12 Books of Winter Break

The Hampton Herald Newspaper staff was told to think of a book they had read and that they really enjoyed. We then wrote a summary and we thought of reasons why we liked that book. Now you can read over our recommendations and maybe even read the books for yourself over winter break. Let's get to it!  

Book 1: The Forgotten Girl
Recommendation by Sariyah 

          I recommend “The forgotten girl “for people who are into creepy\mysterious things.  Here’s a quick summary of it. One winter night Iris and her friend Daniel snuck into the woods to have a fun in the snow, Iris made a perfect snow angel only to reveal a gravestone of a little girl named Avery Moore. 
       Soon weird things started happening to Iris.  She begins to have powerful nightmares. She assumes to see a shadow of a girl wondering the night. She feels the pull of the scary grave calling her back to the woods.
         Attached to what’s going on, Iris and Daniel starts to search and discover that the grave is a part of a black cemetery. They become determined to restore the grave and have proper respect finally paid to Avery and others that are buried there.  
         But they have called a jealous and demanding spirit, one who doesn’t meet expectations with their ideas, one who is tired of being overlooked and wants Iris to be her friend forever-no matter the cost. 

Book 2: Chester and Gus by by Cammie McGovern 
Recommendation by Zahra

Chester and Gus by Cammie McGovern is a really good book for people who like dogs. I really recommend this book because it is interesting. It’s about a dog who is going to be a service dog and a little boy who has autism. He has a service dog and his name is Chester. They don’t get along well at first. Chester doesn’t want to bring Gus to school, but he must. Find out what happens to Chester and Gus at school. Chester gets lost. Gus and his parents try to find Chester. Find out how they find Chester while reading the book. 

Book 3: TBH A Novel in Texts
Recommendation by Carly

I would recommend the book/series TBH a novel in text for you to read over Winter break. If you like realistic fiction or you're interested in a new “techy” book I think you would enjoy this book a lot.  
TBH is about a group of BFFs, Gabby, Cecily, and Prianka, who have been BFFAE’s since pre-k. After coming back from winter break, the girls are really busy. Between planning the school’s Valentine’s dance, preparing for their first “real” party, and trying to keep their text messages boring and dull, the girls try to spend as much time as possible together. But when the new girl Victoria sends a hurtful message, the whole school is messaged about bullying and phones are confiscated. How will the BFFAE’s stay together? Read the book to find out.  

           Key: 
BFF: best friends forever 
BFFAE: best friends forever and ever  

Book 4: I Survived the Bombing of Pearl Harbor 1941
Recommendation by Max

I recommend I SurvivedThe Bombing of Pearl Harbor 1941. If you like historical fiction, then this is a book for you. This book is about a kid named Danny who was visiting Pearl Harbor and was caught in the middle of one biggest surprise attack in history. I think that grades 4-6 would like this book manly because in that age you are a little more interested in historical books. 

Book 5: Warriors into the Wild by Erin Hunter
Recommendation by Lucas

The book I’m recommending is Warriors into the Wild by Erin Hunter. I recommend this book because it is very action packed and there is a lot a fighting and conflict. I’m also recommending this book because it is about cats and they have separate clans and it is very interesting how the cats have set up their government. Warriors into the Wild is very intriguing to me and I think that it will intrigue you too.  

Book 6: Smile
Recommendation by Katie

   I would recommend Smile for you to read over Winter break. It is nice and easy because it is a graphic novel.  Smile is about a young girl named Raina, who is about eleven or twelve, who knocks out her two front teeth coming home from a Girl Scouts meeting. She must get braces that make her look younger than she really is.  Then after that there is a major earthquake, boy confusion, and friends who are not friends. This book takes you through Raina’s life from 6th grade to 10th grade! Hope you enjoy reading this!  

Book 7: Wonder by R.J. Palacio
Recommendation by Molly

I would recommend the book Wonder by R.J. Palacio. If you enjoy realistic fiction, then you would love this book! This book is also sad and makes you feel good. I love this book and I strongly recommend it for you!  
This book is about an 11-year-old kid whose name is Auggie, and he has a deformed face. He is going to school for the first time and is trying to make new friends. Some of the people in his new school are mean and make fun of others for hanging out with Auggie. Some of the characters in this book include Summer (a friend of Auggie’s), Via (Auggie’s sister), and Jack Will (a fellow student). 
You will enjoy this book as you follow Auggie on his wonderful journey! 

Book 8: Dog Man
Recommendation by Nick

You should read Dog Man because it has very compelling characters, action, backstories, very cool machines, and it gets the ball rolling. It has 3 amazing chapters of action and a special 4th chapter from the 2nd grade that George and Harold made for an assignment and they get a letter home from school. Overall this book is an amazing book so that is why you should buy or go to your local library and get this book.     

Book 9: Half Upon a Time by James Riley
Recommendation by Ms. Patek

If you're looking for something to read this winter break I would recommend Half Upon a Time by James Riley.
 
If you like adventure and fairytales...and a little bit of sarcasm, this book is for you!
The first in a trilogy, Half Upon a Time, follows Jack, a young boy not-at-all interested in rescuing princesses or going on adventures, who is thrust in the middle of his own adventure when May, a girl from the “real world” literally falls out of the sky at his feet.
Jack and May take off on a journey in search of May’s grandmother and meet some familiar…and some unfamiliar characters along the way.  This book makes you realize that maybe the fairytale characters we’ve known all our lives aren’t really as they seem.

Book 10: Howard Wallace, PI by Casey Lyall
Recommendation by Ms. Rachel (2nd Grade Teacher at Middleborough Elementary)

 Howard Wallace is not your typical middle schooler.  Rather than attending sports practice, playing in the band, or playing video games with friends, he spends his days clad in a bathrobe in a makeshift office as the neighborhood’s resident detective.  Howard’s current case has him tracking down a blackmailer who is set on framing a student council officer for theft.  Besides tracking down suspect and clues, Howard is also faced with a new mystery—Ivy, the new girl who, although Howard has made it perfectly clear that he works alone, is adamant on being his partner.  In this exciting first mystery in the Howard Wallace series, Howard not only strengthens his skills as a sleuth, but also might learn a thing or two about friendship.  This book is perfect for kids who love funny dialogue, adventure, friendship, and, of course, mystery. 

Book 11:  On the Run: Chasing the Falconers by Gordan Korman
Recommendation by Ms. Patek

Chasing the Falconers is the first book in the On the Run Series by Gordan Korman.  I have read this book to almost all of my third and fourth grade classes because it is one of my favorite series.  I think that Gordan Korman is an excellent children's author because his pacing is engaging, which helps keeps students interested during read alouds.  In the first book, Aiden and Meg Falconer, are in the middle of a real-life nightmare as their parents have been framed for terrorism and they are forced into juvenile detention.  Aiden and Meg know that their parents are innocent and the only person who can help them is Uncle Frank.  The problem is, no one seems to know who Uncle Frank is or where he is.   Aiden and Meg escape from juvenile detention and start off on a journey to find Uncle Frank to help clear their parents' names.  If you like fast-paced adventure and mystery this book series is definitely for you!

Book 12: Coming Soon
Vera