This book brought a realization to me. It touched my Heart to see how megan coped with her disability. It teaches a great life's lesson, about accepting who you are. It shows you just how hard a diability is. Unlike movies, where everything is perfect in a disabled person's life. That's just not how it is. Harris shows that it doesn't matter that a person is disabled they're still people. All the people in this heart warming story will teach you things you never thought of before, or have and have forgotten. This book will warm your heart and bring a smile to your face.

Megan was a normal girl. Happy, and carefree. Until the terrible accident that left her in the wheelchair, and shaped the rest of her life with a spinal cord injury. Determined to help her get on with her life. Megans family plans a trip to the lake cottage where they have vacationed every summer. Megan is reluctant to go, believing that nothing will ever be the same again. The trip starts out just as Megan had planned, bringing back painful memories of what had been. That's is until she meets Harris. Him and his Aunt Julia, a bitter actress, and her husband have rented the cottege next door. Megan is determined not to like Harris, but unknowingly, she begins to fall for him. Together they get throughout their problems, and figure out that you can do anything if you put your mind to it. This, by far is the best book I've read as far as tragedy goes. The Book, "Out of the blue." by Sarah Ellis, was similar yet different to this story. In this book, a young girl, also named Megan, finds out that her mother has another daughter. This is also about a life changing experience, and both characters are very stubborn to accept the change. I think that Megan is a powerful character, and strong role model for young girls everywhere. She is lost in deep depression but with the help of Harris, they pull each other out. I think the budding romance going on between the two is adorable. This book is for people who like to sit down by the fire and cozy up to a good book. There isn't much action, and it is definitely a female book. Even so I think that any audience of young readers would appreciate it.

Realistic, it gives you an insight to the thoughts and feelings of a physically handicapped person. It does not glorify paralysis unlike some movies. Brings up the problems that a physically handicapped person faces.

This work explores the history of massage as it pertains to cultural perspectives, including religious rite and ritual, exercise and movement programs, spas, sanitariums, midwifery, nursing, and sports. It provides an interesting and fascinating narrative that begins with a look at history from the perspective of how massage has been defined in different cultures and different times. It further explores the role of massage in the shamanic tradition, perhaps the most ancient of healing practices. It explores the use of massage in different regions of the ancient world and through to more modern times, where it has gained widespread acceptance even in more technocratic societies as a legitimate healing method that can relieve suffering and foster beneficial relationships. As the author states, "The true value of massage comes from the inherent need of humans to have contact with one another." Here is a narrative that will both inform and inspire.

Robert Noah Calvert's History Of Massage is an informative and illustrated history covers massage techniques and rituals from around the world through the ages, from its ongoing medical use as a therapy and curative to the varying techniques for addressing different illnesses and needs. A fascinating coverage of the evolution of massage techniques.

This volume breaks down the art of communications into 27 logical chapters. It's a well-written reference for students and teachers, trained communicators and part-time dabblers, government personnel and small business staffs. "The Communicator's Handbook" helps the reader focus on specific tasks, taking him through each step and asking questions along the way.

* Need to brush up on your writing skills? See chapter 2 (The Art of Good Writing).

* Your organization just elected you newsletter editor? See chapter 6 (Newsletters).

* You need to design an exhibit for an event? See chapter 9 (Exhibit Design and Production)

* You've been asked to speak? See chapter 14 (Public Speaking)

* Your agency suddenly need to reach the public with crucial information? See chapter 16 (Campaign Communications: Public Information Campaigns)

* You're teaching your first distance education class? See chapter 22 (Instructional Design for Distance Education)

* You're on the marketing committee? See chapter 25 (Organizational and Product Marketing)

* The public perceives risks that affect your business? See chapter 27 (Making Risk Communication Equitable)

"The Communicator's Handbook" is subtitled "Tools, Techniques and Technologies" - an appropriate summary of its versatility and range. It should become a part of a school reference library, a business's orientation manual and an agency's training materials.

Daniel Boone is an iconic figure in early American history, immortalized in legend and the famous painting "Daniel Boone Escorting Settlers Through the Cumberland Gap" by George Caleb Bingham. However, this juvenile biography by Patricia Calvert goes well beyond the figure of legend. The story of Daniel Boone begins with his family sailing from England for the New World because of the desire to own land. Daniel Boone was born in 1734 in western Pennsylvania and as he grew up it was clear this was a man to whom something beyond the mountains always whispered. As much, Calvert presents Boone as embodying the frontier spirit that would come to define the American character.

