Sarah, Plain and Tall

Amazon.com

MacLachlan, author of Unclaimed Treasures, has written an affecting tale for children. In the late 19th century a widowed midwestern farmer with two children--Anna and Caleb--advertises for a wife. When Sarah arrives she is homesick for Maine, especially for the ocean which she misses greatly. The children fear that she will not stay, and when she goes off to town alone, young Caleb--whose mother died during childbirth--is stricken with the fear that she has gone for good. But she returns with colored pencils to illustrate for them the beauty of Maine, and to explain that, though she misses her home, "the truth of it is I would miss you more." The tale gently explores themes of abandonment, loss and love.

Book Description

"Did Mama sing every day?"
Caleb asks his sister Anna.
"Every-single-day," she answers.
"Papa sang, too."

Their mother died the day after Caleb was born. Their house on the prairie is quiet now, and Papa doesn't sing anymore. Then Papa puts an ad in the paper, asking for a wife, and he receives a letter from one Sarah Elisabeth Wheaton, of Maine. Papa, Anna, and Caleb write back. Caleb asks if she sings. Sarah decides to come for a month. She writes Papa: I will come by train. I will wear a yellow bonnet. I am plain and tall, and Tell them I sing. Anna and Caleb wait and wonder. Will Sarah be nice? Will she like them? Will she stay?

Customer Reviews:

a review by Ralphy.......2007-09-10

I personally did not like this book because it did not catch my attention, but some people might disagree. Sarah Plain and Tall by Patricia Maclachlan tells about a family that lost their mom; so they find a new another mom. She will decide whether or not to live with them. First of all, their mother died when the youngest child, Caleb, was born. Equally important, the dad, Jacob, puts an ad in the paper for a new mom. The ad says how they need a wife and a mom. After that, a girl named Sarah responds to the ad in the paper. She writes letters to each of the kids and she writes Jacob telling him she will come by train wearing a yellow bonnet. Lastly, Sarah learns to love the family. Sarah decides to stay forever even though she misses Maine. Even though I did not like this book, some people may have other opinions.

" Tell them I sing".......2007-07-24

A story with very simple lines: in modern life with reality TV we sometimes forget how meager our lives can be. A story about real people and real values that makes a few words go a very long way. Can be read to children at bed time...

Sarah Plain and Tall.......2007-03-22

Sarah Plain and Tall is about two kids and their father. The two kids names` are Caleb and Anna. Caleb and Anna's father put ads up to find a mother. Then they found one. Her name was Sarah Elisabeth Wheaten. Caleb and Anna had a lot of fun with her.
The message is that you should just be happy where you are. That you are stuck with your family. I know that is the message because you would think of it when you are reading the book.
I liked Sarah Plain and Tall because it reminds me of my family because Caleb and Anna have a step-mom and I have a step-dad. I think people should read this book because it was a winner of the Newbery Medal.

A Tearjerker Plus Much More!.......2007-02-27

I would give Sarah Plain and Tall 5 stars! It is funny, and it has drama, and a little action, too. It would be good to read it to your son or daughter and brother or sister, but make sure you have a box of tissues nearby because it might make you cry. When I read it, I got into the book and all it did was make me laugh and cry. I bet if you get this book, you won't have to get your money back!

A Good Book.......2006-11-29

This book is good and it is about two children, their mom die and they are getting a new mom. The woman's name is Sarah. Before she comes they send letters back and forth and they answer each others questions. In the summer Sharah comes to see them. If you want to know if she stays or not you will have to buy the book.

The Single Girl's Guide to Marrying a Man, His Kids, and His Ex-Wife: Becoming A Stepmother With Humor And Grace

Average customer rating:

single girls guide to marry a man, his kids and his ex wife
Down to earth advice - too bad she copped out at end
Good for the girlfriend that is considering becoming a stepmother
Straight talk for new Stepmoms!
Great book! Suprisingly Entertaining

The Single Girl's Guide to Marrying a Man, His Kids, and His Ex-Wife: Becoming A Stepmother With Humor And Grace
Sally Bjornsen
Manufacturer: NAL Trade
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Accessories:

philosophy hope in a jar daily moisturizer

ASIN: 0451214196

Book Description

A funny, honest, and empathetic resource for the novice stepmother, which includes advice on The kids: Adjusting to suspicion, resentment, and biological-parent loyalties; The ex-wife: Living calmly alongside her, whether she's a psycho or the perfect mother; The holidays: Accommodating old family traditions and developing new ones; The sex: Keeping love alive through the kids' bed-wetting and nightmares. Plus an invaluable list of resources, websites, publications, and organizations specifically for the new stepmother.

Customer Reviews:

single girls guide to marry a man, his kids and his ex wife.......2007-10-01

This book gave situations that come up that can happen but not suggestions on how to deal with them. this book didnt do me much good.

Down to earth advice - too bad she copped out at end.......2007-09-06

I wasn't quite sure how to rate this book -- I enjoyed MOST of the book, but, boy, she slung a real doozy at the end, which left me with a bad taste in my mouth. First, the good stuff -- she relates with honesty, frankness, and much-needed humor, the struggles faced by stepmothers, using many examples and stories from her own life. I felt relieved, energized and heartened. I found myself taking myself less seriously and began seeing the big picture, and even laughing at some of my struggles (particularly with the ex-wife). She has a young, hip tone, which was refreshing after some of the "psych-speak" books I had previously read (although at times it seems she's trying a little too hard). BUT -- and this was a big "but" for me -- at the end she basically says the only way to be truly accepted is to have your own child with your new partner. Ugh. I felt like I had been sucker-punched. As a "childless" stepmom, I felt completely diminished, devalued and disrespected. I wanted to yell, "Sally -- not everyone chooses to or WANTS to have a child! Have a little respect!" I have to say that this last chapter and this declaration cheapened the book for me. It made her sound naive and judgmental, not to mention insensitive. I wondered how someone who seemed so "with it" for most of the book could be so "out of it" on this point. I'm just so tired of the "have children, it will solve everything and give you a purpose in life" thing. Too bad she resorted to this tired old answer, especially in this age of inclusion, and recognition of ALL types of families. And too bad her publisher didn't think twice about including it. I am rating the book 3 stars, hoping that she is just young and naive, and wouldn't have written that if she were 40.

