Peter and the Shadow Thieves

Book Description

In this riveting and adventure-packed follow-up to Peter and the Starcatchers, Peter leaves the relative safety of Mollusk Island -- along with his trusted companion Tinker Bell -- for the cold, damp streets of London. On a difficult journey across the sea, he and Tink discover the dark and deadly, slithering part-man/part-creature Lord Ombra. It seems that the dreaded Ombra has a variety of mysterious powers, including the ability to make shadows disappear. When Peter reaches London, he sets out to find the indomitable Molly. Together they must combat Ombras terrible forces to both protect the Starcatchers and the treasured starstuff and, most important, to rescue Mollys mother from the clutches of evil.

Customer Reviews:

Sequel that doesn't disappoint!.......2007-08-14

"Peter and the Shadow Thieves" continues with the story of young Peter, an orphan boy whose life has completely changed when he came in contact with a powerful substance known as stardust. Now an expert flyer, Peter has become very fond of Mollusk Island and the lost boys whom have adopted him as their leader. However, things change drastically when new visitors arrive one day... some old enemies along with new, one in particular who appears to be made out of darkness and can steal shadows from any living thing, causing them to become mere shells of the persons they used to be. Of course this new enemy is looking for the stardust that was once on Mollusk Island. Once it is discovered that the stardust is in the hands of Lord Aster, they set sail for London. Peter, knowing his friend Molly and her family are in real danger, sets off to follow with his fairy Tink, not knowing whether or not he will even make it to the coast without being found out by the shadow creature.

"Peter and the Shadow Thieves" does not disappoint! It continues where the first book, "Peter and the Star Catchers" left off. It is a page turner filled with action and very comical scenes, most of which involve Tink and her very blunt opinions on other characters. Though the book has almost 600 pages the chapters are short and it's easy to whiz through this thing within a few days. I highly recommend it for any Peter Pan fan out there who is looking for another adventure to read!

Even better than the one before.......2007-07-18

I think Shadow Thieves is better than Peter and the Starcatchers, but they are both wonderful. I listened to them both because I love to listen to Jim Dale. And I found Shadow Thieves compelling like a Harry Potter...could it be better? There is a lot for young and old people to get from these books. Now we need the new one recorded!!

OK, NOT BARRY'S BEST.......2007-06-03

I LIKED this book, which is to say, it was a disappointment. Usually I LOVE Barry's stuff. So I had my hopes up, expecting Barry's best, and instead I got a nice little holiday book apparently aimed at kids.

For vintage Dave Barry check out Dave Barry's Money Tips. Now that's a great book. Dave Barry's Money Secrets: Like: Why Is There a Giant Eyeball on the Dollar?

Barry's a fine writer, but I wish this book had been better.

Love That Boy.......2007-05-30

Sharon Creech's Love That Dog is a book of poems by a boy named Jack. Jack doesn't want to write poetry because he thinks it is for girls. In the beginning of the book, Jack is talking to his teacher and his teacher is talking back. In the end of the book it's only Jack talking.
Jack's teacher reads him (and his class) poems all the time during school. She tells them to write their own poems. Jack gives in but says she has to promise not to put it up on the board (or if she does, put no name on it.) Jack writes a poem about a blue car splattered with mud. His teacher asks him why he wrote about that. He says that the poem that his teacher read to him the day before about a red wagon didn't make sense either.
Jack writes more poems until his teacher asks him to write about a pet. Jack says he doesn't have a pet, he used to have a pet, but he doesn't want to write about it. His teacher finally gets him to write about his yellow dog named Sky.
His teacher reads him a poem by a poet named Walter Dean Myers. Jack likes the poem it is called Love That Boy. Jack's teacher reads him more poems by Walter Dean Myers that Jack likes so he decided to send him a letter to ask him to visit his school.
I thought the book was a wonderful way to make something out of poetry. It tells a good story in a different way. Sharon Creech is the author of many other books including Replay and Walk Two Moons. I recommend the book from grades 3 to 6.

Peter and the Shadow Thieves.......2007-05-30

Peter and the Shadow Thieves is a thrilling sequel to Peter and the Starcatchers. Peter is on Mollusk Island with protection from the Mollusk tribe and his fairy friend Tinkerbelle. Pirates come to the island wanting the starstuff, an extremely powerful substance that they believe is on the island. The pirates soon find that Lord Aster and his daughter, Molly have the starstuff with them in England. So, the pirates set sail for England with a guest on their ship. The guest is a powerful man-like thing called Lord Ombra that can get information from you by taking your shadow. Peter is a stowaway on the pirates ship to save Molly; and the pirates are on the ship to find Molly, Lord Aster, and the starstuff. Mollusk Island is long way from England and Lord Ombra is very powerful. Maybe even more powerful than Molly or Peter can imagine.
This is an excellent adventure story about friendship and believing in yourself and others. Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson do a great job making their voice and the characters' personality shine. This book is for children 8 to12 years old.

Serve God, Save the Planet: A Christian Call to Action

Average customer rating:

Great stories and great ideas
amazing
An Amish life for me?
Great Christian stewardship outline
Strays from his area of expertise

Serve God, Save the Planet: A Christian Call to Action
J. Matthew, M.D. Sleeth
Manufacturer: Zondervan Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Conservation | Environment | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0310275342
Release Date: 2007-04-01

Book Description

Five years ago Dr. J. Matthew Sleeth and his family lived in a big house, had two luxury cars, loads of money, and lots of stuff. As chief of the medical staff at a large hospital, Sleeth was living the American dream--until he realized that something was terribly wrong. As he saw patient after patient suffering from cancer, asthma, and other chronic diseases, he began to understand that the Earth and its inhabitants were in trouble. Feeling helpless, he turned to his faith for guidance. He discovered how the timeless lessons of personal responsibility, simplicity, and stewardship taught in the Bible could be applied to modern life. The Sleeths have since sold their big home and given away more than half of what they once owned. In Serve God, Save the Planet, Sleeth shares the joy of adopting a less materialistic lifestyle, and reveals what was easy and what was hard about the changes his family has made. Drawing on science and religion, Sleeth builds a bridge between environmentalists and mainstream Christians. He and his family are harbingers of the creation care movement, which calls on all those who love God to love our planet. Sleeth shares how material downscaling led his family to healthier lifestyles, stronger relationships, and richer spiritual lives. Serve God, Save the Planet is more than a book: it is a prescription for taking personal responsibility for global survival.

