I found this book interesting, fast and easy to read, but must confess that I had not considered the plight of many foster children and foster parents. Especially poignant during a holiday season. I found the book somewhat disjointed, since there were no real chapters, but many short segments, each introduced by a line from a Christmas carol. Sections shifted focus from one teenager (or child or adult) to another, so it requires literary flexibility. Desite the lack of a clearcut protagonist, I think it would make a good TV movie.

As the book jacket proclaims; the kids desire so much (a ski trip, expensive sneakers, nothing less than a new and permanent family, and maternal closure for a grieving older sister). Yet the adults who control these kids' lives leave so much to be desired: Liz' parents--clueless about the true meaning of Christmas--honestly love her, but only wish to impress the World, so they set poor examples of compasison and charity. Perhaps a few fathers are as close to perfect as Mr. Knight, but I feel that most congregations would respond the same way if confronted by a Christmas Eve disaster-- even that of a stranger. Let your heart go out to the needy children in the community--this book is an inspiration to churches and social agencies to bring joy to orphans, poor and foster kids with no home to call their own. The ending satisfies..

"What Child is This?" was another good book by Caroline B. Cooney, but not her best, as the characters weren't as realistic as usual and the ending was rather predictable.

Liz, 16, seems to have the ideal family for Christmas because her wealthy parents always decorate to the peak during the holidays. However, things are not completely happy at her home when Liz's older sister loses a baby, and also when Liz discovers that her parents don't really care about the meaning of Christmas.

16-year-old Matt, on the other hand, is a hardened foster child who is secretly happy to have new foster parents who care about his grades and his life. When his foster parents also care for an 8-year-old, Katie, he becomes attached to the little girl.

Matt and Liz both want Katie to have what she really wants for Christmas: a family. But hope is being lost, and time is running out. Can Katie - not to mention Matt and Liz - have their Christmas wishes come true?

This was a sweet, touching story, appropriate for almost all ages. It would make a good family read about the real meaning of Christmas.

I thought this a wonderful Book and would recomend it to all. And for people who only think of themselves. I think this book would totally change their minds. Its About a little girl named Katie, a foster child, who gets to pick one wish and they will put it on a christmas tree in a restuarant on a tree and if that child is lucky someone will pick their wish and buy it for that child. Even though Katie says all she wants is a casset radio, what she really wants is a family. Two sixteen yr. old help make this possible. Read this book, it is truly a great story and it teachs you what christmas really is and how christmas isn't perfect for everyone and we should help. Buy this book and enjoy!

This book follows the lives of four different girls and their boyfriend. And there is at least one girl that you can relate with. Wheter it's Anne, the beautiful and seemingly perfect one who has to deal with giving her baby up for adoption, or Kip who has to change herself in order to be with the guy she loves, or Emily who's parents are splitting up and has to face the reality of not having anywhere to live, or Beth Rose who wants her boyfriend to want her all the tim, not just some of the time. This book is a very nice young adult romance and I reccomend you read it

I love the book. It's about 5 girls teenagers who mostly are about senior and going to college. And they have their own problems. Anne Stephen, who problem was having a baby and she going to the Last Dance with her boyfriend, Con Winters, and she was embarassed and just one to survive the dance. Kip Elliot, who was having boyfriend problems. Her boyfriend, Mike Robinson, will take her to Lasr Dance but just taking her "as friend". And he doesn't semm interest in her anymore. Emily Edmundson, having family problem, whose mother and father doesn't care for her, want her boyfriend Matt O'Conner help her to make it right. Beth Rose Chapman, who was having romance problem. She want Gary Anthony to love her back and more than anything. Molly Nelmes, who was got rejected by Con Winters, are out there having revenge and trying to make Con stay with her. Will these 5 girls having their time and their lives and their dreams comes true or this will be the last Last Dance forever? Will the Last Dance would be the night that are romantic, heartbreaking and wonderful for them? It will be a dance they will never forget!

I absolutely love this book! I've read it countless times over the past 3 years, but I never get tired of it! Although, having been published in 1989, it's a little outdated, anyone who loves teen romance should read it!

I really enjoyed this book because it wasn't just about some pretty girl who wins a pagaent, and her self pitying sister. It has a great message too: you don't have to be gorgeous to make it in life. It also lets you know that even top beauty contestents, like Dane, get jealous of others, and have problems too. Scottie-Annie was a really great character, and her personality was really nice, too. Everybody should read this book.

