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Average customer rating:

Slow Starter
it was a "special" book
specials School Review
A Truly Special Book
Great Book; Ending Slightly Unsatisfying

Specials (Uglies Trilogy, Book 3)
Scott Westerfeld
Manufacturer: Simon Pulse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Similar Items:

Pretties (Uglies Trilogy, Book 2)
Uglies (Uglies Trilogy, Book 1)
New Moon
Twilight
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ASIN: 0689865406

Book Description

"Special Circumstances":

The words have sent chills down Tally's spine since her days as a repellent, rebellious ugly. Back then Specials were a sinister rumor -- frighteningly beautiful, dangerously strong, breathtakingly fast. Ordinary pretties might live their whole lives without meeting a Special. But Tally's never been ordinary.

And now she's been turned into one of them: a superamped fighting machine, engineered to keep the uglies down and the pretties stupid.

The strength, the speed, and the clarity and focus of her thinking feel better than anything Tally can remember. Most of the time. One tiny corner of her heart still remembers something more.

Still, it's easy to tune that out -- until Tally's offered a chance to stamp out the rebels of the New Smoke permanently. It all comes down to one last choice: listen to that tiny, faint heartbeat, or carry out the mission she's programmed to complete. Either way, Tally's world will never be the same.

Customer Reviews:

Slow Starter.......2007-06-01

The first half or so of the book is somewhat clumsy, and rather hard to get into. There is just something off and unconvincing about the attempt to be inside Tally's icy new mindset. These shortcomings are especially notable as the first two books in the trilogy are so cleverly written and the shifts in Tally's mindsets always so seamless and believable. Westerfeld never quite captures Tally's voice in Specials until a little into the second half, when the book really starts to take off. From there to the end, the action is gripping and Tally is once again convincing. Perhaps the author never felt quite comfortable with Tally as a Cutter.

As great as this trilogy is, there is one facet of all three books that stands out. Whether or not it detracts from the series is up for debate, but it is hard not to notice that there is never a single point where Tally does not have a male counterpart with whom she has sexual tension. First, there is Peris. And then David. And then Zane. And even when she is in the middle of a (supposedly) Pre-Rusty civilization deep in the wilderness, leave it to Tally to buddy up with Andrew Simpson Smith. One would assume this is just a typical convention of young adult literature, but it got to be a little trite.

it was a "special" book.......2007-05-31

I loved the book Uglies and pretties so I decided to read Specials. I thought that the book was a little awkward at times but its was still one of the best books I have ever read. I can't beleive that zane died I mean really I know that he wasn't welll but I never thought he would die. Oh and David is still in the picture with Tally near the end but at first she hated him and wanted to do nothing else but kill him. I still loved the book and finished it in 1 day and didn't want it to end. But I hope that Mr. Scott Westerfeld will come out with book to officially end the series becuase Specials had a good ending but it was a little weak. I hope you read this book despite some of my coments it really was a great book. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.

specials School Review.......2007-05-18

One surgery can change a life, for better or for worse.
A year ago, Tally Youngblood had her first surgery, which made her a pretty, someone who has no skin flaws and never gains a pound. She just had her second surgery, which made her a Cutter, a special type of pretty with razor teeth and fingernails, ultra-lightweight indestructible bones, special eyes that have infrared vision, and special suits that camouflage themselves no matter what the surrounding environment is, and turn into armor when told. Tally greatly misses her boyfriend Zane, who was in the hospital after taking a dangerous nano pill, a pill containing millions of nano robots that ate his brain. However, when she finally gets a chance to see Zane, she is disgusted by how shaky and unlike her he is, so, along with her friend Shay, she breaks into the armory, a place where all of the rusty robotic weaponry is stored, to get a tool that cuts through Zane's orbital alloy interface collar. Tally helps Zane and his friends escape, and Zane (with some help from Tally) finds his way to New Smoke, a city that is rebelling the operation that makes you a "pretty". While Tally is in New Smoke, she is kept a prisoner for being a lethal weapon. Tally's city believes that New Smoke destroyed the armory, so they start a war, attacking New Smoke. When the primary attack is over, Tally finds Zane in the hospital after his brain rejected his replaced brain tissue. The doctors finally take Zane off of the respirator, and he dies. Tally goes back to Dr. Cable, the leader of her city, admits that she broke into the armory, and secretly injects her with a cure for being special. Tally is about to go into surgery to get "despecialized", when Dr. Cable comes and knocks out all of the doctors so that Tally, the only special pretty that hasn't been cured, can live as the last of her type.
This book, while confusing at some points, was very descriptive and entertaining.

There are many inventive ideas for the future in this book. The main form of transportation is hoverboarding, using magnetic grids under the cities. The Rusties, people from our time, are considered poor role models because of all of the wars that we started. Most of the Rusties died because a terrible oil bug was invented, causing everything that used oil to explode, so anyone that wasn't killed died of starvation. The standards of being pretty were so different that people had tattoos that twisted or blinked with their heartbeat, and you could change your fingernails out for televisions.

All of the details in this book were very finesse. On the first page, Tally is describing how it felt to be hoverboarding and feeling the "brittle, freezing wind across her bare hands, and the shifting gravities of her feet against the hoverboard." During the battle, there is a part that says, "Streams of cannon fire ripped trough the air, their traces burning across Tally's vision. Explosions battered her ears, and shock waves thudded against her chest, like someone trying to rip her open."

Tally's past actions come back in this book. For example, Tally had stolen Shay's boyfriend, David, before her first pretty operation. In this book, Tally and Shay work together to try to capture David and turn him into a pretty. Also, Tally was the only person who had thought her way out of being a bubblehead pretty, which helped her get out of the mindset of a special.

This book was well-written and a great science-fiction novel to end the trilogy.

~c. brady~

A Truly Special Book.......2007-05-18

"Tally felt everything with icy clarity: the brittle, freezing wind across her
hands, the shifting gravities that pressed her feet against the hoverboard."
Tally Youngblood changed for the last time, she had become a Special, with
enhanced muscles and amazing senses, a type of human that she had feared before.
Tally and her friend Shay's main goal was to destroy the New Smoke, but before
that, they wanted to pull some tricks. One night an innocent trick turned into
the destruction of the military equipment, special hovercars, and the Armory.
This caused Tally's boss, Dr. Cable, to blame a far away city for the
destruction, so she led an attack. The cities were not meant to go to war, ever,
but after Tally and Shay's trick there was a war raging. Meanwhile, Tally was
not aware of war, she was focused on getting to the New Smoke; to do this she
followed her love Zane as he traveled there. At the end of the trip, Tally
caught onto a helicopter and was carried to the New Smoke, which was just a city
transformed! When she arrived, her Special friends were "despecialized", the
city was under attack, and Zane died from brain damage. After the area was
completely destroyed, Tally made a quick journey back to her home city to tell
Dr. Cable that she was the one who destroyed the Armory, only to find Dr. Cable
already knew! Then Tally "cured" the un-suspecting Dr. Cable from Special-ness.
Tally was captured, though, and was about to be "despecialized" when Dr. Cable
came and helped Tally to escape. This novel was very exciting and futuristic and
I would recommend it especially those who enjoyed the first two books in the
Uglies trilogy.

