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Children Books sorted by Average customer review: high to low .

Children
The Seven Songs of Merlin
Published in Library Binding by (2008-05-31)
Author: T. A. Barron
List price: $15.99
New price: $15.99

Average review score:

The Seven Songs of Merlin
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-12-13
In this book, Merlin must return the dark hills to normal and restore all the land in Fincayra with the flowering harp. He is aided by his friend Rhia and Bumblewy, a pathetic jester. His longing for his mother soon takes priority over restoring the land. With the help of the wisest shell he is able to bring his mother from Earth to Fincayra. But she quickly catches the death curse and the only way to cure it is by traveling to the otherworld to retrieve the Elixir of Dagda. In order to do this he must find the souls of the seven songs of magic, travel through the otherworld well, fight a Cyclops named Balor, retrieve the Elixir and return it to his mother. With the help of his two companions, he will have to do this in one month before his mother dies.
This second book of the Merlin series was good. It was well written and interesting. The only thing I didn't like was how easily everything fit together, and how something always happened to break Merlin's way when he was looking for the souls of the songs. I think T.A. Barron did a great job of expressing the emotion of the characters. This book is filled with magic. I would recommend this for people of all ages.

The Seven Songs of Merlin - Pure Genuis!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-11-09
The Seven Songs of Merlin is the second book in the Merlin series written by T.A. Barron. This is a story about a young boy who is discovering himself and what's within him. It is an adventure including mystical creatures, distant lands, and eccentric characters. This series of five books tells the adventures of a well- known wizard before he was famous. It is prologue to the stories King Arthur. The Merlin series is a great series and I do recommend it.
For you to understand some things I will explain about the Seven Songs book, you must know a little about the previous book. The first book starts out with Merlin waking up on a shoreline not knowing who or where he is. A woman takes him in and claims to be his mother, but he is not sure that she is. Merlin discovers he is not an ordinary boy and goes to the mystical land called Fincayra. On this island he finds out that the woman is his mother and discovers his fate. He has powers and is destined to become a greater wizard than his grandfather Tuatha. He goes on an exciting adventure and finds a new friend Rhia. When the first book ended it left me hanging and wanting more, and that is what led me to read this book, The Seven Songs of Merlin.
The book starts out with Merlin missing his mother and wanting her to be with him on Fincayra, so he finds a way to bring her to him. This way is to find the talking shell and tell it what he wants most. When he does this his mother arrives on the beach. When she arrives she is enticed by a cursed flower and the second she touches it she becomes extremely ill and weak. Merlin is filled with guilt and rage. Then he is told that the spirit Dagda has an elixir to cure the disease, but the only problem is Dagda is in the otherworld which is where all spirits live and Merlin is in Fincayra, the middle world. Fincayra is neither mortal or spirit; it is called the in- between place. Merlin is told he must follow the seven songs of wisdom left for him by his grandfather. He must get through all seven songs in time to save his mother. This journey will prepare him to face the giant vile ogre Balor guarding the entrance to the otherworld. Merlin finds these songs on the inside of an ancient tree and sets off on his quest. These tasks are not easy and they take him all over the land. He learns many things about magic as well as things about himself.
Will he make it to the otherworld in time, will the ogre, whose smallest glance can kill, be Merlin's end, or will he prevail and accomplish the task he set out for? Read this fantastic book to find out. I really enjoyed this book. It never had a dull moment and I just couldn't put it down. I recommend this book to anyone who likes a good adventure or fantasy. The character development was great and it had an intriguing plot. Free time is not something to be wasted, so have a good experience by reading this book. Plus, when you're done reading this one, there are three more books left that are just as good, if not better, that you can read which also tell the story of an interesting adventure.
There are only a few drawbacks that I was able to come up with. The first one that came to my mind is that you have to read the first book to read the second one so you will understand the plot. So, if you want to read the third one you must read the first and second. Its not a drawback if you like to read, but if you're looking for a book that you can just sit and read without wondering what happened in the previous book or what is going to happen in the next book, then this is not the book for you. Another drawback is this book isn't very short and takes a while to read. It is around 300 pages. I think the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, and have personally read 4 of the 5 books and consider them all to be well written and excellent books. Once more I would like to say I personally recommend this book and series to anyone, but mostly fantasy fans.


