My family is fairly unanimous that this is our favorite Frances book (with "A Birthday For Frances" the likely runner up.) Frances both stands up to being excluded and learns not to do the same thing herself; her anger at Albert is realistic and her "revenge" funny but not cruel; and everyone resolves their conflicts in a friendly way. The wording of the exchanges between Frances and Albert is exquisitely well done, I think: Hoban expresses such nuances in language that gets through to even small children. And last but not least, Frances's little songs are always hilarious and this book has some of the best ones of all, which my 2-year-old daughter has learned by heart.

Frances doesn't think she can be friends with her littlesister, but learns her lesson when the two actually become bestfriends.

Sweet story about not excluding one's little brother andsister, the Frances books are just great.

My children, ages 4 and 5, enjoyed hearing the Frances stories. She is very funny and a delightful, precocious character.

Having recently given birth to our third child, I've read a lot of books on this theme and this is, by far, my favorite. Laing's writing just rings true to how preschoolers really act and think, for ex., I love the descriptions of Sophie's friends as her next best-friend, her fourth best friend, etc. And my children had these tee-hee-hee laughs as Sophie's imagination soared, imagining that her mom was growing different animals inside her belly, instead of a human baby. When one of Sophie's friends asked if her mom swallowed a basketball, not only could I relate, having recently been as big as a house, but my children thought it was hilarious. I expect that we'll be reading this for years, long after we're dealing with welcoming a baby. My 3-year-old loved looking at the pictures of Sophie as a dolphin, as a monkey, etc. He asks for me to read the book so much, that my newly-reading 6-year-old read it to him. It was one of two books my children threw into the car for a recent day trip. Great book!

This is an absolutely charming story for young children who are expecting a sibling. The story captures the humor of young children, and is a joy for adults to read, as well. It is clever, creative, funny and very sweet. We should hope for many more from Ms. Laing.

This is one of the best books I have ever seen dealing with the delicate question of why Mommy's tummy is getting bigger and the consequent anxiety on the part of Sophie, the soon-to-be older sister. Its tone is just right. The dialogue is really funny--funny to children--and the illustrations are perfect. I understand that this is Ms. Laing's first book, and I hope we'll have many more from her...I am a teacher accustomed to reading many books for little ones, and this sweet volume really stands out.

This is another one in the American Girls series about Josefina Montoya, a ten-year-old girl living in the New Mexico of 1824 (actually January of 1825). In this book, the Christmas season ends with a successful party. However, just as the new year begins with a high note, Josefina feels the world pulled out from under her when her aunt Dolores announces that she is leaving the rancho and returning to Santa Fe. They are happier with Tia Dolores living with them, and they know that their father is. And so, the sisters begin their scheming...

The final chapter of this wonderful book is a highly informative look at the changes New Mexico experienced as it changed over the years. I must also mention that Jean-Paul Tibbles' lovely illustrations are an excellent addition to the story.

This final book in the Josefina story is every bit as wonderful as the first one, and definitely maintains the American Girls' tradition of excellence. The story is exciting and entertaining, and I especially liked how the author wove Josefina's faith into it, making it appear the natural part of her life that it would have been. My daughter and I loved this book, and we both recommend it to you and your daughter.

Changes for Josefina is one of the better books in the American Girls Collection. In the book, Josefina and her sisters have party for their friends and neighbors. After the party, Tia Dolores announces that she wants to move back with her parents. When Josefina and her sisters find out the real reason that Tia Dolores wants to leave, they find a way to get her to stay.

About a girl named Josefina who lives in 1824. She is Mexican and lives on a ranch with her dad and sisters and aunt. Her mom died two years ago. Her aunt who she calls Tia Dolores is going to leave and Josefina wants her to stay. Will her daring plan work?

The Color Of My Words By Lynn Joseph is a great book for all ages this book is about a Ana Rose who loves to exress her feelings by writing poems. She is has a crush on her brothers friend Angel. Her parents cant afford money to buy her a notebook so she steals her brothers. In this book Ana Rose goes threw lot from finding her real father and her brother dieing i gave this book 5 stars because it really makes you think of life in a diffrent way.
I would read this book over and over again i am hoping for this book to get lots of awards.

