The Sissy Duckling by Harvey Fierstein, Illustrated by Henry Cole

The Sissy Duckling by Harvey Fierstein
Illustrated by Henry Cole
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Published in 2002
ISBN 0689835663
40 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM: 

Amazon (Paperback)
Barnes & Noble (Paperback)

CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

APART OF THE BANNED/CHALLENGED BOOKS CHALLENGE.

APART OF THE GOODREADS 2011 READING CHALLENGE.

Review/Rating:

5 out of 5



Ease of Reading Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Plot: 5 out of 5

Elmer is different from other male ducklings --- he likes to cook, clean, paint pictures, and other non-masculine things. And because of this, everyone calls him a sissy, even his own father. But will they learn that Elmer is just fine the way he is?

This book is on the ALA Banned and Challenged book list, and I kind of understand why, that is, if I was one of the narrow-minded type of person. Anyways, it has been banned/challenged because it has "gay tendencies", which I could see in some ways.

However, to me, it is just teaching people, children mostly, that it is okay to be different and not like things based on the stereotypical views of today's society. In my opinion, this book teaches a good lesson. Why? Because of the fact that no one likes being judged based on a mold that has been around for decades.

Anyways, besides liking the "don't judge people by stereotypes" lesson, I like the illustrations. They matched the words very well, and were cutely drawn and very bright. Also, the text was very easy to see and read, which is always a plus with children's books since most of them have text that's hard to see/read.

That said, this book is very good if you want to teach your kids not to judge people by stereotypes ans other unfair things.

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Harvey Fierstein
Henry Cole
Goodreads: The Sissy Duckling by Harvey Fierstein, Illustrated by Henry Cole
Library Thing: The Sissy Duckling by Harvey Fierstein, Illustrated by Henry Cole
See the World in Rainbows: The Sissy Duckling by Harvey Fierstein, Illustrated by Henry Cole

There's a Cat in the Library by Vicki Myron and Bret Witter, Illustrated by Steve James

DEWEY SERIES

There's a Cat in the Library by Vicki Myron and Bret Witter
Illustrated by Steve James
Little, Brown and Company
Published in 2009
ISBN 9780316068741
40 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Amazon (Hardback)
Barnes & Noble (Hardback)

CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

APART OF THE GOODREADS 2011 READING CHALLENGE.

Review/Rating:

5 out of 5



Ease of Reading Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Plot: 5 out of 5

The illustrated children's book version of Vicki Myron's adult book, Dewey the Library Cat. Dewey is new to being a library cat, as he is trying to figure out what a library cat does, he wonders if he is the right cat for the job.

I decided to start reviewing some picture books because I see really cute ones in the library, and this is my first one. While most people don't like it is based on a true story from another author, I like it. Why? Because it gives a chance for little kids to broaden their horizons even though they aren't on the adult reading level yet.

Anyways, I like the children's book version, but I'm not too sure if I would like the adult book. >.>" The author(s) made it really easy and fun to read for children. The illustrations make it even more enjoyable. They were so cute and soft that I looked at the pages extra long. :)

There aren't really any special hidden lessons for children in the book, but it is still really enjoyable. Anyways, it is a good read to read to your children, and I think they will love the illustrations.

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Vicki Myron
Bret Witter
Steve James
Goodreads: Dewey: There's a Cat in the Library by Vicki Myron and Bret Witter
Library Thing: Dewey: There's a Cat in the Library by Vicki Myron and Bret Witter
Books for Kids Blog: Dewey: There's a Cat in the Library by Vicki Myron and Bret Witter
The Quick Wit Litniks: There's a Cat in the Library by Vicki Myron and Bret Witter

Living Successfully with Screwed-Up People by Elizabeth B. Brown

 

Living Successfully with Screwed-Up People by Elizabeth B. Brown

Revell

Published in 1999. Republished in 2010.

ISBN 9780800732882

244 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Amazon (Paperback)
Barnes & Noble (Paperback)

BOUGHT THE BOOK AS A GIFT, BUT READ BEFORE GIVING AWAY.
BOUGHT THE BOOK THROUGH AMAZON.COM.

Review/Rating:

5 out of 5



Elizabeth B. Brown attempts to help you deal with people who you might considered "Screwed-Up" in your relationships. She uses sayings, personal experiences and stories, and insights from her own life and others to show you how to deal with people who have made your life a living hell.

