Contests Books

This is a good story book for the kids that like to search for things on the page and count.

Blue's Clue's books and dvd's are very educational and entertaining for young children and my grandson really loves this book. He carries his Blue's Clue's books to bed with him.

This story starts out with Blue and Steve getting ready to head off for the spring fair. As they do, Periwinkle shows up. He's bored and thinks there's nothing to do. Steve thinks it's a great spring day, but Periwinkle wonders what's so great about spring. He gets invited to the spring fair. He wonders if there'll be a magic show. Steve says that he's not sure, but there'll be plenty of other fun stuff to do.

As it turns out, the spring fair is pretty fun. There are various booths, including a lemonade stand, and the first one that they visit, a leaf-printing booth (run by Magenta.) Along the way, we also search for eggs. Blue, Steve and Periwinkle also dress up as animals and plant seeds. Though there is no magic show, Periwinkle has a lot of fun anyway.

A bright and lively "Blue's Clues" story fitting the season it portrays. This one has added fun of seeing the characters dressed up in costumes. Steve looks particularly funny in bunny ears.

Regarding political correctness, "Blue's Clues" has had plenty of stories in which it refers to holidays by name. Easter is not referred to as Easter in this book because the events do not occur at Easter. Steve, Blue and Periwinkle attend a spring fair, nothing more, nothing less.

My child loves Blue's Clues and this book was in his age frame, but this selection didn't work well for us. The artwrok and story-line were great. The problem was in the length of the book, I'm not sure that there are many pre-schoolers that would sit still long enough to finish this book. I have attempted to read to several children, most of whom could not finish it. I think once my child matures a little more, it will be a better fit though. There is the great opportunity for parents to take the wonderful artwork and put the story in less verbose terms for there kids. In order to make the book enjoyable for my child, that what was necessary for us.

Steven takes Blue and Periwinkle into town where they get to go to a Spring fair. They take part in several activities including making painted leaf prints and an egg hunt. Fun book but It bothers me so much that these kids books have to be so politically correct that they cannot call it an "Easter egg hunt". I mean, at what other time of year do children hunt for eggs?

I have competed and coached on the college level for over a decade now. This is very basic stuff that may help a new coach or first time student. It does not give much insight for an experienced person.

Obergs books have turned me from a shy student with a speech impediment to a National Tournament Orator. Definately a great buy!

While perhaps not an essential book for the general reader, this book is an important resource for the many high school forensics competitors. It includes general information about how to present yourself, as well as specific chapters on each event. There are chapters on debate, student congress, oral interpretation, and public address. Unfortunately, no amount of reading about being a good speaker can make you one, but this book provides a helpful beginning

I just think that this book is an excellent scource for any young debater, interper, orator, extemper, or any other typ of speech you could possibly imagine. I myself have competed and succeeded in many tournaments, and I can honestly say that reading this book has been one of the reasons!

This book provides all the basics to winning forensics competitions. It provides information on nearly every event, excluding CX and LD debate. I found it to be very helpful for constructing winning oratories and extemp speeches. This is a great beginning to winning your events, although most of the winning part is still up to you.

Since the story line has been pretty thoroughly described by the publisher and in other reviews, I'll skip the plot summary.

In my quest to read all the winners of the Malice Domestic awards (for first traditional or "cozy" mysteries) over the years I came across this, the 1999 winner. Frankly, I was disappointed. Although the story was fairly interesting and moved at a satisfying pace, the actions of many of the characters and especially the protagonist, Cassie Ringwald, just didn't ring true. A professional psychologist, for example, would be bound by ethics not to discuss a case with anyone -- much less discuss it as casually as she does in this story. Especially alarming is the fact that the author is a clinical psychologist!

It was also stretching a bit to define this story as a "cozy." Most of the characters -- especially the skinheads -- are not the kind of people readers would be interested in knowing, which defies Martin's own definition of the rules for the contest. The "cozy" mystery usually creates just that atmosphere; this book certainly doesn't. The beginning and end of the book is set in a garbage dump -- rather a far cry from the Vicar's study or the library in a country house!

I found many of the relationships and situations implausible. How could the skinheads possibly think they could get away with kidnapping Cassie? And when kidnapped, Cassie rather took it in stride which seemed odd. Cassie's relationship with Tony is too strange to believe, and saddling Tony's sister with Auntie Liz indefinitely also doesn't seem too realistic either. Further, I don't believe a professional like Cassie would invest much time in discussing the case with the local pizza worker, Todd.

On a positive note, the book was well organized, and the author did a good job of ending each chapter in a way that encourages the reader to keep reading.

