Reviews (1)

Warrior Angel
Warrior Angel, by Robert Lipsyte, is a fictional story about a Moscondaga Indian, named Sonny Bear, who dreams of being a professional boxer.Along his rise to the top, he has a mental breakdown, and one of his biggest fans, Warrior Angel, comes to save him and put him back on the right trail to stardom.This book was somewhat confusing.I couldn't tell who the narrator was sometimes.Besides that, it's not too long, but it's not too short.I have also read other stories in the series by the same author.In my opinion, the other novels were better.The Contender, The Brave, and The Chief are all more exciting.I think Warrior Angel is not as exciting because it does not have as good of a plot as the others did.It just talks about Sonny Bear's struggle to be the best.The other novels have more problems going on throughout them.Still, if you like action and sports (mainly boxing) you should enjoy this book, but you have to read The Contender first, because Warrior Angel is its sequel.So what do you think, does Sonny Bear make it to the top with the help of Warrior Angel? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Boxing    2. Children's Books - Young Adult    3. Children's Books - Young Adult Fiction    4. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    5. Fiction    6. Indians of North America    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Lipsyte, Robert    9. People & Places - United States - Native American    10. Social Issues - General    11. Social Situations - General    12. Sports & Recreation - General    13. Juvenile Fiction / Sports & Recreation / General   

Subjects:  1. Children's Books - Young Adult Fiction    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    4. Donation of organs, tissues, etc.    5. Fiction    6. Friendship    7. General    8. Health & Daily Living - General    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Liver    11. Social Issues - Friendship    12. Sports & Recreation - General   

Editorial Review

In 1978, 13 women set out to climb Annapurna I in the Nepal Himalaya, achieving the first ascent of the world's 10th highest mountain by an American and by a woman. By proving that women had the skill, strength, and courage necessary to make this difficult and dangerous climb, the 1978 Women's Himalayan Expedition's accomplishment had a positive impact around the world, changing perceptions about women's abilities in sports and other arenas. Twenty years later, Arlene Blum has republished her account, offering her story to a new generation. Blum writes in the introduction, Read more

Reviews (24)

Gripping and Inspiring Read
I don't know how you can't feel the call of the mountains after reading this book.I wanted to jump on the next plane to India.An excellent documentary style book on women's relationships with each other and men, the image women hold of themselves and how others perceive us, and a moving story illustrating that women can do anything.Excellent.

Wow.
This new release of a 20yo book is a winner. I still have my tattered T-shirt proclaiming women should be 'on top,' that I bought in Berkeley way back then, in support of Blum?s fundraising for her 1978 all-woman assault on Annapurna. By proving to the skeptical small mountain-climbing community of men, as well as to the world at large, that women COULD be leaders of expeditions into the high Himilayas, Blum opened the door to a new vision of women's abilities in sports as well as all other areas of life.

Read this book!
Arlene Blum's book is the best mountain-climbing book I've ever read, by far, and as the daughter of a climber, I've read quite a few. This book excels because of its author. Her sensitivity, perceptiveness, and concern for others is evident throughout. She's also a good writer with a good story. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Annapurna    2. Biography    3. Mountain Climbing    4. Mountaineering    5. Nepal    6. Sports    7. Sports & Recreation    8. United States    9. Women And Sports    10. Women mountaineers    11. Sports & Recreation / General   

Subjects:  1. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    2. Juvenile Nonfiction    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Sports & Recreation - General    6. Tennis    7. Tennis for girls    8. Lawn tennis    9. Teaching of a specific subject   

Editorial Review

Brian Boitano was a "daredevil roller skater" in Sunnyvale, California, before hismother took him to an ice show at age 8. After that he laced up figure skates instead, and as any of thesport's growing legion of fans know, his dream to win an Olympic medal came true in Calgary in 1988.Read more

Reviews (29)

Great look inside the sport from one of its legends
Brian Boitano pushed himself AND his chief competitor, Brian Orser, in his quest for Olympic gold, and in doing so, both of them elevated the level of the entire sport.
Brian Boitnano's book on skating
A nicely written book, describing his experiences learning his craft, as well as good insight into the sport.It would beimproved if there were more pictures of the skaters setting up and completeing their moves.Recommended reading for young skaters, as well as their parents.

