Literature & Fiction Books - Page 6

Brave New World

Aldous Huxley

List Price: $7.00 By: HarperPerennial Amazon Marketplace: 114 new & used starting at $0.01

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Literature & Fiction -> Contemporary
Subjects -> Literature & Fiction -> General -> Classics
Subjects -> Teens -> Literature & Fiction -> Classics

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 729 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Open the book and open your eyes (please comment) 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Brave New World takes place in a utopian London around the year 2540, which started with a good idea, but went way wrong. Humans are produced in large numbers in a high-tech factory without the filth of viviparous reproduction. The babies produced are organized into five castes and are conditioned specifically to do their part in maintaining their society. As the reader progresses farther into the story, they find out what is sacrificed for the stability of the utopian world they occupy, when the reader explores this world through the mind of a man named John, who has not been conditioned to accept this world that suppresses the emotions we value so much today. John comes from a "savage" reservation in New Mexico; where the humans remain that practice our modern day culture. With advances in science allover the world making our lifestyle obsolete, the "savage" lifestyle is repulsive in the eyes of the rest of the brave new world. See how our blind ignorance can lead to catastrophe.

Although an attempt to sum up the novel in only a small amount of words would be in vain, I can offer that this book is a must read for anyone who is capable of thinking beyond ideas provided by way of the text.

This was SUCH a great book. The story Brave New World entertained me more than any other book I have ever read before. It not only was an incredible plot, with amazing creativity, and imagination, but also has shocking conversation that challenge values accepted in our society today, and challenges the minds of all intellectuals willing to relate to the characters, and attempt to draw parallels between Huxley's story, and the story our culture continues to write, as we advance to where Huxley's world began.

To me, a book is worth no more than the thoughts it provokes once I have set it down. By this standard, I am still not done calculating its genius, because I have not yet finished thinking, or talking about themes from the book.

Editorial Review:

A mighty novel of soulless, streamlined Eden, a shocking look at a frightening tomorrow.

Doomwyte: A Novel of Redwall

Brian Jacques

Amazon Price: $16.31 List Price: $23.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Philomel Amazon Marketplace: 46 new & used starting at $14.14

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Animals -> Fiction
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Animals -> General AAS
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Authors & Illustrators, A-Z -> ( J ) -> Jacques, Brian

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 5 people found this review helpful.

Doomwyte is one of the best Redwall novels yet! It's a novel that anybody could love! It was filled with puzzles and action!

Editorial Review:

On a moonless night, two rats follow hypnotic lights into the forest, never to be seen again. Such is the power of the Doomwytes, sinister ravens led by the deadly Korvus Skurr. And when the young mouse Bisky persuades the creatures of Redwall Abbey to go in search of a fabled treasure, hidden long ago by one of the abbey’s most notorious thieves, they do not suspect Skurr and his ravens will be vying for that very treasure.

Bisky and his fellow Redwallers must summon all their courage to face the evil horde of slithering snakes and vicious ravens. From underground tunnels to the tops of trees, the fearless Redwallers, with the help of their woodland friends, battle some of their most vicious enemies yet in an exhilarating, terrifying treasure hunt.

Number the Stars

Lois Lowry

Amazon Price: $6.99 List Price: $6.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Laurel Leaf Amazon Marketplace: 83 new & used starting at $1.60

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Ages 9-12 -> General
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Ages 9-12 -> General AAS
Subjects -> Children's Books -> History & Historical Fiction -> Fiction -> Holocaust

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 708 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

The Run Away 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Struggling through the ravages of World War II, Annemarie, her family, and her best friend Ellen wait in hiding until the Nazis retreat and let Denmark free once more. This wonderful story "Number the Stars" by Lois Lowry, is about friendship, tragedy, and, love. It also integrates a lot of useful life lessons, such as: being brave and deciding what to do wisely.
This story really captured my attention because it made me inquire as I read along. It also gave me a perfect image of what Denmark was like during the Nazi invasion.
I recommend this story to children in the fourth grade or higher because it has strong vocabulary words that are worth learning.


By Teddy (soon to be in grade 5)

Editorial Review:

Ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen and her best friend Ellen Rosen often think of life before the war. It's now 1943 and their life in Copenhagen is filled with school, food shortages, and the Nazi soldiers marching through town. When the Jews of Denmark are "relocated," Ellen moves in with the Johansens and pretends to be one of the family. Soon Annemarie is asked to go on a dangerous mission to save Ellen's life.

