Book Description

Owen Foote knows that soccer is the greatest sport in the world. He's so excited about being old enough to join the town soccer league that he has talked his best friend, Joseph, into signing up too. But Joseph turns out to be terrible at soccer. That's not the only thing troubling Owen: the other kids on his team, the Aliens, seem to be bigger and older and better at soccer than he is, and at least one of them is mean. But Owen isn't about to give up his best friend or his favorite sport without a struggle. Readers will cheer for Owen as he and Joseph face new challenges on and off the field and come up winners. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

IT'S SOOOO GREAT!!!!!!
I have read the two Owen Foote books that she has written so far and they are both ABSOLUTELY STELLAR!!!!!!!Even though I am 13 I have read both many times.The lessons in life they taught me are spectacular and Ilearned so much about how to be a nice homo sapien.I wish Stephanie wouldwrite many more books in this spectacular series!!!!!!!!!

I Think that this is a great sequel!!!
I am the authors son, Oliver who is meant to be the inspiration for her writing the Owen Foote series. I think that my mom is pretty good at understanding children like me and trying to write realistically. She does not know that I am writing this, but I hope one day she will see it. I remember the happy day when she sold the book, and I am proud for her. I think that all young soccer players will enjoy this book. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Beautifully illustrated; tender story for one's imagination!
This tender story about Ernst and his brother Sol touches the hearts of everyone. Our favorite birthday gift! It teaches us to respect the uniqueness in each of us. The incredible illustrations capture the imagination of young and old. We love reading this story over and over again.

An important message delivered via beautiful,appropriate art
Ms. Kleven shows her readers the beauty in the world around us, the many things we can enjoy which don't cost money or require collecting objects. Her message is important and her art is fanciful and gorgeous.

our family loved this book
I think this is a great book for kids about imagination and about "doing your own thing". The illustrations are absolutely wonderful - you discover something new everytime you read it. ... Read more

Book Description

Larry, Witt, and Rafferty have a whole summer to play all the different kinds of baseball, to build structures in the backyard, to find out what makes the world tick. "We've got to keep busy," says Witt. I want to know everything. Not just part."

Larry doesn't want to know what keeps him heading for Witt's backyard, rich with weeds and rotting appliances, whenever he's not at baseball practice. All he knows is that there's no one he'd rather be with than these two friends, that the chaos of Witt's universe offers refuge from his own orderly home and an entrance into a world of change, growth, and unpredictability. THE HOTEL EDEN author Ron Carlson's first novel for young readers is a heady immersion in the first moments of adolescence, when nothing is as it ever was before.

Reviews (2)

All Growing up
I can't believe there are not more people reading this book. This memoir of the summer between grade school and Jr. high is a classic. The all-star chapters about getting Rafferty voted an all-star, the 'baseball goggles,' and corking the bat are just some of the classic adventures of this part of adolescence.

Don't get the idea that there is just a fun summer of boyhood sleep outs in the book. The retrospective look at Witt, Rafferty, Larry and their families are a look into our own lives and the lives of those around us. It's a heart jerking look at growing up with lots of laughs.

Carlson is excellent again
This novel may be considered a young adult work by some readers, but it's a young adult novel in the way that _The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn_ or _To Kill a Mockingbird_ or _Great Expectations_ or any number of other books with young protagonists are. It's about 3 friends and their adventures over that strange, wonderous summer between eleven and twelve... That summer when suddenly the girls become interesting, and dancing is no long to be abjectly feared but possibly even sought out; when there are things in life that are slowly becoming more interesting than baseball or time travel. Carlson has always been excellent at portraying innocence lost and recapturing those whimsical moments of our youth (see "Plan B for the Working Class," "Oxygen," "Keith," to name a few of his stories), but this novel captures a time that most of us have shared in our life so perfectly that it's sad and sweet as nostalgia brewed into a heady and soft liquor. It's suitable for young adults, sure, but this book will do a lot more for grownups than Harry Potter novels ever will. ... Read more

