Boys Books

I read this book while on a cruise with my husband in the Mediterranean. It was absolutely delightful and a must read for children and anyone with children.

This book touches everything all at once. A wonderfull story of a teenager dealing with his emotions and his relationship with a grandfather he feels out of touch with. At the same time bringing in a lesson in the Basque culture and how it affected America. This is a great book for adults and teenagers. I hope Mr. Etchart will continue to bring this knowledge to the readers in such wonderful stories for many more years.

The Good Oak is an excellent "coming of age" book about a 13 year old boy and his Basque sheepherder grandfather. This book will interest any one who enjoys reading about family and the interactions and struggles that make each of our daily lives unique. This book is especially poignant in detailing the Basque shepherd life and general traditions of the American-Basque culture especially about the struggle to assimilate and reconcile the differences among the two cultures. I know this from first hand experience of having grown up with a Basque shepherd grandfather. A truly pleasurable reading that brought back many wonderful memories. Thank you to the author for sharing our unique cultural background with the general public.

I didn't know anything about the Basque (or Basque American) culture when I read this book, but now I want to know more. But it isn't just this fascinating glimpse in an unexplored culture that got me. It's the story of a sullen teenager and his absolutely unforgettable grandfather undertaking a grand adventure -- a quirky generational buddy/roadtrip story that frankly Hollywood should option and make a movie of. I loved this book, teenagers will love this book, fathers and grandfathers will love this book, you will love this book. I have a feeling THE GOOD OAK is going to be one of those novels that you take down from your bookshelves every few years and enjoy the adventure all over again.

I met the author of this book Saturday at a book signing and let me tell you, this guy is amazing. He is very nice and took the time to talk to me personally. I am trying to become a writer and he talked to me for a good 15-20 minutes and gave me some advice on writing. Even if i haven't read his book yet i still say he is a very nice man who cares about helping people make their dreams come true. He even gave me his card and told me to contact him if i ever needed anymore advice. SO as you can see this man is a great author and is going to be just like someone else said...a household name or maybe even a leadgend. I gave the book 5 stars because it has to be good coming from a good writer.

Remember the name Booker T. It will soon be a household name. Gotta Be Down is one of the best books I've read all year. The book centers around a young boy, T, and his metamorphosis into a hardcore drug dealer.Not for the easily offended crowd. I don't want to give any spoilers here but pay close attention to the character named Money, who also drives a long, black '65 Fleetwood. Things "heat up" when he's around. This Booker T guy is probably the best writer of this genre since Donald Goines. Kind of like a cross between Chester Himes and Stephen King.

Gotta Be Down! is a blunt yet powerful novel of growing up in the inner city in a single-parent home, under conditions of desperate ghetto poverty and the constant, threatening influence of gangs and conflict. Young T is the fifth child of a struggling Momma whose husband left her for another woman. Adapting to the inner city without the role model of a father, T becomes drawn into new friends with less than kindly interests; though in his young life he has not begun to comprehend the deadly nature of violence, a terrible awakening lies in store for him. A story of coming of age, learning the hard way and seeking a better future, Gotta Be Down! is an utterly compelling read.

Life is a series of choices but what path will we choose? This is one of the important themes of this book. Alphonso struggles day after day to find a legitimate job with no success. As a result, he is faced with feelings of guilt and inadequacy, especially when he has to tell the live-in girlfriend who is supporting them; he still has no job prospects. By fate he is offered the chance to start selling drugs. Initially, he continues looking for a legitimate job but after a few more failures he and his best friend Tony enter "the life" and start selling drugs.

Terrance, better known as "T", has lived in poverty for most of his life. After his father left, his mother took on two sometimes three jobs trying to support the family. But with other brothers and sisters in the house there was never enough money, food, or time to go around. "T" learned early on that in order to survive in his family and on the streets he had to be tough and hustle to get what he wanted. It is no surprise that although he is young he too gets involved in dealing drugs, first as a "runner".

