84 Charing Cross Road is a small book of correspondence between Helene Hanff, the author and Frank Doel, a London book seller. These letters chronicle their lives over a twenty year period from 1949 to 1969. Though never meeting, they share a very special friendship, almost a chaste love affair, that extends to his co-workers and family. This is a charming and delightful book about two people you come to care for through their letters and wish you knew in person. A must for your home library. A book you'll read over and over again and share with friends.

This is the story of an American writer (the author of the book) who strikes up a friendship by mail with a bookseller in England. The entire book is a series of unedited and un-commented-on letters exchanged between Hanff and the Marks & Co. booksellers at 84 Charing Cross Road. Her primary pen pal is a man named Frank Doel, with whom she shares a love of old books. [Perhaps this is the point where I should say that I flatly disagree, without reservation, with the previous reviewers who believe there was a potential romantic attachment between the two of them.]

The correspondence runs from 1949 until 1969, during which time Helene and the people at 84 Charing Cross Road exchange Christmas gifts and news of their families, but never meet. At least in the early years of the correspondence, almost every year Ms. Hanff states her intention to come over to visit England, but something always comes up to prevent the trip.

In 1969, one of Hanff's letters to Frank Doel is answered by another member of the firm, informing her that Frank Doel has died.

This is a beautiful book, which can be read in 45 minutes. I suppose every reader will take his or her own lessons from the book, but here is mine: If there is something you really want to do in your life, then DO IT when the opportunity arises. Time is finite. If you keep saying, "Maybe next year," there will eventually come a time when there IS no next year. It is a painful tragedy that Helene Hanff never got to England to meet Frank Doer and the other people at Marks & Company, and that poignant sadness is what stayed with me after I had closed the book.

March 8, 1999

This is a true story--that's always a plus for me--about correspondence between a New York booklover/writer and the staff of a used and antiquarian book shop in London. These business correspondents evolve over the years into members of a kind of extended family.

The book is rather amazing because it is a quick read yet packs a powerful emotional wallop. To enjoy this book, you have to be open to books that explore compassion, emotions, and human relationships in a non-glossy, realistic manner.

Normally, I'm a one-read guy. I read a book and pass it on. Yet, I've read 84 Charing Cross Road three times -- so far -- in spite of seeing the movie version three times as well.

I'd place 84 Charing Cross Road among my top five favorite books.

Rodney

The authors of ANNE FRANK AND ME have accomplished a phenomenal task. They have written a Holocaust novel that is deeply moving without being a depressing read. Like THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK itself, the ultimate message of Bennett & Gottesfeld's book is one of hope. Both books demonstrate that even in the midst of the most horrendous violations of human rights, good people still exist who can make a difference. Without trivializing the historical tragedy, both books paint three-dimensional portraits of real teenagers, just as concerned with fashion and dating as they are with whether they will live or die. This juxtaposition is refreshingly realistic. Nicole Burns is an average teenager, at times intolerant, boy-crazy, and uninterested in schoolwork. She, like most of the characters in this book, is not 100% good nor 100% evil. In a misguided effort to be politically correct, some authors of historical fiction make their characters sinners or saints, leaving the reader with the impression that she could never relate to these larger-than-life people. But teens will identify with Nicole. They will realize that the Holocaust happened to ordinary people like themselves, and that it could happen again. This story will hook even reluctant readers with its humor and up-to-date setting, including Nicole's own website. Nicole's time-travel to Paris in 1942 is believably handled. Events become gradually more intense, so that by the time Nicole is in real danger, readers who would not normally choose a "serious," "educational" book will keep reading to find out what happens next. You will cry. You will also smile. You will definitely think and learn. What more could you ask from a book?