Good for the girlfriend that is considering becoming a stepmother.......2007-09-04

I am a single gal who was looking for someone to tell me the issues that I might be inheriting if I take the next step with my boyfriend. This is an informative book of issues to be aware of and reads almost like a novel. I had picked up another stepmother book but it was way to dry and had too much homework that I was not prepared to concur just yet. This was an easy read.

This book was written for people that know they are going to marry a man, his kids and ex-wife or already have - not for people contemplating. It did lack such issues as - things to consider when moving in with each other, how to introduce kids into the relationship, etc. If you are still on the fence, you might consider another book that deals with dating issues and the step between dating and marrying.

Straight talk for new Stepmoms!.......2007-09-03

I am a new stepmom to a six year old girl. She's great, but sometimes, things bother me and I have a hard time putting them into words. This book is like reading my mind. It has helped me so much, and it also makes you realize that feelings you have sometimes are natural and ok...nothing to feel guilty about. All new stepmoms should read this book...even if your husband wasn't married before - if he just had children from a previous relationship, as mine did, a lot of the book will still apply to you as well.

Great book! Suprisingly Entertaining.......2007-08-02

This book really helped me to realize that I'm not the only person that does really stupid step-mom things and then regrets them. It's a great read if you're feeling like no one in the world can possibly understand what you're going through.

Stepmotherhood: How to Survive Without Feeling Frustrated, Left Out, or Wicked, Revised Edition

Average customer rating:

Awesome
Read this before you marry or read this before you give up!
Great Read
Somewhat helpful
A must read for all stepmoms!

Stepmotherhood: How to Survive Without Feeling Frustrated, Left Out, or Wicked, Revised Edition
Cherie Burns
Manufacturer: Three Rivers Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0609807447
Release Date: 2001-09-25

Amazon.com

The role of stepmother has long been maligned--just think of Cinderella's or Snow White's stepmothers. Since 1985 when Cheri Burns published this funny, helpful book, stepmothers have felt relieved and no longer so alone. Burns, a stepmother herself, wrote the book to help fellow travelers understand the dynamics and conflicts of their role and navigate the stormy waters of "Expectations," "Guilt," "The Wicked Ex-Wife," "Discipline," "Vacations," and more. Stepmotherhood remains a vital guide for any woman who is either contemplating stepmotherhood or who is already there.

Book Description

If you’re one of the more than 15 million stepmothers in the country, you know the particular trials—and joys—of stepfamily dynamics today. You wonder if you’re doing the right thing and, as a stepmother, many of your specific questions are unique. In this second edition o f Stepmotherhood: How to Survive Without
Feeling Frustrated, Left Out, or Wicked, journalist and stepmother Cherie Burns brings together countless insights and sound advice, based on the latest research and interviews with experts in the field (including dozens of other stepmoms), to answer questions such as:

• How do you manage discipline when parents and stepparents disagree?
• How can you help stepsiblings get along?
• How do you handle birthdays, holidays, and weddings?
• What’s the best way to get along with your stepchild’s mother?
• When should you seek a therapist’s help?

Burns’s wise and empathetic suggestions go beyond struggle, stigma, and compromise, showing how sensitive, informed stepmothers can take charge—and pride—in their role, becoming more effective and fulfilled.

Customer Reviews:

Awesome.......2007-09-10

For anyone who is a stepmom this is a great book. Being a stepmom of 3 I felt that this book was written for me. I finally knew that I was not alone in my struggles. I will recommend this book to any step mom I meet and it has support websites listed in the back of the book. Very helpful!

Read this before you marry or read this before you give up! .......2006-11-12

I'm a mom of 3 and stepmom of one (going on 3 years now). I am a custodial stepmom which means I mother my stepson full time without a break (his mom abandoned him). It's been beyond hard & draining at times. My marriage is often "on the rocks" because of the stepfamily issues...mostly discipline. I've underlined most of this book....anything & everything that validates how I feel. I'm breathing a sigh of relief over here to read that there are other women out there who are having the same experience I am. I have EVERY stepparenting book out there, I kid you not. This one is the best! If you are about to get married to a man who has children already, read this book first. If you are already married & ready to give up, like myself, READ this book first!

Great Read.......2006-11-10

I am a single woman about to be engaged to a man with a child. This book was a tremendous help. It was truthful and easy to read, and it really changed my life and relationship for the better. I recommend this book to stepmothers, soon-to-be stepmothers, and any woman dating a man with a child.

Somewhat helpful.......2006-09-13

This book discusses a lot of the situations stepmothers face, but I felt it had a negative attitude about stepfamily relations. It addressed some of the emotions of being a stepmother, but it doesn't really give a positive outlook on how to improve situations. Other books have left me with a positive attitude about being a stepmom and emphasizing the importance of a sense of humor, but this book made me feel as if things will never improve...so why even try. It may be helpful for stepmothers with problem stepchildren such as behavior or criminal issues.

