Category: Book reviews by kids

Posted in Book reviews by Jiya Kaur, Book reviews by kids

Book review: Something Out of Nothing

Posted on by Alphabet Soup
The cover of a children's nonfiction book about Marie Curie.

Something Out of Nothing: Marie Curie and Radium by Carla Killough McClafferty, St Martins PR (USA), ISBN 9780374371227

REVIEWED BY JIYA KAUR, 10, USA

Jiya Kaur reviewed her own copy of this book.

Something Out of Nothing teaches readers about Marie Curie, a marvelous scientist who discovered Radium and Polonium. Born as Manya Sklodowska on November 7th, 1867, she would soon grow up to become one of the world’s most revered scientists. She went from a poor Polish girl who worked as a governess, to the first woman and Polish person to ever win a Nobel Prize. This book will take you through the heartbreaking and hopeful journey of Marie Curie.

My favourite chapter in this book is when Marie starts to work as a governess to help her sister Bronya pay for college. They create an agreement to help the other pay for college, working in their motherland, Poland, until the other can pay to study at the Sorbonne in Paris, France. When Marie first arrives in France, she feels free and carefree. I like the quote “All that I saw and learned that was new delighted me. It was like a new world opened to me.” I love this quote because Marie feels free, joyous, and can’t wait to get started in the beautiful city she would soon call home.

I believe that readers ages 9 to 11 will enjoy this book. I would rate it 10/10 stars. I think this book is very emotional, so readers might prefer other reads if they want something continuously delightful and carefree.

Readers who love books about science, or the I Survived series will love this book. In all, Something Out of Nothing is a fabulous book by Carla Killough McClafferty that will teach readers about an exceptional scientist: Marie Curie.

Jiya Kaur is a regular book reviewer for Alphabet Soup. You can read her earlier reviews here. To send us YOUR book review, read our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

Posted in Book reviews by kids

Book Review: Little Women

Posted on by Alphabet Soup
The cover of a children's novel: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, Penguin Random House UK, ISBN 9780241735329

REVIEWED BY AZAADI KAUR, 8, USA

Azaadi Kaur reviewed her own copy of this book.

Little Women’s main characters are the four March sisters. Their names are Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy. Meg is the oldest and prefers pretty things. Jo, the second oldest, is bold and likes to read. Next is Beth who is faithful, shy, and likes the piano, and the youngest is Amy, who likes to draw. 

When the story starts, we learn that their father has gone out to war. He was the main person earning money for the family, but because he was away, the March family does not have much money. 

The book is about the challenges they face as the sisters grow up and become young women. I’m pretty sure that this is where the book gets its title. Most of the time, the book takes place in the little hut where the girls live.

The parts of the books that I really like are when sometimes the sisters learn new lessons that help transform them into even better people. I learned from them about the importance of telling the truth and to report problems immediately any time they come up. 

My favorite part of the book is when the girls do a good deed and someone else is really kind back to them. I like it because it shows how one act of kindness can trigger or spark another act of kindness. (And another, and another, and another.)

I would recommend the full book to ages 8–12 and the short story version to ages 6–9.

This is Azaadi Kaur’s second review for Alphabet Soup. You can read her review of Wonder here. To send us YOUR book review, read our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

Posted in Book reviews by Jiya Kaur, Book reviews by kids

Book review: Fantastically Great Women Scientists and their Stories

Posted on by Alphabet Soup
The cover of a children's nonfiction book about women scientists

Fantastically Great Women Scientists and their Stories by Kate Pankhurst, Bloomsbury Publishing, ISBN 9781526615336

REVIEWED BY JIYA KAUR, 10, USA

Jiya Kaur reviewed her own copy of this book.

Fantastically Great Women Scientists and their Stories by Kate Pankhurst is a book that teaches the reader about extraordinary female scientists. Some of them include Marie Curie, Mae Jemison, and Rosalind Franklin. This book explores the challenges they faced, and also teaches you other things about their life; what they dreamed of as a kid, their inspiration, and more. This book is excellent because it shares surprising facts and motivational stories about legendary women.

My favorite chapter in this book is about Caroline Herschel, a terrific astronomer. She worked as a maid at home, until her brother brought her to his own house, where she became a soprano singer. When her brother shifted his focus to astronomy, she did too. 

Fantastically Great Women Scientists and their Stories is a stellar book that teaches you that anyone can do anything, and to follow your dreams. I recommend it for anyone ages seven to ten, and I rate it five out of five stars. This book is inspirational, and it also reminds us that the most extraordinary people overcome difficult obstacles. All these women were really amazing, so take up the chance to learn about them.

