The Seventeen Traditions

Book Description

Ralph Nader is known for his lifetime of progressive activism and fearless critique of corruption in American politics and society. Yet in this fresh and inspiring new book, Nader takes a look backward–at a serene and enriching childhood spent in bucolic Winsted, Connecticut, and at the traditions he absorbed within his family. From listening to learning, from patriotism to argument, from work to simple enjoyment, Nader revisits seventeen traditions he learned from his parents, his siblings, and the people in his community, and draws from them inspiring lessons for today's society. Blending memoir and thoughtful inspiration, Nader offers readers a chance to look back on a time in American history when the family and the natural world were central in a child's understanding of how to be a conscientious adult.

Among the seventeen traditions he celebrates:

•The Tradition of Listening

•The Tradition of Charity

•The Tradition of Civics

•The Tradition of Work

•The Tradition of Patriotism

•The Tradition of Simple Enjoyment

In his warmest and most personal writing to date, Nader fondly describes his father's restaurant business and how it taught him about work, community and how to share in the spirits of others; the value of his mother's ethnic cooking and how it defined his relationship with his heritage, and the hours he spent as a child wondering through the undeveloped forests of Connecticut where he learned the value of solitude. In doing so, he reawakens our own memories of the blessings of a simpler time–and of the enduring values of family, community, and love that gave him the courage to lead a meaningful life.

Customer Reviews:

Nader's World.......2007-09-04

Before fast food, fast commuting, IM-ing and countless other electronic distractions, there was Nader's World. He grew up in a little town in northwest Connecticut, where traditions were passed down, people listened to each other, families not only ate dinner together but enjoyed one another's company afterward, the sidewalks were in greater use, hitchhiking was safe, and public service was honorable. This reflection by Ralph Nader explains the roots of his passions: independent thinking, involvement in civic affairs, and insistence on fairness and social justice. He was raised in a loving, nurturing family, where his parents taught by example and used proverbs and Socratic questioning to stimulate the intellectual curiosity of Nader and his siblings.

In contrast to his more cerebral writing, this book is quite readable. I read the whole thing in a couple of hours this Labor Day. Its format is inspirational - albeit with some Tuesday's-with-Morrie-like schmaltz along with Emersonian wisdom - touching emotional chords and revealing a side of Ralph Nader that political pundits often miss.

Ralph Nader's Bridge To A Past Not Dominated By Commerical Entertainment.......2007-08-24

The author of this book succeeds here on several levels. First, Ralph Nader explains himself well: who he is, and how he got to become who he is.

Second, the author explains how growing up in a low-media, high intensity household gave him lifelong advantages, insights, and commitments--things he might not have had he been enmeshed in movies, television shows, video games, rap music, etc.

Third, the author details the family traditions from Lebanese parents that were especially useful to him during his 45 years or so of national leadership of various causes.

Fourth, the author provides a warm evocation of a Christian Arabic family that can aid in improving understanding of Arab speaking people in and outside the United States.

The seventeen traditions that the author discovers in mining his family history are the traditions of listening, the family table, health, history, scarcity, sibling equality, education and argument, discipline, simple enjoyments, reciprocity, independent thinking, charity, work, business, patriotism, solitude and civics. These are traditions, he demonstrates, that his family lived, not just ideals that they mouthed.

Had this book been published the year before the 1992 Presidential election, when the author was toying with seeking the Democratic Presidential nomination, he could well have been a serious candidate for that nomination and changed both his political future and the direction of our country. Without pretentiousness, it shows him to be a man of depth, understanding and roots in small-town America.

The author sketches memorable portraits of his restaurant-owner and politically outspoken father; his wise, loving, and community active mother; his older brother, an attorney and community college founder; his sisters, Ph.Ds with enviable records of scholarship and academic leadership; his nephew, who has a doctorate and ecology, and two nieces, a lawyer and a Ph.D. in infectious diseases. The author certainly has a family committed to education and the welfare of us all.

Elements of the author's crusading zeal are submerged but very much present here. He refers to "these times of widespread conformity and self-censorship." Speaking of his hometwon of Winsted, Connecticut, he notes that "The air and the water became clearer after the factories closed, but the toxic soils and hollowed-out remained, economic tripwires to any new development in the area."

"Today," the author notes, "children everywhere are deprived of expsoure to nature in the same way (as only big city children used to be); they grow up with their eyes, ears, tastes and other senses trained on a corporate world of sensual visual reality--removed, as no generation in human history, from the daily flow and rhythm of history."

The book jacket notes that author was recently named by the Atlantic magazine as one of the 100 most influential figures in American history. This customer reviewer does not dispute that rating and hopes that the author will continue finding ways to speak out and positively influence the American social and political debate.

try not to finish it in one day.......2007-08-10

it is a brilliant book... book that "teaches you to think not to believe" Mr. Nader's life is full of wisdom so are his parents'. I usually don't write reviews but for this one, I could afford not to. you can't read this book and not relate it to something in your life... sometimes you feel that he is talking about you, your life and your family... it is great read...

Better days, renewed possibilities.......2007-07-21

Family and civic culture that is refreshing, basic, simple, important -- and largely disappeared. Family, community, and teaching by example and participation before greedy 'me' generation individualism when pleasure was being part of community and world beyond just yourself. It seems all too distant and foreign but should not be. This is a book to restore values, inspire young families, and shame an older generation that has lost its principles. You will get a chuckle or two such as the description of the author's mother and her confrontation with GW's grandfather. Get it, share it, circulate it widely. (It took ne less than a day to read.)

