Kids Books - Science Fiction

The Poison Jungle (Wings of Fire, Book 13)

The Poison Jungle (Wings of Fire, Book 13)

By Tui T. Sutherland

I'm continuing to really enjoy this arc of the series! I really loved seeing the poison jungle and all the carnivorous plants that want to eat everything and everyone. Bumblebee is the cutest. I really liked the differences between the LeafWing groups as well. The differences in the different cultures of the dragons on this continent are so varied and interesting. However, I think this might be my least favorite of this arc so far. While the previous books focus on working together to overcome adversity, this one drops that somewhat. The group takes a backseat to Sundew's relationship with Willow, and I agree with some of the criticisms on that front. Sundew's characterization changes rapidly once Willow is brought into the picture. Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of people that act completely different when with their partners versus when they're with others. But Sundew's whole personality seems to shift and was different than the previous books. I can see the arguments on both sides. Sundew was away from home and maybe didn't have Willow at the forefront of her mind while trying to dodge crazy HiveWings, but she really is sooo different once Willow is around. Also, I think Tsunami seemed a bit off in this book. She doesn't seem very much like the Tsunami that I knew in the previous books, so I hope some of her old self is brought back in the next book. I did enjoy this one, and I hope Sundew recovers some more of her acerbic dialogue back in the future books because I find it hilarious!

The Lord of the Rings

The Lord of the Rings

By J.R.R. Tolkien

J.R.R Tolkien, tied with John Flanagan for my favorite author, writes a magnificent piece in 'The Lord of the Rings'. It is so incredible it has become a classic that any middle schooler must read. I read this book when I was 7 years old and it has still held 2nd Place, now as an 8th Grader. I would recommend this series to ANYONE who likes adventure, action, fantasy, magic, powers, elves, dragons, war, violence, mystery, suspense, and so much more!! His novels are just packed with excitement and everyone should read them!! :) I have to say, he seriously must have done a lot of planning before he started writing for this series, because he seems to know the favorite colors of Bilbo Baggin's GREAT GREAT GREAT GREAT GREAT GREAT GREAT GREAT Uncle's grandparents. (By means to say, he writes in a lot of detail that I sometimes get bored over and wish he would get to the main point, but it just adds to how AMAZING this trilogy is!!) I could research my whole life and not know everything about the Lord of the Rings because man... he knows every little detail about his world and other world's he created!! Definitely, read this series... and... GO LEGOLAS!!

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

By C. S. Lewis

I really did not decide to read it but my class in school was going to read it. At first I have always thought that I would not like but when I saw the movie in class I just really loved it it is an awesome book read it

A Very Grimm Guide (Sisters Grimm Companion) (Sisters Grimm, The)

A Very Grimm Guide (Sisters Grimm Companion) (Sisters Grimm, The)

By Michael Buckley

I liked this book, it was intense and filled with interesting characters. Not exactly my favorite book, I personally found it a little confusing at times, but still a fun read. The entertainment was mild and nice, the plot was very well thought out and the characters all had their quirks.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

By J.K. Rowling

"Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" continues the magical journey of Harry Potter and his friends at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry with breathtaking excitement and enchantment. J.K. Rowling once again proves herself as a master storyteller, seamlessly weaving together elements of mystery, adventure, and friendship in a tale that will leave readers spellbound from start to finish. As Harry returns to Hogwarts for his second year, he finds himself embroiled in yet another thrilling adventure, this time involving dark secrets hidden within the school's very walls. From the moment Harry sets foot in Diagon Alley to the climactic showdown in the Chamber of Secrets, Rowling takes readers on a rollercoaster ride of suspense and intrigue. The mystery of the Chamber and the identity of the heir of Slytherin keep readers guessing until the very end, while the discovery of Tom Riddle's diary adds a chilling layer of depth to the story. But "Chamber of Secrets" is not just about plot twists and turns - it's also about character growth and development. Rowling delves deeper into the personalities of her beloved characters, allowing us to see new sides of Harry, Ron, Hermione, and the rest of the gang. From Hermione's relentless pursuit of knowledge to Ron's unwavering loyalty, each character shines in their own unique way, making us laugh, cry, and cheer along with them every step of the way. Of course, no review of "Chamber of Secrets" would be complete without mentioning the delightful world-building that Rowling is known for. From the bustling streets of Diagon Alley to the eerie corridors of Hogwarts, the wizarding world comes alive with vivid detail and imagination, transporting readers to a place where magic is real and anything is possible. In conclusion, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" is a triumphant continuation of the beloved series, filled with thrills, laughter, and heartwarming moments that will stay with readers long after they've turned the final page. With its unforgettable characters, mesmerizing plot, and richly imagined world, it's a book that deserves every bit of praise it has received. Whether you're a fan of fantasy or simply love a good story, "Chamber of Secrets" is not to be missed. Highly recommended.

