Children of the River (Laurel-Leaf Contemporary Fiction) Review

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(More customer reviews)Not every person in the world can say that they have gone through the crisis of moving to a new country, leaving behind their family, and trying to keep a baby no older then a few days old alive. Sundara is one who can. Children of the River is a story that looks into the lives of Cambodians trying to stay alive while a group of Communists invade and try to communize the country of Cambodia.
The setting takes place mostly in Willamette Grove, Oregon but starts out in Cambodia during the attack of the Khmer Rouge (the group of communists). The main character, Sundara, who is only thirteen at the time of the attacks, is forced to leave her family and go to America with her aunt and uncle. In America, Sundara learns and tries to adapt to the customs of the Americans but has a hard time fitting in. After being in America for a while, Sundara meets an American football player who she comes to like. She knows though that she cannot be seen with him or be with him because of the Cambodian tradition, which do not allow any relationships between any non Khmer boy and that all marriages are arranged. But, she slowly begins to give way to the customs and she finds herself and Jonathan (the white American football player) in love. Fighting traditions and family, Sundara struggles to choose between Jonathan and her Cambodian ways.
After reading this book I could not help but notice one extremely well inscribed theme: "Never judge a person by looking at them." I have never read a book that has ever used this theme so profoundly. In most ways it jumped out at me, which made me realize how the society in America is centered on this one idiom. This book challenges its readers to "see not only with their eyes but in other ways as well." An extremely well written book by Linda Crew could only deserve my utmost recommendations for a young adult audience, mainly to open their eyes to the world that we live in outside of their city and country boundaries.


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No Promises in the Wind Review

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(More customer reviews)The book No Promises in the Wind by Irene hunt was about a young boy's struggle to survive during the depression in the U.S. It takes place during the winter of 1932. Josh is the main character in the book. He and his father Stefan always get into arguments because his father has no job and can't provide for his family, so his father takes his frustration out on his on Josh, his oldest son. This causes Josh to leave home and embark on his adventure. His mother Mary is the one that gives Josh the OK to leave home. She feels bad for doing this, but she only sees the situation getting worse. So, Howie and Josh decide to run away together and make a life for themselves. Howie is Josh's best friend. Just before they leave, Josh's little brother wants come along. His name is Joey. Joey is ten years old and looks like an angel. There many problems that the main characters encounter during the book, the first one happens when the brothers lose their friend. Howie is run over by a train in the beginning of the book. After this, the main problem is to get money and food. Different people help Josh and Joey get food. One day while walking, they meet a truck driver named Lonnie. Lonnie is very helpful; he gives the boys meals and a long ride down south to warmer weather. He also helps Josh find a job at a carnival. At the carnival Josh and Joey meet Emily. She is an older lady. She is very kind to the boys. Josh falls in love with her, but it does not work out because of the age differences. The carnival burns down so the boys head back north to find their friend Lonnie. Along the way they have to beg to survive.
The one character that I could relate to was Josh. Because I have had similar conflicts with my father. Like Josh's father, my dad was going through hard times and most of the time took out his frustration on me. At times I wanted to leave, but I did not. My father and I worked out our problems like Josh and his father did.
I really enjoyed this book. It keeps the reader entertained the whole time. You always want to find out what is going to happen to the boys all the way to the end. My favorite part is when the boys are at the carnival. The author does a good job of describing the people and events that happen during their stay at the carnival. My least favorite part was when the man at the shoe store took the boy's money. Personally I would not change anything to this book. I think it was written well, and it gets its point across.
I would recommend this book to any one who is interested in how life was during the 1930s. Also anyone that grew up during that time period might enjoy it. This book is a fun read that keeps you entertained the whole time.

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In 1932, America was in the depths of a deep depression. A job, food to fill you, a place to sleep, and shoes without holes--for millions of people, these simple needs were nothing more than dreams. At 15 years of age, Josh had to make his own way through a country of angry, frightened people. This is the story of a young man's struggle to find a life for himself in the turbulent 1930s.

