Holes

Product Details

• ISBN13: 9780374332662
• Ready: New
• Notes: BUY WITH Conviction, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and advice to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

Description

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"If you take a bad boy and make him dig a hole every day in the hot sun, it will turn him into a good boy." Such is the reigning philosophy at Camp Green Lake, a juvenile detention facility where there is no lake, and there are no happy campers. In place of what used to be "the largest lake in Texas" is now a dry, flat, sunburned wasteland, pocked with countless identical holes dug by boys improving their character. Stanley Yelnats, of palindromic name and ill-fated pedigree, has landed at Camp Green Lake because it seemed a better option than jail. No matter that his conviction was all a case of mistaken identity, the Yelnats family has become accustomed to a long history of bad luck, thanks to their "no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather!" Despite his innocence, Stanley is quickly enmeshed in the Camp Green Lake routine: rising before dawn to dig a hole five feet deep and five feet in diameter; learning how to get along with the Lord of the Flies-styled pack of boys in Group D; and fearing the warden, who paints her fingernails with rattlesnake venom. But when Stanley realizes that the boys may not just be digging to build character--that in fact the warden is seeking something specific--the plot gets as thick as the irony.

It's a strange story, but strangely compelling and lovely too. Louis Sachar uses poker-faced understatement to create a bizarre but believable landscape--a place where Major Major Major Major of Catch-22 would feel right at home. But while there is humor and absurdity here, there is also a deep understanding of friendship and a searing compassion for society's underdogs. As Stanley unknowingly begins to fulfill his destiny--the dual plots coming together to reveal that fate has big plans in store--we can't help but cheer for the good guys, and all the Yelnats everywhere. (Ages 10 and older) --Brangien Davis

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Customer Reviews

Unforgetable book - good for book reports
The book Holes by Louis Sachar is a book of mystery and adventure. This book takes place in modern day Texas where there is a camp called Camp green lake for troubled boys like Stanley Yelnats and Hector Zeroni, nicknamed Zero. Camp green Lake is a camp in the middle of a desert that used to be a giant lake, but the lake dried up, and the boys spend every day digging holes 5 feet deep, and 5 feet wide. One day Zero decides that he has had enough, and he runs away into the desert and it is up to Stanley to find zero and help him survive. The theme of Holes is karma and justice. Karma, or "what goes around comes around" is an important theme since every plot and subplot comes full circle. Justice is also an important theme, since each character gets what they deserve. I would recommend Holes to kids between the ages ten and thirteen since it is a great book. I think it is too long for younger children.

2010-06-15 | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 4

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I love this book
I cannot believe how much I love this book! I am a teacher and I was working with students in the 4th grade who were reading this book in class. I missed so many chapters that I went out and bought the book for myself. Then I watched the movie. The book is SOOOO much better but the movie is good. I have always liked onions but now, every time I eat onions, I know I am protecting myself from the yellow spotted lizards! Now I am reading this book with two fifth grade boys and we are all loving it and having such interesting discussions. This is a completely wonderful, fantastic, should be required reading, book.

2010-06-08 (Yonkers, NY United States) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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filled with entwined storylines, witty dialogue, intrigue, and even some near death experiences
Stanley Yelnats IV is not a bad kid. He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time which happened to lead to him getting arrested. In fact, all of the Stanley Yelnats right back to the first had a knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time and just being all around unlucky. Each Stanley Yelnats knows exactly where that unfortunate knack comes from. It comes directly from Stanley's no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing great-great-grandfather.

But most people don't believe too much in curses that stem from stolen pigs. They also don't believe Stanley when he proclaims his innocence. Arrested and found guilty, Stanley is given a choice: go to jail or go to Camp Green Lake. Stanley had never been to camp before.

But Camp Green Lake isn't like a regular camp. This isn't a girl scout camp. Camp Green Lake is a camp for bad boys. There used to be a lake and a town by the camp, but they disappeared long ago. Now there are only yellow-spotted lizards and heat. And holes.

