Sally Field Books

Read this as a child (yes there WERE books back in the 50's) and am now buying it for my teenage granddaughter starting junior high this month. When I was her age it was my FAVORITE book - our entire Girl Scout troup read it!

i did not know there was a book!!!! i wish the movie would come out on dvd! why hasn't it? how can we get this wonderful film to come out on dvd?

robbyn

Sally Benson's stories have been said to be terse, witty, often dipped in vitriol, and were eagerly sought by magazine editors. Most of them have appeared in the New Yorker.

Junior Miss is a story of a typical New York family of the day - Mr. Graves, a genial and successful business man in his early forties; Mrs. Graves, his charming and understanding wife; Lois, the very superior young daughter of sixteen; and in particular, Judy, just under fourteen, a little too eager, a little too fat, stepped on at every turn by her older sister but for all that, as appealing a character as can be found between book covers, vivid, alarming, and sometimes startling. Wonderful reading.

This book was made into a Hollywood movie but the book is better.

One can never truly understand a piece of literature, much less an autobiography, without actually becoming that person. In this case, one may "understand" that Ms. Runyan had a painful and frustrating past, but since we are not that ones that experienced it, we do not truly understand. Being blind takes away from you just as much as it gives. You take on a completely unique perspective on life; you take nothing for granted, and take great pleasure in the small things that make life worth living. Ms. Runyan, you will win a gold medal in the Olympics.

I'm not legally blind, but I could really understand it and identify with the struggles she endured in being different throughout most of her life. The writing style is so engaging and easy to read that it feels almost like conversation. Just when you have a question, the answer appears. Marla's dry wit is refreshing and intelligent. There is no pity party here!

Marla has really struggled in life and sport. She continues to learn and perservere as a person and athlete and that is what makes a champion in life and on the track. I can't wait to see her medal in Athens at the next summer olympics. I'm a better person and athlete after reading her story.

The followup to "Clarissa and The Countryman" and the companion book to the second installment of the BBC television series is as enjoyable as the first. Once again Ms. Wright and Sir Scott provide a very personal glimpse into the tradtional English country way of life. The book carries with it the dry humor and robust love of life that Ms. Wright is known for, along with Sir Scott's prodigious and intimate understanding of the natural cycles of life that only a true countryman can posess.

Unfortunately, as a result of this book and series Ms. Wright and Sir Scott have come under fire (including death threats in Ms. Wright's case) for their stewardship and love of the planet and its ecology by shortsighted, over-zealous, and un-informed so-called "Animal Rights Activists". Some of this is dealt with in the book, and stands in stark contrast to the otherwise light nature of this read.

My hat is off again to these brave authors, and as I said in my review of the previous book --- Hey, BBC!! Throw us Yanks a bone and air this series on BBC America!

In 1803 a young farmer Reubin Field enlisted for a journey headed by Lewis and Clark. Edwards focuses on his experiences, imagining what his voice might have been like and what his experiences would've been on the 2-year plus journey. The result is Judith Edwards' Great Exploration of Lewis & Clark, a first-person, folksy narrative brings history live with facts blended with rich observational insights.

The Kingfisher Book Of Magical Tales is an engaging picturebook of fairy tales written by contemporary authors and selected by Sally Grindley, including "The Witch's Ride" by Jane Yolen and "The Snake Princess" by Jamila Gavin. Flowing, watercolor-style artwork by Susan Field embellishes this captivating and thoroughly recommended anthology of magic, royalty and far-off lands.

This book is full of information, starting with explaining how one learns to read using phonemes. Then it takes you through the third grade and what is expected of older children in regards to reading.

It clearly shows you the difference between a person with dyslexia and one who doesn't. Great Book!

This book is well written, easy to use and has very practical things to do. Good for anyone whose child is struggling to read as it helps you understand how one learns to read.

