Editorial Review

The story starts out simply enough: Jess Aarons wants tobe the fastest boy in the fifth grade--he wants it so bad he cantaste it. He's been practicing all summer, running in the fieldsaround his farmhouse until he collapses in a sweat. Then a tomboynamed Leslie Burke moves into the farmhouse next door and changeshis life forever. Not only does Leslie not look or act like anygirls Jess knows, but she also turns out to be the fastest runnerin the fifth grade. After getting over the shock and humiliationof being beaten by a girl, Jess begins to think Leslie might beokay.Read more

Reviews (710)

Owns a piece of my soul
I read the book for the first time when I was 9 years old. I dig it out every few years and re read it. To this day it still has the power to reduce me to tears.
A portrait of friendship
Published in the 70's, this book was an instant children's classic in American literature.This book deals with the friendship of a boy, Jesse, and a girl, Leslie, both of whom are social outcasts.Coming from different families and upbringings, they form a friendship that bears the strain of tragedy.This reviewer read this book while in elementary school; but revisited it once I heard that a movie was being made about it.The book is very good, and is great for children to read in today's culture where intergender relationships are often characterized in terms of sex.I recommend it.

Sad, yet beautiful
One of my favorite parts of parenting is rediscovering wonderful children's literature with my daughters. I had heard of this book but never read it, so when my daughter chose it for a book report I seized the opportunity to read an award-winning book that I had neglected.
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Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Death    4. Fiction    5. Friendship    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    8. Social Issues - Death & Dying    9. Social Issues - Friendship    10. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / Friendship   

Reviews (170)

Journey of a girl
I read this when I was young, and I remember feeling like I had found a friend.In this book, I found a character who struggled with the same issues with family members, self worth, impossible crushes, and God that I did.But instead of dwelling on the struggles, we see the difficult childhood of this girl pass.
Well written, but not recommended for kids
This is a well written book, however, I feel I should point out several issues I have with this book, which seems to follow the formula of the "modern teen problem novel".This novel "explores difficult emotions" such as selfishness,jealousy, and alienation from God. All characters who are devoutly religious are portrayed as either uneducated or mean, and any "enlightened" characters or heroes are portrayed as not being religious.( Does anyone really know any Christians who go around , Bible-in-hand, accusing other women of "whoredom"?) And what modern teen "problem novel" would be complete without some sexual themes, and at least a brief discussion of menstruation ?At the book's end, our main character chooses to continue in her career after the birth of first child. Parents should also be advised that Sara Louise's "coming of age" includes rejecting religion.( Although, to be fair, the book does not portray Sara as a happy person, but I think this subtlety will be lost on children.)Judging by other reviews, most child readers did not pick up on the fact that Caroline was a much kinder and more likable person than Sara Louise.An adult reader who is wise to the anti-religious bias may enjoy the book ( if they're not grossed out by the idea of a 14 year old having a crush on a 70 year old man). If you are looking for a book about a normal child, with normal child feelings, dealing with her "perfect" sister, read Little House on the Prairie and leave this book on the shelf. Appropriate reading for adults, who can understand the bias against religion, but not at all recommended for children.
Book Review on Jacob Have I Loved
Just recently, I have read the Newberry Medal-winning novel Jacob Have I Loved written by Katherine Paterson. This book describes the life of young, Sara Louise Bradshaw, the twin of the popular and more appreciated, Caroline Bradshaw, growing up on the small island of Rass. All her life, Louise felt as if Caroline has deprived her of everything: their family's love, her friends, and her dreams for a successful future. Then, when Captain Wallace - who had mysteriously returned after fifty years of disappearance - finds a way to obtain a scholarship for Caroline in Baltimore, Louise is left to tassel with her sharp-mouthed grandmother and take on the traditional job of a male as a waterman. Unfortunately, this did not satisfy the woman she was becoming. Louise must learn to fight past her jealousy of her sister's shadow and figure and find her way to place Caroling cannot reach. I learned of this book from a friend and found it interesting from their description. After reading, however, I realized it is very emotional and gets very deep into the feelings of jealousy and hatred. In addition, it also has a large use of vocabulary. So I would recommend it to anyone who is thirteen or older preferably to the female gender but some men may also find this story appealing.
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Subjects:  1. Brothers and sisters    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Classics    5. Family - Siblings    6. Fiction    7. Girls & Women    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Social Issues - Adolescence    10. Twins    11. Juvenile Fiction / Family / Siblings   

