Language Arts Books

This book came highly recommended by two Japanese tutors who have been living and studying in Japan for years. It is a great starter book and from what I understand, there is a series of books that follow for more advanced studying. A must have for anyone interested in learning Japanese.

The CD goes along with the book and gives you different voices on how to say it correctly. Recomend buying it with the book.

Definitely get the Workbook that goes with it! It greatly expands on the course book.

This book is great for people who want to learn by themselves our with a teacher. It has real life situations and easy to learn. I recommend buying the textbook for more practice and the CD.

This book is very good, but there are not many to choose from. This was 3 quraters of classes.

Overall a good book!

The product is in excellent condition, and exactly what I wanted. Unfortunately, I took 27 days to reach me.

Words Their Way is an excellent source for teachers to use for word study. It gives great insight into how kids learn to spell.

The book is outstanding. The materials in the book is easy to read and follow. I use the activities and word sorts in my classroom each day. I have used the spelling inventory with my class, also.
I do have a problem with the CD that came with the book. I wish the word sorts involving words would be big like the picture sorts are. My students have trouble with the small size of squares.

This is a great resource. It gives many examples of how to impliment the program. One thing I really like about Words Their Way is the fact that is hands on. This will really help my students who are more concrete thinkers.

It's been shown that spelling provides a window to one's reading. This book explains the developmental stages children go through K- adult. The database software on one of the CDs that allows one to analyze the spelling inventories and sort the results is very easy to use. Classroom teachers appreciate the data I have been able to give them on their students. The word games and short videos on the 2nd CD are very helpful. The analytical phonics approach is very kid-friendly right up through high school. This is a very thorough resource that every ELA, SpEd, and Title I teacher should use.

I'll be brief. My mom told me about this book years and years ago. I finally read it a few years ago.

Style-wise, I thought it was a bit melodramatic and I thought the author was stretching for words for emotional impact. Thus, I deduct a star for that.

What this guy's been through and what he's accomplished? Five stars isn't enough. I'd give him a million if I could on this site.

His journalistic travels to the middle east, especially his ride up the mountain on the back of a donkey, leaving his wheelchair behind - intense and beautiful.

I look up to John Hockenberry. I have a travel site, Wheel Adventure, and I am a paraplegic in a wheelchair. I think about this guy when I travel alone. If he can do it, I can travel solo as well. And I have and continue to do so.

Glad mom suggested this. One of the best reads ever and I was an English major and have read a slew of books.

I bought this book immediately after a close relative was injured in a car accident. It seemed different than the others (Although some of the others have been a great help in other ways). I know NPR and I had seen Hockenberry on NBC. The book was over the top better than I could have hoped. It is unique because it is written with such a clear voice in language that really grips you and takes you for a ride, it is funny--even laugh out loud funny and I'm a cynical person, it is witty, it has a political edge (which is why he and I would have some loud arguments at the dinner table), and it is not sugar-coated so while you are interested and amused you do get an education about what it's like to be a "crip." The best part is that when it was done, and I read it pretty passionately, I knew for a fact that I probably would not like him as a person, but I do respect him. Interesting take on "crips" for a newbie to that world. Thank you so much for this and I do hope that my dear cousin will be up to reading it one day.

John Hockenberry has a declaration to make, and he does it in an incredibly moving and entertaining manner. I highly recommend this book. It is poignant, very funny, and educational--about Middle Eastern geography and politics and about life from the perspective of those in a wheelchair.

From buying it (i think) 2 days early and reading over a very nice summer weekend in june 1995, i knew this book was - just- different. Amazing use of the language, probably the best crip biography to date (and it's well over a decade now. Based my Honors Thesis in College on what Hockenberry wrote in this book, traveled miles and miles to see his off broadway play, speaking dates across the country, and even got to know myself - and him, better as well, he ain't on nbc anymore, but this still stands as probably one of the must reads in disability studies or crip liberation.