I had been hearing rave reviews about the play "Anne Frank and me" and I was excited to have a chance to read the novel version. I was not disappointed. It was the most witty, intelligent, honest Young Adult novel I have read in a very long time, if not the ever. Cherie and Jeff have done a fantastic job not only conveying the angst teen girls all over the world go through on a daily basis (unrequited love, the mind-numbing spirit destroying hell of high school, not being able to connect with your parents) but they were able to deal with one of the most serious subjects in history--the Holocaust. I feel that this book should be put on to the reading lists of schools all over America--it really brought the horrors of an old historical event that isn't extremely relevant to a middle-class Protestant young adult to life. Buy this book--you won't regret it!

Bennett and Gottesfelt have written a wonderful historical fantasy where a modern teen travels back in time to learn the truth about the holocaust. Rather than retell the plot, which previous reviewers have already done, I'll tell how it affected me. "Anne Frank and Me" realistically depicts both modern adolescents in America and Parisian adolescents during World War II, while also managing to be first class storytelling. The authors show how the spirit and concerns of youth transcend time, space and even remarkable and horrific circumstances. In contradiction to one previous reviewer, my friend who is a distinguished professor of literature and holocaust studies said the research was clearly meticulous. The final chapters in the cattle car and death camp sent shivers down my spine. Both my adolescent daughters also loved it. While young people who might fall prey to misinformation about the holocaust are the most important target audience, everyone should read, and will be deeply affected by this book.

Dr Steven Berman Psychiatry Department UCLA

The ANNE OF GREEN GABLES series is one of the most unforgettable, and one of the most enjoyable, series of all children's literature. This series chronicles the life and times of Anne Shirley.

Anne Shirley is the plucky, imaginative, red-haired orphan. Her parents die when she is baby, and so she spends the first 11 years of her life going between homes and orphanages, with no one really wanting to keep or to love her. By a mistake, she is brought to Avonlea--instead of a boy--to be adopted by Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, a pair of farmers who never thought they would be raising a girl in their old age.

You may want to skip this next part of my review, because I am going to sum up each book briefly. No plot spoilers will be revealed, but some of the contents will, and if you haven't read all the books, then maybe you don't want the content revealed ahead of time.

ANNE OF GREEN GABLES covers a span of Anne's first 5 years in Avonlea. She will age from 11 to 16. Her immortal antics that have made this book so beloved include her rivalry with Gilbert Blythe, dyeing her hair, and falling off of Mrs. Barry's roof...

ANNE OF AVONLEA spans two years. Anne is 18 at the novel's finish. She has become a teacher. Marilla adopts twins. Also, Anne has some more humorous and immortal moments.

ANNE OF THE ISLAND spans 4 years--Anne college years at Redmond. She will be 22 at the end of the novel. Anne discovers the real meaning of romance and love and courtship in this novel.

ANNE OF WINDY POPLARS also known as ANNE OF WINDY WILLOWS covers the 3 years of Anne's engagement to Gilbert. She is a Principle at Summerside High School where she has to deal with the Pringle clan, Katherine Brooke, and plenty of other interesting folks.

ANNE'S HOUSE OF DREAMS covers the first two years of Anne's married life. She and Gilbert now live in Four Winds Point, 60 miles east of Avonlea. Gilbert is making a living as a doctor, and the Blythes have new and interesting neighbors. **My favorite book of the series.**

Note: there is about a 6 year break between AHoD and AoI.

ANNE OF INGLESIDE covers about 6 years. Anne and Gilbert have moved to Glen St. Mary, near Four Winds Point, and now have children. This novel covers the birth of Rilla to the 15th wedding anniversary of Anne and Gilbert. More about Anne's children's adventures than Anne herself.

RAINBOW VALLEY takes place in 1 year. It is about Anne's children, and more specifically their neighbors, the Merediths--Faith, Una, Jerry, and Carl--and Mary Vance, but Anne does come in at important points within the novel. Faith is reminiscent in many ways of the young Anne.

Note: there is about a 9 year break between RV and RoI.

