Reviews Written By: A5I3B25LKW8GKprovided by Amazon.com |
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 | Splenda No Calorie Sweetener, Granular, Individual Packets, 700-Count Box | |
 | "Great Price, Fast Shipping" | 2009-09-27 |
| This was a considerable savings over store prices for Splenda in our area. Also, they arrived very shortly after I placed the order! | ||
 | The Reluctant Dragon | |
 | "Fly-in-your-Face Different...." | 2009-08-18 |
| Cute and entertaining; not THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS, nor much like it, but a good short read, especially for dragon-lovers | ||
 | The Reluctant Dragon | |
| "Fly-in-your-Face Different...." | 2009-08-18 |
| Cute and entertaining; not THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS, nor much like it, but a good short read, especially for dragon-lovers | ||
 | Elsie Piddock Skips in Her Sleep by Eleanor Farjeon, ISBN 0763607908 | |
| "Skip This Book At Your Own Peril!" | 2009-08-18 |
| Farjeon is a welcome memory from my own childhood; her books are somewhat out of fashion these hectic days, but they are so worth looking into again! For the parent who wants her child to be entertained by great writing and a true touch of what matters to a child, this is the book for you! I love it.
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 | Charlotte's Web (Trophy Newbery) | |
| "*THE* Book of Childhood and Summer, of Love and Belief" | 2009-08-15 |
| I would give this one TEN stars, if I could. Rather than say what has already been said, I would like to put down here that one of my very favorite parents in all of children's literature is right here in this book: Mr. Arable. In spite of years of hard work (presumably farming,though we are never really told), he had a mind full of magic enough, and a heart full of love enough, that he actually listened to his young daughter; and, in another chapter, repeatedly states that perhaps the animals WERE talking, perhaps Fern WAS telling the truth. In short, though an adult, he had never stopped believing in magic. I love him. | ||
 | Charlotte's Web | |
| "*THE* Book of Childhood and Summer, of Love and Belief" | 2009-08-15 |
| I would give this one TEN stars, if I could. Rather than say what has already been said, I would like to put down here that one of my very favorite parents in all of children's literature is right here in this book: Mr. Arable. In spite of years of hard work (presumably farming,though we are never really told), he had a mind full of magic enough, and a heart full of love enough, that he actually listened to his young daughter; and, in another chapter, repeatedly states that perhaps the animals WERE talking, perhaps Fern WAS telling the truth. In short, though an adult, he had never stopped believing in magic. I love him. | ||
 | Charlotte's Web | |
| "*THE* Book of Childhood and Summer, of Love and Belief" | 2009-08-15 |
| I would give this one TEN stars, if I could. Rather than say what has already been said, I would like to put down here that one of my very favorite parents in all of children's literature is right here in this book: Mr. Arable. In spite of years of hard work (presumably farming,though we are never really told), he had a mind full of magic enough, and a heart full of love enough, that he actually listened to his young daughter; and, in another chapter, repeatedly states that perhaps the animals WERE talking, perhaps Fern WAS telling the truth. In short, though an adult, he had never stopped believing in magic. I love him. | ||
 | The Sterling Huck Letters | |
 | "Some howlers..." | 2008-09-03 |
| ... but a little goes a long way. This is not for a prolonged read, but rather, for the bathroom, or somewhere else where you are only going to read a page or two at a time. His letters TO companies, corporations, resorts, etc., are funny. But how many bizarre made-up stories can one read, at a time? | ||
 | Family Tree, the - Unabridged CDs | |
 | "Neatly-Developed Characters, But..." | 2008-08-16 |
| ... the last fifth of the book simply unwound crazily, reeling away into sudden characterization changes, abrupt pop-up surprises that were unbelievable, at best, and depressing pronouncements of gloom. In fact, I asked myself, what does the protagonist have to live for, at the end? The baby? That didn't work for her own mother. I actually felt as if the author had tired of this whole novel-writing expedition, and was simply tryng to get rid of the plot and the characters quickly. | ||
 | A Way from Home | |
| "At Least It Filled In A few Blanks For Me..." | 2008-06-28 |
