Book Description

The world of Newbery Honor book Shabanu is vividly re-created in this

novel of a young Pakistani woman's heartbreaking struggle against the tyranny

of custom and ancient law. Shabanu, now a mother at 18, faces daily challenges

to her position in her husband's household, even as she plans for her young

daughter's education and uncertain future. Then, during a visit to the

haveli, their home in the city of Lahore, Shabanu falls in love with

Omar, in spite of traditions that forbid their union. "Again, Staples imbues

Shabanu and her beautiful, brutally repressive world with a splendid reality

that transcends the words on the page. Admirers of the intelligent and

courageous Shabanu will thirst for more."--(starred) Kirkus.




... Read more

Reviews (45)

A Sequel to Remember
Many Sequels fail to exceed the stories they follow.....This is an exception. When I first Read "Shabanu Daughter of The Wind" I was without words because the book was so amazing. I even thought Haveli would not be as good as the first book, but I was wrong. It is very rare to find a book where you are always feeling the characters struggles, pain and spirit.(To the point where you may cry or laugh out loud!) Shabanu is a very strong willed girl and when you read this story you will know what I mean. When I put myself in her place I kept thinking how hard it would be for me to do the things she was doing. The things she goes through, the many choices she must make, and the sacrafices are breathtaking. Although "Haveli" fails to pick up where Shabanu left off you are not lost on what has happened because you are given a lot of the background that you missed between the 2 books. The closing line will always stay with me for it shows yet again how she must sacrafice to survive under the circumstances of the world she must live in. I really do wish there were more books to follow these powerful stories....maybe there will be someday. But all we can do is cherish these two books, and hope for coming sequels!

Wonderful reading (Hey taechers! )
In Haveli, Shabanu continues her struggle to maintain a strong spirit against the continuous destruction of a wanted life that could transcend the traditional customs and laws that bind her. Shabanu, still a child herself, now has a daughter of her own, named Mumtaz. The struggle for a better life is now intended for two. Complications arise in her plan for a better life due to a discovered love for a man in which she finds a kindred spirit. The roller coaster ride begins. Romance, violence, jealousy, culture, death, and a continuing idea to be free from the confinds of her life, all plague Shabanu. All of these factors along with strong dialogue make for an excellent read. This book would make a great study in literature, social studies, or any type of diversity class. It was a compelling story that could be converted from the 1930's to now.

Gives a distorted view of Islam
I would just like all readers to be aware of the fact that in RURAL areas of Pakistan are practices with such early marriages. People who are uneducated and change the face of Islam make up the rules in these provinces. I wish that the author could have acknowledged the fact that a strewed picture of Islam was shown because of the way it was misused. Women aren't treated like meat in Islam, and not all of Pakistan has such old-style rules. It is only the rural areas as I mentioned; the areas where the majority of people are illiterate. As a female of Pakistani descent, it bothered me to read a review saying that 'the real islam' was shown. I hope this reaches the author and shows her how disturbing it is to all Pakistani Muslims when characters who don't know the real beliefs and teachings of Islam are called 'religious.' Thank you.

The worst book i have ever read!!!
I don't know who would enjoy reading this! Am I the only person that can tell that this book is the most boring, uninteresting thing you can find in stores today? Like one other reviewer has said before me, this book is HORRIBLE!!!! If you are looking for an interesting read, DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK; if you are looking to be bored out of your mind, sure, why not!! It is obvious that Suzanne Fisher Staples had no idea what she was doing when she wrote this!

unbelievable
i was so excited to read this- not even knowing there wuz a sequal! i'm hoping for a follow up but the're probly wont be! if uve read the first book u HAVE to read this- and it leaves u hanging in a way! this has all kinds of plots and romances that will leave u wanting to read more and more! i definetely recommend this to others in high school- this is a MUST read! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Sensitivity in text and illustrations = charming book
Dear Ms. Barnes,

Thank you so very much for A LITTLE BOOK OF MANNERS: COURTESY AND KINDNESS FOR YOUNG LADIES. It has made all the difference in our lives.

One evening my husband and I experienced one of the most embarrassing moments of our entire lives when we took our granddaughters out to dinner. I suddenly realized that they simply had not been taught some pretty basic manners. Modern parents are so busy with two careers and hectic schedules, I suppose.

Imagine how thrilled I was to find this book and how even more delighted to discover that when they read it, both girls took the lessons to heart and began to practice them. It saved me the further embarrassment of telling their parents about the painful incident. You back me up on that one: "Don't point out other people's bad manners," -- remember? Of course, grandmothers have special advantages in that area, but tact and sometimes even reticence is often the better part of valor.

"Five good reasons to write thank you notes!" and
"The heart of all good manners is the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." What brave and wonderful things to write to youngsters in a society that sneers at manners and religion as "sentimental" and "old-fashioned."

Because of the lessons here -- from thank you notes to how to entertain friends to telephone manners to introductions and party manners and more -- we are now proud to take the girls anywhere. Their introductions (which we had fun practicing) are truly graceful.

Another very important point you make is to treat brothers and sisters like friends. That is, with respect. Practicing that one little idea can change the entire atmosphere in a home.

Thank you, Emilie Barnes, for a very important book. This one was so successful for us that I bought the companion volume, A LITTLE BOOK OF MANNERS FOR BOYS and look forward to seeing equally triumphant results among our grandsons.

Michel Sparks's illustrations are colorful and delightfully whimsical. The visual appeal and emphasis they add to the text makes this a very special book indeed.

Thank you again for the lovely and sensitive addition to our children's library and to our lives.

I wish she would write a book for boys too.
Excuse me, could I please tell you about a book I just read? Well, this is what Emilie Marie would say if she could walk off the pages and into your life. She also believes that the heart of all good manners is the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. This is a little girl you would happily invite over for a tea party!

This is just an enchanting book for helping young ladies learn courtesy and kindness. Emilie Marie introduces herself in a most polite way, then explains how her Aunt Evelyn has been helping her practice her manners.

This book helps girls to learn how to meet people, shake hands, answer the phone, be a good friend and so much more. I loved the section on the heart of Good Manners. I must say we adults could learn a few things from this book. Emilie Marie learns how to write thank you notes and how to answer invitations to a party.

To give this book to a little girl is also a way to give the gift of happiness to all those who know her. Michal Sparks has illustrated the pink and yellow pages in the most charming way possible. The blue bow on the cover is just adorable.

