Product Description
David Almond’s Printz Honor–winning novel celebrates its 10th anniversary!

Ten-year-old Michael was looking forward to moving into a new house. But now his baby sister is ill, his parents are frantic, and Doctor Death has come to call. Michael feels helpless. Then he steps into the crumbling garage. . . . What is this thing beneath the spiders' webs and dead flies? A human being, or a strange kind of beast never before seen? The only person Michael can confide in is his new friend, Mina. Together, they carry the creature out into the light, and Michael's world changes forever. . . .


From the Trade Paperback edition. ... Read more

Product Description
Following the success of the Ultimate Book Guide 8-12, people have been crying out for this guide to the best teenage books around. Again this is the only reference you'll ever need - covering everything that might interest teen readers, from those just starting secondary school through to readers looking for something more adult and challenging. The book covers classics through to contemporary young adult titles, best-sellers to cult fiction and graphic novels. We've got personal recommendations from top teen and adult authors including Anthony Horowitz, Meg Cabot, Philip Pullman and Jonathan Coe. Following the format of the previous guide, each entry is cross-referenced to other books that readers are bound to enjoy and there are readers' polls and special features on a variety of topics." Reviews for ULTIMATE BOOK GUIDE 8-12:'Invaluable' The Sunday Times 'A browser's delight' TES'A literary treasure trove' The Sunday Telegraph 'Just what I've been looking for - something to help me find great books for my children! ...The format is atractive and easy to use...a really good investment.' Families Magazine (Jan 2007) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A great resource for young adult literature
The Ultimate Teen Book Guide simplifies finding the next book to read. This anthology of young adult book titles contains over 700 book recommendations, feature articles and lists of must read books. Editors, Daniel Hahn and Leonie Flynn, found something to interest every reader.

The Ultimate Teen Book Guide includes with each recommendation an approximate age range of readers who the editors believe are most likely to enjoy that book. Another unique feature with each recommendation is the Next box. This box includes titles of books that students should consider reading next if they liked the recommended book.

In addition to hundreds of book recommendations,The Ultimate Teen Book Guide gives a top ten list of must read books for the following genres: horror, nonfiction, biography/memoir, graphic novels, adventure, issues, fantasy, dystopian worlds, series books, romance, mystery and coming of age.

To read the rest of this review:[...]

Great Reference Book
This is a great reference book for teens looking for something else to read. My 15 year old avid reader found many new titles. The thing I really liked about it is it doesn't just recommend the usuals like The Outsiders and Watership Down. They have really done some work here and recommend books not listed in other reading guides. My favorite part is a small sidebar that recommends other books if you like the book reviewed. It was a very helpful tool in finding books that fit a mood. I think this is a must have for every teen!

Like a pocket-sized library!
As an avid reader, I often find it hard for people to open my eyes to anything new in the literary world, but THE ULTIMATE TEEN BOOK GUIDE was capable of doing just that. Daniel Hahn, Leonie Flynn, and Susan Reuben have compiled an indispensable guide to all things books that creates a nice mix of teen-geared novels, as well as books normally listed for adults that pertain quite a bit to the teen reader. The reviews and synopsis' are thorough, and well thought-out, without being overbearing; and the fact that many of the books are recommended by fellow teens, librarians, editors, as well as some of our favorite authors - Meg Cabot, Gail Giles, Ned Vizzini, and Jerry Spinelli, among countless others - truly lend an authentic tone to the collection. Even better are the NEXT? recommendations listed next to each book, which give the reader the chance to explore similar novels that may be less-publicized, or well-known.

Since receiving this book, I have found it almost impossible to tear my eyes away from the pages; and have even added quite a few new books - found within THE ULTIMATE TEEN BOOK GUIDE - to my reading list. Don't be fooled by the title, this is a guide that can assist readers of all ages on their quest to find the perfect new book. Like a pocket-sized library!

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

GREAT source for teens, parents, teachers, and librarians
This is the most helpful and interesting guide to teen books I've seen yet. The range of books reviewed is terrific. The selection is not limited to just traditional teen books, but reaches out to include books that areregarded as being written for adults (ie: A Prayer for Owen Meany, About A Boy, Ethan Frome), but are completely appropriate and meaningful to teens.There is also a nice listing of books from the UK, which we often miss on this side of the pond. The editors have nailed all the books I would be thrusting into teenagers' hands while introducing me to plenty of new titles. ... Read more

Product Description
Join general practitioner, Doctor Harold Almond as he recounts his most entertaining and heartwarming tales of his life as a West Virginia doctor. These easy-to-read stories are sure to enlighten and humor any reader. ... Read more

Product Description
David Almond’s Printz Honor–winning novel celebrates its 10th anniversary!

