I was talking to my roommate the other day about the book that has had the most influence on me, and I all of the sudden remembered The Ordinary Princess. I read it years ago when I was in elementary school. I loved the book so much that I read and reread it over and over again. I think this was the first book I ever read as a child where I idenified with the character and looked up to her as a role model. Amy was "ordinary" when compared to her sisters, but she had spunk and feeling and a liveliness that made her a wonderful character to look up to. So many fairytales fall into a trap of convention: beautiful princess meets handsome prince and they fall in love and get married. This book is about two people with personalities who fall in love with each other for the people that they are. I highly recommend this book to anyone of any age as a timeless classic.

This book had everything, princesses, golden towers, fairies, handsome princes, and adventure. But Cinderella it ain't. Amy, the "ordinary" princess, is given the gift of being ordinary at her christening, and ever since then, she has been anything but! She climbs trees, runs throught the woods, plays games, sings, and is generally happy even though her six beautiful princess sisters are all happily married. She dreads the day when she must settle down, so she goes off to find adventure, and finds a lot more than she expected. The reason why this book is so wonderful is that it tells about a strong, smart girl who ISN'T just like everyone else, and who in the end finds that being ordinary isn't so bad after all.

I read MM Kaye's other books when I was in middle school (I was a precocious reader, yes). I was amazed to learn last spring, that she'd also written a children's book which was supposed to great, as well.

I read Ordinary Princess in one big 'gulp,' and have since recommended it to all my friends who have daughters. The lesson about being yourself, being kind to others, etc. which is written so well into this book is wonderful (and it's not the sort of overbearing treatment which is found in so many childrens' books). It turns the traditional fairy-tale princess story on its head, and does so with charm.

I enjoyed the book as an adult -- I wish I'd been able to read it as a little girl, too. This one deserves to be on the shelf with the rest of the 'classics' we often think of especially for young girls -- Anne of Green Gables, the Little House books, the Secret Garden, etc.

This book is deceptively small and simple, yet has a wealth of wisdom and practical ideas for everyone who wishes to grow as a human being living on this Planet Earth. Dr. Lee's vision for humanity is that all become enlightened because this is the solution to the current global problems of war, hunger, and Western society's poverty of the soul. Enlightenment is not an obscure, mystical path reachable only for those who sit for 20 years meditating on a mountaintop, but a choice we can make for ourselves today. Like most anything worthwhile, enlightenment is a process of spiritual maturing. Dr. Lee points out that healing our souls and coming closer to our own divine nature is the true purpose of our lives here on earth. How does one go about recovering our divine selves and awakening spiritually? There are as many paths as there are human souls in the world. As the founder of "Dahn Hak", a holistic method of exercise, breathing, and meditation, Dr. Lee has done our homework for us. In "Healing Society", he explains the fundamentals of "Dahn Hak", and how this practice initially benefits the individual. From my own practical experience, the practice of "Dahn Hak" has enabled me to step out of the confines of my small self, and create a life full of meaning and purpose for myself and my family. And, as Dr. Lee so concisely points out, the true purpose of enlightenment is the betterment of society. In order to experience the immediate benefits of "Dahn Hak", one must first understand simply what it is. The purpose of Dr. Lee's book is to invite us all to the feast, for that is what is within every one of us. Once we understand Who we truly are, how we treat each other and ourselves changes. And this knowledge is what will heal the world. Get this book, read it, and learn "to play well with each other."

In his new book "Healing Society", Dr.Lee seeks to illumunate the pathway to one's spiritual nature, thereby experiencing oneness with all of humanity and the great cosmic universe. His DahnHak program proposes that each individual is to first achieve physical and mental health and improve their energy balance. Dr.Lee explains these ideas in his book in a positive and encouraging manner that is direct, understandable and in an easy to read and enjoyable format. Instead of trying to solve problems only by war or violence, we must bring on a new wave of understaning, or mass enlightenment, and learn to love unconditionally to create a lasting world peace. Dr.Lee talks about losing touch with one's True Self, who is naturally divine and give us health, happiness, and joy, instead of hate, fear, anxiousness, struggle, and conflict. Listening to our heart and soul will lead to trust and harmony. Using the Ki-energy that surrounds and is available to us, and using Brain Respiration as a training tool, enlightenment can be achieved. An "Enlightenment Revolution" through a Spiritual-Cultural Movement is Dr. Lee's inspiring proposal to start up our collective human consciousness.

