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Summer in the tiny Texas town of Antler is traditionally a time for enjoying Wylie Womack's Bahama Mama snow cones and racking up the pins at Kelly's Bowl-a-Rama, but this year it's not going well for Toby Wilson. His 13-year-old heart has been broken twice: once by his mother, who left him and his father to become a country singer in Nashville, and then again by his crush Scarlett Stalling, the town beauty who barely acknowledges Toby's existence. But when Zachary Beaver, "The World's Fattest Boy," comes to Antler as part of a traveling sideshow, Toby begins to realize that there might just be people who have it worse than him. By reaching out to Zachary in small ways--such as helping him realize his lifelong dream of being baptized--Toby is better able to put his own problems into perspective. At the baptism, Toby finally feels at peace: "Zachary smiles and I wonder if he's feeling different. Because standing here waist deep in Gossimer's Lake... I'm feeling different--light and good and maybe even holy." By summer's end, Toby's friendship with Zachary has provided him with the emotional stamina to begin dealing with his mother's decision and to gracefully accept the fact that Scarlett will forever be just beyond his reach.

With Zachary Beaver, Kimberly Willis Holt, author of the award-winning My Louisiana Sky, further explores southern-flavored small town life. Toby's quirky, yet ultimately rewarding coming of age story will serve as a gentle reminder to teens that sometimes the best way to work through your problems is by helping others with theirs. (Ages 11 to 15) --Jennifer Hubert ... Read more

Reviews (88)

When problems heat up!
When Zachary beaver came to town is a suspenseful story with a lot of conflict. Problems heat up when the world's fattest boy, Zachary, comes to town. It all starts with the rising action when a trailer in parked in a parking lot with a sign saying 2 dollars to see the world's fattest boy. Main characters Toby and Cal are excited because nothing cool happens in boring Antler, Texas.
The climax is when Toby, Cal and Scarletts little sister go inside the trailer and Tara peas her pants. The falling action is when everybody finds out the truth about Zachary's weight. The Resolution is that Toby, Cal, and Zachary become friends.
I enjoyed reading this book because I can relate to Zachary because people make fun of us about our weight. If you like high suspense stories, Then this book is for you.

Teaching Tolerance
"When Zachary Beaver Comes to Town" the two principal boys, Cal and Toby, are at first a little taken aback at seeing "the world's fattest boy,"then they move to a fascination, and eventually to friendship.This is a book that can teach younger readers tolerance - something lacking in the world of today.It is also a good read for children and adults alike!

Toby, Cal, & Zachary
Even though this book was a little young for me I enjoyed it very much. The setting takes place in a small Texas town were nothing exciting happens in a 13 year old's, Toby, boring town. (One of the boy's brother is in Vietnam *(*(*) That is until Zachary comes into town with his big self to make a few bucks by people paying to see a 600+ pound boy (Zachary) sit around all day. At first, Toby and his friend, Cal, think he'll stick around for a few days, at the most, and then leave so he'll only a memory. Soon, they find out that Zackary is a really cool person. They treat him nicely and mabye even become friends with him. The relize that life is just a bad, scary place not to have a friend.

Overall, I really thought this was a good book. Even though it was about two 13 year old boys, it was still good in my opinion. In this story the charcters really seemed to grow and even cop with losing someone they really love. Loved this book and I hope you guys do to!! It rocked!

When Zachary Beaver came to Town
When Zachary Beaver came to town is about a boy named Toby, a fat kid named Zachary Beaver, and Toby's best friend, Cal. It is summer time in Antler, Texas, so that means playing games, drinking bahama mama's, and laying on the roof of the bowl'o'rama. But, all those plans change when Zachary Beaver comes to town. Zachary claims to be the fattest boy in the world, so people will pay tickets to come and observe him in his trailer. Toby and Cal come over and start to chat with Zachary in his trailer, but Zachary acts very rude. Soon Zachary tells Toby and Cal places he has visited and people he has met. Toby and Cal do something to Zachary so remarkable to Zachary that makes him want to be polite to other people. Find out what in the magnificent legend of When Zachary Beaver came to town!
I thought this compelling novel was very heart-warming and touching. This book teaches you about how to treat other people with respect. It also has a good moral, be good to the less fortunate and don't judge a book by its cover. This book was very moving in lots of ways. It had depressing parts and joyful parts. I would most recommend this book to anybody who loves tales that have happy endings. This book would make it into anybody's heart.

I liked it
"When Zachary Beaver Came To Town" was a really enjoyable book for me, it's funny at times, it has a great plot, cool characters, and I LOVE the setting in the '70s in a small texas town. Great book for any pre-teens/young teenagers, I think you should pick it up today. ... Read more

Book Description

Read by Lynn Redgrave
Approx. 3.5 hours
2 cassettes ... Read more

Reviews (37)

Doll People.. come to life!
What a terrific story! My daughter (10 yrs) and I read this book together during our nightly ritual for reading before bedtime (together), and each night we had difficulty putting the book down, wanting to just keep reading to see what would happen next! The author writes in such a way that it makes one feel as if they are right there, living the story along with the charecters. When everyone at Kate's house is fast asleep the Doll family comes alive, inspiring the imagination and for some of use remembering a time when we too wondered if our dolls ever came alive when we weren't looking!

A great story, with wonderfully animated charecters, a good mystery and fun suspense that'll keep tickling your funny bone, especially when the Captain (a real live cat) decides to investigate the dolls, or a real spider almost the same size as one of the doll charecters, crawling a wee bit too close for comfort, truly awakening the imagination with the authors knack for giving just the right amount of detail to keep your mind wanting for more...

I'd recommend this book for anyone who enjoys sharing great stories with their children, especially moms and daughters.. even for adults who have a passion for dolls. Excellent, will be one of my favorites for a long long time.

The Doll People
The "Doll People" was a fun, fantastic, and phenomenal book to read. It is about a friendly, mysterious, fun, loving doll. In this story, all dolls can talk. Her name is Annabelle Doll, who has an Auntie Sarah that is lost! No one wants to find out where she is except for Annabelle. Except for one day, Annabelle meets another doll, her age, which acts like Annabelle too. Her name is Tiffany. Once they met each other, they knew they would become the best of friends for life! Tiffany believes they should find Auntie Sarah too. So, they start to read her journal, to find out where to look for Auntie Sarah. That special place is in the attic. Obviously, Annabelle and Tiffany searched for Auntie Sarah in the attic, for days, and excitingly found her! Does the family live the rest of their life fantastic? Or does someone else in the family vanish? Read the book and see!

A Terrific Read
The Doll People is a terrific book for girls. The book is about a girl doll named Annabelle and her family. They were made more than one hundred years ago. It's not that she doesn't like her family, but she needs a doll friend. Ann M. Martin and Laura Godwin describe everything so well you might think your dolls are real after all. The Doll People is such a great book you won't want to set it down. Every girl who likes dolls and mystery should read this book to know how Annabelle finally gets a friend.

