What a daunting task for a writer - a novel dealing with the life and work of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz. Sor Juana is considered by many to be the finest poet that Latin America ever produced - she is also a hero to many, and for good reason. In her day - the 17th century - women were looked upon pretty much as chattel. They were expected to make a home for their husband and children, to sew, to cook - and little else. They were certainly not expected to seek an education - indeed, they were not deemed capable of benefiting from one. Juana, from the time she was a child, knew better - she sought out ways to feed her hungry intellect from the time when she was three, tagging along with her older sister to school and insisting to be taught to read.

As she grew older, fame of her learning spread, and she moved to Mexico City, where she became a favorite at the court of the Viceroy and Vicereine - the attention she received there fanned the flames both of her intellect and her emotions. She joined a religious order and took her vows believing that it was the only way to further her in her quest of knowledge, and in her pursuit of literary expression. She didn't count on the incredibly, rabid opposition that she met - not only from the Church hierarchy, but from within her order, from other nuns who were jealous of the attention she received, and terrified of her intelligence. She was a threat to too many people who held power. Change frightens people - especially those who see it as a threat to their own position and influence. There's an old saying that 'absolute power corrupts absolutely'. I think in the case of Sor Juana's persecution by the Church, one could observe that 'absolute power breeds absolute paranoia'. If she had not, finally, succumbed - at least in part - to the will of the Inquisition, she would no doubt have been martyred. Some might say - and it's a valid observation - that, without her books, her writing materials, and her scientific and musical instruments, without any contact with the outside world, she died a martyr without being subjected to the gibbet or other tortures. The intellectual torture of repressed expression, imposed on one who had so much to express, was a death sentence in itself.

Sor Juana's sexuality has been discussed in many forums - it is, after all, a valid and vital part of anyone's personality and life. The film concerning her life - I, THE WORST OF ALL - is based on SOR JUANA, or THE TRAPS OF FAITH, by notable Mexican poet and author Octavio Paz (he being another treasure of Latin American literature), and approaches the subject of her sexuality very obliquely (I'm amazed that the film bears an 'R' rating). SOR JUANA'S SECOND DREAM, on the other hand, tackles the subject head-on, in a very open - but tasteful - manner. The author discusses her viewpoint briefly in her afterward, with a couple of references to Paz and others - she sees their attitudes as 'homophobic', that they distort truth of Sor Juana's life and work by turning a blind eye to her sensuality. She makes it very clear that she respects Paz and his work - but that she disagrees with his assessment of Sor Juana, as well as that of some other scholars.

What emerges from the author's viewpoint is a very readable, engrossing work. The sections of the novel that deal with Sor Juana's sexual orientation - her relationships with other women, her views of men in general, and the lifelong, ongoing struggles within herself - make this a very LIVING work, bringing to life the subject in a very human way. Given the prejudice that still exists in matters of sexual orientation, one can only imagine how much this was magnified in 17th century Mexico. Sor Juana's story is a testament to her achievements in literature and science, as well as to her own courage - courage in facing not only her accusers and enemies, but in her own psychological and emotional self-examinations. She was an amazing woman - an amazing human being, an amazing scholar - and she would be thus in any day.

The book is a long one - at over 400 pages - and goes a long way in bringing to life the everyday routine of the convent, as well as the atmosphere and intrigues in the court and Church. The characterizations are well drawn and patiently, carefully created - none of them come across as flat or stereotyped, which is a great relief in a novel of this length and scope. I found it to be both entertaining and enlightening - and I would recommend it to anyone interested in a story of a heroic, intelligent woman - or, for that matter, anyone in search of a good read.

In "Sor Juana's Second Dream," Alicia Gaspar de Alba unveils the "other -- sensual, human side" of an extremely intelligent and profoundly passionate monja/mujer -- who suffers from "unnatural, unnameable, pleasurable aches" until she comes to believe, in the depths of a hurting heart, that "love, our very soul, has no gender and is never a sin" -- and into another's orbit lets herself go!

Sadly -- however, Juana's comet soon loses its glow -- a victim of envious others and timely circumstance, she is forced to spend her short life struggling with/against the temptations of: the tender touch of an hermana's hand, the (al)lure of a soulful "cell-mate's" lips, and the unforgettable "chiaroscuro of an unspeakable love."

It has taken Gaspar de Alba's courage, creativity, imagination and interpretation to "kick the habit" off this "patron saint of rebellious women" and offer her well-rewarded readers a fresh, new look at a mujer who poured passion onto her written pages, using a quill that drew both ink/blood and inspiration from a heart's well of loneliness and love!