Customer Reviews:

Great stories and great ideas.......2007-09-10

I bought this book after hearing Sleeth speak (via the web) at Mars Hill Bible Church in Michigan. I just finished the book and I really enjoyed it. Many of the topics that Sleeth covers have been on my mind lately but he definitely gave me some new ones to consider (ie. pets--yikes!). My plan is to go through his suggested action items (back of the book) and highlight the ones we've accomplished and make a list of new ones to tackle. I am sold on this concept; however, my family isn't quite there yet.
I have recently begun volunteering at a Christian agency that helps the underresourced. In doing so, I have become acutely aware of American (and my own) consumerism. So many things have only been used once or not at all and then they come to us. One day the fire marshall almost shut us down because we had mountains of donations. It is great that people are generous but wouldn't it would be better if they'd not bought so much stuff in the first place, only to donate it and buy new and different stuff?
I'm sure I will loan this book to tons of people in an effort to do my part to "Save the Planet." I'm fairly sure that it'll be around for me, I'm just worried about my kids and grandkids!

amazing.......2007-09-03

I'd recommend this book to everyone. We live in a world that has become so focused on consumption and production that we forget that we really don't need all this stuff. This book is written by a former doctor who has transformed his life (as well as his family's) into one that is very simple, yet incredibly peaceful, and wonderfully dedicated to God's glory.

We often associate environmentalism and "nature-loving" with hippies... but why not associate it with God? After all, He created it.

An Amish life for me?.......2007-08-16

I enjoyed Mr. Mathew Sleeth's book immensely and there was much I took issue with. It is indeed disappointing to see such an earnest effort fall short. He speaks with authority on many subjects but has credibility with but a few. Mostly I do not find fault with his interpretation of scripture. It is in other areas that his knowledge is thin, non-existent or worse yet takes, as authority, information from others that is unsubstantiated. A significant percentage of the "facts" presented are implied to be common knowledge when in actuality they are, unfortunately, little more than a recitation of the pandering that comes from mass media. Mr. Sleeth skates past the documented benefits of the industrial revolution with an ease that is disturbing. Where Mr. Sleeth encourages us to live _personally_ greener lives is where his arguments are strongest. I for one am not interested in de-evolving to an "Amish" lifestyle. Surely he cannot believe that our God wants us to life a life that is restricted to the technology of the 17th century. I suspect that the world's _current_ population could not be fed if much of the western world's population adopted it anyway. I must ask the question, "Do you suppose God would bless the act of feeding starving children in Africa any less, IF the vegetables were grown organically versus the most current high production methods?" Read this book with a jaundiced / discerning eye. This is truly a case where the wheat must be sorted from the chaff. Not only did God give me two hands, he also gave me a brain. Now if you'll excuse me, I see that there are three more ripe tomatoes in the garden and we're having beans for dinner.

Great Christian stewardship outline.......2007-07-20

This book succinctly highlights our duty as children of God to care for each other and His creation. By making both small and large sacrifices, we can impove our contentment while saving the planet for the enjoyment of future generations. Thank you, Dr. Sleeth for providing a quickly readable, yet thought provoking call to action which should be used in church discussion groups nationwide.

Strays from his area of expertise.......2007-07-18

After three chapters, I said to my wife -- this is GREAT. Indeed, the first five chapters are a well-structured synopsis of the environmental concerns we are facing, and a wake-up call to Christians to participate in restorative work. From there, the book degenerates quickly.

The rest of the book is simply filler to make a profitable book -- a discussion of issues on the fringe of environmental concern. Consumerism is a relevant issue, for example, but unnecessary is an at-length comparison of Jesus and Santa Claus. Sleeth ventures far from his area of expertise, including some extremely shaky exegesis at times. There is an analysis of Revelation that is especially unfounded. Also disappointing is his lack of practical advice -- this is relegated to a few redundant references (lightbulbs, clotheslines, etc) and a few sparse appendices at the back of the book.

Sleeth could have published this book as a much smaller edition, including his first five chapters and an extended discussion on practical approaches to helping the environment. Seems like a lot of wasted paper and energy for a book that does not seem to contribute much, if anything, new to the environmental movement. Overall, I was very disappointed and honestly, more frustrated when finished than any book I've read for quite some time.

Average customer rating:

wonderful for children and adults
missing something
Awesome!
Looking forward to the musical
You Need To Catch the Starcatchers!

Peter and the Starcatchers
Ridley Pearson
Manufacturer: Disney Editions
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 078684907X

Amazon.com

Humorist Dave Barry and suspense writer Ridley Pearson have clearly taken great delight in writing a 400-plus page prequel of sorts to Scottish dramatist J.M. Barrie's beloved Peter Pan stories. The result is a fast-paced and fluffy pirate adventure, complete with talking porpoises, stinky rogues, possible cannibals, a flying crocodile, biting mermaids, and a much-sought-after trunk full of magical glowing green "starstuff." Ever hear of Zeus? Michelangelo? Attila the Hun? According to 14-year-old Molly Aster they all derived their powers from starstuff that occasionally falls to Earth from the heavens. On Earth, it is the Starcatchers' job to rush to the scene and collect the starstuff before it falls into the hands of the Others who use its myriad powers for evil.

On board the ship Never Land, an orange-haired boy named Peter, the leader of a group of orphaned boys being sent off to work as servants in King Zarboff the Third's court, is puzzled by his shipmate Molly's fantastical story of starstuff, but it inextricably binds him to her. Peter vows to help his new, very pretty friend Molly (a Starcatcher's apprentice) keep a mysterious trunk full of the stuff out of the clutches of the pirate Black Stache, a host of other interested parties, and ultimately King Zarboff the Third.

The downright goofy, modern 8-year-old boy humor sometimes clashes with an old-time pirate sensibility, and the rapid-fire dialogue, while well paced, is far from inventive. Still, the high-seas hijinks and desert-island shenanigans will keep readers turning the pages. Greg Call's wonderful black-and-white illustrations are deliciously old-fashioned and add plenty of atmosphere to a silly, swashbuckling story that shows us how Peter Pan came to fly and why he, and his story, will never get old. (Ages 9 and older) --Karin Snelson

Book Description

In an evocative and fast-paced adventure on the high seas and on a faraway island, an orphan boy named Peter and his mysterious new friend, Molly, overcome bands of pirates and thieves in their quest to keep a fantastical secret safe and save the world from evil. This impossible-to-put-down tale leads readers on an unforgettable journeyfraught with danger yet filled with mystical and magical moments.

Book Description

Disney adventure on the high seas on a faraway island. Perfect for pre-teen or older readers.

