Book Description

Bobby Phillips is an average fifteen-year-old boy. Until the morning he wakes up andcan’t see himself in the mirror. Not blind, not dreaming—Bobby is just plaininvisible. There doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason to Bobby’s newcondition; even his dad the physicist can’t figure it out. For Bobby that means no school,no friends, no life. He’s a missing person.Then he meets Alicia. She’s blind, and Bobbycan’t resist talking to her, trusting her. But people are starting to wonder where Bobby is.Bobby knows that his invisibility could have dangerous consequences for his family andthat time is running out. He has to find out how to be seen again—before it’s too late. ... Read more

Reviews (58)

An Excellent Book
This book is about a boy named Bobby Philips and he goes through life where nearly no one in the world notices him. Because the time when he smiled at the most popular girl and it was as if she just looked right through him. So one day he wakes up and goes into the bathroom and takes a shower and when he gets out he wipes the fog off of the mirror and sees nothing. So he wipes it again and still sees nothing. It's like people didn't see him before and now they never will. He can not tell anyone except his mom and dad. Because if someone told he would be big news on everything and everywhere. He can't do anything no school, no friends. He officially becomes a missing person. Then one day at the library he meets this girl. Her name is Alicia. She is blind so she can't see him. He can't resist talking to her. And he thinks he can trust her. So he is trying to have her help him get his life back. I don't want to tell you the end. You'll just have to read it yourself.

A Great Author = Great Book
What would you do if you were invisible? Well, I sure know what Bobby Phillips would do of Chicago, Illinois wakes up one day and is invisible. Before the day he was REALLY invisible, in a way he was invisible to his parents. He was there in a solid figure but his parent just won't pay attention to him. Later on that week something tragic happened. Bobby's parents got into a terrible accident. With his parents in jeopardy he realizes how much he really loves them. After the accident Mr. And Mrs. Phillips were put under intense care wing. Bobby isn't allowed to visit them. But being invisible he visits them both. After he visits them he goes to the library and meets a girl, no ordinary girl, a special girl. Clements teaches you that even if you are special you can help in many ways. In the book it's like The Phillips vs. Officer Padgett. I'd give this book five stars because it's interesting and different in many ways. If you want to know who this "special girl" is and if and when Bobby turns visible read Things Not Seen by Andrew Clements. Published by Philomel books in 2002 at New York, New York.

Bravo Andrew! Praise for Things not Seen
Andrew Clements puts lots of suspense and emotions into this wonderful book. This book portays strong feelings of friendship, anger, sadness, love and a jumble of other emotions between a boy named Bobby Phillips; a blind girl named Alicia and their families. Bobby wakes up one morning and starts his everyday routine, but when he gets out of the shower he notices- or -more or less- it's what he doesn't notice, his body in the mirror! He sees nothing. He's invisible. He tells his parents and since his father is a science whiz they try to figure out how to get him back to normal. It takes Bobby a while to get used to it and along the way bumps into a blind girl named Alicia VanDorn. Eventually he confides in her his secret- and, of course, her parents find out to! They and their parents team up to solve Bobby's problem. Bobby and Alicia become close friends and Bobby becomes infatuated with her. They work secretly without their parents to devise a plan and find the cause of his condition. Will they succeed, and just how close will Bobby and Alicia become? I'm not gonna tell ya! You'll have to read the book to find out.

Almost Terrific
I loved this book and the storyline was great. I would have given it a 5 star rating except for one thing, I didn't like how the boy talked about his parents it was like he didn't respect them. I recomend this book but I DON'T give it a 5 star.

Wonderful *****stars
The first book by Clements that i read was A WEEK IN THE WOODS. I really did NOT like it, but THINGS NOT SEEN is an outstanding book. The romance between Alicia and Bobby is great. It keeps you thinking because you always wondering how are they gonna cover that up?! It' wonderful book that's suited for ages 10-14.
iAn ... Read more

Book Description

Hey, little ant down in the crack

Can you hear me? Can you talk back?

See my shoe, can you see that?

Well now it's gonna squish you flat!So begins a conversation between a young boy and the ant trembling in the shadow of his sneaker. This playful story brings up questions about the ethics and peer pressure, encouraging the very youngest citizens to decide for themselves: to squish...or not to squish?! ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Using ANTS to teach diversity.
"Hey, Little Ant," by Phillip and Hannah Hoose is one of my favorite children's books. Based on a real-life experience the author had as he watched his toddler squishing ants one day, this book is as powerful a teaching tool as I've seen come along in a very long time. In this classic, a Kid threatens to squish the book's hero Ant and a clever dialogue ensues. Allowed to plead its case, the Ant explains to the boy that he, too, has a special reason for being. Through cleverly rhyming verse, set to musical notes if you'd rather sing it, the Ant tries to negotiate for its life, citing the "Golden Rule" to solidify its case. The beauty of this tale is that it ends with a dilemma: "what do you think that Kid should do?" Leaving it open-ended is a tremendous way to generate dialogue with children. It gives them the opportunity to think the problem through and offer problem-solving solutions; it serves to empower them by giving them a voice. At a time in our society when schools are reluctant to teach values through character education, along comes a little book with a powerful message. As a counselor, I used it to teach middle schoolers how to deal with the people who are ANTS in their lives - who might bite them with their words or try to poison them with their actions - focusing on characteristics we might need like Awareness, Negotiation, Tolerance and Sensitivity. I give "Hey, Little Ant" as many stars as it can get and more. Don't miss this one; you will NOT be disappointed!

Changing Perspectives for Children
Kid: "Hey, little ant . . . ./See my shoe, can you see that?/Well, now, it's gonna squish you flat!"

This situation opens the book. The story then evolves into a dialogue between ant and kid to decide the ant's fate.

The kid feels like he can do what he wants if the ant cannot talk back, but his ant can. The ant begs for his life. Then the kid argues that ants don't feel, and no one will miss him. The ant points out that he will be missed. The kid argues that ants steal from people, and the ant protests that they only take a little. The kid says that his friends expect him to squish the ant, and the ant asks the kid to exchange places in his mind. "If you were me and I were you,/What would you want me to do?"

The book ends with "What do you think that kid should do?" This question is a nice set-up for a thoughtful discussion with your child. Unlike many books that proclaim the correct judgment, this one certainly suggests that the ant not be squished but leaves the question open. You can ask how your child's answer might change if other creatures are involved (a mosquito, a worm, a caterpillar, a butterfly, and so forth).

The rhyming scheme in the book is also set to music in the back, so you can also play and sing the book together.

Phillip Hoose is on the staff of the Nature Conservancy. His daughter and co-author, Hannah, was 9 when they wrote this book together. So another pleasure of changing perspectives here is to realize that parents and children can write books and songs together!

The illustrations are very wonderful. In several sequences, the two page spreads are developed vertically rather than horizontally. Ms. Tilley does this very well to portray the giant kid looming over the ant, and later the imaginary giant ant dominating the kid. Each illustration has a sense of movement and presence that makes them seem to come off the page. The details are very rewarding, and will encourages your youngster to look closely.

After reading this book, I suggest that you also talk about where parents and children should be more considerate of each other in what they ask and expect. The relative size differences there are important. You may be surprised to find that your children are a little more intimidated by you than you intended. If so, this book can have a wonderful application in your family . . . as well as in nature.

By the way, I avoid hurting any living creature . . . so I found this book especially charming.

See the world through the eyes of others and other creatures!

hey little ant
This wonderful book gives the reader a great feeling for this poor ant . This little ant has to negotiate for his life!! The only way to make the kid with the big shoe know how it feels to be squished is to turn the tables and make him realize what it feels like to be under an Ants' foot. This book is a must have. It teaches compassion, negotiation, and how to see the world through someonelses eyes.

Great Book for Fun Reading
I purchased this book at a book fair for my 4 year old. He enjoyed it so much it didn't take long before he memorized whole sections of the book. He has brought it to his preschool on 2 occassions for show & tell and the other kids love the book. I am purchasing a copy of the book now for his preschool to have permanently.

Great gift for all children
Hey, Little Ant, is my favorite gift for the children in my extended family. Such a thought provoking, conversation stimulator. The illustrations are bright and colorful. Great for the little ones to follow. I love everything about this book and so do my friends and their children. I hope we have many more coming soon from this gifted family soon. ... Read more

Book Description

Pippi always does things her own way. When she cleans her kitchen, she ties scrub brushes to her feet. When she has a picnic, she serves pancakes. One thing is for sure-there's never a dull moment when Pippi is around!

"Pippi Longstocking . . . has inspired generations of children with her spunk and power."
-Kirkus Reviews ... Read more

Reviews (6)

A Must-Read for Tweens/Teens and Their Parents
"Please don't let anyone get in your way!" So starts Erika V. Shearin Karres' book MEAN CHICKS, CLIQUES, AND DIRTY TRICKS. This is some of the best advice you will find, but doesn't even compare to the rest of the advice that Ms. Karres gives throughout this book.

Part of being a girl is getting used to the "in" crowd, snobs, bullies, teasing, cliques, gossip, backstabbing, and more, whether during school hours, or on your own time. It is the one thing that makes being a female extremely tough, and easily compares girls to wild animals fighting over the tiniest thing.

Split up into 10 Chapters, MEAN CHICKS breaks female predators down into various groups, and writes about each separately. Chapters on The Bully, The Snob, The Gossip, The Traitor, The Teaser, and so on, feature quotes from young girls who have been bullied in the past (this feature alone will have tweens and teens interested in this book, as they feel as if they are being spoken to by their peers, as opposed to a parent/teacher/guardian), stories about girls who have overcome bullies, quizzes, resources, and an all around survival guide to help tweens, teens, and their parents deal with the problem civilly.

As someone who has been bullied non-stop in the past, I found this book to be extremely empowering, yet uplifting at the same time. I even starting crying a few times when reading the true stories from girls who have been bullied, as I could relate to them so well. Ms. Karres' breakdown of each type of girl is entirely accurate, and will have readers nodding their head in agreement with her comments about The Bully, Traitor, and so on. Parents with a tween/teen girl who is being bullied should definitely purchase this book, as it will be a helpful guide for both YOU and your child. Don't miss MEAN CHICKS, as it is a necessity.

Erika Sorocco

This is the best
This book is really good I'm a middle-schooler and this book helps me understand why theese girls do the things they do. now i know that i can beat their tricks knowing that their doing it to be popular and i understand that theese girls are not at all perfect, in fact they have more problems then we think. now i know that i am stronger then the bully and that i can outsmart them and shrug off what they say. i love this book!

A book that teaches, empowers, and heals
Once a childhood bully and a teenager who was bullied, I found an immediate and deep connection with Karres's book. What I thought most poignant was the psychology detailed behind each description of the girl(s) dreaded in school - the Bully, the Gossip, and so on. She makes you understand the reasons underlying the otherwise callous actions that girls exhibit...almost to the point of making one feel a certain sympathy for them. That being said, this book is also a useful - and not an overbearing, finger-pointing - tool for the girls who exhibit these types of mean behavior. Karres possesses a compassion for young women that is clearly evident throughout her verbiage. Through that, you get the feeling, once the final page is read, that somehow, someday, 'everything is going to be okay.' This book is not only valuable for girls, but a highly educational reminder to parents of what their child is going through. I know that if I ever have a daughter one day, the book is going to be left in her hands.

This Book is Helping Me Alot
My Mom gave me this book to read because I have had alot of problems as a teenager just dealing with all the social drama and fighting that goes on. Every week there are fights and disagreements and I find so many girls can be cruel and get jealous and hurt each other. I really like this book and it is helping me. I feel like I'm reading about my own friends and the kids in my school with different names. Dr. Karres also explains why girls act the way they do and gives good ideas for how to act and what to say when kids act out and get really mean or think they are better than anyone else. I tried a few ideas in this book and they really work! I am also learning more about why I act they way I do sometimes and get in sad or down moods because of all the things that go on with kids around me. I think this is a very good book and everyone should read it. I wish they would teach kids this stuff in school so there wouldn't be so many problems.

