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Reviews (5)

A wonderful tale narrated by the best voice actor in the business
First, the tale: Dickens' story hasn't aged at all. On the first page, there's this wry joke about how Marley was "dead as a door-nail," then goes on to speculate about why door-nails are more dead than, say, coffin-nails. This sets the tone for a powerful tale of redemption and change laced with both humor and a bit of fear (all these ghosts!). At the end of it all, Dickens inspires us to be better with this old story; he really captures a "spirit of Christmas" (and I listened to the story in March).
As Magnificent as the Ghost of Christmas Present!
Charles Dickens is a legend, and Jim Dale should be.I was thrilled to find out that Mr. Dale had recorded "A Christmas Carol" because I've listened to many many hours (and more voices than hours!) of Mr. Dale.
Lead on spirit...lead on!!
Mr. Dale provides his usual vocal magic to bring Dickens' immortal holiday classic to life.Excellent narration, sprightly character voices and the reader's sense of good fun make this recording my personal favorite of 'A Christmas Carol'.
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Subjects:  1. Audio - Fiction (Unabridged)    2. Audio: Juvenile    3. Audiobooks    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. Classics    6. Holidays & Celebrations - Christmas    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Unabridged Audio - Fiction/General    9. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Editorial Review

There's something to be said for a book that makes you wish you'd been part of a poor immigrant family living in New York's upper east side on the eve of World War I. Sydney Taylor's time-honored classic does just that. Life is rich for the five mischievous girls in the family. They find adventure in visiting the library, going to market with Mama, even dusting the front room. Young readers who have never shared a bedroom with four siblings, with no television in sight, will vicariously experience the simple, old-fashioned pleasures of talk, make-believe, and pilfered penny candy.The family's Jewish faith strengthens their ties to each other, while providing still more excitement and opportunity for mischief. Readers unfamiliar with Judaism will learn with the girls during each beautifully depicted holiday. This lively family, subject of four more "all-of-a- kind" books, is full of unique characters, all deftly illustrated by Helen John. Taylor based the stories on her own childhood family, and the true-life quality of her writing gives this classic its page-turning appeal. Read more

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• Unabridged

Reviews (74)

Sweet story for girls into historical fiction
My daughter just received this book and just loved it.I read it as well.The general plot has been well outlined by other posters, but what I wanted to add was that it's a great read for girls who are interested in historical fiction.For intance, my daughter has loved all the American Girl stories. This story takes place at the turn of the century, about when the American Girl "Samantha" story takes place.Samantha and the All-of-a-kind Family girls live at the same time in the same city, they just come from very opposite socio-economic backgrounds, which makes for an interesting and educational read.I liked that my daughter could read about different religious traditions than our own in simple terms that explain holidays and customs in age appropriate ways.Even though the family is poor and has no money for luxuries we don't get the feeling that anyone is going without food or proper care.The family may be poor, but the mother is portrayed as a strong proud woman nevertheless.I'm sure to look for the other books in this series.

A respite for girls
I had heard good things about this book and since we're going to the Lower Eastside later this week, I thought my daughter might enjoy it.I picked it up at the library and worried, when I saw it, that she might not be terrifically interested in it:the cover art is old fashioned and I was afraid she might think it was too "young" for her.We read the first couple of chapters together and then, on her own, she devoured the rest of it and asked me to find all of the sequels.It's a beautiful book: simple and affecting and a fascinating source of information about Jewish life and culture, although not in any way preachy or didactic.I was so grateful for this book, such a nice break in the long line of books written for 9-12 year olds these days--good, well-written novels--that seem to focus chiefly on loss:a dying mother, a missing father, a loss of a childhood friend...I think the book was deeply comforting for my girl and I recommend it highly.

