I can't believe this wonderful book is no longer available in the English language. Fortunately my son and I speak German (where Lindgren is held in high esteem and this book continues to be reprinted) but I'd love to give away copies to his friends who only speak English. It is one of the best children's books ever written and movingly deals with issues such as loss, loyalty and courage in a way that is timeless and appeals to all ages. Could some English language publisher please reprint it.

I recieved this book as a young girl and did not read it until on the edge of adolescence and now I regret the time lost, in fact now in my mid twenties I find myself with out a copy and feel my life is lessened. This book exemplified the the best and worst that could happen in my life and I grew with the boys, losing my naivete with them, forming my own alternative world where loyalty and peace and love are held in the highest regard. I feel that this should be required reading for all school age children. Thank you Ms. Lindgren.

This story is, well, brillant. It's a saga of brotherly devotion, high adventure, scary places, and glorious times. It's through the looking glass, over the next mountain and around the corner to the place in time where you most want to be, with the people you love the best. It fills a space in your heart and leaves an ache at the same time. And it's good. You know those books that you can't BEAR to have end? The ones where you want just one more page? Well, move this to the top of the list - because the ending, while absolutely perfectly satisfying, leaves you on the edge of your seat wondering what happened next. That's one (of a long list) why it's such a perfectly brillant children's book - your imagination takes it from there. This is not a story to read just once, but over and over, and to share with the people that you love the best.

I first read this book over the summer of 1957. I got it through the Weekly Reader book club. I was interested in the classics at the time and David and the Phoenix fit right in. The author made the characters so true to life that I wished for a long time that I could stumble upon a bird like the Phoenix and make it my friend.

This was just a great story and I read it at exactly the right time of my life. When my son was smaller I looked in every used book store and library I could find for a copy. I wanted him to read it so much. Unfortunately time has marched on and he is now 16 and probably will not be interested in reading it. But, I am going to get a copy any way.

I heartily recommend this wonderful book for the preteen set.

I found this book in my Aunt's house when I was a young child, 12 - 15 years ago. "David and the Phoenix" made a lasting impression on me. I never liked to read much, until I read this book. My family lives at the base of a mountain and we did and still do a lot of hiking. Hiking and my love for all animals helped me relate to this book and I have loved to read ever since. My Aunt can't find this book anymore, probably one of her grandchildren got a hold of it, but I wrote down information about the book when I was a kid, hoping to find a copy for myself. I just happened upon that piece of paper and found that it was a 1958 Edition - Selection of the Weekly Reader, Children's Book Club - Education Center published by Follett Publishing Company, Chicago. Manufactured in the United States of America by American Book-Stratford Press, Inc., NY. Published simultaneously in Canada by Ambassador Books, Limited. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 57-8280. I recently tried to find a copy and had no luck. This is my last hope of finding the book so that the children I hope to have someday soon can enjoy it too.

I too received "David & the Phoenix" from the weekly reader book club. Like a first true-love, it is a book that I will never forget. How can a 50 year old man still remember a chlidren's book so well? I have spoken to several others my age who also fell in love with this book. I have a copy and searched for many years before I found a second copy, which I gave to a friend. It has always been my secret desire to write a screenplay of the book. I glad that someone finally has. Who is making the movie?

Several years ago I tracked down Edvard Ormondroyd and spoke with him on the telephone. He is a librarian in New England. I just wanted to thank him. He told me about his other books. I read them all. They were excellent. I especially liked the series with the time travel. They too would make an excellent movie.

I am not a big believer in alternative medicine, but after an MRI showed a ruptured L-5 disk, (and the doctor suggested surgery)I chose to explore other options. Luckily, my internet search led me to Amazon's reviews of Dr. Brownstein's book and I decided to try his methods before pursuing surgery. I can only say that the results are miraculous! After six months of mild to excruciating back and leg pain, I am now 95% pain -free; off all painkillers; and I've resumed walking 3.5 miles daily. The idea of these simple stretching exercises as a "cure" seems so far-fetched to me that I can only urge back-pain sufferers to give this a try! I felt significant results in a matter of days! Thank you, Dr. Brownstein (and Amazon, too!)

If your back hurts a little or a lot, try this book. It is very helpful, to the point, no non-sense. I tried physical therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs and was ready for cortizone injections because the pain was still bad (all recommendations of my back specialist, which I saw for 3 months). After a week of doing 45 minutes of daily stretching shown in this book, I felt a lot better. In two weeks, I quit the drugs. I am in my fourth week, almost pain free, feeling great and starting to exercise again. Thanks, Dr. Brownstein!

