Book Description

Durante veinte aÑos, La mariquita malhumorada ha deleitado a los pequeÑos lectores y oyentes. Sus dibujos audaces y su texto humorÍstico nos relatan la historia de una diminuta mariquita, como no hay otra. La mark quita malhumorada no acostumbraba a decir "por favor' ni "gracias"; no le gustaba compartir nada; pensaba que era mÁs grande y mÁs importante que los demÁs; y siempre estaba lista a provocar una pelea. De acciÓn continua y con atractivas pÁginas troqueladlas, esta historia invita a los niÑos a explorar los conceptos de tiempo, tamaÑos, formas y buenos modales. AprenderÁn,a la vez que se divertirÁn, con el cuento de cÓmo esta malhumorada fanfarrona se encuentra con "la horma de su zapato" y se convierte en un insecto bueno y educado.Recientemente reimpreso, utilizando las ilustraciones originales, La mariquita malhumorada, mÁs atractiva que nunca, continÚa siendo uno de los libros preferidos de los niÑos por su originalidad y su belleza.

Book Description

If things hadn't changed, Charlie wouldn't have been arrested and sent to Rahway Correctional. Ty'ree would have gone to college instead of having to work full-time to support them. And Lafayette wouldn't have all of these questions in his head: Why did their parents have to die?When did Charlie turn into such a stranger?And how are the three of them going to make it through when so much seems to be set against them? With Miracle's Boys, the acclaimed Jacqueline Woodson scores another triumph.

"This compelling novel is . . . reminiscent of S. E. Hinton's The Outsiders and That Was Then, This Is Now." (The Horn Book)

"Readers will be caught up in this searing and gritty story . . . An involving novel about a family struggling to remain intact in spite of tremendous obstacles." (Kirkus Reviews) ... Read more

Reviews (22)

Miracles are Forever
This book is about three boys (Ty'Ree, Charlie and Lafayette.) Their mom and dad both
died. So now Ty'Ree has to take care of Charlie and Lafayette. Charlie is not very good.
He was sent to Rahway, which is like a type of jail for kids. He tried to rob a candy store.
While Charlie was gone his mom died. Charlie is now friends with another mean person.
His name is Aaron. Ty'ree and Charlie are both very nice people. This was a very good
book for people between the ages of eleven and fourteen. This book kept me interested
pretty much throughout the whole book. It was very exciting. I would recommend this
book to anybody who is struggling with family problems, or anything else having to do
with their family. Ty'Ree is very smart. Ty'Ree passed up college to take care of Charlie
and Lafayette. He used to go to the park and launch off rockets with his friends. He was
accepted to MIT. People call him St. Ty'Ree since he is so nice. Lafayette (Laf) is always
very nice. He calls Charlie Newcharlie. This is because after Charlie went to Rahway he
came back mean. Charlie calls him a Milagro killer. This is because their mother's name
was Milagro. Spanish for miracle. When Charlie was in Rahway their mother died. Laf
was the first one to see his mother dead. She died of an insulin attack from her diabetes.
He didn't call for help for awhile. It wouldn't have mattered though because she was
already dead. Charlie still calls him Milagro killer though. Charlie used to like animals
like dogs and cats a lot. Once he tried to save a dog that was hit by a car. Almost everyday
he called the vet to see if it was still alive. Then, one day he called and it was dead. He
felt very sad about that. This book has many flashbacks in it. There is one where Ty'Ree
is having a flashback about his dad's death. He is climbing on a tree while his dad is
reading the newspaper. They are at the park. There isn't very many other people there.
All of a sudden somebody screams. A dog and a woman have fallen into a hole in the icy
lake. Ty'Ree's father jumps up from the bench he was sitting on and runs out to help the
lady and her dog. He grabs a tree branch and holds it out to the woman, but when she
grabs a hold of it, it breaks. His father jumps into the lake, saves the woman and the dog
then, comes out freezing cold. Paramedics are there and his father assures them he is fine.
A couple of days later he died of hypothermia. This was a very good book. I found it quite
exciting. The reason I didn't give it five stars was because it didn't really keep me glued
to my seat waiting for what would happen next. I gave this book four stars.

Miracle's Boys
The reasoning behind the star rating is the story's about a few African-American boys trying to survive without theire parents. When the oldest son was a pre-teen his father died of hypethermia. Then, a couple years before the book was taking place, their mom died suddenly in her sleep. The heartwarming part it that Tyree (the oldest), who finishes high school, decides to put his plans and future dreams on hold so he can be qualified as Charlie and Lafayette's parental guardian. If not they'd have to move far away with their aunt. Jus because of the love and shear courage of the characters is why this book deserves five stars.
The main conflict in this book is between Charlie, who just got out of Juvenile Boys School, and Lafayette. There constant fighting is because Charlie is always trying to look cool in front of his gang friends. He also blames Lafayette constantly for their mother's death. At the end though Charlie has to go to the police station because his "boys" didn't stick up for him. This shows him that his brothers are his real "boys."

Very beautiful.
Lafayette never got a chance to meet his father; his dad died before Lafayette was even born. Though he misses having a dad to do boy stuff with, Lafayette didn't know the man enough to miss him personally. When his mother dies, though, Lafayette is crushed. He misses her terribly --- every day, with every thought.

Lafayette's oldest brother Ty'ree misses their mother just as much. With both parents gone, Ty'ree is now responsible raising Laf and also looking out for middle brother Charlie who has just returned from doing time in a juvenile detention center. In addition to being full of sorrow, Ty'ree is bitter: If he didn't have to look after his younger brothers, Ty'ree would have been able to attend college. Now, he works like a dog in the mailroom for a big company and is tired all the time from trying to make ends meet. Laf tries not to ask too many questions, or cry too much, or to want things they can't afford. On top of it all, Charlie just keeps acting out and getting in trouble. If he caught by the police again, Charlie and Laf will be made wards of the court.

