Madelyn Rosenberg

I really liked this book for many reasons. First of all it teaches children of a not widely known Jewish tradition, A Tu B’Shevat, which is now Arbor Day. I like how the author included many messages within the book. First telling about the Jewish tradition then she goes into how each of us can do our part to help the environment. She shows this through the little girl character in the book that is excited about celebrating trees and gets everyone else interested in the trees as well. show more Since our environment is a very big deal in this generation, I like how the author teaches children about caring for our environment in a fun way through the little girl’s care for the tree in her yard. Another aspect I enjoyed about this book was that it showed how no matter how young or small you feel that every person on this planet can make a difference and that inspires other to do the same as well. That what seems to be the main message throughout the book, which is an excellent thing to teach children. show less

I loved this book! First, I loved this book for the flyleaf designs. On both the front and back flyleaf, there is a large picture of the tree in which the book’s plot revolves around and on each branch there are tips on how to stay green, conserve energy, and reduce waste such as “Plant and care for a tree” which the main character does in the book. It also hints to “pick up litter” and “recycle trash at home.” As an avid environmentalist, I love the idea of pairing a book show more about trees to saving the environment, which this book did discreetly, but still in a powerful way via the front and back flyleaf designs. The second reason I also adored this book for its personification of the tree mentioned throughout the book. As the book read on, the main character commented on how the tree looked happy and also sounded as if it was happy after having a smaller tree planted next to it. By giving this tree a person-like role in the book, it made the topic of helping the environment more personable and emotional since helping a personified figure feels more like helping a real individual. The big idea of this book is to inform the reader of the Jewish holiday “Tu B'Shevat” as well as to inform the reader on how to help reduce, reuse and recycle to save trees so they can “tell [their] friends how they can help, too!” show less

The last two years have been an emotional drain for myself and family. It is in my dreams that I have looked for calmness and clarity. It is in the night that I have spoken with the dead or simply soared with the birds in the sky. It is in those midnight hours that my mind has healed itself and has recovered just enough to handle the task of waking to be with the dying. Alzheimer’s is a cruel friend and for four long years we watched my grandmother struggle with it. I read this book during show more her final battle with this disease. It soothed me as I imagined the characters coming to life. I looked upon my grandmother as she lay unconscious and thought that perhaps she was a dreamer waiting for her chance to step into the light. This book is about a young girl named Annabelle and her mysterious gift of creating reality, for she has the ability to bring her dreams to life. What seems to be a mixed blessing turns into a nightmare when her fears become a reality.

I really enjoyed this book and found myself captivated with the world of the in between. It seemed as if those that had been made real by Annabelle were lost souls, like those that are lost in purgatory. I enjoyed how the author incorporated all of the characters together and made the story easy to read. I was not disappointed and read the story quickly. I can honestly recommend this book to both teenagers and adults. I believe it is going to be a great series and I am looking forward to reading the author’s other works. Great job author! show less

Narrated in two voices, this very readable novel (a 3.8 reading level) won't ever win any awards, but it's the kind of story that third and fourth graders would get wrapped up in. What kid wouldn't be surprised by a Nanny bedecked in a motorcycle jacket and sunglasses? And while young readers are taken with the kid narrators and unusual nanny, they learn a bunch of stuff. I got a kick out of the description of the playground that looked like an intestine --then followed by stats on the show more length of human intestines. And when the nanny refers to protein as brain food --it's stray bits like this that add interest.

The crux of the story is that someone wants to build a factory where the park is, and when ten-year old Allison asks "Who's going to save the park?" Nanny answers: "We are." Nanny, throughout the book, is a secret agent, and yet is not given her due by the adult males in the book. (Have kids do a close reading of p. 40). The plot is a bit circuitous; it's more of a character-driven novel, but it all comes together in the end. show less