Contests Books

A good Rex Stout. Lots of intrigue. Archie and Nero are up to good stuff here.

If you're interested in an audio edition, the unabridged recording narrated by Michael Pritchard is good. I look forward to the day A&E adapts it for the TV series.

The advertising firm Lippert, Buff, and Assa (LBA) lost the creativity that made them successful when Lippert died some years ago. Their best hope was a rising young star, Louis Dahlmann, who named a new perfume for Heery Products, Inc., one of their best clients: Pour Amour. He also came up "the biggest prize contest in history": each week for 20 weeks, a new 4-line verse appeared in newspapers and magazines, describing a woman in history known to have used cosmetics. He also wrote the verses to break the first tie (72 people) and now the 2nd and last tie (5 people, who were brought to New York to receive the verses from Dahlmann personally). Unfortunately, along with his creativity, Dahlmann had a wild streak; after handing out the verses, he brandished a paper from his wallet, saying it had the answers, and he mustn't accidentally give it to anyone. Within twelve hours, he was found shot dead in his apartment, the wallet and paper both gone.

The next morning, the members of the firm arrive at Wolfe's office, and they don't care who killed Dahlmann. They want Wolfe to extract them from the wreckage this will make of the contest, by finding out what happened to the paper before midnight, April 20th (the last contestant's deadline), so they can scrap the existing questions and come up with new ones.

But of course, as Inspector Cramer points out soon afterward, it'll be difficult to catch the thief without exposing the murderer.

The idea of woman-hating Wolfe getting involved with a perfume contest is in itself worth reading. (Some of the verses are given, and the later ones are nice puzzles.) The five contestants are well-drawn characters, all quite different, some likeable, some not. The members of the firm verge on hysterical, calling Wolfe for progress reports at all hours of the day and issuing conflicting orders. And of course, the mystery: Dahlmann, a womanizer, possibly a threat to some or all of the senior partners, and (last but not least) the verses (if that's what was on the paper). All leading up to the climactic confrontation in Wolfe's office with all the suspects - which doesn't come off quite as usual.

BEFORE MIDNIGHT

Rex Stout never wrote a dull book in his life, but to love his books you have to really love irascible old Nero Wolfe. Stout's corpus depends on personality to a damaging extent and, granted, while the chemistry between Wolfe and Archie Goodwin is well done (especially in this book, where Archie makes a sizable number of funny wisecracks), it wears thin, now, finally, after seventy years or whatever it is. I know that's sacrilegious to say, but I never got it and now it just seems lame. Why is he so disagreeable? Why is it so hard to pry him out of his apartment? The orchids, the fat, the acerbic wit-are these the decorations an aspiring author hung on his creation to differentiate him from a mass of other sleuths (a la Ariadne Oliver's vegetarian Finn detective, Sven Hjerson) or do they amount to a recognizable personality? For me, no; for millions of other Stout fans, yes indeed.

Heterosexual horndog Archie Goodwin's always hot after the prettiest woman on every case, while Nero Wolfe looks on his progress with a ill-concealed leer. He's into it, but he disguises his lust with a "Pfui!" exclamation. BEFORE MIDNIGHT, from 1955, is the 18th Nero Wolfe novel and, incidentally, the first Wolfe novel that Stout wrote as a follow-up, or maybe a corrective, to his famous "origin story, " THE BLACK MOUNTAIN, in which we found out much more than ever before about Nero Wolfe's Serbian or Montenegro past. The world of advertising into which Stout plunges us in BEFORE MIDNIGHT is almost ludicrously "contemporary," Madison Avenue satire that was so popular in the 1950s, it's almost as though Stout was afraid he had offended his audience with his previous, brooding, "serious" revenge novel and then wanted to make amends by making BEFORE MIDNIGHT more lightweight or at any rate jokey than usual. One million dollars in prizes is a pretty hefty sum, and what it must have been like in 1955 money I don't even like to think! No wonder there are five major suspects and a short list of a few more.

The fact that the victim had all the answers in his wallet, and only in his wallet, and everyone knew it, tweaks the plausibility meter but face it, if it wasn't for this far-fetched circumstance we wouldn't have much of a book now, would we? In fact we love these plots, especially the ones that real life wouldn't countenance. BEFORE MIDNIGHT is one of the best of the bunch. It reminds me of a story that might have been written by another favorite bygone author, Patricia McGerr.