Boitano Tells it Like it Is!
Brian Boitano has always been my favorite figure skater.When I heard that he had written a book, I quickly rushed to get it.I am so glad that I took the time to read this book because it is a masterpiece.Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Boitano, Brian    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    4. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)    5. Figure skaters    6. Figure skating    7. Ice & Figure Skating    8. Juvenile literature    9. Records    10. Skaters    11. Skating    12. Sports & Recreation    13. Sports & Recreation - Winter Sports    14. United States    15. Biography: general    16. Ice-skating    17. Juvenile Fiction / Sports & Recreation / Miscellaneous    18. USA   

Reviews (4)

Great Book!!!
I'm a big sports fan and I loved "The Kid From Courage." It tells the story of a junior tennis player who is trying hard to succeed at tennis. He meets an old man who becomes his coach, and it's very cool how they have to deal with a bunch of stuff, but they don't give up. I won't give it away, but it's exciting how the book ends when he has to play the biggest tournament of his whole life. My best friend is reading it now and he says it is fantastic. I think all kids who like sports will like reading it.

A terrific book for young readers and their parents
"The Kid From Courage" is a terrific book for young readers -- especially kids from 8 to 16 -- but also for older teenagers, and even young adults and parents. I Recommend This Book
My twelve year old son enjoys playing tennis, so I picked up "The Kid From Courage", as I'm trying to encourage him to read more.I was delighted that he absolutely loved the book.He has actually been telling his friends about the book, a first for him! Although I haven't read the book myself, I highly recommend it based on my son's positive reaction. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - General    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    3. Fiction    4. Juvenile Fiction    5. Social Issues - Values    6. Sports & Recreation - General    7. Sports & Recreation - Miscellaneous    8. Tennis    9. Tennis players   

Editorial Review

Pat Summitt has been called a living legend. As head coach of the University of Tennessee Lady Vols, Summitt has taken her NCAA Division 1 women's basketball team to back-to-back national championships in 1996 and 1997, and five titles in a 10-year span. In Read more

Reviews (40)

Good enough to read once.
Reach for the Summit was an easy read.My goal was to read the book for its explanation of the 12 disciplines which are used for all activities in life, not just for basketball. There were more examples of the disciplins than philosophy. I am sure if one is passonate about basketball they will get more out of it than I did.Disciplines were common sense.Nothing new, but the examples were interesting enough. I thought enough of it togive it to my 14 year son to read.I believe he will get more out of it than I did, simply because of his love of sports.He will benefit from seeing the coach's side of view. Good enough to read through once.

OK, but not for everyone
YES, I GAVE IT ONLY 2 STARS! I have read alot of motivational books in my life time but this one leaves you empty. Patt Summitt does not give a "one-size fits all" approach to obtaining Life's goals as she suggest.Pat Summitt gives these long drawn out stories of her coaching experience and players experience then, at the very end, ties it to a generic principle of leadership that has been rehash by hundred of other motivational book writers.I'm not hating on her leadership or abilities. She has proven herself a dynamic coach.If you're a HS/college couch of any sport then this is the book for you! but for the rest of us her approaches to leadership do not necessarily translates to pearls of wisdom.

Reach for the Summit
The book Reach for the Summit, by Pat Summit, is one of my all time favorite books. Pat shares some of her most intimate and personal struggles and she shows how she got to the top. Pat Summit is the most winningest coah is the history of the WNCAA, she even has a basketball statium named after her, The Summit.
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Subjects:  1. Basketball - General    2. Motivational    3. Motivational & Inspirational    4. Personal Growth - Success    5. Psychological aspects    6. Self-Help    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Success    9. Business & Economics / Motivational   

Reviews (1)

Doodle away, its good for you now...
This book is fairly new, and pretty fun for doodlers. Remember when you used to get in trouble for doodling in the margin as a kid, well we still do it now at work or while on the phone. Well, I do... Anyway it turns out that those simple little sketches and scribbles are big stuff now. Someone decided that it releases some sort of brain mumbo-jumbo and makles your thinking more creative. Whatever, I still think it's fun. Doodles are the first step to better art skills. This book helps you refine your doodles so they look better when someone else finds them.Also try the Ed Emberly books, "Make a World", and "The Big Green Drawing Book". ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art & Art Instruction    2. Art - Drawing    3. Children: Grades 3-4    4. Doodles    5. Fine Arts (Young Adult)    6. Juvenile Nonfiction    7. Technique    8. Art techniques, equipment & materials    9. BG-FICTION OVER $5 - BG-ANTHOLOGY $5/10    10. Cartoon art    11. Juvenile Nonfiction / Art / Drawing    12. Leisure Interests, Hobbies & Sport   

Subjects:  1. Activity Books - General    2. Children's Books - Young Adult Fiction    3. Children: Babies & Toddlers    4. General    5. Juvenile Nonfiction    6. Reference - General    7. Sports & Recreation - Camping & Outdoor Activities    8. Interactive & activity books & packs   

Reviews (1)

