Book Description

Illus. in full color. Trans. by Pilar de Cuenca & Inés Alvares. "The presence of the English text beneath the Spanish makes it especially helpful in the primary-grade bilingual classroom."--Booklist. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Great book and translation!
Unlike a lot of other books that are translated into Spanish, this one doesn't lose much of the rhythm or the fun when translated. It also has the English text along with the Spanish text. My 1 1/2 year old son really enjoys this book, along with the tape recording of his Tio Raul reading it. I highly recommend it!

I loved this book as a child!
I think one of the many bonuses of the bilingual version of this book is that the text is simple and does not overpower the page. This is a great book for a great price.

easy to understand
A wonderful book for begginers at a really cheap price. The pictues show the text really well and just in case there are some misunderstandings about the meaning of the spanish sentenes, the english version is witten right below it. I am teaching my 2-year old spanish along with improving mine, and this book is really helpful. HIghly recommended to all ages.

Excellent starter book
I bought this book for my son, and think i'll have to get another pretty soon, he can't let go, either i have to read it to him every night or he has to read it to me, It's getting pretty worn out.
Some times we alternate, I read in spanish he reads in english.
So if your looking for a billingual book for your children look no further

Opposites Attract
This book does an excellent job of exploring the concepts of size, color and opposites using a storyline about two dogs who are very different, but also the best of friends. English text is displayed under the Spanish, making it an excellent choice for a bilingual classroom in the primary grades. ( or for English as a second language learners.) ... Read more

Book Description

Owen Foote has a new obsession: spying. He thinks that secretly watching people is the coolest thing in the world. But eavesdropping on his dad talking with a neighbor about lawn care is getting a little boring. Owen is ready for bigger challenges, and he has already selected his next target: Mr. Mahoney, his school principal. It's going to be the ultimate spy test. Cloaked in camouflage and prepared to Duck or Die, Owen and his friends embark on their covert assignment. It will be Owen's most daring adventure yet.

Fast-paced and funny, Owen's latest enterprise has all the insightful humor and character appeal that make this series a sure bet for young readers. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

IT'S SOOOO GREAT!!!!!!
I have read the two Owen Foote books that she has written so far and they are both ABSOLUTELY STELLAR!!!!!!!Even though I am 13 I have read both many times.The lessons in life they taught me are spectacular and Ilearned so much about how to be a nice homo sapien.I wish Stephanie wouldwrite many more books in this spectacular series!!!!!!!!!

I Think that this is a great sequel!!!
I am the authors son, Oliver who is meant to be the inspiration for her writing the Owen Foote series. I think that my mom is pretty good at understanding children like me and trying to write realistically. She does not know that I am writing this, but I hope one day she will see it. I remember the happy day when she sold the book, and I am proud for her. I think that all young soccer players will enjoy this book. ... Read more

Book Description

A little girl longs to see beyond the scary sights on the sidewalk and the angry scribbling in the halls of her building. When her teacher writes the word beautiful on the blackboard, the girl decides to look for something beautiful in her neighborhood. Her neighbors tell her about their own beautiful things. Miss Delphine serves her a “beautiful” fried fish sandwich at her diner. At Mr. Lee’s “beautiful” fruit store, he offers her an apple. Old Mr. Sims invites her to touch a smooth stone he always carries. Beautiful means “something that when you have it, your heart is happy,” the girl thinks. Her search for “something beautiful” leaves her feeling much happier. She has experienced the beauty of friendship and the power of hope.
... Read more

Reviews (8)

Superb in every respect, with a great lesson to teach
Sharon Dennis Wyeth's 1998 book "Something Beautiful" was inspired by her own memories of growing up in a place which was, perhaps, not as beautiful as she would have liked. We follow an unnamed little girl through her neighborhood as she looks for something beautiful as a teacher has instructed her to do. What we see is litter, broken windows, scary graffiti, homeless people, and more. But the little girl manages to find out from everyone she asks what they find beautiful around them. She is variously given the examples of a fish sandwich, a jump rope, some apples at a fruit market, and even a smooth, heavy stone a neighbor carries for good luck. The best and most beautiful example, though, comes from the little girl's mother--and her reply ends the book on a lovely note.

Chris Soentpiet's watercolor illustrations are nothing short of remarkable. They are nearly photographic in their detail and lifelike aspect, and they give a visual rhythm to the text. He is to be commended for his ability to combine both an unflinching look at a downtrodden neighborhood and examples of how we all can find beauty everyday, if we look hard enough.

Jetae' from Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary
I love the illustrations in Something Beautiful because it shows how the girl feels. My favorite part is when she goes looking for something beautiful. Then she finds out that she is beautiful. The illustrations are bright and colorful.

Emily from Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary
I think Something Beautiful was excellent because of Chris Soenpiet's illustrations. I think they were wonderful, marvelous, and interesting. My favorite part was when the little girl found out she was something beautiful. I give this book 5 stars because of the way Chris drew the pictures. I recommend this book to kids of all ages. He made me feel like I was right in the little girl's neighborhood.

