Reviews (2)

More Early Alice Fun
In this second prequel to the Alice series, Alice is entering the fourth grade. She has a man teacher for the first time, and is now friends with the Terrible Triplets. Lester lies to her more and she, of course, believes him, which leads to some funny happenings. She also forms the "Secret Six," gets snowed in her own snow cave, and no matter how she tries to help Lester, they just can't seem to get along. This book does, however, end on a good note. I would highly recommend this prequel, along with "Starting With Alice" to any young girl, whether she's heard of Alice or not.

It was a great booook.
this book was so good
i think phylis is a great author
and becoming an author of this alice series
is so remarkable. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

From the shadows
of the pool,
Black as midnight,
thick as gruel...

Is Mrs. Tuggle a witch? Lynn and Mouse are sure she is - how else can you explain the frightening things that have been taking place over the past several months?

Now Lynn's mom is planning to move her writing studio into Mrs. Tuggle's house for the winter, and Lynn can't imagine a more dangerous situation. If she and Mouse don't do something, there's no telling what horrifying things may happen. They've got to save lynn's mom before Mrs. Tuggle strikes again -- but how? ... Read more

Reviews (26)

This book is about an assignment that uncovers the truth.
Joan Lowery Nixon's novel, Search for the Shadowman, is a book that I liked and recommend for others to read.The novel is well wrighten, is easy to understand and, keeps the readers intrest and has a well devoloped main character. The main character, Andy Thomas, recives a class assignment to explor his family's history. He isn't to thrilled about unearthing his deceased realitives backrounds. Using the easist reasource possible, his computer, Andy logs on as "Hunter" and begins his search. Soon his queary sent on the internet changes to a pursuit to know more about his infamous realative, Coley Joe Bonner. Andy's quest for the truth about Coley Joe acquants Andy with DrPR. The sharing of an old newspaper article by DrPR. invesulls Andy's discovery of the buried truth about Coley Joe. Andy's school assignment results in his discovering amazing information about the dead as well as the living.

Search for the Shadowman,is a faboulous book!
In Search for te Shadowman by Joan Lowery Nixon the main character Andy Thompson gets an assignment from his history teacher and begins a search for a fellow in his family tree known as Coley Joe. A mystery surrounds Coley Joe's being crossed off the family tree by a betrayal of trust. Only trouble is Andy doesn't know think Coley Joe is guilty and sets out to prove his innocence, with some tough research.

I liked this story 's use of the computer,E-mail,library research and detective footwork to help Andy solve the mystery about Coley Joe. More than the research I enjoyed learing about Andy as a person by the way he handled his assignment. Andy showed his and faithfulness to his research, his family and his friend by achieving his goal of clearing Coley Joe's name, making his family proud of their ancestor and still honoring his friendship with J.J.

Even when Andy's research could have given him fame and fortune, it would have also hurt his bestfriend and his family. Andy chose the only honorable way to end the long lost search for the shadowman.

A fun way to learn to do research
An excellent mystery for 10 to 12 year olds. It shows how to research via the Internet as well as libraries. In addition it is a great introduction to genealogy.

This book rocks
This book is filled with suspence. Andy's search filled me with many questions. Joan Lowery Nixion ties the book up with an extrodanary ending. This book mixes a little history into a mystery. I would recemend this book to anyone who loves reading mysteries. GREAT BOOK

Recommended!
Our children's librarian recommended this book for my 9 year old. I read it yesterday. (He hasn't read it yet.) I really liked the book. It made me really want to know the truth about Coley Joe. It's a good way to learn about history and geneology within a modern setting. It also addresses topics such as how we treat others, family loyalty, etc. ... Read more

Book Description

8 hours 31 minutes, 6 cassettes

Shiloh
Read by Peter MacNicol
Eleven-year-old Marty Preston loves to spend time up in the hills behind his home near Friendly, West Virginia.But one summer Sunday, Marty comes across something different on the road just past the old Shiloh schoolhouse-a young beagle-and that's when the trouble begins.

