Product Description

WE DON'T WANT TO TELL YOU TOO MUCH ABOUT THIS BOOK.

It is a truly special story and we don't want to spoil it.

Nevertheless, you need to know something, so we will just say this:

It is extremely funny, but the African beach scene is horrific.

The story starts there, but the book doesn't.

And it's what happens afterward that is most important.

Once you have read it, you'll want to tell everyone about it. When you do, please don't tell them what happens either. The magic is in how it unfolds.Amazon.com Review
Amazon Best of the Month, February 2009: The publishers of Chris Cleave's new novel "don't want to spoil" the story by revealing too much about it, and there's good reason not to tell too much about the plot's pivot point. All you should know going in to Little Bee is that what happens on the beach is brutal, and that it braids the fates of a 16-year-old Nigerian orphan (who calls herself Little Bee) and a well-off British couple--journalists trying to repair their strained marriage with a free holiday--who should have stayed behind their resort's walls. The tide of that event carries Little Bee back to their world, which she claims she couldn't explain to the girls from her village because they'd have no context for its abundance and calm. But she shows us the infinite rifts in a globalized world, where any distance can be crossed in a day--with the right papers--and "no one likes each other, but everyone likes U2." Where you have to give up the safety you'd assumed as your birthright if you decide to save the girl gazing at you through razor wire, left to the wolves of a failing state. --Mari Malcolm ... Read more

Customer Reviews (356)

I just could not enjoy this book.
This book was a selection of the book club I attend.I tried, I really tried to read it, ended up skimming through it so I could add to the discussion.There were several of the women who throughly enjoyed it.I would not recommend this book to anyone.

Beautiful
Little Bee is the story of two women. Sarah is a married mother who works for a magazine and lives in the British suburbs. Little Bee is a Nigerian refugee seeking asylum in the UK. Their lives first cross paths in an unexpected way that slowly unfolds in flashbacks throughout the present day story of the two women meeting again two years after that first fateful encounter. The author alternates between Sarah's voice and Little Bee's voice chapter by chapter and does a superb job of making each voice authentic and unique. I kept forgetting that the author is a man because he did such a great job of writing these two female characters.

This story is heartbreakingly beautiful but there is some humor interspersed as well. Little Bee's character has some very funny observations about life in a First World country that had me laughing out loud.

Little Bee
Loved this book, Little Bee is so sweet and strong. It was a heartfelt book.

Fascinating Read
It is impossible to resist these characters.Not only is the book well written, but engaging - as well as hard to put down.While reading the book, and carrying out my day to day duties, I found my mind wandering to the story, and a strong desire to know what came next.Little Bee is a unusually wonderful person, and it is difficult to resist liking her.Can hardly wait to read more by the author!(Particularly since my husband spent almost seven years in Nigeria, and we were in London for over six years.........brought back some great memories......... Thanks! Reading this material made it personal........)

Disappointed
Spoiler Alert:








When I started this book, I was looking forward to a long, enjoyable read. However, once I got into it, it was too unrealistic to be believable. The ending, in particular, was absurd. Why would they go back to "the scene of the crime" with no bodyguards to protect them? It seemed contrived, to provide a proper exit. ... Read more

Product Description
When Rosalind Wiseman first published Queen Bees & Wannabes, she fundamentally changed the way adults look at girls’ friendships and conflicts–from how they choose their best friends, how they express their anger, their boundaries with boys, and their relationships with parents. Wiseman showed how girls of every background are profoundly influenced by their interactions with one another.

Now, Wiseman has revised and updated her groundbreaking book for a new generation of girls and explores:

•How girls’ experiences before adolescence impact their teen years, future relationships, and overall success
•The different roles girls play in and outside of cliques as Queen Bees, Targets, and Bystanders, and how this defines how they and others are treated
•Girls’ power plays–from fake apologies to fights over IM and text messages
•Where boys fit into the equation of girl conflicts and how you can help your daughter better hold her own with the opposite sex
•Checking your baggage–recognizing how your experiences impact the way you parent, and how to be sanely involved in your daughter’s difficult, yet common social conflicts

Packed with insights about technology’s impact on Girl World and enlivened with the experiences of girls, boys, and parents, the book that inspired the hit movie Mean Girls offers concrete strategies to help you empower your daughter to be socially competent and treat herself with dignity. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

Great Transaction!!!
Gotta love Amazon.com as it was such an easy transaction.Quick ordering and quick delivery.Great book especially if you have girls in middle school.Will use this book for a long time!!!

To Love Your Child Is To Love This Book
I purchased this book for my daughter who has a 12 (almost 13) year old daughter.It's a wonderful book - full of valuable information when it comes to raising children in a society flanked by so many problems.The book is good in that it not only talks about the problems facing today's kids, but also offers solutions. The society I grew up in (1950's/1960's) and even the society my two daughters grew up in is far different than the one of today. Back then it was cool to be the smartest kid in the class or the best athlete or even the silliest kid in the class. It seemed we were just accepted for who we were.

Food for Thought for a Preteen Mom!
I love how this book lays out the pitfalls of teen and tween life these days.I love the emphasis on the fact that this is your child's experiences and you shouldn't let your emotional baggage come into play.After reading, I have a few more tools in the parenting arsenal as we move forward!

Queen Bees and Wannabees
Excellent book for anyone that has a teen.It help you get insde the head of a high schooler

Great resource.
This book is very informative with practical examples and suggestions for helping young ladies navigate the "real world" of becoming an adult and finding who "she(you are)" during the tween years. The author is a terrific speaker and very knowledgeable & has wonderful resources on her website. ... Read more

Product Description
Sue Monk Kidd's ravishing debut novel has stolen the hearts of reviewers and readers alike with its strong, assured voice. Set in South Carolina in 1964, The Secret Life of Bees tells the story of Lily Owens, whose life has been shaped around the blurred memory of the afternoon her mother was killed. When Lily's fierce-hearted "stand-in mother," Rosaleen, insults three of the town's fiercest racists, Lily decides they should both escape to Tiburon, South Carolina--a town that holds the secret to her mother's past. There they are taken in by an eccentric trio of black beekeeping sisters who introduce Lily to a mesmerizing world of bees, honey, and the Black Madonna who presides over their household. This is a remarkable story about divine female power and the transforming power of love--a story that women will share and pass on to their daughters for years to come.Amazon.com Review
In Sue Monk Kidd's The Secret Life of Bees, 14-year-oldLily Owen, neglected by her father and isolated on their South Carolina peachfarm, spends hours imagining a blissful infancy when she was loved andnurtured by her mother, Deborah, whom she barely remembers. Theseconsoling fantasies are her heart's answer to the family story that asa child, in unclear circumstances, Lily accidentally shot and killedher mother. All Lily has left of Deborah is a strange image of a BlackMadonna, with the words "Tiburon, South Carolina" scrawled on theback. The search for a mother, and the need to mother oneself, arecrucial elements in this well-written coming-of-age story set in theearly 1960s against a background of racial violence and unrest. WhenLily's beloved nanny, Rosaleen, manages to insult a group of angrywhite men on her way to register to vote and has to skip town, Lilytakes the opportunity to go with her, fleeing to the only place shecan think of--Tiburon, South Carolina--determined to find out moreabout her dead mother. Although the plot threads are too neatlytrimmed, The Secret Life of Bees is a carefully crafted novelwith an inspired depiction of character. The legend of the BlackMadonna and the brave, kind, peculiar women who perpetuate Lily'sstory dominate the second half of the book, placing Kidd's debut novelsquarely in the honored tradition of the Southern Gothic. --ReginaMarler ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1542)

Beautiful story
This story was captivating from the beginning. What a beautiful story of friendship and sisterhood. It had me laughing and crying throughout the whole book! I chose this book for my book club selection last year and everyone agreed that it was well done.

There is Goodness in the world..
I have to admit that with school starting my brain is going through a hard time after all these Physics & Math lesson it had to absorb, so when I picked up this book to read it, I did it mostly because I expected it to be a light & entertaining read to get me out of school world & I'm so glad I ended up reading this book not just to pass time but also because of the beautiful story involved in it. For the most part this book has been very enlightening. It shows that even if you suffer really badly and get hurt deeply THERE IS still goodness out in the world and sometimes you need to find it within you if it wasn't available around you.

On first glance Lily Owens seems like a normal teen, she has 14 years old sickness she likes boys, make-up, struggles to be socially accepted by her peers and is always conscious about her looks and behavior etc...
But in truth she has this overwhelming feeling that makes her lives with guilt. Lily is utterly convinced that she has killed her mother in an accident that happened somewhat 10 years ago and is determined to find out everything she possibly can about her late mother. Unfortunately life has not been very pleasant to Lily since she got no friends except for their Black Housekeeper Rosaleen who has been the closest thing Lily has ever gotten to a mother and she must lives up with the insults of her physically abusive father. One day while she and Rosaleen where in town (Rosaleen going to register herself to voting) they get into a fight with three white men who bullied Rosaleen (her being black) eventually Rosaleen got arrested and beaten by the three white men. Lily who was so fed up by the abusive behavior of her father decides to escape and sneaks Rosaleen out of jail with her. Following an address written on a picture of Black Mary that once belonged to Lily's mother the two take off to Tiburone SC where they live with three sisters called the Calender sisters who owns a Bee farm (they raise bees and produce Honey) that in itself was a life changing experience for both Lily and Rosaleen.

I liked the book despite the part in the middle where Lily was pitying herself, I was so frustrated by her behavior but thankfully she got up and finally got a grub on the situation which saved the book for me. I liked the character development that the Characters been through in this book namely Lily and Rosaleen. Its a very informative book too made me interested in bees and in the civil right movement as well.

Blessings From The South
I've seen the movie at least three times and although the book is a bit different it is still a very touching story
to read.I imagine myself living in the "pink house" and feeling the love from everyone who lived there.I love
stories like this as it brings all of us together no matter what color God made us or how we were brought up.Such
a beautiful story and one book I'll cherish for a long time.Now if anyone could please tell me where I might purchase the Black Madonna Honey and the cookbook from the movie as I would truly love to have both.