Whitney from Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary
I think that Chris Soenpiet's illustrations are definitely awesome. He adds very good details and I like how he paints real things that are in our lifetime. But my favorite story is Something Beautiful. It's about this little girl who is trying to find something that is beautiful in her neighborhood that is covered with graffiti. She finds out that she is the beautiful person and that it doesn't matter what you look like on the outside, but it matters on the inside and that her momma loves her anyway. For all children who think that they aren't beautiful that would love to read this book.

Aubrie from Ashley River Creative Art EL.C SC
My favorite part in the story was when the girl washed her front door clean because the door was pretty. I love the Illustrations. This is my favorite book in the world. The illustrations brought the story to life. I actually thought I was one of the characters. This book is one of the best books! I give this book five stars!! ... Read more

Book Description

The fourth book in the series about Marvin, a precocious eleven year old, who tries in vain to be good, but always seems to make the decisions that land him in trouble with his parents, teachers and classmates. Marvin struggles to impress the girl he likes, while trying to avoid the class bully. Along the way, he creates a special friendship with his teacher, and encounters many of life’s humorous hurdles through the eyes of a fourth grader. Parents, teachers and students will see many parallels to their own lives, as the elements in these stories are taken from real-life experiences chronicled by the author during almost two decades as an elementary school teacher. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (11)

Confessions of an insider
This book is basically about a group of rich NY guys: Jonathan, Arno, Micheal, David and Patch. More like a Gossip Girl in a Boy's point of view. I was excited in starting this book. I found myself laughing in no time. It was hilarious. But later in the middle, i was rather disappointed. The character build-up was slow and the plot's a bit shallow. But near the ending, things were heating up and the characters were explained. So in conclusion... it's not a must-read but a great book if you're in your bikini, sunbathing in the beach.

Different in a good way
I've never read any of the Gossip Girl books, but I do plan to, so I can compare. I thought this was totally different from anything I had ever read. I like the way it goes from First person to third person. That was really different. It was a little confusing at first but it really turned out to be good.

Great for GG novels
This is a must read book if you loved Gossip Girl and/or The
A-list. I love Gossip Girl so much, I have all the books. I picked this book up because I saw it in a magazine, and I don't regret it. It is more the boy's point of view, but girls will love it to. I recommend it.

Slows down to a lackluster debut without heart and soul
Minter, a Columbia U grad, debuts with a piece of teenage fluff semi-reminiscent of Cecily Von Ziegesar's light and frothy Gossip Girl series. Still, this is not up to par with Von Ziegesar's line, which chronicles lives of wealthy Mahattanites. With Minter's story, the attention is all on rich, overprivileged, goregous New York boys who could practically be Blair Waldorf's neighbors.

Jonathon is the so-called "glue" of the group, what holds all the "friends" together. Backstabbing, lies, and partying ensue. Kelly, Jonathon's seemingly innocent cousin who resembles actress Brittany Murphy, is anything but what she first appears to be. She catches the attention of everybody, including Arno, Jonathon's slutty friend who could practically be another Chuck Bass - he is the epitome of a male slut. Although parallels can be drawn between the GG series and this, GG has a far more appealing plot and more likeable characters. The characters here are shallower than a wading pool and the weak insight just made me dislike this book even more. The boys' thoughts and feelings are trivial, this story is unreal, and you'll be bored to death - plus these guys fall in "love" quicker than Arno can drop his pants. By the end, all is well. The fact that Arno cheated with his buddy's girlfriend is forgotten and Jonathon has a new girl - some chic named Fernanda who he knew for all of 15 minutes.

THE INSIDERS is the ideal bedtime remedy - you'll be asleep in a matter of minutes. Blair may be bitchy but she's far deeper than any of these naive teenage lads - amazing they stayed "friends" for this long. Proceed with my warning before you dive into this light read, whether you be in the YA section at your local library or browsing through your bookstore.

good, but not as good as the a-list
i thought that this book was pretty good. there were some suspensful moments in the story. but, after reading the A-List, nothing seems as good. but over all, this was a must read book. ... Read more

Book Description

Porcupine invites Otter and Owl to sleep over. Otter takes care of the snacks. Owl decides what to watch on TV. But who will be in charge of fighting off monsters in the closet, at the window, and under the bed?

Reviews (1)

Enjoyable book for dad's bedtime story
My daughter and I found this book to be enjoyable. Not only is it fun to read (and quick) for dads, but a good book for new readers. The stories cover essential topics and how the three friends in the story handle them together. Easy for children to learn from and apply to their situations, such as what those noises in the night really are. ... Read more

Book Description

Bobby Phillips is an average fifteen-year-old boy. Until the morning he wakes up andcan’t see himself in the mirror. Not blind, not dreaming—Bobby is just plaininvisible. There doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason to Bobby’s newcondition; even his dad the physicist can’t figure it out. For Bobby that means no school,no friends, no life. He’s a missing person.Then he meets Alicia. She’s blind, and Bobbycan’t resist talking to her, trusting her. But people are starting to wonder where Bobby is.Bobby knows that his invisibility could have dangerous consequences for his family andthat time is running out. He has to find out how to be seen again—before it’s too late. ... Read more

Reviews (58)

An Excellent Book
This book is about a boy named Bobby Philips and he goes through life where nearly no one in the world notices him. Because the time when he smiled at the most popular girl and it was as if she just looked right through him. So one day he wakes up and goes into the bathroom and takes a shower and when he gets out he wipes the fog off of the mirror and sees nothing. So he wipes it again and still sees nothing. It's like people didn't see him before and now they never will. He can not tell anyone except his mom and dad. Because if someone told he would be big news on everything and everywhere. He can't do anything no school, no friends. He officially becomes a missing person. Then one day at the library he meets this girl. Her name is Alicia. She is blind so she can't see him. He can't resist talking to her. And he thinks he can trust her. So he is trying to have her help him get his life back. I don't want to tell you the end. You'll just have to read it yourself.

