I read this book 3 years ago as a sopohomore in high school. I had heard the story of Ryan White but never knew it in this much detail. To be honest, throughout the book, my eyes were rarely ever dry. Ryan was so young, yet he was forced to become an adult much sooner than anyone could ever imagine. No matter what everyone else said about him, Ryan always kept his head up. He never lost hope in himself. I remember once in the book he tells his mom I'll beat this thing or I'll die trying. That is what he did. He died trying to beat the dreadful disease. However, good did come of this. Because of Ryan White, new light has been shed on the entire AIDS issue. He was so brave. I do not know of anyone in this world who possesses the same kind of courage that this young man did.

The story of Ryan White will never leave my heart. He is a true inspiration to all of us and will never be forgotten. In the words of Elton's song "Your candle burned out long before your legend ever did."ÿ

This book is a wonderful piece written about an inspiring young man growing up in an intolerant society. The Ryan White story Chronicles the life of a brave young AIDs patient. It details his struggle to go to school and be treated with the respect and dignity that he deserved.It's a wonderful book well worth the time, a fairly simple but heart-felt read. I would recommend this book to anyone but mainly to those of you who are finding yourselves intolerant of world problems.

Dear teens, The book Ryan White:My Own Story is an excellent book to read.This book shows hope to others with fatal diseases and courage of a person to hang on to life.This book also makes people comfortable with deaths in the family. Reading this book will help a lot of people. Ryan's story helps people understand the definition of courage. In one part of the book that makes people think this is when Ryan went to the hospitol all the time. Dallas Morning News said,"A story of tragedy and courage that should be read by all". For an example, My friend died from a brain tumor. The doctor said he wouldn't make it to the surgery table but he did. He went through a lot of pain for a year and died the next. Just like Ryan he let go because he didn't want to see his mom cry anymore. To me this book shows courage. Ryan had ups and downs during hie treatments. He would fight the disease till he was tired. people say he brought a lot of hope to their lives. Paul Newman said that"Ryan White's story is heartbreaking and amazingly hopeful". Every review that I read said this book shows hope to the sick. I thought this book gives hope to everyone; courage is defined as never giving up. This book makes a lot of people comfortable with deaths in the family of to close friends. Ryan's mom was glad that Ryan died. It's not that she wanted the life insurance:he was in so much pain she didnt want to see him like that anymore. Just like when my freind died, his mom was glad and so was I because he was going to a better place. With a mind like that people dying close to you will be sad moments but you'll know it was for the best. Because this book deals with death, some people think kids shouldn't read it. The people say If kids read this book kids will be scared into thinking they have aids. This might happen but at the end of the book questions about aids are answered. Kids will also be afraid of getting a shot from the doctors( Thats how Ryan got aids) Well everyone knows the doctor sterilize their needles before using them. On Ryan point he got it from a nother disease(hemophilis). Also kids will be scared of aids more than they already are. See Ryan was in in describable pain. Other kids that read this book should have had a question about aids answered while reading this book. To me this book should be read by kids all over the world. It will make people, especially kids, comfortable with death. Also it will help the sick by showing hope and courage. If you read this book it will make you feel like your in the hospitol room with Ryan through his struggle. You will better understand the feeling of ill patients without living this horror yourself.

I am so excited to see this book back in print. I bought this book for myself when I was 10 yrs old. My best friend "Ellen" had the book and when I spent the night at her house her mother would read us stories from the Golden Book Of Fairy Tales. Some of my favorite stories are Donkeyskin,Greensnake,and Bluecrest. The pictures are incredible. These are not your average well known fairy tales. I still have my copy and have read it to both my daughters over the years. They are now 17 and 23. My oldest daughter told me about 1 month ago that she saw this book was back in print. I was so happy. I have purchased 5 copies since, and am thrilled. I have taken a copy to work to show my friends and almost everyone has ordered one as it is truely a beautiful and unique book. I have one copy now for each of my daughters,in fact my 17 yr old asked me to read to her again out of it. I hope they will share it with their children and enjoy the stories as much as I did when I was a little girl. Buy this book, I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

I was lucky enough to be given a first edition of this book as a child by my godmother. I took very good care of it but it was much loved, and by the time I was in college the binding was in sorry shape. It meant so much that I had it rebound in leather and still treasure it. When I discovered that the book had been reprinted I immediately bought another copy so I could share it with my sixth grade students. Even more than forty years after it's first printing my students are still enchanted by the detailed illustrations and this book, along with The Snow Queen, are often taken from the bookrack to read. The stories are enchanting, the illustrations are beyond compare and this book is ageless. You will not regret buying this book. Buy two and give one as a gift.