The theory is that if you take a bad boy and make him dig a hole every day in the hot sun, it will turn him into a good boy. So Stanley and the other campers dig.

But the more Stanley digs, the more he starts to wonder. What are the holes for? What could be buried by the non-existent lake? What starts as a search for answers might lead to a journey that will break the Yelnats curse once and for all in Holes (1998) by Louis Sachar.

Holes was the 1998 Newbery medal winner for its "distinguished contribution to American literature for children." It is also, it must be said, strikingly similar in style and theme to Maniac Magee, the 1991 Newbery winner.

Sachar takes what could potentially be a bleak, mirthless story and instead delivers a darkly funny, intensely exciting story. It may seem that a story about boys digging holes would have little in the way of action. Far from it, Holes is filled with entwined storylines, witty dialogue, intrigue, and even some near death experiences and commentary on discrimination.

If you enjoy Holes (as I'm sure you will), be sure to check out the movie adaptation (Spinelli had a hand in the screenplay and Shia Labeouf played Stanley) and the sequel Small Steps (featuring Armpit and Xray).

Possible Pairings: Incarceron by Catherine Fisher, The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, The View From Saturday by E. L. Konigsburg, Count Karlstein by Phillip Pullman, The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick, Small Steps by Louis Sachar, Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli, Holes (movie version)

2010-03-29 (NYC) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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Very Touching Book
I always thought of Louis Sachar as a comedic writer with a funny take on things. However when I read "Holes" I became deeply impressed with Sachar as a serious writer. The story of Stanley Yelnats and his family (with all the bad luck) has mythological components to it and in the end everything comes together perfectly. The book is like a puzzle with the pieces all strewn out. Piece by piece the puzzle comes together until it all fits and everything makes sense. This book is Sachar's finest work and it made me look at his writing with renewed respect. A beautiful read.

2010-03-22 (Paradise Lost) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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Beware of lynch mob killing and torture of lady outlaw.
Wow. Just finished reading this engrossing fairy tale. I was totally unprepared for the lynch mob killing of sweet Sam for kissing a white girl, and the gruesome death of Kate Barlow who was tortured "until her feet were black and blistered" and whenever she stopped walking, she was whacked with a shovel. Although I enjoyed the characters, their development, and the creative intertwining story lines, the dark undertones of child enslavement and malicious adult oppressors (who don't mind children dying) are very disturbing. I can't believe I almost read this to my 3rd grader! Definitely not recommended for young children. A high schooler or adult would better appreciate the dark humor of this story.

2010-03-07 | unicdreams (Reno, NV United States) | Helpful Votes: 2 | Rating: 3

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The Cardturner

Product Details

• Form: New
• ISBN13: 9780385736626
• Notes: BUY WITH Courage, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and navy to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

Description

From Louis Sachar, New York Times bestselling author and winner of the Newbery Medal for HOLES, comes the young adult novel THE CARDTURNER, an exploration of the human condition.
 
How are we supposed to be partners? He can’t see the cards and I don’t know the rules!
 
The summer after junior year of high school looks bleak for Alton Richards. His girlfriend has dumped him to hook up with his best friend. He has no money and no job. His parents insist that he drive his great-uncle Lester to his bridge club four times a week and be his cardturner—whatever that means. Alton’s uncle is old, blind, very sick, and very rich.
 
But Alton’s parents aren’t the only ones trying to worm their way into Lester Trapp’s good graces. They’re in competition with his longtime housekeeper, his alluring young nurse, and the crazy Castaneda family, who seem to have a mysterious influence over him.
 
Alton soon finds himself intrigued by his uncle, by the game of bridge, and especially by the pretty and shy Toni Castaneda. As the summer goes on, he struggles to figure out what it all means, and ultimately to figure out the meaning of his own life.
 
Through Alton’s wry observations, Louis Sachar explores the disparity between what you know and what you think you know. With his incomparable flair and inventiveness, he examines the elusive differences between perception and reality—and inspires readers to think and think again.

