Reviews (36)

My first read by this author...
and I am impressed enough to read more. Thank you Ms. Willis for the fine entertainment.

A tragedy
A sad coming of age story that follows a fifteen year old girl struggling with a number of life's early decisions.Well written, poignant, moving in places, it chronicles well the problems that many kids face today: growing up without a moral compass.There's a lesson to be learned from the book, though I think the lesson is unintended by the author and also think those who could benefit most will probably miss it completely.If you read this book, look beyond the surface; in reality this book is a tragedy.

Still smiling with joy....
What a lovely story - beautfully told and eloquently written.It is a real feel good story.It's heartwarming and unexpectently funny. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children of artists    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - General    4. General    5. Moving, Household    6. New York (State)    7. Sagas    8. Teenage girls    9. Fiction / Family Saga   

Reviews (18)

Yang Has Other Abilities
Yang the Youngest and His Terrible Ear is a great book for teaching cultural diversity, acceptance, family values, and commitment.The novel is geared for students in grades third through fifth.I enjoyed how the plot unfolds as each character is developed.I appreciated the author's use of weaving American and Chinese customs into the story.Readers will sympathize with Yang as he tries to please his father through deception.I enjoyed the book.

A Good Story
This book was well written and tells of an all too familiar story of a child wanting to do one thing and his parents wanting him to to another. It isn't a scary book. Hey they shouldn't ALL be scary. It is an easy read and highly recommended.

Not my type of book
Yang the Youngest is a boy who wants to play baseball, but his parents want him to work on his violin playing. The only problem is that Yang has a terrible ear and isn't good at music. Yang's friend Mathew wants to play violin, but his parents want him to play baseball. I didn't like the book because I like books with battles, nature and history in them. This book didn't have any of those. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Chinese Americans    5. Fiction    6. Moving, Household    7. People & Places - United States - Asian American    8. Violin    9. Juvenile Fiction / Ethnic / Asian American   

Reviews (7)

A Good Example
I liked the book, The Gold Cadillac because it showed an example of how the colored people were seperated from the white people for no reason. For example,it tells you why the colored people couldn't drink water from the fountain that says white's only. That bothered me because they only cared about the color of their skin. That also made me feel sad about how things used to be.
I Can Relate...
I liked the book because I like to imagine stuff too! Once, I imagined I was the best skateboarder. Stuart imagined he was a super hero. He imagined he could fly. He imagined lots of stuff. So, I suggest you read the book for more information.
Stuart Finds Friendship
I liked Stuart's Cape because he has a big imagination. Stuart needs adventures. But, adventures are only for people who have capes, that's what he says. In this book,Stuart moves to a new place and is worried that no one will be his friend. In the end, Stuart finds many friends in his new home.
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Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 2-3    4. Fiction    5. First day of school    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Moving, Household    8. Readers - Chapter Books    9. Worry    10. Juvenile Fiction / Readers / Chapter Books   

Reviews (7)

Moving Day
It was about a bear family loving where they live including their friends and home. But the soil for growing vegetables was hard and rocky so they decided to move well papa and mama bear. When they found a place to move it needed a little bit of work but they managed what it would look like and they got new friends and a new home and a new place to grow vegetables. It was a very good book and I would read it again if I had to but its not something I would read again by choice. It teaches kids what ever you do something good will come of it eventually.ages 3-8

Not much help
This book is cute, but not much help for little ones to ease their move. It does show that all the boxes get packed and go to a new house which will be better.But it doesn't say that it will be better for the kids, just for the parents.

The Bear Family....Moving?
This book is set before the bear family has moved into the tree house. It tells about why they are mvoing and how sad brother is but how he does have even more fun when they get to their new house.Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Bears    2. Bears    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Grades 2-3    5. Fiction    6. Moving, Household    7. Social Issues - Emotions & Feelings    8. Social Issues - New Experience    9. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / New Experience   

Reviews (131)