A solid introduction to the basic skills of football
The Play-by-Play series introduces young readers to sports such as Figure Skating, Snowboarding, and, in anticipation of the Summer Olympics this year, Field Events and Track.This volume by Jeff Savage looks at Football, which seemed an appropriate choice for today being NFL Draft Day.Savage also took the photographs that demonstrate the various aspects of the game, using athletes from Napa High School.There are a few photographs of NFL greats, such as Bart Starr, Gale Sayers, and Joe Namath, in the history chapter, but that is about it because the point of the book is to demonstrate the basic skills needed to play football.Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 12-Up - Sports / Recreation    2. Children's Books/Young Adult Misc. Nonfiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Football    5. Football - General    6. Juvenile Nonfiction    7. Juvenile literature    8. Sports & Recreation - Football   

Reviews (1)

A GREAT book!
I really enjoyed this book -- especially how Chip helps Bobby Bollinger with basketball skills and in getting along with his older brother.I recommend this book to everyone. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Basketball    2. Children's Books/Young Adult Misc. Nonfiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Fiction    5. Juvenile Fiction    6. Religious - Christian    7. Sports & Recreation - Basketball    8. Sports & Recreation - General    9. Leadership   

Reviews (2)

The best book I have read in a long time
I am a 14 yr old boy.Michael Harmon is one of the best new authors I have found. I read the book within two days, becuase I could not put it down. I recommend this book to any that like a good happy ending story and that is ful of suspence and is a good example. This book is a good example to teens and adultd that if you mess up in life its best to turn and face it and not run from it. Keep up the good work Michael. I can't wait until you write another hit.
Skate is Great!
I am a mom to 5 boys (4 in their teens).This book is fantastic!!!!!!!! Two of my boys really don't care to read and they even found this book easy and enjoyable to read.The story moves quickly, there is just the right amount of detail to keep you turning the pages without getting bogged down, and the issues are pertinent to all kids (and adults).I can't recommend this book enough!I was just disappointed that I couldn't find anymore books by this author!
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Subjects:  1. Brothers    2. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - General    3. Children's Books - Young Adult Fiction    4. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    5. Family - Siblings    6. Family problems    7. Fiction    8. High schools    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Social Issues - Abandonment    11. Social Issues - Adolescence    12. Social Issues - Emotions & Feelings    13. Social Issues - General    14. Social Issues - Runaways    15. Sports & Recreation - Skateboarding    16. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / General   

Editorial Review

In order to pass English class and graduate, 18-year-old Steve York has to write a 100- page essay about his life. What sounds like a run-of-the-mill writing assignment, however, becomes an excuse for Steve to reflect on the last four years (from Texas freshman to California senior), and figure out where it all went wrong. Maybe it was when he discovered that he really couldn't relate to his father, the Famous Astronaut. Or it could be because his "heart had been run through frappé, puree, and liquefy on a love blender" by his ex-girlfriend, Wanda "Dub" Varner. No matter where the finger of blame ends up pointing, it's a wild ride of self-enlightenment as Steve discovers that not all relationships are permanent, and that some--like the one with his dad--can be mended with a little work. With Steve, author Rob Thomas has taken a teenage outsider and given him a funny, intelligent voice: "There are those males who merely fill ear holes with tiny studs hardly big enough to offend a Marine. Not me. Most days I wear big hoops. When I combine the look with a doo rag, I'm a regular pirate." As with his other novels--Read more

Reviews (87)

A Must For Fans of Veronica Mars
Lots of fun. I bought it because I'm a fan of Rob Thomas' television shows Veronica Mars and Cupid, and because Rob used to teach high school here in Austin. It's written in a voice similar to Veronica Mars, and while there are no crimes being committed, there is a central mystery. And the book gets high school romance right. It's a quick read, but a good time.