Wonderful Book- I Use It With My Students!!!
I teach in a middle school and was lucky to read Mean Chicks, Cliques, and Dirty Tricks -- I am using the many terrific tips to help guide students who are often very upset about the difficult and upsetting social episodes they encounter -- and Dr. Karres' explanations, approaches, and advice in this book are exceptional!! The book includes writings from girls in need of real-life down-to-earth objective and educated help for tough situations in dealings with peers ( who can be nasty and hurtful)
and they are answered so beautifully, with both logic and sensitivity. I've covered some of the excellent empowerment tips with my students and they love them!! This book is an esteem-builder and empowerment bible for girls from elementary through high school (probably even adults!!) and parents, too, can learn alot here for assisting their children through the social rocky roads of the girls' world. Tips on dealing with all personality types, behaviors, and issues --from bullies and teasers to groupies and newcomers on the block -- being in good moods and bad moods -- are included PLUS the book has a section called "Cool Tools" listing additional resources. This is great for teaching girls they can own their power and do have choices to attain further support; they are not alone and can learn how to cope with and overcome tough people and relationships! I invite my students to look at my copy of the book ( I keep it on my desk) and they rush up to grab it! This book is a double winner. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (19)

Friends to the End.....
"My friend Rabbit means well. But whatever he does, wherever he goes, trouble follows..." So begins our little mouse narrator's tale of the stuck airplane. Generous Mouse let Rabbit take a turn and fly his plane, and now it's sitting out of reach, high in a tree. "Not to worry, Mouse. I've got an idea!" And what a huge idea it is as Rabbit struggles to pull and push an enormous elephant to the tree, and plop him down right under the now stuck airplane. Next he carries a rhino, then a hippo, a deer, an alligator, a bear, and a duck onto the scene, making a tall pyramid with Rabbit poised on top holding Squirrel. "The plane was just out of reach. Rabbit said, "Not to worry, Mouse, I've got an idea." So Rabbit held Squirrel and Squirrel held me... but then..." It can all be summed up in one word, disaster..... Eric Rohmann's spare, witty text is kept to the bare minimum. It's his bold and engaging, Caldecott Medal winning illustrations that really tell this hilarious chain of events story. Each two page spread dazzles with expression, drama, suspense, humor, and marvelous eye-catching details. Little ones will revel in all the captivating fun, and also understand the gentle message of sharing, tolerance, and the importance of friendship. Perfect for preschoolers, My Friend Rabbit is a treasure and soon to be classic that kids will beg to read again and again, and is sure to become an instant favorite at story time.

A great picture book!
My Friend Rabbit is a picture book in the truest sense-- it relies on its illustrations rather than its text to tell the story. Understanding a story told through illustrations requires cognitive thinking, more so than absorbing a story passively through the written word alone. Therefore, a picture book requires a more patient, imaginative and helpful reader when it is read to younger children.

It strikes me that those who have criticized this excellent book may need to stop relying on a book's text alone and brush up on their picture-story-telling skills.

The Caldecott Jury has justifiably recognized this book.

Not to Worry Mouse I Have a Review
This was in the nightly reading stack for weeks and returns frequently. The book is short on words and requires you to look at the details before the whole story unfolds. We have had fun as we notice different details the more we read this book. My little one is about to turn 3 and may be on the verge of outgrowing this book. I'll be a little sad when she does.

Caldecott-worthy
This book, as stated previously, is a true (and great!) picture book in every sense of the word. It ignites the children's vivid imaginations--that would otherwise be 'unimaginative' if it spelled every event out to them--by forcing them to ask questions and or tell the reader (us parents) what they think is going on.

Lately books are full of words with minimal pictures, but not this one. Thank you Mr. Rohmann for creating an imaginative book with a wonderful message. Kudos!

Creative Page Layouts
Eric Rohmann's book, "My Friend Rabbit," is about a mouse and a rabbit that are very good friends. Rabbit is the friend that is always getting into trouble, and mouse is the friend that always stands by Rabbit's side. In this story, Mouse lets Rabbit play with his new airplane, to which Rabbit gets the airplane stuck in a tree. Rabbit thinks he has the solution as he drags all the animals over to the tree and has them stand head to toe to reach the airplane. However, when the animals plunge to the ground, they are very unhappy with Rabbit. But, Mouse still loves Rabbit, and lets him fly away with him on his airplane.

In the book, "My Friend Rabbit," Eric Rohmann uses hand colored relief prints for the illustrations. I love the bold colors Rohamann uses in the illustrations to portray a joyful and energetic plot. Beyond coloring, I love Eric Rohmann's use of line in this story. He uses dotted and loopy lines to let the reader follow the airplanes path. I think children will love following the lines of the airplane's path.
I really enjoyed the use of line on the page with all the animals stacked up to reach the airplane. I think kids will enjoy turning the book to see how high the animals stretched up towards the tree. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Sometimes the best way to get through hard times is finding out you're not alone. The books in the Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul series have provided just that reassurance to millions of teens in the few years since the first was published. Much like the earlier volumes, the third in theseries features stories, poems, and cartoons, most of which were written by teens themselves. Twenty teen reviewers read every submission,narrowing the selection down to 5,000 favorites. Editors Jack Canfield, MarkVictor Hansen, and Kimberly Kirberger made the final cuts. The result? Packed with compassion, heartache, love, experience, and wisdom, Teen III (as the editors refer to it) is every bit as inspirational as the earlier editions.

Most of the stories are contributed by young, unpublished writers, and the quality of the writing is good, if a touch melodramatic at times. But then, adolescence is nothing if not melodramatic, and the audience undoubtedly will relate perfectly to the tales of betrayal, friendship, identity crisis, parental clashes, and painful crushes. The editors have organized this collection into nine categories: Relationships, Friendship, The Power of Love, Family, Lessons, Tough Stuff, Overcoming Obstacles, Self-Discovery, and Growing Up. A great source for laughs, advice, compassion, and the comfort of knowing that we're never as alone as we think. (Ages 13 and older) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (78)

A quick, easy, and inspiring read
It's amazing how much emotion can be communicated through the written word. Since the inception of the Chicken Soup for the
Soul series, millions of Americans have gained a deeper understanding of themselves through the hundreds of stories included in these books. Authors Canfield, Hansen, and Kirberger have illuminated a fire within their readers. The faithful readers of this popular series have turned to the stories of their fellow man to find inspiration, hope, and emotion within themselves.

Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul III, like its predecessors, was jam-packed with stories by teenagers and for teenagers. We, as
teens, learn through these stories of love, despair, and triumph that the splendor of life equally comes from our encounters of love, despair, and triumph. It is through experiencing these three things that life becomes richer and we become happier.

The sections of this book each touch an area of life sacred to teens: relationships, friendships, love, tough times, and growing up. Seeing other teens deal with these dilemmas encourages us to hold onto life's experiences and LEARN from them. It is through this learning process that we truly mature and find ourselves.

Great For Teenagers!
This book definitely gave me very good advice about being a teenager. I previously read Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul II. I think that this one was a wee-bit better than the others Chicken Soup books because the stories were more entertaining. I have always like the Chicken Soup books ever since I was a little. I always found the books fun to read and also educational. This book also taught me a lot about myself and that there are people out there that think the same way I do. This book was happy, sad, fun, and enlightening all in one. I would definitely recommend this book to all teens that need a little heart-warming. This book was a kind of book that you get cozy with.

Great Book!
This book definitely gave me very good advice about being a teenager. I previously read Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul II. I think that this one was a wee-bit better because the stories were more entertaining. I have always like the Chicken Soup books ever since I was a little. I always found the books fun to read and also educational. This book also taught me a lot about myself and that there are people out there that think the same way I do. This book was happy, sad, fun, and enlightening all in one. I would definitely recommend this book to all teens that need a little heart-warming. This book was a kind of book that you get cozy with.

A Boat of Emotions
Love, friendship, death, challenges and overcoming events is just a part of what is in this great book. A book you can't put down. You'll laugh and you'll cry. The true stories are great to read but also sad. I found out more about me while reading this book. It helped me realize that there are people out there with my problems and with my views. Every teenager and adult should read this book. The only other thing I can say is that you'll be speachless!

Mmm Mmm Good
Chicken soup for the teenage soul has got to be the best collection of books that I've read. This book is full of small storys about teens getting through hard times and teens going through the best times of their life. This book was especially good because I can relate to some of the storys. Some of them made me cry because they were sad, and others made me cry because they were so happy. There are over 101 testemonies of Teenagers in this book. There were some people who wrote the storys in the book where I just sat back and thought, 'wow, that sounds like me'. The book offered some good advice to some things I was going through. Chicken soup for the Teenage Soul III made a lot of sense too. All the storys were Non-fiction and they really sounded like it too. Not everyone fell and love and married the same person, someone could be heartbroken because their one true love didn't love them back. I recommend this book for anyone that has any hint of being interested in reading it. In summary it is a GREAT book of short real life storys about teenagers. ... Read more

Book Description

When a tiny snail meets a humpback whale, the two travel together to far-off lands. It’s a dream come true for the snail, who has never left home before. But when the whale swims too close to shore, will the snail be able to save her new friend?

From the creators of Room on the Broom and The Gruffalo comes this touching tale of adventure and friendship. With vibrant illustrations and rhymes that are both playful and lyrical, here is a story that shows us that even the smallest creatures can help others in a big way. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Great Book!!
This is the best book my daughter and I have read in a while. She is 4, and I have been reading it to her every day since we got it. We liked it so much that we had to check out all of the other Julia Donaldson books. We also love Room on the Broom. Both of these are fun rhyming books that tell a wonderful story.

Absolutely Beautiful Book
We just received this book and it has already become one of my son's favorites. We had to read it twice the day it came and he is asking for it every night. It is a beautiful book, I fell in love with it the first time I read it to him. The text flows smoothly, the story is wonderful, it shows how even if your different you can get along and help one another. It also teaches that it doesn't matter what size you are , you can make a difference. The illustrations are wonderful, alot of detail and color. Just all around one of the best books I have ever purchased.

IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT COUNT
Rhyming texts are always appealing to young ears, and this adventure tale by Julia Donaldson is no exception.

A tiny sea snail lives on a rock overlooking the sea. The more he looks at the sea the more he dreams of sailing around it. Ignoring the advice of his fellow snails who want him to stay put he posts a sign on the rock: "Ride wanted around the world." As they say, nothing ventured nothing gained.

One night a giant humpback whale came to the rock and invited the snail to sail with him. It didn't take the snail but a second to decide - he hopped on the whale's tail and they were off.

They saw many wonders: icebergs, penguins, mountains, golden sands, underwater caves. Such excitement!

But one day there was a bit too much excitement as racing speedboats forced the whale to swim too close to shore. Then as it does every day, the tide went out leaving "the whale beached in a bay."

Now, how can a tiny snail possibly save his friend the whale?

Youngsters will love this story's ending, and also learn a valuable lesson.

- Gail Cooke

My Favorite!
My children and I love this book! The rhyming verses just flow beautifully, holding my children's attention as well as mine. I have yet to tire of reading this out loud to them. The pictures are wonderful and we love the snail! Not only is it fun to read but it has a great message for children. This will remain one of my all time favorite children's books. ... Read more

Book Description

Ma has made a dozen delicious cookies. It should be plenty for her two children. But then the doorbell rings--and rings and rings.Each ring of the doorbell brings more friends to share the delicious cookies Ma has made."Refreshing, enjoyable and unpredictable."--School Library Journal. Also available in a Spanish-language edition, Llaman a la puerta. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Great Book!
What a cool book! I think it is funny how the doorbell keeps ringing and ringing. I can learn how to show equal shares.

Great for Childeren of Any Age
This a great book for almost every child. I am an Education Major at Pima Community College in Tucson, Az. I work also work at a Pre-school and the childeren love this book (Childeren ages 12 months to 3 1/2 years). We read it atleast once a day. This is a great book because they don't know it but they are learning how to add and subtract, using cookies. It's great because if you read it aloud to them and then show them how many kids show up, then they start to realize how many cookies are actually there, and then it gets to how many cookies each child will get. The first time I read this book to my kids, they loved it and after the second time they stated to pick up on the subratcion part of the book and now every time we read the book they can come up with the anserws on thier own. It's really amazing to me how they will start to pick it up.

good book to learn how to read at a little bit higher level
This book is good for children that are learning how to add and subtract. For example in the book the mom made 12 cookies and they had to spit them in half and then two more people came and then 4 more people came until every one only had gotten one cookie. Also this book teaches that it is important to share.

