The Secret Garden (HarperClassics)

Amazon.com

Mistress Mary is quite contrary until she helps her garden grow. Along the way, she manages to cure her sickly cousin Colin, who is every bit as imperious as she. These two are sullen little peas in a pod, closed up in a gloomy old manor on the Yorkshire moors of England, until a locked-up garden captures their imaginations and puts the blush of a wild rose in their cheeks; "It was the sweetest, most mysterious-looking place any one could imagine. The high walls which shut it in were covered with the leafless stems of roses which were so thick, that they matted together.... 'No wonder it is still,' Mary whispered. 'I am the first person who has spoken here for ten years.'" As new life sprouts from the earth, Mary and Colin's sour natures begin to sweeten. For anyone who has ever felt afraid to live and love, The Secret Garden's portrayal of reawakening spirits will thrill and rejuvenate. Frances Hodgson Burnett creates characters so strong and distinct, young readers continue to identify with them even 85 years after they were conceived. (Ages 9 to 12)

Book Description

When orphaned Mary Lennox, lonely and sad, comes to live at her uncle's great house on the Yorkshire moors, she finds it full of secrets. At night, she hears the sound of crying down one of the long corridors. Outside, she meets Dickon, a magical boy who can charm and talk to animals. Then, one day, with the help of a friendly robin, Mary discovers the most mysterious wonder of all--a secret garden, walled and locked, which has been completely forgotten for years and years. Is everything in the graden dead, or can Mary bring it back to life?

Customer Reviews:

A classic for girls.......2007-09-22

The Secret Garden is a book about a spoiled girl who uncovers the mysteries of the house around her which include, but are not limited too, what is behind the wall, and why is it kept secret. It is a good classic, but girls will enjoy it much more than boys do.

Classic.......2007-08-06

Even if you are an adult you should reread this book. Helps you to see how fun it was to be a kid.

Seeds the child's imagination..........2007-07-29

This has always been one of my favorite books since childhood. When I read my first story in this book it gave me so much inspiration to use my imagination as a child should. A child's imagination is so real! This reality soon takes the form of abstract, which paves the road to anywhere he wants it to go - or not...

The Secret Garden.......2007-07-05

This edition is printed on really cheap, unappealing paper. I can't imagine anyone wanting to give this version of a children's classic as a gift, or even to read from it to a child yourself.

Spellbinding Book.......2007-07-03

This book is the best book I have ever read. It's a light, happy book that I will treasure for the rest of my life. Ilove the theme of hope in the book, that will convince readers about the Magic inside themselves...if they hope. If they believe something will happen, it will. That theme is so beautifully conveyed. I couldn't put it down, and it is most definitely my new favorite book. A MUST READ!!!!!!!!

I ALSO RECCOMEND THE FOLLOWING:
Arthur and the Invisibles, Artemis Fowl Series, The Book Without Words, The Kingdom Keepers, the Prophecy of the Stones, The Game of Sunken PLaces, Midnight Blue

HOME RULES: TRANSFORM THE PLACE YOU LIVE INTO A PLACE YOU'LL LOVE

Average customer rating:

Blah!
Inspirations for Decorating
I like the pictures!
Everyone Needs a Little Nate in Their Homes
Love it !

HOME RULES: TRANSFORM THE PLACE YOU LIVE INTO A PLACE YOU'LL LOVE
Nate Berkus
Manufacturer: Hyperion
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

Decorating | Interior Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Decoration & Ornament | Interior Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Interior Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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Accessories:

Dry Cleaner's Secret Quick & Easy Dry Cleaning Sheets, Bagless Formula, 14-Count Box (Cleans 56 Garments)

ASIN: 1401301371
Release Date: 2005-11-01

Book Description

Nate Berkus, regular contributor on The Oprah Winfrey Show, contributing editor of O, The Oprah Magazine, and nationally renowned decorator, has created a book inspired by his belief that everyone should love the way they live. This step-by-step guide to achieving your own beautiful rooms is based on Nates signature style and innovative approach to design. As a small boy, Nate could often be found rearranging his room (as well as helping his mother and the other neighborhood mothers rearrange theirs). Throughout the years his passion continued to grow, and soon Nate was heading his own award-winning firm with an elite roster of clients. But it was Oprah Winfrey who gave Nate the chance of a lifetimethe opportunity to go into millions of homes around the world and join her mission to help people live their best lives. It has been a dream come true that has absolutely changed my life, explains Berkus. Not only has working with Oprah helped me redefine my own vision and purposebut she continues to challenge me to use my own life to help others live better. And there is nothing that makes me happier or more grateful than to be a part of that. As Oprah always says, your home should be a reflection of who you truly are. Nate says, no matter how much money you have, he believes that is so very true. I am honored to share my love of design to help everyone make that dream real for themselves with this book.

