Reviews (6)

kids at work
This is a nonfiction photographic essay book that will touch any reader's heart. Mr. Freedman seems to know the facts and life of Mr. Hine very well. There is an extensive bibliography at the end of the book as wee. The information at the end seemed hard to believe but true. The book is only 11 years old so the facts aren't that dated. There are many saddening facts in this book. It reveals the truths about child labor in the text and photos.
Hate school? Your life could be so much worse...
Freedman has collected dozens of black and white photographs taken by Lewis Hine during the first decades of the twentieth century. Hine worked as an investigational photographer for the National Child Labor Committee (NCLC). The NCLC wanted the United States government to pass laws concerning child labor, and thought that photos of the work children did would be more effective persuaders than mere speeches and statistics. Hine traveled the nation with his camera taking photographs, sometimes despite risk to his person. The meaning of tough
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography - Historical    3. Child labor    4. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    5. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    6. Employment Of Youth    7. Hine, Lewis Wickes,    8. History    9. History - United States/20th Century    10. Juvenile Nonfiction    11. Juvenile literature    12. Photographers    13. Social Issues - Physical & Emotional Abuse    14. Social Science - Politics & Government    15. Social Science - Sociology    16. Social reformers    17. United States    18. Adolescents    19. Employment & unemployment    20. Historical figures    21. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / United States / 20th Century    22. Physical abuse   

Reviews (8)

Breaking bread together.
I disagree with the reviewer here who complained about this book not showing cultural unity. How much more unified can you get than a boy sharing meals at his friends houses? If we want to promote understanding others cultures, you could hardly start at a better place than breaking bread together. Food is one of the ways we show love to our families and others. My children and I thought the book was great, and will be exploring other, similar titles.

Nice attempt to address multiracial issues to youth, but...
...the book fails to address our multicultural society as a whole contingent. The story follows a young white girl while she explores the diversity of her society, but does not work towards unifying the groups she meets together.
Its True!
This book shows children that we may all be from different cultures, but in the simplest ways we are very much the same.It is a good first day of school book, or good multicultural education book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Sociology    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    3. Children: Grades 1-2    4. Cooking    5. Cooking & Food    6. Fiction    7. Juvenile Nonfiction    8. Rice    9. Social Science - Customs, Traditions, Anthropology    10. Social Studies - Customs, Traditions, Anthropology    11. Food & drink / cookery: general interest   

Reviews (2)

very helpful for my daughter
This book was very helpful for my daughter with selective mutism.She realized for the first time that she was not the only kid with this problem.When we received it she read it every night and started to talk about how she felt.We shared this book with her teacher and her best friend, they too had no idea that this was how she felt.My daughter is 8 years old and this book was maybe a bit on the young side for her.It would be great for younger children with selective mutism and for those who need to understand how they feel.

Helpful for parents, teachers and child
I have found all of Dr. Shipon-Blum's materials to be very helpful in the treatment of SM. It is hard sometimes to explain this condition to others in the family, school, etc....this book gives a basic story of a little girl with SM, how she feels, how she acts and how her parents and teachers work to help her. My SM 6-yr-old and his sisters enjoy reading this story, too, and although he does not experience all of the same symptoms, he does relate to Katie, which I think has been helpful. It is a good springboard for discussion with your child. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anxiety in children    2. Child behavior disorders    3. Children with Special Needs    4. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - General    5. Juvenile Fiction    6. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / Emotions & Feelings    7. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / Special Needs    8. Juvenile Nonfiction    9. Mutism, Elective    10. Shyness    11. Social Science - Psychology    12. Social Situations - Emotions & Feelings    13. Social Situations - Special Needs    14. Social phobia    15. Special Education - Socially Handicapped   

Reviews (3)

Good artwork but it isn't worth the money.
This book is okay, but there could have been a little more information in it on (the pictures are huge and take up most of the page space). That being said, the artwork is great, but it doesn't compare to books like the Spiderwick Field Guide and Dragonology. If you're looking for something a little more complete, and something that is worth 25 dollars, don't buy this book.

