Belle Prater's Boy

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Summary: An Outstanding Mysterious Book !
Review: When Belle Prater dissapears she leaves her son Woodrow a cross eyed boy that wears glasses and hand - me - downs with her husband behind. Woodrow go's to live with his grandparents in Coal Station ,VA . When he meets his cousin Gypsy they try to figure out the secret behind Belle's disapearence . As they try to figure it out they become best friends and learn things about each other they never knew .

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Summary: If I read one more book about a parent who disappears...
Review: I'm gonna scream. And it is all taken way too lightly, and too easily is forgiveness given. Abandonment by a parent is like the hardest thing in the world for a kid, and scars that kid for life (just ask some of the kids in my class). That it happens to a poor kid in this book doesn't make it any easier. Decent writing, but...you see my point.

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Summary: Insightful, delightful southern story of ugliness and beauty
Review: A poignant story of two children in the coal mining hills of W. Virginia, this story captivated my sixth grade class so much that they raced to class to read the next chapter. They would quickly polish off grammar, spelling and other business to get to their reading. Great discussions ensued about southern expressions, humor, death and loss, and, of course, the importance of appearance versus character. What a wonderful job Ruth White does of weaving mystery and storylines and the culture of the region into a book that kids don't want to put down!

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Summary: Mystery
Review: This book was really easy to read.It also was a nice story about a boy who was crossed-eyed and his mother had dissapered.

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Summary: A book for all ages.
Review: Adults can gobble up this book in an evening and feel good about it. It is full of humor and sweetness without being sentimental plus it is mysterious enough to keep you turning the pages. Read it aloud to a child you love.

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Summary: read this book and you will be amazed of thier friendship
Review: The book that I read as you all ready know is Belle Praters Boy and the author of the book is book is by Ruth Write. The book that I read is about two kids that have had the same experience. The same experiene is that both of their parents have died. Woodrow's (one of the main charicters in this story)mom died by going to an unknown placebut they really don't know really know where she went to. Gypsy's ( the other charicter) dad dies because he thought he was to ugly to live so he shot him self in the head. when Woodrows mom dies he moves with his grandmother witch is next door to Gypsy. this book goes on tell about their friendship and how they handly their parents death and how it afects on them. Ruth white isa very great author. She tells every thing in detail she also gives you a summery on what the story is going to be about in the title. Ruth White also give you a mental picture on what is going on. Some of the strenghts that the book had was that it alway had a story to tell in every chapter. My favorite part if the story was when Gypsy gets mad at her father for killing himself so she cuts off all of her hair. she cother dad wanted to grow her hair out long and beautiful because he was ugly. This book has many great streanghts but I think this one is the best. There weren't tyhat many weaknesses, but one would be that there was not very much stuff about Belle Praters Boy. I think it could have had a little bit more about Belle Prater they could could have at least about an investigation on try to find were she went. Other than that I think that the story was very very good. "Woodrow do you know what the poem says, people are going back and forth across the doorsill where 2 worlds touch. "yeah" "do you think the two worlds could mean her life there with you and Everrett Prater?" "Mama was always fascinated with that place where two different things come together."

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Summary: had to read it*******glad I did
Review: I thought this book was very interesting. It' s the sort of book that you look forward to coming home and reading. Although it was a book that I "had" to read for school, it wasn't a book that you just couldn't wait until a chapter was over. I think Ruth White's imagination is very creative

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Summary: Not for everyone. Teachers need to realize this.
Review: This is a very moving and touching book. Gypsy and Woodrow two complete opposites come to realize it's not always greener on the other side and things are not always what they appear to be. This is not a book for all children. Although I found the story to be enjoyable and full of life's lessons my son just didn't get it. He and many of his classmates found the story very hard to follow and understand. This book should be read in school so that someone familiar with the story could help the kids with thier questions.

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Summary: This is an incredible book about beauty.
Review: A charming relationship develops between Woodrow, a cross-eyed young boy whose mother,Belle, mysteriously disappeared and Gypsy, his long blond-haired "beautiful" cousin. Together they discover the complex nature of beauty in our society. This is an intelligent, well written and moving exploration of what it means to be, or not to be, "beautiful" in the United States of America. I highly reccommend this as a read aloud to upper elementary and middle school students for it elicits provocative topics for discussion.

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Summary: Most rewarding in understanding friendships and innerpeace
Review: Just plain good! The pain Woodrow and Gypsy kept to themselves is similar to experiences of many youth today. The book brings a wonderful insight to friendship.