The Invention of Hugo Cabret

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Wonderful Blend of Pictures and Words
Unexpectedly Educational
wonderful fresh story
this is really special
All Sizzle, No Steak

The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Brian Selznick
Manufacturer: Scholastic Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0439813786

Amazon.com Exclusive

A Letter from Brian Selznick

Dear readers,

When I was a kid, two of my favorite books were by an amazing man named Remy Charlip. Fortunately and Thirteen fascinated me in part because, in both books, the very act of turning the pages plays a pivotal role in telling the story. Each turn reveals something new in a way that builds on the image on the previous page. Now that I'm an illustrator myself, I've often thought about this dramatic storytelling device and all of its creative possibilities.

My new book, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, is a 550 page novel in words and pictures. But unlike most novels, the images in my new book don't just illustrate the story; they help tell it. I've used the lessons I learned from Remy Charlip and other masters of the picture book to create something that is not a exactly a novel, not quite a picture book, not really a graphic novel, or a flip book or a movie, but a combination of all these things.

I began thinking about this book ten years ago after seeing some of the magical films of Georges Méliès, the father of science-fiction movies. But it wasn't until I read a book called Edison's Eve: The Quest for Mechanical Life by Gaby Woods that my story began to come into focus. I discovered that Méliès had a collection of mechanical, wind-up figures (called automata) that were donated to a museum, but which were later destroyed and thrown away. Instantly, I imagined a boy discovering these broken, rusty machines in the garbage, stealing one and attempting to fix it. At that moment, Hugo Cabret was born.

A few years ago, I had the honor of meeting Remy Charlip, and I'm proud to say that we've become friends. Last December he was asking me what I was working on, and as I was describing this book to him, I realized that Remy looks exactly like Georges Méliès. I excitedly asked him to pose as the character in my book, and fortunately, he said yes. So every time you see Méliès in The Invention of Hugo Cabret, the person you are really looking at is my dear friend Remy Charlip, who continues to inspire everyone who has the great pleasure of knowing him or seeing his work.

Paris in the 1930's, a thief, a broken machine, a strange girl, a mean old man, and the secrets that tie them all together... Welcome to The Invention of Hugo Cabret.

Yours,

Brian Selznick

Amazon.com Exclusive

Brian Selznick on a "Deleted Scene" from The Invention of Hugo Cabret

This is a finished drawing that I had to cut from The Invention of Hugo Cabret. I was still rewriting the book when I had to begin the final art. There was originally a scene in the story where this character, Etienne, is working in a camera shop. On one of my research trips to Paris I spent an entire day visiting old camera shops and photographing cameras from the 1930's and earlier, as well as the facades of the shops themselves. I researched original French camera posters and made sure that the counter and the shelves were accurate to the time period. I did all the drawings in the book at 1/4 scale, so they were very small and I often had to use a magnifying glass to help me see what I was drawing. After I finished this drawing I continued to rewrite, and for various reasons I realized that I needed to move this scene from the camera shop to the French Film Academy, which meant that I had to cut this picture. I tried really hard to find ANOTHER moment when I could have Etienne in a camera shop, but, as painful as it was, I knew the picture had to go. I'm glad to see it up on the Amazon website because otherwise no one would have ever seen all those tiny cameras I researched and drew so carefully!

--Brian Selznick

More from Brian Selznick

The Houdini Box

Walt Whitman: Words for America

The Boy of a Thousand Faces

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful Blend of Pictures and Words.......2007-10-05

This was just an incredible book. A wonderful mix of pictures and words, it is fifty per cent graphic novel and fifty percent prose. An intriguing mystery set in Paris, certain to be enjoyed by readers both young and old.
It flows quickly - you will get much more out of it if you take your time with the pictures particularly. The detail in some of the scenes is well worth the time.
The characters are believable - youngsters forced to be older than their years in some cases, but still children at heart.
I was amazed to read the author notes at the end, about how much was based on actual creations.
Definitely an interesting, and recommended, read.

Unexpectedly Educational.......2007-09-30

Although it doesn't come across as a historical fiction piece, that's exactly what this book is. Much like the film Amadeus, The Invention of Hugo Cabret uses real life historical people to create an exaggerated (if not downright false) interpretive biography.

Works of this particular genre contain a strange mixture of true and false elements, and are actually good tools for teaching. True, they may lead to some initial misconceptions, but adequate research after the reading can clear these misconceptions up in a hurry. I wouldn't make a big deal out of a minor conception though, if in turn you get a wondrous discovery to go along with it.

From this book I learned that intricate machines were being invented long before computers and television. Robots that could draw and write as far back as perhaps the 18th century. Amazing. Why aren't we taught things like this in school? Probably because the textbooks that are issued make people of the past look like complete dimwits when that really isn't the case.

The revelation of the existence of ancient robots alone is enough for me to give this book a high amount of praise. But the artistry in the book brings it to another level. So much work went into the dozens and dozens of beautiful pencil illustrations that you'd have to be a complete jerk to not give Selznick at least a little respect for his efforts.

Often I have to read five or six unexciting books before I get to one that really makes me say, "Wow!" This is a "Wow!" book, and makes a fitting addition to any library. The risk of constructing it in such an unusual style has greatly paid off. Books like this are the reason I read.

