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Nation

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Books
by: Terry Pratchett

September 30, 2008
In spite of being the best-selling living British author, and one of the most talented, most hoidy-toidy types pigeon-hole Terry Pratchett away in the ghetto called "fantasy humor". So a very large number of educated people have not even heard of him, let alone give him any space as an author of English Literature. This is in spite of writing some of the most truth-filled and life-filled three dozen books you'll find in a bookstore. Perhaps Nation was Pratchett's conscious decision to address that, or perhaps Nation was a book Pratchett, the author, simply had to write before he stopped being able to write.

Nation is not Discworld. It's not humor, parody, or satire. It's categorized as "young adult", which is something of ... Read More:

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The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 Book for Digital Photographers (Voices That Matter)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Books
by: Scott Kelby

September 10, 2008
I do not like to write a long review either...so just to say this is a fantastic book if you can digest Scott's style (maybe a good advise is to simply ignore his sense of humor).

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The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Books
by: Malcolm Gladwell

January 07, 2002
Having been hugely happy with Blink! I went out and purchased The Tipping Point almost right away. It, like most the other books I purchase, sat on a bookcase dedicated solely to books-yet-to-read until a few days ago. And now it shall be moved to its permanant home on a different bookcase. The point of all of this is that The Tipping Point is a well-researched, highly interesting, and unique book. The problem is that it, like Blink!, doesn't stick (see book for details). It's interesting but doesn't have the stickiness of most bestsellers, and is most certainly not something I would have watched the count down date for publishing like I'm doing with a few others. Good, but not great. Interesting, but not facinating. A 4, but not a 5.

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Whatever It Takes: Geoffrey Canada's Quest to Change Harlem and America

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Books
by: Paul Tough

August 12, 2008
Anyone with any interest in education or fighting poverty should read this fantastic book.

Tough gives great background on thinking on poverty and education, and its evolution, over the past 50 or so years. HCZ and Geoffrey Canada challenge some traditional liberal views (mine included) about the dangers of charter schools and the importance of labor unions in all areas, including education. Definitely a thought-provoking read.

It's clear we have a truly daunting task ahead if we really want to give all kids an equal shot at academic success -- no amount of temporary programs, however well-intentioned and well-run, will keep the most at-risk kids on track. But, given the resources we are always able to scrape together for one misguided ... Read More:

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A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again: Essays and Arguments

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Books
by: David Foster Wallace

February 02, 1998
foot-note boy is a dud.
The essay about a cruise ship is not funny, not well-written and speaks volumes about the immature personality of the writer.
His much touted powers of observation are nowhere in evidence.
Hunter Thompson and Tom Wolfe did this sort of thing so much better.

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The Care & Keeping of You: The Body Book for Girls (American Girl Library)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Books
by: Valorie Schaefer

1998-09
This book is exactly what we needed! My 8-year-old daughter and I just finished reading it together and it was a perfect way to introduce her to puberty and all it entails. It is written for young girls in a way that doesn't talk down to them but is also completely appropriate for girls 8 and up. I appreciated the discussions about the emotions and difficulties girls face during puberty, beyond just the "facts." My thanks to the authors! I will be recommending this to all of my mom friends who have girls.

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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Books
by: J. K. Rowling

July 21, 2007
This item is wonderful to add to ones collection.
My children enjoy listening to the Audio book as much as reading the book itself

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The Trillion Dollar Meltdown: Easy Money, High Rollers, and the Great Credit Crash

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Books
by: Charles R. Morris

March 03, 2008
What many reviewers have not mentioned is that, despite the serious subject, the author is a very entertaining writer.

For instance, on post-WWII industry in the US:

'Like flightless birds on a predator free island, American companies had no defenses when hungry and hard-eyed competitors finally came hunting from overseas'

The author also provides a very good description of the financial instruments that got us into thiscredit hell. I know have, at least, some idea of what a synthetic CDO is, or, hopefully, was.

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Biology of Belief: Unleashing the Power of Consciousness, Matter, & Miracles

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Books
by: Bruce H. Lipton

September 15, 2008
This book is one of my most precious and cherished books. I believe that this wonderful man has written the clearest and most inspiring book explaining what creative genious' we all are. I loved his research, his ability to inspire, his remarkable ability to communicate and his enthusiasm which leapt off each page. We are far more powerful than we ever realized and we have the absolute ability to change our lives by merely changing our thoughts and emotions. Of course once you've read the book you are left with the question...how do I change my subconscious beliefs? He likes the method of PsyK - there are numerous methods, but no magic bullet or technique. In my opinion no one method fits all. I think that once you realize that you can change your beliefs you will ... Read More:

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Cross Country

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Books
by: James Patterson

November 17, 2008
This book is one of my most precious and cherished books. I believe that this wonderful man has written the clearest and most inspiring book explaining what creative genious' we all are. I loved his research, his ability to inspire, his remarkable ability to communicate and his enthusiasm which leapt off each page. We are far more powerful than we ever realized and we have the absolute ability to change our lives by merely changing our thoughts and emotions. Of course once you've read the book you are left with the question...how do I change my subconscious beliefs? He likes the method of PsyK - there are numerous methods, but no magic bullet or technique. In my opinion no one method fits all. I think that once you realize that you can change your beliefs you will ... Read More: