Clubs and Schools Books

Richard Price may not be a household name, but you probably know him for his screenplays: Clockers, The Color of Money, Sea of Love, Mad Dog and Glory, and the recent redo of Shaft. The Bronx-born author has also written numerous novels, most of them about working-class life in hard-bitten urban locales: housing projects, subway stations, inner-city high schools.
His latest novel, "Samaritan," is about a man who has skyrocketed out of the projects to success, but can't seem keep himself from going back. Ray Mitchell, now a wealthy screenwriter, has returned from Los Angeles to New Jersey, in part to be nearer to his adolescent daughter, Judy, in part to escape his cocaine habit. But he's also come back to excavate something from his own background in the dismal, crime-infested Hopewell housing projects. And upon his return, how is he welcomed? He wakes up in a hospital bed after having his head smashed in by an unknown assailant. He insists that he remembers nothing of what happened.
The novel's other half concerns Nerese Ammons, a black cop about to retire. She would like to leave her job with a bang by solving a case that's meaningful to her. And Ray Mitchell's assault turns out to be meaningful because, as she discovers through a happy coincidence, she grew up with Ray in Hopewell. "Samaritan's" plot proceeds with Nerese's work at solving the crime by patiently interviewing the people in Mitchell's life, starting with his casual acquaintances, and then narrowing down to his intimate friends and lovers, like a hawk circling on its prey.
As with most mystery stories, Nerese's most likely suspects (and the reader's) shift from character to character, from disadvantaged but likeable high school kids, to a group of unusual houseguests noticed by Richard's neighbor, to the husband of Ray's illicit lover, Danielle.
The story's somewhat complex plot structure is worth mentioning. Not only do the chapters alternate, switching from Ray's story to that of Nerese, but we also alternate between the present narrative and a series of flashbacks that gradually fill us in on how things managed to get where they are. Toward the end, the result is sort of like watching as a blurry digitized picture gradually comes into sharp, clean focus.
But more than plot, it is the characters who gradually become precise and clear. As the novelist E.M. Forster once remarked, with rueful irony, about the public's demand for a novel to have a plot: "Yes--oh, yes--the novel tells a story." The fact is that Samaritan, despite its plot's clever machinations, is ultimately about characters and how they evolve--or in some cases don't.
Ray's surface motivation, we discover, is to prove to those people who are still stuck in the ghetto that he "got out". And he proves this through philanthropy, hence the novel's title. He lends money to people in need, or gives it to them right out, and he knows they won't pay him back.
And by engaging in this process, he manages to sink back into the very same ghetto, entangling himself into the lives of the project-dwellers. Through his generosity, Ray becomes a martyr, in the negative sense of the word. A doormat. If he can't be loved by the people who he lends money to, then he can at least feel morally superior to them, which is the martyr's deeper motivation.
Finally, the novel's purpose seems to be the exposé of a type, the Samaritan who hopes to gain something in return for his generosity, whether it is respect, dependency, sex or love.
And if "Samaritan" is a novel about character, Richard Price delivers these characters to the reader through his strongest suit: realistic dialogue. He captures masterfully the spoken language of inner city characters no matter their age or ethnicity, whether poor black teenagers, privileged white teenagers, or world-weary cops. As the rappers would put it, he "makes it real."
On the other hand, during moments of run of the mill narrative, which any novel requires, sometimes Price's writing is downright lazy. When he's working to get a character from one place to another, or to depict a characters thoughts and feelings, the sentences are often written summarily, with no attention to rhythm, precision, variety, sound, or even intelligibility. Take this whopper, for example: "But, overcome by an embarrassed surliness as he found himself recalling the semi-euphoric flush of altruism that he had experienced in lessening degrees on each of the kid's previous cash-themed visits, Ray refused to bite." Did you have to read it twice? There's a difference between complexity and perplexity. A good editor might have cleaned up some of these train wrecks.
Whoppers aside, "Samaritan" is a compelling novel. It paints an unsentimental but humane portrait of life in the housing projects, draws us into a complex and interesting plot, and adeptly explores the theme of being addicted to performing charitable good deeds in order to win love. Perhaps most significantly, "Samaritan" introduces us to a couple of well-drawn and memorable characters. Don't be surprised if Richard Price's name shows up again in the credits when it's made into a movie.
See more writings of a literary nature at www.maninquotes@blogspot.com

