Book Description

Illustrated in full color. The colorful characters from Sesame Street teach

young children about racial harmony. Muppets, monsters, and humans compare

noses, hair, and skin and realize how different we all are. But as they look

further, they also discover how much we are alike.




... Read more

Reviews (3)

Sesame Street helps us learn about diversity.
I have a dog-eared copy of this book that I have used for years in my preschool classroom. The format of the book is repetive - "We are all alike. We all have hair to keep us warm." Then on the next page, "We are all different, our hair looks different". The children are immediately attracted to the Sesame Street characters and the possibility of guessing each character by their distinguishing feature. Often the favorite page is the one about noses, each character's nose is shown as if in a page of photographs showing just the noses - ... to The Count to Snuffalupagus.

We're Different, We're the Same is great for classrooms
I teach kindergarten and use this book every year at the beginning of the year. It takes each part of a person and shows how they are both the same and different. Example "our hair is different" then they show a variety of hair types. On the next page it continues: "Our hair is the same. It grows on us in several places. It warms our heads and frames oour faces."

Especially good for adopted children
We really like this book for our 3-yr old chinese-born daughter. It not only teaches her racial harmony, but also shows her that her parents are more like her than different. We like to give this book as a gift to other children and it is appropriate for any child. The illustrations are cute and we have had many a giggle as we point each other out in the pictures ("Daddy's hair looks like Big Bird's!"). ... Read more

Book Description

Honor America-and Woodie Guthrie's 90th birthday-with this beautiful gift package. Featuring the complete lyrics and musical notation to the beloved anthem "This Land is Your Land," as well as a photo-essay about Woody, a note from his daughter Nora Guthrie, and a tribute by beloved folk singer Pete Seeger, this stunning book paints an unforgettable picture of our diverse land.Now an award-winning CD containing nine popular folk songs performed by Woody and Arlo Guthrie is bound into the book, making this a treasure for the whole family or classroom to share. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Good
My sons 3 and 5 really enjoy this book and singing along. One word of caution the CD that comes with the book, although enjoyable, does not follow the book words. It is a classic book and the illustrations and tune are memorable and something I am proud to share with my children.

Must Have
This has always been a favorite song of mine and it's great to share it with my daughter, along with the beautiful illustrations. We love to sing along with our books, and this one is a real winner!

Wonderful Book!
My daughter received this book as a present when she was 2 years old. I thought it was "too old" for her, but it quickly became her favorite. Not only does she love the song (we sing it at least once every night before bed) but she also loves the intricate illustrations and looking for Woody and his guitar. There are many nights when I get all choked up hearing a 2 year old born in China and now a U.S. citizen singing "This land is your land, this land is my land" and saying "I love you, Woody!". I recommend this book for the young and old alike.

A real kick!
My children love "singing" books and this is one that should be sung more often and with great gusto! The illustrations are wonderul and display the diversity that is so prominient in the American landscape. We selected it as a gift for family friends who have two sons with Korean heritage, now American citizens. We also utilized it for a 4th of July celebration and it was very well received by multi-age children. It also has great appeal from an adult perspective...love the page toward the back with all of the various artists on stage...picking out the places I have traveled and those which still call to me....

A lovely book for kids of all ages who share Woody's vision
My wife and I just returned from a long trip through the Southwest and southern Rockies. En route home to Florida we stopped off in Okemah, Oklahoma, Woody's home town, and it was there I discovered this beautiful book. It is, I suppose, a children's book, and I thought at first that I might give it to my grandchildren, but the combination of exquisite art work and well-chosen Woody-words is to good to give up. Solution: I plan to buy several copies as Christmas presents not only for my grandkids but for my friends' kids as well. If you're a fan of Woody's, or just love truly beautiful, warm-hearted childrens' books, you will want to do the same. ... Read more

Amazon.com

As she grieved over the "huge shadow [that] had been cast across the lives of so many innocent people and an ancient culture's pride" after September 11, 2001, poet and author Naomi Shihab Nye's natural response was to write, to grasp "onto details to stay afloat." Accordingly, Nye has gathered over four dozen of her own poems about the Middle East and about being an Arab American living in the United States. Devoted followers of the award-winning and beloved poet will recognize some of their favorites from her earlier collections (The Space Between Our Footsteps: Poems and Paintings from the Middle East, etc.), while absorbing themselves in her new haunting and evocative poems. Nye writes of figs and olives, fathers' blessings and grandmothers' hands that "recognize grapes, / and the damp shine of a goat's new skin." She writes of Palestinians, living and dead, of war, and of peace. Readers of all ages will be profoundly moved by the vitality and hope in these beautiful lines from Nye's heart. (Ages 9 to adult) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (2)

"There's a place in this brain where hate won't grow."
This collection is a perfect example of the ability of a gifted poet to communicate hard truths simply. Each piece is a work of art and sings in the voices of immigrants and immigrants' children and with the rhythms of life in the Middle East. Don't buy this book expecting to find a treatise on terrorism or the events of September 11. Buy it to see through another's eyes and sing in another's voice. This is a fantastic book in its own right and a great introduction to the talent and skill of Naomi Shihab Nye.

