Editorial Review

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Reviews (64)

this book sucks
this is the worst excuse for a book that i have ever been forced to read.its hard to follow and stuff.it sucks.

My Everest Story
How would you feel climbing the tallest mountain in the world at age 16? In My Everest Story by Mark Pfetzer and Jack Galvin that's exactly what happens. Mark a 16-year-old climber tries to summit the most dangerous and harsh mountain in the world. The mountain is described so vividly you can almost feel the wind on your cheeks.
My Everest Story
Imagine climbing Everest at 16 years old with complete strangers. That's what happens to a boy named Mark in this book. The book My Everest Story by Mark Pfetzer & Jack Galvin is about a 16 year old boy who has a dream about climbing Everest. It is about how he trains very hard to get ready to climb. In the story, he also gets money from sponsors to climb mountains since it is so expensive.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Children's 12-Up - Sports / Recreation    3. Children's Books/Young Adult Misc. Nonfiction    4. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    5. Everest, Mount (China and Nepal)    6. Juvenile literature    7. Mountain Climbing    8. Mountaineering    9. Mountaineers    10. Pfetzer, Mark    11. Sports & Recreation    12. Sports & Recreation - Camping & Outdoor Activities    13. United States    14. Youths' writings, American   

Reviews (3)

True story of Pocahontas
I really enjoyed this book and it has inspired me to do more research on the early days of Virginia. I liked the alternating tales of the eleven year old Pocahontas, and the woeful John Smith, who was somewhat of an egomaniac if one is to believe the author, who took the story from Smith's own diaries.
Pocahontas a review by Jocelyn
Do you like early ages?Then you should read this book called Pocahontas by Flora Warren Seymour because it will encourage you to read books about Native Americans and early ages. The protagonist, Pocahontas, is a little girl whose nick name is "Playful Girl" and she's always curious about things beyond her village. Dissapointment
I had high expectations for this book as the legend of Pocahontas if one of my favorites of all the stories America has to offer. However, as soon as I bought this book my hopes feel. The story part of the book is at only a meager 150 pages. And the story is cut in half. One chapter is written from Pocahontas' point of view. The next chapter is from John Smith's point of view. Then back to Pocahontas, then John Smith, etc. To be honest I could care less what John Smith had to say, and I almost had the mind to read just the chapters from Pocahontas' point of view. I did end up reading John Smith chapters, which proved to be boring compared to Pocahontas' chapters. The book was not a complete catastrophe. The Pocahontas chapters were very interesting and kept me captivated. And the short Powhatan legends told at the beginnings of the Pocahontas chapters were enjoyable, as was the glossary of Powhatan terms, numbers, phrases, and names. But I think John Smith's view was a waste. The book would have been much better written from Pocahontas' view only. I would not recommend this book, and if you do wish to buy it, I would get it from the library or wait until it comes out in paperback. I have the mind to return this book. And also, I found John Smith's chapters confusing. John uses many words that are all 17th century words, whcih forces you to flip to the glossary of English words constantly. And not only that but John constantly goes from talking in the first person to the third person! And I found it almost laughable that the author bashes the stereotypes of Native Americans and Pocahontas in the back saying for example that Pocahontas is often patheticly depicted as a Plains Indian in paintings, pictures, and in the statue that stands in Jamestown today when what graces the cover of the book but a picture of Pocahontas dressed as a Plains Indian! A dissapointing story. I would recommend that you buy another Native American book coming out within a few days or weeks, the newest Royal Diary called Weetamoo: Heart of the Pocassets. Not only is it longer, but also not as expensive as Pocahontas. And I have heard that it is very good. Perhaps I will exchange this book for Weetamoo... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biographical - United States    2. Children's 12-Up - Biography / Autobiography    3. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    4. Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775    5. General    6. Girls & Women    7. History    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Juvenile literature    10. People & Places - United States - Native American    11. Powhatan Indians    12. Virginia    13. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / United States / General   

Reviews (1)

