 9 - 10 years

Rating: ****

This book is all about interviewing Grace, Amy, Binah, Nicole and Charlotte and asking them what they like, who their friends are and other things like that. I think the next books will get better and better.

This book was okay. This one in the series is mostly questions and answers. It is an easy read.

FableHaven by Brandon Mull

Review by Erika, Grade 7 - July 15, 2009

Hi everybody who's reading my reveiw. Speaking of reading I read the book fablehaven and it's sooooooooooooo good. if you like fiction this is the book for you because it has faries and other wierd non exsisting things. also there's a series of fablehaven. I think there's four now but the books are pretty long so ya.

Review by Ken, Grade 6 - July 15, 2009

My favorite book I read in book club was Fablehaven. I like it because it has lots of adventure in it and it is a series. My favorite characters in the book are Seth and Hugo. I read it in about 10 days because it was so good I am now reading the 3rd Fablehaven and the Candy Shop War which is by the same author as Fablehaven. Bye now!

Review by Sydney, Grade 5 - April 3 2009

“Ahhhhhhhh! I am being chased by angry fairies! Says Seth a young boy from the book FableHaven. I loved FableHaven! It was such a good book. It has some fairytale creatures you might know and some you probably won’t know. When Seth and his older sister Kendra have to stay on their creepy grandparents land while their parents including other family members are on a cruise, they find out some things they were not supposed to know. I would say anyone should read this book! Right now to you it might sound like just another sweet calm fairytale. Well newsflash, it isn’t. It is quite the opposite. It is more like this: evil, crazy, out of control, lots of punishments, not safe and some things you probably should not here, especially if you have not read FableHaven! I would definitely rate this book a 5 one thumb up. I only gave it one thumb because we only have one thumb………….. Just kidding I know we only have two thumbs. I gave it one thumb because I have enjoyed books more but it is now definitely one of my many favorite books!

Return to Lost City by Scott Ciencin

Review by Ian Brett, age 8

Excerpt, page 53

“Move, slow-foot!”
“Slow-foot? You’re all but a tail-dragger! Try and catch me!”
Andrew wave his torch, but the carriage didn’t slow. It wouldn’t stop. They had to get out of the road!
“Goodness,” Blundertail said. “This isn’t safe.” The old dinosaur whirled his tail, striking the back of Andrew’s legs. Andrew fell and hit his head on a rock embedded in the road. He moaned and tried to rise, but he felt dazed. The earth thundered, and heavy trampling feet approached.
The carriage was coming right for him!

Andrew, Lawton, Ned, Lian and a dinosaur knight named Blundertail, whose tail whips around, have decided to go on a quest to find the Goblet of Gismore. In Dinotopia humans and dinosaurs work together to make a mystical, magical world. Andrew is a storyteller, Ned is an inventor, and Lian is a girl who loves adventures with dinosaurs.

This book is a sequel to the book Lost City which you should begin with. I also recommend the big picture book written by James Gurney, creator of Dinotopia and the whole Dinotopia series.

Smelly Socks by Robert Munsch

Review by Shara, age 7

Tina wants new socks, so her mom takes her tot eh only store in town but it only has black socks! She gets her Grampa to row across the river and get her socks. She new wants to take them off! So her socks start to get very, very smell. And her Mom asks her, “Tina can I please take your socks and give them a quick wash?” Will Tina ever take off her socks…?

Summer of the Sea Serpent by Mary Pope Osborne

Review by MacKenzie, age 7

Excerpt, page 5

Annie looked up. “What rhyme?” she said.
“Let me see.” Jack took the shell from her and turned it over. On the other side there was a poem. Jack read the poem aloud:

Before night falls on this log summer day,
A shinning sword must find its way
Into your hands and out of the gloom-
Or Camelot’s king shall meet his doom.
To begin your quest for this Sword of Light,
Call for help of the Water Knight.
Then pass though the Cave of the Spider Queen

In this story Jack and Annie get sent on a mission by Merlin to rescue Merlin’s magic sword. But it’s guarded by a frightening, magical sea serpent. I like this book because it has an interesting story and good adventure. This book is in the Magic Tree House Series.

Toad Rage by Morris Gleitzman

Review by Ken, Grade 6 - July, 2009

Age Level: 7 - 11 years

Rating: *****

Limpy (a cane toad) dreams that he could live in peace with humans. His adventure takes him to all sort of places. I liked this book because it was full of adventure. If you like this book, you might also like Toad Heaven and Toad Away.

Warning: Some Australian words!

Review by Erika, Age 11/ Grade 7

COMMENT: It is a great book

Ranking: *****

CANE TOADS ARE GOING EXTINCT!!!!!!

One by one they start to disappear by cars running them over. Can one cane toad save the rest? Can humans care for cane toads? Find out the answers in the book. So read it. I know you want to.

The Gecko and Sticky: The Greatest Power by Wendelin Van Draanen

Review by Erika, Age 11/ Grade 7

COMMENT: It is one of the best books I've ever read!!
Warning: Some Spanish words
Ranking:*****

Is there an invisible boy following me? Is that a boy climbing on a wall? Is that a monkey high on cofee? Is that a talking gecko? These are random questions that are answered in the book.
AHHHHHHH someones robbing a bank. Who's going to get the money back.
This book is a really good book. If you have some spare time you might want to think about reading this book, it's good and easy to read.

Sir Fartsalot Hunts the Booger by Kevin Bolger

Review by Erika, Age 11/ Grade 7

COMMENT: I didn't like it so much, even the name sounds weird.
Warning: Older kids might not enjoy

Hi people who can read but are under the age of ten. Boy do I have a book for you. For you this book might be funny, but for older kids this book is just plain lame. I hope you people under the age of ten that can read enjoy this book and the people that are over the age of ten you might NOT want to read this book.

Is That A Sick Cat In Your Backpack? by Todd Strasser

Review by Erika, Grade 7/Age 11

Cautions: Aliens, mind control, smelly toes
Ratings:* * * * *

This book is awesome because there’s cats in the story !!!!!!!! Do you like space cats? Well if you do this book is for you. It is about space cats, mind control and smelly stuff, but it's not scary. So if you think you like non-scary space cat mind control and smelly stuff, this book is for you. Also there's a cat in the story that is the scrawniest, scraggliest, laziest cat ever that goes in a cat talent show. I know kinda weird but the cat does have a talent.

If you like this book you might also like: Is that a dead dog in your locker? And Is that a glow in the dark bunny in your pillowcase?

Rise of the Evening Star: Fablehaven, Book Two by Brandon Mull

Review by Makenna, Grade 6

In Fabelhaven book two, Kendra and Seth are desperately needed back at Fablehaven after their grandfather calls telling them to come and help at the refuge after he’s been in an accident. What Kendra and Seth don’t know is that trouble, lots of it is about to occur. Even before they get there, they find themselves in trouble. At the refuge they start by getting told just about every single detail about the trouble that is almost destroying Fablehaven.

This book of filled with fantasy, mystery and lots of adventure. I recommend it to anyone with an urge for adventure, fun, and suspense all in one.

Wild Ride by Liam O’Donnell

Review by Stefanie, Grade 4

Age/Grade Level: Grade: 3-5/ Age: 8-11

Rating: ****

Devin, Marcus and Nadia are trying to get to Bighorn Valley, but the float place is in a storm. It gets hit by hail and crashes in some lake and the pilot is dead! Wiley, their caretaker wants to kill them, so he sets a wild fire. When they escape it they are attacked by a grizzly bear. If they escape the bear, will they be able to save Bighorn Valley?

I liked this book because it was a very wild adventure.

Caution: Some scary stuff.

If you liked this book you might also like the other books in the series and Captain Underpants!

Review by Erika, Grade 7 - July, 2009

Some kids and a man named Willie think they are going to help their Mom and Dad, but when they get on the plane something happens! This book was a really easy read and there are some really neat pictures as well. I liked this book because it was a short, easy, good book. Warning: Scenes with blood in some of the pictures.

If you like this book, you might like Ramp Rats: A Graphic Guide Adventure

Review by Makenna, Grade 6

Devin and Nadia get sent on an airplane trip to where their mom is working. But what they don’t expect is that someone they are flying with is a traitor. After their plane crashes, the pilot dies and the two of them are stuck the traitor and a skater dude. They try and find a way to survive in the wilderness, it almost works until the traitor acts up.