subtle stories
this book was recommended to me by a friend, so i wasn't sure what to expect.i am really glad to have bought it, the poems are like little stories someone tells you on the porch while it's getting dark.very vivid, i felt as if i knew these people...fathers, mothers, grandmothers, schoolchildren, old arab men selling crafts... ... Read more

Book Description

Us and Them illuminates the dark corners of our nation's past and traces our ongoing efforts to live up to the American ideals of equality and justice. Fourteen case studies--enhanced through the use of original documents, historical photos, newly commissioned paintings, and dramatic narrative--bring readers a first-hand account of the history and psychology of intolerance. We read about Mary Dyer, executed for her Quaker faith in Boston in 1660. We learn how the Mormons were expelled from Missouri in 1838. The attack on Chinese miners in Wyoming in 1885, the battle of Wounded Knee in 1890, the Ku Klux Klan activities in Mobile, Alabama in 1981, and the Crown Heights riot in 1991 are among the memorable episodes presented in clear, evocative language that brings to life history that is often forgotten or slighted. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The Face of Prejudice
In an age of sanitized history and calls for revisionism that make people feel comfortable, there is a great need for more books like Jim Carnes' history of intolerance in America. With 128 pages of text and 16 concise chapters this book corrects much of the white washing that is taking place in much longer history texts, even at the college level. Religious liberty, Native American exile, freedom from slavery, racial extermination, and ethnic tensions are highlighted with graphic images and easily accessible narratives. The trials of diverse groups such as Mormons, Catholics, Chinese, Native Americans, Jewish immigrants, Mexican Americans, Japanese citizens, and just playing Americans are dramatically highlighted in an unforgettable montage of images and words that give the lie to the "melting pot" that is the United States.

Paintings, etchings, drawings, and photographs illustrate in no uncertain terms would hate has done to this country. More than that the pictures combined with the simple prose personalizes each inequity that is introduced. For example, "A Rose for Charlie" presents photographs of the community disrupted by hate, as well as that community's response to the hate. From photographs of hate speech scrawled on walls to portraits of citizens mourning the victim of a deadly hate crime present a view of America that could not be farther from the Norman Rockwell ideal we all wish this country would be. For those interested, a fictionalized account of this particular crime can be found in "The Drowning of Stephan Jones" by Bette Greene, which chronicles the death of the young man simply because of who he loved.

It should be an essential book for all classrooms.

An important book for educators
I used this book in both my 6th and 8th grade classrooms with great success. I embarked on a diversity project using it and the video (which I strongly recommend); it's an excellent starting point because its scope is so wide and yet it gives very detailed accounts of intolerance in America, starting from the beginning (you see, we have a rather long history of intolerance). Middle school students find it interesting and easy to understand, and it's perfect for the teacher because it covers many ethnic and racial groups in the U.S.. Use this book! It's very important.

This book effectively tells the story and links oppressions.
This terrific book effectively tells the story of oppression inthe United States and subtly connects the interrelatedness ofoppressions by putting the chapters side by side. The information and sidebars are magnificent in their detail and it is nice to have many sides of history that are so rarely shown. I learned more about history from this book than any history textbook I can remember. The stories of racial, religious, ethnic, and gay oppressions become human stories in this book--hopefully stories that we can learn from and choose not to repeat. ... Read more

Book Description

This resource is directly related to its literature equivalent and filled with a variety of cross-curricular lessons to do before, during, and after reading the book. This reproducible book presents an exciting approach to teaching well-known literature! It includes sample plans, author information, vocabulary building ideas, cross-curriculum activities, sectional activities and quizzes, unit tests, and many ideas for culminating and extending the novel. ... Read more

Reviews (23)

Shadow of a Bull
Shadow of a Bull is about a boy called Manolo whose father was a famous bullfighter (torero) from Arcangel, Spain. Like many children of today, he is expected to follow in his father's footsteps. As the story unfolds, it becomes evident that Manolo has a very difficult decision to make. In our opinion this is a book that we recommend reading as a group because it led to many meaningful discussions.

A great book for young readers.
Shadow of a BULL is one of the greatest books i have read. It's easy to see why this book recieved a Newberry award. Manolo Olivar is the son of Juan Olivar the greatest bullfighter in all of Spain. Young Manolo is expected to do the same. Manolo thinks he is a coward and really doesn't want to fight the bull on his 12 birthday. Six men train Manolo for the fight. He was trained well and thought he could do it. Secretly Manolo wanted to be doctor. When Manolo went to see the doctor, he said he could help around the clinic. When Manolo was forced to fight the bull, he did well at the begining of the fight but, when it came time for the bull to be killed, Manolo choked and couldn't do it. After that, he went to work for the doctor. This book is a great book and i recomend it to anyone who wants to read a good book!!

