Youth Books

From beginning to end I was caught in the poignant details of this story. The Russian Revolution is brought to life through the individuals who face poverty, uncertainty, and constant changes in their circumstances. Whether people are poor, middle class, or wealthy, they are thrown together in difficult, often dangerous situations. Nora Percival fills the pages with family members who are at times wise and courageous only to later be petty and weak, each one trying to survive in a world that no longer makes any sense and which never stands still long enough to build new understandings about how to respond. Nora's free spirit in the midst of this chaos is a constant inspiration. As a young child and into her teens she tends to her mother who is depressed and unable to find the energy required by this newly restricted environment. Though her mother often becomes tiresome, Nora continues to persevere, giving of her own strength to keep her mother afloat. When Nora finally comes to America the reader comes with her, feeling Nora's celebration of freedom and a chance for a new life.

I happened upon Nora Percival in Valle Crucis, NC where she was signing her books. I feel so lucky to have personnally autographed copies of her books and a photo of me with her. Nora Percival is as captivating in person as she is in her story.
"Weather of the Heart" is wildly educational, exciting and inspiring, a study in optomisism. I literally could not put it down: I carried it from room to room and took it with me if I left the house. When I finished reading the book, I missed Nora the child because I found her so charming; WHAT A GIRL!! What a book!

This book details the events that brought an immigrant family to safe harbor in the US after escape from the Russian revolution. The viewpoint is that of a young girl, just 3 years old at the beginning of the story. This young girl is the only daughter of a bourgeoisie family. Her father left the farm as a penniless young man, and through his own enterprise came to own a small shoe factory in Samara. As the revolution takes hold, Percival's father is named as a criminal against society because of his social standing, and he is forced to flee to Manchuria, leaving his wife and daughter behind. Percival describes to us how she and her mother gradually lose their life of relative luxury and ease, how their German governess fled, and how they had to abandon their home and move in with her paternal grandparents. The circumstances that follow develop her into a mature young woman by the time the main narrative ends when she is 8 years old and living in New York City.

Occasionally, especially in the first chapter, Percival's writing style can be a little annoying. Nevertheless, the story that she has to tell is riveting. She provides unique details of the daily life of ordinary people in the time just before, during, and after the Russian revolution. She also tells us much about the conditions and rules faced by immigrants to the US during the early part of the 20th century.

I learned so much about revolutionary Russia and a different way of life from this book. Reading Ms. Percival's life story was intriguing--full of happy reunions and sad partings. The book really makes you realize that people are the same all over the world. This story of a young girl's long journey to America will inspire you and make you cry.

This memorable book gives us the memoirs of an 88 year old first time novelist, Nora Lourie Percival. This is far and away the best book I have read in years. It is an interesting and compelling story of a child growing up in and then escaping from Communist Russia. It is wonderfully written and historically significant. The rich descriptive narrative is a pleasure to read and to hear read (my husband and I read it aloud to one another). I found myself continually rereading passages purely for the purpose of savoring the author's exquisite use of language; I have read few contemporary writers whose use of language is as skillful and as sensitive as is this writer's. This is a book to be added to the family library and to be re-read throughout the years. It is an absorbing, heartbreaking and uplifting true story of a child and her family's survival of the Russian Revolution. The reader is grabbed by the first pages and his interest is held throughout. I've bought several to give as gifts. I would recommend it to anyone! It is truly marvelous.

I used this book with teens for a Bible study breakfast a few years back and have not found anything this GOOD!! wish there was another like it!

This was my first teen devotional, and I was impressed by the uniqueness of this book! This book really helped me a lot in my everyday life. I sensed God talk to me in the pages of this book. I belive it will help out a lot of teens, as it helped me. It features real day-to-day experiences that teens like me can relate. Once I started reading a page a day, I never stopped having my quiet time with the Lord!

What a blessing this book has been to me and my family. We have been using it for about a year in our devotions before we begin the day of homeschooling. A relative of mine who attends college, was looking for a devotional book for her Bible study group so we sent her one as well. I hope "the word has gotten out" on what a great book it is.

This is a great devotional for older youth. My kids were a bit young for some of the stories in there (like premarital sex, etc). When I realized it was too old for my 7 & 9 year olds, I gave it to my 12-year-old nephew.