Saving Shiloh
Henry Leyva
Marty Preston wonders why it is that despite Judd Traver's attempts to redeem himself everyone is still so willing to think the worst of him.But Marty's parents and with some trepidation, Marty himself, persist in their attempts to be good neighbors and to give Judd a second chance.Now that Marty has Shiloh, maybe he can help Judd to take care of his other dogs.Then again, maybe folks are right—there's no way a Judd Travers can ever change for the good.

Shiloh Season
Read by Michael Moriarty
After Marty Preston worked so hard to earn the dog, Shiloh, he had hoped that his troubles with Judd Travers were over. He could not rescue all the dogs that Judd mistreated, but since Shiloh was the one who ran away and came with him, Shiloh was the one he loved.Judd, however, has other problems.

... Read more

Reviews (1)

"The Moral Maturing of Marty Preston"
The children's novel Shiloh is about a young boy, Marty Preston, who encounters a stray dog on one of his summer adventures through the West Virginia countryside. Marty befriends the dog only to find out that he belongs to Judd Travers, a hunter who abuses his dogs. Knowing in his heart that he cannot return the dog he has named Shiloh, Marty cares for the dog himself and eventually ends up working to buy Shiloh from Judd. Throughout this story, the character of eleven-year-old Marty goes through a metamorphosis as he develops from innocence to maturity with an understanding that life is not always just, and adult responsibility is complicated. At the beginning of the story, Marty is just an ordinary child enjoying a summer of frolicking in the hills of West Virginia with his .22 rifle. His moral development begins when he sees Shiloh for the first time and realizes he has been abused because of the dog's reluctant and almost fearful nature. After Marty decides to keep Shiloh, his internal conflicts begin when first he is forced to deal with the issue of legality versus morality. He knows that Shiloh legally belongs to Judd; however, Marty knows that the dog will end up being starved or even killed if he returns to his owner. Secondly, Marty feels anxious for deceiving his family. He has kept Shiloh a secret, and he has used food to feed Shiloh that the family needs. Marty feels great remorse for the pitiful impression he gives others of his family as he asks Mrs. Howard for extra cookies and Mr. Howard for scraps of cheese; however, he feels Shiloh's well-being is worth his family's reputation for being poor. The last "internal conflict" that Marty wrestles with is the issue of whether the dog is worth the hard labor Marty has to give to Judd in order to keep Shiloh. Judd Travers makes him slave away, almost unfairly, to win the legal rights of the dog. Throughout this novel, Marty learns the value of responsibility and all that it entails along with the costs of doing what is morally right. Jeanne Harms and Lucille Lettow propose that, "By dialoguing with oneself the reader brings different inner audiences into the reading experience, thus expanding the possibilities for creating meaning" (Harms 210). By analyzing Marty's character development, it is evident to the reader that these "internal voices" cause the protagonist to become a strong and successful character, and therefore by reading this book, the reader deals with the "inner voices" along with Marty. This novel forces the reader, child or adult, to battle out similar situations and, in effect, gain far more from the book than just a simple moral. This in turn, causes readers to grow personally by relating to the situations of conflict such as lying to family or doing what is right versus what is legal. By dialoguing with oneself the reader brings different inner audiences into the reading experience (Harms 210). Marty's "internal conflict" is the driving force behind his character development ... Read more

Book Description

Ten-year-old Lucy Griggs's mother has just died, leaving Lucy orphaned and living on the streets of 1866 New York City. Then Lucy hears about the Children's Aid Society, a group that sends orphans out West to new homes. Lucy knows she'll never replace her mum, but maybe now she'll find a family--and even a little sister--to love.