Customer Reviews:

wonderful for children and adults.......2007-08-30

I just finished reading this aloud to my children, boys age 9 and 6, and daughter, age 3. IT WAS WONDERFUL! The boys asked every night "Is it time to read Peter?" They loved the excitement on the ship and the island. Yes, I "reworded" a few sentences to simplify for them, but, overall, we thoroughly enjoyed this. We hurried to start Peter and the Shadow Thieves, which I will review later (but loved it, too!) My boys and I are definitely "hooked" on these books!

missing something.......2007-07-24

The plot of this book flows along at a fast pace, coming to a conclusion that very neatly wraps up everything into the nice package of where Peter Pan as we know it begins. However... I felt that although the plot was conveniently going in the right direction, it was also completely wrong. The mermaids and flying and Tinkerbell and everything else magical in the book are treated like the effects of radiation rather than magic. None of the characters are examined deeply at all. I'm very disappointed. I was very confused as to why Peter's grammar teacher spoke with bad grammar! If this was meant as a joke, it just came off as bad writing. I decided to give my copy away.

Awesome!.......2007-07-11

If you've ever wondered how Peter Pan may have become Peter Pan... then this book is for you. It's an amazing tale of an orphan named Peter who is hauled onto a ship (named the Never Land) along with other (lost) boys to be transported to an evil king where they will be forced to live as servants. This is where he comes in contact with several people including an evil pirate named Black Stache who you will quickly realize is set to become the future Captain Hook.

The story centers itself around a magical trunk that is filled with "starstuff." Peter meets a girl named Molly whose family is trying to protect the trunk and keep it out of the wrong hands. The contents of the trunk are extremely powerful and have different effects on different people. One special thing though.. it allows whoever comes in contact with it the ability to fly. Temporarily of course, as the stuff wears off over time.

I bought this book at a ridiculously low price at a book sale because I thought it looked interesting and I've always loved the story of Peter Pan. Well, the moment I started reading it I couldn't put it down. This is an amazing, fast-paced story that any child, young adult, or adult would love. It's a quick and fun read and I can't wait to get my hands on the second book. I highly recommend!

Looking forward to the musical .......2007-06-29

Ridley Pearson's daughter had a great thought while she was being read Peter Pan. What happened to Peter before losing his shadow? That was were Ridley and Barry took off flying with a prequel to the beloved Peter Pan. This book is an action packed adventure that children will love. Many of the magical mysteries of Peter and his band are explained as more questions arise. When we heard the two authors talk they did say that a sequel to this prequel will be following soon. There were times that the book seemed to bounce back and forth. The good guys have the trunk, the bad guys have the trunk, the good guys have the trunk, etc. Yet, the story unfolds well and will hopefully put Peter Pan back on stage.

You Need To Catch the Starcatchers!.......2007-06-15

This is about The Starcatchers.
The book starts of with 5 boys (Peter,Prentiss,Tubby Ted,Thomas and James)
and The owner of St. Norbert's Home for Wayward Boys (Mr. Grempkin)in a carrige on thier way to the wharf.
Mr. Grempkins is not very nice and always cuffs you on the ear if you annoy him or if he just wants to.
The carrige stoped and they stepped out to see a rusty,slimy,moldy,rotten ship.
Peter askes if that is there ship and duckes just in time because were his head was,was where Mr. Gerempkins fist was.
Then a man came off the ship and was heading for them and he didn't look very friendly.
To find out what happens to Peter and his friends and who the Starcatchers are read the book Peter and the Starcatchers.

From,
Steve's Daugter

Call to Action: Secret Formulas to Improve Online Results

Average customer rating:

This book was not what I expected.
simple & useful
Call to Action: Secret Formulas to Improve Online Results
A new must-have reference for online persuasive marketing.
Very well written book, a "bible" for internet business owners

Call to Action: Secret Formulas to Improve Online Results
Bryan Eisenberg , Jeffrey Eisenberg , and Lisa T. Davis
Manufacturer: Thomas Nelson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Communications | Skills | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 078521965X

Book Description

Call to Action includes the information businesses need to know to achieve dramatic results from online efforts. Are you planning for top performance? Are you accurately evaluating that performance? Are you setting the best benchmarks for measuring success? How well are you communicating your value proposition? Are you structured for change? Can you achieve the momentum you need to get the results you want? If you have the desire and commitment to create phenomenal online results, then this book is your call to action.

Within these pages, New York Times best-selling authors Bryan and Jeffrey Eisenberg walk you through the five phases that comprise web site development, from the critical planning phase, through developing structure, momentum, and communication, to articulating value. Along the way, they offer advice and practical applications culled from their years of experience "in the trenches."

Customer Reviews:

This book was not what I expected........2007-06-27

I am giving this book 2 stars because I thought it would be great, like Seth Godin or the Wizard of Ads books. I expected a book of "Secret Formulas" as the title says. Instead it felt like a well-written Website 101 book, 90% common sense plus a few good tips sprinkled in. No "oh wow" moments here. Big disappointment. Honestly, I kept reading page after page waiting for the meat, but it was just 2 pieces of bread.

simple & useful.......2007-01-13

I've just started to read this book, but only the first pages let me know I can learn lots of simple things that can improve my business.

It's very easy to understand, good explanations, and very simple but big ideas to work on.

Buy it! (...i promise you i'm not the author and not his mother..)Believe me.

Call to Action: Secret Formulas to Improve Online Results.......2007-01-10

This book is easy to read and has a wealth of good information on creating an e-commerce site that will sell products.

A new must-have reference for online persuasive marketing........2006-11-18

In a world full of books that promise to show you the way to that elusive, successful conversion metric this one delivers. It not only explains the fundamentals but gives you some real-world insight and know-how. It is well written and an easy read. I've marked this book up with more highlighter than in a college text book. Definitely worth every penny.

Very well written book, a "bible" for internet business owners.......2006-07-25

This book is for every decision maker of an Internet business that sells products or services online or offline.

It explains in very clear and non-technical fashion what to look out for when designing web pages and get visitors to do what you want them to do ... and things you should not do as well, something often forgotten when it comes to the question "How to improve the conversion of visitors to customers?"

You can trust the two of the foremost experts about this topic, Bryan and Jeffrey Eisenberg. The know and can prove it with tons of customers they helped to improve conversion via their professional service company with the name "Future Now".

You should also check their other books and the free goodies they offer on their Website. A fountain of knowledge.

When They Won't Quit: A Call to Action for Families, Friends and Employers of Alcohol and Drug-Addicted People

Average customer rating:

Get this book if you want to help your loved one!
When they won't Quit: A Call to Action for families, friends and employers of alcohol and drug-addicted people
excellent book
An excellent approach to a very difficult problem
Alive Magazine

When They Won't Quit: A Call to Action for Families, Friends and Employers of Alcohol and Drug-Addicted People
Bruce Cotter
Manufacturer: Pathway Book Service
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Alcoholism | Recovery | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0971933820

Book Description

Unlike any other book on the subject, WHEN THEY WON'T QUIT gives the reader an immediate course of action to effectively help the alcoholic or other drug addict in their life. Since no one ever got sober without some form of intervention, the reader is guided, step by step, through the intervention process and on into the stages of treatment and early recovery.

