Reviews (9)

Sure to spark some giggles!
I love Halloween... this is a great book to share with little ones!It's got it all - fantastic - rhyming, graphics and is just a bit silly.I started reading it easily switched to singing.It's a evening favorite and always brings out those gut giggles - a contagious fun time for all!

Shake Dem Halloween Bones
I am a retired elementary principal that has been called back every year to read this book to my former K-2 students. They not only love the story, but it is an excellent teaching oportunity for our reading classes as we compare the characters in this book to characters in previously read children's books. I highly recommend it for any elementary classroom.

This one is a Upbeat Great Read
I work in a Nursery School and the children get pretty antsy around Halloween.This one kept them all quiet and focusing on Read more

Subjects:  1. Balls (Parties)    2. Celebrations - Parties    3. Characters in literature    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    5. Children: Grades 1-2    6. Fiction    7. Halloween    8. Holidays & Celebrations - Halloween    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Stories in rhyme    11. Culture & customs    12. Juvenile Fiction / Holidays & Festivals / Halloween   

Reviews (2)

READ THIS
This book proves that M.T. Anderson is one of the most brilliant writers of our time, hands down. Read this book and know it; read this book and pass it on.

Don't miss it
Read this book and give it to everyone you know or love, whether 15 or 55. It's a stunning, extraordinary look at our own history through the eyes (usually) of Octavian Nothing, an African child slave who is, in this first of two books, the subject of experiments by a group of Boston rationalist philosophers. The purpose of the experiments? For the "philosophers" to learn whether Africans have the same capacity to learn as white children do. Because the Revolutionary War is about to break out, the characters' lives change in unpredictable ways.Every single page of this book, which is told in highly-readable and startlingly rich eighteenth-century language, is filled with brilliance and pain, and there are few characters in contemporary fiction that Icare about as much as I care about Octavian. You will, too. Furthermore, there are parallels, resonances, echoes, and consequences for all of us today---your brain will be unusually active as you read, and you won't be able to put the book down or stop thinking about it.
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Subjects:  1. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - History    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)    3. Experiments    4. Fiction    5. Freedom    6. Historical - Other    7. Historical Fiction (Young Adult)    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. People & Places - United States - African-American    10. Science    11. Slavery    12. Social Issues - Physical & Emotional Abuse    13. Historical fiction    14. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / Other   

Reviews (9)

Unique Format Elevates this Book to a New Level
Julia and Patrick are best friends in this book set in Plainfield, IL.The two are working together on a silkworm project that they hope will be displayed at the state fair.Unfortunately, Julia, whose parents came to the United States from South Korea, is less then enthusiastic about the project because she feels that silkworms are too "Korean" and so she attempts to sabotage their project.What makes this book unique is not only Julia's voice, but also the discussions between Julia and the author in between chapters.Any aspiring writer would do well to read this book as Park offers excellent insight into the writing process, while those who just enjoy a good story will also be satisfied.

A great book for readers and writers!
I purchased this book due to the fact that I would be attending a conference at which Ms. Park is speaking (I like to get an idea of the presentors background).I knew that Ms. Park is talented, but never did I expect to enjoy it so very very much.As an author I found the entries between the chapters to be facinating.What a great idea. And the story itself was amazing as well.I can not say enough about the whole package other than READ IT!Can't wait to meet you Ms. Park!Julia (not Julia Song, but still Julia)

Great Book
Julia and Patrick have to do a project for the Wiggle club.Wiggle is the pet name for the WGGL (work grow give live) club, an extra curricular organization similar to 4H. The two kids partner up to do a project that can go to the state fair as both an animal husbandry and domesticarts entry. When Julia's mother suggests raising silkworms, Patrick is excited because such a project was unheard of. Julia is anxious because it is too Korean. Linda Sue Park meets all expectations as an author and writes a wonderfully entertaining story. Park does a great job in staying focusedon the life of one girl, yet touching on tangents of other issues. Julia Song is a well-developed character that grows beyond her personal limitations to understand herself, hermother, little brother, and friend. In the character of Julie, readers experience the life of a young girl who learns to reconcile being Korean and American. It is refreshing to read about an experience with a world that in many ways is not Black and White.In less drastic, yet by no means less dramatic ways, one is confronted with the issue of animal husbandry and cruelty. Julie learns that to get the silk, she must kill the pupae, which she has grown to love. Unlike other popular examples of Asian American literature, Project Mulberry is not riddled with flashbacks; it stays in one single narrative that is direct and still charming. Project Mulberry is a good read for third to fifth grade students.
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Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Fiction    5. Juvenile Fiction    6. Korean Americans    7. People & Places - United States - Asian American    8. Prejudices    9. Silkworms    10. Social Issues - Friendship    11. Social Issues - General    12. Social Issues - Prejudice & Racism    13. Social Situations - General    14. Juvenile Fiction / Ethnic / Asian American   

