Siblings Books

An excellent and fun book to read to the grandkids (ages 2 to 7). Should be great for kids who are readers, too.

An amusing, creative twist to the original Hansel and Gretel story with a wonderful moral for kids.

My two boys (5 and 3) love this book and ask me to read it to them regularly. The 3-year-old chooses this book as one of his favorite things to take to bed with him.

I purchased this book to share with my class after the success of The Three Little Rigs last year. While spending time babysitting this summer, I shared the book with a family of three (ages 4, 6, and 8). The book has been a hit. In two days, we have read the book MANY times. The 4 year old has carried it around with him constantly. This would be a great book for any boy, but the two sisters have liked it too.

David Gordon's HANSEL AND DIESEL offers a different kind of Grimm tale: here two machines set out to search for fuel in their junkyard - and face the Wicked Winch alone in the forest. How can two little lost trucks survive? A remarkable, innovative presentation.

Karen Schwabach's THE HOPE CHEST tells of one Violet, a young lady on the run from her parents in 1917 - and in search of a sister who has left to journey to New York. Violet's search for her sister leads her on to Tennessee, where Chloe is fighting for women's rights, involving Violet in a new world of women's rights. THE HOPE CHEST brings to life early women's suffrage efforts and makes for an adventure-filled read.

I've given copies of this book and A Pickpocket's Tale to all my nieces!

Did you know that the decades-long battle for women suffrage in the U.S. was won in Nashville, Tennessee? That the suffragists were deeply divided on issues of race and civil rights? Or that as late as 1920 the U.S. government. in the person of the legendary J. Edgar Hoover, continued to persecute peace activists who had spoken out against U.S. participation in the First World War?

Neither did I. Neither, at the beginning of the story, do the protagonists, Violet and Myrtle. But they find out, on an exciting journey through New York and Washington D.C. to Nashville, during a week that changes U.S. history.

I have to admit that I approached this novel with a bit of trepidation, even though it was by the author of the wonderful A Pickpocket's Tale: "The history of the Nineteenth Amendment" sounded like it had potential to be a bit on the dry side, to say the least. Instead I found myself fascinated by a unique perspective on a little-known chapter in U.S. history: The ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment by the Tennessee legislature in August 1920, as seen from the perspective of two children. The two girls, Violet and Myrtle, are tough and independent kids who would fit into the world of Harry Potter or Avatar; they are not passive recipients of information doled out by grown-ups, but go out on their own to discover what's going on -- and, if necessary, to change things. They travel on their own to Nashville, seeing enough of their world to make the America of 1920, with all its flaws and wonders, come to life. Along the way, naturally, they encounter a variety of entertaining characters -- amid all the humor and adventure, readers may not even realize that they're learning something.

This is the second historical novel by this author (A Pickpocket's Tale) and fully lives up to my expectations. A great read with lots of historical detail!
This time the scene is eastern USA, from PA to TN by way of NYC and DC in 1920. The issue is the final vote for the women's suffrage amendment ratification. The author's unique approach is a kind of dual theme - two girls who will benefit from the legislation - one white, one African American, traveling to TN by train, separated by Jim Crow laws both on the train and in Nashville.
I loved the girls! And the book! And their fellow travelers. I think the achievement of verisimilitude is amazing.
Highly recommended!

My daughter will be 3 in April and we discovered this book at the library while picking out books after story time. She wants to read this one every night at bedtime, so I plan to buy it for her for her birthday. I echo all the other reviews, and agree that I think it is one that should be in every child's library! Even though the situations in the book happen to "raccoon children" they are real life situations that could happen to any "human child". Great job!

I bought this book for my nephew who is named Hunter!
It's a great story--with a message, but not in a pushy way.
Peer pressure is a difficult subject to address; this book handles it superbly!!

