Customer Reviews

Ribbons

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

ribbons- a book that on the surface seems simple. a gifted young dancer, robin, must stop dancing because of money problems, which are caused by her grandmother. some people may say this is a grandmother-grandaughter story but it isn't at all. it is another way to show injustice and tragedy. this book made me cry from the unfairness of it all, and the amazing thing about this book is this: whereas most sad books are entirely realistic, this one could happen very easily. the reality of it, and the robin's brave, bright, innocent hope in the midst of true sadness is what makes you cry. for while she is deeply upset with her mother and grandmother for reasons very justified, she sill loves, respects, and obeys them. this might confuse some readers, or make them angry, but for me...while i thought that i would never put up with that, yep somehow managed to put all the pain and suffering into words, and thats what makes you cry- the emotion that comes through. you must read this...while it is a tear-jerker, it somehow leaves you with a good feeling, and a sense o resolve.

i love Laurence Yep's books, and this one is no exception. I like how he is able to write about Chinese people without using any stereotypes at all. In this book, the main character has problems with her grandmother. She eventually solves them, but along the way discovers amny things about her heritage. This book is good for people who are interested in other cultures and for Chinese-Americans.

This book runs the gamet of female emotions and tells us words we've all familiar with. For me, this book was very familiar. I was left nodding in agreement after quite a few poems. There are quite a few excellent poems but they are sadly balanced by a few un-poetic attempts to run words together in a seemingly poetic way.

This is a wonderful book. The poems range from spiritual to sensual. It is the best kind of present for that most special person.

There is something about reading that which you can relate to that is inherently beautiful. I found that some of these poems were really beautiful and quite well done. However, I was slightly disappointed that more weren't so. Some of them seemed rushed without thought or edit. Although you may not agree...the only way to judge is to read the book yourself. There isn't any harm in it. We lesbians should read and support all lesbian writing.

I'll admit it, I cried when I read this book. I have a sister who dances and this book reminded me of her excitement when she moved up to using toe shoes--as well as the pain that followed. Nothing as dramatic as what happens in the book, but let's face it, toe shoes are painful things. Anyways, I thought that this was an excellent portrayal of a dedicated girl who's trying to be good all around--trying to be nice to her grandmother despite the animosity between them, trying to keep up with her dreams even while they're fading . . . All in all, this is a very touching book that I would recomend to anyone. The next book--I believe it's called Angelfish--is quite good too. ^_^

I just have to say that I find it amusing that the professional reviewers of this book (cited on Amazon) find this book cliche, mediocre or not up to Laurence Yep's normal level. What silliness! Read the book again. Look at it with the eyes of a young artist. You will find a great book. A book that has touched a few of the other reviewers.

I have read this book at least three times and have recommended RIBBONS to others. When they return my book, it is always with glowing reports. Larry (Mr. Yep) was inspired when he wrote this book.

Ribbon Dreams

The plot is about a girl named Robin. Who struggles to do what she loves. She has a hard time excepting new things. When every one tells Robin to give up. She keeps on believing her self and is strong. Robin is a good natured girl. Who is a spirited girl?

I liked the book because it in spited me to go for my dreams and never give up. Just when you're ready to give up faith will bring you back.

A book similar to Ribbons is the book Homeless Bird. They are both about believing in what they like and do.

Ribbons

Characters: robin paw paw Ian
Robin is a wonderful dancer and she isn't afraid to show it. Her dance instructor shows the whole class what they should dance like using robin as an example. Robin has just been moved up to the senior class where they where the point shoes with the ribbons that swirl around their ankles. She is so excited she can't imagine what life would be like without dance until she has to. She has found out that her parents have gone bankrupt so she can't pay for dance. When her grandmother came over, it got worse. Her grand mother told her she couldn't practice dance, because of what it did to her feet. Robin thinks all is lost until she finds out her grandmothers secret!
I think this book is funny and exciting. This book could be recommended to everybody, but mostly for dancers because they would know what it would be like to have dance taken away. I give this book 5/5 stars because I think that it was very exciting.

This book was very good, but it got off to a slow start. But once I passed that, I couldn't put this book down. A touching story about a gifted dancer (Robin) who has to give up ballet lessons so her grandmother can be brought over from Hong Kong. But Paw-Paw (Chinese for grandma, what she is called the whole thime in the book) is less than grandmotherly to Robin. What Robin has yet to discover, though, is that she and her grandmother are just begining to understand each other.