Author Woodson has a wonderful talent for writing about kids in tough situations. You really understand how someone in Laf's position might feel. This is a touching novel about a family trying to stay afloat through some really hard times. Their mother, whose name was Milagro, (Miracle in Spanish) was the center of the family and held them together. Now they must rely on each other while learning to deal with the death of their mother. They already got their one miracle --- can they stick together without one?

This is a quiet novel that you can read quickly. All the action takes place in one day, but it never feels hurried or too busy. If you are looking for a book that makes violence, gang life, and fighting brothers seem dramatic or glamorous, this is not the book for you. But if you want to read a realistic story about how these elements of urban life affect a small, loving family, try reading MIRACLE'S BOYS. Laf has tremendous reserves of kindness and love, and the bravery to show his emotions when he feels them. This whole novel is sometimes very sad, but it ends on a hopeful note. And as is usual with this author's work, it's also very beautiful.

--- (...)

This book
You really need to read this book I'm reading it is school and my class loves it. All teachers need to let there kids read this.

my review
Miracle's Boys
Miracle's Boys is one of the best books I've ever read. It's sad, funny, and very serious at times. The title Miracle's Boys comes from the three boys mother, her name means miracle and they're her boys. This book was so good that I couldn't put it down. My favorite part in the book was when the author tells what happens to they're father. I'd recommend this book to people who like, sad /slightly funny books or people who just like drama.
By: Chante ... Read more

Amazon.com

Sure, he can catch a greased pig at a local rodeo, but can he bake biscuits?Ten-year-old Justin struggles to "feel like a guy" in a family dominated by females. When he goes to spend a week at his grandfather's ranch, he discovers there's more to being a man than riding horses and tending to livestock. There's also cleaning up messes, making beds and, from time to time, baking biscuits--good biscuits. Along with its lighthearted treatment of gender conflict, this story, which won the 1987 Coretta Scott King Award, provides a look at the little-known history of the black cowboys who helped settle the West and create rodeos. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A great look at the past
I had my fifth graders read this book and they loved it. They couldn't put it down. It's an excellent look at an all too unknown group of people in history--Black Cowboys. It's also a wonderful coming of age story. It comes highly recommended from the students of St. Malachy School.

Believe in yourself!
Justin and the best biscuits in the world is about a little boy named Justin. Justin is not very tidy at all. When his grandpa comes to stay Justin gets to go back with his grandpa who lives on a ranch. When he believes in him self and tries he did all the stuff he could not do before.

A great book that teaches that you can do anything!
This is a great book about an African-American boy named Justin. Over the course of a stay with his cowboy grandfather, he learns that there is no such thing as women's work, you can do anything once you learn how, and a cool history lesson about black cowboys. My 4th grade students loved it and we had a great debate over whether there is a such thing as women's work!

Not the most exciting book, but otherwise pretty good.
Not the most exciting book, but otherwise pretty good. Justin learned to be self-confident and to try, try, try. Very motivating, in that, it gives a very good, real-life encounter. ... Read more

Book Description

When he was born in 1879, Albert was a peculiarly fat baby with an unusually big and misshaped head. When he was older, he hit his sister, frustrated his teachers, and had few friends. But Albert"s strange childhood also included his brilliant capacity for puzzles and problem solving: the mystery of a compass"s swirling needle, the intricacies of Mozart"s music, the secrets of geometry—set his mind spinning with ideas. In fact, Albert Einstein"s ideas were destined to change the way we know and understand the world and our place in the universe. In spare, precise text filled with graceful detail and accompanied by sometimes humorous, sometimes lonely portraits, Don Brown introduces us to the less than magnificent beginnings of an odd boy out. The result is a tender rendering of the adventures of growing up for one of the most important thinkers of the twentieth century. ... Read more

Book Description

Winnie Barringer’s best friend, Iggie, has moved away. How is Winnie going to make it through summer vacation?

Then the Garber family moves into Iggie’s House, and Winnie is thrilled. The problem is, not everyone is as welcoming as Winnie. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

What I Think...
Iggie's House is about a girl named Winnie Barringer and
her best friend Iggie who has moved away. When Winnie finds out that the new family next door is black, Winnie gets really exicted, but not everybody is happy. Mrs.Landon (or Germs Inc.) is putting out a petition to send the Garbers away just because they're black. So when the going gets tough, Winnie tries to do something about it.
What I think about this book is that it can teach you about how hard minorities have it sometimes. It's a wonderful book and teaches you not to judge a person by how they look. I recommend that if you want to read this book you should not be predjudiced and if you are it would teach you a lesson. I loved it and it's a great book to read again and again.

A COOL BOOK
Iggie's House is one of my most favorite Judy Blume books.This book is about a girl named Winnie that becomes friends with the Garber children , Tina, Glenn,and Herbie, who live in Winnie's old friends house named Iggie. There's only one problem. Mrs. Landon (a.k.a. Mrs. Germs) doesn't want the Garbers to live in the neighborhood because they are black. Some parts that I really disliked was when Mrs. Germs put a mean sign in the Garbers front yard. Another part I really disliked was when Winnie slaps Herbie in the face. See if their problems are solved. I hope you will enjoy this book!!!!!

Different colors go great together!
This is a story about a girl named Winnie that soon finds out you cannot judge a book by its cover. Her bestfriend moved to Japan and the new people that moved in were black. Being the first black family in the neighborhood, it made many people very upset. Mrs. Landan was a neighbor that was so upset she wanted to get a petition signed to make them move away. After a short time the new kids,Glenn, Herbie, and Tina, became friends with Winnie. When this happened, Winnie decided to help get them to stay and for people to be nice to them. At the end of the story the new family ended up staying and the mean Mrs. Landan moved away. It was perfect.

I loved the story because it was easy to read and interesting. I can't imagine not liking someone because they were a different color then me. I liked Winnie because she figured this out before anyone. I am glad it is not like that where I live. I recommend it to kids 9 and up only and I think adults should read it too if they are like Mrs. Landan.

