Batona Millville, NJ, USA

• Have begun this once or twice (I recall fetching this @ midnight while on vacation in Florida when it first came out.). Would like to complete the series prior to book seven being released this summer.

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  ― Posted on Mar 24, 2007 | Add your feedback

• This is a modern-day Velveteen Rabbit story.

  Poor Edward. He was loved by so many, but had trouble loving in return . . . at least until it was too late.

  Love hurts, as the china rabbit learns so well.

  While the ending was telegraphed, it was so good.

  A quick easy fun read. ... (continue)

  This is a modern-day Velveteen Rabbit story.

  Poor Edward. He was loved by so many, but had trouble loving in return . . . at least until it was too late.

  Love hurts, as the china rabbit learns so well.

  While the ending was telegraphed, it was so good.

  A quick easy fun read. DiCamillo is adept at creating characters one cares for.

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  ― Posted on Jul 28, 2007 | Add your feedback

• Kate DiCamillo has a storyteller's writing style, one in which she is able to describe her characters fully.

  You just know this is going to be a tear-jerker . . .

  And it was. Holy smokes! I haven't cried like that since I was a boy. Sincerely.

  The party of misfits is really touc ... (continue)

  Kate DiCamillo has a storyteller's writing style, one in which she is able to describe her characters fully.

  You just know this is going to be a tear-jerker . . .

  And it was. Holy smokes! I haven't cried like that since I was a boy. Sincerely.

  The party of misfits is really touching, but it is Opal's relationships with her dog, her friends, and her father that make this book.

  DiCamillo is excellent setting a scene. It isn't that so much occurs in the book, it's that Opal, like her tree, takes root.

  I highly recommend this book!

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  ― Posted on Jul 27, 2007 | Add your feedback

• This is Michael Aron's (NJN statehouse correspondent) account/diary of the 1993 New Jersey gubernatorial campaign.

  Aron is adroit in explaining the jockeying for position in the race.

  This is a must-read for all New Jerseyans.

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  ― Posted on Jul 24, 2007 | Add your feedback

• I went to a meeting today and two of my colleagues mentioned how good this book is. I checked it out soon after.

  Supposedly in January 2008 a movie version of this book will be released. It has been suggested to use this as a read-aloud to my class.

  The book started out great. It lost ... (continue)

  I went to a meeting today and two of my colleagues mentioned how good this book is. I checked it out soon after.

  Supposedly in January 2008 a movie version of this book will be released. It has been suggested to use this as a read-aloud to my class.

  The book started out great. It lost a bit of its luster around page 70. The story was fun and I think it would make for a good read aloud.

  The ending seemed rushed and not quite believable, despite the genre.

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  ― Posted on Jul 12, 2007 | Add your feedback

• My three-year old daughter enjoys this book.

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  ― Posted on Jul 27, 2007 | Add your feedback

• This book of antonyms is fun to read.

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  ― Posted on Jul 27, 2007 | Add your feedback

• This was a gift to Fritz from his godmother on the day of his christening.

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  ― Posted on Jul 29, 2007 | Add your feedback

• Nice book and well-written. There are references that need to be explained to children as movies, dumbwaiters, etc. are discussed.

  I was a bit disappointed in the ending. It felt rushed and not everything was tied up as thoroughly as I expected it might be.

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  ― Posted on Jun 16, 2007 | Add your feedback

• 1 person find this helpful

  Through a weird set of circumstances, I came to read The Reptile Room with a group of students. This, as many know, is the second book in the A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket. This is a series I have wanted to read, but frankly, with such a lengthy list of unread books, I have not ta ... (continue)

  Through a weird set of circumstances, I came to read The Reptile Room with a group of students. This, as many know, is the second book in the A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket. This is a series I have wanted to read, but frankly, with such a lengthy list of unread books, I have not tackled. As I read The Reptile Room, my OCD kicked in. I just had to read the first book in the series.

  For the past week I had been wanting to stop off at the used bookstore in town to pick up a copy. It didn’t happen. But yesterday Beetle remained home with her mother, which freed my trip home from work. I stopped in and found two copies of the first book (The Bad Beginning): one hardcover and one paperback, both priced the same. :( I selected the hardcover.

  Upon opening the book, the nameplate was signed with a familiar name; the boy who lives across the street had owned this book. I took this as a good omen. :)

  The Baudelaire children (Violet, Klaus, and Sunny) do indeed have a series of unfortunate events. First their parents die in a house fire. Then they are shepherded off to Count Olaf, their closest (in distance) relative. The Count, a drunkard, actor, and otherwise miserable brute devises a plan to take control of the vast Baudelaire fortune.

