Book Description

Every American Wrestling Federation fan knows that, the evil Dr. Demented is the nastiest and most violent pro wrestler around, the man everyone loves to hate. He's always insulting the audience, inflicting pain on the good guys, and yelling his notorious catchphrase. And he always wins, one way or another.

So when fourteen-year-old Wesley Brown accidentally discovers the secret identity of Dr. Demented, he freaks out. Now that he recognizes the man behind the mask, Wesley figures he's dead meat...or worse. Wesley knows pro wrestling is just a big show, but he also knows that a monster like Dr. Demented can't be a nice, normal guy out of the ring...can he? ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Good for Right Audience
Although the title focuses on wrestler Dr. Demented, a scary "heel" (bad guy) who demolished his opponents with power and brutality, this is primarily an issue book, exploring such themes as divorce and single parenting, dating, violence and bullies, and being true to oneself. As such, it was somewhat boring to my third grader but will probably appeal to young adolescents around 5th to 7th grade or so.

Wrestling fan Wesley discovers that the feared and idolized "Dr. Demented," is really his gym teacher, Landon Wheeler, in disguise. He and a friend begin weight training with Dr. Demented so that the school bully will stop picking on them. Wesley's mom, who suffered through after an abusive relationship with her ex-husband, tries to raise her son to rely on his brains and not his body. However, she meets the cultured, strong but gentle Mr. Wheeler, and they begin to date. Soon, each person is struggling with a dilemma: Should Wesley tell his mom the truth about Dr. Demented's identity? Should Wesley's mom see Landon anymore after his secret identity is revealed? How should Wes and his friend deal with the bully? Should Dr. Demented continue his secret (and, maybe even "job" a fight--lose on purpose) so that he can get enough money for medical school, or should he be honest with himself and with Wesley's mom?

There are just too many complex problems to resolve, and Gutman sometimes straddles both sides of an issue. He points out that wrestling is fake, but also that wrestlers do get injured and sometimes hurt themselves intentionally for the sake of the show. Violent self-defense is "sticking up for a friend" and may avert future attacks, yet could also have seriously injured the school bully. Honesty and sincerity are important, but the gym teacher's obsessive attentions and later apologies seem to come from a man who view a date as a conquest to be won like a wrestling match. At least, Gutman comes out unequivocally against using substances to enhance weight training.

This book might be best in a classroom, where a teacher could point out the contrasts, and let kids debate the various angles that Gutman presents. Otherwise, I recommend this to older students who are mature enough to both enjoy and think through these dilemmas, either by themselves or with family members. There is some intriguing information about how wrestling is choreographed, and Gutman's ear for kids' dialogue is keen as usual. However, I don't think this somewhat overly ambitious book is as good as those in his sports time traveling series (e.g., "Jackie Robinson and Me"). Still, it's an interesting "serious" exploration of a very popular phenomenon. ... Read more

Book Description

A father and son go fishing, with a big fishing rod for the daddy and a little one for the child. ... Read more

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

Late night. The boy listens to the radio and twirls the dial aimlesslyto catch fragments of a talk show, a baseball game, jazz, rock, country &western, a Spanish soap opera, the curtain calls for a grand opera, a sermon, anewscast...

This is the raw material for the sound collage Paul Fleischman has put togetherto make an extraordinary novel that tells of a young boy's ongoing searchthrough the airwaves for the DJ father he never knew. Added to the radio soundbites are other voices: love and wisdom from the boy's grandparents and mother,banter with his friends, hilarious bits from their alternative newspaper, scenesfrom his childhood--and his own voice reading from a school-assignmentautobiography. Characteristically, the boy's father has left him only sound: asound-effects record and a taping of his Golden Oldies call-in show. Thesebecome the recurring chorus for this cacophony that somehow takes on the shapeof an engaging narrative, as the boy seeks and seeks, and finally outgrows hisneed and finds his own direction.

Paul Fleischman is the distinguished winner of a Newbery Medal (Joyful Noise), a Newbery Honor(Graven Images), twoGolden Kites, and the Scott O'Dell Award (Bull Run). His interest insound for its own sake has often taken him in new directions, none moreaudacious than this: a book which is entirely aural in a visual age, meant to beexperienced through the mind's ear (instructions for performance are included)rather than the mind's eye. (Ages 12 and older) --Patty Campbell ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Seek By:Paul Fleischman
This story was quite interesting to me, but from what I understood of it, I'll explain to you. There is a boy named Rob, and he lives with his mother, but leaves her to go search for his father. Rob tries to discover his father through their mutual love, music, and the radio. The story is full of true love that Rob has for his his family. The book basically goes through a young boys mind, living with one parent and making peace with it.

