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Eddie hasn't had an easy year

Customer Reviews (23)

Oh Chris
I have to say this book made me laugh. Not because it was funny, but because I had to give props to the author. I mean this book was just a giant promotion for Chris's work. Having yourself as a character in a non-autobiographical novel and then bashing your character? Bold indeed. Anyway, for a novel about censorship and a dead narrator, I thought it lacked depth. It read too quickly, and the reader never really connected with the characters. I expected concepts that I never heard of and that made me think, but instead it was the same old, same old. Overall, it was an okay read. After all, wasn't the whole point of the novel that any book that keeps kids interested worth reading?

Interestingly Enough...
... I did not particuarly enjoy this book. I found it a bit abstract for my taste. A narrator who dies in the first chapter is not exactly appealing to my reading budds. However, I have to give Chris Crutcher props in the fact that he certainly got my entire school interested. This is a book that my entire school had to read, and it was the HOT topic in the halls. Parents were complaining, PTO was rebelling, and kids couldn't stop talking. While most of the discussion was about how weird we found the book, I must say that I have never in my life seen a school get so riled up over 230 pages of text.

Absolutely, blatantly controversial: bible bashing and book banning
I love banned books. I remember reading The Satanic Verses when it was first published (of course, at the time I didn't understand the book or the controversy) and a slew of other banned titles. But controversy strictly for controversy's sake is silly. Case in point: this book. It starts out pretty good-The Lovely Bones-like, narrated by a dead teen named Billy Bartholomew, who dies in a freak accident involving quadruple-stacked sheetrock (note-gyp board comes in four foot by eight foot panels, which would logically be leaned in the short direction, which makes his cause of death monumentally unlikely-but don't get me started) but hangs around (21 grams worth at least) to help his fourteen-year-old best friend, Eddie Proffit, deal with the death of his friend and father (in an almost as unlikely accident three weeks prior). Turns out that Eddie seems substellar in the academic realm, but is, in fact, exceedingly smart. Unfortunately, only Billy and his father, smart guy turned school janitor, know it. Eddie, trying to come to terms with loss in his own way, is thrust into the limelight when thrown (by his mom) to the sharks-the Christian church (cue Jaws music), by way of a pushy, meddling, bible-thumping minister with a religiously-twisted past (in one of the most ridiculous scenes of the book-p166-Mom admonishes him for playing with matches by holding a lighter near his fingers and screaming for him to `PRAY TO JESUS!' to avoid having them burned) named Reverend, (p 68) "African Americans wear the marks of Cain" Tarter. Of course, in an entirely white, small northern Idaho town (population 3,065), church and state are hopelessly intertwined and so the Reverend happens to also be a Bear Creek High School English. Eddie's interactions with Reverend Tarter as a youth, in the form of his questioning the logistics of (and logic behind) certain bible stories including that of Jonah and the Whale and Moses parting the Red Sea, are among the more tolerable parts of the story. But instead of just pushing the envelope, Crutcher feels compelled to rip it to shreds, going so far as to insert HIMSELF in the story as (drum roll please)...a controversial author of books often banned (what a shocker), specifically, one entitled Warren Peece, which covers the very things that The Sledding Hill tackles, primarily religion and homosexuality. It is assigned as mandatory reading but promptly withdrawn after protests are filed about its content. The students are able to finish reading the story in spite of being forced to return the books. Things come to a head when Eddie (under the pretext of reciting the testimony required for him to be baptized into the church) surprises everyone with a speech outing himself as a spy for the anti-banners and Reverend Tarter as the mastermind behind the banners. Chris Crutcher even shows up in the flesh to help save the day!
Whatever happened to the art of subtlety?
Although Crutcher's writing (ultra-controversy aside) occasionally verges on pretty good, he seems a bit too focused on his self-promotion as Highly Ban-able Author. And there is no excuse for misspelling the name of (p 150) Stephen Hawking. Skip this one in favor of the hundreds of better-written books, which can be found at, among other places, the American Library Association site.

