Product Description
In his debut novel, Burns addresses the serious issues of alcoholism, divorce, and personal identity with equal parts of grit and humor. Set in rural Vermont during the 1968-69 academic year, Gemini is the story of one man’s desperate effort to salvage his life. Jack Scanlon returns to the place of his birth after an eighteen-year absence. Due to his excessive drinking, he has lost his wife and young daughter, and subsequently his engineering job. He has retreated to his native Vermont and taken a position as a high school science teacher, moving in with his uncle and aunt.Burns uses lively dialogue and descriptive writing to give the reader a clear picture of the 1960’s anti-establishment movement and the cultural attitudes of the time. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The Work of an Unheralded Genius
With "Gemini," Michael Burns has introduced himself to the world as an author whose breadth of imagination and depth of perception is without compare. Novels are all about character, and the characters with which Burns presents us are as vivid and as emotionally complex and believable as is possible in fiction. We love the characters for their good points, hate them for their flaws, blame them for the consequences of their actions and sympathize with them for their circumstances. Most importantly, however, is that these character's provide us with insight into what it means to be living in the world we do. The novel opens our minds to the realities of day to day life that we never seem to examine, and, in doing so, sheds light on what we all value and despise, and probes into the reasons why we do. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in how we as humans live and interract with each other and anyone who understands what it is to suffer and deal with suffering. ... Read more

Product Description
Emily Arrow determines to get the most fish in the library's Fish for a Good Book contest, but she doesn't take into account the equal determination of Dawn Bosco. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

PICKLE PUSS
IT'S AUGUST AND EMILY HAS BIG PLANDS AT THE LIBRARY. SHE'S GOING TO READ LOTS OF BOOKS AND TACK A PAPER FISH NEXT TO HER NAME FOR EACH ONE. THEN DAWN BOSCO SAYS SHE CAN READ MORE BOOKS THAN EMILY. NOT ONLY THAT BUT BOTH EMILY AND DAWN WANT TO KEEP PICKLE PUSS A STRAY CAT THEY FOUND. THEY DECIDE THAT WHO-EVER READS MORE BOOKS CAN KEEP THE CAT/ WHEN EMILY ADDS A FISH FOR A BOOK SHE READ A LONG TIME AGO SHE HAS ONE MORE FISH THAN DAWN. SHE KNOWS SHE'S CHEATING BUT SHE WANTS TO KEEP THE CAT. WHAT A PICKLE SHE'S IN.

Good book for beginner
my son read this at his school and liked it so much we bought it. ... Read more

Product Description
In the summer of 1910, Dossi is surprised and terrified to discover that her sister is sending her to a Vermont farm on a charity-sponsored vacation. The landscape and the people of Vermont are very different from her urban Jewish tenement, but Dossi is enchanted by the big blue sky and the peaceful countryside. She longs to make Emma Meade, the brooding daughter of her Christian host family, her friend, and she fills a journal with her thoughts, fears, and impressions of a universe very different from her own. And soon Dossi begins to realize that, sometimes, worlds apart are not so far away from each other after all.

01-02 Young Hoosier Book Award Masterlist (Gr 4-6)

Customer Reviews (6)

Great book!
I previously read "Dear Emma," and it was a great book. I really wanted to read the sequel, and as soon as possible I checked out "Faraway Summer" from the library.
This book is the journal of Dossi, who lives in crowded Essex Street with her older sister, Ruthi, in a small room in someone else's apartment in a tenament building. She's shocked when she learns that Ruthi has filled out a Fresh Air Fund application for her.
But whether she likes it or not, she boards a train for Jericho, Vermont. She's staying with the Meade's, who live on a 52-acre farm and who own a large house. They have an eight year old girl Nell and a girl Emma her own age. Most of all, she wants Emma to be her friend.
She sees lots of new things-fireflies, huge amounts of food, cows and chickens, and large, open space-something she's never experienced before. She thinks the food is the best thing ever!
Emma remains cold and unfriendly until the end of the book. I think it's said when Emma leaves Dossi's library book out in the rain by the pond.
This was a great book and I'd recommend it to everyone. Good work, Johanna Hurwitz!

