Customer Reviews (1)

Warmth, humor, real life and pretend play
BIG HIT with my 7yo DS and 3yo DD, whose favorite dinosaur, like the little sister in the book, is a parasorolophus. Wonderful that the sister repeatedly asks her older bro to play with her and that twice he declines because he's reading--that choice enthralled my son (who is a reluctant reader himself). This story just rang true for us: very sweet, not a mean bone in it, and was entirely too short. Sequel, please! ... Read more

Product Description
Betsy Byars brings one of today's most complex issues (spousal abuse) into compassionate focus, while sending readers on a breakneck roller coaster ride. An ALA Notable Book of the Year. Young Adult. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (25)

Serious humor
"A humorous children's book about spouse abuse? Betsy Byars pulls it off with rare sensitivity and understanding of how much a young reader can--and can't--handle. "Cracker" Jackson (nicknamed by his loving babysitter Alma because he's sweet with a surprise, like cracker jacks) has divorced parents but they both love, support, and protect him. It's Alma who marries an abusive man, and when Cracker realizes she's in trouble, he wants to help her. By placing the abuse outside Cracker's immediate family, Byars keeps the violence at a safe distance from the reader yet makes it a significant problem, in part because of Cracker's love for Alma.
The story is narrated in first person by Cracker, whose honesty is at times very, very funny. Readers will have no trouble identifying with Cracker and therefore feeling a personal concern for Alma without being overwhelmed. The dynamics are genuine. Alma exhibits many of the characteristics of an abused wife--denial, loyalty, etc.--to Cracker's confusion. The ending is not tidy but is believable, and the conclusion leaves young readers with a sense of hope for the future.
Altogether, this is an outstanding treatment of a difficult topic. Highly recommended."

Cracker Jackson, by Betsy Byars
Cracker Jackson, a ten-year-old boy, receives a letter from his ex-babysitter, Alma. It is a warning because Alma thinks that her husband, Billy Ray, might harm Cracker. Since Cracker believes that Billy Ray is abusing Alma and her baby, Cracker does not need Alma's advice. In fact, Cracker encourages Alma to leave her husband and tries to make certain that Alma and her baby are safe.

Through sorrow, suspense, and humor, this book makes readers understand that children will risk everything in order to help someone they really care about. Once I started reading this excellent book, I could not put it down.

WOW!!!
Iread this as a class and at the end we all said "wow!"It is a great book about jackson, who is trying to help his ex-babysitter. It also has a lot of humor and auther's craft. It is a touching story with some funny moments too. I really like this book.

Cracker Jackson by Betsy Byers
In the story of Cracker Jackson, Cracker's parents are divorced and he has remained close friends with his old baby sitter, Alma, over the years.One day Alma writes to Cracker that her husband, Billy Ray, is abusing her.When Cracker bravely tries to stand up to Billy Ray his parents warn him to stay away, because Billy Ray is capable of doing anything. Cracker attempts to get Alma and her baby girl Nicole into a women's shelter, but when they do Alma gets scared of what Billy Ray might do and returns home. When Billy Ray heard of what she attempted to do he abused Alma and Nicole so badly that they ended up in the hospital. This is not only a story of abuse but also about a young hero. Cracker stood up for what he felt was right and what he believed in. It takes a special quality to see something wrong and do something about it even though there may be a high risk involved.

Cracker Jackson
Cracker Jackson was a very good book. It explained the importance of telling someone about an abusive family. Cracker showed that he really cared about his baby-sitter to go through all the trouble of sneaking to her house and checking on her. I thought Cracker was smart for confronting an adult about the situation before the matters became worse. This book kept you on the edge of your seat wanting to know what happened next. I couldn't put the book down! This book shows you how Betsy Byars took a horrible situation and turned it into something special. The book teaches you that just by caring about someone you can save their life. After all the hard work Cracker has been through to help Alma has paid off and now Alma can forget about the past and go on to a bigger and better future. ... Read more

Product Description
Realizing that sending her grandfather, Pop, to live in a nursing home will kill his already dying spirit, Birch urges Pop to take the cross-country plane flight he has always dreamed of, and to take Birch with him. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

My 5 year old loved this book
My 5 year old was excited for me to read a few more chapters to her each night.She followed every detail of the story.The characters don't have the most cheerful outlook on life, so I docked it a star.

