Penny from Heaven (Newbery Honor Book)

Book Description

It’s1953 and 11-year-old Penny dreams of a summer of butter pecan ice cream, swimming, and baseball. But nothing’s that easy in Penny’s family. For starters, she can’t go swimming because her mother’s afraid she’ll catch polio at the pool. To make matters worse, her favorite uncle is living in a car. Her Nonny cries every time her father’s name is mentioned. And the two sides of her family aren’t speaking to each other!

Inspired by Newbery Honor winner Jennifer Holm’s own Italian American family, Penny from Heaven is a shining story about the everyday and the extraordinary, about a time in America’s history, not all that long ago, when being Italian meant that you were the enemy. But most of all, it’s a story about families—about the things that tear them apart and bring them together. And Holm tells it with all the richness and the layers, the love and the laughter of a Sunday dinner at Nonny’s. So pull up a chair and enjoy the feast! Buon appetito!

Customer Reviews:

A Gem of a Book.......2007-08-20

Being a Newbery Honor book, I had to give this book a read. I definitely wasn't disappointed! This was a beautifully written coming-of-age story that children and young adults will be able to enjoy for years to come. Jennifer Holm, author of the Newbery Award winning book, Our May Amelia, is back with another lovely book about children growing up faster than they should have too, but enjoying themselves on the journey.

Penny, a half-Italian girl living with her mother and grandparents in New Jersey, longs to know more about what happened to her father. Her died when she was very young and her mother never speaks of him. The only time Penny is able to hear his name mentioned is when she is over at her Italian grandparents house, where her myriad of Aunts, Uncles, and cousins never fail to talk about her dad. Penny loves spending time in this boisterous household where food is always delicious and her best friend and cousin Frankie spends most of his time.

Unfortunately, Penny's mother doesn't get along with her in-laws and doesn't like Penny spending all of her time over there. As her mother begins dating, Penny tries to break up the dates in order to matchmake between her mother and her father's brother, Dominic. Penny, more than anything, wants her two families to love each other as she loves them. After a tragic accident that puts the use of Penny's arm in jeopardy, the true colors of her family members really begin to shine.

Set in the 1950's this book is so much more than family problems. It has exciting baseball games, friendships, and a mystery of buried treasure. The characters are incredibly real and lovable. Uncle Dominic was probably my favorite of the cast, because of his quirkiness and mystery. This is a true gem of a book.

Strong Female Protagonist - strong writing.......2007-07-06

This delightful piece of historical fiction set in New Jersey in the 1950's explores the life of "Penny" who lives with a single mother and grandparents, but who has a whole other life on Sundays with her father's family, a large Italian American one with uncles who dote on her. The mystery that threads itself through this story is that no one will talk about her father, and how and why he died. Or, why the families do not intereact, except through her.

Strong writing, a strong female protagonist, and interesting sub-plots all make for a delightful coming-of-age story, very appropriate for the upper elementary and middle school audience.

Courtesy of Teens Read Too.......2007-06-23

PENNY FROM HEAVEN, a new offering by author Jennifer L. Holm, is an excellent pick for middle grade readers. Set in the early 1950's, it tells a story of everyday life and rich Italian heritage.

Penny lives with her mother and her grandparents. At the start of the novel, she's almost twelve. Most of her time is spent hanging out in the neighborhood with her cousin and best friend, Frankie.

Bike riding would be fun, but Penny's bike was unfortunately backed over in the driveway. Going swimming in the city pool or taking in an afternoon matinee sounds like quality entertainment, but Penny's mom believes those places are breeding grounds for the dreaded polio everyone seems to be contracting. That doesn't leave much to do, but Penny and Frankie always seem to find something to get into. It might be an attempt to fix the leaky toilet that turns into a major repair job, or the secret mission to discover if great-grandma Nonny wears black underwear to match her old-fashioned black dresses.

Penny is surrounded by tons of Italian aunts and uncles, but she misses her father. His death years ago is still shrouded in mystery, one that Penny seems unable to uncover. Her mother is becoming interested in Mr. Mulligan, the milkman. Penny's attempts to pair her mother up with favorite Uncle Dominic fail miserably.