A charming book for girls of all ages
The Doll People is a charming story about a family of dolls. It's a fanciful story that is little bit The Borrowers and a little bit Toy Story. What little girl hasn't wondered what her doll do at night? The adventures of the little china doll Anabelle and her family, a group of dolls made in the 1800s and their neighbors, a family of modern plastic dolls is a lovely story. I highly recomend it and can't wait for the next instalment.

Not a disappointment!
This is another great work from Ann M. Martin, as well as another collaboration. In it, young Annabel Doll joins up with new girl Tiffany to save Annabel's aunt, who has been missing for years! The story is fun and keeps you guessing and going along, and the pictures by Brian Selznick are wonderful. Even though this book is generally for the younger people, I enjoyed it when I was thirteen, and others will too. ... Read more

Book Description

4 hours 17 minutes, 3 cassettes

Newbery Honor Book
National Book Award Finalist

When Joey and his sister, Mary Alice, travel from their home in Chicago to their Grandmother's small town, they certainly don't expect the crazy adventures they encounter there. Joey and Mary Alice make seven summer trips to Grandma's, each one funnier and more surprising than the year before.In the grand storytelling tradition of American humorists from Mark Twain to Flannery O'Conner, Richard Peck has created a memorable world filled with characters who, like Grandma herself, are larger than life and twice as entertaining.

... Read more

Reviews (98)

A One Woman Crime Wave
It seems that GrandMa Dowdel lives in her own little world. She apparently disdains contact with her neighbors and thinks them all to be 'horse's patooties'. Once you get to know her better, you learn that her worst enemy may in fact be her best friend. The way she cons and browbeats the town banker into coughing back up the house recently foreclosed upon, free and clear, well it must be read to be enjoyed fully. Each chapter, a week the kids are 'dumped on Gandma so Mom & Dad can go fishing', reveals another action packed adventure in the constantly turning mischief mill that is Grandma Dowdel's mind. I was given this book by my ten year old son after he finished it in record time, and I knocked it off in just one day. I cried at the end, as the boy, now a man heading off to war is on the troop train. He telegrammed his Depression-era Grandmother he would merely pass through without stopping, and after many delays, is treated to a heart warming experience I'll let author Richard Peck handle in his inimitable style.

"Everybody's private business is public property."
What a fun read! Peck presents 8 short tales which span several summers in rural Illinois during the Depression, when two kids make annual visits to their eccentric Grandmother. Narrated by the boy (two years old than his sister), these outrageous yarns create a wonderful atmosphere of wacky individualism and family bonding.

It would be hard to find a literary granny as feisty, resourceful and fearless of authority as Grandma. Things are never dull when she stirs her stumps to create a mild uproar in that pompous little town. Her nefarious schemes range from a one-woman crime wave to appointing herself Champion of the helpless and downtrodden. Don't get on the wrong side of Mrs. Dowdel--if you value your reputation or your hide! Grandma remains undaunted and unflappable through bizarre but comical events. Peck's tongue-in cheek humor will bring many a chuckle as you are drawn into her slightly-shady activities. This book will delight kids of all ages--a winner, perfect for summer reading!

Richard Peck is a genius!
I am a big fan of Mr. Peck's writing. He has a way with words that makes him seem like he is fourteen right now, which in reality, he isn't. Now that's talent.

The story is about Joey and Mary Alice Dowdel, two kids from Chicago who never have left the city until one summer in 1929. They go for one week to their Grandmother Dowdel's in Cerro Gordo, Illinois. (Which, funnily enough, is just outside Mr. Peck's hometown of Decatur). Strange things happen there, including a mouse in a milk bottle, and living corpses. The story follows them for six years, and then goes to an epilouge of what happens to Joey.

This was my first book I read that was from Richard Peck, and I am glad I read it. He has a gift for writing. I recomend the sequel to the book, A Year Down Yonder.

Independent Reading Review
Dear Amazon,

The book, A Long Way from Chicago, by Richard Peck, is a fantastic novel for people that just want to have fun reading.The three main characters, Grandma Dowdel, Mary-Alice, and Joey each have their own virtues that stick out in my mind. Grandma's stretching of the truth makes her two grandchildren doubt how safe they really are with her. When a local gets killed many townspeople tell of old time stories of how "Shotgun Cheatham" god his name. Grandma Dowdel wants to settle the mystery of this man and let him rest in peace so she dicides to hold a wake at her house. During this time some wild things occur which could drive any reader to keep turning this books pages. The target audience for this book is more for young teens and kids to read, becuase the way the characters act in certain positions they are put in. I would recommend this novel, I definitely enjoyed it!

A Long Way From Chicago
When I first saw the cover of A Long Way From Chicago by Richard Peck, I thought that this was going to be an easy book to read. Somebody recommended this book to me and this book was not only easy to read, it was terrific. It takes place during the 1930s. Every summer two grandchildren, Joey and Mary-Alice visit their grandma. Joey thinks he is getting more and more mature, at least that's what he thinks, because in one summer when he turned 13, he said to his grandma, "Please call me Joe, grandma. I am not a kid anymore." Mary-Alice is more of a quiet girl and likes to read books and likes to jump rope. Grandma is a very unique type of grandma. She rides in biplanes, wrestles snakes, shoots guns, tells whites lies, sometimes, and so much more. It seems like grandma is very active and she can't seem to slow down. Richard Peck did a great job on this book and it is great literature to read. This is just a funny book and you will get a few laughs out of this book while you are reading it. It gets sad at the end, but overall I give this book 4 out of 5 stars becuase it is the type of reading that I like to read. ... Read more

Book Description

That fool of a fairy Lucinda did not intend to lay a curse on me.She meant to bestow a gift.When I cried inconsolably through my first hour of life, my tears were her inspiration.Shaking her head sympathetically at Mother, the fairy touched my nose."My gift is obedience.Ella will always be obedient.Now stop crying, child." I stopped.

So begins this richly entertaining story of Ella of Frell, who wants nothing more than to be free of Lucinda's gift and feel that she belongs to herself.For how can she truly belong to herself if she knows that at any time, anyone can order her to hop on one foot, cut off her hand, or betray her kingdom--and she'll have to obey?

Against a bold tapestry of princes, ogres, giants, wicked stepsisters, and fairy godmothers, Ella's spirited account of her quest to break the curse is a funny, poignant, and enchanting tale about an unforgettable heroine who is determined to be herself.

