Editorial Review

Open Mike Friday is everyone's favorite day in Mr. Ward's English class.On Fridays, his 18 high-school students dare to relax long enough to let slipthe poets, painters, readers, and dreamers that exist within each of them. RaulRamirez, the self-described "next Diego Rivera," longs "to show the beauty ofour people, that we are not all Read more

Reviews (65)

Bronx Masquerade
Bronx Masquerade
Bronx Masquerade
Bronx Masquerade
Bronx Masquerade
Bronx Masquerade
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Subjects:  1. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - General    2. Children: Grades 2-3    3. Ethnicity    4. Fiction    5. Identity    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Lifestyles - City & Town Life    8. Poetry    9. Social Issues - Adolescence    10. Social Issues - General    11. Juvenile Fiction / Ethnic / African American   

Reviews (91)

Welcome Back
it's about a story for Mildred d.taylor a sequel to the road to memphis its about cassie logan and her brothers . Moe turner comes back from chicgon with uncel Hammber by suprise to cassie and her brothers and Mr.simm's Heard the news and trys to go after him and the Logans family .

Better than the first by far!
I read the book Roll Of Thunder, Hear My Cry in class, and thought that was good until I read the sequel. More action, more suspense, more everything! Mildred Talyor puts a suprise into every sentence. I found myself hating some characters with all my heart and supporting other characters aloud without realizing it. I reccommend Let The Circle Be Unbroken to anybody over the age of ten.

Let the Circle Be Unbroken Review by Kristy
Let the Circle Be Unbroken
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Subjects:  1. Afro-Americans    2. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - General    3. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    4. Fiction    5. Mississippi    6. People & Places - United States - African-American    7. Race relations    8. Juvenile Fiction / People & Places / United States   

Editorial Review

An excellent bargain in one convenient hardback, Read more

Reviews (8)

My 3yr old loves this book
This is a cute collection of Dora Stories.Just short enough to keep my 3 yr olds attention as we read a few stories at bedtime.He loves doing the actions along with Dora and helping to figure things out.There are enough stories that I am not tired of them yet!I recommend this book for any kid that loves Dora the Explorer.

Great for Dora Fans!
My daughter loves Dora, so I thought this collection would be a good buy.She enjoys all of the stories, and as a non-spanish speaker I find the pronounciation guide in the back helpful for the spanish words included in the collection.

GREAT BOOK!!!
Just got this for my 2 1/2 Yr old Dora lover!!! This is a GREAT deal! All 7 of Dora's best books/stories in 1 large hardcover book is really nice and my daughter loves it already! Just bought 2 more to give as gifts for her friends!!! GREAT DEAL! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children's stories, American    4. Children: Grades 2-3    5. Juvenile Fiction    6. Movie Tie - In    7. People & Places - United States - Hispanic/Latino    8. Short stories    9. Juvenile Fiction / Movie or Television Tie-In   

Editorial Review

With its remarkable illustrations and its affectionate portrait of a migrant family, Eve Bunting's latest book is a jewel. Carlos, his parents, and his sisters visit the family village in Mexico. Mama and Papa are very excited, but the kids don't know what all the fuss is about. If they really love Mexico, what could be the point of leaving for America just for "opportunities"? Read more

Reviews (4)

Eve Bunting and David Diaz do it again!
Eve Bunting takes her readers on journey with a Mexican family going home for Christmas.The text she uses is elegantly written.Through the feelings expressed by Carlos and his family you get a real sense of the Mexican culture and the importance of family.David Diaz's illustrations lead you into the journey with Carlos and his family.With the use of collaged background and inset illustrations the pages come alive.The text of Bunting and the illustrations of Diaz give you the sense of being there.This is a book that a child of any age would enjoy.

Excellent book!
This book is very touching...it sensitively portrays the sacrafices Mexican immigrants have to make to move to America for their children to have a better life. Very well done themes of parental love, long car trips,the sadness of leaving one's home country, sibling realtionships, husbandand wife being romantic (tasteful and age-appropriate), and a child'sgrowing understanding of the complexities of life. Buy and read it to everychild (and adult) you know.

