This beautifully organized book provides an easy-to-follow guide for establishing butterfly, bird, and insect habitats in your own garden. Host plants, nectar plants, and food sources (both native and non-native) including annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees, and vines are listed for both butterflies and birds. Maintenance of the habitat garden is detailed with specific suggestions. Additional sections explain the importance of encouraging beneficial insects, the beauty and role of ponds in the garden, and special advice on "how to" start your own habitat garden. Color photographs provide a visual guide while spot illustrations and quotations provide inspiration and encouragement. A "must" for any Bay Area gardener.

This is a beautiful little book, a real jewel that makes providing a pleasing habitat for both our wild friends and ourselves an easy task. It certainly inspired me to add more habitat plants to my garden, and I reap the benefits daily. I especially loved how she put the plant photos on the outside page edges so I can flip through and relocate the information I want quickly. This book should also be useful for many people outside the SF Bay Area. Providing wildlife habitat is so important now.

CORRECTION TO PREVIOUS REVIEW: Two of the three Punsylvania books, Mrs. Bretsky's Bakery and Beli's Deli, were selected best books for three years in a row by the International Reading Association and CHILDREN'S Book Council. The children themselves were the judges. FIVE STARS NOT FROM AUTHORS BECAUSE WE CAN'T BE OBJECTIVE ABOUT HOW MANY STARS BOOKS RECEIVE. (THIS IS A NOTE FROM THE AUTHORS.)

Two of the three Punsylvania books, Mrs. Bretsky's Bakery and Beli's Deli, were selected best books for three years in a row by the International Reading Association and Book Council. The children themselves were the judges. (authors)

This is the first book I have read on the subject of stepparenting that did not try to sugar coat this sometimes painful situation. The voices of the women quoted in this book are open and honest. This is not an easy read as it will tap into any pain you have had as a stepparent. It is worth the pain.

An old woman, who may or not be real, appears to a struggling pastor and gives her wisdom in a funny, provocative way. This is an extremely unusual book of sermons. I can not recall anything even resembling this collection. This book will be both popular and controversial.

Jenna Boller is a young woman who is determined to make something of her life. She is determined to maintain her values. She is determined to rise above the circumstances of having an alcoholic father, an alzheimer-ridden grandmother, and a little sister that is of little support. Jenna sells shoes. Or at least she sells shoes until the president of Gladstone Shoe Stores, Mrs. Gladstone hires her to drive her from store to store from Chicago all of the way down to Dallas where the big stockholder meeting is held. Along the way, Jenna does not only learn about the value of shoes, but the value of holding onto quality both in purchases and in character. It is this value of quality that lead Mrs. Gladstone and Jenna to try to resist a corporate takeover by business guru Ken Woldman, and Mrs. Gladstone's son, Elden. The book is well written, though the characterization lacks depth at points. The book is a feel good story if there ever was one... but it does not make the mistake of getting overly sappy and ridiculous. Rules of the Road is definitely more than worth the read.

The basic plot may sound dumb (Shoe Salesgirl and Old Lady Tour Country?s Shoe Stores to Save Old Fashioned Values) but there are a lot of other things under the surface. Jenna has just gotten her license and is happy to take this trip with Mrs. Gladstone because her absentee, alcoholic father is back in town. Jenna also has a grandmother suffering from Alzheimer?s so Jenna has to help her hold on to her memories for as long as possible. Like many children of alcoholics, Jenna feels that she has to protect everyone, so this trip away from home gives Jenna time to focus on her.

Like most teenagers, Jenna has a lot of opinions that most adults tend to ignore, so this trip also gives her a chance to be heard. I loved how Jenna developed over the story and came to trust herself more. The ending wraps up the shoe store story line a little too perfectly, but beyond that I loved this book! It would be great poolside reading. Have a good summer.

I read this book because my friend recommended it to me. I picked it up and didn't put it down until I had finished it. The story follows Jenna, a teenager who not only sells shoes, but is happy doing so. Jenna is asked to be a driver for the summer for the finnicky owner of the chain of shoe stores she works at. Jenna is taken on a road trip learning about driving, shoes, and life in general, as well as learning to deal with her alcoholic absent father.

I was touched by this book. It is told in such an honest manner, you couldn't help but feel like you not only knew but were friends with Jenna. I was entertained by Mrs. Gladstone, the elderly owner of Gladstone Shoe Stores.

I would definitely recommend this book to my friends.