Children's Series Books Books

Shakespeare this is not, but a book for girls between 9 to 12. My daughter Rena is 12 years old. My younger daughter Sarah is 10 years old. They both loved it. I heard the author talked about this book on the radio and wanted to get my girls something they can read with a positive message. The bible it is not (thank God), but it has strong themes on faith and prayer that are demonstrated in a way preteens can understand. The main character is Lucy, a girl who wants to fit into a new school. Like girls who are 12 years old, she's worried about her looks and making friends. My girls loved it because Lucy's real enough, but the situation she gets into are magical. That's why this is a good children's fiction book. I would give it a higher rating if there were more books in this series.

It's been almost an year since September 11. So many books have now been written about it. I bought this book since it was the first fiction book written and published about the September 11 tragedy. It captures everything in such detail, bringing me back to those horrible moments. Although I don't really like to dwell in the past, this is one event that I'd like to remember. From such a terrible tragedy came some of the most faith and pride-building works by ordinary people. Lucy and the Liberty Quilt, written and published just a month after September 11 by first-time fiction writer Victoria London, is one of those works.

Having been through a year of loss myself, I wanted to retreat back into the days when I was a young girl. So I read a lot of classic books reminding me of those days such as A Secret Garden, Little Women, and Nancy Drew. I picked up Lucy and the Liberty Quilt, as well, and read this book from cover to cover in one sitting.

The intertwining of fantasy, fiction, and faith in this book combined with elements of growing up in today's times is very good. I especially liked how September 11 became a natural part of this book. Published a month after September 11, the fictional retelling of the event made it so real, I was brought back to that day. I congratulate this new author for being the first children's fiction book author to realize how significant and historical it is to incorporate September 11 into a book for children. The inspirational message in this book helped me see how important it is to take positive action and move forward.

I know this book has slowly made its way to classrooms across the U.S. and some readers who have read the book have actually started making their own September 11 memorabilias. I share the sentiment with one of the reviewers here that this book will become a classroom and childhood classic.

It has been some time since 9/11. Now I hear the media is going to make movies and television shows base on 9/11. I've lost a friend at the World Trade Center, and it still hurts. Prayer has hurt me through, and reading some good books. Lucy and the Liberty Quilt is one book I read with my niece at the time. She seemed to be drawn into the story as much as I did. The discussion sheet found on the site was helpful, too, despite what opinion you have on 9/11. I highly recommend this book, not just for its sensitive portrayal of 9/11, but for its inspiring story. I'm not surprised The School Mental Health Alliance recommended this twice for school curriculum.

It's been a while since September 11, and many would like to put it behind. But we're constantly reminded of it when we go through security checks at the airport and watch the news. Lucy and the Liberty Quilt takes place at the time of September 11, detailing the event from a 12 year old's point of view. At a time of crisis and chaos when grown ups are reduced to a state of shock and helplessness, Lucy and her family find hope and safety through prayer. Although she is just a 12 year old, Lucy is empowered by the discovery she has a role to play as one of the Gifted Girls. Through imagination and through symbolism, Lucy's self-esteem and confidence is strengthen so that she can be propel into action and not let fear control her. Though some may not get the subtlety of this smart series, Lucy and the other Gifted Girls books are deeper than other books for girls, but has adventure and enough issues like friendship and growing up that would keep the interest of any girl up to age 13 or 14. Other recommended books is the Emily Cobbs Collection.

I liked this book because soccer is my favorite sport after basketball. Also the character in this story is Whisper and theres a girl in my grade with that name. Whisper plays socbowl in the story. I think thats a funny name. This was a very good book!

Wandering through the library, searching to find an interesting book, one caught my eye. It was the, The Million Dollar Kick. The book starts out in Oklahoma City. Whisper is an ordinary kid who is haunted by a mental picture of a soccer game. One afternoon Whisper took her little sister, who is an athlete, to the mall. Where her sister enters her in a contest. Where if you win you get the chance to win a million dollars by kicking a soccer ball past a famous soccer goalie. She wins, but now she has to learn how to kick a soccer ball. She thought she was toast until Ellie decided to coach her. I thought it was a great book full of action, surprise, and pure interest.