But the family that takes her in is far from ideal. Mr. Snapes seems kind, but Mrs. Snapes is a bitter, angry woman. And Emma isn't the sister Lucy has dreamed of. Emma is a girl who people call "simple." Can Lucy learn to love this less-than-perfect family? ... Read more

Reviews (5)

teaches a lesson about being less fortunate
I read this to my 10 y/o daughter last night before bed; we both thought it was really good. My daughter is homeschooled by me and she has special needs and she thought it was apalling how the handicapped children were treated by their own parents. She was upset to see how Lucy was evicted and had no place to go; kids nowdays usually don't have that misfortune. I love Nixon's books and I thought this was a very accurate piece of historical fiction, good for 3-6th grade.

"Lucy's Wish" touched my heart.
This is a little story that can touch your heart. It is about a little orphan whose mother has died. Lucy learns of the Orphan Train through a friend and wishes for a little sister and a kind mother and father. Lucy meets two friends on the Orphan Train, a Princess and Daisy. All three find families, but will Lucy get her wish? This reader spent most of one night reading the book until she finished and learned the answer to that question.

It was kind of sad but do you think it will turn out happy?
This happens in the year 1866. In a little alley in New York City, lay a ten-year-old girl named Lucy Amanda Griggs. She had no mom, she died of cholera. She had no dad either, he died in a car accident. One of Lucy's old friends, Joey, told her about the Orphan Train. He said,"The Orphan Train takes orphans to find new parents." Ever since she became an orphan Lucy wanted a little sister, a mom, and a dad. So, Joey tells her where the Orphan Train is and she goes on. On the train she wonders,"Will I be chosen? Will anyone want me?" I would recommend this book if you liked the Orphan Train.

thought "Lucy's Wish" was a very interesting book.
"Lucy's Wish" is a historical fiction book about young girls and boys who go to find new families out west away from New York City where they live. They're mostly homeless children who have lost their mom or dad, so they go to an orphan house to get help. The workers usually send children out west to a home with parents. Lucy's one wish is to have a little sister and nice parents. I think this is a good book for younger readers. I liked it, but it is meant for younger readers.

Good book
This book is about Lucy Amanda Griggs, a ten year old orphan. After her mother dies from cholera, Lucy is left homeless on the streets of New York City, until she is told about the orphan trains that take city orphans west to new homes. Maybe now Lucy will get the little sister she's always wanted. But Lucy discovers a very special sister in Emma, whom many of the local children tease because she is "simple." ... Read more

Book Description

Sherman Crunchley is in line to become chief of police when his father retires. The problem is, Sherman doesn't like being a police officer. He has a hard time saying no to anyone-crooks, his boss, and especially his dad. Sherman turns to self-help books, videos, and even hypnosis to learn how to refuse, but nothing works. On the day of his father's retirement party, Sherman finally comes up with a solution, and the party guests help him convey a loud and clear message. Readers will tip their hats at the resourceful way Sherman finds happiness in this silly, thoroughly satisfying story about being true to oneself.

Illustrated by Tim Bowers. ... Read more

Book Description

Life in Middleburg is mighty strange these days -- a mysterious building is going up in the next town over and Bernie's absentminded sister, Delores, shocks everyone by devoting her life to a career in parachute-making. But when Delores is summoned to jump from a plane wearing one of her own parachutes, Bernie and his friends smell trouble. Who would volunteer Delores for such a stunt and just who is that suspicious guy hanging around the new building? ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The Amazing Bernie Magruder
This past summer,I read Bernie Magruder and the Parachute Peril.This book is a realistic fictional story about a boy named Bernie Magruder who tries to to fix his older sister up with a man who's staying in the hotel the Magruder's manage. He does this because he wants his sister's master bedroom which is located in the hotel. The book is very interesting because of the many zany ways Bernie tries to get Dolores's magnificent room. I loved this book because it was both funny and adventurous.

Never A Dull Moment for Bernie in Middleburg
Bernie and his friends are doing some investigative work to determine what the big building is that is being built in the town nearby. At the same time his sister is told that she must jump from an airplane using a parachute that she made at the Bassledorf Parachute Factory. His poor sister, Delores; she is finally in love and now she must jump from an airplane. Bernie, his brother, and his friends are suspicious and are determined to get to the bottom of things and find out who is to blame for this unfair task that has been forced upon his sister.

