Reviews (70)

great book
This is a story based on the true story of Mary Jemison. I found the fact that it was true very interesting, especially since you can really visit some of the places she lived. It is sad and disturbing and(like the one review said)she is separated from everyone, but it's true! She was terribly sad, the Indians did do horrible things, and she was separated from everyone she knew. Even though this book is true, it is still very entertaining. I think it does a good job of developing the interior conflict: Is she and Indian or a pale-face? I think this book will be loved by all who appreciate historical-fiction.
The Wonders of Indian Captive
The book Indian Captive was a very interesting book. What I liked about the book was that the autor told a lot about the Indain way of life, the author showed great emotion in his writing, and described the scenery very well. The only reason that this is not a five star book is because I thought that the author asked too many questions in the story, not in dialoge but in the story. Sometimes the author didn't even answer the questions. I really enjoyed Indian Captive and hope whoever reads this, buys the book, and reads it!

Indian Captive Review by LEA
This book is about an amazing (...) girl named Mary Jemison aka Molly to her family and friends. The story begins at her home in March Creek Hollow. Honestly the beginning is boring,it doesn't get really good until she gets to the Indian village at least that is my opinion. Anyway after being taken from here family she must learn to be an Indian,but how can she give up her english ways? All through the book she tries to escape only to fail time and time again but when she is given the chance to leave can she really leave the her Indian brothers and sisters? Read the book to find out!
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Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Biographical - United States    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    4. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    5. Fiction    6. Historical - United States - Colonial    7. Indians of North America    8. Seneca Indians    9. Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure   

Editorial Review

Alfred's life is going nowhere fast. He's a high-school dropout working at a grocery store. His best friend is drifting behind a haze of drugs and violence, and now some street punks are harassing him for something he didn't do. Feeling powerless and afraid, Alfred gathers up the courage to visit Donatelli's Gym, the neighborhood's boxing club. He wants to be a champion--on the streets and in his own life. Alfred doesn't quite understand when Mr. Donatelli tells him, "It's the climbing that makes the man. Getting to the top is an extra reward." In the end, he learns that a winner isn't necessarily the one standing when the fight is over. Teens and adults alike will be knocked out by this powerful story of how a frightened boy becomes a man. ... Read more

Reviews (298)

The Contender
In the book " The Contender," a series of bad events happen in Alfred Brooks' life, he decides he wants to be a boxer, but one thing he doesn't know is how hard the training will be for him.Although boxing is very hard for Alfred he has a lot of other things to deal with like gangs and cops and his best friend James or ex best friend James.Since Alfred can't solve that problem, he has to move on with his life.After his second fight, Donatelli, Alfred's trainer, decides to tell Alfred that his boxing career is over, but Alfred didn't want to stop until he knew he was a contender. After his third fight even though he lost, he realizes he was a contender.
The Contender
The Contender
The Contender

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Subjects:  1. African Americans    2. Boxing    3. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - General    4. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    5. Fiction    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Juvenile delinquency    8. People & Places - United States - African-American    9. Social Issues - Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance    10. Social Situations - Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance    11. Sports & Recreation - General    12. Sports & Recreation - Miscellaneous    13. Juvenile Fiction / Ethnic / African American   

Reviews (21)

Great even though it wasn't about the band
Most people didn't like this book because it really wasn't about the oringinal charecters like Soren for instance. But in my opinion the book was far more interesting to read about because it starts "fresh" with a brand new charecter, a Barn Owl born from Tyrants with a good soul named Nyroc. And unlike Soren and the Band he is a recenly flegded owl that still breaks the rules and is still a kid. But this "kid" has to make alot of decisions that really affect your life as you are about to find out in the story if you decide to buy it but below I typed a breif sumary of the story's beginning started at the end of Book #6 in the Guardains of Ga'hoole series.
Guardians of Ga'Hoole,Book 7
The evil Pure Ones lost everything in the Battle of The Burning when they were defeated by the Guardians of Ga'Hoole. So Nyra, the widow of the Pure Ones' slain leader Kludd, is delighted when she finds her new hatchling, Nyroc, to be more than she could have ever hoped for. Nyra is certain that her son will lead the Pure Ones on to glory and the hostile opression of all the owl kingdoms. And Nyroc is more than ready for the task.
Nyroc's Beggining
This was a great book and i was very glad i read it. this book was a real page-turner and i would realy reccomend it.The book was at its best when Nyroc
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Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Animals - Birds    3. Children's 9-12 - Literature - Classics / Contemporary    4. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    5. Children: Grades 4-6    6. Fantasy    7. Fiction    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Juvenile Science Fiction / Fantasy    10. Legends, Myths, & Fables - General    11. Owls    12. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    13. Juvenile Fiction / Legends, Myths, Fables / General   

