The View from Saturday

Rating:
Summary: "The View" of Real Life
Review: From the superficial point of view, Nadia, Noah, Ethan, and Julian are the quintessential portraits of typical middle school students. However, E.L. Konigsburg, author of The View From Saturday, develops these characters to be anything but typical. In The View From Saturday, Konigsburg delivers the individual story of each of these students and how their personal pasts eventually binds them together as The Souls. The Souls were each carefully selected by their teacher, Mrs. Olinski, to be the elite members of the academic quiz team. Yet, Mrs. Olinski is puzzled by the fact that she can not specifically explain why she was drawn to each of these students. The Souls know why they were chosen for the quiz team, and it is not until the end that Mrs. Olinski realizes how she chose each member and why they were so successful. Through the questions asked at the academic quiz bowl, Konigsburg allows the reader to discover each character individually, and shows how their personal experiences made them well prepared for the team. Though "book knowledge" is essential for a mature intellect, Konigsburg show that the journey in the sea of life experiences can lead to the greatest teachings of all. Konigsburg first shows how the past experiences of her students aided them in the academic quiz bowl. Each chapter begins with a scene from the academic quiz bowl in which the prestigious superintendent of education asks one question. One by one, through each chapter, Nadia, Noah, Ethan, and Julian buzz in with the correct answer. Their answers are derived from personal experiences, which allow Konigsburg to develop each character individually in accordance with the question. The Souls' responses did not originate in some text they read, but rather from first hand adventures in which they unconsciously gained greater knowledge. Noah is the first of The Souls team members to buzz in. He correctly identifies the meaning and origin of the work "calligraphy". Noah did not spend hours studying the dictionary, but was taught how to use a calligraphy pen by his grandparent's friend Tillie. Noah used calligraphy to write invitations to the wedding of Ethan's grandmother and Nadia's grandfather. Nadia, who had long since been an active member in helping sea turtles, was able to answer a question about the North Atlantic Ocean. Ethan's experiences also aided in their victory at the Academic Bowl. Because of Ethan's experiences with his heritage and his permanent residency in New York, he knew who New York's four most famous women were. Finally, Julian's many years of living on a cruise ship enabled him to correctly identify the navigational acronym POSH. Each of these four students came from different backgrounds, but it was their backgrounds that made them so successful in the academic quiz bowl. Konigsburg shows, quite clearly, that their success was mainly due to knowledge that they learned out in the real world, not a textbook. Konigsburg characters exemplify the importance of being aware that interactions with other people, nature, and society can foster intelligence. Korigsburg also uses the knowledge The Souls derived from experience to improve their social relationships. The knowledge they gained from hands-on learning was not only important in the academic sense but also in their interactions with other people. Nadia, while working with the sea turtles, learned that sometimes the baby sea turtles needed to be manually transported out into the ocean. She applied this idea to her relationship with her father. She realized there would be hard times between her and her father and they would "need a lift" to get back with each other. While learning the art of calligraphy, Noah was taught by Tillie that, in calligraphy, "less is more". Noah used this saying in his relationship with Nadia; sometimes they would disagree, but fewer words meant more. Julian also applied his unique experiences to the betterment of relationships. Because Julian was the victim of unpopularity at school, he tried to erase the word "cripple" from the blackboard before Mrs. Olinski, who was paraplegic, got her feelings hurt. The Souls did not learn their mannerisms from information given in a classroom or literary work, but, again, from personal experiences created by Konigsburg. These personal experiences became apart of who each character was and their knowledge of how to interact with their surrounding environment. In the end, Konigsburg ties together all her characters by showing the common knowledge gained by their involvement in a real world setting. Each of The Souls found insight in the world around them and they each had something unique to add to the group. This is why Mrs. Olinski chose the members as she did; for their worldly wisdom, not "book smarts". As Publishers weekly puts it, "Konigsburg orchestrates a stunning quartet of harmoniously blended voices. She expresses the individual struggles of each of her characters while showing how they unite to reach a common goal. Wrought with deep compassion and a keen sense of balance, her imaginative novel affirms the existence of small miracles in everyday life."

Rating:
Summary: ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ....
Review: I thought this book was extremely boring. The begining is much too slow; it goes on and on about nothing. When the story finally starts it is extremely hard to follow. If I could I would give this book negative 999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999 stars.

Rating:
Summary: My Humble opinion
Review: The View From Saturday was unbelievably bad. From all the gloating reviews I thought this book might have been somewhat good. But the reviews and wonderful comments were misplaced. The comments the book was given like "Great Humor" wasn't even close. The book was greatly confusing and really stupid. You know who wins the final Academic bowl on the first page! So what is even the point of writing on about it even though you know what's going to happen?

It was confusing because it seems as though everyone's last name is Diamondstine and everyone is either related to sone or the other that someone konws. I often got Nadia and Noah confused becuse their names both began with the letter N. They exaggerated the most unimportant parts. like, "I dont care what you dont know about me, I want to know what you do know about me that I dont know you know!" There is someone else narriating different chapters. It is either Nathan and his life or Nadia and her life or even a third person once in a while. The author has to put the person's name of who is narrating, like "Julian Narrates." Any author that has to do that has poor writing skills and problems.

