Curtis Books

Having been, by God's grace, regenerated 34 years ago, I happily attended church, read the Word, prayed, taught women's Bible study - and believed that I (did you read that?) chose to 'ask Jesus into my heart' and save me!
I have, during these 34 years, believed the doctrines of: free-will, dispensationalism, semi-works salvation (Baptist style). THEN, Reformation theology was presented to me. I balked, fought against it, considered it a lie. Next, I read 'The Five Points of Calvinism' and God revealed His truth through it. I have read many, many books on Reformation theology since, and NOW it is ALL so clear...God's eternal plan, why the five 'solas' described in this book are the basis for understanding God's character, His master plan. I have a two-word suggestion for you: BUY IT!

This book is a great introduction to the main points of Calvinism. The author provides an easy-to-follow outline that provides relevant scripture for each point.

This little book's title says it all, The Five Points of Calvinism: Defined, Defended, Documented. [This review refers to an earlier version.] For the sake of disclosure, I do not hold to even one point of Calvinism. I reject Calvinism in whole and in every part. Nevertheless, this book easily gets five stars. It's my favorite reference on Calvinism.

This is the ultimate starting point if one desires to learn about Calvinism. The book is in three parts. Each part is succinct and concise. This is the Cliff's Notes of Calvinism.

Part one compares and contrasts the five points of Arminianism with the five points of Calvinism along with some brief historical information. Whether Arminianism is presented fairly or not is of little relevance, since this book is about Calvinism, not Arminianism. This is an excellent overview of the five points of Calvinism, and it serves to quickly lay the foundation for the rest of the book.

Part two presents the five points of Calvinism in a slightly expanded form with each point and sub-point supported by numerous Scriptures. This is the meatof the book as promised in the title. There are not a lot of philosophical arguments here, just statements of Calvinist doctrine, and Bible texts to support those statements with key words of the texts in italics. The is the best, most concise, presentation of Calvinism one is likely to find anywhere. I find it my most often used reference for Calvinist verses.

Part three is a listing of works on Calvinism for further study. There are references to general works, works concerning the particular points of Calvinism, and even pamphlets about Calvinism. This is an excellent compendium of Calvinist sources.

The appendix presents the Calvinist view of foreknowledge as found in Romans 8:29. The newer version has considerably more material.

When it comes to learning about Calvinism, there is no better starting place than this book. And, not only is this book the very best starting point, but the multitude of references will supply an ongoing source of Calvinist doctrine for those who wish to study further.

Does the title give it away? This book is an update from the highly acclaimed book from Steele and Thomas and is great primer on what exactly Calvinism is. It is not exhaustive and was not meant to be but seems to be more a "dictionary" of sorts for reference on the 5 points. For each section it gives the defense and expalantion of the point, then gives you reference material for more reading.

This book is great to keep on your book shelf to reference verses in the Bible for the different doctrines, but if you are looking for a complete defense of the doctrines of Grace you will be disapointed.

The works that I especially found interesting was the appendix which went of a lot of tough questions that are posed to Calvinist based on Scripture and also those questions that are asked outside of the camp of Calvinism.

In my humble opinion if you know very little on these doctrines pick up this book alongside "A Journey in Grace" and you will at least be introduced to where you should go next.

I received this book the day after Christmas and completed it the following day. It's definitely not an exhaustive book on the topic of Calvinism. However, the author makes it clear that wasn't his intention. If you are examining the topic for the first time this may be a good place to start. The book starts out by examining the 5 points of Arminianism next to the 5 points of Calvinism. Preceding the historical interdiction there is a short explanation for each of the 5 points following a string of scriptures. In the middle of the book is an exhaustive list of recommended books for further study. My favorite section of the whole book was the appendix. Out of the 8 sections of the appendix I most liked the section that answered the meaning of the word "Foreknew" in Romans 8:29...Another book outside of this one that conveys the Reformed stereological position is RC Sproul's book "Chosen by God" Sproul goes more into the philosophical questions that often arise with this topic.

Admiral Ackbar and a squirrel with nuts the size of bowling balls were huffing gold paint and being general attention whores and failed to inspire a huge manatee into bursting into flames. Really a boring story...

