Reviews (13)

Party Princess
Oh, how I love this series. So funny. And this time Mia has a whole new problem. Michael is throwing a college party while his parents are away (the parents know about it though) and Mia is worried what Michael will think when he realizes she's not a Party Girl. So she shows up at the party trying to be like someone else, and makes a fool of herself.
Funny, smart, and still Mia
I'm well out of my tweens and teens, but The Princess Diaries series is of one of my guilty pleasures (along with John Travolta musicals and Celine Dion).A friend of mine, who's 28 and recently married, lets me borrow her Princess Diaries books when she's finished reading them.But these books aren't fluffy, adolescent, "I wish I was a princess" books.These books are chocked full of social commentary, pop culture references, and humor.I had more than one belly laugh while reading Mia's minute-by-minute replay of her daily grind, painstakingly recorded in her "Princess" diaries.
Yet another great Meg Cabot book!
The 7th book in the Princess Diaries series was just as funny and great as all the rest of Meg Cabot's books. I won't give you the play by play of the book, but basically, Mia is once again faced with many different problems. Michael thinks Mia is not much of a party girl, which she isn't, but Mia tries to prove to him she is. Of course, Grandmere is once again all up in Mia's business, this time trying to help her raise money for the senior class graduation after Mia throws the school budget on recycling bins. Also in this book, you finally find out about The-Guy-Who-Hates-It-When-They-Put-Corn-In-The-Chili, who has been barely mentioned in all the other books.
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Subjects:  1. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - General    2. Children's Books - Young Adult Fiction    3. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    4. Family - Multigenerational    5. Fiction    6. Humorous Stories    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Parties    9. Performing Arts - General    10. Princesses    11. Royalty (kingsqueensprincesprincessesknightsetc.)    12. School & Education    13. Social Issues - Adolescence    14. Social Situations - Adolescence    15. Student government    16. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / Adolescence   

Subjects:  1. Administration - General    2. Architecture    3. Case studies    4. Design    5. Landscape    6. Landscape Architecture And Design    7. Psychological aspects    8. School Plant And Facilities    9. School environment    10. School grounds    11. Adolescents    12. Architecture / Landscape    13. Children    14. City & town planning - architectural aspects    15. Education-Administration - General   

Reviews (3)

Truth about Sex
My husband and I spent a year preparing for the coming "talk" with our oldest when I came across this series.There is 4 books in all.We have used books 1-3 and have been extremely pleased with how the content and each topic was handled. At first I was worried that some levels where a little more than I was ready for my kids to know but we went ahead and covered each topic in the book.My kids LOVED them and appreciated having all their questions answered so throughoughly and lovingly.The authors do an outstanding job communicating the love God has for them and what His intenstions are for sexuality. I highly recommend these books for children of all ages.

A good place to start
As a Christian Parent raised in a family that never discussed sex, I found this book (and the series) to be a great starting point.It hits all the right topics in a way that communicates a Christian view without using guilt or sounding preachy.Parents should read it themselves, then pass it on to their child. Don't wait for your child to hit puberty before you start talking about this important subject.

Used by a large west-coast church for sex education
La Jolla Presbyterian Church uses this book as the basis forits sixth-grade sex education program.The program has grownremarkably over the last three years.To see how the book is used, go to www.datana.com/mary and use the "Sex Education for Christian Teens" link. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    3. Christianity    4. General    5. Health & Daily Living - Maturing    6. Juvenile Nonfiction    7. Religion - Christianity - General    8. Religious aspects    9. Sex instruction for teenagers    10. Sexual ethics for teenagers    11. Social Issues - Dating and Sex   

Reviews (114)

A Great Book for Realistic Fiction Lovers!
Willie (Will) Beech, the likable main character in "Good Night, Mr. Tom", is a shy, scared, malnourished 8-year-old evacuated to the English countryside from London in World War II.Willie goes to live with a kind older man, Tom Oakley, whom Willie affectionately calls Mr. Tom.Willie, who was frequently abused by his mother in the past, learns new, loving ways of life while in the care of Tom.He grows both physically and emotionally during his stay, but many times this growth is interrupted by thrilling plot-twists.
A real tear jerker, but a great book.
My son had to pick a book from a long list to read over the summer for school.After reading the reviews for this book, we chose it.It was a very touching story, sad in places and happy in others.You really are cheering for Will and Mr. Tom.The author uses colloquial accents of rural England, but you really get used to it.My son is reading the book now and isn't having a problem understanding what the characters are saying.He is also enjoying the book a great deal, and having a hard time putting it down.