Fun to Read
This book was one of my daughters favorites when she was little. She giggled every time I said, with great zeal, "And the doorbell rang"! My house has always been quite active which made this story perfect for us. For any parent with a busy life, this book with tickle you to the core. I enjoyed reading it as much as my daughter enjoyed listening to it. Truly a fun read!

A user friendly story with great illustrations.
I have got a lot of mileage out of this book. With my own son, it has brought back wonderful memories of his own Grandma's cookies. As a Day Care Provider, I have delighted my day care children with this story during "circle time". They would get a kick out of following the kitty in the illustrations. As an investigations math instructor, I have relied on this story for Grade levels 2&3 to explain the concept of fractions and division. Every kid that has heard this story, for whatever the reason, gives it a two thumbs up. ... Read more

Book Description

Lately everybody's messing with Jamal. His teachers, the kids at school, even his dad. And now that Jamal's brother Randy's in the slam, Crazy Mack has a crazy idea. He wants Jamal to take control of the Scorpions and run crack.

All the gang jive--Jamal has no use for it. Unless, like some say, it's the only way to cop the bread for Randy's appeal...

The story of twelve-year-old Jamal, whose life changes drastically when he acquires a gun. Though he survives the experience, it's not without sacrificing his innocence and possibly his relationship with his best friend.

1989 Newbery Honor Book
Notable Children's Books of 1988 (ALA)
1988 Best Books for Young Adults (ALA)
1989 Recommended Books for Reluctant Young Adult Readers (ALA)
The USA Through Children's Books 1990 (ALA)
Young Adult Choices for 1990 (IRA)
1989 Judy Lopez Children's Books Award, Honorable Mention
Children's Books of 1988 (Library of Congress)
1989 Books for the Teen Age (NY Public Library) ... Read more

Reviews (80)

Extremely moving book!
The book, Scorpions, by Walter Dean Myers is an extremely well written book. I have always been fascinated for some reason on the hardships and lives of gangs. Maybe because I have helped some close friends of mine get out of gangs and drugs and I never knew exactly how they felt. I dont know. But when you read a book like this, it's like you were a friend of Jamal and Tito, the two main characters. Walter makes you feel like you are in the book and you belong there. It is a great book with a lot of emotions that is hard to put down.

It's about a young boy named Jamal whose brother, Randy, is in jail. Jamal's best friend, Tito, is always there for Jamal through good times and bad. The book goes through details of Jamal's trouble times with Randy's appeal, school, and his brother's gang, the Scorpions. Once Jamal is in the Scorpions, only trouble seems to face them. Will he be able to get out alive?.....

Breaking Away
Gangs, violence, guns, drugs, and poverty are just some of the topics that other sugar-coated books steer clear of. Walter Dean Myers, however, is a risk-taker and isn't afraid to expose the public to these subjects.
In the well-written book Scorpions, Myers breaks away from the everyday children's books. He writes about a young boy from Harlem, Jamal.
When Jamal's brother Randy goes to jail, Jamal has to take his place as the leader of the gang Scorpions. He thinks it is a bad idea. In my opinion, Myers successfully intertwined the worlds of violence and gangs. Jamal, the innocent bystander, and Indian, a fellow gang member, battle for position of head Scorpion. It is Indian's rough personality that Jamal is intimidated by.
I enjoyed this book a lot. The book reminds me of how people fight in my school and I could relate. As I was reading the book, I felt supportive of Jamal and the decisions he needed to make. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a refreshing change of perspectives. Anyone can relate to this book.

Bang!
Bang! This is the sound you will hear in Scorpions, by Walter Dean Myers, a present day tale about gang life in Harlem, New York. Jamal, the main character, struggles to keep up with normal life, while getting sucked into the life of the Harlem underworld. His brother, who is in jail, and Mack, notorious for being crazy, pressure him to lead a Harlem street gang, the Scorpions. Jamal's friend, Tito, is honest and kind, and sticks by Jamal through his troubles. When Mack gives Jamal a gun, Jamal is not sure what to do with it.
Scorpions shows how hard life can be when you live in poverty. This is an extremely detailed and realistic story. You feel like you are in the book when you read "A blind man with a Seeing Eye dog crossed St. Nicholas Avenue. Jamal watched as the man followed the dog across the street. The dog looked happy taking the man around."
While Scorpions can be exciting at times, much of the book dragged on. It is full of violence, but you would expect fighting in a book about street gangs. "He didn't see the punch coming .. Angel hit him again. He felt his stomach turn in, and began to throw up." Details like this are sprinkled everywhere by Walter Dean Myers.
If you get yourself involved in something dangerous and inappropriate for your age, the outcome will not be good. Sixth to eighth graders interested in the dramatic life of the streets would enjoy reading this book.

A Good Read
The book, Scorpions, is about a young boy and his struggles in a bad neighborhood filled with crime and gangs. Throughout the book he is faced with fights at school, fights at home, and even fights with gang members on the streets. His main problem is that his brother, the leader of the gang called the scorpions, is sent to jail for a robbery turned murder and throughout the book he tries to get money for an appeal. His brother wants him to take over the lead position of the gang and he is only 12 which caused problems between him and the other gang members. This led to the young boy and his friend commiting murder to save their own lives.

Scorpions
Danger! Excitement! Tragedy! In a worn down part of Harlem New York, gangs, guns, and drugs plague the streets. The leader of a well-known gang, the Scorpions was arrested and his 13-year-old brother was forced to take over.

All of these problems and emotions are packed into one book, Scorpions, by Walter Dean Myers.

In this book, Jamal, a 13-year-old tough guy, is forced to take over his brother's gang, leaving him and his friend, Tito, under a gigantic burden, a gun.

Jamal and Tito have a great friendship. No matter what trouble Jamal gets himself into, Tito sticks by him. Throughout the whole book, Jamal has to figure out what to do with the gun which Tito is so afraid of, yet can not run away from the danger it brings.

