Product Description
In this thoughtful and engaging collection, 11 acclaimed authors explore the highs and lows of growing up and shining on in the face of obstacles. A parent's departure, a sister's illness, a cheerleader's breakup, a family's secrets . . . these stories sensitively capture the challenges—and triumphs—of finding the way to a bright tomorrow.

Featuring powerful stories by Lois Lowry, Meg Rosoff, Meg Cabot, Melvin Burgess, Sue Limb, and more. . . .

A portion of the money generated from the sale of this book will benefit CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation and Children's Oncology Group, partners in the search for a cure for childhood cancer. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Good theme, some great reads
I love compilation books, and this one is another good read. Because most of the authors are British, I am not familiar with a lot of their writings, but I plan on reading quite a few of them now that I have gotten a taste. And isn't that what compilations are for--I mean besides supporting whatever charity the proceeds of the books are supporting, that is?

All of the stories in Shining On: 11 Star Authors' Illuminating Stories center on teens overcoming whatever challenges life throws at them, and the proceeds of this particular book benefit children's cancer research and treatment.

There are a couple of standouts that illustrate this theme very poignantly. "Humming Through My Fingers" by Malorie Blackman is about a blind girl who teaches a boy to "taste shapes and hear colors," and "Skin Deep" by Rosie Rushton is about a girl who loses her self-identity along with her boyfriend after a bomb disfigures her face.

Two humorous anecdotes made me laugh out loud. The never-failing Meg Cabot's "Allie Funklestein's Rules for Boyfriends" tells the email story of a girl whose pain over her boyfriend's infidelities is eased when she admits to having a crush on her geeky tutor, and Cathy Hopkins' "John Lennon Said..." describe the panicked thoughts of a girl who has no clue what she wants to be when she grows up.

I wasn't a big fan of Celia Rees' "Calling the Cats," and I also couldn't figure out why Lois Lowry, who edited the book, included an excerpt from her novel that was published years ago (A Summer to Die) rather than writing a new story or submitting something from a book in progress.

Overall, the stories were heartfelt, inspiring and easy to read. It's a great book for any summer reading list and provides some deep though on tough issues while still keeping a fairly light tone. ... Read more

Product Description
Teaches the writing process using published works as the basis for writing experiences. Authors lead the way to authorship. The book includes literature-based writing ideas and suggestions for expanding students' creative abilities. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

George Crum and the Saratoga Chip
George Crum and the Saratoga Chip is a informative and interesting book that tells of the invention of a favorite food of the U.S.It is a wonderful addition to any library seeking to add multicultural depth to the collection. It has great illustrations.

Bet You Can't Read Just One!
Frank Morrison's illustrations are the best thing in this biography of the inventor of the potato chip, Mr. George Crum.I've seen Morrison's work in both "Sweet Music in Harlem" and "Jazzy Miz Mozetta," but I think this is his best work to date. Sure, he has those signature elongated limbs and faces, but his backgrounds also curve around, inviting you into the picture.His choice of colors is outstanding, rich greens and browns make you taste the Adirondack mountains, and his precious orchid tones suggest the high-minded, precious ambience of the exclusive restaurants where Crum eventually works. Morrison commands each scene, whether the action table side or in the kitchen, (where George whips up a batch of French fries--their return by yet another horrendous customer prompts an angry George to invent the dish we now call the potato chip), or in a fish-shaped lily pad floating on the river where George lays down his pole.

The story depicts mid-18th century America, and includes some interest-provoking material about George and his sister and supporter, Kate.An early scene that show George's frustration at school sets up George's later feisty personality, and his "revenge" on the fussy french fry complaint. However, it seems a little contrived, and the details about his entire life seemsomewhat superfluous. Not to make too fine a point of it,but I also wondered at the cozy racial integration shown both at school and at the cafes. Perhaps this is useful for educational settings, but it's internally inconsistent with Crum's difficulty procuring a chef position, and is very probably contradictory to the times.

While some scene-setting is necessary, perhaps a better tact would have been conclude the story at its dramatic high point (the invention and fame of the potato chip), and include some of the early and later details in the excellent afterward by Ms. Taylor.Still, any story about a food as familiar as the potato chip will attract lots of interest, and Morrison's pictures make this a tasty read.