Customer Reviews:

Blah!.......2007-03-08

I was hoping for something a little more informative. Nate doesn't have a dagree in design, and obviously not one in writting a book on it either... Sorry nate. He has good concepts, and knows what should be included in good design. Each room should have history to it, it should tell a story. So pretty much i just summed it up for you in one sentance. now you don't have to buy the book. I am a tough critic tho, because i am an interior design student...

Inspirations for Decorating.......2007-03-07

I wasn't familiar with Berkus from TV, but love decorating books. Here he shows rooms with before and after photos while describing the challenge and his solutions for it. Each chapter has some questions to help you define what you want your room to feel like and how it should function. I liked the little features like tips for arranging art or the Easy Updates (room changes that could be done in an hour or a day).
Here are the chapter headings:
Getting started : inspirations
At home with color
Something for everyone : family rooms
Living large : small spaces
The right recipe : kitchens
Rest and relaxation : bedrooms
The ultimate retreat : bathrooms
Contain yourself : organizing.

I like the pictures!.......2007-02-09

In retrospect, I'm not sure I would have purchased this book. It's full of good ideas and I enjoyed the pictures, but once I was finished reading it....
If you can get a good price on this, go for it. Otherwise you might consider the library.
But all in all, a good book.

Everyone Needs a Little Nate in Their Homes.......2007-01-15

I'm not a decorator. I don't have an eye for colors and what matches and what doesn't. I must admit that every home that I've had, my mother has decorated for me. Nate Berkus and his book have allowed me to grow up and begin to decorate my house on my own. His ideas are so simple, but with an enormous impact. He details every aspect of home decorating to include painting as well as how to decorate mantels, bookshelves, and other places that sometimes aren't considered in home decorating. The pictures are very beautiful and full of color. If you are a fan of Oprah and especially Nate, then this book is a must have.

Love it ! .......2007-01-04

I love Nate and his style and also love this book! It's like having Nate's advice at hand 24/7, right in your own home. If you're interested in interior design and want to make your home more stylish and unique, this book will help you do just that!

Where We Lived: Discovering the Places We Once Called Home

Average customer rating:

Another Great Social History Book
I can't put it down!
History Buff
A wonderfully descriptive treasure, enthusiastically recommended for public library collections.
Discovering the Places We Once Called Home

Where We Lived: Discovering the Places We Once Called Home
Jack Larkin
Manufacturer: Taunton
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Social History | Historical Study | History | Subjects | Books

General | Home Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1561588474
Release Date: 2006-11-21

Book Description

The past has left behind only scattered clues that, on their own, provide little insight into how the people of early America lived and the details of their daily lives. The photographs in this book, the deeply informed narrative that accompanies them, and the eyewitness accounts of daily life that the author weaves throughout, provide a fresh perspective on our early American ancestors and the places they called home. This book is about how their houses and their life in them, from the wealthy to the impoverished, from New York City to the small farms and plantations of the South, from coastal fishing towns to the Western frontier of Indiana and Kentucky. The stories focus on the remarkably vivid differences from one part of the country to the next, class and culture, and the realities of everyday life for American families. These stories twine around a wide selection of HABS photographs of early houses, covering the variety and evolutions of house styles -- not by labeling the style but by explaining the style in the context of everyday life.

Richly illustrated with handsome black-and-white photography of old houses from the Library of Congress Historic American Building Survey (HABS) collection and supplemented with period woodcuts, engravings, drawings, paintings, artifacts, and maps, the book is printed on a 4-color press for a depth of tone. Sidebar excerpts from diaries, journals, and letters inject graphic eyewitness descriptions, adding an additional layer of insight. The book also includes sidebars called Still Standing that traces the history of specific houses, from their origins to the present and includes information on the original family, how the house has evolved over the centuries, and how it's used today.

Customer Reviews:

Another Great Social History Book.......2007-07-01

A fascinating account of the homes folks lived in 200 years ago and what each space and room in the home was used for. Mr. Larkin vividly describes by area (New England, the Middle States, the Southern States, and the Western States - as far as what was considered west by 1840), how the people of the past utilized their living spaces. It also describes in detail the many different styles of housing in the geographical areas mentioned, and how the Middle States structures may differ from the, say, New England area.
As mentioned in other reviews, it truly is amazing how many human beings could sometimes be squeezed into a small house with, most likely, little complaining.
In addition to the lively, well-written text, there are many photographs - most taken 50 or more years ago and are in black and white - to enhance the reader's enjoyment.
As an amatuer social historian, I can honestly say this wonderful book is a great find to add to any collection. I am thankful we have historians like Jack Larkin to help us in our quest for real American History.