Family Values Of Yesteryear
I ordered this book so that my children and grandchildren could have the same experience I had as a little girl in Mississippi in the 1950's reading about a close family of young Jewish girls in New York.This book (and the series related to it) has lost none of its charm and pull to the heartstrings!Thanks, Ms Taylor and Amazon for helping me find a lost part of my childhood! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    2. Children's Audio - 9-12    3. Children's audiobooks    4. Classics    5. Family - General    6. Family life    7. Fiction    8. Jews    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. New York    11. New York (State)    12. People & Places - United States - Other   

Editorial Review

A huge, old house with secret tunnels, a cantankerous caretaker, and buried treasure is a dream-come-true for 13-year-old Thomas. The fact that it's reputedly haunted only adds to its appeal! As soon as his family moves in, Thomas senses something strange about the Civil War era house, which used to be a critical stop on the Underground Railroad. With the help of his father, he learns about the abolitionists and escaping slaves who kept the Underground Railroad running. While on his own, he explores the hidden passageways in and under the house, piecing clues together in an increasingly dangerous quest for the truth about the past. Newbery medalist Virginia Hamilton creates a heart-pounding adventure with this absorbing classic for older readers. Read more

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• Unabridged

Reviews (94)

An interesting and exciting book.
When I first picked up this book i thought it would be borring and confusing.It turned out to be quite the opposite.The story follows Thomas a young boy who has to move from his home in the south to Ohio because of his fathers new job.He is not moving to any ordinary house however but the house of Dies Drear, a former conductor on the underground railroad who let slaves hide in his house until they were able to out into freedom.Rumor has it that the house is haunted which really scares young Thomas into believing the house taker Pluto is devil. Many events that follow help Thomas think that Pluto is trying to scare them out of the house, but he couldn't have been more wrong.There are many twist and turns that will have you on the edge of the seat and nothing is what it seems.This was a very enjoyable book and will be a good read for people who love mystery, suspence, and adventure.

Mystery andHistory!!!!!!!
This a great book for grown people and for young adults.My friend Kristen gave me this book for my 9th birthday and I am 13 know It is so good I reed it every birth day that I have. The book has mystery, spunk, and pazzaz all in one. This book is my favorite one yet. If you like to learn about history bout not about how sad somethings were you realy despritley need to reed this book.
House of Cheesy, 1-Dimensional Over-Writing
I completely and totally dislike The House of Dies Drear. The characters, had no depth, and were one-dimensional, the dialogue was stiff, and robot-like, and there was nothing in the book that I could relate to. I consider the book to be quite anti-climactic, lacking a major turning point in which the readers are supposed to be enthralled in. It had no twists, about two cliff-hangers, and was completely predictable. It was, in fact, probably one of the worst books that I have ever read. On a scale of five, I'd have to rate it a two, because as I said, it did have a couple of cheesy cliffhangers, but nothing that left me satisfied with the book that I have read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio: Juvenile   

Reviews (3)

Best I've Ever Seen!
I can't say enough good things about this bible/tape set.It isn't boring, droning on and on.It's lively enough to capture (and hold!) the attention of little ones.Contains 100+ Bible stories from every book of the Bible, with lovely illustrations, 70+ songs with printed music, and easy verses to memorize.The tapes aren't only of the songs, but of the full text of all 432 pages.
An essential part of your child's Christian library!
This is the best children's Bible out there.It has a story and a song for every verse of the Bible, plus memory verses for each book.If you have a child who is an auditory learner he/she will learn 66 songs and 66 verses!The dramatic reading and the flow of the stories is done very well.My kids have been listening to these CD's for four years (starting at age 3) and they still love them!In fact, we're on our second set--we wore the cassette tapes out!

A wonderful Children's Bible/CD set
My three year old and two year old love listening to these CD's they are a little young to do the read along but just the CD's are so worth what this Bible costs!There are Bible verses set to music as well as the stories!Some of the spoken parts are read by Max Lucado, Larnelle Harris, Rebecca St. James and Joni Eareckson Tada!The Bible itself has beautiful illustrations!Highly recommended!!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio: Juvenile    2. Children's 4-8 - Bibles    3. Children's Audio - 4-8    4. Juvenile Nonfiction    5. Music - Christian    6. Religion - Bible - General    7. Religion - Bible - Stories   

Reviews (30)

Very Very TRUE!
My husband and I both endured shame and guilt based rearing in our youth.Faced with the birth of our second child due this fall, we felt the need to close some old issues that continue to reoccour in our own parenting.We picked up this book and read it in one night.We cried because this book spoke to the very core of our issues and gave us great ideas into healing our past.I would HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who had a difficult childhood.

