Editorial Review

Everyone in town thinks Meg Murry is volatile and dull-witted, and that her younger brother, Charles Wallace, is dumb. People are also saying that their physicist father has run off and left their brilliant scientist mother.Spurred on by these rumors and an unearthly stranger, the tesseract-touting Mrs Whatsit, Meg and Charles Wallace and their new friend Calvin O'Keefe embark on a perilous quest through space to find their father. In doing so, they must travel behind the shadow of an evil power that is darkening the cosmos, one planet at a time. This is no superhero tale, nor is it science fiction, although it shares elements of both. The travelers must rely on their individual and collective strengths, delving deep within themselves to find answers.Read more

Reviews (940)

Enjoyable by young and old alike!
The earth is surrounded by a sinister presence - a dark, foul fog that is the tool of an ultimate evil - whose ambition is to enslave the planet with the complete removal of free will. Three magical beings, Mrs Whatsit, Mrs Who and Mrs Which - witches, angels, demigods perhaps - appear to Margaret and Charles Wallace Murry and their friend, Calvin O'Keefe, to persuade them that it is their destiny to battle this evil on its own turf and to rescue Margaret and Charles Wallace's father. Dr Murry has been missing for some months and the kids learn that he has been captured by the evil while he was "tessering", traveling time and space in the course of his scientific research.
A Wrinkle in time
At first my teacher read it. She read the first chapter to us. It had me very excited to read on. So, this book taught me a lot. It kind of keeps you in suspence to.

Hated it.
It seems that people either love it or hate it andI belong to the latter category.How did this become a classic???Having forced myself to read to the end I'm not going to waste anymore time - just read the other 1-star reviews - poor kids forced by their teachers to read this over-rated garbage. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Fantasy    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    4. Classics    5. Juvenile Fiction    6. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    7. Science fiction    8. Juvenile Fiction / Science Fiction, Fantasy, Magic   

Editorial Review

Mistress Mary is quite contrary until she helps her garden grow. Along the way, she manages to cure her sickly cousin Colin, who is every bit as imperious as she. These two are sullen little peas in a pod, closed up in a gloomy old manor on the Yorkshire moors of England, until a locked-up garden captures their imaginations and puts the blush of a wild rose in their cheeks; "It was the sweetest, most mysterious-looking place any one could imagine. The high walls which shut it in were covered with the leafless stems of roses which were so thick, that they matted together.... 'No wonder it is still,' Mary whispered. 'I am the first person who has spoken here for ten years.'" As new life sprouts from the earth, Mary and Colin's sour natures begin to sweeten. For anyone who has ever felt afraid to live and love, Read more

Reviews (225)

All Time Favorite
The Secret Garden, along with A Little Princess, also by Frances Hodgson Burnett, is one of my favorite books from childhood. I still enjoy reading this book as an adult and reliving the fairy tale of two young children who "bloom" and grow, along with the garden. The metaphor is simple, but the charm and beauty of this tale make it a classic. I can't wait until my two daughters are old enough to enjoy it. Highly recommended.

The Secret Garden
When the little, frail, ugly looking girl from India came to the manor she looked so sad.I watched her at first from a distance, as she was so cold to everyone she came into contact with.I heard one of the gardeners say that her parents had died and she now had to live here, in the Misselthwaite Manor.The Manor has miles of nothing but moor.I think it is heaven with nothing but open land to fly through.It is beautiful, but not all see it like this, especially little miss Mary.
The Secret Garden
Mary Lennox ia a very dull child in the beginning but when she get sent to Misslthwaite Manor she learns about respect and there's more to life than just laying around and being lazy. She also learns about her uncle and her family's intrest's. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Classics    4. Family - Orphans & Foster Homes    5. Fiction    6. Gardens    7. Historical - Europe    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Orphans    10. People & Places - Europe    11. Physically handicapped    12. Juvenile Fiction / Classics   

Editorial Review

"It seems to me that almost everything is a waste of time," Milo laments. "[T]here's nothing for me to do, nowhere I'd care to go, and hardly anything worth seeing." This bored, Read more

Reviews (501)

A Great Book
It was a great book because a boy named Milo has a adventure discovering a new world. He findsa dog named the Watch Dog and he makes friends with him. He is wanting to go to Dictionopolis. Travels in a little electric car. He has to go to other cities to get to Dictionopolis. He meets other people and learns some stories.