Excellent for fantasy fans!
This book has beauitful pictures, great amount of information that is easy to understand and read. I highly recommend this book to every and any fantasy fan! Myself, I've been looking for this type of book for a long time but never knew what to search to find it. One day I got the idea to type in my search "Fantasy Encyclopedia" and that is when I found this book.
Amazing!!!
This book is spectacular! With color pictures on every page, it illustrates nearly every creature of fantasy imaginable, from the Baba Yaga to the Cockatrice. Kids and adults of all ages will treasure this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals, Mythical    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    6. Encyclopedias, Juvenile    7. Fairies    8. General    9. Juvenile Folk Tales / Mythology / Fables    10. Juvenile Nonfiction    11. Literary Criticism & Collections    12. Reference - Encyclopedias    13. Social Science - Folklore & Mythology    14. Juvenile Nonfiction / Reference / Encyclopedias   

Reviews (5)

What a glorious book!
This book is beautiful! It presents children at all stages in their livesand shows that we are all ONE.No matter the country,no matter the race,religion,creed ,or whatever, we all share similar feelings,emotions.Children are our hope for the future and the Steckels show us that we do indeed have a future-as long as children are allowed to be children and emote in their inimitable and beautiful expressive ways.
Share this book with the children in your life
You don't have to have children of your own to buy and share this book.It stops you in your tracks because it's fresh and different.It's now my number one Christmas gift this year. Thank you Richard and Michele Steckel for bringing this important message into our homes and schools.

Joyous memories of childhood
This book eloquently speaks of the naive and childish belief that tolerance of others can contribute to world peace. The beauty of this simple notion is the lasting contribution of this masterful work. I highly recommend it for those with children, those who have been children, and those who believe that this world can be a better place to live.
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Subjects:  1. Children    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Religion    3. Children: Grades 2-3    4. Juvenile Multicultural Studies    5. Juvenile Nonfiction    6. People & Places - General    7. Photo Essays    8. Pictorial works    9. Religion - Inspirational    10. Social Issues - General    11. Social Science - General    12. Sociology & social issues   

Reviews (14)

Rates at an 11th grade reading level... for a 7th grade textbook!!
I am currently a college student in a class on reading in the content areas.In our class, we recently completed a textbook readability survey for this book (as well as several others) using the "Fry Readability Model."This model measures reading difficulty based on word syllables and sentence length.After evaluating three random passages in this book (from the beginning, middle, and end), this book rated at an 11th grade reading level.It was easily the largest disparity of all the books my class rated.
Actually a very even-handed textbook
I have taught history to 7th graders in Washington using this text for 5 years.Yes, it covers the history of Asia, the Middle East,Africaand Mesoamerica in addition to the usual Eurocentric view of the Middle Ages and Renaissance.As with all texts for middle grade students, it probably does not get into the "negatives" of any of these civilizations in depth.True, some of Mohammad's less savory practices are not discussed, but neither is the fact that thousands of children were virtually kidnapped during the Crusades to die on the front lines of losing battles in the Holy Land or that girls in China had their feet brutally bound to help keep them subservient.My only complaint about this very thorough text is that it is on too high a reading level for some of my struggling readers, although there are good supplemental materials to help with this.

Incredibly Interesting and Well-Writen w/ No Bias
I'm a 13 year old entering the 8th grade and having read the 8th, 7th, and 6th History book in this series I must say that for anyone of any age who is thouroughly interested in the Middle Ages and the Reformation, can enjoy this book beyond anything. It's the best basic text you could ever want to rely on. As a 13 year old who's primary vocation is to become a college professor of history I am truely begging you, even you're not interested in this particular section of historical events, to buy this book, because I beleive that if you read it, you will become interested. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    2. General    3. History - General History    4. Juvenile Nonfiction    5. Social Science - General    6. Spirituality - General   

Reviews (4)

An Epic book
The book cites a different time.... a different place... what if you were there?
How to Escape the Underground Railroad
Cuando yo estaba leendo este libro estaba triste porque An excellent source of UGRR info for children and adults!
As the director of an Underground Railroad museum, I am always looking for clear, concise materials for the public to use.This book is being added to our new education program, for use in elementary schools in our area. The facts are presented in an easy-to-read fashion, and anyone, adult orchild, is able to pick up valuable information without being threatened bythe reading level of the book.The text is not condescending in anyfashion, yet moves easily enough for a 5-year-old child to sit through areading of the entire book and ask questions provoked by the material beingpresented.I would recommend "If You Traveled the UndergroundRailroad" to anyone interested in giving children something ofsubstance to read.We sell these books in our museum and cannot keep thesupply high enough to meet the demand! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    2. Children: Grades 1-2    3. Fugitive slaves    4. History - United States/19th Century    5. Juvenile literature    6. Social Science - Customs, Traditions, Anthropology    7. Underground railroad    8. United States    9. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / General   

Reviews (3)

My kids loved this
I bought a copy of this book for my three daughters to use while we were in DC. And it proved to be a hit. The book gives good information in an easy-to-understand format. The graphics and games were fun, and it kept them entertained on the plane ride there. They are telling me to give it a thumbs-up, so anything educational portrayed in a fun format gets my thumbs-up as well. The only criticism I have is that some of the information was outdated (the book was written 17 years ago, with no apparent updates) and is badly in need of a revision. Since 9-11, things have changed with some of the sites. Perhaps a short section explaining this to the kids, including why there has to be a security check in pretty much every building, would be in order. The Pentagon and FBI are not accessible at this time, and great limiations have been made at other buildings. Other than this shortcoming, though, the book is highly recommended.