Good story/GREAT illustrations
This story is well told, with a nice pace and sense of language.Diaz is up to his usual standards, creating a colorful world that you just want to hop right into.Judge this book by its cover - it's beautiful! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 2-3    3. Family - General    4. Fiction    5. Holidays & Celebrations - Christmas    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Mexicans    8. Migrant labor    9. People & Places - United States - Hispanic/Latino    10. United States    11. Juvenile Fiction / Holidays & Festivals / Christmas   

Reviews (22)

Good Book!
This is a good book because the author described it very good. All of her books are great. It's about a girl and her brother who go and try to find their dad and find out who they really are. Naomi starts out thinking she is one way and by the end of the story she thinks differently. This story is about a dysfunctional family being reunited with their dad. If you like this book then try Esperanza Rising by the same author.

Wonderful Cultural Book
What a great upbeat book that still covers the struggles of a child of a divorced family, living in poverty, and being of a mixed race.Great great read with a great ending that wasn't to unbelievable.It left you with a good feeling even though the struggles of the children were very real.Great life lessons as well as cultural lessons in this book.

Becoming Naomi Leon
It was a great read.I enjoyed it throughly.I am telling friends about it.I will read other books by this author, soon. ... 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 - Multigenerational    6. Family problems    7. Fiction    8. Great-grandmothers    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. People & Places - United States - Hispanic/Latino    11. Social Issues - Emotions & Feelings    12. Social Issues - General    13. Social Situations - General    14. Juvenile Fiction / Family / General   

Reviews (4)

An important teen read with beautiful black and white illustrations
Teenager Jesse is writing the autobiography of his childhood friend and "blood brother" Rise, in a series of sketches, portraits, and comic strips from their times together.Rise is a little older than Jesse and is starting to be pulled in by the allure of the protection of gangs and the easy money of drugs.His biographer, Jesse, is confused by the change in his friend, and by Rise's attempts to turn the local boys' club into a street gang at war with neighborhood rivals.Given the title of the novel, one can only guess what the outcome of Rise's foray into drugs, guns, crime, and the power struggle is going to be.
The comic of Spodi Roti and Wise was brilliant.
This was an enthralling read. I liked the depth of this book and it painted a realistic portrait of poverty and gang life. The best part of this book was the incorporation of the comics and illustrations into the plot. The comic of Spodi Roti and Wise was brilliant. I also liked how most of the main characters in this book were not gang members or looking to be involved in gangs but simply wanted to survive long enough to explore their talents in music and artistry. It's nice to have a book about poverty and class that doesn't stereotype but gives a more realistic and in-depth picture.

An in-your-face tale of growing up and getting by in the inner-city
To pick up a book written by Walter Dean Myers is to expect nothing less than literary greatness. Among his many accolades, MONSTER was the first winner of the Michael L. Printz Award, a National Book Award Finalist, a Coretta Scott King Honor Book, and Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book. He has received the Margaret A. Edwards Award for lifetime achievement in writing for young adults and has penned over 70 award-winning books intended for a wide age range of readers, from picture books to teen novels. His son, Christopher Myers, is a Caldecott Honor and Coretta Scott King Honor recipient, and has illustrated a number of breathtaking books for young readers, including his solo effort entitled BLACK CAT.
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Subjects:  1. African Americans    2. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - General    3. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    4. Drive-by shootings    5. Fiction    6. Friendship    7. Gangs    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. People & Places - United States - African-American    10. Social Issues - Death & Dying    11. Social Issues - Drugs, Alcohol, & Substance Abuse    12. Social Issues - Violence    13. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / Drugs, Alcohol, Substance Abuse   

Editorial Review

A huge, old house with secret tunnels, a cantankerous caretaker, and buried treasure is a dream-come-true for 13-year-old Thomas. The fact that it's reputedly haunted only adds to its appeal! As soon as his family moves in, Thomas senses something strange about the Civil War era house, which used to be a critical stop on the Underground Railroad. With the help of his father, he learns about the abolitionists and escaping slaves who kept the Underground Railroad running. While on his own, he explores the hidden passageways in and under the house, piecing clues together in an increasingly dangerous quest for the truth about the past. Newbery medalist Virginia Hamilton creates a heart-pounding adventure with this absorbing classic for older readers. Read more

Reviews (94)

An interesting and exciting book.
When I first picked up this book i thought it would be borring and confusing.It turned out to be quite the opposite.The story follows Thomas a young boy who has to move from his home in the south to Ohio because of his fathers new job.He is not moving to any ordinary house however but the house of Dies Drear, a former conductor on the underground railroad who let slaves hide in his house until they were able to out into freedom.Rumor has it that the house is haunted which really scares young Thomas into believing the house taker Pluto is devil. Many events that follow help Thomas think that Pluto is trying to scare them out of the house, but he couldn't have been more wrong.There are many twist and turns that will have you on the edge of the seat and nothing is what it seems.This was a very enjoyable book and will be a good read for people who love mystery, suspence, and adventure.

