I borrowed the book from a friend of mine and I couldn't believe how well written and interesting it was to read. I have not read a novel this good in a extremely long time. My applause to the author. Never before has a book been able to make me cry. I refused to put the book down. I had so much in common with Ivy it was scary. Since I read the book I have taken a great interest in angels---I believe that the people we love--alive or dead---are our personal angels watching over us. I recommend this trilogy to everyone who believes in love and angels.

If you are a hopeless romantic like me you'll love this book. It's story is so powerful you'll never want it to end. This is by far my favorite series, I've read it 3 times and I never get bored with it. I cry every time Ivy is reunited with Tristan. READ IT !!!

I picked up this series about four years ago and have loved them ever since. Throughout the years the three books have gone through some rough times (the third one fell into my bathtub and a marker fell on it staining the entire thing). I couldn't find them when I went to bookstores and I was so happy when I found them online.

These books are about Ivy and Tristian, who dies in the first book. Her love for him causes her to almost loose everything, meanwhile her mother just married the richest man in wherever they live, and Ivy's new stepbrother is known to be a horrible person.

If you are a fan of the story of undying (literally) love, then read this.

Helene Hanff was a New York writer and Frank Doel was a London bookseller. This book chronicles the letters they wrote over a period of many years to one another. Although they never met, they became true friends bonded by their love of literature.

Having read this tiny little gem, I can tell you that I'm not even sure why I liked it so much. Maybe it was because I loved seeing a warm friendship develop between two total strangers. Maybe it was because I loved the dry wit of Helene and the staunch Britishness of Frank. Maybe it was because I liked hearing about the WWII years, how the people of Britain sacrificed, and how one caring American woman made a difference to this small group of Britishers.

One note: this is the only book I have ever read that is truly enhanced by the video. Read the book, then rent the movie. Anne Bancroft is the perfect Helene and Anthony Hopkins is brilliant as Frank.

This is the story of an American writer (the author of the book) who strikes up a friendship by mail with a bookseller in England. The entire book is a series of unedited and un-commented-on letters exchanged between Hanff and the Marks & Co. booksellers at 84 Charing Cross Road. Her primary pen pal is a man named Frank Doel, with whom she shares a love of old books. [Perhaps this is the point where I should say that I flatly disagree, without reservation, with the previous reviewers who believe there was a potential romantic attachment between the two of them.]

The correspondence runs from 1949 until 1969, during which time Helene and the people at 84 Charing Cross Road exchange Christmas gifts and news of their families, but never meet. At least in the early years of the correspondence, almost every year Ms. Hanff states her intention to come over to visit England, but something always comes up to prevent the trip.

In 1969, one of Hanff's letters to Frank Doel is answered by another member of the firm, informing her that Frank Doel has died.

This is a beautiful book, which can be read in 45 minutes. I suppose every reader will take his or her own lessons from the book, but here is mine: If there is something you really want to do in your life, then DO IT when the opportunity arises. Time is finite. If you keep saying, "Maybe next year," there will eventually come a time when there IS no next year. It is a painful tragedy that Helene Hanff never got to England to meet Frank Doer and the other people at Marks & Company, and that poignant sadness is what stayed with me after I had closed the book.

84 Charing Cross Road is a small book of correspondence between Helene Hanff, the author and Frank Doel, a London book seller. These letters chronicle their lives over a twenty year period from 1949 to 1969. Though never meeting, they share a very special friendship, almost a chaste love affair, that extends to his co-workers and family. This is a charming and delightful book about two people you come to care for through their letters and wish you knew in person. A must for your home library. A book you'll read over and over again and share with friends.

This is a wonderful book! It's not just for kids--I'm 25 and I read it for the first time yesterday.

Kate is a lady-in-waiting for Princess Elizabeth during Queen Mary's reign. Her sister gets Kate exiled to the Perilous Gard, a keep in the middle of the Elvenwood. Her new guardian, the sensible yet likeable Sir Geoffrey Heron is called away almost immediately, leaving Kate in the care of the menacing Master John. Christopher Heron, Sir Geoffrey's brother, is a myterious and intriguing shadow around the manor, and there are rumours in the castle that he killed his neice in order to protect his inheritance. The villagers have a different explanation, though: that the little girl was stolen by the Faerie people who tend the Holy Well. As Kate investigates these rumours, she and Christopher are swept into a terrifying and deadly adventure.