Finally some tools to work with
I am so grateful for this book as it has already given me so many insights. Somehow I thought that I was bad or defective, that there was something inherently wrong with me. Having read this book I realise I am the person years and my parents have made me into. A child whose family was dysfunctional and whose parents leaned heavily on alcohol as years went by, how could I have grown into a healthy young woman? Instead, I am an intelligent perfectionist, an over-responsible workaholic who tolerates being treated badly and neglects her own needs. However, I have been able to see that I can change - that I do have the right to learn to live a balanced and happy life. I also bought the work book that goes with this text book, and am thoroughly enjoying filling it in. My mind is working overtime making new connections and trying to make sense of my life, but I wouldn't change it for anything.

Not a good place to start
This is not a book for "newbies." If your family is f*cked up, you'll do better with information that is more basic to supporting your getting OUT, rather than how to survive being in it... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio Adult: Other    2. Dysfunctional Families    3. Inner Child    4. Unabridged Audio - Self Help    5. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    6. Popular psychology   

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• Unabridged

Reviews (23)

I Love Spending Time with the Melendy Family
The Saturdays is the first of four books about the Melendy children: Mona, Rush, Randy, and Oliver. Originally published in 1941, The Saturdays tells of several months in the life of the Melendys, as they live in their New York brownstone. The children's mother is dead, but they accept this with the equanimity of most children in books, and live securely with Father, their longtime housekeeper Cuffy, and handy-man Willy Sloper.
He's eight....
He's read the Harry Potter books 1-6 three times.By himself.
Monday, Tuesday, Happy Days.Thursday, Friday, Happy Days.
In 2006 the National Book Award winner for Young People's Literature went to "The Penderwicks" by Jeanne Birdsall.When this happened everybody started talking about what a throwback the book was.Why it reminded them of E. Nesbit.Of Edward Eager.But to no one does Ms. Birdsall owe more allegiance, whether she knows it or not, than to Elizabeth Enright.The first Enright book I ever read was her deservedly award winning "Thimble Summer".Enright was always a master of a sunny summer tale, heaping her stories with sunny red-cheeked young kids and their various adventures and brief misbehaviors.I was distraught though that I'd never sat down and read a Melendy tale.Logically I should have plucked "The Four Story Mistake" from its shelf and started in on that right away.But being a lazy librarian with a brand new shiny iPod to her name, I instead borrowed "The Saturdays" on cd from my library and listened to one Ms. Pamela Dillman's dulcet tones instead.Since Amazon.com has yet to figure out how to separate book reviews from audio ones, I'll be reviewing both the book itself and the person responsible for bringing its pages to life.Be forewarned though.While the book is perfectly nice and rather enjoyable, the cd leaves much to be desired.
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Subjects:  1. Audio: Juvenile    2. Audiobooks    3. Brothers and sisters    4. Children's Audio - 9-12    5. Children's audiobooks    6. Classics    7. Fiction    8. Juvenile Fiction   

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Reviews (2)

Welcome Mulligan's!
They're starry eyed.� They're headed for the altar.� Only one thing-who are "they"?� Eugene and Katrina? � Jack and Joanne?� Whit and Whit??? Big changes are in store for some of your old friends in Odyssey...as well as for others you're about to meet.� Join the fun as a handful of local kids threaten to go on a "Chore strike", cit slicker Nick takes up residence with Odyssey's newest family-The Mulligans, and a painting with a past teaches a valuable lesson about forgiveness.
It ain't a book, but it's Adventures In Odyssey!
Fans who were on the edge of their seats can rest easy now...we know who the wedding couple is. But I can't tell you! You have to buy the thing for yourself!Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure    2. Action & Adventure - General    3. Audio - Children's    4. Children's Audio - 9-12    5. Children: Grades 4-6    6. Classics    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Religious - Christian   