Although this story is a fictional account, it deals with a number of important social issues such as education, domestic and community violence, child abuse, teen pregnancy and most obviously alcohol and drug abuse. Booker T. creates multidimensional characters that you cannot help but feel for even when you don't agree with the choices they make. The author really illustrates how difficult circumstances can help lead us down the wrong path without overlooking the personal responsibility we all must take for the choices we make.

The only disappointing thing about this book is that it seems to jump around. One minute you are reading about one storyline and suddenly you find yourself in the middle of another. Although you may find yourself flipping back to make sure you didn't skip a page be patient because the author will eventually tie everything together into a coherent whole. This is a wonderful story that really illustrates some of the challenges faced by many young African American males and their families.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay

My son really likes this devotional because there are activities for him to do along with the story.

Bought this as a gift for 8-year old grandson. Very pleased with content and learning activities. Should be a way to have fun while learning more about God's Word

This devotional workbook was just about everything we were looking for in a devotional book for our son. My daughter is using the one for girls 9-12. It offers a scripture reference, then a short illustrative story, a few questions, suggestions for prayer time and an activity to reinforce! We LOVE these books and hope to find another one for this coming school year.
I subtracted one star because the questions are sometimes very hard for an 8 year old boy to answer. They really make them dig deep and often need an adult's help. This can be good or bad. I was trying to encourage a personal quiet time for my kids and if I wasn't looking over their shoulder sometimes they would give shallow answers because they were frustrated with their inability to dig.

We love this book. We gave it to your son for christmas and are using it as bible time in our homeschool. Our son is 7 and really enjoys the stories. Each devotion has a bible verse, a story that relates to the bible verse, a your turn section where it ask questions, a prayer, and a activity.

Very nice book!

Spiral bound.

There is nothing halfway about this charming story. Another favorite with my grandchildren. Who doesn't feel out of step sometimes? Strangely different from the status quo? If you identify, you'll love Halfway Hank who finds a way not only to fit in, but to overcome and enjoy being who he is. Guaranteed hit with children of all ages.

Purchased based on rave review in AARP. Boy were they right! Outstanding book for kids. Great story about being "different" but it's OK. Outstanding illustrations that you will look at for a long time, taking it all in.

"Halfway Hank" is a book about a boy who literally does everything halfway. He keeps half of his room messy and the other neat. He only counts half his birthdays. So far, his halfway method of doing things is working out for him, but then he finds himself messing up everything at a field day.

Hank needs a solution and fast. This book shows that it's possible to achieve at life without compromising who you are and your own unique way of doing things. If there's one thing Hank isn't, it's a quitter.

"Halfway Hank" features funny illustrations. They match well with the text, with is probably a bit too advanced for younger readers, but would be good for readaloud or for those readers that are a bit more advanced.


"Halfway Hank" is the first picture book by Joe Fallon and Ken Scarborough, with illustrations by Jack E. Davis. Fallon and Scarborough are writers for children's television and have worked for such popular series as "Arthur," "Between the Lions" and "Little Bill." This book is a welcome entry into the field of children's picture books for them.

About a kid who always only does things half. (& don't we all sometimes suffer from this bug?)

It is in verse - which kids tend to love, so here you go:

It will be placed - no doubt at all -
on our most prom'nent shelf
For it can teach the wondrous art:
How to outwit oneself!

Not a typical survivor book filled with hate, but more an accounting of the many good people who step up in horrific situations. An easy entertaining read, the chapters seem to flow, hard to put down until finished. Very easy to get involved and caught up in the events that happened. The author has a good memory for details of a traumatic time in his and the world's life.