John F.

Fun Fantasy For All Ages
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-08-21
The second installment of the Lost Years of Merlin finds him fighting not only for his own life, but also the lives of 2 people close to him. He must solve the mysteries of the seven songs and come to understand their meanings before he can be of any use to those who desperately need him. The perils are many, the rewards are spectacular.

T.A. Barron writes another winner as he continues his saga of Merlin, before Camelot and King Arthur. The characters in this book are full of life and begin to feel like old friends as you read the story. There are appearances from past friends also and Barron makes certain they remain true to their character. These books are intended for a younger audience, but the story is so engaging and wonderful, readers of any age will find them hard to put down.

Join Merlin and company as they journey to exotic lands full of strange creatures, friend and foe. Cheer over their triumphs and feel saddened by their losses.

I highly recommend this series to all ages and interests. This is rich story telling at its best. It's also fun to discover where Merlin came from and how he became such a powerful wizard. The books are short and easy to read.

THIS IS A GREAT BOOK!!!!!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-04-21
This is a wonderful sequel to the already great 1st book, the lost years of merlin.


After merlin topples stangmar, his father, he needs to "revive" the land with the flowering harp. however, he decides that he wants to bring his mother to Fincayra 1st. Using the wisest shell from the shore of speaking shells, he summons his mother to the island. when merlin's mother tries to smell a flower, a death shadow slides out and forces her to swallow it. A death shadow is Rhita Gawr's most painful way of killing someone.It gives the victim a month to live in which the victim will begin to suffer more and more pain. at the end of the month, he or she will die while enduring almost unbearable pain. Merlin finds out that to stop his mother from dying he must retrieve the elixer of Dagda. that means that he must journey to the otherworld to get it. However, the only way of getting to the Otherworld(apart from dying)and returning to the real world alive is to master the seven songs that Tuatha himself carved into Arbassa, Rhia home, a tree. After mastering all of the songs he must defeat/slay Rhita gawr's most fearsome servant, Balor, the one-eyed ogre. While merlin is quickly trying to get the elixer of Dagda, he discovers some thing abouut Rhia that leaves him in a great shock but only makes him triple his efforts to finds the elixer.

This is truly the best book that i have ever read and i think it deserves seven stars out of five. I hope you enjoy it as much as i do.
COMPLIMENTS TO YOU MR. BARRON!!!!!!

THIS IS A GREAT BOOK!!!!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-04-21
This is a wonderful sequel to the already great 1st book, the lost years of merlin.


After merlin topples stangmar, his father, he needs to "revive" the land with the flowering harp. however, he decides that he wants to bring his mother to Fincayra 1st. Using the wisest shell from the shore of speaking shells, he summons his mother to the island. when merlin's mother tries to smell a flower, a death shadow slides out and forces her to swallow it. A death shadow is Rhita Gawr's most painful way of killing someone.It gives the victim a month to live in which the victim will begin to suffer more and more pain. at the end of the month, he or she will die while enduring almost unbearable pain. Merlin finds out that to stop his mother from dying he must retrieve the elixer of Dagda. that means that he must journey to the otherworld to get it. However, the only way of getting to the Otherworld(apart from dying)and returning to the real world alive is to master the seven songs that Tuatha himself carved into Arbassa, Rhia home, a tree. After mastering all of the songs he must defeat/slay Rhita gawr's most fearsome servant, Balor, the one-eyed ogre. While merlin is quickly trying to get the elixer of Dagda, he discovers some thing abouut Rhia that leaves him in a great shock but only makes him triple his efforts to finds the elixer.

This is truly the best book that i have ever read and i think it deserves seven stars out of five. I hope you enjoy it as much as i do.

Children
The Tale of Three Trees
Published in Paperback by Lion Publishing plc (2002-08-23)
Author: Angela Elwell Hunt
List price: $7.24
New price: $3.86
Used price: $5.86

Average review score:

Inspiring to all
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-12-20
This book is an amazing, spiritual story of how God's plan is at work in all of our lives...

Beautiful book!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-12-16
This is a beautiful book. The message is perfect to share, especially around the holidays.

Great story!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-27
It's a touching story and the illustration is beautiful. I'm glad I found this book on Amazon. But for now, I think I enjoy the book more than my 2 year old. May be in a couple years he can start to understand the meaning of the story.

