The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name

Book Description

Children ages 4 to 8 have a hard time grasping the concept of “God.” But it can be done through the person of Jesus. Told in a wonderfully inviting style, this Bible storybook shares many beloved Bible stories and reveals how the news and message of Jesus unfolds throughout Scripture, from the Old Testament all the way through the New Testament. Jesus in the Story helps readers love and appreciate Jesus and begin their own journey of faith. Beautiful 4-color artwork throughout.

Customer Reviews:

Heavenly.......2007-10-02

I ordered this book for my grandchildren after I heard a reading from the book on a radio program. My daughter loves the book--as do her children. She uses it for story time and devotional time. Clear presentation of the Gospel with each story.

Excellent.......2007-09-08

Instead of just stories this book brings out the "meaning" behind each, that it's all about Jesus.

Showing the Centrality of Christ in the Scriptures to Children.......2007-08-18

Is the Bible a book of stories? good morals? heroes? No, suggests Sally Lloyd-Jones. Influenced by New York pastor and author Timothy Keller, Lloyd-Jones takes the major movements in the Bible's plot line as well as the familiar Sunday School stories and shows children how the entire Bible points to one man, the God-Man: Jesus Christ.

This is an excellent resource for families in a biblically illiterate age. I highly recommend this book to you. Another outstanding resource is David Helm's The Big Picture Story Bible.

An asset to devotion time........2007-08-13

My daughter and I use this book probably twice a week. The stories are short, but not too short. They all leave the door wide open for a discussion about Jesus. My daughter enjoys the stories as do I. Plenty of well-drawn pictures too. An asset to our devotion time.

Wonderful Children's Bible!.......2007-08-09

This book is amazing - it is humorous and interesting and the kids listened with great interest to all of the stories. Every single story mentions Christ and how He is tied into the "big picture" of the Bible - from the Old Testament to the New. We love this book!

The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy (National Book Award for Young People's Literature (Awards))

Average customer rating:

this is a fun book.
Delightful summer read
The Penderwicks
You won't want to put down this relaxing summer tale!
Enjoyable Summer Read

The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy (National Book Award for Young People's Literature (Awards))
Jeanne Birdsall
Manufacturer: Knopf Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread

ASIN: 0375831436
Release Date: 2005-06-14

Book Description

This summer the Penderwick sisters have a wonderful surprise: a holiday on the grounds of a beautiful estate called Arundel. Soon they are busy discovering the summertime magic of Arundel’s sprawling gardens, treasure-filled attic, tame rabbits, and the cook who makes the best gingerbread in Massachusetts. But the best discovery of all is Jeffrey Tifton, son of Arundel’s owner, who quickly proves to be the perfect companion for their adventures.

The icy-hearted Mrs. Tifton is not as pleased with the Penderwicks as Jeffrey is, though, and warns the new friends to stay out of trouble. Which, of course, they will—won’t they? One thing’s for sure: it will be a summer the Penderwicks will never forget.

Deliciously nostalgic and quaintly witty, this is a story as breezy and carefree as a summer day.

Customer Reviews:

this is a fun book........2007-08-15

This book is about a family of four sisters who stay at a cottage in Massachusetts for a few weeks during the summer. The sisters make a new friend and have to find a way to save him from being sent to a military boarding school that he doesn't want to go to.

My favorite part of the book was when Batty got rescued by her sister and Jeffrey from the bull because I didn't know what was going to happen. When Sky met Jeffery they argued but then they became friends and that was kind of funny. And I liked that Jane was writing an adventure book and I was happy for her when she finished writing it. I also liked the end of the book because everyone was happy in the end.

The worst part was when the oldest sister Rosalind fell and bumped her head on a rock when she saw the boy she liked kissing another girl. I felt bad for her and I thought she was going to end up with amnesia or something but she didn't though.

I would recommend this book to other kids because it was a fun summer book. It is about adventures, friendship, secrets and a little romance (but not much). This book is great for older and younger kids.

I would rate this book with 5 stars because I really liked it.

Delightful summer read.......2007-08-08

As a writer who wrote this story with the best intentions of providing a wonderful new voice for children's literature, Jeanne Birdsall has succeeded! The Penderwicks Summer Tale is a most delightful summer read. Take the time to become friends with this terrific family. This summer tale provides many escapades for the family of three girls on vacation and the boy they meet who lives upstairs in the mansion . Fantasy and real life adventures are shared and valuable lessons are learned for these summer comrades.

The Penderwicks.......2007-07-28

My daughter is the one who picked up this book, and for two summers now it has sat unread. Very unusual as my older kids are avid readers, and complete most books in a day or two. This made me extremely curious about what was wrong, as my daughter is the ideal reader of this book: a girl age 8 - 14.

Knowing The Penderwicks is a story of four sisters, and mostly a book meant for young girls, I picked up the book and read it myself. What I found was a nicely written book, though Jeanne Birdsall as a first time writer does quite a few things more experienced writers could never get away with.

Older readers I suspect wouldn't have a problem with this, and that's part of the problem with this book. It seems to be a book intended for young readers, but written to earn points with much, much older readers. I'd suspect that's why it won the National Book award. How could a book with character names like Rosalind and Cagney, that reminesces about places like Gettysburg, cottage vacations of yester year, and is intended for young reades not win an award -- it has all the right ingredients.

The problem is the recipe -- older readers who praise this book never seem to notice the recipe is a tad off. The dialog is clearly that of an adult trying to talk like a child. As a father with children of all ages at home, I know of no children that talk as these children do.

Overall, this is a fairly good book, but it's not a perfect book. It's a simple book with a simple storyline. The message is good, even if the pacing and plotting are off at times.

You won't want to put down this relaxing summer tale!.......2007-07-20

At first glance you probably will not see the plain cover of this book.
But with a good reader's further investigation, you will stumble across this refreshing tale. The Penderwicks is the kind of book that goes best with fresh air, and a glass of Iced Tea. A warm summer breeze, is this books best friend.

The book is about 4 sisters who find themselves on the beautiful estate of Arundel for their summer. While exploring the great gardens, of this lush getaway, the girls meet Jeffrey. Jeffrey is a wonderful boy, who's mother, (the grouchy owner, Mrs. Tifton)is far far, from wonderful! The girls, quickly find themselves and Jeffrey are inseperable, the only problem is that Mrs. Tifton isn't as fond of the Penderwicks as him.

The book has everything. Comedy, action, and a slight tweek of romance.
You would really be missing out, if you ignored this superb story.

Enjoyable Summer Read.......2007-07-10

Although it started out slowly for me, I found myself engaged in the story after a chapter or two. This was well-written and brought back vivid memories of my childhood adventures and also of books I loved reading as a child. Sweet relationships written in a way that I could just picture the sisters and the scenes. Great plot. As a teacher, I'd recommend this to any reader or as a delightful read-aloud story to share.

Average customer rating:

Funny book
Fun, easy read...
Okay stories
''Some are funny. Some are painful. Some are unpleaseant. Perhaps this is why I have remembered them so vividly. All are true.''
delightful melodrama

Boy: Tales of Childhood
Roald Dahl
Manufacturer: Puffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0141303050

Book Description

In Boy, Roald Dahl recounts his days as a child growing up in England. From his years as a prankster at boarding school to his envious position as a chocolate tester for Cadbury's, Roald Dahl's boyhood was as full of excitement and the unexpected as are his world-famous, best-selling books. Packed with anecdotes— some funny, some painful, all interesting— this is a book that's sure to please.

Customer Reviews:

Funny book.......2007-06-30

This hilarious book from Roald Dahl that tells about the funny things that he had done throughout his life. People who enjoy other books Dahl wrote will laugh on this one. For instance, Roald and his friends put a dead rat into a jar of Gobstoppers. IF you read the book, you should read more of Roald Dahl's adventures. I will recommend this book to people who like nonfiction and funny stories because it has both great and funny story.

Fun, easy read..........2006-11-11

My 15 year old brother-in-law enjoyed reading this book with me. I enjoyed it myself!!

Okay stories.......2006-09-26

Good book about growing up and some of the great stories you're expect from your grandfather. Could have used less information on the beatings headmasters used to give students.

''Some are funny. Some are painful. Some are unpleaseant. Perhaps this is why I have remembered them so vividly. All are true.''.......2006-09-02

So says Roald Dahl in the introduction to his autobiogrophy,BOY. The book is a collection of his childhood memories, from the magical summers in Norway to the dreary days at St.Peters boarding school. As in all of Dahl's works the characters are quirky and memorable,but more fascinating here because they really existed. The auther recounts the adventures of his childhood with tenderness and dry humor.

BOY,TALES OF CHILDHOOD is a terrific book, much more interesting than the average autobiography!

RATING:A

delightful melodrama.......2006-07-08

I'm a Dahl fan, a writer for both adults and children. I think the key to his success as writer for children is that he doesn't think children are stupid or don't understand what they see. From my own experience, and now as a father, I know that children see, hear, think and make conclusions with their experiences.

This book is a collection of sketches of Dahl's school years. It makes you understand many of the stories that appear in his books: he was born in a well-to-do family, and enjoyed always a high living standard even in the depression years. He attended exclusive british public schools, etc. Then he found a good job at BP.

