Book Blog

Hi everyone! Welcome to Mann's book blog! This is a space for students to recommend their favorite books, and for others to read those recommendations. If you would like to submit a book review, keep reading!

You will get 10 Lancer cards for each book review you write if they follow the submission guidelines!

Submission guidelines:

Please include your name, grade and the title of the book you are reviewing (If you don't want your name included in the post, please mention that, but we need your name so we know who to give the Lancer cards to!)
Your review must be at least 5 sentences long, but you can definitely make it longer if you'd like!
Include how many stars you would give the book, between 1 and 5
Would you recommend this book to others?
Send your book reviews to Ms. Boyle at anya.boyle@d11.org or Mrs. Sanchez at stacey.sanchez@d11.org--Include "Book Review" in the title so we know what the email is about!

Below are some questions that can help guide you if you need some ideas:

What was your favorite/least favorite part of the book?
Where does the book take place?
Who is the main character?
What genre is the book? (ex: Fantasy, Adventure, Graphic Novels, etc.)
What age students do you think would enjoy the book most?
Was the book exciting, boring, confusing, interesting, too long, too short, scary, funny, sad? Use lots of adjectives in your review!

If you have any questions, please email Ms. Boyle (Anya.Boyle@d11.org) or Mrs. Sanchez (stacey.sanchez@d11.org)

Both Can Be True: Review by Isabella J.

Posted by ANYA BOYLE on 10/6/2021

Both Can Be True by Jules Machias

General Fiction

This book is about a person named Ash that is having a hard time figuring out their gender. Ash somedays feel like a girl and other times a boy. Ash and their friend are trying to figure out what Ash's gender is. Ash's dad did say that gender fluid and nonbinary are not real genders. But in the end, Ash finds out that they are nonbinary. That means that they don't identify with a gender and they are part of the LGBTQ+ group. This book showed that it's ok to be yourself. My favorite part of this book is when Ash came out and showed pride. It made me happy, and I would recommend this book to people ages 10+ or people that are in the LGBTQ+ group.

I love this book. It is a good book and it's a relaxing one so I'm going to give it 5 stars for a rating.

Review by Isabella, 7th grade

Review of Shivers, Wishes & Wolves by Olivia W.

Posted by ANYA BOYLE on 11/4/2020

Shivers, Wishes and Wolves by Beth Bracken

Fairy Tales

This book is a unique and creative book, it has many stories in it. This is a different book it is something creepy but also something cool. I would recommend this book for anyone. It's a great book and it has five stories in it. All of them are different in their own way. There are many stories including the story: Cinderella, Hansel and Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Bean Stock, and my favorite, Rumpelstiltskin. So, all in all, I think this book deserves five stars.

Review by Olivia W., 6th Grade

Review of The Hunger Games by Connor S.

Posted by ANYA BOYLE on 4/2/2019

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Dystopian

The Hunger Games is about a life after the continent North America has fallen and the 12 districts fight against each other in an arena to see who will be crowned as a victor. The main character is Katniss and the genre is dystopian. To me this is a really exciting book for kids over 10. I would rate this book a 4 stars because of all the suprises that happen. I would recommend this book to anyone that likes fighting and or themes of fire.

Review by Connor S., 6th Grade

Review of Throne of Glass by Lauren K.

Posted by ANYA BOYLE on 2/4/2019

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Fantasy

Throne of Glass is a stunning fantasy novel with Celaena Sardothien; a daring, brave, and notorious young assassin. This is the first book in the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas. This book is extremely exciting and the action and drama never fail to surprise and hook you even further into the stunning world. The book absorbs you into Celaena’s fantastical world. With a gut wrenching plot that will play with your heartstrings nonstop, this book is perfect for anyone who enjoys fantasy novels with romance and adventure! Absolutely, I give this book 5 stars!

Review by Lauren K., 7th Grade

Review of Human.4 by Kayden K.

