Clubs Books

For any one who is researching their family name of "Crawford and Rosebrook out of the White Mountains of New Hampshire and Vermont.
I have read this book several times and have learned a lot from it. I still continue to read it.
It took a considerable amount of determinaton from both of these families. They had the forsight to see the future and built on that.
Thorough good times and bad, they perservered.

So you like to hike and you like history but you don't know where to turn. Then look no further, there is a book that has both of that. This book will keep you in suspence and wanting you to read more of it.So know you have a book to read and you didn't even know it.

THIS BOOK WAS REALLY ABOUT A GUY WHO JUST WANTED TO FIND A TRAIL TO GET THROUGH THE WHITE MOUNTAINS SO OTHER VISITER OF THAT TIME COULD GET THROUGH. I THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD BOOK FOR HISTORIANS WHO LIKE THE MOUNTAINS AND THE OUTDOORS. IT WILL WANT TO KEEP YOU READING TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT TO THE MAN. VERY STIMULATING AND KEEPS YOU ON THE EDGE OF YOUR SEAT.

For any one who is researching their family name of "Crawford and Rosebrook out of the White Mountains of New Hampshire and Vermont.
I have read this book several times and have learned a lot from it. I still continue to read it.
It took a considerable amount of determinaton from both of these families. They had the forsight to see the future and built on that.
Thorough good times and bad, they perservered.

Fourth grader, Norman Gnormal has been raised as a dog...it's what his parents really wanted when they had him and his earliest memories are of playing fetch with his father. Now the principal of the Watson Elementary School has signed him up for the Werewolf Club, since there aren't any other activities for boys who think that they're dogs. At the first meeting, scary and weird Mr Talbot, a werewolf himself and the club's sponsor, sets the group's first mission in motion. They are going to cure themselves of this evil curse by stealing the "Magic Pretzel", kept in a burglar proof case in the Museum of Pretzel. One bite, under the full moon and the curse will be lifted! Daniel Pinkwater has written a fast paced, funny, absurd and delightful short chapter book, that is just perfect for kids aged 7-10. With action packed scenes and hip kid-speak language, your youngsters will be turning pages to the very end as Norman, the only non-werewolf of the club, uses his canine skills to find and capture the prized pretzel. This is the beginning of a terrific series and a sure way to help your kids enjoy reading.

This book features Normal Gnormal, a 4th-grader raised as a dog. When his parents become concerned about his behavior at school (growling and storing meat in his desk), Norman's principal signs him up for the school's werewolf club along with Ralf Alfa, Billy Furball, and Lucy Fang. The club is sponsored by "weird and scary" teacher, Mr. Talbot, who always wears a long coat, gloves, hat, scarf, and sunglasses. The children discover that Mr. Talbot is, in fact, a werewolf stuck in wolf form as a result of a curse placed on him by his half brother, Lance Von Sweeny. The curse can only be lifted by the titular magic pretzel, in Lance's possession. Obtaining the pretzel and returning Mr. Talbot to human form the book's main adventure. This is the first book in a series, which picks up from Pinkwater's 1985 book, I Was a Second-Grade Werewolf, slyly mentioned as Ralf's favorite book. Presented in 78 pages and 38 brief chapters, the story begins by providing a bit of background in "Chapter Minus Three" through "Chapter Zero" as a kind of countdown before launching into the main story. The tone is playful, current (the first chapter's "Frequently Asked Werewolf Questions" recall FAQ's on the World Wide Web), and hip without seeming to pander to childrens' tastes. The story is easy to follow with many comically nonsensical tidbits, including the parsnip car driven by Lance and the Museum of the Pretzel. The book's simple cartoonish black and white illustrations bring faces to the characters and, in the case of the children, present vital statistics such as height, weight, and type of wolf on ID cards. Although the characters and events are outlandish and comical, the story presents aspects of school and family life that will be familiar and poignant to children. Newly independent readers will enjoy the fast-paced and funny style of this chapter book; avid readers will also enjoy beginning an entertaining series.

This is my first book by the Pinkwaters (Daniel writes and Jill illustrates) but it won't be my last. The Werewolf Club : The Magic Pretzel, is a silly, absurd book but in the most delightful way.