Shadow of a Bull
Shadow of a Bull is a book about a boy named Manolo Olivar who is forced by the people of Arcangel to follow his father's path as a bullfighter. Everyone in the town of Arcangel expected him to fight a bull at the age of 12, just like his father had. He believed that he couldn't overcome his fear of the fight, and that he could not find the courage and strength to fight his first bull. His friend named Juan Garcia always went to the pastures to cape wild bulls(do passes with them). Manolo asked him if he could come and watch him cape the bulls. At first, Juan was hesitant and refused to take Manolo with him, but, after convincing Juan, they decided to meet a few days later to go to the pastures. Manolo got to see how Juan put his bravery and strength to test. He felt that he might be ready to fight his first bull. Manolo wanted to show the people how good Juan was at fighting bulls so he asked the Count if he could cape some cows after Manolo was done with his bull. The Count agreed and said he could cape the cows, but that he couldn't help Manolo with his bull. During Manolo's fight with the bull he said that he did not want to be a bullfighter and said that this was Juan's bull. So Juan started fighting the pull and did some magnificent passes. The crowd shouted "Ole!" and Juan had tears in his eyes. Manolo had given up what he was destined to do and had given that opportunity to Juan who pleased the crowd much more than Manolo could have done.
I enjoyed this book because it was fun to hear about the gorings of the bull fighters. Manolo was always scared to be gored by one of those big, sharp, bull horns. "In Spain, however, people have found a way of cheating death. They summon it to appear in the afternoon in the bull ring,and they make it face a man. Death-a fighting bull with horns as weapons-is killed by a bullfighter. And the people are there watching death being cheated of its right." Manolo feared death. He was not sure if he could cheat it like others could in the ring. I also would be scared if I had to fight a half-ton bull.
I also disliked this book because it was very boring in the first half. I would suggest this book to people that enjoy having a sad, but interesting ending. It would be enjoyable to read about how the bullfighters fought if the reader likes to hear about how animals can be killed with no chance to escape. I found it upsetting to read about how animals are cruelly tortured just for the entertainment of a crowd.
My favorite part of the book was when the doctor was showing Manolo the gore wound from a bull. It was very descriptive and explained very well how the wound looked. It seemed a little bit of fairness that bullfighters had been injured by the bull because humans usually injure them.
This book is great for young readers and adolescent readers(grades 4-7) and even older. This book is one of the best I have read. I recommend it to readers who want to learn about another culture or who want to find out more about bullfighting.

Shadow of a Bull
I thought that the book "Shadow of a Bull" was a very good book. I thought it was interesting, because it was about this kid named Manalo that was afraid of bulls, but he had to fight them anyways. Some parts were interesting, because you could see how he was training, and all of the hard work it takes to be a great bull fighter. All in all, I thought that this book was a good, and interesting book to read.
This book was about this kid nmed Manolo. He had to become a great bull fighter, because his dad was the best bull fighter in Spain, and everyone wanted Manolo to be just like His dad. He had to do a lot of training to become a great bull fighter, and he went to a lot of bull fights, so that he could study all of the moves that the good bull fighter made. He like the bull fights, and he thought that they were interesting, but he did not like the end of the bull fights. He did not like them, because they would have to kill the bulls. He went through all of this training, and he would have become a great bull fighter, until he decided that he did not want to be a bull fighter anymore. He wanted his friend Juan to take his place, and he wanted to become a docter. He wanted to become a docter, because if anything would have happened to Juan, he could have helped him.
I think that it would be a great book to read for people to read, because it was a very interesting book. I think that people that like interesting books, and sports books will like it the most, because that is what the story is about, bull fighting,(a sport) and it is very interesting. I think that people should read this book, because I thought it was a very good book, and because I think that other people will like the book as much as I did, and maybe even more than I did. I thought that it was a great book, and I think that people should read it, because it was a great book.

Matt

I enjoyed this book
Book Review: Shadow of a Bull

Do you think you would have enough courage to fight in a bullfight? Well, Manolo did. Manolo's father was one of the greatest bullfighters to ever walk the face of the Earth, and everyone expected Manolo to be the same. However, Manolo could not perform anywhere near his father's standards, and often wished he did not have to live up to those expectations. When he saw his first bullfight Manolo started to enjoy bullfighting more, and realized he could be as good as father. He practiced every day and got better, and better. Finally, he fought in his first bullfight. He did very well with the cape, but did not perform as well in his other competitions. Then an old man gave Manolo the choice to either become a doctor or a bullfighter. This was a very difficult choice for Manolo to make.

I guess you will have to read the book to find out what he chose.

In my opinion, Shadow of a Bull was a good book for several reasons. First of all, it was a quick easy reader. Second of all, I think that the author did a wonderful job describing the bullfight and the Spanish culture. The reader feels like he is at the bullfights cheering on Manolo. Next, I think that many people have faced intimidating challenges similar to the Manolo's. This makes it easy to sympathize with Manolo throughout the book. Finally, in addition to being a book about Spanish culture and bullfighting, Shadow of a Bull is a fable. The lesson to be learned from this book is that hard work pays off and that working hard is the only way to achieve goals. That is a very important lesson to learn in life. I would recommend this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Where did they all go?

Sixteen-year-old orphan William Wythers, is eager to try life in the New World. He and the other settlers face an arduous voyage and difficult months ahead on Roanoke Island, off the coast of Virginia. Yet there is a wonderful freedom in defining the rules for this new world in America. And when William falls in love with a young Native American woman, it seems that life is going to be happy after all.