Book Description

Grab the best seats for a homerun combination of practical information and pure fun.The championship game is coming up soon, and Nick can't wait to pitch for his team, the Rockets. Come watch Nick practice with the team and learn about equipment, drills, and positions. Listen to Coach Brian's tips and his advice on good sportsmanship and being a team player.Then, watch the championship game, with an easy-to-understand narration of how Nick's line drive helps bring teammate Mady home to win the game! Chock full of all the information kids need, this will score a big hit with beginning players or kids who just love the game. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great for all ages!
This is finally a baseball book that even a parent can learn from and enjoy. My son, age 5, loved this book. It is an interesting story as well as educational. You will learn all about baseball from "choking up on the bat" to running the bases. It is very informative and fun!! I highly recommend!!! ... Read more

Book Description

It stands unconquered, the last great summit of the Alps. Only one man has ever dared to approach the top, and that man died in his pursuit. He was Josef Matt, Rudi Matt's father.

At sixteen, Rudi is determined to pay tribute to the man he never knew, and complete the quest that claimed his father's life. And so, taking his father's red shirt as a flag, he heads off to face the earth's most challenging peak. But before Rudi can reach the top, he must pass through the forbidden Fortress, the gaping chasm in the high reaches of teh Citadel where his father met his end. Rudi has followed Josef's footsteps as far as they will take him. Now he must search deep within himself to find the strength for the final ascent to the summit--to plant his banner in the sky.

1955 Newbery Honor Book
Notable Children's Books of 1954 (ALA) ... Read more

Reviews (68)

A tattered red shirt has never symbolized so much!
Banner In The Sky is an amazing acount of a fictional mountain climbing expedition based in historical accounts of the conquer of the Matterhorn. The protagonist, 16-year-old Rudi Matt, is forced to wash dishes in a hotel instead of following his true dream; climbing the Citadel, the very mountain that had claimed his father's life fifteen years ago. The antagonist is, obviously, the Citadel herself, the last unconquered peak in the area. Although an overprotective mother and uncle also get in the way of Rudi's dream. When Rudi finally gets a chance to join the expedition up the mountain, he shows everyone that he is determined to complete the journey his father started. Rudi's journey is a journey of faith and stamena and also forgiveness and loyalty. These values are all summed up in the red shirt that Rudi carries with him to place at the peak of the Citadel; the very shirt his father wore the night he died before giving it up so that another man could live. This book is all about following your dreams, but also about the fact that one must work hard to achieve those dreams. James Ramsey Ullman combines history with an extraordinary account of the happenings in the small village of Kurtall in the Swiss Alps. For me the highlight of the book was a Rudi's nighttime encounter with the spirit of his father as he sits in the very spot that claimed his father's life. A chilling and magical scene.

GREATEST BOOK EVER
My friend told me that Banner in the Sky is a very good book, well I'm here to vouch for that. Banner in the Sky is the most intriguing story I have ever read. James R. Ullman's book is about a legend, named Josef Matt, whose son is determined to climb the mountain that Josef died on. If Rudi Matt can do this, if he can climb the Citadel, he will be the first one ever to climb it. But in all good stories there's a catch, Rudi's mom and uncle won't let him climb the mountain because of his father's death. Plus Rudi is not built to climb! Along the way Rudi meets Captain John Winter, the best climber of his day. The Captain gives Rudi his chance to climb, but will he? Banner in the sky is a gut-wrenching story about sheer will and determination. My recommendation, simple, if you ever have had parental problems (and I know you have) then this is your book!