I teach 8th grade English in a Christian Academy. Every morning I start off by reading a devotional from this book. I have no discipline problems, and I believe it to be because I start off each day with a devotional. I spent a lot of time searching for a book that I could use, and this one was by far the best.

Seyyed Nasr's book is enlightening and illuminating. It is a counter to the many books written by orientalists who study and interpret Islam from their own very prejudiced views. Now, it is a Muslim scholar par excellence who is critically assessing the Western world from an Islamic point of view. The book is scholarly and academic in every sense of the word, never in any way deviating into vitriol, offence, or sweeping anti-Western generalisations. In this scholarly work, Seyyed Nasr begins by elucidating the fundamental truths of the Islamic faith. He then begins his exposition on the Western world, delving into its religious history, philosophies, politics, education, and social life. A must read, definitely one to be passed down from father to son.

Seyyed Hossein Nasr "A Young Muslim's Guide to the Modern World" (Kazi, 1994)

Picking up a new book (in the sense of not having read before) by Professor Nasr is an experience to be relished, but at the same time one for which you need to brace yourself. Nasr tackles God, Philosophy, Civilization and the crisis of modern man... not exactly holiday reading. His books invariably present the reader with a 'tour de force' of traditional Islamic knowledge as well as an almost frightening breadth of learning spanning the fields of Philosophy, Science, History, the Arts, Education, Politics, Economics and of course Religion.

Above all else, perhaps, Professor Nasr's genius lies in his ability to weave together relevant information from seemingly disparate fields to create an organic synthesis simultaneously in accordance with the teachings of Islam and scholastically rigorous enough to present a formidable challenge to the most critical mind. One must also take into consideration his intellectual pedigree, second to none in both the traditional world of Islam, and modern Western learning, presented through his eloquent command of the English language which renders his writing such a joy to read.

The book in question is perhaps the ideal entrance for a Muslim reader into the thought of Nasr. Its aim is to at once reaffirm the many aspects of the Islamic 'message' (the first seven chapters) before venturing into a fairly deep, although understandably brief considering the amount of ground covered, analysis of the modern Western world (the next seven chapters) in chapters dealing with Modern Philosophy, Science and Technology and so forth. The fifteenth and final chapter takes the form of an epilogue restating the need for young Muslims to both learn their own tradition deeply and also to learn about the Modern World seriously in order to be able to respond Islamically to the multitude of challenges it poses a follower of tradition. Indeed, Nasr asserts that while the West has produced numerous scholars who study Islam and the Islamic World from their point of view, the Islamic world has produced very few scholars able to study the various aspects of the West (in any depth at least) from the Islamic perspective.

So there we have the basic outline of the work, one which is both ambitious and greatly needed at this critical juncture in history. Professor Nasr is by no means the first Islamic scholar to address the topic of the spiritual welfare of the youth as it is confronted with modernity, however he is certainly the one author whose masterful treatment this issue has needed the most. As he notes, most Islamic critiques of the Modern West are shallow, ill-informed and reactionary, unable to stand up to much serious examination. Nasr characteristically avoids such emotional, simplistic generalisations and presents the reader with the learned, scholarly treatment we have come to expect.

The volume touches on so many themes that it is difficult to summarise, leaving one to conclude with a strong recommendation in favour of tracking it down and partaking in its blessings (barakah) for yourself. You may also find yourself turning the final page with a sense of faith and belonging, having rediscovered your prestigious tradition, a sense of sobriety having learnt something of the nature of the problems of modernity but above all a sense of illumination and purpose based upon the Eternal Reality of Divinity. Nasr concludes aptly with a well-known quote from the Noble Quran: "When the Truth comes, falsehood shall fade away."

Note: The copy in question is published by Kazi (1994) and while it is adequate, the reader is advised to seek out the edition published by the ITS - The Islamic Texts Society, whose books are always of the highest quality, the Kazi edition lacking especially with regard to the typeface used for the chapter headings.

This book excellently deals with every subject it takes up. I have read many books on history of philosophy, islamic history, etc. And this book seems to be writen by somebody, who perefectly transcends the final word that has been said on any subject the book deals with. Actually, Nasr is my hero since I have read his books (since last week.)

As a teenage Muslim I find this book great Spruatily and Mentally. I recomend this book for Muslims and Non-Muslim Teens.