Thank you for reading my review and I really hope you will buy this book for someone you know. I bought it for my nieces and they love it. I must say they are turning out to be polite little ladies themselves.

It was so nice to meet you.

Lovely and effective!
My child went from exhibiting the most atrocious of table manners to conducting herself at table with perfect grace! After reading this book, she was eager for opportunities to practice her new manners on the telephone and at the table. Knowing "the rules" made her feel confident. Framing the need to be respectful of grown-ups as an issue of manners rather than power has made her rethink her behavior at school as well. Granted, this book takes an old-fashioned approach to proper behaviors (it is, for example, gender-specific, as the title clearly shows), but it has affected the way my behavior-challenged 6-year-old (though it's geared toward a slightly older audience) thinks about her actions. The illustrations are beautiful, and the prose -- from the perspective of a fictive childhood Emilie Barnes -- engages the socially-conscious child's mind. I only wish there were more, and that boys could be privy to this way of thinking about social interactions as well.

The girls loved it!
Manners are such a lost art! I used this well-written (and very cute) book to teach a class on manners to a group of girls. Needless to say, they had a blast while learning valuable information. I would highly recommend it for the little girls in your life.

This book helps the child be comfortable in many situations
What a great way to teach basic good manners! The way the chapters are written, it is possible to do role playing to practice different scenarios. The chapters are short enough to hold the attention of even a five year old, but with volumes of assistance for many situations. The nearly lost art of writing thank-you notes may actually revive with the training this book offers! ... Read more

Book Description

In The Complex Infrastructure Known as the Female Mind, Relient K expounds on their experiences observing the opposite sex. Detailing some of the "girl types" they've encountered--like the Homecoming Queen, The Athlete, and The Overachiever--they share personal stories and bibilical advice for girls of any type to become women of God.

The band's fun attitude is present throughout the book in quizzes, lists, personal stories, and 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

Book Description

The only book to profile girl heroines who made their mark on the world before turning twenty.

Why is it that girls who want to be basketball starts or presidents of their country grow into teenagers who doubt they will ever do anything important?What are we telling girls about what they can and can't achieve?There have been many influential girls throughout history, but their stories are seldom told.The girls profiled in Girls Who Rocked the World are from the past and present, some well-known and others overlooked.Girls like:

* Joan of Arc was 17 years old when she led French troops against armies of English invaders.She defeated the English and rescued her country.She was burned at the stake at 19.

* Cristen Powell is one of the top drag racers in America, male or female.She began racing at 16 and is the youngest female racer in history.

*Other girls included are: Cleopatra (Egypt), Phillis Wheatley (America), Wang Yani (China), Mary Leakey (England), Sarah Bernhardt (France), Frida Kahlo (Mexico), and Mother Teresa (India).

The book also links the heroines of the past to the girls of today.Between the historical profiles are photos and writings of today's girls answering the question "How do I plan to rock the world?"

This fun, hip book will inspire girls to make their dreams come true by showing them other amazing girls who did it before them and who changed the world. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Girls Rock!
    In her teens, Amelie Welden began writing this book, "Girls who rocked the world", about girls under 20 that have had a major impact on the image of women around the world, throughout history. These tales of hardships and obstacles women have overcome to reach success against the odds is perfect motivational reading for the girls of today. Amelie Welden combines girls from all different situations and backgrounds in this book that share the same characteristics of a heroine. Whether it is Joan of Arc, a French crusader, or Martina Hingis, Women's tennis championship, girls can find good role models. Among the 33 women mentioned in the book, three of which, I found exemplified outstanding characteristics of a heroine making this book a worthwhile read, Cleopatra, Phillis Wheatley, and Helen Keller.

    This book begins with most likely the most famous woman ruler of them all, Cleopatra. Blessed with riches from the beginning, this girl had all the makings to become a woman who would rock the world, and she did. She faced incredible responsible at the age of only 18 when she was crowned Queen of the Egyptian Empire. Ruling her empire was a difficult task when she was thought of as inferior, for being a women to other male rulers, but that didn't shake her confidence. From the start things went rough for the Queen and she found herself exiled from her own country because advisors felt threatened by her ideas and independence. However, determined, and clever, she devised a plan in order to get into her country to meet Julius Caesar, and the rest is history. The significance of her story is to prove to the world that girls can succeed in a position dominated by men. With the right skill and attitude shown by Cleopatra for her country, any girl can become good at her passion. Cleopatra's heroic courage and willingness to put her life on the line for the sake of her beloved country, is an admirable quality every girl should have.

    Unlike Cleopatra, Phillis Wheatley was born at a time when it was unheard of for African-Americans to be anymore than slaves, let alone women. However, Phillis Wheatley decided to change her stars, and follow her love for writing. Writing was a way for Phillis to express her feelings, a privilege that any girl should have. Unfortunately no one would listen or hardly appreciate the poetry of a black girl, no matter how good it was. But knowledge is power and as Phillis advanced in her studies, she gained respect. Her life proved that even a black girl could be an intelligent and an educated person if given the opportunity. She opened new doors for the rights of African-Americans and took society a step closer to accepting her race. She taught the world to look past superficial things like skin color and take a deeper look into what the person has to say. It takes a lot of courage to do this at a time when the slavery issue was so controversial, but Phillis Wheatley dared to be different and never gave up on her dreams. Her patriotic spirit but unwillingness to accept the injustice she was forced to live among made her one of the most respected heroines in our society and an excellent role model for girls to follow.

    Left blind and deaf when she was still a baby, no one could have guessed Helen Keller would become one of the most important advocates for the disabled of her time. Although very intellectually bright Helen was never given the chance to learn because it was the common idea that disabled people were not worthwhile to educate. Finally a teacher decided to take a chance on her and suddenly concepts started to make sense to Helen. She became a rapid learner up to where she could read, write, and speak as well as anyone. The rest of Helen's life dedicated on trying to break down the barriers of education discrimination and to change the way people thought of the "disabled". Girls who have disabilities can relate to Helen's story. The significance of Helen Keller's life is that she not only had to overcome a huge disability herself, but then went on to help others overcome the same obstacles so they could have equal opportunities. She fought her battle by educating and spreading awareness to others, so disabled people wouldn't have to face the discrimination she had. She rocked the world by speaking out and was devoted to her life's goal no matter how impossible it may have seemed. Helen devoted her life to help others so they wouldn't have to go through was she did. All these characteristics make her a heroine in everyone's eyes, including the disabled.