I first read Richard Price's "The Wanderers" in the 70's several years before Philip Kaufman's excellent film adaptation. It remains one of my favorite all time books, and none of his works since then have compared to that early novel."The Wanderers" differs from his later work in that the characterizations are less drawn out, but no less interesting, and it is perhaps his most humorous work. Where Price excells is his mastery of creating urban street people . I believe he is a far better writer than George Pellacanos who has a similar reputation with his work. I am planning to read the highly praised "Lush Life" very soon, but decided to catch up on Price by reading this novel first. Other than the aforementioned "Lush Life" and "Freedomland", I have read all his other published work. I am not sure I will ever read "Freedomland" having wasted 2 hours of my life sitting through what had to be one of the 20 worst films adapted from a novel that I have ever seen.

Samaritan is a decent mystery that is enhanced by Price's deep characterizations and gritty dialogue. I personally solved the mystery rather early on, but at the same time I found some of the characters less than totally believable. The protaginist Ray Mitchell was richly drawn, but at the end of the day,I just did not believe in the guy. He was overall a bit too weird. The other main character, a detective named Nerese was far more believable if for no other reason that she embraced a lot more of the typical big city detective close to retirement features that we as readers and film watchers have come to expect. The novel is a bit of a page turner and I read it very quickly. You would not be making a bad choice if you decide to curl up with "Samaritan" for a couple of days, but Price has done better.

- - that I picked up. The first was excellent, the second even better. And, now, I'm only on page 28.... that's all.... and this, I can tell already, is another amazing piece'o'work! So damned BELIEVABLE.... Richard Price is an extraordinary talent.
And, now, if you'll pardon me, Ray and Tweetie are there, in the hospital - - - -

For my taste, Richard Price writes the best dialogue today. It's his ear, his phrasing, the way he must listen to real people talking. I ask many other writer friends too and we all just shrug our shoulders and say "go figure" because nobody else does it like he does. The dialogue resonates so well that everything else springboards from there -- and the idea of Samaritan, so well described in the other reviews posted here, is terrific. When you stop and think of the instances and times within the book where somebody tries to help somebody else, well, this would be a delicious book group discussion. I loved the ending, too. I thought the structure of the book was brilliant, switching back and forth between the Nerese and Ray. I liked the setting, the way Price works in background and context for the characters, and the interesting question the book poses, right from the get-go.

Poorly written book that had me tripping over grammatical errors and awkward transitions. Not worth it.

I was assigned to read this in college... in order to study the scientific method and how it applies to elementary schools.

Indeed, science is a strong theme in this story, but what totally got me was the idea of a village coming together for a dream (so sue me, I'm a sucker for those kinds of stories).

Here we have a class of kids who decided they want to bring storks to their village. Because we all want giant birds lying around on our roofs. But why aren't their storks? How can they get the storks to come?

This turns from a theoretical experiment into an exciting and touching adventure to make a dream come true.

Adorable and great literature indeed.

I loved this book as a child and I am so looking forward to reading it with my own kids.

The wheel on the school is a story that would make me and my friends to work together. It is about 6 children from a fishing village called Shora. A girl called Lina starts the adventure with a little piece about storks and that's when the fun begins. I especially liked the bit where Jells tries to get the wheel from a farmer and then the farmer sees him and ow. that is one sore ear for Jella!

[...]It lacks all the typical hooks and gimmicks prevalent in much of today's fiction for children.
This is real literature. It's beautifully written. The writer, Meindert DeJong, is logical, witty and sensitive.
I just finished reading "The Wheel on the School" aloud to my eleven year old daughter. My 16 year old son often sat down and listened. They both liked this book very much. "The Wheel on the School" may be especially enjoyed read aloud. It hasn't a plot that will sound "interesting" to many media-fed, contemporary young people, but it's less the subject than how it is treated that makes this book so entertaining. If you are looking for a book to read aloud, this one has many of the ideal criterium: It is, because of it's non-splashy premise, a book kids might not automatically pick-up, it's beautifully written, full of entertaining voices and characters and it's complex yet clearly written. All together perfect.
Literate Parents, I think you and your family will enjoy this one.

The Wheel on the School is has a great message about how people working together and never giving up can get things done, but it's a bit hard to read and has no action.

