Reviews (4)

Sister Split
Ivy, 11, and her sister Lacey, 15, have always gotten along fairly well. Ivy even thought they liked each other. But she's thinking that one over again. One night, out of the blue, Lacey tells her, "I hated it when you were born." Say what? Ivy acts cool, but Lacey's comment really hurt her. Why is Lacey being mean to her?

Everything else in her life is turning topsy-turvy, too. The same day that Lacey drops the bombshell, their parents have a big fight. Their mother, after giving their father the silent treatment for a whole week, finally decides to talk to him. Don't take that new job, she says, or get out of the house. He decides to get out of the house. And Lacey goes with him.

What's going on? Ivy is so sick of her parents fighting all the time that she doesn't care if they do get divorced. But will it mean that she can't be best friends with Susanna anymore? Ivy doesn't feel comfortable talking to Susanna about the way things are. What will Susanna think about Ivy's parents divorcing?

If parents can divorce, can't sisters? Lacey wants to, but their parents want the girls to settle their differences once and for all. Ivy asks them if they are going to shut her and Lacey up in a room until they come out all hugs and kisses. Never give your parents a bad idea...

What happens? Will their parents really do such an awful thing? There's a difference between garbage fights and compost fights. Which kind will Ivy and Lacey have?

--- (...)

Sister Trouble!
This story kind of reminds me of the realtionship I have with my own brother. In this book, there is an 11 year old girl named Ivy, and her older sister named Lacy. There lives became horrifying when they found out that their parents are going to get divorced. Their old friendship and bond broke.

Althogh Lacy seem to hate Ivy more than ever, Ivy still loved her sister and wished to get along very well once again. Lacy never got any nicer, because she was so furious at the thought of their parents getting divorced. One day, at a restaurant, Lacy announced that she wanted to get a divorce with Ivy. Ivy agreed but inside she was very hurt.

Lacy decided to live with her father while Ivy stayed with her father, and they would meet on the weekends. One weekend, Ivy lost her temper and they got into a horrible fight. Their punishment was to be stuck in one room together for a whole weekend. Eventually, they began to talk to eachother and told them how they felt when they were fighting.

They made a deal, to sacrifice something that really bothers eathother and they ended up getting along very well. Although their parent's relationship didnt end up that way, they got over it, and began to live their normal life again. Only if my brother and I got along like that...

Sister Split
This book was a great story, I just love american girl books! Sister Split is about a girl named Ivy, and her parents are getting a divorce. Ivy and her sister are shocked. So from there parents anger, they say that they are getting seperated too. Ivy's sister moves out with her father, and Ivy stays with her mother. But when each child visits each other, they do horrible but funny things to each other. Ivy's only comfort is her bunny and her best friend. If you enjoy a great story, and you are a girl 11-13 you should read it!! It was excellent!

Sister Split
I loved this book! It really described the lives bewteen sisters and there divorced parents. It seemed like a true story, about what goes on in the lives divorced kids trying to solve there problems about the parents. It is about a girl named Ivy and her sister Lacy who mostly got along intill Lacy told Ivy "she hated when she was born." Then there life gets awful when there parents decide to split up. They both start to hate each other, but sercetly Ivy still loves her sister. And doesn't want her to live with her father while she is with her mother. But luckly Ivy has her best friend and her rabbit to keep her company. But soon after a lot of arguing bewteen them they solve there differences. It is a great and easy to read. I like it. It was funny about the fights they had and also gave me a great lesson to try to love your sister even if you have differences. I recommend it to anyone mostly a girl though. Try It and I am sure you will like it because I sure did!! ... Read more

Book Description

"I'm leaving."

Dad's words come as a complete shock to Essie. How can he just walk out on her and the family, especially when Mom is pregnant?

Essie keeps her dad's leaving a secret. Then Essie's classmate, Chris Crow, disappears, and everyone finds out he's been kidnapped. Is Chris okay? Is Dad ever coming back? Essie is left to wonder if people really have any control over what happens in their lives.

Finally, after a startling incident with a family friend, Essie finds the strength to hold on tight to all that she has left -- and in the process realizes that the bonds of love and family do hold a person together.