Editorial Review

Gilly Hopkins is a determined-to-be-unpleasant 11-year-old foster kidwho the reader can't help but like by the end. Gilly has been in the foster system all her life, and she dreams of getting back to her (as she imagines) wonderful mother. (The mother makes these longings worse by writing the occasional letter.) Gilly is all the more determined to leave after she's placed in a new foster home with a "gross guardian and a freaky kid." But she soon learns about illusions--the hard way. This Newbery Honor Book manages to treat a somewhat grim, and definitely grown-up theme with love and humor, making it a terrific read for a young reader who's ready to learnthat "happy" and "ending" don't always go together. (Ages 9 to 12) Read more

Reviews (96)

Great Heroine,Great Novel
Gilly Hopkins has traveled from foster home to foster home in hope of being sent to live with her real mother. But while living with the tenderhearted,Trotter, and her foster son, William Ernest, she finds herself learning to love those around her. The book offers some important messages about family and love,which may change a young reader's world forever. As in all of Paterson's works,the characters are rich,real creations who readers will think about,care for and love.
Probably my least favorite book ever
In 5th grade my reading group was assigned this book. We all hated it because Gilly was an obnoxious, snotty brat. We spent most of our work time drawing comics in which she crawled out of the school toilets and attacked us, and we had to fight back and defeat the evil Gilly. So if you want your kids to waste time, buy this book; if you actually want them to read something meaningful and enjoyable, look elsewhere.
The great Gilly Hopkins
Gilly Hopkins is an intense young girl, that is an orphan. She is hard to get to know, but is actualy a nice girl. She has been through so much that she seems older than she actualy is. This is a great book. Gilly might be young, but this book is not.
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Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Family - Orphans & Foster Homes    4. Fiction    5. Foster home care    6. Girls & Women    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Social Issues - Adolescence    9. Social Issues - Emotions & Feelings    10. Emotions & feelings    11. Fiction dealing with family issues    12. Fiction dealing with social issues    13. Fostering & adoption    14. Juvenile Fiction / Family / Orphans & Foster Homes   

Subjects:  1. Animals - Horses    2. Anthologies (multiple authors)    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    4. Children's stories    5. Children: Grades 4-6    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Short Stories    8. Fiction / Anthologies (multiple authors)   

Reviews (1)

Happy Mom
I really enjoyed this book and felt like it dealt well with some real feelings children might have about moving.I liked how the parents handled their childs way of dealing with his problems. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Farm Animals    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Cows    4. Farm life    5. Fiction    6. Imagination    7. Juvenile Easy Readers    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Readers - Beginner    10. Social Issues - New Experience    11. Juvenile Fiction / Readers / Beginner   

Reviews (280)

A true American classic
I read this book as a young girl as part of my assigned reading in school.I could not put the book down.I loved the book so much, I rushed off and read Huckleberry Finn.I even dressed up as Tom Sawyer for Halloween that year.Every child should read this book.

Please don't kill me for this...
I loathed this book. I despised it. While every eighth grade English teacher in the U.S. may hate that I say this, I'm only telling the truth. There are characters that are so cocky and reading about them made me want to gag. Tom Sawyer as a boy and as a character seemed both annoying as a real human, and unrealistic. Becky, too, was unbelievable. No young children such as those could possibly act like that, and besides, I don't truly believe a boy Tom's age would be so cool in a cave, and rescue his lady-love.
Classic...Mark Twain's a genius
When I was a li'l kid I always use to watching cartoons.Probably my most sought after one was this.It's not because it was simply a good one.But because it teaches every child some important morals in their lives.The Adventures of Tom Sawyer reflects the old american way on how a country boy survive the struggles of life and while living with his aunt.
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Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Literature / Classics    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Classics    5. Fiction    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Mississippi River    8. Missouri    9. Readers - Beginner    10. Juvenile Fiction / Classics   

Reviews (23)

The Sign of the Chrysanthemum
I thought the book was a good book but wasn't appealing to me as it would be to some people. The plot is somewhat boring, there no "great" scenes and the conflict is just dragging on. There are no new occurrences, and when they happen to show up you know its going to happen. Every chapter repeats the same thing and when something new happens to change the plot it repeats for two more chapters. This book does have some up points though. The setting is very well placed with many historical and cultural facts popping up here and there. The theme is a good one and it's not to mushy, and it has a good ending; the characters are good, but a lot of them are your basic line up of people in a story. The drawings aren't very good and are just there to please the junior high students reading this with there teacher. This book is good for children to read and to learn about ancient Japan and that's why it was given out. I would not suggest reading this on your own time but if you're a teacher wanting your students to read and stand by the curriculum this is a perfectly good book. I give this book a C- for helpful information but an uninteresting reading experience.

