Reviews (1)

I didn't know Washington had it in him.
This was a fascinating look at a part of the Revolutionary War I didn't even know existed, and I'm sure my children didn't either. Spies and double spies and secret codes I associate more with James Bond than George Washington. Presented in a clear and interesting way that makes for a compelling book, full of the kind of details that make history fun. Nice writting that is understandable but doesn't talk down to children. Also, an appealing book physically, small, and made to look (under the paper cover) like George's own secret book of codes. The codes are reproduced in the book and there is a running message to decode. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

First One
This is a Good book and I really enjoy reading it. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a hero of all time. He has save all the Black, and he gave their freedom.

This book is informative and touching for children of all ag
As a third grade teacher I use this book on a yearly basis during the month of January. Davidson does a wonderful job of allowing the children to connect to young Martin. From the early chapters she eloquently weaves Martin's words along with those of his friends and colleagues. Children are certainly saddened when Martin is eventually killed. Well worth reading!

Excellent read aloud for grade school students.
The Scholastic company along with Margaret Davidson has put together a very informative book for youngsters. The book doesn't delve too deeply into the social consciousness so it will keep a youngster's interest. It is an excellent book to show how, against all odds, a man no more slated for greatness than any other American, had a dream to change the way African Americans were treated. It is also an excellent book that demonstrates how conflict-resolution can be achieved through peaceful means. This book makes for a wonderful read aloud to herald in the celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King's Day. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Van Gogh (Getting to Know The World's Greatest Artists)
This book offered a great resource for my classroom. There is a lot to read about his life and history so I would definitely not use it as a read-aloud. I do however, use this book to point out significant events in his life. The illustrations are light and add humor to an otherwise depressing life. They bring the artist to life and that makes it easier for my students to relate to and it keeps up their interest. Informative and enjoyable, this book is a must have for teachers.

Excellent art appreciation but questionable cartoons
Well, we should not have been surprised that Vincent Van Gogh presents a challenge to Mike Venezia, because the tragic life of this particular artist does not especially lend itself to the cartoons that Venezia includes in his Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists series. On the one hand we are talking about one of the most famous artists of all time, whose paintings now sell for millions and millions of dollars. But on the other hand we have a man who suffered severe emotional problems, cut off his ear, and ended up committing suicide. To be fair, Van Gogh was the epitome of the starving artist, and while none of the cartoons in the book goes too far, the one on the back of Venezia's self-portrait with a paper-cut is over the line given that this is a book for children.

The strength of the book is that Venezia does one of his best jobs of explaining the unique style of the artist with his look at Van Gogh. It is ironic that in a book where the subject presents such problems, Venezia provides ten cartoons in the book, which might be the most I have seen in any of his volumes to date (there are 22 paintings and drawings by Van Gogh). Certainly the cartoons do not reflect the tone of the text, which deals with Van Gogh's problems in a straight-forward manner. But given the fate of the artist, it is hard to find them totally appropriate. Again, to be fair, this is Venezia's format and we could not expect him to abandon it and perhaps he was trying to provide a counterbalance to Van Gogh's self-destructive impulses. Certainly parents should check this one out and make a judgment for their own children, and teachers should do the same thing for their students. A good alternative text, although written for a slightly older audience, is "What Makes a Van Gogh a Van Gogh" put out by The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Masterful Presentation of Difficult Material
This is a truthful and sensitive presentation of information about an artist who suffered from an emotional disorder and often was not a happy person. Mr. Venezia does not gloss over Van Gough's difficulties, but presents them in a way that children can understand within the context of explaining what was importaint to the artist, and how the man's feelings and life experiences affected his paintings. When I read the book, I decided not present it to my daugher as early as the other Venezia artist and composer biographies. I waited until I thought she could clearly separate in her mind what other people do from the things our family does. Each parent will need to decide when their own child is ready for information about a great artist who ulimately commited suicide; it is the old decision between sheltering a child or presenting disturbing information when you are there to talk about it with them. Aside from these considerations, I strongly feel that the book maintains the same high standards found in all of Mr. Venezia's books. Any swerving from the facts to maintain a glossy finish (i.e., the traditional fairy tale happy ending?) would have been disappointing.

wonderful book!
If you want your child to learn to know and love art, Mike Venezia's books are what you need! Like all the books in this series, this is an interesting, informative book, introducing art and artists to kids in a humorous, funny and captivating way. My son read all the books of Venezia, he loved them, and became interested in art, history and geography through these books (at the age of 7!). The homurous way Venezia uses is exactly what makes it so interesting for small kids. Don't miss these books!

Disappointing and Trivializing...
I was mortified when I read this book! I realize the author was attempting to make van Gogh accessible to the 4-8 age group, but I feel he makes van Gogh look pathetic. Though intended to be cute and humorous, a few of the cartoons in the book are especially rude and disrespectful to the artist, and they misrepresent him. Van Gogh deserves much better! ... Read more

Book Description

In kitchens and living rooms, in garages and labs and basements, even in converted chicken coops, women and girls have invented ingenious innovations that have made our lives simpler and better. Their creations are some of the most enduring (the windshield wiper) and best loved (the chocolate chip cookie). What inspired these women, and just how did they turn their ideas into realities? ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Loved it. Very inspirational.
I first read the book with my daughter and then shared it with my Girl Scout troop. It was very inspirational and a joy to see some many innovations coming from women.

Inventive & Imaginative
A fascinating collection with just the right tone. And MelissaSweet's inventive illustrations will inspire creative thinking byfuture inventors!

Wow! Girls are amazing!
The inspiring nuggets of information in Catherine Thimmesh's book have my mind racing--do I have an invention lurking somewhere inside of me? The author's concise, information-packed, yet fun narrative will intrigue children and adults alike, many of whom will turn page after page saying, "I never knew that!" Judging from the chronology of inventions on the endpapers, Ms. Thimmesh has many more stories to tell, and I can't wait to read them. Melissa Sweet's collage illustrations are the perfect complement, fascinating in their detail and ingenious in the textures and materials she chooses. I've already bought several copies of this book; one to keep and others to give as gifts. I can think of many children who will pore over this book with great interest.