What a beutyfull story!
I have read lots of Joanna Hurwitz's books and i must say this is one of her best.Haddasa [Dossi for short] has nobody but her sister Ruthi and her friend Mimy.Dossi 's parents have passed out and so has her sister . Dossi and Ruthi live in a crowded tenament with just one room toodo everything : Eat , Sleap , Sit , Stand.......Ruthi works in a sewing factory.The tenament smells of sweat andOF COURESThey dont have a single toy.When Ruthi signs Dossi up for a Fresh Air Fund ,Dossi objects .Butwhen Dossi starts to like , even befriend the family she is staying with..............

Marvelous !!
Dossi is a poor girl who lives in the city.Her parents and younger sister,Velvel have passed away.Dossi's sister,Ruthi is the one who will take care of them.She works in the factory.When Ruthi signs Dossi up to be sent to the country,on a Fresh Air Fund vacation,Dossi is terrified and surprised.Soon,the day had come to go to the country.Dossi packed her bags and brought along a library book which was a new one.She and her friend,Mimi, didn't tell the librarian that Dossi was taking it away.Dossi prommises Ruthi that she will send a postcard to her as soon as she reaches her destination.In the country,she meets the gentile Meade family.Nell and Emma are around Dossi's age.Mr. Meade and Mrs. Meade also have two sons,Timothy and Edward.Nell chats nineteen to a dozen.Emma doesn't.There are a lot of things that Dossi hasn't seen.Like fireflies,cows,two yolks in one egg and many other things.She learns about a man named Snowflake Bentley.He is mad about snowflakes.Snowflake Bentley also takes photos of snowflakes not people.Dossi likes Nell but she wants to befriend Emma too.But Emma treats her like if she is not there.Will Dossi be able to befriend Emma before her holiday in the country ends?

A fast paced novel, good for a rainy afternoon
Haddassah (Dossi for short) is a Jewish girl lives in a cramped apartment in New York City. Her sister (Ruthi) signs her up for a Fresh Air Fund which sends poor children too the country for 2 weeks in the summer. Dossi leaves excited and yet afraid to go on vacation with a family she doesn't know in Vermont for 2 weeks. She is stunned by things in the country and doesn't even know what fireflies are. This is one fault that I found with the book, she seems to know NOTHING of the country, now I can believe she's never milked a cow, but some of the things she had never seen are unbelievable. Anyway during the book she sprouts friendship and learns new things of her trip. She meets new people and learns what the lovely countryside is like. This is a really fast paced book, you should be able to finish it within an hour or so, but nonetheless it is worth reading.

A wonderful book about friendship and families
This is a good story about a girl who spends a few weeks with a familythat is very different from her own. Dossi learns other people have alot tooffer her and she has alot to offer in a friendship,too.Hurwitz is awonderful author; she makes the characters and situation comealive. ... Read more

Product Description
This is part of a 3-volume set, the total price for which is #265.00. ... Read more

Product Description
A Christopher Award-winning story of Keizer's experiences teaching in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

No Place At All
This book is dated, from 80's concerns about AIDS and the mystery/stigma surrounding it to the advent of, dare I say VCR's!!!! The writing is forced, contrived, and at times "over-the-top" is an understatement. Most notably the teacher's desk as the altar above which sacrifices occur and the blood drains below. That is of course an obvious analogy for teen pregnancy (Pretty picture eh?). Aside from the smaller issues with Keizer's writing his arguments are non-existent, unless you count the continual banter he keeps up betwixt what I can only assume is his split personality. One sentence describing a certain ideology, the next refuting it, and the last deciding maybe it's best undecided. Great insight into the world there, INDECISION!!! (P.S. we got it after the first couple times Gar-Gar). Aside from the book's overall flaws, most people could provide as much insight by re-examining their own lives during school and those of their friends through the eyes of a teacher (or future teacher). Each person's own experiences are no less real than what Keizer describes and the questions and conclusions in the end will be much more meaningful given their personal nature. In the end, don't read this book, spend a few hours reminiscing with friends and colleagues and get more out of it. Better yet, take the money you all saved and get a few bottles of wine

Excellent & thought-provoking
In No Place But Here, Keizer expounds on life in rural Vermont from the viewpoint of a rural English teacher.His views on rural education covered thoughts on students, teachers, administration, politics, community, and parents.Through his writing, readers get the sense that he loves his community, his students, and his work.As a rural teacher, this is inspiring and interesting to me because so often rural schools are ignored while the public goes about discussing suburban schools vs. the inner city.I don't agree with everything Keizer had to say, but he had many good, thoughtful points, and I found myself underlining and making comments in the margins on several occasions, even though the book was a pleasure read.

excellent read
In my M.Ed. program, Garrett Keizer was the best of the assigned reading. He does a wonderful job of discussing the day-to-day and larger theoretical issues of high school teaching, and his sense of humor makes the bookcompelling and readable. Though his agenda may be heavy handed at times,anyone who has thoughts on the state of public school education in the USshould read this.

