Book Description

It only takes a few hours for Turner Buckminster to start hating Phippsburg, Maine. No one in town will let him forget that he's a minister's son, even if he doesn't act like one. But then he meets Lizzie Bright Griffin, a smart and sassy girl from a poor nearby island community founded by former slaves. Despite his father's-and the town's-disapproval of their friendship, Turner spends time with Lizzie, and it opens up a whole new world to him, filled with the mystery and wonder of Maine's rocky coast.
The two soon discover that the town elders, along with Turner's father, want to force the people to leave Lizzie's island so that Phippsburg can start a lucrative tourist trade there. Turner gets caught up in a spiral of disasters that alter his life-but also lead him to new levels of acceptance and maturity.
This sensitively written historical novel, based on the true story of a community's destruction, highlights a unique friendship during a time of change.Author's note. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Richie's Picks: LIZZIE BRIGHT AND THE BUCKMINSTER BOY
"From so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being evolved."
--Charles Darwin, THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES

"Like angels appearing in the sky,
whales are proof of God."
--Cynthia Rylant, THE WHALES

Because it is based upon a series of true, race-related events in Maine during the early 1900s, LIZZIE BRIGHT AND THE BUCKMINSTER BOY might make you think of Karen Hesse's WITNESS. Several of the "good guy" characters--Mrs. Carr and the elder Mrs. Hurd, for example--have a charm reminiscent of the idiosyncratic folk in BECAUSE OF WINN-DIXIE. But, because of the depth of the evil behind the tragic real events upon which the fictional story of Lizzie and Turner is built, the feelings of despair and anger with which we're left evoke memories of such books as MISSISSIPPI TRIAL, 1955 and TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD.

The enchanting Lizzie Bright Griffin, a girl of great strength and few words, belongs to the youngest of many generations of African Americans who have called Malaga Island home.

"Lizzie held close against her grandfather as the people of Malaga Island came out from the pine woods, gathered around their preacher on the shore to hear what had been said. Before they turned, Lizzie felt her grandfather ebb as though his soul were passing out of him, the way the last waves of a falling tide pass into still air and are gone. "She took a deep breath, and she wasn't just breathing in the air. She breathed in the waves, the sea grass, the pines, the pale lichens on the granite, the sweet shimmering of the pebbles dragged back and forth in the surf, the fish hawk diving to the waves, the dolphin jumping out of them.
"She would not ebb.
"Then she turned with her grandfather to tell the gathering people of Malaga that times had moved on, and they would have to leave their homes."

Across the water, on the mainland, Turner is the new kid in town. And even worse--from his perspective--he's the new minister's son.

"Turner Buckminster had lived in Phippsburg, Maine, for almost six whole hours.
"He didn't know how much longer he could stand it."

Here, as with the fight over the towers in Elaine Konigsburg's THE OUTCASTS OF 19 SCHUYLER PLACE, the root of conflict involves money and property values. Phippsburg's shipbuilding industry is dying, and the local "boys with the bucks" reckon that tourism may be the source of future prosperity if only the "less desirable" portion of the community can be run out of town.

" 'Would you look at that monkey go? Look at her go. She climbing down or falling?' Deacon Hurd watched the last leap to the ground. 'Sheriff Elwell, I believe she thought you might shoot her.'
" 'Wouldn't have been any trouble, Mr. Hurd. One less colored in the world.' "

The character who is most difficult to decipher in this story of Turner's coming of age is his father. Reverend Buckminster was hired by the church leadership and is supposed to be serving God. However, he is being pulled in various directions: by the white community, by his own knowledge and conscience (or sometimes lack thereof), and by the beliefs of the maturing son he apparently loves, albeit in a stiff, 1912 Congregationalist ministerial fashion.

"And suddenly, Turner had a thought that had never occurred to him before: he wondered if his father really believed a single thing he was saying.
"And suddenly, Turner had a second thought that had never occurred to him before: he wondered if he believed a single thing his father was saying."

Reverend Buckminster is but one of several characters who end up throwing Turner a curveball.

The innocent, against-all-odds friendship that develops between Turner and Lizzie repeatedly caused me shivers, delight, and despair. It is first among the many reasons why LIZZIE BRIGHT AND THE BUCKMINSTER BOY is an entertaining and important piece of YA historic fiction. (...) ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Moving Day
It was about a bear family loving where they live including their friends and home. But the soil for growing vegetables was hard and rocky so they decided to move well papa and mama bear. When they found a place to move it needed a little bit of work but they managed what it would look like and they got new friends and a new home and a new place to grow vegetables. It was a very good book and I would read it again if I had to but its not something I would read again by choice. It teaches kids what ever you do something good will come of it eventually.ages 3-8

Not much help
This book is cute, but not much help for little ones to ease their move. It does show that all the boxes get packed and go to a new house which will be better. But it doesn't say that it will be better for the kids, just for the parents.

The Bear Family....Moving?
This book is set before the bear family has moved into the tree house. It tells about why they are mvoing and how sad brother is but how he does have even more fun when they get to their new house.

If you have read any of the story books in this series you know how great of books they are. I suggest this book for any kids who loves great book!

The Berenstain Bears' Moving Day
This was one of the best children's books I have read, and I recommend it for children that are getting ready to move. This book was written by Stan and Jan Berenstain.
Moving day is about a family of bears, they are Papa bear, Mama bear, and brother bear. Before they moved to the valley, they lived in a cave. Mama had a vegetable garden, and Papa cut down trees and made furniture. Brother kept busy playing with his many friends, which were animals. Then Papa bear said that they they needed to move because the trees were getting farther and farther away and Mama bear agreed that they needed to move because the soil was getting too hard for her vegetable garden. Brother bear was very sad about moving because he would miss his friends. Mama bear said that he could write his old friends and make new friends when they moved into their new house. They moved into a treehouse that needed alot of work. As they looked at it and imagined how it would look after it was fixed up, the neighbors came over to say "hi". Now the bears had new friends and after they fixed up the treehouse it was just perfect!