A must read for all stepmoms!.......2006-04-06

I can't begin to put into words how inspiring and wonderful this book is. I so wish I had read it BEFORE we got married. I could have saved myself a whole lot of frustration, tears and resentment. There still are those days when the stress level and anxiety are off the charts, but I feel I'm handling the situations better. I learned to pick my battles. I will survive!

Before Midnight: A Retelling of "Cinderella" (Once Upon a Time)

Average customer rating:

before midnight
Entaining, just a little slow to get pulled in
before minight
Dokey's Best in the Once Upon a Time Series
Cinderella as we have never seen her before

Before Midnight: A Retelling of "Cinderella" (Once Upon a Time)
Cameron Dokey
Manufacturer: Simon Pulse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1416934715

Book Description

"ONCE UPON A TIME"
IS TIMELESS

Etienne de Brabant is brokenhearted. His wife has died in childbirth, leaving him alone with an infant daughter he cannot bear to name. But before he abandons her for king and court, he brings a second child to be raised alongside her, a boy whose identity he does not reveal.

The girl, La Cendrillon, and the boy, Raoul, pass sixteen years in the servants' care until one day a very fine lady arrives with her two daughters. The lady has married La Cendrillon's father, and her arrival changes their lives.

When an invitation to a great ball reaches the family, La Cendrillon's new stepmother will make a decision with far-reaching effects. Her choice will lead La Cendrillon and Raoul toward their destiny -- a choice that will challenge their understanding of family, test their loyalty and courage, and, ultimately, teach them who they are.

Customer Reviews:

before midnight.......2007-10-09

Before Midnight

Before Midnight is a wonderful retelling of Cinderella. Constanze or Cendrillon was born at midnight and her mother, Constanze died. Her father was away and when he found that his wife was dead. He was very sad.When he got to the big stone house he had a baby boy with him the same age as Cendrillon. He was so sad he didn't come back for a long time.
I found this a very good book! The ending you would never expect but if I told you it wouldn't be a surprise. READ THE BOOK!!!!!!!!

Entaining, just a little slow to get pulled in.......2007-09-28

I am a huge Cinderella fan, and so this book seemed a perfect fit. But the first part of the book was slow reading, and it could have lost slower less dedicated readers. In the end it was worthwhile as a retelling of the classic fairytale, I just doubt that this will become a classic on its own.

before minight.......2007-08-30

i am currently almost finished with this book and love every page! this is kind of a new twist on "Cinderella". the stepmother and stepsisters, upon realizing who she really is, welcome her with open arms. Cendrillon (main chacter) is as gorgous as her mother was. her mother died in childbirth and her father cannot bear to look at her, let alone name her. her real name is Constaze, after her mother, but she was named Cindrillon "child of cinders" by Mathilde, the woman who delievered her.

this book was awsome and i couldn't put it down, which is pretty much the way with all of cameron dokey's other books, although i have to go back and re-read some due to the fact that i could not even get 1/3 of the way through them due to school and work. i am looking forward to her next release.

Dokey's Best in the Once Upon a Time Series.......2007-04-17

I definitely enjoyed reading this book. The descriptions are very elegant, and the entire feeling is moody. The way the author choose to retell Cinderella I have never seen done before, and it was an interesting take. The characters are likable and believable, and you even come to like the evil stepsister. On the down side, the heroin's relationship with the prince is unrealistic and shallow, but I will say that is somewhat typical of this series. In my opinion Snow by Tracy Lynn was better.

Cinderella as we have never seen her before.......2007-03-26

This tale has always been one of my favorite fairy tales and I have loved some of the different renditions of it like "Ever After" and "Diary of an Ugly Stepsister". "Before Midnight" is another great addition to the retellings of Cinderella. In this revision, Constanze de Brabant, or Cendrillion has been abandoned by her father Etienne because of the death of her mother. She is raised in obscurity with a mysterious boy Raoul by Old Mathilde until a noblewoman, Chantal de Saint-Andre, with her two daughters Amelie and Anastasia arrive. Chantal has married Etienne and she is now Cendrillion's stepmother, but Chantal is never told until secrets are discovered. I love the scene where they open Cendrillion's mother's room and see her portrait. Here Chantal exclaims it is so wicked of Etienne to throw away the most precious gift of all, Love. It is also in this scene that Cendrillion gets her wish of having a family at last.
I will not add too many spoilers and explain who Raoul really is and what happens at the "ball" but this tale which emphasizes the importance of embracing love and all the other feelings that come with it; is so lovingly rendered that both young and old romantics will love it.

Average customer rating:

Just Incredible! Capote's First Novel Is As Genius As It Is Underrated
Sparkling and Intriguing Capote in His First Novel
Fabulous Capote
Literary Masterpiece
Other Voices, Other Rooms

Other Voices, Other Rooms
Truman Capote
Manufacturer: Vintage
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0679745645
Release Date: 1994-02-01

Book Description

Published when Truman Capote was only twenty-three years old, Other Voices, Other Rooms is a literary touchstone of the mid-twentieth century. In this semiautobiographical coming-of-age novel, thirteen-year-old Joel Knox, after losing his mother, is sent from New Orleans to live with the father who abandoned him at birth. But when Joel arrives at Skully’s Landing, the decaying mansion in rural Alabama, his father is nowhere to be found. Instead, Joel meets his morose stepmother, Amy, eccentric cousin Randolph, and a defiant little girl named Idabel, who soon offers Joel the love and approval he seeks.

