(age 11) great book. really places the reader in the midst ...
589786
I read this as a kid, (age 11) great book. really places the reader in the midst of the tension of the fight against time and the elements.
5604
My 8 year old son and I just finished reading this book this evening. It took us a while to find the time to finish it, but I am so glad we did. Even though it was written for young readers, it was easily one of the best books I have read in a long while. I highly recommend it, although it contains some pretty weighty subject matter and some parts were quite shocking, especially for a book written for children. It elicited strong emotions in both of us. I love it when a book does that (and I love that my son loves reading as much as I do)!
781212
Great book. Is really nice and about a elementary school girl who finds herself  wondering about popularity, best friends and family. Would recommend it for ages 7-12.
1018943
I was reading through all of the "A Kid's Review" posts, and felt a little sad. I read this book for the first time when I was in sixth grade, and I couldn't put it down. I fell in love with the characters, especially Dicey. I looked up to her as a strong and brave adolescent who was willing to lead her younger brothers and sisters to safety, no matter what it took. I loved reading about their adventures and experiences, and the different people they met.
I also really enjoyed the style of writing in this book. I loved the details, which allowed me to picture the whole thing as it happened. I ended up reading all of the books in this series, and I reread them all many, many, many times. In fact, I still have several Tillerman Family books, and I do take them down and read them occasionally to this day, although I just about have them memorized!
As for the "unrealisticness" of this book, you have to remember that it was written in the early 80's. A few dollars stretched a lot further then. Also, kids back then were not as intensely supervised as they are now. In modern times, when parents don't allow 13 year olds to walk to the corner store alone, it would be a lot more suspicious to see four dirty children carrying bags and walking down the street. Back then, people would naturally assume these kids were just out on another day-long summer adventure! That's what kids used to do.
HOMECOMING may not be the book for youngsters who only have the attention span for Wii games, teen romances, and R-rated movies. But I would definitely recommend this book for more literate adolescents who love an adventure book filled with details and strong characters. I would also recommend this to adults. Cynthia Voigt does NOT water down her writing or talk down to young readers, so it could definitely pass as an adult novel.
4917624
I really loved this book. I haven't read anything like it before, with the combination of photographs and words. It really makes the book that much better. As a 17 year old, I feel this book can be read by teenagers and adults alike - the story is intriguing and keeps your attention. Overall a good read and well worth the money.
693253
Simply put, this is a great book.  My eight year old thinks: "Melvin is awesome because there are twists and turns.  "Some parts were very funny, some a little (but just a little) scary.  It captured my imagination.  We immediately ordered Claire and Monte Montgomerys other book Hubert Invents the Wheel.  Her only disappointment: there aren't ten more books in the series to read.

From a parents perspective this is exactly the kind of book to share with your child.  The story is engaging, and there are layers and layers of great satire and commentary.  It also provides lots of opportunity for conversation about music and social organizations.  We both loved it.
404986
I really enjoyed the book I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore. It is listed for 9th graders and up, but I think it will appeal to middle school age kids. It is not too in-depth and detail oriented, so it should hold a younger reader's attention.

"John Smith" is one of nine teenagers with special gifts who have come to Earth to escape the Mogadorians, who destroyed their planet (and all inhabitants). The Mogadorians have now followed them to Earth and are hunting them down and trying to kill them.  "John Smith" (the name he chose for himself during this "adventure") and Henri (his guardian) move and change identies throughout life to stay ahead of the hunters.

The book shows how John matures as a human and becomes the man he was meant to be. It is a "coming of age" novel with a little adventure and fantasy thrown into the mix. I do wish that more details and stories of the sci-fi/fantasy part were included, but I still really loved the book.  It was funny that Pittacus Lore including him(her?)self into the story a little.

I am an adult and loved the story, but I can also see people of all ages liking it. It would be a great book to create interest in reading in a male pre-teen/teen that hasn't quite found the joy of books.  There is also enough romance to interest the young females, too.