Above all, a Paean to Good Parenting.......2007-07-19

Love him or hate him, there's no denying Ralph Nader is a true believer, and is committed to realizing his version of how to make the world a better (mostly safer) place. 17 Traditions is the explanation why. Principles such as Patriotism, Independent Thinking, Charity, and Civics encapsulate the lessons that contributed to Nader's tremendous work-ethic and ability to think critically, instilled in him by a solid, civic-minded upbringing in a tightly knit family. 17 Traditions is an easy read, and Nader has a pleasant narrative voice, even when channeling Whitman or Thoreau (his descriptions of his childhood environment get a little too flowery in spots).

Nader was taught at an early age to respect his elders, to challenge authority when appropriate, and not to take tangible and intangible gifts for granted. In his words, he "had a lucky choice of parents," for whom his affection and love shines through on every page. Nader touts the virtues of a healthy family life, and recognizes that strong, dedicated parenting can solve an awful lot of society's ills, including overdependence on the government. I couldn't agree more. Some of the concepts are outdated, to be sure, and I wish Nader had suggested how to apply Happy Days-era mores and behaviors to today's society; nothing wrong with aspiring to traditional values, though. A brave stance from a progressive guy.

As convincing as he was while generally bemoaning the outsourcing of family services to the market, however, I was less sold on some of the specific lessons imparted to him by his parents. I found at times that Nader's reverence for his folks clouded his ability to critically parse their good advice from the bad.

Nader's mom came off as a killjoy for seizing every event in her kids' childhood as an opportunity for instruction; 17 Traditions is at its most preachy when recounting her tutoring. And while Nader's dad seemed like a smart man and model citizen, he had some cockamamie ideas that weren't necessarily worth recounting, like setting up a "retirement island" for former dictators, to force them out of power and into (an idyllic, cushy) exile; and advocating a national economy premised upon unlimited income but limited wealth (he favored levying exorbitant taxes on personal savings above one million, thinking that it would encourage charitable giving instead of massive accumulation). Lastly, Nader's father, a Lebanese immigrant, gently complains throughout the book about the United States, supposedly out of love (he claimed he spent his time trying to improve his country, and "worked hard to make it more lovable"). I found that odd, and thought that true love, for country or other, is evidenced by satisfaction with the status quo. Try telling your spouse the reason he should lose 20 pounds is because you love him so much.

I most agreed with Nader's traditions of Simple Enjoyment and Scarcity (i.e., frugality), and give the man credit for practicing what he preaches. He appears to be one of simple means who maintains a thrifty lifestyle and shuns wanton consumerism, enabling him to realize value in the simple things and to give charitably to others. Egregious consumerism and the corporations that contribute to the "gimme society" are the bases for a lot of the litigation Nader has engendered (especially in the field of product liability), which in my opinion was initially well-intentioned but has spiraled out of control. An overly litigious society is every bit as pernicious as a hyper-consumptive one.

Average customer rating:

Ellen Hopkins Does it Again!
Okay...
This book touched me
Hmmm...
Disappointing...

Impulse
Ellen Hopkins
Manufacturer: Margaret K. McElderry
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1416903569

Book Description

Sometimes you don't wake up. But if you happen to, you know things will never be the same.

Three lives, three different paths to the same destination: Aspen Springs, a psychiatric hospital for those who have attempted the ultimate act -- suicide.

Vanessa is beautiful and smart, but her secrets keep her answering the call of the blade.

Tony, after suffering a painful childhood, can only find peace through pills.

And Conner, outwardly, has the perfect life. But dig a little deeper and find a boy who is in constant battle with his parents, his life, himself.

In one instant each of these young people decided enough was enough. They grabbed the blade, the bottle, the gun -- and tried to end it all. Now they have a second chance, and just maybe, with each other's help, they can find their way to a better life -- but only if they're strong and can fight the demons that brought them here in the first place.

Customer Reviews:

Ellen Hopkins Does it Again!.......2007-08-23

OK, I admit I pretended to buy this for me niece but it was really for me (I am a grown up, which may immediately make me not cool to the teens reading this review. But that doesn't mean what I'm saying is invalid!). I sooooo loved the author's other book Crank that I couldn't wait to read this one. I got so into it I not only couldn't stop reading it but actually found myself praying for the main characters at church (chalk up another on the "uncool" scale, eh?).

It also took me a while to realize that each character had their own specific writing style; forgive my ignorance of poetry but Conner's writings were all neat and trim in four line stanzas, Vanessa's was free flowing, and Tony's tended to wander around the page more like a concrete poem. It totally matched their personalities. I hope I am not doing the book a disservice but describing it that way but when you read it you'll see what I mean after a few chapters, it's really amazing that the author can get into the heads of such different characters so well. It got to the point I could remember who was speaking just based on how the lines were arranged. I also liked how the characters grew, or didn't grow, and I COMPLETELY disagree with the person that said the end was predictable, no it certainly wasn't. It was a possibility, sure, but not a foregone conclusion.

A fantastic read. Of course nothing will ever beat CRANK in my mind but this book is very close in it's mastery (if that is even a word). Ellen Hopkins is an amazing author, and I will read anything else she writes.

Okay..........2007-08-06

I liked everyone's personal stories, but together they were boring. I really was expecting something shocking to happen. It was good, but kind of a letdown.