RILLA OF INGLESIDE is a heroine in her right. She ages from 15 to 19 during World War 1, the setting of this novel's time period. Anne is by now in her 50s and is a background character, but Rilla is a delightful and outgoing heroine with or without her mother.

This series was meant to be loved and reread and reread. Read the books in chronological order, or read them out-of-order but you'll still find them as fresh and enjoyable and as humorous as the first time you read them.

***Montgomery wrote some books about Anne's neighbors in Avonlea (CHRONICLES OF AVONLEA, FURTHER CHRONICLES OF AVONELEA) and in Glen St. Mary (THE ROAD TO YESTERDAY). And so if you enjoy the Anne books you might enjoy those books as well---although any Montgomery book is a reccommended read.***

Anne Shirley rocks. I don't know what else to say. I received the series as a gift when I was 11, and after I read one chapter I devoured all 8 books. I've now read Anne of Green Gables so often that I can practically quote the whole thing - I still read it whenever I need an escape from the real world.

The novel is essentially a portrait of a sweet, lovable, imaginative child growing up in Prince Edward Island in the late 19th century. An orphan since infancy, Anne is tossed around by people who don't want her until she is accidentally adopted by the Cuthberts, who wanted a boy. With the Cuthberts, Anne at last finds the home she has so long desired - and her adopted family (aging siblings Matthew and Marilla) rediscover the beauty of the world through the bright little girl.

Montgomery fills this book with glorious descriptions of the PEI landscape she knew so well, and with simple, touching stories of growing up. It is so easy to relate to Anne as she deals with her innumerable "scrapes," from accidentally setting her best friend drunk to dyeing her hair green to being made to sit with a boy in school. You will love Anne the minute you meet her, and you will laugh and cry with her through the entire series.

I started the Anne of Greene Gables series when I was 10 or so and could not stop reading it. This book is one of the best classics and one of my all time childhood favorites (Ramona Quimby being the other)! I read all the series that followed as well and they were equally excellent. Lucy Montgomery has created characters that are so endearing and heartwarming that you feel as if they are real and that you can identify with them. The story is a beautiful story with so much imagination, depth, and heart, and even subtle sweet romance...stories that are very rare to come by these days. It truly touched my heart and has continued to warm my heart even to this day at the age of 24 when I am down or just need some inspiration and good fun reading! Girls and women alike should all read this as this series should never fail to inspire you and make you see the world in a more beautiful and different light. Truly touching, inspiring, romantic, and humorous all at once!

Interesting to find out "Dragonsinger" is the fourth book in Anne McCaffrey's Pern series because I have always thought of it as the middle volume in the Harper Hall of Pern trilogy. In "Dragonsong" we met Menolly, my favorite character in the entire Pern universe. A musical prodigy who has been forbidden by her stern father to sing or play music, Menolly runs away and ends up impressing a clutch of nine fire lizards. But Masterharper Robinton has been searching high and low for her and having found her, brings Menolly to the Harper Hall. In "Dragonsinger" Menolly begins to learn her craft as an apprentice. The Harper Hall is not sure what to make of the island girl and her singing fire lizards, but Menolly is equally astounded by her new world. Menolly is one of the most enchanting heroines in fiction, mainly because the girl has not a clue in the world that she is so talented. After just about every test she is convinced she has failed, convinced that her only friend in the world is Piemur, another one of the young apprentices, and amazed that Robinton takes any interest in her at all. But it is Menolly's encounters with the other Masters, especially Jerint the instrument maker and Domick the composer, that stand out in this tale. Oh, and there is also Journeyman Sebell, who has also taken a special interest in her. "Dragonsinger" is a fitting conclusion to the story begun in "Dragonsong," and since the "next" volume in the trilogy, "Dragondrums," really focuses more on Piemur, this is really the climax to the story of Menolly. McCaffrey's conclusion is extremely satisfying and my only serious complaint about the Pern series after "Dragonsinger" is that Menolly has been reduced to a minor supporting character. One of the nice things about these books is that they are fairly self-contained, you do not have to read all the Pern books in order for them to make sense. I would think young girls who love music would especially enjoy reading these novels.