A book of rare power and persuasion
Holding a lantern before his readers, Keizer escorts them through a rural landscape that is filled with a raw beauty that is masterfully contained within his plaintive language.This important book should be read by all,whether lay or religious, academic or professional--it will challenge youto view (and value) the intrinsic worth of your own lives...as well asothers'.

A gorgeous work
Keizer's musings on the state of education transcend his quaint corner of America. All readers can learn something from this eloquent, thoughtful book. ... Read more

Product Description
"If You Ever See A Ghost,You Must Do Three Things."

Customer Reviews (4)

Elephants, Hairdos, and Ghosts!
The "Tattletales" (all but one of the girls) and the "Copycats" (the boys) in Miss Earth's class can't agree on the existence of ghosts. The Tattletales insist there's no such thing. The Copycats insist there IS such a thing, especially after seeing something large and inhuman roaming the area.

A new Copycat, Salim from Bombay, has a secret that might explain the mysterious ghost seen by the boys, but he's afraid to tell them. In the meantime, the Tattletales plan to scare the boys by posing as the Six Haunted Hairdos. If the children of Hamlet, Vermont don't watch out, they'll scare the pants off each other!

Clever and humorously written, this book will capture elementary students' imaginations with the Copycats' and Tattletales' adventures. Besides the fun, kids will also be shown examples of compassion and generosity, traits often lacking in today's media. Equally important, this chapter book is easily read for intermediate readers.

Gregory Maguire's magic touch brings another installment to a great series for kids.

Reviewed by Christina Wantz Fixemer
9/3/2006

Six Haunted Hairdos: A hair raising tale

The book I reviewed is called Six Haunted Hairdos. This book was written by Gregory Maguire. Six Haunted Hairdos is a fictional book, and it is sort of a mystery, but at the same time it is an adventure.
A group of girls and a group of boys are always trying to outdo each other. When the girls cook up a wonderful plan to scare the boys, things start getting out of hand. Thelka Mustard, the empress of the girls club, who call themselves the Tattletales, tells the boys that six beauticians were recently killed on a nature trip. Though none of this is true, the boys are not sure whether they should believe this story or not.
Meanwhile, the boys who call their club (...), are having ghost troubles of their own, without Thelka Mustard trying to scare them with her crazy ghost story. Sammy Grubb, who is the emperor (...), thinks that they all saw a baby elephant, though this was no ordinary elephant, it was ghost.
The Tattletales are planning to scare the boys in their "Six Haunted Hairdos" costumes. Thelka leads the boys into the woods so that the "ghost beauticians" can do their jobs. The plan works out great and the boys got scared. Now the boys are even more sure that the baby elephant was a ghost. You should read this book to find out what happens with the ghost elephant and the "Six Haunted Hairdos".
This book's strengths are that it has good details and it is very compelling. It is a good book. The book's weakness is that at times, it can be a little bit confusing.
I think the author Gregory Maguire is a good author who knows how to use details. He writes good books. I would recommend this book to any reader who likes suspenseful, mysterious, and spooky books. If you enjoyed reading this book, then you should read the rest of the book series!

Six haunted Hairdos that make you Scream
In my language arts class we have to read three books every nine weeks. I have read my first book called Six Haunted Hairdos.As I read this book I went into a journey.I would love to take you with me on the journey again. So here we go!

Oh wow, look where we are. We are in the book called the Six Haunted Hairdos. Now we can see who the author is. The author is Gregory McGuire and he has a collection of books, just like this book I'm about to talk about. The book we are inside is a story. This book is also adventurous and has a lot of mystery in it.