Simon Jeruchim, the author of this memoir,was twelve years old when his secure world came to an end. With amazing recall,he relates how he came to hide in a small hamlet in Normandy. He worked on a farm, a harsh life for a small Parisian boy. Hardest of all was not knowing about his parents and small brother. He went dutifully to church and hid his identity from everyone. By nature optimist, he was looking forward to the end of the war and reunion with his family. He was reunited with his brother and sister, but his parents did not survive, unfortunately. This book is a beautiful example of a boy's courage and determination to stay alive.

this book was given to me as gift. i have a deep interest in matters pertaining to the holocust, and i was told that the book held a different perspective from other publications regarding the nazi era. and it surely did.....the author made no attempt to judge the nazi and the french in that era. all he did was relate this fascinating story, and i drew my own conclusions.

the book traces his journey, as a parentless jewish boy,keeping a step ahead of the nazi and french, and extermination..a brave human being. . mr. jeruchim is a talented artist, as evidenced by the wonderful pictures which he drew, and are included in the book.

...

Simon Jeruchim takes you into the horrible world of escaping and hiding from french collaboraters and the Nazis during the second world war. His narrative is so compelling that you practically relive his day to day existence. His recount of the compassionate gentile families who hid him and his siblings is written staight from his heart.

I Love this Book. It is one of my favorite in this series. While Nancy and George are on a hiking trip a lot of funny things start happening with in thier group. Nancy thinks these "accidents" are actually sabotage so she calls for back up, none other that the Hardy Boys.Together they start to unravel a mystery much bigger than the they fisrt thougt. I would reccomend to all.

It was a neat book. Nancy and George go on a wilderness trek and when things get suspicious, Nancy calles in the Hardys. It had lots of excitement though it didn't really have any romance. I especially like the way they meet. It's funny. I also like when they were in they raft. I couldn't put it down and I definatly reccomend it.-RJG,12

This is only the second Nancy Drew & Hardy Boy mystery that I've read and I know that I will continue read more. It is so exciting to find out what will happen to Frank, Joe, and Nancy when they are surronded my a mob of mobsters. How long will they the survive in a wilderness of deceint? Are they meant to ever get out of the woods and tell their secret to the police? To find out you must read it. R.B. age 12

Nancy and George are hiking in the wilderness when strange things start to happen. They call in the Hardys to help them. Soon they're trapped on the mountain surrounded by killers from the mob. Will they survive? To find out, you need to read this exciting book.

The Hill is a true story of two men whose fates were laid out to be very different, and how their paths crossed during a confusing and brutal time in their village.

As history and war stories go, this is an easy to read, simply told, very personal story that highlights the World War II experiences of these men in a way that puts you there. Getting to know each of the characters and their own personal travails makes the ensuing violence and cruelty more shocking.

This book, written in plain language that could have been lifted from the pages of a news magazine, is powerful simply because of its simplicity. Taking turns showing perspectives of various characters with very different lives, gives the story its strength.

The two main characters were in very different stations in life, and because of the mandate to kill all Jews, one lives and one dies. The older family man who is the highly educated, compassionate doctor of the town, is also a Jew. The town lets him live even as they follow Nazi orders to eliminate Jews all the way down to the last Jewish family, that of the doctor. But by the end of the story, the majority rules, and the last "Yid" must go.

The story opens from the eyes of a child who had heard and seen how the war affected his town, from the disappointment of the wealthy whose lives have been disrupted to the horrific stories of the ghosts of the Jews recently murdered in the woods. It is apparent that the lives and psyches of every character is changed.

This book is translated from the original Lithuanian version, and clearly has been done so as simply and plainly as possible. In that, lies its ability to offer something profound about the human condition for all.

I found this short book difficult to put down. What appears to be a simple story about two people during the German occupation of Lithuania, reveals itself to be a complex statement about courage and bravery in the face of adversity. These themes are elegantly presented in a style that is accessible to both young and mature readers.

The story begins with little Joe Martinkus, a young shepherd, whose interest in the surrounding war is only observational. Dr. Schmidt enters the story midway, but has a tremendous impact on Martinkus. When Joe seriously injures himself, he requires immediate medical attention, and the only doctor available to him is Dr. Schmidt. Two other characters, Nakutis and Meldutis, are also interested in Dr. Schmidt. They believe that their problems will be solved when the Jews are removed from their village once and for all. Dr. Schmidt, a Jew and the only doctor in the small town, is the last remaining target in their community, and they are determined to end their troubles.