Reviews (7)

Fun to read out loud!
This is a great book if you have small children.They love it because it's fun to read out loud and it isn't so long that you get out of breath. This is a must have that I enjoy reading over and over again and my little ones never get tired of it.

Still a Classic
I loved this book as a child, and now my daughter loves it, too.A really good lesson; we don't always get what we want in life, and sometimes that's for the best.Beautiful illustrations.

Self concensus at work
An email friend used the term "self consensus" to describe the process by which we start with a known person- ourselves- and move in small steps away from that to construct our image of another person we know via email. This book is a good illustration of that idea.
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Subjects:  1. Animals - Fishes    2. Animals - Frogs & Toads    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children's Books/Baby-Preschool    5. Children: Kindergarten    6. Classics    7. Fiction    8. Fishes    9. Frogs    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Preschool Picture Story Books    12. Social Issues - Friendship    13. Social Issues - General    14. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Fishes   

Features

• Abridged

Reviews (13)

Great decent family time fun
After getting hooked to a radio book I heard almost 3 years ago I decided to look for other Christian based audio book stories that I could enjoy with my son.I bought this for him and we have heard several so far.The stories are played out in a very real and tangible way.We have sat in bed with our eyes closed and it feels like you're in a theater.Of course it helps if you have surround sound but sounds just as good if not.Great for long trips in the car or to just play on a rainy day at home snuggled under the covers.This type of story telling awakens the imagination of children in a way that TV will never!!!!!

Very entertaining
Listening to the book in full theater format was very interesting and enjoyable.
Narnia Radio Theatre - almost perfect
I do NOT enjoy audio books - I generally find them long and boring and would much rather use my own imagination than some actor's choice of cadence and emphasis.On the other hand, I loved (mostly) the BBC radio productions of "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" which have become long road trip standards for our family.I have never found a comparable production until I discovered the The Chronicles of Narnia.The voices of the actors were VERY well done(with one exception) and the background sound effects and music were excellent and I found the connective narrative enough without being too much.On the other hand, I have read of the Narnia books so I may be unconsciously bridging gaps. Still, my husband, my son and my grandchildren have only read/seen "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" before hearing this set and had no problem with the other books, so the narrative is probably sufficient.I have two issues with the series which is why I awarded only 4 stars:
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Subjects:  1. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    2. Children's Audio - 9-12    3. Classics    4. Performing Arts    5. Radio - General    6. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic   

Reviews (14)

good and clever short stories
sometimes the best childrens stories are the ones that dont always have to teach something; although stories with lessons are a wonderful way to teach, the little stories in "mouse tales" are just there; to be read, and to be heard by the child and enjoyed without some lesson attached.they are whimsical and cute.my 2 1/2 yr old daughter loves lobel books and enjoyed having a big kid lobel book to read.

Addictive!
Arnold Lobel is a master story teller! He really knows how to capture a child's attention and tickle his imagination and funny bone. All of the stories in this book are great and should be classics if they are not already. My son (5 years) started this book and could not put it down! He read 5 of the 7 chapters at once and only reluctantly stopped because I told him it was time for bed. He continued with the rest of the 2 chapters in the morning. Any book that can do that gets and deserves 5 stars!

