Book Description

Jess Aaron's greatest ambition is to be the fastest runner in the fifth grade. He's been practicing all summer and can't wait to see his classmates' faces when he beats them all. But on the first day of school, a new kid, a new girl, boldly crosses over to the boy's side of the playground and outruns everyone.

That's not a very promising beginning for a friendship, but Jess and Leslie Burke become inseparable. It doesn't matter to Jess that leslie dresses funny, or that her family has a lot of money -- but no TV. Leslie has imagination. Together, she and Jess create Terabithia, a magical kingdom in the woods where the two of them reign as king and queen, and their imaginations set the only limits. Then one morning a terrible tragedy occurs. Only when Jess is able to come to grips with this tragedy does he finally understand the strength and courage Leslie has given him.

Reviews (548)

A Great Friendship
Have you ever wanted a good friend? If you answered "yes", then you should read Bridge to Terabithia. This interesting and exciting book about friendship will teach you about love, determination, and loss. Jess Aarons wants to be the fastest runner in the fifth grade, but when his new neighbor, Leslie Burke, comes to school the challenge is even harder for him. Even though Jess didn't become the fastest runner, he found a new friend in Leslie. Jess and Leslie also found a magical place in the woods that they called Terabithia. It was a private place just for them. Jess likes to draw, he's a good friend, and he's nice. Jess has two older sisters. They're lazy, selfish, whiney, and bossy. Jess also has a younger sister named Maybelle. She follows him everywhere like a cute little puppy, but he draws the line when it comes to Terabithia. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who likes great books about friendship.

Bridge to Terabithia
Katherine Paterson wrote a book called, ''Bridge to Terabithia.'' The novel is about a fith grade boy namd Jesse Oliver Aarons who dreams of being the fastest runner in the fith grade. Jess has a poor family life, but when a tomboy named Leselie Burke moves in from Arlingtron, Virginia his self-esteem is jolted up. Together they create a magical kingdom named Terabithia. When a tradgety happens Jess realizes the strength Leselie gave him. Realistic fiction is this seventies book's genre. Find out what the tradgety is and read the novel, ''Bridge to Terabithia.''
Do I personally like this book? You bet! I especially like the special ending and how it matches the title. My opion is that it is a very entertaining and heartwarming novel. The novel, ''Bridge to Terabithia,'' is one book that I highly recommend. So read it and see how you like it. I'm almost positive you won't regret it.

Deliciously sad!
This book is hard to describe. I read it before buying it for my niece a few years after it was first published. I thought it was excellent, especially at depicting the mind of a pre-adolescent boy and how he confronts tragedy. Everything about the book struck me as honest, true and insightful at the time. Though looking at it now, some of the author's messages seem to lack subtlety. But how much subtlety do you want in children's literature? Still, I'm sure the author would be offended to hear me call this "children's literature." The fact is it's a great and enjoyable read that will keep your child thinking for a long time. But it's also a book that any adult can enjoy and will also have them thinking as well. If you don't own this one, buy it today.

Valuable Life Lessons
I have read "Bridge to Terabithia" many times as both a child and adult, and have continued to return to it for many reasons. Jess, an unappreciated artistic boy, feels pressure from his family and school to live up to their expectations of "male" behavior, yet he learns with the help of individualistic Leslie that he needs to be true to himself. Together they create a magical kingdom where they can be themselves, applaud each others' talents, and escape the closed-minded world that fails to understand them. When Leslie suddenly leaves Jess' life, Jess realizes he has gained the confidence (with Leslie's help) to face the world on his own. He then passes Terabithia on to someone else who needs its "powers" the same way he did. This powerful, touching book teaches readers to always be themselves, that struggles and tragedies can make us stronger and bring us closer together, that appearances can be deceiving, and that friendship and imagination have remarkable powers. My class of reluctant 6th grade readers loved this book as well.