All right, I'll tell you what I thought about the book. This book, like almost all non-fiction "how to fix your life books", starts out with convincing you why you should read their book in order to help you live better lives. And it also starts answering the question of how you can live someone you considered "screwed-up" without severing a relationship by mentioning common things she sees in her grief conferences --- and even mentions something about her daughter. Out of the three non-fiction help books I got, this one is the one that got me more pumped up/anxious about what kind of advice the author is going to give you just by reading the introduction part. Another thing I like about the introduction is that when she mentions her daughter's disease, she calls it a "challenge", instead of calling it a burden or a handicap --- like what most people call others who have diseases, including mentally/physically challenged people. So, right off the bat, I agree with most of her views and how I should view things in life. ^^ The only thing I wasn't too sure of is when she said to consider the "screwed-up" person as a challenge, not a burden. ^^;

Throughout the book, the author has nice little sayings and comparisons --- most of them made me giggle and think how most of them match real life almost perfectly. However, some of the things mentioned in the books are things you kind of know already, but you don't really acknowledge since your emotions run wild whenever you deal with someone you care about and can't think straight or acknowledge common sense. It kind of reminded me of someone, a friend on the Internet, who said to me, "I don't know why they call it common sense, especially when it isn't really that common." That is kind of true when you think about it. :D Even some of the things mentioned in the book made me think about my personality and how it interacts with everyone else's. The author even points out how the person who you think is screwed-up might think you are the one who's screwed-up because you are different from them --- like the reason, most likely, you think that person is screwed-up. So, it might even help the screwed-up person, if you give the book to them --- maybe, slight chance of it.

Basically, I think this book has good advice, especially if you want to keep up the relationship with the person. That is, if you listen and remember the advice in the book. ^^; It also helps and encourages you to live your own life --- by your own morals. ;) The only thing I didn't like about the book is how the author kept on putting the screwed-up person as a woman/girl, even though it might be accurate that most of them are women. *COUGHS*

Oh, the medical category is added because it mentions how ailing relationships can make you ill, which was really interesting in my opinion. :) Another thing, there isn't that much God or prayer thing mentioned, but it does have a chapter about faith --- which mentions God and how too much or too little faith might actually be bad for you. I also liked this part. A very good read, I just have to remember some of these things. :D

Out of the three books I got, I found this one and When to Speak Up and When to Shut Up to be the most helpful and insightful. If this is how all the help books this publisher publishes are, I think I will order all the help books I need from them. :X

I recommended this book for anyone and everyone since it give you good things to think about.

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Elizabeth B. Brown
Goodreads: Living Successfully with Screwed-Up People by Elizabeth Brown
Library Thing: Living Successfully with Screwed-Up People by Elizabeth Brown
My Inner Muse: Do you live with screwed up people...?

When to Speak Up and When to Shut Up by Dr. Michael D. Sedler

 

When to Speak Up and When to Shut Up by Dr. Michael D. Sedler

Revell

Published in 2003

ISBN 9780800787424

156 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Amazon (Paperback)
Barnes & Noble (Paperback)

BOUGHT THE BOOK AS A GIFT, BUT READ BEFORE GIVING AWAY.
BOUGHT THE BOOK THROUGH AMAZON.COM.

Review/Rating:

5 out of 5



When to Speak Up and When to Shut Up will help you know when it is better to speak or remain silent by teaching through biblical stories, personal stories, and historical examples.

At first, I didn't know it was Christian book until I started reading the book, but I'll tell you this, I found this book much tolerable than the 30 Days to Taming Your Tongue, which was a bit more religious than I could stomach. Anyways, I found this book much more helpful and tolerable than the other book on how to tame your tongue. This book is like a chapter in 30 Days to Taming Your Tongue, but a much better version with actual help for non-religious people or non-Christians in it. :)

Unlike 30 Days to Taming Your Tongue, instead of just giving a biblical passage, this book gives the passage from whatever (personal, biblical, or historical) then explains (or psychoanalyzes) what he thinks it means, how to use it in your life, and questions to ask yourself. This book also has more personal and historical examples than the other book, so it isn't just biblical stories the author gives examples on.

Another thing I like about it is if you aren't as fanatic-religious as the other author is, you can read this book and not be drawn into the zombie like persuasion of "COME BE A CHRISTIAN, IT WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE". This book may have a little of that, but it isn't as noticeable as the other book --- or as annoying. The tone of this book is much more gentle and makes anyone feel welcome --- I think even people of different religions can read this and use it in their lives, just tune out the parts about Christian religion.