Great Memories
I bought this because it was read to me as a small child. I plan to read it to my children one day.
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Subjects:  1. Animals - MiceHamstersGuinea Pigsetc.    2. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - General    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Grades 1-2    5. Fiction    6. Mice    7. Readers - Beginner    8. Short Stories    9. Juvenile Fiction / Readers / Beginner   

Reviews (22)

Peace and Thanks to Frederick the Mouse
I read this while biking at the gym last night, and happy as I was to find a children's book of this magnitude at a gym, I am happier having read it no matter.
the importance of beauty
This was my favorite book as a child, and I still keep a copy on my bookshelf. It is my earliest memory of any kind of poetry, and still sticks with me. Frederick taught me that it is important to see the beauty all around you and to soak it up and process it into some kind of art. Of course I didn't put it into those words when I was young but I had an idea of what it meant and it made me want to write and paint.
Stage one of future Disappointment
I read this book prior to bringing it home to my son to ensure it espoused the values I would want him carry forward in life.To suggest to a young child that Blue Sky and Sunshine will carry you through challenged times is simply setting them up for disappointment.While the rest of the family was showing strong character and work ethic Frederick was a lazy day dreamer that made no contribution.If he had worked along side his family in preparation for winter they would have had more fuel for their bodies and straw to keep them warm.Essentially he became a burden on his family and could only share mystic thoughts of yesteryear while his siblings and parents starved themselves during the dead of winter. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - MiceHamstersGuinea Pigsetc.    2. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Preschool    5. Classics    6. Fiction    7. Mice    8. Stories    9. Early learning / early learning concepts    10. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Mice, Hamsters, Guinea Pigs, etc.   

Reviews (9)

Magical, memorable
This is a completely adorable, inspired and inspiring creation by Mr. Lobel. This book with audio was a mainstay of my children's early years and holds memories we will always cherish.

Cute book
Very nice stories. The colors of the pictures are dull. The print is bold and easy to read.

WONDERFUL!
I remembered this book from my own childhood & bought it for my son.The stories are SO much fun.A great book to read aloud to your toddler.In general, Arnold Lobel's books are just fantastic.If you like this, get Owl at Home and of course the wonderful Frog & Toad books too! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - MiceHamstersGuinea Pigsetc.    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 1-2    4. Fiction    5. Mice    6. Readers - Beginner    7. Juvenile Fiction / Readers / Beginner   

Reviews (3)

A Christological Fable
On the surface, this is a simple and sweet tale of three frogs who learn how to share.But as a student of theology and of literature, I must share my insights into this amazing children's book.On a deeper level, this is a Christological parable and a history of salvation through Jesus Christ.Although I admittedly know nothing about Leo Lionni's personal beliefs,I am sure that this is the intended meaning in this fable.The richness and beauty of its symbolism could hardly be an accident!
A story about sharing.
Bicker Bicker Bicker.That's what these three frogs do all day long.It's mine, it's mine, it's mine!Tragedy strikes and an old toad saves the day.The three frogs seem to grow up without even realizing it!An ideal read-aloud.

This book is very appropriate for young readers.
I enjoy this book very much.The characters are human-like in nature which gives the book charm.Lionni captures the essence of siblings in the cute frog characters.The moral is easy to understand and something toremember for all ages, not just children.A definate must have. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - MiceHamstersGuinea Pigsetc.    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Kindergarten    4. Fiction    5. Frogs    6. Legends, Myths, & Fables - Other    7. Selfishness    8. Sharing    9. Social Issues - Friendship    10. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Mice, Hamsters, Guinea Pigs, etc.   

