Book Description

Kit Tyler is marked by suspicion and disapproval from the moment she arrives on the unfamiliar shores of colonial Connecticut in 1867. Alone and desperate, she has been forced to leave her beloved home on the island of Barbados and join a
family she has never met. Torn between her quest for belonging and her desire to be true to herself, Kit struggles to survive in a hostile place. Just when it seems she must give up, she finds a kindred spirit. But Kit"s friendship with Hannah Tupper, believed by the colonists to be a witch, proves more taboo than she could have imagined and ultimately forces Kit to choose between her heart and her duty.
Elizabeth George Speare"s Newbery Award–winning novel portrays a heroine whom readers will admire for her unwavering sense of truth as well as her infinite capacity to love. ... Read more

Reviews (293)

ThE wItCh Of BlAcKbIrD pOnD--a GrEaT bOoK--
Kit Tyler was once a rich girl of Barbados, but upon her grandfather's death, she finds out that she now is poor. She goes aboard the ship, the Dolphin, heading for Connecticut Colony, and wishes to live a better life at her aunt's house. While on the way, she becomes friends with the captain's son, Nat Eaton, John Holbrook, a man planning on becoming a minister, and Prudence, a little girl. When she finally arrives at her destination, she tries to fit in with the Puritans, and to keep up with her lively cousin, Judith, and her gentle one, Mercy. After a number of different accidents in the family and outside, she finds becomes friends with an old Quaker woman named Hannah, that lives at Blackbird Pond, who is said to be a witch. Kit does not believe this, and she keeps on being friends with the old woman. But, the villagers see Kit as a threat to the community, since they do not trust her as being a friend to their witch, and she goes on trial. Just as she thinks she is doomed, Nat Eaton and Prudence save her. However, Kit discovers that she will never fit in with the Puritans, and planned on going on the Dolphin the next time the ship came. Finally, the ship docks, and she goes on it, for what seems to be a much better future.

My favorite part of the book was where Kit goes on trial. I thought of this at my favorite part for I think it is very interesting to hear how other people act to problems and try to blame it on someone else. I think it is very funny how people think of small problems and turn them into what sounds like a major disasters performed by a witch. I like the part where Prudence comes in, and stuns her own parents by doing what they had never thought she would be able to do, which was reading the Bible and writing her own name. I think it is not right when parents think very little about kids and think they are still their little babies that always need their parents to help them.

I recommend this book to kids the ages of 10 and up. I also recommend adults to read this book and learn the facts of how kids can do things without any help from their parents or any one else. I believe Elizabeth George Speare is a great author who has written many books that I have enjoyed. After reading this book, I came to really enjoy it. At first I thought it was very boring, but in the end, it became more interesting and fun. I also learned not to judge anyone by what people say about them, but you should always think about your judgement before actually thinking about if it is true or not. I now understand the meaning of "Never judge a book by its cover."

A FASCINATING TALE!
A witch? Someone thinks you are a witch? When Kit leaves Barbados on the lovely Dolphin ship to live in America with her Uncle, she is unprepared for what she encounters. What a surprise when she discovers that being able to read, swim, wear fancy clothes, as well as befriending a kind old woman is odd behavior for this town. In The Witch of Blackbird Pond, Elizabeth George Spears sends you on a reading adventure. The story includes a number of surprising and suspenseful events including a frightening witch hunt and a big outcry among some angry villagers against their government. Some parts of the story are a little boring, but the elaborate language and unpredictable moments bring you right back into the book. The climax of this book is the best part. It's unbeleivable and exciting. The main character, Kit, is very interesting. You will feel like you know her only after reading a few pages. Fiesty, wise, and stubborn are some of Kit's personality traits. You will also become very familiar with many of the other characters including Kit's two cousins, her Aunt and Uncle, Nat a seaman, and John and William two very interesting men, plus many more! This book has many hidden lessons in it. It teaches you about friendship, trust, bravery, genorosity, and happiness, It will fill you with sorrow and joy, and is a very adventurous story loved by many!

Diverse Religions, and History
Kit comes over to the 13 colonies becuae her grandfather died. When she arrives, she finds a place very diffrent from her former home, Barbados. She is forced by her strict uncle to be a solemn as the puritans, and to set aside her silk gowns and wear homespun dresses. she feels completly stifled by her new life, and one day, after almost cuasing her crippled cousin her teaching job, she breaks. She runs to the "meadow" where she meets Hannah Tupper, a Quaker who is shuned and thought to be a witch by many. All she really is is a kind old lady. She takes kit home and feeds her, and helps her be brave and get her cousins job back. kit goes back to Hannahs house and eventually meets Hannahs seafaring friend, none other than Nat, the son of the man who brought her to America.And yes Nat was on the boat the whole time kit was. Then one day Kit is accused of being a witch. Something not to be taken lightly in the 1600's. She is rescued by none other than Nat. Then hannah is going to be burned out of her house, or if the people have their way, in her house. But Kit goes and helps Hannah get out before the evil people come, and she gets her on a ship... whose ship? Guess. Nats. And so Hannahs gone and Kits life is drudging on a usual.... and then someone comes... like you can't guess who... and something happens...

Now that's what I call a "living" book
I just finished reading this book aloud to my 3 children. They are a tough audience but this book made the history lesson extra smooth. They were begging for "just one more chapter".

This book delves into the Puritan lifestyle,touches a bit on some of the sentiments of the colonists and their fierce independence, briefly touches on some of the archaic medical practices of the times, shows how easily innocent circumstances turned into witch hunts and sparked a conversation about how people can fall into a mob mentality and much more.

There is tons of information here to spark an interest in children to dig deeper. Our family highly recommends it!

Excellent lesson to be learned
I discovered this book years and years ago in the fourth grade. The thought of it stayed with me through the years. I bought the book for my friend's son a couple years ago and reread it to see if it was as good as I remembered. It was even better because as an adult I can see some of the most important themes of the book that weren't evident to a child. Tolerance and acceptance are perhaps the biggest lessons of all to take away from it. Independence is another. I will continue to buy this book every time a child close to me comes to the age where they can understand it. The plotline is enough to keep them interested while at the same time teaching them valuable life lessons, without them even knowing it. ... Read more

Book Description

The city of Ember was built deep underground as a last refuge for the human race. Two hundred years later, the great lamps that light the city are beginning to flicker. When Lina finds part of an ancient message, she’s sure it holds a secret that will save the city. She and her friend Doon must decipher the message before the lights go out on Ember forever! This stunning debut novel offers refreshingly clear writing and fascinating, original characters. ... Read more

Reviews (58)

great read for kids and adults
I just finished City of Ember and I was amazed at how good it was. I've been reading science fiction and fantasy my whole life and was still very impressed with this good read. I picked this up because of the appealing cover design as a gift for my nephew. I thought I'd read a little to see if it was interesting. I read half the book that night and the rest the next day. If you like Harry Potter or John Christopher's Tripods series you will definetely like City of Ember. The book moves along very quickly and smoothly with engaging characters. The solutions that the characters find to the (clever plot device) shreddded instruction sheet puzzle keeps you turning back to page 94 to check and double check your own guesses. Although this is the first book in a series(?)it has enough closure at the end that you feel fulfilled and don't feel cheated. I'm looking forward to the sequel to this very satisfying read.