I still have my much loved copy from 1960. Since family legend has it that one of the authors, Charles Perreault, was an ancestor, this was a much revered book. Mine was lost by younger nieces and was recovered in an attic about 10 years ago -- my parents paid a bookbinder $200 to try to restore it and actually press new pulp into the rips because the book was so special. My own two daughters love Mommy's special book but I have been dreading thinking of them fighting over it when they grow up and want to pass it onto their own kids. I just bought two new copies and am so glad I can pass it on to future generations. My daughters will be thrilled to have their own copies to dream over. The illustrations are magnificent and some of the fairy tales from Japan and Russia quite unique. If you only buy ONE book of fairy tales in your life, this is the one!!

I thought this book was a wonderful book. It showed a family that struggled through hard times but pulled together. They could always count on each other for love and support. It was great to read about how they drew upon their faith to get them through the hard times. It was inspiring to read about Karen's triumph over her handicap. I would like to find out what happened to the family. I have read through these reviews that Marie and Jimmy were divorced and that Marie probably died from lung cancer in the 1980's. If anyone has further information or knows where to look, please e-mail me.

If you need to be uplifted, this is the book to read. My sister and I both read the book over 20 years ago while we were still teenagers...the lesson's within were not foremost in our minds though. Then along came Adam....my sisters son...who was born with C.P. All the lesson's came rushing back. The books were pulled from the attic and reread. My sister would love to know what became of Karen ( and the rest of the family) as she feels a kindredness to them. If anyone has information that would help my sister find out more about Karen , please feel free to contact me . In the meantime, please, recommend this book to anyone who feels despair and needs inspiration.

I first discovered Karen in the abreviated Readers Digest series when I was probably around nine or ten years old. I obtained the books Karen and With Love from Karen shortly after and I have probably read and reread these two books at least once a year since then. They are the books which have had the most influence on me out of all of the books that I've read over the years. I can't begin to express how much Karen and her family have ment to me, giving me insight into the lives and experiences of the handicapped in a way that I would never otherwise have had. But more then that, their family life, and their religious beliefs and their joy of living and each other has been a great example of how life should be led. I too have wondered constantly how Karen and her family are doing and would love to have an update since the time of "With Love from Karen". I would like to hear from anyone who could let me know. And if by some chance a member of the Killilea family or extended family should read this then know that I send my love and best wishes to them and many thanks for the pleasure that Marie's stories about their family have given to me and continue to give me. God Bless. Love Judy.

I first read the sequel "With Love from Karen" when I was in high school (100 years ago, approximately); my grandma had given me a box of old paperbacks, and that was among them. I enjoyed it and re-read it....quite frankly, this family was more wholesome than the Brady Bunch! But I found that comforting somehow, and subsequently read "Karen". Since then, I've re-read both books countless times.

A separate online group has made Karen and her family something of a detective mission, and the following facts have been unearthed:

Karen is alive and well, and working for a priest at a Catholic retreat not far from Sursum Corda.

Big Marie and Jimmy have, unfortunately, passed away (both in the 1990s).

Gloria just recently died (December 2001), and was still married to Russ. Oddly enough, her obituary mentioned two sons, but not the two daughters described in "With Love from Karen."

Little Marie has been divorced and apparently remarried.

Kristin has also grown up and gotten married. She was forced to sell Sursum Corda due to tax considerations.

