This is a wonderful book! Jon has truly captured the spirit of this part of Colorado--we live near the Spanish Peaks in the San Luis Valley, and regularly travel the country he writes about. I drive past old Fort Garland every day. The pictures Jon draws with his words are so accurate, they are like a photograph. Our valley really is that beautiful! The characters are so vivid they feel alive, and the plot and the action move right along. My husband originally bought the book and loved it, then I read and loved it. We loaned it to my mom, who is now buying a copy to keep, plus several copies to give as gifts for Christmas. As a western writer, I can see Jon Chandler as the successor to Louis L'Amour--equally exciting and well-researched material. Highly recommended!!!

I was drawn to read Jon Chandler's first book because I had already been totally intrigued by his CD, Westerns. One of the songs on it, 'The Spanish Peaks' was so beautiful and emotional, I just had to read the book by the same name. It didn't disappoint! This book is full of action, and the characters and plot are fully developed. Anyone who likes a western flavor to their literature will enjoy this book. Don't expect it to read like any cheap western novelette, though--this writer has more talent than that!

Chandler's "Spanish Peaks" may be a western novel, but it kept this city slicker thoroughly entertained and turning the pages! It's a wonderful story played out by characters that represent the best of the west and the worst of the west.

I'll pass it along to my friends... but only if they guarantee they'll bring it back!

Although the program is designed for ages 8+, I bought it for my homeschooled 5 year old who has been reading since age three. The results were immediate and he is whipping through the lessons painlessly. Minimal time required per lesson, only 15 minutes for the student and 5 minutes for the teacher. I highly recommend it, though it is expensive.

My 7 year old groaned every time we mentioned spelling. She had low confidence in her spelling ability. The first day we started this program--WHAM-- what a difference! She saw that she could spell! She loves the 10 step study pages. Also, she likes that you only have to study the words she missed and not 10 to 20 words a day for a test at the end of the week. In this program, you take daily tests lasting just 5 minutes. Then the missed spelled words are repeated the next day.

I'm looking now for the activity cards. This program is wonderful for homeschoolers and anyone wanting to improve their childs spelling ability.

The author of the book recommends this for grades 3 to 12, but used it with her 5 year old granddaughter. We are using it with our 7 year old who is an advanced reader. Also this 10 step word study helps her with independent learning. She focuses better with steps.

They have their own website if you want more info. Just type Spelling Power into your search engine.

I am a professor for Mercy College. I would like to have a copy delivered to me. I would like to rewiev the book and encourage my graduate students to use the book in their classroom.

My address: Dr. Romulo Macias c/o Mercy College GraduateDepartment of Education Second Floor Office of Dr. Palomini and Dr. Sanchez 50 Antin Place Bronx, New York 10462

The book is useful for homeschooling parents who want to plan and help their child keep a portfolio of the high school years. It is also a COURSE for the child to take in time management.
Beyond the wonderful, helpful ideas, the child is taught steps to complete his/her own personal notebook organizer (with plans, calendars, personal goals, etc sheets inside). The book also teaches the child to plan his education and develop life goals.
The last part of the book contains forms for the notebook, project and essay checklists, course planning sheets (a child can plan his own course and have evidence of completion of that course), and many other helpful organizers.
THEN there is a CD free with it. It contains all those sheets in PDF form PLUS a scope and sequence and goals for just about any typical high school course you could think of (no environmental science but yes, even calculus).
I can't say enough good things about the book. I wish I had my oldest going through it last year (he's doing that now) and I plan to have my middle son go through it this summer before he starts 9th grade. My biggest problem is organization. The lack of it causes me to waste so much time. With this book, I'm hoping my children (and I) will learn skills so they (and I) will do better.
Better yet, the book enables the child to take charge and make decisions about his/her education. COOL!

Please send a copy of your book for review. I would like my graduate students to be using this book in their classroom.

Dr. Romulo Macias c/o Mercy College Gruduate Program of Education Second Floor. Office of Dr. Palomini and Sr. Sancher Bronx, New York 10462