But when John White arrives from England with fresh supplies for the settlement, not a single person remains. Who knows what happened? An unsolved mystery in American history comes brilliantly alive in Sonia Levitin's historical novel about the lost colony in Roanoke. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Well-Written, Action-Packed, and Interesting
Roanoke: A Novel of the Lost Colony is a terrific book. I loved it! Not only is it full of actual facts, such as the state of the colony after it is discovered to be abandoned, but it has actual historic figures: Sir Walter Raleigh, John White, and the first baby born in the new world, Virginia. It was interesting to read Sonia Levitin's view on what might have happened, too.

William is an ordinary English boy, apprenticed to a carpenter. But his master is not kind, and William runs away, branded as not only a runaway, but a thief as well (he is innocent as to the latter charge). He knows he must escape England before the police catch up with him, and when he arrives at an old friend's home, he discovers that a man named John White is going to establish a colony in the new world. This is William's chance, and he takes it.

Soon William finds himself on board a ship, headed for the new world. He must work to pay his passage, but he still enjoys it. He hears tales of the wild savages who hate the white men, and he meets many different people, with many different views of the voyage. He also discovers a stowaway, whom he befriends - Elizabeth.

When they reach the New World, the ship captain tricks them into landing at Roanoke, where indians are rumored to live, instead of peaceful Cheseapeake. William finds himself befriending the "savages" while establishing the new colony. While other colonist fear and hate the indians, William makes friends with them and even falls in love with one. But times are harsh, and not only are the colonists trying to prepare for winter, but they must protect themselves from other indians that hate the white men. William is caught up between the indians fear and hatred of the colonists and the colonists fear and hatred of the indians. Will he ever get the indians and white men to trust each other and get along?

The story is told with much description and it carefully depicts all the characters actions and feelings. It is a wonderful book with almost everything a reader could want. I reccomend it to anyone, especially people interested in history or the mystery of the disappearing Roanoke colony. Ages 9 and up, even grown ups would enjoy it immensely.

Where Have They Gone?!
"Roanoke- A Novel of the Lost Colony" is about a 16 year old orphan Named William Wythers who lost both his parents and has no one left but his younger sister, Elizabeth. William is considered a beggar, idler, and vagabond. When he finds out there is to be a voyage to the New World, William is eager to go. When they finally arrive, the settlers meet a friendly Indian tribe called Crotoan. William then meets a Crotoan woman named Telana and falls in love. Telana and William have to put up criticism from the other settlers and some of the Indians. The Governor of settlement, John White, returns to England to get more supplies.

When John White finally returns from England with the supplies, he finds that no one from their settlement remains. Nobody knew what happened and we still don't know. This American mystery has come alive in Sonia Levitin's novel of the lost colony of Roanoke.

A History Mystery
This book is based on a real happening in America's history, before Jamestown. A whole colony of people sailed from England to settle in the New World, including women and children and teen-agers, like William Wythers, the hero of the story. The fact is, they all vanished without a trace, except for a carving left on a tree. What happened to them? The author gives her own possible solution to this mystery, at the same time building a love story between William and Telana, the beautiful Native American girl. The colonists seem like real people with their prejudices, and longings. At the end the reader is haunted with more thoughts--did William and a few others survive? Were they able to create a new world without hate? Exciting and realistic, written in a style to capture the reader. ... Read more

Book Description

Amazon.com

It's hard enough to find a good survey of world religions for adults, let alone for children, so when I found One World, Many Religions, I was stunned. With a sensitivity for detail and an easy style, Mary Pope Osborne delivers a valuable introduction to all of the world's major religions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism. The balanced yet brief treatment; vibrant photographs depicting children around the world engaged in worship; the glossary, map and timeline all work to provide a concise, informative and engrossing introduction to the variety of religions everywhere. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Weak
There are many other books that offer deeper insight and breadth of perspective. This book is weak on historical information, shaky on doctrinal accuracy, and misses many of the distinctives of each tradition.

A book on religions for people age 9-90+
Osborne presents a well illustrated book on world religions that is apparently for children but is more than adequate for most adults. Sentences are brief. Words are not overwhelming - a glossary defines new expressions. The book can be a starting point for satisfying curiosity about great world religions. It is also a great help in reminding oneself about the basics. ... Read more

Amazon.com

In the 19th century, as a hoax, the Welsh village Llanfairpwllgwyngylllengthened its name toLlanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch. The rocks at thebottom of the Grand Canyon are more than two billion years old. The Himalayaswere once under the sea--fossilized seashells have been found on many Himalayanpeaks. The Great Wall of China is so large, astronauts can see it from space.

The world is a fascinating place. There's no excuse for young readers to bebored by geography and history, especially when this glorious resource is athand. The Children's Atlas of the World, updated for the new millennium,is chock-full of amazing facts, colorful maps--physical and political, hands-onprojects, "Look Again" activities, features, locator globes, over 3,000illustrations, records, charts, and so much more. Divided into continents, eachsection of the atlas explores a different part of the world, providinginformation on the people, wildlife, landscape, politics, culture, and more. The"World Fact File" gives information at a glance about all the world's countriesand territories. Children will easily spend hours poring over thereader-friendly atlas, discovering the many wonders of the world. An excellentresource for school projects. Broadening your horizons? Check out the companionvolume: The Reader's DigestChildren's Atlas of the Universe (Ages 8 to 12) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (3)

From a Mom who knows.
My son (5 years old) loves this book.He likes for me to show him where on the maps we are and where we have been.He also likes to know where his extended family is located.(You have to love anything you can "sneak" some education in on.)It has excellent illustrations and interesting facts that will make this an enjoyable book for many years to come as my kids develope and expand their understanding capabilities.