Editorial Review

In Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel's memoir Read more

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• Unabridged

Reviews (911)

Unforgettable Tale of Holocaust Horror
Beyond and essential read, Night speaks to the reader about fundamental questions at the heart of the human condition.A powerfully moving autobiography, the story of this teenager's journey through the most horrific death camps of Nazi Europe, strips away discussion of anti-semitism and hatred, to present the raw suffering of individual humans, stuck in situations beyond their control.From the establishment of a ghetto in Elie's home town of Sighet, the reader can only watch with growing horror as the young man and his family are swept up in the Holocaust.Auschwitz, Buchenwald, Gleiwitz: some of the most infamous places in modern human history, rise around Elie, as we watch him stripped of absolutely everything.The reader is swept along helplessly, as Hitler's "Final Solution" unfolds - death marches, starvation, selections, cattle-carts full of people, torture, floggings, mass-murder - and as Elie is gradually reduced to nothing more than a 'hungry stomach'.
must reading
this is a disturbing work in that it recounts a man's experience of the nazi death camps. Warning: this book will shake you up mentally, and emotionally.It is not for the faint of heart.Yet, it is a must read because of the exposure it gives to humanity at it's worst and humanity under it's worst.

Lost in Translation
The short novel Night has emotional power not only because of the dark subject matter, but because Elie Wiesel is a gifted writer who deftly reveals the spiritual and mental anguish of the main character.Generally considered autobiographical, the account follows a young man who feels he is losing not only God, but his humanity as the Nazi machine ravages Europe.The novel itself deserves 10 stars.
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Subjects:  1. Audio: Juvenile    2. General    3. Juvenile Fiction    4. Unabridged Audio - Autobiography/Biography   

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• Unabridged

Reviews (287)

All American Girl
All American Girl Book Review
One of Meg Cabot's Best
Samantha Madison is just a regular girl.She's fifteen years old, a sophmore in high school, and doesn't pay attention in Deutsch class.But then she saves the president's life, and her world turns upside down. First she's appointed Teen Ambassador to the U.N.Then she thinks that the president's son, David, might like her.But she's totally in love with her sister's boyfriend.So what's this weird frission thing with David?Sam is a believable heroine, and she's easy to empathize with.

The first son has personality
All-American Girl is a story of self-discovery for our underdog heroine, Samantha Madison.She is an artist and a wanna-be rebel who is in love with her sister's boyfriend Jack, a 7-11 obsessed, self-proclaimed intellectual.Samantha first uses her artistic abilities to sell celebrity drawings to her snotty classmates until her parents sign her up for art lessons as a way to channel her talent without operating a side-business or failing her German class. It is at her art class where Samantha meets the president's son for the first time.From there, the story progresses.
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Subjects:  1. Audio: Juvenile    2. Children's Audio - 9-12    3. Children's audiobooks    4. Classics    5. Fiction    6. Heroes    7. Humorous Stories    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Love & Romance    10. Presidents    11. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Editorial Review

If you ever feel like falling into a beautiful comic-book story--in the same way one falls back into a warm field of grass--reach for Michel Plessix's lush adaptation of Kenneth Grahame's Read more

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• Audiobook
• Unabridged

Reviews (108)

