No comments about Knowing Pains: Women on Love, Sex and Work in our 40s.

5 comments about American Band: Music, Dreams, and Coming of Age in the Heartland.

1. Having marched in band all 4 years of HS, I was drawn to this book from the time I read the excerpt in an airline magazine. I was interested in how Max Jones ran his band camps and his teaching style. What I became very bored with was the life story of Grant Loughenbaugh. I couldn't help thinking it was a good thing he was out of school by the time the book was published. Otherwise, I think there would have been a lot of fallout and jealousy from his peers that he was the focus of the book instead of the band. I suspect that the author developed an obsession with Grant and his family during the writing of this book. It shows.



2. I think the book idea is great and if you know the particular people involved, it could be a good read. But I had a problem keeping my interest while reading, I just wasn't that interested in getting into the kind of detail about these kids as the detail presented. I couldn't finish it, but I feel as though I should finish the book because I paid list price. I did read another band book and found it fascinating from a historical standpoint, but for this book, I just wasn't interested in the lives of the kids, I'm really more interested in the band as a whole. Don't decide to buy the book on my preview, but if you're not really interested in reading about these kids particular lives, don't get the book.



3. This is one of the best books I've ever read! Great for anyone involved in marching band or even parents looking for a reason to get their kids involved in an outside activity. Highly recommended!



4. What a compelling, engaging text. Ms. Laine really creates a beautiful story about a topic "outsiders" would rarely have interest in. Part embedded journalism, part biography, partly spiritual, this book really captures the essence of the great all American activity that is marching band. It highlights the personal struggles of the students as well as the heights of their achievements. This book is very personal and moving. I loved it!



5. I happen to be a parent from this particular program whose son graduated before the book was written. I read initially to open the "mysterious" "how" in the world did this man, Max Jones, consistently get these kids from summer freshman band camp, to marching a complicated show with fabulous, entertaining, difficult, music, marching, color guard, and a total show that always brought the state finals crowd to their feet.
   
   What inspired those kids, how could he chew out the entire band without raising his voice? Why did he command such respect? What were his real goals for these kids? We knew some of them when our son arrived at Taylor University just wanting to audition for the Jazz Band for the love of music, but was majoring in business and computers. Mr. Jones had called ahead unknown to us the Chair of the Music department and told him to keep an eye our for our son as he was a good kid and musician he'd want to have in his program, as a bass trombone player.
   
   This book shows how an excellent music program is not just about music, it's about making kids who will become excellent parents, workers, students, parents. He taught leadership, perserverence, teamwork. There are also several students who were highlighted. Their stories are remarkable and touching. You will be swept into their lives. Prepare to be totally caught up in a story that isn't just about a band, a community, or kids. It becomes a spiritual experience, it's compelling. My husband cried at the end. Now that's a book! It's inspirational. It's too bad they did not include the DVD of the state fair show,final show, and the next year's that was in a way a tribute to Max . I'm trying to get my hands on them as we speak from friends at church!

1 comments about Stanley and Sophie.

1. If you like sharp, insightful, unsentimental writing, then you'll like this book. Yes, the dogs are charming...but don't let that trick you into thinking this is a predictable "my-dog-is-so-cute-let-me-tell-you-exactly-how" memoir. Rather, it paints a broad picture of life as actually lived using a carefully controlled brush, taking you inside the life and mind of the writer. Frankly, I'm baffled by the PW reviewer's comment that Jennings doesn't make it clear why she gives up the dogs -- it's the central point of the book. It's a story of successful transitions and, in its own unique, unpredictable way, is inspirational...with a few laughs along the way. Highly recommend!

5 comments about Soldier: A Poet's Childhood.

1. I don't read autobiographies because they're usually self-serving. I wait until someone with distance does justice to a life.

   Soldier, though, is the exception to my rule. June Jordan is able to look back over what seems a chaotic and sometimes cold, cruel childhood, and put it into the context of her life.

   The style is many times lyrical and poetic. The words draw you in and keep you reading. The story works back and forth between what's actually happening to June, the child, and what she's thinking about as it unfolds. It's quite different from most autobiographies.