| This was heavy plodding, most of the time. There were enough occasional lifts, reversions to the Nancy Clark writing I enjoy, to get me to keep going, but by the time I was two-thirds of the way through the book, I was skimming whole chunks of description, and of pretty lame William/Becky time. Because I really LOVE the first and third books of this trilogy, I am telling myself that this departure from brilliance may really just be the only way to handle two totally self-absorbed people like Alden and Becky--though why it took Becky so long to realize doormats are never appreciated, I don't know--and a creepy freak like William, who is truly scarey. The breakdown of the marriage was a breakdown in communication, and a refusal to address it. To me, the moral of the story is, foolish women just keep repeating the cycle of being drawn towards icky men. (Though in book three, I liked Alden, despite his vague self-absorption. He beats weird William, at any rate!) One has the impression that a man like Alden would try to change, if warned sincerely, and enough. One has the impression William would stalk Becky forever, (heavily armed!) if she ever changed her mind! | ||
 | The Hills at Home : A Novel | |
| "Hilarious Read" | 2008-06-22 |
| I have just "discovered" Nancy Clark and these books, having started with the latest-published, JULY AND AUGUST. I loved that one, so of course back-tracked to the first one, THE HILLS AT HOME. It was great to get more background on characters I enjoyed so much in the latest novel. I laughed out loud a few times, but in the last chapter, I did so louder, longer, and more often than ever. I am a cautious book-buyer, as my cup tends to overfloweth, but having read these as library loans first, I am purchasing them. I want these in my collection, and these are so very re-readable. P.S. I like the cover on my edition better than the one pictured here: mine is tomatoes stacked and straggling on a battered windowsill. | ||
 | Good Morning Midnight | |
| "Another Winner From Hill..." | 2005-04-22 |
| ... but I must agree with the reviewer here who calls Ellie into question. She (Ellie) is SOOO over-the-top feminist, why does she put up with repeated rape attempts from another woman, and still refer to her as a good friend? It is the one discordant note in this one. If I were *really* going to nit-pick, I might add that I wish I knew if Hat Bowler ever does realize what his departed lover had actually been guilty of, a book or two back??? Does Mr. Hill neglect this, simply because he feels it is unimportant to the current story line? If that is the case, then why mention Hat's pain at all? It seems it would be a good thing for Hat to know just how seriously twisted his late lover had been. Perhaps it would ease the grief, or if not, even better, perhaps it would behoove him to be very cautious in future, before giving his heart away. Thank God these are not real people! :-) | ||
| Silver Wedding | |
 | "A True and Total Dud" | 2005-02-16 |
| Yes, everyone has a tale to tell, and it is the standard Binchy tale: someone is a mistress, someone *has* a mistress, someone feels trapped in his/her marriage... I started off with Binchy, relieved that these were not "romance novels," but three or four books into her plethora, I find them to be glorified Barbara Cartlands. The difference is, in the more recent ones, they all sell food. | ||
 | The Return Journey | |
| "Formulaic, But An Escape Read" | 2005-02-16 |
| Give Binchy credit, she knows what the public wants, and apparently, it is a lucrative business. But after reading three of her books, the rest become fairly predictable. This collection of shorts is very much thus. | ||
 | This Year It Will Be Different | |
| " | 2005-02-16 |
| What I am at a loss to explain is why I finished it. Ever hopeful, I guess. These are the basic formulaic Binchy-craft, and just how many women can keep justifying their existence as the mistresses of married men, and why are the men so shallow, and why does it always take a handsome single stranger to lure poor, misunderstood mistress back to righteousness? | ||
 | Silver Wedding | |
| "A True and Total Dud" | 2005-02-16 |
| Yes, everyone has a tale to tell, and it is the standard Binchy tale: someone is a mistress, someone *has* a mistress, someone feels trapped in his/her marriage... I started off with Binchy, relieved that these were not "romance novels," but three or four books into her plethora, I find them to be glorified Barbara Cartlands. The difference is, in the more recent ones, they all sell food. | ||
 | St. Dale | |
| "Sharyn McCrumb Fan, GET THIS BOOK!" | 2005-02-06 |