Coincidence
All nine people who've already reviewed this book gave it five stars. I wouldn't go that far, but it was pretty exciting. I started reading this book at lunch on August 14, the day of the blackout from New York to Detroit. In the story, there are frequent blackouts, though none as long-lasting as the New York blackout. The difference is that in the city of Ember, when the lights go out, there is no sun, moon, or stars to alleviate the pitch blackness. The generator that supplies power to the entire city was built to last 200 years, but 240 years have passed, and it can't last much longer. Food and other supplies are becoming scarce.

The original builders of the city left "instructions for egress," but over the years these were lost until one day a baby finds them and starts chewing on them. The instructions are rescued by the baby's sister, but not before the baby has consumed parts of the message. Will Lina and her friend Doon decipher the message in time to escape?

The book, as I said, was very exciting, but thinking too hard about the unanswered questions in the story could ruin it for you. It's not so important to know why the city was built under these conditions. I can accept that there must have been a good reason. It's harder to accept that people are eating the contents of 200-year-old cans of food. A can of fruit recently bulged at both ends and leaked a foul-smelling liquid in my cupboard, and it wasn't even 20 years old. There are huge gaps in people's knowledge. Children leave school at the age of twelve. Why, why, why?

Excellent!!!
I thought this book was really good. COmpared to other books i've read its not superb but i am comparing it to some really good books. I think if you like books like The Thief Lord and The bartimeus Triligy: The Amulet of Samarkand then you will enjoy this book. It's a good book to take on Vacation and have a quick read. I'd truly recommend this book to people who enjoy that short and sweet read!

A Book for Generations
My 10-year-old granddaughter and I read this book together -- she for her summer reading list and I, well, I read all her books. We both found the book to be enjoyable.

One thing that pleased my granddaughter was the fact that the heroes were only 2 years older than she. I liked the alternating point of view between Doon and Lina, giving us an overview of events happening in two places at the same time.

Trying to decipher the clues in the Instructions was an added pleasure, as I enjoy word and logic puzzles.

We both look forward to more of Ms. DuPrau's work and hope she continues to write well into the future.

No Pullman
My general view of this book is that its author is trying to be the next Philip Pullman. Just as Eragon is trying to be the new Tolkien and Ardagh's books are trying to be the new Series of Unfortunate Events. However, the His Dark Materials trilogy is amazing. Expertly written with excellent flow and character development. The same cannot be said for this. I have to say that I'm disappointed not to have liked it. The original idea seemed engaging. The actual book however, was not. ... Read more

Book Description

JACK AND ANNIE, joined by Teddy and Kathleen (from earlier books), travel in the Magic Tree House to a land of snow where the Ice Wizard has captured Morgan and Merlin. The four friends must find the Ice Wizard’s missing eye . . . or is it really his heart that is missing? ... Read more

Book Description

Journeys to the end of the world, fantastic creatures, and epic battles between good and evil -- what more could any reader ask for in one book? The book that has it all is the lion, the witch and the wardrobe, written in 1949 by C. S. Lewis. But Lewis did not stop there. Six more books followed, and together they became known as The Chronicles of Narnia.

For the past fifty years, The Chronicles of Narnia have transcended the fantasy genre to become part of the canon of classic literature. Each of the seven books is a masterpiece, drawing the reader into a world where magic meets reality, and the result is a fictional world whose scope has fascinated generations.

This edition presents all seven books -- unabridged -- in one impressive volume. The books are presented here according to Lewis's preferred order, each chapter graced with an illustration by the original artist, Pauline Baynes. This edition also contains C. S. Lewis's essay "On Three Ways of Writing for Children," in which he explains precisely how the magic of Narnia and the realm of fantasy appeal not only to children but to discerning readers of all ages. Deceptively simple and direct, The Chronicles of Narnia continue to captivate fans with adventures, characters, and truths that speak to all readers, even fifty years after the books were first published.

Reviews (31)

December#10
Pippi longstocking was one of the first chapter books I read as I had to read it for a Third grade class. I enjoyed the way she gets herself out of jams and helps show the neighbor kids a whole new way of life that they've never seen before. There is one thing that is stuck in my mind from that book and it is how everything is upside down in her house. I think that this should be every kids first chapter book because it is easy to read and it helps kids open their imagination. It showed me how to use mine and even though I didn't do the stuff Pippi did it still helped me open up my imagination and I hope it still helps kids.

One of the most engaging books written for boys and girls!
Pippi Longstocking is frequently one of the first chapter books read to children, and as a first grade teacher, I can attest to the value of its choice. Pippi is a larger than life character who does so many things that young children find absolutely wonderful and satisfying. * * * * * * * * * * * Pippi, an *orphan* with braids askew, lives all by herself at Villa Villekulla. Her only companions are her monkey and a horse (who lives on her porch).Children get to know Pippi through Annika and Tommy, *proper* children who live next door. Pippi looks at things as obliquely as her braids; she usually sees the positive side of things, unless she is requested to go to school or learn the multiplication tables. She has her own ideas about things, and simply cannot be made to follow the rules, but her way of disobeying is amusing and quite chathartic for children who ALWAYS have to follow the rules that adults make. She does not inspire kids to break the rules;she just makes them laugh with glee at her absurdity. She has *powers* that they adore!

Pip pip and tarry ho!
To my mind, Pippi Longstocking is perhaps the world's first child superhero. Able to lift strong policemen with her bare hands! Capable of climbing tall houses and trees with virtually no effort at all! Rescuing children from burning buildings and adults from snobby talk! If, like myself, you were a child of the 1980s then your first exposure to Miss Longstocking probably came in the form of that gawdawful movie circa 1988. Words alone cannot express the damage that film did to the youth of America. After watching it I avoided the book "Pippi Longstocking" like it was the plague itself. Only recently have I recanted and decided to read Astrid Lindgren's classic tale. As charming as it is outright bizarre I charge all of you to take the time to find and devour this little Swedish gem. Pippi's a pip, no question.

Working at wish fulfillment on about ten different levels, Pippi is the ultimate kid's kid. She lives all alone in a large fantastic house. Her mother died while she was but a babe and her father has been lost at sea. As optimistic regarding her father's return as Primrose Squarp in "Everything On a Waffle", Pippi fills her days with dancing, pancakes, and games. She owns a whole suitcase of gold coins, which allow her the freedom to live alone and untended. On top of that, she has her own monkey (the drolly named Mr. Nilsson) and horse. The neighbor children Annika and Tommy think (rightly so) that Pippi's a wonder. She never attends school or bothers with all the problems other children suffer. Instead, she has her own unique perspective on life and the people around her. Though precocious she's never mean, even when dealing with bullies or criminals.

