I read this book about 30 years ago, when I was in elementary school, and I loved it. I reread it several times, and when I left home, I think Mom sold it in a garage sale. I've thought about it often over the years, and would love to have a copy again, so that I could reread it. I'm amazed that so many other people felt the same way about the book as I did. I can't believe that it's out of print!! What a wonderful story for all time!

This is the story of a husband and wife who adopted 12 children of mixed ancestry. Often just scraping by, they had a lot of love to share. Helen relates her experiences of dragging husband Carl along in the bumpy journey of building their family. Her tales of raising so many children, several of them the same age, through all the escapades that children can think up is funny and sweet at the same time, and often poignant. At the age of 10, I ordered this book through Scholastic book services. 27 years later, that tattered, dog eared, worn out book is lovingly stored in my keepsake box, though I take it out every year or so to re-read it. I still thrill to the opening words "I didn't yearn for a career, or maids and a fur coat, or a trip to Europe. All in the world I wanted was a happy, normal little family", as I settle in for the heartwarming read this book is. Because of reading this book, adoption was not such a daunting prospect; in fact, I hoped I would be able to adopt someday, a dream happily realized with my two beautiful children. The book is also a fascinating picture of the time period in American history, during the late 30's to the mid 50's, not to mention a glimpse at the life of a pastor's family. It provides insight into the prejudices of that time as well. My only regret is that I will never get to meet Mrs. Doss to tell her how much her book means to me. I think it should be required reading for all students, if only it would return to print!

Only my closest friends are given the privilege of borrowing this delightfully written true story; the long out-of-print and (before the days of the internet) irreplaceable book has been one of my most closely guarded treasures since childhood. Any family with several small children, of course, will have a store of hilarious anecdotes; children raised with love combine insouciant joy with freedom from adult assumptions and habits of thought, so that any house full of love and children is a house full of unpredictability and laughter. But Helen Doss, unlike most parents, can capture her children in her writing and pass the joy on to us. I don't know anyone who has managed to read the book through without at some point laughing to the point of tears.

But the book is much more than a connection of Readers' Digest anecdotes strung together. Ms. Doss reveals, through deft and honest touches, her own weaknesses and struggles, her impetuosity and her grit. She communicates with power the pain that can come in so many different ways to a woman with a tremendous need to love, especially when obstacles - infertility, unreasonable adoption agencies, poverty - rise up to keep her from satisfying that need. And the portrait of her husband Carl, who changes as much as the children do, is vivid and telling. The Carl who says, "Let's take 'em all" at the end of the book is a very different Carl from the one who agrees to the first adoption largely to humor his wife and to keep her from moping weepily and endlessly about the house, and whose annual refrain for many years is, "This is the last one!" You expect him to come on board, of course; but his path is a bit surprising and most revealing of the essence of the man. In particular his ability to close ranks against outside inteference shows the degree to which his love for his family is as strong as his wife's, however differently it might be expressed.

As a family memoir alone, it would be a classic. But because the children were of mixed racial ancestry - in the 'forties and 'fifties - the Doss family became an unwilling catalyst for the ignorance and prejudice of the time. It is part of the Doss magic that the love in the family was strong enough to triumph over the unpleasant incidents, so that those incidents enriched, rather than poisoned, the Doss childhoods. (Not that this made them less unpleasant, of course.)

The book is never preachy. Nevertheless, it is a vivid documentary of how racism was built into the attitudes of even "nice" people of that time. It is a sermon of a kind, a sermon lived out in the lives of the Doss family. It is a primer on how to overcome evil with good, a standing lesson to a nation still struggling with racial resentment.

But the genuinely remarkable thing is that, despite the frequent intrusions suffered by the family from racially prejudiced outsiders, the book is not about race. No doubt this is because the Doss family was never about race. When the book crosses your mind in the days after you've closed it - and it will, frequently - it will not be as a book about race. It will be as a book about a uniquely special family and about the triumph of love and joy and grace and laughter over whatever might vainly try to overcome them.