Had to read for school
There are few books I read for school that I don't partially enjoy. This was the first exception. I hated this book! The character of the daughter is bratty and a control freak, while the grandfather seems to be to the daughter nothing more than a remembrance of the good old days. (...)The children are VERY stereotypical and they are always feeling sorry for themselves. Another thing I noticed, the plot seems to get nowhere: (...) ... Read more

Product Description
Perfect for young dog lovers, this fifth Blossom Family title is a mysterious and touching finale to the best-selling series by Newbery Medal-winning author Betsy Byars.When Junior brings home the classroom hamster, Scooty, he decides to build the best hamster tunnel ever. But when Scooty goes missing, all evidence points to Mud. In the meantime, Mad Mary is missing, too--although her bag and walking stick were found near the hgihway. When Mary later wakes up in the hospital, she realizes that the Blossom family might just have provided her with the strength she needs to pull her life back togeether. It's anything but an ordinary weekend with the Blossoms! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

This book is a countinous page turner
Wanted, Mud Blossom by Betsy Byars is a good read. The book is about a hamster getting lost. They have a trial because they think Mud ate the hamster. The main characters are Mud, Junior, Ron, Maggie, Pa and scouty. The conflict is that Junior's school hamster gets lost and he is trying to find out what had happened to it.
This is an edge of the seat book. This book is a mysterious book and at some parts of the book there are humorous parts. Like when Maggie finds Ron snooping through her dresser. It was interesting to find out what had happened to Scouty the hamster. Wanted Mud Blossom is a must read book because there are funny parts and serious parts. This book is a continuous page-turner.
Betsy Byars lives in South Carolina. She has written over fifty books for young people. These are some reasons you should read this fabulous book.

Wanted??
Why is Mud Blossom wanted??What did she do??In this book a dog named Mud Blossom who is accused of eating Junior's pet gerble.But in the story a very old lady named "Mad Mary" is missing!!!Did Mud eat the gerble, and has "Mad Mary" been kidnapped?Read the book to find out.

~Andrew Leace

Wanted... Mud Blosom
This book is an exciting,never now what's going to happen kind of book.While Junior finds out what responsibility is like by taking Care of the class hamster,his friend Mad Mary is missing!Ralphy and Maggy are in a tangled up mess of love that they can't seem to figure out.

Wanted... Mud Blosom
This book is an exciting,never now what's going to happen kind of book.While Junior finds out what responsibility is like by taking Care of the class hamster,his friend Mad Mary is missing!Ralphy and Maggy are in a tangled up mess of love that they can't seem to figure out.

An exciting mystery!
I like this book because I like golden retrievers.I also liked it because it was mysterious.Itwas hard to know if Mud was guilty of eating the hamster.At first I felt excited because Junior did a lot forthe class hamster, but then I was sad because Mud might get intotrouble.Giancarlo, 3rd grader, Seattle ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

Dogs still rule the Diaries
I am a big fan of Dog Diaries, so was very excited to hear that Cat Diaries was coming.It did not live up to my huge expectations though, as I felt that the stories lacked the humour and poignancy of the earlier collection.Most just fall a little flat. These seem to be aimed at a slightly younger crowd, and even though they don't seem as vibrant as the Dog Diaries, they will still have lots of appeal to young cat lovers.

There are a couple of stories here that will make for excellent read alouds for the early elementary set, most notably Go Go Goes to School and Pirate Cat, Treasure Hunter.There's plenty of opportunity there for some fun when you need to fill an extra few minutes.The story about the parachuting cat will also work well to generate some laughs.