   While I understand her father's quest to make sure his child is never a victim, his methods seem too brutal for words. It was a different time, and reality for an African-American is different, too, but reading about it is grueling.

   I did have a problem with the fact that June's memories seem much too clear. I may be missing the point, but I don't know anyone who can remember her childhood with such clarity and from the age of six months. Perhaps this is literacy license. If so, fine. The problem, then, is mine.

   No matter, this book is a fabulous read. I whipped through it in two hours.




2. June Jordan, African American Studies professor at UC Berkeley, has written a moving testament to her chaotic, challenging, and bittersweet childhood. This memoir written in a poetic manner is reminiscent of Sandra Cisneros' "House on Mango Street". The daughter of West Indian immigrants who revered education and hard work, she endured almost daily verbal assaults on her gender and physical abuse from her father. He was on one hand a supporter of Marcus Garvey and on the other hand felt the need to put down the American black at every turn. Her mother was a submissive, silent woman who realized that her daughter was her husband's son. Jordan's memories of the people who made an impact on her life and character, her Nanny, her Uncle Teddy, her camp friend, Jodi along with tales of childhood death-defying accidents, academic excellence, and first crushes are just bits and parts that serve to make this memoir a compelling read.



3. Sure to be a classic. A wonderfully charming and moving series of memories, observations, and poetic passages about a childhood at turns sweet, innocent, and difficult. Sometimes children make the most clear-eyed and wise observers, and it is the rare adult, such as June Jordan, who can recapture and communicate the experience of childhood in both its wonder and bewilderment. Although the elements of Jordan's childhood are specific - 19302/1940s, brusque, occaisionally-violent immigrant father, Harlem and Brooklyn neighborhoods, racial and social inequity - the themes are universal. Wonderful!



4. Over the past 40 years civil rights has come a long way and progress has been made in areas that makes life easier. But imagine if you had to struggle with poor education, terrible living conditions, and even segregation. Now imagine trying to get ahead in a world and society that was making all this an impossible task.

   June Jordan takes you on a twelve year journey through the eyes of one person who life was given these circumstances and somehow managed to succeed and become one of the most successful people, her own. June Jordan tells a story through words and poems that has you stopping and thinking throughout the entire 260 pages.

   The book is one of the first I have read that makes a clear representation of how a child caught up in turmoil can block out what they see and find something good in the life they have been given. Jordan's ability to capture the reader makes this book one of the most impressive I have read so far this year.

   After reading this book and seeing how the tough and often overbearing father along with the serine and religious mother were at odds, I gained a deeper understating of how difficult it must have been for any African American to try to make and succeed in the white man's world.

   Jordan has written several other books and has won a number of prestigious awards over the years. I found this book enjoyable and easy to read. Take time out and follow through the 12 years with a child who I found dealt with the same things I did as a child, only Jordan had them magnified. An excellent book!




5. June Jordan is not a victim. She shows us that difficult childhoods aren't as straightfoward as that. Her violent father may have taught her to solve problems with violence, but he also taught her to be observant. The best part of this book is that we hear the words and see places that influenced Jordan's writing style: her father, her Uncle Teddy, New York of the 30's and 40's.

5 comments about Thirteen Senses: A Memoir.

1. Started out a little slow, but became one of my favorites by the end. The second time I read it, it was much better. It is definately on the top of my recomindation list.



2. Stream of consciousness books like this one are always a risk. So in the end, I liked it. I liked it for the candidness and the luck that seemed to pervade the characters. More than anything though, I like "13 Senses" for the magical realism and the strength of the women. The Bonnie and Clyde "esque" quality lends itself to a recklessness that is the exuberance of youth. Villaseñor's situates the whole book on the extra senses that is almost forgotten by hard core materialists - yes matter precedes all but the senses six through nine. (Ten through thirteen seem to reside in some outer realm) but it is funny. Many will argue that it is short on reason and full of anecdote - yes, but that is the strength of the book not its weakness. My guess is that if we changed that "thing" within ourselves that looks for the clean and neat narrative - we lose all the heavenly glory.
   
