" ▶▶▶ October 2010 | Children's Books "

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Great Price for

This Country of Ours Review



This is free online, but having it in print makes it much easier to use. We home school and use this for history. I read the narrative and they supplement with biographies and historical fiction. My kids LOVE it.




This Country of Ours Overview


Formatted for the Kindle. Linked Contents.

CONTENTS

PART I
STORIES OF EXPLORERS AND PIONEERS

PART II
STORIES OF VIRGINIA

PART III
STORIES OF NEW ENGLAND

PART IV
STORIES OF THE MIDDLE AND SOUTHERN COLONIES

PART V
STORIES OF THE FRENCH IN AMERICA

PART VI
STORIES OF THE STRUGGLE FOR LIBERTY

PART VII
STORIES OF THE UNITED STATES UNDER THE CONSTITUTION


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Customer Reviews





throw on the recycle pile - Jude Keck -
Like some other reviewers I bought this book due to the Ambleside Online recommendations. I got as far as the early explorers before I noticed the anti-Catholic bias. Then I looked for the section on the Mormons noted by another reviewer. Do not give this book to your child. Even if you are Protestant, do not give this book to your child unless you are willing to sit with them through every chapter and explain the author's bias. I am sure I can find a better American History resource.



Good, with one serious exception - J. Heath -
We've been using this book, along with Our Island Story (history of England) by the same author, for about the past 5 months in homeschooling. They have been enjoying it and learning from it, and on the whole I like both books very much. I plan to continue using them because there is nothing comparable out there that tells history in story-fashion in such a way that alot of information is imparted but in a readable, non-textbook format.

However, recently in both books I have discovered some serious anti-Catholic bias. I now know that I cannot simply read along and blindly trust the book, but must research certain topics to either correct or to supplement the biases presented in this book. It's a shame. In this book, this has arisen for the first time in the chapters on founding certain colonies in the United States. Catholic explorers or explorers from Catholic countries are ascribed negative motivations and actions that are not always historically true or unbiased. Given the topics that lie ahead in the book, I expect this slant will arise again.



Good book, not the best edition - K. Wickward - Seattle, WA
Although Ms. Marshall is clearly a product of her time, I found that in many instances she could have chosen sides, but instead she took a fair position. That said, this edition of the book, should you choose it, is not the best. It does not have the illustrations mentioned in another review, and lacks any dates at all (I'm assuming that's how it was written originally) - making it difficult to build a timeline from it or to get a sense of the passage of time. I prefer to use the version online at Celebration of Women Writers, which has annotations in the margins.

*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Oct 31, 2010 03:30:06

Friday, October 29, 2010

Check Out Cheyenne Again

Cheyenne Again Review



Cheyenne Again by Eve Bunting is the story of young native boys being escorted away from their families and off the reservation to be "educated" and cleaned" of their Native culture. This is perfect for use in schools which are honest with their students about mistakes that our country has made or for families learning about history. This is not appropriate for children under nine or ten and reading this with an adult would be recommended for anyone under 12 so the issue could be discussed. Bunting is never afraid to look squarely at important issues that instigate wonderful discussions.




Cheyenne Again Overview


In the late 1880s, a Cheyenne boy named Young Bull is taken from his parents and sent to a boarding school to learn the white man's ways. "Young Bull's struggle to hold on to his heritage will touch children's sense of justice and lead to some interesting discussions and perhaps further research." —School Library Journal



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Another Historical Perspective - Leana Borges - NYS
Wanna engage students in real inquiry based Social Studies? Wanna help students become more aware of different perspectives? point of view? Well this is the text to help facilitate that type of learning. Bunting has done it again...... She has created a text that will make us question and seek out true history.....



Cheyenne Again - Tracy J. Archipley - Seattle, WA
The middle school-aged children I've shared this with enjoy the story. It inspires many good questions and comments from them.



Cheyenne Again - -
This literary piece is well written with the exquisite paintings that amplify the story over all. To have the visual images interact with the writing so well, I have to wonder how such an artist would only have illustrated a few books. A must read and a visual pleaser to the afficianados of art. Irving Toddy is a fine artist whose work should be sought out more. Eve Bunting is a good writer whose work is always complemented by the illustrator. In this case, to have a Native American-Navajo illustrate and to have lived the characters experiences is great.

*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Oct 29, 2010 10:30:05

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Great Price for $1.18

The Titanic: Lost and Found (Step-Into-Reading, Step 3) Review



In 1912 a magnisafint new ship namd the TITANIC was made. Peopol clamed it an unsincaboul ship.Why? The titanic did`t have one bottom it had two.Then at last the titanic set sail. Then one night in the crows nest one of the men saw a iceberg.Then another man rang a bell and shouted ICE BERG RIGHT AHEAD! but they saw it too late. the titanic hit the iceberg on the starbord side.and the engons stoped and the ship stoped move ing. the titanic begen to sink.it sank hier and hier and hier then a crashing and booming and craking sound was herd. the titanic split in two.while the bow section sank down to the bottom of the ocean the stern section stuck up and began its final plung to the bottom of the ocean 78 Years later dr. Robert balerd descoverd the titanic sank in two insted of sinking in one.



The Titanic: Lost and Found (Step-Into-Reading, Step 3) Feature


  • ISBN13: 9780394886695
  • Condition: New
  • Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed



The Titanic: Lost and Found (Step-Into-Reading, Step 3) Overview


Illus. in full color.


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Customer Reviews


Great children's book - Lovebooks - Virginia
My son (age five) saw this book highlighted on Reading Rainbow and was so taken with the story that I purchased it for him. We've read this book over and over. He loves it.



Appropriate in all ways for the target age group - Eileen Palsson - Sollentuna Sweden
My 7-year-old read this (with a little help), and we were both fascinated. The story is told accurately but with sensitivity to the age level. It satisfied my son's curiosity, and he understood what a tragedy it was, without being overwhelmed with horrifying details. It was explained what went wrong, and there was reassurance that we had learned from the mistakes. And I liked the follow-up about how Robert Ballard and his crew found the Titanic years later.
Great illustrations, too, showing period clothing, etc.
This is a really nice little book that seems to me appropriate in all ways for kids about age 7-9. And if you're getting this, go ahead and get "Moonwalk" by the same author. That one was downright exciting.



rap girl - -
The Titanic is a very good book.I hope that you like it and that you will read the Titanic.It has sad parts in it and good parts that was the best book.




*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Oct 26, 2010 13:00:08

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Check Out The Cabin Faced West for $3.14

The Cabin Faced West Review



I actually chose this book to read for a graduate level children's literature class. As a school teacher I feel this is a wonderful easy read for children beginning to tackle the longer chapter books.

Ann Hamiltion is the main character, in which girls who are about 10 years old, could relate to. The entire Hamilton family seems to have embraced their new life out west except for Ann. She longs for her friends and old life she has left behind. There are not any girls who are Ann's age for her to spend time with and not many neighbors nearby. Ann is left to tend to her new vegetable garden and help her mother with chores around the home and care for her new baby brother. Ann tries to pass the days by writing in her journal. There are a few travelers that pass through town along with some surprises that make the days more exciting for Ann and her family.

The descriptions of the setting are very vivid and helps the reader to really imagine what is going on. This story would be a terrific read-aloud for children who are being introduced to historical fiction or for children who are interested in the pioneer days. It is a great way to show children what life was like in pioneer days, especially for children in the 8-12 year old age group.



The Cabin Faced West Feature


  • ISBN13: 9780698119369
  • Condition: New
  • Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed



The Cabin Faced West Overview


For Ann Hamilton, life out west was anything but adventurous. In fact, she had never been lonelier. She longed for the ease and comfort of the days with friends back in Gettysburg-until a stranger rode into Hamilton Hill and changed her life forever.


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Customer Reviews


A Good Book to Accurately Portray History - tjg523 - Pittsburgh, PA
I, too, thought this book was more deserving of bad reviews. It is not an action-packed, suspensful book, so if one is looking for that, this is not the book to read. I read this book for a course in graduate school and thought it would be appropriate to read to children to teach them about what frontier life was really like. I also think it's a keystone book to use to teach about internal conflict, as this book was centered on a large internal conflict. Finally, I think it's an easier-to-read book because it focuses mainly on one character's point of view, thoughts, and actions. There are other characters with whom Ann interacts, but the book focuses mainly on Ann.