Thank you Professor Nasr, this book fills a scholarly gap.

This resource is EXHAUSTIVE to say the least. From how to organize your office right down to where you need to put your trashcan. Everything from getting a job to leaving gracefully, planning budgets to insurance liabilities. The CD included must have 100 forms that are necessary to any ministry with students. Don't pass this up. The forms on the cd are completely customizable to your ministry. You need this book! What an incredible tool!

This is an excellent resource book for anyone working with youth or serving on a youth committee.

THis is a collection of excellent tools to use in youth ministry. When read as a reference upon which to build an organized ministry, it is an incredibly helpful book. I constantly refer to the forms in the back of the book which I then specialize for our youth group.

This is a good leadership book which also addresses specific issues found in youth ministry. I would recommend it for anyone leading youth or who is planning to lead youth.

This book is genius!
I have been through youth ministry courses, I have been to youth specialties, I have been in minsitry (13 years) and I have read the books...

You will not find a more comprehensive, nuts & bolts book out there. I frankly don't understand why this book isn't more popular. EVERY young pastor and minister should have this book on their shelf and reference it often.
- organizing
- leading
- meetings
- prep & planning
- calendaring

You will be as prepared and professional as people expect you to be if you will only take the time to study something as practical as this book.

_ryan _russell
pastor
central christian church - mesa, az

Tattle Tongue is a very clear, cute way to stop tattling in the classroom. It models for children the difference between telling and tattling. Being able to purchase a poster of the rules was a nice bonus.

It's hard to teach children when they should tell and when not to. This book is a great book to help children determine when it is appropriate to tell an adult or when they shouldn't.

I am an elementary school counselor and have read this book to my 1st and 2nd grade classes and they absolutely love it! It is entertaining as well as educational and really explains the difference between "tattling" and "reporting" so these students understand it! I definitely recommend this book for parents and educators alike!

Great book about tattling. It teaches students some basic guidelines to follow. The illustrations compliment the book nicely and the children enjoy the storyline and pictures.

I am an elementary school guidance counselor. I read this book to my first grade classes, and they love it! It really helps them to clarify what the difference is between "telling" and "tattling." Moreover, it allows me to elaborate on examples of when it is necessary to talk to an adult about dangerous situations. I would definitely recommend this book!

If you've never read a book by Leon Garfield before, then you don't know what you're missing. One of the masters of children's literature, and a direct literary descendant of Charles Dickens (encompassing his love of dark and murky plots, meaningful character names and stupendous use of language), Garfield writes stories set in the mid-18th century with such authenticity that it's as if he'd lived through them.

Bartholomew Dorking (later dubbed "Tolly") is a young apprentice to a draper when he's accosted by Mrs Gorgandy, a professional widow who claims bodies from the gallows for the sole purpose of selling them to surgeons. Coercing the young teenager into watching the body of the dreadful Black Jack, Tolly is horrified when the corpse suddenly lurches back to life! By the insertion of a piping into his windpipe, Black Jack has cheated strangulation by the noose, much to the dismay of Tolly who now finds himself the convict's unwilling associate as he flees through the dark London streets.

Feeling responsible for the criminal's return to life, Tolly finds himself intolerably bound to him, even when he finds himself assisting in the sabotage of coaches. Yet by twist of fate, Black Jack upturns a carriage traveling from the Carter household, which contains young Belle Carter on the way to an asylum. Considered mad since she was a little girl, Tolly now finds himself with a new traveling companion, one that his soft heart cannot bear to see locked away in madhouse. Caught up with a traveling circus, troubled by the twin burdens of Black Jack and Belle, hounded by the malicious Hatch and desperate to evade the authorities, Tolly grows from boy to man in the vividly portrayed atmosphere of Dickensian London.

Garfield incorporates certain aspects of 18th century life into his story; the beginning of medical study (resulting in the need for dead bodies), the tricks of the trade in traveling fairgrounds, the idea that madness was contained in the bloodlines of families, and the religious fervor that heralded the end of the world (apparently Armageddon was forecast on a regular basis). Reading a Garfield book is getting a history lesson without realizing it, as all these components are beautifully knitted into the context of the story.

