Book Description

Illus. in full color. "Plagued by a bully named Eddie who steals their treats, Arlo and Robbie turn the tables on him by concocting an enticing lunch that is booby-trapped with hot sauce. The plot is sure to please and the reading is easy, with jaunty color cartoon drawings providing visual backup."--Booklist. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Self Defence
I feel that the book Bully Trouble will give kids a bost in

their self-covendince they will fell that they can stand up to

any one. It shows kids that they dont have to result to

violence as the only answer. I think it will give kids a

different way to settle thier differnces and teach them to

stand up for their selves.

Bully Trouble
Two best friends are being bullied by a boy who steals things and teases them. The two best friends don't like him. They trick the bully. I think that the book was awesome. It could become number 1 one day.

It's useful, but...
Arlo and Robby were good friends. They hanged out together but they also encountered a bully together. The story gives insight to children that life still moves on even if they are bullied. Reading the story, children learn to deal with bully troubles through support from their friendship. I an not comfortable with how these two boys ended their bully torubles. What if children apply the strategy to their real-life bully troubles but do not get the same desirable results? I suggest adults participation to discuss with young readers different potential endings that the story might have conclued. A fair and lucky result may not be what actually happens in a real life situation. ... Read more

Book Description

Indigo, having just recovered from a bout of mononucleosis, must return to school after missing an entire semester. Only his younger sister and loyal sidekick, Rose, knows why he's dreading it so much. As it turns out, the school bullies are eagerly awaiting Indigo's return so that they can pick up where they left off -- flushing his head in the toilet. But Indigo hasn't counted on meeting Tom, an American student who is staying with his grandmother in England for the year. With his couldn't-care-less attitude and rock-and-roll lifestyle, Tom becomes Indigo's ally, and together they work to take back the school.

Meanwhile, eight-year-old Rose is desperately trying to avoid wearing horrible glasses, nineteen-year-old Caddy is agonizing over her many suitors, Saffy is working overtime with her best friend, Sarah, to protect Indigo from the gang, and with their father, Bill, in London at his art studio, their mother, Eve, is just trying to stay on top of it all!

In this hilarious, heartwarming companion to her award-winning Saffy's Angel, Hilary McKay shows us a new side of the Cassons and reminds us that nothing is stronger than the bonds of family. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (1)

Another awesome Freddy book!
As a second grade teacher, it is so refreshing to find a new series that motivates my students to read and love doing it.Such was the case when my students discovered the Ready Freddy series last fall.I've heard it described as a male version of Junie B. Jones.While this is somewhat accurate (he is a mischeivious boy), I see a lot more heart in Freddy than I do in Junie.For the most part, he does try hard to do the right thing.

The humor in the Freddy books is great as well.Whether he is dealing with his friends Robbie and Jessie, his Neat Freak mom, his bossy older sister, or Max the class bully, Freddy offers his unique perspective on his life that my students get a big kick out of.

I have found that both the boys and the girls in my class scrambled to read this latest book.Judging by their reactions, it's just as entertaining as the first three in the Freddy series.I may have to buy more copies of it to keep them from arguing over the one copy I have now! =) ... Read more

Book Description

Lotty Raccoon is excited. This year she has a new teacher, new backpack, and new shoes. But her enthusiasm quickly wanes when Grant Grizzly begins bullying her. At the advice of her brother and sister, Lotty tries ignoring Grant and making a joke of it all, but neither approach works. When her parents hear about Grant, Lotty's dad talks to the teacher. Although the teacher speaks to Grant and Lotty, now Grant just bullies Lotty when no adult is around. After talking to her family again, Lotty comes up with an idea. She notices other kids are being bullied by Grant, too. She gathers her friends together and they form a club--The Bully Blockers Club. Now when Grant tries to bully someone, the other kids speak up. That gets an adult's attention, and Grant stops bullying! ... Read more