Eden Riegel provided the voice of Young Miriam in the animated feature film Prince of Egypt, and has appeared in the film Into the Woods.Her television credits include recurring roles on New York Undercover, As the World Turns and Guiding Light.On Broadway, she was one of the original cast members of Les Miserables and performed in The Will Rogers Follies. ... Read more

Reviews (893)

Logic or Love?
Based on the classic cinderella story, Ella Enchanted is a fantastic book. At birth Ella is 'blessed' by a fairy with the 'gift of obedience' which forces her to do whatever is given to her as an order. If Ella were told to she would have to kill herself or a loved one.
Ella grew up with her mother and her cook, Mandy, her fairy godmother. While in her teens her mother dies, and her funeral Ella meets Char, a prince. Her father is drawn into marriage because of financial problems and she is sent off to Finishing School with her two step-sisters. Ella and Char wrote to eachother the whole while she was away. She soon learned to do everything right because she had to because of her curse. Later she ran away in hopes of meeting the fairy sho gave her her curse, but when she does finally meet her the fairy refuses to lift the curse and flees off. Ella then goes back to live with her father, step-mother, step-sisters, and Mandy. Her father leaves on a business trip and while he is away she is treated poorly by her step-family; the only person she can relate to is Mandy.
Her and Char fall in love but she wont allow herself to marry him because the kingdom's enemies would easily be able to use her curse to their advantage. When he orders her to marry him, unknowing of the curse, she must battel with herself to come to a conclusion.
This is a very interesting and captivating book through and through. I have read it numerous times and i love it more and more each time. Especially if you enjoy the classics, particularly the tale of Cinderella, I would highly recomend Ella Enchanted.

A interesting, and fun fairy tale.
Ella Enchanted, by Gail Carson Levine, is a fascinating fairytale about a fifteen-year-old girl. This Newbery Honor Book is a wonderful book for all ages, and is easy reading. It is one of those books that you never want to put down. Many features of this book resemble the story of Cinderella. Ella, the main character, has to overcome many challenges in her young life. One of those challenges being that she has to obey any order that is given to her. A powerful fairy gave this challenge to her. If she doesn't obey this curse, she will get a terrible headache, or start feeling very ill. So, obliviously, she has to be very careful not to tell anyone about this weakness because they could easily take advantage of her. This book revolves around how she lives her life, and the effects of the curse. I think others would enjoy this book because it is fun, and enjoyable to read. Isn't that what reading is all about?

BEST BOOK EVER
I first read this book when I was in 5th grade and I am now in 11th grade and I still read this book. I have read it so many times that I lost count. Ella Enchanted is a story of a girl who is given the curse of obedience and struggles to overcome the spell that dictates everything she does. She must do every thing that anyone asks. It is a lot like Cinderella but at the same time so different and so much better. This book is so wonderful and I recommend it to anyone who loves a good adventure story with a dash of romance.

My Favorite Book!
Okay, one thing here: I like literature. I'm an avid reader, and believe me, I've read quite a number of books. From the gigantic (Decameron, Gormenghast series) to the tiny (Heart of Darkness, the fabulous Catcher in the Rye), I try to keep an open mind and appreciate the meaning in each story, regardless if I love or loathe it. Ella Enchanted is the only book to this date (maybe with the exception of the Princess Bride, and Wuthering Heights if I'm in a heavy mood ^^) I can endure for a fourth, fifth; a sixth read. I could see younger fans liking it, but even at eighteen, the wit and substance still astounds me, as I'm sure it's the same for older fans too; I made my mom read the first chapter, and she was highly amused. The prince is no longer a 'light at the end of the tunnel' figure for all her hard work, but he's there all through the tale, charming as his name suggests (Prince Char) because he's real: the things he says and does, his honesty and good nature make the reader realize that it's not always the villains who have personality, it's just that the good ones rarely get to show their side. Ella's stepfamily is probably the main comic relief, with one sister being a naive dunce (with abhorrent spelling skills), one petty and jealous in a way that seems to make you feel you know someone like her, and a stepmother dripping in pomp and luxury. All three you love to hate almost as much as you love to laugh at. Ella, finally, is a heroine worthy of basing such a book on. At fifteen she's wise, witty, clever, and not above biting back when she can get a bit of revenge here and there. She doesn't feel sorry for herself; she only focuses on things important to her through any turmoil she may have, and even when she has the classic girlhood dream in the palm of her hands, she knows what's for the best (and no, I'm not giving away anything here :). I rarely connect with the main characters in things, but Ella is a special exception. How we should all be a bit like her. Through her enigmatic personality you can't help--like some in the book--to fall straight in love. I suspect Ella Enchanted will always make me laugh when I need it, and because this book will keep me young and smiling, it's my favorite. Highly, highly highly recommended.

One of the Wittiest Books Ever!
In this children's classic, Ella has the gift,or curse, to be obedient. Always. If she were told to cut her head off with an axe she would have to obey. Though very much based on Cinderella (hint: Wicked Stepmother and Stepsisters, Prince Char, Kinda like Charming, and obviosly Ella, though her name is Eleanor)

This book is hilarious and sometimes suspensful. It is very much beyond me why Out Of The Dust beat this for the Newbery. :~( ... Read more

Book Description

It's happening again. The Monroes's kitchen is littered with the remains of vegetables, drained of all color. To Chester, it's obvious: Bunnicula, the vampire rabbit, is up to his old tricks.

But Harold is more frightened for Bunnicula than of him. The poor bunny doesn't look too good. Is he sick? Or just unhappy? Or has Chester finally gone too far in his attempt to make the world safe for veggies?

One thing's for sure: Harold isn't going to let anything bad happen to his long-eared pal -- even if it means leaving the comfort of his home, losing his best friend, and risking his own life. And if he fails -- could this be the end of Bunnicula?

Don't miss any of the adventures of Harold, Chester, Howie, and the vampire bunny, Bunnicula! ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Bunnicula Strikes Again
Do you like adventure books? Do you like animals? I know I do and I know that's why I loved the book "Bunnicula Strikes Again", and I bet you will too! This book is about a cat named Chester and two dogs named Harold and Howie on a mission to find Bunnicula's (the so called vampire rabbit's) mom. They think he's a vampire because Chester says that he sucks the juice out of vegetables. Will they find Bunnicula's mother? Will they stop all vampire rabbits? You just have to read the book and find out!

You *have* to like this book
Oh come on. It's BUNNICULA! I don't care what anyone else says - these books are great, including this one. Know what? Even though it's been a long time since I was a kid, I still love these books, including this one. As a matter of fact, I think anyone who loves vampires and vampire fiction should read this book and the others - because these are all good, quick, and alltogether very FUN reads that you don't have to take seriously. And sometimes, a good quick fun read just hits the spot.

And it has to be said - Bunnicula is the most loveable vampire ever. Lestat and Dracula WISH they were this cuddly!

i luv bunnicula
i have nearly read all the bunnicula books (except the 'the house of bunnicula' ones. I liked this one because it had a happy ending. i like bunnicula books because they are those kind of books that you can't put down. you wonder what would happen next. i can not wait until more books come!!!