Much, much more than maps!
Don't be fooled by the word "atlas" - this lovely children's book contains much more than just maps!Facts, figures, "fun"information connected to the part of the world you are perusing. Beautifully illustrated, extremely readable.Interesting even for theadults in this family. Its oversized (coffee-table) dimensions make youwant to plop down on the floor with the book spread out before you, andjust look for an hour or so. Or you can simply turn to the area of theworld that you're interested in (or doing a school report on) and get a fewquick facts.

Share the world with your children!
This book is excellent for teaching your children geography and world culture. It is very reader friendly and extremely interesting. It touches on all parts of the world with the most relevant information. We bought itfor our 6 year old son for Christmas and now find it to be a fabulousbirthday gift for other children. Unlike a toy that gets played with for amonth and then thrown into the toy box graveyard, this book will be afavorite for many years both as general interest reading and as a referencefor school projects.Don't miss this one...at a great price too! ... Read more

Book Description

What is the strangest plant in the rain forest? Which rain forest animal is the creepiest? What medicines have been discovered there? How can we save our rain forests? Find out the answers to these questions and more in Magic Tree House Research Guide: Rain Forests, Jack and Annie’s very own guide to the mysteries of the rain forest. Includes information on rain forests around the world; fun facts about rain-forest bugs, birds, plants, and animals; maps and photographs; and much more!
... Read more

Reviews (1)

Good info, v. readable
Our girls read this after a trip to the Amazon, and found lots that they recognized & enjoyed. The standard of information is rather higher than that in the Magic Tree house books, which is reasonable, given that they don't have to worry about plot & characters as well!

If your child enjoys Magic Tree house, and would like to know more about the Amazon this is fine, but I would also recommend One Small Square: Tropical Rainforests (by Donald Silver). We took this with us to the rainforest (see review) and found it to be excellent. ... Read more

Book Description

Nory Ryan's family has lived on Maidin Bay on the west coast of Ireland for generations, raising a pig and a few chickens, planting potatoes, getting by. Every year Nory's father goes away on a fishing boat and returns with the rent money for the English lord who owns their cottage and fields, the English lord bent upon forcing the Irish from their land so he can tumble the cottages and clear the fields for grazing. Times are never easy on Maidin Bay, but this year, a terrible blight attacks the potatoes. No crop means starvation. Twelve-year-old Nory must summon the courage and ingenuity to find food, to find hope, to find a way to help her family survive.


From the Trade Paperback edition. ... Read more

Reviews (47)

Austin's review
Nory Ryan's Song

Nory Ryan's Song is a book about how some families survived with little food and no money. These people still have to pay rent for their homes. If they did not pay rent then they were sent away and their homes were destroyed. In that part of the city no one even had a coin but Anna Donnely. One of the families named the Ryan's had two daughters and a boy. The oldest girl got married in her mother's wedding dress and after the wedding she went to America. The father of the Ryan's was fishing to get money to pay rent. Because he was gone this left Patch and Nory by themselves. Nory and Patch had a very hard life. They had to find food for a long time. Sean Red, a friend of Nory's, had an extra ticket to go to America because his grandmother died. He gave the ticket to Patch and Patch left for America. Later when the Ryan's father finally came home, he brought a ticket for Nory to go to America as well. So Patch and Nory got to live in America and have a better life.

Nory Ryan's Song a review by Amanda
"Nory, I'm moving to Smith St. Brooklyn, New York."

Have you ever had to leave somewhere you love because it was not safe for you anymore? Well, if you have, Nory Ryan's Song by Patricia Reilly Giff is a story you can relate to. Around 1818, the English were taking over parts of Ireland. The taxes were coming due, and Papa still had not come home with the money. Will they be able to pay the taxes or not? Find out if Nory's family moves or pays their taxes. This book is great and Nory actually dealt with these problems. I highly encourage you to read Nory Ryan's Song, to find out if anything happens to her or her family. It is an excellent book that actually happened to a girl who lived in Ireland.

Nory Ryans Song
Nory has hopes for her family and she wants to see them once more.She lives in this little town in Ireland,it was known for their great potatoes , but they had a situation with the potatoes. All of the sudden people began to starve and the people are just drinking warm and dirty water for breakfast,lunch,and dinner.What will happen to them?Will they starve?Will they get better?I dont know ,that is why you should read this great book.

I like this book because it is based on a real world event. I liked it bcause it wasvery interesting to know how people tried to survive in Ireland. There was a rich guy named,Cunningham. He was watching all those people straving and he didn't do a dran thing to help them. There was markets around but nobody bought anything because they didn't have any money to buy anything.