Book Description

Generations of children have read, re-read, and loved Ezra Jack Keats's award-winning, classic stories about Peter and his neighborhood friends. Now, for the first time, Peter's Chair, A Letter to Amy, and Goggles! are available in paperback exclusively from Puffin.A well-loved character, a familiar childhood situation, and an urban setting are the components of this winning picture book, one of Keats's best. -- BooklistEzra Jack Keats (19161983) was the beloved author and/or illustrator of over eighty-five books for children. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Grew up with this book!
As a tyke in the 70's, I remember reading "Goggles!" many times and always finding myself emerced in the story. I now have twin boys that I can read it to and show them what their dad grew up with. Great book.

Goggles
This is a very good book. It is about two boys who live in the ghetto. When they were in a junkyard playing around, Henry stumbled upon a pair of motorcycle goggles. They looked great on him. One the walk home two bullies want to take the goggles. The punk pushes henry down and the goggles fall out. Everyone looks at them, Then the dog runs off with them. The boys split up and go to the secret hideout. The dog gos slowly after. They run though a pipe and give the goggles to henry.

Well hope you enjoy reading this book. It is written by Ezra Jack Keats. It is one of the many books she has written, hope you get a chance to read them all.

Goggles!
I enjoyed reading the book Rich Cat, Poor Cat! It was about these two cats one is a street cat and is poor, scubby, dirty, no one pays attention to him, and he has to find his own way to live, his own shelter, food, and the other cat is a indoor cat that lives with a very rich family that cleans, feeds, give shelter, and takes care of him! Yes, I think this book is great for kids because it makes you think about all the cats out there that don't have homes! I think children would like to read this book because it teaches you things about cats and you should take care of every pet you own!

more good stuff from Willie's creator
My two year old loves _Whistle for Willie_, so I showed him a copy of _Goggles_.

The plot: Our friends Peter and Willie, with Peter's younger, bespectacled friend Archie, find a pair of motorcycle goggles. Peter and Willie are spotted by some rather dangerous looking "older boys." One of the older boys demands the goggles. After some uncertain and rather scary moments, the boys and dog outwit the older boys and escape to the safety of Archie's front porch.

The story has dark, gritty illustrations. I didn't live in an American ghetto in the 1960's, so I can only guess that Keats is accurately evoking the scene with his trademark colorful semi-abstract imagery. He uses collages and all the devices from Whistle for Willie to create a book that, for all the simplicity, looks like a movie. It reminds me of TV shows like Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids.

The book might be a bit "old" for the 2-year olds, considering the implied threat of violence in the plot, but my son just loves it.

If you're looking for another title by the author of Whistle for Willie, this is a good one!

...

Goggles is great and has beautiful, dark-color illustrations
Goggles teaches a lesson that anyone can win at any given time. It's a true story about the author running away. All the big boys were trying to get Peter, the character in the book. They were fighting over goggles. It's one of my favorite books by this author, Ezra Jack Keats. ... Read more

Book Description

Ash, Pikachu, and their friends are at the Wobbuffet Festival, a special celebration for the Patient Pokemon. Team Rocket and their new Wobbuffet are there, too. So when three bullies start attacking innocent Pokemon in the village, Ash is sure Team Rocket is responsible - until their Wobbuffet comes to help! ... Read more

