Book reviews by kids

Book review: Worst Camp Ever

Posted on April 29, 2019June 17, 2019 by Alphabet Soup

REVIEWED BY JESSIE, 10, VIC

Ella Diaries: Worst Camp Ever by Meredith Costain, ill. Danielle McDonald,
Scholastic Australia, ISBN 9781760157180

Worst Camp Ever is part of the Ella Diaries series. The book is a fiction book written by Meredith Costain in a diary style form, through the eyes of an Australian girl named Ella. This book and series would suit girls between 8–12. There is another series for girls a bit younger called Olivia’s Secret Scribbles, which is written through the eyes of Ella’s younger sister. The books are illustrated by Danielle McDonald, in simple but very funny and effective drawings, that often make me laugh out loud.

The books are fun, a bit naughty, focus a lot on school friendships and are filled with adventure, mostly set at school, gymnastics and at home. They also contain some new and fantastic words like ‘fantabulous’ and always have some funny poems or songs.

Worst Camp Ever is one of my favourites, as it is about going on school camp, the excitement of bunk beds, activities like the big swing and kayaking, also fears, personal challenges, enemies, playing pranks, noises at night and scary stories. There is also crazy boys, food fights, potatoes that have to be peeled, points to be earned and lost and so much more.

I have read and own all the books of this series that have been released and my sister is reading the younger version. Every time I come home with a new book I’m so excited to find out what happens next, I need to read it from start to finish in one night. I just can’t wait for more books to be released and I know you will enjoy them too. 5/5

This is Jessie’s first book review for Alphabet Soup. If YOU would like to send us a book review, check out our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

Book review: This is home

Posted on April 24, 2019April 17, 2019 by Alphabet Soup

REVIEWED BY HANNAH, 12, QLD

This is home: Essential Australian Poems for Children, selected by Jackie French, ill. Tania McCartney, NewSouth Books, ISBN 9780642279385

Hannah received a review copy of this book from Alphabet Soup.

This is Home – a book of poetry selected for children by Jackie French and vibrantly illustrated by Tania McCartney – is our story of Australia told through verse over real time. There are different sections in the book and each section describes a different part of Australian history. This gives you the freedom to only read what section you like or of reading the whole book from the start to enjoy the progression of events that have formed the country that we call home.

The anthology just radiates pure elegance. The poems are tender and beautiful and most have gorgeous illustrations to match them. The illustrations were really powerful and calming, often playing with the words and a poem’s title.

It was so impossible to choose when my mother asked me for my favourite poem. I have to admit that the ‘Laughter’ section was the one I enjoyed the most. The selection of verse throughout the book doesn’t feel the least bit rushed. The artwork and the storylines are calming and seem to encourage the reader to take time to breathe in the words and pictures. I loved that Jackie French placed the poems in chronological order as I haven’t really seen that done before in an anthology.

I do really love this book and I recommend it to all school aged kids as it is aimed at children. This one is really worth checking out.

This is Hannah’s first book review for Alphabet Soup. If YOU would like to send us a book review, check out our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

Book reviews by kids, Glenridge Elementary School

Book review: Mercy Watson to the Rescue

Posted on February 8, 2019February 2, 2019 by Alphabet Soup

REVIEWED BY KALEIGHA, SECOND GRADE, MISSOURI, USA

Mercy Watson to the Rescue by Kate DiCamillo, Candlewick, ISBN 9780763645045

Do you love reading books with funny characters? Well then you’ll love to read about Mercy Watson. Mercy Watson is a pig who likes to eat hot buttered toast. She’s hilarious!

Do you like to read Mercy Watson to the Rescue? I love it. Chapter 1 is very good. For example, on the first page Mercy is getting put into bed. Tell me, isn’t that a funny story?

