Clubs and Schools Books

This novel was about helping others and being kind. Then there were two who were working together, that realized they like each other. Casey is helping Thomas so she can get help from Mr. Hall so that he will help her get in to a state school. Casey just needs to keep up the good grades and help Thomas with math to catch up to the rest of the honors students.
In the novel you will meet the Clan that Thomas is in at the beginning of the book. Thomas had taken a high school achievement test and does very well. So he was placed in the high honors classes. Casey, another honors student, helped tutor him on catching up to the rest. Between Thomas' home, the Clan, and Casey, Thomas is pulled in many different directions with different expectations.
The Clan leader Lenny, who is Thomas' older brother has a bit of a reaction when he finds out that Thomas is in honors classes. Thomas "baby" is the first member of the Clan to be placed in honors classes. He is the only member that was able to break through the "crib". When you read the book you will learn about Lenny's reaction and something that happens in the mean time throughout the novel.

I give the novel Breaking Rank 4 stars. I thought this book had a wonderful theme as well as a good plot line. Everyone is upset that they become friends. Casey's friend Joanna keeps on warning her about Baby and saying that he is no good for her. She also tells Casey that he will end up getting her in trouble. Lenny, who is Baby's brother kicks Baby out of the clan for not so good reasons. Casey also gets assigned to tutoring Baby. Casey is surprised when she realizes exactly how smart Baby really is. As the book goes on Casey tries to make moves on Baby, and Baby just gets mad and confused. Casey ends up lying to her parents in order to go to the drive-in with Baby, then afterwards she feels guilty about it. At the drive-in Baby ends up getting a broken arm.

I give the novel Breaking Rank 4 stars. I thought this book had a wonderful theme as well as a good plot line. This book is about two teens that come from different sides of town, that fall in love. Everyone is upset that they became friends. Casey's friend Joanna keeps on warning her about Baby and Saying that he is no good for her. She also tells Casey that he will end up getting her in trouble. Lenny who, is Baby's brother kicks Baby out of the clan for not so good reasons. Casey also gets assigned to tutoring Baby. Casey is surprised when she realizes exactly how smart Baby really is. As the book goes on Casey tries to make moves on Baby, and Baby just gets mad and confused. Casey ends up lying to her parents in order to go to the drive-in with Baby, then afterwards she feels guilty about it. At the drive-in Baby ends up getting a broken arm.

I recently read the novel Breaking Rank by Kristin D. Randle. The book consisted of many good aspects with the way characters related to each other and plot. I enjoyed the plot of the story the most.
I thought the idea of having a smart, proper girl like Casey getting mixed up with a tougher yet intelligent boy like Thomas was a strong point of the novel. The two were incredibly different but had many things in common that neither one of them knew about. One large difference was that Casey was raised in a stable, goal-oriented family while Thomas was a member of the Clan whom most people looked down upon and even feared.
The novel gave an eye-opening view of what could happen when two opposite sides are thrown together and have to learn to work together for a common cause. It also shows how people can let small, trivial differences affect their lives and what they might miss out on if that happens. An example of this would be when Thomas gets beat up by the "preppier" bunch of kids for being with Casey just because they didn't feel it was right.
In conclusion, I was left with and overall good impression of the novel. I felt the tone and speed of the novel was set so you would be able to keep interest without being bored or losing yourself in what was going on. Overall I would recommend this novel to others.

I love this author. Randle has the amazing ability to create original stories. Somehow I got so caught up in the book I didn't realize I had finished it in less than two hours. I was just so anxious to find out what was going to happen next. She has a way of shedding light on the more important issues in society without it seeming like some huge political statement. She is truly talented and all her books are fantastic. I hope she comes out with more.
Other books by Kristen D. Randle: The Only Alien on the Planet (the best book of all time); Slumming

What happens when a group of students with nothing in common find themselves in the same after-school program? In SENIORITIS, author Tate Thompson explores this very question through a group of zany characters, all of whom are not quite as they seem. Mr. T. is by far the most popular teacher in the high school in which he teaches, and he uses this popularity to make meaningful connections with his students. He runs a special 3 to 5 p.m. program for students who have been involved in a variety of school infractions. The story of these unique students and the program is told through a series of journal entries written by the students themselves.

