Reviews (4)

SPOILER ALERT
I'm only writing this to warn you that the review right below mine (if it hasn't been removed) has MAJOR SPOILERS.It reads like a book report and gives away the entire book.I guess that's great if you want to know what your kid is reading, but terrible if you wanted to read the book yourself.
More please!

Long -awaited Sequel to "Charmed Life" Does Not Disappoint
Nearly a year after the events of "Charmed Life," Cat Chant has settled into Chrestomanci Castle and learned some mastery over his own powerful magic.During the summer holidays, the young enchanter faces new challenges that range from learning how to ride his capricious horse, Syracuse, to caring for a mysterious egg that has been given to him by his new friend, Marianne Pinhoe.And then there's that magical barrier in the woods . . . a barrier that seems designed less to keep strangers out than to keep even stranger things in.
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Subjects:  1. Children's All Ages - Fiction - Science Fiction    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Family - General    5. Fantasy    6. Fiction    7. Humorous Stories    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Magic    10. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    11. Witchcraft    12. Juvenile Fiction / Science Fiction, Fantasy, Magic   

Reviews (154)

Howlingly good
A fantastically funny tale of witches, wizards, demons and magic, all rolled up into an entertaining book for all ages.If you've seen the movie of the same name, you should note that there were many changes in the story on the way to animation, but the book remains the better version.
A charming tale of fantasy and adventure
Like many others I first watched the animated movie of Howl's Moving Castle and was immediately inspired to seek out the book.Although the book is a bit different from the movie I did like both of them equally well.
"I think we should live happily ever after."
I loved this book!It is full of humor, memorable characters, magic spells and fire demons.Not many authors can pull off a novel with the two main characters being a 90-year-old woman and a self-centered and vain wizard.Diana Wynne Jones pulls it off with panache, and leaves readers with a thoroughly contented feeling at the finish.
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Subjects:  1. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - Fantasy    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    3. Fantasy fiction    4. Humorous Stories    5. Juvenile Fiction    6. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    7. Juvenile Fiction / Science Fiction, Fantasy, Magic   

Reviews (16)

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

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

Overrated Short Book By Matt Pieper
Locomotion, by Jaqueline Woodson is an overrated poem-based fiction book about an eleven year old boy named Lonnie.Lonnie is going through some tough times. His parents died in a fire and now Lonnie has to live with Miss Edna.His sister Lili is his sister, but she was also separated to a different foster parent.Lonnie has three main friends, Eric Lamont, and Angel.Lonnie also has to learn poetry because his teacher Miss Marcus is teaching the class about poetry and now Lonnie wants to tell his story in poetry format.I think this book should be for people ages 10 and up.I also think that this book is an easy to read fiction book and it's a short one too.
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Subjects:  1. African American boys    2. Brothers and sisters    3. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - General    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    5. Children: Grades 4-6    6. Family - General    7. Foster home care    8. Juvenile Nonfiction    9. Juvenile Poetry    10. People & Places - United States - African-American    11. Poetry - General    12. Juvenile Fiction / Ethnic / African American   

Reviews (13)

Show Way and Soonie's story
Soonie's family made Show Way quilts, ones that would show illiterate slaves the way to freedom. In this Newberry Honor book, Jacqueline Woodson takes children on a trip into the past back to the days of her great-granmother Soonie and beyond into the days of slavery.Readers will read about slavery, the days after the slaves were freed, the fight for equal rights during the sixties to present day to when the author's daughter was born. As a white person, I struggled a bit with the language used in places, but enjoyed the story that told of generations of black women and their strength and courage and love for their families.

