The jokes fly fast and furious in this case where a suitcase containing a dummy is switched for one full of loot. The dummy, Charlie McShtick and the ventriloquist, Edgar Bergman are the central characters as Mathnet detectives George Frankly and Pat Tuesday use mathematics to solve a series of crimes. The mathematics used is that of a connected graph where the graph tour is used to prove innocence and point out the potentially guilty parties. Of course, the villain has the last name Snerd.
My oldest boy who is now ten enjoyed the book immensely. He liked the story line and how the mystery was solved. The only problem was that the jokes about Edgar Bergan and his ventriloquist dummies referenced events before his time.
This book is a true treasure in that children can solve a mystery, laugh at the jokes and learn mathematics all at the same time. I also laughed and groaned my way through it.

I am coordinating a Math Event at our school. I am very interested in presenting the Mathnet series books to our 3-4th grade readers and their parents. Is there any way these and books like them are available for parents to buy? I understand that they seem to be out of print. I think they are a fantastic way to have children who enjoy reading to encorporate math skills as well.

Defining just what constitutes a charter school is a daunting task. There are so many variables. A charter school is basically a school that receives a charter or contract which is granted by a public agency to a group, such as parents, teachers, agencies, businesses etc. which wish to create an alternative to public schools within the public school system. However, state laws differ, thereby creating many variables. Some laws allow the state to grant a charter. Other states allow the local school district to grant the charter. State laws also differ as to who may propose the charter school or even allow any of several bodies to grant the charter. Laws differ as to whether such schools must adhere to state standards or may be exempt from them. Laws also differ as to the degree which they may be self governed and the extent to which they are accountable to local school boards. In other words, differing state laws have created several models as to what constitutes a charter school.

As a member of my local board of education, I am interested in the issues surrounding innovative proposals for public education. There are strong arguments both for and against the concept of charter schools and this book sets them forth. On the one hand, such schools are said to be more accountable and provide alternative educations designed for the constituency it serves. Arguments against are that such schools drain funds from public schools and take away the common factors that unite us as citizens from the common education provided. The author does a good job in settting forth the arguments both pro and con. He also sets forth the issues regarding the position of education labor unions on the subject.

The concept of charter schools is new so there will be much data to be gathered over the upcoming years as to the success of charter schools. The movement is likely to continue to grow and as it does so, this book may, in some ways, become dated as new information becomes available. Meanwhile, this book does a good job of explaining what charter schools are and laying out the issues which surround the movement towards these schools.

As a fifth grade teacher I found this book seated much regarding charter schools in an important historical context. The book is unique in that it does not rehash old arguments but brings new light to a subject that is of great importance today. Refreshing and well written.

Holly Anderson

Though I know some people dislike him as much as others love him, I have to say that, for myself personally, no film historian better captures the love and exhiliration that can be felt from watching a truly wonderful movie. In his writings, Danny Peary has always proven himself to be not only a student of films but also a fan. And yes, there is a huge difference! Peary came to prominence with his three Cult Film books. Cult Film Stars provides a great companion for those books and is a lot of fun on its own as well. Cult Film Stars is a thick compilation of entries, listing names from the expected (Pam Grier, Sonny Chiba, Klaus Kinski) to the unexpected (John Wayne, long though of so mainstream but Peary wonderfully shows how Wayne is almost as important as cult star as say Ed Wood's infamous friend Dudley Manlove). Along with listing each star's important films, Peary crams each entry full of interesting and often humorous facts and observations. This books works as a great introduction to films that many might otherwise have not heard of. I was still in high school when it first came out and just starting to discover how much I truly loved film. It was from this book that I first found out about such really cool (sorry if I sounded juvenile there but there's no better way to put it really) people like Pam Grier, Terrence Hill, and Toshiro Mifune. His entries on Kay Lenz, Meg Foster, and Karen Allen helped me to discover such unsung entertainments as Breezy, Ticket to Heaven, and The Wanderers respectively. A really great book for any film fanatic. However, keep in mind, the book was also published a decade ago. Some of the information will be dated but none the less interesting.

This book is basically a reference book of movie stars and directors who have made films that have spawned cult followings (some of the entries include Tim Curry, Divine, John Waters, Steve Reeves, Mamie Van Doren, Ed Wood, and Bela Lugosi). It includes a short biographical paragraph with little-known facts and has several illustrations - I found the book to be most useful because it also included a brief film history of the performer in his or her best roles. I would recommend buying the book if you are like me and get a kick out of b-movies and b-movie stars. It's really too bad it's out of print.

Danny & Life on Bluff Point is a delightful story of farm life in upstate New York State in the 1890s. As readers share 10-year-old Danny's everyday life, we can feel the essence and warmth of family life and values of this loving, caring family. Today's children reading this book can learn how life was different in Danny's time but how the attitudes toward family and community are still very necessary in their growth years as they become responsible adults in our world. Danny has chores to do but he also has fun. I hope he doesn't grow up too soon! I am anxiously awaiting the author's next "Danny" book.

Danny and Life on Bluff Point is an excellent book for young teens. It is the story of a young boy and his family growing up in the late 1800s in Central New York State. It shows how life was very different for people 100 years ago. There was no Nintendo or internet. So, the kids had to use their imagination to amuse themselves. The kids had to do chores on a daily basis to help the family survive, not just to earn an allowance. It told of dangers that just don't exist for today's kids like cougars. However, there were also lessons that pertained to today's kids. Danny had to deal with a bully at school and this book showed that there are other ways to deal with problems other than force. And, of course, this book taught the importance of family life.

This book is so good, that after 20 years since reading it, I remember the joy it brought me. As a young reader, the Danny Dunn books opened up a whole world to me.

