I really liked this book. It was a good topic for a teenage girl. Even the book did not have a realistic plot every teenager at one time or another has wanted a little being whether it be a cupid or a genie to make there wishes come true. This book also goes to show you that no matter how bad you want love if you force yourself into it the results may not always be picture perfect. Because when a cupid pops into her life she has to make choices about her future but does not listen to what the cupid has to say. When she makes her wish not all the she wants happens. She thinks she has just gotten a dream date with the most popular guy in school but little does she know what a disaster the next few months will be. After things get out of hand she isnt really sure what she wants to do. All she knows she wants is the little cupid back. Will the cupid come back? Will her life take a turn for the better? Will her wish be undone? You have to read it to find out.

Allison Jean McCreary or A.J. as her friends call her, is a senior. She has a talent for photography and is dying to go to art school. She is artistic and has a great imagination. But, on the other hand she is obsessed with Peter Terris, a guy from school, and she has liked him for five months. Then all of the sudden a cupid shows up and offers A.J. one wish. This one wish can help A.J. in only one way: artistically, academically, or romantically. She has to pick one of these things. Would she want to go to art school and have a great career in photography, or will she choose the love of her life, Peter? She knows that she should concentrate on going to a top-quality school, but of course, A.J. picks...
I thought this book was really good and interesting. I liked it because it was not boring and it was like the life of a teenager, even though, you know that a real cupid cannot really come into your life. But overall I thought this book was very exciting and well written.

A.J. McCreary, ace photographer, has only two problems: her father's refusal to acknowledge her talent and her unrequited adoration of hunky, popular Peter Terris, foxiest of the foxy guys and boyfriend of evilly beautiful Julia Hart. Suddenly, A.J.'s life is invaded by a tiny cupid named Jonathan, armed with magical arrows, sarcasm, and help for the cosmically confused. Will A.J. learn to look beyond appearances? Or will she be content to "date royalty", no matter his personality?

After reading typical teen romances, this is a refreshing change of pace. The story is told with the kind of irony and humor that Joan Bauer is known for, and girls will easily sypathzize with the confused, lost A.J. and her search for truth through photography and true love. I reccomend any book by Joan Bauer(Squashed, Rules of the Road) for teenage girls, and even older ones(my mom loves her books).

This book about Kevin and Sadie could be about some of my friends!One of the best books I`ve ever read. The story captures you in it`s own way, and describes how life in Northern Ireland goes, and how it is to grow up in the rough streets of Belfast. Go, Joan!!!!!

I think "Across the barricades" is a very good and exiting book about two young people with big problems. Sometimes you can't imagine that only the religion could be such a big problem. You also won't believe, that there are people who don't like this friendship and that they use weapons against it. It's not only a story - it's true and that's very sad. And it is fantastic that they have the power to go through it. I also like that there are people who have no problems with this relationship and that they help them in these hard times. It's a pitty that this friendly people have to die ... only because one person doesn't like a friendship between a Catholic and a Protestant. But finaly it's a happy ending but you don't know if they will have the chance to live a better life in an other city. I'm glad that my english-teacher had offered me the chance to read this wonderful book in his very interesting english-lessons.

I loved 'across the barricades'! It was really effective and it really brought out all the problems that the Irish government are having at the moment. It was also a very sad love story, like 'Romeo and Juliet',but on this story the ending was beautiful. After our class had read this story in our English lesson they were struggling for words as it was so very emotional. A very well written book,highly recomended.

Sad, but true this wonderful writer Thomas Thompson is gone, he died of (I believe) liver cancer, but this book is the best written book of a story so eerie and scarie, how this doctor could do the evil things he did. I have this copy and I have never loan it to anyone, (but once) to a very good friend, who doesn't even like murder mysteries, but I knew she would love this one! It even more bizarre because its true.l Try to find a copy - you will be hooked and want to read more by this author.

Thomas Thompson does a fantastic job of re-telling the events surrounding the mysterious death of a Houston socialite, the investigation into the death, the trial of her prominent surgeon husband, and the circumstances surrounding his murder a few years after hers. This is without a doubt the most gripping story I have ever read. Thompson's research on this project was extensive, and I would imagine exhaustive. It is written as if he were a witness to all the events which took place in this story. It is a story so bizarre, it would have to be fiction, but sadly was a very true story of adultery, greed, and vengeance. If you can find the book I highly recommend you buy it. You will have a hard time putting it down.

This book was given to me when I was a 13 year old living outside of Houston TX. It was the book that launched my fascination with true crime books of high quality (i.e. Darcy O'Brien,Vincent Bugliosi). I am still fascinated by the case and have heard many rumors in the last 20 years about the actual cause of death. Amazing - that this story still haunts me all these years later. It is out of print and I own a copy I have never lent out for fear of never seeing it again! Also interesting was Ann Kurth's Prescription:Murder which is her side of the case. Not even close to the same caliber as Blood & Money but still interesting. I cannot recommend this book highly enough - find it at the library or a used book store immediately!