Entertaining and Enlightening Stories
Girls Think of Everything is truly captivating. The "Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women" are told in a manner which will delight the target audience. The writing is crisp, interesting and sophisticated and will hold the interest of bright children and interested adults alike; while at the same time, the stories are quite accessible for even younger children. The book is not a dry compilation of biographies of inventors or a boring recitals of the history of various inventions; but, instead, an ingenious approach to telling important (and fun) "Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women." ... Read more

Book Description

In 2001, author Susan Strong published her first book, The Greatness of Girls. Since that time, she has given extensive readings across the country. More often than not, audiences have asked the same question, "When are you going to do a book like this for boys?" In The Boldness of Boys, Strong takes the same winning approach to encouraging and empowering young people - that is, she solicits essays and anecdotes from famous men who share their own personal insights about growing up. The list of contributors is varied and impressive - all are trailblazers who have won success on their own terms. Among the 40 men included are Colin Powell, Jay Leno, Tony Hawk (skateboard champion), Ansel Adams, Christopher Reeve, Paul Orfalea (founder of Kinko's), Lance Armstrong, Dave Barry, Nelson Mandela, and Senator John McCain.Chapters focus on relevant issues such as school, parents, adversity, challenges, mentors, and perseverance. Each entry includes a brief biography and is followed by a one-to two-page first-person essay. While the stories cover a broad range, the underlying message is the same: We all face challenges in life, but with persistence and courage, we can achieve our greatest dreams. ... Read more

Reviews (57)

Modern-day Anne Frank
Zlata's Diary is a masterpiece. A modern-day Diary of Anne Frank is what comes to mind when I think about this book. Zlata is a girl from Sarajevo, writing as only a child can write about terrors that only adults can inflict. From start to finish, this remarkable books keeps you hoping and praying, for Zlata and for her family and friends. Her diary begins before the war, with typical young-girl items like piano lessons and parties, but quickly becomes a nightmare of bombs and guns. She escapes to Paris, and looks back with sorrow. It is a truly moving text.

Zlata writes as any girl would write, in the beginning. The early part of her diary (it begins in September 1991) deals with ideas about school starting and what happened last summer. Short entries into a girl's diary, not too deep, somewhat interesting but also very typical. She could be any girl in any city in this country. She talks about her friends, her favorite TV shows, her music lessons, and enjoying pizza.

She is 11 years old.

But in less than a year, all of that changes.

She is writing letters and entries recounting horrible events of warfare. Less than a year after she was wondering about the top songs on MTV and her music and friends, she was writing profound letters of love, life and survival.

She recounts hiding in dark, ugly cellars, and hearing bombs dropping, and being very afraid. She writes of her friend Nina who died in of shrapnel in the brain -- another 11 year old girl, just like Zlata. They went to kindergarten together, they played together. Now Nina was dead.

Zlata and members of her family escaped to Paris by December 1993; the diary ends at that point. Zlata grew up tremendously, much as Anne Frank did, during those few years of the war. She learned the terminology and dangers of war as well as any professional soldier. She learned the horrors and deprivations. She also remained a little girl, with her childish, childlike hope for peace for all.

She escaped, but how many didn't? Published in 1994 while there was still fighting in Sarajevo, this is a book of hope. And sadly the fighting hasn't stopped in that part of the world. Children have lost parents, siblings, family members, friends, and their whole way of life.

It is for them that Zlata wrote her diary. We should remember them.

An honest overview of Zlata's book from some1 who was there!
Zlata's diary is an overall so-so book. It does not have the literal quality, nor the originality of Anne Frank's diary, but it has something else very important: a clear picture of what was going on in Sarajevo during the beginning of the Bosnian war.(Remember, Zlata left in mid of 1993, there were two and a half more years that other Sarajevans spent in war...This book was a view of a girl, 11 years old, who saw the people that were her neighbors until yesterday go to the mountains around the city and shoot at her, her family and friends, and innocent many others she didn't know but she felt sad for...Zlata gives out a picture of what it was like to live under fire every day, where your every move could be your last, where you are not safe not in your home, nor deep underground in the shelter. It was a time of sadness for Sarajevo, which used to be one of Europe's most metropolitan cities. Zlata's diary serves not to spread propaganda and evoke sadness in the West and make sure it does something,this book is so the West can be ashamed of what it didn't do. It is a great reference for anyone who plans to write about, or visit Sarajevo.

Zlata's Diary
Zlata's Diary by, Zlata Filipovic is a tremendously exciting book. This book was defiantly a page-turner for two main reasons. First, the thoughts and feelings coming from this 11-year old girl is phenomenal. Second, her story starts out like any other and it is incredible to see how much her life is affected by a war. A girl having a near to perfect life, going through a war, then having her friends and family ripped apart. The reader thins they can predict how things are going to turn out, then all of the sudden, it all changes. I loved this book because of it's theme and I recommend this book to anybody who has the chance to read it!

5th graders [from] Caracas Venezuela
We are a group of 5th graders ... We just read the book Zlata's Diary and it was a great book and we decided to give a book review to Amazon.com. It is a book about a depressed girl named Zlata who is living through a war. This war has taken away her childhood. She has recorded her daily life through Mimi, her diary. The book was a little confusing because it had so many names of people we did not know. Even though the war is going on Zlata finds a way to bring humor out. We really think you should read this book because it is informative and intrigung. We highly recommend this book to 5th grade and above

TRIUMPH THROUGH THE TRAGEDY OF WAR
The story of Zlata Filipovic is a very touching story of a young girl that escaped the terrors of war not just physically, but through writing in her diary which she fondly refers to as "Mimmie." This story brings a sense of reality to the wars that we read about in newpapers and watch on TV - it tells the stories of people just like you and me who find themselves caught in the middle of the ugliness of war. Zlata's story has an added sense of innocence to it because it is told through the writings of a child - through her eyes in the way she saw it. Zlata Filipovic is the story of a courageous individual, who as we see in the book along with her fmily managed to escape the horrors of war after writing her story. I feel that her story gives us a similar perspective to that which Anne Frank gave us through the diary which she kept during World War II. ... Read more