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Customer Reviews

A commercial for bridge?
Well, I didn't expect to like this book and frankly if it had been written by anyone other than Sachar I can't believe it would have gotten published. A book about bridge for teenagers? My 15-year old daughter couldn't believe any teenager would find it interesting. Sachar's a bridge nut himself, and I think he was hoping to make some converts from this story. I expected to be bored to tears, but I should have known better. However, I would have liked the story much better with the long bridge parts taken out, especially since I listened to it on audiobook and basically zoned out during those parts. Still, I couldn't help liking the story of a 17-year old boy who "turns cards" for his blind great-uncle at bridge games--a very rich uncle that his not-so-rich family hopes to inherit money from. There's a secondary story about why the great-uncle had stopped playing bridge for many years that involves Nixon, senators, insane asylums, beautiful women, and, since this is a YA book, a romantic interest--in this case a schizophrenic young girl that becomes the boy's bridge partner.

While I bet most libraries will buy this book because it's by Sachar, I see it as having a very narrow appeal. Still, I'm sure it will capture some kids' interest. Whether or not they will start playing bridge as a result I can't say, however.

2010-07-24 (Claremont, CA USA) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 4

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Too Much Bridge Filler, Not Enough Plot Focus
I love Sachar's Holes. So I was expecting a similiar reading experience with "The Cardturner". I was actually looking forward to learning a little about Bridge as well. The story concept seemed orginal. However, with the amount of Bridge talk and bridge subplots, it was an over kill!! I would have to say, at least two thirds of the story was about bridge play. I found myself skipping almost entire chapters, just to get to the main plot line between Alton (the nephew), Trapp (the great uncle), and the mysterious Toni (potential love interest). There were also failed opportunities to develop Alton's parents. They seemed very one-sided. No depth. According to Alton's point of view, they seemed to be just money hungry self-interested individuals. Although, Alton's mom sometimes seemed to be in the fence with her true feelings/interest toward her uncle Trapp; at the end it was all about the money. Also, Alton's little sister was also a great miss. What an interesting character who could have been exploited in so many ways. Sachar never gave her a chance to even meet and interact with her uncle Trapp; two strong personalities, would have loved to see sparks fly with both of them in the same room.

So you have some subtext and a little mystery about Trapp's past and about Toni's family history, but again, any character development or subplot developments between flashback storylines or present dramatic action between Alton and Toni kept on being interupted by massive sections in every chapter about "BRIDGE". Instead of a story about mental illness and domestic violence, this was a book about BRIDGE. Yes Sachar, we get it: YOU LOVE BRIDGE! Fortunately, with Sachar's quick pacing skills: each chapter was very short (just a few pages long each), made it easy enough to chug along and skim through all the bridge stuff, just to get to the essential story line; which accounted for about 1/3 of the book.

Also, the narrator: Alton, seemed like he was writing his memoir and addressing himself to the reader. I kept wondering what was the point of Alton, a teenager, in writing a memoir. For a moment, I thought Sachar was doing a SALINGER/CATCHER IN THE RYE type of narration scheme. I thought perhaps Alton was going to become famous for being the youngest Bridge Player to win a tournament or something, and in doing so that was his purpose for writing his autobiography. Or that at the end, Alton was going to be the one with some mental illness and so he was writing his memoir as a sort of self-therapy... But at the end, it meant nothing. Just a writing convention.

PS. The ending too was far-fetched & predictable. Expected more from Sachar.

Sad to say, I don't recommend this book, unless you are really interested in learning, breathing, sleeping, and living "Bridge". Otherwise, skip it and read Sachar's "HOLES" instead if you haven't read it already. :(

2010-07-20 | Livvy (Connecticut) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 2

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Courtesy of Teens Read Too
"Talk About Wow" is the title of one of the chapters in THE CARDTURNER by Louis Sachar. It is also the perfect way to describe this book. I was hooked on the very first page and read the thing in a single day. My recommendation is - Don't Miss It!

With that said, many readers could be scared away by THE CARDTURNER. The story revolves around the card game of bridge. The book is filled with in-depth information and detailed descriptions of the game. But don't let that frighten you off. There is soooo much more to enjoy.

