Average customer rating:
- A true dissapointment.
- Small Step in the wrong direction
- "Holes" Fans Need Dig No Longer for Another Great Book
- AWESOME BOOK!
- baby steps
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Small Steps
Louis Sachar
Manufacturer: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
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Criss Cross (Newbery Medal Book)
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Holes
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Princess Academy
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Flush
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Wright 3
ASIN: 0385733143
Release Date: 2006-01-10 |
Book Description
Two years after being released from Camp Green Lake, Armpit is home in Austin, Texas, trying to turn his life around. But it’s hard when you have a record, and everyone expects the worst from you. The only person who believes in him is Ginny, his 10-year old disabled neighbor. Together, they are learning to take small steps. And he seems to be on the right path, until X-Ray, a buddy from Camp Green Lake, comes up with a get-rich-quick scheme. This leads to a chance encounter with teen pop sensation, Kaira DeLeon, and suddenly his life spins out of control, with only one thing for certain. He’ll never be the same again.
In his first major novel since
Holes, critically acclaimed novelist Louis Sachar uses his signature wit combined with a unique blend of adventure and deeply felt characters to explore issues of race, the nature of celebrity, the invisible connections that determine a person’s life, and what it takes to stay on course. Doing the right thing is never a wrong choice–but a small step in the right direction.
Customer Reviews:
A true dissapointment........2007-10-10
Although Holes was an EXCELLENT book, this book sucked worse than any I have read. It took me about 2 weeks to finish this that's how much I hated it. It made no since and it jumped around WAY TO MUCH! I guess that's all I can say. A certain change from Holes.
Small Step in the wrong direction.......2007-10-09
I was disappointed in Louis Sachar's sequel to Holes. I was expecting his layered writing to hit a new level with this one, but he just took a step back, probably trying to make a beeline for another film adaptation, but this one would fail on the big screen. It barely held my attention in print. I prefer the lunacy of his Wayside books to this mediocre title.
"Holes" Fans Need Dig No Longer for Another Great Book.......2007-06-24
Who knew that Louis Sachar could actually improve on the suspenseful, charming surprise hit of several years back--"Holes"? While Stanley Yelnats is nowhere to be seen (or even mentioned), "Small Steps" focuses instead on two other inmates from Camp Green Lake--Armpit and X-Ray, mostly the former.
It has been three years since his time served at Camp Green Lake and Armpit is trying to take baby steps towards improving his life, and shedding his rather embarrassing nickname. Armpit spends his days working hard with a landscaping company, trying to get noticed by a girl in his economics class, and just getting through his last year in high school. While minding his own business and trying to stay out of trouble, he gets a call from his old pal X-Ray, who coaxes Armpit into joining him in a ticket-scalping get-rich-quick scheme. Meanwhile, Sachar narrates the story of Kyra DeLeone, a Spears/Aguilera/Simpson-ish pop diva who, like armpit, yearns for independence and an identity separate from her parents. The two stories obviously come together, about halfway through the book, and the result is pure storytelling magic.
Sachar brings back his ability to create endearing, sympathetic characters, but also a knock-out plot with fantastic pacing that will have readers young and old alike turning the pages. While the main focus of the story is on Armpit and will appeal to boys especially, the inclusion of Kyra into the tale will please many female readers, especially given the romantic twist of the story. Parents and teachers will also appreciate the unlikely friendship between Armpit and his young, female, white neighbor, Jenny, who suffers from Cerebral Palsy.
No matter what one's tastes, this book is sure to please all the way up to its climactic ending.
AWESOME BOOK!.......2007-06-19
An awesome sequel to HOLES. Its a touching, realistic novel, with some romantic parts in it.
baby steps.......2007-05-29
I thought it was a page turner because you just want to keep on reading so you can know what happens next. I learned that you should never try to get money quick and that you should always work hard. I do recommend this book because I think it is a book that people will enjoy. I would like to read another book by this author because I liked this one and I might like another book by this author. People who like money, tickets and singers will like this book.
Book Description
A brilliant look at colonialism and its effects in Antigua--by the author of Annie John
"If you go to Antigua as a tourist, this is what you will see. If you come by aeroplane, you will land at the V. C. Bird International Airport. Vere Cornwall (V. C.) Bird is the Prime Minister of Antigua. You may be the sort of tourist who would wonder why a Prime Minister would want an airport named after him--why not a school, why not a hospital, why not some great public monument. You are a tourist and you have not yet seen . . ."
So begins Jamaica Kincaid's expansive essay, which shows us what we have not yet seen of the ten-by-twelve-mile island in the British West Indies where she grew up.
Lyrical, sardonic, and forthright by turns, in a Swiftian mode, A Small Place cannot help but amplify our vision of one small place and all that it signifies.
Customer Reviews:
Kincaid's Mad as Hell, and She's Not Going to Take it Anymore.......2007-01-11
Published in 1988 Kincaid's "A Small Place" is an unflinchingly angry portrayal of post-colonial, post-slavery life on the island of Antigua. To put it simply: Kincaid is as mad as hell, and she's not going to take it anymore. If you're white and can shelve your defensiveness for a moment this book is actually really enjoyable, it's written in first person and directed at "you," the British colonizer and/or the fat white tourist. Kincaid's sense of humor is wonderfully dark, and there are a lot of moments of humor if you keep an open mind. Still, at the heart of the matter is the story of Antigua's decay, left to rot by the British colonizers, with a population that doesn't vote openly corrupt officials out of office. She openly points out the irony of the celebration of emancipation alongside the valorization of the Hotel Training School, which teaches the residents of the island to be servants. In the end Kincaid concludes that no one is to blame, that after slavery the masters are no longer evil and the slaves are no longer "noble," but that everyone is merely human. She problematizes the matter, but offers no solutions, which might irritate those concrete sequentials among us. Also, she refers to Columbus, and the explorers in general, so adored in American culture, as "human rubbish" on multiple occasions. You might not agree with Kincaid, but this is one topic someone should be angry about, and her unapologetic narrative is about as honest as you can get.