Day-to-day life is pretty predictable for Penny and her family until the unthinkable happens. After a tragic accident, Penny finds herself making plans for a very different life. Readers' emotions will be tested as Penny's story unfolds.

Jennifer L. Holm is also known for Newbery Honor book Our Only May Amelia (Harper Trophy Books) and her Boston Jane Series: An Adventure series, which is my personal favorite.

Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"

I like this pennie girl very much.......2007-05-24

She is a lot like alice, a girl in anothr book I like very much, only her mother died insted of her father. Pennie is very kind, and a little bit funny and a little bit sad. I like the way she thinks things over. I think I might read it again, if my sister will let me borrow it again. If I can think of something to trade. Books are like gold and chocolate around my house, people keep it for themselves. If you are thinking of buying this book, do it. You'll love it.

Just Like Being Home Again.......2007-05-05

Since both my sets of grandparents came from Italy, I'm usually wary of books that contain Italian families; they are either ga-ga over the Mafia or do not seem authentic. I was in love with Penny's wonderful Italian family immediately; I knew all these people in my own family. My dad's mother even did her cooking at a gas-converted coal stove in the basement because it was cooler in summer and she didn't want to "mess up" the nice kitchen upstairs! The food (sfogliatelles!), the homes, the loving uncles, the men torn between pleasing their mothers or their wives, the one male cousin who's always in trouble, Grandma dressed in black making homemade macaroni and homemade gravy (not "pasta" and "sauce," which are "Med-i-gone" terms!)...wow, it took me all back. Holm has the early 50s atmosphere down pat...I wished I could open a door and go back to meet all her characters, visit the Sweet Shoppe and the family butcher shop, and listen to "Dem Bums" on the radio. I also was drawn into the growing mystery about Penny's father, which exposes a chapter in history that most people have never heard of. I'm glad I decided to purchase this book; if you are Italian, this is a must have.

We Beat the Street: How a Friendship Pact Led to Success

Average customer rating:

Following in People's Footsteps
Read Aloud to students
Extremly Good
Beat the Street
ew.

We Beat the Street: How a Friendship Pact Led to Success
Sampson Davis , George Jenkins , Rameck Hunt , and Sharon Draper
Manufacturer: Puffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0142406279

Book Description

Growing up on the rough streets of Newark, New Jersey, Rameck, George, and Sampson could easily have followed their childhood friends into drug dealing, gangs, and prison. But when a presentation at their school made the three boys aware of the opportunities available to them in the medical and dental professions, they made a pact among themselves that they would become doctors. It took a lot of determination—and a lot of support from one another—but despite all the hardships along the way, the three succeeded. Retold with the help of an award-winning author, this younger adaptation of the adult hit novel The Pact is a hard-hitting, powerful, and inspirational book that will speak to young readers everywhere.

Customer Reviews:

Following in People's Footsteps.......2007-06-15

We Beat the Streets by three doctors, Sampson, George, and Rameck, is a nonfiction book. This story is about three friends that go to a medical school and they wanted to be different doctors. I learned that people should hang out with the people who want to bring you higher to a higher grade. I like this book becouse it has a lot of adventure and mystery.Other will like it because it has magnificent stories that will make you want to read more. -by Kevon Pierrot

Read Aloud to students.......2007-03-10

This book is an excellent read aloud book for teachers of young African American males. It encourages and helps them realize that no matter how badly one's life begins, it doesn't have to stay that way. It's a great discussion starter to help young people voice their concerns in a format that normally would not be available to them.

Extremly Good.......2006-12-06

Chris Cummings

We Beat the Streets

This book "We Beat the Streets" can show people, it doesn't matter were you come from. You can always become something even if you live in the ghetto.

