Book Description

IN THE LIBYAN CITY of Ghadames, Malika watches her merchant father depart on one of his caravan expeditions. She too yearns to travel to distant cities, and longs to learn to read like her younger brother. But nearly 12 years old, and soon to be of marriagable age, Malika knows that—like all Muslim women—she must be content with a more secluded, more limited life. Then one night a stranger enters her home . . . someone who disrupts the traditional order of things—and who affects Malika in unexpected ways.

"I was enchanted by this story of a brave Berber girl who dares to dream and its filigree of details about harem life, ancient trade routes, goddesses and healers. The real beauty of The Shadows of Ghadames is that it transcends the exotic to explore universal truths about the condition of being human."—Suzanne Fisher Staples, author of Newbery Honor Book, Shabanu: Daughter of the Wind ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (14)

Bloody Jack
I thought it was a really,really good book, and i have read many. i almost didnt want it to end. Its about an orphan girl who, after the tradjic death of her beloved Chalie, the leader of the gang of orphans she lived with,escapes this hard unforgiving life by disguising herself as a boy to get a spot on the navel ship The Dolphin. There she gets good, constant meals for the first time in her life and forms a close friendship with the other ship's boys. She puts up with the trials of being a ship's boy such as the beatings of an evil middshippman,and the sexual harrassment of another evil shipmate.This is along with the many obsticals she faces to conseal her true identity which include her changing body and her feminity which even (gasp) makes her shipmates suspect her of being queer. But there are many wonederful things about her new life such as Jaimy, the ship's boy she falls in love with, and the thrill of chasing down and fighting pirates. I can't even describe how wonderfull this book really is.i thought at first it would be just another pirate book but i was woderfully wrong.I would recomend it to anyone who loves a good action packed book with a side of heart racing romance. it made me laugh out loud and cry, and any book that can do that is well worth the time.READ IT! It wont let you down.

Finally, a book worth reading
As a teenager, I have read numerous books about the same subject. While you read them, they all blend into one another and end the same way, and have no surpises in the plot at all. When I picked up a copy of Mr. Meyer's book, I thought the same about it while i read the summary. To my surprise i was enchanted while reading the first pages. Not only is the story rich with wonderful characters and dialogue, it is filled with sea-faring adventure, romance and humor. I have been told that teenage boys do not appreciate this story, but I am a male, and it is now one of my favorites.If books were money, this one would be gold. Mr. Meyer, I applaud you.

Bloody Horrible
Where do I start?
I picked up this book at the library, and checked it out. I got it to entertain me through the Holiday Vacation. This is a book about a british girl, roughly 13, who has had a rotten life uptil she enlists aboard the HMS Dolphin. Although her name is Mary, that name becomes lost and she and everyone around her believe her to be Jack, as a ships boy. She keeps this duisguise until of course, a crazy thing happens, and everyone knows shes a girl. She herself seemed kinda surprised. To let you know the kind of books I like, I enjoyed Redwall, Pirates, The Life of Pi, and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. BUT I didn't like this book. I love reading books where you are able to play out the scenarios in your mind, and I just couldn't do that with this book. It wasn't too funny in my opinoin and some of the things that happened in the story were ridiculous, if not impossible. If you are a boy, I suggest you read the small note underneath the title. it reads, "Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary "Jacky" Faber, Ship's Boy" OF MARY "Jacky" Faber. Anywho, I didn't like this book, and YEA I'm a girl.

TItanic, pirate style.
This is a nice little story about a girl who disguses herself as a boy. How very orthodox. I didn't especially like it, but then again maybe you will. They focus on her obsession with her bunk mate a little too much, instead of kicking pirate butt, which was what I expected from the summary. It was pretty predictable, but it gave you a little "haha" once or twice. The writing itself was ok, but as I am not learned in british slang from the 1680s, it was a little difficult to understand what the protagonist ment. It was a book I could put down and forget about until i stepped on it. I read it, and would suggest this book for girls. It may seem like a "boys" book from the cover, something like Stowaway, but a boy might not enjoy reading it. It was no Da Vinci code, and was about 8 levels down from the writing quality of Harry Potter, but if you really have nothing to do, check a book out from the library and keep this one on the shelf.

WOW!
What a great book! I could not put it down... Its one of the most exciting books I have ever read. Bloody Jack starts strong and doesn't let up 'til the end. Meyer does a brilliant job at capturing the feel of life on the sea. The characters are memorable, and the story flows smoothly. I haven't read a book this good in a long, long, time. ... Read more

Book Description

Yo-wee-o! In a milestone picture book, author-illustrator Judith Byron Schachner brings us an inspiring story about making dreams come true, seasoned with a hearty helping of heroic Viking history and lore.

Emma is excited as she starts to read about Erik the Red for a school report on world explorers. The excitement grows to epic proportions when she sets her sights on obtaining a real Viking ship. With a tinfoil helmet, a fighting spirit, and the help of a kindly librarian, she hatches a plan . . . and amazes her entire town when an authentic, dragon-prowed ship arrives in her backyard!

Rich with details and humor in art and text, this is a tale about the magic of discovery and how far imagination, fueled by knowledge, can take one determined little girl. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Wonderful read aloud!
I am a teacher for an after school program for elementary students. I read this book to my students and they loved it! The illustrations are wonderful. We made paper Viking Longboats afterwords. They couldn't wait to make their boats and they are still asking for books on Vikings.

Awe and wonder
Emma lives in a world of wonder that the cynics and realists have not destroyed. Wonder is a marvelous land of believing where even the adults are wizards and mages. Like Joseph Campbell's hero, Emma is on a mythic adventure. Her quest wins her knowledge, friends, and a gift of epic proportions.

A school assignment on world discoverers expands Emma's universe. She plunders the library, gathers knowledge and soon she becomes Emma the Red, Viking explorer. Yo, Vikings! is a celebration of story telling both oral and written. Emma hears stories from Mr. Sigurd, the children's librarian, and he directs her to the old tales of Norse history and mythology. She reads stacks of books, then takes notes and draws pictures illustrating what she is learning. She then enthralls her younger brother with stories of dragons, Viking longships , and sword fights.