A Kid's Guide to Washington, DC
I am horrified that this book did not address the vast history of Afican American's in Washington, DC.No mention was made of U-Street, Howard University or Frederick Douglas' home in SE section of the city as places to explore. Great for travel with Kids
This book is exactly the kind of book that will help your child realize the educational value of their vacation.We used it for three kids-- ages 12, 10 and 7.They liked it because it helped them remember specialmoments of the trip, and in the case of the 12 year old, "It was fillin the blanks!"Read more

Subjects:  1. Children    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Kindergarten    4. General    5. Guidebooks    6. Juvenile literature    7. Travel    8. Washington (D.C.)    9. Juvenile Nonfiction / Social Science / General   

Subjects:  1. Children: Grades 4-6    2. History - United States/General    3. Juvenile Nonfiction    4. Social Science - General   

Reviews (7)

What a fantastic book!
This is a very thorough, entertaining, and informative treatment of the subject of mummies.Illustrations in the book were inspired by ancient Egyptian art.This is a great book to supplement any elemenatary study of Egypt.

Great!
What a great book!The author gives really interesting information regarding mummies and how they're made.The illustrations are good too.I liked that the whole book was illustrated without real pictures of mummies as it creeps out my daughter!A great overview of the process the Egyptian priests used to mummify a person.

This was my favorite book as a child.
I must have checked it out a hundred times as a child when I was in elementary school. It is written in a beautiful and colourful comic book form. Yet is also very informitive and filled with interesting information. It gave me a fascination for mummies and ancient cultures that has lasted my whole life. Even the sensitive details are presented in a clinical, illuminating light. I would recommend this to some one of any age who has an interest in or mummies ancient egypt in general. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Egypt    4. History - Africa    5. History - Ancient    6. Juvenile literature    7. Mummies    8. Social Science - General    9. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / Ancient   

Reviews (2)

A Very Helpful Book
As a child, I unfortunately encountered problems with addiction in my family. I was given this book by a ffriend of my mother's. Together, my mom and I would read it, and it ultimately helped me cope with understanding "daddy's problem." I believe this is an excellent choice for children who are seeing the effects of addiction in their families. It is also a very informative books for those fortunate children who do not have to deal with addiction. It was definitely a huge help for me!

Great guideline for increasing communication
This title is a valuable tool in dealing with addiction issues within a family. It assists a family member or other mentor in opening the lines of communication about virtually any tough topic. The children's book givesthe child an item to take ownership in. Meanwhile, obtaining the leadersguide that accompanies the children's book will assist adults inunderstanding the developmental stages and reactions that the child isexperiencing. This is a valuable tool for families! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. Family - General    6. Juvenile Nonfiction    7. Juvenile Sociology Of The Family    8. Juvenile Substance Use / Abuse Education    9. Psychology    10. Social Issues - Drugs, Alcohol, & Substance Abuse    11. Social Science - Psychology    12. Social Situations - Drugs, Alcohol, & Substance Abuse    13. Interactive & activity books & packs    14. Self-Help / Substance Abuse   

Editorial Review

Sooner or later, just about every American kid isrequired to memorize the Preamble to the Constitution ofthe United States. And until now, it was one of the moreboring, meaningless assignments. But artist and politicalcartoonist David Catrow (Read more

Reviews (8)

Nice!
I haven't read this book in a long time, but I plan on picking it up on my next visit to the library!
FREEDOM RULES OR RULES FOR FREEDOM
As a librarian, I recommend this book for everyone from 5 to 105. All right, this is actually a picture book that depicts some wonderful insights into our freedom and basic tenets of this great nation from a child's viewpoint. The hilarious illustrations by David Catrow will delight readers of all ages and will be fun for those who are not even studying the Constitution. For those students who are studying the Constitution, this book would be a great visual aid to memorizing the Preamble. I have not met a teenager who didn't enjoy a quick read in a great children's picture book. Teachers: Why not reduce your stressed out students and let them begin their studies with this light-hearted look into some very serious words? Buy a couple of copies and circulate them through the class. Everyone will love them. For the younger reader, ESL or special ed student there is one page explaining the basic meaning of these words and another page and a half explaining why anyone bothered to write the Constitution of the United States. It's ALL GREAT!

