Book Description

No one wants to ride the Divorce Express.Especially Phoebe. It means she has to leave her New York City apartment and boyfriend every Sunday night to spend the week in the country with her dad.It means she has to go to ninth grade in a new school, and see her father go on dates. It's a hectic life with hardly any time to feel she really belongs with the kids in either place. Then, just when Phoebe's got a handle on juggling the pieces of her life, her mother makes a decision that will change everything again. And it could be disastrous!"Danziger's light style laced with humor will continue to attract readers." -- Booklist"The specific problems -- and seeming resiliency -- of the children of divorced parents, as well as the general concerns of young teenagers, are ably evoked....A pleasure."-- The New York Times Book Review"The author has a sympathetic eye for the ups and downs of her characters and a quick ear for adolescent conversation."-- The Horn Book ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Divorce-Express-Reading Marathon
This title may seem a little weird for you but I'm going to explain why it's called Divorce-Express-Reading Marathon... Well, when I started reading this book I thought it would be kind of boring, but when I read about Phoebe's story I couldn't stop reading! Instead of taking a week to read this book I took 2 to 3 days, and I was traveling! Imagine if I wasn't... Well, there are a few reasons that made me love this book so much. First of all, I loved the story. It is about a girl named Phoebe that has divorced parents and lives with her father in Woodstock while her mother lives in New York. She makes lots of new friends in Woodstock, and together they organize a protest to improve the cafeteria food of their school. She also has to confront lots of problems during the story, including her mother getting married to another guy... Well, I think I already told too much of the story, and to know the rest you'll just have to read this awesome book!! Enjoy!

The Divorce Express
The book I read was called The Divorce Express. It's about a girl name Pheobe whose parents didn't start getting along until they got a divorce when she was thirteen. Now that she's fourteen she spends the weekend with her father in woodstock New York ,and commutes on the bus called the ''Divorce Express'' for weekends with her mother in New York city.

It seems to me that joint custody means alot to Phoebe, because her parents are not together. Phoebe hates the fact that she has to deal with all the crisesin both of her parents lives. Phoebe's life improves when she meet a girl name Rosie who becomes her friend. Phoebe meets Rosie in Woodstock where her dad lives. Also her life changes when a boy named Dave that she had a crush on for years while going to visit her dad ask to date her. Just when phoebe thinks she got everything under control ,her mother announces that she's getting married.

Yes, I would recommand this book to other readers, because it's helping others who want to learn about marriage in the future.

The Divorce Express
I enjoyed The divorce Express very much. When Phoebe's parents got divorced, she was forced to ride a bus which was nick-named the Divorce Express because of all of the children riding to and from their seperated parent's homes. On the bus, Phoebe met a girl named Rosie Wison. The two girls became good friends not only on the Divorce Express, but in school also. After living with her mother, Phoebe moved in with her father, Jim. Jim lived in Woodstock and Phoebe didn't like the idea of moving in with him. Yet after a while of getting used to it, she didn't seem to mind it one bit. She participated when her school decided to take action when they could no longer stand the lunches they were being served in the cafeteria, she made a lot of frineds, and really began to fit in. Rosie helped a lot. Phoebe was also very fond of Rosie's mother Mindy. Jim and Mindy had met several times and also got along very well. Then, just when everything was in her life was going just right, Phoebe's mother announced thar she was going to get married to a man that Phoebe didn't like at all. I have to stop here and not give away the ending. The divorce Express was a very good book. It only took me a week to read it and i just couldn't put it down. I hope you will enjoy this book just as much as I did.

Great book!!!!
I thought this was a really great book. If you're parents are divorced this is a must read for you. It is also very comical and also very sad at times. Enjoy!!!

The Human Yo-Yo
I read this book during the summer and it was one of my favorite books I read that summer. The sequel: It's an Aardvark Eat Turtle World is a great too ... Read more

Book Description

PETER, AGE ELEVEN:

My parents are talking divorce and I'm thinking, "Is it something I did? What happens now? Who do I live with? Will we still live together or will we separate?"

So many questions with no answers.

Divorce affects half of the nation's children. As parents divorce and remarry, kids can feel squeezed and battered emotionally. Often they wonder if what they are experiencing is normal. Often they feel confused. Often they feel alone.

Janet Bode explored these feelings in interviews with more than a thousand students, as well as parents, therapists, religious leaders, teachers, and others. From these interviews she presents first-person accounts that detail the effects of divorce and offers solutions that have worked. A separate section geared to adult readers aims to help them minimize both the short-term and long-range impact of divorce on their children. And a final section suggests print and on-line resources for kids and their parents.