While Cat Diaries does not quite live up to the Dog's efforts, it still stands out as a good choice for reluctant readers just beginning to get into chapter books.Just a bit disappointed, but still looking forward to some more animal diaries in the future. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Good Book
House of Wings is truly a remarkable book. It is about a boy named Sammy and his grandfather who learn how to preserve and conserve the nature. Sammy lives in past day West Virginia and he is 8 years old.His parents, who were in the red for the bank, left him to go to Indiana.He was left with his �crazy and strange� old grandfather who�s only bond is with nature.His grandfather loves birds, but the boy is rebellious and hates them.He wants to run away.I really enjoyed this book and I hope that through reading this, you will too.

SHORT, INTENSE TALE
This slender book provides intense reading; it is almost a play for just two characters, as a tough boy discovers his aging grandfather. Angry and rebellious that his parents have temporarily abandoned him with an unknownold man in a decrepit house out in the boonies, the boy tries to run away.But he gradually finds himself drawn to stay--not because of the crustyoldtimer, but to help care for a sick crane. The only tenderness the oldman exhibits is for wildlife, which provides a tentative bond.The kid,who is rarely addressed by his name, is not asympathetic protagonist(boastful, selfish, arrogant), but he finally grows out of himself enoughto feel compassion for another species.In so doing, he becomes more humanand accepting of his suddenly-acquired grandfather.

SPREADING THEIR WINGS
Very short, intense tale about a 10-year-old boy's discovery of his aging grandfather and bird lore.Resentfulof being temporarily abandoned by his parents with an crusty old man he never met before, Sammy spends two days finding out about himself as he starts to grow up. After his unsuccessful attempt to run away, he grudgingly helps the old man care for a wounded crane.The boy is not at all likeable, but he learns to take into consideration both creatures and people besides himself, as he comes to respect the winged kingdom which his grandfather loves.In so doing, he comes to appreciate the old man, whofinally addresses the boy by his name. ... Read more

Product Description
Madame Rosa, the eccentric local fortune teller, has been murdered, and theonly witness is her parrot,Tarot. But he’s not talking. Herculeah Jones thinksshe knows who the killer is, but she’s not the only one. . . . Someone elseknows—someone who wants to make sure Herculeah won’t be around tosee the future. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A can't-put-down addition to the series, that adds a side of paranormal phenomena to the mix - creating the ultimate main course
Herculeah Jones has a nose - and the hair - for detective work. Which is why she knows something strange is going on when she sees the front door leading to Madame Rosa's house lying wide open in the middle of the afternoon, along with her beloved parrot, Tarot, sitting alone on the front porch. Herculeah's hair begins to frizz - an indication that danger is near - and quickly makes her way over to Madame Rosa's place, where she finds the eccentric fortune teller dead. Or, to be more accurate, murdered. A knife plunged through her chest. The only witness? Tarot. And he's not talking. The case has left everyone baffled, but Herculeah will stop at nothing to discover who killed one of her neighborhood pals. So, with the help of her pudgy, ofttimes nervous friend, Meat, Herculeah begins investigating the confusing case, and quickly realizes that she knows who the murderer is. The problem is that she's not the only one. Someone else is also aware of who the killer is - perhaps the killer themselves - and this person wants to make sure that Herculeah won't be around to reveal their true identity. But it's not always easy to silence a girl with danger-radar hair, and incredible strength. Now, Herculeah must try and break the silence about Madame Rosa's killer, before she winds up in the same compromising position as the fortune teller herself. Dead.

After reading Betsy Byars' THE DARK STAIRS, I was hooked on the exciting life and times of young sleuth Herculeah Jones. TAROT SAYS BEWARE has only increased my love of the eccentric, mystery-loving detective, and given me a craving for more of her creepy adventures. Herculeah is a character after my own heart. Her quick-thinking, fast wit, and radar hair are unique characteristics that make her stand out in a sea of rescue-me-esque literary characters. Accompanied by her easily frightened, and always hungry pal, Meat, Herculeah offers up an even bigger helping of excitement - along with bossiness. Together, these two amateur sleuths comb the streets looking for unsolved mysteries to investigate, allowing the reader to come along for the ride. An intrepid, can't-put-down addition to the series, that adds a side of paranormal phenomena to the mix - creating the ultimate main course.