This Book is about three doctors, George Jenkins, Sampson Davis and Rameck Hunt, and all three of them come from a New Jersey city, Newark. All three of them fulfill there dream and go to college. In the book there are incidents from the lives of all three doctors about them living in the bad areas of Newark when they were kids. They did some bad things at first in there lives but then they realized later on in there life that the street life won't pay off in the end. As the reader reads this book they will follow Sampson, Rameck and George as there journey from first grade through medical school. See them achieve there goals. In this book "We Beat the Streets" it shows tragedy of street life and how still living in bad communities you can always achieve your goals.

The content of "We Beat the Street" was edited really good for such young readers, making it a want to read book for this age level. The style of this book was simple but also attractive which will catch reader's eyes. Also the message was to the reader is excellent. It puts a warning to readers and also it's a inspiration, and encourages higher education, especially for those who doubt their ability to achieve there education goals. "We Beat The Streets" was one of the best books I have ever read on a subject like this. I extremely recommend this book to readers.

Beat the Street.......2006-10-16

In this work three African American doctors tell the story of how they used their brains, loyalty, and few good chances to escape their tough urban neighborhood, go to college and medical school, and become doctors. The book is targeted for an adolescent audience, although there is an adult version, called "The Pact" available. At the end of each chapter, the doctors give some advice to young people who want to achieve more than those around them expect.

Quote: "Young people need positive role models and guidance in their lives. There is no underestimating a positive figure in a child's life."

I picked this book up because it is the only one recommended by more than one of my ninth graders. I enjoyed the anecdotes about the childhood and teenage years of the young men, but mostly I appreciated their frank discussion of the challenges their lives presented, the choices they needed to make, and the belief of many in their neighborhood that they would never get out. I think young people would enjoy the work even more than I did, since the authors were careful to target students.

ew........2006-08-20

I, for one, am not a fan of inspirational stories. I honestly thought that this is one of the most stupid books I ever read. I had to read this for summer reading and I really did not enjoy it. At all. Yay, so three boys from the ghetto became doctors. Incredible. Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn. Don't waste your time. It's stupid.

The Ditchdigger's Daughters: A Black Family's Astonishing Success Story

Average customer rating:

And the Thornton Sisters were a great band!
The DitchDiggers Daughter
Great Book. Get Movie.
the value of hard work
Donald Rocks!!!

The Ditchdigger's Daughters: A Black Family's Astonishing Success Story
Yvonne S. Thornton , and Jo Coudert
Manufacturer: Plume
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

African-American & Black | Ethnic & National | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0452276195

Customer Reviews:

And the Thornton Sisters were a great band!.......2007-04-11

This is a wonderful book about a wonderfully talented group of women. I had the pleasure of seeing The Thornton Sisters at Cornell University many, many years ago. I was completely blown away by their talent & stage presence. I am also a former road musician, and these women made a gigantic impression on me. Knowing their story makes it even more impressive! Read this book!

The DitchDiggers Daughter .......2006-07-01

This book was great the movie was awesome they need to put it on vhs and dvd. must read book to who ever didnt read this book u need to read it its very good.

Great Book. Get Movie........2006-01-15

This is a wonderful book! I saw the made for TV movie on cable, I think HBO. When will it be released on DVD? In the Memphis area this is required reading.

the value of hard work.......2005-11-04

This is the story of a black man who, when he received only daughters, decided to see what he could do with them. He decided they would be doctors and set about to make it happen. Donald Thornton was an uneducated man who nevertheless exuded a lot of wisdom. In the face of racism or mistreatment he would say "It builds character." He had a strong work ethic, working two or three jobs for the sake of his family. He passed this on to his daughters, especially Yvonne who wrote the book. It is her story as much as it is his. Through hard work and determination, and against adversity, she did in fact become a doctor. Yvonne shares an anecdote about a frog experiment. Scientists tied one of a frog's hind legs together to study atrophy. That leg, struggling against the bonds, became stronger than the other one. That could be the story of this book. It is a moving tribute to a father, and a testament to the qualities of perseverance and hard work. Truly inspiring, this book shows the value of fathers, and mothers, in the lives of their children; as well as the value of working hard for ones dreams.