Book Description

John Lennon's influence on music and culture is legendary. He was a rebel, a genius, an innovator, and a peace activist. From a young age he dreamed of fame and fortune. When he achieved it as one of the Beatles, he recognized the need for a deeper meaning in life. His inner search for happiness shaped his life and brought new dimension to the world of rock 'n' roll. As a follow-up to their award-winning title, Martin's Big Words, Doreen Rappaport and Bryan Collier present John Lennon's life through a combination of narrative and song lyrics, cut-paper collage and watercolor art-capturing the energy and the essence of a man whose vision and creative genius continue to inspire people today. ... Read more

Book Description

Tomás is a son of migrant workers. Every summer he and his family

follow the crops north from Texas to Iowa, spending long, arduous days in the

fields. At night they gather around to hear Grandfather's wonderful stories.

But before long, Tomás knows all the stories by heart. "There are more

stories in the library," Papa Grande tells him.The very next day,

Tomás meets the library lady and a whole new world opens up for him.

Based on the true story of the Mexican-American author and educator

Tomás Rivera, a child of migrant workers who went on to become the first

minority Chancellor in the University of California system, this inspirational

story suggests what libraries--and education--can make possible.Raul

Colón's warm, expressive paintings perfectly interweave the harsh

realities of Tomás's life, the joyful imaginings he finds in books, and

his special relationships with a wise grandfather and a caring librarian.




... Read more

Reviews (4)

A Hearwarming, True Story.....
"It was midnight. The light of the full moon followed the tired old car. Tomas was tired too. Hot and tired. He missed his own bed, in his own house in Texas. Tomas was on his way to Iowa again with his family..." Tomas' family were migrant workers. As his parents toiled in the fields during the day picking corn in the hot Iowa sun, Tomas and his brother, Enrique, tried to stay cool under the shade of trees, listening to the old stories told by their grandfather, Papa Grande. "Tomas, you know all my stories, " he said. "There are many more in the library. You are big enough to go by youself. Then you can teach us new stories." The library was large and cool, and had more books than Tomas had ever imagined. But more importantly, the librarian was very kind and took the young boy under her wing. And with her help, opens up a whole new world for Tomas; the love of books and learning..... Based on the story of Tomas Rivera, a migrant worker who grew up to become an educator and eventually chancellor of the University of California at Riverside, Tomas And The Library Lady is a heartwarming and inspiring story. Pat Mora's sweet, simple, and quiet text is complemented by Raul Colon's gentle and evocative illustrations and together word and art detail the joys of reading, and the wonderful impact one person can have on a young life. Perfect for children 4-8, Ms Mora includes a short biography of Tomas Rivera at the end to complete the story.

inviting-like the library!
This is a short story of a boy named Tomas, who needs more stories than his grandfather can tell, and so he goes to the library. Poor, migrant and Hispanic, he finds a friendly, caring librarian who provides him with the books he needs to nurture his spirit. The illustrations are warm and textured, lending a rich (almost biblical) quality. The experiences of Tomas, and his fertile imagination, are easily recognizable to children of all ages. The historical note on his later success in life is added incentive to keep going to the library for good books, like this one!

Tomas makes reading a life changing experience
This book is the wonderful true story of Tomas Rivera who was the son of migrant workers and became the chancellor of the University of California at Riverside.

My sister and nephews were in town and they took a trip to the library with their Nana(my mom). I believe that my sister grabbed this book, because it mentioned the library lady. I liked the fact that the author dedicated this book to Tomas Rivera and "for librarians who lure us in."

I read this book to my oldest nephew while he was here. He was absolutely mesmerized by this book. The author draws you in with the tale of Tomas Rivera's life and how his life changed when he discovered the library. The illustrations in the book were beautifully drawn and colorful.

Tomas lived with his Mama, Papa, Papa Grande and his little brother, Enrique. His parents were migrant workers. They picked fruit in Texas in the winter and in Iowa in the summer. They were on their way to Iowa for the summer.

Tomas had always enjoyed listening to his Papa Grande's stories, and he knew all of them by heart. So, Papa Grande encouraged Tomas to go to the library in Iowa and tell them more stories. The next morning when he reaches the library he becomes very intimidated by the big library. Well, things change once he meets the library lady.

She is so warm and inviting to Tomas that Tomas spends the whole day at the library reading. Using her own card, the library lady checks out two books for Tomas to take home and read. While reading, Tomas gets lost in adventures with dinosaurs.

During the course of the summer, Tomas teaches the library lady some Spanish, while she encourages him to read more books. There is a tearful goodbye as Tomas gives the library lady some pan dulce(sweet bread) and she gives him a book.

I'm glad that the author put a note about the story at the end of the book. The note gives a brief synopsis of Tomas Rivera's life.

The major reason I liked this book is the fact that it is encouraging children to read. Reading is the big key to education and success. Also, I think that it is encouraging adults to read to their children, which is definitely important. This book is definitely designed for four to eight year olds.

Tomas and the Library Lady should be a part of every child's life.

A story inspired by a true-life hero!
Attention teachers! Add this one to the classroom library. All students will find a true hero in this story. Many of my ESL students identified with Tomas and his struggle for literacy. This book invites the reluctant student to read ... Read more

Book Description

"HANNELORE, YOUR PAPA IS DEAD."

In the spring of 1942 Hannelore received a letter from Mama at her school in Berlin, Germany--Papa had been arrested and taken to a concentration camp. Six weeks later he was sent home; ashes in an urn.

Soon another letter arrived. "The Gestapo has notified your brothers and me that we are to be deported to the East--whatever that means." Hannelore knew: labor camps, starvation, beatings...How could Mama and her two younger brothers bear that? She made a decision: She would go home and be deported with her family. Despite the horrors she faced in eight labor and concentration camps, Hannelore met and fell in love with a Polish POW named Dick Hillman.