The Lorax (Classic Seuss)

Dr. Seuss, Theodor Seuss Geisel

Amazon Price: $10.17 List Price: $14.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Random House Books for Young Readers Amazon Marketplace: 88 new & used starting at $3.88

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Ages 4-8 -> Picture Books
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Ages 4-8 -> Staff Favorites
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Ages 4-8 -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 130 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Hypocritical 1 out of 5 stars.
1 of 16 people found this review helpful.

Dr. Seuss, turned holier-than-thou by his elevated status in society, decides to preach to us about the evils of industrialization. Does he realize that the many millions of copies of "The Lorax" were all made in factories, using paper that came from trees?

Imagine 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Is it a coincidence that Thneed rhymes with Deadly Sin #3? Growth for the sake of growth is where we are today. This too shall pass, UNLESS....

The Dr.'s Inspiring Masterpiece 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review by Sherry North, Author, Because You Are My Baby

While most Dr. Suess stories are pure fun without any heavy message, The Lorax delivers an extremely blunt lesson on ecology. What's amazing is that Dr. Suess does this with a narrative that is engaging, entertaining and ultimately inspiring. You might think a book with such a heavy message could be a turn-off to young children, but I have found the opposite. My preschoolers find this story absorbing. I think they understand there is something truly important at stake, so the book means more to them than other Dr. Suess titles.

Editorial Review:

"UNLESS someone like you...cares a whole awful lot...nothing is going to get better...It's not."

Long before saving the earth became a global concern, Dr. Seuss, speaking through his character the Lorax, warned against mindless progress and the danger it posed to the earth's natural beauty.

"The big, colorful pictures and the fun images, word plays and rhymes make this an amusing exposition of the ecology crisis."—School Library Journal. Illus. in full color.

Sheep in a Jeep

Nancy E. Shaw

Amazon Price: $5.95 List Price: $5.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Houghton Mifflin - Model: HO-395470307 Amazon Marketplace: 92 new & used starting at $0.01

Buy at Amazon.com

Features:

• CHILDRENS BOOKS & MUSIC
• Early Childhood
• Books

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Ages 4-8 -> General
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Ages 4-8 -> General AAS
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Animals -> Farm Animals -> Fiction

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 79 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Really cute series 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This series is full of easy rhymes. It makes a great early reader, as well as a great read-aloud for a younger preschooler or toddler.

The sheep, in their jeep, have a run of rhyming problems, until they finally realize they're better off without it. Great fun, funny and cute.

Cute book for kids, especially if you own a Jeep! 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

We got this book as a gift when my son was 2 years old. It's gone through two more kids and they all love it! We take it with us when we go for Jeep rides, too! We have "Sheep out to eat" and they don't like that as much as the Jeep one. It's a great book to have, especially if you own a Jeep!

Short and Sweet 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Sheep in a Jeep tells the a rip-roaring story of a bunch of sheep who get into a lot of trouble with a jeep. These rhymes and more abound in Sheep in a Jeep.

The cute sing-song words to this book make it perfect for toddlers. It's short and sweet, so it can keep their attention. There are plenty of animals to capture the interests of little ones. And finally...it's short..did I mention that?

This is one of my little girl's favorite book and I don't mind reading it over and over again.

Editorial Review:

A flock of hapless sheep drive through the country in this rhyming picture book.

Things Fall Apart (Modern Critical Interpretations Series)

Chinua Achebe

Amazon Price: $19.42 List Price: $26.60 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Chelsea House Publications Amazon Marketplace: 18 new & used starting at $6.83

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Literature -> Literary Criticism & Collections
Subjects -> Literature & Fiction -> Authors, A-Z -> ( A ) -> Achebe, Chinua
Subjects -> Literature & Fiction -> World Literature -> British -> 20th Century

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 533 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

What makes fiction important 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

I know this is the classic debate of all time when it comes to literature: Is it about beautifully written prose (THE STORY OF EDGAR SAWTELLE, incidentally, is a good example of this problem) or does it tell a compelling story? (yet the prose itself is not its strong point).

