Editorial Review

Being on a sailboat in the warm waters of the Pacific with a bunch of kids the same age could sound like a vacation dream come true. However, when this month-long trip is part of a strict program called Charting a New Course, and each participant--or inmate--is there for disciplinary problems, things don't look quite as rosy. And then, of course, when a big storm strikes, and the captain and first mate disappear, and the boat seems to be sinking... the whole idea becomes less and less appealing. Still, for Luke, Will, Lyssa, J.J., Ian, and Charla, this is the way the cards have been dealt, and whatever problems they may have with each other, however much they don't want to be there, it's time to start working together to save their own lives. Read more

Reviews (43)

Great!
I own all of the Gordan Korman books, and he is an excellent writer! My favorite part is whenJJ says "Just put up the sails and fly!"

Island Book One: Shipwrecked
It was a very good book, to start out with.I really like it because it has a lot of adventure in it, and since i don't like to read a lot this was a really good book. I just couldn't put it down.
A great Island story

Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Fiction    5. Juvenile Fiction    6. Shipwrecks    7. Social Issues - New Experience    8. Wilderness survival    9. Adventure stories    10. Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure   

Reviews (31)

this book was awsome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To understand this book you have to know about climbing.This book inspired me to start rock climbing.I read all the books in 6 hours!!!!! I loved them and i hope you do too.

a kids opinion
the book everest was very boring.everything was going on at once and i could not understand it.It would be talking about one thing and then just jump to another.my suggestion yo people is that it is very boring

awsome book
I really liked this book it has a of action some kids may not like but i think its an awsome book it has a lot of deatal its about kids how are in a contest to see how can climb everst some of the kids will make it some will not but only four reamain. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - General    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. Competition (Psychology)    6. Fiction    7. General    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Mountaineering    10. Social Issues - Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance    11. Adventure stories    12. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Reviews (3)

I Took My Frog to the Library
The book I Took My Frog to the Library is a wonderful story. It is intresting because little children love to read about animals and edventures and this book has all. It explains how a little girl named Bridgett takes all different sorts of her pets to the library every day. Her pets make such a disturbance or mess they are asked to leave. She was to come by her self and leave all the animals there. But luckily her pet elephant knows how to read so he reads to the other animals while she is away. If children read this book they will probally be excited about going to the library. It is enjoyable

Paired with a tour of the school library, it's a big hit!
What a fun book!I am the library aide in a K-2 elementary school and this book was recommeded to me by a friend.I brought beanbag babies ofthe different animals in the book into school and read the story to eachclass.As we encountered each animal in the book, I looked for a goodlistening helper to hold that particular animal.When the book was done. We all walked around the library looking for each item, and placed theappropriate animal on the item.Then to reinforce it, I asked forvolunteers to find the animal that was on each item ex. card catalog,picture books and place it back in my bag for the next class.What a bighit!

Animals In The Library!
I Took My Frog To The Library was an enjoyable book for my second graders last year.So much so, I am ordering my own copy to keep in my class thisyear and another to raffle off.It's a wonderful book to springboardideas of what type of pet or animal a child would take on his/her own tothe library. It's a great introduction to focus on animal facts and habitsbecause the animals' actions in the libray have to be true to what theseanimals can really do in their own habitats. I think children of anyelementary age would enjoy the thought of being able to bring an animalinto the library. What a great book to even start a chat about what thelibrary is like to begin with! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 1-2    4. Fiction    5. General    6. Libraries    7. Pets    8. Juvenile Fiction / Books & Libraries   

Reviews (3)

All the classic tall tale elements
With "Mike Fink," author and illustrator Steve Kellogg gathers up in one story all the classic elements of an American tall tale: rasslin' with bears, lifting boats over one's head, leaping across great divides, kicking out the slats in one's cradle, and more. An exciting story about early America
MIke Fink is a story with lots of surprises and great pictures.Mike was able to do many things that seemed impossible. If you want to read about a boy who was determined to get what he wanted, this is the book for you.Our whole class really liked hearing this story.