More please!
I enjoyed this story of George Crum, who in 1853 invented the potato chip while working as a chef at the prestigious Moon's Lake House in Saratoga Springs.

Crum was confident of his cooking skills but as a person of color, part African American and part Native American; he faced difficulty finding a position as a chef.Hired by Moon's Lake House, Crum's menu soon brought the rich and famous to the restaurant in droves.

He felt great frustration and chafed at the pettiness of wealthy restaurant patrons. After one customer complained about the thickness of some French fries, Crum, in retaliation, sliced the potatoes wafer thin and fried them at a very high heat. The rest is history.

This book works well for kids on many levels. It is a skillfully told story from history. Morrison's illustrations are bright and engaging and evoke the time period. In the dining room of the restaurant, the patrons are white and the waitstaff is black.

Readers will applaud George Crum's independent spirit and his determination to follow his own path. This story of one of our favorite snack foods is a terrific read to share with students.

Disappointing
I purchased this book for my 7 year old grandson who is biracial. He is having problems with classmates calling him names and I thought this book would show him that race has nothing to do with accomplishments. The book was a little to old for him. The pictures were very dark and not at all bright. He really didn't enjoy the book at all. I don't recommend this book for young children.

Hooray for George Crum!
Hip Hip Hooray!A fabulous biography that is not only multi-cultural, but will hold the interest of every child who reads it!Thanks go out to author Gaylia Taylor, who must have researched many months to find enough details to bring George Crum half Native American, half African American, back to life. Embarrassed and laughed at in school as a child because he couldn't count to one hundred, George decided to live his life by making his own choices, not those of society.There are strong messages about self esteem and perserverance in this story, yet they never beat the reader over the head.
Frank Morrison's illustrations are both interesting and fun.
This book is a must have for all Elementary School libraries.I loved it so much, I bought one for each school in our district!
... Read more

Product Description
A Child's Anti-Slavery Book Containing a Few Words About American Slave Children and Stories of Slave-Life is a book written for children with an introduction about slave life and several stories by various authors.The introduction explains in simple terms why some children are free while others are born slaves.The language is simple yet conveys the author's message against the wickedness of slavery.Stories included are: Little Lewis - The Story of a slave Boy, Mark and Hasty, Aunt Judy's Story - A Story from Real Life, and Me Neber Give it Up.This would be an excellent book added to an Elementary school American history curriculum ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
The fascinating life of Louisa May Alcott, from her happy childhood to her successful career as a writer. Children who loved Little Women will enjoy reading about the real-life Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

An Excellent Book
I absolutley loved Invincible Louisa.The book is full of character, and almost each person is described fully.Corneila Meigs seemes to have a special understanding of the Alcotts.I liked how Invincible Louisa had so much description.It is one of my favorite books, and I reccomend it to people who like Little Women.

A true reflection of Ms. Alcott
This is a great biography of Louisa May Alcott, in the fact that it is written in a style similar to her own (Which, as anyone who's ever read her work can tell you, is no small feat!) The reason I give it four stars is that at times, it seems to focus a little too much on things that didn't really seem important to the telling of HER life.Overall, though, a wonderful read!

A Wonderful Story That's True!
This is an incredible book, and the most incredible thing about it is thatit is true.In this book, you can see how Louisa May Alcott's 'LittleWoman' is based on the true story of Louisa and her sisters.If you liked'Little Woman,' you'll like this book. ... Read more

Product Description
Middle and upper grade biographies and writing activites for authors of young adult fiction. It includes contemporary authors such as Maya Angelou, S. E. Hinton, and Avi Wortis, as well as classic authors such as J. R. R. Tolkin and Jack London. Includes information for 28 authors. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Everthing You Ever Wanted to Know About Frankenstein!
A volume that every fan of horror, science fiction, English literature, and Mary Shelley should read!It consists of a bunch of articles written by various scholars about the book "Frankenstien" (by Mary Shelley), that does not mean that they are too scholarly for the average person to understand.As a matter of fact they are all very easy to read.The editor (Don Nardo) also included a helpful overview of Mary Shelley's life in the front of the book.He also has an excellent bibliogrophy telling the reader many other books to check about Frankenstein and Mary Shelley. ... Read more