WORST BOOK EVER!
This book is terrible! All my friends and I hate it. Sometimes for a whole chapter it talks about Jess thinking about things that nobody cares about. This would never happen in real life. All they do is say wow im in happyland. No wonder they dont have any other friends. LESLIE DIED! LETS HAVE A PARTY! ... Read more

Amazon.com

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

Reviews (67)

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Wacky Family
The Great Gilly Hopkins

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

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

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

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

Book Description

Esau have I hated . . .

Sara Louise Bradshaw is sick and tired of her beautiful twin Caroline. Ever since they were born, Caroline has been the pretty one, the talented one, the better sister. Even now, Caroline seems to take everything: Louise's friends, their parents' love, her dreams for the future.

For once in her life, Louise wants to be the special one. But in order to do that, she must first figure out who she is . . . and find a way to make a place for herself outside her sister's shadow.

Reviews (148)

Excellent book for children who feel misunderstood
Jacob Have I Loved is an excellent children's story that is loosley based on the biblical account of Jacob and Esau. It is about the turbulent relationship between a pair of twin sisters. Louise, who is the narrator and the character of Esau, is unable to recognize her own talents because she is constantly comparing herself to her beautiful and gifted sister Caroline. Katherine Paterson's book is well written and very understandable. One of its main strengths is that it is written from Louise's perspective. Because Louise is the narrator, the reader is better able to understand why she is so jealous of Caroline. Another strength is that Paterson explores other relationships in Louise's life besides just the one between her and Caroline. The story focuses on how the sisters' parents, grandmother, friends, and neighbors react to Caroline and her sister. These other relationships affect the way Louise views herself and her sister as much as what Caroline says and does.

Every child should read Jacob Have I Loved, especially those who resent their siblings because they think their sisters or brothers are smarter, more attractive or more talented then they are. The story will allow children in that situation to empathize with Louise and better understand that they have talents that they may have not yet recognized. Paterson's book was intended for children, but it would be a good book for parents and teachers to read also. It will help adults to understand children who may have not yet reached their full potential and are jealous of those who have.

An Isolating Story About Sibling Rivalry/Jealousy
"Jacob Have I Loved" takes place in the 1940s on a tiny island in the Chesapeake Bay called Rass Island. Sara Louise "Wheeze" Bradshaw is the young teen who narrates the story. She's forever feeling inferior next to her beautiful, talented twin sister, Caroline. And she's conflicted by her "sinful" feelings for the 70+ year-old stranger, Hiram "the Captain" Wallace, who's returned to his hometown half a century later. Without anyone to confide in (even her one and only friend, McCall "Call" Purnell, doesn't understand her), Louise feels as isolated as the island she lives on. Her fate seems to be filled with misery and loneliness compared to her sister's, especially after her religious grandmother spitefully recites a passage from the Bible: "Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated". (Jacob and Esau were twins like Louise and Caroline--and like Esau, Louise was the least favorite twin.)

I had a hard time starting this book. The beginning was a little rough, but once I started it, I couldn't put it down. I read half the book in one sitting, until I reached the part where Louise, Cal, and the Captain were preparing to drown more than a dozen cats--which were pets, by the way, not just strays. I was totally turned off by this, but when I read further, the cats were spared and adopted by various families on the island. (Ironically, a storm later wiped a lot of them out.)

The book won the Newbery Medal in 1981 and was later made into a TV movie in 1989. I never saw the movie, but I would definitely recommend this book to 13+ year-old girls who can relate to Louise and/or love the East Coast, particularly the Chesapeake Bay area.

Disappointing and Depressing
I read this book and was greatly disappointed throughout. It was depressing and extremely annoying. This book is inappropriate for young teenagers, especially when the main character, Sara Louise, lusts for a 70 year old man. Disgusting.

The ending did not make up for the long, long, drawn-out torture of enduring the main character's pain and hatred. The supposed happy ending made no sense considering what a messed-up teenager she was. The last 2 chapters tried to tie things up nicely to make the reader feel relieved that the main character grew up and made a good life for herself. However, those chapters have little relationship to the rest of the book. How did she magically get over her hatred of her sister and herself? Just by yelling at her mother, she is suddenly cured?