I know I'm not the first one to say this, but this might be the book of the future we're looking at here.

wonderful fresh story.......2007-09-27

I originally bought this book for my husband and son to read. They enjoyed it so much that I had to read it myself. What a lovely story. The illustrations were outstanding and placed perfectly within the story. I went strictly off of the description from Amazon and the one picture that they showed. I was so impressed with the drawing and the idea of them being inside the book that I just knew it would be worth having. What a pleasure to read. Thank you Mr. Selznick.

this is really special.......2007-09-27

I was attracted to this book by its cover. They say you can't tell a book by its cover but this book is one good exception. Because in addition to the wonderful graphic quality of the jacket, the book is full of fine and artful illustrations through which much of the tale is told. I felt like a kid again flipping through the pages and seeing the story unfold, and then there would come some exposition in text and then more of the wonderful drawings that reminded me very much of Seurat's beloved black and white charcoal sketches. I look forward to sharing copies of this book with my friends.

All Sizzle, No Steak.......2007-09-22

This is a truly innovative book, but one that is not worth buying. The storyline simply is too frail for the book's hoopla.

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Frindle - Another Name for Pen
a well-handled conflict between teacher and student
GREAT GIFT
Frindle
Frindle

Frindle
Andrew Clements
Manufacturer: Aladdin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0689818769

Book Description

Is Nick Allen a troublemaker?

He really just likes to liven things up at school -- and he's always had plenty of great ideas. When Nick learns some interesting information about how words are created, suddenly he's got the inspiration for his best plan ever...the frindle. Who says a pen has to be called a pen? Why not call it a frindle? Things begin innocently enough as Nick gets his friends to use the new word. Then other people in town start saying frindle. Soon the school is in an uproar, and Nick has become a local hero. His teacher wants Nick to put an end to all this nonsense, but the funny thing is frindle doesn't belong to Nick anymore. The new word is spreading across the country, and there's nothing Nick can do to stop it.

Download Description

What if one day you decided to stop calling a word like pen "pen" and started calling it something else--like "frindle"? When Nicholas Allen does just that, and encourages all of his friends to start using the new word, his experiment turns the town upside down. An imaginative tale about creative thought and the power of words.

Customer Reviews:

Frindle - Another Name for Pen.......2007-09-14

Andrew Clements is an amazing writer. This book has a beginning, a middle, an ending and then a here ever after. That is what I liked the best about this piece. I loved knowing the ending after the first ending. A simple writing tool, a pen, gets renamed a "Frindle" by Nick Allen who just wants to be himself and maybe cause a little trouble in between. This book is about writing and the tools you use to do so all wrapped up in a sometimes frustrating, funny, and freaky manner. The plot is original and the characters real and contemporary. If you want to share the concept of being unique while staying true to your friends and family, this would be the one! A great middle school read!

a well-handled conflict between teacher and student.......2007-07-11

I made the mistake of pulling out this book while I was waiting for a doctor's appointment. The nurse called my name three times before I realized she was talking to me. :)

The story drew me in, and Nick Allen's likable character was established right away - he's creative and confident, and it's easy to see why most kids like him. It was refreshing to read a story that didn't have the usual conflict between students, or the usual evil-teacher-good-student plot line. Frindle had me laughing out loud, yet sad that it was so short. This is a book I'm going to set aside for my own kids to read when they're old enough.

GREAT GIFT.......2007-06-27

THE BOOK WAS BOUGHT AT THE LAST MINUTE AND SHOWED UP AT MY DOOR STEP IN JUST ENOUGH TIME TO BE GIVEN AS A GIFT FOR A RETIRING TEACHER. IT ARRIVED IN SUPERIOR QUALITY AND OUR TEACHER FRIEND WAS VERY HAPPY TO REC'V THE HARDBOUND COPY.
THANKS FOR EXPEDITING THE DELIVERY AMAZON,AND FOR THE GREAT PRICE!

RAY

Frindle.......2007-06-06

Nick Allen is known for playing tricks on people (especially teachers), but fifth grade is going to be one challenging year. Nick's teacher, Mrs. Granger is tough, mean, and very hard to fool. Nothing gets by her.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes fun, and excitement. You never know what will happen next. Frindle is probably best for people in fourth through sixth grade. I think anybody who wants a good, fun book to read should read Frindle.

Frindle.......2007-06-06

Frindle is a very good book. It is a third grade read. Frindle is about a fourth grader named Nick Allen. Nick Allen is a good student and has lots of ideas to distract his teacher. They get in a fight about using the word Frindle and Nick Allen is punished every time he says the word Frindle (pen).

Once you are in the middle of the book you can not put the book down. I recommend that every third grader should read it.
The best book I have ever read is Frindle.

Average customer rating:

Lunch Money RULES!
Lunch Money
lunch money?! the best? chyea
lunch money?! the best? chyea
Lunch Money

Lunch Money
Andrew Clements
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0689866836

Book Description

Greg Kenton has always had a natural talent for making money -- despite the annoying rivalry of his neighbor Maura Shaw. Then, just before sixth grade, Greg makes a discovery: Almost every kid at school has an extra quarter or two to spend almost every day.

Multiply a few quarters by a few hundred kids, and for Greg, school suddenly looks like a giant piggy bank. All he needs is the right hammer to crack it open. Candy and gum? Little toys? Sure, kids would love to buy stuff like that at school. But would teachers and the principal permit it? Not likely.

But how about comic books? Comic books might work. Especially the chunky little ones that Greg writes and illustrates himself. Because everybody knows that school always encourages reading and writing and creativity and individual initiative, right?

In this funny and timely novel, Andrew Clements again holds up a mirror to real life, and invites young readers to think about money, school, friendship, and what it means to be a success.

Customer Reviews:

Lunch Money RULES!.......2007-03-15

Lunch Money is a good book for money lovers. Its about a boy who has all these good ideas to make money and then he comes up with his best idea yethe decides to make comic books!The princapal disagres but then Mrs Davenport decidesto let Greg sell comic books. I highly recomend this book!