All About The Sledding Hill
"He opens his mouth to speak, but the answer weighs on his chest like an anvil and suddenly he can barely breathe. Coherent thoughts won't form, and his mind spins. It will be awhile before anyone hears another word from Eddie Proffit." I found this passage on page 15 of Chris Crutcher's exceeding novel The Sledding Hill. Eddie Proffit suffers great losses from losing his father then to losing his bestfriend Billy Bartholomew. But what happens when the past comes back to haunt him? Eddie Proffit is like any other teenager and his role in this novel makes it seem that anyone can bounce back from unbearable losses.
The Sledding Hill, a fictional novel by Chris Crutcher, tells the story about a freshman boy named Eddie Proffit. Eddie had a bestfriend like everyone else named Billy Bartholomew. But when Eddie's father dies and in that same month his bestfriend Billy Bartholomew dies, who can you talk to? No one right? So Eddie grew silent and didn't talk to anyone only using facial expressions to express his emotions. But one day when a book came out that talks about the issues that Eddie's very Christian school is against all Eddie wants to do is break his silence. This one book had such meaning to not only Eddie but his piers who grew up facing the problems that are included in that book.
This outstanding novel writes down great meaning to losing loved ones and fighting for what you believe in. The setting of this novel is in a smaller town where almost everyone is a Christian and follows the beliefs and morals of Christians. A town where everyone knows you and a secret doesn't get passed anyone. I believe it was hard for Eddie to grow up in an environment like that and losing both father and best friend changes the way people look at him. This novel was more of a fast read but to understand the meaning and the message in this novel is crucial because it shows life lessons. The theme in Chris Crutcher's novel is senseless tragedies and intellectual freedom.
I thought this exceptional novel was unpredictable on page 144, "He pats it against his heart three times and holds it there. He says, "All Done," and hands it to her. Ms. Lloyd is dumbfounded a second, startled at the sound of Eddie's voice; but when she starts to speak, he puts his finger to his lips and shushes her. He winks and leaves." I found that paragraph unpredictable because I didn't think Eddie would ever speak more in public with Ms. Lloyd but the book meant so much that he had to tell her he had read it. I also found this book funny and heroic on page 197, " I see Eddie's mom in the choir stall, looking on in horror. She does not want to have to explain to the congregation how her son thinks he's Jesus." I found that passage funny and heroic because Eddie took a stand and made his speech in front of the whole church how this book should stay in the school and that kids should be able to read about the conflicts in the book. Also, I think Eddie went a little overboard telling everyone that he thought that he was Jesus.
Chris Crutcher shows great detail in his writing. He really draws in his readers with his ingenious ways of thinking. Chris Crutcher also writes other fictional books other then The Sledding Hill but none following a series in that book. I think this novel is best suited for children 12 and up because of the understanding and thought process you have to have to get the meaning of this book.
"It seems as if everything he has allowed himself to love in this last year has been taken. And even though my reapperance has eased that a little, they ain't gettin' any more." Will the book that Eddie and others are fighting to keep be banned? Will Eddie break his silence for good? Read this surprising novel and understand how the earth game is actually played.

$L33D!NG H!LL
What do you do when your dad and your best friend die in the same week? Well thats just what happened to Eddie.This book by Chris Crutcher is an intense, unpredictable, twisting tale about how one kid (Eddie) can take so much. What Eddie doesn't know is that his best friend who died in a total accident, is standing right next to him. I liked how the author switched point of views all the time. It really feels like you're in the book experiencing every little thing that happens. ... Read more

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Members of the Forest Mouse family wait out a winter blizzard with indoors games and then go outside to enjoy sledding. ... Read more

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Piggy's activities with Dad include playing with a ball, finding that Piggy has drunk all the lemonade he was trying to sell, having a water balloon fight, and sledding. ... Read more

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George, the curious monkey, goes sled riding and saves a child from disaster. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

All's well that ends well?
As with all Curious George stories, I disagree with the generalmoral that this book carries. And that seems to be that all's wellthat ends well, or the end justifies the means.I disagree with this philosophy, and especially think it a bad philosophy to teach young children, who, due to their inexperience and lack of reference, need stricter boundaries than do adults or even adolescents.I give This book 2 stars, instead of just one, due to sentimental reasons, I suppose. Curious George was one of the first set of books I remember that had a little more vivid color than the standard red and black library books of my early youth.END ... Read more

