This book is a good resource for parents of hearing inpaired children. It covers everything from initial reaction after diagnosis to how to cope with these feelings. It also details normal development and how hearing impairment can affect behavior. There is a great section on how to deal with some of these special behavior problems. I recommend this book to parents or anyone who is involved with a young or early school age hearing impaired child.

I have read many books on ADHD and this is the best one I have found. It contains "the basics" plus more detailed information about why ADHD kids do the annoying things they do! For example, I get very frustrated when my son misbehaves but demonstrates afterward that he knew how he SHOULD have acted. This book explains why. The book also contains sample behavior charts, medication effectiveness questionnaires, etc. I have already given a copy to my son's school principal (there is a special section in it for teachers) and am now ordering one for myself.

this story through the use of the negro language,provided an entertaining stor

I found this book to be very entertaining. Douglas Adams did a brilliant job carrying the reader along with this absurd sci-fi novel. In fact, at times the book gets so absurd that it's hard to follow. But I still recommend it as a great read.

Basically the book is about two friends that live on earth. Arthur Dent and Ford Perfect. Ford Perfect(who is actually an alien) reveals to Arthur that the world is about to end.Not long after their conversation, a Vogon spaceship appears and announces that earth will be destroyed shortly because it is in the way of a new intergalactic highway bypass that is being built through our galaxy. Ford and Arthur manage to board the ship before the earth is demolished, and they are quickly discovered.

The Vogon ship ejects them into space and they get picked up by another ship called the "Heart of Gold" which houses the Infinite Improbability Drive-makes the improbable happen. They travel to the planet Magrathea to figure out what to do about their non-existent planet earth. Then discover that earth was really a giant organic computer that was working on finding the meaning of life. But 5 minutes before the program was done the planet was desroyed. Ah, the irony!

This book was all over the place, in a way that reminded me of Slaughterhouse five. The characters would go off on weird tangents that didn't really have much to do with the plot of the story. But I enjoyed its off the wall style and bazaar storyline. Its definitely unlike any other book I've read, and I admire its originality.

I first read Hitchiker when I was ten, and in the ten years (and hundreds of re-readings) since it has been a source of infinite pleasure and enlightenment. I now have all the books (2 copies each), the radio broadcasts, the original radio scripts, the videos of the TV series and Neil Gaiman's Guide to the Guide (as well as absolutely everything else that the exquisite Mr Adams has ever written). I am currently studying at Oxford University and I take offence at those misguided souls who think that HHGTTG is childish, has no lasting worth or will only be enjoyed by undiscriminating readers. Hitchiker is not only a supremely funny and inventive book - it's also extremely intelligent and full of subtle insights. It works on so many levels that it is accessible to everyone (if they keep an open mind).Vogon poetry, the Babel fish and the Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster are surely all the evidence you need of Adams' sublime genius (and there are 4 more books of it).Oh, and Douglas Adams has been hinting that Hitchiker 6 might be on its way (pleeeeaaaase! pleeeeeaase!)

Anyway, my heart belongs to Ford Prefect forever. And remember, Hitchiker isn't just a book, it's a way of life.

The first book in the inaccurately named Hitchhiker's Trilogy is a wonderful introduction to Douglas Adams, his writing style, and extrememly unorthodox sense of humor. Douglas Adams is an exceptionally talented writer. Throughout the book, he approaches details far from the main flow of information and in the last sentence of the chapter makes it all fit together. It is extremely hard to describe his style except that of what some would call slapstick comedy. This type of comedy is completely zany and just throws around plot elements, introducing new items very liberally and taking others away rapidly.
The plot and content are excellent. The charcters are very developed and interesting. Because most of the book does not take place on the Earth, Adams pokes a lot of fun at the Earth and its not-so-brilliant residents, humans. The book is constantly refering to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (an actual book in the story) giving the reader more information and continuing to reveal the plot in Adams's unique style.
I really enjoyed this book. I was often laughing out loud and recieving interesting looks from the other kids in study hall. This book is unequivocally humorous with a very extensive plot and developed characters. Even if someone is not a science fiction fan, I believe everyone can enjoy The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

I received this book for Christmas this past year and was intrigued because of the amount of buzz surrounding it. I have always had an interest in the history of the American Revolution, but I had never taken much time to truly look into the life of our 2nd President, John Adams. After finishing David McCullough's book, I came to a newfound and deep appreciation for John Adams (especially since he was a fellow New Englander). I simply cannot remember the last time I read a biography of such heft that was so incredibly difficult to put down for more than an hour or two.

