The YA Book Log

COME JUNETEENTH by Ann Rinaldi is a historical fiction novel about a girl, Luli, and her friend, Sis Goose. This is Sis Goose's journey when she finds out that she is free. Since Sis Goose, whose real name is Rose, lived with Luli and her family her whole life, she and Luli are more than friends they are like sisters. When Sis Goose finds out that she has been free for more than two years and Luli and her family didn't tell her, she was shocked. Yankee soldiers took over the house and were the ones who told Sis Goose, Luli's pa is dying, and Sis Goose wants to live in the house with the Yankees where trouble erupts. To find out what happens to Sis Goose, Luli and her family, read COME JUNETEENTH by Ann Rinaldi.

I RECOMMEND COME JUNETEENTH AND ALL THE OTHER BOOKS BY ANN RINALDI TO MIDDLE SCHOOLERS WHO LIKE HISTORICAL FICTION.

Lauren Moerler
Grade 6
W. Tresper Clarke Middle School

Cynthia Johnson reviews Ann Brashares' SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS.
This is the first time that best friends Carmen, Lena, Bridget, and Tibby don't spend their summer together. But how do they communicate? Through the Pants. Not just ordinary pair of pants, the Traveling Pants. They will also write letters to each other. The Pants surprisingly and magically fit everyone even though everyone had a different body shape. These Pants will help make the girls more confident, make the girls look very good, and the pants are very lucky. They also make the girls fall in love.

Carmen will be going to her father's house in South Carolina, but finds out a surprising secret her father kept from her until her visit. Lena will be going to Greece to her grandparents, but her grandma is trying to force her to do something Lena doesn't want to do, until something bad happens. Bridget will be going to soccer camp in Baja; she shows her soccer skills and finds a forbidden love. Although Tibby will be staying home and getting a job, she will also find a friendship that will last forever, even after death.

The girls will have their ups and downs, but things will always be resolved. Carmen, Lena, Bridget and Tibby will meet new friends and see old friends. They will get angry, frustrated, find love, and a bunch of other emotions. Perhaps the Pants will keep them together when they are separated, and maybe the pants will work their magic. Who knows what the pants will bring.

THIS BOOK WAS INSPIRATIONAL AND FUNNY, SO I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO 7th, 8th AND 9th GRADE READERS.

Cynthia Johnson
Grade 7
W. Tresper Clarke Middle School

Do you love horses and drama? If you do then you should definitely read "SCANDALS,RUMORS, LIES" from the series "Canterwood Crest" by Jessica Burkhart. Everyone is going crazy when the anonymous gossip blogger featuring Sasha & Co. is turning secrets into campus-wide scandals. The big question that everyone wants answered is who's the hater? The suspense is probably killing you now, but after reading the book we still don't who the hater is. So, after this book try the next book in the series and try to find out who the hater is.

Lauren Moerler
Grade 6
W. Tresper Clarke Middle School

THEODORA TWIST by Melissa Senate is an exciting novel about a teenage movie star's journey to clean up her bad girl act by living with a regular teenage girl and her family in her old house and going back to her school for a reality T.V. show. In "Theodora Twist" Theodora learns how to go back to her regular life even with the other students treating her like the celebrity she is. Also Emily learns to live her regular life with a twist. The story goes back and forth between the two girl's point of views adding another twist. I recommend this book to middle school girls who aren't looking for a regular novel, they're looking for one with a twist.

Lauren Moerler
W. Tresper Clarke Middle School
Grade 7