I want to keep my review short because, if you have not read this book, reading my review will take up some of the time in which you could be reading the real book. When "Moving Violations" was first published, I heard a review of it on NPR. John Hockenberry is an NPR alum so I expected the book to be almost as good as the review led me to believe. I ordered it from Amazon and devoured it in almost no time. It was actually better than the radio review had led me to expect. A month later, I got a call from Seattle that delivered horrific news. My 21-year-old son had been in a contest with gravity and gravity had won. Although he had just had 18 hours of surgery, there was no way to know if he would ever walk again. Through the years since that time, I have read "Moving Violations" many times. It initially gave me entrance to a new world and was much more helpful to both my son and I than all the rehab publications combined. I knew, from the moment I answered that phone call that both my son and I had crossed into the Twilight Zone and nothing would ever be the same again. The Twilight Zone, however, had at least one map. My son's journey was, and continues to be, unique (as all such journeys are). I did feel, from the very beginning, that we had a preview of some of the directional signposts and even some of the scenic overlooks. I cannot help but think that our family has been living and learning about this new life in a richer way than would never have been possible if we had not read this book. As soon as my son came home from rehab it became clear that he had lost his will to live. I had a captive audience and started reading "M V" aloud. It is well written and mirrors many of the dilemmas in the life of a young male with spinal cord damage. I think it only took two days for my son to get interested enough that he started reading it himself. This book was truly one of the first things that helped him recover his will to live. Living with a catastrophic spinal cord injury is not even at the bottom of the list of interesting travel sites, and while I cannot believe that anyone would take that path voluntarily, "M V" is proof that, along with the horror, there can be adventure and possibilities in life; possibilities that could be so easily missed. So...READ IT! While spinal cord injury may never be a part of your personal life, sooner or later something awful could be. As the Eagles remind us, "The wolf is always at the door." In whatever guise the wolf presents itself, you will have learned something useful about what to do when or if the wolf appears.

I have taken this book apart and used it in the classroom. I bought it used and didn't receive a CD-ROM with it. My students are able to glean many ideas from it for our school newspaper.

Tim Harrower provides a very practical guide to newspaper design. The art of newspaper design tends to be very subjective, so this book lays down some facts and guidelines to put to rest some of the indecisive elements of design.

For a beginner, this is a book that will give you the confidence and understanding to conquer page layout.

The CD gives the novice an even more practical guide than the book can deliver.

One criticism is that the book is printed on light gloss stock and is spiral bound. I am not sure how it was survive rough treatment.

Brian Hurst

This textbook is awesome. I've never seen a better textbook. It lays everything out, and makes it simple to understand. It tells you what to do and what not to do in simple language and clear pictures. It's one of few textbooks worth keeping for future use in your career (provided you're going into the newspaper industry)!

When I accepted my first "real" job in journalism as a page designer for a local weekly I was struck by a horrifying thought, I really knew nothing about newspaper design. I had done it before for my college paper, sure, but this was the big time. I needed a refresher course and I needed it fast... Tim Harrower and this spiral-bound book came to my rescue.

Although it was first published in 1989, this book will be relevant as long as newspapers exist, even in this age of computer design. Harrower explains and shows why certain designs are good and bad and he approaches it in a situational, problem-solving format. For example, he explains what should be done when you have to design a page with no art, when you have butting headlines, or two horizontal photos etc. Harrower says that most page designers stumble into the job and from this point of view he explains what exactly, a good design is. This book will always be on my desk.

(I wish my publications professor used this instead of the worthless $105 monstrosity he made us buy (and that we never used by the way).)

So, after some mild freaking out followed by a lot of reading, I can start my new job with confidence thanks to this book.

I am an editor these days.
I came on this book quite a few years ago when I was a sub. It was recommended to me by an old hand in the newspaper game.
Without doubt, it is the single best aquisition I have made in terms of newspaper design.
In the places I have worked, I have been regarded extremely highly for my layout skills.
This book, with a little creativity, is the basis of almost everything I do in terms of layout.
If you are serious about the newspaper game, get it, study it and then apply what you learn. It will help our career enormously.

This is just the book I was hoping to find! It has many great ideas for setting up literacy centers for kindergarteners. I shared the book with my kindergarten team, and they all want their own copy of the book.

This is an amazing book! I took it with me on the plane and lost it...so I re-ordered it on-line. I am a kindergarten teacher and use a lot of these ideas for literacy centers. Her ideas are great!

I actually have two copies of this book. I had misplaced my first copy and had to have another one. I use these ideas throughout my kindergarten classroom. It would be even better for first and second grade classrooms. I use the "I Can" lists and management board ideas. This book really helps make centers work. I plan on giving one as a gift any time I have a student teacher. If you can only buy one book, this is the one to buy!

I would recommend Debbie's book to all K-2 teachers! I spent TONS of time making and preparing "centers" during my 1st year of teaching and my students struggled with them. I read Debbie's book and set up my work stations according to her models - not only is it my students' favorite time of the day, but it's mine too! I also spend very little time preparing for work stations as the book explains how to use tasks that are taught during your everyday lessons (this way they easily align with the curriculum)!

I LOVE this book and just can't say enough about it! It has a permanent place on my desk!

I am a first year teacher learning the ropes. I am finding the work stations very easy to implement and am enjoying the "freedom" to achieve reading level testing at week three of the school year and am looking forward to guided reading group time soon.