My opinion of this book is that it was pretty good, out of the stars i would rate this book a three out of five. This is because the book was hard to understand. I would recommend this book to everyone who loves journeys, because this book is such a journey and it's kind of hard to put the book down.

A unique & enthusiastically recommended audiobook experience
Featuring a full cast providing an authentic "theater of the mind" listening experience, Paul Fleischman's Seek is a complete and unabridged, 2 hour and 42 minute audiobook performance on two cassettes. Robert Radkovitz is a highschool senior assigned to write his autobiography. But what Rob creates is a kind of "sound portrait" of his life as he remembers it, including his mother's singing, his grandmother's mysteries, Mexican soap operas, Edgar Allan Poe, poetry, and the voice of his absent father from a single tape from one of his old radio shows. Told in a collage of voices, Seek describes Rob's search for his father through a labyrinth of airwaves and along the way encountering psychic readers, baseball announcers, pirate DJ.s. Seek is a unique and enthusiastically recommended audiobook experience, and would make a welcome and popular addition to any school or community library audiobook collection.

An Orginal novel!
In Seek, High School teenager Rob is assigned to write an autobiography based on his life so far. Rob reflects back on his life not with writing descriptions and dialog but with sounds bites. He remembers his grandmother telling him stories, his grandfather teaching him history, his mother watching Spanish soap operas with him, he and his friends creating a controversial and popular newspaper in school and most importantly his continuous love for the radio. He remembers listening the radio, searching the many channels in hope of one day hearing his father's voice come over for once, the father who abandoned him and his mother before birth because he didn't want a child. Seek is a really great book. This novel/play is a familiar story but told in an unfamiliar way, instead of descriptions it's told through simple sound bites. If you're in the mood for an honest, touching, and often humorous story about a boy's search for his father and growing up in the world this is defiantly for you. It's a rarity you see a YA book with such heart.

Awesome!
This is a really cool book!! You just can't put it down!!!
It is told as a collage of voices (which is an unusual way, but really neat). Robert Radkovitz is asigned to write an autobiography, and he decideds to do it audio.
At the beginning it's confusing, because you have no idea who the characters are or what their talking about. But as you move along, those questions are answered.
It's neat 'cause the author twists some humor into it. In some places I started laughing outloud!!!
I would really recommend this book!

Seek !!!!!!!!!!!!
Seek is fantastic. It's a whole new look at reader's theater and literature in general. The book takes a look at a boy who grew up among adults and is of above average intelligence. His whole life he has searched for his father who left his mother. The book takes you through his journey of trying to discover his father through thier mutual love of music and radio. The story is full of heart and truth and really delves into the mind of a boy with only one parent who has made peace with it. I would recommend this book to everyone! Young and old...it's fabulous ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (2)

A wonderful Book
Little Pear was always in mischief. He was also a kind boy. The pictures are exciting and Little Pear only had a little pony tail. On Chinese New Year, Little Pear's father bought some kites and gave to him and his youngest sister. She had a butterfly kite and Little Pear had a goldfish kite. Her sister flew her kite so high that she lost it and Little Pear almost lost his as well.So he and his sister played with little pear's kite. When they went home it was supper time of fried cornmeal, bean sprouts and hot tea. After that they got ready to sleep.

Filled with kites, boats, candies and mischief.
A wonderfully universal story of a 5-year old chinese boy interested in 5-year-old adventures. Lattimore has a simple style that appeals to the young mind.It's not too scary and not too silly. ... Read more

Book Description

When Jiggy McCue moves to the Brook Farm Estates, strange things start happening-something big and angry and invisible keeps hissing at him and poking his rear end. When Jiggy realizes he's being haunted by a dead goose-a Poltergoose-he calls on his friends Pete and Angie for help. Together the Three Musketeers (whose motto is "One for all, and all for lunch!") set off to find out where the poltergoose came from, why it's haunting Jiggy, and how to send it back where it belongs.

