Editorial Review

In the winter of 1945, on the tiny island of Iwo Jima, a ferocious, epic battle was fought, resultingin the loss of more than 48,000 lives and producing what was to become one of the most recognizablesymbols of World War II: a photograph of six soldiers raising an American flag on the peak of MountSuribachi. One of the six, Navy corpsman John Bradley, came away from this historical moment with a deepand mysterious silence about his role in the flag raising. Even his wife heard him speak of it only once intheir 47-year marriage. After Bradley's death, his son James began to piece together the facts of his father'sheroism, as well as that of the other five men, all of whom became reluctant heroes because of their presenceduring that fateful instant when the shutter clicked and created a wartime icon.Read more

Reviews (16)

A Must Read for American History!
I can't wait to see the movie. Somebody gave me this book as a gift. I read it with curiousity but I was not excited about it so much because it didn't interest me at first but once I started reading this book, I couldn't put it down. The author is the son of the one of the flag raisers at Iwo Jima. He was on today's Imus radio show talking about how many rejections that this book received before it got published. No interest in World War II, I doubt it. It became a best seller because it's one of the most fascinating books out there on our shelves. I gave my copy to my school for it's library. Now that it is being made into a movie by American icon Clint Eastwood, I think we can say that those publishers didn't know what they were doing in the first place when they rejected Bradley's heartbreaking and beautifully written book about his father's experience. He doesn't forget the many others who were involved in the flag-raising. He writes about each of them as if he was their son too.

An.McCracken is a fake. REPORT THIS

A compassionate and tragic memoir of men who became heroes
Note: the clown above my review is an author I gave a 1-star review to, and now he follows me around and does that.
Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography - Historical    4. Children's Books/Young Adult Misc. Nonfiction    5. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)    6. History    7. History - Military & Wars    8. Iwo Jima, Battle of, Japan, 19    9. Iwo Jima, Battle of, Japan, 1945    10. Juvenile Nonfiction    11. Juvenile literature    12. Marines    13. Photographs    14. Pictorial works    15. United States    16. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / Military & Wars    17. Rosenthal, Joe    18. Reading Group Guide   

Reviews (12)

LOVE IT!
My kids love this book.Only drawback is the lack of pronunciation guide, it's been a while for me...Maybe it's in the teacher's guide, which I don't have.

Middle school Latin
I am developing a 5th and 6th grade Latin program at my middle school, and I have been delighted with the Minimus books.The kids really seem to like them, and I appreciate the bright colors and easy to follow story line.I am supplementing with more of a traditional paradigm approach to learning the grammar, but the books provide a great launching point for discussion and reading that is much more fun than just sitting around memorizing verb endings.Some of the material is very British, so I have to explain some of the references to my kids, but other than that it is a wonderful curriculum.

Latin for fun
This is a very sound method to teach Latin to the younger crowd.Would be perfect for homeschooling families! The story, based on archaelogical digs in Vindolanda, near Hadrian's wall in Britain, is entertaining and very engaging, and the skills build up painlessly.Highly recommended!I use it with 5th graders, who are known to read stories ahead of the class! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Education    2. Grammar    3. Great Britain    4. Greek (Modern)    5. History    6. Latin language    7. Problems, exercises, etc    8. Teaching Methods & Materials - Arts & Humanities    9. Classical languages    10. Foreign Language Study / Latin    11. Latin    12. Latin language--Textbooks for foreign speakers--English--Juvenile literature    13. Linguistics   

Reviews (17)

GOOD, WELL RESEARCHED WORK FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
A person could well pontificate for several pages here over this particular work.I will spare you that. This is a well researched book and should be read by any young person in the study of WWII and that era.No, this work does not go into some of the agonizing details of this particular Nazi program, it was not meant to do so.This is an introduction for you young reader and is a wonderful tool to stimulate further reading and research on the readers part.If a young person is bright enough to read this work, the same young person is bright enough to ask all the right questions upon it's completion.The photographs in this work are quite good.Recommend this one highly.