Oskar Schindler was their one hope to survive. Schindler had a plan to take eleven hundred Jews to the safety of his new factory in Czechoslovakia. Incredibly both she and Dick were added to his list. But survival was not that simple. Weeks later Hannelore found herself, alone, outside the gates of Auschwitz, pushed toward the smoking crematoria.

I Will Plant You a Lilac Tree is the remarkable true story of one young woman's nightmarish coming-of-age. But it is also a story about the surprising possibilities for hope and love in one of history's most brutal times.

... Read more

Book Description

"It is like a fairyland." So Laura Ingalls Wilder described her 1915 voyage to San Francisco to visit her daughter, Rose Wilder Lane. Laura's husband, Almanzo, was unable to leave their Missouri farm and it is her faithful letters home, vividly describing every detail of her journey, that have been gathered here. Includes 24 pages of exciting photographs and completely redesigned jacket art.

Children's Books of 1974 (Library of Congress) ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Sparkling recollection of San Francisco in 1915
Thank God this is still in print. Sure, lots of fans of the "Little House"
series will find this a charming alternative. But Laura Ingalls Wilder was
already an accomplished writer by this time, and her recorded impressions
during a family visit to her daughter and son-in-law during the 1915 Pan
Pacific International Exposition was a godsend for anyone who wants to know
of San Francisco history.

The city was devastated by the 1906 earthquake and fire; the PPIE
was a chance for the city's residents to show how quickly they could
recover and rebuild, and they put their souls into it. The city fairly
sparkled for the Exposition's visitors that summer. Wilder's letters home
to her husband were an accurate and very personable observance of the city
as it was. She described the big events as well as the telling little
details that made San Francisco unique among American cities. The photos
accompanying her letters add to the authenticity.

This is book not just a "niche gem" for Wilder fans, but also for
those who love San Francisco, and those who live history. Her record of a
vacation to the coast may've seemed to her like trivial family
correspondence, but for this native son of Baghdad by the Bay, her letters
were a vivid portrait of a time that will not be seen again. This is one of
the top ten historical recollections of a major, turn of the century
American city.

A look into Laura's adult life, and her writing skills
For those out there who feel that Laura's daughter, Rose Wilder Lane, did most of the actual writing of the "Little House" books - well, you should read this book, which consists of letters written to her husband, Almanzo, while she was visiting San Francisco in 1915. Even though they were not written for publication, her descriptions of the events of the Pan-Pacific Expo, as well as San Francisco itself, are vivid, captivating, and colorful. You can also feel the great love and affection that existed between the couple, even though there are no letters from Almanzo himself. I also found this book interesting as I live in the San Francisco Bay Area myself, and am interested in its history.

Interesting
This is a very sweet and interesting book. Laura is visiting Rose in San Francisco for a few months and writes letters to Manly to fill him in on all she is doing and seeing.

The letters are detailed and filled with much information about San Francisco at the time. This is very interesting since it was 1915 and the Panama-Pacific International Exhibition was in progress.

I was thrilled to read it as I can't seem to read enough about Laura and her entire family! This is another wonderful and interesting book with the spirited Laura Ingalls Wilder as the star!

Lively and colourful letters
This book compiles a group of wonderful letters written from Laura to Almanzo in 1915 while she was staying with her daughter Rose (now married) in Los Angeles. The letters are long and detailed, since she rather missed him and was also trying to give him the full experience as much as possible. As a result, this book is a feast for both fans of LIW's work and people with an interest in the culture of the period.

At this time, Laura is in her forties and has begun writing freelance for at least one magazine, but has not started on her famous Little House books yet. Her daughter is working entirely as a writer, particularly of serialised stories/biographies.

Warning: Anyone reading the Rose series by Roger Lea MacBride should leave this book until after they finish, as there are spoilers.

Great details
West of Home is a series of letters that Laura wrote to Almanzo while she was visitng Rose Wilder Lane in 1915 San Fransisco. Due to the farm, it was decided that Almanzo would stay at home while Laura went out for a long visit with Rose. Laura wrote in great detail of all the happenings. She was Almanzo's eyes in the same way as she was her blind sister Mary's eyes. She described the landscape, the 1915 Expo, Rose's life and work and the great foods of the California area. Rose was homesick for her parents and sent Laura the money for train fare and money home to help with Laura's absence. You can tell by the letters to Almanzo that he had written her about the happenings on the farm. It's too bad they weren't published along with these. You can tell Laura and Almanzo greatly miss each other but Laura is enjoying her time with Rose and Rose's husband Gillette. A wonderful look of San Francisco in the year 1915. ... Read more

Book Description

The authoritative expert of the Little House series ‘chronicles the life of author Wilder in a readable biography that is easily accessible to [readers of] the Little House books. Particularly interesting are the sections that fill in the gaps in Wilder's stories'including the time spent in Burr Oak, Iowa, and the years following her marriage to Almanzo Wilder.' 'BL.

1990 Washington Post/Children's Book Guild Award for Nonfiction

Reviews (7)

Easy To Love Easy to Read
The Best Way to learn about Laura Ingalls is of course, to read The Little House on the Prarie Series of books. Next, read her diaries and then biographies. I found this book a well rounded out, over-all review of her life with greatly investigated details that capture a Laura Ingalls FANs heart. Well put together and very easy to absorb, made me love Laura all the more.

Become a Little House Expert!
Historian William Anderson did a great job with this little book in rounding out the life and times of the Ingalls family. He fills in the gaps with historic details for those parts of her life that Laura ommitted, for reasons of her own. The final chapters of the book are especially fascinating as we travel to Rocky Ridge Farm in Missouri to see how Laura, Almanzo and Rose lived after "West From Home." Also included is the fascinating story of how the "Little House" books came to be. Anderson also provides some embellishment from Laura herself on stories told in the "Little House" series. It's heartwarming to hear another version from Laura of Almanzo's surprise Christmas visit. This book is full of little tidbits just like that - which are irresistible to Little House fans!