Joe (Class SS)
This book was about Chester trying to destroy Bunnicula, a rabbit. The dogs in the story are Howie and Howard. Chester thinks Bunnicula is a vampire because of his fangs, and because he extracts juice out of vegetables. Chester drinks Bunnicula's carrot juice to starve Bunnicula. Howie and Howard go to find Bunnicula. Bunnicula is gone without a trace. Howard spots a newspaper that says Dracula is playing at the movie theatre. This is the same theatre where Bunnicula was found by The Monroe family. Little did Bunnicula know, the newspaper was a few days old. Today the movie theatre is getting torn down. Howard and Howie try to find Bunnicula, but they find Chester. Chester saves Bunnicula from the demolition. Still Chester thinks Bunnicula is a vampire. The End

Bunnicula Brings back the old-style stories again!
I was rather pleased with this publication because the story line appealed more to the older Bunnicula stories. The spine tingling events surrounding Bunnicula's mother and *gasp* a trip to the vet all add up to a worth-while read. You'll enjoy some of the old friends that Harold , Howie, and Chester run into along the way. I did buy this book at a higher price at a book store and thought it was well worth it.... If you liked the other stories, you will love the conclusion to the Bunnicula series *as it seems to hint that it is* ... Read more

Book Description

This cassette contains important lessons on the nature of friendship and love, the importance of belief in the future, the value of respect for oneself and others and more. ... Read more

Reviews (449)

Amazing
"Chicken Soup for the Teenage soul" is about teenagers who go through some bad & good times. The book is also about teen love, friendship, sad poems and also some stories. The book helps other teenagers realize that they're not the only ones who go through rough times. It also tells teenagers to not take life for granted, and that there is only one life to live. If you mess up you can't go back. The book has teenagers who tell their stories about bad times and it gives them inspiration to keep on trying. The stories & poems the teenagers write show other teens that life is not always fair and can be difficult at times, but no matter what they always don't give up.

To Me this book is a really interesting and fun book to read. This book has also taught me that everybody has problems no matter what it is. The book has also taught me to share what I feel and how to express my self. This is why I like the book "Chicken soup for the teenage soul letters" so much. I would really recommend other teenagers to read this book, because it tells you how to deal with your problems with out hurting your self or others around you. I really don't hate anything about this book, it is very good to read, and it really does help you. I think the Author wrote a very good book. I will be reading all of the books they publish. The book really touched me, and made me look at life from a different point of view.

The Most Touching and Inspiring book I've ever read!
When I first heard about Chicken Soup For The Teenage Soul, I was not in a hurry to purchase or even read it. Later though, my freind bought it and I read a story he told me too. WOW! That one page of what he went through totally changed my perspective on life. I went home and bought the book that night. When I began to read it I relized what I had read was just the beginning of a renewal on the way that I treat and look at my life. Day after day I read a few stories at a time. There were stories that caused my to laugh, cry, smile, frown, get scared, think, and love. If there were more stars beside just 5, I would give them to this book. I feel like this book has renewed so many things in my life that I believe i am a different person. I also have learned many lessons about family, life, freinds, and many many other things. I would recomend this book to anyone that needs a little hope, inspiration, renewal, or just a nice read. Thank yo for your time and if you read Chicken Soup for the Teenage soul I hope that you enjoy, wait, I know that you will enjoy every story in there. Thank You!

Very good
This book is oacked with awesome stories about growing up. I recommend it to all teens.

The Chicken soups
The Chicken Soup for the Teenagers soul books I think are the best book to tell teenagers how it really is, the peer pressure, love, loss, friendship, and family. If I didn't have this book or any of the others I don't think I would make it through my teenage years. This book has helped me with the loss of my grandpa, my family problems, and my relatonships with guys especially with the ones that didn't work out.

Chicken Soup
Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul
By:Jack Canfield, et al
Reviewed By: B Beard
Period 1

The book Chicken soup for the soul is a really good book to read. It is a book that cover almost every topic that comes up in a teenagers life. This book is written by many people and all are great stories and poems. Also, this book is said to have lead some people in the right path. Maybe you are caught up in some stuff and you don't know where you are going to end up, I would advise that you read this book.
I enjoyed reading this book a lot. It showed me many things in a new point of view. It showed me how words can hurt other people and that any kind of gossip is bad gossip. In the book it says " It is easy to drop your words but not pick them back up." In many ways this book has help me to be a better person.
I really didn't have any dislikes about this book. Other than talking about hugs and kisses, it was a really fun book to read. One story called A simple Christmas card really touched me. It was about this girl that had no friends and had problems at home. She joined this club, but she could tell that they didn't like her. So the girl had decided to jump off of a bridge. So she was going to leave her parnets a letter in the mailbox, but when she opened it she found a letter from one of the people from the club. They had wanted to be friends with her. So she went back inside and thought to herself that someone really did care about her and her life.
My favorite part of the book is the story named Anne. It was bout a young girl that was a teenager and laughed and cried like everyone eles. The only thing that was different was that she spent two years hidding in an attic. On August 1, 1944, two months after her 15th birthday, Nazi police burst through the door. yanking open drawers, ripping mattresses, the police stuffed jewelry in their pockets and looked for any hidden money. Then, shoving Anne and her family down the steps, into waiting cars, they drove off. Anne's sister died of malnutition, and her mother of exhaustion. Anne herself died at the age of 17. She never thought that no one would be interested in her life , but she was wrong. To this very day people still read the story about a teenager called Anne Frank. This and many other stories showed me how many people do care about you even if you don't know it. ... Read more

Book Description

Genuinely funny books for children are few and far between. So, when a story like Henry Huggins comes along, it comes to stay. Children everywhere see themselves in this irresistible boy's adventures.

During an unforgettable year that begins when Henry discovers a lost, hungry dog he calls Ribsy, listeners will have a grand time. Before the suspenseful conclusion, they'll meet Henry's friends on Klickitat Street, including Beezus and her little sister, Ramona, and enjoy lots of hilarious happenings. No wonder this continuously engaging and heartwarming story is a classic!

Reviews (18)

One day Henry finds a dog and tries to take it home.
One day Henry finds a dog and he tries to take it home on the bus. Henry and Ribsy become best friends. One funny chapter was when they entered a contest and Henry tried to clean up Ribsy and mistakenly put pink powder all over Ribsy and they ended up winning because Ribsy was a pink dog. I am going into 4th grade and I read this book for school summer reading. I liked it a lot.

The book that started it all!
From my understanding, Beverly Cleary was a librarian who could not get some boys to read. They complained that there wasn't anything to read that they could relate to. They asked why weren't there books about kids like them, just average boys? So Beverly Cleary wrote "Henry Huggins" for them- a story of an average boy who gets into all sorts of believable adventures with highly amusing results. It is a GREAT book, and Ms. Cleary introduced to children's literature some of its greatest characters: Henry and his dog, Ribsy; and, in later books, his tomboy friend, Beezus, and Beezus' amazingly pesty kid sister, Ramona. Everyone of the subsequent books in the Henry/Ramona series is fantastic- filled with humor and characters with whom kids can understand and relate. "Henry Huggins" started it all and makes a wonderful introduction to Ms. Cleary's world on Kickalat Street.

TO OWN A DOG
The life of the third grade protagonist becomes more exciting when he finds a companionable stray dog; just getting him home via public transportation proves his first challenge. The friendly mongrel is so thin that Henry dubs him "Ribsy." Soon accepted as one of the family, this dog accompanies his new master wherever possible; in fact he even causes many incidents of local mayhem and amusement. Henry deals with various crises such as lost property, guppy mania, night crawlers, the shool play and a pet show. But a serious threat to their kid-dog
relationship destroys Henry's peace of mind, when a boy appears who claims to be the dog's former owner.

