Book Description

Book Description

Tree-ear is an orphan boy in a 12th-century Korean potters’ village. For a long time he is content living with Crane-man under a bridge barely surviving on scraps of food. All that changes when he sees master potter Min making his beautiful pottery. Tree-ear sneaks back to Min’s workplace and dreams of creating his own pots someday. When he accidentally breaks a pot, he must work for the master to pay for the damage. Though the work is long and hard, Tree-ear is eager to learn. Then he is sent to the King’s Court to show the master’s pottery. Little does Tree-ear know that this difficult and dangerous journey will change his life forever. ... Read more

Reviews (55)

A Single Shard
A Single Shard is the story of an orphaned boy named Tree-ear. He lives in the village of Ch'ul'po, on the west coast of Korea in the mid- to late twelfth century. Tree-ear lives under a bridge with Crane-man, who is homeless and disabled. Orphans are uncommon in Korea at this point in history. Crane-man agrees to raise Tree-ear because Crane-man is also without family.
Ch'ul'po is famous for its beautiful celadon pottery. Most of the families from which Tree-ear and Crane-man beg food are involved in pottery making. Tree-ear spends many hours watching the potters and wishes that he could learn to be a potter. However, the law states that the pottery trade can only be handed down from father to son. Tree-ear knows that none of the master potters will agree to teach him the trade. Tree-ear does find work with the master potter, Min. Tree-ear chops wood and digs for clay for Min in exchange for meals.
A royal emissary comes to town in order to award a pottery commission to one of the master potters. The commission will guarantee the potter to whom it is awarded a life-ling income. The royal emissary likes Min's work and wants to see more of it. Min begins to work on a very special piece of pottery. This piece takes Min a very long time to create. When Min is finished, Tree-ear volunteers to take the special piece to the royal court. In doing so, he sets out on the adventure of a lifetime.
This book is full many technical terms related to the making and firing of Korean celadon pottery. The culture in which this story takes place would be relatively unfamiliar to the majority of the audience for which this book is recommended. It may be difficult for young readers to completely understand this story with out additional background information that would better enable them to understand the cultural context. Additionally, much of the language used in this book would be difficult for readers to understand. However, the overall theme of perseverance this book is one to which children should be exposed.

An Orphan Boy
A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park is a tale of overcoming the limitations set by one's society through hard work and perseverance. The protagonist, a young orphan boy named Tree-ear is our guide through 12th century Korean life. The underside of a bridge serves as a home for Tree-ear and his older friend Crane-man in the small town of Ch'ul'po. Tree-ear and Crane-man spend much of their days scavenging for food in garbage heaps and on occasion finding fish. Aside from this being the young boy that Tree-ear is, he gets curious and ends up spying on the master potter min. When Tree-ear's curiosity gets the best of him, he waits until Min is gone and begins to handle the beautiful Celadon Pottery that Min has crafted. In an instant it slips from Tree-ears hands and breaks. This begins Tree-ear's journey as a helper to the potter Min, thus to pay off his debt of the broken pottery. The story unravels quickly as Tree-ear wants so badly to make a pot of his very own; however Min would never let a young orphan boy learn his very sacred trade. As the reader follows Tree-ear we too, sit and hope that he will be able to over come his predestined fate as an orphan boy.

Ms. Park takes the reader on an emotional journey with Tree-ear as we see him make sacrifices for his dear friend Crane-man and work even when it seemed like Min was never happy with him. Tree-ear's feelings and struggles come to life as he experiences despair in not pleasing the potter Min. Tree-ear's success are also touching; however you will have to read the book to find out how.

Ms. Park does an exceptional job of demonstrating the roles of various people in a typical Korea society. The master potter is a perfectionist who finds it indecent to apprentice anyone but a "real" son. Potter Min's wife is the traditional woman of the house who takes care of the family and at times even takes care of Tree-ear behind Min's back. Having all these roles clearly defined helps the reader to see how Tree-ear really is defying what the town has written as his fate.

I would recommend this book to all children ages 8 and above. It really gives children a sense of societal roles, hard work, family traditions, and other cultures.

Looking for a satisfying read?
Looking for a satisfying read?

A Single Shard is a well-written book by Linda Sue Park. The book relates to many middle school students like myself, and has meaningful incidents.

This book had many dry scenes as well as some exciting ones. My most favorite scene (the one I think is the most enthralling) was when Tree Ear (the main character) is trying to deliver pots when he comes upon two robbers. The robbers search him for his money but he has none so they smash his pots instead. Tree Ear is devastated because he has just earned his master's trust. It is very exciting because it seems that the characters are more interested in saving the objects than themselves. I would say this is the most exciting part of the book.

The book showed me a lot of things. It showed me to stick with my creativity. Tree Ear tried to be like his master when he was fine with the way he did things. It also showed me that hard work pays off. That can relate to any kid and school. Hard work equals good grades. This book has some situations that you can relate to.

I thought this book was well written yet rather dry and boring. The story was also a little too slow for me. The book is a good read if you like to read slower moving books.

Another hit for Park
I have read Linda Sue Park's other novel, When My Name Was Keoko, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I think she is an excellent author because she really makes the reader feel like they are part of the story. In this nover, Tree-Ear is a young boy who lives under a bridge, colleceting garbage for food. The book opens up with a story of Tree-Ear collectiong grains of rice from the dirt that have been dropped by a passoing farmer. Even though Tree-Ear lives a life of poverty, throughout the novel he continues to aspire for something greater. In the nearby village, there is a potter named Min, whom Tree-Ear idolizes. He spends his extra time watching Min. After breaking a pot, Min reluctantly allows the boy to help out around the shop to pay the debt. Tree-Ear is awarded the task of bringing two delicate pots to royalty, but the plan goes awry, and the potas are destroyed. All he has left is a single piece of the once-beautiful pots to show the royals. Like Linda Sue Park's other novel, A Single Shard doesn't fail to be entertaining yet historical. I really enjoyed the story. I feel as though I am no longer ignorant to the Korean culture and history after reading these two novels and seeing all that the nation has suffered through and all they have to be proud of. I am fascinated with Korean culture after reading these two great novels by Parlk. I recommend them both highly.

Interesting historical novel
This historical novel about twelfth century Korean potters tells the tale of a young homeless boy named Tree Ear and his friend Crane Man who live together under a bridge. While making restitution for an accident, Tree Ear becomes the assistant of one of the village's most esteemed potters, Min. Tree Ear wants nothing more than to become a potter himself.

When an emissary from the king comes to their village to view the works of the potters, Tree Ear is constantly busy helping Min produce the best pieces possible. The king wishes to see more, so Tree Ear agrees to transport the pieces overland to the king's palace. On his way he is beset by thieves who smash the beautiful vases Tree Ear and Min worked so hard to make.

Tree Ear is heartbroken until he realizes that one shard of a vase, about the size of his palm, is still intact. Although he fears that it is hopeless to do so, he carries the shard with him to the palace because he cannot bear to return and reveal his failure.