Book Description

Gabi's got issues.Her arch nemesis Johnny Wyzinski keeps teasing her about her name,her little brother gets bullied by some boys down the street, and Gabi has to give up her bedroom when Abuelita comes to visit..¡Que horror!It's more than one wiry ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Nothing Special About This Book
My son and I read this book together because it was listed as a Sunshine State Book (Florida's recommended reading list) for the 2004-2005 school year. I was very disappointed; the plot was very weak and I felt that the book portrayed non-hispanic people in a negative way. I think the only reason it was picked as a Sunshine State Book was out of political correctness, because the author intermixes Spanish words throughout the book and the main character is Hispanic. The only people portrayed badly in the book are presumably not Hispanic-- a boy named Johnny Wiley and a girl named Sissy Huffer, whose only "fault" the author gives us, is that she has "perfect blonde curls". In the book, the main character is criticized by her mother for speaking English at home. Her mother tells her, "See what happens when you get lazy and use the English word when there's a perfectly good Spanish word?" I can't recommend this book. Besides the underlying anti-Gringo and anti-English messages it sends, it just isn't that good of a book. The basic plot of the book is that the main character (Gabi) has to deal with a boy who teases her at school, but her solution to the problem is rather uninspiring. The only redeeming quality of this book is that it emphasizes the main character working out her problem using her brain rather than her temper. If you want an interesting book to read, pick any of the other books on the Sunshine State reading list -- the rest of them are more creative and have better developed plots.

Excellent book for ESL classes!
As an English as a Second Language teacher, I am always looking for easy to read books that address different cultures and languages. This book is perfect. I am now reading the 1st book in the Gabi series to a class, and have 2 other students reading #1 and #2 of the series on their own. I have students on a waiting list to read them next! The kids are thrilled to read books by an author who isn't afraid to throw in a little cultural flavor. This is an excellent book for beginning readers or older children just learning English--believe it or not, I am a middle school teacher! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Hank The Cow Dog Series
For readers of any age the Hank The Cow Dog series is one of the best. It will hold the attention of older struggling readers with lower abilities. Parents reading to their children will enjoy the books as much as the kids do. With wit and humor the adventures of Hank keep us turing the pages. I have not read every book in the series but I will.

Amazon should make a complete set of these available.

the best and book ever!
Hank the cow dog is an amazingly funny book at first I thought that it was a really bad book but after a few minutes it turned into the best book i've ever read!
It's a really witty book and a very exciting one at that.A great Texan adventure about a dog and his amazingly funny ,exciting adventures. Definetly a book which is hard to put down! A rolercoaster which never ends. (...)

Hank tries to get Rambo to stop bullying his sister.
In this book Hank goes to his sister's house in town. A dog named Rambo in town is bullying his sister. Hank helps fight Rambo off once but Rambo comes again and Hank runs away. Hank has an idea to get his friend dog-pound Ralph to help him stop Rambo. Hank and Ralph run to town with the dog-catcher after them. If you want to find out what Hank's idea is and if it works read the story.

Appeals to the 11 year old in everyone.
Every "Hank" book is the same, and every one a pleasure. I read them aloud to my 5th graders, to my kids and to myself. We all enjoy ourselves, sometimes laughing out loud. Hank is arrogant enough to laugh at, and his entourage provides a perfect backdrop for his inevitable comeupance. One thumb, way up! ... Read more

Book Description

In the posh suburban Dallas high school of Highland Park, the beautiful and perfect Jeanette Sue is queen. The Ruling Class, her clique of spectacularly cruel girls, runs the school. Brutally. And no one questions them. Certainly not the little suck-up Myrna Fry, whose only aim in life is to be part of the Ruling Class, no matter what or who gets trashed.

It's a nightmare school caught in the grips of terror until the arrival of the totally undesir-able, absolutely unfashionable, and -- way worse -- poor Twyla Gay Stark. And then, of course, there is the tall and gorgeous hunk, Ryder McQuaid, Jeanette Sue's property. Or so Jeanette Sue thinks.