Katie Gillian and her Mother, a famous newspaper writer, move from Houston to a small town in texas. The family recieves threats and when a lot of crime starts happening in the town the girls get involved. I would recommend all of Joan lowery Nixon's book to anyone. I thought this was one of my favorite, but the ending was kind abrubt. One of my favorites was " Murdered, my sweet".

I rate this book five stars because of its great mystery. The book is about a daughter and her mom. The mom was a journalist, she was the one who mostly started the mystery. One night Katie ( the daughter) heard some noises coming fom outside, she got out of bed to see who or what it was. If you want to know who or what it was read the book Shadowmaker. The part I like in the book is when Katie heard the noises because I like the temptation of wanting to know what will happen. What I didn't like is the book moved alone to slow.

WOW i really dont like to read but after this i love it! This book was so interesting..i love how she kept the suspense up...it was a little confusing with everything that was goin on but in the end i was in shock to find out what happened...i engourage u to read it even if you dont like to read!

This book isn't the best I've read. I picked this book up at the library because I adore Joan of Arc and I have studied her in school. This book isn't from Joan's point of view but from Gabrielle, a girl from Joan's village who was on a pillgramage with Joan's mother when she decided to follow Joan. She is now Gabrielle, a boy and page. This book gets more interesting because there is romance between Gabrielle and a boy she met at a convent? who also decided to follow Joan and become a soldier. What really made me angry about Joan's story is King Charles. She helped him become king and he (being the spineless weakling that he is) didn't help Joan when she was captured by the Burgundians. If you like Joan of Arc, watch the movie with Leelee Sobeinski!!

A fiction novel modeled around facts, this story is narrated by Gabrielle, a fictional friend of the French heroine and saint, Joan of Arc. Gabrielle, Joan's only female companion at war and the soldiers' doctor, chronicles the days before and during war to the day Joan is burned by the English. The true story is that Joan attempted to drive the British out France in the 15th century but the narrator is a fictional character detailing Joan's actions. It's adventurous, but also we read the tragedies the French had to face. I recommend this to those who need inspiration in bravery and courage. Excellent story!!!

This book was amazing! I didn't think much of it when I picked it up but after that I could never put it down again. It is a wonderful but tragic story of St. Joan of Arc, a young girl who goes to battle in France to end a terrible war. It is narrated by another girl, Gabrielle, who goes to war with her, as a healer. This book has so much depth and adventure and meaning to it. It is suspenseful, exciting, romantic, funny, sad, and breathtaking. Not many books have all that in it. I like books that change you after you read them and this was one of those books. This book was so well written and clear that it was like I was there with Gabrielle. I was excited with her, frightened with her and crying at the end with her. Read this incredible book and you won't be sorry.

All of Joan Lowery Nixon's books are great. You can't put them down! You get into them so well, it's like you're there, experiencing it yourself! They get so suspensful, you finish one chapter, can't stop and turn the page as fast as you can, and all of a sudden, you've read the whole book in two hours, non-stop, with nightmares that night! This book makes you wonder, for instance... what's at the end of the hall? You see, this group of kids put on a performance and lost in the contest. They all felt so bad. So on their way home, they got caught in a thunderstorm and got lost. They ended up in a spooky mansion. They called a cab since their car wouldn't start anymore. The cab driver got at the mansion and had to go to the bathroom. He went down the long, dark, spooky hall and poked his head into the room at the end of the hall. He came running back down the hall, scared out of his mind, and fainted in front of the main character. It's really freaky, and you have to finish reading it right away to find out Who-Dunnit. If you read it non-stop, you really get into it, but if you read it like 20 minutes a day, it's not as good as it was meant. But it really grabs hold of you and i recommend it to absolutely anybody. Anybody would like it. I've read all of Nixon's books and they are just super. I garantee it.

Ok, I'll admit it. If you've read the back of this book, you know how lame it sounds. Thats what I thought. But this is one of the best books I have ever read! Page after page is filled with suspense. My heart was pounding throughout the story. This book is definitly worth getting.

I have loved every book I have ever read by Joan Lowery Nixon (except the Orphan Train books-those suck) but this book is one of my absolute favorites! It is soooo suspenseful, I couldn't put it down. I actually read it in one sitting- I was up til 1 in the morning! Any mystery lover will enjoy this book!

