Discover Best Audiobooks in Kids, Ages 8-10 Top Rated

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Title: The Gecko and Sticky

Subtitle: Sinister Substitute

Author: Wendelin Van Draanen

Narrator: Marc Cashman

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 3 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-08-09

Publisher: Listening Library

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Kids, Ages 8-10

Publisher's Summary:

Dave's most despised teacher, a gleeful frog dissector named Ms. Veronica Krockle, is absent. Her students are psyched! But Sticky is suspicious. Especially when the substitute teacher turns out to be strangely interested in geckos. Or rather, boys with pet geckos.

Thats no substitute! Thats Damien Black, dastardly treasure hunter and master of disguise!

If Damien Black is in school, does that mean he's behind Ms. Krockles absence? Could she have been kidnapped? And does that mean Dave has to rescue her? Ay chihuahua! The caped crusader is (reluctantly) on the case.

Members Reviews:

I Recommend

Item arrived in great condition and in a timely manner. I am pleased and would order from the seller again.

This is a very quirky and fun story. I highly recommend for ages 5 and older.

Doing the right thing isn't always easy

On the surface, Dave Sanchez is a typical 13-year-old boy. He has an annoying younger sister, tends to be late for school, occasionally misplaces his homework, and sometimes gets sent to detention. But Dave is no ordinary teenager. He has a secret, a "life-and-death, get-caught-and-you're-toast" kind of secret. It has to do with his pet gecko, Sticky. Like other lizards, Sticky can hang around gardens and soak up sunshine while sticking to walls, but Sticky can do much more than that. Sticky can talk. Yep. That's right. Sticky is a fast-talking, wise-cracking gecko with a nose for trouble.

As if having a talking gecko isn't enough, Dave has an even bigger secret. He is also a superhero, all because of Sticky. When Sticky moved into Dave's apartment, he brought with him an ancient Aztec wristband. The magic wristband, when matched with a special ingot, gives the possessor super powers. With Sticky's help and urging, Dave can transform himself into a wall-crawling superhero. And Dave's superhero name: The Gecko.

Did I mention that Sticky and the wristband once belonged to an evil genius who is determined to get them back? Damien Black is a diabolical inventor, ruthless treasure hunter, and, above all, a master of disguise. Damien will do anything to get his hands on Sticky and the magic power band. On a scale of evilness, Ms. Veronica Krockle, Dave's science teacher, is a close match for Damien. Dubbed "The Crocodile" by her students, Ms. Krockle is an expert in strictness and sarcasm, and she loves to dissect frogs. In her nine years of teaching at Geronimo Middle School, she has never been absent.

So when she goes missing on frog-dissecting day, Dave and his classmates celebrate. At first, Dr. Schwarz, Ms. Krockle's substitute, is too good to be true. He tells the class they need not worry about dissecting frogs. He doesn't teach them anything; he just asks them about their pets. But when he drills down and shows a relentless interest in knowing which students have pet geckos, Dave's instincts switch to hyper-sensitive alert. Just who is Dr. Schwarz? And why the unusual interest in geckos?

On the second day that Dr. Schwarz substitutes, Sticky figures it out. Here's a hint: in German, Schwarz means Black. If Dr. Schwarz is really Damien Black, how did he find out which school "The Gecko" attends? And what has he done with Ms.

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Title: Howard Pyle's Book of Pirates

Author: Howard Pyle

Narrator: Robert Mansell

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 52 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-20-09

Publisher: Coolbeat Audiobook Publishing

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Kids, Ages 8-10

Publisher's Summary:

Arrrgh me hearties! Treat yourself to these rousing tales of mayhem on the Spanish Main. Listen to the history of pirates, buccaneers, marooners, and their exploits, along with several interpretive biographies of encounters with REAL pirates, including Henry Morgan, Blackbeard, and others.

©2007 CoolBeat Audiobooks; (P)2007 CoolBeat Audiobooks

Members Reviews:

This book is complete and utter garbage. It appears to be an ebook hastily converted ...

DO *NOT* BUY THIS.