I would recommend this book to young adults becasue this is no book for kids, because it is short but kind of complicated so I think that this book would mostly be for young adults,because I think that most of them will get the message easier than kids.I also think they will get sucked by this book right away when they get it and start reading it. So I recommend you read great this great amazing book.

Book review of Nory Ryan's Song
Welcome to Nory Ryan's Song by Patrica Reilly Giff... In this book there is this girl named Nory and she is a good,caring, and strong girl. But the town is kind of a poor town that has only potatoes as their main food. But this time was the "Potatoe Famine" time which means the potatoes rote and no food means starvation! And Da doesn't come home with the fishes that he'd catch. So they just have to eat very little and wait for a miracle to happen.

The things I liked in this book was that it told me about the history of the potatoe famine in Ireland. Another thing i liked about this book is it had a pretty good ending and it is kind of like a friendship book. And it also talks about the authors familys life in Ireland when all this happened. And I liked this book because it was based on a true story.

I recommend this book to the people who have good friends and to 7th graders. I would recommend this book to people that are Irish or people who want to know more about the history of the potatoe famine.

A Good Boook to Read
Welcome to Nory Ryan's Song. This book is about the Great Hunger that was in Ireland. To understand this book you could read more about the famine in Ireland that took place in 1845-1852.

In this book you will be stunned about what happens to the people when the potatoes go rotten and can't be grown. It becomes a "dog eat dog" world. Nory tries to find out what happened to the potatoes and look for food at the same time. But the richest guy in Ireland is being greedy and trying to buy everything from homes to the beach! And this is why I liked the book!

I recommend you read this book if your'e in Middle School. This book was a good novel for my age group. It will really capture your mind. If I liked this book, I am sure you will too. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (2)

Heartwarming, Inspiring Story
Boxes for Katje is an excellent story that illustrates the idea that sometimes all it takes is one person to bring about changes - something we should strive to remember.

An inspirational story grounded in history
Written by award-winning picture book author Candace Fleming, and based on the real experiences of her mother, Boxes For Katje is an uplifting picture book whose story is set in Holland after World War II. The war has left behind immense devastation, yet Katje's pen-pal from America has sent a package that is part of a goodwill effort to help the people of Europe. An inspirational story grounded in history, Boxes For Katje is wonderfully enhanced for young readers with the artwork of Stacey Dressen-McQueen. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A Must Have Iditarod Book
Debbie Miller's masterful retelling of the Serum Run, which saved the children of Nome, Alaska from a deadly diphtheria epidemic in 1925, goes well beyond the facts of this heroic team effort. The Great Serum Run: Blazing the Iditarod Trail includes well-researched factual information, reference tables, maps, and photographs. Miller's narrative comes alive as she skillfully interweaves many little known fascinating details of how the mushers and their dog sled teams endured their individual treks from Nenana to Nome in such deadly weather conditions. The story behind this famous dog sled team relay was inspiration for the world famous "Last Great Race," the Iditarod. Jon Van Zyle, the official Iditarod artist, complements Miller's text with vivid, captivating illustrations. Readers of this book will gain a sense of the unbelievable accomplishment of these dog sled teams. People of all ages will treasure this book. The Great Serum Run: Blazing the Iditarod Trail should be included as a first resource for teachers interested in providing thought provoking discussions about the Iditarod, teamwork, and man's interaction and dependence on animals.

About the Reviewer: Ann Morgan has taught lessons about the Iditarod in grades 2- 6 for the last 18 years, and is currently teaching at Chatham Middle School, Chatham, Massachusetts. In 2000, she was in Alaska at the Iditarod and acquired first hand knowledge of the race by following the mushers and dog sled teams with her own bush pilot from Anchorage to Nome.

A book worth reading for children & adults
Debbie Miller did a great deal of research before writing this book, so though it is written for children, it is a great account for all to read. I would highly recommend it to readers of all ages who are interested in dog teams and their important role in Alaska. This is the best and most acurate telling of the story of the serum run to Nome in 1925 which I have ever seen. It is a children's book in that it explains what happened from the viewpoint of children. Beyond the story, there are facts presented in the back of the book. Jon Van Zyle is a popular artist, but I did not feel that his oil paintings for this book were all that great. ... Read more

Book Description

In this exciting interpretation of the legend of how papermaking spread throughout the world, a Chinese grandfather and his grandson are captured by the great sultan of Samarkand. They bargain for their freedom by agreeing to teach the Arabs the art of making paper. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Reading Jim Rumford's "The Cloud Makers" in Russia
My mother shipped this book to me when I was living in Russia this past Christmas. I sat down one evening with a 9 year old Russian boy and his father who were ignoring a party going on around them to read and translate this story into Russian. The father knew English fairly well, but his son, who had only studied English for 3 years, corrected his father many times because the son understood that you need to study the pictures to correctly translate the story - not just read the words. Jim Rumford's beautiful watercolors made all the difference. Spasibo, Jim ... Read more

Book Description

The first in our alphabet series, "M is for Mitten" explores the wonders of Michigan by using each letter of the alphabet-from "A is for Apple Blossom" to "Z is for (Detroit) Zoo."Get to know some of the Great Lakes State's geography, history, events, people, and accomplishments.Whether you are a Michigander or a guest, discover what makes the Great Lakes State such an enchanting place to be. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

M is for Mitten
Like all of the Sleeping Bear Press books this one is also fabulous! I used this book for a literature lesson with a Michigan unit. The kids love the poems and I like the facts that go along with them. This is a delightful story that any child (especially a Michigan child) will enjoy.