The plot is ingenious, surrounding an advertising agent and its perfume contest. This scenario gives Stout ample opportunity to present greed and jealousy as a motive from suspect to suspect to suspect, and I did find myself wondering "whodunit" and how until the murderer's identity was finally revealed. There's also a wonderfully witty plot twist at the end that made me smile. And I also came away thinking that Robert Parker should curl up with a few Wolfe mysteries. I used to love his Spenser books, but now the banter between Spenser and Hawk and Spenser and Susan has become tired, old, and often childish. Rex Stout manages to take the familiar characters and remain both true to the interpersonal relationships (Wolfe/Archie, Archie/Stebbins, Wolfe/Cramer, etc.) and consistently entertaining and readable. Stout is a master of this genre and perhaps it's unreasonable to expect another author to reach such heights.

It would be great to see this one brought to life by A&E (if they had not abandoned one of the classiest TV productions of the last five years). The greatness that was old New York was so deftly portrayed by Rex Stout and, I guess, he could be forgiven for romanticizing it a wee bit.

Live in the ethereal world of orchids, brownstones, fine food and - ahem - no women in his literature.

There's a girl named Emily. She has a friend that loves her art. In the story there is an art contest. Will she win the contest? My name is Nisa when I read this I coudn't look away! I like this book because I really love art!

This book is fabulous.My children love it. It offers lots of chances to discuss feeling and how we feel about ourselves. We love the illustrations. We love this book

This was a wonderful book about not giving up on the things you enjoy because of what someone else thinks! Emily learns that one persons rock is the next mans diamond. What makes us different makes us special!
Our favorite book = Matthew A.B.C. - same author

My 6 year old daughter had just experienced the kind of unjust judgement captured in this book a day before we serendipitously picked it up at the library. Emily becomes transparent after her work is rejected. My daughter totally connected with that feeling. And she also recognized the power of a friends' support that is portrayed in this book as well. Lovely. Art is great too.

EMILY'S ART is the story about Emily, a first-grade girl who loves to paint. There is a colorful aura of joy around Emily as she paints with her heart, and she radiates a soft, pink glow when she paints a watercolor picture of her friend, Kelly. When Emily's class participates in a school-wide art contest, Emily chooses to enter a picture of her dog, Thor, with great big ears, "Because Thor hears everything." When all the first-grade pictures are judged in the art contest, Emily is heart-broken to see her beloved picture of Thor passed over because the judge hates dogs. Fortunately, Emily's friend, Kelly, and her teacher, Ms. Fair, show Emily how much they care about her, and the story ends with a class party to celebrate all the beautiful pictures the children made.

What makes this picture book so very special is the way that every illustration of Emily shows how she feels in body posture, facial expression, and her human energy field. When Emily is happy, soft colors of light shine around her head and shoulders. When Emily is sad, her head droops forward and she becomes transparent as her aura disappears. Every picture of her aura is delightfully different -- my favorite is the one where she is showing her friend, Kelly, how to draw a dinosaur and lots of bright colors surround her head, back, and arm!

This is a gorgeous watercolor picture book that shows how feelings look in the human energy field. I give it my highest recommendation!

-- Cynthia Sue Larson

I bought this book for my daughter (an advanced 10-year-old reader) because it was required reading. I was without any books of my own one day with a long wait, so I picked it up and started reading. It was a surprisingly good read.

Many of the books on the reading list were overly simple for her, but I thought this one, while not complex in writing style, was a thought invoking book. It was very realistic and would be a good topic of discussion for classes at my daughter's age-level.

It's really good to see kids' books that are not all about "Paris Hilton"-esque main characters. There are other real issues going on with our kids that deserve attention while not being overly serious about them and this book does a great job!

Need something happy and fun to read? Fame and Glory in Freedom, Georgia is a cute book about a sixth grader, Bird, whose goals in life are to gain fame and glory, and to go to Disney World.

When she has the opportunity to achieve her dreams in a spelling bee contest, Bird picks the new boy, Harlem, to be her partner, and they study hard. The pressure is on. Will Bird and her new best friend, Harlem get to Disney World, even through their challenges? Read this heartwarming tale of friendship to find out!