I do not recommend this book. I'm still wondering why it received a Newbery Medal.

Redemption
The book covers probably about a decade of time and is from the POV of an older twin sister. The thick teenage angst of this book detracts from the more interesting stories of Captain Hiram, Auntie Braxton, the dementia of the protagonist's grandmother, Call and Caroline. Until I read the last two chapters, I was going to rate this book lower but these chapters, the last one especially, give the protagonist a chance to mature and redeem herself.

A Beautiful Novel
Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson is a novel of greatness. I have read many books, but this one stands out. Something about it just draws you in.
I found this book in my school library last year. I checked it out, but did not read it. A year later, I bought the book. I am glad I did.

Mrs. Paterson writes so eloquently a novel of a story older than the hills; the biblical struggle of twin brothers Jacob and Esau. Esau was the elder one, like Louise. Caroline is exactly like Jacob, stealing poor Lousie's glory.
The novel is set in the isolated Rass Island. I tried to look it up on a map of Maryland, but I couldn't find it at all. That solitary setting really keeps the plot together. After all, it wouldn't be as good if it was in a huge city.

All throughout the novel is the cornering of Louise's problems. Caroline is smarter than her, Caroline is prettier than her, Caroline is more talented than Louise would ever be. Hearing all of this makes Louise not only jealous, but a bit separated and annoyed. Louise must find a way to break free.

All in all, I find this a very enjoyable novel. I hope others will read this as well. ... Read more

Book Description

After tumbling off the back of a wagon, Jip was brought to live at the town poor farm. He has been content to do chores and tend animals -- until the day the lunatic arrives. Put seems terrifying and less than human, but as the weeks pass, Jip sees the man he truly is. So, when a menacing stranger comes to town, claiming to have been sent by Jip's grieving father, Jip turns to his new friend to make sense of his past. Jip is another triumph from Katherine Paterson -- and fans of her Lyddie are in for a special surprise." Like Paterson's Newbery-winning Bridge to Terabithia and Jacob Have I Loved, this historically accurate story is full of revelations and surprise...The taut, extremely readable narrative and its tender depictions of friendship and loyalty provide first-rate entertainment."-- Publishers Weekly, starred review" Maintains its riveting pace from the opening chapter to the final moment when the protagonist triumphs over adversity...Evokes the attitudes and social conditions of the times [1855-1856] in lucent prose."-- The Horn Book, starred review ... Read more

Book Description

The daughter of a samurai never weeps. But Takiko, whose warrior father was killed in battle, finds this a hard rule, especially when her mother remarries a strange and ugly country potter. To get away from her miserable home, Takiko eagerly accepts a position at the imperial Japanese court. There, her beauty and nightingale voice captivate the handsome young warrior, Hideo -- who also turns out to be an enemy spy. As war breaks out, Takiko flees the court and is forced to choose between loyalty to her people and her love for Hideo. She painfully learns that whatever choice she makes, she cannot run away from her samurai honor.

Book Description

Muna has never known his father -- a samurai, a noble warrior. But Muna's mother has told Muna how he will know him one day: by the sign of the chrysanthemum. When his mother dies, Muna travels to the capital of twelfth-century Japan, a bewildering city on the verge of revolution. He finds a haven there, as servant to the great swordsmith, Fukuji. But Muna cannot forget his dream: He must find his father. Only then will he have power and a name to be reckoned with. Only then will he become a man.

Reviews (21)

Muna is on a journey to find his father after his mom dies.
This book was good because the author described the book. This book was about a boy, Muna, whos mother died and told him to look for his father. I think there should be more action because it was kind of boring because there wasn't enough fighting. This book was good to read because it was nicely written.

The Sign of the Chrysanthemum
The Sign of the Chrysanthemum is a book about a boy named Muna. Muna is a name that people would laugh about; some might say, "What kind of name is that?" People teased Muna because of his name. Muna doesn't want to be tease anymore and wants to be a man, so he would try to find his father, who is a warrior. Muna used to lived only with his mother and him, without a father with them. Then Muna's mother died and decides to find his father, so people won't tease him. But before Muna's mother died, she said some descriptions about his father. His father is a warrior and has a chrysanthemum tattoo. But that is the only things that Muna knows about his father. So the journey begins with some adventures.