Mesmerizing Account
This is a very gripping book. It is good to hear some stories from the other side. Objective in nature but walking on thin ice per its subject matter this book is still good reading.
A must read for students studying World War II
This book gives new perspective to the Hitler Youth movement, but particularly for those youth who rebelled against the movement with great risk to themselves.After reviewing the book you feel as though the issue is much more complex than your previous assumptions. It accurately shows both the underground as well as the public view of the movement with riviting pictures included. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Children's 12-Up - History - General    3. Children's Books/Young Adult Misc. Nonfiction    4. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    5. Germany    6. History    7. History - Europe    8. History - Holocaust    9. History - Military & Wars    10. Hitler-Jugend    11. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)    12. Jewish youth    13. Juvenile Nonfiction    14. Juvenile literature    15. National socialism and youth    16. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / Europe   

Reviews (4)

Barnyard Animals Aloft
Starting with the historical facts of the first hot-air balloon ride, which took place in Versailles, France in 1783, Priceman lets her imagination - and illustrations - run wild. The first hot-air balloon aviators (i.e., the guinea pigs) were a sheep, a duck and a rooster. After a few introductory pages of text, Priceman depicts the flight with a series of wordless illustrations. The complex pictures lend themselves to careful inspection to catch all the elements of the story. In the end, our barnyard aviators land safely, which I hope this is one of the true facts of this story. 2006 Caldecott Honor Book.

Congratulations on your 2nd Caldecott Award!!!
I love this book and my children love it more. The story is hilariously told through the beautiful illustrations. The Caldecott committee made an excellent choice. This book would appeal to children of all ages.

Stratospherically Sublime
In Hot Air: The (Mostly) True Story of the First Hot-Air Balloon Ride, author and illustrator Marjorie Priceman shows once again why reviewers have christened her "the master of whimsy."Recounting the Montgolfiers 1783 test run of their balloon and imagining, with postmodern verve, the story of the duck, sheep, and rooster who formed the first flight crew, Priceman's narrative is sure to delight both young readers and parents alike.(Reassurance: no animals were harmed in the telling of this Enlightenment-era tale).But the illustrations are the real treasure here (and the Caldecott committee concurs).While infused with the same spirited energy as her earlier books--How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World, Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin, Emeline at the Circus--the panels in Hot Air glow with a luminosity that outshines even Priceman's earlier work. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1740-1810    2. 1745-1799    3. Animals - Farm Animals    4. Aviation - General    5. Balloon ascensions    6. Children's 9-12 - Transportation    7. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    8. Children: Grades 1-2    9. Children: Kindergarten    10. France    11. History    12. History - Europe    13. Humorous Stories    14. Juvenile Nonfiction    15. Juvenile literature    16. Montgolfier, Jacques-Etienne,    17. Montgolfier, Joseph-Michel,    18. Preschool Picture Story Books    19. Science & Nature - Earth Sciences    20. Science & Technology    21. Versailles    22. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / Europe   

Reviews (1)

Add this to your bookshelf
As a home educator, I'm always looking for books that will draw my kids into the time period that they are studying. Tools of the Ancient Romans does this perfectly. Through reading and hands-on activities, kids will gain an understanding of what life was like in ancient Rome. The main text is full of information that kids will find interesting, and peppered throughout are sidebars offering further detail. Each activity relates to the text as kids try their hand at making projects such as an abacus, an amphora or a Roman medal. These activities are great for letting all kids delve into the ancient Roman era, but especially good for kinesthetic learners, as they can get their hands involved in learning! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Activity Books - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Civilization    5. Civilization, Modern    6. History - Ancient    7. Juvenile Nonfiction    8. Juvenile literature    9. People & Places - Europe    10. Roman influences    11. Rome    12. Ancient Rome    13. European history (ie other than Britain & Ireland)    14. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / Ancient   

Subjects:  1. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    2. Ancient Greece    3. Ancient Rome    4. European history: BCE to c 500 CE   

Reviews (5)