I could really feel what Scottie-Anne was going through throughout the entire book. How would you feel if your sister was little miss perfect beauty queen and you were just a regular person? You probably wouldn't feel that special. The whole book is about Scottie-Anne realizing she doesn't have to be like her sister to be special. Or anyone else. She just has to be herself. I absolutely love this book!!! If you like Caroline B. Cooney you'll like this book!

I really loved this book. Scottie-Anne, her parents and friends are delightful characters who are all drawn in to the world of beauty pageants because Scottie-Anne's prima donna of a sister has been a veteran of pageants since infancy. Scottie-Anne is unwittingly entered into a school pageant and much to her dismay, her sister supervises and advises the middle-school set. I like the way Scottie-Anne's parents took an interest in her, even though she was not in pageants and I like the way Scottie-Anne refused to wear a ghastly dress her sister picked out for her. The only thing I did not understand was why the girl's mother would trust Prima Donna's judgment in picking something. Prima Donna Dane should have known that Scottie-Anne was not trying to usurp her place in the beauty industry. I am glad Scottie-Anne got her own dress, her own interest and her own identity. This book was a good one.

CHAPTER FOUR
CONNECTICUT RIVER
MARCH 2, 1704
TEMPERATURE 10 DEGREES

Ruth is getting mad at everybody for what they did or should have done. She gets a knife from an Indian and tries to kill herself but the Indian stops her. Mercy tells Eben to ask Indians his name cause they like it. Indians were deciding who deserved captivity, not life. Being property was an honor. Mercy and Eben learn 21 words of the Indians language by the night. Eben is sent to get firewood and he understands and is happy, cause he will be warm and they can dry their clothes. Indians found 20 moose under the snow and cooked it up. The people were so hungry that they ate it half-raw, because they didn't have the patience to cook it. Sally Burt is the only one that is let to walk with her husband because she is eight months pregnant. Ruth is getting mad because Eben and Mercy are learning the Mohawk language, and that they just left their town behind them. She also keeps talking about ransom. A word they must cherish. Mercy says Eben has to make friends so they don't kill him, cause otherwise he will be next. Mercy now has an Indian name, her name is Munnonock. Mercy is wondering why they came to Deerfield, she thinks that they might need children. Mercy is turning into and Indian because she is getting interested in the language.

CHAPTER FIVE
LEAVING THE Connecticut River
MARCH 8,1704
TEMPERATURE 40 DEGREES

Mercy is realizing that he is an Indian and she is letting her parents down. Everybody starts going in different directions. Mercy stays with Eben, Sarah, Joseph, Ruth and Eliza. Indians can't find food but they don't worry, only the prisoners worry. Mercy tells Ruth that her name, Mahakem, means "Fire eats her". Joe and Eben search for food while the girls stay by the fire. Eben and Joe go south with masters with bows and arrows because arrows were quicker to reload then guns and they are quieter. Eben shoots a rabbit with the arrow but on the way back Eben has to carry a deer's carcass on his back. Ruth wants to escape; she doesn't want to be a slave. Ruth slips over a cliff but is hanging on and her master, otter, pulls her up then she pushes him over the edge. Ruth then goes down and saves him and says that she didn't want to do it, but she doesn't want to be like you.

CHAPTER SIX
ST LAWRENCE RIVER FRENCH CANADA
APRIL 10, 1704
TEMPERATURE 44 DEGREES.

They meet a priest who praises to the Indians then tells them that's they will be all right and that they will be sold to good French families. Father Meriel buys Eliza. Mercy begs to go with him and realizes the priest is a nice guy. He goes around and blesses everyone except Ruth gets mad at him and tells him not to do it again. Mercy gets to stay in a house and eats warm food and gets washed and treated stays warm. Sally Burt has a baby boy and she bit down on a cylinder piece of wood to absorb the pain. Indians bring many gifts for the baby. Baby is baptized in four different languages; English, French, Mohawk and Latin.

CHAPTER SEVEN
KAHNAWAKE
APRIL 20,1704
TEMPERATURE 56 DEGREES

Married couples would live apart but while she slept they would do what married couples do right in front of everybody. Nistenha wouldn't let Mercy and Ruth speak English. Eben and Sarah are sold to people in Lorette. Eben now looks like and Indian. French and Indians start exchanging gifts to celebrate what they are already did, with the war. Mercy gathers corn berries, nuts, and squash in a basket with Nistenha. She is told it was done very well. Ruth gets a new name, its Spukumenen meaning "let the sky in". The reason they went to Deerfield was to get prisoners so they could exchange Batiste with them in Boston. Batiste was caught sinking English ships.