Customer Reviews:

Get this book if you want to help your loved one!.......2007-01-10

I purchased this book after buying many (5 or more) books on the subject. I got Alanon books and others. I read this book from cover to cover.I higlighted parts that applied to my spouse, of 14 years. I learned so much, Truly!
Because of this book, I got the courage to do the following: (this was my own plan but, I would not have done it with out this books information). I conducted a one woman intervention.I set up a rehab appointment,then I called my husbands boss (and brother) and got his support/OK to send him to rehab.Then called his mother to take care of my stepson to get him to/from school. Having removed all the excuses he would have not to go, I then gave my husband this ultimatum "Go to rehab or just go". He really thought awhile. He asked people their opinions. At first, I was not sure it would work. But, He did go. Sucess! He is now happy healthy and doing great.I cannot thank the author enough for the wisdom and insight he gave.I have my husband back, what a gift. I did not find this information in other books of the type. This book does not cover only how to deal with the Alcoholic, it give ideas of how to really get them into rehab.It worked for us and Is worth every dime!

When they won't Quit: A Call to Action for families, friends and employers of alcohol and drug-addicted people.......2006-11-11

What a complete waste of time. Unrealistic, not grounded in theory, and poorly written

excellent book.......2006-10-31

Bruce Cotter has written an excellent book with very practical advice for a very difficult situation: when a family member has an alcohol problem. The best advice for anyone who knows someone with an alcohol problem is to read this book. This is a great starting point. The anger, resentment, and frustration that you feel are normal but will make the problem worse. Read this book and begin to help yourself to understand alcoholism and begin the healing for you and your loved one. Bruce Cotter will empower you to feel that you can do something before it is too late.

An excellent approach to a very difficult problem.......2005-10-13

After over 15 years of watching my mother's drinking problem worsen, my family came to the conclusion that there was nothing we could do to help her. We thought, "How can you help someone who doesn't want help or doesn't think there is a problem?" This book very clearly shows you that with the right approach, there is something that you can do to help your loved one get the necessary treatment required to overcome his/her addiction. Bruce Cotter uses a very clear, personal approach that everyone can understand. After reading this book, I felt empowered to help my mother into the treatment program that she desparately needs.

Alive Magazine.......2002-12-09

"The primary beneficiaries of this work would be those who are
feeling overwhelmed and do not know where to begin in their
quest to understand and assist those who 'won't quit'.
A recovering alcoholic, Bruce Cotter has written an account
that provides important information on the nature of chemical
dependency in a manner that is easily understood and
potentially empowering for its target audience. It is a useful
resource for those who are supporting a significant other who
has a chemical dependency and for those who are close
affiliates of such individuals."

The Truth About Testing: An Educator's Call to Action

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The Truth About Testing by W. James Popham
The Truth About Testing by W. James Popham
A "must" for any educator who needs to effectively evaluate

The Truth About Testing: An Educator's Call to Action
W. James Popham
Manufacturer: Association for Supervision & Curriculum Deve
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0871205238

Book Description

Nonsense, says distinguished educator and author W. James Popham.

In The Truth About Testing: An Educator's Call to Action, Popham explores both the absurdity and the serious destructive consequences of today's testing programs. He uses actual items drawn from current standardized achievement tests to show what these tests really measure and why they should never be used to evaluate school quality or teacher ability.

But, Popham insists, there's a way out of this measurement mess. And it's up to educators to take the first steps. Throughout this commonsense and conversational resource, the author appeals to educators to build their own assessment literacy, spread the word about harmful testing, and reexamine how they use test data in the classroom. He provides advice for distinguishing between sound and unsound large-scale tests, guidelines to help teachers maximize the instructional benefits properly constructed classroom tests can bring, and evidence-gathering strategies for teachers and administrators trying to survive and thrive in an accountability-driven environment.

The book closes with a series of action items for educators interested in ending the score-boosting game, halting the erosion of educational quality, and establishing the kind of testing that can improve student learning.

Download Description

With public and political demand for educational accountability never higher, educators are under enormous pressure to raise students' scores on standardized achievement tests. Policymakers are backing large-scale, high-stakes testing programs as the best way to determine which schools are failing and which schools are succeeding, and the only way to ensure the quality of students' schooling. Nonsense, says distinguished educator and author W. James Popham. In The Truth About Testing: An Educator's Call to Action, Popham explores both the absurdity and the serious destructive consequences of today's testing programs. He uses actual items drawn from current standardized achievement tests to show what these tests really measure and why they should never be used to evaluate school quality or teacher ability. But, Popham insists, there's a way out of this measurement mess. And it's up to educators to take the first steps. Throughout this commonsense and conversational resource, the author appeals to educators to build their own assessment literacy, spread the word about harmful testing, and reexamine how they use test data in the classroom. He provides * Advice for distinguishing between sound and unsound large-scale tests. * Evidence-gathering strategies for teachers and administrators trying to survive and thrive in an accountability-driven environment. The book closes with a series of action items for educators interested in ending the score-boosting game, halting the erosion of educational quality, and establishing the kind of testing that can improve student learning.

Customer Reviews:

The Truth About Testing by W. James Popham.......2002-01-07

If education is in trouble -- here is the Savior. Popham has finally addressed, spelled out and suggested the cures for the present ill-advised and unrealistic push for standardized testing which leaves students,teachers and schools imprisoned by impossible and educationally unsound and biased testing. Popham says it all when he tells us that test developers must think instructionally, realistically and honestly. Popham makes the reader understand the tragic consequences of allowing non-involved, classroom illiterate test-makers to control the educational consequences of millions of students, teachers and public school administrators. Hasn't the mess in medicine taught us the sad lesson of allowing the uninformed to take over the decisions and the physical health of our people, which has led to less yet more expensive healing? Popham makes clear why the lists of hundreds and hundreds of "standards" are impossible to test accurately and how they keep true education from occurring since teachers can't even teach all the standards let alone anything that makes each student realize his/her own uniqueness. Every state legislator that EVER gave his vote or support to standardized testing as it is formatted today, should read Popham's book and somehow find a way and the time to join the effort to return teaching to the classroom instead of leaving it in a test-making corporation's board room. Our students have become the victims of people who can't teach but think they know how. Read this book and pass it on!