Nice history, cutely written and illustrated.
I bought this book to read with my children (ages 8 and 10).I found the book interesting, and learned a bit about King George's youth.My children thought it wasokay, even though their father was forcing it on them.I even caught my wife sneaking a read.
A Bad Guy?!?!
King George is considered to be one of the greatest opponents of the American Revolution.But does anyone ever really hear of his good traits until now.And in a childrens book!Well I know I didn't.And after reading this short story I found that ole George wasn't such a bad guy after all.All he wanted was for Brittain to become, well...richer.Couldn't those colonists help pay for some of his debts.Well maybe, if those colonists actually had any SAY in British matters then they should have to pay taxes.Well I still think he wasn't a BAD guy,he just tried to take the easiest way out.
What King George III thought about the American Revolution
King George III of England was a tyrant.Thomas Jefferson said so when he wrote the Declaration of Independence and that was why we had the American Revolution and the rest was history.Except that most elementary school American History textbooks have very little to saw about King George III, a defect that Jean Fritz seeks to correct in this comic but historical view of the famous tyrant.Young readers will learn that King George III collected clocks and ate sauerkraut (the house of Hanover hailed from Germany after all), became a king when he was only twenty-two, married Princess Charlotte and had sixteen children, and tried to be a frugal monarch when it came to managing the money of his country (they are some very interesting examples of how he did this).Consequently, Fritz gives his readers an entirely different view of the taxation (without representation) that was a key catalyst for American independence.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1738-1820    2. Biography & Autobiography - Historical    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    5. George    6. George III, 1760-1820    7. Great Britain    8. History    9. History - Europe    10. III,    11. Juvenile literature    12. King of Great Britain,    13. Kings, queens, rulers, etc    14. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / United States / Colonial & Revolutionary Periods   

Reviews (18)

Classic Analysis of the Pacific War
This is a superb analysis of the Pacific War between the USA and Japan.It is always very difficult for an author to strike a balance between sufficient detail on the one hand, and the risk of overwhelming the "big picture" with too much detail, on the other.Here, the author hits it just right.This is a detailed and thorough analysis of the Pacific War that focuses on the main trends of the war, while supplying sufficient detail to support the themes that the author presents to the reader.
Excellent One Volume History of Pacific War
A very readable, interesting history of the Pacific theater in World War II.Despite being a single volume Spector does a masterful job of covering all the key aspects of the Pacific war and does so in a very complete manner.The earlier reviewers comments about the lack of maps is true; you might want to have an atlas handy while reading this book.Definitely worth your investment several times over in both time and money.

Strategic Decisions
If you're looking for a book about battles and fighting, this isn't the book for you.If you want a look at generals and statesmen struggling to find a way to victory, you'll enjoy this book. It tells the tale of how victory in the Pacific was found and fashioned. The disagreements between the services, the personal chemistry, the problems with logistics, the balancing of needs versus the fight with Germany, all these important issues are explicated in 'Eagle against the Sun'. It's not exhaustive in its treament of the war and not exhausting in the reading.Read more

Subjects:  1. Campaigns    2. History - General History    3. History: American    4. Japan    5. Military - World War II    6. Pacific Area    7. United States    8. World War, 1939-1945    9. Europe    10. European history (ie other than Britain & Ireland)    11. History / Military / General    12. Second World War, 1939-1945   

Reviews (10)

Anti-Christian Zealotry at its worst
Apparently Christianity is at the root of all evil and the cause of most misfortune that occurred in the middle ages.If it weren't for those darned Christians, it seems the world would be a much better place. St. Frances of Assis was ok, (he loved animals), but all the rest of the Christians were closed-minded, violent and supersititous.I wasn't aware that the church wouldn't let people read because it might confuse them and that many people became monks because they didn't want to go to war.
Excellent for Modern-Day Thought and Practice
Ignore the obvious religious zealots who feel they have a right to shove their beliefs down the throats of everyone else in this country and the world in general:there is absolutely nothing wrong with a child learning about the realities of the middle ages, which was an era heavily influenced by the Catholic church.An adult subject matter, albeit an opportunity for quality parenting, this era was dominated by the church and many superstitious and malinformed beliefs we hold true today stem from this era of intolerance and brutality against human kind and religious freedom.
Knights & Castles - what a great book!
We are studying the Medieval period; this book has been invaluable with lots of great reading, wonderful ideas and awesome crafts!!Well worth the money and enjoyed by both Mom and child!
Read more

Subjects:  1. Activity Books - General    2. Activity programs    3. Children's 9-12 - Sociology    4. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    5. Children: Grades 4-6    6. Civilization, Medieval    7. Europe    8. History    9. History - Europe    10. History - Medieval    11. Juvenile Nonfiction    12. Juvenile literature    13. Knights and knighthood    14. Middle Ages    15. Social Science - General    16. Social Studies - General    17. Study and teaching (Elementary    18. Study and teaching (Elementary)    19. Activity packs    20. European history (ie other than Britain & Ireland)    21. World history: c 1500 to c 1900   

Reviews (3)