Christian Classic
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-18
There is something absolutely timeless about this story--that is probably where the "traditional folktale" bit comes in. I'm not sure just how old the story itself is but I can see why it is still loved today. Ms. Hunt does an incredible job retelling this meaningful and beautiful story of a connection with Jesus Christ through sweet, emotional prose and fantastic pictures. Definitely a keeper.

tnvolsgirl
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-08
I love this book and so do my kids. I'm sure my grandkids will too. I was surprised at what excellent condition it was for a used book. Even the cover looked really good. Thanks much!

Children
Where the Sidewalk Ends 30th Anniversary Edition: Poems and Drawings
Published in Hardcover by HarperCollins (2004-01)
Author:
List price: $18.99
New price: $10.50
Used price: $9.12
Collectible price: $18.99

Average review score:

Wacky book
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-12-27
My son and I think that the stories in this book are wacky but very funny. We have the CD that we play in the car

Great book
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-12-16
This is a great book for both young and old! This was a childhood favorite of both my daughters. When I saw the 30th Anniversary Edition, I had to purchase two for my now-adult daughters for Christmas. I can't wait to see their faces when they open them because of their nostalgia for this book particularly, as well as other Shel Silverstein books. He could certainly write in a style that was appealing to children and adults!

Great Book!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-11-23
A great book of poems for your kids and nostalgia from your childhood. I read them to my 22 month old twins and they love it.

Heart and humor
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-10-07
A completely magical collection! The imagination and wit of Shel Silverstein never ceases to amaze me as he does anything to make kids laugh (and, to my eternal gratitude) educate them.

Make no mistake, the man is too intelligent to be just silly. There is intelligence to each and every poem, even if it is ust the word structure.

As a teacher, I best appreciate this due to the different ages it reaches. I found myself reading my class one poem only to end if half way do to semi-mature content (come on, it's first grade, they can't hear everything).

Shel Silverstein is the Man.

Where the Sidewalk Ends 30th Anniversary Edition poems and drawings
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-10-05
Where the Sidewalk Ends 30th Anniversary Edition poems and drawings my children loves it and i would tell everyone to read it.

Children
Faeries (25th Anniversary Edition)
Published in Hardcover by Harry N. Abrams (2002-10-29)
Author:
List price: $24.95
New price: $11.49
Used price: $9.94
Collectible price: $25.00

Average review score:

faeries
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-08-02
I had this book as a young person and loved it. this is a replacement of a long lost friend. The illistrations are exceptional and the stories wonderful.

Simply Divine
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-07-09
When it comes to illustration books, Froud and Lee's collaborative "Faeries" is, quite simply, divine. This book captures the subject matter unlike any other work(s) from any other fantasy artists. The real magic and majesty of the "Faerie Realm" of British Isles and Irish mythology come to life within the pages.
If you love great art, get this book. If you love great legends from ancient lands, get this book.

Excelent Reading
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-11
An amazing book, it totally takes me away when I'm reading it. Beautifully illustrated, the drawings are amazing, so detailed. This one specially is a superb edition, very well designed, and totally worth the price.

great artwork, interesting text
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-16
I totally love fantasy, folklore, and mythology, so this book was naturally of great interest to me. The pictures of various classes of mythical creatures were absolutely wonderful, and the text that described the myths upon which the pictures are based was interesting and fun to read. I would highly recommend this book for someone interested in a book about fairy folklore that's not overly academic.

TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVARSARY EDITION FAERIES
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-03
I LOVE THIS BOOK ABOUT FAERIES. I READ IT OVER AND OVER.
THANK YOU
PEGGY BOND

Children
Winning Chess Tournaments for Juniors
Published in Paperback by Random House Puzzles & Games (2004-09-14)
Author: Robert M. Snyder
List price: $14.95
New price: $58.50
Used price: $48.87

Average review score:

The MOST HELPFUL book I have ever read (It covers a lot of stuff to help you learn to train in chess the right way).
Helpful Votes: 115 out of 117 total.
Review Date: 2006-02-09
I was wondering for a long time while playing in chess tournaments what was the best way to train. This was to improve my game and to make me perform better in tournaments. I had a lot of books that just had materials to learn from. But I wanted to know what to study, how to study and then when I get to the tournament what to do to put me in the best shape.