Great story of women helping women
I read this book straight through in one day.Found it difficult to put down.Loved all the characters - they were real.Never saw the movie so I can't compare, but I invariably like the books better than their movie counterparts anyway.

terrible
This is one of the worst books I haveread. It offends black people, it offends men, it offends history, it offends women, it offends commonsense, it offends intelligence, it offendsliterature. It is a sentimental, stupid, sickly sweet confection, clearly and successfully aimed at Hollywood. I can find no virtue in it.

The relationship between the white teenager and the black woman is derivative of that between Huck Finn and Jim, but not as funny and not as touching and, 100 and...........maybe 30 years ................after Huck Finn was born,indicates that race relations in the States have worsened. 130 years after Huck, a white teenage kid is still allowed to be smarter than her black fullgrown companion, to be master of both their destinies.And,I know that the book is based in 1964, but it is written with the benefit ofhindsight and with contemporary sensibilities. And millions of people have bought the book and seen the film and schools have it on their booklists and almost everyone reviewingin Amazon loves it.

I'm white, I'm female, I'm Irish. I don't know any black people. I'm not even sure if I may call people 'black'. But I do know that I hated this book. And, if I was permitted to direct the film, well, I don't know who'd play the pesky white kid, but I'd ask Michelle Obama to play Rosaleen. See what I mean?

I read the book for my bookclub. I actally nominated it, based on a friend's recommendation.On the bright side, I'm 50, and whilst I hope to live for several more decades, l don't expect that Ishall ever read as bad a book again.

Yuch!!!!!!!!!!

Margaret McCann ... Read more

Product Description
Eliza Naumann, a seemingly unremarkable nine-year-old, expects never to fit into her gifted family: her autodidact father, Saul, absorbed in his study of Jewish mysticism; her brother, Aaron, the vessel of his father's spiritual ambitions; and her brilliant but distant lawyer-mom, Miriam. But when Eliza sweeps her school and district spelling bees in quick succession, Saul takes it as a sign that she is destined for greatness.In this altered reality, Saul inducts her into his hallowed study and lavishes upon her the attention previously reserved for Aaron, who in his displacement embarks upon a lone quest for spiritual fulfillment.When Miriam's secret life triggers a familial explosion, it is Eliza who must order the chaos.

Myla Goldberg's keen eye for detail brings Eliza's journey to three-dimensional life. As she rises from classroom obscurity to the blinding lights and outsized expectations of the National Bee, Eliza's small pains and large joys are finely wrought and deeply felt.

Not merely a coming-of-age story, Goldberg's first novel delicately examines the unraveling fabric of one family.The outcome of this tale is as startling and unconventional as her prose, which wields its metaphors sharply and rings with maturity.The work of a lyrical and gifted storyteller, Bee Season marks the arrival of an extraordinarily talented new writer.
Amazon.com Review
In Myla Goldberg's outstanding first novel, a family is shaken apart by a small but unexpected shift in the prospects of one of its members. When9-year-old Eliza Naumann, an otherwise indifferent student, takesfirst prize in her school spelling bee, it is as if rays of light havebegun to emanate from her head. Teachers regard her with a newfondness; the studious girls begin to save a place for her at lunch. Even Eliza can sense herself changing. She had "often felt that heroutsides were too dull for her insides, that deep within her there wassomething better than what everyone else could see."

Eliza's father, Saul, a scholar and cantor, had long since given upexpecting sparks of brilliance on her part. While her brother,Aaron, had taken pride in reciting his Bar Mitzvah prayers from memory, shehad typically preferred television reruns to homework or reading. Thisbelated evidence of a miraculous talent encourages Saul to reassess hisdaughter. And after she wins the statewide bee, he begins tutoring her forthe national competition, devoting to Eliza the hours he once spent withAaron. His daughter flowers under his care, eventually coming to look at life "in alphabetical terms." "Consonants are the camels of language," she realizes, "proudly carrying their lingual loads."

Vowels, however, are a different species, the fishthat flash and glisten in the watery depths.Vowelsare elastic and inconstant, fickle and unfaithful....Before the bee, Eliza had been a consonant, slowand unsurprising. With her bee success, she hasentered vowelhood.

Meanwhile, stunned by his father's defection, Aaron begins a troublingreligious quest. Eliza's brainy, compulsive mother is alsounmoored by her success. The spelling champion's newfound giftfor concentration reminds Miriam of herself as a girl, and she feels apang for not having seen her daughter more clearly before. But Eliza's clumsyresponse to Miriam's overtures convinces her mother that she has noreal ties to her daughter. This final disappointment precipitates herdeparture into a stunning secret life. The reader is left wonderingwhat would have happened if the Naumanns' spiritual thirsts hadnot been set in restless motion. A poignant and exceptionallywell crafted tale, Bee Season has a slow beginning but a tour-de-forceconclusion.--Regina Marler ... Read more

Customer Reviews (334)

House of Horror
I am neither a Jew nor a Hare Krishna.I am not into yoga, meditation or soul-searching pursuits.And spelling doesn't come naturally for me.Therefore some of the more technical writings dealing with Kabbalism, the practices of Abraham Abulafia, and mystical chanting would have been difficult to digest, if it were not for the underlying suspense of this unwinding plot that kept me hungrier and hungrier for more, as the letters H-O-R-R-O-R came more into focus with each devoured page.

Unfortunately, my appetite was not completely filled by this novel's end, as I was not 100 percent certain of young Eliza's final motive.However, I was absolutely certain that she was the most perceptive, strong-willed, and emotionally stable person in her over-achieving, but fragile family.

The characters were all starved for some level of achievement if not personal fulfillment.Eliza's father Saul, after failing to reach the ultimate level of religious spirituality or the true intimacy of a loving marriage, turned to his children in search of an ideal mentor to serve as an extension of himself.Unfortunately, he only had room for one "student" at a time, causing him to inadvertently shun one child in favor of another.When Eliza's brother Aaron turned up on the short end of the stick, he sought acceptance and human bonding, outside his religion - and his home.But Eliza's mother Miriam, while the least likeable character, is by far the most interesting, transforming beauty and perfection into total madness.

Therefore, the real subject facing this family is psychology, not spelling.And while they received passing grades on commitment, self-absorption, and perfection, they failed miserably when it came to spelling out "connection," "understanding," and most of all "happiness."

In leaving this family behind, readers may feel like there are pages missing from this lesson plan, as there are more unanswered questions than correct answers.Did Eliza, if she truly reached God, no longer need to win a superficial contest in order to feel acceptance?More so, when does the power of concentration turn into alienation?An outward search for enlightenment lead to inner self-destruction?And an image of perfection reflect a shattered illusion?

In spite of these questions, I know the spelling of "horror" need not be found in a dictionary.The letters appear far more vividly and are much more memorable when discovered in the dark corners of the human mind.Myla Goldberg spells this out for us perfectly.

No, I shall not do a spelling joke as a title
This book was an odd little novel, one I was not expecting.

This is about Eliza Naumann, a normal girl who family has resigned themselves to her ordinariness. This all changes when Eliza surprisingly wins her school spelling bee, opening doors to herself that she never even knew existed. Eliza's family is strongly impacted by this sudden change. Her father, Saul, is a Jewish scholar, and is determined that his daughter use her abilities to the best advantage possible, resorting to the old leather tomes in his study for guidance. Her brother, Aaron, is thrown off by this sudden change of his father's affection, exploring any way to be closer to God. Her mother, Miriam, is not what she appears, and this sudden change in the family dynamic brings her secrets to light. All this happens because of one girl's ability to spell.

This book has a whole lot shoved in it. Jewish mysticism, Hare Krishnas, kleptomania, obsessive compulsion, complicated families, and spelling bees. It really is like nothing I've ever read before. It was more complex than I was expecting, and I read it slowly in order to soak it all in. The characters and all their actions wer well-developed and intricate. I just really enjoyed the journey it took me on. And, as an added bounes, my vocabulary has been hereby expanded.

I can see how it's not for everyone, and I don't exactly recommend it. This is a book people have to stumble on for themselves.

My only complaint was the ending, which I felt was a little unclear.

family secrets
This story focuses entirely on a Jewish family of four that have managed to distance themselves from one another. Daughter Eliza, a fifth-grader and unexceptional student, has miraculously won the school spelling bee. In normal families, a jubilant child would report this success to proud parents immediately, and congratulations would ensue. However, Eliza reports the event by slipping an envelope under her stay-at-home dad's study door. The note gets buried under Saul's assorted paperwork, and Eliza has to frantically engage her 16-year-old brother Aaron to drive her to the district bee. Mom Miriam is an attorney with a secret life as a kleptomaniac, stealing items that she feels are a part of her. Aaron develops a secret life of his own, joining the Hare Kirshnas, as his father becomes totally absorbed in coaching Eliza to spelling nirvana via mystic Kabbalah techniques. In fact, even Eliza eventually gets in on the action of sneaking around in the name of finding spiritual truth. I kept turning the pages to find out when and how Saul's house of cards was going to tumble. When will Mom be arrested? How will the family react when she does? When will Aaron have to own up to the fact that he is no longer the perfect Jewish son? How will Eliza fare in the next bee? The ending was a bit puzzling, but my take on it is that the family wants to return to normal. In this family, however, what passed for normalcy was actually oblivion, and revelation of the truth is something that you can't undo. Nor can someone who has a rare gift return to mediocrity.

Insight, Madness, and Possible Redemption
The Naumann family might have seemed like a high-achieving, scholarship-valuing Jewish family, like so many others. Saul, the father is a cantor in the local synagogue. Miriam, his wife, is a lawyer who won't talk about her work. Aaron, the son, is slated to become a rabbi. Eliza is the dullard of the family--her father humiliated when she's not tapped for the Talented and Gifted program at school. Then, everything changes, when Eliza wins the school spelling bee, and goes on to district, regional, and national bees. Everything changes, and not all for the better.

The Naumann's marriage, you see, is coming apart at the seams, Miriam has a strange and dangerous hobby, Aaron is looking for spiritual transcendence he can't find in his synagogue, and Eliza--well, Eliza becomes her father's favorite, setting in motion eventsthat might have been predicted, if her parents had been paying attention. That's all I'll say about the plot. You'll have to read Bee Season for yourself.

Author Myla Goldberg writes brilliantly. Somehow she brings together family dynamics, the trials of adolescence, Jewish mysticism and spelling in an unlikely but intoxicating brew. There are flashes of humor early on, less so as the story spirals downward to disaster. Somehow I felt connected to the characters through all their troubles, and wished I could help. What a book! I recomend this one highly. Reviewed by Louis N. Gruber.

I am of two minds...
I am of two minds when it comes to this book. If I could have given it two and a half stars to represent this I would have. Golberg's writing is beautiful. Her word choice is precise and her sentences lyrical without the excessive poeticism that can hide a story. Her handling of the climax of the book - describing something that is for all practical purposes indescribable was really masterful. To me the writing has good bones and just the right amount of flesh. My problem with the book is that I didn't really care about any of the characters. Mom is mentally ill and warrants pity. The children should elicit compassion, but didn't for me. I truly hated the Dad. Even with my cursory knowledge of Jewish mysticism know that the rabbis and sages of old warn against delving into this, that trying to reach mystical heights can very easily lead to death or madness. Eliza does go on secretly, but he started her on this path. If I am to take this character seriously, this behavior is akin to child abuse. Other reviewers have described the book as creepy and frightening. It really was. I just wish I cared more about Eliza and Aaron. ... Read more

Product Description
“My daughter used to be so wonderful. Now I can barely stand her and she won’t tell me anything. How can I find out what’s going on?”

“There’s a clique in my daughter’s grade that’s making her life miserable. She doesn’t want to go to school anymore. Her own supposed friends are turning on her, and she’s too afraid to do anything. What can I do?”

Welcome to the wonderful world of your daughter’s adolescence. A world in which she comes to school one day to find that her friends have suddenly decided that she no longer belongs. Or she’s teased mercilessly for wearing the wrong outfit or having the wrong friend. Or branded with a reputation she can’t shake. Or pressured into conforming so she won’t be kicked out of the group. For better or worse, your daughter’s friendships are the key to enduring adolescence—as well as the biggest threat to her well-being.

In her groundbreaking book, Queen Bees and Wannabes, Empower cofounder Rosalind Wiseman takes you inside the secret world of girls’ friendships. Wiseman has spent more than a decade listening to thousands of girls talk about the powerful role cliques play in shaping what they wear and say, how they respond to boys, and how they feel about themselves. In this candid, insightful book, she dissects each role in the clique: Queen Bees, Wannabes, Messengers, Bankers, Targets, Torn Bystanders, and more. She discusses girls’ power plays, from birthday invitations to cafeteria seating arrangements and illicit parties. She takes readers into “Girl World” to analyze teasing, gossip, and reputations; beauty and fashion; alcohol and drugs; boys and sex; and more, and how cliques play a role in every situation.

Each chapter includes “Check Your Baggage” sections to help you identify how your own background and biases affect how you see your daughter. “What You Can Do to Help” sections offer extensive sample scripts, bulleted lists, and other easy-to-use advice to get you inside your daughter’s world and help you
help her.

It’s not just about helping your daughter make it alive out of junior high. This book will help you understand how your daughter’s relationship with friends and cliques sets the stage for other intimate relationships as she grows and guides her when she has tougher choices to make about intimacy, drinking and drugs, and other hazards. With its revealing look into the secret world of teenage girls and cliques, enlivened with the voices of dozens of girls and a much-needed sense of humor, Queen Bees and Wannabes will equip you with all the tools you need to build the right foundation to help your daughter make smarter choices and empower her during this baffling, tumultuous time of life. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (101)

Queenbees and Wannabees
Delivery as expected.Content of this book is useful for people with young daughters...starting at 10-11 years old!This particular book was used, however it was marked up more than I would have liked or expected.Overall...very good.

Queen Bees
This is an excellent book for understanding the social structure of teen girls...and for that matter teen guys.However, there are points in the book where a rational person can disagree with the author's conclusions about how to handle this or that teen pitfall.Communication techniques with teens are tried and true and work for everyone...listen first without an agenda.

Alarmist
I still have some years before my daughter grows into a teenager who might have to deal with some of the situations outlined in this book.I thought I'd get a head start on deciding how to handle social problems, though.

I found this book to be horrifying.It paints all high-school girls as either victims or bullies, trapped in a cycle of attempting to gain and keep popularity at all costs, and often at the expense of their own self-respect.

There were some great strategies in this book that I'll keep in mind if my daughter grows uncommunicative as she grows up or seems to be struggling with popularity or how to interact with boys or any number of other issues addressed in this book.I'm always glad to have more tools in my parenting toolbox.

When I first finished this book, I was terrified at the world my children will be expected to navigate.The author seems to accept as fact that all girls will be pulled into the quest for popularity.She assumes that all girls will be treated as sexual objects, will be eager to lie to their parents and throw parties when their parents go away for the weekend.Your teenaged daughters, this book explains, will no doubt drink and try drugs, perform oral sex on boys, and will have a really strong chance of being sexually assaulted or date-raped.The vision of high-school boys as predators is equally disturbing.

Is this really what life is like for high-school girls?!

Then I looked at the publication date--2002.I graduated from high school in 1995, which makes it likely that the interviews from this book and the research gathered from it were from MY high-school days.I can think of a dozen or so girls, friends of mine, for whom this book is not a realistic picture of high school.I don't think it's a foregone conclusion that all teenaged girls will go through the experiences in this book.

I'm feeling better about teen girl life.This book is a good wakeup call for parents of high-school girls who are struggling, but I think it's unrealistic and unfair to present this information as universal.

Great book for pre-teen girls.
My daughter was a victim of typical pre-teen drama and this has helped her understand why some girls can be so mean.

Rough and disappointing
I thought this book would be helpful to my daughters as they raise young girls into the teenage years.I purchased the book to give to them.Now that I have read it, I don't think this book would be helpful to them.Having raised daughters myself and now the grandmother of many granddaughters, I feel I can speak from experience. I was particularly taken back by the quoted text that was supposed to be what young girls actually said.Not all girls act the way she portrayed in the book nor do they have such mean motivations.I found the book negative, full of quick stereotypes, and slanted.Not everyone needs to be put in a stereotype so quickly.There are some truths in the book, but you have to use discernment in reading it to have a balanced view of teenage girls. ... Read more

Product Description
Includes 15 page Penguin Reader's Guide with questions and discussion with author.(in rear of book) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (29)

Enjoyed reading this book
In Sue Monk Kidd's The Secret Life of Bees, 14-year-old Lily Owen, neglected by her father and isolated on their Georgia peach farm, spends hours imagining a blissful infancy when she was loved and nurtured by her mother, Deborah, whom she barely remembers. These consoling fantasies are her heart's answer to the family story that as a child, in unclear circumstances, Lily accidentally shot and killed her mother. All Lily has left of Deborah is a strange image of a Black Madonna, with the words "Tiburon, South Carolina" scrawled on the back. The search for a mother, and the need to mother oneself, are crucial elements in this well-written coming-of-age story set in the early 1960s against a background of racial violence and unrest. When Lily's beloved nanny, Rosaleen, manages to insult a group of angry white men on her way to register to vote and has to skip town, Lily takes the opportunity to go with her, fleeing to the only place she can think of--Tiburon, South Carolina--determined to find out more about her dead mother. Although the plot threads are too neatly trimmed, The Secret Life of Bees is a carefully crafted novel with an inspired depiction of character. The legend of the Black Madonna and the brave, kind, peculiar women who perpetuate Lily's story dominate the second half of the book, placing Kidd's debut novel squarely in the honored tradition of the Southern Gothic.

Read this book in a day
This book was not something I would have normally picked to read.A family member handed it to me to read on vacation.I read it in one sitting!I don't know what drew me into this book, but it was a quick, enjoyable read!Worth your time!

Must read
Beautifully written, touching story about love and sisterhood. Definitely one of my favorite books. A must read!

Bee Power!
"The queen, for her part, is the unifying force of the community".

Starting with this first bee epigraph (short thematic quotation), and for every chapter thereafter, Kidd lays the foundation of emotion to be explored. She expertly links the mysterious queen bee power in the hive to that of the women in the book. Although set in 1964, with issues that are illustrative of the tumult of the civil rights movement in the south, Kidd also explores the power structure of men and women, and juxtaposes that with the secret life of bees, and the significance of the queen and her all female worker bees.

Countless times, you'll stop and reread and ponder simple phrases such as "Quietness has a strange, spongy hum that can nearly break your eardrums." and "As I walked, I began to hear the sound of running water. It's impossible to hear that sound and not go searching for the source." The Secret Life of Bees is a compelling story of inner doubt turned strength, told with an almost lyrical quality that grabs and holds you tight until the last page. The stories of these women will stay with you.... Timeless.

