We read this in school and it is a compelling gripping drama about a 15 year old, Tish Bonner, who faces everything a 15 year old does and much, much more. Her dad walked out on her family, her grandmother is deceased, her mother sits and stares at the TV all day, they struggle with bills, and the whole time she is keeping a journal for her English class. She thinks it's dumb, but Mrs. Dunphrey said that if you write Don't Read, she will not read the entry. Tish writes "Don't Wrote for Every entry except a few and tells the details about her life. Haddix is a wonderful writer and I think that all teens should really read this book.

Don't You Dare Read This Mrs. Dunphrey was an excellent, intriguing story, and full of suspense. That is, once I began reading the book, it became difficult to put the book down and stop reading it. The story was geared more towards teenagers making it easy for me to understand and feel the main character's emotions. In my opinion there were rarely any parts of the book that were disappointing, adding to the book's interest. The author utilized a unique format, clear characterization, and an essential setting in her book.
Margaret Peterson Haddix, who is the author of Don't You Dare Read This Mrs. Dunphrey wrote this book with a very unique format. The book's format is journal entries of the main character's life. This format became slightly tiresome, yet for the most part it wasn't a problem for me. Margaret Peterson Haddix writes about Tish Bonner, who is the main character, having to keep a journal for an English assignment at school. As Tish progresses with the assignment, she writes about private secrets and risks everything she holds dear to keep writing them. With this twist of suspense Don't You Dare Read This Mrs. Dunphrey constantly held my attention. In addition to that as I turned each page I grew more eager to find out what happened next.
The characterization done by Margaret Peterson Haddix was very simple and precise. For example there weren't a lot of characters to make the story overwhelming, but there was just enough characters to make it clear. While reading the book I was never confused about which character was being mentioned due to Margaret Peterson Haddix's defined description of them. Most of the characters were described through Tish's point of view rather than a narrator's point of view. I think that this is an interesting way for Margaret Peterson Haddix to portray the characters.
The setting of Don't You Dare Read This Mrs. Dunphrey is mostly in the same place, which is Tish's home. A large part of the story did, however, take place at the school Tish attended and where she worked at her job. Since the setting was always in one of these three places, it was easy to become familiar with the surroundings. The story's setting fit the characters very well. The setting was essential in the book's development. I honestly don't think that the book would have turned out as well as it did if the setting had been different.
To me Don't You Dare Read This Mrs. Dunphrey is a very intensive and superb book all-around because of the plot, characters and setting. Margaret Peterson Haddix wrote the book very skillfully and added a lot of exciting elements. The problems that Tish had in the story may touch close to home for some people, and to others they may be a wake-up call of what some human beings go through. This book was outstanding and I enjoyed reading it so much. I would definitely recommend it for someone to read because I'm positive they would delight in it just as much as I did.

I recently read Don't You DARE Read this Mrs. Dunphrey a few weeks ago. I thought this was a sad, yet thrilling book telling a young girl's (Tish) struggle with life. Mrs. Dunphrey assigned her English class to write in a journal once a week, but if they marked the top of their entry DON'T READ THIS, then she wouldn't read the entry. Tish gives her a few tests; then begins with her life. Her abusive father left her family when she was younger, but comes back later on. Tish must soon take care of her younger brother, Matt when their mother leaves them. She has no money, except what little she makes from a local burger resturant. I highly reocommend this story to anyone who is interested in a great book!

The book I read was the girl with 500 middle names. I like the way the author adds details and knows when to start a new chapter and go into more exciting things. The main character in this good story is Jaine who. The who stands for all of the names her mom puts on sweaters. The main character Jaine ends up in alot of trouble making up middle names that aren't even hers. Jaine has to descover how to change all these middle names to stop. You would like to read this book because ypu can learn not to use other peoples names.

I read the book the girl with 500 middle names. The author of this is Margaret Peterson Haddix.I liked this book because it reminded me of my sister because she crowshase's and in this book Janie's mom sowes. Janie is the main character in this book. The risen I liked the auther is because she adds good detail. I like this book and I would lended it to a friend because one of my friends likes mysteries and this book is a mystery.

Today, in my mother, daughter club we talked about Janie and how we are like her. Her mother knits these sweaters for a company, but the company doesn't want them. So, every day Janie wears the sweaters her mother knitted. I would recomend this book to read because Janie goes through being a really new kid in school, and because it tells you it's okay to be new in a new school.