The plot of Specials by Scott Westerfeld was very intriguing and was a main part
of the book because there were no new characters. The author kept the old
characters, but enhanced their personalities. For example, he kept David,
Tally's first love, from the first book, but in this novel David was much more
mature, forgiving and passionate about both the New Smoke and Tally. Dr. Cable
was also a character in the first and second books and in this novel she was
much more developed as a character, exhibiting both good and bad character
traits. She was unkind, bossy, and temperamental in the beginning, but then she
developed affection and caring for Tally: especially after being cured.
Therefore, it was good that no new, distracting characters were added and that
the old characters such as Fausto, David, and Dr. Cable were more developed.

Another reason that I really loved this book was because it was a page turner.
It was very hard to put the book down the whole time because of the constant
action and futuristic gadgets. One of the most suspenseful parts of the book was
when Tally and Shay broke into the Armory because they met an old man while
inside and he was shouting at them for being there. Also during that part in the
novel Tally and Shay narrowly escaped the hungry nanos that were destroying the
whole Armory, which was exciting. Another moment that I was the edge of my seat
was when Tally was lying to Dr. Cable's assistant so she could talk to Cable and
confess about destroying the Armory. When the cured Dr. Cable knocked out the
doctors and broke machinery to free Tally from another operation, it was also
very exciting.

"She then shot into the blackness, disappearing instantly, like something
winking out of existence." The simile here was just one of the many used in this
book. The figurative language and details not only helped in making the story
more interesting, but it was sometimes used as a translator for the futuristic
terms used in this book. For example, when Tally escaped out of the dying Armory
her jump was described as "night silence enveloped her and for a moment she
simply let herself fall." Also just after Tally made it onto the helicopter, she
felt "its vibration rumbling through her like crashing waves." Hoverboarding, a
futuristic activity, was described as both "low and fast" or "it was whining
furiously now but she urged it upward..." Those helped to understand the story
better.

In conclusion Specials was a very good book that kept me on the edge of my seat.
It was very descriptive and the author developed the characters really well. The
main reason for my recommendation was because the novel was suspenseful, but not
such a detailed plot that it was confusing. In other words, I could infer what
would happen next or who would change sides. I thought that Zane would die, and
I knew that the person who broke Tally out of the operation wasn't Shay. I
recommend this book to people who enjoy science fiction or a great read.

-C. Chaudhury

Great Book; Ending Slightly Unsatisfying.......2007-05-08

I loved the Uglies Trilogy and the book Specials was no exception. However, I had a certain expectation of how the book was going to end and the book didn't fulfill my hope; the ending left me slightly disturbed and unfulfilled. Looking back I can see that the author was leading in this direction all along, so I suppose the ending is logical. The description of people who keep cutting themselves is also disturbing--I hope it is not giving people ideas who otherwise wouldn't have thought of it.

Average customer rating:

Awesome
My Thoughts
Half....
Not really a teen book
Intriguing Sci Fi Novel with a Surprising Plot

Uglies (Uglies Trilogy, Book 1)
Scott Westerfeld
Manufacturer: Simon Pulse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Similar Items:

Pretties (Uglies Trilogy, Book 2)
Specials (Uglies Trilogy, Book 3)
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ASIN: 0689865384

Amazon.com

Playing on every teen's passionate desire to look as good as everybody else, Scott Westerfeld (Midnighters) projects a future world in which a compulsory operation at sixteen wipes out physical differences and makes everyone pretty by conforming to an ideal standard of beauty. The "New Pretties" are then free to play and party, while the younger "Uglies" look on enviously and spend the time before their own transformations in plotting mischievous tricks against their elders. Tally Youngblood is one of the most daring of the Uglies, and her imaginative tricks have gotten her in trouble with the menacing department of Special Circumstances. She has yearned to be pretty, but since her best friend Shay ran away to the rumored rebel settlement of recalcitrant Uglies called The Smoke, Tally has been troubled. The authorities give her an impossible choice: either she follows Shay's cryptic directions to The Smoke with the purpose of betraying the rebels, or she will never be allowed to become pretty. Hoping to rescue Shay, Tally sets off on the dangerous journey as a spy. But after finally reaching The Smoke she has a change of heart when her new lover David reveals to her the sinister secret behind becoming pretty. The fast-moving story is enlivened by many action sequences in the style of videogames, using intriguing inventions like hoverboards that use the rider's skateboard skills to skim through the air, and bungee jackets that make wild downward plunges survivable -- and fun. Behind all the commotion is the disturbing vision of our own society -- the Rusties -- visible only in rusting ruins after a virus destroyed all petroleum. Teens will be entranced, and the cliffhanger ending will leave them gasping for the sequel. (Ages 12 and up) --Patty Campbell

Book Description

Everybody gets to be supermodel gorgeous. What could be wrong with that?

Tally is about to turn sixteen, and she can't wait. Not for her license -- for turning pretty. In Tally's world, your sixteenth birthday brings an operation that turns you from a repellent ugly into a stunningly attractive pretty and catapults you into a high-tech paradise where your only job is to have a really great time. In just a few weeks Tally will be there.

But Tally's new friend Shay isn't sure she wants to be pretty. She'd rather risk life on the outside. When Shay runs away, Tally learns about a whole new side of the pretty world -- and it isn't very pretty. The authorities offer Tally the worst choice she can imagine: find her friend and turn her in, or never turn pretty at all. The choice Tally makes changes her world forever.

Customer Reviews:

Awesome.......2007-07-02

Great book. We had to read it in class, as an assignment, and I LOVED it!!

My Thoughts.......2007-06-19

This book was quite....weird. I won the book at a book fair and when I read it, I was kind of bored with it. But I was still curious, so I read the sequels. It's not my most favorite, but to those of you who like sci-fi and suspense, READ IT!lol.
I'm more of a sappy romance novel person, anyway. Or, gossip books.