A Great Author = Great Book
What would you do if you were invisible? Well, I sure know what Bobby Phillips would do of Chicago, Illinois wakes up one day and is invisible. Before the day he was REALLY invisible, in a way he was invisible to his parents. He was there in a solid figure but his parent just won't pay attention to him. Later on that week something tragic happened. Bobby's parents got into a terrible accident. With his parents in jeopardy he realizes how much he really loves them. After the accident Mr. And Mrs. Phillips were put under intense care wing. Bobby isn't allowed to visit them. But being invisible he visits them both. After he visits them he goes to the library and meets a girl, no ordinary girl, a special girl. Clements teaches you that even if you are special you can help in many ways. In the book it's like The Phillips vs. Officer Padgett. I'd give this book five stars because it's interesting and different in many ways. If you want to know who this "special girl" is and if and when Bobby turns visible read Things Not Seen by Andrew Clements. Published by Philomel books in 2002 at New York, New York.

Bravo Andrew! Praise for Things not Seen
Andrew Clements puts lots of suspense and emotions into this wonderful book. This book portays strong feelings of friendship, anger, sadness, love and a jumble of other emotions between a boy named Bobby Phillips; a blind girl named Alicia and their families. Bobby wakes up one morning and starts his everyday routine, but when he gets out of the shower he notices- or -more or less- it's what he doesn't notice, his body in the mirror! He sees nothing. He's invisible. He tells his parents and since his father is a science whiz they try to figure out how to get him back to normal. It takes Bobby a while to get used to it and along the way bumps into a blind girl named Alicia VanDorn. Eventually he confides in her his secret- and, of course, her parents find out to! They and their parents team up to solve Bobby's problem. Bobby and Alicia become close friends and Bobby becomes infatuated with her. They work secretly without their parents to devise a plan and find the cause of his condition. Will they succeed, and just how close will Bobby and Alicia become? I'm not gonna tell ya! You'll have to read the book to find out.

Almost Terrific
I loved this book and the storyline was great. I would have given it a 5 star rating except for one thing, I didn't like how the boy talked about his parents it was like he didn't respect them. I recomend this book but I DON'T give it a 5 star.

Wonderful *****stars
The first book by Clements that i read was A WEEK IN THE WOODS. I really did NOT like it, but THINGS NOT SEEN is an outstanding book. The romance between Alicia and Bobby is great. It keeps you thinking because you always wondering how are they gonna cover that up?! It' wonderful book that's suited for ages 10-14.
iAn ... Read more

Book Description

Pippi always does things her own way. When she cleans her kitchen, she ties scrub brushes to her feet. When she has a picnic, she serves pancakes. One thing is for sure-there's never a dull moment when Pippi is around!

"Pippi Longstocking . . . has inspired generations of children with her spunk and power."
-Kirkus Reviews ... Read more

Reviews (6)

A Must-Read for Tweens/Teens and Their Parents
"Please don't let anyone get in your way!" So starts Erika V. Shearin Karres' book MEAN CHICKS, CLIQUES, AND DIRTY TRICKS. This is some of the best advice you will find, but doesn't even compare to the rest of the advice that Ms. Karres gives throughout this book.

Part of being a girl is getting used to the "in" crowd, snobs, bullies, teasing, cliques, gossip, backstabbing, and more, whether during school hours, or on your own time. It is the one thing that makes being a female extremely tough, and easily compares girls to wild animals fighting over the tiniest thing.

Split up into 10 Chapters, MEAN CHICKS breaks female predators down into various groups, and writes about each separately. Chapters on The Bully, The Snob, The Gossip, The Traitor, The Teaser, and so on, feature quotes from young girls who have been bullied in the past (this feature alone will have tweens and teens interested in this book, as they feel as if they are being spoken to by their peers, as opposed to a parent/teacher/guardian), stories about girls who have overcome bullies, quizzes, resources, and an all around survival guide to help tweens, teens, and their parents deal with the problem civilly.

As someone who has been bullied non-stop in the past, I found this book to be extremely empowering, yet uplifting at the same time. I even starting crying a few times when reading the true stories from girls who have been bullied, as I could relate to them so well. Ms. Karres' breakdown of each type of girl is entirely accurate, and will have readers nodding their head in agreement with her comments about The Bully, Traitor, and so on. Parents with a tween/teen girl who is being bullied should definitely purchase this book, as it will be a helpful guide for both YOU and your child. Don't miss MEAN CHICKS, as it is a necessity.

