If you appreciate beautifully and creatively illustrated children's books, you will want to seek out this little gem. "Two by Two" tells the classic tale of Noah's Ark in a series of exquisite embroidered panels. It is truly amazing what Betty Youngs can do with needle and thread. The nuances of texture and color give the pictures a depth and interest that exceeds most ordinary illustrations. Youngs died in an accident relatively early in her career, leaving a very small body of work. It's a pity she's not better known, particularly in the U.S. You won't be sorry with this one, if you can find it!

"A Tree Grows In Brooklyn" is a truely captivating book, from the moment I was introduced to the grubby slums and characters of Brooklyn on the first page it cast its spell over me and I could hardly wait to get back to reading it after being torn away.
All the characters are well rounded and the reader is shown them in all their wonderful glory, for better or for worse. The book's focal character is Francie, we are introduced to her aged eleven and follow her on a, sometimes turbulent, journey into adulthood as she gains wisdom and an understanding of the world.
I found this book poignant, witty extremely wise and deeply moving. Betty Smith offers some wonderful insights into the human condition and gives a vivid description of what it was like to be poor and living in the slums of Brooklyn in turn-of-the-century america.
I strongly recommend this book to anyone who wants to look into the heart and soul of an era, I was deeply touched by the sheer brilliance and wisdom in this book.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is a very, very great book. I don't see why anyone wouldn't want to read it. I mean it has everything: romance, fun, adventure, sad stuff, down-to-earth characters, or whatever else you might be looking for. But really, this story one you read and then forget about. It really stays with you and makes you look at life in a different way. I know that I am a different person after reading this book.
Anyway, now that I told you how truly wonderful this book was, here's a summary: This book is mainly about Francie Nolan, an eleven year old girl growing up in the slums of Brooklyn, New York. The book goes all the way up until like she's seventeen and the author does a good job of showing in an indirect way just how hard her life is. Sometimes her family doesn't even have enough to eat, and instead of going to high-school, Francie has to go get a job. Plus she has to deal with many problems in her family.
I loved this book because of Francie's courage and strength and because the author knocked down the typical stereotypes about people living in slums. But what I really should have just said along time ago is you should just read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn instead of this corny review that lasted way too long.

I have read many classic books, but "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" is by far the best work of literature I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. As a sixteen year old young woman from suburban America, many may question how I can possibly relate to the unfortunate life led by Francie Nolan. However, this is the beauty of Betty Smith's masterpiece, for EVERY young woman is capable of relating to many of the scenes found in this timeless classic. These include Francie's sexual assault, the favoritism Francie's mother has for brother Neeley, and the close relationship Fancie has with her father, whose alcoholism ultimately leads to his untimely death.

Despite the hardships Francie is faced with, she perseveres, acquiring a job in order to help her family survive. Although her education must be put on hold for the time being, Francie remains hopeful that the day will come in which she, like her brother, Neeley, will be capable of going off to school.

Not only is the ongoing story of a young girl growing up in Brooklyn simply timeless, but the metaphor of the tree outside Francie's window that has grown through unfortunate circumstances is absolutely perfect. The tree had been cut down and was even the victim of a bonfire, but it continued to grow and blossom. Just like Francie, the tree beat the odds and rose from nothingness to beauty and strength.

Never have I read anything and cried at the end simply because it was over. As you read "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn", you become wrapped up in Francie's life until you feel as though she and you are one in the same. The fact that I have only read this book once astonishes me, and I can guarantee you that I will read it again this summer. The purchase of this book may set you [a few]...dollars, but the experience of reading "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" is absolutely priceless.

I like this book because it is a good mystery and suspenseful. No one I knew had read this book so I wasn't sure if it was a good book. Once I got to the third chapter, I couldn't set it down. The main character is Gwen. Her parents just died in a car accident and her aunt Mary just died. Gwen's brother just married a girl named Liz. Liz doesn't want Gwen to live with them so Gwen goes to a foster home called Mercy Manor. At Mercy Manor she sees a ghost girl. The ghost girl leaves roses in Gwen's bedroom. If you want to find out who the ghost girl is and what connection she has to Mercy Manor you'll have to read the book. Mercy Manor is a 172 pages. It is a 5th grade level book and for ages 8-12. Even though it's reccomended for ages 8 and up.