Donald Rocks!!!.......2004-08-26

This book was one of the books on our mandatory reading listing for entering freshmen. At first I didn't know what I would have in common with this black family because my life was seemingly much different. Until I read the book. The Thornton family is like most any other family that wants what is best for their kids and will sacrifice to see that it happens. I was moved by this book. It made me cry and laugh. It also made me appreciate my parents a little more. Tough dad, tough kids.

Average customer rating:

MISTAKES ARE MADE, MISFORTUNE FOLLOWS
One of My Favourite Thriller Writers
The Innocent
You think you know someone well until secrets come out.....
Suspenseful and Good But Not Great

The Innocent
Harlan Coben
Manufacturer: Dutton Adult
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0525948740

Amazon.com

Matt Hunter made a mistake when he was 20 years old and paid for it with a four-year stint in prison that left him with a determination never to be locked up again. Finally, his life is back on the promising track he was taking before he accidentally killed a man: He has a good job, a newly pregnant wife he adores, and is about to close on the home of their dreams. Then he gets a couple of bizarre photos on his cell phone that seem to show his wife in a compromising position with a black-haired stranger. But before he can sort out who sent the anonymous pictures and why, he's running from the law--especially from the cop who was his best friend in grade school, and a sharp young detective who's stepped right into the middle of an FBI investigation spurred by the discovery that a dead nun who wasn't who she claimed to be is somehow mixed up in Matt and Olivia Hunter's life. Coben deftly wields a complicated plot involving a missing stripper, a dead gangster, an incriminating videotape, and a couple of agents who aren't quite who they seem to be, while Hunter manages to hold onto his faith in Olivia despite her clouded past and uncertain future. Like all Coben's protagonists, (including the hero of his popular series starring sports agent turned detective Myron Bolitar) Hunter is a nice, middle-class New Jersey boy who's still the innocent of the title, despite the miscarriage of justice that sent him to prison. Or was it? That's the moral question at the heart of this tightly constructed thriller, which will no doubt shoot directly to the top of the bestseller list, and deservedly so. --Jane Adams

Amazon.com Exclusive Content

A Bit of Bolitar: An Exclusive Essay by Harlan Coben

Beloved series character Myron Bolitar appears in a new short story included with Harlan Coben's latest thriller, The Innocent. In this Amazon.com exclusive essay, Coben shares his thoughts on Bolitar's return.

Book Description

Some mistakes can change your life foreverÂ….

The horror of one night is forever etched in Matt HunterÂ's memory: the night he innocently tried to break up a fightÂ—and ended up a killer. Now, nine years after his release from prison, his innocence long forgotten, heÂ's an ex-con who takes nothing for granted. With his wife, Olivia, pregnant and the two of them closing on a house in his home town, things are looking up. Until the day Matt gets a shocking, inexplicable video call from OliviaÂ's phone. And in an instant, the unraveling begins.

A mysterious man who begins tailing Matt turns up dead. A beloved nun is murdered. And local and federal authorities--including homicide investigator, Loren Muse, a childhood schoolmate of MattÂ's with a troubled past of her own-- see all signs pointing to a former criminal with one murder already under his belt: Matt Hunter. Unwilling to lose everything for a second time, Matt and Olivia are forced outside the law in a desperate attempt to save their future together.

An electrifying thrill-ride of a novel that peeks behind the white picket fences of suburbia, THE INNOCENT is at once a twisting, turning, emotionally-charged story, and a compelling tale of the choices we make and the repercussions that never leave us.

Includes the exclusive short story
Rise and Fall of SuperD
Featuring Myron Bolitar

Advanced Praise:

Â“Coben surpasses Jeffrey Deaver as the most generous plotter in the thriller racketÂ”
Â—Kirkus (starred review)

Â“Coben seems to delight in making bad things happen to good people, and he does it again in this, his best book to date.Â”
Â—Publishers Weekly

For Just One Look

Â“Harlan Coben is the modern master of the hook-and-twist--luring you in on the first page, only to shock you on the last.Â”
--Dan Brown, author of The Da Vinci Code

