Reviews (11)

Learning to face adversity even after a war's end
Ken's father spent WWII in the Minidoka Japanese-American Internment Camp in Idaho. Ken, the author was raised in Seattle. Shorty is stuck in the barracks without friends, surrounded by noise and boredom. No one has anything to do. His dad sees verves fraying and has an idea, Build a baseball diamond and organize games. The men make the diamond, the women improvise the uniforms. Games are scheduled under the gaze of the guard towers. Shorty scores a big hit under nervous angry pressure. After the war, he continues to be taunted, but learns self respect under the pressure of adversity. The benefit from this book, is that there is no whitewash. It is honest, and yes, he was called Shorty, cuz life is like that.

Amazing
This book is an amazing resource for teaching students about the inequalities that took place during WWII. It is a reality check to all of those who stood by and watched their fellow friends and neighbors as they were forced to leave their homes and be placed in internment camps in Hawaii. This is not just a gut check. This book served to illustrate how the simple things in life can mean everything. This book receives my highest rating and is first rate with teachers everywhere.

Kid's Eye View of Japanese Camps, Being an Outsider
I read this to my "just-turned 8" year old son who really identified with the kid as "odd man out." The story both communicates what it was like to be in a Japanese internment camp from a kid's perspective, and communicates how it feels to be an outsider (a feeling I'm sure every child has felt some time) by talking about baseball and being the "littlest" and physically different kid. A nice, serious story with a smile at the end.

Our Thoughts
Our 4th grade class at Lamar Elementary in Arkansas thought the book was very interesting. Especially interesting was the information on the Japanese-Americans being taken to the camps. We felt that the book was sad because they had to go to camps. We also thought it was neat because it tells about the past and history that we never knew before. This book tells a lot of history. It was a two thumbs up!
We didn't know about the Japanese kept as hostages.

A really moving book.
This book tells the story of a boy inside an internment camp during WWII. It deals with a lot of feelings, yet shows how determined the detainees were to survive and create an acceptable life for themselves. The story demonstrates that one must continue to strive for a good life even when conditions hold little promise for happiness. ... Read more

Book Description

On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson stepped onto Ebbets Field as a Brooklyn Dodger and changed American baseball forever.

The first black man to play in the white major leagues, he had the courage to confront racism and fight for the rights of all black people, on and off the baseball diamond. He shattered the color barrier, and with tremendous skill and determination, he became not only one of the most legendary baseball players of all time, but also a great American hero.

Half a century later, Jackie Robinson's extraordinary story remains an important contribution to America's favorite pastime and to American history. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Stealing home
I think this book is the best because it tell`s how hard it had to be if you were black and what they go through. Jackie Robinson was one of the best player. When Jackie Robinson hit a homerun sometimes they would call it a foul ball or a singel. Not all the time they would call it a homerun. I hope you read this book because you will really see how it would be to walk in the shoes of Jakie Robinson.

Stealing home: The Story of Jackie Robinson
This book opened the eyes of 25 fifth graders to a world they new little or nothing about. I used it as a read aloud in my classroom, with outstanding sucess. The kids loved it. "Stealing Home" tells the story of Robinson, from his childhood in Pasedena, CA where his was the only black family in an all-white neighborhood, through college at UCLA and on into his career. Barry Denenberg, the author, recreates Jackie's life in a way that keeps the reader's interest throughout. In fact, this biography reads a little like a novel. In telling the story of Robinson, Denenberg also paints a portrait of all-black baseball leagues, the pressures faced as the first black man in established white baseball, and an America that excluded a huge portion of its citizens. This background is essential to young readers' ability to comprehend the true story, to be able to appreciate what Mr. Robinson faced in his career and life. However, Denenberg also focuses on the good relationships he had with his wife, Rachel, and Branch Rickey the man who took a chance and gave us one of the best players in history. "Stealing Home" is the story of Jackie Robinson, but it is also the story of the civil rights movement and of the diversification of American sports in a way that made our country richer and wiser. ... Read more

Reviews (41)

A Captivating and Interesting Novel
This novel by David Klass tells the story of sixteen year old Jimmy Doyle and his journey from a small town in Minnesota to an American Dream Team basketball competition in Italy. At first, Jimmy doesn't want to leave his girlfriend Janey and his widowed mother and two younger sisters when basketball scouts recruit him. At his mother's urging, he flies to Los Angles for the team's training. He discovers that all the other members of the team are black and are some of the most well-known high school basketball players in America. The white boy from Minnesota doesn't quit fit in, but begins to learn about the lives of his black teammates. He develops an especially difficult relationship with Augustus, a tough dude from inner city Los Angeles.

When the Dream Team arrives in Italy, it faces neo-Nazi racism against the predominantly black players. Death threats provide a suspenseful plot as the American team accumulates victories on the court. The climax of the book teaches Jimmy that racism can hurt anyone.

I recommend this fast-paced book to any sports minded teenager who wants to see how people from different backgrounds can become friends and brothers under the skin. The conversation between the teenagers is realistic. Their lives are complicated. Jimmy takes risks in this book and learns that
having guts in dangerous zones can bring not just glory but also a deeper understanding of life.

A Great Mix of Basketball and Adventure
Danger Zone is a very good book. I really enjoyed it because it was about basketball and adventure. The Basketball part was easy for me to understand because I have played basketball in the past and I could relate to it, and the adventure part of the book kept me turning the pages to find out what would happen next. This book was also enjoyable for me because it was full of controversy and that made it very interesting for me to read. The controversy was of race, but David Klass did a great job of integrating basketball into the arguments also.

The main argument in the story is between Jimmy and Augustus. Both Jimmy and Augustus are on the USA's 17 and under American all star team. Augustus is mad at Jimmy because Jimmy took Augustus' cousin's place on the team and he thinks this is because Jimmy is white and his cousin is black. This fuels many arguments and ends up in an eventual temporary kidnap. The problem is still not solved in the last scene, but everyone seems to be happy and both Jimmy and Augustus are competitive but nice at the same time, which leads to a bumpy, but good ending.

All in all Danger Zone was a very intriguing that kept me wanting to read more and think about the book even when I wasn't reading it. This book is great for sports fans, thriller fans, or anyone else who likes to read. I would recommend it to anyone.

Small town Hero, Big Lessons learned
This book is about a small town hero named Jimmy Doyle, when the time is right, can do amazing things with a basketball. This is why he is selected to play for an American High School Dream Team. He will get the chance to travel around Europe. There is just one problem. In the town that he grew up in, there wasn't a lot of racial balance. He had only see a few African Americans in his lifetime, so coming to Los Angeles was a big step for him. He had to deal with his teammates who were predominately black. He has to deal with prejudices people thinking he is only there because he is white. He has some rough times with an LA native standout Augustus LeMay. Through out the book I think it is very interesting and wise that Jimmy tries to learn from Augustus. I think if more people try what Jimmy did, we wouldn't have half the problems we have in society today. Jimmy also get his first confrontation with racism when they travel to Germany and encounter some Skin Heads. This is probably a very tough experience for Jimmy because he has never been in this situation. I think people can learn a lot about this book, it teaches very good lessons. You learn some about the lifestyles people have growing up in large cities. Overall I believe this is probably one of the best books that I have read. I have now read it multiple times and recommend it to all of my friends.

Racism
A Reviewby Ian

Jimmy Doyle is a high school basketball player from Minnesota that is chosen to play on an All-American team that will travel to Italy to play in a tournament. Jimmy is soon to find out that not all of Jimmy's teammates want him on the team, mainly because he is white. Jimmy must endure racism and death threats from people around the world. Jimmy and his teammates must overcome racism to achieve their goals.

I like how this book keeps you on the edge of your seat. You always want to know what happens next in the story, and how Jimmy handles certain situations. I also admire the main character in the story, Jimmy. Not only is he a good basketball player, but he does a good job handling all of the racism and death threats he receives. Another thing I like about this book is how the team must overcome hostility from an entire country to achieve their goals and win. The team does a good job of sticking together to overcome many things, and not letting racism get the best of them.

I would definitely recommend this book to anybody who enjoys basketball, and suspense. I always wanted to know what was going to happen to Jimmy next. I think it is a really good book and it kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time.

Livin' on the Edge
A Review by Stefan

Jimmy Doyle, a seventeen year old from Minnesota, is a supremely skilled basketball player. When two scouts from Los Angeles, California come to talk to Jimmy Doyle about playing in an All National seventeen and under team, he accepts but only after being talked into it by his mother and his girlfriend. The team he plays for actually then goes to play in Europe where all the seventeen and under teams play for the world championship. Along the way, Jimmy makes some good friends, a few enemies while dealing with fear, doubt and concentration.

One thing that I love about Danger Zone is that David Klass portrays Jimmy in his home town of Granham, Minnesota as being the hometown basketball "hero". "Doyle, Doyle, Doyle went the sound of the bleachers as we walked onto the court for the second half". The second thing I like about Danger Zone is the realness it gives me from the coaches despite it being a fictional story. "'Okay, all you get your butts over here,' he shouted. 'Anybody who wises off will be running wind sprints till their legs fall off.'" The third thing I absolutely love about Danger Zone is the way Los Angeles is portrayed with such realism and nothing is held back. (With gangs and violence and such) "'You got the PG-13's, the 18th Street East, West, North and South. They don't like blacks too much. We get out of this car and inside five minutes we got guns to our heads.'"

To every basketball player or fan who has every wondered what its like to be one of the greats in the world at a sport like basketball, this is our book. If you're a kid or an adult who love books about basketball and the realism that lies within basketball, then this book is for you. This is an extremely interesting and intense book and it will keep you on the edge of your seat one hundred and ten percent of the time! ... Read more

Book Description

Marcus Robinson is psyched!Tomorrow, his class is going on a fieldtrip to a professional basketball arena to meet the one and only JasonCarter, Marcus's hero. Marcus usually ignores everything except forbasketball, but this time he studies for hours to win the math contest- for the prize of being the official Jason Carter greeter! But whenJason tells Marcus some things he didn't expect to hear aboutprofessional basketball, Marcus is confused. He thought that allhe'd ever need in life was basketball. Thanks to Jason, Marcus is aboutto learn the meaning of a real slam dunk. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

well written tale aimed at elementary school children
Twins Marcus and Mia as well as other students at their school look forward to meeting superstar basketball player Jason Carter just before a pro game.Both enjoy playing the game and Marcus, who is a math whiz, hopes to be as good as his hero Jason.His sister wants to be a reporter and is writing an article on the visit with Jason.The kids have good time while Jason encourages them to understand that there is more to life than sports as he was a chemistry major in college.

THE REAL SLAM DUNK is a well written tale aimed at elementary school children.Young readers will appreciate Marcus as he worries that Mia is taller than him and how to behave when he meets his hero.The story line makes no apologies in that it emphasizes education is more important of a dream although it is okay to want to be a famous wealthy basketball player.This reviewer kept thinking of Mrs. Reagan's unrealistic "Just say no" campaign as Jason preached having dreams outside the hardwood floor.

Harriet Klausner
... Read more

Book Description

Free Mia Hamm photo inside!

Mia loves playing soccer. That is, until she has trouble scoring a goal when her team is about to lose. Before she can lose, she quits. Fed up with her attitude, Mia's brothers and sisters will not let her play with them anymore. Will Mia learn that beinga team player is more important than winning or losing the game?

This wonderful and motivating story from America's soccer champion shows kids that:

Winners Never Quit!

Book Description

Like every other kid in his class, Joe Stoscack has to write a report on an African American who's made an important contribution to society. Unlike every other kid in his class, Joe has a special talent: with the help of old baseball cards, he can travel through time. So for his report, Joe decides to go back to meet one of the greatest baseball players ever, Jackie Robinson, to find out what it was like to be the man who broke baseball's color barrier. Joe plans on writing a prize-winning report. But he doesn't plan on a trip that will for a short time change the color of his skin -- and forever change his view of history and his definition of

01-02 Golden Sower Award Masterlist (YA Cat.) and 00 Pennsylvania Keystone to Reading Book Award (Intermed. Cat.)

Reviews (16)

Jackie & Me
For my book report I chose to read a book about Jackie Robinson. This book was entitled Jackie & Me, written by Dan Gutman.

In this book's introduction, Joe Stoshack explains that he has a very special talent. When Joe holds a baseball card in his hands he can travel back in time. Later in the book, this talent becomes very useful when Joe has to write a history report on an African-American who made the world a better place. For his report, Joe decides to go back in time to meet Jackie Robinson. He wanted to meet Jackie because he loved sports and knew a great deal about baseball. Joe also wanted to understand what it felt like to be the first black man in professional baseball.

