One of the most extraordinary memoirs that we had the pleasure to read is John Walsh: tears of Rage, co-written by Susan Schindehette. This memoir begins with John Walsh convincing the reader how "emotionaly strong" he is. He does this by mentioning experiences that he had to deal with in the past. Although these experiences were heart breaking, John handled the situation and got the job done. John Walsh had to deal with many morrible experiences in his life, but it only made him stronger in what he could deal with.
John Walsh goes into the details about his son, Adam, who was kidnapped in 1981 at a local Sears store by an unknown assailant. In the memoir Mr. Walsh tells his readers all the things the police and him went through trying to locate his son. Mr. Walsh also worked on all cases that may have anyhting to do with his sons kidnapping. But in the end he couldnt do anything to save his son. He thought his neighborhood was safe so he couldn't understand how something like this could happen.
One of the main things that Walsh wanted to get across to his readers is that there is no where safe anymore. That everyone has to watch out and try to stop these horrible acts from happening to our loved ones.
Tears of Rage ended with a great and powerful conclusion. The conclusion is about how John deals with his son's death, and what he does about the loss. Mr. Walsh also said that he would devote all his time to the public from now on, he is doing this with his show, America's Most Wanted. The show tells the public about unsolved crimes by getting the faces of the criminals out to the public so they can identify them.
We rated this memoir a 4 star, and the reason for this is because it is a great read that talks about life and how to handle all the problems that are envolved with it. So, if you want an awesome read, pick up John Walsh: Tears of Rage, you won't regret it.

An amazing book that gives a raw, honest account of a man's struggle to solve the mystery of his son's death, and then to institute measures to facilitate others' similar searches. Walsh's narrative is painful to read, yet essential to communicate the depths of his feelings and to explain the intensity behind his search and chosen life's mission. He is driven beyond words, and has done an incredible amount of work throughout the country for missing persons and abducted children, not the least of which is the program he is know for creating (America's Most Wanted).

This book is shocking in its exposure of the police incompetence and lack of statutory law Walsh faced throughout his quest, and in its description of the lengths he had to go to in order to get assistance and, ultimately, (some) answers. A salient point is that Walsh discovered (and describes in the book) a wealth of legislation and safety measures afforded to criminals, yet an appalling lack of the same for victims and their families. Walsh took it upon himself to make things happen for the sake of victims, including helping to enact legislation regarding missing children, assisting with the creation of nationwide databases of missing persons and unidentified corpses, and instituting the dissemination of missing kids' images (like the faces seen on the back of milk cartons). Walsh continues to run himself ragged pursuing his life's work of helping missing children and their families, seemingly at the cost of everything else.

In addition to the telling of an incredible tale, Walsh is an exciting, and surprisingly witty, narrator that keeps the reader entertained amidst the recounting of tragedy. He is a true hero in every sense of the word. Simply put, without people like John Walsh, change for the better is impossible; anyone with kids should be grateful that he was able to turn his bitter tragedy into something so positive.

Every parent should read this book. The author makes us very aware of the scumbag by-products of abuse and neglect that walk this earth in search of innocent children to exploit for their own selfish pleasure. Instead of letting this horrible tragedy break them, John and Reve Walsh dragged themselves up from the absolute pits of their terrible nightmare to change the priorities of a foolish country that cares more about stolen cars than stolen kids. It is also gratifying to know that John Walsh joined forces with the incredible genius of ex-FBI special agent Robert Ressler (author: Whoever Fights Monsters). John Walsh is responsible for bringing to our attention that these pedophiles and lunatics are everywhere and must be stopped. THIS COULD HAPPEN TO ANYONE'S CHILD!! This book is emotionally hard to read. Your heart will go out to these two people for their grief and we can all be thankful that they cared enought to turn their tragedy around to help others.

I adore Anne, but Emily is a Kindred Spirit. I've read all of L.M. Montgomery's books, and this one is, without doubt, the very best. And yes - it IS better than Anne of Green Gables.

Emily of New Moon has all the elements of a well-written novel. It has tragic scenes that aren't overly dramatic: the quiet death of her father makes me cry no matter how many times I've read it. It's inspiring: even as a young girl, she struggles with ambition. It's endearing: who could forget the happy, childish adventures of Emily and Ilse? Most of all, it has a sense of humor! (Though, I must point out, LMM's funniest scene ever is in Emily's Quest, where she reads the reviews of her first novel.)