I really love the quirky characters in this story. They really brought the fictional book to life. I give this book four stars! It's definitely a keeper. Read Fame and Glory in Freedom, Georgia by Barbara O'Connor.

Barbara O'Connor has written a thoughtful book focusing on human nature's tendency to "see and not see." O'Connor has given her main character, Bird (short for Burdette) the words and feelings many readers will immediately identify with, or feel guilty for having produced in others. Can you, as an adult remember kids in your class? Are there some for which you just can't put a name and face together? Did you look through or past them? Or, were you the kid that seemed to be transparent? This transparency is what makes Bird's blood boil. This "little bird" is never noticed except for a few crumbs of criticism that are thrown her way by the "plummed" in-group of girls with names like Misty or Jenna.

Bird defiantly sets her goal to move from a group of "one" to a group of "two". She decides to become friends with a new student who seems to be as transparent as Bird herself. Bird enlists the help of her neighbor, Miss Delphine, who in Bird's opinion is a person who can look right through the mean spirit in another and see the good. O'Connor's description of Miss Delphine carefully hints at a separateness as well. This character is not one that has been looked through but rather looked at. Her fiery red hair, blue eye shadow, shiny layered costume jewelry, and glittery clothing have more than likely made the more conservative residents in this small southern town of Freedom, GA. feel uncomfortable. A peacock among pheasants to be exact. Miss Delphine's demeanor - calm, kind, and nonjudgmental - indicates that indeed she is aware of the difficulties of "seeing" and "not seeing" others. She gently guides Bird to the realization that it is more important for a person to "see" the true individual rather than forming an opinion from a mere glimpse.

Bird does indeed achieve her goal in becoming friends with the gawky new kid, Harlem Tate. It is obvious Harlem has failed a grade or possibly two. He is very withdrawn, causing him to initially ignore Bird's pecks of friendship; however, she is relentless and soon helps Harlem discover his "broken wing". Again O'Connor asserts that what is or isn't seen is the difference. She unites this small group of characters in a comfortable nest of self-acceptance and permits them to find importance in one another, and isn't being sincerely valued by a few more important than being vaguely valued by many?

Burdette Weaver (Bird) is a middle schooler living in Freedom, Georgia. Her two goals are to get noticed in town and to go to Disney World.
Bird's one friend is her neighbor Delphine Reese. Miss Delphine is a lovely lady with red hair and sparkly clothes. She has moved back to Freedom to take care of her sick father. She has a way of finding good in everyone and always makes Bird feel good about herself.
Bird has met a new boy at school and decides she wants to be his friend. She know just how Harlem feels when kids make fun and throw food at him.
The school spelling bee is a chance for Bird to realize all of her goals. She asks Harlem to be her partner to help her win fame and glory and the big prize, a trip to Disney World.
You can understand how Bird feels when "thinking about how the whole world was all filled up with wanting and not one little ounce of getting."
Barbara O'Connor writes about the usual teen problems. I would recommemd this book to middle schoolers because of the similarity in the problems they face growing up. Young females will especially relate to the self-esteem issues that Bird experiences. O'Connor's clever humor keeps you laughing instead of feeling bad for the young teens.

Harlem Tate is new to Freedom, Georgia and nobody at school seems to want to be his friend except for Burdette "Bird" Weaver. Bird doesn't have any school friends either and when she sees Harlem she thinks it is a "stroke of luck". Bird wants to make him a friend "before somebody poisons his mind with lies about" her. But before she can convince him to be her friend, she hears that the annual state spelling bee is coming up and the winners of the spelling bee will earn a trip to Disney World. To be noticed and to visit Disney World are two goals Bird wants to accomplish more than anything. Bird thinks winning the spelling bee just might be the way to realize her goals but she needs to have a partner. Can she convince Harlem to be her partner and eventually her friend? Befriending Harlem and convincing him to be her parnter is a bit harder than she anticipates. With help from Miss Delphine, Bird's next-door neighbor and best friend, Harlem agrees to be Bird's spelling bee partner. Bird may just be on her way to realizing all her dreams.
This is an endearing book, which illustrates the quiet strength and courage of a young girl who listened to herself rather than other people. A young girl saw the worth in a person even when society ridiculed and turned their back on that person. This book is a reminder to us all, no matter how young or old, that we each possess gifts of compassion, love and friendship and when we share those gifts with others we transform lives including our own.