This book is complete and utter garbage. It appears to be an ebook hastily converted into something printed. It has nonexistent typesetting work, nonexistent proofreading, muddy and stretched black-and-white images that look like a 2001-era .jpg, and has all the air of a shoddy counterfeit. I knew something was wrong the second I saw it in person, they didn't even get the aspect ratio of the cover image right! If I want an ebook I'll go to Project Gutenberg.

Aaarrrr matey...

Great historical Pirate tales, with insightful history. Description did not indicate any language except English, and by golly.. it IS in English!

Two Stars

Very poor reproduction and not worth the money.

Howard Pyle's Books Always Excellent!

Howard Pyle is the best writer of all! He creates a mood like no other author can!

Five Stars

Exactly as ordered and fun to read!

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Title: Colonialism

Subtitle: History

Author: iMinds

Narrator: Todd MacDonald

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-20-09

Publisher: iMinds

Ratings: 2.5 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: Kids, Ages 8-10

Publisher's Summary:

Learn about the history of Colonialism with iMindsJNR audio learning series for younger minds.

Around 500 years ago, European nations began to explore the world around them more than ever before. With safer and faster ships, Europeans were able to sail across the globe, over oceans that had once been unnavigable. As they undertook these great voyages of discovery they encountered cultures very different to their own. In many cases, Europeans established settlements in the lands of these other cultures and came to dominate them. The term colonialism was invented to describe this overtaking of one culture by another.

Perfect to engage, entertain and broaden young thinkers.. iMindsJNR brings knowledge to your MP3 with 5 minute information segments for growing minds.

iMindsJNR offers 6 main categories for ages 7-14years including General Knowledge, Geography & Nature, Famous People, Science & Math, The Arts and History.

Make your MP3 smarter with iMindsJNR MindTracks, intersperse with music and enjoy learning a little about a lot.. knowledge to help shape young minds.

Editorial Reviews:

Australian actor Todd MacDonald provides a frank account of colonialism's troubling history, from the 15th century gold lust that spurred the Spanish and Portuguese empires across the seas to the brutal 20th-century wars of decolonization. Listeners will learn about the Renaissance innovations in technology that made the Age of Exploration possible, as well as the moral and religious rationales behind European conquest. MacDonald is direct and unbiased as he traces colonialism's role in matters of exploitation, inequality, slavery, and armed conflict. Likewise, he acknowledges colonialism's continuing legacy, by which wealthy nations continue to exploit third-world labor and resources. Throughout, the Aussie's warm baritone and fluid diction lend clarity to the proceedings.

Critic Reviews:

"I'm learning all sorts of stuff about stuff I didn't even know I didn't know. And it sticks. In a nutshell: wonderful." (Jonathon Margolis, Financial Times)

Members Reviews:

All This in 3 Pages?

Doesn't cover much of anything for a complex subject. I get that colonialism = bad, but I can get more out of a conversation at the local coffee shop.

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Title: The U.S. Civil War

Subtitle: History

Author: iMinds

Narrator: Leah Vandenburg

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-29-09

Publisher: iMinds

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 5 votes

Genres: Kids, Ages 8-10

Publisher's Summary:

Learn about the history of the US Civil War with iMindsJNR audio learning series for younger minds.

A civil war is a war where the two opposing sides come from the same country. It is a war that occurs within a single nation. The US Civil War waged from 1861 to 1865 and was fought between the northern states (making up the Union) and eleven southern states (the Confederacy). A major cause of the US Civil War was the Norths condemnation of slavery.

Perfect to listen to while commuting, exercising, shopping or cleaning the house.. iMinds brings knowledge to your MP3 with 8 minute information segments to whet your mental appetite and broaden your mind.

iMinds offers 12 main categories, become a Generalist by increasing your knowledge of Business, Politics, People, History, Pop Culture, Mystery, Crime, Culture, Religion, Concepts, Science and Sport.. Clean and concise, crisp and engaging, discover what you never knew you were missing. Make your MP3 smarter with iMinds MindTracks, intersperse with music and enjoy learning a little about a lot.. knowledge of your own choice and in your own time.

