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Tim and Jim like to play ball with their dog, Slim. But when Jim hits the ball hard, look out! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Fabulous First Reader
Like the other books in this series, Get the Ball, Slim, is a terrific book. Other so-called first readers seem to be too advanced for the true beginner. Get the Ball, Slim, contains short, easy words that any true early reader can grasp. Sight words are incorporated with phonetic words and repetition makes this, as well as other books in the series, a pleasure to read for the true beginner. ... Read more

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Billy is a big boy who can do all sorts of things by himself. And when his parents tell him he is growing bigger every day, he starts to imagine what it would be like to be the biggest boy in the world. ... Read more

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Easy Money

Rich is sick of being broke. He can never afford new clothes and has to scrounge off his mates in the pub. The girl he fancies won't look at him twice, and he's pretty sure that life is passing him by.

But soon fortune decides to smile on Richard Steele, and before long, he has more money than he can count -- it's just burning a hole in his pocket. And with the money comes everything he's dreamed of: trendy clothing, independence, and, yes, sex. But Rich is about to learn that with hard cash comes difficult choices -- some that he might not be ready for.... ... Read more

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What a great book!
I loved this book! I thought Kate Cann did a great job catching the reader's attention throughout the whole book, unlike other authors. Although I found it a little confusing with the English talk, I managed. Kate Cann did a great job writing this book and I would recommend it to any teenager who is looking for a great book; and I can't wait to read the two other books in the series!

Hard Cash is best
Hard Cash is one of the best college student stories ever. It really captures the reader so that it is almost imossible to put the book down. I'm sure many young adults can find themselves in the same situations as Rich (main character).
This is a most read! ... Read more

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Book Description

Amazon.com

"Out there in the distance, the pink spread from sky to ground,became a pink-and-red-and-bronze mass of color billowing up in the southwest andrunning toward him. Sticks appeared to be tumbling through the air before it.Then Jarrett realized they were too far away to be sticks. My god, he thought,those are trees."

Wildfires were a terrifying experience 100 years ago, and they have becomeequally terrifying to many Americans in recent drought years. The BigBurn is based on the true story of one of the worst wildfires of thecentury, a conflagration that destroyed 2.5 million acres of public land andkilled 90 people. In the hot, dry summer of 1910, hundreds of small fires wereburning all over Montana and the Idaho panhandle, lit by dry thunderstorms,sparks from trains, untended campfires. On August 20, a blowup began as the manyblazes, pushed by wind, raced up the slopes until they joined to ignite a crownfire that roared across treetops, creating its own wind in a mighty inferno.

This novel tells the story of three pairs of young people in the fire's path:Ranger Samuel Logan and his 16-year-old brother Jarrett, who yearns to fightthis fiery monster; Lizbeth, who loves the forest, and her aunt Celia, who wantsonly to profit from it; and two African American soldiers, honorable Seth andhis shifty sidekick, Abel. The way their lives interlock with the fire and eachother, and the "field notes" that document the course of the blaze make up athrilling novel with much authenticity for the place and time and for the natureof wildfire itself. (Ages 10 to 14) --Patty Campbell ... Read more

Reviews (8)

The Big Burn, G.S.'s Reveiw
Jeanette Ingold has pulled out all stops in her book called The Bug Burn.In this exciting tale of Idaho's wildfires in 1910, three young adults battle the forces of nature.Seth, Jaret, and Lizbeth each fight life in their own way, and overcome personal obstacles.Seth is an African American trying to fit-in in the army.Jaret is a rebel son as he goes looking for a job in firefighting after he got fired from his railroad job.Lizbeth is a niece who is trying to convince her aunt not to sell their homestead.I like this book because it is full of action and adventure, but educational at the same time. I would give it five out of five stars because I had a fun time reading it and learned a lot from it.I can't tell you the ending, but I can give you a little sneak peek.The strong wind blows many fires together, creating a giant blaze.That blaze charges forward, burning everything in its path.Eventually it comes to a city named Wallace, and everyone has to work together to try to stop it.Do they succeed?Read the book, The Big Burn, to find out.