I stayed up half the night to finish this fabulous page turner. I loved the characters, even the bad guys. I can't wait to read more about Cassie Ringwald's adventures in Covenant's Child.

This book is freshly written and touches on the topics of racism, sexism, the legal system and corruption at the top. She also adds beautiful and accurate descriptions of the countryside of N. Cal east to Nevada. You can't help but become attached to the main character. Finally, you're left with a dangling question (not that I'm telling)---- will it be answered in her next novel?

Why would a Native American whose ancestors were killed or run off their land join a Neo-Nazi group? Clinical psychologist Cassandra Ringwald has just opened up a practice out of her elderly aunt's home and needs to learn why a her client joined a hate group like the White People's Brigade. She needs to understand the motives in order to help her get acquitted of the pending charges against him. He along with Sally Woods and Verlan Crumm are accused of kidnapping Sally's father and tossing his unconscious body in the city dump.

Homer proves to be a frustrating client as he refuses to be honest with Cassie or his lawyer. The psychologist is initially turned off by Homer's behavior and political ideology filled with hatred. However, she begins to feel sorry for Homer because she realizes he is not a hate-monger. Instead, he is trying to protect someone. In spite of his lack of cooperation, Cassie is determined to help Homer though it places her in danger from people who want the charges to stick.

JACKPOT JUSTICE is the winner of the 1999 St. Martin's Malice Domestic first novel award due, in large part, to the freshness of the story line. The characters are not fully developed and Cassie at times seems juvenile, leaving the audience more interested in the fast moving story line. Marilyn Wooley shows her talent with the intriguing plot, but the audience will expect healthier protagonists in her future books.

Harriet Klausner

As a contestant, I found that reading this book was a great way to familiarize oneself with the rigors of being in a contest, and it also helped me understand what goes into producing a contest (and just how much hard work goes on behind the scenes). Guy's book helped me to do particularly well in the interview portion of my contest. Highly recommended.

All materials here are fine and well but the most important thing to ask is why do these things? Do they prove anything? Why wasn't the question asked and answered in the book about these events serving to promote a sense of DRAG in the gay leather/fetish/bdsm community? The question is always asked but no one answers them. A fair research and a fair update is probably in order -- otherwise this book is useful to line a kitty litter box or a birdcage and nothing more.

This is THE gold standard of titleholder contests - There is no other.
If any contest producer, prospective titleholder or judge wants to know without any doubt what will happen at an ethically-run contest, this is where you can gain wisdom from the best source we've got.
I buy bunches of these every year and donate them to titleholder contestants all over the USA, because the more that folks know what is expected in the best-possible circumstances, the easier it will be to make the contests better each year, until they reach Guy's standards.

The leather contest has sprung up everywhere it seems and the number of title holders is amazing. Baldwin gives us background on the history of and reasons for such contests as well as practical advice for judges, contestants, and hosts. Some of the information is repeated from one section to the next just in case you have one role and are only reading that chapter. But how close is leather to BDSM in these contests? This was the only question I still had by the end of the book. I strongly recommend reading this before you enter, host, judge or even just watch a leather contest.

This book has proven helpful as our organization has strived to improve our non-leather contest as well as for our friends who are now competing in leather contests. I strongly recommend this title for anyone who is involved in any aspect of the contest circuit.

I was very disappointed in this book. It was not as good as her last.

In this, the 2nd of the Eclaire mysteries, Sophie Dunbar continues to leave me in awe of her way with words. Aside from the enjoyable tale of mystery and steamy romance between Claire and her hunky hubby, Dan, Ms. Dunbar's wordsmithing ability leaves me applauding her efforts. Rarely do I read such well-crafted scenes of high indignity and outrage without resorting to profanity.

The story itself is pure camp, whacky, irreverant, sexy and spicy (without being overly graphic). While not set in Claire's hometown of New Orleans, the story nevertheless is entertaining with just the right mix of secondary characters to add flavor but not overwhlem the mystery.

Even though they have been married twice, it is obvious that the couple is still on their honeymoon. So when one of Claire Clairborne's salon clients invites her and her spouse Dan to spend time at a deluxe resort near Biloxi for free, the couple quickly accepts the kind offer. At the same time and place, the Mississippi Gulf Coast Beauty Pageant is being held.

However, they quickly realize that their so-called gratis stay has a high price. The owners, Shelby and Tinker Bell invited the couple because they anticipated problems with the redneck Mafia. The state is about to pass a bill legalizing gambling and the local mob wants to control all the existing resorts that could easily be converted into casinos. They will do anything, including murder, to intimidate the owners of these properties. When murder does occur, Claire and Dan begin to investigate even though their actions leave them in danger.

