5 comments about Molly's Pilgrim.

1. Molly's Pilgrim is the best book! Molly is a little Jewish girl from Russia. She doesn't like to go to school because the girls are teasing her. There are no other Jewish girls at Winter Hill and they think she looks and talks different. She wishes she could go back to Russia or even New York City. Molly had an assignment to make a clothespin Pilgrim doll. Her mom made it to look like herself-because mama sees herself as a Pilgrim from Russia. Molly thinks the doll is beautiful but is also ashamed of the doll because she doesn't think it is a real Pilgrim. She brings it to school and hides it in her desk. When Elizabeth and her friends see it, they make fun of it. Molly explains to Miss Stickly that her mother made the doll to look like her because she came from Russia for freedom just like the Pilgrims. Miss Stickly praises it and puts it in a special place on her desk. This makes Molly proud. We loved this book!!
   By Mrs. Lee's 1st and 2nd Grade Red Group at Nike Elementary!



2. Molly is a young, Jewish immigrant from Russia, who moves to Winter Hill where she is a black sheep among the rest of her classmates. They tease her, and call her names, making fun of her voice, and her eyes, and anything else that they could possibly think of to make fun of her. When Miss Stickley, Molly's third-grade teacher, begins teaching the class about Thanksgiving, Molly is lost. That is, until she finds that Thanksgiving is an American holiday where everyone is grateful for what they have. The problem? Molly doesn't feel thankful. In fact, the only thing that would make her thankful is if her family could move back to New York City, and that won't be happening anytime soon. When Miss Stickley informs the class that they must make pilgrim dolls, Molly is excited to do the project. But when she finds that her mother has made the doll look more like a Russian immigrant, rather than a pilgrim, Molly knows that her troubles at school are about to get worse. But maybe...just maybe, the little Pilgrim is exactly what Molly needs...
   
   It is rare that a book as short as Barbara Cohen's MOLLY'S PILGRIM could bring out such strong emotions in the reader, but that is exactly what it did. The character of Molly is sweet, and kind, and the way she is treated at school could bring tears to anyone's eyes, even if you aren't a crier by nature. The awful songs that Molly's classmates sing about her will choke everyone up, but, at the same time, let the reader feel exactly how people who are "different" are treated. This is a wonderful story that will warm everyone's heart, and teach the whole family about the first Thanksgiving.
   
   Erika Sorocco
   Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper



3. Barbara Cohen understands ESL students like no other author ever has! In "Molly's Pilgrim" she describes the pain of a Russian Jewish immigrant in her American school in Winter Hill. Molly is mocked and ridiculed by the most popular girl in Miss Stickley's class, and Molly's "limitations" are made even more evident because Molly and her mother don't understand Thanksgiving from the viewpoint of American culture. The assignment is to design a clothespin doll to look like a pilgrim woman, but Molly's mother designs the doll to look like a Russian immigrant girl. In the process, the class learns that pilgrims did not stop coming to America for religious freedom in the 1600s. Molly's family are pilgrims too!
   
   Equally important to my ESL classes is Barbara Cohen's sequel: "Make a Wish, Molly", when Molly's Jewish culture conflicts with that of her classmates. Molly's parents are excited because in America they are finally free to celebrate Passover for the first time. Then Molly is invited to her first American birthday party during Passover week. That luscious pink birthday cake contains leaven! Should Molly keep the Passover, or should she enjoy her first American birthday party? The painful conflict between first and second cultures is one which every ESL student can understand. I recommend both books highly to ESL classes everywhere!



4. The book "Molly's Pilgrim" by Barbara Cohen is about a girl named Molly. It is her first Thanksgiving and she founds out that she really doesn't have anything to be thankful for. Her classmates really make fun of her because of her unfamiliarity with American ways.
   Then when it comes to doing a project Molly gets embarassed because her mom helps with the project. She helps by making a little doll that looked more like a Russian girl than a pilgrim. But she explains thatthe doll her mom did was because she tried to explain that her mom is a pilgrim because she came for freedom to worshiip god as her own way.



5. I really enjoyed reading Molly's Pilgrim. It was just the right reading level for me. It was not too hard and not too long, but it was interesting. It is about a girl who comes to a new school and is different from everyone else. It is hard for her to adjust. One of the parts that made an impression is when the teacher likes Molly's pilgrim doll best and appreciated it. I would recommend this book to girls who might get discouraged with books that are long, because even though it is not a hard book, it's really interesting. By HG.

