Book Description
The gripping international bestseller about motherhood gone awry
Eva never really wanted to be a mother—and certainly not the mother of the unlovable boy who murdered seven of his fellow high school students, a cafeteria worker, and a much-adored teacher who tried to befriend him, all two days before his sixteenth birthday. Now, two years later, it is time for her to come to terms with marriage, career, family, parenthood, and Kevin's horrific rampage in a series of startlingly direct correspondences with her estranged husband, Franklyn. Uneasy with the sacrifices and social demotion of motherhood from the start, Eva fears that her alarming dislike for her own son may be responsible for driving him so nihilistically off the rails.
Customer Reviews:
Disturbingly Good Book.......2007-09-18
Although I found this book to be written about very disturbing subject matter, I also found it to be very well written and compellingly readable. The mother of Kevin chronicles the ongoing crisis situation of an upwardly mobile New York couple and their decision to start a family. Dire consequences follow when their first child is nearly 16. The "narrator," in a series of letters to her huband reveals what happened with tantalizing glimpses of her life at present and the life of her family in the past.
Shriver also makes sly yet poignant commentary on American culture throughout the book, and it really works in this context, not ever coming across as condemning or preachy. She writes what is real, and gives life to her characters in the suburban, upper-class environment they live in.
I don't want to give too much of this book away, but Shriver does an excellent job with this storyline. This is sophisticated writing with incredible character development and a great story that actually has meaning, something that seems to be lacking in so much popular literature of the day.
A Chilling, Riveting, Brilliant Page Turner.......2007-09-16
This is one of the best books I've read in a while and I read everything! It is riveting, creepy, intelligent, and profound. I just devoured it. It's one of those stories that stays with you long after you finish the last page. This was my first book of Lionel Shriver's and I can't wait to read more of her stuff. Great book!
Excellent, Disturbing Read.......2007-09-14
A Novel, a story - that's what I had to keep telling myself. One that stays with you. The Negative to "My Sister's Keeper" - just as haunting.
Brilliant and compelling.......2007-09-04
This book held my interest all the way through even though parts of it could have been a bit more condensed. Kevin sent chills up my spine.
I found it very difficult to sympathize with his mother, but I also found it difficult not to examine my own style of parenting as compared to her style and her husband's.
I think the book was far superior to Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult.
Mesmerizing, hauntingly so...........2007-08-27
The novel is based upon a series of letters that the protagonist, Eva, writes to her husband, wanting to understand what went wrong with Kevin, what made Kevin do what he did. The letters are truly mesmerizing in a horrible/haunting sort of way. I was reminded of Lovely Bones, where the horror of the act that Kevin committed is not as terrible as you think it might be, that you can stomach it if only because you want to understand how it came about.
Eva is by her own admission, not the best of mothers. Still her letters are so well written, at times the word choice so exquisite, the stories she tells so commanding, that you pull back and think 'this is an intelligent woman' and you admire her and wish you could know her. Other times you despise her and want to shake her and say 'how could you pit yourself against him all the time, be reasonable' . In the end I felt only pity for her, she obviously didn't realize what she had when she had it and she failed to recognize the warning signs. So she confines herself to her own little hell, and in the end comes to understand more about her son and herself - perhaps more than she ever really planned too.
Shriver is a dark writer - by her own admission (at the end of the book we get a conversation with Shriver about Kevin, about books she recommends...). She is very convincing at portraying Eva as a successful woman who occasionally suffers from insistent whining...ah, but such is the dilemma of first person novels... and Eva is perhaps sometimes too much the villain, but then hind sight is always better than foresight...Still this is brilliantly written and well worth reading, a letter at a time. I could even forgive Shriver's use of "mobile" instead of cell phone (apparently, Shriver has been residing in London for a very long time). Shriver's character, Eva, most likely would have used the word 'mobile' rather than 'cell', if just to distance herself from the general rabble so I let it slide, figuring it to be more in keeping with Eva's character, although at first I felt it a grating mistake for one who is so bent on being right and supposedly American.
A haunting tale that captures your attention and holds it through 400 pages wanting to know how it ends...
Book Description
A world-renowned child psychiatrist offers a groundbreaking new perspective on how stress and violence affect children's brains--and how they can be helped to heal
What happens when a young brain is traumatized? How does terror, abuse, or disaster affect a child's mind--and how can that mind recover?
Child psychiatrist Bruce Perry has helped children faced with unimaginable horror: genocide survivors, murder witnesses, kidnapped teenagers, and victims of family violence. In The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog, he tells their stories of trauma and transformation through the lens of science, revealing the brain's astonishing capacity for healing. Deftly combining unforgettable case histories with his own compassionate, insightful strategies for rehabilitation, Perry explains what exactly happens to the brain when a child is exposed to extreme stress-and reveals the unexpected measures that can be taken to ease a child's pain and help him grow into a healthy adult. Through the stories of children who recover-physically, mentally, and emotionally-from the most devastating circumstances, Perry shows how simple things like surroundings, affection, language, and touch can deeply impact the developing brain, for better or for worse.
In this deeply informed and moving book, Bruce Perry dramatically demonstrates that only when we understand the science of the mind can we hope to heal the spirit of even the most wounded child.
Customer Reviews:
Food for thought.......2007-09-02
The book lives up to its fascinating title. Perry has worked for years with traumatized and neglected children and his take on dealing with them is based on research showing how the brain develops and the impact of neglect and abuse on it. In other words, if a child is abused or neglected in the first year of life (approximately), physical changes take place in the brain or rather, neurological connections that should be made, are not. (This is a vast simplification.) So as a child gets older and begins exhibiting antisocial behaviors that land him or her in special classes or even mental hospitals, it is not because he or she prefers to act this way but because the child's brain is unable to function in a way that enables him or her to become socialized. Perry, having done a great deal of research on this subject himself, spits in the eye of a lot of "accepted" practices when it comes to children's mental health. I'm always interested to read views that oppose the generally accepted norms. My daughter loaned me this book which she is reading as part of her Ph.D. program in pre- and postnatal psychology. It certainly fits right in with her assertion that we need to pay much more attention to what is happening in the first year of life (and before), not only because the child's personality is being formed, but because his brain is as well (and perhaps this is the same thing). The stories in this book are heart wrenching, but Perry does show that there are ways to help or at the very least, understand.