I've been a fan of Heinlein for most of my life... This audiobook hooked both 8-year-old and husband! :-)

The reader is highly competent and pleasant to listen to. Nice job on the character voices.

This book is holding up well, even though it was written a million years ago. Enjoyable dialog. Promotes math / physics / science to kids.

Rocketship Galileo was the first novel in Robert A Heinlein's "Juvenile" series of science fiction books, which were his bread and butter from the late 1940's through the 1950's.

While not as polished in terms of narrative as his later works, and definitely reeking of strong Anti-Nazi / Anti-Totalitarian feelings on the part of the Author, this book really benefits from Mr. Heinleins' attention to details and his strong knowledge of celestial mechanics, physics, and astronomy.

Like all of his "juvenile" series of books, this story narrates the experiences of its teenage protaganoist(s) - in this case three rocket enthusiasts who, through the mentoring of the Uncle of one of the boys - Dr. Cargraves, build and pilot a Rocket to the moon, where they encounter and seek to overcome a nest of Nazi refugees bent upon reconquering the world.

I can't say that the plot is as mature, well-crafted, or subtle as is seen in the stories he wrote only a couple of years later, but it is a good story, fun to read, draws you in, and well illustrates the themes Heinlein consistently promoted in almost all of his works: how intelligence, self-reliance, and dedication can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

Although I rate most of Heinlein's works as 5 stars, I feel that, given the strong feelings on then-current issues that Heinlein very explicitly allows to creep into the story (a fault he studiously avoids in later years), combined with his still maturing writing skills, I must give this book a rating of 4 stars - as an indication of the quality of the read, as well as an indicator of the greatness to come.

Those of you interested in the evolution of Robert Heinlein as an author should consider reading For Us, The Living: A Comedy of Customs, which was his first work: it was rejected by several publishing houses when he first wrote it in the late 1930's, and did not get published until several years after his death. In it you'll see the seeds of the themes and style you see in this book - which can be seen in most of the works he wrote throughout his career.

"Rocketship Galileo" by Robert A. Heinlein is his first novel. At the time it was written he had established himself as the arguably the foremost science fiction writer of his generation. This was done primarily through short stories and novellas. It was also the first in the series of novels he wrote for Charles Scribners Sons.

The Galileo Club, Art Mueller, Ross Jenkins and Morrie Abrams are high school seniors experimenting in rocketry. There latest experiment explodes and in the process of investigating the failure, they find a man injured and unconscious. Art realizes this is his Uncle, Dr. Donald Cargraves, Phd.

Dr. Cargraves is a nuclear physicist and veteran of the Manhattan Project. He realizes these precocious teenagers will be ideal assistants for his secretly planned trip to the moon. The details of how these juveniles and Dr. Cargraves convince their parents to allow their participation in this enterprise as well as the details of how they do it and their adventures on the moon is best left to the reader.

It certainly isn't the best of the Scribner series. It's not even close. But it is significant in his career none the less. It differs from the other novels in the series a number of ways. First it is the least speculative of the novels. It was actually set in the near future of when it was written - 1947. Also there is no single juvenile protagonist.

This book was the basis of the George Pal film "Destination Moon". Of course the movie doesn't resemble the book except for the Cargraves character and the rocket is nuclear.

This is an excellent example of what I call retro-science fiction. The future the way the author thought it might be. If you can, get an older version with cover, end papers and illustrations by Thomas Voter. Heinlein did his best to ensure things were as accurate as possible and it shows in illustrations and the story.

Although dated (and what isn't dated today), this is a great book by Heinlein. I remember finding this book in the school library when I was a kid and never forgot reading it from cover to cover. Now I am sharing it with my kids. Great adventure! Great times with my kids!

I fondly remember borrowing this and the other two Heinleins
over and over from the bookmobile as a kid. It'll be interesting to get my half-German daughter to read it. At any rate: teenagers, surplus rocket ship, Nazis, moon landing. Worse Heinlein juveniles: "Farmer", "Podkayne", "Rolling Stones". Better: "Space Cadet", "Between Planets", "Star Beast", "Tunnel", "Starman Jones", "Time for the Stars", "Citizen", "Have Space Suit".