Now we move to the first page of this book and we can work our way through the book. This book is about when Sammy Grubb and his club of the copycats try to convince the students of Josiah Fawcett Elementary that ghosts do exist. Thekla Mustard, who fronts the all girl club cynical tattletales, sees a perfect opportunity to spook up a plan and scare the boys. With the help of her friends they get together six wacky, crazy, and scary wigs, a lot of make-up, and some costumes. The tattletales transforms themselves into the six Haunted Hairdos, as they frightened the boys out of their pants. The tattletales give the boys a few scares.When Thekla Mustard takes her club to her house, they go up the room and Thekla congratulates them on what a fine job they did. When Pearl Hotchkiss hears the girls talking about scaring the boys again, Pearl runs to boy's club and tells the boys what the girls have been doing.So the boy's try to get back at the girls.When they get ready to scare the girls, all of a sudden an elephant comes out and Salim thinks it's a ghost of an elephant named baby Tusker.He thinks the ghost is coming to haunt him, but it wasn't.So they went to go find the tattletales after they made a plan.The girls went to go meet the boys and the boys said they wanted to meet the six haunted hairdos.Thekla said she didn't think they would come out, when all of a sudden the six haunted hairdos appeared.The girls ran down the hill and at the bottom they saw an elephant named baby Tusker.

Did you like the short story about the book?Now would you like to tell me any parts about the book you liked?I know I've got some, so here they are.The strong part of the book is that throughout the whole story it never gets boring and has good endings to each chapter.There are no weak parts to the book.Gregory McGuire has wonderful books because they are funny and interesting... I like that.

I think this book would be recommended for children in fourth grade through eighth grade.Well, I hoped you enjoyed your journey through this book.We've got to go before we get taken by a customer, so bye.
Sincerely, Hannah

Six Haunted Hairdos
Six Haunted Hairdos is the sequel to Seven Spiders Spinning.It is about to rival clubs, The Copycats (boys) and The Tatletails (girls).In this book the members of The Copycats believe in ghosts and state so in class.The Tatletails decide toplay a joke on The Copycat's "silly" belief and give The Copycats their idea on girls thrown at them.This joke turns out to be less fake then they thought, as The Tatletails and The Copycats meet real ghosts and have to unite the ghosts, and set aside their club differences, before it's too late and Hamlet, their town, becomes filled with ghosts.This book is exciting and portrays some very interesting veiws on the rivalrey between boys and girls. ... Read more

Product Description
FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY.Amazon.com Review
Anyone who fondly remembers how the fresh air of the moorsputs a blush in the cheeks of sallow young Mary in The Secret Gardenwill love Dorothy Canfield Fisher's Understood Betsy just asmuch. First published in 1916, this engaging classic tells the tale ofa thin, pale 9-year-old orphan named Elizabeth Ann who is whisked awayfrom her city home and relocated to a Vermont farm where her cousins,the "dreaded Putneys," live. The Putneys are not as bad as her doting,high-strung Aunt Frances warns, however, and Elizabeth, who had beennurtured by her aunt like an overwatered sapling--positively bloomsunder their breezy, earthy care.

Elizabeth Ann's first victories are small ones--taking the reins fromUncle Harry, doing her own hair, making her own breakfast--butchildren will revel in the awakening independence and growingself-confidence of a girl who learns to think for herself... and evenlaugh. Along the way, "citified" readers of all ages will get aglimpse into the lives of people who are truly connected to the worldaround them--making butter ("We always bought ours," says ElizabethAnn), experiencing the "rapt wonder that people in the past werereally people," and understanding the difference between failing inschool and failing at life. Fisher is a wise, personable storyteller,steeped in the Montessori principles of learning for its own sake, thevalue of process, and the importance of "indirect support" in childrearing. She also captures the tempestuous emotional life of a childas few authors can, crafting a story that children will find deeplysatisfying. And in the end, readers will have grown as fond of thehappier, stronger "Betsy" as the gentle, unassuming Putneyshave.

Loving care was dolloped on this 1999 reissue of an old favorite--withsweet new pencil illustrations by Kimberly Bulcken Root, and anintroduction and afterword by Eden Ross Lipson that offer a historicalcontext for the book and its author. (Ages 8 to 12) --KarinSnelson ... Read more

Customer Reviews (41)

Charming and still quite relative..
I loved this book, it was so much fun to read from start to finish.I wish it hadn't ended, I would like to know how Betsy's life continued on.