The book has too many characters to list in entirety, but include jocks, nerds, thespians, bullies, wimps, and even drug abusers. Each of the students develop preconceived notions about the other students in the program, only to learn later that they misjudged their peers. Mr. T. requires all of the students in the class to keep a journal, and it is through journaling that they learn more about themselves and each other. The group forms a meaningful bond and name themselves "Senioritis." This bond becomes important when they decide to use their class project as a way to make a difference in the school and the community while sending a strong message to the school administration. Despite the odds, this group of unlikely friends come together and make a lasting impression on the school they will soon leave behind.

Though the story touched on numerous true-to-life situations, the plot was a bit hard to believe at times. The fact that nearly all the teachers in the school, aside from Mr. T., were irresponsible, disinterested in the welfare of students, and at times, mean-spirited, was just too extreme to be realistic. In addition, the revenge scheme concocted by the students in the program seemed a bit contrived. In spite of this, the author still manages to draw you into the story and really develop an emotional connection with its characters. I especially enjoyed the fact that the author lets readers know what happened after that infamous senior year in high school by reuniting the students as adults. The other strength of the book is that it reminds us not to judge a book by its cover, and further, to be true to yourself rather than trying to fit into the mold in which others place you. SENIORITIS is not the most realistic story, but it is one that will hold your attention and teach some valuable lessons in the process.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Mr. Thompson, remeber me? Dexter. You gave me a B+ in your class in 2005. Your book has great simularites with the real high school experience. I though of you as the coolest teacher I ever had. It wasn't the lessons you taught that were what made you the best but how you interacted with the students. Some other teachers treat us like we aren't real people, just peices of clay they think they can mold into what ever they what. Senioritis demonstrated what you taught. In your class there were no "cliques", or social groups, just one big student. Your book reflected every student in JCHS. Your characters were realistic, unlike most books I've read were the teens in the story seem to come from some fairy tale. I hope your writing career goes well. Tell everyone in Junction City I said hi.

As a young adult looking for an edgy book to read, a friend of mine directed me to this book. The first thing that came to my mind was, "Why do I want to read about a group of misfit seniors and their problems." But as I got more into it I found that it was more than just a group of kids taliking about their problems, and more of a coming of age story about young kids trying to find their way in to reality.

I thoroughly enjoyed the way the story is told. I liked the use of journal entries intermixed with real time dialogue to move the storyline on. I was pleased that the author chose to complete the story and let us see what happened to the characters ten years down the road. I was impressed with the use of language and word choice as another element of each of the main characters. I think the message of coming together and seeing that there are more important things then just ourselves is one that is extremely relevant to today's youth.

I just found the story to be too cliche at the same time. I echo another's sentiments that, as a teacher, I find Mr. T to be more worried about being a friend and a buddy to his students in the first few chapters. The adults are pictured in a very poor light. This is an us versus them storyline, in that, the students who want to make things better and right have to battle adults and an administration that is holding them back. I won't even touch on all the cliche and predictable racial messages found throughout. I enjoyed the story, I just found it lacking in some areas.

"Senioritis" is the type of book that anyone can relate to; the main characters differ so much that I know there is one you can relate to. Anyone in high school can tell you that this is the type of thing that really goes on and the teenagers in the book give believeable responses to the conflicts that arise. Tate Thompson is a keen observer of this generation and offers his expertise on how to survive until graduation and afterward. We look forward to any new publishings he may produce.

This book was in good shape for the price. It arrived quickly and we were very pleased.

When she's little, Laura's father tells her the story of George Washington and the cherry tree. She strikes up a deal with him: if she doesn't lie, she doesn't have to cut her hair. Fast forward to sixth grade: Laura has long hair and a bold attitude. She finds a hat at a garage sale that says PIG CITY on it and starts wearing it to school. No one other than Laura and her two best friends are allowed to be part of the Pig City club. Soon enough, her classmate Gabriel starts up a club called Monkey Town. The classic boys-versus-girls scenario plays out in the schoolroom and the schoolyard.