Joe leaves Louisville, Kentucky, and is transported back into Jackie's time. He soon arrives in front of Macy's in New York, on April 14th, 1947 and finds he has become black. Joe was soon introduced to Jackie. Joe was invited to sleep on Jackie's couch because Joe helped a good friend of Jackie's after he had been attacked with a broken bottle. Eventually, Joe is accidentally made a batboy for the Brooklyn Dodgers, Jackie Robinson's team. At first, Joe was nervous and scared that he was a black kid. He was treated badly by the white boys. He soon learned how difficult it was to be a black person, and how badly it feels to be made fun of for being black.

Joe soon understands the pain and frustration Jackie felt being a black man among all white team-mates. Jackie was sent threatening letters, called bad names, and treated very rudely and unkindly. Jackie Robinson was brave and strong, he refused to fight back and he refused to quit. The other players didn't want to be Jackie's friend, and they often ignored him altogether. One day, Pee Wee Reese started joking with Jackie. During the baseball game, Reese put his arm around Jackie and the crowd gasped in shock because it was the first time a white player had shown affection for a black player.

[...]Joe wrote a very informative and sensitive report about Jackie Robinson. He explained all the discrimination and segregation that Jackie had to endure. Joe learned that Jackie was a talented, dignified, and an honorable ball player, who eventually became well liked, admired, and respected.

Great combination of baseball fantasy and history
With Jackie and Me, Dan Gutman has improved upon the idea he started with Honus and Me. Joe Stoshack is still travelling through time via baseball cards, but for this book he experiences one of the great events of the 20th Century: Jackie Robinson breaking the baseball color barrier. Gutman also presents Robinson as a great role model for Joe and real kids like him who have trouble understanding that real strength is often shown through the ability to ignore ignorance, or by confronting it with talent and truth instead of fists.

Jackie and Me
Tim Young
Jackie and Me
A Baseball Bananza Dan Gutman 2000

The book is adout a kid named Joe who is sent back to the 1947 and meets Jackie
Robinson. He travles with Jackie by beighing the Dodgers bat boy. this book is great and you wont want to put it down.
When Joe is going through time he wakes up as an african american and in the 1940s they are not beighing treated fairley. This book also points out that even though Jackie is a pro ball player,people still look down on him. this book has a biography and a kids book in one. I give this book an 8 out of 10.

Jackie and Me
I am 10 years old and I like to read sports books.One of the best sports books ever that I have ever read is is Jackie and Me.This book is about a kid who goes back to 1947 to see Jackie Robinson. When Joe went back to 1947 to see Jackie Robinson it was the year that he broke the color barrier.Read this book to see if Joe and Jackie becomes friends.I liked this book because it is a sports book and I like Jackie Robinson.I could never put the book down because it was so awesome.

DAN GUTMAN, YOU ROCK!!
Jackie & Me is a great book, combining sports with going back in time. I like how the pictures look like photographs. Like I said, DAN GUTMAN, YOU ROCK!! ... Read more

Book Description

When Joe Stoshack hears about Shoeless Joe Jackson -- and the gambling scandal that destroyed the star player's career -- he knows what he has to do. If he travels back in time with a 1919 baseball card in his hand, he just might be able to prevent the infamous Black Sox Scandal from ever taking place. And if he could do that, Shoeless Joe Jackson would finally take his rightful place in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

But can Stosh prevent that tempting envelope full of money from making its way to Shoeless Joe's hotel room before the big game?

Reviews (9)

SHOELESS JOE AND ME
This book rocked so much it was the best book i've ever read!!! It was my favorite book of all times. I did a report on this book and got a A. This book tells a lot of facts about the "Black Sox Scandle" It is helpful for trus facts. I would give this ten stars if I could.

Shoeless Joe Jackson and Me
Shoeless Joe Jackson and Me is a great book written by Dan Gutman. It is a story about a boy named Stosh who can travel back into time using baseball cards. He learns the story about the White Sox scandal with 9 players who got kicked out of baseball for throwing the World Series. He tries to go back into time to the 1920's and stop Shoeless Joe Jackson player for the Chicago White Sox, from throwing the World Series. This book has great detail and really shows how it was in the 1920's. This is a great time travel book, and I would recommend this book to any one that likes a good thrill. You might know some other books written by Dan Gutman, like Honus and Me, Jackie and Me, and Babe and Me . I hope you check out some of the other great books that Dan Gutman has written.

"Shoeless Joe & Me" is an awesome book!
"Shoeless Joe & Me" is awesome. You might want to read ten chapters a day, so that on the third day, you'll be at my favorite part of the story. When you start Chapter 1, it's nothing like you would expect. Don't you think it would be eleven chapters or something? Well, you already know it's not eleven because I'm talking about Chapter 21. The book has 24 chapters, but it doesn't seem too long because it is so much fun to read.

Baseball fans will like this book because it is 100% about baseball. I learned that Joe Jackson had the the one and only homer in the whole 1919 World Series. I also learned that after the 1919 World Series, he got thrown out of baseball, but he didn't stop playing. I think he played in a different league, and everyone was noticing him!

I'm going to read...ummmmm..."Jackie and Me" next!

You must read/buy this book !!!!
This an amzing book with an intresting end. I read this book in the car for 5 days. I read it 2 hours a day. At first I just read 5 to 6 pages a day Monday. But after that I couldn't put it down!! ... My teacher also read us Jackie and Me which I would also rate 5 stars!! I'm now trying to get Honus and Me, Babe and Me, and Mickey and Me. I made myself ONLY read it in the car it gave me something to do in the car. I am 10 and I think this book should be for 7 and a half to 13 year olds. Get this or check it out today!! Some other books you will like if you liked or are intrested in Shoeless Joe and Me are: Fever 1793 for ages 9-15 it is a very good book too! The School Story ages 7-13 this is a REALLY GOOD BOOK by Andrew Clements!!!! And last but not least A Week In The Woods and The Laudry News both by Andrew Clemtents too ( a week in the woods ages 9-14 The Landry News 8-12). I hope you pick up this book and the others I recomended today!! today!! As you can see many others like this book to!! I hope my
review helped you a lot!! And thank-you for reading my review. (All other books I reviewed are my favorites 5 stars, 4 stars, and 4 and a half stars). 2 other good books are Dear Whiskers ages 7-10 4 and a half stars and Lizzie At Last ages 8-14 5 stars. Any American Girl Doll or Amelia or even other types are also great for girls 7-12. Thanks again!!!!!