The lovely tourists.......2006-05-01
I had to read this book for a Multicultural Literature class at my Uni, and, far from being informative, all it did was fill with me a contempt of my own. I am not a racist by any means, but when confronted with such a bitter, snide voice as the one Kincaid displays, I find myself unconsciously getting defensive. When she says, "you are a tourist; you are ugly," I find myself saying, "Fine, I'll keep my money and let you trade with seashells and beads." Kincaid is a master of the self-fulfilling prophecy: she says Antiguans are so oppressed and so downtrodden and so angry, and rather than doing anything to help it, she's exacerbating it by using such a bitter, over-the-top voice.
Other reviewers have stated that the vision of Antigua portrayed is a warped and extremely limited one, biased by Kincaid's apparent small mindedness, and I must confess that I'm glad to hear that. To think that the entire island is solely occupied by bitter people who imagine themselves to be ex-slaves would make me steer clear of the area any time I go on vacation.
Because, yes, I am a tourist. And no, being a tourist does not automatically make anyone ugly, despite what Kincaid's bitter rant might say.
A Small Mind Writes A Small Place.......2006-03-04
A major failing of this essay, which claims to be non-fiction, is Kincaid's sole reliance on her own memories of Antigua. As an eye-witness, Kincaid has the chance to provide a unique perspective on the issues of slavery, corruption, tourism, colonialism, and SIDS (small island developing states). Yet, she ruins this chance, in my opinion, with her complete disregard of any perspective other than her own.
A Small Place presents a biased and incomplete account of many of the issues facing Antigua and other islands in the Caribbean. Some of Kincaid's criticisms are certainly valid; however, others have been blown completely out of proportion. If one really wishes to know the history of Antigua and to understand the lingering consequences of colonialism, I suggest looking elsewhere.
What this book lacks in factual information, it does not make up for with a strong emotional appeal. Kincaid's story line is incomplete and unengaging. She repeatedly wanders from topic to topic and back again, giving no sense of what is most important or relevant. Additionally, whatever sympathy she may gain from the Western reader is repeatedly lost with her hateful generalizations.
I am sorry that I have to write such a negative review of this book. I believe that it is important for people in the West to understand the plight of developing countries, especially SIDS. However, I do not believe that A Small Place is at all helpful in promoting this dialogue.
It is important to understand the past. And I can sympathize with Kincaid's intense hatred of those who have and continue to oppress "her people". However, I think this text is short-sighted in its desire for change. After repeatedly criticizing tourists for their greed and laziness, does she really expect them to want to understand Antiguan society? I see the hatred and dualism expressed in A Small Place as a major obstacle in achieving a better tomorrow.
An island paradise.......2005-02-05
Antigua, an awe-inspiring vacation spot for Europeans and North Americans, takes on a different aura when discussed by native Jamaica Kincaid. Ms. Kincaid describes how the Antiguans feel about the tourists who visit: ugly people. Ugly because they invaded, then brought slaves to work for them so they could become rich while ignoring the needs of those who made them wealthy. Ugly because of what they've done to the island and the people who live there. Jamaica talks about the corrupt government and the hand that North Americans, British, Syrians and Lebanese play in that corruption. She describes how England paved the roads the Queen of England would travel when she visited, but left everything else in poor condition. Ms. Kincaid also mentions the drug dealers that the government ignores and those who build ugly condos for the wealthy and rent business space to the government who should be building their own space.
In a very few pages, Jamaica Kincaid says what a lot of former slaves would like to say but are perhaps too politically correct to utter. She does the job for us. Ms. Kincaid does not mince her words when it comes to what the British Empire did to the people of Antigua and the world for that matter. Frequently, I found myself wanting to stand up and cheer as I read her words of disgust and anger. While Ms. Kincaid is specifically speaking of Antigua, her words describe the slave trade and the destruction and poverty left in the wake of it no matter what country. It is well worth reading - more than once.
Reviewed by alice Holman
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers
It is a Small place .......2004-09-21
In "A Small Place", Kincaid leads the western reader through Antigua, while invoking feelings of guilt. Kincaid draws the reader in by narrating through the reader's perspective. She does this to engulf the reader into the setting and workings of Antigua and its government, including it's abused cultural history. This is the style of narration that Kincaid uses in the first thirty-seven pages of the book, and is very effective in captivating the reader. I felt guilt and ignorance while reading through Kincaid's description of Antigua and the abuse it is subject to by a regressive white moderate. She passionately unveils the crimes and injustices that her people have suffered from. The read is passionate and truthful while forcefully shedding the ignorant presumptions of the reader about what a western reader would consider a "resort area." She skillfully illustrates how foreign landowners rob the economy and further suppress the Antiguan population. She combines the individual reader into a collaboration of his/her personal/cultural histories to make that individual feel responsible for his/her cultures actions. So not only do you read the book as yourself, but you read the essay as western cultures history. She doesn't stop there, but uncovers the evils committed by her own western placed government and calls into question the morality that the whole island revolves on. This is the reason the book has been banned in Antigua. Not only would the book have inflicted damage on commerce and tourism, but also it would have uncovered the committed evils of the persons in power there.