Alton Richards isn't really looking forward to the summer between his junior and senior year. He knows he should look for a job but can't seem to get motivated. There won't be any swimming in the backyard pool because it's still just a hole in the ground awaiting the final outcome of some lawsuit between his parents and the pool company. Alton's dad has also just broken the news that the insulation company he works for is downsizing, which means he's out of a job. And don't forget, Alton's girlfriend just dumped him. Great way to kick off summer vacation.

Just when Alton thinks things can't get anymore dismal, he learns that his "favorite" uncle, Lester Trapp, has requested his presence. Alton has been to his uncle's hilltop home only once before. It was the elderly Trapp's birthday, and Alton was just five years old at the time. Since Alton knows his parents are hoping for a huge inheritance when the old guy's time comes, he knows he must answer the call and find out what the old man wants.

A cardturner? What is that? Lester Trapp, who is now blind due to complications from diabetes, wants Alton to help him play bridge. Trapp wants his young nephew to accompany him to his bridge club to read off the cards in his hand and play for him during the games. Alton knows nothing about bridge, but he is about to learn. He is also about to learn some of his family's darkest secrets.

Using first-person narrative, author Louis Sachar takes readers into the world of bridge. Alton is an incredibly likeable main character with a wonderful sense of humor even when thrown into the most challenging circumstances. As he explains his eccentric uncle and other crazy members of the cast, he also teaches the basics of bridge. Scattered throughout the story are informational sections about the game. I agree with a previous review of THE CARDTURNER, posted at Guys Lit Wire, that these sections can be skipped if readers desire, but I found that even though I was confused, I wanted to read them to gain knowledge of this mysterious game.

I'm not going to run out and start playing bridge, but thanks to Sachar, I can now appreciate the dedication and seriousness true players have for the game. Whatever you might feel about the game of bridge, THE CARDTURNER is a heartwarming and attention-grabbing novel. Even though this is billed as YA fiction, I'm passing it on to a bridge-playing friend of my mother's, and I know she's going to love it.

Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"

2010-07-16 | Eat. Drink. Read. Be Merrier. (All Over the US & Canada) | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 5

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Great plot, too much bridge
I love Louis Sacher and was so excited to read this new book. The plot intrigued me; it's novel and interesting, and I love playing games, so I was ready for a great read. Alton is a delightful character, and his voice rings true throughout the novel. His uncle, too, was well drawn in his quirky way. But, while I admit that I stayed up late to see how it ended, I was dulled by all the bridge discussion, and skipping ahead-which Alton recommends-wasn't really an option. I play cards, count cards and understand the essentials of bridge, but there was way too much of it, and I can't believe that a young adult will invest the time and thought required to follow the lengthy play by play which grew denser as the story progressed. So, despite the strong plot and storyline, I won't be recommending this book.

2010-07-08 | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 3

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I loved this book!!
I'm a big fan of HOLES as well as a bridge player, so I figured to enjoy Louis Sachar's new book for teens, THE CARDTURNER [never mind that my teenage years are long past]. But I LOVED THIS BOOK! You can find the plot in other reviews. I'm going to rave about the writing, the characters, the philosophy, and the plot. Sachar puts you in hero Alton's head so perfectly that everything Alton does/says/thinks is fully integrated into a sympathetic personality. The other characters are run the gamut of humanity without being stereotypes: spunky kid sister, odious parents, manipulative best friend, cranky elderly uncle, and crazy cousin who turns out to be not so crazy after all.

But THE CARDTURNER is more than a "how I spent my summer" teen novel. The mystery that Alton's family has tried so hard to conceal is carefully revealed, mental illness and domestic violence rear their ugly heads, the mutual distain between Alton and his elderly uncle slowly becomes respect and admiration, and young love blooms. Add in some ghosts and philosophical discussions for good measure, plus last, but not least, the game of Bridge. If anything can get kids to start playing bridge, this book will do it. Not that this book is merely for kids.