The book is full of family love, anecdotes about a child's view point (adenoidectomy, the mouse plot, etc) which will make you smile or even laugh aloud. Some of those, together with the fact that his mother saved all his letters and family fotos and mementoes, which sprinkle the book, makes it a delightful read.

It's true that some of the chapters are sombre, because for us it's shocking to know that children were so abused (beaten with a cane and deprived of affection, or bullied by older thugs who made them fag), but Dahl succeeds in making us loathe that supposedly elitistic education system. He doesn't make it sound as "the good old days, they had some bad things but not all..." In that sense, it's much better than "Tom Brown Shooldays" or Kipling's "Stalky and Co".

But all in all, he brings us the sense of a fantastic childhood, surrounded by family love, affection, and well being. I grew up in a partly similar context (the lack of affection in education, but not the beatings or the comfort)and it serves me to try to be a better father, more intent into giving my children nice emotional and intelectual experiences.

Enjoy!

What's the Big Secret?: Talking about Sex with Girls and Boys

Average customer rating:

Just Right
Perfect for reading with your tweeners!
great intro to the facts of life
Cute book
very good teaching tool

What's the Big Secret?: Talking about Sex with Girls and Boys
Laurie Krasny Brown
Manufacturer: Little, Brown Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0316101834

Book Description

"If you're having trouble talking to your children about sex--knowing what to say and when to say it--then here is the book for you.The talented team who created the acclaimed Dino Life Guides for Families is ready to help. With characteristic sensitivity, they present answers to tough questions.Here is an introduction to sex along with the ways girls and boys differ...and are the same.What's the Big Secret is the beginning of one of the most important conversations you and your child will have."

Customer Reviews:

Just Right.......2007-07-23

Just the right amount of information, without overwhelming parents or kids with too many medical terms, etc. I am a registered nurse with two boys, ages 7 and 9, and this book was a great starting point to our conversation about the birds and bees.

Perfect for reading with your tweeners!.......2007-06-27

I love this book! I appreciate its matter-of-fact tone and the friendly, comfortable pictures, instantly recognizable as being drawn by Marc Brown, the author and illustrator of the Arthur series (very popular in our house). (The author of this book is Laurie Krasny Brown, his wife). I read it with my 8- and 10-year olds at the same time. There were some giggles, but also lots of interest, and good questions asked. My ten-year-old took it and read it again by himself when we finished. I was grateful to come across a book that so exactly suited my purposes, and would highly recommend this for helping with the "talk" with your tweeners. (Best for ages 7-12).

great intro to the facts of life.......2007-05-14

I bought this book for my 5 yo who is starting to ask about the facts of life. We will read it together as the topics come up. It was helpful for me to just get some phrasing with which I was comfortable answering her. It does have one sentence that is a clear description of intercourse - since I think she's too young for that knowlege, we will just skip that sentence when reading to her (and she can read it herself when she is older).

Fun, friendly but sensible pictures and illustrations from Marc Brown (Arthur books).

Cute book.......2007-01-03

The book is quite cute, and very easy for my 7 year old to grasp. Make sure you preview the book first before you share it with your child. This way you can discuss it's content in your terms rather than reading word for word. If there is any part that your child is not ready for you can sort of skip over it and move on to the next part (if your child is very young).

very good teaching tool.......2006-11-10

i purchased this book to help guide and facilitate our discussion on sex and all the things related to the topic. as a parent i felt that it was very tactful and purposeful in it's discussion. it bridged somethings that were important but maybe not in the forefront in our thought processes. i also feel this is more a book for family use and not as appropriate for institutional use due to the depth of the subject matter.

The Hopeville Fire Department: A Boy's Tale of Betrayal by One of New England's Most Notorious Priests

Average customer rating:

Thank you Tony for sharing your story with us.
Heartbreaking, but a great book
I was amazed
Great Read!
Why are they still around?

The Hopeville Fire Department: A Boy's Tale of Betrayal by One of New England's Most Notorious Priests
Tony Lembo
Manufacturer: Prose & Pictures, Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The Queen

ASIN: 0979349109

Product Description

The Hopeville Fire Department is the true, first person account of a victim of sexual abuse by one of New England's most notorious priests. In the heartland of devoutly Catholic, working-class, 1970s New England, few took notice of Connecticut State Police and fire chaplain Father Stephen C. Foley racing around in a car full of teenaged boys and young men, visiting firehouses, chasing fire engines, showing up at fire scenes and pretending to be firemen. But hidden in plain sight, Father Foley was a central figure in a network of firehouse groupies across New England that, for more than two decades, used the candy of firehouse and police culture to lure boys into violent sexual initiations that left their lives shattered while the Catholic Church looked the other way. This is the story of one of those boys, and a look inside one of the most bizarre and callous cases of pedophilia ever uncovered among the Catholic clergy. It is a tale of evil and hypocrisy still unfolding in today's headlines as the Diocese of Hartford continues to pay out millions to keep the truth from being told, while providing Foley with shelter and defense against a growing chorus of victims.