CHAPTER EIGHT
KAHNAWAKE
AUGUST 1704
TEMPERATURE 75 DEGREES

Its summer and children are playing and not wearing clothes. Mercy was swimming and made moccasins and learned how to make neat things. They would use beer grease to keep the mosquitoes away. Joseph is being adopted and is going to become catholic. Joseph is telling Mr. Williams about how the Indians are his family and Mr. Williams tells them how they should not listen to the priest, not to become catholic, and not to say prayers. Mercy realizes that it doesn't matter what language she speaks just as long as she keeps the commandments.

CHAPTER NINE
MONTREAL
OCTOBER 1704
TEMP 55 DEGREES

Mercy is finally going to see the city and its decided that she gets a new name. Her new name, meaning "flying legs" is Gassinontie. It is so because she ran since she could walk. Mercy meets her cousin and Mary says that Mercy has become a savage and turned into an Indian. Mary's parents want to buy Mercy but Nistenha says no. Mercy runs into Eben and Sarah. Eben is fine but Sarah wants her home. She has been adopted by a French family and she wants ransom. They already have a husband picked out for her. If she is to marry she will marry into the religion, which she does not want to do. Eben tells Sarah that he loves her and he will marry her. She says yes and starts crying tears of joy. They wonder if they will be allowed to, and if so when will it happen.

Some people may know that I am a Caroline B. Cooney nut. I believe this is the twelfth book I have read by her. I have loved each and every book I have read by her, but somehow, the Ransom of Mercy Carter seems to stand out. It's different from her other novels, deeper, almost. The Ransom of Mercy Carter tells the story of, well, Mercy Carter, an eleven year old girl whose town (Deerfield, Massachusetts) is destroyed by Indians in 1704. She and many other children from Deerfield are forced to march to Canada on their own foot power. Mercy, at the tender age of eleven, saw terrible hardships- scalpings, murder, kidnap, her life being pulled from her in an instant.

Mercy hated to see this happen, but she was one of the first children to begin to accept the Indian culture. She was among the first to be given a Mohawk name, and among the first to learn the Mohawk language. When Mercy is brought into a Mohawk town in Canada, she begins to accept the culture. And the question is- if ransom ever comes, will Mercy accept it?

This story touched my heart in many ways. It was another Cooney masterpiece, well-written and suspenseful. But this book was somehow different. It wasn't the typical mystery of Cooney, it was something more. It was a heartfelt yet historic story, and it has me thirsty for more information about Mercy Carter and the children of Deerfield. I would reccommend this book to anyone, boy or girl, young or old or anywhere in between, who is looking for a great novel that will have you thinking for days.

The Ransom of Mercy Carter was the best book I have read in a long time. It is about an 11 year old girl who lives in Deerfield, Massachusetts. She lives there with her stepmama and her father. Also with her siblings Benny, Marah, Tommy, John, and Sam. They are an English family living in this small village with many other families hiding from Indian raids. Then one night the indians come and take all the children that they can and many of the adults. Mercy's father is away buying things needed for the family. The indian's take almost every item belonging to the many families and burn all the buildings. Then they take the children and parents on a 3 hundred mile trek to Canada. Along the way many people become ill or hurt and die. Many are murdered out of pure hatred of the indians. Mercy and her family are spared all but her stepmama and Marah who are too weak and cry too much and have their lives taken by the indians. Then the indians take the children they want to adopt and go to their villages that they live in. The Carter family is completely seperated. Then it tells what happens to them in their lives and how they live. Mercy is torn between wanting to be ransomed and staying with the indians. I really enjoyed this because it told about indian life in the villages and how life was in the early 1700s. I deeply encourage you to read this book.This is the first book I have read by Caroline B. Cooney and I am looking forward to reading many, many more. ;)

Marine MacDonald is in love with Joel, the all-American jock at her school and everything seems perfect in life when-BHAM! Her parents break the news to her that they're moving. And it isn't just Marine's family that is moving with her-her parents' friends and their annoying son Lucas, whom Marine despises, are moving with the MacDonalds. Could life get any worse? Apprently so, because the farm in North Carolina is to be shared by both familes, and in an attempt to simplify life and get back to nature, (in a sort of Amish-Commune way) there will be no telephones, electricty or grocery shopping. No more make up, fast food, or after school activities either. In fact school takes a back seat to helping her parents on the farm since milking goats, picking apples and making sweaters is the only way the families want to earn money.