People love Anne because of her sweetness. Emily isn't sweet--she's real. As the narrator writes (I'm paraphrasing) "Many people liked her, many disliked her; no one was ever wholly indifferent to her." My very favorite book.

Emily of New Moon is starry, poignant, and captivating. Orphaned Emily Byrd Starr comes to New Moon lonely and friendless, to live with her Mother's relations, the Murrays.

The Murrays are not willing to take her in, but are proud and consider it their duty to bring Emily up, as she is a member of their clan. Her Aunt Elizabeth brings her the New Moon, and is cold and harsh and stern. But her sweet Aunt Laura, and kindly Cousin Jimmy provide Emily with support.

In Emily's imagination, loyal friends Ilse Burnley, Teddy Kent and Perry Miller, as well as her passionate love of writing, Emily finds hope and friendliness in her new World.

Emily is often compared to Anne of Green Gables, but they hold their differances. Anne is all liveliness and hot temper and sweetness; Emily is vivid, both light and dark, with enough mystery in her to allure.

This book is beautifully written and delicate, full of subtle wit and humour, and wonderful complexity as it describes Emily's adventures while living at New Moon. Emily is spirited and charming and ambitious, and the Emily series portray a unique child developing into womanhood.

After finishing Anne of Green Gables, I decided to pick up another L. M. Montgomery book. I was all set to pick up another Anne book, but then I found Emily of New Moon. I decided to try this book, to see if L. M. Montgomery could capture the beauty of words in another novel. She did.

Emily of New Moon tells the story of young Emily Byrd Starr, who is left an orphan at the tender age of eleven. Her mother's family draws lots to decide who should take Emily in, and the lot fell to the Murrays of New Moon. Stern Aunt Elizabeth, loving Aunt Laura, and simple Cousin Jimmy brought Emily to New Moon Farm, where she had all sorts of adventures and basically just learned the lessons of life. Emily is a young heroine who many can relate to.

L. M. Montgomery has written another beautiful novel. Emily's character is well-developed and lifelike, and New Moon seemed just like a real place to me. For anyone who is looking for a real piece of literature, Emily of New Moon or any of L. M. Montgomery's other works are the books for you!

Sara's Children is about the survival of 4 sisters and 1 brother before, during and after the Holocaust. The gradual signs of anti-Semitism are presented in such a subtle and realistic fashion that it's chilling to read. The psychological terror they endured in the camps almost seems worse than the deprivation. In spite of the horrible, depressing subject, this book is uplifting and inspirational because you come to know this loving, courageous family. The fact that they had the strength and faith to survive is nothing short of a miracle. The Garfinkels story needed to be told and they are fortunate to have had Ms. Hagstrom tell it. Her journalistic background really lent itself to the telling of a story such as this as she chronicled the events in such a clear, clean and gripping way. It is very well researched and she has done a wonderful job in reaching her readers.
This book should be recommended reading in high schools.

The mere fact that five children of a family survived the horrendous ordeals of Nazi concentration camps is a miraculous story and one that needed to be told. To be told by an author that has a historian's scholarly approach to researching the facts, as well as having the ability to give an extremely realistic depiction of the Jewish situation, makes this book totally amazing, unlike other accounts of the Holocaust that I have read. At the beginning of the book, there was joy and hope for the Garfinkle family, then terrible evens that took them to the extremes of sadness and despair, to the present time of Sara's surviving children to experience joy and hope once more. Suzan Hagstrom has written a book that is both documented and personalized by her style of writing and her personal interviews with the surviving Garfinkle family that brings the times and the characters together in an unforgettable saga. Suzan's dedication to "telling" this story is amazing, by writing this book in her "spare time". She is to be commended for her excellent work and determination. I will recommend this book to friends and also my book club!

I highly recommend Sara's Children, by Suzan Esther Hagstrom. This moving, inspiring book tells the story of the miracle of survival of five siblings through the Holocaust. It gives a complete picture of daily life in the close-knit Jewish community of Chmielnik before the Nazi invasion of Poland, with the survivors' personal accounts of their upbringing within loving, devout families. Meticulously recounting the strangulation and the elimination of this community by the Nazis, the book makes the unimaginable come alive. Even more, it chronicles the internal landscape of the spirit -- how the memories of their selfless parents' teachings sustained the Garfinkel children through their suffering and led them each to sacrifice for one another. It reminds us that the tale of every Holocaust survivor is unique, involving unprecedented triumphs of the spirit and unpredictable strokes of pure luck. It is a profoundly memorable tribute to the Garfinkels and their fellows, who struggled and succeeded - against all odds - in defeating every effort to kill them and all of their kin. This book is a magnificent achievement.

