This book follows the Gilbreth family's adventures from just after their dad has died until all the children are grown and married. The mishaps are humorous, the children are realistic and funny, and the plot is inspiring. However, this book lacks the one element that made its predecessor so incredibly wonderful: Dad.

Dad was the one who had the hilarious techniques, the atrocious standards, the crazy ideas. He was the one with the impossible ideals, superb gifts, and vibrant personality. Dad was the one who insisted that his home become a model of motion study and a picture of order. Incidently, Dad was the one that gave Cheaper by the Dozen its laughs, its suspense, and its plotline. Without him, Belles on Their Toes is funny, but feels lifeless because there is no Dad there to knock someone's elbow on the table.

I did enjoy reading this book and some parts had me laughing out loud. But if you're looking for another gripping story like Cheaper and the Dozen, look elsewhere. The main conflict of this book is Mother's struggle to send all of her children through college. It is a story about learning, maturing, and accomplishing goals.

I loved this book. I read it after I had read "Cheaper By the Dozen" which is a book of the events before the events in this book. This is like a sequal to that. I loved them both and I wish there were a ton more books about this family. I think it would be a dream come true to meet some of them. It is so neat to read a whole families life story and it is even more fun to have such an interesting family as the Gilbreths. Sometimes I don't know how they lived. They are really neat people and they inspired me in the weirdest ways. I would recomend this book to everyone of any age. But first you should read "Cheaper By the Dozen" it is up to you but it is more fun to read it in order. I think you should give at least one of these books a try, they are great I think and they would make great gifts if you need a good gift, also. I hope you take my advise and read these books.

For those of you who have read Cheaper by the Dozen, you know that the antics of the Gilbreth children make even the saddest person attempt to hide their smiles. Well, Belles on Their Toes continues the legacy of laughs and just getting through life.

This book begins three days after Cheaper by the Dozen leaves off, three days after the death of Dad. Belles on Their Toes talks about the struggles of a family trying to get back on their feet after such a terrible loss. Mother has to go away to Europe for 5 weeks, to make a name for herself, so Anne, the oldest of the children at age 18, is left in charge. Through chicken pox and hte cook being arrested, the family manages to stick together.

In an inspiring story about self sacrifices, and stepping up to fill the shoes of Dad, the Gilbreths pinch pennies to keep the family from splitting up. A rare mix of inspiration and humor, Belles on Their Toes is a must-read for everyone!

This book is the story of an unusual family at the turn of the century, with twelve children. The father is an efficiency expert who runs the family like it is a factory assembly line, with everything timed down to the minute. Even the times for bathing are scheduled, so that the household runs smoothly. Mr. Gilbreth practices all of his ideas on how to run an efficient business on his family; they are the guinea pigs for new ideas.
He is the parent who disciplines all the kids, and the mom is really understanding of how hard it is to live in such an unusual family. Both of the parents were professionals, as the mom was also a psychologist and industrial engineer. They applied their professional ideas on raising the 12 kids. The children learn foreign languages, long division and about the solar system, using methods from Mr. Gilbreth's professional life. They were also taught touch typing and morse code by efficient methods. It is a very humorous look at the life of a large and unusual family. The ending of the book is sad, as Mr. Gilbreth dies, leaving Mrs. Gilbreth to raise the children alone.

The tone of the book is humor, as many of the situations are really funny, and the parents approach life with a sense of humor. The father is often very sarcastic, but not in a mean way. He liked to parade the family around and even though he was proud of them, he found the reactions of other people very funny. The parent's sense of humor made dealing with the problems of a large family easier, and made for a more loving lifestyle. Even though raising a family that large was serious business, they never took life too seriously. I think that is an important way to raise a family, by keeping a sense of humor. The father is a smart man, and he is never characterized as an idiot, even though he does some crazy things to help his family. The main theme throughout the book is the importance of humor in their lives.

CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN

Format: Paperback,1st ed., 180 pages ISBN: 0553272500 Publisher: Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Younger Readers Pub. Date: February 1981 Other Formats: Hardback Recommended Age:Third grade and up

Wonderful...Once you start to read the first page you wont be able to put the book down. This perfect way to spend a rainy day. You will be very amused when you read about the hilarious events of the Gilbreth family. The family of twelve children have many adventures you will enjoy reading. The father is almost crazy and a very successful business man. He is very strict and overprotective. He won't let his daughters wear make up or dress the way they like to. They slowly change his mind and begin to dress their way. He thinks his children can do anything and is also believed he could do anything. He loved jokes and laughing and you will love the practical jokes they play on each other. The rich family loves to go to movies then out for ice cream. They also spend their summers at the beach, where their Dad forces them to learn to swim. He wants them to learn as much as possible about everything so he always finds a way to teach them new things. As an efficiency expert he made sure that everything was done in a time efficient way. It was a sin to waste time in the Gilbreth house and he was constantly coming up with new ways to save time. The Dad in the story liked to parade around and show off his kids. Although this was embarassing to some of the kids as they got older Dad found it hilarious. The mother also was sometimes embarrassed or insulted by the attention they got or the comments other people made. This book will keep you laughing right up to the last chapter when Dad dies. The book is a mixture of humor and then sadness at the ending. This is an excellent book that everybody should read. I recommend this book for anyone that knows how to read no matter how old or young!

Dina Bastianini, Pine-Richland High School

This book is the best book I have ever read. I own it and have read it many times. It kept me interested from the first page and you will not want to put it down. It is about a family of 12 children. Their dad is always thinking of new ways to save time and he thinks that he can teach him and his children anything. The family likes to play practical jokes on eachother and are always having a good time. This book is very interesting and never gets boring.

As a native of Moscow, educated in the Soviet schools, I must take issue with the reviewers who claim the author is knowledgable about Russia or the Soviet Union. It is a commonplace among Russians that "Russia is a country with an unpredictable past," and the author of this fantasy bears that out. His small understanding of Soviet history seems gleaned from the learn-books I was forced to read in elementary school - full of lies and half-truths. To even begin to understand Russia one must live there, which the author obviously has not.

The book does have interesting plot. Consider it light entertainment, if you will, something to while away a rainy afternoon.

McKay's story is unusual to say the least, but quite interesting. After reading the adventure, I was heartened to learn that there are two more books coming in the series. Something tells me that Dr. Jamazi will be revealed more and more as those stories progress; for the clues indicating such are laced throughout the tale.

I found the recountings of Leninist doctrine to be on the mark along with the history, along with the location descriptions. As to whether such a plot is feasible, that is something that really shouldn't be pressed all that much, after all, the book is fiction. The fight scene, and how it ended, was something else!

What I would like to see is for 'Domo 17' to be made into a movie, and if the author does, in fact, produce two more tales in the series, then there would be a strong box office draw. Maybe Ben Kingsley would be considered for the role of Dr. Jamazi, and Jean Reno as Max. That would be cool!

I'd recommend buying this book -- definitely!

Dr. Alexander Jamazi is a Hercule Poirot of sorts, combined with a little James Bond, and seasoned with the teachings of Buddha. His friends cannot figure out why he is so knowledgeable about the finer points of history, but our author hints that Dr. Jamazi doesn't age because he is super-human or immortal. When he and his sidekicks, Max and Robyn, set out to help a client named Tara Duchenes, they uncover a plot by a higher-up in the security section of the Russian government to take over the government, assassinate the president, and throw Russia into war. Jamazi offers his services to General Drago:

"'Casimir, if you do not mind, I would like to offer your good offices the services of myself, Max and Robyn in getting to the bottom of this affair.' The Doctor was never one to outwardly betray his inner feelings with telegraphic expressions or gestures, but in all truthfulness, he badly wanted to be in on this situation. 'And,' Jamazi added, 'along the way, we might even cross paths with our disappearing client, Mlle Romanov.'"

Domo17 is a brilliantly written first novel! McKay could compete with any of the existing giants of political intrigue novels today. McKay's intensive knowledge of Russian affairs and history takes the reader right to Red Square. His analysis of current political and economical conditions in Russia makes for a very savvy interpretation of "what ifs" in the telling of his tale. He lays out a scenario that is not only possible (with the number of nut heads in the world) but is chilling in contemplation. McKay's characters are lovable and well thought out. Jamazi is perfect in his role of "super-human equalizer." Although the scenario is grim, we as readers cheer on Jamazi and his team and know that they will prevail in the end.