Book Review
Banner in the Sky is one of the best books I have ever read. James Ramsey Ullman is a very talented author and his use of discriptive words is amazing. All the challenges that Rudi must face and the amazing truth about the true conquerors of the Citadel make this book all the more thrilling. I would recommend this book to anyone that loves thrills, excitement, and amazing scenery.

zzzzzzzzzz
This book was the most boring thing I have ever read. The same situations kept occurring over and over and this made the book predictable. Of course, I had to read it for school which made it less fun. But on the other hand, why would anyone want to read this book for fun? Just reading the first couple of sentences puts you to sleep. The characters are all the same and the worst part was that Rudi never even reached the summit! Despite all his attempts, he never got to his goal EVEN AT THE END OF THE MOST BORING AND TEDIOUS BOOK I HAVE EVER READ! My advice, if you're looking for some sleep, read this.

Rivew
I very mutch enjoied this book it is one of the best adventure books I have ever read. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The Berenstain Bears GO TO CAMP
The Berenstain Bears GO TO CAMP was a good book. It was about how the cubs wanted to go to a camp because they were bored, but at first they didn't want to go. The sister cub didn't like the idea very much only because she didn't want to spend overnight outside. The brother cub was curios about what "fully supervised" meant. This book taught a good lesson about how you shouldn't turn things down until you try them. At first the cubs didn't want to go but then they tried it and found out they actually liked it. The age level of this book is pretty much all ages. Parents can read this book to their children or young kids can read it on their own. I think this book was a good book and I enjoyed reading it.

Excellent primer for first-time camp experience
Each summer, thousands of kids go off to camp for the first time. Naturally, it can be a scary experience (for both parents and kids alike!), but thanks to the Berenstain Bears, we can breath a little bit easier - sharing this book can definitely help to ease some of the pre-camp jitters. In the story, Mama and Papa sign up Brother and Sister Bear for a week-long summer day camp. The cubs aren't too excited about going away every day and worry about everything from making friends to encounters with strange insects and animals. The book also does something helpful for kids going away to sleep-over camps: the daycamp for Brother and Sister culminates in a hike and sleepout on the final night, which will help to appease some of the fears of kids who are scared of spending a night or series of nights away from home. In the end, Brother and Sister realize that camp is an excellent way to spend part of the summer, and can't wait to go back next year to play fun, new games, and see the many new friends they have made. "The Berenstain Bears Go To Camp" is a worthwhile addition to your Berenstain Bears library and highly recommended for kids who may be going off to camp or spending time away from home for the first time.

When the Bears go Camping
This is a great story to get your child prepared to go to camp. A must read. ... Read more

Book Description

Ever since his sudden move from the city to the suburbs, the one place Jeremy feels at home is on the basketball court. But North Bridge is not like any place Jeremy has ever played before. Back home, there would be twenty or thirty kids and maybe three or four balls. He'd wait for a ball, pick a spot, and shoot. Here the kids didn't have to wait at all. Balls were flying everywhere. Jeremy even saw two jerks get hit in the head because there were so many balls.

And the parents. They were always there, and there were so many of them -- at the clinics ... at the tryouts ... everywhere. Who's playing anyway?

Maybe if Jeremy wasn't displaced and living with his grandmother, he'd feel as though he fit in. Jeremy figures the only way out is to take the car and leave. Just walk away from his teammates, Hank and Nathan, and Anabel. It's just a game, after all, isn't it?

Book Description

Joey loves walking to his hockey games with his dad. Often they talk about their favorite player, Boston Bruins defenseman Bobby Orr. One day, Joey has an accident on the ice and ends up in the hospital with a broken leg. During his stay, Joey thrills to the Bruins’ run for the playoffs and––miraculously––gets a visit from none other than Bobby Orr himself! Orr tells him about all the injuries he’s had, shares advice on the game of hockey, and even gives Joey one of his sticks. When Joey leaves the hospital he gets to watch his hero win the 1972 Stanley Cup at Boston Garden. Based on a true story from the life of hockey legend Bobby Orr, this book relays an important message about getting over hurdles and setbacks. ... Read more

Book Description

An inpiration for young riders and a feast for horse and book lovers. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Horses - Strength, Grace and Poetry in Motion
I have owned this book for years. I still read it when it is not possible to feel the wind in my hair for real. The breathtaking pictures, the lovely stories and the obvious connection GaWaNi has with Kola, his horse, all make this an outstanding book and mini escape for me. Thank you Mr. Pony Boy and Ms. Boiselle!

