Eleven | Patricia Reilly Giff | Quite enjoyable     books:     Eleven   Eleven Patricia Reilly Giff Wendy Lamb Books, 2008 - 176 pages average customer review:based on 2 reviews view larger image  for more information click here Sam is almost 11 when he discovers a locked box in the attic above his grandfather Mack?s room, and a piece of paper that says he was kidnapped. There are lots of other words, but Sam has always had trouble reading. He?s desperate to find out who he is, and if his beloved Mack is really his grandfather. At night he?s haunted by dreams of a big castle and a terrifying escape on a boat. Who can he trust to help him read the documents that could unravel the mystery? Then he and the new girl, Caroline, are paired up to work on a school project, building a castle in Mack?s woodworking shop. Caroline loves to read, and she can help. But she?s moving soon, and the two must hurry to discover the truth about Sam.  for more information click here Middle grade readers will love this suspenseful story Sam doesn't know why he fears the number eleven, but as his 11th birthday approaches, he feels a need to explore his past. When he discovers a locked box and a newspaper clipping in the attic, he learns he might once have been a missing child. Now he's worried about his relationship with beloved grandfather, Mack, and friends Onji and Anima. Since Sam has difficulty reading, he befriends a new girl at school who reads constantly. Soon Sam and Caroline are working on a class project together and searching for clues to Sam's past. Characters make this story very special. Mack teaches Sam the pleasures of repairing and working with wood. Sam uses his gifts to build a clever wooden castle for the school project. The lessons he applies to his woodworking help him develop the patience to face his reading problems and discover the truth about his past. Onji and Anima, friends and neighbors, act as extended family for Mack and Sam. Anima reads to Sam every evening, and Onji is constantly offering food and support. But it is Sam's friendship with Caroline that really centers this book. Sam isn't sure he wants to be friends with a girl, but he needs Caroline's ability to read. Caroline's artistic but nomadic parents make Sam appreciate his own solid family life. This story moves along quickly, driven by Sam's constant search for information about his mysterious past. All the clues finally fall into place and the dreams and memories that have bothered Sam are explained in a satisfying ending. Reluctant boy readers will especially enjoy this story - Sam is an active, imaginative, and believable eleven-year-old. During the course of the story, he works with wood, goes boating, and ultimately decides to build his own boat. He works out problems for himself, seeking help from friends, family, and teachers when he needs it. But girls will find the story equally enjoyable, as Caroline provides an alternate viewpoint to the action. This would make a good read-aloud book for a classroom. The action-filled chapters will hook readers, and there's room for discussion of issues related to reading and learning difficulties, friendship, family secrets, and the joys of developing one's own talents and gifts.  for more information click here Quite enjoyable I read this in an afternoon and was quite pleased. Suspense without being too scary. It was great to see a character with such a wonderful support system as the main character has in his grandfather, neighbors, teachers, cat, and his newest friend. Suitable for boys and girls alike. Might also be good for reluctant readers, as the main character is an 11 year old boy who really struggles with reading and comments that letters look like spiders to him. products you might be interested in search for books eleven randomly chosen book: Perfect Phrases for Managers and Supervisors: Hundreds of Ready-to-Use ...