This is a needed, compelling, and inspiring guide for what can be a difficult time in anyone's life. For Peter, and anyone else with "so many questions," For Better, For Worse is a book of answers. ... Read more

Book Description

Twelve-year-old Annabel thought Christmas break was going to be amazing. She'd planned to stay home in New York City with her best friend and do traditional things like go ice-skating in Rockefeller Center, hit the after-Christmas sale at Bloomingdale's, and scream with the TRL crowd at MTV in Times Square. But when her best friend bails, Annabel's mom decides it's high time Annabel visit her father and his new family in Australia.

Annabel is not pleased about traveling around the world to meet "the steps" -- twelve-year-old fashion-disaster stepsister, five-year-old stepbrother, and baby half sister -- but she's not going to waste this chance to steal her father back. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

AN ARTFUL READING
Pre-teens will readily relate to this story of 12-year-old Annabel's adjustment to her unique family, and they'll respond to an artful reading by Caitlin Greer who successfully switches accents as the tale is told.

Annabel was used to being a doted upon only child even though her parents had never made it to the altar. Then, her Dad found a new family and a new life in Australia. Annabelle's a little uppity and sometimes sassy. More importantly, she's jealous of her Dad's new family. The "Steps" in her case are the legion of relatives she has just acquired.

Now, she's off to spend Christmas with her Dad, hoping that she can persuade him to come back to the U.S. However, she soon realizes how happy he is in Australia. Now what?

With both understanding and humor the author paints a truthful portrait of a young girl coping with the changes in her life.

- Gail Cooke

Graayate! (Great!)
Hi,
I really enjoyed the book, "The Steps" by: Rachel Cohn. I was real suprised that I enjoyed and liked this book, because I ussually do not like to read these kinds of books, but this one was different and by that I mean SO good, that I finished it in about a day, good. I do not actually know why I liked it sooooo much, but maybe I id because I can sorta relate to Annabel Whoopi Schubert. I guess I relate to her not because I have any steps, because I not, but I do have an (older) half sister. Another thing I can relate to Annabel by is that I have a boyfriend kinda like Ben in the book. Also, I was the Vise president of the student council in seventh-grade, and by hearing that Annabel was the president just makes me want to run for president in eighth-grade. So I think I've given you a pretty graayate (great) reason why I really enjoyed this book.
Sincerly,
Erin Gergen

Not as good as Gingerbread, but not bad...
I first fell in love with Rachel Cohn's writing with her book Gingerbread, which focused on teenagers. This story is focused more on the preteen set. Annabel has quite the confusing family, as demostrated by the family "tree" on the cover, which I thought was a nice touch. During Christmas break, her mother decides she should spend some time with her father, who happens to now be married, have two stepchildren and a new baby with his new wife, and oh yeah, lives in Sydney, Australia. I noticed a lot of similaries between this story and Gingerbread, however, I still thought it was an entertaining read. Annabel is a awesome kid, someone you'd want as your younger sister. I only wish the story had been longer and developed some of the characters a little more fully.

sweet
A quick and easy read, funny, probably most appropriate for readers ages 10-12. A great choice for the young person dealing with blended families (divorce, step-parents and step-siblings, etc.).

Not as good as Gingerbread, but not bad...
I first fell in love with Rachel Cohn's writing with her book Gingerbread, which focused on teenagers. This story is focused more on the preteen set. Annabel has quite the confusing family, as demostrated by the family "tree" on the cover, which I thought was a nice touch. During Christmas break, her mother decides she should spend some time with her father, who happens to now be married, have to stepchildren and a new baby with his new wife, and oh yeah, lives in Sydney, Australia. I noticed a lot of similaries between this story and Gingerbread, however, I still thought it was an entertaining read. Annabel is a awesome kid, someone you'd want as your younger sister. I only wish the story had been longer and developed some of the characters a little more fully. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

jesi's thoughts
I absolutely fell in love with this books plot because of the different places events Madison gets to interact with. Of course, predictable Madison Finn has one of those 'story-book' obvious clauses when she GETS to share a bunk with Fiona Aimee, Lindsey, and a new girl Stacey, but yet she HAS to share it with Poison Ivy, Phony Joanie, and Rose Throne. What is Madison going to do? Especially when a jealous Fiona is out to get her, never mind a scary ghost in the middle of the night, and a haunting tower looming in the distance!

Two thumbs up!! :)
I'm doing this for my book report and I'm on chapter 6 right now. This is such a great book!! The reason why I got this book is because I'm also going on a school trip and it's my first time too! I'm going to Rawhide Ranch in May, so the Ranch isn't the same as the woods, but I'm sooo excited what's gonna happen next. Well in this story, Far Hills seventh grade is going on a three-day trip to Jasper Woods. Sounds like fun, but sharing a bunk with friends and enemies can spell TROUBLE!! Someone makes a surprising (and scary) discovery in the woods; but the real surprise is what Madison discovers about herself. When the sing-alongs, campfires, and hikes are done, junior high won't be the same again. With the stories from Madison's friends' older siblings, a lot of kids are sure getting freaked out. Is there actually a haunted cabin with a screaming ghost? Will anybody find out that Madison has a big crush on Hart. Will she survive her first class trip away from home? You won't know until you get this book. So go to your local bookstore and get it!! Go check out other books of Madison Finn too. I also recommend The Adventures of Abby Hayes series too. These two series are highly alike. But the Abby Hayes series is a shorter book then Madison Finn. Happy reading!! God Bless you all!!

