I read this book becasue my friend told me I should. She said I would cry, and I did. Ryan White was a remarkable person. He was born with hemophilia and struggled through much of his short life trying to be a normal kid. Ryan was diagnosed with AIDS at age 13. I am 14 years old, and I know what it is like to be a teenager. The trials and tribulations any normal teen goes through, Ryan went through but he did it with his deadly disease. I am amazed at how much strength and courage he and his family all had. When their own hometown turned their backs on the White family, they moved and built up a whole new life with new friends. Wherever Ryan went, his message also followed and the message is this: NEVER give up on your life. Thank you.

Ryan White: My Own Story by Ryan White and Ann Marie Cunningham is one of the most heart-warming and touching books I have ever read. This work of nonfiction is a biography of one of the most courageous young men in the world.
Ever since he was born, Ryan had been in and out of hospitals. He had a horrible disease, Hemophilia, which causes the blood not to clot. Ironically, the treatment he takes to help with his Hemophilia ends up giving Ryan Aids. Throughout the story, Ryan tells us of his struggle with the pain of the incurable diseases and the continuous harassment from his fellow schoolmates and citizens. He faces all the challenges of a normal teen and on top of that, has to face the cruel reality of an imminent death. This book is a great source of an amazing story and a very informant book on the affects of AIDS.
To me, Ryan is one of the bravest kids to ever live. When so much was against him, he always found a way around it. He is truly an inspiration to me and probably to everyone who has read this moving book. I would recommend this book to anyone, and I think that anyone who ever thought they had it bad needs to read this truly wonderful book!!!

I read this book 3 years ago as a sopohomore in high school. I had heard the story of Ryan White but never knew it in this much detail. To be honest, throughout the book, my eyes were rarely ever dry. Ryan was so young, yet he was forced to become an adult much sooner than anyone could ever imagine. No matter what everyone else said about him, Ryan always kept his head up. He never lost hope in himself. I remember once in the book he tells his mom I'll beat this thing or I'll die trying. That is what he did. He died trying to beat the dreadful disease. However, good did come of this. Because of Ryan White, new light has been shed on the entire AIDS issue. He was so brave. I do not know of anyone in this world who possesses the same kind of courage that this young man did.

The story of Ryan White will never leave my heart. He is a true inspiration to all of us and will never be forgotten. In the words of Elton's song "Your candle burned out long before your legend ever did."ÿ

Shrouded potency.

After reading all of the favorable reviews, I began this book with great expectations. This is not the kind of book that grabs you and does not let you go. Yet, there is something about it that compels you to read it in it's entirety. Initially, it seems like an hagiography of David Chamblin but the subtle nuances of defeat, despair and HOPE forces the reader to appreciate this tome.

The author's use of biblical references create an aura of spirituality and hope that can not be fully realized until after a few hours of completing this story. I finished this story last night and it was not until this morning that I realized the vast significance of David's personal journey as a black man "trying to live" in the United States. If one views this story in black and white, that lesson has been lost. The character of David Chamblin is the archetype for humanity.

This book lost two stars for the depiction of women, black women especially. None of the female characters (although some may argue for Sue Ellen) existed apart from men.

I first read this book 25 years ago, had never forgotten it, and re-read it again in February 2001 when I came across a copy at a rummage sale. The book jacket had been scotch-taped together several times, attesting to the owner's love of the book and its many readings. Author Ann Fairbairn got into the soul of Southern black people and all they suffered, and portrayed it without flinching, without exaggeration. She also gave us David and Sara and their truly committed and complicated love. Her writing style is flawless, and this is a classic of American literature.