    All the women in this book possess very admirable characteristics that allowed them to follow their dreams against all odds. Along their journeys they encountered obstacles that only girls could take on. It takes courage and spirit to attempt what they did, and even more strength to succeed at it. But they believed in themselves which took them far and made them heroines who undoubtedly rocked the world. As the young orator Anna Dickinson said, "The world belongs to those who take it", these girls did, and so will the girls of today after they read this book!

Must read for every girl in America
I read this book with my daughter who is 7. Both of us were awed by the featured women in the book. The book is short and the stories concise. It is inspiring to see not only women who changed the world, but young women doing so much. Every school and girl in America should read this book. I am buying them as gifts for every girl we know!

Inspiring!
Girls Who Rocked the World is an inspiring book. Not only do you learn interesting facts about many famous and accomplished women, you also receive a unique perspective into their dreams, fears, struggles, and successes. I will recommend this book to everyone I know!

LOVE IT!!!! I'm giving it as a gift to every girl I know!!!
I originally purchased this book for my 8 year old daughter. I think I like it better than she does! I absolutely *LOVE* reading about 14 year old girls who rocked the world... and I feel empowered to follow my dreams to rock the world a little myself. I especially love the current-day kids at the end of each section with their plans!! ... Read more

Book Description

Having recently emerged from the tumultuous teenage years herself, Amanda Ford saw the need for a guide to help girls learn to listen to their inner voices and think for themselves. Inspired by such popular books as Simple Abundance and The Woman's Book of Courage, her book offers support to young women as they navigate one of the most confusing and challenging times of their lives. As anyone familiar with teenagers knows, there is nothing they hate more than being told what to do or how to think by "out of touch" adults. Here's the real scoop from one who knows the score. In 365 one-page essays, Ford offers stories, information, and advice on all the important issues facing young women today: boys, dating, drinking, self-esteem, fights with friends, dealing with parents, and more. Girls will find comfort, encouragement, and insight in these pages, along with suggestions for articulating and confiding their feelings, fears, and frustrations. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Honest wisdom, great comfort, easy format
I am a family counselor and I recomend this book for my teenage clients and their parents. It is full of comfort. Like a big sister whose just been through all the trials of being a teenager herself, Amanda is able to offer a perspective that parents and other adults can't. The formate is helpful and user friendly. The reader can look up any topic in the contents and read one page or many on subjects ranging from boys, to peer pressure, to parents. This book encourages girls to listen to their own voice instead of following the crowd. It encourages each girl to make choices that satisfy themselves.

become that person you've always admired
This wonderful book offers 366 (yes, it accounts for leap years) daily tips for living the best life you can. Offers sound advice for handling boys, jobs, peer pressure, self confidence, having fun, parents, jealousy, manners, dreams, and any of hundreds of issues that pop up daily for the average teen. This book inspires you to act in your own best interests and make the most out of life.

This book includes a detailed index for looking up whatever topics concern you, as well as a list of other helpful books and websites. How cool is that?

Be True to Yourself : A Daily Guide for Teenage Girls
Be True to Yourself : A Daily Guide for Teenage Girls, is a treasure. It is an important and powerful book; a book that every teenage girl should read. Amanda Ford's writing style is simple, honest and very real. You know she is speaking from her heart and from her own experiences. This is a book with integrity. It is one that the reader can open to any page and find inspiration and guidance. Like Sarah Ban Breathnach's "Simple Abundance," Be True to Yourself has a daily message. The book will never become outdated and it can be read day after day. Each page is like a precious gem that shines on its own. There is no gift you can give that will help a girl more during her teenage years than Be True to Yourself. It will become her best friend and companion.

Awesome!
I haven't even bought this book yet but I can't wait until I do. I found it at a local bookstore because it was on a display table and the colorful cover caught my attention. So I picked it up and I love what's inside. Amanda Ford is a really good writer plus her tips and 'meditation' are really thought-provoking and fun! I hope she writes more and recommend this book to all teenage girls! ... Read more

Amazon.com

"This morning, my mother didn't get out of bed." So begins the saga of Francesca Spinelli, the hilarious and achingly real creation of Aussie author Melina Marchetta. Francesca used to think her biggest problem was transferring to St. Sebastian's--a school only recently turned coed: "What a dream come true, right? Seven hundred and fifty boys and thirty girls? But the reality is that it's either like living in a fish bowl or like you don't exist." But now there's this matter of her usually vibrant and annoyingly optimistic mother Mia refusing to get up in the morning. Her taciturn father doesn't have much to say on the subject, her beloved little brother Luca is anxiously looking to her for answers, and her so-called friends from her old neighborhood seem to have abandoned her. So, Francesca keeps it all inside--her frustration with school (there aren't enough girl's bathrooms and no girl's sports teams); her fear making new friends (with the few girls who do go to St. Sebastian's); and her overwhelming hatred of the smug Will Trombal, who despite being completely infuriating, is also incredibly cute. Keeping this to herself when all she wants to do is spill it to her mother is killing Francesca, but with Mia trying to make herself well again, Francesca will have to figure out how to save herself.

What makes Saving Francesca an exceptional standout in a vast field of mediocre teen chick lit is Frankie's painfully nuanced characterization. It has been ten years since high school teacher Marchetta's break out hit, Looking for Alibrandi, came out in her native Australia, and the care and precision she took in getting Francesca's voice just right is evident. As a result, there isn't a girl alive that wouldn't feel right at home in Francesca's skin. Her frank observations about boys, with their hygienically-challenged habits and their ineptitude in dealing with the opposite sex, are dead-on and riotously funny. Marchetta deftly balances Francesca's humor with a sympathetic depiction of Mia's struggle with clinical depression, creating a well-rounded novel that will prompt both laughter and tears. Fans can only hope that they won't have to wait another decade for Marchetta to gift them with another of honest and moving story. --Jennifer Hubert ... Read more

Book Description

Ever since sixteen-year-old Tabitha Fortune was a child growing up in Rim, South Dakota, she's heard stories about ghost horses-nightmare creatures whose giant bones haunt the sandstone cliffs near the Badlands. When paleontologist Dr. Phineas X. Parker announces plans to dig for these bones, Tabitha vows to join his crew.