sink or swim
this was a really great book. Madison's mom is gone again on another trip, this one to Australia and maddie just doesnt know how to spend her summer. all of her friends are gonna have great summers. egg and hart are volunteering as jr. life gaurds while aimee gets ready for dance camp and fiona gets ready for soccer camp. she thinks she'll be bored to death all alone. Until she meets Mrs. Reed. She needs help taking care of her 2 year old son. Maddie decides to take the job so she won't spend her whole summer being bored while all of her other friends have a great time. When she starts watching elliot, she discovers its harder than it looks, especially after a close call at the swimming pool when he escaped from her. Will madison ever get the hang of taking care of elliot? read and find out!

Madison the Conqueror kicks some serious outdoors butt!!!
This book is just like all the other Madison Finn books I've read-AWESOME! Laura Dower makes it a series that girls can relate to, and it ISN'T far-fetched one bit. In this book, Maddie is off with the entire seventh grade on a 3-day field trip to the Jasper Woods, which at first she is less than thrilled about. It just goes downhill from there, from Maddie ruining her pants every half-hour, to her crush, Hart, paying more attention to evil Ivy Daly! But Madison refuses to give up, trying to survive computer-less for three days, climbing THE TOWER, and investigating a ghost problem. Way 2 go MadFinn! A must-read for non-campers.

GREAT BOOK JUST LIKE THE OTHERS !!
This book was very good. I liked it, it made you want to keep reading it to see what would happen next. From the beginning to the end, I could not put it down. The book was just as good as the others. I can not wait until the next ones to come out!! ... Read more

Book Description

Like other modern parents, Eric and Annie Camden are coping with their

kids' childhood traumas and adolescent rites of passage: Simon wants a dog,

Mary wants a tattoo, Ruthie's starting school, and Lucy has her first crush. In

this warmhearted, entertaining novel, the Camdens pull through for better or

for worse -- with a strong sense of humor and an even stronger sense of family.




... Read more

Reviews (6)

7th heaven kids
Mary wants a tatto for her basketball team and she hopes her parents will say yes. Lucy, who is only a young girl, wants a boyfriend and as her first crush that her parents help it her with. Silmon , ten, wants a dog and his dad thinks he is too young. Ruth, six, is starting kindergarden and is scard and wants to stay home with her mom. So all kids are hoping for a good school year. I like this book much more then Marys story and its a great family book !

Loved it!
Love the show and loved this book! I'm reading all the 7th Heaven books because I love this family! Keep 'em coming!

This book was a total waste of time: (coming from a big fan)
No offense, but this book was totally boring. Don't buy it. Mary doesn't even say anything about wanting a tattoo, which is like lying to you. I'm a big 7th Heaven fan, but with this book I guess I didn't feel the effect as I do the show. It was funny at all, like the show often is. Thank you for considering my thoughts. I hope that it helps you decide about if you are going to purchase this book. And remember; Bev is the best of all the 7th Heaven kids! What do you think?

A Heavenly Seven
What do you get with a reverend, a house wife, 5 kids, and a dog? A heavenly 7 that make up 7th Heaven. The Camdens are just your average family. They go through everyday problems and solve them with laughs and cries. Nobody's Perfect by Amanda Christie, begins with Matt, the oldest child, who has a date for church, Tia; Simon's trying to use his super-human mental powers to become invisible; Lucy decides she's going to try out for the cheerleading squad; Mary is totally against Lucy; Annie, the mom, thinks that her and Eric's relationship has gotten boring; Eric, the reverend, has something up his sleeve; and finally Ruthie, the youngest, knows everything that is happening with the family. I feel this book is for anyone 10 and above. I liked the book since that it comes from my favorite TV show. It shows that everyone in life has problems and they can be solved. The Camdens aren't the perfect family, in fact, they are far from that. Not only will the book bring smiles, tears, laughs, and dreams, but the TV show will also. It relates to life so well that you'll know what the characters are going through. It's a family from the 90's. I love it because the characters go through the same problems we all do and the way they solve them is fascinating. Plus that fact that they're 7 kids in the family and they are all different ages makes it even more exciting. So many things happen that it'll keep you reading and watching. Turn on the WB and watch this family drama every Sunday and Monday night. These 7 will turn your TV into heaven.

