Block

This is the best book on the topic of block building that I have ever seen. Black and white photographs of the beginnings and completions of interesting structures are shown, as well as carefully drawn plans for building each structure. While recommended for older children on this site, I highly recommend that it be included near every block corner in kindergarten classes. The children are able to visualize, then extend the ideas contained in the book, and have become much better block builders as a result. One very positive thing is that the book tends to attract girls to the block building area, where they carefully study the plans and cooperate to try to reproduce the structure. Since block building is known to nurture spatial sense, an important math skill, anything that encourages girls to participate in block building is highly recommended. (By the way, boys love it too!)

Written in a crisp pseudo-journalistic style, with the conceit that the two authors are actually researching a book on the production of a major movie blockbuster (based on the "The Pilgrim's Progress"! ), the book is a hilarious takeoff on the insanity of the movie business. In the process, industry icons such as Barbra Streisand, Alfred Hitchcock, and Steven Spielberg receive dead-on-target sendups. If you like the absurdist humor of Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett, Christopher Durang, and MST 3000, you will love this book.

I love this book! By using Stevenson's poem, Ashley Wolff captures the magical moments of childhood in a way that will bring a rush of memories to adults, and instant recognition to children. Staying in bed with the flu or a cold, most children devise imaginary games to occupy their time. Future quiltmakers, carpenters and other folks, will recognize themselves in this book. A delightful romp!

This book takes you from initial thoughts about changing from traditional scheduling, to parent, teacher, and community support for block scheduling, to designing a block schedule that works for your school. The book gives many different possible schedules. (This book does not include information on 4 x 4 block scheduling that some schools are using today). Rationale and research for block scheduling are included. The best parts of the book for me, as a teacher, were how to use the 90 minutes effectively and not simply as two 45-minute classes. There is an extensive list of student involvement activities, help with lesson planning, and several sample lesson plans with grading rubrics. A great resource for someone new to block schedules.

An incredibly vibrant combination of words and images. Excellent poetry choices that emphasize the exhuberant and the life-affirming in Hughes' poetry without ignoring the hardships he was so brilliant at expressing. The collages are a perfect counter-point to the words--bringing to life the feelings and thoughts expressed in the verses.

This anthology consists of nineteen well-written new stories that focus, for the most part, on how everyday people react when pushed over the edge. The contributions are fun to follow as each story adheres to the premise though the scenarios differ between the contributions. This in turn leads to the reader in several cases placing themselves in the precarious situations in order to ponder how they would have acted. The authors are some of the leaders of the mystery/suspense genre and obviously everyone took the tasking seriously to the benefit of the audience. The trouble with this book is that the tales are so good this reviewer broke a personal commandment of reading no more than three shorts a day (to fully savor a collection), but this time finished BLOOD ON THEIR HANDS in one sitting as will most readers.

Harriet Klausner

In Syracuse, Noah's Ark sells exotic pets, but the owner Robin Light fails to make enough money to pay her taxes. If she does not come up with some cash soon, she will be forced to declare bankruptcy. Robin moonlights as a private detective, but is so desperately strapped for income, she accepts two cases simultaneously.

The first case involves a fifteen-year-old runaway whose parents want her home. In her quest to find Bethany, Robin visits a cemetery, a tattoo parlor, and a Goth concert. Her other assignment involves wealthy Rose Taylor, whose children want Robin to debunk psychic Pat Humphrey. In the course of this investigation someone punches Robin in the jaw, someone shoots at her, and a knife is placed against her throat. While engulfed in both inquiries, Robin wonders if bankruptcy might prove the better alternative.

Barbara Block knows how to write an action-packed private detective novel that turns into a strong urban Noir centering on the Upstate New York city of Syracuse. The heroine is quite a sleuth and readers will want her as a friend who hopefully will revisits the audience with her next adventures.

Harriet Klausner

A commentary that does not skim over texts, but goes into detail of each verse (1,400 pages for the two volumes). The two volumes have been my companion now for several months in my morning Bible study, and will be for a few months more.
Though the detail of Hebrew words is gone into, it is done in such a way that the non-Hebrew-scholar can understand. And the "Theological implications" sections at the end of each portion are a mine of spiritual treasures.
Though I am possibly not well placed as a layman to judge, for me it is THE study on Ezechiel to study.

This is a must have for every serious student of the Old Testament. Dr. Block has written the best work yet on the book of Ezekiel. He combines solid Biblical exegesis with practical devotional application.

Up front, I am a friend of Jerry's, but he doesn't even know I'm writing this. I'm writing it because I believe Jerry's book offers real help for blocked writers, or anyone who has something to write but instead suffers. I know what that's like. Did it for years. I won't say Jerry's book was solely responsible for my cure, but it might have been, if I found it sooner. I am cured now, and Jerry's book furthered the process--helped me really put that "blocked" business behind me. I'm now fully capable of turning out copy on demand. In fact, it's what I do for a living. I believe Jerry's book can help anyone. It's very simple and direct, and it gives you steps to follow that will take you from being a blocked writer to being a productive writing writer. If you're ready to stop being blocked, get it. Even if you're not ready, it'll help you get ready. Best of luck! And see you at the Nobel ceremonies!