BOOK REVIEW: Shadow On The Mountain: a novel inspired by the true adventures of a wartime spy

Margi Preus

Amulet books, 2012

Historical fiction, spying, war, WW2

Reading level grades 5-7 content 11+ there is some blood, but not much. Espen likes a girl but there is no kissing. There is one very sad death.

If you liked BOMB read this book.

In Nazi occupied Norway, times are tough. Food is hard to come by, and the soldiers are turning everything into Nazi controlled stuff. Would YOU stand up to those Nazis who come take over your country? Well, young 14 year old Espen got sick of it and joined the resistance to do everything he can to get the Germans out. Follow Espen as he advances from illegal newspaper delivery to a spy, and as some very surprising discoveries are made.

SPOILERS!!! My favorite part is when Espen finds out his little sister is in the resistance.

SPOILERS!!! The ending sucks. That is a warning.

SPOILERS!!! I think it is cool that his little sister is in the resistance.

I liked this book because it always had you exited and it was really nicely written, there was lots of great descriptions.

I rate it 9 out of 10

WRITTEN BY: WN, 8/12/2014

BOOK REVIEW: Alexander the Great

Author: Simon Adams

Illustrator: There is no illustrator to this book, but there are many pictures of places and statues of importance of Alexander the great.

Publisher: National Geographic Publish date: 2005

Genre: Non-fiction

Suggested age range: 9-99 Reading level: 4th grade

This is a book that tells the tale of an epic warrior, Alexander the great, his life, and the battles he has fought in. This highly informative book has all the facts you can know about him, and has pictures of sites he has visited, statues and busts of him, and pictures depicting his great battles. These are labeled with facts, and if possible, dates. Alexander the great was born in 356 B.C., and died in May 29, 323 B.C. He was the first Greek to be later worshiped as a god. WOW!

I thought it was interesting that Alexander the great left his kingdom “To the strongest.” It shows that he REALLY favored strength, physically and mentally, above all else.

I enjoyed this book because it has all the facts you can know about him, and has pictures of sites he has visited, statues and busts of him, and pictures depicting his great battles, and they are helpfully labeled and, if possible, paired with a date.

I rate it 7 out of 10

WRITTEN BY: AN, 8/7/2014

BOOK REVIEW: The Remarkable Benjamin Frainklin

Cheryl Harness

National Geographic, 2005

Nonfiction, history

Grades 4-6

One evening in Josaih Frainklin’s shop, a cry of a new born baby rang out in to the night. This was the newborn Ben Franklin, a baby who would grow up to be a great man. Ben went to school, but his family ran out of money. So Ben went to work with his brothers in a print shop in exchange for money, and learn in important trade. Later in his life, Ben discovered electricity, joined the local militia, and at age 51 he was a great scientist and an unofficial colonial ambassador. Ben did many more things in his life, but you will have to read to find out.

I thought it was sad because his friend died right when everything was going so well.

I think we should look up to Ben because he just stood tall when everyone laughed at him.

I like this book because I can connect to the problem of the Revolutionary War to, because I would be MAD if the Britains came and taxed me on stuff.

I rate it 7 out of 10

WRITTEN BY: WN, 7/21/2014

BOOK REVIEW: Will at the Battle of Gettysburg

Laurie Calkhoven

SCHOLASTIC 2011

Historical fiction, action

Age range 11-18 There is quite a lot of blood and a disturbing scene in a make shift hospital. Reading level grade 5-6.

Will at the battle of Gettysburg is an action packed war book about Will, a boy living in Gettysburg. Will dreams of being a drummer boy in the army. But when war does come, it is not like he expects. Will does many things, and meets an unlikely friend. But will he survive????

I like it when will meets Mr. Lincoln because the speech he delivers is amazing.

It makes me feel sad to think that a war was fought over slavery.

I really liked that Will made friends with a soldier on the other side.

I thought it had an o.k. story but it was too bloody.

I rate it 5 out of 10

WRITTEN BY: WN, 7/12/2014

BOOK REVIEW: Napoleon

Robert Burleigh

2007 Abrams books for young readers

Nonfiction, history

Grade level- 4-7 content 8. (There is some blood in a picture.)

In this good book by Robert Burleigh you will learn all about Napoleon and how he almost conquered the world. You learn lots of facts, like Napoleon wasn’t that good in school! It also has lots of cool paintings to look at that help you understand the story. Did you know that he came from poverty and rose to the high rank of emperor! Read this book to find out more about the great Napoleon!

I thought it was sad that he got married just to have a son to carry on his legacy and when his wife didn’t, he divorced her and got married to some other random lady.

I think we should learn that size does not matter ‘cause Napoleon was small.

I thought it was cool to learn about napoleon because I almost knew nothing about him.

I rate it 7 out of 10

WRITTEN BY: WN, 8/6/2014

BOOK REVIEW: The American Revolution

Landmark books (series)

Reprint of the 1958 book, in 1986 by Random house.

Nonfiction, history, war, U.S. history

Reading level, grades 4-6 content, ages 8-12 there is no blood, or very little. But the words are a little hard to understand.

If you liked any history books about the American Revolution you will like this informative book.

The American revolution by Bruce Bliven, Jr. is a fact filled book that will take you on a detailed adventure that covers many important battles such as Valley Forge. You can “watch” as the rebellious Americans take on the British and win against tremendous odds. It has detailed maps so you can really know what’s going on, and a few pictures of the rebel’s forts and historic buildings. If you want to know about the American revolution, this is the book for you!

My favorite part is when there is a picture of an old fort with lots of cannons. That is cool.

I think we should all notice when the Americans were cold, and hungry, and hurt, they just kept on fighting. We should take that as a lesson and never give up.

I like the book because I can connect with the soldiers in the battlefield because I play outside and get hurt sometimes, and just imagine how worse it would have been for the soldiers.

I rate it 8 out of 10

WRITTEN BY: WN, 7/22/2014