A must Read!
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd is an outstanding work of modern literature.It is the story of an unhappy young girl living an unhappy life.When it seems that things are about to get a lot worse, Lily decides to stop taking it as it comes, and start fighting for a life for herself.She is surrounded by hypocrites, racists and people who just let things happen instead of making things happen and it all takes place in the south during the civil rights movement.Lily's story is filled with unforgettable characters and Southern flavor.It is brave, funny, scary and heartwarming. There are black people and white people in this story but the color of their hearts is all you really see.
I especially enjoyed the Black Madonna stories laced throughout the tale.For thousands of years men and women have hidden their worship of the Goddess and their ancient rituals behind the worship of Mary.This is why in places of forced conversion there are so many statues of her.Many of the Black Madonna stories are coming to light now and how Goddess worship was secretly practiced by European women enslaved by their cultures and pagans hiding from the church, then black slaves enslaved by whites and lastly feminists looking for religious expression are woven through this tale.
... Read more

Product Description
The Ultimate Geography Bee Resource Guide
Geography Bees are hot, with millions of fourth through eighth graders competing in National Geographic—sponsored Bees every year! This indispensable guide will systematically prepare your child to beat the competition and win! Inside you'll discover:
·Important rules, the best strategies, and essential insider tips
·How to avoid the most common pitfalls
·Proven study techniques from teachers and parents
·Facts about every U.S. state and every country in the world
·1,001 practice Bee questions and answers
·And much more!
School geography is no longer a matter of simply memorizing U.S. states and capitals. Today's students must also know the physical, political, economic, and cultural geography of the world, with current events thrown in for good measure. Because many states now mandate geography comprehension for students, this must-have resource for students, parents, and teachers will help any child become a geography whiz kid—and maybe even win a scholarship to college! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (23)

Out of Date -- Find Another Source
Published in 2002, this book is now significantly out of date in a number of areas.Countries have split up or changed names.Although there are many useful review questions, students looking for review material in 2010 should look elsewhere.

Edited to add: This book is ripe for a new edition, but online errata would go a long way to extending the useful life of this one.

Great Prep!
This book was very helpful in preparing my son for the Geo Bee. It was a good indicator of the types of questions that would be asked.

Geography Bee Preparation
My son enjoyed answering the 1001 questions in The Geography Bee Complete Preparation Handbook.The author explained how the Geography Bee works, and he included study tips and reference information.The questions were grouped into different categories with different levels of difficulty to make it easier to study. Even though this book was published several years ago, it is still relevant, easy to use, and helpful. Highly recommended for studying for The Geography Bee or for students who enjoy geography facts and learning about the world.

Just What We Needed to Prepare
Although this book is for 4th grade plus, it was a great guide to prepare our 3rd grader for her first regional geography bee.

Nice Book
This book (The geography bee), Afganistan to Zimbabwe are best books for geography bee.
PLUS use trivia practice at [...]

Rudi ... Read more

Product Description
For Mary Russell and her husband, Sherlock Holmes, returning to the Sussex coast after seven months abroad was especially sweet. There was even a mystery to solve—the unexplained disappearance of an entire colony of bees from one of Holmes’s beloved hives.
But the anticipated sweetness of their homecoming is quickly tempered by a galling memory from the past. Mary had met Damian Adler only once before, when the surrealist painter had been charged with—and exonerated from—murder. Now the troubled young man is enlisting the Holmeses’ help again, this time in a desperate search for his missing wife and child.

Mary has often observed that there are many kinds of madness, and before this case yields its shattering solution she’ll come into dangerous contact with a fair number of them. From suicides at Stonehenge to the dark secrets of a young woman’s past on the streets of Shanghai, Mary will find herself on the trail of a killer more dangerous than any she’s ever faced—a killer Sherlock Holmes himself may be protecting for reasons near and dear to his heart.Amazon.com Review
Book Description
In a case that will push their relationship to the breaking point, Mary Russell must help reverse the greatest failure of her legendary husband’s storied past—a painful and personal defeat that still has the power to sting…this time fatally.

For Mary Russell and her husband, Sherlock Holmes, returning to the Sussex coast after seven months abroad was especially sweet. There was even a mystery to solve--the unexplained disappearance of an entire colony of bees from one of Holmes’s beloved hives.

But the anticipated sweetness of their homecoming is quickly tempered by a galling memory from her husband’s past. Mary had met Damian Adler only once before, when the promising surrealist painter had been charged with--and exonerated from--murder. Now the talented and troubled young man was enlisting their help again, this time in a desperate search for his missing wife and child.

When it comes to communal behavior, Russell has often observed that there are many kinds of madness. And before this case yields its shattering solution, she’ll come into dangerous contact with a fair number of them. From suicides at Stonehenge to a bizarre religious cult, from the demimonde of the Café Royal at the heart of Bohemian London to the dark secrets of a young woman’s past on the streets of Shanghai, Russell will find herself on the trail of a killer more dangerous than any she’s ever faced--a killer Sherlock Holmes himself may be protecting for reasons near and dear to his heart.

Amazon Exclusive: Laurie R. King on The Language of Bees

As a writer, I court serendipity.

Another way to say that would be, as a writer, I really don’t know what I’m doing.

In a stand-alone novel it doesn’t much matter that I pursue my plot-line in a dark attic with a failing flashlight, because in the early drafts I simply put everything down, then spend the rewrite peeling away whatever makes no sense or isn’t absolutely necessary.And when I’m finished with the novel, I’m finished--with the book and with the characters.

A series novel is a different animal.What I wrote in 1993, I have to live with in 2008, even if I no longer have the faintest idea what I had in mind back then. Sometimes this creates ridiculously convoluted problems, and I spend hours and hours paging through to find what color someone’s eyes were or if I credited them with a certain skill, and I end up wishing I could just recall all copies of the earlier book and make people forget about that line on page 238.Other times, well, I’d like to take credit for being such a genius planner, but as I said, I really don’t know what I’m doing.

However, some deep, distant, well-hidden part of my brain does, and when that Organizing Principle takes charge, things turn out in interesting ways.

Take my newest book, The Language of Bees.This, the ninth Russell and Holmes novel, is set in the summer of 1924, and its central character (apart from the series regulars) is a young Surrealist artist by the name of Damian Adler.And for those readers who are up on their Conan Doyle, yes, it’s THAT Adler.

Back in 1994, I wrote a book called A Monstrous Regiment of Women, the second in the series.In one scene, Russell is trying to get away from Holmes for a while so she can think about her future without him looking over her shoulder.When a friend conveniently presents her with a drug-addled fiancé in need of assistance, Russell seizes the opportunity to shove the young man’s problems onto Holmes and send them both away.One of the weapons she uses to force Holmes into agreement is a reference to his long lost son:

“And if he were your son?Would you not want someone to try?”It was a dirty blow, low and unscrupulous and quite unforgivably wicked.Because, you see, he did have a son once, and someone had tried.

And this is pretty much the only appearance of this mythic entity, the son, despite queries and entreaties and speculations from readers.I could not even have said for certain why I inflicted the master detective with paternity, other than Russell’s need for a weapon strong enough to bully Holmes into obedience, combined with the feeling that this drug-addled young officer needed to have a deeper meaning for Holmes than just a nursing job.

But the Organizing Principle in the back of my mind knew why he was there.

The “lovely, lost son” was glimpsed in Monstrous Regiment so that fourteen years later, I could sit down to write The Language of Bees and craft a situation as significant for Holmes as the psychic trauma of the previous book had been for Russell.Locked Rooms forced Russell to confront a past she had hidden from herself.The Language of Bees gives Holmes a second chance to know the son he had lost.

(I should, perhaps, mention that this idea of Holmes having a son by Irene Adler--“The woman”--is not mine alone.W. S. Baring Gould, whose definitive biography of the master detective was recently updated by Leslie Klinger in The New Annotated Sherlock Holmes, suggested the presence of a son.The boy, under the name Nero Wolfe, himself became a rather well-known detective.)

As soon as my mind dangled the idea of Holmes’ son returning, a world of possibilities blossomed: Where had the young man been? (perhaps... Shanghai?)Why come back now? (A wife disappeared, and a murder, and--what about a child!)And since one of the Conan Doyle stories refers to the art in Holmes’ blood (his grandmother’s brother was the artist Vernet) and since Irene Adler was an opera singer, why not make the son an artist--one of the Surrealists, just to put a twist in his relationship with the ultra-rational Holmes?

I’d like to say I had all this in mind back in 1995 when I had Mary Russell drop mention of Holmes’ son, but I prefer to save fiction for my novels.

And as I said at the beginning, as a writer, I court serendipity.I may not know what I’m doing, but it makes for a more exciting journey, getting there.--Laurie R. King

(Photo © Seth Affoumado)

... Read more

Customer Reviews (50)

Disappointing addition to a good series
Finally settling down to say that I read and enjoyed all the Sherlock Holmes mysteries when I was young and I have to admit that Mary Russell is a delightful character and Holmes has been made more human in this fabulous collection by Laurie King. I really enjoyed the Beekeeper's Apprentice, The Game, O Jerusalem and Justice Hall and wrote an enthusiastic review for the first one. But it seems to me that writing a handful of novels, then not warning the readers that the next one is a duology is a shabby way to treat a loyal contingent. At least writing "Part 1" on the cover would give the reader a clue. It wasn't as if both the volumes couldn't have been written as one 650-page novel by eliminating so many of the (at least to me) meandering and irrelevant passages.

Even if the novel needed to be several hundred pages long the reader shouldn't have had to slog through the endless apiarian passages and all the solitary interludes with Russell accompanied only by stale food. Why not give us more peeks into the relationship of Holmes and Russell? Or the Holmes brothers? Or even the dark arts? Any of these would probably have been far more interesting than the seemingly self-indulgent tangents into the aimless and uninspiring. Two stars because I think the author is a great writer notwithstanding the supreme irritation of finding the ending "to be continued". But she needs a better editor.

what's with the bees?
This book carried you nicely, if tediously, along to a hoped for resolution of a number of issues raised in the tale.Sadly, I felt ransacked when I was done.I had hoped to overcome the many diversions by arriving at a satisfactory end.Holmes was painted as a dodo and this is unsettling.His brother seems a much more resourceful character. I would not recommend it and certainly have little interest in the obvious follow-on that I felt was a pure exercise of greed.

