Fair Is Fair [Paperback]

Sharon Creeden (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 28, 2005 | Age Level: 11 and up | Grade Level: 6 and up

The first collection of its kind, this collection contains 30 world folktales of justice about wise judges, clever lawyers, and deceitful tricksters, from places as diverse as ancient Greece, Morocco, Germany, China, and Ireland. Some date back to pre-biblical days while others come from the American colonies.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

YA?These tales from many lands, cultures, and ages show the universality of the pursuit of justice. The stories illustrate several points: good judges season justice with mercy; lessons are easier to swallow when story characters are animals rather than people; trickster tales teach by laughter rather than by lecture; and, no matter what punishment is handed down, a life taken can never be restored. Discussions of relevant legal issues or cases that follow the retellings show the parallels between traditional tales and modern legal issues. For example, "The Lawyer's Advice," an old Danish tale, illustrates the insanity defense used originally by M'Naghten and in recent times by John Hinckley. "General Moulton and the Devil," a story set in colonial United States, accompanies a discussion of the Salem Witch Trials and other similar events of that era. Creeden has adapted some traditional stories to heighten their appeal, and presents legal information in an interesting and easy-to-read manner. This book would be a valuable resource to social studies teachers. The sources and variant versions of the tales make it a useful reference tool for storytellers. A fine example of stories serving both to entertain and to educate.?Judy Sokoll, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal

Attorney and professional storyteller Creeden presents 30 international folktales relating to various aspects of law and justice. This collection includes myths, fables, and traditional narratives from an assortment of cultures, each contemplating circumstances of unlawful behavior and wrongful deception. The tales disclose the details of a criminal activity that is profoundly resolved through the wisdom of enlightened judges and the craftiness of clever lawyers or exposed through supernatural intervention. The book is enhanced by the author's informative commentary on contemporary legal issues, such as capital punishment, the insanity defense, women's rights, and juvenile justice, which provide an understanding of the administration of law in our society. An excellent combination of recreational and educational reading; highly recommended.?Eloise R. Hitchcock, Tennessee Technological Univ. Lib., Cookeville
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 11 and up
  
• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: August House (December 28, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0874834775
• ISBN-13: 978-0874834772
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,172,387 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Law and human nature combined in an entertaing way, June 2, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Fair Is Fair (Paperback)

Every day we are exposed to news of court cases- what Creeden illustrates in an entertaining informative manner, is that there is nothing new under the sun. Before Ted Bundy there was Bluebeard. Before a woman sued Mcdonalds for hot coffee burns- there were bakers who tried to sue customers for simply smelling bread. Also King Solomon had to decide the fate of a baby long before Baby M made the news. The stories in this book are well written, good for telling (I have done so at a middle school) and great lessons to learn. Parents and teachers can make use of this book to let story (not moralizing) teach the next generation.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unique perspective on classic tales to tell, October 18, 2000

By 

Gwyneth Calvetti (West Salem, WI United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fair Is Fair (Hardcover)

This collection of world folktales has a completely unique perspective from any other story collection. Author Sharon Creeden is also a trial attorney, and she has used her knowledge of law to augment the stories she has chosen. Each chapter considers a different aspect of law and includes traditional tales that reflect this theme. She follows up each story with stories from the law books that are connected to that story in some way.

As a middle school teacher, I especially like the stories in the section on juvenile justice, particularly "A Robber I Will Be," about an unruly boy who THINKS he gets his wish when he is allowed to join a band of thieves. The stories themselves are very tellable, and I can imagine any number of applications of these tales in settings or subjects that one does not usually think of when the word "storytelling" is spoken.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book for Story Time, November 16, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Fair Is Fair (Hardcover)

I just read four of the 30 folk tales (all very short) contained in this book to my son's fourth grade class. It took about 30 minutes to both read all four stories and discuss their hidden meanings. For many of the children, this was the first time they had heard a folk tale, and all the kids were most intrigued by each story's characters and how justice was accomplished therein. Many of the stories' only characters are animals. I believe this book is better read to children rather than read by children. It is a superb story telling book. I recommend this as a "must book" for parents and teachers.