This is my favorite Sachar novel, hands down. Kids in upper elementary school who can't wait to go to middle school will race through this book. Sixth Grade Secrets is both funny and realistic. It still holds up twenty years after publication. Highly recommended.

Do you like secrets? Are you the kind of person who can keep secrets? If the answer to those questions is yes then Sixth Grade Secrets by Louis Sachar is the book for you.
This book is a relatively quick read, 201 pages, with lots of interesting characters. Some of the characters are Laura Sibbie, Gabriel and Tiffany but there are a lot more. Sixth Grade Secrets is realistic fiction and the description was so real and thought out that it made me feel like everything was going on in my own school, or at least going on some where. I would have to say this book is the best fast read I have ever read. Sixth Grade Secrets is a good book for people ages 10 and up who like realistic fiction with a little action mixed in.
This book is very different from Holes or Small Steps, which are also by Louis Sachar. But in this case, different is a good thing. This is a really great story about what goes on in sixth grade and I can really relate to it because I am in sixth grade.

Maris C.
Age 12
Grade 6

Do you like secrets? Are you the kind of person who can keep secrets? If the answer to those questions is yes then Sixth Grade Secrets by Louis Sachar is the book for you.
This book is a relatively quick read, 201 pages, with lots of interesting characters. Some of the characters are Laura Sibi, Gabriel and Tiffany but there are a lot more. Sixth Grade Secrets is realistic fiction and the description was so real and thought out that it made me feel like everything was going on in my own school, or at least going on some where. I would have to say this book is the best fast read I have ever read. Sixth Grade Secrets is a good book for people ages 10 and up who like realistic fiction with a little action mixed in.
This book is very different from Holes or Small Steps, which are also by Louis Sachar. But in this case, different is a good thing. This is a really great story about what goes on in sixth grade and I can really relate to it because I am in sixth grade.

Maris C.
Age 12
Grade 6

When Lauran Sibble starts a secret club something goes very wrong. When you read this fantastic book lauran wanted to have a clud so she started a club called Pig City. But when she started the club she receved a note and then something went tarably wrong and another club started and war started agants both clubs. Their clubs goals to defete each other. The message of this book is to teach people not to fight. This book is the greatest book ever. So read this book and you will see how will win!

I am 25 years old and growing up The Sweet Valley Twins books were and still are my favorite books. Jessica wants to join the Unicorn Club and Elizabeth does not want her to join, Jessica gets in and does a bad thing to get Elizabeth in to. Great book in the series, loved it as a kid and will always love these books.

Jessica and Elizabeth used to do everything together. They dressed alike, had the same friends; even their personalities were slightly similar. But since they have started middle school everything has been changing. Jessica doesn't want to be on the 6th grade newspaper staff. Elizabeth doesn't want to join a snobby girls group called the Unicorns, but Jessica longs to. The only thing they do together any more is take the same ballet class...but even Jessica's thinking of quitting that!

Then one day, Jessica decides to change her entire image to look completely different from her identical twin. Elizabeth is crushed. Especially when she learns Jessica has been invited to join the Unicorns but she hasn't. Not that Elizabeth really wanted to, but to be separated from her own best friend? Like that's going to happen. She's going to find a way to get into that "snob squad" no matter what in takes.

This was a good book, but not the best Sweet Valley Twins books I have read.

this book is the first in the sweet valley twins series and it's about jessica and elizabeth who had dressed alike for the longest time and did everything together, but then they begin finding their own friends and having their own interests and elizabeth didn't like the change first but they slowly got used to each others new identities. Jessica joined a club called the unicorns in which they talked about boys, makeup and so on all the time and elizabeth started a newspaper for the school. There are some really funny moments throughout the book, and even a part where jessica tries to get elizabeth into the unicorns by impersonating her but it backfires. On the side, jessica and elizabeth are both taking ballet classes.

This is a good book about twin sisters that are growing a part. What will Elizabeth do if Jessica joins the Unicorns, a group made up of Sweet Valley Middle School's prettiest and most popular girls in school?

