Boyd Books

We used this book in a "Five in a Row" style the week before St. Patrick's day and my kids got so much out of it. It's a little book full of great information about a great Christian. It was an introduction for them to missions, persecution, slavery, Ireland, the Trinity, and more. We followed up our study with Celtic music and a meal of corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, green shamrock-shaped honey rolls and green lemonade just for fun.

Ann Tompert, an excellent author of children's books, has done it again in her wonderful style of writing. It will be most enjoyed by those 5-10 years old, with 3rd to 5th graders being able to read it for themselves. She wrote this book based on the facts present in one of St. Patrick's letters. It is primarily about his life to when he got home from his slavery, and prepared to return to Ireland. Only one page is spent on his ministry in Ireland. Then it talks about his days of slavery and incarceration later in his life ending with how his being in Ireland has continued to affect it. There is only one page of writing for every two pages open. Most pages of writing only have 7-12 lines of typing on them. The illustrations are great. As the School Library Journal Editorial Review states it: "It is mounted in an exceptionally handsome format, with a formal presentation of the text on yellow backgrounds richly framed by borders of brown and gold, facing full-page, mixed-media illustrations of power and distinction, gleaming with brilliant color. The artistic style is decorative yet forceful, with an interesting variety of landscapes and flat, simple, but very expressive human figures."

This is a great book for people who wan't to know a little basic information about the life of St. Patrick. It explains wonderfully for children and adults! It talks from birth to death. There is little information about his childhood, but Ann Tompert covers it best she can.

Long ago in the forth century a boy was born in Britain,his parents called him Succat but later in his life he was called Patrick. He grew up with his parents in Britain they thought him about God. He was not a religious man until he was captured by the Irish pirates and sold as a slave. His master was very kind to him. He tended his flocks and while doing that he prayed to God and started to communicate with him. God deliverd himfrom his bondage and show him the way home back to his parents. There he thought people about God after a few years he went back to Ireland and spread the word of God,he was captured and put in prison but he still teach people about God and started many churches and stayed there until ha died.

Our grandchildren love this book. It is one that they ask us to read to them every time we visit. It is a fun book, but has good lessons for kids as well.

Eddie is a likable, resourceful, even fearless kid willing to lend a hand to anyone in his urban, multicultural neighborhood. Even to his reluctant neighbors. "That sounds awfully silly," they tell him. But follows his advice they do. Suddenly an ordinary spaghetti noodle becomes...extraordinary. The text is fun to read. The delightfully comic illustrations rendered by Jackie Urbanovic are even more fun to look at. Eddie eats spaghetti every single day except Sundays. I read this book to my daughters every single day. Now letting my daughters eat spaghetti every day is another story!

My preschooler cannot get enough of this book. he picked it out at the library and laughs every time we read it. He loves it and I think it's great, too.

The multicultural illustrations are also a refreshing change!

My cousin Ryan wrote this book and I may seem biased, but it's a very well-written book. It has a very funny and well-written plot and keeps the reader interested. Plus, if you have a young child, you can do activities with them after reading this book. (For example, think of other ways to utilize spaghetti or new adventures Eddie can go on).

Although this book is listed for young people, I read the back cover and decided to see for myself how she treated this subject. The book's title, however, is very misleading. "Stone Water" as a title would make this book a questionable choice to pick up to read. Although I am in my sixties, this book was wonderful and I felt like I was there with Grant and his Grandfather. I am in total agreement with the choice that Grant made and think the author presented this story very well. A quick but not easy read because of subject, this book is definitely worth reading.

A must read. This book changed the way I view assisted suicide. Through a young child's life we see how one's final wish can shape another's life. A real tear jerker. It empties your emotions and leaves you trapped in the world the book creates for hours, if not days after. As all good books should do.

Stone Water is an excellent book dealing with real subjects in todays world. It deals with the hardships of life and death. In our fast paced world we need to stop and think about the quality of life, not the length of it. I loved the book, once I started reading it I couldn't put it down.

