The Center of Everything : A Novel

Average customer rating:

Worth reading

I couldn't put it down

Fresh

wow . . . . . .

Wonderful book

The Center of Everything : A Novel
Laura Moriarty
Manufacturer: Amazon Remainders Account
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: B000ETQQ3C

Amazon.com

Laura Moriarty's debut novel is a simple story, but effectively told. Ten-year-old Evelyn Bucknow lives with her not very responsible young mother, Tina, on the outskirts of a small Kansas town. The Center of Everything follows a clean arc: How Evelyn, a gifted but poor student, negotiates the pitfalls of her background to become a college student. The book shows the scary tenuousness of poverty. When Tina's car breaks down, their life falls apart like a flimsy cardboard edifice. Evelyn can't get to school, Tina can't get to work, and unseemly relationships with men who own cars develop. The novel's other theme is the importance of teaching; when one of her teachers tells her she's gifted, Evelyn's life is changed. "She takes off her glasses, still looking at me. I take off my glasses too, because for a moment I think she is going to place them on my eyes, the way you place a crown on someone's head when they become queen. Welcome to being smart." As she heads into adolescence, Evelyn sees her best friend fall in love and become pregnant, just as Tina did when she was a teenager. Evelyn resists these traps, not without some lovelorn, lonely moments. The Center of Everything careens dangerously near fingerwagging at times, but the book's salvation comes from unexpected quarters: Evelyn's mom Tina. At the outset, she seems beleaguered and lost, but as the book progresses she develops a wry resiliency. We get to watch Evelyn and Tina grow up together, and it's a rare sight. --Claire Dederer

Book Description

Customer Reviews:

Worth reading .......2007-09-21

I picked up this book because of the Mockingbird comparison on the back of the book jacket. Although I don't consider it as good as Mockingbird, the narration is similar. I loved Evelyn from the start; her voice was fresh and most of all, honest. Her relationship with her struggling mother was sad, but so real. One thing I really liked about this novel was that it didn't end up 'happily ever after' for the characters...the ending was a bit abrupt and I was a little angry that it didn't tie up all loose ends, but that's life. Even though there wasn't a 'happily ever after' theme here, the reader gets the impression that Evelyn is going to choose a path completely different than her mother's. I found myself laughing at the references to the '80s and I could identify with a lot of Evelyn's viewpoints on the world around her (her internal conflict over the religion vs. evolution debate, for example). I did think that her voice matured throughout the novel, her growth apparent in the scene with her in Travis' car toward the end of the novel. This is a novel worth reading, appropriate for the teenager as well as the adult reader.

I couldn't put it down.......2007-09-07

If you like domestic fiction then you will probably like this. The author is not completely polished yet and sometimes the characters can seem too static but I still really enjoyed it.

Fresh.......2007-07-28

I stayed up all night reading this book. It was absorbing and unpredictabe. Flawed, interesting characters, wonderful writing with an ending that is neither dark, nor Happily Ever After, just real.
Recommended.

wow . . . . . . .......2007-07-20

i was going through my reading block . . . i could NOT get into anything. lo and behold, The Center of Everything is sitting on the coffee table. Anyways, i picked it up and mom basically ordered me to read it because she had heard really really good reviews and Oprah had just read it . . . . . . .
i've read this book maybe 4 times? 5, 6, 7 times?
it is moving, human, and beautifully written. i sighed when i got to the last page because i could relate and not only that . . . . it was over!
this is a book of to be reckoned with,
a book that shows all sides of life.
what we see is not always what we get. and maybe things are not as black and white as they seem.

Wonderful book.......2007-06-23

This is a great book for a reading group. There are a multitude of points for discussion, especially of the characters, who have many facets to their personalities (which make them so real). The author has the ability to describe things so perfectly, (use of metaphors, etc..) and at times I felt like she must have gone to the same high school as I did (she really captured the time period as well as the way teens talk).
I especially liked the scene when Evelyn found herself in a van with two boys smoking marijuana. It was so obvious to the reader that the tall boy (I forget his name) was such a space-cadet but poor Evelyn (being a young teen) believed his criticism of her "vibes" and her looks. Still, it was great to see how Evelyn did not succumb to peer pressure, which she had many opportunities to do throughout the book.
In my library, this book was catalogued as an Adult book. I'm wondering why it wasn't in the Young Adult section also. It would enlighten and inspire teens and really, it's not as graphic as many of the YA books are today. I can't wait to read Moriarty's new book which comes out in 8/07. FYI, I actually listened to the unabridged version of the book, on tape, which I highly recommend since the realistic voices are different for each character.