In this book Walter Dean Myers uses great sensory images enabling the reader to paint a picture in his or her mind. He also uses dialect getting the reader into the book. One example of sensory images used by the author is the wonderful description of the Scorpion signature jacket.

I would definitely recommend this book, especially to young adults. This book can be compared to a number of books written by S. E. Hinton. The message of Scorpions is violence is not the answer. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Outstanding book for both parent & child to read.
This book should be a requirement in every home. It is wriiten for a teen but shoul dbe read by both parent and child. The concept of the 40 assets is fundamentally simple. The book defines the assets and then gives advice on how the adolescent, parent(s), community,school, and congregation can help to ensure that a child is brought up with all of the assets they need to be a successful person. It has examples of the successes that communities across the country have had setting the concepts of the assets into into motion. The excellence of the book is reinforced by a lecture I attended by Dr. Benson 2 months ago. The concept of the developmental assets being the framework for a successful, well-rounded person makes perfect sense. It should be adopted as a National standard.

A wonderful book for teens and their parents!
We like the book so much that we are adopting the asset building concepts featured!

As the Red Ribbon Chair for the Red Ribbon Coalition, I will urge volunteer coordinators to put at least one copy in their school library!

Irvine Unified School District's Guidance Resources will include the list of 40 Developmental Assets (from the book) in our 1999/2000 parent handbook.

This is an excellent resource for anyone who cares about helping youth succeed! ... Read more

Book Description

Summer school are two words in the English language that Hank Zipzerdoesn’t want to learn. But there’s no getting out of this one for Hank—summer school, here hecomes! Will Hank have to spend the summer bored to death inside a sweltering classroom, or willhe actually learn a cool lesson or two? ... Read more

Book Description

This book addresses children's worries with humor and imagination, as hilarious scenarios teach kids the use of perspective and the art of creative problem--solving. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

A Teacher's Review
I am a first grade teacher who had the opportunity to read this book to my class. All of the children enjoyed the story. They loved looking for the Worry. Most importantly, this book generated a lot of discussion about things that worried them and how they could make their worries go away or find alternative solutions.
I highly recommend this book for children of all ages.

A Great Book for Kids
The clever text and delightful illustrations of Is a Worry Worrying You? speak directly and honestly to the audience. They let the reader know that there are ways to deal with worrys,
that there are solutions to problems and that we are not alone, all the while keeping it light and enjoyable.
I read this book to my fifth grade students and they truly enjoyed it. I also shared it with our guidance counselor.

The children love it!
Is A Worry Worrying You? is entertaining, educational and visually astounding!The worry monster is a brilliant representation of this sometimes very scary problem children face.The clever writing and phenomenal illustrations make this book an instant favorite.

Author, journalist
Ferida Wolff and Harriet Savitz know how to best serve the teaching of life lessons - with a generous helping of humor. Is A Worry Worrying You? is just plain fun to read. The illustrations invite children in, then they discover the universality of their fears and concerns while having a good laugh at the characters inhabiting the story.The fiendish worry monster gets thwarted by the authors' hilarious solutions to some of life's thorny problems.

A visual treat and a fun read for children and grown-ups as well.

Helping Children Deal With Common Fears
Is a Worry Worrying You?

Ferida Wolff and Harriet May Savitz


Ms. Wolff and Ms. Savitz have written a beautiful book that speaks to children in their own language.Instead of talking at children from the adult's perspective, they enter the childrens' world so they can walk with children and explore their fears and anxieties with them.Rather than being condescending, their lighthearted approach shows a deep respect for childhood and its fears as well as a sound awareness of the inner resources residing in children.Just as fairy tales help children externalize their fears (Bettleheim, B; THE USES OF ENCHANTMENT), IS A WORRY WORRYING YOU?enables children to investigate their fears and tells each child he/she is not alone in having these fears.Finally, the fanciful suggestions entertain and amuse children while the very valid and practical solutions empower children to creatively resolve their concerns.As a former school psychologist in an elementary school, I know that when adults minimize childhood fears, they do not go away but can linger and harm.When I read this with children in my school they responded to it immediately and wanted to hear it again and again.


Claire Laufman
... Read more

Reviews (39)

Great for educators!
Sometimes for little ones, anger can be a very scary and confusing place. "When Sophie Gets Angry - Really, Really Angry..." does a wonderful job of showing how one little girl not only feels when she gets angry, but how she chooses to deal with her anger. The story begins with Sophie playing with her little sister. When Sophie's little sister grabes her stuffed gorilla out of her hands, Sophie immediately screams "No!" and reaches out for her mother to correct the "problem". However, her mother informs Sophie that she needs to learn to share and allows her little sister to keep the stuffed gorilla. This makes Sophie really, really angry. The author describes Sophie's anger as "a volcano ready to explode". She stomps, screams, and even kicks--she is so mad. Bright reds, oranges, and yellows are used to emphasize just how angry Sophie has become. Overcome by anger, Sophie runs out of her house and finds solitude in nearby woods. There, she is able to cry, think about what she has done, and manage to find peace. The colors of the book change the more and more Sophie manages to calm down. The bright and firey colors used previously turn into softer, more muted blues, whites and greens. Sophie eventually runs home, where is she is welcomed by loving hugs and sense of peace.

Many have criticized this story for downplaying the "tantrums" Sophie throws and for the fact she basically runs away from home to avoid her problems. Even though I am not a parent myself, I can see where this would be a concern. However, as an educator, I really thought this book did a good job showing young readers that anger is an emotion we all share and that this was how one little girl chose to deal with her anger. I agree that it is unacceptable to run away from home when you are angry, but I think one misses the point if that is all they notice about the book. Seeing Sophie welcomed back home with loving arms will give children much needed comfort in knowing no matter what happens (or how big a tantrum they may throw) they will be loved in the end. The wonderful use of color is another stong selling point to this book. Bold brush strokes and full color "childlike" illustrations will draw children to this story. I would recomend this book to anyone, but especailly those who work with small children.

