I loved this book. I have never read any of Emily McGully's book but after reading Monk Camp's Out, I will read more. This is a story about Monk growing up. He is determined to go on his first solo camping trip. We see his parents love for him and there is some humor in the story when they look for each other. The story has a happy ending and makes you feel good. Kids should love it.

The musical Dolci family was very, very poor, and when their daughter, Nina, was only a baby, she began to sing with the voice of an angel. Because they had no money for music lessons and wanted their child to fulfill her destiny, they left her at the ospedalo, a special orphanage where foundling girls received the best musical training in Europe. The ospedalo was famous for its choir and in no time, Nina was an accomplished musician, singing the "impossible high notes and endless arpeggios." Though they kept their identity a secret, and pretended to be strangers, the Dolcis visited little Nina in the reception room for admirers every week after each ospedalo concert. She grew very close to them, especially their son, Antonio, and eagerly awaited their visits. Then one evening, the Dolcis didn't arrive. Word came that Antonio was very sick and dying. No one was allowed to ever leave the opsedalo, to do so meant expulsion. But Nina had to see her beloved Antonio and snuck out in the middle of the night to make her way across Venice to the Dolci home. "If only she could sing to him now, wouldn't he hear her love and get well....." Take a slice of eighteenth century history, add a little music, drama, and mystery, and you have Emily Arnold McCully's fascinating and intriguing story, The Orphan Singer. Her compelling and engaging text, complete with happily-ever-after ending is beautifully enhanced by her marvelously evocative and expressive illustrations that capture Venice and the ospedalo in strikingly vivid detail. Perfect for youngsters 4-8, the story includes an author's note to further explain and expand on the history and importance of the ospedalo to the musical life of Venice, and is a masterpiece that definitely shouldn't be missed.

There is art to the economy of words in this book. The author was able to not only keep the story moving along with 2 word sentences, but to tell the story with humor and wit. We borrowed this one from school--it was so hard to give it back we decided to just buy our own!

this book is funny to me you will love this book you will give it five stars because he play games on his sister.

When Josh's stepbrother, Jake comes to visit, Josh isn't feeling happy at all. Josh's best friend won't even come to his house anymore, all because of Jake. Jake plays mean tricks on Josh and steals Josh's lomonade business. Will there be peace or war against the brothers? Find out in this great book!

9-year-old Andrea is a bird lover who wants to fly, so when she sees an ad in the back of her comic book promising working wings, she orders them. She assembles the wings and glues them on her back, and can't get them off. She only tells her brother Jim, her parents are gone and she doesn't trust her Aunt Bets. After drinking some "Areo-Joy Juice, her wings become more powerful and she can actually fly with them. She practices flying for about a week in secret, when she begins to notice some strange things about her body. She calls the man who makes the wings for help, and decides to see him in his office. But things don't turn out quite the way she expects, and she realizes how she has been trapped...
This was a pretty good book. I liked it when I was much younger, though. I think that it is a book for young children, but is still pretty interesting in one afternoon.

This is my favorite book because I love birds and I wish I could fly. Andrea is a lot like me. I think she is a very intelligent and enthusiastic kid. Just like me. Her brother is the only one who knows her secret. I think you should read it if you like birds or flying or if you like fun.The author, Beatrice Gormley, is a very good author and I love her books. I hope this helps you figure out what book to get when you are at the library.

When I first read this book, I was surprised, because it isn't the same sort of fluff that children's, especially girls books usually are. Imagine my surprise when, much later, I read Kafka's Metamorphosis, and found that the comic book that the girl found the advertisment in was the same story! Then, when I began to think about it more, I saw that the whole story is based on Metamorphosis, sort of. Especially towards the end, when the main character begins to find herself becomming more and more bird-like, and is less and less in control. If you have ever read Metamorphosis, read this book to see what I mean. If you have ever read this book, and you are over age 15, try reading Kafka's Metamorphosis and you'll see what I mean. Enjoy.

I say this is a great dog story for two reasons no dogs die in the story. This is always very important to me when I read a dog story. The other thing that makes it good is the adventures Josh and his dog, Manch, have in the story feel real. Anyone who is a dog lover, like me, always knows their dog will be there for them in a time of need and the reverse is true too. Josh is there for his dog and Manch is there for Josh.

