Awards

Winner of the National Book Award: A Novel of Fame, Honor, and Really Bad Weather
$14.00
"Winner" is a book that suffers from bad advertising. I was promised a black comedy. "Riotous. Hugely funny..." and "The funniest novel I have read, possibly ever" appear right there on the cover.

The book was certainly sarcastic. It was caustic and biting but there was very little in the book that I could laugh at in good conscience. (And honestly, during reading, I wasn't inclined to do so.) In many ways, it was more like a car wreck on the highway - horrific but engrossing - than anything else.

Ms. Willett's main characters, twins Dorcas and Abigail, area a fascinating pair. Each completely embody the part of the human condition that the other lacks. "Winner" is the story of their interactions with each other and the members of a New England literary circle made up arch-typical characters.

Through my entire reading, I was off balance. I kept expecting 'funny' to show up and it never did. That said, "Winner" had other redeeming qualities which kept me reading. Ms. Willet gives Dorcas, the bookish narrator, wonderful recollections and descriptions of the joy of reading. The relationships between the people in a group and between the sisters were exaggerated for effect, but still intriguing.

Other parts of "Winner" were less successful. There were bits of extraneous metaphor and occasional clunky bits. Occasionally certain characters verged on caricatures.

I understand what Ms. Willett was attempting to skewer but in the end, "Winner" falls a bit short. If I had come at "Winner" with different expectations I might have found it more enjoyable, but I never shook the feeling of being a bit cheated by a novel that failed to deliver on its promises

Assorted Award Medals 12ct
$6.99
Each package includes 12 plastic award metals. Award metals measure 12" in length. Metals include Awesome, Excellent, Super, Terrific and more!WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD - Small parts not for children under 3 years.

Creativity for Kids Create Your Own Awesome Awards
$17.99
Everyone deserves an award now and then. This fun kit allows kids to make a variety of prizes for themselves, family, and friends with the included ribbons, certificates, streamers, and rosettes. Creativity for Kids. Ages: 6+

Trend T6490 Stinky Stickers Variety Pack, Praise Words, 435/pack
$11.99
These are always a favorite with my Kindergarten students. This package is a great price and the stickers last me beyond the school year.