This book touched me.......2007-08-02

Since I have been in a mental hospital before, this book touched me incredibly. I love how Hopkins split the book by writing it in 3 different characters' point of views... it made it quite unique... I related to each of the characters in different ways; Vanessa the most. I pre-ordered this book before it came out but just got around to reading it this week.. I finished it in about 3 days, I simply could not put it down! The ending made me cry... but I will not spoil the book for anyone who hasn't read it yet. This book is a must read, especially if you have a history of mental illness. Even if you don't, this book is just plain incredible. I would probably read it again! Crank is another good one by Ellen Hopkins, I can't wait for Glass to come out.. I will probably be pre-ordering that later this week.

Hmmm..........2007-07-24

I wasn't very impressed by this novel, considering the expectations I had from Crank. Honestly, it's not the worst book I've ever read - but it's not the best, either. It didn't flow as Crank did, and it wasn't quite as poetic, except for from Vanessa's viewpoint. Perhaps this is because she's a female, and the author may have wanted to put her in a more beautiful perspective.

I would recommend this book for those familiar with the author already, but not as a first read for those just getting into her work.

Disappointing..........2007-07-04

Now, I read Ellen Hopkins first book: Crank. I loved it! Of course, being confident in her abilities, I bought this book...and was greatly disappointing. I couldn't get into it at all, and I'm more than 3/4 through the book itself.

I'm quite disappointed-- hopefully "Glass" the sequel to Crank will let me enjoy this author's work once more.

Friends to the End: The True Value of Friendship

Average customer rating:

Buy all of Bradley Trevor Greive's little pearls of wisdom....
Loved this book.......
Book: Friends to the end
Friends to the End: The True Value of Friendship
FRIENDS TO THE END

Friends to the End: The True Value of Friendship
Bradley Trevor Greive
Manufacturer: Andrews McMeel Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0740747010

Book Description

Friends and life. Life and friends. The two are so tightly interwoven it's impossible to imagine one being remotely worthwhile without the other. As Bradley Trevor Greive points out, "There are very few truly solitary creatures on this planet. And most of them have serious personal hygiene issues." What makes friends so special? What does our choice of friends say about us? What sparks the best friendships and keeps them burning? In Friends to the End: The True Value of Friendship, BTG uses his trademark witty narrative illustrated with irresistible animal photos to explore the daily magic we experience through our friends. Best described as a cross between his famously successful Dear Mom and The Blue Day Book, Friends to the End examines themes such as why we can't live without friends, how great friendships grow from humble beginnings, how to identify different types of friendship, what to do when good friends turn bad, and why it's all so worthwhile. "When I think back to all the really great or the horrendously bad times in my life," says BTG, "I can't help but think about how my friends made the former all the more enjoyable and the latter at least survivable. I want this book to help people appreciate friendship for all it is and all it can be."Friends to the End promises to have the same cultural impact achieved by his previous books. His modern classics The Blue Day Book and Dear Mom have been New York Times best-sellers and made the author a household name in more than 35 countries. BTG's seven previous volumes have sold more than seven million copies worldwide.

Customer Reviews:

Buy all of Bradley Trevor Greive's little pearls of wisdom...........2007-08-21

...and then throw out all your antidepressants. There's a book for every emotion one can go through in life. One caveat, however: If you're easily embarrassed, don't read these books to yourself in public. You will piss your pants with laughter.

Loved this book..............2007-05-19

This book was a joy to read with both of my dearest friends. We all got more than a few good laughs at some of the pictures and captions. I would recommend this book as a gift for a good friend.

Book: Friends to the end.......2007-03-19

Received product in excellent condition, though stated were used, I think there were very new. Really sweet book. Something to send to those friends you want to let know how terrific they are.

Friends to the End: The True Value of Friendship .......2007-02-15

It came in great condition and I'm sure both of the friends that I got it for will enjoy it.

FRIENDS TO THE END.......2007-01-10

This is a wonderful and heartfelt book.

The wording and the photographs were exactly what I was looking for.

Average customer rating:

Wonderful Book
A 5-star gift for a 5-star book!
Great Book for Baby Gifts
Twelve Wonderful Gifts to Share
Beautiful Thoughts Beautiful Gift

The Twelve Gifts of Birth
Charlene Costanzo
Manufacturer: Collins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Accessories:

philosophy hope in a jar daily moisturizer

ASIN: 0066211042
Release Date: 2001-04-10

Book Description

There is no more magical moment than when a newborn baby is laid in a mother's arms. What was for many months a dream and a mystery is now a miraculous new person at the threshold of a life filled with possibilities.

Through a tender, inspiring tale, The Twelve Gifts of Birth reveals the birthright inheritance that all children receive at this moment. Wise women, otherwise known as fairy godmothers, announce the twelve gifts in the form of blessings and show how to use them to enrich one's life.

This keepsake book encourages new parents to nurture and protect the wondrous qualities that have been bestowed on their tiny miracles. When shared with young children, this message helps form within them a strong foundation of self-respect and values. For teens and adults, this story offers healing and hope during times of diminished self-esteem and uncertain transition. It reminds all readers to see the dignity that is inherent in themselves and others.

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful Book.......2007-09-26

I bought this book for my sister who is having her first baby and then had to buy one for my son. The book brought tears to 3 generations in my family. It is an excellent book for all ages.

A 5-star gift for a 5-star book!.......2007-09-07

I purchased this book for my beautiful new grand-daughter. Even though she won't be reading it for a while, I felt it really conveyed the message of self-importance and worth. It makes a wonderful gift for a new baby, but it is also a reminder to us all that we were born with inherent gifts and abilities.

Great Book for Baby Gifts.......2007-08-14

I recieved this book at my baby shower. I love it and now give as a gift at all baby showers I attend. It has a great message and the picturs show the diversity of people in terms of age and race. I really love it.