Great photograher bio
This is an excellent biography of Edward S. Cutis. It is a clear look at his life and work. The author writes in a easy reading manner about the ups and downs of the man's life. It contains samples on almost every page of his photos. Since Curtis extensively studied American Indians, this is also a good reference for several rarely talked about tribes! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography - Art    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Children's 12-Up - Biography / Autobiography    5. Children's Books/Young Adult Biography    6. Indians of North America    7. Juvenile literature    8. Photographers    9. Photography    10. Pictorial works    11. United States    12. Curtis, Edward S    13. History of art & design styles: from c 1900 -    14. Individual artists    15. Photographs: collections   

Reviews (86)

Holocaust through the Eyes of a Child
Annie deLeuuw is growing up in Nazi- Europs during the Holocaust.
The Upstairs Room
Reading this as a seventh grade student I personaly thought it was a very well written book. It was a breath-taking, sad and happy book. There are some bad words but you have to remember this book is about the Hollocaust. It starts out when two girls get seperated from their father and older sister to go hide at someone's house that they didn't know. Now I don't want to tell you the whole book so you could either buy or borrow it from the library. If you're looking for a good book choose The Upstairs Room, and that's from a seventh grader.

My Review
I thought that The Upstairs Room was an overall pretty good book. I liked the fact that I had never read a book quite like it before, or heard a story similar to its style of text. The detail of the characters and situations was good, not excessive, and the author didn?t just skim over what happened. What I really liked in the story was all the interesting conversation between the characters that lasted all throughout the course of the story. The characters were good, well defined, interesting, and realistic, especially Opoe, with her stubborn attitude towards tradition. The author set the cold, familiar feeling among the house by describing each room. The plot was interesting, even though throughout the middle when Annie and Sini were in the upstairs room all day long got kinda boring. I especially liked the end when they all ran outside, even Opoe who protested quite a bit, and watched the Canadians wave their flags as they declared peace in Holland. All in all, I would recommend this book any day to anyone who wants to read to read about a different part of the world.
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Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography - General    2. Biography & Autobiography - Historical    3. Children's 12-Up - Biography / Autobiography    4. Children's Books/Young Adult Biography    5. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    6. History - Holocaust    7. Jews    8. Juvenile Nonfiction    9. Juvenile literature    10. Netherlands    11. Personal narratives, Jewish    12. Reiss, Johanna    13. World War, 1939-1945    14. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / Holocaust   

Reviews (21)

Very Intresting
I had heard about this book for a long time, but I hadn't bothered to read it because I didn't want to read some boring book about how to improve your life. This book is so worth reading!!!!!!!
This book was so good!! it had atleast one picture on each page. Shannon began each chapter with a diary entry. She explained her gymnastics life and her non-gymnastics life. It if more like a fun biography!

great book!
I'm 21 & have been a gymnast since I was 6. I've read many gymnastics books & this is definitely one of my favorites. I usually don't like to read, but I couldn't put this one down. I recommend it for any gymnast or Shannon Miller fan! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1977-    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography - Sports & Recreation    4. Children's 12-Up - Inspirational    5. Children's Books/Young Adult Misc. Nonfiction    6. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)    7. Gymnasts    8. Juvenile Nonfiction    9. Juvenile literature    10. Miller, Shannon,    11. Psychology    12. Social Science - Psychology    13. Sports & Recreation - General    14. United States    15. Fitness & diet    16. Juvenile Fiction / Sports & Recreation / Miscellaneous    17. Miller, Shannon   

Subjects:  1. 1887-    2. Architecture    3. Art - General    4. Artists    5. Biography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Chagall, Marc,    8. Children's 12-Up - Architecture    9. Fine Arts (Young Adult)    10. Juvenile literature    11. Painting, Russian    12. Russia (Federation)    13. Chagall, Marc   

