Hey everyone! The Iron Guy loves what modern technology can do. I'm part of an online group that talks about books for kids and a very nice lady notified the group that her 4th-grade son Mateo had written a prize-winning essay about which book he'd save if all the books in the world disappeared. Pretty cool idea, huh? Well, this lady is Ali B and she blogs at The Literary Lunchbox (check it out) and she was good enough to let us reprint her son's essay. Here you go:

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By: Iron Guy Carl, on 2/22/2012
Blog: Boys Rule Boys Read! (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:  Bone, Erec Rex, The 39 Clues, Alvin Ho, The Roar, Add a tag

Here are a couple of random thoughts from the Iron Guy and two notices about great reads.

This week marks the passing of a truly terrific author, John Christopher. His most famous books are the Tripods trilogy, three very remarkable books that deal with a takeover of Earth by aliens and the attempts of young Will Parker and friends to overthrow them. Sound like a familiar story? Well, you've never read it like this! There's plenty of excitement and you won't forget the scenes of Will hiding in the stream while the Tripods look for him or of his life as a slave in the alien city. Check out my reviews of the books here, here and here. Do not waste any time!! Go out! Read them! Now!
(PS--there is a fourth Tripods book, a prequel called When the Tripods Came that I haven't read yet)

The Iron Guy has almost completed his epic task of finishing Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. It was indeed a struggle for a while, especially trying to plow through those middle chapters and realizing with weariness that there was 100 pages between the second and third tasks, but the Iron Guy MANFULLY persevered and has almost completed the last chapter, laughing to scorn all those who doubted him. Actually, it got a lot easier as the story got closer to that third task. In fact, I spent two-and-a-half hours on my day off glued to the story and turning pages as quickly as I could. J. K. Rowling is one powerful writer and knows how to hook you! But it may be a long time before I pick up another Harry Potter book. I'll tell you why when I have time for a longer post.

And finally, we have reviews from an old friend and a new one. The first is from our good friend Michael, who always sends in first-class reviews of cool-sounding books. Let's hear what he's read lately:

The Genius Files, book 2
Never Say Genius
by Dan Gutman
Coke and Pep McDonald are back in Dan Gutman's newest novel! Previously in The Genius Files, Coke and Pep found out that they are part of a super-secret organization called The Genius Files. Hundreds of kids around the world have been singled out as geniuses, and so have this brother and sister. Their parents must never know. In the last book, the McDonald's set out on a cross-country road trip to Washington, D.C. to attend Aunt Judy's wedding. On the way, they stopped at wierd but real places like the Pez dispenser museum, the SPAM museum, and other oddities. Along the way, their health teacher, two guys in bowler hats, and even the creator

Hey ho, all you reader guys, the Iron Guy has been very busy lately and that's why I haven't posted the rest of the reviews from the great kids at Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy. So, without any more chitchat, let's hear about the books they read: (once again, these reviews are in not particular order and the names are in bold type)

dania k

Eleanor Estes is the best author everrrrrrrr!!! She wrote the book Hundred dresses. Its about Wanda a girl who makes hundred dresses. Wanda always gets teased at school. Read and see what happens next.
I like this book because it’s a little touching if you like touching books you will enjoy reading it .P.S it won a Newberry Honor medal.

Kate the Great
The wolves of the beyond: LONE WOLF
By Kathryn Lasky

Faolan is a little maldcah wolf pup. In Wolf langauge maldcah means "cursed one" but faolan is forced by thunderheart to used his twisted paw for better. The spiral on his paw leads him to a cave faolan later reffers to as "the cave through time" What do the ancient paintings mean? Where will they lead Faolan? Can Foalan figure it out before all goes wrong? Read about it in book #1 LONE WOLF.

I love this book because of the fast action & fantasy relating to reality. It is a great book for children ages 10+. It is teaching a very valuable lesson and something you need to learn: Just because you may be different all are equal. Never give up hope. Beleive.