This is Lite Reading for elementary students, with plenty of dialogue, juvenile antics and conflict. This story is enchanced by Lois Darling's cute sketches. Set in those happy days before kids had TV sets, this ALA notable story explores the joys and woes
of pet ownership. No more will Henry need to wish for something

exciting to happen! Hinted themes include the subject of Cheating and the concept of sharing/showing compassion for others. Note to Cleary fans: Beezus and Ramona appear here too.

A Good Light-Hearted Story
Nothing exciting ever happened to Henry Huggins. That is, until the day he met a stray dog and decided that he HAD to keep him. Predictably, he and "Ribsy" have many humorous adventures together, and these stories are what make up "Henry Huggins". From that first ride home that starts on a city bus and ended in a police car, to a dog show that sees Ribsy sporting pink fur, to the final test of loyalty that will make all readers breathless with anticipation, the story is well told. Everything in this book is carried out in a pleasant and easy-to-read manner, so children should have no trouble staying with the story, even if there are few pictures. Even though it was published over 50 years ago, "Henry Huggins" is still a valuable book to have in your collection.

A Review by Jin Huang, Class 5-506
In November, I read a book that was comical. Henry Huggins is a boy that had no excitement in his life until he found a dog on the streets. He was buying an ice cream cone and he met a dog. Then, he wanted to bring him home. He got on the bus home, but the dog ruined everything. Henry got kicked out of the bus five times. Then the police came, and Henry got so scared for he thought the policemen would take him away. Instead, the policemen just took him home. Henry named the dog Ribsy "because you could even see his ribs." The most important part was when Henry entered a dog show because he wanted to win something. Ribsy slid in the mud, so Henry used talcum powder on Ribsy. Henry didn't know it was pink and the judges said "that is a weird dog." Would Ribsy win anything? Or would he lose? A few months later, a boy came and claimed that Ribsy was his dog. Then they had a competition. Who would Ribsy choose?

I hated the part when a boy came because Henry and Ribsy wee having a happy life, but the boy came to ruin it. How come Ribsy was on the streets? If I was Henry I would say "go home" and if he didn't I'll beat him up. Who will Ribsy choose? Who will he want to go with when the competition starts?

I think this book is good for a kid who found a dog without a collar that belonged to someone else because you could see what this boy went through. ... Read more

Book Description

Read by Laura Linney
approx. 3 hours
2 cassettes

Nancy finds herself in danger when she tries to solve the mystery of the old inn, believed to be jinxed. ... Read more

Reviews (28)

Mystery at Lilac Inn Book Review
I chose to read this book because it looked like an interesting and fascinating book to read. I thought it was going to be about a haunted house filled with ghosts. The book wasn't really what I expected it to be. Now that I have read this book I think that it was a lot more exciting than what I thought it would have been. The main characters are Nancy, Helen, Emily, and John. The story is about Emily getting ready for her wedding in a couple of days. She invites Nancy and Helen to be the bridesmaids and asks them to come to Lilac Inn, which she owns. When they got there strange things began to happen at the inn. They believed that it is haunted. Nancy discovers there is an impersonator using her identification. All these mysterious things are happening and Nancy is trying to get to the bottom of it. As she tries to solve this case she gathers more clues and with the help of her friends she solves the mystery. This Nancy Drew book is the fourth book Carolyn Keene has written. Carolyn Keene is a great author and makes her stories fun and exciting to read. She is a great writer and makes this story easy to follow and understand. I like this book very much because it was thrilling and very exciting. It grabbed my attention right away. I couldn't wait to find out what would happen next. I didn't want to ever put the book down. It made me eager to read more. I personally like mysteries and this book was one of the best mysteries I have read in a long time. I think you should read this book because it is well written and it will keep you guessing about what will happen next. I think this book is appropriate for ages ten and up. I give this book a rating of five, five being the greatest. This book is about Nancy Drew trying to solve the haunting mystery case at Lilac Inn.

Nancy Drew's Great adventure at Lilac Inn
I chose to read this book because it looked like an interesting and fascinating book to read. I thought it was going to be about a haunted house filled with ghosts. The book wasn't really what I expected it to be. Now that I have read this book I think that it was a lot more exciting than what I thought it would have been. The main characters are Nancy, Helen, Emily, and John. The story is about Emily getting ready for her wedding in a couple of days. She invites Nancy and Helen to be the bridesmaids and asks them to come to Lilac Inn, which she owns. When they got there strange things began to happen at the inn. They believed that it is haunted. Nancy discovers there is an impersonator using her identification. All these mysterious things are happening and Nancy is trying to get to the bottom of it. As she tries to solve this case she gathers more clues and with the help of her friends she solves the mystery. This Nancy Drew book is the fourth book Carolyn Keene has written. Carolyn Keene is a great author and makes her stories fun and exciting to read. She is a great writer and makes this story easy to follow and understand. I like this book very much because it was thrilling and very exciting. It grabbed my attention right away. I couldn't wait to find out what would happen next. I didn't want to ever put the book down. It made me eager to read more. I personally like mysteries and this book was one of the best mysteries I have read in a long time. I think you should read this book because it is well written and it will keep you guessing about what will happen next. I think this book is appropriate for ages ten and up. I give this book a rating of five, five being the greatest. This book is about Nancy Drew trying to solve the haunting mystery case at Lilac Inn.

I found it a bit boring...
I read the 1930 version. The book was well written, but never managed to hold my intrest for some reason. I just found it boring.

A Suspencful Mystery
I like the book The Mystery at Lilac Inn because it not only holds adventure but it holds drama and suspense. When you start reading this book you will never be able to put it down. For anybody who likes a mystery and adventure stories I highly recommend this book it will have you jumping out of your chair and your hairs sticking straight up. Nancy and her friend Helen go to help out a dear friend but along the way stuff begains to happen so Nancy goes to try to figure out what was going on! Will Nancy ever find out this mystery? What's going to happen next? You read the book and tell me what you think!

Both Editions Are Great
This review concerns both the original 1930 edition and the revised 1961 edition, which is the one commonly found in new book stores. Both editions involve the theft of valuable jewels which belong to Nancy's friend Emily from a place called Lilac Inn; however, that is pretty much where similarity between the two books ends. In the original edition, Lilac Inn is a restaurant where Emily's guardian, Mrs. Willoughby, goes to have lunch while in possession of Emily's jewels. After the jewels are stolen from Mrs. Willoughby, the police begin to suspect that she was involved in the theft. Nancy and Emily believe in Mrs. Willoughby's innocence and Nancy sets out to find the real thief. With the revised edition, Lilac Inn is an inn owned by Emily and her fiance. The jewels are stolen during a dinner party where Mrs. Willoughby (who is Emily's aunt in this edition) was going to present Emily with the jewels. Also Nancy has a look-a-like who is going around town causing all sorts of trouble. Both editions are excellent books and because they are both distinct stories, you could read them both and not feel like you know exactly how the second one will turn out. Both books had plenty of action and had good endings. Personally, I prefered the original, but they are both interesting books. Read them both if you can, you won't be disappointed with either one. ... Read more

Reviews (77)

Enchanting Fable
A few months ago, I read a little blurb about this novel, and I couldn't wait to read it. Then, it won the Newberry Award, and I finally got hold of a copy. It didn't disappoint. The Tale of Despereaux is one of the most enchanting little stories I've ever read, and I have a feeling it's going to go down as a true children's classic.