Fantastic animated rendition
It's hard to believe, but I never heard of Wind in the Willows until I was about 16 years old, when it was first read aloud to me, around a glowing campfire. It was an instant love affair.
The Wind in the Willows
The Wind in the Willows, by Kenneth Grahame, was originally a series of bedtime stories for Grahame's son.It is still commonly considered to be a children's book, but it is too difficult for young children to read themselves, and many older children will no longer appreciate the simple themes it covers.I imagine that its chief appeal is to adults, although children might enjoy having some parts of the book read to them.
a beautiful and funny English classic
Although it is very funny, and it is about talking animals that drive cars, "The Wind in the Willows" is not suitable for four to eight year olds to read on their own.That would be the Disney cartoon version, not the book, which is pretty sophisticated for such a young age group.It is great to read aloud, however, and for older kids who love nature and humor, "The Wind in the Willows" could lead to a lifetime love of books."The Wind in the Willows" reminds me of the Victorian humor book "Three Men in a Boat", because both are about the adventures of a group of wacky English bachelors messing about in boats on the river.It is funny, with real slapstick comedy, and it is also touching, because it deals with friendship and loyalty, and beautiful, because it is about nature, and love of the countryside and home. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - General    2. Audio: Juvenile    3. Children's Audio - 9-12    4. Classics    5. Humorous Stories    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / General    8. Juvenile Fiction / Classics    9. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    10. Audio - Children's    11. Audio - Fiction (Unabridged)    12. Children's Audio / 9/12    13. Juvenile Fiction/Animals - General    14. Juvenile Fiction/Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    15. Social Situations - Friendship   

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Reviews (1)

Mission Possible
Mission Statements are very hard to write in business. Until this cassette, I felt it impossible to do with my exceedingly diverse and strong-willed family of five. As a Father, I felt it important to do so inorder to provide the foundation for success so important in today's rapidlychanging, yet fascinating society.Read more

Subjects:  1. Abridged Audio - Misc. Nonfiction    2. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    3. Communication in the family    4. Family    5. Family Relationships    6. General    7. Inspirational - General    8. Parent and child    9. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction    10. Self-Help / General   

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• Classical
• Unabridged

Reviews (1)

Sparks interest
My children have been listening to this collection since they were very young. The stories are often gory, but they're also full of wonder. The introduction to the Greek gods sets the stage and helps make sense of some of the stories to follow. There is an amazing amount of detail in the tales of Perseus, Heracles, Theseus, and Jason. My step-son has just been introduced to this collection and says he wants more Greek Myths for Christmas. That might be the best review of all. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio: Juvenile    2. Folklore & Mythology - Mythology    3. Juvenile Fiction    4. Legends, Myths, & Fables - Greek & Roman    5. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction    6. Audio Books / Books on Tape    7. Books on Tape/CD    8. Classical    9. Myth & legend told as fiction    10. Other religions    11. Spoken Word   

Features

• Unabridged
• Unabridged

Reviews (3)

Very good.
This was my first Tintin tape. It includes:
Six Adventures of Tin Tin
These audio cassettes are wonderful.The actors do a terrific job bringing Tin Tin to life.My eight-year-old son loves listening to them while he plays or cleans his room or is in the car.It's likeold-fashioned radio and far better than watching the TV.

BBC Recordings Add New Dimension To Tintin
Stories include: Black Island, Secret of Unicorn, Red Rackham's Treasure, Destination Moon, Explorers on Moon, Tintin in Tibet.The BBC has pulled out all the stops to provide top actors having fun with the Tintin stories,plus great sound effects and appropriately exciting or scary backgroundmusic.The voices are quite different from the video taped stories, and sooffer a completely new interpretation.And whereas the video tapes focuson visual presentation and pretty much treat the audio as a given (fairenough), these audio tapes fully exploit the possibilities of sound. Tintin is played absolutely straight, but the other characters are somewhatcamped up, to provide entertaining parodies of themselves (for instance,the East European baddies have accents worthy of a Bond movie).Be awarethat the accents are all very British or are British versions of foreignaccents; but very clear recordings would make them easy to follow for mostnon-British English speaking listeners, I'd say.The stories follow thebooks more or less; the title 'unabridged' may mislead, as to compress thestories to a half hour each, much has been chopped out - consequently thestories rattle along at a fast clip.What have been added are touches ofhumour absent from the originals, such as an evil doctor describing Tintinas having signs of mental disorder which include 'infantilism, delusions ofgrandeur, a dog lover, and plus fours'.I bought these tapes for my 6 yearold daughter, but we both enjoy them equally though in different ways: shefor the plot and the escapism of the stories, me for the subtleties of theinterpretation and the humour.These tapes are a steal at this price. Next stop: volume 2 for me. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Audio: Juvenile    3. Children's Audio - 9-12    4. Children: Grades 2-3    5. Classics    6. General    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories    9. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Editorial Review