Iggies House
Iggies House diserves 4 stars because it is a wonderful book and easy to read. It only takes about 3-4 days if you read a good 1/2 half hour. You should read this book because it's a great story with good meaning to it. The book is worth an easy 4-6 points. You should read this book!

Jessica McCain

Worthwhile
"Iggie's House" is about an 11-year-old girl, Winnie Barringer, who befriends her new neighbors (the Garbers, who have two sons--Glenn and Herbie--and a daughter--Tina) when her best friend (Iggie) moves out of the house they move into. While Winnie doesn't have a problem with the Garbers being black, several of her neighbors do since the area had always been occupied by white residents. So out of loyalty to her new friends, Winnie sets out to crusade against the racism in her neighborhood.

Although "Iggie's House" isn't my favorite Judy Blume book (though I doubt I'll ever give her less than 5 stars on any book), she's great at tackling social problems, such as racism in this book, showing how children typically see things in just black and white, so to speak. Though prejudices aren't as easily overcome as shown here, "Iggie's House" is still a great learning tool for preteens. ... Read more

Book Description

Dora is playing hide-and-go-seek with Boots. And Dora thinks she can find Boots by looking for things that are red, just like his red boots. Readers can help Dora by lifting the flaps to find her friend -- and other things that are red! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Where is Boots?
This was my daughter's first Dora book, which we received as a gift for her first birthday, before either of us even knew who "Dora" is. My daughter fell in love with it and at 22 months, still asks to read it at times. She is now a big Dora fan. Basically, Dora is playing hide and seek with her best friend, "Boots," and on each page there is a flap to lift to see if he is there or not. I give it a 5 based on her enjoyment of it over the months. ... Read more

Book Description

The new kid in school needs a new name! Or does she?

Being the new kid in school is hard enough, but what about when nobody can pronounce your name? Having just moved from Korea, Unhei is anxious that American kids will like her. So instead of introducing herself on the first day of school, she tells the class that she will choose a name by the following week. Her new classmates are fascinated by this no-name girl and decide to help out by filling a glass jar with names for her to pick from. But while Unhei practices being a Suzy, Laura, or Amanda, one of her classmates comes to her neighborhood and discovers her real name and its special meaning. On the day of her name choosing, the name jar has mysteriously disappeared, but encouraged by her new friends, Unhei chooses her own Korean name and helps everyone pronounce it–Yoon-Hey. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

The author chose Rachel as her name. What will Unhei do?
Unhei is starting school in America. Although she has a lovely Korean name that means "grace," she thinks maybe she would like a more American sounding name. Her classmates make a name jar and offers suggestions. This story is affirming of the multicultural experience. When Unhei complains about her name, saying that she doesn't want to be different, her mother counters, "You are different, Unhei....That's a good thing!" Choi superbly illustrates her own story. The characters, though simply painted, have expressive faces.

Should be read in every elem.school. What does yr name mean?
Yangsook (Rachel) Choi has written AND illustrated another illuminating book. Unhei has moved from South Korea with her family to America; she has brought her clothes, bags, and a name "chop" stamp from her grandmother. Her schoolmates cannot pronounce her name on the bus, so she doesn't reveal her name to her classmates. Is it good to be different? Should she embrace her difference? In America she can still eat seaweed and kimchi; she can shop at Kim's Market and Fadil's Falafel. But maybe a name of Amanda, Miranda, Daisy, or Tamela would be better than Unhei (Yoon-hye). The kids at school put name suggestions in a jar on her desk, but on the day she will choose her name, the jar has disappeared. Who took it? What will Unhei decide to do? Did Mr. Cocotos her teacher have a hand in this? Will all the kids want to choose a new name? A must read for every elementary school.

The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
Excellent piece of literature that addresses the emotional impact of change. The Name Jar pulls at the core of American assimilation and a loss of individuality to appease the intolerance of differences. Unhei must adjust to a new country, culture, school, and classmates, while she finds the transition from Korea to America difficult.

A sweet story
I picked this book up in the library yesterday and loved it. The pictures and the story are engaging, and work well together. This would be a great picture book for teachers in diverse district. I predict this book will win some awards this year! ... Read more

Reviews (45)

Wow,what a book!!
When was the last time you read a book that keeps you in suspense? Well, let me recomend the book Weasel by Cynthia Defelice. This book keeps you in total suspence as the characters encounter different situations.

Cynthia Defelice's powerful look on surviving in the wilderness with a killer on the run is very exciting. The character Nathan never would have expected that this could happen to him, but it does. The dreams that haunt him of a killer named Weasel were true, until a man named Ezra came along. His silence leads to discovering, who weasel was, and why he never spoke a word. If you like exciting books that keep you on the edge of your chair, you will enjoy this book.

A Tongue Takiing Adventure
One night Molly and Nathan hear a knock on the door. Nathan opens it and sees a tall man with a locket in his hand. The man gives the locket to Nathan. He examines it and knows that it is Pa's. Pa left 6 days ago to go hunting. He always kept the locket on no matter what happened. It always reminded pa of the kids and their mother who had died. They follow the man thinking that pa is hurt. On the way they see Weasel. He is a coldhearted man who will kill anyone. The man that they are with is Ezra. He can't talk because Weasel cut his tongue out of his mouth. When they get to Ezra's house they find their father. He is hurt, because he got caught in a man-eating trap. Nathan travels back to their home to feed the animals, but everything doesn't go as planned. **This book is non-stop action, and adventure. After every chapter it leaves you wanting to read more. You can not stop. So, what will happen next, read and find out!!!!