This Book Rocks
I got this book on easter and knew from the start that it was going to be good. If you like adventurous, mysterious, exiting, and sports like books read Shoeless Joe and me. Best of all it's aseries so if you like it you can keep on going! ... Read more

Book Description

It was in November, a Thursday after swim practice. The thing with Mr. Tracy, Darren's English teacher.
The thing was how Darren would think of it, afterward.
The thing that was vague and not-named.
The thing that hadn’t happened, anyway.

Darren Flynn has the perfect life -- until that day in November.

After that day, after what happened (did it happen?), life is different. Darren is different. Nothing is as it was –– before. His friends, his family, even the people who are supposed to be in charge are no longer who Darren thought they were. Who can he trust, now?

This compelling, masterfully written novel by acclaimed author Joyce Carol Oates explores one teenager's search for identity in a complex, deceiving world, and the answers he finds in the most unexpected places. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

dissapointed
I really didn't enjoy this book. I can't really say why because it will spoil it for some people. I was just very dissapointed and felt the story could have been great.

Excellent Book
I really enjoyed Sexy. Coming from a teacher point of view and former librarian, I would not have titled it "Sexy". I think the book is so much more than it's title but, that is what the parents are going to see and it might inhibit some students from picking up a great book.
The book explores so may aspects of teen turmoil. I loved the ending!!

Wonderful and thought provoking YA effort by Ms. Oates!
I decided to give this book a whirl because I have heard wonderful things about Joyce Carol Oates's Young Adult offerings.Sexy is quite a compelling and thought-provoking novella.When an English teacher is accused of committing a sexual crime, it is up to young Darren to speak in his favor.But Darren is overwhelmed with confusions regarding his sexuality.Darren is quite a popular sixteen-year-old who is part of the swimming team that one of the boys, out of spite for having been flunked, accuses Mr. Tracy of being a pedophile. Darren struggles with his identity and the reader wonders whether or not he is indeed gay.There are various twists throughout the novel.

The novella may seem disjointed at times -- especially toward the end -- but that is because Oates wants you to read between the lines and understand the sort of confusion Darren is going through.The language is remarkable; you feel as though you are having a conversation with the narrator.The language is also quite stark and ambiguous at times, which leaves a lot of room for interpretation.That is the reason why the writing may seem disjointed at times, but this is done on purpose.I was able to feel Darren's loneliness and confusions as though it were my own.His inability to share his insecurities with others spoke volumes.That is what makes Sexy an incredible book that all adolescents, male or female, should read.The novella is thought provoking in more ways than one.Once again, Joyce Carol Oates has wowed me with this effort.This isn't her best book -- her short-story collections are much more literary -- but it is one of the best YA books I have read in a long time.I cannot recommend Sexy enough.

Is Oates the young adult novel's new Cormier?
I love Oates. This time around, I felt like she had picked up where Robert Cormier left off. She's our new Cormier! She explores complex ideas, which is always a reason to put your hands together. In swift, smart strokes, she creates breathing characters. Our hero Darren is no exception. But I'm not convinced she's mastered the art of the short novel (teenage or otherwise). This book is crowded with so much drama that demands further exploration, and you see this in some of the more minor characters. Stereotypical jock friends. Give-themselves-over-too-easily girlfriends. Vacuous parents. School administrators who are like chess pieces in Oates' game of plotting. And a sneaky little subplot about Darren's sexuality that is barely mined, almost as if some editor told Oates she couldn't dig deeper in a young adult novel.

Swimming at the Shallow End of Teen Sexuality Issues
I chose to read this book based on a memory of Ms. Oates powerful short story "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" since the description on the book jacket seemed to indicate that this would cover similar ground...only with a young male protagonist.

That older short story was an unsettling, haunting look into the world of emerging teen sexuality that produces an effect that only a great writer could.That was Oates at the top of her game and she was able to connect with readers of all ages, creating a powerful impact.

This book however is a "different story" all together.

While the writing is capable and the structure makes for a quick read, there is ultimately little of consequence here.We are confronted with issues that should be taken seriously rather than touched upon lightly.And it would have been very nice to have a little more depth to most of the characters.

Oates relies heavily on our understanding common types of people and situations -- presenting attributes and behaviors of these types rather than giving us fully developed characters.This borders on stereotyping.

In this book, we are presented with tragedy.But the conclusion is sadly weak and soulless.Great writing should be more than dumping a collection of "hot" issues on the reader -- even if you can do so in a seamlessly artistic manner.It needs to call to something in our hearts and minds, and raise us up to consider our lives more fully.

To be confronted with superficiality in a book that deals with a main character who is troubled by people seeing only his looks and not understanding the person underneath.That is ironic indeed. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Baseball's Biggest Bloopers The Games That Got Away
I read the book Baseball's Biggest Bloopers The Games That Got Away by Dan Gutman. This book was about players that blew it big time! Many of thwe games lost the World Series for the team. But somtimes it just lost the game and the team came back and won the Series. In this book there are 12 humiliating stories that will make even you, fell bad for the players. My favorite story was Herb Washington Designated Pick-Off Victim. It was about an olympic runner that was taken to the Oakland A's. When he got to the Statdium he didn't even know how to play baseball, and teh A's tought him how to paly and then n one game he got picked-off. I would recommend this book to anyone that likes baseball or any sports.

A must for baseball fans
Baseball is a tough sport to play sometimes. Many times players make mistakes called bloopers. These bloopers you see in almost every game. Sometimes they cost a regular game, a pennant, or to make it worse the world series! This book has tons of it. It talks about players who mess up the game so bad they have the rest of their life to think what they did wrong! You will enjoy this book so much that once you done reading, you can't stop! So buy this book. It's called Baseballs biggest bloopers the games that got away. This will be one of the greatest baseball books you will ever get! ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (28)

Taking Sides book review
This novel is about this boy named Lincoln who needs to change different schools. The school he has to change is Franklin Jr. High to Columbus Jr. High. The characters are: Lincoln, James, Monica, Mom, Roy, Coach Yesutis, Tony, Mr. Kimball, Mrs. Contras. The setting is: about Lincoln and his mother that are living in a barrio that are kind of junky neighborhood. Then, they move to San Francisco in the suburbs. Then they moved because they got robbed.

