Siblings Books

Very original, haven't ever read anything in a POV like that... and I like the plot :)

Fantastic Book! I enjoyed every page of it. It's a tightly, well though out and well told tale. The ending was a nice suprise too.

I should have paid more attention when I picked up this book. I thought it said "a ghost story", "not a ghost's story". This book is told from the point of view of the ghost (Frank). Frank's brother, Herbie is about to begin his senior year and he has decided to go out for two sports--football and cross-country. He is now the same age as his brother was when he died.

The premise of the book is that there are some things that must be done while yet alive. It is a book that really gets you thinking about your own life and what you are doing with it.

While there are no objectionable words, I would recommend this for readers over age 12 due to subject matter. Definately one of the better books I have read.

Author Wallace is a natural at writing exciting, realistic sports action. However, RESTLESS is about so much more than sports. It's a surprising mystery filled with real teens. The dialog is amazing! It's how real people talk. Here are three non-sports reasons you'll love this book:
1. Everyone would like to be like Herbie, the main character.
2. Everyone would want a big brother like Frank.
3. Everyone knows someone like Eamon the Ghost.
Wallace's book is honest, funny and dramatic. I can't wait for the next one.

Herbie: When Herbie is running through the graveyard, building his endurance for his heavy sports schedule, he knows almost immediately that there is a presence with him. Even when he thinks about all of this afterwards, he knows he will not be able to stay away from the graveyard and the spirit that beckons to him.

Frank: Eight years older than his brother, Frank died of cancer at seventeen. He was not ready to leave and fought hard to hang onto his body, but it finally just gave out. He misses Herbie, his parents and all the passions that he could never have. Frank needs to let Herbie know that things are finally going to be all right and that he can move on. But something else is happening in the graveyard, and even Frank can't understand who the spirit is that is reaching for him.

Eamon: Killed in a tragic accident in the late 1800s, Eamon has not found his peace. He is looking for a way out but does not know where he really is. He has found a great energy in the running boy and a possible channel to another world.

RESTLESS is one of the most original YA books to come along in recent years. While there are themes of spirituality and time travel, what lies underneath the ongoing story are the themes of love and endurance. Author Rich Wallace has done some detailed research into theories about the afterlife and expresses this information beautifully through his characters and the story line. His characters are chained together in their common theme of grief and loneliness. Frank (who has been dead for eight years) narrates most of the story, which gives it an entirely fresh perspective.

This book grabs you from the first page and won't let you go until its exciting and rewarding climax. Get ready for one of the best reads of the season!

--- Reviewed by Sally Tibbetts (stibbetts@maine207west.k12.il.us)

This book is fantastic. It is about a boy named Robbie and his older brother Eric, who go on a canoe trip. When they are camping they see some men bring a rowboat into a river and a couple minutes later the people back into their truck and drive off. In the morning Eric and his brother Robbie paddle out on their canoe. After a long day of paddling, they decided to make camp. Robbie asks Eric if he can go into the woods and get some leaves and other things. While Robbie is in the woods he sees a deer, and he decides to follows it. Unfortunately, he can't find the deer and he gets lost. Trying to find the way back, he sees a barn. Once he reaches it, he sees the two men who owned the rowboat and who looked scary, so he decides to stand still so they can't see him. Eric was making a campfire when he realized that Robbie had been gone for hours. While Eric is trying to find Robbie, he saw a light and a barn. Once he reaches the barn he runs in and he sees to men staring at him with angry faces.
What do you think will happen next? Read the book to find out more.
I would give this book five stars for of its pretty funny scenes. One is when they were afraid of a cow. Another reason I gave this book five stars is because of its heart pounding scenes.

This book is fantastic. It is about a boy named Robbie and his older brother Eric, who go on a canoe trip. When they are camping they see some men bring a rowboat into a river and a couple minutes later the people back into their truck and drive off. In the morning Eric and his brother Robbie paddle out on their canoe. After a long day of paddling, they decided to make camp. Robbie asks Eric if he can go into the woods and get some leaves and other things. While Robbie is in the woods he sees a deer, and he decides to follows it. Unfortunately, he can�t find the deer and he gets lost. Trying to find the way back, he sees a barn. Once he reaches it, he sees the two men who owned the rowboat and who looked scary, so he decides to stand still so they can�t see him. Eric was making a campfire when he realized that Robbie had been gone for hours. While Eric is trying to find Robbie, he saw a light and a barn. Once he reaches the barn he runs in and he sees to men staring at him with angry faces.
What do you think will happen next? Read the book to find out more.
I would give this book five stars for of its pretty funny scenes. One is when they were afraid of a cow. Another reason I gave this book five stars is because of its heart pounding scenes.

