Book Reviews Fiction

Nine-year-old Peter Hatcher has a massive problem in his life, and his name is Farley Drexel Hatcher. To the rest of the world, Peter's two-year-old brother is just an adorable, sweet little toddler known as Fudge. But Peter knows the dark truth: Fudge is a walking, talking disaster zone who ruins absolutely everything he touches. Whether he is throwing massive, screaming temper tantrums in the middle of a shoe store, scribbling all over Peter's hard-earned homework, or smearing mashed potatoes on the dining room walls, Fudge always finds a way to cause absolute chaos. Worse yet, Peter feels like his parents only ever pay attention to his troublemaking little brother. Now, Peter spends most of his time just trying to protect his most prized possession—a tiny pet green turtle named Dribble—from Fudge's destructive little hands. Living with Fudge requires a mountain of patience, and Peter is quickly running out of it. Get ready to laugh out loud at this hilarious, classic story about the wild ups and downs of surviving life with an impossible younger sibling.

The scent of kerosene is your perfume, and the roaring flames are your greatest achievement. As a fireman in a chillingly controlled future, your job is not to put out fires. Your job is to start them. Books are strictly forbidden, blamed for spreading dangerous ideas and causing unhappiness. When someone is caught hiding a library, you are the one who arrives with the Mechanical Hound and a flamethrower to reduce their precious pages to gray ashes. You have never questioned the system or the empty, screen filled life you share with your distant wife. Then you meet a teenage neighbor named Clarisse. She does not care about the giant interactive televisions or the endless fast paced distractions. Instead, she asks you simple, terrifying questions about the world, nature, and your own happiness. Suddenly, the unquestioning loyalty you once felt to your profession begins to crumble. You start to wonder what secrets are hidden in the books you destroy, leading you to commit the ultimate crime of reading one yourself. In a society where independent thought is illegal, your sudden awakening makes you a target for the very government you once proudly served.

Thirteen-year-old Brian Robeson is on his way to visit his father when his small plane suddenly crashes into the remote Canadian wilderness. The pilot is dead, and Brian is completely alone. You will feel his intense fear and hunger as he realizes that his survival depends entirely on his own wits. His only tool is a small hatchet his mother gave him as a parting gift. For fifty-four grueling days, you will learn alongside Brian as he figures out how to build a shelter, start a fire, and hunt for food. Beyond the physical challenges, he must also find a way to navigate the emotional pain of his parents' recent divorce. This thrilling, iconic classic is the ultimate test of human endurance.

Meet Frog and Toad, two amphibious best friends who are always there for each other. Frog is cheerful and energetic, while Toad would usually prefer to stay in bed. Yet, together, they make the perfect pair. Join them for five classic adventures that celebrate the true meaning of friendship. You will help Toad search for his lost white button, wait patiently for a very important letter to arrive in the mail, and celebrate the joyful arrival of spring. The short chapters and highly accessible vocabulary are specifically designed to help you build confidence as you begin to read independently. It is a funny, tender, and deeply comforting introduction to one of literature's most beloved duos.

Meet Trinity Shwartz! Moving to a brand new state means being the new kid in school, which can feel a little scary. Trinity has always been a quiet girl who likes to keep to herself. But this year, something feels different. She's starting at Greenport Middle School, and it’s a big chance for her to try new things and make new friends. Join Trinity as she navigates the hallways, classrooms, and new experiences. Will she stay shy and let others decide things for her, or will she find her own brave voice? This story is all about discovering who you truly are, even when everything around you is new. You'll laugh, you'll feel, and you'll cheer for Trinity as she learns to speak up and chase her own dreams. Get ready for an exciting journey of friendship and finding your courage!

Starr Carter is a teenager who lives in two different worlds. At home, she is part of a close-knit community, but at school, she attends a fancy prep school far away. Everything changes one night when Starr witnesses a terrible event: her childhood best friend, Khalil, is shot by a police officer. Khalil was unarmed, and his death quickly becomes a huge news story, causing protests and strong feelings everywhere. Starr is the only one who knows exactly what happened, but speaking out is incredibly difficult and dangerous. Some people want her to stay silent, while others pressure her to tell her truth. Her decision could affect her family, her friends, and her entire community. This powerful story explores what it means to find your voice and stand up for what is right, even when it's scary and difficult.

Jess Aarons' greatest ambition is to be the fastest runner in his grade. He's been practicing all summer and can't wait to see his classmates' faces when he beats them all. But on the first day of school, a new girl boldly crosses over to the boys' side and outruns everyone.

That's not a very promising beginning for a friendship, but Jess and Leslie Burke become inseparable. Together they create Terabithia, a magical kingdom in the woods where the two of them reign as king and queen, and their imaginations set the only limits. Then one morning a terrible tragedy occurs. Only when Jess is able to come to grips with this tragedy does he finally understand the strength and courage Leslie has given him.

--- Added from Google Books ---

Jess Aarons' greatest ambition is to be the fastest runner in his grade. He's been practicing all summer and can't wait to see his classmates' faces when he beats them all. But on the first day of school, a new girl boldly crosses over to the boys' side and outruns everyone. That's not a very promising beginning for a friendship, but Jess and Leslie Burke become inseparable. Together they create Terabithia, a magical kingdom in the woods where the two of them reign as king and queen, and their imaginations set the only limits. Then one morning a terrible tragedy occurs. Only when Jess is able to come to grips with this tragedy does he finally understand the strength and courage Leslie has given him.

--- Added from Hardcover ---

The life of a ten-year-old boy in rural Virginia expands when he becomes friends with a newcomer who subsequently meets an untimely death trying to reach their hideaway, Terabithia, during a storm.