Love is Overpowering
Experience the life of a young boy who has never known what love is until he moves in with a man who loves him like his own. Good Night, Mr. Tom is a realistic fiction novel that everyone at any age would enjoy. The author, Michelle Magorian, uses such enthusiasm to make you feel like you are actually part of the story. This novel is not part of any series, but should be because all of the flashbacks and realistic dialog making it come to life.
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Subjects:  1. Child abuse    2. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - General    3. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    4. Country life    5. England    6. Family - Orphans & Foster Homes    7. Fiction    8. Social Issues - Friendship    9. Social Issues - Physical & Emotional Abuse    10. Social Situations - Friendship    11. Social Situations - Physical & Emotional Abuse    12. World War, 1939-1945    13. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / Physical & Emotional Abuse   

Reviews (3)

This book is amazing
I was given the amazing opportunity to spend time with Virginia Fry while living in Vermont this past winter. My 14 year old sister had recently passed away after her stuggle against cancer. I was completely lost, and met with Virginia several times. She is one of the most amazing people that I've ever been priviledged enough to have come into my life. This book enveloped every part of her ideas and extremely heartfelt suggestions to get you through the most horrible times. She is such an amazing person and this book reflects that to the fullest extent.

Chapter 5 is about me
My name is Amy Petrucelli and chapter 5 is about me, my sister Betsy and our brother Frankie. IT WAS EXCELLENT!I LOVED IT!
I really enjoyed this book.I bought it a few years after my mother died, and it helped me a great deal with what I was feeling, thinking, and seeing.It also helped me deal with the day-to-day struggles that Iencountered.Thank you so much for writing this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bereavement    2. Bereavement in children    3. Bereavement in youth    4. Children's 12-Up - Politics / Current Events    5. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    6. Death, Grief, Bereavement    7. Juvenile literature    8. Politics & Government    9. Self-Help    10. Social Situations - Death & Dying   

Reviews (6)

Honest and pignant, but not for younger readers (sexually explicit)
Good Girls is a stark portrayal of the current state of teenage sexuality and the implications, if caught in the act. Popular children's author, Laura Ruby, turns her talents to the teen drama genre in her engaging and character-driven new novel, Good Girls.
A thoughtful, beautifully-written book.
In GOOD GIRLS, Laura Ruby does an amazing job of capturing the swirl of sensations and emotions that accompany her character's experience. It's true: this book doesn't flinch from depicting a girl's sexual awakening. But is doesn't exploit. It doesn't moralize or sensationalize. This restraint--in addition to the novel's strong characters and lyrical writing--is its great strength.

Good girls, bad decisions, and not enough information!
I was surprised and disappointed at how descriptive the sexual "scenes" were in this book.It's not that I don't think teens already know, but this book seems to glorify and super-romance them with mushy feelings and all.These are 16-year-old kids in the book!Although the author definitely deals realistically with the issue of a person's reputation regarding sex - "girl-is-slut-boy-is-hero" -(I have taught my own 4 children this!), I felt she spent too much time making it such a "special" thing between single teens.Audrey's parents . . . well, unfortunately, I think they typically represent many of today's parents - the ones who say "I hate what you're doing/have done, but I can't stop you, so whatever."Her father was mad, but did nothing except ignore her for awhile.What is THAT?!!
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Subjects:  1. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - General    2. Children's Books - Young Adult Fiction    3. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)    4. Conduct of life    5. Fiction    6. Girls & Women    7. Interpersonal relations    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. School & Education    10. Sex    11. Social Issues - Adolescence    12. Social Issues - Dating & Sex    13. Social Issues - General    14. Juvenile Fiction / Girls & Women   

Reviews (5)

Did not like
I did not like the book.It did have some interesting points to consider, but it did not seem like discipline to me.I am more of a Love and Logic fan.I think kids cannot always see the natural consequences of their own behavior (or don't care) until far into the future and must sometimes have consequences imposed upon them, which this book says not to do.I just don't agree with it.

Excellent
The authors map out clear, effective and proven strategies for rewarding parenting in this excellent well-written guide. An imaginative approach was called for when my 16 year old boy Jonathan threatened to barricade himself in his bedroom using just twigs, leaves, and his own spittle and dung, and this guide provided just that. There's nothing wrong with setting parameters, the authors say, just as long as that are not arbitrary or capricious and they are clearly articulated - and for crying out loud why should he be allowed to act like a nesting African Hornbill under my roof?

