Reviews (59)

Riding Freedom
I recommend this book to anyone who likes to read because it tells about friendship and it has to do with things that happened back a long time ago. It was a very interesting book and a good story about friends and how they come together once again. Charlotte and Hay were friends and then drift apart and eventually find each other. The friendship they first had is redeveloped again. This is a good example of a lasting friendship as Charlotte said, " Good-bye Hay. I'll find you. We're gonna have a ranch, remember? With a big ol' sign that says Private Property. Remember?" Another example is when charlotte was talking to Vern and didn't want to run away from the orphanage because she thought she would be loosing a great friend. "I won't forget you Vern." I also learned that when Charlotte got her own place she got to see her best friend again because he came to live with her. If you are interested in reading a book about the 1800s and what would happen to woman in that time, read this book.

A Story of Fascinating Courage
This is a fictional story based on the life of Charlotte Parkhurst, a stage coach driver who lived during the mid 1800s.

In the story, Charlotte grew up as the only girl in a boy's orphanage where she constantly struggled for freedom and equality. She loved horses and spent every available minute either caring for them or riding them. Because she was a girl, she wasn't held to very high esteem by those around her. The feelings of the boys around her didn't matter as long as she was able to ride horses.

When Charlotte faced the threat of losing the thing she loved most, she had to take action and decided to run away from the orphanage. She disguised herself as a boy in order to hide from the authorities and to obtain work on her own.

Charolotte grew to become a legendary stagecoach driver. She was also the first woman to vote.

My nine-year old daughter loved this book. She was so moved by this story, that she decided to do more research on Charlotte Parkhurst and write a report on her for school.

I was moved by this story as well. It reminded me of how far women have come in the fight for equality.

Honsetly an Awsome Book
When I was in 4th grade I hade to write a book report on any book i wanted. I chose this book because the book cover really caught my attention. I like this story because of how the author inputted a real character in history in the book, Six-Horse Charlie. It's like a peice of history. The main character shows that she isn't afraid to be brave and adventourous. The really cool thing I like about the book is that Charlotte changed her name to Charlie so when she voted no one knew that she really was a she. It turns out that she was the first woman to vote before any other woman. Riding Freedom is one of the most fasinating book I have ever read.

Breath taking adventure story based on true events
In the 1880's Charlotte "Charley" Darkey Parhurst took a lifetime adventure. Raised in an orphanage of all boys, Charlotte had a hard life working in the kitchen and was stuffed in the potato bin in the kitchen so she wouldn't be adopted. Life is bearable but once her best friend is adopted and she's left alone, she decides to do something about it. Charlotte loves horses and runs away and becomes a stable boy. While working there, her boss, Mr. Ebeneezer, teachers her how to be a coachman. To make her living and have a successful life she poses as a man and becomes a stage coach driver. Traveling from Massachutes to California, posing as "Charley" allows her to attain her dream of owning her own land. She is even the first woman to vote in the 1868 California presidential election, even though she is poseing as a man. This is a fictionalized biography with excellent drawings by Brian Selznick. Students who love horses will not be able to put this book down, as well as those who love adventure. This is a breath taking adventure story based on true events that readers grades 4 and up can appreciate.

ATTENTION ALL HORSE LOVERS!!!!
Riding Freedom

ATTENTION ALL HORSE LOVERS!!!!!

Riding Freedom is about a girl named Charlotte that is a orphan that is at a boy orphanage.
But that doesn't bother her a bit! A really exciting part is when Charlotte runs away from the orphanage!
Someone who likes exciting horse books would really enjoy this book . I would definitely give this book 5 stars! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Good Author Bad Book
I dont hate the author and her books are good but this one SUCK!!! This book is a review of the 5th grade test study history with the boring Social studies book this book is much more boring. If you like this author DONT BUY THIS BOOK buy other books she made like Paul Revere but Dont buy this Boooooorrrrriiiinnngggg book!!!!

Are you a nervous reck over the constitution?? I was!
Hi! I am a twelve year old girl from California and i was verry nervous about the constitutioin test.This book helped me a lot on the test. I was so woried and nervous, but once i read this book, along with If You Were There When They Wrote THe Constitution,I knew i had studied to my full capability! I was so overloaded with information i didn't even need for the test! But all of that studying paid off because ,with the help from this book, I got***********100%*********************! My family was so proud of me. well i didn't just write this review to brag i wrote it to tell you that this book was a great investement for me! also if you are anything like me you will still think you need to study more so you should also buy if you were there when they wrote the constitition.Good Luck!