Â“Stocked with fascinatingly creepy characters, CobenÂ's keeps-you-guessing mystery is terrifying. The tension doesnÂ't build slowly; it snaps and crackles right from the get- goÂ…The only plausible reason for setting down this book is to make sure your front door is locked and double-bolted.Â”
Â—People

Â“[Just One Look] is so well-written and compelling. . . .ItÂ's only when the last page turns that the reader has a chance to breathe, say Â`Wow!Â' and marvel at the impressively interconnected structure. . . . Just One Look opens upÂ—over many pagesÂ—like an elegantly constructed puzzle box.Â”
Â—San Jose Mercury News

Â“Just as Alfred Hitchcock carved out a niche with films about a seemingly innocent person caught in machinations beyond comprehension, Harlan Coben is earning a reputation for creating the literary equivalent. . . . Just One Look delivers more than its share of thrills and keeps us engrossed by the strong characters and fast-clipped plot. . . . Hitchcock would be envious.Â”
Â—Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

Â“What Hitchcock did for the shower, Coben does for the cell phone... As usual with Coben, an intriguing start, hinging on one out-of-whack technological trick, hurtles into a fast-paced hunter-and-hunted drama. First rate.Â”
--Booklist (starred review)

Download Description

"Some mistakes can change your life forever.. The horror of one night is forever etched in Matt Hunter's memory: the night he innocently tried to break up a fight-and ended up a killer. Now, nine years after his release from prison, his innocence long forgotten, he's an ex-con who takes nothing for granted. With his wife, Olivia, pregnant and the two of them closing on a house in his home town, things are looking up. Until the day Matt gets a shocking, inexplicable video call from Olivia's phone. And in an instant, the unraveling begins. A mysterious man who begins tailing Matt turns up dead. A beloved nun is murdered. And local and federal authorities--including homicide investigator, Loren Muse, a childhood schoolmate of Matt's with a troubled past of her own-- see all signs pointing to a former criminal with one murder already under his belt: Matt Hunter. Unwilling to lose everything for a second time, Matt and Olivia are forced outside the law in a desperate attempt to save their future together. An electrifying thrill-ride of a novel that peeks behind the white picket fences of suburbia, THE INNOCENT is at once a twisting, turning, emotionally-charged story, and a compelling tale of the choices we make and the repercussions that never leave us. Includes the exclusive short story Rise and Fall of SuperD Featuring Myron Bolitar"

Customer Reviews:

MISTAKES ARE MADE, MISFORTUNE FOLLOWS.......2007-10-18

Some mistakes can change your life forever. In "The Innocent" the past comes back with a vengence to haunt the lives of ex-convict Matt Hunter and his pregnant wife Olivia.

Nine years ago Matt went to prison for manslaughter, convicted for an accidental death that occurred when he attempted to help a friend. While his friends were in college, Matt was serving his time in prison. Now a free man and happily married, Matt will do anything to protect and maintain his new life.

Suddenly a series of events put Matt and Olivias "happily ever after" in jeopardy. First, an admired and well loved nun is murdered, then Matt begins receiving anonymous and compromising photos on his cell phone and suspects he is being followed by a mysterious stranger. He enlists the help of a female detective friend to help unravel the mystery. Unfortunately dead folks begin popping up all over the place and all of them seem to be connected to Matt in one way or another. The local and federal authorities think him a likely suspect to pursue and, worst of all, it seems that sweet Olivia has a few secrets of her own she hasn't shared with her hubby.

What M. Night Shymalan did with unexpected plot twists in his movies, notably The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable, Cobin does with his books. Both men ably tell compelling tales about the interaction of fate coupled with the choices we make in life. The Innocent seems to prove that no one is completely innocent.

One of My Favourite Thriller Writers.......2007-08-03

Harlan Coben continues to prove that he is one of the best thriller writers around at the moment. A page turner is a much used phrase but in this case it is really appropriate. The author's books are always so well structured and his character's well rounded. He is obviously comfortable with his style and ability and this transmits itself to the reader making the reading of his books sheer pleasure from start to finish. Coben has now got a string of best selling crime novels behind him and all I can say is that I hope he continues to write for many years to come. The author lives in New Jersey with his wife and four children.