RoMe LiVeS FoReVeR
This is one great book in my opinion. You might think that fact books are filled with just boring facts, and have no taste in them. This will prove you wrong. It tells everything about Rome, there struggles, their riches, defeats, and especially my favorite, culture. It's like a whole different world when you read this, because you get the true feeling of how it was in Rome. The power, you can almost feel it as if you were the leader at the time. The slaves, the men dying, the women crying, the children confused. I've researched quiet a bit about Rome, and the information listed, is as accurate as it gets. It tells how Rome was built, how it ran, and how it was taken down. It explains how the leaders conquered the land, dominated the world basically. This book contains different rituals, games, military facts, art, and pottery. It gives a brief over view of how each came to be in existence. Art was one of there best sides. Very beautiful pottery was created at the time, many unique and exquisite designs. In the military, everyone took pride in what they did. A lot of people had many different tasks, which means it took many people to run the city. I don't want to say too much, although I might have already. When you get some time, read this book, and you will agree with me when I say, "Rome was one successful empire.

ANOTHER GREAT BOOK IN THIS SERIES
This 166-page book is a wonderful addition to the What Life Was Like series. Every page is filled with beautiful photos of maps, statuary, wall paintings, and everyday objects - children's toys, soldiers gear, bath implements, coins, rings, etc. It is written for the casual reader with vivid, easy to read text. Some of the subjects briefly touched upon: the lives/reigns of Julius Caesar, Augustus and Hadrian; the lives and daily routines of everyday people; soldiers and war; gladiators and games; artisans and tradespeople, etc. Also recommended: WLWL On the Banks of the Nile (Egypt 3050-30BC).

Very readable - and surprisingly good view of Life in Rome
I've been reading a lot of Roman history lately and got this book as a gift.It is very readable, and very entertaining.One of the things a most histories miss are the lives of the regular people.We all know aboutthe Ceasars, but how did the regular people live?What was it really like? This book, with illustrations and text, tries to tell the reader - andsucceeds. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - Rome    2. Ancient Rome - History    3. Civilization    4. Empire, 30 B.C.-284 A.D.    5. History    6. History - General History    7. History: World    8. Pictorial works    9. Republic, 265-30 B.C.    10. Rome    11. Sources    12. Ancient Rome    13. European history: BCE to c 500 CE   

Reviews (1)

Spend the Day in Ancient Greece
I love this book!Tons of SIMPLE yet fun hands-on activities to learn about Ancient Greece.Coupled with Laurie Carlson's books, Kids Create and Classical Kids, my kids are "living" ancient history.From verysimple peplos (like a toga) to a whole set of Greek armor to vases, I havefound these to be very budget and time friendly. Our most recent projectwas making a weaving loom from yarn and a piece of cardboard.My children(ages 5 and 7) loved it! As we homeschool, not only would I buy this bookagain, but we are going to buy "Spend a Day in Ancient Rome" fornext year.My kids especially enjoyed the make-believe story of the twochildren that we "spend the day" with.Excellent! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Activity Books - General    2. Athens    3. Athens (Greece)    4. Children    5. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    6. Children: Grades 4-6    7. Family    8. Greece    9. History - Ancient    10. Juvenile Nonfiction    11. Juvenile literature    12. Panathenaia    13. Social Science - General    14. Social life and customs    15. Ancient Greece    16. European history: BCE to c 500 CE    17. Interactive & activity books & packs    18. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / Ancient   

Reviews (10)