Juana's "re-creator" (Gaspar de Alba) gives us with her: calla lilies, comets, a meaningful medal and a long lost letter of professed and requited love -- significant symbols of very beautiful sentiments -- in juxtaposition to a hauntingly powerful and disturbing storybook tale of a young Juana's innocence/childhood lost.

I cannot find the words to sing the author's praises loudly enough! After my third reading of these pages, the passages still move me! --- perhaps that, in itself, says it all.

Sor Juana's Second dream, by Alicia Gaspar de Alba, is a must-read text by anyone who is interested in the major figure from Colonial Latin America, Sor (Sister) Juana Inés de la Cruz. I have taught for many years about the life and work of this Mexican nun, and never before has a work of historical fiction captured what I believe renders a true portrait of Sor Juana. Most works of the past, even academic ones, have avoided addressing Sor Juana's personal life; in Sor Juana's Second Dream, we see, as we should, an anguished personal experience that appears in many of Sor Juana's most famous texts. Bravo! Well done!

In August, I found myself creatively blocked. At the time, I was unable to move forward on four projects due in November. One day, my frustration level hit the roof. I could not see past the list of things to do and the shrinking timeline. I questioned whether I had the courage and faith to serve as a vessel for each project's creative expression. I left my day job in a daze. As I walked up Massachusetts Avenue, Spirit guided me to Kramer's Books on Dupont Circle. I wasn't sure what I would find, but my soul knew there was something wonderful waiting for me on Kramer's bookshelf. Within twenty minutes of perusing the women's book section, my eyes fell upon Pythia's book. I opened it and read the introduction. One passage captured my attention: "Indeed, the gift of the women's liberation movement has been to show that the talents of women do not just shine in marriage and in child-raising, but in all spheres of life, from politics and sports to art, science, religion, journalism, medicine, and business. Thus, in the last decades of the twentieth century, women's wide ranging creativity has flourished as never before. This historic watershed has opened up endless vistas of possibility for women, allowing them an unprecedented opportunity to experience precious freedoms so long enjoyed by men." Pythia's words described the essence of who I was as a child born in the sixties ... a beneficiary of the women's liberation movement. She reminded me that my creative projects were a blessing despite the temporary appearance of any blocks.

Unable to put the book down, I continued reading the introduction, savoring each word ... each insight ... each revelation that Pythia shared from her own experience. Her reflections on "growing up in the Catholic Church and as a student in a spiritual organization headed by a man" resonated within my soul. Like her, I grew up Catholic and always felt that the religion diminished my ability to serve as an altar girl and worship fully as a whole spirit. Her comments on the power of the goddess movement affirmed my unique spiritual path and creative expression. She helped me see that they were "a beautiful quilt made from discarded fabrics." By the time I finished the introduction, a light had reappeared in my spirit and a bond between a reader and an author was solidified. So I did what any smart person would do ... I purchased the book.

In the weeks following my purchase, the book became the magical elixir I was seeking to awaken my spirit and unblock my creativity. The first chapter on courage introduced me to Judith Jordan's concept of "supporting courage in others." It reminded me of how my mother has been a never-ending source of support. As I have matured, I have been able to return the gift. Together, we share a "courage connection." This insight guided me in completing my short story about a mother-daughter relationship. I greatly appreciate Pythia's selection of stories that illustrated the "courage connection." My favorite is the story of Jane Holmes Dixon and Diane Rehms. It confirmed what I always knew ... that next to Creator, women friends are one of the greatest sources of listening ears, compassion, prayers, and affirmation. Pythia's section on Warrior Queens from History featuring Sojourner Truth made me smile because she is a personal ancestor that I call upon regularly for strength. It also helped me embrace my own personal motto. After reading the story of Isak Dinesen's motto, "Pourquoi Pas? (Why not?), I declared it to be mine. The written exercise on writing the epic of my bravest deeds was cathartic. Making the list took some time. At first, I judged what were my bravest deeds. In the middle of the process, I threw caution to the wind and allowed my pen to dance across several journal pages that I can now use when I get frustrated or feel like I want to quit. The exercise itself was a demonstration of courage. The list of epic deeds paints a picture of a heroine that I can call my own ... me. The exercise on invoking an invisible companion reconnected me to the power of one of my personal goddesses, Sekhmet, a Kemetian/Egyptian goddess who represents courage.