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Diary of a Worm Review

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(More customer reviews)"Diary of a Worm" is a prime example of how the right combination of illustrator and author can make an amazing book!
As part of the Junior Girl Scout "Books Badge," I asked my 12-year-old Girl Scouts to read a review of "Diary of a Worm," then read the book and see if they agreed with the reviewer's opinion. Well, those 12-year-olds were soon cracking up at the idea of a worm diary, but they laughed even more at the directions in which the illustrator took the diary entries.
When the little boy worm writes, "July 4... When I grow up, I want to be a Secret Service agent..." my girls roared at the picture of two little worm agents in sunglasses and earpieces, wearing black suit jackets (no pants, of course). They laughed even harder as one girl pointed out, "Look! He drew the jacket with sleeves, but they've got no arms to put in them!"
How funny are these little details? Take a close look at: a dentist whose name tag reads "Dr. D. Kay"; macaroni necklaces consisting of one piece of macaroni that completely encircles the worm's neck; and the books that the worm is dragging home from school, with the titles "DIGGING - A History" or "Compost 101."
The funniest bits, however, are the illustrations on the book's endpapers! They are meant to look like the little worm's scrapbook, and have family photos with his captions written underneath. A picture of him with a baseball says "I found this really cool rock!" Another drawing is a corner of a $20 bill with the caption "Isn't this leaf awesome?"
My five year old son adores this book. AND so do I, AND so do all of my 12 year old Girl Scouts! No mean feat (or feet, either!) (sorry, couldn't resist a "feet" joke)
We all HIGHLY recommend this book. :-)

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Henry and Ribsy Review

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(More customer reviews)This year, when Mr. Huggins goes fishing, his son Henry wants to come, too. But Henry's dog Ribsy is causing trouble. So they make a deal, if Henry can keep Ribsy out of trouble for a month, Mr. Huggins will take him fishing. Henry thinks it'll be easy, but he soon learns it's going to be harder then he thought.
This book was my first introduction to Beverly Cleary, so it holds a special place in my heart. Henry's adventures are real, funny, and heart-warming. The chapter "Ramona and the PTA" is not to be missed; it's a riot.
I highly recommend this kid's classic.

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At last, Henry Huggins's father has promised to take him fishing, on one condition. Henry's dog, Ribsy, has been in all sorts of trouble lately, from running off with the neighbor's barbecue roast to stealing a policeman's lunch. To go on the fishing trip, Henry must keep Ribsy out of trouble -- no chasing cats, no digging up lawns...and no getting anywhere near little Ramona Quimby, the pest of Klickitat Street.

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Lawn Boy Review

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(More customer reviews)LAWN BOY provides some quick entertainment. It's a very manageable read at less than 90 pages. Readers are treated to quite a few laughs and a little business education.
The main character is a 12-year-old boy. His grandmother gives him a riding lawn mower for his birthday. She says it was his late grandfather's mower. Miracle of all miracles, the thing actually works, and he sets about mowing their pitiful excuse for a yard.
When he finishes the yard, a neighbor wonders if he can get his own lawn mowed. Soon he's mowing for the whole neighborhood. In a few short days, he has over three hundred dollars stuffed in his pockets.
Arnold, a stay-at-home stockbroker, would like his lawn mowed; but he admits to being short on cash. He offers a deal -- mow his lawn and he'll invest the cost of the mowing in the stock market and hopefully increase the investment. Boy, does he!
Before he knows it, he has a growing business and more money than he can even imagine. He has a stock portfolio that would be the envy of any businessperson. And just think, his only dream at the start of the summer was to have enough to afford a new inner tube for his bike tire.
The problem now is how do you break it to your parents that in five short weeks you have tons of money? Will they believe you?
Gary Paulsen has done it yet again. His die-hard fans will like the story, and reluctant readers will find it a quick and satisfying read. It's also a terrific read-aloud that will have them laughing and teach them a little about capitalism in the bargain.
Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"


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Black Books Galore: Guide to More Great African American Children's Books Review

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(More customer reviews)This whole series of books is fantastic. The reviews (usually a paragraph or so) are concise, insightful, and obviously written by people who have actually read and used the books with children. They're grouped according to reading level, and neatly cross-referenced by title, author, illustrator and topic, so you can quickly find what you need. In addition to the reviews (400 in this book alone) there is other useful information, like a complete list of Coretta Scott King Award titles and interesting web sites. Besides being a great (and inexpensive) reference book, it's also great fun to read!