Judith Byron Schachner's tale introduces some major heroes and gods of Norse history and mythology. For her school report, Emma learns about Erik the Red's journey to Greenland and about his son, Leif Eriksson. Emma is proud to report that Leif came to North America 500 years before Christopher Columbus. In story time, Mr. Sigurd, Emma's helper figure, tells the children of Sigurd, the strong and courageous Norse warrior, and his heroic fight against the dragon Fafnir. Mr. Sigurd does not mention the name of the hero. By looking carefully at Mr. Sigurd's book in the illustration, the reader will see that the dragon slaying hero's name is Sigurd. In her journal, Emma shows Sigurd holding a shield that says "librarian" as he fights the dragon Fafnir. The god Odin is introduced as a giver of gifts and riding his eight legged horse, though no mention is made of his grimmer, darker qualities.

Yo, Vikings! explores the childhood experiences of awe and wonder and is appropriate for ages about five to ten. The reader is invited to come along on an adventure with a young, female hero. Emma might hearten children, especially young girls, to learn and read for the joy of the adventure, just when girls need the encouragement. Interestingly, Judith Byron Schachner's fantastic story is a retelling of a family story; her daughter Emma actually did have a Viking ship in the back yard for a number of years. The truth in this story may lead other girls and boys to try new things, to learn for fun, and to believe in their dreams. Yo, Vikings! will inspire readers to do some exploring of Viking lore of their own at the library.

Judy lets children know that dreams can come true!!!!
I just bought this book today for my children. They loved it and so do I. I purchased it a book signing and Judy filled us in on the background for the story. My children's eyes got "as big as jelly donuts" and have learned sometimes you can get what you want. It is a very inspiring story. The illustrations are fantastic. Kids will enjoy picking out details from the pictures on each page. Thanks Judy for a wonderful story, pictures and inspiration. ... Read more

Reviews (141)

The opportunity of her life turns into a nightmare.
Thirteen-year-old Margaret, the fictional passenger that is the "writer" of the "diary" that makes up this book, shouldn't have even been on the Titanic. By a twist of fate that she interprets as good fortune, the orphan, who has been living at an orphanage since her mother died and her brother decided he couldn't care for her properly, gets a job with a wealthy American woman, Mrs. Carstairs. The job is fairly simple: Margaret just has to keep Mrs. Carstairs company during her return voyage to New York, and it comes with a ticket to America. Margaret takes the job eagerly: her brother now is living and working in America, able to support her, and has been saving up for a ticket for her for awhile. Now she can join him immediatley. But Mrs. Carstairs is returning to America on the Titanic. And we all know that voyage is doomed to end of tragedy. So Margaret unknowingly heads off into a disaster. We see through her eyes how the luxuries of first class would appear to a child who lived in poverty all of her life. And of course, the disaster plays a large role in the story as well. I highly reccomend this to fans of the Dear America series, historical fiction, and of course, the Titanic!

Voyage on the Great Titanic - Story of a British Girl
This book is a diary of a 13 year old British girl named Margaret Ann Brady. After her parents died when she was young, she was left in the orphanage by her brother, William. Then William went to America to earn money. With the support from Sister Catherine, a nun who was very closed to her, Margaret grew up to be a fine young woman. When she was thirteen, she met an American women named Mrs. Carstairs, who asked Margaret to be her companion her voyage to the America on a ship called the RMS Titanic. So they left together to experience the biggest moment in her life.

In the ship, she met many upper class people, especially Mrs. Carstairs friends. She was in first class and experienced a lot of things that upper class people do. She became friends with a ship steward named Robert. She had a lot of fun on the Titanic. But on the night of April 14, 1912, things start to going wrong. Titanic hit the big iceberg and ship had big gouge down her side. Titanic started to sink in the middle of the ocean. Titanic sent message to other ships for help, but they were too far away. Life boats were taken out and first class women and children boarded them. Margaret was in first class but she stayed to find Robert. After she met Robert, they said good bye to each other because Robert wanted to rescue Margaret. Then Margaret got on a life boat and she was rescued. Then next day, all the life boats were met by a ship called Carpathia and they were saved. More than 2,000 passengers, crew members, and others died from it, and only 700 people survived. When she arrived to New York, Margaret found her brother and, finally she was safe.

In this book, Margaret described her feelings about her life and on the Titanic. She was an extremely smart and so clever that she thought like an adult even though she is only thirteen. She noticed almost everything about what happened the Titanic. She wrote about everything that she saw and experienced on the Titanic. This journal has a lot of information about the Titanic and how it felt to survive such a disaster. The good thing about this book is that you can actually experience the huge Titanic known as "unsinkable" from the point of view of a young person. I recommend this book to students who are studying Titanic. It might be a little bit hard for some people because it has many words that British people use.

Voyage on the Great Titanic: The Diary of Margaret Ann Brady
Voyage on the Great Titanic: The Diary of Margaret Ann Brady (Dear America)
By: Ellen Emerson White

If you enjoyed the story of the Great RMS Titanic, have you ever wondered what the story was about the other survivors? Well, Margaret Ann Brady was one of the survivors on that tragic voyage. In the book, Voyage on the Great Titanic: The Diary of Margaret Ann Brady, Margaret is an orphan who was unexpectedly invited for the ship's first sail to America by a rich American lady, Mrs. Carstairs.
During her voyage to America, Margaret meets a steward, Robert Browning, which she becomes terribly fond of. Throughout her voyage, she is very interested in Robert, as well as he is of her. The two talk to each other often and shortly fall in love with each other. But at one point of the story, they both lose each other on a very terrible evening. Read this book to find out the story of Margaret Ann Brady.
I thought that this book was a great choice and a very interesting book to read. Learning about the Titanic through another person's point of view can be a very interesting part of reading a book. If you like reading historical fiction books, then Voyage on the Great Titanic: The Diary of Margaret Ann Brady by Ellen Emerson White is the book for you.