While Thomas Jefferson receives a great deal of praise due to his writing eloquence and Washington is the acknowledged "father of our country", this book begins to reveal how the strength of Adams' character pulled the fragile rebel colonies and early republic forward during some of its darkest times. Interestingly enough, the book does an excellent job showing the human side of Adams' own pride, for he often worried he would not be given the credit he felt he deserved.

I think Mr. Adams would be most pleased with David McCullough's thoughtful, cleanly-written and compelling work. . . for maybe John Adams can now be given the credit he is due as one of the first great Americans.

After reading John Adams, by David McCullough I walked away with not only great knowledge of the man who helped found this country but a better understanding of how it was formed. Mr. McCullough does more than educate the reader about one of the greatest men in American history, but also does a great job of going beyond John Adams, by explaining in detail the history of the Revolutionary War as well as many of the other men who took part. Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, George Washington as well as the men abroad in Britain and France.

Each story about our former President goes beyond the part he played giving the reader a new history lesson every time. Examples include the Boston Massacre, the Stamp Act, the securing of important loans and treaties as well as the complete details of the writing of the constitution. The History spoken throughout this classic pours out at the reader on every page making it impossible to but down even for the smallest history buff.

I only wish my former history teachers had this book to read prior to my teachings, so I wouldn't of had to wait this long to discover the true facts about our beautiful history.

Its a given that whenever you see David McCullough's name on a book cover that the scholarship will be awesome and the writing will be brisk and entertaining. John Adams is exceptional in that McCullough has managed to outdo even his works on Harry Truman and Theodore Roosevelt, which takes some doing, believe me. The typical view of John Adams is that he was a dull, humorless failure of a President sandwiched between the two great success stories of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. McCullough shows us Adams the wit, Adams the innovator, and Adamsthe truly good man. Furthermore, McCullough also lets us see the entire Adams family, especially Abigail, John's soul mate in every possible way; and his son John Quincy, a worthy heir to his giant of a father. As Revolutionary leader, Adams was one of the first to be determined that the colonies should be free from Britain and one of the strongest representatives the country had in France, Holland, and England. As President, Adams had the thankless job of balancing between the pro-British High Federalists and the pro-French Republicans so as to keep the USout of a war which he knew we could not afford. Neither vain nor charismatic, Adams met the all too common fate of those who merely do a good job without hogging the limelight: he was jeered, ignored, and pushed to one side while he still had many more years he could have served. Another fascinating aspect of Adams' life which McCullough covers brilliantly is his long friendship with Thomas Jefferson. The two men were quite different in style and manner, but were close friends for many years until political differences divided them. I was very happy to read McCullough's account of how the friendship was restored after both men were in retirement, and to know that they kept in contact with each other almost up to the day they both died, July 4, 1826.

I avoided reading WD for many years, having made the mistake many people do, that this is a book intended for children. I couldn't be more wrong. From the first pages, I was enthralled and hooked on the story. It is unique, different from anything else you may read.

Adams' detailed descriptions of the English countryside, down to the individual names of flowers and plants, added much to the ambiance of the story. But the rabbits of course are the real stars. Fiver, Hazel, Bigwig, Blackberry, and the maniacal General Woundwort, are all clearly drawn and very evocative. I ended up caring deeply for these rabbits and their heroic, epic struggle for their goal, a place they can call home.

I will admit that when the Sanderford warren was destroyed, I put the novel down and could not resume reading for a month. It affected me that much. And when Hazel passed on at the end of the book, it was one of the most lyrical, poetic things I have ever read. It never fails to raise a lump in my throat, and I am a man in his late forties!

If you haven't already, do yourself a favor and read this book. You will be richly rewarded.

Note: I used the kids review form because I am too lazy to become a member I'm actually 14 my E-mail is solidfoxmg@hotmail.com

I'll tell the truth. I thought this book was going to suck when my friend recommended it. I mean by cover of the book you'd think that this story was going to be about these happy go lucky rabbits that have to find carrots. But not so it turns out that this book is about courage, leadership, and bravery as these rabbits journey into the beyonds in search of a place they can call their own.
The story is pretty simple and I won't spoil any of it for you but I will tell you this: this storyis so wonderfully crafted and so beautifully told that you'll be hooked to it. Richar makes a great job of describing the characters and settings and such a beaoutiful job of bringing out your emotions in this book that you will change the way you look at things you will take this story and you will treasure it you'll fall in love with all the characters: Bigwig, Hazel-Rah, Fiver, Buckthorn, and all them "dam" rabbits and you'll cry at the sad, but happy and cheerful ending of this wonderful book.
Overall: 5/5

I have just scanned down this review page and seen several one-star ratings of these books. The arguments are: "There's no action! There's too much description! Talking bunnies are stupid! There's no emotion! There's no meaning!" Not suprisingly, most of these people are high-school students. Most of their reviews are downright idiodic, and one wonders if they actually thought about the words as the read them or simply flipped page after page waiting for something to explode.