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Olivia Review

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(More customer reviews)"This is Olivia," begins Ian Falconer's delightful picture book about a precocious piglet. "She is good at lots of things." In charming and hilarious illustrations, Olivia's busy adventures take her through dress-up, playing with her cat, going to the beach and museum, (reluctantly) taking a nap, and going to bed after just one story...no, three stories.
This simply is one of the finest children's picture books of the year, and sure to be named on everyone's Top of 2000 list. Quietly humorous and tongue-in-cheek narration, fluid and expressive black-and-white-and-red artwork, and the charming portrayal of the busy and mischievous Olivia make this an instant classic. Sight gags abound (Olivia's ambitious sandcastle, her pink-pink sunburn, her dreams of being a ballerina, and her songbook "40 Very Loud Songs") and Falconer, a New Yorker cover artist and theatre designer, portrays the never-ending energy of a tiny pig, er, girl, with wit and charm.
Don't miss this one: suitable for all ages from the very young to the very old, "Olivia" is the prize of the season. It's the kind of book kids will be begging to have read to them before bed: bargaining for not once, not twice, but three times.

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Frog and Toad Are Friends (I Can Read Book 2) Review

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(More customer reviews)I purchased this for our 5 year old son. He has truly enjoyed listening to the sweet stories of friendship. While we have the books, I agree with the other reviewer, you really do not have to read along to be entertained. We put the tape in our son's player and he listens while drifting off to sleep. Unlike some children's books on tape, this is done so well - the timing, clarity and voices keep your interest. This is a winner!!

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Something Wicked This Way Comes Review

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(More customer reviews)If there's one thing that Ray Bradbury excels at, it's his ability to recapture the range of emotions and attitudes that were present in all of us when we were just young, impressionable children. It's a sign of a talented writer if he or she is able to make the reader feel nostalgic for a childhood that one didn't have. SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES pushes all the right buttons in reminding us of the wonder that was present in everyone.
A lot has been said about the prose of this book, and it's certainly of a higher quality than one would be expecting from a "horror" story. It's quite poetic and most of the time it is excellent at painting the scene. However, there are a number of places where it feels forced and pretentious, as if Bradbury is writing that way just to show off his thesaurus-reading skills. But for every turn of phrase that falls flat, there exist several chilling moments that will be forever etched in the mind of the reader. It's a step above the sort of material that one usually finds in genre works.
The point of view from the two children is executed amazingly well. As in his other novels and short stories, Bradbury demonstrates his superb ability to realistically portray the beliefs and emotions of children. They aren't overly mature, but neither are they childish. He's hit the nail so perfectly that it really feels as though one is reading a true-life account of some curious boys, rather than a fictional account. On the other hand, breaking up the action between two children means that we never really get extremely close to either one. There's some nice interaction between one of the boys and his father that deals with the grown-up's attempt to develop a backbone and to stand up to the evil carnival people. This relationship creates some great dialog between the child and parent, as the older man tries to explain thoughts and concepts that are just slightly outside what the child can realistically understand.
The story itself is quite chilling and is told well. Many of the actions that occur don't really make much logical sense, but they are nonsensical in the same way that fairy tales don't make sense; everything works inside the current context and that's just fine for their purposes. Evil men do evil deeds simply because they're evil. Good men attempt to prevent the spread of evil, because that's what good men do. Their motivation really isn't important. What makes it work is the journey that the characters go through.
SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES is certainly a recommended work. Although often classified as a horror book, it really isn't all that frightening. But it succeeds at being a fantastic adventure tale that will remain with the reader long after the final page is turned.

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Happy Birthday to You Review

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(More customer reviews)This book isn't just for children. Its for anyone who wants to feel like a child. For my mother's 50th birthday, I got her a fairy princess crown and a fairy princess wand, then read this book aloud to all the guests as she sat holding her wand and wearing her crown. It was a lot of fun. Then I passed the book around for everyone to sign.
You don't have to be a kid to enjoy Dr. Seuss.