Domo17 is a four-star read from an up-and-comer. Thanks for Mr. McKay for sharing his imagination and historical brilliance in the form of such a wonderful read...

Larry Rochelle hails from Kansas City, and is a mystery writer by trade. He is also interested in blues and jazz, tennis, and photography. Dance with the Pony is his fourth mystery.

Palmer Morel is a 6'3" tennis pro with a penchant for making bad decisions in his love life. He has recently had a messy breakup with his wife, who hangs out at his club with a bi-sexual woman known for her nastiness. Palmer, in the meantime, has been frequenting an exotic dance establishment known as "The Stage Door." He has had relationships with one or two of the dancers, but at the moment he is head-over-heels in love with a 5'4" number named Pony, who is quite a package. When one of Pony's bosses, Jim Norris, has just been murdered. Palmer's Walter Mitty life is further turned upside down:

"Pausing on the last step, Morel sprinted the ten paces to his door. His fingers felt intense heat on the doorframe and his loud, dramatic tennis coach's voice screamed, FIRE! FIRE! FIRE!' Across the hall, he pounded on the Frenzels' door, hoping they were home, hoping they could dial 9-1-1 and carry out some of their valuables. He knew, almost by instinct, but really because of seeing the film Backdraft' the other night on TV, not to open the door, fearing a huge burst of flame, almost an explosion, that might greet him."

Dance with the Pony is definitely a XX-pulp detective story, except that it is told via the point-of-view of the victim rather than the detective. Still, Rochelle manages to capture the grittiness of the big city with the vulnerability of a lonely man who is just trying to capture some love in his life. The juxtaposition of rich, country club clients versus the seedy world of exotic dancing illustrates just how blurred these lines can get. Rochelle creates wonderful characters and action that is non-stop in this naughty but fascinating tale.

Palmer Morel is a hero who seems to entangle himself into big messes every time he turns around. As readers, we worry whether he is even going to have a change of clothing as the bad guys burn his possessions' try to smear his good name so he will lose his job; land him in the hospital with gunshot wounds and various and sundry other injuries; and try to set him up as the killer.

Donald Neal McKay is an admitted tale spinner. In 1952 he began his studies of Russia, including Lenin, the old Soviet Union, Bolshevism, and Russian history including the czars and royals. McKay is a native of South Carolina.

Shelley Glodowski
Reviewer

The advetures of tom sawyer was on of the greatest books I've ever read. I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a mischevios adventurerous kids. This book is good for adults because it could most likely to take you back to your own childhood. For kids it could give some ideas to enjoy your childhood.

Tom sawyer is a mischevios boy who always gets into trouble. tom tricks his friends into doing his chores. He falls in love. He wittnesses a murder scene. he runs away to be a pirate. He attends his own funeral. he finds buried treasure. feeds his cat pain killer. gets lost in a cave with the person he loves. Also gets 6,000 dollars.

I've learned from this book the importance of being young. It also taught me don't rush to grow up because you're only young once. IT also taught me what it was like to be a kid 150 years ago.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is one of the best books I have ever read. The language,the thinking,the adventures-all of it was just incredible and enjoyable. The only thing this book needs is more pages! Mark Twain's skill in writing has created a book that all ages should read (or have it read to).Mark Twain reactivates the life and actions of a boy in the mid-1800's,and showed me that kids should be who they are- not what they will be. This is a classic for every generation to read and enjoy.

Mark Twain's,The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, tells about a boy loving and living his life to the fullest. Tom Sawyer is the kid that the world has seemed to forgotten. He is the kid who always get in trouble but continues to have fun with life. In this book, Tom does everything from being engaged, to watching his own funeral, to witnessing a [death] and finding treasure. Twain's creative character finds fun everywhere in his little town in Missouri, as do his friends. The storyline is basic, but it is a piece of the past that everyone should hold on to.