I am a huge fan of Anne Carroll George. I love all of her books. "Murder Boogies with Elvis" is a wonderful continuation of her previous books. Her books are one continuing story of Patricia Anne, Mary Alice, Fred, Woofer - I could name them all but anyone who has read any of her books knows all of the characters by name, too. Unfortunately, the story is ending with this book. I am so sad that this is the last book. I want to "watch" Debbie's twin girls and Brother grow; I want to know about the birth of Joanna, Haley's baby; I want to know if Haley will let Patricia Anne keep Muffin when she and Philip return from Warsaw; I want to know about the next murder that Patricia Anne and Mary Alice will investigate. There are so many quirky characters whose lives make her books so interesting. It is very sad that Ms. George's life was cut short. I miss her, but at least we have the few books she wrote to keep us company.

This book is a must read for all fans of Ms. George. Her writing from one book to the next is so consistent - she never skips anything from one book to the next.

Everyone's favorite southern sisters, bigger than life and soon to be married for the fourth time, Mary Alice (Sister) and prim and petite, Patricia Anne (Mouse) had really been looking forward to the big benefit to raise money for the restoration of Birmingham's Vulcan monument. They had front row center seats and couldn't wait for the promised finale of thirty Elvis impersonators all on stage, together. But, it seems that wherever the girls go, trouble follows and sure enough, one member of the high kicking Elvis chorus line keels over and crashes, dead, into the orchestra pit. It turns out that poor "Elvis" was murdered, stabbed in the back and to make matters worse, Patricia Anne finds the murder weapon, a switchblade knife, at the bottom of her purse..... Ann George has written a light, fast paced mystery, full of original quirky characters and vivid scenes that come alive on the page. But it's her crisp, witty writing and laugh out loud southern humor that really makes this book, as it does in all her others, stand out and no one captures the essence of life in the south, with all its idiosyncrasies, like Ms George. This is the eighth mystery of a truly wonderful series. If you're new to the many travails of Mary Alice and Patricia Anne, start at the beginning and read them all. If you're already a fan, Murder Boogies With Elvis is just what you're expecting...a fun, entertaining, terrific read.

As always, I looked forward to the next installment of the Southern Sisters mysteries. When I discovered that Mrs. George had recently passed away, I broke down and sobbed. I felt it was not only the loss of a great talent, but the loss of a friend as well. After reading her first book, I had written her a fan letter because I, too, had an Aunt Sister. She not only graciously answered my letter, but sent me her home address so it wouldn't take so long for my letters to reach her through the book company and later sent me her e-mail address. We corresponded after each book and when my dog passed away, she wrote me a letter that I will always treasure. All of her books are wonderful and this one doesn't disappoint. Patricia Ann and Mary Alice are up to it again trying to solve the murder of an Elvis impersonator. If you have never read any of her books, start with the first one and read them all. I plan to read them all again. Thank you, Mrs. George. You will be missed.

Prolific children's book author and poet Mary Ann Hoberman has struck gold once again in this funny tale about the seven silly eaters (all children, naturally) in the Peters family. Mrs. Peters starts off as patient as can be, as each of the seven children develops some quirk or another having to do with size, temperature, taste, or type of food that they absolutely, positively WILL NOT EAT. She bends over backwards to accomodate their likes and dislikes, and the result is that the children are able to combine their favorite foods to come up with something wonderful for their wonderful mother's birthday.

The illustrations beautifully complement the story. Artist Marla Frazee's work has something of a Hillary Knight look to it (think early "Eloise" by Kay Thompson), and she beautifully captures the frenetic wiggliness and activity inherent in a family with seven children. Lots of fun for children, especially ones who happen to be (or know!) "silly eaters."

This book has character! From the interesting illustrations to the clever descriptions of the children's food preferences to the surprise ending!

This book is wonderful to read aloud to very young children because the rhyming captures their attention...not to mention the large, beautiful illustrations! Even very young children can remember each child's food preference! Also, everyone in the family can relate to someone in the book!

This book is also wonderful to read to a group or class! A fabulous story-starter or lesson "teaser" to get children to express their own preferences and individuality.