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper ... Read more

Product Description
The young people featured in these stories face many challenges--the rivalry and affection inspired by brothers and sisters, the problems created by too strict or too liberal parents, and what happens when the time comes to take on personal responsibility. Includes excerpts from such authors as Judy Blume, John Steinbeck, Paul Zindel and others. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Amazing Colection of Stories.
This book demonstrates an amazing collection of short stories reflecting the concepts of growing up, becoming an adult and making decisions. Ages 10+ ... Read more

Product Description

Nobody knew Dorothy could do such a tremendous Tarzan yell. Not Dwayne, Dorothy's enemy, who wants the part of Tarzan in the class play more than she does. Not Mr. Mooney, their teacher, who has no choice but to give Dorothy the part. Not Dorothy's parents, who are as uneasy as Mr. Mooney about it. Not even Dorothy! But when the uncontrollable urge comes over her--the smell of the jungle, the sense of raw, primitive emotions, the wildness--Dorothy lets out a Tarzan yell so loud, so effective, they all feel its incredible power. And so do the neighborhood animals.

More and more animals gather whenever Dorothy practices. Then the circus comes to town, and a puma escapes to Dorothy's yard after one of her yells. What will happen on the night of the play--which also happens to be the opening night of the circus--when Dorothy is determined to give the yell of her life?

Betsy Byars's lighthearted story is as exuberant and surprising as Dorothy's Tarzan yell.

Customer Reviews (7)

My review on Me Tarzan
The book Me Tarzan is a funny book. There is this girl named dorothy and there is a school play. The play is on tarzan. Dorothy tries out for the tarzan yell. Her tarzan yell is pretty loud for a girl. So Dorothy got the part for the school play. So the day came she yelled the tarzan yell. every body loved it.i would reccomend this book to somebody that likes comedy books and non- fiction books.

Just Hilarious

Me Tarzan is a great story about a girl named Dorothy.Dorothy wants to be Tarzan in a school play.She knows she has the best Tarzan Yell in the whole school.After she does her Tarzan yell at tryouts everyone knows that she is defiantly going to be Tarzan in the play.A funny part is when Dorothy goes home and shows her mom her yell and all of her pets come towards her.This is when she learns her yell attracts all animals.An even funnier part is when she does her yell and all the animals at the circus stampede towards her.This book is just hilarious.

This is one of the fiction books you should not miss.It is easy to read so a young reader can read it.The writing is extremely well done. There is no way you cannot love this book.It deserves all five out of five stars.

William P

A Hilarious Book /By:CRF"grade 5"
Me Tarzan is a hilarious book about a young girl named Dorothy who won a part in her school play.On the first day of school a boy named Dwane said she looked like Barney.She wanted revenge. Dorothy knew he wanted to be Tarzan in the play.She won the part by standing up in the front of the classroom and yelling her famouse Tarzan yell.Everytime she did it she got louder and everytime she did it more and more animals would come to her.One time a panther appered in her backyard!
I loved this book.Whenever I read it I felt like I was in the Jungle.I laghed out loud when I read this book.
(Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh)

Me Tarzan
I like Me Tarzan because the funniest part was when a girl yelled AHHH. My favorite part was when she yelled AHHH and all the animals that were in this circus in town came running to her. She wanted to be Tarzan because she thuoght that she had the best voice in her class.It could be better if she went to the circus before she did the play and in the circus someone was acting like Tarzan and when she got home she had the same voice as Tarzan. I read this book because when I first was the book I read the back of the book and I liked it. K.B.

Book club review
This book was read for a Mother/Daughter book club.The girls are all about 9 years old.