I read this book with my 7 year-old daughter for a parent-child book club. It deals with a difficult topic but in a gentle and compassionate way. The children in the book group all seemed to have enjoyed the book and understood quite a bit of its messages, which are multi-layered. It provided a wonderful launching point for discussions about friendship and loss and fear. It also is a gentle way to help children who are ready start to think about what happens in war.

Mieko and the fifth treasure is a great book. It takes place in Nagasaki,Japan where a girl [Mieko] is sure that she will become a great artist. When suddenly an atom bomb drops on Nagasaki she thinks she has lost the fifth treasurer that will help her become a great calligraphy artist. Her parents send Mieko to her Grandparents house and to a new school. I thought this book was fantastic because she thinks the pain will last forever but then she starts to have faith in herself.

This is one of the best books any young reader could ever read! I am almost 11, and I still love this book. You HAVE to buy it. You will treasure it.

In this well written multicultural book we get a glimpse of what life was like in Japan after the bombing of Nagasaki. Eleanor Coerr gives us a feel for the times and we can learn a lot about the culture of the Japanese people. A very inspiring story that makes us all want to look inside and find our fifth treasure.

This story is about a girl with the fifth treasure. She does calligraphy. A bomb drops on Nagasaki, Japan. Her wrist is badly cut. Her parents send Mieko to her grandparentýs house for safety but goes to a new school. Her classmates tease her about the cut. A girl Yoshi stands up for her and they become friends. The next day the teacher tells Meiko to stay home and rest her hand and come back when she is ready. Later sheýs at school. Her friend and Meiko hear there is going to be a calligraphy contest. Everybody loves how beautiful she paints.

The novel, Beetles lightly Toasted, is one of the worst books I've ever read! The book described, the setting just ok, but did horrible with the characters. With sections like `Andy walked down the hall, a hall covered with, disgusting germs and the people, oh! The people were just as bad. This story was, is and, will always be, the worst book ever!

The main Character wasn't very interesting and believable. The author, Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, wasn't doing so well with creating and introducing characters throughout the story. Earl was the worst of them all. Naylor described him as an overweight older brother of Andy.

I wouldn't recommend cow-manure so, I certainty wouldn't recommend this book! Yes, yes I know what you are thinking, but, the book is that bad! I hate books that "make" you imagine what you already have imagined with a different book (nothing new).

If you want to read a terrible novel, be my guest but beware, authors like, Madeline L`engel, Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

I really liked this book. The reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because I thought it was gross when the people ate the bugs. UGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!! Anyway, you should really read this book if you LOVE anything gross.

I think this book is funny and exciting. Andy has a real sense of humor. I like the fact that the world can use bugs as a future food source. Maya Ribot (mmarrero@worldnet.att.net) Boston

It shows how people will do something crazy just to win a contest this one boy Jack did a crazy thing like putting Hamburgers on his dads engine and Andy Moller is Jack's cousin he was cooking crickets in brownies and giving them to kids at lunch and the kids did not know.I like this book because they will do anything to get something.I think people today are the same way like if you want some candy you ask your mom can you have some money to go and get some candy from the store

Andy Moller is a typical fifth grader, a great kid with a fantastic sense of humor. Andy's true gift, however, is his unbelievable imagination. Cooking insects as a food source is a great topic to write on. The book is very enjoyable with lots of family humor thrown in. A great read for kids of all ages. Do yourself a favor and get your hands on it soon!

What a gem of a book! MY CHOCOLATE YEAR by Charlotte Herman starts out as a sweet story about 10-year-old Dorrie, who is a fifth-grader in Chicago just after the end of World War II. Dorrie is excited about the annual "Sweet Semester" contest run by her teacher. Every student is to plan a special dessert, which they will bring in to class at the end of the semester for a contest. The students sample each other's desserts and vote on the best one. They also write an essay explaining their choice of dessert, and their teacher judges the best essay.

Dorrie has been looking forward to her chance at winning Sweet Semester since her older brother, Artie, participated when he was in fifth grade. She is determined to win, and the book is interspersed with her attempts at various concoctions. It even includes actual recipes for some of the desserts, including Peppermint Chocolate Sticks and a scrumptious-sounding Chocolate Nut Torte.