Eighth-grader Grant is a loving child whose affection for his dignified grandfather would never be questioned. In fact, when his grandfather suffers a stroke and is sent to "The Other Wing" of the nursing home, Grant is the only one in the family who makes the time to visit him; his mother and father are both so wrapped up in their careers that they find neglecting both Grant and the grandfather too easy to do. This story becomes complicated from the very beginning when the reader realizes that the letter and recorded story Grant has received from his grandfather is actually a cleverly disguised request for assisted suicide. Throughout the remainder of the novel, we follow Grant's life through months of agony as he tries to make sense of the value of life and the inevitability of death. The secondary characters--Grant's parents, his best friend Avery, and even Randi--become part of the reader's inability to put down this book. You won't know for sure what Grant does until the end of the story, and you will be left questioning what you would do in the same situation.

"Summer of the Skunks" is a funny story about family told through the eyes of ten-year-old Jill. Jill wants so badly to be part of anything her fourteen-year-old brother does. She use to be his shadow but, this summer he doesn't want her hanging around as much. So, when her brother,Calvin, comes up with a plan to get rid of the family of skunks who have taken residence under their house, Jill is extatic. This is one of many plans (from finding a place for an old family friend to live, to getting rid of a dead beat cousin who's worn out his welcome) Calvin comes up with that summer which include her and their sixteen-year-old sister, Margo. It seems that Jill spends most of this summer trying to get thier attention, and feels pretty special when they ask her to do anything.

This is a nice, wholesome story I think kids would enjoy reading. The entire story takes place on their farm and there is enough humor and adventure to keep anybody reading. The characters are very likeable, especially Jill. It is so easy to connect with her right away, particularly if you are one of the yungest of several siblings.

So, what happens to the skunks? Does their plan to get rid of Old Retread work? Who is Rabies and what happens to him? "Summer of the Skunks" is worth reading to find out.

Summer is off to an unusual start for Jill and her family when a family of skunks begin living under their house! Forced to be quiet so they won't disturb them, Jill's family can't argue as they usually do. Jill's dad, a factory foreman, has been very busy at work, and her mom has been doing all of the housework, in addition to watching Jill's little brother. Then one day, Jill's older brother Calvin comes up with a plan to help Jill and sister Margo get rid of the skunks. The plan is successful, though they keep one of the skunks and name it Rabies.

Getting rid of skunks isn't the only adventure they'll have this summer. When they learn that one of their father's friends almost burns a renter house down, they devise a plan to secretly let him live on an old ship that they have in their backyard. Everything is fine until, one day, a relative comes to visit and he becomes very annoying. Jill then comes up with a plan to make him leave. Will the plan work, or will they have to put up with him until he leaves on his own?

Calvin and Margo's personalities remind me of my own personality because I can sometimes be secretive and bossy towards people. Who do the characters remind you of? If you like reading books about families and animals, read this book to find out what happens to Jill and her family!

--- Reviewed by Ashley Hartlaub

Summer of the Skunks draws the reader into the lives of a family forced out of its normal patterns by the presence of another family, a mama skunk and her babies who move in under the house. This deceptively simple story told by 10-year-old Jill trembles with undercurrents. It's as riveting as watching the bubble of surface tension on top of a glass of clear water.

Wilmoth Foreman pulls the reader right into the warm family dynamics from the first emergency, the discovery of skunks under the house, to the ultimate resolution of joint efforts for the protection and rehabilitation of an alcoholic friend and, finally, one descented pet skunk.

The author vividly presents each of the four children accurately re their natural sibling competition and developmental stages. The voice of Jill is both compelling and sage as she reflects on her low station compared to her more experienced older sister and brother. Her deductions and reports remind this reader of Bailie White's stories of southern rural living. Foreman's agility and ability to write voice and character are in the best southern tradition and extend beyond to caring families of any region.

I purchased this book 4 years ago when my daughters were pretty young. They instantly fell in love with the book and we read it at bedtime every chance we get. Now that my daughters are avid readers, they read it to me!

The rhythm of the poems is very soothing and warm and the illustrations make feel like you're part of the animals' worlds. We love the way the book begins and ends right in the child's home yet explores slumber environments throughout nature! Ms. Dotlich's poems are captivating and comforting.