Provoking not only tension but anger and sorrow, this is more than a thriller
The first time I read this book I was not only tense; I was angry and a little disappointed.I wanted to shake people like George Corrigan, April's weak father and Max, his childhood friend, the FBI agent who talks George into working for him.His comment "I can usually talk George into anything" and George's explanation to April for his actions illustrate the control that a stronger person has over a weaker one.I understand George's actions after his character is revealed, but I still couldn't help saying to myself "What a stupid man!"It is obvious where April gets her naive streak from!As for Max, you would think he'd treat his childhood friend better.I wondered if his attitude is typical of FBI agents.
Just finished this in one sitting, as I .....
couldn't put it down.For readers who enjoy a good suspense story that keeps you literally hanging on to every word, waiting to see what happends next, this one's for you.April's life changes overnight when she and her family are forced to enter the Federal Witness Protection Program to save their lives.April is a very unwilling participant in this whole move, and spends her days trying to figure a way out, a way to contact her boyfriend, a way to go back to her former life. Unfortunately, April--now known as Valerie--learns that this is not going to happen any time soon, if at all.How Valerie responds to this realization is what makes the story so appealing.She is a believable character, not perfect, and her flaws make the plot more exciting.
The first book to make me cry and realize the power of the written word!
I read this book in 9th grade only because I had already read everything else my english teacher had and I just expected it to be like any other thriller...I was wrong. This book keeps you interested the whole way through and it really feels as if you are the main character April. By the time I read this book i was a seasoned reader and yet this was the first book to make me cry. You feel so much for April and how she is betrayed by her boyfriend and best friend. You imagine how it is if this happened to you and if you had to give up your love and your passions. I refound this book after i went through some boxes, and the last two pages still took my breath away, expecially now that I'm older and have the love of my life and hobbies i persue with a passion which i cannot bear to imagine if it was taken away. This is a must-read at any age and definitely a re-read as well. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - Suspense    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    3. Fiction    4. General    5. Horror & Ghost Stories    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Moving, Household    8. Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories    9. Mystery and detective stories    10. Social Issues - General    11. Social Situations - General    12. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / General   

Reviews (9)

An Inspiring Book for Kids of All Ages
The Mystery of the Cupboard is one of the many sequels to the fabulous The Indian in the Cupboard. Omri, the main character, has moved into an Indian longhouse. When Thatcher's come to redo the roof, Omri finds a box and a diary. He reads it. It is about Jessica Charlotte, his Great-Great Aunt. She writes about her experiences, and she knew the secret of the cupboard.
A Great Sequel to a Fabulous Book by Sammy K
The Mystery of the Cupboard is one of the many sequels to the fabulous The Indian in the Cupboard. Omri, the main character, has moved into an Indian longhouse. When thatchers come to redo the roof, Omri finds a box and a diary. He reads it. It is about Jessica Charlotte, his Great-Great Aunt. She writes about her experiences, and she knew the secret of the cupboard.
Cupboard Mystery
The Mystery of the Cupboard Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure    2. Banks, Lynne Reid    3. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - General    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. Family - General    6. Family life    7. Fiction    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Juvenile Literature    10. Magic    11. Moving, Household    12. Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories    13. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    14. Toys    15. Toys, Dolls, & Puppets   

Reviews (8)

Good for independent readers/writers
This book would be very good for kids who are able to read and write independently and fluently - perhaps 8 and up.If you have a lot of time on your hands, you could use it with kids as young as 5 but you'll have to read and write in it for them.

Great Book!
This book was just what my son needed.We just found out we're moving to Brussels and he needed some words to express how he was feeling about it.We sat down and literally read one or two pages and he said, "Mom, that's just how I'm feeling."That was the entire reason I bought this book.

practical advice
This book is divided into three sections - before the move, during the move, and after the move. Each section contains practical advice for children from packing to things to do on the way to making new friends. Thebook's interactive design will help children personalize it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12    2. Children: Grades 2-3    3. Juvenile Fiction    4. Juvenile literature    5. Moving, Household    6. Social Issues - General    7. Social Situations - General    8. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / General   

Reviews (3)

Will NOT help a child about to move.
I guess it has simple language that a new reader could read.But I bought this book to read to my daughter to help with our upcoming move.I'm glad I read it myself before reading it to her.It does NOT teach a child how to make friends. First, he goes around town asking 'Who will be my friend?' and only adults respond to him. They agree to be his friend, but none of them has time to play right now. Then, this poor kid goes to the park, asks to play, is rejected, then starts playing by himself.It is only after the other boys see that he is good at throwing and catching the ball that they allow him to join them.That is not very instructive.

Great book for the new reader in your house
I am a college student right now who volunteers at a local elementary school.I am doing a reading system with them and this is their favorite book to read.It is written for k-1st grade level and the topic of the book relates to what children go through when they move into a new neighborhood.It also teaches the children to make new friends.Freddy is the main character in this book and he tries to find new friends until he finally meets some boys at the park who are playing baseball and they let him play with them.I recommend this book to any family who is trying to start their child towards the reading path.