Refreshing new ideas .......2007-07-24
As a counseling student focusing on child therapy, I was very glad I stumbled across this book in the local library. Perry explores the role of brain structure in childhood disorders. While he focuses primarily on trauma (such as how PTSD in children mimics ODD and ADHD), I believe that other applications can be made. This is novel to hear in a world of tired exclusive arguments pro or con genetics, brain chemistry, and environment. Perry combines a few of these ideas to give the mental health worker a more comprehensive look at mental illness and trauma.The case stories are heartbreaking and compelling. A worthwhile read if you are going into the mental health (or even teaching) field, and interesting even if you are not.
I feel blessed to have found this book. .......2007-07-11
My husband and I are about to adopt our first child. We are adopting through DHS. All children who are adopted through DHS have been through trauma. We have been taking classes when our teacher recommended this book. I went out and bought it and read it and it was so insightful to what we may be dealing with. I feel so blessed to have this information about the brain and how children may act out in times they feel out of control. I truly believe that EVERY foster/adoptive parent should read this book. It was amazing and I will probably read it again. I can't stop talking about it. I am just blown away and very thankful for this book.
Everyone should read this book!.......2007-07-05
I couldn't put this book down. I learned so much that I can apply to myself as well as my kids. I have two adopted children who came from severe early childhood neglect and abuse, so this book is invaluable to me. The only problem is that it has left me thirsty for more from Dr. Perry!
Truly remarkable.......2007-06-27
The stories in this book are heart-wrenching, but to people who've dealt with traumatized children the scenarios and the aftermath are familiar. What is truly remarkable about Dr. Perry's work is that he uses each case he describes as an opportunity to explain how the developing brain is affected by trauma and how healing can be informed by this knowledge. Unlike many other books in this genre, this is no "great therapist cures poor abused children" book. Dr. Perry is modest about his own contributions, and rightly emphasizes the role that parents, extended family, and community must play in helping to heal traumatized kids as well is preventing trauma from occurring in the first place.
As the parent of a child with PTSD, I've read extensively on the subject. I'd really have liked it if Dr. Perry could have included a recipe for cure in the book, but of course that's just my wishful thinking, not a realistic hope. What he does give for parents who are looking for help is guidelines and guidance for finding the right kind of help, not just from therapy but from the larger world. What I learned from this book will definitely contribute to my ongoing work to help my daughter find her way out of the nightmare that her past put her in.
Average customer rating:
- Just Right
- Perfect for reading with your tweeners!
- great intro to the facts of life
- Cute book
- very good teaching tool
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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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It's So Amazing!: A Book about Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies, and Families
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Amazing You: Getting Smart About Your Private Parts
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.
Average customer rating:
- Great quick reference book for boys series books of the past
- John has done it again!!!
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All About Collecting Boys' Series Books: Hardy Boys, Tom Swift, Tom Swift, Jr., Chip Hilton, Ted Scott, Mark Tidd, Tom Slade & Others
John Axe
Manufacturer: Hobby House Press, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Books
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All About Collecting Girls' Series Books: Nancy Drew, Judy Bolton, Cherry Ames, Penny Parker, Kay Tracey, Beverly Gray, Connie Blair, Vicki Barr, Dana Girls & Others
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The Secret of Collecting Girls' Series Books: Featuring Nancy Drew, Judy Bolton, Kay Tracey, Beverly Gray, Penny Parker, and Ruth Fielding
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Children's Picturebook Price Guide, 2006-2007: Finding, Assessing, & Collecting Contemporary Illustrated Books
ASIN: 0875886361 |
Book Description
The exciting adventures of the fondly remembered Hardy Boys®, Tom Swift® and 27 other different sets of boys' series books will come vividly to life with this first time coverage of this topic. The author, John Axe, has brought together a rich treasury of book covers and information about 29 different boy's series authors and their books, from the early volumes of Edward Stratemeyer to Tom Swift® and Tom Swift, Jr. In between, there are Rick Brant, Tom Slade, Roy Blakeley, Ted Scott, Andy Blake, Jerry Todd, Poppy Ott, Mark Tidd, Bronc Burnett, Chip Hilton, The Hardy Boys®, Tom Quest, Ken Holt, Biff Brewster, and others. With this book many youthful memories will flood back—climbing on the roof of the garage so you did not have to share with your younger brother or reading by flashlight in the pup tent erected in your backyard. Several series show each different cover. The Hardy Boys® alone have 119 different "classic series' cover designs. For each series, each different printing is identified, dated and valued. Researched and documented to identify rarities—or to identify which book from your youth you need to locate and buy—this book guides collectors through ALL of the different editions and printings. More than 300 color photos.
Customer Reviews:
Great quick reference book for boys series books of the past.......2003-01-19
There are plenty of FULL COLOR book cover photos here to help you in collecting boys series books from the past. This includes cover variations of every Hardy Boys book published between 1927 and 1980. Tom Swift Jr., Chip Hilton, & Mark Tidd are also well represented.
There are also examples of covers from many other series, both forgotten to well known. Examples of these range from Dave Porter, to The Rover Boys, Ken Holt, Biff Brewster, Tom Quest, & Rick Brant. Complete book lists are included for 37 boys series.
I also recomend John Axe's other collecting guides!
John has done it again!!!.......2002-09-14
Another great book from John Axe!! I wouldn't want to be without my The Secret of Collecting Girls' Series Books by John, and now he has given us another great gift in All About Collecting Boys' Series Books. This book is packed with information about some of the most poplar boys series including the Hardy Boys, Tom Swift, Ted Scott, and more.