This is a great book for babies to 5 year old children. The words are soothing, and the children are able to find the various sleeping creatures in the pictures. I really like it when a book can become interactive between adult and child. This book would be a treasured baby shower gift to be passed down from generation to generation.

Sweet Dreams of the Wild has an almost musical lilt that fascinates my 20 month old son. The carefully worded poems and beautifully illustrated pictures invite your imagination to take you to the homes of the book's wild creatures. My son definitely has sweet dreams after reading this delightful bedtime poetry book.

Rebecca Dotlich's lyrical poems create descriptions of natural habitats for young children. The book is not a series of "lessons" to be learned, but a pleasant and enjoyable introduction to this aspect of nature. It is sure to stimulate thinking and wonder about the natural world. This book is a valuable example in my children's literature course when I discuss how poetry can inform science learning and can foster the beginnings of inquiry.

This is a short book but it will get you started and more.
What is an OODA cycle? Don't know.
Better find out today

The difference between an effective and efficient military as opposed to an ineffective and bloated military. A must read for every military planner and every citizen concerned with runaway government spending.

As I understand it, Dr. Richards' book is in fact an amended version of a presentation he gave at a conference in Quantico in Fall of 2001. The presentation itself, which is available on the net in Powerpoint format, was a straight-forward summary of the new situation we find ourselves in: the age of 4th Generation Warfare. The book expands on the presentation, pointing out the obvious flaws of U.S. military management by examining the ideas of John Boyd and Sun Tzu.

In an era where the U.S. still emphasizes gadgets over human assets, answering every other problem with more cash rather than new concepts, Boyd's advice ("People. Ideas. Technology. In that order.") seems more practical than ever. Richards' work is a good examination of Boyd's core concepts and solid guide to reorganizing U.S. Defense strategy.

Readers who enjoyed this book may also want to take a look at H.J. Poole's "The Tiger Way." It applies similar concepts towards the reorganization of the military on the tactical level.

Col Richards walks the reader through how Sun Tzu and John Boyd might have assessed 4th generation warfare and the world in which we find ourselves. His presentation is thought provoking to say the least.

Sun Tzu's wisdom has survived 2,000 years of study by people from a young Mao to the United States Marines. Sun Tzu is all about winning the battle before the battle begins. His wisdom is durable beyond expectations,
" Those whose generals are able and not constrained by governments are victorious ."

Sun Tzu speaks of "The Way" where there is unity of purpose between the ruler and the population. By inference a goal is to break that bond.

John Boyd, cigar chomping fighter pilot turned student of war. His early studies focused on why one side won aerial combat in the jet age. After annoying the Fighter Mafia of the USAF to no end he was sent off to an obscure Pentagon office, hidden exile. However, Boyd used the time to launch a study of Patterns of Conflict, which turned into a monumental brief. Out of this effort also came the OODA loop which stressed the importance of maintaining an advantage by processing information and operating on a faster cycle than the opposition.

Boyd's greatest contribution was not to the USAF but rather to a fundamental restructuring of the Marine Corps battle doctrine. After the 1991 Gulf War the Marine commandant gave Boyd much of the credit for helping to achieve what many pundits believed to be impossible, rapid movement through the heavily armed Iraqi forces occupying Kuwait.

Again and again Sun Tzu, Boyd and Richards stress the importance of non combat war. Victory, not slaughter is the goal.

During the early days of the war in Iraq the press was filled with reports of very tired US troops, often so far beyond their supply lines that they were short on food, yet they continued on. Why, too often the Generals are seeking near perfect preparation while Boyd and others understood that the ability to act is a way that kept the enemy off balance was the quickest and lowest cost way to victory. Richards seeks to restructure the military along the visions of Boyd and Sun Tzu.

Richards acknowledges that he goes far beyond his mentor, John Boyd, in his recommendations for an overhaul of the US military from top to bottom. Richard's ideas are bold and near revolutionary, reduce the officer ranks, close the service academies, promote officers from the ranks of the enlisted, fill pilot slots in the AF, Navy and Marines with non officers. The list goes on.

Col Richards has produced a highly readable book, filled with wisdom of the past 2,000 years along with his own ideas. Highly recommended.

