Sweet, funny, sad... what do you expect in a story about a boy and his beloved hounds? I mean, sure, I could do without the hunting, but appreciating Sweet, funny, sad... what do you expect in a story about a boy and his beloved hounds? I mean, sure, I could do without the hunting, but appreciating it for the time and place in which it's set, it's a lovely story about growing up, loyalty, and adventure. Read as part of my attempt to experience some of the Great American Read books that I missed in my youth!...more
This is an AMAZING alphabet book, featuring all those tricky English words that don't follow the rules. Loved it! My family got some major giggles whiThis is an AMAZING alphabet book, featuring all those tricky English words that don't follow the rules. Loved it! My family got some major giggles while flipping through the pages....more
I enjoyed First Test, but didn't find it particularly exciting. As with the first books in Tamora Pierce's other two quartets that I read this year, wI enjoyed First Test, but didn't find it particularly exciting. As with the first books in Tamora Pierce's other two quartets that I read this year, we start with a very young main character. Kel is 10 years old at the start of the story, determined to go through the process of training to be a knight. Despite it now being acceptable for girls to work toward knighthood, none have in the 10 years since the law changed -- until Kel steps forward. She faces hostility from the boys training as pages as well, and the head of the training program makes it clear that he thinks she doesn't belong. The book follows Kel's first year as a probationary page, and contains many of the elements familiar from other Pierce books -- palace gossip, bullying and competition among the pages, weaponry and riding training, and a shot at adventure.
First Test is a fun and satisfying read, but I'm looking forward to the later books in the series when, hopefully, an older protagonist will lead to more interesting challenges and relationships....more
Like the first She Persisted book, She Persisted Around the World uses simple texts and pictures to tell the stories of thirteen women who made their Like the first She Persisted book, She Persisted Around the World uses simple texts and pictures to tell the stories of thirteen women who made their mark on the world by refusing to give up when faced with seemingly unbeatable obstacles. In some ways, I enjoyed this book even more than the first, as it introduced me to women from around the globe, many of whom were new to me. As with the first book, I feel that dates or a timeline would have been a valuable addition, and I'm puzzled by the lack of this context. Still, this is a wonderful book highlighting a diverse group of intelligent, caring, talented women, and I hope it becomes a staple of home and school libraries everywhere....more
Sometimes being a girl isn't easy. At some point, someone probably will tell you no, will tell you to be quiet and may even tell you your dreams ar
Sometimes being a girl isn't easy. At some point, someone probably will tell you no, will tell you to be quiet and may even tell you your dreams are impossible. Don't listen to them. These thirteen American women certainly did not take no for an answer.
They persisted.
If you're looking for an easy-to-follow kids' book to empower and inspire, check out this delightful picture book written by Chelsea Clinton and illustrated by Alexander Boiger.
She Persisted offers a selection of profiles of women who persisted -- women who were told "no" or faced major hurdles, whether legal or cultural or physical. Each of these women followed their dreams, and made their marks on history by achieving something that no one thought possible.
My only complaint is that no dates are provided for any of the stories. I'm not sure how young readers would know where these women fit into American and world history without providing some sort of timeline or dates as context.
Other than that, I think this is a wonderful addition to the world of children's literature. The book is lovely, thanks to the clear, intelligent writing and the colorful, eye-catching, girl-positive illustrations. I recommend it highly, and hope that lots of parents and teachers will share this book with the girls and boys they love, nurture, and inspire....more
This review is for the audiobook edition. Sadly, while I remember this book as an absolute favorite from childhood, either the performance or the storThis review is for the audiobook edition. Sadly, while I remember this book as an absolute favorite from childhood, either the performance or the story itself didn't quite live up to expectations this time around. I wasn't crazy about the narration, and the story just didn't touch me the way it did when I read it the first time... but maybe adults just can't feel it the way children can. In any case, it's still an excellent book, of course! ...more