Along with the information, the book is beautifully done with photographs of the various cover arts. As I stated in the Girls' Series book review, the book is worth it for the photographs alone.
A very good value for the price.
Average customer rating:
- great series
- a great book for explaining, you know, everything to your kid
- Great book!
- The best book on this topic for young kids that I found!
- One of Three: Best for the Youngest!
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It's Not the Stork!: A Book About Girls, Boys, Babies, Bodies, Families and Friends
Robie H. Harris
Manufacturer: Candlewick
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Nonfiction
| New Baby
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ASIN: 0763600474
Release Date: 2006-07-25 |
Book Description
From the expert team behind IT'S PERFECTLY NORMAL and IT'S SO AMAZING! comes a book for younger children about their bodies — a resource that parents, teachers, librarians, health care providers, and clergy can use with ease and confidence.
Young children are curious about almost everything, especially their
bodies. And young children are not afraid to ask questions. What makes
me a girl? What makes me a boy? Why are some parts of girls' and boys'
bodies the same and why are some parts different? How was I made?
Where do babies come from? Is it true that a stork brings babies to
mommies and daddies?
IT'S NOT THE STORK! helps answer these endless and perfectly normal questions that preschool, kindergarten, and early elementary school children ask about how they began. Through lively, comfortable language and sensitive, engaging artwork, Robie H. Harris and Michael Emberley
address readers in a reassuring way, mindful of a child's healthy desire
for straightforward information. Two irresistible cartoon characters, a
curious bird and a squeamish bee, provide comic relief and give voice to
the full range of emotions and reactions children may experience while
learning about their amazing bodies. Vetted and approved by science,
health, and child development experts, the information is up-to-date,
age-appropriate, and scientifically accurate, and always aimed at helping
kids feel proud, knowledgeable, and comfortable about their own bodies,
about how they were born, and about the family they are part of.
Customer Reviews:
great series.......2007-08-28
this series of sex ed books for children are a great resource for parents who believe in open discussions about sexuality but don't know where to start with their children. each book is designed for a particular age group and addresses various aspects of sexuality appropriate for that age group. recommend highly.
a great book for explaining, you know, everything to your kid.......2007-07-15
Lots of easy to understand graphics and fun text make this book a great starting place to talk with your young kid about the birds and the bees. There's way more in here than what I need for my 4 year old right now, but it covered the basic information enough to satisfy her curiousity and my concern over how to describe a little, to be accurate, and not say too much.
Great book!.......2007-07-09
Bought this to help me answer those questions my 7 year old was asking. The age for this is listed as 4. I don't think I would use it for a child that young but it was perfect for what I needed. The illustrations are great, very child friendly. The descriptions were not overly graphic. I would recommend it to any one to help open the discussion with their child.
The best book on this topic for young kids that I found!.......2007-06-03
I had trouble finding the right book for my 4 years old, that is not too graphic and doesn't get into long explanations, becuase he has short attention span :-) However, this book has wonderful pictures, nicely presented, interesting for smaller kids. It is the best thing I found( and I looked at many, trust me!)!I will recommend it to all my friends, definetely a must for a toddler
One of Three: Best for the Youngest!.......2007-03-13
This book came to me through the Our Whole Lives faith and sexuality curriculum. It has two partner books, for older age groups. All three are excellent, and have been "tested" with several friends' families.
I highly recommend this book, and its "older siblings," It's So Amazing and It's Perfectly Normal. Check out all three, then look for a church or organization that offers Our Whole Lives!
Amazon.com
Preeminent child psychologist, Michael Thompson is renowned for his efforts to educate and assist parents with sons. First with Raising Cain (his response to Mary Pipher's Reviving Ophelia ) and now with Speaking of Boys, Thompson encourages parents to help their sons develop the emotional intelligence necessary to succeed. The book seeks to answer parents' questions concerning the complexities of raising a boy in today's society. Every chapter introduces questions from parents on issues like puberty, underage drinking, and increased violence in schools, and in every instance the author responds with insightful and knowledgeable advice. Chapters entitled "Speaking of Social Anger and Aggression" and "Feelings and Communication--Is Our Sensitive Boy a Sitting Duck for Bullies?" are particularly in tune with the apprehension parents feel when sending their sensitive sons off for another grueling day at school.
The key to raising a healthy son, says Thompson, is to help your boy attain an emotional intelligence that will allow him to cope with difficult and threatening situations. To accomplish this, parents need to nurture compassion in their sons and try to avoid allowing them to become desensitized by the teasing and pressure of others. Respecting your son's need to appear strong at times and offering him a sense of safety when discussing emotionally revealing subjects are two ways Thompson encourages parents to nurture their son's emotional development. As anyone who is raising a boy knows, it's a job that is never quite finished, and with this book, Thompson offers parents an invaluable tool, regardless of their son's age. --Dal Asher
Book Description
My eight-year-old son is the only boy in his class who doesn't have a Gameboy. I don't want him to be ostracized for not having one, but I worry that it's addictive. What do you think?
Our two sons are eleven and fourteen, and they are fiercely competitive. The tension around our house is awful. How can we help them get along better?
We've worked very hard to keep our ten-year-old son in touch with his feelings. Sometimes it seems as if we've put him at a disadvantage, surrounded by tougher boys who can be pretty cruel with teasing. How can we help him protect himself when other boys start to tease?
With his bestselling book Raising Cain, Michael Thompson, Ph.D., at last broke the silence surrounding the emotional life of boys and spearheaded an important national debate. His warmth and humor quickly made him a popular and respected international speaker and consultant. Now he directs his authority, insight, and eloquence to answering your questions about raising a son. With candid questions and thoughtful, detailed responses, Speaking of Boys covers hot-button topics such as peer pressure, ADHD/ADD, and body image as well as traditional issues such as friendship, divorce, and college and career development. This perceptive, informative, and passionate book will leave you not only with useful, practical advice but also with the comforting knowledge that other parents share the same concerns you do when it comes to raising our boys into well-adjusted, responsible men.