Editorial Reviews:

A brief introduction to the American Civil War, which explains the reasons it was fought, the importance of Abraham Lincoln and slavery, key battles, and the many causalities and consequences that resulted from the fighting. Performer Leah Vandenburg's voice is silky and has a dignified accent, while martial music plays in the background. The material might be confusing for very young children, but would be suitable for those old enough to understand concepts such as slavery and war. Overall, a nice introduction for kids working on school projects, or otherwise in need of a basic familiarity with this key event in American history.

Critic Reviews:

"I'm learning all sorts of stuff about stuff I didn't even know I didn't know. And it sticks. In a nutshell: wonderful." (Jonathon Margolis, Financial Times)

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Title: In the Path of Falling Objects

Author: Andrew Smith

Narrator: Mike Chamberlain

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 32 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-08-09

Publisher: Listening Library

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 7 votes

Genres: Kids, Ages 8-10

Publisher's Summary:

The man is crazy. The girl is desperate. This violent ride is only just beginning. And it will leave the brothers taking cover from hard truths about loyalty, love, and survival that crash into their lives.

One more thing: The brothers have a gun. They're going to need it.

Members Reviews:

Excellent and emotional

In the Path of Falling Objects by Andrew Smith

Feiwel and Friends - Sept 29, 2009

[...]

Facebook: Yes

Twitter: @marburyjack

Source: Own

Rating: Excellent and emotional read

I participated in the Andrew Smith Saturdays, hosted by: Roof Beam Reader, Not Now I'm Reading, Smash Attack Reads and Lady Reader's Bookstuff

Jonah and Simon has had a pretty hard life. Their older brother, Matthew, is deployed in the Vietnam War. Their father is in a prison and their selfish mother has abandoned them to life and their own devices. In an attempt to dodge the system and to stay together, they take off where they hope to reunite with Matthew and see their father. Along the way they meet some interesting people and discover what it means to be family and what it means to be brothers.

This is the first time that I've been on one of Andrew Smith's journeys and I have to admit that I an really impressed. Jonah and Simon's story is heartbreaking, torturous and revealing. They meet an array of characters that all tug at you for attention. Mitch and Lilly are the first pair that they encounter. Though Mitch and Lilly offer them a ride, it comes at a price. As Mitch's craziness and Lilly's manipulation is revealed, Jonah and Simon learn just how dangerous their situation has become. Even at the end of the book I am still sitting on the middle of the fence about Lilly. She is definitely manipulative but she is also a victim of her situation and Mitch. I wish that I could say that I really loved or really hated her, but I can't. Her emotions and self doubt bled through the pages , she was as undecided as I was, and it came through.

Mitch is crazy with whole dose of psychotic. I could elaborate, say it in a different way but it would be the same. He's not all there. This makes him interesting in a gross fascination kind of way. He's unpredictable and dangerous, which makes him all the more alluring. Just when you think that nothing good could befall Jonah and Simon, Dalton (and his family) and Walker come into the picture. Dalton and Walker are then encircled in the madness of Mitch. Walker and Dalton reintroduces hope to the story. It wasn't the quick band-aid type of hope. It was the type that gave Jonah and Simon the strength to find each other. Without Walker and Dalton I believe their situation and Mitch would have destroyed them both.

Recommendation: This is a great introduction to Andrew Smith's work. Smith is definitely an author to watch.

What's Next? In July we read Stick and in Augst we will be reading Ghost Medicine

Always Shine,

Starr K

There is no doubt that this book will stay with you. It's gritty, disturbing and emotional, but it also brings about hope.

First Impressions:

"Our brother fell apart in the war.

Mother fell apart after that.

Then we had to leave."

Wow. This book opens up on a bleak scenario. Simon and Jonah are up shits creek, so to speak. Ma is gone, dad is incarcerated, older brother, Matthew, is in Vietnam fighting for his country.

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Title: Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Practicing the Piano

Subtitle: But She Does Love Being in Recitals

Author: Peggy Gifford

Narrator: Clea Lewis

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 51 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-11-09

Publisher: Listening Library

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Kids, Ages 8-10

Publisher's Summary:

But soon its upon her, and Moxy feels something shes only felt once before in her entire life: nervous! She's not sure she can go on. Of course, Moxy is Moxy and she rises to the occasion brilliantly.