Great Advice for Raising a Capable Teen
My daughter is just becoming a teenager, and I am glad I purchased this book at this time.It has helped me to identify my enabling behaviors that maintain her dependence on me. I am now working to empower my daughter tobecome more independent in her decision making.This book is presented ina very logical format and the suggestions are easily implemented.I havenever used punishment as a motivator with my daughter and now feelvindicated in that choice.I encourage parents of teens to get this bookfor a refreshingly alternative approach to interacting with our teens -treating them like the individuals that they are.Good luck! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adolescent psychology    2. Family & Relationships    3. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    4. Family And Child Development    5. Family/Marriage    6. Interpersonal conflict    7. Life Stages - Adolescence    8. Life Stages - Teenagers    9. Parent and teenager    10. Parenting - Discipline    11. Parenting - General    12. Sociology Of Youth    13. Adolescents    14. Advice on parenting    15. Family & Relationships / Teenagers   

Editorial Review

So what if he's legally blind? Even with his bottle-thick, bug-eyed glasses, Paul Fisher can see better than most people. He can see the lies his parents and brother live out, day after day. No one ever listens to Paul, though--until the family moves to Tangerine. In Tangerine, even a blind, geeky, alien freak can become cool. Who knows? Paul might even become a hero! Edward Bloor's debut novel sparkles with wit, authenticity, unexpected plot twists, and heart. The writing is so fine, the story so triumphant, that you just might stand up and shout when you get to the end. Hooray! ... Read more

Reviews (441)

Tangerine Book Review
This bookis outstanding.it talks about reletionships and tradgedy as well as disabilities and the truth. I gave this book a five star rating because of the apparent time, thought and effort put into the creative text. My absolute favorite part of this book is the very ending because it shows remembrance of a lost freind. I would recommend this book to people with interests such as soccer, and ages 11-14 because of the setting at a Tangerine Middle School and Lake Windsor Middle School.

Ummm...Fantastic!
Tangerine was an "read catching" book. When my language arts class read it I couldn't help but pay attention.
A Student's Review
I think kids from ages 10 and up could read this book. I think this because there is some swearing in it, and this book has kids of this age in it, so it will probly be easier for them to conect with the characters. The author made it clear that she likes to leave her readers on the edge of their chairs, because this book was very mystrious and suspensful. That was the one thing I liked about this book. Over all the book Tangerine was very good! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's All Ages - Fiction - General    2. Children's Books/All Ages    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Family - Siblings    5. Juvenile Fiction    6. Social Issues - Adolescence    7. Social Issues - Special Needs    8. Fiction    9. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / Special Needs   

Reviews (194)

A choice that would change your life forever? Read on....
Someone Like You
Dessen at her best
This is by far my favorite 'best friends' book, along with Summer Sisters. I loved how open and honest Halley and Scarlett were with eachother, and that they loved each other unconditionally and non-judgmentally.It's a kind of friendship I didn't even know could exist until I was well into my late teens.Fantastic book for young adults, not just because it's fantastically written and interesting, but because it shows you what real friendship should and can be.

Makes you value friendship!
Scarlett and Halley have been best friends since the day Scarlett moved in across the street.Though they seem to be drifting apart somewhat through the summer, one rare moment brings them closer together than ever.
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Subjects:  1. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - General    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    3. Fiction    4. Friendship    5. Girls & Women    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Pregnancy    8. Social Issues - Friendship    9. Social Issues - Pregnancy    10. Unmarried mothers    11. Juvenile Fiction / Girls & Women   

Reviews (1)

teaches kids how to tell
I'm really impressed with this book. It's told in the first person by a little girl who is sexually abused by her uncle in terms that a young child can understand. It discusses how she is supported by her family, and how it is seeing a psychologist. It really does a good job of destigmatizing sexual abuse. It also encourages children who have been (or are being) abused to keep telling trusted adults about it until someone helps them. In the back it also provides a fairly long list of people who it is okay to tell. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Sexually abused children    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Social Issues - Sexual Abuse    4. Child abuse    5. Self-Help / Substance Abuse    6. Sexual abuse    7. Children: Grades 3-4    8. Child molesting    9. United States    10. General    11. Juvenile Nonfiction    12. Juvenile literature   

Reviews (2)

Don't worry, You are only having an 'Identity- crisis'.
This book published in 1950 was Erikson's breakthrough book, the first one by which he became known to a wide popular audience. Certain of the ideas formulated in this book have become part of the language of our general culture, most notably the concept of 'identity- crisis'.
A classic and food for thought
Read it just because it's a classic or read it because it has interesting things to say for today.Read it because it's so well written.The narrative just flows, and before you know it you've absorbed some pretty important concepts.Read more