Dr. Seung Heun Lee wrote Healing Society: A Prescription for Global Enlightenment because he wanted "to call upon the world to embark on an Enlightenment Revolution" and "to let everyone know of their own right to enlightenment." Dr. Lee has written sixteen previous books and lectures extensively. He also founded "Dahn Hak Movement," which is designed to help in spiritual awakening, and helped establish the New Millennium Peace Foundation with Neale Donald Walsch. The United Nations has recognized Dr. Lee as a preeminent spiritual leader of the world.

He emphasizes throughout the book that enlightenment is not just for a select few, but available to everyone. He defines enlightenment as "a simple choice that you make to live your life for the betterment and benefit of all those around you." One needs only to make that choice, and then develop the discipline to live out that choice.

Part of becoming enlightened involves training your life energy, or Ki. Dr. Lee explains exactly how to do this. He has also developed a technique called "Brain Respiration" as a "realistic and everyday form of spiritual training" for all those people who don't have the time or inclination to go live on a mountain top or join a monastery.

Once people achieve personal enlightenment, the next step is global enlightenment. Dr. Lee says that we once all lived together as enlightened beings in harmony, and that we have deep spiritual longings to regain this world. In order to do that, "we need to recover the sense of Oneness and harmony that we have lost." That requires making both a personal and a collective choice to be enlightened. He wants at least one hundred million people to be spiritually enlightened by the end of this decade. "The healing vibration of their choices and determination will cure the Earth of the ills we have caused," he says.

Most people have forgotten that we are all part of One. Forgetting that has led to the state of affairs that exists today. If you'd like to meet your Creator Within and become a part of the solution rather than continue as part of the problem, then I highly recommend reading Healing Society.

The Companions, as the author frequently calls them, are summoned by Prince Gwydion and the venerable wizard, Dallben, to undertake a perilous quest: to march into the stronghold of the evil Lord of Annuvin, to remove and destroy the black cauldron of heavy iron, which Arawn uses to spawn a vicious breed of Middle World Undead. We are pleased to meet again our old friends from THE BOOK OF THREE: Taran, the Assistant Pig Keeper, who longs to be considered a man, Princess Eilonwy with her ready tongue, the story-stretching bard with his fickle harp, and other faithful followers. Yet this book, #2 in a series of 5 Prydain Chronicles, retains its integrity when read alone.

Alas, pride and treachery are rampant in the land bordering Annuvin, whence the dark lord of evil reigns and schemes. Our hot-tempered hero must use both his wits and his heart his to gradually acquire wisdom in this difficult and dangerous odyssey. The small company of adventurers are eager to prove their valor and gain honor, yet they experience the inevitable personality conflicts. How will the companions ward off attacks by The Hunstmen and the foul Cauldron-born who do Arawn's bidding? And who can defeat the black beast that travels on Ellidyr's tattered shoulders?

Yet there is much more to this book than a mere succession of adventures, traps and twists of fate. Many serious themes bubble up between the mayhem that Alexander has set in motion. One reminded me of a later book, THE GIVER: "Give us--the nicest summer day you can remember!" Ah, but is it easy to part with something intangible like a dream or a memory which has become a part of onesself? And this black Crochan, as it is called, emanates evil and possessiveness towards those who think they own it--reminiscent of the ring in THE HOBBIT. Evil can completely dominate one's neutral or natural personality. Just how much will Taran sacrifice or allow his friends to sacrifice for him, in order to obtain and destroy the Black Cauldron?

Taran, Eilonwy, Gurgi, and Fluddur Fflam are back in another enchanting fantasy in the land of Prydain as described in The Book of Three.The companions set out on a journey to destroy the Black Crochan,a cauldron used to make cauldron- born zombies. Packed with action, wisdom, and courage, this is an excellent read for Princesses of Llyr, bards, princes and Assistant Pig Keepers the same.