This particular book seems to have attracted a mixed bag of reviews and to a degree I can understand why, but the fact the reviews are mixed tells its own story. It is very difficult as a reviewer to criticise a book or an author too much, as your thoughts on the book are personal to you. This does not mean that others who read it will also dislike it. In fact they may think totally the reverse and love the book..

I personally found the book an entertaining read, yes in parts the plot did stretch the imagination a little, but it is after all a work of fiction, a fantasy, there to entertain rather than educate. All I can really add is if you have read Harlan Coben before, you will probably enjoy the book immensely and if you haven't but like thriller writing, give it a try.

The Innocent.......2007-07-27

The Innocent by Harlan Coben is another fine example of this great author's storytelling mastery. Coben weaves an intricate tale of suspense that is multi-faceted and complicated, yet easy to follow all at the same time. Coben is one of the finest suspence/thriller/mystery writers in the market. The characters in this book are all very well-rounded and realized. They each have flaws, and yet that is one makes each of them all the more accessible. I rated this book four stars based on the fact that it was a fun read and a wild ride. This is a great way to spend some time. Enjoy.

You think you know someone well until secrets come out............2007-07-03

Matt Hunter had it all going for him at the beginning of this book. What with being a straight A student in college, and happily involved in sports, and in love, he could not have asked for better. But when he was bullied by a boy Stephen McGrath, Matt accidentally killed him by strangulation in a fight. He was sent to prison for 6 years thereafter.

When he got out, he made a new start, finding Olivia his college sweetheart and marrying her. They started a new life in Lexington Kentucky, expecting their first baby. But the tables were about to turn when murders began happening, and who gets the blame but Matt? The cops are on his back again, until Matt finds a way of escaping. And that is not the only problem. He discovers Olivia might be having an affair when on his cell phone, there appears a picture of Olivia in a blond wig with another man that has blue-colored hair. It looks like they are having sex right there, and Matt is really terrified of this. As Matt begins to dig, he finds out that he is being framed, and needs to find a way out-again. But Olivia has not been telling the truth-at all. And maybe she's not what Matt thinks she is.

Suspenseful and Good But Not Great.......2007-03-31

This is the story of an ex-con Matt Hunter,convicted of manslaughter when he was a sophomore in college, now getting his life back on track. He's about to buy a house in his hometown and live happily ever after with his beautiful and pregnant wife. Or so he thinks.

Things start to get interesting when Matt receives a seemingly compromising video of his wife Olivia and another man while she is supposed to be out of town on a business trip. The story unfolds from there and has plenty of twists and turns.

I did like the protagonists Matt and Olivia Hunter and Loren Muse the investigator for the DA's office. I thought her character added a lot to this book, in fact I thought her character really pulled this story together.

It was suspenseful and easy to read and like I said, it was good.

But it wasn't great and I almost can't put my finger on what it was that was lacking. The story was interesting and the characters were interesting, I liked the heroes and disliked the villains. But still... for me it was missing something.

G is for Garden State: A New Jersey Alphabet Edition 1. (Discover America State By State. Alphabet Series)

Average customer rating:

Really nice book

G is for Garden State: A New Jersey Alphabet Edition 1. (Discover America State By State. Alphabet Series)
Eileen Cameron
Manufacturer: Sleeping Bear Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1585361526

Book Description

Readers will be delighted to discover the many wonders of the Garden State, from her famous sons and daughters (inventor Thomas Edison and the Revolutionary War heroine Molly Pitcher) to her beautiful sights (the Highlands, the Pinelands, and New Jersey's famous shoreline), and her unique institutions (The Seeing Eye training institute for seeing eye dogs and Haddy, the largest complete dinosaur skeleton of its time, found in 1858). G is for Garden State explores the places, people, and landmarks that make New Jersey a fascinating place to live in and to visit again and again.