The book, originally published in American in 1950, is a wonder. Though I'm certain other illustrators have done a fair job, I highly recommend that you seek out an edition illustrated by the talented Louis S. Glanzman. His Pippi is just as fabulous as you might hope her to be. I've always minded those Pippi's that seem a little too lanky or tough. This Pippi is just mischief incarnate. While you're out seeking an edition of this book illustrated by Glanzman, also make certain that the translation has been done by Florence Lamborn. There were some moments of trans-atlantic interpretation that just blew me away. For example, when confronted by evil bullies numerous in number, the biggest and meanest of them eyes Pippi and says, "boys, let Willie alone and take a look at this girl. What a babe!". Obviously that phrase must've meant something entirely different in 1950, but I was incredibly amused by it just the same. Other funny moments caught my eye. For one thing, Pippi and her friends are forever drinking coffee. Not given the "adult drink" status it has in the states, coffee is definitely the drink of choice of Swedish youth. And there was also the difficulty the translator had with verbal puns. Some of these had to be worked around by explaining what a word means in English. Without these explanations the book's jokes would fall flat.

Finally, my favorite chapter of the book. It was the chapter in which Pippi is invited to a fancy coffee party (see what I meant about kids and coffee?). Pippi attempts desperately to mix and mingle appropriately with the middle-aged lady guests there. When the women start putting down their hired help, Pippi is more than eager to tell multiple increasingly bizarre stories of her grandmother's servant Malin. The ways in which Pippi tells Milan tales becomes more and more extreme until at the end she screams towards the women from the other end of the block, "SHE NEVER SWEPT UNDER THE BEDS". I think you'll have to read the chapter yourself to see just how increasingly hilarious it becomes. It's fabulous stuff.

Every country has its resident red headed heroine. Canada has Anne of Green Gables. America has Caddie Woodlawn. Sweden has Pippi Longstocking. She's the greatest thing since sliced bread and twice as perky. For a fabulous romp through the increasingly ridiculous, I more than recommend this quirky spunky fan-freakin'-tastic book. It hasn't aged a jot.

PIPPI MY ALWAYS FRIEND
i`m 30 now.whenever the pressure of life or job or anything which may happen in adults lives keeps pressing on me i return to my pippi books. i live in those shiny pages,run with pippi, shout with pippi, dance with her and her lovely daddy and all darkness around me disappears.she takes me back to my innocence days in which watching an apple or playing with an ant was giving me the greatest joy of life.
in this way astrid and pippi are my always and sweet friends.
regards,
bess garner

You want to be Pippi? I AM PIPPI!
Pippi reinforced my innate belief that I could do anything I wanted to do and that it was OK to be a strong and brave girl. I grew up in Sweden but ended up fighting drugs and crime while providing housing in American public housing neighborhoods, still buttressed by that Pippi can-do/never-give-up spirit. I'm still lifting horses over my head and scaring the bad guys, all the while having the time of my life. Thank you Pippi and thank you Astrid Lindgren! ... Read more

Amazon.com

A charming gift for expectant parents, Oh Baby, the Places You'll Go is designed to be an in utero introduction to the wonderful world of Dr. Seuss.Adapted from his works, and touching on them all from Horton to Who-ville, author Tish Rabe has maintained Seuss's style perfectly. Your baby is the unnamed star of the book, and reading directly to your tummy becomes easy with lines like "the words I am saying you hear in your heart, and know that I wish you the very best start." Filled with the good doctor's whimsical illustrations, you'll find all your favorite characters, with a short rhyme that mentions each one--and just enough direct quotations to get those infants stimulated when you read Seuss's whole books to them at a later date. --Jill Lightner ... Read more

Reviews (21)

The best gift you can give expecting parents
I received this book with my first pregnancy and have since given it to every single pregnant friend I know (I buy several at a time and save on shipping.) It is funny, perfectly Dr. Seuss, and fun to read to your thumping belly. Best of all, it is small, colorful, and embodies all the joy and anticipation you feel as you wait on your baby. And because it is Seuss, your older children can read it to their sibling-to-be.

Fantastic as well as emotional!
I received this book as a gift from a coworker when I was about 4 months pregnant. I have read it almost daily to my unborn child and I love the feeling it gives me to read it and know that my child is listening! I am almost 6 months pregnant, and with the baby kicking me constantly, I am reminded that he wants to hear his favorite book! I love the creativity within this book, the emotions it brings while reading it, and the idea that my child is reading already! It isn't expensive nor does it take all day to read. Highly recommended!

Oh, Baby, the Places You'll Go!
I love The Places You'll Go! and when I saw this book, I grabbed it for my daughter in law. I believe reading to a child is one of the most important things that can be done to prepare them for what lies ahead. What a great way to begin, while still in Utero. The sound of a familar voice and the beginning of a special time between child and parent (or grandparen't, sibling, etc.) that will hopefully continue through their life. I don't always care for Dr. Seuss, but this is a book that speaks from the heart. The book is smaller than most, but then it's for in Utero!

This was the sweetest pregnancy gift I received ...
This makes a perfect gift for the mother-to-be ... whether this is her first baby or fifth! It is a lovely way to get dad reading to the baby. As it says on the cover "a book to be read in utero". I swear my baby responded. It is darling ... and a MUST HAVE for that special pregnant woman in your life. It makes a perfect "congratulations on your pregnancy" gift.

A wonderful book
This book is so wonderful. My mom bought this for me when I first found out I was pregnant with my son. My husband would read it to the baby all the time and it made it a wonderful family bonding time.

Now that my best friend is going to have a baby I am going to pass a long the tradition of having this book to read to the baby before it is born. And I know she is gonna love it. ... Read more

Amazon.com

"The Baudelaire orphans looked out the grimy window of the train and gazed at the gloomy blackness of the Finite Forest, wondering if their lives would ever get better," begins The Miserable Mill. If you have been introduced to the three Baudelaire orphans in any of Lemony Snicket's previous novels, you know that not only will their lives not get better, they will get much worse. In the fourth installment in the "Series of Unfortunate Events," the sorrowful siblings, having once again narrowly escaped the clutches of the evil Count Olaf, are escorted by the kindly but ineffectual Mr. Poe to their newest "home" at the Lucky Smells Lumbermill. Much to their horror (if not surprise), their dormitory at the mill is crowded and damp, they are forced to work with spinning saw blades, they are fed only one meal a day (not counting the chewing gum they get for lunch), and worst of all, Count Olaf lurks in a dreadful disguise as Shirley the receptionist just down the street. Not even the clever wordplay and ludicrous plot twists could keep this story buoyant--reading about the mean-spirited foreman, the deadly blades, poor Klaus (hypnotized and "reprogrammed"), and the relentless hopelessness of the children's situation only made us feel gloomy. Fans of these wickedly funny, suspenseful adventures won't want to miss out on a single one, but we're hoping the next tales have the delicate balance of delight and disaster we've come to expect from this exciting series. (Ages 9 to 12) ... Read more

Reviews (85)

AWESOME BOOOK, LEMONY SNICKET IS AT IT AGAIN!
Calling all Lemony Snicket fans! Four words people, THIS BOOK IS AWESOME! The Miserable Mill is probably the most hilarious so far (well, I've only read 1-7, and not 2). Man, disguising Count Olaf as the female resepsionist Shirley? Now that's funny! I'm sure many readers (myself included) were sure Count Olaf was going to be the manager of the Mill or the "Eye Doctor" or Charlie even, but certainly not a female respsionist named Shirley! I was particularly amused by the fact that Lemony Snicket loves to poke fun at certain cliche sayings, and at certain types of people. Not a doubt this book is the best of the series!