Product Description

Welcome to Brokenoggin Falls, where the housewives are not only desperate, theyre Witches! (And one of them might be a Harpy)The spells cast by moonlight frequently go awry. And there are times when toads and Chihuahuas seem abundant as black flies in the summer, the dragons are a little touchy, the Forest Trolls are in danger of extinction from teeny-boppers, the Gryphons need help conceiving and...the scientist are crunchy and good with ketchup...

Customer Reviews:

Sadly, disappointed!.......2006-09-25

I love MaryJo Putney, I've have read and savored all of her books. But this book I found to be a mishmash of difficult to read chapters. I'm sorry I spent the money, much less the shipping & handling.

A Supernatural Spin!.......2006-05-05

After reading the back cover of the book, I was definitly intrigued to say the least. Being that I am a huge supernatural fan I was curious as to how the supernatural could be funny. The book is a collaboration of different romance/paranormal authors who each write a chapter to make this crazy story up about a small town with its inhabitants all being of the supernatural variety. Each chapter was funny and creative and well connected to one another.It was kind of like a soap opera because all the inhabitants personal crazy stories intermingled.From a werewolf sheriff to a fey vet and to a crazy witch coven, this book has it all and definitly more. The book is great and if you are a supernatural fan you should definitly give this book a try!

Brokenoggin Falls, Michigan...who knew?.......2006-02-21

Romance and sex in a small town. Yippee! First off, the concept of this book is unique, I think. The subject matter, the treatment of the subject matter, and the cooperative skills of the twenty authors are much better than I expected when I purchased the book. I thought it might be just another anthology of sexy stories. So much more!

The whole idea of a weird and wonderful place, inhabited by people who are just like anyone one might find in a very small town, except that some are werewolves, some are trolls, some are faeries (I love the faerie queeen!), some are mythically unbelievable, is a concept that reminds me strongly of the books that author Christopher Moore has set in the strange little town of Pine Cove, California. The inter-relationships of all the residents and visitors to Brokenoggin Falls are priceless, and all the authors brings their portions of the townspeoples' stories together almost seamlessly.

The concept of the book is, according to the creator/editor/contributor of this group effort, somewhat like a TV series, with various screenwriters contributing to a common plot line, but with 'episodes' dealing with different stories, blending different townspeople, sometimes mingling and sometimes standing alone. A very clever and well-written effort. Plus, the sex, when pertinent, is very, very hot and juicily well-written (yea! sex), (after all, this book is a Romance). I look forward to many future visits to Brokenoggin Falls (next book to benefit breast cancer research).

And, that reminds me. Since all the authors have donated their royalties from this 'season 1' book to the Red Cross disaster relief fund, I plan to seek out those contributing authors whose work I have not yet read, and start becoming familiar with them. And, those authors whose work already fills my shelves will see me a continued fan. All 20 of the contributing authors did a first rate job in making this strange little town come to life. The synchronization of efforts by authors with very different styles and backgrounds worked very, very well. (Who knew Michigan could be funny AND sexy!)

Didn't read in one sitting.......2006-02-07

Because I couldn't make heads nor tales out of it. I totally didn't get this book, made no sense, it wasn't entertaining or witty. Geez, I'd rather have just donated directly to Alzheimers than to have purchased this hodgepodge of crap.

LOTS OF TALENT IN ONE BOOK.......2005-08-22

If you are looking for a madcap zany sometimes weird but always hilariously funny - then this is the book for you.
This book showcases not only the talent but the generosity of both authors and publisher. And if you read the electronic version this one has extra scenes never seen before. So why not add it to your shelves while supporting the International Red Cross Disaster Fund and a few hours of delightful entertainment.