I thought this book was fantastic. It was about two identical twins who live in Sweet Valley. Their names are Elizabeth[who is a great smart student] and Jessica[who likes to be the best and to have fun].they have a brother Steven, and a mom, and dad. Elizabeth is afraid she is losing her twin [which is her best friend]. She tries to do everything with her twin, so they can spend more time together, but she finally realizes that she doesn't need to spend every minute with her twin, and that no matter what her twin will always be with her, and be her best friend.I just loved this book and after this book there are more series of these great books. You should really read this book and Suzanne's other great books.

This book was awesome. It's all about that someone is robbing houses. And they call the house then when someone would answer the phone they would hang up. Even though this book was scary I loved it. You should really read this book.

I love the BSC(babysittersclub) This is the sencod book. In this book Claudia hears or however on the radio that there is the phatom phone-caller. They are all scared and so they think theyd better think up a code like have you found my red ribon.(Yes that's really in the book) And maryannes father (Who is over srict.) Tells her that utill he is caught that she can't babbysit. It is really funny in a few parts. AG is a really dumb boy and I'll let you find the rest out yourself!
BSC BOOKS RULE!

The book Claudia and the Phantom Phone Calls by Ann M. Martin is about four girls named Claudia, Kristy, Stacey and Mary Anne. They meet each other at school and they want to baby-sit so the make a babysitters club. They think of ways to make people want to have them as there babysitter. They become a group and do it for a really long time and for what I have read in each book there together and they meet other people to be in the club. The only problem about that is that some people leave. ¼ So in this book they hear about this Phantom Phone Caller and what the phantom phone caller does is he calls and he sees if anybody is home and he calls and hangs up. If anyone does not answer he will come and rob the house. If anyone does answer he will still rob the house. They hear all about it and they hear that he is there city. Only Claudia and Kristy get the phone calls. Who could it be?

I think that Claudia and the Phantom phone Calls is a great book that if you like short stories and you do not want to put your book down I definitely recommend it.

I really like thease books!!!
I really like this one because it has a lot of parts that make your hart beat faster then normal.(i like that a lot!!!)

I hope i can read all of the books!!!

I first started reading these books in late elementary school and through junior high. I could relate being a baby-sitter myself and how I wish I had a club like this!!

Now I'm 23 and decided to start re-collecting the series after my mom had me sell a lot of my old books in a garage sale years ago. They are still great!! Juvenile now, of course, but it teaches young girls about friendships, family situations, etc.

Living by myself and reading Phantom Phone Calls even still freaked me out a little and I huddled down in the covers with my cat. The first 30 are the best, since they were actually written by Ann M. Martin and the others ghost written. A big fan of the mysteries and super specials as well. Highly recommended to girls of all ages!!

The poor scholorship student Fujioka Haruhi is forced to masquerade as a boy and work in the super rich school Ouran Academy's Host Club after breaking an 8,000,000 yen vase the club had been planning to sell later. Hilarity ensues...

When I came upon this, I almost skipped over it, but, on a whim I started watching the anime, and I was imediately hooked! I have watched and read both the anime and the manhwa innumerable times, and I still don't come close to tiring of it! All of the characters are so different and awkwardly thrust together, that in the end, it fits! I never thought it would be possible to make something like this work. This is the only manhwa/anime that I have always, never fail reccomended for anybody and everybody I know who has read this absolutely loved it!

When scholarship student Haruhi steps into the supposedly unused music room, hoping to get some studying done, she discovers the Ouran High School Host Club. The club entertains female students with teas, parties, conversation, and lots of drama. They also happen to think that Haruhi is a boy and, when she accidentally break an $80,000 vase, they demand that she repay them by working for the club.

I liked this manga, but it took me awhile to get into it. It's goofy, manic, and a little confusing, but I think that as the first volume goes on, the characters get nailed down and are a bit more defined. There's a great moment where a fangirl is "casting" each member of the club in their stereotype. Haruhi isn't quite what I expected... she's tough, capable of holding her own, and sees through a lot of the acts in the club. I'm not all that attached as of yet, but we'll see how I feel about the next volume.