This was a great book. Everyone should read this book. This book is easy to read and fast reading. It is very full of suspense. The main characters are Eric and Robbie. They went on a river-rafting trip. Robbie got lost in the woods. Eric had to go look for him. They both found each other in a barn. The cops came and rescued both of them from the barn. They called their mom and dad and told what happen. They decided to finish their trip. I couldn't put the book down. There was a lot of outdoor scenery. This was a great book.

I just read a book called "River Danger". It was a good book about people facing their fears. It's about Eric and his little brother, Robbie. They are going on a camping trip on the Buffalo River. It's a combination of laughter, friendship, and loyalty. I liked it how Eric and Robbie always stuck together. In the beginning, Eric gets kidnapped, and Robbie must find help fast. I thought they weren't going to get through the first day when Robbie tipped the canoe over to get a turtle, but they made it, alright. I know if I was in one of their shoes, I would not have been as courageous as they were.

This was an interesting book, but it started out slow. I had trouble at first knowing what was going on since it jumped around a lot. I liked the idea of the code that Robbie used. he went out into the wood a lot by himself, so it was important. When there was an emergency the code did work well. The author did a good job of describing the scenes so that I could picture the places in my mind. This is a good book for people who like adventure and the outdoors.

Seth Hahlen

When Maria Slater and Elizabeth Wakefield are videotaping the Boosters[Sweet Valley Middle School's Cheerleading and Baton Squad] at the mall,there is a robbery,someone broke into Percious Jewels[A Jewelry Store in the Mall] and Maria has that person on tape.That same person broke into the same mall,diffrent store,I think Sound Trek.Meanwhile,Todd,Elizabeth,Amy and Maria are in the Mall exampling the products from the new food court.That's why the Boosters were at the food court cheering,to promote the mall's new Food Court. Amy,Maria and Elizabeth went to Smootharama,Spuds N'Stuffin,I don't know If they went to Dong How's,Dog House,Chicken Licken,ect.Meanwhile,Lila and Jessica are fighting over who's the best Unicorn,Who can swim best laps,fill most grapes in her mouth,eat most hot dogs,.Guess Who wins.Li does. The Twins capture the robber who took Maria's video of the robbery,Well,Jessica bumped into him. Elizabeth said"Jessica,You're a hero! " And What does Jessica Reply with,No,I'm a Hot Dog.Because she was in a hot dog costume. What a Trip,Jessica is!

I especailly loved the part where Jessica stops thief and faints- and wakes up to say "No, I'm not a hero, Liz...I'm a hot dog."!!! I thought it was hilarious!! And of course, the book itself was great, too....*^^*

can I just say that i agree with the other readers..I laughed silly when Jessica in her hotdog costume returned to consciousness and said,"No Lizzie Im not a hero.Im a hotdog." She is such a nut.

In this one Elizabeth is trying to solve the mystery of the sweetvalley robber.

ps--I think i described this plot when i wrote about Elizabeth the spy,i read so much sweet valley that i get confused

"Robbery at the Mall" was a great book, surprising and not at all predictable. It is focused mainly on Elizabeth and her "detictive" work, but also includes Jessica's humourous compitition with her best friend, and never once does it become dull or slow. ~~~~This book gets the full 5 stars from a very satisfied reader!

I like `Elizabeth'. But after read this book,I like Jessica more. She is cool! I like that "I'm hotdog" It's so fun! Then I like more `sweet valley twins' than ever. Anyways I'm so sorry that I can't speak English well

She met a ghost and she was scare for awhile until she finally got courage.

I got this item faster than it said. I was very pleased with the service.

Roxannes palace is haunted by a ghost. but is the ghost real? Roxanne goes to find the ghost. ( and plays a few tricks on it)! It is a great book. Worth reading!

Roxanne invites her sisters over for a dinner party and theres an uninvited guest... a ghost! It scares everybody out of the palace except Roxanne. So she goes to find that ghost! Roxanne is my favorite princess, if you like princesses you will like it!

I really liked this book!My favourite princess is The Emerald Princess.My favorite part was when Roxanne had found out about the ghost.