A marvelously miserable book by Lemony Snicket.
Violet, Klaus, and Sunny have endured some of the most horrid, unfortunate circumstances they could ever imagine since the sudden deaths of their parents. The three Baudelaire orphans just seem to always have misfortune following them -- and their miserable lives are about to become even worse. They have been sent to stay in under the care of a man who, quite mysteriously, has a cloud of smoke where his head should be. Assigned to work in a horrid mill that the three children find almost impossible to endure, their lives worsen by each day. And for some reason their evil uncle, Count Olaf, hasn't been seen around -- but little do they know where -- and how -- their evil uncle is lurking in the shadows. Can they solve a horrible mystery, avoid torture, and make their stay out alive? Or will Count Olaf for once be the victor of the Baudelaire fortune? This was one of the most hilarious books I have ever read, and Lemony Snicket's Series Of Unfortunate Events is so darkly funny I found it impossible to put down. The Miserable Mill, the fourth hilarious book in this unfortunate series, was another five-star, charming novel by Lemony Snicket, whose writing is beautiful and unmatched, funny in so many places that will always entertain.

Not one of the best
As readers of this series will undoubtedly agree, Lemony Snicket makes a very entertaining author. The characters in these stories are unique and fun, however this individual story failed to stand out from the rest. It's plot was ok, and it had it's moments, but it didn't make itself memorable. Although it didn't stand out, it still is a must if one is reading this series.

A bit of a dropoff
Without repeating the plot outline, this seems the least of the first four gooks in the series. This is not to say that it isn't a good book. Perhaps it is because there just isn't enough of Count Olaf, aka Shirley. There are mean people other than "Shirley," but they lack something in comparison with the evil "Grinch," who was the first caretaker of the Baudelaire orphans.

There are several nice touches, such as, Sunny debarking logs with her four baby teeth and having pieces of wood caught between. And then there is Shirley, protesting that she/he is not really Count Olaf because she/he has a name plate that says Shirley. QED, as they say in geometry. Kids are going to love that.

Nonetheless, these books are destined to be favorites for children and parents for a long, long time.

OK
I my self am this series maniak. Altough the book plays & fullfills the requirements of the series it doesn't cut it. The other books in the series are better. What the book lacks is a large chunk of problems. The only big Baudelaire prob. is the hipnocious DR.ORVILE because of her hipnotizing skills. The book is ok not extraordinary like the others. ... Read more

Amazon.com

As the three Baudelaire orphans warily approach their new home--PrufrockPreparatory School--they can't help but notice the enormous stone arch bearingthe school's motto Memento Mori, or "Remember you will die." This is nota cheerful greeting, and certainly marks an inauspicious beginning to a verybleak story. Of course, this is what we have come to expect from LemonySnicket's Series of Unfortunate Events, the deliciously morbid set of books thatbegan with The BadBeginning and only got worse.

In The Austere Academy, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny are at firstoptimistic--attending school is a welcome change for the book-loving trio, andthe academy is allegedly safe from the dreaded Count Olaf, who is after theirfortune. Hope dissipates quickly, however, when they meet Vice Principal Nero, aself-professed genius violinist who sneeringly imitates their every word. Moredreadful still, he houses them in the tin Orphans Shack, crawling withtoe-biting crabs and dripping with a mysterious tan fungus. A beam of lightshines through the despair when the Baudelaires meet the Quagmires, two of threeorphaned triplets who are no strangers to disaster and sympathize with theirpredicament. When Count Olaf appears on the scene disguised as Coach Genghis(covering his monobrow with a turban and his ankle tattoo with expensive runningshoes), the Quagmires resolve to come to the aid of their new friends. Sadly,this proves to be a hideous mistake.

Snicket disarms us again with his playful juxtapositions--only he can comparebombs with strawberry shortcake (both are as dangerous to make as assumptions),muse on how babies adjust developmentally to the idea of curtains, or ponder whythe Baudelaire orphans would not want to be stalks of celery despite theirincessant bad luck as humans. We can't get enough of this splendid series ofmisadventures, and can only wager that swarms of young readers will be rightnext to us in line for the next installment. (Ages 9 and older) --KarinSnelson ... Read more

Reviews (123)

A Series of Unfortunate Events, The Austere Academy
This book is called: A Series Of Unfortunate Events, The Austere Academy, by Lemony Snicket and I recommend this book because... Well just listen and you'll find out. Its setting describes an apartment that is forty-eight of eighty-four stories high, what is soon to be their new home. But before I go on, I will give you a quote told by the author, Lemony Snicket. "If you have just picked up this book, then it is not too late to put it back down. Like the previous books in A SERIES OF UNFORUNARE EVENTS, there is nothing to be found in there pages but misery, despair, and you still have time to choose someth ing else to read." Mr. Poe, a man who has helped them since their parents died, has to go to find their friends who Count Olaf has kidnapped, so he has to leave early and is unable to go on with them. Oh, and by the way, the elevator is OUT, so it is out of order. You'll find out what I mean when you read the book, so read it!!

Sadness Reigns
Can you find a more sad tale than this one? This is the saddest story out of all the ones I've read so far. The children, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny are still trying to survive Count Olaf terror.

These children must endure a self serving Vice Principal that loves to play the violin. They must put up with a bratty little girl that calls them names, and teachers that teach nothing. They have to run all night long, and their living conditions are terrible. They have to live with crabs, fungus, and a terrible paint job. But with all the negative, there is a ray of light in this story. Two rays of light. Violet, Klaus, and Sunny find friends that go out of their way to help them as much as they can.

Unfortunately, their friends are kidnapped in the end, and of course, the adults in this story are useless and hopeless. Will they ever have any luck? Not according to Lemony Snicket.

Overall, this is a really good book in the series. It made me feel so bad for them, and it left questions in my mind. I recommend this book for all of its genius, sadness, and its bit of 'mystery.'

Joy.

Tremendous
This book is the best book I have ever read. I love all of the books in this series, but this is one of my favorite of them all. I recommend all of the books as well as this one.

Fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!
In this book the Baudelaire are faced with numerous of situations that can change there lifes forever. They must once agein try proving count ofal's identity, run laps every night, pass many exams, and still manage to sleep. But, with the help of there friends, the two Quagmire triplets, they manage to survive. Until something terrible happenes to Quagmire triplets, thanks to there own forturn, and coach Genghis.

I think this book is the best in its series, this is because it has a little bit of everything in it, and you can relate to it more than the other books. This is because, it is all about the
having to deal with unfairness, and I am sure we all think we have that. But from werid teachers, to even bullys, the Baudelaires have another adventure that is worth reading, so go and read this book I'm sure you woun't put it down!