But this is 1899, and the world has different expectations for young women. Tabitha's preacher father urges her to abandon her interest in science. "Pray for a godly husband", he lectures, "not a godless education." Even Dr. Parker discourages Tabitha, saying, "Vertebrate paleontology is no place for a lady." That leaves Tabitha with just one choice-and being a "lady" has nothing to do with it. ... Read more

Amazon.com

In the 24th installment of Barbara Park's Junie B. Jonesseries ofillustrated early chapter books, Boo... And I Mean It!, theprecocious first grader is worried about Halloween--with good reason.Paulie Allen Puffer has given her five good reasons, in fact, not leastof which is that real witches and monsters go trick-or-treatingon Halloween (no costumes necessary); if you carve pumpkins with pointyteeth, they will bite your feet; and...shhh...candy corn isn't reallycorn. Junie B. goes to great lengths to avoid trick-or-treatingaltogether, but she finally decides that if she dresses up like Squirtythe Clown (a disturbing circus clown who terrified her grandmother bychasing her with a seltzer bottle and making her wear an "unattractiveballoon hat"), even the most horrific witches and monsters will bescared off. As ever, her way of expressing herself "I did a groan" and"Chills came on my arms" is grammatically unique, but as you get toknow her, more endearing than alarming. Children who have mixed feelingsabout Halloween festivities will relate to Junie B.'s fears, andthey'll be relieved when Halloween passes without a monster attack orpumpkin bite, just a delicious bag of 100% candy. (Ages 4 to 8)--Karin Snelson ... Read more

Book Description

Amelia Earhart was a woman of many "firsts." In 1932, she became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. In 1935, she also became the first woman to fly across the Pacific. From her early years to her mysterious 1937 disappearance while attempting a flight around the world, readers will find Amelia Earhart's life a fascinating story. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excellent
My 7 year old son could not put this book down! He read the entire book in one afternoon, and then was able to complete his biography project for school without any additional research. The book brought Amelia Earhart to life; it was comprehensive and interesting, with so many insights that I had never known before. There were also numerous sketches and maps which would keep a youngster engaged throughout the book. This book gets a resounding "WOW!" from us. ... Read more

Book Description

Natalie Merchant. Sigourney Weaver. Tabitha Soren. Wendy Wasserstein.

Rebecca Lobo. Lauren Hutton. Anita Roddick. Lynda Barry. These are among the

thirty-three extraordinary women who lend their diverse voices to this

outstanding collection of stories, songs, poems, comics, and essays that will

give every adolescent girl reason to feel hopeful about making the transition

from girlhood to womanhood. Dealing with subjects like popularity, success,

communication with boys, speaking one's mind, and body image, here is a book

that offers help and inspiration to girls as they struggle to find a portrayal

of womanhood they can call their own. 33 Things Every Girl Should Know is an

empowering and inspirational gift book that every girl will want to own, to

share with friends, and to use as a springboard to self-knowledge,

self-acceptance, and self-esteem.




... Read more

Reviews (6)

Almost perfect
Funny, witty, moving inspiring. Lots of role models of different types dealing with emotional, physical, intellectual, social challenges of growing up. Wish I'd had such a book when growing up.

Minor caveat -- lots of discussion of different things girls can be when grown up, but no mention of being a mother. I understand that one does not want to be encouraging teenage girls to have babies, but on the other hand would have been nice to have something addressing what is likely to be a significant portion of a woman's life. For instance, they could have had an essay by a physician who works part-time and is home with kids part-time, to make the point that getting a good education and a skilled professional job can make it easier to do flex-time and work from home. Something to prepare girls to get ready to balance work and family, to be thinking about the choices they will be making, and to acknowledge the importance and satisfactions of the drive to nurture.

GREAT!
This book was a really good book showing girls how to pull through struggles, not let yourself get down, being strong and many other vital things girls need to know and aren't taught.

A great book!!!!
The book is really good. The book talks about different women that have have grown up and are telling others their stories. They help others realize that the world is not perfect and how to get though it. I would give this book to anyone I know.

Hillary Clinton names "33 Things..." in July speech
This July at the 150th anniversary of the first women's rights convention in Seneca Falls, New York, First Lady Hillary Clinton mentioned "33 Things Every Girl Should Know" in her speech before 15,000 people. Two hours after the speech, "33 Things..." was flying off the shelf at a book signing at the Women's Rights National Historical Park. My 13 year old daughter, Elizabeth Jenkins-Sahlin, an author of one chapter called "Get Involved!", autographed 205 books. The books ran out before her writing hand tired. She is the great, great, great granddaughter of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, early founder of the women's movement. There is no question this chapter and this book empowers girls. Oh, by the way, Elizabeth says, "Even my 50 year old dad likes the book."

Simply Delightful!
In the forward to this book, Tonya Bolden explained that these authors know what adolescent girls are feeling right now. I was skeptical. The times have changed, how could they know?? Well, the authors of the book proved me wrong! I learned very important lessons about growing up, and hope to pass them on to my daughters. People would say that this is only a good book for girls ages 11-around 15, but I think that mothers could also learn a lesson about their daughters. Sometimes mothers think they know what's best, but this book may get the mother's a little more informed! I loved this book! You must read it, TRUST ME! ... Read more

Book Description

From bra shopping to babysitting, from making close friends to making great grades, Girltalk has all the answers

Upbeat and up-to-date, honest and hip, Girltalk is an "indispensable guide" (Working Mother) for girls ages eleven to eighteen. This Fourth Edition is the ultimate preteen and teen source for advice on:

• Body: looking and feeling your best
  
• Friendship: you don't like everybody -- why should everybody like you?
  
• Love: falling in, falling out
  
• Sex: what you should know before saying yes
  
• Family: making the best of your nest
  
• Education: getting through school, getting into college
  
• Money: making it, saving it, spending it
  
• Smoking, Drinking, and Drugs: advice without lectures
  
• Quizzes: getting to know yourself
  

Reviews (1)

The world of Kit Kittredge
Kit's stories center around America during the Great Depression. Kit Kittredge is a nine-year-old with a nose for news, but she has a hard time finding interesting stories--everything in the papers during her time is about the hard times of the Depression.
Kit starts out as a proud, somewhat selfish character who doesn't realize what she has until it's gone. But the changes begin in the first book, when Kit has to stand up to the fact that her father has lost his job and that the Kittredges now face an uncertain future.
The subsequent books, Kit Learns A Lesson, Kit's Surprise, Happy Birthday, Kit!, Kit Saves the Day and Changes for Kit show Kit as she slowly grows up and deals with the Depression. In Kit's stories readers will see the effects of the Great Depression on a nine-year-old girl who refuses to lose hope, even when the bank threatens to take her family's home.
Kit's stories also feature "Peek into the Past" selections detailing different aspects of the Great Depression. The sections also explain what caused the great Depression.

