Youth Books

Easy reading, good personal story of Operation Babylift. I had previously read "War Cradle", a very wordy, messy retelling of the story. This one is much more elementary and not as detailed, but follows one boy through his life. Fascinating.

I also could not put this book down and had to read it straight through. Andrea Warren does a compelling and balanced job in telling Long's story. Not only do we gain real insight into how the war affected families and children in Vietnam, but we also learn the thoughts and hopes of children living in orphanages. As an adoptive mom, I found this to be a valuable book on many levels.

I read this straight through on an airplane and had to turn away from my seatmates so they wouldn't see me cry. As usual, Warren has written a compelling, evocative story about one child's experience, and in it has distilled an era and a place. The main character, Long, suffers through poverty and loss, then winds up in an orphanage where he vaccilates between grief over the loss of his own family and hope for a new mother. I got tears in my eyes as he said good-bye to his grandmother, who was his last surviving family member, and then again when he learned he had a new home in America. As a reader I felt his excitement and anxiety as the day approached when he would see his new family, and then his fear as the war moved from the countryside to the streets of his city. The drive to the bombed airport and the flight on the transport plane were terrifying, followed immediately by the joy as Long ran into the arms of his new mother. This story will stick with readers, both adults and children, leaving a personalized image of an otherwise hard-to-comprehend world event.

Once you start reading, you probably won't be able to put it down. This is an amazing story, with wonderful photographs. I cried twice and made my husband read it. He loved it too!
Teachers will find this useful in the classroom, for teaching about the war in Vietnam, and Long/Matt is a role model we'd be delighted to see any kid follow.

If you've loved Warren's earlier books about children surviving in difficult new circumstances (the two Orphan trains books, Surviving Hitler, and the one about the girl growing up on the prairie) you'll love this one, too. In this one, Long, the young hero, is half Vietnamese, half American. His survival depends on a pivotal airlift of Vietnamese orphans "tainted by the blood of the enemy" as the North Vietnamese are about to take over Saigon. But even before that the reader is caught up in the story of Long's mother and grandmother struggling to survive in a wartorn country.

The story works on one level for children and on another for adults -conveying how America's withdrawal from Vietnam affects the family of a boy whose young life is shaped by war. It has all the virtues of nonfiction wrapped up in a charming, moving, and compelling story. Adults and children may want to read this one together. It's a tribute to parenting, in whatever form it comes, and to the resilience of children.

Have you ever asked your grandmother or your great-grandmother what things were like in the good old days, and then she told you stories that filled your mind with images of a world far removed from your own ... a world where children became excited by getting an apple and an orange at Christmas, a world where ladies never went without a hat, a world where it seemed that Every Day Was Summer. This is the world that Oliver Wynne Hughes brings alive and captures in his book.

Based on the memories of his mother, Laura, and her two sisters, Elsie and Beatrice, the reader is transported back to a place and time filled with happy memories and presented through a picture of the Welsh town of Harlech, prior to World War One. Every Day Was Summer is steeped in history and nostalgia, making the reader yearn for a bygone time. The book takes the reader on a journey through Harlech: we visit the townspeople through various good humoured anecdotes - and for a town with a population of just over 1000 people, it certainly had its fair share of famous people visiting or choosing to live in the picturesque seaside town. The Queen visited and was said to be mesmerised by the view; another visitor was Denys Finch Hatton, an adventurer made famous by the book `Out of Africa', who also spent many a summer in the town. Everything from shops and schooldays to childhood games and chapel are all lovingly remembered and explored throughout the pages of this book.

Although Hughes conjures up wonderful images of Harlech in the reader's mind, he does not shy away from the tragedy that sadly touched the town. Hughes peppers his book with the hardships that the townspeople of Harlech faced, from families touched by poverty to the tragedy that hit many families with the start of the World War One. That said, at no time does the book become morose or bitter; it keeps its whimsical style throughout and is an absolute pleasure to read.

I think every family should have an Oliver Wynne Hughes to capture its history through photograph, poem and anecdote so we do not let our children forget the places and people who have touched our hearts and our memories.

A very enjoyable a snap shot of life in a Welsh Town before the First World War. An interesting commentary on the interpersonal relationships between the social classes and different cultures.