Along with Tree Ear, the reader learns about the ancient and fascinating art of pottery. Park tells just enough about the creation of celadon pottery to explain it without overwhelming the reader. Details of Korean life and culture are included where appropriate, but not in a dull manner.

Personally, I liked this novel very much. Tree Ear is a great kid and I couldn't help but care about what happened to him. The story may be a bit too slow moving for some readers - it's not written in the reach-out-and-grab-you style of so much Western fiction. Those readers who are willing to be patient will discover an excellent tale. ... Read more

Book Description

It’s 1936 Flint, Michigan. Times may be hard, and 10-year-old Bud may be a motherless boy, but Bud’s got a few things going for him: 1. He has his own suitcase full of special things; 2. He’s the author of “Bud Caldwell’s Rules and Things for Having a Funner Life and Making a Better Liar Out of Yourself”; 3. His momma never told him who his father was, but she left a clue: posters of Herman E. Calloway and his band of renown, the Dusky Devastators of the Depression. Bud is sure those posters will lead him to his father. Once he decides to hit the road, nothing can stop him, not hunger, not fear, not would-be vampires, not even Herman E. Calloway himself.
... Read more

Reviews (288)

Bud, Not Buddy
This book is about a ten-year-old orphan named Bud who is searching for his father, who he has never seen. Living on his own during the Great Depression, he meets his old friend Bugs. They decide to ride the rails west on a Hooverville train. Bugs makes it, but unfortunately Bud doesn't. This one event will change Bud's life, because Bud decides to walk to the next town and search for his father. After meeting new faces, Bud finds his believed-to-be-father, Herman E. Calloway, a musician. Although Mr.Calloway is not very friendly, Bud is invited to stay with him. In this book you learn how important communication is between people. Bud, Not Buddy won the Newbery Honor and the Coretta Scott King Award. I would recommend this book for forth to sixth graders because some events are hard to understand. I think this book has terrific facts on how people lived during the Great Depression. Something I particularily enjoyed about this book is how much the author described things. She used the five senses, especially the sense of smell. It was like the item was right in front of you. Is Mr. Calloway Bud's real father? Read this book to find out. Just remember to expect the unexpected. A great read for 5th and 6th graders.

A Place Called Home
Bud, Not Buddy tells the story of 10 year old Bud Caldwell, a young boy growing up in Michigan during the 1930's. Bud's mother died when he was only 6 years old, and since he never knew his father, Bud was forced to live in a home for orphans between his brief stays in various foster homes. Bud carries a battered suitcase which contains all the things that are near and dear to his heart; a special blanket and pictures of his mother. Although it seems as if Bud has very little, he has a drive to find his father, using the clues he feels that his mother left for him. After a bad experience at a foster care placement, Bud runs away using the rules he authored "Bud Caldwell's Rules and Things for Having a Funner Life and Making a Better Liar Out of Yourself" to guide him. Will the clues really lead to his father? Will Bud finally find a place to call home?

While this plot seems pretty intense, Curtis has truly captured the voice of a 10 year-old boy. The book is filled with laugh out loud humorous scenes that make it a really enjoyable read. Curtis carefully slips in a great deal of historical events through Bud's experiences without disrupting the overall flow of the book. Bud's voice is one that will draw children into the story and this is truly a book that young readers will enjoy. Check out Bud, Not Buddy for a splash of history, a heap of humor and an overall good book.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

A good short story.
I liked this book becuase it was a wonderful story about history(the Great deppresion) and a boy trying to find out who he was. Or rather, who his father was. he ends up traveling with a band and finding more than he bargained for.

Exciting Blend of Mystery, History, and More!
"Bud Not Buddy" is the story of a young boy in the Great Depression whose mother has died, leaving him with what he believes to be a clue to his unknown father's identity: a flyer for a band featuring bass player Herman Calloway. When Bud exhausts other options to finding a happy home, he listens to his mother's advice ("When one door closes, another one opens") and heads to Grand Rapids to find his father. Bud's naive nature and vivid imagination lead to many humorous moments and observations along the way. Readers find themselves constantly guessing about Herman Calloway's relationship to Bud and trying to put the artfully-inserted clues together. While Bud is surprised when he finds out the truth, he ends up learning a great deal about his mother, his past, human nature, and what it really means to belong. The book is an excellent introduction to the Great Depression, while at the same time interesting readers with a likeable character and excellent mystery.

My fav book
bud, not buddy is my favorite book. this book had me laughing and crying. i read it in like, the fourth grade and its still my fav book. i suggest this book to ne1! ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (25)

Lousy title, wonderful book
Why oh why do U.S. publishers insist on retitling classic European books? As "I Am David" this book successfully explores far more profound questions than freedom. David's journey is a process of self discovery and a self-imposed restructuring of a broken human spirit. Though told in the third person, the narrative invites us into David's young mind and allows us to see the wonder of objects and concepts that we all take for granted but which are new to the young escapee. Music, play, the taste of an orange, the feeling of being clean, language, colour! David's voyage of discovery is a bitter sweet mixture and we learn the awful truth about his past during his trek across Europe at the same pace as he does himself.

I have read this book with classes of children from fourth to seventh grade, as well as with adults. It is a book for all seasons, and I can still turn the pages with pleasure and wonder.

The wonder of realising what it is to say "I Am David" is what the book is all about! "North to Freedom" is a lousy title - meaningless in fact, David's first steps to freedom take him south! But this should not dissuade anyone from reading Anne Holm's book. The greatest children's story to come out of Denmark since Hans Christian Andersen.

one of my favorites
I have a copy of this book from the UK that is called I Am David. It starts with a man telling David, "You must get away tonight. Stay awake so that you're ready just before the guard is changed. When you see me strike a match, the current will be cut off and you can climb over -- you'll have half a minute, no more." This starts David's journey not just to freedom and home, but also to learning how to live as a regular kid after only living in a concentration camp. It's a serious book but one that should be read.

Timeless
This is such a beautiful book. I first read it when I was nine, twenty years later it is still a favourite.

The story of promise is quite remarkable and never fails to move me. All children should read this book. It opens doors to many other areas that too many forget too easily.

Great Book
This book is utterly compelling. This story of David starts in a concentration camp and ends him up at home. It is tension building and "they" will get him. This takes us from the concentration camp to Salonica then to Italy, Switzerland and finally Denmark. He is saved by King the dog. That was the most exciting part. A must read.