Ms. Elliot has followed up her acclaimed book for young adults, "Under a War-Torn Sky", with a charming new book for 2-6 year olds. My children love to hear about the little racoon's dilemma about following along with his best pal's naughty antics versus trying to inspire his friend to behave as his "best self." The story is wonderfully entertaining (my son walks around quoting his favorite characters' lines!), the illustrations are adorable, and the book teaches a valuable message for kids of all ages. Hunter has become my children's favorite book -- I highly recommend it!

This is an adorable book which will grab a child's attention from the beginning. I think this must become a staple for every kindergarten classroom. I was in public education at the kindergarten level. The lesson taught here on "peer" pressure, is a lesson that cannot be taught too early in a child's school career. The illustrations are wonderful too! Ms. Elliott and Ms. Munsinger, congratulations! You have done it again!

As an educator of young children for over twenty-five years, I find Hunter's Best Friend at School by Laura Elliott to be one of the best books I have ever read, dealing with being true to one's self. All children want to be liked and often do things that they would not otherwise do, just to be accepted. Hunter and Stripe are such friends, yet with the help of his mother and his teacher, Hunter is able to set an example that encourages Stripe to be "his best self." This book is absolutely delightful and entertaining. The words, the illustrations, the message of being true to oneself is certainly needed in today's world. I read it to a Kindergarten class that was spellbound by the second page. The school librarian is going to order one copy for each of the primary classes at our school. My own grandsons, age five and seven, were touched by Hunter's example, with the five-year-old saying, "my eyes are getting wet from hearing that story" and the seven-year-old saying, "I have that problem with my friend." Out of the mouth of babes is a telling review of this wonderful book and I would encourage every parent and grandparent to include it in their children's library as soon as possible.

The book was interesting. I like the part when she predict that one of her friends is going to fight someone the next day and it did happened. I never knew anyone could predict that. This is one of the best book that I ever read. I bought the book. To people that don't have this book and haven't read this book, you don't know what you're missing.

The book was interesting. I like the part when she predict that one of her friends is going to fight someoene the next day, and it did happened. I never knew anyone could predict that. This is one of the best book that I ever read. I bought the book. To people that don't have this book and haven't read this book, you don't know what your missing.

I really enjoyed this book about fotune teller Jessica. It's about SVMS haing to make their own carnival or something. I especially liked the part when the Unicorns had to be tossed in a tub of grape jello!!!

I got another version of this book. The cover is actually a photo of a purple velvet table strewn over with fortune-telling stuff and the twins' pictures on the top corner. Anyway the story was very interesting and was one of the best Sweet Valley books I've evr read! You should get it too

This deserves like, a 200 (best, best, best!) I loved it so much! Jessica predicts the future! She predicts that Elizabeth would flunk a history test and so on. This is the best book! Make a hundred copies of this book and don't care if they come to me! Anna Hycla

Confessions of a Middle Childis a very good book. This book is about a girl named Julep O' Toole. Julep is an eleven yeat old, middle child who feels like she is invisible. In the book she often has conflicts with her older sister Harmony and her younger brother Cooper. In the book Julep is finally given a chance to come out of the shadows. But will she, you'll just have to find out. I really like this book and suggest it to 6th grade girls.

Julep is one of my favorite books! The author does a good job of writing how life really is in middle school with all the problems Julep faces with her friends. The journal and drawings are great, too. I've read two of the Julep books (Miss Independent is good) and hope to read the third soon. If you are a kid you will LOVE this book!

Julep makes you laugh from beginning to end! I love the part where Clavin reads from Julep's journal over the loudspeaker at school!! Read this book and you will really enjoy it. All of my friends are reading Julep now and we can't wait to read the other books in the series. Go Julep!! C.Y.L. (you will get this when you read the book).