It has great illustrations.
It is important for a book about a Constitution to be very good. It has good illustrations and it has a lot of interesting and cool facts. It is a good book overall. ... Read more

Book Description

Much more than a biography of Lincoln or a history of the Civil War, this portrait of Lincoln makes our sixteenth president accessible to young readers as a human being, rather than as a historic icon or paragon of virtue. The author, renowned for his award-winning books on great leaders, shows how a principled but imperfect man -- full of intelligence but also of sorrow,logical and determined but also cautious and prejudiced grew under the pressure of personal tragedy and national crisis to become our greatest president.The book is written in a quick-flowing, engaging style, detailed but easy to read. The author effortlessly uses eyewitness accounts -- letters, speeches,diaries, newspapers, poems, songs, memoirs -- to create setting, to show personality, political climate, to give voice to the attitudes and hopes of everyday Americans. The treatment of slavery is especially vivid. All the important events of the war are here, but the emphasis is on people, personalities, human feelings and behavior.As the historian Barbara Fields made clear in the Ken Burns documentary on the Civil War, the issues of that war are still with us. Perhaps never more than now do young people need to be exposed to the unfailing humanity, honesty, and political sagacity that allowed Lincoln to hold together a country racked by secession, racial hatred, and other divisions. Lincoln had that most uy76precious of all human qualities -- the capacity for growth. His life reminds us that any person can learn from experience and rise above poverty, prejudice, and limitation; and that a political leader can and must embody a profound respect forthe plain peopleand the democratic processes that elevate us all. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The Human Side of Lincoln
For the first time, I came to know Lincoln not as an iconified hero, but as a funny, direct, engaging and committed human being as I read this book. The author has thorough notes of very detailed research and tells a story that others omitted or overlooked. It made me want to read much more about Lincoln, especially more of the piercing wit and emotional perseverance shared in this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

Author Patricia Reilly Giff's Newbery Honor-winning Lily's Crossing is now available for the first time in paperback!

Every summer Lily and her father go to her family's house in Rockaway, near the Atlantic Ocean.But the summer of 1944 is different.World War II has called Lily's father overseas, Lily's best friend Margaret had to move with her family to a wartime factory town, and Lily is forced to live with her grandmother.

But then a boy named Albert, a refugee from Hungary, comes to live in Rockaway.He has lost most of his family to the war.Soon he and Lily form a special friendship, and they have secrets to share.But they have both told lies, and Lily's lie may cost Albert his life. ... Read more

Reviews (83)

Great Book!
Lily's Crossing was a good book.It was a good book because it described things well.This is what Lily's Crossing was about.

Lily is a little girl who lives in Saint Alban's. She is 12 years old. In the summer she goes to live with her grandma in Rockaway, NY.She has to play the the piano because her dad bought her a piano to play. She doesn't like the piano. Right now her dad is in the World War 2. He is an engineer. He is not going to be home until the war is over. Lily really misses her poppy. Her best friend Margaret has to move because of the war. She has to go with her father and her family because her dad got transferred with his job. In the book, Lily meets a kid named Albert.

In order to find out what happens next, you will have to read the book. I would recommend this book to you, because it is really good and exciting.

Friends Forever
Lily's Crossing, a popular Newberry Honor Book, is wonderful for readers of all ages. Patricia Reilly Giff brings the whole story to life with her amazing adventures and her remarkable characters. Lily, an eleven-year-old girl with a life full of happiness, is living through the tough times of World War II. Her father has to move away to help strengthen America in the war. It doesn't end there! Every summer Lily goes to the beach with her friends but not the summer that her father leaves. Lily's best friend has to go away with her family because her family has to help out with the war. Just when Lily thinks that her life is ruined, she suddenly meets a boy named Albert. They became best friends, but can they stay out of trouble with her lying? Will Lily say something that can cost Albert his life?
This book is highly recommended because it shows just how important friendship can be. Lily is an amazing girl who shares her wonderful world with everyone. Her story can help many people during rough times with friends because she teaches people never to give up on friends. When Lily realizes that her best friend must move away, she feels miserable! She and Albert have their rough times at the beginning, but in the end, they become best of friends! The book also presents life during World War II. It presents the reader with a whole new world in the little town named Rockaway, New York where families and friends become close knit and help each other out. Also, by inviting everyone over to dinner. The war helps Lily become closer to her friends and family during these rough times. It also helps her to become trustworthy with her friends and to stop lying to everybody.
Lily's Crossing should definitely be at top of the list of best novels because the reader will feel a part of an unforgettable world. So me people may see Lily's Crossing a very mellow and sometimes boring book. Despite these views, the reader is bond to feel a connection to the characters life experiences! Even if Lily's Crossing isn't the number one book to many people, there is definitely a whole lot to learn from this little girl, for example, what it was like to live during World War II. It also can help many people understand who true friends are and how powerful friendship can be.
~ Once reading this book, it will change the readers life forever ~

Lilys Crossing
Lily's life is not the best. Her father is at war, and she has to move.
She has no friends until she meets Albert.
Lily has told many lies, but now she has told one that may cost her a friend. Lily has two major events in her life; will Albert follow his heart, will her father return?

Lily!
While on the yearly summer trip to Rockaway, New York, Lily experiences some hardships. In 1944, everyone's life has changed. WWII has become familiar with every family. As soon as they get to Rockaway, Lily's father announces that he will be going overseas due to the war. She does meet a Hungarian refugee named albert. Lily and Albert turn out to become good friends. She overcomes lying the summer of 1944. Patricia Reilly Giff makes this story very easy and interesting. I completely fell in love with Lily.