With a wisecracking narrator, totally wacky plot, and tons of gross-out humor, The Poltergoose is laugh-out-loud funny and perfect for today's kids. ... Read more

Book Description

Thirteen-year-old Alex is the main character in Asphalt Angels, an unsparing look at a band of street kids trying to survive in Rio de Janeiro without family, money, or resources. Theirs is a life of deprivation and despair, lightened by luck and tenacity and the bonds these desperate children must form with one another. Alex is thrown into the streets by his stepfather when his mother dies. Hazards abound: drug-dealing, theft, glue-sniffing, harassment, brutality, even murder. It’s not easy steering clear of them, yet Alex manages to survive, eventually making a home with 14 other boys in a house, working in an office, and attending night school. Asphalt Angels grew from the real-life drama the author observed while on assignment. In an afterword, she reports that 10,000 children sleep in Rio’s streets, and more than that number roam them by day, victims of inadequate nutrition, education, and shelter, and prey to drugs and violence. Alex is based on a real boy; his name was changed for this story. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Ghetto Child
A Review by Caleb
Asphalt Angels is about a 13 year-old boy named Alex. After his loving mother dies, he is thrown out onto the streets by his cruel stepfather. He makes his humble home there and meets a street gang called the Asphalt Angels. He is always trying to keep his hopes and dreams up but he is constantly pressured to sniff glue, steal and kill.

Asphalt Angels is a interesting story. Based on a true story, it follows the life of Alex in a bad way. I feel that the way they portrayed the streets wasn't strong enough or it did not convince me enough. On almost every other page there was something about how either Alex or one of his friends was making money by hold-ups or stealing. The book had a lot of controversial topics such as sniffing glue and prostitution.

Award winning book set on streets of Rio de Janeiro
This book gives an insight into a world few of us know. Without being sentimental, Holtwijk describes the hopes and fears of kids living on the streets of Rio. Their lives are hard to imagine, but Holtwijk, who lives there and sees it everyday, comes close. Asphalt Angels recently won the Mildred L. Batchelder Honor Award. Ms. Batchelder is a former executive director of the Association for Library Service to Children, and believer in the importance of good books for children in translation from all parts of the world. Asphalt Angels contributes in a significant way to Batchelder's work of eliminating "barriers to understanding between people of different cultures, races, nations, and languages." Your children will find this an eye-opener. Or, if you are heading there, read it yourself, besides the tourist guide of Rio! ... Read more

Book Description

Who's in the Mirror? emphasizes improving self-image. It begins by describing how to start liking the self and trusting one's own opinions and feelings.Simple steps to develop assertiveness without becoming aggressive, and tips on solving problems, taking responsibility, enhancing self -esteem, and building self-respect are outlined. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The King Lives!
I orginally purchased this book for my Mom who is a real huge Elvis Presley fan. She was delighted to add this book to her evergrowing collection of Elvis thins. One day, while listening to an Elvis CD - my four year old started asking questions about Elvis. Talk about coincidence! We pulled out the book and Grandma read the story based on Elvis's beginnings. She had tears in her eyes remembering how Elvis came from nothing and rose to such awesomeness. My four year old loved the book too. A great gift for an Elvis fan or for reading and teaching a young child about his life. Nicely written for children to understand and beatuifully illustrated. A must have!!! ... Read more

Book Description

Frank and Joe Hardy follow their father on a trip to Nairobi for an incredible vacation. Intrigue has a way of finding the Hardys, though, and in a short time they become involved in a dangerous case. Someone's hunting wild animals for prize skins and tusks, angering the area's animal rights activists. When Frank and Joe see some of the horrific work of the hunters while on safari, they become determined to help put an end to it.

This criminal hunt is fierce. The Hardy boys find themselves getting closer to danger than ever before. And after a treacherous hunt for the culprit, imagine their surprise when the Hardys learn that they were never far from the true criminals behind the vicious acts in Kenya.... ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Pretty good book
What has got me interested is the description of the places in Africa. I feel like I was there. Plus, if I remember correctly, I think this is the first digest book where someone is murdered while the boys are on the case. It reminds me a bit of the casefiles series. The mystery is all right, but sometimes it depends too much on coincidences. I didn't give a higher rating because of one ridiculous scene where the Hardys save the airplane from crashing. An adult with the right mind wouldn't let a couple of teenagers pull a stunt like that! Aside from that, I really enjoyed the book.

It's just like being in Africa
When I read The Mystery of the Black Rhino, I felt like I was in Africa myself. I even enjoyed getting there. The beginning was so exciting. I could just see Frank and Joe trying to keep that airplane from crashing! Way to go, Hardy Boys! There was a lot of important information in this book, too, about how we should all try to save the wild animals of Africa. I'd like to see another book about the Hardy Boys in Africa

Typical Hardy Boys Action
"The Mystery of the Black Rhino" takes the Hardy Boys, Frank and Joe, to Africa where they get involved in smashing an international poaching scheme.
The story lags in the beginning, especially in a ludicrous subplot which has the Boys saving an airliner from crashing.
Once they get to Nairobi, the action is non-stop and carries the reader right along to the rather disappointing and predictable climax.
In spite of its flaws, I enjoyed this book and read it in one sitting. ... Read more

Book Description

IN THE TENNESSEE WOODS,
A MOVIE ABOUT A DARING THIEF
LANDS THE HARDYS IN DANGER!