I can't put it down!.......2007-06-30

I bought this book because I heard an interview with the author on NPR radio and he sounded very interesting. I am loving this book! I thought I would use it more as a reference book, but am finding myself reading it from front to back, gobbling up the photos and other interesting bits of information that he packs in to the pages and sidelines of each page. I love the historical journal readings that he has inserted to make points such as in the bed bugs section he quoted the Farmers Almanac "let a tired farmer be tormented all night" by bed bugs - and another traveler, Joseph Fowler in 1828 found "filthy beds swarming with bugs ... notwithstanding the repeated onsets of the bugs and other vermin with which I was molested." Very funny, written very well and extremely enjoyable historical book. I no longer yearn to live in the 1800's! And have a much deeper understanding of what our forefathers endured ... enjoy!

History Buff.......2007-05-07

Fantastic book. Lots of great photos and information about homes of that era.

A wonderfully descriptive treasure, enthusiastically recommended for public library collections........2007-03-05

Written by museum scholar and historian Jack Larkin, Where We Lived: Discovering The Places We Once Called Home is a coffee-table book that blends eyewitness accounts of early American life with black-and-white Depression-era photography to give a historically accurate accounting of everyday life during America's formative years. From the lives of slaves and paupers to the hardships faced by frontiersmen to the relative luxury of east coast elites, Where We Lived offers a mosaic of the American experience for readers of all backgrounds, sure to enrich one's understanding of American history and culture. A wonderfully descriptive treasure, enthusiastically recommended for public library collections.

Discovering the Places We Once Called Home.......2007-02-20

The book is wonderful! For anyone who loves history, architecture etc., you will enjoy. The photographs are beautiful. It would make a great addition to any library,or to display as a coffee table book.

Average customer rating:

Book - "At Home in Mitford"
SUPERB WRITING
A BREATH OF FRESH AIR
Such FUN to read!
Mitford series review

At Home in Mitford
Jan Karon
Manufacturer: Penguin Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Domestic Life | Women's Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Fiction | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 014025448X

Amazon.com

Father Tim, a cherished small-town rector, is the steadfast soldier in this beloved slice of life story set in an American village where the grass is still green, the pickets are still white, and the air still smells sweet. The rector's forthright secretary, Emma Garret, worries about her employer, as she sees past his Christian cheerfulness into his aching loneliness. Slowly but surely, the empty places in Father Tim's heart do get filled. First with a gangly stray dog, later with a seemingly stray boy, and finally with the realization that he is stumbling into love with his independent and Christian-wise next-door neighbor. Much more than a gentle love story, this is a homespun tale about a town of endearing characters-- including a mysterious jewel thief--who are as quirky and popular as those of Mayberry, R.F.D. --Gail Hudson

Book Description

Combining the stellar script-adaptation skills of award-winning writer Paul McCusker with the best-selling novel by Jan Karon, Radio Theatre's At Home in Mitford will leave listeners longing for more. Set in the charming village of Mitford, this book will delight listeners as it draws them into the life of Father Tim, an Episcopal rector who finds himself running on empty and longing for change. His bachelor existence is changed and enriched by a lovable cast of characters, including a stray dog, a lonely boy, and a comely neighbor.

Customer Reviews:

Book - "At Home in Mitford".......2007-09-21

It's an absolutely wonderful story. It's about the experiences of Father Tim over his lifetime of being a minister. Some of his experiences were funny, some sad. I highly recommend it. There are 9 books in the series, but this one should really be read first.

SUPERB WRITING.......2007-08-27

In my opinion AT HOME IN MITFORD is one of the most fantastic books you can't help but feel like your there.

A BREATH OF FRESH AIR.......2007-08-27

What a wonderful find ! I love books and am an avid reader,I have been blessed to have received this wonderful book from my sister.A pleasure to read and impossible to put down. No bad language,no violence,just pure love,joy,and how most anyone would love to live their life as this.Keeps you interest at high level all the way through the book,and leaves you with such a good feeling,can't wait to get to the rest of them.Jan Karon has to be a truly blessed author.Thank You

Such FUN to read!.......2007-07-24

A friend of mine insisted that I'd like this book but I wasn't so sure - because for some reason I'd presumed that it would be simple and silly. Was I wrong! This book is so much FUN to read! And you never know what will happen next. Spending time with these folks in this village is like a vacation. I will read the entire series. It reminds me of the style of James Herriott, the veterinarian in England stories.

Mitford series review.......2007-07-15

I have read all the books in the Mitford series. I could not put them down. I thought they were all very good. I think Jan Karon did an excellent job making the reader feel these characters were real and that we were right there with them in the story (and I'm not one to be like that at all!) I haven't found many books that I enjoyed reading as much as I did this series. I can't wait for more stories written by Jan Karon.