Critic Reviews:

"This is a solid addition to a popular series, sure to attract new fans." (Kirkus Reviews)

Members Reviews:

anothef great story in the moxy series

Moxy is back one last time, and this time she's in her first big piano recital! But there's no time to practice. There's capes to try on and crowns to make. Moxy wants to shine but heart and soul is such a short song. Couldn't it be made longer? Moxy's opening night feelings are relatable, and make her seem more human and less of a zany character (not that we love her any less for being zany). A bittersweet, funny end to a great series!

Five Stars

Love this book! Very prompt.

this is one of my favorite books

I am just amazed by how funny and creative this book is. I think the best ages for this book are from ages 8 to10.I suggest this book for children. This would be a good book for kids who like books with short chapters, and books filled with hum or and laughter.

Moxy Maxwell does not love practicing the piano: but she does love being in recitals

It was too grownup for my 5 year old granddaughter. I wish books would specify clearly what age they are for. I cannot rate this book as it was a gift for my granddaughter.

Very Funny Middle Grade Book

MOXY MAXWELL DOES NOT LOVE PRACTICING THE PIANO is my first experience with Moxy Maxwell; and I just loved this book! It received a Starred Review from Kirkus Reviews, July 1, 2009; and I couldn't agree more with this praise. I thought this story and characters were cute and absolutely hilarious too. I definitely can see how middle grade girls (and some boys too) are going to love reading about Moxy and her antics.

Moxy is a fantastic character for a number of reasons. I loved that she was unpredictable and I thought so many of her actions were too funny (unless I was her mother, of course.) I also thought the supporting characters were terrific -- from Moxy's aunt, to her grandmother, to her parents. There is no doubt that the characters in this book are entertaining and memorable. I can see how kids will definitely want more of Moxy and her family after reading one book. In fact, I'd like to go back and read the other books in the series. I think that the Moxy Maxwell books are destined to become a wonderful series for middle-grade readers!

The format of this book is another thing that I really liked. The 175ish page book is made up of 85 very brief chapters. Some of the chapters were just a few words! Kids (and grown ups alike) will find that they can't stop reading this book -- you know... just one more chapter. I also liked that there were photographs (by Valorie Fisher) in this book. I thought they totally complemented the story; and since most of the pictures were "taken" by Moxy's twin brother Mark, they were just what you'd expect from a 10 year old kid. Some were blurry and some were crooked but they all made me laugh!

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Title: School's Out

Author: Wanda E. Brunstetter

Narrator: Ellen Grafton

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 15 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-02-09

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 5 votes

Genres: Kids, Ages 8-10

Publisher's Summary:

School's out! And so is an energetic Amish girl with trouble following close on her barefooted heels! When nine-year-old Rachel Yoder isn't bringing frogs to church or taking wild buggy rides, she's setting fireflies free and trying out new skateboads in all the wrong places. Will Rachel's friends and family survive the mischief she brings into their lives - and will Rachel learn any life lessons along the way?

©2007 Wanda Brunstetter; (P)2009 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Members Reviews:

Four Stars

All ok with this book. Came timely

Poor Rachel its always trouble Schools Out

Poor Rachel it seems like she is always in trouble.

From getting locked in the root cellar to losing her kitten for a while. Rachel just day dreams about what fun she will have in the summer, but "himmel"

things just arent going her way at all.

She has fun teasing her "bruder" who says shes a baby, but she tries so hard to act big.

A good book for chgildren as well as adults. Thank you again Wanda for another "Wunderbaar" series.

Debra

School's Out

Although, I am an adult(71years old), I have read all of Wanda's books and decided to see what this one was about. Rachel is a 10 year old Amish Girl who seems to attract trouble wherever she goes. How nice to read a book that doesn't include violence and bad language. I am sure that any child would enjoy this book and want to know more about Rachel's adventures. Thanks for including children in your writings.