Twelve Wonderful Gifts to Share.......2007-05-15

Twelve wonderful gift to share with your child as you read to them. This makes a great gift for a new parents or grandparents to share with a child.

Beautiful Thoughts Beautiful Gift.......2007-02-14

I stumbled across The Twelve Gifts of Birth when researching ideas for decorating our playroom. Someone had actually used a passage from this book on the wall of a child's room. When I looked for the book online and found out more about it, I ordered it immediately. The book is beautifully illustrated. I will probably give it as a baby gift from now on. The book focuses on all of the positive traits that every child is born with and inspires your heart to look for and appreciate those traits in all children - not just your own.

Average customer rating:

Moved
I loved it so much I nearly cried!!
In the last few pages, I was in tears.
Glorious
50/50

Burned
Ellen Hopkins
Manufacturer: Margaret K. McElderry
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1416903542

Book Description

I do know things really began to spin out of control after my first sex dream.

It all started with a dream. Nothing exceptional, just a typical fantasy about a boy, the kind of dream that most teen girls experience. But Pattyn Von Stratten is not like most teen girls. Raised in a religious -- yet abusive -- family, a simple dream may not be exactly a sin, but it could be the first step toward hell and eternal damnation.

This dream is a first step for Pattyn. But is it to hell or to a better life? For the first time Pattyn starts asking questions. Questions seemingly without answers -- about God, a woman's role, sex, love -- mostly love. What is it? Where is it? Will she ever experience it? Is she deserving of it?

It's with a real boy that Pattyn gets into real trouble. After Pattyn's father catches her in a compromising position, events spiral out of control until Pattyn ends up suspended from school and sent to live with an aunt she doesn't know.

Pattyn is supposed to find salvation and redemption during her exile to the wilds of rural Nevada. Yet what she finds instead is love and acceptance. And for the first time she feels worthy of both -- until she realizes her old demons will not let her go. Pattyn begins down a path that will lead her to a hell -- a hell that may not be the one she learned about in sacrament meetings, but it is hell all the same.

In this riveting and masterful novel told in verse, Ellen Hopkins takes readers on an emotional roller-coaster ride. From the highs of true love to the lows of abuse, Pattyn's story will have readers engrossed until the very last word.

Customer Reviews:

Moved.......2007-08-15

I would like to respond to those of you who were offended by the use of a specific religion in this book. I assume those of you who were disturbed most were LDS yourselves. I understand Ms. Hopkins did not shed the best light on the faith, but that is what makes the book even more raw and emotional. The question I pose is this: If Pattyn had been Catholic, or Protestant, or Jewish, would you have felt better? Because that would be hypocritical, to say the least. I grew up in the LDS church, and although I was never subjected to what the character in the book was, I can assure you, there are evil and ignorant people in every religion, every culture, every class. Knowing the male "hierarchy" of the church only aids in understanding Pattyn's desperation and confusion over her own worth and importance. The LDS church does suppress the role of a woman, and I believe Ms. Hopkins chose the perfect institution to place Pattyn in. It only adds to her depth as a character, and makes the question of her own value even more believable. Although I was deeply saddened by the finale of the book, I again understood her reasoning-she truly believed there wasn't a place for her in the world, and that is what is truly heart-breaking about the book.

I loved it so much I nearly cried!!.......2007-08-06

I love this book!! Out of all her books, I could hardly contain myself for this one. The love story was so sweet, and the ending was kinda unexpected. I mean all her books have sad events or are just sad all together. But I hate how the ending left you with this BIG cliffhanger!! I think she's coming out with another book that will continue from where she left off. Which is good because I really want to know what happens.

In the last few pages, I was in tears........2007-07-28

I absolutely love Ellen Hopkins style of writing. It brings on two perspectives. I've read her other books. [Crank and Impulse - also great books] She is a great author and I can't wait for her new book Glass to come out in late August. I've already pre-ordered it.The way she writes the books actually paints a picture in your head about what these characters are really like. You feel like you're there, right along with them going through their tragedies and feeling their pain. I definately reccomend people to read her books :).

Glorious.......2007-07-17

Burned was a really good book. Its about a girl living a very controlled lifestyle. However like all families has is problems. In her case, an abusive controlling obnoxious father. When things begin to get overwhelming she is sent to live with her aunt. This is where she meets the love of her life, and when things really start to spiral. I think this a good way to show how some fathers are overbering. The only way to go is out. The things her father has done will horrify you. He doesnt understand anything about anything. He wont listen and truly hurts the people he loves. With all this background the daughter is still able to find love and that something that cant always be found. The format is similar to that of Crank but, takes the power of love to the next level. It makes you question whether or not you know or have known what is love. The sacrifices made will inspire you. This is a must read!

50/50.......2007-07-04

Well, it didn't seem very interesting at first-- heck, I had to force my self to read it. It took a long time to get into it, and it only got interesting when she finally went on her little trip. I'd say after that, things were actually somewhat interesting. I'm a bit more satisfied with this book then I was with her book "Impulse" but I have to say I'm wondering where the author of "Crank" has gone.

I am a bit dissapointed...