A must own
My seven year old borrowed Show Way from our neighborhood library. He read it to me and I immediately said this is a book that we must own for our children's library shelf.I told a friend about it also.It is a great read for story times at family reunions.It's a book of celebration, courage and freedom.After reading it to my three year old, I lifted my baby girl up and told her "I love that girl-child up"! What a wonderful read!, and children learn about the tradition of quilts and how they showed the way to freedom.
Folk history at its finest
Jacqueline Woodson has created another powerful, thought-provoking, personal yet universal story.Combined with Hudston Talbott's equally poignant and vibrant illustrations, Show Way is by every measure a most worthy Newbery Honor winner.
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Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 1-2    4. Fiction    5. Girls & Women    6. Historical - United States - General    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Juvenile Women's Studies    9. Mothers and daughters    10. People & Places - United States - African-American    11. Quilts    12. Slavery    13. Juvenile Fiction / Ethnic / African American   

Editorial Review

Ever since David Yaffe was acquitted of murder in the accidental deathof his girlfriend, he has felt that "for the rest of my life, over and over, I would have to convince everyone--including me--of my harmlessness." To escape media attention and the prying stares of the curious, he is sent to finish his senior year of high school in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he lives in the attic apartment of his Aunt Julia and Uncle Vic. They receive him coldly, and his 11-year-old cousin, Lily, is openly hostile. (The apartment previously belonged to their older daughter Kathy, who died an apparent suicide at age 18.) With a haunting series of episodes--including a sporadic humming and a fleeting shadow--David begins to sense Kathy's eerie and powerful presence. Read more

Reviews (47)

Up in Smoke and Down in Ashes
David B. Yaffe has a lot to contend with.Acquitted of murdering his girlfriend, Emily and beating her brother Greg, David's parents help usher him out of their home state of Maryland to the home of his maternal aunt and uncle-in-law in Boston.David had to repeat his senior year and hopefully start anew in Boston.
Not a typical book...
This book was wonderful because there was nothing typical about it.The suspense was very well done, and the book was able to keep surprising me.Characterization was also done well, at least of the main characters anyway.

The Killer's Cousin
I found the book The Killer's Cousin very enjoyable. It's one of those books that keeps the reader wanting to know more and forces them to read on. It's about a 17 year old boy named David who was recently acquitted of murdering his girlfriend. To escape the media he moves out of state to stay with his aunt, uncle and 11 year old cousin Lily. After moving though, he can't help but feel not welcome or at home. Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - Mystery    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    3. Cousins    4. Emotional problems    5. Family - Multigenerational    6. Fiction    7. Guilt    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories    10. Juvenile Fiction / Mysteries & Detective Stories   

Reviews (31)

I haven't been hooked like this in a long time.
First let me say i picked up the book only becuase it said 'sequel to howl's moving castle', i never read that book, but enjoyed the movie. Right away i had no idea what it had to do with the movie, but i was in love. I absolutly adore the arabian setting, and the tight plot twists. i love the writers sense of style, they way she draws pictures for you with her well places words. This book was so wonderful i want to read more of her books! I am so thankful I found this.
Castle in the Air Review by YMP, Age 11
The following was written by YM, age 11 (Grade Six):
worthy sequel

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Subjects:  1. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - Fantasy    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    3. Fantasy fiction    4. Humorous Stories    5. Juvenile Fiction    6. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    7. Juvenile Fiction / Science Fiction, Fantasy, Magic   

Reviews (2)

Superb suspense and real life issues.
Edgar winner, Werlin, combines suspense with real life problems as Matt and his sisters Callie and Emmy try to keep their volatile and unbalanced mother happy. One day in the convenience store they witness Murdoch stopping a kid from being abused and become obsessed with him. For Matt's birthday, Callie finds Murdoch's address but their mother finds it and takes them all over to Murdoch's house. They begin dating and kids' lives look so much better but Murdoch quickly realizes that the mom is unbalanced and breaks up with her. Each day with their mom raises the question of survival. Will she drive the car with all the kids in it into oncoming traffic? The relationships between the siblings are richly depicted and Werlin's pacing is excruciatingly good. It is a page turner.

