This was the first adult book that I read when I was just eleven
years old, the same age as Francie, the heroine of the book. I
was intrigued because we were the same age. I remember sitting in
a rocking chair on my grandfather's country home front porch. My
feet, clad in moccasins, were propped up on the porch railing and
I fell, permanently, in love with all of the characters.

This book, the original 1943 version, was in my home library all
of my growing-up years. Periodically, I would take it out of the
bookcase and re-read it. When my mother sold our house, she,
inadverdently, gave this and many other prized books to the
local hospital. I tried to recover it, but it and the others
had been confiscated by patients. Later, when I was "grown
and gone" out on my own, with a household and children of my
own, I bought my own copy. However, regretfully, it was not
a 1943 version.

Over the years, as an adult, I have re-read this book at
least once a year, and sometimes more, especially if I
happened to be in a sentimental, nostalgic, yearning mood.
Everytime I read it, I learn something new about life and
human nature. I have had the "Ah-Ha" effect with the light
bulb going off in my mind many times.

It is my sincere belief that this book ought to be required
reading for every student, beginning at age eleven, and
then required re-reading every few years until high school
graduation.

Time does not allow me to delve into all of the life lessons
that I have learned from this book. However, I would like to
do so in a future further review. OPRAH WYNFREY AND I SHARE THE
SAME FEELING OF LOVE FOR THIS BOOK. IT IS ON HER LIST OF MOST
FAVORITE BOOKS, AS IT IS MINE.

Adolescence is a difficult time of life, but at the turn of the last century, young women faced much bigger problems than growing up. This notion was eloquently conveyed in Betty Smith's novel, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. In this novel, Francie Nolan, the protagonist, grew up in the early 1900s, the early Industrial age. Her father was a waiter, who suffered from drinking problems, and her mother was a janitress. They lived in a tenement house in Brooklyn, New York. Francie's mother and father had started out as a poor, newly-wed couple who, after little more than a year of marriage, found themselves laden with a sickly new daughter - Francie. Francie grew up, experiencing the hardships of a poor family, and is forced after grade school to get a job to help support the family instead of going to high school. Reading was her way of getting away from the problems in her troublesome life. The writing style of Betty Smith is authentic and sentimental. She is honest in her descriptions and tells both the positive and negative aspects about urban life in the early 1900s. She is clear and concise in her characterizations. The title of the book comes from a metaphor that she surprises the reader with, when neighbors talk to Katie Nolan, Francie's mother, about Francie, her sickly baby. They tell Katie that it would be better if Francie died. " Katie held her baby tightly. ' It's not better to die. Who wants to die? Everything struggles to live. Look at that tree growing up there out of that grating. It gets no sun, and water only when it rains. It's growing out of sour earth. And it's strong because its hard struggle to live is making it strong. My children will be strong that way. (Page 93)'" Katie Nolan has a strong will to keep Francie alive. Francie grows up much like the tree in her family's backyard in Brooklyn. She seldom got enough to eat, and experienced a hard childhood, but she survived, just like the tree growing out of the grating in Brooklyn. Before Francie attended grade school, she would walk to the library every day and check out a book. She would read one book a day, planning to read every book in the world. When she was reading, Francie would forget about the hardships of her life, and think about the lives of the characters in the books that she read. If one has the will and confidence to persevere, like Francie Nolan, one will succeed in life. Francie suffered the hardships of her young adolescence in working in a range of jobs, but her real dream was to go to high school and then on to college. At the end of the novel, Francie's hard work is awarded, as the family is finally able to afford for Francie to attend high school. This classic tale of a struggling family in Brooklyn, New York in the early Industrial Age is enhanced by Betty Smith's writing style, and truly tells the story of the problems that working class families were faced with at the turn of 20th century.

From the time a friend first lent "Tree" to me seven years ago, I have been reading the book every spring. Smith has a remarkable insight into human nature and a simple way of expressing herself that is a delight to read. This is one of those truly universal books--though it takes place in Brooklyn during the first years of the 20th century, the message is timeless and the characters transcend culture. It is an ode to human strength in adversity. May this book always be on Am. Lit. required reading lists.

