This book is about a boy named Jousha who loses his father and has to quit school and work. While he was looking for a job he ran into a boy named Charleston Charlie who works for the BOSTON TRAVELER. Charlie asked Josh to join and it was very competitive since they met.

Joshua's Song is an awesome combination of beautiful writing, fascinating historical information, and a suspensful story that will keep the reader turning the pages right up until the breath-taking ending. The characters are all well-drawn and believable, the plot is exciting, and the historical accuracy is impeccable. Youngsters will love this book, and even adults will find themselves caught up in Joshua's life.

I just finished reading Joshua's Song and loved it. It is touching and beautiful. It shows vividly a time in history when things were bad - the influenza epidemic, poverty, etc. What I liked most about the story is the fact that Joshua overcomes his hardships and there's a hopeful ending. I think kids today who are suddenly thrown into dangerous times since 9/11, need to know that dangerous times have occurred in the past, and kids, like Joshua and Charlie, have survived and come out winners. I like stories with endings of hope. Even though people die in this story, there's a sense of hopefulness at the end. I'm tired of horrific "realistic" endings. I like to feel good when I finish a book, and I definitely felt good after reading JOSHUA'S SONG.

A sweet, gentle story of Eskimo boy and lovable polar bear. Unusually written in parallel construction, with just a touch of a similarity to "Blueberries for Sal." Educational, too, as it shows the seasons and chilling shadows of the Arctic. My whole family loved it! This is great book to read to your children on a snowy day in front of the fire, or on a hot summer day when it's nice to remember the cold chill of the Arctic.

Because I've read rave reviews of Star in the Storm, (and some of the "disappointing" reviews here on Amazon) I read the story with a a critical eye. I found myself drawn into a beautifully crafted story with one main character which made the book easy-to-read and focused for the age level. The historical aspects and descriptions of Newfoundland are fascinating and undoubtedly accurate. The dog is a lovable and loyal companion. My students are totally engrossed in the book and I can see why it has nominated and won so many awards, including many states' "Readers' Choice." (Here in Michigan 4th and 5th graders have chosen STAR IN THE STORM as their favorite book -- hands down!) This book is exciting with cliffhangers ending each chapter which encourages young readers to keep on reading! More importantly it shows a child making a self-sacrificing descision. Children will grow and identify with this unselfish girl and they will cheer as she makes the right choices. I'm reading Ms. Harlow's JOSHUA'S SONG now and while it is different from STAR IN THE STORM, it is another well-crafted story with an intruging protagonist who must make hard choices, too. Writing is an art, and these books are works of art in every sense.

The book I reviewed is Star in the Storm.The auther is Joan HiattHarlow. This book is realistic fiction and is based on a true story. This book does not have that many pages. It has 150 pages.
This book takes placein Bonnie Bay, Newfoundland. It all started when a law was passed that only sheep dogs were allowed. A girl named Maggie had a dog that was not a sheep dog. Maggie tried to hide her dog. Then a ship gets stuck out at sea, Maggie knows her dog can safe them but will Maggie let him?

I personally liked this book because it was about dogs and I love dog books. This book also really cought my attention. In this book something is always happening. I recommend this book to a middle school reader and to someone who really likes dog a lot. This book will keep a reader engrossed from start to finsh. Read this amazing book Star in the Storm!

This amazing story takes place on an island of little mercy. A young girl named Maggie Wells is faced with the the challange of living here evreyday. Life is made much easier though by her wonderful Newf dog Sirius. The dog helps keep the family warm in the winter by pulling heavy logs across the frozen ground for the fire and he helps Maggie's father catch fish in the summer. Maggie knows Sirius is her best friend so when a law is passed to get rid of non-shepearding dogs like Sirius Maggie is determend to keep him hidden and safe. But when a ship crashes into the icebergs of Newfoundlan with 100 passengers a board the circumstances change. The rescue crews can't get to the boat because of the huge waves. Maggie knows that only Sirius can make the long swim out to the boat to get a saftey rope to them. But would bringing her dog out of hidding mean the death of him.
This was one of the best books I've read in my life I could not put it down. As a result I was up all night. The book was just awesome