Erika Sorocco

This is the best
This book is really good I'm a middle-schooler and this book helps me understand why theese girls do the things they do. now i know that i can beat their tricks knowing that their doing it to be popular and i understand that theese girls are not at all perfect, in fact they have more problems then we think. now i know that i am stronger then the bully and that i can outsmart them and shrug off what they say. i love this book!

A book that teaches, empowers, and heals
Once a childhood bully and a teenager who was bullied, I found an immediate and deep connection with Karres's book. What I thought most poignant was the psychology detailed behind each description of the girl(s) dreaded in school - the Bully, the Gossip, and so on. She makes you understand the reasons underlying the otherwise callous actions that girls exhibit...almost to the point of making one feel a certain sympathy for them. That being said, this book is also a useful - and not an overbearing, finger-pointing - tool for the girls who exhibit these types of mean behavior. Karres possesses a compassion for young women that is clearly evident throughout her verbiage. Through that, you get the feeling, once the final page is read, that somehow, someday, 'everything is going to be okay.' This book is not only valuable for girls, but a highly educational reminder to parents of what their child is going through. I know that if I ever have a daughter one day, the book is going to be left in her hands.

This Book is Helping Me Alot
My Mom gave me this book to read because I have had alot of problems as a teenager just dealing with all the social drama and fighting that goes on. Every week there are fights and disagreements and I find so many girls can be cruel and get jealous and hurt each other. I really like this book and it is helping me. I feel like I'm reading about my own friends and the kids in my school with different names. Dr. Karres also explains why girls act the way they do and gives good ideas for how to act and what to say when kids act out and get really mean or think they are better than anyone else. I tried a few ideas in this book and they really work! I am also learning more about why I act they way I do sometimes and get in sad or down moods because of all the things that go on with kids around me. I think this is a very good book and everyone should read it. I wish they would teach kids this stuff in school so there wouldn't be so many problems.

Wonderful Book- I Use It With My Students!!!
I teach in a middle school and was lucky to read Mean Chicks, Cliques, and Dirty Tricks -- I am using the many terrific tips to help guide students who are often very upset about the difficult and upsetting social episodes they encounter -- and Dr. Karres' explanations, approaches, and advice in this book are exceptional!! The book includes writings from girls in need of real-life down-to-earth objective and educated help for tough situations in dealings with peers ( who can be nasty and hurtful)
and they are answered so beautifully, with both logic and sensitivity. I've covered some of the excellent empowerment tips with my students and they love them!! This book is an esteem-builder and empowerment bible for girls from elementary through high school (probably even adults!!) and parents, too, can learn alot here for assisting their children through the social rocky roads of the girls' world. Tips on dealing with all personality types, behaviors, and issues --from bullies and teasers to groupies and newcomers on the block -- being in good moods and bad moods -- are included PLUS the book has a section called "Cool Tools" listing additional resources. This is great for teaching girls they can own their power and do have choices to attain further support; they are not alone and can learn how to cope with and overcome tough people and relationships! I invite my students to look at my copy of the book ( I keep it on my desk) and they rush up to grab it! This book is a double winner. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (19)

Friends to the End.....
"My friend Rabbit means well. But whatever he does, wherever he goes, trouble follows..." So begins our little mouse narrator's tale of the stuck airplane. Generous Mouse let Rabbit take a turn and fly his plane, and now it's sitting out of reach, high in a tree. "Not to worry, Mouse. I've got an idea!" And what a huge idea it is as Rabbit struggles to pull and push an enormous elephant to the tree, and plop him down right under the now stuck airplane. Next he carries a rhino, then a hippo, a deer, an alligator, a bear, and a duck onto the scene, making a tall pyramid with Rabbit poised on top holding Squirrel. "The plane was just out of reach. Rabbit said, "Not to worry, Mouse, I've got an idea." So Rabbit held Squirrel and Squirrel held me... but then..." It can all be summed up in one word, disaster..... Eric Rohmann's spare, witty text is kept to the bare minimum. It's his bold and engaging, Caldecott Medal winning illustrations that really tell this hilarious chain of events story. Each two page spread dazzles with expression, drama, suspense, humor, and marvelous eye-catching details. Little ones will revel in all the captivating fun, and also understand the gentle message of sharing, tolerance, and the importance of friendship. Perfect for preschoolers, My Friend Rabbit is a treasure and soon to be classic that kids will beg to read again and again, and is sure to become an instant favorite at story time.

A great picture book!
My Friend Rabbit is a picture book in the truest sense-- it relies on its illustrations rather than its text to tell the story. Understanding a story told through illustrations requires cognitive thinking, more so than absorbing a story passively through the written word alone. Therefore, a picture book requires a more patient, imaginative and helpful reader when it is read to younger children.

It strikes me that those who have criticized this excellent book may need to stop relying on a book's text alone and brush up on their picture-story-telling skills.

The Caldecott Jury has justifiably recognized this book.

Not to Worry Mouse I Have a Review
This was in the nightly reading stack for weeks and returns frequently. The book is short on words and requires you to look at the details before the whole story unfolds. We have had fun as we notice different details the more we read this book. My little one is about to turn 3 and may be on the verge of outgrowing this book. I'll be a little sad when she does.