This book was about a boy who was the third child and beacuse of the population law he has to be kept in hiding (the population law was 2 kids per parents)but at the end of the first book in the series (among the hidden)he gets a new identity, his new identy is Lee Grant. The former Lee Grant had died in a skiing accident and so Luke (that was the main charater's name before he got his new ID)got his identity. Luke then goes to an all boys school.He later in the book (when he is walking to one of his classes one day) finds a door outside and he goes out there and after a few times of going outside (like different days) he plants a garden out there (which he was very excited about, because he didnt have all that many friends at his new school and since he was in hiding so long, he finally had something of his very own)but one day when he went out there to work more on the garden he relized that his garden had been destroyed. He plans on finding out who destroyed it and one day when he went back out there he had heard a group of people talking about him (there was some girls too because they had came over from the all girls school to have a little private meeting with some of the boys at the all boys school). And then later on he finds out that that group was also people that were in hiding. Luke becomes friends with them. I dont want to say anymore because I dont want to give away the ending. But I must say that this book has a very suprising ending and I think that most of you would enjoy this book alot. I thought that this book was great! I loved right from the beginning. I liked how it gave so much detail in the story and how descriptive it was. I was one of those books where once you start it you cant put it down. But I would definently read the first book in the series (among the hidden) first because this book pretty much takes off right where that one ends.

Margaret Peterson Haddix has done it again! Among the Imposters is an exciting book that refuses to be put down. As a sequel to Among the Hidden it rates very highly. Many sequels often lose some of the power that the original book portrays, however Among the Imposters not only is an excellent story in its own right, it also readies the reader for the next installment in the series. Third children in this future society are not allowed. In fact families are closely monitered by the Population Police. However many third children secretly exist. Luke,our protagonist in this story, is a boy that has lived in secret with his parents for all of his life. The discovery that other third children exist is new to him. He is helped by a neighbor and former father of a third child. Luke is given a new identity and is enrolled in a private school. At first Luke lives in terror that he will be discovered. But as time goes on he realizes that all is not as it should be in this school. The author surprises the reader with many suspense filled twists in the plot that keep you guessing until the end. Students and teachers in my school were so enthralled with Among the Hidden that they are lining up for the opportunity to check out Among the Imposters. As the librarian, it will be my challenge to keep this series current!

Among the Imposters is about a boy named Lee Grant, his real name is Luke, but after receiving a fake ID his name changed. Luke is a third child. Third children are illegal because of the population law. The Government thought that in the future the planet would run out of food so they passed the population law. It stated that you could not have more that two children. In the first book (Among the Hidden) Luke met another third child. Now he gets a chance to school and live a normal life in a normal school. Or so he thinks.
I would recomend this book to someone who likes fast reads. The book has some intense scenes where you dont want to put it down. Also it is iteresting ot learn about people who are forced to live life in secret.

Jessie believes she is being raised in the 1840s, but the year is actually 1996. You see, Jessie lives in a tourist site made to look like a real village of 150 years ago. Her classmates have begun dropping out of her small, one-room classroom, and the medicines they are given don't seem to work. Jessie's mother finally tells her the truth about their community, and it's up to Jessie to escape from Clifton and seek help from the "real world." Although the plot is quite serious and suspenseful, I had to laugh at the scene where Jessie sees cars for the first time and thinks they move by witchcraft. My favorite part of this well written story is when she calls a press conference and reveals the "shocking secret" of Clifton. I haven't read many books with female protagonists, so it was neat to see a young girl making things happen - it's usually a boy.

Now imagine this: We're moving along, thinking it's the year 2000 when a terrible disease spreads through our city. Eventually we learn that the year is really 2150 and people have been paying money to watch our EVERY move since we were born. Get the idea? Read this book!

-- JFS

I and my daughter both enjoyed this book. It's hard to find good science fiction for teens - this is one of the best I've read.

Thirteen year old Jessie lives in 1840 - she thinks. When diphtheria strikes her small village, her mom tells her the truth : it's really 1996 in the rest of the world, and their village is part of an experiment. Jessie must go for help, into the confusing and frightening modern world.

This book is well written, with a fast paced story that should grab the readers attention quickly and hold it. The one criticism - where's the sequel???

I strongly recommend this book.

Running Out of Time by Margaret Peterson Haddix is one of the best books I have read in a long time. It follows the story of Jessie, a teenage girl who finds that her whole life has been a lie. She believes that she lives in the 1800s, in a village called Clifton. However, she discovers the shocking truth when a diptheria epidemic strikes the village, and Jessie is flung into the outside world, searching for the medicine that will save the ill children. An action-packed story, Running Out of Time has been a favorite of all that have read it. I highly reccommend it to young adults and adults alike.

By: Robbie L
Among The Hidden By Margaret Haddix takes place about a time when couples are only allowed two children, and third children are either killed or their parents are fined 5,000,000. This book is about a boy named Luke who is a third child hiding in his parents attic. One day Luke looked out his attic
vent in the middle of the day and he saw a face in his neighbors' attic window, a few days later he snuck into the neighbors house and he saw a girl.Her name was Jen and every few days after that he would go over her house.
I can relate to Luke a little bit because I have done things my parents didn't want me to do. I have also been very bored when no one is around or if there's nothing to do. I can also Relate to Luke's parents because I have told my brother things so that he wouldn't do any thing wrong and endanger himself.
I liked this book because it was weird and not like all other books I've read. My favorite part was when Luke snuck over. I think an 11-year-old male or female child would like this book because it is an exciting book with a lot of suspenseful and scary parts. If I could change something in this book, I would have the rally work and all the third children to be free.