The Truth About Testing by W. James Popham.......2002-01-07

A "must" for any educator who needs to effectively evaluate.......2001-12-10

Educator and author James Popham's The Truth About Testing takes a critical look at the standardized achievement tests used in America's schools today. The qualities that these tests really measure are not necessarily what the people who tout them claim, and their exaggerated importance in rating the school systems could have severe and destructive consequences on the future of the children who are learning how to do well on certain tests - and not necessarily how to perform the mathematical, scientific, and critical thinking skills they will need when they graduate. educator and author Popham also presents a common sense and practical alternatives to how test data should be used in the classroom, and evidence-gathering strategies that teachers and administrators can use to create a thriving, accountability-driven educational institution. Articulate, instructive, and well-thought-out, The Truth About Testing is a "must" for any educator who needs to effectively evaluate just how well his or her students are really doing.

Escape from the Carnivale: A Never Land Adventure (Never Land Book)

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Exciting Story of Neverland
Escape from the Carnivale: A Never Land Adventure
Peter Pan: now you know the rest of the story
*** Buyer Beware ****
"Peter and the Starcatchers" for the younger set

Escape from the Carnivale: A Never Land Adventure (Never Land Book)
Ridley Pearson , and Dave Barry
Manufacturer: Disney Editions
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0786837896

Customer Reviews:

Exciting Story of Neverland.......2007-08-19

My daughter says Escape from the Carnivale is very exciting. She didn't want to put it down! She recommends highly! She loved getting to know the mermaids and Little Scallop. The Lost Boys are funny! She has moved on to Cave of the Dark Wind. It sounds exciting too!

Escape from the Carnivale: A Never Land Adventure.......2007-08-11

My grandchildren and I are enjoying listening to this series together. Jim Dale is the best reader. He brings all the characters to life for even a grandmother!

Yolanda
Edmond, Ok

Please Help Fight Breast Cancer: http://cms.komen.org/komen/index.htm

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is called the "Present"

Peter Pan: now you know the rest of the story.......2007-07-18

Have you ever wondered about Peter Pan? Where he came from? Why he's ageless? Just where did he learn to fly? Well Ridley Pearson and Dave Barry have filled in the blanks. A "children's book" that this adult enjoyed!

*** Buyer Beware ****.......2007-03-30

If you're expecting the same caliber of book as 'Peter and the StarCatchers' or 'Peter and the Shadow Thieves' both by Dave Barry, this book is only a 2-3 hour read and not the continuation of those two books. From the cover you get the impression that it's another FULL NOVEL, but it's not. It's just a short read. The story is nice, but nothing like the EXCELLENT two books listed above.

"Peter and the Starcatchers" for the younger set.......2007-02-16

As a librarian I am always happy to see shorter and/or easier fantasy chapter books. So many children want to read fantasy but struggle with the enormous tomes, which can be daunting. So, this latest entry by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson - at only 134 pages - was a welcome edition before I had even read page 1. And the story did not disappoint, especially not when listening to an audiobook with the acclaimed Jim Dale performing. The story involves an extended family of mollusks, headed by Giant Prawn; the youngest member of the family, Little Scallop wants to participate more in family adventures, but is restricted to the tidal pools of home. Of course, Little Scallop disobeys and swims off with two mermaids, Surf and Aqua, right into tremendous trouble with pirates and all sorts of other bad guys. Peter and the Lost Boys make an appearance to save the day and all's well. This title will appeal to boys and girls alike; in fact it's a particularly good choice for girly-girls who will enjoy the mermaid aspect. The audio book is excellent - not unexpected with Jim Dale performing; and the print book would also make a good read-aloud for 1st - 3rd graders

Christian Faith and the Truth Behind 9/11: A Call to Reflection and Action

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"Thinking the Unthinkable" with contemporary theology.
A book every Christian should look at
The Depths of a "Deeply Perverted Value System"
Erudite and Eye-Opening
THE ONLY BAD QUESTION IS THE ONE NEVER ASKED: CONSIDER CAREFULLY HERE THE BEST QUESTIONS FOR OUR DAY.

Christian Faith and the Truth Behind 9/11: A Call to Reflection and Action
David Ray Griffin
Manufacturer: Westminster John Knox Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0664231179

Book Description

Probing disturbing questions that beg for a response from the Christian community, distinguished scholar of religion and popular writer David Ray Griffin provides a hard-hitting analysis of the official accounts of the events of September 11, 2001. A tireless investigator, Griffin has sorted through enormous amounts of government and independent data and brought to the surface some very unsettling inconsistencies about what really happened. In this, his latest book, he analyzes the evidence about 9/11 and then explores a distinctively Christian perspective on these issues, taking seriously what we know about Jesus' life, death, and teachings. Drawing a parallel between the Roman Empire of antiquity and the American Empire of today, he applies Jesus' teachings to the current political administration, and he explores how Christian churches, as a community intending to be an incarnation of the divine, can and should respond.

Customer Reviews:

"Thinking the Unthinkable" with contemporary theology........2007-08-22

Review of Christian Faith and the Truth behind 911 by David Ray Griffin.

About 1/3 of the book is a recap of evidence that the World Trade Center buildings could not have collapsed from the airplane impacts and fires but must have been a "controlled demolition" and therefore an inside job.

About 1/3 is history of "false flag operations" that are standard military practice to gain civilian support of their warmaking, ordered from the top down and carried out by the equivalent of our CIA and/or military "intelligence" and blamed on the Enemy.

And 1/3 is a theological development of Christian principles that can help us "think the unthinkable".

He develops the idea that Jesus was a revolutionary, urging the Jews to resist the Roman occupation and the Temple establishment who were collaborators. So He was executed as a political threat.

Then he discusses Good (Divine) and Evil (Demonic) from a modern, naturalistic viewpoint. The universal life force, which has evolved the world as we know it, is Good (God) and the phenomena that curtail that process such as Imperial power and slavery are Evil. And then he goes back to the traditional personification of these powers and their attributes. To quote from his page 123:

"Monotheism is the doctrine that there is only one truly divine power, only one power worthy of worship. Monotheism does not, however, necessarily imply monism, the doctrine that there is only power, period. Monotheism is compatible with the belief in one or more centers of power that have some power of their own, and hence some autonomy, vis-a-vis divine power. Because a partially autonomous power could go bad, using its power to oppose divine purposes, monotheism could be compatible with belief in a demonic power.

"In fact, Jeffrey Russell, in his well-received volumes on the history of the idea of the devil, has argued that the New Testament view is best called 'semidualistic monotheism'. In contrast with full-fledged dualism, a semidualistic position does not hold, as would a fully dualistic position, that the demonic is wholly autonomous and equal to God in cosmic scope and power. But it does allow some real autonomy to the demonic."