No matter how many people read along, this book's great message is that Mom loves you no matter what what your personality is like!!

In a word, this book is sheer delight. I don't know how many big families there are out there, but this book accurately captures the crazy chaos of living in a growing family and the challenges of making everyone happy at meal time.(I grew up in a large family.) Me, my children and my husband never tire of the lovely rhythm and rhyme of the Peters family story and their nightime escapade creating the ultimate birthday gift for their beloved Mom. In fact, my daughter and son insisted on making Dad "a pink and plump and perfect cake" for his birthday. SUPERB, detailed illustrations, delightful and memorable phrases - a very uplifting tale for weary, unappreciated parents and a BLAST for kids to read.

Murder Carries A Torch proves what I've been claiming loudly for years: Anne Carroll George is one of the country's best writers, whether she bends her talents to literary novels like This One and Magic Life, or her Southern Sisters mysteries. Whatever world she decides to inhabit, you can bet she will bring that world alive for her readers.

In Murder Carries a Torch, Patricia Anne and Mary Alice are again drawn most plausibly into the most implausible circumstances, chasing a murderer through a snake-handling church in northern Alabama. The unusual religious characters are treated respectfully, the snakes are genuinely scary, Mary Alice gets a new boyfriend, and Patricia Anne is... well, the lovable and slightly acerbic Patricia Anne.

The best thing about reading all of Anne Carroll George's books is that you become part of a wonderful family universe. Visiting with Patricia Anne and Mary Alice is like joining a funny, interesting, eccentric family. George parcels out personal information much the same way you would get to know friends in real life. With each new novel, the joy of small discoveries draws you more and more easily into a warm, familiar environment.

For myself, I'm too impatient to wait for the paperback. If like me, you need your prescription of Anne Carroll George right now, add Murder Carries a Torch to your shopping cart. I guarantee you'll love this book.

Wow. When I Saw all those "5"'s given this book, I could not imagine giving it anything else but. However, this entry in the Southern Sisters series deserves it. I was somewhat disappointed in Ms. George's last mystery, but this one returns to the homespun, acerbic, and silly humor of the previous entries.
Patricia Anne and Mary Alice get involved in the disappearance of their cousin Pukey Luke's wife, Virginia. When it seems that she's run off with a snake-handling minister, the ladies find themselves kneedeep in rattlesnakes, cover-ups, and murder.
What's so nice about this book, however, is not really the whodunit aspect, but the relationships these people have with each other. The sisters are funny, and their respective hubbies or boyfriends are amusing, too. George has a way of knowing how important family and friends are; how important pets (such as Woofer and Muffin) are; and although the murderer's identity is fairly obvious early on, who cares? We have lots of fun getting there.
A real treat. So sorry to hear that Ms. George has passed away, with one more Southern Sisters mystery left. I know she's with the angels, and thank you for bringing us your talents and time!

Birmingham, Alabama's Southern Sisters are tired after just returning home from spending two weeks in Warsaw, Poland celebrating the wedding of Patricia Anne's daughter. However, their idyllic breather ends even before it begins when cousin Luke "Puke" Nelson asks for their help. Apparently, Virginia, Luke's wife of forty years, left him for a house painter, Holden "Monk" Crawford. Reluctantly Patricia Anne agrees to accompany her more enthusiast sibling Mary Alice in finding the runaway.

Mouse and Sister as Patricia Anne and Mary Alice are more commonly known trace Virginia and Monk to a remote church on Mount Chandler. However, instead of finding the runaways, the Southern Sisters find the corpses of two murdered people, neither being Monk or Virginia. As they continue their inquiries, Sister and the local Sheriff seem stuck on one another. Ultimately, they locate a dead Monk, but they still have not found the missing Virginia.

Fans of the series will fully enjoy the seventh cozy in the Southern Sisters series. MURDER CARRIES A TORCH centers more on Mouse's humorous asides with the reader about the excessive behavior of Sister than on detective work. Still, that should not surprise fans of the series, as that is the essence of all the novels.