The Big Burn
I think that The Big Burn was a very precice and educational book.The main carachters were Jarett, a young man wanting to fight fires with his older brother; Seth, An afircan American young man trying to show his pride for his country by joining the army; and Lizbeth, a young women trying to stay and keep her aunt from selling their home.The setting is 1910's, in Idaho and Montana.They over come some goals, and others are crushed.This all adds up untill the climax were all the flames come together and

THE BIG BURN is a great choice.
In light of the recent wildfires in Colorado and Arizona, THE BIG BURN is an interesting book, but it would certainly be noteworthy under any circumstances. The story follows two young men and a young woman as they encounter and combat the infamously ferocious Montana wildfires of 1910. Jeanette Ingold deftly switches perspectives throughout the tale to keep the reader interested in this well-crafted historical novel.

Jarrett, the brother of a forest ranger, is on a quest to prove himself to his gruff father; Lizbeth, living with her widowed aunt, wants to preserve her adopted Western home; and Seth, a young black soldier, is dedicated to serving his country and overcoming racial prejudice. Apart and together, they transcend traditional teenage roles and attempt to save their homes from the fires that ravaged the Montana and Idaho wilderness during the summer of 1910. Some of the plot developments may seem clich? (romance blooms where you'd probably expect --- close calls end with last-second rescues, etc.), but overall the adventure is unlike any other book available. This overlooked event in US history provides a wealth of excitement for a talented writer. The parallel stories of the three protagonists allow for several viewpoints of every episode; Ingold paints a comprehensive portrait of the true historical events of the period.

Ingold intersperses the chapters with "field notes" chronicling the wildfires and wilderness firefighting from an objective standpoint. These sections are actually where she writes best and they are a testament to the thorough research that went into writing the book. Both historically accurate and dramatically engaging, THE BIG BURN is a great choice for anyone who is interested in learning about the phenomena of forest fires while also reading a great story.

--- Reviewed by Lowell Putnam

Excellent historical fiction!
Ingold tells the reader that if you talk with anyone in Idaho or Montana for long enough, the subject of the Big Burn will come up, and the person telling you about it will expect you to know all about it.After reading Ingold's well-researched book, any reader would be able to contribute to the subject.Set in 1910, when forest rangers were new, railroads were huge, and immigrants were still flooding the country, The Big Burn tells the story of the wild fires of the northwestern United States.Ingold gives us three main characters: Jarrett, Lisbeth and Seth.These teenagers each deal with the fire in their own way, and find that there is more to fighting fires than a little water or ditch digging.The three do meet in the tale (it is plausible), and each tell their view of the events in concurrent chapters.Ingold breaks in with facts and accounts of actual events, which makes the fictitious story feel all the more real.

Ingold has done her homework, and it shows in the story.Her afterword, acknowledgements, and list of suggested reading at the end all provide valuable information.The only problem I had with the book was a bit of charaterization--the relationships between the characters felt forced and unbelievable, particularly the budding romance between Jarrett and Lisbeth.On their own, the characters were strong, interesting, and contributed to the story.But when they came in contact with the others, even the minor characters became a bit forced in the relationships in which they were observing or participating.Otherwise this is a wonderful example of great historical fiction.

The Big Burn.
Tittle The Big Burn, author Jeanette Ingold. The Big Burn was a sad story. The setting of the story was in 1918 in Idaho. The main character in the book were Lizbeth because she saves her aunt from the fire. My favorite part of the book is when uncle Mark saves Lizbeth from the big fire and Lizbeth died cecause she had got burned.In this book you can really picture the sights and smells during the catastraphe. I would recomend this book to kids that are in 8th grade because this is a book that kids under 13 might not understand because this book is so sad at the end. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

It works!!!
My boys are grown - in their 30s and blessed with the manners that would make even the most picky parent proud. And it all started with this book. They've both told me they accepted it immediately because (1) it never preached or talked down to them, and (2) it gave them really cool ideas (like putting gum down the drain - let's forget about that). Each found it amazing that he was able to actually stand up, shake hands, and say "how do you do" without feeling like a dork, and then realizing that it made a real difference in how adults responded. That first success had them hooked, and they never looked back. Now it's time for the grandsons, and their dads are thrilled that the book is still going strong. And so is grandpa.