Editorial Review

In Cynthia Kadohata's lively, lovely, funny and sad novel -- winner of the 2005 Newbery Medal -- the Japanese-American Takeshima family moves from Iowa to Georgia in the 1950s when Katie, the narrator, is just in kindergarten. Though her parents endure grueling conditions and impossible hours in the non-unionized poultry plant and hatchery where they work, they somehow manage to create a loving, stable home for their three children: Lynn, Katie, and Sammy. Katie's trust in, and admiration for, her older sister Lynn never falters, even when her sisterly advice doesn't seem to make sense. Lynn teaches her about everything from how the sky, the ocean, and people's eyes are special to the injustice of racial prejudice. The two girls dream of buying a house for the family someday and even save $100 in candy money: "Our other favorite book was Read more

Reviews (119)

Kira-Kira
Life in the 1950's was hard on ethnic groups. One such case is the Japanese family Takeshima. Kira-Kira was written from the daughter Katie's perspective. When Katie and her family move to Georgia she feels bad that she is moving away from her home in Iowa and all of the memories there. Will it be worth it for Katie and her family to move, or will she regret going and feel sad? Read Kira-Kira to find out if Katie overcomes her apprehension and makes new memories and friends. I really liked this book and thought it was saddening, although it was a sad book it was also a great book. I would recommend this book to people that really enjoy books that are based in the past and narrated from the characters personal memories.
Kira-Kira
When I read this book, I thought that it was a very good book. I couldn't stop myself from reading it and I think you should read it too. I recomend this book. It was very sad and it was very emotional. Even though the story is not a true story, somehow you feel like it is a true story and that means that the author wrote this book well. I hope that if you do read it you will enjoy reading it and I hope you do read this book.
The Glittering Book
Life couldn't have been better until Katie and her family moved to Georgia. Katie and Lynn Takeshima lived in Iowa and went to school like every Japanese girl would. Both their parents went to their store every morning to work. But when they lose the store because no one wanted to buy Japanese original products. The family had to move to Georgia where they had family, Katie's uncle. Once they moved there their mother had a baby boy, Samson. After a year of nothing really happening, Lynn got really sick with iron lose and later on cancer. After going through some tough times, Lynn died New Years morning. This book is worthy of Grace Livingston Hill.
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Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Classics    4. Death    5. Family - Siblings    6. Fiction    7. Friendship    8. Japanese Americans    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. People & Places - United States - Asian American    11. Sisters    12. Social Issues - Death & Dying    13. Social Issues - Prejudice & Racism    14. Juvenile Fiction / Ethnic / Asian American   

Reviews (9)

EXCELENT!
I have a 3 year old and a 1 year old girl, both loved it.

A Story for the Ages
My two sons absolutely loved this book. They liked the idea of going "where the wild things are" and the book inspired a lot of play in our house. The book nicely balances the child's need for imaginative thinking with a sense of limits, and the pleasures of home. The illustrations clearly make this book great, because they provide a launch pad for this imaginary place. This is one of a handful of books that will bond you with your child for the rest of your lives. Don't miss that opportunity!
Spanish, Yes! English, Yes! French, NO!
I like this in English, LOVE it in Spanish and deplore the French translation.Read more

Subjects:  1. Bedtime & Dreams    2. Bedtime Stories    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Classics    5. Spanish: Kindergarten    6. Juvenile Fiction / Ethnic / Hispanic & Latino   

Reviews (8)

encounter
this book is about when christopher colmbus came to america and first met the natives. It shows that they white explorers wernt really that great, and were not kind to the natives. I think that this book is ok, beacuse it shows the cruelty of the englsih exploers.

