Nonfiction Books

This book is good but a little long per page. Being a preschool teacher I look for fewer words per page and bright pictures. It had the pictures, just too many words. It did tell the children what they would be doing in preschool.

This is an excellent book for those entering preschool for the first time! It explains exactly what happens throughout the day while away at school and reassures the young readers that mom and dad return. It highlights the fun activities they have to look forward to and sparks excitement for school.

This book is nicely written. I was a little concerned because some of the other 'what to expect' series books try to girlfriend you a bit too much and they were a turn off for me. But, this book is straight forward. It is written in language that is easily understood by a preschooler. I wish it had more of a story line however I think that any parent would find this book useful and a good opener for a discussion about preschool.

My daughter was very apprehensive about starting pre-school at age 3 1/2. This book helped to explain what school is like and what to expect. She didn't want to go and this book helped to convince her to try it. Now in month 2 she really loves school.

This is a well-written and thoughtful book, but it's a bit wordy and factual for the early (2 1/2 - 3 year-old) preschool set. Probably better for child who is starting preschool at age 3 1/2 - 4.

Why I bought this book because I need it for my reference for current project. I love the illustrations and contents. Stacy Peterson is my favorite illustrator. This is a very colorful and educational book for young girls. I love it!

My [....] and I are really enjoying reading this book. While it is aimed, I think, at slightly older girls, We are reading it and talking about how to handle certain situations, how to start up conversations with girls you don't know, etc. I think it is a great starting point for girls who are just starting to be faced with girlie friendship dilemmas.

This is a great book if your child needs some help in understanding the lines in friendships and how to conduct them. It gently explains the dos and don'ts in a way that will appeal to younger girls.

Bette Middler sang about it -- You gotta have friends! American Girl will explain it all to the tween in your life: how to meet friends, keep friends, avoid arguments, and keep on having fun through it all!

This book is a must have for girls and their families. Conversations will be started, communication will grow, and happiness will abound. Now, what could be wrong with that?

This book is filled with wonderful illustrations that underscore the lively writing.

Absolutely recommended!

My niece is 9 and I gave this to her as one of her Christmas gifts. She loves her other books from the American Girl series and this one is no exception. She began reading it immediately and then discussing it with me. It was a big hit! And it seems very practical and useful for helping young girls navigate those early relationships with friends.

This book came to me in the condition listed, but what I didn't realize was that the book was much more wordy then I had hoped. I will pass it onto my daughter who teaches 2nd grade because for my PreK students it won't work.

Well, at least 2 negative reviews are seemingly coming from the Campaign Operatives or some hard core supporters of Mr. Obama.
It is truly funny how much American Left resembles Stalinist Russia.
They are ready to pound on anyone who disagrees with their position... especially when the opposition states the truth. Sometimes I wonder if they realize it.

As for the book, one must read and make up his/her own mind.
I think it is OK and in the absence of information, it is an important book to read now - before the elections that is.

I bought this book because I wanted to learn more about this man who has had so little written about him. The book is merely copies of Mr. Martins daily blogs and each entry is very similar to the one before. You can easily find all this information on line and if you read one or two of his columns you have heard it all. It is not worth the price. I was very disappointed. And to make it worse it is poorly edited with lots of typos. I found it very unprofessional and boring.

Andy Martin is very probably the most attention-hungry, limelight-seeking, overly litigious, blog-prolific trolls of recent political history. The man has 'made a name' for himself by trying to sue everyone and their brother with cases that are thrown out of court because of their spectacularly specious and ridiculous claims. Speaking of claims, did you know:

- Andy Martin has 40 year of experience IN the Middle East? He also claims to have 40 years of concurrent experience in Chicago politics. Which is it?

- Andy is 'regarded overseas as America's most respected independent foreign policy, military and intelligence analyst'. His words. Most respected by whom? He doesn't say.

- Andy was Baghdad Bureau Chief in 2003. For whom? A franchised, local internet news service that he signed up for, [...]. Don't bother, they're not around anymore.

- Andy's previous book on Barack Obama... oh, wait. He keeps talking about it but never gives us the title.

- Did you know that Andy's 'legendary'? Just read his press releases.

- Andy claimed, before his book had gone from publisher to warehouse, that it was 'the de facto guide to defeat Barack Obama' - a 'bestseller', in fact. Check out his publisher, [...] - new books? not so much. Just Andy's latest sales pitch.

- And just for fun: "The Illinois Supreme Court, however, refused to admit him to the bar, pointing to a military psychiatric exam that allegedly found him to have personality defects that include delusions involving both paranoia and grandeur."

