Christine Kole MacLeanCritiques

The book is about a boy and he is role playing different occupations with his sister and they are into their role play and do not have time for disruption including hugs. His mom wants hugs but her son does not have time. Finally he takes him to give his mom a hug.

Age- 3+
source- Pierce College Library

This story is a good book to show that everybody makes mistakes, but it's how we handle future situations that is important.

I liked this book because it captivated the reader's attention and kept them guessing as to what poor little Jackson had done. All through the book it shows Jackson giving examples of others making mistakes and trying to downplay his. However, his mother cannot see this mistake as a little mistake. While the rest of the family, including those at the wedding they were attending, told Jackson it was okay, his mother was embarrassed and wanted to make sure that Jackson would never make this mistake again. The story is relatable, especially when we hear of Mrs. Beal sitting on Jackson's cupcake, or the waitress calling Jackson a girl by mistake. The pictures are also part of what makes this a good book, because while Jackson is detailing others' mistakes, the pictures show right before the mistake, so that the reader can use their imagination to picture the accident actually happen. This book has a message for both parents and children. Parents should take out of it that they should keep better watch over their children while playing. Children should learn that everyone makes mistakes, but you should think before you act so that you can avoid them.

Shows the life of a little boy who pretends to be firefighters and other heroic characters. While playing these roles, he is too busy to show affection to his mom. She resolves this by telling her son that “even firefighters hug their moms.” The boy finally shows his affection and love towards his mom by hugging her

I love how imaginative this book was. The story went through different professions that were played out by two kids simply using their imagination.

Everybody Makes Mistakes – By Christine Kole MacLean (Picture Book)

In the book, Everybody Makes Mistakes, by Christine Kole MacLean, the main character Jack encounters various mistakes that he makes or his family members make. During the story Jack feels disappointed and angry with all of his mistakes but towards the end of the story, he realizes that everybody makes mistakes and nobody is perfect. I liked this book a lot because I think the lesson that everybody makes mistakes and nobody is perfect is extremely important to learn and understand at a young age. As children grow and learn, they will encounter many mistakes and need to know that it is okay to make a mistake and not be discouraged by them. The illustrations were also excellent and enhanced the mood of the story.

I really liked this book because there were moments that led up to the actual act. It was fun and engaging. The story allowed the reader to remember things they may have done in the past or experienced as a child, good and bad. Throughout the story Jack makes several references as to mistakes that others have made and it was okay. The story ends with Jack's uncle telling him, "That's okay, Jack. Everybody makes mistakes."

Disturbing portrait of a girl raised by fundamentalist Christians, and how it colors her life when she falls in love with an older man. The characterizations are well-done for the main characters, and the story is quite believable.

This book is about a little boy with a big imagination. He goes from being a fire fighters to an EMT to an astronaut and many other fun careers. Throughout his many adventures his mother wants a hug, but he is just to busy. At the end he is a garbage truck driver and finally finds time to hug his mother.

From the very first page, the author had me hooked on this book. Grace, 18 and a senior in high school is about to go through some major changes in life. Growing up in a strict religious home isn't always easy, and when she strikes up an affair with a 26 year old local college professor by the name of Michael in her small town of Corbin, Michigan, her whole life is turned upside down. Barely 5 months into dating, she rebels against her father, loses her virginity to Michael and they get engaged. Blinded by what she believes is love, it doesn't take long before Michael becomes controlling and isolates her. But in the end, Michael is the one who winds up causing the relationship to end because of his choices to cross the boundaries with someone Grace never thought she couldn't trust. Along the way, Grace begins to truly figure out how to find her true self again and pick up the pieces. An excellent, well written book, I definitely recommend it.½

This book was so cute! I liked the illustrations, and the story was easy to understand. I think this book is a great way to teach little boys that it is ok to be tough and still love your mom at the end of the day.

This work of young adult fiction shows promise! I would like to see the author produce a work of adult fiction. The characters have depth and are believable. Teen main character Grace encounters many choices and challenges during this coming of age story. Her interactions with family, friends and an older love interest are all very contemporary. Mature subjects? I don't think so in today's world. I liked the way the author dealt with each subject. The questions for discussion at the end of the book were very thought provoking. Good read.