Comments: It was a great survival guide. If you go camping it has helpful information about the type of camping.

Age Level: 8 – 10 years old

If you liked this you might enjoy Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

Rules by Cynthia Lord

Review by Makenna, Grade 6

Age Level: 10-12 years old

Rating: ***1/2

Catherine’s brother David has mental problems, when David doesn’t stop doing things wrong; Catherine puts a stop to it. When Catherine starts having to go to hospital for her brother’s tests she meets a handicapped boy and starts making him cards to help him with his disabilities. Then Catherine meets the new girl next door. She gets into a conflict with her which reveals her friend’s identity. Catherine doesn’t know what to do.

This book was really good. It should show its readers another side of being handicapped.

Bad Dog and the Curse of the President’s Knee by Martin Chatterton

Review by Erika, Grade 7

Grade/Age Level: Grade 7/ Age 11

Rating: *****

Are those robotic secret service guys? Is the president a robot? The answers are in the book.

Hi guys, this is a pretty easy book to read. It has lots of pictures; I mean small pictures on each page. This book is a hard book to put down because when something exciting happens it’s a new chapter. So if you like easy but not super-easy books, this book is for you!

I like this book because it is funny.

Magic Pickle and the Planet of the Grapes by Scott Morse

Review by Erika, Grade 7

Grade/Age Level: Grade 7/ Age 11

Rating: ***

A sudden burst of wind comes and blows your hair in your face. You see a green blur. Then you realize it’s a flying pickle. Isn’t that strange? This book is a pretty easy book to read. It has some pictures in it. If you are bored, think about reading this book. Okay?

Soccer Sabotage by Liam O’Donnell

Review by Makenna, Grade 6 - July, 2009

Age level: 8 -10 years old

Rating: *****

Nadia’s soccer team qualifies for the championships, but at the championships, someone tries to sabotage their team in various ways, from pushing the coach to giving the gaolie a concussion. Someone is trying to make the Lions loose. But who?

This was a great book because it had a mystery and it about soccer and I love both of those things.If you like this book you might also like the rest of the series; Wild ride and Ramp Rats.

Killer Pizza by Greg Taylor

Review by Stefanie, Grade 4 – July, 2009

Age/Grade Level: Grade: 3-5/ Age: 8-11

Rating: *****

Toby needs a summer job and when he does find one at Killer Pizza, Doug Harvey shows them the guttata in the basement. Strobe, Annabel and Toby have to think about whether they want to become MCO’s (Monster Combat Officers)

Caution: Lots of scary stuff and some rude words.

I liked this book, especially when the alpha guttata’s blood was yellow! If you liked this book you might also like Harry Potter and Alien Feast.

Mud Shark by Gary Paulsen

Review by Erika, Grade 7 – July, 2009

Age Level: 7 - 11

Rating: *****

This book is an easy book to read and there are NO pictures. Mud Shark is a boy with sisters who are triplets. There is one things about Mud Shark that is special but I'm not telling you, because that would waste the purpose of you reading the book!

This book was awesomely great!

Review by Ken, Grade 6 – July, 2009

Age Level: 8-12

Rating: *****

Mudshark is a 12 year-old boy who notices things that others might not. Now someone put a sign on his locker that says Mudshark Detective Agency. Will he be able to find Markie McCorkins homework? Will he be able to find the missing erasers?

I like this booked because it was funny. Some words were hard.

If you like this book, you might also like Hatchet and lots of other Gary Paulsen books.

Bone by Jeff Smith

Review by Gabby, Grade 6 - July, 2009

Age Level: 6 - 13 years

Bone is an explorer and he and his friends go into town and they are really, really funny. They get into trouble, they also fight but it always works out. They get lost! Do they surive, do they stay there for days or do they find their way back?

I really liked this book, it was funny!

The Candy Shop War by Brandon Mull

Review by Ken, Grade 6 – July, 2009

Age Level: Age: 9-12

Rating: *****

Nate moves to a new place and meets some friends. Their names are Summer, Pidgeon, and Trevor. After a few days they decide to work for Mrs. White, a candy shop owner, but the jobs she gives them get scarier and scarier. What will they do?