But go ahead, buy the book. Let Andy enlighten you.

I read Obama: The Man Behind The Mask, by Andy MARTIN, who is "generally recognized as the founding father of the anti-Obama research and commentary movement on the Internet." While those are his words, they are accurate. I too have been tracking Obama since he ran for the US Senate against Allen KEYES. If you think he is siding with the Republicans, you must have forgotten that Andy urged Hillary to TAKE IT TO THE CONVENTION! She did not heed his advice but rolled over and took one, "for the party." Big mistake -- she would have beat John McCAIN as the Presidential Candidate or as the Vice- Presidential candidate.

While the Chicago Sun-Times and the Chicago Tribune were asleep at the wheel, Andy MARTIN was letting the world know "Who Barry O is," but "just the facts" as Detective Friday says. Andy tells you why, until Lynn SWEET caught OBAMA's scent that "Tony's guy" got a pass for all his "Chicago ways."

What does Andy know about "Chicago ways? "He began by exposing corruption in state government while still a law student at the University of Illinois over forty years ago. While still a student he also helped pursue and expose scandal at the Illinois Supreme Court. His investigations of crooked Cook County (Chicago) judges helped trigger federal prosecutions and sent guilty judges to jail."

This book is not a biography. It is OBAMA's anti-biography, it is not OBAMA's fiction "Dreams Of My Father."

If you have followed Andy for the last four years there are no surprises for you in this book but it is still useful as a resource for when those suffering from OBAMAMANIA and in need a dose of reality. It also puts all of Andy's research in one source. It sure beat having to do a search each time you need to "check your facts."

Andy was one of the first to deal with the issue of "Is OBAMA a radical Muslim?" If you do not know the answer then perhaps you did not read what Andy said. The fact remains that Obama was raised as a Muslim until 10 years old. As an adult he reportedly made a commitment to Christianity. Personally I am more concerned with that church's philosophy where, for the last 20 years, Obama reports attendance.

You may want to know that neither of the OBAMA's has a valid license to practice law. How could that happen to such "great lawyers" as they claim to have been? Did they really reject "high salaried" positions and positions offered by those they knew - cronyism? These are just some of the questions Andy answers. In her 25 August 08 speech to the Democratic Convention, Michelle claims they left behind a lucrative law practice to work in public service.

"And in my own life, in my own small way, I've tried to give back to this country that has given me so much. That's why I left a job at a law firm for a career in public service, working to empower young people to volunteer in their communities.

She failed to mention that she was paid quite handsomely (her annual salary increased from [...]) to be a Vice President at University of Chicago Hospital. [...]

Joseph J. Ogershok, Jr. RR5 Box 25 Tyrone, PA 16686

"What passes for optimism is most often the effect of an intellectual error." Raymond-Claude-Ferdinand Aron (March 14, 1905 -- October 17, 1983)

Art Williams read the book and gave it 5 stars. R. Howard did not read it, but some how knows it is all a lie and smells like garbage. r howard's opinion may be what smells. People that have that much hatred, are worth FIVE, five-star votes. r howard you make the book smell sweet. I want to buy it. Thank you.

A book I bought and recommend is A Bound Man: Why We Are Excited About Obama and Why He Can't Win pages 26-76, 85-119 were great. Looked at it the day it came. I could not put it down. Read it cover to cover then I put it down. He is warm and understanding, his background is very similar. It felt like I was listening to the wise brother of Obama. He walks in shoes as a man that is half black. He is sympathetic but does not agree with him at all. He is very convincing that Obama the politician is not a good choice for anyone of any race. Thank you Mr. Shelby Steele.

Some of the beginning seemed to justify the way he treated his wife.
I enjoyed the book, but like so many others I was interested in the chapter about how OJ actually pulled it off. He really did it! The details say it all.

I bought this book for my two daughters aged 18 and 16. They are both non-readers and I have been encouraging them to read something. They both asked me to buy this book for them to read. I was really hesitant at first because of the topic but I felt that if they want to read I have to encourage them. I would not have bought it if the money goes to OJ but the front of the book claims it goes to the Goldman Family so I bought it. My girls read this book in 2 days. They both said it was a good book. I won't read it because I already have my opinion and don't need OJ to tell me his stories.

I have always thought OJ did the crime. That being said, I tried to open my mind, but couldn't as Simpson couldn't even open HIS own mind. The hogwash he writes (via a ghost writer who I believe was spot-on with what OJ said and didn't add much and stayed true to form)makes you so angry you need to put the book down to collect your thoughts.

