This brief but clear biography gives young readers a look at a fascinating and noteworthy writer. Many readers are familiar with her books, but few students know about the life of the prolific author. This book provides, in an easy-to-read format, interesting highlights of Virginia's life. Young readers will be inspired to read Ms. Hamilton's books, and maybe even to write their own, after reading this biography.

Mikkelsen does an excellent job of critically evaluating the works of one of the finest Children's Literature writers of our time. A must for any teacher or professor using or interested in Mrs. Hamilton's multicultural children's literature classics.

In this West Indian version of Rumpelstiltskin, Queen Quashiba marries the rich and powerful Big King, but must produce three rooms full of gold cloth after a year and a day or be locked away forever and a year. How will she ever accomplish such a supernatural feat?

The book is richly illustrated with vibrant colors and the words are pleasing to read silently or aloud. Both Virginia Hamiltion and the Dillons prove to be masters of their respective crafts and together produce a winning combination in their version of this classic tale.

Crazy James

What a beautiful book! Beautiful language, beautiful pictures. Even my 3-year-old son, who usually just likes books about trucks, wanted me to read it over and over. I like it better than the German version (Rumplestilskin); Quashiba acts much more like a real person here.

Whatever Virginia Hamilton, Leo & Diane Dillon touch turn to gold! Hamilton's creative use of language and dialect give this retelling of the Rumplestiltskin story a sense of freshness and fun. The rich illustrations and the whimsical portrayal of the Lit'mahn character complement the text beautifully. As a read-aloud, the experience is delightful for both the reader and the audience.

The book Sweet Whispers, Brother Rush was very likeable. I enjoyed it especially because of the supernatural in it. The ghost in it was described in such detail that it seemed as if you were standing there in the room viewing it. I also enjoyed the book because its main character was a teenage girl with many responsibilities. If you are a teenage girl, you are sure to be able to relate to this book. Sweet Whispers, Brother Rush was also a good book for anyone who is dealing with a death in their family, especially for someone who was really close. I could share the girl's pain in the book because I knew what it was like. The book doesn't bring you down, it just shows how things work out in the end. If you enjoy the supernatural, have experienced a death in your family, or you are a teenage girl with many responsibilities, then I strongly recommend this book.

I thought that the book"Sweet Whispers Brother Rush" deserved 5 stars because it is a great love novel but at the same time you can't put it down. It is deffinetly one of the best books I ever read and more than a 1 time read.

I just finished reading this great book. Why is it great? It would make a wonderful stage play and I'm surprised that no one has done it yet. Hamilton is a master at characterization. The mother and daughter along with their relationship are entirely believable and complicated. Hamilton captured that fine line between love and hate which teens experience with their parents. This book is much better than "Catcher In The Rye!" Buy this book. Read it. You'll be glad you did. And watch out for those fine lookin ghosts hang'n out at da Sevn Levn. See ya dude!

In "Her Stories," African American women tell their tales of magic, supernatural and real life, while emphasizing their strength and imaginations. The Cleverness and determination of African American women is shown.

I don't care if you're African American or Caucasian, 6, 16, or 60; if you are female, you should read this book. Not only are the folktales, fairy tales, and true tales here wonderfully spun, but the illustrations are so masterfully rendered that they will take your breath away too.

Stories like these are the foundation of culture. All too often we overlook them as low brow and common when what we should be doing is revering them for the treasure that they are.

When you are finished reading "Her Stories: African American Folktales, Fairy Tales, and True Tales" you should buy a copy for someone you know.

I had the pleasure of buying the book "Herstories" from the author herself.

It is a "Must Have" book if you've read any of her earlier books. Ms. Hamilton told me that many of the stories in this book came handed down to her.

As you may already know, Virginia Hamilton died on February 19, 2002. "Herstories" is the perfet gift for those who want to keep her memories alive.

The art work that Leo and Diane Dillon bring to the pages of "Herstories" is like nothing that you've ever seen in a childrens book - they make the stories come alive on the pages!

Readers note: Please note that spell-check was not avalible to me as I was writing this review!

Drear House has dangerous secrets that have never been told. The house is anything but normal with sliding walls, secret passageways, and even gold treasure. Thomas has one secret. He needs to find out who is responsible for the weird things going on. Thomas needs to know fast, before he becomes a secret himself. Do you think the house is hauntd?

THE MYSTERY OF DREAR HOUSE is a thrilling, terrifying, nightmare come true. I am easily scared. Yet, I enjoyed this book thoroughly. Since the descriptions were strong in detail, I was so distracted I was less nervous about the book. This is a book you don't want to miss!