Not for childern.
This book was very descriptive. It had a theme, and stuck to it. It is historicallycorrect, but I don't think it's appropriate for younger kids. This book talks about dieases, and losing one's home and family. It's good for those kids in Kindergarden, but even then, that's pushing it. Overall, it's an okay book.

The True Meaning behind Encounter
The book, Encounter, was so astonishing because of it's vivid descriptions. Not only did it express the arrival of Christopher Columbus through another's eyes, but it was through a child that the story was told. No one believed him because he was so young and they believed that the dream that had been sent to him was just a nightmare. He could tell that they were evil and greedy ever since they set foot in his home. The new arrivers had treated his people like indians, believing that their gifts were to great for such lowly people. Their clothes were so colorful compared to the clothes that wore. After being accepted in a new territory they compensated by having people taken away from them to become slaves. But still no one listened to such a small boy. He escaped and that's how he was able to tell his tale to others, but it was too late. All the people he had once knew were taken away from him forever. I really liked this book because it was in the point of view from someone so young and innocent. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Historical    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    4. Fiction    5. Historical - Exploration & Discoveries    6. Historical - United States - General    7. Indians of the West Indies    8. Juvenile fiction    9. People & Places - United States - Native American    10. Taino Indians    11. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / Exploration & Discovery   

Reviews (139)

Influence in my life
The story of this book to me is being black.Most black people are darker then other and some are lighter then others.The characters in this book are;Maleeka,Char,Raise,Rain,Jo-Jo,Caleb.Basically this books is about a young black that lives in the ghetto who was always getting called names or had a bad song made up about her skin color because it was too dark and everyone just seemed light aourned her because her skin color was too dark.This book wasn't racist or anything like that but it shoes you just how someone your color or not can really hurt you and can make you have a very low self-esteem like maleeka had.She wasn't poor but her mother didn't have enough money to buy her clothes.So she wore what her mother made for her to school then when she got to school her friend (or who she thought was her friend)gave her better and up to date clothes to wore.This girl was Charlese, Charlese and Maleeka had there problems but Charlese's deal with Maleeka was for her to do her homework so that she can wear her clothes.Then there's Jo-Jo, and Maleeka's problemm with him was that he was the one to always make fun of her and made her feel that evryone noticed her dark skin color and made her self-esteem low.Next there was the twins Raise and Rain they also had Maleeka do there homework too to keep Maleeka's secrect on the down low.Then after all that trouble with all four of those people here came a boy named Caleb, who made Maleeka feel SO better about her skin color and that no one should ever make her feel so bad about her skin color and the peoms her late father helped her to realize that she is beatiful.Maleeka never thought a boy would like her as much as Caleb did.Caleb made Maleeka focus on one thing that changed Maleeka's thoughts about her skin color and that was;BALCK IS BEAUTIFUL.
The Skin I'm In
The book The Skin I'm In by Sharon G. Flake is a wonderful book with a realistic plot. The main character Maleeka Madison has to make some important decisions that could affect the rest of her life.
hip hop, badgrammar, what more could you want
"The Skin I'm In" is a wonderful book. It is about a thirteen year old girl named Maleeka Madison. This book is a great book for teens and for the adults who are more hip than the common mom. It says so much about the world of today. The novel shows not only how we are racist by discriminating against those different from us, but also that people discriminate against us. The book tells the story of Maleeka and her discovering that there is always someone else out there who is worse off then she is. She also learns how to be strong and stick up for what is right.
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Subjects:  1. Afro-Americans    2. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - General    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    4. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    5. Fiction    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. People & Places - United States - African-American    8. Self-esteem    9. Social Issues - Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance    10. Social Situations - Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance    11. Juvenile Fiction / Ethnic / African American   