This was the first qualitative research study that I have ever read. The author did an excellent job getting useful insights from her subjects and then performing her own analysis. I look forward to her next project.

As a Professor, I have put this wonderful and insightful book to immediate use. As a male, it has provided me with insight into women's friendship that I might never have had. My students will benefit from it at least as much as I have. I plan to use it in the classroom, and to give it as a gift to my daughter.

This book made me think about all the relationships I've had with other women--and girls when I was young. Since I have read it, I have found myself examining and re-examining old friendships that have lasted, and those that I have lost. It says a lot, and it stays with you.

Over 200 paintings are reproduced in color in An American Celebration, a survey of American images done folk art style. Clambakes, quilting bees, and fairs are just some of Wysocki's subjects, celebrating the joys of early and traditional American gatherings and subjects.

Wonderful illustrations of the artists' works and short, to-the-point descriptions make this an enjoyable book to leave out on a coffee table for anyone to peruse. Makes you wish you owned a real print of each and every picture.

I just received this book as a gift from my brother and is just wonderful. I've been collecting Charles' calendards sense the earlies 80's and I always look forward the next year to see his work!

If you can find some mentors to lead you and friends through this study do it, but don't be afraid to start your own group. This is great for a neighborhood study. JE

Read this book and then buy more to give to your friends. This is a wonderful group program for older women to mentor younger women.

This is a great book and program by a lady that really shows her love for the LORD!

I own this book plus buying a copy for the lab, the book is not as thorough as the manual of clinincal microbiology by the ASM and edited by Murray. But is thorough enough for most routine bench work and is not as bulky as Murray. Murray and or Bergeys would be required for the more difficult organisms, but for everything else, or the student studying diagnostic Clinical microbiology I would rate this book highly.

OVERALL, THIS BOOK IS THE BEST. I WOULD DEFINITELY RECOMMENDTHIS BOOK TO MY FRIENDS. IT HAS A GREAT SECTION ON PARASITOLOGY ANDGREAT COLOR PAGES.

This edition of Bailey & Scott is the best so far. The tables included in each chapter are well organized. They present the data in an easy to look up manner. Information on individual organisms is better organized in contrast to earlier editions. One complaint is that older names and test procedures are not included. I suppose the authors wish to present the most current information but it would be nice to have a reference to an older name or test when a physician inquires.

One of the things I do when I looking for ideas for new paintings is to look through this book. I also go for walks, take photographs and go to museums and galleries but when those options are unavailable or inconvenient books like the "Best Of" series are a great help.

This book contains works in more than just 'pure watercolor'. Many of the most beautiful works are mixed media. The common denominator being that an aqueous media has to be the dominant element in the painting. Thus there are works in gouache, acrylic, pen and ink with watercolor, gold leaf, watercolor pencils, water-soluable pastels...basically anything that can be used with water. An added extra is that many of the paintings list what surface was used. Books like these are always a great pleasure and inspiration to look through.

This showcase book is packed with spectacular watercolor art with a wide variety of subject and style, including people, nature, still-life and abstract. It is delight to leaf through and a great source of inspiration.

Some of my favorite pieces include a beautiful lily pond landscape by David Lee and a portrait of a woman by Paul McCormack. I also liked two different collage style pieces fish and fishing poles by Patricia Scott and another with shells, birds and writing by Judy Hoiness. I enjoyed a colorful abstract by Margaret Manter and a still life of melons by Sue Archer.

Caption information includes artist, title, size, paper used and sometimes medium notes. Artist addresses and a brief note about the judges are included in the back. This book makes a great gift for the watercolor artist or enthusiast.

Both the Best of Watercolor and the Best of Watercolor 2 are filled with a wonderful assortment of beautiful work by current, award-winning watercolorists. The techniques and subject matter are varied, and give the reader a terrific selection of truly fine work.

Elizabeth( Betsey ) Zane has lived with her great aunt since her parents died. She longs for her home in Virginia where she can ride her horse freely instead of being told to act like a lady in crowded Philedelphia. When her great aunt dies Betsey makes the daring journey back to Virgina and her home. However she didn't get the welcome she wanted. Her oldest brother is strict and wants her to act like a lady. The story livens as she starts a budding romance with a soldier from nearby Fort Henry. Her world crashes down though when the Indians decide to attack Fort Henry and Besty and her family must flee to Fort Henry for safety. Everything holds up until Fort Henry runs out of gun powder. It looks like Besty is the only one who can get it. Can Besty prove to herself and her brothers that ladies are brave too and can do anything a man can? This was a great book and I highly recommend it. If you like the Dear America Series you will love this book!