Colleen Bartell

We loved it

I loved this book, and I am injoying the the time I get to spend withmy boy while we are reading together. It is one I would tell others about this book. I might even send some for others for Christmas.. I will be getting more books for us as well. Thanks you for books like this.

school out

this book is for my granddaughter .She loves to read she has the other two books this one is the first one . Thanks

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Title: Twelve

Author: Lauren Myracle

Narrator: Jen Taylor

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs

Language: English

Release date: 06-23-09

Publisher: Scholastic Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 7 votes

Genres: Kids, Ages 8-10

Publisher's Summary:

Winnie Perry went through a lot when she was 11, from shifting friendships to her teenage sister's mood swings. But now that Winnie is 12 - and one step closer to being a teenager herself - there is so much more to deal with. Will her new friendship with Dinah last? Can she handle the pressures of junior high? And, most important, will Winnie survive bra shopping (in public!) with Mom?

©2008 Lauren Myracle; (P)2008 Scholastic

Members Reviews:

The fact that you have a nice dream

The best only thing that I don't have a nice person and but I don't think it's time I get a new one is not an easy to way way to get a new song and I

Three choices

As I see it, you have three choices with respect to this book:

1. Have your friend, daughter, etc., read and probably enjoy the book, and learn a lot about how to cope with middle school in the U.S. Reading is good. Unlike movies, books don't blast pictures into your brain. You see what you want to see.

2. Don't let your child go to middle school. They will be a lot worse off if they are exposed to the stuff in this book -- which they will be -- if they don't understand what's going on.

3. Change the world.

Good read.

What made the experience of listening to Twelve the most enjoyable?

I liked the production; the music after each chapter made it a better listen and the way Jen Taylor portrayed each character made me smile.

What other book might you compare Twelve to, and why?

I'd compare it to other books written by the Author, because it deals primarily with growing up and helps many teen and pre-teen girls get over their fears about doing so.

Which character as performed by Jen Taylor was your favourite?

My favourite character was Dina; the accent Jen Taylor used for her was a lovely one and she portrayed her well overall.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Struggling to deal with change; will Winnie find her feet?

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed this book and the other one in the series that is on here "Eleven", however I feel I would have rated it higher if audible had the other books in the series on here. As I am blind and therefore find it difficult to find books in a readable or listenable format anyway, I feel it would be a great improvement if Audible could accommodate for this. I also haven't found the other books on Kindle.

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Title: Me Oh Maya

Subtitle: Time Warp Trio 13

Author: Jon Scieszka

Narrator: Bryan Kennedy

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 15 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-21-09

Publisher: Penguin Group USA and Audible

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 9 votes

Genres: Kids, Ages 8-10

Publisher's Summary:

Everyone's favorite time-travelers are changing their style! The Time Warp Trio series now features brand-new, eye-catching art in a modern design, sure to appeal to longtime fans and those new to Jon Scieszka's wacky brand of humor.

©2004 Puffin; (P)2009 Audible, Inc.

Members Reviews:

gift for grand kids

This is a series of stories that the grandkids is following. I am sure that they have read every one of the books..

The time warp tros adventures

Have you ever had a book that can bring you back in the past to 1000A.D? Well Fred, Sam, and Joe had one because they are the Time Warp Trio. They got there hands on this book by their uncle and ever since their life was miserable. This book is called Me Oh Maya, by Jon Scezka. It all takes place in the court yard.

One day Fred, Sam, and Joe were playing Horse on the Basketball court. When Sam was writing the score in Mayan numbers all of a sudden green mist started to gather up like fog. Before they knew it they were warping back to the year 1000A.D. When they arrived they were in a town called Chichen Itza. In Chichen Itza they had to find the book that brought them there. When they were looking they encountered a Mayan basketball court. Fred started showing the town's people how good he was in basketball. When Fred made a shot with a technique they never saw before they all went wild and they worshiped them. The king found out that they were getting worshiped so he brought them to the palace. The king tied them up to a tree to feed them to the jaguar because he thought that they were getting powerful. When they were tied up to the tree they saw black eyes. All of a sudden a boy jumped out of the bushes and untied him. The boy's name was Jun. He was one of the cheering fans when Fred made the shot. He untied them and he brought them to his house. When they got there they made a plan to get rid of the king because he was a horrible king. Jun's mom made a plan to play a basketball game with him because the mom knew that he was terrible at it. The next day it was time to play basketball. Read this book to find out what happened next.

