After reading this book, I guarantee that you will never visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art (or any wonderful, old cavern of a museum) without sneaking into the bathrooms to look for Claudia and her brother Jamie. They're standing on the toilets, still, hiding until the museum closes and their adventure begins.Such is the impact of timeless novels . . . they never leave us. E. L. Konigsburg won the 1967 Newbery Medal for this tale of how Claudia and her brother run away to the museum in order to teach their parents a lesson. Little do they know that mystery awaits! ... Read more

Isbn: 0440431808
Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - General    2. Children's 9-12 - Literature - Classics / Contemporary    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Classics    5. Fiction    6. Metropolitan Museum of Art    7. Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, N.Y.)    8. New York.    9. Social Situations - General    10. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / General   

It's a strange story, but strangely compelling and lovely too. Louis Sachar uses poker-faced understatement to create a bizarre but believable landscape--a place where Major Major Major Major of Catch-22 would feel right at home. But while there is humor and absurdity here, there is also a deep understanding of friendship and a searing compassion for society's underdogs. As Stanley unknowingly begins to fulfill his destiny--the dual plots coming together to reveal that fate has big plans in store--we can't help but cheer for the good guys, and all the Yelnats everywhere. (Ages 10 and older)--Brangien Davis ... Read more

Isbn: 0440414806
Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - General    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Fiction    4. Friendship    5. Homeless persons    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Juvenile delinquency    8. Social Situations - Friendship    9. Social Situations - General    10. Social Situations - Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance    11. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / General   

A mysterious letter, delivered by the friendly giant Hagrid, wrenches Harry from his dreary, Muggle-ridden existence: "We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." Of course, Uncle Vernon yells most unpleasantly, "I AM NOT PAYING FOR SOME CRACKPOT OLD FOOL TO TEACH HIM MAGIC TRICKS!" Soon enough, however, Harry finds himself at Hogwarts with his owl Hedwig... and that's where the real adventure--humorous, haunting, and suspenseful--begins. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, first published in England as Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, continues to win major awards in England. So far it has won the National Book Award, the Smarties Prize, the Children's Book Award, and is short-listed for the Carnegie Medal, the U.K. version of the Newbery Medal. This magical, gripping, brilliant book--a future classic to be sure--will leave kids clamoring for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets andHarry Potter and thePrisoner of Azkaban. (Ages 8 to 13) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Isbn: 0590353403
Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Fantasy    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft    4. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (Imaginary place)    5. Humorous Stories    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Magic    8. School & Education    9. Schools    10. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    11. Wizards   

The Chronicles of Narnia, by C.S. Lewis, is one of the very few sets of books that should be read three times: in childhood, early adulthood, and late in life. In brief, four children travel repeatedly to a world in which they are far more than mere children and everything is far more than it seems. Richly told, populated with fascinating characters, perfectly realized in detail of world and pacing of plot, and profoundly allegorical, the story is infused throughout with the timeless issues of good and evil, faith and hope. This boxed set edition includes all seven volumes. ... Read more

Features

• Box set

Isbn: 0064471195
Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Literature - Classics / Contemporary    2. Children: Grades 2-3    3. Classics    4. Juvenile Fiction / Classics    5. Reading Group Guide   

Island of the Blue Dolphins
by Scott O'Dell
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (15 March, 1971)
list price: $6.50 -- our price: $6.50
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Scott O'Dell won the Newbery Medal for Island of the BlueDolphins in 1961, and in 1976 the Children's Literature Associationnamed this riveting story one of the 10 best American children's booksof the past 200 years. O'Dell was inspired by the real-life story of a12-year-old American Indian girl, Karana. The author based his book onthe life of this remarkable young woman who, during the evacuation ofGhalas-at (an island off the coast of California), jumped ship to staywith her young brother who had been abandoned on the island. He diedshortly thereafter, and Karana fended for herself on the island for 18years.

