This book is such an honest, incredible book based on one woman's struggles to overcome her sister's death. Ms. Rener writes this book to tell the story of her loss, and to assist others in coping with the grief of the death of a loved one. However, never does she preach, or tell one how to act...she tells of her mistakes, and suggests certain ways that may be best for tackling specific situations. Although this book is about losing loved ones and coping, I would certainly recommend this to anyone--whether you,personally, are dealing with death, or if a friend needs guidance with a loss in their life.

I heard about Ms. Rener's book after a discussion with a friend about her husbands misfortunate experience at the doctor's office. He has been misdiagnosed and having a difficult time with his treatments. My interest in the book was purely an interest in helping my friend's husband with self-advocacy in health. But, after reading the story of Ms. Rener's sister I found myself compelled to read all of the book. What a wonderful tribute to her late sister and a wealth of knowledge to any reader. I highly recommend this book.

How often we do what the doctor tells us because he/she is the authority figure and we're the passive subject! Let Linda Rener's cautionary tale about her sister's frightening, avoidable decline and death be a lesson to us all as we learn to be self-advocates in our own health care and that of our families. A sad story, but never maudlin or bitter. A "how-to" book that could save lives!

The Not-Just-Anybody Family is a book my whole classroom enjoyed. It has action, humor, a missing dog, an out-of-town mom, and a grandpa in jail. The children in the book are very real and my students could relate to their feelings and difficulties. The settings change from chapter to chapter and Betsy Byars writes just enough about each situation to keep you wanting more. This book helped my students learn the meaning of "suspense" and almost all of them gave the book a rating of nine or ten on a one to ten scale. I plan on ordering the audio version for some of my students next year.

When Pap Blossom goes into town that's when it all started. Breaking into jail, jumping off the roof, missing mom and lost dog are some of the interesting things that happen to the Blossom family. If I could I would give it a hundred stars. I think this book is a 4th, 5th, and 6th grade book. Now you know what it is about so go get the book NOW!!

This book is a very good book for a third or fourth grader. It tells about all of the family and where they are and then it brings them together with various means. this is a great book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dear Readers,

I wrote Plan Z by Leslie Kove. I hope you enjoy it. Unfortunately the excerpt provided in this listing has some serious text left out which renders it incomprehensible. My apologies. I hope you can get a taste of it anyhow. I've been telling people it's a funny book about getting over trauma. It's also about healing, and growing up, and a whole lot of other things. Writing it was the single most blissful experience I have ever had alone!

This book reads like a memoir. What a wonderful read it was. I couldn't put it down. I loved the way the author brought her childhood memories into the story. In just the right places. To clarify just the right points. What a marvelous risk taker. What a marvelous explosion into life. Bravo Betsy!

As the book cover says -- it's like Catcher in the Rye, but for the 70's generation. Funny, insightful, fun, and lots of vivid memories.

As I read this book, I kept thinking how wonderful it would have been to have it as a young woman, just starting my life journey. Such insights ~ a great source of wisdom as we get older. I would highly recommend giving this book as a college graduation gift.

Reading Evelyn Bence's book of prayers made me homesick to revitalize my own communication with God. It was as if there was an embedded ellipsis at the end of each page, gently nudging me ... my turn was next. Bravo, Evelyn!

The delightful word pictures of the prayers elicit smiles and tears reminding me that friendships are precious and always to be cherished. The book challenges me to be more open and honest with God as well as with my friends.

This is an awesome book and an awesome series. You will laugh, cry, and adore this story line. Debra White Smith has a way of touching your heart with real life issues that you can relate to and that bring you closer in your relationship with the Lord.

I really enjoyed this book, and would very highly recommend it to anyone. I would give it more stars if I could. It's romantic and has a great and entertaining storyline.

This is my first of I am sure many Debra White Smith books. I absolutely loved this one. The author kept you wishing the couple would get together and you could feel the suspense of impending danger. I can't wait to read the sequels.

I purchased and read this book three years ago when I was a college student. I read it and honesty have to say didn't put much thought into the valuable information and advice until I entered the "Real World" aka life after college. Since working in Corporate America for the last 2 1/2 years I realize I will never be paid my worth unless I go into business for myself.
This book will lay the foundation for women that are serious about taking control of their financial destiny and life. This is a must read for women serious about success.

I am a Black Australian woman and I found this book applicable to my situation. The information crosses all boundries and the advice useful in many situations.

At last a book to inspire and encourage black women to attain greatness. Both my self esteem and belief in my own abilities grew and grew as I read this book. It not only provides a guide to starting your own business, it also makes you believ you can succeed just like our mother and grandmothers, only we didn't see their efforts as entrepreneurial. I appreciate the history of the women of my family more and inspired by the book are working at becoming a part of that history by establishing my own business. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I truly enjoyed this book. Even though I'm not Italian, I could appreciate the sense of sisterhood between the sisters. Read this book, you'll enjoy it!