Beautifully Illustrated book for kids
Nice pics but not a HUGE amount of substance. But, girls who love horses aren't looking for a lot of that anyway! They want pictures and romantic thoughts about being with horses. That's what they get!

Learning about horses and life
Leadership through trust and respect is one of the many lessons the young reader will learn from this book. The simple tools and techniques for starting a line of communication with horses are presented in a wise and gentle manner. Indeed, the Native American philosophy of teaching horses coincides with their attitude toward all animals living on, in, or above Mother Earth, and that is responsibility for them and mutual respect among and between them. GaWaNi Pony Boy speaks of creating the right environment for understanding, and his thoughts, words, and deeds are relevant to everyday life. The book is artfully laid out and contains beautiful and decoratively captioned photographs. There are several Native American tales and sayings, such as, "...the reason Creator gave two-leggeds two ears and one mouth was so that we would listen twice as much as we talk." I found this book to be a most enjoyable learning experience and recommend it to adults and youngsters alike. ... Read more

Book Description

Louie Banks has it made.

He's got a starting spot on the football team, good friends, and a smart, beautiful girlfriend who loves him as much as he loves her.

Early in the fall, he sees all his ideas of fair play go up in smoke; by spring, what he cares about most has been destroyed. How can Louie keep going when he's lost everything?

Reviews (30)

Running Loose
Running Loose is a phenomenal book. It is a book for a reader that enjoys young adult fiction. Chris Crutcher does an excellent job at combining drama with sports. If you enjoy reading books about sports you should consider Chris Crutcher as an author. The book starts out when a high school football player named Louie is in summer training for football. He exercises every day to get in shape. As the season approaches, he becomes the star defensive back for Trout High School. In the meantime he falls in love with a cheerleader named Becky. When his team is faced against one of the toughest teams in the league, Salmon River, his coach tells one of Louies teammates, Boomer, to take out their star quarterback, Washington. After it happened Louie was upset with Boomer and tried to get is own team a penalty by telling the referee it was an intentional hit. His coach kicked him off the team for the rest of the season and said he will never play another sport at Trout High School again. When he thinks that worse has happened to him, something else worse happens. His girlfried, Becky, is killed in a car accident. Can Louie overcome his problems, or will something even worse happen? You must read this exciting book to find out.

Interesting
Chris Crutcher's book Running Loose was a very good book with very true to life characters. Louie, who's main goals in life are to be a good football player and get a girl, faces many challenges that teens today are faced with. Crutcher grabs the real essence of teens and shows them to us with unadulterated skill. Looking at the plot in this book, a bad call by a good coach, it causes me to look back at my school time (going to a small school like Louis)and realizing that this could have really happened anywhere and probably does to some extent. I am heartened to read about an untypical hero who stands up to fight in the face of adversity.

Crutcher is one for the record books.

sms student
Running Loose, by Chris Crutcher was a great read. It was about a high school boy who is faced with some very tough decisions. His senior year starts out great. He's got a starting sport on the varsity football team, and the girl of his dreams, Becky. Then tragedy strikes. He is kicked off the football team for standing up to the coach. Also Becky gets killed in a car crash. Louie gets help from and support from his parents. Crutcher tried to get across in the story that Louie is an average kid faced with difficult decisions. This book is worth reading if your older than 13 because of different parts in the book. It would not be good for someone in elementary school.