I think that this book is okay, but it isn't really that good. I wanted to give the rate to be 3 and a half, but it doesn't have it. But in the other hand, it was a little bit good. Muna had some dreams about his father. This book was kind of boring, but there are adventures that are exciting. This book has some pictures in it and is kind of short. I enjoy reading part of the story, it is a good book.

A Pedal of the Chrysanthemun
The book starts off with a boy named Muna, the nameless one, whos mother just passed away. He now wants to look for his warrior father so that he would be able to be highly respected and change his name of his 14th birthday to a name more proper for a man, but the only thing he knows about his father is that he has a chrysanthemun tattoo and a he is a Heike warrior.
I thought this book was quite good. It had many dialogues, a good storyline, and some action. Most of all, I liked how the book was easy to understand.

The Sign of the Chrysanthemun Review
This book was fairly good. Muna is a boy whos mother just past away. Because Muna's mother past away, he decides to search for his father whom Muna knows a little of. Muna learned from his mother that his father was a samurai and had a chrysanthemun tattoo on his shoulder. After his mother's burial, Muna leaves on his adventure. I think this book was fairly good because it had a great storyline. The end was the most terrific part because no one would have saw it coming.

The Sign of the Chrysanthemum
I think this was a great book. It was about a boy named Muna. Muna has never known his father because he left before Muna was born. So, after Muna's mother died, Muna went in search of his father. Muna meets many news people along the way and lives with a swordsmith. you have to read the rest of the book to find out what happens next. But, I would highly recommend it, especially to seventh graders studying fuedal Japan. I give this book two thumbs up!!! ... Read more

Book Description

In 1942 Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, living in exile after the Nazi invasion of her country, spent the summer in Lee, Massachusetts, with her daughter and granddaughters. The following is based on a true story....

It’s summertime in New England during World War II, and a boy named William likes to imagine at bedtime that he is a brave knight fighting great battles to end the war. But in the morning he is always just William again, not big enough to contribute to the war effort like the rest of his family.

Then a real queen moves in just down the road: Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands. William’s parents explain that the queen has been forced out of her country because of the war. Now William has his chance to do something. It may not be “war work” -- it’s more like peace work -- but that makes all the difference.

Susan Jeffers’s dramatic illustrations portray the compelling contrast between William’simagination and the real events in the story, which are based on an actual incident in John Paterson’s childhood. Visually stunning, with an evocative, poignant telling, this is the picture-book art form at its finest.

Book Description

Moving is not easy.

Rosie is the meanest cow in the world -- and Marvin's best friend. When his family moves to a new farm, Marvin is sad and lonely . . . until he finds Rosie again. But now she's making a lot of trouble for everyone. Will she and Marvin ever adjust to the changes of a new life in a new place?

Reviews (1)

Happy Mom
I really enjoyed this book and felt like it dealt well with some real feelings children might have about moving. I liked how the parents handled their childs way of dealing with his problems. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The Tale of the Mandarin Ducks
My granddaughter (11) and I have enjoyed this book emmensely and are re-reading it often. She loves tales of Japan and the beautiful illustrations. My husband and I lived in Japan for 2 years. This book's story has good moral principles and is an easy way to teach kind thoughtful behavior and the benefits of love and responsibility. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Don't judge a book by its cover
Amazingly true to life of how some children feel who live in really tough family situations. The social worker in me likes to read to get away from the real life of work, but I love Paterson's work and the book was a Christmas gift (signed!!!) Once again, Paterson writes of difficult subjects and finds redemption. She is a glorious writer and makes us believe again and again that good can come out of pain.