Calvert provides a comprehensive look at Boone's life, both as an explorer and as a family man. This is not an idealized version of Boone's life; Calvert covers such details as his problems with debt and the fact that during one of his long absences his wife, Rebecca, had a child by another man (Boone considered the child his own and she ended up vowing never to stray from his side). Young readers will learn about Boone's experiences in Braddock's War (where he served with George Washington), his early trips to Kan-ta-ke, the establishment of Boonesborough, and his capture by the Shawnees. It is easy to understand why Daniel Boone became the first truly mythic figure in American history.

"Daniel Boone: Beyond the Mountains" is illustrated with a few pictures somewhat contemporaneous to his life (e.g, the title page from "Life & Times of Col. Daniel Boone"). Calvert certainly manages to put together a complete picture of his life, although the documentation on Boone is rather scarce. I think young readers who are assigned to find out about the real Daniel Boone are going to be surprised at how much they learn from this book. Other volumes in the Great Explorations series are devoted to Captain James Cook, La Salle, Lewis and Clark, Ferdinand Magellan, and Robert E. Peary.

Glennis realizes that she will never have her old life back, the life before her father was sent to prison. The characters are really well drawn, their descriptions make them leap off of the page. This is a very good family type book, and would be recommended for student from the 6th grade through the 9th grade.

This is one of those books that I loved as a teen and continue to enjoy. It's a very sensitive portrayal of a shy, intellectual teenager who can't figure out how to deal with the death of her older sister. I love horses, which is what first drew me to this book, but it was JoBeth, the main character, who held my attention. Her pain, confusion, and anger are believably drawn, as is the difficulty she feels in expressing these emotions (or any others) to the people around her.

Feeling out of step with the world around you is probably common enough when you are JoBeth's age. (Or mine, come to think of it.) I like the ways in which Ms Calvert allows JoBeth to handle her feelings, and learn to deal with them.

This is a really touching book.

Story of young lad who sets out on a long journey to bring his father home. His papa remains loyal to the southern cause even though Lee has already surrnedered. When the boy finally finds his Pop,he is not the same man he remembers before the civil war.His pop seems to have more love for his troops than for his own family. This saddens the boy greatly. The only positive thing about this trip was the strange, yet loyal dog he met and named Bigger. If not for this dog the trip would have been all for nothing. This book was very well written,and descriped. Fans of Historical fiction will like this. Those looking for a happy ending may not. 1st. of a 3 part series. I look forward to reading the rest!

This amazing book is about a boy named Tyler. Tyler wants to go and find his father after the Civil War. On his way he meets a dog and he names it Bigger and this dog has a blue eye and one brown eye. After a while Tyler becomes a friend with Bigger.
I liked this book because it had a lot of excitement like when a stone hit Tyler. A boy named Issac threw the stone but you have to read the book to know if they become friends or enemies. The gist of this book is after the Civil War a boy named Tyler was looking for his father who did not come home but when he found his father he was trying to start another war. What I think the author is trying to say is that starting a new war doesn't change the old one.

I have read Bigger over a million times. It deserves every award it has earned and more. I have found the book to be the most interesting historical fiction book on the market. Patricia Calvert wrote THE BEST book anyone could buy.

A Review by Kristen

Sarah's sister Kim is coming home from college for the summer. The only problem is that she is bringing home her boyfriend Michael and he gets Sarah's room for the summer. Kim ends up getting a summer job so Sarah's dad decides to let Michael help him and Sarah with their dog kennel business so he ends up having to work with Sarah all summer. So now Sarah's upset, he get's her room and now she has to spend the summer with him. What could be worse? Well after Sarah and Michael spend a lot of time together she starts to like him. But just as she is beginning to like him, Kim is no so in love with him as she thought. Sarah learns why, a deep secret Michael has in his past. Sarah tries to keep them together, but will this situation work out for anyone?

I enjoyed this book very much because it had romance, which I personally enjoy reading, but not so much that it gets old after a while. The book was full of surprises that I would never have expected. What I didn't care for in this book though, was the fact that the book took place a lot at Sarah's dog training job. I wasn't to in to the animal thing so that part wasn't enjoyable for me. This book was easy to read and not difficult to understand.

I really enjoyed this book. I feel it is a book anyone can read, a boy or a girl, though it might be more preferable for a girl since there wasn't action or violence. If you're not into romance I wouldn't pick this book. But if you're into surprises that overthrows the romance and makes it better.