With uncanny insight and unforgettable characters Francine Pascal has created a searing, up-close look into the power games and class struggles within a seemingly friendly clique in a suburban high school. The Ruling Class is a magnetic tour de force created by a master storyteller at the top of her form. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (4)

Outing Bullies with Humor and Style
As a high school teacher with twenty-eight years of experience, I have found myself drawn to young adult fiction as a way to engage reluctant readers. The most successful books I have found are those that deal with social issues directly affecting student lives: prejudice, racism, substance abuse, or domestic/ sexual abuse. I just finished teaching Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak to my seniors and every single student was successful because they all identified with at least one of the characters Ms. Anderson created--she was inside their world and they can spot a fraud in a minute.
The Revealers is just such a book. Every page and chapter rings true with the angst, isolation, drama, confusion, and humor of middle school kids trying to find their way through the cruel and complex social order of early puberty. Some bewildered kids are clueless as to how they fell out of favor; some "nerds" have simply accepted their fate and learned how to stay out of the crossfire; and the few and powerful "alpha males" and "queen bees" are already wielding their social power with diabolical and menacing accuracy.
Doug Wilhelm's extensive research and work with middle-schoolers has paid off in the authentic voice of this short and powerful work. Not only are the scenarios recognizable to anyone who has suffered through middle school (or suffered through raising middle-schoolers), but the technology that permeates the novel is realistic as kids post messages, use Kidnet (the school's local area network), and "instant message" each other in ways my generation still can't quite grasp. We watch in awe as three kids, empowered by their intelligence, use technology to "out" the bullies in their own backyard: Darkland (a.k.a. Parkland) Middle School. Some of the sequences are horrifying--yet kids will tell you they are not exaggerated.
Wilhelm artfully weaves lessons of history through his tale as students explore the story of Anne Frank in social studies class and realize that silence--even in the face of a formidable enemy--is wrong and can turn deadly. Like much of Walter Dean Myers's work, this book has a winning combination of realistic problems, ordinary kids, good values (without giving easy answers), and just enough grit to keep kids on the edge of their seats. Middle-schoolers have their own little world, their own rules, and their own ways of communicating. Although there are some well-meaning adults in the book, most of the time they orbit the perimeter of this strange world rather than engage in it--just like real life.

great book
This is a wonderful book that captures the essence of adolescent bullying without being condescending or patronizing.
I couldn't put it down and finished it in a weekend, it was fast paced and good read.
Doug Wilhelm has done a fine job creating characters that teens find easy to relate to.
I highly recommend it.

The Revealers
The Coalition I am the coordinator of, does prevention work for youth to addressing substance abuse and violence. As I was preparing for a summit addressing bullying amongst middle school students, a friend gave me Doug Wilhelm's new book to read.
I sat down one weekend and finished The Revealers in four hours, I couldn't (and wouldn't) put it down. It is so real as it shows the bullying kids do to each other, that it made me feel like I was back in school, which was over 25 years ago, and I could feel the pain the the victims in the book were feeling.
But the way the characters react to the bullying and make a difference was inspiring. They didn't do anything extradinary, they just worked together, reluctantly at first, to help each other out.
My teenage daughter and I highly recommend this book not only for middle school students, but for parents and teachers. A true "must read" book and one on my top 10 list.
My advice, after you read it, pass it on and share your feelings and thoughts with others!

Doug Wilhelm's The Revealers
I'm so impressed with this book! As a school counselor of 30 years, I'm amazed at the sensitivity and accuracy of Wilhelm's portrayal of the pain of bullying! The story line is realistic and curiously suspensful as it portrays the childrens' struggle to extricate themselves from the victimization of the bully. There's no quick fix in this story; instead Wilhelm incorporates his hours of interviews with actual students to weave a theme of self-awareness from the vantage point of both bully and victim.
Excellent reading for students, teachers and parents! ... Read more

Book Description

MEET JAKE DRAKE, BULLY BLASTER

When Jake was three years old at Miss Lulu's Dainty Diaper Day Care Center, what did he know about bullies? Nothing. But he learned fast -- too fast! Why? Because Jake is kind of smart, and he's not a tattletale, and he doesn't have a big brother to protect him. He's a perfect bully-magnet.

But now that Jake is in fourth grade, he can look back and see that the year that made the difference was second grade. That's when Link Baxter moved to town. Link was a SuperBully, and Jake had his hands full just trying to survive. Then it was class project time, and who did the teacher assign to be Link's partner? You guessed it.