It seems that many works of fiction these days are of the former and unfortunately, not enough of the latter. I recently re-read this book along with another classic, JOHNNY GOT HIS GUN, after a discussion I had with a friend about this very subject. As a middle-aged person, I often look back at the books that made a difference in my life and much of the time, it's not about the author's writing style. Achebe's is a plain, straightforward style, but it's what he is conveying that is so striking about this story. (I am a bit miffed at the "English" teachers and the like who are downing this book!) Bottom line: I was left with a lasting impression that stayed with me. I can't say that many books do this today.

All I can say is pick up this read and decide for yourselves. Bottom line, this story is just as relevant today as it was so many years ago when it first appeared. These issues are universal and the world today is replete with similar conflicts. It's unfortunate to have to go back in time to find classic works of fiction, but sometimes there are exceptions. Check out--SIM0N LAZARUS, a word of mouth wonder more should know about.

Editorial Review:

- Presents the most important 20th-century criticism on major works from "The Odyssey through modern literature- The critical essays reflect a variety of schools of criticism- Contains critical biographies, notes on the contributing critics, a chronology of the author's life, and an index- Introductory essay by Harold Bloom

Things Fall Apart

Chinua Achebe

Amazon Price: $16.42 List Price: $19.85 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Holt Rinehart & Winston Amazon Marketplace: 23 new & used starting at $1.67

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Literature -> Classics by Age -> General
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Literature -> Classics by Age -> General AAS
Subjects -> Literature & Fiction -> Authors, A-Z -> ( A ) -> Achebe, Chinua

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 533 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

What makes fiction important 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

I know this is the classic debate of all time when it comes to literature: Is it about beautifully written prose (THE STORY OF EDGAR SAWTELLE, incidentally, is a good example of this problem) or does it tell a compelling story? (yet the prose itself is not its strong point).

It seems that many works of fiction these days are of the former and unfortunately, not enough of the latter. I recently re-read this book along with another classic, JOHNNY GOT HIS GUN, after a discussion I had with a friend about this very subject. As a middle-aged person, I often look back at the books that made a difference in my life and much of the time, it's not about the author's writing style. Achebe's is a plain, straightforward style, but it's what he is conveying that is so striking about this story. (I am a bit miffed at the "English" teachers and the like who are downing this book!) Bottom line: I was left with a lasting impression that stayed with me. I can't say that many books do this today.

All I can say is pick up this read and decide for yourselves. Bottom line, this story is just as relevant today as it was so many years ago when it first appeared. These issues are universal and the world today is replete with similar conflicts. It's unfortunate to have to go back in time to find classic works of fiction, but sometimes there are exceptions. Check out--SIM0N LAZARUS, a word of mouth wonder more should know about.

Editorial Review:

Okonowo is the greatest warrior alive. His fame has spread like a bushfire in West Africa and he is one of the most powerful men of his clan. But he also has a fiery temper. Determined not to be like his father, he refuses to show weakness to anyone - even if the only way he can master his feelings is with his fists. When outsiders threaten the traditions of his clan, Okonowo takes violent action. Will the great man's dangerous pride eventually destroy him?

Things Fall Apart: Intermediate Level (Heinemann Guided Readers)

Chinua Achebe, John Davey

List Price: $4.42 By: Delta Systems Amazon Marketplace: 6 new & used starting at $19.84

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Children's Books -> General AAS
Subjects -> Literature & Fiction -> Authors, A-Z -> ( A ) -> Achebe, Chinua
Subjects -> Nonfiction -> Education -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 533 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

What makes fiction important 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

I know this is the classic debate of all time when it comes to literature: Is it about beautifully written prose (THE STORY OF EDGAR SAWTELLE, incidentally, is a good example of this problem) or does it tell a compelling story? (yet the prose itself is not its strong point).

It seems that many works of fiction these days are of the former and unfortunately, not enough of the latter. I recently re-read this book along with another classic, JOHNNY GOT HIS GUN, after a discussion I had with a friend about this very subject. As a middle-aged person, I often look back at the books that made a difference in my life and much of the time, it's not about the author's writing style. Achebe's is a plain, straightforward style, but it's what he is conveying that is so striking about this story. (I am a bit miffed at the "English" teachers and the like who are downing this book!) Bottom line: I was left with a lasting impression that stayed with me. I can't say that many books do this today.