Also worth mentioning are the characters themselves; each one brought vividly to life. Tolly is a kind-hearted teenager with a somewhat nervous disposition, though Garfield tells us: "Sort hearts are easily combustible, and when they take fire, they burn with a sudden blaze." Burdened with a clear sense of right and wrong, with a conscience that makes him act on these impulses, (probably due to his idolization of his uncle, a sea captain) you can't help but admire his determination to do the right thing - whether he really wants to or not. Likewise, the terrifying Black Jack is a figure out of a nightmare: hulking, unpredictable, violent and menacing. Even minor characters, such as the dreamy Belle, cheerful Doctor Carmody and blustering Mrs Gorgandy are all great examples of creating unforgettable characters with the right imaginative language.

And Garfield was the master of descriptive language; reading any book of his a joy simply because it is wrapped in expert use of the English language, so rich and dense, you'll find yourself re-reading sentences just to appreciate the care with which they were crafted. Want some examples?

"The boy and the giant felon stared towards each other. In the one pair of eyes was savagery, contempt, even murder - and an angry bitterness that he should be obliged to the white-faced maggot of an apprentice who peered up at him. In the boy's eyes there was fear of savagery, fear of murder, and also a glint of bitterness provoked by the felon's contempt."

"They moved with circumspection through the night; chose infirm alleys and crippled lanes that slunk by the river in a blind and stinking confusion - as if the very streets were lost and would have cast themselves into the river if only they could have found the way."

"A huge spade struck and tore the green quilt...then another. Again and again the spades struck, till the earth flew up in gusts and scudding showers, spattering the stones and spoiling the green. Bending above these spades were two questing faces: one enormous, bearded, black as sin - the other young, desperate, not knowing or daring to know what lay beneath...only wild with hurry."

If you've never read Leon Garfield before, then you're doing yourself a great disservice. Although "Black Jack" is not my favourite of his works (that honour belongs to Smith), you won't regret picking up this book.

There's something in this book--in its characters, its settings, its situations--that is quite reminiscent of the work of Charles Dickens. But it's a lot shorter and simpler than the average Dickens novel. So I could recommend this book to anyone who likes Dickens, and even more so, to anyone who would like Dickens if only he weren't so long-winded. Or just to anyone who enjoys a rousing, well-written, action-packed novel with colorful characters.

Oh, and even though this book is marketed for younger readers, I see no reason why adults could not thoroughly enjoy it as well.

Leon Garfield is one of the best writers for older children ever; no, make that for anyone! His gorgeous language, fabulous, gripping plots, vivid characters and Shakespearean understanding of humanity put him in the very top class of that golden age of children's books of the 60s and 70's--and some of the best of today's golden age, such as Philip Pullman, cite him as an importantinfluence. Back Jack is one of his best books, a wild, terrifying, exciting, romantic and mysterious adventure story that left me reeling as a kid, and still thrills me to bits! Don't miss it!

Leon Garfield's one of those authors that, once discovered, feel like personal triumphs. When I read a Leon Garfield book, I suddenly have the impression that I've done something noble and great for the cause of humanity. He feels like my own personal children's author. The kind that I discovered all on my own and that, as one of the best kept secrets in kiddie lit, I don't necessarily want anyone else to know about. Then I come to my senses, sigh, and write a review like this one. Ever since I discovered his brilliant Dickensian, "Smith", I've been meaning to work my way through the Garfield oeuvre. "Black Jack" was second on my reading list and, now that I've read it through, it has become my favorite book by this author. If you've a child that's been enraptured by books like, "A Series of Unfortunate Events" or even, "The Wolves of Willoughby Chase", then you'd be committing a serious crime to omit from your reading list this most enjoyable of high Victorian adventures.

When a set of unlikely circumstances end with young Bartholomew Dorking guarding the coffin of the recently hanged villain Black Jack, the boy is less than delighted. An apprentice to a draper, Tolly has always led an upstanding pious life. Next thing he knows, however, the recently hanged Black Jack (the kind of man described here as, "a mighty fellow, and rough... as if the Almighty had sketched him out (and left the Devil to fill him in) before He'd settled on something of a quieter, more genteel size") is not as dead as he first appeared. In fact, he is very much alive. Taking Tolly with him wherever he goes, the boy finds himself the unwitting accomplice to this most dark-hearted of villains. In the course of their adventures they meet madwomen, frauds, fortune tellers, and sailors. And while Tolly finds true love in the most unlikely of places, Black Jack learns how to use his enormous strength for something other than villainy.