This story fails to tell the story of the real mountain man.
It is clear that this is a tall tale as Mike runs away from home at age two days. The illustrations are very well done. BUT Mike Fink was a real person, and I would prefer a real story about the real character instead of this yarn. Kellogg could have made up a character and told the same story. It has nothing to do with the real Mike Fink. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Kindergarten    3. Fairy Tales & Folklore - American    4. Fink, Mike    5. Folklore    6. Humorous Stories    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Legends    9. Legends, Myths, & Fables - General    10. Short Stories    11. Tall tales    12. United States    13. Fiction    14. Juvenile Fiction / Legends, Myths, Fables / General   

Reviews (1)

A comical cowboy
Title: Four Dollars and Fifty CentsRead more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 2-3    3. Concepts - Counting & Numbers    4. Cowboys    5. Cowhands    6. Fiction    7. General    8. Humorous stories    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Juvenile Westerns    11. West (U.S.)   

Reviews (10)

Pure brilliance
I read these books (Gordon Korman in general, Bruno and Boots in particular) when I was 10, and I laughed non-stop, and read them over and over. I thought they were brilliant. I'm 28 now, with a Ph.D. and a real, adult life, and I still read them over and over, still laugh non-stop, and still think they're brilliant.

Project Popcan, confusion and fun
My favourite Bruno and Boots book.This is hilarious, and not just for kids.

Absolutely cool and funny
Beware the Fish is one of our favourite books.The story is very clever.One of our favourite parts of the book was when Elmer was singing about science and math.Another good part was when Elmer's cold cure was put inCoach Flynn's drink.It made him so drunk that he ran aroud in hisunderwear and asked Miss Scrimmage to dance. The book was great because it was funny anditwill make you laugh. A fabulous story!!Ryan "Rhino" Mills,Shawn "Slam Dunk" Pascal, Jeff "Gretzky" Hay, PembertonBritish Columbia, Canada. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Fiction    4. General    5. Inventions    6. School stories   

Reviews (13)

I still have it memorized!
My favorite illustration is the one where the mother mouse is feeding her son (or daughter?) an impossibly large cheese banquet, much to his/her great delight.A wonderful book!

NOT THE BEST MOUSE BOOK
A MOUSE LOOSES HIS FAMILY MEMBERS & THEN FINDS THEM.IT'S JUST AN OK BOOK, VERY UNDERSERVING OF ALL THE 5-STAR REVIEWS.A BETTER MOUSE BOOK WOULD BE- IF YOU GIVE A MOUSE A COOKIE.

Precious memories
This was my daughters very very favorite book. She had all the words memorized by the time she was barely 3. I would ask the questions from the book and she would respond with the answers. I still ask her Whose Mouse Are You ? sometimes and her own baby will be born in October. By the way, until we find out the sex of the baby we are calling him/her mouse. Your kids will love this book too! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - MiceHamstersGuinea Pigsetc.    2. Children's 4-8    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Kindergarten    5. Children: Preschool    6. Family - General    7. Fiction    8. General    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Mice    11. Preschool Picture Story Books    12. Social Issues - Emotions & Feelings    13. Stories in rhyme    14. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Mice, Hamsters, Guinea Pigs, etc.   