Mystery andHistory!!!!!!!
This a great book for grown people and for young adults.My friend Kristen gave me this book for my 9th birthday and I am 13 know It is so good I reed it every birth day that I have. The book has mystery, spunk, and pazzaz all in one. This book is my favorite one yet. If you like to learn about history bout not about how sad somethings were you realy despritley need to reed this book.
House of Cheesy, 1-Dimensional Over-Writing
I completely and totally dislike The House of Dies Drear. The characters, had no depth, and were one-dimensional, the dialogue was stiff, and robot-like, and there was nothing in the book that I could relate to. I consider the book to be quite anti-climactic, lacking a major turning point in which the readers are supposed to be enthralled in. It had no twists, about two cliff-hangers, and was completely predictable. It was, in fact, probably one of the worst books that I have ever read. On a scale of five, I'd have to rate it a two, because as I said, it did have a couple of cheesy cliffhangers, but nothing that left me satisfied with the book that I have read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. African Americans    2. Anthologies    3. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Mysteries / Detective    4. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    5. Children's stories, American    6. Children: Grades 4-6    7. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    8. Classics    9. Fiction    10. Hamilton, Virginia    11. Juvenile Fiction    12. Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories    13. Mystery and detective stories    14. People & Places - United States - African-American    15. Underground railroad    16. Juvenile Fiction / Ethnic / African American   

Editorial Review

Home becomes elusive in this story about immigration and acculturation, pieced together through old pictures and salvaged family tales. Both the narrator and his grandfather long to return to Japan, but when they do, they feel anonymous and confused:"The funny thing is, the moment I am in one country, I am homesick for the other." Allen Say's prose is succinct and controlled, to the effect of surprise when monumental events are scaled down to a few words: "The young woman fell in love, married, and sometime later I was born." The book also has large, formal paintings in delicate, faded colors that portray a cherished and well-preserved family album. The book, for audiences ages 4 to 8, won the 1994 Caldecott Medal. ... Read more

Reviews (38)

Great Selection!
The cover illustration is what initially drew me to this book; watching a young man stand on the deck of a steamship while the wind and waves thrash about. The color of the sea beckoned me to turn the pages and find out more about where this man was going and whether or not he would get there.
A Wonderful Story
Allen Say's autobiographical Grandfather's Journey's beautiful illustrations won the Caldecott Medal, but that is only half the reason to recommend this book.This story is about a Japanese man struggling over what his home is--the United States or Japan.
This book is ok.
This book is about a boy's grandfather who goes to America.He likes California the best.He goes back to japan and gets married then he goes back to California and has a daughter.Then he goes back to Japan. The daughter grows up and gets married. Some time later she has a little boy.When the boy grows up he goes to California he gets married and has baby girl. I think kids from 6-8 should read this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 1-2    3. Family - Multigenerational    4. Fiction    5. Grandfathers    6. Homesickness    7. Japan    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. People & Places - United States - Asian American    10. Preschool Picture Story Books    11. Say, Allen    12. Voyages and travels    13. Description and travel    14. Japanese Americans    15. Juvenile Fiction / Family / Multigenerational    16. Picture books    17. United States   

Reviews (34)

My "mixed-race" daughter loves this book
Cretins have deprived children of this classic for too long. The story of Sambo and his clever triumph over adversity with the stubborn tigers is a perfect metaphor for this original work's welcome reappearance and widespread acclaim. The illustrations are charming and simple, with bright high-contrast colors, like a child's view of the world.
A favorite book from Grandma's house.
This was one of my favorite books growing up. The book is about a family in "India", and I am not sure why it is considered racist.Tigers are not found in Africa, and many of my friends from India have heard the story and like it too.