The book is a highly satisfying read. Part of this is due to the characters Garfield's conjured up. Tolly is fourteen and your typical heroic orphan. The kind of lad that Oliver Twist could've grown up to be (if Oliver was a little less saintly and little more human). His eventual lady love, one Miss Belle Carter, begins the book as mad but eventually is seen to be just a gal who suffered a severe shock in her youth and has needed to recover from it ever since. But the true hero of this tale is the title character. Black Jack's one in a million. He's so real that you can practically feel his villainy emanating off the pages that describe him. At the same time, there are chinks in his personality that allow you to understand why Tolly feels he must earn Jack's respect, even as he hates and fears him. Jack has his weaknesses as well. He fears madness above all things and he's often rather disconcerted when he observes Tolly doing the right thing in the face of what's easy. By the end of the book you'll find yourself cheering Jack and Tolly on and wishing that Mr. Leon Garfield had had the inclination to make several sequels of their adventures to accompany this marvelous tale.

So there you have it. A children's book for everyone to enjoy. You like descriptions? Then take a gander at passages like: "(She was) a happy, greasy, jingly lady whose skin was always aglitter with fine brass dust so that she had the air of being a worn but once costly Christmas present". You like a riveting story? By the second half of this book you'll be disinclined to set it down for even half a breath. You can't read a book unless the characters are likable? Even Tolly is a great guy to root for, and HE'S the saintly hero! Some people pooh-pooh Garfield as a lesser Dickens. I prefer to think of him as the logical step kids need between their everyday literature and real Dickens. If you want your child to pick up "Nicholas Nickleby" for fun, don't immediately ungulf them in that text first. Start them out slowly with a little Leon Garfield. With any luck, they'll be howling for more things along that vein. But don't relegate Garfield simply to the ranks of second-rate Dickens. He's an artist in his own right and his books are well worth discovering. You'll love it. I promise.

My sister, the unstoppable Codemaster Talon, gave this book to read as part of our literary exchange program (she gives me books to read, and I give her books to read). When I first glanced at this book, I thought it would be an easy read (it's just over 200 pages). Then, when I started reading it, I found myself stumbling over some of the old-fashioned English phrases. I asked her when it was written. "The 70s." she said. "The 1970s?" I asked? "No, the 1870s", she joked. I honestly wasn't sure which one was the real date when until she told me. Yes, this book is indeed authentic in it's language. But for me it was hard. My sister told me to stick with it. Boy am I glad I did.

The story starts out with the giant Black Jack being executed, and then procedes to tell the story of a poor good-natured youngster who finds himself in this terrifying scoundral's strange company. The strange thing is that for some reason, this terrible man finds that he likes the young lad, and won't let him go.

When the boy finds himself suddenly and strangely abandoned by the giant after starting (and ending) his search for an escaped lunatic young girl, he folows the road till he finds (and joins) a traveling carnival. The that's where our story begins.

As Black Jack struggles with his fear of lunatics (can you believe it?) and growing admiration for his young friend, Tolly (the young fellow) gains maturity and learns about life as he helps the poor lunatic (her name's Belle) regain her sanity. It's really engaging, because all the characters are so very HUMAN, and as Tolly continually tries to help the girl while at the same time keeping her from getting to close (she loves him you know) he starts to find that he cares for her too.

When Belle becomes convinced that she really is insane and has herself commited, and Tolly can't get the people imprisoning her to let him see her (despite his growing love for her), and Black Jack won't let anything get in the way of his friend's happiness... Well, let's just say it makes for one of the greatest climaxes I've ever seen in a book (especially when you consider the world is ending at the same time).

What really addicted me to this book was one thing. Love. When I read the passages about how Tolly and Belle found their feelings for each other grow, it gave me a simply wonderful feeling. The author of this book has managed to perfectly describe the feeling of being in love. I haven't felt this way while reading a book in a long time. This feeling the book gave me grew stronger and stronger as it progressed, but the very, very end made it shoot to the sky. Because what Belle kept describing in her wild rants of insanity turned out not to be mere dreams after all, but visions of a future more wonderful than she could have imagined.