Julep is a middle child and she is stuck between her older sister and younger brother. I like this book because it's very funny and has lots of action, too, like when Julep gets her journal read over the P.A. at school! It also tells a good story. Julep has to help her brother when he has a bad asthma attack and her sister doesn't know what to do. Julep will make you think and make you laugh, so read it!! There are more books in the series, which I plan to read. Julep O' Toole: Miss IndependentJulep O'Toole: What I Really Want To Do Is Direct (Julep O'Toole)

Julep is a middle child and she hates it. She wants to be popular like her older sister or the spoiled baby like her little brother. I love this book because Julep is very real. She gets into embarrassing situations, just like me and my friends do sometimes. My teacher read this book to our class and we all thought it was true and funny! It's serious, too, like when Julep has to help her little brother when he has an asthma attack. Read this book!

A wonderful book for any family with a youngster at risk. Although, focused specifically on the sibiling of an autistic brother, the emotional ups and downs pertain to children within families of special needs children. Told with honest emotions about a young boy trying to cope with his brother's disability and it's impact on his everyday life. Brian clearly loves his brother, Joseph, but struggles with the anger, hurt, and frustration his brother's odd behaviors brings upon him. Brian finds himself second to Joseph within the family dynamics due to the demands of his brother's care. He finds himself having to explain and defend Joseph in school and at play. Brian is bullied and threatened because of Joseph in social situations. Brian is every young boy coming of age, but with the added conflict between anger and love of his brother, Joseph. Well written and a unique book for exploration of tolerance and acceptance by all children.

Knowing Joseph is an engrossing, touching book about a young boy trying to deal with his 6-year old autistic brother. For 10-year old Brian, living with his brother Joseph isn't easy. Joseph doesn't play with other children, screams when something bothers him, and constantly needs special attention.

To make matters worse, Mom and Dad are so preoccupied with Joseph's ups and downs they hardly have the time to pay attention to Brian, which isn't fair. Still, Brian does his best, always trying to make Joseph comfortable and protect him from the school bullies - but does he really know Joseph?

One day at the beach during a family camping trip, Brian meets an older boy who enlightens him about autism. He not only opens a whole new window of knowledge for Brian, but for other children as well. As a result, Brian and Joseph become closer than ever.

Later, back at school, the children are given an assignment. They must work in groups and make a presentation on their chosen subject: children with disabilities. To Brian's chagrin, the teacher announces that the class bully must be part of their group. As the children make their presentations, it becomes obvious the class bully has some special needs as well - not like those of Joseph, the boy he had been bullying all along.

Knowing Joseph is a must read for children ages nine and up. In an engaging style, Mammay teaches the reader what autism is all about and how to treat children who have this disability. She does this by presenting the characters and the story, not by preaching, which is why middle readers will enjoy this novel.

The plot is interesting and compelling. The dialogues, characters, and plot appeal to young readers. Ultimately, it is a book that not only informs, but also one that teaches the true meaning of kindness and compassion.

Brian 9, has a 6-year old brother with autism. Joseph is marginally verbal; clings rigidly to routines and finds loud noises unbearably painful. Both boys play on their school's soccer team. Each time Brian hopes that Joseph will be able to stay in the game without any meltdowns.

A bully named Louis targets Brian and ridicules Joseph. This results in Brian's first fight and first school infraction. Enraged that Joseph was indirectly responsible for the blemish on his otherwise spotless record, Brian once again wishes Joseph was not autistic.

A family camping trip proves to be the turning point the the boys' lives. They meet a group of kids who ridicule Joseph and mess up the stones he has meticulously placed in order. A slightly older boy named Billy tells the pack to back off. They all defer to him and one girl has a crush on him.

Billy knows immediately that Joseph has autism; he even tells Brian about his friend's brother Aaron who is also on the spectrum and whose behavior is very similar to Joseph's. Brian is stunned - this is the first time another kid has really "known" Joseph!

Armed with this new knowledge and a new friend, Brian becomes more determined than ever to help pave the Road to Tolerance for his brother. A school project and a very clever presentation bring home the important message this book has to offer.

A must have for families and educators. This one is a keeper!

Judith Mammay's debut novel, Knowing Joseph, opens with a little kid making a scene in a bowling alley parking lot. Brian Bertram walks away from him. "I'm glad I don't know that kid!" he says.

But the boy kicking and screaming and throwing himself on the ground is Brian's autistic brother, Joseph. So begins Brian's struggle -- to deal with his brother, to defend him, and ultimately, with the help of a surprising new friend, to understand him.

Author Judith Mammay is one of my online critique partners. I always enjoy her writing, so I picked up JOSEPH expecting to like it. I wasn't disappointed, and I was especially taken with the details that let readers see Joseph as a real person and not just "the kid with autism." Knowing Joseph is a natural book choice for older siblings of autistic kids, since Brian grows to model so many caring, supportive strategies for helping his brother. It's a great title for schools, too, because it helps readers understand what's behind scenes like the temper tantrum at the bowling alley. And understanding leads to acceptance.

This book has many of the same themes as Cynthia Lord's Rules, another one of my favorites. Knowing Joseph is probably geared toward a slightly younger audience, though. I'm guessing the 8-10 crowd will like it best, and it has nice big print and plenty of white space so reluctant readers won't be intimidated. Kudos to the Blooming Tree Press design team for making sure this book will be accessible to kids with special needs, too.

I couldn't put this book down and read the entire chapter book in one day. I enjoyed getting to know the many characters and how they interacted with each other and our character, Joseph, who just so happens to have autism. Joseph's brother, Brian, is challenged throughout the book to be a good brother to Joseph, but is also struggling with bullies and peer pressure. Finding friends to support him along the way helps him to learn not only more about his brother, but about friendship and just what makes a bully a bully.

I think that this upper elementary chapter book would be a terrific book on its own. However, I think it would be a super book for sibling support groups for kids in families with autism. I also think that it would be a great introduction to autism for elementary school classes, peer assisted learning volunteers or community groups especially those that will be welcoming a student with autism into their presence. Lastly, I think anyone would get a wonderful introduction to what autism is while enjoying a inspiring story that comes full circle. I would recommend this book to be in every school, church and class library.

The book makes us pause to think...what do I do well? And what does he do well? What does she do well? Instead of concentrating on our differences, it focuses on concentrating and supporting each other's strengths.

Kudos to Judith Mammay for a wonderful story of friendship, compassion and understanding.

Joanna Keating-Velasco, Author
A Is for Autism F Is for Friend: A Kid's Book for Making Friends with a Child Who Has Autism

Reviewed by Simon Smith (age 9) for Reader Views (10/08)

The "Knucklehead" was very naughty with some crazy tricks. The front of the book makes it look like a comic book but it's really not. It's a chapter book with short chapters and some photos. Jon is a naughty kid who is forever going outdoors or playing tricks on his four younger brothers. This is the story of the author and the funny things that happened when he was a kid.

Once in Sunday School Jon had to write down all of the curse words he knew and show them to the teacher for an assignment. Jon said that the universe stopped when the teacher read the list. She gave him the evil eye, but fortunately, since it was an assignment to write down the curse words, he got away with it.

Another time, when Jon saw this really cool ad that said one-thousand toy soldiers in a footlocker, he bought them all immediately. When they came, he saw that all of the soldiers were no thicker than a dime. He angrily shoved all of the useless soldiers back in the chest. Then the youngest brother Jeff came along and when he asked what it was, Jon showed him the ad and told him that this was one-thousand soldiers in a footlocker and that he could buy it from him for one-dollar and fifty-cents.

His writing is pretty good as writing goes and from the way this is read, it sounds like this information might have been taken from his journal. This book is for people who like sneaky, naughty stories and is probably best for kids, ages seven and up. If you liked "Skinky Cheeseman" and "Other Fairly Stupid Tales," also written by this author, then you'll really like this book, "Knucklehead: Tall Tales and Almost True Stories of Growing up Scieszka."

Jon Scieszka tells it like it is growing up in a big family. He is every bit as funny in person as in writing -- get this book and have a great laugh.