It is still Great
In 1981 we moved cross coutry with our three year old son. This book helped "develop" the pictures of the process for him. Now I am in the "mentor" position for other young mothers facing long distance moves. This is my first gift choice for them and their three or four year olds to make the process understandable and FUN. Patricia Smith, RNS, MS ... Read more

Book Description

Shirley Temple Wong sails from China to America with a heart full of dreams. Her new home is Brooklyn, New York. America is indeed a land full of wonders, but Shirley doesn't know any English, so it's hard to make friends. Then a miracle-baseball-happens. It is 1947, and Jackie Robinson, star of the Brooklyn Dodgers, is everyone's hero. Jackie Robinson is proving that a black man, the grandson of a slave, can make a difference in America and for Shirley as well, on the ball field and off, America becomes the land of opportunity.

Notable Children's Books of 1984 (ALA)
Best Books of 1984 (SLJ)
Notable 1984 Childrens' Trade Books in Social Studies (NCSS/CBC)
Children's Books of 1984 (Library of Congress)
1984 Children's Books (NY Public Library)
1985 Jefferson Cup Award (Virginia Library Association)

Reviews (45)

nice book about cultural changes
On the other side of the world from Brooklyn, New York there lives a little girl known as Bandit. After living in China for 8 years, Bandit's clan gets a mysterious letter from Father, announcing that Bandit, her mother and he will go to Mei guo, meaning beautiful country, which is America. Her new American name is Shirley Temple Wong. That's how Bette Bao Lord begins her book about Shirley. As far as I know, that's pretty much what the author experienced herself. This is a great book about cultural changes, making friends and 'America's Favorite Past time', Baseball.

As I already mentioned above, a kind, but a little bit shy, girl called Shirley comes to America without the knowledge of a single English word. Shortly after that she attends an All American school. Even though she knows a bit English after a few months, she still doesn't have any friends. Then, on one nice day, when she played Baseball for the first time in her life she makes a spectacular Home Run. The next day Jackie Robinson isn't only the Dodger's hero, but also Shirley's.

After you read this book, you will probably know more about China, then when you first touched this book. Many of the changes that Shirley has to make are described funny, some even hilarious. You, no matter how old, or what gender you are, you should definitely read this book.

In the year of the boar and Jackie Robinson
This story is about a little Chinese girl, Shirley, who goes to America and interacts with foreign friends. She couldn't speak English and she had a hard time with adapting to the new culture of America. She got interested in a game called stickball but she spoiled all the games because she didn't know how to play. Everyone ignored her. Read the rest of the book to find out if Shirley gets a best friend or not.
I like the way the author describes the new school and the children in the class. " The room was large, with windows up to the ceiling. Row after now of students, each one unlike the next. Some faces were white, like clean plates; others black like ebony. Some were in between shades" -page.44
I think people who live in new countries other than their home country should read this book because author makes the story interesting and you'll know what it was like for Shirley and what it was like for you. I felt this book was good for class time but I wouldn't choose for myself if I was not in a foreign country.

my book review
(...)

This book starts out in China where a young girl, named Bandit is forced to go to America. She must go because her father wants Bandit and her mother to move to America and make it their home. Bandit is not sad however, because she'll finally get to be together with her father. Bandit takes the name of Shirly Temple Wong and starts her trip to America. At first she struggles but soon, she learns to play baseball and starts making friends.

Something i like about this book is the way it is clear and understandable and also a little funny. Many people would be able to relate to some of her embarressing moments. I think the book is very understandable because there are no big words and the sentences are kept simple. I could just read through the entire book without going back to make sure i read some paragraph right."One sunny afternoon, Shirly leaned out the third story window of P. S 8 slapping the chalk from the class erasers." This quote is one of the good ones. It is clear and the author keeps it simple with enough detail to satisfy the reader.

One part that was funny, and i could relate to was when shirly got lost on her way back from the store."What a fool she was! Nothing but a fool. Utterly ashamed, she hid her face in her arms." This quote from the book describes Shirly after she is lost and gives up. I remember many times when i was young and would get lost alot and start getting scared.

My favorite part of the book was when Shirly is told to go home. She thinks that the kids hate her and want her to go home, but really they meant to get her to run to home base. It is funny how some things can be misconcieving and how people may think very differently from others.

Multi-Cultural Clash?
My book is called In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson. The author of this book is Betty Lao Lord. This story is about a girl named bandit. She gets a letter from her father telling her she is coming to America. It's a long plane ride and a long train ride but she finally made it. Then she thought about what she had to do to fit in in America. She had to speak English and make new friends. Well that didn't go very well. The first person she met punched her in the face but the next day she apologized and taught her how to play stick ball so she wouldn't get in trouble. When she ran the bases everyone called her Jackie Robinson because she was pigeon-toed. Then she started to get interested in baseball. She watched every game from there on that Brooklyn Dodgers played. She was heart-broken when they lost to the Yankees in the World Series. But her next quest was to become class president.
I thought this was a great book. I couldn't put the book down. I would give the book five stars. I would give it five stars because it kept me guessing until the very end. It was also very funny.

The Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson
Reading this story I feel as if I am the protagonist, Shirley Temple, of the book. I think the author has done a good job by writing this book such a story as this, especially for children who move from one country to another. Bette Bao Load's style of writing is so vivid. I can picture Shirley. I like the author's style. This story is about Shirley being in a new country, with no friends and she can't speak English properly. Later Shirley is able to make friends. We can learn a lesson from this story of Jackie Robinson. Shirley wanted to make a difference in her life as well as in America. The book is really good and it makes you realized that we are here for a purpose come what may, with strong determination life will be good . ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Cute but incomplete book about saying goodbye
The little bear says goodbye to his old house. But the book is about an ENDING in life, and doesn't talk about the BEGINNING of what's to come. This book is sad, I think.

Fantastic!
When we planned our cross country move I purchased several children's books that dealt with the subject to read to my two children. This was our favorite. It is a heart warming story about saying goodbye to the house but not to the happy memories. We even walked around our empty house after the moving van had left to say goodbye just as the bear family does in Goodbye House. I am filled with happy memories of our old home every time I read it.

simple plot, but it hooked my 2-year old
The plot of _Goodbye House_: Baby Bear and his parents have packed up the moving van. Baby Bear realizes he has forgotten something, so Baby Bear, Mama Bear, and Papa Bear venture back inside.