Years ago Jake "Jumper" Herman bailed out of a plane in the Great Smoky Mountains and disappeared -- with a fortune in treasure. Now Frank and Joe are helping out on a movie about the escape, working with the animal wranglers, who handle trained mountain lions and bears for the film.

But the set seems jinxed. A pretty young star's stunt leads to a hair-raising accident, a Bigfoot menaces the crew and cast, and the ghost of Jumper Herman seems to haunt the woods. From a strange abandoned shack to a wild mountain lion, the boys are busy trying to bail out of big trouble! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

anonymous review
This book is one part of a series. It is about two brothers (Joe and Frank Hardy) who solve mysteries. In this book they are on a movie set in the mountains as extras. They also help the animal handlers (Lloyd and Gene) who are responsible for taking care of Omar the mountain lion, who is in the movie.

The movie is about Jumper Hermit, a local criminal, who was thought to be killed in an airplane accident. During the filming, someone tries to stop the movie from being made. The stunts that are planned are sabotaged.(...)

My favorite part of the book was all the mysterious happenings such as the sightings of Big Foot and ghosts. It was my favorite because it makes you keep guessing about what is going on and what is happening. The way it was written makes me think that those kinds of things were real.

I highly recommend this book to people who like to figure out things by themselves. Anyone who likes mysteries would like this book, also. I enjoyed the book because of all the mysteries in it. ... Read more

Book Description

Things have changed dramatically for nine-year-old Bill since his father left home. He is suddenly the man of the house and must help his family survive the bitter-cold winter. And to top it all off, he now has to go to school!

But with his new responsibilities come nightmares and worries. Bill has never felt more alone. Even his favorite sister, Julia, doesn't seem to understand him anymore. When Pa finally returns, frail and weak, life gets even more confusing. What is Bill's role in the family now? Can he stop the border ruffians, who have vowed to drive the Codys off their land, from returning?

The exciting third book in the ongoing adventure series about young Buffalo Bill, In the Eye of the Storm sweeps readers back into the exciting and dangerous world of America's frontier past.

Book Description

What would you do if you were dumped 'cause you had no bish bash bosh (a.k.a. self-confidence and sex appeal)?

Change your image, of course.

You could opt for a new French coif, even if overpriced and results resemble a coconut.

Or try a new diet. Good-bye sticky buns, hello fresh fruit.

You could join the rugby team for requisite male bonding.

Or try to get the support of parents, who suffer from PPFS -- Premature Parental Fatigue Syndrome -- and are otherwise indifferent to nutritional and style needs.

Perhaps this improved self will land you a new love interest. Earn you a spot on the A-list. Thwart your embarrassing best friend. Or help you get even with your ex. It just might work. . . .

Meet the new "It Guy" in this witty and hilarious account of one teen's search for popularity and self-confidence.

Reviews (2)

Top marks!
This is a terrific novel, one can really relate to the poor guy's situation. The language is appealing to teens (I assume!! I am decades past it but have teen kids who I have given this to). Look forward to the next novel from this author.

Bish Bash Bosh
Gotta Get Some Bish Bash Bosh is a witty and entertaining book. I was immediately convinced of the narrator's absolute charm and maturity (all right, so he has some improvements to make, who doesn't?) and drawn into his epic campaign for popularity and confidence. This book is the perfect source for some good laughs, as well as a few helpful tips on how to achieve inner fulfillment in the face of bad hair cuts, unenthusiastic parents, and disloyal girlfriends. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (6)

poetic remembrance of past images
wow, never thought of reading children books, but this one has me giving a second thought. The radio station playing, trucks zipping by, the diner open all night, and the faded gray illustrations, all make this illustrated book great for adults alike.

Escape with your child into Night Driving
This book is one of the few truley magical books. There is nothing better than to lie in bed reading this book to my 7-year old son. The book could almost be thought of as two books - the text and the pictures. You can imagine everything by the very descriptive text - it takes you on the journey of father and son as they travel "to the mountains". The text is even paced and allows you (and your son) to travel along with them. The pencil drawings are of a quality not usually found in children's books. Just take a look at the pictures without the words and the same magical feeling comes to you. This is probably a book for fathers and sons but anyone who is interested in quality children's books will love this one. Highest recomendation.

