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Review Date: 4/4/2008
Helpful Score: 1
I have not seen this movie. Reading the book, I found the story hard to follow and confusing. It referred to characters without having introduced them first, and it seemed to have little historical value. I was not interested enough to finish the book. If you have not seen the movie, I would not recommend this book.
Review Date: 3/18/2008
Helpful Score: 4
First of all, let me say, I absolutely love this series. It has depth and originality. It is one of my favorite fantasy series. Unfortunately, I feel that this, the first book, is not as well-written as the rest.
One of the biggest problems with Beyond the Summerland is the lack of good character development. In my opinion, Joraiem is a fairly shallow, slightly annoying character. On the other hand, I know many people love Joraiem. This being said, one of my favorite things about the rest of this series is the amazing character development. It gets superb in the later books.
I also felt that the book dragged on in some parts, and I took a long time to finish reading it, as it just didn't grab me. If you are looking for a high action adventure story, this series is not for you. If you want an interesting, well-crafted fantasy world with history and depth, then you may enjoy this book.
To conclude, PLEASE DON"T LET MY REVIEW SCARE YOU AWAY FROM THIS BOOK! I love this series, and don't like to criticize it. The author has a good story, so I don't mind some flaws in the way it is told. Please try the first book. I recommend it for teens and adults.
One of the biggest problems with Beyond the Summerland is the lack of good character development. In my opinion, Joraiem is a fairly shallow, slightly annoying character. On the other hand, I know many people love Joraiem. This being said, one of my favorite things about the rest of this series is the amazing character development. It gets superb in the later books.
I also felt that the book dragged on in some parts, and I took a long time to finish reading it, as it just didn't grab me. If you are looking for a high action adventure story, this series is not for you. If you want an interesting, well-crafted fantasy world with history and depth, then you may enjoy this book.
To conclude, PLEASE DON"T LET MY REVIEW SCARE YOU AWAY FROM THIS BOOK! I love this series, and don't like to criticize it. The author has a good story, so I don't mind some flaws in the way it is told. Please try the first book. I recommend it for teens and adults.
Review Date: 4/4/2008
I didn't put in a description when I posted this, so rather that repost it with a description, I will include one here:
Learn all about the exciting world of Cheerlesding and Baton Twirling.
~Appearance Tips
~Preparing for Tryouts
~Baton Twirling Organizations
~Forming Pep Clubs
~Rousing School Spirit
~The Latest Cheers
~Baton Twirling Techniques- with illustrations
~How and Where to Practice Your Routines
~Varsity and Junior Varsity Squads- which should you try for?
Cheerleading and Baton Twirling...a new world just waiting for you. Get started today!
Learn all about the exciting world of Cheerlesding and Baton Twirling.
~Appearance Tips
~Preparing for Tryouts
~Baton Twirling Organizations
~Forming Pep Clubs
~Rousing School Spirit
~The Latest Cheers
~Baton Twirling Techniques- with illustrations
~How and Where to Practice Your Routines
~Varsity and Junior Varsity Squads- which should you try for?
Cheerleading and Baton Twirling...a new world just waiting for you. Get started today!
Review Date: 8/12/2007
Helpful Score: 1
This is a Christian fantasy sequel to DragonSpell. Set in the mythical land of Amara, Kale Allerion has a new quest. She is summoned from her training at the Hall to help train the meech dragon. From there she embarks on a quest involving the evil wizard Risto, good comrades, laughter, dragons, and Kale's long-lost mother. I highly recommend this series to children, girls especially, ages 11-16. It is well-written and hilariously funny with memorable characters and Christian messages.
Review Date: 5/1/2007
Helpful Score: 4
I really enjoyed this book. It is a wonderful Christian fantasy book about a girl named Kale. I found it to be inspirational, exciting, and funny. An excellent story for girls ages 11-15 who like fantasy, especially if they are looking for a Christian book.