Half...........2007-05-23

Okay I read half of it and lost it but I am buying a new one but the first half was ah-mazing! Cant wait to read pretties, specials, and extras.

Not really a teen book.......2007-05-22

It took me quite a while to get around to reading this book, because it wasn't of great interest to me and when I did finally read it, I'm sorry to say, it didn't blow me away. In fact, I couldn't wait for it to be over. Things people said were ridiculously old and there is a poor attempt at romance. I liked the Midnighter's trilogy, but I gotta say, this wasn't good. I could see younger kids reading this (preteens) but I definatley don't consider it a teenaged book.

Intriguing Sci Fi Novel with a Surprising Plot.......2007-05-18

Tally Youngblood grew up in a society where everyone got an operation at age sixteen that made them supermodel gorgeous. Tally had always dreamed of becoming a Pretty, and fully planned on joining her best friend Peris in New Pretty Town after the operation. But then Tally met Shay, a rebellious Ugly like Tally who wanted to leave the city, something unheard of in that day and age. Sure enough, the day before Tally and Shay were going to turn pretty, Shay disappeared, leaving Tally with only a cryptic note telling her how to get to a place called the Smoke. Despite her friend's disappearance, Tally went to get the operation anyway. But she was intercepted by a government group called Special Circumstances, who gave Tally an ultimatum: either she tracks down Shay for them, or she remains ugly for the rest of her life.
So Tally left to find the Smoke, and Shay. She found the Smoke, and soon grew to treat everyone there normally, despite their "ugliness." One person in particular was a boy named David, whose parents had founded the Smoke years ago after finding out a secret about the pretty operation. Apparently the operation alters your brain to lose its natural curiosity and essentially brainwashes you into thinking that the Pretty way is the way everything is supposed to be. After meeting David's parents, Tally and David found that they were falling in love, and Tally threw her heart necklace (which was secretly a tracking device given to her by the Specials) into the campfire. The next morning, she awoke to a Special invasion. They were capturing Smokies left and right, but Tally managed to escape. She found David's mom, but they were eventually captured as well, and taken back to the city, where Shay had already been turned into a Pretty. Tally and David's mom broke out, and brought as many Smokies, including Shay, with them in a search for David. He was found, and the Smokies camped out, still in hiding from the Specials, when David told Tally that his mom had found a cure for the brain problems in Pretties. So Tally went back to the city with Shay in order to become pretty and provide herself as a test subject for the pill.
Uglies was a very intriguing novel with a plot that really surprised me.

I loved this novel because it was unexpectedly suspenseful and action-packed. One wouldn't normally think that a book about someone becoming pretty would have a very good plotline, but this one caught me completely off-guard. The action sequences were extremely captivating, especially when Tally was hoverboarding through the wilderness, and also when she was caught in the brushfire while searching for the Smoke. I was gripped by the Special invasion of the Smoke, especially when Tally was caught by the Specials but she got away, and she found David's mom and they ran off together.

The action sequences were very suspenseful, but the emotional factors in this novel accounted for a lot of my later nights, like the tension between Tally and Shay, and their love triangle with David. And the impact that David's parents had on her, especially the part about everything she's ever known being a lie, and that the operations that she had thought were the best thing since sliced bread were really just a way for the Specials to control everyone. I mean, it`s got to be easy to control people if they have no idea what's going on, right?

But this book was more than action and romance. The plot definitely took me by surprise, meaning that I didn't expect for a book about "uglies" and "pretties" to be suspenseful, not to mention a sci-fi novel. But it is, and I positively adored it. I wasn't too sure about it at first, mostly because my friends all recommended it to me, and I still wasn't completely convinced. But I am extremely glad that I did read it, because it was the most thrilling sci-fi novel I've read in a long time. My friends all recommended it to me, and now I'll recommend it to all of you. It really is a great book, and it's also a fairly quick read, so pick it up!

-C. Edwards

Average customer rating:

Summer reading for my Daughter
I would read this book everynight until I was to tired to stay awake!
Good YA Sci-Fi
Pretties is a very pretty book
A captivating sequel

Pretties (Uglies Trilogy, Book 2)
Scott Westerfeld
Manufacturer: Simon Pulse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Similar Items:

Specials (Uglies Trilogy, Book 3)
Uglies (Uglies Trilogy, Book 1)
Twilight
New Moon
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ASIN: 0689865392

Customer Reviews:

Summer reading for my Daughter.......2007-05-30

This I have not read yet, but I am sure my daughter will be reading the Uglies and Pretties this summer. they look wonderful.

I would read this book everynight until I was to tired to stay awake!.......2007-05-25

Pretties

By: Scott Westerfeld

If you like Sci Fi books and like to get a picture in your head of how it might be in the future you will love this book. It's the adventure that keeps you going on to the next chapter and not putting the book down. Tally Youngblood is a smart young girl who has just turned "pretty". Before she turned pretty she trucked along outside of her city, where she belongs, to find this place called "the smoke". She was sent by Specials to get her friend Shay back and change her mind about turning pretty, but when she gets there and finds out what it is like to be out of the city she doesn't want to go back, but it's to late, the specials are there and getting rid of the smoke and it's all Tally's fault. But she might be able to stop it. Now Tally is pretty and everything is going okay but she has this feeling that something isn't right, that there is something she was meant to do. And that is saving the New Smoke. Tally goes through many different adventures to stay "bubbly" and keep the memory about the smoke fresh. Will Tally get away from the city again and save the smoke? Or will the Specials defeat them again?
The book Pretties, follows up on Scott Westerfeld's other books Uglies and after Pretties is Specials. Scott has written many wonderful books beside these three.
I like this book because even though it's in the future I can relate to Tally, she is outgoing and adventurous and that's what I picture myself as. This book kept me turning pages and going on to the next chapter, who doesn't like a book that does that? I didn't like the ending of the book because it left you hanging, even though there is another book after it I wanted it to be over and know what happens.
I would recommend this book to Hanna Wilson because we seem to like the same books, and she has already started Uglies and I know she will like this one too. I also think anyone who can relate to adventurous stunts they might have pulled you might be reminded of yourself as you are reading it.

Good YA Sci-Fi.......2007-05-24

Second in the Trilogy. Tally becomes a Pretty, but it's not everything that she thought it would be. Somehow she has thought her way out of being Pretty-Minded and is once again out to find the New Smoke to join them, to help them and to live a life outside of the City. She and Zane risk their lives to join up with David only to find out that the Specials have a whole new way to find them. Tally once again betrays and is betrayed. I'm enjoying this series. I'm not much of a science fiction reader, so to me this is Sci-Fi-Lite. This book took a little longer to get going, but the story did move a long. Hopefully book 3 will answer the questions.