Fueled by a world-weariness that belied Capote’s tender age, this novel tempers its themes of waylaid hopes and lost innocence with an appreciation for small pleasures and the colorful language of its time and place.

This new edition, featuring an enlightening Introduction by John Berendt, offers readers a fresh look at Capote’s emerging brilliance as a writer of protean power and effortless grace.

From the Hardcover edition.

Customer Reviews:

Just Incredible! Capote's First Novel Is As Genius As It Is Underrated.......2007-09-24

Truman Capote's first novel (published when he was just 22 years old!) may very well be his finest. Although "In Cold Blood" gets all the acclaim, "Other Voices, Other Rooms" is just as powerful in terms of message and is even better (in my opinion) in terms of writing. Capote uses words to paint a gorgeous and vivid portrait of the Deep South like no other writer can. The way that Capote uses prose in this book is just incredible. Even if you've never been to the American South, you can get the feel for it's hot days, tall shady pines and Indian grass. When I read this book, I feel as if I am right there beside the main characters. "Other Voices, Other Rooms" tells the story of 12 year old Joel Knox. After the death of his mother, Joel is summoned by his father (whom he has not seen since he was an infant) to come live at a sprawling and decaying antibellum mansion in rural Alabama. Upon arriving however, Joel finds no sign of his father. Instead, he encounters a bizzare and freakish cast of characters ranging from a friendly black servant girl to a borderline stepmother to a seemingly friendly older cousin with a taste for some disturbing (and very adult) pleasures. During his time at the mansion, Joel discovers old family secrets and uncovers the tragic truth about his father. He also makes a very personal discovery about himself. For anyone who enjoys good old fashion disturbing Southern Gothic, "Other Voices, Other Rooms" is a must read. I have read it three times in the last few years and each time it just gets better and better. Capote's deeply moving coming of age story is largely unnoticed today and that is a shame because "Other Voices, Other Rooms" is an amazingly good start to an amazingly good writing career.

Sparkling and Intriguing Capote in His First Novel.......2007-07-15

Eight years after William Faulkner published THE HAMLET, the first portion of his acclaimed Snopes family chronicle, and roughly ten years before the other two novels of the trilogy, THE TOWN (1957) and THE MANSION (1959) appeared, a remarkable first novel by Truman Capote arrived on the Southern literary scene. Just as Faulkner's full trilogy would come to symbolize the seemingly irresistible and inevitable decay of the post-Civil War South, so too did the young Capote's OTHER VOICES, OTHER ROOMS depict the Deep South as a frayed and unhealthy vestige of its former self. Here we have it all - a desolate ruin of a formerly noble estate now quite literally sinking four inches a year into its own grave, a brother and sister who at least implicitly evidence the despoilage and grinding lassisitude of inbreeding, bizarre marital arrangements straight out of Baby Jane, slavery in spirit if not in fact, and a half-hearted homosexuality devolved into a despoiled and dissolute ennui. If anything, it's almost too much, a hand overplayed to the point of caricature

The basic story line is simple. Twelve-year-old Joel Sansom is shipped out of New Orleans by his caretaking Aunt Ellen to finally meet his absent-since-birth father Edward Sansom at a manor called Skully's Landing. Joel quickly discovers that he has left the big city world of the Big Easy for the small town South, with Skully's Landing existing in an isolated netherworld well beyond the edge of the closest small town of Noon City. The manor is now home to Joel's father, a nearly Siamese-attached brother and sister Randolph and Amy (the former a pompous and lazy effete, the latter a spineless neurotic), and a black maid named Missouri who goes by the name Zoo and whose father is named Jesus Fever. Young Joel is utterly confounded by this crew and mystified by his inability to meet the father whom he has been told lives there. His only consolation is two neighboring sisters, Florabel and Idabel Thompkins. Idabel in particular catches Joel's fancy by her combination of tomboyish behavior and naïve but not altogether innocent sensuality. In the end, young Joel learns the peculiar truth about Randolph and his father, one that intertwines with the fate of a prizefighter named Pepe Alvarez and a sensual, dream-recording woman named Dolores (dolorous?).

Capote's first novel to enter onto the literary stage is at once Southern Gothic in setting yet contemporary in its content. Right from his opening pages, Capote brings the slashing insights and brilliant command of phrase and language to OTHER VOICES, OTHER ROOMS that he continued to display in his later works. In his first paragraph, before we have met a single character, Capote issues a foreshadowed warning about "luminous green logs that shine under the dark marsh water like drowned corpses." Skully's Landing is a place where "the sun was locked in a tomb of clouds," where "folks came when they went off the face of the earth, when they died but were not dead," where "copper waterbugs swung on intricate trapezes of insects' thread, and fungus-flowered fist-size on the wet decrepit wood."

While Truman Capote properly remains best known for IN COLD BLOOD and BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S, his earliest novel deserves equally to be read and savored. It is a literary oddity, a coming of age story set amid the decaying ruins of a family and a society. One could readily imagine Capote seeing the Randolph in himself while identifying with young Joel's search for his place in the world. And when all is said and done, OTHER VOICES, OTHER ROOMS feels remarkably life-affirming. How better to sum up Capote's own life and work?

Fabulous Capote.......2007-05-22

When you read this book, you will see just why the critics went nuts over this young writer. His character is haunting and reveals the complex nature of its author. The allegory is apparent as we see a young man who, from being abandoned has to interpret the world around him without insight from any dependable adult. He sees its beauties and debaucharies and he comes to conclusions that one would expect from a wizened old soul.