Although this book is a mystery with the emphasis being on solving the murders, REDNECK RIVIERA has plenty of romantic elements to satisfy the romantic intrigue crowd. The sexual antics of the lead couple turns an ordinary who-done-it into a steamy sizzler. This novel is a fun romp that should provide Sophie Dunbar with much kudos for creating a tale that crosses genre lines while pleasing fans of both.

Harriet Klausner

Sophie Dunbar never disappoints and this send up of the beauty pageant circuit is as funny as all her other books. After being unavailable for so long it was nice to be able to pick up the second installment of the Eclaire books. The characters are genuine and warm, they'll remind you of your best friends. This is an author who really knows how to write believable female characters. Don't miss this series.

You remember Claire and Dan Claiborne in "BEHIND ECLAIRE'S DOORS?" Who could forget them! I think someone compared them to Nick and Nora Charles in the "Thin Man," but, I believe if Nick and Nora were to read the Eclarie series Nora would have a case of vapors and Nick would give us one of his comedic eye rolling, staggering takes.

First time readers will find in the first pages that this is not a typical mystery. Claire and Dan are the ultra perfect southern couple, perfect looks, perfect jobs, perfect sex life, it seems everything around them is perfect, perfect, perfect . . . except those dang, pesky murders that seem to crop up at the most inconvenient times.

When Mrs. Shelby Bell, or Hells Bells as Claire calls her, invites Dan and Claire to the Bell Sands on the shores of the Mississippi, they decide to turn it into a second honeymoon. As we find out, this is one honeymoon they won't forget, since it involves the redneck mafia; a beauty pageant; a contestant who takes her interviewing cues straight out of "Basic Instincts"; a former pageant member bent on revenge and a hurricane named Babe. Dan and Claire already think they are in over their heads, could it get any worse? Of course it can and it does.

I found the mystery aspects in REDNECK RIVIERA interesting. At first when I read the words "Redneck Mafia" I had to laugh, I just didn't know what to expect, maybe a mystery of who killed Bubba with the loaded can of Miller Light, or who stole the concrete brick holding up the abandoned Ford that crushed Melvin while he was napping. I still don't know if they are a real gang, but the author pulls it off, there are enough twists and turns to appease the mystery reader and for those who like the added sexual characteristics to their mysteries, Ms. Dunbar has added plenty of that as well.

I thought the book was really great! I have the whole Stephanie book collection, but this book really stood out. It's not my favorite, but it's a really good book!

I think the book was good because Stephanie is damn hot

Stephanie wants to win the modeling contest,but Amber Armstrong is also going to enter the contest.Stephanie thinks Amber is going to win because she is really pretty.Well I do reccomened it for 4th and 5th graders but it is not all that great.

Admittedly, the main plot of the book, both trite and unrealistic, involves Stephanie Tanner's quest to both usurp the righteousness of the Flamingos and destroy what she believes to be her new rival in the school. However, there is a fantastic subplot involving one of Stephanie's friends pained (for both her and the reader) decision to ultimately terminate an unwanted pregnancy. I found this aspect of the book both powerful and empowering for other young girls who are forced to deal with the stigma that accompanies an abortion.

The book "Strawberry Shortcake and the Crazy Baking Contest"
Is a great book for kids I think little girls would enjoy it the most. This book is about Strawberry Shortcake decides to enter a baking contest with her friends she works very hard and her pie gets ruined by the Purple Pie Man. She gets to the contest and everyone tastes her pie and it makes everyone act silly. I think that this book teaches children to forgive others and how to be friendly to people even if they aren't that friendly to you. I would choose this book for girls ages 5 and up because young kids would not like the length of it and older girls would think it was fun and cute. I think this was a very good book it shows friendship and forgiveness the illustrations were very cute and they just added to the lovely story.

I think that Strawberry Shortcake and the Crazy Baking Contest was about a baking contest that Raspberry Tart, Almond Tea, Huckleberry Pie and Strawberry Shortcake had. They decided that they would enter because it would be fun. Plus there would be prizes for all. So they all go home and start making their pies and when Strawberry is done she leaves it on the window ledge for it to cool off before she takes it to the contest. But when Strawberry Shortcake is away changing the Purple Pie Man came and put silly juice in Strawberry Shortcake's Pie. When she got to the contest the Purple Pie Man couldn't contain himself anymore. I don't want to ruin the ending of this story so I will let you find that out for yourself.
The moral of the story was found at the ending and it was that you should forgive people even though its hard and become friends again. Forgive but don't forget.