While Dorrie is focused on the contest and on finding that perfect recipe, her family is adjusting to post-war life. They are Russian Jews who managed to escape the Holocaust, but not all of their relatives were so lucky. It sounds like a surprisingly sad topic to combine with the lightweight feel of the dessert contest, but author Herman executes this integration flawlessly.

In fact, her inclusion of the cultural elements of post-World War II Chicago make reading this book educational without ever feeling like it. For instance, I had no idea that there used to be "silver" pennies, or that chocolate chip cookies were invented by a woman named Ruth Wakefield, or that sugar was rationed.

It also makes perfect sense to show this time and place in American life through the eyes of a fifth-grader, and of course she is more focused on her big contest at school than with the letters her parents receive from relatives overseas. Dorrie does have a big heart, though, and it is that heart and conscience that guides her to what she eventually chooses as her entry for Sweet Semester.

Reviewed by: Marie Robinson

In 1946, ten year old Dorrie enters a new school year with pep in her step. She is made all the more giddy at the prospect of the Sweet Semester, a tradition established by her teacher in which her students bake up a little something. Dorrie plans to make something involving chocolate, but what? Throughout the story, Dorrie tests out different recipes, listens carefully to the immigration stories of her parents and relatives, and melts at the sight of the perfect junior bridesmaid dress.

Dorrie is surrounded by friends and family. Her mother lovingly makes her special dress for her Aunt Esther's wedding. Her father works for a mattress company because, as a young boy during the war, he had to wear his day clothes to bed in case of evacuation and he dreamt of sleeping in pajamas. Her grandmother speaks only in Yiddish and Dorrie only in English, but they understand each other quite well. Rounding out the cast are Dorrie's older brother Artie, her best friend Sunny, Uncle Louie the hopeful business owner, and her cousin Victor, who lost his immediate family and was labeled a DP (a displaced person) in his home country, but is now coming to America.

My Chocolate Year by Charlotte Herman includes twelve recipes and is peppered with black-and-white illustrations by LeUyen Pham. It is a sweet story for elementary school readers and was partly inspired by the author's own family and childhood.

A wonderful blend of baking and social-history that will appeal to all the girls who enjoy American Girl. Let the aroma of all the tantalizing recipes bring you back in time to the 1940's and into the world of one remarkable family as they are reunited in the aftermath of war. Reminiscent of The All of A Kind Family books, too.

My Chocolate Year is a sweet homage to food and how it brings families together. It's September, 1945 in Chicago. World War II has just ended, and the fifth grade has just begun for chocolate-lover Dorrie Meyers. Dorrie is particularly excited about this school year because her class will participate in the Sweet Semester baking and essay contest. The winners will get their picture in the paper. Dorrie really wants to win, but first she's going to have to learn to bake and figure out what she'll write in the essay.

My Chocolate Year is a charming story of food, family and world history. While at moments a bit sappy, it provides kids with some very basic details of the holocaust without being too horrific. Add in some interesting little historical tidbits like calling the refrigerator the Frigidaire and the creation of the silver penny due to a copper shortage, and you have a solid story that provides many jumping points for discussions of World War II. The inclusion of the various recipes is also a nice touch. For many children, their first sense of their family history comes by what food is served at the dinner table. Not to mention, I can't wait to make the chocolate nut torte on page 131. I'm off to the grocery for supplies.

For the rest of this review and others, visit my site.

The year is 1945. Dorrie Meyers and her best friend, Sunny Shapiro are finally in the fifth grade. And while they're usually good students; the best friends have decided that this year they will be the best students ever because they finally have Miss Fitzgerald as their teacher, and that means one very important thing...Sweet Semester!