Stands the test of time - Elaine M. Sargent - Reno, NV
I loved this book as a kid in the 70's and was thrilled to find it in a used bookstore. I wanted my daughter to read it but she was too busy with other books and just recently got into the Twilight series. Well one day she forgot her book for reading time in school and had to get this one out of her backpack, that I had put in there just in case, because if you come to school without a reading book you get a "ding". Well, when I picked her up she told me she had started the book at school as she had forgot her other one. The next words out her mouth were "Mommy it is so good I love it". Wow, I actually felt my heart warm. See, I told you so. You should always listen to your mother!!!



An Excellent Historical Fiction Book for 4th Grader - mom2fourangels - Asheville, NC USA
Needed to find an interesting "historical fiction" selection for daughter's 4th grade book report. She could relate to the main character, a young girl her age.
This captured her attention right away, and made the project much easier on all.




*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Oct 16, 2010 04:00:08

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Great Price for $2.87

The Seer of Shadows Review



The Seer of Shadows by Avi took place in the late eighteen hundreds in New York City's during the Civil War. The setting adds to the suspense of the book. The main idea of the book revolves around the art of photography; the idea includes not just taking the picture but also the developing process, as well. If it happened during modern times the issue with the photography would not happen. The importance of bringing it from darkness to light (by the negatives) is a key factor of the book. Avi finds a way to make the reader feel as if he or she is not an observer of the action but a key character themselves.

Since the time frame is all about fighting for freedom from oppression for the African Americans, Avi allows us to see how the oppressed were treated even in a northern town. The young slave girl, Pegg, was a key character and was broken to the point of complete submission. Since she was not white, Pegg did not have the same rights as everyone else. Without these rights, she could not live without being a slave to the Von Macht family.

The main character, Horace, finished school at fourteen. This was common during that era for children at a young age to apprentice to learn a trade. A photographer apprenticed Horace. Most apprentices lived under the roof of their employer and left their families and friends so they can learn a trade for the future.

The introduction of paranormal activity was a substantial element to the Seer of Shadow, hence the title of the book. Avi shows the fine line between dark and light through not only the paranormal factor but through the photography and the racial barriers. The paranormal activity was brought about not only through deception but through photographs too.

The main characters, as mentioned before, are Horace and Pegg. One was a photographer's apprentice and the other a slave. The two became great friends through a circle of secrets only they knew about. They both shared a commonality of not being taken seriously due to his age and her race. Horace and Pegg found solace in each other even in a world of complete chaos. Another main character was Eleanora Von Macht. At the beginning she was introduced as the daughter of the Von Machts but later was revealed as the tortured niece. She was a ghostly figure in the story. Since she was not treated well, her past influenced the character she became but also the other characters in the story. The secondary characters were Mr. Middleditch and Mr. and Mrs. Von Macht. Mr. Middleditch was a lazy swindler. He owned the photography shop where Horace apprenticed. He made Horace do all the work. The Von Machts were cruel and greedy people. They had no conscience until the late Eleanora threatened them. Pegg was their slave that they treated poorly.

Avi made the characters seem as if they were real, even in a book of fiction. The way we felt about the character affected our view of them. If they were good characters then they had the easily distinguished traits that differentiated them from the bad characters. Since there was a conflict between the good and bad characters it made the book come to life.

At the beginning of the story the fateful meeting between Pegg and Horace happened. She came to set up an appointment for Mrs. Von Macht and Horace obliged her request. Since Mr. Middleditch's business had been slow Mrs. Von Macht's appointment was much needed. When Mrs. Von Macht came the next day, she told of her loving daughter's death and how she wanted a portrait to help the daughter to cross to the other side. Seeing an opportunity to make more money Mr. Middleditch came up with a scheme to trick Mrs. Von Macht. He had Horace to be in on the scheme by using a spy camera to sneak pictures of Eleanora. These pictures turn out to be true photos of the dead girl not just pictures from around the house. At this point, Horace realized that he saw the unseen through his photos. Mr. Middleditch was too caught up in his fraud to realize that his trick was coming to life.

This book had quotes that seemed to give hints to the ending. The quote, "Let the dead bury the dead" was a hint toward his seeing the ghost and bringing them out into the real world. "God said let there be light and there was light" was at the front of the book, and it showed the power in bringing light to a dark place. This quote is essential to tying up the loose ends of the climax.