You see, Mr. Talbot, half-man, half-wolf, and sponsor of the Watson Elementary School Werewolf Club needs the one thing that can keep you from turning into a werewolf: The Magic Pretzel. Unfortunately, it is under the care of Talbot's half brother, Lance Von Sweeny, who keeps it locked away. Enter Norman Gnormal, the only nonwerewolf in the club, who was raised as a dog by his quirky parents (who actually wanted a dog instead of a little boy). Norman uses his tracking skills and canine-like smell to help Talbot find the magic pretzel, but of course it ain't easy.

This is the first book in the series known as THE WEREWOLF CLUB and I hope the next book is just as wacky and wonderful as this one. The illustrations aid a great deal to the story and serve the writing style very nicely. Grab a bowl of pretzels (magic or otherwise) and enjoy.

Daniel Pinkwater's "The Werewolf Club #1: The Magic Pretzel" is a fun book for young readers. The story is an entertaining blend of fantasy and humor, and is well enhanced by Jill Pinkwater's cartoony illustrations.

This book tells the story of Norman Gnormal, a boy whose parents have raised him as if he were a puppy. A kid who doesn't quite fit in with the average crowd, Norman finds a fairly supportive peer group in an after-school club for students who hapen to be werewolves. The club members go on a mission to help their faculty advisor, Mr. Talbot, with a dilemma invoving the magical relic of the book's title.

This book reminded me a little of the film "The Little Vampire," but is sillier (and hairier). The text opens with a spoofy werewolf Q&A, and incorporates some clever references to werewolf films and lore. Good fun!

Meet one of the most gallant warriors of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam. This biography depicts ARVN Major General Hieu under different facets: his personal life, his military career, his military exploits, and his unjust death. It reveals General Hieu as an unsung hero, whose tactical and strategic skills put him among the best soldiers of modern times, at par with General Rommel of Germany, Patton of the United States, Montgomery of England and Leclerc of France.

The Internet format of this biography has received wide acceptance from its readers with more than 20,000 visitors the first year. One reader comments, "Besides its military historical value, it has room for deep, emotional feelings," and another reader writes, "Of all the military stories I have read, yours is the most touching. What a fine officer General Hieu must have been, so very much an all around person. I did not know him. But I am sure glad I have read about him; it seems as if he comes alive again through your stories, and once again he is an inspiring figure, as his modesty transcends the years," Vietnam War Veterans have found it "fascinating", "incredibly factual," "exceptionally superior," and something that "may well be required reading in high schools, military college..."

Containing first hand military documents pertaining to operational orders, it provides a rare presentation for ordinary people; one is allowed to see how a divisional commanding general plans and executes his battles. The story of an individual life, this biography offers an illuminating insight of the ARVN and provides a unique perspective of the Vietnam War.

This book gives answers to the following questions:

- The NVA has General Vo Nguyen Giap. Does the ARVN have someone comparable?

- How did General Hieu score next to General John Norton, Jr of the US 1st Cavalry Division?

- How did General Hieu score next to General Albert Milloy of the US 1st Infantry Division?

- What did General Dennis McAuliffe of the US Big Red One Division think about General Hieu?

- How did Colonel John Hayes, Senior Advisor of ARVN 5th Division, evaluate General Hieu?

- How did the ARVN 22nd Division score next to the US 1st Cavalry Division?

- How did the ARVN 5th Division score next to the US 1st Infantry Division?

- What role did General Hieu play in the Ia Drang Valley Battle (US 1st Cavalry Division), Pershing Operation (US 1st Cavalry Division), Dong Tien Operations (US 1st Infantry Division), Total Victory 46 Operation (US 1st Cavalry Division)?

- How did the ARVN Airborne Division score next to the US 173rd Airborne Brigade and the US 101st Airborne Division?

- etc...