A heart-warming, captivating read.
I really enjoyed this book and read it in about two hours (it is a short book). I am a Chinese lady teaching 12th grade English and I am sure all my students will enjoy this book, and also any grades from 9th onwards, because of its universal themes of search for identity, how it encapsulates the adventurous spirit of Feudal Japan, and its simple language which manages to be so evocative at the same time. For all those who didn't enjoy reading or teaching the book, may I suggest that you let your students watch some extremely popular Japanese Animation series about Feudal Japan like Rurouni Kenshin and Inuyasha before reading this book. Katherine Paterson's book reads exactly like a a great Anime series and I could picture the whole thing in my mind, background music and scenery included, and it was beautiful. So beautiful. Anyone with even a vague knowledge of feudal era Anime, or Japanese Culture and History of the Heian period will realise how accurately Paterson has portrayed the Japanese ideals of 'honour' and 'family'. She also deliberately tones down her writing style to match the simple sentence structures and restrained style of many East Asian writers, and this would be useful to know when comparing this book stylistically with her other works.

The Sign of the Chrysanthemum
The Sign of the Chrysanthemum is a book about a boy named Muna.Muna is a name that people would laugh about; some might say, "What kind of name is that?"People teased Muna because of his name.Muna doesn't want to be tease anymore and wants to be a man, so he would try to find his father, who is a warrior.Muna used to lived only with his mother and him, without a father with them.Then Muna's mother died and decides to find his father, so people won't tease him.But before Muna's mother died, she said some descriptions about his father.His father is a warrior and has a chrysanthemum tattoo.But that is the only things that Muna knows about his father.So the journey begins with some adventures.Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Fiction    5. Heian period, 794-1185    6. Historical - Asia    7. History    8. Japan    9. People & Places - Asia    10. Historical fiction    11. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / Asia   

Reviews (3)

Wonderful!
Here's why my boys (ages 5 and 7) and I loved this book: (1) its imaginative illustrations really capture the child's perspective; (2) in a very gentle way, it touches on WWII and an interesting historical footnote -- what a great jumping off point for more family discussion (if your kids are ready) on WWII and how it affected everyday Americans; (3) its charm: we love how William thinks the Queen is cleverly disguised as a Grandma; (4) How cool is it that the book's based on a true story? And it's a good story! In an age of predictable, formulaic children's fare, it's books like this that restore my faith that there are people out there who care about presenting children with quality storylines, and who respect children's intelligence.
war time help
The setting of the book is 1942, World War 2.The main character is a little boy named William.He dreams of being a knight some day.He wants to help the war effort like the rest of his family.He has learned that the queen is living near by on a farm to escape Nazi invasion on her country.William sets out to make friends with the queen and picks her a basketof blueberries.The queen is very nice to him and they make friends with each other quicky.
Lovely story
This is a true family story from John and Katherine Paterson.In 1942 everyone in William's family is helping with the war effort on the homefront.William dreams of helping as a brave knight but his older brother chides him for being too young.When the news arrives that Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands has moved in down the road, he tries to imagine what a real queen looks like and acts like. The royal family had to flee from Holland when the Germans invaded the country. The fruits and vegetables in the summer garden grow and William finds a way to do "peace work" and touch the heart of Queen Wilhelmina and her family.Susan Jeffers illustrations are beautiful and carry the reader through the story.This is a book and a story that any age will enjoy. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1880-1962    2. Biographical - General    3. Blueberries    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    5. Children: Grades 1-2    6. Fiction    7. Historical - United States - 20th Century    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Massachusetts    10. Preschool Picture Story Books    11. Royalty (kingsqueensprincesprincessesknightsetc.)    12. Wilhelmina, Queen of the Nethe    13. World War, 1939-1945    14. Juvenile Fiction / Royalty   

Features

• Student Edition

Reviews (4)

one word...wow!!!
The book that I read was Bridge to Terabithia it is byKatherine Paterson and is fiction. The theme of this book is perseverance because that's what Travis had to do all through out the book he was faced with many things but he kept his head high and persevered through it.
Bridge to Terabithia - a kid's review
I like Bridge to Terabithia because it's interesting and it makes me want to read more.I think it's good for others kids my age to read.
Bridge to terabithia-06
The day never seems to end for a good ole' farm boy. Especially not for Jess. See Jess has been practicing all summer, day and night, at running. He's gotten so fast he just knows that when he goes back to school he'll beat all the boys in the race during free time. Jess loved running. When you're out in the field what more do you need? Are there any cares in the world? But still, even being the fastest boy Jess somehow felt different from his schoolmates.
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Reviews (20)