The characters of Kate and Christopher are wonderfully round and engaging. Kate is smart, curious, practical and sharp-tongued, while Christopher is honorable, guilt-ridden, and full of dreams. These are two people I wish I knew! Sir Geoffrey, Master John, and the minstrel Randal are also developed well. Kate's sister Alicia, and the old maid Dorothy aren't so well developed, but still serve their functions in the story. The Lady in the Green is a fascinating and mysterious character as the Queen of the Pople of the Hill.

I highly recommend this book - this book is definitely deserving of the Newbery Honor!

I'm 20 now, and I first read this book when I was about 10. I've reread it at least once a month since then (after the initial five times I read it in a row) because I absolutely adore The Perilous Guard. There's a whole host of reasons for my adoration, but the main ones are, one, that I *love* historical fiction, two, that novels set in the same time period (1558, to be exact, although anything within a few hundred years works nicely, too) are one of my favorite things to read, three, that Elisabeth Marie Pope is a fantastic storyteller, four, that I love the ballads the book is peppered with (particularly "Tam-Lin," the ballad that helps form much of the plot),, and five, because the characters are all so well-drawn. I feel as if I really know them, that I could walk out on the street and see them there (if I lived in the appropriate time period, of course). I highly recomend this book to anyone of an appropriate age (above ten, in my opinion) to read and understand it, particularly if you like historical fiction mixed with "fantasy," a term I hesitate to use (although I am doing so as I cannot, at the moment, come up with anything better) since nothing that happens in the book is presented with a very fantasy-ish tone.

My mother brought this book home for me about 8 years ago when I was in high school, and I absolutely could not put it down!!! Without going into too much plot detail (since other reviewers have already done a fine job of this), I would have to recommend this book to anyone with an interest in Elizabethan England, the folklore of Great Britain, or good solid fantasy novels in general. It's a great read for anyone over the age of 12, and it's especially great for girls and young women to read because of the heroine, Kate. There is something so real and appealing about her. She is very strong and intelligent when faced with an impossible situation, and in the end she finally gets recognized for the person she really is. Overall, this is an exceptional book, and will always rank among my all-time favorites.

The Velveteen Rabbit will always be one of the most treasured children's books of all time. I've read the book many times at various stages of my childhood, and now that I'm 22-years-old, I find that this timeless story isn't just for children.

This, of course, is the story of a stuffed toy rabbit who seems to have a life of his own. "The Boy" finds the rabbit in his stocking at Christmas. After playing with him for a short time, the rabbit is put away on a shelf where he is to stay for an extended period of time. While on that shelf, he befriends a fellow stuffed toy animal called the Skin Horse. The horse tells the rabbit all about what it means to become "real", and the rabbit is quickly enamored by this aspiration. One day, the rabbit is taken off the shelf and given to the boy who cuddles with him every night and takes him wherever he goes during the day. The rabbit feels truly loved, and is thrilled when the boy tells him that he's real. There's a touching part of the story where the rabbit toy is confronted by two real rabbits who tease him about being just a toy, and he vehemently maintains that he, too, is real because "the boy said so."

I'm not going to give away the ending, but I have to admit that I felt the same lump in my throat while reading this book now as I did when I first read it many years ago. I know of college students who've had to read this book for class. There's a great deal to be learned here about beauty and love. While the story remains the same, the message changes as one grows older.

This book is a definite necessity for anyone's personal library.

The Velveteen Rabbit was (and still is) my favorite children's book. The classic tale of how the little boy's love made the rabbit real is a classic. I had a hard time finding this book, but I finally have it. I am hoping to read it to my future kids and hopefully my kids will read it to their kids. This is a book that anyone from any generation could enjoy. I will always love the Velveteen Rabbit!

It has been seventy-seven years since this story was first published and it continues to be popular with each generation. I am amazed at how often I've read it to the children of today. It is the classic story of a stuffed rabbit who, after many years, becomes a real rabbit through love. It is a book that also should be on the shelf of any serious student of children literature.