You'll Enjoy This One....
You can't help but root for Angel as she navigates the adult world on her own, also acting as an 11 year old surrogate mother to her 7 year old brother, Bernie. You have to wonder what adult in her short life taught her how to be so responsible, as her mother is an alcoholic who keeps abandoning them, and their father is in prison. Still, Angel soldiers on in spite of finally being dumped on their great-grandmother who doesn't seem to move much from her rocker and survives on pork and beans. The three need each other and it was enjoyable to see them work out a living arrangement, including getting Angel and Bernie into school. It was also hauntingly mysterious when the "Star Man" began introducing Angel to the stars. We also love the librarian who offers books and love. But the story jangles when mom comes back and snatches Bernie out of school. And we can't quite believe mom is going to come back into the fold after she ends up in the hospital after being in a car crash. (Doubtful she won't light out again.)
This was a good read but not quite as brilliant as "Bridge to Terabithia" and "Jacob Have I Loved". However, I can't quite shake how lovely Angel's introduction to astronomy was. I just found the ending a bit too pat.

A very moving story
I thought this story was a very powerful story about Angel and her little brother, Bernie who goes through hard times. It's touching and shows how some kids have to live. It showed me how hard Angel and Bernie had it, Their Dad in Jail and their mother who was negligent. Does have some bad language, but I highly recommend it.

Same Stuff as Stars
I thoroughly enjoyed Katherine Paterson's book Same Stuff as Stars because it is an excellent example of realistic fiction. The themes that are present in this book are common to many children in today's society. Imagine being motherless and fatherless and having to rely mainly on yourself for support. Angel is eleven years old in this story and is trying to take care of her younger brother. She is desperate for a real home, unlike her current situation of living with her poor-grandmother. A stranger who is able to explain the night skies is truly all she has to make a difference in her life. Will this stranger's wisdom be enough to eliminate her loneliness and overcome her tragic circumstances she faces each day?

Powerful Prose; Powerful Characters
Without a doubt, my two favorite writers for young adults are Madeleine L'Engle and Katherine Paterson. Ms. Paterson has written a number of novels (Bridge to Terabithia, Jacob Have I Loved, Lyddie, etc.) that are among the best I've every read. This novel may not reach the heights of some of her previous books but it is still a worthwhile read.

I have probably shed more tears over Katherine Paterson novels than any other writer except, perhaps, Dickens. They both have an incredible ability to create realistic characters that you can really feel for as well as a deep perception for the effect that death and abandonment can have on people. As I began reading The Same Stuff As Stars I didn't think this novel would have the same effect but I must admit that it did. In the character of Angel, continually abandoned by everyone around her but still a strong girl, Paterson has done it again.

It is her ability to create these realistic characters, however, that also turned me off to this book. I found the characters of Verna and, in particular, Bernie to be so unpleasant that the first half of this novel was nearly unreadable for me. Once these two characters disappear from the novel, I liked the book to be much better.

But is it really fair to dislike a book because the characters are created too well? It's a personal assessment but a fair one, I think. But this book still has many things to recommend it, not the least of which is the astronomy motif which appeals to me very much as a math and physics teacher. Another personal assessment, perhaps, but it works both ways. Ultimately, this is a book that still rates better than just about anything out there. I would highly recommend it. ... Read more

Book Description

Acclaimed storyteller Katherine Paterson breathes new life into this classic tale of action, adventure, and romance. Raised in the wilderness, Parzival knows nothing of his destiny as the Grail Knight--the one who is fated to seek the sacred vessel of hope and eternal life. To succeed in his quest, Parzival must struggle against countless obstacles. His triumphant story is one that will move readers to joy and despair, laughter and tears. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Perzival,And The Quest For The Grail Knight
I really liked this book it had tons of neat stuff in it. If you like King Arthur, then you will love this book it has lots of excitement in it.And it starts out as a boy who doesn't know what knights and dragons or any of that good stuff is. And he finds out he is king and goes to get his kingdom back and he ends up going on a quest for the Holy Grail.
I really liked this book .it is fun to read and has lots of potential so I recommend it to all ages it was fun for me to read and was really bone chilling and the edge of your seat kind of book.
I loved this book because it was about knights and dragons and other strange and unusual things cause that's is what I'm into. This book is a good book for all ages and I recommend it for everyone.
So sit back and relax and read a good book Perzival, and the quest for the grail knight.