Customer Reviews:

Thank you Tony for sharing your story with us........2007-08-07

We all need to be aware of clergy sexual misconduct and what happened to Tony Lembo is why. So many victims of sexual abuse silently suffer alone. We all need to be aware of this problem as this is the only way we can begin to hold accountable these pedophiles.

To think Father Foley has never been charged and is free to molest more boys is insane. Let us all wake up to this now.

Heartbreaking, but a great book .......2007-06-06

This book is well written and straight from the heart. The abuse is sickening and the method of grooming these boys is just pure evil genius--what kid can resist cruising around watching firemen work? What courage to have brought this out into the fresh air and sunlight, to refuse to keep silent and be a victim one more minute.

I was amazed.......2007-06-04

This book is easy to read, straight from the heart and interesting. I can't beleive those [...] are still free to violate other young children. I didn't realize people could act that terrible. I would reccomend this book to anyone with a few hours to sit down and read. You will have a hard time laying the book down once you start reading it.

Great Read!.......2007-05-16

This book was hard to put this book down. Unlike typical expose books on the Catholic Church, Tony tells us that he can't understand the motives behind Father Stephen Foley who assaulted him, or the Catholic Church who covered up years of Foley's assaults on uncountable victims, because that is not the point of "The Hopeville Fire Department." The point of this book was for Tony to tell his story and explain the life of a victim of betrayal and sexual abuse. Tony brings us into his life at an early age and we travel from his Catholic upbringings through his assault, to an adult coping with this horrific memory. He goes further than any media outlet ever can by explaining, in his own words, what's it like to live your whole life with a secret so humiliating, it takes 30 years to confess. I would recommend "The Hopeville Fire Department" to anyone because of its honesty and quick-read quality. This is a topic that everyone should be aware of.

Why are they still around?.......2007-04-15

This book touched me deeply. I finished the book in two parts. I'm so glad Tony wrote this book no one really knows what these priest did, only thing we hear is that the church is paying hugh amounts of money. His story blow me away. After reading this book I logged onto Tonylembo.com to find all kinds of media attention on this book. When I realized that this priest is still living the life, driving the same car I was stunned and sick to my stomach. If your children aren't safe with the priests of the Catholic Church who can we trust?

Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori, Book 1)

Average customer rating:

Very enjoyable
Gives ancient Japan a bad Rep...
intriguing start to the trilogy
"You Don't Know Who May be Watching You..."
Pretty much an awesome book of fighting, romance, betrayal, and all those things in the japanese era

Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori, Book 1)
Lian Hearn
Manufacturer: Riverhead Hardcover
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Heaven's Net Is Wide (The Tales of the Otori Series)
Cloud of Sparrows

ASIN: 1573222259
Release Date: 2002-08-22

Amazon.com

The debut novel of Lian Hearn's Tales of the Otori series, Across the Nightingale Floor, is set in a feudal Japan on the edge of the imagination. The tale begins with young Takeo, a member of a subversive and persecuted religious group, who returns home to find his village in flames. He is saved, not by coincidence, by the swords of Lord Otori Shigeru and thrust into a world of warlords, feuding clans, and political scheming. As Lord Otori's ward, he discovers he is a member by birth of the shadowy "Tribe," a mysterious group of assassins with supernatural abilities.

Hearn sets his tale in an imaginary realm that is and isn't feudal Japan. This device serves the author well as he is able to play with familiar archetypes--samurai, Shogun, and ninja--without falling prey to the pitfalls of history. The novel fills a unique niche that is at once period piece and fantasy novel. Hearn unfolds the tale of Takeo and the conflicting forces around him in a deliberate manner that leads to a satisfying conclusion and sets the stage for the rest of the series. --Jeremy Pugh

Book Description

Every now and then a novel appears, completely unlike anything that has appeared before. Across the Nightingale Floor is such a work-a magical creation of a world beyond time.

Set in an imaginary, ancient Japanese society dominated by warring clans, Across the Nightingale Floor is a story of a boy who is suddenly plucked from his life in a remote and peaceful village to find himself a pawn in a political scheme, filled with treacherous warlords, rivalry-and the intensity of first love. In a culture ruled by codes of honor and formal rituals, Takeo must look inside himself to discover the powers that will enable him to fulfill his destiny.