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Biography & Autobiography - Literary    3. Children's 12-Up - Art & Art Instruction    4. Children: Grades 2-3    5. Design - Book    6. Graphic Arts - General    7. History    8. Illustrators    9. Interviews    10. Juvenile Nonfiction    11. Juvenile literature    12. Language Arts - Composition & Creative Writing    13. Picture books for children    14. United States    15. Juvenile Nonfiction / General   

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography - Religious    2. Children's 12-Up - Religion - Christian Living    3. Children's 9-12    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. Juvenile Nonfiction    6. Juvenile Religion    7. Religion - Christianity - Christian Life    8. Religion - Christianity - General    9. Sports & Recreation - Extreme Sports   

Subjects:  1. 1866-1943    2. 20th century    3. Artists    4. Authors, English    5. Biography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Children's 12-Up - Biography / Autobiography    8. Country life    9. England    10. Great Britain    11. Lake District    12. Potter, Beatrix,    13. Biography: general    14. Individual artists    15. NATURAL HISTORY, COUNTRY LIFE & PETS    16. Novels, other prose & writers: 19th century    17. Novels, other prose & writers: from c 1900 -    18. Potter, Beatrix   

Subjects:  1. (Joseph Mallord William),    2. 1775-1851    3. Artists    4. Biography    5. Biography & Autobiography - Art    6. Children's 12-Up - Biography / Autobiography    7. Children's Books/Young Adult Biography    8. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    9. England    10. Juvenile    11. Juvenile Nonfiction    12. Juvenile literature    13. Painters    14. Painting, English    15. Turner, J. M. W    16. Art / Individual Artist    17. History of art & art styles    18. Painting & paintings   

Subjects:  1. 1901-1971    2. Armstrong, Louis,    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography - Music    5. Biography & Autobiography - People of Color    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Children's 12-Up - Biography / Autobiography    8. Jazz    9. Jazz musicians    10. Juvenile literature    11. Music (Young Adult)    12. Music - Jazz    13. Musicians    14. United States    15. Armstrong, Louis   

Editorial Review

The controversy over the relationship between Thomas Jefferson and hisAfrican American slave Sally Hemings has raged for generations. Shannon Lanier,a 20-year-old descendant of Jefferson and Hemings, was inspired to delve deeperinto the debate after attending the Monticello Association's yearly meeting in1999. On the heels of the discovery through DNA evidence of a link betweenJefferson and Hemings, excitement was running high at Jefferson's famoushomestead. Lanier, who is black, encountered Jeffersons who embraced him, andthose who wouldn't even shake his hand. He met Hemingses who looked as white asJeffersons, Jeffersons who refused to acknowledge the scientific evidence, andHemingses who were angry at having to prove their lineage. In this climate ofstirred-up emotions and racial tensions, Lanier, along with photographer JaneFeldman, decided to write this book in hopes of unraveling some of the mystery,and giving members of one of America's largest, most well-known families achance to speak. The result is a fascinating look at race relations,history--both oral and written, and family ties. The authors interview dozens ofindividuals who claim--or disclaim--shared ancestry. Many of those interviewedbelieve that, DNA testing or not, the connection between these families is apowerful symbol of America; to acknowledge the link would be a major step towardracial harmony. Eager, friendly, and astute, Lanier brings out the heartfeltthoughts and emotions of his extended family, while Feldman's photos capture theexpressions of hope and joy on their faces. (Ages 11 and older)Read more

Reviews (14)