Jake has to use all his smarts -- and his heart as well -- to turn himself into Jake Drake, Bully Buster. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Jake Drake bully buster
I read Jake Drake bully buster.
It is a great book and if you asked me to give you up to five stars it would be five stars.
I thought that it was a great book and that ages 8 and up would be a great age to be reading this book. The writer of the book made you really get into the book you would not want to stop reading it. I would recommend this book to everyone and I would say if you like Jake Drake bully buster try reading the other books too. The book is about bully's and being mean (which we should not do). One of the charters is Link he was 8 years old and wanted to be the MVP on the bully "all star team" and I think all kid's would say he made the team. Link was a brat to Jake and Jake was sick of being messed around with and just wanted his class to be "bully free" but I guess that couldn't happen.

Jake drake review for me
I liked this book, because I found it to be a good book.. The character Jake had a big problem. When I was reading the book, I had to keep reading to find out what happened next. If I could read anther book by Andrew Clement I would. He is a good a author.

READ
This book is about a boy who is getting picked on a lot, but then he gets picked on by a super bully. He has to get rid of him. How do think he can get rid of him? If you want to find out, then read the book. ... Read more

Book Description

Spring has come to sleepy Hamlet, Vermont, and trouble is in the air. The students in Miss Earth's class are supposed to be concentrating on the charity egg hunt, but instead they're fighting with each other. The hunt is a near disaster. Then three very strange eggs -- with genetically altered, fire-breathing chicks inside -- show up, and the trouble really starts.

Can Miss Earth's class band together, right their wrongs, and save the three rotten eggs -- and themselves?

Reviews (2)

There's trouble in the air... Three Roten Eggs
Three Rotten Eggs by Gregory Maguire was a great book. This was very strange but interesting. A boy named Thud moves to Hamlet, Vermont, just in time for the annual spring egg hunt. The girls and boys have clubs and each club wants Thud to join so they have the most people in their group. At the egg hunt the teams have a competition of who gets the most eggs, but when three rotten eggs start to hatch the kids have to find a way keep them alive. Will the two clubs work together or try to save them on their own? To find out read this book.

A lively story with many unpredictable twists and turns
Kids seeking light humor and fun will find this a whimsical story of a different kind of newcomer to class: one Thud Tweed and three genetically altered eggs. Add drama and a cover-up of intent and you have a lively story with many unpredictable twists and turns. ... Read more

Book Description

Mandy White is a good girl whom the bad girls like to pick on. Until a bigger, badder girl makes her her special friend. Tanya is a foster child across the street, and she’s nothing like good little Mandy. She’s fun and she’s tough and she wears really cool clothes. Of course, Mandy’s overprotective mother wants her precious little daughter to have nothing to do with the new neighbor. But Mandy is growing up and learning a lot about herself and the real world. Like sometimes bad girls are truly terrible bullies. But sometimes a bad girl can have the best heart and make the best friend. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Bad Girls....a total winner!
A book about Mandy White, a 10 year old girl that looks like she's 8. She meets Tanya across the street. Tanya has horrible roots but that doesn't effect the girls' friendship. Mandy becomes alarmed when her and Tanya go shopping and Tanya shoplifts. Once Tanya gets caught they try to run away. Tanya and Mandy get caught while Tanya is trying to catch Mandy. Tanya tells the police that Mandy is innocent so they let Mandy go. Tanya ends up going to Juvenile Hall.
This is my all-time favorite book, EVERYONE SHOULD READ IT!!!

bad girls
At the beginning of the story it was boring but getting towards the middle it was getting more intresting.I did enjoy the story but didnt really get what happend.It took me about a week to read the book.And i have read sleepovers,badgirls and a lot more