4 comments about Franklin's Thanksgiving (Franklin).

1. Thanksgiving often gets covered up with the rush for Christmas and we were looking for something to help us properly recognize this family holiday. Sharon Jennings gives us a warm story of Franklin's family that fits the bill. My 4 year old loves Franklin and this story is helping bridge the time between Halloween and Thanksgiving by giving us a family story worth sharing.
   The colors of fall jump off the page and engage both our children, even our 6 year old. If you enjoy Franklin you will want to add this to you child's holiday book collection.



2. This Book is one of my favorites. Franklin starts off in the beginning really upset because His grandparents couldn't make it for thanksgiving this year. It had always been a tradition for the family to get together and celebrate the holiday. So to make e Franklin happy his parents went out and invited other people in the town to come to dinner for a surprise. Not knowing Franklin invited his own people. So when thanksgiving morning came tons of people were at the house. And they all had a great thanksgiving. I would recommend this book to children 4-10. It was really cute and had great detailed pictures.



3. In this tale, Franklin, his friends and his family deal with Thanksgiving. The story is simple and to the point. The message is sharing and helping each other. As with the other Franklin books, the illustaations are great, very detailed and the colors are wonderful. The text goes quite well with the illustratons. The book is a true joy to read with the young ones, or one that the young ones like to read to them selves. Highly recommend this one and the other Franklin books in the series. This is good stuff here.



4. Franklin's grandparents can't visit for the Thanksgiving feast, so Franklin and his parents all secretly invite other friends. They end up with so many guests that they have to eat outside. The more the merrier!
   I can't help but feel a bit sad, though, that his grandparents can't make it. This is for ages around 4-6.

No comments about Dora's Thanksgiving (Dora the Explorer (8x8)).

3 comments about The Very First Americans (All Aboard Books).

1. Purchased this book for my granddaughter for Christmas. She was very pleased. Thanks.



2. This book is WONDERFUL for showing children (and adults) that there were different types of Native Americans...with different homes, food, customs, etc... No more, "everyone lived in a teepee" Great way to link geography to social studies. Simple enough to read alone (for 3rd-5th)but better if EXPLAINED along the way, using a map and looking at natural resources. I have used this book for YEARS in my classroom, and it always amazes the kids.



3. I bought this book to read to my Kindergarten class. The book provides information on several different tribes and their culture. Although I found it to be a bit "wordy" for 5-year-olds, I showed the interesting and colorful illustrations and summarized the parts I felt they needed to know. Overall, a good teaching resource and I will use it again.

2 comments about The Thanksgiving Story.

1. Wonderful easy to read chapter book dealing with everything from the Mayflower and Speedwell to Squanto in a very realistic, historical manner. As a first grade teacher, I have found this book to be both interesting for young readers as well as informative. It differs than other "Thanksgiving" books in that although it is most sympathetic to the abilities of the reader, it provides a very compassionate, "adult" look into our history. It is much more than just a "pilgrims, Mayflower, Indians and turkey" story book! It is an excellent resource for the home and the classroom!END



2. I was just at a huge retail bookseller yesterday looking at Thanksgiving books that I could read to my homeschooled Kindergartener. There is a large selelction of bland books about thanksgiving. The wise child will say, "But, WHO are we thanking?" after reading most of those books. THIS book answers that question...GOD! Yes, while it seems politically incorrect, the truth is that the first settlers to our country WERE religious pilgrims, seeking a safe haven from religious persecution. This book is a gem in a PC sea of bland, corny thanksgiving day books for children. Children will enjoy the simple story; those just getting into chapter books will enjoy feeling successful reading a 'big kid' chapter book; and they will enjoy seeing how God blesses the faithful when they endure through trying times and complete hard work. This is a great book that your early elementary aged children will enjoy and can become a traditional read aloud for your family on the holiday!

3 comments about The Secret of Saying Thanks.

1. This book is filled with beautiful, richly colored pictures, and descriptive language that paints a picture of its own. I read this story aloud before our Thanksgiving dinner and it added such meaning to the day. Children and adults alike will treasure this book. It is something that will be a new tradition in our home.