Reviews (1)

I think it was a goood book from my school library
I think it was a good book, but when Nancy found clues in all the books that I've read, it was the most interesting. One that I really liked was called the "Sercret at Solaire".I read alot of Nancy Drew booksfrom my school library.But the Soccer Shoe Clue was one of the best. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 1-2    4. Fiction    5. Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories    6. Mystery and detective stories    7. Soccer    8. Sports & Recreation - Soccer    9. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Editorial Review

Rather than regret or atone for his everyday mistakes, baker Gershonsimply sweeps them into his basement. Once a year on Rosh Hashanah, he stuffsthese demon-shaped transgressions in a giant bag and dumps them into the BlackSea. Of course, Gershon must discover sooner or later that his selfish actscannot be disposed of so easily. In spite of a pointed warning from a rabbi,Gershon refuses to realize that his behavior will come back to haunt himsomeday. It's only when he is faced with the monstrous bulk of his misdeeds thatGershon finally, truly repents.Read more

Reviews (9)

loved it BUT the recommended age group should definitely be older
I absolutely loved this book!It is very moving and heartwrenching.I must warn, however, that I really do think they misjudged the age group recommendation for this book (4 to 8 years old).The illustrations are incredible but disturbing.
Disturbing images, not for ages 4-8 at all!!!
I am disturbed by the number of 5-stars this book has gotten. I would be willing to use this book with older children (6th grade and up!) but not at all with younger ones. The images are dark and disturbing, and the manner in which Gershon "scrubs" himself clean is a bit difficult as well -- repentance shouldn't be because we are forced to do so by terrible black monsters but because we see that it is an important part of working on improving ourselves regularly...I like some of Eric Kimmel's other work much better, and I recommend his book "Days of Awe" which has a couple of lovely stories in it. For this one, though, I've pulled it out of our library and hidden it on my shelves for when the children are older! (And I wouldn't want someone to think it were for young children and traumatize them with the scary black creatures that represent Gershon's sins!)

A fable for everyone
This Jewish fable, retold by Eric A. Kimmel, isn't just for Jewish people. Anybody can relate to Gershon's behavior and its consequences.Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 1-2    3. Fairy Tales & Folklore - Country/Ethnic-General    4. Folklore    5. Holidays & Festivals - Jewish    6. Jews    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Juvenile Fiction / Holidays & Festivals / Jewish   

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Juvenile literature    4. Science & Nature - Environmental Conservation & Protection    5. Science & Nature - General    6. Science & Nature - Trees & Forests    7. Trees    8. Utilization    9. Juvenile Nonfiction / Nature / Environmental Conservation & Protection   

Reviews (12)

b - bug reviews
I loved this book. You would be crazy not to read this book!It
Don't Miss The School Mouse!
The School Mouse by Dick-King Smith Wow
I didn't like this book.It didn't knock my socks off. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 2-3    4. Fiction    5. Mice    6. Reading    7. School & Education    8. Schools    9. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Mice, Hamsters, Guinea Pigs, etc.   

Reviews (2)

childhood favorite
This was my favorite book as a child. It's a charming story about a boy who is virtually ignored by his wealthy parents. The ending is a lovely surprise.

Delightful Book
This is a wonderful book for reading aloud. It's short and sweet and very clever. My almost three-year-old loves it, as do his older friends. Five year olds think it's really funny, and like to talk about the pictures.The illustrations are half the fun; I notice something new each time.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8    2. Children: Kindergarten    3. Fantasy    4. Fiction    5. General    6. Hippopotamus    7. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Animals    3. Animals - General    4. Children's 9-12 - Literature - Classics / Contemporary    5. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    6. Children's stories, English    7. Children: Grades 4-6    8. Classics    9. Fiction    10. India    11. Jungles    12. Juvenile Fiction    13. Juvenile Fiction / Classics   

Reviews (10)

Tiger Turn Around
The Toilet Paper Tigers was a very good book. I liked the way it had each player described in each of the chapters. My favorite was the chapter on Tuba Dave and all the M&M's in the closet he was hiding. Another part is the championship game and how Kristy put Corey in the game on the three most important pitches of the whole season. This book is for all the baseball readers out there. It is a very funny book at some points.

the Tigers kept me up all night
A few weeks ago, I picked this book up in the middle of the night because I couldn't sleep.I ended up not being able to sleep because I was too wrapped up in the story to put it down.I read it cover to cover.In one evening, the Toilet Paper Tigers easily seduced a well-read, intelligent woman.The plot, completely devoid of any romantic interest, is the kind of wholesome stuff I had forgotten about in the many years since I last read a book with a 4-6 grade target audience.Honestly, I loved it.