Literary Masterpiece.......2007-05-15

This is an incredibly beautiful, intricately constructed book; I have read it 6-7 times in the past few years and with each reading one discovers new images, deeper layers of symbolism. Capote uses words like Mozart used notes; there are passages that shine less than most, but that too is necessary. If you grew up in the country, this book will paint florid Persian carpet patterns of nature in your minds eye. Mindboggling when you remember how young Truman was when this was published...

Other Voices, Other Rooms.......2007-05-14

Excellant the 3rd time around. I've read it three times with twenty year intervals.

Average customer rating:

This book will put you to sleep, fast.
Bound?
A junior version of Amy Tan
Courtesy of Teens Read Too
BOUND

Bound
Donna Jo Napoli
Manufacturer: Simon Pulse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0689861788

Book Description

YOUNG XING XING IS BOUND.

Bound to her late father's second wife and daughter. Bound to a life of servitude as a young girl in ancient China, where a woman is valued less than livestock. Bound to be alone, with no parents to arrange for a suitable husband. Xing Xing spends her days taking care of her half sister, Wei Ping, who cannot walk because of her foot bindings, the painful tradition for girls who are fit to be married. Even so, Xing Xing is content to practice her gift for poetry and calligraphy, and to dream of a life unbound by the laws of family and society.

But all of this is about to change as Stepmother, who has spent nearly all of the family's money, grows desperate to find a husband for Wei Ping. Xing Xing soon realizes that this greed and desperation may threaten not only her memories of the past, but also her dreams for the future.

Customer Reviews:

This book will put you to sleep, fast........2007-08-23

This is the most bland version of Cinderella I've ever read.

Although I love the author, and love Chinese culture even more, I could barely struggle through this book. It's stale, period.

Is it culturally/historically accurate? Well...somewhat. But is it an engaging read? NOT AT ALL! If you want to read about Chinese culture, try Pearl Buck's novels instead.

Bound?.......2007-08-11

Bound, maybe at first I was a little confused a book named Bound like you jump up and down ? When I was in third grade I was considered a slow reader .But one morning It was reading time and I was reading Magic Tree house, and suddenly everything was so real I was standing on the sinking deck of the Titanic with Jack and Annie fear was in my eyes as I saw the rising ocean dark and black I was so scared.All sudden a girl in my class called my name the class was sitting on the floor ready for story time I was really embarrassed how could I have not heard the moving chairs ? I looked at the teacher expecting anger but she just smiled.But what I am trying to say is Bound is the kind of book that someone can immerse themselves in.

A junior version of Amy Tan.......2007-08-10

I read this book in the hopes of finding a quality book to include in my class library for those students who are not quite ready to read the Amy Tan novels I have included there. I found the book to be not as interesting and engaging as I had hoped. The basic story line is interesting, but seems to be lacking in some regard -- perhaps too superficial. I never really seemed to feel invested in the story or attached to the characters.

That being said, it would probably appeal to some of the readers in my class of 8th graders, most likely those with a lower reading level.

Courtesy of Teens Read Too.......2007-03-22

Xing Xing is a young woman who is treated like the classic lower class stepchild in Donna Jo Napoli's BOUND.

Her mother died when she was very young and her father then remarried. The woman that takes care of her (if you want to call it that) is her father's new wife. Xing Xing has a stepsister who has bound feet and can't walk, so she is treated by her stepmother as though she were a maid.

The story is told in the classic tale of Cinderella, with the wicked step-family and the prince trying to find the girl who the missing shoe fits. There is even a great mix of Chinese culture thrown in! I learned a lot about the old (and now mostly) unused tradition of binding a girl's feet.

I enjoyed BOUND because I really love the Cinderella story. Xing Xing becomes a character that you want to see succeed and a girl whom you want to find a suitable husband. You care what happens to her and want to know how she survives her mean stepmother.

Reviewed by: Taylor Rector

BOUND.......2007-03-15

This is one of my favorite books that I have recently read. It takes a couple chapters to get into the heart of the story, but once you learn about the life of Xing-Xing you can't put the book down. To read about someones life being so terrible and living somewhere that they are not wanted, it is very interesting to me. I am not living in that situation, and can't not fully comprehend what it would be like to live with a stepmother who doesn't want you. I enjoyed reading this book and learning about some of the chinese culture. Xing-Xing tries to live a noble life in honor of her parents who have both passed away. I was very happy with the ending, that with all the hard work Xing-Xing has done it pays off. I would definitely recommend this book to those who want to read about how living a good life can pay off in the end.

Average customer rating:

Skylark Takes Off
Skylark
acceptance
More about Sarah and her family
Skylark

Skylark (Sarah, Plain and Tall)
Patricia Maclachlan
Manufacturer: HarperTrophy
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0064406229

Book Description

In this stunning sequel to Newbery Medal winner Sarah, Plain and Tall, Anna and Caleb travel with their new mother, Sarah, to Maine to take refuge from the prairie drought, a journey that teaches them the power of family to transcend distances.

Ages 8 – 10

Customer Reviews:

Skylark Takes Off.......2007-06-18

This well written sequel to Sarah, Plain and Tall is a page-turner. Readers can't wait to find out what happens next to their beloved family on the plains. The dreaded drought causes much hardship; no water for the livestock, wells going dry, families leaving their farms, and the barn fire. Sarah and the children flee to Maine, her birthplace, to wait out the drought in safety. Luckily, the drought ends and Jacob goes to Maine to retrieve his family, including the newly pregnant Sarah! Patricia Maclachlan's writing is beautiful; full of imagery and feeling. It's easy to identify with these well-rounded characters.