Adult transformation to truth and love
This is not a story for children, but a story of maturation for adults.Who isn't selfish as a child?But life has a way of teaching that true beauty is different from perfection, that life is complicated, and to find love one must look at reality rather than fantasy.What we think we know as a child is not the truth we discover during a life of suffering.
Don't waste your time...
"Of Nightingales That Weep" was a book that I read purely because Ihad to, at school. The plot is weak and at times confusing. The main character is so selfish that it's not even funny, and her selfishness, unlike some bad traits of characters, doesn't help the plot. In the end, she has a baby with her stepfather, which disgusted most of the kids in my English class.
pretty good, i guess, but not outstanding....
~This story is set in Japan during the Heiji War (also called the Gempei War) between the Heike and Genji clans. Takiko is an adolescent Japanese girl born to a noble samurai, Moriyuki. When Moriyuki dies in a battle, Takiko's mother, Chieko, decides to marry an ugly country potter named Goro to support herself and her daughter. While living in Goro's household, a visiting merchant decides to take Takiko to the Emperor's court to serve Princess Aoi. There, Takiko falls in love with a handsome~~ young enemy warrior named Hideo.Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Fiction    5. Gempei Wars, 1180-1185    6. Historical - Asia    7. History    8. Japan    9. Juvenile fiction    10. People & Places - Asia    11. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / Asia   

Reviews (1)

An excellent vehicle for alternative images of God
This thematic approach to images of God in Hebrew and Christian Scriptures is a delightful way to explore non-stereotypic images of God.This wouldbe a great addition to a church or Sunday School library.It seemsparticularly appropriate for middle school students.While the languagecould be handled by younger children, the concepts may be beyond them. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biblical teaching    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Religion    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. God    5. Juvenile literature    6. Religion - Bible - Commentaries & Interpretation    7. Religion - Bible - Stories    8. Symbolism in the Bible    9. Bible stories    10. Juvenile Nonfiction / Religion / General   

Reviews (12)

A book I still remember
I have a vivid memory of reading this book when I was in the 2nd or 3rd grade.It is a great read, a colorful twist on the familiar Cinderella-story of a conventionally "poor" lady and her romance with a very wealthy male lead.
Buy this book!
I would recommend this book if only for the beautifully detailed illustrations. This is truly a wonderful book with a great message about the value of character and friendship rather than physical beauty and wealth. Not your typical fairy tale. Has a very positive, courageous girl character.

My Favorite Book
I choose this as my favorite book because I like how the author put in the character. I like the Queen, she is passionate, kind, nice and teaches the King to have respect for other peoples. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Fairy tales    4. Legends, Myths, & Fables - Other    5. Readers - Chapter Books    6. Fiction    7. Juvenile Fiction / Readers / Chapter Books    8. Reading Group Guide   

Reviews (6)

Parzival ''`The Quest of the Grail Knight''
Parzival ``The Quest of the Grail Knight''
Perzival,And The Quest For The Grail Knight
I really liked this book it had tons of neat stuff in it. If you like King Arthur, then you will love this book it has lots of excitement in it.And it starts out as a boy who doesn't know what knights and dragons or any of that good stuff is. And he finds out he is king and goes to get his kingdom back and he ends up going on a quest for the Holy Grail. Parzival
The book Parzival is about a young man who has a desire to become a knight.He goes to King Arthur's court and then becomes a knight and a king.He goes on a quest for the Holy Grail after he lets down a sick king.He encounters many adventures and learns a lot about god and who god is.He finally goes back to the king that he let down many years before and he finds the Holy Grail and heals the king.Read more

Subjects:  1. Arthurian romances    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Historical - Medieval    5. Juvenile Fiction    6. Legends    7. Legends, Myths, & Fables - Arthurian    8. Perceval (Legendary character)    9. Royalty (kingsqueensprincesprincessesknightsetc.)    10. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / Medieval   

Subjects:  1. Anthologies    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children's literature    4. Children's literature, America    5. Children's literature, American    6. Children: Grades 1-2    7. Environmental protection    8. Juvenile Literature    9. Literary collections    10. Juvenile Nonfiction / General   

Reviews (1)