Never a dull moment for Bernie in Middleburg
Bernie and his friends are doing some investigative work to determine what the big building is that is being built in the town nearby. At the same time his sister is told that she must jump from an airplane using a parchute that she made at the Bassledorf Parachute Factory. His poor sister, Delores, she is finally in love and now she must jump from an airplane. Bernie, his brother, and his friends are suspicious and are determined to get to the bottom of things and find out who is to blame for this unfair task that has been forced upon his sister. ... Read more

Book Description

When Grandpa goes traveling, he sends home postcards. But these are no ordinary postcards, and Grandpa is no ordinary man. At the turn of the century, Sir William Cornelius Van Horne was one of the most influential businessmen in North America. While in Europe in 1909, retired railroad president William Cornelius Van Horne sent hand-drawn postcards to his grandson in Montreal. He loved to draw elephants: elephants standing at the rail of an ocean liner, elephants smoking cigars on trains, and of course, elephants with their “trunks all aboard.”

Author Barbara Nichol was inspired by this collection of elephantine epistles and has written the whimsical and fanciful verse that captures the turn-of-century spirit of Van Horne’s creations. ... Read more

Book Description

The summer of the first boyfriend

That's what Alice's father calls the summer before Alice starts junior high. And because Pamela's cousin from New Jersey says starting seventh grade without a boyfriend is the worst thing that can happen to a girl (even worse than not having pierced ears or a leather skirt), Alice is greatful that she's got Patrick.

The trouble is, Patrick the boyfriend is a lot more complicated than Patrick the friend. What's an appropriate present for Alice to give Patrick for his birthday? What should she do if Patrick wants to kiss her and she hasn't just brushed her teeth? Alice really likes Patrick, but sometimes she thinkgs life would be a lot simpler if they were still just friends. ... Read more

Reviews (22)

The Summer of the First Boyfriend
This is an overall sweet book. As the second book in the excellent Alice McKinley series, ALICE IN RAPTURE, SORT OF picks up where the first book left off. In other words it chronicles Alice through her summer vacation after 6th grade, the summer that her father dubs the "summer of the first boyfriend." This was the first Alice book that I read (I did so at a book store while I was in New York, because I had nothing else to do), and I enjoyed it emmensly. I like it mostly because it's honest.

After Alice and Patrick get together everything isn't teriffic. Interesting, yes, but way more complicated than the way things were in the beginning, when they were just friends. Alice has to worry about what she eats (so that Patrick won't get any surprises when he kisses her), what an appropriate birthday present for a boyfriend is (what is Lucite, anyway??), and, in the end, whether or not being more than friends is worth all the strife (something I myself think about daily -- blech).

Recommended for all people who enjoy reading realistic books about girls growing up, and especially for anyone who has read and ejoyed any of the other Alice McKinley books.

This book was about a girl who faces real life problems.
This was an awesome book! I recomend other people to read it or have someone read it to them. It tells about how a pre-teen deals with problems in funny and strange, yet serious ways. It's funny parts include Alice's friend Pamela loosing her swim suit top at the beach, having Pamela's boyfriend find her up lift spandex ahh bra and Alice leaving her purse in the car on a date. A serious part was when Alice wanted to break up with her boyfriend and be "Special Friends." If you read this I hope you enjoy it alot

ANOTHER GREAT READ!!!
This is, yet another, great book by Phylis Reynolds Naylor! I relate to Alice a lot with her nervousness when it comes to kissing and all her feelings and situations. The characters tossed around a bit in the last book, start coming to life a little more, but we still don't know a lot about them. This story is chock-ful of emotions, new and not so new, and I highly recommend it.

BLESSED BE!!

AMAZING SERIES
it's a really good book! PArt of the Alice series. There's a new book called PARTIALY ALICE- I haven't read it yet, but the rest of the series was GREAT! I'm sure YOU will enjoy it!!!