Kit's stories are great. I higly recommend the boxed set. ... Read more

Book Description

A nightmarish danger threatens from the other side of reality . . .

Armed with only a frying pan and her common sense, young witch-to-be Tiffany Aching must defend her home against the monsters of Fairyland. Luckily she has some very unusual help: the local Nac Mac Feegle—aka the Wee Free Men—a clan of fierce, sheep-stealing, sword-wielding, six-inch-high blue men.

Together they must face headless horsemen, ferocious grimhounds, terrifying dreams come true, and ultimately the sinister Queen of the Elves herself. . . .

A Story of Discworld

Reviews (35)

The Terrror of Having Your Dreams Come True...
"The Wee Free Men" is Terry Pratchett's second foray into Discworld-for-Young-Adults coming a year and a half after "The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents" and six months after his last 'regular' Discworld book, "Night Watch". It revisits ground from "Lords and Ladies" and "Carpe Jugulum", which is fine, because with usual Pratchett flair, he tosses in enough wry satire, strange humor and generally good storytelling that you don't always notice when he goes back to some of his older material.

While the Nac Mac Feegle (the Wee Free Men last seen in "Carpe Jugulum"), little woad-tattooed Pictsies, do feature in a large chunk of the book, the heroine is Tiffany, a nine-year-old witch's granddaughter and budding witch herself who must be the singularly most sensible (but still likeable) character I've ever read in a book directed at an audience less than 18 years old. She struggles to cope with the death of a grandmother who, even though she died more than a year ago, has still had a huge impact on her life. She also struggles with making sense of the world - both as a young girl and as a human being, and she struggles with the Queen of the Elves/Fairies (last seen in "Lords and Ladies") in what becomes a metaphor for maturity and clarity in a large, scary world. Pratchett's moral is that just because you're not yet officially an adult, it doesn't mean that you can't understand the world any less well. This is a theme he's played with before, but it's always appropriate no matter how many times he brings it out.

As a huge Discworld fan, I really enjoyed this book - possibly even more than "The Amazing Maurice...", although it's probably not at quite the same level of literary excellence as his previous work. Fans of Pratchett in general will undoubtedly appreciate his jabs at academia, fairy tales and the Harry Potter series (which future books about Tiffany may someday parody more explicitly). For fans of Discworld, not only are Tiffany and the Nac Mac Feegle two of his more interesting creations (which is saying something), but the cameo by Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg at the end is delightful. Missing, though, is the obligatory cameo by Death - possibly for the first time ever in a Discworld book.

Anyway, I recommend this book to anyone regardless of age or knowledge of Discworld. As with "The Amazing Maurice..." the Discworld cosmology is relatively light, so if you're not familiar with the Disc, it won't get in the way of enjoying the book. If you are, though, his subtle touches and revisitations throughout the book make it a more integrated work than his last foray into Discworld-Young-Adult. Either way, though, it's a great book.

Through another Looking Glass
Pratchett has created Tiffany in Dreamland - a Discworld version of the girl on a quest. Could this turn out to become a new timeless classic like Alice in Wonderland and Through The Looking Glass? Why ever not. Alice's adventures have infiltrated everyday English culture and language with their images and proverbial sayings. So might the Nac Mac Feegle, the Wee Free Men, enrich our mind's eye and add to our vocabulary with expressions like "Crivens "! Whatever its long-term influence, this wonderful story is highly entertaining for everybody. Its expressive ironic humour as well as its underlying wisdom reach far beyond the Discworld fans.

Tiffany Aching, the heroine of the story, inquisitive and mature for her nine years, views herself as an apprentice witch. She has the tools: a cast-iron frying pan, a piece of string, an unusual book of recipes, and, above all, the memory of her very special granny. To rescue her brother, Tiffany has to enter a fairyland, full of strange and dangerous creatures, all controlled by an evil "Quin". Fortunately, she has inherited "first sights and second thoughts" - a powerful combination for a budding witch. These are essential talents for her to distinguish between reality and dreams: "to see what is really there" and what is imagination created within a dream. "Follow your dream", Miss Tick's advice to Tiffany, builds up to a real challenge when Tiffany, after fighting wild animals and dream-creating dromes finally confronts the Queen. She has to peel off layer after layer of their dreams to escape from being taken over by them, then use her own dreaming power to find a way back to her own reality.

Tiffany's quest wouldn't have a chance at being successful - and would be a lot less funny -without the Nac Mac Feegle. What a hilarious bunch of little guys in kilts (only one girl and the ageing kelda) they are: full of mischief, fighting spirit and a wonderful version of Scottish. Wouldn't you like those around to do the chores around the house! But you would need some witching power - otherwise they would go back to their nasty tricks, like stealing eggs or making the sheep disappear. Their language and vivid expressions are a treat in themselves. Turning up in a black suit with a bow tie, one of them explains sheepishly: "The dream wouldnae let us in unless we wuz properly dressed..."

Pratchett has created a real gem of a Discworld story here - fast moving, imaginative and highly entertaining for young and old. It would not be Pratchett if he did not find a way to weave in some educational messages and real-life round-world wisdoms. [Friederike Knabe, Ottawa Canada]

It's as much a Fairy-tale as anything...
...but can easily be called a Discworld novel, a children's book, or both, because it happens in Discworld and has a young protagonist solving the problems that adults fail to notice.

Tiffany Aching is the second-youngest in a long line of Aching shepherds and farmers who have "the land in their bones" because they've been there so long and are as much a part of the land, called The Chalk (or the Wold, by the old) because of what lies inches below the dense grass that has survived centuries of sheep.

The first youngest Aching person is her little brother Wentworth, a perpetually sticky child who's turned potty-training into a form of extortion. Maybe it's his stickyness, or some sense of cosmic justice, but fairytales - real faerie-tales with the Queen and pixies and things made out of dreams in keeping with faerie-lore traditions from outside Discworld - are out to get him.