Dr. Shaywitz explains dyslexia in easy to understand terms. She is able to explain dyslexia in layman terms and describes various reading delays The book lays out treatment plans in a step by step manner that is very helpful for any teacher working with dyslexic children. It is a wonderful guide for parents as well giving them an understanding of the different ways to treat dyslexia.

This book is an excellent resource for both parents and educators. It was recommended to me by a private tutor for students with dyslexia and I found it extremely helpful. The information is provided in a way that is reader friendly and suggestions are given for parents working with their children and teachers working with students. I would definitely recommend this book as a resource!

I wrote a review that I didn't get the book, but I just got it. Great!!!!

While watching the Bejing Olympics a feature was done on Eric Liddell. You know him as the runner who refused to run on Sunday during the 1924 Olympics as portrayed in the movie Chariots of Fire. I am a track fan. I knew a little bit about the story. Sally Magnusson was interviewed on the Olympics program. After Liddell refused to run in the 100 yard race, he won the gold in the 400 meters where he was an underdog. In addition to telling the story about the 1924 Olympics, Magnusson explained that Liddell was the first person born in China to win an Olympic gold medal. Liddell's father was a missionary in China and Eric was born there. All of this is interesting, but I really got interested when Magnusson said that Eric Liddell himself had gone back to China as a missionary and had been interned there by the Japanese during World War II. Now that was something to really get me excited--an Olympic track and a World War internment story all in one. Within three minutes I ordered a copy of the Magnusson-Liddell book from Amazon.
It came in due course (rather quickly actually) and I jumped right on it. The book is interesting, a pleasant and easy read. At first I was a bit disappointed by the depth of discussions relating to the war and the internment. Disappointed that is until I got to the following wonderful description that was far more than I would have expected along this line.

Eric was not always an innocent traveler. ...on his journeys back to Siaochang from seeing the family in Tientsin, he used to carry contraband money. The Japanese had abolished Chinese money and had brought in their own paper currency which everyone was obliged to use. If you were caught with the old money, you could be shot. But the Japanese were not in control of the country areas, and at Sioachang the hospital, school and pastoral staff were all paid in the old currency. So this money had to be smuggle in from the city through the Japanese lines. [page 122]

Just as the above description was an unexpected bonus, there were a few short discussions about a canteen in the internment camp and exchange rates which were good but not a surprise.

After the first six weeks the authorities opened a canteen where a very limited stock was on sale. there we could occasionally purchase peanuts, peanut oil, eggs, candy, honey, fruit in season, toothpaste, shoe polish, Chinese shotes and clogs, and a variety of othr things. The work of he canteen was done by our own people. [page 150]

...sixteen packets of American cigarettes arrived once in the parcel each person received from the red Cross. [page 154]. The cigraettes created a dilema for the missionaries who were morally opposed to smoking, but desparate for other commodities that could be traded for the cigarettes.

Liddell served an organization known as the China Inland Mission. Most interestingly the mission published a magazine called China's Millions. Certainly this must be a good source for research. A few exerpts are included in the book and a subset of these are of interest to numismatists.

One of the serious difficulties...is the continuiing and uncontrolled soaring of prices of all necessities, and the situation is aggreavated by the Chinese having `pegged' ghe exchange for sterling at 80 dollars to the pound. A more just exchange would probably be ten imes as much... Recent letters state that in Chunking a suit of clothes costs 60 to 70 pounds, a pair of socks 5 pounds, potatoes 1/2 a pound. wages of servants are no so fantastically hight to make it virtually impossible to employ any.
Through the kind offices of the minister of finance it has been arranged that money sent oout for missions and for philanthropic purposes shall receive a bonus of fifty per cent on the exchange...fut this is rather nullified by the still higher rise in prices.
Of course I am expected to find some errors in the book. I did not find any of fact, but I did find one humorous production. The following sentence appears on page 161: After several round the competitors were fairly well separated, except for the first two who were running within ten years of each other. Of course they were separated by space not time, e.g. ten yards. This is the kind of mistake that is more common in the age of word processors and spelling checkers than in the old days of typesetters and proof readers. Obviously this is not a bad mistake. Indeed, I found it entertaining although if I were the author or publisher, I would not be happy about it.
I recommend this book for most readers.