This biography, a reader would notice at the outset, is not written by a historian, an investigative reporter, or a professional biographer. It originates instead from the pen of a younger sibling seeking to resolve the mystery surrounding his brother's untimely death. This legitimate curiosity has evolved into a collection of articles depicting General Nguyen van Hieu as a family man, a patriot, a military strategist, and a man of integrity. This collection of articles authored by siblings, friends, and fellow military men unexpectedly converges to project a dynamic image of an intelligent soldier and brilliant strategist engaged in the twofold quixotic task of overcoming a corrupted military hierarchy and fighting the invading North Vietnamese communist army. The book presents the reader with glimpses of a man living the yin aspect of the Vietnamese society (egalitarian, flexible, spiritual, congenial) and, at the same time, confronting the yang aspect of the neo-Confucianist military and government hierarchy (male dominant, rigid, self-serving, elitist, concerned with face and status). Without any claim to being systematic or thorough in his research, the author has nevertheless gathered a number of revealing personal anecdotes, testimonies from living witnesses, declassified documents from the National Archives, letters from former military academy classmates, phone interviews, excerpts from books, and so forth. From this cacophony of voices emerges the image of a virtuous man, caring father, loving spouse, and competent general respected by Vietnamese and American military personnel of all ranks. The reader would no doubt be surprised to discover this unsung hero in the stark background of negative memories of the Vietnam War and betrayal of the Vietnamese people by the neo-Confucianist military and government hierarchy. Though modest in its presentation, the book manages to do justice to a dedicated soldier and competent general, who is mostly unknown to both the Vietnamese and the American public. After reading this fascinating biography, the reader comes away wondering what might have been had this uncommon general, who epitomized the true Vietnamese people, been allowed to fully exercise his military competence.END

This biography, a reader would notice at the outset, is not written by a historian, an investigative reporter, or a professional biographer. It originated instead from the pen of a younger sibling seeking to resolve the mystery surrounding his brother's untimely death. This legitimate curiosity has evolved into a collection of articles depicting General Nguyen van Hieu as a family man, a patriot, a military strategist, and a man of integrity.

This collection of articles authored by siblings, friends, and fellow military men unexpectedly converges to project a dynamic image of an intelligent soldier and brilliant strategist engaged in the twofold unenviable task of overcoming a corrupted military hierarchy and fighting the invading North Vietnamese communist army.

The book presents the reader with glimpses of a man living the yin aspect of the Vietnamese society (egalitarian, flexible, spiritual, congenial) and, at the same time, confronting the yang aspect of the neo-Confucianist military and government hierarchy (male dominant, rigid, self-serving, elitist, concerned with face and status).

Without any claim to being systematic or thorough in his research, the author has nevertheless gathered a number of revealing personal anecdotes, testimonies from living witnesses, declassified documents from the National Archives, letters from former military academy classmates, phone interviews, excerpts from books, and so forth. From this cacophony of voices emerges the image of a virtuous man, caring father, loving spouse, and competent general respected by Vietnamese and American military personnel of all ranks. The reader would no doubt be surprised to discover this unsung hero in the stark background of negative memories of the Vietnam War and betrayal of the Vietnamese people by the neo-Confucianist military and government hierarchy.

Though modest in its presentation, the book manages to do justice to a dedicated soldier and competent general, who is mostly unknown to both the Vietnamese and the American public. After reading this fascinating biography, the reader comes away wondering what might have been had this uncommon general, who epitomized the true Vietnamese people, been allowed to fully exercise his military competence.

(P.S. Please use this book review instead of the earlier version I sent to Amazon.com this morning. Thank you. Tri V. Nguyen)

This text presents and illuminating perspective into the highest Vietnamese traditions, and is a fitting posthumous tribute to a ranking member of South Viet Nam's highest military cadres. Written as a sibbling biography, it is richly peppered throughout with mild bias, something freely acknowledged by the author, which nevertheless does not detract from the wealth of objective information, and data that are only enriched by a personal, if family-oriented point of view. This book extolls the virtue of Vietnamese tradition with the highest esteem, as exemplified in this in-depth analysis of one man's contributions to his motherland, set against the backdrop of one of southeast Asia's most tragic and sad chapters in history. Factual information is well presented with adequate supporting documentation and numerous pictures give this historical personage a very vivid and intimate familiarity. The details of some of the information presented can be simultaneously revealing and startling. This book is well-balanced in the extremes: One man's virtues and rapid progression through the military ranks being consistently contrasted with the insidious prevalence or corruption or corrupt practices by the government which he is sworn to protect and defend. The admiration of the author for the Major General lies in stark contrast to the shameful behaviors of so many government officials at all levels, including the presidency, which must bear the brunt of the responsibililty for the eventual downfall of the government of the Republic of Viet Nam. "I am only the instrument of my brother. General Hieu's biography is a self-expression ... General Hieu drew a clear-cut line between the two military and private life areas. This explains why he was able to maintain his integrity and virtue while working with other corrupt and low-moral generals ... The majestic aura that soldiers perceived in General Hieu's personality came from his inner strength, not from an artificial majesty requiring the use of a general's baton, or a combat camouflaged outfit, or a cigar, or an imposing guard detail, etc... And thus they genuinely respected and loved him dearly ..." General Hieu was assassinated in his office headquarters on 8 April 1975. Except in the fact that he was shot to death, official reports and eyewitness testimony remain internally contradictory. by: Dr Michael JM Raffin 1st. Brigade, 5th. Infantry Division (Mechanized) Province of Quang Tri, Viet Nam July, 1968 to March 1969