Anonymous
THE CABIN FEVER IS GREAT BOYS I WOULD RECOMMEND IT FOR YOU :) :) :) <3 IT

(this one is obviously about the latest Wimpy Kid book--Iron Guy Carl)

Anonymous
My favorite series is the Percy Jackson series. The author is Rick Riordan.
I just started the book and it is great. The plot and setting is interesting. I’ve already seen the movie but I think the book is way better than the movie. It’s about a boy named Percy Jackson and the gods think he stole the lightning bolt from his uncle, Zeus. He has to give it back to him by a specific time. Can he make it? I liked this book.

Victoria

Diary of a wimpy kid by: Jeff Kinney
I loved the book it is about a boy that goes into middle school and says it is horrible and his friend embarrasses him he gets in a lot of trouble with his brothers.
I really liked this book because it is very funny.

N/A

The Mysterious Benedict Society is a book by Trenton Lee Stewert and is the best book ever because there is just 4 kids in the whole world who can stop the evil Lathrode Curtain from controlling the world these kids are Reynie , Sticky , Kate and the stubborn Constance. With the help of Milligan, Mr. Benidict, Rhonda, and Number .Two the kids must go to a mysterious school on a mysterious island.

mania malika

The BFG
This book is about a girl who gets caught by a giant the BFG ( the big friendly giant) . That girl figures out that 8 other giants travel at night and gobble up humans like they are a snack of popcorn. In this book they are words that the BFG says that make no sense because the BFG never went to school. I really like this book because it is really funny. It also not the closest to be true.

I don’t really like this book because it is really slow at the beginning. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t read it.

shadow ninja anonamis ( I am crazy )

The book I am reviewing is Pearcy Jakson And The Battle Of The Labrenth by Rick Riordan the amazing it is about a boy who is a son of posiden. he goes into a living maze to get one of the ways to navigate the maze so no one else can. Will he make out alive? See for yourse

The fourth graders at Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy have sent us a bunch of really good book reviews. They sent so many, in fact, that I can't post them all at once. So I'm going to put ten at a time until they're all up. They've read some very interesting books, guys, so pay attention!

Before I post them, though, let me give you my progress on my New Year's resolution. (check out this post to see what it was) The Iron Guy has gotten into Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and finds that he's enjoying it a lot more than he thought he would. He's almost gotten to the point where the book crushed him the last time but yet he finds himself actually enjoying it this time.

Here he is, manfully reading along. (Notice that he has a paperback copy now to reduce the chance of book crushing)As the Iron Guy reads, however, he is remembering all the things about HP that he liked and all the things that irritated him to distraction. But you'll hear all about it in another post. Right now, let's get to those reviews! (they are in no particular order and each reader's name is in bold print)

SuperSam
The book I’m reviewing is Starting with Alice. The author’s name is Phyllis Reynolds Naylor. It is about a little girl named Alice that has an older brother named Lester. They live with their father and their mother died. Alice and Lester are new at their school and are having trouble fitting in. Alice has always wanted a pet and that’s why for her birthday present her dad bought her a cat. She invites some new friends over for a birthday party but does someone go missing? That question remains a mystery.

I wrote a review on this book because it is my favorite book. I love this book because it is reality, adventure, and mystery all in one. I love the Alice books because there really entertaining. I love how the adventure in the book is spread out all over in the book.

Ruta
I think that the Son of Neptune is an awesome book. Percy finds the roman Camp Jupiter and meets Frank and Hazel, who seem to have many secrets, though they’re as loyal as can be. As they go on their quest to save Death, they make allies and enemies. While they’re on their quest, all 3 wonder if they’ll even have a camp to return to. As Gaea sends an army to destroy Camp Jupiter, the group learns a lot about loyalty and duty. It’s a great sequel to The Lost Hero and is another awesome book by Rick Riordan.

awesomeeg
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Pride and Prejudice is a book about a young girl named Elizabeth Bennet and a nephew of a wealthy bachelor Mr. Darcy who has a relationship and the book tells about how they learn to deal with each other and how their relationship came to be and why. I enjoyed the book so much I decided to see the movie and both the book and movie was fantastic. I hope everyone gets a chance to read Pride and Prejudice.