Unfortunately for me, this is one of the crummy things about being a novelist myself. I used to read fantastic novels that left me feeling, well, fantastic. Reading Sachar's latest work certainly does that, but it also leaves me said knowing that I'll never be able to write so well. Sigh.

Maggie Anton
[...]

2010-06-27 | winner of 2006 Ben Franklin Award for Best New Voice - Fiction (Glendale, CA USA) | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 5

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Small Steps (Readers Circle)

Product Details

• Inure: New
• ISBN13: 9780385733151
• Notes: BUY WITH Self-assurance, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and navy to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

Description

SMALL STEPS is a hip young adult novel from Louis Sachar, the New York Times bestselling author of the Newbery Award–winning smash hit phenomenon book and movie/DVD sensation HOLES.
 
Two years after being released from Camp Green Lake, Armpit is home in Austin, Texas, trying to turn his life around. But it's hard when you have a record and everyone expects the worst from you. The only person who believe in Armpit is Ginny, his ten-year-old disabled neighbor. Together, they are learning to take small steps.
 
Armpit seems to be on the right path until X-Ray, a buddy from Camp Green Lake, comes up with a get-rich-quick scheme. X-Ray's plan leads to a chance encounter with teen pop sensation Kaira DeLeon, and suddenly Armpit's life spins out of control. Only one thing is certain: he'll never be the same again.
 
Combining his signature wit with a unique blend of adventure and deeply felt characters, Sachar explores issues of race, the nature of celebrity, the invisible connections that shape a person's life, and what it takes to stay the course. Doing the right thing is never a wrong choice—but always a small step in right direction.

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Customer Reviews

My son loves this book!
It's like pulling teeth to get my son to read. However, recently he requested "Small Steps" and I couldn't order it fast enough! I was so excited (being a bookworm myself) and he's been reading it on a regular basis since it arrived. He says he gives it 5 out of 5 stars. He sits next to me on the couch reading and giggling. It's fantastic! Did I mention he's 13? I have not read this book myself yet but he tells me it is like the second part to "Holes". I have no idea of the story line. I only know that it is keeping a 13 year old boy away from the X-Box and I love it for that reason alone.

2010-07-12 (California, USA) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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Small Steps Book Review
Small Steps is a book about a juvenile delinquent, Armpit, trying to start a new life after Camp Green Lake, his juvenile camp. Throughout the book, Armpit keeps getting classified by his record and people don't treat him the same. The only person in the book who treats him like a real human being is Ginny, his 10-year-old neighbor who has many disabilities. His relationship with Ginny is very strong because they both have something in common; the world looks at them as horrible people for what they cannot change. His good friend form Camp Green Lake, X-Ray, gets him caught up in a quick, get rich scheme that, surprisingly, gets him caught up with one of the worlds most popular music artists. The message shown in this book is you can go far places even if you think you background tries to hold you back.
This is a book for mostly elementary readers. I would give it a three star rating out of five stars. This book can be very slow at times and has a plot that a five year old can understand. The mood is laid back with a couple of entreating spots here and there. The mood is set from the very beginning of the book and is held out throughout the entire book. It is defiantly not recommended for middle school or high school because of its slow plot. Personally, this book didn't appeal to me because I tend to read fast paced books with a well, built up plot. Readers that like a slow moving, quick read will enjoy Small Steps.

2010-05-18 (Sellersville, PA) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 3

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Small Steps
I loved this book. No, its not like Holes, but I don't believe it is supposed to be. I really liked how Sachar intertwined all the different types of characters and plots, along with linking to the past of Camp Green Lake. Because of some of the small yet sweet romantic parts, perhaps this book should not be read by students younger than 8th grade. Small Steps is a very good book and can even relay a message of why we all should take small steps, sometimes.