This book was very enlightening. Straightforward, simple to understand and it answered all my questions as well as giving me lots of new ideas.

THIS BOOK GAVE ME THE IN SITE I NEEDED TO SEE IF I COULD BE CAPABLE OF WRITING A CHILDRENS BOOK

This book lived up to its advertised benefits. It is clearly and concisely written and very encouraging to beginning as well as experienced writers wanting to write in this genre. I highly recommend to anyone desiring guidance to successful children's book writing.

Writing Children's Books for Dummies offers everything you need from start to finish to write your own children's book. Go for it !

As a Publisher of a mid-size children's book publishing company I come across many people who believe they know how to write books for children, but sadly do not know where or how to even begin. My recommendation to them is to read WRITING CHILDREN'S BOOKS FOR DUMMIES. This is the definitive guide for all aspiring writers as well as for established writers who might need a refresher on the latest formats and trends in the market.

Just one read of Peter Miller's book, "Author! Screenwriter!" will broaden your horizen of writing possibilities. Don't just think screenplay, but consider formating that same story idea into a novel as well. And when you consider the odds, 100,000 to 200,000 books published per year, as compared to only some 1,000 stories produced for all of the Network Television, Motion Picture, Cable and DVD industries, Mr. Miller argues an interesting point. With over 30 years experience managing and producing writers, he gives insights into the industry that few others have even touched upon.

Definitely worth any writer's time and money. But regardless of one's writing goals, this book gives that big push every writer needs to encourage perfection and perseverance.

If you're serious about realizing your potential as a writer, this is the book you buy. Having successfully managed hundreds of books, Peter Miller truly is "The Literary Lion", and Author! Screenwriter! has left a huge impact on me as a professional writer.

Need an inside guide on how to write the perfect proposal or understand the delicacies of contracts? He's got you covered. Or maybe you really would like to take a look at some sample inquiries, be inspired by some success stories, have a better understanding of the do's and don'ts in a profession where millions of writers compete for the interest of professionals in the industry. Trust me, if you read this book it will never be far from your hands. Buy Author! Screenwriter! and you'll go back again and again to Mr. Miller's wellspring of experience and insight.

If you're like me, you want to be armed with the truth as a writer, and Peter Miller delivers. Read it, cloak your talent in its wisdom, and move forward. You'll agree that it's more than a book.

It may well be the key to your future.

The book is a must-have for a writer's bookshelf. But a companion DVD is also available with practical and pointed interviews that is well-worth seeking out.

Peter Miller's Author!Screenwriter! is direct and to the point, so I shall be also. This beautifully organized exposition provided me with more insight into the Book and Film industry than I have found in any other source. I could write much more, applauding the great chapters on the mysteries of film deals and the most helpful examples of project proposals in many genres -- but the bottom line is simple Author!Screenwriter! is definitive, the most helpful book on the subject.

I purchased Peter Miller's book at the recommendation of a colleague who knew I was in the process of writing a book proposal. Peter's book and DVD provide the reader/viewer with such clarity and direction. Peter provides wisdom and insights for the experienced and the novice writer in how to maneuver their way through the challenges, obstacles, politics and subtelties of the publishing industry. By the time you are finished reading his book and viewing his DVD you have a very clear picture of what lies ahead - no rose colored glasses, advice for the dedicated writer; you are clearer than you ever imagined you could be about what lies ahead. Buy this book if you are serious about our writing career.

My 5-year old is started Kindergarten in September. This book is set up very similar to the format of his prep school curriculm. Starting with each letter, the book takes you through writing, phonics, and word games. Then once you get past the basics it moves to more challenging reading, math, counting money, and time. As good as Kumon.

I cannot say whether my child loves the book or not. She's a little too young for it. I can say that she was very interested in the layout, graphics and variety of themes presented in the book. She thought it was a "story book" because of all the "pretty pictures". I am planning to homeschool and have looked at a variety of materials that will help my child continue to love learning as she does now. This book is exciting. It's not just fun, but well organized. It has been proven that children learn best when they have a specific interest in the subject. This book is organized in such a way that you can allow your child to focus on a certain subject and have multiple exercises in that category. Many books I've seen simply offer one or two per item then move on. It hardly seems like the child has a chance to master the skill before it's gone. I am eager to begin using this book with my daughter. She doesn't even know that it's a learning book, which is wonderful. Education should be fun, and I believe brainquest is making it that way.