Thus although he speaks of a divine reality, he does so without indulging the belief in a supernatural deity, which encourages magical thinking about divine omnipotence, and hence without denying the human responsibility for the good and evil in our civilization. He says he advocates "process theology" and I quote section headings in his development (pp 131-138):
"Self-Determination All the Way Down"
"Divine Power as Persuasive"
"Creation as Risk"
"Creaturely Creation and the Demonic"
"Demonic Power as Uncontrollable by Divine Power"
In this context of traditional personification of the adjectives we use - GOOD and EVIL - to communicate our judgement of human activities, he applies the Biblical record of Jesus in the context of Roman occupation to our contemporary world domination. We are the EVIL EMPIRE of absentee owners that tries to control the world by supporting local tyrants who do business the way we want them to, and threatening military occupation where-ever that's not possible, in the name of "Democracy"! Money talks, with propaganda that idealizes greed, spawns fear, and buys politicians.

But here's my comment: We can't win this perpetual war, short of blowing the whole world to hell, because in this Information Age insurgencies will go on forever. Everyone knows that government of, by, and for the people is possible thanks to our own revolutionary founders. I'm a hopeless idealist.

What do you think?

Glen Sandberg 228-697-5195

A book every Christian should look at.......2007-07-08

Dr. David Ray Griffin speak specifically to the audience he knows best - individuals of the Christian faith.

The theologian presents the shocking evidence about the 9/11 attacks that do not seem to fit with the official story reported by the U.S. government. Griffin then emphasizes the importance of the tragedies of 9/11, and how the Christians of the world should be the ones that address this issue that is playing a major role in our society.

Griffin is not just putting the word "Christian" on his title to sell his book to a niche market - he truly tries to reach an audience that he feels should have an impact on how the "truth" should be revealed.

The Depths of a "Deeply Perverted Value System".......2007-06-27

I bought this book because I was dominantly interested in the tenth chapter ("A Call to Reflection and Action"). I think it is an outstanding follow-on to Dr. Griffin's prior books ("The New Pearl Harbor: Disturbing Questions about the Bush Administration and 9/11" and "The 9/11 Commission Report: Missions and Distortions"). The three (as well his fourth on debunking the debunkers) are superbly researched, meticulously footnoted, well-argued, and ought to be required reading for every Congressional representative and every serious mainstream journalist in the US.

Dr. Griffin has made a critical distinction between "cumulative" and "deductive" arguments. Through the course of these books, and summarized nicely in the first half of "Christian Faith...", Dr. Griffin reviews the breadth and depth of the cumulative evidence now amassed, so vast that another has suggested that "it's like drinking from a fire hose".

He proves that the prima facie case that the Bush Administration orchestrated the attacks of 9/11 remains unrefuted.

But the critical thrust clearly is on why we must pay attention to what he has to say, and why we must address the implications of it.

From the book:

"Many people who know or at least suspect the truth about 9/11 probably believe that revealing it would be so disturbing to the American psyche, the American form of government, and global stability that it is better to pretend to believe the official version. I would suggest, however, that any merit this argument may have had earlier has been overcome by more recent events and realizations. Far more devastating to the American psyche, the American form of government, and the world as a whole will be the continued role of those who brought us 9/11, because the values reflected in that horrendous event have been reflected in the Bush Administration's lies to justify the attack on Iraq, its disregard for environmental science and the Bill of Rights, its criminal negligence both before and after Katrina, and now its apparent plan not only to weaponize space but also to authorize the use of nuclear weapons in a pre-emptive strike."

And another:

"Burns Weston, a professor of law, has said that the `disparity between official 9/11 `spin' and independently researched 9/11 fact [is] so glaring as to suggest the possibility of a constitutional crisis unlike anything our country had ever known'."

This statement takes on added gravity in light of the repeated and recent announcements that the Vice President and the President are not subject to Congressional oversight.

In addition to addressing the socio-political issues, however, Dr. Griffin asks us to examine them in light of Christian values. And there is where he not only nails down the indictment, but also the conviction. As moral and spiritual people, we are obligated to examine the evidence, to discuss it in light of our beliefs and values, and then to act in concordance with them.

From the book:

"... It is only when we realize that the attacks of 9/11 were carried out and covered up for the sake of America's global domination project that we can, as I have suggested elsewhere, fully grasp the extent to which this project is propelled by fanaticism based on a deeply perverted value system."

Erudite and Eye-Opening.......2007-06-22

Griffin's books only get better. "Christian Faith and the Truth Behind 9/11" not only provides enough evidence to prove the official narrative of the events of 9/11 is a farce (and U.S government complicity as a necessary condition for such a conclusion), he provides a philosophical and theological background for such an analysis.

Griffin demonstrates that America is in fact an Empire--an Evil Empire, to be precise. Like Rome before it, and like the more recent Third Reich of Nazi Germany, America is an empire founded upon terror and bully tactics disguised as "promoting Democracy" "fighting evil". And, as such, it has nowhere to go but down.

However, like all such pathocratic systems, it will not go down without a fight. With nearly one million dead in Iraq as a direct result of American invasion and occupation, the psychopathic neoconservative junta is still actively cementing its hold on the American "republic".

Griffin rightly, in this writer's view, advocates a "thin" universal morality, founded not in mythology but in realism and conscience. The egotistical "end to evil" as Frum and Perle term their messianic war against cultural differences is founded in a simplistic and naive view of humanity. It promotes racist Chauvinism and genocide as a solution to global problems stemming from hypocritical American foreign policy and imperialism.

Griffin's ponerological approach to the analysis of American Empire, and its use of false-flag terrorism and black propaganda techniques is a welcome call to action to both Christians and non-Christians.

THE ONLY BAD QUESTION IS THE ONE NEVER ASKED: CONSIDER CAREFULLY HERE THE BEST QUESTIONS FOR OUR DAY........2007-06-09

Just like your teacher told you, or your father, the only dumb question is the one never asked. That is the only bad question.

But like the Reverend Father Hans Kung daring to place a question mark after the simple word Infallible, many whose complacency and belief system could receive a strengthening dose of question feel such uncomfortable consideration bad. Martin Luther was roundly condemned for posting a number of questions for discussion on a cathedral door where such questions were normally posted. Dr. Griffin, Professor Emeritus of Theology at Claremont, he as well, for asking us questions concerning what has become the basic article of faith of our current administration's foreign and domestic policy, and comparing that secular and indeed imperialist faith with our core Christian beliefs, is considered by many a very bad questioner.