At once an art, adventure, and biography, MARGARET MEE'S AMAZON: DIARIES OF AN ARTIST EXPLORER is profiled here for its simply gorgeous pages packed with botanical illustration and photos. Unlike most illustration titles, however, MARGARET MEE'S AMAZON isn't just a photo or illustration catalog, but an in-depth survey blending her amazing drawings with accounts of her thirty-two years of expeditions into the Amazon rainforest. Her first expedition to Amazonas was in 1956, where she began the diaries and sketchbooks which comprise this title. From vivid accounts of plant-collecting expeditions to the exhibition of her paintings at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew (who work with Antique Collector's Club in producing this title, this is a definitive, outstanding piece holding wide-ranging interest and recommendation from art library holdings to botany collections, natural history holdings, and even the general-interest public library collection.

Passionately written and superbly illustrated; a must have for the tropical afficionado's library and the tropical gardener and botanist

I have read another book by Margaret Mee and must confess to being fascinated by her life story. Her life was one of which most of us will only glimpse from our armchairs. But most wonderful of all are her beautiful botanical drawings. This book provides a real gateway into another world.

Margaret Mee was an amazing woman and her work is exquisite. This book is perfect because it shows a great part of Mee's work in Amazon in her own words, with beautiful illustrations and photographs. It's a book to look and read all the time.

Timid, sensitive Mary Anne is baby-sitting an actual PRINCESS...a little girl who is used to being waited on hand and foot, complains endlessly about her "frightfully" old "fusspot" of a nanny and is, to put it mildly, blunt. Mary Anne does a commendable job with her, attempting to crack her royal "shell." I admired how patient Mary Anne was with her. While the other kids were quick to dismiss Victoria as a spoiled snob, perceptive Mary Anne saw a lonely insecure girl who needed a lot of love. I also loved how Ann Martin interwove a subplot of Mary Anne's growing closeness with her stepmother Sharon, who misses Dawn. What a kind heart Mary Anne has to arrange that Thanksgiving surprise for Sharon. I like how close Mary Anne and Sharon have become. Mary Anne desperately needed a mother and I'm glad she has somebody as wonderful as Sharon. I wish I had a daughter or baby-sitter like Mary Anne!!!

When some British diplomats (a little odd for a story, I must say) come to live in Stoneybrook, Mary Anne is hired as a companion. This is far-fetched but highly entertaining. Look for Princes Victoria in more books, like the European Super Special, when the BSC goes to London and visit her. Victoria is one of the most interesting child characters yet in the BSC books.

What a great book this is. i highly recommend "Mary Anne And the Little princess 10 stars. The story is Mary Anne baby sits for a British child.

Timid, sensitive Mary Anne is baby-sitting an actual PRINCESS-a little girl who is used to being waited on hand and foot, complains endlessly about her "frightfully old" nanny, and is to put it mildly, blunt. Mary Anne does an admirable job with her and cracks her "royal" shell. I admired how patient Mary Anne was with her. While the other kids were quick to dismiss Victoria as a spoiled snob, perceptive Mary Anne saw a lonely, insecure girl who needed a lot of love. I also loved how the author interwove a subplot of Mary Anne's growing closeness with her stepmother Sharon, who misses Dawn. What a kind heart Mary Anne has to arrange that Thanksgiving surprise for Sharon. I like how close Sharon and Mary Anne have become. Mary Anne desperately needed a mother and I'm glad she has somebody as wonderful as Sharon. I wish I had a daughter or baby-sitter like Mary Anne!!!!

I haven't read this book, but it looks good! I hope I read it soon. It sounds very dramatic, and I like dramatic books! I know I'll like it because all the BSC books I've read are great! This review was written by Erin Cohenour, age nine and a half years old

It was a great book! there's this guy, fowler, and he wants to redo stoneybrook with malls and junk. so ther's this fire at a client's house,and the babysitter quits. mary anne is the first one to babysit the kids, luke and amalia. luke doesn't seem to trust his sitters. the fire was in a townhouse in miller's park, where fowler wants to tear them down. the mystery has to do with allie, the old babysitter's boyfriend, fowler's twin brother, and a map of stoneybrook the way fowler wants it. i just wish the book was longer. luke isn't a silent witness like everyone thinks. he just finds that map. very interesting.