Caldecott-worthy
This book, as stated previously, is a true (and great!) picture book in every sense of the word. It ignites the children's vivid imaginations--that would otherwise be 'unimaginative' if it spelled every event out to them--by forcing them to ask questions and or tell the reader (us parents) what they think is going on.

Lately books are full of words with minimal pictures, but not this one. Thank you Mr. Rohmann for creating an imaginative book with a wonderful message. Kudos!

Creative Page Layouts
Eric Rohmann's book, "My Friend Rabbit," is about a mouse and a rabbit that are very good friends. Rabbit is the friend that is always getting into trouble, and mouse is the friend that always stands by Rabbit's side. In this story, Mouse lets Rabbit play with his new airplane, to which Rabbit gets the airplane stuck in a tree. Rabbit thinks he has the solution as he drags all the animals over to the tree and has them stand head to toe to reach the airplane. However, when the animals plunge to the ground, they are very unhappy with Rabbit. But, Mouse still loves Rabbit, and lets him fly away with him on his airplane.

In the book, "My Friend Rabbit," Eric Rohmann uses hand colored relief prints for the illustrations. I love the bold colors Rohamann uses in the illustrations to portray a joyful and energetic plot. Beyond coloring, I love Eric Rohmann's use of line in this story. He uses dotted and loopy lines to let the reader follow the airplanes path. I think children will love following the lines of the airplane's path.
I really enjoyed the use of line on the page with all the animals stacked up to reach the airplane. I think kids will enjoy turning the book to see how high the animals stretched up towards the tree. ... Read more

Book Description

When a tiny snail meets a humpback whale, the two travel together to far-off lands. It’s a dream come true for the snail, who has never left home before. But when the whale swims too close to shore, will the snail be able to save her new friend?

From the creators of Room on the Broom and The Gruffalo comes this touching tale of adventure and friendship. With vibrant illustrations and rhymes that are both playful and lyrical, here is a story that shows us that even the smallest creatures can help others in a big way. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Great Book!!
This is the best book my daughter and I have read in a while. She is 4, and I have been reading it to her every day since we got it. We liked it so much that we had to check out all of the other Julia Donaldson books. We also love Room on the Broom. Both of these are fun rhyming books that tell a wonderful story.

Absolutely Beautiful Book
We just received this book and it has already become one of my son's favorites. We had to read it twice the day it came and he is asking for it every night. It is a beautiful book, I fell in love with it the first time I read it to him. The text flows smoothly, the story is wonderful, it shows how even if your different you can get along and help one another. It also teaches that it doesn't matter what size you are , you can make a difference. The illustrations are wonderful, alot of detail and color. Just all around one of the best books I have ever purchased.

IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT COUNT
Rhyming texts are always appealing to young ears, and this adventure tale by Julia Donaldson is no exception.

A tiny sea snail lives on a rock overlooking the sea. The more he looks at the sea the more he dreams of sailing around it. Ignoring the advice of his fellow snails who want him to stay put he posts a sign on the rock: "Ride wanted around the world." As they say, nothing ventured nothing gained.

One night a giant humpback whale came to the rock and invited the snail to sail with him. It didn't take the snail but a second to decide - he hopped on the whale's tail and they were off.

They saw many wonders: icebergs, penguins, mountains, golden sands, underwater caves. Such excitement!

But one day there was a bit too much excitement as racing speedboats forced the whale to swim too close to shore. Then as it does every day, the tide went out leaving "the whale beached in a bay."

Now, how can a tiny snail possibly save his friend the whale?

Youngsters will love this story's ending, and also learn a valuable lesson.

- Gail Cooke

My Favorite!
My children and I love this book! The rhyming verses just flow beautifully, holding my children's attention as well as mine. I have yet to tire of reading this out loud to them. The pictures are wonderful and we love the snail! Not only is it fun to read but it has a great message for children. This will remain one of my all time favorite children's books. ... Read more

Book Description

Summer school are two words in the English language that Hank Zipzerdoesn’t want to learn. But there’s no getting out of this one for Hank—summer school, here hecomes! Will Hank have to spend the summer bored to death inside a sweltering classroom, or willhe actually learn a cool lesson or two? ... Read more

Book Description

Big Mouth

No I did not. I did not, I did not. I did not say those things, and I did not plan those things. Won't It anyone believe me?

Ugly Girl

All right, Ugly Girl made a mistake. I'd told my mom what I'd heard in the cafeteria, and she'd told Dad. Evidently. I'd thought for sure they would want me to speak up for the truth.