I first read this book in the early 1980s when I found it in my elementary school library. This was the only time I have ever been justified by judging a book on it's cover! I devoured the whole series by the age of 12, and though I enjoyed all the books, this one stands as my all time favorite. There is real emotional depth in McCaffery's characters. Unlike a lot of fantasy and SF novels you can really relate to all her characters. Menolly in particular is as "real " a person as you can get in fiction. Her isolation and depression as a result of her neglect are all too common among young women everywhere. It is not fiction that girls are passed by in favor of men still. Her eventual rise out of her depression and acceptance of her own talent was encouraging to me as a creatively stifled young artist. When I had no Petiron or Robinton in my life it gave me hope. It has always been my favorite novel. I strongly recommened it. I am reading it again right now!!

Dragonsinger is the second book in the Harper Hall Trilogy and is the sequel to Dragonsong. It starts right after the previous book ends, with Menolly arriving in Harper Hall a-dragonback. There she begins her musical education with the masters of music. Menolly always thought that harpers would be different and that she would fit in among them, but she finds that people are the same wherever you go. All of the other girls are jealous of her musical talents and do not want her living in their cottage. The boys insist that she has no place with them and her nine fire lizards make her stand out even more. Still, she is Masterharper Robinton's special apprentice and he seems to believe in her and to love her new songs. As Menolly struggles to find her place among the harpers of Pern she will discover much about herself, as well as the remarkable secrets about fire lizards and eventually find an honored place among the Harpers of Pern.

Even though I have enjoyed all of McCaffrey's books, the Harper Hall trilogy has always been my favorite. I first read this book when I was in junior high school and simply loved it. I have read my copy time and time again. McCaffrey has a nice, smooth writing style with great descriptions so readers will have no trouble visualizing the life on Pern. She also does a nice job of throwing in little recaps so that those who have not read Dragonflight and Dragonquest can still understand what is going on. I simply loved the world of the Harpers and think that any reader of fantasy will enjoy this enchanting series.

This is my favorite book in the Anne series. Rilla is a fourteen year old, vain, carefree girl without any ambitions but to have fun and have many beaux when she is thrown into the relentless Hell known as War. It's a story of loss and love and growth. It's incredibly romantic. It's sad but the sad thing that happens is for the best (I see that now even though I tried to fight it for so long). In my opinion, out of all the L.M. Montgomery books that I've read, Rilla is the only main character with any sense when it comes to who she loves and knowing, at least having an inkling, that they love her back. It's a wonderful story that everyone should read. Even my friend who hates Montgomery books loved it.

hey, i have read every "Anne book" and the "Emily books", and I have recently re-read "Rilla of Ingleside". "Rilla of Ingleside" and "Anne of Green Gables" are my favorite LMM books I've read so far. Rilla goes through the difficulf times during WW1 that were the worst the world has seen until WW2. I cried the first time i read it and i cried the second time, too! One of the most touching things in this book is how Little Dog Monday stays at the train station the ENTIRE time that Jem is away at war and I think the chapter-LITTLE DOG MONDAY KNOWS- was very good(I won't say what he knows....read to find out!:) But it is SOOO sad!! ) This is VERY good, one of my ALL-time favorites(I have read alot) and I strongly urge you to read it, but if you haven't read the other ANNE books, read them first....each book refers back to previous ones ocassionally. Happy Reading!!! : )

Since Anne what not as much of a main character in this book, I was surprised by how much I liked it. I didn't think I would because she was not in it. However, I now think, that it is one of the best books in the series.( Since I can't choose just one book, thats the highest compliment I can give.) In the beginning Rilla a frivolous, nonambitious girl who only wants the most fun life can give her. She knows nothing of the sorrows or horrors of life, beyond her worries of who she'll dance with...This book tells the story of Rilla's life during the horrrible, "war to end all wars". During this time, faced with pain, sorrow, and duty she proves herself as a true woman and worthy of her handsome Kenneth Ford.