This is a book about Anetka Kaminska, a Jewish Polish girl who lived in Poland until her father tells her to come to America. Her father also has a man there waiting for her when she gets there. Her future husband as she is told. Before she gets there she met a man, the czar's soldier, called Leon. The two of them talk disagreeingly for a while until she says she has to go home. Unfortunately for her he keeps coming up in her life. They keep bumping into eachother, as he puts it. He takes Anetka and her brother, Jozef, to America and they all pass the test to go in, but Leon gets detained. He comes back later and when Stanley and Anetka get married her invites himself over. Anetka was marrried to Stanley and his three daughters when he dies in a mining accident. Leon and three oher boarders come to pay for her debt that Stanley left. Anetkad knows she loves Leon although she doesn't admit it. Of course, later on in the story she marries him.
I think this a really good book and I really liked it. Of all the Dear America books I've read this one is the best. I really like these books because they are in diary form, it's a love story, has history, and is in the form that it's written by a girl near my age. So, it makes the historical event more exciting which makes the book more exciting.
My favorite part in this book is the part where they, Leon and Anetka, keep "bumping" into eachother. I also like how Leon is always teasing her too. He can be the most funniest person, but he can also be the most serious because he is part of a union that is trying to help more workers be in better working conditions. From a group of Americans, he gets jumped and that's how they get closer by him staying at her house...

A Coal Miner's Bride was a great read, and now my favorite in the Dear America series!

It tells the story, in diary form, of a 13 year old Russian Pole, Anetka, who leaves her country to marry a coal miner in America. She is not happy to go, however, especially when her grandmother decides to stay behind - and gives her ticket to a Russian soldier, who will accompany Anetka and her brother.

Anetka's husband doesn't seem to love her, but when things are looking better, he dies in an accident and she is left to support his three daughters. And when massacres and her friend Leon enter her life, things are even harder. Will life always be harsh for Anetka?

This was a great book, and I'd recommend it for ages 11 - 15. Be sure to read "Dreams in the Golden Country", another Dear America book!

This book was so good! "...I laughed...I cried...it moved me." :) Anyway, it's about Anetka, the spirited Polish girl who leaves her homeland everything she knows, to marry an unknown man in America. Anetka is worried about whether she'll be able to be a good wife (she's only 13), but even more worried about what kind of man she is going to marry.

When Anetka reaches America with her brother Josef; and Leon, the teasing soldier who protects them; she discovers that she also has another role: a mother. The man she is betrothed to has three daughters who need a mother.

Throughout her short marriage, Anetka struggles with her many responsibilities and hopes that love will come between her and her husband. Just when their relationship is looking up, however, he gets killed in the coal mines. Now Anetka has to care for 3 daughters, her father, brother, 3 boarders, and eventually Leon. Worsening working conditions for the coal miners also cause more hardships for the immigrants. Anetka's life does get better though, and she finds true love in Leon.

When I read this book it had been over 10 years since I had read the original Gaston Leroux novel of Phantom. I enjoyed Susan Kay's writing immensely. She does an incredible job of portraying a character's struggle between good and evil. The main character, Erik, has the potential to be either an angel or a demon. Because of his genetic disfigurement, he's usually treated as the latter. Nevertheless, he struggles. Susan Kay paints such an excellent portrait, that at the times when Erik's behaviour is most heinous, the reader feels most sympathetic toward him. We come to understand what drives him to the things he does. I really liked the way the author expanded the character of the Persian. Most adaptations of Phantom eliminate his character altogether. Kudos to Susan Kay for knowing when a character is worth keeping. Fans of the original novel should be warned: There are several discrepancies between this version and the original. However, one needs familiarity with the original story (or the Broadway show) in order to really appreciate this book. Susan Kay begins with the Phantom's birth and ends several years after his death. Where there is much detail in the events of Erik's life outside of the original story, she does a very abridged version of the events covered in the original story. I have two other disappointments with this book. (Thus, I could only give it four stars.) One, the author glosses over another four-year period of Erik's life. It is during that four-year period that he apparently mastered the garote and became a vicious killer. Although his later motivations for violence are explained in great detail, she fails to tell where he learned to kill without sensitivity. My only other criticism is that in an afterward to the book (which I read before purchasing the book), the author says that she wrote the book to answer questions leftover from the original. Two of my questions were never even addressed. First, who is the other Phantom with the widebrimmed hat? Second, who is the ratcatcher? However, those two criticisms aside, Phantom is an excellent book. I would love to read more of Susan Kay's literature.