If anything I have said connected with you in any way, READ THIS BOOK.

Members of Duke University's Sigma Nu fraternity are thugs. At least, one could get that impression from walking by their section and hearing such musical selections as "Baby I'm a Thug" and "Nothin' but a G Thang" that are frequently boom from within. Adopting parts of the gangsta persona for well-monied groups of future investment bankers and may be relatively consequence free but may not be the case for many youths in Chicago's South Side. This is one issue that Mary Pattillo-McCoy addresses in her ethnographic study of the middle class residents of the South Side's Groveland community, Black Picket Fences: Privilege and Peril Among The Black Middle Class.

Black Picket Fences is in part a response to what Pattillo-McCoy characterizes as the research pendulum of socio-economic studies of blacks having "swung to the extreme." That is, despite the large body of research focusing on the black population, the overwhelming majority further focuses on the less affluent portions of the population, having largely other segments the black population. However, research and knowledge of the black middle class is vitally important because, as Pattillo-McCoy points out, these are the people who are supposedly living the lives that our government and society has envisioned for all blacks following the Civil Rights era of the 1960s.

In the book, the author emphasizes the prevalence and importance of spatial orientation of racial communities. Pattillo-McCoy utilizes census data to show that in Chicago and most other metropolitan areas, black communities are concentrated in "black belts" surrounded by tracts of predominantly white communities. On the periphery of these black belts are often middle-income black communities that serve as a buffer between white communities and low-income black communities.

This picture, though, is not static through time. Pattillo-McCoy reveals a game of racial cat-and-mouse in which middle class black families are chasing their white counterparts. The pattern starts when a black family moves into a predominantly white neighborhood. Whites begin leaving the area, and soon the area is predominantly middle class black. Then lower income blacks migrate into the area, creating a mixture of economic statuses within the community. Such is the case in Groveland.

One concern that arises from her heavy reliance on census data, though, is the possibility of generalization. This is especially troublesome in light of the high socio-economic diversity of many black communities that Pattillo-McCoy describes. This is not as much in relation to her Groveland study area, but the other South Side communities that the author details in chapters one and two.

The implications of living in such an economically diverse community are large, especially for adolescents. Pattillo-McCoy points out that the appeal of deviance to teenagers cuts across racial and class lines, the motivations and accessibility of deviant behavior are often very different. In Groveland, a teenager is constantly confronted with realities of gang life and drug use because gang members and drug users are a large part of the Groveland community. In fact, most teenagers have acquaintances who are in gangs or who know gang members. This means that a part of the teenager's social network probably participates in gang behavior and drug use, making him or her both easy access and social reinforcement for such activities. This is less often the case for middle class whites, who often reside in homogenous neighborhoods where gangs and drugs are less common.

McCoy also emphasizes that today's young Groveland residents are much downward social mobility than previous generations of Groveland residents and middle class whites outside of Groveland.

There are often family and community security mechanisms to help Groveland residents. It is relatively common for divorced or resource-limited mothers to move in with her own parents. The grandparents help in parenting by supervising children, changing diapers, and serving as role models for children. Also, many families in Groveland are third or fourth generation residents, so most people in the community have long-standing social connections to other residents. These connections often prevent wrong-doers from targeting others in the community, and the familiarity helps potential targets feel more comfortable around people they perceive as being criminals, because in all likelihood they know each other or other's parents or children.

McCoy shows how individual Groveland residents deftly navigate between "street" and "decent" parts of their social networks by code and persona switching. Chief among these is William "Spider" Waters, a marijuana-smoking gang member who works two jobs with the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and Groveland Park, respectively. At the exchange, he speaks proper English, goes by Will, and works on his days off. In Groveland, he speaks Black English, goes by Spider, and "kicks it" with his friends. Tyson Reed, former Groveland gang member, student at Grambling University, and aspiring lawyer, points out the even though he talks about school, grades, and academic things, he doesn't broach the subjects of grades or Albert Einstein with his friends from the ghetto.