Will the Real Lemony Snicket Please Stand Up!
I am surprised and saddened to report that on reading books one through five of the Unfortunate Events series, I have discovered with this volume that Lemony Snicket is a fraud, "fraud" here meaning that there is more than one author passing themselves off as the cranky curmudgeon who writes these books. Part of the appeal of the Snicket books is that the author is sort of anonymous but at least sort of the same person. I was amazed to learn as an adult that there was no Franklin W. Dixon who wrote the Hardy Boys books of my youth, but rather a series of writers ghosting as the ficticious author. But surely, I thought, Lemony is gonna be one fellow all the way through. And then we get to the Austere Academy which blew that theory all to pieces.
The tone of the book is much different than the previous volumes. Granted, horrible things still happen to our unfortunate orphans, and the style tries to mimic the first books, but the word usage and sentence structure and style is, at times, wildly different. In a way, the writing is much more adult in the way it is presented. The first four books played pretty loose and were very conversational between author and reader, as if Lemony were telling a terrible story to a younger group of children. They also explained things and expounded on ideas that may be new to a younger reader. The Austere Academy, however, is a much more straightforward young adult novel in approach and becomes stilted when it tries to be conversational. The choice of words, phrases and concepts used are sometimes surprisingly more mature and advanced as if written by a person used to dealing with an older audience. One of the key elements of the series, defining larger words in an informative and humorous way, is very different as simple words and concepts are expounded upon, and larger words, like "tyrannical," pop up and are passed over as normal parts of childhood speech. The characters are essentially the same, but in a very rote way. Sunny, the baby of the bunch, is especially different as the second author has her think and act much older than she should be able to. Her four sharp teeth, unlike the first books, play almost no part as the writer seems to forget that she has a tendancy to bite everything in sight. Her speech, always garbled, was almost always expounded upon in the first books giving a meaning to what she has tried to say, but in the Academy, she just blurts out odd words and the story just keeps on going much of the time. Count Olaf, too, is sort of downplayed as he is but one of a number of sinister figures that wreck the orphan's lives rather than the evil mastermind who is waiting around every corner. I could go on, but you get the point.
This book isn't bad, in fact it is a decent story, but it is more of a straightforward (and a trifle bland) version of the unfortunate events depicted. Much of the wit, lunacy and charm of the earlier volumes is severely lacking. So either Lemony Snicket is more than one writer (which I suspect), or between the fourth and fifth books, somebody started slipping him some Prozac to even him out.
Oh, the book would only get two stars, but it redeems itself by introducing the term "Cakesniffer" into the English language. ... Read more

Amazon.com

First published in 1963, Hop on Pop remains a perennial favorite when it comes to teaching kids to read. Here, as in most of his extensive body of work, Dr. Seuss creates uncomplicated, monosyllabic rhymes to foster learning and inspire children to read. But what was radical about this little book at the time of publication (and what makes it still compelling today) is Seuss's departure from the traditionally dull pictures and sentences used in reading primers. In contrast, the illustrations here are wild and wonderful, and the accompanying language, while simple, is delightfully silly. For example, the rhyme "THREE TREE / Three fish in a tree / Fish in a tree? / How can that be?" is brought to life with a trio of plump, self-satisfied fish perched atop globular branches as two stymied hybrid dog-rabbit-humanoids look on in consternation. Hop on Pop does much more than teach children the basics of word construction, it also introduces them to the incomparable pleasure of reading a book. (Ages Baby to Preschooler) ... Read more

Reviews (43)

The best beginner's book for children
If you want to help your children learn to think of reading as fun rather than a chore, "Hop On Pop" is the best place to start. I bought my son this book when he was two and a half and for weeks afterwards it was his favorite bedtime story. Seuss's genius in writing this enchanting book was in combining some hilarious illustrations which the kids love with easy rhyming words which encourage children to read phonetically. When a child sees the words "Ed, Ned, Red and Ted in the..." and he knows what sound "b" makes, the word "Bed" comes almost automatically. The story itself is appealing to all toddlers (what two-year-old doesn't like to hop on Pop?) and the rhymes are almost hypnotic. Read this book aloud enough times and you start chanting to yourself "Pup up, Brown down, pup is down, where is Brown, where is Brown, there is Brown, Mister Brown is out of town." (Your child will either look at you like you are nuts or join in enthusiastically.) Three months after I bought this book for my son, he was reading it out loud to me. "Hop On Pop" is a great way to get the kids started with a lifelong interest in reading.

Ed, Ned, Ted, and Red in Bed??
"Hop on Pop" and "Green Eggs and Ham" were the apex of Theodore Giesel's (Dr. Seuss's) creative genius. Hop on Pop is a rhythmic romp through the joys of reading, rhyme, and sight for babies, infants, toddlers, and parents alike. The work is both ageless and timeless. I read this book to my 4-month old and it never fails to get him squealing and wide-eyed in delight. Maybe he doesn't understand the subtlety and weirdness of three fish in a tree or a bunch of people in bed together but it was the sixties...besides their names rhyme, so there is fun to still be had in the PC 00's.

There are so many things to enjoy about this book, that it's hard to find a place to begin. The weird hybrid creatures, the creative rhymes and wordplay...my favorites are the thing that can sing a long long song. I break out in overblown Pavarotti-extravagance singing and the boy is sure to either laugh or look at me strangely...is this Dad or is this an alien? But the biggest joy of the book comes at the end when Seuss strings together endless rhymes with endless rhythm in the string of run-on words, "hethreemewepatpuppophethreetreebeetophopstop." It will be indelibly stamped on your brain and give your child the joy of reading as well as reminding you how truly fun words and pictures can be. Thanks for all times go out to the good Doctor.

The Poems are way too short
I bought Hop On Pop (1963)at Target drug stores around Dr. Suess' 99th birthday because I totally admire the books by Theodore Suesss Giesl (Dr. Suess)(1904-1991).But the poems are way too short.I don't HATE this book,but it's not really one of my favorites.The illustrations were well done but the poems wern't really much of poems.they just have two rhyming words then a sentance using the words.For example:"All/Tall/We are all tall".Sometimes there's a word in a sentance that's not in the rhymes(Example:"Pat/Sat/Pat sat on bat.").Sometimes they even use a rhyming wordthat is not used in a sentance(Example:"Ball/Wall/Up on a wall.").If you're gonna go buy a Dr.Suess Begginer or Bright And Early book,buy The Cat In The Hat (1957) or Oh,The Thinks You Can Think!(1975)because I like those two a lot more.

Another Seuss Favorite
It's another classic tongue-tying Seuss rhyming book.

My Son Loves It!
My 17 month old son calls this book "Pop" and wants to read it all of the time. It is one of the easiest Dr. Seuss books, with very few words per page. I highly recommend this book for toddlers. ... Read more

Amazon.com

If you haven't already read Tikki Tikki Tembo, you've probably heard at least someone recite the deliriously long name of its protagonist: Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo, by now a famous refrain in most nursery schools. In this beautiful edition--complete with line and wash illustrations by artist Blair Lent--Arlene Mosel retells an old Chinese folktale about how the people of China came to give their children short names after traditionally giving their "first and honored" sons grand, long names. Tikki tikki tembo (which means "the most wonderful thing in the whole wide world") and his brother Chang (which means "little or nothing")get into trouble with a well, are saved by the Old Man with the Ladder, and change history while they're at it. Tikki Tikki Tembo is a perfect book to read aloud, but don't be surprised if you find yourself joining the ranks of its chanting followers. (Picture book) ... Read more

Reviews (54)

Not to be confused with Rikki tikki tavi
If you, like my pretty self, grew up reading (or being read) the tale of Tikki Tikki Tembo, then you already know exactly the correct cadences and tones to use when pronouncing his name. Come on, everybody! Say it along with me... Tikki Tikki Tembo-No Sa Rembo-Chari Bari Ruchi-Pip Peri Pembo. Whew! It's a mouthful, which is of course the point. In this book (originally published, I kid you not, in 1968) we learn about the dangers of over-monikering one's own offspring.