A Nostalgic look at a much loved Welsh Town through the eyes of three sisters who lived and worked in Harlech at the turn of the 19th Century. A very enjoyable read, particularly for those with an interest in Social History.

What a charming book! Laughter, love, tragedy and humanity. It is all here and itis a true story. I would love to travel back in time and be a part of those girls lives, it is so what we all crave in our fast lives of today. My wife LENT me her copy - we have promised ourselves a visit to Harlech, Wales to find the places and see if there is anyone still there.

This is a delightful book, very evocative of that wonderful era before the first world war. Full of wonderful personal stories, based on the memories of 3 young girls who grew up in Harlech , a small coastal town in North Wales. Both humorous and sad it is a thoroughly good read and provides amazing insight into a generation that suffered huge hardships, yet seemded to live happy fulfilling lives.

This book will appeal to all ages and to anyone interested in the Great War, family history, the English Aristocracy and Wales. A great present.

This book is excellent! Especially good for historical role-players who want to keep it authentic. BTW, did you know the word "Homie" dates back to the '40's?

This book is so much more than a dictionary. It's a look at the evolution of American life, a glimpse of history, and an affirmation of how similar we are when we are young. One of my all-time favorite reads, believe it or not!

As an author with my debut novel in its initial release, I freely admit the debt I owe to Tom Dalzell's FLAPPERS 2 RAPPERS. Without Dalzell's collection of youth slang from the 19th Century to the present day, my novel would not have likely received the rave reviews it is receiving. I use this book while writing to give my characters the voice of their time and place. One of the most meaningful compliments I ever received about my writing came from a reader who was a Chavezista in her youth. She told me I handled Chicano slang perfectly in my novel (which features a Latino protagonist). I didn't tell her Tom Dalzell's book was my primary source for proper usage. It still is. I admit it freely. This book is fabulous.

Mr.Dalzell's book, is, as it was designed to be, a first-class reference source for anyone who wants to know how American youth spoke and when they spoke that way. But, in fact, this book is a great deal more than just a reference resource. The text can indeed be read as an incisive, compassionate, witty, and ultimately, quite moving account of American youth - a time of life when we are all at the mercy of our dreams. From the opening quaintnesses of the 1850's, to the jagged, scarey rhythms of rap in the 1990's Dalzell establishes a through line to make it all of a comprehensible piece. He ends his book with a valediction that will make you smile and maybe dab at your eyes for a moment too, as he makes manifest his enormous affection and respect for all embattled youth, no matter when they were young.

Dalzell chronicles the use of slang from decade to decade, ranging from G.I. slang from WWII to the lexicon of the Beat movement to inner-city speak for such taboos as drugs and sex. Dalzell also created smaller highlighted sections for slang that was used in smaller circles, such as Chicano vocabulary that one is likely to hear on the streets of East L.A. (take it from someone who has been there). Each section is illustrated by a different, well-known artist, which really brings the text to life. Flappers 2 Rappers is an intriguing study of youth and culture throughout this century. It would make an excellent addition to any classroom dealing with English as a Second Language or American idioms and slang.

I completely agree with all the other reviews. This book was everything I was looking for. The author discusses every part of the black gay culture. Being a black gay college student I felt like I was having a conversation with one of my friends. If you're on the fence about this book buy it; you won't be disappointed.

I got a huge relieve when I found out I wasn't alone, it made me so happy. I'm glad I have this book to be my guide, and I can read it over and over when I want comfort...

I got this book and opened it right away. I skipped to the chapter on downlow and coming out. It made me feel a lot better. I didn't come out yet, but I will, because it tells me how to do it safely, and with a backup plan. This book helped me a lot.

This was an outstanding book.......i even let a couple of my friends read it......I wish i had this book b4 i started in "tha Life".......i say that because it tells you damn near EVERYTHING you need and want to know about "Tha Life".......It left out little things, but i would recommend this book to anyone coming out, out, about to come out, or in the closet......My Hats off to the author...... A job WELL DONE!!

its a great and real book. i kove how it comes from a young person

this was an awesome book to share with our girls at church camp. the ages ranged from 10 to 12, and every one of the girls got something out of this book that pertained to them. the subjects apply to our lives today and help us realize what's truly important. I especially liked the workbook portion of it because it made the girls really think about their situation and how they can work on their issues.