A little over a year i went to Toronto and saw the Phantom of the Opera. I was mesmerized. Immediately after that I looked up everything on it. Not ust the romance story but the true story. One day while looking for Phantom books on Amazon.com I came across this. I had already read a few books that were quite horrible-cheap knock-offs hardly resembling the stroy I had grown to love. So....I took a chance on this one. I bought it in my next order. I loved this book. It made me laugh, cry, practically pull out my hair in aggravation sometimes. IT's quite a long book, but i finished it in 2 days. And I have read it several times since then. The way the author portrays Erik is just amazing. The reader doesn't see him as a deformed, obsessed man but as a beautiful, gifted child. This book moves you-seriously. But don't take my word for it, buy it and read it. You won't be diappointed.

This book is a MUST READ for any phantom phan. It has been said that where Gaston Leroux's original novel gave Erik (the Phantom) like, Susan Kay give him his soul. I have yet to come across another phantom book that can move the reader to tears like this one, and I've never met anyone who hasn't liked it, women and men alike. Kleenex are a good item to have on hand while reading this book, as many people have been moved to tears during their first, and sometimes even their second or twentieth time reading it.

While this book is hard to get hold of, it's worth it.

The story is written from different points of view, beginning with Madeline (Erik's mother), followed by Erik himself, Giovanni (a master mason who takes Erik under his wing for a time), Nadir (known in Leroux's novel as Daroga or the Persian), and Erik again for a time. The book then splits into a counterpoint, told from Erik's point of view and also the point of view of Christine Daae, and finishes with the point of view of Raoul de Chagny.

As confusing as it might sound, it makes for a wonderful and refreshing look at the story from Erik's birth to his death.
The humanity given to Erik is wonderful - he's sarcastic, humorous, truely a fallen angel of music. He has a heart, a soul, and a beauty that needs to be realized, and Kay's novel accomplishes these things to a near-perfection.

I first read The Dark is Rising as a child, and was ensnared by Susan Cooper's enchanting story of Will Stanton and his quest for the Six Signs, ensnared more deeply than any other book I had read before it. This book introduced me to fantasy and the wonder of the Middle Ages--the author uses a unique blend of fact, fantasy, and history in this series, with some Celtic lore, some proven facts, and just enough pure magic to make it enjoyable.

The books related the quest of six people to stop the world from being taken over by the Dark after the Light has reigned in peace for so long. The series begins with the three Drew children, Simon, Jane, and Barney, who are set upon a quest under the guidance of their forbidding Uncle Merriman, in Over Sea, Under Stone, in which their quest is to find the Holy Grail. In the Dark is Rising, Will Stanton is introduced and, again under the guidance of Merriman, initiated as the last of the Old Ones, the guardians of the earth. His task is to find the six Signs. In Greenwitch, a traditional Celtic tradition is brought to light by Jane, the only girl in the group, that befriends the lonely spirit and asks for her help in deciphering the inscriptions on the grail. The Grey King is the fourth book, and perhaps the most powerful, for it introduces Bran, a freakish albino who has never been accepted. Will befriends Bran and finds out that Bran is not only part of the prophecies, he is key to their plans, for they must awaken the Sleepers, warriors who will aid them to fight the Dark. And finally, the last book, Silver on the Tree, in which all of them are reunited: Simon, Jane, Barney, Will, Bran, and Merriman. In it they discover how far the reach of the Dark is--and how powerful the Light can be.

All of the books start with poems that prophesize the actions in the books and give convoluted clues as to what will be needed to stop the dark forces of the earth from taking over the world. Mentioned are the Holy Grail, the Six Signs, Pendragon, the Greenwitch, Sleepers, harps, an entire verse in Welsh--don't try to understand them; just enjoy them in their beauty. When you finish the books, you'll look at them again and suddenly understand everything.

I first stumbled upon Susan Cooper's THE DARK IS RISING sequence when I was in sixth grade. I was required to read a Newberry Award-winning book and do a report, and the cover of THE GREY KING looked kind of cool, so I gave it a shot. Fifteen years later I still can't believe I haven't heard more about this series.