Totally awesome
I loved the part where alice got dressede up. Was this the book where Alice and Patric French Kissed? ... Read more

Book Description

Julie resents being sent to spend the summer with her great aunt and uncle on their ranch in Texas, Rancho del Oro. Her swim team needs her and she’ll be away for the whole summer season. But her family
is counting on her, too. Uncle Gabe has broken his ankle and Aunt Glenda needs help. Julie is the only one available. Maybe she’ll surprise herself and actually have a good time.

But something strange is going on at Rancho del Oro. Pieces of jewelry and little objects are missing. The older people on the ranch say they may have misplaced the items–but something doesn’t add up. In addition, two ranch residents have recently died. The deaths have been ruled accidents, but were they? When she discovers Uncle Gabe’s fall was not an accident, Julie knows she must discover the killer’s identity. Or else she could be next. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Another good mystery by Joan
Wonderful book. This is not a let down to Joan Lowery Nixon fans. Of course this one does not have any romance in it. Julia helps her grandma and her uncle, and while she's there some of the senior citizens jewelry is stolen, and two people turned up dead. Julia takes it upon her self to investagate the murders. It will keep you guessing. Not as good as spirit seeker or a canadaite for murder but still well written.

Another Good Mystery from Joan
Wonderful mystery. Anybody who has read any of joan's books will not be let down. Unlike her other books, there is no romance in this book. Julia goes to help her uncle and her grandma and ends up investagating the disapperance of some of the senoir citizens jewlery and two murders that had happened. A good read! My favorite Joan lowery nixon book is A Canidate for murder! ... Read more

Reviews (30)

a heart warming story
This was a thrilling book about a poor family that live in newyork the family has to deal with many problems first the dad dies, then the 3rd eldest gets in to some trouble because he is a copper thief Mike (the copper thief) is sent to a hearing The judge announces under there mothers wishes that the children ( Petey, Peg, Danny, Mike, Megan, and Frances) are to be sent west on the orphan train. Before the train leaves Frances the eldest child overhears that two kids in the same family are more likely to be adopted if they are boys. So Frances promising her mother that she would take care of her youngest brother cuts her hair and pretends to be a boy named Frankie. That's just the beginning Frances and her brothers and sisters encounter many other things on there quest to the west. Read this fantastic book and your eyes will open up to a whole new world of adventure thieves, slaves, fear, and depression it's sure to make your heart ache.This is a book you will always remember.

You really have to read the book!!!!!!!!!!!!
I thought that A FAMILY APART was a really good book. It helped me to understand what a poor teenager's life was like in the mid 1800's. The story was mainly about a thirteen year old girl named Frances, who lived with her mother and five siblings in New York. After Frances' father died, the family lived in poverty. The mother worked at all hours of the day to support her family. Therefore,she never had time to properly care for her six children, so she sent them on an orphan train to St. Joseph's, Missouri to live with farm families who could feed them and care for them. The children were very upset to leave their mother. They were upset because they would be separated from their brothers and sisters also. Frances did however get placed in a home with her six year old brother, Petey. Frances learned to cope with, and love her new family. Frances had some very exciting adventures while she was living with her new family in Missouri. This book helps the reader understand love, sacrifice and trust. If I were you, I'd sacrifice a little bit of time to read A FAMILY APART.

A Family Apart
Good Book! It has action, adventure, and helps you learn about history all in one book. I enjoyed reading it and if you read this book, be sure to check out the rest of the series, too! People of all ages would love it. I'd recomend this book to everyone I meet!

An Excellent Novel! One You Must Look Into!
My mom bought me the orphan train adventures series a long time ago, and I never really read them because I wasn't that much into reading. But now, after I read this book, I am reading all the stories in this series 30 minutes a day! This would really be a good book to read.