I thought the book was far from enjoyable, but an essential read that helped erase certain ignorance held by the western population. I would suggest the book to scholars and activists or anyone interested in the repercussions of cultural memory. All in all I enjoyed the read but wished that Kincaid had followed through with the "reader narrator" format, which she uses to pull the reader in but abandons after the thirty-seventh page.
Book Description
For those looking to raise a family in a storybook American town, or a change of pace from hectic city life, this book is the answer.
Customer Reviews:
A Poor Offering.......2007-08-10
This is not a very good book. 50% of the book is devoted to Mr. Crampton's less than interesting observations of life in a small town. His advice is mostly extremely basic common sense stuff that any normal person should already know. He offers very few interesting insights.
The other half of the book is his list of the 120 best small towns in America. This part of the book is even more weak. It's obvious Mr. Crampton did a lot of internet travel to gather his data as the descriptions are clearly culled from the towns' chamber of commerce websites. He offers zero insight or information gained from him (or someone else) actually visiting / living in the towns and conveying what the towns are actually like.
His ruse is painfully evident as the "more info" listing for each town is merely a link to their respective chamber of commerce website! What "more info" could there be given that the author merely copied the site? Even his internet research was exceptionally lazy.
The book should be titled "A Compilation of America's Best Small Towns' Chamber of Commerce Website Info plus Non-insightful Musings of the Armchair Travelling Author."
And how do the towns qualify as being best? By Mr. Crampton's estimation they must have a highschool, and a hospital, and at least a few other businesses that aren't Walmart. Could the bar be set any lower? With that criteria one could throw 120 darts blindfolded at a map and do just as well as this book.
The book could be fodder for a Garrison Keilor Ketchup skit, "you know June, why don't we retire to the country, find a town with a highschool and live out our days..... Dear, have you been getting enough Ketchup lately..."
A very weak text that I'll be returning to Amazon post haste!
Make that 3 1/2 stars.......2005-03-28
Actually, I would have given "Making Your Move" 4 stars had I found the descriptions of the individual towns more interesting. But, what I did find was a witty style of writing, some laugh-out-loud moments, and some very down-to-earth advice on the pearls and perils of small-town life. One might apply Norm's smart and insightful guidelines to just about any sparsely populated area in the quest for new habitation. So even though his selections failed to fire me up, they did make me realize that I may not be cut out for small-town living after all. And that, in itself, is worth far more than the price of a book. Thanks, Norm, and make that four stars.
Part of the story.......2003-03-12
This book is a good place to start if you're thinking of moving to a town of 15,000 or less. It will point you to many interesting communities. However, having used his previous book to guide my last move, and as a resident of one of the towns highlighted in this book (Grinnell), I can honestly say that data only carries you so far. Crampton could provide readers with a great benefit by lengthening the amount of description and flavor for each town. In particular, one key element missing is the 'dynamic' of a town: is it progressive? conservative? excited about education? quick to vote down taxes and bonds? These elements form the 'culture' of a small town, and believe me, the culture of a small town will be *very* important to you!
A good guide to start.......2003-01-08
As a resident of one of the 120 "best small towns" recommended by Norman Crampton, I was delighted to see Silver City on the list.
While Crampton's book is a good place to start your search for small town living, it is important to realize that each small town offers a unique personality. Some generalizations simply do not apply to Silver City. For example, it is not necessary to join a church (or country club) in order to fit in here. Even a small community like ours has diverse sub-populations: recent retirees, most of whom have some affinity for the arts; old-timers, most of whom are the conservative church-goers Crampton describes; and Hispanic families, many of whom have worked in the mines.
These groups rarely interact, although we usually get along very peacefully. We also have a number of folks who teach at the university -- and we rarely see them around town.
To learn about Silver city, you won't get much information from the Chamber of Commerce or the editor of the newspaper. You'd do better to spend some time hanging out at the AIR cafe, talking to whoever comes in. The morning and afternoon groups are quite different and everyone is friendly.
The author gives some nuts and bolts about each small town. Unfortunately, with the exception of weather, much of this information will change by the time the book is printed. And your decision may well be made by factors that can't be added up.
The best part of the book is the section on economics of small town living. Here, he's right on. You have to budget for travel to a large city now and then. Air travel will be more costly and you need time to drive to a large airport. His view of housing prices seems optimistic. If you move to a desirable city (such as Silver City) expect to pay more for a house than he allows.
And if you move to retire, your economic picture will be quite different. Many newcomers to Silver City are beginning a second career as an artist or writer. Moving without a job is scary -- and I do not recommend it unless you fit the profile I describe in my own book, Making the Big Move.
Average customer rating:
- policeman small
- All that and a song
- an animated look at a busy policeman
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Policeman Small (Lois Lenski Books)
Lois Lenski
Manufacturer: Random House Books for Young Readers
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Papa Small (Lois Lenski Books)
ASIN: 0375835695
Release Date: 2006-10-24 |
Amazon.com
Policeman Small is on the job! This hard-working cop is up at the crack o' dawn to direct traffic and spread cheer with his friendly smile. In one busy day he guides schoolchildren across the street, reprimands a speeding sports car driver, clears the street for an ambulance and a fire truck, writes tickets for drivers involved in an accident, and leads a parade. Even so, this conscientious officer is never too busy to overlook a wayward puppy or hungry kitty. During her lifetime, Newbery Medal recipient Lois Lenski wrote and illustrated more than 90 books for children. Her classic Mr. Small books were well loved by generations of children, and are now making their way back into print in full color for a happy new batch of readers. For more adventures with the gentle Mr. Small, read The Little Auto. (Ages 3 to 6) --Emilie Coulter
Book Description
Policeman Small gets to see a lot of what goes on in town. He's at his post, directing traffic, by six o'clock in the morning. On one busy day, Policeman Small makes sure the town's kids get to school safely. He also helps an ambulance and fire truck get through the intersection, and even leads a parade on his motorcycle. During the rush, Policeman Small spreads his cheer by saying hello to all the people passing in cars.