After travelling to the Dominican Republic, my mother bought me this book for Christmas. Of course it's for a younger audience, but none the less I enjoyed it thoroughly! It may be surprising to some, but it is quite an accurate depiction of typical Dominican life in some respects. The desire for the simple things, and the longing for some hope for tomorrow affects so many families in the Dominican. Many issues that plague this country, such as marriage and the family-unit, alcohol consumption, gambling, employment, and economics surround this story. But amongst the struggles, you see the love of a family, finding simple beauties that we as Americans tend to forget. You see into this little girl's heart as you experience the sites and sounds of the Dominican that she SO accurately describes! I can feel, taste and see all that I experienced just by reading this book.

When I first looked for books that might be interesting to read. I would have to admit that at first glance I liked the book, because of its colorful cover, but then I went on to read the reviews and thought it a great idea to buy the book. I believe that it has been the best investment I have made in my life. I didn't like it...I LOVED IT. Its the type of book you hate to put down till your done with it, and the type you can relate to...I was born in the United States but am of Dominican origin and can truely say that this book captures what so many Dominicans have lived through the years. There have been heard times in the Domincan Republic but, but also great times. For there is nothing greater then the way Domincian families just stick together and this book gives a perfect example of how close people are in the Dominican Republic as if everyone was family. The way the author indents the spanish words that seem so familiar to me....and the way she uses quotations makes the book so easy to read. Most of all though its the detail the life experiences she explains in the book, the setting, and the loves shown throughout the book that makes it so great. So great that while reading the book it wrapped me up so much into itself. That I ended up crying not of dissapointment but of how good the book was. On how much I could relate to it from my life experience as a Dominincan girl but also as family experiences. When i suggested it to my friend and cousins they too cried of great joy for the book also wrapped them into its pages its words, but most of all into the life it had captured between the pages. I would recommend this book to anyone...For its the best book I have read so far....So if you haven't read it.....GO and READ IT NOW.....DON'T MISS OUT ON THIS GREAT BOOK....FOR IF YOU DO YOU'LL REGRET IT.

This book in the Frances series tells of Frances' trouble with having to share her parents with her new baby sister. In typical Frances style, she makes up songs about what she is doing, and complains loudly about things that she doesn't like. Her decision to run away to under the dining room table was a running joke in our family for months. Now if someone's nose gets bent out of shape we say "are you going to run away to under the dining room table?"

It handles the needs of older siblings and their feelings very nicely and is a great ice breaker to help older kids talk about how a new baby impacts their lives.

Frances's life is in upheaval because of her little sister's arrival. Suddenly she is not the focus of attention and schedules are disrupted, to say the least. So she runs away, to the dining room table!

I love the Frances books, they are sweet and not condescending, a must for any children's library.

A Baby Sister for Frances is a wonderful book for children. Many time when a new child comes into the family another one feels left out. This book portrays the feelings and thoughts of a child in this situation. I think that this book, even on a low level or reading, is a good book for teens. It points out that no matter what your parents say or do they really do love you. I would recomend this book for anyone!

In Karen's Witch she thinks that her neighbor is a witch. She thinks up wierd things that she thinks her neighbor does.She tries to get in her neighbor's house.She gets in trouble for going in her neighbor's house.

Since the beginning of The Baby-sitters Club series, six-year-old Karen Brewer has always been afraid of her next-door neighbor, Mrs. Porter, who she calls Morbidda Destiny. She believes the old woman is an evil witch who flies around on her broom at night and casts spells on everyone. During her weekend stay with her father, Karen vows to expose the witch, even though she's forbidden to spy on the neighbors, especially Morbidda. Of course, Karen doesn't obey rules, which consequently allows her to overhear Morbidda discussing an upcoming witch meeting with her black cat, Midnight. With the help of her best friend (Hannie Papadakis), Karen sets out to sabotage the meeting and save Stoneybrook from a coven of witches.

"Karen's Witch" is the first book in the Baby-sitters Little Sister series, a spin-off of The Baby-sitters Club series. These books are geared more for younger readers (age 7 - 9) and follows one imaginative little girl, Karen Brewer, Kristy Thomas's younger stepsister.

Karen gets carried away sometimes. In this book, Karen thinks that her next door neighbor is a witch. If you read it, you will feel the same way. I would give it five stars.

Steven goes to huge lengths to get Jill Hale(Bimbo of the universe)to love him.And it seems that he is also trying to keep away from Cathy who maybe he is secretly in love with but he doesnt know that yet himself....(phew)

I consider this book as one of the best!It was fun to read about the twins's brilliant plan at how they got Cathy and Steven together. I especially like all the confidence that Jessica has and I dislike the way that Jessica betted Lizzie's camera.My cousin Mubina also can't wait to read this book.