First time reader of Laurie King - well written, but unfocused
I promise not to judge Laurie King's Mary Russell novels by this one alone.In fact, I've actually read the sequel to this one and liked it very much.That said, this particular novel was not a great introduction to her Mary Russell series - unfocused, and at times, very difficult to get through.The only thing that kept me going was that the writing is very good, and the character of Mary Russell is very engaging.I was incredibly disappointed, however, to slog to the very end, when I am greeted by a "to be continued..."

Once you get past the first chapters, in which Mary Russell rattles around the house by herself, tends to some bees, and eats a lot of stale bread, focuses on a general plot surrounding Holmes' son and his missing wife and child.A cult leader is thrown into the mix, and we see a lot of Mycroft Holmes at home and perambulating around the park.There is an exciting (but perhaps a little drawn out) plane journey followed by an anticlimactic fight and...nothing.Time to read the next book.

The next book is very exciting and had the benefit of better editing.I recommend "The Language of Bees" so that you can understand "The God of the Hive", but on it's own it's not a standout novel.

Worthy additions to Laurie King's remarkable Mary Russell series

Though not marketed as such, _Language of Bees_ and _God of the Hive_ actually tell one story.In _Language of Bees_, Russell and Holmes investigate a case around the leader of a religious cult; in _God of the Hive_, they circle in on the powerful figure using the religious leader for his own purposes.The overall story concerns members of Sherlock Holmes' family and some characters from his past (i.e., the Conan Doyle stories).

As always, it is remarkable how well Laurie King has captured Sherlock Holmes while substituting a wife (Mary Russell) for his old sidekick Dr. John Watson.She has even thought through the background to various parts of the Holmes world that Conan Doyle did not explain - - for example, how does one build a bolt-hole without anyone noticing?She has also fleshed out some characters from the Conan Doyle stories.Most notably, she has turned Mycroft Holmes into a major character and developed a full back story about exactly what he does and how he does it.

I heartily recommend the series for Sherlock Holmes fans.Just be sure to buy both of these books together.

Russell and Holmes at Their Collective Best!
As a fan of Conan Doyle's original Holmes' stories I have never been a big fan of the pastiche novels (although Nicholas Meyer's "West End Horror" is worth a read) that became so popular in the 70's.A favorable review of "Justice Hall" by Laurie King convinced me to give her a work a chance.I began with the "Beekeeper's Apprentice" and was instantly hooked.Make no mistake - these are Russell's stories and Holmes just happens to be in them."Language of Bees" is among the best to date - ratcheting up the stakes by making the mystery surround none other than Sherlock's son by Irene Adler.Although the author takes an occasional departure from her first person perspective (these stories are supposed to be drawn from the papers of Mary Russell just asDoyle's stories were supposedly from the papers of Dr. John Watson), something I found far too distracting in her prior outing, "Locked Rooms," she is at her best when describing a long, harrowing, dare devil trip by plane (the novel is set in the early 1920's) or the interview of elderly religion professor while punting from Mary's witty and wry perspective.These novels are very clever and intelligent and the period research she has done always shines through.F. Scott Fitzgerald may have believed that there were no second acts in American lives in the 1920's, but Laurie King is doing an excellent job of creating a very vigorous and entertaining second act for Sherlock Holmes. ... Read more

Product Description
Candid, outspoken, laugh-out-loud funny essays from the much-loved Samantha Bee, the Most Senior Correspondent on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart .

Critics have called her “sweet, adorable, and vicious.” But there is so much more to be said about Samantha Bee. For one, she’s Canadian. Whatever that means. And now, she opens up for the very first time about her checkered Canadian past. With charming candor, she admits to her Lennie from Of Mice and Men–style love of baby animals, her teenage crime spree as one-half of a car-thieving couple (Bonnie and Clyde in Bermuda shorts and braces), and the fact that strangers seem compelled to show her their genitals. She also details her intriguing career history, which includes stints working in a frame store, at a penis clinic, and as a Japanese anime character in a touring children’s show.

Samantha delves into all these topics and many more in this thoroughly hilarious, unabashedly frank collection of personal essays. Whether detailing the creepiness that ensues when strangers assume that your mom is your lesbian lover, or recalling her girlhood crush on Jesus (who looked like Kris Kristofferson and sang like Kenny Loggins), Samantha turns the spotlight on her own imperfect yet highly entertaining life as relentlessly as she skewers hapless interview subjects on The Daily Show. She shares her unique point of view on a variety of subjects as wide ranging as her deep affinity for old people, to her hatred of hot ham. It’s all here, in irresistible prose that will leave you in stitches and eager for more. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (55)

inessential humor, an effortless read
The Daily Show reporter submits a series of true-life (?) anecdotes about her upbringing in Canada, life as a nerd, dealing with pets, etc.Pretty inessential stuff, but an effortless read.The author is a little self-consciously wacky, raunchy, and irreverent; the stories seem really tarted up for maximum shock value and/or out-there humorous impact.Sort of a less snobby Sarah Vowell.

Funny Stuff
I love Samantha Bee and The Daily Show.I thought this was well-written (and quite an easy read).Many laugh out loud moments and some very raw moments as well. You will have a new appreciation for this lady (and her husband) after reading this book.

My only wish is for more discussion of The Daily Show. There was not a lot of that.This was more about Samantha growing up. Maybe a future book!

A series of outspoken, fun essays
I Know I Am, But What Are You? provides a series of outspoken, fun essays from Samantha Bee, who has built her career getting people to caricature themselves. Any already familiar with Samantha's zany sense of humor will appreciate her autobiography, which offers ribald humor and social observation alike in a series of personal essays recommended for any general lending library!

She's no David Sedaris
Samantha Bee is funny.If you've seen her on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart, you know she has a quick and biting wit.That same wit is applied to her own life in "i know i am, but what are you?"Brutally, terrifically blunt musings on her childhood are delivered often with self-deprecation and more often are aimed at the motley cast of characters she refers to as family.

The quintessential voice for this genre of writing is David Sedaris.Unfortunately, Samantha Bee is no David Sedaris.But, she never claimed to be.Once I pushed through the first few pages (and decided to read even though she is no DS), I found myself immersed in her rhythm and really enjoyed the book.It was an easy read, but not something I was glued to; I read it on occasional nights over the course of a week or so.Most of the stories have already been lost to the ether, but the one that sticks with me is "the birds and the bee".I must say that was laugh-out-loud funny!There were other moments of LOL, but none that I can recall with clarity a week after completing the book.

This is a good book to read, but not really a book to own.

Way too boring!
I get my books on audio CD's.I listen to them on my way to work and my home from work.I couldn't wait for this hone to finish.I had heard on the Today show from Kathylee and Koda that this was one of the funniest books they have ever read.I was very excited to get it, but boy was I disappointed.

... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (3)

I wasted my money on this one.
This book reads as though it was written in a rush, or by a child.Very simple and sometimes somewhat disjointed.It lacked depth and was a disappointing read.I heard a book review on NPR and thought it would be much better.Should have cost $2.99 for the Kindle version and not $9.99!

Great read - was out of Print - NPR brought it back to life
Great read - was out of Print - NPR brought it back to life

Can't get it soon enough?
Try University of Chicago Press - they still have many copies - at 16 a pop.

Whats with all the sexual references?
The book was okay but not excellent, it did have some substance but if it where to become a classic it would be in the same category as J.D. Salinger's Catcher in the Rye.It has quite a few sexual references and I am not so sure what they have to do with the story.What I did like is how it showed the feelings and problems that the Indians, Blacks, and Whites had dealing with one another.It was a decent book but I don't know if I quite got the point of it. ... Read more

Product Description

From critically acclaimed master of suspense J. A. Jance, the New York Times bestselling author of Fire and Ice, comes a nerve-shattering tale of rage and retribution, and a nightmare even death cannot end.

Twenty years ago, a darkness rose up out of the blistering heat of the Arizona desert and descended upon the Walker family of Tucson.

Customer Reviews (37)

Kiss the Bees
Jance writes only first class novels that keep you at the edge of your chair until the last sentence is finished.

Indian Myths Tell the Story
KISS OF THE BEES extends the story line of HOUR OF THE HUNTER with a character so evil he can strike beyond the grave.
Diana and Brandon Walker are beset by a plan of revenge concocted prior to the death of arch villein Andrew Carlisle before his death.
Tohano O'othham legends begin each chapter and progress with the story line, but unless careful attention is paid to them confusion may result.
This is a strong departure from this J.P. Beaumont and Joanna Brady series, but a little more care should be paid to both the number of characters and the long build up to the exciting conclusion. Not Jance's best, but a good read never-the-less.
Writing as a Small BusinessSins of the Fathers: A Brewster County NovelGuns Across the Rio: A Texas Ranger in Old MexicoNatchez Above The River: A Family's Survival In The Civil War

Buzzing With Suspense
As my first time reading a J.A. Jance book, this one given to me by a friend, I thoroughly enjoyed this title and author's work.

Flawlessly written, Ms. Jance also seems to be psychology major in her knowledge of human nature.The portal is used well in her character development and the realistic story plot.

The two shocking villains in the "Kiss of The Bees" story, especially Andrew Carlisle, reminded me of Hannibel Lector in "Silence of The Lambs" for their evil made more potent by such premeditated intelligence.

This attention-grabbing book practically demands to be read in one sitting.

A Long and Winding Road
JA Jance attempts to steep us deeper in her beloved Southwest, this time including some Tohono O'otham culture.She plays fast and loose with the timeline to give us bits and pieces of the lives of the characters until we reach the climax.But, instead of being intriguing, this is confusing.All the characters know details we don't until by the time we've already figured them out, they're tardily revealed.

Diana Ladd Walker and Brandon Walker have a very modern family.Both divorced with children of previous marriages, one adopted daughter, and one tossed-in stepson, plus assorted close friends, make this group diverse.Brandon has two sons, Quentin and Tommy, though Tommy is missing and presumed dead.Brandon's ex-wife remarried and had another child, Brian Fellows, who spent time with the Walkers while growing up.Diana's son from her first or second marriage is Davy Ladd.Then Diana and Brandon adopted a Tohono O'otham girl, Lani.Lani and Davy were both raised by an old Indian woman, Rita Antone.Rita and the tribal medicine man, Fat Crack, or Gabe Ortiz, had been close to Looks At Nothing, a blind medicine man, now dead.