Pretties is a very pretty book.......2007-05-06

Getting dressed used to be the hardest part of Tally's day, but then she got
tangled up with her true self, two pills, and Zane. Pretties by Scott Westerfeld
was the second book in the Uglies trilogy and it was about Tally Youngblood's
journey. Finally Tally got the "operation" that turned her "pretty," so she goes
to live in New Pretty Town at age sixteen. Once in the Crims, a clique, Tally
meets Zane who make her feel quite "bubbly" until one party when Tally sees
familiar faces: residents of the forbidden city Smoke, who gave Tally a letter
from herself (when she was "ugly") telling her to take two pills, which the
Smokies also gave her. She was afraid, though, to take the pills so she took one
and Zane took one. Then after many parties and tricks, such as breaking the
hover ice skating rink, Tally and the Crims decided to escape to the New Smoke,
but Tally got lost in an unknown place outside of the city. While there, Tally
met uncivilized humans, stole a hover car, and so she eventually made it to the
New Smoke. Upon arriving, though, there was chaos because the Specials, or
police, were coming to destroy everything. Tally refused to try to escape,
though, because Zane couldn't go, so they were both captured. I liked this book
and it made read the sequel, but it wasn't as good as the first book.

"She had to get out of this balloon now. Then Tally saw the river. And,
clutching her hover board, she threw herself into the void." Scenes like that
one happened over and over again in Pretties, each new surprise or action filled
chapter made this book an awesome page turner. When Tally jumped from the
balloon or fell through a hovering ice skating ring, the reader was constantly
on the edge of the seat. Also when Zane was about to crush his hand to get his
tracking cuff off, there was a lot of tension and the reader got very nervous
for Zane. I liked this book because it was action packed and exciting.

Another reason that I like this novel was because it was a very descriptive and
included a lot of figurative language. For example, when describing what the
crusher looked like when it was turned on the author wrote, "... as if the metal
had suddenly become liquid and alive." Because this novel was set in the future,
the author used descriptions that a modern person could understand. One example
of this was when Tally was staying with the uncivilized people living outside
the city and a hover car landed in the forest. The hover car was described as "...
a noisy was to travel, the wind roiling the trees like a storm." Those types of
similes helped me to understand the futuristic terms.

To keep the book or old characters form getting boring, the author added new
characters such as Zane, Fausto, and Andrew Simpson Smith. Zane was a main
person in Tally's life, especially after they took the pills. He was brave,
curious, and open, mostly to Tally, who he loved. Fausto was a Crimp with Tally
and Zane, coming with them to the Crusher and escaping to the New Smoke, he was
clever, caring, and daring. Andrew Simpson Smith was the holy man of the
uncivilized tribe of humans. He was friendly, helpful, and generous in helping
Tally understand his tribe and then in getting to the New Smoke. These
characters added something interesting and exciting to the novel.

In conclusion I really liked this book because it was exciting and descriptive
with new characters. The reason that the first book in the trilogy was better,
though, was because of the ending to Pretties. In the end Tally called her
previous boyfriend, David, ugly and screamed at him to leave. Then she stayed
with Zane (because he couldn't move) so they were both captured by the Specials
and Tally became one of them. Even though the end was upsetting, I would
definitely recommend Pretties to anyone ages 12 and up.

-C. Chaudhury

A captivating sequel.......2007-03-16

Did Tally make the right decision to become pretty? In this wonderful book, Pretties, written by Scott Westerfeld he explores what happens when a person has an operation to make them gorgeous, but changes their mind at the same time. During Pretties Tally is finally pretty after 16 years and joins the most popular clique in town, The Crims, with her best friends Peris and Shay. She gets to know the cliques leader, Zane, very well. He seams to already know something is wrong with the operation and tries to keep Tally bubbly so she can remember what it is. When she finds out what was trapped in the depths of her mind she is astounded! Along her wild chase for what she believes is right Zane and her form a close bond. This science fiction book was very intriguing and a definite page turner. It was a great second book in the captivating trilogy, which includes Uglies, Pretties, and Specials. I loved this book and would definitely recommend it to all teen girls.

How to Succeed in the Game of Life: 34 Interviews with the World's Greatest Coaches

Average customer rating:

Coaching advise from athletic coaches
Overcome Adversity
Inspiration
good
A great inspirational source

How to Succeed in the Game of Life: 34 Interviews with the World's Greatest Coaches
Christian Klemash
Manufacturer: Andrews McMeel Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Success | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Coaching | Sports | Subjects | Books

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Beyond Basketball: Coach K's Keywords for Success
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Quiet Strength: The Principles, Practices, & Priorities of a Winning Life

ASIN: 0740760653

Book Description

What would Super Bowl Champ Tony Dungy say is the most critical quality for a person to be successful? Would his advice differ from 4-time World Series winner Joe Torre's? What would each say to a young person just starting out in pursuit of their dreams? What is the best advice they were ever given?

Now you can find out! Author Christian Klemash has written How to Succeed in the Game of Life: 34 Interviews with the World's Greatest Coaches. It took the author more than three years of research, persistence, and original interviews, but now he's ready to pass on the best advice you'll ever get. Klemash gives fans a once-in-a-lifetime chance to learn valuable life lessons from the most famous, intelligent, and victorious coaches ever. The legends span the sports world, from 16-time NBA Champion Red Auerbach, to 10-time NCAA Champion John Wooden, to nine-time Stanley Cup winner Scotty Bowman.

These coaches know how to teach top athletes about character and winning, how to manage pressure at crunch time, and how to bring out the best in their players when it matters most. How to Succeed in the Game of Life shares their insights into sports, life, and the most vital keys to sustain success.

Customer Reviews:

Coaching advise from athletic coaches.......2007-06-27

A fun read, especially if yoiu're a sports fan. I read it in search of things that would help my own ability as a coach in my company. Much of it is light stuff but the easy read makes it fun nonetheless and there are few golden nuggets laced throughout the book.

Overcome Adversity.......2007-04-12

Anyone looking for inspiration, either for their own life or to share with others, will find a gold mine of quotes here. This book isn't just for sports fans.