The book I reviewed is Star in the Storm.The auther is Joan HiattHarlow. This book is realistic fiction and is based on a true story. This book does not have that many pages. It has 150 pages.
This book takes placein Bonnie Bay, Newfoundland. It all started when a law was passed that only sheep dogs were allowed. A girl named Maggie had a dog that was not a sheep dog. Maggie tried to hide her dog. Then a ship gets stuck out at sea, Maggie knows her dog can safe them but will Maggie let him?

I personally liked this book because it was about dogs and I love dog books. This book also really cought my attention. In this book something is always happening. I recommend this book to a middle school reader and to someone who really likes dog a lot. This book will keep a reader engrossed from start to finsh. Read this amazing book Star in the Storm!

This amazing story takes place on an island of little mercy. A young girl named Maggie Wells is faced with the the challange of living here evreyday. Life is made much easier though by her wonderful Newf dog Sirius. The dog helps keep the family warm in the winter by pulling heavy logs across the frozen ground for the fire and he helps Maggie's father catch fish in the summer. Maggie knows Sirius is her best friend so when a law is passed to get rid of non-shepearding dogs like Sirius Maggie is determend to keep him hidden and safe. But when a ship crashes into the icebergs of Newfoundlan with 100 passengers a board the circumstances change. The rescue crews can't get to the boat because of the huge waves. Maggie knows that only Sirius can make the long swim out to the boat to get a saftey rope to them. But would bringing her dog out of hidding mean the death of him.
This was one of the best books I've read in my life I could not put it down. As a result I was up all night. The book was just awesome

Because I've read rave reviews of Star in the Storm, (and some of the "disappointing" reviews here on Amazon) I read the story with a a critical eye. I found myself drawn into a beautifully crafted story with one main character which made the book easy-to-read and focused for the age level. The historical aspects and descriptions of Newfoundland are fascinating and undoubtedly accurate. The dog is a lovable and loyal companion. My students are totally engrossed in the book and I can see why it has nominated and won so many awards, including many states' "Readers' Choice." (Here in Michigan 4th and 5th graders have chosen STAR IN THE STORM as their favorite book -- hands down!) This book is exciting with cliffhangers ending each chapter which encourages young readers to keep on reading! More importantly it shows a child making a self-sacrificing descision. Children will grow and identify with this unselfish girl and they will cheer as she makes the right choices. I'm reading Ms. Harlow's JOSHUA'S SONG now and while it is different from STAR IN THE STORM, it is another well-crafted story with an intruging protagonist who must make hard choices, too. Writing is an art, and these books are works of art in every sense.

Billed as the 2nd in the WOLVES chronicles, this book proves a great disappointment after the delightful WOLVES OF WILLOUGHBY CHASE--at least to an adult audience. Kids will enjoy it though--lots of action, evil plotters lurking everywhere, spunky heroines, and a determined hero. But there are too many coincidences involving related families and mistaken identities to be realistic for adults to swallow. You really have to be a kid at heart to enjoy this 239-page adventure/soap opera.

If you are expecting wolves to be running rampant in London itself, well, they Do get around, both in the city and back in the northern wolds. Simon, the former gooseboy, arrives in London eager to study painting--only to discover that his friend and mentor, Dr. Field, has mysteriously disappeared. With the aid of kind and resourceful Sophie, whom he knew from the Poor Farm, and a feisty brat named Dido Twite, Simon undertakes to: --find his lost friend --save a Ducal family from murderous plots --prevent a King's assassination, during the era of the Hanoverian conspiracy for the throne.

Aiken's style is definitely humorous; she seems to invent many words and clever slang. She obviously relishes quaint vocabulary (keep your dictionary handy), as she spoofs the British establishemnt from Scottish accents to Art and Philanthropic institutions. It's a fun read featuring the Impossible in an amusing vein. TRUST NO ONE!

This book is an awesome addition to the Wolves of Willoghby Chase. Although, Bonnie and Sylvia Green have a very small part in the story, this book is even more suspensful than its predecessor. Simon returns to study Painting with Dr. Field at an art academy in London. In London we meet many new and exciting characters, Dido Twite, a poor child who craves adventure and Simons's affection, Sophie, the lady-in-waiting for the Duchess of Battersea, and many others. There are other books besides this one. Make sure to read them all. An excellent series to read aloud to a Fifth or Sixth Grade class. They just die when you stop right before the climax of a part. It really captures their attention.

This book in the Wolves/Dido series is probably amoung the best. It would be because of A.outstanding characterization B.amusing dialogue C.beautiful British humour. While The Wolves of Willoughby Chase and Nightbirds on Nantucket are both worthy of accolades, Blackhearts in Battersea is the funniest. As most Scottish readers would know, in real history Bonnie Prince Charlie tried to wrest the throne from the Georgians. Aiken's use of twisted history is superbly amusing. Also, the large pair of trousers cracks me up. My only complaint is that Sophie was too perfect and not enough human.