I read this book years ago when I was in my twenties. I thought that it was the most cohesive book I had ever read about Civil Rights. What a wonderful story! And factual...I found out a few years ago that Ann Fairbairn had died in Monterey California. What a loss! I have also read her book "That Man Cartwright" Another winner if you can find it. Thanks to Amazon I was able to get a copy. I have read it many times. Not as many as "Five Smooth Stones". Both books are very enlightening. Her biography of George Lewis, "Call Him George" was extremely well written and a great story. I will always keep these books and read them over and over, just to remind me of what people are capable of (both bad and good).

snny's third diary wasn't as good as her second and third but it was still well written. i liked her other diaries better because they delt with more issues. there was more storylines involved that made it interessting. in her third book, the center focus was on her mom's dying. mrs. martin seemed to really prolong the death and drag it out. it got to a pont where i was sick of reading about it. i think she should of used half the book on sunny saying goodbye and her mom dying and then the other half on something else. her friends were hardly mentioned, when before they took up a lot of the book. i like hearing about the other character's in the series from each character's perspectives and that was missing from this one. i enjoy hearing what sunny has to say about her friends because she usually has a funny view on them. the book was really sad, though. i cried through the ending and the funeral. afterwards, i was sort of depressed, but i can't say i was surprised. everyone who's followed the series has known that her mom was going to die. out of all the character's, i like sunny the best. despite the fact that she seems like she should be at least 14 or 15 and not 13 (none of the characters act their ages), i think she's the most realistic. dawn is portrayed sort of babyish in her 1st and 3rd diaries (how she is so shocked to see people drinking, etc) and ducky, although he is a loyal friend, he's kind of wimpy. (i guess i don't understand why a 16 yr. old guy would want to hang out with 13 yr. girs.) maggie is kind of obsesive but amalia seems nice. her diaries are interessting to read. overall, i think the series is good and would recommend that everyone read it. it is nothing like the bsc, which is a good thing. i just wish that mrs. martin would age the characters by a couple of years and not have them repeat grades over and over again. also, i think that the next dawn book should be when dawn goes back to stoneybrook and dumps the bsc. then they should have bsc diaries from those characters pov's and have them be realistic like the cd's. i wish mrs. martin would write a 'jill' diary. she acts like a baby but maybe she's not really like that inside.

I love this book so much! When I came home from school one day I picked up this book and started reading it. I didn't stop until the end-except to get a tissue. This book was so touching. I now know how much my mom is needed and how much I love her. Sunny, Diary 3 is the best book I've ever read, and I hope Ann M. Martin writes more books as touching as this one.

im a great fan of ann martin. SUNNY DIARY#3 was EXTRAORDINARY. it is SOOOOOOOO touching. i think it is the best in the seires. SUNNY is a WONDERFUL. SHE IS A VERY rich charachter. she is ,in her third diary,facing her problems at last. she is so hurt and the reader feels it,it is so HARD to say goodbye or farwell to a person especially if it is your mom. ann has succeeded in going deep through her.the readers tears is a great evidence. im 16 and i see the book is suitable for all ages. anns aim isnt describing sunny s suffering only but i think she wants to tell us how LUCKYwe are. we should VALUE our parents more and stop complaing about our lives. all over the world many people are suffering even more than sunny .the diaries give us HOPE. .even sunny HAS a bright side to look at. She still has her friends . so she will be healed soon. in fact ANN shows sunny that her mom ISNT DEAD. she WILL be always be with her.in her mind. in her heart ,in Sunny herself.i think ann deserves the nobel prize,doesent she?so ahead and read CD#12.

Jemina Emerson is a opinionated 15 year old during the Revolutionary War. She's a Patriot first and foremost. Her father hires a well known Tory to be her tutor and she is totally disgusted. She slacks in her studies and gets into heaps of trouble.

The Revolution comes to her doorstep when her brother leaves for war with his own milita. She's then stuck at home with her tutor and her parents. Her mother writes against the British for the town paper, which causes a lot of trouble for the family. Then she finds out something about her tutor which changes both of their lives and causes a closeness between them....

Time Enough for Drums captives the Revolutionary War and certain things behind the war. Ann Rinaldi knows how to create wonderful characters. I loved how the characters in this book were put together being strong-welled with certain characteristics.

