The O'Reilly Factor for Kids: A Survival Guide for America's Families (Paperback)

by Bill O'Reilly (Author), Charles Flowers (Author) "Almost everybody watched the TV show Friends on NBC..." (more)
Key Phrases: smart operator, New York, The Factor, Long Island (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
Grade 6 Up–Advice on issues that confront today's teenagers is given in a confident manner by the talk-show host. Factual information supports personal, no-nonsense guidance in navigating life's various challenges on the road to adulthood. Examples from the author's life further augment the points being made, illustrating both triumphs and mistakes, and their natural consequences. Content adequately covers relationships, sex, music, school, and philosophical reflections that will aid teenagers in developing their unique identities and value systems. Each of the four sections concludes with Instant Message-style remarks about wise behavior ("A Smart Operator is a kid who…") versus unwise behavior ("A Pinhead is a kid who…"). The theme is that young people who follow the guide and work hard, are honest, and help others will succeed and lead healthier, happier lives. The authoritative tone will appeal to O'Reilly's fans, but will not engage adolescents who are not eager for advice from an adult whom they do not consider to be a role model. The table of contents provides an organized overview of the material.–Sharon A. Neal, Immaculata University, PA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist
Does the name Bill O'Reilly conjure up an advice maven for kids? Didn't think so. Yet here we have a book in which the Fox talk-show host goes into Dutch-uncle mode, offering his opinions about everything from families and friends to the Internet and sex (he lost his virginity at 20). Although written with Flowers, a former high-school teacher and coauthor of many books, this sounds like vintage O'Reilly: pithy and direct but also patronizing ("I like many things about you kids"). Each chapter begins with quotes from kids who have written into his show (!), followed by a short introduction and a personal O'Reilly story. In the alcohol chapter, for instance, he recalls watching a group of his friends get disgustingly drunk, which prompted him to vow never to drink. He ends with some general comments; for example, weatherman Willard Scott (lots of kid appeal there!) lapsed into alcoholism after his wife's death. Still, there's nothing wrong with most of the commonsensical advice O'Reilly dispenses; it's the sort found everywhere--do well in school, don't take drugs, avoid the wrong friends. But barf alert for the occasional instant-message inserts in which O'Reilly uses common IM terms to explore how two typical teenagers, one a "pinhead" and the other a "smart operator," would react to various situations. Bill O'Reilly talking kids' language: SMHID (scratch my head in disbelief). Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Harper Paperbacks (September 20, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060544252
• ISBN-13: 978-0060544256
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (141 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #30,509 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #17 in	Books > Teens > Health, Mind & Body > Mental Health
  #52 in	Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Social Science
  #88 in	Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Social Situations > Values

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 62 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Ok Book, November 30, 2005

By	maxxumless "maxxumless" - See all my reviews

Not a bad book. It reads like a book more for ten year olds rather than for a young adult. My daughter (10) thought it was a bit simplistic but she reads and understands well beyond her level. I vote my conscience and voted for Clinton twice and for the life of me I cannot see where people get that this book is some type of conservative platform - it's a children's book with what I thought were good overall moral values. If you are looking for a book from a far left or right viewpoint written by an award-winning author then skip this book. It plays it right down the middle with allot of common sense ideas - ideas usually absent these days in kids lives.

Let your kids give it a try - it is after all geared toward them.

77 of 96 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Smart Advice: Helpful for Parents and Students Alike, October 30, 2005

By	Dr. Henry Toof (Cambridge, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The O'Reilly Factor for Kids: A Survival Guide for America's Families (Hardcover)

As a college professor with 3 children and 5 grandchildren, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it heartily to parents wanting what's best for their children. A lot of the advice in this book might be considered "common sense" but really, it isn't all that common at all, considering the way many parents raise their children today (ways which, in my humble opinion, do much harm to their children's potential for future success).

If you have a child in high school or college, I highly recommend another book entitled "How to Ace Your Way Through College and Still Have a Life." It's the best college survival/success guide to come along in years, and like Mr. O'Reilly's book, shares smart, straightforward, sage advice.

Dr. Henry R. Toof
Cambridge, MA

357 of 462 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Bill Could Have Done Better (And I'm a Big Factor Fan), October 5, 2004

By	Todd and In Charge (Miami, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The O'Reilly Factor for Kids: A Survival Guide for America's Families (Hardcover)

Boy oh boy, as a father with kids who regularly watch the Factor I was looking forward to this book. But I have to tell you: it's a disappointment! Poorly written, little actual advice of a substantive nature, more platitudes and homilies that you could have written for Bill yourself. This one really looks like Bill is milking a cash-cow to death, and with the economy the way it is, we could all spend our money more wisely than purchasing this book. I hope that doesn't make me a "pinhead."