Average customer rating:

Stunning Inisght and story
twisted indeed
Captivating
Not the best.
Overwrought, Underthought

Twisted
Laurie Halse Anderson
Manufacturer: Viking Juvenile
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0670061018
Release Date: 2007-03-15

Book Description

High school senior Tyler Miller used to be the kind of guy who faded into the background—average student, average looks, average dysfunctional family. But since he got busted for doing graffiti on the school, and spent the summer doing outdoor work to pay for it, he stands out like you wouldn't believe. His new physique attracts the attention of queen bee Bethany Milbury, who just so happens to be his father's boss's daughter, the sister of his biggest enemy—and Tyler's secret crush. And that sets off a string of events and changes that have Tyler questioning his place in the school, in his family, and in the world. In Twisted, the acclaimed Laurie Halse Anderson tackles a very controversial subject: what it means to be a man today. Fans and new readers alike will be captured by Tyler's pitchperfect, funny voice, the surprising narrative arc, and the thoughtful moral dilemmas that are at the heart of all of the author's award-winning, widely read work.

Customer Reviews:

Stunning Inisght and story.......2007-09-29

Laurie Halse Anderson is the author of 5 novels and 3 picture books. Her books have been nominated for numerous awards and many recommendations. Each of her books that I have read has been excellent and this one is no exception. The dust jacket states "Everybody told me to be a man ... Nobody told me how." Anderson captures the essence of the journey from a boy to a man.

Tyler Miller had been caught defacing school property, and now he is a hero to some, and an outcast to others, and is trying to find his way in the world. He has done community service all summer at the school, and worked for a landscaping company.

Now he must return to school and face the students and teachers who know what he did and the punishment he received for it. The school year begins badly; at a party he is knocked into a tray of glasses and cuts the feet of the Alpha female of the school, who happens to be the women of his dreams, Bethany Milbury.

Tyler is forced to take Bethany a cake as an apology for the accident. They become friends, and seem to be sort of dating. Then Bethany gets trashed at a party, and Tyler does the right thing. Yet Tyler broke his curfew from the court and that is just the beginning of some serious problems in his life. Unfortunately someone takes advantage of Bethany while she is drunk and most people think it is Tyler because of his reputation.

Most people think he did it. The cops keep coming by. He is attacked in school and out of school. He struggles with what to do, how to be a man. Can he learn how to be a man; can he take control of his life that seems completely out of control?

This book does an amazing job of capturing the angst of growing up, of finding your place in the world. It shows clearly the transition from boy to man, and then end of high school and moving on to the rest of life.

Anderson, as a woman, surprised me with he ability to write about becoming a man; her insight and clarity are awesome. This book should become a classic. Much like her earlier novel Speak I believe this book should be on the reading list for every high school or university Children's Literature course.
The book leaves you wanting more. The reader will want to know what happens next. Where is Tyler in a year, 3, 5 or 10? These questions will haunt you after you finish the book.

(First Published in Imprint 2007-09-28 as 'Short Titles With Varied Depths.')Speak

twisted indeed.......2007-07-28

Tyler Miller, former nerd, returns for his senior year with a new buff bod, courtesy of the manual community service he was forced to perform for graffitting the school. To his surprise, school Queen Bee Bethany Milsbury starts paying attention to him. This causes conflict with his nemesis, Bethany's twin brother Chip, and is complicated by the fact that Bethany's dad is his father's boss. When he rejects her (drunken) advances at a party, things become complicated when anonymous nude camera photos of Bethany wind up on the Internet. Suddenly, the police are paying attention to the former school defacer and he faces hostility from the other students. Like Melinda in "Speak," he has a dysfunctional family and minimal support from peers and adults. As he begins to implode from the pressure, finding a way to clear his name and stand up to the bullies in his life looks more and more difficult.

Pros: The sympathetic characters (Hannah and Yoda) were appealing, but the bullies and Bethany, the school princess, were stereotypes. Other messages were basically what we've seen in teen movie after teen movie. Abusing your kid is bad because he will eventually snap. (Ferris Bueller's Day Off). Messing up in Little League scars child and dad for life. (Parenthood). Rich people are soulless, decadent zombies. (Virtually every movie ever made.) I wish the author had tried to turn the formula a little more inside out, the way the "Ordinary People" author did when she made the Bad Dad a Mom. I enjoyed the book until the end, but felt it painted an inaccurate portrait of what recovering from clinical depress is like. It's usually two steps forward and four steps back at a time for the average person. You don't just reach a turning point, gain the ability to stand up to anyone in your way, and then your tormentors start backing down in record numbers. Melinda's journey from victim to survivor in "Speak" was far more believable because it took place over an entire school year, not a semester like in "Twisted."

(This is where the review loses objectivity.)
Some reviewers have written about the great message this book sends. I disagree. Standing up to one's abusive parent is NOT the same as facing a school bully or even a school authority figure, like a principal, and to imply that it is does a disservice to people who are victims of child abuse and who have to co-exist at least until they come of age. Threatening one's father with a baseball bat probably won't have the same effect as it does in the book, i.e. Domineering Dad bursting into tears and apologizing for years of cruelty. If they were capable of feeling such remorse, they probably wouldn't be abusing you that badly in the first place. Right?. Taking Tyler's route might make you feel like more of a "man," but you're likely to wind up on the streets or in the hospital. At least outside of YA lit or Hollywood. Maybe this isn't what the author intended at all, but it's what I wound up taking away from the book.

Captivating.......2007-07-01

Captivating is overused when it comes to describing books-- except for this one! I didn't think that Anderson could top "Speak", but she did!I read it and could barely give myself time to sleep. I loaned the book out to several of my high school students; they, too, read it in a couple of days, loved it, willingly discussed it with me and other readers, and kept passing it on. A wonderful book to "hook" high school age kids on reading. My only caution: buy two copies. If you loan one out, you will not get it back.