Needs more flow
I thought this was a good story but there were some things about it I didn't like.For example, the godmother puts a spell on the princess at the begining of the book that prevents her from sleeping.However, in the middle of the book, the princess falls asleep after working with thepeasants.I liked the begining of the book when the people were sleepingand the priness was awake.I was expecting the story to develop morearound that theme but then it just jumped into different circumstances hereand there.I liked the illustrations.The expressions on the characters'faces were done very well. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Preschool    4. Fairy Tales & Folklore - General    5. Fairy Tales & Folklore - Single Title    6. Fiction    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Kings and rulers    9. Kings, queens, rulers, etc    10. Kings, queens, rulers, etc.    11. Princesses    12. Early learning / early learning concepts    13. Fairy tales, folk tales, fables, magical tales & traditional stories    14. Juvenile Fiction / Fairy Tales & Folklore / Single Title   

Reviews (10)

A Good Read
I liked it....It was a pretty good book it pulled me right into the story. I felt like i was there it felt real to me it was a great book!!.But if you like action books and things like that then this isn't your book.It's kind of a girly book it's not really a boys kind of book.It's a sad story in a way because her and her brothers dad dies.But any-ways it is a good book to me other people might think something different it is a good read I dont recommend it to boys or guyes because its kind off a girls book but if you like these kind of books then it's the right book for you so.. i do recommend this book to lots of people.

A Decent But Not Great Book
When I read the Flip Flop Girl there were some parts that I liked and disliked.
Decent, but not great
It must be tough to be Katherine Paterson.She's won three Newbery Awards, and penned what is unarguably one of the most emotionally moving books of all-time, "Bridge to Terabithia."Since she has consistently written great stuff, people expect everyone of her books to be great.However, things don't work like that, and "The Flip Flop Girl" is an example of a decent, but not great Paterson book.
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Subjects:  1. Brothers and sisters    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Death    5. Fiction    6. General    7. Grief    8. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / Emotions & Feelings   

Editorial Review

When an aged lunatic named Putnam arrives at a poorhouse farm in rural Vermont in 1855, he is treated as little more than a beast by everyone except the orphan Jip, who himself arrived at the charity orphanage/asylum after being found abandoned by the roadside. Jip and Putnam become friends, then allies of a sort, as Jip struggles to improve his own lot and that of his friend Lucy, the unfortunate daughter of the late town drunk. This historical tale by Katherine Paterson involves its young protagonist in the great 19th century struggle between slave owners and abolitionists while sending him into a test of his own loyalty and courage. Paterson handles weighty issues with grace and verve, and does not shrink from terrible truths in this challenging novel for young readers. ... Read more

Reviews (31)

Not bad not bad
When I first saw this book I fell over backwards at the thought of having to read this but when detention is the second optionit went from falling over backwards to just leaning over backwards.I'll just say it straight out it's not a bad book... but it's definitely not my favorite. It's one of those books you know isn't your cup of tea but you still don't mind reading it because you want to know what's going to happen
A Good Story
I think that Jip is a good book for a younger reader.Jip is not only for younger readers , yet is for adults too.Jip also teaches you lots of history about the underground railroad and what it was like for slaves.Thank you for reading my report. :}
A Loving Story
Jip is a book for some readers.Jip is a boy who does farm work.Later on, he sees Put.Jip and Put then became friends. Soon, Jip made a plan to get out of the Poor farm.Jip was boring at first, but soon I began to like it!
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Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 1-2    3. Fiction    4. Fugitive slaves    5. Historical - United States - 19th Century    6. Identity    7. Slavery   

Features

• Audiobook
• Unabridged

Reviews (1)

Beware that movement that generates its own songs.
Doggone it, Katherine Paterson, stop making me cry!Under normal circumstances the number of books that make me tear up is a slim number that could be counted on one hand.And most of those books, if I was going to be honest with you, were probably written by Katherine Paterson.Ms. Paterson is a bit of a wonder.Year after year, decade after decade, she churns out consistently well-written meaningful pieces of children's fiction.The last book of Ms. Paterson's that I read was her rather remarkable, "The Same Stuff As Stars".Now, however, she's decided to traipse back into the world of historical fiction, alongside all the other authors this year, and produce a bit of fascinating history that can show a situation clear distinctions between good and bad, and yet leave enough room for people with nebulous motives.If complex narratives is the name of the game, consider Paterson a player.
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Subjects:  1. Business, Careers, Occupations    2. Children's Books/All Ages    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Family - General    5. General    6. Historical - United States - 20th Century    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Juvenile Historical Fiction    9. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8    2. Children: Grades 2-3    3. Fairy Tales & Folklore - Asian    4. Fiction    5. Folk tales    6. Folklore    7. Japan    8. New York (N.Y.)    9. Sparrows    10. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Subjects:  1. Authorship    2. Books and reading    3. Children    4. Children's literature    5. Juvenile Literature    6. Literary Criticism    7. Paterson, Katherine    8. Education / General