C.S. Lewis set the standard for children's fantasy literature with THE NARNIA CHRONICLES, and Susan Cooper has equaled Lewis' accomplishment in these books. In some ways, the stories are much better because Cooper's target audience is a bit older, wiser, and more mature. Evil characters are not always obvious in Cooper's world, nor are they always super-intelligent. Cooper weaves elements of Arthurian legend and Welsh mythology into modern day England in a way that tends to swallow the reader whole. Even as an adult I find these books rich and enjoyable; it is easy to forget that one is reading 'children's literature'.

Fans of THE NARNIA CHRONICLES or HARRY POTTER will find that THE DARK IS RISING is another series readers will enjoy no matter what their age may be. My one caveat would be to parents of young children: there are scenes in these stories that may not be appropriate for children under the age of 10 or so. As always, be aware of what your children are reading. Once your children have reached an appropriate age, however, I would highly recommend THE DARK IS RISING for both you and your children!

I first read this series when I was in grade school, and fell in love with the magic! I wished that I could have been one of the Old Ones, having incredible powers, immortality, and (because of these qualities) dangerous adventures. Nearly 15 years later, I was searching for a gift for a young relative in the family and found The Dark Is Rising series again. I made the purchase fully intending to give it away. That cousin never got the books. I just had to re-read them. And was enchanted once again!

The storyline is great for kids, as one of the main characters, Will Stanton is 11 years old. The magic is fantastic....one of the powers, the ability to make people forget, could definitely be useful. I can think of a couple of instances where I would have loved to use it on my parents! Traveling through time has similar benefits....

But this is not a series just for children. The themes of constant struggle between good and evil, and the means by which evil seeks to attract followers are well developed, with details older readers appreciate. The story about Hawkins is a great example. He is clearly used by both sides, and he makes choices that have hard consequences for himself and others. Ignorance is not an acceptable excuse, and his character demonstrates that people are not entirely good (deserving of extraordinary responsibility) or entirely bad (deserving of condemnation). There is an incredible attention to small details. You definitely pick these up with each reading. There is also enough familiar mythology/folk legend in the stories to make them not only believable, but feel like it is happening now. The series is wonderful. If you like imaginative, gripping stories, I highly recommend this series for adults and children!

When I first picked up this book, I thought, uh-uh. No way can I get into a book where the hero's name is Bobby Tom. He sounded too much like some red-neck cowboy and not at all like the darkly handsome heroes of other romances. However, it took me about 2 whole seconds to fall head over heels in love with both Bobby Tom and this book. Phillips perfectly masters the romance genre combining great characterization with an interesting plot and lots of sweet humour. Yet at the same time she spices up her story with steamy sex scenes and gut-wrenchingly emotional confrontations between her 2 lovers. The romance between former NFL quarterback and Miss Gracie Snow is a roller coaster ride of thrills and smiles from start to finish. In short, its absolutely wonderful and I highly reccommend it.

After an injury that ends his football career, ex-jock Bobby Tom Denton signs on to become an actor. When he doesn't show up on the day of shooting prim and proper Gracie Snow is sent to retreive him.

Gracie Snow is ready to change her life. At the age of 30, she has finally left the retirement home that her parents ran and is ready for a change. She needs to get Bobby Tom to Texas on time, or else.

Once in Texas, gorgeous Bobby Tom tells everybody that mousy. frumpy Gracie Snow is his fiance in order to keep the matchmaking mamas away. Gracie plays along. Bobby Tom gets her a make-over, making Gracie actually look cute. The two spend time together and Gracie falls madly in love with Bobby Tom.

Susan Elizabeth Phillips has once again written a wonderful, witty and memorable romance. Gracie and Bobby Tom will remain in your hearts and you will laugh out loud at their outrageous romance. I can guarantee you'll fall in love with Bobby Tom and never look at a plain woman the same again.

HEAVEN, TEXAS by SEP is the second book in the Chicago Football Stars series. The prequel to this novel is IT HAD TO BE YOU, which I have yet to read. I always seem to be reading series in the wrong order, but all I can say is that HEAVEN, TEXAS is an awesome book on its own. This is the love story between Bobby Tom, a famous Chicago Stars quarterback and a-one-of-a-kind lady named Gracie Snow.