Customer Reviews:

Really nice book.......2007-01-05

We liked this book so much, while we were living in New Jersey we gave it to many of our friends and their kids so they would know more about New Jersey - which is actually a very nice state that most people don't know very much about.

Average customer rating:

Paterson II
George Tice
Manufacturer: Quantuck Lane
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 159372022X

Book Description

A 10th-generation native of New Jersey, renowned photographer George Tice began his thirty-year documentation of the vernacular architecture of his home state with Paterson in 1972, which formed part of his acclaimed one-man show at Metropolitan Museum of Art. His most iconic images from this exploration are White Castle, Route 1, Rahway, N.J., and Petit's Mobil Station, Cherry Hill, N.J. In Paterson II, Tice revisits his source of inspiration, adding scores of new images, and making an eloquent statement about time and change in a small Northeastern city. 77 quadratone photographs.

Natural Lives, Modern Times: People and Places of the Delaware River

Average customer rating:

Fine journalism

Natural Lives, Modern Times: People and Places of the Delaware River
Bruce Stutz
Manufacturer: Crown
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

Delaware Diary: Episodes in the Life of a River

ASIN: 0517582252
Release Date: 1992-04-21

Customer Reviews:

Fine journalism.......2000-04-16

In what appears to be, sadly, Bruce Stutz's only book, Stutz introduces the reader to those who scratch noble livings out of a river that yields not much more than a few shad each spring. He journeys south from Hancock, NY, to Philadelphia, PA, to present the lives of riparian denizens fighting to maintain their source of income against our (federal and state) government's struggles to protect our beautiful, valuable, and fragile Delaware River Valley. Neither side in Stutz's book comes across as "right" or "wrong" because, well, both sides care deeply about this stunning river. The one lack in "Natural Lives, Modern Times" is the lack of photos or illustrations, beyond some attractive woodcuts heading each chapter.

Average customer rating:

Great Picture Book of Old-Time Atlantic City
Visual Tour of Atlantic City
Original Monopoly locations describe....
Informative
From the Board Games Editor at BellaOnline.com

Monopoly
Rod Kennedy
Manufacturer: Gibbs Smith, Publisher
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1586853228

Book Description

Most people probably don't think about the fact that the colored properties on the Monopoly board are based on real places in a real city, they just know that Monopoly was the best way to pass a rainy Saturday afternoon with family and friends. Now, the whole story of game and the place it is based on is revealed in Monopoly & Atlantic City ... The Game and the Reality by Rod Kennedy, Jr. Take a virtual walk down Boardwalk and advance to St. Charles Place through this fascinating visualization of the classic Monopoly game board illustrated with Atlantic City images that brings to life, for the very first time, the very real place upon which this game is based.

Customer Reviews:

Great Picture Book of Old-Time Atlantic City.......2007-05-20

If you are looking for a guidebook on developing strategies on winning Monopoly games, look elsewhere. This book does a fantastic job of explaining the history behind the streets and places printed on a Classic Monopoly gameboard. The postcards are diverse and even cover Baltic Avenue. The postcards are from when the Monopoly game was issued nationally and earlier. This book makes a great present for someone who enjoys playing Monopoly and wants to more about the background and real-world history of the locations on the traditional game.

Visual Tour of Atlantic City.......2007-02-03

"Taking a walk on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City was an excursion into a wonderland of grand hotels, amusement piers stocked with colorful rides and marquee performers, and arcades full of games and sweet treats of every description. The Boardwalk was part avenue, part grandstand." ~ pg. 65

If you loved playing MONOPOLY and wondered how this game got it start, then this is the story behind this beloved pastime. Since the game is based on real-life locations in Atlantic City, this book is filled with lovely pictures of the area. The main chapters include:

Go
The Game - A Brief History of MONOPOLY
The Place - A Brief History of Atlantic City
The Railroads
The Properties
The Utilities
Chance and Community Chest
Free Parking
Passing Go

One of the most interesting pictures is one of the original circular game boards from 1933 and a square board from 1932. There is also a drawing of the origins of the game as patented by Lizzie Magie in 1904. Most of the book then focuses on the properties and other fun things like salt water taffy.