Customer Reviews:
Now I know why they think that's funny ..........2007-08-14
I've read a couple of books on boys and the best by far is Speaking of Boys: Answers to the Most-Asked Questions About Raising Sons. It's set up in a question and answer style and it answers questions like:
* why are brothers competitive?
* does my son really mean to be that mean to his sister?
* why is my son preening like this and will it ever end?
* what to do as a divorced mom breaking up with someone
* what do do when your son starts acting abusive or violent
* how to react to your son (or his friend) lying
But I found it most useful in understanding boys' humor. I don't find most "boy jokes" very funny and I struggle on how to respond and I struggle with understanding why they are funny - from farts to knock-knock jokes. (I'd like to be in on the joke! It looks like fun.) Michael Thomson did a really good job of explaining how boys use humor to gain status with their friends and in their social groups and he even gave some good advise to people like me who just don't get it.
I learned a lot from this book and I highly recommend it to anyone who is occasionally baffled by boys - small or big ones.
There is nothing wrong with my son.......2007-01-25
After another unpleasant meeting with my 9 year-old's teacher, my husband and I began to feel thoroughly discouraged and worried. I decided to do some research, came across this book, and nearly wept with relief.
Our current school system is dominated by women who fail to understand the psychology of boys. Prior to having sons, I believed that boys were rambunctious and agressive due to socialization. Like most parents, I learned otherwise; boys are different - and this does not make them bad. I am tired of teachers saying the word "boys" while rolling their eyes, as if being a boy implies the existence of some inherent defect. It's insulting, unfair, and serves to seriously damage our sons' chances of doing well academically. Boys are in an educational crisis - and it's a manufactured one.
If you have a son who kicks over the neighbour's snowman, climbs on the roof of the school, falls off his chair in class, gets into fights on the playground, annoys his teachers, blurts things out, and is generally considered a "problem", chances are, he's absolutely normal. Our intolerance to the energy of boys has led to millions of male children being medicated. It's an outrage, and parents need to confront the school systems and their attempts to feminize the male population. They can't run, they can't jump, they can't be competitive. They're supposed to act like girls, all quiet and co-operative, and when they don't - out with the ritalin.
Here's something I learned: Our son has never been allowed a toy gun, and yet he draws them constantly, tries to find books on guns in the library, chews his toast into the shape of a pistol, etc. His teacher was concerned, and called us in for a meeting about it.
This is a child who does not play video games, watch violence on tv, and is encouraged to be kind and compassionate. But there he is, drawing pictures of gangsters with machine guns. This book explained that it's a pretty normal thing. Our son got in trouble at school and lied to us about it. Again, fairly typical.
Our son is easily distracted - why? Because of "co-operative learning" where kids' desks are all shoved together. This works for GIRLS, not boys! I requested an alternative seating arrangement.
If you're worried about your son, you must read this book. It has changed my life. By the way, I'm a highschool teacher - I look at my male students completely differently now. Boys are lovely - there was a time when we knew this. This books has made me fall inlove with my boys all over again.
This Book is Sexist and Stereotypes Fathers as Incompetent.......2006-10-11
I thought this book was written by a woman as I first skimmed the pages, due to the sexist, stereotyped, and biased comments about men and boys within. I then saw the title page, and the author's (male) name.
I was intrigued until upon reading further I discovered that the "author" admits to having hired a woman named Teresa Barker to put the book together because he has "the organizational skills of an average eighth grade boy."
I had already drawn my conclusions about the author's bias before learning this. The author views boys . . . AND MEN . . . as infererior to woman emotionally and intellectually. If that supports you own biases, thenthis book is a love-fest for you. If not, I don't know where to direct you on this subject . . .
pg 7. "Finally if a man has struggled inarticulately in the past to explain himself . . . "
pg 12 . . . [men] have not had enough practice dealing with the energy level and willfulness of of small children. Women have . . . "
pg 20 - "In the boy realm, arrogance is a performance art . . . girls are more likely to act in a non-threatening way."
Michael Thompson....not his greatest work.......2006-09-05
This book was a good information book to read. It did not offer the type of insights that I Was looking for when I bought this book.
Useful, practical, inspring advice!.......2006-03-27
What a wondeful book! I have 3 sons (aged 15, 11 and 4 years) and so many of the questions and answers here were relevant to things they are doing or have done and how I have felt about things. I found the advice very sensible and up to date and reassuring.
Average customer rating:
- A wonderful story of teenage (and adult) angst.
- Another good book from Mr. Hornby.
- A brilliant, touching novel.
- About a boy by Angelica Mattsson, Sweden, Leksand
- Light, entertaining story
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About a Boy
Nick Hornby
Manufacturer: Riverhead Trade
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Contemporary
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Hornby, Nick
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ASIN: 1573227331 |
Amazon.com
Will Lightman is a Peter Pan for the 1990s. At 36, the terminally hip North Londoner is unmarried, hyper-concerned with his coolness quotient, and blithely living off his father's novelty-song royalties. Will sees himself as entirely lacking in hidden depths--and he's proud of it! The only trouble is, his friends are succumbing to responsibilities and children, and he's increasingly left out in the cold. How can someone brilliantly equipped for meaningless relationships ensure that he'll continue to meet beautiful Julie Christie-like women and ensure that they'll throw him over before things get too profound? A brief encounter with a single mother sets Will off on his new career, that of "serial nice guy." As far as he's concerned--and remember, concern isn't his strong suit--he's the perfect catch for the young mother on the go. After an interlude of sexual bliss, she'll realize that her child isn't ready for a man in their life and Will can ride off into the Highgate sunset, where more damsels apparently await. The only catch is that the best way to meet these women is at single-parent get-togethers. In one of Nick Hornby's many hilarious (and embarrassing) scenes, Will falls into some serious misrepresentation at SPAT ("Single Parents--Alone Together"), passing himself off as a bereft single dad: "There was, he thought, an emotional truth here somewhere, and he could see now that his role-playing had a previously unsuspected artistic element to it. He was acting, yes, but in the noblest, most profound sense of the word."