O'Dell tells the miraculous story of how Karana forages on land and inthe ocean, clothes herself (in a green-cormorant skirt and an ottercape on special occasions), and secures shelter. Perhaps even morestartlingly, she finds strength and serenity living alone on theisland. This beautiful edition of Island of the Blue Dolphins isenriched with 12 full-page watercolor paintings by Ted Lewin,illustrator of more than 100 children's books, including Ali, Child of theDesert. A gripping story of battling wild dogs and seaelephants, this simply told, suspenseful tale of survival is also anuplifting adventure of the spirit. (Ages 9 to 12) ... Read more

Reviews (391)

Island of the Blue Dolphins
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell is a magnificent story about a girl named Karana who gets left behind by her family in the island because her brother, Ramo, wasn't in the ship. Will Ramo and Karana be rescued? Will they stay there forever?!? To find out what happens next you will have to read the book yourself!I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LeftAlone For 18 Years
Karana, a young girl abandoned on an island just south of Alaska.She was left alone to survive for eighteen years.Her entire tribe had left the island to flee from Aleutian enemies.The Aleutians had tried to take over the island by stealing seals for trade and now the Russians were helping.The only way to escape the continuing battles would be to leave the island.In the confusion, her brother Ramo was left behind.Karana was already on the ship and got off the ship to find him.By some twist of fate she was left behind with him.
The wild dogs of the island had before been afraid of the humans but since there were two young people left alone with no men to protect them, they came and attacked.The dogs killed Ramo and Karana was utterly alone.She had to find food, shelter, and safety alone.The dogs still came often and the threat remained on her life.The ship that had promised to come back later never came... she waited for it but soon gave up hope.She moved to a different part of the island and built a home in a cave with a whale bone fence to protect her.She used her knowledge from her tribe's old ways to get food and store it for the future.Also she learned how to fight off the dogs using her own weapons.
Through all the years she learns to love the island and it's beauty.She grows up alone and her only friend is a dog she tamed.Every once in a while she had tried to escape in the beginning but she stopped once she failed continuously.She mastered how to use her resources and never waste.In the end when it came time for her to be rescued she even was reluctant to leave the island because she had grown to love it so.She learned of what had happened to her friends and family and accepted why they never returned.She matured on the island and left her childhood there.Karana made the best of what she had and looked on toward the future with no regrets.

An OK read
I decided toread this book after having it for years on my shelf and was curious to know what it was about. It's basically about a girl building shelter, making clothes, and befriending all the island's creatures while waiting YEARS for a ship to show up. There really is no plot or rising/falling action. I was even hoping for a little romance to pop up when the Aleuts come back , but she befriends a girl instead. I really haven't gained anything from reading this (except maybe how to spear live animals). It could be because I am 17 years old but never-the-less, if your a young reader go ahead and read it, you have nothing to lose. ... Read more

Isbn: 0440439884
Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure    2. Children's 9-12 - Literature - Classics / Contemporary    3. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    4. Classics    5. Fiction    6. Indians of North America    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. People & Places - United States - Native American    9. Social Situations - General    10. Survival    11. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / General   

The Wakefield Legacy (Sweet Valley Saga (Paperback))
by FRANCINE PASCAL
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 May, 1992)
list price: $4.50
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Reviews (10)

History made Fun
This book was great!!! I reccomend this book to people of all ages. Just reading about the romance, and struggle of people a really long time ago... well, its a beautiful story. I loved the ending. It's such a typical ending to a Sweet Valley story! Be on the lookout forTHE WAKEFIELD LEGANCY!! And don't miss a chance to read it!

An exciting rollercoaster of a Saga.
This Saga begins on the haunting moors of Wakefield, England. Theodore is promised to wed and inherit the estate of his father. Refusing this life he does not want he sets out for the bright promise of America, leaving his family behind forever.On the boat heading for New York he is struck by cupid when he saves a heroic young woman from the sea and falls instantly in love. Can things end happily for Theodore or is more struggles ahead for him in the new land of America?

This saga involve's Ned Wakefield's side of the family and is just as good as the first saga. This saga has it all-courage,daring and a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Alot of things don't end Happily Ever After and this book in my opionion is more mature and an intense read then the Sweet Valley Series where everything often has sunny, cheery endings. Given that I read this book about 8(?) years ago and still remember it after reading thousands of books since then says alot.
I also suggest for older readers the Fearless series which is also created by Francine Pascal

Outstanding!!!
It's a great book . I have read a lot of sweetvalleys but this is one of my favourites.I recommmend this book for all sweetvalley fans. ... Read more

Isbn: 0553297945
Sales Rank: 203313
Subjects:  1. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - General    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Family life    4. Fiction    5. Historical - United States - General    6. Social Situations - General    7. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / General