I'm 34 years old. This book was given to me when I was 8. It served as the backstop against all of the angst, fear, anger and confusion of pre-pubescent existence. When "bobby" threw a rock at me, I turned to this book. When "jenny" didn't return my affection, I turned to this book. When "Joey" violated my trust, I turned to this book. Nothing can bridge the gap between the teachings of Jesus and the adolocent existence. My dear people, if you do anything for you youth, do buy this book. Give it to them. And let them use it as they will - with God's help. Surely, you will benefit.

This is a wonderful tool for parents who are trying to find a way to reach their children during family devotions. Each story begins with a theme Bible verse, and then presents a story involving children and their parents related to the Bible passage. Afterward, there is a series of questions so that you can discuss the story with your children. For older children there is an extended Bible reading listed. Finally there is a concluding prayer.

Not only will this help involve your children in family devotions, but the questions also help to develop listening skills. These benefits flow into church on Sunday morning. I highly recommend this book for anyone trying to involve their children in family devotions.

When my boys were young and My wife and I were newly born Christians, we purchased these two books. They were loved by our children more than anything else we provided for their Christian growth. Those two books have since disappeared from my library and I am so glad to have found one and I will keep looking for the other. I want them for my Grandchildren and friends. I want them for myself as well! I have never found another pair of books with a short story and devotional thought for each day that fits in so well with a childs everyday living and learning experience. Everyone can relate to each story. Excellent.

For anyone interested in world peace, Mary King's book, Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr: The Power of Nonviolent Action, is a must read.

In the post cold war era, the battling forces of conflict - war and negotiation - peace have changed. From 1945 to 1990, the United States/Soviet Union standoff shaped public policy. The absence of the super power conflict has created a void and the opportunity for regional controversies has emerged. The essence of Mary King's theme is to utilize the people-based non-violent practices of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. as the major new forces for peace and conciliation.

Mary King's whole background and international experience makes her a unique voice. She cut her teeth in the 1960's in Mississippi, active in America's civil rights batles, working with Julian Bond and Martin Luther King, Jr. From there she has been one of the world's leading spokespersons and activists working on the international scene on behalf of women's rights, civil rights and peace. Her first book on civil rights in Mississippi won the Robert F. Kennedy Award for Journalism.

Mary King has woven together photos, quotes and her own reflections in a manner reminiscent of the popular GANDHI THE MAN by Sri Eknath Easwaran. Her subject is broader, however, in that she gives us not only Gandhi and King but some of the more dramatic leaders of nonviolence in the modern world. The need for information and understanding about this subject and these people cannot be overstated. Mary King was superbly qualified to respond to that need, and she has done so beautifully in this volume. I agree with previous reviewers that it should be in the library of every school and college.

There are not nearly enough books published in English on the extremely important topic of nonviolent social action. I am a member of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, and realize how very many publications there are that examine all aspects of the use of violence/force in international and inter-group relations. But sadly, few of those books give much sober assessment of the huge limitations there are on the effectiveness of coercion-based actions (e.g. in Kosovo, Bosnia, etc.) This book helps to provide an antidote to that. In addition to giving full descriptions of Gandhi's and Dr. MLK's thinking on the power of nonviolence, the author, Mary King, also provides some fascinating material about the effectiveness of nonviolent acts in more recent struggles.

I have written a regular column on global issues for 'The Christian Science Monitor' for nearly a decade now. In the past couple of years, I have also been blessed by the opportunity to work as a writer with an extremely inspiring group of Nobel Peace laureates, including the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Tutu, Rigoberta Menchu Tum, and others. (Based on that work, I wrote a book called "The Moral Architecture of World Peace: Nobel Laureates Discuss our Global Future".) It was significant that nearly all the laureates I worked with mentioned both Gandhi and Dr. MLK--who was also himself a Nobel Peace Laureate--as prime inspirations in their own work and thinking. So I was looking for one reference book that I could use myself, and to which I could refer readers, that would provide a broad overview of the thinking of those two men. I was delighted to find it in Mary King's book, which ideally should be placed as a source-book in every high-school and community library in the country!

I like this book a whole lot. My favortie part was the Mothers Day tea party because it was so sweet the way she couldn't decide to bring Mimi or her father. What I don't like is how they don't tell you how her mother died.
(that's something very small)
It was a great book. For those who liked this book, I recomend:
Mystery5 MaryAnne and the Secret in the Attic
Kristy's Portrait Collection
Abby's Portrait Collection
They're all great books! Thank you Ann Martin!

This was an interesting story. It helps you get to know her father more and see that he really cares about her. I thought that Mary Anne's grandmother was rude to keep putting him down to her and to criticize Mary Anne and make her upset. Mary Anne tells her off and runs out the door and hides in the cornfields. Then she comes back and says sorry. SORRY FOR WHAT? That part irritated me. It was her Grandma who needed to say sorry. It was her doing.

