take: action, adventure, Rod, Seymour, Snout, Madame Pong, a few new characters, and add suspence, closure (EVERY loose end tied up) as well as a possiblility (a small one) of possible Albright stories in the future.

Coville is a GENIUS! Don't miss this one!

I /loved/ this last book. It was as enthralling as the previous three, if not more so. The only problem I had with it was that I didn't feel that the issue of Missing Atlantians was ever resolved.

Other than that, it's a great read. I'm 18, and like his Bruce Coville's other works, they're just as good to read as an adult as they are to read as a child.

I think this is the best book to conclude this series. READ IT!!!!!!!!!!!!

I recommend this book if you like stories with aliens. My book had some adventure and fantasy elements. For instance, one alien lives under the water with other aliens. If you like other books in this series, you will enjoy this one. I would recommend reading My Teacher is an Alien before this book.

This is a great series to introduce a pre-teen to sci-fi! I would start out with the first book (My Teacher is an Alien.) I think this book would come next -- when I was a pre-teen, this was my favorite book of the series. "My Teacher Fried my Brains" would be another great book for someone who liked this one, becuase it describes what happened to the other characters during this time period. "My Teacher Flunked the Planet" (the last book) is okay, but the constant social commentary can grow tiresome. Highly recommended.

This book takes place in space where Peter Thompson tells his story of what has happened to him before his friends joined him there. His friends were still on Earth then he came back to get them because he needed their help up there. They asked him to tell the whole story of what happened to him so he did. That is what the whole book is about.

I recomend this book to anyone who would like to go to space with a bunch of aliens and live on a space ship.

When I picked up this book, I expected it to be a wonderful collection. Unfortunately, this book is a little overrated.

The introduction (by Bruce Coville) would be wonderful if it were a little bit longer and had refernces. It mentioned several unicorns, including the K'i-lin and the kar-ka-dann, and it discusses various ways artists and writers have portrayed them, some of the ways people thought of unicorns in the Middle Ages, and ends with a beautiful conclusion. But this introduction gives no references to where the author found out about the kar-ka-dann or k'i-lin, or where we can find more depictions of unicorns or more information about unicorns in the Middle Ages. So overall, as nice as the introduction is, I feel that it was written for third-graders.

The stories and poems themselves are spotty. Three are excerpts from novels. (I feel that the section from "The Last Battle" isn't really appropriate, since it's so dark. The excerpt from "A Swiftly Tilting Planet" is wonderful, but can't really do justice to that book. Only the excerpt from "The Transfigured Hart" really works as a short story, and it's unsatisfying in that there's no way the whole novel can be reprinted.)

"The Princess, the Cat, and the Unicorn" is a delightful contribution from Patricia C. Wrede, set in the Enchated Forest world, featuring the most immature unicorn you'll probably ever meet. And "The Unicorn in the Maze" feels like a wonderfully satisfying fairy tale. But I felt that "A Net to Catch the Wind" was overly simplistic and moralistic. "The Paint Box," a poem, was beautiful, but "Starhorn" felt tedious to me. And in "Homeward Bound", I've never been so disappointed by a story by Bruce Coville!

The good stories in here (like Jane Yolen's haunting "the Boy who Drew Unicorns") and "The Unicorn in the Maze" and "The Princess, the Cat, and the Unicorn", plus the wonderful if too-short intorduction, make this worth browsing at least once. But I would not recommend buying it until you're familiar with and love for yourself all of the stories in it.

this book is full of wonderful stories and poems, not to mention absolutely beautiful artwork. it is a must for any book collection. great for any age to read!

I thought this book was preety cool. It is one of my fav. unicorn books. The poems are great so are the stories.

I didn`t liked this book because this book wasn`t scary as I thought. For an example,
"Isn`t this obvious? she said. I saw the ghost too!" and the place where it said,
"I could see through the ghost" I thought Bruce Coville(the author) wanted to make these sentences scary but it wasn`t so it was kind of boring. But I liked it that Lydia was pretending to a ghost bacause I never read a book that a person pretends to a ghost.

If you love mysteries, suspense, a shiver running down your back and the hair on the back of your neck rising, you will love this book. I personally loved it. Bruce Coville has so many details in his books, that it is imposible to read this book without seeing mysterious things yourself. The book is definetly worth your money!

The Ghost in the Third Row was my true and faithful favorite from about 1st to 5th grade. I still pull it out and read it every so often. The characters are great; Chris and Nina, as well as the supporting cast, are real, funny and impossible to not fall in love with. Combining the theatre, ghosts, and mystery, it's just an all-round entertaining and quality read.