I provided it for my son and now for my grandsons.
In the days of cotillion and other social occasions, my son surreptitiously found the information he needed in this book that just happened to be in his bookcase. He was openly delighted when the updated version arrived for his son's first birthday. It is written in such a manner that young boys don't feel preached to. I do disagree with the age classification you have given it.

Great book for boys and families.
This is a perfect book to give as a gift to new parents or grandparents of a baby boy. Most boys will not pick this up and read it. It will have to be 'assigned' with a bribe! This is not the fault of the book, but rather the nature of young boys. It may be better read to them or read by parents and then implimented. The authors have done a superb job in making this dry topic fun and interesting. Parents can brush up on manners at the same time. I think it is a must for any family with sons.I especially liked the pictures to give you concrete information. The section on how to choose a suit and knotting ties was excellent These are just a few of the wonderful lessons.Bravo! ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

Here's the good news: Jimmy Coates isn't an ordinary kid. He just found out that he can outrun, outjump, and outfight almost anybody, even adults.

Here's the bad news: Somebody is after him.

Now Jimmy is on the run, chased by not one but many men in black suits. Jimmy doesn't have time to wonder why they want him, or what the mysterious green stripe on their cars -- and helicopters -- represents. If he doesn't keep moving, they'll catch him.

Jimmy Coates is going to need every last bit of his superpowers to save himself in this action-packed thriller from British author Joe Craig.

Book Description

For all the boys and girls in the world, here are two special books celebrating the wonder of youth. Filled with the best boy and girl stuff imaginable, The Little Big Book for Boys and The Little Big Book for Girls are simply the coolest gift around. These chunky pint-sized volumes pack a punch with loads of material guaranteed to occupy, fascinate, and entertain boys and girls of all backgrounds and with all interests. Designed with vintage illustrations that are as timeless as their contents, these two delightful volumes will be well-thumbed classics in no time at all.Each volume includes: 12 excerpts from beloved fictional classics; 14 poems from such poets as Walter de la Mare, Robert Frost, Langston Hughes, Christina Rossetti, and Shel Silverstein; 20 activities ranging from : science tricks and juggling to star gazing and building a lean-to in Boys; braiding and finger knitting to make blue jean bags and silk screen t-shirts in Girls; 12 songs, including: "Mr. Tambourine Man", "Yellow Submarine", "Puff The Magic Dragon", and "If You Want To Sing Out" in Boys; "Tomorrow", "Over the Rainbow", "Imagine", and "You've Got A Friend" in Girls; 36 recipes such as: Super Lunch-sack Stuffers, Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie, and Root Beer Float in Boys; Pink Lemonade Cake, Fruity Breakfast Parfaits, and Rocky Road Fudge in Girls; 30 profiles of heroes or heroines that will inspire boys and girls to dream big and aim high; Over 80 pages of facts and fun including games, jokes, tongue twisters, trivia, and questions and answers. ... Read more

Book Description

Benny Shaw, the sports-mad, carefree lad whose adventures in Tunisia have convinced him that he can take on the world, suffers a severe blow to his pride when he meets Babe Meara. He may be a wise guy, but she is at least three steps ahead of him. And he's on her territory. Benny is visiting his grandfather in the country for the summer holidays and finds his position as a "townie" makes him the object of much teasing by natives. Babe is the village tomboy, given serious respect by the local tough guys. She runs a thriving business, rescuing the lost lures and flies of visiting fishermen and selling them at a tidy profit. Babe just might consider Benny as her business partner. But things become very complicated, and dangerous, when Furty Howlin wants a slice of the action. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Another Great Hit
I really enjoyed this book, like many of Colfer's others! The action was non-stop, which is what I like in a book. Since it is based on kids my age, I could really relate. The battle between good and evil got an unexpected twist in the end, when Furty does something good for the pair. Benny and Babe are opposites, and (...) what makes them funny. Babe insults Benny on being a Townie, and Benny comes back with a Culchie remark. Figurative language pops out at you just as fast as Babe's quick remarks. I loved hearing about what would happen next; from the kiss to Black Chan. This book took me on a roller coaster that I actually enjoyed! ... Read more

Book Description

The jocks are bruising the Hardys -- but a detective end run is about to start!