Richie's Picks: THE RULES OF SURVIVAL
As Matt explains, it was a sweltering Boston evening, and a date night for their mother. Matt was thirteen at that point, and Callie was eleven on that evening they left their five year old sister Emmy sleeping alone in the apartment, climbed out the window, and raced around the corner to buy a couple of Popsicles at the convenience store. They would return home a few minutes later with the dream that a stranger whose behavior they'd just witnessed might somehow be persuaded to intercede in the frightening and dangerous world they inhabited, a world controlled by Nikki, their nightmare of a mother.
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Subjects:  1. Brothers and sisters    2. Child abuse    3. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - General    4. Children's Books - Young Adult Fiction    5. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)    6. Emotional problems    7. Family - General    8. Family - Siblings    9. Fiction    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories    12. Social Issues - Domestic Violence    13. Social Issues - Physical & Emotional Abuse    14. Suspense/Thriller    15. Juvenile Fiction / Family / General   

Reviews (61)

Excellent page turner, filled with magic and fantasy
I saw this at the bookstore and bought it on a whim. Glad I did! This was a major page turner. It's well written. The storylines hold together perfectly with no loose ends. The author writes with excitement, so that I couldn't help but feel anticipation and wonder on each page. I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys well written fantasy. Not to be missed.

An Unexpected Jewel
I first got this book from my good friend who kindly lent it to me. It was hard for me to get into at first but after that it was all history. I would sit up all day and half the night seeing what happened. This book has more twists in it then a roller coaster.
The Best Book Ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Imagine being in a world where magic is as common as music is in this world. The Chronicles of Chrestomanci by Diana Jones is about a kid named Cat whose parents died in a boat crash.Cat's sister, Gwendolyn is extremely talented in witchcraft.On the other hand, Cat has no talent in magic whatsoever.The siblings have a chance to live at the house of Chrestomanci (KREST-OH-MAN-SEE) and they take it.When they move in, Gwendolyn feels strange, but she doesn't know what it is.Then Gwendolyn gets mad at Chrestomanci because he won't let her do magic at all in the castle.When Gwendolyn fights back, she does everything from making stain glass windows move to making holes in the ground to make Chrestomanci mad.He doesn't get mad and seems not to care.That just makes Gwendolyn even more enraged.She gets so mad that she does somethingagainst the law.If you are a fantasy or a Harry Potter lover, you will enjoy this book.This is a real page turnner. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - Fantasy    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    3. Fantasy    4. Fantasy fiction    5. Fiction    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Magic    8. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    9. Witchcraft    10. Juvenile Fiction / Science Fiction, Fantasy, Magic   

Reviews (17)

Even if...
This is a beautiful and subtle story.While the story metaphorically uses a fence as the boundary constructed between people of different races, the metaphor could also be used to represent the boundaries that always seem to exist between people who are different from one another.If we all could only meet each other at those fences, like these little girls...

The Other Side
Wonderful read aloud book to children of all ages.A class favorite.Great book to demonstrate diversity and what adults can learn from children.

Powerful message
What a powerful message!This book is perfect for classroom discussions about diversity.I have used it during vocabulary activities, comprehension activities, as a journal starter, and simply for read aloud.Perfect addition to an upper elementary classroom. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 1-2    3. Fiction    4. Friendship    5. Juvenile Fiction    6. Race relations    7. Social Issues - Friendship    8. Social Issues - Prejudice & Racism    9. Summer    10. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / Friendship   

Reviews (15)

Chronicles of Chrestomanci, Vol 2
it was not as good as the first book, but I enjoyed it.

Wow....
I bought both Castle in the air and witch week from a bookshop some time ago, and have really enjoyed them. I thought CITA was not the best it could be, but witch week definetly was one of the best books i've ever read. The charcters are well developed, the pace is good and it's nice to get into the minds of the main characters. Altogether, something that could probably rival Harry Potter.

Interesting
The Chronicles of Chrestomanci is another good series by Diana Wynne Jones. Jones's books aren't as good as some recent reads like The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches, but they are good books and interesting. This book is a 2-in-1 with The Magicians of Caprona and Witch Week. The previous volume has Charmed Life and The Lives of Christopher Chant. Altogether worth a read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - Fantasy    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    3. Fantasy    4. Fantasy fiction    5. Fiction    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Magic    8. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    9. Witchcraft    10. Juvenile Fiction / Science Fiction, Fantasy, Magic   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (35)

miracle's boys
Bacally this story is about three brothers trying to make it in the streets of Herlem .It's a very sad story this is how it goes there mother and father both die the reason there mother dies is she had die in an car accident and theire father had died by saving a neihbors dog .In the youngest brother is trying to be a drug dealer in hanging out with the wrong people the oldest brother is trying to help him but he doesn't want to listen to him in get's sent to a place called Rathway it's a school for bad kids.I really think kids should read this book because it kind of takes place in life.