Editorial Review

What could be better than a magic cupboard that turns small toys into living creatures? Omri's big brother has no birthday present for him, so he gives Omri an old medicine cabinet he's found. Although their mother supplies a key, the cabinet still doesn't seem like much of a present. But when an exhausted Omri dumps a plastic toy Indian into the cabinet just before falling asleep, the magic begins. Turn the key once and the toy comes alive; turn it a second time and it's an action figure again. Read more

Reviews (110)

Indian in the Cupboard
This book was great. i had a fun time reading it out loud because you could feel when somthing good was coming. it was very exiting when it got to the climax. this boy named omri and his best friend patrick was having a birthday party at omris house because it was omris birthday. omris sister got him a cupboard for his bathroom. he decides to store some of his plastic toys inclueding a indian named little bear and a cowboy named boone. they come live if you lock it with the key that the cupboard came with. that was what omri and patricks suprise was. i would totally recamend this book. it was great.

Indian In The Cupboard
Indian In The Cupboard was an interesting book. Omrey liked his presents he got, but he finally found the present he actually enjoyed.
Mary Johnson's Review
I enjoyed reading this book.It was a good story and I loved the fantasy about the Indian. I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure    2. Action & Adventure - General    3. Banks, Lynne Reid    4. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Fantasy    5. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    6. Children: Grades 4-6    7. Classics    8. Fiction    9. Indians of North America    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Magic    12. People & Places - United States - Native American    13. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    14. Toys    15. Toys, Dolls, & Puppets    16. Juvenile Fiction / Classics   

Reviews (12)

Molly's Pilgrim is a great book.
I really enjoyed reading Molly's Pilgrim.It was just the right reading level for me.It was not too hard and not too long, but it was interesting.It is about a girl who comes to a new school and is different from everyone else.It is hard for her to adjust.One of the parts that made an impression is when the teacher likes Molly's pilgrim doll best and appreciated it.I would recommend this book to girls who might get discouraged with books that are long, because even though it is not a hard book, it's really interesting.By HG.

Molly's Pilgrim
The book "Molly's Pilgrim" by Barbara Cohen is about a girl named Molly.It is her first Thanksgiving and she founds out that she really doesn't have anything to be thankful for.Her classmates really make fun of her because of her unfamiliarity with American ways.
Molly:a classic for ESL classes everywhere!
Barbara Cohen understands ESL students like no other author ever has!In "Molly's Pilgrim" she describes the pain of a Russian Jewish immigrant in her American school in Winter Hill.Molly is mocked and ridiculed by the most popular girl in Miss Stickley's class, and Molly's "limitations" are made even more evident because Molly and her mother don't understand Thanksgiving from the viewpoint of American culture. The assignment is to design a clothespin doll to look like a pilgrim woman, but Molly's mother designs the doll to look like a Russian immigrant girl.In the process, the class learns that pilgrims did not stop coming to America for religious freedom in the 1600s. Molly's family are pilgrims too!
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Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 1-2    3. Family - General    4. Fiction    5. Holidays & Celebrations - Thanksgiving    6. Jews    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. People & Places - United States - Other    9. Schools    10. Social Issues - General    11. Social Issues - Prejudice & Racism    12. United States    13. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / United States / Colonial & Revolutionary Periods   

Reviews (6)

Jesse Smoke was a real boy.
Through the eyes of a young man, we were able to see the tragedy that the Andrew Jackson administration orchestrated in behalf of the Cherokee nation as well as many other Southeastern Indian tribes. We were able to feel the hurt and know the injustice of a peaceful people uprooted and driven, in the dead of winter, to a reservation in what is now Oklahoma. We were able to feel the hopes and dreams of a boy and a people shattered by greed, politics and military might. This is a classic which should be in every school library in the country. Yes, I have that drop ofblood in my veins that makes me a bona fide Cherokee. I am proud that the legend of a proud, industrious, creative people still remains in our hearts.