  Ah yes, dear reader, upon Violet turning of age (she is 14 now) she will inherit a great fortune. Until then, Violet and her siblings are bounced about among the seedy.

  While the fortunate remains safe for the time being, there is no happy ending, as Lemony Snicket is fond of highlighting. Life is miserable for the Baudelaires.

  Lemony Snicket’s writing is a breath of fresh air. The author frequently takes time out to explain terms and events to the reader. These read much like movies/television shows where the actors break out of character and address the camera. What great fun! The Bad Beginning is classic English humor that, much in the spirit of the late Roald Dahl, captures the reader immediately.

  Follett states the reading level of this book sixth grade (ages 11-12). Much like Rowling’s Harry Potter series, A Series of Unfortunate Events has captured young readers. Many of my fourth graders are reading the series and an even larger group of fifth graders are too. Interesting, well-written prose will always find an audience and this book is just that.

  It looks like I will be visiting the bookstore again real soon . . .

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  ― Posted on Jun 5, 2007 | Add your feedback

• Too much of everything is just enough.
  Barlow & Weir

  On the heels of completing A Bad Beginning earlier today, I finished The Reptile Room this afternoon. The Reptile Room is the second book in A Series of Unfortunate Events.

  The Bauderlaire children continue their misfortune in th ... (continue)

  Too much of everything is just enough.
  Barlow & Weir

  On the heels of completing A Bad Beginning earlier today, I finished The Reptile Room this afternoon. The Reptile Room is the second book in A Series of Unfortunate Events.

  The Bauderlaire children continue their misfortune in this exciting tale that has them combating Count Olaf once again.

  Despite never having a happy ending, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny begin this book with happy times. After escaping Count Olaf's plot to marry Violet and take control of the vast family fortune, the children are rushed off to Uncle Monty's (Montgomery Montgomery) home.

  Uncle Monty is a herpetologist and has a vast collection of reptiles including the Incredibly Deadly Viper, which he discovered and was set to present to the Herpetological Society. The Bauderlaire children were quite comfortable at Uncle Monty's for a time, until his new assistant showed up.

  Disguised as Stephano, Count Olaf enters the story once again with the help of the hook-handed man. The Bauderlaire fortune is still the target of Olaf's affection and he will seemingly stop at nothing to get it.

  Murder, snakes, and ingenious exploits make for a most interesting tale and one that keeps the reader engaged throughout.

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  ― Posted on May 18, 2007 | Add your feedback

• Beetle's bedtime selection this evening. We like Eeyore.

  Spoiler: Eeyore doesn't like to be happy.

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  ― Posted on May 18, 2007 | Add your feedback

• Beetle selected this favorite off the bookshelf tonight for her bedtime story. We have read it often.

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  ― Posted on May 18, 2007 | Add your feedback

• My daughter gave me this for Father's Day in 2006. It is a sweet book about what daddy's do. We enjoy reading it together as we did this evening.

  "All daddies want you to be who you are!"

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  ― Posted on May 1, 2007 | Add your feedback

• 1 person find this helpful

  What an awesome story! It's a quick read, but well worth it.

  Nick is ornery. Smart, but ornery. He has a history of organizing "disasters" at school. Fifth grade is no different as he takes on the hardnosed language arts teacher, Mrs. Granger.

  She loves the dictionary and wields it a ... (continue)

  What an awesome story! It's a quick read, but well worth it.

  Nick is ornery. Smart, but ornery. He has a history of organizing "disasters" at school. Fifth grade is no different as he takes on the hardnosed language arts teacher, Mrs. Granger.

  She loves the dictionary and wields it as a punishment. Nick counters and the fun begins. But fun has a way of getting away from Nick and his contribution soon becomes a burden.

  But like all good stories, this has a happy ending. It's a page turner.

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  ― Posted on May 1, 2007 | Add your feedback

• 1 person find this helpful

  This book is supposedly a winner. Gert even said it was supposed to be a tear-jerker. Hardly.

  Each part of the physical world welcomes a new child as he is born. The pictures are very colorful and nice. The story left me wanting.

  I am not certain my daughter understood the message. ... (continue)

  This book is supposedly a winner. Gert even said it was supposed to be a tear-jerker. Hardly.

  Each part of the physical world welcomes a new child as he is born. The pictures are very colorful and nice. The story left me wanting.