Trust
Do you know what it is like to be hunted? Or to feel the palpable hate from men who destroy everything except what is inside of you? David, from his experience in the concentration camp, simply can not trust anyone. He has to be wary because that is the only way to survive. Parts of him are so deadened inside that when he sees the beautifull it is so much more intense. This book provides a usefull insight into the experience of many that will evoke your compassion and give you some understanding of why some people who are hurt are so reluctant to ever get close again or to seek or even recognize help around them. And through all of this, David is a moral person. He knows why evil must be resisted. Excelent! ... Read more

Book Description

Ten Volume SetWhether its standing on the podium in Seneca Falls with the Suffragettes or riding on the first subway car beneath New York City in 1907, all the books in Joy Hakim's A History of US series weave together the exciting stories that bring American history to life. Kids may want to start with War, Terrible Warthe tragic and bloody account of the Civil War thats been hailed by critics as magnificentor All the People, brought fully up-to-date in this new edition with a thoughtful and engaging examination of our world after September 11th. No matter which book they read, young people will never think of American history as boring again. Hakims single, clear voice offers continuity and narrative drama as she shares with a young audience her love of and fascination with the people of the past. ... Read more

Reviews (22)

An exceptional, panoramic kids' introduction to U.S. history
Joy Hakim has accomplished something close to impossible: a readable, thoughtful, even-handed narrative of American history, from the pre-Columbians to the end of the Cold War. The book is fun to read. Hakim tells her stories without stuffiness, pomposity, or self-rightreousness -- and she tells hundreds of stories! Illustrations are almost all from the period being discussed. Marginal comments explain difficult words and concepts. Sidebars print excerpts from diaries, speeches, letters, literature and histories of the time. Hakim relies heavily on biography and anecdote to convey a sense of the times she discusses. She manages to convey a sense of enthusiasm for this country throughout her warts-and-all account of its history. Periodically, she stops to discuss how historians know what they know and to encourage her readers to arrive at their own evaluations. My wife and I started reading this series to our son when he was eight years old. We marvelled at how well it communicated history and its lessons (clear and ambiguous, simple and complex) to him. We found ourselves wishing we'd had books like these when we were first learning U.S. history

The perfect American History for Kids
My son and I read through the entire series of books, but skipped most of the sidebars. He is now a confirmed history nut, and I learned many things. We both had a wonderful ride: when my son was asked to bring in his favorite thing for a class picture sesion, he brought one of these volumes. There are a good many facts, set pieces, thumbnail biographical sketches, but the focus is on the highlights, especially as they illustrate the few basic themes that underly who we are. The manner in which these themes recur throughout the series reinforces them and ties everything together. Reductionist yes, but on target for the audience. I was impressed with the evenhanded interpretation of difficult events and people, and ended up feeling strongly that this is the way I want my children to understand our past.

Buyer Beware.
I doubt there's any US History textbooks more excitingly written for kids age 9-12 than Joy Hakim's. (This series is the one used in one of the best private schools in Silicon Valley.) They're glossy and beautiful, and well-nigh irresistible. What an incredible shame. What's the problem? The problem is they contain a version of history so slanted as to amount to an utterly shameless propagandizing of children. I'm a liberal atheist, but, really, these books should be sealed into a time capsule, to entertain future historians.

I assume Hakim simply doesn't know any better, but even a Marxist with a PhD in American History would blush a little to discover that a child reading this series would never suspect that close to 100 million innocent men, women, and children died under the yoke of socialist regimes, nor that a third of the world was plunged into an unnecessary grinding poverty for decades. On the other hand, they will learn, as they should, that National Socialism murdered six million innocents, and that the Ku Klux Klan 'grew hugely' in the 1920s. But they won't learn that any other serious totalitarian movements also grew hugely in the 1920s, or that five million innocents died under the rule of Lenin's first experiment in socialism in the 1920s.

On the contrary, all anti-Communism in the twentieth century is presented as nothing better than a witch-hunt. Indeed, anti-communism is literally referred to as a 'witch-hunt,' several times. Come on. So, was the fight against Hitler's National Socialism a 'witch-hunt'? Why such a palpable double standard for twin evils? Hakim teaches children that while National Socialism was indeed a real and present danger, and even worth waging an unprecedented World War to fight it, on the other hand, international socialism, or Communism, was, as she tells it, never any real danger to Americans.

For instance, there's a chapter on the HUAC hearings in which McCarthy is referred to as a 'liar' about a half a dozen times. The chapter literally begins with the opening sentence "Joe McCarthy was a liar." Sure, he's controversial, but the latest research by historians just doesn't back up Hakim's wild-eyed account of liberal anti-socialism in America as nothing better than a nefarious 'witch-hunt' conducted by 'liars' and oppressors. Totalitarian Communist Lillian Hellman is profiled as a hero, and the overall impression is given that none of these people really were Communists, but, instead, were all just as falsely accused as the supposed 'witches' of Salem.

This conclusion is then used to prove the statement that Americans are a fundamentally paranoid people, who basically lose their marbles very once in a while. (See book "Not Without Honor." on McCarthy and PBS documentary on Salem to find out why even Salem wasn't actually paranoia after all, but a toxic crop of moldy rye.)

Bad History book
I teach 8th grade social studies and this textbook is the worst piece of garbage I have ever read. There is no relevant vocabulary, no glossary, and lacks important facts. It is unfortunate that trees were killed to write this horrible book.

Easy and enjoyable for reluctant readers.
Customer reviewers alleah and Tom Steinberg (see Spotlight Reviews) sum up this series quite well. I'd like to add that, as a homeschooler of a special needs child who is what I call a "reluctant reader", I find the short, to-the-point entries written in interesting story format not only do-able for my son, but an excellent means of imparting the comprehensive, overall view of American history he will need as a foundation for the more difficult, in-depth work he will be doing in high school. I strongly recommend this series to all families with grammar/middle school students, whether homeschooled or private/public schooled. In addition, I recommend the eleventh book in the series, "Sourcebook and Index: Documents That Shaped the American Nation". (Titles of books should be underlined, not in quotation marks, but, alas, the program doesn't allow for that.) Well worth owning, as these books are hard to find in libraries (at least where I live) and, as reference books, can't be borrowed, only read right there at the library.

If you are going to purchase the series, Amazon has the best price I've seen by several dollars per book. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

An Unforgetable Tale
This story is very well written by author Yuskiko Uchida. This story takes place around the time when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. A normal Japanese-American girl lived in Berkekly, California and her life was like a regular girls life. Until her father was taken from her and her family. That was when World War 2 started. This girl and her family were moved from concentration camp to concentration camp taking away from her normal life. Will her friends and family ever be reunited again? Friendship, courage, and faith soon will come to her and her family .

I am only 11, 10 at the time I read the book, and it taught me so much. I have always been a "bookworm" and this book surely proved it. I read this book in a restuarant, lawyer office, and everywhere else we went. This book is so good, you will not want to put it down. This amazing boook an unforgettable, heartwarming story that you'll definitely want to read!

Wonderful historical fiction
I homeschool my 12 y.o. son, and we read this book for a historical fiction book group. It is a beautifully written story of the tragic internment of Japanese Americans during WWII. It brings to life both the physical realities and the emotional burdens that were imposed by tearing people from their homes and sending them to dismal war camps. I highly recommend this book as an accompaniment to non-fiction reading about the internments, because it provides such a vivid picture of this sad chapter in American history.