Skylark.......2007-03-13

Sarah came to the prairie from Maine to Marry Papa.But durring that summer,a drought turned the land dry and brown.Fires swept across the fields and coyotes came to the well search of water.So Sarah took Anna and Caleb back east,where they were safe.But on the other hand Papa would not leave his land.

Maine was beautiful, but Anna missed her home ,and Papa.And as the weeks went by she began wondering what would happenif the rains will never come.Would they all still be a family.

acceptance.......2006-10-29

With the companion books Sarah, plain and tall skylark represents acceptance for love, tradition, value and companionship for other as well as yourself. As student read this book it will deal and discussion separation, love of ones illness, plant history, and cultural values of others and they deal with real life situations.

More about Sarah and her family.......2005-08-02

Hi, I'm Paulina and I'm one of Patricia's biggest fans. I read the book, Skylark. It started out as a story about family and life in the frontier land. A week had passed and there had been no rain. It was very hot, opening windows was no use. The cow had her calf and then the barn burned down, meanwhile Sarah's aunts had sent her a letter inviting her to come to Maine, papa wouldn't go because he wanted to take care of the land, so he sent Sarah and the children. After a month without papa everyone was getting homesick and missing him very much, finally they saw papa rushing toward them yelling "it rained!" Papa had come to take them all home.

If you like stories about life in the country, this is the story for you. You can easily imagine the sights and landscape in this novel. I would recommend this book for kids between the ages of 8 and 10. I think this was a very good book. The problem in this story was that there wasn't any rain for a long time. This problem was very bad in the days before farmers could water thier crops with machinery. When the rains finally came, it saved the farm and the family. I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more by Patricia MacLauchlan!

Skylark.......2005-05-16

If you are into books about droughts, fires, and other things like that, then this is the right book for YOU.This book is the sequel to "Sarah, Plain and Tall" when a young woman named Sarah traveled from Maine to the Prairie to marry a widowed man named Jacob and his two children, Anna and Caleb.In the book "Skylark" there is a drought and during the drought there was a huge fire that burned down their barn.So Jacob told Sarah to take Anna and Caleb to Maine while he rebuilds the barn.Will they ever be together again?To find out read the book "Skylark."

Stepwives: Ten Steps to Help Ex-Wives and Step-Mothers End the Struggle and Put the Kids First

Average customer rating:

No other book like this
Great ideas, but it DOES take two to tango...
Great for a small piece of mind
Great for some peace
TheStepfamilyLife - Review of Step-Wives

Stepwives: Ten Steps to Help Ex-Wives and Step-Mothers End the Struggle and Put the Kids First
Louise Oxhorn , Lynne Oxhorn-Ringwood , and Marjorie Krausz
Manufacturer: Fireside
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Accessories:

ASIN: 0743222466

Book Description

Stepwives: (n) (1) ex-wife and current wife to the same man, mother and stepmother to the same children; (2) women destined to battle for the love and control of their families...until now!

Lynne and Louise were stepwives for ten years. While they managed a barely civil relationship, each was seething with anger on the inside. It all boiled over in an ugly scene on the day Lynne saw that Louise was wearing shoes identical to her own favorite pair, and then they knew they had to find a new way of being a family.

With the guidance of marriage and family therapist Marjorie Vego Krausz, Lynne Oxhorn-Ringwood and Louise Oxhorn developed a ten-step program that has helped thousands of women begin to go from sworn enemies to CoMamas. You don't have to follow the program together with your stepwife; even if only one of you follows the plan, your stepwife relationship and the happiness of your family will improve. Learn how to:

Establish a good working relationship with your stepwife
Put the children first
Understand your husband's/ex-husband's role and how he can help
Handle vacations, holidays, and other big occasions

Packed with quizzes, lists, and other helpful tools, Stepwives can show you how to step into her shoes and have a peaceful, cooperative relationship with your stepwife.

Customer Reviews:

No other book like this.......2007-07-11

This is the only book that I have found that touches on the ex-wife/step-mom relationship. I ordered an extra copy for my "step-wife" and I pray that she doesn't throw it at my face when I give it to her. A great read when dealing with all of the mixed emotions involved with blended families.

Great ideas, but it DOES take two to tango..........2006-08-23

I bought this book very shortly after it was published when I saw the authors on some morning talk show, and voraciously read every page in search of the magic solution to the problems between me and my husband's ex.

Some background: Like Louise, I became a stepmom at a tender young age with none of the proverbial "baggage" to speak of - no ex-husband, no kids. And thus, no parenting experience. To say I was unaware of the issues surrounding divorce, however, would be untrue: My parents divorced when I was 10, and I was one of the truly lucky kids whose parents both remarried wonderful people, each with one child of their own, who provided very stable, happy homes for me and all of my siblings (in fact, my two sets of parents are going on 23 and 16 years of marriage now!). My husband, on the other hand, is eight years older than me, and his daughter was just 2 when we met, a year after his divorce. His ex-wife is 2 years older than him, and despite her hastily initiating and persuing their divorce and remarrying just a year later, she has a long and troubling history of trying to insert herself in our business and control everything about their joint-custody situation. To make things more interesting, she behaves like she has multiple personality disorder in her dealings with us - and we never knew which one we were going to get! One minute she goes on ad nauseum about how lucky she and her daughter are that I'm her "other mom," and the next she's calling to complain (to my husband) that I wouldn't let their daughter go outside, in the dead of winter in 30 degree weather, wearing just her nightgown so she could ask her father the same question I'd just answered for her (which she wanted to do because my answer was "no"). Believe me - I was desperately searching for something that would help me in this situation!