Well Done
I liked this book because it showed how complex African-American racial heritage is.I learned a lot about the Hemmings story and descendents.Now I have something to share with my children.
A fascinating re-definition of the word "family"
I am a Lutheran church librarian in Florida who bought this book for our church library.I feel it has very important things to say about the definition of family.A family can be a traditional nuclear family with a mom, dad and 2.3 kids.It can have two mothers, two fathers, step-parents, and grandparents.The people in the family can be of all different races.They do do not even have to be biologically related since they can be adopted.I want my parishioners to realize all this.A family is defined as "a group of people who love and support one another."If a particular family does not match your traditional particular concept of family, GET USED TO IT!
Jefferson and Hemmings - A peak into secret lives
I bought this book for my 12 year old nephew who wanted to understand "passing."
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Subjects:  1. 1743-1826    2. Afro-Americans    3. Biography & Autobiography - Historical    4. Children's 12-Up - Biography / Autobiography    5. Children's Books/Young Adult Biography    6. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)    7. Family    8. Genealogy    9. Hemings, Sally    10. History - United States/Colonial & Revolutionary    11. Interviews    12. Jefferson, Thomas,    13. Juvenile Nonfiction    14. Juvenile literature    15. Racially mixed people    16. United States    17. Hemings family    18. Jefferson family    19. Jefferson, Thomas    20. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / United States / Colonial & Revolutionary Periods   

Reviews (1)

A home-style, family book for everyone
If you enjoy history and want a clean read that will keep you hooked cover to cover than this is the book for you!I found this children's book a fun read that would be great for adults and kids alike if they are trying torekindle their innocent, free-spirit days as a child!It takes you fromAbe's youth to his adolescent and the history of his aduldhood.What agreat read! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1809-1865    2. Biography/Autobiography    3. Children's 12-Up - Biography / Autobiography    4. General    5. Lincoln, Abraham,    6. President U.S    7. Juvenile Fiction / General    8. Lincoln, Abraham   

Reviews (49)

Nice work
Probably the most INsightful worK Of Probably the most misUNderstood and unKnOwn fathers of our constitution. AND THE UNCANNY thing about it is that many scholars, both american and CANADIAN ARE Just as ignorant as their viEWing audience of Fans And General readerS.

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography creates a portal into the mind of one of America's greatest minds.Not only did Franklin play a pivotal role in the development of our nation but he also made huge advancements in the field of electricity.His descriptions of experiences such as the famous kite experiment grant some understanding of just how remarkable these revelations were in the mid-1700s.His subsequent invention of the lightning rod, something taken for granted today, is fascinating to read about in his own words.Learning about the electrical innovations that Franklin made, written in his own words and in the language of the period offers a unique approach to the subject of electricity.The fact that Franklin managed to accomplish all of these feats in addition to playing the role as a Founding Father is astounding and only adds to the significance of the his individual successes.

America's Original Genuis
Ben Franklin details his interesting life in his own words. If you want an investment guide, self-help book, historical read, business primer, and a look into the life of an American original, this is it, all in one medium length book. Some readers will find the phrasing antiquated, and sentence structure longer than normal. A small quibble that reflects more upon our modern age than the work itself. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1706-1790    2. Biography    3. Children's 12-Up - Biography / Autobiography    4. Children's Books/Young Adult Biography    5. Franklin, Benjamin,    6. Historical - U.S.    7. Literature: Classics    8. Political    9. Scientists - General    10. Statesmen    11. United States    12. Fiction / Classics   

Reviews (2)

Good subject for a biography report; not a great book
My son and I learned about Moe Berg at the Spy Museum in Washington DC (which is well worth a visit).Knowing he would have to write a biography book report in 5th grade, I ordered this book so he could cover something other than just sports. A jewish WWII spy who played pro baseball, spoke multiple languages, had a law degree, studied nuclear physics with Einstein and travelled the world . . . . an athlete and intellectual, eccentric and unusual. Berg's life story is fascinating, easily holding the interest of a fifth grader, and it made a stellar biography report.My son learned a lot about many subjects. So, I recommend the reading this book.
A great book.
I loved this book because it was just like an autobiography, but not in first-person. I never knew that someone can be a outstanding baseball player, but also a sneaky spy. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1902-1972    2. Baseball players    3. Berg, Morris,    4. Biography    5. Biography & Autobiography    6. Biography & Autobiography - Cultural Heritage    7. Biography & Autobiography - Ethnic    8. Biography & Autobiography - Historical    9. Biography & Autobiography - Sports & Recreation    10. Biography/Autobiography    11. Children's 12-Up - Biography / Autobiography    12. Children's Books/Young Adult Biography    13. Juvenile literature    14. Secret service    15. Spies    16. Sports - General    17. United States    18. World War, 1939-1945    19. Secret service, espionage, spying    20. USA   