When Mary Anne baby sits for Luke and Amalia, Luke does not trust his sitter. And Only Luke knows what is happening that Mary Anne does not. This is the Second best baby sitters club mystery i have ever read.

When a new client askes for a babysitter every weekday untill they find a permanent sitter Mary Anne is the first to be free.Meanwhile an evil man plans to rip down a park!The BSC have to do somthing and just their luck the new client lives near the park!The clients are a boy and his little sister.But Mary Anne decides somthings wrong with the boy after all their was a fire at their house not too long before the last sitter quit and BSC took over the roll.But wierd things are going on threatening messages,strange neighbours and alot of questions the BSC have to answer before the park gets ripped down and a kid being terrified forever!!!!!!!

A quarter-century after his death, Yadin is still the best-known and probably still the most important archaeologist Israel has produced. (He was also, in his other life, Chief of Staff of the Defense Forces and Assistant Prime Minister under Menachem Begin.) This marvelous book was published when I was a college senior pursuing a degree in Classical Studies, and I happened to be immersed in Josephus -- the only written source for the Jewish civil war, of which Masada was the climax -- when someone first called my attention to it. Perfect timing! The doomed defense of Masada against Flavius Silva's siege, and the suicide of the defenders rather than surrendering, was, of course, one of the most dramatic and vividly emotional events in Rome's history -- at least to us, nearly twenty centuries later. But the plateau had been inhabited for generations before that, especially by the Herodians, who built a fortified refuge at the north end. Yadin's expedition in the early 1960s thoroughly investigated Herod's three-level palace, complete with wall paintings and floor mosaics (and an enormous horde of First Century coins), as well as the physical remains of the Roman siege and the Jewish defense. Among those remains was a small collection of potsherds, on one of which was written the name "Ben Ya'ir." I imagine its discovery made the finder's hair stand up on end, for Eleazar ben Ya'ir was the leader of the Zealots, and these ostraca were almost certainly connected with the very last defenders, those who killed all the others on Masada and then killed each other, until the last survivor killed himself. This is a popular treatment of the expedition's discoveries, but the level of scholarship is still profound. It's also heavily illustrated, with nearly a hundred color plates and numerous maps and plans. If you're interested in Israel's archaeology (as opposed to "Bible archaeology," whatever that means), this is a book you will want to own.

If you are at all interested in bibical history, then this book is for you. Mr Yadin writes extremely well and there are innumerable pictures to support the text

This is an excellent book about the "dig" at Masada and the history of that dominant piece of rock in the Judean desert. I have been there and "kicked the tires" in May 2007 and was interested in expanding my knowledge of what has transpired there over the centuries. Excellent historical, archaeological narrative and pictures and as the Israeli Soldiers say when taking their oath on the rock..."Never Again".

Yigael Yadin is a gifted author who narrates history with captivating excitement. I have read several books and articles on the subject of Masada over the past several years and would recommend this as the most informative and understandable of them all. The before, during and after, excavation photos are amazing and contribute volumes in giving the reader the "Masada Experience." This book is valuable for both the novice and the scholar. It's an excellent introduction to what Masada is all about for the novice. The scholar will find Yadin's love of history details and his awesome photo illustrations compelling and helpful for instruction as well as understanding.

I found the novel, A Matter of Support, to be a wonderful portrayal of life on the Maine coast. The characters are very strong and the story is interesting, informative and romantic. I particularly enjoyed the wide-range of references and tight, focused writing. I look forward to more from this author.

Tom Direnzo has captured Portland Maine in a unique and realistic manner. His characters are delightful, eccentric yet realistic. Frank Mangino takes us into the inner workings of the Maine Child Support Enforcement Office through his own eyes and experiences. Whether it's the tart tongued clerk Madeline or Wild Bill, the renagade enforcement agent, the characters are charming if a little rough around the edges. I hope to see Frank Mangino as the central character in a series of books!
A quick read, I read it in a day!