Gee, the way he talks-Nicole was going to kill HIM. Poor baby.

I do hope the Goldman's make a mint on the book. That is the only justice left regarding OJ "the killer" Simpson. Hw shows what a lying [...] he is from the get go...........

Buy the book just to piss off OJ.

As I was reading "If I Did It: Confessions of the Killer" I had to keep reminding myself that this was a true story. I read it in two days. I cannot imagine how I would feel if the murderer of my children described the crime in blood curling detail like the killer did here. My heart goes out to Nicole and Ron's families. By the way, I thank the Goldman's for pursuing the rights of this book. I would not have purchased it if the killer was going to profit.

This book made me simply ill to my stomach. While I understand why the Goldman family wanted to expose oj (its hard for me to even type his initials), his "true story" about Nicole was so sick and distorted. He makes most things HER fault, her problem, "her awful friends", etc. Does he think readers that are half way intelligent people wouldn't see through this crap? That alone shows us who he really is. His old football cleats are wayyyyyy too big for him yet he still trys to wear them because in his egotistical brain hes still "all that". After reading this book with hypocritical supposedly how it happened theme, I say oj get a clue. Heaven isn't going to accept you dude.

Writing in a conversational storytelling style, Jean Fritz describes the writing of the Constitution and the development of the Bill of Rights. Quick to clear up any misunderstanding about how the colonies came to form a new nation - those fifty-five delegates from the fledgling sovereign states did not come to Philadelphia singing sweet refrains of "one nation under God" - the text clearly and thoroughly covers the arguments, debates, negotiations, and compromises that hallmarked that Federal Convention. The text is compelling, interesting, and complete; and along the way, Fritz takes the time to show the human side of such historical icons as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and James Madison as she fills in the details about the forming of our nation. Also of particular note are the references appended, which include the complete text of the Constitution, a complete list of the signers, and a list of references supporting specific pages in the book.

And as always, Tomie Depaola's well-researched, uncomplicated illustrations thoroughly support the text and lend historical accuracy to the content, further facilitating reader understanding and augmenting retention.

Great narrative -- engrossing and educational for ALL ages.

De Paola's (of Strega Nonna fame) illustrations are absolutely perfect -- they convey the individual's character as well as their emotions during this 4 month stressful, enlightening brilliant and difficult time in our nation's history -- the rewriting (which turned into the total re-write) of the Articles of Confederation which became our nation's Constitution.

This appeals to all ages -- and having just completed the reading and study of several wordy tomes having to do with the Constitutional Convention, "Shh! We're Writing the constitution" provided a delightful conclusion to my studies, as well as welcomed comic relief.

Shh! We're Writing the Constitution, Jean Fritz, pictures by Tomie dePaola, G.P. Putnam's sons, Penguin Putnam books for Young Readers, New York, N.Y., 1987, 64 p.
This nonfiction book written in storytelling style describes how the United States Constitution came to be written and ratified with the disagreements, debates, negotiations, and compromises. It also reveals why the Bill of Rights was developed. Jean Fritz introduces the ordinary human aspects of significant historic characters such as George Washington, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin and John Hamilton. The book includes a listing of notes supporting the text with references to specific pages, the text of the Constitution, and a list of the signers.
Jean Fritz has created a delightful vehicle to learn about the United States Constitution. She uses a conversational style with humor and entertaining anecdotes coupled with de Paola's engaging and colorful illustrations on every page. Although aimed at readers from age 8 to 12, this is an excellent introduction for reluctant readers as well as anyone seeking a lively and fascinating introduction to the United States Constitution.

The book Shh!We're Writing y the Constitution by Jean Fritz.They all had to meet and they all showed up at different times. Benjamen Franklin was carried by some prisoners. This is a good book and you will learn alot from it. Theme is a good story element for this story because you learn alot about life. If you like books about the constitution than you will like this book.

The point of Jean Fritz's "Shh! We're Writing the Constitution" is that contrary to popular opinion, America had to be dragged kicking and screaming into becoming a new nation. While it is true that Americans were happy to be independent of Great Britain, the colonies that were now states had become used to being sovereign and many of them wanted to keep it that way. Illustrated by Tomie de Paola,, this engaging juvenile history tells how fifty-five delegates gathered in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787 to attempt to draw up a plan for the future of the United States. The result was the writing of the Constitution, despite the fact that initially no one agreed to either what should be in it or even if a constitution should be drawn up in the first place.