A deer in his canoe, a bear attack, a leg stabbed with anarrowhead--it's just another week in the life of 16-year-old Brian Robeson. In his opinion, this beats a date at Mackey's Pizza Den, a fight with a bully, and a video game at the mall any day. After having survived a plane crash and 54 days in the Canadian wilderness several years earlier, Brian can't seem to fit into "civilization." The world of high school and family life makes no sense anymore. So Brian begins to plan. It's time to return to the woods. This time, though, he makes no plans to come back home. Read more

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• Unabridged

Reviews (72)

Brian winter
Brian Return
Brian's Return
I think Brian's return is one of the better books I've read because it relates to nature.The reason why I like nature so much is because I live out in the country so I'm out in the woods alot just like Brian. My favorite part in the book was when he scared the bear away. I liked that part because it was really suspenseful. If I would have to go up against a bear with a bow. I wouldn't wait until it got sloser to me if it was already tring to corner me like it did to Brian.

Brian's Return
I think Brian's return is one of the better books I've read because it relates to nature.The reason why I like nature so much is because I live out in the country so I'm out in the woods alot just like Brian. My favorite part in the book was when he scared the bear away. I liked that part because it was really suspenseful. If I would have to go up against a bear with a bow. I wouldn't wait until it got sloser to me if it was already tring to corner me like it did to Brian. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Audio: Juvenile    3. Children's Audio - Young Adult    4. Children's audiobooks    5. Fiction    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Nature & the Natural World - General    8. Self-reliance    9. Wilderness areas    10. Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure   

Reviews (8)

Ahoy mateys!A fine book!
I bought this book for a homeschool unit study on Pirates and it is wonderful.The pictures are beautiful and the book itself is very informative.It does contain a lot of "new" vocabulary words, but the book also includes a glossary.

A Pirate's Life for Me!: A Day Aboard a Pirate Ship
This book is so popular on the Seacoast of New Hampshire because, the real-life pirate of Brownie Macintoch, performer and songwriter, comes along with this book.He and Julie are a fixture of children's summer entertainment. (Check out www.juliebrownie.com)This book is a realistic portrait of a pirate without the details that are not necessary for young children.If this book interests a child, more books are available that have "those kinds" of details and others that are more gentle.

It Could Be Better!!!
First off I want to say I loved the sea chanty tape.The book would have been better if it had a story line or gave more explanations.I've been reading about pirates for a few years, and I know some of the statements were wrong according to the books I've read.However the pictures are colorful and bright. And most young children would enjoy this simple book about pirates even though it's not quite cohesive or accurate. I will recommend this book for the younger children who are interested in piracy and need an introduction to history.A few months ago I read an excellent novel to my 5th grade granddaughter that was based on documentation and included photos.It was titled THE DIARY OF A SLAVE GIRL, RUBY JO and was about the week Blackbeard and his men on 4 ships held Charlestonians hostage to obtain medicine for his crews.That book had a good story, wonderful slave children characters, was funny, and entertaining! I recommend that one to anyone 10 and up. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio: Juvenile    2. Children's Audio - 4-8    3. Children's audiobooks    4. Historical - General    5. History - General    6. Juvenile Nonfiction    7. Juvenile literature    8. Pirates    9. Reference - General   

Editorial Review

It's a fantasy, it's long, and it's got dragons in it. Read more

Features

• Audiobook
• Unabridged

Reviews (172)

UNSPEAKABLE GOOD!
My daughter is 5 and we've just finished reading this book together.I love this book on so many levels that I have trouble putting words down.Funke (or Funke's translator, not sure which) delivers a page-turning, compelling story about adventure, friendship, loyalty and doing the right thing.She does all of this amid perfect sentence structure, flawless grammar, strong character development, larger than life imagery and unparalleled story telling.I have not a single complaint about this book other than it's not long enough!Oh how we both long for more!I read this book to my daughter for an hour each night at bedtime (remember, she's only 5) and usually an hour each day.There were many wonderful opportunities for discussion about lessons in the book and new vocabulary for my daughter.There are no truly "bad guys" in this book (aside from Nettlebrand whose life is borrowed anyway) and those who made some poor decisions are given opportunities to redeem themselves in the end.The characters are so strong and lovable!I can't say enough about this book.I do hope someone will take on the task of putting it to the big screen.It will be a veritable feast for the eyes.