Lessa ,werwoman of Benden, and dragonrider to a young dragon queen. Thus begins the incredible 'Dragonriders of Pern' series. A tale that takes you out of this world to let you expierence this striking novel. Four hundred years has passed since the last Threads have fallen... but they return. The dragonriders must work together to save their beloved Pern from destruction. But only one person, who will be rememberd through ballads and poems, will risk life itself. That person went BETWEEN to bring back people from long ago to help save Pern...

This is a well written novel. Although it might seem slow at first once you get into it you will fall right in love with this book. This book might be a little too complicated for younger audiences. If you get stuck on an unfamiliar phrase, term, or name refer to the glossary at the back of the book. This is a must read for any fan of Anne McCacfffrey or science fiction/fantasy fans. {Also you may look for the reprinted cover version of 'Dragonflight' at a local bookstore near you.}

I must say that this book is one of my ABSOLUTE favorites! I have read it so many times that I almost know it all by heart! This book tells the story of Lessa, (my fav. character) who Impresses the last golden-queen dragon of Pern, Ramoth and how, basically, they defy all and, against all the odds against them, the save the world. This was the 1st Pern book I have ever read, and I say you should definetly read this one first. It makes understanding the different ranks and colors of the dragons easier...it makes you understand the real, emotional bond that the dragons and their riders have...how their minds are linked and how they understand everything about the other... This world is so believable that it makes me want to go to Pern and Impress a dragon! (lol) One of my favorite parts would have to be when Ramoth rose in flight to be caught by Mnementh, whose rider is F'lar, who was the only bronzerider who believed that the ancient menace of Thread would fall once again in the skies of Pern. And lo, was he ever correct! He and Lessa and Ramoth and Mnementh make the BEST couple, and their fierce wit and sense of knowing make the story fast-paced and wonderful! You get to really know all the characters like you are actually standing there, with them...its great! This is a TOTAL read for dragon fans and even sci/fi and fantasy fans! Its great for all ages, though I do warn against the 10 and under year olds-they might not get the concept. PLEASE READ! ITS SO WORTH A HARBACK VERSION! (I have all these books, so trust me!) :OD

Lessa waited 10 long years in hiding for her chance to reclaim her birthright. As the last of the Ruathan blood, she must hide her true identity or be killed by Fax, the usurper who killed all of her kin and claimed Ruatha Hold for his own. When the dragonrider, F'lar, comes on search for some likely candidates to impress dragons, Lessa knew that her time had come. Unfortunately, her plans did not go quite the way she wanted them to and she ends up in Benden Weyr, where she impresses the Queen dragon, the beautiful Ramoth. Even though Lessa is now Weyrwoman and dragonrider, her troubles are far from over. The dragons live to kill thread, deadly spores that fall from the sky and eat every living thing in their paths. But thread have not fallen for over 400 Turns and the people of Pern no longer want to support the dragonriders, of which few are left. F'lar is convinced that the thread will fall again - and soon. Can F'lar and Lessa mobilize the forces of Pern to fight the deadly forces of thread and survive?

Dragonflight is the first book in Anne McCaffrey's highly acclaimed Dragonriders of Pern series. She carefully eases you into the world of Pern and the reader has no trouble visualizing the planet and its people. McCaffrey also has a nice, easy to understand writing style that will make this book popular among young adults and adults alike. Her characters are engaging and anyone will root for the stubborn, opinionated Lessa and her all-too-perfect mate, F'lar. Readers will also love the fact that this book is the start of a long series and that, even though F'lar and Lessa are not the main characters of all of them, they figure into most of them so feel free to get attached to them! If you have not yet read any books by McCaffrey then you are in for a real treat!