I first read this book in a gift shop at the San Diego Zoo. The message is even more potent because the story is true. This book is the well-done, beautifully illustrated story of bringing the American Buffalo back from the brink of extinction. The story is engaging without being "preachy." There's a lesson for the future here, too. As a third grade teacher, I'm planning on using this book in the classroom to reinforce the idea that human beings share the planet with other living creatures.

I have been reading this to our reading buddy class of third graders now for a few years... I first read it at our local library and choked up. It is good for lots of academic reasons but is also engaging and has an unusual style and amazing illustrations.

No other animal represents the American frontier like the American Bison. To Native Americans he was a spirit messenger, sacred to their very existence. To them and frontiersmen alike the thundering, shaggy beasts represented food, clothing, shelter and fuel. And in a larger sense the massive herds represented the spirit of freedom in a new and untouched land.

In They Came from the Bronx, Neil Waldman recounts the fascinating tale of how this quintessential American animal was brought back from extinction.

Waldman speaks of the Bronx Zoo's "Mother Herd," and his curiosity as a child with the name. How could a captive herd of bison in the largest American metropolis, so far from the wide-open spaces of the Great Plains, claim such a title?

Waldman's story weaves an eloquent account beginning in Oklahoma, stepping back to New York City in the early Nineteen hundreds, offers historical facts about the bison's prairie reign and then it's back to Oklahoma where a Comanche grandmother and her grandson await a most improbable reunion.

They Came from the Bronx is technically a children's book but will appeal to children of all ages, from one to ninety-three, if you will. Beautifully illustrated and written, the book speaks volumes about the tragedy of man's irresponsible exploitation of wildlife but also offers a ray of hope that once mistakes are made and recognized, if we are careful and responsible, they can and should be rectified.

Douglas McAllister

I loved the poignant conversation between the old woman and her grandson. Her explanation of the disappearance of the buffalo builds to a very dramatic climax, that make us realize the seriousness of our country's past decisions. I reccommend this highly to anyone who cares about our past and future!

I just finished reading "Village Diary" by Miss Read for the second, maybe the third time. I just ordered it this year and keep it, along with about six or seven of her other Fairacre books, on my nightstand.

I found it to be perfect for nighttime reading...a gentle visit to a folksy little village where the contemporary world rarely intrudes. Miss Read's observations of human nature are masterfully brought to life in this captivating little journal. Fairacre's citizens are not perfect - far from it - but there is a down-to-earth honesty and natural country-folk goodheartedness about them that has the same effect on me as it used to have when I snuggled down on my grandmother's lap to hear her stories. And as another reviewer observed, even Mrs. Pringle gets my vote. In fact, she is one of my favorite characters. Her observations of life often make me laugh out loud (much to my husband's consternation at times.) Miss Read often refers to her as the "old harradan" and "my curmudgeonly school cleaner". But there is something about her that has one knowing that beneath that crusty exterior is someone who just wants to belong and be part of a loving village family. The scene in the schoolroom where she finds out that Miss Read is not breaking her heart over Mr. Mawne is an example. "Her belligerent countenance softened, and a rare smile curved those dour lips. For a moment we sat smiling at one another across the inkstand, ..." There is a wealth of understanding and affection in those two sentences that goes far deeper than the every-day irritations we bring upon one another.

Her descriptions of the village, of the delights nature brings at the various seasons of the year, the vicar's ever-present moulting gloves, Mr. Willet's "stained mustache", little Joseph Coggs... (I'd love to put my arms around that little guy and hug him!).....all of these details bring untroubled reflections to the reader's heart....reflections as warm as hot chocolate and a fireside doze.

All of Miss Read's books are like this. If you're looking for action, edgy dialogue and a fast-paced plot, you won't find them in these writings!

I think that more people need to read - and write - books like this!

Village Diary

I loved the way that this book was written in particular, broken down by month. Each chapter flew by. Gossip about Miss Read and Mr. Mawne, the coming of new babies, weather, the pageant and other goings-on of the village made this book hard to put down.

