Submitted by Katia, Age 11 from Rhode Island

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This is a really good series. It’s about this rich girl named Massie, who has a poorer girl move into her guesthouse. Massie and her friends Alicia, Kirsten, snd Dylan are all mean to her. It’s about all the activities Massie and friends do to Claire, and all the things Claire does. I would say this book is for any young adult!!!!

Not too long ago, I posted a review of Any Which Wall by Laurel Snyder — an enjoyable book in the tradition of Edward Eager’s sweet magical adventure stories.

Well, today Laurel Snyder’s got a new book hitting the shelves, and I liked it even better than Any Which Wall! As Penny Dreadful starts, Penelope Grey is leading a perfectly dull life — she’s an only child who spends most of her time alone, because she’s tutored at home instead of going to school and her parents are loving but both pretty busy. To keep from dying of boredom, Penelope escapes into books, and it’s not long before one of those books gives her the idea to wish for “an everything change” — a total turnaround to spice up her taste-free life. The amazing thing is: it actually happens!

I have to warn you, Penny Dreadful gets off to a bit of a slow start. I knew from the description on the book cover that Penelope and her parents would be moving to a small town where Penelope would transform herself into Penny and get a brand new start. So I was kind of impatient for that part of the story — that’s the sort of thing that happens in my favorite kind of books (like Because of Winn-Dixie, Miracles on Maple Hill, and The Four-Story Mistake). Then again, I could probably win the Guinness Record for “World’s Most Impatient Person,” so maybe I’m not the right person to judge…

Also, now that I think about it, I sort of need to learn the same lesson as Penny. You see, until her family’s big move, Penny hasn’t really had many exciting experiences herself; she’s just read about what other people experience in books. As a result, she kind of expects things to turn out as neat and tidy as in a story — except that life isn’t like that! Real life is messy and unexpected, and a lot of times things get harder before they get better, and problems don’t always get solved through the miracles that you want. But then again, sometimes the surprises are better than anything you even thought to wish for. And it’s that unpredictable nature of life that makes it so interesting! That’s what Penny learns in Penny Dreadful, and I guess I could also apply that lesson to my experience reading the book: I expected one thing and got another, something much more complicated than what I originally wanted… and I loved it!

Btw, I don’t want you to think Penny Dreadful is a complicated book that’s all about Lessons and Deep Thoughts (yawn). The story is really about Penny’s adventures, and there’s plenty of fun action — including  a treasure hunt in a cave, a feast at the local diner, and a bunch of wacky new friends. So if you enjoy books like The Penderwicks and Gone-Away Lake, you should definitely pick this one up! I admit, if I could follow Penny to her new town, I totally would…

And here’s something REALLY exciting: the author, Laurel Snyder, is offering what she calls the Penny Dreadful Book Club! She put together a list of books that she (and Penny) really like, and she’ll Skype in to talk with any group of three or more kids who want to read and then discuss at least three of the books on the list! (I guess 3 really is a magical number in this case.) Check out all the details and get your parent or teacher involved if you want to meet the author!

— Karen

Karen’s always been a city girl, but she did go to college in a small town where the main street was about five blocks long. But guess what… it still had a Starbucks!

More about Karen »

 
Review copy of the book was provided by the author.

Reviewed by: Emma, Age 9 from Arizona

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I could get this book off my hands. If you like adventures this is the book for you!!

Reviewed by: William, Age 13 from California

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First things first… this book is totally awesome!
Seriously! It’ll blow at your brains until there’s nothing left of it, just a gibbering wreck in a strait jacket.
I hope I’m not putting you off the idea of reading the book.
If you like books about guns and sword fights, you’ll love it.
If you enjoy reading books with magicians blowing each other up on main street, great.
If you don’t like those kind of things at all, EVEN BETTER.
Oh, sure, the book starts off kinda glum, right splat bang in the middle of the funeral but I’ll bet that your ears’ll pick up when you catch the words skeleton.Yes that’s right, the main characters a skeleton.

Featured in "Time After Time"

Yeah, you’ll be thinking what on earth is so good about a book where the main character’s dead and buried?

Well, he may be dead all right, but he’s certainly not buried. He’s a wise-cracking magician with bland dress sense and a cheerful appearance. (I mean, how could you go wrong if you can’t stop grinning?)
Well, things do go wrong for the four main characters, Stephanie Edgley AKA Valkyrie Cain, Skulduggery Pleasant, Ghastly Bespoke, and Tanith Low. Together they are the worlds best crime fighting force ever created.
But is it enough to stop Nefarious Serpine and is, uh, nefarious plan to find the greatest weapon in the history of mankind, even if it isn’t supposed to exist?
Be prepared, be very prepared,
there’s absolutely no way for you to prepare for SKULDUGGERY PLEASANT.
(And he’s the good guy)

Reviewed by: Christina, Age 11 from Rhode Island

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Featured in "Fame! I’m Gonna Live Forever…”

This book may be a little scary for little kids but for me it was awesome. If you like mysterie or horror books then thisis right up your alley. In this book Amy is a babysitter but she ends up getting kidnapped along with the toddler she’s babysitting, Kendra.

Well I dont want to give away the ending so you’ll just have to read it yourself!

Reviewed by: Aaron, Age 9 from Indiana

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Do you like Biography books? If you do, you should read, “Meet Thomas Jefferson.” This book tells you about his life. He was known for writing important papers. He signed the Declaration of Independence. This book is great! Read it!

Reviewed by: beki, Age 9 from Indiana

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as summer goes on every cat is questioning another cat but will he dare to tell his secrets read the book series and find out

Reviewed by: Jack, Age 9 from Indiana

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“Lewis and Clark,” was a good book. The reason I didn’t love the book was because it needed more action. I did like the part about Sacagawea leading Lewis and Clark because you really don’t see strong women in history. I was surprised to see that Clark raced children! It was crazy that Clark did not lose to the kids. Lewis and Clark were great leaders. Read this book if you want to become smart!

Reviewed by: beki, Age 9 from Indiana

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hi this book is a mouse who lives in a castle with a princess and a king and other mice and rats but he is not like other mice.Read and find out what happens

Reviewed by: beki, Age 9 from Indiana

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hi this book  is wonderful its about a bunny that is a vampire get this book and find out what happens.