Super discussion starter!
This fun book helped me to reach my fifth grade class in a way their social studies text never would have!Catrow finds a way to take the elegant (and sometimes difficult to translate into kid-talk) language of the Preamble and not only make it simeple to understand, but really helps put the kids right in there. Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    2. Children: Kindergarten    3. Constitutional law    4. History - United States/General    5. Juvenile Nonfiction    6. Juvenile literature    7. Law & Crime    8. Social Science - Politics & Government    9. United States    10. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / United States / Colonial & Revolutionary Periods   

Subjects:  1. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)    2. General    3. Juvenile Nonfiction    4. Social Science - General   

Reviews (14)

Who's "truth?"
This book is sheer leftist propaganda, so to title it unmitigated "truth" simply shows the author/illustrator's blindness to his own bias.It should go in the "political" section of the library, rather than biography (920) because of its anti-Iraq, anti-capitalism, anti-white males political stances.PARENTS, stay vigilant and communicate with your young person about the clear bias if he or she brings this one home!

Highly individual look at American heroes
Shetterly profiles 50 Americans who have taken a stand -- some putting their lives on the line -- on behalf of others. Each person is represented by a head-and-shoulders portrait, with a representative quotation. The portraits are direct and spare, reflecting the loneliness that these folks must have felt (and do feel as many are still alive and agitating) when standing alone against the powerful. The selection is uniquely Mr. Shetterly's; although many famous American heroes are included -- Jane Addams, Helen Keller, Mark Twain -- many of the folks represented are lesser known, such as peace activist Kathy Kelley or anti-landmine activist Jody Williams. Geared to teens, this book is a good starting point for discussions on what it means to "speak truth to power."

A "Must Have" book for patriotic Americans
Aside from the amazing portraits painted by Shetterly, there are also word portraits painted by the subjects themselves.In these difficult times, it is inspiring to be reminded of what this country can, should, could, and would be if these soothsayers were listened to.It is a book which should be in every school library throughout the USA. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography - General    3. Biography & Autobiography - Historical    4. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Biography    5. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    6. Children: Grades 4-6    7. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    8. Fine Arts (Young Adult)    9. History - United States/General    10. Juvenile Nonfiction    11. Juvenile literature    12. Political activists    13. Social Science - General    14. Social reformers    15. United States    16. Juvenile Nonfiction / Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (10)

Anti-Christian Zealotry at its worst
Apparently Christianity is at the root of all evil and the cause of most misfortune that occurred in the middle ages.If it weren't for those darned Christians, it seems the world would be a much better place. St. Frances of Assis was ok, (he loved animals), but all the rest of the Christians were closed-minded, violent and supersititous.I wasn't aware that the church wouldn't let people read because it might confuse them and that many people became monks because they didn't want to go to war.
Excellent for Modern-Day Thought and Practice
Ignore the obvious religious zealots who feel they have a right to shove their beliefs down the throats of everyone else in this country and the world in general:there is absolutely nothing wrong with a child learning about the realities of the middle ages, which was an era heavily influenced by the Catholic church.An adult subject matter, albeit an opportunity for quality parenting, this era was dominated by the church and many superstitious and malinformed beliefs we hold true today stem from this era of intolerance and brutality against human kind and religious freedom.
Knights & Castles - what a great book!
We are studying the Medieval period; this book has been invaluable with lots of great reading, wonderful ideas and awesome crafts!!Well worth the money and enjoyed by both Mom and child!
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Subjects:  1. Activity Books - General    2. Activity programs    3. Children's 9-12 - Sociology    4. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    5. Children: Grades 4-6    6. Civilization, Medieval    7. Europe    8. History    9. History - Europe    10. History - Medieval    11. Juvenile Nonfiction    12. Juvenile literature    13. Knights and knighthood    14. Middle Ages    15. Social Science - General    16. Social Studies - General    17. Study and teaching (Elementary    18. Study and teaching (Elementary)    19. Activity packs    20. European history (ie other than Britain & Ireland)    21. World history: c 1500 to c 1900   

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - History - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    3. Children: Grades 3-4    4. History    5. History - United States/Colonial & Revolutionary    6. History - United States/General    7. Juvenile Nonfiction    8. Juvenile literature    9. Massachusetts    10. New Plymouth, 1620-1691    11. Pilgrims (New Plymouth Colony)    12. Readers - Chapter Books    13. Social Science - Customs, Traditions, Anthropology    14. Social Studies - Customs, Traditions, Anthropology    15. Juvenile Nonfiction / General   

Reviews (3)

Highly recommended
I have been reviewing books for girls who are in their preteen years.The interactive book I like best is "Girls: What's so Bad about being Good?" (Authors: Harriet Mosatche and 12 year-old daughter Liz Lawner).The format is teen friendly and inviting.A wide range of topics will captivate young readers.The book is written in a format that will guide and encourage young women to make positive choices. Highly recommended.