So, I read the book, and felt like I had finally found some tools I could work with. Honestly, I felt so energized and optimistic in the aftermath of reading this book, that I immediately bought a second copy, which I inscribed with a very nice message to my "comama," telling her that I hoped we, too, could find the strength and grace to move past our issues with each other and raise the little girl we both cared about in the best way possible. I gave it to my comama after one of my stepdaughter's school functions, and she was all appreciative of this gesture and promised to read it and get in touch so we could talk about it, blah, blah, blah. Needless to say, I never heard a word from her about it after that, and absolutely nothing changed. Did she ever read the book? I can't say for sure. My best guess is that she DID read it but saw none of herself in Lynn, and so the whole message was lost on her!

So, while she has continued to be bizarre, meddling and controlling, we've set our boundaries and enforced them, and we try to minimize the damage she does as much as possible, both for ourselves and our little boy, and for my husband's now 10-year old daughter.

My point is as much as I had hoped that the tips in this book would be the answer to our problems, you really DO need both comamas to be on board to make the concepts work. Both women have to be mature and willing enough to put their differences aside if this is to work. I am living proof that one woman alone cannot change the actions of another, no matter how much she may wish it so.

To all the other stepmoms out there, I wish you the very best of luck! I know it's not easy and that the road can be very, very long (and full of some serious potholes) at times, but you've got to have faith that it's all worthwhile in the end. Good luck!

Great for a small piece of mind.......2004-04-01

This book really helped me to visualize how that stubborn ex-wife is or has been viewing the whole situation. I do not get as worked up as I had been doing in the past. I have learned to pick my battles and let the bio-parents deal with eachother as much as possible. I have a little more patience with her and I am thinking about buying her a copy as well. It may not help her, but it sure did me and it is worth a shot.
If you have a "step-wife" and there is a child involved this book may be the way to building small bridges for that child's sake and for that small piece of mind.

Great for some peace.......2004-04-01

This makes you take a look into that other woman's life. It forces you to possibly gain a little knowlegde about the ex. It was great to finally feel a little of much DESERVED peace in my life.

TheStepfamilyLife - Review of Step-Wives.......2004-03-13

Lynne Oxhorn-Ringwood and Louise Oxhorn were the best of enemies for ten years. Then they learned how to put the struggle behind them and unite for the sake of raising a great kid. Dubbed the original "co-Mamas," Lynne and Louise write from experience about their struggles to understand, communicate and get along. They partnered with family therapist Marjorie Vego-Krausz to assemble this book and their ten step program for moving your stepwife relationship beyond antagonism.

One of the things that I liked about this book is that it pointed out - in glaring honesty - the natural hostility found in the stepmother/ex-wife relationship. So often many of us, bruised by awkwardness, just don't want to admit that we are two women trying to share a space originally carved out for one. So we dance politely sidestep the true issues, all the while misunderstanding what the other says and layering onto our relationships years of acrimony and pain.

Louise and Lynne describe the turf battles familiar to many stepmoms and ex-wives. Lynne is the ex-wife of Greg - Louise is the woman who replaced Lynne. Lynne describes going into a rage when Louise would volunteer at school with her son Evan's class. Lynne recalls feeling like Louise was just waiting "to pounce" on her and reclaim her old life. How can the two get along?

The first thing the authors do is offer some subtle vocabulary switches. Let's be honest - when you hear the words ex-wife and stepmom together in a sentence your first thought is cat fight. "Step-wife" is a term coined for the book and used interchangeably for both stepmoms and ex-wives when both are being discussed together.

So how do the "step-wives" keep the peace? According to these former family warmongers, it's not easy to bury the hatchet and get along, but they've devised a ten-step plan (known by the acronym PRESCRPTON) that can yield results:

P - Put the kids first.

R - Respect each other.

E - Empathize and acknowledge feelings.

S - Set limits and boundaries.

C - Claim your own baggage.

R - Remember realistic expectations.

P - Problem-solve.

T - Talk and communicate effectively.

O - Organize consistently.

N - Nurture yourself.

PRESCRPTON may seem simplistic, and the actual chapter space devoted to explaining it is fairly limited. However, the authors draw together several topics affecting stepmother and ex-wives and explain how to apply PRESCRPTON to real-life situations. They cover some of the most sticky subjects common to stepfamilies - telling your stepchildren when a new baby is on the way, deciding if an ex should attend the funeral of an in-law, dealing with drug abuse or mental illness, and sorting out disciplinary differences between households.

Suggestions on how to get along and draw boundaries will be much appreciated by stepfamilies trying to delineate roles. They recommend at least a "basic 5" for interaction between step-wives at public events. The "basic 5" are: (1) smile, (2) make eye contact, (3) say "hello, _______(her name)," (4) be aware of your body language (5) if others are present then introduce and include your step-wife in the conversation. They point out that these basic courtesies are often ignored in stepfamilies still reeling from emotional upheaval but that everyone should be able to manage at least simple civilities.

One of the book's strengths is that it shows the reader how to see the points of view felt by others in the stepfamily equation. A chapter on the man in the middle examines the plight of the ex-husband/new husband and identifies common coping strategies men employ to stay out of the cross-fire.

Throughout the book, ex-wives and stepmoms are encouraged to empathize with each other and their respective situations. Each chapter addresses stepmoms and ex-wives individually with recommendations and comments. A chapter on second wife syndrome (which afflicts ex-wives) and ex-wife envy (a stepmom illness) discuss the feelings of jealousy common to "step-wives" of all stripes.

When the chapter on in-laws recommended that stepmoms should be allowed to go to Thanksgiving dinner without their husband's ex-wife looming over the turkey, I was ready to stand up and cheer! At the same time, I also learned to empathize more with my husband's ex-wife and her situation by reading this book.