Average customer rating:
Summer Bridge Activities For Young Christians: Kindergarten to First Grade
Julia Ann Hobbs , Carla Dawn Fisher , and Sabena Maiden
Manufacturer: Rainbow Bridge Publishing (UT)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Education | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
Parent Participation | Education | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
General | Homeschooling | Education | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
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Summer Bridge Activities for Young Christians: Preschool to Kindergarten

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Accessories:

Health o Meter HDC100-01 "Grow with Me" Teddy Bear Scale for Babies and Toddlers

Braun IRT 4020 ThermoScan Ear Thermometer

ASIN: 1594412812

Book Description

Summer Bridge Activities for Young Christians is a special edition of the best-selling workbook series Summer Bridge Activities™! It starts with the award-winning educational content designed to help children move confidently between grades by reviewing and previewing basic skills in reading, writing, math, and language arts. In addition, Summer Bridge Activities for Young Christians includes original content to reinforce and promote Christian values and a Christlike way of life.

With Summer Bridge Activities for Young Christians, academic achievement goes hand-in-hand with the values and lessons of the Bible as integral part of your child's summer study. There's no better way to prepare for a new school year!

Average customer rating:
Summer Bridge Activities for Young Christians (3-4)
Sabena Maiden , Julia Ann Hobbs , and Carla Dawn Fisher
Manufacturer: Rainbow Bridge Publishing (UT)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Child Development | Babies & Toddlers | Parenting | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books
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Summer Bridge Activities For Young Christians: First Grade to Second Grade

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Summer Bridge Activities for Young Christians: Preschool to Kindergarten

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Summer Bridge Activities: 5th to 6th Grade

ASIN: 1594417113

Book Description

Summer Bridge Activities for Young Christians is a special edition of the best-selling workbook series Summer Bridge Activities.

It includes award-winning educational content designed to help children move confidently between grades by reviewing and previewing basic skills in reading, writing, math, and language arts. Plus, SBAYC adds original content to reinforce and promote Christian values, including reading lists, suggestions on character development, daily devotionals, and a Vacation Bible Camp bonus section that focuses on heroes from the Bible.

Average customer rating:
Bridge of Dawn (Windameir Circle, Book 4)
Niel Hancock
Manufacturer: Questar
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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Faragon Fairingay: The Circle of Light, Book 2 (The Circle of Light)

ASIN: 0445208244

Average customer rating:
Summer Bridge Activities For Young Christians: First Grade to Second Grade
Julia Ann Hobbs , Carla Dawn Fisher , and Sabena Maiden
Manufacturer: Rainbow Bridge Publishing (UT)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Education | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
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Summer Bridge Activities for Young Christians: Preschool to Kindergarten

Summer Bridge Activities for Young Christians (3-4)

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Summer Bridge Activities: 5th to 6th Grade

Accessories:

Health o Meter HDC100-01 "Grow with Me" Teddy Bear Scale for Babies and Toddlers

Braun IRT 4020 ThermoScan Ear Thermometer

ASIN: 1594412820

Book Description

With Summer Bridge Activities for Young Christians, academic achievement goes hand-in-hand with the values and lessons of the Bible as integral part of your child's summer study. There's no better way to prepare for a new school year!

Average customer rating:

A great Pre-K curriculum any time of the year

Summer Bridge Activities for Young Christians: Preschool to Kindergarten
Julia Ann Hobbs , Carla Dawn Fisher , and Sabena Maiden
Manufacturer: Rainbow Bridge Publishing (UT)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Ministry | Ministry & Church Leadership | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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Summer Bridge Activities For Young Christians: First Grade to Second Grade

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Summer Bridge Activities For Young Christians 2-3

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Accessories:

Health o Meter HDC100-01 "Grow with Me" Teddy Bear Scale for Babies and Toddlers

Braun IRT 4020 ThermoScan Ear Thermometer

ASIN: 1594412804

Book Description

Customer Reviews:

A great Pre-K curriculum any time of the year.......2005-08-06

I began this in May to "try" homeschooling, and it has been so successful that I will be homeschooling my three-year-old this fall. It could be used any time of the year. Each unit (15-20 days long; 50 days total in program) begins with a motivational calendar (which has worked very well) and recommended activities (fun and mostly free or inexpensive such as "make labels for household objects.") The book begins with tracing lines and shapes and moves on to letter recognition, writing and phonics. Each day has a short verse or quote, but we use a separate devotional during breakfast so I usually skip over that. There is also a bonus section that contains tear-out alphabet cards and other coloring and writing activities. Included is a recommended reading list, and I was surprised that I already had many of the books listed. Besides the daily scripture and some of the illustrations, it is not Bible-heavy so it would be fine for those who do not practice Christianity. We will be using something a little more Bible-based this fall, but all in all this has been a great, CHEAP (about $12) starter program. My 3-year-old has learned the alphabet and how to write and pronounce the letters from doing this book.