In HORSE SHY, the second book in THE SADDLE CLUB series, Stevie, Carole, and Lisa finally get to go on the long-awaited Mountain Trail Overnight (or MTO). They have a great time, and things get even better for Carole when she gets back: she gets to care for Veronica's stallion, Cobalt. Veronica may be snobby, but Cobalt is beautiful and Carole loves him.

Then there's a tragic jumping accident and Cobalt is killed. Carole is devastated and swears that she'll never ride again. It's up to Lisa and Stevie to remind Carole how much she loves riding, and that life continues, maybe in ways that nobody expected.

HORSE SHY delves into deeper material than HORSE CRAZY, the first book in the series, with the death of a beloved horse, but Bryant still manages to keep it light for her readers, with a more than happy ending.

Reviewed by: Andie Z.

"Horse Shy" is the second in "The Saddle Club" series--one of many books in which the snobby Veronica demonstrates why she is so awful. Why is it so hard to believe that her wealthy parents bought her a stallion--Cobalt--to ride? The girl gets everything that she wants from her parents throughout the series, so her ownership of a stallion should not require any suspension of disbelief; it comes naturally.
The Saddle Club series is comprised of wonderful books fantastic for horse-crazy youth, and a perfect length for late elementary and middle school readers. When I was that age, I never put any of these books down, often re-reading them multiple times.

This is the second book in the saddle club series. I think that Horse Shy was better than horse crazy, but still was slightly unrealistic as well. After all, Stevie, Lisa, and Carole seem to have an unusual amount of luck with all the things throughout the series that happen to them! If you suspend your disbelief, you'll love this book and the rest of the series. I totally sympathize with Carole about how you can fall in love with a horse and want to quit riding forever when something happens to it. Overall, this book was pretty good, although as the series goes on, the books get better.

Not the premise that it's hard to say goodbye to a horse you love to the point where you may temporarily stop riding because it hurts so much. No, it's just that the horse in question is a STALLION. For a junior exhibitor. For one thing, riders who are under a certain age cannot compete on stallions (at least in most classes), so I guess Veronica had to be content with never showinig Cobalt. Also, she was scared of him and did not ride him well, so it is a surprise she did not get badly hurt earlier. Why, why, why, are stallions always the mount of choice for children and teens in books? Mares and geldings are just as capable of generating mystery and intrigue.

I really don't like these books. They're more about people relationships compared to horses. They're some of the worst horse books I've ever read. "Thoroughbred" books and the "Ashleigh" series are way better. I bought some "Saddle Club" books before I didn't know about them, I've given them all away. Stay away from these books!

So one day Mary Anne sees a haircut she likes and shows it to her friends. They tell her it's not her at all, but she goes ahead and gets the cut anyway, along with some cute new clothes. She starts to put on a little makeup, too. When her friends see her new look, their reaction is less than enthusiatic. And Dawn, her stepsister, is downright rude and mean about it. Eventually all the girls quit talking to poor Mary Anne and start spreading rumors about her around school. Umm...what happened to the BSC sticking together no matter what? The only two who aren't suddenly turned against Mary Anne are Mallory and Jessi, who remain politley neutral throughout.
Although shunning Mary Anne because of a haircut and a couple sweaters is a little extreme and unlike the BSC girls, I actually think that this book is a more realistic portrayal of middle school life than many of the other books in the BSC series - friends turning on you for seemingly no reason, rumor-spreading and gossip, etc. I'm glad that they patched it up in the end (of course, we all knew they would!).

This book is enjoyable, but I honestly didn't understand why the other members of the club, especially Kristy, acted the way they did just because Mary Anne got a haircut. I mean, it's her decision, not theirs. It just doesn't make sense. And even though I like Dawn, I didn't like her that much in this book. I think other people who like Dawn may feel the same way.

Other than that, the book is fun to read and is definitelt a page-turner.

Well, obviously you don't want to make friend with these girls. Mary Anne is tired of being mousy and out of style. So what does she do? Well, duh her and her dad head to the mall and she gets this fab makeover, and starts to feel great about herself.

But, ah no apparently her "friends" (expect for Jess, Mallory, and Logan) are so jealous of Mary Anne and her new look they start spreading rumors about her. Whatever happened to being supportive of your friends?