Topaz
Journey to Topaz

The plot of the story is that Yuki and her family are sent to various places to live, they are camps for only Japanese, because the Japanese across the ocean have just bombed Pearl Harbor. In the time between when Yuki is still living in her home, and Yuki and her family are sent to the last camp, Topaz, are very horrible ones. People get sick, they die, and they don't like conditions they have to live in among many other things. Like the second camp they are sent to is really sandy and gritty. The "apartments" that all the Japanese had to stay in are really cold and dark.
I liked the book to an extent. The reason for this is because this book is a lot different then the books I usually read. There are some suspenseful parts, but there weren't too many. The book deals with the Japanese living in America being marked as traitors because of the bombing on Pearl Harbor. That was pretty interesting, but I still like adventure books. I would recommend this book to everyone who like history.

Jouney To Topaz
Journey to Topaz is a great book. I love the advanced words in it and the way that the author throws in Japanese words into it. My reading teacher said that the school didn't have enough books to supply all of us with books, so I had to get a photocopied book. But it was such a great book, I'm going to beg my parents into buying it on Amazon.com! I think my teacher should have gone onto Amazon.com and bought us books so we could have the pleasure of having a real copy! I think Journey to Topaz is the best book I have ever read, because it teaches you that not only the Jews were affected by World War 2, but the Japaneese were affected as well, just as much as the Jews. It was also a breaking to the constitutional laws. Yoshiko Uchida(the author of the book) says it was uncalled for. I think that this book is great-five stars is definitly underestimating it!

an unforgetable book
i first read this book when i was about 9 yrs. old and i still read it and i'm 15. it's a really good book and i like how Yoshiko Uchida comined real hisorical events that really happened in the internment camps and to the japanese-americans in america at that time to make the story relistic. it's is a moving stoy about yuki a girl who lives a perfectly normal life in Berkley, CA. until japan bombs pearl harbor and her life is turned upside down. i really recomend this book to anyone who'd like to read a good book. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Ides of April, review from a teenager
I think that Mary Ray is a wonderful author and writer, with a great imagination a descriptive skills.
The plot was intriguing, and carefully thought over.
I could feel everything happening, as though I were right next to Hylas, the 17-year-old slave, and Camillus, the 18-year-old tribune.
There are intense scenes, but nothing that an 8-year-old can't handle. ALmost no romance, and there is a large dipslay of compassion, loyalty, and discerment in the two boys.
I thorougly enjoyed her book, though it was a LITTLE confusing. (but it was almost midnight when I read it, and my brain was half-way asleep by then).
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Well! Only three other reviews...?!
The thing about this book was that it felt _REAL_. It was hard to remember it was *just* a book.

You felt the danger; you felt the bruises on the ribs. You wanted the hero to make it. You just didn't find yourself doubting the realness of it.

Now, it's been a couple years since I read this, so perhaps I was just more gullible. But I don't think so. I still remember it, after all this time. Its magic was a special fete considering I had NEVER been interested in the Roman era or historical mysteries.

When the book was over, I wanted it to keep going.

An excellent historical mystery. I highly doubt you'll regret reading it.

Best Book!
This was a very good book. Sometimes a bit of a slow read, but such and intriguing murder story set in anciet Rome you won't even think to put the book down! Great for everyone!

Great for young adults
People fantasize about the ancient world and as an ancient historian I'm often amused and annoyed by what these fantasies entail. This is especially true in books written for children and young adults where the nastiness (by our modern standards) of the ancient world are often overlooked and underplayed. Mary Ray's "The Ides of April" does a fairly good job of looking at the concerns of citizens, young people, and slaves in mid-first century Rome. While the murder mystery kicks off sharply I do wish she'd spent more time on the characters before the entire legal nightmare began so that we could be more emotionally invested in the characters. Likewise it ends a bit aburptly. I haven't read any of the other books of the series yet, but it seems like the same characters may not be encountered which is a pity. The characters are well done, they seem to grasp the mindset of the people of that time though I think holding onto a Greek identity when one is born a slave in Rome is a bit awkward. I'd recommend it to anyone between 14 and 20 who is interested in the ancient world or in power dynamics in history. For those of us who are older, it can be entertaining as well.

The most riveting modern historical fiction out there!
Part Agatha Christie, part Eloise McGraw ... this book totally blew me away! Mary Ray is terrific, practically creating a whole new genre of books - children's historical mysteries. The plot flows beautifully from one catastrophic event to another, creating a tale of incredible skill and baffling turns.

Not much has been written in the Ancient-Roman category anyway, and this book is made even more unique by its point of view - that of a slave. It exposes the so-called 'glamour' of Rome to be merely a circle of cruelty and struggle. This book is not for the very young, but discerning readers 12 & up will find this book absolutely wonderful. I can't endorse it too strongly! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Three time Newbery honor author Nancy Farmer's epic fantasy, The Sea of Trolls, is gigantic in every way. There are big Vikings and bigger trolls. There are big themes--hope, despair, life and death. At a substantial 450+ pages, the sheer size of this hefty tome is impressive. But, like all of Farmer's fine work, the large scale has room for enormous quantities of heart and humor. At the center of this massive adventure is a small Saxon boy named Jack, who's never been much good at anything until the Bard of his medieval village makes him an apprentice. Then, just as Jack is learning to tap into and control his power, he is kidnapped (along with his little sister, Lucy) and taken to the court of King Ivar the Boneless and his half troll queen Frith. When one of Jack's amateur spells causes the evil queen's beautiful hair to fall out, he is forced to undertake a dangerous quest across the Sea of Trolls to make things right, or suffer the consequences--the sacrifice of his beloved sister to Frith's patron goddess, Freya. Along the way Jack faces everything from giant golden troll-bears to man-eating spiders, yet each frightening encounter brings wisdom and understanding to the budding young Bard. No quester who enters these pages with Jack will go away unsatisfied. Farmer's skillful melding of history, mythology, and humor, is reminiscent of both Tamora Pierce and Terry Pratchett's medieval fantasies, and will no doubt be HUGELY enjoyed by fantasy readers of all ages. --Jennifer Hubert ... Read more

Book Description

Patriotism or practical joke?

Harrison, NH -- Ninth-grade student Philip Malloy was suspended from school for singing along to The Star-Spangled Banner in his homeroom, causing what his teacher, Margaret Narwin, called "a disturbance." But was he standing up for his patriotic ideals, only to be squelched by the school system? Was Ms. Narwin simply trying to be a good teacher? Or could it all be just a misunderstanding gone bad -- very bad? What is the truth here? Can it ever be known?

Heroism, hoax, or mistake, what happened at Harrison High changes everything for everyone in ways no one -- least of all Philip -- could have ever predicted.