I thought this book was very interesting .I especially liked the part about the food fight just before they kissed.

Ocean Blues

Cheat the Moon is a book about two siblings whose mother died and their dad hasn't been home for 21 days. Gabby is the older of two, who is invited to go on a trip to the ocean with her friend in June. She really wants to go for she has always wanted to see the ocean.
The only problem is her dad hasn't been home for a while , and she can't leave her brother home alone.

I liked this book because it made you think it could be a true story, and when I read it I felt like i was standing next to the characters. It had rich description which made me feel that way. I also like that the book was written in first person. So, I don't only feel I'm standing next to the characters, but there also telling me the story of part of their life.

Cheat the Moon is a book about two siblings who's mother died, and their dad hasn't been home for about twenty-one days. Gabby is the older girl who is invited to go on a trip to the ocean with her friend in June . She really wants to go, for she has always wanted to see the ocean, but her dad hasn't been home, and she can't leave her little brother alone for that long.
I liked this book because it was dealing with real life situations, and when I read it , I felt like I was there standing next to the characters because it had rich description. I also liked that the book was written in first person. So I don't only feel like I'm standing next to the characters, but I also feel like there telling me a story of part of there life.
I do recommend this book if you like a book written in first person. Cheat the moon doesn't have much action but it still is a good book. I gave it five stars because the ending turned out good and not so upsetting.

Gabby is a 12 year old girl that has a 6 year old brother named Will. Their mom passed away and their dad is a drunk. He is hardly ever home. Gabby's friend, Mallie, is going on a vacation to the ocean. Gabby was invited to come along, and Gabby wanted to go. Gabby's dad came back from being gone for 22 days. He promised her he would stay for good, so she could go on the trip. Then one day Clara, a lady that helped them out came over and stayed with them. If you want to find out the ending, read the book.

This is a cute story that my daughter enjoys reading. The illustrations are very nice. For adults, it may seem odd that the the characters are intolerant of the wolf's past (he is now old and harmless) and run him out of town, but this will be lost on kids. It is a humorous story, our 2 year old understands some of the humor, while other parts are geared toward the adult funny bone.

We have several great books of Laura Numeroff's in our library, yet I must say this is THE favorite of our 3 yr old boy, our 8 yr old girl and myself! These sisters are nutty - but darn smart - you will fall in love with them at your first reading. And believe me - you will be pulling this book out again and again to read. The illustrations are darling too. A true gem of a book for all!!

After reading the quirky synopsis of this book I bought it for my daughter and have been reading it to her since her birth 11 months ago. She loves it! The illustrations are colorful and lush, the animals depicted are realistic without being scary. The story is perfect, not too long and kind to sleep-deprived parents (no tongue twisters!). It is cute, whimsical and snappy. This is a book you won't mind reading again and again and again...

The book Children of the longhouse is a great historical fiction book by joseph Bruchac. Even though i'm only eleven years old it is a greatbook for all children, even adults. My mom read the book with me and thought it was a great book too! Well the Children of the Longhouse is about a boy and girl twins, like me. Other Native Americans and the boy love Tekwaarathon (Day-ghaah-la-lot), also known as lacrosse.I gave Children of the longhouse four stars because it was not the best book of all but it was the best book I ever read!

Children of the Longhouse is a thrilling book about a Native American boy named Ohkwa're and his twin sister Otsi:stia. Ohkwa'ri overhears some boys planning to start a battle with the Anen:taks, a neighboring tribe. He told on them and saved his village from a war. Wanting revenge, the boys bully him and soon put his life in danger. You should read this book because it's exciting and I couldn't put it down when I started reading it. Also, I learned about the daily lives of the Mohawks. It was interesting how they played sports, how they used plants to make medicine and how they celebrated holidays. The end was suspenseful and I would recommend this book for kids to read.

The Children of the Longhouse is a great historical fiction book by Joseph Bruchac. The Children of the Long house is about twins. The main two characters are the to twins they are boy girl twins. The boy loves love Tekwaarathon also known as lacrose. Even thuogh I;m only ten years old, my mom and I read children of the Longhouse together. my mom and I loved the book so I gave it 5 stars.