What interferes with Will's career arc, of course, is reality--in the shape of a 12-year-old boy who is in many ways his polar opposite. For Marcus, cool isn't even a possibility, let alone an issue. For starters, he's a victim at his new school. Things at home are pretty awful, too, since his musical therapist mother seems increasingly in need of therapy herself. All Marcus can do is cobble together information with a mixture of incomprehension, innocence, self-blame, and unfettered clear sight. As fans of Fever Pitch and High Fidelity already know, Hornby's insight into laddishness magically combines the serious and the hilarious. About a Boy continues his singular examination of masculine wish-fulfillment and fear. This time, though, the author lets women and children onto the playing field, forcing his feckless hero to leap over an entirely new--and entirely welcome--set of emotional hurdles.
Book Description
Nick Hornby's cult fiction debut, the New York Times Notable High Fidelity, was a national bestseller in the United States, and a #1 bestseller in England. Hornby was greeted with standing ovations from The New Yorker (Hornby has established himself as a maestro of the male confessional) to Time (Hornby demonstrates his enviable talent for lucid, laconic writing) to The New York Times Book Review (Hornby captures the loneliness and childishness of adult life with such precision and wit that you'll find yourself nodding and smiling) to GQ (funny, compulsive, and contemporary). About a Boy stars a guy called Will, who doesn't really want any children. He wonders why it bothers people that he lives so happily alone in his fashionable, Lego-free flat, with massive speakers, and an expensive cream-colored rug that no kid has ever thrown up on. Then Will meets Angie. He has never been out with a mom before. And it has to be said that Angie's long blond hair and big blue eyes, are not irrelevant to his sudden
reassessment of his attitude toward children. She is truly
beautiful. And truly beautiful women do not, traditionally, go out with him. Then it dawns on Will that maybe Angie goes out with him because of the children. Maybe children democratized beautiful, single women
Customer Reviews:
A wonderful story of teenage (and adult) angst........2007-08-05
ABOUT A BOY is a story about Will Freeman, a proudly self-absorbed 38-year-old Londoner. Living lavishly off the royalties from a hit Christmas song penned by his father, Will excels at nothing except doing nothing, which, in his case, includes shopping for CDs and having his hair "professionally disheveled." When Will makes a guilt-free exit from a brief fling with a single mom, he decides to crash a meeting of S.P.A.T. (Single Parents, Alone Together) in pursuit of more single mothers. This scheme leads to meeting Suzie and Marcus, the socially awkward 12-year-old son of her flaky best friend, Fiona. A series of odd situations leads to Will and Marcus becoming unlikely friends, and gradually both of their lives start to change for the better. However, when Will falls for the lovely Rachel and attempts to pass Marcus off as his son, things go awry. In order to win the heart of Rachel and make amends with Marcus, Will must finally grow up--and completely embarrass himself in front of hundreds of people.
Another good book from Mr. Hornby........2007-03-27
I have known some Nick Hornby readers, but I had never taken the plunge. The due diligence I had done seemed to confirm the reviews from friends: Hornby writes with such a charming wit that it is easy to overlook how alarmingly exposed he leaves the male perspective. Finally I decided to see for myself, though it wasn't by reading this book. I started with High Fidelity, which I enjoyed enough to want more Hornby in my life.
About A Boy tells the story of how a man -- who is not getting any younger -- finally starts to grow up. It is, however, less about his slow transition away from the shallow, playboy persona and more about the unexpected relationship with a young boy that makes the transition possible. (Man does that sound awkward.)
Will's latest scheme to meet women involves a fabricated story that he is a single father of baby Ned. Single mothers, he has decided, are the greatest untapped natural resource available to single men. On a date to the park with just such a single mother, Will has his chance meeting with Marcus -- the socially awkward young man whose poor conversation skills and even poorer fashion sense are the product of his parents' divorce. The woman who takes Marcus to the park -- and into Will's life -- is not Marcus's mother, she had...other plans.
Will knows more about what to wear, listen to, and talk about as a teenager than Marcus does. Seeing the opportunity to improve his social status at school, Marcus latches on to Will. While Will teaches Marcus about being a kid, Marcus teaches Will about the importance of family.
I can definitely see why some readers think that Nick Hornby offers a little too much "playbook" information from the man team. In About A Boy, as in High Fidelity, he writes very candidly about how (stereotypically) men feel in certain situations. Some men may feel like their secrets are betrayed, and some women may feel that they have been given the key to finally understanding their less-emotional (or even emotionless) counterparts. I don't think anything he writes leaves men that vulnerable at all, but they are certainly entitled to their opinions.
Regardless of the subject matter, Nick Hornby writes in a comfortable voice that I enjoy. His books are short and simple to read and there is enough humor in the right places to move the book along. I liked About A Boy, and my desire to read more Hornby has not been extinguished.
The only complaint that I have with About A Boy is that I would have preferred a little more development of Will's unwillingness to consider Marcus as his friend. I understand the arm's-length approach that Will uses for his interpersonal relationships, but Marcus could not have been seen as a threat to the personal sanctity of Will's carefree lifestyle. He would go out of his way to do nice things for Marcus, but on an inconsistent basis.
If you have seen the movie, which starred Hugh Grant as Will, here are a few thoughts on the differences. Hugh Grant is significantly more charming than Will is as he was written. The movie was clearly more upbeat as the book was written from a darker perspective. The young man who played Marcus in the movie was a very good casting choice.