Review Date: 4/10/2010
I really enjoyed this book. The illustrations are lovely, with funny and interesting bits in the background. The story is engaging and lively, with just enough suspense and silliness for a younger child. The text is great fun to read aloud, with mice, giants, and an ever dreary Puddleglum to do voices for. Everything wraps up well in a creative adventure.
Review Date: 2/17/2007
Helpful Score: 1
This is a study guide from Beautiful Feet. If you have never used Beautiful Feet, they teach history through having the student read interesting historical fiction books and create a notebook including maps, drawing, Bible verses, and more. The History of the Horse study uses many of the Marguerite Henry books, along with Black Beauty and Black Stallion. An excellent study designed for primary and intermediate grades.
Review Date: 1/21/2007
Helpful Score: 1
This is an excellent story. It is inspiring to hear about this family's homeschooling experience, and to learn from it.
Review Date: 10/18/2007
This book is an Biblical allegory. It says so on the title page. If you take it as an allegory, it is pretty good. However, I felt that the plot moved along far too fast with little time for character development. The allegory would have had far more impact if I had had time to get attached to the characters. Also, in two instances Black uses creatures introduced at the spur of the moment to represent Biblical events. I think he should use something introduced earlier or something the reader is already familiar with. His writing leaves a little to be desired.
I suggest that you try reading it. You may like it, and some of the allegorical content is very interesting. I am going to read the second book, and when I do, I will review that one also.
I suggest that you try reading it. You may like it, and some of the allegorical content is very interesting. I am going to read the second book, and when I do, I will review that one also.
Review Date: 6/20/2008
This book is a must-have for Lemony Snicket fans. If you are really into the series, and willing to study this book very carefully, forwards and back, then read it now. It doesn't answer any of the questions you really want answered (does Lemony Snicket ever?), but it gives you other fascinating information about VFD and what it is like, Lemony Snicket's past, and the Sebald code.
Review Date: 1/6/2010
When was the last time you read a math book for pleasure and ended up laughing out loud and wanting more? That's Life of Fred.
Through a story about the life of Fred, a child genius with a pointy nose, Stanley teaches math concepts in an engaging manner. In this book, Fred gets mistakenly pressed into army boot camp, among other adventures. He also learns all of Algebra I. Every couple pages, it is "Your Turn to Play", where the author includes problems for the reader to do. "Cities" provide review and testing. If you're looking for a refreshing, unique, low-stress, student-directed, thorough math curriculum, try Life of Fred.
Through a story about the life of Fred, a child genius with a pointy nose, Stanley teaches math concepts in an engaging manner. In this book, Fred gets mistakenly pressed into army boot camp, among other adventures. He also learns all of Algebra I. Every couple pages, it is "Your Turn to Play", where the author includes problems for the reader to do. "Cities" provide review and testing. If you're looking for a refreshing, unique, low-stress, student-directed, thorough math curriculum, try Life of Fred.
Review Date: 10/16/2010
Rick Riordan has a great sense of humor, but in my opinion, he is not a good writer. Much of the middle third of the book is random adventures strung together that do not advance the plot. The premise and characters bear a strong resemblance to Harry Potter. I also found the end disturbing. A respected character turns another to stone with little provocation and sells his body to a museum as a statue, and this is applauded! That and the weak writing make me hesitant to recommend this book.
Review Date: 9/26/2007
Helpful Score: 4
I am an avid reader. I rarely meet a book that I absolutely dislike and find annoying and boring. Unfortunatly, that would describe this book. The characters were so incredibly good. No one ever said or did anything nasty or wrong. In fact, everyone goes out of their way to be as nice and kinds as possible. Nearly every person we meet is a born-again Christian or becomes one by the end of the book. Now, I have no problem with Christian books, on the contrary, I enjoy them, but this one felt like it was trying to preach at me constantly.
The other problem was that the children acted completely un-childlike. For example, the three Marston children have just been informed by a police officer that their parents are dead. Johnny, age 6, runs outside crying, a logical response. But his 8 year old sister Mary politely excuses herself and apologizes for leaving, saying "my brother needs me." She finds him, quotes some Bible verses to him, reminds him their parents are in heaven, then they return inside. They then thank the officer for saying he will help them find a home. The children consistently act with a composure most adults couldn't manage!