I think that Strawberry Shortcake and the Crazy Baking Contest was about a baking contest that Raspberry Tart, Almond Tea, Huckleberry Pie and Strawberry Shortcake had. They decided that they would enter because it would be fun. Plus there would be prizes for all. So they all go home and start making their pies and when Strawberry is done she leaves it on the window ledge for it to cool off before she takes it to the contest. But when Strawberry Shortcake is away changing the Purple Pie Man came and put silly juice in Strawberry Shortcake's Pie. When she got to the contest the Purple Pie Man couldn't contain himself anymore. I don't want to ruin the ending of this story so I will let you find that out for yourself.
The moral of the story was found at the ending and it was that you should forgive people even though its hard and become friends again. Forgive but don't forget.

The book "Strawberry Shortcake and the Crazy Baking Contest" Is a good book for children, especially girls. The illustrations are cute and there is a good moral to the story about forgiveness. In the book there is a baking contest in their village, and Strawberry Shortcake decides to make a strawberry custard pie. When she finishes making it, she places it by the window to cool. As she leaves the room to go change her clothes the Purple Pie Man come and pours silly juice into it. When it gets to the contest, the judges and others start trying the pie and everyone starts being silly. Finally the judges end up giving Strawberry Shortcake a blue ribbon, and declare that everyone that entered is a winner.

I would suggest it to everyone who needs a good laugh and a good read at the same time. I am looking forward to reading his other books!

I thought this book was cute, and well done. It captures the reader within the first couple of paragraphs, and I think that is a must for getting children who dont want to read, like my 13 year old. It matches the thoughts of some children today, and make me wish I were a child again so I could feel like life could be this much fun, even in disappoints. I am impressed that it kept the attention of my 13 year son who hates to read.

I enjoy the silliness of Korman's stories, and this one has lots of silliness. I booktalk this title occasionally to fourth graders who visit my library and they really get a kick out of it. I would recommend this for grade school students looking for a very funny story.

Most of Korman's works, especially those in the MacDonald Hall series, as well as most others focusing on slightly older characters, have the endearing characteristic of being simply written and furiously funny, allowing for appreciation on many levels. Not so with 'Why Did the Underwear Cross the Road', and other attempts to chronicle pre-adolescent life.

Even at their age I found it difficult to identify with any of the characters in such books, and now, several years since, I am still decidedly reluctent to re-read these books, although I routinely re-read such classics as 'Losing Joe's Place' or 'This Can't be Happening at MacDonald Hall'. Do yourself a favor. Buy one of his better books, or if you are in the situation where I was when I read this book, having already read just about all of the rest of Gordon Korman's stuff, find another author. Might I suggest Jules Verne? Very good stuff, and quite timeless I might add.

This is a chapter book about Arthur. He sneaks up on D.W. and copies her song so that he could win a contest. He ends up not sending it in because he feels bad about copying, and D.W. wins! I like Arthur books because they are fun. This one wasn't my favorite because it wasn't as much of a mystery. I recommend this to kids who like the Arthur stories and want to read chapter books. JG

Number 4 of this outstanding series was a blast! I like the idea of the story, how funny it is, and especially exciting. I wish that this story was real life, because I'd love to win a contest like that. Too bad these neat things have to be stories. Either way, you can't miss this one!!!

Arthur and the Crunch Cereal contest to me was quite an enjoyable book. True that it wasn't one of my favorite of the Arthur series but I felt that it shows children to try to do something and your very best in what you do, but sometimes you don't always fulfill your wishes. Arthur "stole" his little sister D.W's song theme but in the end his concious got to him. I believe it showed children to always be honest. They'll have fun reading the book but shall find something as a reference in the future. There is always a moral in these arthur books and I enjoy reading to Children!

This book is about a girl named Betsy. Her mother sends her to summer camp, her mom's goal for her is to lose weight. Besty is shocked. More than anything she wants to be her cabins candidate for the cabins end of summer beauty contest. To do so she must change, and she really does. No one thinks Betsy would go this far to try and change. This camp has a better outcome than her and her mother could of ever imagined!
This book was pretty good. I liked it. I would reccomend it. This book taught me a lesson. Read it for yourself to findout what happens to Betsy.

This is the book to read, regardless of body type/size. Readers will emphasive with the overweight protaganist surrounded by body concious girls at her summer camp. An amusing and realistic point of view, this book will appeal to young readers for sure.

This is an excellent book to give to any pre-adolescent female who is going away to cummer camp. It tells the problems and inner turmoil an overweight girl suffers when she goes away to summer camp for the first time. The story will teach a child about having compassion and sensitivity to others. Girls who may feel awkward and unattractive can identify with the protagonist's plight and begin to understand how often females are judged solely by their appearances hence the named Bathing Ugly instead of Bathing Beauty.