Totally Funny!Very Clever!
I read this book with my mom and we both loved it!This book has an interesting beginning, a strange middle and a suspenseful ending.The author put in lots of creative puns and amusing ways to use words. For example, Milo (the boy) thinks he going to meet a witch in the dungeon, but actually he meets a "Which" who chooses which words to say and which words not to say. I liked how numbers were gems and words were food.Personally, I believe that words are more valuable than numbers.I think the author just plain rocks!
Magical and Metaphorical
I read the Phantom Tollbooth when I was a kid and absolutely loved it.The strange characters who all seem to control something uncontrollable (sound, color, and so on) stayed with me for years afterwards, so that when I saw it on the bargain table in the book store I decided to pick it up again.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure    2. Action & Adventure - General    3. Children's 9-12 - Literature - Classics / Contemporary    4. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    5. Children: Grades 4-6    6. Classics    7. Fairy tales    8. Fantasy    9. Humorous Stories    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    12. Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure   

Editorial Review

Author Wilson Rawls spent his boyhood much like the character of this book, Billy Colman, roaming the Ozarks of northeastern Oklahoma with his bluetick hound. A straightforward, shoot-from-the-hip storyteller with a searingly honest voice, Rawls is well-loved for this powerful 1961 classic and the award-winning novel Read more

Reviews (1135)

Ulises Cruz Review
I really liked the book and it is a very fun interesting book to read. I really liked that it had to do with some sort of sport. I also liked it because it was book were there was all source of action. There was a little boy that lived in the hills and dream of having two coon hounds. He finally worked and saved enough money to buy himself two. He was so excited to get them that he trained them to hunt. The characters were very believable and never doubted that they were making them up. The plot was very interesting because it was about the kid entering a big coon hunt. He won the competition by treeing four coons with his dogs. The major themes of the story were when on of the Prichard brothers accidentally stabbed himself. The author used a very special way of imagery. He made everything be visual in my head. I was all into the story that I didn't want to stop reading. I didn't like by were sometimes they didn't talk about when the dogs killed the coons and how they treed them. They would sometimes leave you think what would happen next or what could of happen.

Geez!
I adore this book. I wrote a reviw on what I think of it a while ago, so you could find it later. But I'm sick of all these people saing there was no action or adventure. What's up with that? And to the people who say there are lost of grammer mistakes in the book, you should check your grammer.

a spectacular book
The book I read was "Where the Red Fern Grows".This story takes place in the state of oaklahoma.Thers a boy named Billy and he lives with his family.All Billy wanted was two hound dogs.One day Billy went to his grandfarthers store and his grandfarther told Billy he had to meet God half way.Billy worked til he had 25.00$.Billy got two hound dogs.He decided he name them Dan and Little Ann.Billy hunted all he could and he sold the skins for money.If you want to know the rest read this spectacular book your self. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Animals - Dogs    3. Children's 9-12 - Literature - Classics / Contemporary    4. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    5. Children: Grades 4-6    6. Classics    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Social Issues - Adolescence    9. Social Issues - Friendship    10. Social Situations - Adolescence    11. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / Adolescence   

Editorial Review

What on earth is a Whangdoodle? A "fanciful creature of undefined nature," it was also once the wisest, kindest, most fun-loving living thing in the world--until people stopped believing in it. When that lack of faith became widespread, the last of the really great Whangdoodles created a special land full of extraordinary creatures: furry Flukes, the sly High-Behind Splintercat, and the wonderful Whiffle Bird. But when an open-minded professor--the one adult who still believes in the Whangdoodle--joins forces with three children with active imaginations, they become an unstoppable team on a fantastic and sometimes terrifying journey to Whangdoodleland. Read more

Reviews (244)

I'M LOVING IT!!
This book is one of the most lovely books I've ever read!! Julie Andrews talent has yet to prevail, for the book is so iricident in it's color! My third grade teacher read this book out loude to my class, and I fell in love with it!!! Now I'm 11, and am about to rent from the libary. Please , enjoy the sensation of reading this book!!