This book has wide-ranging relevance. It is enriching academic reading for students in sociology, cultural anthropology, and ethnographic studies. More importantly, though, this book is very important to American citizens in general. This book is about their neighbors and illustrates injustices that take place within America's borders. If the American social ideal of racial integration is to ever become a reality, the American public needs to be more informed about why integration is taking so long, why middle class citizens are still socially constrained, and what unjust situations are being perpetuated within America's borders. Black Picket Fences gives a very personal, very compelling answers to these queries. It is certain that the situations that exist in Groveland exist elsewhere in America and quite probable that they exist outside of America, too. Therefore, this book comes highly recommended to everyone.

Through ethnographic research the author highlights the intersections between middle, working and lower class African Americans in Groveland, a primarily African Americans middle class community in Chicago. Despite arguments that the African American middle class is flourishing, Patillo McCoy documents how racial segregation and racism confines many middle class African Americans to neighborhoods that frequently have to battle issues such as crime, gangs and drug use, that white middle class neighborhoods do not. In addition she does an excellent job of tying in the consumer wants and desires of African American youth and adults with the capitalist nature of American society.

Through ethnographic research the author highlights the intersections between middle, working, and lower class African Americans in Groveland, a primarily African American middle class community in Chicago. Despite arguments that the African American middle class is flourishing, Patillo McCoy documents how racial segregation and racism confines many middle class African Americans to neighborhoods that frequently have to battle issues such as crime, gangs and drug use, that white middle class neighborhoods do not. In addition she does an excellent job of tying in the consumer wants and desires of African American youth and adults with the capitalist nature of American society.

Black Picket Fences is an insightful and informative survey of privilege and peril among middle class blacks providing an unusual, intriguing study of the pressures of black middle-class families. Sociologist Pattillo-McCoy lived in a black middle-class neighborhood in Chicago: her experiences serve as a foundation for analysis of social issues and change.

This is perhaps the most significant book on the black middle class since Wilson's Declining Significance of Race. The Author gives us a community study at par with Streetwise, Getting Paid, and Street Corner Society. Through this book, black neighborhood are transformed into multi-dimensional communities, rich with institutions and networks. Truely a balanced view, which goes beyond books like the Truely Disadvantaged (although both deal with the same community). Most importantly, the author reminds us of the link between structural factors and race. The content of the book should not be overlooked, and the conclusions regarding the need to maintain race-based affirmative action, even for middle class blacks, should influence every policymaker in the country.

My English class just read this wonderful autobiography of Cynthia Rylant as a class assignment. I truly enjoyed this autobiography; usually I am not such a fan of people telling me about themselves. Ms. Rylant presents her life story in a way that makes her more accessible to her audience. I think that an interesting factor that she incorporated was the quote from the Beatles songs at the beginning of each chapter. I am a fan of the Beatles myself, so that was a strong connection that I was able to establish with Ms. Rylant. Another quality of this autobiography was the way that she laid out the story. She did not write it so it read "First I did this, then this then that." She made it a very good read, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in Cynthia Rylant, or to anyone who is looking for a good read. Also, for any of you who have read "The Giver" this autobiography might be an interesting read for you.

I teach reading, and I like Rylant's work. For me, BIBBA was personal. Rylant grew up near where my father's family lived for generations. My Dad left to escape the poverty-- he didn't want to be a miner like his Dad. As I grew up in Utah, I knew very little about my Dad's early life.
BIBBA was a wonderful read, especially since Rylant is only a few years older than me. I vividly remember Bobby Kennedy's charisma, and the shock of his death. There are many places in BIBBA to cry-- when Rylant's father dies just before she is to see him for the first time in many years, for example. There is also the simple joy of that first kiss, and all those little moments of growing up. Read this book!

If you loved sharing Cynthia Rylant's Henry and Mudge books with your kids, do yourself a favor and read this memoir of growing up in Appalachia. I was delighted to find Ms. Rylant's talent for telling tales of simple magic at work again in this personal story. You might also enjoy reading Missing May, and CYnthia Rylant's other books for older children and young adults. She is a very special writer whose writing for kids is clearly not her only gift.

Focusing almost exclusively on her childhood and adolescence, Rylant describes growing up in the small town of Beaver, West Virginia. She was abandoned by her beloved father, an alcoholic, at age three, and sent to live with her grandparents between the ages of four and eight, while her mother went to nursing school. The heartbreak of losing her parents so young is the reason she became a writer: to help her make sense of life. Rylant discusses her passion for the Beatles, Bobby Kennedy, and kissing. A sensitive, often humorous piece of self-revelation by a fine writer. Includes personal photos and drawings that evoke the Beatles era in a scrapbook style.