I love alll of the Anne of Green Gables series. They are so vividly written you find yourself wishing that you were born as Anne a hundered years ago on PE Island. I would have happily endured all her hardships for all the wonderful moments in her life, and the fact she married Gilbert Blythe! It's so well written that you actually feel that you know Gilbert and I actually found my self falling in love with him! I've read the series 2 times. The first time I couldn't stop thinking about Anne. I read Anne, I tried to live like Anne and I dreamt Anne. Anyway, although I love all 8 books almost equally Anne of the Island is just a little better. And although it's romantic it's definitely not just a romance. Anne of the island includes wit and humour that makes it an all-round perfect book. If you're an Anne fan you havvvvvve to read this. I could not describe how wonderful it is in 1000 words. Anne of the Island is truly a book you CANNOT put down. After reading this I recommend you read all the rest of the Anne of Green Gables series (there are 5 more book,) although you'll probably be rushing to buy them anyway.

If you like the Anne of Green Gables series this is the best one in the whole thing! Anne of the Island has something for everyone! Anne Shirley leaves the small town of Avonlea to attend Redmond collage.. There the novel introduces you to a character who is extremely funny named Pricella! (Hope I spelled her name right). In this novel Anne falls in love with a fellow school mate, while her long time friend Gilbert Blythe finds a love interest as well! Do they end up together at last? Read the book and find out! This book is definatly for people who liked the movie "Anne of Avonlea". They are without a doubt slightly similar, but the book is definatly better!

I think that this is my favorite Anne book. I have read it over a hundred times to myself and soon I will need to order a new copy. It tells the ongoing story of Anne Shirley and chronicles her adventures in higher education, friendship, love, and of course WRITING! This is not a childrens' book as some might think. It is very easy to read, but it is for people of all ages. Of course, it features the same Gilbert Blythe who we all know and love as Anne's constant admirer and the irredeemably Sloanish Charlie. She also has Priscilla Grant at her side. She also makes a new friend, Phillippa Gordon, who makes Anne's freshman year wonderful and may someday prove to be quite sensible. In the course of the book, Anne will gain friends and admirers as well as continue to matchmake and write (of Course). She will have her share of joy, tears, loss, and love and ultimately set her course for her life beyond the bend in the road. I learned an important life lesson from this book,you never value what you have until you have lost it. I loved the characterization of all the new characters especially Phillipa, I think that we all know someone like her who attracts men without knowing how or wanting to. I can relate to Anne in this book. This book is thoroughly enjoyable and you not regret reading it. If you still want more Anne after reading this book,you should read all of the other Anne books (the next is Anne of Windy Poplars) and the Chronicles of Avonlea(it includes several stories which include Anne in them: The Hurring of Ludovic, The Winning of Lucinda, etc.) I hope that you will love it as much as I did!

Each chapter of 'The Counselors' provides an insightful discussion with a woman who has forged her way through a traditionally male field. The reader learns not only the woman's resume, but also her personal thoughts on her struggles, successes and failures. Vrato is a talented author and 'The Counselors' is extremely well-written. I would recommend this book not only to the established professional woman who can relate to the Counselors' stories, but also to young women just starting out in their careers as an inspiration for their professional lives ahead. This book is well worth the read and (in light of the topic and format) would make an excellent graduation gift.

This book does a great job at what it sets out to do. Its purpose is presented in its introduction: (1) to talk with a group of women who it may be difficult to gain access to for a conversation, and to ask them what they would like to say to others about their journeys during the social transformation in America over the last 30-40 years and (2)to get those stories out there to more people than those women could ever meet with during the course of their busy days changing the world. That's it.

It's not meant to criticize them one little bit. It doesn't. And it's not meant to be new and definitive in the fields of politics and women's issues. It's not.

Having said that, many people will learn a lot, because not that many people are really experts in the fields of politics and women's studies. And readers will take away practical advice they can apply in their own lives, passed along from those who have traveled the path before them--the way you get from having conversations with mentors. Some of the women have "name recognition," some don't. But they all have a warmth and a willingness to share that can help those who think they could benefit from conversations with wiser elders or with role models.

The Counselors doesn't fit the mold of a lot of other books, and it's a book we've been needing. It fills a niche, providing inspiration from numerous voices of women (including women of color), which is different from our tradition of seeing men in positions of power and responsibility and hearing only (or primarily) the voices of men to inspire us. But women have been inspired by the voices of men, and now men can be inspired by the voices of women. The Counselors broadens American folklore--

The Counselors is truly a book to educate and inspire. As a woman who came after the Women's Liberation Movement, I have a tendency to forget about the struggles that the women before me endured. The Counselors brought the struggles of 18 amazing women into sharp relief.