Need Your Home Interior Remodeled? Call an Historian!
How does an historian, whose job it is to interpret the past, come to terms with a cultural movement built upon the concept of modernity rejoicing in the death of history? This is exactly the question posed by Carl E. Schorske in his book Fin-De-Siecle Vienna Politics and Culture. In a series of essays, which the author admits are not meant to be interlaced, Schorske examines Vienna's cultural reaction to both the decline of Liberalism and the end of the Habsburg Empire. The task of merging politics and culture is not an easy undertaking and the faint-hearted reader should beware. "Just as a knowledge of the critical methods of modern science is necessary for interpreting that science historically," writes Schorske, "so a knowledge of the kinds of analysis practiced by modern humanists is necessary for coming to grips with the makers of twentieth-century non scientific knowledge" (p. xxi). Yet this brand of historical analysis is not that simple as Schorske goes on to explain. It appears, still more separates the historian from the humanist. According to Schorske, a dual approach is required when attempting to analyze cultural history. This binary-method is analogous, he argues, to a vertical and diagonal line. In the "diachronic" or vertical line, the historian more or less places the cultural in its historical context. In the "synchronic" or horizontal line, he or she looks at the relationship of the particular element of culture studied with what else is going on in the world of art, music, literature, and architecture. In a useful analogy, the author believes "The diachronic thread is the warp, the synchronic one is the woof in the fabric of cultural history. The historian is the weaver, but the quality of his cloth depends on the strength and color of the thread" (p. xxii). But what does this all mean? The essays that follow, though providing an enjoyable read, raise some doubts about Schorske's conclusions. The strength lies in the author's ability to place the culture of late nineteenth century Vienna in its historical context. In the opening "Politics and Psyche: Schnitz and Hofmannsthal," Schorske successfully ties the other essays together by introducing the two strands of Austrian fin-de-siecle culture:moralistic-scientific and the aesthetic. A conventional historian may feel more at home with the former, however, the aesthetic aspect is more difficult for many of us, to borrow a trite cliche, to carve in stone. Arguing functionality versus aesthetically appealing, or the placing of ancient Greek statuary on the steps of the Parliament building because Vienna had no past, therefore, it had no political heroes of its own to memorialize in sculpture, needless to say is unconvincing. Since Schorske cites no government documents, to back up his claims of Liberal motives and intentions in urban modernization, for example, his analysis of the connection between politics and culture borders on pure conjecture. The Freudian injection, resulting in the weakest essay of the book should have been omitted. Aside from the above-mentioned flaws, the book is interesting. Schorske's possesses a clear literary style, that helps the reader survive this graduate level sleeper. The addition of color plates, an anachronism in today's budgeted publishing industry was a welcome sight indeed. Yet, one wonders if such abstract concepts as modernity and aesthetics ought to be left to those more qualified outside the historical profession. Such studies, as art criticism itself, surely leave room for varying interpretations that open the doors for open debate.

Just like a time machine!
Reading Schorske is like riding a time machine to Vienna around the tumultuous late 1800s to 1900. He covers an electic array of topics. However, he has a central focus: to show the radical changes and interconnection between arts & politics at the turn of the century vienna (fin de siecle). But, be warned, Schorske is an intellectual historian, and though his exposition is easy to read, his themes are academic and copiously detailed.
i want to kill myself!
read this book to fall asleep, actaully no, read the chapter on Freud's interpretation of dreams and then fall asleep. in the morning interpret your dreams! a load of mind numbingly boring, non-sesical drivel! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1867-1918    2. 19th century    3. Addresses and essays    4. Austria    5. Europe - Austria & Hungary    6. History - General History    7. Intellectual life    8. Politics and government    9. Politics/International Relations    10. Vienna    11. Vienna (Austria)    12. Western Europe - General    13. European history (ie other than Britain & Ireland)    14. Germany    15. History / Austria & Hungary   

Reviews (2)

The Reality of Being A Spy
First of all, I must say I know the author personally.I know this story to be true.In these days of "reality TV' and other forms of wonderfully exciting, made for TV, pseudo reality, it's refreshing to read something the has the clear ring of genuine truth.If you have any interest on what it was like to be a young woman in occupied France, under the iron fist of the Nazi, and what courage it required to fight back, read this book.You will never forget it.

Suspense and war in a lovely book
This was a great book.I recommend it to anyone interested in the time period or not interested.It was the first non-fiction WWII book I read and it got me "hooked" on the time period. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography/Autobiography    3. Children's Books - Young Adult    4. France    5. General    6. Juvenile literature    7. Military - World War II    8. Personal narratives, French    9. Spies    10. Underground movements    11. World War, 1939-1945    12. Deschamps, Hélène   

Editorial Review

Ancient Greek culture, which reached its peak in Athens in the 5th century B.C., produced some of the most glorious and fascinating relics of Western civilization. This terrific Eyewitness Book traces ancient Greek achievements from the Bronze Age through the Hellenistic period using evidence found by archaeologists. Greek myths are introduced by way of statues, carvings, and illustrations. Like all the books of this series, Read more

Reviews (2)