WEASEL
This was a vary good book. It is rather a short book but it is compact. It is an easy read and tells about how life was in the mid 1800s in the rural areas. It takes place in Ohio and is written from the point of view of an 11-year-old boy. Nathan and his sister Molly are home alone on the farm after their mother died, and there Pa had gown missing. They are visited by a strange looking man, Ezra, who leads them deep into the woods to find there Pa who has been badly hurt by weasel. Weasel is a man who went around killing and steeling whenever he could.
The kids and Pa stay with Ezra for a few days until Nathan goes back to the farm to feed the animals. He finds the farm trashed and most of the animals either dead or missing. Nathan knows this was done by weasel and when he is on his journey back to Ezra's he is captured by weasel. He manages to escape and weasel shoots himself in the foot. Pa gets better and they all leave Ezra and return home. Weasel had told Nathan horrible stories about cutting out Ezra's tongue and killing his wife. Now Nathan wants revenge.

Weasel - a 4 STAR BOOK
Weasel was an interesting book for me a 10-year-old boy. I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes disgusting things. The book's moral was boring and obvious. Some parts of the book were extremely BORING BORING BORING !!! The story was mostly scary, BUT OVERALL, THE BOOK IS SORT OF INTERESTING.

For 10 year Olds, Great Novel... But...
Highschool english teachers take Note: I'm in Highschool, and am forced to read this against my Will, and The story may be fine, but doesnt help the students strive for "higher order thinking" like you want us to. This book is a fine adventure, but for making someone opening their eyes to a real-world dilemna through fiction, there is nothing to be shown. It is just the typical Good versus Evil that is overly stereotypical. I would reccomend this for a reader in about the 4th - 6th grade, and even in 6th grade it's pushing it. Make them read 1984, or Animal Farm, Brave New World, or A Clockwork Orange, even The Giver has it's merits. Don't make the Youth a bunch of boors. ... Read more

Book Description

Staggerlee is used to being alone. As the granddaughter of celebrities and the daughter of an interracial couple in an all-black town, she has become adept at isolating herself from curious neighbors. But then her cousin, Trout, comes to visit. Trout is exactly like Staggerlee wishes she could be: outspoken, sure of herself, beautiful. Finally, Staggerlee has a friend, someone she can share her deepest, most private thoughts with. Someone who will teach her how to be the strong girl she longs to be. But is Trout really the girl Staggerlee thinks she is? ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Touching!
It is a beautiful story. It addresses issues of racism, interracial marriage, a high school girl's crush..on another girl, a beautiful friendshp all without ever sounding preachy. The writing is crisp, descriptive and succinct.

This book is great!!!
I loved everything about it. Her selection of words how she put so much thought into such a small book it was wonderful. i couldn't put it down and finished it in 2 days! ... Read more

Book Description

The sky had not yet begun to lighten, and Jin-Ha could see hard fingers of frost pressing on her window, outlined by the light from the streetlamp. She wanted to stay in her warm bed and never come out. Being cold -- and knowing you were going to be even colder before you got any warmer -- was the worst feeling.

Reviews (9)

Fabuloso?
This book is about a girl named Jin Ha and she is Korean. She just moved from Korea to Minnesota. Her mother doesn't know much English and avoids Americans. Jin Ha is taking an advanced math class and is flunking it. She tells her parents that she is doing well in math and her mother believes her. Jin Ha then asks her friends, but they do not know what to do.
I didn't really like this book because it was very dull and boring in some parts, but some of the parts were okay. The book was slow and not exciting. I would reccomend this book to people who like slow and easy books to read. There is not much of a good plot or excitement to it, but that is just my opinion. Although it is boring and dull there is a great lesson to it.

F is for fabuloso
This book is about a girl named Jin-Ha.She has moved from Korea and now lives in Minnesota. As she starts her new school in Minnesota, she meets many new friends. But she has some trouble with the honor roll classes she herself has singed up for.Jin-Ha really doesn't like the honor class, Math.She has some troubles with the test she has to take.She even scored and F on one test.When she went home her mother asked if they had gotten their tests back, what could Jin-Ha do? So she told her mother that F was for Fabuloso.When she meets a boy named Grant Hartwig, he notices that she has had some trouble in math. And for all the times he and his hockey friends have been mean to her he decides it would be nice if he helped her with his math.After studying with Grant at the library she does really well on the test they had the next day in math. Jin-Ha told her mother the truth about the F.

This book was really good; I enjoyed reading it very much.I thought it was quite awkward in some parts; but it was interesting to see how good Jin-Ha did so well in a completely different school. I thought Jin-Ha was brave and not afraid of what people might think of her and that's why I like this book because it inspires people to be themselves and not care what they look like, dress like, or what their religion is. I would give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars!

Quite Fabuloso
F is for Fabuloso, by Marie G. Lee, is a great book!I would give it four stars.The story begins when a young Korean girl named Jin-Ha, who recently moved to Minnesota, is beginning a new school year.Although this will be her second year in an American school she will still be adjusting to changes that she is not used to.Some of these changes include the honors math class that Jin-Ha is recommended for.
Jin-Ha decides to take the class because she is confident in her math skills.Little does she know that not only is this a harder class than she is used to but her teacher's teaching skills confuse her. This turns out to be a problem when Jin-Ha is faced with a surprise pop quiz.She takes the quiz but is completely confused because she doent know any of the material since she only copied the answers from the back of her book for homework.Her grade turned out to be her very first "F" ever!She couldn't believe it!What was she going to be since she had a huge test in ac couple of days she coulnt let her grade slip any more than it was.Jin-Ha studied all she could but just coulnt understand the material.When she is given the test she is still confused and earns another "F"!What was she going to tell her parents?She knew how upset they would be since her family was centered on education.When her mother asked the grade she got she answered grimly "an F" her mother asked, "is that good?" Jin-Ha forgot her mother only knew Korean grades!So Jin-Ha answered back "oh yeah F is for um Fabuloso, that's it Fabuloso!"her mother was very pleased but Jin-Ha wasn't, she had never lied to her parents before! Why didn't she just tell the truth?The only way she could make everything up to her parents would be to study very hard and ace the next test.
Find out if Jin-Ha improves her grade and pleases her parents by reading this Fabuloso book by Marie G. Lee!

