Rating:  Summary: This book is the reason that kids love Louis Sachar Review: I remember discovering this book in my 5th grade classroom library. It was a big, secret hit because it had SWEARING in it, which of course my friends and I thought was hilarious. But it was hilarious because it was in a BOOK, in the school library no less. God knows we knew the words already, and we certainly knew how to use them. For a while it was fun to just remember the pages with the dirty words and giggle over them, but eventually I decided to sit down and actually READ the book. And it made a big enough impact on me that I still remember it now, eight years later. Louis Sachar must remember middle school better than most of his peers, because he writes about how it is. Middle school students adore his books because they're accurate; kids know when they're being talked down to. Middle schoolers, yes, even your precious 9-12 year olds, know how to swear, know how to fight, and know how to flip off old ladies. Kids are not nice, not in the least, and at least Louis Sachar can write a book that they can relate to. It's pointless to suggest that a book aimed at this age group should be held responsible for upholding any grand morality. When you're 12, you really don't care. But if it's a book that kids will want to read, that teaches how to stand up for yourself and appreciate the friends you have, well... isn't that the point?
Rating:  Summary: Why all the Bad Language Review: I was so disappointed that a book for junior high must have all those 4-letter words in it. It is simply not necessary to have this. Lot's of kids do and say lots of things, but putting those words in a book is sending such a bad message. I will NEVER by a Louis Sachar book again and would encourage other parents to not purchase such books with this type of language.
Why do we have to keep bombarding our children with filth?
Rating:  Summary: Not appropriate for children Review: I was so disappointed with this book! I've read books by Louis Sachar before that I really liked. The age range for this book is 9-12, which makes me wonder why the author uses so much profanity. Also, a big part of the book is about flipping people off. In my opinion young boys need encouragement against profanity and crude gestures, not towards it. My 9 year old boy got this book as a gift for Christmas, and he really liked the story. I picked it up to read to him a little from it and found myself leaving sentences and even whole paragraphs out because I found it inappropriate. So, I gave it 2 stars because the story is fun, but no higher since I found it too crude.
Rating:  Summary: Shocked ! Review: I would never recommend this to children in the age range 9-12. My 12 year old is reading this book and there are so many curse words that I am going to reccomend that this book be taken out of the school library. There are things like A--HOLE, A--BITE, DIP-HIT and there is a reference to sticking something up someones A--. Everyplace I have a blank there should be an S. I think this is a horrible childrens book.
Rating:  Summary: Do Yourself A Favor and Look Past the Cursing Review: I'm shocked that parents are giving this 1 stars just because of the issues and language in the book. Some say this isn't what your child should be reading. Please, grab one of those "classics" that you may know...same thing: Language and risky topics. All your books aren't going to give schmaltzy crap. Your child needs to read, and once he grows older, he needs to dive deeper into it. Would you rather him learn the language from your local television? Anyways, "The Boy Who Lost His Face" is actually a real-life depicition of a normal suburbia...well, in 1989. Thank god Sachar didn't put any recent refrences...that would make it outdated. The language and profanity, as well as risky topics, add into it. Someone says that "the excuse of 'This is how children act' is wrong" (or something to that extent). Please, PLEASE learn to jump into real life. This IS real life. That could be why this one didn't get much recongition. It is very thought-provoking, as David has a lot to deal with. Losing his friends, and them become bullies to him. As being 15, there's a lot that I can relate to: The crush, which actually IS depicted as you remembered what it was like. The jerks, true too (well, except the fighting, my school is very strict so we never see any), as well as the eventual nerd friends (Mo and Larry [the "Three Stooges" allusion in the book is presently perfectly, especially the hilarious scene when David tries to explain it to his brother]). Another great notch about this book is that even though it isn't in first person (none of Sachar's books are, anyways [though the "Holes" movie is told in first person]), he really puts you into the mind of David. For example, during slow scenes, when David is supposed to being thinking more, the detail of the scene increases. And whenever David is around Tori (or Miss Williams), his crush, the detail of her movements increases, as if an actual boy was analyzing her, or paying very close attention. It also reaches into side character development, as well. Mo and Larry's roles increase during the book, as well as tensions between them. Ricky, David's brother, even though having a minor role, still has a great charactization, as becoming an evil brother to David, colliding with the bullies at school. Anyways, the book is great, especially for those who are in junior high or high school. They'll really relate. Besides, who of us hasn't seen our crush talk to another, and think they're going out with them. Or who else hasn't had one taunted constantly by the nitpicking teacher? Or who hasn't taking an evil old lady's cane...OK, I haven't and most likely who haven't, but that's besides the point... ...anyways, please don't listen to the crappy "over-conscience" parent reviews about the language, and just buy the book. I'll promise you that you'll love it...
Rating:  Summary: Some bad language, but REALLY funny! Review: I've always loved Louis Sachar's books, and this one wasn't different. Even though it has some bad language, some kids do talk like that. David has a lifelike problem, and the old lady and the curse add fun to it. I love all the funny things that happen to him, like his pants falling down, or dropping the test tube in science. All the characters are unique and interesting. I would suggest this book to anyone except younger kids. I really liked it!
Rating:  Summary: It was my favorite book Review: If it weren't for the cuss words, it would be better than Harry Potter. When I got it I was turning 10 and my parents gave it to me. Thank goodness they didn't read it with me, though, because of the language. The great story made up for the language. It was so suspenseful that I couldn't control myself, I had to look at the next chapter. I also looked at the last page and read that a new character looked at David's face in Mrs. Bayfield's hallway, but something cool happened other than Mrs. Bayfield actually being a witch and I found that it wasn't a bad thing.
Rating:  Summary: Amazing! Review: If your one of those people who likes to take a peek aat the last page of a book to see what happens, the last page of this book will befuddle you completely. Louis Sachar again uses his unique writing style,where he writes what kids and teens are really like,not like other writer's who place their character's in a perfect world.He rights the reality of teens,like cussing, and flipping people off,and dating. I hope he writes more books like Holes and The Boy Who Lost His Face.
Rating:  Summary: disappointing! Review: My 10 year-old daughter and I enjoy Louis Sachar books immensly, but this one was disappointing. Having to explain to her what flipping someone off and the heavy use of obscene words is not what we expected in one of his books. I immediately returned the book and explained the problem to Scholastic. They also were shocked by what was in the book. We need to be diligent in our effort to keep this kind of writing out of our childrens books. We have to monitor TV and computer and now we have to monitor our childrens books? Louis Sachar was a good author, let's hope he goes back to his old writing style.
Rating:  Summary: Beware, Louis Sacher has a bit of a potty mouth Review: My 9-year-old son was roaring with laughter as I read this book aloud to him at bedtime. There's a lot of truly funny moments. But beware, there's quite a few curse words. I blurted out (ryhmes with pass)hole before I could catch myself. I'm not completely opposed to strong language in kids' books, but I'd like to know it's there.
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