THE BEST BOOK I HAVE READ ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
I am like so happy that I read this book, I enjoyed it so very much.Like I should read it again. I was doing a homework report on my favourite author, obviously I picked JACKIE!!!! (Jacqueline Wilson). I love the book "Bad Girls". It's like totally amazing. I feel sorry for Mandy but I LOVE Kim, she is the top character in the book to me, she is like toooooooooo popular. And I also think that Tanya's cool too. Like this is making me shy, cause' I usually like write this things in my diary. I also like tell them to my friends. I usually say "Jacqueline Wilson books are like the most popular kids books". And they are like "WHATEVER!!" but I tell them that Jaqueline Wilson books are at the TOP. Sorry, I am a gossip type of person, I am like sooooooooo glad that I get to read "Bad Girls" and It made me like.......happy in the inside. Well like thats all from me. Bye! Janell

One of the BEST books!
Jacqueline Wilson's "Bad Girls" is such a good book.I would recommend it to just about anyone.It's about a girl named Mandy White who has three girls teasing her at school.Mandy meets a girl named Tanya, but Mandy finds out that Tanya does not really know what's wrong to do, even though people are not watching you. This book has great pictures, and it is written beautifully!You have to read this book!!!!!!! by Courtney

How can you grow up when your mom won't let you?
Being 10 has not been easy for Mandy White. It's bad enough she has to waar her hair in braids and her mom picks out her clothes. Now, Kim has emerged as the most popular girl in class, and has stolen Mandy's former best friend Sarah. The only person who seems to care is Authur King, but a boy? When an unfortunate and embarassing accident forces mandy to stay home for a few days, she notices a new girl in the neighborhood. This girls doesn't have to wear baby clothes, she wears heels and shorts and cropped tops and has spikey hair and wears makeup. The two girls form an unlikely friendship. The combination of Mandy and Tanya provides both girls with new insights, and strengths, and helps them face some of the challenges in their lives. This is a great book for the pre-teen agegroup. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Cameron, Carla, and Len were fascinated (for different reasons) with guns and target shooting at the Patriots' club range until the day Len brought his Kalashnikov rifle, his AR-18, and his Ruger pistol to school, and shot and killed football jock Brad Williams, and then himself. Here is yet another school shooting story that begins with bullying and ends with disaster--a type that is becoming almost a sub-genre of YA fiction. Yet Walter Dean Myers, winner of many awards for his young adult novels, brings freshness and new anguish to this familiar tale (and growing social problem) of unstable victim tormented by bullies to homicidal rage. Following the example of his own masterwork Monster, Myers uses different perspectives in the aftermath of the "incident" to reveal the characters and to tell the story: interviews with Cameron and Carla by The Harrison County School Safety Committee, newspaper reports, a police report,Len's handwritten "die-ary" of his deranged thoughts, and finally, a grim medical examiner's report. The contrasts and contradictions in these various perspectives challenge readers to produce their own versions of why Cameron and Carla became Len's followers and what could have prevented this tragedy and others like it in real life. (ages 12 and up) --Patty Campbell ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A MUST READ FOR TEENS AND THEIR PARENTS
The story is about violence and the characters are disturbing, but this book has an interesting way of reaching its audience and getting the message across. _Shooter_ is about a school shooting. The set up is unique. It reads like an investigation with statements, interviews, a diary, and written conclusions. The story is both depressing and compelling. It's the kind of book teens will pass on to each other and hopefully share with their parents.

The actors of the audio version are Chad Coleman, Bernie McInerney, and Michelle Santopietro. They do a superb job of bringing the troubled teens and the investigation to life.

A haunting, powerful read
Walter Dean Myers, author of the Michael L. Printz Award-winning MONSTER and many other acclaimed children's books, has done it again. Told from multiple perspectives in the aftermath of a high school shooting, Myers's latest effort SHOOTER tells the haunting story of three misfit teens.

Through a series of interviews, newspaper clippings and the diary of a troubled teen, the story unfolds. The reader learns about the shooter, Leonard, through in-depth interviews with his best friend Cameron and his ex-girlfriend Carla. Conducted by a school psychologist, an FBI agent, a threat analysis specialist and the town sheriff, the meetings demonstrate the different voices of the characters and reveal the teens' angst and desire to belong to a group.