Inspiration.......2007-01-27

I have never read a more inspirational book in my life. Before, I never realized how much other people have struggled the way I have in life, and have actually succeeded! It was great for me to see that and to know that there are other people in the world with great adversity in their life and have come out on top due to hard work and great leadership. This book isn't for just sports fans, it's for all who are looking for great advice in the real world and need a little tap on the back saying that everything is and will be okay! This book is great for all ages and for any occupation!

good.......2007-01-18

As a coach I will use many things I found in this book. Wasn't everything it could have been but still a great read.

A great inspirational source.......2007-01-17

I purchased this book while I was searching for a "golden nugget" for a speech I was preparing for high school students. What I found was an entire gold mine of inspirational quotes and ideas! I truly enjoyed this book, and found many bits and pieces that I will share with others. I've already purchased a gift copy, and have shared mine with several others. I would highly recommend "How To Succeed In The Game of Life" to high school and college coaches, teachers, counselors, ministers, and parents....anyone who is in the business of working with young people and advising them as they navigate the difficult road to their future. There's plenty within for the "older folks" who need to be re-inspired in their own lives as well.

Average customer rating:

Getting bacvk at the Nigerians
Rude, in the best possible way
FUNNY! FUNNY! FUNNY!
Out of breath funny.
Funny but a little repetitive

The Good the Spam and the Ugly
Steve H. Graham
Manufacturer: Citadel
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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America Alone: The End of the World as We Know It
Somebody's Gotta Say It
The Face of the Tiger
The Clinton Crack-Up: The Boy President's Life After the White House
The Politically Incorrect Guide to Global Warming (and Environmentalism)

ASIN: 0806528249

Book Description

Date: Fri, 11 Mar 2005 18:38:09 +0000 (GMT)

To: honbarrsedd4za@yahoo.co.in
PROPOSAL FOR URGENT ASSISTANCE
Dear Sir: I must solicit your confidence in this transaction. I am a high placed official with the Department of Finance Affairs in Lagos, Nigeria. I and two other colleagues are in need of a silent foreign partner whose bank account we can use to transfer the sum of $18,000,000. This are monies left by a barrister who died tragically in a plane crash last year...

Sound familiar? Congratulations. You have been selected to become a mugu, an expression African con artists use to describe the targets of their e-mail scams. But they drew a bead on the wrong guy when they started spamming Steve H. Graham. Like many Internet users, Graham eventually got tired of receiving mugu mail and decided to fire back at his wannabe swindlers.

Armed with a scathing sense of humor, Graham quickly turned the tables on his tormenters--with side-splittingly hilarious results. Whether he's referring to his fictional lawyer Biff Wellington, complaining about the injury he received while milking a lactating sloth, or offering the Preparation H helpline as his phone number, Graham--using aliases such as Wile E. Coyote, Barney Rubble, and Herman Munster--offers proof that spamming the spammers is the best revenge.

Steve H. Graham is a retired attorney. Since childhood, he has been fighting for truth, justice, and free movie passes. For each copy sold of this book, he will donate 100 percent of the proceeds to himself. He is also the author of the cookbook Eat What You Want and Die Like a Man. He lives in Miami.

Customer Reviews:

Getting bacvk at the Nigerians.......2007-05-08

I often play with Nigerian scammers though not to the extent that the author does. Some of his responses to the scammers email are really funny. A lot like the annals of "The Porcine Princess".

Rude, in the best possible way.......2007-04-06

The Publishers Weekly review above is on the money, in that this book is gleefully offensive.

I'm fine with that.

If you're fine with that as well, this book will make you snort with laughter at inappropriate times. Do not read while sitting in bed next to your sleeping spouse. She will eventually punch you in the chest for waking her up.

It'll be worth the bruise.

FUNNY! FUNNY! FUNNY!.......2007-04-06

A laugh-riot from start to finish--the funniest book I've read in years.

Out of breath funny........2007-03-30

This was one of the funniest books I have enjoyed in a long, long time. The content is fun and light and makes for an easy read. There were times I had tears in my eyes and pain in my stomach from laughing so hard. It's an excellent book for when you need a break from this mad, mad, world.

It's one of those purchases you won't regret.

Highly recommended!

Funny but a little repetitive.......2007-03-30

There are some hilarious pages in this book, some that had me crying and unable to speak. If the author had a little more variety it would have been a great book, but it did seem to repeat its formula in the responses to the email scams after a while.

The Ugly Duckling (Caldecott Honor Book)

Average customer rating:

Know who you are
The Kind of Hope We All Need to Remember
Honk!
The Ugly Duckling
Great story, gorgeous illustrations

The Ugly Duckling (Caldecott Honor Book)
Hans Christian Andersen , and Jerry Pinkney
Manufacturer: HarperCollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 068815932X

Amazon.com

Three-time Caldecott Honor artist and four-time winner of the Coretta Scott King Award, Jerry Pinkney doesn't disappoint with this lovely, old-fashioned, richly textured watercolor adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's The Ugly Duckling. The mother duck knew from the very beginning that one of her babies would be different from the rest... the sixth egg was large and oddly shaped. When it finally hatches that summer, she thinks the "monstrous big duckling" must be a turkey chick! Other ducks are appalled by the ugly duckling, and he is chased, pecked, and kicked aside. When he can't stand it anymore, he runs away from the pond, eventually taking refuge in the warm cottage of an old woman with a cat and a hen. Missing the delicious feeling of the water too much to stay, however, he heads out again into the wide, increasingly cold autumn world.

One day, he heard a sound of whirring wings, and up in the air he saw a flock of birds flying high. They were as bright as the snow that had fallen during the night, and their long necks were stretched southward. Oh, if only he could go with them! But what sort of companion could he be to those beautiful beings?"

At last, after a hard, cold winter--and plenty of the kind of adventures no one really wants to have--the duckling sees the same flock of birds he'd seen in the sky so many months ago. He decides he will follow them, somewhat dramatically preferring to be killed by them rather than suffer any more "cold and hunger and cruelty." Much to his surprise, they welcome him! And when he looks for his dull, awkward reflection in the water, he sees a beautiful swan instead. Children who feel ostracized, even for the tiniest of differences, may shed a few sympathetic tears for the ugly duckling. And no doubt, it was Andersen's wish to give them the hope of one day finding their own peaceful place. (Ages 3 to 9) --Karin Snelson

Book Description

For over one hundred years The Ugly Duckling has been a childhood favorite, and Jerry Pinkney's spectacular new adaptation brings it triumphantly to new generations of readers. With keen emotion and fresh vision, the acclaimed artist captures the essence of the tale's timeless appeal: The journey of the awkward little bird -- marching bravely through hecklers, hunters, and cruel seasons -- is an unforgettable survival story; this blooming into a graceful swan is a reminder of the patience often necessary to discover true happiness. Splendid watercolors set in the lush countryside bring drama to life.