But the house is empty! Father bear then says, "But what about the memories?" Papa then carries baby bear around the house, and they say goodbye to each room, to the walls and ceilings, and in the back yard they say goodbye to the fence, and other objects.

After they leave the house and lock the front door, they get back in the moving van and drive away. Baby bear exclaims that he realizes he forgot to say 'goodbye.'

It's a touching book, and it's easy to animate your voice a little bit to make the book funny and playful.

I know you're thinking there's not much to the plot, but my 2 year old son (he was 20 months when we first started reading this book) just LOVES it. When I tell it, I give papa bear's voice a really rough edge, a deep sound, and a New York accent. My son now joins in with me when I bust out with "What about the memories" like an actor in a gangster film. He roars with laughter. And when we're done reading the book, he usually wants me to read it one more time.

I heartily recommend _Goodbye House_ to any families with toddlers, 18 months to 3 years. I also recommend it to any families with children aged 18 months to 5 years who are moving to a new house.

The paperback version is SO inexpensive. For a few dollars more you can add this to your amazon book order. You won't be disappointed.

ken32. ... Read more

Book Description

"Tom The Turtle" walks children through the stages of moving. Forty six beautiful color illustrations using animals, insects, and reptiles invite moving as a positive adventure. In sensitive words, Tom walks children through feelings, thoughts, and action stages.The child participates in simple exercises that make the concepts come alive to the young reader. Tom captures the world of children for spontaneous interaction with the illustrations designed to enhance each move. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

A "moving" book for all ages!
This is a "moving" book for children and adults alike. It is well written and the illustrations are adorable. The charming Tom explores many fears and feelings that we all experience in a move or transition. Highly recommended for children and adults of all ages.

Author's Update
"Healthy Kids" magazine endorses 'LET'S MOVE TOGETHER' to all pediatricians and families. The American Academy of Pediatrics identifed ''LET'S MOVE TOGETHER' as ideal for children who will move. Moving is traumatic for children ages 4-11 and children need special help. 'LET'S MOVE TOGETHER' provides the reassurance children need.

Recommendation
"Healthy Kids Magazine" distributed to Pediatricians in the United States recommends 'Let's Move Together' for children and families who are moving in the October/November issue. The American Academy of Pediatrics identifies moving as one of life's most stressful events for children. 'Let's Move Together' provides the discussion, tips, and coping suggestions for a successful move.

From One Parent To Another
"Let's Move Together" captures all the emotions around moving and fitting in once a child gets there. Schubeck writes honestly about all the feelings we can have surrounding a move from one home to the next. This book allows parents to manage the moving process along with their youngsters. What a great way to reconnect with our children! Clanuwat's illustrations are clean and refreshing--They come to life!

A Valuable Resource
The well illustrated characters guide the young readers in understanding the feelings, thoughts and actions involved in making a transition. This book is a valuable resource for those families in careers that keep them on the move. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Yang the Yuckiest and His Really Terrible Ear
I had to read this book for school and I have one thing to say about it . . . what's the point? How can someone fill a whole book with a kid and his problem with playing the violen? How?

I found Yang the Youngest and His Terrible Ear extremely boring and I found myself saying to myself, 'how did this get published?' while I was reading it the WHOLE time.

AVOID THIS BOOK IF YOU CAN!!!

Yingtao Rocks!
In this boook, Yingtao Yang has a very very talented family. He has two sisters and one brother. Both his mother and his father played in an orchestra back in China where they lived before moving to Seatlle Washington, where this book takes place. Yingtao Yang plays the violin. Yingtao's brother,(Eldest Brother) and father also play the violin. His oldest sister,(Second Sister) plays the viola and his ten year old sister,(Third Sister)plays the cello. His mother plays the piano. Everyone in his family has a very very good ear. Except Yingtao. His father now taeches violin when he isin't in the orchestra. He is an altrnate in the orchestra.Yingtao's father says at his recital there will be a string quartet with all the Yang children, as the last peice,and Yingtao is afraid he will ruin the recital with his screechs on his violin. Then he and his new best freind, Matthew Conner who likes to play violin, do something very dangerous and sneaky at the recital..............

Amazing !!
When I read the first page,I roared with laughter.The whole Yang family had an ear for music except Yingtau,the youngesr Yang in the family.Poor Yintau.He tries to play his instrument,the violin.Soon,he got to know a friend,Matthew who knows how to play base ball and is a beginner in music.Yingtau learns to play baseball and loves the game very much.Yingtau's father is having a recital to encourage children to come to his music class.But Yingtau is afraid that his screeching violin will ruin it.I feel very desparate for him and I wish that I could take a famous violinist and put it in his place.But I wouldn't tell you what happened after this.

Great for second, third, and fourth graders!
This book is very funny and enjoyable. I read it just after it was published. My brother doesn't want to read it, but that's because he's a Nintendo addict. I wish he'd try it because he plays the violin and is almost as bad at it as Yingtao is. Young readers and young musicians will love this book, and kids who don't like to read should give it a chance-they'll like it too. Enjoy!

A "hard to put down" book
This book is great! My students and I have enjoyed it. It is funny and yet serious. There are many topics for discussion. I will definitely be reading it to next year's class. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A pet lover's aid to moving day
Although we were not moving very far, I wanted to prepare my 3 year old with a book to which she could relate. Because we are animal lovers with a dog like Boomer, this book helped my child understand what was going on in her life. The book is told through a narrator in the dog's point of view. The illustrations are also at "dog-eye level." I looked at other books, but this one met my needs the most, because it tells the tale in a vantage point similar to my child's. My daughter is too young to really resist moving, but she didnt' "get" the idea that everything she owned would be coming with us and that the new house would be just as good if not better than the old. Boomer tells the story from a confused beginning to a happy ending once he discovers his new house has wonderful things for him to do and new friends to make. I highly recommend this book to help your little one's moving day transition.

Great book for little kids!
This book is a wonderful book about a golden retriever who know's it will not be a regular day! More and More boxes appear in the house,and less and less things appear in the house and are put in moving vans! Will Boomer like his new home? This is a great book to read to kids who are moving and don't wanna leave!

Boomer's Big Day
This is a wonderful book for those who love dogs and children. The illustrations are clear and detailed showing many household items. My 1 year old son has this book with him at EVERY meal, and spends several minutes on each page, identifying each item. It is a wonderful learning tool.

A great book to read to kids.
This is a great book to read to kids. It has a great story, wonderful pictures with clarity for a 1 yr old, yet enough detail that my 3 yr old still loves it every time. If you like dogs, you'll love this, and if you are going through a move, this book is a must for young kids. ... Read more

Book Description

A stunning first novel about a young girl's coming-of-age in the 1950s.

Tamara Anderson's father is a landscape artist who quickly tires of the scenery, so every year her family seeks out new locations for his inspiration. When the Andersons move to a farmhouse in Sherman, New York, in the spring of 1954, fifteen-year-old Tamara and her mother want to settle down and make it home. Sherman begins to work a strange magic on Tamara and her siblings: there's the proselytizing family in the tar-paper house across the street; the dairy cow that becomes a beloved pet; the dead boy who used to live in Tamara's bedroom; her friend Brenda, who teaches her to swear; and Brenda's big brother, Rusty, an irresistible freckle-faced redhead. While Tamara experiences her first real year of happiness, her mother is diagnosed with tuberculosis, forcing her into a sanatorium. Tamara struggles with her desire to stay in Sherman, her fear of losing her mother, and her anger at being left in charge of two younger siblings while her father escapes into the world of his art. Deeply moving, with a profound understanding of family dynamics and adolescent anguish, Some Things That Stay introduces an unforgettable narrative voice and marks the arrival of a distinctive, new American talent.

Sarah Willis is a Pushcart Prize nominee and has published several short stories. This is her first novel. She lives in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. ... Read more

Reviews (31)

An Excellent Quick Read
This is one one my favorite coming of age stories yet. I started recommending it to friends before I finished it. I think about Tamara often and wonder at her future. Did her family stay in Sherman? Did her father continue to put his art first?

I was also drawn to the cover of this book -- like Sarah Willis's writing style it is gentle and ties in nicely with the story. This was my book of choice to give to friends in 1999.

You're drawn into this book and want to stay awhile.....
This book had been sitting on my shelf for awhile so as a break from all the chick lit I have been reading, I decided to crack the cover on this one and I was not disappointed--Infact, far from it. I think the author made a very wise choice in having fifteen year old Tamara narrate this story. Her fiestiness and very wry sense of humor often made me chuckle out loud. Having life filtered through Tamara's eyes very much endeared her to me and made the story come alive.

In this coming of age story, Tamara not only has to deal with her body's physical changes and her curiosities about sex, but heaped upon it all is the fact that her family is moving again. (They have moved almost every year of her life.) Her Father, Stuart, is an eccentric painter, hence the reason for all the moving. Add to that Tamara's mother is highly intellectual. She doesn't believe in anything that isn't concrete. Because of this Tamara struggles with her feelings about God. During her four month stay in Mayville, NY, Tamara has met many people that have undoubtedly changed her life, she has dealt with death head on, kept her family together, and even learned how to deal with her emotionally bankrupt father.

This book was a pleasure to read and left me with a peaceful feeling in my heart. I will probably order Sarah Willis' next book as soon as I am done writing this review.

"Just another coming of age novel" this is not.
Tamara Anderson doesn't remember the last time her family lived in a community, because back then she was three years old. That's how many rented houses ago? Every year her father moves them to a new location, because he's a landscape painter and every year he requires a new vista.

So Tamara, Robert, and Megan's only on-going relationships must be with each other and with their parents. For Liz Anderson, her husband is her only friend in the world. She spends her considerable energies supplementing her children's public education, and embarrasses Tamara with frequent letters to whatever school her eldest is currently attending. Making sure the authorities know that the Andersons are devout atheists, civil rights advocates, and so on. Views which, in 1954, are flash points for the rural communities where her husband's work takes them.

Only now, as the story of the family's four months in Mayfield, New York begins, an overwhelmingly weary Liz seldom rouses herself to write such letters. She can barely drive her youngsters to the library. When the Murphys, a poor but lively Baptist family across the rural road from the Andersons' rented farm, invite the children to church, Liz tries to argue but winds up letting fifteen-year-old Tamara and the younger ones go. Partly because she must honor their intellectual curiosity about religion, but mostly because she's simply too tired to debate the issue.

Tamara's summer to grow up has arrived. Whether or not she's ready, she must look at her parents as people and face their mortality. For the first time since she can remember, their island within the larger world can no longer operate self-sufficiently. Liz's illness forces them to accept help which the Murphys offer-as do their landlords, a Methodist couple who moved out of the farmhouse after their only child (a boy just a year older than Tamara) died there.

"Just another coming of age novel" this is not. It captures a time and place, rural America in 1954, with a lack of sentimentality that should refresh even the most jaded of readers.

--Reviewed by Nina M. Osier, author of "Love, Jimmy: A Maine Veteran's Longest Battle"

This Book Will Stay With You
This is a touching, beautifully written tale of an unusual family and the 15-year-old daughter, Tamara, who is forced to hold it together while her mother battles TB in a sanitarium and her artist father fails to cope. As someone who also moved many times as a child, and was often forced to care for younger siblings, I can fully relate to Tamara's feelings. It wasn't until I became a mother myself that I was able to gain some perspective and understand that most parents do what they are able to do in often impossible circumstances. You'll love this book and all of its humor, wit, style, and yes, tragedy. Take the time to read it. This tale will be one thing that stays.

True to heart story triumphs over purple prose (no pun)
One problem I have with novels in which the narrator is a child or teenager is that normally their voice is too adult. After all, the author is an adult. I can imagine how hard it must be not just to write well, but in a sense to "act", because you're not a child anymore. This is why I so enjoyed Some Things That Stay. The narrator, Tamara, is a very smart and mature 15 year-old, but she is truly her age.