What an absolutely delightful book this is. First, the cover design is sure to catch the eye; it is bright and inviting, wooing you to taste the morsals of spiritual wisdom inside. What is this work about? How to live a better life by living the Word of God. This is done in a non-preaching way, light-hearted yet packed with the truth of the Word of God. We have topics such as words, worth, and relationships and we have questions, answers and tips to help along the way. The format is a personal, easy to follow read and draws you from one page to another.
All in all this book is a big winner. It's real, it's fun and will be a jewel in any readers hands, young or old. Highly recommended!

I got this book in order to mentor one of the students at my church. The book was so good that I am now doing a group study with 12 girls in our youth group. The book meets teenage girls where they are, and helps them to develop a Godly character in themselves. It teaches them about things that they deal with on a daily basis, like gossip, relationships and who they are in Christ. Point of Grace did a terrific job at writing this book and I recommend it to anyone with teenage girls. I also recommend it to parents to help them understand what their teenager is or will be dealing with at school and in their social circle.
Love the book!!!!!

Make it Real is a devotional and Bible study workbook for Christian teenagers. This guide looks at a variety of real issues that young adults face on a daily basis such as gossip, body image, and self improvement. Christian pop artists Point of Grace share their wisdom on a wide variety of topics and give advice on how to stop the habit of gossip, being genuine, choosing role models, and creating a healthier self image. Each section is complete with study guide exercises including Bible scripture readings and questions relating these reading to the subject at hand.

Make it Real shows young girls that Christian values and Biblical scripture are directly relevant to their lives. It also illustrates the importance of healthy body images. The members of Point of Grace are great Christian role models that try to live what they preach and really feel that f teaching teenagers to be true to themselves and their Christian faith is important.

Point of Grace is a popular Christian singing group with a particular attraction to teenage girls. As part of their ministry they regularly have conferences for teenage girls called Girls of Grace. This book is basically a devotional and Bible study workbook for teenage girls. In it the members of Point of Grace discuss many of the most common problems of teenage girls. These include gossip, being true to yourself, dealing with the games they play, and self-esteem issues. Make It Real delivers Christian based answers and guidance for those dealing with these most common of teenage issues. Each section ends with discussion topic questions that make the book a good guide to get young girls thinking about how to apply the information in their everyday life. Make It Real is a highly recommended book both for any teenage girl and for parents seeking to understand, or remember, the problems of being a teenager and how that has changed today.

My mom is a sunday school teacher and she always likes to make nice bulletin boards every week for classes. She really likes the ideas in this book very much.

This is a magnificent book. The school lessons are witty & appropriate, the bulletin board illustrations & photos give you a good sense of the finished product, and the prose is written in a light, humorous manner.

Some of the ideas in the book are for specifically for Catholics, some specifically for Protestants, and a lot can be used for both. That is the main strength of the book, its versatility.

If you are afraid to purchase it because you think it might not fit into your own version of Christianity, shame on you. This is for macro-Christianity, it transcends "little boxes" and artificial divisions. We all love Jesus, and you should all buy this book.

I cannot recommend it any higher.

This is a magnificent book. The school lessons are witty & appropriate, the bulletin board illustrations & photos give you a good sense of the finished product, and the prose is written in a light, humorous manner.

Some of the ideas in the book are for specifically for Catholics, some specifically for Protestants, and a lot can be used for both. That is the main strength of the book, its versatility.

If you are afraid to purchase it because you think it might not fit into your own version of Christianity, shame on you. This is for macro-Christianity, it transcends "little boxes" and artificial divisions. We all love Jesus, and you should all buy this book.

I cannot recommend it any higher.

If you're in the market for bulletin board ideas for Sunday School, this book is for you. If you are looking for bulletin board ideas for a Parochial School this is you.

This book understands that not everyone is an artist, and provides simple, great looking examples for you to base your work on. If you happen to be of the artistic persuasion, the examples are more than enough to get your imagination started.

There is no other book out there with the range of topics for so many situations. There is a large quantity of quality ideas.

I highly recommend it

If you're in the market for bulletin board ideas for Sunday School, this book is for you. If you are looking for bulletin board ideas for a Parochial School this is you.