I mean I had no problem with the book it was greatly written but I seriously think Mary Anne needed to ditch her friends and become friend with people who wouldn't judge her and wouldn't ridcule her because she decided to make herself over to improve her self esteem.

And seriously, Dawn needs professional help if you noticed in nearly all the BSC books, she tends to boss Mary Anne around and always tended to crictize her. I'm glad she moved back to California.

So Mary ann gets a makeover while on a trip to the mall with her father. She gets a trendy short haircut, a makeup artist to help her choose the best colours and shades for her face and beautiful expensive clothes. Dawn started with all this mess of bashing mary ann just because she was jealous mary anne spent time with her father and she missed her biological father in california, I'm glad that bimbo crept back into the hole she came from. So what does she do? She phones up all the BSC members including logan to "tell on her" as if she commited some crime or something. Is it a crime to spend time with your loving father who supports you in finding your identity? NO! But manipulative dawn told the bsc, logan was very supportive and loved her look, and judging from what we know about the other members(except mal and jessi) kristy was probably mad mary ann didn't look like her anymore, claudia and stacey probably felt superior over mary ann for a long time and felt that now she's dressing sophisticated and trendy she was like a threat to their egos. Jealousy is common among girls growing up at this age but for people who were supposed to be 'true friends' they were not supportive of her, and sadly her own stepsister was the start of it all. See I love the way the book was written descriptively and how mary anne's feelings were discussed, but the evil behavior from her peers and the mean things that went on just ruined the book for me cause I know what it's like being victimized for being different

When Mary Anne sees a picture of a haircut, she goes to the parlor to cut her hair. But the BSC don't pay much attention to it. Mary Anne thinks the BSC will be surprised with her new look. But what a mistake. Somethingf went wrong!

This book was ordered for my son for an English class. He finished the book before the class because he enjoyed it so.

Jericho Prescott thinks to be a part of the Warriors of Distinction, a high school club, will somehow improve his life. The thought of wearing the black silk jacket he'll receive once he undergoes the "Bonding of the Brotherhood", being noticed by his peers, and getting the attention of a particular girl seem to be more important to him than anything.
Against his better judgment, he endures humiliation, mind games & numerous indignities to become a Warrior of Distinction. He wants to belong to the best group in the school so badly, in fact, that he gives up a chance to live his dream of studying the trumpet at Julliard, one of the world's premier performing arts schools. Sadly, it takes a tragic accident to open his eyes to the fact that everything that glitters isn't gold.
As I read what went on during the so-called Bonding of the Brotherhood (hazing, in actuality), it really bothered me. But what bothered me most was how these alarming events were taking place, and the parents of these young people had no idea what their teens were going through. This story drives home the importance of parents keeping track of their children's lives.

This story will grab you at the beginning. You learn about the teenage mind and how it is to be pressured into being "cool". Josh, the main character, is sucked into a world of wanting. Wanting to be with the so called Warriors. The truth is they aren't the easiest group to get into. Everyone thinks they are so great, all the boys want to be like them, the girls love them, and they are like the kings of the high school. But to get in to the group you must attempt unbelieveable stunts.

Dana, female character who wants to be in the group even though it is a boys one, secretly joins. They make her get the worst oo it and her life is put in danger. Over all it is suspenseful, keeps you guessing on the next task they might have to go through. All through the book you think about what a teen has to go through because "cool" is in.
Nice book, should be read.

This book is AMAZING. You never lose intrest. It keeps you going. It is also very touching. It tells about the things that kids will go through just to be cool under peer pressure. But what you have to realize is the danger you could be putting yourself into. It is the best book that you will have read ever or in a very long time. Sharon Draper is a wonderful author. i would recommend this book to anyone as my first choice. It is also great for any teen looking forward to get into reading. This book is definitely a good way to get started.I give this book 10 stars!!!!!

The Battle of Jericho is about a teenager named Jericho and his friends getting into the club, the Warriors of Destruction. I actually give all the Sharon Draper books 5 stars. At first, the book is hard to get into, but after maybe the fifth chapter of the book, it starts to get interesting. Then, you just can't put it down. The Battle of Jericho is fiction. This book is for ages 14 and up. I don't think younger kids would understand and it might be hard to cope if you're too young. I even cried. Also, this book is an exciting and emotional book, because it made me cry, laugh and get mad. It's a very good book. I think that girls and boys could read The Battle of Jericho.