The Misfits of Summer
This was supposed to be THE YEAR for Corey Johnson's baseball team, starring him as the ace pitcher. But then the coach (a scientist who knows nothing of the game) forgets to show up for the player draft, the team gets uniforms with toilet paper on them (they are sponsored by Feather-Soft Bathroom Tissue Co.), and the coach's obnoxious granddaughter moves in to whip the team into shape (using trick psychology, pure intimidation, and plenty of good ol' blackmail). And so begins what Corey is sure will be the longest summer of his life. However, somewhere along the line, the team turns around, and it's anyone's guess as to how far they can go. With one chapter for each quirky member of the team, "The Toilet Paper Tigers" is sure to make even baseball non-fans laugh. Among the characters: a catcher who is afraid of the ball, an overweight infielder who comes up with some very ingenious ways to find snacks, and a first baseman who is in danger of flunking summer school and being forced to leave the team. Readers will find themselves wondering what outrageous scheme the team will get into next, and cheering (as well as laughing) at the surprise ending. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Baseball    2. Children's 9-12    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. Fiction    6. General    7. Humorous stories   

Reviews (5)

Library Lil thrilled our second grade
I am currently interning as a school librarian. I read to second grade, but I think it would appeal to a wider age group as well. Lil is all about books, and the details illustrated by Kellogg are as always, wonderful. My only issue w/the book is the pool table in the tavern. I think the story would have been the same w/an arcade center or pool hall,not a tavern complete w/bartender

"Library Lil" visits Machias Elementary School
The author of "Library Lil," Suzanne Williams, just finished her author visit at Machias Elementary School, where I am the libararian. In preparation for her visit, I took a chance and read this delightfullyillustrated (by Steven Kellogg) picture book to every class, Kindergartenthrough grade 6. To my delight, I discovered that this modern "talltale" had appeal for all ages. Although one review said this book wasoverly didactic, I would say that the message that reading is better thantelevision (or video games, etc.) is one that can't be stressed too much.And with this title, "a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine godown." No good book goes unread when Lil's around!
Library Lil, a champion reader, champions the cause of reading through ingenuity, perseverance and brute physical strength.The best thing about this book is that at storytime, the 3rd grade boys were as engrossed in thestory as the girls! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Books and reading    2. Business, Careers, Occupations    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Preschool    5. Fiction    6. Humorous Stories    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Librarians    9. Reading    10. School & Education    11. Juvenile Fiction / Humorous Stories   

Editorial Review

From the creators of Read more

Reviews (3)

Krauss and Sendack, how can you go wrong?
I just came here from reviewing "A Very Special House" and I feel like I'm repeating myself. This was a book my sisters and I loved when we were children. One of the places I lived had a wonderful children's books store, and even though at the time I had no intention of ever having children myself, I bought it just for me. It was probably ten years later when I had my daughter, and I could hardly wait for her to be old enough to enjoy it. It isn't a story, it's a series of vignettes. Sometimes several items to a page, sometimes just one picture. Some of the bits are told entirely in pictures, but there is certainly no feeling of a comic book, it's very serious about friends and best friends and imagination. I don't look at it much these days, but I only have to look into my mind to see the dance of the little red shoes. "Someday, someday, little red shoes" became a family phrase for something you yearn for and will keep as a touchstone. Someday I'll get that. It doesn't seem to matter that it won't be today, it's enough to know that (that beautiful ring I saw at the craft show . . .the hybrid car . . .the glass blowing classes) are stillwonderful dreams that I haven't given up.