When Sophie Gets Angry
My 2-year old daughter loves this beautifully illustrated book about a little girl coping with a temper tantrum. I think it helps her label and understand her own feelings when things don't go the way she wants them to. As for it teaching kids to "run away" when they are angry--that's not the way I read it. To me, it describes getting out and doing something physical (running, then climbing a tree), and then enjoying nature, as a way to cope with angry feelings. My daughter also seems to find it deeply satisfying when Sophie goes back inside to a warm home where people are happy to see her, and she is able to join in the family's activities again, with no hard feelings. I think it's important for preschoolers to understand that angry feelings can be coped with and survived without harming either individuals or relationships.

WV State College Student
I am a student at West Virginia State College currently taking a class called Children's Literature. Our instructor required us to read a Caldecott Honor book as part of our assignment and write our personal view of the book.

This book is about a little girl named Sophie who is playing with her favorite toy gorilla and her sister decides she wants to play with it and grabs it from her. This causes Sophie to be angry and she runs out and climbs her favorite tree. Sophie feels better and returns home and everything is all normal.

This would be a great children's book to read aloud in a classroom. You can discuss with the children what they would do when they get angry and what would make them feel better. I would highly recommend this book for K - 2 grade students.

Teaching mindfulness to kids
I am a parent and also a yoga teacher. I think this book very beautifully illustrates what anger may feel like, a volcano ready to explode! Sophie lets off steam by running... and crying... then she comes to her senses, seeing, hearing, feeling nature. "The wide world comforts her." "Sophie feels better now." She returns home to the warmth and familiar smells and sounds and sights of home. She is welcomed home. She is not her anger. This book really offers a way to open up dialogue about anger and other emotions. Kids can relate their feelings to colors, to things in nature. Mindfulness is about being aware of the present moment while you are in it. Coming to our senses brings us into the present moment. Mindfulness is a wonderful anger management tool, feeling the emotion in the body, focusing on the sensation rather than reacting from it. Teaching mindfulness allows for opportunities to respond rather than react. The thing to remember is that it is mindfulness PRACTICE!!! I think this book could help lessen tantrums, giving kids a sense of control over their anger. It is a chance to LEARN from anger. The illustrations are vibrant and engaging. My son is going on three, and he was definitely able to relate to Sophie. We just recently read this book together and I think it will serve us well! I highly recommend it!

Express your feelings
This book is really great to use when discussing how to deal with your feelings with your child or a group of children. I am a first grade teacher and we teach empathy lessons at our school and this book really relates to the children. They can relate to having these feelings of anger and not knowing what to do with them. Reading this book really helps them know what to do with these feelings without doing it because they are told to. ... Read more

Book Description

Alfred Brooks is scared. He's a highschool dropout and his grocery store job is leading nowhere. His best friend is sinking further and further into drug addiction. Some street kids are after him for something he didn't even do. So Alfred begins going to Donatelli's Gym, a boxing club in Harlem that has trained champions. There he learns it's the effort, not the win, that makes the man -- that last desperate struggle to get back on your feet when you thought you were down for the count.

Reviews (258)

The Contender
First thing I want to say: Excellent book! I think Lipsyte did a wondrous job portraying a young, scared boy growing into a determined, mature man.
Alfred Brooks is scared. He is a high school dropout with a job at a grocery store that is going nowhere, and fast. His best friend is sinking more and more into drugs. The neighborhood thugs want him, to either beat him up or to join them. After one of these beatings, Alfred decides to start going to Donatelli's Gym, a boxing club in Harlem that is notorious for champions. While training, he learns from Donatelli that it's the effort, not the win, that makes the man. It's if you can be hit and hurt, but still struggle to stand on your feet when everyone thought you were done. I loved the book. I think it would make an excellent movie and should be done so soon.
While reading this book I was inspired to start working out and feel better about myself. After reading this book I understood the importance of determination, discipline, and dedication when trying for your goals. I learned that if you have what it takes to become a contender, then you can do anything you want to.

The Contender
This book is about Alfred Brooks. He is a high school dropout and doesn't know what to do with his life. His mom died and he is living with his Aunt Pearl. He works at Epstein's Grocery Store which is owned by 3 Epstein brothers. Alfred hangs out with people that want to break into the store. Alfred doesn't tell them that there is a silent alarm in the store. His best friend James gets caught and the others don't trust him anymore. He goes to Donatelli's gym to workout and he goes there every chance he can. He finds out that Lou Epstein used to be a great boxer. Alfred learns how to box and gets a chance to fight. Will Alfred win the fight? Will he continue boxing? What will happen next? Find out by reading The Contender.
I liked this book because the good descriptions made it easy to imagine the people. You could also tell how Alfred felt at every point in the book. For example before he was going to fight in a match his stomach felt like an "ice ball". The sounds you could imagine too. "When Alfred was hitting the peanut bag it sounded like a machine gun". The one thing I didn't like about it is the way the city was described. There wasn't enough detail to imagine it. All I knew was that it took place in Harlem. I don't think that the author should just assume that people know what Harlem looks like. I read other books that took place in Harlem and the author described it much better.

Alfred and His Problems
I read the book THE CONTENDER by Robert Lipsyte. I really enjoyed the book because it's not really long nor hard to understand. The book is really action packed and keeps you wanting to read it more and more. The main character is Alfred. Alfred's conflict is that his best friend James want's him to go to the store he works at and help him break in so they can steal. The place Alfred works is at the supermarket that James wants to rob. Alfred gets jumped on the way home from the supermarket one night by one of James' friends who wanted help to rob the store.After Alfred gets jumped he decides that he wants to take boxing lessons. Alfred goes to the gym to see what it was like and tries to walk out but Mr.Donatellie stops him. Alfred decides to give boxing lessons a try and doesn't realize how much work it would really be. If you want to know more I recommend that you read the book THE CONTENDER.