This is a wonderful book for readers of all ages. I first read this book when I found it on the booshelf of a house we were renting for the summer. It is a sweet story and as you read it you will fall in love with Karen and all the Killileas. It is amazing as you look at the time that Big Marie and Jimmy put into helping Karen become self-sufficient. The story of Karen's birht is amazing also. KAren was born at 6 months 2 days weighing 1 lb. 12 oz. She spent the first 8 months of her life in the hospital, she was unable to gian sufficient weight because of an esaphagus problem. Weighing barely 8 lbs. The doctors risked everything and preformed surgery, completely fixing the problem. THen two days later Karene becomes so sick with the flu that she is put on critical. Miraculously a risky blood transfusion saved her again. Everyone should read this classic story of the Killilea family.

I too, like the other reviewers read this book and With Love from Karen as a child thirty years ago. I have since reread it countless times and it never fails to inspire and move me. I cannot wait for my children to be old enough to read it as well. Isn't it such a moving tribute to the Killilea family that so many people so many years from its first publication are still so touched by this story. Wouldn't it be great for the family to be able to continue this chapter for us. I truly hope that they are happy and healthy. I just wish I knew what happened to them. I contacted United Cerebal Palsy and no one has heard of Marie or Karen which I think is a disgrace since they blazed the trail for education and support for so many families.

I like the book More Than Anything Else because I think it is cool how this kid gets a book and doesn't know how to read and just copies what the book says. Chris Soentpiet must be an extraordinary illustrator to draw such outstanding pictures. These pictures must have been very hard to draw.

When I read the book More Than Anything Else it was magnificent. Chris Soentpiet's illustrations are awesome. Did you know that the pictures came to life and did you know that he used real children models for Booker T. Washington.

I liked Chris Soentpiet's magnificent books. They are very detailed. I wish I could draw like him. Out of all of the books he has strongly illustrated, the wonderful book I liked the most was More Than Anything Else. The pictures were also colorful. I liked the interesting part when the little boy drew the alphabet in the dark cold sand. This book is a book for all ages. I would like to make the time to read ALL of his super books.

I first read this book as a teenager in one of my mother's Reader's Digest Condensed Books. It was the catalyst for my interest in Napoleon and the French Empire. I now have a library full of titles regarding those two topics. The book is very well written, Ms. Selinko is able to have Desiree grow from adolescence to middle age without losing the intrinsic parts of her character. There is a lot of fictional license here, but it is still an entertaining, well written, well researched account of life at the French court. It makes historical figures come alive and you can sympathize with their personal struggles. All in all, a old fashioned good time.

Desiree is a historical novel. The author wonderfully combined history, romance and fiction. All the elements worked very well together. Desiree's personality is descibed vividly in a subtle way. Although she's a historical figure, I can still associate her with modern women today. That's part of the reason this book is very fun to read. It is also a classic, and it is worth reading over and over. I first read it in Chinese because this book in English was out of print. The story was so good that I invested a good amount of time to track and bought the edition published in 1953. (It's worth it!!)

I'm 42 years old. I'm originally from Caracas, Venezuela. I read this book when I was 14 years. It is a Spanish version that belonged to my grandmother. It was printed in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1954. I have read it maybe 20 more times. It's my favorite book, and Desiree has been my favorite character ever. Recently I went to Paris and thought that maybe there it would be easier to find a copy, but nobody seemed to know what I was talking about. That's is why I'm hoping that Amazon can get a copy for me, I want to give it to my sister. It can be in Spanish, English or French. I have read all the reviews and I think everybody feels the same about this wonderful book.The copy I have is one of my most beloved treasures.

This is a wonderful book! It's not just for kids--I'm 25 and I read it for the first time yesterday.

Kate is a lady-in-waiting for Princess Elizabeth during Queen Mary's reign. Her sister gets Kate exiled to the Perilous Gard, a keep in the middle of the Elvenwood. Her new guardian, the sensible yet likeable Sir Geoffrey Heron is called away almost immediately, leaving Kate in the care of the menacing Master John. Christopher Heron, Sir Geoffrey's brother, is a myterious and intriguing shadow around the manor, and there are rumours in the castle that he killed his neice in order to protect his inheritance. The villagers have a different explanation, though: that the little girl was stolen by the Faerie people who tend the Holy Well. As Kate investigates these rumours, she and Christopher are swept into a terrifying and deadly adventure.