Summer Bridge Activities For Young Christians 2-3

Average customer rating:

same as original S.B.Activities with added "christianeeze"

Summer Bridge Activities For Young Christians 2-3
Julia Ann Hobbs , Carla Dawn Fisher , and Sabena Maiden
Manufacturer: Rainbow Bridge Publishing (UT)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Education | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Parent Participation | Education | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Accessories:

ASIN: 1594412839

Book Description

Customer Reviews:

same as original S.B.Activities with added "christianeeze".......2007-02-10

These have colorful, fun projects. The "christian" part of it is just a few added or changed things from the original Summer Bridges. Don't expect different worksheets, mostly just different verbage.

Average customer rating:

Reading Bridge: 1st Grade
Carla Dawn Fisher , and Julia Ann Hobbs
Manufacturer: Rainbow Bridge Publishing (UT)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Reading | Education | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1887923527

Average customer rating:

A bridge at dawn
Margaret Roche
Manufacturer: Blackwater Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

The Bridge to Braille: Reading and School Success for the Young Blind Child

Average customer rating:

This book gave practical and simple suggestions.

The Bridge to Braille: Reading and School Success for the Young Blind Child
Carol Castellano , and Dawn Kosman
Manufacturer: National Organization of Parents of Blind Chi
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Education | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Customer Reviews:

This book gave practical and simple suggestions........1998-06-18

I found this book to be useful in my work as a paraprofessional in work with blind children. The tips on organizing the blind students materials were clear and precise. I found it fascinating to learn what the parts of a braillewriter are. This book is a simple but essential resource for parents and educators working with young blind students.

The Literacy Bridge - Large Print - Darkness Before Dawn: The Hazelwood High Trilogy (The Literacy Bridge - Large Print)

Average customer rating:

One mother's opinion
Fantastic!!!
Painfully Wonderful
Christian's Review
My daughter liked it

The Literacy Bridge - Large Print - Darkness Before Dawn: The Hazelwood High Trilogy (The Literacy Bridge - Large Print)
Sharon M. Draper
Manufacturer: Thorndike Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Board book

School & Education | Reference & Nonfiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0786274166

Book Description

The dramatic conclusion to the award-winning Hazelwood High Trilogy

A Coretta Scott King Award-winning Author

In her senior year, things are finally looking a little brighter for Keisha. Still haunted by the suicide of her ex-boyfriend, she finds comfort in the attentions of the new track coach, twenty-three-year-old Jonathan Hathaway, the principal's son. How can Keisha not be swept off her feet by a tall, dark, handsome "lemon drop wrapped in licorice" who treats her like a woman, not a girl? But suddenly this intoxicating relationship takes a frightening turn, and Keisha is once again plunged into the darkness she's fought so hard to escape.

Customer Reviews:

One mother's opinion.......2007-08-27

My teenager and I just finished reading this book as a summer reading requirement for school. We both agreed that it was one of the worst books we had ever read. The conversations were silly, the word "dude" was said at least 3 dozen times (who says "dude" anymore anyway?) and the situations were melodramatic to say the least. We both agree there are much better options out there for high school students and our hope is that the English teacher who chose this for class won't require any more from this author.

Fantastic!!!.......2006-05-29

This book is continuation of Tears of a Tiger. Keisha was Andy's girlfriend and now left with rest of her friends Ronda, Tyrone, BJ, Gerald, and Leon to survive without out their two friends Andy and Rob, who both died. Now in her senior year Keisha is selected class president and is having the best year. The principal's 23-year-old son is the new track coach and he has his eye on Keisha. Slowly Keisha begins to find comfort in 23-year-old Jonathan and starts going out with him. Soon the relationship takes a wrong turns when Jonathan takes Keisha to his apartment and tries to rape and kill her with his jack knife.
Sharon M. Draper is the greatest well-known writer that I know. I love his style of writing and how she brings her characters to live. Every book she ever made is great and I can't wait til she makes more.

