Fitzgerald Books

My 8 year old son has not yet developed a true love of reading, so I'm always looking for books that will capture his interest. Well, this is one of them. The storyline is great and the characters are so loveable, he didn't put it down. And instead of reading for the required 20 minutes per day, he's opted to read longer, just for fun! That's music to this mother's ears!

I like the part where Bunnicula was sucking the juice out of the vegetables. You should read the book because it is really good. So, if you find the book, read it.
So have an adventure!

This book is a good book. Sometimes Chester gets a bad plan. He gets garlic out of the cupboard and it makes it smelly in the house. I thought it was very funny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

If you read this book you'll keep on reading the book over and over!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow, I was so excited to learn that there is a version of Bunnicula for younger readers! I remember having another version of this book read to me in fourth grade. I am a student-teacher and have been reading this to my first graders. They are loving it and are following along really well. They know it is the dog who is telling the story and most are intrigued by the "vampire bunny." This is a great story and hooks kids quickly.

This is a story that takes you back to a time when the Civil War had just ended and slavery has ended as well. Virgie is a young girl who is trying to keep up with her five boys who go to school. She wants to go to school herself. Her brothers tell her things like, "girls don't go to school", "school's too hard", and such. Virgie is a very determined young girl. There is a lot of American history information in the story. It talks about things like, the Quakers, who were a religious group back in this time who had come over to America. This group of people helped out the slaves during this time. The story also talks about Abraham Lincoln, who was against slavery and fought to end slavery during his term. This story goes on to show Virgie in the field with her mother picking pole beans and talks about her stirring soap for her Mama. These were some of the many chores young slave girls were to do during this time. Virgie continues to ask her mother and father if she can go to school. This story is by Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard who is telling a story about her grandfather's life during this time. Her grandfather is C.C. in the story.

In VIRGIE GOES TO SCHOOL WITH US BOYS, a young girl is unable to go to school with her six brothers. After much begging, she finally convinces her parents that girls should be able to learn also and reassures them that she can travel the seven miles to the school run by the Quakers. Though one would imagine the journey is rough for a small child, little Virgie keeps up with her brothers and arrives at school with them, ready to learn.

While this story is loosely based on the author's grandfather (one of Virgie's brothers), it symbolizes what many blacks must've felt during the Reconstruction period -- the need to use education as a stepping stone towards freedom. As with a lot of his other books E. B. Lewis uses the watercolor medium for VIRGIE GOES TO SCHOOL WITH US BOYS. His illustrations perfectly complement the story, bringing the reader into each page, and closer to Virgie and her family.

Reviewed by Tee C. Royal
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

My children always grow quiet with wonder when I read this tale of Virgie and her brothers, former slaves of the Reconstruction period following the Civil War. To learn to read and write, the boys travel seven miles each week to get to the school founded by Quakers (folks who love the Lord). They slosh through a river with their pail full of food and move silently through a dark wood. Their little sister Virgie longs to learn too and over the summer she lets everyone know it. After months of her prodding, Virgie's parents agree that she too is free and that even little girls needed to learn. Her big brother CC looks out for her on the trip (she falls in the river but doesn't cry) and enjoys her wonder upon seeing the school and the wonderful, beautiful bookcase full of books. "I'm going to read them all," she says touching them lightly. And from the wonderful writing of her descendant who wrote this book, we know that she must have. It's a beautiful story.

?Girls don?t need school.? This is the initial tone for Virgie Goes to School with Us Boys in the beginning. This book is honest with its stereotypes and use of language (considering the time it is set in), yet liberal in it?s moral. This book is sharp in its interpretation of how life was immediately following slavery, yet daring enough to portray life honestly and frank. The illustrations are vivid and clear allowing the reader to perceive Virgie?s(the main character)exact environment. As you read the book, the pictures draw you into the story as if you are another sibling for one of her brothers to pick on. The emotions on each character?s faces are clear as if you can read their minds. The watercolors bring the characters to life right before your eyes and portray life as realistic as a picture. Any child would get lost in the beautiful art in these illustrations, as well as learn a little something about the importance of learning.

Virgie Goes to School with Us Boys is notable for its subject matter and illustrations. The story concerns a young African-American girl in Post-Reconstruction Tennessee who hungers to follow her five older brothers to school; young African-American girls did not typically attend school during this time. The story is told in first person by one of the brothers, who is sympathetic to her cause. (Some of the brothers are against her accompanying them, and their comments add tension to the story--will their predictions come true?) The illustrations, watercolors by E.B. Lewis, provide an engaging yet gentle way into the text. The book provides a story interesting to young school age kids (is it possible that kids could actually yearn to be able to go to school?), and also an avenue to talking about social history. As a linguist, I especially liked the respectful yet accurate depiction of Black English Vernacular, which lends the book an evocative note. The book is 'officially' recommended for ages 4-8. Because of the history theme I would extend that to ten year olds.

How JFK kept sane we will never know , obviously the JCS wanted to send us all into god knows where but you can bet they would have been safe in their hideaway . Seems to me , like Churchill had his mission in life , there at the right time , then so JFK was put in charge for his ability to change the thinking.

Sheldon M. Stern's aptly chosen title recalls that wonderful science fiction film of the 1950s, "The Day the Earth Stood Still." It is good to have that echo in mind as you look back upon the Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962. Mid-century Hollywood reminds us of what the Cold War was like and Mr. Stern's book expresses what nearly happened. Aside from age and place of birth - I wish an aversion to war was a presidential requirement. President John Fitzgerald Kennedy had it. He had been to war and in his heart he did not wish to start another.

This is a great book for History Students and we should all be students of our history. While it is a condensation it seems more like an explosive compression of "Averting the Final Failure" (2003), which I have reviewed earlier -- describing it as, "a chilling, provocative page turner." So is this book and there are fewer pages to turn; this would have gratified me in my student days. If you would like more information, thoughts and opinion please turn to my earlier review.

Sheldon Stern has presented a harrowing study of one of the most dangerous events in World History - The Cuban Missile Crisis. In his book, The Week the World Stood Still: Inside the Secret Cuban Missile Crisis, we are presented with an event whose story line reads like it was written by a Robert Ludlum-like mystery writer, this story, however, was frighteningly true history. With the careful, thoughtful, and thorough research that is Mr. Stern's trademark, the reader is presented with the complete inside story of that fateful week. This is a must read for, not only students, but adults as well. Kudos!

Sheldon Stern takes us right into perhaps the most important decision-making in U.S. history. This account has been scrupulously put together from the primary sources, including the taped deliberations. Kennedy no longer emerges as a simplistic "cold warrior" but as a statesman whose value has even been enhanced by subsequent events. This is about as definitive account as we are likely to get, and is essentially reading for anyone who wants to be informed about those days of crisis.

Herbert S. Parmet

The Cuban missile crisis was the most dangerous moment of the Cold War and has received numerous analysis in other titles and articles. What makes Sheldon M. Stern's The Week The World Stood Still: Inside The Secret Cuban Missile Crisis different is its focus on a narrative written for students and general readers. The author's own transcriptions of the secretly recorded ExComm meetings serves as a foundation for an analysis which captures the striking moments of tension behind the scenes. The newest addition to the "Stanford Nuclear Age Series", The Week The World Stood Still is an impressive work of scholarship that is also highly recommended for non-specialist general readers with an interest in the history of the Cold War era.

I really love beginner books that are truly for beginners. This one fits the bill. The repetitive, rhyming style makes it accessible for very new readers. Lots of short words to sound out like cat, pup and pig, with clear, uncluttered illustrations to help the reader along. All the animal names are repeated near the end of the story, which is funny and satisfying. It's one of my kindergartener's favorites.

This is one of my 6 yr old son's favorite books. It's an easy read. If you have a beginner reader this is a great book. One or two sentences per page sometimes just a word, great pictures and funny ending. Best of all my son can read it on his own and finds it funny every time it's read. In our family we give it five stars. Hope this helps.