Sticking to your convictions often takes courage and willpower. But sometimes, questioning what you believe and allowing room for doubt can take even more determination and requires a different kind of courage. How far are you willing to go to stand up for what you believe? And how much does it take before you're able to change your stance? This is the dilemma presented in SHOOTING THE MOON, a touching coming-of-age novel set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, by critically-acclaimed author Frances O'Roark Dowell.

SHOOTING THE MOON is the story of 12-year-old Jamie Dexter, an Army brat who couldn't be prouder when her older brother TJ signs up for the armed forces and gets shipped off to Vietnam. As she waits for news from the front, she volunteers at the base's recreation center and befriends Private Hollister, a young soldier who helps her pass the time with games of gin rummy. Her father, whom she calls the Colonel, has brought the family up to believe that a life in the military is the key to living a life of success. Jamie wholly believes in the Colonel's philosophy until TJ begins sending her rolls of film from Vietnam.

As she develops the photographs, a different picture of military life begins to emerge for her. Faced with the brutality of the war, Jamie comes to the conclusion that she needs to intervene when she learns that Private Hollister is about to be reassigned to Vietnam. Steeling her courage, Jamie prepares to confront her father, the one man she thinks stands between her new friend and the horrors her brother has revealed.

In Jamie, Dowell has created a strong, believable young girl who shows both remarkable insight into the world around her and an almost melancholy naivety. It's almost heartbreaking to watch as Jamie, steadfast in her beliefs at the beginning of the book, slowly begins to see her opinions change and realize there is "more in heaven and earth."

When someone else challenges our beliefs, it's hard enough. But when the questions are from within, it can be world-changing. At the same time, though, it's fulfilling to see her make the journey from taking everything as read to raising some serious questions about the war and the military. Her relationship with Hollister is sweet and provides a nice counterpoint to the turmoil she begins to feel at home. Although the very end feels a little too neat, it offers a beautiful coda to Jamie's journey and will leave readers satisfied.

SHOOTING THE MOON will draw you in with its simplicity and astound you with its powerful story. Frances O'Roark Dowell's seemingly quiet book will make a memorable imprint on all who indulge.

--- Reviewed by Brian Farrey

"Shooting the Moon" is middle grade fiction at its best: a setting that draws you in, a story that makes you think, characters that make you care, and a pace that keeps things interesting. One of the best books I've read in aught 8.

The Vietnam war is in full swing and the Dexters are an army family through and through. Instead of "dad", the kids call their father "The Colonial". Like I said, through and through. 12 year old Jamie and her older brother TJ have been preparing for war their whole lives, waging strategic battle with army men for years. TJ, a recent high school graduate, decides to enlist. The strange thing is, The Colonial is not pleased. In fact, he is outright vocal in his opposition. When TJ is shipped overseas, he sends letters home for his parents and rolls of film for Jamie. What's contained in those photographs forces the youngest Dexter to rethink her gung-ho view of war.

This one makes quick work of drawing you in and holding your interest. Dowell ("The Secret Language of Girls", "Chicken Boy", the "Phineas L. MacGuire" books) seamlessly mixes in flashbacks to tell the story from the perspective of Jamie. Her point of view changes over the course of the book, but the transition doesn't feel forced. A gradual and natural changing of opinion is a good thing to see in children's lit.

"Shooting the Moon" is succinct, emotionally rich, and bound to find favor among the upper elementary readers who crack its cover.

I've written about this before, but there's a flush of appreciation a reviewer experiences when they discover a great author that they've never read before. Even if that person has been around for years. In the case of Frances O'Roark Dowell, I'd read her first Phineas L. MacGuire book and I thought it was great. Still, I'd never gotten around to reading some of her better known works for older readers. I'd never picked up Dovey Coe or Chicken Boy or even The Secret Language of Girls. It just never came up. Still, I figure a person's got to start somewhere and so the book I decided to begin with her newest title, the historically minded "Shooting the Moon". A lot of people love Ms. Dowell and maybe they've become unable to tell one great book of hers from another. To those people I say this: This book is amazing. Top notch, wonderful, humorous, meaningful, with a pull and a hit in the gut that'll knock a readers' socks off. What we've got here is a title that has an excellent chance of engaging every reader that comes across it. And timely doesn't even begin to describe it.