  I am not certain my daughter understood the message.

  This was a gift from my SIL.

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  ― Posted on Apr 30, 2007 | Add your feedback

• Beetle was a most accommodating audience as we read this together. A classic!

  Trolls are no match for billy goats.

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  ― Posted on Apr 28, 2007 | Add your feedback

• Several of us at work read this as a book club during the winter/spring of 2007. The idea is that together we would investigate various reading strategies and share our successes and frustrations.

  Interestingly, Strategies That Work mirrors a lot of what we as a district are moving towards wi ... (continue)

  Several of us at work read this as a book club during the winter/spring of 2007. The idea is that together we would investigate various reading strategies and share our successes and frustrations.

  Interestingly, Strategies That Work mirrors a lot of what we as a district are moving towards with adopting our L.E.A.D.S. model in the middle school; namely, restructuring the language program to teach strategies rather than details and incorporating other disciplines (Social Studies and Science) as we do.

  What has not been understood by many, it seems, is that teaching these reading strategies has been the hallmark of elementary school since I began teaching. Teaching reading strategies by modeling the skill is key for student understanding. With my reading groups we use two books: one I model the strategy in and in the other the students practice. This also satisfies the need/requirement to read aloud to students daily.

  Strategies That Work is not revolutionizing. It is, however, a good compilation for the teacher who may not be familiar with various comprehensions strategies and how they can be implemented into one's lessons.

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  ― Posted on Apr 29, 2007 | Add your feedback

• Many years ago a selection of this book was in the basal my school district used. I always liked the story, but never sought out the book to read the whole thing.

  Now, many years later, I looked for a book to use as a read aloud for my reading groups. I read a book as a model for the differe ... (continue)

  Many years ago a selection of this book was in the basal my school district used. I always liked the story, but never sought out the book to read the whole thing.

  Now, many years later, I looked for a book to use as a read aloud for my reading groups. I read a book as a model for the different reading strategies I teach. I found this on the bookshelf and remembered how much I had enjoyed the selection and thought the students would enjoy it too.

  The more I read of Betsy Byars, the more I realize how wonderful a writer she is. This is an enjoyable read.

  Tom reluctantly visits his aunt and uncle's farm while his parents vacation in Europe. He is not excited about the farm, but all that changed when he sees the black fox for the first time.

  Tom seeks out the fox and is enamored with her. But turmoil ensues as the fox begins snatching Aunt Millie's chickens and turkeys. Tom is beside himself as he and his uncle hunt for the fox's den.

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  ― Posted on Apr 28, 2007 | Add your feedback

• The reading level is for older children, but the content is for toddlers. That is my daughter.

  Despite Valentine's Day having been two and one-half months ago, Dora was selected tonight.

  This is a flap board book, which is a nice way for a toddler to participate. Beetle is able tore-t ... (continue)

  The reading level is for older children, but the content is for toddlers. That is my daughter.

  Despite Valentine's Day having been two and one-half months ago, Dora was selected tonight.

  This is a flap board book, which is a nice way for a toddler to participate. Beetle is able tore-tell the story herself afterwards with the use of the flaps.

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  ― Posted on Apr 27, 2007 | Add your feedback

• This book has a fabulous opening chapter. If one is not drawn to the story by the excitement read in the first 12 pages, I imagine he will not ever find excitement in the written word. Awesome!

  The story is very compelling. I found the ending a bit disappointing. It felt as though time w ... (continue)

  This book has a fabulous opening chapter. If one is not drawn to the story by the excitement read in the first 12 pages, I imagine he will not ever find excitement in the written word. Awesome!

  The story is very compelling. I found the ending a bit disappointing. It felt as though time was up and the ending was imposed. Beforehand, however, this is a must-read.

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  ― Posted on Mar 28, 2007 | Add your feedback

• The Foot Book may be my favorite Seuss book. It is certainly the most memorable.

  Long ago when I waited tables at an up-scale restaurant, this book was kept beneath the hostess stand. The restaurant discouraged children, but for some guests, their children were permitted.

  Anyhow, it be ... (continue)

  The Foot Book may be my favorite Seuss book. It is certainly the most memorable.

  Long ago when I waited tables at an up-scale restaurant, this book was kept beneath the hostess stand. The restaurant discouraged children, but for some guests, their children were permitted.

  Anyhow, it become a custom on Saturday evenings for me to break out this book and read it to all the tables in my section. It was not uncommon for there to be a chorus line of diners putting their left feet, then their right, etc. as I read aloud to them.