I would give this book 3 stars
I would give this book 3 out of 5 stars because it is a good book but it is not as good as other books I have read. I also think it was not very detailed and there were parts in the book that didn't make sense. My favorite thing about the book is that Patricia Reilly Giff makes an unbreakable friendship between Lily and Albert.
One thing I think the author should have done differently is to have explained things a little better. My favorite character was Gram because she might have not shown her love for Lily but really she would do anything for Lily. Gram reminds me of my Godfather, Bill, who unfortunately was in a plane crash. My least favorite character was Margaret because she was very naughty and mean.
One part that really made me think was when Lily went to save Albert in the storm. It made me think "Would I do that?" and "What would I do in that position?"
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read it. ... Read more

Book Description

Joe Stoshack lives for baseball. He knows everything there is to know about the game -- except how to play well. His specialty is striking out. Stosh feels like a real loser, and when he takes a low-paying job cleaning a bunch of junk out of his neighbor's attic, he feels even worse -- until he comes across a little piece of cardboard that takes his breath away. His heart is racing. His brain is racing. He can hardly believe his eyes. Stosh has stumbled upon a T-206 Honus Wagner -- the most valuable baseball card in the world! And he's about to find out that it's worth a lot more than money....

Reviews (27)

Home Run!!!!!
The book that I read was really good. it is called Honus and Me by Dan Gutman. If you like baseball,then I think you would like this book. It is about a kid names Stosh who plays baseball, he's also a big baseball card collector. One day, he finds a Honus Wagner card! (these are very rare) Stosh isn't rich but he wouldn't call himself poor. His parents split up when he was younger and his mom doesn't make that much money. The card that he was holding was worth half a million dollars! Stosh goes to bed that night and wishes that he could go back in time and meet Honus himself. He feels a tingling sensation in the tips of his fingers just before he falls asleep. It turns out that he has the ability to go back in time! This adventure continues throughout the book as Stosh and Honus play in the world series and sign autograpghs. This action packed adventure is really good and everyone should read it. Even if you don't like baseball, you should also read other books by Dan Gutman.

Cool Book!
When a boy finds a VERY RARE baseball card in someone's attic, he is faced with the decision whether to return it or not. There are only 40 of these cards in the world! With this card he is able to meet the baseball star Honus Wagner. He goes back in time and finds himself an adult, bats for Honus Wagner because Honus's hand was hurt, and actually hits a home run! I am no baseball fan, but I have read ALL of Dan's books about baseball and loved them, and this was probably my favorite. P.S. This has a surprising ending, which is really cool, but I'll let you find out about that for yourself!

A sports lovers adventure
A Sports Lovers Fantasy!!!!!
Honus and Me by
Dan Gutman

This is a book about a kid who loves sports.In this book he finds thathe has a magical he can go back in time and visit famous baseball players from that time.
A exciting part in this book is when Hounus is playing in the world series.((As honus trooted in from his shortstop position at the end of the inning, he looked straight at me and patted his right shoulderwith his left hand.)) (( The signal.)) You will have to read the book to see what is going to happen.
I think probally a boy who likes sports books would like this story.This book has fantasy,history, and many other subjects.It is a great mystery and pepole who like old baseball history would ike this book to.
I would give this book a 4 out of 5. It is a short bookso if you need to do a book project it is very easy to read and a very fun book to read.This is my favorite book of all time and I would recomnd this book.

we love dan gutman's baseball card adventure books!
my 7 1/2 year old son (he's an above-grade reader) has read all five, and loved all of, dan gutman's baseball card books. i had the privilege of listening to one on tape -- this one, honus & me. it is well-told with great morality lessons and interesting historical information. Dan Gutman is the perfect author for baseball loving little boys. We both cant wait for his next.

GREAT BOOK FOR SPORTS FANS BY:KELSEY K
Honus and Me is a great book. It's about this little boy named Joe. He loves to collect baseball cards. One day he bought a pack of cards and found a one-of-a-kind Honus Wagner card, What he didn't know was that the card had a special power, ( You need to read the book to find out)

My favorite character was Joe. He was a good kid who loved baseball. I like him a lot because I am a big sports fan also.

My favorite part of the book was when Joe played in the major league game. He got to experience something that no other kid has done before.

I would encourage SPORTS FANS to read this book. Even if you aren't a big sports fan I still think you would really enjoy this book. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Not just for children
This book is for anyone - of any age - who has lost anything of beauty or anything they love. Children will love it, but don't keep it from the adults. I still can't read it without crying.

Deep book about dealing with loss
The best thing about this book is its refusal to play games with your child's mind. Rejecting the shameless tear-jerking of so much media aimed at children, this book embraces the grand tradition of children's books that takes children seriously. This is a book about dealing with loss about about letting go, but also a book that makes the reader reflect on what is good about life. Warts and all, life is sweet. As a historian, I really appreciate that Yolen tries hard to show what her valley was like AND what it is like after the dam is built. Kids are frightened when they see orchards being ripped out for suburbs; this is a book about dealing with that kind of loss.