Bruce Coville has written a collection of wholesome short stories extolling the virtues of faith, patience, reconciliation, peace, remembrance, inner beauty and forgiveness. Incidentally, none of the tales really appeal to me, since I don't tend to like stories with Wholesome Messages. Most of them come across as a little bland and predictable, and I particularly didn't like the message about faith in "The Box." I love stories that have a surprising or chilling twist at the end-- exemplified in Patricia C. Wrede's "Cruel Sisters" and Vivian Vande Velde's "Straw into Gold" and "Lost Soul" and "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson. The stories found in Oddly Enough are neither inspiring nor inspired, and I would tend to agree with Coville when he said he never thought of himself as a short story writer. However, I can see how these stories might appeal to younger fantasy readers, and parents should certainly approve of them. The cover art is also gorgeous; it is only unfortunate the stories did not turn out to be as spontaneous and surreal. If you like your stories with a bit more...attitude, I would suggest Wrede's excellent anthology, The Book of Enchantments, Vivian Vande Velde's Curses, Inc., or A Wizard's Dozen, which is a good collection of YA fantasy stories by different authors.

Ailanna

ODDLY ENOUGH is an amazing book with content ranging from the spooky "Language of Blood" to the funny "Clean as a Whistle!" All the different stories were great and I really liked each one of them. This book is great for all ages and all people, from fantasy-lovers to horror-readers! I highly recommend this book to everyone and anyone! It is truly a GREAT book!

This is a very good book. I'm a big Bruce Coville fan and I say it is his second best. For his first best is INTO THE LAND OF THE UNICORNS. But going back to ODDLY ENOUGH the favorite story of mine in the book is THE BOX. I recommend this book. Ihope you enjoy the story as well as I did. ;-) :-} :~]

I wonder if "A Midsummer Night's Dream" is Wild Bill's answer to "Romeo and Juliet" and works like it: instead of being passionate, life and death, as-important-as-the universe, here love and romance is light, frivolous, fickle and funny.

Love is in the air; love is everywhere. But at the middle of it all are two women with frustratingly similar names: Helena and Hermia. Hermia loves Lysander but is engaged (by a controlling father) to Demetrius. Helena loves Demetrius, who can think of no one but Hermia. Until a fairy god and an impish spirit step in and sprinkle some love-juice around: suddenly it's all a mess, everyone switches partners like at a square dance. But, naturally, it all works out in the end, and two pairs of lovers emerge to live happily ever after.

Two subplots add to the silliness of love: Titania, the fairy queen, under a spell sent by her husband, falls in love with a man with an donkey's head. (read: there is no objectivity in love, no "ideal lover".) Then, a bunch of fools perform a hilaroiusly awful play for the king, a play about tragically separated and suicidal lovers...something like Romeo and Juliet. (read: tragedy and love together are hilariously overdramatic.)

A enjoyable, funny, light, fairly fast play to read and perform. You gotta love Puck. The only real difficulty I had was keeping Helena and Hermia straight -- now, who loves who?

And really, in the end, it doesn't matter who loves who, just that all are loved.

Make sure you don't read one of those nasty prose or abridged versions here. Half the fun is the meter, and it's definitely short and sweet enough not to need abridgement.

a passage from the play:

PUCK: If we shadows have offended,

Think but this, (and all is mended)

That you have but slumbered here,

While these visions did appear.

And this weak and idle theme,

No more yielding but a dream,

Gentles, do not reprehend;

If you pardon, we will mend.

And, as I am an honest Puck,

If we have unearned luck,

Now to 'scape the serpent's tongue,

We will make amends, ere long:

Else the Puck a liar call.

So, good night unto you all.

Give me your hands, if we be friends,

And Robin will restore amends."

I'm surprised that none of the reviews I've read (I didn't read them all, but about 25) even mention the pictures in this wonderful edition by Bruce Coville. I've read the play and adore it, seen it several times, etc. But the reason one would buy this book rather than Shakespeare's words is for the clear, modern English storytelling and the gorgeous images. This is a wonderful book to introduce Shakespeare to anyone. I personally love the poetry of Shakespeare's lines but know that they are difficult for children and Shakspeare newbies. This book tells the story in clear words and great pictures, full of classical fairies and beautiful maidens and valorous youths (plus some great facial expressions on Bottom). Worth every penny.

I chose this book for my 10 year old as our nightly reading book one week. My 6 1/2 year old listened intently each night, not wanting me to put it down. It has fostered an interest for both of my children in reading more Shakespeare. I only wish there were more of his works translated like this as it was a wonderful experience to share such a great piece of literature. I would even be interested in reading many more Shakespearean works for myself in this format. Beautiful illustrations. Great gift for your local school.

I liked the book because I liked the talking toad named Bufo. I liked Jennifer because she was like a geode. I really liked all of the characters, like Mr. Elives, Bufo, Esmerelda, Jennifer, Sharra, Ellen, Jerome, and Roxanne. It was a good story.

"My favorite character is Bufo, because he is funny, and does great imitations. You can even feel yourself being pulled into the story! In Jennifer Murdley's toad, feel the suspense, the humor, and the magic. I loved this book,and I think you will too."