I recommend this book to all the book lovers in the world. I can relate to this because I have two siblings and including me that makes three. We had wild adventures and we don't have to go back in to time to have those adventures. When you read this book I think that you are going to be thrilled. The fun doesn't stop when you're done reading one of their books; there is a series of these books are called the Time Warp Trio. They are easy to read so anyone can read them. When I read this book I had fun. It is funny how they get threw things like playing basketball games to rule a whole city. If I enjoyed it, I think you will enjoy it too.

Series is getting a little tired

I'm a big fan of the Time Warp Trio series. The jokes and puns are inventive. The three boys interact well together. The informative bits, (Maya calendar, number system), are interesting without breaking the flow of the adventure.

But. The first few volumes have more of a sense of fun and adventure. These later books have a little bit of a weary, here-we-go-again, flavor, and reading them seems more like a task than an entertainment. Maybe that's inevitable when you have an invariable formula for each book. And it's probably OK for big fans of the series.

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Title: What I Call Life

Author: Jill Wolfson

Narrator: Grace Kelly

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 32 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-19-09

Publisher: Full Cast Audio

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 5 votes

Genres: Kids, Ages 8-10

Publisher's Summary:

When Cal Lavender's mother has an "unfortunate episode" at the library, Cal is taken to a group care home run by a strange old woman called "The Knitting Lady." Cal is clear that this is not her real life, just a temporary detour. But even detours can take you where you need to be. A charming, funny, and insightful first novel.

©2005 Jill Wolfson (P)2006 Full Cast Audio

Editorial Reviews:

The innocence and naiveté of the impressionable 11-year-old Cal, the protagonist of Jill Wolfsons shimmering coming-of-age story who's taken away from her ill mother, is expertly conveyed by Full Cast Audios Grace Kelly, whos plaintive yet evocative voice manages to capture Cals pre-adolescent confusion but eventual self-acceptance as she finds herself at Pumpkin House, a group home run by the sagacious Knitting Lady and inhabited by four other girls who overcome their differences form an unlikely but inseparable bond.

Members Reviews:

Life is What You Make It.

I purchased this book for my granddaughter and wound up reading it before I had the chance to present it to her.

Jill Wolfson is a loving and caring author. She takes the young reader on a journey visiting problems that many youngsters are fortunate to have never known; she continues by getting into the emotions and thought processes of the protagonist, where they take her and how she works through them. "What I Call Life" is about a growing youngster; her experiences and relationships with others in a foster home, even though she still has a mother. All that with an ending that is pleasant for the reader.

I can't wait for the opportunity to discuss this story with my 11 1/2 year old granddaughter to learn how she enjoyed it, what she got out of it and how the experiences made her feel

Nice

This was gift. No complaints.

This Story Makes Me Want To Be A Better Person..

This is such an endearing story - spoken through an eleven year old girl's voice and thoughts with a refreshing honesty. The girls in this group home all display different strengths, coping methods, and vulnerabilities which are revealed one by one as the story progresses.

The Knitting Lady is an insightful and patient woman, who is not presented as simply "all-knowing and wise", but also as a caring person with her own wounds and self-doubts. She does seem almost too good to be true: occasionally relaxing the rules and letting the girls learn truths on their own, going with the flow and being totally present - but, as I said, she does have her own self-doubts. I feel that the Knitting Lady was not only the girls' mentor in the story, but that she has become my mentor as well.

My daughter observed me while tears ran down my face a few times when I was reading the book and asked, "Why are you crying Mom? Is it sad?" I replied, "Some parts are very sad, but the parts that make me cry are the happy ones.."

This is a very touching book.

The girls, the Knitting Lady, and their stories stayed with me for days after reading the story. Actually, they haven't left - I can still feel them.