February 1, 2011
Gr 6 Up-In fewer than 500 words, Phillips has created two engaging hi/lo readers. Both first-person narratives feature teen protagonists, age-appropriate story lines, and easy reading that doesn't feel so simplified that it's insulting. The fonts, layered graphics, and manipulated photos give the stories a graphic-novel appeal. At the end of each book, "What's Next?" provides extension activities and discussion topics about the stories' themes. In the first book, Kristi accepts a dare to spend a night in a haunted house. While she doesn't believe in ghosts, she admits to being frightened by the voices she hears. In the morning, she is greeted by a cheering crowd. She survived Dare, a TV reality show where contestants spend the night in haunted houses. But were the voices part of the show? Readers are left hanging and wanting more. In Goal, Carlos attends a tryout for Chivas USA, a professional soccer team. There is only one coveted spot and flashy teammate Josh is also trying out for the position. Coached by his late grandfather, Carlos learns not to be a "glory boy," but to consider the needs of the team. Though Josh outscores him, his aggressive play and unsportsmanlike conduct put the team at risk, resulting in a satisfying ending. Good thing there are several books in this series.-H. H. Henderson, Heritage Middle School, Deltona, FL
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