The Sisters Mallone is simply one of the finest novels to appear in the last few years.

It is the story of three sisters and their grandmother as they deploy all their cleverness, determination, loyalty and love to find their way in the harsh and complicated world of New York of the 30's-50's. Their lives are woven into a tapestry of old Italian and Irish neighborhoods, glamorous nightclubs, gangland politics, the Catholic Church, easy money and hard labor.

The characters, their milieu and their stories are all rendered with great economy, wit and insight. Ermelio's prose sparkles and the books moves without any misstep. It is, as they say, impossible to put down.

The Sisters Mallone is wonderful in every way and certainly transcends any genre niche.

This takes care of Christmas presents this year.

This is a book about the ties of sisterhood. Mary, Helen and Gracie are completely different yet are bound together as sisters. They are tough and clever. When Gracie's husband is found to be a real loser, Mary and Helen put their heads together to teach him a lesson. I love these characters. The book is well written....I felt like I could have been one of the Mallone sisters.

This book is absolutely wonderful ! I have been able to complete many outfits using this book for reference. Well-written, detailed photographs, and concise descriptions are only some of the many features of this book. I enjoyed seeing all the rare products as well. Thank you for a fantastic book !!

Not just strictly a "doll" book, the authors have gone out of their way to include information and pictures on foreign skippers, color/design variations of the outfits, furniture and cases, and prototypes of what *could* have been! Besides just showing a picture of each outfit and the average price value, there is also an item-by-item list so that no yo-yo or hair curler will go unaccounted for! This is a great resource for fashion collectors; a few of the outfits are even shown on the dolls so we can see how great they look in them! While this is a great book, it stops at the year 1978, so it's not aimed at contemporary Skipper collectors. :)

I have found this book to be a very valuable tool in identifying the correct and I stress correct components of Skipper, Todd and Tutti outfits. It is very informative, easy to see even the smallest items, and very well structured. I highly recommend this book.

I purchased this book for my husband for Father's Day (he's Italian American")--I didn't really think that our then 2.5 year old would really care for the book. But he loves it! It's a good story, although at times the messages can be a bit confusing for a very young child--but my son seems to enjoys the illustrations, the sounds of the Italian names, and of course the most elemental aspects of the story.

"Peppe the Lamplighter" combines a story by Elisa Bartone with illustrations by Ted Lewin. The story takes place "[a] long time ago when there was no electricity and the street lamps in Little Italy had to be lit by hand." The hero of the book is Peppe, who lives with his widowed father and sisters in a tenement. Peppe's decision to get a job as a lamplighter leads to conflict between Peppe and his father.

This is a good story that is greatly enhanced by Lewin's superb artwork. Most of the illustrations are two-page spreads that are packed full of energy and emotion. Lewin's realistic style is well-suited to capturing many colorful details: the sausages hanging in the butcher shop, a crowded street scene, the old-fashioned iron stove in Peppe's home, etc. Overall, a memorable celebration of Italian-American history.

I think this is a moving book which helps students think about the lives of many immigrants in early 20th century New York.

If you're looking for a picture book that handles the topic of racism tenderly for young children, then SISTER ANNE'S HANDS is an excellent choice indeed!

Seven-year-old Anna Zabrocky is excited about her first day in the second grade. She is also very curious about her new teacher, Sister Anne, an African-American nun. Anna has never encountered a black person up close and personal before. Therefore, she feels a little uncertain and nervous as she avoids Sister Anne's gentle touch of welcome on the first day of school. Soon all of Anna's apprehensions vanish as her classroom comes alive. Sister Anne's warmth and gentleness engages them in learning new things, sharing wonderful stories and telling hearty jokes. Just when everything feels perfect for the new school year, someone hurls a paper airplane that sails by Sister Anne's head and hits the blackboard. On its wings were written some very hurtful things. Not only did this cruel act bring a great deal of pain to Sister Anne's eyes, but a sense of guilt comes upon Anna as though she had crafted the paper airplane herself. It is how Sister Anne chooses to take this painful moment and turn it into a teachable moment that makes this book so great. By the close of the school year, it is obvious that the strength and courage of this teacher changes the lives of her students forever.

The lyrical movement of the text along with the dream like illustrations of a classroom and library from the 1960's enhances this story that much more. This is truly a beautiful book!

This book made me cry, every time I read it. I remember going to school with "penguins" as teachers, and the horrible bigotry happening in the schools. The pictures are breath-taking, and the words are powerful. I bought it for the parochical school my children go to. If you buy one book for your 3-8 grader, buy this one.

Sister Anne teaches her young students not only their math and reading, but important lessons in justice, dedication, and love. The text reflects the simple, concrete experiences of a child while suggesting how these experiences gently deepen the young narrator's understanding. The lovely illustrations are slightly muted in tone, appropriately giving the book the look of a memory recalled. Outstanding in every way.