Sambo the awsome
B:Jacob Shepperd
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Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Preschool    3. Classics    4. Fairy Tales & Folklore - Country/Ethnic-General    5. Fairy tales    6. Fiction    7. Humorous Stories    8. India    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. People & Places - United States - African-American    11. Tigers    12. Wit and humor    13. Classic fiction    14. Juvenile Fiction / Ethnic / African American   

Reviews (27)

Ashes of Roses
Ashes of Roses is a very interesting book. It has lots of historical reference to the Ellis Island immigration period, and is very well written.
Ashes Of Roses is one of the greatest books out there
Rose is the main Character of Ashes Of Rose.Rose is the oldest of 4 kids in her family Maureen, Bridget, and the Baby boy Joseph. Yes of course sense she's the oldest she had to take care of the all of the kids when her parents are gone or even there but and busy. When they get into America they have to go to through test and the baby Joseph has a dieses called Trachoma and Pa has to take him back to Ireland to live with the grandma and when he's better that they can come back and bring him to live in America. Pa and Joseph come back a moth later. Rose is 16 and works at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. She has to have a job to help keep the house and everything they had by getting the money and the family needs. Rose hasn't been living in America for a little while now but still misses everything from Ireland. Just to add on to missing everything and wanting to go back the Triangle Factory catches on fire and everything inside is gone. Rose is strong enough to realize that she couldn't have done anything about it and that she has to go on with her life and just remember all the good things that happened in the time of her life. So Rose goes out and try's to find a new job. Rose and her family are getting back together because her baby brother and dad are back in the United States and back to see them, because when they came to America Joseph couldn't get in because he had a dieses called Trachoma. Realizing it has only been a month they can't wait to see Joseph and Pa. Now knowing that the family can come back together Rose is happy again and is glad to still be living in America. If you want to read a great book and feel like you have gone through and the stuff Rose has then I would recommend the book Ashes of Roses by Mary Jane Auch.
Ashes OF Roses
A 16 yr old girl, Rose, faces chalenges in her life, starting with a long jouney to america, then learning to let go of her little brother, who has an eye infection. after a terible time in her uncle's flat, her mother goes back to irland, while Rose and her sister stay behind in america.many other things come up, also.read the book to find out why her only friends in america died. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - History    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    3. Emigration and immigration    4. Fiction    5. Girls & Women    6. Historical - United States - 20th Century    7. Historical Fiction (Young Adult)    8. Immigrants    9. Irish Americans    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. New York    12. New York (State)    13. People & Places - United States - Other    14. Social Issues - Emigration & Immigration    15. Social Situations - Emigration & Immigration    16. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / United States / 20th Century   

Editorial Review

Sharon Draper has indeed forged a fiery name for herself in the field of young adult literature--that of a courageous writer, willing to tackle tough, real-life problems while developing honorable, streetwise role models for troubled teens. Her previous novel, Read more

Reviews (116)

Why this book inspired me
Forged by Fire influenced me in may different ways.The more I read the book themore it became violent.It made me think what if I wa sin this situation.Would I have the courage to stand up to my step-father and get help.I learned to perserver and not give up.That is what I learned from this book.

Review by Aaron
I think that Forged by Fired is a good book for teenagers to read. I think it is a good book to read because it tells what to do if you are getting abused by your parents. This is a book that could happen in real life. I think both girls and boys would enjoy this book. I listened to this book on audio tape and I like how the guy could talk in many types of voices. The suspense of the story made me wanting to keep on listening to it. This book is the second book in a set of three. I would recommend reading the other two.

Stop fast forwarding, please press "slow"
I want to stress that the actual plot of the story and the characters were interesting and I enjoyed their purpose, action, dialogue. But I read a review about this book somewhere that said that too much happened at once in the beginning. I don't take peoples' reviews too seriously until I read the book, but this time around, I wish I would have listened.The author tried to cram FAR too much into one small book of 156 pages.The boy was 3 years old at the beginning and by the time it ended, he was 17.People were on drugs, in jail, out of jail, court cases complete, basketball tryouts, friends made, learned to cook, car accidents, dying, all within a few pages.The whole time I read this story, I felt like the author had written an outline of what should happen in each chapter and instead of fleshing it out and letting it grow progressively, she just rammed it altogether and then threw in stuff that happened in a previous book.I read one book by her and bought them all...and now I'm starting to regret it.I hope the fourth one is better, because I loved the first one about Andy, couldn't get into the "Romiette and Julio" book at all, and now this one is crammed.I'm confused over whether I like this author or not--in the book about Andy, the dialogue was on point and the plot was organized and easy-to-understand.In the "Romiette and Julio" book, the dialogue was out of wack and the story was slow. This book had great dialogue and an interesting plot like the Andy book, but it went entirely too fast.I feel like I'm reading books from several different people instead of one. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Brothers and sisters    2. Child abuse    3. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - General    4. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    5. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)    6. Family - Siblings    7. Family - Stepfamilies    8. Fiction    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. People & Places - United States - African-American    11. Social Issues - Drugs, Alcohol, & Substance Abuse    12. Social Issues - Physical & Emotional Abuse    13. Social Issues - Sexual Abuse    14. Social Situations - Physical & Emotional Abuse    15. Stepfamilies    16. Juvenile Fiction / Ethnic / African American   

