where did she go

It helps to have been on an Iowa farm, I realize, but I found this book amazingly evocative. The pictures do it--the text is not by a person with an Iowa farm background, and, I am sorry to say, it shows. For instance on page 79 she talks of tying bales by hand. Maybe some people did such but I never heard of it--if one had no baler the hay was put up loose into a haymow, though I suppose there may have been balers which did not tie the bales even as in the far distant past there were binders which did not tie the bundles. Her discussion on threshing overlooks entirely a great tradition in I think most threshing rings: the afternoon lunch and often also the morning lunch. Minced ham sandwiches or hot dogs never tasted so good! But you cannot quarrel with what the pictures actually show, whether they correspond with one's own experience or not we know thay are authentic and effectively recall a time now gone. Do yourself a favor and get this book. You will savor it.

The Boy Who Drew Cats is a little hard to classify; it is both a ghost story and a monster story. I first read this story when I was about ten years old, and I have never forgotten it. This is a great story for Halloween, and a wonderful story if you love cats. It's sure to make you appreciate your own feline companion.

We are using this book as the text for a class for 5th and 6th grade girls at church. They really love it and are absorbing the spiritual truths from it more completely than we ever would have expected.

It is designed as an advice columnist. "Letters from readers" are presented and the portions of James that apply to the Biblical truths related to the questions and issues presented are studied. Then, the class "writes" a response incorporating those truths.

The book looks fun and includes some crossword puzzles, opportunities to draw, etc and the kids love it, but it is also a quality Bible study that keeps the students interest and includes scripture memorization and application in situations the targeted age group can relate to. I fully recommend this book, or any of Kay Arthur's materials to anyone who wants a substantive but doable Bible study.

Koestler is a remarkable man, and his work is the product of his many experiences. Disillusioned member of the Russian communist party, imprisoned during the Spanish civil war,refugee from the holocaust, philosopher, scientist, historian, Koestler comments on many subjects from quantum physics to ESP to evolution. It is rare to find so many insights with so little dogma. A true multi-disciplinarian, he is essential reading for anyone developing a life-view. "Bricks to Babel" is part auto-biographical, part essay, and part extracts from Koestler's key works. It's a must-read for anyone familiar with Koestler's work, and a perfect introduction for anyone who isn't. Hard to find, but worth waiting for

I was first introduced to this book by my voice instructor about six months ago. It contains valuable information about many of the most commonly performed arias in the soprano repertory. Each aria is translated both word for word and idiomatically. A summary of each opera is given as well as measure-by-measure suggested staging. Suggestions are also given for the cadenzas. This book has really made a difference in how I perform some of my arias. I highly recommend it.

Desperation can be the source of wisdom. I've known for a year that this fall I'll be teaching restoration and 18th century drama. Worse, I volunteered to do so. Worse yet, as of yesterday I had only 7 weeks left in which to pick a text of plays. And absolutely worst of all, while trying to look up restoration and 18th century texts on the Web, I found my own course staring me in the face: "English 232, Smith College, Gillian Kendall". Yikes! It was definitely time to find a text.

Nettleton saved me. I had been about to order a completely new edition of the plays (sample copy graciously sent to me by the publisher), albeit the edition was in many ways, well, let's say "not quite right for the course". Then I went to the library. Despite the recommendation of a friend -- a renowned 18th century expert -- I had been suspicious of Nettleton. The copyright on the edition I looked at was 17 years before I was born (sorry about the ageism, Mr. Nettleton). But the volume has everything. Lovely grandiose heroic drama (but not too much of it); Dryden's adaptation of Shakespeare's *Antony and Cleopatra*; five classic comedies of manners (the backbone of restoration drama), and a pleasant smorgasbord of the best of the 18th century.

I have a text. My students have a text. Life is good.

Hal Thau's career, as with most high achievers, is a study of perseverance, determination and introspection. As he discusses the "pioneering spirit" in one chapter, the reader sees clearly through his examples and experiences that Thau does indeed have the pioneering spirit...and the ability to work with others (actors, entertainers, etc.) who also have it to help them "focus." I found his mix of sharing about the celebrities he managed and the personal glimpses of his own life and values excellent. I also appreciated Thau's poetic way of expressing things...his observations and introspection are thoughtfully and often poignantly expressed... It is so very interesting to read of this man's success in show business/management/producing and to also see he has kept his feet on the ground. His is an example of a life in which both worldly success and personal success are achieved and balanced. I highly recommend this book for all who share an entrepreneurial spirit--for all who seek to follow their dreams...it is an inspiring and insightful book...

This is one of the funniest books. One of my co-workers laughed so hard while reading it her mascara ran down her face. I've used it in Pre-school storytime all week and its been very popular with the 3 to 5 year old crowd. The illustrations are priceless and the charaters a riot.

Even though Building Library Collections by Arthur Curley and Dorothy Broderick was last updated 1985, this book is an indispensable tool in realm of building library collections. The book is well written and the examples are clear and concise. In fact, I would recommend this book to anyone remotely interested in the field of library science. I especially like the chapters concerning censorship since it has very good remedies on how to deal with this volatile issue.