Two boys live with their mother near an old well. The eldest is considered the more important of the two, and his is the extraordinarily long name. His younger brother is named Chang. Chang and Tikki love one another, and when Chang falls into the well his brother rushes off to save him. Tikki fetches the old man with the ladder, who rescues the sodden boy. Later (not the same day, thankfully) the boys play around the well again and this time it's Tikki who has fallen in. When Chang attempts to tell his mother what has happened, it's all he can do to spout out that enormous mouthful of a name. When his mother finally understands, he too is sent to the old man with the ladder and a very similar scene occurs. In the end Tikki is rescued, though his prolonged well-exposure leaves him sick for a little while. Hence (according to this tale and, yes yes, not historically accurate in the least), "the Chinese have always thought it wise to give all their children little, short names instead of great long names".

When I was read this book as a kid I remember disliking small sections of it (whilst enjoying the entire thing as a whole). I felt bad for Chang, a boy whose name translated roughly to "little or nothing". Yet Chang and Tikki don't engage in any sibling rivalry or bad feelings. They play together as happily as can be. And though their mother does refer to Tikki with such names as "my first and honored son, heir of all I possess", the final shot of the book is Chang seated snugly on his mother's lap as they speak with the bed-ridden Tikki. So is the book racist? I dunno. Not to my eyes, though I've already admitted that having been read this book while a child, I'm biased towards it. I really don't think there's anything in here to seriously offend someone, unless becoming offended is their goal. Yes, we can all agree that the clothing is Japanese while the characters are Chinese. Confusing, certainly. And the last line in the story is a bit odd, but personally I don't feel it will turn your children into raving-mad racists. It's just an amusing story told with a great deal of zip and verve. Author Arlene Mosel has told it in such a way that the reader really enjoys repeated passages that say things like, "He pumped the water out of him and pushed the air into him, and pumped the water out of him and pushed the air into him". Blair Lent's illustrations are just as amusing and fun. Though a book of limited colors, it almost seems to the reader as if there are millions of subtle variations on the blues and greens shown throughout the story.

The fact of the matter is, this is just a great book. Top drawer. If you've an ability to tell a tale well, then it is a crime and shame that you are not reading this book to a little one right now. For as long as children enjoy hearing rhymes and syncopated rhythms, this book will remain a popular item.

Good book for a read aloud and discussion
This is a retelling of an old Chinese folk tale about unnecessary and overly grandiose events. The initial premise is that the firstborn son is given a grand name, in this case Tikki Tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo, which means "the most wonderful thing in the world." However, all subsequent sons are given short names, so the second son is called Chang, which means "little or nothing."
The tale begins with Chang falling into a well. Tikki Tikki Tembo runs for help and has no difficulty in telling the adults what happened. An old man uses a ladder to rescue Chang and after some brief treatment, he recovers. Later in the story, Tikki Tikki Tembo falls into the well and Chang runs for help. However, because of the length of the name, he has difficulty explaining what is wrong and help is delayed. While Tikki Tikki Tembo is rescued, it takes him a long time to recover. As a consequence of this event, the Chinese change their custom so that now all of their children are given short names.
The artwork of this book is excellent and the moral of the story a good one for children. I strongly recommend it for read-aloud sessions that end in a discussion.

Wonderful
I haven't read this book in...ten years or so, but as soon as I read the title 'TIKKI TIKKI TEMBO, I LOVE THAT BOOK'. That pretty much covers it. It's wonderful, I wish the kids I am around would be patient enough to listen to it. :) WONDERFUL WONDERFUL BOOK!

Fun, but inaccurate
Tikki Tikki Tembo has a beautiful and fun name to say. However, that is where my praise of the book ends. The illustrations are lacking, not to mention inaccurate. A seemingly uncaring mother obviously favoring one son over the other is the main thing that stands out in my mind after having read this book. Perhaps my biggest problem with this text is the sweeping generalization it ends with, "from that day to this, the Chinese have always thought it wise to give their children little, short names, instead of great long names." I believe it is important to eduate and expose children to cultures outside of their own. However, we must do so in a way that promotes their curiousity and an accurate understanding. Multicultural literature can be a wonderful tool in the classroom as well as the home, when used properly; Tikki Tikki Tembo will be left out of my toolbox.

A name that'll stick in your mind for years
I don't understand why people are looking at this book like it's some sort of historical text. I doubt many 5-year-olds are going to read this book and say, "Well, it was OK, but it was full of historical inaccuracies and perpetuated stereotypes harmful to the Chinese community." It's a story, nothing more. It's not meant to teach any life-changing moral. Stop searching for offensive material and enjoy the book the way a child would.

A child will enjoy this, by the way. I know I did, when I first read it perhaps 25 years ago. It may not (as I said above) provide profound revelations, but it does encourage children to do the right thing whether people treat them with respect or not.

Lighten up, enjoy the rhythm of the name, watch kids try to say it all in one breath, and years from now you'll still remember Tikki Tikki Tembo and his helpful brother. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Mistress Mary is quite contrary until she helps her garden grow. Along the way, she manages to cure her sickly cousin Colin, who is every bit as imperious as she. These two are sullen little peas in a pod, closed up in a gloomy old manor on the Yorkshire moors of England, until a locked-up garden captures their imaginations and puts the blush of a wild rose in their cheeks; "It was the sweetest, most mysterious-looking place any one could imagine. The high walls which shut it in were covered with the leafless stems of roses which were so thick, that they matted together.... 'No wonder it is still,' Mary whispered. 'I am the first person who has spoken here for ten years.'" As new life sprouts from the earth, Mary and Colin's sour natures begin to sweeten. For anyone who has ever felt afraid to live and love, The Secret Garden's portrayal of reawakening spirits will thrill and rejuvenate. Frances Hodgson Burnett creates characters so strong and distinct, young readers continue to identify with them even 85 years after they were conceived. (Ages 9 to 12) ... Read more

Reviews (165)

The Secret Garden a review by super-girl
The Secret Garden

Have you ever discovered a place that has bee locked up for a long time? If so, then you can relate to The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Mary Lennox, the protagonist, moves from India to Misselthwaite, England because her parents die of cholera. She lives with her cousin Colin Craven, who thinks he's a cripple and believes he is never going to walk. Mary tries to convince him that he's not a cripple. The children meet Dickon, a local boy who they call the animal charmer. Together they find a magical world inside a garden.