A Great Read
Miracle's Boys is a great book because it has real life situations. The book also has a T.V. show. I love to watch it. The book is about 3 brothers , Charlie (Newcharlie), Lafeyette, andTy'Ree. Charlie went to Rahway Correctional right before his mother died. Ty'Ree the oldestbrother has to work full time just to support his two younger siblings. He goes to work everyday and hopes that Charlie will look after the youngest brother Lafeyette. Ty'Ree is having to supportthe family because his mother died before he could go off to college and they didn't want to stay with their aunt.Now it's just the three of them, Miracle's Boys. So I advise you to read this book if you want to know what happens!

"A Carefree Read"

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Subjects:  1. Brothers    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)    4. Family - Orphans & Foster Homes    5. Family - Siblings    6. Family problems    7. Fiction    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Orphans    10. People & Places - United States - African-American    11. Social Issues - General    12. Juvenile Fiction / Ethnic / African American   

Editorial Review

Suffering from a bit of Read more

Reviews (30)

OUTSTANDING!
I love both reading and writing fantasy, and this is the best book as a guide for both!You shouldn't venture into the Fantasy section of Borders unarmed!

A Must-Have For Every Fantasyland Tourist
The Tough Guide to Fantasyland is not a novel, but it does manage to tell a sort of story. Written as an amusing travel guide, the book assumes that you are a 'tourist' in a fantasy world. You are, of course, going on a quest, and you will meet all sorts of strange people, visit strange places, eat lots of stew (and probably save the world as well) before the tour is over.
Ready to Quest (OMT)?
The Tough Guide To Fantasy Land
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Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Young Adult Misc. Nonfiction    2. Children's stories, English    3. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    4. Dictionaries    5. Fantasy fiction, English    6. Fiction - Fantasy    7. Juvenile Nonfiction    8. Literary Criticism & Collections    9. Travel    10. Juvenile Nonfiction / Travel   

Editorial Review

Devotees of Read more

Reviews (10)

A Welcome Return To Chrestomanci
A hugely welcome return to Wynne-Jones's fabulous Christopher Chant - he and Millie are amongst my favourite of her creations. Some probably feel that the author is re-treading a lot of very familiar territory - parallel universes, layered happenings and dastardly plots - but that is why this is such a nice book: it's familiar and comforting like your favourite pudding. It loses a star only because the baddies aren't quite bad enough - but I do have an insatiable appetite for her books.
average book from an author who is coasting
i know people who disagree are going to bring me down on the votes, but this is my honest (and i think helpful) opinion. first off, i'm about as avid a DWJ fan as anyone and have read pretty much all her books. this book started off well, but after a while it feels just way too familiar. the main character is a pale imitation of sophie from howl's moving castle (cursed, put-upon, but decent and talented); the mother is distant and uncaring (like in fire and hemlock); i could go on. for long-time fans of DWJ there are several things that would make this worthwhile: if you are a big fan of upstairs/downstairs stories (i.e. nobility and their servants) there's a lot of that here (too much in my opinion). also, if you're a big fan of the chrestomanci books this is part of the series, although prob. my least fav. of the bunch (although christopher chant is one of my fav characters of the series, he's just not that interesting here). newbies should def. skip this and head for one of the classics first, like archer's goon and howl's moving castle.