"I'll try and do anything and be anything you want if only you'll keep me." This is how "Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery begins.
Anne Shirley is a twelve-year-old girl who is brought to Green Gables only to find they were expecting a boy. The Cuthberts however, are one over by this queer, imaginative girl with bright, red hair and decide to allow her to stay.
Green Gables is a lovely, little farm just outside of a small town on Prince Edward Island called Avonlea. It is surrounded by fields and forests, which hold many surprises for adventurous Anne.
Throughout this book Anne's fierce temper and wild imagination often get the better of her, but she usually manages to squeeze out of these scrapes.
Anne's melodramatic nature and fiery temper keeps you interested as you read this marvelous book.
Montgomery's humorous writing style gives life to the characters so that you feel like you are meeting them in person.
I think that this was a wonderful book filled with humor, drama and tears. I would recommend this book to anyone that has ever had a dream and loves a good book.

first of all, let me begin with I LOVE THIS BOOK! I have read this book more times than I can remember...easily more than a dozen...thus, I am going to set my mind to write a glowing review of it.

This book portrays a stunning sketch of Canadian History and Culture in the late 1800s to early 1900s. The character personalities are so real and so amazingly "human" that one cannot help but fall in love with them. You really get a taste of PEI in its glory.

This story is set in Avonlea, Prince Edward Island (Canada), a fictional settlement which is really Cavendish, Prince Edward Island, the place where Lucy Maud Montgomery, the author grew up.

The main character is Anne Shirley...and eleven year old, enigmatic, imaginative, sparkling, highly intelligent orphan who is sent to Green Gables, a farmhouse in Avonlea, under the impression that she was to be adopted by a pair of elderly siblings, Matthew and Marilla Cuthburt. But, apon arrival to Green Gables, Anne discovers that there had been a horrible mistake...the Cuthburts never wanted a girl...they wanted a boy who could do the chores and help Matthew with the farm. Anne was was in the "depths of dispair". Matthew, on the drive home from the train station had taken a great shine to Anne and had his heart set on keeping her, regardless of any mistake. Marilla, however, was not so easily enchanted. She agreed to let Anne stay at Green Gables on trial, to see if she would behave herself and lend a helpful hand to Marilla. After the trial, Anne is welcomed to Green Gables and flourishes under the love of the Cuthburts and all Avonlea folk. Anne, however, has one big problem. Her Hair. It is a hopeless shade of carrotty red and Anne felt that it was the ugliest hair anyone could imagine. She was extremely sensitive about it and she was horribly embarrassed about it. On her first day of school, Anne's hair was made fun of by Gilbert Blythe, the smartest and handsomest boy in school. "Carrots! Carrots!" he said. Anne's temper got the better of her and she was so angry she broke a slate over his head. After that, for many years, she snubbed Gilbert every time he spoke to her and he developed a boyhood crush on her.

Ah, but to keep this review interesting and the book mysterious, I will stop telling you the story and begin reviewing. The characters in the book are so well-defined that it seems to you that you know every character personally, like an old friend or neighbour.

And by all means, don't let the age recommendation fool you either...this book can be read by all ages alike...and I have no doubt that this book will still be my avid favorite at the age of 85.

The book is not boring, contrary to many opinions of those who read the first chapter of small print and historical settings. The discriptions will place you right into the heart of the story and you find you will laugh and cry while reading this story. Every time I read it I cry at a certain part which I'm not sure if I should reveal to you for fear of spoiling the good parts in the story, but it is dreadfully sad. If you read the book, then you will know what part I am talking about. The one saddest part in the whole story.

Although this book has some old ideas and ways of expressing them, you will learn a great deal of Canadian history through them and there's no doubt in my mind that this book will still be popular decades and most likely even centuries to come.