Average customer rating:

Heat
Fun Baseball Adventure
Heat
Excellent YA Baseball Book
Parent-approved fantastic read - especially for young boys

Heat
Mike Lupica
Manufacturer: Puffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Issues | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
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ASIN: 0142407577
Release Date: 2007-03-01

Book Description

Michael Arroyo has a pitching arm that throws serious heat. But his firepower is nothing compared to the heat Michael faces in his day-to-day life. Newly orphaned after his father led the family's escape from Cuba, Michael's only family is his seventeen-yearold brother Carlos. If Social Services hears of their situation, they will be separated in the foster-care system—or worse, sent back to Cuba. Together, the boys carry on alone, dodging bills and anyone who asks too many questions. But then someone wonders how a twelve-year-old boy could possibly throw with as much power as Michael Arroyo throws. With no way to prove his age, no birth certificate, and no parent to fight for his cause, Michael's secret world is blown wide open, and he discovers that family can come from the most unexpected sources.

Customer Reviews:

Heat.......2007-10-09

Teaching fifth grade, I've discovered that boys do actually enjoy reading. Many love nonfiction books, some love fantasy books, but most enjoy sports books. The problem is that there are not a lot of good quality sports books written for boys this age. Thank goodness Mike Lupica came along because Heat is an all-around crowd-pleaser.

Twelve-year-old Michael Arroyo has been given a gift. Baseball is in his blood. He is a star among players his age. Without much money to his family name, baseball is all Michael has. It's all he knows. Living in the Bronx, in the shadow of Yankee Stadium, Michael has made a name for himself on the Little League diamond, too good of a name. While protecting an important family secret, Michael's age is questioned by his jealous opponents and with no way of proving it, Michael is forced to become a spectator of the only thing important to him.

"It's just a game." Children probably hear this all the time and I'm willing to bet the adults that say this don't remember exactly what it was like to be a kid. Often times to a child, it can be more than a game. To a child who's mother died while he was young, who's father recently passed away, and who's only sibling works night and day to barely pay the bills for the two of you to live in a dumpy one bedroom apartment in a country that you can't legally call your own, it's more than "just a game". It's a safe haven. The ball diamond is a place to escape to, and his teammates are his second family to escape with. And when you're as good as Michael Arroyo is, the baseball field can be a place where your dreams seem like they're not too far out of reach. Now imagine telling the boy that he can't even play because of a silly rule.

Oddly enough for a rousing sports adventure, most of the action in this book doesn't take place on a baseball diamond. As I said, this book is about so much more than baseball. Reading how Michael and his brother Carlos make it day to day living the way they do is exciting enough without the baseball thrown in. But the baseball diamond is where Michael is comfortable so it should come as no surprise that it is where Lupica feels at home as well. I actually found myself on the edge of my seat while reading a few of the ballgames unfold. While the dialogue between the characters is often times forced and unnatural, their comradery is very much believable, making you feel like one of the team.

Mike Lupica packs some powerful stuff into these pages, powerful things that stretch way beyond a baseball diamond. Michael is forced to deal with situations and handle situations that no boy his age should ever have to face. Michael does some fast growing up and is never able to just play the game he loves and truly enjoy playing it. Life isn't always fair though, and everytime it seems like it just might be, Lupica slams on the breaks and reminds us that it's not.

We've all seen the cheerful movies where the star player on a sports team faces some kind of tragedy, is forced to leave the team with the fear of never returning, and then miraculously shows up just in time for the championship game, leading the charge while taking his team to the promise land. We've seen these movies and read these books and at face value, Heat would appear to be one of those books but I promise you, it's not. Mike Lupica is so much better than that and this little baseball book, is about so much more than just baseball.

Fun Baseball Adventure.......2007-10-06

My 10 year old son read this book. He isn't particularly fond of reading, so for him to say he loved a book and didn't want to put it down means it is a truly good book!!

Heat.......2007-07-28

The author is trying to be a Tom Clancy type of author by taking a number of pages to explain one fact. The story line is good, when you can remember what it was. Should be more baseball action and less talk about the same subject.
My favorite books when I was growing up were the chip Hilton series, written be Clair Bee. They all had good story lines, but had one thing in common, they also talked sports. Mr Lupica gets away from this in all his books, whereas he could be the modern day Clair Bee if he so chose.

Excellent YA Baseball Book.......2007-07-13

If you don't like books on baseball written for young adults, this book isn't for you. It does not transcend its nature. However, it is an excellent example of its kind and well worth your time if you like this kind of book at all.

The central character is well-drawn and sympathetic but his sidekick, his Catcher and pal is possibly even better and their interaction is funny also. Their is a love-interest but nothing innapropriate for kids that age happens and this romance may simply be the beginning of a long friendship, which would be no tragedy.

There are some very nicely done minor characters.

The narration is unobtrusive and fits the situation. The dialogue is not on the lines of adult conversation but it is mostly kids talking and is as it should be.

The baseball is fun and the story is worth reading.

