Cute Christmas book with a great message. Even more important to me now that I have kids. Made me want to sit all day and hold my little girls. Of c...moreCute Christmas book with a great message. Even more important to me now that I have kids. Made me want to sit all day and hold my little girls. Of course they jumped off my lap after about 2 minutes:)(less)
About 2/3 the way through, I realized this was not going to conclude the series. So, naturally, not much happens. There is only small climaxes and t...moreAbout 2/3 the way through, I realized this was not going to conclude the series. So, naturally, not much happens. There is only small climaxes and the story is just a building block for the final book. I still really enjoyed it. I love Chima's writing style and can't wait for the next book to come out. Raisa is a strong character and her relationships with Han, Amon, and Micah are interesting and believable.
Note to myself: There are some vague references to "free-love" and/or marital affairs. Therefore, I would not recommend this book to young teens.(less)
This book was an eye-opener for me. Although I do not agree with a lot of what she said, I enjoyed pondering some of her thoughts and suggestions on ...moreThis book was an eye-opener for me. Although I do not agree with a lot of what she said, I enjoyed pondering some of her thoughts and suggestions on parenting. She definitely overgeneralizes the Western vs Chinese parenting, but it created great discussion between many of my friends about how lenient we are with our children.
Hard Work: Chau states that we as Western parents don't push our children and make them work hard for something. We reward minimal effort and praise them for jobs half done.
It is true that many people I know want to make it big by winning the lottery or a giant settlement in a law suit. They praise each other for how much they can get for little effort.
Even Lulu after her rebellion was able to succeed in tennis because her mother had taught her how to work hard.
Although I already understood the value of hard work, this book made me realize that I could expect a lot more from my children.
Self Confidence: Chau makes the point that children need to learn success. She pushes her children so hard because she wants them to have that feeling of confindence when they accomplish what they once thought impossible. I tried this with my daughter. I made her work on her piano song and count it out (she hates counting) until she got it right. She fought me. She whined and complained, but once she got it right, she couldn't stop playing the song. That song became her favorite song. She plays it for all her friends. I totally agree that we have to teach our children to work hard and take pride in their hard work. A half done job is nothing to get excited about.
Generational decline: I was struck by what Chau said about third generation children. She states that the first generation is poor and works hard to give their children the life they themselves didn't have. The second generation still knows the value of hard work, but they allow themselves and their children luxuries. The third generation feels completely entitled and they don't understand anything about hard work. I think many in our nation have this problem right now!
Chau was a little too obsessive for my liking. I did feel that she needed a little balance in her life and she needed to let her children have more balance in their's, but I do appreciate that she was bold enough to challenge "Western Parenting".
I admit that a lot of my draw to Amy Chau's experiences rooted in the fact that I too want my daughters to succeed in piano. Chau amazed me at what a nine year old is capable of. I started sitting at the piano with my children during practice and pushing them ahead in their books. I paid attention more at their lessons. It is paying off. They are excelling fast. I don't yell at them. I don't make them play more than 20-40 minutes a day. I took the good suggestions by Chau and put them to practice. She has some good points. The rest I just found entertaining.