To adults that don't normally wander through the shelves of children's literature the notion of the autobiography for kids is a pretty odd beast. You write a book about yourself, sure. But why would you make the primary audience for that book people who think that boogers and farts are the height of wit and sophistication? Fact of the matter is an autobiography written with a child audience in mind needs a hook. Your life, particularly your life as a kid, has to have had something interesting about it. Many of us probably look back on those years only to sigh and determine that absolutely nuthin' interesting went on back then that would sufficiently engage a ten-year-old. Not Jon Scieszka. You want a hook? Try five brothers. Five brothers and Catholic school. Five brothers and Catholic school and a mess of stories involving bodily functions and super cool (and not so cool) toys. Mr. Scieszka proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that when it comes to recounting your youth, there's nothing like a plethora of XX chromosomes to keep the readers reading.

He was born the second Scieszka, after Jim, before Tom, Gregg, Brian, or Jeff. You want to know where the author of books like The Stinky Cheese Man gets his ideas? This book provides the answer. Using bite sized chapters rarely more than two to three pages in length we get a firsthand account of what it's like to grow up as a child of the fifties and sixties alongside five other bros where being a guy takes up all of your time. The book is written in such a way that readers are almost encouraged to flip back and forth through it to get all the good stuff, but in the order they prefer. So if you happened to skip Chapter 13 about Gregg's broken collarbone and you get to Chapter 19 which references the incident in passing, never fear. It's easy to take Knucklehead as it comes to you. There are thirty-eight chapters in total and each one's a heckuva lot of fun.

Read enough of these authorial auto-bios and after a while you start seeing similarities. That section about peeing on the heater in the bedroom? Well that's mighty similar to the peeing on the heater section in Chris Crutcher's book King of the Mild Frontier. Not because one was cribbed from the other or anything. It just seems that peeing on heaters is one of those universal things boys like to do, and it sure does make for great reading. As I read Scieszka's book I also started flashing back to some talks I've heard fellow author Eoin Colfer give about his own years with a big family, and the disgusting hijinks he and his siblings engaged in. When the candid and the funny are one and the same, you've got the makings of a hit on your hands.

Actually, maybe I shouldn't use the word "candid". Since the subtitle of this book says that it involves "tall tales and mostly true stories" then the readers should have some fun trying to figure out where Jon exaggerates. It's tough. A lot of these are so weird you can't help but think they're true. That story about how Jon would faux call the Bad Boys' Home while brother sitting? Sounds about right. The one about breaking Gregg's collarbone? Jon has the photographic proof right there (and even a picture where Gregg looks like he's a "third-grade pro football player"). No, I think my doubting Thomas nature came into play more along the lines of the chapter called "Car Trip" which involves brothers, a cat, and an unfortunate pecan nut log in a vomit-fest that certainly strains at the tensile threats of my credulity. And maybe the dry cleaning bag incident. I mean it's just too cool.

The design of this book is groovy, keen, awesome, neato no question. From the faux ads on the back to the sheer overwhelming swath of photographs, graphs, x-rays, pictures, and clip art peppered throughout, this puppy's a visual humdinger. The kind of thing that makes you scratch your head and say, "I wonder if he would have gotten this much cool art design help if he wasn't our National Ambassador of Children's Literature?" Which is an uncharitable thought, perhaps, so you'd have to banish it from your brain forthwith and just enjoy the pictures instead. It's clear that Mr. Scieszka, creator of the Guys Read movement that encourages boys to read, knows how to make an autobiography that reluctant readers will dig. Everything about this book is tailor made for the kid who thinks that they don't like books. The chapters are very short and the text continually broken up by the visuals.