Syd Hoff is perhaps the finest childrens author around.
This story is great for teachers to read on the first day of school.The illustrations are simple yet compelling.It is also a great book for a teacher to read when a new student arrives.It can be read over and overagain and never loses it's appeal.Syd Hoff's simple nature of writinginspires young people to read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 1-2    3. Fiction    4. Friendship    5. General    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Moving, Household    8. Readers - Beginner    9. Social Issues - Friendship    10. Social Issues - New Experience    11. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / Friendship   

Reviews (4)

Abby's moving!
This book came out a couple weeks before I moved to a new house. The details that follow moving are very accurate.Some things though, like the new buyers wanting to wait six weeks before purchasing Abby's new house is a bit out there, though.But the use of the new house's terms (such as cherry cabinetry and stainless steel appliances) are excellent.They're not something every kid would think of when moving into a new house.The only thing I disliked about this book was the amount of time Abby spent complaining about moving and about her new house.I thought she was moving into a nice little house.The only thing that made the new house sound odd was the fact that Anne Mazer put waaaaay too many sky lights in it.(Trust me, I've had sky lights before and they're really annoying.)So if you're moving any time soon, you'll love this book and it would most likely be something you could relate to.And if you're an Abby fan and moving, this is an excellent read.It also seems like Anne is getting her old writing style back (you know, the pre-Simon days).Great job!

This book is WEIRD...
...who on earth moves into some fairy-tale mansion after living in a small, cramped, house with one bathroom? Abby Hayes, that's who. However, this book -- which is supposed to be realistic -- just makes me groan with exasperation every time I pick it up. Listen, people; do YOU live in a house as large as Abby's? Not only that, but she's UPSET about the move, for goodness sake. Brianna is a small trifle compared to what Abby is gaining. And when her house gets more organized, she will be able to see her friends more often. (AND she sees them at school each day.) At least in this book she's not obsessing about poor Simon. Most girls do not get their first crush at eleven! Fourteen or fifteen is more like it. Simon gets only a couple mentions in That's the Way the Cookie Crumbles -- and I am very relieved by it. I hope that Anne Mazer can regain her talent for writing realistic, sensible books and just throw the Simon thing -- along with Abby's strange new house -- away.

Home Is Where the Heart Is
This book is a book that many kids can look to when they are moving. Not only is Abby Hayes going through the problems of moving that every kid goes through, she even is losing things that she loves the most. This is a great book, and not only is it a great book but it is a book that you will want to read and read again. If you read the series The Amazing Days of Abby Hayes, it will help you or your child live throught things that happens in everyday life. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Family - Siblings    4. Fiction    5. Friendship    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Moving, Household    8. Sisters    9. Social Issues - Friendship    10. Social Situations - Moving    11. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / Friendship   

Reviews (31)

Rich Blues
Yolanda, 10 and her brother Andrew, 6 live with their widowed mother in Chicago.When Yolanda tells their mother that a classmate shot another child to death, that ends her days as a Chicago resident.Her mother, a paralegal, moves the family to a Michigan suburb with a good school system.
Warning:Excellent Book
I am a 5th grader and I really enjoyed this book.The main character, Yolanda, is about my age, and she is very smart and sophisticated.She cares about her family and even though she makes mistakes sometimes, she is a nice person.I really liked this book and think that other kids my age will like it because they will be able to relate to Yolanda and her family.Carol Fenner is a really good writer.

didn't like it
This book was the most boringest book i ever read.it took me amonth to read it and usually it doesn't take me that long to read a book. if you like this book you are a boring person and have no life whatsoever. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Brothers and sisters    2. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - General    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. Family - Siblings    6. Fiction    7. Genius    8. Moving, Household    9. People & Places - United States - African-American    10. Performing Arts - Music    11. Juvenile Fiction / Ethnic / African American   

Reviews (13)

A story of a 1950s family's retreat to the country
It's the first Newbery Award winner to achieve full-cast audio production, it reaches out to families with a story of a 1950s family's retreat to the country to heal from spiritual wounds suffered during the war, and it springs to life thanks to the spirited participation of the full cast production: what more could one wish for in an audio production? Cynthia Bishop and the Full Cast family do an exquisite job with Miracles On Ample Street, the unabridged presentation on cd leaves not a word missing, and an added folk song enhances the overall effort. Simply lovely.
The Best!!
This is an awesome book!I think Everyone will like it as much as i did ! It had great facts about Maple trees. I enjoyed the ending and I think Everyone Will Love this book!!!