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I loved this account of Helen Keller. I love the story of Helen Keller and was hungry to read anything about her story. I only wish this book covere...moreI loved this account of Helen Keller. I love the story of Helen Keller and was hungry to read anything about her story. I only wish this book covered more of her life. It is the story of Annie Sullivan and how she broke through to Helen Keller. The story starts with Annie meeting the six year old beast-like deaf and blind child. Helen is a monster. She communicates with physical force and is left to do what she pleases. The Keller's don't have the heart to disipline her as they see her as unfortunate with her handicapp. Annie comes in with as much stubbornness as Helen and convinces the Keller's that what they are doing is as damaging to Helen as her handicap is. In the five weeks that it takes Annie to get through to Helen, there are moments of horror, tears, and triumph. As well, the background of Annie Sullivan's life before she came to work with the Keller's is creativly sewn into the story and not too overwhelming. I was so absorbed in the book that I read it in two days. This book only created more interest in the Helen Keller story for me.(less)
This book is about a girl, Taylor, who leaves home to find a new life. On the road to a new life she inadvertantly picks up an abused toddler and has...moreThis book is about a girl, Taylor, who leaves home to find a new life. On the road to a new life she inadvertantly picks up an abused toddler and has to start caring for it. When her car breaks down, she finds herself in a small desert town with a new set of people that become her family. She rooms with a divorced young mother, who is naive and self concious. Then she meets a couple, who are illegal immigrants hiding from their past. All their lives come together in a story of overcoming life's challenges. I appreciate this pick for book club. I really enjoyed the read. I was worried about it being depressing because of Kingsolver's recent book, The Poisonwood Bible, which was very depressing. There was so much to like. I especially loved Lou Ann. I would laugh out loud at all the obsurdity she came up with. I know people just like her. I appreciate that Kingsolver kept it real. Taylor and the other characters in the book were able to grow and develop as people. (And Kingsolver didn't have any one sacrafice their morals, i.e. Estevan and Taylor) It created a lot of great discussion in book club.(less)
I liked this book much better after we discussed it at book club. I had a hard time relating to the main character. Her thoughts were all over the p...moreI liked this book much better after we discussed it at book club. I had a hard time relating to the main character. Her thoughts were all over the place and most of the time I didn't understand what she was talking about. And not because of all the chemistry, I love Chemistry. Someone at book club pointed out that she was a genius and therefore thinks like a genius and I could go with that. The mystery was lacking and the only good part of the story was when the father was telling the story behind the stamp. However, I will give points for trying to get inside the head of a yound girl genius. I just wish I was genius enough to get all of it.(less)
I enjoyed the writing style in this novel. Shannon Hale has a unique way to retell Fairy Tales. The princess was not my favorite character, but I app...moreI enjoyed the writing style in this novel. Shannon Hale has a unique way to retell Fairy Tales. The princess was not my favorite character, but I appreciate the type of character she represented. In her fantasy novels, Hale creates great worlds, with muckers, evil villans, healing music and strong heroines. I also loved the reference to music as a way to heal. Music is very powerful and I loved the way it was used in the story.
My only complaint is the ending. Everything just wrapped up too nicely. It seemed out of character for all those involved in the conclusion to just agree to everything.... But it is written for children.(less)
I loved it. I liked it better than the Heir chronicles (which I also loved). Chima is great at bringing a story together with interesting characters...moreI loved it. I liked it better than the Heir chronicles (which I also loved). Chima is great at bringing a story together with interesting characters and an equally interesting plot. I liked how this book was set in medieval-like times. It seems to be a more comfortable place for her writing style, as opposed to the Heir chonicles in more present day setting.
I love the interplay between the different characters: Clan, Queen, Wizards, and street lords. Raisa's and Han's family dynamics are equally interesting: Raisa's father and mother struggling on each side of the conflict of wizard and clan and Han's street lord poverty and peaceful clan life. The story of Hanalea is a great base, especially with the perspective Lucius provides. And it shows the truth of how history can distort what really happened.
I am excited for the next book, although most of the secrets were revealed in the first book, so I will wait to see if she can weave a good plot without all the secrets.(less)
I usually don't finish children's series because they become predictable or boring. This book was anything but that. The characterization remained s...moreI usually don't finish children's series because they become predictable or boring. This book was anything but that. The characterization remained strong and the premise interesting. I will say that the fifth book felt a lot like the last in the Hunger Games series. Collins has a consistant stance on war. Gregor and Katniss are alike in a lot of ways. I loved how all the characters were true. They each had good and bad qualities and struggled with what was right and wrong in muddy situations.
This is not a children's book. I would wait until teenage years to recommend my children read it. It has a lot of war and gore.(less)
Mostly I was bored reading this. I am not sure I finished it or if it was just so anti-climactic that I forgot the ending. While reading, I just kep...moreMostly I was bored reading this. I am not sure I finished it or if it was just so anti-climactic that I forgot the ending. While reading, I just kept waiting for something to happen. Would they be transported to another world? What would happen, when they found "it"? Perhaps my expectations were too high, but nothing happens. As I got closer to the end of the book, I started skimming just to see if the story would ever pick up. It didn't. After wanting to read this for so long, I am very disappointed. Stick to C.S. Lewis.(less)
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