Shadow of the Dragon is a really good book. Not only does it contains actions, drama, but also comedy as well. A story is about a boy named Danny, living with his parents, Ba, and a cousin Sang Le just arrive to the United State from Camp. He has a lot of responsibility, such as driving mom to store, help fill out the bills because parents doesn't understand English that well. This situation related to a lot of Foreign teenagers which the author make a good point. Also, the relationship between Danny and Tiffany are somewhat like Romeo and Juliet. Both sides have gang, Danny is with his Cousin gang, Tiffany brother have a gang of his own. Both gangs doesn't like each one another, that in result, Sang Le dies because of misunderstanding between Tiffany's brother and him. I would recommend people to read this book and find out what make the ending SO different other books

Danny Vo is a 16-year-old caught between wanting to be an American and being Vietnamese. This novel is filled with love, action, and emotions that will carry you into his world. Sang Le is Danny's cousin, he is 18 and just out of a refugee camp in China. He is trying to fit in with the help of his cousin. This book was one of many books I have read in the bast year, but it was the best of them all. It thrilled me because of the awesome suspense. I READ THE WHOLE THING IN ONE-DAY!

On la scale of one to ten, I would give this book a ten. If it were stars, I would say a four. I rate it this way because it was a really awesome book. I liked this book because it had to do with real life situations. The characters mostly did what they thought was right, even if others thought they were wrong. I also liked this book because it was one of a kind. It was unique because a lot of stories end happily, but this one doesn't. That's semi-cool. The main characters are : Danny, Sang Le, Tiffany, and Ba. Some supporting characters are: Calvin Danny's family, Cobra, Frank, and Hong. I'm not going to say anything specifically, but, someone dies. If that doesn't make you want to read this book, maybe the fact that it has something for everyone will (action, drama, and romance). I think it would make a great movie. As I said before, I would rate this book as one heck of a book. It is my favorite book by far.

This book is a good start if you were just hit with the "I want to write" voice. While it covers the basic elements in little detail, the beginning writer will read it then want to move on to books with more depth on character and scene construction. Of course, the novice will continue to read a zillion novels as they are the best text books. With due respect to Sherry Garland for she knows the fiction genre, it was not very inspiring. Then again, it's a book on the craft and not really meant to inspire. Nonetheless, any writing book could offer some glimspe of hope that one CAN make a good living writing for children and teens. Anything is possible if you only believe it first. If you want to stay inspired and are vulnerable to disappointment at this early stage of your exciting new writing career, don't read chapter nineteen. Wait until you've written your first manuscript and sent it out before learning the facts from this chapter. However, I did like how she suggests breaking down your writing goals into months, weeks, and days. See chapter seven.

I don't know what book Michigan Writer read, but I thought that Sherry Garland's book on writing was excellent. I'm far from a beginner (numerous magazine stories, chapter books, novels published), and I still learned new things from this book. I also found it inspiring -- here's where you learn what you need to know. That's a much better inspiration than reading a book about writing, smiling and punching the air and saying "Yeah!", and still not knowing what to do next. Sherry Garland is an award-winning author. Read her book and then do what she says. She's a pro!

Garland has written a book for both the beginning YA writer and the published author--and that's not easy! Her organization, examples, and practical advice will appeal to writers on both ends of the spectrum and everyone in between. Like any good teacher, she does not "brow beat" information into you (neither does she insult your intelligence with simplistic advice). Included are tips on writing all kinds of YA literature...novels, non-fiction, poetry, etc. She also has a section with practical advice from a business standpoint. If I could only have one book on writing for young adults, it would be this one (and I've read MANY).

A girl born in Vietnam has fallen in love with a buffalo herder who has seen the mayhem in the war. The girl, Loi lives on the streets. The buffalo herder Khai is whom she has fallen in love with instead of an officer. Those thoughts have been trailing the minds if Loi should leave her family to have a better life in America.

Have you ever wondered how it was for children that had American fathers but lived in Vietnam? Well this story Son of the Buffalo Boy is just about that. The main character Loi was trying to look for her "father" who now lives in America. First she was arranged to marry a person who she didn't like so she faked her death and ran away with the person she loved, Khai. However, when they were getting on the bus Khai didn't make it so Loi had to go to the new town all alone. When she got there, she had no money so she had to practical beg for food and steal money. She also meets her "brother" Joe who was an orphan. He took her to the place were she could register to go to America. He then took her to live with him in Amerisian Park. Two weeks later when she was walking down the street, she saw one of Khai's carvings and she he was there so she left a message with the storeowner. To know if she meets back up with Khai or goes to America you have to read it first.