Josh is a young man facing many difficult situations in his life. His father has died and his mother has remarried. His stepfather has moved the family to Vermont so Josh has no friends besides his dog,Manch. Both Manch and Josh face the same problem in the story, bullies. Manch had made friends with some other dogs in Vermont so at least he has friends but there is a pack of mean dogs that are threatening Manch and his friends. At the same time Josh is being pursued by a bunch of bullies from school. Luckily the dogs successfully save Josh from the school bullies but when Josh tries to help save Manch and his dog friends from the mean dogs things don't go so well. The good part is that Josh even though he is scared to death tries to help the dogs in the best way he can think of by stealing his stepfather's gun, but when things don't work out he lets go of his pride and asks for help, thank goodness.

THere is one element of the book that is interesting but I am not sure it fits in well. Josh discovers the dogs talk. Any dog owner always wishes their dog could talk so this seems neat at first but the dogs only talk to Josh a few times. It is as if Josh has invaded their private world and they don't really appreciate it. Don't get me wrong though I still think the book was great even though I'm not sure about this part of it.

I liked this book a lot. It keeps your attention going and I like dogs a lot. I would recommend this book to a friend. It's not all about dogs, it's about a boy that moves and he meets this bully and it turns out the bully is not a bully. I would like more action in it but other than that I really like it. I think people that like dogs would love this book.

Arthur Dorros has created a book based on learning the numbers and at the same time some dance steps. Emily Arnold McCully has shared a very vibrant form of art that gives a true picture of the story. This book would be an inviting way for a child to learn how to count and learn about the art of dance in a humorous manner. It apprears that the activities in the book could be immitated in a classroom. The class could make character masks and role play as the book was read. One, Two, Three, read away.

"Here's the band-- they play and play. 1 osprey dances ballet... 2 toucans can two-step. 1 step, 2 steps." What a wonderful and clever counting book! Illustrated with lots of white space left to surround groups of bright watercolored dancing birds. All this with a double fold-out at the end, "The floor is shaking-- Keep it down! We can't stop. Let's dance some more! 1 and 2 and 3 and 4!". The rhythm and beat will surely make this book a favorite for any music loving toddler. You won't tire of reading this one over and over either. My 8 month-old and I thoroughly enjoy this book.

Pip's parents are going on vacation. Dad called and asked Grandma Sal to baby-sit without knowing that Mom had already called Grandma Nan. On the day Pip's parents were leaving, both Grandmas showed up!
Grandma Nan is too strict. Grandma Sal is too laid back. Both of them are driving Pip insane. He doesn't know what to do!
I think that this book is really cute. It seems to remind me of my grandparents. It would drive me crazy, like Pip, if both of them got together. This story is silly and somewhat entertaining. I believe that it is best for a young reader who will easily comprehend. It's a good story.

It was thrilling, gross, exciting, funny, cool! and I liked it. It's about a boy called Billy and he makes a bet that he can eat 15 fried worms over 15 days to win fifty dollars, so he can buy a stylish new minibike.

How to eat Fried Worms,a story by Thomas Rockwell. This book is about four boys named Billy,Tom,Joe,and Alan. Billy is a dare devil. He makes a bet he'll never forget. His bet is to eat 15 worms in 15 days. Will he do it and get 50 dollars or chicken out and pay the price? Read the book to find out. I'll give this book five stars.

This story is about a boy named Billy who made a bet with his friends to eat 15 worms in 15 days for 50 dollars! The amazing thing is that many of the worms he can't put toppings on! I recommend this book because it is funny and simply a great book. (Kim)

I give this book a thumbs up! Billy has to eat 15 worms in 15 days. Alan and Joe trick Billy many ways but he ends up eating the worms anyways, sometimes even raw. I read this book and liked it, I bet you will too. (Melissa)

I strongly give this book 5 stars. Just imagine 15 worms for fifty books. Would you do it? I would! I think Thomas Rockwell did his best work on this story. If you want to know more you will have to read this book. (Joe)