I loved this book! I love how the plot was well put together and you didn't know what was going to happen next. Ann Rinaldi is a facinating history novelist, whoose books can capture your attention until you've finished with the book. I suggest any of her books.

When I first saw this book, it was on the shelf of the school library. I read the back, thought it was interesting and checked it out. Instantly I became immersed in the novel. I read it on the school bus back home, and instead of doing homework, read the 200+ book until 7 or 8. Immediately after I read it I knew it was one of my favorite books I've ever read. Now, I read a LOT of books but I never really had any favorites. But this is surely one. It's about a spunky, headstrong girl named Jemima Emerson during the American Revolution. She is a Patriot, and her tutor, John Reid, is on the side of the King. She absolutely detests him. However, after a bit more time spent with him, and her discovery of his secret, she falls in love with him. This is truly a great book and got me interested in the American Revolution. Thank you, Ann Rinaldi!

I read this book when I was 12 and I still read it over and over again. It is a great book for it's historical content and the well-developed characters. Jemima Emerson is the daughter of a merchant in Trenton, New Jersey, who is tutorted by her father's friend's son, John Reid. John's parents have died at sea and Jemima's older sister, Rebecca, has ditched him to marry a British soldier. To Jem, John is a heartless Tory who goes against everything Jemima is fighting for, freedom. Jemima starts off as a self-centered young brat and grows to be a responsible woman during the United States' Revolutionary War. Time Enough For Drums is well written and researched. Ann Rinaldi is an excellent historical fiction novelist and I would recommend this book to any one who loves history, especially colonial United States, and loves to read.

This book is about a girl named Susan Dobson Chilmark, and her mother is abusive. Her dad can't win an argument with her mom and she has a long lost brother that is then discovered later in the book. She and her best friend weren't allowed to be friends anymore. Her family had a reputation of being troubled and very crazy.
To win back a good reputation, she volunteers to collect silk dresses for the making of a balloon.With the help of her brother she was able to collect dresses. It was very interesting how and where she gets her dresses. That is for you to read.
The better thing is that this is also a love story. How did Ann manage to throw in a love story in the middle of the chaos of the life of Susan Dobson Chilmark? It is remarkable, and the ending to it is the most triumphant, sweetest ending I could ever read. This is a very exciting story, and I could never put it down until I finished!

The Last Silk Dress is by far one of my favorite books. I went to the library one day and I came across this book. I went home and I could not put it down. It is a romantic, yet historical story of a 14-year-old who is confused. She wants to help with "the Cause" but her mother won't allow it until Susan Chilmark volunteers to collect dresses for a flag. Her mother is proud of her for once is Susan's life. She leaves one day and has a unfortunate meeting with her brother, Lucien. Lucien is the talk of the town. Susan keeps in touch with Lucien behind her mother's back. I dont want to give to much of the story away but it is a must read. I would give it ten stars but the most was five. Go right now and get yourself a copy!

The first time I heard about The Last Silk Dress was in my English class a few weeks ago. With only one more month left of the school year I really didn't want to read it because I don't like to read. But when I opened that book and started reading I couldn't stop. Usually when you start reading a book it's boring but with The Last Silk Dress it was different. It was interesting from the beginning to the end.
The Last Silk Dress is about a 14 year old southern belle in the state Richmond, Virginia. Susan Chilmark was... trapped in a cage, I guess you could say,and she was trapped because of her mother. Susan lived in the time of the Civil War and she wanted to do something to help the cause. Her mother allowed her to do nothing. So as often as she could Susan would sneak out of the house to get more news of the Civil War. While out once she ran into her brother, Lucien, that she hadn't seen in years. They began at a bad start but began to connect. When Susan's father died he left Lucien in charge of Susan, and after a terrible night with her mother ,where Susan learned of her true Yankee father, Susan ran from home and stayed with Lucien. But while staying with Lucien so long, with him and his different ideas, Susan began to feel she no longer wanted to be a part of such a terrible war. So she convinced the man she loved to help her give the balloon she made to the Yankees, and he did agains't the approval of Lucien. When Lucien found out what Timothy, the man Susan loved, who was a Yankee, and Susan had done he said he never wanted to see Timothy again. But because of the danger Susan was in in Virginia she needed to leave. So Lucien called Timothy back and they made a plan to get Susan to the North to live with Timothy's family.
This book is the most wonderful book I have ever read, and that means a lot coming out of me because I don't really like reading. I recommend this book to everyone, once you read this book you'll discover how amazing and talented writers are.

"Small Sacrifices" is a very well written book, and as with all Ann Rule books I have read, it's the innocent people involved, and not the criminal in these accounts that make these books worthwhile. They are always beautiful, wonderful people and that's what makes this story worth reading. The children in this book are so strong and courageous, they truly are heroes. Even though these books mainly focus on the criminals, the greatest story is always in the details of the stories of the people who overcome. Their great heart, wisdom, courage, tenacity and perseverence in these books by Ann Rule show most courageously and most amazingly the greatness of the human race, and none more so than Christie Ann, Danny and Cheryl Lynn Downs.

This was the first book, written by Ann Rule, that I ever read. I have since read all of Rule's books. It is the ONLY book that I have purchased, for myself, four times. (I keep "loaning" them, never to get them back). Whenever asked for a good read, this book is my first recommendation. I also suggest that after reading, put the book away, then re-read it.
All of the other reviews, pretty much tell how riveting the story is, how horrible the crime is, how selfish, the woman who had everything, was. The three beautiful children, unfortunately born to Diane Downs, were truely meant to be sacrifced so that Downs could have what she wanted. Period. What she got was prison. The most horrible thing about "Small Sacrifices" is, it's all true.
Ann Rule knows how to tell the story, makes the reader want to keep reading, and knows how to make you KEEP thinking about the innocent ones in this book.
I read this book about once a year, even if it means I have to go out and buy another one!

Anne Rule is a writer of uncommon intelligence and insight. In "Small Sacrifices," she tells the mesmerizing story of Diane Downs, a beautiful, brillient, sociopath, who commits the ultimate evil when she shoots her three children to gain the love of a married man. Anne Rule's insight into the personality of Downs is as horrifying as it is disturbing. I literally could not put the book down. Never have I read or heard of such a selfish, self-centered woman as Diane Downs. She never confesses to shooting her children, but her conduct at the trial is sickening. She taps her foot and smiles while listening to "Hungry Like the Wolf," the song that was playing in her car while she slaughtered her children; she laughs when she should cry, she cries when it benefits her. One daughter is dead, one has lost the use of her arm and speech, and the little boy is paralyzed. None of this horror seems to penetrate Diane. She has no feelings for her children's suffering. The detail in this book is fasinating. Anne Rule describes every bit of evidence and presents it in such a way as to keep the reader of the edge of her seat. A must read for all true crime buffs.

Apart from the Bible, this has been the most inspiring work I have ever read. Hannah Hurnard has totally captured the experience of the Christian walk and the way in which Christ is always there to guide us through all our trials and tests so that the flower of Acceptance with Joy and Love can bloom in the heart and we can be in the High Place, the Kingdom of Love, where resides the true and perfect love "that drives out fear." The exciting thing is that this is not talked about in a future or "the next life" sense but that God's love is something that we can experience now and to its fullest!

Give it as gifts and share it with new Christians!

A NOTE FOR CHRISTIAN TEACHERS: The way in which this book is constructed it provides an execellent teaching tool for any Christian study group.

...AND TO THOSE CALLED TO MINISTRY: The conclusion of this book is exactally a description of the way that I understand the call to ministry...I don't want to ruin it but suffice it to say that for you it is a must read (as it is for anyone!)