Though thw author did put different perspectives of different kids was good but she put the book in an incomplete order and in a disorderly fassion.

She writes in a mature way that kids our age dont use or let alone even know the meaning of the words. I dont think taht adults even use the words the words that are put in the book.

The fact that she said before starting something true was completely retarted and it ruined the flow of the parragraph, that is if there even was a flow.

Obviously this book was the winner of the Newberry Medal but was judged by adults who like the maturity of the book. I am not saying she didn't deserve the award I am saying if this is a kid's book kids should be the ones judging because we are the ones who are going ot be reading it not adults.

sorry to say but this book was awful and I definitely don't recommend it and I want my time I read this book back!

Rating:
Summary: an intelligent "children's" book
Review: A very well-written book, which explores the intricacies of human relationships without over-simplifying. It is very refreshing to find a children's book which does not talk down to children, and which presents academic excellence as "cool". This book is a wonderful read for children and adults alike.

Rating:
Summary: A Book Worth Reading Multiple Times
Review: I loved this book... both times I read it. The View From Saturday is one of those books you can enjoy at any age. When I first read this book about three years ago I really liked it but I never really understood the connection between the four "Souls"(Julian,Noah,Nadia,and Ethan)When I re-read the book about two weeks ago for a school book club. I finally caught on to that and why the book is titled what it is. I would recommend this book to anyone of any age who wants to see a different view of the world ... The View From Saturday.

Rating:
Summary: A View From Saturday
Review: Excellint is A View From Saturday. It's very challanging but fun to read. It is published by Aladdin Paperbacks in 1996. Someone who likes to try to find a moral or an individual who likes books that all come together at the end, would love, A View From Saturday.

Mrs. Olinsdi had been in a car crash 10 years ago. She was noe parapoegic and in a wheel chair. She was on the way back to teaching 6th grade. But now, the kids ask "so what" instead of "what now." Mrs Olinski didn't at all like that. Just when she arrived it was time to pick the studnts for the Acedimic Bowl.

This was easy for Mrs. Olinski. Her pick first would definity be Noah. Then she could pick Nadia and next Ethan. There was one more spot to fill and Hamilton Knapp could be it, but no she thought because she remembered the day of the play when someone in her class started an Arf, Arf, Arf chant. That was th eday when she looked down her row and could tell who did it, Hamilton Knapp. Then she decided on Julian.

The next day th eprincipal approached Mrs. Olinski. He asked he why she had pecked the team. She told him she didn't know why. He replied "You Better have a good explanation for the Honor Students, why exactly they weren't picked," and so the ques begins, to find exaxtly how Mrs. Olinski chose her team, so read, A View From Saturday.

Rating:
Summary: Great Book!
Review: :

E.L. Konigsburg has come up with a great book again! The View From Saturday is a great book for middle-schoolers. Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing Division published it in 1996. A View From Saturday is a great book because it teaches and is great to read. Noah, Nadia, Ethan, and Julian are four sixth-graders each with a different story that changed their lives. Noah ends up being best man at Ethan's grandmother's and Nadia's grandfather's wedding. Nadia has the greatest time of her life saving turtles from strong winds and high waves. Ethan is on the bus and realizes that he must help Julian, a new kid, fit in at school. Julian is tortured by school bullies and realizes that something is in him and the other three. This is a great book. The point of view changes from one student to the other as they tell their stories. By simply reading the chapter titles you can see whose point of view it is. If there's no chapter title, then the point of view does not change. I recommend this book to anyone who likes to read books that make sense in the end.

Rating:
Summary: A Book to be Read Aloud
Review: The author of this book takes four kids who could individually be outcasts and turns them into the school, town, and state heroes. They become these heroes when they band together to win the academic championship. The book is filled with interesting questions and the way the kids know the answers, is even more interesting. There is a time when one child has the sentence "I am a ***" written on his backpack. Julian, who's backpack was assaulted, changes the sentence to, "I am a passenger on spaceship earth". This provides a meaningful and all important lesson to children that have been teased or taunted. Eventually, the foursome outsmart their enemies and provide fame for their almost down and out teacher which is heartwarming. I fully enjoyed reading this book, and would read it aloud, even with the swear word. The characters were unique, culturally and physically diverse and utterly charming. Another great novel by Koningsburg!

Rating:
Summary: You've Got to Be Kidding
Review: If I could I wouldn't give this book a star at all. What's the deal with the Newberry award? It seems to be an exclusive club where the same authors win over and over again. Case in point: E. L. Konigsburg. Her first book was terrible; this book hits new lows. The characters are confusing, the plot can be figured out in two chapters (read: very bored seventh graders) and she writes the most awkward sentences I have ever read. There is assuredly much better authors out there than this woman. She's terrible! The John Newberry award seems to be in the possession of a committee that wants only a very few of its club members to win. The fact that this awful dribble has even been considered for an award only furthers this belief.

Rating:
Summary: Surprised
Review: When I saw this book I thought it was going to be boring If it wasn't for the teachers I would have never have read it Although it was hilarious! It was pretty good.I don't know if I will read another E.L. Koningsburg book for it was written kinda .......to not exact on the timing of special events!