Reviews (98)

The best book ever writen
A spine tingling fantasy, suspense story set in a world without humans. Kathryn Lasky has done a very fine job of writing The Capture, a book that you will want to read whether you're in 6th grade or a grandparent you will enjoy this book.
Awesome Starting of Ga'hoole
The Capture is an awesome starting to the Guardians of Ga'Hoole series. The book starts out with Soren, the main character, living with his family when he falls out of his tree hollow and is captured by a mysterious owl. The owl takes him to a strange place where there are other little owls like himself. They have to do mysterious things that Soren and his new friend have to find the purpose to save themselves.
Excellent stories
Bought the books for my 7 year old. Read them myself first and am not reading them with my 9 year old. wonderful picture into another world! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Animals - Birds    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. Fantasy fiction    6. Fiction    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Juvenile Science Fiction / Fantasy    9. Owls    10. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    11. Juvenile Fiction / Legends, Myths, Fables / General   

Reviews (3)

Strong characterization and fast-paced story line.
Ursula K. LeGuin's VOICES will reach the same age group with a fantasy set in a world where a once-peaceful city of scholars has been captured by desert Alds, its residents forbidden to read or write. Teen Memer finds her life changed with poet Orrec and his wife arrive - and finds that as she explores her skills and talents, forbidden in the new world, she may prove her people's last hope. This is the second book of the Annals of the Western Shore - but it stands alone well and needs no prior introduction to prove compelling, with its strong characterization and fast-paced story line.

Another good peice of writing for a master story teller.
Much more fast paced than I am used to for LeGuin's novels.As always though, the writing is amazing, she really does show her family's background in anthropology when she creates these new peoples.They are so realistic.I had the feeling while reading this that it is very much inspired by some contemporary events.It deals with the effects of war--and not just war but an occupied people (in a city) and how the cultures of the occupied and occupier clash due to willful misunderstanding and ignorance.
Entertaining story, engaging characters
This is a YA novel set in the same world as Le Guin's earlier Gifts, and Orrec and Gry, from the previous book, do figure in the story. The story is completely separate, though, and it's not necessary to have read that one in order to read this.
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Subjects:  1. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - Science Fiction    2. Children's Books - Young Adult Fiction    3. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    4. Fantasy    5. Juvenile Fiction    6. Leguin, Ursula - Prose & Criticism    7. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    8. Social Issues - General    9. Social Situations - Adolescence    10. Social Situations - Prejudice & Racism    11. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / Prejudice & Racism   

Reviews (8)

Anthropomorphic Sermons
The problem with fables is that they are, at heart, sermons and most people don't want a sermon on a daily basis. However, if your sermon is interesting and funny and speaks to the world people see and understand, then people listening to it (or reading your fables) will not mind a little preaching. Aesop understood this, as did Jesus. I'm not so certain Arnold Lobel does. While he has a nice idea, the stories in this collection are dry and preachy and the only truly great part of the book is the wonderful illustrations, which are humorous and interesting, everything his fables aren't. If you've got a hankerin' for fables, then go to the source--Aesop. Old, but still good.

Fables: Good stories with Good morals!!
I really enjoyed this caldecott award winning book.I think that this is a great book for childern.Not olny does it have great illistrations, but it also gives wonderful lessons to children.By using a wide range of animals to play the parts in the stories, the author makes learning these lessons fun for kids.
Fables and animalia
I'm on an Arnold Lobel kick these days.Having breezed through the sweet, "A Treeful of Pigs", stopped to admire his treasury of nursery rhymes (two thumbs way way up on that one), and genuflected in the face of the eternally classic tales of Frog and Toad I'm actually getting around to reading his 1981 Caldecott winning picture book, "Fables".Lobel deserves every inch of praise he received for this admirable work.Imagine how difficult it must have been to create not one, not two, but twenty absolutely new fables filled to the brim with wit and wisdom! Not an easy task.Still, Lobel not only faced up to the challenge but also accomplished it in a manner best befitting the gentleman he truly was.These are fabulous fables.Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals    2. Animals - General    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children's stories, American    5. Children: Preschool    6. Classics    7. Fables, American    8. Fiction    9. Humorous Stories    10. Social Issues - Values    11. Juvenile Fiction / Humorous Stories   

Reviews (25)