Miss Fitzgerald is known for throwing her yearly Sweet Semester for fifth graders. It's a time for her students to make a sweet dessert of their own, and proceed to write an essay about why it means so much to them. Dorrie Meyers has been awaiting the opportunity to participate in Sweet Semester ever since her older brother, Artie did. But now that her chance has finally arrived, she has absolutely no clue what to make - let alone write about. That doesn't bother Dorrie, however. Dorrie is the resident chocolate queen. She knows everything there is about chocolate, and will eat just about anything that has chocolate in it - except for chocolate gum. Therefore, it's obvious to Dorrie that whatever she makes, it will have loads and loads of chocolate in it. But while Dorrie would love to concentrate solely on chocolate and Sweet Semester, the current affairs of the world are making it difficult to do so. Overseas, millions of children and starving and finding themselves displaced from their families; at home, however, things aren't much better. While her father is running a thriving mattress company, and her mother is quite comfortable spending her days doing chores, running errands, and cooking up all kinds of delicious foods in the kitchen, not everyone in Dorrie's family is doing so well. As a member of a Jewish family, some of Dorrie's relatives are stuck under Hitler's rule, being harshly treated as a part of the Holocaust, and her mother and Bubbie spend much of their time worrying about whether or not these individuals are still alive. As much as Dorrie would love to help these people - even though she hasn't met them - she can't think of anything to do that could turn their lives around. Except bake, of course.

Originally I picked up Charlotte Herman's MY CHOCOLATE YEAR thinking that it was another book being placed on the market as part of the "foodie" craze; but it was quite evident that I was wrong after reading just one chapter. While MY CHOCOLATE YEAR provides readers with some fun chocolate-induced recipes to try out, it spends more time telling the tale of a Jewish family in Chicago, trying to make a living in the harsh 1940's, and even goes so far as to briefly discuss Hitler and the Holocaust, and the people suffering at his hands. Dorrie is such a delightful character, whose determination to create the best dessert ever, while, at the same time collect money for starving children overseas is admirable, and makes you love her more and more with each page turned. I especially loved the fact that Herman has concocted a story that is anything but catty. With so many books on the market nowadays highlighting girls who are bickering with one another, and pulling vicious pranks on their classmates, it was refreshing to see that Herman went more the AMERICAN GIRL route, crafting a tale that is wholesome, historical, fun, sentimental, and educational - all wrapped up in one tiny tale. MY CHOCOLATE YEAR is sweet enough to give you cavities!

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

Let me start by saying that the publisher was an idiot when it put the Saddle Club books into paperback with photograph covers. If I had not read the back of this book I would have never been interested in it. I'm glad that I did though because this is an excellent book!

One of my favorite minor characters in the Saddle Club books is Skye Ransom, a handsome male actor about Lisa's age. While going to a large Pony Club event in California the Saddle Club meets up with Skye and learns about his problems on the set of his new racetrack movie. There are rumors going around about Skye that are threatening to damage his reputation and friendships on the set. The Saddle Club goes into full action helping their friend but when Veronica takes off during the Pony Club trials to go shopping, only one rider can help them out!

The Saddle Club (plus Veronica diAnglo) are going to California for a pony club ralley. The meet up with Sky Ramson, the movie-star friend. He is having trouble on the set. Can the Saddle Club help? Also, a very dumb driver is supposed to take their horses to Richmond, then another driver picks them up. Or does he?

The Saddle Club (plus Veronica diAnglo) are going to California for a pony club ralley. The meet up with Sky Ramson, the movie-star friend. He is having trouble on the set. Can the Saddle Club help? Also, a very dumb driver is supposed to take their horses to Richmond, then another driver picks them up. Or does he?

I enjoyed this book alot. Stevie, Lisa, and Carole are on their way to california to show in a pony club rally and when they get there their friend Skye the movie actor needs their help in solving a mystery some one wants skye out of the movie so some one else can star in the movie. Not only doesthe saddle club help their friend but he also in turns helps them out in a weird but wacky way.

I love the Saddle Club Series! I especially love this book! Carole, Lisa, and Stevie are heading to California! They meet up with their friend Skye and decide to help him because he is about to loose his job! :O! The Saddle Club are more than willing to help and Veronica is more than willing to take Skye's place! When the Saddle Club's Horses are gone, and show time is coming up, there seems like nothing to do! I have read the Saddle Club series for a while and I just love about every book! Many people think Bonnie Bryant is getting rusty in her writing but I think it is just getting better! I hope everyone out there enjoys the Saddle Club as much as me! :)

Watching the Winners....Learning Their Style is an excellent resource for anyone preparing to enter the pageant industry or someone wanting to improve their skills. Shana has wonderful tips and encouraging comments to guide you from A to Z. Highly recommended for any pageant contestant....from babies to adults.