Anyone who has ever questioned God or wondered why evil exists or why people suffer, must read Hurnard. Having rejected Christianity as a teenager because she felt unloved herself, she was dramatically converted at 19 and was overwhelmed by the intense love of God and His desire for her to love others. Love is the imperative of this allegory, but not a foolish, blind, or too-sweet love; instead, it is a powerful force that heals deformities, overcomes mountains, and compels the human soul to heights never before possible. The Shepherd is not a benign Savior, but a strong and holy Savior who demands sacrifice and gives ultimate joy and peace in return. His unconditional love desires and achieves the best for the beloved. Throughout this allegory, Hurnard dramatically portrays for the reader a life of fulfillment beyond typical spiritual mediocrity - a life that she is insists is attainable. Anyone willing to pursue a deeper relationship with God will find in Hurnard and excellent mentor.

I first read this beautifully written book several years ago, when I was going through a not-so-happy time in my life. It is a beautiful and encouraging story, especially for Christians, but also for anyone who has suffered in life (my sister read this book & loved it, and she is not a religious person at all). The allegory is wonderful... Much Afraid's crippled feet represent an inability to walk successfully alone and reach higher places. Her twisted mouth represents the speaking of shameful, wrong, or cowardly things that don't befit a servant of the Lord... or perhaps an inability to speak her true heart. Her companions are called Sorrow & Suffering... but when they are revealed in true form, you will cry with understanding! All in all, you'll certainly adore this book if you read it, especially if you are troubled or just discovering God. I know I did.

This book was very good. It most commonly would appeal to teens. I enjoyed this book and read it very quickly. I was so interested to see what would happen next. I especially enjoyed this book because I could somewhat relate. One of my close friends moved away and we kept in touch to some extent. My parents also seperated and I know how much of a strain that can be on the children involved. I'm sure that this book could relate to others who may have experienced something similar to these two girls' experiences. I would definitely recommend this book to any young girl who enjoys reading.

Love it, go grab it and read it! Rate it 5 great giganticstars! Wonderful, fantastic, magnificent book! By two great authors,Paula Danziger & Ann M. Martin. If you like writing letters, you shall love this book. This whole book is written in letters, which is amazing. If you're into friendship you'll love this book as well. That's because this book is about these two girls named Elizabeth and Tara* Starr who are best friends but Tara* Starr had to move because their parents say they needed to move for a reason. However they are totally different. Elizabeth is shy adn quiet, hates being the center of attention, and lives in a house in which possesstions are more important than feelings. Tara* Starr wears glitter and sequins, loves to be the center of attention, and is the only child of the young parents aho are takinga long time to grow up. But even through they are different; their frienship is really good. So now they have to communicate by letter because long-distances calls are too expensive. While Tara* Starr's family settles down in a good position, Elizabeth's family fall apart. But can they still stay friends forever or will the distance between them tear them apart and away from each other? After you read the book you'll want to know more. This book can be a never-enging written letter story response between two girls. This book is an active and charming story written through a letter layout. It's letter to letter back and forth talking to each other but not by meeting each other. The letters have feeling and emotion written in it. The events and action happens inside the letters. This book gets thrilling and more exciting by the moment you read it. You'll want to keep reading till you finish the book. This book is a wonderful, emotional, touching, and a sad book at the same time. I say after you read this book you'll love it and it'll inspire you to love writing letters and be a true friend. Just like it inspired me to do that.

P.S. Longer Letter Later is a great book for young teenage girls who like reading about life and its problems with friendship. The book is about two girls named Elizabeth and Tara*Starr, both best friends. One Day Tara*Starr moves away and the only way to communicate is to write latters to each other. Soon after that they learn how hard it is to have a long distance friendship. My favorite thing that the author did in this book was the way she writes the letters. They sound as if you're write there listening to them read their letters with such expression. The letters are so expressive because Paula Danziger wrote it with her best friend Ann M. Martin. If girls are having trouble with friendship, they should read this book beacause it teaches girls how to handle situations having to do with friendship.