Not Just for Children!
"M is for Michigan" makes a wonderful coffee table book, in my opinion. I don't have young children in the home anymore, but someday hope to have grandchildren and will greatly enjoy reading this lovely book to them. While we were in Whitehall, Michigan my mother bought a copy for herself as she loves well-written children's books. Later I went back to the same store and bought one of my own. I do refer to it from time to time and although I don't have a coffee table I keep it on display on my living room bookshelf!

Triple Threat!
Amazing illustrations...great poetry...interesting facts. You'll find all three in this alphabet book about Michigan. Great to read aloud and great to read alone (again and again)....I highly recommend this book (and future books in the series) to all elementary school teachers. My second graders hurried to grab this book after I read it aloud. Unique and such a high-quality book! BUY IT!

A great resource for teacher
I am a teacher education student and I read this book to a class of 1st graders and they loved it. It teaches all of the wonders of Michigan. It also has a wonderful vocabulary. I would highly recomend this book to anyone that loves the state of Michigan.

Sing-a-long Poems for the very young!
I love this book! As a teacher, this book has been such a great tool - the kids, especially preschool and kindergarten, will even sit still during the lively little poems that Ms. Wargin wrote for each letter - they even learn a few facts along the way, too. Some of my little ones even have memorized some poems! Neat book. ... Read more

Book Description

In Parvana’s Journey, the Taliban still control Afghanistan, but Kabul is in ruins. Parvana’s father has just died, and her mother, sister, and brother could be anywhere in the country. Parvana knows she must find them. Despite her youth, Parvana sets out alone, masquerading as a boy. She soon meets other children who are victims of war — an infant boy in a bombed-out village, a nine-year-old girl who thinks she has magic powers over landmines, and a boy with one leg. The children travel together, forging a kind of family out of sheer need. The strength of their bond makes it possible to survive the most desperate conditions. Royalties from this book will go toward an education fund for Afghan girls in Pakistani refugee camps. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

THE BEST BOOK EVER
This book is one of the best books ive ever read. It tells a story about a young girl named parvana and her struggling family.When Parvana's father is taken to prison Parvana being the middle child is forced to cut her hair, dress up as a boy and get a job to help her family afford food.

A portrait of a desperate life.
I read "Parvana's Journey" over Thanksgiving break. This book, the sequel to Ellis' "The Breadwinner", continues the story of Parvana, a young Afghan girl who disguises herself as a boy in order to help her family survive. In this one, Parvana's been separated from her mom and siblings, and her father has just died. She travels across Afghanistan, picking up refugees as she goes along (including an infant boy, a boy missing a leg, and a girl who believes she is magically protected against mine fields). This installment was even more heartwrenching than the last and it is truly the perfect novel to read at Thanksgiving time - it makes you remember what you should be thankful for.

Endless sorrow....well written
This book is an emotional loopty-loop. It really brought to life the poverty and hunger that "we" feel is so far away...death,,,killing,,,mourning,,,sorrow and graves were plentyful in this book. It shows the world the social issues from a resident's perspective. Although there were many sad times in the book, it was well written and deserves to be a bestseller. (hopefully this book will push ppl to join peace corps. to Afganistan) ... Read more

Book Description

Award-winning author Walter Dean Myers presents the amazing story of Muhammad Ali¹s childhood, his rise as a champion, his politics, and his battles against Parkinson¹s disease. Packed with dramatic black-and-white photos, this critically acclaimed biography is the perfect choice for both young adult sports fans and fans of Walter Dean Myers in general. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Determination + Talent = Champion
Muhammed Ali may not have been the biggest, meanest boxer of all time, but he definitely has to be one of the most determined athletes ever to set foot in a ring. That is why Myers, like Ali himself, refers to the boxer as "the greatest." Through easy reading, Walter Dean Myers paints a picture of what life was life for working class blacks in the near South (Louisville, KY) in the 1950's. He describes the fighters who came before Ali (the heroes like Joe Louis and Archie Moore), and goes into detail in describing both the person and the boxing style of Ali's opponents--Floyd Patterson, Sonny Liston, Joe Frazier, George Foreman and others). Of course, Myers also details the mental strategies and physical competency of Ali. It is here that the reader realizes that much of Ali's game was fought outside the ring, with not only his next opponent, but with the press, the public, and the government. The subject of the war in Viet Nam, the military draft, the Nation of Islam, the skewing of the military to induct more minorities, and the subject of 'conscientious objection' are all handled in an introductory fashion, which will give young readers a sense of the social history of the period without the ho-hum of a history book. Walter Dean Myers' book, The Greatest, also dissects the boxing industry, where young talent is often beaten to a senseless pulp for the sake of audiences, public approval and a very few dollars. I have already recommended this book to several students who think a career in professional athletics could be within their grasp. Myers does an excellent job of conveying the fact that the young boxer from Louisville was the greatest in his determination to win, not because of his physical ability, but because of his mental agility. The one negative trait of Muhammed Ali which Myers noted was the way he insulted his opponents. His vicious slurring of his competitors, especially some of the black fighters, set the stage for the trash-talking which is now rampant in sports, professional and amateur, alike. He may have been first in a long list of other traits, but this one is nothing to be proud of. It was the beginning of a very negative type of competitive spirit which has now permeated sports, school, music, and the very fiber of today's society. This book will intrigue a variety of students in middle school. It is easy to read, with enough black and white photographs and large page margins to attract even reluctant readers. The book includes an Index (very small print); a list of Photo Credits; a Bibliography; and a Fight Chronology. It is a good introduction to what actually goes on in professional athletics, and appropriate for students, grade 5 and up.