The book The Ghost of Mercy Manor is a great book. The protagonist is Gwen and the conflict is she keeps seeing ghost and she doesn't understand what they are trying to tell her. It all started when Gwen had to live with a different family because her brother got married and his wife didn't like Gwen, and it never what happened to her parents. So she meets this family and keeps seeing this ghost named Rose who always puts a rose in Gwen's room to tell when she is going to come out. If the book sounds interesting you can read it and see what happens. The last thing is the part I liked. My favorite part was when Gwen first saw the ghost.

The Ghosts of Mercey Manor was a wounderful book. I love to read about ghost stories. They are so exciting I can never put them down. The story was about a girl named Gwen who just moved into a new house with her foster parents. She kept seeing this ghost girl with long golden hair, and she was scared to go to sleep because she thought that it would come out and haunt her. Nobody in her family believed her and everybody thought she was insane, except one night her foster brother Jason saw the ghost girl and then Gwen and Jason convinced their parents that there was a ghost girl. Gwen finally got over being scared, and nobody thought she was insane anymore. The only part that I didn't like about the book was that it ended really quickly.

I really enjoyed this book because of the way the author (Randi Reisfeld) had 'Cher' narrate it-using phrases from the movie("as if, whatever, baldwin, and betty.) All the caracters seemed realistic- like real '90's teens. The only part I did not agree with was when Cher saw a girl in her boyfriend's arms. I believe that, in real life, a girl would have gone up and questioned him being with that girl. Other than that, I believe the book was texted very well. The story was very realilistic

I injoyed this book I don't read alot but I just couldn't stopreading this one. It put the perfect picture in my head of what wasgoing on, I could get a image in my head for every part of the book. Irequst that more young adults should read this book.I give it two thubs up!

In this book i almost cried.I was so touched by it. All of what cher goes through to see Josh and she sees the unexpected.It was very moving,you can feel what shes feeling,you can picture everything.All of the events that happen in the story are really motivating.This is the best clueless book.I simply loved it.

I first read Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle in the forth grade, checking it and the other Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle books out of my school library. I found Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle very fun to read, and really enjoyed the rest of the books as well. I recently purchased it from Amazon for my 9 year old daughter who loves to read. I took the time to re-read the book before I gave it to her, and it is interesting to read it as an adult. I still found it fun, especially the last chapter, the Fighter-Quarrelers Cure, which I had completely forgotten. (I must say, I am tempted to try the cure one of these days) My daughter seems to agree that this is a fun book, as she had two chapters read before breakfast this morning. I am looking forward to ordering the rest of the Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle books, for myself almost as much as for my daughter!

UPDATE~ My daughter finished the book in two days. She loved it and couldn't put it down until she was finished. If you have a child who is a reluctant reader, give Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle a try.

Most people who have read Mrs. Piggle Wiggle will agree that she is one of the dearest characters to grace the pages of any children's book in our time. She is as smart as she is caring, as interesting as she is magical.

To sum up, she helps out the neighbourhood kids by curing them of "bad habits" such as quarreling, not picking up toys, and every not so nice trait which has been attributed to children. I guarantee that kids will love this book, it is funny and well written, but at the same time it teaches a lesson to everyone. Even the grownups. Mrs. Piggle Wiggle is the best!

The only problem with the book is that yes, there is the fact that the women are the ones who stay home and take care of the children etc. etc. But I'm sure if you explain this to your child they'll understand. Honestly when I first read it when I was eight, I didn't even notice. (And I'm still only a teen now if anyone is thinking differently!)

But besides this one problem, which most kids will probably look past since it is not the focus of the book, I guarantee that they will adore it. It is a beautiful little book which I am surprised is not more popular.

Since I was in 3rd grade I read all of of the Mrs.Piggle Wiggle books and I think they are all wonderful for everybody to read. I have little cousins and siblings and I love to read them Mrs.Piggle Wiggle books, and they love them. I think her cures are very funny, cute, and some can be used in real-life if you would like! But all I can say is that I think and most people will agree with me that all Mrs. Piggle Wiggle books are the best!!!

I first read this book a few years ago, when I was in about fourth or fifth grade. Being a tomboy at that age and even a little now, it was great to read a book about a girl who didn't sit around and "play dollies" and put on make-up. It was also neat to read about this feminist young girl, working for equal rights even though she was just a kid.