Road Trip: Getting There IS the Fun
"Are we almost there?" asks the child-narrator on the first page. "Oh no, it's a long way. We'll do some night driving," says Dad. In John Coy's first picture book, we journey along with a father and son as they make their way to the mountains for the boy's first camping trip. As the hours pass, they find plenty to do together: listen to baseball games on the radio, sing cowboy songs ,watch for deer munching grass at the side of the road. When the car gets a flat tire, there is time to see, away from the lights of the city, a sky thick with stars. Although Peter McCarty has previously illustrated children's books (Mary on Horseback, most recently), this is his first picture book. His soft charcoal portraits of father and son work well with Coy's spare text. He magically transforms white space into cool moonlight-reflecting off Dad's baseball cap as he leans against the car watching his son, pooling in the prairie grass, and cocooning the car as it glides through the darkness. "Making good time" was a phrase my father liked to use when we took road trips-he meant we were getting there as fast as humanly possible with emergency stops only and no dawdling. But as Night Driving gently reminds us, good time is always passing. We can either kill it, or spend it like a jar of saved-up pennies.

If you listen you can hear more than tires on roads.
Night Driving is the book we want written somewhere in our life story. The narrative succeeds with understatement, silence, and seemingly simple dialogue. The strong arm of a father around his son's shoulder and life makes this book truly enjoyable.

A sweet little story with exceptional illustrations!
This is a neat childrens story about a boy and his father who take a long road trip at night. McCarty's soft illustrations really add a lot to the story. He is one of the best illustrators I've seen. ... Read more

Amazon.com

In the haunting yet buoyant picture book by bestselling, award-winningauthor Barbara M. Joosse and award-winning illustrator R. Gregory Christie, ayoung boy tells of his brother Richard's entrance into the world of "gangbangers." Richard has always made his little brother feel safe and loved, untilhe starts "walkin' that walk, like he's King Stuff." The boy watches warily:"Richard thinks I'm a little kid, but I'm not as little as he thinks. I knowwhat I know." Finally, the boy and his mother take action, galvanizing theneighborhood to walk the streets at night, advocating peace.

Christie's striking paintings of the family and neighborhood are strong,eye-catching companions to Joosse's powerful story. Readers will feel great hopefor the protagonist, as, even in a dark hour of his young life, he sees theflashlights carried by his neighbors as "stars crackin' the darkness," an imagerepeated from the beginning. Joosse's message is aimed directly at "the littlesisters and brothers... the stars in the darkness." An author's note and list ofgang prevention resources are included, making this more than just an urbanstorybook--it can serve as a real resource for children at risk for joining agang. (Ages 5 to 9) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A beautiful book!
This book is worth buying twice just to support the author. Fantastic writing, illustrating, everything. As soon as I picked it up I was instantly drawn to its pages and once I began I couldn't put it down-and it's a book for kids! In any case, it's a book all pre-schoolers will cherish. It's about love and family and sticking together to overcome adversity. I can't wait for Barbara Joosse's next book. She's doing something great. And as always, I leave you with my favorite picks: most creative, The Butterfly: A Fable (Singh); most engaging, The Alchemist (Coelho); most interesting, Life of Pi (Martel); most enlightening, 9-11 (Chomsky); most thrilling, The Lovely Bones: A Novel (Sebold); and finally, the most creative, engaging, interesting, enlightening and thrilling book of all, The Little Prince (Saint-Exupery). These are the books I'd recommend to my family, friends, students, and wife. There are many more, trust me, but these are the first that come to mind (for having left an impact slight or proud as it may be). If you have any questions, queries, or comments, or maybe even a title you think I should add to my list, please feel free to e-mail me. I'm always open to a good recommendation. Thanks for reading my brief but hopefully helpful review. Happy reading. Donald S. Buckland