WELL, WINNING CHESS TOURNAMENTS FOR JUNIORS, WAS THE BOOK I WAS LOOKING FOR. Not only did it cover all of those things, but it has some really cool material for actuall study. It was fun too because it used funny true stories like about the "Chess Genie" and what other kids try and do to disburb you while you play.

But I liked also the stuff about the rules that isn't told to you in the rule book. And the parts about how the thinking processes make typical mistakes. This book shows you using real positions from actual games where you typically make mistakes under chess psycology.

Though if you just want lots of great materials on endgames to study, a set out opening system (completely outlined), lots of tactical problems that are the most important to learn, then for this alone this book is great. I agree with the other reviews who say there is not another chess book like this one.

Want to improve? Want to know how and what to study? Want some great material for study? Golly, I love this book (I do think the picture of the two kids on the front cover is cheesy and staged, so I am glad I didn't judge this book by the cover as I am certain those kids did not know anything about chess but the girl is cute and the boy is dorky looking).

Publisher Questions?!
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-08-12
I notice that Robert M. Snyder uses the (for Juniors) ie: Winning chess for juniors. Anyways, I came across books by Robert Snyder from the publisher chess for Everyone. And it would appear that all the chess for Juniors have become chess for Everyone. Some examples: Unbeatable chess Lessons, More unbeatable chess Lessons, Chess traps, and Winning chess tournaments. My question is are these books the same just with different covers or are they different in any significant way?

Not A Stand- Alone book
Helpful Votes: 27 out of 29 total.
Review Date: 2006-07-17
When I purchased Winning Chess Lessons for Juniors, I realized it actually contained much less instructional material then I had hoped for. Eventually I realized why and am puzzled as to why no other reviewer pointed this out. It is a companion book to Unbeatable Chess Lessons for Juniors, another book by the Author. This book by itself is inadequate, but I realized it is for owners of the previous book, Unbeatable Chess Lessons for Juniors. This book intentionally dodges around the material covered in Unbeatable Chess Lessons for Juniors so none of it is repeating (This is a good thing).

This book is an add-on to Unbeatable Chess Lessons for Juniors, an upgrade if you will. This is a great book, but is to slim to be by itself. Get Unbeatable Chess Lessons for Juniors, and this book, and you should have no problems. As for the material covered in this book, it teaches you about tournaments and their rules. Chapter 3 is a psychology chapter, which is interesting and helpful, but nothing to rave about as other reviewers have. Chapter four shows you opening charts. While this did show me a new way to organize my openings, it didn't teach me much. The author mentioned for teaching that the reader should read Unbeatable Chess Lessons for Juniors. Finally, it has a thick tactics chapter full of useful tactical puzzles(about 100 of them). It contains a nice endgame study chapter, then some annotated games by the authors national champions.

All in all a good book... for its intended purpose. I didn't take any stars away because for its purpose as an add on to Unbeatable Chess Lessons for Juniors its great.

Very helpfull book
Helpful Votes: 88 out of 91 total.
Review Date: 2006-01-14
This really helped me improve how I did in tournaments. I had read some other chess books, that helped. But this book was the most helpful because it helped condition me for tournaments.
I especialy liked the chapter on psycology that teaches you about thinking mistakes during your play. Also what to be like eating, drinking, proper sleep during tournamnets and then about preparing.
How to study and what to study is neat. It also gives a lot of study stuff, problems, games, openings and endgames.
It also has some very funny true stories about players and things that happen. Very good book.

MOST USEFUL CHESS BOOK!
Helpful Votes: 94 out of 96 total.
Review Date: 2006-01-11
"Winning Chess Tournaments for Juniors" was the most useful single chess book I have read. One thing that hasn't been said in the other reviews, though implied is that this book helps you with ORGANIZATION and STRUCTURE in,

Helping you prepare for tournaments.

Telling you how to use many books, computers, methods of practice in ways that I never knew about.

Making it so I understand the rules and how to use them to your advantage. I will not likely be taken advantage of again!

Helping me prepare an opening system properly.

Telling me what is important to know about endgames with the endgames to study.

The importance of pattern recognition with many tactical puzzles to work on.