Lunch Money.......2007-03-15

I really liked LUnch Money because it was detailed, funny and lots more!
It is about a boy named Greg, who, really, really, really likes money. For almost his whole life he has been enemies with a girl named Maura.
What will happen?Read the book to find out!

lunch money?! the best? chyea.......2007-01-25

In Lunch Money, Greg Kenton, a normal 12 year old kid, is obsessed about money. He's always trying to earn money anyway he can, collecting bottles, extra chores, the works. He then thought of an idea, selling toys to his schoolmates, but the principle found out about it and banned him from selling them at school. Even though his idea for great money making was snatched away, he quickly regained his creativity. He thought of a genius idea to earn a load of more money. Little comic books, about the size of a credit card. The only bad thing about selling these mini comics, is it's giving Greg a lot of trouble. Maura, his neighbor, reproduced his idea into her own. A mini book, short stories about unicorns. Greg became furious against Maura thinking she was copying his idea. After many arguments and a fight that ended with a bloody nose and a teacher almost passing out, Greg and Maura made a deal to publish their own combination of a comic and story for the students at school. Later, the principal then again banned the comic books. Greg later noticed a flyer for a book fair. Comic books, were advertised in the flyer. Soon after finding this out, Greg and Maura sent a request to the school committee. Hoping to get permission to sell their books, realizing how unfair it was for the school to sell comics but Greg and Maura couldn't.

This story teaches you a great lesson about being selfish and learning how to share and respect others. It's one of your typical self changing books, but with a fun twist. Lunch Money is a page turning thriller and when you start to read it, you won't want to put it down.

-S.K. :]

lunch money?! the best? chyea.......2007-01-25

Lunch Money .......2007-01-22

Have you ever wanted to be rich? Probably. Well if you have, have you ever done anything about it? I'm guessing not. In the book Lunch Money, Andrew Clements writes about a boy who wants to be rich too, but he actually does something about it.
Greg Kenton is a boy with a dream. A dream to be rich, just like any other 12 year-old kid. Except Greg actually does something about it. Greg went around school selling little toys to students until the principle caught him and told him not to sell the toys in school any more. During the next school year Greg started selling little comic books that he made himself. After a few weeks the principle caught Greg selling the comic books and almost suspended him because he didn't listen to what she said the year before. Greg knew this was going to happen sometime but he didn't know what to do now. Then he saw something, a flyer. It was a flyer for the book fair and on one of the pages it showed comic books and Greg didn't really figure anything of it, until something hit him. Greg wondered why the schoolbook fair could sell comic books in school and he can't. That got Greg thinking. Will the school committee permit Greg to sell his comic books, or will they refuse?
Something that was surprising to me was when Greg made a deal with Maura (a girl in his class who he despises) to go into business with her because her comic books were better than his. Even though Greg despises Maura me made that deal with her because all he wants money because he is greedy.
Theme in Lunch Money is not to be greedy because you could lose all your friends. Another theme in this book is not to judge a book by its cover. An example of this was when Greg thought Maura was copying him he got really mad, but when he got to know her a little better Greg realized she was sort of inspired by him.
Do you like money? Well if you do I think Lunch Money would be a great book for you because it is all about a boy who wants money and the different ways he tries to get it.

Average customer rating:

My non-reader loved it!
Loved the book as a kid, love it now
Lukewarm fiction
Rebirth of Passion
Gre Houdini Book

The Houdini Box

Manufacturer: Aladdin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0689844514

Book Description

Victor is forever trying to escape from locked trunks, walk through walls, and perform any number of Houdini's astonishing magic tricks...without success. Then -- amazingly -- he actually meets his idol, and begs Houdini to explain himself. A mysterious locked box is the magician's only answer, and Victor is left to wonder: Does the box contain the secrets to the most famous magic tricks ever performed?

Customer Reviews:

My non-reader loved it!.......2007-06-29

My son is 9 and dislikes reading but he read this book in about a half hour and liked it! The Houdini Box has many pages with great pictures and also many pages with a few short paragraphs. A child who dislikes reading becomes overwhelmed when faced with page after page of WORDS and this was not like that. It kept him turning the pages! Also the story was interesting and to the point- no unnecessary babbling on and on to discourage a child with a short attention span. I thank the author for seeming to understand how to grab the attention of the tough to grab!

Loved the book as a kid, love it now.......2007-05-13

I was read this book when I was in 2nd grade. I absolutely loved it and checked it out from the library repeatedly. Now that I'm about to become a mom, I wanted my little boy to have it. But, I couldn't remember the name, just that it was about Houdini and a little boy. After about 4 months of searching, I finally found what seemed like it was the right book on amazon. I wasn't positive, but I bought it anyway. When I got it, I was so happy. It's the exact book, and is still as entertaining today as it was when I was 8.

Lukewarm fiction.......2001-08-23

This book is barely based in fact, and the author notes this at the end. I didn't find the story particularly satisfying -- as fan of Houdini OR as an avid reader of children's literature -- but the artwork is wonderful, particularly the renderings of Houdini himself. I will treasure my copy of the book for the artwork alone.

Rebirth of Passion.......2000-08-08

When I opened my desk drawer at 7:30 one summer morning to find an annonomously placed copy of "The Houdini Box," I'd no idea that I was connecting with my muse. I sat in the serene silence before the stirring of a workday and read through this children's book about the loss and regaining of a dream. As a children's book, it's delightfully written and beautifully illustrated. I know several children who've enjoyed the tale. For adults, Brian Selznick's book is a parable about the obstacles that turn us from our passions and the serendipitous moments that call us back on track.