Excellent Book
This book has everything I was looking for. The best part was that the information was down to earth, stuff I can actually use in my life. When I had my copy at camp, all the other girls kept grabbing it so they could read it too!

Read this Great Advice Book
I just finished reading this book, and really loved the fact that you can get advice from a mom and a daughter. The book is funny, has lots of stuff to do, and has loads of interesting and very useful information. The authors really understand kids my age. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Psychology    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. Girls    6. Girls & Women    7. Juvenile Nonfiction    8. Juvenile Social Problems (General)    9. Juvenile literature    10. Life skills guides    11. Preteens    12. Psychology    13. Social Issues - Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance    14. Social Science - Psychology    15. Social Situations - Self-esteem & Self-reliance    16. Youth    17. Gender studies    18. Juvenile Nonfiction / Social Situations / Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance    19. Self-awareness & self-esteem    20. Teenagers    21. Women & girls   

Reviews (6)

A comment on reading levels
It says quite clearly that this book is for grades 6 and up. I believe it also says ages 12 and up in another section, but I think where people get really confused (and I have seen this many times on Amazon) is where further down it says "ages 4-8".
This is good for much younger children.
This book works well as a read-aloud for as young as preschool age.The illustrations are very exceptional.My favorite is the painting of "Woman" on page 6.

Good Introduction to World Mythology
A previous reviewer said that s/he couldn't understand why this was listed as a children's book.All I can say is that while I would love to think our first grader is a genius, he lets us know when a story is over his head.When it's a little too hard, he'll ask questions.When it's a lot too hard, he'll give up and let his attention wander.He asks questions occasionally with this book, but he'll ask for me to read the next one about half of the time too.
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Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Creation    4. Folklore    5. Mythology    6. Religion - General    7. Social Science - Folklore & Mythology    8. Juvenile Nonfiction / Social Science / Folklore & Mythology   

Reviews (2)

The Interest of Living with the Hopi
This is a great book. It has a lot of facts in it. The illustrations and the text made it seem like you were there, and you really feel how you would live and work. They had to do a lot of work, even the children. Children collected firewood, beans, plants, and other things to help with the gardens and food. In Hopi culture, the boys and the girls were equal. They had different jobs, but neither were more important than the other. The Hopi also looked for baby eagles hundreds of feet off the ground to see if they're prayers would be answered. I would recommend this book to kids and grown ups who are interested in Hopi and in our country.

Great for Kids AND Adults
This was a very interesting book, and I enjoyed it as much as my five-year-old son (and I learned as much as he did, too). In fact, my 11-year-old daughter was compelled to join in the reading, too. The book's Q&A, second-person format makes the reader feel involved, and the author answers questions that cover basic Hopi beliefs and culture, as well as things that children really want to know: "What games would I play?" ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 People & Places    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Hopi Indians    4. Indians of North America    5. Juvenile Nonfiction    6. Juvenile literature    7. People & Places - United States    8. People & Places - United States - Native American    9. Social Science - Customs, Traditions, Anthropology    10. Human geography / peoples of the world    11. Indigenous peoples    12. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / General    13. USA   

Reviews (2)

Festive
This is a fun book and I would recommend it to anyone interested in Christmas.The book looks at 12 countries around the world where Christmas is celebrated on a national scale.One reads brief, but detailed, summaries of the Christmas events and traditions of those countries.From religious celebrations to marketplace customs, and from tasty foods to fun crafts, one is presented with a vivid and enlightening picture of how poeple around the world celebrate the holiday. Wonderful! Appropriate for all ages!
As a third grade teacher, this book was a useful tool in teaching about Christmas Around the World.There are so few good books on this topic, and my students enjoyed the one page synopsis of Christmas for each of thecountries discussed (about 10).The illustrations for each country arewonderful and vivid.We were able to learn about customs from thesecountries not usually presented in other books. I would recommend this bookto any teacher, parent, or child seeking information about Christmascustoms in countries around the world in this enjoyable and fact-filledbook. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Sociology    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    3. Children: Kindergarten    4. Christmas    5. Holidays & Celebrations - Christmas    6. Holidays & Festivals - Christmas    7. Juvenile Nonfiction    8. Juvenile literature    9. Social Science - Customs, Traditions, Anthropology    10. Social Studies - Customs, Traditions, Anthropology    11. Christianity    12. Folklore    13. Juvenile Fiction / General    14. Religious festivals & pilgrimages