This book is outstanding on so many levels it's almost impossible to concieve how these people could miss it. Accepting the rabbits as genuine characters, we uncover worlds of human emotion ... and yet we never step out of the bounds of nature. No action or adventure? Excuse me ... READ THE BOOK! From harrowing chases, to hairsbreadth escapes; from unbearable suspense to manipulative schemes and daredevil strategies, this book is FULL of action, adventure and suspense, based on the author's real-life experiences as a paratrooper in World War II. As if all this weren't enough, "Watership Down" also becomes a complex social allegory, undertaking a detailed and often chilling comparison of the various socio-economic systems that rule this planet. We move from a Monarchy to a Fascist State to Communism ... the worlds of meaning and depth are unparalleled. Yet strangely enough, they are often missed by those who can not look beyond the unorthodox presentation of these important themes. To them, I say go back to the TV set, and don't trouble yourself with fine literature.

Those who liked "Watership Down" should check out Richard Adams' sequel collection of stories, "Traveller", "Shardik" and his masterpiece "The Plague Dogs."

Also, to know the true meaning of adventure, forget Tom Clancy, Steven King, Michael Crichton, etc... Pick up a good translation of Alexandre Dumas' "The Three Musketeers": the greatest adventure novel ever written.

I did not read Anne's diary until I was 35 years old. I was not expecting much. After all, what on earth could a 14-year old write that would be of any interest to me? I was ridiculously wrong. I will forever look at young people differently.

All my life I have been haunted and filled with despair by the visions of the Holocaust, to which I attribute a great deal of my misanthropy.

Today, August 8th, 1998 I finished Anne's diary, and I will never be the same. Paradoxically, it took a product of the Holocaust, Anne's diary, as well as her death in a Nazi concentration camp, for this to happen.

Anne has been immortalized by her diary. Her wish to become a writer of importance has come true, probably beyond her wildest dreams. Congratulations, Anne!

Anne Frank, I hope that you still exist somewhere in this universe. And I wish that you are experiencing that profound love that you once dreamed and wrote about.

Anne, I love you.

No words can describe what I feel as I read this book. The painthat is in the Holocaust leaks through the pages with blood. But also, looking back at some of the lighter entries in Anne's diary, I can't help but smile. Anne was someone who was misunderstood by many, but also someone who loved life and enjoyed it. She had a good sence of humour and, (I don't know if this came out right), had some fun during her short time on earth. But what made me exceptionally sad, was when I was finished reading, I imagined Anne's dad, Otto Frank, coming after the war into the annex and finding his daughter's diary. I can only imagine the pain that he felt as he picked up the pages and read, remembering his daughters and wife and friends, all lost. That image in my mind still makes me cry today.. If you haven't read the book I have only one message for you: Read it as soon as you can.

I recently read a book titled Anne Frank: Diary of a young Girl. When I first started reading it I couldn't put it down I read it night and day, day and night. It is a perceptive journal that was written by a young girl during the time of the Holocaust. She received this journal on her thirteenth birthday; it was a gift from her father. This was about two weeks before her family went into hiding. The people that she lived with were her mother and father, her sister, another family of three, and a young dentist.
I absolutely fell in love with this book. It showed haw hared it was for a thirteen-year-old girl and her family (along with some others) hid from the Nazi's during the Nazi Occupation of Holland. Her personality really surprised me, because she had such a positive attitude through everything that she went through. In her diary she expressed her thoughts and insights about her environment. She described her feelings and all the occurrences that took place everyday on fears that she lived through.
I enjoyed this book because it taught me a great deal about myself. It showed me that I didn't have as hard of a life as I had thought I had. Anne Frank never had the chance to lead a normal adolescents life... The book brought me to tears, and I have a lot of respect for Anne Frank. After reading the Diary of Anne Frank I appreciate my life and what I have a lot more!

Though I have heard much praise of Jane Austen, this is the first time I've actually sat down and read one of her books. I was impressed. Though the plot would seem shallow now (it centers around marriages); then that was central to most women's hopes and desires. Besides the plot, the characters are amusing and Elizabeth is finely drawn. She is very self-confidant and will not allow others to look down on her for her ill upbringing. I don't believe men would enjoy this book, because the male figure is not drawn very realistically. I seriously doubt that all men thought or talked about were marriage and love. Walter Raleigh phrased it correctly by saying that "Austen's men wouldn't be allowed in any club in England!". I didn't find it to be at all boring, rather, a page-turner to see how everything was going to turn out (though in the end it became predictable). The formal language is confusing at times, but provides a bit more color with it's detail. Though many parts of the book are obviously contrived, and I feel as if Austen is trying a little too hard to invoke emotion within me, in many ways the book is ahead of it's time, and for that, it is commendable to be certain.