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In this new collection by a poet whom Edward Hoagland calledthe genuine article,we find work that is grounded in its chosen territory (Vermont's Northeast Kingdom) and that speaks to us clearly and directly. Kinsey is a poet of both place and people. In a voice that is at times gritty, confessional, humorous, and reflective (and always clear), he takes on real events and invests them with universal meaning. In a time when much poetry has become so oblique and opaque that it requires a scholarly interpreter, Kinsey's clarity comes as welcome relief - dry, skeptical, and clean. ... Read more

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Webster's bibliographic and event-based timelines are comprehensive in scope, covering virtually all topics, geographic locations and people. They do so from a linguistic point of view, and in the case of this book, the focus is on "Sledding," including when used in literature (e.g. all authors that might have Sledding in their name). As such, this book represents the largest compilation of timeline events associated with Sledding when it is used in proper noun form. Webster's timelines cover bibliographic citations, patented inventions, as well as non-conventional and alternative meanings which capture ambiguities in usage. These furthermore cover all parts of speech (possessive, institutional usage, geographic usage) and contexts, including pop culture, the arts, social sciences (linguistics, history, geography, economics, sociology, political science), business, computer science, literature, law, medicine, psychology, mathematics, chemistry, physics, biology and other physical sciences. This "data dump" results in a comprehensive set of entries for a bibliographic and/or event-based timeline on the proper name Sledding, since editorial decisions to include or exclude events is purely a linguistic process. The resulting entries are used under license or with permission, used under "fair use" conditions, used in agreement with the original authors, or are in the public domain. ... Read more

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Keep the Olympic spirit alive! Children can learn all about the Winter Olympic Sports and catch the spirit with these highly motivational and fun-to-read Easy Olympic Sports Readers. These colorful and exciting books represent six of the most popular winter sports: Sledding, Skiing, Figure Skating, Speed Skating, Ice Hockey, Snowboarding. With such enticing subjects, beginning readers will visit their favorite sports often while learning how to read. ... Read more

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Two young sledders bundle into their winter clothes and go down a snowy hill in a wild, whirling ride. ... Read more

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Inspired by two years of working at a dog sledding company, this 72 page full color photography book explores the unique personalities of the dogs I worked with.

The text explores life at a kennel and on the trail through sunny skies and winter blizzards.

A guide to Colorado dog sledding operations can be found at the end of the book, giving readers a chance to explore the Colorado landscape at the speed of dog. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A good book to remember sledding
I got this book after taking a sled tour at Grizzle T in Steamboat Springs, CO.The book really captures what the dogs are like.The pictures are beautiful, funny and heartwarming.If you like dogs or have ever been dog sledding, you'd like this book.

Amazing book on Dog Sledding and the amazing dogs that pull the sleds
This book is amazing!The pictures are phenomenal and their depiction of each of the dogs personalities is even better.The story of how the author's life was touched and changed by working with and alongside these amazing animals is heartwarming. The fact that each individual dog can speak to your heart in special ways with their distinctive personalities is fascinating to read.A MUST BUY for any dog lover, especially someone who also loves the mountains.

Amazing Photography
This book is a wonderful picture show of dog sled dogs and the countryside they run through. The story told about each dog is personal and endearing, but the photography steals the show. A wonderful coffee table book or present for any dog lover. I hope the author creates a sequel so I can buy that one too.

A beautifully illustrated insider's view of the dogs of dogsledding
An amazing first hand record of working dogs in the Rockies. Beautifully illustrated and emotionally touching.
A perfect gift for anyone planning a trip to the mountains. ... Read more

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On a perfect day for sledding, the Dinofours find out that it can be fun to do something together. ... Read more