| I know, I know, you are thinking, "NASCAR? No way!" So did I. Let me assure you, this is one of her best, or maybe even *the* best, and I never thought anything could beat THE ROSEWOOD CASKET. Her same superb character depictions are there, the same sub-plots subtly woven together; the twist, the thing that is so *new* about this venture, is the allegorical theme. This one, like so many of her others, leaves you thinking about things for days afterwards, and pondering your own heroes and objects of worship. It's *that* good. What I want to know is, why are her McPherson novels not listed in the front of this one, along with her Appalachian books? They are not cast-off children! | ||
 | The Teacher's Funeral: A Comedy in Three Parts | |
| "As Always, Top Rating For Top Author" | 2004-10-18 |
| I ordered this one back in July, and have been on the edge of my library seat wating for it! Well worth it, too--once again, Richard Peck delivers the type of story we have come to expect, and to appreciate, from him: human, real, funny, wry, and honest. My only complaint: Not enough! Seriously, for the age group he was targeting, the length is just right--but for middle-aged librarians... well, as usual, I put down anything "Peckish" with a sigh of bliss for the tale, and regret for its end. Please, more, and soon! | ||
 | Second Sight : Stories for a New Millennium | |
| "Great Collection Of Tales For Teens!" | 2004-10-02 |
| This is *not* an outdated collection, though published in 1999; many readers will actually delight in recalling "how we felt" as the old century/millenium ticked away. Written by an assortment of the finest writers for young adults today, no serious collection for teens should be without it. Just the stories by L'Engle and Peck make it worth the read. | ||
 | Al Capone Does My Shirts | |
| "Couldn't Put It Down" | 2004-07-28 |
| It is rare to find a book equally appealing to middle-school boys as well as to girls, but this author has succeeded in doing so with AL CAPONE DOES MY SHIRTS. The fascinating look at the history of families who lived on Alcatraz, as well as the warm family tale interwoven into that history, made this an unforgettable read for me. Not only that, but the author did a fine job of representing autism, and the various *out there* treatments available in the 1930's. Somehow, she also works a believable, yet suspenseful, sense of adventure, and understanding of pre-teen feelings, and a knowledge of *baseball* into her work! The sub-themes of spoiled rich kids, parents blinded by their own tendencies to dote--and there is more than one such parent represented in this story!--the scheming that pre-teens can and do manage--these all add to the richness of the reading experience. Get this book for your pre-teen--better yet, read it yourself. I am far from my middle-school years, and this is one of the best books I have read this summer. | ||
 | Past Perfect, Present Tense: New and Collected Stories | |
| "Another Richard Peck Winner!" | 2004-07-26 |
| I am pretty much at the place where I just do not think this man is capable of writing a dud for young adults. This one is fascinating, not only because each story stands on its own as a small gem, but because of the invaluable insights he gives to the young person who wants to write. His accounts of how his stories and novels came to be, of how hard work and persistence paid off, just ring so true, and he has a voice that somehow makes a young adult want to listen--as attested by my own three children. He just keeps getting better all the time. | ||
 | Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind : A Novel | |
| "A Truly Educational Read" | 2004-07-26 |
| When --light fiction-- makes me sit back and evaluate my own actions, what I myself believe, why I believe those things, what I have been taught by church, parents, spouse, etc., all my life, then that book just moved into the --life-changing-- category. I am clueless as to if that is what the author intended when she wrote the novel, but that is what happened in my case. All you hide-bound traditionalists out there, take a look at this one. It should make you sit up and question your own lists of personal taboos. Plus, I laughed a lot! | ||
 | Too Close to Call | |
| "Oh, Please!" | 2004-07-17 |
| Are you Ejucaided Redneck in disguise? This was yet another attempt to make money by continuing to stereotype eastern Kentuckians. *I* live in Winchester, and most of the people I know are nowhere near as provincial as the ones in this book. Also, the stereotype doesn't even stay true to form! One minute some good ol' boy is chawin' and spittin', while talking like a bad Jed Clampett makeover, and the next he is serving home-made gourmet food to his lady-love. Better luck next time, Mr. Kelsay. Try writing about something you KNOW. | ||