Fritz makes it clear that there were Founding Fathers, such as Patrick Henry who refused to attend the convention, who did not want a strong federal government, as well as those like Alexander Hamilton who dismissed the current confederation as "nothing but a monster with thirteen heads." The "Shh!" in the title has to do with the agreement of the delegates to keep the proceedings a secret. One of the great things about this book is that young students who already know about George Washington and Benjamin Franklin will learn about other Founding Fathers who were important in framing the Constitution, such as Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts, William Paterson of New Jersey, Luther Martin of Maryland, and Edmund Randolph of Virginia. Again, not all of these men would sign their names to the finished document, but they were important during the debate. They will also learn why James Madison is called the "Father of the Constitution," and how Hamilton and another stronger Federalist, John Jay, played important roles, along with Madison, is getting the public to support the Constitution.

In telling the story of how the Constitution came to be written Fritz focuses on why certain points were adopted. So students will not only get to hear about the shouting matches and emotional outbursts, but also the political divisions and complex issues of the convention from which emerged the basis of the American government. Even at the end of the story students will be surprised to learn that the vote to adopt the Constitution was closer in Massachusetts (187 to 168) and Virginia (89-79) than it was in South Carolina (149-73) and that North Carolina voted against ratification and Rhode Island did not even bother to hold a convention (i.e., political divisions were just as strong back then as they are today). In addition to reprinting the Constitution of the United States based on the engrossed parchment sent by the Federal Convention to Congress on September 18, 1787, the back of the book also has four pages of informative notes on details from the Annapolis Convention, the debates over how the president should be addressed and how slaves should be counted, and what became the "Federalist Papers."

"Shh! We're Writing the Constitution" is an informative book that is well presented by Fritz, who served on the National Education Advisory Committeee to the Commission on the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution, which is a pretty good credential. This is one in a series of interesting biographies of the American Revoluiton such as "And Then What Happened, Paul Revere?", "Can't You Make Them Behave, King George?", and "Will You Sign Here, John Hancock?" There is little question that the title of Fritz's books fit a definite pattern.

Purchased this book July 28th. As of August 29th have not received it. Seller does not respond to emails.

This book revolutionized the way that I taught math in my classroom. I was a more informed instructor, and it allowed me to group, scaffold, and individualize my instruction. The year that I implemented these techniques into my fifth grade class, we made an average of two years growth in one year! Highly recommend this one!

Excellent resource for those wishing to guide students from informal understanding of solving word problems to problem solving. The authors' examples of the various problem types coupled with explanations and strategically placed video clips (CD included) guide even the most novice CGI instructor to a clear understanding of the problems and expected student strategies, classroom environment and expectations needed to implement this teaching strategy.

This was recommended by my nephew and nieces as the most informative book about puberty (when I asked them). It is really good. It is to the point, but keeps it lighthearted. It addresses a lot of good questions and worries kids have but won't ask. I HIGHLY recommend it.

I used this book w/ both my boys and it was fine, but I didn't love it.

The first half of the book is all "We're going to talk about puberty", "puberty is what we're going to talk about", "get ready to talk about puberty" - etc. I grew bored and so did my kids. It's like a novel with 7 prologues.

The second half of the book finally gets into some well-presented and age-appropriate information - about breasts, erections, periods, pimples, wet dreams, masturbation, etc. These topics are covered in what I think is just enough detail - with cute pictures to alleviate tension and about 2 pages on each topic. I give the second half of the book 5 stars.

One thing I didn't like is that the book assumes a level of knowledge. What I mean is, it goes right into talking about how semen want to get out of erect penises to go make babies, without covering how exactly babies are made. This book is for 9 - 12 year olds who should have some basic knowledge but I think a brief refresher (instead of all the filler in the beginning) would be good.

A word about ages: My oldest got a lot out of this book at 10. My second son was far too immature at 10 and giggled until I finally put the book away and waited a year. Obviously, a parent must use their judgment with regard to what ages they should present this book to.

What can I say, this book arrived promptly, in great condition, just what we ordered. Our 10 year old was already going through changes, and it helped out a big lot, THANK YOU

I remember when I was a little girl and my mom reading this book to me. I purchased it for my daughter so we could have "the talk", which she felt was torturous, but I still think that the book is great! Easy to read, relevant information without being overwhelming.

This is a great book for children nearing or into puberty. We bought it for an autistic child and it is truly great. It covers all the facts and expresses a complicated subject in a simple, child-like manner easily understood by any child from about age 7 or 8 and up. This is the only book I have encountered that I would recommend for any school-based sex education curriculum. Any parts that might be considered "explicit" are quite tastefully handled without watering down the subject.