Great Ga'Hoole!
Action-packed suspense as the Guardians of Ga'Hoole
Quit While You're Ahead, Lasky!
Ever since the third book of the series, Kathryn Lasky has started to make up random plots in the Guardians of the Ga'Hoole books. She takes things like The Others, shattering, stone stunning, and a whole host of owl words and puts them in various books of her series. They're not well written, and its pretty obvious that she's making them up as she goes along. She never uses the ideas again, and the books don't flow.
The Excitement Continues!
The storyline in Book Six, The Burning, is exciting from the very beginning.The plot climaxes with an ending that is sure to please any fan of the series.When I finished the book, I felt that the series could have ended with Book Six as the final installment. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Animals - Birds    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. Fantasy    6. Fiction    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Lasky, Kathryn    9. Owls    10. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    11. Juvenile Fiction / Legends, Myths, Fables / General   

Reviews (14)

A great book.
This was an amazing book. A new owl named Ginger (who really works for the pure ones) who is in Eglantine's hollow puts flecks (dangerous bits of iron that can destroy an owls mind and still there gizzard)in Eglantines bed, shattering her mind and stopping her gizzard. Many things happen because of this, including Eglantine slipping away regularly to mirror lakes.But Eglantine soon relizes what is happening, and tries to fix it. And Eglantines friend Primrose also relizes what is going on. All these events lead to a fight with Nyra, Metalbeak's(Kludd's) evil mate, followed by a full fledged battle between those who went looking when Eglantine and Primrose went missing, and a large Battallion Headed by Nyra's Elite forces.An amazing book, with really shows you to be careful who your friends are.
Ratings going down
I already said so but the # of pages as well as the ratings are goingdown
3 words, Shattering is awsome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Shattering was my 4th favorite book in the whole seris. Kathryn Lasky is my favorite writer. After reading the shattering, Eglantine became one of my favorite charactors. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Literature - Classics / Contemporary    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Fantasy    5. Fiction    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Lasky, Kathryn    8. Legends, Myths, & Fables - General    9. Owls    10. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    11. Juvenile Fiction / Legends, Myths, Fables / General   

Editorial Review

Every animal has a color of its own. "Parrots are green, elephants are gray, pigs are pink." But chameleons change color wherever they go. "On lemons they are yellow. In the heather they are purple." One chameleon is not pleased with his changeable appearance. He thinks, "If I remain on a leaf, I shall be green forever, and so I too will have a color of my own." Of course, what he doesn't take into account is the changes wrought by autumn, and soon the green chameleon is yellow, then red, and then tumbled to the ground for the long black winter night. It isn't until he befriends another older, wiser chameleon that our hero begins to find inner peace, even as his outer surface is transformed again and again.Read more

Reviews (10)

A First Rate Children's Book
My daughter is not quite a year, and she laughed at the colorful pictures.
A Color of his Own
A Color of his Own is a delightful book, not only for young children but for adults as well. The little chameleon notices that all the other animals have their own color, but he changes colors depending on his enviroment.He struggles with wanting to be like everybody else and he eventually finds a friend (another chameleon) to be his buddy and go everywhere with him.The colors of the illustrations are vibrant and the text is engaging to the reader. A joy to read!

Adorable book!!
I got this for my son because I had read good reviews about it.Well, it is one of the best books for children.It teaches to be yourself and love yourself.The chameleon wants to be just one color, but of course it isn't possible.In the end he makes a friend with another chameleon who teaches him to accept himself.I recommend this book for all who have children.I think too many people grow up not feeling good about themselves and this book is a good teaching tool. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Chameleons    2. Children's Books/Baby-Preschool    3. Children: Preschool    4. Color    5. Concepts - Colors    6. Fiction    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Juvenile Fiction / Concepts / Colors   

Reviews (4)

Lionni has Inched his way to Success
Once upon a time there was a cute, little, green inch worm hanging out on a piece of grass.One day, a robin came up to eat him, but the inch worm talked the robin into letting him measure the robin's tail.Being such a useful worm, the robin did not eat him, but took him to other birds so that they could have something measured by the smart inch worm.Finally, a nightingale told the worm to measure his song or he would eat the little inch worm.Using his little worm brain, the inch worm began measuring the song until he had inched away to safety.
5 Childrens Books.
One of my favorite 5 bookes was Inch by Inch by Leo Lionni. The reason is, is that the worm in the story is very clever and thinks his way out of a sticky situation. That is what I like about authors like Leo Lionni. They can always come up with a great little story that influences so many children in such a positive way.