   Miguel Llora



3. I was truly excited to hear Villasenor had written a continuation to Rain of Gold! I could hardly wait to get my hands on a copy of Thirteen Senses, and I'm so happy I did. Rain of Gold did so much to change my perspective on the Mexican experience in this century, and I felt a longing to know what happened to Lupe and Salvadore after their marriage ceremony. This story really came through, showing their growth as a couple along with their individual spiritual growth. This story is about growing into real adulthood and loosing our childish self centeredness. It's about discovering how incredible a person can be, and how far limits can be pushed.



4. I think the sequence where Lupe is talking with her mother-in-law an Idigeneous Mexican Indian was very moving. Finished the book on our way to San Francisco were we visited our daughter-in-love" and our son and grandchild. Have been struggleing with the "Thirteenth Sense" all my life, and if I can't make it on a beautiful barrier island on the Gulf of Mexico, with my husband of 37 years, there is no hope for the rest of us. Buying the book for Christmas gifts to give all the people who give meaning to my life. Beautifully written and with such sensitivity it makes you want to invite Victor for dinner.



5. I would suggest reading "Rain of Gold" first as it lays the background for Thirteen Senses and I, personally, thought Rain of Gold was the better story which pointed out the meaning of LOVE in a myriad of ways that was better than most other descriptions I have ever read.

   The weakness of this story is the overuse of the Almighty's powers and Salvador's mother's retelling her philosophy of life page after page after page. If 50 to 75 pages of this type dissertation was edited out, it would be a much better story. The religious nature of both primary familys' is very important to the story, however, it is overdone. While reading I was comparing the American Indian's religious beliefs (which I love) along with the Mexican Indian's outlook. Quite the same in many ways, particularly when actually changing from human to animal form and then back to human. Fascinating.

   I read this book out loud to my wife and she also enjoyed it and would most certainly recommend this being a fine reading experience, however, she also agrees there is too much philosophy given by Dona Guadalupe, Salvador's mother. Her meanderings are important to the story, but you can pass by many paragraphs when she gets too wound up.

5 comments about Scheisshaus Luck: Surviving the Unspeakable in Auschwitz and Dora.

1. "Scheisshaus Luck" is a searing memoir of the Holocaust. As the initial draft was written less than 2 years following the author's release from the concentration camp, the book retains the rawness and freshness of detail that brings the day to day brutality and deprivation of concentration camp experience to life. As I read the book, two themes stood out: (a) the tremendous evil that humans are capable of inflicting on each other, and (b) the depths of what humans will endure in order to live. Most of us think we could not stand long days of back-breaking labor with only a cupful of weak soup and a few bites of bread to eat day in and day out. Berg, and his fellow prisoners at Berg's camp did this... and more. One of the outstanding features of the book, in fact, is Berg's inflinching portrayal of the conditions of concentration camp life, in all its moments of great ugliness (the scene where one inmate takes advantage of temporary darkness to steal Berg's bread literally from his hands is particularly heartbreaking) as well as moments of great heroism (Berg survives one forced march due to the efforts and help of his friend, who is then so weakened that he is "selected" for death upon the arrival at the next camp).
   
   The title of the book echoes the major premise developed by Berg in his narrative, which is that the question of who lived or died during the Holocaust was largely determined by blind luck. And he does an excellent job of portraying the arbitrary nature of much of the cruelty that occurred, not to mention the role that chance plays when the line between life and death is so slim that one's survival literally depended on whether you were able to "organize" an extra spoon of soup that day.
   
   However, I might gently disagree with Berg that his survival was only a matter of sheer luck. Throughout the narrative, it becomes clear that--while arbitrary luck certainly played a role in what happened to him--Berg's survival also depended heavily on his abilities and quick wit. More than once, Berg was provided with jobs that were physically less demanding and provided him with more food because of his skills as an interpreter (he spoke four languages fluently). More than once, he obtained more favorable jobs because of his mechanical abilities and willingness to fake being a trained electrician.
   