Ten-year-old Michael was looking forward to moving into a new house. But now his baby sister is ill, his parents are frantic, and Doctor Death has come to call. Michael feels helpless. Then he steps into the crumbling garage. . . . What is this thing beneath the spiders' webs and dead flies? A human being, or a strange kind of beast never before seen? The only person Michael can confide in is his new friend, Mina. Together, they carry the creature out into the light, and Michael's world changes forever. . . .


From the Trade Paperback edition. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Skellig elevated
David Almond gives an exceptional reading of his wonderful story. This tenth anniversary edition is enhanced by music from the fantastic opera of Skellig by Tod Machover. The opera's premiere last year at the SAGE was the musical event of the season. I hope it enters the repertoire soon.

I didn't want this one to end...
Weird and wonderful.I listened to this one and it was one of those rare find where the author reads and it's magnificant.It is also the first audiobook to make good use of music - the first time I didn't actually find it irritating.

The story... the story was weird and wonderful and I didn't want it to end.I sort of felt like I was there with Michael and Mina and Skellig.The people that surround Michael are kind and he's able to feel his grief very deeply.The contrast between Michael and Mina and the friendship that grows between them is beautiful.

Naturally not everyone will love this book as much as I did.But it's not a long story and it is available on audio book so I would recommend that you at least give it a chance. ... Read more

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Erin and her friends are orphans. Or as sthe woman who runs the orphanage calls them, damaged children. Erin Knows that she and her friends can take care of themselves. ... Read more

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SEGMENT 1: John Allen heads the Vatican bureau of the National Catholic Reporter. He tells Steve Paulson that the Catholic Church has issued a new ritual of exorcism and reads a sample. He says belief in demonic possession is on the increase. Also, Angela Bourke, author of "The Burning of Bridget Cleary," tells Steve Paulson about the incident that forms the basis of her non-fiction book. A hundred years ago, a young woman was burned alive because her husband and neighbors believed she's been "taken" by fairies.SEGMENT 2: Composer Michael Schelle writes music for the concert hall, and is the author of "The Score: Interviews with Film Composers." He explains to Jim Fleming how scary music works and plays some examples of scary chord structure and progressions. And we hear some creepy movie music! Also, our own Doug Gordon provides his unique take on what may be the next Broadway sensationa musical version of "Psycho."SEGMENT 3: Writer David Almond talks with Steve Paulson about two of his books for children - "Skellig" and "Kit's Wilderness" - and reads excerpts from both of them. He explains why he puts such dark content into his children's books and says it's easier to write some things for children because their minds are more open and free. ... Read more

Product Description
Paul believes that the moon is not the moon, but is a great hole in the sky. It's one of many strange ideas that he's never told anyone, until he meets Molly, his irrepressible neighbour, who begins to convince him that his theory might change the world. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Read it in a day
I loved this book. I loved the feel of the pages, the illustrations, the story. Although it's quite short, it packs in a great deal and it's strange in a Roald Dahl-y way.

Thoroughly recommended!

A great combination of heartfelt poignancy and brilliantly colored illustrations
Award-winning children's author David Almond and illustrator Polly Dunbar seem to have hit upon a partnership that works. The two first collaborated on 2008's MY DAD'S A BIRDMAN, a thoughtful story that recast some of Almond's most persistent themes for younger readers, lovingly enlivened by Dunbar's mixed-media illustrations. Now, with THE BOY WHO CLIMBED INTO THE MOON, Almond and Dunbar join forces once again, proving that when two talented artists find a winning partnership, the whole can most definitely exceed the sum of its remarkable parts.

Paul is a lonely boy in the north of England. He and his parents live in the basement of a 29-story apartment building, about as far from the sky as you can possibly get. So when Paul skips school one day, he decides to climb to the very top of his apartment building, to get a little closer to the sky. Little does he know, though, that this seemingly simple notion will result in the adventure of his life.

As he ascends his apartment building, Paul comes to know his eccentric and unusual neighbors, especially Molly (or is her name Mabel?), a vivacious woman who whisks Paul and his parents off on a journey, inspired by Paul's desire to touch the sky and see if his notion that the moon is merely a hole in the sky might actually be true after all.