During one part of the book, Lincoln meets this girl Monica. Lincoln has a crush on her. Monica has told Lincoln that she used to play for the girls' team. I liked it when Monica and Lincoln had a connection, and they played basketball together.

It was difficult to understand why Roy liked Lincoln's mom. I didn't enjoy when Lincoln lied to Monica about going to a different church. Monica got mad. I also didn't like when someone broke in his house.

I recommend this book to others because you get to learn about Lincoln's life and how hard it is for his family. You can see how it is for his family and how easy it is for us. You probably don't get robbed every day like Lincoln and his mom.

Taking Sides Book Report
Taking side is about a boy named Lincoln who once lived in Barrio but moved to a nicer neighborhood called Sycamore becasue of a robbery in his house, which his stero and t.v. were stolen. He change schools from Franklin Jr. High to Columbus Jr. High. Lincoln was tall, not thin, black hair(like chunk of charcoal). In the story he has a nickname Linc. Lincoln was on the 1st string in basketball for his 8th grade team and good friends w/ James. His parents are split up and he is having a hard time finding friend because he just moved from a school that people don't really like. I would definately recommend this book to others who like to read a good book.

Audio Book Review for Ms. O
The story deals with moving, cultural differences and basketball. The main charactar is Lincoln Mendoza or as what his friends say, Linc. He moves from the bario to a white suburb because a burgler
took a tv. He used to play basketball for his oldschool(Columbus) and now plays for his new school(Franklin)and they have to play each other. He is becomes stressed out because he is playing against his old school and some of his old friends. As the game nears he gets into an arguement with one of his friends. On the night of the game he plays and loses. He doesn't mind because he made up with his friend that he argued with. I liked this book because the characters speak their native language, Spanish. It kept the feeling of a Hispanic-American community authentic.

Taking Sides
This novel is about Lincoln who goes to a new school. Lincoln likes to play basketball. He lives in a nice neighborhood called Sycamore. Lincoln and Tony are both friends.
I liked it when Lincoln and Tony were going to the barrio. I like that part when Lincoln's house got broken into. Lincoln was the basketball practice.
I did not like that part when Lincoln and Tony were arguing. I did not like that part when Tony left the Thrift shop. I also did not like that part when Lincoln hurt his knee.
YES! I would like other people to read a book because it's so much fun. There are Spanish words in the book. They like to read about the 2 boys playing basketball.

Taking Sides
I read a book called Taking Sides, written by Gary Soto. It's about Lincoln and Tony being best friends and Lincoln had a girl friend named Vicky. At this new school he liked somebody named Monica. Lincoln likes playing basketball.

I liked the part when Franklin beat Columbus in basketball. I like the part when Roy told a story about Coach Yesutis getting beat up by Franky Penada. I liked the part when Monica and Lincoln played basketball. I liked the part when Lincoln called Monica on the phone, because it is obvious that Lincoln liked Monica.

I didn't like it when Tony was hurting Lincoln's feelings at the thrift shop. The parts I didn't like are Tony's attitude. The dislike I didn't like was Coach Yesutis was yelling at Lincoln. The other part I didn't like was when James insulted Monica saying she's full Mexican.

I would recommend this book to others because if you know Spanish it will be easier for you. I would recommend this book, Taking Sides, because you can learn some Spanish words. I would recommend this book because it tells about basketball. I would also recommend this book because it shows relationship to Monica and Lincoln. ... Read more

Book Description

Young players will refer to these instructive "how-to" guides again and again.Superguides are incisive "how-to" books that answer every question a young sports enthusiast might have! These comprehensive guides in vibrant new jackets and under the new Superguides series title are perfect for young athletes. Young Enthusiasts, the original best-selling series, sold over 3 million copies worldwide. Superguides give valuable advice on everything from suitable clothing to strategy development. Each book includes detailed information on rules, objectives, scoring, and much more. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Good!
I just started gymnastics about two weeks ago because I am a competitive platform diver and my coach suggested taking gymnastics lessons. So I got this book from Amazon.com and I read it and found that it helped me in gymanstics thoroughly. Since I am only a beginner, I found this book helpful. Advanced gymansts may want to read a different book, because this one covers the basics, starting from rolls and going to back handsprings.

The photographs are step-by-step, and crisp, clear, and high-quality. Detailed instructions are also there to accompony each photograph. Another good thing is that all the gymnasts in the book do the skills with very good technique and form, so you'll know the correct and proper way to perform each skill. Plus, there are fun facts, tips, and photos of famous gymnasts that correspond to what you are learning.

Although this book does not cover much on the apparatus, I still think it is a solid introduction for beginners. In the beginning you'll find information about what to look for in a gymnastics club, what to wear to workouts, information about each gymanstics apparatus, etc. At the end of the book there are sections about sports acrobatics, tumbling, and rhythmic gymnastics.

All in all, I would defintely recommend this book to any beginning gymnast of any age, or anyone who is just interested in learning more about this sport. I myself have been following the instructions and tips and I have just about gotten my back handspring by myself- just from reading this book! So definitely check this book out if you're a beginner. Advanced gymnasts would probably enjoy browsing through it, too.

Brittany Marshalls

Pretty Good
I think this is a nice book about gymnastics, but like one reviewer said, it's a little too short. It starts off with a forward by Shannon Miller, a history of gymnastics, what to wear to class, and shows a typical gym. The section with the skills was pretty good, but there weren't many in here. The instructions were nice and detailed, though, and I liked the rythmic gymnastics and sports acrobatics part. It's great for people who want to learn about the sport or beginning gymnasts.

Kinda short...
A very attractive book, but covers only a few moves. (Forward/backward rolls, cartwheels, round-offs, back walk-overs, back handsprings, and handstands.) Not really useful for a girl wanting practical tips. Other apparatus (bars/beam/vault) are barely touched on.

A Really Good Book for Beginning Gymnasts
This is one of the best books on gymnastics I have read. It has pictures that show people how to do the move, and it starts with really simple tricks and moves on to the most difficult trick in the book- a backhandspring. It also has parts on sports acrobatics and rythmic gymnastics. It's a great book, but I would recommend it to beginning gymnasts.