Subjects:  1. Case studies    2. Child Development    3. Child psychology    4. Identity (Psychology)    5. Psychology    6. Psychopathology - Compulsive Behavior    7. Socialization    8. Adolescents    9. Child & developmental psychology    10. Children    11. Popular psychology   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (30)

BAD
BADCharlotte Cordell
A Good Read
This book is great.
Bad
Bad
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Subjects:  1. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - General    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)    3. Fiction    4. Juvenile Fiction    5. Juvenile delinquency    6. Law & Crime    7. Social Issues - General    8. Social Issues - Violence   

Reviews (30)

READ THIS BOOK
America and London are two different worlds. The people speak differently, eat differently, and drive on different sides of the road. So it's a big transition when someone from either country goes to visit the other one. Then He Ate my Boy Enrancers,by Louise Rennison, is the sixth in the Georgia Nicolson Series, which was kicked off by Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging.. In this teen-fiction story, British 16 year-old Georgia Nicolson travels to America. She's not exactly what you call a typical teenager, as she makes up creative words, such as "hamburger-a-gogo land" (America), and loves getting into trouble. Despite her outgoing and comical personality, Georgia may have trouble keeping her wacky family in line. Vati, her loony father, has Georgia begging him not to wear his overalls in public. There is also Mutti, (her mother), and Uncle Eddie, who humiliate her at any given moment. Her 4-year old sister, Libby, is just as crazy as all the rest of them and emphatically loves to sing, er, interesting songs. Thank god Georgia's best friend, Jas, is also tagging along. She may regularly complain about missing her boyfriend and have annoying bangs, but she is the sanest person accompanying Georgia on this trip. The good news is, Masimo, gorgeous Italian-American singer of the band, The Stiff Dylans and Georgia's nearly boyfriend, is visiting his family in Manhattan. He thinks Georgia is still back in London, so imagine his expression when she pops up out of nowhere and says hello! This, however, may be a bit more difficult to achieve then Georgia pictured......
Then He Ate my Boy Entrancers
One of the hilarious tales of the British teenager, Georgia Nicolson, est tres amusant. Now that the "love god" is "out of her thoughts, and never to return", there is a new man on her mind. The Itallion Stallion, Masimo. Georgia is very impatient about his return from "Hamburger-a-go-go"(America), and is extatic when her family informs her that this is their new destination for vacation.
funniest book you will ever read!
I've read all the books in this series and this one is by far the best. Georgia Nicolson is going to Hamburger A-go-go land (America) with her very embarrassing family and her best friend Jas. Georgia is hoping to see Masimo in America but her family is very goofy and they keep her and Jas on a tight leash (not to mention that Georgia is in Tennessee and Masimo is in New York City!) On top of that everyone they meet in Tennessee thinks their accents are funny or Irish (they are British.) but as always Georgia survives her family and gets some very awesome surprises when she gets back to the UK. I definitely suggest this book to anyone who loves to laugh or who can relate to Georgia. I loved reading this book and once I started reading I couldn't put it down till I was finished reading! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - General    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    3. Dating (Social customs)    4. Diaries    5. Fiction    6. Girls & Women    7. Humorous Stories    8. Interpersonal relations    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Memphis (Tenn.)    11. Social Issues - Adolescence    12. Juvenile Fiction / Girls & Women   

Subjects:  1. Forensic Psychology    2. Forensic Science    3. Legal Reference / Law Profession    4. Pediatrics    5. Psychiatry - General    6. Psychology    7. Psychotherapy - Child & Adolescent    8. Adolescents    9. Children    10. Criminal or forensic psychology    11. Psychiatry   

Editorial Review

At the height of the Harlem Renaissance during the 1930s, Zora Neale Hurston was the preeminent black woman writer in the United States. She was a sometime-collaborator with Langston Hughes and a fierce rival of Richard Wright. Her stories appeared in major magazines, she consulted on Hollywood screenplays, and she penned four novels, an autobiography, countless essays, and two books on black mythology. Yet by the late 1950s, Hurston was living in obscurity, working as a maid in a Florida hotel. She died in 1960 in a Welfare home, was buried in an unmarked grave, and quickly faded from literary consciousness until 1975 when Alice Walker almost single-handedly revived interest in her work.Read more

Reviews (369)