Rats Saw God
Do any of you sometimes have problems understanding your parents or do some of your parents have problems understanding you? If the answer is yes, I think you'll be able to relate to 18 year-old Steve York in this book titled Rats Saw God. Steve's parents divorced when he was a freshman in high school and his perfectionist straight-laced astronaut father gets custody of him. Steve's mother gets custody of his sister and moves to San Diego. One day, just out of the blue after finishing his junior year at his Houston, Texas high school, Steve drives 27 hours non-stop to the Pacific Ocean in San Diego to live with his mother and sister, unannounced. Steve begins to finish out his last year of high school at his new high school in San Diego, Wakefield High. Steve's a self-described pothead so he wasn't all that surprised when the principal summons him to the guidance counselor's office one day. Steve just thinks his drug problems were going to be discussed. Mr. DeMouy turns out to be this cool, professional and unflappable guidance counselor, and he informs Steve that he's one English credit short of graduating. DeMouy gives Steve the option of writing a 100-page paper on any subject he chooses to earn that credit. Seeing that Steve was awarded National Merit finalist and obtained a 4.0 GPA in his Houston high school along with earning other academic honors, DeMouy feels Steve could be up to the challenge if Steve sets his mind to it. At this point, the story really takes off. Steve's journals his current year in high school and his previous three years of high school before arriving to San Diego. But I'm going to let you each find out the meaning behind the title of this book for yourselves so you'll have to read the book, Rats Saw God.
Dog Was Star
After a year of poor grades, truancies, detention, and drug possession charges, Steve York is one English credit short from escaping high school and graduating.When Steve's new school receives notice that he is a National Merit finalist, his high school counselor makes him a deal: write a one hundred page paper about anything.What follows is a dual account about Steve's past and present, the wayward path that lead him to escape Houston, Texas, and the direct course that pushed him to get his life back together.
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Subjects:  1. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - General    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    3. Divorce    4. Fathers and sons    5. Fiction    6. General    7. High schools    8. Schools    9. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / General   

Reviews (13)

yooooooooooooooooooooooo you like football
Do you like football books then you will like this book.Called Friday Night Lights. This book is about a Texas team that plays football and the teams running back hurt his knee really badly and the team is not very good with out him. Will the team be good?

Are You Ready For A Homerun Derby?
Do you like baseball, because if you do you would like this book called The Kid Who Only Hit Homers. This book is about a kid, named Sylvester who was not very good at baseball. He could not even make his team, the Red Birds. But then he met a man at the Red Birds' practice. He sometimes watches the Red Birds practice and one day he met Mr. Baruth.Will Sylvester get better? If you like this book review is goodto your nearest book store or library. My name is Brooks an I think you should read this books because it's about baseball and the author did a great job of making it interesting.

Great for just starting out.
I grew up reading Matt Christopher books and now at the age of 20 I owe my great interest in baseball literature to him and his books. They are great for kids to get into reading about the sports they love to play and they teach great life and sport lessons espicially about humility. There will always be a place in my heart for his literature and this is probably his best book on baseball. Highly reccomended. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - General    2. Children's Books - Young Adult Fiction    3. Juvenile Nonfiction    4. Juvenile Sports    5. Spanish: Grades 3-4    6. Spanish: Grades 4-7    7. Sports & Recreation - Baseball    8. Juvenile Fiction / Sports & Recreation / Baseball   

Reviews (9)

for reluctant teen male readers
Although I own 5 copies of this book, I haven't read it yet. Why? Because the boys in my 9th grade English class keep it checked out of my classroom constantly. As soon as a boy returns a copy, the next young man on the waiting list checks it out. I have never seen teenage boys respond to a book like this. Back in August when school started, I only had one copy, but I have purchased 4 additional copies since then. During SSR time, a boy started reading it because I insisted he read something. He would have preferred to put his head down on his desk - absolutely not allowed. He said, "But, Miss, I HATE to read!" I told him that's OK, just stare at the book until the bell rings. That way if the principal had dropped in to make sure we were doing SSR, I wouldn't get in trouble. When the bell rang 15 minutes later, the young man begged me to let take the book home to finish it. He returned it the next morning and started to recommend it to others. Not one boy has yet to read the first 2 pages and not finish the book. Most of my students have read the book in no more than 2 days. Some said that they stayed up all night to finish it because it was so good.No female students have expressed any interest in the book...maybe because the cover has a picture of a baseball on it.As far as I'm concerned, this book works magic on boys. Every boy who has read it in my classes has gone on to read several more books. What more could a teacher ask for? (FYI - My school is in a low socio-economic area, high poverty rate, almost every student is on free/reduced lunch, gang related crime, urban area, etc.)

Love it
This was a great book about a high-schooler facing his daily troubles in life. It seems very realistic from how Colt (the main character) describes everything to how he acts. I would recomend this book to everyone!

A Gem
I love this book. The main character, Colton Trammel, is written with wonderful depth. The author shows him with all his faults-- not too bright, sometimes cocky and insensitive-- but he's written as such a real, heartfelt character that I grew to care about him almost as if he were a real person. The female characters are also presented in full dimension-- the horrible Grace who doesn't realize she's horrible; sad Dori; and Corinne, who is more like Colton than either of them realize.
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Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    4. Fiction    5. High schools    6. Interpersonal relations    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. School & Education    9. Schools    10. Self-perception    11. Social Issues - Adolescence    12. Social Issues - Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance    13. Social Situations - Adolescence    14. Social Situations - Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance    15. Sports & Recreation - Baseball    16. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / Adolescence   

Reviews (3)

Pocket Book of Chess Pleasure
S&S Pocket Book of Chess is an excellent reference book for the game. The author, International Chess Grandmaster Raymond Keene, has penned a book that is clear and insightful. This book is aimed for beginners from ages 9 to 99. The pages jump out at you with over a hundered color board diagrams, artwork, and play. It covers the basic rules, moves, stages of the game, strategy, and common pitfalls to avoid. The review quizes are a nice touch too, allowing you to fully comprehend the lessons. In addition, there are also sections on the history of the game, champion biographies, greatest games, computer chess, competition play and recommendations of further reading. This pocket book is full of little pleasures. Enjoy!