Anne of Green Gables is one of my all-time favorite books. Anne is a person almost everyone can relate to in some way or another. Anne is launched into the "depths of despair" as soon as she finds out the horrible truth that the Mathew and Marilla really sent for a boy from the orphanage. Her fiery temper gets the better of her at some of the worst possible times. Such as when she vows that she will never forgive Gilbert Blythe for calling her carrots, as if smashing a slate over his head is not enough. This is a wonderful book that L. M. Montgomery has really shown her skill as a writer and novelist in. I have read the entire Anne of Green Gables Series and am also, like another reader, saving them all for my daughter some day. If you want a book that you can thoroughly enjoy, this is the one, although I have one warning that you may have a hard time putting it down.

How would you like to be a rat living on a farm during harvest time, and on top of that you have a sick child. In the fictional adventure by Robert C. O'briens Newberry award winning novel, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh. In this book Mrs. Frisby goes to desperate measures to get help and to move her house so it won't get hit by the trackter. If you like adventure and survival, you should read this book.

This book is full of adventure and witty humor. it is a fictional novel that is mostly about survival as Mrs. Frisby, a widowed mother, tries to find a way to move her house without having to make her son Timothy, who is very sick, come out of the house into the cold. So she goes out looking for help and finds it in a group of super-smart mice that escaped from a laboratory named the Rats of Nimh. This pack of lab rats devise a plan to move Mrs. Frisby's house.

This novel is for young adults from the age of 9 to 15 years. This is because the story talks about death, some humor kids might not understand. There is also one point of violence where the farmers cat, Dragon, attacks the rats. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh, has some parts where teens will like, in some of the witty plans the rats come up with to move the Frisby household.

This book is written in third person. It has Mrs. Frisby whos husband died and was left to take care of her children. When moving day comes her son Timothy gets very sick and can't go outside or his condition might get worse and he could die. So she gets help in the Rats of Nimh and they come up with a plan.

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh, is a Newberry Medal award winner jam-packed full of adventureand survival. This book is definatly not for children under 8 or 9 years old.

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nihm is one of the best books I ever read. Everything in this book is so specific. When you look in it you might think it looks hard, but it realy is not. I usualy hate reading chapter books, but this one is great. I realy recomend this book to you. In this book,Mrs.Frisby's son (Timothy) gets sick. Mrs.Frisby has to go to a doctor named Mr.Ages. Mr. Aages gives the medicin to Mrs. Frisby to make Timothy better. But when she gets home she finds out she has to move soon because Mr. Fitzgibbon (the ouner of the house) is going to plow their home. A lot of other exciting stuff happens in this book, but you have to find out yourself.

After some consideration, I decided this was my favorite book as a child. However, it can be enjoyed by people of any age. Through mice and other small personified animals, Robert C O'Brien built a tale that is impossible to put down or frown upon. When the youngest of a family of mice falls ill with pneumonia, he is forced to stay indoors. This presents a serious problem, since the family must soon move to their summer home or be plowed by the farmer's tractor who owns the field. The mother and head of the family, Mrs. Frisby, is forced to turn to a mysterious group of rats living under a rose bush for help. What Mrs. Frisby hadn't known, however, was the rats' connection with her late husband Jonathon Frisby...Hopefully, this short summary is intriguing enough to make you read this book. You won't regret it.

I was reading Ex Libris as my 9-year-old daughter Sarah was reading a Marguerite Henry book. I laughed out loud, and Sarah wanted to know why, so I read her a passage from Ms. Fadiman's essay on taking care of books. There are two camps of booklovers: the "words are everything" group, into which the entire Fadiman family, as voracious a bunch of readers as you could imagine, belongs. They write in margins, dog-ear pages, break spines. To them, a book is merely a container for the thoughts in it. And then there are the folks who would never write in a book, or turn down a page. I asked Sarah, who's been reading, avidly, for six years, which group she belonged to. Of course the words are important, she replied, but if you don't take good care of the book, you won't be able to read them. You can have that sort of conversation over and over while reading the essays that make up Ex Libris, and since you care about books (why else would you be visiting Amazon dot com, or Ms. Fadiman's page?), you probably will -- even if you're alone, and the conversation is internal.