I was thrilled to hear there will be a movie early next year. I am very anxious to watch it and to see how the Mogadorians and their animals are brought to life on the big screen.  The movie should be a huge hit!!!  I haven't seen whether or not there will be a follow-up book, but I am hoping so. I would definitely buy a sequel to I Am Number Four!!!
4419752
This is a really great example of a book that is aimed primarily at kids or pre-teens, but even the older readers can enjoy it for its characters, driving plot and just an excellent writing style.
The main character, Pam, is very relatable, almost real life girls with well-crafted personality, a perfect protagonist and role model for a young reader. The book itself is an joyful and very interesting read, full of vibrant descriptions, characters and it makes you to read just a little bit more, and before you know it, you finished the book. That is just what the young reader needs to spark an interest literature, that is why I love not just this book, but what it represents.
As I said, even the adults can find something enjoyable in here, just don't overthink it and dive into the mystery and wonder of a truly well-written novel.
3402838
This book was great! I would say kids around age 9 or 10 could read this book and people beyond that age. I read this book the summer before my freshman year of high school and loved it! I loved the time it was set in, the two families, and the problems of that time that come about in 11 year-old Penny's life. This book is very enjoyable, and funny at times. You should definently give this book a try!!!!
2818566
My daughter is a high school math teacher and life-long reader.  Every day she puts the book or books she is reading out where kids can see them.  Shift has gotten by far the most interest and several kids--at a very busy time of year--have read it and reported back that they *loved* it.  On her recommendation I read it too!  It's holiday time and would make a great present for any teen (or adult for that matter) who enjoys considering our society's present and near future.  Technically sci-fi, in that it takes place in the near future, it does not rely on elements of magic or anything overtly supernatural.  For anyone who liked Little Brother (Cory Doctorow), Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins), The Wind Singer (Nicholsen), Lois Lowry, or in general, quest or survival stories.  Wonderfully written and gripping.  Highly recommended.
2557805
Bought this book for my younger 12 year old brother and he devoured it in a week, which is remarkable for a kid like him who hardly sits still and would rather be outside. It's great to see him getting into reading as well, so the author does a great job to keep him focused and involved in reading.
2099733
What a treat! Teddy Steinkellner has done a great job of creating a book that is both accessible for young readers and complex enough to keep adults intrigued. The author successfully captures so many of the nuanced emotions that we experience at 13, and I enjoyed thinking back to my own middle school experiences to relive some of those same feelings.

The author truly crafts a voice for each one of the characters; I love how he sprinkles in easter eggs of AIM chats, texts, Facebook posts, and school bulletins to give greater context to the narrative. I am so impressed by this exciting work from a young author, and I look forward to reading more from him!
4656814
This is a great book that really captures the attention of an eleven year old . We have yet to make some of these creatures!
283608
My daughter read "Lost on a Mountain in Maine" for 4th grade, but my 9 year old son had little interest in picking up the book - no aliens, guns, or rude jokes.  I bought a copy of "Lost Trail" last weekend so that _I_ could read it - the cover is really appealing, and I already knew that the story was compelling.
I started reading it to my son while we were sitting in a coffee shop, waiting for his best friend.  After about 5 minutes, he commented, "Wow - this story moves really fast!"  He also LOVED the illustrations.
I put it in his backpack Monday morning (yesterday), figuring maybe he'd read a bit more during silent reading time.  After he got home, I noticed that the bookmark was back at page 1.  So I asked him if the bookmark had fallen out.  Nope.  He read it during silent reading time...and during aftercare...and in the car on the way home.  Finished it before suppertime.  Took it to school again today so he can start re-reading it.

As a side note, my daughter (now 15) and I had a chance to see Donn Fendler speak at the Portland Public Library a few years ago.  It was a fabulous experience.  He is a really engaging speaker, and loves to meet his readers in person.  He even showed a short home movie that included the moment that he and his mother saw each other for the first time since his disappearance.  Wow.  He stayed after the talk to chat with any and all of the kids who wanted to meet him in person, autographing books and posing for photos.  If you ever get a chance to meet Mr. Fendler in person, don't pass it up!
4849206
My 14-year-old son who is NOT a reader chose this from his assigned summer-reading list because he knew it was about a young guy taking a drive. My son SO wants to drive!!! He and I started reading it together, he reading from his paperback and me following along on my Kindle.  First of all, I must say that the first words out of his mouth after he read the last words of the book were, "That was a good book!"  I nearly fainted...with joy, of course, not just because he read an entire book and enjoyed it (although I was ecstatic!) but because he enjoyed reading a book with such substance.  This book is not about sports or music.  Well, actually it has a music aspect too which he certainly found interesting...but this book touches on some very pertinent issues facing young people today---dealing with divorcing parents, under-age drinking, taking care of and showing respect to the elderly, taking responsibility for our actions as well as accepting the consequences of them. It was written in such a inspiring yet humorous way that I wish every young person could do what we did and sit down and read this book together.  It naturally lead us to talking about these topics and more. If I had tried to bring up under-age drinking on my own, I doubt that we would have had such a calm and honest dialogue.

I intend for my 11-year-old son and me to read it together also.

Thank you to the author for writing it and the Literature teachers at my son's high school for choosing such a great book!  "Gotcha!"  (You have to read the book to understand that one!!

(By the way, this is the first book review that I have ever written even though I read a lot!!)
187252
This book has a great storyline for school aged children.  The reader can see themselves in the story as they anticipate the next step.  The twists and turns are unbelievable.  The title makes it seem like it should be a straightforward story about a great teacher but it is much more than that.  It's about choices, fear, pride and other emotions.  It will tug at your heart.  This is a great read for a reluctant or beginning reader because it keeps them captivated; the words are not too intimidating and the situations are reality based.  They will not be able to put this book down to the end because the main character keeps making decision after decision that makes the reader anxious to see how it will end.  The choices that the main character makes are unbelievable!
181734
I loved this book! Halitor is a Don Quixote for older kids and tween readers. A bit hapless, but very likeable, Halitor sets out to make the world a better place. Things don't always go as planned, however, and good deeds tend to go a bit awry, especially where Melly the kitchen wench is concerned. Good action, good heart, and some good suprises will keep you reading to the end. Among indie books available for kids, in my opinion, this is one of the best; truly a hidden gem.