Leonard assumes the role of leader with his friends. He introduces them to guns and brings them to the Patriots' target shooting club. Cameron and Carla are so needy for companionship that they don't see how disturbed Leonard truly is. They don't know the extent of his inner demons until it is too late. Leonard shows up at school one day with his guns and goes on a shooting spree, killing Brad, a jock and source of constant torment, and then himself.

SHOOTER is a haunting story that uncovers the pain of several high school students. It explores the tragedies of school violence and how the result of bullying can go to the most dramatic extreme. Myers has a gift for expressing the voices of his characters. Through every word, pause and breath in these interviews, we gather understanding. The excerpt from Leonard's diary, or as he calls it, "die-ary," reveals the twisted mind of the force behind the event. Parts of the diary are almost poetic, a technique common in Myers's writing. SHOOTER is not a light read, but it will leave you reeling.

(...)

Readers see it all...
Ever since Columbine, perhaps before, the public has been aware of the potential for violence in youths. In Shooter, we get a glimpse of the aftermath of a similiar incident. In what is termed a cult shooting, two boys are killed, one of them as a result of suicide, one murder. Six other students are injured. Police and psychologists are left with the task of reconstructing what was going on in the minds of those involved. Their assessments focus on two students, a young black boy who was the best friend of the suicide victim, and the girlfriend of the suicide victim. Both are a mix of anger, confusion, and hurt that cries out for love. Both are too old to be so young.

***** Readers sit in on the interviews with these two and are given a peak into police records, news articles, and reports. It is a harsh, grim, bleak read; but very insightful and telling. Although billed as a teen book, parents should exercise caution due to the darkness of the subject matter. However, adults might benefit from reading it, so as to get an insight into the world that their children are exposed to and may be part of if they are not careful. *****

Reviewed by Amanda Killgore. ... Read more

Book Description

Martha loves her daily walk. She enjoys sniVing and scratching with her pals down by the hydrant. But there"s a new dog in the neighborhood, a blustering bully named Bob. He"s big and mean, and even Martha reluctantly concedes that he may be a BAD DOG. No one appreciates the gift of words more than Martha. Unfortunately, when Bob escapes from his yard, he"s not in the mood for conversation. Defending herself, Martha comes to understand the power of words to hurt or heal. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

It's a good thing!
Take one dog with attitude, add one can of alphabet soup, and you've got Martha, who not only talks, but isn't afraid to speak her mind. In this book, her fourth adventure so far, Martha learns the power that other people's (or animal's) words have on our self-image.

Every day, Martha walks herself around the neighborhood, and every day things are pretty much the same -- until Bad Dog Bob moves in. Bob spends his days lurking under the porch steps, then charging at anything that moves into his line of sight. Only two things keep him from ripping his neighbors to shreds -- his chain, which only reaches so far, and his owner, who always screams, "BAD DOG, BOB! BAD DOG! "

Then someone else moves into the neighborhood. This animal can talk, too, but Martha soon realizes her new neighbor is only parroting her words back to her. She teaches the bird to say "Good dog! What a dog!" and "You must have fleas!"

When Martha decides one day to tell Bad Dog Bob what she really thinks of him, she's not counting on his chain being broken. Just when Martha is sure Bob is going to have her for a doggie treat, a voice from above says, "Good dog!" Suddenly, Bob smiles. Quick-thinking Martha teaches her parrot friend more words of praise, and Bad Dog Bob turns into Tail-wagging Bob.

My kids love the Martha books because they are so funny. I love them because they are great jumping off places for discussions of serious topics. This book led to a discussion of just what it means to call someone "Stupid Head." I can't say we've totally eliminated that insult or others like it from our house, but we're working on it.

Bad dog Bob and Martha are a great read!
We can all learn to speak a little nicer and be open to change others through kindness, by reading this to kids of all ages. My three year old loves this book.