Editorial Review

"Some people are so color struck. They think being light-skinned is better than being dark! Mama says that's nonsense and I think so, too."Read more

Reviews (29)

Color Me Dark
In this book, Color Me Dark, the rising action is about how black and white people were separated back in the early 1900's. The main character of the story, Nellie, is trying to get used to the fact that her family will move from Tennessee all the way to Chicago because her father plans on opening a business. Because blacks and whites are together but segregated, she faces many trails.
Starts Too Slow
The author took too many pages to introduce the charactors. I really was intersted in the great mirgation North, but I just kept readind and READING and there was just no action. Not the best in the series.

Color doesn't count
My book is about this girl named Nellie Lee Love.She has a sister named Erma Jean Love.They live in Tennessee during segregation.She has a uncle Pace who was in the war, but when he comes home he gets hurt.The police say he got drunk and was run over by a train.Erma stops talking when uncle Pace dies.Nellie and her parents move to Chicago, but later find out it is almost the same.After a while Erma is able to talk.She tells everybody how uncle Pace died.
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Subjects:  1. African Americans    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Family life    5. Fiction    6. Historical - United States - 20th Century    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Juvenile Historical Fiction    9. People & Places - United States - African-American    10. Prejudices    11. Social Issues - Prejudice & Racism    12. Ethnic groups    13. Historical figures    14. Illinois    15. Inter-war period, 1918-1939    16. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / General    17. Reading Group Guide   

Reviews (31)

Fantastic!!!
This book is continuation of Tears of a Tiger. Keisha was Andy's girlfriend and now left with rest of her friends Ronda, Tyrone, BJ, Gerald, and Leon to survive without out their two friends Andy and Rob, who both died. Now in her senior year Keisha is selected class president and is having the best year. The principal's 23-year-old son is the new track coach and he has his eye on Keisha. Slowly Keisha begins to find comfort in 23-year-old Jonathan and starts going out with him. Soon the relationship takes a wrong turns when Jonathan takes Keisha to his apartment and tries to rape and kill her with his jack knife.
Painfully Wonderful
There is pain in this book that you hope no one goes through. It follows Keisha after the death of her boyfriend, which is one thing she could've done without and then the near-rape she encounters. (Read TEARS OF A TIGER first.)
Christian's Review
In the book a girl named Keisha has just lost her boyfriend. Andy killed himself because he and his best friends Rob, Tyrone, and B.J were in a car accident. Rob was the only one that didn't make it out of the car and he burned to death. Andy felt that it was his fault so he walked around with all this on his shoulders until he killed himself. Keisha had just broken up with Andy because of all his problems. That summer Keisha took Andy's little brother with her to the cookout. The cookout was something that the high school does every year and the students come and bring their little brothers and sisters. This summer, Keisha saw a guy that she thought was hot, so the summer passed and the new school year came. When she saw him, she acted as if she hadn't noticed him, but she did and she really liked him. At the same time, Leon liked her but she really had not paid any attion to that until one day she gave him a ride home and his dad started to say all this embracing stuff. So the conflict is she has to choose a boy (Leon) or a man (Jonathan).
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Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)    3. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    4. Fiction    5. High schools    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Love & Romance    8. People & Places - United States - African-American    9. Rape    10. School & Education    11. Schools    12. Social Issues - Sexual Abuse    13. Juvenile Fiction / Ethnic / African American   

Reviews (2)

Reflections from a Medicine Lake
I have never quite understood why Nancy Wood's poetry collections are classified as "young adult".Her deep wisdom and clarity are more likely to be more fully appreciated by adults.This is a wonderful gift book for transitions times: graduations, marriage, death of a lovedone, etc. Her poems are liking looking deep into a Medicine Lake where onesees the very fabric of life and all the its intricate connections. FrankHowell's paintings will fill you with awe and haunt your dreams.