Subjects:  1. 1925-1965    2. Afro-Americans    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography - Cultural Heritage    5. Biography & Autobiography - People of Color    6. Biography & Autobiography - Religious    7. Biography & Autobiography - Social Activists    8. Black Muslims    9. Children's 9-12 - Biography / Autobiography    10. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Biography    11. Children: Grades 4-6    12. Juvenile Nonfiction    13. Juvenile literature    14. X, Malcolm,    15. Historical figures    16. Writers, poets & dramatists   

Reviews (5)

Fantastic
I think this book was a very nice description of a man's life. There's always something happening, and that contributes to the fact that this book is never boring. That's why I like this book. Roald Dahl is right when he says that it's not an autobiography. I don't know what makes it different, but there is something, that's for sure.
Boy
Boy
Boy
Boy
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Subjects:  1. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    2. Biography: general    3. English    4. Novels, other prose & writers: from c 1900 -    5. Writers, poets & dramatists   

Subjects:  1. Children's 12-Up - Poetry    2. Children's Books/Young Adult Misc. Nonfiction    3. Children's poetry    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. Ireland    6. Juvenile Nonfiction    7. Juvenile Poetry    8. Literary Criticism & Collections    9. Poetry    10. Poetry - General    11. English literature: poetry texts & anthologies    12. JUVY-WORKBOOKS - JUV WORKBOOKS    13. Juvenile Nonfiction / Poetry / General    14. Writers, poets & dramatists   

Reviews (30)

Joseph Lekuton is elected to Kenya Parliament
On July 24, 2006, this remarkable young man was elected to the Kenyan parliament to represent his home district.He says thank you for the help and encouragement he received while living in the United States.

This is another student of Mr. Lekuton...
He is both a wonderful author and teacher. It has been a wonderful experience hearing first-hand the stories told in this book, but as many cannot meet him in person, this is the next best thing. This is an entertaining book that narrates the life of a child in Africa.I have never heard anything like this before.I highly recommend this book. Unfortunately, Mr. Lekuton will be leaving the school where he teaches after this year to go back to Kenya. He will be running for Senator there. If you live there, vote for him! This book is a great read for anyone, and it really puts our own lives in perspective

The Consequences Of Drive and Choice
Lekuton's personal account sheds light and beauty on the Maasai culture and the uniqueness of life in the savanna. For those who call Kenya home, it is both a chance to reminisce and an opportunity to explore the diversity in lifestyles. It is an educational story of how one man struggles against the tide and carves out his own destiny. Although sometimes misunderstood, all that he does is carried about to give back to his land and his people, to keep something precious to him alive. He hopes to give his people the tools they need to preserve their traditions and create a better tomorrow. We all need such a purpose driven life - Blessings to Lekuton on his wonderful journey... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography - Cultural Heritage    3. Biography & Autobiography - People of Color    4. Children's 12-Up - Biography / Autobiography    5. Children's Books/Young Adult Biography    6. Children: Grades 4-6    7. Juvenile Nonfiction    8. Juvenile literature    9. Kenya    10. Masai (African people)    11. People & Places - Africa    12. Social life and customs    13. Human geography / peoples of the world    14. Juvenile Nonfiction / Biography & Autobiography / People of Color    15. Social history   

Reviews (1)

How much do you know about Ethan Allen?
Every school child learns how Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys seized Fort Ticonderoga from the British. If you'd like to learn more about this colorful character, or how the Green Mountain Boys got their name, or how Vermont became a state, you'll want to read this book.Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 12-Up - Biography / Autobiography    2. Children's Books/Young Adult Biography    3. General    4. History: American    5. U.S. History - Revolution And Confederation (1775-1789)