The suprising thing is that Tiffany, who thinks he's sticky and noisy and useless, is out to get him back, with the aid of a big iron frying pan and some very small blue people with kilts and swords. The little blue men are rebels against anyone and everything, and call themselves the Wee Free Men. They know the rules of fairytales that Tiffany has been pondering, the way to get Wentworth back, and how to give anything and everything a good fierce kicking.

If you're a fan of Discworld, you'll enjoy this book because it explores folklore the way "Lords and Ladies" and "Hogfather" do and magic/spirituality the way just about anything with the Lancre Coven or the Unseen University staff does. If you like fairytales and folklore, you'll enjoy this book because it explores what happens when the tales and the people they're told to interact directly. If you like children's books that regard children as intelligent beings trying to make sense out of the world and doing a fairly good job of it, you'll like this book.

Absolutely loved it!
This is the story of Tiffany Aching, a 9-year-old farmers' daughter, living in a green, hilly, full-of-sheep countryside named the Chalk (DW). One day when she's walking by the river with her capricious baby brother Wentworth, she's attacked by Jenny Green-Teeth, a monster with long teeth and eyes as wide as eight-inch soup plates. Nightmares are invading the land.

Not long after, Wentworth is kidnapped by the Queen of FairyLand. Following the advice of Miss Tick, a witch she met at the village fair, and her talking toad, and with the help of the Nac Mac Feegles, the blue-skinned little pictsies with the strong Scottish accent, she arms herself with a frying pan and her Granny's book on Diseases of the Sheep, and sets off in searched of her brother.

Beside being extremely funny and packed with action, The Wee Free Men is also a really sweet book, full of Tiffany's fond memories of Granny Aching, who was a famous shepherd of the Chalk, and a kind of witch in her own way. It's a story both for adults and children, telling you to look at the World around you, and teaching you, in a light way, the respect of Nature or other moral values. This might well be my favourite Discworld book, I absolutely loved it!

Kudos For Tiffany Aching
The walls of the worlds are coming together and monster will soon walk the land. But the event is happening in a region without a witch. One witch journeys to teach a possible hopeful to hold things together while she goes for more serious help. But nine-year-old Tiffany Aching is made of better stuff than suspected.

Right from the start Tiffany shows her promise as she manages to befriend the nastiest elves around and even gets them to help with her chores. But then Tiffany's brother goes missing so she and the Mac Nac Feegle (the six-inch, blue tattooed Pictsies of Scottish relation) set off to hunt him down and steal him back.

The story is fast moving, well told and an absolute must for fans of Granny Weatherwax. This is the first book of Tiffany and the Mac Nac Feegle and I hope there will be plenty more. The Scottish allusions and brogues are done to a T. The "logic" of Pratchett's Diskworld and magic system never waver. Very well done. ... Read more

Book Description

I was never a delinquent.

Not really.

I'm just misunderstood.

Of course, that's not how the judge saw it.

That's how I wound up at freaky Blackthorn Academy. Talk about boring. There isn't even a mall nearby. I mean, what did they expect a girl from Beverly Hills to do?

Also, from the start I could tell there was something really weird about Blackthorn:

The headmaster, Mr. Kim, knew way too much about me.

The class schedule features Intro to Code Theory and Microelectronics.

A whole section of the school is off-limits.

Then the FBI showed up ... and Mr. Kim disappeared.

Well, here's something Mr. Kim didn't know about me: Rachel Buchanan never gives up when there are secrets to uncover. Watch out, Blackthorn Academy!

Reviews (2)

Can't Wait For The Sequel!
This was a really good read.Each chapter was crammed with witty humor and teenage follies.This is a great book for a teen reader who loves humor and suspense skillfully woven into a book.

An Awesome Story
I loved this book!From the very first chapter, you know that the main character, Rachel Buchanan, is going to have a lot of life changing stuff happen to her.

The story opens with Rachel getting sent to boarding school because she's caught joy-riding in a car and won't tell the police or the judge who was with her.So the judge makes her go off to this weird boarding school in Pennsylvania called Blackthorn Academy.

When she gets there she meets the headmaster Mr. Kim who knows all about her and promises her that she will grow to love Blackthorn Academy.Rachel gets into lots of arguments with him and it's all very funny and witty.

But the main thing she does at first is try her hardest to get out of the school. She tries to escape the first night but that doesn't work out.

Then she starts noticing there are a lot of weird things about Blackthorn.She has to take weird classes like Code Theory learn Tae Kwon Do.

From there the story really zips along.I found that I almost couldn't read it fast enough.There's lots of excitment and action and when Mr. Kim mysteriously dissappears, Rachel uncovers a dark secret about Mr. Kim and the Academy and she is the only one who can find him.It's a really exciting finish and it left wanting to read the next book right away.

I really, really loved this book and I can't wait for the next one! ... Read more

Book Description

There is "The Ugly One," whose only solace comes when she is locked inside her own head. In "Wanted: A Thug," a teenager seeks advice on how to steal her best friend's bad-guy boyfriend. And then there's Erika, who only likes white boys. Sharon Flake takes readers through the minds of girls trying to define themselves while struggling to remain relevant to the boys in their lives. This is a complex, often humorous, always on-point exposition of black youth resolving to find self-worth . . . any way they know how. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Laugh for 10 seconds, then cry....
Sharon Flake's expertise in telling it like it is rings out in this collection. She and Chris Crutcher would make a great team! It is hard to say that girls and boys will 'enjoy' these stories, but they will not be able to stop reading them because they hit on the exact things my students witness, if not experience, every day. Each story has its humor and its pain. That's life, isn't it? As you read these stories, you see what is coming, and you want to shout "Don't do it!!!" But each one of us has to learn by our own mistakes and successes. By reading, we learn from others. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Gilly Hopkins is a determined-to-be-unpleasant 11-year-old foster kidwho the reader can't help but like by the end. Gilly has been in the foster system all her life, and she dreams of getting back to her (as she imagines) wonderful mother. (The mother makes these longings worse by writing the occasional letter.) Gilly is all the more determined to leave after she's placed in a new foster home with a "gross guardian and a freaky kid." But she soon learns about illusions--the hard way. This Newbery Honor Book manages to treat a somewhat grim, and definitely grown-up theme with love and humor, making it a terrific read for a young reader who's ready to learnthat "happy" and "ending" don't always go together. (Ages 9 to 12) --Richard Farr ... Read more

Reviews (67)