Powerfully Evocative and Compelling.....
"Sometimes, Mama and me look down at the street and pretend it's not the city. We shut out eyes so only a crack is open, lookin' through our eyelshes, and pretend we live on the moon. The lights we see? They're stars, as many as the sky can hold. And sirens? That's wild wolves howlin' at the moon. If there's shots fired, we say it's the light of the stars crackin' the darkness..." So begins Barbara Joosse's nameless young narrator's story of the dangerous and tenuous life in the inner city. When his beloved brother, Richard, stops coming home at night, he and his mother realize he's become a gang banger. "We can't pretend no more," she says. "We gotta be strong now." His mother implores him, "Don't you be hanging' out with those bangers, Richard. Don't. Be somebody for this world." But Richard is caught up in the life, "walkin' that walk, like he's King Stuff." When Richard comes home injured and bandaged, Mama and Richard's little brother hatch a plan, a plan to take back the neighborhood. "We call 'em Peace Walks. Every night now, there's family on the street. We take turns walkin' the night. When it's my turn, I shut my eyes so only a slit is open, and I look through my eyelashes. I see streetlights, like before, but now I see flashlights, too. Stars crackin' the darkness." Ms Joosse's bittersweet picture book, geared to little brothers and sisters, "the stars in the darkness," is neither judgemental nor sentimental, but truthful and filled with hope. Her evocative text, rich in imagery and magic, is compelling, written in realistic language and complemented by Gregory Christie's powerfully bold and expressive illustrations. Together word and art paint a vivid portrait of life in the inner city, family love, and the courage and strength to try and make a difference. With an Author's Note about the real Richard, to enhance the story and help open important discussions, and a comprehensive list of resources on gang prevention, Stars In The Darkness is an inspiring narrative that shouldn't be missed, and definitely one of the best new books of 2002. Kudos to Joosse and Christie.

A profoundly moving and hopeful book
Author Joosse chooses a tough subject and writes about it in the most touching manner. The love of a family, a mother and a younger brother, are not enough to keep a boy from joining a gang. Even though Richard tries to hide his gang activities from them, the young narrator of the story tells us "I know what I know." The boy and his mother come up with a plan that involves their neighbors, making them true "stars in the darkness." Every parent and child will find in this powerful book a way to connect to the feelings, fears, and hopes of the families whose lives are affected by gangs. ... Read more

Book Description

Manny Ramos is probably the fastest guy on the Hudson City Youthfootball team, maybe even in his school, so the new track club seemsperfect for him. His light weight could finally be a benefit, not acurse! And when he first sees the enormous indoor sporting complexwhere he'll race some of the fastest guys around, Manny is awed. Butwill his time in the 800 meters be any competition for guys who've beenracing for years? Manny is determined to put in the time and effort tobe a contender. ... Read more

Book Description

After a life-threatening illness keeps him out of school for months, David is given a tutor to help him catch up-his elderly, tough Aunt Annie, who is as frightening to him as a monstrous, snake-haired Gorgon. He even secretly nicknames her "The Gawgon." But, to David's surprise, a bright heart lurks inside the old woman. She challenges him more than any schoolteacher ever could, opens all sorts of possibilities in his life, and the two of them-The Gawgon and The Boy-develop a very special friendship. Loosely based upon Lloyd Alexander's own childhood, this jewel of a novel will be treasured by readers of all ages. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Alexander strikes gold again
Lloyd Alexander's latest is a departure from his usual tales of ancient heroism or far-off lands, though it is no less enjoyable than the Prydain Chronicles or the Vesper Holly adventures.

Eleven-year-old David (also known as "Skeezix," "Skinamalink," Snicklefritz..." by his various weird relations) is recuperating from near-fatal pneumonia, in 1920s Philadelphia. He has an array of bizarro relatives who flit by him, but who cannot erase the apparent boredom of bedrest. He's willing to try mild exercise and stimulation, but...

... he has to have a tutor. Apparently reading, watching "talkies" and making cartoons is not sufficient for a young boy. Old Aunt Annie agrees to be David's tutor--the Gorgon (whom accented Aunt Rosie calls Gawgon... get it? Gawgon and the Boy?)

But Aunt Anne is not just another formidable old lady -- she is witty and intelligent (wow, sounds like Alexander's other female heroes!) and intrudes on his written escapades. The Gawgon and the Boy also has hints of autobiography, given the time period and the unexotic locale, not to mention the excellent sense of atmosphere that permeates the story.

Both David and the "Gawgon" are enjoyable, quirky characters who clearly have the full imagination of Mr. Alexander behind them. Aspiring writers will be fascinated by the early writings of David, and his thoughts on them. Though they may initially dislike Aunt Annie, she soon shows her more endearing sides. In addition to these two, there is also a supporting cast of slightly weird relatives,

The descriptions of Philadelphia in the 20s sparkle with life and vividity. Such details as the "new" films with actual sound give it an added feeling of "you are there." The words used to describe the characters and situations are excellent as always!

Lloyd Alexander's talent has not dulled, and this unique offering will satisfy any reader.

Very Disappointing for our family
I read this book aloud to my 3 oldest children (13,11,8 yo).

To be fair, it had some good qualities:
It was funny in some places, although usually just to ME; Most of the humor went right over the heads of my children who were in the intended age range! It did have a likeable main character, and a likeable secondary character (the "Gawgon".)