Dear Dr. Brownstein, I want to thank you for your expert help in eliminating my backpain, both in person and through your book, Healing Back Pain Naturally. When I arrived in Hawaii in January, I had been in the habit of doing aerobic exercise on treadmill and bike for a half hour every other day, but since I do not belong to a gym in Kauai, I began to do jogging. After a month I was able to complete 2 miles of running each day, but my back pain was killing me. You diagnosed my problem as hamstrings which needed stretching, and showed me a few exercises in your book. I got the book and followed your advice, and within 2 days my back pain had completely disappeared. The effect was virtual magic! I hope others can benefit from my experience with your book. Thank you for a wonderful book. Marshall Bautz

I can't say enough about this novel. It mysteriously came into my possession at a used book fair. I picked it up because the futuristic cover appealed to my sci-fi tastes. Upon reading the novel, I was pleasantly surprised, in fact that's an understatement. This book is so masterly written, one forgets there's an author at all behind it, but that her beautiful character Cat himself is writing it. The whole Cat series is an amazing read for it contains just the right formula. The plot is well thought out, it has universal themes of society, and the discriptions seem entirely accurate. Joan D.Vinge has created a universe and characters that are incredibly realistic. The reader gets inside Cat's head. His thoughts and emotions make him easy to love, scars and all. I know I fell in love with him. I recommend to anyone who likes Sci-fi, Futuristic stuff, or political insight to read this book.The whole series, in my opinion, is the best sci-fi tale ever written.

(Ps: Mrs. Vinge, please write a 4th book!)

This is one of the few books which caused me to enter my accelerated-reading-mode, finishing the book in just under four days. Vinge creates a startlingly complete, complex, interwoven universe filled with characters so realistic a reader doesn't recognize his surroundings when he wakes up the next morning.

The quick and savvy Cat fends off many troubles in his life, going from the bottom of the trashpile all the way to the top, with several ups and downs in between.

I liked this novel so much I started "catspaw.com" many years ago, to be dedicated to sci-fi novels. (alas, the site never got past its domain name.)

I have been trying to figure out why I love this book so much. It obviously has to do with the main character, Cat, who is at times the quintessential underdog, then the hero of the universe (for at least fifteen minutes). Ms. Vinge creates characters (major and minor) that you not only want to know, but you want to become in some higher sense. The action, intrigue and adventure in Catspaw are also incomparible.

I also highly recommend the prequel and sequel to Catspaw - Psion and Dreamfall, respectively. They are both wonderful books, but Catspaw remains my favorite.

I bought this book for my nephews and niece (ages 11, 9 and 4) who came to visit this summer. I was so excited at purchase! The incredibly clever scenes take hours to comb through, and you really view a lot of these objects differently after seeing the book. (Buildings made of fig newtons; thumbtack glassware at the soda fountain; an upside-down iron as a boat.)

However the actual children were a bit blown away. They looked at it and were interested, however many of the objects used were things they'd simply never seen and so couldn't pick out. What 4-year-old can tell that a bunch of tulips is really pistachios on sticks? Even the 11-year-old had never seen a flour sifter and therefore wasn't impressed by the sifter/water tower.

On the other hand, their mother (age 34) and my boyfriend (age 33) spent as many hours as I did on this book and are still delighted with it.

I personally collect beautiful children's books as a cost-effective alternative to coffee-table books. For my purposes, Look-Alikes is absolutely perfect.

The pictures in this book are just stunning, and so clever. I've had this book for a year now (we keep it in our bathroom) and I've still not found everything!

Each photograph is magnificent, and well taken, while the collages - for want of a better name - are really ingenious. Some objects take forever to find - the peanut pony tail, the mushroom car tires, and some are perfectly obvious, though you'd never have considered that a disposable razor could look like a vacuum cleaner. It's beautiful to look at and fun to explore. If only Steiner had left it at that and not tried to write poetry to go with it. The rhymes are unbelievably inane and stilted and take away from rather than add to the book.

This edition may actually be too difficult for children, as many adults seem to have trouble finding all the objects. "Look-Alikes Jr." came out soon afterwards and is much simpler, though just as much fun; much more suited to the under 12's and the less patient!

This book will last so long and provide so much enjoyment that it's well worth buying for the whole family.

This is a book that has been entertaining to all family members from the age of 9 to 78 years of age. Each person who picks it up cannot bear to part with it. The colors and photo layouts of each page are filled with warmth and depth. Even without close scrutiny the immediate "feel" of the photos is that you are glimpsing into a moment of time long gone. There is an "old world" feel to the pictures. Upon closer review you are repeatedly amazed at how your eye first deceived you. Absolute creative genius is what makes this book one to purchase-for any age. Especially wonderful for those who love puzzles and DETAIL. No detail is left out and no detail is left to its own nature. A twist on reality that delights you with every turn of every page. A must buy for sure.