A good blend of sweet/cute with humor, this is definitely an enjoyable manga. There's no real plot, but the stories are well told and good enough that you can read the manga multiple times and still enjoy it :)

i really enjoy this series, its one of my favorites. i have seen the anime and am currently reading the manga (just starting) so i feel that i can't really talk about the series as a whole, but the elements i liked from the anime have presented themselves in the manga, so far. what i think draws me to this series is that its kind of a mockery of all shojou stories. you have all of the typical stereotypes that are played out in an over the top rendition that just makes you want to laugh and then you have the heroine which plays the part of you, she is almost detatched from the story, but fully integrated into it. there are times when it seems like she's saying 'are we really doing this right now?' but ends up doing it and having fun (like when you're fed up with the rediculousness of a story, but are happy when the couple gets together). lets just say she's the voice of reason, and for once A HEROINE WHO ISN'T STUPID!! as i feel that it is making fun of the genre, i must also say that that isn't all it does. it actually has a pretty decent story line and some good characters. i recommend!!

If you're looking for a manga that's fun but not your run-of-the-mill action/adventure or love story, Ouran's the one for you. I was first introduced to this series by watching the anime online, and I loved it so much I immediately started purchasing the mangas.

Had I picked this book up off the shelf, I'm not sure I would have bought it. I typically prefer Shonen (boy-ish) manga to Shojo (girl-ish) and generally choose manga for the art rather than the plot. Ouran, however, is a spectacular combination of wit and, while not the most mind-blowing artistry, very good drawing.

The concept behind the story doesn't sound that amazing, just the typical girl-dresses-like-a-boy story, but the way the author gives such vibrant life and personality to all of her characters and manages to produce plot lines that will have you stunned at their potential realism makes this series a true gem. I highly recommend that you try this book, even if you just read it in a local bookstore. You'll be laughing in no time and hurrying off to purchase the rest.

the babysitter's club is an extremely addictive series. and a waste of money. yes... i was in the fourth grade once and i regret wasting away hours reading these extremely unreal 'novels'. It's a waste of time and you could be reading BETTER books!! read something else!!

Mallory is having a bad time at SMS stoneybrook middle school.Well Idid not think it was good she went to a bording school.Because she left behind to many good things.But it was great.

I think that THE ALL-NEW MALLORY PIKE was a very good book. Mallory is brave through all the changes happening to her, and makes a BIG, BIG, BBIIIIGGGGG choice of going to boarding school. YOU GO, MAL!!!!

Mallory is accepted to her new borading school. But Mal's roommate is mean. Alexis seems to be taking over Mal's life. When Mal is given a package from her friends, Alexis demolishes. Then, a big fight comes along.

Ann Martin did the worst thing ever! I hated this story of Mallory leaving Stoneybrook and going to a boarding school.

This book showed me and my friends that it's not easy graduating. It's hard. I think this book deserves 4 stars 'cause those problems that they are going through can really happen. Kristy doesn't really want to graduate and she thinks it's the end of their friendship,Mary Anne has to set things straight with her ex Loagan before they graduate.Cluadia's afraid she won't graduate at all,and Stacey's worried about her parent's being together at her graduation. It all seems so real.If I were to connect with one of them it woulf be Kristy. Not all of my friends will go to the same High School I want to go with which will be weird since I would be use to seeing all my friends.

this last book was good, but I really didn't like the Friends Forever Series. I hated the way it ended with Stacey and Claud fighting, at least they made up somewhat. I also didn't like how it took them millions of years to graduate eight grade. It would have made more sense for them to be graduating highschool.

But, if you are a fan you muct read this because it is the closing book of an awesome series.

Graduation Day. The day the BSC waited for and feared. Poor Claudia wasn't even sure if it was her time to graduate! And Mary-Anne. She's been through so much and I'm glad she's finally settled down. She's grown up in the books and I'm glad. think there should be a series in Mallory and Jessi. That would be cool! Thank You for your work Ann. Ooki Okage Same De!