"But I'll Be Back Again" is the autobiography of Cynthia Rylant, who writes books for young people. In BIBBA, Rylant recalls her childhood and adolescence in West Virgina. The book opens with her mother's separation from Cynthia's alcoholic father. Rylant goes on to discuss her extended family, her friendships, her heroes, her youthful sexual awakening, etc.

One intriguing aspect of the book is the way Rylant reveals how people and issues from her childhood eventually were reflected in her works of fiction. This is a short book, but well complemented by 16 pages of photos and documents from Rylant's childhood. Rylant's style is frank and direct, yet also demonstrates grace and tenderness. Overall, a fine book.

This is a phenomenal Christian based book for families who want to approach the 'big' talk with their kids. It is NOT your basis anatomical guide on the birds and the bees. Rather it is an indispensable guide on how to connect with your kids early and keep the lines of communication open so that as sexual issues or questions arise, they are comfortable enough to approach you, and you are comfortable enough with them to discuss it. Many great ideas and suggestions in talking to your kids about sex and life in general. LOVE IT!

Family psychologist Dr. Kevin Leman and sexuality educator Kathy Flores Bell present A Chicken's Guide To Talking Turkey With Your Kids About Sex, a straightforward guide for parents and educators about teaching young people about the first period, first nocturnal emission, dating relationships, STDs, molestation, and much more. A Chicken's Guide To Talking Turkey With Your Kids About Sex offers useful advice in down-to-earth terms concerning what needs to be taught, how to build a bond of trust and support, and how to sound fully credible when promoting abstinence in a culture that is media-soaked with sexual imagery, as well as more basic tips concerning trials of puberty such as proper hair and skin care, oral hygiene, and more. Highly recommended.

A wonderful guide to helping your child grow into adulthood. A "no-fear" approach to the truth about body changes, peer-pressure and relationships. It is the responsibility of the parents to make sure their own children knows the facts. It's not up to the schools, folks. God made our bodies, this book acknowledges his wonderful creation.

A long time fan of Leman's work and appearances, I was thrilled to see that he had a book on a subject I have been dreading discussing with our 9 year old son. Leman's humor and good-sense parenting advice reminded me that teaching your kids about sex begins long before "the talk" becomes necessary - it is the way you raise your children, with limitations, without instant gratification, and in the way you respect your own spouse that speaks volumes to our children about sex. Hooray for Leman! I am so glad that there is someone who can guide me in a Christian way on a vast number of subjects while still making it a fun read.

This book is excellent! You don't even have to wait until your kids are older to read this book. The practical suggestions they give begin with pre school age children, and continue up until your kids are 16 and 17. I highly recommend this book as a must-read for any parent!!

My rating is a definite 6!! This is more then your average study Bible. It has more than 100 outlines for lessons. It takes the power of a Bible story and links eternal truths and applications for every day living. Also it shows how the gospel relates to many Old and New Testament stories. Many years,I carried a small Bible with me. Now I carry "The Children's Ministry Resource Bible" because you never know when a group of bored kids will want to hear an old, old story...

The Children's Ministry Resource Bible is the best. With all the helpful lessons in it, right with the text, anyone can easily teach an evangelistic or discipleship lesson for children. There are more resources in in that I have ever used and I have had one for over 10 years. A constant friend and companion for a Bible teacher for children, my Children's Ministry Bible is the totally the BEST!!

This resource is the best resource that I have seen. It is a great resouce for studing the bible as well as a resouce for teaching children.

This book is simply the New King James Version of the Holy Bible with a lot of extra's like good study notes, dozens of lesson plans, job aids, teacher training lessons, and other resources. It lives up to its title. I have used it for four years and have shared it with my Christian friends. A must have if you're a Sunday School teacher in a scripturely based church. Also a good tool for Christian Home School teachers.

This Bible is such a great resource! It's NKJ so it's a literal translation and there are footnotes for all the words kids might not understand. There are lessons throughout it that each present the gospel message in a way that both ties into the lesson and is clear for even very young children. I can't say enough good things about this Bible, even if you don't teach children, it is still an excellent resource. Anyone who has kids in their home or anyone who knows a kid should have this in their library.