The story is about a 13 year old girl named Frances Mary Kelly who lives with her mom and her brothers and sisters named Megan, Mike, Danny, Peg and Petey. The family is very poor and the mother realizes that she cannot afford to keep all of them. So, to solve that problem she sends them on an orphan train to live in the west with more wealthy families. Each of the children gets separated into different families and the second part of the story tells how Frances and Petey get along with their new family. I thought that the story was very interesting and when I finished one chapter I was so curious that I had to read more than one. What I also liked about the book was that it was very easy to understand what is happening. I have read many other books including Harry Potter where there are so many things that are happening at once that it's just to hard to keep track of everything so that's another good point of the story.

The other books in this series include: Caught In the Act, In the Face Of Danger, A Place To Belong, A Dangerous Promise, Keeping Secrets and Circle Of Love. The other books tell you the stories of the other kids and I also recommend them.

This was one of the best books I have read so far and I am going to read the whole series!!!

Fresh Start
I thought that this novel was extremely well written. I actually did some research about orphan trains and I could tell that Nixon didn't just dream up the orphan train riders lifestyles. I think that Frances Mary Kelly (the main character) was very lucky to have a mother and a shelter. Most poor children at that time didn't have parents or a shelter. Until Charles Loring Brace founded the Children's Aid Society in 1853, children were living on the streets making their living as pick-pockets. He established the orphan trains to send homeless children west to find new families. In my educated opinion, I think that this book is great for a historical fiction report and also a good curl-up-with kind of book. ... Read more

Amazon.com

"Then at the end of the street, the house--the large brown house with the two eyes--made me suddenly clutch at the driver's arm as if to say, Turn back! Turn back!" At the first sight of her uncle's house--her future home--an inexplicable cloud of foreboding engulfs orphaned teen Judith Sparrow. Unfortunately, her fears are confirmed when she hears a mysterious scratching at the back of her closet and senses a ghostly presence hovering over her at night. Even more chilling, Judith learns of the death of a girl named Jade Green from the town gossip--a girl who lived in her uncle's house before Judith and died a horrible death on the attic stairs. As it turns out, Jade dearly loved the color that was her name. Suddenly, Judith knows the reason she was forbidden by her uncle to bring anything green into the house. She fears that by smuggling in a small green picture frame, she has roused the sleeping ghost of Jade Green and assured the doom of all who sleep under her uncle's roof!

Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, best known for her humorous Alice series and the award-winning Shiloh, has dished up a fine gothic tale with all the trimmings: a brave, orphaned heroine; a dark and dreary manor; a hunky savior; a dastardly villain; and the star of the cast--a ghostly severed hand that holds the secret to Jade Green's untimely demise. This novel is a shivery delight that is ideal for both reading under the covers and sharing aloud with a group of enthralled listeners. Heartily recommended. (Ages 12 to 15) --Jennifer Hubert ... Read more

Reviews (89)

BOOK REVIEW - JADE GREEN
BOOK REVIEW

The book Jade Green is an amazing ghost story about an orphaned girl named Judith and her experiences at her uncle's house. There is the cheering cook, Mrs. Hastings, her forty-year-old cousin, Charles, and her stay-put uncle, Uncle Geoffrey. Judith enters the town of Whispers and she hears a mysterious scratching at the back of her closet on the first few nights of her stay. From town gossip, Judith learns about the death of a girl named Jade Green-a girl who lived in her uncle's house before Judith and died a horrible death on the attic stairs. Jade Green bled to death by cutting of her hand. As it turns out, Jade loved the color jade-green. Suddenly, Judith knows the reason she was forbidden by her uncle to bring anything green into the house. She fears that by smuggling in a small green picture frame, given to her by her mother, she has awakened the sleeping ghost of Jade Green. It turns out that during nighttime or whenever Judith is alone in the house, the ghostly hand of Jade Green comes out which scares Judith. It plays the piano, it can climb up walls, it can do anything a normal hand can do. Since this is so, Judith wonders about her life and how it can be taken away by the hand. After, a horrible flood has taken away Whispers, her rapist cousin Charles come to try to kill her. He says that all he asked for is a kiss and since she didn't give it to her, he will ask for more than that. At that point she thinks that it will be the last of her life until the ghostly hand appears once again. It climbs up her bedpost and suddenly choke Charles to death. Then she leaves the town with her beloved Zeke.
One reason why I liked the book was because it had a unique storyline. I never read a book that had ghosts that were good and that saved somebody's life. Also, The author made the reader interested by adding things at the end of the chapter that makes one want to read more.
One reason why I disliked the book was because it was a little too scary for me. Sometimes the author wrote the description so well that I actually got scared of it.
If there was something that I would do to change some part of the book, I would choose to alter the characteristics of the character. Some of the characters don't match the characteristics. For example, Charles-Judith's forty-year-old cousin shouldn't be a rapist, he should just be a normal person that doesn't have a good relationship with Judith. The author should also think of better names for the characters unless she/he purposely chose those names.