In The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, I learned mainly two things. The first thing I learned was that you can make life fun with just about anything if you use your imagination. Life is too short and precious to be wasted. I also learned that where you least expect it [help or protection], you might just get it. This book was just amazing-filled with unique characters, exciting events, and how a town can pull together to help those in need.

Tom Sawyer is one of the most endearing characters in American fiction. This wonderful book deals with all the challenges that any young person faces, and resolves them in exciting and unusual ways.

Like many young people, Tom would rather be having fun than going to school and church. This is always getting him into trouble, from which he finds unusual solutions. One of the great scenes in this book has Tom persuading his friends to help him whitewash a fence by making them think that nothing could be finer than doing his punishment for playing hooky from school. When I first read this story, it opened up my mind to the potential power of persuasion.

Tom also is given up for dead and has the unusual experience of watching his own funeral and hearing what people really thought of him. That's something we all should be able to do. By imagining what people will say at our funeral, we can help establish the purpose of our own lives. Mark Twain has given us a powerful tool for self-examination in this wonderful sequence.

Tom and Huck Finn also witness a murder, and have to decide how to handle the fact that they were not supposed to be there and their fear of retribution from the murderer, Injun Joe.

Girls are a part of Tom's life, and Becky Thatcher and he have a remarkable adventure in a cave with Injun Joe. Any young person will remember the excitement of being near someone they cared about alone in this vignette.

Tom stands for the freedom that the American frontier offered to everyone. His aunt Polly represents the civilizing influence of adults and towns. Twain sets up a rewarding novel that makes us rethink the advantages of both freedom and civilization. In this day of the Internet frontier, this story can still provide valuable lessons about listening to our inner selves and acting on what they have to say. Enjoy!

Want a book with an adventurous twist? Then Huckleberry Finn is the book for you. Not only is Huckleberry Finn an adventurous book, it is also can be comical and light, though the book has a grave meaning, showing the wrongs in society at the time in the late 19th century.
The book The Adventures of Tom Sawyer precedes Huckleberry Finn, where in the beginning of Huckleberry Finn, Huck lives with the widow Douglas, though doesn't like the high class living, and frequently leaves to see his father, who's always drunk, or just hangs out in the woods. While in the woods, Huck meets Jim, a slave who escaped and needs to cross the Mississippi River to the freedom on the other side, in Illinois. Although this book portrays a serious meaning, it can also be funny and witty.
I liked this book because it was witty and comical, though it had an important message at the same time. I really liked this book because of this, though the southern accent complicates the understanding of the book. Overall, I thought this book is definitely a classic and a must read for all age levels.

I wasn't too looking forward to the reading Huck Finn at first, particularly after glancing at the dialect of the first couple pages, but once I got started and more used to how the characters spoke, I loved the tale! Huck Finn is an extremely well-written novel that uses silly situations to explain how living was back then, and how slaves were treated. Jim is in the beginning of the book coming across as the stereotype of a slave, but as the novel continues, you really begin to see the real person, not just how Jim was "supposed" to be... Also, throughout the book, you see Huck mature and begin to get his own mind; among other things, Huck develops his own set of morals different from those of society... The Adventures of Huck Finn is a funny, exciting, and at times sweet book that everyone should have the chance to read... :):)

After reading many of the reviews below, I have come to the conclusion that perhaps this novel should not be taught at the high school level. Personally, when I read "Huckelberry Finn" my junior year, I thought that it was an enjoyable break from reading other early American classics, but judging from some of the reviews, others didn't agree. I don't understand exactly what was considered so "boring" about this novel. This book provides the reader with action, humor, and morals; what any 'classic' should do. For those who think of themselves as highly intellectual and felt that the novel didn't have a point, you may want to check your IQ, because I think your ego is in for a massive let-down. Although Twain clearly states at the beginning of the novel that he doesn't want his readers to try to find a point in his 'coming of age' story, the theme of the novel almost smacks the reader in the face. The 'point' is that friendship is more important than social standards and sometimes you have to put yourself at risk in order to save those that you care about. This classic will remain so as long as those who are forced to read it lighten up a little and actually open their minds to a great piece of literature.