Voyage on the Great Titanic: The Diary of Margaret Ann Brady
If you enjoyed the story of the Great RMS Titanic, have you ever wondered what the story was behind the other survivors on the voyage? Well, Margaret Ann Brady was one of the people who survived that tragic voyage. In the book, Voyage on the Great Titanic: The Diary of Margaret Ann Brady, Margaret is an orphan who was unexpectedly invited for the ship's first sail to America in 1912 by a rich American lady, Mrs. Carstairs.
During her voyage, Margaret meets a steward, Robert Browning, which she becomes terribly fond of. Through her voyage, Margaret is very interested in Robert, as well as he is of her. The two talk very often and shortly fall in love with each other. But during one night, they lose each other. Read the book to find out the tragic story of Margaret Ann Brady.
This book is a great choice and an interesting book to read. Learning the Titanic's voyage from another person's point of view can be an interesting part of a book. If you like reading historical fiction books, then Voyage on the Great Titanic: The Diary of Margaret Ann Brady is the book for you. Voyage on the Great Titanic: The Diary of Margaret Ann Brady by Ellen Emerson White.

A Touching story
I saw this book in the Library and picked it out. i'm glad i di it was great. It touched me to the point i was crying, laughing and even got mad with the girl in the story. I felt like i was right on the ship! its worth it to get and read!!!! I am now reaading and buying the entire series. ... Read more

Book Description

Conceived on May Morning, Nell is claimed by the piskies and faeries as a merrybegot, one of their own. She is a wild child: herb gatherer and healer, spell-weaver and midwife...and, some say, a witch.

Grace is everything Nell is not. She is the Puritan minister's daughter: beautiful and refined, innocent and sweet-natured...to those who think they know her. But she is hiding a secret -- a secret that will bring everlasting shame to her family should it ever come to light.

A merrybegot and a minister's daughter -- two girls who could not have less in common. Yet their fates collide when Grace and her younger sister, Patience, are suddenly spitting pins, struck with fits, and speaking in fevered tongues. The minister is convinced his daughters are the victims of witchcraft. And all signs point to Nell as the source of the trouble....

Set during the tumultuous era of the English Civil War, The Minister's Daughter is a spellbinding page-turner -- stunning historical fiction that captures the superstition, passion, madness, and magic of a vanished age.

... Read more

Reviews (2)

A profound look at history & community
In 1847 an impoverished displaced group of Choctaw Indians collected from their meager resources the sum of $170 to send toward food relief for the Irish Potato Famine.

Through the memories of Choona, now known as Tom, who is very, very old, we learn of how he, as a young man, at last learned of that part of his family's history about which no one would speak & yet everyone looked so wounded. The Long March, when his people were forced to walk from Florida to Mississippi all through one fearsome, killing winter.

The Long March is rich in American history & memory. The marvelous drawings create a magically real place. This is a must for anyone who loves looking at other ways to live in community; other ways of teaching the spirit to grow & learning about courage, wisdom & respecting the memories.

An amazing book - to be read & read again & again & the pictures to be studied & dreamed over. Beautifully evocative.

This is a moving and beautiful book with awesome drawings.
(I got this book in Dublin, Ireland, recently.)

This is a truly delightful book.The drawings are lovingly created and the story is both touching and well written.What makes it even more compelling is that it is based on a wonderful true act of human generosity over 150 years ago, from one impoverished people to another, who, although worlds apart in both distance and cultures, had a common enemy, in hunger and oppression.

The author travelled to Oklahoma to research the book and has gone to great lengths to ensure the drawings are authentic as well as inspiring.I particularly like the drawings of the great-grandmother and indeed,the clever shadow of the American eagle when Choona raises his arms in the final drawing as well as the subtle, celtic symbols to be found in this same drawing. "The Long March" is a must for the millions of us with Irish-American heritage - every Irish American child should read this book! ... Read more

Book Description

Richard Peck is a master of stories about people in transition, but perhaps never before has he told a tale of such dramatic change as this one, set during the first year of the Civil War. The whole country is changing in 1861-even the folks from a muddy little Illinois settlement on the banks of the Mississippi. Here, fifteen-year-old Tilly Pruitt frets over the fact that her brother is dreaming of being a soldier and that her sister is prone to supernatural visions. A boy named Curry could possibly become a distraction.

Then a steamboat whistle splits the air. The Rob Roy from New Orleans docks at the landing, and off the boat step two remarkable figures: a vibrant, commanding young lady in a rustling hoop skirt and a darker, silent woman in a plain cloak, with a bandanna wrapped around her head. Who are these two fascinating strangers? And is the darker woman a slave, standing now on the free soil of Illinois? When Tilly's mother invites the women to board at her house, the whole world shifts for the Pruitts and for their visitors as well.

Within a page-turning tale of mystery, adventure, and the civilian Civil War experience, Richard Peck has spun a breathtaking portrait of the lifelong impact that one person can have on another. This is a novel of countless riches. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

A riveting tale of a Civil War family
The book opens with a fifteen year old boy, his father and his two five year old brothers traveling to Grand Tower, Illinois. It's 1916 and the description of traveling by car is impressive; four flat tires in one day, cranking the Ford to get it started.

In Grand Tower, the boy meets his relatives, old Tilly, her husband Dr. Hutchings, Tilly's twin brother Noah, and his wife Delphine. The story then jumps back in time to 1861. Tilly and Noah live with their mother and young sister Cass in this small town off of the Mississippi River. One evening, a boat stops and drops off a girl with violet eyes and grand skirts and a quiet, dark-skinned girl. The two girls from New Orleans, named Delphine and Calinda, move in with the Pruitt family and immediately change their lives. Tilly learns of the torture of wearing corsets, how Calinda makes pralines, and just how bad tensions between the Yankees and the Secessioners have become in the South. Still, little is known about the two girls. Is Calinda a slave? A servant? Has she been freed? Are they escaping from something?

All questions are put on hold as Noah volunteers to fight for the Union Army. Then Tilly and Delphine become even closer as they travel to Cairo to find Noah and hopefully bring him home in one piece. They learn much about themselves and about each other, and that the bonds of friendship transcend the ideals of war.