It was a revelation to discover that Lynn Hecht Schafran concealed her pregnancy for nine months, took a two-week vacation, and came back to work, suddenly a parent, since employees at her business were not allowed to be pregnant. Can you believe that? I couldn't. The Counselors is inspirational and a great motivator.

My favorite part of the book is the first-person anecdotes that author Elizabeth Vrato includes to begin each woman's story. Her personal stories are easy to relate to and demonstrate her increasing awareness of the struggles that women have endured and continue to experience in the working world. Ultimately, The Counselors is about triumphing over obstacles; there are myriad bits of advice sprinkled throughout.

For someone who has lacked strong female role models, I feel so fortunate to be able to hear these women talk about family, career, the glass ceiling, important legislation for the rights of women, and the importance of strong bonds amongst women. I'd recommend this to anyone looking for some inspiration or history on the women's movement. I feel so grateful to these women and author Elizabeth Vrato for sharing their stories with the world.

This is the first of Anne McCaffrey's books that I've read. I was completely surprised and overjoyed when I discoverd how mant books she has written! I can't wait to read them ALL! As for this book, I've read it three times in a row, so far. I am totally captivated by PERN and it's story. As a music lover, I can understand how Menolly (the main character) feels. I love her firelizards, the Harper Hall, and all of her friends! This is a GREAT BOOK! I can't tell you how much I enjoyed it! Anne McCaffrey does a superb job in making you feel what Menolly feels. It's sad, intriguing, and funny! Keep up the AWESOME work, Ms. McCaffrey!

I first read this book in the early 1980s when I found it in my elementary school library. This was the only time I have ever been justified by judging a book on it's cover! I devoured the whole series by the age of 12, and though I enjoyed all the books, this one stands as my all time favorite. There is real emotional depth in McCaffery's characters. Unlike a lot of fantasy and SF novels you can really relate to all her characters. Menolly in particular is as "real " a person as you can get in fiction. Her isolation and depression as a result of her neglect are all too common among young women everywhere. It is not fiction that girls are passed by in favor of men still. Her eventual rise out of her depression and acceptance of her own talent was encouraging to me as a creatively stifled young artist. When I had no Petiron or Robinton in my life it gave me hope. It has always been my favorite novel. I strongly recommened it. I am reading it again right now!!

Dragonsinger is the second book in the Harper Hall Trilogy and is the sequel to Dragonsong. It starts right after the previous book ends, with Menolly arriving in Harper Hall a-dragonback. There she begins her musical education with the masters of music. Menolly always thought that harpers would be different and that she would fit in among them, but she finds that people are the same wherever you go. All of the other girls are jealous of her musical talents and do not want her living in their cottage. The boys insist that she has no place with them and her nine fire lizards make her stand out even more. Still, she is Masterharper Robinton's special apprentice and he seems to believe in her and to love her new songs. As Menolly struggles to find her place among the harpers of Pern she will discover much about herself, as well as the remarkable secrets about fire lizards and eventually find an honored place among the Harpers of Pern.

Even though I have enjoyed all of McCaffrey's books, the Harper Hall trilogy has always been my favorite. I first read this book when I was in junior high school and simply loved it. I have read my copy time and time again. McCaffrey has a nice, smooth writing style with great descriptions so readers will have no trouble visualizing the life on Pern. She also does a nice job of throwing in little recaps so that those who have not read Dragonflight and Dragonquest can still understand what is going on. I simply loved the world of the Harpers and think that any reader of fantasy will enjoy this enchanting series.

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.

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.

