If there was one word to describe this book and the story it contains, it would be: dark. If you think this book has to have a happy ending, you would be wrong. I was extremely surprised about how depressing the ending was. The ironic twist at end is very poignant and - I hate to use this word, but here it is - sad. Everything you thought you knew about the character is changed with his one merciless act (you'll know who I'm talking about when you read it). Be prepared! Virtually no one has a happy ending - but somehow that's oddly appropriate. Banks tells us that life does not always end well, some people can never change, and people DO regret their actions sometimes, but only when it's too late and they've lost their chance to correct past mistakes. That's the depressing part, and it's "Small Eyes'" fate to pay for her master's acts.

PS - being Chinese myself, I was emotionally attached to Small Eye's adventure throughout the entire story. She'll make you cry, seriously (or at least tear up a little).

This sequel about Harry (actually, Hxzltl, in Centipedish) and his friend George again takes the bugs out from down-under (ground, that is), into the forbidden Up-Pipe and the world of the HOO-MINS.

Here, the bug boys are caught in hard-air-prisons (jars), meet a tarantula, learn about rain and discover why it's important (sometimes) to listen to grown-ups.

I wasn't at all amused by their antics, but my opinion doesn't count. My 10-year old critter loves Harry and his friend. He likes animals, loves bugs, and adores rebellious characters. More than once, Harry has kept him up at night, reading under the covers. He's plowed through this book three times in the last month.

Perfect for second, third or fourth grade readers who prefer illustrated chapter books, the 180-page further adventures of a many-footed mischief-maker will delight kids of the same spirit. Alyssa A. Lappen

Broken Bridge is the sequel to One More River and is written some 20 years later.
It focuses on one family, living on a kibbutz in Israel that becomes intimately involved with the intifada when one of them, a 14 year old boy is murdered. I should be noted that this book is primarily from the Israeli viewpoint, the Arab voices here are heard less.
I lived in Israel for several years during the intifada and can say that what makes this book particularly good for young readers is the combination of compelling personal story line, following Nili and her brother as they deal with the tragedy, and the inclusion of many points of view. We hear from Israelis who are very sympathetic to the Arabs and from others who aren't, feeling that revenge is important and that people can only take so much. This is a very important debate and it can help children get a better understanding of the situation and that not nation has only one viewpoint.
I can highly recommend this, both from a literary and a historical perspective.

This book is a really wonderful book. It is the sequal to another great book called One More River. The story is really good and also it teaches you a lot about the Jewish Culture and Isreal. I have read both of them twice. I love them! I would definately reccomend them to anyone who is just looking for a great story or trying to learn!

This book is a ver depressing story. I still loved it. The characters were in depth and believable. Contrary to some other reviews advice, I believe you don't have to read the prequel at all. I haven't read it, and Broken Bridge is still my favoritee book. It is a great educational story, as well, with lots of information from both sides of the Arab Israeli conflict. Some parts make me cry, yet some are funny too. The book is on the whole the best one I have ever read.

Setting: a remote village in Denmark

Characters: Annemarie-the main character (Christian), Ellen-Annemarie's best friend (Jew), Lisa Annemarie's older sister who died, Kristen- Annemarie's younger sister and, uncle henrik-a fisherman on the coast of denmark.
Plot: Annemarie comes home from school one day with her friend Ellen and her sister Kristen. As they raced to the corner they were stopped by a German solder with the word "halt". Luckily the solder let them pass but the next day they had to take a different rout to school. A few days later the list of all the members of the synagogue was stolen and Ellen's family had to hide. Ellen lived with Annemarie's family. If the Germans checked the house Ellen was Lisa who had really died. Ellen's parents were taken some where else to hide witch was kept secret.
A few days later Annemarie's family took a train to her uncle Hedrick's house on the cost of Denmark. Henrik was a fisher man who owned a boat. The next night they pretended to have a funeral for some lost aunt. Many people were there to pay there last respects including Ellen's parents. When German solders showed up questioning the gathering of people they asked why the coffin was closed but Annemarie's mom said that the person died of a disease that could still be transferred. Once the solders left they opened the coffin and in it were blankets and other clothing. It turns out that the people there were Jews that uncle Hedrick was going to smuggle to Sweden on his boat. They would have to make a trip through the woods to the dock in the darkness to get o the boat uncle Hedrick had a very important package that he needed. But in the morning Annemarie realized that he had left it be hind. She put it in to a basket with some food and if she got caught she was just bringing her uncle his lunch. When she got there she found that her uncle had a secret compartment built in for hiding the people. But the Germans had been using dogs to find people. The package was just a simple handkerchief but it was needed for Hedrick to get the Jews to Sweden because the handkerchief contained a substance that attracted the dogs to it and then one they sniffed it the substance temporarily ruins the dog's sense of smell and the boat checks out just fine. After the war Ellen and her family come back to Denmark and live happily ever after.
Opinion: I thought this book was great it was so exciting. I would recommend it to anyone.
Theme: always trust your friends.

Remarkable, intense and suspenseful are just three of millions of words that describe this book. The book has a groundbreaking plot and keeps you in suspense after every chapter. Read Number the Stars by Lois Lowry. This story depicts a struggle between a brave girl named, Annemarie, trying to help her best friend, a courageous girl, Ellen, a Jewish neighbor. This touching book takes place in the year 1943 when Annemarie and Ellen are fighting for freedom from the Nazi soldiers in Copenhagen, Denmark. When the soldiers invade Annemarie's house, Ellen was disguised as Lise,Annemarie's older sister. Will the soldiers find out who Ellen really is? Lois Lowry wrote very simply, but is very well organized. She keeps you in suspense after every chapter. Read this book and you will find yourself sitting at the edge of your seat. Will Annmarie help Ellen and her family escape the Nazi soldiers?

This book is historical fiction. It's about a ten year old girl named Annemarie Johansen and her best friend Ellen Rosen, during 1943 when Hitler is killing the Jews. Their life in Copenhagen is filled with school, food shortages and Nazi soldiers marching in their town.

The Nazis won't stop searching for the Jews. The Jews of Denmark are being relocated, so Ellen moves in with the Johansens and pretends to be part of their family. While her mom and dad are hiding somewhere else she stays at that family. One day Annemarie is asked by her mom to go on a dangerous mission to save the lives of her best friend and her family.
The part of this story that happened to Lise and Peter is really sad. If any likes sad stories you should read this book and find out what was really sad.

Lynne Reid Banks's _Melusine_ is a fine example of the sort of book I like to call "Teen Celto-Gothic"--defined by mysterious places, dark family secrets, and forces of mythology that make themselves known in the mundane world. Among such novels are older books like Garner's _The Owl Service_ and Pope's _The Perilous Gard_ , and newer books like Liz Berry's _The China Garden_. _Melusine_ is another of this sort, and certainly good enough to be on the shelf with these others.

The story begins as Roger (whose age I estimate at 14 or so), his parents, and his little sisters arrive at the run-down French chateau where they will be spending their vacation. Their first impression of the house is inauspicious; the front rooms are squalid, and the owner, one Monsieur Serpe, a belligerent jerk. But things seem to get better. The part of the house where Roger's family will be staying is well-kept and pretty. And Roger begins to make friends with Serpe's shy daughter, Melusine.

The family vacation turns sinister as Roger begins to hear the sound of something slithering through his room at night. And a struggle he witnesses between Serpe and Melusine suggests a more ordinary but more disturbing horror. Stranger and stranger things happen, and all the while Roger's feelings for Melusine deepen. When he reads about the mythical Melusine in a guidebook, the situation at the chateau begins to become clear--but in order to believe what he knows to be true, Roger must allow himself to believe in the impossible. Can Melusine be saved from the horror at the chateau, or can she save herself? This is a creepy, moody, engrossing novel recommended to those who like that sort of thing. I couldn't put it down.

I read this book in junior high and loved it. This is the story of a sad, dark, lonely girl whose pain and frustration are finally released in the form of a supernatural occurence. The setting- a fallen-down French castle- is perfect for the storyline. This novel has enough suspense to make it a page-turner. If you like this story, check out the similar novel Pictures in the Dark by Gillian Cross.

I just finished reading Melusine. This would make a perfect stocking stuffer for any teenager that enjoys a little mystery and imagination. Or is it imagination? Something to ponder.

This book was amazing! I find many books that I liked but this one's in the top ten. Lynne Reid Banks must have a lot of imagination if she is able to create a full and exciting book with a boy and an action figure.
I remember that when I was growing up I always wanted to have my toys come alive. This story is terriffic and now that I have the sequel I can't wait to read it. I also plan on reading the other books. I got the list of this series and listed it below.

The Indian in the Cupboard

The Return of the Indian (the one I'm reading)

The Secret of the Indian

The Mystery of the Cupboard

The Key to the Indian.

I plan on reading all these books in order and enjoying them from cover to cover.

Mrs. Bedwell read this book out loud to my third grade class, and years later as I finish up grad school it still holds a special place in my heart.
The adventure begins when Omri discovers that a magical cupboard given to him on his birthday brings to life plastic toys. When he animates Little Bear, a plastic indian that lived about the time of the French Indian War, Omri's perspective on life changes.
What's special about this book is the how resectfully and seriously it takes the it's young characters and their conflicts. Omri and his friend Patrick discover that Little Bear is no toy, he is a real human being with actual life experiences. He has killed people, eats and sleeps, and remembers his own life and culture. As the two boys deal with the reality of keeping a real person concealed from others, they realize that they can't trifle with others' lives. It is this realization, and Omri's ultimate decision regarding Little Bear that make this a lovely coming of age story. Omri and Patrick learn to repect others and their beliefs.
Although Little Bear, the Native American toy brought to life is called an Indian, this book, I feel, is not chracterized by racism or stereotypes. Little Bear is not a western move redman, he's a real human being with a real human personality, and portrayed respectfully and realistically (as much as he can be, considering the plot).
This book is a definite must read for any kid, or kid at heart, who wonders what would happen if toys came to life.
"The Indian in the Cupboard" is one of four books, thought this one is the best. The final book, in which readers learn what makes the cuboard magical in the first place, detracts from the magic amd mystery of the first three books.

One of the best read aloud books ever, Indian in the Cupboard takes us on a magical journey to childhood where fantasies seem real. A young boy is in charge of a tiny, feisty indian whom he keeps in a special cupboard with a key that only he holds. He learns the excitement, value and caretaking responsibility of another human being. The imagination and detail draw the reader right into the story. As a school teacher and mother, I have experienced an emotional bonding with my students and son through this book. My son, 9 at the time, put his hands over his face and said, "Mom, this is my favorite book in the whole world." I felt a surge of joy as I watched my son become hooked on reading. One student unknowingly gave Lynne Reid Banks a wonderful compliment when I attempted to show the class a sketch of a picture in the book..."No! Don't show us the pictures!", and quickly covered his face. The descriptions and story-line of this book make it a DON'T MISS for your child's growing up years! RaNae Palme