A work of transcendent storytelling with an appeal that crosses genres, genders, and generations, Across the Nightingale Floor is a rich and brilliantly constructed tale, mythic in its themes and epic in its vision. It is poised to become the most captivating novel of the year.

Customer Reviews:

Very enjoyable.......2007-10-06

The audio book of this is exceptional in my opinion. It was so well read, the story came to life and took root in my mind easily. It is a story of honor, love, betrayal and deceit bound together in adventure.

The characters are captivating - each expressive and unique in their roles. And the conflicts are realistic, nothing seems too far fetched.

It's a great story if your into ancient times and old traditions. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I think Hearn has done a wonderful job.

Gives ancient Japan a bad Rep..........2007-09-19

Having an interest in anime/manga prompted me to get this book. It doesn't do the japanese justice however. Dont get me wrong, the story is interesting enough but I'm afraid the main chara ruins it.
I read this long ago but I still recall coming to the conclusion that I wasted my time reading about someone whom I couldn't come to even remotely like.
The end makes it clear that the common theme of good vs bad in most stories is butchered...seeing how our main chara is sexually perverted. The author tries to explain he simply has manly desires. Right. In the end, he finally gets to meet the girl he desires. Then he has sex with her. Hurray, I read the whole book so I could get to this. PLEASE, dont read this. I just wish this would have been exposed earlier on, so I didn't gag when I got near the end. -_-; We need a warning label on this...

intriguing start to the trilogy.......2007-09-10

Lian Hearn's "Across the Nightingale Floor" is a good start to Hearn's Tales of the Otori saga. The world that Hearn creates which resembles Fuedal Japan is well drawn and believable, even when Hearn delves into Takeo and the Tribes superhuman powers. The book's double narrative is split between Takeo, a young man who is saved by the kind and noble lord Shigeru after his entire village is massacared; and the Lady Kaede who has been held as a hostage in an enemy court for most of her life.
I particularly like Hearn's decision to tell Takeo's story in first person which allows the reader to really get to know him and see the change that he goes through from the meek and mild young boy with gifts he doesnt quite understand, to the young man who accepts his role as an assassin in training by the end of the novel. While Takeo's story is told from his perspective, Hearn's decision to tell Lady Kaede's in the third person allows for the reader to gather a greater perspective of her protagonist Takeo, while at the same time allowing her to paint a fascinating portrait of a young woman held hostage by an enemy court.
where the novel falters somewhat is the intitial set-up of the romance between Takeo and Kaede, but Hearn quickly recovers and the ending of the novel and what it means for the two lovers reaches a rather unexpectedly poignant and affecting conclusion.

"You Don't Know Who May be Watching You...".......2007-07-20

Tomasu is a young man of the Hidden People, who loves nothing more than to take solitary walks in the mountains. This is until the day he returns to the village and discovers the body of his murdered stepfather and other community members. They are victims of a merciless massacre by the Tohan Clan and their warlord Iida Sadamu, and when Tomasu flees into the forests he is rescued from pursuers by Otori Shigeru, a lord of the Otori Clan that opposes the rule of the Tohan. Taking him under his wing, Shigeru renames the young man "Takeo", and together the two return to his home in the city of Hagi. But what does Shigeru really want from Takeo? Was their meeting and Takeo's rescue an accident? As previously dormant abilities in Takeo gradually emerge (such as keen hearing, invisibility and supernatural agility), he begins to suspect that Shigeru is grooming him for a secret mission. When he hears about Iida's "nightingale floor" - a floor specially rigged to make noise when trod upon, he begins to realize where his training is leading him...

Takeo's chapters are told in first-person narrative, but they are alternated with third-person narration that recounts the activities of Shirakawa Kaede, a young woman who has lived most of her life as a hostage in a hostile fief. After she attacks a soldier who attempts to molest her, the family suddenly takes notice of her beauty and organize an arranged marriage for her. Naturally, these two lives are soon to be intertwined - and from there flows a story of intrigue, betrayals, alliances, assassinations, treachery and revenge - well paced and packed full of good ideas and vivid descriptions. Particularly interesting is the way Takeo is torn between opposing clans and tribes: the Hidden (his mother's people who raised him) who were pacifists, the Tribe (his father's people) who are hired assassins from who he inherits his particular talents, and the Otori Clan into which he's adopted by Shigeru. Trying to figure out exactly where he belongs is the main crux of Takeo's character, and his divided loyalties are played out reasonably well throughout the text.

