Lyza loves to look through the kaleidoscope her mother gave her before her mother left the family. In the kaleidoscope, shapes break apart but come together more beautifully than before. Lyza is hoping her life will come together like that. In a series of poems, Lyza describes the summer of the treasure. It started when Lyza's beloved, sea-faring, Gramps died leaving Lyza a thick brown envelope. Inside are three maps and a letter. Using the maps as guides, Lyza and her best friends, Malcolm and Carolann, discover that Captain Kidd, the pirate, may have buried some treasure in their hometown. All summer long, Lyza and her friends secretly dig at night behind the church trying to find this treasure. Will they get caught? Will they ever find treasure? What will they do if they find the treasure? You won't be able to put the book down until the end.

Reviewed by: hap

Date read: 12/18/2009

ISBN-10: 0375940480

ISBN-13: 9780375940484

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As America is in the thick of the Vietnam War, thirteen-year-old Lyza inherits a project from her grandfather who has just passed away. All of the hours spent in her grandpa's basement pouring over maps with him have left Lyza well-equipped for this project of locating the lost treasure of Captain Kidd. She enlists the help of her best friends, Carolann and Malcolm. The essence of the year that this novel in verse is set in, 1968, is brought in very well. Lyza and Malcolm do not talk to each other in school since Malcolm is black. Malcolm's brother is drafted into the Vietnam War. As Lyza and her friends are searching for the treasure, Americans are searching for happiness amidst death (of all the soldiers, Martin Luther King, and Bobby Kennedy.)

Reviewed by: jb

Date read: 12/8/2011

ISBN-13: 9780375840487

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If you like Junie B. or Ramona, you've got to meet Keena Ford. Keena is set to start second grade with her best friend, Eric, when she encounters a HUGE problem. They won't be in the same class. What's worse is that she learns she will be in an all-girl class. She just knows her classroom will be entirely covered in pink with wet, paper bag tasting tea parties held daily. Read Keena Ford and the Second-Grade Mix-Up to find out what happens during the first week of second grade. Keena doesn't go around looking for trouble. It just happens! If you like this one, try Keena Ford and the Field Trip Mix-up

Similar books: Ramona books by Beverly Cleary Junie B. Jones books by Barbara Park

Awards nominated: Monarch Award Nominee 2011

Reviewed by: mec

Date read: 4/5/2010

ISBN-13: 9780803732636

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Tristan's life as an orphan, raised in the abbey by monks, changed dramatically when he was chosen to be Sir Thomas's squire and to travel to the Holy Land to fight with King Richard the Lionheart. As a member of the Knights Templar, Tristan finds himself fighting in the Crusades and protecting the Holy Grail. In a strange and foreign land filled with chaos, Tristan must find a way to return to England with the sacred relic without anyone knowing. This is the first book in The Youngest Templar series. Look for Trail of Fate.

Reviewed by: adf

Date read: 9/4/2009

ISBN-10: 0399247637

ISBN-13: 9780399247637

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While his father is off leading the rebels, British troops take over 13-year-old Joseph Kershaw's home. He is torn between his hatred for them, and his respect for a young captain, who looks out for the family.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/13/2009

ISBN-10: 0802786413

ISBN-13: 9780802786418

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