THE CONTENDER
The Contender
The contender is a great book explaining some of the problems people have in the ghetto with great detail. I especially like the way in which the author works around the problem which Alfred (main character) getting beat up, bullied and having racists always on his back. Alfred tells his friend about his job and how sometimes that the store he works at is empty on Sundays. His friends decide to break in and steal money from the store but Alfred doesn't go and forgets to tell them about the new alarm in which goes off and cops come and arrest his friends. Alfred hides, but all of his friends who didn't get caught want to kill him, so he must learn how to fight. He actually becomes a Boxer. I think this book greatly describes the thinking of teenagers today and gives meaning of what teenagers face everyday. Also on pages 8 and 9 in chapter one it describes a place where he can be himself and can hide and get away from the world, which is a secret place. Overall I think Contender is a must read!

a knockout of a book
the contender was an exellent book that I would recomend for others. you read along a young man's path from a school dropout to an in shape boxer.through boxing, alfred brooks, is able to find himself. I thought this book was good because it deals with real life problems such as drugs, education, and violence. this is a very good book for a teenaged boy. it teaches good ethics like never give up, never lose faith, and always keep punching. ... Read more

Book Description

From a fear of spiders to panic attacks, kids have worries and fears, just like adults. But while adults have access to a lot of helpful information, that hasn’t been true for kids—until now. Drawing on his years of experience helping children deal with anxiety, Dr. James Crist has written a book that kids can turn to when they need advice, reassurance, and ideas. He starts by telling young readers that all kids are scared and worried sometimes; they’re not alone. He explains where fears and worries come from and how the mind and body work together to make fears worse or better. He describes various kinds of fears and suggests ten Fear Chasers and Worry Erasers kids can try to feel safer, stronger, and calmer. The second part of the book focuses on phobias, separation anxiety, OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder), and other problems too big for kids to handle on their own, and explains what it’s like to get counseling. Includes a special "Note to Grown-ups" and a!list of resources. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

One of the best self-help books for children ever written
As a child and family therapist, I am constantly searching for books to use with the children that I work with. I am usually disappointed with most books that address problems of childhood, because they either treat the subjects too lightly and offer no real solutions for children who have already used the obvious ideas, or are far too complex for the average child to relate to. This book is wonderful. Not only is it written in extremely child-friendly terms, it is comprehensive and gives many good-quality, proven techniques for dealing with fear and anxiety.

Topics includes: what kids are typically scared or worried about, where fears come from, how the body and mind work together to make fears better or worse, "fear chasers and worry erasers" (coping skills), written exercises, and a chapter on more intense fears including phobias, separations anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The book finishes off with a chapter that answers children's questions about what to expect from counseling, should they need extra help overcoming their fears. A note to parents is included, which offers additional information on how to support children with their fears.

I highly recommend this book, and wish that the author would write many more books like this one!! ... Read more

Book Description

Dr. Seuss's youngest concept book is now available in a sturdy board book

designed especially for his youngest fans. All of the original stunning

illustrations and imaginative type designs of Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher are

here, as are the intriguing die-cut squares in the cover. A brighter, more

playful cover design makes this board book edition all the more appropriate as

a color concept book to use with babies or a feelings and moods book to discuss

with toddlers.




... Read more

Reviews (45)

Not your usual Dr. Seuss - but terrific!
My daughter is a huge fan of this book - and so am I! I won't say that about too many children's books... As cute as some of them are, I can only make so many dog noises and elephant sounds in a day (over and over). But this is a book that we both agree on.

First of all, the book is beautiful. The colors are great. I love the illustrations. They're colorful but subtle, not your normal "in your face" Seuss (of which I am a fan).

Second, the book is just the right length for a toddler. Some of the other Seuss, while funny, is long. This is just about perfect.

Mostly, however, I like the message of this book: that you can be in one mood one day and another mood another day and that's okay. I think really small children, especially toddlers, have a difficult time understanding the concepts of mad and glad and sad... We expect them to be "on" at happy all day long. But they really are just little people and they experience different feelings, too. I like that this book says that's okay.

Yeah, the message is a little "touchy feely" but the book doesn't come across that way at all. It's Seussy-y without the camp, but with the same sense of rhyme and optimism. It works.

A beautifully illustrated book and unlike any other Seuss
My Many Colored Days was written a long time ago, but Dr Seuss felt that he couldn't adequately illustrate it. Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher provided paintings which add incredible dimension to the text.

The result is a wonderful visual metaphor for presenting the gamut of emotions and a clever way of talking about feelings with one's child, whether it's a grey day and we feel down; a yellow day where we're busy as a bee, or a mixed up day.

Love it!
When I read this book to my children (ages 4 & 1) I always try to emphasize the emotions & feelings behind each color & painting using my voice...I think it is an excellent book for opening up a dialogue with kids about their emotions & learning how to express them.

The paintings are inspiring but ordinary in a way that when you look at them you think "I could paint that!". Really a great, great book! It's a continuous favorite in our house, a must have for every child's book shelf!

I recommend the board book for younger kids because it IS so well loved & read. The images on the pages definately call out to be touched by little hands!

tomorrow could be different
I would highly recommend this book to anyone--young & old alike! I think it is especially good reading for those feeling like they are in a slump and finding it hard to move on. This book shows that today you might feel like it's a black, brown, or purple day, but if you hold on until tomorrow, you may have a yellow or pink day. Although this book was purchased for my two toddlers, who both love it, this is a coffee-table book at our house.

My 10 month old's favorite book
I wouldn't have expected it but this is my 10 month old son's favorite book. I think he likes the bright colors. Also the way the text is written inspires you to change your voice which he really has enjoyed. The bright colors, simple but cute graphics, short and rhyming verse all combine to make a really neat book. This is the first book that my son has really showed interest in, he actually coos and babbles and touches the pages as I read it to him. He sits through the whole book and likes it to be read to him more than once every day. I've tried "Goodnight Moon", "Guess How Much I Love You", "The Runaway Bunny", "Mother Goose", etc but no other book has fasinated him so far as much as this book. I'd highly recommend it. ... Read more

Book Description

Big Mouth

No I did not. I did not, I did not. I did not say those things, and I did not plan those things. Won't It anyone believe me?

Ugly Girl

All right, Ugly Girl made a mistake. I'd told my mom what I'd heard in the cafeteria, and she'd told Dad. Evidently. I'd thought for sure they would want me to speak up for the truth.

Reviews (41)

The Mouth that cried Wolf
The Young Adult book field is not one that comes to mind when I think of the body of Joyce Carol Oates'work. Yet here it is from the prolific Oates, "Big Mouth and Ugly Girl."
BMUG chronicles the high