It can often be difficult to translate a story from one language to another without losing the emotions that made the original story so compelling. This story has been translated from its original language forty years after the original publication, but it is still just as effective today as it was at the time of publication. The story itself is both stirring and disturbing, and the themes explored in the novel are universal to the human condition.

This story is not a typical war story. Unlike other books in the genre, it is not graphically violent. There are no flashy battles or rallying troops. Instead, the actions are more subtle, which renders them more effective. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in historical fiction and true stories about everyday heroes.

Now at long last, "The Hill" is available in English and Jonynas' story is just as shocking now as it was when it was first published. The translation is smooth and the story runs just as fluently as the original Lithuanian version. Lirov perfectly captures the tone and style of Jonynas' book and words it in a way that is easy for English speaking readers to relate to. Because of Lirov's fantastic translation, readers can be sure that they are getting the story as it was meant to be told.

"The Hill" is a true story that takes place during World War II at a time when the Holocaust was at its worst. All of the Jewish citizens in the town have been killed except for Dr. Schmidt and his family. Though nobody is happy about having a Jewish physician, they realize that they have to let him live because the town and adjacent villages cannot survive without a doctor.

This becomes especially apparent when young Joe is fatally injured from an explosion. Even though he is in dire need of medical help, there is still some controversy as to whether or not it would be permissible for a Jewish man to treat him. As Jonynas eloquently explains, "The new rules were strict and made no sense. You could not sell medications to a Jew, and you could not treat a Jew, but you could probably call a Jewish doctor for help." Under that line of thinking, Dr. Schmidt is called and he manages to save Joe's life. Unfortunately, Dr. Schmidt will not find a savior of his own. Shortly after he saves Joe, Dr. Schmidt and his entire family are killed by the Lithuanian residents and his neighbors - all because of their Jewish heritage.

While the story of Joe and Dr. Schmidt is not completely unheard of due to the violence of that era, the way that this story came about is extremely unique. Unlike most Holocaust survivor stories, this one is not told by Jews because there were none left to tell the tale. The bulk of this story is told by Lithuanian Joe. For the events that Joe was not privy to, Jonynas had to locate other participants and witnesses to put the whole story together. His literary talent jumps off the pages while you read his portrayal of how the doctor felt when all of his friends and relatives were murdered before his eyes.

Though this book focuses on an extremely violent event and era, it is written in a manner that will make it as addictive for children as it is for adults. Consider this book as a history lesson that every person should learn no matter what their age. Whether you are 10 or 100, you will still be able to appreciate this story and the devastating time that it represents.

I have read a lot of books that chronicle events of the Holocaust and I can honestly say that this is one of the best books on the subject. Between Jonynas' enthralling storytelling, Lirov's perfect translation, and the heartbreaking story itself, "The Hill" is a phenomenal book. If you are interested in historical fiction, world history, the Holocaust, or the human condition in general, I strongly recommend that you read this book. I promise you won't be sorry.

Antanas Jonynas's "The Hill" may be a quick read and few in pages, but it is far from insignificant. This account, which describes true events, follows shepherd boy Joe Martinkus as he experiences life on a farm after the German takeover of Lithuania. After a serious accident, he is aided by the only Jewish male still alive in town, Dr. Schmidt. The story shifts from Joe's perspective to describe Dr. Schmidt's psychological state leading up to his inevitable end at the hands of his own neighbors.

Jonynas draws the reader into the story through vivid description, creating multidimensional, intriguing characters and images of rural simplicity. Many characters enter this 92-page story, but after initial introductions, it is not difficult for the reader to remember each character. Especially notable is mysterious and strong farmhand Alex Girnius, who responds to Joe Martinkus's accident with surprising expediency and leadership.

