Beverly Cleary

Advantages: Great for kids who love to read
Disadvantages: none

...In this book there isn't really a story line. This book is about Beatrice Quimbly, (known as Beezus) a nine year old girl who has an annoying four year old little sister. In this book it tells some of the things that Ramona does to annoy her sister Beezus. Any where from ruin a library book to destroy an art class for Beezus. Beverly Cleary is right when she says on the front of the book, little sisters can be difficult... this little sister is impossible. It seems for Beezus that her mother always takes Ramona's side and that Ramona always gets her way. In one chapter Beezus finally gets her way and in another chapter Beezus has to use her imagination to make Ramona leave.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

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...powers for the good side to ward off the dark powers. Can he do it? Does the goodness he had at birth still prevail against the evil powers amongst the dark side? Only the book will tell you of Harry's adventures at Hogwort's! When reading this book, I was taken back to my childhood when I was reading Roald Dahl's James And The Giant Peach, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Charlie And The Great Glass Elevator; Beverly Cleary's Ralph S. Mouse; and E.B. White's Charlotte's Web. All of these books attracted me to read. I am sure kids today do not want to read the books their parents did back then. These are new!! I am old to my nieces, and I am only 22. If I told them, I had something like they do now, I get the look of shock from their gorgeous faces! Do I understand the attraction of the Harry Potter stories? I sure do! In fact... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Good insights, good selection
Disadvantages: -

...In his book on 'The Essential Tao', Thomas Cleary presented a wonderful picture of one of the dominant strands of Asian wisdom, one that has intrigued and fascinated people in the West in the past few generations. Cleary is one of the foremost scholars of ancient Chinese and Japanese. Mostly likely, if you have read a copy of ancient Chinese classic 'The Art of War' (a text widely popular, from historians and military strategists to corporate raiders and managers), it has been one of Cleary's translations. Following the success of the book on the Tao, Cleary turned to another pillar of ancient Chinese thought, and developed this further volume in the 'Essentials' series, The Essential Confucius, the heart of Confucius' teachings in authentic I Ching order. Confucius is a confusing character to classify. He does not fit... Read review

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