In New York anyway the go-to autobiography assigned by teachers over and over again is Jerry Spinelli's Knots in My Yo-Yo String. Now at long last it looks as if Jerry will finally see a challenger to his throne. I've heard Mr. Scieszka present one or two of the chapters of this book live and since he has a tendency to go off-script (particularly when he's discussing his own life) there are things he has mentioned live that didn't quite make it into Knucklehead. That's okay. I don't think anyone's going to accuse the man of not including enough information. As a reluctant reader pick and the kind of autobiography kids are going to fight to read first, this book is definitely a must-add title for any library's shelves. Good clean stuff. Without the "clean" part so much.

This is an awesome funny book. My husband was raised in Michigan and has a sweet routine of telling my two boys ages 6 and 11 stories of his childhood at bedtime every night. He found this book and bought it for our 11 year old. He loves it. Last night he read it outloud to me and we both laughed so hard my faced hurt! Awesome book.

As the mother of four boys (and a child of the 70s), I adore what Jon Sciezska has done for male-accessible literature. My sons are reading again and again the adventures of Jon and his brothers who "don't know" how mischief happens. Perhaps my favorite part of this book is his description of how the term "knucklehead" changed from being a deragatory term to a phrase of endearment. My boys love the funny stories of what happens when you get a pack of boys together.

We also love the book he edited, Guys Write for Guys Read, full of great authors that boys/men and the women who love them like to read.

Dr. Kisamore wrote a masterpiece. A wonderful and tragic story that allows you to become part of it. The story begins with a brief history of the Kisamore legacy and ends with the sacrifice and glory of a young warrior and hero. Dr. Kisamore masterfully brings the reader into the story. After reading the book, I felt like I had lost a friend and Big Brother. Thank you Dr. "K" for allowing me to get to know " Leo, Your Big Brother".

This is an excellent book that contains the elements of both a great tragedy and comedy. It is strange that these two can exist in a work of non-fiction together. Dr. K's witty writing and sense of humor create a different light to his memories. This book gave me an excellent insight to the horrors of war, and I impaciently await any new releases Dr. K plans to release!

"Leo, My Big Brother" (A World War II Story,in which the author brings a loving tribute to his big brother)

Leo was a WWII hero. He flew off to war and never came home. He had the same dreams and aspirations as all American young men of that era as he bravely went off to fight for his country. He left a young war bride behind as well as a loving family. His life as a youngster, growing up in rural Western Maryland, brings back memories to those of us who lived there and shared those memories. We relive those happy times through the eyes of Dr. Kisamore (the "litttle brother"), and we remember with loving pride and gratitude those young heroes who eventually gave us back a peaceful world.

I also grew up in Cumberland at the time this story starts to unfold. I did not know any of the folks in this naritive. However, a similar story was developing within my own family. I had a cousin who flew in B-17s over Germany. The many of the things that happened to Leo happened to my cousin. Reading this book took my back to the late 30's and early 40's and I could relive my cousin's life through Leo's letters. As a kid, like Norman, I looked up to my cousin and the glorious lives they lived. They seemed glorious until they went on those awful bombing runs. The fact that so many of our boys, like Leo, never returned was the dreadful part of being in a war. Fortunately my cousin returned and the stories he told of what it was like made me feel so bad for Leo and his family. I highly recomend this book for the people who lived through WWII and especially those who were born after this era, so they can better understand what it was like living through these times.

Leo did all the things a growing up kid did in a small town in the 30's and 40's. He was the best softball pitcher and player, he had a special car and he had two little brothers that he was "Big" for. His family was so very important to him; he was always thinking of them and they of him. When his B-17 Flying Fortress was blasted out of the sky over Germany in 1943, he was never found and his family never got to say goodbye, but he was never forgotten. In this book, Dr. Norman Kisamore, Leo's littlest brother, has put together this wonderful story so his "Big Brother Leo" will forever be remembered.

Is someone trying to break you and your boyfriend up? Or is there a miss understanding? Well in this book MK and Ashely are having major boy problems. Will they get back together? Find out by buying this book right now, all you have to do is order.