I have a weakness for coming of age stories, and this one will remain in my memory for a long time. Tamara is the daughter of an itinerant family. She is longing to put roots down, but this doesn't seem to happen. One issue that the book addresses so well is the difference in perception that parents and children sometimes have. For the parents, it is such an adventure to go live all over the country, when in fact Tamara is outraged. After a discussion on sex (quite a big deal in the 50's, I suppose), with pictures included (after all, the father is a painter), Tamara says: "They imagine themselves great teachers. They swell with pride at their openness, their boldness, their ability to get out the facts. But they started with us much too early, and now, when a frank talk about sex might actually interest me, they have collapsed into themselves, like those distant galaxies, the hot air and gas all burned up."

The novel covers one year in the life of Tamara's family, a year that will change everything and everybody. Sometimes the prose can be a little corny (in a letter from the father to the mother: "She needs you. You are her reds and yellows and greens, her indigo, emerald, and ultramarine. I am only black"), but overall this is a very satisfying book, a story that rings true in so many instances. For example, Tamara despises her father at times (she once called him "Cosmic Cretin"; another time she said: "Maybe [God's] a little bit like my dad too: blinded by His own light"), yet she loves him so deeply. A contradiction so strong and so real takes some skill to portray, and the author does that beautifully. This book is a must-read. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day was first published in 1972, catapulting a lovable, if peevish, young hero into the world of children's literature. Since then, Judith Viorst--mother of three boys, one of whom is named Alexander--has created two more Alexander books, Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday and Alexander, Who's Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move.

This wonderful Alexander-fest features the complete tales, illustrated by Ray Cruz and Robin Preiss Glasser, much to the delight of fans who want to introduce Alexander to the uninitiated. Viorst says that she has been writing always--"or at least since I was seven or eight, when I composed an ode to my dead parents, both of whom were alive and well and, when they read my poem, extremely annoyed." If you've ever gone to sleep with gum in your mouth or dropped your sweater in the sink while the water was running, you'll be able to relate to Alexander, and so will your favorite kids. (Ages 4 to 8) ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Alexander loves Alexander
Okay, I'll admit it. It's cool to see the look on Alex's face when he gets books that have his name in them. And this was definitely a winner. We'd checked out 'the horrible, terrible, no-good, very bad day', so I knew he'd like this one. Of course when we read it together he reads what Alexander says. It's pretty cool.

Who hasn't had a "terrible, horrible no good very bad day"
I grew up just loving Alexander in Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day. My mother read it to us a children (ok, so now you know I'm not too old!) and I was just thrilled to see such a good copy of not only it but the other Alexander stories as well. The library binding is very nice and this book will definitly be a keepsake for my children someday. If you like to have books to pass on, this one's for you!

Absolutely Positively Alexander - Fantastic!
My son's name is Alexander (goes by Alex). I gave this to him as a birthday gift and we have read it over and over many times. The three short stories are just the right length for a bedtime story. This book has humor and the boy, Alexander, is one boy that all children can relate too. The illustrations are great too! I highly recommend this for any child.

Teaches Kids About Everyday Challenges......
.....that they or their friends may have to face in their young lives. In one story Alexander deals with issues surrounding moving to a new neighborhood. In another he deals with the repercussions of spending all his money. And, in the last, he deals with just a plain old bad day where nothing seems to go right. In each story Alexander feels kind of glum and is afraid that no one understands his struggle. By the end of each story though, he learns a lesson and learns his responsibility for his actions. The stories don't end on particularly happy notes, where all works out despite everything, but rather shows a given realization being reached by young Alexander: that if you spend your money frivolously, you won't 'be rich', that everyone has bad days and it's just part of life, and that sometimes we have to do things we are afraid of and that we don't want to do, such as move to a new neighborhood.

The stories are written on about a second grade reading level. Kids ages seven and eight will have little difficulty with the language or with following the story line. Honestly though, I'm not sure that kids this age will get the moral of the story on their own. They may just see the ending where Alexander doesn't get what he wants as unfulfilling until an adult explains further.

You may as well get the whole set in one book!
Judith Viorst, well known adult author and the mother of sons, uses real life frustrations for this humorous (because its so true) story line, featuring Alexander, the youngest brother in a a family with three boys.

The first book is the best - Alexander has the worst days ever in "Alexander and the Horrible No Good Very Bad Day" (the best of the stories). In "Alexander Who Used to Be Rich," he fantasizes about all you do with a dollar, while in the third book, he resists (as most kids do) the family's need to move far away.

My own sons have enjoyed these books - starting in 1972 and into the present. The stories are not dated, as any parent of a child like Alexander can tell you - every untied shoelace is a major tragedy, a move around the corner can be traumatic and 'unfair,' and a dollar can buy you just about anything when you're in that wonderful 4 to 8 year old time of life.

Parents reading the book will see the humor. Children hearing the words will feel as though they are being understood.

As kids grow up (8 to 9 is about the end of the line for this series) they'll begin to see the humor in Alexander's thoughts.

Well written, with illustrations that are well above average, these books are a wonderful addition to any family library. And as long as you are going to get one, you may as well get all three and save yourself time and money! ... Read more

Book Description

"Ten-year-old Howard Jeeter's life is temporarily destroyed by a cross-country move. His first contact in Massachusetts is Molly, an intrusive first-grader, whose attempts to be friendly drive Howard to distraction. Park writes in a witty and bittersweet style about the awkward, super-sensitive age of early adolescence; her humor reflects and sharpens the sensibilities of her readers in the areas of family and friend relationships. Another first-rate addition to the middle-grade popular reading shelf."--(starred) School Library Journal. Reading level: 4.5. ... Read more

Reviews (22)

This book was about Howard moving from Arizona to Mass.
This book was about a boy named Howard Jeeter that had to move from Arizona to Massachusttets.If you are one of those people who have to move, I think you should read this story. It's called The Kid in the Red Jacket by Barbara Park.This book reminds me of the day I had to move to another school and I didn't know where the bathroom was. Anyway, I think you should read this book.