Mary, Dickon, and Colin find the garden left alone and locked. They find a key with the help of Robin and then start to garden without anyone knowing it. Mary and Colin are very frail like a toothpick, but then they grow because the fresh air makes them well. Dickon is a teacher because he shows them how to garden.

Then, on a rainy day, Mary and Colin go into rooms in the house that are locked up and they learn about their ancestors. In Colin's room Mary sees a portrait hidden under a tarpaulin, she opens it and sees picture of Colin's Mother (Mrs. Craven). Mary asks Colin why it is covered and he tells her that he doesn't want to see her because she reminds him of his Father and how he is mad at him because he will be a hunchback. Finally, Mary and Colin learn to overcome their tantrums and the fears of never seeing their parents again. When the children are in the garden, they were caught by one of the gardeners, however he said that he wouldn't tell because he himself had been inside the garden.

Read to find out if the children ever get caught in the garden again, or if Colin ever walks. Ladies and gentlemen, I invite and encourage you to read The Secret Garden.

One of my childhood favorites -- and I still love it!
I can't count how many times I read this book in elementary school -- dozens, I'm sure. I still read it occasionally and listen to the musical.

Here's a brief synopsis: Mary Lennox is a bitter child whose parents live in India during the very early 1900s (approximately). Her mother and father pay no attention to her, and she is spoiled, selfish and temperamental. When cholera kills her parents, she is sent to live with her uncle -- a hunchback who lives in a huge mansion on the Yorkshire moors.

Slowly and with the help of the maid, the maid's brother, and the gardener, Mary becomes a normal, happy child. But her uncle never sees her and is rarely there. He was devastated by his wife's untimely death years earlier and cannot bear to be in the house where they lived together.

Mary also hears a mysterious crying that no one else seems to. She investigates and discovers it is her cousin, Colin, who refuses to see anyone, believing he is crippled. His father can't bear to look at him because his mother died in childbirth. Mary and Colin discover his mother's garden, long neglected, and eventually Colin realizes he is perfectly healthy and learns to walk again.

This is one of those books every little girl should read. It will stay in your heart forever.

A Classic
I think that this is FHB's best book. Although I certainly enjoy the romatic ideas of diamond mines, life-size dolls, and (completly platonic) secret admirers (as all appear in "A Little Princess") nothing beats the spunky nature and burgeonng independance of Mary, Colin and Dickon.

After her parents die of Cholera, spoiled brat Mary is sent to live with her uncle in Yorshire. She is shocked, absolutely shocked, to find a world that is the complete opposite of India. Not just the weather: gone is the fully staffed nursery which completely revolved around her every whim (and she had a lot of them) and in its place is a local maid who brings her breakfast and that's about it. Mary doesn't even know how to dress herself.

Appalled at first by the notion of having to look after herself, Mary discovers that it's really not so bad. Especially when she discovers a secret garden that has been locked for ten years. Together with her cousin, a boy as bratty and obnoxious as she is, and Dickon, a local boy with a way with living things, she sets about to bring the garden back to life. Mary and Colin, who have been raised with fairly good intentions and plenty of material possesions but no real love, learn what love is as they care for and nurture the garden.

Burnett really has an ear for children's dialogue, and she brings a real sympathy to Colin and Mary even when they are at their most obnoxious. In addition, their transformation is believable, complete with little relapses into their self-absorbed natures.

This is a book that is perfect for people of all ages.

Anything is possible
AThe Secret Garden had an inspirational effect on me. Frances Hodgson Burnett was able to show you that no matter how rough life gets, you always have a single ray of hope. Through realistic characters, she was able to show the value of life. Each character was so detailed and developed it was as if you were watching it all happen. Whether you believe in magic or not, it feels as if something is with you while you are reading. This story has been made into a movie. However, the book has a warmer nature as opposed to the movie.
Mary was an unloved unwanted child with everything she could ever want except for a family. Due to the fact that her mother didn't want her around, her nanny would do anything for her to keep her happy. After her mother's death the only person left to keep her was her uncle in England. Coming from India, the people in England didn't expect Mary to be so picky. She finds that in order to stay amused she must overcome her selfish nature and do things on her own. This leads her to find her cousin, Colin. In time, they both learn to appreciate life and the only way to make it is to stop worrying and start believing. Mr. Craven, Mary's uncle, locked up parts of the manor and a special garden after his wife's death 10 years earlier. So, when it is found it is to be kept a secret between six new friends, until it can be revealed to Colin's father, which could or could not happen.
I would rate this book a 4 because, there were s things I didn't agree with. Some of the less important characters were too developed and it is a long story. I did like that it gave me a warm feeling, as if anything is possible. I'm still thinking about how I can change someone's day the same way they did for each other. The only way to enjoy the miracle is to read it yourself.

The Secret Garden
I liked the book alot because it had alot of excitment and talked about Mary finding a room that was her aun'ts room. I liked the part where she found a key that opened the gate to the secret garden. ... Read more

Book Description

Is Nick Allen a troublemaker?

He really just likes to liven things up at school -- and he's always had plenty of great ideas. When Nick learns some interesting information about how words are created, suddenly he's got the inspiration for his best plan ever...the frindle. Who says a pen has to be called a pen? Why not call it a frindle? Things begin innocently enough as Nick gets his friends to use the new word. Then other people in town start saying frindle. Soon the school is in an uproar, and Nick has become a local hero. His teacher wants Nick to put an end to all this nonsense, but the funny thing is frindle doesn't belong to Nick anymore. The new word is spreading across the country, and there's nothing Nick can do to stop it. ... Read more

Reviews (125)

A Different Name for Pen?
Do you like realistic fiction? Would you like to know about a boy who made money by making up a new word? If you do the title of this fantastic book is Frindle by Andrew Clement. The character is Nicholas Allen (Nick). He is a boy in 5th grade. The interesting thing about Nick is that he is very creative. He has freckles and red hair. This story takes place nowadays at Lincoln Elementary School. When Nick was in 3rd grade, he made his classroom into a tropical island with construction paper, but Nick had a very strict teacher in 5th grade who loved dictionary. One day, Nick invented the word frindle, which means pen. In less than a month, everyone started to use the word frindle. Nick's fifth grader teacher Ms. Granger was very upset and made every kid stay in after school....

I recommend this book because it's about a creative boy who made so much money with just 1 word! I think after you finished reading you will never forget it!

Great gift for kids 3rd-6th grade
This is a great book. Not only is it entertaining and funny and a quick read, but it's one of the favorite books that I give as gifts to kids because it sends such great messages: what you learn in school matters in the "real" world; it encourages creativity and emphasizes the importance and impact one person's idea can have; it portrays a wonderful relationship between teacher and student where they both learn from each other and help each other grow. It also teaches a classroom lesson about how words are formed without making you feel tricked into learning.

This is the story of a student, Nick, who decides one day to test if what he learned in school about how words are formed is true. He starts calling a pen a "frindle" and gets other students to do the same. The magnitude of the outcome is far greater than he ever expected. This book isn't just about the frindle story but about how Nick matures through this experience. Again, lots of good lessons as I mentioned above.