Jamie Dexter is a card shark, an army brat, and her father's daughter. She and her older brother TJ were raised to love the United States Army by their father, the Colonel, and as far as they're concerned the greatest thing in the entire world is getting a chance to fight and die for your country. Seems like the Colonel would be pleased as punch to have TJ enlist and go to Vietnam to fight instead of going to college, but oddly enough that doesn't seem to be the case. Still, off TJ goes and before he leaves Jamie asks him to write her letters about everything he sees and feels over there. Except that TJ doesn't do that. Instead he sends her rolls of black and white film he's taken over there with very precise instructions: "Jamie: No facilities here ... Please develop and send contact sheets." Of course, that means that Jamie has to learn how to develop film, and she does when she gets a chance. And through TJ's lens, Jamie sees more than just what it's like in Vietnam. She now hears the experiences of the soldiers that walk through the rec center where she works. She sees her father as a man and not a larger than life figure. And she begins to understand that sometimes things aren't as simple as you would like them to be.

Reading my description of the book I know that you might be a little worried. It sounds like a book inclined to get preachy, doesn't it? I'm as anti-war as the best of them, but there's nothing worse than a work of fiction for kids that gets all holier-than-thou, proselytizing its views on war and how it's naughty. But Frances O'Roark Dowell isn't going to play that game. For one thing, she really is an army brat. For another, she's a good writer. This isn't a book that tells you what to believe. It's a book that starts with someone who thinks that they know what to think only to find that the world is a complicated place. It was a complicated place in the late 60s and it's a complicated place today. Which is not to say that you can't take a moral or a lesson out of this book if you want to. It's only giving you an option.

There is a school of thought that says that if you place a story in history, you better have a darn good reason for doing so. So the question becomes, could Dowell have set this story in the here and now rather than the past? Would it have served the moral better? The answer is no, there is no other time period that would have better served this story. For one thing, you could have a character taking pictures with black and white film, but digital cameras are undoubtedly more probable today. And you could have sent TJ to Iraq instead of Vietnam, but part of the reason the end of this book works as well as it does is because we can look at the past and learn from it.

The thing is, this is a book that's easy to love. You love the people in it. I, for one, loved the character of Jamie. She felt true and real and interesting. She also carries her certainties with her on her sleeve. "I was six months away from turning thirteen and I thought I knew everything." Can't say it any plainer than that (not to mention that it carries a whiff of To Kill a Mockingbird). Really, every character in this book (and there aren't that many) appears with all three dimensions firmly intact. For example, Jamie describes Cindy Lorenzo, a girl who is somewhat learning disabled, as being "nervous and excitable and shaky around the edges. She hit and bit." Pitch perfect, that.

As for the writing itself, Dowell's book is only 176 pages and she packs each one with interesting text. Chapter Two, for example, begins, "We were stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, a flat piece of real estate that threatened to burst into flames every afternoon from June through September." Or the first sentences of Chapter Four, "TJ's first letter to me wasn't a letter at all. It was a roll of film." You can see that Dowell includes equal parts interest and good writing, and the effect is tight. This is a book that doesn't mince words. It gets right to the point every time and doesn't sacrifice anything in the process. Rare? You don't know the half of it. The writing and the editing on this puppy must have been intense.

It's hard to find fault here. I do know at least one person who thought it a little odd that the book didn't concentrate more on the moon landing and how that would have affected the characters. The book is called "Shooting the Moon" after all. But Dowell covers her bases, having TJ speculate at times about "the idea that there are human footprints on the moon's surface." Classrooms of children will someday be asked what the moon signifies to TJ and to Jamie. I can already see it. My questions and concerns about the book were a little more basic. I would have liked a little more background on the Colonel's past. Did he serve in WWII or Korea? Does he know what real combat is like? Does this inform what he feels about his own son enlisting? And maybe an explanation of where Jamie is getting all this photographic paper and chemicals for developing her brother's pictures would have been nice. I assume that the army provided all this free of charge in their rec center but we don't know it for a fact.

Otherwise it's as fine a book as you could hope for. With its magnificent backing and forthing within the story's timeline, its spot on characterization, its plot, writing, and general kid-friendly text (always important and seldom recognized) Frances O'Roark Dowell has more than just a winner here. She has a classic. 2008 required reading for any and for all.