Should have packed an emotional whallop
"Drowing towns" I had never heard of such a thing and was highly interested in reading this book about a remarkable event in history.
(Though apparently it has happened worldwide)

To be honest .. I was disappointed. What should have been an emotional, impactful story turned out to be rather bland.

The writing was choppy, (difficult to read out loud) pictures ho-hum (even though I love Barbara Cooney!) and the overall intensity was not there as I thought it should be. Afterall we are talking about people leaving the homes and their way of life that had been in their families for generations.

I was expecting better. I think Patricia MacLachlan and Illustrator Ted Rand or Susan Jeffers could have made a real triumph out of this.

That said, _DO_ read this book. It is a remarkable event in history and this book is still worth reading.

moving & important -- a great place to bring your kid's mind
The concept of water -- where does it come from, how do we use it, where does it go when we are done with it -- is a big topic in our busy household. Both of my kids are interested in the environment and conservation, and I think a lot of that interest can be attributed to a small set of books -- Letting Swift River Go among them -- that were a part of their bedtime often throughout the beginnings of their childhood. My youngest son, in fact, is eleven now, but still pulls this book out and reads it to himself and to others on occasion.

You'll find the great writing here that you expect from Jane Yolen, along with a plot that serves as a vehicle for commentary that allows children to look at the cost of progress when it comes to building towns and cities.

Amazingly touching...great for kids and adults
This is one of the best children's books I've read in a long time. The story of the building of the Quabbin Resevoir in western MA is not a wide told story, but it should be. This book is clearly written so children can understand what was happeneing. The illustrations are also wonderful and will keep the children engaged. If you're the grown up reader, don't count on getting through this with a dry eye. It's definatly a book for ALL ages. ~Sarah Aziz Mount Holyoke College Sophomore (age 19) ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Song of freedom
This fine story teaches even the smallest of children about the evil of slavery in pre-Civil War America. It shows a desire for freedom so strong that men, women and children risked their lives to escape on the Underground Railroad, following the largest star in the Drinking Gourd of the title (The Big Dipper).

The book introduces the idea of slavery, the separation of families, the sale of human beings at auctions, and the difficulties that people endured to escape--hiding in trees to avoid hounds, sleeping by day, sometimes on empty stomachs, and walking at night, sometimes without stars to guide them. Sometimes people along the way were kind, providing bacon and corn bread to share, helping them across the Ohio River, and hiding them in the attics and barns of safe houses.

The story's dramatic simplicity grasps and holds children. They fasten to it, eager to learn about the bonds that once tied African-Americans and the freedom for which they naturally yearned.

The book is a song of freedom. Alyssa A. Lappen

Great Story for All ages !
My husband encourages us to add this book to our collections. Our 3 year old loves this book every night before bed. He loves the music ( dad's singing) and learns a wonderful lesson. He looks at the night sky with a whole new view now !

Follow the Drinking Gourd Is a Hit With 2nd Graders!
I used this book to help fulfill a story project requirement for my Children's Literature class at Kent State University. A partner and I read this book to two second-grade classes, who listened attentively. This version of the story has less text than Bernardine Connelly's version (same title), which made it appropriate for reading aloud within a limited time. The students seemed to enjoy the repetition of the song lyrics throughout. The illustrations are striking, with interesting and unusual color choices. The skin tones of the African-American characters are quite lovely, ranging from mahogany to very dark brown. Bright purples and oranges in the illustrations also stand out. The characters are depicted in a wide range of ages, from "Old Hattie" to "Little Isaiah." We used this book in conjunction with explanations of the Underground Railroad and another book, Barefoot by Pamela Duncan Edwards, as well as poems by African-American poet Langston Hughes. The difficult topics of selling slaves at auction, running away, and the fears the runaways had are sensitively treated. At the end of the book, when freedom is reached and Old Hattie exclaims, "'Five more souls are safe!'" I heard a collective gasp of emotion from the children. These students really seemed to enjoy learning about the Underground Railroad and how slaves escaped their bondage. The fact that we usually call the Drinking Gourd constellation the Big Dipper did take some repeated explanation on the part of the storytellers.

Courageous and inspirational tale of slavery.
My daughter read this book in her kindergarten class during Black history month and we loved it so much we bought a copy. It is an inspiring story of courage and triumph over adversity. The story is about a slave named Peg Leg Joe who leads other slaves to freedom by teaching them a song instructing them to "Follow the Drinking Gourd". The drinking gourd he refers to is the Big Dipper. Not only is this a great story about the Underground Railroad, it also inspired my daughter's interest in astronomy. I highly recommend it.