However, on the whole "Across the Nightingale Floor" is a good example of how a very good story is told in the wrong way. Often Hearn has characters with secret identities and hidden motives, but he (she?) gives them away too soon and without any sense of suspense or revelation (for an early example, there is the character of Shizuka: she's introduced as a flirty, flighty servant girl, though we are quickly told that she's a highly skilled agent for the Tribe. Instead of building our suspicions with clues and foreshadowing, Hearn gives the game away too quickly, not giving us the opportunity of being impressed with an established and carefully constructed plot-twist). There are many other situations when I was frustrated with Hearn's handling of his own story: he has good material here, but constantly fails to present it in a compelling way.

As well as this, I felt that the "love story" between Takeo and Kaede is mishandled. Here's a passage from the chapter in which Kaede first becomes aware of Takeo (and keep in mind that she hates and fears all males): "She had been dreaming vividly, but the moment she opened her eyes the dream vanished, leaving her only with the lucid knowledge that what she felt was love. She was astonished, then elated, then dismayed. At first she thought she would die if she saw him, then that she would die if she didn't." At this stage, Kaede hasn't even spoken to Takeo - simply seen him through a window. A love affair based on "love at first sight" (or alternatively, lust) in which there is very little interaction or conversation between the couple cannot help but be void of all emotion or resonance.

Due to these twin problems (the mishandling of the plot and the lack of emotional resonance in the characters) make this a novel full of potential, but frustratingly lacking in form. Drawing inspiration from Japanese culture, Hearn creates a world that is refreshingly different from the typical medieval-fantasy world, though in saying that, there is surprisingly little in the way of fantasy elements throughout the course of the story, with the minor exception of the paranormal gifts of the Tribe. How accurate it all is, I'll leave to someone more knowledgeable on the subject to comment on, but there is plenty of fascinating world-building at work throughout the story (okay, I'll admit I've been watching a lot of Avatar The Last Airbender - The Complete Book 1 Collection lately, and it reminded me of that!) Although there are some serious discrepancies in the writing, I've invested myself in these characters and their situation, so I'll be continuing the journey in Grass for His Pillow (Tales of the Otori, Book 2), the next installment.

Pretty much an awesome book of fighting, romance, betrayal, and all those things in the japanese era.......2007-05-01

most likely the best book in the series due to Lian Hearn's style of writing... an incredible amount of action occurs yet a 'completitive stillness' is achieved by the end. a good transformation in the character of Takeo from a country boy named Tomasu to a boy beckoned quickly to manhood by circumstances. well developed characters...Kaede, Takeo's lover, adds to the urgency of the story and isn't just a romantic article but a key component to the plot. interesting plot filled with action...sure to be devoured by fantasy lovers. leaves off for a sequel perfectly by keeping pace throughout and hinting at things to come. all in all, a definite read for those interested in a new type of fantasy.

Average customer rating:

Rakkety Tam
One of the best
Rakkety Tam
Wonderful reading for all ages
One of Redwalls's best!

Rakkety Tam: A Tale from Redwall
Brian Jacques
Manufacturer: Puffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Similar Items:

Loamhedge: A Tale from Redwall (Firebird)
High Rhulain (Redwall)
Triss (Redwall, Book 15)
Taggerung (Redwall, Book 14)
Lord Brocktree: A Tale from Redwall (Redwall (Firebird Paperback))

ASIN: 014240683X
Release Date: 2006-09-21

Book Description

There has never been a Redwall hero quite like Rakkety Tam, the roguish Highlander squirrel who sets off for Mossflower Wood on a mercenary errand and loses his heart to the charms of Redwall Abbey. And there's never been a villain quite like Gulo the Savage: a vicious beast-eating wolverine who descends upon the Abbey in search of a relic called the Walking Stone. Readers will cheer at the return of the Long Patrol, the antics of a renegade vole thief, and the emergence of a new champion to wield the sword of Martin. As fans of Brian Jacques and Redwall know, the adventures just keep getting bigger and bigger.

Download Description

"The most captivating Redwall novel yet! There has never been a Redwall hero quite like Rakkety Tam, the roguish Highlander squirrel who sets off for Mossflower Wood on a mercenary errand and loses his heart to the charms of Redwall Abbey. And there's never been a villain quite like Gulo the Savage: a vicious beast-eating wolverine who descends upon the Abbey in search of a relic called the Walking Stone. Readers will cheer at the return of the Long Patrol, the antics of a renegade vole thief, and the emergence of a new champion to wield the sword of Martin. As fans of Brian Jacques and the bestselling Redwall series know, the adventures just keep getting bigger and better."

Customer Reviews:

Rakkety Tam.......2007-07-28

A Redwall book - and that means fun dialog, great descriptions of feasts, excellent villans and heros, and a few minor variations on the common framework.

You can most likely jump in anywhere in the series, so if you haven't read any others you *could* start here. However, for most this will be a story read along the way, either in order of publication or in order of the timeline posted on the Redwall site - me, I like to go in publishing order. Enjoy!