Very informative, full of surprises
If you've read the "Little House" books, you'll find that some things in the stories weren't quite the same in real life - for example, the Ingalls family's time spent in Burr Oak, Iowa, isn't mentioned in any of Laura's stories, nor the fact that they actually lived in the Big Woods twice in Laura's lifetime - the events of "Little House on the Prairie" actually took place when Laura was too young to remember, so of course she relied on her parents'memories of Indian Territory. Also of note are a couple of name changes - the "Oleson" family was actually the Owens family, and the quarrelsome people she stayed with on her first teaching job were named Bouchie, not Brewster. Many more surprises await you when you read the story, but I don't want to give everything away!

INCREDIBLE!
Anderson writes a wonderful and incredible book about Laura Ingalls Wilder. She is a fascinating person and this is a wonderful tribute to her and her life.

Anderson fills his book with facts about Laura's life that I have never read before. Laura chose not to write about every year in her life... this book covers some of them.

Excellent, terrific and informative book... wonderful addition to the Laura Ingalls Wilder Little House series. You will absolutely enjoy it!

Laura's life painted rosy
After reading through the entire LITTLE HOUSE series (again), I became interesting in learning more about Laura Ingalls Wilder. I began with this book, and read some additional books as well. I found that LAURA INGALLS WILDER: A BIOGRAPHY was very informative, but that it was written in a very positive light. It glossed over some traumatic moments in Laura's life, and made her look like a perfect person instead of a normal person with some faults.

This book is designed to fit in with the current LITTLE HOUSE paperback design, which is handy. It is an easy read (written for the 9-12 set), but will interest those who want to know more about "the real Laura." I would recommend it over the other biographies I have read about Laura Ingalls Wilder because it is written to be interesting, not to be historically detailed. However, Laura's life was painted a lot rosier than it was in real life. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

An impressive woman, a bittersweet life
I've been somewhat familiar with Julia Morgan's architecture for many years, so it was interesting to read about her life. This is a nice quick read for an adult, but would really be wonderful as a gift to that niece or nephew who aspires to be an architect. The book does a good job of demonstrating how important Miss Morgan's determination and leadership skills were to her success, in addition to her obvious artistic giftedness.

As a Berkeley grad I was disappointed to learn that one of my heros, John Galen Howard, who was chief campus architect in the early 20th century (and designer of the Campanile, among many other of the granite buildings), acted in such a petty way towards Miss Morgan, blocking any campus building contracts from going to her because she had the audacity to leave his office to go solo. On the other hand, Bernard Maybeck sounds as though he was as delightful as the Berkeley brown shingles he designed.

A touching aspect of the book is how it illustrates Miss Morgan's kindness to everyone she came in contact with. She designed a playhouse for the children of the man who chauferred her to and from the Hearst Castle site. When her own mother was getting old and fearful she built an exact replica in San Francisco of the bedroom her mother had lived in for many years in Oakland.

Outstanding
I read this book when it first came out to review for our library collection. It has always been one of the books that has stood out in my mind as an unforgettable. It is terrific not just for the youth but also adults. It is an exemplary biography for an exemplary woman. Julia Morgan was one of our countries first women architects. It is an excellent biography for girls and the general public. An excellent comprehensive read of one of our countries finest architects. I highly recommend it for someone looking for an oustanding, informative, inspiring fun read for our youth. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Guts
In this book, Gutsy Girls, you will find that the girls have a lot of guts. I recommend this book to girls who love sports because it is about sports. One of the parts I liked was Beth Rodden's story. She was a rock climber and she said that rock climbing doesn't only include physical strength it also requires mental strength.

Gutsy Girl
Gutsy Girls is a good book. It has many parts with many people. I recommend this book for 5th and 6th graders. I like this book because it has a variety of different sports and activities.

Great Book!
I loved this book! Its very inspiring. I want to do stuff like that when i grow up so this was a good read for me.

Inspiring!
easy to follow and very inspiring! I read it in one day. recommended for anyone looking for motivation encouragment or just a good book.

A Must for Reluctant Readers
Though I have not read this book in its entirety, I need to recommend it. I have a student who has been reluctant to read all year-- until I got her this book. She simply could not put it down. She loves the stories, and I love the easy writing style. This book has put her on her way to becoming a reader! ... Read more

Reviews (24)

American Academy: Essential Reading for Youth
This book is required reading for American Academy Middle School students, 6th grade, but is recommended for people, ages 12 and up, trying to understand early American life and the subject of slavery, particularly in the northern states.
Amos Fortune is a true story about a young African prince torn from his family, people, and homeland. He undergoes a process of dehumanization, including a horrific slave-ship sea crossing before being sold as a slave into first one and then another Massachusetts family, so we see two complete portraits of slave life. Finally, he buys his own and his wife's freedom and travels to picturesque New Hampshire where he builds a homestead and legacy for himself, and perhaps plants seeds that help bring an end to that "peculiar institution."
Beautifully told by Ms. Yates, we see Amos learn to read and become a faithful Christian. His childlike dream to buy his sister's freedom grows into a mature buying of the freedom of women he loves. He masters the tanning trade, which we learn about. We experience his strong and majestic character in overlooking a benighted age's slights and building his own freehold homestead, near "his" mountain, in this free country he loves. Amos Fortune is an outstanding man worthy of imitation. His story will never die or grow old.
All American young people should read this book. It, along with: April Morning, by Howard Fast; A Light in the Forest, by Conrad Richter; First Lady of Faith and Courage: Abigail Adams, by Evelyn Witter; and The Autobiography, by Benjamin Franklin; paint a multifaceted view of the particular pains, prejudices and daily life in northern colonial America from the perspective of, respectively, black citizens, traditional revolutionary families, American Indians, women, and a particular famous artisan-scientist-inventor-statesman whose life spanned and intertwined itself with the century of America's birth.