The one other thing that annoyed me was the author's constant use of the word 'honey.' Characters who barely knew each other called each other 'honey' very often. This drove me nuts after a while, but it might not bother you.
I also found the plot very predictable, except for one twist at the end, but by then I didn't care.
All in all, I would not recommend this book to anyone.
The other problem was that the children acted completely un-childlike. For example, the three Marston children have just been informed by a police officer that their parents are dead. Johnny, age 6, runs outside crying, a logical response. But his 8 year old sister Mary politely excuses herself and apologizes for leaving, saying "my brother needs me." She finds him, quotes some Bible verses to him, reminds him their parents are in heaven, then they return inside. They then thank the officer for saying he will help them find a home. The children consistently act with a composure most adults couldn't manage!
The one other thing that annoyed me was the author's constant use of the word 'honey.' Characters who barely knew each other called each other 'honey' very often. This drove me nuts after a while, but it might not bother you.
I also found the plot very predictable, except for one twist at the end, but by then I didn't care.
All in all, I would not recommend this book to anyone.
Review Date: 1/21/2007
Helpful Score: 1
The second book in the Redwall series, Moosflower is just as good as the first. Going back to the days of the famed Martin the Warrior, when the evil wildcat queen, Tsarmina, held Mossflower Woods in her sway, this is the tale of how Martin helped to free the land and build Redwall Abbey. It is also the story of how he got his legendary sword.
Review Date: 4/11/2010
Nick of Time is a thrilling adventure story with pirates, Nazi submarines, Napoleonic naval warfare, castles, top secret military security, sailing, and time travel. The characters were likable and interesting, the action riveting, and the writing style engaging. I found Nick to be a relatable protagonist, with his desire to be a hero and to be brave like the idols in his books, and what he learns about heroism and courage. I highly recommend this book.
Review Date: 1/18/2011
There are two things I love about this book: the gorgeous illustrations and the fact that it does not romanticize piracy. The pictures are beautifully painted and many of the faces look almost real. The book starts by reminding readers that pirates were murderers and thieves, not dashing heroes. It presents an exciting, informative, and realistic view of a pirate's life, told in poem. Perfect for little boys interested in pirates.
Review Date: 1/21/2007
Helpful Score: 2
This is the first book in an excellent series! It takes place in the world of Redwall Abbey, home to peaceful woodland animals. But their safety is threatened when the rat, Cluny the Scourge, and his vermin horde decide to capture the Abbey. A thrilling yarn, complete with humor, action, a hero's lost sword, delicious feasts, and riddles.
Sewing With Felt: Learn Basic Stitches to Create More Than 60 Colorful Projects
Author:
Book Type: Hardcover
1
Author:
Book Type: Hardcover
1
Review Date: 11/26/2007
I love this book! It has alot of different project ideas, many of them useful or giftable. It has some projects simple enough that a child could do them, but others interesting and challenging enough for an adult. It teaches you several useful stitches, then gives you the freedom to do whatever you want with them. The vibrant, colorful photos give you many great ideas. I have very little sewing experience, yet I have made several projects from this book and they actually turned out looking the way I wanted them to! I highly recommend this book.
Review Date: 11/4/2009
A good story, though the older style is slightly difficult to get into.
Review Date: 6/7/2007
Helpful Score: 1
This is an amazing book! Robert E. Lee was a wonderful man, a role model for every boy on earth. His story is told with moving words, humorous quotes, and old photos, maps, and drawings. While reading about the battle of Gettysburg, a Confederate defeat, when Lee went out to comfort his retreating men and took all the blame for their defeat on himself, I actually cried. This was the first time I ever cried while reading a biography. I highly recommend this book to anyone learning about the Civil War or Robert E. Lee. I also recommend reading it if you are interested in learning more about the life of this awesome man. Please read it!
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