Very tender sweet, moving story on growing up, and mother loss. Mary Anne's search for a female figure in her life is touching, especially her attachment to Mimi. Her dad tries to fill in, but there's no one in a girl's life like a mother. I was also glad to meet Mary Anne's grandmother along with Mary Anne. I was so happy for Mary Anne and Verna, especially when Mary Anne found out about her mother, Alma. I like Verna and would like to see more of her in future BSC books. I could see Verna had been through a lot and was also working through her grief of losing a husband AND a daughter. It was really too bad that Richard and Verna hadn't grown up yet back when Mary Anne was a toddler and fought over her. It's great that now Richard and Verna are putting their feelings aside for Mary Anne's sake.

I love the humorous approach to this rite of passage for any mother with a son - whether the son is 2 or 22!

Many "mothers of the groom" tend to feel that the marriage of a son is a "loss", or lacks the pageantry and planning of a daughter's wedding - this book takes that notion and turns it on its head!

Great fun and a great boost for those current or "potential" mothers of the groom!

I laughed, I cried!! It was short sweet and right to the point. I loved it! It is not only for the Mother of the Groom, but anyone dealing with weddings and brides!!!

I never knew that when your son gets married it is a totaly male experience, even for the Mother of the Groom! This book helped me laugh during the trying times and now that the wedding is over, my new daughter - in law is still talking to me!! Thank you Mary Martin!!

Here's the deal. MaryAnne, as you know, has broken up with Logan. Cokie is still after Logan, and she's also still attacking MaryAnne (you know what I mean).

Both MaryAnne and Cokie are on the yearbook team, or whatever you call it (I read this a few days ago). Cokie is in charge, and she's most enthusiastic about the parts like "Most sporty", "Most likely to be seen in Beverly Hills", etc. Cokie is convinced that she fits in most of this categories, and is being mean to MaryAnne, spreading rumours and everything.

MaryAnne teams up (sort of) with Cary Retlin to get her revenge on Cokie. But in the end...
It really is Sweet Revenge. Read it and find out. The Real New MaryAnne is much better than the Old MaryAnne or the Not Good New MaryAnne. Hope you liked this review.Br

By far this is the best book in the bscff series. Mary Annedefinately proved she not just meek shy girl always behind someone todefend her. This time that punk Cokie finally was cut down to size, by Mary Anne. First Cokie made fun her by her big breakup with Logan,then lied about Logan saying that she begged him to get back with him. Also said he going with another girl{which was true}, then she sabotaged the yearbook ballots! . That's when Mary Anne did her own scheming as well, along with the BSC's rival, Cary.In this book you could see Mary Anne try on new attitudes and maturing from the old quiet Mary Anne! She even snuck out of her house! Now that's major improvement! Also in this book Mary Anne and her parents settled long overdue conflicts.Mary Anne has proven herself to Logan, BSC, Cokie, the whole school,... and herself that she is here and here to stay!

I have always loved the books on Mary Ann. I am, like Mary Ann, also very shy and sensitive. After reading this book I walked away feeling braver and stronger. I love the new Mary Ann because she is not only her caring old self but also a new more confident person. This book is really an insperation. It also shows you that when you belive in yourself, with a little help from your friends, you can do anything. This book is a true treasure.

I know #131 seems kind of depressing, but I hope there are more books like "The Fire at Mary Anne's House" and this isn't just a fluke.

For the first time, you see the teens in the story step outside of the BSC and take a look at real life. The story was very true to heart and the book made me cry.

I read the next two books in the "Friends Forever" series, and I was amazed. The books aren't like California Diaries or the BSC. There JUST PLAIN GOOD! Not too depressing, but not overly happy either. I loved BSC #131, "Everything Changes" and Friends Forever #1! Keep going Ann! Your readers are coming back!

I've been reading the BSC series for about seven years now. While I like California Diaries, I always knew Ann M. Martin would put some life into the BSC plots again. AND SHE HAS! The Fire at Mary Anne's House was even better then Dawn, Diary Three! In the last book of the BSC series, Mary Anne's house burns down. She has nowhere to live and feels so sad. Even her friends rallying around her doesn't help. Poor Mary Anne! This book made me cry, especially the ending (which I won't give away) Just read the book! I'm telling you that this is better then all of Ann's books combined! I'm pretty sad that this is the last book of the Baby-sitters' Club series. But I'm looking forward to new more young adult changes in the Baby-sitters' Club: Friends Forever series. Who knows? Now we may like both California Diaries AND the BSC. I know I sure do!

The Fire at Mary Anne's House can be summarized in one word: Wow. It's the most moving book I've probably ever read in my whole life. It's amazing how your life can change in one second, and Ann (or her editors) portrayed Mary Anne's overnight life alter extremely well. When you finish reading this book, you will almost definitely look around your atmosphere and feel a warm, fuzzy feeling- LoL. Anyway, read this book- it's like no other BSC book, and it's the last one. Can't wait for the new series, but I'll miss the old one. At least there are 131 books to read over!