What to look for in a good qualified coach and chess teacher.

How psycology plays a part in chess and how you make mistakes when you analyze.

My list can go one, but I think I have said enough for now. I thing this book is simply the best book to help you do improve.



Children
Blue Hat, Green Hat
Published in Board book by Little Simon (1984-10-11)
Author: Sandra Boynton
List price: $5.99
New price: $2.14
Used price: $0.01
Collectible price: $10.00

Average review score:

so cute!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2009-01-05
very cute book! we love sandra boynton in our house. i don't know about you but i can't help but "sing" these books. i absolutely cannot just read them aloud. that all started with the barnyard dance book. just think "country twang" and you should be able to sing it. they'll get a kick out of it. now my 6 year old sings it to my 1 year old. she's just amazed at "big sis"

mom thinks it's silly but toddler LOVES
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-12-01
I have to admit, I really didn't think my kiddo would go for this book. We checked it out from the library and when I started to read it I thought there would be absolutely no response. Boy was I wrong! Everytime I got to the turkey wearing the wrong thing and said "OOPS!" she burst into giggles. My little one doesn't laugh easily, so I ran out and bought the book for our own at-home library. Not my favorite Boyton book, but it makes my 15 month old laugh, so we read it everyday.

love this book
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-10-28
This book is cute. It is one of the first things my children laugh at. You know before your baby really learns to laugh at funny stuff, if this book is read to them with the right enthusiasm it can bring a true laughter at such a young age. Live laugh learn. Life is worth it.

My 4 year old spelled her first word while reading this book!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-10-22
My daughter has loved this book from day one, as the silly rooster putting its clothes on wrong sends her into fits of laughter. She memorized the book, and was reading it to us the other night, and when she got to the word "hat", she spelled it out! It's the first time she ever spelled a word! She also spelled out "oops" on every page! This book has held her interest, helped her practice her colors, encouraged her to read and helped her spell her first word -- a true winner!

BRILLIANT, BRILLIANT, BRILLIANT!!!!!!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-09-09
I bought this on a whim for my 18 month old grandson, having never heard of Sandra Boynton. Ok, so I've lived abroad for like EVER, and this is our first grandchild ... long story. But I cannot praise this book highly enough -- as our previous reviewer mentioned, it is belly-laughs galore for our little man! (You should hear how he cracks up when we embellish the Oops! to "Oopsie Poopsie!!" Hilarious!) This is a hands down family favorite, and should be required "reading" for all us adults as well. Heaven knows, we can all use a good laugh! Enjoy!!!!!

Children
The Lion's Paw
Published in Hardcover by A.W. Ink (2008-10-10)
Author: Robb White
List price: $29.95
New price: $18.78
Used price: $20.73

Average review score:

total enjoyment
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-12-16
loved the book and impressed with transaction. book was evidently back ordered but I was given a date that it would be shipped by and received it as promised. book written for early tweens but this 65 yr. old read it with total enjoyment.

A blast from my Past
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-12-14
I read this book as a child. It went out-of-print years ago and was only available used at prices exceeding $100.00. Recently re-published by the author's widow, it's a must read for children and adults alike, and more than worth the new copy price of $20.00. A truly uplifting experience. Please share this book with those that you love.

Lion's Paw -- an excellent read!,,,and GREAT service too!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-12-12
Received product within 5 days...in excellent condition...vendor sent me notce before it shipped, when it shipped and asked for feedback the day after I received the book!...excellent!

This book changed my life!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-12-06
This book changed my life. "The Lion's Paw" was the crucial step taken in becoming a life-long recreational reader. I was a thirteen year old boy, quickly becoming a young man. As a boy of that age, I desperately wanted to be "manly" and "tough." Thus, it was to my surprise that I found that a weeping while reading a book could be such a pleasurable experience. This was the book that opened the door for me, that showed me just how wonderful reading can be. It set me on the course of becoming a reader, one who reads for the pleasure of it. I was also surprised to find that it was the character of twelve year old Penny that I related to, rather than Nick or Ben. I have read and reread my original beat up paperback version many, many times. The story is as fresh and vibrant today as it was for me. It's an easy story to "live" along with the characters. If, by chance, you know any young people that love reading, or older than young people, for that matter, this is a wonderful book for them. I just purchased a copy to give to my young friend Bethany. I think she will enjoy it.