Where would we be without our imaginations?
Where would we be with out our imaginations? This novel truly makes the reader's imagination come alive. Like all good fantasies the story starts out like a realistic fiction piece. However, once the children enter the realm of Whangdoodleland the novel clearly becomes fantasy. Not all of the information in the novel is logical. For example, most adults would be suspicious of their young children spending so much time at the professor's house. However, the plot is extremely appealing to children because Whangdoodleland is described as every child's dream land, and the Whangdoodle is described as a truly fascinating creature that if real, everyone would want to see for themselves. The possibilities of Whangdoodle land not being real is displayed through the eldest character, Ben, who has a very difficult time reaching Whangdoodle land due to his lack of imagination. But, this doubtful attitude of Ben helps create the theme behind the novel that your imagination can take you anywhere and it is something that should always be used and valued no matter how old you are.

The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles 30th Anniv Edition
Purchased this for my 10 year old daughter - She Loved It!!!I'm thinking of reading it myself. She recommends this as a very entertaining book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure    2. Action & Adventure - General    3. Children's 9-12 - Literature - Classics / Contemporary    4. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    5. Children: Grades 4-6    6. Classics    7. Fantastic fiction    8. Fantasy    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    11. Fiction    12. Juvenile Fiction / Science Fiction, Fantasy, Magic   

Editorial Review

MacLachlan, author of Unclaimed Treasures, has written an affecting tale for children. In the late 19th century a widowed midwestern farmer with two children--Anna and Caleb--advertises for a wife. When Sarah arrives she is homesick for Maine, especially for the ocean which she misses greatly. The children fear that she will not stay, and when she goes off to town alone, young Caleb--whose mother died during childbirth--is stricken with the fear that she has gone for good. But she returns with colored pencils to illustrate for them the beauty of Maine, and to explain that, though she misses her home, "the truth of it is I would miss you more." The tale gently explores themes of abandonment, loss and love. ... Read more

Reviews (156)

Sarah, Plain and Tall
Sarah, Plain and Tall is a heartfelt story about a family who lost a mother and wife. Jacob, Caleb and Anna's father, must make the decision to place an ad for a wife and mother for the best for all of them.Sarah, a young lady from Maine, returns letters back and forth to the whole family getting to know them better.She decides to come down to the prairies of Kansas from the sea for a month to see if this is a life she could become accustomed to.When the children see the yellow bonnet coming down the road, excitement was in the air along with anticipation.Would she decide to stay and marry Jacob, or would this place be too small and too far away from the sea for Sarah.
great great GREAT!
The book is about the Ann and Caleb's mom dies in her sleep after having Caleb. After a few years Jacob (the dad) writes an ad asking for a new wife. And Sarah answered back, and she answered all the questions.
great great GREAT!
The book is about the Ann and Caleb's mom dies in her sleep after having Caleb. After a few years Jacob (the dad) writes an ad asking for a new wife. And Sarah answered back, and she answered all the questions.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Classics    4. Family - Stepfamilies    5. Fiction    6. Frontier and pioneer life    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Social Issues - New Experience    9. Stepmothers    10. Juvenile Fiction / Classics   

Editorial Review

An affectionate, sometimes bashful pig named Wilbur befriends a spider named Charlotte, who lives in the rafters above his pen. A prancing, playful bloke, Wilbur is devastated when he learns of the destiny that befalls all those of porcine persuasion. Determined to save her friend, Charlotte spins a web that reads "Some Pig," convincing the farmer and surrounding community that Wilbur is no ordinary animal and should be saved. In this story of friendship, hardship, and the passing on into time, E.B. White reminds us to open our eyes to the wonder and miracle often found in the simplest of things. ... Read more

Reviews (373)

A fine work of literature that can stand alongside any in English
I just reread it recently as an adult. I had this boxed set of three hardcover E.B. White books when I was a kid - Charlotte's Web, The Trumpet of the Swan (which I remember as my favorite of the three, though I hardly remember it today), and Stuart Little.
Charlotte's Web
I've purchased this book for my daughter who is almost 9 years old, I end up reading it before her.This book is great for growing up kids; how wonderful and variable it is to have a friend he/she can depend on and be with to share fun, sad and so so stories to one another.
A classic, and for a good reason
This book, though it may seem to be just a cute story about a pig, is actually quite sad.The first time I read this book I was in first grade and I liked it, but it was only when I just recently read it again that I realized how good it really is. This book, through its simple plot, reminded me a lot about how selfless some people are and also about growing up.No wonder it's a classic; even though it's written for little kids, it can remind a lot of people about their own lives and bring back a lot of fond memories. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Farm Animals    2. Animals - General    3. Children's 9-12 - Literature - Classics / Contemporary    4. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    5. Children: Grades 4-6    6. Classics    7. Fiction    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Lifestyles - Farm Life & Ranch Life    10. Pigs    11. Social Issues - Friendship    12. Spiders    13. Juvenile Fiction / Classics   