Enjoy the archeological treasures of Ancient Greece
When I saw all the amazing photographs in the DK Travel Guide to Greece I figured their book on "Ancient Greece" would be equally impressive and I was correct.This book consists of a series of 2-page spreads dealing with various topics from Minoan civilization to Alexander and the Hellenistic age.Each spread has a basic paragraph of text from author Anne Pearson and then the rest is devoted to color photographs of various archeological treasures (or contemporary recreations) and informative captions.You will see dozens of examples of statutes and friezes, pottery and art of mythological figures taken from pots, many of which I have never seen before although I am have been actively looking for quite some time now because of a mythology course I am teaching.There are also contemporary photographs of historic ruins scattered throughout the book and recreations of Greek clothes, hair dressings, meals, and other aspects of daily life. Vivid Photographs!
The best part of this book is the photographs. They are plentiful, taking up as much room as the print, and useful, too. They help you to see whichof the styles of architecture is which, the layout of a Greek home, andmany other things that would be hard to visualize if told only in words.This is a convenient book to have at home -as are the other eyewitnessbooks; a quick reference, and also a plain fun read. Though it is supposedto be for children aged 9 to 12, I think many teens would enjoy this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Civilization    4. Greece    5. History - Ancient    6. History - Europe    7. Juvenile Nonfiction    8. Juvenile literature    9. Reference - General    10. To 146 B.C    11. To 146 B.C.    12. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / Ancient   

Editorial Review

Soldiers, scientists, performers, writers, entrepreneurs, politicians, quilt makers, pilots... as author Lynne Cheney writes, "America’s amazing women have much to teach our children--and much inspiration to offer us, as well." Coming on the heels of Read more

Reviews (26)

A is for Abigail
A is for Abigail An Almanac of Amazing American Women.This book is well constructed (dust jacket, binding, and pages very sturdy). It has many colorful illustrations.It also gives information on American women who, although they made important contributions to society, are very seldom mentioned in today's history books.

Proud to be female
I bought this book for my 8 yr. old grandaughter, Abigail, for this coming Christmas. I know that she will be surprised at what a number of females have accomplished, as I was.
A Terrific Start for Learning About America's Great Women
In this book, Lynne Cheney reveals her love for America and her admiration for those who have contributed to its greatness through vision, talent, determination and hard work. Young readers will learn about women who have a place in history because they led the way in important fields. These women range from well-known figures like Betsy Ross and Annie Oakley to people like Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman doctor; Mary Lyon, whose founding of Mount Holyoke College "opened the doors of higher education to women"; and Marie Curie, who received Nobel prizes for her work in both physics and chemistry.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Alphabet books    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography - Historical    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    5. Children: Grades 2-3    6. Girls & Women    7. History - Europe    8. History - United States/General    9. Juvenile Nonfiction    10. Juvenile literature    11. United States    12. Women    13. Juvenile Nonfiction / Girls & Women   

Editorial Review

Once there was a little girl--an orphaned African princess--who narrowly escaped death by human sacrifice in a West African village in 1850. A British sea captain named Frederick E. Forbes saved her life by talking King Gezo of Dahomey into giving the girl to Queen Victoria of England as a gift: "She would be a present from the King of the blacks to the Queen of the Whites." As impossible as this tale sounds, it is a true one. Award-winning author Walter Dean Myers--piecing together her story from letters he found in a rare book and ephemera shop in London--paints a hauntingly detached portrait of the small African princess whom the heroic captain named Sarah Forbes Bonetta. Read more

Reviews (12)

Interesting and easy to read.
My son had to pick two books off of a large list to read over the summer for school.After reading the other reviews of this book, we picked it.It was a wonderful choice.The book was very interesting, fast paced, well written and easy to read.I read it in 3 hours, and my son was able to read in in a few nights without any complaints of boredom.

Why Isn't Hollywood Calling???
If any literary giant needs to have his work adapted to film, it is Myers. As one of the premier writers of fiction for juveniles, the author has added another significant piece to his long line of classics. This one tells the story of a little-known African princess who comes under the wing of England's legendary Queen Victoria. Good book!
I think this is a very well written book. I think that Walter Dean Myers is an amazing writer and that it is great he found this fantastic girl that many have never heard of. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 19th century    2. Africa, West    3. Africans    4. Biography    5. Biography & Autobiography - Cultural Heritage    6. Bonetta, Sarah Forbes,    7. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    8. Children: Grades 2-3    9. Great Britain    10. History    11. History - Africa    12. History - Europe    13. Juvenile Nonfiction    14. Juvenile literature    15. Missionaries' spouses    16. Nigeria    17. Oyo State    18. Princesses    19. Queen of Great Britain,    20. Victoria,    21. b. 1843?    22. Africa    23. Bonetta, Sarah Forbes    24. Fiction    25. Friends and associates    26. Juvenile Fiction / Short Stories    27. Victoria   

Reviews (5)

Really Good
This book does a good job of recreating life, the hardships, deprivations and overall changes required of society on the American homefront during the years of the Second World War. It also shows the lives lived by Red Cross Volunteers, troops as they were transported overseas, nurses, WAV's and WAC's, factory laborers and children. It uses great illustrations and descriptions to personalize the age and show what our forebears endured. I especially liked the effort invested by the author(s) in pointing out how virtually everyone contributed something toward winning the war. This book leaves few stones unturned and I think a brilliant job is done in demonstrating a 360-degree view of what life during this time of struggle was like for millions of Americans.