Not the best........2007-06-26

This book had a good story line but lacked detail, always led up to what was gonna happen, and left at a very blank point. It needed a more interesting ending, and it needed to describe everything a lot more. It was an alright read but too predictable. I have read a lot of books and this one wasn't one of the tops.

Overwrought, Underthought.......2007-06-19

Clearly I'm in the minority here, but I think this story lacks interesting characters, lively language,and a compelling plot. Other than that it's fabulous. I won't be booktalking this one--the story just isn't redeeming enough to justify the overblown angst, the suicidal thoughts, and the plodding randomness of the entire second half of the book. There are good bits of writing tucked into corners of this book--- for example, the scene in which the gun-holding protaganist contemplates suicide is nicely done, but that's hardly a reason to recommend this book to young people. It's certainly better than any book I've ever written, but haven't written any books. Read King Dork if you just must have teen angst and coming of age.

Real Sex: The Naked Truth about Chastity

Average customer rating:

Catchy title worth the read
For the practice of the virtue of chastity
False Premises
An Honest and Straightforward Book
Mohab Hanna, M.D. Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist- author of Making the Connection: A Parent's Guide to Medication in ADHD

Real Sex: The Naked Truth about Chastity
Lauren F. Winner
Manufacturer: Brazos Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1587431971
Release Date: 2006-07-01

Book Description

SEX. Splashed across magazine covers, billboards, and computer screens--sex is casual, aggressive, and absolutely everywhere. And everybody's doing it, right? In Real Sex, heralded young author Lauren F. Winner speaks candidly to Christians about the difficulty--and the importance--of sexual chastity. With honesty and wit, she talks about her struggle to live a celibate life. Never dodging tough terms like ''confession'' and ''sin,'' Winner grounds her discussion of chastity first and foremost in Scripture. She confronts cultural lies about sex and challenges how we talk about sex in church. Her biblically grounded observations and suggestions will be especially valuable to unmarried Christians struggling with the sexual mania of today's culture. Real Sex is essential reading for Christians grappling with chastity and a valuable tool for pastors.

Customer Reviews:

Catchy title worth the read.......2007-09-20

Given the perspective of the author I found this book to be very realistic while still getting God's perspective about sex. The author comes from a non-Christian upbringing and adulthood has a valuable approach and authority from experience. While I don't completely agree with everything she wrote the vast majority of her points I do find much more attainable to the Christian culture than "I Kissed Dating Goodbye".

For the practice of the virtue of chastity.......2007-08-06

The quotation by C.S. Lewis found in the early pages of this book really captures the purpose of a book like this. Lewis remarks, "Chastity is the most unpopular of the Christian virtues." For this reason, and for the fact that it is also a very difficult virtue to practice, and for the fact that church sponsored abstinence programs have had disappointing success rates, AND for the fact that our culture is doing everything to discourage the practice of this virtue--we have this excellent book by Lauren Winner. As one who came to Christianity after having become accustomed to premarital sex as part of her dating life, Winner continued this practice in her early experience as a Christian. The church should be dismayed that, according to her report, it offered little in the way of accountability or support in the practice of the virtue of chastity. Her book aims to in some part fill this void.

Perhaps some of the most insightful portions of this book are the chapters on "Lies the Culture Tells Us About Sex," and "Lies the Church Tells Us About Sex." Here she dispels some of the untruths that the world uses to disconnect sexuality from marriage and procreation, and that we can indulge in apart from commitment and without consequences. She addresses the issue of dress and modesty in relation to the practice of chastity, and the positive allure of the hidden. And she unveils the damaging effects of the cultural lie that sex must always be earth-shattering and adventurous, and that meaningful and passionate sex cannot happen in the routine of marriage.

When it comes to the church, she unveils some myths that the church has propagated in its eagerness to defend chastity. While often well-intentioned, these myths have sometimes served to discredit the church in the minds of those who have transgressed sexually, and discovered that premarital sex doesn't always make you feel guilty (though it certainly can). Further, that women, not only men, are sexually driven beings, and finally, that bodies are not "gross, dirty, or unimportant." Winner does a fine job of exalting the good gift of sexuality and the embodiment of love through it, as a tremendous good that God has created for the use of His creation. However, most importantly, she exalts this gift of sexuality in the context which God created it to be used--marriage. Her entire book is undergirded by a positive and biblical view of sex and marriage, and this theology of sexuality is foundational to her book. One of the quotations that really stuck in my head, was the fortuitious statement of biblical truth that occurred in the movie Vanilla Sky (not worth seeing, btw), where a woman remarked: "Don't you know that when you sleep with someone, your body makes a promise whether you do or not?" This is a rather striking way of stating the truth that St. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 6:15-20, that sexual intercourse inevitably creates a one-flesh union between man and woman.

Perhaps one of the most unexpected surprises of Winner's book was the way she talked about private confession and absolution. She talked about the consolation and release she discovered in privately confessing her sins to her pastor, and hearing the words of Christ's grace and forgiveness personally spoken to her. While this didn't suddenly transform her behavior in a miraculous way, it did help her with the unburdening of guilt. When she returns to the matter of confession later in the book, she aptly states that whether done before a pastor or another Christian, confession "puts us in the company of people who can speak truth in love to us, about our sin, about the need for amendment of life." This point about her book should be underscored again--that the sins and failures in practicing the virtue of chastity, that burden so many people, are burdens that can be and are lifted by the strong arms of Jesus Christ, who bore our sins on His shoulders to the cross. It is in the strength of His forgiveness that single Christians are emboldened to walk forward in new life, practicing chastity in the present, until the time should come when they can enjoy the God-given gift of sexuality in marriage. Much more could be said about this excellent book, including her practical advice on learning the walk of chastity, but I will leave it at that and urge you to read it for yourself.