Every chapter begins with a piece of an Indian legend, poorly told.The legend ties in at the end, but I hadn't really been paying attention.But, it's supposed to tie in Indian medicine with the events in the story.

Twenty years back, Diana Walker was attacked and raped by Andrew Carlisle.He would have killed her, but she flung a pan of hot bacon grease in his face and her dog attacked.Andrew Carlisle, now blind, went to prison.He was joined a few years later by Mitch Johnson, a trigger-happy immigrant hater who gets sent up by then-Sheriff Brandon Walker.Andrew and Mitch form an unholy alliance of hate against the Walkers.Andrew dies in prison, but he and Mitch formulated a plan for Mitch to carry out on his release.The two also met Quentin Walker, Brandon's eldest, loser son, in prison, and use him as a pawn.
Mitch kidnaps Lani and prepares to put her through an Andrew Carlisle-type murder on tape and blame Quentin, thereby utterly destroying Brandon and Diana Walker.Davy arrives from Chicago just in time to help Lani.Fat Crack uses divining crystals and goes to the scene, leading the others there.In the end, Lani uses her Indian teachings to defeat the enemy.

The climax was gripping, but there was a long, slow, roundabout route to get there.There were too many characters and the back story was too sparsely delivered, making me feel I should have read the prequel first.Though it wasn't bad, it could have been better.

Mean Characters, Little Empathy
Jance is a strong storyteller, but I didn't enjoy this novel because too many of the characters are mean-spirited. I didn't like spending time with them and didn't want to read about them. Yes, they had reasons to obsess over revenge, but since I never felt they were justified, I didn't feel sorry for them. Jance builds suspense, however, and vividly depicts the Tucson setting.

This stand alone is a departure for Jance, but I'm not convinced she's stretching herself in believable ways. For example, she has a jailed inmate talking about "rewriting a scenario." Maybe this has happened, but it doesn't ring true. She's also quite didactic here. She wants to teach her readers about Native Americans, but this book about violent revenge is the wrong venue to do so. ... Read more

Product Description
When Mary Ellen gets bored with her reading, Grandpa knows a hunt for a bee tree is just what she needs. Half the town joins the exciting chase, but it's not until everyone returns home that Mary Ellen makes a discovery of her own: Sometimes, even the sweetest of things must be worked for.Polacco has created another charming picture book featuring a child learning from a grandparent in an idyllic pastoral settingBoth the writing and artwork are fresh and inviting. -- School Library Journal, starred reviewThe newest gem from Polacco's treasure chest of family stories extols the virtue of reading--and of taking a study break.Like Mary Ellen, readers will emerge refreshed from this respite, ready to seek out new adventures. -- Publishers WeeklyYoung readers will savor this. -- The Horn BookPatricia Polacco lives in Union City, MI. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

The Bee Tree
This is one of my favorite books by Patricia Polacco. Her retelling of this story is fun to read, the pictures are delightful, and it's great for teaching a lesson without preaching.

A Kid's Review
I am a six-year-old boy, and I LOVE IT!Here's why I like it:they are chasing the bees that are trying to get back to the bee tree, and the bees are the map, and when everyone sees how fun it is, they just catch on and join in the chase.Even goats come!And, since Klondike Bertha came, she gave all the people some diapers and put some honey in them and pinned them up like little sacks.That's funny to me!And it all started out with that little girl being bored.

Here is what Mary has to say about this book:
Have you ever went on an adventure before?In the story The Bee Tree by Patricia Polacco, Patricia was bored watching her grandpa rock back and forth in his rocking chair.So they went to go get some honey.They found a bee and chased it.Quick now, run!Called out grandpa.The neighbors tagged along because they haven't seen a bee tree in years.They chased and chased.But did they ever find the bee tree.Will they?
The character Patricia was chasing that bee like the words in the book.That reminds me of my book shelf.I love reading I read fast because I want to read more just like Patricia.
I would give this story a 10/10 because it reminds me of the adventure I had with my grandpa, just like Patricia and her grandpa, mine was fishing for frogs.

Fabulous Reading
My daughter has been reading this book every night for over a month.She is not quite 3, and some of the vocabulary is quite advanced -- but she picked up the story right away, and now she loves figuring out the amazing character names - Einer Tundevold, and Mrs. Govlock, etc.This book is a gem!

Just what I wanted...
I'm a art teacher who is always in the market for new and exciting lesson plans. I found a great assignment about making bees using circlesbut I needed a story or book to make my lesson an inter-curricular project. This book was recommended on the art/craft site and they weren't wrong. I am very familiar with the author's work. It made a wonderful connection.Great illustrations also... ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (51)

Backyard BeeKeeper
Well written and very descriptive. However, I would not yet venture into bee keeping without a seasoned mentor.

informative book
I read this book from cover to cover.Very informative and great pictures.It contains everything you need to know to get started on beekeeping.I am can't wait to put this knowledge to use!

good information
This book has been very helpful for my beginner needs. Good and easy to follow and understandwith great photographs. I highly recommend it!

Perfect!
The book arrived IMMEDIATELY and was in pristine condition!This vendor's service and merchandise exceeded my expectations!!!

Excellent beekeeping book let down by sloppy ebook conversion
As many other here have said this is an excellent book for the beginner beekeeper BUT the Kindle edition that I bought is obviously scanned/OCR-ed and nobody have bothered to correct the very numerous typos and formatting errors. One of the worst I have come across here actually :/ Such a shame! ... Read more

Product Description
Bee keeping isn't just for the country dweller--bees can be kept in any situation from the simple balcony to the garden to acres of land. This comprehensive and attractive lifestyle guide to bee keeping takes readers from finding their bees to getting them home, housing them, collecting honey and using their produce. The book includes a detailed look at the history of bees and bee-keeping, and an extensive introduction to help readers to fully understand bees and keep them happy. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

Keeping Bees
Since I started Keeping bees only this year, the book explained most of the procedures to help me with beekeeping.

Pretty Pictures but not a lot of substance
Keep your money.There are many other better books out there...this is too basic for even new beekeepers. I bought it and promptly returned it.Invest instead in Hive Management by Richard Bonney, Backyard Beekeeping by Kim Flottum, and for a fun reads try Bad Beekeeping by Ron Miksha or Honeybee: Lessons from an accidently beekeeper by Marina Marchese.

Love It, Love Bees
Love this book, has great info for a novice beekeeper.Can't wait to get started this coming winter so I can have bees next spring and will be eating honey by next summer.

Nice book to own, buy others first
Nice book to have, has some interesting information and I like the photos. However, if you can only buy a few beekeeping books, I prefer Richard Bonney's books and especially Kim Flottum's "The Backyard Beekeeper".

Keeping Bees And Making Money
I took up Bee keeping after I was diagnosed with honey deficiency.I put up a Bee keeping farm box outside my hospital window.Unfortunately, due to my temporary amnesia, I had forgotten that I was allergic to wasps.

The book itself has good pictures, big enough if you have an eye disorder.Most of it is in hues of yellow or green, the colors of dead bees.

If you're allergic to pollens you may want to stay cleer of this. ... Read more

Product Description
FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. Songho, a Korean boy destined to a life of poverty, follows the sound of the school bell into the valley and, although initially turned away by the school master, earns a chance at an education. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Excellent!
This is a wonderful book about perserverance and teaching children about social justice.I have used it a number of times with students and highly recommend it.So many different ways to use a teacher!

Get this book!
This is a book I use with first graders to introduce the comprehension concepts of questioning, and predicting.They love the rich illustrations. The cover gives no hint as to what the "bee" is.The way their understanding of the story unfolds is wonderful.I highly recommend this book for teachers.

The Royal Bee is a royal treasure!
This book's underlying issue is the idea that the pursuit of literacy is, consequently, the pursuit of a dream and a way out of poverty.In fact, Song-ho often repeats the phrase, "If I only knew how to read and write..."The message is clear--through persistence, dedication, and with a kind heart, one can achieve anything he or she puts his or her mind to.I believe this book to be very enlightening for children who have difficulties in school, especially if a classroom teacher or parent discusses the book from a critical, socially aware point of view.Illuminate children to the fact that "poor" children are nonetheless very rich in heart and spirit, and are as hopeful as any child.Also point out that even though this book takes place in the nineteenth century, its theme will resonate for any generation.I recommend this book wholeheartedly! ... Read more

Product Description
Raised in a sepulchral house where ghosts dwell in mirrors, Meridia grows up lonely and miserable. But at age sixteen, she has a chance at happiness when she falls in love with Daniel-a caring and naive young man. Soon they marry, and Meridia can finally escape to live with her husband's family, unaware that they harbor dark secrets of their own. There is a grave hidden in the garden, there are two sisters groomed from birth to despise each other, and there is Eva-the formidable matriarch and the wickedest mother-in-law imaginable-whose grievances swarm the air in an army of bees. As Meridia struggles to keep her life and marriage together, she discovers long-buried secrets about her own past as well as shocking truths about her new family that inexorably push her love, courage, and sanity to the brink.

Of Bees and Mist is an engrossing fable that chronicles three generations of women under one family tree over a period of thirty years-their galvanic love and passion, their shifting alliances, their superstitions and complex domestic politics-and places them in a mythical town where spirits and spells, witchcraft and demons, and prophets and clairvoyance are an everyday reality. Erick Setiawan's astonishing debut is a richly atmospheric and tumultuous ride of hope and heartbreak that is altogether touching, truthful, and entirely memorable. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (94)

Not what I expected, but not bad.
This book took me forever to get through.I started and finished a few shorter books in between.That doesn't mean I thought the book was bad by any means, it just means I was not so enthralled by it that I couldn't put it aside for a while.