On the recommendation of a kid lit blogger, I ordered a copy of this small, unpretentious book and had a read-through. It is wonderful!
Jamie Dexter is a military brat whose father is a colonel and whose brother has enlisted to be sent to Vietnam. As the story progresses Jamie, who has been pro-war and battle-ready her whole life, begins to reconsider things as she sees her brother's photos from Vietnam. Instead of sending her letters to describe the war, he sends her his undeveloped film rolls to show her. No words, just photos. And in each roll, a photo of the moon.
I feel that this book would work better with older elementary students, only because a coinciding study of Vietnam would be much easier to get into more deeply. The reading level is probably a bit lower than 5th grade, making it an ideal book for a book club who can handle more complex subject matter and high level mature discussions, but perhaps requires a shorter, less dense text. Great themes to explore here, and (at least for this reader, who never even had any siblings gone to war) strong emotional connections.

SHOOTING THE MOON is a deeply moving, gorgeously written novel about one military family's gradual disillusionment with the Vietnam War. It's the most realistic, searching kids' book I've read about that neglected period in American history. It's also a delicately nuanced family drama with unforgettable characters: the richly drawn heroine Jamie, who slowly develops an understanding not just about the war but about love and honor; her soldier brother who communicates by sending her undeveloped photos of Vietnam; her father the Colonel, a steadfast but surprisingly touching career Army man. Everything about this book is fresh and believable--and also poetic, resonant, and memorable. I think kids--and smart adults--will be reading this book for years to come. A real standout.

Sibling Reveries is the story of my father and his family, and their memories of growing up in Wisconsin during the Depression. These are the stories I have heard all my life (and some I hadn't heard); happy stories of skating on the pond in winter, sad stories of Grandma losing a baby, and even the story of walking to school through 10 feet of snow, uphill both ways. (We've all heard that one!) The best part is this is also my story and it's all here, waiting for me to read to my children and grandchildren. What could be better. I highly recommend this book to anyone who cares about family.

To have almost total recall of one's childhood and be able to put
it into words so eloquently as the Killinger children have, is
indeed a gift! A must read for ANY generation!!

I grew up in a rural area, hearing stories about The Depression from older friends and relatives. It is now 2005 and in the last 6 years I have read one book, Sibling Reveries. It was co-authored by the father of a co-worker, and it is one of the best books I have ever read. The story is about the Killinger family, friends, and relatives, growing up in Northern Wisconsin during the Depression. Life was much harder then, but also more carefree. To me it was like a combination of The Waltons, Andy of Mayberry, and Huck Finn. I highly recommend this book (and I would read it again........but I only read one book every 6 years;)

When I first began reading this amazing first-hand account of growing up in rural northern Wisconsin during the Great Depression, I couldn't put it down. After reading about ninety pages, I finally forced myself to take a break and finished the book over the next two days - it's extremely unusual for me to be so captivated by any book.

The authors have provided us with their accounts of growing up in "hard times" in an unforgiving environment. What I found most remarkable is that there is never a sense of regret or a hint of self pity. Instead, the stories relate a sense of the importance of family and faith.

This is an autobiography, but it is also history, sociology, theology and pragmatic philosophy. It is certainly the most inspiring book I have ever read, but it is also funny and dramatic. I highly recommend it for all readers.

stories just like mine and so real! Kids will be kids and these really were normal kids. A wonderful book of stories.

This book was bought for my daughter because her brother has Autism and sometimes that makes for some interesting living situations. She really liked reading what everyone wrote in the book and it helped her talk more freely about her feelings. The book made her realize she is not alone - which I really liked! It also helped facilitate conversations with our mobile therapist and my kids together. I would highly recommend this book as an escape and a way to start talking to your other "special" child. It is not a "fact" book, but it does work to get the family talking. My kids are 9 (daughter) and 7 (son).

I grew up with a mentally retarded sister, but in the days when nobody talked about such things and I didn't know anybody else with a disabled sibling. How I wish I had a book such as this when I was young! Throughout the book are reflections of pretty much everything I felt, at all ages. And now, I have a son with Down Syndrome, and I notice his older teen brother picking it up from time to time. I highly recommend it.

An insightful, contemplative, and often humorous read. Slam book editor Don Meyer asks 80 young people what it's really like to have a sibling with special needs. The answers are as varied as the contributors.

This book is a must-read for kids and teens who have a brother or sister with a disability, and is a valuable resource for health and social workers.

Read it and know that you're not the only one who gets scared or frustrated or embarassed. And learn how others work through tough times to become mature, independent and thoughtful young people.