I have always loved the style and social politics of the Regency period (the time of Jane Austen.) But when I read "Sense and Sensibility" in 7th grade I found the first few chapters lifeless, dull and hard to read. Two years later I was encouraged by a friend to give "Pride and Prejudice" a try. I did and have since become a complete Janeite. I am now able to peruse joyfully through "Sense and Sensibility" with a new understanding and appreciation of Jane Austen. The reason? "Pride and Prejudice" is fresh, witty and is a great introduction to Jane Austen's writing style without the formality of some of her other novels (unlike S&S and Persuasion Austen does not give us a 10 page history of each family and their fortune.) If you have never read Jane Austen or have read her other novels and found them boring, read Pride and Prejudice. The characters, and the situations Austen presents to them, are hysterical and reveal a lot about Regency society and morality. This book perfectly compliments a great writer like Jane Austen and is essential to every reader's library. The Penguin Edition of the book is stellar and I personally recommend it not only for the in-depth and indispensable footnotes, but also for the cover that is non-suggestive of any of the characters' appearances. In summary "Pride and Prejudice" is a great book for beginner Austen readers and seasoned fans, and Penguin Classics is a great edition for fully enjoying and understanding the book.

You will find Jane Austen in high school classrooms, as inspiration for contemporary movies and fiction (Clueless, Bridget Jones' Diary), and at a book club or two. Otherwise, she is not part of us: Her laser-eyes, scathing commentary about society, and merciless fun at the expense of over-the-top piety are missing. In our current Press-Release era, where ads blanket our cities, and celebrities alter their image every other week, Jane would have a field day-- her observations would have been invaluable, her sharp humor liberating.

"Pride and Prejudice"-- the story of independent-minded Elizabeth Bennet's journey to a happy marriage and her rousing rebellion against the stultifying and stale social system of 19th-Century England-- is an adrenaline-rush of a book.

As Elizabeth battles the defenders of society (her marriage-obsessed mother, a condescending suitor, and several members of the "upper-class" trying to stem her promising relationship with the affluent and handsome Mr. Darcy) we sample a world where family, money, and class dictate your friends and suitors.

When Elizabeth and Darcy move to his stunning home, they leave the hostility of an uncaring society behind. Through rebellion and stubbornness, they have found Eden.

I don't know about you, but I'm sick of watching movies and forgetting what happened in them before I even leave the theater. However, after watching Fight Club, I could not get it out of my head. I went to watch Bringing out the Dead that same day and couldn't even concentrate on what Nicholas Cage was doing, because Fight Club kept playing itself over and over again in my head. The next day I went out and bought Fight Club, Invisible Monsters, and ordered Survivor. I figured that if the book was half as good as the movie I would be satisfied. I read Fight Club every spare moment I had and finished it in two days. Let me tell you, this book is awesome! The movie keeps the intent of the book, but the book takes the storyline to a whole other level. No one but Palahniuk can mix together so many different story lines and odd images into a working novel. His imagery and style are breathtaking and if you're anything after me, as soon as you're done reading it, you'll want to read it again.

This is what those new age self-help books don't teach you. They don't REALLY show you how screwed up the world is with you trapped in the middle. Let Tyler Durden show you why your life is so screwed up. Is it because we've become obsessed with a corporate-infused lifestyle? Part of it. Is it because people have some sort of sick desperation in their lives? Yes. Is it because corporations have taken over our lives? Yes. Is it because people are scared to prove they're alive? Definately.

The plot basically revolves around an insomniac. Our unnamed protagonist goes to support groups to cure his insomnia, until another faker, a woman named Marla, begins faking her way through these groups. After his condo was blown up, he goes to live with Tyler, a man he met on a nude beach. Tyler's only request is that the two of them start a fight. When fight club becomes boring, Tyler decides to take it up, and fight club becomes Project Mayhem.

If you've seen the movie, you need to read the book. While the movie mainly focuses on the fighting, the book goes into a lot more detail about project mayhem. The movie probably skips about a third of the book. Plus, the book explains the true definition of what a space monkey is, the formula for homemade napalm, and the real secret formula for Tyler's soap. Only after you've read the book and viewed the key scenes in the movie does the philosophy of Mr. Durden become clear. Even if you think you know the movie, read the book. The first rule of fight club may be that you don't talk about fight club, but you will after reading the book.