Often times, I move through life so fast that I forget to acknowledge the importance of women friends serving as "faith-holders" in my life. Pythia's second chapter on faith refreshed my memory when she shared her friend Susan's explanation: "women act as faith-holders for one another. What she means by this is that a true soul sister can help her friend stay focused on her quest to live her best life and fulfill a cherished ideal. By doing this, a woman helps keep faith in her friend's unlived potential, even when the rest of the world is doubting or rejecting her goals as impossible dreams." This passage was eye opening because I have not always made the wisest decisions in who I have selected to be my friends. It has become my measure of friendship.

Pythia taught me that selecting "faith-holders" is as important as maintaining an arsenal of inspirational faith walkers. I have added Jane Holmes Dixon to my personal arsenal. Her faith walk journey led to her participation at the Democratic Convention as a panel moderator despite peer discouragement. Completing the exercise on creating a testament of faith gave me a blueprint of beliefs and convictions that would ground and guide me as I pursued my creative projects.

The chapters on courage and faith were the most instrumental in my spirit's awakening and creative breakthrough because they helped me surrender and trust the divine process. I learned how to be a holy vessel ... a soul sister manifesting courage, faith, beauty, love and magic.

This amazing book is so beautifully written and deeply researched that one will come back to it over and over again. It is full of inspirational stories of women past and present, renowned and ordinary, as well as the authors personal stories. I have given copies to friends who all feel the urge to share it with others.

As a born-again Christian, I wasn't sure I would enjoy the variety of feminist, mystical, Sufi, Buddhist, etc. experiences this book explores, but I found it fascinating and enriching. Peay is incredibly well-informed, serious, caring, and thoughtful.
I have purchased this book as a gift for many friends of different religious backgrounds, and all have treasured it.

This is a story about a little girl named Stacy and her family. Stacy is excited for the birth of her new baby sister Ashley. However she has mixed feelings when the baby starts getting more attention from Stacy's parents then she is. Soon Stacy realizes that she wants to be a good sister and she cannot wait until little Ashley gets old enough to really play with. Sadly one morning Stacy wakes up to a crying. When Stacy goes into her parents' room she is told that Ashley had died that night from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Her parents try to comfort her when she thinks that she may have been responsible for her little sisters death or that SIDS is contagious.
I believe that the author did such a wonderful job in telling a story of a common occurrence with babies, as well as helping children to understand SIDS with a little description in the back of the book. The pictures and the story are just so touching that it would be so easily explained to a young child what Sudden Infant Death Syndrome actually is. If any child has ever lost a brother or a sister to SIDS the author does a great job of explaining that it is not their fault no matter how they felt about the baby.
I loved this book mainly because of the story. I was so sad when I read this book and then I thought of all the little kids and parents could really appreciate this book if they had lost a sibling to SIDS. I have never experienced a loss like Stacy and her family but after reading this book I have a little bit more of an understanding and sympathy.

This is a book about a family and it is based on the little girl of the family, Stacy. Her mom has a new baby and Stacy is jealous of her little sister. She wants all the attention from her parent's back. Eventually she decides that she wants to be a good big sister and wants to start playing with her baby sister. She realizes that her parents haven't forgotten all about her after all. One morning she wakes up to crying and she knows it's not her sister crying. She going into her parents room to see them crying. Her baby sitter had died during the night of sudden infant death syndrome. Everyone missed the baby so much including Stacy.
I liked this book cause it really told how little kids act like when they do get a new sibling. They do tend to be jealous and feel left out because the baby gets all the attention. I also like this story because it has a different twist to it. It is tragic the baby dies but it does happen and I think that it is good to have books to explain to little kids about things like this. It had great, very realistic pictures that really followed a long with the story.
I think the author was trying to get across the point that things like this happen but in a way children can understand it. I don't think children should be blocked off from bad things that could happen to anyone and this story really seems to get that point across. It also seems to say something about cherishing the time you have with someone because you never know when he or she might not just be there.

I bought this book for my son after his sister died of SIDS. He is only 2 1/2, and still doesn't grasp the concept of death, but I think it's a good book, and am glad that I will have it to show him, when he does begin to understand.

I loved this book when I was a kid!! I have many fond memories of it. My mother refuses to let me have my copy (she claims its hers--goes to show you she liked it as much as me!), so I came here, in search of buying a copy for a friend's child and I am shocked and upset to find that it is out of print! How could they do that?! They need to start reprinting it again. It would be such a shame for so many children to miss this funny and poignant book.