Excellent book for Februay- Black History Month
I read this book to my 1st grade students to teach them about Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. The illustrations were nice and my students caught on that they were really following the constellation (the dipper). I would highly recommend this book. It was THE BEST resource I could find to tie into Black History Month. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The world of Kit Kittredge
Kit's stories center around America during the Great Depression. Kit Kittredge is a nine-year-old with a nose for news, but she has a hard time finding interesting stories--everything in the papers during her time is about the hard times of the Depression.
Kit starts out as a proud, somewhat selfish character who doesn't realize what she has until it's gone. But the changes begin in the first book, when Kit has to stand up to the fact that her father has lost his job and that the Kittredges now face an uncertain future.
The subsequent books, Kit Learns A Lesson, Kit's Surprise, Happy Birthday, Kit!, Kit Saves the Day and Changes for Kit show Kit as she slowly grows up and deals with the Depression. In Kit's stories readers will see the effects of the Great Depression on a nine-year-old girl who refuses to lose hope, even when the bank threatens to take her family's home.
Kit's stories also feature "Peek into the Past" selections detailing different aspects of the Great Depression. The sections also explain what caused the great Depression.

Kit's stories are great. I higly recommend the boxed set. ... Read more

Reviews (47)

A Picture of Freedom: A Exellent Diary of a Slave Girl
This book is about Clotee, who is a 12 years old slave girl in Belmont Plantation, Virginia. She taught herself how to read and write. Her mom was sold to other plantation and died when she was young. Clotee grew by Aunt Tee and Uncle Heb. Her friends were Hince, spicy and Wook. Wook was killed when she tried to runaway. Clotee met Mr. Harms who was an abolitionist on the Underground Railroad. She wanted to be an abolitionist too.

In the book, Clotee shares her feelings, experiences and thoughts about slavery. She describes her life on the plantation and talks about the Underground Railroad. I liked this book because it gave me a window onto the live of slaves in 1859. The details were very vivid. I also liked this book because it taught the lesson that if a person has a goal ad dream, he/she should go for it and they will reach it. Another reason that I liked this book is it showed me how terrible slavery was an how wrong it was. I recommend this book to any teenager who is studying the U.S. Civil War or slavery.

This book was so realistic!
This touching, sad book was so realistic! It showed how horrifying and terrible slavery was. Clotee is a twelve year old girl, the same age as I am, only she is a slave. She has secretly learned to read and write, and she keeps a diary of her experiances. She could get caught and whipped at any moment - just for knowing how to read and write. She helps slaves escape, knowing of the terrible consequences if she is caught. Clotee was a brave and admireable character and this is a wonderful book that I hope everyone takes the time to read, because they can learn a lot from it.

Fine
This book was about a slave girl who keeps a diary while she is a slave. She wants inside to become free. But her master will not allow it. It just tells about the horrible stuff she goes through while being a slave. I highly recommend this book.

good book
Picture of Freedom is a good book but it is hard to read. Because the words in the book aren't spelled right. I it about a slave who works in a kitchen. She learned to read by the misstress. So she started keeping a journal. She really wants to tell somebody but she can't or she will get beat or maybe killed. There is some foreshadowing in the book but not much. I recomened this book to people who like to read or like to read about history.

A Picture of Freedom
Excellent book! It taught me how bad slavery was. It made me glad I'm not a slave. The civil war I probably could handle, but not slavery. It was too harsh and unjust. ... Read more

Book Description

April 3, 1778

He may be just thirteen, but Jonathan knows he's ready to go to the war against the British. He can handle a gun. He yearns to battle for glory, just like his brother and cousin.

So when Jonathan hears the tavern bell toll, calling men to fight, he runs to join them. He doesn't realize that in just twenty-four hours, his life will be forever altered -- by the war, by his fellow soldiers, and by the terrible choices he must make.

Reviews (61)

My Opinion
Jonathan is a 13 year-old boy who wants to join the Revolutionary War. His father will not let him but one day he found his chance and toke it. He realized that he should of listened to his father and stayed home for he would learn a lesson of a life time. The book it's self had a good plot but the fact that the book was over within 24 hours made the book seem long, dull, and confusing. How? In some chapters alot more happened then in other chapters. This book would have been good only if it spaced out the chapters and made the book last a few days or more and not just one

Outstanding Historal Fiction War Novel
Do you want to fight in a bloody battle or fight in a war? Well Jonathan did. If you do you should read The Fighting Ground, by Avi. This book is an amazing novel. Like I said I would recommed this book to people who love war. This book will change your mind.

Jonathan learns a lesson the hard way he doesn't listen to his parents and ends up in even more convenience. Jonathat changed a lot in the novel. He finally learns to listen to his parents and ends up hating war. In this novel Jonathan has a enemy which is himself, For not listening to his parent and made lots of lies up.

I would recommed this book for all ages. It changed my mind about war. This was one of the best novels I ever read. I like the way Avi speaks, makes the people in the book seem real. Avi is great at picks spot there so unqnie.

BOOOORRRIIIINNNGGG
We had to read this 50 page "novel" for English. I don't know anyone who enjoyed this 5-week torture book. I enjoy Avi's stuff, but come on! Give me a break!! DON'T BUY THIS!!! -A disgusted young author who's expecting better things from this particular writer.