The main characters are Jericho, Josh, Kofi, Ariel, November and Dana. The Warriors of Destruction is a club at Jericho's school that everyone wants to be apart of yet it's very hard to get in. They chant this song every time they have a dance or after an accomplishment. Jericho, Josh, Kofi, and Dana are all trying to be apart of this club.

The Christmas toy drive is getting everyone closer together. It lets the leaders know how the new pledges will act if they're selected. So far everyone that was asked to help with the toy drive is still on board. The warriors dance is here and everyone's got a date and they're being asked to join the Warriors of Destruction but someone slips in and signs up no girls allowed. Yet they have to let Dana in because she signed up a while ago and she's already said the pledge and swore to the silence of the brotherhood. The first night of the activities is they make them do... will they let Dana in the club or just let her be in just give her some extra trouble? How far will they have to go to get in this club? How dangerous will the stunts be? How far will the leaders push their limits to the beyond and farther? I think you should read this book and I promise you will enjoy this book The Battle of Jericho!

i liked this book but i thought claudia was really mean to janine. janine seems a little snooty but claudia was too mean. i thought it was sad that mimi had a stroke but cool that claudia was so nice to mimi

This book to start is very well written, the BSC starts a kids play group but when Claudia's grandmother, Mimi, has a stroke, Claudia can't help with the play group anymore, but it shows how Claudia will do anything to help her grandmother.
GREAT Book, well worth the money.
(...)

This book to start is very well written, the BSC starts a kids play group but when Claudia's grandmother, Mimi, has a stroke, Claudia can't help with the play group anymore, but it shows how Claudia will do anything to help her grandmother.
GREAT Book, well worth the money.
-Sarah

Usually I like the first BSC books, even though they can be confusing sometimes. I like Claudia, too. She's probably my favorite baby-sitter. Howevr, I felt while reading this book that it should be called, "Janine and Mean Claudia". I mean seriously Claudia did not even try to get along with Janine during half the story. I did not like the part when she saw Janine out in the lawn and got mad because Janine hadn't asked about Mimi. Janine was right, Claudia didn'y give her a chance to. I feel for Janine in this book, but overall it's all right. It could be better.

The play group part was okay. I've been reading these books for years and sometimes I just wish they were the friendship cub or something and the book was just about the one conflict, not that = baby-sitting. I mean, I really don't care to read about diaper changes and stuff. But what can you expect? It's the baby-sitters club. But seriously, Martin should be a little more crative with her organization; in almost every book it's like this: first chapter the main character (whomever it might be) sees so-and-so at school or summer or whatever and something happens. Next chapter: the character tells us about the other club members while either going to a meeting, sitting in a meeting, or waiting for dinner. Then (usually after a couple of job calls) they tell us how the club was created. Then some random parent calls and asks for a regular sitter. Then something happens at home or school that somehow relates to the sitting job which turns out to be a problem. The story goes on to oh so creatively switch between the two conflicts and the character somehow solves both problems.

Coem on. You know it's true. That formula is not so apparent in the earlier books, though; the earlier books have more dept or somehting.

Don't get me wrong. These books are all right. They're just repetitive and not so creative. I think they just need more variety and serious issues. Not a lot of drugs or anything I mean these books are for kids, but just typical high school problems.

Okay. Overall, this book IMO is one of the lesser earlier BSC books. The Mimi situation was well portrayed and that's the good part. The bad part was Claudia and Janine. It's an important book in the series but overall not very good.

The reason I put this book for five stars is becuase it really is interesting.The part where Mimi has a stroke really scared me because I was worried about Claudia loosing Mimi because I know what it is like to loose someone very close to you.So I really was worried but when the doctors said that Mimi was going to be okay I was so happy.But I really liked the part in this book when Claudia and Janine were being nice to each other.It kinda sounds like my sister and I.I really enjoyed this book even tho some of this book they spoke Japanese I still liked it.Oh!One more thing I don't like this book..........I LOVE it.I really enjoyed this book and I hope you will too.

This is a dirty book. I only got to page 8 before it went bad. I would not give it any stars but 0 stars is not an option. The world is in bad enough shape morally the way it is with out this book. I am ashamed people would write stuff like this.