Agatha Christie is a master of turning traditional mysteries up-side-down. The premise in the Miss Marple story is particularly unusual in that the detective is set upon the trail by a man who is now dead. Miss Marple has virtually no clues to begin, not even whose murder she is trying to solve. All the clues are presented for the reader to solve the mystery; no "you had to have been there" sequences to interfere with solving the murder. Christie's style is the simple straight-forward narrative of an elderly protagonist in England. The perfect novel to chose when bundling up beside the fire on a winter's evening.

In Nemesis, Miss Jane Marple is quietly sitting in her house in St Mary Mead, reading the obituaries in her favourite newspaper, when one of the names printed there strikes her as familiar. Mr. Rafiel, whom she'd met briefly during a sojourn in the West Indies a year earlier, and with whom she'd help solve a mystery, has died.

About a week later, she recieves a letter from London, asking her to go to the late Mr. Rafiel's solicitors' office. There she learns that Mr. Rafiel is leaving her a rather large amount of money, at the condition that she manages to solve a certain mystery, for the sake of Justice he says. The problem is, he doesn't give her any clues as to where she should start, nor what she should be looking for. Is she to witness, or prevent a crime? Catch a murderer red-handed, or maybe right some wrong that was done in a time long past? Intrigued, Miss Marple decides to accept the proposition.

Not long after, she recieves an invitation to go on coach tour of the Famous Houses and Gardens of Great Britain. Everything has been arranged and paid for by none other than Mr. Rafiel. Miss Marple starts her investigation.

What I enjoy the most in Nemesis is the way Agatha Christie makes you look at the world through the eyes of an old lady, the way you can follow her thoughts and deductions. How Miss Marple takes advantage of seeming a harmless old lady to bully people into revealing things is very funny too. Of course it's cleverly written and very suspenseful, but you wouldn't except less from "The Acknowledged Queen of Detective Fiction", now would you?

Yes indeed, Nemesis may seem a strange nickname for elderly Miss Marple but it suits her. This book has been written towards the end of Agatha Christie's carreer and she shows a lot of insight in what's going on inside the head of old people. The plot is well built and intriguing and original, because before looking for who has done it you have to find what has been done.

This classic 1968 work is justly renowned as Joan Didion's finest collection of essays. Its central theme - and the theme behind much of what Didion writes - is the atomisation of American culture, the way in which things have fallen apart and left millions adrift from the cultural and ethical moorings that their ancestors took for granted. 33 years later, it is ironic to look back on the period that the writer depicts with such grim pathos when it is celebrated as a time of idealism and freedom by the survivors of the sixties. Many pieces in the first and third sections of the book ("Lifestyles in the Golden Land" and "Seven Places of the Mind") seem rather dated; the piece which made the most impression on this reviewer was the least ambitious of the group; to me, the portrait of Comrade Laski of the CPUSA-ML is a tiny masterpiece of irony. The pieces from the second section ("Personals")were much more enjoyable, especially "On Keeping a Notebook" and "On Self-Respect." Overall, "Slouching Towards Bethlehem" is more memorable for the author's endearing prose style than for the individual essays.

Decades after the fact, this collection of essays is a bit of a period piece, but some of it holds up quite well. The subject of the famous title story -- which first appeared in The Saturday Evening Post in 1967 -- is about the Haight Street scene and, more to the point, the breakdown of human connection that Didion believed that scene represented. She is similarly gloomy about New York in "Goodbye to All That," and about California in "Some Dreamers of the Golden Dream." Though she was in her late 20s and early 30s when she wrote this material, she clearly saw much of what was going on in the 1960s as the activities of a different generation from her own. In any case it's these pieces, along with one about John Wayne, that stand out here, and remain, after all these years, pretty close to extraordinary. Some of the other material (a piece about Joan Baez, etc.) is less memorable. I bought this in the hardback Modern Library edition with a useless introductory essay by Elizabeth Hardwick (but a great photo of Didion on the front cover). Should've gone with paper.

Joan Didion set the precedent for contemporary non-fiction in this, her most famous series of essays about American life. Though some of them are a bit dated (especially for younger readers who may not have directly witnessed the unfolding of the 60s), they do represent a wide cross-section of the best and worst of our society. "Slouching Towards Bethelem," the title essay, is written with such a deadpan manner it's hard not to laugh at loud at some points (Example: when a strung out kid asks Didion her age and she replies "32", he pauses then reflects, "Don't worry...there's old hippies, too.") But Didion is more than a casual observer of events...she really delves into the history of California and its people, so this is less a "light" read, but enjoyable and educational nonetheless.