~The Rebecca Review

Original Monopoly locations describe...........2006-12-13

This book is basically a history of Atlantic City during the time that the boardgame Monopoly was being invented. The book is not so much about the game itself but the locations that are on the game board. The book goes into the history of all the locations on the board by color and explained to the reader what Boardwalk was like in the 1930s or how Marvin Gardens got misspelled and other tidbits. It rather a short book overall and its give a pretty good understanding basic values of locations in terms of Atlantic City to the boardgame.

Of course, the Atlantic City that being described in this book no longer exist. Much like St. Charles Place no longer exist but this book does allowed the reader to know that the game was based on actual locations that one time, had values which was reflected on the game board. I think that was the purpose of this book.

Informative.......2006-11-21

The book was informative. The history of Atlantic City was interesting, but I was more interested in the game itself. I would like to see a book with more on the different editions of MONOPOLY and tons of pictures of games...not Atlantic City postcards.

From the Board Games Editor at BellaOnline.com.......2005-11-28

This is a great little book that takes a historical look at the game we all love and the story behind it. It starts off with a little bit of the history of the game itself, from Elizabeth Magie's original invention to the worldwide phenomenon the game became.

However, the book mainly focuses on describing the streets, railroads and sites that have given their names to the game board spaces. The book describes them mostly as they were around the time that Monopoly was being invented.

The book is beautifully illustrated with antique photographs and postcards, and shows Atlantic City in a more glamorous and classy era than the current neon-sign-and-big-hair place that it has become.

While the book does not cover more than a little bit about the game itself, it does put it into a fun historical context.

Family-Friendly Biking In New Jersey And Eastern Pennsylvania

Average customer rating:

Biking Delights
Off Road Bikers Rejoice

Family-Friendly Biking In New Jersey And Eastern Pennsylvania
Diane Goodspeed
Manufacturer: Rutgers University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Sports | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0813535743

Book Description

Do you love bike riding with your kids, but are tired of rides that take you in circles around the neighborhood block? Looking for something more exciting, yet still safe and manageable?

Through years of research and a lot of trial and error with her own two children, Diane Goodspeed gives us the first biking book for this region geared specifically toward families with young kids. Packed with photos and easy-to-follow maps, Goodspeed shows us where to find nearly twenty-five kid-friendly trails—trails that are not too steep or too long, do not encounter many roads, and provide ample access to food and restroom facilities.

You will find detailed information on popular New Jersey routes, including the Columbia Trail, Delaware & Raritan Canal Trail, Sussex Branch Trail, and Paulinskill Valley Trail, as well as undemanding rides through Duke Island Park, Hartshorne Woods, and Sandy Hook National Recreation Area. In eastern Pennsylvania, kids of all ages can peddle along the Lehigh Canal and the Delaware Canal and explore the many rambling paths of Tyler State Park.

These and many more rides are rated according to a child's biking skills and each one is accompanied by detailed descriptions of the area. And because kids are always full of questions, Goodspeed includes a short history and interesting "did you know?" facts for each region. Tips on equipment options, bike safety, and the nearest bathrooms, playgrounds, and ice cream shops make this book the definitive source for kid-tested, parent-approved biking fun. It is an essential guide for planning the most enjoyable and rewarding family bike excursions.

Customer Reviews:

Biking Delights.......2005-06-23

If you like to bike but cannot handle cars, 40 mile rides, or crowded boardwalks, buy this book. We got the book last month and my husband has taken our 4-yr-old son on three rides already. They have truly had fun on their adventures and the information in the book is right-on.

Off Road Bikers Rejoice.......2005-06-17

Finally, a biking book for "normal" people. My wife and I do not ride in spandex and we prefer safety to distance. While we have a few favorite road rides, the rides in this book, being on rail-trails, along canals, or on bike paths, are wonderful. Being New Jersians, we knew about the rail-trail rides but never got around to figuring out how to do them! Thanks to Ms. Goodspeed, all our efforts can now go into biking - not planning! I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants an easy day of biking (children or no children).