School is an important time for teen freindships. The middle and high schools years are a prime time to meet and interact with all types of people of the same age. School is a melting pot for all different sorts of children. Everyone knows about the weird kid in school too. Anne Fine's Up on Cloud Nine tells the story of one such peculiar boy and his best friend and their relationship during the school years.
Up on Cloud Nine begins with the odd child, Stolly, unconscious in hospital bed as his best friend Ian sits by his side. Ian and Stolly have been best friends since preschool and Ian is basically Stolly's keeper. As Ian tries to figure out why his sometimes sane friend has fallen out of a third story window and ended up in the hospital with numerous broken bones, Ian writes down all the great memories that make up Stolly's life story. Although the book takes place over about 10 hours it is filled with great stories that span the pair's lifetime and piece by piece lead the reader to more insight on the present situation.

Anne Fine has written an exciting and descriptive page-turner that is hard to put down. Fine counters the gloom of the hospital situation with brightly funny stories as told by Ian as he waits for Stolly to awaken from his drug-induced, post-surgery sleep. The book is written in an interesting format in that Fine uses no chapters, only headings that hint of the next story. Fine also writes in a way that is easy to read. Instead of writing of everyday happenings by using an excess of lame,irrelevant, an overly-descriptive adjectives like most young adult wirters, Anne Fine writes the book in a more personal way, like she is telling a story. This should make appealing to all types of readers.
In conclusion, Up on Cloud Nine is a superb young adult book that should be liked by many. Anne Fine's outrageous stories that leave the reader wondering where such imagination and creativity could come from are what make this story a gem in young adult literature. Hooray.

You're in for a treat with this tempting and entertaining look at the complete java lowdown joined by heartfelt expressions of friendship. Every coffee affecionado, of whom there are legions, will appreciate the intricate look at variations of
the brew, the detailed instructions for ultimate enjoyment combined with the aroma of true friendship. Sassy illustrations and sophisticated insights make this a delightful book to read and to give to those "special people" who have made my life a little brighter with their friendship. I can't wait to see my coffee-loving friends enjoy reading this colorful serving of smooth indulgence.

I am a teacher at a primary school. When I saw 'Madame Doubtfire' on the school's book list, I gave it a read. At first, I was actually a bit worried that my students were too young to understand the given material but I was able to uncover the corresponding tapes. I recommend that younger children (around ages 8-12) read the book with help of the tapes. All scenes serve their intended purpose- the actors' interpretations are great! In particular, the scenes between the parents Daniel and Miranda are excellent. My students thoroughly benefitted from this supplementary matieral. It is a funny book, and deals with relevant issues.

The book Madame Doubtfire shows softly a tragedy,which are quite often in families.

Daniel is a father,who loves his children. But there's his nasty wife,called Miranda or "Stonewoman". She trys to destroy his weekends with the children,what ends in argues,which the children must endure.
I think,it's a good story,what teaches,how to retain in this situation,too.

I found this book not only to be filled with the wonderfull works of Claude Monete but it also has a great insight to his life and the imprssion he left on modern art today. This book also contains full fold-out pictures of some of the artists best works. For anyone who has ever enjoyed any of Monets work you will love this book.

This book is a perfect addition to any art library. Having seen "Monet in the 20th Century" in Boston at the Museum of Fine Arts, I was well prepared for the exhibit by having read the book first. I found the exhibit to be an extraordinary example of Monet's achievment in his later years. This book focuses on the works of Monet starting at the start of this century right up to his death in 1928. All through this period of Monet's life and including the representation of the body of work produced within those years, this book never skips a beat. Although not an all-encompassing look at his complete works of that period, this book offers the best look out there of his paintings as well as his development throughout the last quarter-century of his life. I found it to be in keeping with what is already known about Monet's later years, but certainly not devoid of interesting insights. The quality of the book, it's contents, including all of the color plates reproduced within is very good. I would not have an art library without Monet representation, and this is the ideal book for an addition or a starter.

I know people will kill me for this but I really did not like this novel very much.Sure Anne Fine is brilliant but I looked forward to reaching the last page.The dialogue between step kids and their step parents seems realistic and theres no doubt Anne Fine is real clever and has admittedly done a terrific job of this novel.I however also found it dragged,in other words I was bored,plus the constant arguments and emotional pain within was..well,painful.

Read and Weep, says the spidery writing on the cover of the book. Read and Weep. When five children become stranded in the haunted towers of Old Harwick Hall, they uncover the story of Richard Clayton Harwick, a boy who knew what it meant to have a truly wicked stepfather. As the lightning flashes, the children begin to relate their own tales of step parents, stories that are full of warmth and humour, yet with a fair share of sadness.