The characters of Kate and Christopher are wonderfully round and engaging. Kate is smart, curious, practical and sharp-tongued, while Christopher is honorable, guilt-ridden, and full of dreams. These are two people I wish I knew! Sir Geoffrey, Master John, and the minstrel Randal are also developed well. Kate's sister Alicia, and the old maid Dorothy aren't so well developed, but still serve their functions in the story. The Lady in the Green is a fascinating and mysterious character as the Queen of the Pople of the Hill.

I highly recommend this book - this book is definitely deserving of the Newbery Honor!

I've been interested in the Tam Lin legend since reading Jane Yolen's excellent version of it in "Tam Lin" with lush illustrations by Charles Mikolaycak (see my review). The next time I came across it was Pamela Dean's inventive adaptation of the legend for Terry Windling's Fairy Tale series (again see my review). The Perilous Gard is another fine reworking of this legend.

My email group was discussing fairy tales and fairy tale adaptations and a member mentioned this book after my post regarding the books above. I purchased it and read it. What a wonderful story. I'm always pleased to see strong female characters. For years while growing up, all I had the opportunity to read in school was books with male protagonists. That's not to say that I didn't enjoy these books, but the chance to read books with female protagonists, and strong, capable women or girls at that, is a pleasure.

It's funny, after purchasing this book, I found out that I had read another of Pope's books "The Sherwood Ring." I read it ages ago and enjoyed it very much.

You don't have to be familiar with the "Tam Lin" fairy tale (on which the Perilous Gard is based) to love this book. Part fantasy/adventure, part historical fiction, with a mild sprinkling of horror and romance, this is the story of quiet Kate, a lady-in-waiting to Princess Elizabeth (soon to be Queen Elizabeth I). When her younger sister inadvertently insults Queen Mary, Kate is (unjustly) punished and exiled to a gloomy castle ruled by a moody baron with tragedy in his past. Kate meets and befriends the lord's enigmatic brother, Christopher, and just as she learns of his role in his brother's misery, he disappears. Armed with only rumors of the strange folk who live beneath the earth, Kate sets out to rescue Christopher and uncover the mystery of this odd land, nearly sacrificing her life in the process.

Despite the Elizabethan setting, readers of any age will identify
with Kate's timeless adolescent insecurities and feelings of inferiority towards her sister, touted as "the pretty one." But she rises above these feelings in a time of need, and proves herself to be strong, smart, mature, and incredibly courageous, a great role model for young girls. This is a gripping, cleanly written, and sometimes harrowing story with a thoroughly satisfying ending. Its Newbery honor was much deserved.

I saw this amazing exhibit, "La Terre Vue Du Ciel", of Yann Arthus-Bertrand's in the Jardin du Luxembourg Senat when I was in Paris a few weeks ago. The exhibit included much larger-than poster-sized photos that are some of the same photos contained in the book. They were spectacular and breath-taking. Stunning really. But if you can't afford to go to Paris, or if you can't get a hold of a poster of his work, this book is a fantastic collection of awesome, thoughtful, inspiring, thought-provoking, and humanistic usually unseen images taken from above Earth, that have an incredible aesthetic beauty. I can't recommend this book more highly. I was going to purchase 3-4 of them myself for me and my family and friends. However, I waited to get back to the US before doing so since they are large and very heavy due to the high-quality paper the photos are printed on. I was sorry they would not fit in my luggage as I had wished to stare at the photos for many hours on the plane trip home. Many kudos to Yann Arthus-Bertrand for an outstanding artistic work! Bravo! I hope to see another exhibit by this talented photographer in Paris or the U.S. in the near future.

This is a book that I would have loved as a child. Don't get me wrong, I love it today but a child would bask in the wonders of the Earth for hours with these images. It's hard to believe that some of the locations in this book are on this planet. There is such beauty and awe in these pictures. At almost every turn of the page there is a "wow" coming out of my mouth. Well worth the money. The only gripe I have is the reference of the locations. You have to flip around all over the place to find out the location of the photographs. There does not seem to be any order connecting the photos to the descriptions. Don't worry though! Still get the book.