Inspired by true events, Hold Me Tight is a moving and powerful novel. An author's note provides further information about kidnapping and the Amber Plan programs that are in use today to help communities find abducted children. ... Read more

Book Description

The kids from Lost at Sea are back, climbing in the majestic and dangerous peaks of Nepal. Orrie is so mad at her dad and his girlfriend, Libby, that she can"t see straight. Orrie"s brother Jack is trying to prove he"s a real man, so the girls back at school won"t laugh at him. Their little brother, Andy, is talking to a dead yak, who is listening very carefully. The entire family is freezing to death at 20,000 feet. This nail-biting adventure novel about a family full of love and anger, told in the unique alternating voices of the witty and earnest Jack and Orrie, will keep readers riveted from the first page to the last. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Betrayed by Superman Shoelaces
Pre-teen Andy is disgusted with things at home; his mom has remarried Paul (whom he privately calls "Paws"). His real father is out of reach--not only because he lives in England, but because he is away from home for months at a time on archaeological digs. The boy's best friend is Leah, a girl who is an avid CB'er.

Andy gets so fed up with his home life that he decides to run away--which is not hard when you happen to live in San Francisco. Hanging out by the lobby of a swanky hotel, without any specific plan in mind, Andy spots and appropriates the fancy key to a plush, rarely-used suite. Just what he needs--his own private retreat where he can wait in safety until he can contact his father, somehow, to request plane fare. But every kid's dream come true--except for Room Service which would blow his Invisible cover--turns into a nightmare.

Who cares if his mom and step father are worried sick about his disappearance? Can he exist for three weeks on room service leftovers in the halls; can he sleep and hide without leaving any trace; can he slip through the lobby without being recognized in the same clothes? Andy never considers the risk of being kidnapped, until the ransom note he writes in bitterness falls into the wrong hands. Then he must face some hard truths about his own selfishness, his prejudiced view of Paul and his childlike faith in a father who was never really there for him. Elementary and junior high kids will enjoy this story of adolescent resourcefulness and survival on the fringe of adult society.

Really Great Book!
The Hideout by Eve Bunting is something you need to read, Because it can be serous but there is a little humor there. This book's main characters are Andy,his mother,his new stepfather,and his friend Leah. This book is about how Andy gets so fedup with his stepfather that he makes up his mind to run away so he can be with his biological dad. A doorman to nearby hotel drops a key to a room and Andy takes it. His plan is to hide there until he can get enough money to go see his dad in England. A janitor begins to get suspicious and plans to investigate and Andy dosen't know.

Yucky
This book wasn't as good as I thought it would be... The kidnapping was so boring! It was like it wasn't even real! I thought it would be more exciting than it was. When I got it, it was in the Young Adult section... it was like reading a 4th grader book!...

great!
This book takes place in hotel. The main character, Andy, is the one staying in the hotel in the tower suite room. andy wants to run away, because he thinks his mom doesn,t love him anymore, now that she has a new husband. He descides to run away, not knowing where he's going, he takes money out of his step dad's wallet and leaves. He doesn't leave a note or tell his mom where he's going. He goes to this hotel. A bellman drops a key to a hotel room. Andy picks up the key. He goes and tries to find the room that this key belongs to. But, has a T engraved on it. He doesn't know if it means room # 30, 30th floor, room # 20 or what it means. He goes on the elevator and tries to find this room. He finally finds it and it turns out to be a key for the tower suite. (the biggest room in the hotel) he descides to stay there. Later that night he almost gets caught. He takes off his shoes. Someone finds the shoes and, they almost take the shoes with them. They don't, they thought they were on of the cleaning ladies, kids shoes. Andy thinks he is going to stay in the hotel until his dad gets back from his business trip. His dad won't be back for 3 weeks. So, how will he survive for 3 weeks on his own, with not a lot of food or money? I liked this book, I thought it was interesting. I recommend this book if you like adventures or mysteries you'll like this one!

This is a great book and should be read by all.
The book "THE HIDEOUT" was an intriguing book. The author Eve Bunting is an excellent author and explained the antagonist and protanist. The antagonists were Andy the main character and Leah the hero. The protagonist was Fred who kidnapped Andy. The one negative comment I have of the book was how poorly the author explained how Andy escaped from the van. Other than that the book was excellant and should be read by all kids. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Colourful but Unrealistic
This was an....interesting book. The story is well enough-- a 15-year old girl (Addy Jarrick) is sent all to the way to Edmonton (much to her dismay) when her parents split up and her mom pursues a film making career. Tending to spend a lot of time to herself, Addy isn't exactly one to write the book on making friends, so her first day at school wasn't exactly that enjoyable. Later in the book she develops agoraphobia --- a strong fear of going outside.

Yeah, that's basically the whole plot. Though a little..er.. simple, Ms. Buffie pulls it off with a various assortment of characters. The characters are mostly humourous, if not sometime moody, but somehow I felt the book lacked a sense of reality. I mean, Sean was a little too cocky and Addy a little pessimistic.