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Even Now (Lost Love Series #1) Review

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(More customer reviews)I've loved several of Kingsbury's novels, and liked several of them. I just finished this one, and I was quite disappointed.
First off, I know the routine: when Amazon readers don't agree with the reviewers, they huff and click on "not helpful," presumably to protest the reviewer's opinion. Bring it on, because I know the type, and I'll get "0 of __" by this one for sure.
Anyway, the first third or possibly half of the book was very engaging, full of deep character development and a lot of interesting events. My biggest complaint was a few fluffy Nicholas Sparks-like descriptions of unimportant scenery, to fill space. During this portion of the book, I shed quite a few tears and had high hopes for the rest.
But then we skip ahead a few years (possible almost-spoilers to follow), and the story falls apart. The plot holes grow from needle-pricks to concrete tunnels. In the main development, which really won't be a surprise (and that's OK), an 18-year-old soccer player manages to do what police, private investigators, four 60-something adults and two 30-something, supposedly intelligent, adults have failed to do, and all with a few keystrokes on a search engine.
As Christian fiction goes, this is just mediocre. It reminds me of Dee Henderson's first book (the name escapes me), and it's light on God's Word, heavy-handed on political opinion, and simply not believable.
I like Kingsbury a lot, and would recommend her book "A Time to Dance" to anyone and everyone (technically, I think it should be required in every Christian marriage counseling session). But I'd recommend "Even Now" only to someone who thinks Nicholas Sparks is a literary genius.

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Sometimes hope for the future is found in the ashes of yesterday. Shane Galanter---a man ready to put down roots after years of searching. But is he making the right choice? Or is there a woman somewhere who even now remembers---as does he---those longago days . . . and a love that hasn't faded with time?Lauren Gibbs---a successful international war correspondent who gave up on happily-ever-after years ago---when it was ripped away from her. Since then, she's never looked back. So how come she can't put to rest the one question that haunts her: Why is life so empty?Emily Anderson---a college freshman raised by her grandparents who's about to take her first internship as a journalist. But before she can move ahead, she discovers a love story whose tragic ending came with her birth. As a result, she is drawn to look back and search out the mother she's never met.A young woman seeking answers to her heart's deep questions. A man and woman separated by lies and long years, who have never forgotten each other. With hallmark tenderness and power, Karen Kingsbury weaves a tapestry of lives, losses, love, and faith---and the miracle of resurrection.Also available in unabridged audio CD.

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Making Peace with Motherhood...And Creating a Better You Review

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(More customer reviews)I loved this book! It renewed and inspired me by reminding me of the reasons I decided to be an at-home mom. I found that by reading it, I came away with a renewed respect for my vocation. I would recommend it to any Christian mom seeking to incorporate human and spiritual improvement into their life.

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Wangari's Trees of Peace: A True Story from Africa Review

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(More customer reviews)"The earth was naked. For me the mission was to try to cover it with green." - Wangari Maathai
Growing up in the shadow of Mount Kenya in Africa, Wangari is surrounded by an umbrella of green trees. The trees protect the birds, provide firewood to the women of the village and help keep the soil rich for the sweet potatoes, sugarcane and maize Wangari helps to harvest.
Wangari travels to America for school, but when she returns six years later, the trees are gone. No crops grow, the birds are gone and the women have to travel far distances to find firewood. On World Environment Day in 1977, Wangari plants nine seedlings in her backyard and begins the Green Belt Movement which, over the next 27 years, plants thirty million trees across Africa.
Wangari's Trees of Peace: a true story from Africa is the story of one woman's effort to return green to Africa. Told in Jeanette Winter's simple language and blocky, colorful illustrations, Wangari's Trees of Peace is wonderful means to introduce 3-to-7-year- olds to environmentalism, the interconnected nature of ecosystems and political activitism. It also introduces some difficult subjects that may make some children and parents uncomfortable: prejudice ("Women can't do this"), violence ("Wangari blocks their way, so they hit her with clubs") and imprisonment ("They call her a troublemaker and put her in jail").
While Winter's tale simplifies Wangari's story to a basic level, it carries within it an important message, that one person can make a difference. Wangari's simple act of planting a tree translates to an important environmental movement and Wangari receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. Children are innate idealists and it is never too early to foster their belief that they can achieve anything.
In keeping with the environmental nature of Wangari's Trees of Peace, the book is printed on 100 percent recycled paper with 50 percent post-consumer waste.
Armchair Interviews says: Book both educates and entertains.