"The Hill" tells a unique and atypical story of World War II, the sort of anecdote that could be passed over in history in favor of gruesome descriptions of concentration camps and Nazi cruelty. The story is not without its share of cruelty, but it is described in a realistic and frank way, not meant to purposely shock or manipulate the reader. Emotion and messages are not lost in translation in this book; a reader might even assume that the story was written in English originally.

The story also distinguishes itself by focusing on a little-mentioned country, Lithuania. The preface brings the country's suffering during the war to light: "94 percent of the Lithuanian Jews (222,000 individuals) were murdered, the highest percentage for any Nazi-occupied country in Europe."

This seemingly simple but multifaceted work is all the more remarkable when the reader remembers that this is a true story. Through realistic storytelling, the reader is left with a compelling, moving, and affecting account of this horrendous period in history.

Greg Mank has left the haunted mansion of golden age horror film critiques and heads into Hollywood Babylon territory with his newest book; and what he finds would have Kenneth Anger gasping for breath. Mank, with his coauthors Charles Heard and Bill Nelson, tells the tale of the Bundy Drive Boys, a collective of fast living and hard drinking Hollywood actors, writers and artists--- all committed to their friendship and the right to destroy their careers, their families and themselves by any means necessary. Among the hell-raisers are John Barrymore, W.C. Fields, Errol Flynn, John Decker, William Fowler, John Carradine, Ben Hecht and Sadakichi Hartmann; and their stories of childhood tragedy, incest, rape, cannibalism (in a POW camp), drunken brawls, sexual conquests, and even an art forgery scam, will have your jaw hitting the floor.

I read HOLLYWOOD HELLFIRE CLUB in one sitting. My morbid curiosity (wondering just how much worse can things get for the Bundy Drive boys) simply would not let me put this book down. If you are a fan of Hollywood's Golden Age... or the last person to leave the scene of a train wreck, this book will surely entertain and/or horrify you!

I can add little to the other reviews except for my enthusiastic recommendation of this book! Mank, one of the best film historians on the beat, liberally mixes careful scholarship with the zest of good storytelling. This makes for part one of a great double-feature if you follow it with Shawn Levy's dynamite RAT PACK CONFIDENTIAL. Ah, for the good old days... when bad behavior had panache! Great read! As another has noted, it's hard not to tear through in a single sitting.

There are only two ways you can look at the lives of these legendary "bad boy" actors and comedians. First is head-on, which this book offers in abundance. And second, philosophically, as suggested by one of the most poignant passages in the book, "They all saw the joke of life, and they teach us not to be scared. There is no bogeyman. Get the essence of love and happiness and joy, and share it with people. All that matters is to leave a legacy of happiness, and to give someone else an inspiration--like they gave us." (Rita Saiz, clairvoyant?)

John Barrymore, W.C. Fields, Errol Flynn, and John Decker were among the most talented individuals of their day, and seemingly, among the most tragic, each drowning his pain in alcohol and prematurely snuffing-out their abilities and lives. But they did so in good company: John Carradine, Alan Mowbray, Ben Hecht, and Thomas Mitchell, to name a few. And best of all, there was Gene Fowler, the writer whom they trusted to keep the record straight. And worst of all, there was Sadakichi Hartmann, a pre-counter-culture beatnik/hippie who seemed to be consumed by his worst impulses, and was kept afloat by Barrymore.

But to concentrate on the tragic is to lose sight of the legacy that includes Barrymore's "Svengali" and "Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde," Fields's trenchant satires of American family life, and the transcendent magic of Flynn's swashbuckling heroes. Authors Mank, Heard, and Nelson offer no apologies for these artists, nor do they cast judgement. This is a book that is both repulsive and yet mesmerizing. In the end, we are left not so much mourning the shortened careers of these men, but marveling that their genius allowed them to perform a weird alchemy that transformed so much personal squalor into artistic brilliance.

This is High-Gothic Hollywood storytelling, and maybe it's about time.

I was a bit nervous when I ordered "Hollywood's Hellfire Club" by Gregory Mank, Charles Heard and Bill Nelson.