Richard Peck has written an extraordinary portrait of life for a Northern and Southern girl during the American Civil War. I never guessed exactly what Delphine's story was and was surprised by the many twists in the story. I would highly recommend this book to teens interested in historical fiction, especially those interested in learning about war and racial tension in America. This is a tremendous little book.

Plac,age
Peck has followed Mildred Taylor's "The Land" with another expose' of the exploitation of women of color by gentrified white men of the South up to the Civil War. It was a norm and secret that deserves unmasking for American children.

But the book is so much more. Peck takes the reader on an road trip with a father and his sons by touring car in 1916 for a family reunion with elders. It is the elders' story told as teens experiencing Succession and the beginning of the Civil War in a region around the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. With this, Peck also brings in the cultural history of New Orleans. The artifacts and other markers for the time period are totally engrossing. Mystery and surprising revelations abound.

It's a fascinating read by a master writer.

Steamboats are coming
The last steamboats from the South were making their final trip to the north and with them they brought many surprises. In the midst of the Civil War one family had to try to stay strong and attempt to overcome life's obstacles.
In The River Between us the Pruitt's were a fatherless family struggling to grow up in 1861. Tilly was 15 years old and just trying to be a good sister and helpful daughter. Her mom was cold hearted and selfish. Her little sister, Cass, had visions of people dying. Noah, her brother, had his heart set on leaving and going to fight in the war. Then came Delphine Duval, a spoiled southern girl from New Orleans. Calinda also came with her and together they introduced Southern style to a small town of Northerners. Add all of these people together and you had one crazy family.
The book started out in 1916 with a father and his two sons who traveled to visit their family. Then it went back to 1861 to tell the story of that family. Flash forward again to 1916 and the story is summed up. Basically, in the story Delphine and Calinda arrived on a steamboat to Illinois. They then lived with the Pruitt's and turned life upside down. Neighbors started to get suspicious, fights broke out, and war took its toll. What shocked me the most is what Tilly's mother said to her. Tilly's mom told her that she loved Noah more and that Tilly had to go get him back. Tilly and Delphine then traveled to Cairo and find Noah. They nursed him and a bunch of other people back to health. Then, Noah went out to fight, lost an arm, and then they all went home.
This book really disappointed me. It was written in a really simple manner and left me confused. The writer does not explain a lot of things towards the end and it seems as if he was in a hurry to finish it. It was also unrealistic that two girls would go down to a war camp to rescue a boy. It was also depressing and everyone dies in the end. The mother kills herself, Calinda leaves and is never heard from again, Cass dies from depression, and Tilly, Delphine, and Noah all die of old age. Not to mention that Noah loses an arm and their father comes back dead in a coffin. However, this book did pull me in and I enjoyed reading it up to the end. All in all, I give this book 3/5 stars because it was an easy read, predictable, confusing, sad, but also captivating book.
If you're looking for an easy summer read this book is for you. I think people who enjoy history would not like this book because some of the stuff in it would never happen in real life. I think that this book is more for a 10-12 year old because it was way too easy for me.

unigue and interesting historical
I thought this idea was really interesting. the mytery of the two young women who comne to stay during the war. It was really good. sometimes richard peck writes sort of a group of stories like in year down yonder. but in this book its more like a novel and I like that better personlally. And for those who like interesting Historical fiction read also Prairie Whispers . It's super.

The River Between Us
The book is about a fifteen-year-old girl named Tilly Pruitt and her family: Mom, Cass, her younger sister who sees visions and can tell the future, and Noah, Tilly's twin. Their dad/husband has died a long time ago; life was complicated and stressful to the Pruitt family. Mom still misses her husband, Cass is having the worst visions ever from the past and future, Noah wants to join his part in the Civil War. Tilly is in the thick of it and doesn't know what to do, till one day a New Orleans lady and another lady (her slave?) comes off a steamboat: their names are Delphine Duval and Calinda. Tilly's Mom lets them inside, and this is how just one little thing changed the Pruitt family's life.

I like this book because of the following reasons. The book showed how just one little thing changed the entire family's life; every single one of them. This relates to the life right now: how kindness can be received back to something even greater, like happiness to the Pruitt family. Another is how mysterious this book was, although I do hate waiting most of the time, this time it was worth it. Like how in the book it says that Delphine was really a free woman..of color. As it says in the book, (Delphine) "French blood flow through me and Spanish blood and African blood. It is the African blood they despise. Is it not curious?"

Despise all things, however, there are some things that I wished the author of the book never added in, like pain, death, saddness. Noah lost an arm in the story, Tilly was betrayed of her mother after she commited suicide and told Tilly that she'd rather have Noah then her in the book as it says here, "Don't come back without him. I can spare you. I can't spare him." Cass saw death in her visions and in the future, it seemed so stressful for her that in a way it seemed scary. In the end, surprisingly, everything turned out fine, even if several things were lost.

My least favorite part of the book was when Tilly heard that she was betrayed. How would you like it if your own mother told you the same thing? It's like saying that she wished that you were never born at all and would rather have another sibling instead. Tilly must've felt sad to know this, depressed, yet in the end she went with Delphine to fetch Noah back from the camp. At least she was loyal; although at the same time she didn't have much choice. ... Read more

Book Description

Shek marvels at the new world as he and his brother, Little Wong, arrive in California. Along with hundreds of other workers, the brothers are going to build a great railroad across the West. They plan to save enough money so that their mother and little brothers can join them in America. But as days grow into months, they endure many hardships-exhausting work, discrimination, and treacherous avalanches. Inspired by actual events, this story reveals the harsh truth about life for the Chinese railroad workers in 1865, while celebrating their perseverance and bravery. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Historic Story of Early Chinese-Americans
Delightful story of two young boys who leave China and travel to US to earn money to send home. It begins because a grandmother is trying to teach her grandson the importance of honoring their ancestors.

The story is told by the young boys as they take us on the voyage, into the work camps and show us a glimpse of the predujices they faced in America.

It shows of the love the two boys have for each other and how they sacrifice to see to each others needs during this hard time. In spite of what they face, the boys remain optimistic.