   This is not an easy memoir to read. Berg relates what happened to him and his companions in a clear, unflinching prose that does not sugarcoat any of the details. But it is not a totally depressing book, either; Berg has a sardonic wit (as seen even in the very first sentence of the book, where he says "if you're seeking a Holocaust survivor's memoir with a profound and poetic statement...you've opened the wrong book"), and there are multiple instances of gallows humor to offer a reader some emotional relief.
   
   Toward the end of the memoir, Berg questions "whether, as a society, we had the fortitude to ever overcome the bestiality so deeply embedded in our fabric." I don't know the answer to that question, but I do know that if we are to have even the slightest chance of preventing genocides like the Holocaust from occurring again, we much confront, and remember, the evil of the past. Berg's book, like the memoirs of others who have experienced the Holocaust, plays a vital role toward that end.



2. Hey, I'm a big fan of Holocaust Books - generally I can't put them down. Sometimes I make fun of myself and say that I'm like Woody Allen's character in Annie Hall who has to go see Marcel Ophuls' The Sorrow and The Pity every time it shows. But what this does is create some kind of fairly informed perspective - at least I think so. I know I'm not here to review the back cover, but to say that this book ranks in importance with Levi and Weisel, as the back cover does, is shameful hyperbole. Every survivor's story should be heard, but this one is on the plebian side of the spectrum. It doesn't engage with the universal, paradigmatic significance of the Holocaust. It is artless, and in that it has value. We are perhaps TOO accustomed to drawing deep philosophical significance from Holocaust Testimony, and this book reminds us that there are hundreds of thousands of individuals who went through this collective trauma and came out on the other side, marked forever. But I can't recommend this book warmly, although making aesthetic judgements about such recountings troubles me. But when one publishes such a book, I suppose one leaves oneself open to this.



3. I just finished Pierre Berg's book, "Scheisshaus Luck," and it was quite a vivid memoir.
   
   If you have read Elie Wiesel's book, "Night," you will notice some parallels. A teenager sent to Auschwitz, "selected" for hard labor, and attempting to survive as best as he can. "Night" tells the Holocaust story primarily from the Jewish victim's point of view. "Scheisshaus Luck" tells the story from the gentile point of view. Both points of view are just as brutal, and both young men suffered horribly during their internment. Berg was older than Wiesel at the time of internment; that may account for the additional observations and details in Berg's book ("Night" is about half the length of "Luck").
   
   Some of you may be put off by the title. Don't be. The title is in reference to the randomness of fate that intervened at odd times. This randomness ensured Berg's survival. In fact, there's an excellent online interview with Berg, posted at litpark.com/2007/10/03/pierre-berg/ One example of this randomness is an incorrect digit, which keeps him from a date with the hangman.
   
   One addition I wish could've been made in the afterward; we meet characters in the book, and we never know what happens to them again (for example, Berg's parents. We see them up until 1947, and then that's it). I'd like to know what happened to Berg's parents, to the Novaks, to Claude, etc. What happened to them after the war? I realize we cannot know what happened to all of the characters, as many probably disappeared and were never heard from again. That is the only suggestion I have for improvement.
   
   "Scheisshaus Luck" is frank, raw, in-your-face, snarky and filled with gallows humor. And it was well worth my time. And it'll be worth yours, too. You won't regret it.