I was initially drawn to this book by my interest in learning more about the support enforcement system. "A Matter Of Support" delvered that and a whole lot more. A cast of colorful, comical (and imminently realistic) characters are centered by Direnzo's grey collar "hero" Frank Mangino. Great story line that also offers a good cross class snapshot of life in southern Maine. Direnzo's stlye compares favorably to that that of Wally Lamb.

Funny, sad, and at times, un-nerving, this book is an eye-opener to the world of child support. A disturbing look into the world of "dead beat dads" and some "not-so-nice mothers" and the shenanigans they pull to pay or receive support for their children. A must read for those going through the misery of child support. A Matter of Support takes a look at just how lackadaisical the system really is and the extent someone will go to help others while going through challenging times of his own.

This is a great book. Easy to read. Covering most aspects of castle life. I would highly recomend it, and may purchase it again (it will make an exelent gift for friends that are intrested in either history or castles).

Philip Warner was lecturer at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, England and is the author of a numerous of books.
In this work, he gives you the need for the Castle, why it came into being, how it developed. He show the strict structure of the Castle society - inside and out, the lives of the people running it and those serving in it, even down to what they are and worse. He even cover medieval recreation!!

He breathes live into the subject, giving a fresh new look instead of tired impressions.

Excellent work for people wish to see Castle life as it was or for Writers of Historical works.

Highly recommended.

This beautifully illustrated book explains how and why castles were built in the middle ages and why they were such a dominant influence on medieval life, especially in times of war. Philip Warner recreates a complete picture of daily life in a medieval castle: how peasants and nobles lived; how men fought in tournaments and trained for combat; how castles were sited, designed, managed, attacked and defended; and what the the people who lived in them ate, drank, and wore. This book will also go a long ways toward breaking up some of the preconceived notions that people have about castles. One learns that the castle was not primarily a refuge. The object of the castle wasn't to retreat from conflict, but to control it. The Medieval castle was a dynamic integral part of medieval society and Philip Warner does brilliant work in showing this. Whether you're a medieval history buff or just a curious layman read this book. It will take a little effort to find it, but it's worth the time.

If you only read two books on castles, make it Gies' Life in a Medieval Castle and this one. The two books are very similar in layout and readablity, but Warner's is a bit more detailed and in depth. It also has very nice illustrations. As much as I love Francis Gies' book, I think this one just edges it out.

I loved the inventiveness of Danitra and her friends. A wonderful role model for all young girls, especially girls of color. My granddaughter is mixed and I am white and we enjoyed reading this together.

This book is a collection of poems telling about a very close friendship between two young girls. Danitra Brown is a young black girl who loves being herself. When other children tease or talk about her she ignores them and keeps a positive attitude. Danitra's mother encourages her to strive for improvement in everything that she does. Danitra is able to pass this trait on to her other friends. The author paints a wonderful picture of her best friend, Danitra. The collection includes poems about bike riding, talking, sitting in front of the building, and shares a special poem about Danitra and her mother. The poems tell a story and are about the same people. The book has many rhyming schemes. It is recommended for k-3. In the classroom it could be used to help with word recognition with words that look alike and rhyme. I have added it to my home library and have a copy for my classroom library. A ALA Notable Book and A Coretta Scott King Award Honor Book winner.

Danitra Brown, a young black girl that everyone loves so dearly. Danitra is a young lady the loves to be herself no matter what others may say. Grimes describes her as a beautiful black girl with a lot going for her. Danitria doesn't talk about her friend, but encourages her freinds to strive for prefection. Danitria's mother always tells her to strive for improvement and she passes this on and on.

As a teacher for many years I have read and shared hundreds of books with students. This one is exceptional. Last year, desperate to really reach my third grade, low-achieving, inner city students, I looked through some books that I had put away. MEET DANITRA BROWN was among them, but for some reason I never read it before that moment. I took it to school the next day, hoping the children would enjoy the book, but not daring to hope for more. This powerfully poignant book elicited dialogue from my students as well as written responses that I didn't know was possible. What a motivator! Just because I taught third graders, please do not doubt the power of the text to transcend any age. The older a person the more they will be able to bring to the text. I would love to use this book with a group of inner city high school students. The rhythm and punch of the poetry(no turn-off to boys or girls at all)pulls the listener/reader in. The illustrations are icing on the (tough) cake of life. The lessons and morals within Nikki Grimes' language are unforgettable. I cannot say enough about the quality of this book except this: Fabulous!