The illustrations are beautiful.

Elliott at Ashley River Creative Arts El.
I think it is a great book that I think everyone should read. It was a great story that had good detail and had awesome illustrations that go really good with the book. I also think that the railroad was a great Place for the two of the characters to work at all through the story.

Richmond from Ashley River Creative Arts El.
I give this book 5 stars because it has beautiful illustrations. The pictures look life like.

Branden From Ashley River Creative Arts El.charle
The part I like about Coolies was when they went to put the dynamite on the edge of the cliff. Chris Sentpient is my favorite Illustrator because he writes good book. I gave you 5 stars.

Trevor from Ashley River Creative Art EL.
The illustrations brought the book to life. My favorite part was when the boy went down in the cliff to put the dynamite in the rocks because I thought he would lose a finger from the dynamite. The pictures were so cool. I give the book 5 stars. The book was incredible! ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (3)

Historical Education
"The Encounter" written by Jane Yolen, is a historically accurate fiction. As a departure from the other writing style she shows, this book is not light-hearted, but rather a serious work written with an intention to educate. Of course, to keep the reader focussed and interested in a story that s/he may have heard hundreds of times already, some high drama is added.

The book leaves one with a slight over-all feeling of sorrow, but accomplishes its purpose. Read it, even if you decide not to own it. For a bit of a pick-me-up, re-read Jane Yolen's "Wizard's Hall" (very entertaining, even after four years of looking).

Fantastic for "walking a mile in someone else's shoes".
First found this book when I was student teaching. Such a powerful book, both to teach history/social studies and to see that every story has two sides. I've been in 2 classrooms since and have decided I can't live without this book.

Great, from the point of view of a Taino child
beautiful illustrations, lovely story, unique and unusual point-of-view. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (3)

Patience and You Will Win
This is the 3rd book in the Young Royals series. This historical novel is based on Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIII's first wife. This opens in 1533, as Catherine refuses to release King Henry VIII from their marriage, renounce her title, or recognize Anne Boleyn as queen. She is imprisoned in a "moldering castle" and allowed no visitors and no contact with her daughter, Mary. This book shows Catherine reflecting on her experiences, beginning with her voyage to England at age 15 to marry Prince Arthur. Their marriage, in name only, lasted 6 months until his death in 1502. Over the next 7 years, Catherine lives with increasing poverty and decreasing prospects of marrying England's new crown prince, Henry. It shows how she hard her life was. It gives you new insight into her life. I think this book is better from 12 years and up.

A wonderful addition to the Young Royals series.
Catherine of Aragon was a young Spanish princess known as Catalina when she left her home in the summer of 1501 to sail to England. Catherine had known since childhood that she was betrothed to Prince Arthur, heir to the throne of England, and that one day she would have to leave Spain to marry him. Now that she is fifteen, that day has come. Arriving in England, Catherine has hope for her future. Arthur appears kind, and it seems they will at least be friends. But due to Arthur's poor health, their marriage is in name only. And just six months after the wedding, Arthur suddenly dies. Now Catherine finds her once-certain future in question. As a woman she is utterly powerless to make decisions about her own life, and can only wait while those in power determine her fate. Will she be returned to Spain so that her parents can negotiate a new marriage for her elsewhere -- or will she be married to Arthur's younger brother Prince Henry, the new heir to the throne of England? Carolyn Meyer brought the world of Tudor England to life in this novel. Catherine is portrayed as a real young woman with hopes and dreams, making her ultimate fate seem all the more tragic. Readers who enjoyed the author's other books in the Young Royals series won't want to miss this one.

Another great young royals book
In the 4th book of Carolyn Meyer's Young Royals series, we meet another one of the Tudor women, Catherine of Aragorn, Henry VII's first wife out of six. It is 1501, and young Catherine of Spain is betrothed to Arthur, the heir to England's throne. She begins by writing of a her journey to England. What was to be a great union of two powers was not to be as Catherine describes her utter loneliness in the English court. Arthur is very sickly and unable to perform the duties of a husband to Catherine. Six mothes after marriage, Arthur dies, and Catherine's fate is thrown up in the air as Spain and England dispute the outcome. There are rumors that she will return to Spain, and also rumors that she will marry Henry. Catherine's life is thrown into chaos for the next 7 years, and she lives through a time of poverty while the two kingdoms fight over her drowry. Through it all Catherine is determined to become Queen of England one day. During this time she comes into acquaintence with Henry, Arthur's younger brother. Catherine takes a liking to Henry and in the end, she does marry Henry and become England's Queen, though quickly the happiness fades. This was another wonderful book in the Young Royals series. Catherine painted a very vivid image of her life in the English court and her feelings toward Arthur and Henry. Fans should definitely also read Mary, Bloody Mary, about Catherine's daughter, and Doomed Queen Anne, about Anne Boleyn, the woman who ultimately stole Henry's heart from Catherine. ... Read more

Book Description

Throughout World War II, in the conflict fought against Japan, Navajocode talkers were a crucial part of the U.S. effort, sending messagesback and forth in an unbreakable code that used their native language.They braved some of the heaviest fighting of the war, and with theircode, they saved countless American lives. Yet their story remainedclassified for more than twenty years.

But now Joseph Bruchac brings their stories to life for young adultsthrough the riveting fictional tale of Ned Begay, a sixteen-year-oldNavajo boy who becomes a code talker. His grueling journey is eye- opening and inspiring. This deeply affecting novel honors all of thoseyoung men, like Ned, who dared to serve, and it honors the culture andlanguage of the Navajo Indians. ... Read more

Book Description

The beautiful, mysterious women of Japan are being killed one by one. The famous samurai Judge Ooka knows he will need help to solve the crimes, so he turns to his newly adopted son, fourteen-year-old Seikei. Determined to prove his worth as a samurai, Seikei goes undercover as a teahouse attendant in the exotic "floating city" of Yoshiwara, where demons lurk among the pleasure seekers and no one is safe-not even a samurai.