Another Reveiw
This book is about a thirteen year old who wants to go to war when his father is wounded. He runs away after marching towards some hessians. then he gets captured by three hessians overall i think this book was pretty intersting.

An Alright Novel
The Fighting Ground by Avi wasn't all that I expected it to be. The back of the book describes it to be an action packed novel about a little boy named Jonathon whose father got wounded in a battle because he fought in the French and Indian War. So when the Hessians come to Trenton, Jonathon goes to fight in place of his dad. Although his dad is not aware that he is fighting, when all the other townsmen ask he says that his dad told him to come. I recommend this book to children who love war novels. ... ... Read more

Book Description

Someone is planning to kill George Washington, and young Phoebe Fraunces is trying to save his life. Phoebe gets a job as George Washington's housekeeper, but her real job is to work as a spy. She listens and watches very carefully, and she meets her father every day to tell him what she has learned. One day Phoebe's father tells her that Washington is planning to leave town in a few days, and the person plotting against him will act before then. Phoebe is very frightened, but she is determined to figure out who is after Washington before it's too late. . . .

"This episode drawn from the Revolutionary War is related with historical accuracy and suspense and illustrated with finesse." (School Library Journal) ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Phoebe the Spy
Phoebe gets a job as a House keeper for George Washington , but she isn't a real house keeper. She's a spy for her father! Every afternoon she reports to her father what she has learned. One day her father tells her that George Washington is planning to leave town real soon. Phoebe is frightened by these words but is determined to find out who is after George Washington. I think this book is very interesting and you all should read it.

Phoebe the Spy
This book is about a girl named Phoebe,who lives in New York.When Phoebe was thirteen years old, her father Phoebe Fraunces was going to give her a very dangerous job. The job is that she's going to be a spy and she needs to spy on George Washington, the General of the United States army because they were going to kill him. This book took place in the past. This book started in 1776.

This book was very exciting and it is interesting to see the pictures that Judith Berry Griffin drew. I like how Judith Berry Griffin describes the characters. This book that Judith Berry Griffin wrote is cool and interesting because it talks about the past and how people live in that time. This book was one of the best books I have ever read.

Will Hickey get the General?
Phoebe
Phoebe Fraunces is a girl whose father, Samuel gave her a important misson to save General George Washington's life. The person who was trying to kill the General is named Thomas Hickey. If you want to know more, read the book.

Phoebe Finds Hickey
Ssmuel Fraunces asked his daughter, Phoebe to go out and be a spy and look for someone that has a name that starts with a letter T. She has to spy because whoever's name starts with T, will kill General Washington. Phoebe is afraid at first, but then she says yes when she hears that her dad is upset tht they were going to kill General Washington. I liked this history book because Phoebe was brave and willing to do what her father asked her to do.

Phoebe, the spy who is 13
Phoebe is a spy who is 13. In 1776 Phoebe got a job and that was to save General Washington. She had to look for a bodyguard who was trying to kill him. She was told that his first name started with the letter T. I really liked this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Just after Caroline Quiner starts teaching at the Concord School, she runs into her fiddle-playing neighbor Charles Ingalls, who's full of plans to head out west. As their friendship turns to courtship, Caroline realizes that she has a difficult decision ahead of her -- and a choice that may mean leaving behind her family and everything she's ever known.

A Little House of Their Own is the seventh and final book in the Caroline Years series, and brings the story right up to where Little House began -- to Laura.

Book Description

Here is the fascinating story of the first women to fly U.S. military aircraft—the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) of World War II. Although these pioneers were never allowed to fly in combat, they did fly in many essential wartime missions—some that the men didn’t even want to take on.

Through firsthand accounts, these women share their experiences as they test-fly newly repaired aircraft, drag banners behind their planes so male trainees can practice shooting moving targets (!), and ferry all kinds of aircraft from factories to military bases. Their courage, determination, and lively camaraderie make every page inspiring and surprising.

Yankee Doodle Gals will give today’s young people a new look at World War II and show them just how dramatically society has changed since then.

Book Description

In a lively question and answer format, readers are taken behind the locked doors of the Philadelphia State House during the dramatic Constitutional Convention. ... Read more

Book Description

The train of states is rolling by --
rush to the window and watch it go!
The very first car? The very first state:
Delaware, of course,
followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia ...
fifty in all.
The caboose? Washington, D.C.!

Look closely! What do you see?
State birds, state flowers, state trees ...
forty-three presidents! Can you find them all?
Can you spot the flags, heroes, animals, and landmarks
adorning the train of states?

Clickety clack, clickety clack.
Rush out the door, rush to the track.
Where is the train going? Come along!
Over the prairie, over the mountains,
down a green valley, and into a billowing tent.
It's time for a party --
it's time to celebrate
the fifty states!

Reviews (6)

Kaya Boxed Set
I have this set. It is enjoyable because you don't have to take the books out from a libray. I took the first book out and I also took out the third( the second was taken out). Its nice to have a boxed set so you know where they all are. The books---I enjoyed them alot. But the only thing is that some of the books(like book 1) I didn't enjoy as much as the others. I give this boxed set a high 4 stars!