Reviews (445)

An Awesome Book!
I read Nothing But The Truth by Avi. I found the book to be very entertaining and a great example of real life. The book is about a boy named Phillip. During homeroom they play the Star Spangled Banner and Phillip started humming to annoy his teacher. He feels an animosity toward her because he is failing English. Ms. Narwin, who is also Phillip's English teacher, sent him out of homeroom two days in a row. The assistant principal ends up suspending him for being a disturbance in class. His parents think its ridiculous that their son can't participate in a random act of patriotism. The issue becomes nationwide. Reporters start writing biased articles and the story gets totally twisted.

This book is a great example of how a story can get twisted if everyone doesn't tell the truth, and nothing but the truth. I enjoyed the book a lot. It's written in documentary form with memos, letters, and conversations. I highly recommend this book for 12 year olds and up because of some hard vocabulary. It's a quick and enjoyable read! I hope you will read it soon!

Nothing but the Truth
Do you like books that tell you about a disrespectful student that does not stop singing or humming to the Star Spangled Banner? Or having your parents on your side because of it? Well I think that you will absolutely love this book its called Nothing but the Truth by Avi.
14-year-old Philip Malloy lives in New Hampshire and goes to the Harrison high school where he starts his so called "patriotism". During his 9th grade year Philip starts to be disrespectful to the teacher at least that's what she thinks. The reason how Philip is being disrespectful is that the national anthem comes on in the morning on the intercom and tells the students to stand at a respectful and silent attention while they play the song
Philip sings or hums along with it and the teacher sends him to the assistant principal.

Then it becomes like a snowball effect and gets bigger and bigger because Phil and his father go to their neighbor's house and his name is Ted Griffin he is almost part of the school board. He knows a person that is an education reporter called Ms.Stewart. Phil tells her the whole story and she tries to contact all of the people that are involved in it like the superintendent the principal the assistant principal and Ms.Narwin they all tell her that it is all wrong that they did not suspended Phil for singing the star spangled banner. Ms.Stewart publishes the story and then it goes on the radio and everything is ballistic! So if you want to read this exiting book and know how it ends then read Nothing but the truth by Avi. by jonathan

A very important lesson
I find the title "Nothing but the Truth" to be cleverly ironic, as this book actually demonstrates a minor dispute's descent into a political arena where "Anything but the Truth" would more acurately describe the situation. Some reviewers have claimed that this book is repetative. It is true that readers are presented with information over and over again, but it is never quite the same. The purpose is to show how the story gets twisted each time it's re-told. How the same event comes to be described in two incredibly different ways, neither of which is accurate, depending on what each side has to gain or lose. In the huge mess that's created, no one knows the true story anymore. More importantly, no one cares.

That is the heart of the story. The school at first only cares about Phillip disobeying (That's his real crime: disobeying an arbitrary rule. Not humming.) and then only about covering their own butts by making it sound like Phillip deserved his harsh punishment by making up a fake crime so no one will find out that his only 'crime' was refusing to mindlessly conform. Phillip and his parents at first only care about defending him against a tyrannical bureaucracy, but later his father also cares about pumping himself up by making false claims of Phillip's virtue in to counter the false claims of his depravity. Everyone else latches onto one of the false claims, seeing Phillip as saint or sinner. From the beginning, no one cares about the truth.

Boring Most of the Time
First off let me tell you this is a documentary novel that has documents, notes files, etc. that are sometimes are really boring. The dialogue is in play form, so my calss acted it out. It's hard to follow. But it's funny and if your a teen you can relate somewhat. This was an unrealistic book, as you will see in the following text:

Now this book wasn't so bad, but I was reading it with my class. We were acting out the different parts. This made it MUCH easier to follow. Otherwise you'll start to think about whether you left the coffe-pot on or something and have to reread a page.

Philip Malloy is a young boy who hums along with the Star Spangeled Banner. His teacher, that he hates for giving bad grades (Which he deserves), sends him to the principal's office for "singing", so she says, the SSB. Philip is a big crybaby about ho he gets bad grades and is kicked off the track team. No one would really send a kid to the Principals Office for humming the SSB. And it wouldn't make national news, which does infact happen. I was wondering what the point was of this book until the last page... which was a funny, yet annoying ending, leaving you feeling unfinished with the story and wanting to look for the next page. There is none, which made me mad.

Yet, this book was interesting nonetheless and a quick, easy-read. Check it out at the library BEFORE you buy it... if you even wanna read it again...

Nothing but the Truth
Chris Skorusa

Nothing but the Truth

Reading II

Summary

Was there ever a day you woke up and thought it was going to be a good day but it wasn't? From That one day your whole week has changed it seamed like it could never get better. Nothing but the Truth is like it. The book is manly about a student named Philip Malloy. Philip is a Freshman at Harrison High. The first couple days of school were fine but there was this one teacher named Mss.Narwin. Philip didn't really like her. He wasn't doing too good in the class either he was getting a "D". With the D he wasn't able to try out for track just because he was failing this class. But it didn't get any better he got a memo telling him that his homeroom is switched to Mss.Narwin. That wasn't the smartest thing putting Phillip and Mss.Narwin together. While Philip was in the class he was suspended for humming to the announcements. With the suspension he has received Philip will be getting a lot of people mad.
Response: I thought this book was very interesting there was always something going wrong. I can tell that the author of book must have spent a lot of time making this book. The book is written in dialogue from so you always know who is talking. There are also parts where you get to read Philip's diary and really get to know what Philip is thinking and what his emotions are. This book is really good at giving you a mental image of the story. There were some parts of the book that made me mad. Like how mad the teacher got just for humming and that everyone turned on him for not doing anything? But at the end of the book it all makes sense. I would rate this book 8 out of 10. Just because there was some situations that I don't think could really happened in life. But everything else was good. ... Read more

Amazon.com

A coming of age tale for young adults set in the trenches of the Vietnam War in the late 1960s, Fallen Angels is the story of Perry, a Harlem teenager who volunteers for the service when his dream of attending college falls through. Sent to the front lines, Perry and his platoon come face-to-face with the Vietcong and the real horror of warfare. But violence and death aren't the only hardships. As Perry struggles to find virtue in himself and his comrades, he questions why black troops are given the most dangerous assignments, and why the U.S. is there at all. Fallen Angels won the 1989 Coretta Scott King Award. ... Read more

Reviews (172)

Just anothe good book
Just Another Good Book

Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers is a riveting tale of heroism, in a time when death and sorrow were abundant. I give 4 stars to this book for the authors amazing use of characterization. The characters emotions are clear as day during battle and when he is alone to think about why he is in Vietnam. You feel like your actually in the war when the author paints a vivid picture of the battle scene. It's a fast read, but just slow enough to let your imagination run wild.
The plot of this novel is masterfully laid out, and it keeps you reading on and on wanting to know what will happen next. Perry is a 19 year old black man who leaves home to join the army. After basic raining he ends up on a plane to Vietnam. On the way he meets a black man named Peewee and they become best friends. Throughout the story they are forced to stick together to survive. They depend on each other and the rest of the squad to get them out alive. They are on the verge of death countless times.
Throughout the story your mind will dissolve and blend with that of the characters. You get 5 unique points of view, and the author goes in depth on three of them. Perry, Peewee, and Monaco just want to get out of the war and go back to the lives that they left behind. The story is deeply intertwined with the emotions of the characters. There is a point in time where the characters change, they start to go a little mad and they all develop there own beliefs on what this war is all about. The characters touch you and make you feel like you're actually in the story, it's an amazing effect.
Fallen Angels combines real life drama with a touch of fictional entertainment. This book shows you a picture of how life was back then, with an epic climax that will leave you exhausted, but begging for more. Quite simply a candidate for the Pulitzer.

