Self Reliance Summary

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Billy Creekmore: A Novel Review

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(More customer reviews)In the early 1900's, "The Guardian Angels Home for Boys" is anything but. In this grim setting in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia, ten-year-old Billy Creekmore exists - barely. The most that Billy can hope for is that Mr. Colder will take him away to work in the glassworks when he is twelve. When a friend reports back about the true conditions of the glassworks, that hope dies hard. Overhearing that Mr. Colder is going to employ him despite his tender age, Billy prepares to run away. Fortuitously, a long-lost relative turns up and whisks Billy away to his first true home.
Billy's misadventures are legion, taking him from the orphanage through the pre-union coal mines into a traveling circus. Along the way, Billy meets his biological father and tries mightily and ultimately unsuccessfully to believe in the goodness of this unsavory circus grifter. Misfortunes, however, do not harden Billy's good heart. As a protagonist, Billy is a sweet-natured charmer of animals and people -- including readers.

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Folks say I'm bound to be unlucky in life, for I was born at midnight on a Friday, the thirteenth of December, and Peggy says it's certain I can commune with spirits. But I ain't never seen any ghosts, not even my own mother, and wouldn't that be the ghost I'd see if I could?

So begins the tale of Billy Creekmore, a boy with mystifying powers and the glorious gift of storytelling. But what does life hold for someone growing up in the cruel clutches of the Guardian Angels Home for Boys, where Billy's gifts do more harm than good?

Escaping the orphanage seems an impossible feat, but when a stranger comes to claim Billy, he sets off on an extraordinary journey. With only a tin box that holds precious mementos of his beloved mother and mysterious father, Billy travels from the coal mines of West Virginia to the spectacular world of a traveling circus in search of his past, his future, and his own true self.

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Star-Crossed Review

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(More customer reviews)Patricia Kelly is one determined young lady. Left an orphan in England she smuggles herself aboard a ship bound for the West Indies, determined to secure the inheritance she is confident that she has been promised and that will ensure her future life is happy and comfortable. But of course we all know that the course of such tales rarely runs smoothly, and in the process Patricia finds herself in all manner of unlikely adventures.
This is a stirring story for anyone of any age, though I can imagine it would particularly resonate in the hearts of adventurous teens. Patricia sails the high seas, assists the ship's surgeon in the aftermath of battle, is shipwrecked, finds love, loses love and finds it again. In case this seems a little far fetched, there are many historical instances of women undertaking similar adventures on board ships at the time - usually without recognition, but they were there all the same. And I imagine they were every bit as feisty as our heroine Patricia.
This book is told in clear, first person prose (which I am usually not fond of as I am nosy and like to know what the other characters are thinking), but it suits this rollocking tale. It is historically accurate (and inaccuracy is my pet peeve) and is not burdened with excessive romance which mars many a similar tale. It really is a very good read! And unusually for tales of this ilk (and this is NOT a spoiler) the ending is very satisfying.
And, as a plus, even though one should never judge a book by its cover, it has the most sensational cover art work; which reflects the great tale within, and certainly captures the spirit of our heroine.
Highly recommended for any young lady in your life.

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Befiddled Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a great read for kids.
The story explores a young musician's struggle to understand the adults in her life and to find her way among her peers as she explores her art. Becky's exploits will captivate you and carry you on to a wonderful and empowering conclusion.
She and her younger brother will make you laugh out loud.
Readers will learn some things about music and life. I think it is an excellent novel that will inspire whoever reads it.
I have decided to give this book to several children this Christmas season.
You can be sure that Becky will thrill boys and girls whether or not they have any interest in music at all.

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Becky Cohen has a rough life. She's an outsider everywhere she goes: shunned and mocked at school, at her violin lessons, and at home by her disapproving mother. Her only true friend is her brilliant little brother, newspaper-loving Benjy. She dreams of becoming a great violinist, but at the group lessons she's forced to take at the Y, Becky panics and plays badly. Then Becky meets Mr. Freeman, her building's handyman. He has a lot to teach her about becoming a musician, and being a friend. Gradually, Becky begins speaking her mind more often, and finds that people are actually listening. Then Mr. Freeman tells Becky about a local performing arts high school's scholarship contest. With the lessons learned from Mr. Freeman and Benjy, can Becky overcome her fears and play what's in her heart?

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The Nightly Book of Positive Quotations Review

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(More customer reviews)I gave this book to someone who just had surgery - what a up-lifting and positive gift idea!

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Addicted to Stress: A Woman's 7 Step Program to Reclaim Joy and Spontaneity in Life Review

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(More customer reviews)If there's one thing that women everywhere know about, it's stress. Stress about kids, relationships, work, dinner, laundry...the list goes on and on. In fact, one might say women are "addicted to stress." Which is exactly the idea behind Debbie Mandel's ingenious new book. In it, she likens a woman's tireless work to identity theft and points out the irony of calling a never-ending to-do list that we use to keep ourselves occupied every moment of every day "progress." But there's good news - we're only 7 simple steps away from changing our lives. Mandel helps women understand that stress addiction is a real problem, recognize the signs, and take action to improve our health and better our lives. And she's got her work cut out for her; after all, one of the major problems with stress addiction is that women today feel they need to keep busy in order to thrive. How often do you find yourself with free time, only to wonder what work or chores you could be getting done instead? Sure, we know we're busy, but we relish the purpose and sense of accomplishment, right? It turns out that stress may be affecting our lives in more ways than we realize, damaging our relationships, our family life, and even our health. Mandel's book is as interactive as it is informative, and it's absolutely a must read for anyone who experiences even a little stress in her daily life (which, let's face it, is pretty much everyone). With anecdotes from women you can relate to, questions and activities to really get you thinking about your own life, and advice to change everything from your diet and your house to your routine and your mindset, this book has the potential to really make a difference in your life. So enough with the excuses - finding the time to read this book will mean finding the time to rediscover yourself.