I love old Hollywood and the stars of its golden age and although I was not looking for a whitewash of their lives, I was worried it might be a book that just trashed them. And yes, the book shows their lives warts and all, but it was clearly written by people who love these guys and the period of Hollywood they lived in.

The interwoven stories of these friends has the highest of highs to the lowest of lows, but all told in an engrossing way that really wraps you up in the tale. I was familiar with W.C. Fields, Errol Flynn, John Carradine, John Barrymore, Ben Hecht and Gene Fowler but I did not know much about John Decker and Sadakichi Hartmann but reading about their exploits and insanity was funny and fascinating (W.C. Fields as Queen Victoria? And who in their right mind would ever think of a perfume concert?!?)

The book is a very enjoyable read, it grabs you with each persons story and pulls the group together as it tells the tale. Organized by decades, the book is lavishly illustrated and although most of the cast of characters had a lot of sadness in their lives, the book does not get morbid, it more looks at the absurdity and fun these people brought each other, and through their work they brought each of us.

These guys personified perfection in their chosen fields, were perfectly decadent in their private lives and the way "Hollywood's Hellfire Club" is presented makes for a perfectly fascinating story.

Imagine what a news report this would be: Scientist Sister Creates Superhero Brother! It's certainly a story you'd want to read.

Poor Horace Splatley is not only the shortest kid in town, he has a sister who is bigger and younger! After experimenting with a crazy recipe for strange purple cupcakes, she forces Horace to eat them and wear a purple costume. (It's sure not easy having mad scientist in the family!)

But little Horace has the soul of a hero, and soon finds himself flying around town and confronting a giant guinea pig who appears in the schoolyard. Will Horace save the town? The story is fast-paced, very silly and very entertaining.

Horace Splattley: The Cupcaked Crusader is sure to have young readers begging for a second helping of laughs.

This is coolio as my friend says. I also L-O-V-E it. Who wouldn't? Everybody would like if they read it. If you don't you're C-R-A-Z-Y! All the books are cool. It's so cool when Horace eats the cupcakes and you guess what superpowers he gets! His controling sis is so scientific!

this is the best book you will ever read. it is about a kid who eats her sisters cupcakes and turns into a superheroe.he has to fight a giant monster and an evil scientist.this book is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!i hope you read it!

My mommy bought me this book. I liked this book very much. It was very funny. I liked that the cupcaked crusader had superpowers because he ate cupcakes, that was exciting. The powers only last for a few hours and it was sad when he lost them. I like that this book is about a boy, there are many books about girls already. The pictures very neat too.
I am now reading the second book and hope it is as good as the first one. Maybe it will be even better.

Mr. Hurtt, I was in the childrens section of a book store and my son happen to pick up your book. He loves to read books that are easy to read, he had several books in his hand I told him to pick one out, and I would read it to him at bed time. That evening as I read your book to my son, it was so full of love and warmth, that only a father who loves his child could have. Also, the fact that you are an african american man with such nurturing values made me think about some of the ways as a mother I can be more patient with my kids. I actually think I enjoyed your book and its contents more than my son. I am a African American women and I give your book a 5 plus stars. This is my first time rating a book and I did it because, on today we as parents dont take the time to appreciate the fact that our little ones look up to us, and that we are the base of their survival in this crazy world we live in. I will highly recommend your book to my friends and co-workers. I hope, I will be seeing more of your work in the near future. You are a very Noble man, I felt that in your writing. Peace be with you............Myra Taylor R.N.

Finally someone has come up with good story for kids young and old to read and enjoy. in this day and time kids are subject to so many negative. influences."I look up to my dad" exemplifies what a good clean child story should be.

This book is about a black man and the close day to dayrelationship with his 2 sons. It shows the need for a father to be arole model in their children's life on a daily basis. It is a subtil story teaching the values of having a father you can look up to, the kicker being that the father is 6' 9" !

This book is very tasteful and well written. It is an enjoyable read to my children. The subject matter is great. I would recommend it to all parents and children.