In Lloyd Alexander's second book in his five-book series on the Land of Prydain, our brave young antagonist, Taran Wanderer, the Assistant Pig-Keeper of Caer Dallben, joins the battle host led by the honorable Prince Gwydion of Don in its quest to liberate and destroy the evil Black Crochan, an enormous iron cauldron. It is in this kettle that the dark lord, Arawn of Annuvin, creates the Cauldron-Born, his indestructible warriors, from the corpses of men. He who controls the Crochan, wields the power. Taran and his comrades must face witches in the Marshes of Morva and some surprising traitors before the climatic conclusion of this story.

Alexander weaves a masterful tale of good versus evil, with Taran wedged between, forced to choose time and again between right and wrong, loyalty and self-preservation, or blind obedience and moral obligation. This second book notches up the excitement. The plot is more curvy and better-conceived than book one. Taran's burden grows as does his reputation. Taran is one of the strongest and most likeable characters of all time, and as readers we begin to question his true origins. --Christopher Bonn Jonnes

This is my favorite book in the Anne series. Rilla is a fourteen year old, vain, carefree girl without any ambitions but to have fun and have many beaux when she is thrown into the relentless Hell known as War. It's a story of loss and love and growth. It's incredibly romantic. It's sad but the sad thing that happens is for the best (I see that now even though I tried to fight it for so long). In my opinion, out of all the L.M. Montgomery books that I've read, Rilla is the only main character with any sense when it comes to who she loves and knowing, at least having an inkling, that they love her back. It's a wonderful story that everyone should read. Even my friend who hates Montgomery books loved it.

hey, i have read every "Anne book" and the "Emily books", and I have recently re-read "Rilla of Ingleside". "Rilla of Ingleside" and "Anne of Green Gables" are my favorite LMM books I've read so far. Rilla goes through the difficulf times during WW1 that were the worst the world has seen until WW2. I cried the first time i read it and i cried the second time, too! One of the most touching things in this book is how Little Dog Monday stays at the train station the ENTIRE time that Jem is away at war and I think the chapter-LITTLE DOG MONDAY KNOWS- was very good(I won't say what he knows....read to find out!:) But it is SOOO sad!! ) This is VERY good, one of my ALL-time favorites(I have read alot) and I strongly urge you to read it, but if you haven't read the other ANNE books, read them first....each book refers back to previous ones ocassionally. Happy Reading!!! : )

Since Anne what not as much of a main character in this book, I was surprised by how much I liked it. I didn't think I would because she was not in it. However, I now think, that it is one of the best books in the series.( Since I can't choose just one book, thats the highest compliment I can give.) In the beginning Rilla a frivolous, nonambitious girl who only wants the most fun life can give her. She knows nothing of the sorrows or horrors of life, beyond her worries of who she'll dance with...This book tells the story of Rilla's life during the horrrible, "war to end all wars". During this time, faced with pain, sorrow, and duty she proves herself as a true woman and worthy of her handsome Kenneth Ford.

The Initiation by Dr. Donald Schnell is a fascinating account of one man's encounter with the Immortal Babaji (of Sgt. Pepper and Autobiography of a Yogi fame). Unlike many books in this genre, this one had the distinct ring of authenticity. While reading the book I experienced an inner warmth in my heart and a joy that lasts. I've already read the book three times and given away copies to all of my friends. I am breathlessly awaiting another book from this skilled author. As an editor of a book publishing house I see tons of manuscripts each year. If you are looking for more than a book and desiring a personal experience of connectedness to the sacredness of life--do yourself a favor and read this book. Better yet share it with a friend. It is a powerful love story.

If you've ever wondered what it feels like to experience divine enlightenment, THE INITIATION is the book you've been waiting for. Author Donald Schnell shares his extremely personal journey to India where he meets the immortal Babaji yogi, and describes what many would consider to be the indescribable. After all, how can one adequately convey the way the world looks when all illusion (maya) is stripped away? Yes, miracles are possible, but they are only "siddhis", or sacred gifts which are not the true essence of reality. Siddhis like manifestation, teleportation, and levitation are joyous to behold, but are not meant to distract us from seeing the miraculous nature of the universe which is present here right now.