A Favorite Book Revisited
This was one of my favorite books when I was a child.It's lost none of its charm in the last 40 years.Elizabeth Ann is the foster daughter of her aunt and her cousin in an unspecified Midwestern city.Aunt and cousin dote on her, and are more than a little overprotective -- the cousin is what we would call nowadays a "helicopter mother".When the aunt becomes ill and must move to the desert to recuperate, Elizabeth Ann is forced to go to "the Putney cousins", who live on a farm in Vermont.The taciturn but kindly Putneys gently but firmly force Elizabeth Ann to stand on her own two feet, and become the strong and self-reliant Betsy.As a 21st century urban mom, I am more than a little amused to see that the debate over the best way and place to raise children hasn't really changed in the last century. This is a book I strongly recommend to pre-teen girls.This Kindle version does have a few problems: illustrations are referred to, but aren't present, and there are several mis-spellings. Otherwise, two thumbs, way up.

If you like The Secret Garden...
... you will like this story.

There were a few very small typos and the illustrations did not show up - which was kind of disappointing.

I really, really enjoyed this book! If you like The Secret Garden or The Little Princess you will like Understood Betsy also. It is novella length. A perfect read to pick up in between some heavy books.

I giggled. I cried. Sweet, sweet book.

So glad to see this book!
Having just viewed a BBC list of 100 books everyone should read, I saw a couple of my childhood favorites, but not "Understood Betsy." I still have my copy and reread it periodically (and I am 70 years old). I wondered if it was still in print and am delighted to see it is available. I recommend it highly for any young girl. P.S. DON'T get the abridged version. You won't want to miss a single word.

An excellent book on parenting
Having never read the book as a child, I don't know how kids will like it, although it has a very similar feel to books like the Betsy-Tacy series that I loved growing up. However, as an adult, I highly recommend the book for anyone who wants a good look at how to teach your kids by example and how to respond to their interests.

Tons of good values without being horribly preachy. ... Read more

Product Description
THIS EDITION IS INTENDED FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. In 1924, when a small town in Vermont falls under the influence of the Ku Klux Klan, two girls are among those who are no longer welcome.Amazon.com Review
It is 1924, and a small Vermont town finds itself under siege--by the Ku Klux Klan. Using free verse, Newbery Medal-winning author Karen Hesse (Out of the Dust) allows 11 unique and memorable voices to relate the story of the Klan's steady infiltration into the conscience of a small, Prohibition-era community. The Klan's "all-American" philosophy is at first embraced by several of the town's influential men, including Constable Parcelle Johnson and retailer Harvey Pettibone. But Harvey's sensible wife, Viola, and independent restaurant owner Iris Weaver suspect from the beginning that the Klan's arrival heralds trouble. As the only African Americans in town, 12-year old Leonora Sutter and her father try to escape Klan scrutiny, while 6-year-old, city-born Esther Hirsch remains blissfully unaware of the Klan's prejudice against Jews as she enjoys the Vermont countryside. And Sara Chickering, the lady farmer who has opened her home to Esther and her father, is torn between her own hidden biases and her growing love for Esther.

All, however, are galvanized towards action when a shadowy figure shoots at Esther and her father right through Sara's front door. Who would commit such an evil act? And is it too late to remove the poison that has insidiously leaked into their once tight-knit community? Part mystery, part social commentary, Hesse's historically accurate chronicle is a riveting catalyst for discussion that thoughtfully explores race and identity from every possible point of view. The free verse format and distinct characterizations also make Witness a perfect choice for library or classroom reader's theater productions. (Ages 12 and older) --Jennifer Hubert ... Read more

Customer Reviews (104)

Disapointed
I bought this book at my school bookfair after reading the summary on the back. I was really excited to read it. When I got home I read it in an hour or two, due to the simple writing format.When I was finished reading, I was extremely disapointed.I didn't find any of the events tragic, powerful, or remarkable. Although I understand that the events were terrible for the characters, I didn't find them interesting at all. The only events I found tragic/powerful were when Leanora saw the flaming cross at night, and when Esther's father was shot. I expected the characters to talk about the things the Ku Klux Klan did that were even more harsh and cruel.Overall the book was okay, but I was dispointed.

Great condition!
Ordered this book for a summer reading requirement for my son.The price was right and the it was in great condition.I would definitely order from this seller again.