I am one of the 81 siblings who answered the questions in this book, and although it was nearly 3 years ago and I've changed a lot since I wrote my answers, it still feels good to go back through and know I'm not alone. That was really our intended goal behind this book, and it came off well. Seeing that others share the same joys and frustrations of being a sibling as I do will never cease to help me get through the difficult life that we, as siblings of special needs kids, will live forever.

My daughter, the twin sister of a boy with Down Syndrome, couldn't put the Sibling Slam down. She quickly got taken up into the many comments and it definitely stimulated a number of good, open conversations between us. A great and important read for a sibling, and a parent.

Snowball Fight captures the joy of a snow-day "School's closed Day" All school-aged children and adults with any kind of memory remember that feeling. The book is a breezy, fun romp battle romp with snowballs. It's a light book told in verse, great for the season; a good addition for libraries and schools. The colorful pictures by Dam Stower give a lot of appeal to this book. Jimmy Fallon has written a good-natured little book for kids (preK through 3rd) and kids-at-heart.

I used this book for a Graduate class assignment and thought it was great! Perfect for beginning readers because the print was large, the pictures descriptive and colorful, and who doesn't love a good snowball fight! I would recommend this book to any parent or teacher looking for something new to read!

I loved the book. Of course it wasn't for me but my grandchildren. It is a great book for kids just learning to read. Mine loved it.

Excellent! I have two kids, a six year old boy and a three and a half year old girl. They are obsessed with Jimmy's book, and the song that goes with it off his Bathroom Wall CD. My husband and I love it too. My son's kindergarten teacher actually borrowed the book to read it to his classes. It's so much fun to read and listen to and the illustration is so awesome! I truely hope Jimmy keeps up with the writing. He did such a terrific job with this book. He is definately an extremely talented man.

Snow is piling up outside, and school is cancelled. It's time to go outside for a snowball fight. The children from all over town head outside in their heavy moon boots, and fuzzy hats, and do everything that a snow day requires: build a fort, use toboggan's as shields, sitting by the fire drinking hot cocoa, and, best of all having a snowball fight with your friends and neighbors. One that will leave everyone dripping wet, and freezing from their head right down to their toes. A day to remember for all. A snow day.

Jimmy Fallon is multi-talented. That was proven when he released a comedy album that was actually Grammy-nominated. But Fallon shows a different side of his funny-man persona with the release of this marvelous new children's book SNOWBALL FIGHT!, that is a perfect present to pull out on chilly days. Filled with funny, rhyming prose on every page, alongside gorgeous illustrations by Adam Stower, SNOWBALL FIGHT! is a children's book that everyone must have a copy of. Especially if you are a fan of Jimmy Fallon.

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

There's a lot to like and dislike about Stealing Henry. The beginning of the story is not at all how you would expect a story such as this to start; Your thrown right in the middle of Savannah's life with her abusive father and her decision to run away from home with her little brother, Henry towing along, completely obliging to the idea himself. As the story rolls on, you are gripped with panic and fear that Savannah might be caught in her daring escape from home to someplace safe, away from her father. Her mother Alice, is no longer the person she once was; Alice is now a fearful, and meek wife of an angry man not at all like he was when she met on the day her car broke down. She does nothing to help her daughter, for she is rarely home, and is certainly thrown for a loop by her daughter's latest stunt. The author crafted some interesting characters for the story to revolve around;



They're all quite the individuals to my surprise, diverse in their own ways. Savannah and Henry are without a doubt my favorite characters in the book. The description of the places the duo travel to is very vivid without too much detail and the strain and anger the sister is under is truly felt through the storytelling.



The only problems I have with the books is that the characters tend to drop the `F'-bomb every other sentence when speaking to each other. The book wasn't so descriptive of sexual content in the story, but it's the most I've read about in a book I've borrowed recently, for sure. Several chapters, placed between "present" chapters, depict Alice's "past", her life in her hometown, and "present day" chapters shift between things Savannah did with her mother and life with Jack before returning to the predicament she faces. While the insight on Alice's life is interesting, I really can't bring myself to feel anything for a woman who want stand up to her husband who hurts her children. Plus I think I would've liked if the chapters concerning Savannah and Alice's pasts were placed at the beginning and not so much as in between chapters for an easier grasp of their lives. And I think the thing I disliked the most, certainly, was the way the book ended {SPOILERS AHEAD}.