Along the way, they meet Molly's brother Benjamin, who wears a bag on his head and has had trouble speaking since he returned from war ("The last one...You know, that noisy one with all the bullets and bombs and explosions. The War of the Thingummyjig or the Whatdyacallitor the Great Big Ginormous War Number 9. Maybe you missed it."). But even Benjamin is drawn into the excitement of Paul's quest.

Although parts of THE BOY WHO CLIMBED INTO THE MOON, particularly Benjamin's story, are almost achingly sad, Dunbar's brilliantly colored illustrations (created in pencil, watercolor and collage) perfectly convey the joy that walks hand-in-hand with the sadness. Glorious artwork brings Paul's journey --- and what he finds on the other side of the moon --- right into the pages of the book, several of which are given over entirely to marvelous, candy-colored, joyful two-page spreads.

David Almond's novels for older readers are known for their fanciful poignancy, for their mixture of beauty and sadness in equal measure. THE BOY WHO CLIMBED INTO THE MOON is likewise a bittersweet novel. Characters' experience of loss, longing and persistent sadness are countered by a truly extraordinary journey and, more importantly, by the gradual formation of a community that helps make Paul's journey possible and provides a safe, comforting place to belong upon his return.

Quirky
I have actually never read David Almond before and the title of this book grabbed me and gave me my chance to finally read him.

A whimsical story full of the unbelievable where a lonely boy who lives in a basement apartment, is rather shy, and does not like school but then school does not like him either takes a day off learns about living life to the fullest through a set of quirky characters and fantastical events.

One must set reality aside for this story. The people and events that Paul meets up with are beyond belief. The book is a joy to read; told with such whimsy it is a very endearing story. Paul is encouraged to say what he's always wanted to say and out he spurts that the moon is really just a whole in the sky. He manages to climb into the moon where he finds all sorts of people and things that have flown into it over the ages: hot air balloons, planes, helicopters and their pilots, people with wings who tried to fly and even a girl who was a human cannonball. With the encouragement of the denizens of the apartment building he makes friends, realizes everyone agrees that sausages are better than war, watches others plan a Great Expedition, and sees how the others live their lives, however obscure, to the best they can.

If you can't leave reality outside the door this won't be the book for you but if you can you will be in for a delightful story which is profusely illustrated with drawings as whimsical as the story. The characters are a motley crew from a man who switches to speaking in only vowels when he's in a conversational mood, to a dog who believes that when he obtains the age of seven he will grow wings and the ability to speak, to a little girl who lives inside the moon because she ended up there one night whilst performing her job as Fortuna the Human Cannonball. I found as I read and looked at the pictures that I kept thinking the style of the story was so much like William Pene duBois, a classic children's author/illustrator. I can also see this making a very good read aloud. The story is quirky, unconventional and humorous.

Will it climb into your heart? Maybe
Paul finds himself home from school one day, bored with the basement apartment he shares with his parents, when he decides to go outside and touch the sky. On his journey upstairs, he meets some of the strange denizens of his apartment building, and the word spreads of his ambitious plan. But Paul's ideas don't end there.He also believes that the moon is a giant hole in the sky, and he wants to investigate.

At first, //The Boy Who Climbed into the Moon// seemed like a typical boy-goes-on-a-wacky-adventure kids' book, but as the story progressed, it revealed surprising depths to some of its characters. (Others, like the jogger and the flighty Mabel, remain fairly one-note, but still add some loony color to the book.) Almond's willingness to temper what could be a simple lark with more realistic undertones elevates the book above the norm, creating a unique look at the possible consequences of realizing your dreams. Pretty heavy stuff for a kids' book, to be sure.

In the end, though, it all turns out okay, as it should. Paul's plan to climb to the moon has united an eclectic group, and left the reader thoroughly entertained.

Reviewed by Glenn Dallas ... Read more

Product Description
University of East Anglia. Union of UEA Students, HaroldMackintosh, 1st Viscount Mackintosh of Halifax, OliverFranks, Baron Franks, Bill MacMillan (academic), List ofUniversity of East Anglia alumni, David Almond, DouglasCarswell, Tracy Chevalier, Iain Dale, Greg James(DJ), TessKingham, Tito Mboweni, Selina Scott, Matt Smith (actor),Paul Wellings (academic), School of InternationalDevelopment, School of Social Work and Psychology,NorwichLaw School, Climatic Research Unit. ... Read more