wisper nelson who lives in oklahoma she goes to the donut shop with her little siter and they see a thing that says Come Up With A Good Slogen and if they win then that person gets 1 shot to kick a soccer ball in to the goal if they mis they get a year supply of donuts if they get it in they win a million dollars but it ant that easy you need to kick it past carmen applegate the pro goal keeper. wisper wins and she doesnt want to do it but she still does it, she gets help bye this nice 11th grade soccer player when she got enough help she was going to do the kick in a day then for some rreason carmen applegate got hert so she couldnt play so wisper teacher was the goalie but wisper kicked it in she was really really really happy

The Million Dollar Kick is a great book. It is so suspenseful. You never know what she is going to do. The main character hates being the star but her sister loves it. My mom, my six year old sister and I all liked it. It is such a good book.

Genre: Fiction
Three sentence summary: In this book Whisper Nelson is chosen to kick a ball past a professional soccer player and if she makes it, she is awarded $1,000,000. There's just a little problem: she is not athletic. She has not played a sport since she was eight.

What I liked most about the book: The thing I like about this book is that Whisper has a chance to win $1,000,000.

What I didn't like and why: The only thing that I didnt like about the book was that it was about soccer and I do not like soccer very much.

My favorite character and why: Whisper Nelson because she wasn't very athletic but she still tried. (why wouldn't you if you made the goal you can win $1,000,000.)

The scene, line, or passage that meant something to me and why (page#): Well it was probably when she was getting ready to kick the goal. It's exciting to kick a ball and if you score you win $1,000,000 dollars.

What I would say about this book to someone else: That it's nice that the characters are realistic and the author Dan Gutman discribed the setting very well.

One question i have after reading this book: I wonder if the soccer player became good friends with Whisper Nelson.

My strongest reason for recommending this book: Well if you like sports you would be very interested.

"Miranda and Starlight" is the first in a series of six books featuring Miranda and Starlight. In this exciting adventure, for young readers, Janet Murihead Hill has captured something of the young reader's insecurity, fear, and pride. Miranda and Chris find it difficult to communicate openly with their parents.

Miranda desperately wants a horse. Chris needs to learn to ride his. Intricate plot twists bring them together in a complicated web of lies, and deceit. Through the events that unfold Miranda and Chris learn lessons in the importance of honesty, responsibility, courage, and trust.

Hill's writing is powerful and inspiring. Illustrations by Pat Lehmkuhl bring another important dimension to the story. Her pen and ink drawings are strong as they create and identify the settings and the characters in the story. She also has the amazing ability to depict the emotions the characters are feeling through facial expressions and body language.

This is a story for the young reader as well as an excellent read aloud story for delightful, cherished family nights at home.

MIRANDA AND STARLIGHT SERIES OF SIX BOOKS BY JANET MUIRHEAD HILL, ILLUSTRATED BY PAT LEHMKUHL is an absolutely delightful new horse book series. Written for upper elementary and young teens, the books will fascinate adults as well. I couldn't put them down! Ten year old Miranda, the orphaned product of a broken home, vanished father and wild mother, lives with her grandparents on their farm. She loves horses and dreams of owning one, but believes it could never be possible. The first book introduces the beautiful horse of her dreams and how she becomes attached to it through lying and mischief, for which she gets into trouble. Being the new girl in her classroom, she is shunned by the "in crowd" and develops a troubled friendship with the lonely Laurie, a mulatto who feels like a misfit, and Chris, the "fat boy" in the class. Their escapades and trials capture your mind and heart. Every young person will adore this series!

Reviewed by April Sullivan for Reader Views (5/06)
"Miranda and Starlight" is the first book in a series of six called the Starlight Series that features a 10 year old girl and her horse. Miranda Stevens is a sweet, but feisty young girl who is living with her grandparents in Montana while her single mother in Los Angeles is trying to make it as an actress. Embarrassed by her untraditional upbringing, Miranda finds it hard to make friends. She is shunned by the "Magnificent Four" as she calls the close-knit pack of girls in her class. And she is constantly tormented by bully Chris Bergman.

If Miranda could have three wishes, they would be for a friend, a real family, and a horse of her very own. On the first day of fifth grade, at least one of those wishes comes true when she meets the new girl, Laurie Langley. She also meets the horse of her dreams that day when bully Chris dares her to ride a horse they see in the pasture next to the school. Miranda, gets in trouble, but falls in love with the black horse she names Starlight for the white star on his forelock.