A worthy follow-up to Bridge To Terabithia!
Once again, Katherine Paterson shows us why she is one of the best children's writers of the 20th century! This book, released in 1979, followed Paterson's beloved 1977 novel Bridge To Terabithia, and is just as realistic, funny, and heartbreaking as Bridge. 11-year-old Gilly Hopkins has spent her whole life being shuffled from foster home to foster home, and is fed up. Her new goal in life is to make life a living hell for all her future foster parents. Things take a strange turn when Gilly's new foster mother turns out to be an eccentric, barely literate widow named Maime Trotter, whose heart is as big as her 300-pound frame. She already takes care of 7-year-old William Ernest, a timid little boy with learning disabilities. Gilly finds herself becoming attached to Trotter, W.E., and their friend Mr. Randolph, but, like most foster children, she lives under the delusion that one day her real mother will come for her. When Gilly is finally reunited with her mother and grandmother, her image of Mom is shattered forever, and she wishes she were back living with Trotter. Katherine Paterson based this novel on her own experiences as a foster mother. It's a tough, uncompromising portrait of a troubled young girl, and yes, there is some coarse language, but as Katherine said in an interview, "A child like Gilly does not say 'fiddlesticks' when she is angry or frustrated." Share this wonderful book with your child today!

5th grade class captivated with Gilly's life and personality
We are class 5T in Holland Elementary School in Holland, Massachusetts. We read The Great Gilly Hopkins for our second literature study book of the year. Our age group is from 10 to 11 years.

Gilly Hopkins is about an angry foster child who has a history of moving through many foster homes. She arrives at Maime Trotter's house hating her foster mother. During her stay at Trotter's house, Gilly learns love, self-control, and respect for others.

This is what we liked about the book. We became emotionally touched by Gilly's situation. Some of us cried while we read the book. Gilly was an interesting character because she changed from having hostile feelings for others to being a loving person. Some of us thought the author used vivid vocabulary that made Gilly seem real and interesting.

There are a few things we did not like about the book. Some of us thought the ending was sad. Gilly uses a lot of swears, and some of us didn't approve of that. There wasn't a lot of action in the story. People who like adventure stories might not like Gilly Hopkins.

Some things are better unanswered
Some things are better unanswered, March 30, 2004
Reviewer: Casey Erikson from New Iberia, Louisiana United States
I highly recommend this book, the warmth and love it displays and the harsh reality of our actions. Author Katherine Paterson writes about the sensitive subject of foster care. Gilly Hopkins an eleven year old child has been in foster care all her life with the hope of her mom returning one day to get her. Gilly is a very bright and unmanageable child who is placed with the Trotter family to live. At first Gilly can only see what is on the surface of her new family, a large obese religious woman and a slow timid boy. Before she can see what is in the hearts of her new family she writes a desperate note to be rescued only the rescue is not what she expects and comes after she has learned the true meaning of family.

The Wacky Family
The Great Gilly Hopkins

The main character Gilly Hopkins is a self centered unloved 6th grader. In less than 3 years, she's been moved to 3 foster homes. When she meets her new foster family, which consists of a fat lady, named Trotter, a punny retarded 7-year-old William Ernest and a blind black old man Randolph. She tries lots of things to get away from them and the old run down house. She even steals, cleans and gives William Ernest reading lessons. She does all that hard work just to get caught. The one-day she gets taken away to live with her grandma and then she realizes how much she loves and misses her foster Family. Then she meets her real mom and finds out she doesn't love her. Next she figures out that the Trotters love her and she loves them.

I thought it was great how Gilly changed so much and how she learned it was okay to be loved and love. I really enjoyed when she was teaching William Ernest how to fight and stand up for himself and I need to learn how to stand up for myself. I thought it was a wonderful book with lots of detail and feelings that a kid might feel in their everyday life.

Great? Honey, she's fabulous.
Let me begin by giving full praise to the original cover of "The Great Gilly Hopkins". I've seen the reissued covers and they fill me with sadness. On the original front cover is Gilly Hopkins herself. Hands placed firmly on her waist, elbows akimbo, she's blowing a bubble the size of her head. Her hair is short and mousy colored and she's wearing a shirt that I myself wore, I'm certain, in 1982. On the back cover the bubble has popped all over her face, giving her an odd bubbley mask. Compare such a beautiful illustration of this human being with the current spunky pink cheeked aw-ain't-she-sweet kid on the current covers. For shame, Mr. Publisher. For shame.

Now this book is great. Doggone it, I do this with every Katherine Paterson book. I walk in with the vague hope of not hating the book (paging "Bridge to Terebithia") and end up loving it as much as everyone else in the world loves it. What is not to like about this book? You begin with a thoroughly unlikable character. Sure, maybe she's been having some ups and downs in her life, but she's a racist, thieving, conniving little brat. And doggone it if you don't end up loving the little whelp by the end. Gilly changes, the reader changes with her, and the people around her are great. And the ending is far from perfect for poor Gilly, but she did bring it on herself and she's strong enough to survive it. The book's got pep, the girl's got pep, and the whole thing is thoroughly enjoyable. Two thumbs way way up for the Gilly gal. ... Read more

Book Description

Maya has been part of the group ever since the day Candace asked her if she wanted to "do lunch" in the cafeteria.Yet when Candace suddenly deems her unworthy, Maya's so-called friends just blow her off.While Mayajust wants the girls back like they used to be, she knows that can never happen-because whatever Candace wants, Candace gets, no matter who gets hurt.Maya isn't sure exactly where things went wrong for her, but she knows she has to find out who her real friends are, and who among the girls she can trust.

"[A] suspenseful and realistic portrayal of a popular middle school clique . . . . Readers will identify with and remember these characters." (Publishers Weekly, starred review) ... Read more

Reviews (37)

The Girls
The Girls
Amy Goldman Koss

Maya's life was going great when she moved into town and became friends with the most popular girl in school named Candace. That would change after one night during the end of summer break. Maya isn't invited to Darcy's sleepover because Candace considered her boring now. It's time for Renee and Brianna to make their own choice on whether they were going to be Maya's friend or just follow the leader of their group, Candace.
This was a book that can really relate to real life problems people go through. It's about making your own decision, not follow someone else's, and learning how to stand up for what you truly believe in.
I would really recommend this book to people of the ages of 11-14. I got caught up in this book the more I read it. I personally would rate this book a 4 with 5 being the highest.