Schnell not only describes the way the world looks when one feels the joy and bliss of divine awareness, but he does so in such a way that the feeling of this loving state of consciousness is bestowed upon the reader. I felt like I had received many blessings as I read this book, and I know my life will be ever the richer for it. Schnell describes many details of how it felt to undergo a very special kind of initiation from the moment when he felt suddenly called to India, to the wondrous miracles he encountered as he traveled across India, to the culmination of his trip in his initiation into the yogic order with his new yogic name, Prema Baba Swamiji. The accounts of his meetings with Babaji are a joy to read -- Babaji appears to still be in his early twenties, in spite of the fact that he's been teaching students for hundreds of years. He grants Schnell's request for a photograph of him by materializing one. He also materializes a very beautiful and sacred crystal, which is still molten-hot and malleable when it appears in Schnell's hands out of thin air.

While THE INITIATION is ostensibly an autobiographical account of one man's journey to enlightenment, this book is actually much more than that. THE INITIATION feels like it has been blessed to convey the inner vibration of love that Babaji and Prema Baba Swamiji wish for readers to feel and know. For when we come to recognize this state of blissful awareness, or Premananda, we realize that we, too, have made the journey to enlightenment.

For those who read and were influenced by such books as The Autobiography of a Yogi, and Be Here Now of Ram Dass, or are simply walking their own path looking for inspiration, this is a new book of a powerful spiritual journey, that of Dr. Donald Schnell, initiated as Prema Baba Swamiji and of the avatar Babaji's continued teaching through him. I was greatly moved by the story of his initiation and the playful mystical experiences he has with Babaji and his humility as he shares those experiences with the the reader. He shares what he has learned and received through his initiation and now brings forth for those who wish to receive such divine gifts. I was also very touched by a great love story, that of him and Leelananda, his wife Marilyn Diamond. I hope to do a workshop with them soon to receive the blessings of their teaching. This book points a way to bringing divine love into our everyday awareness and as a way of being in the world and truly transforming our world.

I read this book in a Book Club with three kids ages 8 and 9. We shared confusing parts and our questions. We met 4 times a week in the Book Club. We discussed word work and our thoughts and ideas. It was our second time reading the book and we understand it better because we read it in our Book Club. We were able to discuss questions and ideas that helped us understand the book better. If you have not read this book in a Book Club you may want to try it. It will help you understand it better. It is about a man that has 12 penguins and he is running out of money. Admiral Drake sent Mr. Popper a penguin. Mr. Popper named it Captain Cook. Then Admiral Drake sent Mr. Popper another penguin he named it Greta. Greta had ten baby penguins. This was a really awesome book.

I think that Mr. Poppers penguins is an awesome book. It is always having something bad happen when it's funny. This book will catch the attention of a lot of kids, because when they start reading they won't want to stop. Kids 9-12 year should read it because there are a couple words that I don't know or know what they mean.
The book reminds me of "The Alaskan Pig",because the animal came as a surprise. Its like it just appeared in a box that came to your door by mistake. Both books are alike in another way because your not going to even expect to get a penguin in the mail or an alaskan pig.
I recommend this book because it is funny and exciting (to me anyway.)

I love the book Mr. Popper's Penguins! I thought that it was a very cool book. It is about this man named Mr. Popper, his wife and two kids. Mr. Popper gets a boy penguin. Then Admiral Drake sends them a girl penguin. Then they get a surprise. You will have to read the book to find out. Then Mr. Popper and his family go on a theater buisness with the penguins. They get paid a lot of money in a week and that is exciting because the Popper's were poor. The penguins get into a lot of trouble. So if you like getting into trouble you should read this book. I hope that you read this book because it is very exciting and wonderful. The penguins love to play in snow and you will never guess were they play in it at the Popper's house. This book is also very funny!