Togo
The View from Saturday
By

Yes, indeed, guys, this is a great day for our blog because we have an interview with the one-and-only Lenore Look, author of those split-your-sides-funny Alvin Ho books. (if you haven't read them yet, rush out right away and get one!!) So let's not waste any more time; here's Lenore Look:

I’ve heard this nasty rumor that it’s uncool for boys to read. I bet you disagree. Could you tell us why?

An awful rumor, indeed! In many parts of the world, it’s uncool for girls to read, and it’s not a rumor, it’s the law. Reading is considered masculine. Reading is power. Reading means you’re educated. Reading gives you privileges. You can pass a driver’s test. You can vote. You can travel. You can tell people what to do. Most importantly, you can tell yourself what to do. You are male, and it’s your birthright to be free and powerful. But if you’re female, you’re out of luck. You’ll always be a second-class citizen because you can’t read. You have no power. You are not free.

It wasn’t so long ago that it was uncool (and illegal) for black people in our country to read, and we all know why – a reading person could never be enslaved. Worse, a reading slave had the ability to undermine the power structure altogether – by teaching another slave to read, then another, and another . . . .

So why is there a rumor that it’s uncool for boys to read? It’s all part of a top-secret plan by girls to take over the world, of course! Once you guys stop reading and can’t read (because it’s considered feminine), then we will RULE!

Reading changes everything.

You are so right—reading is power and it does change everything for the better. So keep reading, guys! (and you girls, too!)

What made you think of writing stories about a second-grade boy who’s afraid of everything? And how did you decide what to put in Alvin’s Personal Disaster Kit?

My editor ask

The Iron Guy would like to give a great big shout out to the fourth-graders at Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy. They sent in a whole lot of comments yesterday and I was very glad to get them. Normally I'd try to write a post to include all of them but there are so many comments that I couldn't possibly include them all, so I'll just direct you to look at these posts and see what those guys and girls had to say:

Iron Guys' Top 5 for 2011 (they sent in a bunch of comments for this one)

SAMMER Starts the Year Right

The Iron Guy's New Year's Resolution

Thanks, everyone! Keep reading and writing and commenting!

This is the time of year when grownups like to make resolutions--you know, resolving that you'll do something better this year. Some people resolve to lose weight or exercise more or learn a new language. The Iron Guy has determined to finish a piece of unfinished business this year and wants to share it with all of you reader guys. This year I have decided to...to...

OH, NO, DON'T MAKE ME!! DON'T MAKE ME!!!!!!!!!

Sorry about that little outburst. I'm trying to stick to my resolution but some things are just so---horrible that even the strongest among will grow faint and whimper. But I'm the IRON GUY and will not flinch form this New Year's resolution. Therefore I will...

NOT THAT!!!! PLEASE, NOT THAT!!!!!!

Get control of yourself, man. (sounds of Iron Guy slapping himself)

There, now I feel better. OK, here's my resolution and I hope I have the courage to stick it out:

I'm going to read Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

THERE!! I've said it. Now some of you are wondering, "What's the big deal? We read Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and liked it." Well, if you remember The Great Harry Potter Controversy from last summer, you'll know that I'm not a big Harry Potter fan. I don't think HP is terrible, I just wasn't bowled over by those books like everyone else in the world. BUT--I read only the first three and felt that I wasn't being fair. (I'm surprised no one called me on that during the Controversy) So I decided to read the other four books and give the good Mr. Potter a fair shot.

BUT----this is what happened:




I started off reading HPGF like the MANLY MAN that I am.









But the plot was so sloooowwww and the book was so looonnnggg and