Wow! I'm really surprised by the number of negative reviews of this book by my fellow Readers. Yes, it's not great literature, but it's definitely a page-turner. Brian writes with an engaging and charming style that mirrors the interactions of modern-day teens. I enjoyed it (though it seems more of a "chick" book) and would recommend it.

However, it seems many of my fellow Readers downgraded the book for two reasons: 1) realism and 2) sex.

First off, the book never purports to be a documentary. How "realistic" is Anderson's "Speak"? Rowling's "Harry Potter" series? Hinton's "Outsiders"? Yet, all are popular w/teen readers. The four main characters are representative of groups/cliques many students encounter at their school every day. I never once assumed they were "real" people, nor did the fact that they weren't "real" detract from my enjoyment of the book.

As to the sex: Be warned! THERE IS A SEX SCENE IN THE BOOK. One of the chracters in a moment of vulnerability gives in to her boyfriend's pressure to have sex. There isn't anything graphic. In fact, it kind of reminded me of those Doris Day/Rock Hudson movies where they are laying on the bed and then there is a flash-forward to the next morning. I know some people can get squeemish talking about teens and sex; however, the book does a great job in presenting the REALITY that there is peer pressure to have sex, that some teens actually want to save themselves for marriage, that abstinence should be respected (even applauded). In a day and age where the sexualization of teens is taken for granted (eg, Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, Hillary Duff), I find it refreshing that someone wrote a book advocating that teens should enjoy their childhood (and not leap so quickly into "adulthood").

I think that this book was great. It focused on much of how similar life is today with all the compitition and problems you go through with friends and guys. The good thing about it is the fact that one scholarship brought everybody to thinking. I think that all teens sould read this book for the fact that not only does it bring curiosity to you, but the supense it gives off of whats gonna happen next. While reading this book i found it hard to put down, thats just how good it is then again i am a reader. Anyway CHECK IT OUT AND SEE FOR YOURSELF HOW GOOD IT IS.

I thought that this book was OK. I liked Eva the best, only because she appeared to be the only normal one out of her friends. Eva is trying to get a date, everyone thinks Debbie's a loose and trampy teenager, Mandy's dad is being investigated for tax fraud and Kai's being stalked by some Latin guy. Wow. The plots all tie together. Mandy was very bratty and snobbish in my oppinion-towards the end of the book, her father has to go to prison and she screams, "I hate you-I'm glad you're going to prison! You deserve to go!" If my dad was going to prison, that would not be a very supportive thing to say to him. Debbie was a bit trashy. She's found with the guy Eva likes-sitting on his lap making out with him. She wants to got to Fashion School, but her dad wants to her to study Math at Penn Sate. Kai's father brings home a friend's son who wants to look at the soccer program at Penn State. He stalks her and she gets mad. And then, at the end, Eva gets engaged to her 'dream guy'. PLEASE! They're freshmen in college. They've known eachother for a year! It was too perfect an ending for me.

The one thing I liked about the book was that it took place in Pennsylvania (I was born in Philadelphia) and Penn State was mentioned a lot (My dad went there and I'm wearing my PSU shirt now!)It was a quick and easy read though, and I could relate to Eva.

The V-Club(virginity club) starts when Mrs. Treemont suddenly passes away and leaves behind a mysterious scholarship. The Treemont Scholarship requires that you "exemplify purity of soul and body" in order to recieve it. Becaus of this scholarship, four friends, Eva, Debbie, Mandy, and Kai, must learn how to deal with the problems in their lives. They all want, and need, the scholarship for there own secret perosnal reasons. In her book " The V-Club", Kate Brian tells a intriguing story about the crazy lives of four best friends who compete with each other for a scholarship that requires them to expain why they think that they are pure enough to recieve it. This is a very funny, but serious book, relatable to "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants", that helps you to understand what most all teenage girls in high school go through every day. It lets you understand just how hard it is for teenage girls to juggle boys, family, and school, while still trying to take care of themselves. Brian tells a profound story that's up-to-date, and unpredictable, which any girl can relate to.

Claudia is given a choice: 1. She can go to 8th grade, 2. She will stay in 7th grade. Claudia thinks it is easy. But for her 7th grade friends, it is not.

instead of putting her back a grade, why not hire a tutor for her or put her in special education instead of moving her back one grade and then back up? What a mess the education system would be if kids having trouble in school were moved back one year and then back to their normal year!