Buy this book!
This is a beautiful book and a wonderful story. It has a message about the power of words to make people (or dogs) feel good about themselves. ... Read more

Book Description

Pinky's favorite color is pink, and his best friend, Rex, is a girl. Kevin, the third-grade bully, says that makes Pinky a sissy. Deep down, Pinky thinks Kevin is wrong, but he's still worried. Does Pinky have to give up his favorite things, and worse, does he have to give up his best friend? ... Read more

Reviews (1)

4 1/2*Excellent Book for Elementary School Kids
Billy was nicknamed "Pinky" because of his love for the color; even his stuffed animals have a bit of pink somewhere on them.He's got no problem with the name until a school bully begins taunting him, calling him a girl (generally not received well by seven-year-old boys), and generally intimidating him.

Pinky, wondering if he's too old for such a nickname, decides to change his name back to Billy, and give his beloved animals to his sister.Fortunately, an older neighborhood woman teaches him to accept himself as he is:

"It's hard to be different, isn't it, Billy? ....But, believe me, it's worse not to be yourself. Don't change for other people, Billy. Other people will come and go in your life. Do what's right for the one person who will always be with you--yourself."

Her advise, and some newfound assertion by Billy/Pinky helps him out: "Pinky walked straight up to Kevin and poked him in the chest . . . 'I'm not a sissy and I'm not a girl. And if you think so, it just shows how dumb you are.'" OK, so Pinky gets slightly physical, but, overall, this is a fine book for the bullied--and those who bully them.Forty pages long, with lovely soft color illustrations, a non preachy tone, and a nice inter-generational angle.This book really seems to know the seven- year-old's mind. ... Read more

Book Description

Twelve-year-old Wally - "the walking disaster area" - is forced to stand up to Camp Wahkah Wahkah's number one, all-American bad guy.One hilarious mishap follows another until, fighting together for their very lives, Wally learns the need to love even his worst enemy. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Outragest!!!!
This book is definetly funny. I especially liked it when Gary and Wally were in a compition of love.It was very humorus and tells about wisdom and kindness. I recomend it for ANY kid!!!!!

REALLY REALLY SPIFFY!!
I've been a long time fan of Bill Myers ever since I was about 7. I got this then and I was laughing my butt off! It would make a nice gift for younger kids...or even teenagers. I mean, I'm 14 and still enjoy reading books of this series!

Hilarius!
I think that this book is funny yet gives a valuble lesson on wisdom. This is about Wally "The Walking-Disaster-Area" who learns about wisdom as he goes into a competetion with the camp bully to see who can out-love one another.

This is the greatest It rates1,000,000,000,000 stars
I loved this book I also like issue number 13. It was also wonderful. I love this book and everything about it when I have kids I will get them this entire series! I only have two of these books but I love them. I like the fact that it taught a good lesson while telling a wonderful story based on Christians . I think they should have more Christian books like these. I liked how Wally helped the bully and how it told how sometimes Christians get mad just like normal people and they don't just forget about everything anyone does to them, or that they do to anyone. This book made me understand how bullies make us kids feel even more. I suggest this book to everyone in world in the world. This book taught me some really great things.

This is one of my favorite books ever.
I really liked this book for its funny plot and its Christian theme. Compared to other books in the series this is one of the best. It should be, since it's the first in the series. So anyway, the point is that I loved this book. I like the rest of the series, too. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

Ricky Smootz dreads starting middle school. He and his best friend, Fred Bologna, just KNOW they are targets for bully Keanu Dungston and his henchman. When Ricky turns to his beloved Grandma for advice, she reminds him his great, great, great, 3rd cousin was a cowboy whose specialty was running bullies out of Dodge. So when Keanu wedgies him on the first day of school, Ricky summons the courage of his ancestor, finds an old Halloween costume, and becomes . . . Cowboy Boy! ... Read more