This book is a jewel. In my opinion, everyone should have a copy of this book at home.
I first saw Yann Arthus Bertrand work during an outdoor exhibit in Paris. I was fascinated with the photos, and the next day I ran to buy the book (although some people to whom I have recommended it find it rather expensive).
Certainly, the photos are sensational, but that is hardly the point. Yann is a true citizen of the world, and represents globalisation in its 'kindest' -and most 'useful' form, if I'm allowed the expression.
In this book, Yann Arthus shows us that earth is sick. Whether it is the Amazon rainforests, Alaska, Africa or Australia, clear signs of decomposition appear in the photos. This book is a waking call for many of us, however, at the same time it reminds us how beautiful is everything around us, and how rich is this planet we live in.

After reading these reviews I just had to buy this book and I'm glad I did... ...
This is a memoir-style story about how two animal loving people, a mutt and cat loving writer (Jeanne Marie Laskas) and a poodle packing physchologist, (her long time male friend) that begin as friends in the city and end up sharing their lives with each other and the pets they cherish on a 50 acre farm. This is both funny and entertaining, mixed with the realities of life when it comes to losing beloved pets and family. For anyone that thinks animals are people too, you will enjoy this fast-paced and humorous adventure!

I loved this book. Written with warmth and humor, it is the most original and enjoyable material I've read in months. Jeanne Marie Laskas doesn't have to try too hard to be funny. She just is. There are certain repetitions regarding her inner princess, her husband's all pants half-off joke, stupid sheep, etc. and the roo, roo, roo and woof, woof, woof that give voices to her beloved dogs, Betty and Marley, that make the story come alive. She is also not afraid to show her serious side and reveal her vulnerabilities. Mostly Laskas had me laughing, but sadly, there are elements that aren't so funny. Believing at first this would be a "fish out of water story"-city couple tries to make dream of farm living a reality and everything goes wrong-it is quite the contrary. This is a love story-love between a couple, their extended family (family members, city friends, country friends, their fifty acres of farmland, and lots and lots of animals. Bravo!!! I highly, highly recommend.

From the Author of "I'm Living Your Dream Life"

After completing spectacular literature, I have a tendency to really sputter. Over my Christmas break, I read a number of good books including Dennis Lehane's Mystic River and Barbara Kingsolver's Prodigal Summer. I thoroughly enjoyed both, but really needed a change of pace that did not come readily. Finally, in frustration I chose a recent read and plugged it into Listmania hoping for some sort of recommendation; SHAZAM!! I hit on Fifty Acres and a Poodle. The memoir deals with Ms. Laska's purchase, along with boyfriend Alex, of a Pennsylvania farm. A cast of humorous and lovable characters makes for a wonderful, moving piece of literature that everyone should read. Whether it is for the whole farm-purchasing adventure, journey of self discovery, love of animals, wonderful sense of humor, etc., I guarantee you will thoroughly enjoy this book. I fell in love with Bob the basketball-playing cat, Marley who sounds so much like my family's dearly-departed Airedale, Chumley, and leading lady Betty. The purchase of Sassy and Cricket, the "Joe Crowleys," the blaze orange hats, the wedding mums, etc. I could wax poetic forever. Please do yourself a tremendous favor and read this moving, funny memoir.
In closing, please Ms. Laskas, continue your tale! I want more.