If you never read any of this writer's books or just read a few, then you MUST MUST go for THIS ONE. I'm one of her very royal readers. Besides reading all her books, I also can't help evaluating and rating each books. From the early "Fancy Pants" to the latest "Lady Be Good", I still keep my opinion that this one is the BEST. Gracie is the most simple yet most assuring and lovely lady among all created female characters. Bobby Tom is the most handsome, most tomboy yet most romantic male character. Actually, before writing this review, I have gone through all other reviews and found out that all the reviews give this book 5 STARS (This means most of the readers agree with me that this is really a GREAT book and deserved more than 5 stars. The story is well-versed and all the characters in the book are very real. It is a funny story and Susan Elizabeth Phillips has successfully created the constraint among the man and lady. I like the part that Gracie knows very well she has fallen in love in Bobby. Bobby Tom knows he himself has also fallen in love with her but he just does not want to admit it and refuses to believe such a gorgeous man he is, can fall in love with a simple lady like Gracie. The peak of the story comes at the end when Gracie feels so disappointed in Bobby that she decides to go back to her hometown to lead a simple life. Bobby Tom at this time, knowing he is going to lose her, has suddenly come to the realization how much he loves her. The ending of the story is EXTREMELY GOOD ! (Want to know how this marvellous story ends? Go to read it! and you'll know for yourself and wishing you are Gracie)

I read an Anne of Green Gables many, many years ago and immediatly fell in love. At once, I went out and bought the entire series, loving each book more than the one before. This is a line of books I would highly recommend to anyone, of any age. It is truly my favorite set of books. No matter how many times I have read it...and my first copy had fallen apart years ago...I laugh and cry just as hard as I did the first time. Anne of Green Gables 2, or Anne's House of Dreams, is a wonderful story of a couple just starting out in marriage. Moving from their friendly town of Avonlea, they started out anew, in a little cottage by the seashore. Gilbert, Anne's husband, is a young doctor, beginning his practice. They make many new friends, each more interesting than the last. There is even a mystery to unravel in their midst! Romance galore, love, friendship and dreams unfold before our eyes. Even when we read of their tragedies, we hurt along with them, feeling their pain. That is how well this book is written. Read it, enjoy it and buy the whole set. You will never regret it!

Anne of Green Gables is one of the first books to make me fall in love...with it. I mean, it was cute, it was lesson teaching (hehe, that sounds strange), and Anne was just such a good character. She sort of reminded me of me: bad temper (I've gotten much cooler now, haha), big words, amazing imagination, smart (haha, well, I was and am PRETTY SMART, at least, I think, haha). Gilbert reminded me of this guy at school...haha, well, I won't get into details there, but the book was charming, and I've already read it over four times in only like three years, which is sort of alot. I loved this book, and I believe that many other people will learn to appreciate its cuteness and truth and stuff over the years, hehe. Enjoy!

When I first read this book many years back, I loved it, and was sad for it to end when I finished reading it. I loved every single part of it...I simply couldn't put it down. Anne is such a character...you can't help liking her more and more, and wishing that she was your own "bosom friend" just as I did. While reading, I was transported back to that time, and I could just see Avonlea and Green Gables, the school which Anne studied in, and I could see Diana and Miss Stacy and Gilbert just as if they were my own friends.

I loved this book, and read it many times over again after I first picked it up, and it still delighted me. Lucy Maud Montgomery is a stunning writer, and I believe that she must have been like Anne, for no one could create such a realistic character and write everything that poured out of Anne's mouth...her made up stories, the things that she she thought of, her wild yet delightful imagination...all in all, Anne of Green Gables is one of the finest books I've ever read, and were ever written. I strongly recommend it to anyone, old or young. Everyone can relate to Anne and she could make you smile like she did for me.

I read this book based on J.K. Rowling's statement that it was her favorite book as a child, and it's easy to see why she loved it. I wish I had known of it when I was a child. An allegory, a fairy tale and a morality play all rolled into one, this delightful story should entertain adult readers and enchant the younger set, though it may be too very sweet for older kids.

As Goudge's The Little White Horse opens, Maria Merryweather is travelling toward her destiny, though she does not yet know this. Suddenly an impoverished orphan, she is travelling to Moonacre Manor, the home of a mysterious relative, in the company of her caretaker Miss Heliotrope and her little dog Wiggins. The story of Maria's adventures is fanciful and charming and populated by magical characters living in an enchanted place. Maria learns that people and stories are usually more than first impressions suggest, that even virtuous people have faults and even wicked people have goodness, that one can learn from previous mistakes ?- one?s own and others? ?- and make a better decision next time. All problems are resolved at the end, all loose ends tied neatly. First published in 1946, the voice here hints at modern narrative awareness of itself, but Is never cynical.

A drawing of Moonacre Manor is here, and chapters are short enough to make this a great read-aloud novel.