Customer Reviews:

Know who you are.......2007-02-09

This book was absolutely wonderful, especially the illustrations. My children loved it. It was not just about being ugly, it was about knowing who you are, your roots, etc - self awareness and self-confidence. The poor duckling "thought" that he was ugly because he didn't know who he really was [a swan]. ...Because he was different from everyone around him, he believed that he was what everyone said he was -- ugly and worthless. The others picked on him because he was different. Once he discovered the truth of who he really was is when he was set free from the bondage of all the untruth that he heard. He discovered who he really was and flourished.

The Kind of Hope We All Need to Remember.......2006-05-12

A beautiful picture book on the Hans Christian Anderson tale. The Ugly Duckling is one of the world's most passionate childrens' stories of becoming. A wonderful book to read to remind a child what's possible no matter what. It's always a good thing to know one really is a swan ...underneath it all.

Honk!.......2005-06-23

"The Ugly Duckling" is one of those rare examples of the triumph of image over story. Anyone who's ever read, heard, or seen performed this story knows that there are elements to it that can make you feel a hair uncomfortable. After all, the moral of the tale is that it doesn't matter how awful your life has been just so long as you're beautiful and look like all the pretty people in the end. Even if we dislike what "The Ugly Duckling" is trying to say, though, it's hard not to be compelled by its striking images. The cygnet amongst the ducklings. The resentment directed at him by both the animal kingdom and humankind. And then, the slow realization that he is in fact the most beautiful creature in the entire world. If this story were a Grimm Brothers tale it would probably end with the duckling rubbing his newfound good looks in his siblings' faces. Fortunately, we're in Hans Christian Andersen territory here, and (more specifically) Jerry Pinkney territory as well. Mr. Pinkney has taken Andersen's original wordy version and pared it down to the point where contemporary children will understand and identify with it better. He's even changed the moral of the tale oh-so-slightly so that it's less lotsa-pain-equals-more-physical-beauty and more hard-work-will-lead-to-happiness-in-the-end. I'm not personally buying it, but that's the fault of Andersen. Not Pinkney.

In case you are not familiar with the original Andersen version (and isn't it remarkable that there isn't a Disney version out there somewhere?) here's the lowdown. One day a mother duck finds that one of her eggs is different from the others. No explanation of this is ever given. Pity. When the eggs hatch the largest/different one takes a long time to crack open and when it does it exhibits a large ugly grey "duckling". Immediately, trouble starts. Other ducks bite the duckling's head and its brothers and sisters join in. It gets so depressed that when a dog passes it over as a meal it can only think, "I am too ugly even for a dog to eat". A woman, a cat, and a chicken all find the duckling to be utterly useless. It freezes in a pond and flees the nice man that frees it. Finally after multiple trials and countless tribulations the duckling turns into a swan, meets up with its brethren, and discovers the beauty of ... um... beauty.

No deep insights in this one. Now normally I don't much care for Jerry Pinkney's illustrations. I found his "John Henry" to be a bit slapdash and his "Noah's Ark" lacking. For some reason though, "The Ugly Duckling" works. When you consider that I don't usually like the story and I don't usually like the illustrator, the fact that I like the two when combined is just plum weird. It's not that the story has improved much. But under Pinkney's hand it becomes tolerable. Sure, it's still mighty depressing to see the poor little duckling bitten, screamed at, and teased. But when he's beautiful, there's no arguing with his looks.

In the end, I tip my hat to Pinkney's guts. Some people will pooh-pooh this review because they feel I'm criticizing the story and not the edition itself. Blarney. You can't separate this book from the tale on which it's based. I'm still not a fan of "The Ugly Duckling". I think it teaches the wrong lessons in a clumsy way. But Jerry Pinkney has given us perhaps the only edition of the original story that's readable in this day and age. For that reason alone the book deserves its Caldecott Honor.

The Ugly Duckling.......2005-06-06

I read the book The Ugly duckling by Jerry Pinkney.
The book is about a ugly duckling,everyone is mean to him. One day he got fed up with them so he ran away to a pond but there was a shoot off . So he immediately ran off. After awhile he came across a old ladies house. Her animals were mean to him so he went to a pond.In the winter he froze and a farmer gets him out.He did not like them either so he ran away. In the spring he finds out he is a wonderful swan.
I enjoyed the book because I never heard the part when he got frozen. The theme is never be down about the way you look because you might look better when you get older. This book didn't have good word choice and all the words were easy I liked that.The conflict is he is ugly and everyone is mean to him.The illustrations were very full. the character is the ugly duckling. There are many different version. The intended audience is kids who are not beautiful so they don't feel bad about themselves.

Great story, gorgeous illustrations.......2003-09-12

This version of The Ugly Duckling is a great retelling of the classic story, with an enriched exploration of the Ugly Duckling's feelings and experiences. The illustrations are stunning. My three children, ages 3-5, are enthralled. And because of the nuance and complexity of the story, this will continue to be a family favorite for years to come.

Texas Bug Book: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Average customer rating:

Love it and use it
Great Bug Reference Book!
Worthless Reference Book
Not worthy of the trees that had to die.
Bugs at their best

Texas Bug Book: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Howard Garrett , and C. Malcolm Beck
Manufacturer: University of Texas Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Texas Organic Vegetable Gardening: The Total Guide to Growing Vegetables, Fruits, Herbs, and Other Edible Plants the Natural Way
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Howard Garrett's Plants for Texas
Texas Organic Gardening

ASIN: 0292709374

Book Description

Praise for Texas Bug Book:

"Definitive ...This book is a must-have for any organic library!"

— Texas Organic News

"Overall this [book] is probably the best of its kind. Given the excellent photography and affordability, it is definitely worth the purchase."

— Whole Earth

" Texas Bug Book, unlike many of the characters it describes, is a keeper—highly recommended as a perfect companion volume to set beside your native plant books."

— Native Plant Society of Texas News

"If you plan on ever stepping outside, or staying inside, or going to bed, Texas Bug Book is a wealth of information you can't possibly live without."

— Austin American-Statesman

"This book is recommended essentially to all humans above the age of three. It conveys a wonderful message about our ecology and hope for living within our environment."