The Baby-Sitters Club books were the first that I remember reading. When I was a child, I would take books to the dinner table and read during a meal (not the best manners, but my parents were ok with it because they encouraged me to read whenever I could). I was crazy about the BSC--I had the videos, dolls, even the sleeping bag (which I received for my 11th birthday). I can say that I've read up to the point where the acquired Abby as a new sitter, but I spotted "Graduation Day" and had to read it. I feel that I "grew up" with these girls--even though they are still 13 and I am now 23. The ending of a favorite series is bittersweet. Months ago, "passed the torch" to my 8 year old niece. On the first day of summer, I mailed her a copy of Kristy's Great Idea. She has fallen in love with the BSC and has now taken over the collection. When I went back home a few weeks ago, I had to smile when I saw a copy of "Claudia's Goodbye" in my old chair at the table.
"Graduation Day" was terrific. The perfect ending to a wonderful coming-of age series. Goodbye, Girls.

For fifteen years and 213 books, the Baby-Sitters Club has worked their way through the trials of middle school and life in small-town New England. This book stands as the final book in that legacy and manages to leave a beautiful, sentimental, hopeful swan song in the process. For any fan of the BSC, regardless of age and regardless of when you stopped reading new editions, this book serves as a powerful reminder of childhood and change.

I am nearly 28 years old. I feel no shame in confessing that I loved the Baby-Sitters Club. I loved the characters and their unique voices narrating the everyday and the spectacular in life. I loved the sense of community and family that made so many of the books end in happy tears for me. I love the "me" that developed out of the lessons and support that the BSC instilled in me as an impressionable, book-crazy child.

I didn't like to baby-sit, but I sought out and devoured every one of the series that I could get my hands on. The lives of the characters enriched my own life and allowed me to develop greater empathy for people of differing viewpoints and life experiences. The characters were the heart of the series.

For those who shared any part of Kristy's vision, this book is a worthy closing chapter on the journey. We really were the Baby-Sitters Club Generation.

This book had my stomach tied in knots with suspension!! It is a little predictable, but altogether it was AWESOME!!! I love the series and I have been drawn to every word since the beginning of fifth grade. I've been reading these books for two weeks, and I am already on the SIXTH BOOK!! These things are ADDICTING!! I cant wait to figure out what happens next, and read some of her other books!!
CB

In this book, shy Mary Anne and the rest of the Babysitters Club get into a fight. In the process of it, Miss Mary Anne meets a new friend and stands up to her dad. Mary Anne brings the club together and makes her friend a new member. She's changed so much.

I enjoyed this story a lot. Mary Ann is my favorite out of all the charecters. She is really smart ans sweet. Read this book. you will like it.

I thought this was a pretty good book, but when they fight over who gets to baby sit Lucy Newton that's what I didn't like about it. I thought Mary Ann had good judgement When Jenny got sick. Also I thought it was pretty cool when Mary Ann tried to get her friends back together, and made a new friend in the process.

This book was OK. I think that it was very very stupid for them to have been fighting so long. I also think it was stupid that Mary Anne lied to Dawn from the beginning of their friendship. Overall though the book was good.

okay let me ask all you people out there that are constantly dissin on stacey. is it her fault that jeremy likes her and not claudia? did she try to steal jeremy away? no i didnt think so, so can you people stop nagging on her? and the book is a great! and whether we would like to admit it or not friends do fight over dumb things but feelings and romance isnt something dumb. friends do fight over guys! and sometimes things arent happily ever after! it takes time you noe!

In this book Claudia and Stacey are fighting over a guy. What I didnt like about this book was that Stacey chose Jeremy over Claudia. Claudia is her best friend for life and and boys come and go. This books gives young teenage girls the wrong idea about relationships ditching your best friend for a boy that you probably arnt even going to marry. They are only 13. If Stacey was in love with Jeremy I mean really in love just no puppy love it might me all right but she wasnt. To me Stacey always gets what she wants.

I read it 7 times.Still love it!In this book Claud and Stace are fighting over a boy.Will Claud and Stace speak to each other again?Just read it and found out by yourself.
The "Friends BSC Forever" is the newest series of The Baby-Sitters Club.

Lots Of Love,
Fulliem Quach xoxoxoxo

I think that claudia should have gotten jeremy i mean they would be good together, but then jeremy should have chosen claudia. Since he started to like her again after he started to draw away from stacey i think she should forget about him and find someone better.

The problem why they are fighting is that because they both fell in love to Jeremy. And then, Claudia and Stacey started fighting a lot. All because of Jeremy. Who will Jeremy choose?