The Journal of Jesse Smoke
The Journal of Jesse Smoke Jesse Smoke's Journal
If you like historical fiction, then I think you should read The Journal of Jesse Smoke because it was very exciting.It was exciting when the soldiers came to take all the Cherokee and Creeke Indians.I thought that was interesting because then a white man came trying to steal the house when a soilder beat up.Then, they went to a lot of forts.Many died.The Cherokee and Creeke Indians called that journey the Trail of Tears.Read more

Subjects:  1. Cherokee Indians    2. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Historical    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. Fiction    6. Historical - United States - 19th Century    7. History    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Juvenile Historical Fiction    10. People & Places - United States - Native American    11. Trail of Tears, 1838    12. American history: c 1500 to c 1900    13. Historical figures    14. Indigenous peoples    15. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / General    16. USA    17. c 1800 to c 1900   

Reviews (13)

A great book for kids
I recently bought this book for my 7-year-old, and was really impressed by both the story and the beautiful illustrations.I felt it was a good story for my daughter to read as it told how the young girl, her mother and grandmother survived a fire that destroyed their home and built a life for themselves afterward.The reward to being able to buy a comfortable chair after all their hard work and savings drives home the point of how much we have and how little we may sometimes appreciate it.

Making the Best of a Bad Situation
Told in the words of a little girl, this story tells of a family making the best of a bad situation.After a fire totally destroyed everything in their house, the family moves to an apartment.The neighborhood brings many things to fill their new home, but they have no couch and no chair.Grandma is old and can't get comfy in the hard kitchen chairs.Plus momma needs somewhere soft to sit after a hard days work.Find out how they get the money to buy the most wonderful chair of all.

One of the Best!
We have read this book numerous times and always consider it among our top ten books ever read - even though all of my children are now teenagers! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Chairs    2. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Grades 1-2    5. Children: Kindergarten    6. Classics    7. Family - Multigenerational    8. Family - Parents    9. Family life    10. Fiction    11. Juvenile Fiction    12. People & Places - United States - African-American    13. Preschool Picture Story Books    14. Saving and investment    15. Saving and thrift    16. Social Issues - Emotions & Feelings    17. Social Issues - Values    18. Social Situations - Emotions & Feelings    19. Juvenile Fiction / Family / General   

Reviews (6)

Pull Up a Chair
This is a wonderful story with delightful illustrations about a young boy who is feeling displaced because he has a baby sister on the way.He is upset to see his old layette painted pink for baby Susie and his infant toys passed down to her.
One of Ezra Jack Keats Best Books
I don't know what ken32 is talking about but Peter's Chair has nothing to do with gender difference. It is about a boy, Peter, who is disgruntled at the change that is occuring around the house for his new baby sister Susie. Peter sees that his baby items are being painted over in pink, which is the color that will identify if the baby is going to be a girl. Babies don't care what color their furniture is.
We Loved This Story!
This story is about Peter who has a new baby sister. He is very jealous and doesn't want to share his things. Peter finally gives her his old chair that is too small for him. We liked this story because Peter learns to be a good big brother. You should read this story because the pictures are really nice. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. African Americans    2. Babies    3. Brothers and sisters    4. Chairs    5. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    6. Children: Kindergarten    7. Family - New Baby    8. Fiction    9. Early learning / early learning concepts    10. Juvenile Fiction / Ethnic / African American   

Reviews (5)

Sweet and educational
This is a gentle book, both the words and illustrations, whichguides the reader through the process of making a traditional Navajo rug.Told from the goat's perspective, humor is interwoven with facts. My 5 year old wants to add that the goat ate up some of the flowers the weaver had collected when she wasn't looking.
Kids book?I still love it at 30 years old!
I was raised on this book and it has always been a favorite of mine. The pictures are delightful and the story has stayed with me through the years. I love how Geraldine decides to eat all the yummy plants they were going to use to dye the wool.OOPS!Now I find it is on the school reading list and being used in the classroom! I highly recommend this book as a favorite for children and parents alike.

Goat's point of view
This is a very funny story about a goat that tells the story of how her fur becomes a Navajo rug.If you look close enough at the front cover, you'll notice the book is written by the goat herself.It's a wonderful book for all ages, especially Navajo children. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art (paintingsculptureartistsarchitectureetc.)    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 2-3    4. Fiction    5. Hand weaving    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Navajo textile fabrics    8. People & Places - United States - Native American    9. Rugs    10. Juvenile Fiction / Ethnic / Native American   

Reviews (14)

Good Stories and Good Message
I bought this book after I'd read The Circuit because I needed to find out what happened to the family.I was intrigued by both books, found them fairly easy reading, and believe that they open up opportunities for discussion with teens.Thought provoking, well-written, very descriptive, somewhat depressing although I found the characters' spirit amazing and inspiring, and all together a very good read.Great for young adults as well as adults...highly recommended.