This book lives up to its endorsements by the likes of Mike Mauney, Amanda Pennix and many others. I believe it to be a well researched, practical and informative preparatory guide to anyone seeking to enter pageant competition. This book can and does help you win. I would not normally attend to this but feel compelled to note that the poster from Canada's comments appear an awful lot like personal attacks or sour grapes to me in light of the book's impressive panel of support. With that attitude it is difficult to imagine her having truly won any pageant let alone a "national" one.

In response to the "Lady In Red", I must say I disagree with
her opinion on this book.
One thing that attracted me to this book was the endorsements from people in the industry. They come from people in the pageant industry that are highly respected, and obviously don't lend their name to any book or cover. And they come from ALL systems, (USA and America).
This book is a great prep for American pageants. Perhaps Canadian systems are different, which is why the book didn't work for the poster listed below.
Instead of a personal attack on Ms. Gammon, I just opt to say
the opposite, citing it a good book for any contestant.

I found this book to be very helpful. It's filled with practical advice for girls interested in competing in pageants and for those who have competed before. It begins by telling how to get involved in pageants and what makes a pageant winner. It then illustrates how to prepare for competition and what the judges look for. The book concludes by giving advice on how to prepare for state and national competition and how to represent you title effectively.

Shana Gammon's guide to beauty pageants provides new pageanteers and seasoned competitors with a thorough overview of each phase of competition: Evening Gown, Interview, Talent, how to effectively publicize a title, and more. Her outline of the preparation process covers everything from grooming to mental conditioning, and serves as an effective tool for young women seeking a crown.

Mr. Taylor takes us for a walk on the wild side in this guide to the off kilter, out of hand and off the beaten path fests, events and happenings. Wondered if America really was as strange as you suspected? Wonder no more. Organized by state, America Bizarro is... well, Think Tom Robbin's Another Roadside Attraction meets that outrageous show from the 1970s - Real People. This Book is for everyone who just can't stomach one more summer roadtrip to overrated, overdone and overpriced attractions. Hell, the Big Mouse down South doesn't need any more of your hard earned money... so get a copy of America Bizarro and start checking out the freaks, geeks and charming underbelly of the land of the free to be you and me.

This book is getting a little dated - however it is still a great resource for those wacky Americians who will put on a show for a nickle or a dime. I have read it twice and appreciate the author's attempt at covering an ever growing awareness of out wonderful Country - the U.S. OF A. - this book makes me proud to be and Americian.

I just received this book as a gift and I'm a little disappointed. It does have some weird events to visit and I'll be putting most of them on my TO DO list, but I guess the book itself wasn't what I expected and seems somewhat limited. I really like Roadside America just because it has absolutely SO MUCH stuff to see and do. I like this book and I'll use it in my crazy travels, but I'm not as excited about it as I was when I read the other reviews and put it on my wishlist.

This takes precendence over "Roadside America"...for ultimate in eccentricity. Includes Texas Aggie Bonfire, (World record on height,'69) as a last minute choice just after the Nov.'99 accident, of which there is a commemorative statement. To add send inquiries to: americabizarro@hotmail.com

Arthur is so popular that my students tell me the names of the characters. This book will assist me in introducing the president and his role in the US government.

I think Arthur Meets The President is a great book because the book was interesting and it's very fun to read. I like Marc Brown books because they're fun to read and I really understand the books that I read.

This book is a fantastic set induction to a unit or lesson on Presidents. The author provides a creative storyline to get the students interested in Presidents. The book disscusses a variety of different subjects relating to the president such as, the White House, diffferent sights in Washington, and how kids can write to the President and get a response. It can also be used to reinforce appropriate letter-writing structure. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to make the subject a little more fun for children. Of course, it is filled with fun stuff between Arthur, his pesty sister D.W., and friends.

I am a 1st grade teacher. My class and I always enjoy finding out about Arthur and his friends in the books written by Marc Brown. I especially like Arthur Meets the President. I use this book during the month of February as a literature connection to a theme study of presidents. Not only does this title lend itself to my curriculum but it also has a wonderful storyline dealing with a brother/sister relationship with all its ups and downs.