When a book entitled Alan Mendelsohn, the Boy from Mars, begins, "I got off to a bad start at Bat Masterson Junior High School," the reader is likely to keep going just to see what happens and whether the author can possibly tie it all together. Daniel Pinkwater can and does.
Pinkwater, born in 1941, has written over 80 books. Though most are categorized as children's or young adult, many grownups enjoy them, too. I once annoyed my family by laughing uncontrollably over the "Surfing with My Horse" song in Alan Mendelsohn.
Humor is essential to all Pinkwater's work. Alarming
The Beast by Walter Dean Myers
by Chang Song January 26th, 2011 | Young Adults
We all know that reading is an important part of life for a teenager, but not every teenager enjoys reading, especially when you are talking about reading book like Macbeth and Mrs. Dalloway. The types of books teenagers really like to read are young adult fiction;these are really good for teens to read because these novels can appeal to the feelings of many teens. As a teenager myself, one of the best young adult fiction books that I have read and really enjoyed is The Beast.
The Beast is written by award-winning author Walter Dean Myers and was published by
The Beast is written by award-winning author Walter Dean Myers and was published by
Amy Tan
by Louise January 24th, 2011 | Authors
On a recent vacation, my family stayed in a town where there was not much to do except relax and enjoy the time off from school and work. Luckily, the friends we were staying with had a great bookshelf, filled with many exciting books. I picked up a few, scanning the backs, reading a few excerpts, trying to figure out which one I would read while I was staying there.
Eventually, I came across The Opposite of Fate: A Book of Musings, memoirs by Amy Tan. First I read the inside cover and learned that she was actually also the
Eventually, I came across The Opposite of Fate: A Book of Musings, memoirs by Amy Tan. First I read the inside cover and learned that she was actually also the
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
by Sam P. January 19th, 2011 | New Releases
Last summer my sister read Shiver. I, being my usual nosy self, decided to read the first few chapters. I enjoyed them very much, so about a week ago I decided to get Shiver from the library. Shiver is a love story of a teenage werewolf and a regular teenage girl. The girl, Grace, was attacked by werewolves when she was 11. The boy, Sam, was there. He could smell the blood and was going crazy with hunger, but did not join his fellow werewolves. Instead he stood above her, just watching her, not moving or screaming out for
How to Cook and Eat in Chinese, by Buwei Yang Chao
by Jane Wangersky January 17th, 2011 | Nonfiction
Today, we Westerners have no trouble finding Chinese recipes written in English, and the ingredients to make them. It's great for those of us who grew up enjoying Chinese food only from Chinese restaurants and La Choy cans, and wondering how they made it taste like that.
In 1945, when this book was first published, things were different. Most Americans who wanted to cook Chinese had no idea how to start. Buwei Yang Chao, who had once had no idea how herself, showed them.
Dr. Chao had taught herself to cook as a medical student in Tokyo simply because she didn't
In 1945, when this book was first published, things were different. Most Americans who wanted to cook Chinese had no idea how to start. Buwei Yang Chao, who had once had no idea how herself, showed them.
Dr. Chao had taught herself to cook as a medical student in Tokyo simply because she didn't