Posted by ANYA BOYLE on 12/3/2018

cover of human .4 book by Mike Lancaster

Human.4 by Mike A. Lancaster

Dystopian/Science Fiction

Set in the 21st century, a teenage boy, Kyle lived in a small and peaceful town. In this town, there was an annual talent show that was held, and Kyle's friend Danny had done a magic act. Feeling pity, Kyle raises his hand to volunteer for Danny's act. All is going well until the volunteers are hypnotized and sent off into a different world. When they are finally brought back, things begin to go south. Kyle and the others begin to have strange behavior, and they aren't sure why.

This was a very exciting, thrilling, book that kept you on the edge of your seat. you would never want to put this book down. I would recommend this book to young adults/teens interested in Science Fiction and Dystopian books. I would rate this book five stars because it was such an amazing and suspenseful book. I would definitely read this book again if i got the chance.

Review by Kayden K., 8th Grade

Review of Max Crumbly: Locker Hero by Michael W.

Posted by ANYA BOYLE on 11/13/2018

The Misadventures of Max Crumbly: Locker Hero by Rachel Renee Russell

Humor

Max Crumbly Locker Hero by Rachel Renee Russell is such a great book. I made the mistake of reading number two first, then number one and that was the biggest mistake I’ve made in my life. Locker hero is a suspenseful book and kind of a mystery. I fell in love with this book so much I would rate this book a full 5stars! If you love suspense and a page turner, read Max Crumbly Locker Hero by Rachel Renee Russell

Review by Michael W., 8th Grade

Review of A Court of Thorns and Roses by Krista M.

Posted by ANYA BOYLE on 11/5/2018

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Fantasy

A Court of Thorns and Roses is a novel in a four book series, the first one to be exact. Our main character Feyre Archeron, is a mortal plunged head first into the Fae world by killing a Fae male in his wolf form. She is taken to the spring territory in Prythian. Feyre is a sarcastic and cocky mortal who doesn't realize how much trouble she's really in.

This thrilling fantasy tale will leave you craving more. Each page, each character, and each point of view creates a story you won’t be able to put down. Looking for Romance it’s got it. How about adventure? I can tell you it definitely has that. It is a book I would recommend to any age middle school through high school. The young adult section would love this book if they are interested in fantasy.
It was exciting, enjoyable, and definitely a great read. The story is adventurous, romantic, and thrilling. Good luck putting it down. Long enough to do some sort of project with and enjoy doing it. I would rate this 5 stars because it was so good. I would definitely read this book again when I get the chance.

Review by Krista M., 8th Grade

Review of Cinder by Sisi M.

Posted by ANYA BOYLE on 10/23/2018

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Science Fiction

Cinder is a book in the Lunar Chronicles book series, the main character being 16-year-old Cinder, a cyborg mechanic with a spunky and sarcastic personality, despite being 36.28% not human.

The series is based off of fairytales, modernized in a thrilling twist that’ll make you squeal for more—but, hey, no need to fret, because you can find it anytime in the science fiction section in the media center! Can I get a big “amen” for shameless advertising of this beautiful, silently thrilling paradise of a library?

I know what you’re thinking; “A girly book? No way! I’m all for adventure!” Well, hush, child! It’s probably the most adventurous book on this side of the galaxy! With strong female leads, a science-fiction theme, and the plague being a prominent feature throughout the story, it’ll have you on the edge of your seat-- and on the floor because of how hard you’ll be laughing at the slightly dark humor.

Even the beginning paragraph is descriptive, starting off the story with a good description of the setting; in the future, 126 T.E. to be exact, in New Beijing’s weekly market, as the story states. It clearly shows that Cinder, the main character of this particular story, is a cyborg, as she takes off and replaces her far-too-small foot as it gets straight to the plot of pure adventure, as previously implied, which is a great feature in books because there’s less filler and more action.

Cinder has a special ability that others would kill for—and I’ll leave that for you to find out in the Lunar Chronicles series!

Four stars!

Review by: SiSi M., 7th grade

Welcome to Mann Middle School's Book Blog!

Posted by ANYA BOYLE on 10/15/2018

Have you read a great book and you want to share it with everyone? Did you read a terrible book and you want to warn others to stay away? Submit a post to Mann's Book Blog, and you might see your review on our school website!

Check below to see the submission guidelines. Anyone who submits a review that is used for the blog will receive 10 Lancer cards from Mrs. Sanchez or Miss Boyle!