Second grade students at Glenridge Elementary School (Missouri, USA) have been guest reviewers at Alphabet Soup over the past few weeks. Click here if you’d like to read more book reviews by Glenridge Elementary School. To send us YOUR book review, check out our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

Book reviews by kids, Glenridge Elementary School

Book review: Harry Potter series

Posted on February 7, 2019February 2, 2019 by Alphabet Soup

REVIEWED BY ALINA, SECOND GRADE, MISSOURI, USA

Harry Potter series by JK Rowling, Scholastic, ISBN 9780439136358

Harry Potter by J.K.Rowling is the best series in the galaxy because Harry, Hermione, and Ron, who are the main characters, go on adventures and there’s always mysteries in the school. Like … when they the found the sorcerer’s stone. Another reason why I like it is because they do magic! Here are some examples of magic from book: 1.

The healing bird appears
The Griffindor sword appears out of nowhere in the chamber of secrets.

My favorite characters are Hermione Granger, Harry Potter, and Ron Weasley. My least favorite characters are Voldemort and Malfoy and my least favorite house is Slytherin. I would rather call it Loserin. J.K.Rowling made a lot of other books and movies too!

Second grade students at Glenridge Elementary School (Missouri, USA) are guest reviewers at Alphabet Soup. Click here if you’d like to read more book reviews by Glenridge Elementary School. To send us YOUR book review, check out our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

Book reviews by kids, Glenridge Elementary School

Book review: Harry Potter series

Posted on February 6, 2019February 2, 2019 by Alphabet Soup

REVIEWED BY ISABELLA, SECOND GRADE, MISSOURI, USA

The Harry Potter series by JK Rowling, ill. Mary GrandPré, Scholastic, ISBN 9780545582889

Have you ever heard of the book series Harry Potter? It is by JK Rowling. Have you seen the front cover? It’s so phenomenal! Well at least to me. I think that the illustrator Mary GrandPré did a very good job! I love all the front covers. Because they have details! And they are unique! And the front cover makes me feel like I’m in the story.

Do you also like magic? Because Harry Potter is about magic! Harry Potter is a story about this bad wizard named Voldemort. He’s trying to do something bad to Harry Potter. Harry Potter is really good at magic! The reason I like Harry Potter is because he does magic! I think that magic is amazing! Another reason I like Harry Potter is because he goes to Hogwarts! Which is a MAGIC school! My favorite part is the Holiday Feasts. I wish that the Holiday Feasts were in real life!

One of my favorite characters is Ron Weasley. He’s so funny. One time, in the second book, Malfoy called Hermione a Mudblood, a name for a muggle born, and so Ron tried to do a spell on Malfoy. Muggle born means human born. That hurt Hermione’s feelings. The spell that Ron did was eat slugs. Since the Whomping Willow smashed his wand, the spell reversed back on him, and he threw up slugs. His jaw just opened and he started throwing up slugs! I like Hermione and Harry too, but my least favorite characters are Draco Malfoy, Voldemort, and the Dursleys. Malfoy is my least favorite character because he’s mean to Harry Potter. I don’t like Voldemort either because he’s trying to do something bad to Harry Potter. I also don’t like the Dursleys because when Harry was only 11, they made him sleep in the cupboard under the stairs. So, basically, that was his room. When I first read it I was wondering, “How could a family do such a thing?” On one of his birthdays, or ALL of his birthdays, OR for the whole summer AND his birthday he HAS to pretend he doesn’t EXIST! And plus it’s his BIRTHDAY! I can’t imagine that life.

These are all the reasons I love Harry Potter!

The first book in the series is Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone*. The second book is called Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. The third book is called Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. The fourth book, that I’m reading, is Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. The fifth book is called Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. The sixth book is called Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. The seventh book is called Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. And those are all the books in the Harry Potter series.

*In Australia this book is published as Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

Book reviews by kids, Glenridge Elementary School

Book review: BAD KITTY SCHOOL DAZE

Posted on February 5, 2019February 2, 2019 by Alphabet Soup

REVIEWED BY VIVIAN, SECOND GRADE, MISSOURI, USA

Bad Kitty: School Daze by Nick Bruel, Scholastic, ISBN 9781250039477

Do you like kittens? Well, I know a kitty that is bad! The book is called Bad Kitty: School Daze by Nick Bruel!

This book is really funny because Petunia, who is a dog, thinks Bad Kitty is a cow! Bad Kitty gets in a fight with Puppy. But it’s weird because in pet school they do arts and crafts and stuff like that.