-Carrie Crisp, Cieara Gregory, and Amy Bowen



The Seer of Shadows Feature


  • ISBN13: 9780060000172
  • Condition: New
  • Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed



The Seer of Shadows Overview


Horace Carpetine does not believe in ghosts.

Raised to believe in science and reason, Horace Carpetine passes off spirits as superstition. Then he becomes an apprentice photographer and discovers an eerie—and even dangerous—supernatural power in his very own photographs.

When a wealthy lady orders a portrait to place by her daughter's gravesite, Horace's employer, Enoch Middleditch, schemes to sell her more pictures—by convincing her that her daughter's ghost has appeared in the ones he's already taken.

It's Horace's job to create images of the girl. Yet Horace somehow captures the girl's spirit along with her likeness. And when the spirit escapes the photographs, Horace discovers he's released a ghost bent on a deadly revenge. . . .




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Customer Reviews


Good but VERY DARK - Anastasia's Mommy - Winter Park, FL USA
This book is one of this year's Sunshine State books (if you live in Florida). I read it before giving it to my 9 year old daughter, and I am glad I did. It is a true ghost story where a dead child becomes a ghost who wants to murder her wicked step-parents. Many sensitive children will not sleep well after reading this book! I love photography, and enjoyed AVI's many photography references, and I also liked the way it portrayed a friendship between an African-American and a Caucasian just after the Civil War. It also was a page-turner. Aside from the horror aspects of the book, the ending seemed a bit weak and somewhat too clean.



A 4th Grade Student Review - Mollie E. Gabrielson - South Dakota
The Seer of Shadows draws you into 1872 where instead of taxis they had horse-cabs. And when you became 14 you were expected to get a job and sometimes move out of the house just like Horace Carpentine does. Horace is a seer of shadows and can make ghosts come back. AVI really draws you in with mystery, the old days, and a great choice of words. It can be a little scary so I would reccomend it to 4th grade and up. If you liked the Goosebumps series I gaurentee you'll love this book! So give it a try, it might just scare your socks off! ~ Aeromellow



Very Dark and Well-Written - Grade Six -
Horace Carpentine is a photographer's apprentice in the suburbs of New York City at around 1800 when they get a job for the Von Macht family who are very wealthy. Mrs. Von Macht wants some photos of herself so her "beloved" daughter Elenora can be "peaceful" in her grave. Mr. Middleditch, the photographer, wants to get a lot of money, so he puts in Elenora the "ghost" in the background to please Mrs. Von Macht, or so he thinks. But when Horace befriends the servant girl, Pegg, he learns the real reason why Mrs. Von Macht wants the photo. From then on, Horace needs to put Elanora's soul to rest, and stop the revenge the Von Machts may deserve.

I think that the "Seer of Shadows" was an extremely well-written mystery. It was very dark so you have to think about the plot. The author used a lot of descriptive language to help you understand the story. If you like mysteries or dark stories you should definitely read the "Seer of Shadows."

Chase P.
Grade 6
Ms. Kawatachi




*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Oct 10, 2010 01:45:05

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Check Out The Dinosaur Museum: An Unforgettable, Interactive Virtual Tour Through Dinosaur History for $11.54

The Dinosaur Museum: An Unforgettable, Interactive Virtual Tour Through Dinosaur History Review



I bought this book for my 3 year old and I'm thrilled because I love to look at it. The first page has a dino lab with useful information about size, fossil formations, and plants. There are 2 drawers (flaps) you pull out and see actual fossils of a Velociraptor's claw, Triceratops brow horn, etc. And a scale chart (with the name, height, length and weight of several dinosaurs) so you can see how huge these dinosaurs were in comparison to human beings. Theres really too much to list but you will see that for yourself after you get the book.

From the beginning, you are taken back and educated about the many different dinosaurs: The Plant - Eaters, Gentle Giants, Small but Deadly (Ovirptor, Troodon, Deinonychus, etc.,) Suits of Armor ((Ankylosaurus, Triceratops, Stegasaurus,) The Meat Eaters, and The Flying Reptiles. It's so wonderful because it gives you detailed information on each dinosaur, the meaning of the names, how to pronounce it, etc. And the Pop-ups are wonderful! You feel like a big kid (for us grown-ups) going through this wonderful book, pulling and lifting flaps, discovering more tidbits and facts. It's very exciting and the children love it. You also learn about the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous period as well. My son loves this book but I love it, more.