Best Book Ever!!!!!
Wow!! This is the best book I've ever read. Sorrel, "Mr. Grumpy", is hilarious !Ben is a decent character.Firedrake is a good character and sleepy head.Twigleg is a great character.He's best when he tricks his first master.Nettlebrand the crazy, demanding, dumb, gold "dragon" is a weird enemy.He hunts dragons for no reason at all.I hope you like this as I do, but if you don't .... oh well oh well.Plus lots of Accelerated Reader Points at school!!!Aced it!

captivating!
This book is a wonderful read. I couldn't put it down till I finished it, and I literally locked myself in my bedroom with my misic blaring so that nobody could interrupt me. The wonderful characters and captivating storyline is very addicting. I would reccomend it to anyone looking for a slightly humerous fantasy story. I thought the manunculus was soooo cute! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio - Children's    2. Children's Audio - 9-12    3. Children's audiobooks    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. Dragons    6. Fantasy    7. Fiction    8. General    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Reviews (4)

nice story
A very nice story for 3-year-old fan of Thomas trains, videos,
Incomplete, dis-jointed, unclear
This is a pretty bad book.It's the 2nd Thomas book, I've ever bought - and I hope most of them aren't as bad as this one.There are several stories in this book, all of which seem to have chunks of the stories missing.It is very dis-jointed.The illustrations (which are photos of the train models) do not help the reader to figure out what is going on in the story.The words(vocabulary) that are used seem to be somewhat unusual (perhaps - they are british terms) - which do not help.This book is not worth the money or the effort.Although my 3 year son doesn't seen to mind too much, it certainly is not his favorite book.Besides, it is frustrating to the adults that have to endure reading this to the children over and over.

Kind of fragmented.
The stories are good stories,Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio: Juvenile    2. Behavior    3. Children's Audio - 4-8    4. Fiction    5. Preschool Picture Story Books    6. Railroads    7. Specimens    8. Talking books for children    9. Trains    10. Transportation - General    11. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Editorial Review

"Monster" is what the prosecutor called 16-year-old Steve Harmon for his supposed role in the fatal shooting of a convenience-store owner. But was Steve really the lookout who gave the "all clear" to the murderer, or was he just in the wrong place at the wrong time? In this innovative novel by Walter Dean Myers, the reader becomes both juror and witness during the trial of Steve's life. To calm his nerves as he sits in the courtroom, aspiring filmmaker Steve chronicles the proceedings in movie script format.Interspersed throughout his screenplay are journal writings that provide insight into Steve's life before the murder and his feelings about being held in prison during the trial. "They take away your shoelaces and your belt so you can't kill yourself no matter how bad it is. I guess making you live is part of the punishment."Read more

Features

• Audiobook
• Unabridged

Reviews (606)

Monster is scary, not in a great way
I found that the story was too fast paced for something as dramatic as a 16 year old boy on trial for murder.The settings changed too quickly at the beginning, and I found the plot kind of confusing.The plot though, was believable and realistic, and there was very little profanity, if any.The language was not coated with heavy accents, the closest it got was gangsta talk. The point of view was from Steve Harmon, and there was a fair share of the plot jumping around. The characters were very real, and you could really picture it in your mind.Sadly, I could not say this for much of this book.
Is He Truly A Monster?
I'm not going to say much about the text in the book except that it was well written and well thought out. The format of the book was nicely put, because it is easy to read when the words aren't crammed together on a small page, and I liked how it was written in a script format.
Amazon book review by Karen
Monster by Walter Dean Myer