— Choice

Texas Bug Book is your complete guide for identifying and organically controlling all of the most common Texas insects. Drawing on years of practical experience and research, organic gardening experts Howard Garrett and Malcolm Beck give detailed instructions on how to identify, understand the life cycle of, and control or protect Texas insects, mites, snails, slugs, nematodes, and other critters. They also include striking color photos and black-and-white drawings to help you identify each bug. Garrett and Beck highlight the many useful roles that bugs play in nature and offer proven organic remedies for infestations of pest insects.

Customer Reviews:

Love it and use it.......2006-08-14

I've been an organic gardener for years and this book is one of my "Bibles". You cannot maintain an organic garden or landscape without knowing the beneficial bugs from the harmful ones. My husband and I really enjoy being able to identify what's in our landscape and seeing them in action. The world around us is a remarkable, complex place and sometimes you have to look at bugs to have it really hit home. This is a great book, along with all of Howard Garrett's others.

Great Bug Reference Book!.......2005-04-13

It is important to know what bugs are beneficial and which are harmful. This book does just that! Not only does this book include many great photos, it also provides wonderful recommendations on how to manage the ones that are pests.
As for the only spiders one should be weary of in North America: the Brown Recluse and the Black Widow, this book has great photos for proper identification. Furthermore, valuable information is included on the nature of these two spiders and has great suggestions on what to do should you happen to encounter one.

Worthless Reference Book.......2003-10-01

My wife and I agree this book is worthless as a reference book, but it does have some pretty pictures. Great as a coffee table book, but you will never use it as a reference book.

Not worthy of the trees that had to die........2003-05-04

This behemothian piece of excrement is a slap in the face of any ligitimate work on insects in general, or growing organic gardens specifically. The book is fraught with inaccuracies and outright misinformation. Case in point, the kissing bug did not get its name from biting people when it accidently flies into your face, it got it from its habit of biting sleeping people on the lips. This information is not critical to the book, but it exemplifies the slothful approach to gathering information the authors obviously used to write this book. The "Stories" are nothing more than opinionted drivel, although some of them are slightly humorous. The authors have no credentials in Entomology (they state that in the Introduction) and although they claim to have consulted "...many other books and research papers..." on the subject, nowhere did I find a reference to such information when something other than common fact was stated (as is necessary in REAL science books), such as aphids "...help to eliminate unfit plants." That is the single most ludicrous thing I have heard in a decade or more! Fortunately for me I didn't buy this waste of sawdust or recycled paper (whatever the case may be), but obviously some did because this "thing" is now in its fourth printing. The one good thing about this book is that the authors advocate the use non-chemical control. Believe me, save your money, you can get much better, less opinionated, advice from a simple Internet search.

Bugs at their best.......2002-09-07

I never knew bugs could abe so interesting. The authors combine factual information on insects with entertaining stories of buggy encounters. This book reaches my kids on a level they can understand (they are 8 - 12 years old), yet provides me with plenty of good factual information that helps with gardening. The kids were thrilled to discover that the funny things they had seen "growing" on the fence were actually lacewing eggs. We are eagerly anticipaing their hatching. I also appreciated the recipes for home-made, natural insecticides.

The Ugly Duckling/El patito feo (Bilingual Fairy Tales)

Average customer rating:

The Ugly Duckling/El patito feo (Bilingual Fairy Tales)
Merce Escardo i Bas
Manufacturer: Chronicle Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0811844552

Book Description

Retold in both Spanish and English, the universally loved story The Ugly Duckling will delight early readers and older learners alike. The striking illustrations give a new look to this classic tale, and the bilingual text makes it perfect for both home and classroom libraries.

Average customer rating:

A model story
Ending ruins it all
I wanted to like this more
A Wonderful Twist on an Old Favorite
A Mixed Up Fairy Tales- Funny Fiction!

Sleeping Ugly
Jane Yolen
Manufacturer: Putnam Juvenile
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0698115600

Customer Reviews:

A model story.......2007-01-22

A well told story, and and a good model for my students' essay writing. It has organization, allusion, "show me" character, smooth seamless transitions between scenes, and a bonus character lesson suitable for both boys & girls. For a longer "chapter book" with the same theme, see M.M. Kaye's The Ordinary Princess.

Ending ruins it all.......2006-06-20

The story starts out well enough, centering around the lovely-but-spoiled Princess Miserella and the sweet-but-ugly Plain Jane. Naturally, the book is filled with the contrasts between their two characters: Miserella makes people miserable while poor Plain Jane's sweetness is overlooked by people who only see her outside.

When the two meet a fairy godmother, things start to look up for Jane when her kindness wins her three wishes. Before she can use them, however, Miserella ticks off the godmother so much that her magic goes bonkers and puts them all to sleep. When a prince comes across the three sleeping women, he falls for Miserella's looks and decides to kiss her awake. Before he does this, however, he decides to "practice" kissing by kissing the godmother and Jane first. It is here that both the prince and the author of the story make their fatal mistakes.

When Jane wakes up and sees the prince (after being kissed by him), she naturally wants him for herself. Rather than taking the golden opportunity of developing a real relationship between the two characters, author Jane Yolen throws it away by having the brainless bimbo of a fairy godmother cast a spell on the prince that magically forces him to love Jane (that godmother's not too smart with a wand, is she?) In just a couple of sentences, Yolen totally ruins what began as a meaningful story.

First of all, I absolutely despise the idea of love spells; love is a wonderful, wild force that cannot possibly be controlled or imitated. Second of all, what's the point of forcing the prince to love Jane? If Yolen doesn't let Jane win the prince's love naturally, then what message does this give girls with low self-esteem? That a guy can't like you without a spell on him? I thought the whole point of the story was that inner beauty and kindness is rewarded, but it hardly counts if the prince had a spell on him; the nasty princess could just as easily have done that. I agree with the reviewer who said that Jane's kindness was ruined when she made Miserella's sleeping body a hat post and forbad anyone to kiss her back to life. It seems to me that was Jane's way of saying, "Well, I got the prince, I guess I don't need to be nice any more". I found myself hoping the prince would find out about the spell and dump Jane like she deserved; I also wouldn't have minded the fairy godmother being turned into the toad she really was. I love most of Yolen's work, but this one is a rare bad egg.

I wanted to like this more.......2005-12-02

I wanted an unconventional tale for my daughter and was dissapointed. Although it tries to be unconventional by having the ugly girl being the good one I think it sells it's self short by still focusing the tale on attractiveness. The Jane character uses one of her magic wishes so that the Prince will love her. I would rather have tale about different forms of attractiveness or one in which the beauty of the characters isn't important. I want my daughter to know that morality is about the choices you make rather than the face you see in the mirror. BTW my husband liked this book so perhaps you will too.