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A woman's down-to-earth guide for releasing stress and reclaiming her free-spirit

Stress management expert and radio personality Debbie Mandel presents her highly original program for stress reduction. She explains that women who are constantly stressed out have forgotten the dreams of the free-spirited girl living inside them before they became somebody's wife, mother, or workplace colleague. This book, the inspiring and humorous story of successful recovery from stress addiction, outlines her seven steps that have proven to help women overcome daily stressors and reclaim a life of joy and spontaneity.
Explores the habit forming pressure principle of stress addiction and how to cure it
Provides step-by-step program for self-empowerment, self-care, healthy narcissism, and renewing humor in a woman's relationships
Explains the powerful, researched based relationship between food, exercise, and mood
Contains indispensable strategies for accepting constructive conflicts with a spouse, partner, friend or colleague to get what she wants
Teaches specific techniques for reducing and eliminating stress reduction

Addicted to Stress shows how as the addiction to stress is cured, women find it possible to build up an immunity to outside pressure and become their true core self.

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Simeon's Gift Review

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(More customer reviews)The imprint of the 'umbrella' under which this beautiful book was published, "Words, Wisdom and Wonder", fits it all the way. It is a beautiful story, wonderfully told and handsomely illustrated. I'll not retell it here. The editorials have already done that. I would say simply, that Simeon's story belongs in every household that has a child to be enwrapped by it and in any other household that appreciates good things. The book "Simeon's Gift" is definitely one of those 'good things'. I'm a grandmother, with grown grandchildren now...but I got the book for myself and find it a sheer delight to look at and to read. The CD that comes with it is a supersized bonus. Read so clearly and beautifully by Dame Julie and acompanied by lovely and appropriate music, it's a joy to listen to. Thank you Julie! I highly recommend it.

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Backbeard and the Birthday Suit: The Hairiest Pirate Who Ever Lived Review

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(More customer reviews)Often, I'll find myself sitting in the rocker with my two year-old daughter on my lap, reading a children's book of pirate stories. And although each book is entertaining, I'm left with a question I'm sure we've all pondered: Why hasn't anyone written a book about a pirate who shops for new clothes, yet? Fellow readers, our prayers have been answered! With clever illustrations and a very funny storyline, this book about the hairiest pirate ever hits the spot. My daughter loves it, and it's well worth the investment in pieces of eight.

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Marsupial Sue Book and CD Review

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(More customer reviews)Poor Marsupial Sue, she just hates being a kangaroo. All that hopping around gives her a backache, headache, sideache and even a tummyache, so she sets out to try and be something else. The life of a Koala looked good, until she fell out of the tree and living by the sea as a Platypus seemed nice, until she got sick eating all that seafood. She'd just have to try something else. Just then she sees a Wallaby. He looked a lot like Sue, only smaller and was having such a great time bouncing and flouncing and jouncing along, that she just had to join him and it was fun. So Sue learned the most important lesson of all: "Be happy with who you are./Don't ever stray to far from you./Get rid of that frown/And waltz up and down/beneath a marsupial star./If you're a kangaroo through and through,/Just do what kangaroos do."..... John Lithgow has written a silly, funny, joyous song and picture book, with a gentle message, that will delight youngsters with it's bouncy energy and lilting rhyme. His humorous text is complemented by Jack Davis' bold, bright and expressive artwork, full of charming detail and kids and adults alike will giggle as they watch Australia's sunglassed, hat wearing, Birkenstocked denizens do their thing. Complete with sheet music and CD, Marsupial Sue is perfect for youngsters 3-7 and is a book the entire family will enjoy reading and singing together and with its catchy waltzing rhythm, even dancing, too.

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The Blue Day Book for Kids: A Lesson in Cheering Yourself Up Review

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(More customer reviews)My children (ages 7 and 4) stumbled across this book at our favorite bookstore recently, and I can't say enough about the smiles and cheer it has brought them. I now plan to buy this book as a gift for every child I know (and even a few adults). Adorable black and white photos have managed to capture our animal friends in the most peculiar poses, opening wonderful dialog opportunities in our family. Even if you aren't "blue" this book will elevate the mood of anyone, any age. It's destined to be a favorite for many families.
(For the record, this is my first Amazon review. I usually don't post reviews, although I do write them professionally. When I noticed this book had no shopper reviews yet, I couldn't help but share my opinion with viewers. If you're wondering whether or not this book is a keeper, I can't think of anyone who wouldn't love it! Enjoy!)

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Bruce: The Little Blue Spruce Review

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(More customer reviews)awesome early reader comic, especially for teachers to use in the classroom. engaging story with adorable illustrations. dr. katie monnin

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Just in time for the Holidays, a children's story for the child in all of us! All Bruce ever wanted was to be chosen by a special family to be their Christmas tree...but no one wants a BLUE Christmas tree! A heartwarming tale about accepting the differences in ourselves and in others, Bruce: The Little Blue Spruce is a story about alienation and individuality, about prejudice and rising above it. And maybe, most importantly, it's a story about finding one's place regardless of one's "handicaps". Engagingly written by Kristen Koerner Simon as a gift to her family, illustrated by Image Comics founder and award-winning artist Jim Valentino, with painted color by Avery Butterworth, Bruce: The Little Blue Spruce will charm even the most cynical of Scrooge's all year long, and gently teach a valuable lesson for all.

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