Saved by the Mile
In the book "Running Loose", a high school boy made a stupid decision that could have messed up the rest of his senior year. Fortunately, he found a sport that helped him to clear his mind. This sport turned out to be the best thing for him.
Overall, I thought this book was pretty good. The only thing that concerned me was that the author, Chris Crutcher, didn't quite make it clear who all of the characters were. This book might be just a little mature for sixth and seventh graders. This isn't such a great book for elementary students. I also thought this book had some really funny parts in it. Out of five stars, I would rate this book a 4.

Running Loose
The book Running Loose by Chris Crutcher is the story of Louie Banks' senior year in high school. I think that this book was very well-written. The story dealt with many of today's issues, such as racism and standing up for what you believe in.
Louie Banks lives in a small town where everyone knows each other. The story begins with Louie being on the football team, having great parents, and a perfect girlfriend. However, his near perfect live begin to unravel when he stands up for an African-American football player from another school who was purposely injured by one of Louie's teammates. Louie is thrown off the team by his coach and the school principal. This sets off a year-long feud between Louie, the coach, and principal.
The year progresses, with everything going not so good for Louie. The school principal is constantly trying to get Louie suspended, because he still holds a grudge from the football season. The saddest part of the book is when Louie's girlfriend, Becky dies unexpectedly. Louie does some surprising acts after Becky is killed, such as chopping down the oldest tree in the town's forest, yelling at her funeral, and throwing her memorial plaque into the river where she was killed. He did most of these acts out of anger because of her death or because of the way people were acting. He yelled at her funeral about the minister who said the mass, because he was saying things that were not important about Becky's life. In the spring, Louie joins the track team and does well most of the time. Being on the track team helps him relieve some of his anger and sadness that he had from the loss of Becky.
I think that the main thing that Louie learns from his last year of high school is that being the best at football or having the whole town love you because you "put on a show" are not the most important things in life. In the end, being kind to the people that you love and standing up for what is right and what you believe in is what makes you a good person. I think that Running Loose is a book that all high school students should read, because it gives a message that we all should learn. ... Read more

Book Description

Did you ever hear
the story
of the
Girl Wonder?

Alta Weiss was born to play baseball, simple as that. From the age of two, when she hurls a corncob at a pesky tomcat, folks in her small Ohio town know one thing for sure: She may be a girl, but she's got some arm.

When she's seventeen, Alta hears about a semipro team, the Independents. Here's her big chance! But one look at Alta's long skirts tells Coach all he needs to know -- girls can't play baseball!

Faster than you can say "strike out!," Alta's convinced him to give her a chance. And so with the crowd buzzing and the big game up to her, Alta steps up to the pitcher's mound, determined to prove everybody wrong.

Inspired by the life of pioneering female baseball player Alta Weiss, and dramatized by Terry Widener's bold illustrations, Girl Wonder tells the unforgettable story of a true American original. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

My third-grader picked this one out herself!
My daughter was attracted to the cover and title of this book. She immediately read it to herself, then asked to read it aloud to me. She loved the story (as well as the adorable pictures) of how a girl was born to play baseball...even though she was the only female on the team. I would highly recommend this book to any girl or boy who would enjoy reading about one smart and determined young lady.

Parents Choice Award Winner
Girl Wonder is the winner of a 2003 Parents Choice Gold Award. As a teacher and parent, I rely on the Parents Choice award books. This is a great book to read aloud. If your daughter plays ball, read her this book. The photograph of the real Alta Weiss on the back cover is awesome.

A Wonderful Book for Girls and Boys
My daughter began playing ball in third grade. She loves this book. The illustrations are fun yet convey a sense of the time period. And the story is great for reading aloud. The best part is seeing a photograph of the real Alta Weiss, the Girl Wonder, on the back cover. That seems to make it real for kids. I am a teacher and I do a unit on women's history every March and will definitely include Girl Wonder on my list of books to read to my students. ... Read more