Rosemary Wells is my favorite children's author and this is my favorite of all her books (except now that she has written a book with a protangonist named Emily I may have to change my mind). Few books make a frustrated older sibling feel understood as well as this one -- A Baby Sister for Frances is another that comes to mind -- while reminding them that being the older one is an important job. Every pair of siblings should have this one read to them.

Stanley and his consistently befuddled sister Rhoda are memorable. This book will make you laugh at any age. It's hilarious! I read it to my younger sister, every kid I babysat while I was in high school and even took it with me to college for a little light reading.

I recommend this book to any one who likes excitement or good adventure. It's very exciting because you don't know if Will or Jess will find water or food. It has a lot of adventure because Will and Jess have to travel through sand storms, quick sand, and desert. When Will and Jess go through the sand storm they have to take shelter in an abandoned cave. It's a very tight space and it's hard for them to breathe. They have to go without meat for days before they find a weak ox, which they then cook over an open fire. I like the characters in the book because they are very independent and different. Will shows his self-sufficiency when he tries to go ahead to look for the rest of his party in the valley. In conclusion, if you like good adventure and great excitement, this is the book for you.

Twelve-year-olds Will and Jess Brantcourt are a twin brother and sister travelling west with their family to California in 1849. Because of their father's stubborness, the Brantcourts end up being separated in the desert from the rest of the wagon train. Now their wagon has broken down and their father is seriously ill, and the family is unable to continue. Now Will and Jess are the only ones that can save their family from death. So the determined twins set off across the desolate, dry, and unforgiving deserts of Death Valley. The valley threatens to live up to its name every moment of Will and Jess's desperate journey to find help as they encounter heat, thirst, hunger, and dangerous creatures. But they're determined to carry on and not give up, because their family is counting on them. This was another great book in the Survival series. I highly reccomend it if you like historical or survival stories.

Death Valley was another great book in the Survival! series by Kathleen Duey and Karen A. Bale. This book was about a brother and sister, Will and Jess Brantcourt. Mr. Brantcourt has decided the family will go west to search for gold in California, even though no one else in the family wants to go. Then he decides they will take a shotcut that will supposedly get them to California faster - one that goes through the cruel, unrelentingly hot desert of Death Valley. Then Pa gets sick from an injury, and the Brantcourts' wagon breaks an axle. Now, it's up to Will and Jess to go find help for their stranded family - for they are the only hope the Brantcourts have left. But can they survive in the desert with only scant food and water, and get help for their family before it's too late? Read this exciting book to find out!

Switcharound
By Lois Lowry
This book is about two siblings named Caroline and J.P. who do not agree on anything and who's parents are divorced and live in different parts of the country. They have to go and visit their father, his wife, Lillian, Their son, David(Poochie) and their twins Holly and Ivy. They hate their father and are prepared for a terrible summer with him. But in the end their summer is very fun and eventful and they want to go back to their fathers again as soon as possible. Also their visit breaks up their war and they have a summer without any fighting.
I liked this book a lot and there are many things I like about it. One thing I liked about it was that it was very eventful. Like when they are on the plain going to their dads house. Also I like how there is a lot of detail. For example when it explains what the twins look like it explains every little mark on their bodies including the mole on the back of Ivy's shoulder.
I would recommend this book to someone who likes realistic fiction. I would also recommend this book to people who are at an medium to fast level of reading.

Have you ever had to spend the summer doing things you hated? If you want to know what happens you should read the book Switcharound. Its about a brother and sister that makes up a baseball team so they do not have to g o to there dad’s. They went last year and thought it was boring. They hated it. The siblings tried to explain to their mom that the reason they couldn’t go was because they had a baseball team and would rather stay and play then go to their dad’s. There was one problem. Their plan didn’t work. Their mom made them go to their dad’s anyway. It didn’t matter how much they begged, there was no way to get out of it. Was their summer ruined? Was it as boring as they expected? To find out, you’ll have to read Switcharound by Lois Lowry.

The words are hard and sometimes exasperating, but the book brings a lot of humer. Lowry did a great job on making everyhing seem so lively. It must have took a lot of contemplation to write that book. Lowry's a great auther, and I'm glad the amount of her books aren't meager.

This book is great! It kept me on the edge of my seat laughing. The pranks are unbelievable and hilarious. My favorite part was when Judy (the vet) gave Belle a tranquilizer and she got all whoozy and out of control. Chad came over and saw Belle acting weird and got worried. I totally recommend this book. It's great!

Steivie Lake gets grounded once again and Carole and Lisa have to try and get Stevie ungrounded so that she can go to summer camp. Lisa and Carole decide that the best way to get Stevie ungrounded is to scare Chad. But does this method work? This is an exciting adventure and an excellent read. I recommend it to any horse lovers.