Good but not as funny as it could be
It was good but not as good as I thought it would be. The reason I don't think it was as good as I wanted it to be is because it was not very funny and I like funny books. My favorite character was Lucy and I liked how Matt helped her to cheerlead. I did not like that Mary was not very supportive. I also liked the subject with Tia. 7th Heaven is my favorite TV show. ... Read more

Book Description

Having her parents live in the same town isn't working out as wellas Amber had hoped. Since she's staying at her dad's over Christmas vacation, she doesn't get to go to Disneyland with her mom and aunt Pam. When her mom gets back, she tells Amber that she and Max are getting married soon and are going to look for a new house-maybe even in a new town! And then, when Amber is meant to see a movie with her dad, he goes out on a date instead.

Some kids have parents who are still together. Some kids don't ever have to move. Some kids seem to have no problems-making Amber Brown green with envy. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Aftermath of Divorce
Amber Brown is a nine year old fourth grader whose parents have recently gotten divorced. If this were not enough,she also is dealing with her parents new social life. While she is visiting her dad's for the weekend, he decides to leave her at home to go on a date. In addition, her mom is getting remarried. And to top it all off, Amber is going to have to move from the house that she loves and has lived in all of her life to another house possibly in another town. All of these changes in Amber's life cause her to wish for a normal family. At times she is envious of her friend's families who seem to have it all together. Throughout the book we see a child who is dealing with the effects of a divorce and we are introduced to the many feelings she encounters with this major change. This is the first book in the Amber Series that I have read so far. I was impressed with the way Paula Danziger deals with the sensitive subject of divorce in a way that a child could relate to. I believe that this book could be invaluable to other children who are facing the issue of divorce and the changes that this brings. I also feel that this book is an excellent book for educators as well as parents to read in order to understand how divorce affects us all.

Amber Brown's parents seem set on making her life difficult
In Amber Brown Is Green With Envy, Amber Brown's parents seem set on making her life difficult; from a father who goes on dates instead of being with her to a mother who wants to visit Disneyland - without her. Then her mother decides to marry Max and move them to a new house - and Amber can only envy friends who seem to lead a quieter, more stable life. Another fine Amber Brown dilemma builds.

Best of the Amber Brown series
This was a funny but very realistic story about a 9-year-old child dealing with the upheaval of divorce. It depicts parents arguing with each other in front of their child, moving away from the child's original house, the child into tears at school, a parent dating and neglecting the child during their weekend of custody, etc. I thought this was the best of the series. My daughter started reading these books in the 2nd grade just after her father and I split up. She's in the 8th grade now, and I'm still recommending that she read this one because it deals with relevant topics in a humorous way. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A heart-touching, powerful, and highly recommended story
On The Day His Daddy Left is a very moving picture book about the sensitive subject of divorce by Eric and Kathleen Adams. A young boy must come to terms with the day his father leaves the house. He must become used to seeing his father only at certain times of the week, and a question wracks him - "Is it my fault?" A heart-touching, powerful, and highly recommended story about adjusting to traumatic change, On The Day His Daddy Left is realistically illustrated by the artwork of Layne Johnson and an important addition to school library, community library, and family counseling collections.

Excellent tool for therapists and parents....
Deals with the primary question for children: "Is it my fault that my parents are divorcing?" However, children often don't know how to express this concern and this book assists in opening a discussion about their feelings. Additionally, it can be read over and over especially during the first few months that children are learning to cope.

It also provides parents with positive models for how to respond compassionately to their children.

Perfect Balance of Realism and Sensitivity
What a wonderful resource for parents, teachers, and counselors! I have not seen a better book for younger children on the pain and confusion of divorce. The text is clear and compelling, and easy to understand without being "written down" to its audience. The question "Whose fault is it?" is one that many children struggle with, and the authors treat the issue in a way that is caring and reassuring, yet very realistic. Beautifully illustrated, it speaks to children who are experiencing divorce as well as those who want to understand what their friends or relatives are feeling. Family therapists should also really appreciate this book. Great job! ... Read more

Book Description

One day at her dad’s house, a young girl finds two old potatoes in the cupboard. “Gross.” But before she can throw them away, her dad suggests they try to grow new potatoes from the old ones, which have sprouted eyes. Told from May to September, the potato-growing season, the story includes all the basic steps for growing potatoes while subtly dealing with the parents’ recent divorce. Just like the new potatoes that emerged from ugly old potatoes, this dad and daughter move on and make a new life together in the face of unavoidable and unpleasant change. Carolyn Fisher’s artwork will be instantly recognizable from her recent picture book debut, A Twisted Tale, and her trademark high-energy art and design infuse joy and humor into this heartwarming story. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A story about making things grow
"Two Old Potatoes and Me" is by John Coy, with pictures by Carolyn Fisher. The story is narrated by a young girl who finds two old potatoes with sprouts growing from them. With advice from her grandpa, she and her dad try to grow new potatoes from the old ones.

The rich, colorful pictures have a surreal flavor and an appealing energetic quality. This is a good story about intergenerational cooperation and bonding, and also about hard work and conservation of resources. And as a bonus the book includes a recipe for mashed potatoes.