Savannah ending up living with her aunt and Henry having to go back to living with an unhelpful mother and abusive father (sucky). All in all, Stealing Henry is an enjoyable piece of fiction, worth giving a try. 7/9/05 ----- [a 4 out of 5]

Like "Falling Through Darkness," MacCullough's first book, "Stealing Henry" mixes fascinating characters with a touch of suspense. I just couldn't put this book down. The plot shifts between Savannah's flight from her abusive stepfather and the story of Savannah's mother's doomed first love. The characters are complex and appealing, and you can't help but be drawn into their lives. You find yourself rooting for Savannah the whole way, terrified for her when her stepfather seems to have tracked her down and crossing your fingers that her friends and extended family will protect her.

A fantastic novel! Highly recommended.

"The night Savannah brains her stepfather with the frying pan is the night she decides to leave home for good."

"Counting the cars on the New Jersey Turnpike
They've all come to look for America."
--Paul Simon

It was slightly cool and very dark at five-fifteen. I slipped out the back door, wearing the backpack, carrying the rest, breathing in that dried pine needle scent, feeling my way step by step to the carport. Silently, I loaded everything into the pickup before hopping in, turning the key, and shattering the quiet. A minute later I was cruising down the winding main road, accompanied by Elizabeth Reed, headed in the direction of Truckee.

At five thousand feet there are still dirty mounds of snow alongside the road, cleaner accumulations in the adjoining woods. An hour later the sky had become light, revealing rows of snow- and evergreen-covered mountains stretching to the horizon, one of the closer ones scarred by a few long white gashes down the side which are ski runs. Joining up with Interstate 80, I occasionally passed an eighteen-wheeler but otherwise had sole possession of the road. At Donner Pass I glanced over my shoulder at the long, dark lake, the wooden tunnels over the railroad tracks, and the rush of spring melt over a cliff.

Descending from the mountains the drifts change from snow to housing developments outside Sacramento; the accumulations there are of drivers on the road. Two hours on the Interstate and I veered off into the hills south of Napa. A handful of stately wineries punctuate the miles of vineyard trellises pulled tight like the warp on a loom. The fog surrendered the hilltops and fled just before I reached them. Drifts of orange California poppies, alternating with yellows and rust reds run through the green of spring pastures in the coastal hills as I approached home.

Sure, I get burnt out on sitting in the car for too many hours, but it's one hell of a pretty country we have. Despite all the places I've seen overtaken by progress and humanity in my fifty years, I still don't begin to take for granted what a wonderland we're so fortunate to inhabit.

"And in the end they traded their tired wings
For the resignation that living brings."
--Jackson Browne, "Before the Deluge"

Savannah spent the first half of her life wandering around this beautiful country with her mother, Alice. She's got miles of memories about all those places they'd seen across America. I'd expect that in all that time they also gotten a taste of Donner Pass and of restored Old Town Truckee. Maybe they even got to visit the little community near Plumas-Eureka where I spent the last couple of nights.

But Savannah and Alice's life on the road came to a halt years ago when their car broke down on the Jersey Turnpike, and they were "rescued" by Jack. Now Savannah has spent years in the same place, dealing with her abusive stepfather Jack, and helping care for her little brother Henry. Alice seems to always be off at work and oblivious to what is going on at home. But things are changing again for good because Savannah has had enough. And she loves her little brother too much to even consider taking off and leaving Henry to deal with Jack by himself.

"Jack's body is blocking her vision, but she doesn't have to see Henry to know he's close to tears. Jack swings around, and now she can see her little brother, standing half in and half out of the kitchen doorway. Henry is flushed and sweating, on the verge of being sick.
" 'What's the matter, buddy?' Jack says, his voice still too loud and jarring, but now forcefully bright. He holds out his arms as if waiting for Henry to run to him.
"But Henry is digging one toe into the splintered doorframe. 'I heard yelling,' he says, and Savannah knows he heard a lot more. Like her, Henry has learned to listen in at doorways before entering a room.
" 'No one's yelling,' Jack says, belatedly trying to lower his voice. He advances two steps toward Henry.
" 'What were you doing, then?' Henry says. He sounds like he needs to clear his throat.
" 'Are you crying, bud?' Jack says, and now his voice is dangerously quiet. Savannah closes her eyes, listens to Henry swallow, knows they are lost.
" 'No,' he squeaks. 'I just...thought...'
" 'Jesus Christ, what a...'
"But Savannah doesn't wait to hear the rest. It seems that the time stretches and fades, replaced by something cold and hard and crystallized in her mind. She snaps back in to hear Henry sob, to see Jack take another turning step away from her, giving her all the space she needs to curve her fingers around the hot handle of the skillet. She does not feel the now boiling butter foam across her skin, although she will wonder later at the red blisters on her wrist and forearm. Instead, she feels a rush of blank air, of nothing, as she slams the pan up like a tennis racket, through unencumbered space, and into the side of Jack's head."