Parent-approved fantastic read - especially for young boys.......2007-06-19

As a parent of 2 sons, it's tough for me to find good literature for them to read. HEAT is just what I'm looking for as a parent. A great story that moves right along, just enough character detail to make the story real, and baseball! Strongly recommend without reservation. This was my first read of a book by Mike Lupica. Hope some of his others are just as good.

The Secret Garden (The Illus Children's Library)

Average customer rating:

A very fine book to read
One of the best books ever written
Secret Garden

The Secret Garden (The Illus Children's Library)
Frances Hodgson Burnett
Manufacturer: Gramercy
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Gardening | Home & Garden | Bargain Books | Stores | Books

General | Literature & Fiction | Bargain Books | Stores | Books

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0517221152
Release Date: 2002-09-03

Book Description

What secrets lie behind the doors at Misselthwaite manor? Recently arrived at her uncle's estate, orphaned mary Lennox is spoiled, sickly, and certain she won't enjoy living there. Then she discovers the arched doorway into an overgrown garden, shut up since the death of her aunt ten years earlier. Mary soon begins transforming it into a thing of beauty--unaware that she is changing too.

But Missalthwaite hides another secret, as Mary discovers one night. High in a dark room, away from the rest of the house, lies her young cousin Colin, who believes he is an incurable invalid, destined to die young. His tantrums are so frightful, no one can reason with him. If only, Mary hopes, she can get Colin to love the secret garden as much as she does, its magic wil work wonders on him.

From the Trade Paperback edition.

Customer Reviews:

A very fine book to read.......2007-02-08

For anyone who is teaching their 8 or 9 year old how to write this is one fine book to read because it is so well written. I am a homeschooler who is using IEW to teach my children to write and this book is loaded with "dress-ups". All that aside, the story line is captivating, the characters are memorable, and there are lessons to be learned here that will last a lifetime.

One of the best books ever written.......2005-10-02

THIS REVIEW IS ONLY ABOUT THE ORIGINAL VERSION, NOT THE MODERN REWRITE!!!

When I first read this book (at around 9), I loved it because of the main character, Mary. She was described as "disagreeable," but I liked her -- and I was disappointed when she changed from her "contrary" self into a nice little girl. I also loved the other characters (especially Martha, the "sturdy" housemaid and the "robin who showed the way" and Ben Weatherstaff), and the descriptions.

For example, Mary explores Miselthwaite Manor on a rainy day; she's heard that the house has over a hundred rooms-- and the book is so vividly written that all these years later, I can still remember her playing with a set of ivory elephants, finding a mouse and her young family in a sofa....Other vivid small moments are the maid talking about the moors and opening the windows which made me long to go to Yorkshire and breathe in the moor air. THe story itself is quite suspenseful and I loved that, too.

Now that I'm grown up, I still love all those things, but I understand why Mary had to change (though I still wish she hadn't!). Now, parts of the book (like her reaction to the flowers starting to grow in the garden) make me cry -- they're touching and Mary is too. I appreciate the descriptions and characters and plotting even more than I did as a child and agree that this is probably the best children's book ever written -- and one of the best books ever written, too.

It inspired me as a writer. I am the author of BLOW OUT THE MOON, which is also about a contrary child (but an American) who transforms herself as a result of kind-hearted English people in the English countryside. I didn't copy THE SECRET GARDEN, but the English boarding school I went to as a child (which is the subject of Blow Out the Moon) did remind me of that book!

Secret Garden.......2004-12-01

This is a classic book about a girl, Mary, who is forced to go to her uncle's mysterious mansion to live. But when a boy is discovered in a secret passage, Mary gets suspicious, and a little scared.
All that suspicion is gone when the mean gardener tells her the story of a secret garden. Of course, her curiosity gets the better of her and she goes to find it, that is, with the help of her new birdie friend. The two of them embark on a journey that will change their lives.
Every night when I read this book, I could not put it down because it was so good! When you think the problems are over, another one joins in. I enjoyed reading this book, and I hope you do too!

-6th Grade Student-

Cross-X: The Amazing True Story of How the Most Unlikely Team from the Most Unlikely of Places Overcame Staggering Obstacles at Home and at School to Challenge ... Community on Race, Power, and Education

Average customer rating:

Similar to 'The Game', but not about pickup artists
Not so fast!!!
Powerful tale of the fight to succeed despite racism
Strongly recommended for debaters, teachers, and teenagers
I Won a Round with Cross-X

Cross-X: The Amazing True Story of How the Most Unlikely Team from the Most Unlikely of Places Overcame Staggering Obstacles at Home and at School to Challenge ... Community on Race, Power, and Education
Joe Miller
Manufacturer: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

High School | Education | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Rhetoric | Words & Language | Reference | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0374131945
Release Date: 2006-10-03

Book Description

In Cross-X, journalist Joe Miller follows the Kansas City Central High School’s debate squad through the 2002 season that ends with a top-ten finish at the national championships in Atlanta.