 | The Green Man : Tales from the Mythic Forest | |
| "Good Read For Teens" | 2004-07-07 |
| I enjoyed the way the various authors were able to put a new twist on the old "green man" myths. While I have to agree with the reviewer who said the target audience seems to be mainly teen-aged girls, I must add that as a children's librarian, I found it refreshing to finally see a book that covers more then the usual teen fare: drugs, pregnancy, Mary Kate and Ashley. A worthy summer read! | ||
 | Tourist Trap (Edgar and Ellen) | |
| "A romp all right, but..." | 2004-06-15 |
| ... I have a bit of a problem with the treatment of Pet. I can allow Ellen's lust for revenge against a prim and prissy Stephanie--after all, children are vicious, sometimes, to each other, and I felt it was clear that this ongoing battle between the two girls was clearly depicted as such; in fact, Edgar and Ellen are also well-explained as deviant mentalities. But to have the two of them mistreat an animal (of whatever sort it is) seems to promote such treatment of animals as fun, or cool, somehow. I found that disturbing. The characters are one-dimensional, but after all, this is what it is--a tale of two evil imps on yet another crusade to destroy something they feel is in their megalomaniacal way. I think a parent could do better in choosing summer reading for his/her child. | ||
 | The Inn at Lake Devine | |
| "Ummm.... Summer Reading, If The Beach Is Closed..." | 2004-06-15 |
| The protagonist is rather obnoxious, though given, her crusade is a righteous one. To fight anti-semitism is a noble thing; to set out to destroy the anti-semite, perhaps, is not. I was left wondering whether true love had conquered all, or true revenge. | ||
 | The Forsyte Saga: The Man of Property, in Chancery, to Let (Forsyte Chronicles/John Galsworthy, Vol 1) | |
| "Could Not Put It Down" | 2004-01-22 |
| Yes, it is lengthy, and yes, it suspends reality on the subject of Irene's ability to cause the Forsyte men to fall in love with her; nevertheless, I am hooked, and will be so sorry when these last fifty pages are read! If you want to read a generational story that does not include lots of steamy or bloody scenes, but rather mentions them in passing, this is the one for you. True, once or twice I have wished there had been more discussion: people's reactions to trysyts, to deaths, to surprises... but taken as a whole, the book really does strike the note that time swallows, or at least blurs, so much familial pain. Read the book. If you are watching the Masterpiece Theatre produciton, the book will matter to you even more. And yes, the book is better! Though the actor who portrays Soames is pretty yum, in real life! | ||
 | Saving Grace (Junior Library Guild Selection) | |
| "Read This Book, Fifth-To-Eighth-Grader!" | 2003-11-04 |
| If you are looking for more than chit chat about boys, glitz, glamor, and fizzle; if you consider yourself an intelligent young reader; if you like historical fiction that paints a *real* picture, then this is the book for you. This one will inspire you, break your heart, and leave you wishing for another story from this same author! | ||
 | Sonata #1: For Riley Red | |
| "Decent Read For Pre-Teens" | 2003-11-01 |
| I was impressed with the way the author handled the various angst-causing situations in each protagonist's individual life... The reader also sees clearly and is able to evaluate the various means of neglect used by different types of parents who all, in the case of this book, seem incapable of prioritizing their child's needs. The only problem, if I can call it that, was that the story at times seemed disjonted, though it would always get my attention again fairly quickly. The end was perhaps predictable, but again, maybe not so for the pre-teen reader. | ||
 | The Red-Hot Rattoons | |
| "A Tail (PUN INTENDED) Of Uncommon Valor..." | 2003-10-28 |
| ... uncommon, because the valor is demonstrated by a group of five rat siblings. Each lives out his/her own quirks, qualities, and weaknesses, but more importantly, as a whole, they demonstrate the power of a group united by a dream. Along with all of *that,* it is a rollicking good read, full of adventures and mishaps, with eventual victory, though a surprising one! A terrific book for fourth through seventh graders. | ||
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