From the Hardcover edition.
Customer Reviews:
policeman small.......2005-07-31
i bought this book for my grandchildren as i was read it as a ittle girl and read it to my children as they grew up. i have always loved lois lensky's books and was very happy to add it to my ever growing library of childrens books.
All that and a song.......2003-11-08
Pure, as simple and direct as you'd expect from Lois Lenski with an added benefit, the Policeman Small song to sing along.
an animated look at a busy policeman.......2003-01-29
Lois Lenski's _Policeman Small_ illuminates the busy day of a traffic cop of the early twentieth century. Policeman Small directs traffic himself! He carries a sign to work which says STOP on one side, and GO on the other! Certain details of his work date the book as a whole, but my toddler son still loves _Policeman Small_.
Small visits the scene of an accident, and sorts things out. Small stops traffic so kittens don't get hit by cars. Small stops a young speeding driver, and cautions him to obey the speed limit.
All the various duties of Policeman Small can keep a curious young reader mesmerized. We are invited to watch Policeman Small as he performs all the various duties of the traffic cop; when he retires at the day's end, he is tired. Exhausted parents can sympathize. This is a good book to finish a bedtime storytime.
ken32
Book Description
This book provides pastors and church leaders with the vision, values, and initial steps necessary to begin building a church where small groups are integrated throughout the entire ministry.
Customer Reviews:
Developmental Principles.......2003-11-26
The authors, Donahue and Robinson, have placed a superb community-building resource into the hands of the reader. This is not just another book about theory on the one hand or experience on the other. It is a book that provides the groundwork for a proper understanding of the implementation and growth of a community-based philosophy of ministry.
Whether or not the reader is in agreement with the Willow Creek philosophy of ministry or not this book has great value. The principles are expressed in a manner that is not context specific. In other words I can use the principles of community-building, leadership training, etc. in a variety of contexts and apply them successfully.
The authors acknowledge throughout the pages of the book that "simply copying a model is ill-fated (191)." This honest approach to small groups is what seems to be lacking in a number of similar resources. Donahue and Robinson face the readers with real-life examples displaying the diversity of methods used by churches across the nation to develop leadership and conduct small groups in accordance with biblical community.
"Building a Church of Small Groups," is an excellent resource for any pastor or lay-leader interested in understanding small group dynamics from a balanced philosophical and practical perspective.
Everything you need to start a small group ministry.......2003-07-25
In the title to this review I said that it contains everything you need to start a small group ministry. By that, I don't mean to say that this book is the last word on small groups, nor do I mean to say that it has everything you will need to maintain and grow a small group ministry.
However, for those churches that are contemplating beginning small groups in their churches, I can't think of a better resource. The authors cover all the bases. The section titles of the book are:
Part 1 - Making the Case for Community
Part 2 - Pursuing Community in Small Groups
Part 3 - Developing Leaders of Small Groups
Part 4 - Leading a Church of Small Groups
These sections provide the rationale for small groups and the basic mechanics of launching and maintaining small groups. I particularly like the practical emphasis of the book. It gives you help on building relationships, resolving conflict, and shepherding small groups. Among other things, it encourages you to have "open" groups with an "empty chair" to emphasize the outreach aspect of small group life.
It covers all aspects of leadership training - although it doesn't give you an exact curriculum it gives you a process for leadership training. The authors focus more on apprenticeship and what one could call "on the job training" for leadership development than classroom training.
The section on "Leading a Church of Small Groups" is especially helpful. You don't just decide one day to "do small groups." Launching takes time and is best done in steps, phasing in over time.
Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a good, thorough overview of what small groups can be and do in a church.
Great So Far.......2001-11-18
We are in the early stages of small group development. I'm order this for all my existing small group leaders to us to help us formulate and understand the necessity and vision for small groups as the structure support a growing church. We currently have 8 groups.
I have only read the first one third. It gives a great theological basis of small groups. The theology was inspiring to me and will help solidify in our hearts that small groups are not a way to acomodate growth and build disciples but rather fundamental to it.
I can't wait to get into the practical stuff.
Book Description
The story of the Bible is the story of God’s desire to be with his people. God is extending himself, stretching out to reach us and to fill our lives with his presence. Every moment of your life is like a page in a Where’s Waldo book. God is there, the Scriptures tell us, but the ease with which he may be found varies from one page to the next. God is closer than you think! A six-session guide to be used with the DVD curriculum.
Customer Reviews:
God Is Closer Than You Think Participant's Guide:.......2007-08-08
The product was great, I just ordered the wrong thing. Complete error on my part otherwise item was shipped in a timely matter.
I guess I am a below average Christian.......2007-05-04
Comments from commenter #2 crack me up. I have heard many folks refer to John Ortberg as "Dallas Willard Lite" or "Dallas for dummies." I have had the opportunity to spend time with both the author and his wife, and I find both his speaking and writing to be very refreshing to my mind, spirit and life. I find John's writing simple and practical. Is it Dallas Willard deep? No. However, it's more like a great message that you hear in a weekend service. One that you can see clearly how applicable it is. Also, for you to get the most out of this book, you need to have a sense of your own brokenness and fallenness. Otherwise, you will find it simple and for average or below average people.........which, if I recall, is the same peeps that Jesus TOTALLY hung out with and loved deeply. In fact, some of their names were Peter, James, John, Andrew, Thomas..............