By almost all measures, Central is just another failing inner-city school. Ninety-nine percent of the students are minorities. Only one in three graduate. Test scores are so low that Missouri bureaucrats have declared the school “academically deficient.” But week after week, a crew of Central kids heads off to debate tournaments in suburbs across the Midwest and South, where they routinely beat teams from top-ranked schools. In a game of fast-talking, wit, and sheer brilliance, these students close the achievement gap between black and white students—an accomplishment that educators and policy makers across the country have been striving toward for years.

Here is the riveting and poignant story of four debaters and their coach as they battle formidable opponents from elite prep schools, bureaucrats who seem maddeningly determined to hold them back, friends and family who are mired in poverty and drug addiction, and—perhaps most daunting—their own self-destructive choices. In the end, Miller finds himself on a campaign to change debate itself, certain that these students from the Eastside of Kansas City may be the saviors of a game that is intrinsic to American democracy.

Customer Reviews:

Similar to 'The Game', but not about pickup artists.......2007-09-26

The premise of Cross-X is very similar to 'The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists' by Neil Strauss; a journalist decides to write a book. Joe Miller wrote it about a debater; Neil Strauss wrote it about himself. There are actually a few parallels in debate and pickup; there are rules and guidelines, some people obsess and know every little detail, it's considered a game by those who play it, etc.

So if you liked The Game for its writing, you'll like Cross-X. If you liked The Game for its subject matter, you'll probably be disapointed; Joe Miller is a cool dude, but he doesn't know NEAR as much about social dynamics as Neil Strauss.

Not so fast!!!.......2007-05-22

Aside from the questions of the politics of liberation in education and the difficulties of racial balance in urban schools, there are two inner conflicts at work in the context of this piece of reportage. The first has to do with the shift in practice in academic/policy debate from what could be called persuasive oratory - as the book presents it speeches designed to convince "Suzie's Mom" to a high speed delivery, multiple flow theoretical presentation designed for experts in the subject and style. The difference is a rate of delivery more than one and a half times that of most casual speech, laden with acronyms and jargon. And then there is the challenge to this. The second conlictis the competing areas:small schools vs. large consolidations, urban vs rural, public vs private. At the college and university level the regional organizations have almost disappeared. Debate is an endowed activity or a speciality ( sometimes for ideological reasons, one finds schools with agendas also tend to have debate programs). To really understand what goes on in this book, this inside knowledge is helpful.

So I warn, if you are not going to misread events, "What do you know about academic debate?" It is a complex world, the shifting forms of which are at work in this book: NFL (the original one), NCFL, TOC, CEDA, NDT as well as city, state and regional leagues and tournaments. At first blush it seems there are obvious nasties and obvious good guys, aspiring inner city youth and dedicated teachers, dullard administrators and power mad bureacrats. But you really need to know a bit more if you are going to truly understand this nationwide, multi linked and important activity. And it is important- the precentage of public figures with high school/college debate experience is not much less than the number of NFL (football one that is) players with highschool/college football experience. Miller portrays some empathetic individuals and some he can't stand, but it is vital that any reader be aware that this is advocacy journalism, much like the advocacy debate he is pushing for in the book. Many of the "enemies" are there because of principle not laziness or self interest. The history of debate, changing from the persuasive oratory of the sixties to the speed delivered ethos of the seventies, to the pedagogy of liberation theory influenced rhetoric in the eighties has morphed to performance activity and has filtered from colleges down to high school. Those presented as standing in the way, may in many cases be standing against the educational ideas of Pauolo Freire and Jonathon Kozol and in favor of rather traditional, non deconstructive rhetorical theory.

Mr Miller's book is told from the experience of African-American students in an inner city high school. One must consider why a student is involved in what is admittedly a highly competetive activity. His advocacy reminds me of the alternative of being highly successful in the "game" chosen by one of my outstanding students who said concerning Ebonics, "This little brown girl knows if she is going to take care of herself in this world she better know when to write 'I am' and when 'I Be.'" This is the problem of privliging of a discourse. Mr. Miller( and the performance school) do not acknowledge that within a context or ethos certain discourse is privleged and to act differently is to invite retribution. We are educated to do and not to do a number of acts. And here is the rub, what is truly discriminatory, and is the debilitating effect of any discrimination best fought on a personal or organizational basis. The argument goes on and on.