If you enjoyed the Oscar winning movie Chariots of Fire, you will probably also enjoy this biography of Eric Liddell, the Scottish sprinter whose refusal to run on a Sunday - even in the Olympics - drew headlines. More than just a successful athlete (who did win the Olympic gold medal in the 400 meters in world record time), Liddell was a man of strong character and religious convictions. His selfless actions were a constant source of inspiration to others. This book is neither boring nor long and can be read with pleasure.

Eric Liddell is the "Flying Scotsman". This nick name comes from the name given to the fast steam train which did the Edinburgh to London route. Eric was fast too - a fast 100 and 400 metres track runner. His exploits at the 1924 Olympics are sketched out in the classic film "Chariots of Fire".

This is one of the few books I've read through more than once. But you don't really get to know, even in this well written book, the real driving force behind Eric Liddell; though the book makes you aware of it by emphasising its enigma. Really, the truth is, that he knew how to dwell in the secret place of the Most High (see Psalm 91).

Sally Magnusson is, or was, a TV personality in Britain. I can always remember thinking every time she came on the screen: "What a beautiful soul". Whatever Sally's sympathies with Christianity might be, it is interesting that time and time again, she reflects on this self same quality of Eric Liddel: the beauty of his soul. She weaves this theme into the comprehensive and intimate account of his life.

Now, it may be true that many loved this man because he excelled in sport (running and rugby), but there is equally no doubt that those who met him were inspired by this other worldly quality which so impressed.

Though I myself was born long after he died, I remember an incident which emphasises this point. I had to go down to Tiverton, in Devon, about 20 years ago, and there was no reply at the house I was to call on. The next-door neighbour came out and told me that they were all away.

Thinking that this was a wasted journey didn't stop me from talking to the man and it transpired that he had been in China when Eric was there, and had known him personally. He began to speak of Eric with almost an awe, and described this very aspect of his character that Sally had found unable to overlook.

Sadly, this gentleman had concluded that Eric was virtually the only Christian that had ever lived, and wasn't interested in the gospel that Eric had so loved. Ironic isn't it? when Christians don't live up to their profession people find excuse for not believing; and when people go beyond all expectation of what holiness can be had down here, they also draw back! Still, I sent him Sally's book and another one that was out at the time, and I am sure he would have read them with great pleasure just as I have.

Many of our sports-crazed world would do well to study and emulate this great man.

From the classic Chariots of Fire movie, I wanted to see how Hollywood handled this accurately. From Magusson's research, certainly one can see from actual photos that Liddell was not as thin or attractive as Ian Charleston. Also to my great disappointment, Jason, the American sprinter, never gave Liddell the Scripture verse right before the race.

Interesting sidelight to this is that in 1988 Olympics all but 2 of 19 Israeli athletes refused to compete on the Yom Kippur celebrative day.

This is wonderful read. Do not know how this relates to other works on Liddell as I'm just discovering them to find out.

This book portrays the details of this celebrity's daily life through his journals, letters, personal interviews, and the writings of those who knew him. They describe a faithful man of God who didn't prize religiosity or overly pious appearances. Instead, he modeled Jesus' character of love and kindness with his own humor, wit, and laid-back nature. Great book for all who wish to see how the Christian life is lived out amidst the daily grind.

I'm always amazed when I finish reading Alice's Adventures in Wonderland how I feel like I just read the transcript of a dream.

Everything is nonsensical, yet it makes sense; it is all completely fantastical, yet it is told so matter-of-fact that you simply must believe that Alice's adventures were nothing less than fact; the characters are so unbelievable, yet they always seem like old friends. The word structure and usage even reads, and in some cases looks, like a dream. You may not always understand why something happens the way it does to poor Alice, but like the unlikely heroine herself, you simply accept it and move on to the next adventure.