This fast-paced adventure is great for young readers being introduced to chapter books. A few interspersed illustrations help young minds form an impression of the events being described. And the fact that this is a series leaves the reader wanting to know more and encourages them to pick up the next book.

This story brought back memories of myself as a young girl with a horse. The author accurately describes the responsibility and love needed to care for a horse. She not only portrays the fun of riding, but the hard work of cleaning stalls and grooming the horses.

I look forward to the rest of the series to find out how Miranda's relationship evolves not only with the horse, but all of the other people in her life. Since she has started to help Chris with riding lessons, they seem to be becoming friends. She learns the price she pays when lying to adults, especially her grandparents. And the most difficult relationship of all is with her mother, who wants her to come live with her in California, at the same time that Miranda is finally getting some of her wishes to come true in Montana.

This is more than a mere horse story. It is a journey of courage and consequences for younger juvenile readers. My own children will read this story.

From a reviewer's viewpoint, and as a person who enjoys reading, this is a wonderful story for young readers.

My opinion on this story is much different than the critic in Massachusetts gave. I felt drawn into the story and was impressed with the perspective shown. This is a story that shows what can happen when children lie and also how to tell the truth. I believe there are a lot more parents out there who are like the boy's parents than most would like to believe. Hopefully there are more out there who are like Miranda's Grandparents who show love and understanding when dealing with Miranda's situations. I enjoyed this book even though I'm an adult. I would reccommend this book to any child who can read. It may show them reading is fun when the story is fascinating like this one.

No Talking by Andrew Clements is a great book set in fifth grade where the students have challenged each other to a contest...boys versus girls. The rules of the contest are simple but can be very hard to follow. Students may talk at school only when an adult asks them a question, but then they can only answer using three words at a time. Students can not speak at home, on the playground, or in the lunchroom. The students keep track of their words and use the honor system to report them. When the principal demands that the contest must end, the students join together to silently face a new opponent in the competition. Clements does an excellent job of showing the voice of these students through their dialogues with one another. Their personalities shine through the pages.

Teachers will love the ideas and discussions that stem from this book. The book sparks conversations about peaceful ways to settle arguments like Mahatma Gandhi did in India. The teachers in the book complete many activities that allow students to follow the contest rules and still learn. One my favorites includes creating a story as a whole class where all students add to the story using only three words at a time. Students will love completing lessons that follow these from the book. It may even inspire a contest.

"No Talking" is a realistic and entertaining book that describes a competition between the boys and girls at Laketon Elementary. Each team tries to go untill the end of the week without talking. Commotion occurs as a result of the silence. The teachers and the principle are getting annoyed by the constant silence to they decide to take action on the nonsense. Does the teachers stop the competition or do the children pull them into the fun? Read to find out!

Working in a public school, I am around children every day. Here are two facts that I feel I can state from experience:

1. Kids like to talk

2. There is nothing that gets the youngsters going like boys vs. girls competition

In No Talking, Andrew Clements manages to merge both of these eternal truisms.

At Laketon Elementary, the 5th grade class has a reputation for embracing the spoken word - so much so that they earned the nickname "The Unshushables" from teachers. On top of all this noisiness, the boys can't stand the girls and the girls aren't all that keen on the boys.

One day Dave Packer attempts something that surely has never been done by anyone in his fifth grade class - to make it through the school day without saying a word. He fails, but his experiment leads to a challenge between the boys and the girls: Two days of school. Whichever group talks the least wins.

This book has all kinds of classroom implications, and the rivalry between boys and girls will immediately draw kids in. No Talking is an entertaining story and a quality fiction selection

No Talking is a good book about girls versus boys war with no talking. The war started when a boy did his report on India and he heard about this man who tried not talking to clear his head. This book has a good moral and teaches kids a good lesson. I would say third - 5th grade should read this.

This book, "No Talking", was pretty good, though when you read the breif explanation of the plot on the back of the book, it sounds better than it really is. It is also a short book, and I finished it in about 30 minutes despite its catagory: "chapter book". I thought it had a fairly nice plot, and it did teach a lot, but it also wasn't as funny or as great as it sounded. As I said, it was short with an alright plot.

