fire

Fire Officer's Handbook Of Tactics (3rd Edition)
$79.00
The book has a good overall explanation of techniques used by firefighters. There are examples of personal experiences which help illustrate the need for the protocols discussed. As with all good books however, it contradicts itself while describing the recommended procedures based on the extenuating circumstances.

Big Frank's Fire Truck (Pictureback(R))
$3.99
My 2-year old son LOVES this book. He asks for us to read it over and over again, acting out the part of Big Frank (it's adorable to see). It is a great introduction to a day in the life of a firefighter. Highly recommended.

Catching Fire (The Second Book of the Hunger Games)
$17.99
The things about "Chasing Fire" that I have to keep reminding myself is that it's not written for adults. The idea and general plot structure is stellar and highly entertaining, but the execution often falls flat in places--mainly because I feel the book knows it is geared for teenagers and thus doesn't have to try. I would love to see this book give its readers a little credit (ala, that teens can handle more complex writing and ideas), because there are times where things are so rushed. The entire first third of the book drags until we get to the Victory Tour (which I was looking forward to reading about) but the next thing I know, we're zooming through the entire thing over the course of a couple of pages. I would have loved to read about Peeta's fake proposal in front of the Capitol in detail--given that the love triangle plot point is something that seems to be anchoring the story--but instead I'm given a few lines telling me it happened. It isn't until we're told about the rules of the Quarterly Quell that the book takes on a shadow of "The Hunger Games".

Speaking of the love triangle, it too falls a bit flat--if only because I cannot see why I should be rooting for Gale in it. He's not given enough background for the reader to really understand Katniss's feelings for him. In fact, his character is more of Katniss telling us about him rather than what Gale is showing us. I suppose that I'm supposed to take her word for it, but when you've got Saint Peeta running around (who is a little too pure and perfect for my tastes, but I'll let that slide because in general I think he's alright) showing you everything he's got, it's hard to wonder why a triangle exists.

Overall, the book was okay. I enjoyed the introduction of characters like Finnick and Joanna, and I enjoyed a chance to go back into the arena with Katniss. What it comes down to is that I read "The Hunger Games" in a matter of hours, but this one I took my time with because it just didn't grab me like "THG" did. I still contest that if this book gave its readers some credit--if it pushed the envelope a bit more and really explored some of the emotions running through Katniss's head and really delved into the political disarray, instead of just breezing over them with general summaries--it would be completely fantastic.

Fire: Tales of Elemental Spirits
$19.99
Master storytellers Robin McKinley and Peter Dickinson, the team behind Water: Tales of Elemental Spirits, collaborate again to create five captivating tales incorporating the element of fire. In McKinley¡Çs ¡ÈFirst Flight,¡É a boy and his pet foogit unexpectedly take a dangerous ride on a dragon, and her ¡ÈHellhound¡É stars a mysterious dog as a key player in an eerie graveyard showdown. Dickinson introduces a young man who must defeat the creature threatening his clan in ¡ÈFireworm,¡É a slave who saves his village with a fiery magic spell in ¡ÈSalamander Man,¡É and a girl whose new friend, the guardian of a mystical bird, is much older than he appears in ¡ÈPhoenix.¡É With time periods ranging from prehistoric to present day, and settings as varied as a graveyard, a medieval marketplace and a dragon academy, these stories are sure to intrigue and delight the authors¡Ç longtime fans and newcomers alike.