Written about the "headstrong" Austrian archduchess Maria Antonia (as the future Queen of France was called as a child), this book portrays her as a girl who wants to be herself. Tired of her mother's incessant attempts to mold her into a beautiful, ladylike Queen, Maria Antonia just wants a chance to develop her own character and make decisions for herself. This book also deals with Maria Antonia's marriage to Louis XVI, the Dauphin (or Crown Prince) of France. Maria Antonia has been meticulously prepped so that she will make a good impression on the Dauphin and his grandfather, the incumbent French monarch. However, when she actually meets her fiance, Maria Antonia discovers to her shock (and horror) that he is not at all handsome and that he is overweight--which is completely the opposite of what she was expecting him to look like. But Maria Antonia and her husband grow closer throughout the final third of the book and become good friends at last. They are on the verge of falling in love when the book ends. Maria Antonia also has to deal with Countess du Barry, the King's mistress. Du Barry is unfriendly to Maria Antonia and goes out of her way to insult the young Dauphine. In spite of this, Maria Antonia is expected to talk to du Barry and be courteous to her--which the Dauphine refuses to do. The book also talks about Maria Antonia's bond with her older sister Elizabeth, who was once a great beauty but whose skin is now scarred as a result of smallpox. Titi, or Theresa, who is Maria Antonia's seven-year-old niece (the daughter of her older brother Joseph and his late wife Isabella of Parma), is also a close friend of the Archduchess. A principal character in this book is Queen Maria Theresa (Maria Antonia's mother), who is controlling and strict (but not cruel). This book interested me in the history of the Habsburg family (of which Maria Antonia was a member). The author aptly describes the scenery of Maria Antonia's home(s) in Austria--expertly enough so that I could recognize every single landmark mentioned in the book when I visited Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, coincidentally a few days after I finished the book. An excellent read!

The year is 1769; the place, Austria. The pressure is on thirteen-year-old Maria Antonia, youngest daughter of the Empress Maria Theresa, to excell so that she will be chosen to marry the future king of France. Antonia, as she is called, must learn French language, fashions, customs, and etiquette so that she can impress the king's messengers. She is given no time to act her age; when she does attempt to enjoy life as a girl should, she is severely punished. When she is sent away to France, her life is little better - she makes enemies of the mistress of the current king, who is the grandfather of her husband-to-be. She is forced to observe customs she can barely keep straight. And she is having a hard time getting along with her fiance. I viewed Marie Antoinette differently after reading this book. It was obvious from the book and the afterword that Marie and her husband were not trained well by their parents and teachers on how to become good rulers, and Marie had been taught from the time she was young that the most important thing was to look good. This is most likely why they became such bad rulers and ended up losing their lives.

This book, Marie Antoinette, was written by Kathryn Lansky. It was set in the years 1769-1770,when Marie Antoinette was a young teenage girl, growing up in the palace of her mother, Maria Theresa, Empress of Austria.

In the first part of the book, Marie Antoinette's mother is trying to make a match between her and the Dauphin, Prince Louis 16th of France. Marie must have her portrait done and learn French etiquette (which she thinks is very boring) if she is to become the Queen of France. Thankfully, she has her riding lessons, which she loves. After the plans for the wedding are set, she must prepare to go to France, to marry Louis and join the French court as his wife. She tells in her diary of all the endless preparations to be made for the journey, like being fitted for fancy new French dresses. Then when Marie goes to France, she must adapt to the ways of the French court. For example, when she eats meals with her husband, she is watched by thousands of courtiers. She really hates being displayed in front of everyone like an animal in a cage! But she does enjoy horseback riding with Louis.

There are some really neat things about this book. First, the author wrote this book in diary form, with the date and year at the top of each quote just like a real diary. Second, when you read Marie's diary it is just like she is talking to you about her innermost thoughts and feelings. She tells you the sad, lonely, angry and the happy times that happened in her life. Third, the author did a great job explaining the book in great detail. For example, when Marie had to have her hair done for a fancy ball, afterwards she had to sleep with her hair on a board, to preserve the hairstyle! Another example is when she taught her young prince husband how to throw a snowball for the very first time. I love the way the author wrote this book in such a fun way to read!

This diary book has a blue and gold cover just like the one in the story. The edges of the pages are a beautiful gold color. On the front of the book, there is a beautiful picture of Marie Antoinette all dressed up for a ball. There is a section in the back of the book that has historical facts, plus pictures of Marie Antoinette and her family, where you can see how big their fancy ball dresses really were!

This diary tells of the events of Marie's life as a teenager, as well as her thoughts and feelings as an 18th century princess. Marie Antoinette was a very pretty, fun-loving girl who is really interesting to read about. This book shows how girls today are the same and different from girls back then, in an exciting, fun-to-read way.