4. This is a very well written book about the author's experiences in the Nazi concentration camps at the end of World War II. It is an almost brutally frank appraisal of man's inhumanity to man. One episode of particular interest on the effect of these events is the author's description of what happens when he finally meets up again with his beloved Stella, who he first meets on the train to the concentration camp, and why he acted as he did. Overall, the book is a must read for anyone even peripherally interested in this aspect of World War II.
   It is clear the writer hates the Nazis (of course, not without good reason) and a minor drawback to the book is that the author's editorializing about matters beyond his personal knowledge sometimes seems out of place and tends to drag down the overall quality of the book and actually detracts from the story. [In the same vein, the book (somewhat like Rolling Stone magazine refusing to ever mention John Lennon's assassin by name) never mentions Hitler by name, referring to him solely as the "god with a moustache": This itself does not detract from the book, and is presumably Mr. Berg's choice, but I would have liked to hear the author's personal explanation for this (i.e., other than the obvious ones).]
   Other minor drawbacks are (1) Mr. Berg's insistence he saw Heinrich Himmler at Auschwitz at a time when there is no record of Himmmler ever being near the camp (A note in the book and the book's afterward try to explain away this mistake by asserting it must have been a body double of Himmler's. Yet the footnote for this assertion fails to identify a single source confirming Himmler's use of body doubles. I would appreciate authentication of this for my own general knowledge, either from the publisher or any astute Amazon readers.), (2) the reference to a prisoner's identification as consisting only of a colored triangle (e.g., red for political prisoners) with an additionl yellow triangle if the prisoner was both Jewish and fell into some other category (e.g., pink for homosexuals) as it is my understanding that, during the later stages of the war when the author was interned, the Nazis used a yellow bar over the triangle, instead of two triangles, to identify Jewish inmates who fell into more than one prisoner category (e.g., a Jewish criminal would be identified by a yellow bar over a green triangle), and (3) the sometimes too literal interpretation of German words and phrases that fails to pick up the nuance of what was actually meant.
   But please do not let these minor matters prevent you from reading the book. It is full of harrowing escapades (not the least of which is the death march from Auschwitz to Dora) and episodes where the author survives by blind, or just plain dumb (as when he mistakenly escapes execution due to the misreading of his prisoner number), luck. In the final analysis, though, it was more than just luck that kept the author alive. He just never gave up and used his ingenuity and intelligence to survive.



5. "Scheisshaus Luck" is superb. Most people think it was just Jews who were holocaust survivors; however, this book clearly details how the Nazis captured Italians, French, and others.
   
   Pierre Berg was an 18-year-old French lad in the wrong place at the wrong time in January 1944 when he was captured by the Germans. He suffered an unspeakable and savage existence for the next 17 months until May 1945. This brutality was not only dished out by the Germans but by his fellow inmates who had garnered priveleges as overseers of the other prisoners.
   
   Pierre Berg with the help of writer Brian Brock delivers a cold and unemotional account of his and others existence (through his eyes) during his imprisonment in several concentration camps. The tragedies he experienced (witnessing calous murders, beatings, disembowelment of a dead prostitute to catch eels for the Germans, etc.) clearly portrayed how a "pre-war" wonderful human being could lose all his dignity to be reduced to the sub-human person the Nazis expected him to be. His story is told with such a clear emotional detachment, that one really got a good feel for how he survived.
   
   Brian Brock said that it was Pierre's resistance to talking about the emotions that made it difficult to express Pierre's memoir as vividly as he wanted. In my opinion, however, Brian really misunderstood how effective the lack of that expression makes the book. It was this lack of emotion that drives home how one becomes after such catastrophic torture. It is not that Pierre has no emotion; it is that he has had to become so numb to expressing that emotion and had to sometimes find humor in some circumstances to SURVIVE. It is the same survival instinct some abused children employ.
   
   I am so sorry Pierre and others had to suffer such atrocities and thank him for telling his story. There is no doubt those awful 17 months changed you (and the other survivors) for life.

4 comments about Before and After Zachariah: A Family Story About a Different Kind of Courage.

1. Fern Kupfer captures the essence of raising a child with special needs. She expresses all the mixed emotions, including anger and rage, that most families in this situation wish to express, but fear what others will think of them, if they do. Our society has told parents that raising a child with special needs can be done, and done well. Parents are often told that they have been specially chosen by a higher power to carry out this noble task. Fern Kupfer questions all those platitudes. She and her husband are doggedly committed to doing all they can for their child, and she realistically examines the effects this has on them as a couple, and a family as a whole.
   This book should be required reading for all individuals working with children and families with special needs. This book would help many families in this situation understand that ALL of their feelings are normal,and that only they can make the best decision for their child and family, and not a society that shows little regard for individuals in this situation.
   I applaud Fern and her husband for their courage to do what they believe is best for Zachy and the family.



2. The world was first introduced to Zachariah in a 1980 article of "Redbook" magazine. Fern Kupfer writes with a clear, clean, crisp and very direct style that is sure to reach all readers.