You will have to read this book to find out more! I give this book 10 out of 10 stars. I recommend this book for ages 2 to any age!

Book reviews by kids, Glenridge Elementary School

Book review: DOG MAN

Posted on February 4, 2019February 2, 2019 by Alphabet Soup

REVIEWED BY ORLANDO, SECOND GRADE, MISSOURI, USA

Dog Man by Dav Pilkey, Scholastic Inc, ISBN 9780545581608

Do you love Dog Man by Dav Pilkey? If you do, just so you know, I do too. Have you read every book in the series? Not me, but I think it’s a good book for these reasons:

The book is good.
It’s a good book to read.
People love to read it.

Also did you know when the chief said, “HEY!” Do you think it’s funny? I do because he was kind of yelling at the people.

Have you seen Dog Man Unleashed? It is the next book in the series. I would recommend this book for kids and teenagers ages 7-19.

Book reviews by kids, Glenridge Elementary School

Book review: ATTACK OF THE ZITTENS

Posted on February 1, 2019January 24, 2019 by Alphabet Soup

REVIEWED BY RYAN, SECOND GRADE, MISSOURI, USA

The Bad Guys: Attack of the Zittens by Aaron Blabey, Scholastic, ISBN 9781760158774

Read Attack of the Zittens by Aaron Blabey. It’s a very cool book and at one part they were surrounded by the zittens! My favorite part is when the old lady farts and the zitten scratches Mr Wolf’s face. That is really funny! The best part about the whole thing is that it is a whole series. In the second book Mr Wolf, Mr Piranha, Mr Shark and Mr Snake try to save 10,000 chickens from a chicken farm. You will have to read the books to find out more. There are 8 books. It is an awesome series.

I recommend these books for 5 to 13 years old because it only has a little words. The creator of it is so funny! They are the best books ever! Buy the book or buy the series. There are a lot of BAD GUYS in every story and the BAD GUYS are trying to be … GOOD!! It is a good series and you should read the books.

Second grade students at Glenridge Elementary School (Missouri, USA) are guest reviewers at Alphabet Soup this month. Click here if you’d like to read more book reviews by Glenridge Elementary School. To send us YOUR book review, check out our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

Book reviews by kids, Glenridge Elementary School

Book review: THE 26-STORY TREEHOUSE

Posted on January 31, 2019January 24, 2019 by Alphabet Soup

REVIEWED BY NINA, SECOND GRADE, MISSOURI, USA

The 26-Story Treehouse* by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton, Macmillan, ISBN 9781250073273

If you like silly, funny, and tragic books, then you’ll love I mean LOVE The 26-Story Treehouse. The 26-Story Treehouse is about two kids who like to write books together. Their names are Andy and Terry. Oh! And Terry is the one with blond hair.

The 26-Story Treehouse has 26 awesome and amazing stories like the “Believe It Or Else Museum” and the “Super Secret Lab.” They have this super duper cool marshmallow machine! It shoots marshmallows in your mouth when you’re hungry.

I think people over 7 should be able to read these books.

PS: read The 13-Story Treehouse first. It’s super duper cool too!

*In Australia, this book is published as The 26-Storey Treehouse.

Book reviews by kids, Glenridge Elementary School

Book review: HARRY POTTER SERIES

Posted on January 30, 2019January 24, 2019 by Alphabet Soup

REVIEWED BY MOMO, SECOND GRADE, MISSOURI, USA

Harry Potter series by JK Rowling, ill. Mary GrandPré, Scholastic, ISBN 9780439136358

I think you should read the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling and illustrated by Mary GrandPré. Keep reading don’t stop. It might seem really boring at first. Hey! Wait! Just at the beginning.

In the first book he finds the Sorcerer’s Stone. Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley help him find it. Harry Potter is eleven in the first book. I LOVE this book series because they all have a lot of action in them. Also he finds the school of witchcraft and wizardry. Also because he has a cute little owl! Awwww so cute.

I give this book a nine out of ten. I found this book in a bookstore. I am on the fifth book in the series. My sister read all of the books. I recommend this book for ages 8–12.