But, just because I pointed out some bad parts doesn't mean this isn't a good book. I found it strangely colourful (even if it isn't truly realistic) and well, your typical happily ever after ending story(kind of). So all in all, this book is worth a read!

It's a totally great read!
This book takes a look at what it is like to have emotions that a young person simply can't deal with. I felt as if I was reading about a really good friend in trouble. You follow Addy through all her fears until she feels she can face the future. There are funny parts, too. Victor, the parrot made me laugh out loud. I read it in one day. It was wonderful!

Great Book!
A Review by Carol
This story is about a 15-year-old girl named Addy Jarrick. Her parents split up and her mom and her moved to Winnipeg. She moves into an apartment building. Addy hears voices of the old lady who used to live there. She hears these voices through a parrot named Victor who makes the story humorous. I think that this story is so great because of all of the different emotions in it. I never wanted to put the book down. You have to use your imagination to really enjoy this book. Some things that happen aren't very real but the whole situation and conflict is very good and interesting. I would recommend this book to teenagers. The feelings change throughout the book. It is sad because Addy has agoraphobia, a fear of going outside. It is also scary because she hears voices but that's what makes the book so interesting. The book was pretty easy to follow, easy to understand and very efficient. I could read this book over and over again!

A powerful combination
Angels Turn Theirs Backs is beautifully written, and it is also fast-paced, a powerful combination for readers. It is the sensitive portait of a girl facing deep emotional problems after her parents separation. The characters are very real, while the parrot Victor offers great humor as well as important information about the past. It's also an excellent ghost story. The rich colors that fill the story are still with me a week after reading it. I highly recommend it.

Amazing book!
This book is absolutely amazing. The moment I picked it up in the bookstore and ran my hand over its silky smooth cover, I knew at once that book was going to be great. I read it, never stopping, until I finished it. Once I did, I was awestruck. What a perfectly remarkable book! I've read it at least five times and my mother has read it too. Great book! A must read for kids thirteen and up! ... Read more

Book Description

It's been two years since Mama left, and Nissa still misses her every single day. Papa has remarried, and though Nissa tries to get along with Lara, her new stepmother, they just don't feel like a family to her.

So when Mama shows up again suddenly, asking Nissa to come and stay with her in Chicago for a while, Nissa knows she should be overjoyed. Instead she feels confused. She's never really been away from the small town of Harper, Louisiana before, and life in Chicago turns out to be messy, exciting, and scary all at once.

Where does Nissa belong? ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

Locket is an allegory, reminiscent of Richard Bach’s Jonathan Livingston Seagull and Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s The Little Prince—two marvelous tales reaching adult and child alike. Locket is set in the Middle Ages—which turns out to have been a world, while less advanced, differing not much from our own.The book vividly portrays the emotional impact divorce has on a Little Princess whose world is shattered by it; what she does to survive that; and the ensuing path she takes to find a fuller and happier adult life.

There are no villains in Locket, only unintended circumstances that spin a tragic web—a web that, in time, turns a well-loved and loving child into a beautiful woman; but one whose heart is frozen hard by the fear and guilt brought on by her parents’ separation.How that change comes to pass makes for an unexpected and compelling ending. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Are They Ties? Or Knots?
Did you think that a person could love their stepbrother more than their stepmother? If you don't, read Amelia's Family Ties by Marissa Moss. Amelia's Family Ties is about a girl that gets a letter from her dad and he is inviting Amelia to meet him and his family. Find out more by reading this wonderful book.
On a scale from 1 to 10 I would rate this book a 9. I like this book because it has a lot of detailed pictures that go with what she is telling about and I also like it because this could really happen.
I think that the author wrote this book because this might have been like her life or someone's she knew.

Fabulous book about seeing the good and the bad...
In this book, Amelia writes to her Dad and goes to visit with him. She's happy about her baby step-brother, but not so happy about her stepmother, Clara. This is a must-have for any fan of the Amelia series, but I'd suggest reading the first ones, Amelia's Notebook, Amelia Writes Again, and Amelia Takes Command.

Hurray for Amelia!
This Amelia Book was EXCELLENT! It seems like the last in the series, but lets hope not! To understand the whole Amelia, read the first book... AMELIA'S NOTEBOOK which was published a looooog time ago, Oh, well! HURRAY FOR AMELIA!

Amelia Meets Her Dad
In the beginning, Amelia gets a letter from her dad asking her to visit him. So Amelia packs her bags and heads to Chicago. She soon finds out that there are some things she doesn't like about her dad, such as Clara, her stepmom. In the end, Amelia and her dad end up going to a restaurant where Amelia finds out why her parents divorced and some other questions. I like this book because it finally reveals Amelia's dad's true identity.