The kid in the Red Jacket
Do you like moving? If so you'll like this book. This book is about.The main charter 10-year-old Howard Jeeter didn't want to move with his family all the way from Arizona to Massachuettes. He didn't want to leave his freinds and neighbors, but he had to be brave and do it. Well, he meets this young six-year-old girl Molly Vera Thompson. Molly thinks of Howard Jeeter as a friend. But Howard Jeeter thinks of Molly as a young,annouing,freak! In this book there are a lot of funny parts. Howard Jeeter makes to important friends one friend matters, and his name is Pete, and another friend that is a wiseguy his name is Olley. There is a lot of adventures in this book. Barbara Park did a great writing piece. To find out more read this book.

the kid in the red jacket
This is a good book.There is a kid named howard who has to ignore this little girl named molly vera thomsan.That is a funny little girl.she comes over about every day.I read this book it was just like ma coming over to my friends house.But Idid not have red frizzy hair like moll's hair.I did the game keep away with my little sister.If you wamt to hear more read this good book.The kid in the red jacket.By my favorite author Barbra Parks.

The Kid in The Red Jacket
The Kid in The Red Jacket is a great book. It is one of the greatest books I have ever read. In the story the main character is Howard Jetter.Howard has to move from Arazoina to Massachutes leaving his two best freinds Rogger and Thornsberry behind. When he gets to his new
house he finds out that he lives on Chester Pewe street.
But he finds out something worse. He finds out that a little girl named Molly Vera Thompson lives right across the street from him. Throughout this whole book, Molly is following him and embarassing him in front of his new friends. To find out more, read this really, really good book.

The kid In The Red Jacket
The Kid In the Red Jacket was a ok book.I reckamend this book to people who had to move and have to go to a new school and have to deal with making new friends and missing old friends.The main charecter is Howard Jeeter .He is a ten year old boy trying to fit in with kids.There's an annoying little girl on the block named Molly Vera Thompson who is six. Howard is trying to do whatever it takes to get rid of her. Howard starts to make friends, but something very bad happens. To find out what happens, read the book Kid in the Red Jacket by Barbara Park. ... Read more

Book Description

There are lots of children on Hill Street, but no little girls Betsy's age. So when a new family moves into the house across the street, Betsy hopes they will have a little girl she can play with. Sure enough, they do--a little girl named Tacy. And from the moment they meet at Betsy's fifth birthday party, Betsy and Tacy becoms such good friends that everyone starts to think of them as one person--Betsy-Tacy.

Betsy and Tacy have lots of fun together. They make a playhouse from a piano box, have a sand store, and dress up and go calling. And one day, they come home to a wonderful surprise--a new friend named Tib.

Ever since their first publication in the 1940's, the Betsy-Tacy stories have been loved by each generation of young readers.

Reviews (21)

The wonderful first book of an enchanting children's series.
Hooray!!! I am so thrilled these books are in print again. I read them all (several times!) as a child growing up in the 1960's in a town 30 miles from "Deep Valley", (aka Mankato) Minnesota. I inherited them from my mother's childhood collection. But when I moved to California in 1969 no one had heard of them. My, now 14 year old daughter, read, and re-read the 3-generations-old books and loved them as well! She and I both rejoice to see these timeless stories enjoying a national rebirth. They've even made the movies...Meg Ryan's book store owning character in the 1999 movie "You've Got Mail" refers to Betsy, Tacy and Tib. Maud Hart Lovelace would be pleased and proud!!!

Charming!!!
Somebody said: It is never too late to have a happy childhood. Well, reading Betsy-Tacy will give anyone a good idea about what a nice childhood is about. This is the first book in a series of books about Betsy. The reader follows her from age five, as she is in this book. It is absolutely delightful! Betsy's life changes much to the better as a new girl her age, Tacy, becomes her neighbour and her best friend. Together, they play and explore the world around them. Reading this book is so enjoyable ... it leaves the reader with a nice feeling of satisfaction.

Fabulous Books...Buy a Set for Yourself & For Young Readers!
When I first discovered these books, I had to order them on inter-library loans...all over the state of California!! Then in about 1994 the books were reprinted!! What joy. I own all 10 of them and Carney's House Party (which I love) and the Horse Cart one (can't think of the name!!) Thanks to Harper-Collins for republishing them. So my advice buy a set for yourself and all the young readers in your life!! Buy them so they won't go out of print again! I love them for the warm homey life they portray and the friendship between the girls. I love the talking about food and picnicing and the family relationships. I am 44, but when I have a sick day, these are the perfect books to reread!

Wonderful stories
Girls just want to have fun. Betsy and Tacy know how. This series takes them from age 5 through high school. Any girl would enjoy reading it, and in the process she'd learn a great deal about friendship, family, school, and boys.

A difficult book to love today
It is not as if I wasn't primed for this book at an early age. As a child I was quite obsessed with any books that had the name "Betsy" in them. The excellent and little known, "Understood Betsy" by Dorothy Canfield was written in 1917 and remains one of the sweetest unsentimental children's stories today. Yet even young I consciously avoided the Betsy-Tacy books like the plague. I was aware from an off-hand flipping through them that these were not stories I would enjoy. They were about little girls who had rather wimpy (in my opinion then) adventures. Where were the exciting city scenes of the "All-of-a-Kind-Family" books? Or the beautiful descriptive passages of the "Little House" books? I was disappointed by these books as a child, and I am afraid my opinion has changed little since growing up. The books are maudlin and lacking in spunk. The most gripping scene in the book is found on page five when Tacy flees from Betsy. Spunk is not unknown to little girls in books from this time period. Girls in the books already mentioned had it. My beloved "Caddie Woodlawn" had it. Heck, "Anne of Green Gables" was fairly overflowing with it. Is this to say that every little girl in every book from the past should be spunky and wild? Not at all. But there must be some interest there. Something that a girl today can read and latch onto. Friendship is the overarching theme of this book, and it carries the story as far as it can. Just the same, I have my doubts that any child uninitiated into this series by an earnest parent would naturally gravitate to it in the library today. It would also not read aloud well to boys, I suspect. I may be incorrect and as I write millions of little girls are falling in love with these stories on their own daily, but it seems a little unlikely. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Funny Book
"Amber Brown is Not a Crayon" is one of the funniest books I have ever read and maybe it could be for you too. In the book, Justin and Amber were best friends. All of a sudden, Justin is moving away and they get in a fight. They figure out that getting in a fight over a silly little move is very silly indeed.