Inching Along!
This Caldecott Honor Book is easy listening for the early child and the young child as a new schoolyear begins.An industrious inch worm is the main character.He engages himself with measuring a variety of birds andlastly outwits the hungry nightingale using his measuring savvy. Read more

Subjects:  1. Birds    2. Caterpillars    3. Children's 4-8    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    5. Children: Preschool    6. Concepts - Counting    7. Concepts - Counting & Numbers    8. Fiction    9. Worms    10. Juvenile Fiction / Concepts / Counting   

Editorial Review

"There are dragons in the twins' vegetable garden," announces six-year-old Charles Wallace Murry in the opening sentence of Read more

Reviews (102)

Is there really "A wind in the door"?
Is There Really "A Wind in the Door"?
Joe from Thailand
Meg was trying to help Charles, her brother, from his illness. She and her friends must face of three ordeals in order to find out what is the cause of this illness and how to terminate it.
Strong follow-up
Madeline L'Engle returns to the young heroes of A Wrinkle In Time in the second volume of her Time Quartet. This time, young prodigy Charles Wallace is suffering from a bizarre illness that threatens his very life at the same time that his father examines the skies, where huge swaths of stars are vanishing. His sister Meg and their friend Calvin are recruited again to act as soldiers in a war between good and evil, this time on a battlefield ranging from the Heavens themselves to the smallest organisms within Charles Wallace himself.
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Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    4. Classics    5. Juvenile Fiction    6. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    7. Fantasy    8. Juvenile Fiction / Science Fiction, Fantasy, Magic    9. Science fiction   

Reviews (10)

Wonderful Story
I have always loved this story and was happy to find the book again.The hardcover might have better quality pictures--the softcover one seemed slightly faded from what I remember -that is why I only gave it 4 stars.Otherwise it is a wonderful story which is perfect for bedtime (especially if you live on a farm).

Another Timeless Classic!!
My three year old has loved this book for the last year and it is still a favorite bedtime story. The quiet prose combined with the repetitive and beautiful imagery make this a beloved story before bed. Highly recommeded!

very good book, poor printing quality
I have always loved this book, and recently ordered a new hardbound copy for my three children. When I received it, I was surprised at the markedly poor paper quality (despite being hardbound) and the poor saturation of both the pictures and the script on the facing pages. Yes, the illustrations are watercolor, that is not what I mean. The ink and just the overall print quality are cheap-seeming. Near the copyright it states "printed in (third world nation)". To those of us who remember when t-shirts were union-made domestically and didn't fall apart after five washings, this seems like part of an overall trend.
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Subjects:  1. Animals - Farm Animals    2. Animals - Foxes    3. Bedtime Stories    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    5. Children: Grades 1-2    6. Classics    7. Domestic animals    8. Fairy tales    9. Fiction    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Trolls    12. Winter    13. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Farm Animals   

Editorial Review

Ursula K. LeGuin follows her classic trilogy from Earthsea with a magical tale that won the 1991 Nebula Award for Science Fiction. Unlike the tales in the trilogy, this novel is short and concise, yet it is by no means simplistic. Promoted as a children's book because of the awards garnered in that category by her previous work, Read more

Reviews (133)