Go ahead and read it. If you aren't religious, you can ignore the pray parts and substitute it with "think about it", "ask for advice", or something along those lines. It has the perfect balance between for anyone who's not that religious and for people who might be too religious. :D

Out of the three books I got, I found this one and Living Successfully with Screwed-Up People to be the most helpful and insightful. If this is how all the help books this publisher publishes are, I think I will order all the help books I need from them. :X

Oh, one last thing, this author has another book like this, but it is mostly about gossiping and things like that. I don't know if I will read it or not, so, we'll see. ;)

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Dr. Michael D. Sedler
Goodreads: When to SPEAK Up and When to SHUT Up by Dr. Michael D. Sedler
Library Thing: When to SPEAK Up and When to SHUT Up by Dr. Michael D. Sedler

Traveller by Richard Adams

 

Traveller by Richard Adams

Alfred A. Knopf

Published in 1988

ISBN 0394570553

270 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Currently out of print.

CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Review/Rating:

5 out of 5



The Civil War, not only a time of despair and strong emotions for men and women fighting/helping the war, but for the animals as well. As told through the eyes of Robert E. Lee's horse, Traveller, to a cat named Tom.

I love history novels or novels that are shaped around history --- like this novel and the Dear America books. :) If history fiction novels aren't your cup of tea, then I suggest not reading it. :| Though, I hope you will since I love how it is told through the point of view of Traveller, General Robert E. Lee's horse. :D

The thing I liked the most about the book is how creative the author was by telling the story and a piece a history through the eyes of an animal --- and managed to make Traveller seem human. Also, I liked how Traveller sounds like a grandpa telling a war story, forgetting some things, not getting parts accurate, changes the subject towards the end or the middle; and Tom seems kind of like the grandchild who asks questions, changes the subjects, falls asleep towards the end of it, and things like that. Another thing I like was the amount of details and the characters' personalities. :D

Some things that I didn't like were how the novel got really boring during some parts of Traveller's telling. :( It really felt like a grandpa boring me to sleep. I would have finished this book sooner if the book went into less details about pretty much all the battles. >.>" Other than this one thing, I think this book is pretty good. :P

Though, warning, it is in a Southern dialect, so it might be a little hard to read. ;)

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Richard Adams
Goodreads: Traveller by Richard Adams
Library Thing: Traveller by Richard Adams

The Casebook of Victor Frankenstein by Peter Ackroyd

 

The Casebook of Victor Frankenstein by Peter Ackroyd

Nan A. Talese/Doubleday

Published in 2008

ISBN 9780385530842

353 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Amazon (Paperback)
Barnes & Noble (Paperback)

CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Review/Rating:

5 out of 5



When Victor Frankenstein goes to London to study at Oxford, he meets Percy Bysse Shelley, and they form a friendship. Will this radical thinker change Victor's musings into creating life. If he succeeds this madness, what will befall him and those around him?

In this retelling of Frankenstein, Peter Ackroyd makes it out so that Victor Frankenstein, a fictional character, actually knows Percy Bysshe Shelley, Godwin, Lord Byron, John Polidori, and even Mary Shelley, historically accurate people. I find that part of this part kind of intriguing, and it also made this book rather interesting than if the author just told it through Victor Frankenstein's and a little bit from his monster's perspective.

The description and characters' personality were all wonderful, but whether it is from solely from this author, borrowed from Mary Shelley, or a combination of his and Mary Shelley's works, I wouldn't know. Reading this retelling has made me want to read the original writing of the novel, so I can compare and see how much is his and how much is from the original. Also, the person who turned out to be the "monster" was someone Victor Frankenstein knew and maybe even friends with. I found that also very interesting and even gave the monster even more of an identity.

Let's see, I don't really know what I didn't like about the book, but the ending may be a little disappointing and unfulfilled for some (most) people. To me, the ending is only a little disappointing and unfinished, but the ending is still a little bit intriguing. Also, I think the ending of this book differs from the original. I'm not sure. :|

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Peter Ackroyd
Goodreads: The Casebook of Victor Frankenstein by Peter Ackroyd
Library Thing: The Casebook of Victor Frankenstein by Peter Ackroyd
New York Times Book Review: The Casebook of Victor Frankenstein
A Study of Reading Habits: Peter Ackroyd - The Casebook of Victor Frankenstein
Everything of Something: The Casebook of Victor Frankenstein by Peter Ackroyd

The Giver by Lois Lowry

THE GIVER SERIES BOOK 01

The Giver by Lois Lowry

Houghton Mifflin Company

Published in 1993

ISBN 0395645662

180 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Amazon (Hardcover)
Barnes & Noble (Hardcover)

CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Review/Rating:

5 out of 5




Picture this: a world without conflict, poverty, unemployment, divorce, injustice, inequality, and even teenage rebellion. Sounds perfect, right? But for Jonas, this world is a reality. December is a special time in this community since that is when the annual Ceremony takes place, where all the children learn their new responsibilities for their new ages. Though, Jonas is frightened because the Ceremony of Twelve will mark an important change for everyone who is twelve. At the Ceremony, they will learn what their life assignment is, as determined by the community's Elders. As he watches his friends receive their life assignment, each chosen for a job where they are most suited at, Jonas has been chosen for something more special than them. He is chosen as the Receiver --- something that Jonas might regret getting since he learns all the dark secrets that his world is based on. What will he do when he learns that the people would be better off if they received what he learned?