Yet these are questions we ignore at our peril, at the peril of our liberty and our peace and our moral essence as compassionate and faithful Christians in action in this world.

Dr. Griffin as in his The New Pearl Harbor: Disturbing Questions About the Bush Administration and 9/11 presents compelling evidence regarding the real Bush administration role, and the actual lack of IRaqi role, in the 9/11/01 national tragedy. You can laugh away Michael Moore's readily accessible facts drawn from the primary sources in his Fahrenheit 9/11; what is less facile is denying the solid evidence presented in a careful and scholarly manner by Professor Griffin.

Professor Griffin, as a devote believer in the Christian Faith and professor of our theology, furthermore takes his findings and presents them in the true light of our Faith, our Beliefs as Christians, and our moral imperatives as individuals, as a People of God, as Church and as a nation. Whereas our recent presidents claim to battle the evil empire of the moment, Dr. Griffin dedicates chapters to revealing the truth of Jesus and the Roman Empire which crucified Him as an insurgent. Dr. Griffin examines the true natures of the Divine and the Demonic, and asks how demonic evil touches the new American Empire after 9/11. Dr. Griffin closes on a moving call to reflection and action which we believers first in Jesus CHrist must not ignore at the peril of our eternal souls. We must hear now this prophetic call to peace and compassion, to the restoration of moral relations based on the Gospel commandments and our true unshakable immutable Faith. Please read this book.

A very important book for every American and Christian to read and to contemplate within the contexts of our Faith and our true Patriotism, and, having contemplated these truths, to act, for peace and for justice, for the development in peaceful society for all humanity, to make real the Gospel we as a faithful people of God are compelled to preach and to live.

Stop Teaching Our Kids to Kill : A Call to Action Against TV, Movie and Video Game Violence

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Stop Teaching Our Kids to Kill
Important as Today's Headlines
This book should be widely read
The most Eye Opening Book on children and violence
Highly credible with an interesting approach

Stop Teaching Our Kids to Kill : A Call to Action Against TV, Movie and Video Game Violence
Dave Grossman , and Gloria Degaetano
Manufacturer: Crown
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0609606131
Release Date: 1999-10-05

Book Description

There is perhaps no bigger or more important issue in America at present than youth violence. Jonesboro; Paducah; Pearl, Mississippi; Stamps, Arkansas; Conyers, Georgia; and, of course, Littleton, Colorado. We know them all too well, and for all the wrong reasons: kids, some as young as eleven years old, taking up arms and, with deadly, frightening accuracy, murdering anyone in their paths. What is going on? According to the authors of Stop Teaching Our Kids to Kill, there is blame to be laid right at the feet of the makers of violent video games (called "murder trainers" by one expert), the TV networks, and the Hollywood movie studios--the people responsible for the fact that children witness literally thousands of violent images a day.

Authors Lt. Col. Dave Grossman and Gloria DeGaetano offer incontrovertible evidence, much of it based on recent major scientific studies and empirical research, that movies, TV, and video games are not just conditioning children to be violent--and unaware of the consequences of that violence--but are teaching the very mechanics of killing. Their book is a much-needed call to action for every parent, teacher, and citizen to help our children and stop the wave of killing and violence gripping America's youth. And, most important, it is a blueprint for us all on how that can be achieved.

In Paducah, Kentucky, Michael Carneal, a fourteen-year-old boy who stole a gun from a neighbor's house, brought it to school and fired eight shots at a student prayer group as they were breaking up. Prior to this event, he had never shot a real gun before. Of the eight shots he fired, he had eight hits on eight different kids. Five were head shots, the other three upper torso. The result was three dead, one paralyzed for life. The FBI says that the average, experienced, qualified law enforcement officer, in the average shootout, at an average range of seven yards, hits with less than one bullet in five. How does a child acquire such killing ability? What would lead him to go out and commit such a horrific act?

Customer Reviews:

Stop Teaching Our Kids to Kill.......2007-05-17

This book hits upon a topic that has become severe in this country; youth violence. It discusses many avenues that contribute to our youth using violence against each other. It brings to light numerous strategies that parents, teachers, and other adult agencies can use to decrease, if not completely vanish, the violence seen in our youth. Fantastically written, this book is a must read for anyone who has kids, deals with kids, or is just a member of our society.

Important as Today's Headlines.......2007-03-19

Lt Col Grossman spent a lifetime studying what made soldiers more efficient killers in combat and able to survive. His work extended in to the world of police officers. With a worldwide reputation Grossman is the goto guy.

And then Grossman turned his focus on the army of deadly young killers. Killers who achieve far better performance than police officers in combat. Somewhere in their "training" was a mechanism that turned off the moral control system and honed their responses. As one young killer explained why he first killed his enemies and then his friends, he was on a roll.

Bound to be opposed by Hollywood, the electronic games folks and others, Grossman has the credentials that demand attention from balanced readers.

Grossman documents the effectiveness of "games" which give potential killers the motor skills, training and discipline to be cold blooded mass killers, without any training whatsoever on real firearms. Games, TV and the movies have sanitized shooting and death. The first bullet ever fired by the youngster is a head shot and just like he has done in thousands of games he quickly turns to make the next shot , the next and the next , just as he has been so well trained to do.

In contrast the young person familiar with firearms is far more likely to stop after one shot, devastated by what they have done.

One of the truly worrisome details highlighted by the book is that the only reason murders and murder rates have declined is the higher quality of emergency medicine available in most areas of the country. Without these improvements in emergency medicine the murder rate would have increased significantly.

Today April 16, 2006 his message is more relevant than ever before. Give knowledge a chance. The pattern of the Virginia school shootings follows the warning pattern described by Grossman. If we fail to heed the message we condemn hundreds to their deaths at the hands of these killers we have raised in our communities.

Highly recommended.

This book should be widely read.......2005-12-06

This book approaches the phenomenon of media violence in three parts. First, it points to the rising crime rate in America, during a period of declining racial violence, soaring incarceration rate, terrific advances in police technology, advanced medical technology, faster first-response medical help, and an increasingly educated populace. Yet violent crime has skyrocketed (Aggravated assault, to take one example, was 80/100,000 in 1960, and is about 400/100,000 today), and the muder rate has remained level. To see how far medical advances have come and to illustrate how the murder rate should be declining, the authors point out that that a wound that 9 times out of 10 killed in WWII was survived 9 times out of 10 in Vietnam.

The relationship between these trends and violent media is not one of pure speculation, but of methodical study. There have been thousands of studies on the relation, virtually all of which have concluded a link between violent media and violent behavior. One of the most interesting studies related took place in an area where there were four villages, all without television. Researches went in and observed for two weeks children on the playgrounds in these villages, and recorded all instances of physical aggression. Then televisions were brought into two of the villages. New researchers, unaware of the goal of their research, were brought in to again observe the children. Levels of aggression remained constant in the villages without television, and increased 160% in the villages with television.