Witness Book Review
WitnessScholastic, 2001, 161 pp., $[...]
Karen Hesse ISBN0-439-45230-9

This is a disturbing book about a town that is taken over by the Ku Klutz Klan of Vermont in 1924. Esther Hirsh is a 6 year old Jewish girl that moved from New York with her dad to Vermont. Leanora Sutter is a 12 year old African American girl that is suffering racism at school. These are just a few of the many characters from whose eyes we watch as the story unfolds.
Esther Hirsh's dad was shot dead. Citizens of the city thought Merlin Van Tornhout was the murderer. The town doctor was shocked that someone would do such a thing. Yet a local farmer wasn't very surprised and had a feeling it was the Klan.
Hesse teaches lessons of racism and change. I would recommend Witness to anybody ages 10 or up who like history. At times I found the book confusing due to the many characters. This book would be great to read with a book club to help understand and discuss. I also enjoyed Out of the Dust which is written in poetry form like Witness.
"Merlin Van Tornhout couldn't have shot Ira Hirsh. I know because he was standing by the well. I know Merlin was here. He looked straight at me, I looked straight back...it couldn't have been Merlin." - Leanora Sutter.

The Klan, hatred in white
An unusual format. If for children, the best use of the book would be reading it aloud to someone, as in the classroom or to a parent. I think most children, unless they are quite well read, would need at least asmall bit of background, some might not even know about the Klan.It was a fast read, once I got the characters firmly entrenched in my mind. Instead of fleshing the people out in the story, the author introduced them with their pictures, names, ages, and occupations. Except for the two girls, twelve-year-old Leonora Sutter
and Esther Hirsh, age six, the actual main characters, I flipped back several times to look at the photos to remember who was who.The lesson we take from this story, that hate destroys and when hate is allowed to grow as it does under the tutelage of the all inclusive hate mongering Ku Klux Klan or any group who sponsors hate, even if you're just like them,white, protestant, etc., if you don't knuckle under and accept their beliefs, they'll try to destroy you,too.
A good story.Loved those two young girls.
Eunice Boeve, author of Maggie Rose and Sass

A beautiful way to shine light on a shameful history
This book has captured the attention of the entire family.We are reading in preparation of seeing the play, "Witness," and have been enjoying getting to know the characters.It has been a beautiful way to introduce many aspects of our country's history that are difficult to discuss, shameful to reflect upon, but necessary to learn.The discussions this book has ignited between my ten-year old son and myself have been invigorating, refreshing, and have filled me with hope for generations to come.I recommend this book to families with children mature enough to handle and understand the content.It has been a significant piece in our homeschool recently. ... Read more

Product Description
Ernest Clark is not exactly Lincoln School's most popular third grader. But it isn't his fault. Can he help it if he is small? Or if his mother gives him weird haircuts? No.

There must be some way to survive third grade. Making a friend would help. And Ernest sees his chance when Jomo Mugwana from Kenya -- all the way from Africa! Jomo doesn't speak English, but he seems to like Ernest. The other kids aren't easy on Ernest and Jomo, though. So it's several months before they become friends. And by that time, something so wonderful has happened to Ernest that everyone wants to be his friend. ... Read more

Product Description
Title: The Illustrated Historical Souvenir of Bethel, Vermont : Containing a Brief History of the Early Settlement of the Town, the Schools, Churches, Medical and Legal Professions, Old Families, Business and Manufacturing Interests, Together With Portraits and Biographies of the Citizens, Past and PresentPublisher: Bethel, Vt. : [s.n.]Publication date: 1895Notes: This is an OCR reprint. There may be typos or missing text. There are no illustrations or indexes.When you buy the General Books edition of this book you get free trial access to Million-Books.com where you can select from more than a million books for free. You can also preview the book there. ... Read more

Product Description
Sue pitches in to help Mother with the work on the family farm, while her "delicate" sister Claire rests and takes vacations with their wealthy aunt. Then one morning Sue makes a discovery in the attic that shakes her to the core. This vivid novel is based on real events in the town of Westminster West, Vermont in the 1880's. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

B-O-R-I-N-G
This book may sound interesting, but it is BORING, HARD TO UNDERSTAND, AND STUPID! It is a bad plot. I did a book project on it and,(big suprise!)I HATED IT!!!!!! Unless you like dry, boring books, DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ... Read more