Danny Dunn was my introduction to the excitement and wonder of books and turned me into a voracious reader. In this book Danny once again acts without thinking and creates a substance that will defy gravity and send a space ship (and himself as well) into outer space. Delightful and intriguing.

I'm shocked these books are out of print. I totally enjoyed them and I think I read every one. This book especially was practically prophetic from the standpoint of what the military is currently working on. Consider the year written, and it is quite remarkable.

I would highly recommend this book for young kids interested in imaginative inventions. "Creative inventors", so to speak.

Danny, loooooooong preceeding "Neuromancer", dons a helmet and gloves which give him sensations from an outside source--in this case, a mechanical dragonfly. He uses this technology to his own ends, of course. Prescient sci-fi from the team of Williams and Abraskin.

I read this heart warming book in one day because of the way each page grabs your attention. The book is unpredictable and unusual so it's hard to describe. The characters are vivid and interesting. The reason why the author wrote this book is an inspiring story itself. This isn't the typical Christmas book but it is a "must read."

I read this book in one night I couldn't put it down. This is not your typical Christmas book. This book has so many stories within the story I want to read it again. I don't want to give too much of the story away its one of those books you have to read and don't want to be told what happens. This book changed the way I look at each day. Each day is special and should be enjoyed and the important things in life should have more meaning. None of us know how long we will be alive. Make each day count. As Danny said "Why can't it last all year?" This is a book your'll want to share with your friends and family.

Shettleworth and Smith's collaboration has produced a gem. The depth of knowledge of Maine's state historian and Gardiner's librarian/historian is clearly evident. The wealth of photographs bring the town's past to life. The causes of Gardiner's recent economic downturn are briefly covered with an objective eye.

This is a book of photographic images of a beautiful past. The South Gardner Historical Society has carefully selected over 200 photos to trace the development of this city over the years. The quality and subject matter of the pictures is outstanding. If you are an avid historian or geneaologist, this book is for you.

This a dense and detailed book. This is really good, current, well researched. I was impressed.

I went out and got Home Theater for Everyone (Harley), Build Your Home Theater in a Weekend (Bruyn/Karabian), The Complete Idiot's Guide to Home Theater Systems (Miller), Use Your PC to Build An Incredible Home Theater System (Farkas and Govier), and Home Theater for Dummies (Briere and Hurley). (I've posted this review in each of the books).

There's a clear difference among these books, and approaches. In order, I would get these books:

1. (tie) Home Theater for Everyone; Home Theater for Dummies. This surprised me. I've heard a lot about Harley's book and it is great. It's getting dated though, and some stuff was simply way over my head for what I'm going to do with my home theater. But it's one of those books you have to read even if you don't understand a lot of it (and mind you, I've got seven computers in my house, a 100Meg LAN, multiple wireless systems, etc...I'm not scared of technical stuff.) It's not so much not understanding it, as much as it is that a lot of it while important to a magazine editor such as Harley, it's not something that you're going to use in putting in your home theater.

Home Theater for Dummies surprised me. I must say, I found it incredibly well researched, practical, and more homey and less academic than Harley's book. I think the title would keep a lot of the HT mags from reviewing it, thinking it beneath them. And the authors clearly know how to have fun (they have sections on how to create your own drive-in and another on bathroom theater.) They cover home theater PCs and Windows XP Media Center PCs, as well as wireless projectors -- so this is truly up to day at publication time because these are relatively new things. (Harley's book does not even mention HTPCs and gives relatively small coverage to personal video recorders (PVRs) which HT for Dummies covers well. I'd say just get this book, but no one would believe me.

3. User Your PC To Build An Incredible Home Theater System. This is a niche book for the techies that like to build their own PCs. Sort of like me :-) I found it knowledgeable and fun, but like I said, you would not buy this book to build a home theater.

4. The Complete Idiots Guide to Home Theater Systems. I liked this book's coverage of budgets and little facts in the book. However there was nothing on HTPCs, the pricing is already dated, and there was nothing in it not covered in Home Theater for Dummies. So if I have to choose between being a Dummy or an Idiot, I'd say I'm a Dummy.

5. Build Your Home Theater In A Weekend. This was basically a waste of money. It was a nice effort, but outclassed by the competition above. It's not worth a longer review.

If you are looking to put a home theater in your home, I'd recommend Harley and Briere/Hurley. Briere/Hurley also wrote Smart Homes for Dummies which they referenced in the HT book -- I'm getting that now, because it basically tells me how to extend my home theater all over the house. Since I spent a lot of money on my home theater, I'm betting, based on HT4Dummies, that their book is worth the $$$.

My two cents.

I'm not sure of the edition I read; someone is borrowing itnow, but if this edition is anything like it, I would highly recommendit. The HyperCard in a Hurry book that I read was an excellent book that got me up and running on HyperCard in no time at all. First-time computer users can learn a great deal about their Macs as they learn how to use HyperCard productively. More experienced computer users will race through the book and come out with plenty of new skills. Beekman leads you through a sample project instructing you all the way in the use of all the tools used. Beekman is a good teacher. Beginners are able to build interesting and useful projects in only a few hours using the book. The presentation is extremely clear and simple and the whole process is a lot of fun. I have to warn buyers that HyperCard is like peanuts and with the skills you learn in this text, you will be immediately hooked and begin shirking your other chores in favor of imagining and then developing projects in HyperCard. Beekman's book was my first experience with HyperCard and soon after reading it I wrote two projects that both sold on their first trips out to publishers. What's more, one of them caught the fancy of an acquisitions editor and got me a book contract with a major publisher. Mil gracias por todo, Mr. Beekman.

I taught myself how to program HyperCard by just sitting down, reading the book, and doing the examples. Very clearly written