I loved the humor it did have, though, and I thought the ending was interesting and heart-warming. You also had to love some parts with the only three-word answers the kids gave the teachers' answers. However, I thought the beginning was written in a confusing way. Also, there were so many characters, I woke up the morning after I finished the book and couldn't even remember half the names.

FOR PARENTS: (Scale from 1 to 10, 10 being the highest/worse)
bad language - 0 there was no bad language
sexual content - 1
1. one example of sexual content was that a girl kissed a guy on the cheek
violence - 0 there was no violence
adult content - 2
1. one example of adult content was that the main character, Dave is yelled at by the principal and he yells back, which shows rebellion.
2. another example of adult content was that the book is based on what Dave read in a book on India about the well-known Muslim, Gandhi, and Dave seems to think Gandhi is very wise in not talking, which may come off offensive or confusing.

Overall this was an okay book.

Hachette Book Group USA has put out another book that I fell in love with. (The first set of books from Hachette that caught my attention were those by Stephenie Meyer. I was thrilled to learn that Twilight is being made into a movie set to open on December 12, 2008!) This latest book, Say You're One of Them by Uwem Akpan, was a more difficult read, though a call to action that is timely and necessary. The book is a collection of 5 short stories by Akpan, a Jesuit priest originally from Nigeria who is now living and teaching in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Akpan's is certainly not the first set of stories to chronicle the trouble life of people across Africa. What is unique about the collection is that it is told entirely from the perspective of children. Because of their resiliency, children are able to see the light and dark, simultaneously, in many situations where adults see only one aspect or the other. Children are on a quest for joy, for resolution, and most certainly for peace. As Frank McCourt said in the trilogy of books about his own life, children keep moving forward because it's the only thing they know how to do. Akpan's characters embrace that philosophy and take us along with them for the journey.

To be sure, the circumstances are horrifying - tribal wars, destruction, rape, poverty, starvation. I sometimes had to put the book down because each page is so densely packed with raw emotion and brutally honest storytelling. There is no sugar-coating here. What kept me coming back and reading late into the night was Akpan's intensely visual story telling that has us bear witness to what's happening in countries all across Africa. We are unable to turn away as we make our way through the book and we feel compelled, even obligated, to do something, to say something, to change something. Through literature, he found his voice while also giving a voice to those who are unable to speak for themselves.

Say You're One of Them was recently reviewed in USA Today. And today, there is a front page article in USA Today on Americans who are finding purpose in Africa.

Fantastic collection of short stories about the horendous conditions in Africa. The author tells the stories so the readers know the characters deeply. Humility and humor, something not easy to portray among the horrible conditions, is evident in each story. All the stories are about children and how they handle life, and how they deal with not so nice situations. This book is a good read and I highly reccomend it

The cover photo of Uwem Akpan's brilliant collection of stories is of an African girl running down a dirt road, ostensibly from any number of the evils African children confront within the book's covers. Her dress looks remarkably like what an orphaned girl was wearing in a rural Kenyan village I visited several months ago, so perhaps the characters in these exceptional portraits are all the more real to me as a result. Whatever the reason, through his child's view narration of poverty, trafficking, genocide, and other horrors of modern Africa, the characters in these stories haunt me for days, especially the two Nigerian children in "Fattening for Gabon."

All of these stories have political and moral implications, but Akpan leaves those to the reader, focusing instead on the interaction of the characters with their circumstances. Read this book to understand, in some small part, the resilience of people throughout the African continent in the face of unspeakable tragedy and personal suffering. These are, quite simply, the most extraordinary stories I have ever read.

Stories of abused and battered children in Africa are legion, but few cut as close to the bone as this collection by Uwem Akpan. His five tales, two of which are novella length, are told with the uninhibited, truth-filled voices of the children involved. Each one takes place in a different country but the theme is universal: the biggest challenge faced by children in Africa is staying alive.

Akpan, a Jesuit priest with an MFA in creative writing from the University of Michigan, piles on details available only to one intimately familiar with the lives described. Be forewarned: some of those details are gruesome to the point of causing distress, which I am sure was his intent. The imagery can range from the droll, like the description of the motorbike loaded with five people, various fruits and vegetables, a rooster and five rolls of toilet paper in "Fattening for Gabon," to the most horrific sight a child can see, a parental bloodbath, in "My Parents' Bedroom." This story ends the book and is the source of the title "Say you're one of them," the command given by a desperate Rwandan Tutsi mother to her Hutu-fathered child as machete-wielding killers approach.