This is Jiya Kaur’s second review for Alphabet Soup. You can read her review of When You Reach Me here. To send us YOUR book review, read our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

Posted in Book reviews by kids, Book reviews by Marley

Book review: This Bird

Posted on by Alphabet Soup
The cover of This Bird.

This Bird: Noticing Our Urban Birds by Astred Hicks with Holly Parsons, CSIRO Publishing, ISBN 9781486318452

REVIEWED BY MARLEY, 10, WA

Marley received a review copy of this title from the publisher.

From the publisher:

What’s so fancy about this bird? What’s so clever about that bird? Perhaps it’s a weightlifter, a marathon flier, an artist, or even a liar. You don’t need to go far to see intriguing birds, even in the city. From colourful parrots to artistic bowerbirds and fancy fairy-wrens, there’s lots to notice in our local backyards, streets and parks.

This Bird: Noticing Our Urban Birds is a great factual text book about birds. It explains everything from funny details to extraordinary facts that you would never find just reading on the internet. I loved and enjoyed reading this book very dearly. It has great illustrations with an eye for detail. 

It would be good for any age, for anyone interested in wildlife. I read about the willie wag tail, which is my favourite bird, and I think it would be a great reference book for local wildlife.

Marley is a regular book reviewer for Alphabet Soup. You can read her earlier reviews here. To send us YOUR book review, read our submission guidelines.

Posted in Book reviews by Edith, Book reviews by kids

Book review: The Making of Martha Mayfield

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Cover of a children's book: The making of Martha Mayfield

The Making of Martha Mayfield by Jo Dabrowski, Affirm Press, ISBN 9781923022928

REVIEWED BY EDITH, 10, WA

The publisher provided a review copy of this title

From the publisher:

Martha Mayfield has always been the quiet kid. Martha is, after all, her mother’s daughter. The shy child of an even shyer mum. And she likes it this way. That is, until Martha’s mum loses her job. And Martha’s teacher overlooks her at school. And soon, Martha realises something has to give. Can she really go through life being so quiet that nobody takes her seriously? Should she really keep all her good ideas to herself forever?

The Making of Martha Mayfield is an entertaining and fun read. I especially enjoyed this book as it is very relatable to life as a 10/11 year old. The plot was interesting and easy to follow, and the characters, particularly Martha, seem familiar in a way. 

I would definitely recommend this book to others. I really loved it. 

Edith is a regular book reviewer for Alphabet Soup. To send us YOUR book review, read our submission guidelines.

Posted in Book reviews by kids

Book review: Wonder

Posted on by Alphabet Soup
The cover of a childen's novel: Wonder by RJ Palacio

Wonder by RJ Palacio, Random House UK, ISBN 9780552565974

REVIEWED BY AZAADI KAUR, 8, USA

Azaadi Kaur reviewed her own copy of this book.

Wonder is a book about August Pullman, also known as Auggie. Auggie has an unusual face due to the many surgeries he has had. It is Auggie’s first time going to school. Auggie makes friends with two other kids who go to his school: Jack Will and Summer Dawson.

Julian Albans is an annoying kid who is in Auggie’s class and is really popular at school.

One Halloween, Auggie’s school lets the students wear costumes to school. Auggie was going as Boba Fett from Star Wars, but at the last minute Auggie changed into Bleeding Scream (also from Star Wars).

When Auggie walks into the classroom, there are three kids in costumes there: Darth Sidious from Star Wars and two mummies. They are all waiting for Boba Fett. Auggie knows this, so he wanders off to a different seat. 

Auggie overhears them talking:
"Why do you hang out with him so much?" asked Darth Sidious. Auggie knew it who it was. 
One of the mummies replied: "I don’t know, Mr. Tushman asked me to, and now August is following me around everywhere." The mummy shrugged.

Auggie recognized the shrug and the voice. This hurt Auggie’s feelings. He didn’t like that he said something mean about him. In the following weeks, Auggie showed some bravery, including standing up to some bullies. 

My favourite part of the book is when Auggie earns the award. I think that it shows that being brave always pays off.

I think that the message that this book is sharing with us is: Even if there is a difference in you or your family, never let embarrassment get the best of you, and always stand up for what’s right.

I recommend this book to ages 8+. If you read Wonder, I hope you enjoy it.