Like Friendship? Read This Book!
How would you enjoy getting into a fight with your friend? In Amber Brown is Not a Crayon by Paula Danziger, Amber Brown got into a fight with her friend, Justin. Unfortunately, Justin is moving away. I really like this book because it reminds me to get along with my friends.

Student from G.P.

My Favorite Amber Brown
I gave this book five stars because it was humorous, happy, and a really good book.It was about a girl named Amber Brown that gets teased in school because of her name, and about her being a crayon.My favorite part was when Amber and her friend Jason become best friends.

A Fun, Light Read!
I love these Amber Brown books. I'm thirteen, so these books are a fun, light read. The books follow third grader Amber Brown, who, in this book, is coping with the fact that her best friend, Justin, is moving. She must learn to deal with her feelings with Justin. It's funny and sincere and you'll definatly like it!

Amber Brown Is Not a Crayon
This is a very cute story. In fact, instead of waiting for bedtime, my 8 year old daughter took it upon herself to read it during summer vacation. It is a story she could relate to and enjoyed ... Read more

Book Description

Alexander is not going to leave his best friend Paul. Or Rachel, the best babysitter in the world. Or the Baldwins, who have a terrific dog named Swoozie. Or Mr. and Mrs. Oberdorfer, who always give great treats on Halloween. Who cares if his father has a new job a thousand miles away? Alexander is not -- Do you hear him? He Means it! -- going to move.

Alexander's back, facing another of childhood's trials and tribulations with Judith Viorst's trademark humor and keen sense of what's important to kids. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Judith Viorst comes up with another great Alexander story
"Alexander And The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" is an absolute classic of children's literature, even if I have heard Judith Viorst's story done way too often at speech tournaments. The idea of feeling so mad or sad that you want to move to Australia remains one of the great punch lines. In "Alexander's Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move" she comes up with a story almost as good. Alexander might talk about moving to Australia, but when his mom and dad tell him that the family is moving to a new home a thousand miles away he decides that he is not going to move. He is not even going to pack.

His father might have a new job a thousand miles away and there might be a new house a thousand miles away but Alexander does not care. Right next door to the new house there might be a boy who is the same age of his brother Anthony and down the street there might be a boy the same age as his brother Nick, but Alexander figures that there is probably nobody for a thousand miles who is his age. He will never have a best friend like Paul again or a great sitter like Rachel. Alexander has a long, long list of favorite friends and special places that he will never have again if he moves. Therefore, he is not packing. Never. Not going to happen.

"Alexander's Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move" is illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser, who pointedly does so in the style of Ray Cruz, who first illustrated Alexander in print and who was unable to complete the work on this endeavor. This book might come in second to the original tale, but for any kid who has to deal with the trauma of moving (as an Air Force Brat my family moved a half-dozen times when I was growing up) this story will ring true and help put things in perspective. Final Note: I was surprised to read that Judith Viorst has three sons named Anthony, Nicholas, and Alexander. This must have made for an interesting household. I wonder what happened to Alexander when he grew up. Maybe he moved to Australia.

Do you hear me?
This is a continuation of the Alexander books. We should all have read about his terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day already. I also use this book in my classroom and have found that while the kids do like to hear another story about this adorable little boy, this story just doesn't click with them. The success of Alexander's other stories came from the way kids were able to relate to his situation. This book just doesn't have that.

What it does have though is a wonderfully planned out story and some good imitations of Ray Cruz's original depictions of Alexander. Again, things just aren't going Alexander's way and his imagination begins to spin ways he can keep from moving with his family. He learns his brothers and parents are much more understanding of his situation than he first thought however.

Why 4 stars?:
This book still deserves a place in your library, however it can't compare to the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Still, children will enjoy hearing another story about Alexander and if any of them have moved or are moving, they will get even something more out of this cute story.

Alexander is definately moving...off the charts!
Alexander, Who's Not (Do you hear me? I mean it!) Going to move by Judith Viorst is a great childrens book. It is wonderfully illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser. The storyline is realistic and approaches a subject in a creative style. It is attractive to young readers and manages to shed light on Alexander's negative feelings towards moving. Alexander ends up happy and so will the reader.

Leslie (Who liked the book) talks
I thought this book was a very good book for kids of all ages. i'm sure you would agree with me. The book talked about everyone pacjing and getting all of thier things ready for the bid move and how Alexander was being stubborn. This would be a good xmas present for someone planning on moving. This book was long enough to get the message across, but not too long.

I thought this book was funny.
This book was funny because Alexander didn't want to move, and he kept saying "I'm not-DO YOU HEAR ME? I MEAN IT!-going to move." He kept thinking of going to other people's houses and asking to stay. The pictures were funny especially when he had kisses all over his face. This book would be good for somebody who is moving. I think a third grader would enjoy this book because it is funny. ... Read more

Book Description

I'm Not Moving, Mama!
is Little Mouse's constant refrain, as Mama packs up his favorite things in preparation for the family's move. But for each thing about his old home Little Mouse can't bear to leave behind, Mama tells him of something they'll share in their new home -- until Little Mouse realizes that what's most important is being together, even if it is in someplace new. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Moving -- the good news, the bad news
Moving is never easy for children. But Nancy Carlstrom's mama mouse affirms the fears of her child while offering a future full of possibilities. The pictures are great, with lots of little details for young readers concerned about the transition and location of all their "stuff."

Wonderful
We are on the brink of moving and my 3 1/2 year old loves this book. The little mouse in the book doesn't want to move, but all the while he's watching his mom pack up all of his favorite stuff. The mom ensures him that their new home will have all the great things that their old one does, but will be even better. This book has sparked some great conversations with our son about moving and how we will always remember the fun times we had in our old house, "but it's better to all together in someplace new." This is a great book for a child to "read" along - he/she will enjoy saying "But I'm not moving, Mama!" throughout the book. ... Read more

Book Description

Westward Ho!