Classroom Helper
This is a great book to use in the classroom while teaching children about WWII. The children learned much more from this book than their text book. It shows how children and adults lived during the war. There is a lot of useful information to get the childrens attention for future lessons. I recommend that all children read this book if they are studying WWII. It's not really a story just a lot of information about clothes, toys, sports, food, etc....
a good glance at Molly's world in 1944...
I found this book to be a great read about the 1940's, as did my grandparents, who were teenagers back then. However, I felt that it muted things a little...such as the war, the nazis, and what was really going on.The actual Molly books do a better job of bluntly protraying Molly's world by pointing out the hardships faced during the war.Out of all the books I read about the second world war, this one only skims the surface.But it is perfect for the person who is just learning about the war. And it did bring back many a memory to my grandparents, who remember many of the things described in the book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1933-1945    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    3. Children: Grades 3-4    4. History    5. History - United States/20th Century    6. Juvenile Historical Fiction    7. Juvenile Nonfiction    8. Juvenile literature    9. Social Science - Customs, Traditions, Anthropology    10. United States    11. World War, 1939-1945   

Editorial Review

Peter Connolly's marvelous full-color drawings of the public and private structures of Athens and Rome are the perfect illustrative counterpart to his detailed description of city life (cowritten by Hazel Dodge) in the classical era. Read more

Reviews (10)

Hail Centurian! Rome and Athens are at your feet
The past is another country, and the farther back in time we try to go, the harder it is to get there. If it is difficult to understand daily life in Rome and Athens today, even if we are there in person, able to see the sights and walk the streets with a native guide, then imagine how much more difficult the task to go back several thousand years. The natives are long gone, and only the shattered remains of marble buildings and monuments remain to guide us.
Ancient Greece and Rome come alive.
I teach Classical Studies from the junior school to the senior student and am always on the lookout for resource material which can make the subject more inherently interesting. This book has it all-a wealth .of information presented in a great format with brilliant illustrations. I have posters by the author hanging in my classroom but in this production he outdoes himself. I can now readily picture what the great Panathenaic procession might have looked like , what happened in bathing establishments and how the average citizen coped with the problems of everyday life.
Superb introductory text .
I wanted a basic overview text on Greek and Roman civilizations.Luckily I stumbled upon this book by Connolly and Dodge.The book is terrific.The layout is excellent.The writing is succinct and the text moves along smoothly.I now have a basic knowledge of Greek and Roman eras.I got a lot more out of this book by also reading Edith Hamilton's The Greek Way.However, I must confess, this book is far more interesting and keeps one glued.A joy to read.Very highly recommended. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Young Adult Misc. Nonfiction    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    3. History - Ancient    4. History - Europe    5. Juvenile Nonfiction    6. Social Science - General    7. Ancient Greece    8. Ancient Rome    9. European history: BCE to c 500 CE    10. For National Curriculum Key Stage 3    11. History, World | Ancient    12. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / Ancient    13. World history: BCE to c 500 CE   

Reviews (1)

Pompeii and circumstance
Having only just begun his examination of the ancient dead with, "Bodies From the Bog" (a title that bears more than a passing resemblance to a kitchy 1950s horror flick), Mr. James M. Deem returns to look at the ancient dead of an entirely new region.As a child I was fascinated by mummies and the bodies of human beings from so very long ago.History was never my favorite subject and often I found that unless I could see a person in the flesh (rotting, decomposing, flaking flesh though it might be) I was unable to understand how similar to us the people of the past were.Pompeii, naturally, is a fascinating subject in and of itself.How could it not be?You've three-dimensional images of people in the last throes of death.I challenge anyone to come up with anything half as gripping (i.e. feeding on our more macabre instincts) when talking about any other ancient civilization.With plenty of amazing photographs, clear concise writing, and a plot that will keep many a kid spellbound, this is probably one of the finest non-fiction titles to grace library bookshelves in years.