Delightful!
This book was on a recommended reading list and I just loved it.It helped meunderstand the kinds of things immigrants--and their children--go through when they move to this country.I don't teach any more, but if I still was, I think a book like this would have been extremely helpful.Also, Jin-Ha and her friends are such appealing characters without being unreal or too-sweet.They have real problems but they tackle them with aplomb.

reminds me of me
I also came to this country not speaking any English and this book was so good!it brought back so many memories.I hope teachers and other people will read this book to get an idea what it is like for children who are in a new environment and language.thank you ... Read more

Book Description

**Chosen as an American Booksellers Association autumn 2004 Book SenseChildren’s Pick!** A Musical Journey is a new children's book thattakes young readers on a musical tour that celebrates the diversityof China’s land and its people. This beautifully illustrated book isboth educational and entertaining. The CD of folk songs that comeswith the book includes 12 musical themes that correspond to the factfilled text. A Musical Journey is a trip the reader/listener willenjoy taking many times over. The musical selections are fun for all;the text is suggested for children age 6 and over. -- Nanci Carlson,President FCC-AZ Chapter & Newsletter Co-editor ... Read more

Reviews (89)

A Well Fought Struggle
When The Legends Die is the kind of story that will grab and hold your enthusiasm. This story starts off with a young boy named Tom Black Bear being left in the wilderness alone, after his parents both die of sickness and injury. Tom is the member of the Ute tribe, and in an effort to revive his traditions, he moves into town. Tom gets tricked into going to school, but he later escapes to become a bronco rider. Tom meets many characters on his quest to find inner peace, and most of these people take advantage of him. When Tom's friends die, he takes his life to the mountain that he was raised on. Tom lives with his grief until he lets go of all the pain he has suffered. The story ends with Tom reaching complete happiness in his home on top of Granite Mountain.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book because the author, Hal Borland paints a very precise image in your mind. He mixes Tom's delicate emotions with the enormous strength that Tom possesses very well. This story can relate to almost anyone he has ever fought for something, because that is what the core of this story is about. Tom struggles to survive the hardships of life, and the decision to live or die is his alone. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an exciting book that makes you feel like you have accomplished something when you finish reading it.

AJ's thoughts on this book....
Well the book was very easy to read and even easier to follow. When you first start to read it you realize that the author is very into Native American Culture. The plot of the story is about a young boy's life, how he grows from a child to a man. The first chapter is him growing up with his mother and her man, about the strugggles they have living in the old ways. The book then follows the boy through school and on to the rodeo, where he makes a name for himself, and then back to the woods and the old ways. The author pays great attention to the details of the how the indians live during this time. It was hard not to stay up all night to read the book it was captivating and intertaining. The reading was easy, much like a Junior High School level of reading. Other than this fact I thought that it was a wonderful book that most people should readby the time they get into high school.

Intriguing and Profound!
Many words can describe this book, but I personally would choose two: intriguing and profound. I believe Hal Borland has written a classic, in When the Legends Die. Though it may lack the action and suspense characterized by many fiction works about the American Indian, this novel's message holds a much stronger feeling that not many other forms of entertainment can arouse. This story takes you through an emotional rollercoaster from start to end. One can only imagine the pain and suffering that the protagonist, Thomas Black Bull, had to endure. It makes you ponder the question of how far you would go to perpetuate your culture.
When the Legends Die is the story of a Ute Indian, by the name of Thomas Black Bull, whose life is constantly under a 'tug 'of 'war' between the new, the western way, and the old, the Ute way. When he is still very young his father murders a fellow Ute, and they are forced to move into the wild to live on their own. Within a few months of settling in their new home, both his father and mother die, and Thomas is left to fend for himself in the wilderness. As he grows older he becomes very in tune with nature, and lives in harmony on his own. It is then that he is forced into school to become more 'westernized.' He struggles to hold onto his culture, but eventually it is lost. He gives in to the constant attempts by the white men to assimilate the young Ute boy into the Western culture. Years pass and the boy becomes a man. His culture is in the past and has long been forgotten. As a professional bronco rider, he becomes a famous, yet bitter man. All of his pain and anger towards life is taken out on each bronco he rides. This is until one day, when his riding career was ended by a tragic, nearly fatal accident. It took him to be nearly killed, recover, and return to his hometown for him to finally realize the truth- in spite of how hard he tried to forget his past and his culture, it was always a part of him, and it would never change. When he finally returned to his place of birth, he reconciled with his past, ancestry, and culture. It was a major turning point in his life that brought the cycle to an end. As his mother spoke of in the beginning of this story, life is a circle- and now his circle had finally completed. He was back to where he had started. A simple man, living off the land and the lifestyle he knew best. He had overcome the struggle. He had overcome the odds.
It is this compelling story that portrays a message of cultural value and belonging. In today's society, many of us struggle with our past and our future. The truth is that we can live in harmony with both. Without our past we would never have a future. I would recommend this book to anyone who values their culture and heritage. Borland's writing compels the reader to imagine one's self in the position of the protagonist. How would you react to his problems? How far would you have gone to perpetuate your culture? Its message is truly profound, and once you are done you will be left with a yearning for more.

Legends do die
I was forced to read this book for a highschool English class during the 90's, but it wasn't bad. I recently cleaned out a bookcase and discovered the book again. I read it once more and it was lots better than I had remembered. It was a great book about finding yourself, hardship and loss. This is not my typical genre of book and yet I still enjoyed it. I would recommend this book as a adequate read, but not something that keeps you at the edge of your seat.

Search For Identity , 3.5 stars
When the Legends Die follows the story of Thomas Black Bull, a Native American from the Ute society, and his struggle to keep his roots within another's society.

After his parents' untimely deaths, adapts to sufficing for himself in the wilderness. He becomes one with Nature, meeting a family of bears in the area, and renames himself "Bear's Brother" because he feels a closeness to one of the bears in the family. Eventually he is taken to the white man's world and put through a school, but finds school tiresome and boring. After trying to return to his place, he is once again found and brought back. Consequently, he begins to live in a world that he does not want to adopt, and forms a bitterness that carries into his adulthood.