Fallen Angels, a really great book
I would recommend this book to everyone of the right age, though considering some language and some events are a little graphic, I wouldn't suggest giving this book to a child. Fallen Angels is a great Vietnam War novel. It is about an African American soldier named Perry who joined the army when his athletic scholarship is ruined when he hurts his knee. He meets another African American who calls himself PeeWee and together they struggle to survive their required 14-month tour through Vietnam. Through luck, skill, and Peewee and Perry's growing companionship, they survive battle through battle as everyone around them dies. The book has a lot of battles, with a physical enemy, the Viet Cong, and with the emotions they encounter throughout their time in 'the worst place on earth.' Walter Dean Myers' description and the characterization he uses make Fallen Angels an unforgettable book. His balance of characters and their interactions make this story very realistic. Overall, this novel was put together wonderfully and there is never a dull moment. Walter Dean Myers adds a touch humor in just the right places, too. Fallen Angels shows the life of the soldier. I believe if everyone knew what it was really like, they wouldn't be so quick to have a war and send young people, who are the future, to die in battle.

Phoney and silly
The author knows very little about Viet Nam. He apparently thinks the 60 in M-60 stands for .60 cal. and that soldiers put stamps on their letters when they were in the war zone.

Because of the dialogue, the book's subtitle could be The Little Rascals Go To War. Soldiers' talk in this book is often just too cute. For those who like mildly homoerotic war stories that little reflect the way things are, this book might be for you.

Disturbing only for die hard war fans
Only for die hard war fans.I did not find this movie enjoyable at all.The characters did not do it for me.

Fallen Angels
The book Fallen Angels is a grate book for today's teens. It gives the reader of the understandings of the good and the bad parts of the war. How men can find hope in the hardest of conditions and as a reader I have learned many things about life and death. About how every second counts and about how scary it is to know that when you enter this hell the only way to get out is take someone's life away and that. This book has shown me the terror of seeing someone you know die right next to you and knowing that that could happen to you any moment. But most importantly it gives me a new look on life. ... Read more

Reviews (77)

A GREAT book!
The book THE GOLDEN GOBLET is an great book for kids. It is about an orphan boy named Ranofer. After his mother and father die, Ranofer is forced to live with his half-brother, Gebu. Ranofer labors at the gold smiths shop and comes home every day to find a half-loaf of bread. Ranofer finds out Gebu is stealing gold, and with the help of his two friends, Heqet and the "Ancient," they try to stopped him. The big theme in the story is family. Throughout the whole book, Heqet and Ancient are becoming Ranofer's family. Ranofer learns to trust in them for help and encoraging. I would give this book 5 stars. It really takes you into the land of Egypt with a view like you have never seen before.

The Golden Goblet Rules !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Golden Goblet by Eloise Jarvis McGraw is about a boy named Ranofer who is forced by his half-brother, Gebu, to work as a lowly porter in a goldsmith's shopin Ancient Egypt. His life's goal is to be an apprentice to Zao, the best goldsmith in ancient Thebes. Ranofer learns about a crime operation Gebu is involved in, and tries to stop him and his accomplice. Along the way Ranofer makes two friends, Heqet and the "Ancient One." They keep his secrets, encourage him and help him in his crusade to prove Gebu of his heinous crimes.
I liked this book because it was very well written. The author did a very good job in bringing the characters to life. She does this by making their feelings apparent. For example, when the chief goldsmith called Ranofer "shari" meaning "small one," this little bit of kindness "brought sudden tears to Ranofers eyes, so vividly did he recall his father's voice using that very endearment."
There are many times in this book where the author describes Ranofer's inward thoughts and speculations. These often include plans to defy Gebu and escape from his evil clutches. Other times he chastises himself for being rude to his friends. The author also describes the pain and suffering when Ranofers half-brother beats him. When Ranofer is apprenticed to Gebu in a stone cutting shop, he earnestly tries to learn this trade by asking Gebu a simple question. Gebu strikes him for no apparent reason other than asking this simple question. For the most part the plot of the book moves a bit slowly, but towards the end it becomes very exciting. I earnestly recommend this book to children 8 years old and up.

The Golden Goblet (It's one of the best books i've read!)
Looking for a really good book??? READ THE GOLDEN GOBLET!!!!!

I thought The Golden Goblet was an excellent book! Set in anicient Egyptian times, the book told a lot about the history of Egypt. Although the beginning of the story seemed like a drag to many people, I didn't think it was that bad, although it didn't explain a lot and didn't seem to be getting anywhere. The book actually started getting REALLY interesting, right at about the fourth chapter. If you are planning to read this book, give it a chance, and if you start getting bored at the second chapter, just keep reading, until after you finish the third chapter.
What I really didn't like about this book was that Ranofer, the main character seemed to be so secretive about lots of things, like the golden goblet, with his own friends! I thought that he should have told his own friends what he thought, so that they could somehow help him. If he had done this, he wouldn't have had so much trouble in the end, when he had problems with trying to catch his evil brother, Gebu, the stonecutter, and Gebu's friend Wenamon, the mason, while they tried to rob the tomb of a pharaoh and his wife, who had only died recently (in the story).
I thought that this book was an exceptional story, and it's good especially if you're studying about ancient Egypt (that's when I read it). So, have i convinced you that this story is REALLY REALLY good? (It is, SERIOUSLY) But the only way you can find out what a good book it is, is if you read it for yourself! I'm telling you, if you're looking for a good book, this is the one for the job!!!

The Golden Goblet
This book is a book many people would enjoy,
especially who love Egypt. I would give this book a 300 stars, but the stars only go up to five. It is about a boy named Ranofer. He has to live with Gebu his wicked half brother who is a tomb robber and stone cutter. The reason
Ranofer has to live with him because his father dies.
To read the book, just read the book!

excellent research but drags
The Golden Goblet is an excellent piece of historical fiction and would have been a great cross curricular whole group read for 6th grade history; however, I feel the book could have been 50-75 pages shorter and still have achieved its goal. I might consider it for a summer reading list, but overall, I would have to say I was in a hurry to finish the book so I could move on to something else. ... Read more

Book Description

During the summer of 1793, Mattie Cook lives above the family coffee shop with her widowed mother and grandfather. Mattie spends her days avoiding chores and making plans to turn the family business into the finest Philadelphia has ever seen. But then the fever breaks out.