Deidre
I think that the book was very interesting. It has a lot of details that help you understand the book. I also like the ending. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's All Ages - Literature    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Classics    4. Country life    5. Family - General    6. Family problems    7. Fiction    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Lifestyles - Country Life    10. Moving, Household    11. Pennsylvania    12. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Reviews (5)

Lucy Rose
Lucy Rose Here's the Thing About Me
Lucy Rose is lots of fun
If you liked Junie B. Jones, Amber Brown or Ramona, you will love Lucy Rose, a spunky eight year old girl who has moved to Washington D.C. from Ann Arbor, Michigan after the separation of her parents. She is an "original thinker" who wears red cowboy boots, hates being teased by Melonhead, and loses the classroom pet gerbil when she takes him home during a vacation from school. With sage advice from Madam and Pop (her grandparents) Lucy Rose tackles life's little problems in an indomitable fashion. Written in diary form, the 3rd grade voice of Lucy Rose comes through loud and clear.

Fun ... good read-aloud potential
Lucy Rose is not your typical 8-year-old; she's an "original thinker."We meet Lucy as she's starting a new school year, in a new city (Washington, DC).Lucy is facing the challenge of making new friends while dealing with her parents' separation.Told in Lucy Rose's voice, using the device of diary entries, the book includes lots of little events in Lucy's life, including losing the school hamster and making Valentine's Day cards for *everyone* including the dreaded Melonhead.Lucy Rose's voice is lively and distinctive; the diary format would make this a good classroom read-aloud for 2nd and 3rd graders. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Children's 9-12    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 3-4    4. Family - General    5. Family - Multigenerational    6. Family life    7. Fiction    8. Girls & Women    9. Humorous Stories    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Moving, Household    12. Schools    13. Social Situations - Moving    14. Washington (D.C.)    15. Juvenile Fiction / Family / General   

Reviews (1)

moving soon?read this book
Amy is the main character in the story.Her family is moving way.She doesn't want to leave her house, her garden and he friends.She is sad when she first moves to her new home.Soon she starts to like to her new home.She meets new friends and she and her dad plan a new flower garden.
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Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Preschool    3. Fiction    4. Juvenile Fiction    5. Moving    6. Moving, Household    7. Preschool Picture Story Books    8. Social Issues - Emotions & Feelings    9. Social Issues - New Experience    10. Social Situations - Moving    11. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Fiction    4. First day of school    5. Juvenile Fiction    6. Magic    7. Moving, Household    8. School & Education    9. Schools    10. Social Issues - Friendship    11. Social Issues - New Experience    12. Juvenile Fiction / Science Fiction, Fantasy, Magic   

Reviews (10)

Letter from Taiwan
My teacher Sophia, my younger brother Sean and I shared the book. We are ages 13 and 10. We love the colors and animals in the book. We hope if there is going to be an English and Chinese press, maybe Tom Turtle's good friends can move with him! Thank You

A "moving" book for all ages!
This is a "moving" book for children and adults alike. It is well written and the illustrations are adorable. The charming Tom explores many fears and feelings that we all experience in a move or transition. Highly recommended for children and adults of all ages.

Author's Update
"Healthy Kids" magazine endorses 'LET'S MOVE TOGETHER' to all pediatricians and families.The American Academy of Pediatrics identifed ''LET'S MOVE TOGETHER' as ideal for children who will move.Moving is traumatic for children ages 4-11 and children need special help.'LET'S MOVE TOGETHER' provides the reassurance children need.Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Psychology    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    3. Children: Grades 2-3    4. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / New Experience    5. Juvenile Nonfiction    6. Performing Arts - General    7. Psychology    8. Social Issues - Moving    9. Social Situations - Moving    10. Children's 4-8    11. Fiction    12. Juvenile fiction    13. Moving, Household    14. Social Situations - New Experience   

Reviews (3)

good young adult ballet story for anyone
This is a charming book that makes the ballet world come alive for its young students. Anyone who dreams of becoming a ballerina, especially those that want to study at the Royal Ballet School, will love this book. It describes ballet classes and the school itself. The narrator of the story is Ellie, who is moving to England with her widowed mother who just got a new job there. Now Ellie is able to attend an audition for the R.B.S. junior associate program. Ellis goes through all the issues with moving to a different country, meeting new friends, trying to keep old ones, and also seeing her mother fall in love with someone. This story will please anyone interested in ballet, especially younger ones.