Jade Green "An Ole Miss Perspective"
Phyllis Reynolds Naylor has written a very interesting story in Jade Green. Set in the late 1800's this book gives a look into the past. The settings and characters are very vivid. Most of the storyline revolves around Judith's,the main characters, interaction with a family she has never met. The story, which is not a true ghost story, is more of a mystery. Judith becomes obsessed with finding out what happened to a former resident of her uncle's house. I found this book extremely entertaining. It is a very short, but enjoyable read. However, some of the interactions between Judith and her cousin, Charles are not for young readers. This book would be most appropriate for readers ages 11-14.

Jade Green: A Ghost Story
This is a wonderful book! I recommend it. One of my favorite parts was when the hand was playing the piano. Another part I liked was when Judith saw the blood on the stairs.

Jade Green
This book was kind of boring. But I really liked the words the author used. The way she wrote made me feel like I was dragged into the story. I felt like I was taking a place in the story.

Jade Green: A Ghost Story
This book was a very good book. It left me thinking. I am fan of scary books. I couldn't wait to finish it and see how the ending was. All in all, this was a wonderful book and I would definitly encourage you to read it. ... Read more

Book Description

If a big hungry moose comes to visit, you might give him a muffin to make him feel at home. If you give him a muffin, he'll want some jam to go with it. When he's eaten all your muffins, he'll want to go to the store to get some more muffin mix.

In this hilarious sequel to If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, the young host is again run ragged by a surprise guest. Young readers will delight in the comic complications that follow when a little boy entertains a gregarious moose."From the first toss of a muffin to the final scene in which the day's activities culminate in a messy array and the story comes full circle, readers gladly follow a moose and . . . young boy in this lively sequel to If You Give a Mouse a Cookie."—SLJ.

... Read more

Book Description

In partnership with the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation come authentic novels set in the
18th century about actual people, places, and events in this celebrated Virginia town.

Caesar’s life as a slave consists of long hours of backbreaking work. Having his mother, father, and sisters around him is the one thing that makes it all bearable. But when the master chooses Caesar to be his personal servant and live in the big house far from his own home, Caesar has no choice but to obey. Why do things have to change?
... Read more

Reviews (3)

Good read for young history lovers.
"Caesar's Story: 1759" is a good book for those being introduced to slavery (not during The Civil War). It's gritty in it own way, in how it deals with a black young slave child and white young owner child starting out as friends, but then becoming slave and master, without the fun memories. The Young Americans series is wonderful because each person was a living being, who lived a life. Even though little is known about Caesar, I'm glad he was given the chance to enter the reading worlds of readers. I recommend.

What a great addition to the Young Americans series!
Nixon provides wonderful insight into the time period through the eyes of a young slave, Caesar. The prologue sets the mood for the story to be told by an experienced storyteller and once the tale begins, the reader will have a hard time putting it down. Caesar brings the reader into his world. The frustration of slavery is so palpable the reader will feel Caesar's yearning. He is reminded repeatedly that a slave has no control over his future. His sister is moved to the big house to serve as a personal servant and his father is sent to Williamburg to work as a carpenter. With his family torn apart, Caesar is then told he has been chosen to become a personal servant as well. After spending his early years playing with the master's son, Nat, Caesar has a difficult time adjusting to his life as a personal servant to the same boy who was once his best friend. The one thing he discovers is that he may not have his freedom but he will always have spirit.