Dear Lurlene McDaniel,

You have been writing inspirational novels about young teenagers facing life-altering situations. All your novels are hard-hitting and realistic, but also leaves readers like me with inspiraton and hope. One of your books that I've read is called, Six Months to Live. I enjoyed that book very much. The reason that I enjoyed this book is because you wrote the book in such a way that it influenced me to read and not stop. From your book I understood that the main character Dawn, who was thirteen had leukemia and she didn't have much time to survive from this illness. When Dawn goes to the childerns hospital a girl name Sandy who was going to be her room-mate had cancer too. They both suffered together to fight the cancer by giving each other hope. When they became friends and after they each had to go back to their town Dawn recived a letter from Sandy's parents saying, "We lost our beloved Sandy yesterday, 10 A.M. She died peacefully-no pain. We are flying her home to West Virginia for burial. Package for Dawn to follow. The Chandles." That was the most sad letter and it really influnced me to read the book to see if Sany is really death or alive. I just loved your book and it was all based on a real life situation.

Sincerely, Mariam Semerdzhyan

Lurlene McDaniel's book, Six Months to Live, is one of the best books I have ever read about dealing with the diagnosis of leukemia.

McDaniel did a wonderful job expressing the feelings of the main character, Dawn Rochelle. It was easy for me to relate to Dawn because she is in my age group. She was diagnosed with cancer when she was 13. The setting is in a rural area. The overall writing was easy to read and made you feel like you were a part of Dawn's life. She was a strong willed person who was not going to give into her disease.

The plot of the book is about teenage girl fighting for her life through an irreversible disease. Dawn went through tough times and eventually was dismissed from the hospital. In the summer, Dawn went to a cancer camp. Kids with all types of cancer attended the camp and had two-weeks of games and fun. The camp helped her forget her problems and have a good time. The camp interested me because the writer made it sound so beautiful and perfect.

The main lesson of Six Months to Live is that in order to overcome hard times, you need to work hard and have faith in yourself. Dawn was not willing to give into her problems and give up in the fight for life. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a good source of inspiration.

In this book, 13-year-old Dawn Rochelle is diagnosed with lukemia. For three months she has to deal with the pain of chemotherapy and it's side affects, and being treated like she is a walking germ by what she thought were her friends. But through these pains she also meets Sandy, her roomate, who is also a 13-year-old diagnosed with lukemia. Together the girls become best friends, and make memories, good and bad. Finally, both Dawn and Sandy are in remission, and they go to cancer camp, a camp that is made for teens with cancer. They have a wonderful time, but when Dawn returns home, she gets terrible news that Sandy has had a relapse. She has been taken to a hospital in Mexico, where the hospitals do not use the chemotherapy treatment. The result of this is the tragic death of Sandy. A truly heart-warming, tear-jerking book that will thrill anyone of all ages. -Mary Elizabeth Baleha

We've finally grown out of this book at our house - but it took a long time. My soon-to-be 9 year old will occasionally (in secret)read this book now, but from age 3 to 6, it was a bed time favorite!

The story is funny, as are the illustrations of the little mouse, making a mess and asking for more things - and it all started by just giving the little fellow a cookie.

The hardcover book alone is a great gift item, but it's better yet as a mini book with the cute little stuffed mouse. If you add a small package of chocolate chip cookies, this would make an exceptional gift. Or, if not cookies, a crayon set with some paper is ideal (you have to read the story to understand why!)

For kids who want to read and listen, the audio tape will be listened to again and again. This is also one of those books that adults enjoy reading to their children!

The whole If you series is a fun set to read. The little mouse is adorable and the story can be told to any age. It is a great bedtime book. The mouse and his energy and enthusiasm allows for the child to get into the story. I love this book

.....you will have hours of fun ahead of you.
My favorite time of the day is when I take my kids to bed and read for them. We read different kinds of books, but each child always gets some special favorites. If you give a Mouse a Cookie is among 5 year old Marta's all time favorites. We can read the book over and over again, and the story is just as cute as when we first discovered it.
The story starts with a little boy eating cookies outside his house, he sees a mouse and wants to share his cookies with it. The mouse eats the cookie, then asks for a glass of milk, of course the boy gives him some milk, and the story goes on and on. The little mouse asking for more and more, the boy having a wonderful time following his new companion. From a napkin, to scissors to trim his hair, a broom to sweep up, and so on. And the wonderful, funny last page when the mouse asks for a glass of milk, but of course, if you give him a glass of milk the chances are that he will want a cookie to go with it, and we are right back to the start of the book. The most perfect story for a child who always wants repetitions, over and over again.
The book is beautifully written by Laure Joffe Numeroff, and the cute drawings to illustrate the story are made by Felicia Bond.
Lucky parents and children with books like this to share.