What's Happening?
Francisco's family gets sent to Mexico, because they were in California illegally. When they get to come back legally the family gets a little split up, due to work and such. Roberto has to return to their barrack because of his janitor job. Papa can not work because of his back so the rest of the family goes to visit family and get Papa's back checked. Will Papa get better? Roberto gets replaced on his janitor job. Will Roberto get a job? What can the family do without the little money they must earn in long hard hours? That would be something to think about.
breaking through
I recommend this novel Breaking Through because it is a good novel.It has excellent word choice.The characters in the novel are believable the setting are believable.The setting is good it is not great because the setting is a little foggy because the people are move a little fast.The novel has a good starting and ending.
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Subjects:  1. Agricultural laborers    2. Biography & Autobiography - General    3. California    4. Children's 12-Up - Literature - Classics    5. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    6. Classics    7. Fiction    8. Juvenile Nonfiction    9. Juvenile fiction    10. Mexican Americans    11. People & Places - United States - Hispanic/Latino    12. Juvenile Fiction / Ethnic / Hispanic & Latino   

Reviews (30)

Has its problems, but still works.
Witi Ihimaera, Whale Rider (Harcourt, 1987)
The film is certainly better
Like most people, I bought the book after watching the film... in fact it took me ages to find the book because here in Spain it was called "the legend of the whales". Anyway, I thought the film was very moving and since when I'm obsessed with a movie I buy also the book, I did.
Excellent coming of age story
This is an excellent coming of age story for a young girl, or boy! Readers will find delightful lore and learn something of New Zealand. The movie wasn't a disappointment, though I'm glad I read the book first.
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Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    3. Family - Multigenerational    4. Fiction    5. Girls & Women    6. Human-animal relationships    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Maori (New Zealand people)    9. People & Places - Australia & Oceania    10. Whales    11. Juvenile Fiction / Ethnic / General   

Editorial Review

It's no wonder that Read more

Reviews (73)

A Blip in the Slew of 5 Star Reviews
Though I doubt that my review will be either found helpful or noticed through the slew of 5 star reviews and 1 star reviews that go something like, "this book was hella dumm," the point of reviews in to speak your mind.This book, though it has rich characters and relationships, lacks the most important aspect of a novel: a plot.Victor Martinez fails to set out a definitive goal for the main character, and rather writes with "train of thought." The entire book is a jumble of situations the main character encounters that don't revolve around a central goal or conflict.Besides using unoriginal and sterotypical Mexican names such as "Hernandez" and "Garcia," the author writes with an overused and overly metaphorical style which doesn't pull the reader in until the last 15 pages or so.I recommend using spending your money elsewhere.

Ameica's Review
For teenagers 15 and up; Especially for the mexican-American who go trough a lot of tough times. Manney Hernandez is goin trough a difficult age. His brother Bernardo or "Nardo" as they call him goes from job to job; He never settels down in one. Manny's father is always getting drunk and gets fierd from work. Manny has been trough a lot he saw his father's arrest for having an unlicensed gun. All Manny wants is to gain respect. He is thinking about joining a gang but is that the only way to gain respect. How will Manny gain respect will it be trough hard work or is he going to take the easy way out and join a gang that will bring nothing good in the future. Coming of age is very difficult for evryone in that situation. The book should be read by guys who are in that difficult stage and the peer pressure of becoming a man.

Parrot in the oven
Parrot in the Oven
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Subjects:  1. Alcoholism    2. Children's Books - Young Adult Fiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Classics    5. Family life    6. Fiction    7. Mexican Americans    8. People & Places - United States - Hispanic/Latino    9. Social Issues - Adolescence    10. Social Situations - Adolescence    11. Fiction dealing with multiculturalism    12. Juvenile Fiction / Classics    13. Reading Group Guide   

Reviews (10)

This book is awsome
The lotus seed is about someone's grandmother who gets a lotus seed to remember her emperor.It takes place in Vietnam.It has lots of information obout what they used to flee from the Vietnam war.I think Tatsuro Kiuchi did a good job with the illustrations.I think every one from 5-8 should read this book.