Congress has ruled that settlers in Kansas Territory will decide whether Kansas will enter the Union as a free or a slave state. Charlie Keller's papa is an abolitionist, and he's moving the family to Kansas so he can cast his vote for freedom.

Papa and Momma, big sister Ida Jane, even baby Sophie, seem excited about being pioneers -- but not Charlie. Why couldn't they stay back home in Massachusetts with Grandpa and with Charlie's beloved old dog, Danny, who is too old to make the trip? Turning the wild Kansas prairie into a farm is hard work, filled with worries and danger. Will Kansas ever feel like home to Charlie? ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great chapter book series!
My son loves the Prairie Skies series and can't wait for OUR KANSAS HOME. It's a warm family story but full of rich historical details that never overwhelm the plot. My son is in fifth grade but is a reluctant reader, so I'm always on the lookout for books that hold his interest but that aren't too babyish. Highly recommended!

Exciting historical fiction!
As a teacher and as a parent I've often been frustrated as I try to help my kids study for history tests about the pre-Civil War era. They have to learn about the Kansas-Nebraska Act, but it's just another date to memorize. But in Hopkinson's new chapter book, kids get a look at what life might have been like then. The note says she used letters and manuscripts to research the time period, and it shows. Even though the book is geared for third graders, my fifth grade classroom has enjoyed it too. Highly recommended! ... Read more

Book Description

He likes his new room and his new street. The policeman and the mailman are very nice. But what Freddy really needs are friends -- and he looks everywhere until he finds them!

Reviews (2)

Great book for the new reader in your house
I am a college student right now who volunteers at a local elementary school. I am doing a reading system with them and this is their favorite book to read. It is written for k-1st grade level and the topic of the book relates to what children go through when they move into a new neighborhood. It also teaches the children to make new friends. Freddy is the main character in this book and he tries to find new friends until he finally meets some boys at the park who are playing baseball and they let him play with them. I recommend this book to any family who is trying to start their child towards the reading path.

Syd Hoff is perhaps the finest childrens author around.
This story is great for teachers to read on the first day of school. The illustrations are simple yet compelling. It is also a great book for a teacher to read when a new student arrives. It can be read over and over again and never loses it's appeal. Syd Hoff's simple nature of writing inspires young people to read. ... Read more

Book Description

For María Isabel Salazar López, the hardest thing about being the new girl in school is that the teacher doesn't call her by her real name. "We already have two Marías in this class," says her teacher. "Why don't we call you Mary instead?"

But María Isabel has been named for her Papá's mother and for Chabela, her beloved Puerto Rican grandmother. Can she find a way to make her teacher see that if she loses her name, she's lost the most important part of herself? ... Read more

Reviews (8)

How do you solve a problem like....?
A sweet story that kids will easily identify with. I found this book very easy for a small child to understand, and I appreciated the theme that any kid can take to heart. Not fitting in and the fear of not being liked by one's superior (in this case, a teacher) is a universal theme. The fact that Maria gets saddled with an incompetent teacher from the start doesn't help matters for her anyway. As much as I'd like to rail against the idea of a teacher changing her student's name because, 'We already have two Marias in this class', I know that there is no lack of incompetent, yet well meaning, teachers in the world who'd do this very thing. It isn't entirely clear in the story why it is that Maria doesn't discuss her problems with her parents or her teacher. People reading this book to children should make it clear that Maria would have dealt with a lot less misery if she had simply told someone why she felt badly. And some kids may wish for a more concrete ending than the one offered here. Why doesn't the teacher apologize to Maria? In any case, this book might fit in well with other stories of new kids in school. Even the Ramona Quimby books would pair nicely, as a very different little girl dealing with school and her teacher.

Ave Maria!
This book shows how not to be culturally insensitive. It is a bit on the serious side, but told in a very simple, straightforward way that will warm the hearts of all readers. The author is a brilliant storyteller who brings forth an important social issue. I strongly recommend this book to teachers. And then, if you want to have some fun, read DRUM, CHAVI, DRUM! to the class. MY NAME IS MARIA ISABEL is a Puerto Rican Story. DRUM, CHAVI, DRUM! is a Cuban story. These books, and a few others, represent the growing need for Latino literature in our country. It is about time that publishers wake up and realize that Latinos need books about our experiences in order to bring forth cultural understanding and pride in our cultures. I highly recommend ALL of Alma Flor Adas books. She is one of the greatest children book authors around.

Super Story for Teachers
I read this book in college as a part of a book club required by the school. I loved this book as soon as I read it. It can teach teachers how to be culturally sensative to all their students. A name is a very important possession to most of us. It is an only possession to some children. It is also good for those teachers who are stuck thinking that children "should just learn our language" when in reality it is a long process. I would like to recommend this book to those who are teaching children ESL and those regular classroom teachers who have ESL students in their rooms. I loved it!

This book is good to read with your family.
This book is about a girl named Maria Isabel that came to the United States from Puerto Rico to a new school.She doesn't like her class because there are two Marias so her teacher calls her Mary.That name gets her in trouble because Maria thinks that the teacher is calling on someone else.The teacher gets mad and Maria can't be in the play. She gets to write about her greatest wish. What will her wish be? I liked this book because it was cool and fun. It was cool because I liked Maria's imagination. She said a trash can full of snow looked like an enchanted tunnel. I think what the author is trying to tell you is that teachers should call you by your real name, not the name that they want to call you.

It is a good book to read to your class.
This book is about a little girl named Maria Isabel.She came from Puerto Rico. There were two girls named Maria in her class so her teacher called her Mary. When her teacher called her Mary she didn't pay attention. Her teacher got mad and she wouldn't let her be in the play. Maria tells her parents that she is going to be in the play. What will her parents say when they don't find her in the play? Will Maria still get in trouble? I like the book because it has a happy ending. The author is trying to tell us that if you have a wish and you believe it,it may come true. ... Read more