Harriet Klausner

Most of the recipes in this cookbook use ingredients you are likely to already have in your pantry. If you're tired of trips to the grocery store looking for unusual ingredients, you'll like this book. The recipes stretch the food budget and use healthy ingredients - and the recipes are also very tasty! Every family should have a copy of this cookbook. It also makes a nice gift for bridal showers.

The More-with-Less Cookbook put me on the irrevocable way to healthful, conscious living when I first starting using it nearly 20 years ago. I still refer to it for simple, delicious, nutritious recipes that call for ingredients that don't deplete the earth. But this book is more than a cookbook. With its photographs, quotes, intelligent discussions and useful nutrition tables, it's an inspiration to live more simply, with a view toward focussing on other people rather than on material things.

This is one of the best cookbooks ever. Not only does it help you cook frugally, but it actually teaches you to cook without a cookbook. Cookbooks published by traditional cookbook companies won't do that because they want you to keep buying new ones. This one shows you basic techniques and demonstrates ways that you can alter the recipes. The possibilities are endless.

I never really thought about Christianity and cooking until I read this book. I knew that I could be a good steward with my money in lots of ways, but I didn't apply it to the kitchen much. This book has helped me to realize that I can actually serve God through my household management, which is a huge relief to know that I'm not "wasting" that part of the day.

Trixie Belden is a sleuth who is impatient, spunky, and hates to do housework - I love her! Not quite 30 years old, I have loved this little-known teen detective since I "discovered" her on my sister's bookshelf when I was 8 years old. Since that time, I have read and re-read these wonderful books for the last two decades. Kids, if you want to read a book that is funny, smart, and has some spooky mysteries, this is a great series for you. Parents, if you want your kids not only to READ, but LOVE to read, get them hooked on these books. I am an English teacher, and I will swear up and down that these books, with their spunky characters and engaging plots, are not only a joy to read, but are informative. My vocabulary increased by trying to keep up with Mart Belden, Trixie's older brother, and as a child I didn't realize it, but I learned a ton from reading these great books. A voracious reader who adores authors from Shakespeare to Agatha Christie, Harper Lee to Elizabeth Peters, I still pull these charming mysteries off my bookshelf to go back to Crabapple Farm to solve mysteries with Trixie and Honey.

The Trixie Belden series, of which this book is the beginning, is something that I haul out every year and reread. I'm 48 years old--that's a lot of rereading, considering I read them the first time when I was 10! I still have my beat-up Whitman hardbacks of the first 6, with Mary Stevens' wonderful illustrations, and I guard them jealously! My daughter, who is grown now, read them with enjoyment, but the big surprise is that my son loved them even more than she did. Everyone who says that their daughters enjoy these books should introduce their sons to them--the male characters, Mart, Brian, and Jim, are great role-models and my son identified with them a great deal. My children and I all remember and quote parts of these books to each other from time to time. I learned a lot of vocabulary from them, and I think I developed my sense of humor directly from these books as well. I echo everyone here who has lamented the fact that they are out of print. Reissue them!

This book is a wonderful introduction to a great series of books for young girls. I read the first six when I was 10 years old, and I fell in love with Trixie and her friends. Those stories were written by Julie Campbell in the 1950's and republished in the 1960's. Kathryn Kenny took over with book seven in the late '60's. Readers will notice a change in Trixie's personality and in the focus of the stories. Kenny introduces more of the history of the Hudson River Valley, and includes more facts and less of the banter and teasing that made me so fond of the original books. However, the books which Kenny continued writing into the '70's and the '80's, which I bought for my daughter, are entertaining, if not quite as much fun as the original six. The Red Trailer Mystery, the sequal to the Secret of the Mansion, is also a must to read for anyone who wants to get the full story of how Jim came to be Honey's adopted brother, The Gatehouse Mystery explains the formation of the Bob White club, The Mysterious Visitor chronicles the advent of Diana Lynch into the group. Book five, The Mystery Off Glen Road is a personal favorite of mine, an absolutely hilarious book telling of Trixie's attempts to become a 'lady', not to impress Jim, but for such convoluted reasons that she has her entire family in an uproar. I hope that like the Nancy Drew mysteries, some publisher who knows a good thing when he sees it, will update the Trixie Belden books and republish them for the next generation. I would hate to see this series that has brought so much pleasure and happiness to so many girls be lost forever.