A Timeless Treasure.....
Almost fifty years ago, Ruth Krauss and Maurice Sendak collaborated on this special little book, told from a child's perspective, about love and friendship (love is the same as like/only you spell them different-/only more of the same, sort of-/Love has more stuff in it!), and it is as fresh and meaningful today, as it was back in the early fifties.I'll Be You And You Be Me is a marvelous collection of poems, stories, short plays, fairy tales and other bits of whimsy and imagination.Ms Krauss uses her talented ear to capture the essence of a small child at play and you can almost hear that little voice talking and explaining his or her vision of life and the world, as you read (I went to you./I went to me./I went to/every where./And I went/THERE.).Mr Sendak complements each written idea with his expressive and wonderfully detailed pen and ink drawings.Together, this dynamic duo has authored a simple, gentle book full of childlike insight, wisdom and humor that will charm and delight both youngsters and adults.Perfect for preschoolers, I'll Be You And You Be Me is a masterpiece and a timeless treasure to read together and share and pass along to friends family and future generations.

The Finest Children's Book I Know
As a child in the 1950s, this was my very favorite book, much like a deeply treasured playmate.When I became a father, I looked for it to share with my daughter, but it was way, way out of print.Decades later, I became a father again and found a used paperback copy in Canada.My 2 1/2 year old daughter now loves this book as much as I did almost fifty years ago, and asks for it every night.It is timeless.One of the reasons I think it has lasted so well is that much of the ideas the great Ruth Krauss used for the book came from small children themselves.It also features the early work of Krauss'long-time collaborator who went on to write wonderful books himself, Maurice Sendak.I'm very happy that I'll Be You and You Be Me has now been reissued in hardback.If you are a parent of a child under five, do yourself a favor and buy this book--before it goes out of print again ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American poetry    2. Anthologies    3. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    5. Children's poetry    6. Children's poetry, American    7. Children: Grades 1-2    8. Classics    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Social Issues - Friendship    11. Social Situations - Friendship    12. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / Friendship   

Subjects:  1. Buried treasure    2. Children's All Ages - Fiction - General    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. Fiction    6. Girls & Women    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Juvenile Mysteries    9. Law & Crime    10. Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories    11. Mystery and detective stories    12. Orchids    13. Juvenile Fiction / Girls & Women   

Reviews (1)

Absolutely wonderful!
This book-tape set has to be one of the best books on tape that rabbit ears has produced. Jack Nicholson's smooth magical voice is just perfect with predictably great music from Bobby McFerrin. A must for every child'slibrary! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Literature / Classics    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Classics    4. Fiction    5. Rhinoceros    6. Rhinoceroses   

Reviews (6)

shakespeare bats cleanup
I liked this book because it is short sweet and funny and it was a quick read. I think it was for 7th and 8th graders because they talk about going to the bamboo field and they make out and stuff, and
Book Review
This book follows the life of a kid at the age of fourteen. He is diagnosed with Mono and is but in bed for the remainder of the school year. He finds a poetry book in his Fathers collection and starts testing his own skills out. He tries Pastoral, using couplets, a sestina, and blank verse to name a few. Koertge formed his character through different kinds of poetry and I believe does and amazing job. After the first few poems you really start seeing this character come to life. I would recommend this book to any reader.

Shakespeare Bats Cleanup
Shakespeare Bats Cleanup is a funny, breezy, cute book. I don't think it relies as much on the themes of baseball, or even poetry, as it does on the theme of young love. Occasionally this theme becomes inappropriate as he writes poems about making out with girls in the bamboo forest and, in a sick metaphor, reaching Home Base.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Authorship    2. Baseball    3. Children's Books - Young Adult Fiction    4. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    5. Fiction    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Poetry    8. Social Issues - Death & Dying    9. Social Issues - General    10. Sports & Recreation - Baseball    11. Juvenile Fiction / Sports & Recreation / Baseball   

Subjects:  1. Boa constrictor    2. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    3. Children: Grades 2-3    4. Fiction    5. Humorous Stories    6. Snakes as pets    7. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Pets