A brilliant, touching novel........2007-02-14
Nick Hornby's "About a Boy" is one of my favorite books of all time. Although I couldn't handle Hornby's other works ("How To Be Good" was uninteresting for me, and "High Fidelity" had an interesting concept, but I could never read it for a longer time), "About a Boy" worked for me in more ways than one.
The book depicts the miserable life of Marcus, a 13-year old lonely boy who cannot seem to get along with his schoolmates and make friends. He is very smart, a good observer and it is a joy to look at life through his eyes. His mother is divorced and depressed ("Usually", Marcus says, "things are fine until she starts crying over breakfast"). On the other side of London lives Will, a wealthy 30-something bachelor who has barely worked a day in his life. Will divides life into 30-minute sections, so he doesn't feel his loneliness and often indulges in women. His latest preys are single mothers, because he finds their emotional instability a perfect match for his shallow ways. It is not long before Marcus and Will meet and by a series of random events become unlikely friends and teach each other the ways of the world.
Nick Hornby has published an incredibly insightful book that digs deep into relationships, emotions and the eternal quest for the Truth. He has created memorable characters, who are made of flesh and blood and are easy to relate too. "About a Boy" is an essential book in your collection of contemporary prose.
About a boy by Angelica Mattsson, Sweden, Leksand.......2006-12-15
About a boy by Nick Hornby
Will is a 36 years old man and lives some where in England. Will has no job and no girlfriend. But he is quite happy anyway. He has a lot of money, because his father wrote a very famous Christmas song, and now he gets money because of that.
Marcus is a 12 years old boy who lives with his mother Fiona. Marcus is not like any other kid. He likes classic music like Mozart, and don't care at all about clothes. The other children pick on him all the time...
One day Will is register himself to SPAT (a single parent group), in hope to meet a good-looking single mother. He pretends that he has 2 years old boy, called Ned. The teacher for SPAT (Suzie) is best fried with Marcus mother, and this day Suzie is babysitting Marcus. She takes the whole SPAT group out one day for a pick nick. Will starts go get contact with Marcus, and Will understands that Marcus is not an ordinary child. From this day, Marcus feels like he has made a fried, and starts to visiting Will every day...
As a reader you will follow the relationship that grows between Marcus and Will and find out that everything isn't what it seems like.
I enjoyed this book very much. It was an easy language and good story. I think this is a very special book that some people hate. It doesn't happen anything very exciting anytime but some small, very cute and special things and I love that! It's not a very usual story if the book. Books use to be about love between a man and a woman, but in About a boy it is love between a man and a boy. Odd but so good! I will give the book 4 point out of 5.
Light, entertaining story.......2006-07-21
This story is quite entertaining if simple. A young boy, who is a complete misfit, befriends a cool, thirty-something male who can't seem to grow up. The young boy persuades the older male to help him "fit" in. Both learn stuff along the way.
Nick Hornby has 2 talents. 1) He really knows how the male mind thinks and injects a lot of truth and humor into the story. 2) He has a great ear for dialogue--Seinfeld-esque.
If you want to check out Nick Hornby's best book--read "High Fidelity," it's one of the funniest and most honest novels I've ever read.
This novel was later made into a pretty good movie starring Hugh Grant.
Book Description
It’s never been easy for a father or mother to talk to a son about sex. For Christian parents, it’s always been a challenge to know exactly how to teach God’s standards of purity and integrity.
But today, the stakes are higher than they’ve ever been. So it’s vital that fathers and mothers prepare their sons to withstand the sexual onslaught of their culture through movies, television, music, and the internet.
But what should you say? And when and how should you say it?
Now there’s help you can trust: Preparing Your Son for Every Man’s Battle. The authors behind the best-selling “Every Man” series have put together all the resources and guidance you need to experience frank, thorough, and natural conversations with your son about sexual integrity. They offer an effective new communication process that ensures a deep, abiding relationship between you and your son as he moves into his teen years and beyond.
Equip your young man with the biblical information and spiritual insights he needs to stand strong, overcome temptation, and experience the blessings of godly obedience…for the rest of his life.
Customer Reviews:
Good book, but tailor to your situation.......2006-12-30
I read the first half of the book (which is to be read by the dad alone), then proceeded to read the latter half with my son. I would highly recommend that the dad read the whole book first, not just the first half. Generally the book is well done, but I found a variety of the descriptions to simply cover situations and scenarios which I largely did not experience as a boy. Since the book asks the dad, at the end of each chapter, to talk about their experiences you want to be prepared to address issues you may not have experienced. I don't fault the author so much for this (everyone has a different experience, and it is ultimately absurd for anyone to think that everyone is cookie cutter), but this is an important set of topics to discuss with your son - read the whole book and tailor appropriately, IMHO.
Help your son stay pure.......2006-06-13
This is a great book for many reasons. First off, it makes the point very clearly that a father's relationship with his sons is vitally important during the "second half of the game," the years starting with pre-adolescence. Not only are too many of us are caught up in difficult work schedules, but it gets more difficult. No longer is he that little boy who worships the ground you walk on. It's too easy to make an effort and, when you are rebuffed, just quit and hope for the best. All too easy to just figure, "well I turned out ok ... besides, maybe this is the way kids relate to their parents nowadays."
Well, Dad, that would be the worst decision you can make. This is the time of his life when he needs you more than ever. Many problems that will plague your dear son for a lifetime (including confused sexual identity, lust, pornography addiction, etc.) grow up during this period. After all, he's a good kid, but he doesn't know the ropes. Who knows how many traps are waiting for him out there - the world, the flesh, and the devil are all working against him.
The second reason the book is excellent is that it gives you a relatively painless way to go about doing what you know you should do. Many times I have struggled with starting conversations on these topics with my son, but was not quite sure where to go. I see three extremely valuable suggestions here. First off, relate stories to him. Your son probably knows little about your background. Knowing that you've faced struggles helps him to relate to you better and will probably help him to be more open sharing his own concerns and problems. This includes the dirty laundry too - such as the first time you viewed pornography. And I can't help but thinking of ol' Dad whenever some temptation comes up will help him to resist the temptation - the secret thrill is gone.