I am so glad this series made a comeback! I always knew it would! This has got to be the best BSC book Ann M. Martin has ever writen! It's touching, moving, and suspenseful. I'm in 9th grade and I still can't stop reading Martin's work! (California Diaries included) In #131, Mary Anne's house goes up in flames! She has nowhere to live and her dad and stepmom are even thinking of moving out of Stoneybook! since 1986, the BSC series has been about....well baby-sitting. Not that that's a BAD thing, it's just that the new plot is fresh, new and exicting! This is now just as wonderful as California Diaries! Keep them coming! Thanks Ann! The new BSC rocks!

I think The Fire at Mary-Anne's House(#131 BSC) is the most touching of the BSC books so far. I laughed when Mary-Anne laughed. I cried when she cried. I love animals and one thing I reallly liked about this book was that Ann M. Martin kept saying that Tigger was with her. I think that, even if you don't like the BSC, you should read this. Keep going strong Ann!!!

This book was so wonderful! I can't wait for the BSC Friends Forever series to arrive in book stores! I think the BSC is beginning to grow up. My personal opinion is that, while California Diaries is a good series, how long can you read personal journals? The BSC Members seem a little more heartfelt. I loved when the BSC rallied around Mary Anne when her house burned down. In California Diaries, all of the teens withdraw from themselfes (especially Sunny) and they get into more fights. The Fire at Mary Anne's House shows support and how much friends can be there for each other during those tough teen years. Not only that, but the plot was well written. All I can say now is after a long time the BSC is back! This and the new BSC series should be on all young adult reading lists!

I discovered this book 31 years ago, for my daughter and it is still loved by all the family. The illustrations are wonderful, warm, charming and delightful and bring a special meaning to the story. We still read it to all the young children on Christmas Eve and for adults we read the story and pass a grab bag gift every time the word THE is mentioned. It would not be Christmas without this book. It is magical.

We have an inexpensive paperback version (see our reviews) of this classic poem, and we said that's enough for us. That was before we looked through this beautifully illustrated (by Bruce Whatley) edition of The Night Before Christmas.

The lyrics are the same, from book to book, but the fanciful illustrations in this one are enough to engage adults and children as they read this book together.

The perfect gift for any family whose Christmas tradition includes reading this classic!

This beautiful book was in my family as a hard cover edition for many years and was a Christmas Eve tradition for my four sons when they were growing up. It's poor battered body disappeared some time after the last of my little ones went off into the adult world. I am so delighted to see it back again, though this time as a nicely affordable soft cover. Clement C. Moore's enchanting story poem already provides an atmosphere filled with warmth and joyful expectation and with the addition of Tasha Tudor's quaint, nostalgic water-colors from an antique New England the Christmas magic is complete!
The winter landscapes fill our senses and Tasha's own gray tabby cat and Welsh Corgi welcome us into this charming world.
Tasha's Santa that you will meet in this book has been portrayed as the poem describes him...a right jolly old elf. He's not that much larger than the corgi and his team really consists of eight "tiny" reindeer. His pointy ears and his Eskimo mukluks add to the delightful ambiance of the book. He dances with the toys and with the happy animals and we can truly believe it will be a happy Christmas for all.
I hope this book becomes a Christmas Eve tradition for many, many more families.

First of all, don't grab this book if you are against homosexuality. If you are not prejudiced, or, better, if you are gay, this is THE book on love. You are going to laugh and get your eyes mist as persian Bagoas meets Alexander and little by little becomes enchanted by him and in turn enchants the King and earns his heart. Though we know Hephastion was the main,greatest love in Alexander's life,Bagoas, the persian boy, manages to keep a good part of the king's heart to himself. It is a briliantly written book, never boring, the kind you can't-put-down. Page after page is filled with emotion, adventure, romance and action. And if you, like me, happen to fall in love with Alexander while reading this book, thank Mary Renault's superb sensibility and astonihing knowledge of the male heart and feelings. It is no wonder that for many years many believed Mary Renault was a man. So, DO buy this book. You will not regret, you'll just look forward to the rest of the trilogy: Fire from Heaven (part1) and Funeral Games (part3).