Fairacre is a most lovable village and one that is close to my heart. Even Mrs. Pringle with her meddlesome ways will squirm her way in there. You will find yourself looking for every Fairacre book there is, staying up all night, not being able to get enough of this delighful little village!

I agree with everything my fellow reviewer says, but bemoan the fact that at this point, only our two reviews exist for this superb book! What a travesty, especially when books such as "Geek Love" (which I regretfully had to read for a book group) and other low-grade trash were/are bestsellers. Oh well. If you're lucky enough to happen across "Village Diary" or any and all of Miss Read's books, you'll know why this is a five-star review. The other reviewer here gives an excellent general overview of "Village Diary," but let me add that the HUMOR in this book is of the laugh-out-loud variety.. I believe it was the New York Times that described Miss Read as having "an almost beery sense of humor" and that truly nails it. There's nothing saccharine or maudlin or cuddly-sweet, it's just plain funny. Without being disgusting, profane, or dumb. Plus, there are perfectly exquisite sentences that I just had to read out loud to savor all the more. The only thing that bugs me is that on the reissued covers of the Miss Read novels, there appears a quote from Jan Karon to plug the books. Frankly I consider Jan Karon the biggest plagiarist around, as in my opinion, she stole her entire Mitford idea from Miss Read's Fairacre and Thrush Green novels. And as an author, Jan Karon doesn't even come close to Miss Read. The other thing I'll say is that although written in 1955, Village Diary is completely fresh and relatable in 2008. It only makes you wish you could excise the rotten parts of today's culture which really weren't around back then. This is a great book, and I think you'll love it.

Village Diary was first published in 1957 by Dora Jessie Saint (Miss Read), a British school teacher turned author and is the second in the beloved Miss Read series. The Miss Read series, while originally published over fifty years ago is not dated. It is a wonderful vacation for a reader; an invitation to return to a gentler time. Once a reader visits Miss Read's world, they will want to take up residence in the wonderful village of Fairacre. Miss Read truly is Jan Karon's predecessor.

In Village School, Miss Read concentrated on the school children and the villagers were secondary characters. In Village Diary, she spends a year with the inhabitants of Fairacre in the Cotswold. Each chapter encompasses a month of the year and gives a glimpse of the inner workings of village life. Vignettes about situations and people are strung together to form a delicious novel.

Miss Read invites us to see what is going on with familiar characters (from Village School) and also introduces us to some new characters. There's Amy, who is a bossy college friend; Mr. Mawne, who is thought to be husband material; a new baby; battles between neighbors; and a pageant. And it's all told with a sense of humor, a sharp eye for human behavior, and a personal look at the changing life of an English village.

In our fast-paced, stress-filled world, Village Diary is a welcome respite for a weary soul. The series is my all-time favorite. Once you visit Fairacre, you'll want to stay awhile.

Armchair Interviews says: Start with Village School and then take a journey with Miss Read through more village life adventures with Village Diary. When those adventures are complete, move on to Storm in the Village.

These poems deal with topics such as guns, sex, friendships, relationships and breakups in a way that makes kids think. Very timely.

Great book for middle school students! This book touches on so many thoughts, feelings, and states of mind that teens are experiencing.

I added this and a few others of Sara Holbrook's works to a 6th grade classroom poetry library. The youngsters gobbled up her works. I was delighted.

But teachers aren't the only ones looking to help young people connect feelings and writing. I'm also a parent of children in the 8-15 range and I'm alert to ways to provide other channels for my kids' explorations of inner and outer life. These books are great for that as well.

The 50-odd poems in this slim collection are roughly centered around the wide range of life changes that young people today face, often alone. But there's nothing like a voice describing what you feel to help you think about it while feeling it. These poems all work at that level.

Here are the start end the ending of her poem "Run Away":

I saw JoLynn just once\ after she ran away.\ We hugged at each other's eyes,\ touched hands\ with little to say.\

...\\

When she was running into all those problems\ she used to snap and spit like fire.\ But, now that she's run away,\ the heat is off -\ she just looks tired.\

Nice stuff. Not great poetry, perhaps, but good poetry and thought-provoking. What better doorway to great poetry in later years ?

As a writing teacher, I enjoyed the opportunity to move these younger pre-teens to look at poetry beyond the Shel Silverstein style. Many kids that age have decided that poetry is only fun, silly, "rhymin' Simon' stuff, as I called it. I think the best way to connect them to un-rhymed verse is through powerful themes. Holbrook accomplishes this. She sometimes sneaks in subtle rhyme, and even includes a sonnet or two, but mostly her emphasis is on feelings and words to express them... a place you might hope your writer(s) will explore.

Some of the themes are probably more appropriate for 8th-10th graders rather than 5th-7th, and some of them revolve around urban lifestyles that my primarily rural students did not connect with. Like any good collection there will be something for everyone here; and even if issues of sexuality and gangs are not a part of the kids lives, I'd rather have them explore these issues in poetry than on MTV!

This is a must read for those of us who struggle with daily issues of relationships, love, making decisions, growing up, fitting in, and accepting one's self. Holbrook has done it again in this collection of poignant poems, for not only adolescents, but "older folks" too. If you like poetry, you'll love this collection of poems. Walking on the Boundaries of Change is a book for both males and females. Each poem speaks to a different life issue and allows for quiet reflection. When you read the poems you may hear your own voice.

Wolfsnail: A Backyard Predator is a children's picturebook about the fascinating wolfsnail, a carnivorous mollusk that hunts and eats snails and slugs. Striking, full-color photographs of an actual wolfsnail on the hunt illustrate this amazing and educational story. The final three pages include more snail facts (including the tragic tale of how the wolfsnail was imported to Hawaii to combat another invading snail, but ate native Hawaiian snails instead) and a glossary of snail words. An excellent introduction to the wonders of natural life that can be found in an ordinary backyard.

I usually read mysteries and Garfield comics, so I wasn't sure I would like this book. The cover made me think it would be just boring facts about snails, but it turned out to be an exciting story and I learned lots of cool things about wolfsnails. The photos were excellent and got right up in the wolfsnail's face so you could really see everything. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about wolfsnails.

I usually read mysteries and Garfield comics, so I wasn't sure if I would like this book. When I looked at the cover, I thought it was going to be just boring facts about snails. But it turned out it was an exciting story and I learned cool things about wolfsnails. The pictures show just what wolfsnails do, and they get right up in the wolfsnail's face. I think the photos were excellent. I recommend this book for anybody who wants to read a neat story about wolfsnails.

A "day in the life" of a cannibal snail or wolfsnail, Euglandia rosea, is the topic of this children's book. Authors and photographers Sarah and Richard Campbell bring this day to life with clear text and crisp photos.

What is this Euglandia searching for? "The wolfsnail eats meat" (p. 9), and by meat, the authors mean other snails and slugs, hence the "cannibal snail" moniker.

The search is on for prey, and "The wolfsnail leaves behind an empty shell" (p. 24). It's then off to a safe hiding place to rest until another day.

Pages 30 and 31 contain facts and factoids about Euglandia, and page 32 is a glossary of "snail words" (vocabulary used throughout the text and the descriptions of its natural history).

The text and story is written for both pre-readers (children being read to) and readers probably to the 2-4 grade level. The factoid pages are more sophisticated.

The Campbells write "State agricultural officials in Hawaii imported wolfsnails in 1955 to try to control another invader, the giant African snail [imported illegally for starting a food snail industry], which was eating farmers' crops. But the wolfsnails ate native Hawaiian snails instead. Wolfsnails have wiped out many of the native snail species" (p. 31).

The native snail species on Oahu (genus Achatinella) are all listed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) as endangered. The FWS states "The most serious threats to the survival of O`ahu tree snails are predation by the introduced carnivorous snail (Euglandina rosea), predation by rats, and loss of habitat due to the spread of nonnative vegetation into higher elevation forests." Half the species are now extinct.

One of my relatives introduced Euglandia rosea to Oahu from Florida, and received accolades from all for combatting the giant African snail. Sadly, Achatinella snails were not on the radar screen as a concern at the time. We should be wary of all current relocations and introductions for all species, since what seems to make sense today may be a model of folly tomorrow.