This books shows how independent Betsy Zane was. If you are a Dear America fan then you will like this book a lot. It's mostly the same as the diaries only not in diary form. Betsy Zane was a young woman who moved from a city onto the Ohio River. She meets new people and her brothers prize their possessions at first more than Betsy herself who took the long journey to her homestead with a family who used to be slaves. Betsy has embarrasing moments on the way to the Zane homestead when she accidently brings up the subject of slaves to the former slaves! Betsy also gets to meet a boy named Johnny whom she likes. The author really put effort in this book!

As she did in her previous book, The Beaded Moccasins, Lynda Durrant tells the exciting story of a real 18th century girl. This time her heroine is Elizabeth "Betsy" Zane, whose courageous actions saved an American fort during the final battle of the Revolution in 1782. Thirteen-year-old Betsy has lived in Philadelphia ever since her parents died six years ago, and she longs to return to her Virginia frontier home. She gets the chance when her only relative in Philadelphia, her great aunt, dies. Betsy packs a few possessions and returns to her childhood home. But everything is different. One of her brothers lives among the Indians. Her oldest brother has strict ideas about how a young lady should behave. At times, life seems almost as boring as it did back in Philadelphia! A romance with a young soldier livens things up. But when the Indians and British come to attack, Betsy and her family must flee to nearby Fort Henry. And it will be Betsy's own heroic actions that change the tide of battle. I highly reccomend this to historical fiction fans, particuarly girls. It's a great read for fans of the Dear America series.

I read this book in a day because I couldn't put it down. Knowing it was written by the author, I was surprised to find it written in the third person. Although it was an easy read, I found myself distanced from Betty's experiences because she distanced herself by choosing the third person narrative. And, I was surprised at my own reaction to that situation -- I felt somehow less emotionally involved.
Even so, I recommend this book; I'm glad I read it.

I liked this book because it was a true story that i couldn't put down I felt I was right on board with them. The junglr hikes were exciting also./Portland

I wasn't sure if I would like it but once I started to read it I couldn't put it down. My husband grabbed it from me before I finished and he read it every night before he went to be. It is an unique adventuresome book. There were many exciting parts, and humor. Especially when she threw the pancakes on Bob's head. How many times I wanted to do that my self. The frieghters bearing down on them in the middle of the night sent chills up my spine.

A friend of mine who raises and shows dogs raved about this book, so I picked it up. It has been very helpful, even though my puppy will not be a show dog, it has helped with my understanding her better.

If you are serious about competition obedience this book should be a required read. It was a great help for me when I started to show my first dog. It points out all the little things that can make the difference between a qualifying and a non-qualifying score. If this book was 5 times more expensive it would still be worth every dime.

The author does not miss a trick with this book. If you are at all interested in AKC Obedience, whether you already compete or are even considering it, this is THE book to read. Rather than give lengthy training methods for the basics of obedience (any book can do that), Handler specifically covers what and what not to expect from an AKC obedience trial or sanctioned match, and gives wonderful advice on "proofing" your dog for each required excersise. This book is nothing short of a necessity for the AKC obedience competitor.

Formulaic, but still a good read. Something to read out by the pool when you're working on your tan. It keeps your interest, but as I said, it is a "formula" written book.

This book is one of the better Neels reprints. It is set in Scotland/Holland, and is very Heathcliffy and atmospheric. Neels allows the hero and heroine to really spend time together and interact in this one, and the characters are well developed. There are shocking moments of honesty and blunt insight into the characters--almost to the point where one wonders, "Is this Betty Neels?"--but it is most definitely Betty at her tuned-in and emotional best. Wildy romantic.

yes she passed away. i will miss her gentle books of big dutch doctors and loyal and true dutch nurses (who hold the promise of the true happiness). Now we can only read and reread and reread them.