The second valuable suggestion the book makes is to create a safe place where he can "approach the throne of grace." I set up something like this in our spare bedroom years ago and it has yielded some benefits already and I expect more. Finally, the book provides suggestions of method to prompts discussion, such as reading this book and others together. These keep you going and provides a way to discuss difficult topics, and also helps answer the question "how much should I tell him and when." Certainly, you have to apply your own wisdom and knowledge of your son, but having an experienced father like Fred Stoeker making suggestions is extremely valuable, especially for those of us who never had a good role model in doing such things.
I should mention something that this book is NOT. It is not a "birds and the bees" kind of book. Although it does have some information in the early chapters, it pretty much assumes that either your son already knows the basic mechanics of sex - hopefully from your teaching over the years rather than through his friends. If you are interested, there are other good books on this subject from a Christian point of view. Where this book really comes in is helping your young man manage the resources God has given him. That is, not the mechanism of sex, but the policy of how to manage it before it starts managing him. And many of us know that sex will manage him unless he has the tools to take charge of it.
I should also note that Steve Arterburn did not write the book, it just shows up under his name. Fred Stoeker wrote it and virtually all the experiences and suggestions in the book appear to be Fred's. Some who may question Arterburn's own morality may be put at ease knowing that it's just Arterburn's name attached - the book is really Fred's. Don't pass up an extremely valuable book because somebody's name appears on the cover.
So Dad, get this book, and get on with doing what you know you should do. I think the age range of 11-13 is probably the time to start it. Don't let the "Sexual Code of Silence" continue!
Will Change the Life of You and Your Son.......2004-08-04
I was thouroughly impressed with the writing of this book. While being careful to not overstate the obvious, the authors were forward and truthful. I felt that their honesty and integrity as men were painted in the way they told their own stories.
When I read this book, I had both of my sons in mind, and will read this with them one day. No hesitations.
A big "thank you" to Fred and Mike.
Fabulous Resource for Dad ....and Mom!.......2004-03-08
Fred Stoeker and the team of EveryMan have provided an invaluable tool for equipping young man in the battle for sexual purity. Fred provides dialog and insight to the necessary discussions that will need to take place with young sons. A must have for every father. (The author does acknowledge the single mother and her plight and provides gracious assistance throughout the book.)
Average customer rating:
- Boys, Girls and Hormones
- Excellent Reading
- it had it's good and bad moments...i'll agree
- Who am I without him?
- Excellent!
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Who Am I Without Him?: Short Stories About Girls and the Boys in Their Lives
Sharon Flake
Manufacturer: Jump At The Sun
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ASIN: 0786815043 |
Book Description
There is 'The Ugly One,' whose only solace comes when she is locked inside her own head. In 'Wanted: A Thug,' a teenager seeks advice on how to steal her best friend's bad-guy boyfriend. And then there's Erika, who only likes white boys. Sharon Flake takes readers through the minds of girls trying to define themselves while struggling to remain relevant to the boys in their lives. This is a complex, often humorous, always on-point exposition of black youth resolving to find self-worth . . . any way they know how.
Customer Reviews:
Boys, Girls and Hormones.......2007-06-19
We read this one a month ago. The title led us to believe this book was about teens relationship with God, which would've been a good subject to read about. But this was not about God. It was ten stories about teen relationships. We pretty much enjoyed reading them all. Our favorite was A Letter to My Daughter. We enjoyed this one the most because a father was writing to his daughter explaining to her what boys were all about and what their intentions were when dating or having a girlfriend. It's always good to hear it from a male perspective. This way, girls will have the inside scoop and know exactly what to lookout for.
On the negative side, we wished that some of the characters were of other ethnic groups instead of mostly urban African American. The story, "I Like White Boys" was good. We wanted to read more racially integrated stories. Sometimes it's difficult to read slang. We try to read books that doesn't have a lot of slang because it's not the standard in this society. We recognize that urban communities have citizens that uses slang and improper English, but we're trying to change all that by incorporating ourselves into this American society by speaking proper or standard English. It's not that we disapprove of urban books. No, not at all because we love the BLUFORD SERIES! It's just that we want to be able to articulate a sentence when we go on job interviews.
All in all, it was an okay read and we would recommend it to other teens.
Teens'R'Us
3.5 ***-.*
Excellent Reading.......2007-01-26
This book was excellent. We used this book for a discussion with a youth group. The young ladies enjoyed all the stories. They could relate to the young people in the stories. It gave them a picture of how girls see themselves and how boys and men around them view them. I enjoyed reading the book and I was excited to discuss it with them. I would encourage young and old to read this book.
it had it's good and bad moments...i'll agree.......2006-12-26
So i aint no good girl: ***** five stars, it was one of my favorites. I'm glad the book started with this story because it makes up for some of the crappier ones. I like how Ms. Flake portrays this girl as tough and scared at the same time. She doesn't let anyone talk her down, except Raheem, who abuses her and she feels that if she just "goes with the flow" she'll keep him.
Girl didn't i say i dont write no letters: ***** Five stars again. Excellent. i love how i can relate to devita about her liking Jaquel and gaining enough strength to tell him how she really feels, through letters.
The ugly one: **** four stars. it was OK i didn't understand the complete end, when she is dancing with the Jamaican dude, is he real? I would've liked it more if he was a real person.
Mookie in Love: **** four stars. It was OK as well. the story would've been better if it was in his perspective, not the cousins.
Don't be disrepecting me: *** Three stars. I didn't like it that much. Ms. Flake seemed to rush into the story and it didn't end well, at all.
I like White Boys: **** Fours stars. I liekd it, i could actually relate, but it would've been better if Erika picked Chet or Johnny or that guy with the blonde hair, i dont know. I don't think Ms. Flake ended the story well. Too much suspense i guess.