The eyes have it
Personally I prefer my mashed potatoes with garlic and maybe even some herbs and parmesan cheese, and always with the skin on. But that doesn't mean John Coy's "Two Old Potatoes and Me'' doesn't hit the mark.

Coy's simple story is about a father and daughter making a bucket of potatoes out of two rotten ones. But, perfectly matched by Carolyn Fisher's dense and joyous illustrations, it's also about many larger things: the miracle of nature (and sustainability), the challenges of time and patience, the complex intimacies of family, and of course the fact that grandfathers know just about everything.

Given the mashed potato recipe and the strategy for dealing with potato bugs, you might want three copies of this book: one for the kids' shelf, one for the cookbook shelf, and one on the gardening table. ... Read more

Book Description

Dating Game

• Get Mom to go on a date with the football coach.
• Find a date for Dad on-line.
• Hunt down a hot date for Manuelo.
• Find dates for us!

Chloe and Riley Carlson ... so much to do ... so little time.

Book Description

Venture to the west coast of Vancouver Island amid the lithe tree trunks and swirling skies immortalized by Canada's infamously eccentric and gifted artist Emily Carr for a young adult novel which celebrates her art, her spirit and her determination to champion the rights of the nature which was her inspiration.In this young adult novel eleven year- old Lee strikes out angrily into the bush during a camping trip with her Uncle Brooke and cousin Alex, intent on forgetting her parents recent separation. She and Alex soon find themselves in a remote area of the forest on a rough trail heading away from the beach.Half-way uphill to an abandoned homestead Lee trips on a tree root and is knocked unconscious as the blue vortex of sky darkens to a black hole.

She awakens in a world strangely odd and unfamiliar - all the usual landmarks have disappeared and the terrain is rugged and unpopulated except for a strange trailer and herd of dogs at the foot of the hill.Lee and Alex go to investigate only to find an ornery woman at an easel who professes to be Emily Carr and a family of squatters recently arrived from the depression-set prairies illegally logging the island's mighty cedars.Her mother and Uncle Brooke have disappeared and a series of accidentsonly serve tofrustrate Lee further- where and when is home? During the course of asingle day, Lee will meet a woman whose brush strokes, circus of animals and strange ways help her express much more than the landscape-under Emily's sky her fiery temper has faded to blue.Praise for Ann Alma's young adult writing:

"nicely rounded and sensitively imagined characters.It's a pleasure to read" - Books in Canada

"Alma has written an enjoyable story with distinctive merits"-Quill & Quire

"The book is composed of small, powerful...crisply written scenes that build a portrait of real contemporary heroism."-The Children's Reader ... Read more

Book Description

This sensitive series offers a comforting and realistic look at some of the critical emotional issues that today’s children face. These five extraordinary books are wonderful resources for children and the parents, teachers, and counselors who care for them.

Joan Prestine is the author of 24 books for children. She lives in Southern California with her husband and three parrots.

Reviews (1)

A wonderful book
The book helps kids (my experience is with a four year old) understand the feelings they have when their parents break up. It is an insightful and reassuring book. My son says it is his favorite book.

The boy in the book talks about how he feels and things that he does because his Mom and Dad break up. It is a short book that ends positively. It has discussion questions to talk about with your child after reading the book. ... Read more

Book Description

Holly Starcross feels alone in the world. Years ago she'd been wrenched from her familiar, comforting home to a new one with her cold, TV-star mother, friendly, producer stepfather, and, eventually, rambunctious half-siblings. Ever since, she's been haunted by sadness, by dreams, by vague memories of her father and of belonging.

Recently she's developed a new friend on the Internet -- someone named Zed, who knows how to speak to Holly's secret, inner self. And a mysterious stranger in an old, battered car is stalking her. Everyone at school is frightened by this prowler. A special meeting is called, the police have been informed, escorts to the buses have been arranged.

Holly is both fascinated by the stranger and scared. She wants to meet him. She doesn't want to. Are he and Zed somehow connected? Could he -- dare she think it -- be her father? And if she meets him, talks to him, will she find herself or lose herself?

Book Description

Sharing a game of basketball . . . a movie about ninjas . . . How would you spend a day with Daddy? ... Read more

Book Description

Joey Pigza can't sit still. He can't pay attention, he can't follow the rules, and he can't help it -- especially when his meds aren't working. Joey's had problems ever since he was born, problems just like his dad and grandma have. And whether he's wreaking havoc on a class trip or swallowing his house key, Joey's problems are getting worse. In fact, his behavior is so off the wall that his teachers are threatening to send him to the special-ed center downtown.

Joey knows he's really a good kid, but no matter how hard he tries to do the right thing, something always seems to go wrong. Will he ever get anything right?