Bobby Tom was just forced to retire from playing football because of a bad knee injury he received during one of the games. Being very depressed, he decides to have some fun and signs up to be a star in a Hollywood movie. When he doesn't show up for his filming, newly hired Gracie is sent to find Bobby Tom and bring him to set. Poor Gracie, her first assignment and she bring Bobby Tom back to the set, two weeks late!! Even going through an impromptu striptease for Bobby Tom, she was unable to get him in on time. Well it is not right to completely blame Gracie, for Bobby Tom did give Gracie a lot of trouble. He's just not used to a lady with a bossy mouth and a bad perm to tell him what to do! Moreover, feeling attracted to such a lady, when he's seen ones that were ten times more beautiful, is something he'd never imagine he'd do. But what he does not notice and takes for granted till the very end, is that Gracie has the most generous and kind heart in the whole world. Only until Bobby Tom breaks Gracie's heart and when she runs back to her old life, does Bobby Tom realize how much he took for granted and how much he has come to love her.

What did I like most of the story? Like all the other readers have said... sometimes when you feel awkward or unattractive, just be yourself, for there is always someone that will look right into your heart and love you for who you are. I believe SEP has delivered a wonderful story with a beautiful message.

Conspiracy in Death. Another Winner! Eve Dallas has to solve a series of murders. The murders are perpetrated on the homeless and prostitutes. In each murder the bodies are found missing vital internal organs. Eve's career, and her entire self is placed in jeopardy. An irrational, bitter cop (Bowers) really hates Eve and messes up the case. This book goes further into Eve's past and you even see a soft side to her you hadn't seen before in the series. I really enjoy this series and it is truly amazing how J.D. Robb keeps these books getting better. Each one beats the last and they start out 'Naked in Death "with a winner!

Just like the other seven, I hated to put the book down. J.D. Robb writes a story that grabs you at the beginning and you can't let go. I came across a review of Rapture in Death and Naked in Death on Amazon and decided to buy the whole series this summer. While reading one story, it was nice to know that I had more to read, but now I am at the end and I am going through withdrawal. Can't wait for my copy of Loyalty in Death to arrive. I love the characters of Eve Dallas and Rourke and the subcharacters (especially Peabody and Mavis). You get so involved with them - like you know them. Great work Ms. Robb (Roberts), I hope you have a lot more of these stories planned.

It's a New Year, 2059 in New York City, and it starts of with murder. Eve is called to the homicide of a homeless man, and finds his heart cut out with extremely precise surgical precision. Upon securing the scene she has a run in with a street officer, Bowers. As Bowers stirs up a firestorm of trouble for Eve, vagrants and prostitutes keep winding up dead, and missing organs. It's Eve's toughest battle yet. She is up against a serial killer, her job is on the line, and so is her life.
This has been the BEST book of the "In Death" series so far. Eve equates her badge with her life, and when her badge is in jeopardy, she feels everything is taken away from her. In this book, we are allowed deep inside Eve's mind and heart. The people she has come to care for step up and show how much they truly love her. Eve's struggle is heart breaking. Roarke's struggle as he watches his wife fight for everything she believes in is equally as wrenching. I was in tears for most of this book.
CONSPIRACY IN DEATH is a fabulous book. Out of 5 stars, I would give it 10! I dare you to read this one without a box of tissues nearby.

JBogue...
Specializing in paranormal romance and fiction.

I have wanted to read Anne of Green Gables for so long and finally did. Why did I wait?? I wish I would have read this book years ago. This is one of the best books I have ever read. Whether you are a child or adult you won't be able to help falling in love with Anne of Green Gables. This young Orphan is mistakenly sent to the home of brother and sister Matthew and Marilla. What they wanted was a boy to help around the house as they were getting older. What they got was a delightful little girl who warmed their hearts and touched their souls. Anne gets into all kinds of hijinks throughout the novel that will make you laugh with her and cry with her. Her imagination is unmatched. She is so insightful that you will find it impossible not to relate to her. Follow Anne through her escapades of learning what it is like to be wanted and loved by parents, finding her place in a strange school, and finally getting to have a bosom buddy..someone she can truly call a friend and share life's ups and downs with. As Anne sets one ambition after another for herself, you'll be cheering for her success. This would be a great book to read on your own or along with a child. When you're finished, Anne will feel like your own personal bosum buddy. This book is one you'll adore long after it's over.

A few weeks ago, I got really sick of today's children's literature. I had read enough mysteries and trashy books about romance to last me a lifetime. So I wanted something else to read, something well-written with a good plot and lifelike characters. I had to look no further than the first book I picked up- Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery.