A review by: Anastasia
A slave girl, who finds her life boring and dull, is stuck in the middle of the harsh service of Jade Leaf. Claidi, who is but a teenager, seizes the chance of a lifetime. When she escapes with a prisoner, she finds herself in the sandy, bitterness of what the House calls "hell". She faces many challenges, but wouldn't take it back for the world.

This story had many extensive ways of drawing you in. I mean, for one the characters were expressed how a person in Claidi's position would express them. Claidi describes her feelings and what she thinks of a person on a level anyone would understand. For example, when she describes the way she feels for Nemian, it's the same type of unexplainable words people use trying to express the inexpressible feelins they have for other people. She tells about Argul, the Hulta leader, how she sees him: " He looked... astonishing. I mean, he did look the way a leader should. A young king. Polished black hair and eyes, tall and lean and tawny. He was covered in gold fringes and coins, and silver rings and things."

Michael, Wait for Me is a great book. It's about a family that trains dogs. Sarah Conelly is the main character and she is in middle school. She is the middle child in her family. She has a little brother named Joey and an older sister named Kimberlee. Kimberlee is coming home over the summer with her new boyfriend. His name is Michael and he's staying with the Connelly's for the whole summer! Sarah is very, very mad about this. Sarah will not be able to have any friends over for the whole summer. Sarah is upset but cannot do anything about it. She plans to ignore Michael for the whole summer. But, when she meets Michael, that doesn't exactly happen. Throughout the book, Sarah and Michael realize how much they have in common and become great friends. I think it is a truly touching and humerous story and everyone should read it.

The plot of Sooner is indeed not a ver normal one. There are two main problems that carry the book, one halfway, the other the rest. These problems, the mystery of Tyler's father and weeding of Tyler's mother and Elway Snepp are not very powerful to say the least. Basically Tyler lives and things happen to him on his quest to cope with the new times. Perhaps it isn't the most regular plot, but it will keep one reading to see what next act Tyler and his family commit. The word selection is reasonable in Sooner. No extraordinary vocabulary exists but Patricia Calvert relays her messages effectively with slight sparkles of brilliance and mystique scattered about the book. For an average young adult the vocabulary definitely shouldn't be too tough, perhaps one might even learn a word or two from Sooner. Since Sooner is historical fiction, historical accuracy is very important. The book's history is extremely accurate but before one reads it one should know that it isn't a history book that has been spiced up, it is a book that has facts and concepts poured into it. Sooner takes a few key concepts like Confederate soldiers not surrendering, hemp becoming a cash crop and blacks being liberated. The author then suffuses them with the plot to have many of the events to revolve around these facts. In this manner Sooner has a good deal of history packed into it, but then again, it isn't a history book to reiterate. It gives the basic concepts of what happened after the Civil War, that of which students could easily remember, an delivers them in an interesting manner. Sooner is the sequel to Bigger and has room for a sequel, with an extremely wide open ending. Patricia Calvert ends the book with Tyler venturing into the frontier, escaping from the perpetual ordeal he would have to endure if he stayed behind with Elway Snepp. Patricia Calvert writes many good books, this is one of them.

I always read children's literature to decide if and how I will use it in my classroom with my 4th/5th graders. I can see that Sooner will be a valuable addition to our bookshelf right next to Bigger. Patricia Calvert creates believable characters who exhibit real emotions when faced with hardships and difficult changes in their lives. Thirteen-year-old Tyler's mother, brother, and sister are left to survive on their own when the father does not return home after the Civil War. They continue to hope that Black Jack Bohanan will come home until a friend brings them a letter Black Jack wrote just before dying. Tyler had already started taking care of everyone and everything, being the head of the household in his father's absence, so he does not understand when his mother begins to ask for and take advice from a neighboring widower. When his mother decides to marry again, Tyler wrestles with a full range of emotions: sadness, anger, jealousy, and confusion. Patricia Calvert gives children the opportunity to identify with the family's problems presented in the book as they get an insightful look into the post-Civil War past.

this is the story of tyler and issac adventures when they set of to the west to find there place in the world. When they are given up as slaves to an Indian tribe, Thier world changes dramatcly. Tyler, who is white , is treated badly, while Issac, A black former slave, is treated with respect. Tyler is very confused at this. He realizes he is jealous, and begins to question how he treats other people, including Issac, and his own brother. Tyler realizes he has had privliges just because of who he is and the color of his skin. Tyler desperatly wants to escape yet Issac, who has never been treated so well is thinking of staying. This book is more than your simple action adventure story. It explores friendship, race, loyality, and other difficult choices that a boy must make before he becomes a man. This is the follow up to the excellent Bigger, and then Sooner.
All these stories are highly reccommended