At first it seems the children could have nothing in common. Sports-mad Robbo, quick-witted Ralph, sensible Claudia, fiery Pixie and dreamy Colin seem as different to each other as it is possible to be. Yet they soon find they have one thing in common, and that is that they are all the products of broken homes.

Having read several of Anne Fine's books, I would have to say I think this is the best. The lack of plot is of no consequence as the books main purpose is as a forum for the various stories. "Step By Wicked Step" proves that all pain eventually heals and that we have the power to change things for the better.

I found I could relate to the children, as although I have never had to cope with a stepfamily, my mother is a single parent. Colin's story I found especially moving, having never known my father.

I first read this book when I was nine years old, and still enjoy it even today. A combination of interesting characters, moving stories and the powerful, disturbing tale of Richard Clayton Harwick combine to make this an immensely enjoyable read.

"Step by Wicked Step" is a tale that is both funny and moving. It is the perfect read for any children whose parents have separated, or any child who has to cope with a step-parent or step-family. Even for those who aren't in that situation, the book is an absorbing read that will make you both laugh and cry.

If you enjoyed "Step by wicked Step", I would recommend "The Tulip Touch" by the same author, which is a powerful, disturbing read.

May 26, 2000

How many people are brave enough to tell you their story? Ralph (one of the children in the novel) was practically beginning now. "How many chances do you get to peer into someone else's life?" And with those few words, the five children gathered around a mysterious old diary are in for most unusual evening making it a night of stories, stories told by themselves. The author, Anne Fine, wrote this novel with a great insight and humor about the profound effect of divorce and remarriage on children. She shows how the children in her novel like all children of divorce believe that their are the only ones with stories like theirs. She also shows how in telling their stories , the children begin to face an important truth; to start to fix things out as Ralph (one of the boys in the novel): "They have to make an effort." Empowering to children of divorce illuminating to all, this special novel reveals the strength in divided families does indeed often come from the children. I read this book in my Modern Literature class and I did a report about it, in my Senior year. This is a good book for all those children who are in the same situation as the children in the novel, and for all people. This novel showed me how the children of divorce become to suffer with their parents situation (problems). I am not a daughter of divorce parents, but I have some friends that they do. They suffer because they want their both parents together. I really enjoyed reading this book although as I just said that I am not in that situation.

It's difficult to give high marks to a book about marriage which doesn't include the phrase "marriage confers no rights on men, only obligations". Thus, I'd say this book is mostly for women. Between the misc biographical info on the author's own two marriages and the various philosophical meanderings with regard to the subject, the main message here is that marriage is an extremely fragile object (not that Roiphe is the sort of author to boil it down so). The fact that love is a glue which can evaporate rather predictably is not exactly news, as it's the prime rationale behind efforts to involve the state in enforcing the marriage contract and strengthening the institution. But this isn't that sort of book. Rather, it's the sort which raises a lot of questions and only sometimes provides tentative answers. Some may say this makes the book seem deep and profound. I nearly lost interest half way through, though I did like some of the second half better than the first (such as the section on arranged marriages). There were one or two gems of wisdom to be gleaned, but not enough to make me really enthusiastic and recommend the book.

I had several gripes. Roiphe makes several patently ridiculous statements along the way without seeming to realize it. Maybe she needs to challenge her sacred cows more. Her many references to characters in various novels will likely be lost on someone who wasn't an English major (or maybe a Feminist Studies major). And she's stuck in the paradigm where it's always progressive liberal feminist types battling it out with traditional conservative christian family values types. In other words, she's oblivious to any possible third, fourth, or fifth perspective, which can make a reader feel left out or unimportant. Heck, she wouldn't like me anyway because I climb mountains, an activity she only shows she doesn't understand and therefore probably shouldn't be mentioning to make a point. (Same goes for day-trading the stock market.) I also thought it somewhat strange that hubbie #1 from 20+ years ago, with whom there was much drama, looms larger than current longtime hubbie #2 who is a ghost-like figure here.

All-in-all, this wasn't a total waste of time to read, but it might have been better had it been distilled down to one of those very lengthy essay/articles which Harper's magazine has. 2 1/2 - 3 stars, though I'll be charitable and round up because I'm a big fan of daughter Katie's work.

Anne Roiphe does not present herself as a sage who knows all the answers. In "Marriage: A Fine Predicament" she muses on her two marital unions. The first one, made at a young age to a self-absorbed playwright, produced a daughter and some hard-won self-insight and wisdom. The second, a longlasting union with a psychoanalyst who helped her raise their blended family of five daughters---two his, one hers, and two theirs--has given her optimism and faith in the institution of marriage.