Are adults ever trustworthy?
A laid back Christopher Chant & a mixed-up Conrad (title character) are an amusing pair of imposter servants.Our family read this aloud & it was torture to not sit and read it straight through.Kudos to Diana Wynne Jones for such stellar writing! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Children's 9-12    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. Fantasy    6. Fantasy fiction    7. Fiction    8. Humorous Stories    9. Jones, Diana Wynne    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Magic    12. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    13. Witchcraft    14. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Reviews (5)

Heart Breaking and Heart Warming
Coming on Home Soon is a wonderful story about a young girl Ada Ruth dealing with separation from her mother.The story is set in a time of war and her mother leaves to find work in Chicago.Ada Ruth meanwhile stays at home with her grandmother and they both miss mama very much.While waiting for a letter from mama saying she is coming on home soon a small surprise arrives at their door.This surprise helps Ada Ruth and grandma cope with the emptiness they feel in their hearts.Finally Ada Ruth and grandma receive a letter that mama is coming on home soon.
A warm and reassuring masterpiece
This marvellously written and invitingly illustrated picture book is already a favorite.The spare, meaningful story coupled with the expressive paintings tell a story that is at the same time filled with tension and uncertainty, along with love and assurance.We know that Mama's decision to journey up to Chicago to work on the railroad was a hard one to make, and we know that Ada Ruth and Grandma will have a hard and uncertain time in her absence.We also know that Mama will return, and that there will be joy in their tiny home when she does.The final illustration, showing Mama's back as she heads toward the house, warms the heart; you can almost feel the hugs that will begin as soon as she walks in the door.
Coming On Home Soon-to teach with!
I purchased this book because The Other Side is by far my favorite book to teach my elementary students with.We read it at least five times a year and each time we are able to gain a deeper understanding.Jacqueline Woodson and her illustrator have created another book I will use over and over.Coming On Home Soon is a great story that will allow me to discuss history, letter writing and many comprehension strategies with my students! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. African Americans    2. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Kindergarten    5. Family - Multigenerational    6. Family - Parents    7. Fiction    8. Grandmothers    9. Historical - United States - 20th Century    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Juvenile Historical Fiction    12. Mother and child    13. People & Places - United States - African-American    14. Separation (Psychology)    15. Social Issues - General    16. Social Situations - General    17. Juvenile Fiction / Family / Multigenerational   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (9)

Three of the four stories are good
This book contains four stories about Chrestomanci. The first one is a bit disapointing as it doesn't contain Chrestomanci at all.
Very good, but i expected better.
This book, though one of the best I have ever read, was a huge disappointment to me. The plots were not a gripping as other books Diana Wynne Jones has written. The wonderful unexpected endings, and plot twists in most of her other books simply are not there. I also think that the characters are much harder to relate to. All of the stories would have been better if they were developed more. I would recommend not spending money on this book and buying "The Chronicles of Chrestomanci- Volume 1," or "The Chronicles of Chrestomanci- Volume 2." Unlike this one, these books are better the second, third, or forth time. If your library has this book, don't spend the money. If not, it is good enough to buy just to read once.

Mixed Magics
These four tales are in the exact same style as Diana Wynne Jones' earlier Chrestomanci novels. They are light, funny, and have interesting plot twists. Like The Chronicles of Chrestomanci, Volume 1 and 2, this book contains stories about the castle in which the mighty sorcerer Chrestomanci lives. This books contains four short stories; Warlock at the Wheel, Stealer of Souls, Carol Oneir's Hundredth Dream, and The Sage of Theare. If you haven't already read the Chronicles of Chrestomanci I would suggest that you do that before reading this book because the stories go in chronological order.Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Fantasy    4. Fiction    5. Juvenile Fiction    6. Magic    7. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    8. Short Stories    9. Juvenile Fiction / Science Fiction, Fantasy, Magic   

Reviews (70)

More Lemonade
I really wanted to give this book five stars but I feel that the ending was rushed. Ms. Wolff did a wonderful job with introducing the characters and building them up over time, however I feel cheated of not being able to see more of Jolly's transition towards change in the end.

Real for Teens
As a high school teacher I am always looking for a book that will speak to the heart and soul of the teen years. This is one such book. Written in the persona of a 14 year old girl, the book has pathos, humor and hope. The characters are believable, lovable and their mistakes are understandable. The minute my students opened the book, boys and girls, they were caught. So was I! There is so much to this unusually written book, that I am only sorry I started it so near the end of the school year.
! HELP !
Are you the type of person that is planning on going to college, but doesn't have the money to do it? Well this is the right book to read. This book may be written in poems but it doesn't mean it rhymes and it's boring. This book talks about a young teenage girl named Lavaughn.