The book was good and I liked it a lot.I would like for others to read it and enjoy the excitement that I had.

We already had this funny book and loved it so much, we had to order it for my son's kindergarten class. This book is perfect for beginning readers. Almost all the sentences have rhymes, like "it is big, said the pig", "let me see, said the bee". The drawings are well done and funny, and are perfect for helping kids to guess the words.
I know it will be a favorite of your child and that you will have a great time reading it again and again (plus, it's easy for kids to memorize it)

This is a very fun entry-level reader because it combines common words,with very wonderful (expression filled) drawings and the story-line is constantly building to the surprising ending.
Our grandchildren all enjoy reading it to us.

I got this for the child of a friend of mine. The friend is an artist and I thought it would be fun for mother and child to read it and talk about art as history. It is such a lyrical work, expressing the concept of physical manifestation of history so well, I almost kept it for myself. We don't often think of small bits of things carrying history but, as this book illustrates so well, every piece of everything has its own story.

This is a beautiful book--in text, in illustration, in design, in concept. The warm earth tones are pleasing to the eye; they do not detract from the book's central messages: the value of historical-mindedness and respect for civilizations of the past. Though the book is intended for children, adults can glean quite a lot of educational treasure from it as well. I love the following soul-stirring statement from the book: "...every piece of clay is a piece of someone's life." A perfect reminder that, in the past, pottery was not only useful, it was highly personal and culturally meaningful. Pottery merged function with art. Without "libraries" of pottery surviving the centuries, we would have lost much human history.

Baylor's worthy book provides an intriguing introduction to basic archaeology, and it would be an appropriate supplement to any class and / or discussion about the cultures of the ancient Southwest or their art. I do feel, however, that most children under five years old might not understand / appreciate many of concepts well enough to make true connections with the story, especially if they are from a region other than the Southwest. Certain vocabulary words could be a challenge for these youngsters: desert, pottery, ancient, thousand, kneel, perky, speckled, polishing, tribe, fierce, canyons, ceremonies, etc. If I were selecting the target audience of children for this product, I would probably say 6 to 10 year olds rather than the given 4-8 year olds. But that's just my opinion! :)

Especially nice is the small map at the back, which shows where four prehistoric Native American cultures flourished: the Anasazi, the Hohokam, the Mimbres, and the Mogollon. The pottery of these cultures inspired the designs used in this book. My favorite illustrations are those of Kokopellie, the flute player, and the ones with celestial themes. Somehow, I found the bear-wrestling image rather funny! :) All in all, I am quite satisfied with this book--thought-provoking and inspiring.

People who actually craft pottery may enjoy this book because it recognizes and celebrates hand-made products.

When Clay Sings, tells the story of Indian pottery lying in the sands of the desert of the American Southwest. This pottery cries out with stories from the lives, customs, and thoughts of the people. The legacy of their lives are wrapped up in the art. The beautiful Indian artwork on each page matches the lyrical, imagery effect of the text. A great book for introducing children to Indian heritage or pottery in general.

This is a book I would give to my grownup friends who are potters, or graphic artisits, or parents of budding artists.... I was drawn in by the title and the cover art, and enchanted by what I found...truly a treasure! It is about the centuries-old tradition of pottery and the stillness necessary to hear the small voice in the clay as it sings to the potter. A wonderful book to give as a gift during these holidays so filled with noise and technology and BUY ME! Enjoy.

i find the book interesting, its approach in introducing children to archaeology and culture is unique and should be followed..
the drawings / paintings are marvelous!!!!
i believe children (and adults) will find the book stand out from others....

My grade 1-2 students enjoy this book every year. We read it on the 100th day of school and also do lots of the activities in the book. My kids especially enjoy making the hats with 100 things stuck on.

If you you are wanting a book that would grabb you and make you keep reading, read this book. It is just the most exciting book there is. Trust me on this. Have fun reading!

This is easy enough for my 6 year old and her best (7 year old) friend really likes it too. A fun read for the 100th day of school.