Parzival
The book Parzival is about a young man who has a desire to become a knight. He goes to King Arthur's court and then becomes a knight and a king. He goes on a quest for the Holy Grail after he lets down a sick king. He encounters many adventures and learns a lot about god and who god is. He finally goes back to the king that he let down many years before and he finds the Holy Grail and heals the king.
I think the book Parzival is a very good book. It was exiting and suspenseful. I would highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to learn about King Arthur. I really enjoyed this book and I hope you will to.

A fresh, enjoyable retelling
"Parzival" is an excellent story, the story of a young man who learns about God, hope, faith and the will to continue.

Parzival's mother has kept her sheltered son from knowing about knights, but when Parzival runs into three on a road, he can't be content until he is one. He sets off for Camelot, determined to follow his dead father's footsteps. But he soon discovers that knighthood is not all chivalry and flashing armor. Despite humiliation, dishonor, despair, and a curse, Parzival's innocence and goodness carry him through to the end.

Paterson chose to write this story in formal prose, but that doesn't keep the hero's appeal from shining through. Parzival perhaps understands such commands as "Thou Shalt Not Kill" best--when defeating a foe, he gives them a chance to redeem themselves, and beats himself up mentally when he does something careless. Readers ache for him when he is laughed at and then cursed, or refuses to get rid of the shabby clothes his mother made him. Readers will also cheer when he makes up for his past, innocent wrongs.

In a bookworld that lacks good, old-fashioned heroes, Parzival is a fearless guy that every boy will want to be like, and a role model that parents will adore. This legend is great, and the retelling is even better.

Josh's Customer Review
I strongly suggest you read this book Parzival because it has good medievil history and a religious background. It makes you think about God and Hope. I like the message about compassion.

A winner, especially for the boys!
All things Camelot are hot, and in the tradition of the great Narnia books this mix of history, fantasy and adventure will surely hook hungry young imaginations seeking a break from "Goosebumps" and Leonardo DiCaprio bios. Beautiful design and illustrations as well.... ... Read more

Book Description

Who is she?

A dying king makes his son his heir--on one condition. Vain Prince Raphael must marry a woman who is his equal in beauty, intelligence, and wealth...

Where is this woman?

A search throughout the kingdom proves fruitless. Then the lovely Rosamund appears at the palace, as if bymagic, and Raphael is certain he has found his wife. She is intelligent and wealthy, as well as beautiful--certainly his equal, he thinks.

But what does the mysterious Rosamund think?"Finding a princess who is the 'king's equal' in comeliness, intelligence, and wealth is an order that confounds the wisest, most loyal councilors in this distant realm.Finding a book equal in quality to this one is an even more formidable task.[Newbery medalist] Paterson weaves her story within the structure of familiar fairy tales. . . . Vagin's illustrations are exquisite." —SLJ.

1993 Teachers' Choices (IRA)
1992 Irma Simonton Black Award (Bank Street College of Education)
1993 Children's Booksellers' Choices (Association of Booksellers for Children) ... Read more

Reviews (10)

My Review of The King's Equal
I like this book. It was fun because in the kingdom the prince looks stupid. In the beginning of the book I don't like this book but as I keep reading it was fun and exciting. Rosamund told him "I am rich and intelligent and beatiful." I wonder how come she is intelligent, rich and beautiful .Raphael was very very very very very bad because Raphael closed the schools and took gold and money and some really important things. And then Rosamund told him, "You must go to the mountain and live with goats for 1 year." He came back to the castle and married with Rosamund and lived a good life. I learned your mind has to be open not closed.