I like the ideas that this book presents. I reccommend it to any kid to read, boy or girl, any age. I think most kids will understand the point the author is trying to make-- that females deserve the same opportunities as males, and that not all women and girls think the same way-- without being annoyed by obnoxious characters and corny writing. I think it's a funny book, both because of how interesting Barbara's writing is and how dated it is, from the 70's. (hehe..) But it still makes a good point and is fun to read.

Adults might like this book, too. It isn't written in a patronizing way and isn't boring. I've read it at least ten times, and I'm seventeen. Just last night I dug it out of a box of my old books to read again. But I have a tendency to do that a lot, anyway. :)

I have 10 nieces and nephews who all love to read. I remembered this book as being my favorite growing up. I'm ordering it so they can read it too!! As a kid I identified with the book because I was so into sports. I'm going to read it again when it comes in! Hope you enjoy it too.

After reading "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn", which was like a little slice of life and "Maggie-Now", which wasn't as good but charming none the less, I read this. It was written in the typical Betty Smith style, but didn't really hold my interest like the other two did. Annie was an okay character, but Carl really got on my nerves. Was it supposed to be "romantic" that Annie still loved him even though he was a jerk? While "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn"'s story took place over many years, "Joy in the Morning" only takes place over one and a half years. This means just boring details about what they ate and what they did all the time. Since the two main characters start out married, there is hardly any romance in the story. Instead of acting like newlyweds, they act like old people that have been married for 50 years. While "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" really came to life and made it seem like you were there, I had a hard time imagining the little village of Lopin that Annie and Carl live by. Over all, this is an okay, almost soap-opera about a couple that has little chemistry and live a pretty boring life.

I couldn't believe that I didn't pick this book up immediately when I was sick with the flu ~~ this is one book you cannot just put down and go do something else. You have to devote a day to enjoy the rich characterizations that Betty Smith created with this book! It is incredibly romantic and upbeat!!

Just like Frannie in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, you'll fall in love with Annie. Annie moves west to Chicago from Brooklyn to marry Carl, her sweetheart. And the story is about her first year with Carl, getting pregnant and making new friends in a strange town and making do with little money. And throughout this whole book, Annie faces every challenge with an upbeat and cheerful spirit. And she will steal your heart too!!

I am almost afraid to watch the movie because the book itself is absolutely wonderful!! It's incredibly romantic and wonderful. Please don't hesitate to buy it ~~ it's a good buy and one that will warm your heart forever!!...

Like her modern classic, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Betty Smith's Joy in the Morning envelopes the contemporary reader in every part of her heroine's world and creates a safe haven from virtual-pets and liposuction.

Smith's characters are real. They are so warm and real you can hear their voices when they speak. You ache for them to achieve their dreams. You feel both their joy and pain and welcome both as a reminder of your kinship with humankind (and I'm only being slightly dramatic). Their story gives you warm fuzzies in places you didn't know you could get warm fuzzies-- amazingly without being trite.

In Annie, Smith creates a simple character whose simple story is somehow made rivetting by the presentation of both her quiet dignity and unquenchable spirit. Unlike more recent authors who also present rather straightforward plots, such as Anne Tyler, Smith does not rely on eccentric oddballs or bizarre circumstances to keep the reader engrossed and keep the story moving. There is not a more perfect and real love story than this narrative of Annie and Carl's first years of marriage.

A great gift for a literary-minded bride-to-be or any romantic realist...

This novel is set during World War II. Brother and sister Simeon and Ruth are living in China with their missionary parents. The year is 1942, and the Japanese are bombing parts of China. Ruth (who is telling the story) ande Simeon (her younger brother) are sent to an emergency school, as their normal school has been closed and the students and teachers have been put into concentration camps by the Japanese. As bomings increase, the children are sent to India. The story touches on poverty and racism. The sequel is Leaving point. I enjoyed both!

I initially decided to read this book because I had heard mention of its historical importance in the field of young adult work. Imagine how pleasantly surprised I was to find that Margaret Edwards was a dynamic, funny writer whose issues in the sixties regarding the state of young adult services has numerous parallels in today's world of teen services! While the text is certainly dated in terms of language and the books discussed, the refreshing attitude of Edwards can still be seen in many public libraries all over the country. This is a great read, intrinsically and historically, and I think many librarians will say, "How little has changed!" Let's hope we all work to further the work that Edwards began.

This book was wonderful for perfecting improv comedy. Any young actor learning or any intermedaite actor improving will want this book. I brought it to a class of mine for Drama and it is applicable, fun, and helps so much.