A Wonderful Twist on an Old Favorite.......2005-11-16

In a startlingly funny retelling of the classic Sleeping Beauty tale, Jane Yolan spins a clever and sweet tale in Sleeping Ugly. The ever-beautiful, but horribly spoiled and cruel princess Miserella rushes into the forest during a temper tantrum and soon loses her way. She stumbles (literally) over an old fairy, who grudgingly agrees to help her find a way home. The mismatched couple discover charming Plain Jane's ramshackle home, but when the infuriating princess refuses to behave, the fairy accidentally casts a sleeping spell over the whole house. A poor prince discovers them 100 years later and remembers that his duty is to awaken the princess with a kiss. However, during a practice kiss, the prince falls in love with Jane, with whom he lives happily ever after.
The theme of personality being paramount to beauty is key to this engaging tale. Though the princess' every movement is lovely, Jane's kindness and good-natured behavior win the love of the prince. Morals in society are so often skewed, but Yolan's funny story realigns children's ethics without being overbearing or obvious. Diane Stanley's terrific illustrations are wonderful as well. The cartoon style pen, ink, and paint drawings delightfully enhance the tale. The stunning, but pouting Miserella contrasts wonderfully with the homely, smiling Jane, and the reader cannot help but love Jane more for her cheerful appearance. One should also note Yolan's twist of the traditional Sleeping Beauty story. This ingenuity ought to be highly praised for its attempt to expand children's perspectives on the world. The creativity of Jane Yolan's story Sleeping Ugly combine enchantingly with Diane Stanley's artwork to form a truly memorable story that children are sure to adore.

A Mixed Up Fairy Tales- Funny Fiction!.......2005-05-19

Sleeping Ugly was amazingly funny because it wasn't like any other fairy tale. It was a really good book. I would really like to check it out from the library. I think it was funny because Misrella threw pies in the cook's face. I thought it was sad that Miserella stepped on the dogs and hurt them. I also think it was sad that she kicked the cats.

Average customer rating:

The title maybe Ugly Vegetables, but it's beautiful story
The Ugly Vegetables
Enjoyable
An awesome book and receipe included, how great is that!
Should Be in Every Library!

The Ugly Vegetables
Grace Lin
Manufacturer: Charlesbridge Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0881063363

Book Description

It's easy to appreciate a garden exploding with colorful flowers and fragrances, but what do you do with a patch of ugly vegetables? Author/illustrator Grace Lin recalls such a garden in this charming and eloquent story.

The neighbors' gardens look so much prettier and so much more inviting to the young gardener than the garden of “black-purple-green vines, fuzzy wrinkled leaves, prickly stems, and a few little yellow flowers” that she and her mother grow. Nevertheless, mother assures her that “these are better than flowers.” Come harvest time, everyone agrees as those ugly Chinese vegetables become the tastiest, most aromatic soup they have ever known. As the neighborhood comes together to share flowers and ugly vegetable soup, the young gardener learns that regardless of appearances, everything has its own beauty and purpose.

The Ugly Vegetables springs forth with the bright and cheerful colors of blooming flowers and bumpy, ugly vegetables. Grace Lin's colorful, playful illustrations pour forth with abundant treasures. Complete with a guide to the Chinese pronunciation of the vegetables and the recipe for ugly vegetable soup! Try it . . . you'll love it, too!

Customer Reviews:

The title maybe Ugly Vegetables, but it's beautiful story.......2007-05-13

I was drawn to this book for several reasons. First off, I have a child born in and adopted from China and am naturally drawn to books relating to Chinese people. As much as I want her to understand her birth culture I am also learning at the same time. We have several Grace Lin books in our library at home and have loved everyone of them. What I love about this book is that it illustrates how we all have something to teach one another and that through our sharing and teaching we actually become comfortable with ourselves. This isn't just a book about some unusual vegetables, it's a story about people and what we each have to offer the world.

The Ugly Vegetables.......2006-03-15

One of my two year olds favorite books. Beautiful illustrations and a fun story, especially if coming from a gardening background. My daughter also loves trying to say the Chinese words for the vegetables at the end of the book.

Enjoyable.......2005-10-04

I bought this book for my 3 year old, but I think it's a bit too complicated for her. The story is lovely, and I bought this based on our enjoyment together of several other books illustrated and/or written by Ms. Lin. However, her attention span at 3 is too short to get through all of the narrative, so we just looked at the pictures while I summarized. The pictures, as usual, were colorful and intriguing, but we put this book aside for next Summer, when she'll be closer to 4, and we can read it together as we plan our own "ugly" vegetable garden.

An awesome book and receipe included, how great is that!.......2004-08-22

Each Grace Lin book I get, I am just so impressed by her talent! Every child loves to get their hands into dirt and growing flowers or vegetables is always fun and gives the child great pride to show everyone their hard work and or beautiful flowers!

Every child wants to be just the same as their friends, especially those in the neighborhood. Mom and daughter start in the spring to plant their garden and while everyone else in the neighborhood each have their own way of tending their gardens totally different from how her and her mom garden. When their plants appear they look like grass, where other neighbors' appear they look like normal plants.

The little girl constantly asks questions as all children do, why mommy, why mommy and her mommy patiently answers each of her daughters questions. When others in the neighborhood have beautiful flowersthat smell so good, the little girls garden has what she sees as ugly plants with no beautiful scents. Once the vegetables are ready to be harvested the little girl and mother gather their wheelbarrow with their vegetables. Later that afternoon the daughter is out playing in the yard and smells a wonderful smell and it's coming from her house! Her mom has made soup using their harvest and her mom gives her a bowl..... it tastes so good! Then there comes knocking at their door and it's the little girls neighbors wanting to trade their beautiful flowers for a bowl of soup. The Mom tells the neighbors about each vegetables and the next spring the little girl notices her neighbors growing " Ugly Vegetables" too!

I love that Lin includes a receipe to make using these so called "ugly vegetables" and that she included their names and even sounded them out. Keep up the good work Mrs. Lin and I'll keep on buying your books and singing praises to anyone who'll read my reviews!

Should Be in Every Library!.......2001-06-29

This was a wonderful story that my husband and children just loved. We learned about some new vegetables in the process. As a kid I wasn't fond of bitter melon, but I'm willing to give it a second try after reading the book! My 5 and 6 year old boys are clamoring for us to go out, buy some ugly vegetables, and make the soup! This book appeals to every member of the family and the illustrations are beautiful.

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