Excellent For Beginning Gymnasts
This is a very good instructional guide for begging to early intermediate gymnasts. It starts off with a forward by Shannon Miller and a history of gymnastics. Most of the book explains how to do artistic gymnastics skills from an easy forward roll to a back handspring. It also icludes sections on rythmic gymnastics and sports and acrobatics. ... Read more

Reviews (48)

"HOOPS"
Hoops Walter Dean Myers

When was the last time you read a great Walter Dean Myers book? He is a great author for teenaged readers. He writes about what teenagers go through in life. One example would be drugs. Another would be friends and the things they make you do. All of these things are talked about in this book. It's not directly said, but the author hints about these things. Other books that Walter Dean Myers has wrote like The Contender and Slam are other great books. If u read theses books you would notice that this is all compared to a teenage life.
The novel Hoops is a great book for kids that love basketball and kids that live in the ghetto. I think they would like it because it's realistic fiction and they will realize that they are not alone.
Almost everyone gets along with seventeen year-old Lonnie Jackson. He enjoys basketball and is the captain of his high school's basketball team. He is so good that if he keeps it up he could make it to the NBA. His coach Cal believes Lonnie could go all the way, but like any other kid, especially a kid from the ghetto, he struggles.
Someone is paying to keep Lonnie off the court. He has haters after him because they know he might go big and they are just jealous. Well, Lonnie is trying to find out the culprit, but he's running out of time.
This book was very good. I think I relate to the book and that's really what attached me to it. This book made me feel good. I felt that for the first time I had picked a book that I enjoyed. I think it's interesting that this author lived in the ghetto and has seen the things that have happened. I relate to the author because I think that all of his books, especially Hoops, relates to his life and the things he has been through. I don't think an author makes a book or a novel without reason. I think that there's always a reason for a book.

~...

A definite must read for anyone who loves basketball.
Hoops by Walter Dean Myers is a fantastic read. This is the first Myers book that I have read and it makes me want to read another. This is not just for people who enjoy basketball but for anyone who has ever had a difficult decision to make. Lonnie Jackson is a seventeen-year-old boy who lives in Harlem, New York. He is your typical teenager, his mom gets on his nerves, he has a job working at a hotel,he has a girl who he cares about but can't exactly tell her, and he gets into some mischief. One thing sets him aside though, that is his love for basketball and his skills. These skills help lead his team into a tournament where his coach, and friend,Cal gets involved in some gambling. He sits Lonnie out because he is supposedly injured. Does Cal keep Lonnie on the bench and lose or does he put him in and have a better chance of winning? Read Hoops and find out.

Hoops Summary
The book is about a teenager named Lonnie Jackson that wants to make it into the NBA. I didn't find the book too interesting until the final game. (which is in the last 1 or 2 chapters)I don't think someone should read the book unless they know a lot of basketball terms. I also think that boys will probably like this book more than girls. Simply, because it deals with a BOY that wants to make it to the NBA. I didn't enjoy this book too well, but maybe you will! Good luck reading!

Hoops Summary
Seventeen-year-old Lonnie Jackson is a star basketball player that dreams about making it into the NBA. There is an important game that he must play in and it will decide if he makes it into the NBA, but the pressure is high because some bettors want Lonnie to blow the game on purpose. Will Lonnie make it to the NBA or will he give in to the pressure? You'll have to read this action packed book to find out!

the best book ever
im not done reading it yet, but its an awesome book. its about lonnie jackson a street baller from harlem who playesin this tournament. at first he dont wanna play becausehis coach is a wino. but then he learns to like him. anyway i recommened this book ... Read more

Book Description

N-R-E S N T-S.

N-Q = Thank you.

S M-T = It's empty.

D N S 5 X = The hen has five eggs.

It looks like a secret code, but read the letters aloud and solve the puzzle! ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Cdb!
A gift at 16, I laughed at every page... at 42, I am ordering 4 copies...a difficult book to review as you really have to see it to believe it. So order one up, and one for a friend. Enjoy, laugh and learn to C D B.

Letters make the world go round!
Hello friends!, I hope that you have had a chance to read this wonderful book. The magic of letters truly comes alive with excitement! For me, my favorite part is all of the silly letters that can be found throughout this outstanding book! I know this book is going to be my favorite for a long, long time. So, now that you have read my review take a moment to read this extraordinary book-anytime-anywhere! Enjoy!

I M N X-T-C!
smart! adorable! unexpected! (the book, not my kids...)
This book really has us rolling in laughter. My sons (ages 4 and 6) and I have been playing with an electronic toy: push a letter and the thing says the letter's name. We had been using it to make word sounds -- pressing U R A Q T for "you are a cutie" and so forth. When I saw this book I just had to get it. It is amazingly clever -- and to think it was written in 1968. It's fresh, not at all dated. My sons are very good readers for their respective ages, but it is definitely appropriate for them. I had to explain a phrase or two (they didn't know the word "ecstacy" when they saw X-T-C) but otherwise it was totally on their level. I still crack up reading it, and I've read it at least ten times. The watercolor illustrations are perfect. Stieg conveys a lot of emotion and expression with just a few brush strokes. When a boy sees someone with a lollipop and tells him "I N-V U," you can see the envy.
I won't mind if my kids want to read this one again and again. I M N X-T-C 2!

taught me how to read
This book helped me learn to read when i was 3 years old. As long as you know the alphabet you can read this book, which makes it perfect for children who are learning to read.

This is the most fun book!
I remembered this book from my elementary school library, and was delighted to find that it had been reprinted. This book is meant to be read out loud and deciphered - our children ages 16 down to 6 were entertained, as were the adults in the house too. This book is just plain fun. ... Read more

Book Description

When Joe Stoshack's dad ends up in the hospital after a car accident, he has two words to say to his son: Mickey Mantle. For Stosh has a special power -- with a baseball card in hand, he can travel back in time. And his dad has a rare card -- Mantle's valuable 1951 rookie card. "I've been thinking about it for a long time. Go back to 1951. You're the only one who can do it," Dad whispers.

That night Stosh grips the card and prepares for another magical adventure. But when he opens his eyes, he's not in Yankee Stadium -- he's in Milwaukee on June 8, 1944. And how he wound up there is not half as surprising as what he finds!

Reviews (2)

Mickey and Me
This was a great book! It started out sad. Then Joe's dad asked him to go back in time to save Mickey Mantle. Instead of ending up in Yankee Stadium watching a game-Joe ended up in Borchert Field watching the Milwaukee Chicks play! It was a very good book. I will read Babe and Me next.