Excellent Books
Last Christmas, just after she turned 5, my daughter received the present she wanted most--the complete set of Kaya books, her first experience of the American Girls. We began reading them together right away, and she loved them. While the reading level is higher than most of the American Girls books, she had few problems with comprehension as I read the text aloud. She began using many of the Nez Perce words she learned from the story--for some time, her daddy became "Toe-Ta" and I was "Eetsa." Another reviewer complained about the Native American religious beliefs scattered about the text. I found these to be in context for the character (after all, what would one expect given the culture and the time?), and when our faith differs from what is written in the book, it made for some good discussion. Kaya is a character who comes across as real--she makes mistakes, she has doubts, frustrations, and fears. What makes her a great character is that she learns from her mistakes and meets her fears head on with courage. Katie and I look forward to reading more American Girls books together over the years. Our introduction to them has made us eager for more.

I'm stunned!
My nine-year-old daughter and I read the Kaya stories several months ago. Now I'm ordering an extra set for her school library.

This is one of the two or three best American Girl series. The stories couldn't be more gripping and believable; and Kaya couldn't be more delightful. The stories also do a wonderful job of teaching about the Nez Perce.

Now, placing my order, I'm stunned to discover that your two featured reviews are critical of these books. Very idiosyncratic reactions. Go to the children's section of any bookstore and ask the staff what their customers think. Girls love these stories.

Also, you might include in your "If you liked this book . . ." listings Kathleen Ernst's "Trouble at Fort LaPointe."

Fie on the reviewers who panned Kaya. They're mistaken.

hmmm...
the book has alot of indian religious things cluttering it's pages. it was written on a very easy level compared to some of the other books. I was very dissapointed in the series. good morals were portrayed.

HOORAY FOR KAYA...BOO FOR HER STORIES
Kaya is currently the newest addition to the American Girls Collection. A nine-year-old Nez Perce girl growing up in the Northwest in 1764, Kaya's stories differ in many ways from the rest of the characters in the series...but are alike in many ways to the rest of the characters. Kaya starts out as a girl who only thinks of herself and thusly earns the nickname of "Magpie" after a bird known only for caring about itself. Like in the Josefina stories, foreign words appear in Kaya's books, but are explained in the back of each book with a brief glossary. An explanation for this is also in the front of the book, where readers are also taught the proper way to say Kaya's name. However, Kaya's books are longer and are a slightly harder read than some of the other books in the series. I would recommend them for children age 8 and over. As a 19 year old, I at times had a hard time following through with the story, as Kaya's parents aren't called the typical "Mom" and "Dad" like the other characters. My main gripes with her books were that some appeared to be filler. Sure, the Nez Perce had routine in their lives. But so did Felicity, Josefina, Kirsten, Addy, Samantha, Kit, and Molly. It just seems that Kaya's stories are somewhat flat. My favorites were books 3 and 4: Kaya's Hero and Kaya and Lone Dog. These two books had more adventure to them than the rest and showed a different side to Kaya and her tribe. Having some Cherokee anscestry in my veins, I had a hard time believing that the Nez Perce were that boring! I can, to some point, understand why the books do not follow the patterns of the rest in the series: Kaya did not go to school--she was taught by her family. Kaya and her tribe had probably never heard of Christmas, either, since Christmas is a holiday of the Christian variety. As for the quality--Kaya's boxed set is very nice--I bought the... hardcover set. Like all the rest of the books, they are well made. The box stands by itself--it's hard cardboard. The books are sewn tight and the covers and jackets are nice. I work in a library, and have often heard the children's librarian remark about how well made the American Girls Collection books are--they can circulate (check out) for over 100 times before being discarded. That's a rare feat--most books end up being thrown out by the time they are checked out 50 times! Despite the fact that Kaya's story is lackluster, Kaya herself was really well written about. But it's the other things that aren't explained in the book. I would have loved to hear more about what the Nez Perce think of Coyote, of whom most of their legends are devoted to. It was little unexplained things like that that had me lost--since in some of the stories, Kaya and her family and tribe say and do things that are not explained very well to the reader. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Unique Illustrations; Interesting Story
This 2004 Caldecott winner is based on the true story of Philippe Petit. During the contruction of the World Trade Center, he devised a plan to walk a tightrope between the twin towers. The illustrations are the main feature of this book. There are some wonderful overhead perspectives that allow the reader to get a sense of how it would actually feel to walk hundreds of feet in the air. This book does not dwell on the loss of the towers (although it is mentioned), but rather celebrates the courageous spirit of Philippe Petit. Both children and adults will find this story interesting.