I recently re-read this book after an absence of 20 years, and was amazed at how strongly it affected me.

The tragic story of Bagoas' youth will hook you from the start, and he develops into an extremely interesting character... a classic Persian beauty, mutilated in his youth, bedmate to the King of Persia, who wants nothing more than love -- which he has never had. He has been used by many, but loved by none.

Enter Alexander the Great, at the head of a Greek army which vanquishes the Persians. Bagoas is sent to Alexander as a gift, and...

Enjoy the story. I will say no more. One of the best novels ever written -- Mary Renault was a genius.

____________________________________________________________________________ _____I have read many books in my 17 years, but few have captured me as The Persian Boy has. It is the story of a persian boy sold into slavery and eventually becomes slave to King Darius III. As Persia is lost to Alexander's army early in the story, the boy becomes first a servant then a lover to Alexander. ____________________________________________________________________________ _____Perhaps the most interesting part of the story is that Renault maintains an enormous level of accuracy both about the historical events, and about the relationship between this boy and Alexander, based on records from the time. ____________________________________________________________________________ _____Another important aspect of this book is how it captures a boy's feelings and emotions when his father is lost, when he is forced to be a prostitute, and when he falls in love. Man-boy love is very taboo in our modern era, and those of you who have prejudices against such things might enjoy the viewpoint of a boy from 2300 years ago. ____________________________________________________________________________

Revisit childhood and relive it in a marvelous way! I felt that I grew up with Belly during the tale of "Miss Ophelia". After reading how her family interacted with each other, their personalities and histories, I felt like I knew them. I laughed out loud at their antics and conversations. You probably will too!

The book seems to start off a little slow in the beginning, but don't let that fool you. This is one to savor. It takes time to get to know this family and watch Isabel (Belly) come of age. While there were events that many of us could relate to, this book lacked the over-the-top, crazy drama that can be found in some other books about childhood family experiences. How refreshing! Belly actually had a good childhood! It was joy to read about. She also had some tough issues to deal with, and this kept the book grounded in reality.

Belly spent part of an important summer taking piano lessons from Miss Ophelia. Miss Ophelia left a powerful influence on Belly, and their time together was a "defining moment" in Belly's life. The way the author described their interaction and other aspects of Belly's life before and after was beautiful. I could picture everything, but the writing style wasn't too wordy. The style was very natural, and the characters seemed so authentic.

I took my time reading this book and looked forward to reading it every time I picked it up. I felt so contented while reading it and satisfied even after I'd finished it. I highly recommend this book. Reading it is time well spent.

This book hit me where the heart is!!! The characters: Belly, Willie, Miss Janie, Miss Rachel, Mama, Uncle Avery, Miss Pheenie, And of course, the lovely and dearest of all, Miss Ophelia. When I first got into the book,( first quarter of the book),It primarily focused on teen pregnancy and the main character (Belly's) best friend, Teenie getting sent away to get "rid of her problem", which hurt Isabel Anderson/Walker.
The way the book portrays Miss Opelia, and her warm and kind personality was so well-written, that in the end, I cried, thinking about the True love that could never be, between...
Oh!!!!! Youre just going to have to read the book and see why most of these people(including myself, of course) rated this book 5 stars.

My book club recently read "MISS OPHELIA" as our March Book Selection and over 80% of the sistahs in the book club (Circle of Friends II) rated this book a "10". It is a wonderfully written novel that you will find hard to put down. After meeting Belly, her mom, others in the town and Lord...UNCLE WILLIE, you will not be able to put it down until the last page...and then you will be sad...because the story comes to an end. If you are looking for a good book...gift...you definitely need to pick this one up!!!!!