The second part of this book talks about how watching violent media actually affects us. It does so in 3 ways:

1. It incites fear in us. Violent crimes are much, much more common in TV-world than in the real world. We subconsciously internalize this danger, and become more fearful of others than we would be if we weren't so hyperaware of violence, and didn't expect violence to be so common.
2. It desensitizes us. The more violence we watch, the less is affects us physically. The level of violence that excites a person's body to a certain point must continually increase to keep effecting the same reaction. As we become hardened to violence and horror on the screen, we also become jaded, without realizing it, to real-life violence.
3. It makes us more aggressive. A person who watches violent media, when presented with a conflict situation, is more liable to think of a violent solution as a viable one, and quicker to resort to such a solution

The third part of this book deals with video games, which have much the same effect as violent TV and movies. Further, however:

1. They train players to kill. Michael Carneal, a 14 year old kid who had never fired a gun before, went on a spree one day. 8 shots to 8 people, all in the head or upper torso. This inexperienced kid killed like a Special Forces vet. Video games didn't make him kill, but he (and many others) could never have been so deadly without them.
2. Video Games lower the resistence to killing. One of the greatest innovations in military technology between WWII (where on average 15% of soldiers actually fired at the enemy) and Vietnam (90% fire rate) was the movement from bulleyes to silouhettes in targeting practice. Video games are even better. Playing them, one becomes used to shooting at human figures. A first person shooter player just doesn't have same the resistence to shooting another human as a non-player.

In sum, video games don't make people kill, but they do make them damn good at it, and they do lower internal resistences which might otherwise prevent someone from killing.

I said that there were three parts in this book, but there is actually a fourth. Both authors are parents, and end the book in practical advice about how to talk to kids about simulated violence.

If you watch a lot of violent media or play a lot of violent video games, this book does call for some self-examination. It is difficult, however. How can you tell if you are desensitized? How can you tell if you are fearful, or aggressive? I can only say that I have, long before reading this book, been finding myself more senstive to violence, less aggressive, and less fearful of other's aggression since I have stopped watching TV and stopped playing video games.

The most Eye Opening Book on children and violence.......2005-09-07

This book is definitely an eye opener for parents and future parents. Mr. Grossman has packed this book full of knowledge that will "without a doubt" keep your child more safe and less likely to turn to violence. He gives you excellent statistics, knowledge, case studies, and powerful tips that WILL keep your child safe and on the road to success. This book is the best violence+children book I have read. Excellent work and a must read for all parents.

Highly credible with an interesting approach.......2005-05-27

The authors explore the possibility that violence committed by young people results from what they learn through television, movies, and video games. They cite scientific studies and research to emphasize that children actually learn how to kill by viewing these games and programs. It takes an in-depth look at media violence, but does not touch on the other media-related social problems.

Average customer rating:

Classic book for kids
If You Like Animals This Is The Book For You
super duper
call of the wild
A Great, Non-Stop Action Book!

The Call of the Wild (Aladdin Classics)
Jack London
Manufacturer: Aladdin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0689856741

Book Description

First published in 1903, The Call of the Wild is regarded as Jack London's masterpiece. Based on London's experiences as a gold prospector in the Canadian wilderness and his ideas about nature and the struggle for existence, The Call of the Wild is a tale about unbreakable spirit and the fight for survival in the frozen Alaskan Klondike.

Customer Reviews:

Classic book for kids.......2007-10-06

The story of the dog named Buck who is stolen from his owner's estate, sold into dog slavery as a sled dog in Alaska, and ultimately returns to his wild roots by joining a wolf pack. This is a classic tale that will appeal to boys of every age and a few dog loving girls. When you get tired of Harry Potter, pick this up. You won't regret it, then checkout White Fang which is also by Jack London.

If You Like Animals This Is The Book For You.......2007-03-06

This book is about a dog named Buck. He travels around the world with different musher's all trying to get to a gold mine on a land. Which people never come back once they go. This book is very good because they didn't talk during most of the book.

This book explained what happened when they were mushing and how they felt when they didn't get their way when they were done mushing. For me there wasn't enough action going around in the story. There were only certain parts in the story that were interesting. Like when Buck killed Indians because they killed his owner.

Another time was when Buck and a sleigh dog were forced to fight. Then in parts of the book I didn't understand some of the words. To me the author explained everything good enough to understand. This would be a good book for any body.

super duper.......2006-12-22

This book was mind envigorting and scintytilating. I enjoyed it much and I would would suggest this book for people who like nature and are looking for a good read. It was super duper.

call of the wild.......2006-12-22

Jack London has a very sophisticated style of writing. But the book is relatively predictable. the plot pulls you in and the book is hard to put down. Some of my favorites scenes are when Buck goes back to his primal instincts and sees the ape-man by the fire. The only negative feedback i have on this book is that Jack London is sort of racist agains Indians, the Yeehats are portrayed as the bad indians that killed everyone and then danced. But overall all i have is praise for the call of the wild.

A Great, Non-Stop Action Book!.......2006-12-15

In this book, The Call of the Wild, there is non-stop action keeping the reader always want to continue. This book is filled with action, adventure, terror, and drama. It is taken place in 1903 in the state of California and in Alaska in the region of Klondike. Jack London puts you in the mind of a dog which makes this book different and more unique than many others. This dog is the main character and his name is Buck. He is half St. Bernard and half Scottish sheperd. In the beginning of the book, Buck lives with a judge and his children in his California home. Buck is a good-natured dog who loves to be around people. One day, Buck is kidnapped and shipped to Alaska where he is trained as a sled dog. He has two masters who he has faith in. Their names are Francois and Perrault. They are both French Canadians and know the land very well but, Buck realizes the many troubles in the Alaska and meets his main enemy, Spitz. Spitz is a vicious and brute tempered dog. Buck first despises Spitz when he and a pack of wolves killed a well-mannered dog, but is weak so Spitz decided to kill him. Buck never forgets the gruesome moments of this. In the middle of the book, Francois and Perrault disappear and Buck has two new leaders of the slay. They are Hal and Charles. Another member of there crew is Mercedes who's is Charles wife and Hal's sister. Buck has absolutely no faith in them by their actions. Buck grows hungry and looses his temper. Buck and Spitz have a malicious dogfight. How will fight for the rest of their life? This book is one of the best books I have read because of how well Jack London puts you in the head of a dog and puts you through a torturous time. Read The Call of the Wild by Jack London.

David LA7

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