A Challanging yet amazing book
I really liked this book. I thought Janies life was interesting. it was a hard read. It was ahrd to understand but i loved it. I like reading about what people go through and how they deal with things. This was definitely one of those kinds of books. I strongly recommend it

Value as historical artifact
Funny how folks seem to love this or hate it.I admire the author's creativeness in the context of her time:the use of vernacular was quite creative at the time, and brings the reader intimately to the story.The very subject matter, a young black woman on a journey of self discovery-- easy to take for granted today how remarkable this publication must have been.That said, as a contemporary reader I didn't love this book and had to push myself to finish it (for my book club).Hard to care for this protaganist who passively scribes herself in relation to a succession of husbands.I just didn't like the person she was!But worth trying for yourself, I think.

A great book for our times
Out of curiosity I picked up "Their Eyes Were Watching God" at a yard sell and discovered a gem.
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Subjects:  1. African American women    2. Classics    3. Fiction    4. Literary    5. Literature - Classics / Criticism   

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   

Editorial Review

Nine-year-old Beezus Quimby has her hands full with her little sister, Ramona. Sure, other people have little sisters that bother them sometimes, but is there anyone in the world like Ramona? Whether she's taking one bite out of every apple in a box or secretly inviting 15 other 4-year-olds to the house for a party, Ramona is always making trouble--and getting all the attention. Every big sister can relate to the trials and tribulations Beezus must endure. Old enough to be expected to take responsibility for her little sister, yet young enough to be mortified by every embarrassing plight the precocious preschooler gets them into, Beezus is constantly struggling with her mixed-up feelings about the exasperating Ramona. Read more

Reviews (33)

Really Good!
This is a REALLY good book! My favorite part of the book was when Ramona had a party for her classmates. It was pretty funny when Howie turned on the vacuum cleaner and said, "I'll suck you up! I'll suck everyone up in the vacuum cleaner!" LOL (Laughing out loud).
Wow, What a litter sister!
The book, Beezus and Ramona is great.Read it now.On a scale of 1 to 10, I would rate it an 8 because big kids, like Beezus, should know that little kids can pests.Little kids, like Ramona, can do naughty things. Little kids should learn from their mistakes.It may take a few times, but one day they will learn. A Childhood Treasure About Sisterly Love
This was one of my very first chapter books, given to me in the first grade, and it left such a lasting impression on me. I literally read it to pieces throughout my elementary school years, and even had two little dolls that I re-named Beezus and Ramona, who I used to act out many of the stories. Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Family - Siblings    4. Humorous Stories    5. Juvenile Fiction    6. Social Issues - Adolescence    7. Juvenile Fiction / Humorous Stories    8. Reading Group Guide   

Editorial Review

Meet Sophie. She sees herself as the too-tall "Mount Everest ofteenage girls," who, along with her friends, often suffers from "lackonookiedisease." She's dating smoky, sexy Dylan, covertly chatting online with"cybersoul"-mate Chaz, and secretly nursing a crush on sweet, geeky Murphy. Hertwo best friends are closer to her than sisters, and she "hates hating" her soapopera-addicted mom, wishing "she would show half as much interest in my life asshe does in Luke and Laura's." In other words, Sophie is a typical teenage girl.What is not so typical is how author Sonia Sones records all of Sophie'sthoughts in a freewheeling verse that is such a naked outpouring of innerlonging, most readers will blush in embarrassed recognition of their ownremembered or current teenage desires. Sones gently leads both the reader andSophie towards an understanding of the difference between love and lust asSophie slowly comes to realize that Dylan's outsides are no match for Murphy'sinsides. Autobiographical of Sones, perhaps? The author claims it isn't so, andshe's probably right. With her frank manner, lusty thoughts, and hiddeninsecurities, Sophie reflects many teenage girls, past and present. No womanwill be able to read this heartfelt verse novel and not find a bit of herself inSophie's secret, sexy thoughts. Sones's decadent, almost shamefully deliciouscollection of angst poems is a loving and amazingly accurate tribute toadolescent girlhood. (Ages 12 and older) Read more

Reviews (183)

sonya sones at her best
This is the story of Sophie, who is a typical teenage girl.She is on the path to finding her true love, but it's not as easy as it seems.First there's Lou, who drools, then sexy Dylan, then her "cybersoulmate," Chaz.But then, at the Halloween dance, she finds someone she connects with, but he's masked.She makes it her personal mission to find her masked man.When she does, she is shocked, but not as repelled as she first thinks.This book is told enti