I highly recommend this book for kids and grown-ups alike. It's a wonderful educational resource with great pictures and pop-ups, everyone is sure to enjoy The Dinosaur Museum. Welcome!



The Dinosaur Museum: An Unforgettable, Interactive Virtual Tour Through Dinosaur History Feature


  • ISBN13: 9781426303357
  • Condition: New
  • Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed



The Dinosaur Museum: An Unforgettable, Interactive Virtual Tour Through Dinosaur History Overview


Young, eager paleontologists wanted. Apply within. We need YOUR expertise! So step inside The Dinosaur Museum, the book where kids get to act like paleontologists. This amazing volume gives readers a behind-the-scenes peek at a museum, with an interactive experience that evokes a visit to a natural history museum. Forget about waiting in long lines for hours. This interactive guide takes you on a room-by-room tour of the most fun-packed museum you can imagine. Learning about prehistoric monsters becomes a practical challenge to the scientist in every reader. Each room points to a range of interactive investigations that can be carried out in the dino-lab gatefold flap. You can open the specimen drawer filled with fossils, look at specimen slides through the microscope, and use a whole host of interactive features: a pop-up fossil finds map, a dinosaur time line, and a sliding chart that allows you to compare the size of dinosaurs with modern animals.

Dinosaur Museum is the ultimate holiday gift for every child who loves dinosaurs. This inspiring interactive book gives children the chance to experience the real science behind the study of one of the most exciting eras in the history of the Earth.


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Customer Reviews


Wonderful Book for the Dino Lover - B. Burns - Houston, TX
We purchased this as a gift for a 5 year old boy. My daughter (4) and I looked through it before we wrapped it up for him. It is really fun with great pictures, pull-outs and pop-ups. The information is easy for kiddos to take in and interesting for adults as well. Perfect for any age, but best suited to the 5-12 crowd. I will be buying another copy for us in the future.






Great book for all ages - Johanna M. Barry - North Tonawanda, NY
Not too technical, but informational in an easy to understand format. I purchased this book for my 5 year old grandson, and found myself reading and exploring the book for days before I gave it to him!!!!



The Dinosaur Museum - Diana Mann -
beautiful pictures, great information, well done pop-ups - my grandson who is 4 loved it and his father who is 43 loved it more

*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Oct 03, 2010 02:00:07

Friday, October 1, 2010

Great Price for $29.22

The Story of the Champions of the Round Table Review



Howard Pyle weaves another masterpiece in this, the sequel to The Story of King Arthur and His Knights. It is frought with adventure, chivalry, and Pyle's own version of Old English to go with it. Pyle's english and his drawings add greatly to the already great story, making this series one of the best I have ever read.

This book details the early adventures of Sir Launcelot, Sir Tristram, and Sir Percival. One would think that the jousts/battles would get repetitive and boring after a while, but Pyle is so masterful a storyteller that it never gets boring, and each adventure captures the imagination more than the last.

Overall grade: A+




The Story of the Champions of the Round Table Overview


The book has no illustrations or index. Purchasers are entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Subjects: Perceval (Legendary character); Lancelot (Legendary character); Tristan (Legendary character); Juvenile Nonfiction / History / Medieval; Juvenile Fiction / Classics; Juvenile Fiction / Fairy Tales


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one of Pyle's amazing works - Deborah MacGillivray - US & UK
If you can find this in any addition, though the hardback is very nice gift, it is a great addition to any Grail Lore Collection.

Pyle did so many books great books on the Medieval Myths and Legends. First published in 1905, Pyle wrote and illustrated his own tales, such as Lancelot, Tristam & Isoult, and Percival. The pen in and ink drawing are simply amazing and so bring alive his stories.

Highly recommended for those interested in tales of the Round Table. Hopefully, with the interested Tolkien's Rings, it will reawaken a hunger for these tales of chivalry, of valour and those willing to stand and fight in what they believe.







*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Oct 01, 2010 18:00:08