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Originally published in 1910, Alfred Rochefort's Healthful Sports for Boys: The American Boy's Ultimate Guide to Building Confidence, Strength and Good Moral Character Through Sports, Games, Camping, Boating, Swimming, Cycling, Skating, Sledding, Sleight of Hand Magic and More! is an optimistic "Can Do!" prescription for the kind of vigorous, competitive, yet thoroughly wholesome boyhood that for more than two centuries has reliably bred great American men of character, courage and good common sense. In our 21st Century, "post-modern" era of video games, virtual reality and "couch potato kids," Rochefort's vision of active boys creating fun with their own minds and muscles is a reminder of everything great about boys and about America, and a Clarion Call to a new generation to "get up and get great!" -- Before it's too late! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Fabulous Find -- Great Sports Info for Boys, a Great Nostalgia Piece for Grownups
"Healthful Sports for Boys" is definitely in the same "ballpark" (ha ha, pun intended) as the better know Iggulden brothers' "The Dangerous Book for Boys," and should appeal to anyone who collects (or just loves) old boys books full of cool activities, useful information and good, old fashioned nostalgia for the boyhood of a bygone era. "Healthful Sports for Boys" was first published in 1910, and focuses, not surprisingly, on sports, which to my mind makes it more useful and interesting than "The Dangerous Book," which contains a lot of filler material about the history of ancient battles and such. There are clear instructions here for playing baseball and football, as well as "forgotten" team sports like "cat" and "townball." There are rules for a variety of games involving marbles, tops, etc., and directions for making and flying several styles of kites. In the arena of outdoor sports, camping, fishing, boating, canoeing, swimming, bicycling, golf, and winter sports like ice skating and sledding are all explored. There are even a bunch of easy sleight of hand magic tricks. Buried in the straightforward discussion of various sports, the author inserts moral guidance as well, with admonitions to stand up for smaller kids and to put bullies in their place, to play fair, tell the truth, etc. In the last couple of years I have put together a pretty good collection of old Boy Scout manuals and other books published for boys in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, and this reprint edition of "Healthful Sports for Boys" fits right in, as one of the best. I highly recommend it. Another great boy's book I discovered from this same publisher (Better Days Books) is YOU CAN BE A GREAT AMERICAN!: 39 Steps to True and Lasting Greatness: A Growing Up Great Guide for American Boys And for the Parents and Teachers Who Love Them. Check that one out, too! ... Read more

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Chapters: Sled, Great Northern Concrete Toboggan Race, Hawaiian lava sledding, U.S. National Toboggan Championships, Ice blocking, Kreisel, Shuttlecock Club, St. Moritz Tobogganing Club, The Cresta Club,. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 43. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: Sledding (US), sled-riding (US), sledging or tobogganing is a common activity in wintry areas, similar to sliding, but in a prone or seated position requiring a device or vehicle generically known in the US as a sled or in other countries as a sledge or toboggan. More formally it is one of three olympic sports- the luge, skeleton, or bobsledding, all of which are based on sled principles and developed in the same time (1870s) and place (St. Moritz) by much the same circle of people, mainly English tourists with an interested assist from the worthy craftsmen of that Swiss village. The generic US term sledding, (or "sledging") refers to traveling down any sort of snowy hill typically using flat, plastic discs, although sledges made with wooden slats and metal runners, or many other improvised sledges (carrier bags, baking trays, etc.) can also be used. The activity has been known to exist as a fringe recreational activity far into the distant murky past in toboggan type sleds which seasonally supplant the ubiquitous cart, wheelbarrow, and small hand pulled wagon for winter work needs in the agrarian societies of the day, or winter yard work even today. A sled, sleigh, or sledge, as a work vehicle, is far more efficient and easier to motivate in ice and snow covered terrain than wheeled vehicles, including even the simple wheelbarrow. Wheels simply pile up snow in front of themselves in the direction of travel and create a great deal of rolling friction which must be over come to move a load of firewood or fodder f...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=466301 ... Read more

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High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! A sled, sledge, or sleigh is a vehicle that moves by sliding. Usually runners or a smooth underside enable a sled to slide. Sleds are used for transport on surfaces with low friction, usually snow or ice. In some cases however, mud, grass, or even smooth stones make a good surface for sleds. In American English, "sledge" and "sleigh" refer to specific types of sleds. A sledge is usually a rough, sturdy, load-carrying vehicle pulled by draft animals or dogs. A sleigh is typically a partially enclosed vehicle with seats for passengers that is drawn by animals and slides on runners. "Sled" generally refers to a smaller vehicle and often one that is pulled by a human or propelled only by gravity. ... Read more

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Animated Motion Picture Flip Books ... Read more