International Reviews
A story of discovery and enchantment ... which explores the difficult choices
adolescents must confront in affirming themselves as individual beings capable
of responding to the complex questions in their cycle of growth.... The book
starts with three very innovative prefaces, aimed at the three ages, or stages,
that mirror the various premises of this story.... The catalyst for this story
of self-discovery is an adventurous frog who ultimately must confront the
challenge of free will and the human condition itself. The tale culminates in an
instant of pure magic and revelation.
A brilliant story ... filled with lessons of will-power and the challenge and
love of life in spite of difficulty.
Nisf Al Donia (Egypt)
A symbolic, attractive and distinct philosophic novel ... that instigates youth
to use their minds and to think about their existence.
Prof. Dehui Yu (Taiwan)
An adventure on the edge between wild and domestic [that leads] to the change of
heart of a young girl.
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Editorial Reviews (USA)
Michaels uses clear, thoughtful language to make us think difficult thoughts. As
a parable, Firebelly illuminates and elucidates the ideas of being and freedom
and caring. The story is both enjoyable as a tale, and mind-stretching as an
allegory.
Writers' Notes Magazine
You will be enticed by the handsome, gold stamped, art deco design binding.
Inside, three primers prepare you for a story set in the contemporary settings
of a pet shop aquarium, a young girl's bedroom, and a rental car. Ponder the
contentment of being, the fear of change, and the perplexing possibilities of
choice in the company of a mal-formed Firebelly Toad. Readers my choose to
return to this book often for its calm voice and complex of subtle philosophical
ideas conveyed with simple language, elegant structure, and engaging wit.
Kirkus
An engaging and quirky view of philosophy from the perspective of an unlikely
sage: the Oriental Firebelly Toad...
This philosopher's fantasy ... makes existentialism a la Heidegger or Sartre go
down easier than the masters ever made it. The text opens with a "Primer" each
for children, teenagers, and adults; the reader is invited to choose one or
all--fittingly so, as the concept of choice is a core component of Sartre's
constructs of purpose and meaning. The main story concerns the adventures of a
malformed toad that goes from the pet store to live with first one little girl
and then another. Parallel to his journey of self-discovery, the toad analyzes
his fellow toads, his dreams of life outside captivity (he eschews being "wild"
after he imagines exactly what it entails), and his thoughts regarding the human
species. Amid the action, the toad muses upon the meanings of words--i.e., the
difference between "wish" and "hope"--and the power of names and ideas to shape
the world. A concluding section discusses the biology of the Firebelly Toad and
the philosophical pillars of existentialism, the latter geared specifically
toward Heidegger and Sartre. Written in straightforward prose, mostly silky
smooth, it's an easy read with few bobbles.... An earnest, lighthearted, and
useful analysis of "being....
For an extra treat, check out the fine hardcover edition ... stamped with
deep-etched copper plates, hand-engraved brass dies, and 22k gold.
2005 New England Book Show
Gorgeous art deco stamping on the front and spine--Bravo! (Judges comment)
Professional Reviews
Riley Ellis, film executive 20th Century Fox
I have never read anything like it. This frog/toad story is more human than most
of the people-centric tales I consider each day.
Chris Elliot, Portsmouth Herald, New Hampshire
Firebelly is a frank, non-patronizing conceit that presents a well-digested
understanding of the main tenets of 20th-century existentialism. It is a young
adult novel, but the complexity of its precepts and quality of its articulation
make Firebelly a satisfying literary experience for any age.
Dr. Daniel Vokey, Assistant Professor, University of British Columbia
I read Firebelly with interest and considerable enjoyment, appreciating the
simultaneously light-hearted and deeply reflective passion of the author for
existential questions.
Abner Shimony Professor Emeritus of Philosophy and Physics, Boston University
It is a poignant set of interrelated stories, well written, comprehensible to
teenagers and perhaps even to younger children without being condescending, and
full of interesting and often surprising philosophical observations. You write
well about nature, and you obviously know very much about the [concerns] of
children.
Galina Dracheva, Professor of Philosophy , Ural State University, Russia
[Firebelly] is an interesting resource material and I'm using it with my
students who have a good command of English.
Lilit Brutian, Professor of Philosophy, Yerevan State University, Republic of
Armenia
Here in Armenia we find a great interest in reading the novel "Firebelly". We
consider it a unique book for teaching philosophy to children and young adults.
It is, indeed, extremely helpful in our work at the Center.
Michael McIrvin, Writer/Poet
A perfect balance in tone that keeps [this story] incredibly interesting without
being camp, conveys deep ideas without being didactic, is heavily and complexly
symbolic but remains an excellent story that can be enjoyed at many levels.
Danielle Brown Chair, Canadian Philosophical Association's Philosophy in the
Schools Project
Firebelly is a great resource for parents and high school teachers to discuss
with young adults the important issues involved both in creating and in living a
good life. Michaels' main character - a firebelly frog - confronts the
challenges he faces with increasing perceptiveness and understanding, which
highlights something akin to development or growth. The situations he encounters
appear to increase in complexity, but perhaps it is just that the frog's
thoughts and perceptions on life and, hence his communication of these
situations to the reader, evolve.
The narrative follows three main stages of growth: the beginning, or childhood,
where everything is unfamiliar; the middle years where nothing is certain and
where the difference between hopes and wishes becomes important; and finally,
the end, which is signified by adulthood. It is in this final stage and the
passage into adulthood that Michaels raises questions concerning identity and
the self. Although he adopts a decidedly existential stance on the nature of
being and possibly overemphasizes the importance of choice to the development of
the self, the dialogues between Claire and her mentor/teacher provide excellent
opportunities for discussion on what it means to live a good life from a variety
of philosophical perspectives.
If you liked Bach's Jonathan Livingston Seagull, Hoff's The Tao of Pooh, or
Coelho's The Alchemist, then you'll like Michaels's Firebelly. Furthermore,
David O. Russell's movie "I (heart) Huckabee's" is an excellent companion to the
ideas contained in Firebelly.