I thought when Stevie did that prank on Chad was funny. I wasn't surprised that Stevie got grounded. I could tell that when Chad and his stinky friend put whipped-cream in Stevie's brand-new boots she was firery mad. And when Carole and Lisa rubbed garden dirt on Belle's coat I thought Chad wouldn't fall for the colic prank! But he did. My favorite part was when Carole and Lisa fed Belle human foods and drinks! I recommend this book to you if you like horses- that's why I gave this book 5 stars.

Erna and Alfreda Anderson were two real passengers that traveled third class on the Titanic, but nothing is known about them, except that Erna survived, and Alfreda did not. The author of this book has written a novel that imagines who Erna and Alfreda Anderson were, why they were on the Titanic, and how Erna made it out of the tragedy alive when Alfreda, her relative, did not. The Erna of this book is a ten-year-old dreamer living in the Swedish countryside, often at odds with her realistic, sixteen-year-old sister Alfreda. Their father has been in America for several years, and sends tickets for the family to join them. But their mother must remain behind, so the sisters set off without her, arguing along the way. They board the Titanic in England, and they're on their way. Along the way, they finally manage to become friends. And how Erna survives, and her sister does not, happens in a tragic plot twist that was painful to read and had me nearly in tears. I highly reccomend this book. It goes along well with Voyage on the Great Titanic, from the Dear America series.

This book was EXCELLENT!!! It was so intersting, I couldn't put it down!! It starts off a little slow, but stick to this book, you won't regret it!!

Erna and her sister live in Sweden where they are very poor. Their little brother dies and their mother gets sick. Their father is in America and he sends tickets for the sisters to come to America. They will sail on the "Titanic." What will happen to the sisters when the ship sinks? A really cool author! She describes everything so well!

I think that the non-religious who reads the things that Therese said and did with her sisters in community at the Lisieux Carmel may occasionally be intimidated. I know I am from time to time. Sometimes I am even confused, for there are some pieces of advice and counsel that would not do for a secular woman such as myself. But I thoroughly enjoyed this work, and the translation was superb. Through the compilation of the reminiscences, I was able to better see what it might have been like to follow Therese around, listen to her, go to her in tears, question my vocation. I am grateful for this glimpse and I believe I have a better understanding of the way Therese taught. Thanks for reading.

This is a lovely book giving us yet more details about the daily life of Therese and those with whom she lived. Her teaching of the novices is an inspiration to all of us, even though, obviously, their situation in life (nuns in 19th century France vs. lay folks in 21st century) is quite different from ours. I loved this little book.

The appearance of this book in English is a gift to all of Therese's English-speaking friends. Marie of the Trinity tells many stories about Therese not recorded elsewhere, and the study of her relationship with Therese is itself endlessly fascinating. Insights into daily life at Lisieux Carmel; interesting account of life at Carmel from 1897-1944. Read about the dream Therese had about 1896 which she confided to Marie of the Trinity; she dreamt of a celebration for her in a field, like a cemetery, yet festive, and told Marie that sooner or later they would find out what the dream meant. In March 1923, the solemn translation of Therese's relics from Lisieux cemetery to the Carmel took place, and Marie realized the dream had foreshadowed that event, in which 50,000 pilgrims followed the body of Sister Therese in its return to Carmel. It is easy to see why the testimony of Marie of the Trinity was important at the Process. Enjoy.

Tom McCluskie, an employee of Harland & Wolff, the Belfast shipbuilders who designed and built the Titanic, has made a bit of an industry for himself putting out books on the subject. This book is probably the one most worth having, as it has all of the photos in his other books plus some amazing and unusual photos of Britannic under construction that I had never seen before (especially impressive were some shots of the reciprocating engines being installed). The price is definitely right, but be warned that for the massive size of the book the binding is a little on the weak side.

I have lots of books about different ships in the early 1900's and tons of books on Titanic and this one is one of my favorites.I liked how all three ships are together and there are some rare photos.There are photos of the ships going through construction, in dry dock and at launch. There is lots of interesting information listed about the White Star Line as well.

This book is very exclusive and it has about all the information of the Olympic Class ships; Titanic, Olympic, and Brittanic. From construction to the end of each ships with very high quality pictures for details of each. I highly recommend this book for modelers for these ships. It's a wonderful book to see all the anatomy and the unprinted photos of the ships. It has black and white photos and sections of paintings or illustrations. I recommend it. Enjoy!!!!