Excellent Small Group Bible Study.......2007-01-06
Not sure what the other reviewers are talking about. I have been a Christian for years and am finding this study quite interesting. Ortberg is the moderator and is excellent at word pictures that stick with you. The study makes you dig into the Bible which is what you want in a small group. Studying on your own in between group meetings requires quite a bit of scripture look up and reading. There are great discussion questions. This study has definitely strengthened my walk with the Lord. Our entire small group really enjoys the DVD part and is getting alot out of the study. I highly recommend this for small group study.
Nothing but fun reading .......2006-10-06
This book is okay for fun reading. The observations offered by the author are slightly entertaining, and may be even quite insightful to the very easily-impressed and motivated readers. For example, using conductor and resistor as analogy is misrepresenting the physics and meaning of the scientific terms. The counterpart of conductor is insulator. Actually a resistor in an electrical circuit is the part that does all the work - that makes the light bulbs or pickle glow, for instance.
Using surfing as an example of overcoming failure is okay. However sidetracking to muse about sharks and dolphins is juvenile and distracting.
I suppose this book is targeted for the average person and below for marketing purpose
God Is Closer Than You Think.......2005-10-08
I believe I was mislead. I ordered the material. The description described that I would get the DVD, the Participant's guide and the hardcover book for the price of the item. When just the DVD arrived I felt disappointed.
Average customer rating:
- Beware: If you read this book you will die from how amazing it is!
- Pretty Good Book
- Touching, Quick Read
- Any Small Goodness
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Any Small Goodness: A Novel Of The Barrio
Tony Johnston
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ASIN: 0439233844 |
Book Description
Los Angeles is a place of movie stars and fast cars and people who are too rich and people who are too poor. An area of freeway chases and drive-bys and death. But there's another L.A., one where warmth and humor and humanity pervade. Where a tacqueria sign declares: "One cause, one people, one taco." This L.A. is a place where random acts of generosity and goodwill improve the lives of the community. Any Small Goodness is a novel filled with hope, love, and warmth.
Customer Reviews:
Beware: If you read this book you will die from how amazing it is!.......2007-03-26
Beware: If you read this book you will die from how amazing it is. It has a message that is important and it stops teenagers or anybody from doing improper things. Any Small Goodness comes to mind when you are going to be violent and it reminds you of the most important things in your life. Any Small Goodness has a glossary that helps you with the Spanish words used throughout the story. This story has an amazing family and it has lots of action in the story to keep you interested. We give this story a star rating of four. Our opinion is that the author, Tony Johnston, should have limited the amount of time spent discussing Gangs because it is frightening at times. Also, the author needs to spend more time discussing the kindness shown in the barrio. The author has wonderful ideas. He teaches a lesson which is we should share more.
Pretty Good Book.......2005-11-24
The reviews on the inside cover of this book describe Arturo, the protagonist, as `a Latino Holden Caulfield'. Well, no.
After reading a few Hispanic American novels, I am beginning to see some similarities. They have all been family based, family oriented. They each include a glossary to help readers with the Spanish words and phrases sprinkled throughout the text. They are life affirming and tell an uplifting tale.
Any Small Goodness runs along the same lines. The title comes from what Arturo's father tells him: "In life there is bueno and there is malo. If you do not find enough of the good, you must yourself create it ... Remember this thing - any small goodness is of value."
To this end, Arturo and his friends form the Green Needle gang. In the Los Angeles barrio that is their home, they must deal with real street gangs. But the Green Needle gang sneaks up to people's houses and leave Christmas trees and gifts on the porch. This is only one of the ways they concoct to make their lives and neighborhood better.
Arturo and his friends resist their teacher's efforts to Americanize their names (Arturo, Jaime, Alicia, Raul become Arthur, James, Alice, and Ralph, but only briefly). They are proud of their Hispanic heritage and look to Arturo's grandmother as a touchstone to the traditional ways. She cooks Mexican food, uses old time utensils, and speaks Spanish. Arturo is both proud of his grandmother and embarrassed by her - in the fashion of all teens. But they are Americans, after all, and participate in all that is American. Some of the characters that walk on are an ex-NBA player who volunteers to coach at their school, a media specialist with a flair for choosing the perfect book, and a do-gooder piano teacher who keeps candy atop the piano to stave off sinking spells.
While this is a worthwhile and enjoyable book, each chapter is a little story unto itself. There is not as much continuity of story as in an ordinary book. Some of the story does spill over into the culminating formation of the Green Needle gang at the end, thus bringing the message home.
Touching, Quick Read.......2005-10-18
Overall, a very touching story about Arturo and his familia y amigos (family and friends) and even a few malditos (bad guys). Arturo learns that, "any small goodness is of value."
While this book focuses on a Mexican family, it may also reach children of non-Anglo descent, particularly first generation students.
Any Small Goodness.......2004-12-04
Arturo's family has emigrated from Mexico to East L.A. The teacher at his new school wants to change the kid's names to their American counterparts. Arturo's story reveals the need to adjust and assimilate to a new, sub-culture while retaining the need to maintain integral parts of his own culture. For many, family love and values aren't enough to keep you from the outside influences that can lead you down the wrong road. How do Arturo and his amigos maintain orgullo? This is a great book to open the doors to understanding the unfamiliar characteristics that lie within Mexican culture for school children that are subject to this integration. At the same time the book will offer a sense of pride within their Mexican culture.
Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down.......2004-03-26
In the book Any Small Goodness, the characater Arturo gets a thumbs up. He lives in L.A. in a place where random acts of generosity and good will improve the lives of L.A. There is also another L.A. , a place of movie stars and people who are too rich and people who are too poor. But Arturo manages to survive. We like Arturo because he is a good friend that could also make him a good person. He never talks down to his friends or talks behind their backs. We also like him because he's a growing kid- just like us. Another reason is he thinks about what will happen next, the reason he has so many friends is because knows he would lose them if he talked bad about them. We make good and bad desisions just like him. We think other kids should read this book because it explains a lot about growing up.
Book Description
Almost everybody does it--lie, that is. In one recent survey 93% of people admitted to lying regularly at work! Why? Because it's safer than telling the truth.
Sadly, organizations cannot succeed in this poisonous world of half-truths, strategic omissions, and doctored information. To function optimally businesses must create an environment where people feel free to tell the truth, no matter how disturbing. Only then can organizations unleash the responsiveness, creativity, and enthusiasm necessary to achieve their goals.
This unique book shows how, using the formal process of "dialogue," such a place can be built. In a lively discussion, the author shows managers how to use this technique to: * encourage truth-telling by reducing fear, prompting self-examination, and opening minds * build trust where suspicion and cynicism held sway * inspire individuals to think and learn as a group * help groups talk through tough issues and move to collaborative action.
Customer Reviews:
Angry people are kind of sad....don't you think?.......2005-05-07
Now out of print- this book sells for more than it's original publication price. It is used as a textbook in several org. behavior classes. Is referenced in more than one Ph.D. dissertation. The author (me) facilitates this form of dialogue successfully with gay and conservative christians, within the intelligence community (WMD was a communication issue) and with other difficult groups. THe book describes a process that is reliable, easily duplicated, and adaptable. This isn't a popularity contest. This is about helping people get past angry attacks and move on to collaborative partnerships. Check it out if you want to make a positive difference in the world.
Totally without value.......2005-04-11
It's truly hard to believe that a publisher thought this book was
worth publishing. It's 250 pages with several empty cliches per
page.
Here are the directions to your organizations mind & heart........1999-09-22
What is it about organizations that creates so many secrets? In this bright and enjoyably written book, Annette Simmons reveals the subtle art of allowing people to share the secrets througth dialogue. From identifying the escape routes to explaining the step by step process in which dialogue unfolds she clearly identifies what you can expect if you simply follow the directions. She even includes directions. I immediately used this book in a two day retreat that was astounding in helping a California State Agency work through the change process.
Here are the directions to your organizations mind & heart........1999-09-22
What is it about organizations that creates so many secrets? In this bright and enjoyably written book, Annette Simmons reveals the subtle art of allowing people to share the secrets througth dialogue. From identifying the escape routes to explaining the step by step process in which dialogue unfolds she clearly identifies what you can expect if you simply follow the directions. She even includes directions. I immediately used this book in a two day retreat that was astounding in helping a California State Agency work through the change process.
An easy-to-read mix of the "why" and "how" of dialogue.......1999-08-04
Dialogue is a difficult and potentially fear inducing process. The author admits all that and gives the reader the background and a process to facilitate and engage in dialogue. The book is easy-to-read, free of unnecessarily confusing jargon, and full of good illustrative anecedotes. The author recommends some unorthodox facilitative roles based on her experience (some of which I had thought of before I read the book, but was afraid to try out). I found myself jumping from section to section to follow my interest---this was not a linear ead for me. The appendix on how to get dialogue started with a group is also helpful.
Book Description
Socially responsible investments have grown exceptionally in the same year that "moral values" determined a presidential election. So why has business been so slow to catch on? In a new book, The Company We Keep, small business owner and entrepreneur John Abrams makes a case for a return to workplace values, and shows how we can ultimately profit by them.
The Company we Keep is more than the success story of a revolutionary company. It sets down a framework for a model of employee ownership and community involvement that has piqued the interest of entrepreneurs around the country. In the words of Abrams, "This is a book about a different way of doing business in today's world-a way based on workplace democracy, shared ownership, staying small, building community, commitment to a place, and long term thinking."
John Abrams founded the South Mountain Company, a design and building firm, on Martha's Vineyard more than thirty years ago. Through a commitment to place and community entrepreneurship, he has seen the company grow and prosper, while at the same time experimenting with a revolutionary employee ownership model that has challenged the traditional business rhetoric of unchecked growth.
There is a revolution going on in corporate America, and social entrepreneurship is leading the way. Rejecting the myth that short-term profits are the only indicator of business health and wealth, John Abrams shows how building a company to serve the needs of people (employees and owners), community, and the environment can be a successful business plan as well. Part entrepreneurial business plan, part guide to democratizing the workplace, and part prescription for strong local economies, The Company We Keep marks the debut of an important new voice in the literature of American business.
Customer Reviews:
Moving Forward.......2007-01-20
A document of great vision and execution in a positive direction. A fine example of collaborative and cooperative thinking thich enhances the resulting effort. Everyone wants to work in a nurturing environment.
Totally engrossing and not just for business-types.......2006-08-24
In an era in which corporations are measured on quarterly, single bottom-line returns, John Abrams presents a compelling case that a multiple bottom-line, values oriented, long term focus can be a successful business strategy in The Company We Keep.