"A precious collection of thoughts for everyone."
I first read Nancy Wood's Dancing Moons after visiting Santa Fe and seeing Frank Howell's gallery. The words and thoughts that Wood has shared with the reader are thoughtful and energising. I find myself going back to herwritings for guidance often,for myself and to share with friends and lovedones. I am appreciative of the emotions she has shared with us. Her talentsas an expressive writer are world class. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books - Young Adult    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Ethnic - Native American    4. Indians of North America    5. New Mexico    6. People & Places - United States - Native American    7. Poetry    8. Poetry - General    9. Taos Indians    10. Fiction    11. Juvenile Fiction / Ethnic / Native American   

Editorial Review

Mother-love is profound, however a baby comes into a woman's life. ForRose Lewis, the journey to motherhood begins with a letter to Chinese officials,asking if she can adopt from the "big room with lots of other babies." Theinfants in that room in China are each missing a mother, but Lewis is missingsomething, too--a baby. She travels to China to meet her new little girl andfalls head over heels in love. Taking her baby home to America, Lewis introducesher to all her family and friends, and they begin their life together. Read more

Reviews (52)

Touching
This book is so special.It shows the love of an adoptive mother to her child.A must for any adoptive family.

Straight From The Heart
This book is a must for parents adopting from China and a must to read to their daughters as they get old enough to understand.
A must for single adopters
A lovely book about the adoption of a little girl from china by a single female adopter.Nice pictures and an easy way to make the adoption story part of 'happy bed time stories'.The words are those you would probably use to discuss where an adopted child came from if your daughter asked you. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Babies    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Preschool    5. Family - Adoption    6. Family - New Baby    7. Fiction    8. Infants    9. Intercountry adoption    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. People & Places - United States - Asian American    12. Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure   

Reviews (2)

Circles and cycles, blessings and renewal
If you have Nancy Wood's other volumes you already know what kind of a spell she can weave.She just keeps getting better with each collection.You can open to any page and find a line or two you want to remember always.Her thoughtful reflections on what is good in life remind us allever so gently to be more mindful as we move through our days. Howellpotrays our elders with the sanctity they deserve.This book, like herothers, makes a great gift for all adults, young in age and young at heart.

Wonderful ritual-evoking poetry, inspiring art work
I was given this book as a gift, and even just glancing through it the first time, i found myself drawn by it., There are many poems that will provide the basis for rituals throughout my life, and hte artwork hassomething special about it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Young Adult People & Places    2. Children's poetry, American    3. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)    4. Juvenile poetry    5. People & Places - United States - Native American    6. Poetry    7. Poetry - General    8. Taos Indians    9. Juvenile Fiction / Ethnic / Native American   

Reviews (10)

my name is maria isabel
The book is basicly a pretty good book.It probaly has every thing a bookshould have.But in this book Maria Isabel is new to her school and there is another Maria in the class.So her teacher has been calling her Mary.Maria Isabel doesn't aswer to the teacher because she is calling her Mary and she likes to be called Maria Isabel Salazar Lopez.And at the end there is a big surprise waiting for her.

Lots of great lessons in this book
My Name is Mar�a Isabel is the story of a little girl facing a difficult problem when she is forced to change schools mid-year.At her new school, her teacher decides to call her Mary because there are already two girls named Mar�a in the class.Mar�a Isabel does not want to be called Mary but she doesn't know how to tell her teacher.She consistently fails to respond when the teacher calls on her in class because she doesn't recognize Mary as her name.This leads to the teacher assuming that she does not want to participate in the school's Winter Pageant.When the teacher has the students write an essay titled, My Greatest Wish, Mar�a Isabel gets her chance to say how she feels.
How do you solve a problem like....?
A sweet story that kids will easily identify with.I found this book very easy for a small child to understand, and I appreciated the theme that any kid can take to heart.Not fitting in and the fear of not being liked by one's superior (in this case, a teacher) is a universal theme.The fact that Maria gets saddled with an incompetent teacher from the start doesn�t help matters for her anyway.As much as I�d like to rail against the idea of a teacher changing her student�s name because, �We already have two Marias in this class�, I know that there is no lack of incompetent, yet well meaning, teachers in the world who�d do this very thing.It isn�t entirely clear in the story why it is that Maria doesn�t discuss her problems with her parents or her teacher.People reading this book to children should make it clear that Maria would have dealt with a lot less misery if she had simply told someone why she felt badly.And some kids may wish for a more concrete ending than the one offered here.Why doesn�t the teacher apologize to Maria?In any case, this book might fit in well with other stories of new kids in school.Even the Ramona Quimby books would pair nicely, as a very different little girl dealing with school and her teacher. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 3-4    4. Fiction    5. Moving, Household    6. People & Places - United States - Hispanic/Latino    7. Puerto Ricans    8. Readers - Beginner    9. School & Education    10. Schools    11. United States    12. Juvenile Fiction / Ethnic / Hispanic & Latino