00-01 Sunshine State Young Reader's Award Masterlist (Gr. 3-5), 00-01 Sunshine State Young Reader's Award Masterlist (Gr. 6-8), 2000-2001 Georgia's Picture Storybook Award & Georgia's Children's Book Award Masterlist, 01 AZ Young Reader Award Masterlist (Teen Bks cat.), 00-01 Minnesota's Maud Hart Lovelace Book Award Masterlist, 00-01 Land of Enchantment Book Award Masterlist (Gr. 3-6), 00-01 Young Reader's Choice Award Program Masterlist, Pacific NW Library Assoc. 2001 Young Reader's Choice Award Masterlist, and 00-01 Lone Star Reading List

Reviews (101)

Joey Pigza Swallowed the key
Joey Pigza Swallows the Key
By Jack Gantos
...

This summer I read one of the funniest books ever . Joey Pigza Swallows the Key by Jack Gantos is hilarious and funny. Joey has a hard time sitting still and listening. Because Joey is so hyper, he has no friends and has a hard time getting along with other people. Joey bounces from school to school and doctor to doctor trying to find a medication that will calm him down. Joey lives with his grandma while his mom is out searching for his dad. Joey's grandma is also very hyper and wild like Joey even thought she has Emphysema and has a hard time breathing. When Joey's mom finally comes home she is very kind and loves Joey. All of Joey's teachers are very caring and they want to help Joey as much as they can because they know that he needs their help.

One of the most important parts in this book is when Joey goes on a fieldtrip to the Amish Farm with his class. This part is so important because it sort of turns Joey's life in the book from good to bad, but it is not the climax. This turns Joey's life from good to bad because during the fieldtrip their class gets to have a taste of a special Amish pie. Everyone form the class has to get into a line for a piece of the Amish pie. When Joey finally gets up to get his piece of pie, Joey's teacher tells him that he can not have a piece of the pie because it has too much sugar in it. So instead of the pie Joey gets an apple. Joey gets upset because he really wanted a piece of the pie. So while Joey's class is exploring the farm, Joey sneaks off and eats a whole pie. After a while Joey lost control and went crazy. After this Joey has to go to Special Ed class.

As a whole this book was great. I absolutely loved this book. It was so funny and exciting. Some of the parts were so funny I started to laugh out loud. There are so many strange things Joey does that you don't know what he is going to do next so it keeps you thinking and laughing all through the book. The kind of reader that should read this book is someone that likes comedy. This book is for someone who likes comedy because most of the book is comedy. If you do not like to laugh then don't read this book.

A joy to read and a good point to boot
This was a book that touched me in many ways and I am quite happy to have read it. Joey Pigza is an extremely hyperactive 5th Grade boy. As he says to start the book "At school they say I'm wired bad, or wired mad, or wired sad, or wired glad, depending on my mood and what teacher has ended up with me. But there is no doubt about it, I'm wired". Through Gantos' deft storytelling, with Joey acting as our narrator, we are quickly taken into Joey's world. Joey's world isn't one that most of us would like to be a part of for very long. Joey has, up until the time we met him, lived in a world punctuated by two things. The fact that he is a wired, or in other words suffering from an extreme case of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and a home life that involves a grandmother taking care of Joey, whose parents are AWOL, who in her own wired way is rather abusive towards Joey. Joey's life changes though with the return of his mother, which causes Joey's grandmother to leave. Joey's mother is a far more together person and is committed to trying to help Joey get better. However, Joey's ADHD causes him to get into ever more destructive situations that culminates in Joey accidentally maiming a girl's nose. With Joey describing the situation, if the reader reads quickly enough, it is quite possible for Joey's ridiculous decisions to make sense. Upon any sort of reflection Joey's decisions look ridiculous, but the fact that Gantos can make the reader understand why Joey acts the way he does is a large part of what makes this an excellent book. After reaching rock bottom Joey is sent to a special school where Joey's desire to not act that way is met with people who can help him get better. And slowly, and not without the occasional set back, Joey with the help of his case worker, "Special Ed", Joey is put on medication that works and he learns to make good decisions. The book ends with one of life's little triumphs as Joey is allowed to leave the Special Education school and return to his normal school. While not everything is OK things are look pretty good for Joey. This sums up the true triumph of Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key. The book manages to capture the shades of grey that are almost always missing from children's book. Joey is an astute 5th grader, but he is still a 5th grader and so sometimes there are just things he doesn't understand, unlike other children's books where the children appear to be nothing short of clairvoyant. This is a book that is fun to read while being so much more. I highly recommend this book.