Reviews (41)

The Mouth that cried Wolf
The Young Adult book field is not one that comes to mind when I think of the body of Joyce Carol Oates'work. Yet here it is from the prolific Oates, "Big Mouth and Ugly Girl."
BMUG chronicles the high school and family life of Ursula Riggs(known to herself as "Ugly Girl") and Matt Donaghy (Big Mouth).
The plot is very simple and up-to-date newspaper headline-wise as Matt is accused of plotting to blow up his high school and Ursula, though heretofore not a friend of Matt's, comes to his rescue out of a sterling sense of "what is right."
Both Ursula and Matt suffer from what most of us suffered in high school: self-esteem problems, not feeling part of any group, hating our parents and siblings, etc.
Oates,being the master craftswman that she is, takes this rather tepid plot and fills it with telling details of both Matt's and Ursula's life after the accusation which sets the plot in motion:"It was like Matt had been wounded somwhere on his body he couldn't see, and the wound was visible to others, raw and ugly. When they looked at him, they saw just the wound. They weren't seeing Matt Donaghy any longer."
Under normal high school clique circumstances Matt and Ursula would have never made a connection. But through Ursula's sense of what is right and her acting upon it; and despite her parents objections, Ursula and Matt become a couple.
The moral of the story is simple but definitely needs restating to teenagers, but not only to teenagers, especially when it is restated in the glorious, tight and controlled prose of Joyce Carol Oates.
What Oates has done is pare down her gorgeous style to the bare minimum of words necessary to convey a mood, a thought or an emotion. What lessons and morals are to be learned can be easily picked off like so many berries off a tree. But in no way whatsoever does the storytelling seem didactic or obvious or over-simplified.
Joyce Carol Oates has fashioned a novel for teenagers brimming over with morality and resposibilty but has done it in a way that does not talk down to her specific audience. All of we Oates fans need not be wary of this book as it is wriiten on the highest level of craftsmanship and deserves a special place in the oeuvre of one of our finest contemporary writers.

Bookreview Big Mouth & Ugly Girl
The young adult novel "Big Mouth & Ugly Girl" by Joyce Carol Oates is about a popular boy named Matt and an outsider-girl named Ursula.
Matt has got many friends, gets good marks and he often makes people laugh about his jokes. Ursula has got only some false friends in her basketball team. She is an outsider and likes to do everything alone. Because of a bad accusation Matt and Ursula find together and the plot rises... .
Both characters are real-life characters. Ursula is a moody but self-confident girl who does not care about pretty High School stuff. Matt is known and liked by a lot of people. Matt is not the best looking guy but in spite of his brainy and comic manner he writes for the school newspapers and is the vice president of the school. To my mind Joyce Carol Oates' intention is to make the people understand and to persuade the reader not to leave your friends whatever will happend. And that you should fight against all prejudices in every case!

My personal opinion is that the book and the contents is easy to understand. The author used a simple sentence structure and hardly colloquial language. I think the novel can be read easy alone at home for example. Another possibility is that you read the novel in groups or in classes. All in all the story is not as exciting as a oscar-nominated movie but the plot and its development is interesting and often change unexpected.
I liked to read the book very much, you should try it, too!

Good romantic tale
First off, from the descriptions in the book, the "Ugly Girl" in this novel really doesn't sound all that ugly to me. She's tall. She's athletic. She's a tomboy. And if the girl on the cover is supposed to represent what she looks, she's actually not too bad looking.

All in all, the Amazon review is pretty on target. Matt and Ursula are great, full blooded characters. The supporting characters are not. In a sense, the book is about these characters in a sort of vacuum. And the climax and ending of the story has some of the most purely romantic scenes of any book I've read, because it's real. Their relationship feels honest. When the sentiment comes, it's believable rather than sappy. A nice romantic tale for teens--male or female.

Baskkeettball!!
I first picked this book up because of the title. How interesting and unusual the title was. I started reading it, and got extremely bored. But, it didn't stop me. I read on to learn that Ursula (ugly girl) was a lot like me in various ways. I had a keen love for basketball, and so did she. She always tried her best in basketball, but sometimes it wasn't enough. Her parents didn't come watch her games; they didn't really care.

The book switches sides and introduces you to Matt. Matt is a friendly guy who is the "Big Mouth" in reference to the title. Matt makes a joke that he's going to blow up the school, which is overheard, and a dispute calls out. Matt is in serious trouble, not only with his higher school authorities, but the police.

Matt is well-liked, popular and interestingly funny. Ursula is...well ugly. Urusula stands up for Matt, which surprises him, because he hasn't ever talked to Urusula. He tries sending her e-mails, chickens out a lot, but soon befriends Urusula.

Urusula's parents tell her to stay away from Matt. They stereotype him as a "Bad, horrible" kid, not knowing that his mis doings were unintentional. Urusula and Matt start hanging out together more and more. Matt's life is turned upside down, and Urusula helps him through the horible times.

I believe anyone would enjoy this short story. The book is so simple, but it rewards you with so much more.