But these qualities were not enough to redeem this book. The eccentric relatives were apparently added for comedic effect or possibly to lengthen a rather short book. But they were just WEIRD to us and left us wondering why they were even mentioned... to torment us? Yuck. We'd rather have more interaction between the main characters.

For some reason, few paragraphs were more than a sentence or two long. You just don't appreciate a well-organized paragraph until you read through an entire book without them.

My kids like almost anything I read to them. They were glad when this one was over (SO WAS I.)

This book was wonderfuly silly!
The Gawgon and The Boy was a good book with strong characters. The book was a 1 day read for me. Lots of kids will enjoy all of the silly nicknames the main character has given, and they will be sure to recomend it to all there friends!

A marvelous book
It takes a lot of courage for an author as well-established and well-loved in a genre as Lloyd Alexander is, to depart from that genre and present a book so unlike anything they've done before. It takes even more courage when it's a book about your own childhood. Lloyd Alexander did this, and the result is one of his best books.
I've never liked books in which the protagonist can magically jump from the present to a fantasy world. However, Lloyd Alexander makes it work effortlessly. The short stories which come from David's imagination add adventure to the plot without losing credibility.
The story, told from the point of view of 11 year old David (who is increadibly easy to identify with ), is childish without being immature. The world is a place where it's possible to drown in a backyard creek, and adults never quite make sense. But you are nevertheless at all times in the hands of a master storyteller.
Lloyd Alexander has influenced my life more than any other author I've read. His characters have peopled my own imagination, and even helped to shape who I am. This book about his own childhood is unlike anything he's written, so don't buy it hoping for his normal formula. Instead, put yourself in his hands and let the story lead you where it will. You wont be sorry.
Did I mention it's funny too?

A glimpse of a master's mind
Here, we journey with Lloyd Alexander through *his* childhood. In addition to wonderment, lots of laughs, a bit of sadness, we share his developing imagination. And that is a priceless gift for his readers and fans.

Most highly recommended. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Beautiful description of a child's morning in China
This beautifully written and illustrated book describes a typical Chinese child's morning. Mei-Mei eats a breakfast of rice porridge with grandfather while mommy and daddy sleep. Then she helps her grandfather care for his songbird, rides with him on his bike to the park where they practice Tai Chi with their friends and drink tea, and rides home again, visiting one of the local street vendors to buy pancakes. It's a lovely story with beautiful illustrations and has quickly become one of our 4-year old daughter's favorite books. We also love it because it teaches her about life in another country in such a nice way.

A great intro to life in China through a child's eyes.
Excellent! A great multicultural family story. This book shows life in modern China through a little girl's eyes. The book shows the loving relationship between kindergarten-aged Mei-Mei and her grandfather. In it, we see that loving family relationships truly transcend cultural boundaries. Mei-Mei and her grandfather share many activities that American children may share with their grandparents: eating meals together, going to the park, caring for pets. But their breakfast is rice, not cereal; their pet is a beautiful songbird, not a dog or cat. In their everyday activities, we see their love for each other. A great multicultural family story! ... Read more

Book Description

Ben just started high school-and it's tough but exciting. The sophisticated new girl who has just moved into the house across the street thinks he's a cat murderer. At school Ben's freshman football team is the worst ever, but the coach thinks Ben is so good he just might skip JV and go straight to varsity. And then there's Dad. Everyone knows that Ben's dad was one of the best football players the school has ever had. But no one knows that Ben's dad has just left the family...for another man.

"Bechard's lively style will keep readers turning the pages."-Kirkus Reviews on Really No Big Deal ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Dad's View
I thought this was a great book for both young adults and parents. The setting is very current and the issues are those that young people are very likely to deal with todaay. I would encourage readers in 8th - 10th grade to pick this one up. Well written and a real page-turner. ... Read more

Book Description

A thirteen-year old boy lies about his age to join the Union forces during America's bloodiest war. No matter what happens, a drummer boy in the Civil War must keep playing his drum to relay orders and rally spirits. He doesn't fight, but he sees it all: from the glow of the camp fire to the glare of battle, the drummer boy watches the friendships that war creates and then breaks apart. Ann Turner's powerful text and Mark Hess's stunning artwork reveal the drama and heartache of the Civil War as seen through the eyes of a boy not too young to be a hero. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Drummer Boy (Turner & Hess)
Author Ann Turner and illustrator Mark Hess team up to tell the story of a drummer boy who joins the Union army in the U.S. Civil War. It is a wonderful book that does not talk down to children.