False Premises.......2007-07-31

This book is a bizarre neo-Puritanism, all predicated on the distorting false distinction between "real" sex and other forms. Only someone deeply alienated from Nature and Nature's God could presume that the source of most sexual pathology--Christian dogma--could be its only source of legitimation. Everything she says about relationships between two can be better realized in relationships of three or four.

An Honest and Straightforward Book.......2007-01-10

Lauren Winner has a great way of presenting arguments for chastity in a no nonsense manner, addressing many concerns and misconceptions that many have about sex whether they are misconceptions that come from our society or misconceptions that originate from within our churches. A truly great book among many average to bad books that address this topic.

Mohab Hanna, M.D. Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist- author of Making the Connection: A Parent's Guide to Medication in ADHD.......2007-01-07

Lauren Winner has written another remarkable book. She provides a clear and substantial argument for not having sex outside of marriage that needs to be listened to closely. With both wit and honesty she shares her personal story about chastity. I highly recommend this book.

The Berenstain Bears and the Truth (First Time Books(R))

Average customer rating:

what a whopper
Great stories that teach little kids about issues that really relate to them
Because Trust is One Thing You Can't Put Back Together Once It's Broken
Learning to tell the truth
Good Book

The Berenstain Bears and the Truth (First Time Books(R))
Stan Berenstain , and Jan Berenstain
Manufacturer: Random House Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0394856406
Release Date: 1983-09-12

Book Description

When Brother and Sister Bear accidentally break Mama's favorite lamp, their little lie grows bigger and bigger, until Papa Bear helps them find the words that set everything right again.

Customer Reviews:

what a whopper.......2007-07-21

This was a great book. Sometimes you can tell your children something many times, and a book or children's show can suddenly make it click for them. Lots of good lessons here-- always tell the truth, lying breaks the trust between people, and lying makes things complicated and leads to more lies, i.e. When Brother & Sister are asked what happened for the second time, they can't exactly remember how the story went the first time they told it! Stan Berenstain had a wonderful talent for making a life lesson entertaining.

Great stories that teach little kids about issues that really relate to them.......2007-07-19

The Berenstainbears has long been one of my favorite books to read to my children because they love it, and because it teaches them lessons about things they will actually deal with in real life. Also, very cute and lovable, the Berenstainbears is a great series for your child to read.

Because Trust is One Thing You Can't Put Back Together Once It's Broken.......2007-07-12

"It was a lazy sort of day in Bear Country. The air was sto still that the leaves on the big tree house where the Bear family lived were hardly rustling. Except in the beehive, where the bees were always busy, nothing much seemed to be happening. It was the sort of day that sometimes leads to mischief." -- From the book

Papa Bear was in his shop working on some furniture while Mama Bear was out shopping. Bored, Brother and Sister Bear debated what to do next. Should they go pick blackberries? Or maybe twist each other up on the swing to see who gets the dizziest?

Brother Bear clutched his soccer ball, and doesn't seem to want to do anything--and Sister Bear becomes irritated and impatient. "My goodness!...I think you must be in love with that soccer ball!"

Brother issues a challenge to Sister "I bet I can dribble this ball past you!" Then the siblings began to violate one of the house rules: don't play ball in the house!

Well, Mama's favorite vase gets broken--and she arrives shortly afterwards. Instead of owning up to the deed, Brother and Sister cook up a whopper of a lie. When the go to re-tell it to Papa, they didn't have their story straight, either.

Mama expresses her sadness...not so much that her favorite lamp is broken (although this is true, too), but because her cubs may not be telling the truth. The siblings quickly tell her the truth--and are surprised to her tell Gran on the phone that everything was fine in the tree house.

Confused, the cubs ask Mama about what appears to be a lie. Mama replies that "We've got two fine cubs who have just learned a very important lesson about telling the truth. And what could be finer than that?"

The Berenstain Bears and The Truth is one of the best books by authors Jand and Jan Berenstain. Absent of moralizing and harsh scolding (which sometimes crops up in the Berenstain Bear books), this wonderful tale shows children that there is consequences to lying--the most important being broken trust. This book also teaches forgiveness (if rather indirectly), as well as thinking about consequences BEFORE acting.

In short, an EXCELLENT book for teaching children the importance of telling the truth!

Learning to tell the truth.......2007-06-02

The kids love the bears and we have quite a collection of the books. This one is cute and tells a worthwhile lesson.

Good Book.......2007-01-20

My son loves these books. And he enjoys the ones with lessons.

Average customer rating:

It's good, but for a little bit older kids
Great read for the whole family
Cute book
Excellent learning tool
How to Behave and Why

How to Behave and Why
Munro Leaf
Manufacturer: Universe Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Baby-3 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0789306840
Release Date: 2002-05-17

Amazon.com

It's hard to be good. Especially if you don't really know what "being good" means. Munro Leaf, beloved author of The Story of Ferdinand, decided to try his hand at defining good behavior in his 1946 classic How to Behave and Why. The two biggest questions to ask ourselves in life, he says, are "Are most of the people I know glad that I am here?" and "Am I glad that I am here, myself?" If you want to make good friends and keep them, he says, "You have to be HONEST. You have to be FAIR. You have to be STRONG and You have to be WISE." This strangely charming life primer, illustrated with endearing stick figures, goes on to explain why you have to be honest--how handy it is to be trusted, for instance, when you need to borrow money. And if you lie too much, "We can't believe ourselves or anyone else, because we don't really know what the truth is any more than a penguin and that is a stupid way to live." Specific reasons for not being a "lazy lump" or a liar or a cheat are outlined matter-of-factly, as are basic lessons in how to be well and strong. Originally published for the very young (it has an early-reader format with big type and pictures), Leaf's how-to-be-good guidebook will probably be shared among adults as a back-to-basics inspirational book with the same crossover appeal as Sandol Stoddard Warburg's I Like You. A satisfying reflection of a time when what was right and wrong seemed more black and white. (All ages) --Karin Snelson

Book Description

"No matter where you are or who you are, there are four main things that you have to do if you want to make good friends and keep them.