Powerful tale of the fight to succeed despite racism.......2007-02-03

Cross-X by Joe Miller covers about a year in the lives of several students from Central High School in Kansas City, Missouri as they travel on the debate team. They face racism, infighting from the state activities board, and the choices made by their own family. Miller does an amazing job taking this story and making it accessible to all readers. The stories of Ebony, Marcus, Antoine, and Brandon are poignant stories of survival. These black teenagers compete against white kids from private schools and win because of their quick wit and determination to win. Miller completely changed my ideas about debate: what it is and what it stands for. He includes a history of Central High School, a flashpoint in the controversy over Brown vs. Board of Education and also the site of an astronomically expensive renovation to encourage white families to move to the district. Instead these teens have to face ambivalent teachers, tough home lives, and peer pressure in an environment that expects them to fail. The story ultimately becomes about racism and the right to be different. The only disappointment in the book is when Miller inserts himself into the story by becoming a coach to two of the boys. As an objective observer, Miller was able to narrate a tale showing all of the different sides to these young men. As an active participant, he becomes strident as he attempts to be their savior. As such, the ending is a bit of a let-down. The book exposes the deep differences between black and white education and points out that we need to make a change so that all children have the same opportunities for education so they can succeed. It opened my eyes to the incipient racism in schools today.

Strongly recommended for debaters, teachers, and teenagers.......2007-01-28

I think that Cross-X may be one of the best non-academic education-related books that I have ever read. I want to recommend it to everyone. The book's got a lot of things that make it great: nailbiting suspense (during the descriptions of intense debate competitions), depressing history (about farcical desegregation efforts in Kansas City), highly detailed character portraits (when delving into the histories and quirks of the main characters and their families), musings on journalist ethics (when the author Joe Miller [no relation, by the way] realizes that he's becoming personally involved in the story) and reflections on the nature of racism (throughout the entire book).

As a debate teacher, many of the details about inner-city schools, their students, and the students' parents rang true to me -- and Joe Miller's self-critiques about his perceptions of the debaters and their backgrounds also rang true.

This book is so fascinating that I carried it with me everywhere so I could keep reading and find out what happens next. Usually when I do that with books, they're well-written works of fiction with detailed characters and amazing plot twists; the real-life story that Joe Miller tells is every bit as captivating as the best fiction.

I Won a Round with Cross-X.......2007-01-10

I bought this book for my daughter, who teaches in an inner city high school, after hearing it reviewed on NPR. She has loved it! The book addresses two areas very dear to her heart: high school debate and American race relations. Since I have not read the book myself, I can only tell you that it was a winner with my daughter (an educational award-winner herself).

Average customer rating:

Wanted More Description
Locomotion, A Great Book
Dancing
what i think about LOCOMOTION
Locomotion, A Touching, Learning Story

Locomotion
Jacqueline Woodson
Manufacturer: Puffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0142401498

Book Description

When Lonnie Collins Motion—Locomotion—was seven years old, his life changed forever. Now he's eleven, and his life is about to change again. His teacher, Ms. Marcus, is showing him ways to put his jumbled feelings on paper. And suddenly, Lonnie has a whole new way to tell the world about his life, his friends, his little sister Lili, and even his foster mom, Miss Edna, who started out crabby but isn't so bad after all. Jacqueline Woodson's novel-in-poems is humorous, heartbreaking . . . a triumph.

“Its simple yet honest poetry gives you a clear look into the feelings and emotions of Lonnie as he takes what he is given and makes poetry out of it. Locomotion gives you a point of view not often told and takes you on a journey to remember.” —VOYA

Customer Reviews:

Wanted More Description.......2007-06-11

When Lonnie was seven and his sister Lili was four, their parents were killed in a fire. Lili was a sweet little girl and was adopted by a nice family who live in a nice house across town. No one wanted an older boy, though, so Lonnie was sent to live for a long time in a group home, where he learned to be tough and careful around other boys. It was not a good place to live.

Finally a woman, Miss Edna, took Lonnie in as a foster child. He isn't adopted by her but he expects to live with her for a long time. Her own two sons are grown up, one in the army and one living upstate, and she says she learned over the years how to deal with boys.

Lonnie is now eleven years old and has a lot of feelings inside him that he doesn't know how to get out--feelings about Miss Edna and about Lili and about his parents. In school his teacher is teaching them about poetry, and Lonnie discovers that he has some talent for writing poetry and it is much easier to get his feelings down in a poem than it is to try to express himself any other way. So he throws himself into his poetry journal, which becomes the perfect outlet for him.

I liked that despite all of his hardships and his rough life, Lonnie was pretty much doing okay. He wasn't into trouble and was doing well in school and didn't become a stereotypical inner city kid with no parents. I also liked the relationships Lonnie had first with his sister and then with Rodney.

The poetry in this story didn't always work for me, though. Poetry is always a bit disjointed, and it was sometimes hard to get a feel for what Lonnie's life was like, with so little description.

Locomotion, A Great Book.......2007-04-03

This book Locomotion is really like a poem book not more like a story. So if you come across this book try to read it because at first I did like it at all. When I got to the middle, I loved the book. I love this book because it was interesting how it was told in poems. So I would recommend this book to people.