Crouching MOuth hidden Ugly
Big Mouth, and Ugly Girl by Joyce Carol Oates is an excellent book. This book is a perfect example of not "Judging a book by its cover or title." In the beginning I had absolutely no intention of checking this book out. I mean the title to me was pretty dumb. I had my heart set on Lance Armstrong's autobiography, but it was checked out. I then went to find Silent to the Bone, but that was also checked out. At this point all the books that I really wanted to read were gone and I was getting desperate. I had no choice, but to borrow this book and see what happens. Fortunately, this book was just outstanding. The whole entire book really appeals to teenagers and the types of things they go through.
Even so, the thing that I liked most about this book was that the author really made it appealing to teenagers. I was really able to relate to Matt and Ursula, which made the book even more fun to read. For example, I was able to relate to the pressures that their parents gave them to do certain things or how their friends left them when something bad happened. Therefore, this book is very well written and worthwhile to read. It teaches you a lot about friendship, loyalty, and doing the right thing. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Lanky lizards! The slinkster-cool novels in Francesca Lia Block's Weetzie Bat series have finally been compiled into one delicious volume. All of the ethereal, mesmerizing titles are here--Weetzie Bat, Witch Baby, Cherokee Bat and the Goat Guys, Missing Angel Juan, and Baby Be-Bop--together like the big, beautiful family described on their pages. Block's unique, poetic style immediately draws readers into an intoxicating magical-realist world populated by empathetic, original characters (as well as a few ghosts, fairies, and genies): "He kissed her. A kiss about apple pie à la mode with the vanilla creaminess melting in the pie heat. A kiss about chocolate, when you haven't eaten chocolate in a year. A kiss about palm trees speeding by, trailing pink clouds when you drive down the Strip sizzling with champagne. A kiss about spotlights fanning the sky and the swollen sea spilling like tears all over your legs."

We cheer for these young women and men as they struggle with the universal trials of growing up, finding love, and letting go--all within the vivid, glittering, urban embrace of Los Angeles. Block's stories about finding yourself, being true to your dreams, and believing in what might seem impossible will inspire teens and adults alike with the resounding messages of hope and the transformative power of love.--Brangien Davis ... Read more

Reviews (116)

Love is a dangerous angel...
I'd read the whole Weetzie Bat series before purchasing this book, but the problem was that no-one I'd loaned my individual copies of the stories to ever returned them. (Which may, in and of itself, be a testament to the kick-butt slinkster coolness that is intrinsically a part of this book.)

So anyway, as I was falling in love with a girl with whom I go to college, I read her Weetzie Bat. It was really cool. Especially the part in which My Secret Agent Lover Man expresses his undying love for Weetzie (I liked the part about "You are my martini..."). Since that time (about a month ago), however, this person has emotionally crucified me, and started dating an extremely goofy-looking boy.

Alas, that's the life portrayed in Ms. Block's novellas: hartbreaking and inspiring, exhilirating and melancholy. Read as modern day fairy-tales, they are wonderfully crafted pieces of fiction. Not surprisingly, however, I've read many scathing reviews of this series on Amazon.com. I think that for people to review it poorly, they have to miss the point--that these are fairy-tales. I wouldn't want a 13-year-old kid reading this as an instruction guide to life, but then again, how many people take fiction that seriously? (At least a few people do, as evidenced by the reviews.)

As with all fairy-tales, there is a moral behind the narrative: that love and universal acceptance goes a long way to make people happy, to heal hurt, and to generally make the world a better place--but also that things that some people take for love (that is, sex) can be devastating and hurtful. Love *IS* a dangerous angel. On that level, this book is not only a beautiful piece of prose, but of perhaps immeasurable value to a world torn by conflict, hurt, and hate. I just wish that more people would see the good in this book, instead of the bad.

(Good for high-school aged and up readers, but I'd probably have it tempered by parental guidance for anyone younger than, say, 15.)

Lanky Lizards, it's a strange world!
When I first set eyes on this in a mid-town book shop, I put myself under the impression that it was going to be a mystical fantasy type book. I bought it. A few pages in and i'm thinking "What have I gotten myself into?" but I continued on and next thing I know i've read the first two Weetzie Bat books and am in awe. It's a strange world Francesca Lia Block creates for us. It's a mixed scene of retro 80's punk glam and spiritual awakening. Very odd indeed. Not only that but she has an amazing way of describing things that at first make you go "Who the hell speaks like that?" and then you re-read and think "My God! That makes perfect sense". There is one particular description of the first time Weetzie Bat kisses My Secret Agent Lover Man that really just made me sort of melt and laugh at the same because really is that not how kisses are? I don't know how she does it but she manages to find the words that you would never think of to say and describe things.

My only small complaint is the lack of timeline. With each new book time has passed between since the last one but yet we are never told how many years, months or whatever it has been. We're only given a vague idea. That made it somewhat frustrating and confusing.

I have read in some places of the suggested reading age being 12 and up but I think I would probably raise it more to somewhere around 14-16 as a good starting age for Weetzie Bat books. Not graphic or anything but there still is sex, drug abuse, self-mutilation and other things that I think make it more appropriate for teenagers than pre-teens. And though designed for young adults I do think anyone older could read these and still be just as thrilled with the world of Weetzie Bat.

good
Well i havent quite finished this book yet... but so far it is kinda confusing. It is a really good book tho. It has love in different kinds of places. It tells about homosexuals, regular love, and different kinds of things about finding yourself and who you are. But i do plan on reading this book fully. It seems very good and the author is great. I plan on reading Girl Goddess #9.

Tapestry Of Eye Pooping Words
While some characters may seem shallow and flat. Block does a beautiful job with her writing.
This is a very good strange romance series. I love it because it's so off beat and not like other romance novels.