2010-05-11 (Dallas, Tx) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 4

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Sachar does the unbelievable-Wow!!!
Yes, I loved Holes and several other of Louis Sachar's books. I was hesitant of reading a sequel of Holes. When is the last time you read a great sequel of a Newberry Award winning book? This book not only blew me away by how incredibly entertaining it was, it may just be as entertaining as Holes. I honestly couldn't stop listening to this audiobook in the car. It has to be one of the top 5 best children's books ever written with regards to being an enjoyable read. Don't get me wrong--it does give you plenty to reflect about as well and leaves the reader with some good messages. I think what Louis Sachar did correct with this book was having this book stand on its own. It was only loosely connected with the book Holes, and didn't try to attempt to be Holes 2. Instead it had it's own unique story that will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout the book. Good luck trying to stop reading or listening to this book. It is that good! I hope this isn't the last we'll hear of "Armpit".

2010-04-17 | caringteacher (AZ) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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kralvaniox`s book review
Small Steps
Small Steps is a book set in the blazing hot city of Austin, Texas. Theodore Johnson, nicknamed Armpit, is a teenager fresh out of Camp Green Lake Correctional Facility. Armpit spent his time working for a landscaping company, until his old Camp companion comes along, enticing him to join him as a ticket-scalper for the famous pop-singer, Kaira Deleon.
The author, Louis Sachar, uses a collection of events to form the suspenseful plot, and the characters themselves are works of art. Small Steps has characters that make this book a real page-turner, and every person on the globe should know the story of Armpit, and the amazing episodes that go about in this incredible book.
Louis Sachar`s realistic fiction does not leave much to be desired, and it is the choice of thousands of readers today. When you read Small Steps, you will know the true meaning of a good book, and you will not regret making that choice. In the plot, you begin to personally know the characters of this novel, and you will discover what is really going on with Kaira`s manager. If you read this book, then you will find the truth about everything soon enough, and you will never read a book the same again.

2010-02-05 | student book review (Illinois) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 4

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Sideways Arithmetic From Wayside School

Product Details

• ISBN13: 9780590457262
• Notes: BUY WITH Self-assurance, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and benefit to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
• Qualification: New

Description

A collection of 50 hilarious stories, each filled with brainteasers, designed to painlessly teach math skills.

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Customer Reviews

Awesome book!
My fourth-grade daughter loved this book. She went through the problems very quickly. Some of them were pretty tricky and confusing in the beginning, but she had fun as she began to learn how to tackle them. We strongly recomend this book to all people who enjoy math, math puzzles and sudoku.

2009-12-21 (Fairfax, VA USA) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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Want you child to read...get these series
My granddaughter loves all of these author's books. She started reading them at school and ask me to purchase some for her own collection. She is 9 and now has 4 of his books. Get your child reading with this author's work.

2009-10-30 | Joanna (Jefferson, GA USA) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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An excellent supplementary book for elementary school mathematics
The first 24 problems in this book are alphametics, which solidified my belief that alphametics are one of the best types of problems for teaching children the rules of algebra. The problems are fairly simple, some examples are

mom
+ pop
--------
yoyo

top
+tot
----
opt

There are also five more difficult alphametics where the operation is multiplication.
The remaining problems are lengthy word problems that involve logic, while requiring some thought; all are within the grasp of the late elementary school student. Solutions to all 55 problems are included at the end. This is an excellent supplementary book for elementary school mathematics.

Published in Journal of Recreational Mathematics, reprinted with permission

2008-10-24 | (cashbacher@yahoo.com) (Marion, Iowa United States(cashbacher@yahoo.com)) | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 5

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It's great
Although this book looks like a kid's book, it is really for teenagers and older. It is full of math puzzles, so if you have a bent for figuring out puzzles, don't let the cover and title put you off. It's not really arithmetic -- it's more logic puzzles. I loved this book, and so did my high school aged kids.

2008-01-24 | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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THIS BOOK WILL GIVE YOU A HEADACHE!
This is not a story book. It is a math book. It is too difficult for a young reader. Most adults or older teenagers would probably enjoy it but only if they love math. My 9 year old child said it gave her a headache. My child was given this book at school to read and expected to do the problems in it. Some of the problems required math skills she has not even been introduced too. It is simply too hard for young readers.