Ellie's Chance to Dance
I do ballet, and Alexandra Moss' books are so acurate with the way things actually happen that I absolutley love them. They face real life problems that aren't exaggerated in any way! This book is wonderful!

the best book
Ellie has moved from Chicago to England to attend RBS. There are many problems ahed of her:
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Subjects:  1. Ballet dancing    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Fiction    5. Interpersonal relations    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Mothers and daughters    8. Moving, Household    9. Performing Arts - Dance    10. Performing Arts - General    11. Social Issues - Friendship    12. Juvenile Fiction / Performing Arts   

Reviews (2)

Moving -- the good news, the bad news
Moving is never easy for children. But Nancy Carlstrom's mama mouse affirms the fears of her child while offering a future full of possibilities. The pictures are great, with lots of little details foryoung readers concerned about the transition and location of all their"stuff."

Wonderful
We are on the brink of moving and my 3 1/2 year old loves this book.The little mouse in the book doesn't want to move, but all the while he's watching his mom pack up all of his favorite stuff.The mom ensures himthat their new home will have all the great things that their old one does,but will be even better.This book has sparked some great conversationswith our son about moving and how we will always remember the fun times wehad in our old house, "but it's better to all together in someplacenew."This is a great book for a child to "read" along -he/she will enjoy saying "But I'm not moving, Mama!" throughoutthe book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - MiceHamstersGuinea Pigsetc.    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Kindergarten    4. Fiction    5. Juvenile Nonfiction    6. Mice    7. Mother and child    8. Moving, Household    9. Social Issues - Emotions & Feelings    10. Social Issues - New Experience    11. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / New Experience   

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 1-2    3. City and town life    4. Fiction    5. Juvenile Fiction    6. Moving, Household    7. Neighborhood    8. Neighborliness    9. People & Places - General    10. Social Issues - Community & Neighborhood   

Reviews (10)

THIS BOOK IS AWESOME!!!!!!!
Jack on the tracks is and awesome book and I think everyone should read it!!!I don't want to give any of the book away but if you read this you will be howling with laughter after the first few chapters!!!!!!!!!!I loved this book so much that I'm writing 2 reports on it for school.A salute to Jack Gantos for writing a great book!!!!!

Jack on The Tracks
This book i readwas so funny. Some of the things he does, like run around the streets naked around the blook and drinking alchohal this is a funny book

The wack jack
Jack on the Tracks is a funny book . If you enjoy anything funnythen this is agood book to read . My favorite part is when Jack was watching the news and lightningstruck their t.v. Jacks mom was screaming her head off while smoke was coming out of their t.v. Or when his cat froze to death because it got stck in the freezer.If anyone enjoys a good laugh I would recommend this book to them . ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Brothers and sisters    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Fiction    5. Gantos, Jack    6. General    7. Humorous Stories    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Moving, Household    10. Self-perception    11. Short Stories    12. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Reviews (26)

A FICTIONAL ACCOUNT OF A REAL FAITH
It seems ironic that such an honest and realistic depiction of the journey of faith is to be found in a fiction.I became familiar with Brad Whittington's "Welcome to Fred" from a review in the local paper.Being a native of east Texas and having pastored two churches, both within an hour of Fred, my interest was peaked.I am so glad that I went ahead and purchased the two sequels as well--"Living With Fred" and "Escape From Fred."Having been hooked by the first I would have regretted having to make a later order to complete the adventures of PK (Preacher's Kid) Mark Cloud.Once they arrived I read all three over a ten day period.
One of this Year's Best
Immense praise for a writer whose lean, hysterical prose are a joy to read. Full of great scenes and real insight into characters. Completely believable. Plus, Whittington has an inspired approach to simile and metaphor, drawing the reader into a given moment seamlessly. His habit of taking a cliché by the feet and standing it on its head is both refreshing and clever, too. And the novel's message, while ringing clear and strong, doesn't intrude on the story. I really enjoyed this and highly recommend it.

Count it all joy when ye fall into diverse temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. (Js 1:2-3)

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Subjects:  1. Children of clergy    2. City and town life    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - Religious    5. Humorous    6. Moving, Household    7. Religious - Historical    8. Teenage boys