I read this book to my class on the 100th day of school every year. It's short, energetic, idea-inspiring, and the kids love the rhyme. It mirrors the way we celebrate the 100th day at our school, so the kids think it's fun to see another class celebrating in a similar way.

Richard Buller's knowledge seems to have no bounds. With clarity and confidence, the author presents key moments in the life of Lois Moran. He also spends a third of the book exploring her relationship with F. Scott Fitzgerald. Buller had a vast amount of information at his disposal: Moran's journal and autobiographical notes, her son Tim, and Moran herself. Plus, he researched numerous books and contemporary newspaper articles. Intimidated? Don't be. Buller pulls all the pieces of the puzzle together for us, in a seemingly effortless flow of historical events. Don't know the works of Moran or Fitzgerald? Buller provides clear summaries. Then, he takes us to the next level by analyzing how Moran influenced Fitzgerald. In addition, the book provides many pictures with helpful captions. Even if you've never heard of Lois Moran, this is a "must have" for anyone interested in F. Scott Fitzgerald, movies, or the Jazz age.

I suppose I first encountered Lois Moran as most people did, via Scott Fitzgerald's portrayal of her as Rosemary Hoyt, the ingenue in his tragic 1934 romance TENDER IS THE NIGHT. Since Arthur Mizener identified Lois Moran as Rosemary's "original" in his 1950s biography of Fitzgerald THE FAR SIDE OF PARADISE, her name once again became recognizable, and we began to think of her as a silent film star who must have beeen cute, but surely without talent otherwise wouldn't her performances have survived? Now Richard Buller steps forward with this biography of the actress herself, both in and out of her relationship with the great novelist, and his book shows us that she's perhaps even more interesting when considered as an actress alone, and not just a Lolita-like playtoy.

Buller explores the bond between Gladys (Lois Moran's mother) and her daughter, and rebuts the myth that Gladys was a conventional stage mother who disliked her daughter's interest in married men. Gladys is worthy of a book all of her own! She took Lois from their settled life in Pittsburgh and brought her to Paris as a teen to escape the repressive US climate of the day, and to show her daughter life in big beautiful capital letters.

Stardom in the movies was only a sort of lagniappe to Lois, who abandoned Hollywood when she married in 1935. And she was signally a free-lance player, one who evaded the contractual obligations of any one studio (except for a brief and not too happy contract with Fox). That may have precipitated her withdrawal from cultural memory, however, for I think in the classical cinemaa the studio really built their stars up, and the ones who played it free-lance aren't as well remembered today. (We know Clark Gable, for example, better than we know, say, Irene Dunne.)

Buller has uncovered three short stories that Lois Moran wrote about Scott Fitzgerald, it's a shame that his publishers couldn't have authorized their publication in an appendix, for the excerpts he quotes are fascinating. Just as tantalizing are his descriptions of some of Moran's movies. I for one am going to go on a hunger strike until Turner Classic Movies schedules a showing of WEST OF BROADWAY with John Gilbert--the ultimate "bad luck" movie from Buller's description.

Lois Moran went to Broadway and starred in two Gershwin musicals (OF THEE I SING and LET 'EM EAT CAKE), then married an industrialist who ran Pan Am, Clarence Young. In the Youngs' luxury apartment here in SF's North Beach, on Vallejo Street, they hosted a secret wartime conference with FDR, Lindbergh, and other luminaries. I'm going to go there later today and try to talk my way into the graces of the current owners of the building and photograph the room where it all took place. After Clarence and Gladys died, Moran's later struggles with alcohol make for sad reading. What a story! And what a woman!

Lois Moran's life and body of work, so carefully portrayed by Richard Buller, are a living tribute to the wonderment of Lois Moran, the person. Here is a portrait of some eighty years of giving without reservation to the people of this planet.

The author's insightful and diligent research, coupled with some memorable findings in her journals, papers and photographs, have made this book a true and masterfully constructed literary achievement.