I wanted to read this book because of its promise of three generations of female characters within one family, and of the mythical spirits and spells.I guess, when I read that, I was thinking of something that was more Snow White and Cinderella-ish.This book was not that.There were plenty of spirits and spells and fairy tale pieces, but not of the typical fashion.

This is the story of Meridia and Daniel.They meet as teenagers, fall in love and get married.However, both families have secrets and spells and hatred and lies that complicate the marriage to no end.Meridia's parents haven't really spoken to each other in years, but live in the same house that is perpetually cold.Meridia's father leaves every evening and is taken away by a mist, not to return until dawn.Daniel's mother (Eva) always lies, ALWAYS.She is constantly pitting family members against each other to make herself look like a saint.His father is a jeweler and Daniel is expected to take over the business, among other things.Daniel has two sisters, one hates Meridia at first (Malin), and the other loves her (Permony).However, Malin only hates Meridia because Eva feeds her lies.Permony loves Meridia, but Eva is mean and cruel to Permony, and therefore strains Permony's relationship with Meridia.

At times, I wanted the story to end.One situation would get resolved and I would look to see how many more pages there were until the end and I would think, "What else could possibly happen?" but then more drama would happen.There are many overlapping stories throughout the book involving both families and many more.

On some level, I think this book was longer than it needed to be, however, I don't know what could have been taken out.All of the characters were developed quite thoroughly throughout the book.A good overall read, if you have the patience to make it through.Well written.

A Magical Realism Fairy Tale of Family Dysfunction
Book Overview

Of Bees and Mist takes place in a world that is like ours but not quite. In this world that is betwixt and between, we come to know Meridia--a lonely girl who grows up in a freezing cold house with a staircase that takes on different forms, a stern and distant father who vanishes and reappears in mists, and a loving but absent-minded mother who speaks her own secret language. Meridia struggles to understand the coldness of the house and the odd relationship between her parents. A recurring dream seems to hold the key--but whenever she is on the brink of discovering the meaning of the dream, the mists, and her parents' behavior, something prevents her from learning the truth.

One day, Meridia attends a local fair filled with spiritualists and seers. Just 16, she finds herself drawn to a handsome young man named Daniel. When fate seemingly brings them together, Meridia is overjoyed to find a way out of her lonely life. Daniel's family seems to have everything Meridia has been searching for--including a beautiful and involved matriarch, Eva. Although Daniel and Meridia's romance face some stumbling blocks, they eventually marry. After the wedding, Meridia begins to realize that her new home might not be as wonderful as she thought. It starts with missing wedding presents and slowly escalates as Eva methodically assets control over Meridia and her life.

But Meridia's mother has taught her to be strong, and when Meridia begins to assert herself, Eva finds she has met her match. Astensions escalate and the war between Eva and Meridia worms its way into the next generation, each woman uses all her considerable skills and magic to defeat the other--uncovering long-buried family secrets and almost destroying each other in the process.

My Thoughts

This book has such a different feel that it is hard to describe the sense of familiarity and strangeness you get while reading. Setiawan never really defines the world where Meridia is living--it seems similar to ours yet is filled with magic, witchcraft and strange beings. This is a world where the evil mother-in-law gets her way by sending out a swarm of buzzing bees to fill her victim's head with malicious and destructive thoughts. A world where a husband might turn out to be a demon, and swarms of fireflies can extract vengeance for a wronged party. Yet although conflictsmay be fought with magic and spells and the scent of verbena, the characters are dealing with very human issues--adultery, betrayal, cruelty, frigidity, and competition. I think if Setiawan had chosen to tell his story in a more conventional way, it would feel utterly familiar--a husband seeks solace in a mistress when his wife turns frigid, a new marriage is threatened by competition between wife and mother-in-law, a son who sides with his mother against his father. Yet the book becomes more than a "domestic drama" by the author's choice to set the drama in such a strange and fantastical environment.

In some ways, Of Bees and Mist feels a bit like a fairy tale. Yet, at the same time, the magic aspect is treated as commonplace and ordinary. I suppose that makes it "magical realism"--along the lines of books like Alice Hoffman's Practical Magic or even John Connolly's The Book of Lost Things. If you enjoy these "of our world but not quite" books, Of Bees and Mist would be quite a treat. In the end, I found it to be an involving domestic drama where conflict was settled with bees, mist, fireflies and moments of pure magic.

A MagicalMetaphor!
This book is a bit of a mystery to me. Not in a bad way, but in a very good way. While it is an intriguing story mostly of two women. Meridia who grew up with strange mists and Eva, Meridia's eventual in-law who seems to be able to conjure bees from incessant and nasty speech. However it is mostly Meridia's story we follow. Within her mind we encounter a great many metaphors. This is part of the books magic. Sometimes we, as readers, are unable to tell the real from illusion, magic from metaphor. While in some books this could become quite maddening, actually it becomes more of a lyrical poem. In some ways it was fun for me to see if it was all in Meridia's outlook on life, or if there really was some sort of magic in play. For example, sometimes the other characters would participate within the metaphor and acknowledge it, and other times it seemed as nothing more than an illusion.

This book is also about family, betrayal, forgiveness, making the wrong and right choices, inner-strength, and weakness. Erick Setiawan paints all this with a beautiful flourish. It not only makes it interesting, but emotional as well. I even found Eva interesting. A character that does nothing but manipulate and lie usually does not interest me at all. However, within the prose you find yourself wondering what is going to happen to this character and how many of those characters you have met in your life. In my case, I have known a few. Now, I may silently smile to myself as I see bees fly out of their mouth stinging those around them.

Oh I could go on, but I don't want to spoil anything. I encourage you to try this book. I've given this book 4 stars. Erick writes a story of mostly women very well. Also, examine the book cover if you get a chance. You'll find small objects in within the roses that are within the story. You can examine some of those same pictures at his blog:
[...]

A Deeply Satsifying Domestic Odyssey
I didn't know what this book was about before I read it, which is how I like to read these days - I like being introduced to fiction by folks whose opinions I respect, and start reading without any expectations.Had my friend who recommended the book used the term "magical realism" I might have been put off only because I tend toward non-fiction and am not inclined to suspend a whole lot of disbelief when reading novels, which is why I don't read fantasy and such.That said, this was a gorgeous read and I found that the "magic" combined with the "realism" enhanced the storytelling.I saw the "magic" parts more as deeply original and imaginative metaphors.I recalled the central metaphorical "role" of the "fog" in Eugene O'Neill's "Long Days Journey Into Night," as in many ways the "mist" in this book has a similarly pivotal "role." Categorically I would describe this book as "A magical realism existential fable." There was only one section abouty 3/4 of the way through that tended toward melodrama, as in soap opera-ish.Forgivable though, as the author is so on point in every other way.

Beautiful And Imaginative
This was a wonderful story with magical elements. A young girl is treated coldly by her father and forgettfully by her mother. She loves them but knows something isn't quite right. A myterious mist envelops thier house and keeps it cold. She meets a young man and is thrilled to be loved. Then she has to deal with her mother in law. I loved this story and its fairy tale quality. Don't miss it. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (30)

My kids love this book, great rhymes!
This is a cute picture book that is both entertaining and educational and has the added bonus of being cleverly written. The illustrations are quite good too. All my older kids (ages 13, 10 & 7) laugh when I read this to my four-year-old, who just loves the repetition of "bee-bim bop!" The recipe directions are a bit complicated (written for two, child and adult helper) but very welcome. Who wouldn't want to try bee-bim bop after such an enthusiastic story? Highly recommended whether you are looking for a good picture book involving food & cooking, Korean culture or great rhyming.

Wonderful, Rythmic Chidren's Book
I've been a fan of Linda Sue Park since her very first book.She has not missed with Bee-bim Bop!It's a cute story with the recipe in the back to show readers how they can make Bee-bim bop at home.If you have a love for Korean food and/or have young children, I highly recommend this book.

My kids love this book!
I'm the mom to several kids adopted from Korea.We LOVE this book.It's fun to read, fantastic for the kids to interact with (my kids like to shout the "Bee-Bim Bop!" part when we get there!), and a great way to integrate a bit of Korean culture.I've read it to my kids' classes several times at school for Lunar New Year, and everyone always enjoys it.Just an overall great book!

Cute ~ Fun for all ages
This is a very cute, sing-song book that we love to read at our house.While my 1 year-old won't sit still for the whole thing, my 3 year-old loves it and my 5 year-old thinks it's great... and it's a book that I love to read too!The illustrations are well done and interesting.There is even a recipe in the back of the book.yum!

Kids will giggle and laugh all the way through
I agree, my kids love this book.It is a very fun way to learn about different culture.My now three year old loves this book.I recommend it highly for those who enjoy hearing kids laugh. ... Read more

Product Description
-Ideal for babies and toddlers.

-Textured fabrics and bright colors help to develop children's sensory awareness.

-Rhyming text helps kids improve their listening skills.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (65)

Baby's first book
Bought this for my baby as her first book when she turned 6 months old. She wanted to eat every page and enjoyed crinkling the cover. This is a colorful book featuring a fuzzy bee on the cover and 6 friends: a shiny snail, a shiny dotted ladybug, a cordoury worm, a beetle w/a pair of satin wings, a dragonfly w/mesh wings and a butterfly w/a red wing. Now that my baby is almost 8 months old, she's moved onto board books w/baby faces but she still likes to take this cloth book and thrash it around for the crinkly noise!

Although Its A Good Book It Fell Apart!
My daughter is just now starting to pay attention to the things we read her so I was very excited to get this book; especially after reading all the reviews.With it being a soft cloth I knew she wouldnt hurt herself when she pulled it towards her face, with the cover being filled with 'crinkle' I knew she would be drawn in by the noise, and with the pages having things for her to grab (like wings, etc) I knew it would hold her attention a bit longer.Although all of those expectations showed to be true, it really is a cool book, my problem with this cool book is that it fell apart the first time we read it!As soon as she pulled on the butterfly wings the stitching came undone.I just wish that a book designed for babies to look, hold, touch, grab, pull, etc was simply properly constructed for them to do so!!That is THE ONLY reason we want to return it...