   In more recent years, her severely developmentally delayed son's progress has been updated in this book. It made the reader feel somewhat bonded to the Kupfers (Fern Kupfer has written some delightful fictional stories that have appeared in "Redbook" and other magazines) and all the more interested in the approaches used to teach and raise this perpetual infant.

   Zachariah's older sister, Gabi, provides comic relief. Bright and verbal, Gabi possesses a savvy that shows up at a very early age. Wonderfully original, Gabi is never at a loss to express herself and her mixed feelings about her brother. One does sense that Gabi feels a real loss. Her brother is on the developmental plane of an infant and most likely will remain an infant for the rest of his life. She is funny, lovable and unflinchingly honest in her assessments. It is through Gabi that one gets an even clearer picture of life with a loved one who is severely developmentally delayed.

   Some years have passed since the latest update on Zachariah's progress. The residential program in Iowa where we last checked in with Zachariah sounded like a wonderfully humane place and one where persons living as perpetual infants got good, loving care and full protection.




3. As the sister of a profoundly retarded young man, I recommend this book to anyone related to or otherwise close to a person whose mental functioning is severely impaired. While there is much material available on the mildly and moderately retarded, few books are written about the lives of the severely and profoundly retarded and their families. Fern Kupfer tells her family's story well, and by including quotations from many other parents of severely retarded children, she also puts that story into perspective. Her family's decision to place Zachariah in residential care was not made lightly or easily, and those who are struggling with their choices in caring for their relatives will find this book compassionate and helpful, as well as refreshingly honest. This book is also an important reminder to all that while the vast majority of retarded people can be "mainstreamed" with success, a significant minority do need a level of lifetime care that is extraordinarily difficult for a family to provide.



4. This book is especially helpful and insightful for those of us who have handicapped children, but I really believe every mom or dad could learn from it. Although the "I'm so glad it's you and not me" phrase is thrown at us "special" parents way too often, there's some truth to the fact that most parents never have to deal with anything that remotely comes close to the things that happen daily when a family includes a disabled child. I especially appreciated the stories in the book from other parents of disabled children. Ms. Kupfer hit it right on the mark when she brought up the issue about "accepting" her child's disability. I wish the therapists and care providers and docs could get hold of that concept and really understand it. Awesome, wonderful book. It's old, but still good -- and very applicable in our society today that is pushing to do away with institutions for the disabled. What has always made our country great is our freedoms and our wonderful ability to choose out of all the opportunities available to us. Some would take this choice (to make use of institutions) away and call it a step in the right direction. They are sadly mistaken. Read this book and you will not be disappointed.

5 comments about Never Give In: Battling Cancer in the Senate.

1. As a Pennsylvania independent, I really enjoyed reading Specter's story on his trials and tribulations in the Senate while facing Stage IVB Hodgkin's lymphoma (the WORST stage there is, folks). He is feisty, ambitious, and, frankly, a braver person than many, in going forward and taking the chairmanship of the Judiciary committee, undoubtedly his life-long dream, while facing the ugliness of cancer. Reading this, you learn, this diagnosis is not the end, that life can go on and that, as Mr. Specter states many times, attitude is everything. However, this optimism is helped by his luck. Not all cancer survivors have a tumor that readily goes into remission. Inspiring for all and great insights into the Washington political process, including the surprising support and humanity with which he was treated during his personal crisis. If only all employers allowed naps during chemo and allowed you to come back to your job! Specter gets my vote!



2. I applaud Specter for his hard-fought battle with Hodgkins disease. This book is marketed as an account of his journey through his illness. However, it is 80% focused on his senate career and the bills he worked to pass while serving on Judiciary and 20% focused on his battle with cancer.



3. really inspiring. after reading this book, I have no doubt that Specter will be able to overcome his recurrence on Hodgkin's with flying colors. probably take names along the way.