Gre Houdini Book.......1998-05-08

This book was great book even though it is fiction.I think it is for ages 6-100.

Average customer rating:

I read this every year to my fourth graders!
History and gender roles as a great story
Riding Freedom
Riding Freedom
YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK!!!

Riding Freedom
Pam Munoz Ryan
Manufacturer: Scholastic Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0439087961

Customer Reviews:

I read this every year to my fourth graders!.......2007-06-11

This book will capture the attention of boys and girls. It is a wonderful story about a young girl fighting to be herself despite the gender roles of her era. Lots of adventure and history are included in this captivating story. A must!

History and gender roles as a great story.......2007-05-02

It would have been easy, I suppose, for this to be a "preachy" book about women's role in history: Charlotte Darkey Parkhurst is believed to be the first woman to vote in an American presidential election (albeit illegally, as a man). She chose to live her whole life as a man -- the "Mountain Charley" of California lore -- which either speaks to her inner strength or to the contortions she had to endure to survive in late-1800's America. Whichever it is, Pam Munoz Ryan doesn't "take sides", but weaves an engaging story of a girl who loves horses, the people who befriended and helped her, the difficulties she faced, and the amazing events of her life.

My 10-year-old son got this book at an event where he met illustrator Brian Selznick, but hadn't read it until he picked it for a book report this week. What a fine choice it turned out to be. After he read it (much of it aloud to his mom), we all became interested in the true history of Charlotte "Charley" Darkey Parkhurst. It turns out that he spent the last days of his life not too far from us on what is now Freedom Boulevard in Santa Cruz County, CA. I wonder if the Boulevard is named after the horse of the book's title?

Riding Freedom.......2007-03-07

I thought that this was a good book that gave a lot of perspective to what life might have been like for a woman in the 1800's. It had a interesting plot and many challenges for the characters. I was not bored reading this book. I was shocked when she cut off all her hair. Charlotte was a real person who lived in the 1800's. Reading a story that had real people made the story more captivating. It made me feel like the events of the past came to life. I liked it because it was not too long and I could finish it within a week. I thought that the author created lots of different scenerio's for the characters. It really kept my interest. I liked this book and would recommend it for any young teenager to read.

Riding Freedom.......2006-11-17

Riding Freedom takes place in a town in the south eastern part of the United States. The book is about a girl's life as she becomes a young woman in the 1800's. Charlotte (the girl) was in the orphanage when she was a kid, because her parents died when she was only two years old. Charlotte's favorite horse, Freedom, died after a race that the two won. Then, Charlotte got banned from the stables and lost her best friend, Hayward. Since she was so miserable, she ran away diguised as a boy (named Charley) with the help of an elderly man named Vern, who worked at the stables in the orphanage. Charlotte then begins to work for a man named Embeezer. She cleaned the stalls and was a stage coach when she was only twelve. She had to work hard for food and shelter. Then, Embeezer, Charlotte, the other workers and horses moved to Rhode Island. Years later, she travelled to California to train horses as a stage coach. But when she was cleaning the hoof of a wild horse, he kicked her in the eye. Then someone took Charlotte to the hospital. She had lost all control of motion in her left eye (that the horse kicked), so she wore an eye patch. Since she had one good eye, all she was able to do was clean the stalls and feed the horses. She no was longer able to work with the wild horses or remain as a stage coach. But Charlotte had not lost hope. She started training two horses by herself, and then started training six horses. She wanted to prove to James (a stage coach at the stables) that she could train six horses, even with one good eye. And she did. So now, Charlotte was riding horses again. Then, one day, it was so stormy out, you couldn't even see the roads. However, she needed to take a group of people to another town. The other workers told it was too dangerous, but she promised that she would get them there safely. So Charlotte started off and came across a bridge. When she reached the bridge, Charlotte tested it to see how sturdy it was (not very). So, she escorted each person once at a time over the bridge until one stubborn man refused budge. Then, Charlotte said, "If you don't want to move, I'll just have to help you move, Sir." Still grumbling, the man to the other side of the bridge. A few minutes later, Charlotte tried to ride the horses over the bridge, but right slab-dab in the middle of the bridge, Charlotte had a flashback of her mother and father dying, as well as the words they said before they died. Moments later, Charlotte zoned back to what was happening, trying not to fall off the bridge, into the rushing water. As soon at the back wheels touched the ground, the bridge collapsed. Everyone cheered and yelled, and the stubborn man said, "You saved my life." After this, everyone heard about what Charlotte had done. They threw coins at her, in hopes that she would run over them. If she did, the thrower of the coin would have good luck. Later on, Charlotte was going to have a passenger who she despised, named Mr. Millshark. She hated him because he was the mean owner at the orphanage. He was the one who had banned her from the stables back at the orphanage. Then, Charlotte felt a "kiddish revenge" going through her body. Charlotte got the wagon stuck in a massive mud pit on purpose. And she then asked him if he would go in the mud and lift up part of the wagon so she could drive the horses to pull it out. But after he was done, she took his boots and hide them from him in order to give them to Embeezer. After she got the people to the stop, she went to look for private property and stables where she could live with Embeezer and her best friend Hayward. One night after she bought the property and house, she saw a sign that said PRIVATE PROPERTY. Then, she turned around and saw a young man petting Charlotte's kittens. She finally noticed, it was Hayward! Hayward stayed at the house for a couple of hours and then he left for a year. But he came back. Months later, Embeezer came to the house. Then, one of Charlotte's horses was going to have a baby. So Embeezer and Charlotte helped the horse give birth to the baby, but there wasn't just one. There were two! After giving birth to the babies, Charlotte and Embeezer found out that one was a girl (filly) and the other was a boy (colt). Finally, Charlotte decided on names for the two foals. The colt was named Vern's Pride and the filly was named Freedom.

YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK!!!.......2006-09-04

This book is my absolute favorite. I first read it in 4th grade. then i read it again, then i read it in 5th grade 2 more times, then i read it in 6th one more time. It really captured my attention, I remeber that i could never stop reading it. It may have been a little difficult for me in 4th grade but as i read it again and agian it made much more sense, and it really made my day. i recommended it to all my friends...well just one, but she said she loved it. If you don't read this book your seriously missing out.

Average customer rating:

EXCELLENT!
Fantastic!
The Meanest Doll in the World
The Greatest Book in the World!!!!!!
The Meanest Doll in the World

Meanest Doll in the World, The
Ann M. Martin , and Laura Godwin
Manufacturer: Hyperion
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0786852976

Book Description

Annabelle Doll and Tiffany Funcraft are two dolls who have been best friends since they met in Kate Palmer's house at 26 Wetherby Lane. In this sequel to The Doll People, they hitch a ride in Kate's backpack and find themselves in the biggest adventure of their lives, a day at school! But when an attempt to return home lands them in the wrong house, they're in far deeper trouble than they imagined. Along with a host of new doll friends, they also encounter Mean Mimi, the wickedest doll of all. Mean Mimi is mean-really mean-and she's determined to rule all of Dollkind or else destroy it. Will the world ever be safe for dolls again? In this masterfully plotted sequel, Ann M. Martin and Laura Godwin, with the help of Brian Selznick's ingenious black-and-white illustrations, take the reader on another nonstop adventure from a doll's eye view!

Customer Reviews:

EXCELLENT!.......2007-03-21

My daughter has been listening to this audiobook every night at bedtime for 2 years now. She will only listen to this going to sleep (or the Doll People also). If your daughter is 6-12 she will love it.

Fantastic!.......2007-02-28

This is a fantastic book! It is not just about moving and talking dolls but it is also about friendship and family. It was so good that I didn't want to put the book down! I love the characters, settings and events in the story. My favorite character is Annabelle because she is exactly like me. I like the school setting because it made you feel like you were actually there. I think that the best part was when Nora played Miami Beach a-go-go.

It all began in the attic of Kate and Nora Palmer's house. Auntie Sarah Doll and the pair of best friends (Annabelle Doll and Tiffany Funcraft - all dolls) went to the attic to find a spider that Auntie Sarah had been wanting to see. When they tried to return to their owner's room (Kate) she wakes up so the dolls had to hide because dolls can't be seen moving by humans or they would go into doll state or worse permanent Doll state. So Auntie Sarah hid behind the attic door and Annabelle and Tiffany hid in Kate's book bag. Kate brought her book bag to school that day. The two friends then got out of the book bag to explore the school. When it was time to go home Annabelle and Tiffany jumped into the wrong book bag accidentally. The book bag belonged to a boy named B. J. He took his book bag home that night and Annabelle and Tiffany got out of it. They realized they were in B. J.'s room. There they met a lot of other dolls. The dolls they met belonged to B. J.'s sister Callie. They came into B. J.'s room to hide from Mean Mimi. Mean Mimi was an ordinary doll who was always dressed up in a purple princess dress. She wore a crown on her head and in her hand was a magic wand shaped like a star. She thought that she was Princess Mimi Queen of all the dolls. She forced dolls to do what she wanted them to do. Annabelle and Tiffany stayed all weekend fighting Mean Mimi's battles. Then on Sunday night they got back into B. J.'s book bag. B. J. brought his book bag to school the next day. When no one was looking they got back into Kate's book bag. (They made sure it was Kate's and not someone else's) When they got home that day both the Doll and the Funcraft family were in the doll house. When the two families saw Annabelle and Tiffany they ran up to hug both of them. When everyone had gotten back into the doll house, including Annabelle and Tiffany, they heard a noise coming from the book bag and realized Mean Mimi had followed them home. Will Mean Mimi meet her doom? Read the book to find out.

The Meanest Doll in the World.......2006-11-30

Annabelle and Tiffany can't be seen moving by an adult or they will go into doll state. They ran into a backpack and Kate took her backpack to school.Annabelle and Tiffany decided to go exploring.They looked around for a while and when it was time to go they went into the wrong backpack.They came to BJ's house and helped the dolls their fight Mean Mimi and her crew.Mean Mimi rolled metal cars down a race track to hit the dolls.She told Sandra to run after them.Finally Mean Mimi lost because her crew went to the other side. Tiffany and Annabelle went back into BJ's backpack and returned home safely.Mean Mimi followed them and tries Kate see them moving Nora saw Mean Mimi moving and she went into permanant Annabelle and Tiffany were happy that she couldn't move.

The Greatest Book in the World!!!!!!.......2006-11-23

After reading The Meanest Doll in the World, I was unable to look at my dolls in my doll house the same way again. True, dolls are not alive, but one can never know. The only thing that may be scary to a younger age group is the thought of a horrifying doll walking around a house plotting disasterous schemes to jepordize not only herself but all of her kind. That kind of frightened me but I remebered that dolls are not alive and if a doll did something to me it wouldn't be all that harmful. So, as you can see, The Meanest Doll in the World is a great book that shows how even dolls can work together to conquer an evil villian and shows the meaning of friendship between Annabelle and Tiffany, two of the dolls in this book.