Product Description
Life is not going well for Tessy LeClerc. She's a C student, her teacher hates her, and her parents have got to be the strangest people to set foot in Vermont. Now she's stuck with the oral report topic everyone else wants: local hero of Fort Ticonderoga and boring old dead guy, Ethan Allen. If Tessy doesn't make this oral report the greatest thing anyone's ever heard, she'll flunk the sixth grade for sure, and life as she knows it will be over. Can Tessy find a way to show that Ticonderoga isn't just a name on a pencil, or will she be doomed to sit in the back of the classroom forever? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Ticonderoga
Have you had to redone, redue, redo something over and over again? You're at the end, but go back to the start?If you have, then you know just how the main character in The Hero of Ticonderoga feels.
Therese is a 5th grade girl from Vermont and her teacher has to leave for two months, and gives instructions for the sub to announce an oral report assignment the class has to do on Vermont.One lucky student gets to have the privilege of doing their project on Vermont's Revolutionary hero, Ethan Allen.As you may have thought, Therese gets picked to do the "fabulous" project.She doesn't want to do the project like someone doesn't want a wet donkey in a fourth of July parade. But now has to do it in front of the class. She doesn't get to do it just once, but 4 times. Now that's ridiculous!
Therese at the end realizes that she is more than just a good oral reporter, but a good actor!She also finds friends who she thought could never be. And enemies she thought were her friends, but stabbed her in the back like a little kid spits out spinach.
You might think that this book is a girlie book, but it's about someone finding out who they really while going through friendship obstacles, mean teachers, and family.

Ticonderoga
Presenting an oral report can be an adventure! Ticonderoga tells about a girl in school who gives an oral report of Ethan Allen, the first leader of Vermont's Green Mountain. This book is packed with historical events that will amaze you!
A girl named Theresee isn't happy about the way she looks and her life. Theresee never got invited to parties, and she never liked her parents. One day when she went to school she had to do a report about a leader called Ethan Allen. When her substitute teacher Mr. Santanggelo told her to do the report, all of her classmates gathered around her desk as if they wanted to trade with her. They wanted to trade because they thought her person would be easier to research. It turned out, it was hard to find a lot of information on Ethan Allen, but Theresee didn't give up. She learned a lot of facts about Ethan Allen and became a shining star in her class. She finally felt good about herself.
This book thought me a lot about history. I never knew anything about Ethan Allen before this book. This book is a good book for an older student or an adult who likes history.

The hero of Fort T is in sixth grade
More than simply a book about an unlikely heroine -- a girl, who succeeds despite all expectations (even her own); more than simply a biography (once removed) of an unlikely hero -- Ethan Allen, who led the green mountain boys to an unexpected victory against the British; this is a wonderful tale about the unwritten laws, of ethics and valor, of friendship and family.

a hero(ine) of a writer
Tessy is an engaging character and it's easy to root for her as she tries to avoid flunking the sixth grade by giving a great report on Ethan Allen. The author certainly knows her history and her geography, and how to write a book that will win over young readers, but her most sterling achievement is that she finesses material that could easily turn pedantic in less sure hands.

Good Book
The Hero of Ticonderoga is an important book for children of all ages to read. It teaches us that if we work hard, w ewill start to like what we are doing in school. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (1)

A Valentine for Patti
ISBN 0590439278 - Sleepover Friends, overall, hasn't impressed me as a series because it seems, like several other series, to be a slightly less well done imitation of the Babysitters Club series (and the spinoffs of that series).Both series contain many of the same elements, relationships and even have some plotlines in common.That said, I find that, taken individually, the SF books are quite good - and I'm beginning to think I need to re-think my take of the series as a whole!

There's a new girl in 5B.Her name is Hope, which some of the kids find weird, and she dresses like a hippie, which they find even weirder.Patti and her friends try to get to know her, but have little luck.Kate thinks Hope is hiding something and Patti's beginning to wonder herself.At the same time, Patti is worried about Horace, her younger brother, who's been moved up a grade and is suffering from some teasing.All of this is going on as Valentine's Day, complete with a class party, approaches and Patti frets over whether or not she should give Henry a special valentine.And, of course, whether he'll give her one, as well.

Sure, there's the BSC comparison, but really - you've got more than enough room for more books, don't you?One positive I've been finding is that, if your daughter (these really are girly kind of series) isn't into babysitting, she might identify more with the Sleepover Friends, or even the Gymnasts series by Elizabeth Levy.The stories within one series can be a little too similar to a story in another series, but that may simply be just because they're common tales nowadays and readers will relate to them.Best of all, Sleepover Friends don't really have to be read in order, so if you happen to pick up a random handful, they're still enjoyable!RL4, ages 8-12.