an Inspiring Story of a determined New England slave
Amos Fortune-Free Man is an inspiring semi-true story of a young african prince named At-mun, who at age 15 is captured from his african village, and crosses through the brutal middle passage. In Boston he is sold to a quaker man named Caleb Copeland, who names him Amos. He learns to read, write, and learns to weave and tan. His freinds nickname him Amos Fortune. Indeed he is more fortunate than many slaves of the day. Instead of doing the backbreaking field labor, he would have done had he been sold to a southern plantation, he finds himself doing more managable work, in the New England states.
In addition his masters are more kind than most. At around the age of sixty he bought his own freedom, and eventually the freedom of 3 others. In 1779 he moved to the New Hampshire town of Jaffrey, where he established himself as a sucsessful tanner, and died peacefully at the age of 91. I first read this book 3 years ago, and it is among my favorites. I think it should be required reading for every school (and thats saying alot coming from me). Amos Fortune/At-Mun was a truely amazing man, who tried to sucseed and adapt in american/american colonial society, while never forgetting his african heritage. Some of the words and events may be diffucult for unskilled readers,but in all I think it is one of the best books of all time.

Amos Fortune - A Successful Slave
Amos Fortune,named At-mun at first, is prince of the At-mun-shi people in Africa. Right before the time of the planting of corn, At-mun and others in his tribe are captured and taken to America as slaves. Amos, now living in Massachusetts, learns to live among white men and eventually gains his freedom. While in Massachusetts, Amos looks at the port for his little sister, Ath-mun. She was left behind in Africa when Amos was taken, but Amos searched to see if she had been brought to America since then, and maybe would come off of a ship at the port some time. Because of Amos' wanting Ath-mun to be cared for, he dedicated himself to helpless people. He helped many people in his lifetime.
Amos' last name, Fortune, was given to him by other slaves who saw how fortunate he was. Both of his masters were good to him. He was taught a good trade as a tanner and became very good at it. He was able to earn freedom for himself and his family.
This story is very good, but it isn't as adventurous as I like books to be. I don't think it really hooked me as much as I wish it would have. I think a lot of people will really like this book; it just isn't MY idea of a great book.

Fortunate enough to have read this book
This book is about a young African prince who is captured and brought to America and sold as a slave. Amos is somewhat fortunate because his new "family" teaches him to read and speak the English language. Elizabeth Yates takes you through Amos's fortunes and misfortunes. You will not want to put this book down.

Okay
This book captures the life of an African prince named At-Mun. At the beggining of the book his father gets killed and his tribe gets enslaved. The slave-ship sails of without his cripple sister whose only twelve years old.
During his time in slavery At-Mun he physically treated badly. He is sold twice, once right before he was to be freed. Every chance he gets he tries to find his sister.
Upon his eventual emancipation, he buys a slave to free and marry her. Then he sets up his own tannery and starts a family.
Overall, this non-fiction about slavery and separation evokes satisfaction. But does he find his sister? Read and find out! ... Read more

Reviews (72)

A teen's view of The Cage
I recommend this novel to everyone. Fulled with suspense and intrigue, it really kept my interst. I was not expecting this to happen. I had to choose a novel to read for a book report for English class. I picked this one beacuse I have read other books about the Holocaust and have found them interesting. After reading this novel, I have discovered that it is unlike any other novel about the Holocaust. I learned much more about the Holocaust and recieved much more insight into this topic from this book than from any other one. This novel is about Riva, a young girl living in a ghetto during WWII. Although it is a sad topic, I enjoyed learning about life in a ghetto. It was very interesting to learn how the characters could survive day to day in such horrible conditions. Riva survives the loss of her brother and mother and a deportation to a concentration camp. She becomes a mother to her young brothers. All these trials and tribulations make Riva a much stronger person. Through out the book, I felt her stong will and motivation contributed to her character. I grew to love Riva and felt as if I was part of her family. I felt depressed if something bad happened to her and happy when she had success. I recommend this book because you can clearly witness the change and growth, both postive and negative, in one character due to the Holocaust.

Brina's Review
I happen to love holocaust book. I read this book when I was 11 years old and loved it. I read the second book and Ruth Minsky Sender's other book. The story is about a girl who lived in a ghetto during the war. She is seperated from her father. She lives with her brothers and mother. Her mother is taken away leaving her incharge of her brothers. She works hard and finds out that her brother is very sick. Eventually, she too becomes sick. She tries to work at home. To learn the rest of this young girls story reader Sender's great book. I would recommend this book to ages 12-100! I think lessons can be learned from this great book. If you enjoy this I recommend to also read "To Life" (the second book of The Cage)!

The Cage
Recommendation

I would highly recommend this book to people in the ages between 13-and older. If you would like to learn about the holocaust, its great because this book shows strength, courage and how to make it through the hard times. I really liked this book because I really liked learning about what happened back then and what went on. Back then the Jewish police would go to peoples house to make sure they were home and they didn't escape. One night Riva and all her brothers are sleeping, and they hear a knock on their door, it's the Jewish police." Riva and her brothers hold their breaths and wait." The police just wanted to make sure that they were in their house. The book also showed leadership because when Riva's Mother gets taken away, so Riva takes care of her two brothers. The Child Welfare department went to Rivas house to put them in all different homes, but when Riva heard that she was determined to make sure that did not happen. Riva was first thinking " Maybe they would be better off and find good homes, be happy .Is it wrong to want to hold our family together?" then she thought it over again and said to child welfare ' "A mother does not give up her children! A mother does not give up her children."