The protagonist is an unnamed thirteen year old rural farm boy. His brother, Jed, has already gone ahead to him into battle, and the boy yearns to join. He makes his decision after seeing President Abraham Lincoln at a train station. The boy feels the sad president was looking right at him, needing him to serve his country. The boy's family seems rather indifferent to the slavery issue, feeling it is none of their business, but the boy does sympathize for the slaves. He writes a goodbye note, and leaves home.

He enlists, lying and claiming to be fifteen years old, and is assigned to be a drummer boy. He becomes part of his company, and then goes into his first battle. The terror of the cannon noise and falling bodies around him freeze him in place. A soldier dies holding his hand. Soon, the boy is almost a veteran, the battles run together. The faces of his friends and acquaintances blur together as well, and he takes special care to remember each and every one, since they may not be there the next day. The final page gives adults and children alike something to ponder, in the voice of the battle hardened boy: "And when the war's over and I go home, I'll stop to talk to Mr. Lincoln and tell him how it's his fault, how his great, sad eyes made me go and see things no boy should ever see."

"Drummer Boy" is a wonderful book for all ages. The text and pictures are just twenty eight pages long, with an interesting one page historical note, and Turner and Hess do not waste a word or image. Drummer boys were not just children who banged on the drums during battles, the drums were used to signal orders to the troops, making the children prime targets for the enemy.

The book is large, and every illustration by Hess would look wonderful framed on a wall. His portrait of Lincoln, and two page painting of slave quarters, are breath taking. I went back through the book at its conclusion, just trying to take in the pictures on their own. Turner does not overdo the contemporary vernacular, you come to care for this boy as a real person. Her writing is not overwhelmed by the art, both complement each other excellently.

"Drummer Boy" is appropriate for ages four through eight, according to the jacket notes. I think it is appropriate for any age above four, telling such a strong story in such little space. Truly a treasure.

Drummer Boy: The music of a perfect book
I am a fifth grade teacher who bought this picture book to incorporate into my Civil War studies. It is my favorite picture book. It has such a tremendous impact on the reader with such an economy of words that it truly drives home the image we have been using all year of words in a story being like a glass of water and food coloring: each strong word is a drop of food coloring making the liquid darker. Each weak, unnecessary word is water, making the liquid lighter. We want our stories to be bright red (or yellow, or blue, or green). This book is the closest thing to pure, undiluted red as any we've come across. The students are astonished by the power and strength of feeling that just a few words can convey.

They are equally mesmerized by the incredible imagery of the illustrations. In just 28 pages, the boy in the story changes from a fresh-faced innocent of 13 to a world-weary adult in a matter of months.

The language in the book makes it a perfect compliment to a study of metaphors and similes. He describes his attraction to Mr. Lincoln as "sometimes you take to a person, the way a horse snuffs up the smell of someone." And goes on to describe him as looking "so kind and sad, towering up into the sky like a black tree."

Like many other books with war as the theme, Drummer Boy personalizes death due to combat. However, unlike most other books, it does so in a mere 40 words that leave the most powerfully gripping image I have yet to read in a children's book. Instead of describing death and destruction in gory detail, the passage concentrates on describing the dying soldier's hand clasped in the protagonist's until he dies. Not once was blood, bullets, or wounds mentioned...

"One near me cried for his mother. I held his hand until he died, and I always feel his fingers on mine, how hot and dry they were, how they grabbed mine and crushed them until his eyes stopped seeing."

This is a book that seems to speak directly to the children's souls. It seems to touch something in them, for when the story is over there is an almost reverent silence in the room and you can almost feel them coming back from the farthest regions of their imaginations...changed by the sights and sounds of war.

Drummer Boy
I love to teach history and this book is a winner. I am always amazed how children focus on the glory of war, not the reality. This book gently brings home the reality. In the illustrations the child, drummer boy ages before the eyes of the reader. As a Civil War survivor he says what many other veterans of more recent wars have shared with me of their experiences.

Drummer Boy marching to the civil war
This story is about a boy who joined the army because Abraham Lincoln asked him to so he can bring spirit to the solders. So he did and became a drummer boy. He seen things he thought a boy should never see. This is a good book for everyone. I think its a good history and lurning book.This is a magical, historical, and colorful book. So I think everyone should read it if they have the chance.Bye......

Drumer Boy: Marching to the Civil War
A 13 year old boy runs away to join the Army for the North in the Civil War. He becomes a drummer boy and must beat the rhythums to wake up the soldiers, keep them motivated and informed during battle, and to cover up the sounds of men dying. A poignant look at America's bloodiest battle. Interesting historical note by the author at the end of the book. Excellent color illustrations and recommended for students from the 1st grade through the 5th grade, as well as their teachers. ... Read more