Mallory is having a hard time at SMS so she goes on the net and search for schools she could enroll in snd she's been accepted. But Jessi's mad that Mallory told Mary Anne first rather than her To tell you the truth this BSC book wasn't really what I expected. I expected Mallory to change her mind like any old book but she''s leaving I'll miss her like the BSC

Poor Mary Anne! Being stuck in the middle isn't what she had in mind! With Mallory going off to Riverbend Hall the BSC is upset. Jessi is heartbroken, after all she's losing her best friend. However Jessi shows her sadnness through anger, especially since Mal concults Mary Anne first about her problems. Will Mal go away? Will Mary Anne solve the feud? You HAVE to read this book!

Mary Anne in the Middle was a very good book. One of the best BSC books written so far. Mallory hates SMS, and wants to go to a boarding school. When she gets accepted, she tells Mary Anne first. Jessi finds out, and now she is furious at Mallory. Mallory is angry at Jessi for not understanding. Poor Mary Anne is stuck in the middle. Besides Jessi, Mallory's siblings are all mad at her as well! And how will the BSC go on with another member too short? Will Mallory and Jessi make up before she leaves? Can the BSC find a replacement for Mal? Will Mary Anne be stuck in the middle forever? You've got to read the book and find out!

...The kids aren't always good.if you've ever read #59 you would know that.The girls do get bad hair days. The only reason the BSC is always thirteen is because people won't read the books if they were twenty or something.I have about 100 BSC books and I say they rule!

In Mary Anne and too many babies it shows the real life responsibility of being a parent just like Mary Anne and Logan and all the other babysitters had to do. It also shows that sometimes it is not possible to do everything at once, especially when you are looking after babies and small children at once. I think that the way all the babysitters handle the situation is something others should think about when in this position.

This is a good book. Not the best book out of The Babysitters Club Series but good. Ann M Martain is a brilliant autor. Her book are very entertaining for children aged 9 - 13 they ar e a must read

This was interesting coming from Ann Martin, Queen of All Happiness. I used to read the BSC religiously, but now looking back on the books, I think this one was one of the better. I mean, most have absolutely no plot, and are totally unrealistic, but this one is a pretty good example of a breakup. I don't think it's quite completely what a breakup is, but coming from Ann, this is a better one.

Looking back on my youth and teenage years, I used to read BSC religiously. I have all the books that were made from the time I was in 5th grade, up until I graduated high school a few years ago. When I first read Mary-ann vs. Logan, I was shocked because I really didn't think that they'd really do it. I was heartbroken, and happy at the same time. I found this book the other day in a box while I was moving, and in the front flap of the book I marked off each time I read it, and I had marked it a total of 15 times, so that's how good the book was! I recommend it to any BSC fan.

You know, people are always saying that Anne's books are too unrealistic. I say that those people are just the "party poopers" as the eight-year olds would say. But look, she's a very positive person, in my opinion. Who wants to be writing about sex and drugs when you could imagine being happy on an almost-daily basis?I mean, come on! Which would be more interesting? I rest my case. I guess I'd better write my summary. This was a good book. It should that Mary Anne stood up for herself, and she knew that was she was doing was right; giving she and Logan some time to cool off. I think that that is what books are about; finding your problem, and your solution, even if your answer isn't the one you want to hear. Two thumbs up, Anne!

Since I did my interview with Mary I have been reunited with my son for 6 Years. All I can say is that being able to tell my story,along with the reunion with my son, brought me a closure to what I had been through that I could have never acheived without either event. I am truly gratefull to Mary, and the people my story has touched. If anyone wishes to talk about there situation I am more than willing.

Congratulations to Mary for writing such a compelling book. I live in Australia and our past adoption practices are under review and it is the birthfathers that have been forgotten. Never given a chance to have a say - the law discriminating against birthfathers. Now through such a book - people will be educated and listen to fathers. It really is a joint project - many birth matters were never allowed to mention the father's name - if they did - it was trouble for the mother. Birth father's parents also had no rights - the only rights available was with the authorities -

Finally some one is helping birth fathers speak out and I can only hope that birth fathers in Australia have the opportunity to read this book and come forward in the forthcoming Inquiry in the State of Victoria, Australia. This book will give them the confidence to "speak out" so that the true picture can be heard by the adopted children. Their parents loved them - and in many cases, had no say as to their own child's future.

Hopefully Australian birth father's will come across this book. I will certainly be doing everything I can to promote the book in Australia.

To all Birthfathers who spoke to Mary congratulations and to those that did not - speak out now.

As a birthfather who lost his children in a closed adoption 25 years ago I found Mason's book to be a breath of fresh air. Birthfathers are the invisible and often unwelcome members in the triad world and this book shows that we are parents who can love and care deeply for the children we have lost. I have become active in triad issues since my reunion with my son and daughter a year ago and this book has helped me keep going when faced with the sometimes daunting birthmother-centered focus in our corner of the triad.