The Best Of The Series
I read all the "...and Me" books and this one was definitely the best. It had the biggest plot twist in the series that REALLY surprised me. ... Read more

Book Description

When you grow up in a small town in the north woods, you have to make your own excitement. High spirits, idiocy, and showing off for the girls inspire Gary Paulsen and his friends to attempt:

• Shooting waterfalls in a barrel • The first skateboarding • Jumping three barrels like motorcycle daredevil Evel Knievel–except they only have bikes • Hangliding with an Army surplus target kite • Bungee jumping • Wrestling . . . a bear?
Extreme sports lead to extreme fun in new tales from Gary’s boyhood. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Richie's Picks: HOW ANGEL PETERSON GOT HIS NAME
I was laughing so hard that I woke up Shari AND both dogs!

A longtime friend of mine, who works as our school's counselor--and who gets to borrow the books that I write about--has occasionally asked me very sweetly whether I could find more funny books for our students. J.T., this one's for you!

"We built countless ramps with old boards laid on barrels or boxes, at the bottom of a hill if possible, and we would try to jump over things with our bikes.

"Remember, these were one-speed fat-tired bikes with a crowned-up, castrating brace bar and the things we tried to jump were fences, wooden walls, barrels, bikes, each other. On one memorable occasion Alan--after carefully calculating distances and angles--tried to jump his stepfather's Ford coupe end to end. He didn't...quite...make it and left a face print on the windshield of the car, but that might have been because he was distracted by the scream when his mother came out just as we finished the ramp and Alan made his jump..."

Now, I can remember some of the "really neat stuff" we did when I was young: There was a telephone cable hanging from a wooden utility pole in this vacant lot filled with mounds of dirt left over from digging foundations in he neighborhood. It made for great swinging (à la George of the Jungle) until Jimmy Dean got a concussion by swinging straight into the pole. There was "skitching" --kids in Beatle boots grabbing onto the back bumper of any car that was cruising through the snow-slickened parking lot behind Modell's. I can also recall the thrill of aiming our banana bikes full speed over the edge and down the big drop-off at Sunshine Acres Park. But my sitting here today (in one piece) attests to the fact that I did NOT spend my impressionable years hanging out with Gary Paulsen and his buddies:

"Alan, again after carefully calculating and measuring..., decided that if you got up to twenty-six miles an hour and angled a ramp to ensure (that's how he put it, 'to ensure') that you got at least seven point six feet in the air, it was possible to do a complete backward somersault and land on your wheels upright. Alan, having gotten at least seven feet in the air after a screaming run down Black Hill, landed exactly, perfectly upside down, bicycle wheels straight up, spinning, in a cloud of dust and gravel."

Decorating the cover of HOW ANGEL PETERSON GOT HIS NAME AND OTHER OUTRAGEOUS TALES ABOUT EXTREME SPORTS is an illustration of a young man on snow skis. He is wearing one of those old leather flight helmets (à la Snoopy) and flight goggles, and he is being pulled through the snow behind a sporty automobile that dates back to my father's adolescence. The young man is Angel Peterson who in 1954, inspired by a newsreel proceeding the Saturday matinee, decided he'd break the speed record for skiing despite being a thousand miles from any hills. Such was passion for scientific curiosity (and impressing girls) amid the "Brain Trust" that hung out with the young Gary Paulsen.

"Alan tried once more, getting a lift from an unsuspecting truck by hanging on to the rear corner and hitting the ramp so fast that it gave way and he went through it like a tank, barrels and boards and splinters flying everywhere."

"Wayne completed the only true backward flip off a bicycle but he didn't take the bike with him..."

Of course Shari, ever-the-mom, shakes her head, appalled by what I'm reading her from the book--a sure sign that this book will be absolutely worshiped by young boys. (Shari says that's why I like the book so much.) No, really, it's a book for girls, too. (Rosemary, who can tell you about trying to bounce through the air from the trampoline to the rope hanging from the tree, is going to love this one.) In fact, the only fault that I can find with the book is its size: One hundred and eleven pages is way too brief for so funny a book. Guess I'll just have to read it again...right after I take my government surplus target kite out in the next heavy wind and see if I can...

Hilarious! What were Paulsen and his friends thinking?? :)
It's the 1950's and Gary Paulsen and his friends are 13 years old. For whatever reasons, they chose this year to be the year of "extreme sports"-Paulsen's term for the outrageous dares they took.

These days, extreme sports refers to organized teams and individuals who participate in sport activities that involve rules, certified equipment, and lots of padding and head gear. For Paulsen and his buddies, the equipment was usually purchased at the army surplus store and converted to fit their needs. Their padding and head gear? Didn't exist.

They jumped off of things, help onto things, went fast, went high, broke records, turned, twisted, and rolled along all in the name of "What's the worst that can happen?"

Just one page into this autobiographical sketch of life at thirteen, the reader can perfectly imagine the northern Minnesota town in which Paulsen grew up and can picture the adventurous, comical moments that made up this crazy year of his life. The dialogue brings to mind so many young adolescent boys, all trying to fit in another ten minutes of fun before their parents call them to dinner.

These stories are laugh-aloud fun, and they make the reader want to go out and put some wheels on something!

A knee slapper
This is a great book for the average male reader who needs a quick funny read. This book tells the story as it unfolds of thirteen year olds back in the fifties after the Korean war and how they spend their spare time. These daredevils perform the unthinkable just because they don't have anything better to do. Gary Paulsen twists a wacky sense of humor into this piece that will keep your side splitting with laughter. A must read!

How Angel Peterson got His Name
The Book How Angel Peterson Got His Name by Gary Paulson is a fun, and hilarious book to read. If you are looking for a funny book, pick this one. It is for the grade level of 6-8.

This story takes place in a small town in Minnesota in the early fifties. They barely had television, mostly radio, and all the kids want to do is have fun. They had fun by doing daredevil stunts. The book is based on Gary Paulson's stories from when he was a 13 year old boy and the crazy things he and his friends did.

Throughout the whole book Angel and his 13 year old friends do crazy dare devil stunts. Such as, break the record for the speed on skis, trying to go down a waterfall in a barrel, hang gliding with an army parachute, and trying to wrestle a bear. These boys did anything and everything possible. They also tried to put dynamite in a box, go in it, and have it blow up. Jumping through a ring of fire was another one of their wild stunts.