The Lion's Paw
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-11-25
I recently purchased four of Robb White's Lion Paw and I was extremely pleased with these beautiful reprints. This was a book that I fell in love with in the sixth grade and that I continue to enjoy 45 years later as I read it to my third graders each spring.
I appreciate the quick and careful delivery that I received on these products.
Great Job!!!

Children
The Only Alien on the Planet
Published in Mass Market Paperback by Scholastic (1995-11)
Author: Kristen D. Randle
List price: $4.99
New price: $19.95
Used price: $12.45

Average review score:

Will make you think...
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-07
A total ten!! A truly thought-provoking, intense & emotional book. I am having my dtr (11) read this book and the discussions will be endless. It opens up dialogue between parents & kids about common misconceptions and snap judgements that we ALL make on a daily basis, sometimes unintentionally, sometimes on purpose. I would say this is more geared to a 6th grader or older unless you judge your child otherwise. Fine for younger, but read it as a parent first. I came across this book years ago and was thrilled to find it on Amazon! I don't want to give away any of the story, I will just leave it as a must read for everyone!

Inspiring and delightful!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-05
"The Only Alien on The Planet" is a wonderful novel that will captivate the reader on page one and leave them breathless on the final page. If the mystery of Smitty's antisocial behavior does not keep one turning the pages the love of his friends, who barely know him, will. Smitty's perspective on life having lived only in his mind for fifteen years gives the reader an interesting view of life and makes one re-think their own perspectives, fears and values. Inspiration will come to the reader as he watches Smitty in his weakest moments; overcome the battles in his life. If one thinks growing up was hard, try growing up with Smitty in his silent, unfeeling world, in "The Only Alien on the Planet."

Satisfyingly fluffy, although very untruthful
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-05
The high-school romantic in me loved this book, everything about it, but most especially Smitty. I was in love with him just as Ginny was, and when he put his arm around her in the hospital, I just melted... But looking at this story through a critical eye, one has to admit just how amazingly un-lifelike it really is. Someone who lives completely inside his own head and resists all interaction with the outside world is not going to be as handsome and charming as Michael "Smitty" Gibbs. I've known people with those tendencies, perhaps not as extreme, and they are not at all people at whom I would lunge with a passionate kiss waiting on my lips, as Ginny does to Michael. Admittedly, the passionate kiss was my favorite scene... but as I said, it was the romantic high-schooler inside of me. And as this book was written for romantic high-schoolers, I guess that's just right. But don't read it and then walk away with any romantic ideas of abuse. It's just not really like that at all.

Great read
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-05
I found this read on a booklist for a YA lit class. Upon reading the title, I knew it would either be sci-fi adventure or one of teen loneliness and angst. After reading it, I think I got a strange mixture of the two, with no actual aliens involved. The book is about the struggle of discovering a beautiful yet strange boy through the eyes of Ginny, a young girl dealing with a recent family move. Smitty, the boy in question, never speaks, and is a mystery to Ginny. I found myself totally absorbed in the book; it was brooding and romantic. But a lot of the plot devices were forced: getting the parents out of the way, films presented in the novel, and the way family ties are addressed in the end. Despite these, Ginny is a well-written teenager and believable (even if Smitty's behavior in the end is not). He's a fascinating character, though; and this was a fun read. Highly recommended.

Wow!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-02
"The Only Alien on the Planet" was a wonderful book! Do not hesitate to pick this one up. It is about a girl who moves to a new town and becomes friends with someone very unlikely - a boy who does not speak. She and her friend Caulder begin a mission to find out if this 'alien' has emotion and is in fact human. This book was brillantly written and it kept me guessing what Ginny would do, who she would end up with, and if Smitty, the 'alien', would end up speaking at all! I don't want to give away anything but I was kind of surprised by the ending. I picked up this book and didn't put it down! Cute story with very real characters. I could really relate to each one of them. You'll want to read this one - so try it out!

Children
Small Steps
Published in Unknown Binding by Cover to Cover Cassettes (2000-03)
Author: Peg Kehret
List price: $15.10
New price: $9.81

Average review score:

Great book
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-08-23
My son will read this in school this year in 6th grade, so I read it when we purchased it. I could not put it down. It was a great book. I will look for more by this author!