At Bayport High, Frank has left the football team to focus on a computer course, and Joe is trailing behind the team's newest star, Terry Golden. College recruiters are after Terry, and all the jocks are eager to join his clique, called the Golden Boys.

But getting in means hazing, and soon the pranks are spinning into the danger zone. When the Hardys' friend Biff is seriously injured, the brothers start investigating. But Terry's future is at stake, and a surprise suspect is out to clip the boys -- at any cost! ... Read more

Book Description

"As handsome a book on the Negro Leagues as any child could hope to see, this focuses on 21 players, from Smokey Joe Williams to Cool Papa Bell to Jackie Robinson. Ritter writes with feeling about the history of the Negro Leagues, how Negro baseball differed from the majors, and what it contributed to the sport, but the main focus is on individual players...Illustrations are outstanding."--Booklist. "A worthwhile addition to any young ballplayer's library."--Publisher's Weekly. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Fields of Racism: Excellent Book for Children
This fascinating account of pre integration baseball is a treasure. Not only does it introduce young readers (and parents not familiar with the "Negro Leagues") to great, almost legendary African-American players including Leroy "Satchel" Paige, Josh White, James "Cool Papa" Bell, Josh Gibson, and Jackie Robinson (as well as the Cuban-born Martin Dihigo, Jose Mendez, and Crisobal Torriente), but it explains segregation with facts and an appropriate tone of compassion and a sense of injustice:

"Before about 1950, if you were black and wanted to earn a living playing baseball, you were not allowed to play on the same team with white ballplayers. Prejudiced team owners, encouraged by bigoted players, established racist rules that prevented black athletes from playing in the major leagues, regardless of their skills."

The book also explains how Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier when Branch Rickey hired him to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. The book mentions the insults that Robinson endured (though not detailing them) as he paved the way for other early major league stars who came from the Negro Leagues (for example, Roy Campanella, Monte Irvin, Ernie Banks, and Elston Howard).

This initial integration spelled the eventual end of the Negro Leagues. Still, in one poignant quotation from Gene Benson, an outfielder with the Bacharach Giants and the Philadelphia Stars, famed baseball author Lawrence Ritter captures the accomplishments of these often unheralded players: "We never thought about the major leagues. We never dreamed that it would come true. But I know we were the pioneers. Without our league, where would Robinson have come from? If we weren't out there suffering and struggling, they wouldn't have any blacks in there now."

Although written primarily for kids, I would have liked to see photos (in addition to the excellent drawings) of the players, and, when known, their stats. For a more detailed look at the game, try Robert Peterson's great "Only the Ball Was White." This, however, is an excellent (if somewhat too brief) look at an era when "The National Pastime's" most prestigious (and highest paying) league excluded players on the basis of race.

In a League of Its Own
This fascinating account of pre integration baseball is a treasure. Not only does it introduce young readers (and parents not familiar with the "Negro Leagues") to great, almost legendary African-American players including Leroy "Satchel" Paige, Josh White, James "Cool Papa" Bell, Josh Gibson, and Jackie Robinson (as well as the Cuban-born Martin Dihigo, Jose Mendez, and Crisobal Torriente), but it explains segregation with facts and an appropriate tone of compassion and a sense of injustice:

"Before about 1950, if you were black and wanted to earn a living playing baseball, you were not allowed to play on the same team with white ballplayers. Prejudiced team owners, encouraged by bigoted players, established racist rules that prevented black athletes from playing in the major leagues, regardless of their skills."

The book also explains how Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier when Branch Rickey hired him to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. The book mentions the insults that Robinson endured (though not detailing them) as he paved the way for other early major league stars who came from the Negro Leagues (for example, Roy Campanella, Monte Irvin, Ernie Banks, and Elston Howard).

This initial integration spelled the eventual end of the Negro Leagues. Still, in one poignant quotation from Gene Benson, an outfielder with the Bacharach Giants and the Philadelphia Stars, famed baseball author Lawrence Ritter captures the accomplishments of these often unheralded players: "We never thought about the major leagues. We never dreamed that it would come true. But I know we were the pioneers. Without our league, where would Robinson have come from? If we weren't out there suffering and struggling, they wouldn't have any blacks in there now."