One of the best.......2007-03-19

This is one of the best Redwall books that I have read, and have reada them all

Rakkety Tam.......2006-12-09

I rated this boook a five star because of all the action and all of the adventure. It is about a young squirrel who is a huge trouble maker who knows he should do something good in his life.But there is someone who finds out about Tammo and tries to kill him.I can only say someone dies who will it be I.......cannot say.

Wonderful reading for all ages .......2006-09-09

This book is from an incredibly well written series starting with the original "Redwall" book. The "formula" is good against evil, loyalty and honor with only the glory of a job well done and the genuine gratitude that goes to those who stand up for what good and right no matter what the bad guys promise. Another tale in a not to be missed series of books for all-age readers

One of Redwalls's best!.......2006-08-12

I loved this book from start to finish, it had a twist having a hero that didn't come from redwall,(Most of them do). It had me on the edge of my seat during the final battle between Tam and Gulo, the characters were great; as always, and it was just, in general a good book. My favorite creatures are squirrels so i loved it,i cant wait to read the next redwall book!

Average customer rating:

Hate to use the word too often but "Classic" fits here
A Favorite!
The Witch's Boy
MAGICAL FAIRY TALES ALL ROLLED UP IN ONE
A Bear Was His Wet Nurse

The Witch's Boy
Michael Gruber
Manufacturer: HarperTeen
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Teens | Subjects | Books

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Similar Items:

Night of the Jaguar: A Novel
Valley of Bones
Tropic of Night
The Book of Air and Shadows
The Little Friend

ASIN: 0060761644
Release Date: 2005-03-29

Book Description

A wondrous journey through the realms of magic

They call him Lump. Ugly, misshapen -- more goblin than human child -- abandoned as an infant and taken in by a witch, he is nursed by a bear, tutored by a djinn; his only playmates are the creatures of the forest, whose language he learns to speak.

But when Lump inevitably stumbles into the human world, his innocence is no match for the depths of people's cruelty, which turns his heart to stone, and fuels a vengeance that places him and his witch mother in deadly peril. Yet these disasters also send Lump on a journey of self-discovery, to realms deep within the earth and far beyond mortal imagination.

In this stunning fantasy debut, Michael Gruber has created a world that is at once deceptively familiar and stunningly original, a world of cruelty, beauty, legend, truth, and above all, wonder. Readers will delight in the author's ingenious retelling of classic fairy tales and will marvel at the stunning new tale of a boy raised by a witch, a cat, a bear, and a demon.

Customer Reviews:

Hate to use the word too often but "Classic" fits here.......2007-08-14

This wonderful tale of the witches boy named Lump, is one of the best children's books that I have ever read. Though at times the story becomes a bit too dark and the vocabulary too difficult for the young ones. Hey, who am I kidding, at times the vocabulary was tough for me. That being said I read this book over about a month to my 8 year old daughter before bed and as we got into the second hundred pages we both began to look forward to bedtime. Like the other reviewers, I found the retelling of several fairy tales to be the books greatest strength but the characters of Lump, Ysul the bear and Falance the cat are characters that won't soon be forgotten. With the spate of fantasy movies being made these days, I hope some filmmaaker options this wonderful book as a movie, done right it could be a "classic" as well.

A Favorite!.......2007-06-28

Great book, I think its up there with Wicked, just marketed toward a younger audience. Don't be put off by the cover, which I don't realy think fits this great book. Read it, I could not put it down!

The Witch's Boy .......2006-10-25

This Fairy Tale not only describes its own story it also incorporates many other classic fairy tales from Little Red Riding Hood to Pinocchio, each one with an added twist. Lump is the witch's boy. Abandoned at birth and taken in by a misunderstood witch. He grows up in a world of magic. He is taught by an enslaved djin and nursed by a bear. He grows up with very wrong views about people and the world. Lump thinks he is handsome but truth be told he is not handsome at all. When he finds out and is made fun of and harassed he wishes everyone who had hurt him would burn. When Lumps actions with the humans turn horribly wrong the witch and the boy must flee the sacred woods they had once enjoyed.
Thus Lump is sent on a journey through many worlds and many places. After losing what he truly loves, he hides himself behind a mask of gold and surrounds himself with riches and blames everything on his mother. After abusing life he is cast from the world only to be given a second chance in which he finds himself and the people who truly love him.
Michael Gruber writes about very strong emotions and creates very strong characters. His book has many twists and turns and you never know what's around the next bend.
I would recommend this book. Although it is a bit slow in the beginning it begins to get more and more interesting, and slowly but surely it lures you in. My favorite part of this book is how he incorporated all the other fairy tales and gave them his own twist.