At the very core of this novel is the effort to return to one's origin. Tom Black Bull takes on several names (Bear's Brother, Devil Tom Black), and this signifies his lack of identity. He ultimately finds his identity only through the trials of controlling people and an abusive world. He takes his anger out when he becomes a bronco rider, attempting to abolish his memories with rebellious riding and attitude toward people.

This book has a simple narrative, but the message is certainly deeper than it looks. The euphoric revelation for the individual is finding out who he is and what is significant in life's journey. This is what Tom must discover through the many setbacks. Although the book can be a bit tedious and repetitive, it has a beneficial message to those who read it. ... Read more

Book Description

Third Sister in the Tao family, Ailin has watched her two older sisters go through the painful process of having their feet bound. In China in 1911, all the women of good families follow this ancient tradition. But Ailin loves to run away from her governess and play games with her male cousins. Knowing she will never run again once her feet are bound, Ailin rebels and refuses to follow this torturous tradition.

As a result, however, the family of her intended husband breaks their marriage agreement. And as she enters adolescence, Ailin finds that her family is no longer willing to support her. Chinese society leaves few options for a single woman of good family, but with a bold conviction and an indomitable spirit, Ailin is determined to forge her own destiny. Her story is a tribute to all those women whose courage created new options for the generations who came after them.
... Read more

Reviews (35)

Ties that Bind, Ties that Break.
The book took place in China back in 1911. Most of the story took place in Nanjing and in Shanghai, China. Ailin was born in a compound in Nanjing, China. At the time of the story she was only four years old and did not have her feet bound. You see back then if a girl did not have her feet bound then she could not be married. Ailin was to marry a boy by the name Hanwei liu. The marriage was called off because she refused to have her feet bound. As time went on Ailin got older and found out that not everyone was going to show her respect like her father did. Ailin had lost her grandmother and then about five years after she lost her father. Her Uncle was in control of the compound now, even though she did not want to admit to herself. She had to follow his rules and that meant no more public schooling. Once she stopped school, her English teacher gave her private lessons. She was forced by her uncle to take up a job, so she worked as a nanny for the Warners. The Warners had two children; a girl, age six at the time and a boy age five. Ailin worked for the Warners for three years and that's when she was asked to go to America. At the age of sixteen Ailin left China on a boat with the Warners. You see the Warners were missionaries who had a home in San Francisco, California. While on the boat she meets a guy by the name James Chew. His father owns a restaurant in San Francisco. The Warners decided to move back to Nanjing but this time Ailin wanted to stay. She was getting married to James and they were going to open their own restaurant.

A Great Read!!!
The Ties That Bind, The Ties That break is a tale set in China, the year is 1911 and it focuses on a playful little girl named Ailin. Ailin's marriage has already been arranged, but nothing is finalized until she has her feet bounded. An aged old tradition that has been done to her grandmother, her mother and even her sister. How will it feel? Does it hurt? Ailin wonders. One night she watches her sister unwrap her feet. She can't get over the smell. She decides she will not have her feet bound. With her father's support, Ailin has broken society's tradition. But, there are many consquences for this defiant act. There are many challenges Ailin will have to face. The Ties That Bind, The Ties That Break depicts how one young girl's determination alienated her from her family and changed her life forever. This book is good insight into the history of Chinese culture and is told is such a way that it is very hard to put down. The style of writing is very easy to read and the story flows naturally. The reader will definitely get a sense of having an insider's perspective to this aged old Chinese tradition. This book will surely be enjoyed by many readers including young people and adults. This book is also a great way to introduce mulitcultural issues to the young reader.

Strong female chinese heroine
Namioka creates a strong female character in Ailin, who must fight social and cultural stereotypes in early 20th century China. Ailin a young girl fights to change her future and destiny by not having her feet bound, a tradition that goes back centuries in China. By doing so she must find strength in herself as she explores a new culture, language and world.

Ties That Bind, Ties That Break: A Review
The practice of foot binding has a long and contentious history. For centuries, Chinese women were purposely crippled by having their feet forced into tight little balls. This was done when the women were very young, and it began by pushing their toes toward the ball of their foot, and tightly binding them into place. Over time their feet were permanently deformed. Ostensibly, the reason for this practice was that tiny feet were prized in China as a sign of beauty. Only peasants left the feet of their daughters unbound.
Ties That Bind, Ties That Break takes place in China at the beginning of the twentieth century. The author, Lensey Namioka, tells about a young girl, Tao Ailin, who refuses to get her feet bound when her family tries to bind them at age five. The story goes along and follows Tao as she struggles to succeed in life at her own terms. The book shows how a simple action can effect and dictate someone's life.
The book is a wonderful representation of what middle-class life is like in the early twentieth century. Although written for a young adult audience, Ties That Bind, Ties That Break is suitable for all ages. It was a great and well-written book. It was short and sort of left you out on a limb at the end. I was hoping that the story would continue, it almost seemed like a part of the story was cut off. The characters seemed to be very well-thought out. Each person affected Tao in different ways and it was great how carefully Namioka shows that. It's also great how she shows a change in society. How even though when she was little, foot binding was how to show you were a proper young woman, by the end of the book, a character from Tao's childhood meets up with her and explains how China had changed.
Overall, Ties That Bind, Ties That Break is a a great historical novel. This story is written with amazing detail, emotion, and sense of reality. It brings to life the hardships of the thousands of women that had bound feet, and the few who resisted the cruel practice. As you get caught up in the story, you will forget all else. I highly reccommend this book to anyone looking for a realistic fiction novel.