- AnnaLovesBooks ... Read more

Product Description
This text seeks to correct the tendency of economics to be unaffected by literature. It explores the relationship between contemporary hermeneutics and economic theory and suggests that economics can and should open itself to a historical interpretive account of human action. The book contains methodological writings that critically explore the relationship between individual choice and institutional intersubjectivity, as well as theoretical applications which reinterpret market processes as creators and disseminators of contextualized, tacit knowledge. ... Read more

Product Description
book ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

#29 Kate the Boss
The homecoming parade is coming soon and the Sleepover Friends are going to build a float. Kate naturally takes over as director of the float. Then they find out they have to share and work with there enemy Ginger Kinkaidand her friend Christy Soames, and they have their own ideas about thefloat. Then Stephanie, Patti , and Lauren begin to like Ginger's ideabetter. What will happen when they tell Kate? ... Read more

Product Description

Beware -- Nanette Manoir is here!

Here are two stories about Angela's best un-friend, the very un-French Nanette Manoir. In the first story, Angela and her friends Gina Lash and Johnny Abatti are having fun at their very first ice-skating lesson -- until Nanette shows up! Then, in the second story, Josephine Praline convinces Angela that she has to be nice...to Nanette! Find out if that can really happen! ... Read more

Product Description
A gold mine of ideas for exploring nature with children, and a must for those teaching natural science in any setting. -- Science and Children ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Truly an excellent resource for teachers and parents
Our whole school district has successfully used this book for the past 6 years as the foundation for our monthly parent volunteer-led natural science learning experiences in our thirty-five K-4 classrooms.The information is first rate, engaging, and there are multiple learning and teaching entry points for a wide variety of learners and presenters.We have especially appreciated the "do-able" quality of the activities.Materials needed are pretty straight forward and easily acquired.The best part for our parent presenters has been the tongue-in-cheek quality of the humor in many of the puppet shows.A hint:NEVER skip the puppet shows!They are the best starting points for the big ideas of the lessons.Also, make sure to read the 3 introductory essays for great supportive information to build confidence as a presenter or just as an informed parent working with one or two kids.

Yes, the drawings are truly excellent.Susan Sawyer is an artist worth investigating.Both she and the editor of the revised edition, Lisa Purcell, obviously love what they do and communicate that on every page.The margins of my well-loved copy are filled with ideas shared from children through the years.You'll do the same.Enjoy!

Interacting With Nature
This Revised and Expanded Edition of Hands-On Nature is an engaging how-to activity book--for children and for anyone looking to bring them before nature, whether at home, school, camp, playground, hiking, a workshop, or other pursuit. Here is a practical guide for the environmental enthusiast. Page after page it exhibits a wide range of detailed illustrations in black and white, many that appear as works of art. The text is well-written and easy to follow and understand with keywords that are highlighted in bold type, easily directing the attention of the reader to an order of valuable terms and particulars on nature. The book is divided into chapters, namely: Adaptations, Habitats, Cycles, Designs of Nature, and Earth and Sky, with related subjects like birds, insects, plants, flowers, streams, earth, deer, logs, and clouds. The chapters are organized into two sections, starting with an informational essay to introduce each chapter, followed by an activity and experiment segment that may include a brief script for a puppet show or play, and a suggested reading list. This book was made possible with the help of a large group of teachers, professionals, students, and volunteers. It should be included in every family's collection of books to read and share.

If you like Project Wild you will love this book
Any Environmental Educator or Scout Leader who has ever gone to a programlike Geosphere, Project Wild, NatureQuest or Project Learning Tree willLOVE this book.

Everything is organized by lessons and activities thatare coded to match certain skills like Predation, Plant Succession,etc.

I have used this book for years at Boy Scout Summer Camps and I knowthe American Camping Association recommends this book for anyone involvedin teaching Environmental Skills & Nature at a camp setting.

Perhapsthe only draw back is the plain colorless sketches of the book.A teacherwould appreciate the book's content but I would not get this book for akid.Having said that, this book is a great pick for any leader, summercamp, or school where teaching an understanding & appreciation ofnature is a priority. ... Read more