This is Azaadi Kaur’s first review for Alphabet Soup. To send us YOUR book review, read our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

Posted in Book reviews by kids

Book review: When You Reach Me

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead, Text Publishing, ISBN 9781921656064

REVIEWED BY JIYA KAUR, 10, USA

Jiya reviewed her own copy of this book.

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead is an exceptional realistic fiction story that will hold you on edge. When Miranda starts receiving inexplicable notes, she is perplexed. Who could be sending these notes and why? As 12-year-old Miranda navigates through sixth grade and friend drama, she uncovers secrets of the future through the messages.

My favourite part of this book is when Miranda reflects on her actions and realises that she has been mean to her classmate Julia. This moment marks a major transformation. I love that Miranda starts to change her actions to become a better person. My favourite quote from the book is “Sometimes, you never feel meaner than the day you stop being mean.”

If you are looking for a story that will make you feel the emotions that the characters feel, When You Reach Me might be the perfect book for you. It has very realistic characters who are easy to love.

This book is a blend of fiction, sci-fi, and mystery. I would rate this 4.5 out of 5 stars, and recommend it for readers ages 10 to 12.

This is Jiya Kaur’s first review for Alphabet Soup. To send us YOUR book review, read our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

Posted in Book reviews by kids

Book review: Save Me a Seat

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

Save Me A Seat by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan, Scholastic Inc, ISBN 9780545846615

REVIEWED BY NYLA, 11, INDIA

Nyla reviewed her own copy of this title.

Save Me a Seat is a wonderful book by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan, and it is one of my absolute favourites, because, having moved countries myself, it is very relatable.

The two protagonists of this book are Ravi and Joe. Ravi had just moved to America from India, and, because of him being a star student and topper in his old school, he expects something about the same over here. Unfortunately, this does not seem to be the case. Ravi is laughed at and provided with extra help he is sure he doesn’t need. Ravi is certain that one boy, Dillon, will be the perfect friend for him. What he doesn’t know is that Dillon isn’t who he seems.

Joe has APD and hates being put on the spot. He too goes for extra help, but things do not start off well between Ravi and Joe, due to the numerous differences between the two. Despite this, they are able to put aside their differences and work together to go against a common class bully.

This book is perfect for kids who enjoyed Finally Seen by Kelly Yang. It is also a great choice for kids who like books about moving and adjusting to new places. I would recommend this book to children ages 10+. One of my favorite parts would be around the ending, when Ravi tells the entertaining story about why he got the leeches for his personal reflection item. The authors did a wonderful job in showing Ravi’s thoughts about what he wanted to do but what he actually did. I especially enjoyed the unique way those thoughts are written: in the form of a short, numbered list.

This is Nyla’s second book review for Alphabet Soup. You can read another of her book reviews here. To send us YOUR book review, read our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

Posted in Book reviews by kids

Book review: The Table Cape Crusader

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The Table Cape Crusader (book cover)

The Secret Detectives Club: The Table Cape Crusader by Kate Gordon, Riveted Press, ISBN 9781764007153

REVIEWED BY JOHN, 8, WA

The publisher provided a review copy of this book.

The Table Cape Crusader, is about an eleven-year-old boy called Rocko Jarvis and his friends Cosmo Calhoun and Mingus. The boys form the Secret Detectives Club to solve cases and have fun together. 

In this book they are trying to find out who is blackmailing everyone and sending them notes. The book is mysterious and funny, and I liked the twist at the very end which was just a little bit scary.

I think that this book would be good for kids aged 7 to 12 who like mystery books.

I can’t wait to read the next book!

John is a regular book reviewer for Alphabet Soup. You can read an earlier review here. To send us YOUR book review, read our submission guidelines.

Posted in Book reviews by Ella, Book reviews by kids

Book review: Behind the Screens

Posted on by Alphabet Soup
The cover of a Behind the Screens by Niraj Lal and illustrated by Aśka

Behind the Screens: How the Internet Works & How to Make It Work For You by Niraj Lal, illustrations by Aśka, University of Queensland Press, ISBN 9780702268946

REVIEWED BY ELLA, 10, WA

The publisher provided a review copy of this book.

Behind the Screens is about technology and how to navigate it. I really liked how detailed and kid-friendly the book is. 

I learnt a lot about tech and how to make it kid-safe, and also how to be safer on the internet. I think this book would be good for any kids who like tech and want to learn more about it, especially ages 9+. 

Read Alphabet Soup’s earlier interview with the author, Niraj Lal.

Ella is a regular book reviewer for Alphabet Soup. You can read another review by Ella here. To send us YOUR book review, read our submission guidelines.