Incredible
The Cage is such an incredible book. I learned so much! I would recomend it to ANY PERSON who wants to hear a REAL story of a young Holocaust prisoner. This book taught me so much. I could read it a million times. I learned so much about history, but most importantly about life. I think it is the best Holocaust book I have read, and i have read MANY! Riva's story is extremely easy to understnad, unlike other Holocaust books. I never wanted to put it down, and i cried like 3 times. Riva's story is one word: INCREDIBLE

Stories from World War II
This book was about the holocaust. It is just many of the stories from the war. This story takes place in lodz, Poland and camp Mittelsteine, Germany.
I liked this book because it gave me more knowledge of what really was going on in Europe during the war. I disliked all the horrible trageties that took place.
This book tells about a happy family living in Poland during the war. They are first raided then made to wear yellow stars to on whatever they wear. The Germans trick them into going to the train stations and they promise them that they will see their family members but they really aren't. What actually happens is that they are sent to concentration camps and all their belonging are taken away from them. Most are killed in a number of cruel ways. Riva's mother is taken away and she is left to take care of the kids. They all try to stick together for as long as possible. This was a very sad time and I will remember this book always. I'd recommend this book to younger people who are interested in the holocaust. This book was written for younger readers. It isn't too gruesome but it gets the point across. I wouldn't recommend this book to children under thirteen because it might be hard for them to understand what is happening. Some of the names are really hard to pronounce also. This book requires somewhat of a mature audience. ... Read more

Book Description

Phineas Gage was truly a man with a hole in his head. A railroad construction foreman, Phineas was blasting rock near Cavendish, Vermont, in 1848 when a thirteen-pound iron rod was shot through his brain. Miraculously, he survived another eleven years and became a textbook case in brain science. But he was forever changed by the accident, and what happened inside his brain will tell you a lot about how your brain works and what makes us who we are. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A fascinating quick read!
John Fleischman does an excellent job of telling the story of Phineas Gage along with wonderful photographs that add to the understanding of what happened to him. His descriptions help children and adults understand more about how the brain works, and how Phineas' brain was changed by his accident. I wish I had read this book in college when I was taking courses in Psychological Anatomy... this is so much easier to read and comprehend. An incredible story that will make you want to visit Harvard Medical School to view the skull and tamping iron yourself!

"His closest companion was an iron rod."
Well, that will teach me not to read the entire review of a book before sending for it! Not that I'm complaining about the book...I thought it was for adults. It's not really, though I can see using it for reading and science literacy for deaf adults.

This is a great book. The explanations concerning what happened to Mr. Gage, and the science behind his medical recovery and subsequent personality problems is fairly well covered. There is a great glossary in the back with more information concerning terminology used in 'brain science' such as abscess and neurotransmitters that can be used as a jumping point for students to do their own research into areas that interest them, whether on the Internet or in libraries.

I kind of skimmed through the text. Most of it was stuff I've had over exposure to. The text is well written, just more simple than I am used to reading. Fleischman writes very tongue-in-cheek (come to think of it, Gage couldn't do that for a while on one side!). I appreciate Fleischman's humor, and I am sure most teachers and students will find it refreshing from boring textbooks written by professors or publishing houses. The science is correct in this book, which I am finding is often NOT the case in textbooks...so maybe teachers should stop using textbooks and use books such as this, journals and the Internet!

My favorite part of this book, of course, are the pictures, the MRI scans, the reconstitution of his brain within his skull using modern techniques. Very fun to see all this together. Gage is learned about in every neuroscience class I had from an undergrad to graduate level. We talk about the fact that he survived this stunning blow, about his personality changes in neuropsychiatric classes, about possible relations between other disorders such as autism and what happened in lobotomies (ugh!...). Everyone in Neuroscience knows about Gage. He is fascinating to the point of remembering his name when we can't remember names of past acquaintances.

Fun book, good science, great pictures, a good introduction for kids to neuroscience.

Karen Sadler,
Science Education,
University of Pittsburgh

Science Made Irresistible
This is one compelling and very entertaining read, albeit not for the squeamish. While aimed at kids, adults will find it equally fascinating. It has all the elements of a wild work of fiction, yet it's an eyepoppingly true story--just try and put it down once you've opened it. It's great to see factual science presented in such a winning, approachable style. After ordering a copy for my biology-minded kids, we thought so highly of it that we got a copy to donate to our local library as well. Highly recommended.

Outstanding read, great science
This book reads like a novel while delivering scientific knowledge and history effectively and accessibly. Highly recommended for youngsters (or adults!) interested in history, science, or unusual stories. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Follow Your Dreams
This is a story about a little girl how overcame obstacles by following her dreams and the advice of her mother. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Here is a fascinating, detailed look at the life of Charles Darwin: naturalist, geologist, and independent thinker. In his author's note, Caldecott Honor illustrator Peter Sis (Starry Messenger, Tibet: Through the Red Box) writes that Darwin always regretted not learning how to draw. However, he could and did take "dense and vivid" written notes, from which Sis drew his inspiration. Readers will spend hours poring over the gorgeous, intricately crafted pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations depicting layer upon layer of Darwin’s life as he developed his theories about the origins of life and natural selection. Tidbits from Darwin’s extensive and legendary voyage on the Beagle, notes on Galapagos tortoises, bloodsucking benchuca bugs, and Toxodon skeletons, and particulars from his family life intermingle with each other--just as in real life. Crammed with a veritable muddle of diary entries, cameo portraits, diagrams, natural illustrations, maps, timelines, a gatefold spread, and narrative divided into "Public Life," "Private Life," and "Secret Life" blocks of text, The Tree of Life will certainly be overwhelming to some readers; for other, less linear thinkers, it will be sheer, chaotic delight. (Ages 9 and older) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (4)

To life!
If you are at all familiar with Peter Sis, then you linger under the incorrect impression that you know what to expect from him. Carefully researched subjects. Illustrations containing infinitesimally small people, places, and things. Engaging and entertaining plots. I tell you now, ladies and gents, "Tree of Life" takes all of this and multiplies it. Quadruples it. You have never seen a picture book like this before. When you are dealing with a book that cares to discuss the origins of life itself, you need an author/illustrator comfortable with details. In this, Sis is your man.

This is a summarization and encapsulation of the life of Mr. Charles Robert Darwin. The book begins like so:

"Charles Darwin opens his eyes for the first time! He has no idea that he will (a) start a revolution when he grows up, (b) sail around the world on a five-year voyage, (c) spend many years studying nature, and (d) write a book that will change the world".