Joey Pigza Soars Like a Roller Coaster
Joey Pigza is a kid in Ms. Maxy's 3rd grade class. He is suffering from ADH, and his life is like a soaring roller coaster. Originally, he lived with his somewhat abusive and also hyperactive Grandmother. Their house always looked like a tornado hit it. He had a very hard time at school. He had no friends. Since he could not sit still for 5 seconds, he always got in trouble. One day he sharpened his finger in a pencil sharpener. A big change occurred when his mom came back into his life, and his grandmother moved away. Joey has never met his Dad. One day he swallowed his house key, so he went to a Special Ed class for a little bit of the day. One day at school Joey was making bumper stickers for he and his mom to change the world. So he took Ms. Maxis big teacher scissors to cut the stickers out. He was running with them and tripped and cut off the tip of the nose of one of his classmates. He was sent to a Special Ed school to help him with his problem. They had to do a brain test to make sure that Joey got the right medication. Joey met new people and learned about his condition. He got to go back to his old school in Ms.Maxy's class. I think Jack Gnats did a great job on this book. Out of all the books that I have ever read this was the best one. I am ten years old in the fourth grade.

how dumb can you be to swallow a key
the book joey pigza swallows the key is a very good book. the reason this is a good book is because you never now what joey is going to do because it all matter on weather he toke his meds or not

Charecters for $ale
Buy this character, Joey Pigza, [...] you'll love his entertainment! He is michovus and funny. Also his love for pleaseing you will fil your heart. He'll help you like he helpes his teachers and friends. He'll bring joy and happieness to your home. Face it! He's better than any other kid! Even though he's different, he's superior acts of kindness, prove that he is the one for you! So now you an have him for yourself! [...] ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (12)

Buy 2 and give one away!
The first time I read this book was before it was published (some kind of advance copy) and I've read it at least ten times since then. It really is outstanding. There is no other character like Celine anywhere.

Best Book Ever, Period
I first read this book in junior high, and have been re-reading it ever since ( I'm a freshman in college, now). I absolutely, positively love this book. This book may be hard for certain readers to enjoy, because it is written in such an original, frank, lyrical way, and the views of the narrator, Celine, may be very different from the views of the readers. However, myself being a child of divorce with a step-parent I hardly ever get along with, I connected with this book in a way I don't think the author ever intended. Celine's views on life, people, divorce, friendship, everything are right on. Sometimes I think Brock Cole was peering into the murky depths of my head when he was writing this book. Celine's obnoxious, unwanted boyfirend, Dermot, is extremely realistic; I've met other versions of him, and how she puts up with him is eerliy similar to real life. So are all the other characters in the book; every one is like someone I know in real life. Their actions and reactions, which Cole paints expertly and subtly, are perfectly realistic, and Celine's views of these people are insightful and true. What is so extremely good about this book is how it takes all of our modern culture and, through subtle writing and not-so-subtle writing, shows it for what it is. Everything Celine sees or thinks about her society is dead-on. The people she interacts with are true to life. I love this book, and getting a chance to peek in on a life through this book so very much like my own. Celine is filled with great humor, insight, and wisdom. The writing is superb. I recommend this book to anyone who liked The Saskiad, The Bell Jar, She's Come Undone, The Goats (of course), Cress Delahanty, The Catcher in the Wry (or anything else by Salinger), or anything written through the eyes of a wise, mature, insightful, different, humorous girl.

Achingly funny
This book is my A+ #1 absolute favorite book of all time. I have reread it at least once a year since it came out and it never fails to blow my mind. The characters are realistic, Celine's narration is hilarious, and the melancholy honesty makes it an invaluable novel for teen and adult readers. Seriously -- everyone must like this book.

Portrait of the Artist as a Teenage Girl
In this book, Brock Cole introduces us to Celine Morienval, a sixteen-year-old high school student living in Chicago. Celine is a talented artist and all-around bright kid, who has a fairly good idea of what she wants to do. Her parents are divorced; her professor father has married one of his students, Catherine, who is only six years older than Celine. He has chosen to let stepmother and stepdaughter work out the details of their relationship while he attends to pressing academic business in Europe and remains an invisible presence throughout the story. Celine's has a well-developed sense of irony that she unleashes on her family situation with great humor. Her attitude towards family matters is remarkably mature.

Celine hopes to graduate from high school a year early, but is having trouble closing the deal. She has not fulfilled her athletic requirement and is under the gun to finish a paper on The Catcher in the Rye in order to pass English. She hopes to live her own life after graduation with friends in Europe, but has, at this point, neither a definite plan nor parental permission. When it comes to the nuts and bolts of life, she shows her youth and inexperience. Socially, she is well outside the confines of the female teenage "box." She has little interest in clothes, sex, drugs, rock'n'roll, etc. She relaxes by vegetating in front of the television.

Her time has been co-opted by Jake, an eight-year-old boy who lives in the next apartment and whose parents have separated. Celine always treats Jake kindly and respectfully, unlike his foolish parents. In doing so, she shows her essential good nature.

The novel ends before Celine can accomplish all her objectives. The plot deals mainly with the humorous obstacles that life places in her path. She maintains a remarkable narrative voice throughout the book (she is the narrator). In fact, it was impossible (for me) to separate her voice from that of the author, Brock Cole. This is by no means a defect of the book-it explains her remarkable fluency without detracting from her charm.