The Meanest Doll in the World.......2006-06-02

Have you ever read a book where dolls come alive at night when everybody is asleep. We'll here it is, part 2 of the doll people.
This book is about Annabell and Tiffany, two dolls and their Aunt Sarah. They go on a hunt to find interesting things. When all of a sudden the mom of the house wakes up ....... what if she discovers them walking around the house? It would mean that they turn into regular, lifeless plastic dolls. The question throughout the book is whether the dolls get back safely to their doll house or get caught and lose their special gift of life?
I recommend this book to kids ages 8 through 13, however, this book can be read by anyone because it is a good book. This book has detailed illustrations of the doll house and each doll. You can also get your own "Meanest doll in the world" by calling the number in the book and ordering the doll.
-Nicole, 12

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Reid's reivew for Mr.B's assinment
A Kid's Reveiw
The Landry News - An Awesome Book
Landry News Review by Travis Johnson
Erin MB's Review A Kid's Review

The Landry News
Andrew Clements
Manufacturer: Aladdin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0689828683

Book Description

NEW STUDENT GETS OLD TEACHER

The bad news is that Cara Landry is the new kid at Denton Elementary School. The worse news is that her teacher, Mr. Larson, would rather read the paper and drink coffee than teach his students anything. So Cara decides to give Mr. Larson something else to read -- her own newspaper, The Landry News.

Before she knows it, the whole fifth-grade class is in on the project. But then the principal finds a copy of The Landry News, with unexpected results. Tomorrow's headline: Will Cara's newspaper cost Mr. Larson his job?

Customer Reviews:

Reid's reivew for Mr.B's assinment.......2007-10-02

In my opinion The Landry News was a great book because it was so realistic.It had problems that could happen to any kid.Everybody has school problems,and it's talking about a girls problem with her principal and teacher.For these reasons I thout that The Landry News was an exiting and fun book to read.
by,
Reid

A Kid's Reveiw.......2007-10-02

I think The Landry News is a truly inspiring story. For instance, when Mr. Larson knew that there was a possibility he could get fired instead of panicking he just started teaching and turned the emotional stir into a journalism unit for his class. The Landry News is one of the best kids books I have ever read! It just feels like you are going through the whole adventure with Cara and Mr. Larson. I think Andrew Clements has an amazing way of grasping the thoughts that go on in kid's heads during school. This story is a great one to read and if you have the opportunity you should definitely read it. I reccomend this book for anyone else who is interested in reading thr Landry News.
(Made by an M.B student)

The Landry News - An Awesome Book .......2007-10-01

I liked this book because it had a lot of different emotions - from Dr. Barne's anger at Mr. Larson to Cara being sad about her parent's divorce. It is a great lesson on free speech. I highly recommend you read this book.

Landry News Review by Travis Johnson.......2007-10-01

I think this is a good book for 4th-6th graders. I didn't think that this was a hard story to read. Any kid that can get their hands on it should. This is a good story because it has an interesting problem. The book had a lot of characters, so that made it fun to read. Read This Book!

Erin MB's Review A Kid's Review .......2007-09-30

In the beginnig of the book, Andrew Clements did a great job on describing how messy Mr. L arson's classroom was. I could feel the pian Cara's mother was feeling.It hurt. Questions were buzzing through my head as I read and then in time were answered. Mr. Larson, a teacher who doesn't teach, drinks coffee, and reads the newspaper all day, finnally starts teaching. He was teaching a unit of journalisum. All because of Cara's newspapers. Then Cra makes more newspapers with a motto of Truth and Mercy. Soon, a story gets in the wrong hands. That story almost cost Mr. Larson his job.

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One of the Great Movie Books!

D.o.selznick's Hollywood
Ronald Haver
Manufacturer: Knopf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0394425952
Release Date: 1980-10-12

Customer Reviews:

One of the Great Movie Books! .......2007-02-09

This is a wonderfully written and beautifully produced book about the movies. Specifically Hollywood movies that David O. Selznick was involved in making. The photographs are beautiful and it sits well on a coffee table. Just don't let anyone spill on it! I love my book and received it for Christmas years ago. I still cherish it and look at it from time to time. Of course, I'm a Gone With The Wind lover.

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Heartwarming
Acceptance of Parent
Miles from Lake Tapps says - good book
Jonathan's Book Review
Wow!

The Janitor's Boy
Andrew Clements
Manufacturer: Aladdin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 068983585X

Amazon.com

Fifth-grader Jack Rankin's father is the janitor of the junior-high school. That wouldn't be so bad if nobody knew about it. But on October 5, disaster strikes when Lenny Trumbull throws up his cafeteria ravioli: Jack's dad appears on the scene with a mop and says, "Hi, son." Jack loves his father and is proud of him, but he knows a giant letter L for loser has just been branded on his forehead. To make matters worse, Jack, furious when the inevitable stream of ridicule begins, blindly crashes into his bucket-bearing dad in the hallway, unleashing laughter, clapping, and plenty of water all around. Jack's anger is now a firestorm, and as author Andrew Clements so vividly phrases it: "The sizzling chunks of Jack's burning rage stuck to his father--like gobs of well-chewed watermelon bubble gum."

Jack's fury manifests itself into the perfect crime--a carefully premeditated, 13-piece Bubblicious attack on an innocent music-room chair that results in a sticky, gooey, smelly web that only a janitor would have the skills to remove. The "sweet smell of victory" diffuses quickly, however, when Jack is condemned to after-school gum-removal duty for the next three weeks. Stickier still is how this is going to play out at home with his mom and dad.