I am also impressed by our school system - this story will give our 6th graders perspective on what real 'problems' are - not just the trivial things preteens and teens are usually concerned about.

A touching first-hand account of the great suffering that polio inflicted
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-06
In our modern age of vaccinations, it seems inconceivable that in 1949, 42,033 cases of polio were diagnosed. It was a disease without a vaccine or antidote that meant excruciating pain, followed by extensive physical therapy assuming that the patient didn't die from complications. There are three main variants: spinal polio, which causes rapid paralysis of the arms and legs (generally asymmetrical), bulbar polio, which causes difficulty breathing and swallowing (and frequently requiring the use of iron lungs as breathing muscles and mechanisms are greatly weakened), and respiratory polio, a combination of the above two. Peg Kehret was twelve years old when she contracted respiratory polio; she was the only victim in her small Minnesota town that year.

Peg recounts her terrifying illness in a very matter-of-fact yet gripping narrative. Paralysis set in rapidly, and she had a fever of 102 for nearly a week as her muscles weakened, requiring her to use an oxygen tent. But Peg was lucky; once her fever breaks (aided by a contraband chocolate milkshake), her recovery is much more rapid than her fellow hospital and rehab roommates. Even though Peg is nearly a teenager, there are small poignant touches of the remnants of childhood; her brother Art sent her a teddy bear that had to be burned once she left the polio ward, and her mother recommended that she donate her old books and toys to the children's polio ward. Peg resists, recalling happy memories with her old books and toys, and is dismayed to find that her parents have redecorated her old room as a surprise.

Peg is an engaging narrator who brings a distant era to life through radio dramas such as The Lone Ranger and the simplicity of a time where books and friendships filled our hours instead of electronics. Her rehabilitation is tempered with humor and spirit; no self-pity here, only the desire to become the best she can be. The Sister Kenny method of polio treatment is described in detail, along with physical and occupational therapy exercises. Peg has a crush on Dr. Bevis, a handsome doctor who makes her feel special by painting her toenails when she's still in intensive care, and promises him that she'll return to walk for him. She makes friends with several other girls recovering from polio, including the bitter Alice, who's lived at the rehabilitation center for ten years after her parents couldn't care for her. The girls are brought together by their shared experiences as polio survivors, and Peg is apprehensive about rejoining her school and the outside world.

The novel is brought full-circle by the sad mention that Peg, along with her former roommates, suffers from post-polio syndrome; around 25% of childhood polio sufferers develop additional symptoms decades after the initial infection, including muscle weakness, fatigue, or paralysis. After working so hard to overcome polio, she's certainly not giving in now. There are also vintage photographs of the author and her roommates scattered throughout. A marvelous introduction to polio's debilitating effects and the power of positive thinking on recovery.

Wow!!! Amazing, for a book with a title with small in it!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-22
Small steps was an enjoyable book and i would definatley recommend it to all of my friends. During this story, a polio patient named Peg, changes, not facial or look wise but mentally. At first she would worry about winning first in something however when she gets diagnosed with polio those worries change. Now she worries about whether she'll make it or not, and she realizes how lucky she really was without the polio. One of my favorite things abobut peg is that she can always take a sad thing and make it better, such as whenshe needs a wheelchair, instead of outing she learns how to wheelie on it! there is one thing i would warn you about; there isnt a lto of dialoge. If you love dialoge and cant get enough of it, then you are just like me! I dont really like books without dialoge. however, when i read this book I realized it has enough dialoge to keep me coming back for more. Although i really like the way it was written too. When in saw that this was a biography, i hesitated to pick it up. But when i started to read, i realized that this wasnt one of the ordinary boring biographies, but a biography written in fictioin form! Also, if your looking for a book written by the author then that is anothter reasen for you to, go out and get this book. Small steps is written in frist person. The plpot of this book is very easy to follow now read carefully; a 12 year old girl named peg is diagnosed with polio, and is taken to many different hospitals. While she is being transfered, she is fighting with all of her gut to kick this polio out of her system. That is as far as i am going with that.
Wait there is more, if you are also not a fan of long expositions; this book is probably the best one or you. Tyeh exposition is npt long at all. It simply describes where Peg lives how old she is and what she like sto do, and then the action starts.

p.s. if you are going to read this book i hope you enjoyed it as much as i did!