She worries for some of her daughters, as yet unmarried, and ponders whether arranged marriages---the norm in many places over many centuries---work out better than "romantic" ones. She roams over many topics, including the introduction of children into the marriage, the influence of in-laws, the differing gender-natures of male and female, the recurring patterns of relationships in families.

I enjoyed the book for Roiphe's witty, elegant yet clear-as-water prose, although I didn't agree with all of her statements and/or conclusions. Since she wrote in far less than didactic style, I don't think she'll mind. Readers, especially those who are wives- and- mothers over a certain age, will find her excellent company as she probes our common concerns. Highly recommended!

I've become so accustomed to Pollyannaish [style] in the field of marriage/divorce that I opened this book more than a little cynical about what I would find -- just more "10 Simple Steps to Feeling Giddy About Your Mate" drivel. But the first few pages hooked me. Here is perhaps the most objective, show-no-mercy, honest book about marriage and divorce I've read. Having gone through my own marital struggles over the past eighteen years (and still married) I was at once sobered, enlightened, discouraged, and at times just a little hopeful about this sticky entanglement we call marriage. That she writes from a feminist point of view did not at all distract or demean this male reader.

The genius in Roiphe's writing is she doesn't take the typical overworn and silly Mars/Venus approach to describing all marital ills. People are complex, their issues are complex, their childhoods are complex, their value systems are complex, their ever changing needs and wants and motives are complex and when two complex people come together in marriage all hell can and often does break loose -- IF people are awake and listening to what is going on in their souls and in their marriages.

If I were a pre-marriage counselor this is the first and perhaps only book I would give to the naive young couple before me. Only then would the simplistic formula books on marital bliss make any sense...if, that is, they ever make it to the alter.

I gave this book four stars becaue it held my attention. The characters seemed very real because their problems are seen in school. Tulip may not seem real to you but she does to me. The Tulip Touch, by Anne Fine, really makes you realize what a bad influence can do. I think Anne Fine told the story in just the right way to make it seem real.

This is a well-written book that shows, with great sensitivity, how fragile children can be and how important it is for others to reach out to those in trouble. The Tulip Touch should be read by young adults, 7th. grade and up, as well as by those who work with them. Not an easy book to read, on an emotional level, but well worth the effort. Wonderfully illustrates the "if only I'd....." syndrome so many of us suffer from that leads to lifelong regrets.

The Tulip Touch was a great book! In the first part a family of four move in to a hotel Natalies family meet a odd girl called Tulip shes in there field she has a little kitten. The next part Natilie finds out how diffrent Tulips family is to hers like the way they treat animals and humans! the third some thing very tragic happens to Tulip! To find out what happens to tulip by reading this book! I would racomend this book to all ages above 9,this is a great book.

Another terrifically written story by Anne Fine.She really is my favourite writer.This novel is about Kitty Killin(no,she doesn't like a spot of cat murdering)who is giving her mother's brand new boyfriend a terrible time.Sometimes I did not like him as he would butt in on Mrs. Killin's parenting skills,ooh!Who did he think he was!?I recommen all books by Ms.Fine.

The book I chose is called ¡¥goggles-eyes¡¦ which is written by Anne Fine. I chose this book just because its colorful cover at first, I thought this book is about something in the laboratory. But after reading the story, I had a feeling that I am very lucky, because I have a complete family. The book wasn¡¦t like what I expected to be, because what the book talks about is the story of an incomplete family.

The main characters of the story are Kitty Killin, Jude (Kitty¡¦s mother) and Helen. This book is mainly about the story of Jude and her boyfriends. At the beginning of the story, Kitty¡¦s classmates, Helen had some problems so that Kitty needed to talk to her, as the story develops, Kitty told Helen her family story. So the type of the book is warm-hearted fiction.

I like this book because first, the book lets me love my family, because Kitty¡¦s mother changes her boyfriends regularly, one after another with only little pause.

Second, the book can let people know that maintain a promise is very difficult,

e.g. between husbands and wives, Jude loved one after another and didn¡¦t feel something wrong.

I absolutely recommend this book to all people, because it is really good and warm-hearted.

My War with Goggle-Eyes was about a girl named Helen who has problems with her mom's boyfreiend and her mom won't even listen to her! So she goes and finds a friend who has the same problem as herself.The girl's name is Kitty.So Kitty finds out the problem and tells Helen what she did to her mom's boyfreind.They both end up making peace with their mom's boyfreind's. My opinion of this book was at the beginning I wish they would have had more of a beginning that kids or anyone could understand. This book was like The Kids at the End of the Hall.But it was different because the hole chapter was based on one kid for the thing. By Alex Harvey PG - 13

For lovers of great photography, one of the real gaps for a long time has been a monograph on this master of Euorpean street photography, whose images of Paris in the 30's in particular are among the greatest of their kind. Since the unfortuante deletion of the magnificent mid-80's reissue of PARIS BY NIGHT there has literally been nothing available except an over-priced paperback from Germany (I beleive) that has made its way to US museum bookshops and the like. What great news it was that Abrams, who are one of the best houses for this sort of thing, was publishing a major catalogue to accompany the travelling exhibit now at the National Gallery in Washington. The book was delayed several times earlier this year (no doubt to the chagrin of the museums the exhibit has already passed through) and has finally arrived in time for Christmas.