"Rousing adventure and suspense." (School Library Journal) ... Read more

Book Description

Keladry (known as Kel) is the first girl to take advantage of the decree that permits girls to train for the knighthood. The only thing that can stop her is Lord Wyldon, the training master of pages and squires. He does not think girls should be knights and puts her on probation for one year. It is a trial period that no male page has to endure and one that separates the friendly Kel even more from her fellow trainees. But Kel is not someone to underestimate. . . . ... Read more

Reviews (216)

Different from Alanna, but great anyway
I originally thought that this series would be just a carbon copy of the Alanna books. Well, I was wrong. yes, there are similarities (Kel is good friends with the prince for instance), but on the whole, it is very different.

While the problems Kel faces are similar to the one's Alanna faces, they are quite different. Instead of being as good as the boy pages while pretending to be a boy, Kel has to be as good as the boys right through everyone's sexist ideas.

She is also very unfairly put on probation - and must prove herself extra so she will be able to stay to her seconed year.

Kel's character is also very different from Alanna's and she finds different forms of fighting challenging.

There is a different training master and training to be a knight is considereably different now than before.

Several characters from previous books made short appearances - Daine, Numaire, Roaul and a little bit of Alanna in the beggining of the book.

Although the book doesn't mention it, i do think that Kel may have wild magic - although I don't know why niether Daine or Numair mentioned it to her.

I also would have liked Alanna to be in the book a little more - I really like her. Kel recieves a few anonymouse presents which I think are from Alanna because she was not permitted to talk to Kel. This does hint to the fact that Alanna will have more space in the books to come.

The style of Pierce's writing has changed since Alanna - it's not better or worse, just different. Overall, a good book.

I can't wait for Page to come out in paperback!

Another wonderful Tortallan series
Ten-year-old Keladry wants to be a knight like her hero Alanna the Lioness. After she rescues some kittens from a spidren monster, she becomes more determined than ever to go to knighthood-training school, so she can learn how to protect the weak and small. Kel is the first girl page since Alanna (who was disguised as a boy at the time), and the odds seem to be against her: The training master thinks girls shouldn't be knights; some of the boys play vicious practical jokes on her, trying to get her to drop out. Kel shows her courage when she is the first student to stand up to the school bullies. As always in Tamora Pierce's fantasies, there are plenty of good, likable characters, such as the Shang Wildcat, Daine (who converses with animals), King Jonathan, the mage Numair, good old Sir Myles, Neal of Queenscove, and Lord Raoul. And then there are the animals: Kel's faithful horse, Peachblossom, and the sparrow Crown and her flock, who prove quite dangerous to Kel's enemies. There are some exciting confrontations with immortal monsters. "First Test" is the first book in Ms. Pierce's third Tortallan series, Protector of the Small, and it's just as much fun as the two earlier series. I'm now looking forward to reading the next book, "Page."

Great Book!
When I got this book out of the library, I didn't want to finish it until I could go on to the next book. When Keladry of Mindelan (Kel) goes to Corus to become a Lady Knight, she finds it harder than she expected. Battling against Lord Wyldon, the training master, Kel builds up a reputation for protecting the helpless. Thus, the name for the quartet,"Protector of the Small."

Amazing
I loved this book! She didn't get through it so easily as in most books, she had to fight every step of the way. She had her fear of hieghts to contend with, that's what makes her such a strong character! This is a great book that definetly will inspire and make you read the next in the series!

Nice Idea
(...)There is so much background information about the land of Tortall in the Alanna books that is left out of this book. I guess Ms. Pierce didn't want to repeat herself but someone reading this book first may feel the background is too sketchy.

If you love fantasy and magic (like I do) you may be disappointed in "First Test". This book has almost no magic in it and reads almost like a historical of midevil times. Actually what I thought of when I read this book was what happened at The Citadel (military college) several years ago. When they first opened the school to women there was intense resistance. The poor girl (I have forgotten her name) who was the first female "accepted" was put through absolute hell and was not able to stick it out more than a week. But she paved the way and the next girl was successful. Now a woman going to the Citadel is not even a blip on the media's radar screen.
So it is interesting in "First Test" to see how Keladry makes it through her first year of training to be a knight. The book has relevance to our times too. Even though it is similar to what Alanna goes through, there are some key differences. In fact, the diffences actually bugged me a bit. Why didn't Kel ever seem to go into town? Did Alanna have an older page sponsor? Anyway, I didn't think that was that big a deal. What bothered me much more was how bland this book and Keladry are. Not much seems to happen here so if you're looking for adventure, forget it. And Keladry is about the most boring, stoic heroine you can imagine. Actually, her personality is perfect for the first female knight-in-training but that doesn't make for a very interesting person (or book). Still, I love the way Keladry is changing minds not by talking but by doing.With her amazing courage and fortitude she is a wonderful role model for young women. Actually, a much better role model than Alanna. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Based on a true story from J. S. Bach's childhood
Sallie Ketcham's wonderful "Bach's Big Adventure" is that rare breed of book which manages to tie together a true story from a major historical figure's childhood with terrific illustrations--and throw in a palatable moral as well.

J. S. Bach apparently was quite a confident young man, boasting by the age of ten to all who would listen that he and he alone was the greatest organist in all Germany. His confidence pierced by the sarcasm and truthfulness of his elder brother (who reared him once their parents had died), Bach decides that he will go to hear a concert by the man his brother says IS the greatest--an organist named Reincken.

Suffice it to say that Bach is humbled by the experience and almost hesitates to join Reincken at the organ--but the elder man is encouraging and soon the two are playing a rollicking tune, much to the delight of both. Reincken cheers the young Bach who does, in time, become the greatest organist in Germany and beyond.

Ketcham's tale is well told, with generous doses of humor. Timothy Bush's watercolor illustrations are cartoonlike and serve to further humanize this great musician. The book is a success and a treat to peruse.

Great Story For the Right Age Group
Probably best suited for 5-8 year-olds. It's the story of young Johann Sebastian Bach and his desire to be the greatest organist in all of Germany and the world. Through very good illustrations, and a compelling story, children and adults will be fascinated by this prodigy. The author passes on interesting tidbits of information of Bach's childhood that make for very good reading. However, children younger than 5 will probably tire easily of this story, since it runs a bit long.