2008-01-13 | Mom's Review | Helpful Votes: 2 | Rating: 1

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More Sideways Arithmetic From Wayside School

Product Details

• ISBN13: 9780590477628
• Notes: BUY WITH Poise, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and advice to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
• Contingency: New

Description

A sequel to the original collection of brain twisters and math puzzles includes ""How much is PEPPERS + PIG LIPS?"" and ""If Jenny's shirt has sparkles on it, will Todd have egg in his hair?""

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Customer Reviews

Great fun with math.
This was a favorite for me as a child. When I read it and did all of the math problems in it, it changed math from a dreaded school subject into something that was a lot of fun. This book made me love algebra and was filled with fun problem solving. It may not be for everyone, but it changed the way I thought as a child and was probably part of the reason I did so well in Algebra. Bottom line: your child may or may not love it, but if they do love it, it will make them smarter at math and instill a love of math in them.

2010-06-07 | Q | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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An excellent supplemental math text for late elementary school
In my life as a mathematics educator at the college level, I have used alphametics to teach the fundamentals of arithmetic and have touted the value of doing that at professional conferences. Therefore, I was gratified to see alphametics used in this book to teach algebra to students in late elementary school.
An alphametic is an algebra problem where a few words make up a phrase and each letter represents a digit. When the letters are replaced by the digits, the result is a correct arithmetic problem. For example the first problem in this book is

boys
+ boys
------
silly

Where the solution is

6721
6721
------
13442

The first 39 problems are alphametics and the rest are word problems where the solution is derived via logic. There is a section of hints to the problems and complete solutions are included. This is an excellent supplemental math text for students in late elementary school.

2007-12-28 | (cashbacher@yahoo.com) (Marion, Iowa United States(cashbacher@yahoo.com)) | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 5

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Kids and parents laugh
We read the Wayside School books together and the kids and parents all laugh. These stories are funny, silly, goofy, and enjoyable. We love them all. We only wish there were more as we have read them all. Recommended for those reluctant readers (and listeners) as well.

2007-10-10 (Virginia, USA) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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Great for challenge seekers
This book is amazing. It entertains my kids with its funny and hard math questions. My son spent some time to solve them and we did some of them together. It is a nice book to read and it makes you think as well.

2006-12-19 | Book lord (TN USA) | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 5

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Great Book for a Math/Logic Wiz
I had this book when I was in fifth grade, and I absolutely loved it. I was already a big fan of the Wayside books, and I also liked math so these books were the perfect combination for me. I even remember working through the entire book multiple times. I especially loved the early problems wtih the convertion of basic math equations with letters to numbers like BOYS + BOYS = GIRLS and stuff like that. Now I am a physics major in college so I guess I came out pretty well. This book (and the first as well) is highly recommended for any kid who likes the Wayside books and also enjoys math/logic puzzles. Who knows, maybe this kid will be working with Schrodinger's equation in several years.

2006-12-07 (NY) | Helpful Votes: 2 | Rating: 5

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The Boy Who Lost His Face

Product Details

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• ISBN13: 9780679886228
• Proviso: New

Description

David receives a curse from an elderly woman he has helped his schoolmates attack, and he learns to regret his weakness in pandering to others for the sake of popularity before new friends.

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Customer Reviews

Great Plot but needs bad words removed
This is a great story. ButI gave it 3 stars because of the dirty words in the book. It would have been just as funny with the word "dog poop" instead of "dog s**t" and "butt head" instead of "A**hole". I think the author needs to revise it on the next printing. If this was a higher level book then I would understand but this is rated a 4.0 AR grade level at and he is only 9 years old. He didn't even know what "the finger" or "the bird" was and had to come ask me. I ended up reading the book to him so that I could censor it. Also the girl mentioned "get a period" and my son was following along and he says "What's that?" Luckily, he accepted my answer of "Something that girls get. I'll explain it later." We have read all of this author's books and loved every one. This one, however, was a little shocking to see those kind of words on such a low reading level book.