Among The Hidden, written by Margaret Petterson Haddix is an amazing, have-to-read novel. Luke, the main character of the novel, is a shadow child, a third child andone of many. Luke is living in a time where a bad government was in control. A law was passed that allowed only two children to a family. Luke's mother had him anyway. From birth, Luke had to hide from the law and from the punishment of death.
The person who I relate to most in the book is Luke. When he gets scared that someone's going to find him it reminds me of when I was about three. Every night when
I got into bed I would always imagine a creepy monster under my bed or a nasty robber outside. Every time I heard a little creek I would jump up and be really scared. It got me so frustrated just like Luke in his situation. Among The Hidden is an excellent book. I'm picky about my books yet I loved it. Being that it was an adventure book, there were many exciting parts. Though I found the most exciting part of the book, was when Luke snuck over to Jen's house. The worst part was the long introduction in the beginning, which had no action at all. This book is appropriate for grades 5-6 and both girls and boys will like it. If I could change something it would be the ending. I would make it happier.

This book makes you think. It's not the type you read and forget about. The events that happen are so incredible and suspenseful you can't put it down. Once you've finished, there's that voice saying read it again. I listened. So did many of my classmates. One kid got the sequal and brought it to school. 10 kids (plus or minus a few) asked him to borrow it. For that many kids in one classroom to like the book that much, it must have been an unforgettable book. Boy, was it ever. Luke, a third child in a society where only 2 children are permitted, is "among the hidden." He mustn't look out windows or go outside in fear he will get sent to the POPULATION POLICE. All the woods around his house are now being cut down. New houses are being built in place. That means people- watching. One day, disobeying his parents will, he looks outside the window finding a child; in a house that already has two children. Luke leaves the house for the first time in six months. Surprisingly, it was a girl. Now, Luke has a friend, Jennifer Rose Talbot. When their parents leave for word, they visit eachother. One day, while Jen was in a chatroom, she came up with an idea to hold a rally. About 800 third and fourth kids said they'd come. ONLY 40 SHOWED UP. The rally went on, but Luke didn't. He was too scared. Lucky for him, as the children marched, the Government took our their guns. They shot everyone dead- right then and there. In the end, Luke gets a fake ID. Lee Grant, a young boy died. The government doesn't know yet. Luke leaves his home and family. Now, he has all the rights and priveleges all people SHOULD have, like school. He will attend an all boy's school. That's where it ends.

It seemed as though death was on the horizon for Amelia and Anny Beth, but then they were given an injection that defied the laws of nature. They are part of project Turnabout - a test run of the injection PT-1. PT-1 is causing them to unage, each year turning back the clock of their lives. It was supposed to be easily controlled, a simple injection reversing the process, but the "cure" is a death sentence. Now in their teens, Anny Beth and Melly have to face the facts - time is running out and they need help.

It took me a little while to warm up to this book becuase it wasn't obvious right from the start how the book was structured. I am glad that I read it to the end though. Anny Beth and Melly are two of the best characters that have been around for a while, not only because of their friendship, but also because of the way that they deal with what has happened to them.

It seems as though this book could really come about soon. There are so many medical discoveries happening everyday that you have to wonder if the "miracle formula" hasn't already been found. This book is both a great adventure and a chilling warning of what could happen if we mess with peoples lives. This book always brings to mind the quote that "we were so busy wondering if we could do it, that we didn't stop to think if we should do it". If you enjoy this book then you should try the other scince fiction books by this author and the Regeneration series by L.J Singleton.

Amelia is a 185 year old in a 15 year old's body. How did this happen? Back in the year 2001 Amelia and 49 other nursing home residents were asked to participate in scientific breakthrough. This would take them back to the physical state of the average 20 year old. In other words, they would be given a shot that would allow them to unage to 20 or so and then be given a second shot that would stop them from aging, or unaging, any further. Unfortunatly problems occur with those who were given the second shot. They all die instantly.
We meet up with Anne Beth and Amelia, who has changed her name to Melly, in the year 2085. They haven't taken a shot for fear they would get killed. Now they are faced with the problem of finding a gaurdian to take care of them.
I enjoyed this book very thoroughly because it taught me a lot about, believe it or not, growing up. I think it was an excellent and informative read. Pick it up at your nearest library and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime.

