Book Reviews by Real Life Kids!

My kids have some favorite books to share! The reviews below are in their own words. If you have a teenager, an upper elementary student, or a younger reader, my kids have some books for your kids to try.

My oldest is a 13-year-old and his recommendation is

The Percy Jackson and the Olympians series.

“Percy Jackson and the Olympians is my personal favorite book series. The series has action, drama, and suspense. Percy Jackson is 12-years-old and lives with his mom and stepdad. He hates his stepdad with a passion. He doesn’t know why his mom puts up with him. One day he goes on a school field trip. Mrs. Dodds, his pre-algebra teacher, is leading the trip. She tells him to come into a room and she turns into a demon. Mrs. Dodds keeps chanting “Where is it!”. Percy has no idea what she is talking about. His other teacher Mr. Brunner comes in and throws him a pen and tells him to click it and he does. Everything goes dark. His friend rushes him home and he and his mom head out. They say they are driving him to a camp that is full of people like him. The only thing is that he doesn’t know what he is. When they are almost there, they are attacked by a mutant bull. He gets to camp, but not without losing something very important to him. At this camp, he learns what he is and how to fight. He quickly learns that his life is full of many dangers but also many great adventures. Any teenager who likes mythology and reading would love this series.

Mom notes:

My son is currently reading it again because he loved it so much the first time. He loves a good book, and he needed a series when he finished Harry Potter. He said he likes this series better than HP!

My middle is a 10-year-old and his recommendation is

Wonder by RJ Palacio.

“Wonder by RJ Palacio is about choosing kindness over everything. ‘When given the choice between being right and being kind, choose kind.’ Auggie is ten-years-old and he suffers from a facial deformity. Auggie was home-schooled his whole life because of this until fifth grade, and that is where the story starts. The story talks about his fifth grade year and what he goes through. At the beginning, he meets three kids and they give him a tour around the school along with Mr. Tushman, the principal.

Most of them wanted to help Auggie have a successful year and make friends. Even though Auggie has the three kids who show him around, only two of them are actually nice. Julian bullies Auggie about his face and other kids say “If you touch Auggie, you get the plague.” The first time Julian meets Auggie, he asks, “I have a question, what’s the deal with your face?” Julian bullies him the whole book. Others join in, but they soon quit when they see how it hurts Auggie. Although Julian never learns his lesson, the other kids learn that kindness matters. Most kids would like to read this book because the book makes the people who are reading it feel sad for Auggie because of the way he is being treated. It has jokes, it has family, and the end is one of the best endings to any book.”

Mom Notes:

He doesn’t usually choose to read in his free time, so the fact that he loved a book that wasn’t a graphic novel is amazing. It didn’t hurt that the principal’s name is Mr. TUSHman. He loved that!

My youngest is a 7-year-old and her recommendation is

Super Narwhal and Jelly Jolt by Ben Clanton

“Oh I love Super Narwhal and Jelly Jolt by Ben Clanton. This book is about laughter, making people feel the super inside them, and making them feel invincible. The book is fun because the main characters, Super Narwhal and Jelly Jolt, are always a team and they are confident. Narwhal and Jelly work together to help each other and other friends find what makes them super. Through ups and downs, they discover what being “SUPER” is all about. I also love that they are really funny. I like how the characters make other underwater creatures feel good, and I really love the pictures. Kids that like funny things, nice things, and loyalty will love this book from Scholastic.”

Mom Notes:

My 7-year-old loves to read, and she can’t wait to get the other two in this series.

Keeping books in my kids’ hands can be challenging, but we love sharing what they love. What books do your kids love? Please share in the comments!