Editorial Review

How terribly surprised the Little family must have been when their second child turned out to be a small mouse. Apparently familiar with the axiom that "when in New York City, anything can happen," the Littles accept young Stuart into their family unquestioningly--with the exception of Snowbell the cat who is unable to overcome his instinctive dislike for the little mouse. They build him a bed from a matchbox, and supply him with all of the accoutrements a young mouse could need. Mrs. Little even fashions him a suit, because baby clothes would obviously be unsuitable for such a sophisticated mouse. In return, Stuart helps his tall family with errant Ping-Pong balls that roll outside of their reach.Read more

Reviews (114)

Mary johnson's review
I thought Stuart Little was a great book. Stuart is not a ordinary mouse, he is an adventerous mouse.The book was much better than the movie!

Strange ...
What a strange little book. Much is made of the fact that Stuart's parents - especially his mother - worries about him constantly, yet when he runs off to find his bird friend, he tells no one! And Stuart is obviously gay, not that there's anything wrong with that (I'm gay ... check out the illustration on page 31) He doesn't really want to date the girl, he's more interested in his canoe ...

NOT For Five Year Olds
The fact that the hero of the story is a mouse does not make this a good book for young children.The language is difficult and the humor is rather understated, i.e. "The doctor was delighted with Stuart, and said that it was very unusual for an American family to have a mouse."At its heart, Stuart Little is a comedy of manners, and the fantasy takes a back seat to the witty dialogue and neat prose.Children will enjoy it at ten and love it in adulthood. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure    2. Action & Adventure - General    3. Animals - MiceHamstersGuinea Pigsetc.    4. Children's 9-12 - Literature - Classics / Contemporary    5. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    6. Children: Grades 4-6    7. Classics    8. Fiction    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Mice    11. Juvenile Fiction / Classics    12. Modern fiction   

Reviews (266)

It's not so good as my imagine
The words are so crowded. So I won't suggest this one.

Interesting
I love to read and have begun reading many classics.My teacher recommended "Little Women" for me to read.So, I went off and bought it at the bookstore.In this edition you read an introductin first which I thought was a bit boring and long.It tells about the back round of the author and how this book was made.This story is broken up into two parts.The story starts out with four girls- Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy.Their father is away at war.The first part of the story was too drawn out I thought.There is a description for everything.I did however enjoy reading it.The second part had a lot of action.There are weddings and births, and sadly even a death.It was more paced then the first part.I think Jo had the best character.She was so realistic.All in all, I thought this story was pretty good and I am not disappointed in it.I am very happy I read it.I know it is a classic and I do understand why.

Penguin Classics
This book was a wonderful read and highly touching. But everyone already knows that. I wanted to comment on a certain edition printed by Penguin classics. Not only does it have a beautiful cover illustration of the four sisters, it has end notes in the back for an even more clear writing. And the best part is that both parts are in the book, and it is printed exactly like its first publication. There are no altercations and no editing: the book is printed exactly as Alcott wanted it to be. I highly recommend the Penguin Classics edition. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Literature - Classics / Contemporary    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Classics    5. Family    6. Family life    7. Fiction    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. New England    10. Juvenile Fiction / Classics   

Editorial Review

At age 11, Caddie Woodlawn is the despair of her mother and the pride of her father: a clock-fixing tomboy running wild in the woods of Wisconsin. In 1864, this is a bit much for her Boston-bred mother to bear, but Caddie and her brothers are happy with the status quo. Written in 1935 about Carol Ryrie Brink's grandmother's childhood, the adventures of Caddie and her brothers are still exciting over 60 years later. With each chapter comes another ever-more exciting adventure: a midnight gallop on her horse across a frozen river to warn her American Indian friends of the white men's plan to attack; a prairie fire approaching the school house; and a letter from England that may change the family's life forever. This Newbery Medal-winning book bursts at the seams with Caddie's irrepressible spirit. In spite of her mother's misgivings, Caddie is a perfect role model for any girl--or boy, for that matter. She's big-hearted, she's brave, and she's mechanically inclined! Read more

Reviews (89)

