Excellent. The characters, compelling. The plot, exciting. The locations, real. A fast pace novel that is impossible to put down. It is definately movie material. The Power Brokers is a book for everyone to enjoy. Baby Boomer material. I hope this author writes more.

Normally not a fictional reader, I found the plot and locations interesting and the characters real. I haven't read a book this good in years. I can't wait to see the movie.

The Power Brokers is the best book I have read in a longtime. I like the way the author introduces her characters. I immediately became enchanted with the main charater, Dominic Falcone. I felt as though I was on a rollercoaster ride as I followed his life, his career, his loves and his problems throughout his life. I can't wait to read her next book.

Ok, the first time I read this book was for a 7th grade reading assignment-and that was well over 20 years ago, but this book has stayed in my heart ever since. Its a very well written story about a young girl who came over from England on the Mayflower and lived through the struggles that the Pilgrims went through in their first years of Plimouth Plantation. This is for the most part, a true story, written by Patricia Clapp, who's husband is an actual descendant of Constance. The story has adventure, romance and I felt the pain that these people went through during one of the most important times of our history. This book opened in me an interest in life in Plimouth. I was lucky enough to live in New England and visited the Plantation often. I highly recommend this book to young teens, as well as older. Somewhere I still have my copy (that I bought back when I was in 7th grade), and its a book that I would read again.

I first read Constance last year when my 6th grade teacher recommended it. I adored it- the weekend I read it, Constance was my constant companion! I just finished reading it again and it was even better the second time through! I really feel like I bonded with Constance, and now I am doing as much research as I can on her. She was a real person, and as it says in the book, all the characters but one really existed. Through her diary, Constance tells of her journey across the Atlantic from London to Massachusetts, and gives wonderful details about the building and founding of Plymouth Colony. Through Constance I felt the pain of "the sickness" that claimed many lives during their first winter, became tangled in her complex love triangle, and felt outraged at the two men who tried to destroy Plymouth's peace. Constance was detailed, well written, interesting, exciting, and romantic. I would recommend this book to anyone, but I almost don't want to share it at all, since I feel like it's "my book"! This book found a very special place in my heart, and I wish I could thank Patricia Clapp for the many hours of contentment, excitement, and utter bliss she has given me! Constance is an exceptional read!

I first heard of about "Constance: A Story of Early Plymouth" in ninth grade from my friend. She implored me to read it. I was hesitant at first. I was a fairly advanced reader for my age, and this book had clearly been written for a younger audience. I trusted my friend's judgement, however. We had read "Anna Karenina" together the year before, so I knew that she had good taste in books. On a whim, I decided to read it. Once I had picked "Constance" up, I could not put it down.It was simply an enchanting, romantic story. Far from feeling to old to appreciate it, my maturity seemed almost a benefit. Constanc's boyfriends were the perfect romantic men. They reminded me of very simple versions of Mr. Darcy. This book appeals not only to fifth and sixth graders, but to adolescent girls as well. Any girl who likes pre-20th century romance novels will adore "Constance." The one thing I dislike about Constance is her shallow character. She is not exactly the feminist ideal of a woman. She is foolish and dependent.If one ignores this flaw, however, the book is thouroughly enjoyable. And you don't even have to be ten to like it!

That a book on grammar, syntax, and word usage could be readable is unusual in itself. That the reading could be a pleasure, rendering this a book which you will find tucked under your arm as you travel through your day, awaiting any opportunity to continue the read is astounding. Patricia T. O'Conner is a writer's writer. Your passion for words -- and your delight at a bit of humor on the side -- will be fully indulged in this magnificent guide to the proper use of the English language in writing. This sequel to the marvelously informative and light-hearted Woe Is I should be on the shelf of any serious writer or linguist. A Must Have title, in my opinion.

Patricia O'Conner's Words Fail Me presents so many practical insights into effective writing that I suspect it would be valuable to almost any writer. And there's a bonus: she has a great sense of humor. She debunks the faux pas fallacies that snobbishly tell us how not to write -- don't use contractions, don't start sentences with conjunctions, etc. And she tells us how these supposed 'rules' came to be. Wisely, O'Conner's most important rule is this:
"Your first duty to the reader is to make sense. Everything else -- eloquence, beautiful images, catchy phrases, melodic and rhythmic language -- comes later, if at all. I'm all for artistry, but it's better to write something homely and clear than something lovely and unintelligible."
I read quite a lot, mostly nonfiction (philosophy, reference, science, theology, and wilderness travel). Inevitably, reading compels me to write -- I've submitted more than fifty book reviews to this forum. Yet I'm never quite happy with my writing. This is not unusual. "Your favorite novel or history or memoir is just someone's last revision," says O'Conner.
As a student I disliked studying the nuts and bolts of English. Words, their accuracy, economy, and artistry, interest me far more now, and this book is the first "how to write" text I have read. At the risk of belaboring the obvious (because good writing doesn't): it was a good choice.
Highly recommended.

I find "Words Fail Me" more useful than any other book about writing I've seen. The only other one that comes close is William Zinnser"s "On Writing Well," but Ms. O'Conner's book is a lot more fun to read. "Words Fail Me" also gets into areas that other books don't, such as the chapter on phoniness, "Pompous Circumstances: Hold the Baloney" and the chapter on math, "Down for the Count: When the Numbers Don't Add Up."

Every evening, Grandfather Twilight "puts down his book", takes out a pearl from the chest in his home among the trees, and begins to walk. The pearl grows bigger and bigger, trailing rosy clouds and bringing the serenity of dusk, until he lifts it up into the sky as the moon.

This book is enchanting, and was my favorite bedtime story from as far back as I can remember. The story seems to flow like the stream and the sky that trails beautifully behind Grandfather Twilight, and the illustrations are wonderful-- just peaceful, feel-like-you're-there-and-want-to-be pictures! Reading gives you the most peaceful and sleepy feeling, and helps you to enjoy the beauty of the surrounding nature-- one of those stories that makes you just glad to "be."

The other great goodnight book is, of course, GOODNIGHT MOON. But this is every bit as good as that classic, although much less known. It is also one of the most extraordinarily illustrated children's books of any type.

This is also one of the very best books I know for children who have a bit of trouble going to sleep at night. It is masterful at presenting calming, peaceful, positive images of going to bed. The story is so simple that even a two-year-old can completely grasp it. Grandfather Twilight each night, accompanied by his German Shepherd, takes a single pearl out of his chest, walks to the shore, and places the pearl, which becomes the moon, in the sky. He then returns to his bed, with twilight descending upon the world, and goes to bed.

The details in the illustrations are exquisite. My daughter loved, for instance, finding the dog and the cat on each page. This remained one of our nonoptional nighttime books for at least two years. I think it will be among the favorites of any preschooler, as well as their parents. I do believe that this is among the best-illustrated books for young children ever produced.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough! Both my children (ages 7 and 3) love it, and we read it often, sometimes just for a bit of a break during the day. This beautifully illustrated, almost-wordless, story of how Grandfather Twilight prepares the world for sleep is food for the soul on many levels:
1. First is the simple story of Grandfather Twilight taking a pearl from an endless strand in a magic chest, then walking to the sea where the pearl gets larger and larger and finally becomes the glowing full moon, which then hangs in the night sky and lights his way home. Grandfather Twilight lives in a house made of trees with his companions, a dog and cat.
2. What are Grandfather Twilight's other occupations? How does he spend his day? Who is, he, really? Wouldn't we like to live in a house like his? Where did he get the chest full of pearls? How does the pearl get larger and larger? These questions and more arise from the vivid, detailed illustrations.
3. The illustrations themselves warrant study. My son (age 7) and I were awed one day sitting on the porch swing when our actual twilight sky became the *exact* colors of the twilight emanating from Grandfather's beard and hair.
Get this book, you won't be disappointed!

I am a pediatrician with a 6 year old son with Asberger's. I have always been interested in Developmental Disabilities and consider myself a relative expert, but my son's condition continues to drive me to learn more and more.

This book provides a relatively unbiassed view of the most current information available. It is long but not long-winded. The chapters are appropriately divided and give excellent, practical advice for wading through the alphabet soup of IEP, OT, PT, SI, etc. that is so often a new world for parents.

I appreciated a fairly good overview of common conditions that often accompany Asberger's, such as OCD and ADHD. There's such overlap that a lot of families get confused when one begins and another ends, etc. Often the lines are simply too blurred to know, so this information is vital.

Most importantly, this book takes a hard look at the ripple effect this condition has on the family - coping is often a full time job. I appreciated that the book touches on what to tell siblings & the child him/herself, something I struggle with. It's a delicate balance that the book effectively discussed.

Often I found myself crying a bit because I again recognized my son in their descriptions. Although the diagnosis autism of any type is difficult to accept for your child, the assurance of a correct diagnosis is extremely powerful. The bulk of the book is spent on the "Now what?!" which is what parents crave - information on how to get to the next step and beyond. I have reread the book a 2nd time to glean even more from a 2nd reading.

As a 25 year veteran elementary teacher and the mother of a AS son who was recently diagnosed, I have read every book I could get my hands on about High functioning austism and Asperger Syndrome. This book, by the co-owners of the excellent OASIS web site, is the best resource I've come across. The two authors draw upon their own experiences as parents of AS children, a great deal of research, and information gleaned from contributors to their web site's message boards to provide information about diagnosis, schooling, emotional life, medication, and growing up in the Aspie world. It is a well-written, comprehensive, and interesting book that should be read by every parent and educator who deals with these "Little Professors." I highly recommend it.

This is the book that all parents of kids with Asperger's Syndrome have been waiting for! Only another parent knows how frustrating it can be to research AS on behalf of our kids, running from one web site to the next, tracking down articles, finding that the most recent book on the topic you need is six years old. Now we have it all between two covers: the answers to our questions about diagnostic techniques, medications, therapies, related conditions, dealing with schools, relatives, our children and our own stresses! All of it is well researched, well-written, and easily readable. I ordered more copies for my family and for my school, and I'm drafting a letter asking our public library to stock it! This will be the book, above others, that I recommend to people asking me "Do you think my child could have AS?" Congratulations and a thousand thanks to Barb and Patty for this wonderful work.

Several years ago as a teenager one of my best friends gave me for my birthday two books. The second and third books of this trilogy. She did me the biggest favor ever when she did that. (No, she did not realize they were the latter two thirds of the trilogy!) I bought the first one myself so I could start the story from the beginning. (I'm slightly neurotic that way) I have read them many times since. It's a beautiful story filled with magic and adventure. (and strong adventurous women characters) as well as the hero and villians. But the villains aren't really, and the hero is most of the time confused as well as wise and compassionate. All for the future of a world filled with mystery and wonder and power. I highly recommend these for anyone of any age.

_The Riddle Master of Hed_ is the first of three inseparable books in the _Riddle of Stars_ trilogy, and cannot be appreciated fully without the others. Lovingly called "the Harpist books" in our family, the trilogy is a classic equal to the works of Tolkien, Lewis, etc. and will hopefully be recognized as such. When I first read the _Riddle Master of Hed_, I was permanently hooked by the third chapter and went through the excruciating wait for the sequels. Since that time, I have had four children and read the entire trilogy to them three times over (punctuated by spurts of Tolkien, Kipling, Bronte, etc.). We unanimously agree that Patricia McKillip is one of the most outstanding authors of our day. Her writing is poetically beautiful, and her flow of words, read silently or aloud, is unique and unmatched by any other author....and 15 years of reading aloud (and 30 years of reading to myself) is sound basis for judgement. I identify with Morgon and am convinced that his journey is one that we all must make. The _Riddle of Stars_ trilogy leaves no reader unchanged; it has the power to transform all who seek the High One as single-mindedly as he. Thank you, Patricia McKillip!

I first read 'The Riddle-Master of Hed' some years ago, and loved it then. But as our library didn't have the sequels, and I hadn't then heard of inter-library loan, I gave up on finding the rest of the trilogy. A few days ago, however, I stumbled across the whole thing in my aunt's house, and she lent them to me. I read all three books less than a day; I simply couldn't get out of them. I'm convinced Patricia McKillip is one of the finest fantasy writers in the field. Not only are her plots tight and skillfully and imaginatively woven, but her imagery and writing style are one in a million. I can only think of Robin McKinley as a comparison. I found myself cheering Morgon and Raederle along, sharing in their confusion and sorrow and joy. I heartily congradulate Ms. McKillip for contributing such wonderful books to literature. Anyone who reads 'The Riddle-Master of Hed' will never be the same.

I read the book both as a child and as an adult, and I feel it's one of the greatest books written for children as well as adults. Both Ronia and Birk are great role models, and even with the emergence of other strong literary role models for girls, this is a must-read for girls (as well as female adults as there is little emphasis on gender-typing. The English translation by Patricia is very close to the original, and hence, offers a great reading experience.

I received this book when I was about 10 years old. I have now read it for my daughter who is 6. She absolutely loves it as well as other Astrid Lindgren stories. Since we are Swedish we have read almost everything by this fabulous author, but I believe Ronia is one of my daughters absolute favorites. I urge everyone who have enjoyed anything by Astrid Lindgren to browse through all her books. You will not be disappointed, regardless of age!

This book looked really old when I picked it up, but then I looked at the name of the author, Astrid Lindgreen and I decided I would read it. WOW! This book is really interesting, in most books the robbers are the bad guys but this book is from the robber's daughter, Ronia's point of view. Ronia then meets their rival robber group's son and becomes such good friends with him that they call themselves brother and sister. There are many disagreements between the families and Ronia even runs away with her friend. This book is very action packed and emotional and a good read!

T.A. Barron is an incredible author. This book, like all the others in the Lost Years of Merlin series, really transports the reader into Merlin's world. I have read every one and loved them all. Barron really lets you connect with Merlin and Rhia and all the characters in the series. Upon finishing this book, I was so disappointed that there weren't any more pages to read! I've even pretty much memorized the map of Fincayra because I referred to it so often in the course of the stories! The Lost Years of Merlin series, including The Mirror of Merlin, is at the VERY TOP of my list of recommendations for readers around the ages of 10-17. I think older readers will enjoy this series as well, though.

This is an amazing book about a great sorcerer named Merlin who treks into the swamps called the Haunted Marsh. In the middle of the swamp he finds a large mirror that is said to have the ability to tell you what the future has in stored for you. With the help of a big giant, a very strange looking creature named a ballymag, a deer-woman named Hallia, and of course, his trusty staff, he experiences numerous adventures in the book to try to find the mirror. But if he were to look at the reflection, he would find a person looking back at him that he would least expect to see.

T.A. Barron's fourth book in the Lost Years of Merlin Epic, THE MIRROR OF MERLIN is one of my favorites in the series. Merlin loses his sword and he, Hallia, and the Ballymag leave into the Haunted Marsh to find it. The marsh ghouls, who are normally friendly, are now being controlled by an unknown force. They soon find a boy named Ector. The four find something that has been missing for a long time, and find the mirror. Ector tells Merlin that his master is on the other side to cure him from the bloodnoose. Who is his master? What will he do?
This exciting part of Merlin's lost years is adventurous and suspenseful. When reading this book, you can't read it a chapter at a time beacause it is very exciting. I really enjoyed THE MIRROR OF MERLIN because the end of each chapter leaves you wondering, what will happen next?

You will laugh, cry and be confused when you read this book. This book can teach you that what you think is good is not always good.

There is a boy named Peter Pan. He sprinkles fairy dust in Wendy and her two brothers. Then he shows them how to fly. He takes them to Neverland and shows them to the Lost Boys who live there. Wendy becomes their mother. She makes up rules, like any other mother would do. The boys have to follow these rules. Everything was fine until Captain Hook came with his crew to where the boys and Wendy were. While Wendy and the boys were at the lagoon, where they go every day after dinner, they see a girl named Tiger Lily, princess of her tribe. She was captured by Smee, one of Captain Hook's men. Then Peter saved her. A few days later Wendy and the boys were on their way to Wendy's house when they too were all captured by Captain Hook. Then Peter saves them. Then the lost boys, Wendy and her brothers go home. All except for Peter.

It is mostly about what the people in the book think is right with childhood. The kids in the book think that if you grow up it is bad, but in our case it is actually good.

Peter Pan is a violent book not really made for children under the age of 10 but people 10 and up can read it. It is violent because of the language that is spoken and the idea that killing could be fun. Also, the vocabulary is very difficult for children under 10 to understand. Even if you're older it is difficult to understand.

Overall, it is a good book but watch out for the violent ideas if you are reading it to little children.

This is an utterly charming work. It has been retold myriad times, but nobody else has done it as well as the original teller, J. M. Barrie.

It's difficult to know what to say about a book like this... everybody knows the story. But I guess that unless you've read this book (not just seen a movie or read a retelling), you don't really know the character Peter Pan, and without knowing the character, you don't really know the story. So read it.

By the way, if you enjoy this, you probably would also like "Sentimental Tommy" and its sequel "Tommy and Grizel", both by Barrie. There are differences (for one thing they're not fantasy), but there are also compelling similarities. Anybody who found Peter Pan a deep and slightly bittersweet book would be sure to enjoy them.

-Stephen

When talking of literature, people tend to look solely at books they read today but forget what they used to read, namely the ones we read as children. It is a common misunderstanding that children's literature is to be read by children and children only, but when we come to think of it, which one of us are not children, at least in our hearts?

One of the best books any child, young or old, can read is Barrie's Peter Pan. Although written in the past century, it has something for any generation at any time. Its humorous views at the world from a child's mind left me rolling over the floor, laughing; the exciting storyline kept me busy with reading until the end; and the serious undertone made me think of whether the world wouldn't be a better place if we realised that deep down, however deep, we are in fact all children. So if YOU are a child, which you most certainly are, get yourself a copy and enjoy your ongoing childhood.

This book is really hard to find but well worth the find (or the additional price). It takes place during regency England (think Jane Austen) but magic is something that is quite normal. The two main characters - Kate and Cecelia - write letters back and forth to one another (Kate is in London while Cecelia is back home). They discover something sinister going on and through their combined efforts find themselves involved right in the middle of things. After reading the book (which was absolutely wonderful - I read it in one evening!), I read the authors' note at the back. The two authors actually never intended for this to be published as a book. They were just playing the "Letter Game" where they each have a character and write letters back and forth as those characters. The plot is never discussed and it is only through the letter just received that the other person discovers how it is moving forward. When they finished their "Game" they realized that they actually did have a book. They tidied up a few things and sent it off to their publisher, who delightfully published it. What a wonderful way to write a book - and especially such a good book.

Okay, here's another book that I snagged off the shelf for its gorgeous cover. I loved the idea of an enchanted chocolate pot and perhaps was even more overjoyed to find that it was written by two of my favorite authors, (Wrede, of the Enchanted Forest Chronicles, and Stevermer, of A College of Magics.) and horrified that I hadn't read it before, as this was simply a republication of the original, published in 1987!

Already holding high expectations from the book, I was suprised when it started out slow. Used to the fast paced Harry Potter or the action-to-the-minute Enchanted Forest Chronicles, it took me a few chapters to really connect with the characters.

Written in letter form between two cousins, Kate and Cecelia, the book takes place in an alternate (magical) universe in England 1817. The two are well-born girls; Kate is off having a Season in London while Cecelia stays at home in the country. Kate feels pushed aside by her beautiful sister Georgina; Cecelia is put out by not being allowed a Season of her own.

But the plot soon picks up as the two girls' stories intertwine. In the country, ordinary Dorothea becomes irresistable to all men. Clever Cecelia befriends her and starts to unwind the mystery behind the weird attraction. Meanwhile, in London, Kate is almost poisoned by an "old" lady in a garden and befriends an "odious" Marquis to whom the retrieval of the the Enchanted Chocolate Pot is quite important.

The language and the magic in the book speak for themselves; I was completely drawn into this unique world. The intrigue and mystery were believable and definitely kept me turning pages. Kate and Cecelia's letters are witty and funny as they dabble in sorcery and try to save the Marquis of Shofield and themselves from the clutches of the estranged sorcerers Lady Miranda and Sir Hilary.

So...I would definitely reccommend this novel. IT WAS FABULOUS! This review really doesn't do the book justice. YOU HAVE TO READ IT! If you have any respect for fantasy novels, you simply must purshase this book. Consider making it a part of your permanent library. (You'll be wanting to read it again, I promise!)

Happy Reading! And watch for a its sequel, The Grand Tour, which might be out this summer!

In a world just slightly different than Jane Austen's society, we meet two extraordinary young women, Cecelia and Katherine. Katherine is having her Season in London...and what an exciting one it turns out to be! Meanwhile, back home, Cecelia's having a rather intersting time, too. Cecy and Kate encounter malevolent wizards, an *enchantingly* (if you get my drift) beautiful girl with whom every eligible (or not) young man is falling in love, two singularly odious young men...and a very peculiar chocolate pot. Throw this in with a nice number of parties, spells, and detail to the historical time period, add some witty humor and enjoy! A light, fun book to read. If you like this quasi-historical fiction, also try Wrede's Mairelon the Magician, the sequel, Magician's Ward and Stevermer's The Serpent's Egg and A College of Magics.