Are you looking for a great book to read? Well here it is! THis book , Turnabout , is written by Margaret Peterson Haddix. This book is about millions of old people who would like to be younger , then find out they dont.They are all given an injection to make them unage. While growing younger, the doctors get confused and they say they dont know what to expect next. Melly and Annie Beth, two of the old people participating in Turnabout, are forced to travel to get away from the doctors and a vicous reporter. Annie Beth and Melly move back to there home town of Kentucky and realize something they never thought was true. To see what happens, READ THE BOOK!

Alone. That's what Dorry Stephens was. Dorry had just moved from a small town in Ohio to Indianapolis and had no friends. Then Fishers came and wanted to be Dorry's friends. They even invited her to join their church. Or cult. As Dorry becomes more involved with Fishers, the less she is involved with everything else. She no longer has time for her family or school.

I think Margaret Peterson Haddix wrote this book very well. She took us through Dorry's mind like we were her, or at least knew her. Its one book I've read where the main character isn't popular, pretty, and rich. She doesn't even have that giggly best friend. Its very realistic about the people and Fishers itself. A few things I didn't like were that it got a little slow in a few parts, some things happened more than once, and the ending was too predictable. You could definitely see it coming. I think the flaws of the book are covered by the good points. The book was very good and I would definitely recommend it.

Margret Peterson Haddix's Leaving Fishers is a great story about Dorry, a girl that gets caught up in a cult. Dorry moves to a new town and soon becomes friends with a religious group called Fishers. At first Dorry's friends are so kind she can't believe it, but later on they make her make huge sacrifices. These sacrifices make her parents and boss angry. Because of Fishers her grades, which were once honor roll, go down to failing. I recommend this book to anyone ages 13 and up. This novel is definitely one of my favorites.

Leaving Fishers is one of the creepiest, most fascinating books I have read in a long, long time. In this book, Dorry Stephens is a sweet, shy and lonely girl who is new in school and friendless. A group of attractive and well-dressed girls and boys come to her and accept her in their group. Soon she is swept into the Christian sect to which they all belong--the Fishers of Men--and finds herself enjoying the unconditional love and security she find with her new group of friends. However, once she gets more deeply into the group, she finds that she is compromising every aspect of her well being to live up to the expectations of the cult. By the time she realizes this, she has no idea what to do--and she fears the wrath of the group if she disobeys in any way. After I read this, I took a whole new look into religion--both the good and bad aspects of it. I highly recommend this book for the over-12 crowd (lots of complex and mature subject matter). It will cause you to think long and hard about the things a lonely person will do for friends and how once you've been brainwashed into doing something, it is nearly impossible to stop.

Just Ella is a retelling of the classic story Cinderella . . . with a twist. There's no fairy godmother, despite what you might of heard, Prince Charming isn't charming, just dumb and try's to play the hero, and her bedroom is a dungeon for part of the book, not a luxorious tower in the castle.

Just Ella is a good read but sometimes seems to wander out of the time period and is sometimes a bit predictable. It's a very interesting story and makes you think about how cheezy some fairy tales really are. A good thing is that you never find yourself bored when reading it and that it has a happy ending.

Just Ella is a book worth reading, but it isn't the best retelling of a fairy tale out there. I gave it four stars because some of the characters seem in different time periods and because it can be a bit predictable at times.

10+
85/100
Recomendtations: Ella Enchanted

Just Ella is a "can't-put-it-down" sequel to the Cinderella fairy tale that finally answers some of the questions modern readers want to know. How could Cinderella manage to live happily ever after with a guy she only met once? If Cinderella had a fairy god mother, why didn't Snow White have one, too? Why was Prince Charming so entranced by a commoner? Why would anyone want to wear glass slippers, and how did Cinderella manage to dance in them all night without ending up with shards in her feet? I have a few seventh graders in my classes who will read this book and never forget it. But beware: there is language that will make some readers uncomfortable. Realists who like a spunky young woman for their heroine will love Just Ella

Cinderella is really one of my favorite fairy tales, well when I was a little kid; it was my favorite Disney movie. Well, behind Aladdin and the Little Mermaid. But anyway, I have loved all of the Cinderella retellings that I have read so far. This was a fresh new retelling of the tale, and really did a good job explaining what the downside to palace life is like.

The Prince, for example, infuriated me with his lack of a brain. He may have been a Charming, and incredibly handsome, but he was so dull-witted, well we all know someone like that. I really liked how I could identify with the views of Ella. Whenever I can relate to the opinions of any of my favorite characters in a book, I just love it! And Ella is the type of good role model that you sometimes can't find in fairy tales, for the females are usually dull-witted, just like Charming.

Ella doesn't fit into the carefully sanded edges of a typical princess mold. Madame Bisset knows this, and tries to change her frequently. I hated the characters of Madame Bisset, Prince Charming, and Quog, that disgusting rapist guy. They just made me so ANGRY!

Well all I can say is, I really enjoyed it, so buy your self a copy! Try Haddix's other books too; I liked all of them. One of my favorites is Leaving Fishers.