MAGICAL FAIRY TALES ALL ROLLED UP IN ONE.......2006-08-21

THERE WERE PARTS IN THE STORY THAT WERE SO ENLIGHTENING I HAD TO GO BACK AND READ AGAIN ESPECIALLY THE EXPLANATION OF WHAT WITCHCRAFT REALLY IS...I WILL TREASURE THIS STORY AND CANT WAIT TO READ IT TO MY SON.........

I SHALL NEVER LOOK FOR THE FAE DANCE

A Bear Was His Wet Nurse.......2006-06-06

Lump was born ugly and with no talent for magic. But we was adopted by a witch, educated by a chained demon, critiqued by the witch's cat and nursed by a she-bear. Toward's story's end Lump, now rich, has a chance to be kind to that now ancient, chained bear but ignores her plight in his lust for a ditzy king's daughter whom he loads with gold.

There was another she-bear mentioned early on Nol, who befriended Lump when he was three and playing with neighboring young bears. Nol licked Lump's scratched face, marveled at his un-bearish tears and warned him not to cross a stream to invade a bee hive. She does not reappear. Pity. Lump might have turned himself around sooner than he eventually does.

Mightier Than the Sword: World Folktales for Strong Boys

Average customer rating:

Stories of clever boys
Great Folktales for Boys & Others!

Mightier Than the Sword: World Folktales for Strong Boys
Jane Yolen
Manufacturer: Silver Whistle
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Short Story Collections | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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Similar Items:

Not One Damsel in Distress: World Folktales for Strong Girls
The Serpent Slayer: and Other Stories of Strong Women
Fearless Girls, Wise Women, and Beloved Sisters: Heroines in Folktales from Around the World
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The Barefoot Book of Knights

ASIN: 0152163913

Book Description

From China to Burma, Afghanistan to America, this collection of fourteen familiar and little-known stories tells the tales of sons, brothers, kings, and trolls--men and boys united by a common heroism that comes from strength of character, wisdom, and compassion. These stories show that brains trump brawn every time.
Renowned storyteller Jane Yolen has created an exciting companion book to her Book Sense 76 Pick Not One Damsel in Distress. An inspired collection of dramatic tales, Mightier Than the Sword will inspire boys and girls alike.

Customer Reviews:

Stories of clever boys.......2004-08-19

This is an excellent collection of folktales featuring heroes who overcome adversity using their wits rather than brute force. My six-year-old son absolutely loves this book, his favourite story is The Devil with Three Golden Hairs, but he loves them all. I enjoy reading most of the stories to him myself, though I admit I found a couple of them a little dull, but most of them are wonderful. The stories come from many different cultures, but all feature clever, likeable heroes .This book should appeal to any boy with imagination.

Great Folktales for Boys & Others!.......2003-10-16

This is a great collection of folktales specifically selected for the author's sons and grandson. The stories are interesting and exciting - they'll hold the attention of the most reluctant reader. Disguised under the fun tales are great lessons of character and integrity that boys today need so desperately to hear. I highly recommend it to parents, teachers, and kids!

Dorm Porn: Steamy Tales of Boys on Campus

Average customer rating:

4 and a half stars!
Unadulterated Fility Fantasy....YEAH!!..Ya' Gotta' Love It !!

Dorm Porn: Steamy Tales of Boys on Campus

Manufacturer: Alyson Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Dorm Porn 2: More Steamy Tales of Boys on Campus
Fratsex: Stories of Sex in College Fraternities
Ultimate Gay Erotica 2006 (Ultimate Gay Erotica)
Best Gay Erotica 2007 (Best Gay Erotica)
The Back Passage

ASIN: 155583924X

Book Description

Raunchy, irresistible gay erotic stories about college boys!

Sean Fisher is the entirely fictional name of a guy who was so busy in his dorm room he barely graduated from college.

Customer Reviews:

4 and a half stars!.......2006-11-28

Gorge on college boy sex. I don't think that I'll read anymore anthologies dedicated to college boys. Trust me, this is all you'll need, however some of us are greedy gluttons, so if you're still hungry check out Fratsex.

Unadulterated Fility Fantasy....YEAH!!..Ya' Gotta' Love It !!.......2006-04-05

This is a totally fun and sexy read. The boys are hot, the sex is hot, the situations are hot, the imagery is hot, and these stories will leave you hot, heaving, and hopefully, heavy handed. This anthology is a KEEPER. Candidly, I decided to read only one short story at a time, rather than complete the book in one or two sittings. Why?. Well, I wanted the purient anticipation for the next story to enhance the "delivery of the goods", so to speak. Have a towel or tissue handy, "cuz" you will most assuredly need it!

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