I liked it because it's a fantasy and I also liked the candy that gives them super powers.

Warning: Sometimes a bit scary and there were some words that I didn't know.

If you like this book, you might like Fablehaven.

Babymouse: Puppy Love by Jennifer L. Holm

Review by Nicole, Grade 6 - July, 2009

Rating: ****

Grade Level: 4

Babymouse: Puppy Love, is about a mouse who had gold fish, then lost it and so on until her 5th goldfish. Then she had a hamster and lost it, then she had a ferret, then sea monkeys and many more pets, but lost them all. Babymouse then found a lost dog and named it Buddy. She trained him, but then Buddy's owner found him and told Babymouse that Buddy was actually a girl named Lady. The owner took her home.

I liked this book because it involved puppies and lots of animals. If you like this book, you may also like Fashion Kitty #1 and #2.

Naughty Nautical Neighbors by Annie Auerbach

Review by Erika, Grade 7 – July, 2009

Rating: ***

Grade Level: 2 -4

This is a SpongeBob book and is pretty easy to read and there are a few pictures. I think this book would be for youger readers, but if you are an older reader and like short books, this book is for you. In this book SpongeBob and Patrick are best friends until Squidwart does something!

SpongeBob Squarepants #8: SpongeBob AirPants: The Lost Episode

Review by Erika, Grade 7 – July, 2009

Rating: ***

Hi all you SpongeBob fans, this is a book for you. It is a short easy book to read and has some pictures. Spongbob wants to fly but he doesn't succeed until something happens. If you like this book you may like Naughty Nautical Neighbors.

Ramp Rats by Liam O'Donnell

Review by Makenna, Grade 6 - July, 2009

Rating: ****

Age Level: 9 - 11 years old

Pema and Bounce love skatebording, but there's only one place to skate in their town, the skatepark. But the skatepark is guarded by a mean bullie and his gang. When Bounce's stepbrother Marcus comes to town, they try to gain back the only area to skate in town at the Annual Lake Jam, a skateboardng contest.

This was a good book, skateborders will love this book. If you liked this book you might also like, Wild Ride, Soccer Sabotage, other books in the graphic novel series.

Icky Squishy Science by Sandra Markle

Review by Erika, Grade 7 – July, 2009

Rating: *****

Are you ever bored at home and have nothing to do? Well this is the book for you. You can do some really cool, gross experiments. You can blow up marshmallows, pet a worm, build a catapult and even blow up a balloon using a squished banana! There are a lot more but I can't tell you them all because it would ruin the surprise.

This was an awesome book. Caution - Some disgusting experiments.

Hoe Down Showdown by Kelli Chipponeri

Review by Erika, Grade 7 – July, 2009

Rating: ***

Hi Spongebob fans this is another book for you. It s an easy book to read because there's a picture on each page to help. It's time for the Bikini Bottom Hoedown and Spongebob is ready to be the square dance caller...or not. Find out what happens in this swinging story.

This book is for youger readers.

Nature Girl by Jane Kelly

Review by Tina, Grade 6 - July 2010

This book can be very inspirational when you read it (most of the time) and you can easily adapt to the “flow” of the story. Nature girl is a tale of self-discovery and adventure, and Jane Kelly uses a splash of humor to keep readers on their toes.

If you like this book then I suggest you read My Side of the Mountain” by Jean Craighead George. This book is a modern-day version of My Side of The Mountain. I recommend you read them both and compare them. I also recommend both these books for grades 4 – 6.

Hoot by Carl Hiaasen

Review by Sophia, Grade 4 - July 2010

This is about three teenagers. Their names are Roy, Mullet Fingers and Beatrice. They wanted to save the owls because there were plans to build a Mother’s Paula’s Pancake House where the owls lived. People were happy to have a Mother’s Paula’s Pancake House but when the kids said to them to say quiet so they could see the owls; they decided not to build the pancake house after all.

I liked this book because the three teenagers help the owls so their houses wouldn’t be destroyed. I recommend this book for grade 3 and 4/ ages 9 and up.