The House of Dies Drear is a great book. I loved the way the author left you hanging at the end of each chapter. I read it in class. It was really hard not to read to the next chapter. I loved it.

Well, in the begining, Thomas and his family buy a house in Ohio, but it turns out to be more or less than they expected. But, well, you'll have to read it to find out all the exciting plot twists and turns, it kept me guessing throughout the book, and I had to smack myself on the forehead at the end, because it gave me the answer at the begining. A very good read. Buy it for anyone from 3 to 1,003.

Race separates the message of the poetry, and I don't like that. I have seen that often with Ms. Giovanni's work. I don't like to read something and feel like I am being pulled into a debate of slavery and hostility. I think that Ms Giovnanni is a very talented poet, and very accomplishes scholar, but I find it annoying to see race such a mainstay in her poetry.

The more we try to remain together, teh further apart we drift....

My mother gave this book to me when I was 11 and it had a profound impact on my life. I have recited the EGO-Tripping poems more than I can remember. My greatest joy came when I heard Nikki Giovanni recite it in person. I would reccomend this book to any young African American boy or girl as an introduction to poetry, it is truly a work of art!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you like stories about the hardships of a teenage girl, then you'll like this book. This book jumps around a lot and does not stary in order of events but it is still pretty good. The reason for all the jumping around is because the events are memories of Arilla, a 12-year-old girl. Arilla trys to find herself but can't because of her older brother Jack Sun Run. Arilla is always in her brother's shadow and she can't stand it. But at the end of the book that all changes. Arilla becomes the one on center stage. As she saves her brother's life she realizes that she had finally found her self, and all it took was a little time.

If you like stories about teenager's struggling with difficulties in life that you learn from, you will love this book. This book does not go in chronological order it is told in little snippets of a little girls memory. Arilla who is trying to find her identity but is held back because of her crazy brother and being interracial. Her mother is African American and her father is Indian, so she wants to have an Indian name to show her place in the Indian community. When she goes to visit her father's family, she is called Moon. Ordinarily, she lives in the white community, but people talk about her family because they are interracial. She is trying to live a normal 12-year-old's existence until an accident happens that will forever change her life. Her brother Sun is wounded badly when he falls off horse they are riding together. She must save him and all the while she is saying Arilla, Sun is down on the ground.

Read this intriguing, heartwarming, exciting, powerful, meaningful selection, and it will show what love, hate and life is really all about.

Arilla Sun Down is the Virginia Hamilton book I reread the most. I read it first when I was a teacher of seventh graders; I read it when my children were in seventh grade; I always read it when I give book talks about children's books; I read it also when I am working with Native American books with students. I often read it aloud with students just to get them involved in it; the first part is a little different from most books; I like the way the words flow. Kids like the sibling rivalry of Arilla and her brother. I like the fact that Arilla comes from a home in which the mother is Native American and the father is African American--the bi-racial aspect. It's hard to find books with interracial families; this is one of the few and one of the best--if not the best. My female students like the parts about horses; my male students like the parts about Sun (Arilla's brother) finding his identity, being assertive when the townspeople are prejudiced against his family. All of my students like the boy-girl relationships and friendships. I recently introduced this book in my teachers book club. We read books that are for children or adolescents--but also for adults. They are books for everyone, just good books. I don't think Arilla Sun Down is a children's book; it's a book that children might read, if adults introduce them to it. Mostly it's a book that focuses on a family and particularly on the children in that family. This book is interesting because it reacquaints adults with their growing up years and tells us more about life itself at any age.

As a young African-American teenager going through cancer surgery, this book was a such a gift that helped me to take my mind out of a semi-private room in a children's hospital, and to exercise my fantasy of being Geeder. Virginia Hamiliton's writing is simple, but powerful; the emotions very realistic and can be taken to heart. Most important, it speaks of differences among the "same"; the acceptance of the diversity.

I'm in my late 30's now, but this book still remains one of my favorites from childhood. As a preadolescent I read this book countless times, and found it only became more engaging with each reading. I valued its realness. I often wished I could enter the worlds my books revealed, but this was the most concrete of those worlds with which I wished to engage.

This is not an easy book. Hamilton challenges her readers. Still, for children who like to read, this book is terrific.

When I first read this book, I was puzzled and a bit put off by the heroine. But I find, like Mike Johnson, that the more you read it, the more you find. Like Geeder I am mesmerized by Zeely, her beauty, serenity, and her mystery. I am also inspired by the book's emphasis on reality--not realism--that it's good to dream, but you shouldn't lose hold of reality--those pigs. I'm also inspired by the idea that we need to know the truth about our families and our history before we're ready to make up stories. The book is a reminder that we can all be queens if we do our work with dignity and grace.