Britt Arnhild Lindland

This book is about a small bat who goes on an adventure that I am going to tell you about. At first the bat named Shade is where he lives,Tree Haven with all the other bats of his colony.One day big owls,their enemeys,come and burn down Tree Haven and all the bats take off flying to a save place.On the journey Shade can not keep up.He gets further and further away until he is lost in a storm. The storm is a strong wind ,and Shade finds himself flying over an ocean.Soon the storm dives down and he lands on a pieceful island.He meets a bat named Marina and they set off on an adventure together ,and soon make it to the city.Their adventure is huge and they meet lots of friends on the way,but you have to read this book to find out if Shade ever finds his colony.

Silverwing by Kenneth Oppel is one of the best books I have ever read. I love this book because it is very, very, very suspenseful. Kenneth Oppel really gets me into the book from the start to the finish. This book is about a young bat named Shade, the runt of his colony. When owls burn down his colony's home, his colony must travel to Hibernaculum to hibernate and then find a new home. But on the way there, Shade gets lost.... I suggest this book to anyone 8 or older. Also read the sequel, Sunwing. That book is as good as this one! READ THIS BOOK!

The book Silverwing is a really good book and I think you should buy it.If you read on I will tell you what it is all about. Silverwing is all about a young bat named Shade who lives with his mother and a colony of silverwing bats. Some time around winter the owls came and burnt down their home. The silverwing colony has to fly south to Hibernackuilm. But Shade gets lost in a big storm and has to find his colony again. Along the way Shade meets some friends: Marina a brightwing bat, Zefur a mysterious albino bat, and Goth the carnivorous jungle bat. Shade thinks they are all his friends. But which ones are his friends and which are his foes...

This book is truly one of Harold Keith's best books. He has made Jeff Bussey seem alive when he takes you through his adventures in the Civil War. Jeff constantly came into perils in the book that made me want to keep reading and not stop. He made the battle scenes and the towns seem so real in my mind. This book is a one of a kind. Jeff has been on both sides of the war, seen both side's point of view. He had to make up his mind on which side he stayed on. I was really thinking that he was going to stay with the rebels just because Lucy Washbourne was on that side, but I was wrong. He made friends on both sides of the army and they took him in as their own. His name had a lot to do with it. Jeff's father fought in a war with the south. His name was well known there. I think that if he didn't have that name he wouldn't have been able to get into the rebel front lines. I loved this book and I urge everybody else to read it. It is truly a great book. I will have to get my own copy very soon.

Jeff Bussey is only 16 when the Civil War breaks out, but he immediately leaves his home in Linn County- after two bushwhackers's break into his house - to join the Kansas volunteers. After his first battle, he discovers war isn't just glory. He sees his friends die and knows that he may be next. He has to cope with a mean officer, Captain Clardy, and his love for a rebel girl, Lucy Washbourne.
Then he is sent on a scouting mission,behind enemy lines where he makes an important discovery. The rebels are just boys like him, only they are fighting for a different cause. He is left with a tough decision to make. Should he join the enemy or betray them?
I loved this book because it was so suspenseful. Harold Keith does a great job describing everything. This book is difficult to read so I recommend it to 5th Grade and up.

Rifles for Watie is an excellent book. I never realized that there was so much going on in the Civil war. I first read this book in 5th grade and I loved it. Rifles for Watie is a facinating book about a boy called Jeff who joins up in the army and gets more than he expected! He is a infantry man, a cavalier, a cannonier for two hours and a spy.While Jeff is a spy he finds out that his enemy ,the confederates, are not a bad bunch. He falls in love with a girl called Lucy and she wants him to join the confederates. Will Jeff stay with the Unions or will he betray them to join the confederates?
In all I have given Rifles for Watie for it is exciting and full of adventure. It has deserved the newberry award. If you haven't read it yet then I would recommend you go to the libary or to a book store and read it!!! But be warned once you red this you will not stop until the end!!! --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.