Symbol of a Lotus Seed
This book helps me remember more about Vietnam and why I appreciate my culture so much.The significant symbolism of the lotus seed is the culture Vietnam and what the woman endurance in her past.Ba picked out a lotus seed from the imperial garden because of its beautiful and fresh scent.The lotus seed has never left her side as she carries it with her through the tragedy times and moved to a new country after the Vietnam War.One of her grandchildren planted the lotus seed in the backyard and it grew into a beautiful lotus flower.The beauty of it reminds Ba of her country.
The Lotus Seed
This book is touching. The grandma passes on the lotus seed to her grandson. One day, she sees a lotus flower in her backyard and it made her remember her ruler. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Fiction    4. Juvenile Fiction    5. Lotus    6. People & Places - Asia    7. People & Places - United States - Asian American    8. Social Issues - Emigration & Immigration    9. Vietnam    10. Juvenile Fiction / Ethnic / General   

Reviews (6)

Buy this book! It's worthy
This book has touched me very much. I have read it three times and I bought the book. I think this book is a must in every classroom and in every house. It powerful describes how people struggle with the daily paid, not only in the US but in the world and it also teachers about important vales as family values and honesty. A beautiful book for all ages.
An Honest Story about Honesty and Hard Work
Let me begin by saying that I am a big fan of Eve Bunting and admire her for writing about people who otherwise receive little attention in stories."A Day's Work" is worthy of that reputation.It is a story of day laborers from Mexico; moreover, it describes how the whole family pulls together to make ends meet (a theme that Francisco Jimenez beautifully explores in "The Circuit/Cajas de Carton). Though it's a simple story, there are several surprise twists. As with her other stories, Eve Bunting tells this one with her characteristic sensitivity without indulging in, you know, the mushy stuff.This book will enable children and adults alike to take a new look at honesty and, as the title says, a day's work.

Good Book!
This story describes an American lifestyle that most of us will not experience.It avoids criticism of that life and presents a situation in which honest people are trying to survive.The author provides a human face to the characters.Very nice. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 1-2    3. Family - Multigenerational    4. Fiction    5. Grandfathers    6. Honesty    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Mexican Americans    9. People & Places - United States - Hispanic/Latino    10. Social Issues - Values    11. Work    12. Juvenile Fiction / Family / Multigenerational   

Reviews (16)

Locomotion
Locomotion is a book about an eleven year old boy and his life.The boys name is Lonnie Collins Motion.His parents died when he was 7 years old in a fire and him and his sister are in two different homes but not to far from each other.The whole book is poems in a notebook his teacher gave to him. He visits his sister every once in a while and just knows her foster mom doesn't want a boy to live with her.There are many things that go on in his life and he deals with it by writing it in a poem.

I GUESS THIS IS A GOOD BOOK
Locomotion is a story about a kid that wrote a book in poetry-form. He talks about stories of his mom and his family. This is a sad story. Some of the stories talk about his friend or classmate that is disabled. I liked this story because it's written in poetry-form and that he talks about a lot of poems in this story. I think that you should read this book if you like poems.But it doesnt have so much action.

Overrated Short Book By Matt Pieper
Locomotion, by Jaqueline Woodson is an overrated poem-based fiction book about an eleven year old boy named Lonnie.Lonnie is going through some tough times. His parents died in a fire and now Lonnie has to live with Miss Edna.His sister Lili is his sister, but she was also separated to a different foster parent.Lonnie has three main friends, Eric Lamont, and Angel.Lonnie also has to learn poetry because his teacher Miss Marcus is teaching the class about poetry and now Lonnie wants to tell his story in poetry format.I think this book should be for people ages 10 and up.I also think that this book is an easy to read fiction book and it's a short one too.
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Subjects:  1. African American boys    2. Brothers and sisters    3. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - General    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    5. Children: Grades 4-6&n