4. I am neither a Democrat or Republican. I saw Senator Spector interviewed on a late night program and was fascinated by his demeanor. He was charming, witty , and spoke freely of his battle with cancer. He had many foes in his political career, but none as strong as this one. Some of his 'good friends' offered synthetic sympathy, but he kept smilin through the rain and the pain. I bought the book the same night and, although it ddin't keep me glued to it throughout, it was well worth the time spent reading. With the way things are going today, we could certainly use him on the Presidential ticket in November.



5. As a former intern for Sen. Specter, I can say that working in his office and watching him work was fascinating and inspiring. The more I observed him on the floor and as ranking member on the Judiciary committee, the more I respected him. Senator Specter is an icon for Republicans and Democrats alike, and his thinking transcends party lines. This book is a wonderful read, and I couldn't recommend it more. His dry sense of humor and great anecdotes are unmatched.

5 comments about Going Overboard: The Misadventures of a Military Wife.

1. I was so excited to read this book, especially after meeting Sarah Smiley when she was a guest speaker at a military spouses group I was a part of. However, after reading the book, I was disappointed. While I admire her honesty (although I wonder how much of that "honesty" is driven by the need to spice up the book to improve with sales"), I would be so embarrased if I were Sarah. I am a military brat AND a military wife and have dealt with my own deployments. My husband deployed when our son was just 5 weeks old and our daughter was 2 1/2. I DID NOT FALL APART!! Nowhere near!! It's difficult, yes but there's no honor in the way she behaved! I'm teetering between sympathy for Sarah and disgrace. What a mess! I really expected more from the book though! I'm glad I didn't spend much on it!



2. I love Sara Smiley! This book is so refreshing after reading so many serious or do this and not this military wife books out there. I think my experiences with military life and deployment are funny. It is what it is but I knew that getting married to my soldier. This book entertained me so much i bought it twice (one to pass around) and the other I have to keep to read again. Thanks for the great book!! HIGHLY recommended. You can find a lot of how to's and guides online but for entertainment on what it is REALLY like to be a military wife is right in the book!



3. This book was written for idiots! Should be considered a fiction novel. Don't waste your time if you want to read a book about military wives read either "Under the Sabers" or "Home Fires Burning". This author should stick to writing magazine columns.



4. Sarah Smiley does a wonderful job of relating military family life. It's great to know that there are other women and families out there who are dealing with the same everyday issues. I love that she's unafraid to put her feelings and actions out in print for the rest of us to read. It's great knowing that I'm not the only one who hates waiting at Pass and Tag or who has family and friends who have no clue about our lives as military spouses. I can't wait to read more from this entertaining writer!



5. Awesome, funny quick read, could not put this book down. I loved it and wanted more, write more!!! It is great to hear or read about other peoples "adventures" with military life and put a humorous spin on it instead of dwelling on the negative! I loved it and would love a sequel or more stories!!

5 comments about Take It to Your Seat Literacy Centers, Grades K-1 (Take It to Your Seat Literacy Centers).

1. I wanted something relevant that students could work on while I was working with small groups - without having to spend a lot of time on my part organizing. This works well. It was time consuming at first to set up the folders (I laminated), but now that it is done there is very little time on my part required. I teach 4th grade and plan on getting the centers for 4th - 5th next year and starting students on 3-4 at the beginning of the year and switching to 4-5 during the 2nd semester. Now I want to try the one for science and the one for geography.



2. Out of many centers books I've tried, this was by far the quickest and easiest to set up. No coloring, just laminate and cut it out. I'm ordering the math centers, too. A great product I would recommend to any teacher!



3. Definitely worth the money! All the time we spend as teachers, coloring, cutting out, and creating activities is done and bound in a book for us! All you have to do is cut the pieces out! Plus there's an assessment piece with each activity which allows you to check up on students who are working independently!



4. Literacy Centers 3-4 has wonderful independent activities that any teacher can implement during their Independent Work Time (IWT from Open Court). My students love reinforcing learned skills with fun centers.



5. I purchased 5 of these file folder books this summer. I was amazed to see how many of the skills fit into my grade level content expectations! I am very excited to introduce another option for students who need more to do. I have designed a poster so they can keep track of which folders they have already done. I plan to give them "extra" grades for folders completed.