Loi wanted to get married with Khai but her mom and uncle made her get married with Officer Hiep and she doesn't want to so she escapes to Saigon so she can go to America and find her dad, then she arrived to Saigon andand Khai came after and she found him and didn't want to go anymore so she went back home and got married with Khai in their village. I agree with the author because it was a really good bookand she put a lot of details and good events in the book. My favorite part when she was pretending to look like a bumb on her engagement day with officer Hiep.The title connects with the book. I would recomend this book to probably anybody or people that like a little romance because this bookis kind of like a romance. I think it would be a great book for anyone.

This book, Indio, is depressing beyond reason. I will not tell you the story, but what I can tell you is that it is the most depressing book I've ever read. There are many deaths in this story. I like tearjerkers, but this one is too much for me.

It was an okay book although I felt let down in the end how she goes off to marry the Spainard. I think she was a very weak character and was too innocent considering everything that had happened to her.

Indio was a wonderful book. Ipa and her cousin go through many emotional and cultuarl experiences. Eventhough Ipa-tah-chi has so much taken away she still holds on to the hope her villiage will survive and thet everything will go back to normal. It tells another side of the story when the Spanish conquistadores invaded the American south-west. I love how it does'nt put anything in softer terms. It tells how Xucate (ipa's cousin ) was treated by the head of the miners. He raped her. You learn that the history books do not tell how the natives were treated terribly in the 15th & 16th centurys. Well I recommend this book to 12-16 year-olds. It is truly worthy of five stars.

Dusty has a dreadful fear of water. This fear has led to a life of lying to cover up his fear. Yet, it is on a cruise, with his family, that Dusty comes face to face with his fear. His awakening comes through an Indian girl crying from the cabin next door. This is no ordinary girl, she is a ghost from the extinct Taino tribe. She enlists Dusty's help to return home and in the process teaches Dusty too overcome his fear of water. The author does a great job in telling this story. However, the book is a long read and some incidental themes often pull you way from the main theme of the book. Dusty comes across as a normal energetic kid with a wonderful imagination. Readers will be able to relate to his problems and eventual triumphs over each.

Twelve year old dusty has a fear of drowning
and when his step mom wins a trip for a cruise
he doesn't want to go. He ends up being forced to. On the cruise no parties seem to suit him. Some weird things start
happening, like cries from the other rooms, flickering
lights, and faucets going on and off. He decides to go check
things out in Cabin 102 were the unusual cries came from. He
ends up meeting Tahni, a ghost of an Indian, which was drown
ed by the Spaniards. Tahni teaches Dusty how to over come his fear of drowning. At first he doesn't know that she's a ghost
but by going to an museum with Lionel he quickly finds out the
story of her life and swears to get her back to her island so her spirit can rest in peace. When a wave that is over 30 feet tall comes from a storm in
the north Atlantic, Tahni spots it and Dusty alerts the people
on the ship. When it hit the ship was tipped almost on it's side
and Dusty slid off it....

Twelve year old Dusty has a major fear of the water and is forced to go on a cruise with his family although he doesn't want to. While on the cruise he often hears cries from what he belives is coming from the cabin next door.... CABIN 102.He decides to investigate it, he comes to find that the cries are coming from a ghost indian girl named Tahani that died on the ship in 1511 in a hurricane.She cannot rest in peace until she is put back on the island in which she grew up on. When a hurricane comes Dusty helps Tahani get back on the island while he comes face to face with his fear. I think this book was a very good book and I really recommend that you should read it. It really keeps the reader involved in it until you don't want to put it down.I would definetly have to say that it is one of the best books I have ever read!

Voices of the Alamo is a book that reaches far back to tell the story of the Alamo. The book begins in 1500 telling the story of the early indians. It progresses up to and through the Alamo battle finishing with what the Alamo is today. The pictures are good, and the events around the time of the battle are highlighted. Main figures such as Antonio Lopex de Santa Anna, Davey Crockett, and William Barret Travis are shown on seperate pages with their accounts of the Alamo. Overall a good historical book for children.

Being a native Texan, this book brought back many memories. As a teacher, this book brought forth many teachable opportunities such as timelines and biographical starting points. As this book was shared with fellow teachers, their were many tears, moments of silence, and time spent in awe of this book. This book has the ability to greatly affect feelings from almost anyone who reads it. I would strongly recommend this book!

This auther atempted to write a metaporical story of a boy overcoming the death of his "friend", but came out choppy, corny, and pretty boring. dont waste your time.

In Letters from the Mountain, I learned how fast people can change. I also noticed in this book, that the main character, Taylor, grew more mature as the book went along. At the beginning of the book he really had no respect, especially for his mother, and he was acting like a little child. He stole and did bad things. As the book progressed, and Taylor started facing problems and questions, the real inside of himself begins to emerge. He discovers real friendship and how precious life is. I think I learned that, too.