From here on in we watch Darwin learn and grow. The text is separated, initially, into two parts. One portion is in bold and discusses the facts of Darwin's life. An italicized portion below this talks about Charles's passions and desires. Up above we see little images and factoids strewn about the page willy-nilly, giving us a better sense of the times and people involved in the naturalist's life. This form and style goes out the window when Darwin joins up with the Beagle. Suddenly the pages become drawings of creatures and sights. There is a magnificent two-page spread of boxes, each one carrying an interesting fact, animal, moment, or image that Darwin encountered. It's as if his very experiences have been cataloged for the reader's viewing pleasure. Eventually Darwin returns and as he does so the pages themselves return to the previous layout. Now, however, Darwin's life has been divided into three different parts. He has a public life, a private life, and a secret (read evolutionary) life. Every individual life is outlined on each page and as we read on we understand how a single person's dreams can be affected by their personal and private triumphs and catastrophies. When, "On the Origin of the Species" is published we find a full pull-out four page spread encompassing the enormity of this publication. Images on the pages become less straightforward and more dreamlike. At long last, accompanying a vision of a solitary Magritte-like Darwin surrounded by a clan of death's head hawk moths are the words, "Charles Darwin died on April 19, 1882, and was buried in Westminster Abbey".

According to the book's author/illustrator, Darwin was, himself, unable to draw. So rather than sketch the wonders he saw while on the Beagle, the naturalist would describe his visions with great detail. In this way, Sis has become Darwin's right hand. It is impossible to flip through this book and not be amazed at the intricacy of the project. Sis is almost a pointillist at times, his Seurat-like dots forming everything from the galleys of a ship to thousands of tiny houses in London. A child reading this book could pore over a single page for hours, interpreting and reinterpreting each digression and off-hand comment. Honestly, you've never seen a book like this one before. The image that stands out most prominently in my mind is that of Darwin astride a giant rock dove that is made up of a thousand domesticated descendents.

Which brings us to the idea of a children's book concerned with evolution in the first place. "The Tree of Life" is hardly alone in this respect. For example, the ambitious "Our Family Tree" by Lisa Westberg Peters is far more direct in voicing the facts of evolution than this book in many respects. Here, Sis seems to avoid controversy as much as possible. The spread that describes every chapter and thought that went into the making of "On the Origin of the Species" is accompanied by the caveat, "Darwin did not say that God had not created life on earth. What he said was that creation did not happen all at once". Take that. Some time is spent examining the Bishop Samuel Wilberforce's objections and the Great Oxford Debate of 1860, but it is given far less time or energy than the book's page on, say, the Galapagos Islands. I would have liked some explanations on why some people didn't (and still do not) like Darwin's theories. Even a cursory explanation of the opposition wouldn't have been inappropriate considering the subject matter. Alas, here Sis is lacking.

All this notwithstanding, this is a fine piece of kiddie lit. If you remain unconvinced and require just a little more information about this book's fine nature, I merely direct you to the endpapers. In most picture books, the endpapers in the front of the book match and duplicate the endpapers at the back. Yet even here, Sis has not skimped. From the evolving feet of horses to the hand of Michaelangelo's God reaching towards Adam's, these pages are all individual and unique, making them just as important as any other portion of the book. I shudder to think what will happen to them when this book comes out in paperback. Though some will argue that this book is too advanced for children, challenge this statement. Test it for yourself. Any child that likes detail, precision, and nature will at least enjoy portions of this book. In a word - fabulous.

Darwin knew his ideas would be problematic for society
Although this book targets elementary school libraries, adults of all ages and persuasions will find it riveting. Tree of Life recounts Darwin's childhood from two points of view: his own and his father's. Terrific art work of various media take readers from the naturalist's youth to his long years of travel aboard the Beagle, where his then revolutionary ideas about the origin of species took root. He knew early on that publication of his theories would create a maelstrom. The unique pictorial presentation of this material is nearly as revolutionary as Darwin's thought processes. Though chronologically linear, it feels bold and sweeping in the process of presenting so much information in so small a space. It's a spectacular, visually exciting intro to Darwin's ideas of the natural world. You feel as though you're inside the great man's brain.

Will reach ages 8 and up
Tree Of Life is the complex biography of Charles Darwin will reach ages 8 and up: those with good reading skills attracted to pictures. From views of Darwin as a schoolboy to reviews of his naturalist theories, this uses many intricate drawings to cover Darwin's achievements - no bright colors here, just facts and images paired with solid text.

powerful introduction to Charles Darwin
Naturalist student Charles Darwin spent five-years exploring remote locales in the Pacific as part of the voyage of the Beagle. Darwin kept detailed notes that documented all he saw. However, though his writings about the trek are incredible in scope, no drawings accompanied Darwin's wealth of material. Peter Sis fills the void by providing a stunning pictorial of Darwin's diary, journal, and other writings that will leave the audience in awe while taking hours to look at one overwhelmingly detailed page at a time.

This reviewer and her spouse spent an hour a day over the past few weeks fascinated by this tribute. Though intended for the elementary school crowd readers of all ages will appreciate THE TREE OF LIFE: CHARLES DARWIN as a powerful introduction to one of the most influential individuals of the last two centuries. This tome makes the perfect family gathering as adults and children can share the fascination as Mr. Sis shows a picture is worth a thousand words (and $18.00).

Harriet Klausner ... Read more

Book Description

I Walked on the Moon.

This is my journey.

It didn’t begin when I stepped on board Apollo 11 on July 16, 1969. It began the day I was born -- Edwin Eugene Aldrin Jr., whom everyone called Buzz. Becoming an astronaut took more than education, discipline, and physical strength. It took years of determination and believing that any goal is possible -- from riding a bike alone across the George Washington Bridge at age ten to making a footprint on the Moon.

I always knew the Moon was within my reach -- and that I was ready to be part of the team that would achieve the first landing. But it was still hard to believe when I took my first step onto the Moon’s surface. We all have our own dreams -- this is the story of how mine came true.