Disease sweeps the streets, destroying everything in its path and turning Mattie's world upside down. At her feverish mother's insistence, Mattie flees the city with her grandfather. But she soon discovers that the sickness is everywhere, and Mattie must learn quickly how to survive in a city turned frantic with disease. ... Read more

Reviews (114)

Historical Tragedy
Imagine fleeing your home, leaving family members behind, just trying to get away from the plague!
In the book Fever 1793 written by Laurie Halse Anderson, a fourteen year old girl named Mattie Cook, has to leave her home in Philadelphia during 1793. She lives with her mother and grandfather above their family business, the Cook Coffeehouse. Many citizens come down with yellow fever and when Mattie comes home to find her mother sick, lying on the doorstep, she must help her. Ms. Cook refuses to let Mattie get near her, in fear of Mattie getting ill as well. Mattie and her grandfather decide to flee the city. Eliza, their maid, stays behind to care for Ms. Cook and other friends who have also come down with yellow fever.
I thought this was and excellent book. The author gave fantastic descriptions of what Philadelphia looked like during this crisis. she makes it posible to actually see the run-down city, and the corpses lying in piles at the cemetary waiting to be buried. What also made this book so interesting was that it was written about every day. It was almost like reading a journal. All of the details made it seem so real that I could put myself in Mattie's shoes. She had to grow up fast so that she could help out and she had to deal with so much.
Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson is and excellent historical book. It is filled with descriptions that make you feel like you were in that time period.

Catch the Fever!
I think that Fever 1793 is a wonderful book. It is very realistic and it kept me interested even though I'm not too fond of history. A good story is told, and the author has obviously done her homework because it stays true to actual historic events. The reader can get a pretty good idea of what it was like during the yellow fever epidemic while still getting the story that they are reading for.
The actual story of the book is about a girl trying to survive the yellow fever outbreak in Philadelphia that occurred in 1793. Mattie, the main character, is originally lazy and would rather sleep than do her share of work, but she learns responsibility and realizes that work isn't all-bad and that it is essential for her survival. She overcomes the odds and survives her own case of yellow fever but then is faced with other problems that she needs to solve. The city of Philadelphia has become a not so pleasant place. The fever has left Philadelphia full of scoundrels and thieves. Everyone else is either dead or deathly sick. The thieves have stolen everything that Mattie has to her name and she has to basically start all over. Her fight for life has become harder and she is beginning to break down emotionally when she meets up an old friend and realizes she is not in this alone. I think that this book not only demonstrates how hard work can help you in the long run but also how standing by your friends can help you through these hard times.
This book is a good book for teens to read because it is written as from a teen's perspective. We can relate to the lazy feelings she has and the want to just give up. Mattie also has a somewhat of a lesson to teach us. She teaches us that if you want to make a difference in this world you can't give up. You have to keep trying and you will eventually reach you goal.

Fever 1973
Author of Speak, Laurie Halse Anderson writes her amazing historical fiction book, Fever 1793 about a teenage girl named Matilda a.k.a. Mattie who faces difficulty and fights for her life. The story is written really well and Laurie Halse Anderson does a good job making Matilda sound like a girl in the 18th century. In Fever 1793 the bonds of friendship and love is written really well.
16 year-old Matilda Cook's mother and grandfather owns a popular coffee shop on High Street. Mattie was a lazy girl with a comfortable and plain life. Her whole life changes when the yellow fever epidemic arrives in Philadelphia. Her mother caught the fever and sends Matilda and her grandfather away to be safe. They leave Philadelphia and on their way both Matilda and her grandfather catches yellow fever. So much happens like the death of Mattie's grandfather and her mother goes missing. The epidemic kills thousands of people. When winter comes the epidemic ends. The fever might have ended but the bad memories are still there.
The epidemic caused Mattie to change a lot. She was a lazy girl in the beginning of the book but then she became more responsible and strong. The character shift that Laurie Halse Anderson did was really good.
I had read her other book Speak and thought it was an ok book. But Fever 1973 is one of the best books I've ever read. This book was written I such a way that it is hard to put down. Anderson makes you want to keep reading. I read this book in 3 days and couldn't put it down. I never knew historical fiction could be so fun to read.
Fever 1793 is written so well. I couldn't find any downside besides the fact that I thought the beginning was boring, other than that it was perfect. This book really gives you a picture of the 18th century. This book was not only fun to read but it also was educational. These are two qualities that make the book great.

A Little Too Melodramatic
The bubonic plague in Europe took 25 million lives. The Yellow Fever in 18th century Philadelphia took a mere 5000 lives and lasted a few weeks. Anderson overdramatizes the event both in the historical context as well as the storyline. So much happens to her heroine over such a short period of time that it strains credulity.

Also, a note to the author. On Page 187 of the paperback, 'laying' should be 'lying' according to the rules of correct grammar.

Fever 1793
A very cool author Laurie Halse Anderson wrote the adventurous book Fever 1793. Laurie Halse Anderson also wrote Speak, and other great books. Laurie Anderson wrote Fever 1793, so people would understand the devastating yellow fever that struck Pennsylvania in 1793. This story explains the reality Mattie was in. Mattie Cook, a fourteen-year-old girl who lived in Philadelphia. Her parents owned the Cook Coffeehouse, and Mattie was very proud. She had big dreams to make the coffeehouse a big company for the president. Mattie's life and dream changes after her friend, Polly, dies of a mysterious fever. Mattie was shocked of Polly's sudden death, but she was more shocked when she found out that her mother had gotten it. She couldn't admit that it was really happening. Mattie's mother decided to send Mattie to the Ludington's house, with grandfather to take her. Mattie was surprised that no one was stopping her mother. Not even Eliza, a freed slave that works for them. Eliza usually is understanding, and Mattie thought Eliza would stop Mother, but she didn't. Mattie is terribly scared when her grandfather becomes ill on the trip. Mattie and the driver's family fears that it is yellow fever, and the driver kicks Mattie and Grandfather out of the carriage. Now it was all up to Mattie to save her Grandfather and herself. Mattie learns the true fear and terror of the yellow fever. She hears terrifying screams at night, and smells blood and death everywhere. Worst of all, she sees victims dead bodies being carried out. She sees lifeless corpses in the streets. The imagery was amazing, and it makes the reader feel like they're Mattie. As the story goes on, it explains how Mattie goes back to her house with Grandfather. As soon as they go back to they house, the worst thing happens. Robbers come to the cofee house. This is Mattie transforms from an un responsible teenager to an older responsible adult. Two robbers killed grandfather, and Mattie needs to pay attention to herself, not trying to find her mother in the fever anymore. First Mattie couldn't find any hope of survival, and wondered around the streets looking for help. When she does look for survival in the streets Mattie finds out that it's very hard to survive, and on the way she met Nell. Mattie found Nell's mother dead, and Nell by herself sobbing. Mattie understood how the poor little girl felt, and took Nell with her since she felt sympathy for Nell. Mattie was losing all of her hope, and was about to give up when she saw Eliza. Eliza was helping the Free African Society, and taking care of the fever victims. Mattie stayed with Eliza, which stayed with Eliza's brother. Her brother had two sons, and took care of Nell for Mattie sometimes. The two young sons and Nell, were stricken with yellow fever. Eliza and Mattie panicked, and they were losing every hope they ever had. Then, a miracle occurred. There was frost everywhere.And I do not want to spoil the ending (...). This story is exciting, and is a great story. Mattie keeps on losing hope, and realizes that she isn't dreaming. She learns a harsh reality about life and death as her life goes on. ... Read more