Book Description

Grab your ticket to Game 5 of the 1947 World Series! Come back in time to historic Ebbets Field for all the thrill and excitement of a day at the ballpark. Join the crowd in the stands as they root, root, root for the home team Dodgers who battle their archrivals, the New York Yankees! See Jackie Robinson, Spec Shea, Cookie Lavagetto, and announcer Red Barber -- plus the famous Dodger fans. For baseball lovers of all ages, here's a book that's sure to be a home run! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great song book for wide age levels
I thoought the Horn Book review was rough on this delightful picture book. My children have loved it from toddlerhood-- especially because we can "sing" our way through it (and sing over and over if the page turning pace is fast, slow, etc-- it doesn't matter). There is plenty of detail and nostalgia in the careful illustrations-- also a hit with Nana! And it depicts black and white fans side by side, with nods to Jackie Robinson. The end notes are fascinating too. Enjoy!

The illustrations really make the song come to life.
The illustrations is this book are so good that they made me love baseball even more than before. My 2 year old sings the song all of the time now. I wanted to buy the hard cover version after checking it out of the library, but I can't since it's out of print. ... Read more

Book Description

Join four young kids on a fun-filled day of discovery on the golf course. My First Golf Book is a charming, colorful, hardcover picture book and a great first-reader.Share the game you love with the little ones in your life! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

First golf book
I returned this book because it has absolutely nothing to do with golf--sand castles in the bunker and kids rolling around on the green. I guess adding lightning to the rainstorm might have taught one lesson in the book. It certainly doesn't portray the behavior I want from my children on or near a course.

A fun and charming story!
What a charming book...and quite fun to read. It is a great book for the beginning reader. My first-grader loves that she can read it herself. The illustrations are so colorful and fun, even my 2 year old is captivated by the pictures. A great find!

Great Children's Book
I have purchased 5 Or 6 of these books for Christmas and Birthday presents.

It's fun, and well thought out with great illustrations. My daughter loves it.

Excellent Book That Get's Your Child Interested in Golf!!
My boys love the book, they want to read every night. They love to find tweeter the bird on each page. The book does a nice job at making Golf sound FUN, obviously the most important thing for your child to learn.

The illustrations are beautiful.
The illustrations are charming and will engage your children. The pictures really jump out!

The storyline is a little weak. I wished the characters had names because it makes it easier to read the story to children and get them involved. Some of the language may be too advance ("hole-in-one")for young kids. ... Read more

Book Description

No matter how much Eddie practices, he just can't play baseballlike his big brother, Harold. In fact, there's only one part of the game Eddie'sany good at, and it has nothing to do with double plays or home runs--Eddie'sgreat at talking, and gives a fantastic game wrap-up. Fortunately for Eddie,Harold helps him see just how talented he really is and starts him on an amazingcareer!

James Warhola's richly-detailed artwork, full of wit and wonderful perioddetails, brings the Koch brothers to life. ... Read more

Book Description

The Howlers and the Growlers take the field to jump, slide, and run the bases as they play out the lyrics to "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" in this sure-to-be-a-hit baseball pop-up! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

An Outdoor Adventure for Angelina Fans
This is a different Angelina book, when she and Henry have an outdoor adventure camping with Uncle Louie. After wandering into the woods, Angelina and Henry have to face their fears after dark. If your child is an Angelina fan they'll enjoy another story with Angelina and Henry. If they are new to Angelina, start with the first story Angelina Ballerina. ... Read more

Book Description

Alex Rodriguez is the one of the most electrifying baseball players to hit the diamond in recent years. Drafted right out of high school, he has suffered none of the adjustment problems that typically plague young players. On the contrary, he has shown the world what it means to be a superstar, not just on the field but in life. His outstanding play with the Seattle Mariners helped send that team to post-season playoff games year after year.Yet never has A-Rod let success and fame go to his head. Alex Rodriguez's commitment to the game and sportsmanship has made him respected and admired by fellow players and fans the world over.This new biography traces Alex's career from the Seattle Mariners to his latest position with the Texas Rangers. ... Read more