The story is so entrancing. It centers around a mouse named Despereaux who just doesn't fit in with the other mice. He is born with his eyes opened. He sees a beautiful world that the others are blind to, and he is shunned because of it. He is able to hear music, and he is able to love creatures of other races. For instance, this tiny mouse falls in love with the human Princess Pea, and that begins quite a chain of events.

Of course, not everything in the story is happy. There is also a dark world that the novel doesn't hide from. There are characters who have had little chance in life and have been harmed because of it. There are characters here who have lead dark lives and are trying to destroy Princess Pea and Despereaux. But, ultimately, this isn't a dark novel but one proclaiming a message about love and hope and the possibility of redemption. It is a beautiful little novel about having the courage to bring some light into the world. The Tale of Despereaux is an amazing novel for people of every age which will be read for an oftly long time.

A Magical New Classic
I have read The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo, and liked it much better than her Newbery Honor book, Because of Winn-Dixie. This fairy-tale adventure about a mouse, a rat, a princess, and a servant girl is told in a measured, mannered voice that's a departure for DiCamillo's usual casual style. There are frequent appeals to the "dear reader," which work for me as they do in so few other books.

Despereaux is the youngest mouse in his family. He is runty, with huge ears, and prefers reading books to eating them. We're given glimpses of his family -- his faithless father, his very proper sister, his loutish brother whose favorite word is "Cripes!," and his French mother, whose English is slightly stiff and very amusing. Before long, Despereaux's non-mousely behavior gets him banished to the dungeon, where the castle rats will presumably eat him.

He escapes, of course, only to cross paths with a vengeful rat who has taken a slow-witted palace maid into service, to help him carry out his plan to punish Princess Pea, the object of his hatred and Despereaux's devotion.

Forgiveness, second chances, embracing the light, being who you are, the importance of stories, and the restorative properties of a hot bowl of soup all come into play to create a delicate, magical book that I suspect may have more longevity than the celebrated but ultimately somewhat ordinary Because of Winn-Dixie.

awful, reader, just plain awful
Please do not read this book, reader!!! Reader, I had just finished reading Because of Winn-Dixie, and I found it to be a wonderful book and story. But, reader, Tale of Despereaux did not come anywhere close to what I expected a good, or worthy of reading children's book, should be. I also, reader, feel that anyone who has to tell a child what is going on without letting them think for themselves or create their own meanings should not bebale to get their books published. I have always felt the point of getting children to read is to, get them to read! Then the stories and meanings can be discussed later. Children always bring something new the table, and this book ruins a childs creative and imaginative mind.

Teachers, here is your book!
You can get the storyline from the excellent reviews on this page. If you are looking for a terrific read-aloud or book study or novel for your literature circles, this is it. Are you teaching literary elements? This book has it all, character, plot, setting, theme, motivation, point-of-view, genre, voice, elaboration, foreshadowing, word choice...

The wonderful thing is your students will just think you are reading them the BEST story ever. I read chapters 1-3 aloud and then stopped. The kids sent up a chorus of "Nooo, Don't Stop!!!"

We sold so many hard cover copies of the book at our school book fair that we had to reorder several times. Parent were remarking, "He has never begged me for a book before..."

Dust off your French accent and have fun. You will enjoy reading this book aloud as much as your students will enjoy listening to it.

Awesome
A very good book, to say the least. I was recomended this by my librarian and read it, along with Olive's Ocean (another good read, check it out). It deserved the award it got, definitly. ... Read more

Book Description

Read by Trini Alvarado
approx. 5 hours
3 cassettes

This third book in the Song of the Lioness quartet continues Alanna's saga as she strikes out alone and discovers herself anew.

A knight at last, Alanna of Trebond heads out to seek adventure in the desert of Tortall. Captured by desert tribesmen, she is forced to prove herself in a magical duel to the death. But her real challenge doesn't come until after she wins. As the first female shaman, Alanna must fight to change the ancient traditions of the stubborn desert tribes -- for their own sake and for the sake of all Tortall. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The Woman Who Rides Like a Man
This book is so cool. Tamora Pierce really knows how to write. I stayed up really late trying to finish it! After I did, I kept reading it over & over again, it was that good! I think I'm on my fifth time now. If you love fantasy, you HAVE to read this book!

Good? No, Great!!
i must say that this is one of my Fav books!! Alana is a Knight, and on Travels!! the book is sooooooooooo good! There is sex in it, but, for thoose who complain, it's no more than an implied sentance!! So, anyway, [don't] deprive your chiled of a good book ... ! ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Really 4.5 stars
This book really deserves 4 1/2 stars but I'm nice so that's why I gave it 5 stars. This book always has a twist or turn. It starts off that Frank and Joe are assigned by Chief Collig to find out why their's trouble in Shantytown which is a town of shacks( wooden broken down houses). So then there's a bank robbery and then their best friends Biff and Chet are kidnapped. They meet Alf at Shantytown. It's action pace with danger at every turn. One minute they jump overboard a ship to helping their friend after he fractures his ankle sliding down a steep hill. They have to trust their instincts in this suspenseful mystery. Can't say more or I'll reveal the end. Read The Great Airport Mystery( Hardy Boys #9) or The House on the Cliff( Hardy Boys #2). Also read the Harry Potter series. This book was a very suspenseful book. It's very adventurious and a very good book.

The Hardys Search For Their Missing Friends
This review concerns the revised 1962 edition. Frank and Joe are asked to investigate a series of fights occuring in Shantytown, a beach settlement on the outskirts of Bayport, but, soon become involved in a bigger mystery when a local bank is robbed and their friends, Chet Morton and Biff Hooper, disappear. This book was quite good; lots of action with an interesting plot. The beginning of the revised edition is much more exciting than that of the original; however, the second half of the original far exceeds that of the revised edition in terms of excitement and suspence. The original and the revised editions are essentially two different stories, as they are only similar in their basic plot (Frank and Joe's search for Chet and Biff); therefore, I would recommend reading them both.

Chet and Biff have been abducted!
This review is of the 1962 Revised Version of "The Missing Chums". The first 38 titles in the series were revised over the course of 15 years (some with minor changes, others were completely re-written). "The Missing Chums" is the fourth Hardy Boys mystery.