Suddenly, things start to change for Marine; Lucas doesn't look so annoying anymore and life isn't as dismal as it once seemed. Marine starts to fall in love with him. The only problem? Lucas doesn't realize she even likes him!

A romance through and through, this is one of Cooney's first books for teenagers and a wonderful read on a rainy day.

I was feeling nostalgic, thinking of my favorite teenage paperback, which i lost and had wished i had been able to find, and read again (even tho i have read it probably 30 times), when i got the bright idead to search here! I will be buying it, and just to let anyone who stumbles across the page know, its a GREAT book for a young teenage girl!

I thought this book was excellent! I could relate strogly to many of the hilarious situations the main character got herself into! Anyone ages 10 to 14 with an average reading level will enjoy this superbly written book! It's a "must read". I believe even boys will like this book!

This was an outstanding book. I love how Kelly finally hooked up with the snobiest guy in school, Will, and realized that he was an ok guy. I also like that Kelly's brother got with Kelly's best friend, Faith. I would love to read this again and again.

If you love Caroline B. Cooney, or even if you have never read one of her books, I highly reccomend this book to anyone. It has love, sex, drama, suspense, mystery, and intrigue. Is the main character trying to save a murderer? Or is she trying to keep her personal life a secret? You will just have to read it to find out.

She reached for the door handle, but there wasn't one. She ran her hand over knobs and latches, armrests and protrusions. There was no way out! It was like the back of the police car. You could get in by yourself but you needed help getting out.
"I removed it, Rose," said the deep voice of the murderer. "There is no way out, no point in trying." This is one scene from the book Fatality by Caroline B. Cooney. It is a very action pack thriller written by a wonderful author, known for her mysteries.
Rose Lymond is an average teen, that is, with one exception. Rose knows secrets the cops want. Four years ago, Frannie Bailey was killed. Not just an accident, it was a murder. The weekend of the murder, Rose was on her way to spend the weekend at Angelica Lofft's summerhouse. In fact, they were there minutes before the victim was murdered.
When the cops reopen the case, they immediately go to Rose's house. They take her diary from the year of the murder. She steals it back and destroys all the evidence. From then on, Rose's normal everyday life is turned up side down. How far will the murderer go to keep her quiet?
This is a must read for anyone that loves mystery. This story really makes you understand what Rose is going through. You feel scared for her life at times, while at other times you are overjoyed and proud. Sometimes you just won't believe what you're reading. It's a really touching story that shows you the real meaning of life, love, and forgiveness. We would definitely recommend this book to anyone 12 and up that knows what it's like to have a secret that you'd do anything to keep quiet.

By:
Fajitas and Shari Schultzman

I first saw this book in a bookstore and was like.. wow that looks like a boring book.. but i bought it anyways.. i started reading it on a saturday and 5 hours later i was DoNE!!! it was the best book i've ever reaD! it was so awesome how everyone knew bout Rose's Diary but she htought she was the only one.. adn all the secrets are different.. i could never put down the book after a chapter.. it was very truly awesome!! Caroline is such an awesome AuthoR!!! it was wickED!! DEFINETELY REaD IT!!!!!!!

I had no idea Clooney was writing a fourth one! Just walking though the the book store one day and... huh..All of TIME. Anyways, assuming most of you have read the previous three or plan to....
The story is centered around Strat and Annie(thankfully!)and takes place completely in Eygpt at the pyramids. It includes a lot of eygptian history, which is cool especially if you know a lot about it. On the flip side, I missed the East coast, the ball gowns, carriages, etc.
Like the previous books, new characters enter the story and narrate their own chapters. At first, it was kind of slow and I was eager to find out how their stories would to relate to each other. If you absolutely adore Strat and Annie, it might be a bit frustrating, I admit to reading a little faster when it wasn't Strat or Annie. The two new main ones are Camilla and an Egyptian girl. Annie has her own adventure way back in time(before Strat's time)while Camilla, a poor girl given a chance to get revenge on Hiram Stratton Sr., is in 1899 with Strat. Many interesting twists in the plot.
I read this book in one day and would definately say it's better than Prisoner in Time. If one thing bothered me it was that Strat and Annie are separated too much of the time. There are some sweet moments though(Strat still has the lock of hair!)and the ending(which is kinda a "kick") left me teary eyed.
It seems like Clooney left some room for another book? It gives some closure, but not enough. Geez, she could make a whole other series out of it. okay, I won't say any more!