The after-school hours Jack spends scraping gum off furniture prove to be eye-opening. He develops a scholarly interest in gum excavation, and has plenty of time to make a list of ways he is not like his dad the janitor. But one day--first in a forgotten underground tunnel and then on a long truck-ride home--he discovers that there is more to his good-hearted, strong, unassuming father than he had ever even thought to imagine. Clements, a former public-school teacher and author of the bestselling Frindle and The Landry News, has a knack for getting to the heart of things while keeping the story buoyant. Readers of all ages will think twice about what kind of people (outside of their parental or occupational roles) their own parents might be. (Ages 8 to 12) --Karin Snelson

Book Description

IT WAS THE PERFECT CRIME

Unfortunately, it also led to the perfect punishment. When Jack Rankin gets busted for defacing a school desk with a huge wad of disgusting, watermelon bubble gum, the principal sentences him to three weeks of after-school gum cleanup for the chief custodian. The problem is, Jack's anger at the chief custodian was the reason for his gum project in the first place. The chief custodian happens to be Jack's dad.

But doing time in the school basement after hours reveals some pretty surprising things: about the school, about Jack's father, and about Jack himself.

Customer Reviews:

Heartwarming.......2007-08-25

The Janitor's Boy is a classic Andrew Clements school story about real people. In almost every young person's life, there comes a time when their parents become more than 2-dimensional objects. Jack is embarrassed because his father is the school janitor. But soon Jack will learn that there's more to a person than what they do for a living.

One day, his father says hello to him in class and the other kids really start in on the teasing. Jack retaliates against his father by putting a huge mound of gum under a desk. The plan backfires and Jack's punishment is to work with as a janitor cleaning off the gum under desks for 3 weeks after school.

In that time, Jack learns a lot about his father and the work that he does. It's more than just a learn it by walking in his shoes story, though. Jack and his father have time to communicate and Jack might even find that they have more in common than he wanted or expected.

A good book about real people.

Acceptance of Parent.......2007-06-08

During the summer in between fourth and fifth grade, Jack gets some bad news. A new high school has been built, which means the old high school is available. Since the elementary school is so crowded, some students will be moved to the high school for the next school year. Fifth grade will be there. That is bad news for Jack because his father is the janitor at the old high school, and Jack is embarrassed.

Jack doesn't want anyone to know that his father works as a janitor, so he does his best to avoid his father when he's at school. But then one day his father comes to clean up his classroom and there is no way to hide it anymore. Jack is teased by his classmates who think being a janitor is a lousy job. Jack is furious at his father and vows revenge.

To get back at his father, Jack spreads gum all over a desk in his music classroom, thinking he is being sneaky by making a mess his father will have a hard time cleaning. He doesn't realize that his music teacher has seen him sitting at this desk and later tells the principal it was Jack who caused the problem. Jack's punishment is to work after school for three weeks cleaning gum off of tables and chairs and desks all over the school.

At first this seems like the worst punishment ever, and Jack is sure his father will be very angry with him. But as he works at the school, he begins to see a new side of his father and his father's job.

I really liked Jack's parents. They were sensitive to what he was feeling, but were still hard enough on him that he learned a lesson. I also liked how Jack eventually responded to his father when he learned more about his grandfather and about his father's time in the army and after the war.

There was no real resolution of the conflict between Jack and Kirk. I wanted them to have one final confrontation at the end of the story.

Miles from Lake Tapps says - good book.......2007-03-14

The Son of a Janitor
The name of this book is The Janitors Boy by Andrew Clements. This book mostly takes place at a school, a steam tunnel and a old truck.

Trapped in a tunnel
This book is about a kid, Jack, and his dad the school janitor, John. Jack doesn't want to be any thing like his dad and he literarily makes a list why he's not like his dad. Jack gets stuck with gum duty and his dad has to drive him home. On the way home his dad talks to him and he finds out his dad is pretty cool. Earlier Jack had found the janitors keys and he "borrowed," 2 of them, 1 of them was to a place called a steam tunnel. The next day he found the door to the steam tunnel. There was no light in the tunnel so he had to bring a flashlight. When he went in the steam tunnel he closed the door behind him and he found out it was a double locked door, he reached in his pocket and couldn't find the key! He was trapped... you'll have to read Andrew Clements The Janitors Boy to find out what happens next.

Twits and Turns
What I really liked about the book is that it is written with a lot of twists and turns like, when Jack is stuck in the steam tunnel you think he's just going to go around and find an exit but something completely different happens. Also Jack wants nothing to do with his dad but he figures out that he might want to be like him. Another time when something unexpected happens is when Jack pulls a prank and expects his dad to clean it up but it backfires. These are only some of the things that make this book great.

Boy Territory
One of the things I really like about this book is it has different perspectives, for example: Jacks mom knows that Jack doesn't like his dad and she can't interfere because of what she calls "boy territory," so she doesn't get in the way because she does not get them. This is one of the few books that have changed my perspective on something do to the "boy territory" part.

Overall a Good Book
This is one of the good books I have read but still definitely not the best that's why I would only give it about 3 and a half stars, still I would recommend it to most of my friends.

Jonathan's Book Review.......2007-01-27

Imagine a Janitor suddenly appearing for no reason. Why would the appearance of a Janitor be so important? There is one boy in the school who knows why the janitor is so important.

The author uses the title, The Janitor Boy effectively by showing that the janitor is not just a janitor, but has a very special role in the story.