THE GREATEST MUHAMMAD ALI
The book"THE GREATEST MUHAMMAD ALI" is one of the best books ihave ever read. When I first read this book I coudn't put it down. this book only took me a week to read and also you get information you never herd of like I never knew that Muhammad Ali's real name is Cassius Clay. When Muhammad was young he used to get beat up and his bike was stolen. After he got beat up he started taking boxing lessions. He lost most of his boxing matches when he was young. In the book you lean about others like Joe Louis and Sugar Ray Robinson Ali never misted a practus. The reason I liked the book is because I took boxing lessons and now Iknow how to protect myself if I need to. Also you get good information on the boxers Ali's life. In the book they say that Ali has skills of most of thebest fighters that ever lived.Reading this book helped me change the way I look at things like the way I treat people andto be tough competitor at sports I play. It also helped me see how his life was as a African American boxer. I'm glad I found this awesome book to read because it made me want to be a boxer.

A Great book
This story is a portrayal of a young boy named Cassius Clay who grows into one of the greatest boxer's of all time. Walter Dean Myers presents the amazing story of Ali's life and his rise as a champion, his politics, and his battle against Parkinson's disease. It is a story of determination, energy, pride, and strength. From a daring young boxer with disease, Myers covers Ali's life with prowess and honesty. Ali's accomplishments, both in and out of the ring, present him as a man of principal, willing to take risks to achieve his goals.
Ali was a young man with a lot of boxing talent who grew up in Louisville, Kentucky. Raised by his grandmother, Ali possessed a work ethic of none other. Although Ali was a great fighter, racism and disouragement made it hard for Ali to achieve his goals.
If tou choose to read The Greatest you will experience fast paced action, crisp writing, photographic events and personalities, and vivid fight scenes. Ali followed his heart and became a symbol respected by all races, religions, and ideologies. Ali was the world heavyweight champion four times and may be the greatest boxer ever to step foot in the ring.
Delving into the civil rights and the Nation of Islam, Concientios objector status during the Vietnam war, and the danger of boxing. Myers presents a man of courage and inspiration. The story gets in depth with Ali's fight against Parkinson's disease and how he fought in the ring. "Float like a butterfly and sting like a bee" was Ali's famous line. He was well known for his cocky attitude and he was also the center of attention.
Ali's story is a great one, thus, that is why he is the greatest. I would reccommend this story for anyone to read, it is really a great book.

Perfect For A 13 Year Old & Under
This is a perfect book for a kid 14 or 13 years old and younger - it's a fantastic introduction to Muhammad Ali - I just bought it for my friends son - he's 12 - not that familiar with Muhammad Ali - just a basic knowledge of the myth and legend - he knows "Float Like a Butterfly - Sting Like A Bee!"

This is a great way to show a youngster that in addition to being the Greatest Of All Time that he was (and is) one of the most influential, courages and important figure of the 1960's and up -

It gently shows and explains the race issues of the 60's without overwhelming a child or blasting it in their face - it's very difficult for a kid these days to understand that as little as 40 years ago (which is actually life times to a kid) that if you were black then you had to sit at the back of the bus - or couldn't drink from certain water fountains or had to "know you're place" and how Muhammad Ali shattered that mold - I'm hoping that this actually creates a dialogue with parent and child - anyway - it shows Muhammad as the Champ both in and out of the ring.

The book goes over some of the famous fights and rivalry's - from Liston to Frazier - once again I found myself excited about the blow by blows of these fights - no matter how many times I read it I'm just awe struck about the Rumble in the Jungle -

I highly recommend this for any child as a great introduction to The Greatest Of All Time - Muhammad Ali!

Not the Best
The Greatest Muhammad Ali written by "Walter Dean Myers" tells you about how it was for a black man to grow up in the racism and be successful. He did so well all over the world that he got respect from the white crowd. It tells you all the struggles he had while he was fighting and how he went from Cassius Clay to Muhammad Ali; also how he took it when he got Parkinson's disease. This man was a phenomenon in boxing and you learn that by reading this book. I would not buy the book but get it for a little while from the library. ... Read more

Book Description

The latest in this series of lavishly photographed and fact-filled craft books invites children to explore the wildlife and indigenous peoples of Africa. Making masks from Zaire and hats in Nigerian fashion are two of the many ways readers can evoke the spirit of Africa. The crafts use common materials in unusual ways. A group of Kwanzaa projects conclude the book. ... Read more