You have to be HONEST
You have to be FAIR
You have to be STRONG
and you have to be WISE
And there is no good in trying to fool yourself. All that isn't so easy."

In a time when all the rules for raising children have been redefined dozens of times, here is a book for bewildered parents from a simpler time when we all agreed on what was right and what was wrong. First published in 1946, Munro Leaf's How To Behave And Why gives touchingly sincere yet gently funny lessons in Honesty, Fairness, Strength, and Wisdom. Originally intended for the very young, but with meaning for us all, How To Behave and Why is a true classic, charmingly illustrated with childlike drawings, and with a timeless message. It is a sure guide for teaching children (and adults) how to behave.

Customer Reviews:

It's good, but for a little bit older kids.......2007-08-08

It's a good book but since the drawings are all done in black/white/red it doesn't capture little ones attentions very long. It's also a bit wordy so for toddlers and preschoolers I would pass.

Great read for the whole family.......2007-06-27

Ordered this to address the white lies that my kids have been telling. We have been concerned that the behavior might escalate. Both my husband and I read the book first. It was a good refresher for us as to the "talking" points for appropriate and trustful behavior. The kids read it and it was right on their level (they are 7 band 10). We had positive discussions and I think it is something we can keep referring back to as the need arises--for a few years anyway.

Cute book.......2007-04-11

Cute book, but does not hold the interest of the little ones. Timeless messages about being polite. Hopefully, my 4 and 6 year old girls will be more interested as they get older.

Excellent learning tool.......2007-01-04

I love this book! My grandmother had it when I was a child, and I remembered the pictures. I am a Foster Parent, and have found that with some children this book is much loved and a good tool for learning manners, and acceptable behavior. One in particular found these books by Munro Leaf to be a favorite for bedtime stories along with a review of the day.

How to Behave and Why.......2006-08-30

(What happened to the earlier review that I was writing!)

AS I SAID: I first bought this book over 40 years ago for my own children. Mr. Munro Leaf's gentle style of writing sends a positive message of cooperation with others that I'd like my grand daughter to receive.

A Chair for My Mother 25th Anniversary Edition (Reading Rainbow Book)

Average customer rating:

one of our current favorites
Loved it
mom and grandma
Another missing Dad
A great book for kids

A Chair for My Mother 25th Anniversary Edition (Reading Rainbow Book)

Manufacturer: HarperTrophy
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0688040748

Book Description

After a fire destroys their home and possessions, Rosa, her mother, and grandmother save and save until they can afford to buy one big, comfortable chair that all three of them can enjoy.After their home is destroyed by a fire, Rosa, her mother and grandmother save their coins to buy a really comfortable chair for all to enjoy. "A superbly conceived picture book expressing the joyful spirit of a loving family."––Horn Book.

Customer Reviews:

one of our current favorites.......2007-10-03

This, along with Something Special for Me have been top picks for our 3 1/2 year old for the last few months. She asks for them over and over. I love how this book tells a simple story yet illustrates wonderful family values without being preachy. I imagine this will be in the regular rotation at our house for years to come.

Loved it.......2007-05-11

THis is a book that I and my students thoroughly enjoyed. I love teh emphasis on hardwork and perseverance.Most children can relate to the notion of saving money to purchase something they really want to have. Written from the perspective of the child makes the story easy for children to identify with. The notion of harwork and perseverance is weaved through out the story. From the mother's long hours at the diner to the family's year of saving change in a jar. The Coldecott-winning illustrations allow the reader to feel the emotions the little girl is feeling and correspond beautifully with the text. The cover of the book is an outsiders view of the diner where the little girl's mother works. Ths vantage point lends to the perspective from which the story is told. I feel this is a story that can transcend time. There will always be the need for hard work and perseverance. There will always be hard times one has to overcome. The notion of earning and valuing material pocessions can cross all cultures.

mom and grandma.......2007-03-13

A beautiful book, visually and story-wise. My children loved it, I loved it and now the grandchildren love it. It has drama and kindness and an appreciation for small things that make life rich.

Another missing Dad.......2007-01-16

Where's the father in this story? With all the unfortunate divorcing going on in this world, I plan to inundate my child with stories about happy families with both a mom and a dad. If it doesn't work out for him when he grows up and gets married, at least I can say I tried my best. I'm tired of forcing the feminist agenda on our kids. They need to know that not having a GOOD husband/father at home is not a good thing. Also, I thought the book was boring and the chair was ugly.

A great book for kids.......2006-09-29

I recently bought this book for my 7-year-old, and was really impressed by both the story and the beautiful illustrations. I felt it was a good story for my daughter to read as it told how the young girl, her mother and grandmother survived a fire that destroyed their home and built a life for themselves afterward. The reward to being able to buy a comfortable chair after all their hard work and savings drives home the point of how much we have and how little we may sometimes appreciate it.

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