I really debated between stars for this rating.The book would have been 4 or 5 stars but because it fell apart I went with the neutral 3 stars

Wonderful little book
My daughter absolutely loves this book. We read it all of the time and she loves the crinckly noises and different textures. Definitely recommend.

only 6 pages, but still good
the listing says that this is the 8 page version, but it is the 6 page version.other than that, it is a nice big cloth book with different textures and things to pull on.My 6 month old likes the crinkly cover and chewing on the butterfly and dragonfly wings.

6-month old loves it
My six-month old grandson absolutely loves this book - the crinkle of the front cover is why he chooses it over similar books. The textures, colors, shapes are all great - the butterfly wing, beetlebug and dragonfly pages are his favorite because their wings are sewn onto the book and are very chewable. ... Read more

Product Description
The latest edition of the guide book every Bee contestant needs to compete with confidence is here. The National Geographic Bee Official Study Guide will help kids in grades four through eight prepare for the Society’s prestigious annual geography competition. Featuring maps, photos, graphs, and a variety of questions actually used in past Bees, plus an extensive resource section, this guide not only reviews geographic facts but also helps readers recognize themes, identify clues that lead to correct answers, and understand how geographers think. In the Third Edition all statistics have been revised to reflect the most up-to-date figures. New question rounds have been added along with new tips on how to study from previous Bee winners. Resources have been fully reviewed to ensure the most current information about all things geographic.

This completely revised edition of our authoritative study guide will help geography students prepare to compete for college scholarships totaling $50,000 in the annual National Geographic Bee. With informative text and a user-friendly layout, the Study Guide is the ultimate expert resource for sharpening geography skills. This excellent guide, which provides facts and explains the concepts behind geography, is the only source book officially sanctioned by the National Geographic Bee.

Your first question is easy: Do you have the latest edition of this essential geography resource on your shelf? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Study guide
The kids studying for the bee want to borrow this book that I bought for my daughter.

Great Bee Info
If you have a child interested in competing in a geography bee, this is an invaluable source.It is well-organized and child-friendly.

A good place to start studying for the GeoBee - but not the whole kit.
The National Geographic Bee Official Study Guide, 3rd ed. is a tiny book - barely more than a pamphlet.Yet, within its slim 127 pages you'll find a comprehensive description of the Bee process, plenty of study advice, and, most valuable of all, a couple of hundred practice questions.The quality of the information included is excellent; and given the authoritative section on the Bee's rules and procedures - this book is indispensable for anyone planning to take the Bee.

Why not five stars?For one thing, there is almost no geography content here.The Study Guide isn't intended to be where you actually learn your geography.It's the rules for the Bee, a good peek at the form and content of the questions, and some good general advice about preparation and that's it.You'll have to look elsewhere for the actual geography (and the book has some advice where).In practice, you'll study using on-line games, globes and atlases most.However there are books which do a far better job of actually preparing you for the Bee - primarily "The Geography Bee Complete Preparation Handbook: 1,001 Questions & Answers to Help You Win Again and Again" by Matthew T. Rosenberg.That book has much more of what you're looking for - with more study content, more practice questions, and more tactics and advice.That being said, you really shouldn't skip this one if you're serious either - because it's the real deal straight from the horse's mouth.Just don't be surprised when you see how really really little this book actually is. ... Read more

Product Description
What happens to Queen Bees and Wannabes when they grow up?

Even the most well-adjusted moms and dads can experience peer pressure and conflicts with other adults that make them act like they’re back in seventh grade. In Queen Bee Moms & Kingpin Dads, Rosalind Wiseman gives us the tools to handle difficult situations involving teachers and other parents with grace. Reassuring, funny, and unfailingly honest, Wiseman reveals:

• Why PTA meetings and Back-to-School nights tap into parents’ deepest insecurities

• How to recognize the archetypal moms and dads—from Caveman Dad to Hovercraft Mom

• How and when to step in and step out of your child’s conflicts with other children, parents, teachers, or coaches

• How to interpret the code phrases other parents use to avoid (or provoke) confrontation

• Why too many well-meaning dads sit on the sidelines, and how vital it is that they step up to the plate

• What to do and say when the playing field becomes an arena for people to bully and dominate other kids and adults

• How to have respectful yet honest conversations with other parents about sex and drugs when your values are in conflict

• How the way you handle parties, risky behavior, and academic performance affects your child

• How unspoken assumptions about race, religion, and other hot-button subjects sabotage parents’ ability to work together

Queen Bee Moms & Kingpin Dads is filled with the kind of true stories that made Wiseman’s New York Times bestselling book Queen Bees & Wannabes impossible to put down. There are tales of hardworking parents with whom any of us can identify, along with tales of outrageously bad parents—the kind we all have to reckon with. For instance, what do you do when parents donate a large sum of money to a school and their child is promptly transferred into the honors program–while your son with better grades doesn’t make the cut? What about the mother who helps her daughter compose poison-pen e-mails to yours? And what do you say to the parent-coach who screams at your child when the team is losing? Wiseman offers practical advice on avoiding the most common parenting “land mines” and useful scripts to help you navigate difficult but necessary conversations.

Queen Bee Moms & Kingpin Dads is essential reading for parents today. It offers us the tools to become wiser, more relaxed parents–and the inspiration to speak out, act according to our values, show humility, and set the kind of example that will make a real difference in our children’s lives.


Also available as a Random House AudioBook and as an eBook


From the Hardcover edition. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Love. this. book!
This book is a must-read for anyone with kids in public school.If your kids are in elementary school, read it now so you can get a jump start.The author accurately (IMHO) describes the different types of parents you will encounter if you are involved at any level with your child's school, and she gives helpful tips on how to deal with each type.This book also helped me and my husband understand how other parents might view US, and we have used some of her strategies with success.This book is also available on CD -- my husband listened to it while commuting.He and I lead Cub/Girl Scout Dens/Troops, and I am involved with the PTA.We pick up this book every now and then for tips on how to deal effectively with other parents.

You think you are a "perfect parent"?Take a closer look!
My child's teacher suggested I read this book, after dealing with self righteous parents, who injected themselves into my child's life through their kids. Righteous parents are always confident that their kids are perfect and that they themselves are quintessential parent. I'm constantly amazed by parents who think that giving material things will compensate for not spending time with their children, and that staying out of their kids' business is projected as "democratic" parenting. However; this book opened my eyes to the fact that we need to let our kids fight their own battles sometimes. Being overly protective might send the message to our kids that they are not capable or strong enough to handle their problems.

The trick is deciding when to step in and when to back off and this book will teach the trick to every parent who is open minded enough to admit that they are not perfect. The book taught me that I can't protect my child from all heart breaking experiences and that allowing her to go through the pain might help her become stronger as she grows up. Our children will encounter different bullies/situations throughout their lives.Sometimes we need to let them make their decisions and other times it is our duty to confront the adult bullies behind the young bullies in their lives.

One other valuable new thing I learned from this book is that the game of bullying and authority struggles that we face as kids might extend to the parents' world. Dictator parents never grow up and seek to expand their authority through their kids to other parents.It is true that" the apple doesn't fall far from the tree". Our duty as parents is to not follow the dictator parents in our community who think that they can rule the world and bully teachers and other parents. This book is priceless; while other people harshly attack this book, please see for your self.

What grown-up has time for all this drama?
I read the book and picked up some good hints for dealing with unfairness and how to handle it if I should have to deal with a rogue coach or something.I guess we've been lucky.With the exception of the fallout of having to deal with one whacked first grade teacher, I have managed to bring kids to the teen/pre-teen years without getting too wrapped up in the drama of the kid who didn't get invited to the Big Party, or the Kid who Spends Too Much Time of the Sidelines or the Mean PTA Lady Who Makes Me Do Scut Work while all her cronies get the plum assignments.In short, I have a life, as do my kids, and they really aren't the same life.But in all our lives, not being invited to every event, or not being the kid with the most playing time on the court, or even being teased for wearing an eye patch are all small bumps in life's journey, not the measure of our self worth.

Some people never leave 7th grade behind so how do you cope?
I have two elementary-aged girls and bought this book hoping it would help me communicate with other adults in their lives in a productive manner. Mrs. Wiseman injects humor, incorporates real-life stories from parents across the country and provides step by step how-to strategies for dealing with difficult situations. While you might have moved on from 7th grade you will be amazed by the number of folks who have not and these include your children's teachers, coaches, friend's parents, etc. At the very least this book helps you recognize some of the personalities you will encounter.

Some of Us Have Left Seventh Grade Behind
I am the mother of two first grade children and picked up this book rather reflexively a few weeks ago. I was drawn in by the promise that it would reveal the secrets of all of the weird and labyrinthine social interactions that supposedly plague parents of school-aged kids. I figured it must have something to tell me that I don't already know!

Although I've had my share of questioning my own and other parent'sjudgement at various moments throughout my children's school experiences (so far preschool through first grade) -- I find that my live-and-learn attitude, and my sense of confidence and practicality just keep my boat afloat. If I screw up, I learn something from it and try to manage things better next time. If someone else screws up, I might stew over it for a while, but ultimately, I just right myself and move on. I guess I just don't have the time or interest to care much about whether there's a queen bee or a superdad around. I figure we're all just people after all and everyone is working from a different set of strengths and weaknesses. What is the big deal?

I mean are we really all fretting over what to wear on "back to school night," or chewing our nails with anxiety when one mother is on a first name basis with the principal while we are still at the smile and nod in the hallways stage with that person?

After reading about 1/2 the book and flipping through the rest trying to find a chapter worth reading but failing at that task -- I finally gave up and realized that maybe -- just maybe -- I just have gotten over 7th grade after all. I'll bet I'm not alone. ... Read more