Completely fascinating!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-12-11
My daughter, age 9, was assigned to read this book as part of a Reading Olympics program in her school. I found it at the library and read the first chapter to her while we were still in the library. She did not want me to stop reading. We read it together every night after she had finished her homework. She was so fascinated with Peg Kehret's story that she would work hard to finish her homework in order to leave time for reading before bed. I highly recommend this book for older elementary and middle school age children. The author offers a very engaging glimpse of her experience as a child their age going through an enormously difficult and challenging ordeal. Her courage and humor in the face of her disease will give children insight into coping skills they can use someday.

Great for Mother/Daughter Book Clubs
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-12-11
This book is a must if you are looking for a book for your Mother/Daugther book club. We read it when our daughters were 10 yrs. old, but you could certainly be older. All the moms loved it.

Children
Till Death Do Us Part
Published in School & Library Binding by Topeka Bindery (1999-10)
Author: Lurlene McDaniel
List price: $14.10
New price: $14.10
Used price: $4.88

Average review score:

A West Virginia Libraian
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-10-10
If you like romance novels then you'll love this on. It tells the story of April who is diagnoised with cancer, she falls in love with a young man named Mark.I won't give away the ending but it's a real tearjerker.

All Around Awesome
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-07-27
I picked up this book at my local bookstore because i absolutely adore Lurlene McDaniel's books. They are so heartwrenching and tug at your heart strings. This book was especially great. I read it in two days and could not put it down. i recently bought her 2nd part to the novel. This book is absolutely incredible and if youre into those heart-breaking-loving-romantic stories this is the book for you. Anyone can relate to this story no matter what. Not only is this a great read but its educational.i learned a lot about CF and how it effects people. PICK THIS BOOK UP TODAY!

it was so hearbreaking
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2005-11-28
I loved this book! I still do love this book! I am so happy that I chose this book randomly off the bookshelf at the book store, because if I hadn't then I wouldn't have gotten to read "Till Death Do Us Part".

April's trying not think of why she might really be in the hospital agian. She's 17, and hasn't been in the hospital since she was 5, and had a brain tumor. She's been having terrible headaches lately though, and she fainted in class. April is desperatly hoping that the headaches arne't related to the brian tumor she had 12 years ago. Her worst nightmare comes true though. The tumor's back. Only this time, they can't just surjically remove it. It's too close to her brain. Radiations her only hope.

April can't believe it. When she tell her popular soccer playing boyfriend, Chriss, he doesn't know how to handle it. Her best friend, Katie, is trying, but it's hard to know how to act.

The only good part abaout being in the hospital is Mark. Mark has CF, and has problems breathing. His illnes is terminal, and he will die. He falls in love with April though. At first April's afraid to date him, because he's sick, but her makes her feel more special than anyone in the world.

April begins to fall in love with Mark. He always knows how to cheer her up, and truly wants to be with her. She loves going to the track to watch him race cars, his hobby. It's bad for his CF, but April knows that it's one of the few ways he can control his life. She also loves going to their favorite Italian restaurant, and just being with him.

When Mark asks April to marry him, she says yes. She never dreamed that the wedding would never happen. How could she have known that there would be a racing car accident? Thar Mark would wind up in the hospital.

This book was so sad, and I just wanted to bawl my eyes out. I can only say one thing. DON'T READ THE SEQUEL. In my opinion, it absolutely ruins the wanderful story that Lurlene McDaniel has writen.

A book of my experience
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2004-08-31
As the widow of a man with cystic fibrosis I can relate to this book as if it was my own. I was amazed at the reality used in this book and how true it can be to the actual feelings that a person feels in this situation. When my husband asked me to marry him at age 23 (me being 19) I agreed thinking that we would have many happy years together. However after being married exactly one year to the date his CF worsened and he passed away after 1 year, 6 months of marriage. He left behind a wife and a beautiful son that he was never able to meet.

This was an amazing book
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2004-04-30
It was so sad that in the end i cried. I know what its like to loose someone close to my heart and it made i easier to relate to this book. The book kept me wanting to know what would happen to April and Mark. It showed me that it's just as hard fo other people to go through hard times.


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