In this well-written and compelling book, Abrams artfully examines the long-accepted American business concept of growth;and determines that growth for growth's sake is a short-term strategy leading to failure. He weaves over twenty years of experience in construction, design and sustainable building practices into a philosophical look at the meaning of work and success; the result provides the reader with fabric from which to examine his/her own company, work life, natural environment and style of doing business. Perhaps most importantly, the book is written in a warm, reflective style which makes it hard to put down and leaves the reader yearning for more insights and information from this writer, who provides substantial research and details to support his work and ideas. Just as a good movie creates long-lasting recollections of scenes, The Company We Keep brings daily reminders of wonderful stories and the confidence that strong personal and company values can indeed be the means to a successful and growing business.
A Must-Read for every MBA program and anyone interested in succeeding in business with integrity!.......2006-07-20
Can a company built and grown on Abrams's hippie values of kindness, love, respect, honesty, and freedom of the individual actually be successful in this era rife with competition?
A friend recommended this book, as am a business owner, MBA, Gen X/ Y, who embraces these values to the extent that I'll never compromise, and have built a small, successful business with similar emphasis on treating people involved extraordinarily well. Profit, like in Abrams's story, was simply a bi-product. And the joy of knowing I'm doing good for so many interested parties is priceless.
So many lessons to be learned in this wonderful book! I couldn't put it down once I started reading. Abrams's completely open, honest approach is heart-warming and inspiring.
One can hold true to one's values, and still build a fabulously successful company, one in which the coworkers are also owners with a vested interest. And customers, too, are treated like partners. Emphasis on quality of work, versus growth simply for the sake of growth, is often illustrated.
This is one of those rare books one remembers long after reading. Each day since reading the book, I hear ordinary words like 'cooperation', which bring me back to the wonderful stories in this book and to the many studies well-noted in the book suggesting further evidence of people's natural urge to cooperate (and success in doing so).
A beautiful story and a must-read for anyone in business who wants to keep his/ her soul! Thank you for sharing your heartfelt, model example of developing a very successful business with values, Mr. Abrams!! The book is a classic. Will revisit it often, and already sent several copies to friends.
Blueprint for REAL Success.......2006-04-19
This is an excellent business book!
I recommend it to any CEO wondering how to maintain a profitable and healthy organization beyond next quarter's bonus.
John Abrams shows us how real business success can be achieved for the corporation and the community in this documentary of South Mountain Company. It is well written and packed with the tested principals and concepts that have built this successful, community centered business on Martha's Vineyard.
Imagine that true workplace democracy combined with commitments to ethical business dealings and social responsibility can lead to a high quality, sustainable, and profitable business! Corporate America should sit up and take notice!
I vote that we make this book required reading as part of the rehabilitation process of all incarcerated former corporate executives.
Best business book I've ever read.......2006-04-17
In an age of every type of self-help tale imaginable, this is the best business book I have read period; it makes perfect sense. The Openness the author is willing to share and the research behind it is tremendously thought provoking. I have purchased numerous copies to share with my friends.
Like any avid reader I picked this book in the summer and put it in the pile of about 200 "to read immediately." To be candid, I very likely would not have picked it up as soon as I did, but with my business in transition I felt I would give it a try.
The substantive issues summarized on p. 238 really cause the book to stand out; the author takes the building of South Mountain and allow its principles to transcend the story itself. At my bedside I keep a copy of Anne Morrow Lindbergh's "The Gift from the Sea" and often read passages. In it she writes: "Island living has been a lens through which to examine my own life in the North. I must keep my lens when I go back. Little by little one's holiday vision tends to fade. I must remember to see with island eyes. The shells will remind me; they must be my island eyes."
Later she queries, "Can one solve world problems when one is unable to solve one's own? Where have we arrived in this process? Have we been successful, working at the periphery of the circle and not at the center?" Her question is similar to a familiar passage of Tolstoy's a deceased client of mine, a hero himself, often quoted: "Everybody wants to change the world, but they don't want to change themselves."
The leap of faith John Abrams took in changing the culture of South Mountain is a great example of starting from the center. He has worked hard and with creative aforethought in solving one's own corporate problems with a view to the outside world. This is not an idyllic story of a community business developed on the the Island of Martha's Vineyard. It is a practical guide, but how fortunate the author has been that view is with "island eyes."
Back to p. 238, you wonder: "I don't know yet, nor do I know whether I will ever know, to what degree we can build on the foundations we have created and to what degree we can improve our skills. Neither do I know to what extent our experience can help others go down the path toward economic democracy and community entrepreneurship. I don't know whether, in time, many more people will share ownership and control of the companies they work in."
I think John Abrams has the model right here to make great changes in our corporate world. One can only imagine if many small and large businesses utilized this modus operandi. One only needs to pick up the business page of any major newspaper to think the world(`s problems) would be better off.
I have been a part of the company for 21 years and took sole ownership a little over 4 years ago. Similarly to South Mountain, we are an established enterprise which, for a variety of reasons, are at crossroads in our growth and development. I would like to consider tailoring the South Mountain model to my company and go down the same path. Nonetheless, this read is for any business manager/owner with a company big or small as its applications ring true.
Product Description
Finally there is a complete and up-to-date resource for the small business owner. Tired of high legal and consulting fees? This new book is your answer! Detailed are over 300 common questions employers have about employees and the law; itÂ’s like having an employment attorney on your staff. Topics include: equal employment opportunity, age discrimination, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), workers or applicants with AIDS, unacceptable job performance, termination, substance abuse, drug and alcohol testing, safety, harassment, compensation policies, job classifications, recordkeeping, overtime, employee performance evaluations, wage and salary reviews, payroll deductions, reduction in wages, pay periods, payroll advances, wage garnishment, severance pay, unemployment compensation, operating policies, ethical standards, open-door policy, suggestions and customer feedback, smoke-free workplace, dress code, work schedule, flexible scheduling, telecommuting, absenteeism, tardiness, confidentiality, employee privacy, electronic communication, responsible use of equipment, e-mail and Internet, prohibited content, copyrighted materials, responsible use of cell phones, security procedures, telephone usage, use of company vehicles, solicitation for outside causes, outside employment, personnel files, release of information, access to files, possession of weapons, improper personal conduct, company benefits, time off, holidays, vacations, sick leave policies, bereavement, jury duty, education and training, leaves of absence, Family and Medical Leave Act, personal or medical leaves not required by law, military leave, insurance, on-the-job accidents or injuries, medical/life insurance, flexible benefit plans, pension, and profit sharing.