"His name was Aihal."
Written some twenty years after the original Earthsea trilogy, TEHANU picks up the story of Tenar's and Ged's self-imposed exile on Gont.
Tahanu, more than meets the eye
I never thought that Tehanu would be the book leading me to write my first Amazon review, yet here I am.In terms of fantasy writing, I didn't find Tehanu to be outstanding.Yet, on the same token, it was by no means bad, or even average.Taken in the context of the Earthsea world, it was good.And then I read some of the reviews posted here...
Shares the spirit and writing quality of the original trilogy
I'm not sure why so many lovers of the original trilogy have lambasted this book. I agree that the rest of the series after _Tehanu_ (starting with _Tales from Earthsea_) swerves away from the originals in terms of tone, plot, writing style/quality, etc.; they lack the grace and power of the trilogy and take on an unsatisfyingly revisionist bent, adopting a strange sort of misplaced feminism that made me think Le Guin no longer understood what the original books were all about. And although _Tehanu_ does dig away a little at some of the assumptions upon which the world of Earthsea is founded, it does so in a thoughtful, quiet, respectful, and graceful manner. This book shares the simple, poetic prose of the originals, and it has the added benefit of taking us into the thoughts and daily goings-on of an older person--a welcome addition to the trilogy's focus on the inner workings of younger characters. This allows Le Guin to delve into certain areas that the earlier books could only hint at. Revisiting the character from _Tombs of Atuan_ is welcome as well, since she is a deep well of story to draw from given her background and the fact that she had to give up all she new and live among strangers in a foreign land. But most important of all, the writing itself is just splendid--quiet, profound, and very much in the spirit of the originals (with, I might add, a new adult layer of depth that is inappropriate for younger readers). That's the biggest problem with the subsequent books: their attempts to overturn all our beliefs about Earthsea might be forgivable if they were actually well-written, but most any reader can readily see the specific elements that make the prose of the later books inferior. Fortunately, _Tehanu_ doesn't suffer from that problem; although its more adult and female-centric narrative might bother some readers, that's more of a personal problem on the reader's part than a literary flaw:-). As for the oft-criticized ending: I agree that the final scenes regarding the title character (the little girl Tehanu) are a bit abrupt and incoherent, but the end situation of our dear old characters (Ged and Tenar) serves as a satisfying, fitting end to one of the best series in fantasy writing, even if Le Guin decided not to let it be the end (no disrespect intended to such a great writer:-). ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - Fantasy    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    3. Classics    4. Fairy Tales & Folklore - General    5. Fantasy fiction    6. Fiction    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Magic    9. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    10. Juvenile Fiction / Classics   

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Day of tears
This book is called Day of tears by Julius Lester. This book is VERY suspenseful. It is about the largest slave auction in ever held in America. It takes place in Savannah, Georgia. It is a non-fiction book and at some parts it can be really sad.Some of the main characters are Mattie, Will, and Emma. They are a family of slaves that work for a guy named Mr. Butler. Emma, is the daughter of Mattie and Will. She takes care of Mr. Butlers daughters, Sarah and Frances. Their mother, Mrs. Butler, died a few years back, and Mattie's job is to clean the house and greet guests. Will works with other men in the fields and in the stables.
Let it rain
I have a big ole head.A big, swelled, I-know-more-children's-books-than-Leonard-S-Marcus type head.I think I'm pretty hot stuff when it comes to kiddie lit and I defy anyone to tell me different.Problem is, I'm not that hot.More lukewarm really.And I remember this fact when I read books like "Day of Tears".For all my boasts and brags, I had never read a Julius Lester novel until now.Oh I'd read plenty of his picture books and his folktales as well.And he's certainly written enough novellas in his time.There was "When Dad Killed Mom" and "To Be a Slave" and something called "The Autobiography of God".After hearing a variety of different people squawking over the brilliance of his "Day of Tears", however, I finally got around to reading him.With the same clear concise voice used to such advantage in tales like "The Old African", Lester turns his sights on a little remarked historical moment in time and the repercussions that have reverberated ever since.
Sold!
Ripped away from her family, friends and home, twelve year old Emma is sold in one of the biggest salve auctions in American history.
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Subjects:  1. African Americans    2. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Historical    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    4. Children: Grades 3-4    5. Children: Grades 4-6    6. Fiction    7. Historical - United States - 19th Century    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Juvenile Historical Fiction    10. People & Places - United States - African-American    11. Slavery    12. Social Issues - General    13. Social Situations - General    14. Juvenile Fiction / General    15. Bargain