This book is really cute. It is perfect for children that start to become embarrassed by showing affection for their parents. It kind of lets them know that no matter how old they are or who they are it is always nice to show the ones they love that they care dearly.

Family oriented. This book emphasizes that you never get too old to show your parents affection. Show's the children good family values.

Reviewed by Jocelyn Pearce for TeensReadToo.com

Grace is an eighteen-year-old girl who wants to, like any other teenager, break free of her home, the life she's always known, and her parents. Grace wants independence from her strict, fundamentalist Christian father and the house that looks like every other house on the street, in the neighborhood that is a prison to her.

When she meets older, charismatic college professor Michael, she thinks he is her escape. He's not that much older than she is, and he is oh so much more worldly and mature than the boys her age. Grace falls head over heels in love.

She had anticipated a life full of excitement, sophistication and happiness with him, but being involved with Michael brings unexpected complications to Grace's life. She doesn't want to stay with her father, but she's having doubts about her relationship with Michael, too...What is the right choice, and will Grace have the guts to make it?

HOW IT'S DONE is a wonderful book that should be required reading for everyone, especially teenage girls! Readers will feel drawn along with Grace as she is pulled into her love for Michael, as it changes her life. They will feel her elation as her life seems to be improving, and her helplessness and despair as the reality behind all that she thinks is true comes to light, and she is forced to deal with all of it at once.

Christine Kole Maclean, with her excellent writing, has created magnificent, believable characters who are all a part of the fantastic story she tells in HOW IT'S DONE. This is a brilliant, flawless novel in every way. It's a must-read!

It has very well-done illustrations. It clearly shows a boy going through his day in a normal way, full of realistic fantasy play. I like how he includes his baby sister in everything, and how his mother participates a little in his play. The language is realistic and appropriately detailed.

But we don't read it very often, and I think I know why.

Firstly, this is a *very* long, *very* wordy book. It's definitely better suited for children closer to 8 than to 4, and even then - it's a long book. You have to really make time for it, you can't just fit it in there. This isn't in and of itself a problem, plenty of the books we *do* read a lot are long, but it definitely doesn't make me more likely to want to read it.

Secondly, the mom in the book is... well... just a little needy. By the middle of the book her desperation for a hug starts to weird me out. I understand that kids go through that no-hugging stage, and you do start to really miss them - but I can't help thinking that she'd get more cuddles if she'd just SHUT UP about it already! I know if I want a hug, all I have to do is ostensibly refuse them and the next thing I know I'm being smothered! (And I'm not that needy for them, either.)

It's just not my thing. I know a lot of people sympathize with the mom, and I feel for her, but... it goes a little overboard, and not in the funny way that I like.

It might just be me.½

Most kids want pets but most kids are not as persistent as Mary Margaret. Mary Margaret wants a pet so bad she comes up with a list and a plan to convince her mom that she can responsible and capable of caring for a pet. She however, has other obstacles to overcome. Her dad is allergic to almost everything and her mom is very pregnant and distracted. Mary Margaret also has an older brother J. T. that plays a big role in the story. He is not the normal older brother character and actually helps Mary Margaret in her quest as he tries to deal with some growing pains of his own. Mary Margaret’s creative idea for raising money to support her perspective new pet is to make “Number Two Totes” for dog owners. I found the book funny and very realistic. We have lots of animal lovers in our school and this will be a popular checkout. This book is the next step for girls that enjoyed “Junie B. Jones” or Judy Moody”. It is very appealing for girls from the exterior but I think boys would enjoy it a lot if they get passed the cover. This would also be a great read aloud to a 3rd or 4th grade class for listening comprehension.

*may contain spoilers*

This is an okay book. I like that Mary Margaret seemed to learn and grow up a little by the end of the book, and I loved reading about the different horses. However, I think Mary Margaret was pretty much a brat throughout the entire book. She is one of those kids who act like they deserve everything just because they want it. She blames everyone else (Kansas, the horse, etc) and gets mad at them, instead of even entertaining the idea that maybe she isn't so great a rider after all.