The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, Book 1)

The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, Book 1)

By Suzanne Collins

"May the odds be ever in your favor!" After a bloody war, twelve districts rose from the ashes of what was formerly known as North America, lead by a glorious Capitol. As revenge for the districts' betrayal in the war, the Capitol requires one young man and woman from each district to participate in an annual televised fight to the death, commonly known as the 'Hunger Games.' And when Primrose Everdeen, an innocent twelve-year-old from District 12 gets selected to participate in the Hunger Games, her sister, Katniss, is shell-shocked - and in a life-changing decision, volunteers to take her place. Her fellow tribute from her district is announced as one Peeta Mellark, who helped Katniss and her family in their time of need.. and there will only be one survivor. In order to survive, they are presented to the frivolous citizens of the Capitol as "star-crossed lovers", and must play the part to stay alive.. together. Prepare for an action-filled adventure of betrayals, poisonous berries, unexpected allies, bloody deaths, wildfires, heartbreak, and maybe even true love..? I highly recommend this book - please give it a try! This book fit right in the "dystopia" label, honestly - even though I completely fell for this book my first time reading it, I grew a little more critical the next few times around.. I felt like the "star-crossed lovers" cliché didn't exactly "fit" Katniss and Peeta - I felt like Katniss would be better off with her sister, Prim, even in the absolutely terrible conditions of District 12 - that would have been a "happy ending" for her. Instead, Katniss is stuck in a confusing love triangle between basically useless Peeta and her long-time friend, Gale, and I feel like even though the bloody Hunger Games is supposed to be the "main" storyline of the series, the whole overwhelming romance thing just pushes everything else aside. Aside from the cheesy "romance" side of this series, I absolutely loved some parts of the book - the sacrifice Katniss made for Prim felt so.. so heartbreaking, but I was absolutely devastated when a specific friend of Katniss died in her arms.. The emotional aspect of such an event was so well captured in this book, how heartbreaking it would be to lose your family or friends.. I could not stop sobbing. This outshone the "romance" storyline for me, and now, I am happy to say that I believe that Suzanne Collins wrote an absolutely breathtaking novel.. thank you.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Book 1)

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Book 1)

By J.K. Rowling

I am a BIG fan of the Harry Potter series! It’s about this boy named Harry who lives with his mean aunt, uncle, and cousin. Then, on his birthday, he learns the truth about what really happened to his parents, and found out he was (and still is) a wizard! He gets to go to Hogwarts, a school for witchcraft and magic! On his first day, he picks Gryffindor, the brave, which is one of the four houses. He makes friends with Ron and Hermione, who are also in his house. He also learns about You-Know-Who, aka. Voldemort (who, by the way, has no nose 😂), and is determined to find out the secret behind the evil antagonist/villain. I would recommend this book, and the whole series to people who like fantasy and adventure! I’ve read all the books so far, and I’ll give it a five star! 🤩

Warriors: Cats of the Clans (Warriors Field Guide)

Warriors: Cats of the Clans (Warriors Field Guide)

By Erin Hunter

I liked this field guide, but I feel like Erin Hunter should have added more cat profiles. I understand that this was published during the start of Power of Three, and not Omen of the Stars or A Vision of Shadows, but a lot of cats were still missing. What about Dustpelt and Ferncloud? They’re both fairly important characters, so I feel like they should have had a page in here. And they called Jayfeather, Lionblaze, and Hollyleaf Jaypaw, Lionpaw, and Hollypaw. I’m glad The Ultimate Guide was published later on, because it has a lot of cat profiles that Cats of the Clans missed.

Monday with a Mad Genius (Magic Tree House, No. 38)

Monday with a Mad Genius (Magic Tree House, No. 38)

By Mary Pope Osborne

The Magic Tree House series is an awesome series. My mother was even interested in this book. This story is about 2 siblings, Annie and Jack. They have a magic tree house. The reason why it's magic is because when you open a book in the tree house and think about the place in the book you want to go, you go there. This time, they went to the time Leonardo de Vinchi was alive and making artwork. Read to find out what happens in this book.

Darkstalker (Wings of Fire: Legends)

Darkstalker (Wings of Fire: Legends)

By Tui T. Sutherland

Get ready to be wowed by Tui T. Sutherland's first installment in the "Legends" spin-off series! Told from the perspective of three different dragons- Clearsight the NightWing, Fathom the SeaWing, and Darkstalker himself, this beautifully crafted novel shows us what motivated Darkstalker to become the twisted dragon we know well as of the modern arcs. I absolutely adored every page of this book. It gave us rich insight to the history of Pyrrhia, from its normalization of animi to the fact that RainWings' powers were actually well-known, featured in the guide to the tribes, and feared by many. Despite Darkstalker's villainy, he was a character the reader could easily empathize with, and his backstory was fleshed-out, and, in the grand scheme of things, made sense. Clearsight was a lovely POV, although I'd like to get a bit more detail as to why her seer powers were so strong, and if it could happen again in the modern timeline. Fathom's character itself seemed a bit lacking, and it was rather reminiscent of Turtle- now we know why Darkstalker called him that when he summoned him in Talons of Power- but his chapters were filled with action, suspense, and emotion. His past trauma was something rarely explored in middle-grade books such as Wings of Fire, but it was executed wonderfully. The massacre scene was amazingly written, and gave me chills the first time I read it. The three protagonists worked wonderfully together, and Darkstalker's spiral into madness was gradual and extremely interesting to watch play out. I do wish Arctic's death was described in a bit more detail, although I have a hunch that if it was, this wouldn't be a middle-grade novel. Darkstalker's relationship with Whiteout was something I adored- Whiteout was one of my favorite characters, since neurodivergent characters are just so rare in Wings of Fire. She was nicely written and the detail about her scavenger doll was just adorable! Darkstalker's devotion to Foeslayer was also sweet- there is a SERIOUS lack of positive parent-child relationships in Wings of Fire. I liked how Indigo could see through Darkstalker from the start- it showed how Albatross made her far more vigilant. I never saw her plot twist coming! And, speaking of Albatross, he was a sinister character who, despite his early death, managed to be insanely well-written. The writing style of the book also seemed a lot more mature and serious than the main series, a change I personally enjoyed. If you're looking for a novel with dragons, morally gray main characters, and magic, Legends: Darkstalker should be your go-to (although I would recommend reading the main series, first!)

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