A Review Of The King's Equal
I liked the book The King's Equal. I liked the book because Rosamund shows the prince how not to be selfish. I think people and kids should read this book because it shows how you should act and talk to people. Prince Raphael's father died and Raphael's father gave him a blessing. His blessing was,"You should be married to your own equal but if you're not then you will not wear my crown." Then Raphael searches for a wife. Up in the mountains there was a girl named Rosamund and she meets a wolf that talks then the wolf said that he was a good friend of her mother. And then he told her "Your mother gave you a blessing that you will be with your own equal". Then when Rosamund heard from the people that the prince was so selfish and took everything from the people and when she heard she felt very bad and the wolf made her a magic gold necklace. The prince saw Rosamund and said she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen and when Raphael asked Rosamund to marry him she said,"If you want to marry me then you have to go to the mountains and take care of four goats and return after one year." Then a year goes by and when he returns he brings all of the goats back and when Rosamund saw him she said, "I will marry you." I learned from this book how not to be selfish in life.

My Favorite Book
I choose this as my favorite book because I like how the author put in the character. I like the Queen, she is passionate, kind, nice and teaches the King to have respect for other peoples.

... Review on "The King's Equal"
I rated "The Kings Equal" by Katherine Paterson a 5 because it is a great book and it teaches you the value of friendship. Katherine Paterson wrote this book like she was there. You can tell that she is an experienced writer just by reading this book. "The Kings Equal" is a great book.

My favorite part of the book is when the prince went up to the mountains. I really liked the book, and I think you would too. You should really read "The Kings Equal".

Mike's Review of "The King's Equal"
I recommend this book to everyone who likes books. It should also be read by people who like royalty,castles or Medievil times. It is very good. It is scary in someways and funny in others. The main characters are King Raphael,Queen Rosamund,a wolf and 3 counselors. The minor characters are 3 goats,Rosamund's father and 9 other princesses,not including Rosamund.

The genre is folktale fiction because it is a folktale and fiction. "The Kings Equal" is very good!!! ... Read more

Book Description

In this story from the Hebrew Bible, a stubborn donkey delivers an important message from the angel and helps her master, a powerful curse-layer, save the Israelites from the King of Moab. ... Read more

Book Description

How do you get rid of a bully?

Josh has just moved to cold, snowy Vermont with his mother, stepfather, and new baby brother. As if adjusting to a new home, a new family, and a new school isn't hard enough—Josh also has to adjust to a new bully, Wes Rockett.

Then one day Josh's dog, Manch, gets loose. When Josh follows him to the field where Manch plays, he is surprised to discover that Manch can talk, and his dog's got a bully of his own to deal with. Can Josh find a way to solve all of their bully problems without leading them to danger?

Newbery Medal—winning author Katherine Paterson delivers another touching and accessible story for young readers.

Reviews (2)

Dog Delight!
I liked this book a lot. It keeps your attention going and I like dogs a lot. I would recommend this book to a friend. It's not all about dogs, it's about a boy that moves and he meets this bully and it turns out the bully is not a bully. I would like more action in it but other than that I really like it. I think people that like dogs would love this book.

Great Story for Dog Lovers
I say this is a great dog story for two reasons no dogs die in the story. This is always very important to me when I read a dog story. The other thing that makes it good is the adventures Josh and his dog, Manch, have in the story feel real. Anyone who is a dog lover, like me, always knows their dog will be there for them in a time of need and the reverse is true too. Josh is there for his dog and Manch is there for Josh.

Josh is a young man facing many difficult situations in his life. His father has died and his mother has remarried. His stepfather has moved the family to Vermont so Josh has no friends besides his dog,Manch. Both Manch and Josh face the same problem in the story, bullies. Manch had made friends with some other dogs in Vermont so at least he has friends but there is a pack of mean dogs that are threatening Manch and his friends. At the same time Josh is being pursued by a bunch of bullies from school. Luckily the dogs successfully save Josh from the school bullies but when Josh tries to help save Manch and his dog friends from the mean dogs things don't go so well. The good part is that Josh even though he is scared to death tries to help the dogs in the best way he can think of by stealing his stepfather's gun, but when things don't work out he lets go of his pride and asks for help, thank goodness.