I'm really careful about the books that I give as gifts to make sure that there are no ideas that parents would be uncomfortable with. This is 100% entertaining reading and good lessons that don't feel forced. Make sure you don't skip the chapter titles in Clements' books either-- they're pretty clever and add to the fun. (Especially in Landry News and School Story)

The frindle is mightier than the sword
At long last! An early reader chapter book designed to give full all-encompassing glory to language itself! Sort of. I first heard about "Frindle" some five years ago when it was burning up the bookshelves across the country. Kids couldn't get enough of the semi-raucous tale of one boy's attempt to make a contribution to the English language. Cleverly, author Andrew Clements has created a book that doesn't fall back into the old good vs. bad/teacher vs. student riff we all know so well. Though a book that is written with fairly young readers in mind, it successfully renders huge themes in bite size portions.

Nick Allen is used to getting great ideas. Who could forget his fabulous third grade attempts to turn his classroom into a sunny tropical isle in the dead of winter? Or his successful utilization of bird calls to annoy a fourth grade prof? But now Nick has come across a real challenge and her name is Granger. Mrs. Granger. As the woman in charge of the elementary school's language arts, Mrs. Granger is a true aficionado of the wonders of the dictionary. After tangling, and losing, with the clever teacher, Nick springs upon a brilliant idea. Why not add his own little word to the world's vocabulary? The idea comes to him in a flash, and before you know it he's grabbed the nearest pen and renamed it "frindle". As Mrs. Granger retaliates, defending (what in her mind is) the perfectly serviceable and already existing word "pen", frindle's popularity and publicity grows and grows. Yet in the end, it seems as though Nick was playing into Mrs. Granger's plans all along.

Accompanied by the really well wrought and beautifully designed illustrations of Brian Selznick, the book is just a low-key amusing look at how words affect people. Clements includes an array of interesting facts and ideas, some of which even adults will find themselves astounded by. For example, the book states that in 1791 a Dublin theater manager made up the word, "quiz" on a bet and that this word was (until the creation of "frindle") the only word in the English language made up for no particular reason. I tried to ascertain if this was true by glancing through my impossibly old Webster's Third New International Dictionary. When I looked up "quiz" I hit the following sentence: Unknown origin. That's proof enough for me, though I'm sure a glance through the OED would clear everything up. And how many books written with middle readers in mind give you such clever facts couched in an interesting story? I was delighted with the characters in this book. From clever Nick and his ideas to Mrs. Granger, an adult who is truly an intelligent match. Any villainy this book presents later turns out to be no more than a clever ruse. So kudos for giving teachers the credit they deserve at last! Kudos indeed.

A good pairing of books of this reading level with similar protagonists would be "Frindle" and the slightly more recent Lois Lowry offering "Gooney Bird Greene". Both books observe the use of language and how it affects us and both have clever red headed protagonists that defy all expectations. I doubt you could find two better books to present to kids with the hopes of getting them involved in reading. I give "Frindle" an especially warm recommendation and I am sure kids will be inspired by it. Go! Read! Enjoy!

CO000000000000OOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooool Book Ever Writen!!
I love this book! I like the chacters and the teachers and children! I never seen or read a book better than this! I think EVERYONE will enjoy this book! Read it!

Frindle
I read Frindle by Andrew Clements. I gave Frindle 4 out of 5 stars rating. I thought Frindle was a good book. Its pretty cool how Nick makes up a word and its heard all around the world. I like how Nick is smart and he is a trouble maker. It's funny how Nick's mom and Nick's principal argue. The teachers at Nick's school said that anyone who said the word Frindle has to stay after school and write this sentence one hundred times: Iam writting this punishment with a pen. That made everyone want to use the word even more. I don't really understand that. Its awesome how Nick was on t.v. I wish I was Nick because he became rich because the word Frindle was on merchandise. The word Frindle was also put in the new dictionary. Nick must have felt great knowing that his word was in the dictionary. I recommend that you read this book. All in all, Frindle is an overall good book. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Magic abounds in Edward Eager's world. Whether his young heroes andheroines are awash in a lake full of magic, making double wishes on a half-magiccoin, cavorting with Robin Hood and Ivanhoe, or "thyme" traveling, theadventures simply never stop. Eager's ability to mingle reality with fantasy,his delectable wordplay, and light, witty touch make all four of theseadventures pure delight. With perfect new cover art by Quentin Blake, as well asthe original interior drawings by N.M. Bodecker, this collection ofpaperbacks--including HalfMagic, Knight'sCastle, Magic by theLake, and The TimeGarden--deserves an exalted place on every bookshelf of classics. (Ages8 to 12) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (16)

These books are timeless!
I read "Half Magic" and "Magic by the Lake" as a young girl and absolutely loved them then. Now, years later, I decided to order a set for my young nieces, knowing they will enjoy them as much as I did. Unable to resist, I opened a few of the books before sending them on to the girls. I was so happy to discover that my assessment all those years ago was right on: These books are extremely well-written, creative, fun and, of course, magical! I highly recommend this set.

Charming Children's Fantasy
My brothers, ages seven and nine, have just discovered Edward Eager's marvelous books this summer. They have been tearing through everything they can find. Eager's novels have instant appeal; these are stories about normal kids who discover extraordinary magic in ordinary places. The magic always comes with sensible rules, and the dangerous parts in the stories are just scary enough for a bit of a thrill.

Eager has packed his books with allusions to other pieces of literature: the Arabian Nights, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, and, of course, E. Nesbit. This is fun for adults, but also gives kids the initiative to broaden their on literary scope.

These are very refreshing little books: as charming as the omnipresent Harry Potter series (which my brothers also relish, of course), without being so self-serious. It should be noted that because these were written half a century ago, there is some racial stereotyping going on (cannibalistic islanders who go "ooga-booga eatum children!", a rather insensitive caricature of a fellow by the name of "Achmed the Arab"). It may be necessary to explain to children that this aspect of the book is disrespectful, etc.

This collection is a good place to start, although it does not include my personal favorite, Seven Day Magic, which I highly recommend you buy along with this set. You'll want to read them all!

Run, don't walk, and Hit your "Buy With 1-Click Now!"
Every word Edward Eager wrote was magical - I started with "Half Magic" when I was eight, and the enchantment drove me to read every book he ever wrote, AND every book he ever referred to in his books! He opened worlds to me, the brilliant classical magic stories of Edith Nesbit, "Ivanhoe," "Little Women" and many, many others. Edward Eager made me a reader, then a lit student, then a librarian, and more than 40 years after discovering "Half Magic," he is still my very favorite writer. If you have children and grandchildren who like to hear you read to them, you won't be sorry you invested in Edward Eager.

Half Magic
i gave this book only 3 1/2 stars because it jumped around. it is a great fairtale without the fairys. it had adventure and danger also, friends and family. i think you will have a great time reading this clasic book. you may even beable to relate to the characters. have fun reading.

The best, funniest, and most imaginative magic books ever
Knight's Castle was the first Edward Eager book I read and after that I could not get enough of them. Thirty years later they still make me laugh out loud and marvel at how surprising they are.

The element of surprise is the key, and what I've always felt Harry Potter lacked. Eager's kids are regular kids--just like the read