Anne of Green Gables is the first book in the Anne of Green Gables series. It takes place, as most of L. M. Montgomery's books do, on Prince Edward Island in Canada. This particular story takes place in the town of Avonlea. It follows young Anne Shirley, an orphan brought to Green Gables to help Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert on their farm. Much to Anne's dismay, Marilla tells her that they wanted a boy to help around the farm, not a girl. However, Marilla changes her mind and decides to keep the dynamic young girl who would become Anne of Green Gables.

This novel is incredibly written, with well-developed characters and an intricate plot. I absolutely loved it. I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a great example of children's literature at its height.

I have read many books in my lifetime, and I must say, without a doubt, this is my favorite. When Mathew Cuthbert goes to pick up his and his sister's, Marilla Cuthbert, adopted child, he finds out she is a girl. They consider not keeping her, but soon they decide that she can stay a Green Gables. Marilla slowly loves the imaginitive high spirited girl more and more each day. Anne encounters many adventures from the age of 11 to 16. This book was so good, I found my heart bursting with joy. I would reccomend this to any girls and women. I loved it!

I love my dog and have always been concerned about the chemicals, dyes and other additives found in most commercial dog foods. I have talked to many veterinarians who are unconcerned about the rancid meat scraps, etc. that are put into kibble. Although I have found a product containing no chemical additives, I still felt guilty about feeding my dog something that I wouldn't expect a person to be able to live on. I have read many books on dog health, and was not impressed by any of them. Then I read Dr. Pitcairn's book. It was intelligent, well written and made perfect sense. The only inhibition I had about starting a natural diet for my dog was the cost. I'm a graduate student and money is tight. However, I started supplementing my dog's kibble with Pitcairn's suggested recepies. She is bouncing and playing like a puppy, her teeth are cleaner and her coat has gone from dull to shiny. I am so impressed by the changes I've seen, I have decided to eliminate the kibble entirely. Feeding my dog a natural food diet is much easier and less expensive than I thought. I have already extolled the virtues of this book to all of my dog owning friends and would highly recommend it to anyone who cares about the health of their animal. A wonderful book!

This book was actually an "upgrade" for me as I had the Pitcairns previous addition. I am thankful this husband and wife team decided to update their work as it was needed. The old book was written in an age when fewer people had access to good quality natural food stores with their now common staples of herbal and homeopathic remedies. Reflecting recent research, and continuing the constant educational crusade of alerting the human companions of dogs and cats to the truth about pet food, the Pitcairns continue to offer alternatives to highly-processed, poor-quality food that literally kills (or drastically shortens the life) of our beloved dogs and cats.

Like many of the reviewers for this book, I could regale you with real-life stories of my previously unhealthy pets (adopted through animal shelters or rescue societies) who were changed by altering their diets, much to the astonishment of their veternarians. I would rather alert you to the fact that, as with everyone, what an animal eats is crucial to its health and two of my wonderful animal companions (a cat given up for a allergic (human's that is) reaction and a dog with chronic skin problems with big vet bills attached) would not have been given up had their previous owners spent approximately 8 dollars more a month on either a higher quality food or fresh food easily made into a raw-foods diet. For anyone with cats interested in exploring their animal's health in depth (or who are endangered of needing to give up a cat due to a family members allergic reaction), I would also strongly encourage you to buy Anitra Frazier's The New Natural Cat.

Dr. Pitcairn's book is a tremendous eye opener. Its full of information that you may otherwise not be aware of. I now know what is in commercial pet food and was horrified. I guarantee that I would NEVER eat it, so why would I give it to my cats? Dr. Pitcairn tells you how you can care for and feed your cat or dog, in a relatively easy manner. I have 4 cats and they have never been healthier. Prior to the dietary change, in a one month period, I had 2 cats that were diagnosed with FUS (urinary tract problems) which were due to diet. Pet food makers suggest low ash diets, but not Dr. Pitcairn. I followed his direction, and now feed my cats a natural, raw, healthy diet. I did this with the blessing of my DVM. My cats love their food, which includes veggies, oats and supplements. All 4 cats have full blown yearly exams and all have had stellar results. They are frisky, happy animals. Their only visits are their annual exams, which are informative more than anything else. I believe that we owe it all to Dr. Pitcairn and his sound, natural advice. Don't hesitate to read this book, its one that every animal loving, pet owner should have. Its fabulous!