This book really made me happy and glad that I have a loving family and friends. It was easy for me to relate to India in one way, because she has a love for animals and loves Winn-Dixie her dog; I have five dogs that I love very much. During this book there were times I wanted to laugh and cry, and most of the time I did a little bit of both. Because of Winn-Dixie is a great book and I suggest you read it!

Maddy

           Kate DiCamillo’s Because of Winn-Dixie was about a little girl named India who lives with her father (the preacher). They live in an adult trailer park and they have to be quiet. India struggles because she misses her mother who left them when she was a baby. India finds something special and goes through many adventures. She meets new people and has a new best friend.

           What I liked about this book is that there was a lot of adventure. I also liked how she made a lot of friends. I red this book in two days because I just kept reading and reading. This book was a good book because; there was feeling and emotions for the characters. 

          One thing that I did not like about the book was, the book was sad at one point then happy. I thought that the moods changed too fast.

           I recommend this book for people who like warm stories. I think this because, through the book India and her new pet struggle but they make it through together. I also recommend this book for people who like to read about pets.

           I learned in this book that you can always make friends no matter where you are. Also you will always have someone there for you.

Because Of Winn- Dixie, by Kate DiCamillo was about a girl named Opal who found a dog in the grocery store who loved her. Since she just moved to Naomi, Florida she doesn’t have anyone accept her dad and now Winn –Dixie. When Winn- Dixie got lost Opal didn’t know what to do and started crying. Now that she found someone who cares for her, she doesn’t go anywhere without her dog, Winn- Dixie.

The one thing I liked about this book was the fact that the character, Opal, didn’t let the store manager call the dog pound and took the blame just to save a dog that didn’t even belong to her. That shows that Opal is a kind and caring character.

The only thing I didn’t like about the book was the mood. The mood was sad because she was alone and didn’t have any friends. It started to change towards the end of the book and she then had a couple of friends.

I think that boys and girls around eight through thirteen enjoy this book because it’s a short and quick story to read. Because Of Winn- Dixie is a great book to read if you don’t want something long to read and if you like fiction stories.

Big Red
Peter

Big Red by Jim Kjellard is one of my favorite books. It is a great story of a poor teenager and his father living in the middle of the wilderness. The kid (Danny) gets a chance of a lifetime, to take care of a famous show dog (Red). Danny turns Red into a partridge hunting dog but when Old Majesty, the smartest and most feared bear in the world, he’s faced with a pivotal decision. On the one hand, if he goes after Old Majesty he may ruin Red’s career. On the other hand, if he doesn’t the whole estate may be wiped out.

Kjelaard does a great job of describing the fights and settings. I don’t know much of his background, but I can infer that he has been or is a hunter. This is a great book for anybody but especially teens who likes dogs, adventures, or hunting.

Blonde Ambition by Zoe Dean    
Review by Catherine-2004-5

            “If you have to ask you’ll never be on, the a-list.”  Blonde Ambition is a fiction book bye Zoe Dean. Anna Percy moved from New York to L.A. She is a senior in high school. Anna broke up with Ben, the guy all her new so- called “friends” like. Ben shows up in her life again but who knows for how long. Anna also takes on an internship with Apex. She meets a great guy there named Danny. Between Anna’s many love interests, Ben, Danny, Adam, and Djano, her life never has a dull moment. Clark Sheppard’s, the head of Apex’s, daughter Cammie is out to ruin Anna’s life anyway she can, even if it means going against her dad. Cammie still is upset about Anna being with Ben. She knows he should hers. Will Cammie mess with Anna’s internship, even worse her relationship with Ben?

            I enjoyed Blonde Ambition very much. I have read the other two books and love the A- List series. I like it because it gives you a look at how the rich and famous live. There’s never a dull moment in this book and it keeps you hooked throughout the whole book. I recommend this book to girls ages twelve to seventeen.                                                         

Blonde Ambition   
Review by Alexandra - 2004-2005                                                

            During the previous books of The A List series, written by Zoey Dean, seventeen year old Anna Percy flew to Los Angeles, California, first class.  She departed from her New York Penthouse Apartment to go to her father’s Bel Air estate where he resided after he had divorced Anna’s mother.  From what Anna had remembered, he had been a wealthy business man who was only seen wearing cashmere coats and Armani suits.  Despite her former thoughts she found her father disorganized and disoriented.  She forms relationships with the handsome and seductive Ben Birnbaum, Adam Flood, a sweet and thoughtful gentleman, and Danny, an assistant and writer for the exciting drama, Hermosa Beach.  