In Amalia Diary 1, it deals with a young girl about age 13 and she is going through a difficult "love life" She begins going out with a boy who is 16 years old, which is a major age difference, throughout the book complications begin to appear, jealousy, fights, etc. It all turns out well but you'll have to read it to see how good it is! I can never put down California Diary books because they are so interesting, its like I'm in that persons life. Especially in Amalia's books she draws doodles on some of the pages on what is going on in her life, so your anxious to see what the next drawing looks like. Ann M. Martin is an excellent author of this series and I recommend it to everyone! I'm 13 myself and she's got a great idea of what goes on in our minds!

In the California Diaries book that I read was Amalia's Diary. It was a very interesting book it was so good that I did not want to stop reading and I normally do not like to read but I enjoyed reading this one. To tell you a little about the it was about a girl named Amalia and her boyfriend James. They were going through some tough things like fighting,and arguing a lot mostly wondering even if there boyfriend/girlfriend. James,he is sixteen and Amalia she is only thirteen that is a big age difference. Amalia discovers that she likes hanging out with her sister a lot more when she got involved with a volunteer activity it was a Women's Homeless Home. It is as if you were there witnessing the wholr thing,Amalia's little doodles she draws throughout the book helps a lot more. If you want to find out more about the book you will have to read it for yourself. I guarantee that you will like it. I give it five stars.

At First, when Amalia ( Who is in 8th grade ) moved to Polo City, CA everything was perfect! She had made a lot of friends at school, was a manager of a band, has a boyfriend who is a Junior, and so much else! Then her boyfriend, James becomes to protective. I don't want to tell you any more 'cause it will spoil the story. One of the best book's by Ann M. Martin!! Make sure you also read " Maggie " , another "California Diaries " book.

Ann Rinaldi puts forth nothing but her best in all her books, especially In My Father's House. Rinaldi's main character is Oscie. She is young, free-spirited and interesting. Oscie is trapped between her world of luxury down South and the war taking place on her front lawn. This book is full of excitement, danger and sadness. Evertything from sisters drowning, war happening and Oscie's tutor causing a riot because she was from the North is right in the pages of this wonderful book. I loved it! It was suspenceful, sad , happy,and interesting all at the same time. It tells a lot of truth about the Civil War. If you are a big fan of Gone With The Wind it is inevitable that you will enjoy In My Fathers House by Ann Rinaldi.

In My Father's House was a great example of a headstrong southern girl in the 1850's and 1860's. Oscie Mason's life is torn apart by the civil war. She has to deal with sisters and brother while trying to uphold a normal life; which is near impossible with a battle raging in her yard, the strange slave Mary-Ann, who Oscie learns to hate, and her step-father, Will McLean, who she can never seem to agree with because he too, his pretty headstrong. This story starts when Oscie is seven years old and ends when she is about 20.

All through those years Oscie is presented the horrors and oppertunities of the civil war. She has a Yankee tutor, Button, and is torn between the love of two soliders, Alex and Thomas, while her sister is in love with a union solider. She faces troulble with Will McLean, but learns to love him. I read this book all yesterday because its pretty absorbing and you can't put it down once u start reading it. I think this a great book that teaches you tons about the civil war. Please read and rate!!!

This is a great book for a person who wants to know what a war can do to a family. Ocie Mason faces a lot of changes during the war. She gets a new pa. She loses a sister and gains a brother all in the beginning.The war comes to Ocie's house,her fathers house. There she finds her first love. She's made to move when the first battle is fought on her front yard. Ocice and her family go threw a lot of changes. Her sister falls in love with a Yankee. Her mother has 2 more childeren. After living in Richmond for a while the family is moved to Appromattox. There Will Mclean thinks his family is safe.Ocie once again falls in love. This is a great and wonderful and should be read. I might be young,but I enjoyed it fully. And I thnk others would to. Rinaldi shows a lot of historical value in this book.