Lower School Book Reviews
Jakob Sweet reviews The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

This book is called The Phantom Tollbooth. It was written by Norton Juster and is a fictional comedy adventure. It was really great.
The Phantom Tollbooth is about a boy named Milo who is bored to death by everything. Finally he finds out he can do something fun! He goes on a search looking for princesses Rhyme and Reason. On the way he meets some very quirky characters. One, the Humbug, is very vain. Tock, the other, is brave and smart. Together, even in the craziest places or even in his room Milo can go on an adventure of a lifetime.
My favorite scene is when Milo and his friends meet a man who doesn’t know who he is. Milo asks the man to describe himself. The man says he is as tall as can be, as short as can be, as generous as can be, as selfish as can be, and each time he becomes exactly that. Milo and his friends talk it over and figure out that if everything he says is true, he must be Canby!
I liked the book because the author played with words in a very funny way. I would recommend the book to anyone in the mood for humorous adventure. I would give this book a 10.


Cole Davis reviews Earth to Matthew by Paula Danziger:

Earth to Matthew, written by Paula Danziger, is a comedy with a touch of tragedy. The comedic parts are FILLED with “make-you-groan” jokes, i.e. why did the chicken cross the new playground? To get to the other slide! Very funny, Matthew.
This book tells the story of Matthew, a sixth-grade kid with problems. From almost being dumped by his girlfriend to having a girls club formed specifically to get him, (the club is actually called G.E.T.H.I.M. – Girls Eager To Halt Immature Matthew), Matthew constantly finds himself, as he might say, skating on thin ice.
My favorite scene takes place on a field trip, during a dance, when Jill asks Matthew to dance with him. OH, NO! He doesn’t know how! Finally, he decides to dance. He dances, but like a chicken. Jill, humiliated, walks off enraged, and does NOT want to be engaged.
On a scale from 1 to 10, I’d rate this a 15. I like Paula Danziger because of her puns. She’s known for those “corny” puns that Abe Lincoln might have liked. I would recommend this to people who like corny humor.


Chloe Worthington reviews Ramona and her Mother by Beverly Cleary

Ramona and Her Mother is written by Beverly Cleary. It is an adventure book. It has a little comedy also in it.
This book is about a girl named Ramona, who has had a hard life. Her family is poor and does not have enough money. Her dad has a job he hates (especially on Wednesdays.) She finds a way to have fun whenever she’s unhappy and in the blues…
My favorite part was when she squeezed a whole tube of toothpaste all around the bathroom. Her mother finds out and says “It’s O.K. if you promise to clean it up.” She promises. My mom would have been mad!
I liked Ramona and Her Mother because it’s the only book I’ve read that once I read a few pages I feel like I’m there! I think people who like adventure and comedy and like reading into feeling you’re there will LOVE this book.

BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

Noah, (grade 3), recommends Oom Razoom by Diane Wolkstein to readers in grades 1-3 “if you like books about magic, greedy kings, a poor archer and birds coming to life.”

Timmy, (grade 3), recommends Eragon by Christopher Paolini to grades three and up because “it has very juicy words.”

Matthew, (grade 3) loved Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke for kids in grades three and up because “it is very interesting, and in one day I read it for 2 hours!”

Sophie, (grade 3), says that Little Women by Louisa May Alcott is “sad and happy and if you like old books you’d like this one.”

Laila, (grade 3), recommends No Flying in the House by Betty Brock to kids in grades 2-4 because “it’s the most magical, wonderful book ever made.”

Isaiah, (grade 3), recommends Edward Eager’s Seven-Day Magic because “most of the writing is hilarious, and also it is a great adventure.”

Beatrijs, (grade 3), recommends King of the Wind by Marguerite Henry because “it seems very real.”

Oliver, Annie and Alice (grade 3), all highly recommend The Westing Game, a mystery by Ellen Raskin, which they describe as “creepy,” “funny,” and “creative.”

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