The plot of the story is about a boy named Jack Rankin that always stuck Watermelon gum to the seats during class, but his dad was a Janitor and his dad had to clean it up all the time. Jacks dad did not know it was him doing it. Eventually he got caught by the principal, witch wasn't that good
The one exiting part in the book was when Jack had a plane to get his dad back from embarrassing him in front of the class because he's a janitor.
The Author in this book is trying to show that it doesn't matter about the job Jacks dad has even if your getting bulled and touched around because of that.

If you like a story about some funny things and some gross things happening I would highly recommend the book.

Wow!.......2006-12-29

This book tells a beatiful story of man and son. it describes how a middle aged boy feels, when he is embarrased by his father being the janitor.Read Up!

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Learn history the fun way
A MUST HAVE FOR ANY LIBRARY
Great Gift for Little Girls
Best Friends and Amazing People
"...Something Exciting was Bound to Happen..."

Amelia And Eleanor Go For A Ride
Pam Munoz Ryan
Manufacturer: Scholastic Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 059096075X

Amazon.com

On a clear April evening in 1933, two outspoken and strong-minded friends slipped away from a formal dinner party to have a little unconventional fun. What made this event remarkable was that the two were Amelia Earhart and Eleanor Roosevelt, dining at the White House; their entertainment of choice was to fly an airplane on a loop from Washington D.C. to Baltimore. Pooh-poohing Secret Service agents' concerns that this activity hadn't been "approved," the celebrated aviator and the First Lady stole away before dessert was served, and took to the sky.

Inspired by the true facts of this little-known event, based on diaries, book transcripts, and newspaper accounts, Pam Munoz Ryan brings the thrilling evening to life as if she had been on that plane herself. Emphasizing the mettle and independent spirits of the two women, Ryan presents a pair of pioneering social and political activists any woman--or man--even today would be proud to claim as role models. An author's note gives some intriguing background information on these two exceptional women. Award-winning illustrator Brian Selznick lived in Washington D.C. while researching the graphite and colored pencil drawings for this book, which include authentic wallpaper and china patterns. (Ages 6 to 10) --Emilie Coulter

Book Description

One evening in April 1933, Amelia Earhart and Eleanor Roosevelt stole away from a White House dinner, commandeered an airplane and took off on a glorious adventure over Washington D.C. - while still dressed in their glamorous evening gowns! This picture book celebrates the courage and pioneering spirit of two great friends and American heroes.

Customer Reviews:

Learn history the fun way.......2007-09-10

What a great way to learn about two historical icons! This is a wonderful book written about two great American women. Both Amelia and Eleanor are fabulous role models all on their own, but team them up and the inspiration they dole out is double the fun! Read this to your daughters, read this to your sons. Whatever you do, just read it.

A MUST HAVE FOR ANY LIBRARY.......2004-02-11

This is one of the most charming stories I have ever owned. It is even better because it is based in reality with the contrast of dream like illustrations. It has the wonderful qualities of one of those sweet and magical black and white movies. My five year old wants me to read it to her again and again. Between this book and select I Love Lucy episodes I am showing her, she is realizing that black and white media can be relevant to her. It doesn't have to be color and have a special effect to be great. A wonderful book that adults will fall in love with as much as children.

Great Gift for Little Girls.......2003-03-22

As the parent of a curious 5-year-old, I've been disappointed by the scarcity of historical and biographical books aimed at very young children. My daughter had an interest in Amelia Earhart since she first saw her "red plane" at the Smithsonian, so I took a gamble and bought this book for her at Christmas time...and she loved it. In fact, she liked it so much that she's insisted on giving it to several of her girl friends as gifts. It was a big hit with them as well. In fact a couple of their mothers have asked me where I got it (Amazon, of course), and whether the author has written any other children's books.

The story is simple, fun, historical, and symbolically significant (without being didactic or political). The black and white illustrations are interesting to look at, and very detailed (even the pattern on the White House china in the background is historically accurate).

With their colorful personalities, and the strength to defy cultural expectations, Amelia Earhart and Eleanor Roosevelt make great role models for little girls -- and it doesn't hurt for them to understand that the freedoms they will surely take for granted in their lives were won for all of us by women like these.

Best Friends and Amazing People.......2003-03-11

Before I read this book, I didn't know much about either of these women. I also couldn't see how you could compare them. But after reading it I realized that these women are indeed alike. They both love to be different, and to do out-of-the-ordinary things. The book has them going on 2 adventures together, each doing the things they love. During these adventures they wear their evening dresses. It is a great story about two amazing women.

"...Something Exciting was Bound to Happen...".......2002-04-03

"Amelia and Eleanor were birds of a feather. Eleanor was outspoken and determined. So was Amelia. Amelia was daring and liked to try things other women wouldn't even consider. Eleanor was the very same..." So begins Pam Munoz Ryan's marvelous picture book adventure, Amelia And Eleanor Go For A Ride. These two famous "birds" were Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady of the United States, and Amelia Earhart, world famous aviator and the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic. Based on an actual event, using newpaper accounts, diaries, and book transcripts, Ms Ryan tells the intriguing story of how these two friends ditched a White House dinner party one April night in 1933, and ignoring protests from the Secret Service took a daring night flight from Washington to Baltimore and back. Her easy to read and engaging text is exciting and entertaining. Brian Selznick's vivid black and white pencil illustrations have the look of old photographs, and capture the story beautifully. Together both word and art present a well researched, thrilling story, rich in many authentic details, and includes an Author's Note and actual picture to enhance this wonderful event. Perfect for youngsters 6-10, Amelia And Eleanor Go For A Ride transports the reader back in time when flying, especially night flight was new, and let's you tag along on a once in a lifetime adventure as history is made.

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