The book Jennifer Murdley's Toad was a hilarious ride in reading. I thought that this book was very funny. It was a combination of comedy and a little bit of mystery. The author paints a very clear picture of Bufo (the toad)and the situation at hand.I would recommend this book to someone who has a good sense of humor, and someone who can understand lame jokes.

The year is 1853. Bravely carrying on the work and dream of her late father, young Fortune Plunkett is forced to grow up as she faces the realities of the Wild West. As she leads the acting troupe- Plunkett Players westward on a wagon train bound for San Fransico, she finds herself in many situations she never dreamed possible. In the untamed West, anything could happen- and it often did. Fires destroyed towns onernight, rives ran wild in heavy rains and wagons didn't always make it up steep, gravelly bends of mountain crossings.

Throughout the hard journey, Fortune was trapped in a silent war over her, which raged between her two admirers- Aaron and Jamie, one of whom was the newest member of her troupe. Though at first extremely confused over her true feelings, Fortune soon learns to follow her heart- to give in to something she had tried to surpress right from the beginning, to differentiate between love and friendship.

This book never fails to make you hang in suspense. Till the point you feel like dying if you don't find out what happens. Filled with unending romance, and careful research, "Fortune's Jouney" is a book you'll never regret reading.

If you have not yet read "Fortune's Journey", then you are missing out on a real treat. I can honestly say that this is my most favorite book in the whole world! So, read it! You know, Bruce Coville has written this so well you think you are actually in the book with Fortune Plunkett and the crew. It really keeps you wondering who will end up with who, I mean, if Fortune will end up with Aaron or Jamie. But it is really a great book. READ IT! YOU HAVE TO!

I loved this book!!! I am only a young reader, but it was very well written and has a lot of exciting events. Bruce Coville talks about a teenage girl fulfilling her father's last wish of traveling the united states in the late 1800's. She is also stuck between choosing someone she is between, Aaron, or the new member Jamie, and surviving the dangers of the Oregon Trail and what lies before it. This is a MUST READ!!!!!!

Like the other books in this series, this book focuses on a kid that buys a magic item. This item happens to be a ring, and it turnds the kid into a demon-like creature. This book was interesting and fun to read. I enjoyed it a lot.

Monster's Ring is really exiting to read.As soon as something good starts to happen something better begins.This book would've been better if Bruce Coville had changed when "Russel" attacks his school.Then I would've given five stars!

I am 17 years old, soon to be 18, and this book still gives me goosebumps. I always have loved the book, and I always wish I could find a place like Elvin's Magic Supplies. Not that I need the ring, but there were so many other things there... Man, I want to go there!

THE SKULL OF TRUTH, by Bruce Coville is a very interesting book to read. Bruce has written many books such as JEREMY THATCHER, DRAGON HATCHER. He usually writes scary books that send a chill down your back. He is the winner of the New York State Knickerbocker Award, for quality in children's literature.

I give this book four stars, because this book was interesting and all, but some parts were there that shouln't have been. This book also teaches a lesson the lesson is never to lie.

The main characters were Charlie, the skull Yorick, Mr. Elves, Gilbert, and Uncke Bennie. My favorite from them all was Yorick, the skull because he was funny and he never lied, he had a great personality. These characters show a real meaning of friendship.

This book also explains that the truth can help you in some situations. for example, Charlie gets cursed with the truth when he finds the skull and has to tell the truth all the time. The lies will not come out of his mouth. One day Charlie tells his best friend, Gilbert, he looks funny with his bald head and Gilbert is mad at him. The next day Charlie goes to Gilbert's house to apologize, he tells the truth to Gilbert what was in his heart and Gilbert fogives him.

The books main settings are at the swamp, the school, and at Gilbert's and Charlie's houses. I like a lot of parts, but the best part I like was when Charlie finds a skull and the skull never shuts-up, just to annoy Charlie. It is funny!

Another good thing about this book is how the author gives a lot of descriptions. For example, Charlie squashes a bug and the gooey guts and blood come out.

I recommend this book for people who like stories with gruesome descriptions and magical things. I enjoyed reading this book!

After reading Jeremy Thatcher Dragon Hatcher and Jennifer Murdley's Toad, you'd think there couldn't be any book better. Yet the Skull of Truth was awesome. One problem? WHen I tell people that this is one of my favorite books, they laugh at the title and won't read it. Bruce Coville writes beautiful, captivating books, yet sadly, people might not take them seriously because of titles. I didn't until I read one1 Once again, Mr. Coville, you wrote another "winner"!

I recomend this book to anyone who loves stories with action,suspense and a little truth in it. This book really can make anyone realize that there are a lot of people out there looking for truth and what happens when you find it.
When Charlie finds the skull in a magic shop(or should i say Steals it), while lost in a swamp, he takes it with out knowing what he has gotten himself into. The skull and him get really close but still have thier diffrencess. Charlie keeps on getting messages from talking rats Bringing letters from MR. Elvies. Taking the skull was a bad thing and a good thing but in the end he finds out what truth really is.