THIS BOOK IS WORTH IT
Caddie Woodlawn is one of the best books I have ever read. (I've read A LOT of books, so I know.) I actually read it for a little white lie I accidentally told that I had read it when I didn't, and that's the first lie I'm actually happy about. Caddie Woodlawn is about a tomboyish, redheaded girl growing up on the rugged terrain in Winsconsin. She experiences countless adventures and goes throuhg fighting bullies, surviving Indian massacres, befriending the Indians and keeping a real scalp belt, and the loss and pain of her beloved dog, Nero. Caddie is punished for pranking her ladylike cousin Annabelle, prided for her red hair, and looked down up[on by her stately mother and sister. She faces a decision of a lifetime--to move to England or not and leave behind all the memories and fun times in free America.
Cool Story!
In this book, there really isn't one main plot.There is actually a whole bunch of interesting little plots telling about events that happened during Caddie Woodlawn's childhood:
A girlhood classic
I was just browsing through the customer reviews on Amazon and came across Caddie Woodlawn.I loved this book as a girl, and admired Caddie's spunk, spirit, and character.I cannot wait to introduce this pioneer girl to my daughter.A wonderful book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Brothers and sisters    2. Children's 9-12 - Literature - Classics / Contemporary    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. Classics    6. Family - General    7. Fiction    8. Frontier and pioneer life    9. Historical - United States - 19th Century    10. Wisconsin    11. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / United States / General   

Editorial Review

Anyone who has ever read Read more

Reviews (16)

Wonderful assortment of Dahl's childrens work
This is a beautiful book full of colorful illustrations, which is always a major plus, most of which are by Quentin Blake. This has some of Roald Dahl's poetry (such as his hilarious fairy tale retellings), short stories, excerpts from his children's novels, recipes, letters from fans, and other nice little tidbits, like a sheet Dahl filled out about his birthday, favorite color, food, etc. I think this book is well worth the money, because I got this a few years ago and haven't grown out of it since!

A superb, fantastic, and wonderful book
This book, like all other books of Rohld Dahl, is detailed, humorous, and just plain good. I spent 9 hours just sitting in a chair, reading this book, defanatly another fanatic book of Rolhd Dahl. I loved it. WOW!

What I liked and didn't like about the Dahl Treasury
I am nine and a half years old.I liked the variety of stories and poems, but I was frustrated at first because I thought I would be reading entire stories.Instead, I found that the Treasury included only chapters of some stories.Short stories, like the Enormous Crocodile, were entirely included.Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals    2. Anthologies    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    4. Children's literature, English    5. Children: Grades 2-3    6. Collections    7. Fiction    8. General    9. Humorous Stories    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Literature    12. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Editorial Review

Passed on from babysitters to their young charges, from big sisters to little brothers, and from parents to children, Read more

Reviews (177)

tales of a fourth grade nothing
i thought that this book was really funny it made me laugh it was about peterliving in an apartment with his mom and baby brother fudge and this girl that is in his class room lives in the same apartment and he thinks that she is really annoying an she watches fudge when he is on the playground...... you'll see when you read it if you do!!!!!

A Pretty Good Read
This book is highly entertaining. I am a HUGE fan of Judy Blume; she has written some of my favorite books. While this was a good book, I would have to say that I prefer Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great and Superfudge. This was still highly enjoyable and had a few laugh-out-loud funny parts. And who cares if it is a little unrealistic? What's wrong with a silly read every once in awhile? So anyway, I give it 4 stars.
you'll laugh till you cant no more!
Hi well to start.... THIS IS SUCH A GREAT BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ever since the first chapter I couldn't stop laughing it's that good. I feel sory for Peter Hatcher who constantly has to deal with the never ending trouble of his little brother Fudge. Fudge can't seem to stop buging Peter. From ruining his homework to eating his turtle Fudge is an accadent waiting to happen! This book can olso get a message to an only child who wants a sibling that it's not so much fun to have one.anyway it's such a great book so get it hope this was helpful lol Brooke. (now it's Alex) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Brothers    2. Children's 9-12    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. Family - Siblings    6. Family life    7. Fiction    8. General    9. Humorous Stories    10. Juvenile Fiction   