Good book, disturbing subject
I enjoyed this look into a different time and world. The heroine was very brave and resisted having her feet bound. She paid a price for this as her family rejected her. Her strength of character saw her through. My only criticism is that the author didn't say in an afterword whether the book was true. ... Read more

Book Description

From rescuing a dog stuck in a hot car to saving a toddler from drowning, secret agents Julian, Huey, and Gloria have done a nice bit of crimebusting. But what they really want is to nab a real-live bank robber and earn the $25,000 reward. Just when it looks as if they might get their man, the police chief steps in, and the supersleuths find that they’re the ones who are in trouble, with a capital T!
Ann Cameron is the bestselling author of many popular books for children, including The Stories Julian Tells, More Stories Julian Tells, The Stories Huey Tells, and More Stories Huey Tells. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

The Crime Team
I enjoyed reading this book because the illustrations are funny.The funny partsmade melaugh sohard mystomach ached. I will tell afriendto readthis book if theywantagood laugh.

Julian Saves The Day
Ienjoyedthisbookbecause itwasveryexciting.Theauthor usedvocabularythatwaseasyformetounderstand.The illustrations were very detailed and matched the text. I recommend reading this book.

TheGreatAgents
The story Julian Secret Agent is one of my favorite booksbecause I love books with a little mystery. I can look at thesilly illustration in this story and laugh for days. We are finishing our unit on realistic fiction books and this book was a pleasure to read.

The Wizard and the Reward
I recommend the book because it's exciting. First,I like it because Julian, Gloria,and Huey are crimebusters. This leads to many adventures for them. You can read about the Great Goo Goo and The Wizard.Will they get the $25,000 reward?Read this great book to find out what happens.

Julian on The Case
I enjoyed this book because the language used was veryexpressive.I also enjoyed this bookbecause it had funny parts in the book.I highly recommend reading this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Delia loves Double Dutch more than just about anything, and she's really good at it -- so good she and her teammates have a shot at winning the World Double Dutch Championships. Delia would die if she couldn't jump -- but Delia has a secret, and it could keep her off the team next year.

Delia's friend Randy has a secret too, one that has him lonely and scared. And while Delia and Randy struggle to keep their secrets, their school is abuzz with rumors about what malicious mischief the terrible Tolliver twins -- who just may have a secret of their own -- are planning.

Delia and Randy's secrets collide on what should be the happiest day of Delia's life, and the collision threatens to destroy their friendship. Why can't life be as easy for Delia as Double Dutch? ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Learning the Ropes
Secrets run rampant amongst the eighth graders depicted in the book DOUBLE DUTCH. The main character of the book, Delia, has been keeping her illiteracy a secret for years. She has an excellent memory, which she uses to hide the fact that she cannot read. She is terrified that her secret will be revealed when her teacher announces an upcoming standardized test. Delia's, "friend" Randy is also carrying a heavy burden. Abandoned by his mother, Randy finds himself on his own after his truck driver father disappears. Not knowing where to turn, Randy begins to pawn goods and pray that his father has not deserted him like his mother did. The Tolliver Twins (Titan and Tabu) terrorize the school and neighborhood. Their behavior is so bad that their mother takes them on national television to get help. However, a tragedy shows everyone a side of the Tollivers that they had never seen before. Yolanda is Delia's best friend. She happens to be a compulsive liar and brings comic relief to the seriousness of the book.

Aside from having secrets, the characters in this book are brought together by their love of double dutch. The book does an excellent job telling a brief history of double dutch and portraying the hard work and determination it takes to participate in the sport.

Sharon Draper had written an excellent book that shows the dangers that keeping secrets may have. Dealing with issues of illiteracy, abandonment, fear, and preconceived notions, this book has a little something that all preteens can relate to. My only criticism is that I wish the reason Delia could not read had been explored more. This is another great novel from a wonderful author.

Reviewed by Latoya Carter-Qawiyy
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

An escape of Life
Double Dutch was an amazing novel about the lives of troubled 8th grade students. Delia has a problem, she can't read, and chooses not to tell any one. Until 8th grade when Delia's best friend, Yolanda, questions Delia's ability to read. Yolanda spices up the mixture of characters with her urge to stretch the truth. Delia and Yolanda also hangout with Roger. Roger also has a secret; his truck driver father has been missing for weeks. He chooses not to tell anyone because he is scared that he will be separated from his father, since his mother ran away. Randy sacrifices VCR's and other appliances for money to survive. Later he finds out that his father was almost beat to death, when he refused to give up his truck to thieves. On top of all of their personal problems they also have to stay clear out of the way of the Toliver Twins. They are over grown 8th grade twins that only want each other and if you are in their way they will beat you up until you remember next time to watch out. The only escape these friends have is Double Dutch. Double Dutch is their time to shine, a place were nothing can go wrong, and where nothing else in the world matters except the rhythm of your feet and the rope beneath them. Yolanda and Delia are amazing jumpers and like to sound of success. Roger is their equipment manager and keeps the team very organized. Read Double Dutch by Sharon M. Draper to find out if the lives of these friends ever change for the better.

Do not be decieved by the title!
I am a 13 year old girl from New York. Lately I have had a lot of trouble gettting into books and I almost stopped reading this one! That would have been so stupid! "Double Dutch" si one of the greatest books that I will have ever checked out of my library! "Double Dutch" is about Delia, an 8th grade girl who, surprisingly has a big secret.. She CAN'T read!!! Her best friend Yolanda formally known as Yo-Yo confronted her about it when she learned the truth. This is a big problem even though you do not need to read in order to compete in double dutch... but it is oneo fthe biggest things everyone needs to know how to do. Yo-Yo adn Delia are superbe Double Dutchers. Their 2 teammates: Misty and Charlene are very good as well. When the "World Championships" are held in Cincinatti the girls are veryeager to compete and win. Their assistant named Randy also works hard with the team. Randy has abig crush on Delia and would do anything for her. Th two are good friends. There are two people that everyone at school are afraid of.. THE TOlliver Twins, Tabu and Titan. THe two black boys walk through the hallways with out any expression on their faces. But when the storm hits are people going to figure out their secrets and will Yo-Yo be ok? This book is soo awesome and I am so glad to reccomend it to other readers around the world.

Double Dutch
When I first read this book, I was surprised that the girl said she couldnt read. I was thinking "How can her parents not notice?". It was a good book, but kind of unrealistic in this day and age because all kids are being taught how to read, write, add, subtract, ect, because of the law. ... Read more

Book Description

It’s summertime at the neighborhood pool, and Lily has her best friend pickedout: Tamika. But Tamika already has a best friend and doesn’t care about Lily. No matter howhard Lily tries to impress Tamika—from getting Mama to buy her a new bathing suit to havingDaddy help her practice her dive—nothing works. Told in Lily’s honest first-person voice andpaired with beautiful water color illustrations by E. B. Lewis, this charming story will help kids learn about what a true friend really is. ... Read more

Book Description

Can a fish talk? Can it jump and play and run -- especially run -- just like a small boy? When Lakas and his dad go shopping, they meet a very special fish that can do all these things and more! But this fish won't stay put in its fish tank. Once it leaps out, a cast of unusual Manilatown characters chases it down Kearny Street and all the way to San Francisco Bay. Hoy, hoy! Will Lakas and his friends ever catch this sly and charming fish? Lakas and the Manilatown Fish/Si Lakas at ang Isdang Manilatown is the first-ever bilingual English-Tagalog story set in the U.S., reflecting the historical heart of the Filipino community. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

HO, HOY!!! FUN, VIBRANT STORY!
WOW! Did you know that Filipino fish could KISS??? Muuuuua! My nieces are in love with this bilingual (Filipino/English) story. It takes them through Manilatown following a singing fish. The illustrations are vibrant and alive. Makes you want to go out and find a kissing fish!

We own almost every book by Children's Book Press. They suddenly jumped from storytales to FUN books. Another bilingual (Spanish/English) book that I highly recommend from this press that just came out is DRUM, CHAVI, DRUM!/TOCA, CHAVI, TOCA! The little girl character is feisty and funny. It is set in Little Havana's Calle Ocho Festival. I commend Children's Book Press for being the first to publish books that are the first of their kind. An applause for this outstanding filipino book! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A profound look at history & community
In 1847 an impoverished displaced group of Choctaw Indians collected from their meager resources the sum of $170 to send toward food relief for the Irish Potato Famine.

Through the memories of Choona, now known as Tom, who is very, very old, we learn of how he, as a young man, at last learned of that part of his family's history about which no one would speak & yet everyone looked so wounded. The Long March, when his people were forced to walk from Florida to Mississippi all through one fearsome, killing winter.

The Long March is rich in American history & memory. The marvelous drawings create a magically real place. This is a must for anyone who loves looking at other ways to live in community; other ways of teaching the spirit to grow & learning about courage, wisdom & respecting the memories.

An amazing book - to be read & read again & again & the pictures to be studied & dreamed over. Beautifully evocative.

This is a moving and beautiful book with awesome drawings.
(I got this book in Dublin, Ireland, recently.)

This is a truly delightful book.The drawings are lovingly created and the story is both touching and well written.What makes it even more compelling is that it is based on a wonderful true act of human generosity over 150 years ago, from one impoverished people to another, who, although worlds apart in both distance and cultures, had a common enemy, in hunger and oppression.

The author travelled to Oklahoma to research the book and has gone to great lengths to ensure the drawings are authentic as well as inspiring.I particularly like the drawings of the great-grandmother and indeed,the clever shadow of the American eagle when Choona raises his arms in the final drawing as well as the subtle, celtic symbols to be found in this same drawing. "The Long March" is a must for the millions of us with Irish-American heritage - every Irish American child should read this book! ... Read more

Book Description

Shek marvels at the new world as he and his brother, Little Wong, arrive in California. Along with hundreds of other workers, the brothers are going to build a great railroad across the West. They plan to save enough money so that their mother and little brothers can join them in America. But as days grow into months, they endure many hardships-exhausting work, discrimination, and treacherous avalanches. Inspired by actual events, this story reveals the harsh truth about life for the Chinese railroad workers in 1865, while celebrating their perseverance and bravery. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Historic Story of Early Chinese-Americans
Delightful story of two young boys who leave China and travel to US to earn money to send home. It begins because a grandmother is trying to teach her grandson the importance of honoring their ancestors.

The story is told by the young boys as they take us on the voyage, into the work camps and show us a glimpse of the predujices they faced in America.

It shows of the love the two boys have for each other and how they sacrifice to see to each others needs during this hard time. In spite of what they face, the boys remain optimistic.

The illustrations are beautiful.

Elliott at Ashley River Creative Arts El.
I think it is a great book that I think everyone should read. It was a great story that had good detail and had awesome illustrations that go really good with the book. I also think that the railroad was a great Place for the two of the characters to work at all through the story.

Richmond from Ashley River Creative Arts El.
I give this book 5 stars because it has beautiful illustrations. The pictures look life like.

Branden From Ashley River Creative Arts El.charle
The part I like about Coolies was when they went to put the dynamite on the edge of the cliff. Chris Sentpient is my favorite Illustrator because he writes good book. I gave you 5 stars.

Trevor from Ashley River Creative Art EL.
The illustrations brought the book to life. My favorite part was when the boy went down in the cliff to put the dynamite in the rocks because I thought he would lose a finger from the dynamite. The pictures were so cool. I give the book 5 stars. The book was incredible! ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (3)

Historical Education
"The Encounter" written by Jane Yolen, is a historically accurate fiction. As a departure from the other writing style she shows, this book is not light-hearted, but rather a serious work written with an intention to educate. Of course, to keep the reader focussed and interested in a story that s/he may have heard hundreds of times already, some high drama is added.

The book leaves one with a slight over-all feeling of sorrow, but accomplishes its purpose. Read it, even if you decide not to own it. For a bit of a pick-me-up, re-read Jane Yolen's "Wizard's Hall" (very entertaining, even after four years of looking).

Fantastic for "walking a mile in someone else's shoes".