This book made for a very exuberant book club meeting to say the least.The girls greatly admired the main character Dorothy.They cheered her on from page 1 until the end.They loved how she was chosen to be the Tarzan.They were particularly enamoured of the Tarzan yell.At the end of the meeting, each girl gave out her best Tarzan yell.The winner got to stand out on the balcony of my house and serenade the neighbors with her yell.Fortunately, we have very understanding neighbors.

Overall, this book made a great impression on the girls.Many who are pretty meek found courage in expressing themselves as a result of this book. ... Read more

Product Description
The animals beg the snail for some of her lacy trail and she tries to oblige each with a gift appropriate to its nature. ... Read more

Product Description
Growing up is hard to do, as contributors such as Judy Blume, Robert Cormier, and Paul Zindel know. Full of humor and understanding, the stories and extracts in this collection share the hopes, dreams, and secret fears of both classic and contemporary young adult characters. ... Read more

Product Description
Madam Rosa, the eccentric local fortune teller, has been brutally murdered, and the case has everyone baffled.Herculeah has a pretty good idea who the killer is, but someone else has a vision too -- and wants to make sure Herculeah won't be around to see the future."Byars grips the reader from the first sentence and doesn't let go until Herculeah solves the case." -- The Horn Book ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Tarot Says Good Book
Tarot Says Beware was one of the best books I've read in a long time. Herculeah is the new Nancy Drew. She brings mystery to the new age with her curiosity. This book is suspenseful and exciting. The answer lies with a bird andthe simple word "BEWARE". I think that this book is great and you should read it

with lots of mystery's
Tarot says Beware is about a girl named Herculeah and meat Herculeah's best friend.Herculeah finds out that Tarot is outside so then Herculeah calls Meat and tells him to come over and go to the house with her.When Meat arived at Mandom Rosa's house they went to find Madom Rosa but Herculeah found Mandom Rosa dead underneath the table. So Herculeh called Meat to the table and Herculeh showed Meat the dead body.Then the night that Madom Rosa got killed a person called Herculeah's house and said "bring Tarot over to my houses so then Herculeh did and found out that it was the puppeter that killed Madom Rosa.

Tarot Says Beware
Tarot Says Beware is a really great book for kids 10-14. it is about this girl herculeah who looks out her window one day and sees madame rosa's parrot outside, and she knows that madame rosa would never let tarot outbecause how much she loves the bird, so she goes to madame rosa's and noone is there and the bird is saying beware beware! you will have to read itto see what all happens!

Melanie's book Review
When Herculeah checks over at Madem Rosas home she sees that Tarot [the bird] is out of its cage which is very rare. She walks into the house and... 'IT WILL KEEP YOU TURNING THE PAGE FOR MORE' 'A MIX OF NANCY DREW AND GOOSBUMPS'For ages 10 and 13 ... Read more

Product Description
Will tries his best to quiet his crying baby brother. ... Read more

Product Description
Tom dislikes spending the summer on his aunt's farm until he discovers a black fox in the forest and tracks her to her den. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The Midnight Fox-review
I really enjoyed reading the midnight fox. In the book there was humour from Petie Burkis and tom. The story line is that Tom is a quiiet boy and not very adventorus. He is rather shy . His best friend is Petie Burkis. When his parents go away for a while on a bike cycle, Tom has to go and stay with his Aunt Millie and Uncle Fred. He discovers a black fox. read this book and you will discover the problems of Tom, the good times, the bad and the funny. i would recomend this to any one who likes foxes and a good book.

The Midnight Fox-review
I really enjoyed reading the midnight fox. In the book there was humour from Petie Burkis and tom. The story line is that Tom is a quiiet boy and not very adventorus. He is rather shy . His best friend is Petie Burkis. When his parents go away for a while on a bike cycle, Tom has to go and stay with his Aunt Millie and Uncle Fred. He discovers a black fox. read this book and you will discover the problems of Tom, the good times, the bad and the funny. i would recomend this to any one who likes foxes and a good book. ... Read more