Review of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland"


"Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll is a classic fantasy that is wonderful for Middle School students who love to read.

This fascinating book is about an adventurous and curious girl named Alice who follows a "White Rabbit" and mistakenly falls into a long, long hole. When she lands she is in an amazing new land called Wonderland. Wonderland is a world of crazy ideas and unfamiliar rhymes. Alice meets many new characters such as, The Mad Hatter, The Dormouse, The March Hare, The Queen of Hearts, a Duchess, a Gryphon, a footman that is actually a fish, and The Cheshire Cat, as she tries new adventures to get herself back home. She doesn't just meet these characters she also battles with them in a court case which is bizarrely unfair , she plays crochet, and even continually shrinks and grows herself. She gets herself tied up in odd situations but her curiosity carries her onward. In the end Alice discovers something truly amazing!

"Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" is a great book for children who love to be urged onward by amazing and fascinating descriptive word choices and crazy creatures. This book is not very difficult but is not easy either. It may seem like a childish book but it really keeps your mind going and thinking about what will happen next. I recommend "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" to anyone. So next time you are at the library or your local bookstore pick up a copy and check it out. Everyone will enjoy Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland"!

My first impressions of this book were that it was like reading C.S. Lewis on cheap drugs. The events are complete non sequiturs and the changes in plot are worse.

It appears to be a spoiled child wandering in a world she does not understand, nor is willing to learn about - unlike Lucy in The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe who seeks to understand the local customs and circumstances.

The book is very easy to read but it leaves distaste in my literary mouth. I know it is considered a classic but I just do not see it, and if I did not have to read it for school I would not have bothered to finish it.

(First written as Journal Reading Notes in 1999.)

The book was great reading-it contained the entire story. The pictures were accurate representations of what was described by the author. The hard cover and the ribboned book mark make the book a great buy that will last for a very long time. Amazon sent it to my address on the day that they promised to, they also let me know when it was on its way and when it was delivered.

Alice, abandoned wife of a philanderer, spends endless hot, humid days New Orleans pondering the whereabouts of her no-good husband, Marshall. Though rumored to be dead, her instincts fuel a bleak search for her husband.
Descriptions of sex.

Sally Savic has one of the most lyrical, comic voices in American literature. Her portrait of New Orleans is graceful, moving and funny. Read it now. Her son is lucky to know her Mom is a genius. She graced my life with her beautiful gifts for a short while. Can't wait for her next book, you will, too.

Well, considering the fact that my mom wrote this book, i found this book to be the greatest book in the world! so buy it! buy it now! my mom is a genius! praise her as if she were your god! -her son.

this book has been a great insipiration for my decision to get fit.. I read it avidely and now that I finished I have a better idea of how to actually get myself trained for a triathlon, but really It helped me to change my point of view regarding my ability to excersise... Great book Sally!

This book was a bit dissapointing and hard to follow. The writing style was straining and I felt it was a big advertisement for Danskin. I'm a newcomer to triathlons but have extensive competitive athletic experience and as much as I tried to appreciate the advice, I felt bound and gagged by repeated Danskin references.

Even as a beginner, I found it too simple for what it claims to be, and not well written enough to hold it high on a virtue other than information given.

I am a beginner triathlete in every sense of the word. Although I have swam biked and ran before I had never done any competitively until my first Danskin triathlon. I bought this book after that and have gotten some really great tips and realized a lot of the things I was doing wrong. Great How to's on all three sports as well as nutrition, training and gear. I love it!!

I was not impressed. Even as a newcomer to triathlons, the book helped very little. It had some motivation, but there are far better books for that out there, and very little useful training advice.
My definate advice is not to get this book--- I still regret spending my money on this one.