After reading "Bridge to Terabithia" by Katherine Peterson, I felt a cloud of sadness sweeping over me. I cried a little bit. I like this book very much because of its powerful mixture of love, friendship and sadness. Jesse and Leslie created a magical land called Terabithia. They became the king and the queen of the land. The ending of the story is pretty sad, but it also gives you some hope when Jesse built the bridge and May Belle was about to become the new queen of the Terabithia. I encourage you to read this wonderful story of Jesse and Leslie being the rulers of the land of Terabithia.
 

Catherine called Birdy  by Yiren Lu, 3rd grade (2001)

As I read this book, its powerful sentences drew me into the world of the medieval time and put me in the position of Catherine. "Catherine called Birdy" tells us of the period in which lords ruled the land and men controlled everything. Catherine, the clever, high spirited, young maiden had to put up fights against a toad like greedy father and several ugly, old and revolting suitors. As her father became even more determined to marry her to a rich man, can Catherine continue to win the battles? As you read this book, you will find out that through the mask and the title of a Lady, Catherine will always have a mischievous plan in action. I laughed and laughed and could not stop.
 

Maniac Magee       by Yanran Lu, 3rd Grade (2002)

People said that Manic Magee was born in a dump. But, he wasn’t. Also his name was Jeffrey Lionel Magee, not Maniac Magee. Jeffrey lost his parents when he was a toddler so you could imagine that he was an orphan most of his life. Some people think that kids don’t care one bit for anyone. If you do, you’re wrong. Maniac Magee was a legend. Kids said when he was around, no knot would stay knotted. He was known for speed and many other things. But most of all he was known for what he did for the kids of East and West mills.

Maniac Magee was born in Bridgeport. The first kid talking to him in two mills was Amanda Beale. She was a black kid that lived in East Mill. Jeffrey Magee had made one mistake in coming to two mills. He had run to East mill where the Blacks lived instead of West mill where the Whites lived. [Jeffrey was white.] In East Mill, Jeffrey was quite comfortable. He was also useful. He untied the little kids complex yo-yo knots and sneaker laces. Maniac Magee even undid Cobble’ s knot. It should have been the eighth wonder of the world if they hadn’t stopped at seven. I’m not going to give away anymore of this wonderful adventure story. To find out the rest, you’ll have to read “Maniac Magee” for yourself.

Maniac Magee is a New Berry medal book by Jerry Spinelli. I would highly recommend it for kids. It is a fantastic book. Maniac Magee is a terrific role model for children. He does what he thinks is right. Also, he was individual, unique and different. It is very important to be all of these things. How would you like it if everybody on our earth were the same? I wouldn’t. If you seek adventure beyond your dreams, pick up this book and read.