It is sad indeed to report that the book is a total disappointment- at least so far as the images themselves are concerned:

One: The source material and printing of the picutres are truly second-rate - without richness, luster, or dimension. Many look like photocopies from magazines or other books. They are oddly glossy but flat. Compare these to the incredible matte reproductions in PARIS BY NIGHT and the contrast between what can be done with with what is here is nearly heartbreaking.

Second: What is with the recent tendency to print photographs in an oversized, right-to-the-edges format with no sense of border or space to let the composition breathe and no sense of frame lines. The bleed-over simply kills the impact of many of these photogrpahs. It's a ruinous way to present great imagery. (It afflicts Abrams' new Bill Brandt book as well but to a lesser extent because the printing of that book is so much better.)

Third: There is very little that is new here. For such a major undertaking it comes across as a routine collection of well-known images, a greatest hits, that ends up delivering little emotional punch or insight into this great artist. Compare this to Abrams' own exhaustive works like Walker Evans: The Hungry Eye and you'll see what I mean.

With so many great photographers receiving deluxe treatment in the past few years from Abrams' W. Eugene Smith book last year to Bulfinch's Lartigue mongraph, it is a real shame that someone as seminal but poorly represented in print as Brassai should receive such a well-intentioned but unsatisfactory tribute. PLEASE BRING BACK PARIS BY NIGHT!

I am surprised that this book has gotten such mixed reviews here -- it is the definitive book on the subject. The essays are full of new information and elegantly presented. The design of the book, bleeds and all, remind me of the particular way Brassai made his books (which is why we care about Brassai today). The reproductions look like the original prints! The book is smart and real.

I saw this exhibition at the National Gallery of Art and bought the book. The exhibition blew me away and so did the book! It is the best exhibition book on photography I have seen. The print quality of the photographs is superb and the text is excellent. This book is a lesson in photography, political science, and sociology.

"Creating Beds and Borders" is a volume in the series of 'Fine Gardening' Design Guides issued by the Taunton Press. The book consists of separate articles by various contributors to 'Fine Gardening' magazine. Continuity is supplied by the subject matter, garden beds and borders.

This book's articles are grouped into four sections: (1) Design Strategies; (2) Great Border Plants; (3) Special Techniques; (4) Garden Gallery. It begins with four articles on the design of island beds and borders. Plant selection and placement are the topics covered by the majority of the essays, along with techniques for starting and renovating perennial beds. Gardening in the shade, in bogs, and in Southeastern heat and humidity all receive special attention in section four.

The one topic I felt could have used more coverage was flower bed edging techniques. One of the authors advocated a six inch by six inch trench to separate the bed from its surroundings. Another author, Sydney Eddison wrote an interesting article on "Good Looks Begin at the Edge," but she concentrates on edging plants, rather than on the physical separation of bed and lawn. Perhaps a future volume in the 'Fine Gardening' series will address the challenge of excluding the lawn from the flower bed (information I could certainly use).

Because it discusses a technique we're currently experimenting with, my favorite article in "Creating Beds and Borders" is "Roses Enliven a Border" by Judith C. McKeon. Up until a few years ago, we segregated all of our roses into one bed, away from the other perennials (I don't remember why). However, McKeon advocates growing roses as specimens in a mixed border:

"When shrub roses are grown as graceful specimens in the mixed border, they become part of its architecture, giving structure and a substantial backdrop for perennial companions. Like other ornamental deciduous shrubs, roses enhance the garden with the seasonal interest of their flowers, foliage texture and fruit displays."

I would only disagree with McKeon's recommendation to use the old Alba rose, 'Konigin von Danemark' as part of a mixed border. Our specimen of 'the Queen' is a hefty seven-footer and she is absolutely covered with thorns. Even the thorns have thorns. If you plant one of these royal ladies in your border, you'll never work in there again unless you cover yourself in leather.

'Konigin von Danemark' is a beautiful, raspberry-scented rose that could possibly be used as a deer hedge. For a mixed border, try other McKeon favorites such as 'The Fairy' or 'Gertrude Jekyll'.

Color photographs grace almost every page of "Creating Beds and Borders". It is not organized as a reference book per se, but is a collection of beautifully illustrated and well-written essays for (most particularly) the American gardener.