A tribute to the WTC towers and one dream they inspired
On an otherwise normal day in August 1974, a young Frenchman pulled off what may be the most impressive (not to mention foolhardy) wire-walking exhibition in history. New York City's early commuters looked up to the almost-completed World Trade Center towers to see a man, experienced aerialist Phillippe Petit, walking back and forth across them on a wire. This amazing (albeit highly illegal) achievement has now been immortalized in impressive ink and oil paintings in Mordicai Gerstein in The Man Who Walked Between the Towers. Among the artwork you will find the ingenious use of two foldout illustrations, each one establishing an amazing change in perspective of Petit's wire-walking feat and making the drama of the event all that more palpable. Published in 2003 and the recipient of The Caldecott Medal, this book is sure to captivate many young minds with its story and artistry (with a sense of vertigo thrown in absolutely free of charge), and it does stand as something of a touching reminder of the two towers that fell on September 11, 2001 and the spell they cast in their own silent yet mighty fortitude.

Alongside the artwork is the story, economically told, of Petit's dream and the manner in which he made it come true. It describes how he and some friends dressed up as construction workers, hid out on both towers until nightfall, and got the wire-walking cable (which was a mere seven-eighths of an inch wide) in place, after which Petit walked, ran, danced, and even lay down on the outstretched wire over the course of nearly an hour. He was then, of course, arrested but, to my surprise, ordered only to perform his feats for the children of New York City. This is a fabulous story that will literally take your breath away, especially if you are as afraid of heights as I am, but I can't get over just how dangerous and illegal this was (to his friends as well as himself) and can only wonder how Petit got off so easily.

Using lyrical words and ink/oil paintings
In 1974 as the World Trade Center was being built, young French aerialist Philippe Petit spent almost an hour on a tightrope walking, dancing and doing tricks between the two towers. Man Who Walked Between The Towers tells his story using lyrical words and ink/oil paintings which are endearing and revealing.

"This is a TRUE story, Miss Cameron?"
I have heard that very refrain from children time and time again while reading this book. In my Gypsy-like lifestyle of a substitute teacher, I took this book with me, knowing that it would enchant the students I had, no matter where I was. Every class I read this to was spellbound. They would gasp and stare and just could not believe that a REAL person ever did what Phillipe was doing! I had a first grader reach out to touch the sky under Phillipe on one spread, he was so enthralled. In a class of 29 very-hard-to-impress third graders that I was in for 6 weeks, we made a project out of it when they designed their own drawings on what they would walk between, because they were so inspired. During the reading, near the end, on the page that stated quietly "Now the towers are gone," I had very quiet acceptance of the missing towers. The author tells the story with such reverent delight (if it was ever possible to combine the two, Gerstein has) that children naturally fall in and accept the story as is. "The Man Who Walked Between The Towers" has become one of my favorite children's books and has earned a spot in my teaching "bag of tricks." It is very moving and inspiring, and highly deserving of the Caldecott Medal for 2004.

Dreamy & Wondrous
Children will fall in love with this book & Phillipe will surely become their idol. The text is gentle & romantic, and the illustrations evoke the magic of the Towers. The ending is both triumphant & heartbreaking. The hard part for parents is answering their kids' inevitable question: "What happened to the Towers?" ... Read more

Book Description

During the Berlin Airlift of 1948-1949, Lt. Gail Halvorsen and his squadron dropped over 250,000 candy-loaded parachutes and twenty tons of chocolate and gum to West Berlin's 100,000 children.He received thousands of letters from children, and only the most important were translated and given to him for his personal reply.This is the true story of a little girl named Mercedes, who waited anxiously for candy drops from Lt. Gail, known as the Chocolate Pilot. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Kind, heroic American soldier grants German child's wish
This true story of hope, kindness and heroism is a reminder that there are American soldiers who have provided a variety of rescues for people in other countries, a reminder that every child is important, a reminder that one caring person can change the world. There's even a subtle message of the power of prayer. The illustrations are as beautiful, sweet, and historically accurate as the story itself. The heart-warming text gives children a true living American hero to emulate in the Chocolate Pilot and a child to relate to in Mercedes. Grown-ups love this book as much as children do.

The Impact of Adults in the Life of a Child.
"Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot: A True Story of the Berlin "Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot": This is a true Story of the Berlin Airlift and the Candy That Dropped from the Sky by Margot Theis Raven, Gijsbert Van Frankenhuyzen" demonstrates the true meaning of the human sprit and the impact of that sprit upon generation after generation. While I was reading this story I was reminded of a saying which emphasizes how truly important our roles, as adults, are in the lives of children, ...but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child." This true story is truly remarkable and a must to share with adults and children.

Good way to instill history and the impact of simple actions
Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot is a true story from WWII. The prologue and epilogue include historical and personal notes that will be of interest to the reader. Set in Berlin in 1948 this book will educate children and teach them how simple actions can impact others. It is an enjoyable read. More information on a related book and website can be found within.

A story that needs to be told
As a children's librarian I have spent the past week reading Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot to my students. We have enjoyed every minute of it. Margot Raven brings Col. Halvorsen's story to an audience that is not familiar with the Berlin airlift. The book provides background and inspiration while recreating a moment in history. Have your chocolate close by when you read this one. ... Read more