I had never heard of Lois Moran - now I am a fan! Richard Buller's fascinating account of this remarkable woman is brilliantly researched and beautifully written. Why more has not been made of this shining Hollywood star is a curious mystery. Happily, Mr. Buller fills us in with style. He describes the era adroitly and offers surprisingly intimate historical nuggets, sly humor, and a deep poignancy that moved this reader to tears. I felt as if I were walking with Lois every step of the way. Like meeting an old friend for the first time. Her gleeful, almost childlike kinship with life attracted sparkling people and events; yet her "grown-up" values guided her to always hone her gifts and to help others. A unique example that despite our heartaches, we can indeed create a "beautiful fairy tale" of our lives. A delightful, revelatory read. Inspiring.

My "newbie" Tee Ball player laughed hard at one character's silly interpretation of "going home". When teaching children to play a new sport, it's important for all -- including these young players -- to keep a sense of humor.

My twin 5 year olds played t-ball for the first time this spring. We bought this book recently and it made them laugh out loud. The story reminded them of the many funny things that happened when they were first learning the rules of the game. Wish we had read it before the season began. It's a fun read.

This is such a cute book. Brother and Sister bear are trying to coach a T-ball team but neglect to teach the cubs how to play. So, when they're told to "run home" after making a hit, the little cub literally runs home to her house. This book is full of such little quips and makes learning about a sport very entertaining. It's also great for that little one just starting T-ball and learning about the game. Even sportsmanship is discussed as Brother bear learns that nothing is ever accomplished by stomping up and down on your hat! This book helped explain a lot in our house. Recommend!

I loved this book because of its humor. Great for teaching a young one about T-Ball and there is also the valuable lesson about teaching kids about teaching/coaching a sport. Also, fun stickers included!

This book was great! It was a long book compaired to the other Phantom Stallion books. Blue Wings is one of my favorite Phantom Stallion books, although Untamed is my favorite.

P.S. I have some sad news for Phantom Stallion fans: #24 Run Away Home is the final book in the Phantom Stallion series

This was defintely one of my favorite PS books. It starts with Sam and Ross, one of the cowboys saving Jen. Then Brynna buys a beautiful spanish mustang for Sam's Dad and he doesn't want it. He trys to let the other cowboys break him but the horse, "Blue" is to smart for them, forcing Sam's Dad to do it himself. This one is great, action packed and a great read.

I enjoyed this book alot sice it wasn't boring and caught my attention. As always this is another great book to the great series. More people should read these books like there awesome for anybody! Anyways Sam gets this horse for her dad for his birthday present gets excited to show her dad. Surprisingly her dad doesn't like his present! Sam tries to figure out why and the adventure begins!

This book was great. The action was never ending in this book and there was always something going on but what I loved about it was that though there was a lot of different things going on, it all connected somehow so it wasn't just action to fill in the book.

I also liked that you get to see and know more about Ross, River Bend's quietest ranch hand. Before, he was just someone there but you felt like you really didn't know him and this book let you see a little more of him.

This is a MUST read for any Phantom Stallion book. It has more pages then the last few new ones have been too. This is deffinatly not a boring book!

I just read Brave Buffalo Fighter, and thought it was a pretty good book. I didn't read it as a child, but decided to read it now, because I liked the Great Brain books so much, that I wanted to read more by John D. Fitzgerald. While the book kept my attention, I was surprised that the story was much more dramatic and had a harsher storyline than his other writings. This story lacked the humor of his other stories, but had the same historical fiction qualities.

Having grown up on the East side of Utah, the Great Brain was a treasured child hood companion. However, I had completely forgotten that John Fitzgerald wrote this book too. My third grade teacher, Mr. Cody Jenkins read this book to us and I remember being "transported" to the times of the book--a feat that only great books can accomplish.

I too have been searching for this book almost 20 years later. It's a book that you read and never forget. I could tell you the story and haven't read the book since 1985. How can such a great book be out of print?

I second the comments of the previous reviewer. I read this book as a twelve year old, and have spent the last twenty years looking for another copy. Hard to find, but well worth the search.