Editorial Review

For the first time in a decade, Willy Wonka, the reclusive and eccentric chocolate maker, is opening his doors to the public--well, five members of the public to be exact. The lucky five who find a Golden Ticket in their Wonka chocolate bars will receive a private tour of the factory, given by Mr. Wonka himself. For young Charlie Bucket, this a dream come true. And, when he finds a dollar bill in the street, he can't help but buy two Wonka's Whipple-Scrumptious Fudgemallow Delights--even though his impoverished family could certainly use the extra dollar for food. But as Charlie unwraps the second chocolate bar, he sees the glimmer of gold just under the wrapper! The very next day, Charlie, along with his unworthy fellow winners Mike Teavee, Veruca Salt, Violet Beauregarde, and Augustus Gloop, steps through the factory gates to discover whether or not the rumors surrounding the Chocolate Factory and its mysterious owner are true. What they find is that the gossip can't compare to the extraordinary truth, and for Charlie, life will never be the same again. Read more

Reviews (413)

SCRUMDIDLEUMPTIOUS!
The mysterious candy maker ''Willy Wonka'' is hiding five golden tickets in his famous ''Wonka Bars''. The children lucky enough to findthese tickets will be taken on a tour (hosted by Mr. Wonka himself) of the enormous Wonka factory. The world is searching frantically for the tickets, and the first person to find one is ''Augustus Gloop'' a greedy German boy is addicted to chocolate. The second ticket finder is ''Veruca Salt'' a spoiled little girl who quite literally gets everything she asks for, no matter how absurd her request is. The person who discovers the third ticket is ''Mike Teave'' an irritable boy addicted to TV. ''Be quiet'' he tells whoever is foolish enough to ask him a question while his show is on ''THIS is the life''. ''Violet Beauragrde'', a dimwitted gum chewing girl finds the fourth ticket, (she had to give up gum-chewing for a while so she could switch to chocolate. And the title character ''Charlie Bucket'' finds the fifth and final golden ticket which was quite a miracle, considering how poor his family was and how little money they had to spend on luxuries such as candy. This motely crew of children are allowed to discover the wonders of Mr. Wonka's factory.
It's about just desserts and not just about desserts
Reading a novel after having seen a cinematic adaptation is always a challenge. One of the deepest joys of reading---relying on one's imagination to create the characters, their voices, the locales, etc.---is preempted and nullified by the choices made by directors, producers, casting agents, and set designers. Thankfully, the best books which have been adapted for the screen are complex and spacious enough that they allow some free play in spite of this imaginative preemption, and such is the case with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. THE CHOCOLATEY BOOK EVER!!!
*FLASHING LIGHTS*
Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Behavior    3. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - General    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. Classics    6. Fiction    7. Human behavior    8. Humorous Stories    9. Humorous fiction    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    12. Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure   

Editorial Review

"[Mole] thought his happiness was complete when, as he meandered aimlessly along, suddenly he stood by the edge of a full-fed river. Never in his life had he seen a river before--this sleek, sinuous, full-bodied animal, chasing and chuckling, gripping things with a gurgle and leaving them with a laugh, to fling itself on fresh playmates that shook themselves free, and were caught and held again." Such is the cautious, agreeable Mole's first introduction to the river and the Life Adventurous. Emerging from his home at Mole End one spring, his whole world changes when he hooks up with the good-natured, boat-loving Water Rat, the boastful Toad of Toad Hall, the society- hating Badger who lives in the frightening Wild Wood, and countless other mostly well-meaning creatures. Michael Hague's exquisitely detailed, breathtaking color illustrations on almost every generous spread--along with Kenneth Grahame's elegant, delightfully old-fashioned characterizations of the animals--make this book a wonderful read-aloud. Grahame's Read more

Reviews (108)

Fantastic animated rendition
It's hard to believe, but I never heard of Wind in the Willows until I was about 16 years old, when it was first read aloud to me, around a glowing campfire. It was an instant love affair.
The Wind in the Willows
The Wind in the Willows, by Kenneth Grahame, was originally a series of bedtime stories for Grahame's son.It is still commonly considered to be a children's book, but it is too difficult for young children to read themselves, and many older children will no longer appreciate the simple themes it covers.I imagine that its chief appeal is to adults, although children might enjoy having some parts of the book read to them.
a beautiful and funny English classic
Although it is very funny, and it is about talking animals that drive cars, "The Wind in the Willows" is not suitable for four to eight year olds to read on their own.That would be the Disney cartoon version, not the book, which is pretty sophisticated for such a young age group.It is great to read aloud, however, and for older kids who love nature and humor, "The Wind in the Willows" could lead to a lifetime love of books."The Wind in the Willows" reminds me of the Victorian humor book "Three Men in a Boat", because both are about the adventures of a group of wacky English bachelors messing about in boats on the river.It is funny, with real slapstick comedy, and it is also touching, because it deals with friendship and loyalty, and beautiful, because it is about nature, and love of the countryside and home. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals    2. Children's 4-8    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Grades 3-4    5. Classics    6. Fiction    7. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Editorial Review