This book will make you laugh, make you cry, and propably make you mad. You will discover how you have been duped by the Media to dance to their tune. I have always known the Media will only tell you what they want you to know to achieve their ratings and their agenda but to finally see it in print is great. The truth lies between the lines, it's up to us to find it.

This book is both informative and entertaining. Its satire on the news business is funny as well as giving you some interesting tidbits about the industry.

WOW! What an awesome book. My table has leaned to the right for years. I bought this book and now my table is level and doesn't wobble. Thanks Drew!

Curtis has one basic proposition: Good journalism is easy, just report the facts. Sadly, he demonstrates a complete and consistent failure to understand that the world is full of nuance and that facts are fluid, dynamic things that don't always look symmetrical from all angles. Whenever he takes on a fact, he's wrong. Whenever he tries to be funnier than those around him, he's tragic.

He also commits the cardinal sin - he thinks he is funny. He is not. His website is, because his visitors are, and he (to his immense credit) gives them space to be. I just wish he'd be satisfied with what he has instead of thinking he's some gonzo journo because his website is full of inside knowledge.

It is obvious, if you are a fan of other novels by Liz Curtis Higgs, that "Mixed Signals" was her first venture into the world of novel-writing. Not to say that it is a poorly-written book, simply that her fiction-writing skills have improved very much since she first began. Fans of her series of historical novels about the Scottish McKie family will have a hard time adjusting to her writing a story set in modern-day, but will soon hear Higgs' loveable voice shining through.

"Mixed Signals" begins a tad slowly, and is bogged down with much sappy sentiment and cheesy dialogue. The lack of intelligent, realistic interactions is nearly enough to make one want to stop reading the novel all together, but be persistent and you will soon find yourself rather enraptured with the characters and their story. While the writing is a bit over-dramatic, and not nearly as enchanting as her later novels, "Mixed Signals" is still a charming and worthwhile read.

Can a Christian author who writes fiction and non-fiction pen a contemporary romance novel? Liz Curtis Higgs did. Mixed Signals, a RITA Award Finalist, is on par with the best contemporary romance novels I've read. Liz's characters are believable and well fleshed out. I guarantee you won't be able to wait until the kids are in bed and your husband is watching his favorite television program so you can find a comfy chair, put your feet up and slip into Belle O'Brien's world. Without giving away the story, I can tell you Belle is fed up with big time radio. She is tired of smooth talking men, ready to settle down and find a husband. Good men are in short supply in Abingdon, Virginia, and if you are lucky enough to find one, half the women in town are after him.

J. B. Williams
Author, Chase Your Dreams

This book is an exciting experiance travling in and out of peoples minds. It has good christian values and is filled with delicious humour. As a kid I got alot out of this book (though my reading level is hardly at 'KID' anymore). Even if you don't know anything about radio, it hardly matters! I recommend this book highly. If your thinking about buying it, do it!!

I was looking forward to reading this, as like Higgs, I have a history in broadcasting. I did learn a few new terms that I hadn't come across in working with five different signals. The beginning started off great. I could relate to the volatile radio market, never knowing how long a job will last and when managers will sweep into town changing everything or nothing. Belle moving to a smaller but more stable market is a totally credible and wise move.

The characters were great; I liked the fact that it wasn't a typically straight line romance. Though it was a predictable romance after you got a few chapters into it. Each of the characters had their own struggle to overcome, and there was some character development as the story unfolded.

But the reason why this story does not get 5 stars from me is that it lost momentum somewhere after the first few chapters. After reading 1/3 the way into the book, I pretty much knew where the story would end; only the exact details were yet to be determined. It wasn't a book that kept me up at night turning the pages, it was easy for me to put down, and forget. I kept reading to the end however, because I didn't have any other book with me last weekend.

There was too much explaining/telling, not enough showing or involving the reader in the story itself. I found myself skimming through the many pages of a character thinking or agonizing, when IMO a simple paragraph could have summed it up and been more interesting. If you don't mind reading every little thought and its details, then this book will be quite enjoyable to you. I also do not prefer stories that changes POV frequently, but that is just a stylistic preference. This story was told in third person POV, with the person's viewpoint shifting within a chapter though of course not in a section, which is the correct way to do it.

I am hopeful that Higgs will continue to improve her fictional writing skills, as she has good concepts and in parts, was quite humorous. This book could have been improved greatly by being edited down 1/3 - ? of its size.

I cried, I laughed out loud in crowded quiet rooms... wow what can I say? This book left me wanting more. Liz takes a myriad of wonderful (and some not so wonderful) traits and spreads them evenly over such a diverse group of characters. I identified with at least one of the struggles of each and every character. I also found myself wishing to gain the virtues projected in each. This book kept me turning the pages, I COULDN'T READ IT FAST ENOUGH! I often found myself speed reading through just to see how it turned out. But then I would go back and reread the pages to drink the beautiful imagery Liz poured onto paper. I can't believe this is her first novel! (But I am already reading "Bookends".) I left this book wanting to move to Abingdon and move in with Norah! But if you are looking for a dose of God's grace today, I STRONGLY RECOMMEND reading this beautiful book. WAY TO GO LIZ!! You've blessed me again!

This whole series is amazing! I love how it turns the story a bit to make you fall in love with Leana (Leah) instead of the normal hero Rose (Rachel).

WHAT A STORY!!! I was so caught up in the characters being frustrated with Jamie and tempted to judge Rose by criticizing and condemning her, that I nearly missed the whole point of the story - do I love like Rose, or like Leana? As I began to examine myself and my thoughts about each character more closely, I realized how tempted I was to pity Leana, and condemn Rose. The truth is that Leana is to be admired. She did wrong, owned up to it, faced the consequences, and ends up paying dearly for her mistake (her deception costs her her family just as Jaime's deception costs him his family). She learns to loves as Christ does - completely, no matter what the cost to herself.

Rose and Jamie are to be pitied. Rose lives life with both hands open - not in offering, but in taking. In serving only herself, she has an empty heart and has nothing to give to anyone.

True, Jamie was clearly deceived on his wedding night. But he then uses this to justify his behavior and punishes his wife - for the very thing he did to his own brother. It's easy to judge them all, but the Bible says to judge ourselves, and love others. Bravo to the author for writing a fictional story that does exactly what God's word does - it reveals the true heart of the reader.

Rose Mcbride wants what her sister Leana McKie has, a loving husband and child to call her own. After coming home sick from school though she finds out that her dream is to come true.

There had been a mix up when Leana and James McKie got married and as far as the kirk (church) is concered Jamie is still married to Rose and Ian, his son by Leana is illegitimate.

Rose and Jamie are married and Leana goes to visit her aunt several miles away.

The three try to get their lives back to normal after what has happened to them will anything be normal again? Read Fair is the Rose.

This book follows A Thorn In My Heart which I loved and quickly ordered the next two in the series. There is no way that the plot can be called predictable and it has such character since it is written around the 18th century in Scotland. If you enjoy Higgs writing or even Irish type stories, then you will love this book. The first book leaves you amazed at the events but this book is not boring and a sudden turn of events keeps the reader guessing and entranced. I give it 5 stars because I couldn't put the first book down once I got going and couldn't wait to buy the second two.

After reading the first book "Thorn in my Heart", I was so excited to read the rest of the series. I was so sickened by Rose from the first chapter. Her character was terribly self-serving and horrid. I was disgusted by the end of the book with her. I have never felt so strongly about a fictional character before! I found myself sobbing for Leana during her trials. I was very tempted to put the book aside, as it was making me feel such emotions. I am in total agreement with other reviewers who had negative feelings towards Rose. Although she did try to better herself, she continuously made herself out to be a poor, pathetic victim. ICK!! The book in itself was very well written, but I felt myself just wanting the story to end already. There was just entirely too much suffering for Leana in this book.

I noticied that this book got a 5 star rating, however I wasn't real thrilled about it. Perhaps if it's not a challenging book or somewhat instructive, I want it to be happy. On the back cover it talks about passion and revenge, lost innocence, shattered dreams, sorrow and shame. It needed really strong writing and a good ending to counter all that.

This book is so captivating a just can not put it down. I just got a week ago, and I am almost done reading it. Then of course I will have to pass it along to my sister to read when I am done with it. Liz Curtis Higgs is a wonderful writter, and this finale to the series is just supurb.

Davina McKie is the only daughter of Jamie and Leana McKie (the subjects of Thorn in My Heart, Tender is the Rose, and Whence Came a Prince.) Davina has not been able to speak since she was younger, but has found ways of communicating, one way throw a fiddle.

Her younger brothers are sent away to school, and as they have always protected Davina Jamie is worried about her. Then he sends her to a cousins house on the Isle of Arran for the summer. Davina has the time of her life getting to know her cousins who are just about her age, when a request was made to play for the Duke of Hamilton.

While there she meets Summerland McDonald who takes a shine to her. Unfortunately this leads to several tragedies that befall her while on the Island.

While there are some cheerless parts of the book, the way that the book ends makes up for it.

Much like Francine Rivers, Liz Curtis Higgs' stories are able to reveal one's true heart and nourish the soul. Bravo.

Grace in thine eyes is a beatiful story about a tale that is very quickly forgotton. Tucked between the story of Jacob and Joesph lies Genesis chapter #34. The story of Jacobs daughter Dinah. Liz Curtis Higgs took that story and created an epic tale that will keep you reading from the first page till the last. Davina is a young lass of 17. Mute since a young child Davina is doted on by her younger brothers. When she is sent away to the Isle of Arran, she is truly excited. However no one would be able to see the string of events that will take place and change Davinas life forever. I enjoyed this book very much. I found it a different and well written story. I will be looking for many more stories by this author.

Well I never used any of the coupons in here but it did have good tips and reading in it. It was prompt on getting here.

We bought this book before our last trip to Vegas. It was well worth it just one coupon for dinner paid for the book. We always rent a car so getting to the different places was easy. The two for one buffets at Green Valley, and the Silverton were great. If you only go to the big hotels on the strip you wont get the full benifit of the book.

Loads of good info and a ton of coupons. If you are planning a trip to Vegas this book is a must have. You won't find offers from many of the large resort casinos but you will find enough free play, free gift, and food coupons to pay for this book a few times over in just one trip!

Bought the book on a friends advice. If it saves you one night in a campground, the book has paid for itself

Some interesting reading information in the book, but we found ourselves going out of our way to try to use the coupons, just to try and get our money back. Spent too much time going to casinos that were out of the way and less time just relaxing and enjoing ourselves. I wouldn't suggest that people buy this books before going to vegas, usually hotels will give better coupons anyway.

This book is not about innovation - it is about focus on what adds value instead of "useless" projects. It is applicable within innovation, but it could be better at it. It should have been more brief and with a more structured approach.

To summarize the book:
1. The developing world will soon beat the developed.
- We must come up with new products to compete.

2. Don't waste peoples' time
- learn how to do elevator pitches
- focus on important not interesting problems

3. Scrutinize ideas
Write small business plans / value proposition, and when presenting or writing focus in this order:
- What Need / problem does the idea solve
- How that problem is solved today (Competition and Alternatives).
- What Benefits and Costs / Disadvantages your solution has
- Last spend time on the Approach / implementation.

4. Be customer focused
Understand your customer. Read The Innovator's Solution.

5. Iterate ideas
Read Serious Play if you really want to understand this - this book just touches the subject.

6. Align your team
Make sure all works towards the same goal. Read Good to Great.

7. Focus on profit, not turnover
Be profitable as soon as possible, that is create value as soon as possible, as that would steer the idea.

8. Think big
Don't try to build 1M-companies, but 1B-companies. I think this is a useful exercise, even if the numbers look big the point is - if you are thinking about products that would address 100k problems, lift the bar.

This is the first book that is a comprehensive "how to" guide written for leaders that want to drive the innovation performance of their organizations. Curtis Carlson is president and CEO of SRI International, arguably a collection of the most productive innovators on the planet. If you read only one book on innovation, this is the one to read. If you are limited for time, buy this book and read Chapter 5: It's as Simple as NABC. NABC is an acronym for: What is the customer and market NEED? What is the specific APPROACH to satisfying that need? What are the BENEFITS from that approach considering costs? & Why are these benefits superior to the COMPETITION and/or alternatives? That chapter alone is worth twice the price of the book. We bought copies for everyone in the company. At Metrics Reporting, we are innovation practitioners. We practice the discipline of innovation. This is a guidebook for practitioners that are serious about creating extraordinary results.

Someone who's part-way into a running a small business would benefit greatly from reading this book. particularly the first half. It's good motivational reading... because you feel as though you've learned something, and really you have. It teaches how to get from a good idea, to a successful innovation. It's not innovation unless it's successful and gets used. Such a big concept, yet it often gets missed. That and it's well written, and a very enjoyable read.

If you struggle with defining and communicating the value of your product, service or business, look no further than Chapter 5 of this book. In my 20 years as a communications practitioner, I've never seen such a foolproof system for distilling a value proposition. We've adopted the NABC method like religion, and the process has been a revelation for our clients. No matter how complex your offering, Bill Wilmot and Curtis Carlson's elegant method will help you talk about it simply and in ways that matter most to your customers and prospects.

Right, this is not a book about innovation - it is a book about business management today, and its guidance is spot on! In what the authors call today's "exponential economy" (Freidman calls it a Flat World), the five disciplines of innovation equate to the five critical elements for business success. Consider each discipline:

1. Important Needs: Work on important customer and market needs - is the purpose of any business, and should be declared by the mission/vision statement(s).
2. Value Creation: Create customer value fast - is the basis for strategy. The NABC acronym - Need, unique Approach, Benefits per costs, Competition or alternatives - is an excellent way to dissect the strategy development process.
3. Innovation Champions: Be a champion to drive the value-creation process - is a statement that every business requires leadership that is committed to its success. And the list of ways to work as described on page 163...
* Listen and learn - all input is positive when the goal is increased value
* Fail often to succeed early - test your ideas early and often
* Ask for ideas before resources - keep costs down and interest up
* Surround yourself with enthusiastic volunteers - recruit for passion, curiosity, and values as well as talent
* Build business and financial models early, but be skeptical - Be quantitative and start with a SWAG
* Thank the thinkers, praise the participants - Share the credit, acknowledge contributions
* Trust the process - Visit Watering Holes and iterate, iterate, iterate
...are pretty good (well, except, the fail piece, which might simply read test your ideas) bits of advice for most leadership positions.
4. Innovation Teams: Use multidisciplinary, team-based approach to create a collective, genius-level IQ - is often the most effective organizational structure for any business today.
5. Organizational Alignment: Get your team and enterprise aligned to systematically produce - is about using identified and aligned business processes.

If you look at this book as the story of SRI International's success at innovation - and they are good at it - it has much to offer the reader. I particularly liked Chapter 6's "Watering Hole" process that was suggested as a way to improve ideas, and the DNA of change - Desire, New vision, and Action plan - is clever. While in general the book is a bit long-winded, the stories held my attention and that says a lot.

Dennis DeWilde, author of
"The Performance Connection"

Luther T. Farrell goes by his first name, middle initial and last name, which might be taken as a sign that he might not be as confident as he initially wants to appear. This assumption is correct. Luther is a high school student, academically successful, but socially awkward, who leads a more complicated life than many of his peers. While he may look like just another bright kid who is interested in science and philosophy, outside of school, he holds down a full time job as a caretaker for the residents of his mother's group homes. His mother, the Sarge of the title, is a strong-willed, ruthless woman who has found multiple ways of earning money while skirting the law. Luther is equally keen on winning the school science fair for the third time (a "tre-peat") and escaping his mother's tyrannical hold over him and his dreams. How he does this makes for an engaging read.

The one flaw is that for a child who has been physically and emotionaly abused, Luther is almost too well-adjusted. His anxieties and insecurities seem to fall within the "normal" range for an adolescent.
He just does not seem "troubled" enough given his circumstances. While it is possible to overcome an upbringing like his, I would expect a few more scars to have occurred in the process.

Although I was intrigued by this story--flipping pages quickly to find out how the protagonist would buck the Sarge--I was ultimately disappointed. "The Sarge" is a cruel slum lord without a shred of good in her, and the protagonist is the Sarge's 9th grade son without a shred of bad in him.

I'm disappointed in this book because even if I overlook Luther's ability to be so well-adjusted despite his upbringing (after all, Harry Potter did it), and even if I overlook the contrived ending (at least it's not happily ever after), I can't overlook that fact that I am not emotionally hooked.

Curtis had me bawling when reading some of his other books (The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963 and Bud, Not Buddy), but I felt no emotion--not sadness nor relief nor victory--when Luther finally bucked the Sarge.

This YA ("young adult") novel takes the reader into the unenviable life of Flint, Michigan 9th-grader Luther. The fatherless Luther is completely under the thumb of his domineering mother, a slumlord and neighborhood loanshark known as "the Sarge." To her, 15-year-old Luther isn't a son so much as unpaid help. She makes him live in one of her halfway homes and supervise its elderly internees. Other tasks include chauffeuring these old men around, cleaning houses after tenants have been evicted, and assisting his mother with the various scams she runs on the state social welfare system. Other than that, Luther is a typical awkward 9th-grader: pimply faced, obnoxious to the girl he has a crush on, and with a keen eye on winning the science fair again. He's also really nice and sweet, and a good kid -- which seems rather implausible given his upbringing.

The story is at turns comedic and tragic, however its main plotline concerns the school's science fair, which Luther is hoping to win for the third year running. This becomes a metaphor for his attitude to life, which is that hard work can lead to good things -- an approach his mother sneers at and calls "the sucker path." Her plan is for him to work for her and then inherit her empire, while he wants to go to college and get out of town. Since Luther makes such a big deal of working on his project, but the reader isn't told what it is, it's hardly surprising when the revelation of its topic ends up being a catalyst for a major turning point in Luther's life. Unfortunately, this climax is across-the-board implausible: (1) It's simply not believable that in the course of weeks of working on the project, the implications wouldn't have arisen in Luther's mind. (2) When the implications are clear, his mother acts contrary to character in terms of trust -- especially given the circumstances -- which allows the ending to unfold as it does. (3) A bit of incredible luck plays a key role in Luther's ultimate redemption. (4) The emotional implications of a kid running away from his only parent are never touched upon at all. The whole end plays out like some kind of film where an essentially good gangster is trying to quit the life and ditch his godfather, with all kinds of frantic scamming and planning.

Perhaps unintentionally it is Luther's acid-tongued mother who is the book's most compelling character -- when she speaks, it's not nice, but it is attention-grabbing. It's rare to find a story in which a mother is the cold-hearted parent, and the book doesn't do a very good job of explaining why she is the way she is. There is a backstory given, but it's rather hokey and simplistic. Her sidekick is a jheri-curled boyfriend/enforcer/gangster who is a barely contained menace to Luther's health. The men in the group home are a typical cast of comic relief, aside from the mysterious Chester X, who becomes a kind of cliche grandfather figure to Luther. His best friend Sparky provides more comic relief, as his solution to getting free of Flint is to fake an accident (with either a pit bull, diseased rat, or falling roof tile) and then win a settlement with the assistance of the local shyster lawyer. Unfortunately, unlike a proper best friend, about all Sparky is good for are numbskull schemes, and he disappears from the story for long stretches. It's a fairly engaging YA story on the whole, but it's also fairly superficial. Luther's predicament is never given the emotional depth or texture or even seriousness it merits, and some of the comic relief sequences are a little too broad and clunky. Not bad, but not great either.

One of the Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults in 2005, BUCKING THE SARGE is a solid read by Christopher Paul Curtis. The early novel of his, THE WATSONS GO TO BURMINGHAM:1963, was chosen as a Newbery Honor Book in 1996, and another of his, BUD, NOT BUDDY, won the Newbery Award Medal in 2000. An already acclaimed author, Curtis has delivered the humorous, if not outlandish story, of Luther T. Farrell, a young black boy and freshman in high school, who lives with and works for the Sarge (a.k.a. Mom), the mother of all mothers.

With his best friend Sparky, his love for philosophy, and his hatred for Flint, Michigan, Luther gets promoted to head of the Sarge's group home. At the same time, he's trying to think up the kind of idea that will win him 1st prize in the school's science fair for the third year in a year, an unprecedented feat. The problem is that the ordained-in-the-stars love of his life that he never talks to, Shayla Patrick, is his greatest competition, having nearly defeated him the year before.

While Luther's working his tail off for the Sarge, Sparky is scheming up ways to get rich quick, searching for the perfect case to take to Dontay Gaddy, the Big D.O.G. lawyer at 1-800-SUE-EM-ALL. Luther has a different plan. For a couple more years, he's going to keep working for the Sarge because she's loading up his education fund and that's the only real way to climb the ladder.

However, his new promotion at the group home gives him access to information he wishes he'd never found, the kind that changes your life forever, for better or for worse. With Sparky and Shayla still doing their things, Luther's going to have to figure out who the Sarge really is, what he's going to do about her, and how in the world he's ever going to make it out of Flint.

Reviewed by Jonathan Stephens

Michael Boatman is a perfect reader for this story. His voice is casual and "philosophical". Some of the story could have gotten bogged down in melodrama, but he keeps things on an even keel, while at the same time making the critique of life in Flint even more devastating. Momma's smooth, cool voice almost sounds reasonable, until you realize how ruthless she is.

Well done. One of the best audiobooks I have listened to.

My almost 3 year old granddaughter and I just love reading all Jamie's books since they really pertain to those little ones. A pure enjoyment every time.

I read this book to my six year old son. It holds his attention with its detailed illustrations of children who are obviously asserting their individuality and self esteem.

So far, we have several of Jamie Lee Curtis' books and each of them has been wonderful.

I'd recommend it to anyone whose child needs a bit of encouragement in the confidence department.

This was purchased for our grandson. He enjoys having it read to him and once again, when he can read it on his own, hopefully will continue to appreciate the intended message.

This book was a new one to me and one that I will use year after year with my class.
Kids and adults alike loved it.

I'm Gonna Like Me is a cute, engaging and esteem building book that is a pleasure to read. The age range listed for this is 4-8, but I really think this is one of those books that is a perfect read aloud (especially given that most kids up to age 8 can't read cursive and half the text/font is cursive) for 0-6, kids older than that probably aren't going to be as engaged in the message of the book, as was the case with my kids. My 6 year old loved it, but my 8 year old didn't enjoy the story as much, though she did enjoy pouring over the pictures with her brother (and reading him the badges and stuff) after the reading and they got a good chuckle out of all the zany and vivid imagery used.

In the end, the message given is one that is necessary, especially for younger children and would make for good story time discussion with kids ages 4-6 and maybe a little older...there's nothing intrinsically wrong with you if you get an answer wrong, someone doesn't like you or you get picked last. The message is that these things don't FEEL so great, but they don't affect who you are or your worth as a person and that is a strong, positive message. I give it 4 stars, a great message that can't be stressed enough to young children...to appreciate who you are and try all the things you wan to try because even when you're wrong, you learn from it!

And definitely not my last. Love Jamie Lee's stories. She is a wonderful author and right on the mark! You will not be disappointed in one book written by Jamie Lee. So far, we have 4 and we're not stopping there.

This book was purchased for our granddaughter. She enjoys the bright illustrations.

You know, this is my least favorite read by Curtis and Cornell thus far...and I'm actually of two minds about it. On one hand, it's got all the trademark things we love about her books - wonderful illustrations that are zany, vivid and almost a story in-and-of themselves, and text that is both silly and hits home with kids. I simply adore the idea of a four year old and her Memoir...that's such an unexpected thing, but it's charming and adorable at the same time! I think that this book is an excellent springboard for a larger lesson on memories; giving parents and/or teacher the opportunity to challenge their young readers (or listeners) to make their own memoir in a similar vein or leading to discussion about what the kids in a reading group/story time remember from when they were "still little."

On the other hand, it's got reference to junk food (by name even...Captain Crunch, Cheetoes, ect..) and it give the message that by age 4 they won't have to ride in a car seat which simply isn't true...here in Ohio, kids have to be 4'9" before they can be without a child safety seat, this is NOT a good message for kids to be getting. Overall, I give it four stars, as I said, it'd make a great spring board for additional activities in reading, writing, drawing and a fantastic place to go from for discussion about growing and changing with young children...but the "product placement" and child seat thing make me less than happy with this book as a parent. I suspect with a subtle correction about oh...how silly, you have to be X years old, or X tall or weight X amount, the car seat thing is easy to overcome and the product placement...well, if kids have already been given proper eating information and have a healthy diet at home, the knowledge that they CAN eat Captain Crunch or Cheetoes every now and then is probably not too terrible a message for kids to get.

This is a really good book and it is good for little kids because they might remember when they was little

I thought it would be more like I Feel Silly which it is not. Very babyish - one line sentences. I think the illustrations are not as clear as other books and looks like a mish-mash of colors. My just 5 year old is not interested in it.