Jacob's rules: ***** Excellent story great narration. I liked Marimba a lot too.
I know a stupid boy when i see one: *** i did not like the story. i wont really get into it because there are too many things to talk about but i will say this. UNREALISTIC
Hunting for boys: ***** Great story. no comment. Too good for words.
wanted: a thug: ****\* four and a half. I liked this story. Great suspense. I wish Ms Flake could make a continuation of these..oh well *sigh*
Not a boy and letter to my daughter are good as well. Both *** three stars.
Who am I without him?.......2006-11-22
I enjoyed reading this book because it had to do with teenagers just like me and how they handle some problems. This book is a great way to show teeagers how teenagers hadle their problems. So if you read this book you will understand how teenagers handle some issues. And if you are a adult then you will see how us teenagers handle some problems that we get.
Excellent!.......2006-10-27
Sharon, you did an excellent job with these short stories. My favorite was "Hunting for Boys." This book is all about girls and they boys they like. It's about learning about relationships. It demonstrates puberty and hormones kicking in. It reminds me of the saying by Dolly Parton on confusion: "they don't know whether to scratch their watch or wind their behind." Moms and Dads, please get this book for your daughters. They will enjoy the stories and may even find themselves in some of them. Each story has a different premise but they all tie into the same plot--getting with a boy. It reminds me when I first started liking boys when I was in junior high. I definitely recommend this book for the average teenager. Well done, Sharon, and keep 'em coming.
Average customer rating:
- Great Book!!
- Terrific book
- Fantastic book to read aloud
- The Code Talker Review
- A Good Book All Around!
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Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two
Joseph Bruchac
Manufacturer: Puffin
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ASIN: 0142405965
Release Date: 2006-07-06 |
Book Description
The United States is at war, and sixteen-year-old Ned Begay wants to join the cause—especially when he hears that Navajos are being specifically recruited by the Marine Corps. So he claims he's old enough to enlist, breezes his way through boot camp, and suddenly finds himself involved in a top-secret task, one that's exclusively performed by Navajos. He has become a code talker. Now Ned must brave some of the heaviest fighting of the war, and with his native Navajo language as code, send crucial messages back and forth to aid in the conflict against Japan. His experiences in the Pacific—from Guadalcanal to Iwo Jima and beyond—will leave him forever changed.
Customer Reviews:
Great Book!!.......2007-10-10
This is a great book. Not much else to say. 5 stars!! especially if you are into fictional stories based on real historical events!
Terrific book.......2007-09-28
Bruchac has created a terrific historic novel that has enough action for young male adults and enough history and research to appeal to an adult audience. Bruchac does a wonderful job of giving a sense of the complexities of growing up on a Navajo reservation in the first half of the book. The irony of a nation trying to wipe out the Navajo language but using it as a crucial means of communication during 20th century wars should not be lost on the reader while reading the second half of the book. Bruchac's narrator tells this tale in an even-keeled, even-tempered manner. The reader is allowed to gain his own sense of injustice our nation has inflicted upon its Native American population. Bruchac's description of the progression of America's involvement in World War II's Pacific campaign is well laid-out and dramatically presented. Highly recommended.
Fantastic book to read aloud.......2007-09-25
We read this book aloud while on a driving vacation through Navajo country in New Mexico and Arizona. My children (girl 10, boy 8 and girl 5) were completely enthralled with both the story and the insight into the Navajo people. Although a work of fiction, the book reads very convincingly as a memoir. The author succeeds admirably in relating the cultural challenges faced by patriotic Native Americans serving in the military as well a giving a non-romanticized portrayal of the realities faced by the soldiers who waged battle in the Pacific. We particularly appreciated the lighter moments -- one tale of boot-camp swimming "lessons" had the kids screaming with laughter. A great read pure and simple, but also one with good lessons to be learned.
The Code Talker Review.......2007-04-06
This book is a great part of history that makes you want to read more and more after every chapter. It teaches you about the Navajo marines of World War 2. Two words; spontaneous and action packed. I loved it when it was talking about the Kamikaze airplanes, atomic bomb, and the Pearl Harbor attack. I give it a 4 out of 5 stars.
A Good Book All Around!.......2007-03-08
I suggest reading this book if you are interested in the Navajo Code Talkers. I would rate it as 4 out of 5. The book has somewhat of a language conflict, because of the different languages spoken. To completely understand the book, you will want to read it twice.
The book tells of a Navajo who was forced to learn English as a young child. He was assigned an English name and was never aloud to speak Navajo. As he aged and went through High School the Japanese were starting a war with the United States. Because the Japanese would intercept all of the Americans messages there was no way to communicate. The U.S. started to recruit Navajo's because of the language they spoke: Navajo.
The author tells us of his journey through WWII and his heroic story of courage and bravery while fighting to communicate with the "Main land". As the story progresses the author meets new friends and finds buddies from home. He describes war very thoroughly. He also describes the loss of a friend and how devastating it can be, especially during war.
There is a long introduction to the book (about 70 pages) in which reads very slowly. After you get past the beginning it is a page turner. I have recommended this book to my whole class because of the authors stunning ability to compel thoughts and emotions during war and hard times.
This is a short read with lots of interesting facts that have never been aloud to be spoken. The book would be considered Historical-Fiction because of its small amount of fictional content. I liked this book a lot and think that you would too. If you like anything to do with history, I would suggest that you read this book.
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- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support Provider Manual
- Alice The Fairy
- Beginning Algebra (Martin-Gay Hardback Series)
- Beyond Initial Response: Using the National Incident Management System's Incident Command System
- Big Box of Boynton: Barnyard Dance! Pajama Time! Oh My Oh My Oh Dinosaurs!
- Black Boy (The Restored Text Established by The Library of America) (Perennial Classics)
- Blindness (Harvest Book)
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The Post-Birthday World
Suite Francaise
Nineteen Minutes: A Novel
Water for Elephants: A Novel
The Glass Castle: A Memoir