The Girls
The Girls Puffin Books, 2000, 121 pp., $4.99
Amy Goldman Koss ISBN 0-14-230033-0

Could you put yourself in the position where all of a sudden, your closest friends begin teasing and taunting you? Well, that's the position that Maya is in when friends Renée, Brianna, and Darcy turn on her, and she can't figure out why. Then popular, intimidating Candace calls her and says some awful things, and suddenly it becomes crystal clear: the other girls don't like her because of Candace; if they did stay Maya's friend after Candace began to dislike her, they would be out of Candace's clique. The book The Girls shows how hard it is to be left out, mocked, and how to get back on your feet.

I really loved this book because I felt as though I could instantly connect with Maya. She has the same problems every middle school girl has, and Amy Goldman Koss describes her emotions very well. The writer's craft was unique; with each new chapter, a different girl would narrate the story and the "Maya problem" as she saw it through her own eyes.

The book The Girls was addictive. I enjoyed reading the different perspectives that each individual girl had on the problems going on within their clique. Once I picked it up, I just couldn't put it down!

This book has no plot!
I found this book in my 11 year-old sister's room, and thought it looked interesting. Boy was I wrong! This book can be confusing to follow because each chapter is writted from another character's point of view. Not only does this book have so weak a plot that it seems to be non-existent, but the portrayel of the four teenage girls who are the main characters is totally false! The plot in this book is so unbelievable! I wouldn't waste your money on this book. If you desperatly want to read this book, then borrow it from the library, but do not spend your own money on it!

The Girls Review
The Girls consist of Maya, Renee, Candace, and Brianna. All of a sudden the 4 girls decided not to be friends with Maya, leaving her to wonder why they don't like her anymore.
The book wasn't very detailed. It didn't even tell where it took place. It was hard for me to stay focused because I kept forgetting who the characters were or getting them mixed up, and not knowing who did what in the book. Personally, there were just too many girls to keep track of.
However, I think a lot of girls can relate to it or atleast understand the concept. It wasn't horrible. I don't think I would recommend it to anyone just young girls like my neice because she is 13 and going in to middle school. Younger girls would maybe like it more.

Wow!
I love this book! It's about a group of girls: Candace (the leader), Darcy (Candace's best friend), Brianna (a follower), Renee (the quiet, shy one) and Maya (the recent reject). At the beginning of the book, Maya narrates a chapter. You may think the writing is nothing special. But anyway, the story is great.
~A Ten-Year-Old Reviewer ... Read more

Book Description

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

Reviews (45)

"That Summer"- B/R
"That Summer" was about a girl named Haven. Haven is a fifteen-year-old who is going through a lot of bad changes in her life. Her life is very similar to other teenagers lives in our world today. She would always get picked on at school because of how tall and thin she was. Also, the changes she was going through seemed pretty sad. She was dealing with her parents getting a divorce and her father re-marrying and her sister getting married for the first time. It was summer time for her, and there was two weddings going on. One of the weddings was for her father and Lorna Queen, and ther other was for her sister and Lewis Warsher. She wasn't all that happy.

I truly enjoyed reading this book by Sarah Dessen. I loved it so much because it was hilarious. Well, it was not only hilarious, but the story was also sad, very heart warming, and also sweet as well. Reading this book has reminded me a lot about the character Mia Thermopolis from "The Princess Diaries" by Meg Cabot. The way that she was getting picked on at school because of how weird she looked was exactly what was happening to Mia. I really like reading books about teenagers lives. I like to see what happens and what they go through. That's why i enjoyed reading this book.

My favorite part in this book would be in chapter eleven. In chapter eleven, they are apparently only three days away from her sister Ashley's wedding. She talks about how everyone was kind of stressing themselves out, and how they were trying to get everything done before the wedding. The funny part was when she was describing how her father looked when he and his new wife, Lorna came back from the Bahamas. She said,"My father came back with even more hair, a sunburn,..." I always love reading the funny parts. It reminded me of my grandpa. He barely had any hair. That was one good laugh!

One of my favorites
My friend has read every Sarah Dessen book and with every one she's read, she'd tell me "You HAVE to read this!" Well, I finally gave in, and couldn't be happier that I took her advice.

That Summer starts off with Haven (a tall, lanky 15 year old girl) and her sister Ashley (20, about to get married to boring Lewis) heading off to their dad's wedding, to the weather girl that works at the same news station as he does. After the wedding, the book bounces back and forth from the present summer, and Haven's "picture perfect" summer. That summer (hence the title) was amazing. Her mom and dad were still together, and the whole family - and Ashley's current boyfriend, Sumner, someone that everyone loved - packed up and stayed at Virginia Beach for a while. Haven loved Sumner, he treated her like a ral person, not just his girlfriends little sister. But, when Haven and her dad are eating dinner one night (present times again) - Sumner reappears in Haven's life. It seems like everywhere she goes, there Sumner is, working another odd job.

This book also deals with the fights that Ashley and Haven have (much like fights between any sisters), her mom's new friend Lydia...who is trying to change who her mom really is, and her best friend Casey, who has totally changed since camp.

This book is great, and I'm glad I read it. It's highly recommended, Sarah Dessen is an outstanding author.

Overall grade - A+

Great book!
The book was good it really was but I found soem parts boring but I still liked the book,very well writtned and I like the characters.But I like Someone Like You better.But I still think this book was really good

A look at the past and the present
Dessen's novel, THAT SUMMER, is most likely referring not to the summer 15 year-old Haven is now in the middle of, but a summer that has already passed her by and now remains a fond memory. That summer, the one she fondly reminisces of, was filled with the happy sort of memories that make the present seem bland and melancholy in comparison. Her sister, Ashley, was dating Sumner Lee, a ruggedly handsome boy who has held a special place in Haven's heart, even though their relationship has long been over with. When Haven begins seeing him around the neighborhood and at the mall, however, old, happy memories come to mind. Now, Ashley is a bride-to-be. Her groom, Lewis, is boring and not the brother-in-law Haven wants.

The summer that past also was a time when she, Ashley, her mother, and her father were a happy family, a family that was sticking together and had a seemingly bright future ahead.

Too bad things didn't stay that way.

As Haven's present summer goes on, she finds out why Ashley and Sumner split. She deals with her father's marriage to The Weather Pet, the young, blonde bombshell who is replacing her mother. And she also comes to the realization that people aren't always who you think and want them to be. Ashley's relationship with Lewis makes her feel