In this encouraging and extremely helpful book, Hearne defines good literature, advises on how to select books for children, and gives examples in every case. She discusses reading aloud, junk books and how to find books that will be enjoyed not once, but repeatedly.

"There is one route around age categories -- reading aloud," she writes. "It's emotionally satisfying and leads the way to books a child will love reading alone."

Even after that child begins to read alone, reading aloud is a wonderful excuse to share some time and a hug or two. When children are small, though, a "aah" in an infinite variety of inflections defines their entire world, there's no better treat than the snuggle up with a baby and a book.

This is by any standard a major piece of work and we are fortunate that the RAND Institute for Civil Justice has the resources to publish it so fully. The substantial appendices contain much of the detail about methodologies, data collection and calculations that usually have to be omitted from law review articles. Readers can judge for themselves the thoroughness of the researchers and the accuracy of calculations supporting many of their assertions and assumptions.

At heart of this study is the question whether the policing of the public interst and public safety ought to be a function of the state or of "private attorneys general". The study is largely non-judgmental - although you may conclude that this research suggests an answer. There is plenty of ammunition for both points of view to be found in this book.

It is a treasury of fascinating facts about this kind of litigation. It includes the revelation that some attorneys were remunerated at the rate of $2,000 per hour for their efforts - and to think that we thought only mergers and acquisitions lawyers could aspire to that kind of reward!

The only criticism I have to make is that the executive summary that RAND publishes separately is not contained in the book. That is a useful document and its inclusion here would not have added substantially to publication costs but would have enhanced the final product.

Written in a first-person narrative, Eve is the oldest of 7 children and the daughter of a exceptional woman, Victory, Eve tells the story of The Cornflake House children. Fathered by different men and raised by a single mother, Eve describes a non conventional family whose various talents are always at odd with the rest of society. Eve narrates this story from her berth in prison ~~ where she was accused of arson and of murdering her mother. How she got there and what happens after the court case are what makes this novel so unique. I can't tell you too much ~~ only pick up this book and read for yourself!

I cannot remember the last time I enjoyed a first-person narration ~~ but this one beats all. Gregory writes very vividly and with imagery ~~ and she never lets you forget the plotline of the story. She keeps switching back and forth from Eve's childhood to adulthood, but the switch is done so gently as if she is a master storyteller. She is a master storyteller ~~ one of the best I've encountered in a long time. Since this is her debut novel ~~ I am anxious to read what else she has written.

If you are looking for a story about family ties ~~ I highly recommend this book. Eve will share with you her story and she won't disappoint.

5-8-02

As Eve sits in a jail cell, she wonders how her magic failed to warn her. Instead her visitor, Matthew Prithcard, simply stole her ability to speak. Once Matthew left, Eve decides to write to her extraordinary visitor, whom she has fallen for in a blink of an eye, explaining herself and her family.

Eve is the oldest of seven children sired by different fathers. Her mother Victory used her abilities to see the future to attain first prize in a cereal contest. To the chagrin of their new neighbors, Victory and her seven children move into a brand new house in a classy part of town. Instead of trying to fit in, the family enjoyed shocking their staid neighbors. However, this only made things turn ugly as their biased neighbors think the worse of Victory and her horde. Eve has her own child, a teenage boy who has been in trouble with the law and now lives somewhere on the streets. With her trial about to begin, Eve hopes Matthew will be more tolerant than most of the Londoners she has met.

THE CORNFLAKE HOUSE is a delightfully, offbeat tale about a family that emphasizes its differences from the norm even as that causes problems of distrust and hatred. The characters are mostly eccentric, but in a convincing way. The story line is entertaining as readers relish the various oddities of Victory and her children. Dr. Covey embraces that tolerance is okay but not enough. Acceptance and taking pleasure from our differences leads to fulfillment. In her debut novel, Deborah Gregory provides that message in an enjoyable tale.

Harriet Klausner

Anyhow, in simple words. "THE BOOK IS GREAT"

Thank you Deborah Chester for writing such a wonderfull story and I hope to keep reading more from this author.