2. Douglas Wood is a breath a fresh air in our consumeristic world. He offers children a view of life that treasures the simple pleasures, and appreicate each moment life has to offer. A real find for children - AND adults.
   The core message of this book has become MY daily reflection for the year. His books resonate deeply in me and my children LOVE them.



3. Here it is!! This is the book I wish that I wrote. The secret to a happy life- presented in an easy to digest way. The art makes this book a "peak experience". A lovely book for all ages.

5 comments about Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message (Reading Rainbow Book).

1. A wonderful way to share thankfulness at your Thankgiving table. We read it in class before Thanksgiving and again as grace at our family celebration. It is an affirmation of what our family treasures: the earth, the animals, the rain, and the sunshine. Thank you, Chief Jake Swamp, for making this available to children and adults!



2. My 29 month old loves this book. We read it over and over. What I love most about the construction of the book is that is has a sewn binding--no dangerous staples! He loves the art work and in one day has memorized most of the text. It's simple, to the point, and thorough. A perfect book for any child. NOW he wants to do the "Mother Earth" puzzle. He identifies different types of food, spirits animals, and "thunder beings." I recommend this book for all ages, boy and girl.



3. Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message (Reading Rainbow Book)
   This is a beautiful and inspiring way to help children become more aware of our interconnectedness with the elements of nature. It is a lesson in appreciation and awareness of the environment.
   The illustrations are moving, if not as childlike as those often found in books for young children.



4. The title speaks for itself. A beautiful native american for a child. Great read. Would certainly order again from Amazon.com.



5. I bought this little book for my children to use as a nightly tribute to our gracious Mother Earth and it was all I expected and wanted it to be. The children love the pictures and the message contained exemplifies our beliefs and concerns. I would recommend this book to any family, no matter what their spiritual tradition.

3 comments about The First Thanksgiving (Step-Into-Reading, Step 3).

1. This history of the Pilgrims is very complete, given the reading level of the book. It is written for second to third grade students. The story covers the reasons for leaving England, the journey across the Atlantic, the first horrible winter, the meeting of Samoset and Squanto, the help given by the Indians and the Harvest Feast itself. The artwork is nicely done and adds to the content. Second grade students may find new vocabulary and challenging words to read, while third grade students should find the reading easy. A good asset for the teaching of American history to early elementary students.



2. This is a good, easy-to-read description of the Pilgrim's journey to America, their hard winter, and the first "Thanksgiving" celebration. However, I think it whitewashes history a little too much. It virtually ignores the tension that existed between the Pilgrims and Indians. There needs to be a happy median struck between telling the truly wonderful aspects of that first Thanksgiving -- how the two peoples were able to come together, if only for a short time, to share the celebration -- while acknowledging there were difficulties in the relationship between Pilgrims amd Indians. This isn't being "politically correct" -- it's just acknowledging the truth to our children that relationships between those two groups of peoples were not usually easy. Life is complex, even for young children -- they will understand and appreciate being told the full story.



3. I browsed and browsed before finding a book I felt was proper to read to my two young children about Thanksgiving; this one was it.

   I'm not keen on politically correct mush, and this book is not politically correct mush. While it is somewhat vague regarding the hardships of the Pilgrims and their relations with the American Indians, I don't fault it for that; books for young children (mine are 4 and 5) needn't go into such detail as the distrust between the settlers and the Indians, etc. -- that's for later learning.

   Overall, this is a great book and I already have recommended it to many people!

2 comments about My Weird School #19: Dr. Carbles Is Losing His Marbles! (My Weird School).

1. I've read all of the Weird School books and enjoyed them. They are all funny. Dr Carbles is Losing his Marbles is a great book because it's really funny. I liked the parts involving a toupee (wig/fake hair). It gets yanked off of Dr. Carbles head in front of the students at recess and it's hysterical! I would reccomend this book.
   
   Reveiwed by Matthew-8 yrs old



2. All these books are perfect for getting kids to take up reading, I buy them by the bunch and they get read inmediately.

2 comments about Mayflower Treasure Hunt: A to Z Mysteries Super Edition 2 (A Stepping Stone Book(TM)).

1. This book was not enjoyed. Lots of complicating details that just added up to boredom.



2. My 6-year old daughter thoroughly enjoyed this book. She pays attention to the details to come up with theories about the mystery. I believe this helps her overall reading comprenhension.