THere is one element of the book that is interesting but I am not sure it fits in well. Josh discovers the dogs talk. Any dog owner always wishes their dog could talk so this seems neat at first but the dogs only talk to Josh a few times. It is as if Josh has invaded their private world and they don't really appreciate it. Don't get me wrong though I still think the book was great even though I'm not sure about this part of it. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Park's Quest
I didn't really like this book because it didn't make sense. It didn't make sense because he daydreamed so much you didn't know if he was daydreaming or not. I also didn't like it becuse the words werent discribed that well. Another reason I didn't like it was because it was confusing. It was confusing because it sounded all scrambled up.

Park's Quest
Ididn't really like this book because it didn't make sense. It didn't make sense because he daydreamed so much you didn't no if he was daydreaming or not. I also didn't like it becuse the words werent discribed that well. Another reason I didn't like it was because it was confusing. It was confusing because it sounded all scrambled up.

Park's Quest
I would give Park's Quest by Katherien Paterson four stars. I have to admit I was confused when the flash back to Midieval Times started. The book was about 11-year-old Park who tries to find imformation on his father's clouded past. But Park finds something he never would of imagined. The ending of the book was excellent with discriptive words and great sentences. But the beginning of the book was dull. Otherwise it was a good book. I would recomend this book to anyone who likes Historical Fiction.

Park's Quest
Katherine Paterson is one of my very favorite authors.As a young child, I read many of her books including The Great Gilly Hopkins, Bridge to Terabithia, and Jacob Have I Loved.I recently finished reading Park�s Quest as an assignment for my college children�s literature class.As I began reading Park�s Quest, I must admit that I was confused when Park, the main character, went back and forth between his character and an Arthurian knight of old on a quest.It took me a long while to figure out why Park switched to speaking/thinking as if he were a knight.But once figuring it out, that he (Park) was on a quest to find out more about his father who was killed in the Vietnam War, the concept of the Arthurian knight made sense.Since Park�s mother does not inform him of his father, he begins searching for his father�s roots and family.As Park investigates more about his father and family he gathers startling and important information to help him along his �quest.�Does Park find the true history about his father, is the question that the reader has the whole time while reading the book.This book by Paterson is cleverly written to keep the reader wondering the whole time and engaged in the book until the last words.

boy uncovers truth about his father
I picked this up for 25p at Bookworld in Edinburgh, and it was good for the price.Katherine Paterson writes well, but this book does not have the complexity or the punch of Bridge to Teribithia.Park, an eleven year old boy lives with his mother.His father died in Vietnam, but his mother won't talk about him.At Park's insistance, he is allowed to go on a visit for two weeks to his father's family, where he finds out about the family history.Park is fascinated with stories about King Arthur and knights and chivalry, and he often day dreams about his life and his father in those terms.Predictably, the truth is a grim contrast.

This is not a particularly happy or comforting story.Nor does it have the emotional depth of Katherine Paterson's other books.I would not have liked it much when I was in the 10-12 age-group.At 27, it was worth the 40 minutes it took to read. ... Read more

Book Description

Explores the symbolic significance of the flowers, fruits, and plants mentioned in various stories and passages of the Bible. Each passage is followed by a stunning full-color painting by one of America's most distinguished botanical illustrators. ... Read more

Book Description

Marvin matters

Marvin's first day at school is hard. Everyone seems to have a place in class -- except Marvin. And everyone seems to know how to read -- except Marvin. But he's too afraid to ask for help. Will he ever find his place and learn to read?

Book Description

Spiritual images transform the world all around us, in signs and symbols that are familiar to us from ancient times. The Bible is filled with word pictures that illuminate the various ways God defines the eternal message and meaning. From common symbols of rock and light to the parable of the prodigal son and the story of Jacob and Esau, the intricate brocade of Bible text is interwoven with transfiguring images. These symbols and stories help us to know more about God-who God is and what God means to teach us-within the everyday situations of our own lives. John and Katherine Paterson have conceived a book that is at once accessible and wise. Their astute, elegant text, coupled with Alexander Koshkin's radiant paintings, will appeal to readers of all ages. Includes biblical references and an index. ... Read more