Hilarious!
This is one of the best Young Adult novels I have ever read. Celine is a fascinating character, and her outlook on life is refreshing and funny. Several passages made me laugh out loud, even on my third reading of it. The narrative is original, lively, and captivating. This book is a real gem. ... Read more

Book Description

A game of private detective turns deadly for an unlikely sleuth combo.

How did Abbie Thompson end up a sidekick to Edna Merkel, Senior Citizen Pseudo-Sleuth? It all started when Abbie was so furious at her father for breaking up their family that she acted without thinking and was arrested for malicious mischief. The judge decided to give Abbie a chance at a clean record and arranged for her to volunteer in a program in which teens are matched with the elderly.

Abbie's "friend," Mrs. Merkel, is a cranky, difficult woman who's a member of the Buckler's Bloodhounds. The Bloodhounds provide the police with information about scams or frauds in the community. But Edna Merkel is too active a member, and after she brags that she's on to something big, she's attacked and ends up hospitalized. Suddenly the private investigator game is real and, with the help of Mrs. Merkel's indecipherable notebook, only Abbie can figure out who did it. But will Abbie get to the assailant before the assailant gets to her? ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Nobody's There
i thought this book was boring... Maybe for a way younger audience it is alright but i dont recommend for any one else

The misleading adventures of Mrs.Merkel and Abbie's family
This book is a really nice book for people who like mistery books. Even though the book is not really mystery It still contains the information to keep you turning the pages. This book has fascinated me to the lesson not to make crimes or peoplle might send to a place where you would have never thought you could be friends with anybody, especially if they pu you with someone in a bad tempered person like Mrs.Merkel. Another lesson there to learn is not to make some aggresive people mad so they if realesed could come and crush you down as the investigators thought that the people she cought were the ones to go after her and bruise her so she had to go to the hospital. But the person who attacked her was really smarter then the planings of Mrs.Merkel. The person who attacked, was the most hated person in mrs.Merkels life. The only part that was a mystery in the good book written by Joan Lowery Nixon is when Mrs. Merkel wa attacked and Abbie and other people tried who might have attacked mrs.Merkel. However Abbie is not alone in her family to be on her case. Her mother Mrs.Thomson is only giving a little support to any of the cases , by just giving Abbie her car. But her little brother Davy is on the case with a notebook and some Questions he is able to help Mrs.Merkel to find a person who attacked her. At first everyone thought that it was a person from their book club,which later turned into Bucklers bloodhounds. Mrs .Merkel was the one who participated the most. She cought two crooks and she says that she never got any credit for her hard job. So in conclussion I really enjoyed this book. TYhe book kept me turnin the pages of the book.

A Great Mystery *And* Family Story!...
I thoroughly enjoyed Joan Lowery Nixon's, "Nobody's There!" Not only was it another awesome thriller from Ms. Nixon, but it was also a great family story...
The storyline revolves around a girl named Abbie. Her father recently left her, her mother, and her brother for another woman. One night, while Abbie is spying on her father and his new romance, she becomes so furious when she sees her kiss him, that she begins to throw rocks at her window.
Now in trouble for malicious mischief, Abbie's judge understands (to a certain point) what Abbie is going through, and puts her on probation. For a punishment, she is put in the Friend to Friend program, which is a program in which high-schoolers visit and look-after elderly women a few times a week.
When Abbie is assigned to Mrs. Merkel (an extremely grumpy woman who is totally disagreeable), she considers quitting, but hangs in there. Mrs. Merkel is a part of a book club, which is turned into Buckler's Bloodhounds (a new program where elders try to stop other elders from being tricked by con artists).
Mrs. Merkel gets way too involved, thinking she is a real private eye, which could be dangerous...
One day, Abbie decides to skip a visit to Mrs. Merkel's, but afterwards feels guilty. So, later that night, Abbie goes to visit Mrs. Merkel only to find her laying in a pool of blood. Mrs. Merkel ends-up in a coma, and Abbie is determined to find the culprit. Could it be someone who was tired of her meddling around, and decided to put an end to it? Or is it something deeper than that? Find out in the stunning novel, "Nobody's There!"

ok
THis was a good book, for people who like scary, or horror books. :) I liked it.

Another Exciting Book by nixon
Joan Lowery Nixon was one of my favorite authors when I was younger. So when I saw she had come out with a new book, I picked it up. Like years ago, I started reading and couldn't stop. It is the story of Abby, who is put on probation and forced to do commnity service by staying with an old lady a few times a week. Unfortunately, she is stuck with a difficult woman who is convinced that she is a private investigator and mystery-solver. She drags Abby all over town and catches a few small-time crooks before finding a "big case" - so big that she won't tell Abby - the only one who knows is her private journal. When the old lady is attacked and in a coma, Abby must crack the case before she is attacked as well. Like always, this is a suspenseful, detailed story; another good one by Nixon. ... Read more