This book takes advantage of the love of so many 4-5 year olds for paper-based activities, like coloring, mazes, circling, and tracing. I suspect most kids around that age will love this book. It is colorful with stickers and fun activities on almost every page. Most of the pages will be easy (confidence-building) for kindergarteners and they will be able to complete a page in 5-10 minutes (or even less). Perfect for their short attention span! A few pages are harder (like, match the amount of money to the coin groupings shown), but most of them ask for things about as difficult as circling what you might wear in the summer.

My biggest caution is that I think this book will be too easy for many 6 year olds, unless they really have had no exposure to the alphabet. Also, homeschoolers should be aware that this book alone will not suffice as a K curriculum; you would definitely need something else as a base. But as a K or Pre-K supplement, I think it's a fine choice.

The Brainquest workbook for kindergarten is aimed at children who are just starting to become familiar with the alphabet and counting. The author is Lisa Trumbauer and the consulting editor is Kimberly Oliver- 2006 National Teacher of the Year.

Unlike some workbooks that don't seem to be organized in any particular order, this book has well defined sections. This is very helpful. They are color coded and arranged as follows:
ABCs, phonics, spelling and vocabulary, 123s, shapes and colors, patterns, sorting and matching, time and money, community, science, and fun and games.

The abc pages are by far the biggest section in the book. There are several pages for each letter of the alphabet, which contain letter mazes, tracing exercises, and simple color by letter designs. The phonics is very basic, with pages asking the student to circle words that begin with the "A" sound, etc. They do include short vowel sounds on phonics pages as well as the long vowels, which are presented first. Spelling is limited to words of three letters or less. The math portions of the book include recognition of numbers up to 12, but children are only asked to count objects up to ten. Science is mainly about the five senses. The fun and games at the back of the book are dot to dot pages and mazes.

This is a colorful workbook that should be appealing to many youngsters. The cover notes that it is appropriate for ages 5-6, but I'd say more for the average 4-5 year old.

Reviewed by: Stephanie Rollins and Parish Rollins (age 4) for ReviewYourBook.com 11/2008
"Fun Way to Learn" 5 stars
Handwriting, matching, phonics, counting change, etc....it is all in this book. The illustrations are bright and bold. The games are fun. This book is great for pre-schoolers who want to get ahead or kindergarteners who want to stay on task.
The material is presented in a fun manner. Your child will be learning, but they will consider it fun! My only complaint is the binding. The book does not want to stay open. Unfortunately, this binding is common for this type of book. Regardless, this is a book that Parish and I recommend.

Very inspiring. It really helped me finish my book, "My Vow of Silence - the roughest 3 minutes of my life"...

Great for writer's block. Read one essay per day and call me in the morning.

[...]

This notable volume of "Chicken Soup" consists of eighty stories within ten chapters to thoroughly inspire and give voice to the value of writing, whether for profit and as a career or for the sheer joy in the outlet of creative expression.

Each true-life story was written by a professional writer within some genre of the field, and I found myself turning the page to find any familiar to me. Regardless of familiarity of name, each story will inspire, even if you have no inclination to write. And if you do write, you will find helpful tips, comradeship and motivation along with the encouragement.

As with all books of the Chicken Soup series, this one can easily be book-marked and read at leisure. I enjoyed every page and every story.

I love the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, and Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul is no exception. What a great idea, to have published authors encourage other writers, by telling their stories.

Did you know that Dr. Seuss's first book, And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, was rejected by twenty-seven publishers?

Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind was turned down by more than twenty-five publishers?

Fifteen publishers and thirty agents turned down John Grisham's first novel, A Time to Kill. His first book has sold over 60 million copies.

I never tire of hearing about Richard Paul Evans, and how he published the bestselling book, the Christmas Box. The book went on to create a phenomenon with grieving parents flocking to the Christmas Angel statue in Salt Lake City.

I love the story about Clive Cussler, who tells us of the power of persistence. He quit his job as a prestigious director for a national advertising agency, to work as a clerk in a dive shop. He wanted to learn all he could about diving, to help with his underwater adventure series. His family struggled, living on his wife's salary as a police dispatcher, plus his $400 a month, but he would not give up on his dream. It took Clive Cussler eleven years before his books were successful.

If you are a writer, or want to be a writer, this book is a must read. I have read it twice. Since discouragement seems to come in the night, I read one or two stories before going to sleep.

Jill Ammon Vanderwood
author: Through the Rug
Through The Rug: Follow That Dog (Through the Rug)
Stowaway: The San Francisco Adventures of Sara, the Pineapple Cat

Sometimes this series seems wussy but this particular book is absolutely great. You get to read about authors during their struggling years and times of doubt, and, it's all across the board in writer types.

Enjoy.