Various dialects are used masterfully to both reveal characters and set scenes. The jargon, slang, and foreign phrases may be off-putting to some readers, but little meaning is lost when the dialogue is read in full context. Quite frankly, the only time many readers can bear to imagine events like those in the book is when they take place on foreign shores. We can be sickened and outraged by horrors on another continent; the same happenings across the street from where we live would paralyze us with fright. Fortunately, Akpan's familiarity with African poetry infuses much of the writing, giving the book a lyrical tone that keeps the more violent passages from slipping into slasher-movie territory.

As a person who has photographed and written about Africa extensively, I must confess I was not shocked by Akpan's stories. Unfortunately, tales like them are all too familiar to me. I was deeply moved by his dramatic intensity, however, and highly appreciative of his ability to put the reader inside the children's lives.

Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds: A Novel of Scandal, Love and Death in the Congo

This book consists of short stories that describe realistic scenarios of African lives the average American won't see watching network news. Akpan manages to creatively detail interpersonal dynamics with simple adjectives and each story ends so abruptly,leaving you imagining how the next passage would begin. Each story is narrated through the simple, honest eyes of a child and Akpan achieves this so brilliantly by removing judgement. Definite good read.

This book contains the quote, "Don't be saddish, have a radish" that many people seem to quote without being able to cite where it came from!

I used to own this book as a child and I loved it, but having moved several times, its disappeared. I would love a copy of it so that I can share it with my son. I remember it being called A Special Swap though over here (UK) Please reprint this book. its a real treasure.

I'm not sure how I got my copy of this book, but it has always been one of my favorites. I have had it since I was a little girl, and I was trying to get hold of a copy to give as a present to my niece, and also one to keep for when I have my own children. I suppose the fact that I am going to have to make do with the tatty old copy I have makes it all the more precious, and I'll be sure to keep it safe! I think its a lovely story and one all children should have the opportunity to read.

I, too, first heard this book read on Capt. Kangaroo. I often checked it out of the library to read to my two young children. My father would push them in their strollers. He walked along when they learned to ride bikes and roller skate. Now at 76 years old, he is suffering from Parkinson's and has to be pushed in a wheelchair. My grandson, his great-grandson, loves to help push him. I want to get a copy of this book to read to my father and give to my grandson as a special memory.

This was one of my favorite books when I was a little girl. My mom and I used to go to the library just to get it and I always knew exactly where it was in the library. I don't know why we never just bought it. I guess being a library book made it more special. Recently (about 20 years later) I thought I'd surprise my mom with a used copy. First I couldn't find a copy and now I see this book is going for [$$$] I think we should be ashamed of ourselves for exploiting a beautiful children's story, ironically written about love and generosity, and turning it into what everything else seems to have become, an empty, profit-driven shame. I'd reccomend this book very highly anytime-- at a reasonable price.

This book is a fantastic resource for activities on right-brained learning. Vitale's format is very easy to follow. The lessons are practical and easy to use. I have used this book in my classroom and have found that the lessons engage students and help them to understand difficult concepts.

I read this book twelve years ago. As a homeschool mom it helped me understand the ways I needed to work with my child. Now, as he approaches graduation...he is a musician and speaks two languages fluently. I will never forget the day this book fell into my hands!

This book gives a basic description of a right brained visual learning style and some very easy to implement strategies for helping right brained learners.

about brain mysteries and learning. Her book helps to make a dent in that pathway of mystery. She gives practical advice as well as personal stories to support her point of view. This is a must have for any teacher.

Then I read this book and applied a few of the very simple exercises into his everyday routine. Last year he received his MFA in photography and experimental animated film from the California Institute of the Arts. He now has a job at USC and is excited that one of the benefits it offers is free classes. He wants to pursue a degree in Civil Engineering! Most importantly he is happy and proud of himself, with good reason.

This book saved his life!

THE WORLD OF THE MICROSCOPE had good information to help my daughter with her science project. The book arrived in less than 4 days.

I bought this and gave it as a gift with a microscope and prepared slides to a 9 year old boy. He loved the microscope and slides, and the book was a nice accompaniment that he could use for reference. The book wasn't used for very long though once he got to using the microscope.