Book Description

A vicious captain, a mutinous crew --
and a young girl caught in the middle

Not every thirteen-year-old girl is accused of murder, brought to trial, and found guilty. But I was just such a girl, and my story is worth relating even if it did happen years ago. Be warned, however: If strong ideas and action offend you, read no more. Find another companion to share your idle hours. For my part I intend to tell the truth as I lived it.

Reviews (266)

The book was great, I loved it
I have just read the book "The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle" by Avi. This book was both an adventure novel and a mystery. There are three main characters in this book; Charlotte, Captain Jaggery, and Mr. Zachariah. Charlotte is thirteen years old. Before she went on her voyage she attended the Barrington School for girls in Liverpool, England. Captain Andrew Jaggery was a brutal captain to his crew. He also befriended Charlotte in the beginning of the story before she accidentally whipped him in the face. Zachariah was the cook on the ship for awhile until he faked death and lived in the steerage. He also became good friends with Charlotte throughout the whole book. The story takes place in 1832, on a ship called the Seahawk that left Liverpool, England and sailed for Providence, Rhode Island. The book was very interesting. It was about a girl, named Charlotte, who had just finished school and was ready to come home. Her parents got her a boat ride so she could get back to Rhode Island. When she got on the ship everyone seemed very nice, until the crew decided to take avenge on the captain. This is where it started getting hectic. Zachariah faked death they found a stowaway and Charlotte decided to become on of the crew. When she was blamed for murder and found guilty, I got scared. Well, if you want to no the ending read the book yourself. Some of my favorite scenes were with Zachariah in the steerage, because they were talking mostly about what was happening in the book and I could understand it more. I Also liked the scenes because Zachariah was my favorite character. The book was exiting. I would rate it an eight out of ten. I think you would like the book if you like adventures and aren't afraid of reading

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle/a must read
Sahana Rajan 11/23

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle By: Avi
0-53105-893-X

Join Charlotte Doyle on a historical fiction voyage across the Atlantic on the "Seahawk". Piloted by the murderous, yet cunning Captain Jaggery, the "Seahawk" has all of its ups and downs with Miss Doyle on board. During the summer of 1832, Charlotte is to return to America from England in what her father thinks is a posh way. Yet, to his unknowing, there is a huge plot forming in which Charlotte must lose her fancy ways and join as a sailor. At the same time she is accused of murder.
The reason I like this book is probably because the suspense keeps you reading. I would recommend this to any young teen who likes to read. Charlotte is always making puzzles and putting them back together and it's fun to do it with her. Your mind wanders while you read this book- but not off of the book. It wanders to parts of your brain where you can tap into to discover what's happening.

Live vicariously through Charlotte!
I first read this book at age 11 when I received it as a birthday present. That was 12 years ago, and I've re-read it many times since then. To a sheltered, suburban kid, the idea of a young girl being thrown into a difficult situation on her own and then making a success of it was thrilling. I loved escaping into the adventure. Unlike most children's books, this one wasn't afraid to throw in some real danger and suspense ... along with important lessons about finding out who your real friends are and being true to yourself.

dis book sux
this is the dumbest book i have ever read in my entire life besides the secret garden that book is even dumber the rating that i gave this book is too high. I would have liked to have given it negative stars. If you read this book be prepared to be bored out of your mind for approximately 210 pages. Enjoy! (not really) lol

Thrilling High Seas Adventure
The year is 1832, and thirteen-year-old Charlotte Doyle is excited to make an interesting voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, being transported from Liverpool, England, home to her family in Providence, Rhode Island by way of ship. She is lead to believe that other families with children her age will be accompanying her on this trip, as it is improper for a girl of her age to be traveling with a group of men, but when they never show up, she is forced to board by herself, and is soon thrown into a tailspin. Before Charlotte even knows what is going on, she is not only accused of murder, but brought to trial, and found guilty, as well. This is her story. The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, as she lived it.

THE TRUE CONFESSIONS OF CHARLOTTE DOYLE is an amazing work of literary fiction, that will stay with the reader for years and years to come. Charlotte is an intelligent, strong willed, strong minded, and brave young girl, who makes the best of all of the challenges she faces on her journey. She is not afraid of a little hard work, and even enjoys it to a certain extent. Through her adventures she keeps her head up and a smile on her face, just to prove to everyone around her that she can do anything that a man can, and sometimes she can even do it better. A must have book for anyone interested in historical fiction, as this is one of the best.

Erika Sorocco ... Read more

Book Description

So many readers have written and asked: What happened to Sarny, the young slave girl who learned to read in Nightjohn? Extraordinary things happened to her, from the moment she fled the plantation in the last days of the Civil War, suddenly a free woman in search of her sold-away children, until she found them and began a new life. Sarny's story gives a panoramic view of America in a time of trial, tragedy, and hoped-for change, until her last days in the 1930s. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Sarny , A Life Remebered
Sarny is an interesting book to read. It is about a young woman named Sarny who was a slave for a long time. A war was occuring to either end slavery or keep continuing it. Her two children, Tyler and Delie were sold to a man named Chivington in New Orleans. Before Sarny's owner died, he freed her and she set out on a journey to find her children. She found them and were glad to see them.

I enjoyed this book a lot. As I was reading, I was learning at the same time. Sarny really went for her goal and never gave up. She struggled so many times but never wanted to give in. If there was something she was fighting for, she would fight until the end. I liked the way she acted and responded.

My favorite part of the book was when Sarny finds her children. It was the happiest day of her life. This part was my favorite because everyone was excited and overwhelmed. This event brought Sarny and her family together. I was even joyous for Sarny to find her children. I relished reading this book.

Sarny
I read the book Sarny in school. It was a great story that was well written. I was reading something that I, along with my other peers do not experience everyday. Slavery is something we do not deal with, but it is a huge part of our history that we should all know about. The book portrays it in a light that shows what people like Sarny went through. I think that classes in schools should be required to read Sarny.

Sarny
We really enjoyed this book. It was very emotional in some parts and very funny. It gives people the chance to see what it was like to be a slave and to change dramatically in one day. We give this book 4 stars out of 5.

Sarny: A Life Remembered by Gary Paulsen
Sarny takes place in the South. It occurs right after the Civil War. S