I am not normally a big fan of Caroline Cooney, but her time quartet is among my favorite books. For All Time is the conclusion to the series, which started with Both Sides of Time, Out of Time, and Prisoner of Time. In the book, Annie is missing Strat. She's hoping to find a way to meet him again, and her main idea is to visit the ancient Egypt museum while her parents and brother are away.
But time pulls Annie further back than she expected. She finds herself in ancient Egypt, where she meets Renifer. Renifer is convinced that Annie was sent by the gods, and she thinks even more so when her father and boyfriend turn out to be grave robbers! Renifer and Annie find themselves in trouble when the pharoah decides to sacrifice them.
Meanwhile, Strat finds himself in trouble as well. His father has come to collect him and have him locked up again, as he was in the book Out of Time. When one of Strat's fathers spies places a gold sandal in his belongings, Strat isn't sure what to do. This book is good, and has a very interesting ending, and I honestly wasn't able to put it down. Too bad the series had to end like this, though.

I started this series thinking it would be something to occupy me while my life was utterly dull, but as I finished the first novel in the series, I became psycho. The story of Annie and Strat was so compelling that I dropped everything and read. I forced people to take me to buy the rest of the books and I finished the series in less than one work week. Simply divine was the story. The way Strat was so in love with her and her with him but time proving a barrier; I simply melt at the thought. 'For All Time' was my favorite of the series. I just made such a riveting conclusion that I dreamt about this book forever. The ending was questionable, if you misenterpret it, it seems completely tragic, but if you are in sightful, the ending creates tears of joy. All the obstacles that Strat and Annie have to face are so surreal that you have to read the page over again to make sure you read correctly. That is why I enjoyed the series and specifically 'For All Time'.

This is a very well-written book, as are all of this author's. However, I felt that there was not enough action, and that things moved a bit slowly. The conclusion was satisfying. I did enjoy the book, but I would recommend choosing another of Cooney's books, such as Twins or The Face on the Milk Carton.

I loved this book because it kept me off the edge of my seat the whole time! I thought it was one of her best books and highly recommend it to all Caroline B. Cooney fans. I only gave it 4 stars because I don't know what's going to happen to "Sam the Baby".

I have read most of Cooney's books and this is one of the best! It keeps on your seat throughout, and you never get bored! You wonder what will happen to "Sam the baby," and the book has twists and turns you would never expect! I couldn't put it down!

How can any respectable person like this book? The inaccuracies are numerous and laughable. The author giving Helen four children is sickening. In all respectable versions of this story Helen has one daughter - Hermione. The author said she followed the Iliad. I seriously disagree!

Also, nothing goods happens to Anaxandra! It's one horrible event after another until you just can't stand it anymore. The author plays with the characters and makes it a depressing story. Granted the Trojan war isn't a happy story, but still!

And how she slaughters the characters Andromache and Hector! She describes Hector as ugly and huge. In every version I've read Hector is a handsome, tall man, not what Caroline B. Cooney describes. And Andromache and Hector are married before the war begins, not just betrothed! How can she make Andromache fifteen? I'm sorry, things just don't work that way.

You want some advice? Don't read this book if you have the least little bit of respect for Greek mythology. And if you want something happy to read, well, forget Goddess of Yesterday.

I just loved this book! I have been a fan of Caroline B. Cooney's for years ever since I read Face on the Milk Carton and this is just another great story. I can see how her version of events may not follow with other peoples but who cares! That is why it's called fiction after all. The heroine is a wonderful person, I really cared about her. I loved the world Cooney put me in when reading this book and would recomend it to anyone who likes Cooney's work.

Caroline Cooney could make me enjoy her version of a phone book but I particularly applaud this cleverly written novel of ancient Troy. She has created a heroine with personality and courage, and has vividly depicted characters such as Helen, Paris and Menelaus. Highly recommended.

Other Cooney favorites are The Party's Over and the Janie books.