Great illustrated guide for older children
Not only a great childrens book but also one of the best books written by grandmaster Raymond Keene (who has written more than 100). He seems to have picked the eyes out of the best of his previous works and summarised them in an easy to understand guide that appeals to kids and adult beginners.
very good book for just starting out in chess
This is one of the best books to give someone who is thinking about getting into chess.Its very eazy to read and has wonderful full color pages.I got this book because its the best looking chess book that i have ever seen.It screems read me, learn about chess! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Chess    2. Children's 12-Up - Games / Gamebooks    3. Children's Books/Young Adult Misc. Nonfiction    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. Games & Activities - General    6. Juvenile literature    7. Juvenile Fiction / Sports & Recreation / Miscellaneous   

Reviews (1)

A. D. Tarbox, Freelance Reviewer for Midwest Book Review
I chose this book because I wanted to know more about sled dog racing. Wood does a wonderful job with photographs and text to tell the story of Dusty, a high schooler, and his sled dogs getting ready to race in the Jr. Iditarod in Alaska. This book is great for 8-12 year olds but adults will like it too.
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Subjects:  1. Alaska    2. Animals - Dogs    3. Biography    4. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    5. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    6. Junior Iditarod Trail Sled Dog    7. Junior Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, Alaska    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Juvenile literature    10. Mushers    11. People & Places - United States    12. Sports & Recreation - General    13. Sports & Recreation - Winter Sports    14. Whittemore, Dusty    15. Juvenile Nonfiction / People & Places / United States   

Reviews (2)

Pretty Good!
I really liked this book. Rae, the main character in this book, is facing a lot of problems in her life. Her mother is in a bad mood most of the time and her father wants her to move to Chicago, away from the one thing she loves most- surfing! The only problem I had with this book is that Rae gets in a fight with her friends and she doesn't talk to them for two weeks! It's awesome how she pulls off the Day at the Beach. It's soooo inspiring and make you want to do something to make kids who have illnesses happier. Overall, this is a good read and I recommend it.

This book was as good as the first!
If you read Luna Bay #1 Pier Pressure: A Roxy Girl Series you will love #2 Wave Good-bye. When Luna's bff Rae's parents decide to seperate Rae is torn between the two of them. Her father wants Rae and her lil sis to live with him in Chicago and Rae's mother would be lost without Rae to help her on the ranch they own. To add even more stress on Rae's shoulders she doesn't want to leave her cocky just-turned-pro boyfriend. In the end Rae decides she wants to....well im not gonna say you'll have to read it 4 yourself! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Camps    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    4. Fiction    5. General    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Parent and child    8. Social Issues - Adolescence    9. Sports & Recreation - Water Sports    10. Surfing    11. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Reviews (4)

My Daughter Loved It
She's almost 13 and volleyball player...she wouldnt put it down. That's enough for me, but it's also a values book and something girl athletes can readily relate to. Hopefully there are other books in a series.

A great Book
The book Can I Play was a great book that is hard to put down. I bought this at a tournament in Chicago. The beginning of the book is kind of boring but in the middle and end the book really gets good. I have lent this to many other people and they feel the same way about the book. I would not reccomened this book to parents who have kids under 10, but I do for older teens. I would also reaccomend parents read this to, I believe you will enjoy reading this.

A Must Read For Every Girl Volleyball Player
This book captures real emotions,real situations and team concepts that could apply to any high school girl who loves to play volleyball. I recommend this book to any girl volleyball player that is entering high school or that is in high school already and those that play club volleyball too. Its an easy read and hard to put down once you have started. My daughter is now reading the book too. I can't wait for the next book to arrive. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    2. General    3. Juvenile Fiction    4. Juvenile Fiction    5. Sports & Recreation - Miscellaneous    6. Volleyball    7. Volleyball for girls    8. Women athletes    9. High school students    10. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)    11. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - General   

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography - Sports & Recreation    2. Children's 12-Up - Biography / Autobiography    3. General    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Sports & Recreation - Miscellaneous