I'm going to admit it. I love the books in the series CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL. I became an addict almost from the beginning. I even remember the first time I read a story in one of the volumes. I was having a terrible day, and all I wanted to do was complain, but no one was listening. It was suggested I sit back, relax, and enjoy a fire roaring in a fireplace. I grabbed the first volume in the series, the only one available at the time, and read a story at random. It was about a little boy battling cancer who dreamed of being a firefighter. I read the first paragraph, figured it was going to be sappy, and if it was too gooey, I'd throw the book in the fireplace as kindling. Well, that's not what happened. The child did not survive, but the local firefighters made his frame come true and as I read, I became emotionally involved in the story, almost feeling as if the kid was my own son. But it did more than just make me realize I was getting a bit to cynical in my not so old age, it reminded me of what writing can do for a reader: make a connection to a person's heart in a way no other medium can. Over the years the books in this series have made me take a few moments to reflect, appreciate life, and see the good that is out there even if we don't always realize it. No, not every story moves me, but I do believe that every story in the series moves at least one reader, and if writers claim to be pouring out their heart and soul on the page, isn't this the point? In some ways I have this series to thank for reminding me of my dream to write something that will be published. As I read many of the stories in this series, it reminded me that we may all have a story to tell, but writers take that story one step further and put it on paper.

Now, while I love the books in the series, I wondered if CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE WRITER'S SOUL would have enough of an edge. I guess I believe books on writing should be challenging in order to be credible. I've read the books on writing theory by people such as Eudora Welty, John Gardiner, Anne Lamott, and Brenda Ueland as well as the "you can write a best selling novel in thirty seconds" type of books. Of course I read the former as an artist, but the latter for research purposes. The main character in my novel in progress is a popular writer so I need to know how popular writers write, right? Right. I wondered if the CHICKEN SOUP volume would have the critical push I need, or whether it would be enjoyable stories without a bite, so I avoided the book. Then I remembered something. Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen are two of publishing's most successful writers/editors, and the first volume was rejected by publishing houses that thought the idea would never succeed. I'm willing to bet they regret rejecting Canfield and Hansen now, but it also reminded me, these two people know the ins and outs of writing and publishing, and they may know what writers need to read.

Obviously I purchased this volume, and I've read it as I do most of the books in this series. I look for a story that interests me and read it. Usually I take something with me. This volume shows the variety of people who take words and put them together in an attempt to find meaning. Some of the writers with stories in this volume include esteemed authors such as Ernest J. Gaines, best selling writers such as Clive Cussler, and writers from the world of entertainment such as Garry Marshall and Art Linkletter. Most of the stories are written by lesser known names that may not have the notoriety but have the same desire to put words to paper.

I'll admit, most of the stories in this book I use in teaching, usually when teaching junior high students about the importance of pursuing dreams or having confidence in one's abilities. Yet as I teach these lessons and remember where the stories come from, I am reminded of my own desire to write, and since that's the purpose of the book., it succeeds.

Don't Murder Your Mystery
Is full of great advice and tips about what not to do and gives a good picture of what you should.
It isn't a step-by-step how to write. But rather what to avoid and how to look at your work from the perspective of the publisher, agent and the all important screening process that you must get through before it reaches the eyes of someone who can say "yes"!
It is well written and easy to read and I am certain that it was money well spent.

I stumbled upon this book when it was recommended to me by a writer friend. What a refreshing and helpful book! It's clearly written and fun to read--and the advice is spot on. If you are pondering which of the many mystery writer's guides out there you should buy--include this one for sure. You won't be sorry. The author also has a similar book that speaks to a more general writing audience ("Don't Sabotage Your Submission")--check that one out if you're not a mystery writer but want solid tips for making your manuscript the best ever.

This is not your usual writing/revising guide. Chris Roerden is an insider (a book editor), and she gives insider information. The best part is the book is not a re-hash of the many writing books available. Be sure to check out her new book DON'T SABOTAGE YOUR SUBMISSIONS. Not only does Chris provide valuable information, but she's one of the nicest people I've met.

DON'T MURDER YOUR MYSTERY is a remarkable book. Not only is it a boon to mystery writers, but also it has excellent examples, techniques and tips for authors of all genres. I plan on gifting this book to friends and all authors who write for Dog-Eared Publications. Nancy Field, Publisher

This book is a terrific primer for first-time or relatively new writers -- and not just writers of mysteries, but all fiction and even non-fiction. The examples of poor choices and better alternatives that Chris Roerden chooses are clear and relevant. My only nit to pick is the negative construction of the book: with some background in teaching, my preference is always to suggest the right thing to do first, rather than to point out what not to do or how not to do something. A valuable addition to the library of anyone who wants to become a better writer, editor, or reviewer.