Flamingnet Student Book Reviewer  EWest_GIPS
This book is about five intelligent and talented young men (Denton, Wendell, Eddie, Elijah, and Bijay) who undergo many common obstacles. One of the big barriers is the standardized tests. They also withstand some very difficult and unique problems. It all starts when their vice principal, Snodgrass, accuses them of stealing money from the school bake sale. Snodgrass locks them in the school basement for a whole week, all they are left to do is eat, sleep, and study. Coach McKenzie, the gym teacher, visits them three times a day, to give them their breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The only one that can save them is Nurse Bloom, who gets to check in on them once during the week to make sure that they are heathy. But when she also fails to help them, they have to look for clues and discover how to get back out. While trying to get out they uncover why they were trapped in the first place. Unveil the mystery by reading!

This author definitely went for the gold, and achieved! His writing was very powerful, had wonderful word choice, and it was still appropriate for the age group. I liked how the author had a chapter for each character. I cannot think of any other book like this one, it is very unique in its own good way. This book captures kids' perspective on the standardized tests. It should be moving for kids to see that just because they don't do perfect on the tests, it doesn't mean that they are not smart. I learned standardized tests are just another of the many tests we take and are not the most important thing in the world; and other kids should learn from this too. I suggest for everyone to read this book: parents, teachers, and kids. Everyone needs to know when to stop when it comes to taking tests. Overall I would give this book a nine out of ten for its complete and utter greatness!

Reviewer Age:12

Reviewer City, State and Country: Grand Island, Nebraska United States