Although written primarily for kids, I would have liked to see photos (in addition to the excellent drawings) of the players, and, when known, their stats. For a more detailed look at the game, try Robert Peterson's great "Only the Ball Was White." This, however, is an excellent (if somewhat too brief) look at an era when "The National Pastime's" most prestigious (and highest paying) league was closed to ... Read more

Reviews (10)

[my] Opinion
This is the first Hardy Boys book that I ever read. It was very enjoyable to read. Some parts of the book are more exciting than others. Like when they Hardy Boys went to South America to look for a spy.
I would recommend this book to kids my age and older that likes adventure and mystery.
This book was good enough to make me want to check out the rest of the series.

Exciting Mystery
Frank and Joe Hardy are driving by the MicroEye plant in Bayport when they spot someone trying to break in. Foiling that only leads them to more questions. Who is trying to steal secrets from the plant? Then they rescue a man who jumped overboard from a ship, only to have him run off when they reach land with a mysterious warning about "footprints." Mr. Hardy is out of reach on a case of his own, but important papers of his are stolen from the house. The Hardys have few clues, but they follow them doggedly on a trail that leads them to South America and brings them plenty of danger.

I remembered enjoying this book as a kid, and rereading it, I found I enjoyed it again. There is so much happening here, it's almost hard to keep it all straight. And it's certainly hard to figure out how all the pieces will fit together. Yet everything is skillfully woven together in the end for a breathtaking and logical climax.

The Hardys are always good for some exciting escapist fun, and this book is no exception.

CAUTION: Chinese Racial Stereotypes!
This review is for the Applewood 1930's text reprint. This story is probably not for the young, it should be read with the understanding that it was written in the 1930's. It is a decent mystery, but if you are offended by Charlie Chan movies you will want to read the revised re-written version from Grosset & Dunlap.

Not Much Better Than The Original
This review concerns the revised 1965 edition. Frank and Joe help the U.S. government foil a plot by a small South American island dictatorship to steal a top-secret spy camera. Anybody who read the summary to this book would think that the book was going to be really good, but; unfortunately, the summary was probably the most exciting part of the book. The plot sounds good on paper; however, I thought that the book lacked action and excitement and many of the events that sounded so good in the summary do not end up to be much at all. The revised edition is better than the original, which was a complete snore, but it isn't a good book either.

While The Clock Ticked
In all of those mystery books I had read, The Hardy Boys is the only kind I really interesting in, and in those Hardy Boys books the one I really love is While The Clock Ticked because I had it...^wink wink^...! ...
It was starting with a mysterious stranger apparently steals some of Mr. Hardy's papers from the Hardy home, suspicious events are occurring at the local Chinese laundry and one of Mr. Hardy's clients demands that his name be cleared of rumors that he is involved in smuggling Chinese immigrants. And there is going to be more action and interesting then what I just wrote. So I suggest you should check you this book. But the whole idea of the book is it focused heavily on the title that I liked and presented a fairly good mystery.
It is really good in the beginning, and terribly good at the end. All people like to read mystery books should check out this book but do not forget to check out all other Hardy Boys books, though. Because I know author Franklin W. Dixon did not write just one book but many of them. I heard others Hardy Boys from him are really good, too. And in a minute I am going to look for them online. So anyway, I recommend you should check them out and save them for your summer reading books. Enjoy reading them and have a fun summer, students from Mrs. Lenhardt's class. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

WOW, this book is good...and I'm not Black!
I bought this book to be passed around the Adolescent crisis center where I work. It's an INSTANT hit, with guys even coming up to me to remark, "this book is cool!" It's easy-to-read, with large text and each page dedicated to a single idea. The advice is honorable and the writing style is classy. The authors aren't shy about any subject, and they give advice to young men that is genuinely significant. It takes its readers seriously, doesn't "preach" or come off like a scold-in-disguise. Now to find a corresponding book for females...