Dancing.......2007-04-03

I really enjoy the genre of poetry. Each line flows off the page. The book Love that Dog made me like the genre because I love how the word flow with the lines. The plot was very believable because a child could loose their parents and can be separated from their siblings. I would recommend this book to others because it tells a wonderful story about friendship.

what i think about LOCOMOTION.......2007-04-03

In this book Locomotion is going through a lot because he is trying to live in the same foster home as his little sister, Lili. It is also hard for him because when he writes about his parents being in the fire it makes him sad. Sometimes he gets mad because whenever Locomotion goes to visit his little sister, Lili, her foster mother acts like she doesn't want him there. I would recommend this book because it is interesting how his life style was when he was growing up.

Locomotion, A Touching, Learning Story.......2007-02-24

When my English teacher told us that we were going to read Novel in verse books, our whole class groaned. But Locomotion was the book i was instantly attracted to because of the story line. Our librarian suggested certain books, and this was one of them. This fantastic book by Jacqueline Woodson would be one that i recommend to kids and adults.

The book is very flowing, the author did a great job of voice, talking like an 11-year-old African American child, living in the city without his parents or his sister. The boy (Lonnie C. Motion) finds out how to get his feelings out on paper due to a great English teacher named Ms. Marcus.

The book is short, and easy read. I really like how this book explores what a child under adoption, split from his family is like. It gives you a real look into what goes on in the society today.

I would most deffinatly reccomend this book.

Making Your Move to One of America's Best Small Towns: How to Find a Great Little Place as Your Next Home Base

Average customer rating:

A Poor Offering
Make that 3 1/2 stars
Part of the story
A good guide to start

Making Your Move to One of America's Best Small Towns: How to Find a Great Little Place as Your Next Home Base
Norman Crampton
Manufacturer: M. Evans and Company, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0871319888

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:

A Design Guide and a Picture Book

Fire Places: A Practical Design Guide to Fireplaces and Stoves Indoors and Out
Jane Gitlin
Manufacturer: Taunton
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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What's In Style: Fireplaces (What's In Style)

The Fireplace Design Sourcebook

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Building A Fireplace: Step-by-step Instructions For Contemporary To Classic Styles

ASIN: 1561588350
Release Date: 2006-11-21

Book Description

What more appealing scene can you conjure up on a wintry day than a pair of comfortable armchairs pulled up to a crackling fire while wisps of smoke curl from the chimney top? All your senses are in use--the sight of the flickering flames, the sound of the crackling logs, the warmth on your face, and the fragrance and taste of wood smoke. The hearth truly is the essential core of every home, whether it is an actual fireplace or merely a mantel displaying the treasures and trophies of intertwined lives. Long past the days of strictly utilitarian purpose, fireplaces and stoves are a design feature in their own right. They are available in an array of styles, sizes, and colors; offer a variety of fuel choices; and feature benefits beyond mere aesthetics, including heat and cooking. Fireplaces and heat sources are also widely found in many rooms throughout the house, including the family or living room, bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom, as well as outdoors. And the latest innovations in fireplace and stove technologies make having one no longer an expensive proposition.

While the building market is seeing growth in the fireplace market, so too is the remodeling marketplace. In fact, many homeowners are refacing their existing fireplace, upgrading their wood fireplace to gas, or simply installing a new faux fireplace where there wasn't one before. In this book readers will find hundreds of examples of all types of indoor fireplaces--from wood to gas, freestanding, and ventless--and stoves, both wood and pellet. In addition to gorgeous photos of a full range of fireplace styles, materials, and décor for indoor and outdoor fireplaces and stoves, solid information on practical design considerations--maintaining a fireplace or stove, remodeling an existing fireplace, safety, converting a wood-burning fireplace to gas, and the like--are explained in detail, making this the only book on the market to offer the breadth of content on both the design and practical components of all types of the latest indoor and outdoor fireplaces and stoves. Aesthetic and practical design considerations for hearths and mantels, built-ins and storage, lighting, and accessories like screen, brooms, and bellows are also covered. A thorough glossary, resources, and index provide reference-like information.

Customer Reviews:

A Design Guide and a Picture Book.......2007-02-03

Fire places seem evoke some kind of hidden memories out of our distant path when the fire at the mouth of the cave kept the tigers away. This has become so important that even apartments now seem to come with fire places.

This book, as is usual with this publisher is a beautifully illustrated, beautifully printed collection of fire places that range from a simple rock lined fire pit out in the yard to fire places that are the design center of the house, wood stoves that meet the new EPA regulations, to antiques that may have come from grandmothers house.

Besides the beautiful photography, this book also includes design tips, and the regulations that come from building codes. And there are discussions of more types of fire places than you could ever imagine without seeing it.

I got this book because my house does not have a fire place, and it's the next major extension that I plan to add. This book answered all the questions that I had, except do I want something indoor or outside. We have a long season for entertaining outside.

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