  What a tip whore I was! :)

  Now, I read this to my children.

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  ― Posted on Apr 1, 2007 | Add your feedback

• This is another book my sister passed onto us.

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  ― Posted on Apr 23, 2007 | Add your feedback

• This came from my sister in a bunch of children's books she shipped to us. Being an avid baseball fan, I love all versions of this. The drawing are more juvenile than the version I had previously.

  This is another book that was discarded from a library.

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  ― Posted on Apr 23, 2007 | Add your feedback

• My sister gave me this book. It was discarded from the Keene Memorial Library in Freemont, NE. The book has been taped in several places and is warped.

  Fun story.

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  ― Posted on Apr 23, 2007 | Add your feedback

• 1 person find this helpful

  A very imaginative tale with wonderfully rich language. Expressly British, but that makes it fun.

  My students loved this Dahl book.

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  ― Posted on Apr 21, 2007 | Add your feedback

• One of my wife's favorites.

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  ― Posted on Apr 10, 2007 | Add your feedback

• Nice book to teach/reinforce shapes for toddlers.

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  ― Posted on Apr 10, 2007 | Add your feedback

• Nice book of antonyms for toddlers.

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  ― Posted on Apr 10, 2007 | Add your feedback

• A cute counting board book. Great for toddlers, even if it is about dogs. lol

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  ― Posted on Apr 10, 2007 | Add your feedback

• I found this sitting on a chair in our living room. I was perplexed by the library information all over the book. It turns out my wife checked this out last summer and then "lost" it. She ended up buying the book from the library, so it is ours now.

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  ― Posted on Apr 10, 2007 | Add your feedback

• This poem is just as magical today as it was when Thayer wrote it. This version features wonderful illustrations by Gerald Fitzgerald. They appear to be watercolors, but the cover calls them acrylics.

  I read this to my children and my students each Opening Day of baseball season. More and ... (continue)

  This poem is just as magical today as it was when Thayer wrote it. This version features wonderful illustrations by Gerald Fitzgerald. They appear to be watercolors, but the cover calls them acrylics.

  I read this to my children and my students each Opening Day of baseball season. More and more I find students cannot relate to the imagery as they have no concept of the game. This is a sad truth to our society. :(

  Casey at the Bat is not great poetry, but it is as much of Americana as anything is and should be celebrated along with our national pastime.

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  ― Posted on Apr 3, 2007 | Add your feedback

• A reference book used in our classroom for science.

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  ― Posted on Apr 1, 2007 | Add your feedback

• This is a book I picked out of a discard pile of a local library. I have no idea why it was discarded as it is a nice story and the book is in fine shape.

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  ― Posted on Apr 1, 2007 | Add your feedback

• Another book plucked from a discard pile at a local library. My daughter enjoyed the tongue-twisters.

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  ― Posted on Apr 1, 2007 | Add your feedback

• I picked this up in a discard box at a local library. While not the best book ever written, there's certainly nothing wrong with it.

  My children shall enjoy this.

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  ― Posted on Apr 1, 2007 | Add your feedback

• Pretty simple story with no literary challenges. A good book to use for students struggling with comprehension as the plot is straightforward.

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  ― Posted on Mar 28, 2007 | Add your feedback

• 'Twas my BIL's book when he was a boy.

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  ― Posted on Mar 25, 2007 | Add your feedback

Batona has this up for trade. Trade with Batona for this.

• I had never read this prior to this year. A truly awesome book. I was so enamored with the book, I quoted from it frequently (some even on my blog).

  It turns out I had multiple copies of this book I did not know of.

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  ― Posted on Mar 24, 2007 | Add your feedback

• Lots of graphical organizers and plenty of practical uses for a classroom.

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  ― Posted on Mar 27, 2007 | Add your feedback

• We have many copies of this book including one inscribed to me by my niece. She gave me her copy.

  A classic Seuss book!

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  ― Posted on Apr 23, 2007 | Add your feedback

• I have read this with both fourth and fifth graders. It is a lighthearted read. It provides high interest for the students.

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  ― Posted on Mar 25, 2007 | Add your feedback

• I had read this with a fourth grade group several years ago (1995?).

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  ― Posted on Mar 24, 2007 | Add your feedback

• A nice fun book about rewarding good deeds. Typical Dahl craziness.

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  ― Posted on Apr 1, 2007 | Add your feedback

• Very general with few strategies to actually implement. Not a scholarly piece.

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  ― Posted on Mar 27, 2007 | Add your feedback