Okay, a science fiction book, yay! Actually, I read this book back in junior high because it was one of those "required" books we had to read. I don't know if it is still required, but I hope it is since I really like this book and what it teaches.

This is one of the few books where I don't care about how much descriptions or details are used. Why? Because I like the theme of the book. Though, there are enough descriptions where it is around the theme of the book. Like the summary says, it "questions every value we have taken for granted and reexamines our most deeply held beliefs".

The book examines things like seeing colors, feelings, holidays, and making choices, and how we take it for granted since we always had them. While in the book, the government, I guess, decided to take away those things in order to create a "perfect" world. While it might be good to have peace without conflict, no poverty, no unemployment, etc, it is still important to have choices --- no matter if they are bad or good for the person.

Go read it, the book will teach you to enjoy your free will and question and make sure the government doesn't do something like this to us. >.<

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Lois Lowry
Goodreads: The Giver by Lois Lowry
Library Thing: The Giver by Lois Lowry
Rhapsody in Book Weblog: The Giver by Lois Lowry
No Rest for the Lazy: The Giver by Lois Lowry
My Love Affair with Books: The Giver by Lois Lowry

Vampire Rising by Jason Henderson

ALEX VAN HELSING SERIES BOOK 01

Vampire Rising by Jason Henderson

Harper Teen (Imprint of Harper Collins Publishers)

Published in 2010

ISBN 9780061950995

249 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Amazon (Hardcover)
Barnes & Noble (Hardcover)

CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Review/Rating:

5 out of 5



Alex Van Helsing thought he was an ordinary fourteen-year-old, that is, until he arrives at Glenarvon Academy --- an all boys' school near Lake Geneva. He doesn't know that the legends about the famous vampire-hunter Van Helsing is true until he is confronted by two vampires. Now, vampires are coming after him, and the vampire behind all of this is called Icemaker. When Icemaker kidnaps two of his friends, Alex must locate them and rescue them, hopefully, still alive. Normal school subjects will not be the only things he learns, together with the Polidorium, a secret vampire-hunting organization, he learns how to kill vampires and other things. Though, will it be enough before Icemaker's plans fold out?

Hehe~ Surely you knew that another vampire book was in the future review. ;) Hopefully, my summary isn't too bad, I tend to make bad summaries, when the ones on the book cover are good enough. ^^;

This book is the author's first book for young adults, and let's say it's much better than most vampire books for this age-range. Mostly you get this for vampire books (no matter the range): Vampire falls in love with a human. Human and vampire have struggles with their relationship. Human and vampire (usually) find a way to be together. This book is not like that. (Yayness!) Vampire Rising goes back to the original "vampires are evil" motto. I know there are some books like this, but it always has some kind of romance in them. I'm a girl (a 22-year-old one), and I like reading romances, but not all the time.

Anyways, it takes awhile to get used to the way the book is written, but after get over the hump of the first chapter, it gets very interesting. Unlike most young adult (and adult) books I read, this book actually has details of events, scenery/places, characters, etc. I felt more engaged in this book than in most books I read. The characters feel realistic, and the action/suspense is something to look forward to.

Also, something even more interesting, the author ties-in not only Bram Stoker's Dracula, but Mary Shelley's Frankenstein as well. Why is that interesting? Because I have never seen any other vampire book tie in another horror book, and use some of the writings in it as well as use Dracula as clues for vampires and the history behind it.

Now, shoo, go read it. It is a really a great book to read. It's engaging, full of details, full of action/suspense, and it has something for everyone. Except maybe romance, but that's what makes this vampire book good. ;) I read it in all in just one day. xD Now, shoo, go read it. :D

Here's hoping the author doesn't lose the sense of details and action in the second book, like most other authors do when they do series. xD

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Jason Henderson
Alex Van Helsing Series Blog
Goodreads: Vampire Rising by Jason Henderson
Library Thing: Vampire Rising by Jason Henderson
Book Snare: Vampire Rising by Jason Henderson
Reading on the Dark Side: Vampire Rising by Jason Henderson