Slavery's scars, without sentimentality.
This, the second in the Colonial Williamsburg Young Americans series, is the story of a slave boy who moves from Carter's Grove Plantation to Williamsburg when his young master attends the grammar school at the College of William and Mary. This brief tale of mid-seventeenth life is fast-paced and full of action, while yet vibrantly aware of the emotional turmoil suffered by all parties to the blight that was slavery. Nixon, a prolific and talented children's novelist, never allows her writing to dwindle into maudlin political correctness or weep sentimentality. This is a highly recommended book not just for the young readers for which it is intended, but anyone who appreciates a good historical read. Reading this just prior to a visit to Colonial Williamsburg would be a treat indeed. ... Read more

Book Description

It's 1866 and 12-year-old Will Scott is not happy to be riding the orphan train. That's because Will's not really an orphan. He has a father--Jesse, a circus performer. But Will is no good at circus tricks, and Jesse tells him he'd be better off with a new family out West: "I'm giving you a better life, Will."

Will is placed with the kindly Dr. and Mrs. Wallace. Assisting Dr. Wallace on his rounds of the local farms, Will finds to his surprise that he's really good at something--helping people who are sick and hurt. But he still misses his father terribly. And then one night, Jesse's circus comes to town.... ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The choice of a lifetime
Basically, Will is rather upset and can't believe that his father would just abandon him. He is placed with a kind couple who loves Will. They are Otto and Sarah Wallace, Otto is a doctor and often takes Will with him to meet his patients. He believes that Will has a real shot at becoming a doctor himself. When his father, Jesse, comes with his traveling circus, Will is torn on whether to go with his father, or stay with the Wallaces. This is a very good book, that builds up to the plot, nicely.

Lucy's Wish, the other book, was better
Lucy's Wish, the other Orphan Train Children book, was better. This book was boring. And it was annoying that Will wanted to go back to his father when his foster parents cared about him better and he had a real future with them. ... Read more

Book Description

Agatha Mae Vaughn is 12 years old in 1866, and she lives in the Asylum for Homeless Waifs, where she's always in trouble or in the way. So when she's told she's being sent west on the orphan train, Aggie isn't sad. She's looking forward to starting fresh and finding the family she's never had.

But instead of young parents and maybe even a little brother or sister, Aggie gets the Bradons. Bertha and Eldon Bradon are an elderly couple who live on a farm with their two older children--Leon, a budding inventor, and Penelope, a crusader for women's right to vote. This is not the family Aggie had in mind. Will she ever fit in? ... Read more

Reviews (3)

terrific book about an adventures and a lonely orphan
This book is about a young orphan who learns things about life. Like that ppl love her.its also about her life before and after her adoption These books make u happy and want to cry all at the same time they r wonderful for kids of all ages not to complicated but still the best. its also very adventourose

Another good Orphan Train Children book.
Aggie's Home is about a twelve year old orphan, Agatha Mae Vaughn. Aggie's mother left her on the steps of an orphanage when she was just a baby. Later, she gets sent to an orphan asylum with a cruel woman in charge. Aggie breaks a lot of rules, and after four years, the woman, Mrs. Marchlander, has had enough of her. So she sends her west on the Orphan Train. Aggie desperatley wants a home where someone will love her. Will she find one?

Aggie Vaughn rides the Orphan Train out west.
Aggie was left on the steps of an orphanage when she was a baby. Now twelve years old, Aggie is headed west on an Orphan Train. She was sent away from the orphanage because she broke too many rules. Aggie wonders if anyone will want her, if she will find a home. This book in the Orphan Train Children series was very good. ... Read more