Mrs. Amer said that Claudia can go back to 8th grade. Claudia has a hard time whether will she go to 8th grade or remain in 7th grade with her steady boyfriend, Mark?. This one is the best!. Will Claudia remain in 7th grade or skip to 8th grade?

The problem was, Claudia was faced with 2 decisions:which grade to go into(either to stay in seventh grade or move back to eighth grade), and figuring out what to do cause she was having mixed feelings with both Mark and...Josh! In the end she makes good decisions. Don't wanna spoil it for you! It's a great book. My cousin and I read it about a million times! Keep it up Ann!

Claudia Makes Up her Mind (No. 113) is a bomb! So touching and romantic. I liked it so much I read it twice! Ms. Martin, thank you! :-) The book was also (very) funny. In every book that Ann Martin writes there is always something funny you can read about. Peace out!

Carla C.

All but Alice is a fantastic book written by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor. The author makes you feel like you are Alice. Alice is a selfconcious young lady. Elizabeth, is vein, and Pamela is enthusiastic. Alice started seventh grade, and also joined the All Stars Fan Club and the earring club. She becomes one of the famous eight. Still there are situations to fix. Can she be a sister with girls who want to be her brotherýs (Lester) girlfriend? What will she do when her father dates her teacher, Miss Summers? So why donýt you read the book and find out.
This book is a MUST READ! The reader can learn not to worry about everything or else it might turn out bad. You actually feel like youýre in Aliceýs body. Itýs easy to put a picture in your mind. You feel like youýre actually in that world, as Alice.
Phyllis Reynolds Naylor is a great author. Her parents read to her and sang songs that were actually stories. She could hardly wait to read and write her own books. Her books are about things she heard or read, all mixed up with her imaginations. All But Alice is a terrific book and I think you should read it along with some of her other books.

This book is about a twelve-year-old girl whose mom died when she was young. So now she lives with her dad and older brother, Lester. Alice wants earrings to fit in at middle school. So she gets her ears pierced and joins the earrings club. All the popular girls are in it, even one of her best friends, and her other best friend isn't, because she doesn't have earrings. Another problem in her life is a girl at the Melody Inn, where her dad works, likes Lester, but Lester does not like her. Then, Lester's old girlfriend, Crystal, likes him and she wants to get back together with him. Then, another of Lester's girlfriends likes him and wants to get back together. But, Lester likes Crystal. Then, Alice's dad had been going out with Miss Summers, Alice's teacher, and Alice wonders if they'll get married. Also Alice likes this boy who used to her friend, but he already has a girlfriend. I like this book because I can relate to most of her problems in life.

It's the winter of Alice's seventh grade year, and all she wants is to fit in. She joins an "Earring Club," but soon finds it rather monotonous to spend so much time shopping for and talking about mere jewelry. She also joins the All-Stars Fan Club, because all the popular kids are, and ends up writing fan mail to a rock star she doesn't even like.

Obviously, Alice's actions and reactions are typical of any junior high girl. The fact that she's always felt ostracized by the death of her mother when she was a preschooler only compounds Alice's need to fit in. However, Naylor has demonstrated her talent for taking simple concepts and making them into interesting, funny storylines in the other "Alice" books; this one just isn't up to par. Still, readers who enjoy the series will certainly want to read this book, simply for more Alice stories.

I have read 5 alice books and I think this one did not have quite as a good plot as others . This one is kind of boring , but, it goes deeper into her dad and her brother lesters (now 20) love life . There is still the choice that lester has to make , crystal or marilyn . Still my 2 personal favorite alice books are "alice in blunderland" (ages 10-14) , and "alice in rapture ,sort of (ages 11-15) Otherwise buy this book because if you are going to read the seiries , might as well go all the way .

GREAT!! This story is very realistic and I wholeheartedly recommend it with the usual warning I give when reviewing Alice books: Only read this yourself, kids, or ,adults, give this book to someone if you are sure they will not faint if they see read some sexual things, which they're are a lot of in the Alice books.

Again, this a wonderful book and really provides an insight into a young girl's mind. I actually suggest boys read the Alice series to get a little understanding of how girl's minds work.

Blessed BE!! :) :) :) :)