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

Reviews (270)

Great Book
This book is great so far. It is full of mystery and adventure. Twelve year old Claudia has run away with her brother Jamie to the Metropilan Muesum of Art. Claudia decided to bring along her brother Jamie with her because he has a lot of money. While they are there at the muesum, Claudia and Jamie come across a great mystery in the muesum that is all over the newspaper. If you would like to find out what this great mystery read this book! Teachers it is also a great book to read with your class. Also edutactional!

Not mixed-up about how good this book is
This Newbery award winner is about Claudia and Jamie, two kids who run away from home. They leave the suburbs and head to New York where they stay in none other than the Metropolitan Museum of Art. They sleep in an old bed in the French section. They hide in the bathrooms. They even take baths in a fountain (and get paid for it, sort of)!But when a new exhibit comes in, the fun really starts. The Angel is beautiful, exquisite, and mysterious. The question: is the sculpture really done by Michelangelo? Claudia and Jamie will do anything to find out. I think I loved the book mostly because I really liked the idea of living in a museum. This book is good for all ages, but I expected it to be longer.
Wonderful Story
I remember this from my own childhood favorites and am now reading it with my daughter--
Read more

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 Issues - General    10. Social Situations - General    11. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / General   

Editorial Review

Read more

Features

• Box set

Reviews (881)

Book size
Well I remembered how much I loved the Narnia series when I was a kid so when I saw all seven books in a box set I had to have them.There is one thing bothering me though, do these books seem shorter to anyone else?I was sure that the books had more pages to them when I first read them, or maybe it was because I was smaller back then!Anyway, I am glad to own the set, I can't wait to give them to my kids to read if I ever have any...

narnia
i bought the 7 books set because i am a great fun of tolkien and i had read about lewis in his biography
Good Fun!
I have not read these books since I was quite young.It was great to see they have withstood the test of time.I enjoyed them as an adult as much as I did when I was a kid.The boxed set is something I will enjoy having in my library and reading again and again.They really are timeless stories.I wish they would make films of more of them.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 2-3    3. Classics    4. Fantasy    5. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    6. Christian Interest    7. Juvenile Fiction / Classics    8. Juvenile Fiction / Religious / Christian    9. Reading Group Guide   

Reviews (32)

For strong readers
We read this book as part of the creative writing class that I teach, and I was quite surprised at how this book played out with my young students (aged 8-12). I wanted to introduce them to a fantasy novel that many of them had never heard ofand was amused to show them that Rowling hadn't actually invented the word "Muggles" (it's the name of the main character in "The Gammage Cup"). What I did find surprising is that many of my students found this book a difficult read and were confused about many different aspects of the story. As an adult, I quite enjoyed the humor in this book. In particular, I loved the mistaken identification of what is a "painting" versus what is a "family tree; but case in point--for many of my students just didn't get this joke and I find once a young reader loses interest in a book, they just give up on it. I think part of the problem is that the characters in this book do not paint strong visuals in the minds of modern readers. I find many of my students live in a highly-visualized world; perhaps this is a case of their imaginations not being so active or strong as the children in author Carol Kendall's day (or for that matter, mine), but nonetheless, perhaps this book would benefit from stronger illustrations that helped represent the otherwise well-conceived characters. I expected this to be a hit with my kids--I was wrong, but I still like this book and recommend it for those readers with strong vocabularies and big appetites for fantasy novels.

Nonconformists -- remember them?
Merriam-Webester defines nonconformist this way: "1. a person who does not conform to an established church; especially: one who does not conform to the Church of England and 2 : a person who does not conform to a generally accepted pattern of thought or action.
The gammage cup good book
The Gammage CupRead more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Literature - Classics / Contemporary    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Classics    4. Fantasy    5. Fantasy fiction    6. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    7. Juvenile Fiction / Science Fiction, Fantasy, Magic