Great Book that You Can't Put Down
This book is well written. Children will want to read it again and again. The author's humor adds sparkle to this historically based novel. ... Read more

Product Description

During the German occupation of France, twenty French children were brought to a refuge in the mountains. One day a young man came to their school with a request: Could they take in, and hide, ten Jewish refugee children?...based on a true story ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Highly Recommended Low-key Adventure
I loved this book as a child, came across it again as an adult in my parent's attic, and still love it. In retrospect the overall themes are somewhat heavy: Nazi's, hiding fugitives at the risk of your own life and children keeping life or death secrets, but as a child I didn't grasp the greater issues, and it didn't matter to the storyline. Based on a true story, twenty children at a convent are asked by the nuns to help them conceal ten Jewish children from the Nazi's. When I read this as a child I basically had NO religious education, and knew little about WWII except for what my father told me, and that Nazi's were bad. That's all you need. It's a short, but gripping story, and for the children of today who have so much, it's glimpse into the lives of others in the past who didn't. I highly recommend this book to anyone who reads.

The best early introduction to the Holocaust
I read Twenty and Ten when I was a 3rd grader (about 30 years ago), and is my lifetime favorite book. The story, based on an actual situation, describes how 20 Christian children used their wits and compassion to hide 10 Jewish children from the Nazis during World War II. The children's experiences are truly an adventure, yet do not trivialize the Holocaust. Although I do not recommend teaching young children about the Holocaust's grim details, this book opens the discussion about people's responsibility to one another regardless of differences. I have yet to find a child or adult who can put the book down once they start reading it

GREAT READ!!!
The book I think you should read is Twenty and Ten by Claire Huchet Bishop. Twenty and Ten deals with the Holocaust and concentration camps. Kids had to
be hidden from the Nazis because they were endanger of being sent away to a concentration camp . It took place around World War II
In Twenty and Ten Nazis are trying to steal the kids from the Jews. When I read this book it was extremely emotional and shocking. When I read the book I felt like I could feel their pain and felt what it was like to be locked up and also I felt heroic, like I was the one saving and fighting for the kid's lives. This book is a great read.

Ten and Twenty
What I thought of the book is that it was good. It was short but I liked it. In the beginning it is not very interesting, but after you get into the book its not so bad. What I like the best about this story is it is suspensful and keeps you wonder what is going to happen next. It also makes you realize how hard it was on those kids during those time.

My daughter loved it!
I read this book when I was a child (more than 30 years ago) and still have fond memories of it. I stumbled upon the book last week and decided to introduce it to my 11-year-old. She quickly became involved with the story and it prompted many questions about WWII, Nazis, etc. Yes, the language is a bit old and a few phrases are no longer used, but the verbal images are still vibrant. My daughter was very interested to hear about the children protecting each other, sharing a coveted morsel of chocolate, hiding in a cave, outsmarting the Nazis. And she especially appreciated how each chapter stood on its own, with no cliffhangers. You don't need to study a bible or have a strong religious background to understand this book. Just be ready to explain why the Nazis wanted to find the Jewish children. I recommend this book to all people who want to discover a snippet of World War II history. The book contains nothing scarier than the threat of being discovered. ... Read more

Book Description

Chronicles the history of Japanese Americans from immigration to the World War II internment, as told through the eyes of a young girl and her grandfather. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A timely book in light of today's political turmoil
Collaboratively compiled by Kimberly and Kaleigh Komatsu, In America's Shadow is a very personalized retelling of the injustice the United States of America perpetrated upon more than 120,000 members of the Japanese-American population during the World War II era, when they were compelled by the American government to live in relocation camps. Powerful black-and-white photographs and the wistful captions tell the story of a young girl and her family's experiences. A timely book in light of today's political turmoil, and very highly recommended for readers of all ages, In America's Shadow is vivid and unforgettable photography book highlighting one of the relatively lesser known aspects of World War II. ... Read more

Book Description

"[You are] either a German or a Christian; you cannot be both."

Adolph Hitler's ominous statements seem only a distant threat to eleven-year-old Rudi Kaplan.But when the Nazi forces invade Poland and bomb his home city of Warsaw, Rudi finds out that he is Hitler's enemy not only because he is a Pole but also because he's a Jew and a Christian.

The next few years change Rudi's life forever.With only his imprisoned father's promise that they will be reunited after the war, Rudi must learn how to survive in hiding, how to be truly brave, and how to overcome the hatred of his enemies.He must learn to die to himself and to trust the God who is mightier than any army. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

A Father's Promise...
Oh My Gosh. This is one of the best books I've ever read! I had to read last year in my homeroom english class and I loved it! I always like to read ahead, so I did and finished the book in 2 hours because I couldn't put it down, and I borrowed it from the school library and read it again! It was great. It made you feel like you were right along side Rudy and was with him in every adventure. It's one of those books that make you feel good inside. I highly recommend it. I would have given it 10 stars if I could. If you're intrested in World War II, than this is the book for you. I got closer to God while I read this book, and learned to count all my blessings The Lord has given me. I loved this book and so will you if you read it!!!!!!

An Excellent Book
When I first started reading A Father's Promise I wasn't so sure about the book but after the second chapter it was hard for me to put it down. Since the main character is only about my age it was even more exciting while I was reading. I would have to say that this is one of the most excellent books that I have ever read.

A great book!!!!
A Father's Promise is a great book, it was also sad.We had to read it in sixth grade.It takes you through the ups an downs of World War 2.I recommend it to everyone all ages.

A Father's Promise is the best book ever!
A Father's Promise is the absolute best book I've ever read! We had to read it for our sixth grade novel last year, and everyone in my class loved it. It combines history with excitement, and keeps you on the edge of your seat. A great book!

I loved every minute of it!
This book really made me feel like I was right along side the main character doing what he was doing. It made me trust in the Word of God more than I every had. It is a really touching and emotional book that everybody will love. Read it for your own good. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Call it fate, call it intuition, or just call it common sense, butsomehow young Alanna knows she isn't meant to become some proper lady cloisteredin a convent. Instead, she wants to be a great warrior maiden--a female knight.But in the land of Tortall, women aren't allowed to train as warriors. So Alannafinds a way to switch places with her twin, Thom, and take his place as a knightin training at the palace of King Roald. Disguising herself as a boy, Alannabegins her training as a page in the royal court. Soon, she is garnering theadmiration of all around her, including the crown prince, with her strong workethic and her thirst for knowledge. But all the while, she is haunted by therecurring vision of a black stone city that emanates evil... somehow she knowsit is her fate to purge that place of its wickedness. But how will she find it?And can she fulfill her destiny while keeping her gender a secret?

With Alanna: The First Adventure, veteran fantasy author Tamora Piercehas created a lively, engaging heroine who will charm middle-school readers withher tomboyish bravado and have them eagerly searching for the next book in theSong of the Lioness series. Like Brian Jacques's tales of Redwall, this popularquartet is an entertaining fantasy series for younger teens. (Ages 10 to 13)--Jennifer Hubert ... Read more

Reviews (497)

One of my favorite Fantasy books
The first Tamora Pierce book that I ever read, this book grabs you and pulls you in. Alanna is a young girl of noble birth, who doesn't want to become a lady. What she wants is to be a knight of the realm, so she switches places with her twin brother Thom, and goes to the Corus, the capital of Tortall. She must dress, talk and act like a boy to avoid being found out. She must overcome many obstacles, her lacking swordmanship, her fear of her gift, and her changing body. She makes friends and enemies, saves lives and does many amazing things. Alanna is a wonderful heroine because she is so human, she has her flaws and her strengths, a temper, but she is fiery and determined all the way. This is a definite MUST READ!

A HELPFUL review!
Ambitious, brave, and bold. That is a pretty good description of Alanna of Trebond. Alanna, the heroine of Alanna, The First Adventure,is a ten year old girl with one huge goal: to become a knight of Tortall. There is also one huge problem: girls are not allowed to become knights. Alanna, however, has a plan. Since she is old enough, she is going to be sent to the convent to learn how to be a lady. Her twin brother, Thom, is going to be sent to the palace to be trained as a knight. Thom hates fighting and wants to be a sorcerer. Alanna loves fighting and is scared of magic. So the twins decide to switch places.

Alanna, The First Adventure is a very well written book. The characters are believable, and the book keeps your attention. One of the especially good things about Tamora Pierce's style is that she gives Alanna her weaknesses and fears like the rest of us. She doesn't just have to concentrate on becoming a knight, she also has to face (unlike some other authors' heros) all of the problems that "tweens" and teens have. Setting the scene is another one of Pierce's talents. I can easily picture the kingdom of Tortall ( the land where most of the book takes place). Pierce has created a whole different world that not many writers could create. The only exceptions I can think of are Patricia C. Wrede, Brian Jaques, C. S. Lewis, and J.K. Rowling. Alanna, The First Adventure is not too long or short, (though I find The Realms of the Gods, another of Pierce's books in which Alanna appears, a bit tedious). Of all of Pierce's books that I have read, Alanna, The First Adventure is by far the best.

Pierce's book teaches us a lot of things. It really shows that you can accomplish almost anything if you put your mind to it, but that does not mean it's going to be easy. Actually achieving your goal will usually include hard work and challenges. Alanna is a good role model for pre-teen and teenage girls because of her bravery, ambition, and her "I can do it and I won't depend on others" attitude. Alanna, The First Adventure also makes a few good points, such as the fact that there is such thing as an "honorable thief". It shows that sometimes a few friendships can be better than many, most of the time those few people will be by your side no matter what secrets you posses.

My only complaint about Alanna, The First Adventure is that it seems a bit unlikely that Alanna could manage to keep her sex secret while she is a teen. But other then that, Alanna, The First Adventure is a wonderful fantasy book that I believe many people would benefit from reading.

3 reivews by three 5th grade girls
AC says: "Ok book. Too slow, too much detail. I like the story of the book but don't like how the author wrote it"

AM says: "great book. I like the details, they lead up to the excitement. Good story"

TG says: "very good book. Lots of action. Lots of drama and excitement."

Easy to read for a fifth graders. Might be inapporpriate for younger than a fifth grader.

Has magic, adventure, fighting, immortals, friendship, knights, and lots more.

Perfection
The Lioness Quartet is one of the best series of books I have ever read. It goes on my "special bookshelf" with Harry Potter, Gone With the Wind, and Pride and Prejudice. When I first got these books, I bought them in a series from Amazon, I was about eight or nine and I did not put them down until I was done. Since then I have read and re-read them what seems like a hundred times, and they have the marks to show for it (the second in the series is swollen from being dumped in the tub). For any young girl who loves fantasy this is simply a must-have.

The story follows Alanna of Trebond, a twin, and very much opposed to the sort of life a young noblewoman should have. When the story opens, she and her brother, Thom, are eleven and are being sent off to school by their indifferent father so that they may become a lady and a knight respectively. After a few moments of disgruntled reluctance, the two decide that they will switch places, allowing Alanna to disguise herself as a boy and become a knight in her brother's place, while Thom will head to the convent and train to be a sorcerer.

Thus, Alanna becomes Alan, and aided by an old family friend, the manservant Coram, she embarks upon a completely new journey at the palace in Tortall. At first bullied, or hazed, she soon becomes fast friends with the crown prince, Jonathan, and his close friends. While struggling to maintain her classes, which are made more for pushing the pages and squires to their breaking point, she also has to hide her secret from anyone. Fairly soon on in the book, she makes friends with the King of Thieves, George. As she grows up little by little she also meets the Duke Roger, Jonathan's older cousin and second in line for the throne, after Jon, for whom she has no pleasant feelings and distrusts heartily.

The books is filled with magic and intrigue, romance and history. It has good friends and bad ones, it develops every character beautifully and leaves noq uestions unanswered. And the best of it is that there are three more to read after this one, all as beautiful and clever