The item arrived in condition as described and it got to me fast

While looking to educate my adopted Chinese son ... only in this country for two years, I noticed his interest in life sciences and chemestry. So, we bought him his first Microscope for this Christmas and were trying to figure out how we can teach him the many things/uses we had forgotten in 42 years since my school days. Well ..... this book is the perfect answer. Not only does it explain the microscope, but it gives great experiments and things to build from household items as tools to carry my son further than I could. The writting will be a little dense per page for his understanding, but any good parent that will use this to help their child will be able to take that child to high knowledge and functionality in the microscope realm.

Wonderful for my 10-yr-old niece's first experience with a microscope. Good pictures, colorful, understandable instructions, useful information. Probably good for any beginner, any age.

This remains my favourite Sweet Dreams book of all time and that's saying a lot as I own 250 books of the series! I'm a sucker for the cliché romantic formula of hate at first sight, even more when it's partnered with the `girl and boy pretend to be a couple' formula. This plot is by no means original but it's a refreshing, fun and witty read. Darby and Bruce meet when their cars collide into each other's and shortly realize it's a small world after all when Darby's cousin sets her up on a blind date later that day with none other than Bruce himself. Accusations of being a `Neanderthal' and a lousy driver are flung back and forth until Darby has to enlist Bruce's help in an attempt to get rid of the unwanted attention from another student.

The characters are endearing without being obnoxious and their run-ins with each other are hilarious. I owned this book when I was a teenager and lost it when I loaned it to a friend. It took another 10 years to track it down through ebay just as I was about ready to buy another copy of it somewhere else for $50!!! I've read this book many times, even now as a 30-year old and I always finish it with a smile on my face.

I read this book when I was in my early teens. It brought me such emense joy, that when asked my favorite book, it always springs to mind. When it is not kosher for a 20-something woman to admit that she still loves a teen romance novel, I do. It always brings back wonderful memories, and it makes me happy just to remember the characters. Bruce and Darby are as much of my teenage years as algebra and history. So, if you are fortunate enough to read this book, savor it.

This one of the best books I've EVER read. I just wish I had my own copy ! It's very funny and romantic but not only that.. The characters and storylines are so well constructed that you feel like you know them. An excellent re-readable book

I read "Wrong Way Romance" many times when I was younger and still remember the characters. At one point I had intended to steal the book from the library, but I returned it and never found it again. "Wrong Way Romance" is an enjoyable read and hopefully I will find it again someday!

I once had a copy of this book but lended it to a friend and never got it back. It took me three years to find a copy again and it was worth it because this book is so funny and so cute that anybody who ever liked young adult romance should have this title in her (or his?) personal library.

Bunnies in the Bathroom was a good book. It made me laugh the most too. I think bunnies are so cute that is why I picked this book. And I think bunnies are very soft too. This book is the right book for you if you like bunnies. Read the next paragraph to read what it is about!
Mandy Hope has a friend named John who really wants two baby bunnies. But he is sure his dad wouldn't want any. But John will keep trying to convince his dad to get them will John be able to get the bunnies before someone else does? Read the book and find out!

If you have a rabbit or are going to get one than I reccomend this darling story. This book is about a girl and her brother who live in a huge house that is called the animal ark. The kid's parents run a veterinarian service there. The girl sees 2 little rabbits in a pet shop window. She gets the little rabbits but can they ever behave?

Mandy and James' new friend John Hardy loves rabbits. He's always drawing them, and thinking about them. But when he goes to buy the two rabbits that are at the pet shop they are gone. Can Mandy and James help John find out who bought them before it's too late?

This book was so great. The way the author lets you have fun and learn at the same time is awsome. The story is so wonderful and you learn so much about rabbits at the same time! If you like the other books in this series you will LOVE this one!!!

This is a great book for all animal lovers or for rabbit lovers like me.Mandy Hope and her best friend James Hunter meet a local boy called John Hardy on there holidays.He soons become a rabbit lover when doing the school project with the help of Mandy and James.So when he sees twin bunnies in the pet store windows he imidiatly gos and buys them.But it takes his dad a couple days to say it was ok.But when they go back to pick the bunnies up the are informed that they have been giving to someone else!Can Mandy and James find the rabbits? Will John ever see the rabbits again? Read to find out and you wont be disappointed.