It's too bad that so few of Elizabeth Goudge's books are in print, though I am grateful that this one has been reprinted. I'd never read it before, and initially I was turned off by the unicorn illustration on the cover. But I'd heard lots of comments about how magical it was, and so I sat down to read.

Newly orphaned Maria Merryweather is being sent from London to Moonacre Manor, the castle-like home of her uncle, Benjamin Merryweather. Initially Maria and her devoted governess Miss Heliotrope expect the place to be cold and uncomfortable -- but Maria is delighted to see an enchanted, silvery landscape, and the brief vision of a white horse running past. She fits quickly into the slightly strange, almost idyllic surroundings -- despite the fact that no woman has come to Moonacre Manor in twenty years. But Sir Benjamin seems very pleasant -- as does the huge, unusual dog Wrolf.

Maria is enchanted both by the beautiful natural surroundings and the neighboring village of Silverydew. But she begins to sense that something is wrong: her uncle is unhappy about something and won't talk about the briefly-seen white horse. Her childhood invisible friend Robin returns to her -- and the inhabitants of Silverydew know him. Beautiful items are laid out in her tiny, luxurious room -- with the initials L.M. And strange dark figures are creeping through the woods near the sea. Maria soon finds out about a long-lasting story of magic, sadness, greed and darkness that has haunted her family for generations, and is determined to set it right.

Goudge was evidently one of the few authors who can effectively blur the line between reality and dreaminess. Some sections of her prose are almost intoxicating; she never held back from describing surroundings and items lushly. The dreamy atmosphere of the book is established when Maria and Miss Heliotrope (and Wiggins the dog) arrive at Moonacre. Such beautifully written passages crop up, such as "moonlight and firelight mingled their silver and gold."

We also are given examples of Ms. Goudge's evident love of both nature, the countryside, and religion (not preachily, simply a demonstration of the beauties she saw in it). She also mixes in a few other items: the hare being a "Fairy" creature, the legend behind the Merryweathers and the valley, the sinister Black Men in the forest, and the enchanting visualization of the "little white horse" being one of the white horses that crashes in on sea foam.

Some aspects of this book are a little unusual by current politically correct standards: we get several negative references to "female curiosity", atheists may be offended by Ms. Goudge's evident dislike of atheism. And I literally have no idea what a "syllabub" is. However, since this takes place in a past era, there's no reason to fuss about it.

Maria herself is a delightful heroine, with just enough quirks to make her realistic -- her mild preoccupation with clothes, for example. Miss Heliotrope is not the usual strict spinster governess, but a kind and upright woman with real emotions and feelings. Wiggins is a little pain in the tail. We also have the fascinatingly charismatic Parson, who manages to make religion come dazzlingly alive while also being kind and gentle. And we have the loquacious Marmaduke Scarlet, a dwarf cook with an odd temper, an amazing culinary craft, and a vaguely gnome-like appearance. And it takes a little while for Robin to develop beyond the level of "boyish sprite," but he's a nice character as well.

This is a thoroughly delightful book, full of childlike innocence and wonder that very few could pull off. Fans of Narnia and the "Hobbit" will probably eat this right up. A timeless, charming tale.

When Maria Merryweather is suddenly orphaned, she has no choice but to move to her new guardian's home, Moonacre Manor. Maria is accompanied by her ever-faithful governess, Miss Heliotrope, and the virtueless King Charles Spaniel, Wiggins. Maria's guardian, Sir Benjamin makes Maria and her governess feel very welcome in the vast house in spite of the fact that "no female had darkened" the place for more than twenty years.

Maria quickly learns that her ancestor, Sir Wrolf, made some terrible mistakes which have ramifications for the residents of Moonacre Manor. It is apparent that Maria is the only person who can correct the past, and she does so with gusto. Aided and abetted by Serena the Rabbit, Wrolf the dog, and Zachariah the cat, Maria solves the mysteries of the past.

I read this book years ago as a child, and it is still a delightful read many years later. I do think, however, that it primarily a girl's book; a girl is the main character--and indeed the resourceful heroine, so that should be kept in mind if buying this book as a gift. Also, apart from a dwarf, there is really no magic, wizards, fairies etc in this book. It's just the story of one little girl set in Victorian times, and the things that happen, do so thanks to kindness, the power of good, and an overall belief in the decency of humankind--a very nice old-fashioned story.