This book understands that not everyone is an artist, and provides simple, great looking examples for you to base your work on. If you happen to be of the artistic persuasion, the examples are more than enough to get your imagination started.

There is no other book out there with the range of topics for so many situations. There is a large quantity of quality ideas.

I highly recommend it

What a wonderful book! I have practically finished it in one sitting. At age 70 I am somewhat older than the author but I grew up in the same years. My "God's Country" is Vermont. But it could well be rural Pennsylvania.

The stories Patricia weaves in this lovely collection of insights is a treasure for her family as well as her faithful readers.

This book will be the spark that ignites every reader to embrace and explore their own family's history.

Patricia's enthusiasm is contagious, and her book "Growing Up Italian In God's Country" has renewed my interest and pride in my own family, as I too, grew up in God's country.

Thank you for writing this special gift, Patricia.

What a wonderful book! I practically finished it in one sitting. I'm a few years older than the author but we grew up in the same years. My "God's Country" of course is Vermont. But it could well be rural Pennsylvania. Our Italian heritage is so binding.

I wish the movers and shakers in the film world, e.g. Coppola, DeNiro, Scorcese would read GROWING UP ITALIAN IN GOD'S COUNTRY and find out what life for the Italian immigrant was really like at the turn of the last century.The stories within would make a riveting movie. There's the great-grandfather dropping dead face down on the railroad tracks his mouth full of cinders; a great-aunt dying in agony for lack of medicine only to have her coffin whipped by the Irish priest who was exorcising her "sins"; the author's father, age 4, pulled from the Austin mill flood which took 78 lives;the author's mother hiding in the pantry from the Indian who came to breakfast. Often tragic, frequently humorous, always engrossing. Highly recommended.

I enjoyed this book so much. The writing style and subject matter are reminiscent of Bailey White's fact-based fiction. The descriptions of life in the Pennsylvania mountains are vivid and I felt as if I knew the characters. It is clearly written with love and enthusiasm for the subject matter. It made me long for the people and places of my own childhood and to know more about my ancestors. The old photos are so wonderful too. Thanks for a great escape.

Here's a remarkable first book by a recent college grad. Hope it isn't her last! Moffett is such a cool writer, makes this an entertaining and insightful read on some of the ecstasies and agonies of growing up in the 80's and 90's.

Don't you adore precocious twelve-year-olds? Their every word is so precious, so funny, so wise. Someone please tell Terry Gross about this book. It's perfect for her show.

Be ready to experience your childhood again! Through the eyes of a passionate, witty girl, you will recognize her challenges, successes, and losses. It's a well-balanced portrayal of the life of a young girl just trying to figure things out on her own. I loved this book, and would recommend it to everyone.

I adored this book. From the first page through until the last, I was completely taken by the words I read. I laughed out loud several times (and earned strange looks from those around me) and I even cried. I couldn't put the book down, but I wanted to...only because I wanted the experience of reading it to last longer. Yep, that good.

The story is told from the perspective of a young girl growing up in a family filled with closeness, happiness and trust. It's full of anecdotes and humor, and at some point or other will remind most any reader of their own childhood. As Sarah, our trusty narrator, grows up, so too does the tone of the story. Everything changes one afternoon with a phone call--a phone call with news of a dying family member. Suddenly death becomes a prevelant part of Sarah's world...and we watch as her outlook on life changes. Through it all though, Sarah is witty and intelligent. You can't help but identify with her as she reminds you of parts of yourself that you had forgotten about.

I can't say enough good things about "Growing Up Moffett," you need to read it for yourself to see what I mean. Its one of the best coming of age memoirs I have read in...well, ever, and you'll adore it too.

So, okay. Here's the deal. I made an enormous fool of myself, and it's entirely Sarah Moffett's fault. I brought this book to my son's medical appointments and read it while trapped in numerous waiting rooms. I actually made heads turn and drew the wrath of the receptionists.

What did I do? Well, first, I guffawed (All I'll say is it involves square dancing and a suitor sporting Underoos. ) Then, I shrieked. (What does she mean chocolate isn't her favorite food?) And finally, I wept. Loudly. It wasn't pretty. Nope, it wasn't pretty at all and it almost got me escorted out. It was, however, well worth it.