If you can't imagine anything more enjoyable than spending time with someone who treasures books as least as much as you do, enter the world of Anne Fadiman and her family. Halfway through the first essays in this slim volume, I started to compile a list of all the people I wanted to read this book. I'm afraid I may not be able to wait till the holidays. I must confess that I am the leader of the local chapter of Ms. Fadmiman's fan club, on the basis of her subtle, moving account of cultures in collision (The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down). The restraint needed to tell that tale of a Hmong child and her American physicians is not needed here, and I was swept up in the exuberance of a woman and her passion for books and reading. I'd write a bit more, but there's a second-hand book shop I have to locate.

Lovely, endearing, addictive little book. Every bibliophile should read it at least once. It's a light book but incredibly well written. It compiles about 12 essays, each discussing a different tenet of Ann Fadiman's compulsive book worship. All of us who enjoy reading will find commonalities with Fadiman. The love of book shelfing and re-shelfing, the joy of encountering new words, the frequent visits to bookstores, the reading out loud, etcetra etcetra....she covers practically everything, whilst interweaving into the text humorous anecdotes and personal titbits. The chapter which fascinated me the most was the one about plagiarism in literature, especially the story about the man who published her mother's work in a book under his own name and then dedicated the book to her mum!!! The nerve! I still cant believe it...I would have been mortified if I were in her mother's shoes. If you love books, Ex Libris will keep you entertained for hours...read one or two of the essays every night - you'll be thoroughly amused and oh, for the sesquipedalian-lovers out there, you'll need a dictionary by your side, because you're sure to bump into a few long words that you've never seen before.

This book is truly one of Harold Keith's best books. He has made Jeff Bussey seem alive when he takes you through his adventures in the Civil War. Jeff constantly came into perils in the book that made me want to keep reading and not stop. He made the battle scenes and the towns seem so real in my mind. This book is a one of a kind. Jeff has been on both sides of the war, seen both side's point of view. He had to make up his mind on which side he stayed on. I was really thinking that he was going to stay with the rebels just because Lucy Washbourne was on that side, but I was wrong. He made friends on both sides of the army and they took him in as their own. His name had a lot to do with it. Jeff's father fought in a war with the south. His name was well known there. I think that if he didn't have that name he wouldn't have been able to get into the rebel front lines. I loved this book and I urge everybody else to read it. It is truly a great book. I will have to get my own copy very soon.

Jeff Bussey is only 16 when the Civil War breaks out, but he immediately leaves his home in Linn County- after two bushwhackers's break into his house - to join the Kansas volunteers. After his first battle, he discovers war isn't just glory. He sees his friends die and knows that he may be next. He has to cope with a mean officer, Captain Clardy, and his love for a rebel girl, Lucy Washbourne.
Then he is sent on a scouting mission,behind enemy lines where he makes an important discovery. The rebels are just boys like him, only they are fighting for a different cause. He is left with a tough decision to make. Should he join the enemy or betray them?
I loved this book because it was so suspenseful. Harold Keith does a great job describing everything. This book is difficult to read so I recommend it to 5th Grade and up.

Rifles for Watie is an excellent book. I never realized that there was so much going on in the Civil war. I first read this book in 5th grade and I loved it. Rifles for Watie is a facinating book about a boy called Jeff who joins up in the army and gets more than he expected! He is a infantry man, a cavalier, a cannonier for two hours and a spy.While Jeff is a spy he finds out that his enemy ,the confederates, are not a bad bunch. He falls in love with a girl called Lucy and she wants him to join the confederates. Will Jeff stay with the Unions or will he betray them to join the confederates?
In all I have given Rifles for Watie for it is exciting and full of adventure. It has deserved the newberry award. If you haven't read it yet then I would recommend you go to the libary or to a book store and read it!!! But be warned once you red this you will not stop until the end!!! --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.