You haven't read a book like this. And you really, really need to. Blame the millenium for the rash of New Age Thought books out of late (Celestine Prophecy, Ishmael, etc.), all promising to explain to you in narrative exactly why your life isn't turning out the way you thought it would. Fight Club isn't at risk of being lumped in with that lot, mainly because so many people who read this are going to misunderstand it.(hence movie reviews dismissing it as pointless homoerotic violence.) The medium is the message here, and to that end Chuck reinvents the concept of prose narrative. The storyline is less a narrative than it is a mural; a series of images and vignettes layered one on top of another to reveal the meanings "under and behind and inside" the mind-crushing mundanity of this, the American Nightmare. Each event, each dialogue, each bone-crunching scene is focused like a magnifying glass in the sun, like tallows in boiling fat, until pure meaning comes out. This prose isn't flowery, it's visceral. The ideas, consequently, hit you like a foot to the gut when you've never been in a fight. It changes the way you see things. It affects your with ideas you hadn't thought of, and wish you had.

So you think you know all about Dracula? Seen the dozens of movies, including the badly misnamed "Bram Stoker's Dracula". Read the hundreds of vampire novels? Big fan of "Buffy"? Tired of the subject? Even if you can say yes to any of the above, going back to the original novel will be well worth your while. Although the vampire legend goes back centuries in many cultures,it took an obscure writer in late 19th century England named Bram Stoker to create the basis for the most enduring and pervasive of horror characters. At times, the dialogue is almost ludicrous (where in the world did Stoker get the idea of how Americans talk?), the plot drags a little in the middle, the language is often too flowery and ornate for 21st century tastes but if you read this novel with some suspension of our modern tastes (and don't play amateur psychologist and try to overanalyse it), it is a great story. Love, horror, history, culture, suspense, action - this book has it all and even the best movie, book and/or miniseries has yet to fully do it justice. The characters of the Count and Van Helsing are written so well that it is easy to see why they are classics, but most of the other characters - especially Johnathan and Mina Harker - are also memorable. The best of the action and narrative take place in the opening and closing chapters, while in Transylvania, but the entire book is one that any horror fan should add to their collection.

Dracula is a masterpiece of Horror fiction, undoubtedly a classic and a necessary read for anyone who would consider him/herself a Horror fan. The title character has been forever imprinted on the minds of the world as the true name of the Vampire, and almost anyone who you could possibly ask could give you a pretty good description of the framework of the story.

A rich, reclusive count from the dark land of Transylvania tires of his homeland and searches for a home abroad to quench his thirst. Not for riches, not for glory, but for blood. For this count is a member of the damned breed, the Nosferatu, the Vampire. A demon condemned to live off of the blood of the living, while being neither alive, nor dead. It is a sad and frightening tale, filled with action and suspense.

Dracula is not only famous for its introduction of the mythology of Vlad the Impaler (in somewhat diluted form) to Western culture, but also for its formula. The inescapable evil (Dracula) to be confronted by a small, yet wary band of people lead by one who knows all of the creature's secrets and weaknesses (Van Helsing) has become a Horror staple. And folks never seem to get tired of it. The subject of Van Helsing, a character who almost, but not quite, overshadows Dracula in popularity is long overdue for a novelization of his own. Van Helsing's encounters with the supernatural would most definitely draw a fanbase.

If you're a Horror fan, or just like good old storytelling, Dracula is a book not to be missed. In fact, this novel should be required reading. It just might help increase the literacy rate!

Note: this edition has an awesome cover drawn by Boris Vallejo and it claims to be unabridged (abridging this story ought to be illegal!)

The book that I read on Dracula was the unabridged version and it's not this one. However, I strongly recommend reading Dracula because it really scares you. It is told by a series of notes, journals, diaries, and letters. At first, i thought it was very boring because there's a lot of dialogue and everything is descibed in great detail. Fortunately, that's exactly what kept me hooked on the book. I would not put it down and I would stay up until 1:00 am reading it.So,here's a quick summary. Jonathan Harker travels to Romania to help a strange count buy an estate in Britain. He stays in the count's house only to slowly realize that he was a prisoner. After many horrifing and intimidating experiences as the count's "guest", he decides to enbark in a daring and frightning escape from the castle, to return to his loving fiancee, Mina. However,when Count Dracula is in the city, Jonathan sets out with a band of brave souls to destroy the evil count. There's a lot more in the story because it's 414 pages long. I really reccomend the book because it's 20 times better than the movie. I really think anyone can give it a try, and even though at first it's boring, you should make an effort to read it to get to the really good parts.