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Half Magic Review

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(More customer reviews)I first read Half Magic when I was seven, courtesy of the El Segundo Public Library, and twenty years later, I still love it. My abiding love of children's literature probably began right here, in a book that has everything - plot, humor, intelligence, and fabulous characters.
Half Magic obeys the rules of great magic books that are carefully delineated by the main characters in the first chapter. (See what I mean about intelligence and wit?) The magic has its own rules, which they must discover. They thwart the magic. Then the magic thwarts them. If it's a formula, it's one Edward Eager developed, and it works - you don't want to stop reading, from King Arthur's court to a highly magical ending. (And I have no intention of telling you where that is.)
Even though the plot is exceptional, it's the characters that truly make the book. The four children are clearly *people* - it's easy to imagine meeting them on the street or in a park - and not merely characters on a page. And even though the book is set in the 1930s, and was written in the 1950s, the kids still resonate. We all know, or were, Martha - "Martha was the youngest, and very difficult." Likewise with Jane and Katherine. "Katherine *would* keep boasting about what a comfort she was, and how docile, until Jane declared she would utter a piercing shriek and fall over dead if she heard another word about it."
This first book in Eager's loosely-intertwined series is a masterpiece of children's literature. Children and adults alike will love Half Magic. Start here - and remember, to read one is to want them all.
(NB: the quotes used here came from my memory - I checked them before I submitted the review, of course - and normally my memory is not the best. That should tell you something about the strength of this book, or at least the impression it made on me.)

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Gold Fever: Tales from the California Gold Rush Review

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(More customer reviews)The story of the California gold rush is told through (short) actual quotes from those involved, arranged in a sequential manner. This non-fiction book is entertaining and informative and reads like a comic book. It is a historical edition and has excellent color illustrations. Recommended reading for 1st through the 6th grade, as well as the teachers of these grades,

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The Optimistic Child: Proven Program to Safeguard Children from Depression & Build Lifelong Resilience Review

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(More customer reviews)I don't disagree entirely with the one-star reviewer--optimism is hardly the answer to all of society's problems. However, as the parent of a son who often shows signs of inheriting ... depression ..., I found this book to be a proactive alternative to the little lectures on over-reacting to situations that I had been giving! I explain the steps Seligman suggests as games we play to prepare him for middle school and they get him thinking about the control he can exert in his own perceptions (this is a skill often not acquired until late adolescence, if ever). Finally, some support for at-risk kids! I only wish more parents were aware of the influence their behavior wields--this book helps both parent and child increase self-understanding. Other books on childhood depression depend too heavily on explaining available medication--THANK YOU, Mr. Seligman, for offering concrete advice on drug-free depression-prevention.

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No Excuses : Lessons from 21 High-Performing, High-Poverty Schools Review

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(More customer reviews)If there's any book that works like a coach in a locker room giving a half-time pep talk, this is it. The tone is inspirational and invigorating and Carter identifies several important points that educators need to tune into in order to be better teachers. Yet....
Yet there is something bothering me. For all the important emphasis on teacher and administrator improvement (a priori knowledge in recent educational debates), there is a heavy reliance on standards. Listen: No teacher is opposed to standards. It would be tantamount to saying I am against breathing. But just what those standards are and who sets them and who measures them--that is the debate.
Maybe it is the emphasis that Carter places on the importance of Direct Instruction as an instructional method that bothers me. DI has been widely advocated in educational certification programs as the standard modus operendi for classrooms instruction and it relies heavily on behavoralistic methods of learning: skill and drill, frequent assessments, highly scripted teacher stimuli and highly structure student response. Carter says that we have built too much into studying how children learn and forgotten to teach them. While this is catchy, I disagree: we must be cognizant of our students abilities when instructing them. It reminds me of one of my favorite teacher jokes. Did you hear about the teacher that went home and taught his dog how to whistle? ....No? She didn't learn, but he taught him.
But I still endorse this book. The 21 different schools are important for someone looking for other schools that have gone ahead with reform programs and that may be beneficial.

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Too many educators make excuses for the failure of mostpublic schools to teach low-income children. But across the nationdozens of high-performing principals have identified those effectivepractices that allow all children to excel regardless of incomelevel. In this new report, Samuel Casey Carter, a Bradley Fellow atThe Heritage Foundation, examines the common practices of twenty oneprincipals of low-income schools who set the standard for highachievement. The lessons uncovered in these case-studies provide aninvaluable resource for anyone interested in providing increasededucational opportunities for low-income children.

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