Painfully Wonderful.......2006-02-25

There is pain in this book that you hope no one goes through. It follows Keisha after the death of her boyfriend, which is one thing she could've done without and then the near-rape she encounters. (Read TEARS OF A TIGER first.)

This book makes you wonder about the amount of suffering in the modern black community; does Draper portray it as harsher than it really is, or do more people than we want to think live these kind of lives?

This book is more than fiction. It is an epic.

Christian's Review.......2006-01-18

In the book a girl named Keisha has just lost her boyfriend. Andy killed himself because he and his best friends Rob, Tyrone, and B.J were in a car accident. Rob was the only one that didn't make it out of the car and he burned to death. Andy felt that it was his fault so he walked around with all this on his shoulders until he killed himself. Keisha had just broken up with Andy because of all his problems. That summer Keisha took Andy's little brother with her to the cookout. The cookout was something that the high school does every year and the students come and bring their little brothers and sisters. This summer, Keisha saw a guy that she thought was hot, so the summer passed and the new school year came. When she saw him, she acted as if she hadn't noticed him, but she did and she really liked him. At the same time, Leon liked her but she really had not paid any attion to that until one day she gave him a ride home and his dad started to say all this embracing stuff. So the conflict is she has to choose a boy (Leon) or a man (Jonathan).
I chose this book because I read the first book and I liked it, so I just continued to read them. No one recommended it to me but when I first started everyone would say that's a good book. I chose the book because I read the back. I like the author cause she knows how to express her feelings.
I would recommend this book to any one in high school and middle school. This book is really good but at first it is boring but it gets good in the middle I feel as though it gets good and you can relate to the emotion. It was easy to read cause she is just out in the open. She doesn't make things that are simple so confusing. The end was good. I was satisfied with the resolution.

My daughter liked it.......2005-12-15

My teenage daughter liked the book. Some of the dialogue was a little difficult to follow in certain places, but all in all she said she could really identify with the setting and situations. She liked it so much she wanted to read other books by her - so we ordered "Julio and Romiette". She really loved that one and shared it with her girlfriends who are still passing it around!

Average customer rating:
Heart to Heart: A Personal Plan for Creating a Heart - Healthy Family
Lori Mosca , Lori Mosca , and Mehmet Oz
Manufacturer: HCI
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Women's Health | Personal Health | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
Heart Disease | Disorders & Diseases | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
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Heart Smart: A Cardiologists 5-Step Plan for Detecting, Preventing, and Even Reversing Heart Disease

ASIN: 0757302459

Book Description

We know the facts. We've heard the statistics. We're all concerned about someone's heart health, whether it's our parents, our spouses, our children or ourselves. So why aren't we doing anything about it? Dr. Lori Mosca wrestled with that question for decades and ultimately developed a breakthrough motivational program to help busy women focus on what can and should be done for themselves and their families. The outreach program she established at New York-Presbyterian Hospital reaches more than 100,000 women a year, and it is currently in the top six percentile for NIH grants--an amazing accomplishment for a motivation-based program. Heart to Heart is Dr. Mosca's definitive guide to preventive heart care for women. It is a personal, intimate, nonjudgmental conversation between one of America's leading doctors--who also happens to be a wife, daughter and mother--and a public that needs motivation and inspiration not just more facts. Chapters on the need for solitude, putting yourself first, family dynamics and spirituality complement traditional subjects such as diet, fitness, complementary medicine and drug protocols to create a book that is more lifestyle manual than health guide. Inspiring a woman to find her own inner strength and happiness is a core concept in self-help, but it's never been integrated into the health field--until now. Positive and inspiring, this book is nothing short of a lifeline for the modern woman. Key Features This is not a health book but a personal, motivational lifestyle book that happens to be centered around heart health--one of today's hottest topics. Uses Lori Mosca's powerful personal story--and stories from her patients--to create a warm, personal framework for her medical advice. The best way to motivate most women is through the health of their loved ones, and this book talks in-depth about the reality of dealing with unmotivated husbands, aging parents and the current childhood health epidemic.

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