Customer Reviews:
Good resource for small business owner.......2007-01-04
This book is an excellent resource for any small business owner who must also deal with human resources issues.
From developing a personnel policy, to interviewing, hiring and retaining employees, to dealing with work/life balance issues, this book covers it all. Especially helpful are the real-life case studies in which actual business owners describe how the book assisted them in handling certain situations.
Another helpful feature is the glossary in the back of the book. It affords the opportunity for small business owners to quickly research a term instead of reading through the entire book to gather more information on a particular topic.
So, whether you need advice on employee benefits, privacy or communication, this book should prove a usual weapon in your arsenal of information.
The How-To of Human Resources.......2006-12-20
Let's face it - who wants to spend time worrying about human resource issues when you have a business to run? The hiring, the firing, the laws . . . it gives me a headache just typing it! In our litigious society an employer has to think not just twice, but 3 or 4 times before making a statement, sending out a memo, or creating a new policy. This book goes a long way to taking the fear out of the personnel arena and giving the business owner the necessary tools to hire the best prospect and retain that employee.
Holihan begins with explaining what human resource management actually is and walks you through creating personnel policies and handbooks. Creating job descriptions, organizational charts, recruiting, interviewing, hiring, and training are all covered in detail with additional sources for more research provided. Then Holihan gets to the truly sticky issues: communicating with employees; evaluating and motivating performance; discrimination and fair treatment; and the ever-nasty discipline and termination procedures. Nobody wants to fire someone, it causes as much emotional stress for the owner as it does for the employee. Holihan takes the pain out of the act by stating in plain language what the costs are for NOT firing an employee for poor performance.
If you are a business-owner with 100 employees or less, this is the book for you. It is easy to read, the steps are clearly outlined and explained, and enough additional resources are provided that you should never want for employment information again!
A Must-have Resource for Small Business Owners........2006-10-12
Don't miss out on this invaluable resource! Whether a new business owner, or a veteran looking for a refresher course on workplace law, this book is for you.
So what if you're not a small business owner? This book is still a valuable resource. Learn tricks for being prepared for interviews: what questions will the employer ask? How can you read the interviewer's thoughts on your performance without slyly sneaking a peak at his/her notes? After you are employed, what are your rights as an employee? You have questions; here are the answers.
Holihan breaks this complicated subject down into easily digestible chapters, and her conversational writing style won't leave you scratching your head and reaching for the closest dictionary. "365 Answers" is written in easy-to-read large type, and, for those innately difficult to understand concepts, the book contains a useful glossary of terms. From the comprehensive, bulleted table of contents to the easy-to-use index, Holihan ensures that this resource is one you will come back to again and again for all of your business needs.
The Human Resources bible for Small Business Owners! .......2006-08-29
Learning about this facet of running a small business is of utmost importance. This book answers questions from all different facets of human resources from recruiting and hiring to labor relations and performance standards. It is laid out in an easy to read format with large type, which makes it easy to read and learn from. It is simple to find your answer due to the bulleted table of contents, which will save you time when you need an answer to a specific question.
Whether you are just beginning your business or have been in business for a while, you will find the information in here to be helpful to you and your business. The handy glossary in the back of this book will help you with some of the terms that are used in human resources. The index that is also in the back of the book will help you find the answers to your human resources questions. If you are a business owner, I recommend that you purchase this book, as it will become your human resource sourcebook.
A Thorough Look at Running HR Effectively as a Small Biz Owner.......2006-08-22
While those already familiar with some of the ins and outs of HR might find some sections of the book tedious or repetitive, for the newcomer the book will be invaluable. Holihan goes through every step of the HR process: from setting up the department to working with your new employee(s).
Holihan gives you the information you need and helps guide you through the necessary decisions to make sure that your company's HR department runs well. Should you, as owner, run the HR department? Holihan gives you the pros and cons of that scenario.
What about the interview process? Should you use psychological testing? What types of questions are too personal? Holihan guides you through the interview process, making sure you understand what might cause problems and what shouldn't.
How about after hiring your new employee? Holihan gives you tips to start off on a positive note, so that the new member of your team will gain morale and be as productive as possible.
What about those issues that sometimes crop up in any office environment? Office romance? Slacking off? Discrimination or Harassment? Holihan again walks you step by step through what you should know and how you can approach each issue in order to ensure that your company doesn't suffer.
I would recommend this book to every small business owner and any Human Resource people new to the field. Even those who aren't completely new could benefit from this book.
Books:
- Street Dreams
- Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew
- The Art of Intrusion: The Real Stories Behind the Exploits of Hackers, Intruders & Deceivers
- The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable
- The Blessing Way (Joe Leaphorn Novels)
- The Brazilian Healer with the Kitchen Knife: And Other Stories of Mystics, Shamans, and Miracle Makers
- The Cheater's Guide to Baseball
- The Church That Never Sleeps: The Amazing Story That Will Change Your View of Church Forever
- The Dead Zone (Signet)
- The Egyptian: A Novel
Books Index
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