Amelia does it again!
Now I am a 16-year-old girl who usually reads teenage series like 'Making Out', but I absolutely love the Amelia books. They are just awesome! I love the pictures that she draws, the stories she writes, and everything about her. In this book, Amelia finally talks to her father, who she hasn't met . This book is wonderful. But if you want to get this book, you should definitely check out the other Amelia books. My favorites are this one, Amelia Hits the Road , and Luv Amelia, Luv Nadia. Amelia rules! She has inspired me to keep my own journal to draw in. And....oh yeah, I guess Marissa Moss deserves a little bit of credit, though. =) ... Read more

Book Description

A smart and sassy novel about the inevitable changes that come with divorce, remarriage, and step-parents.

"One of the worst things about Roland Butter is his name.I thought at first it was just one of his dorky jokes, like: "Where do pigs leave their cars?At porking meters."Ha ha ha -- I don't think so. . . .I am certainly not going to change my last name to Butter, which is what Mom would like me to do.Cherry Butter!How could you get anywhere with a name like that?"

Cherry Waterton wants a dog. She wants to keep a diary (which she does), and she wants to someday become a pop singer--or even a judge. Cherry Waterton knows what she wants. What she most decidedly does not want is a step-father. Especially if he's goofball Roland Butter, who pushes silly coded messages under her bedroom door. She especially does not want him. Or does she?
In a fresh format that switches between Cherry's diary, her mother's letters, and Roland Butter's rebus notes, this clever and funny novel relates a young girl's struggle with her mother's divorce and remarriage, and of course, the everyday quirks of adolescence.
... Read more

Book Description

Lizzie Logan is back! But she's not wearing purple sunglasses anymore. Now she's got on a wedding dress. Well, it's really just a flower girl's dress because Lizzie's not the actual bride; her mom is. But Lizzie is the daughter and that's as close to being the bride as it gets. As far as Lizzie's concerned, this is her wedding. It will I go her way. Lizzie's best friend Heather, along with Lizzie's mom, can do nothing to stop her.

Will Heather really have to play a violin solo? (She doesn't even know how to play!) Will Charley the dog be in the wedding party? With Lizzie taking over the answers are sure to be: Yes!!! This is going be a wedding no one will ever forget! ... Read more

Book Description

For fifteen-year-old Haven, life is changing too quickly. She's nearly six feet tall, her father is getting remarried, and her sister&150the always perfect Ashley&150is planning a wedding of her own. Havenwishes things could just go back to the way they were. Then an old boyfriend of Ashley's reenters the picture, and through him, Haven sees the past for what it really was, and comes to grips with the future. ... Read more

Book Description

Clyde's Leopard has been written by Helen Dunmore, award-winning author of both adult and children's fiction, and winner of the Orange prize for fiction.When Clyde saw the leopard at the zoo, trapped in a cage, he knew he had to somehow set it free. Then one day, an artist called Sam Florio visits Clyde's school. Sam just might have the answer to Clyde's dilemma.Clyde's Leopard is one of thirteen books that make up Independent Reading Level B, for children in Year 4/Primary 5. This phase of Cambridge Reading aims to extend children's reading tastes and understanding of language features, and motivate them to enjoy reading. The book has black and white illustrations, helping to make the book accessible and attractive to its target readership. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

DONT BUY THIS BOOK
This is the owrst book that I have ever read. It is about a bouring place in maine and nothing exciting happens in the book, But the main character raises clams (oh the excitment!) and his dad deals coke (that isnt reviled untill the end of the book so now there is no point for you to read it) this book is bland and lacking of a good plot. SO DONT READ IT IT SUCKS! ... Read more

Book Description

The evening Angelsea Mead confronts her parents about their fighting, she shocks everyone, including herself. Her whole family is expert at pretending everything is OK. So why is she facing two angry people, telling them they should divorce if they can't get along? Suddenly, Angel is facing an unknown future in Crookwood, with a splintered family, little money and no friends. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Crookwood - A Great Read For Teens!
Angelsea Mead is mixed-up and confused. Her parents' stormy relationship has ended in separation, and now Angelsea must leave her secure life in the city and move into the old two story house in Crookwood. She struggles to keep some of the past intact, but finds that a new life and a new beginning are all part of the growing process.

Barbara Elmore makes it easy to relate to her wonderful characters, comfortably slipping into Angelsea's skin and seeing the world from her point of view. The plot moves swiftly carrying you along in the ups and downs of this character's existance. I highly recommend this book for teens 12 and up. ... Read more