Dangerous Angels
I loved this book. My grandmother bought it for me on the 16th and I was done reading it on the 17. I read the entire book in two sit down sessions. The story is very realistic with just the right touch of fairy tale for it to be wonderful. I know this is a bad reviev but I'm only 13!! ... Read more

Book Description

PS 87 is having multicultural week, and Ms. Adolf's class is putting on a "Foods from Around the World" luncheon. Hank is thrilled&150noreading, no outlining, and no review questions, just cooking! Hank makes enchiladas, and at the luncheon, Ms. Adolf piles her plate with lots of food. But after a few bites, her face turns bright red&150one of the dishes is super-spicy! Ms. Adolf accuses someone of playing a mean practical joke, and punishes the entire class with no recess until the guilty party comes forward. Hank realizes his trouble with numbers might have caused the problem&150what if he accidentally used three cups of peppers instead of 1/3 cup? Will Hank be able to get recess back for everyone without getting detention for the rest of his life? ... Read more

Book Description

What do you do without
your best friend?

Jamie isn't afraid of anything. Always ready to get into trouble, then right back out of it, he's a fun and exasperating best friend.

But when something terrible happens to Jamie, his best friend has to face the tragedy alone. Without Jamie, there are so many impossible questions to answer -- how can your best friend be gone forever? How can some things, like playing games in the sun or the taste of the blackberries that Jamie loved, go on without him?

Reviews (36)

Touching, A Good Conversation Starter
I read A Taste of Blackberries as required reading in a Children's Literature class in college. It's the story of a young boy and how he deals with the sudden death of his best friend due to an allergic reaction to a bee sting. My mother had died unexpectedly of a heart attack only weeks before I read it. I'm so glad our instructor chose to include this book in our curriculum! It gave me the opportunity I needed to participate in class discussions of the fears and pain associated with death. And I found I was not alone. Many among us had already lost someone dear to them. Death is a univeral experience, and yet one for which I, and many of my classmates had been totally unprepared. I wish I had been exposed more to that particular reality of life as a child and believe that A Taste of Blackberries opens the door for just such discussions between parent and child or between children and their friends. I find, because it is fiction, that it can be an easy way to broach a difficult and frightening subject with children, then encourage a sharing of feelings.

I'd like also to say that this is a fairly short book, written for children. It does not deal with all of the more complex, dark issues and feelings that can be associated with death, nor should it. As I said it's written for kids. I personally found the ending of the book to be realistic, yet uplifting and hopeful.

A Taste Of Blackberries
I came across this book in my sister's bedroom. She's only 7 and i think one of her teachers recommended it to her. Anyways, i picked it up and began reading it for no particular reason. This is a fantastic book. This will become my 2nd favorite book. I'm only in high school but this book moved me deeply. I'm not ashamed to say that i cried while i was reading it. This is such a touching story and i'm sad that jamie had to die but i liked the way that the book ending. It didn't end up really sad. ( i hate sad endings) Normally i don't like books where people die but in this book it was so pure and simple that i don't mind it. I would recommend this book to anyone it is a wonderful book that everyone needs to read. The most heartwarming part of this book is where the main character offered (silently) to be Jamie's mom's "substitue son." That part made me cry too. The most interesting part of this book is that the name of the character is never revealed. It makes the story seem so much more personal, as if the reader is actually the main character and is experiencing everything along with him. I can't tell you how many times i love this book, but i love this book! Read it or else you are missing out on one of the best books ever written! :-)

Trouble at The Blackberries
What would you do if your best freind died? In A Taste of Blackberries By Doris Buchanan Smith the narrator's best freind dies. Jaime and the narrator are best freind. They go to the blackberry patch together. One day the ambulance came and something happened to someone. If you want to now what happened read this book. If you like sad books thi is the book you want to read. I recommend this book to everybody.

A 31 year old taken back to simpler times...
As I was researching a recipe for blackberry cobbler, I was reminded of this book that I read over 20 years ago. By reading reviews from 10-12 yrs. olds, I was swept back to my childhood and was suddenly 10 again!
Even though I haven't read the book since I was a child, the memory of it is still as crisp as ever! I remember this was the first book that gripped me and made me feel something. All others before it were jouvenile and emotionless.
"The Taste of Blackberries" made me fall in love with reading. As I purchase it again today, I will make sure it's a story read over and over again to my children, and by my children! I HIGHLY recommend this!!

Sad but Uplifting
I also read this book over 20 years ago for the first time. I still have my own copy and every couple of years I re-read it. It deals with the friendship between 2 boys and also about how the surviving boy deals with the "too early" death of a friend due to an allergic reaction to a bee sting. It is a fantastic book and one of the few that I have kept from my child hood. I highly recommend it for readers. ... Read more

Book Description

Hank is thrilled about the "Best Field Trip of the Year"—everyone from Ms. Adolph’s class gets to spend the night on an old-fashioned three-mast sailing ship in New York Harbor! And Hank gets even more excited when the ship’s captain chooses him to be the first mate. But being first mate is not all it’s cracked up to be, especially for a crazy captain who takes his job a little too seriously. The best field trip of the year is becoming the worst night of Hank’s life—how’s he going to get out of this one? ... Read more