Mary-kate and Ashley are going to a dance and there dates are dumping them. A boy Mary-Kate likes is going to the dance with her bestfriend Campbell. Ashleys (so called) boyfriend is getting fed up with her and took a date with Dana, Ashleys worst enemy. What will they do? They'll live with it, that is what they will do. They have to. They are on a commity and they have to live with there X boyfriends forever. Ashley is partners with her X boyfriend Ross and is misserable to go set up for the for the dance. Maary-Kate has to actually live with her so called "friend" Campbell since they share a dorm room. If you want to here about the rest of the book, borrow or buy the book!

Mary-Kate and Ashley go to school at White Oak Academy. They both have major crushes on two boys at Harrington School for Boys, which is down the street. This also makes them excited when the boys of their dreams are assigned to work with the two on remodeling a new Student Union. The first day goes great, but when day two rolls around, things don't go too well. Both of the guys are completely ignoring the girls. What did the two do? Well.....Let's just say both of the guys have their reasons. I really like this book, and to find out what happens next, read Likes Me, Likes Me Not

This book was really good book. It's about Mary-Kate and Ashley both like a boy. And there trying to ask them to the Spring Fling. But before they can the boy of Mary-Kate's dream's is going out with her roomate. (old). And Ashley's crush is going out with somebody else too! Should they find new dates?? Or get revenge!

This book was another great Two Of a Kind book. When you read the back of the book it says that Mary-kate and Ashley are going to get revenge on the boys (Ross and Grant). Grant dumped Mary-Kate for her best friend Campbell, and Ross dumped Ashley for Dana, the most popular stuck-up girl in first form. Could things get any worse? Yes!

If Elmore Leonard's name was on this book, not only would everyone recognize it as a Leonard book, but call it one of his best. Jimmy is a classic Leonard protagonist -- a criminal who is really just a f**k-up, but who is in trouble with some really serious bad guys. His crimes themselves are hilarious -- cactus smuggler, Beanie Baby thief. Kostoff is a tad more elegant as a writer than Leonard, but lacks Leonard's hardboiledness. I was rooting for a different ending, but the one provided is elegant, if a bit sad.

don't know why more people haven't heard of this one, but if you like crime fiction, especially noirish stuff with a literary bent, get thee to a bookstore, and I mean now. If I give you a one-liner on the story, it'll sound trite, so I won't. Instead, let me say that Kostoff is that rarest breed of stylist who can, in a minimum of space, evoke a whole world. He's earned comparisons to Elmore Leonard, and while they are in some ways apt, his work is all his own, and he brings a lyricism that Leonard generally eschews ("Jimmy remembering all the make-out sessions with Jean, both of them seventeen, the universe running under their skin, and every necessary truth found in tongues and fingers and the sweet ache of breath...").

A dark book with a heart but no promises of happiness, THE LONG FALL is, simply, terrific. Highly recommended.

The Long Fall was my Edgar winner choice on so many levels it was scary. Kostoff does some wonderful things with this story; brother vs. brother, brother and sister-in-law ... coveting both dry cleaning profits and the spouse ... it's a wonderful adventure for the reader from the start (a staged wild west shootout) to the novel's resolution (can't tell you that here). Just great writing and a wonderful story. This novel rocks.

Kostoff's novel grabs you from page one. His stunning use of language is a treat. More than this, he tells a compelling tale of losers, loss, and lost causes. Jimmy Coates is the archetypal schlemiel who just can't quite understand what's gone wrong in his life. Why else would he take a job as a doomed bad guy (killed six times daily) with the ludicrous Big and Bigger Jones Old Wild West Park? The comparison of other reviewers to Elmore Leonard is appropriate: this is a page turner with a payoff. Unfortunately, and despite the book's humor, for most of the characters the payoff is a downer. But the reader of Kostoff's second novel is richly rewarded indeed.

This is a sensational novel. It's hilarious and harrowing by turns and superbly written from top to bottom. Kostoff's style is reminiscent of Elmore Leonard at his best, and The Long Fall is dark and devilish and all but impossible to put down.