Interspersed with the story of Savannah and Henry on the run is the tale of how Alice and Savannah had first come to live their nomadic life and how a relationship from the past can play a role in the present and future.

Buckle your seatbelts. STEALING HENRY is one heart-pounding ride. YA thriller joined with a bit of mystery and a healthy dose of treachery make STEALING HENRY a trip you don't want to miss.

As in her first novel, Falling Through Darkness, MacCullough has crafted a beautiful novel with prose that sings. Her characters are vivid, the dialogue pitch perfect, the situation very real, and the resolution hopeful but realistic. All in all this is a terrific read from a very talented writer. I look forward to her other books.

Does running away get you any closer to finding yourself?

For the first nine years of her life, Savannah had her young mother Alice all to herself. They were close and carefree as they traveled across the USA, living somewhere for a little while, until the itch to move had to be scratched again. Savannah does not know who her father is, but that's okay with her. Their family of two suits her just fine.

During Savannah's childhood, Alice went through a string of boyfriends. However, as Savannah is about to cross over into double digits, Alice falls for Jack. They get married, have a little boy, and plan roots. Suddenly, the family has doubled in size. The road trips end - and the abuse begins. Jack likes to drink. He does not seem to like Savannah.

By the time Savannah is in high school, her stepfather has lost his job, her mother has lost the spark she once had, and her half-brother Henry has learned to listen in doorways before coming in the room, for fear of walking in on an argument. One night in the kitchen, it becomes too much for Savannah. She hits Jack with a pan (not to kill him but to knock him out), tells Henry to pack some things, takes the car keys and leaves with her little brother in tow.

Stealing Henry is more than what the title implies. It is about family and about survival. The story impressively alternates between present day, following Savannah's attempt at escape, and 1986, when Savannah's mother was a teenager. The modern part of the story takes place over a matter of days, keeping up with the swift pace of Savannah and Henry as they go across the country.

The characters and the stories they tell are memorable. The dialogue is realistic, especially that spoken by Savannah, who doesn't hold back. She is remarkably selfless. Her love for her brother and her mother shines in everything she does. When Savannah realizes that her mother is not who she once was, the revelation alone is heartbreaking, but the writing makes it even moreso.

I highly recommend Stealing Henry, especially to those who love books by Sarah Dessen and Melissa Lion. Those who enjoyed Falling Through Darkness, Carolyn MacCullough's first novel, will not be disappointed by Stealing Henry. In fact, they may enjoy Stealing Henry even more. I know I did.

I read this to my 4 year old grand- daughter the third night her baby sister was home and she related to the story very well. She wantedf me to read it every night thereafter.

I have never known a little child that is overjoyed to share the spot light. It is great that books like this tell it like it is and allow a child to react naturally to the joyous event. Someday they will be very happy.

Delightful!
The book is beautifully illustrated and the story hits close to home.
We have all gone through the Situations described.

I recommend this book highly.

I Paoletti

This charming and delightful story tells of a common occurance in multi-children households. The whole family is involved with new siblings' night-time needs. The rhyming and happy text and matching illustrations tell the story in a way that will keep children reading over and over.

That Baby Woke Me Up, Again! is a delightful paperback, flat-spine picturebook. Rhyming verse and friendly illustrations tell the story of a young child who cannot sleep because a cranky baby is always crying! Exasperated, the child goes to her parents, who gently explain why babies cry, and why she should have faith that eventually the baby will sleep fast through the night. "For once you were that noisy babe / who kept us up all night; // We counted sheep, / we tried to sleep, / five, six, seven times; // but every time / it was your whine / that woke us up AGAIN!" An excellent read-aloud book especially for sharing for older siblings having trouble getting used to a new baby in the household.

I read this book to my second grade class and found that a lot of the children identified with the narrator. It was a nice way to open a discussion on some of the challenges facing the children, when a new baby enters the house. I also found that it helped a number of my students find that they had something in common with other students in the class. I will continue to use this book with future classes.