A great read if you want to help your adolescent son grow.
I purchased the book for my adolescent son to read. My hope was that he might find some helpful hints on how to deal with his everyday life situations. What I found was an opportunity to communicate with him in a way that had here-to-fore been impossible. We began to really talk to each other about life and death, about different situations he would face in the world, in this country, in the neighborhood and in the home. We talked about how his responses to them would determine the kind of man he would become, the kind of life he would live. The book poses many real life situations that young Black men are faced with. It shows them the right answer to them, the right way to go. The authors must have drawn from many of their own experiences - the examples are on the money! I would strongly urge any parent, White or Black, who has an adolescent male in the house to buy this book and read it together. ... Read more

Book Description

CAN THE HARDYS PASS THIS EXTREME TEST OF ENDURANCE AND SKILL?

Making it to the finish line of the high-endurance Fire Creek Mountain Race is going to be a real challenge for the Hardys. The five demanding events include downhill mountain biking, kayaking, cross-country hiking and climbing, biking through the city streets of Montreal, and a high-speed SeaZoom race on Lake Champlain.

But when dangerous accidents begin to interfere with the events, the stakes get higher. The Hardys, along with their friends and crew, Chet Morton and Jamal Watkins, learn that they have a secret competitor -- one who's using the race for a very unsporting purpose and who will do whatever it takes to win! ... Read more

Book Description

Paolo calls Rufus "a Mack truck with no one driving." Rufus is the O'Neil family dog, and he shows up one morning with part of a twenty-dollar bill in his teeth.

Paolo, age twelve, figures that there must be more where that bill came from, and since his cousin Billy needs to repair a bent wheel on his bike, there's a reason for looking. He, Georgie, and Billy end up in the monsignor's garden behind the Cathedral of San Joaquin, but it's not exactly treasure they find, it's a hand that shoots out of the undergrowth to grab Paolo's neck. The search for the stash leads the boys -- sometimes scared spitless -- on many a byway around Orange Grove City, California, in the summer of 1951. And onto the byway of conscience.

"Suppose you found a treasure. Couldn't you keep it?" Paolo asks his uncle. "I mean, say you know who it belongs to, and they probably need it....But when you find it, nobody has it. Isn't nobody's property in particular, then," he reasons. "Well, maybe somebody has it, but it isn't theirs. It would be yours, wouldn't it?"

No answer.

"How in the heck is a guy supposed to be somebody in this world without any money?" ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Awful.
Believe me, one star is generous.

I do not understand how a man, Bruce Brooks, who won a Newberry Award (Twice, even!) could have written this book. I checked reviews for his other books, and they were mostly glowing. After reading this train-wreck, I have no desire to explore this author 's other works.

Why did I pick this book up? I was hoping that Brooks knew what he was talking about. I'm young, sure, but kids change. I was looking to brush up on some in-sight. I was a boy in the 80's; this was written in the 90's. I thought it would be a good run down on how times changed through the eyes of a father, not a psychologist who uses big words.

Train-wreck. I'll repeat it. The essays contradict each other, especially the final two: Authur Ashe and Respect. "Authur Ashe" tells us that boys are not men and men are not boys. "Respect" tells us that boys are men and men are boys. Huh? Can't be both, buddy.

"Authur Ashe" falls flat. Brooks's eulogy to the man does not belong in a book about boys. To further stupify the book, he says boys veiw Magic Johnson as a "boy" playing a sport, but Authur Ashe is a "man" playing a sport. Of course kids will think this. Brooks leaves out important details that factor into this theory. Magic plays basketball, a sport boys play widely and can get a handle on. Ashe plays tennis. Many boys who grew up in the 90's would not even know who Authur Ashe is! Come on, Bruce. you won a Newberry!

To ruin this book even more, Brooks's included chapter that has nothing to do with raising boys: Eight Reasons Why Ice Hockey Kicks Football's Tutu. As I sit back trying to better the next generation of men, I'm sure I'll be quoting that chapter.

Wait. I don't think I will.

Disappointing
I expected this book to be much better than it was.Brooks tries to be too "cool" while writing this book, and the reader often struggles just to identify who his audience is, whether it be adolescant boys or grown fathers.The chapter on bullies was highly ridiculous.I've seen plenty of bullies in my day that would love to fight rather than just ruffle someone's feathers.Overall, the book is entertaining but is surely not one of those books you can't put down before finishing. ... Read more