2008-10-06 | Rainestormrose (NWFL) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 3

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Curses
It is true that the plot of this book revolves around a curse placed on a boy by a "witch". The curses that concern me more are the words that parents would not allow their children to say, much less read. I would exercise caution in allowing a book with R-rated language to be read by the appropriate middle school level. Even with the language, the plot is too childish for high school students.

The plot of the story, which is moderately amusing, revolves around a curse that David thinks was placed on his by the neighborhood witch. Since stealing her cane, David has broke a window, lost his friends, flipped off his mom, dropped a beaker in science class, and left gym with his fly unzipped. Needless to say, this is making it difficult for him to impress that spacey girl Tori Williams. Of course, it would seem logical how he would have to break the curse. But knowing David's docile nature, one only has to wonder what it would take to have him act on breaking the curse.

In reading a book at this level, one should know there is a happy ending. The swerves are also quite predictable. Yet if you have difficulty liking the book, the swerves are not as eagerly anticipated. Like other reviewers, I really think this book could have done without some of the coarse language.

2008-07-28 (Chicago) | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 3

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Boy Fights a Curse
David and Scott used to be best friends. Now that they are at the end of middle school, Scott has decided he wants to be a member of the cool crowd, to hang around with Randy and Roger and the prettiest girls. Scott starts acting like he doesn't really want David around, or telling David he has to do things to make him seem cooler. David doesn't want to lose Scott as a friend, so he tries to go along with Scott's new friends.

One afternoon Randy and Roger decide it would be funny to steal the cane from Mrs. Bayfield, a strange old lady who is said to be a witch. David goes along and mostly stands around while the other boys steal her cane, but she somehow focuses on him and speaks a curse before he leaves. He feels terribly guilty about what they have done, but soon he starts to realize that he is really cursed.

With the help of a couple of new friends, Larry and Mo, David tries to set his life straight. He needs to get rid of the curse and stop Scott and his new friends from harassing him. And most of all, he has to straighten things out so he can ask out Tori Williams, a pretty girl in his class.

I liked seeing a kid go through the process of losing a friend and having to make new friends. I think it happens often in middle school, and it was good to see it dealt with so well. I also liked how the story wrapped up and how David dealt with the curse and with his guilt. I especially liked the very last chapter which took place years later than the rest of the story.

I thought it was a little too simple that David would have been able to find new friends who became good friends so quickly. I also thought that Mrs. Bayfield seemed a little too forgiving, considering what had been done to her.

2007-06-21 (Lowell, MA United States) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 4

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Mom in Amherst
My daughter read this book to me and I couldn't wait to hear it every night. What an excellent, timeless story. I highly recommend it to anyone. It is a good selection for a middle schooler, girl or boy.

2006-03-26 | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 5

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Do not let your children read this book!
My daughter who is in third grade was given this book at school to read. She reads on a sixth grade level and fully comprehended this book. She brought the book to her teacher after seeing all the swearing and insults in this book. Her teacher said to read the book anyway and just "ignore" the bad words. Wrong thing to say to a child. Why should we teach our children to ignore disrespect, rudeness and bad behavior? She then brought it to our attention and showed us all the bad words etc. in the book. I was furious. You bet we confronted the principal about this. The principal said he was embarrassed that a book like this was even in the library and agreed to pull it immediately. Those of you who say that the language is already known to your children should seriously think about who your children are exposed to. I don't even use that type of language and would never even think about "flipping" people off or saying things like "shoving something up....." You get the idea. I do not raise my child to be sheltered, but I do not want her to think that I approve of this type of language. Letting her read a book like this is not my idea of raising a well-adjusted child. I am so proud of her for standing up to her teacher and saying "no, I don't think this is a nice book and I don't want to read it." Too many parents today have no idea what their children are exposed to. My question to those parents who applaud this book is this; what are you going to do the day your child flips you off and tells you to shove something up your .....?

2005-05-28 | USMC (Afghanistan) | Helpful Votes: 15 | Rating: 1

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