The brothers are asked by Police Chief Collig to investigate the fighting that has been going on in the Shantytown neighborhood in Bayport. When Frank and Joe are on their way to a party thrown by Callie Shaw, they learn of a bank robbery and chase the crooks. This gets them involved into not only the Shantytown fights, but also into investigating the bank robbery as best they can. After the party, the brothers learn that two of their friends, Chet Morton and Biff Hooper, were abducted on the way home. Another mystery! Frank and Joe frantically look for clues so they can find their friends (not to mention the other mysteries).

This is another solid offering in the Hardy Boys Mystery Series. It is my understanding that the revised edition has been dramatically altered from the original, though it shares the abduction of Chet and Biff. This is not one of my favorite stories of the series, but like the rest, it is an interesting story and works several different storylines together (my favorites are the ones that can stick with one plotline for the entire book). "The Missing Chums" is recommended, like the other books in the series, for children of all ages.

-Joe Sherry

Aunt Gertrude At Her Best
I think this Hardy Boy book (in its original version) was the first of the series to feature the ever-visiting Aunt Gertrude, who shone like an absoloute gem. At the point where Biff and Tony have disappeared, and Frank and Joe announce they want to pursue their two friends, Aunt Gertrude chimes up and puts her foot down. Two boys have gone missing, she says. Now two more boys want to go searching for them -- and likely will end up missing themselves. So then, two more boys will have to go seeking the Hardys, and then two more, and so on... until there are no longer any boys at all left in Bayport.

I hope the Hardys had a large house, because a little bit of Aunt Gertrude certainly would go a long way. Mrs. Hardy must have been a genuine angel, to tolerate her husband's know-it-all, overbearing sister just showing up and dropping in all the time, to stay for visits of indefinite duration.

Audio tape edition read by Bill Irwin
These books are absolutely delightful on audio tape. I grew up reading all the Nancy Drew books but, true to stereotype, never read any of The Hardy Boys. As the mother of two little boys (first and third grade) I began exploring these in our read-aloud time every evening. The boys LOVE them but the whole series (50+ books) is a bit more than I want read as an adult and a daunting quantity of material even for very advanced readers so I was delighted to come across these audio tapes. Bill Irwin does an excellent job of reading the books, treating their slightly dated language and manners with complete respect. The tapes are unabridged although still only two tapes long. My only gripe is the wait for the series as the publisher appears to be releasing only two books every six months or so! ... Read more

Amazon.com

In spare, almost biblical prose, Gary Paulsen writes of the horrors of combat in a Civil War novella that puts a powerful, more contemporary spin on Stephen Crane's classic The Red Badge of Courage. Based on the life of a real boy, it tells the story of Charley Goddard, who lies his way into the Union Army at the age of 15.Charley has never been anyplace beyond Winona, Minnesota, and thinks war would be a great adventure. And it is--at first--as his regiment marches off through cheering crowds and pretty, flag-waving girls. But then comes the battle. Charley screams, "Make it stop now!" disbelieving that anything so horrible could be real. Paulsen is unsparing in the details of what actually happens on the battlefield: the living men suddenly blown into pieces, the agony and fear, the noise and terror, the stinking corpses. After many battles, Charley is wounded and sent home an old man before he is 20, his will to live destroyed by combat fatigue--leaving him with a "soldier's heart." Paulsen has received the Margaret A. Edwards Award, the ALAN Award, and several Newbery Honor awards for previous work, but this superb, small masterpiece transcends any of his earlier titles in its remarkable, memorable intensity and power. (Ages 12 to 15) --Patty Campbell ... Read more

Reviews (141)

KABOOM ,BANG
This book is about a young teenager who goes into war and experinces the hard life of being a soilder. He has seen friends and other good men shot, killed,and blown to pieces. But after years of fighting, he becomes a smarter and better soilder.I like how the author put a lot of detail and description in this book.I think anybody who likes war and adventures would love this book.You can always get a picture in your head about what the book is talking about.This is a great and exiting book.

soldier's heart
This book is very amazing. This book helps people relize how hard decision are and how imporant family is. It's about a boy that decides to go to the army so he can support his famliy but his under age. When he sneeks in the army he relizes that it's really scary. Then he found a hero in him self and was proud. The book was very good thats my reveiw of the book.

Was Charley worth it?
The book Soldiers Heart is a great and interesting book about a fifteen year old kid who joins the army. I usually don't really read a lot of books about war. In fact I don't usually read a lot of books at all, but this book was so well devolved it made me read more. Even though I thought this book was interesting and well developed I also think that the ending could have use a little more detail at the end. Overall I give this book four stars and recommend it to anyone.

Charleys battles
This book is based on atrue story of the civil war. A teenage boy(16) named Charley goes to fight and realizeshow valuable life is by seeing people die and drop like flies in a summer kitchen all around him. In the book he is sure that he will die, but later on becomes a great warior. It gives you agood education on history. You learn about the types of farms southern families had, and all in all the differences between the two sides. Charley went through some tough times and fought some brutal battles.
I personally loved the book. It had a bunch of intensity in like -they walked through the meadow looking for the Rebs, nothing was to be found, then heads and next whole boddies appeared in the clearing- that and somthing that went like this -they studdied the woods again and again and then horses, five hundred at least, came out of the woods- I also liked the gore. Some examples are -one man ran full speed into Charley's bayonet and died before hitting the ground, the bayonet was stuck in the Rebs chest and Charley had to put his foot on the Rebs to manage to get it out- All in all I would highly recomend Soldiers heart to be your next novel.

A Soldier's Heart

A Soldier's Heart book is definitely man vs. man, and sometimes-even man vs. himself. It affected my reality toward life. This novel taught me to never love violence and war. I thought this is a suspenseful story because Charlie (main character) really liked the fact that he was treated like a King with girls waving hankies. That was all about to change.
I thought the author's purpose for writing this novel was to teach a moral lesson about people with a `soldier's heart.' Some history about the battlefields were involved in the plot, but still with great background description.
Though I loved the book, I wasn't attached to any of the characters. The characters all used confusing words that w `slang.' To emphasize, the vocabulary is just too juvenile, and therefore this book was published for an audience less than twelve.
... Read more

Book Description

"In Dickensian fashion, Pullman tells the story of 16-year-old Sally Lockhart, who becomes involved in a deadly web of events as she searches for a mysterious ruby. The novel is a page turner, peopled with despicable hags, forthright heroes, and children living on the underbelly of 19th-century London. The story's events are exciting, with involved plotting. Settings and characterizations are exquisitely drawn. The first entry in a planned trilogy."--(starred) Booklist. Reading level: 6.7. ... Read more

Reviews (130)

A teenage girl survives intrigue in Sherlock Holmes' London
The 3 Sally Lockhart books, beginning with 'The Ruby in Smoke' are set in London in a time Sherlock Holmes reader's will recognize. All the evil and intrigue are present plus some twists that Conan Doyle never thought of. The difference is a heroine who is not at all typical of the times. In the first book she is a teenager who survives life threatening situations with luck and the help of the loyal friends she makes along the way. In the later books, she develops into a savvy young woman succeeding in a man's world. The villains she faces are darker and more evil than you'll see in young adult books of a few years ago. The books are all very absorbing and leave you hungry for the next one. Don't let the book cover fool you, this is an adult read.