All I can say is pick up this read and decide for yourselves. Bottom line, this story is just as relevant today as it was so many years ago when it first appeared. These issues are universal and the world today is replete with similar conflicts. It's unfortunate to have to go back in time to find classic works of fiction, but sometimes there are exceptions. Check out--SIM0N LAZARUS, a word of mouth wonder more should know about.

Editorial Review:

Okonowo is the greatest warrior alive. His fame has spread like a bushfire in West Africa and he is one of the most powerful men of his clan. But he also has a fiery temper. Determined not to be like his father, he refuses to show weakness to anyone - even if the only way he can master his feelings is with his fists. When outsiders threaten the traditions of his clan, Okonowo takes violent action. Will the great man's dangerous pride eventually destroy him?

Hatchet

Gary Paulsen

List Price: $2.99 By: Aladdin Amazon Marketplace: 20 new & used starting at $0.01

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Issues -> Divorce
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Literature -> Action & Adventure
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Literature -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1163 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

One of the best I've ever read! 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Of course, like many of the reviewers, I had to read this for school. And it has turned out to be one of my most favorite books of all times! I LOVE this book!

If you do not like wilderness, don't read it

If you do not like very vivid detail and description, don't read it

If you do not like to believe that a child at the age of 13-14 could survive on their own, don't read it.......

I've read almost all of the 1 star reviews and a lot sound like they came from really immature people, or people who don't like really good descriptions of things (ie the repitition in the book)

I for one really appreciated the detail that Gary put into the book. It really makes the story come to life. I went on to read the sequels, and while not QUITE as good, they are still good. I would recommend this to any child that has a very vivid imagination

Editorial Review:

Haunted by his parents' divorce, Brian Robeson, sole survivor of a plane crash, must draw on his untested skills to survive in the wilderness.

For Whom the Bell Tolls

Ernest Hemingway

Amazon Price: $25.70 List Price: $25.70 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Topeka Bindery Amazon Marketplace: 4 new & used starting at $13.92

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Literature & Fiction -> Authors, A-Z -> ( H ) -> Hemingway, Ernest -> General
Subjects -> Literature & Fiction -> Authors, A-Z -> ( H ) -> Hemingway, Ernest -> General AAS
Subjects -> Literature & Fiction -> Classics -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 269 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Stylistically superb but lacking in action and thin on the background of the Spanish Civil War 3 out of 5 stars.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I began reading For Whom The Bell Tolls directly after finishing a particularly bad modern novel. At first, For Whom... was a breath of fresh air: no long, run-on sentences; no excessive adverbs in the dialog tags; not a whole lot of meaningless adjectives, etc. The dialog was crisp and terse and enjoyable, and the setting was captivating.

But then... nothing happens. For a really long time. And all of the flashbacks via thought and story start to get confusing. At times, I wasn't sure if the story was in the present or past; in the thoughts of the protagonist or the speech of another character. And speaking of characters, four of them are strong and compelling: Robert Jordan (the protagonist), Maria (his love interest), Pilar (a tough old woman), and Pablo (a once-great but now tarnished soldier). A fifth character of note is the Gypsy, but the other characters in this ensemble cast are largely indistinguishable from one another.

One more criticism: I was really hoping to get a better understanding of the Spanish Civil War and its politics. Maybe I did. But Robert Jordan and his cadre are not hardline Communists nor anarchists (they have special contempt for the latter) but "republicans" in their fight against the Fascists. Not a lot of background is given as to the roots of this conflict or the underlying motivations of each camp.

Overall, I feel I have been enriched by reading this book, and I like Hemingway's writing style (this is my first Hemingway since reading The Old Man and the Sea in 9th grade), but all in all, I understand why this has been called one of the "10 Books Not to Read in your Lifetime." Also: Did I have an edited version? What was with all of this "I 'obscenity' in your milk," etc.?

Editorial Review:

High in the pine forests of the Spanish Sierra, a guerrilla band prepares to blow up a vital bridge. Robert Jordan, a young American volunteer, has been sent to handle the dynamiting. There, in the mountains, he finds the dangers and the intense comradeship of war. And there he discovers Maria, a young woman who has escaped from Franco's rebels...