This book holds plenty of insight and wisdom for any one involved in a stepfamily. The authors recommend that stepmoms and ex-wives both read the book and then have a meeting to outline boundaries. Even if you can't get your "step-wife" to read the book or apply the steps, you will still benefit from it.

Average customer rating:

Comforting!

disappointed

Not Meant for just NEW Stepmothers

Encouraging Words for *ANYONE* in a relationship!

Ideal Gifts

Encouraging Words for New Stepmothers
Jean A. McBride
Manufacturer: CDR Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Marriage & Family | Sociology | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
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The Courage to Be a Stepmom: Finding Your Place Without Losing Yourself

Stepmotherhood: How to Survive Without Feeling Frustrated, Left Out, or Wicked, Revised Edition

The Single Girl's Guide to Marrying a Man, His Kids, and His Ex-Wife: Becoming A Stepmother With Humor And Grace

The Enlightened Stepmother: Revolutionizing the Role

7 Steps to Bonding with Your Stepchild

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Health o Meter HDC100-01 "Grow with Me" Teddy Bear Scale for Babies and Toddlers

philosophy hope in a jar daily moisturizer

ASIN: 0970772912

Book Description

Encouraging Words for New Stepmothers, a portable support system, is a series of essays based on the most current research about stepfamilies and written in a conversational style, much like sitting down for tea with a knowledgeable, caring friend. Whether you need to receive support as a stepmother or wish to give support, you'll find a wealth of information at your fingertips.

Customer Reviews:

Comforting!.......2007-06-06

I would recommend this book to any stepmother! It made me feel like I wasn't alone in my feelings and frustrations! It is unlike other books of its kind because it's positive without being unrealistic and isn't full of stories about other people. It's the kind of book I'll keep picking up through the years.

disappointed.......2006-06-27

I was disappointed with this book. I did not find it encouraging at all.....as a matter of fact....I found it more pro for the stepkids and bio fathers. I was looking for a book that would allow me to feel okay that I don't feel certain ways as a stepmother and I was looking for encouraging words to make me feel that I did not have to have the pressure on me as a stepmother and to feel that I was not expected to do all the compromising. I did not find it helpful and I discarded the book.

Not Meant for just NEW Stepmothers.......2002-06-25

Jean McBride offers sage advice to ALL stepmothers, not just the new stepmothers. There is so much hope for all in this treasure of a book.

Encouraging Words for *ANYONE* in a relationship!.......2002-06-03

A small volume, yet a treasure trove of useful tips & reminders for anyone involved in any kind of relationship. Specifically targeted to the stepmothers amongst us, this is advice which is easy to read, absorb & put into practice.
Encouraging Words will make an excellent gift for yourself, your own stepmother, or any well-loved friend or relative who finds themself in this situation where a few encouraging words can make all the difference.

Ideal Gifts.......2001-08-20

I've given a copy to all the stepmothers I know.

Average customer rating:

I really enjoy this author!
String of memories
What is it about "The Memory String"?
The Memory String.
Memories to hang onto

The Memory String
Eve Bunting
Manufacturer: Clarion Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0395861462

Book Description

Each button on Laura's memory string represents a piece of her family history. The buttons Laura cherishes the most belonged to her mothera button from her prom dress, a white one off her wedding dress, and a single small button from the nightgown she was wearing on the day she died. When the string breaks, Laura's new stepmother, Jane, is there to comfort Laura and search for a missing button, just as Laura's mother would have done. But it's not the sameJane isn't Mom. In Eve Bunting's moving story, beautifully illustrated by Ted Rand, Laura discovers that a memory string is not just for remembering the past: it's also for recording new memories.

Customer Reviews:

I really enjoy this author!.......2006-03-08

I enjoyed this book a lot. I think that it speaks to how difficult it is for all of us to accept new situations and how difficult it is to lose someone that we love. One of this girl's prize possessions is her memory string and as the story unfolds around it, we get to see her learn to accept the new turns her life has taken. I found it fascinating to go and research button charm strings of the past after reading this book and then help my daughters to create memory strings of their own. The illustrations are beautiful as well.

String of memories.......2002-10-23

THIS STORY WAS ABOUT A GIRL NAMED Laura and she had a memory string from her great family. Her cat Whiskers messed it and her.step mother and her father helped her look for the missing pieces. Her step mother found the missing pieces and put the button on the porch. She found it and asked her mother to put it on.

What is it about "The Memory String"?.......2002-10-22

This is a story of a young girl named Laura whose mom died three years ago. Her father remarried a lady named Jane. Laura misses her mom very much and she remembers her with a memory string. The memory string has all different buttons wich stand for family memories. The author uses the words very well. Eve Bunting wrote a really good book! Lindsey L.

The Memory String........2002-10-22

This book is great!!! It's about a little girl, Laura, and her cat, Whiskers. Laura has a memory string which is made from buttons taken from her family's clothing. Whiskers accidentally breaks the string and the buttons get lost. Laura's mom died 3 years ago, so her stepmother Jane and her dad and Laura find all of the buttons except for 1. To find out if they find the last button read the Memory String.

Memories to hang onto.......2002-01-10

Laura is determined not to be caught talking to herself, so she grabs her not-so-pleased cat and recites the story of her buttons. Each button holds a memory from the past. Remembering these stories keeps her mother alive and close in Laura's mind. Laura uses her buttons as a defense against her changing world, but it just may be the buttons that bring the healing she needs. A great book to have on hand for children dealing with death, loss, divorce, and remarriage.

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