Terrible? I Think Not!
This book is the most amazing I've read. Ever.
Philip Pullman's unbelievable description and detail makes it easy for the reader to be sucked into the story and make it seem real. The book starts off with a bang and never settles down until the end - Sally's life is always in danger. "Her name was Sally Lockhart, and within fifteen minutes she was going to kill a man." What kind of a reader could put down a novel after an entry like that?! This suspenseful mystery is best not read right before bedtime, if you'd like untroubled dreams. The Ruby in the Smoke is real, the realest I've ever seen in a mystery, and the best.

I'd also like to recommend: The Shadow in the North, The Tiger in the Well, The Tin Princess, The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass

Ruby in the Smoke Audio review.
If you like Harry Potter on audio your going to love the new audio version of Ruby in the Smoke. Anton Lesser equals if not surpasses Jim Dale in giving the characters individuality and life. If you like hearing the English accent and done just right for every character, Lesser gets five stars. If your out there Anton, great job and I hope you get the rest of the Sally Lockhart books. The story is great but the opium sections may not be for young children. This book like "His Dark Materials," makes a long road trip fly by.

The Ruby in the Smoke
The Ruby in the Smoke was full of excitment. There were many twists and turns and betrayals of friends. Sally uncovers many secrets and mysteries of hers and others mysterious pasts. She is joined on her adventures by quite a few friends who she meets along the way. Sally is a very kind and caring young woman who is always eager to help others out when they need it. Due to her loveable personality and her outstanding intelligence she is able to figure out the mysteries left to her after her father's murder. She uses her courage to stand up to evil and win.

only ok
i read this book hoping for something similar to Pullman's later work, his dark materials. It isnt that. Its pretty dry, just a regular girl who happens to come into several bouts of both good and bad luck. Ill give it three stars because it kept my attention long enough to finish it, and I'll probably read the other two. hopefully they will be better. ... Read more

Book Description

Dear Listener,

The word "carnivorous," which appears in the title of this book, means "meat-eating," and once you have read such a bloodthirsty word, there is no reason to read any further. This carnivorous volume contains such a distressing story that consuming any of its contents would be far more stomach-turning than even the most imbalanced meal.

It would be best if I didn't mention any of the unnerving ingredients of this story, particularly a confusing map, an ambidextrous person, an unruly crowd, a wooden plank, and Chabo the Wolf Baby.

To avoid causing discomfort, your time might be better filled with something more palatable, such as eating your vegetables, or feeding them to someone else.

With all due respect,
Lemony Snicket

Performed by Tim Curry

Reviews (123)

Dark Humor, Misfortune, Despair, and False Hope
Unfortunately, for the Baudelaire orphans bad luck seems to follow them wherever they go like a nefarious, gloomy, gray cloud. Their many attempts of escaping the vile, and filthy Count Olaf have been hopeless since he always seems to track them down.
In the ninth installment of A Series of Unfortunate Events Lemony Snicket once again creates a dreadful scenario filled with dark humor, suspense, mystery, and a shred of small hope, if that is even possible. The Baudelaire orphans find themselves forced to disguise themselves in freak costumes and submerge themselves into different identities. Instead of clearing up the mystery that encircles the anagram of V.F.D. they find themselves with more questions than answers. So very close to finding the solution they were until, once again, they lost their chance.
This book, as well as the series are a good read for anybody who wants to have a good time, laugh, or in very rare cases...cry. There's a feeling of impotence as one believes that maybe, just maybe the Baudelaire's might have a happy experience for once but then you find out that this is as unbelievable as ants that can talk. Lemony Snicket's literary voice is unique and worthy of recognition as he creates a ghastly storyline that hasn't been seen before. Seriously, when was the last time you read a book with a sad beginning, middle, and end? I am a mere fourteen years old yet I really delight in hearing his mind perplexing stories with great vocabulary words, and strange yet funny baby talk. These book are great for any age.

sometimes the carnival is no fun at all..........
Justin Pergolini
Room 22

I am a fifth grade student at Waldron Mercy Academy(JP).The book I am reviewing is THE CARNIVOUROUS CARNIVAL by LEMONY SNICKET.PLEASE RUN FOR YOUR LIFE.THIS REVIEW IS DANGOURUS AND MUST BE ERASED. You could not possibly want to hear the horrible events in this book...that is what Lemony Snicket whould say if he was typing this. Unlike Lemony Snicket this book is one of the best books I've ever read. Trouble has struck again for the Bualdeluares. Our story begins with the Bauldeluares in the trunk of Count Olafs long black car. The Bauldelaures are three orphans named Violet,Klaus,and Sunny whose parents died in a horrible fire. Count Olaf is a greedy man who has followed the Bauldelaures everywhere they go trying to steal the orphan's fortune and has faked his own death and blamed the poor Bauldelueres for the murder. The Bualdelueres have left their recent ''home'' at Hemlich Hospital, which I am sorry to say is no more, and found a small glimmer of light in its library of records.............

The Bualdelaures arrive at Calarigi Carnival (which I am sorry to say is no more either) where they hear of a fortuneteller who is telling Olaf where the orphans are all the time. The Bauldelaures disguise themselves as freaks to get a job at the carnivals house of freaks. It's horrible there as the Bualdelares are treated harshly on stage. They are in even more danger when Count Olaf announces the next big attraction at the carnival:feeding some lions one freak a day that is randomly selected from a hat. But that night the Bualdelares find out a little secret about the fortuneteller...

But I am afraid that tragedy strikes again for the Bauldelares and this dark road is very long indeed...........

one of th best
The Carnivorous Carnival is definently one of the best Lemony Snicket books i have ever read. This time the kids hitch a ride in the back off Count Olafs car to the Hinterlands. I the story the kids desquise themselves from him as freaks. Sunny dresses up as a wolf baby and Violet and Klaus dress as a two headed person. throughout the story the kids end up finding out something they really want to know but dont find out if it is 100% true. the end of this story is the most sad of them all. so i think that yu should read the book to find out what turns out to happen in the end.

One of the best of the series
I really love the Series of Unfortunate Events. This one is one of my favorites of the series along with the Wide Window (3), The Austere Academy (5), and the Hostile Hospital (8).
These books are very good. I was very suprised by many things in this book.
Read them!

responce to literture
In the book The Series of Unfortunate Events The Carnivorous Carnival there are three children's names are Klaus, Sunny, and Violet. They are three children who are very unlucky and get into stuff they shouldn't get in to. Olaf captured the kids and what's to get the Baudelaire fortune. Violet, sunny, and Klaus find disguises and put them on. They dressed up like a two headed person and a bay wolf. Olaf finds out who they really are and tries to put them in a pit of hungry lions. Violet tries to escape but does it work read the book to find out. This book is very interesting and I think every one should read it. ... Read more