The point of this book is that you can do anything you want as long as you put your mind to it. I recommend this book to anyone that likes to laugh. I also recommend the book to anyone that likes humorous books

Wild and Crazy Kids comes to a Book.
If your looking for an absolutly hilarious book, you've found it. Gary Paulsen does it again with a wonderful book for when you just want to kick back, relax, cut up, and laugh in this book about best friends who think of crazy stunts to do.
This book has five different stories about best friends who live in Minnesota and just want to have fun. All of the stories or most start out with the guys going to the Army surplus store(because this is just after the Korean War and all of the left over equiptment in on sall dirt cheap)to buy things like skis, parachutes, jackets, gloves, and other things that you could use to do anything stupid such as try to break the world record for speed on skis, which they try to do by the way. Or see how high you can get in a parachute, or even try to wrestle a bear for crying out loud these guys will do it all.
Look I don't care if you don't like to read when the names of the stories include, How Angel Peterson got his name, The Miracle of Flight, Orvis Overson and the Crash and Bash, Girls and the Circle of Death,(which is definitly my favorite, if may bring memories to you guys that make you say, "man i was dumb")and last but not least And Finally, Skateboards, Bungee Jumping and other Failures. How could you not want to read this book.
So take it from a person who absolutly hates reading. If you truly enjoy outragiously funny things then I would by, borrow, or even rent from the library. So whatever you do, just read this book. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Junie B. Jones's kindergarten teacher has some strange ideas about fieldday: "Field Day is a day to run around in the fresh air and enjoy the sunshine.We came out here to have fun and get some exercise. And we're not going to careone little bit about who wins or who loses." Only what's so fun about losing?That's what Junie B. wants to know. In the great contest between room 8 and room9, somehow, room 8 keeps winning all the events. As Captain Field Day of room 9,Junie B. is feeling her superpowers--and her good sportsmanship--slipping away.Can anyone save the day?

For beginning chapter-book readers, Junie B. Jones always saves the day.As in Junie B. Jones Has a Peepin Her Pocket, Junie B.Jones and Some Sneaky Peeky Spying, and the many other titles in BarbaraPark's series, Junie B.'s inimitable style wins her friends and fans everywhere.Denise Brunkus's comical, expressive drawings capture all the joys and foiblesof kindergarten life. With occasional "big" words (like slumped,sarcastic, and apparently) and Junie B.'s grammatical curiosities,this witty book works best as a classroom read-aloud. (Ages 5 to 8) --EmilieCoulter ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Junie B. Jones is Captain Field Day
This story is about a little girl named Junie B. Jones. The B is for Beatrice,but she only likes B. for her middle name. In this book Junie wants to be in charge of her favorite day,and that is Field Day. Junie`s favorite event is the dash and she doesn`t like when Cry-Baby-William is up for an event. My favorite part is when Cry-Baby-William won the pull-up competition. I liked this book because it has a big lesson about judging people when you don't know their talents. I recommend this book to others because they will learn not to judge other people. Read this book to see what happens next.

Junie B. is just amazing!!
My daughter and I have been hooked on Junie B. since her first book. She is the funniest girl I have ever read about. We would love to meet her in person. These books are great to read to your child, even if they are in Kindergarten or have gone through it already, we both laughed. It even has some humor that only parents will get. It is refreshing to see how she works through her problems and how she learns things everyday. We finished this book in one day and now can't wait till her next book comes out!

Funny!!!!!!!!
I like Junie B.'s language. I think it's cute. I'm 9 and I never "learned" to talk like that. Parents who say that don't get it that kids can't learn to talk like Junie B.! I rate this book a 6 STARS...not 5. In Captain Field Day, I liked how Junie B. gave William her cape after he won the last game for Room 9. That was nice of her. Junie B. rules! I don't know how I could live without that funny kid! They are my favorite stories and I read them all the time. I love your books, Junie B.! From: Katti K., from Hollywood, C.A.: USA

The Most Funniest Book
The Most Funniest Book
Junnie B. Jones Is Captain Field day Barbara Park

This book is about the afternoon kindergarten classes are having a field day. Room Nine has to go against Room Eight and Room Eight keeps on winning. Room nine lost and told Junnie B. Jones that it was her fault that they lost.
This is when Junnie B. Jones is picked as captain for Field Day. `` MRS.,MRS.! LOOK! MY PAPER HAS LETTERS ON IT! IT IS THE WORD CAPTAIN, I THINK!" ``HURRAY! HURRAY! I AM IT, PEOPLE! I AM CAPTAIN FIELD DAY!" `` Mrs.! Hey, Mrs.! Guess what else captain can be? It can be the name of a superhero, I think!" `` CAPTAIN FIELD DAY TO THE RESCUE! CAPTAIN FIELD DAY TO THE RESCUE!"
The people who would like this book are girls that like funny books. Also people who are into little kid books.
I think this book is a rating of 5.

Junie B. Jones~Captain Field Day
Barbara Park does it again! Another fantastic book about Kindergarten student Junie B. Jones. Ms. Parks books are written from the perspective of a child. This allows her books to be both well-written and funny. To date there are a total of 21 Junie B books. I recommended purchasing all of them and enjoying them with your children. ... Read more

Book Description

Opening this book is like sitting down in a canoe, taking up a paddle, and gliding out into the summer beauty of a hidden lake. In this picture book that is as refreshing and inviting as a perfect canoe day, a fawn peeks out from the trees as ducklings fan out behind their mother. Butterflies pause and fish laze beneath the lily pads. Ruth Wright Paulsen’s sunlit paintings and Gary Paulsen’s poetic text capture all the peace and pleasure of a day when water and sky are one. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Dreamy!
I love books that combine beautiful artwork with rich text. This is a winner in my mind! The words and pictures in this book make you feel like you're right there in the canoe, feeling and seeing all that the author describes. A dreamy little ride I'll enjoy taking again and again!

Canoe Days is entrancing!
Opening this book is like getting into a canoe, taking up a paddle & gliding out into the beauty of a small lake for a day of peace & pleasure where the water & sky are one. Where neighborly deer, heron, mallards, foxes & raccoons come down to the water. A wonderful gift!

Canoe Days
This book takes the reader on a canoe ride across a lake where many animals and types of fish are encountered. Paulens's word choices are excellent. It has excellent color illustrations and is highly recommended for 3rd and 4th graders. ... Read more