Throughout Blonde Ambition, Anna Percy realizes that Ben has become too intense.  She feels that she no longer loves him, but feels pleasure in the want and lust for him.  This draws that relationship to a close and allows her to meet Adam and Danny.  But when she is hired by Mr. Sheppard as an intern on the television soap opera Hermosa Beach, she focuses on her work instead of getting caught up in the complex minds of the male sex.  From participating as a crew member in “Hermosa Beach,” Anna is introduced again to Camilla Sheppard, who attempts to create a living hell for her. 

              I enjoyed the text for the flow and feel of the words on each page and how each sentence seemed like reality with the perfect amount of description and dialogue.    During every section, Zoey Dean wrote the opinions and thoughts of a different person affecting Anna’s life.  Ms. Dean’s sentence structure was impeccable and her words were distinct and understood easily. 

 The main character Anna Percy is an honest, intelligent, capable, loving and understanding individual.  Her closest companion, Cyn, who chose to remain in New York, had been daring, careless and free.  This is why Anna had decided to leave.  She had wanted to build a new personality for herself and experience the ability to take risks. 

           I can relate to this character in her behavior and personality.  I am curious and always question myself and the unknown, as Anna does during each chapter.  We commonly do not take risks but we make the right choices and always think before we speak. 

I suggest that all young and adult women read this motivating and captivating novel for it consists of romance, excitement, thrill, and action.  The characters are wealthy and beautiful which is an image that is displayed worldwide.  So I believe that Zoey Dean published this paperback because she knew it would sell and she enjoys writing about these topics.  Most women have experienced hate and anger and have had broken hearts as shown in the book, but we learn that it cannot stop us from loving, and living, the unexamined life.

Blonde Ambition
Review by T.S. - 2004-2005

I think that girls ages 11-18 would enjoy this book. If you like relationship conflicts then you’d love this book, and this whole series. The author uses great detail, so you know what Anna is feeling when she can’t decide whom to choose. This book made me want to read more every time a chapter ended.

Bob Hope: My Life in Jokes  Thanks for the Memories
Tracey

Bob Hope: My Life in Jokes, by Bob Hope with Linda Hope, is a book that should be read by all Bob Hope fans. Someone who knows him through pictures, radio, the Academy Awards, his entertaining of the troops, or vaudeville can recognize and appreciate his humor and views on life. This autobiography is told mostly through his famous one-liners, and includes his humorous perspective of everything from childhood to politics. The chapters are broken up by decades of his life, and includes an in depth look at politics, technology, and of course, his life and business. At the beginning of every section, a few paragraphs are written with a less-humorous flare, but are never-the-less still interesting. In this novel, we can see the ways Bob Hope thanks the world for his memories. It tells the classic story of a poor boy growing up in England who eventually fulfills that glorious American dream.

Anyone who is a fan of this One-Liner King will find themselves laughing out loud and totally immersed in the charm of this novel. It includes his hilarious, quick-witted jokes that will have you rolling on the floor. Possibly his best-loved jokes are those where he makes fun of himself. Of course this novel is filled with that type of humor. While talking about his many brothers, he states, "I was Mom’s favorite, though. She was always playing with me and tossing me into the air…What fun it would have been if one day she caught me."

My Life in Jokes is not for everyone, though. Many of his jokes have to do with other big Hollywood stars, politics of the time, and the society and world of the Twentieth Century. Anyone who doesn’t know and understand those times whether through pictures, books or first-hand experience, may not find his jokes as amusing. The audience for this book also has to be someone who enjoys Bob Hopes comical views and jokes. Not just anyone could truly appreciate this book.

If someone is in need of a laugh or a fun trip back to the Twentieth Century, pick up Bob Hope: My life in Jokes and share some memories with this timeless idol of the American culture.

Meggin Cabot
Review by Cristina

The possibility of you putting this book down once you’ve started it is zero out of ten. The Boy Next Door is truly a must read for all girls.

Burning Up                                                                                                              Hayley

            I am reading this book called Burning Up, by Caroline Cooney. This book is about a girl named Macey who visits her Grandparents a lot. One day she is assigned a report about anything in her town’s history. She picks this old burned down barn. But no one wants to tell her what really happened.

            I like how the setting takes place in Connecticut so I can relate to parts of the settings. I also liked how the characters are around my age. And some even remind me of my friends.

            I don’t like how the chapters are so long. They make me feel like I am not getting anywhere in the book. It makes it less fun to read.

            There are many characters in this book. The main character’s name is Macey. Macey reminds me of my friends because she is really emotional which most girls are so I can fell like I relate. The author really explains their descriptions, so I felt like a could be standing right there next to the characters.

            When I was reading this book, I was deep in thought. A good book makes you thinking and continue thinking even when you but the book down. The book kept me interested and had suspense so you never know what’s going to happen.

            This book was really good and I would highly recommend it to girls because I bet most girls can understand what Macey was going through. This book continues to get better every chapter I read. It is a great book so far.