GROWING UP MOFFETT is funny, sweet, funny, tender, funny, absolutely heartbreaking, and did I say funny? My heart broke for this young girl and it cheered for the young woman she becomes. But more importantly I walked away thinking about what we do for those we love, and how it changes us all. So yes, it was definitely worth it.

This past week when I was considering ordering another book by George Arnold
I decided to re-read his Growing Up Simple and am still laughing.Although I grew up in Houston in an earlier generation, Mr.Arnold has really keyed in on many of the things that differentiate a Texas childhood and beyond from other areas where I have lived and done it in such a brilliant manner one does not have to be a Texan to enjoy his sometimes wild humor.
As I stated previously I am still laughing from my second reading.

I enjoyed this book more than I can say. I laughed my way through every chapter and memories of my own adventures came flooding into my head. I felt like I was sitting in the same room with the author, listening to him tell these great stories of growing up in the hill country of Texas. I hope he writes another book and shares the stories he thought he shouldn't tell. This is a great read for everyone, especially if you grew up in the 1950's

Every story in this book contains hallowed and hilarious moments. "Growing Up Simple..." takes you back, even if you've never been there. Case in point: while riding in the car with two friends (one 53 and one 13), I read aloud from George Arnold's book. We all laughed out loud, and often. But at the end of each chapter, it was the 13-year-old who chanted "read another one!!" That should tell you something of the timelessness of these charmingly told tales.

For anyone between 12 and 102, but especially for those over 40, this book is hilarious. The comment on the book cover from the author's mother says it all: "Itis my fervent prayer that Billy Graham never reads this book!"

Check it out.

This has to be one of more entertaining books I have read lately, and I happen to be an "in betweener".Talk about deja vu,when George was relating his experiences in San Antonio, I could have just inserted my self right then and there and gone back to 1955 and I was a 10yr.old kid riding my bicycle through the streets of ole San Antonio.There was the Aztec and Majestic Theaters,Breckinridge Park, the same places I would haunt as I'm sure did thousands of other 10 year olds did with the same amazement that obviously George Arnold and myself experienced.As I read the tale about Mr.Lippy and the Red Coats, that's when our bed began to shake from my laughter and I was then invited to finish "that damn book downstairs".Well now it's my turn to tell my wife "Honey I have already read this book and you don't have to tell me about it OK"!
My real hope is that this will be picked up by Hollywood and made into a film,much in the style of Steel Magnolias or The Ya Ya Sisterhood.After all that has gone on these last two years of tragedy I'm ready for a "heartwarm bellylaugh".
Good work George from one "in betweener to another".

Warmest regards,
Pat Heffernan

I couldn't put this book down, but my God, I wanted to. I am scared that the drug problem is this bad, yet I highly recommend it to anyone who has kids in school. You should at least know whats going on in the classroom.

From a literary angle, it was so well written that I can't wait for her next!

Dr. Maggiolo's first novel is a remarkable achievement. I became so caught up in the very real characters she portrayed that I couldn't put the book down. When I finished, not only had I been entertained, but I had been brought to the reluctant admission that I've had my head in the sand about what goes on in our public school classrooms. This is more than an exposé - it is also a validation of the terribly difficult experience that teachers, administrators, parents and students find themselves in daily. Only by admitting that her story is very, very real-to-life can we begin to look for solutions to the problems she so vividly portrays. Everyone should read this book, especially parents and anyone who is an educational professional.

Author Paulette Maggiolo draws upon her many years of work in public school systems as classroom teacher, supervisor, administrator, member of a Teacher's Association, and a member of the Administrator's Association to write The Guilty Teacher, a strong, vivid, accurate, detailed and compelling novel about drugs, students, teachers, and America's troubled public schools. Maybe Maggiolo's The Guilty Teacher can do as much for the reformaton of the public education system that Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin did for the abolition of slavery.

I really enjoyed this book. I couldn't put it down yet wasscared to turn to the next page. The issue of drugs is so much moreinvolved than I thought, yet as a parent, I needed to know. This is absolutely a must read!

I've been teaching for 13 years and have read almost every book about teaching that I could. Most were fairly good, but they lacked that honest and "been there" view that a real teacher has. This book has it. I can relate to the situations, problems and students. Great book.