This was really a great book. It had a interesting plot. It lagged only once when Frances,the oldest,did something for her job requering going on the streets. I thought it was page turrning when the children were being seperated. I liked the fact that the charicters were going through such in intence situation that i could never relate. I will warn you that I think the book "stops short". I wouldn't let that stop you from reading it. Infact I read it in the car dispite the fact it made me car sick. I recomened this to anyone who likes books on slavery or the west. I congradulate Joan Lowery Nixion on a job well done!

I thought that A FAMILY APART was a really good book. It helped me to understand what a poor teenager's life was like in the mid 1800's. The story was mainly about a thirteen year old girl named Frances, who lived with her mother and five siblings in New York. After Frances' father died, the family lived in poverty. The mother worked at all hours of the day to support her family. Therefore,she never had time to properly care for her six children, so she sent them on an orphan train to St. Joseph's, Missouri to live with farm families who could feed them and care for them. The children were very upset to leave their mother. They were upset because they would be separated from their brothers and sisters also. Frances did however get placed in a home with her six year old brother, Petey. Frances learned to cope with, and love her new family. Frances had some very exciting adventures while she was living with her new family in Missouri. This book helps the reader understand love, sacrifice and trust. If I were you, I'd sacrifice a little bit of time to read A FAMILY APART.

I thought that this novel was extremely well written. I actually did some research about orphan trains and I could tell that Nixon didn't just dream up the orphan train riders lifestyles. I think that Frances Mary Kelly (the main character) was very lucky to have a mother and a shelter. Most poor children at that time didn't have parents or a shelter. Until Charles Loring Brace founded the Children's Aid Society in 1853, children were living on the streets making their living as pick-pockets. He established the orphan trains to send homeless children west to find new families. In my educated opinion, I think that this book is great for a historical fiction report and also a good curl-up-with kind of book.

This book, War Letters: Extraordinary Correspondence from American Wars, by Andrew Carroll (Editor) is a touching book. With the recent release of the movie Pearl Harbor, the questions that my generation wants to ask the veterans of war are rising out of the ashes once again. Carroll did an excellent job of putting together a collage of soldier's letters which portrays the true emotions of our freedom fighters. Recently having studied many of the wars included in this book, War Letters pulled everything into one book; from the Civil War all the way through Bosnia/Kosovo. The letters in WWI and WWII seemed more hopeful, and 'the great generation' seemed more patriotic. While the soldiers fighting Vietnam had more of a sense of urgency, kind of 'get this over with already' attitude. A common theme with all the letters was they were writing to loved ones, and would claim they would see them soon. Unfortunately, many of these letters were the 'last letters' to the families, some even written on backs of photographs, on scratch paper, or on Hitler's personal stationary. Also, these letters are written a few hours, days, or weeks after the events happened. The soldier has no opportunity to hear what the media said, or how the nation reacted to such a horrific event. They write with their souls, spilling their guts to their families, and shedding their blood for their nation. Granted, having just completed one year of US History helps me understand these events just that much more, but all in all, this book was everything from terrifying to heart warming.

Let me start this review by confessing that I am biased. One of my letters from Vietnam is included in the book. I therefore view the book differently from the average reader.

I also got an advance copy of the book a week before the official release date, and have been able to read it.

Andrew Carroll produced this book by reading through almost 50,000 letters and selected roughly 200 that best show what everyday life in the military - and in war - are like from the viewpoint of the average soldier, sailor, marine, and airman.

Andy was able to get these letters by persuading Dear Abby to publish an appeal in her column on Veteran's Day in 1998. The column urged readers to contribute these letters so that the sacrifices of the writers would not be forgotten. The result was a flood of 50,000 letters - some faded, some muddy, some blood-stained, and one pierced by a bullet. One letter was written on Hitler's personal stationary by an American sergeant who worked in Hitler's personal quarters in Germany just after WW II. What could be a better symbol of justice?

The letter writers' views are very different than the views you will get by reading the memoirs of a general or an admiral. When I was in the Army, there was a wonderful comment that explained life in the Infantry:

"The general gets the glory, The family gets the body, and We get another mission."

Your view of the military - and of war - changes depending on your position in this food chain.

Overcoming an enemy machine gun is an interesting technical problem when you are circling a firefight in a helicopter at 1,000 feet. You take a very different view of the problem when you are so close to the machine gun that your body pulses from the shock wave of the muzzle blast.

These letters were written by soldiers while they were in the military. They are describing events that happened that day, the pervious day, or the previous week. Their memories are very fresh. Their views also are very different from the views that someone might have when writing his memoirs thirty years later. In thirty years the everyday pains, problems, and terrors could very well be forgotten or become humorous.

The book groups these letters by war or police action. There are sections for letters from the Civil War, WW I (the war to end wars), WW II, Vietnam War, Desert Storm, and Somolia/Bosnia/Kosovo.

Some things never change. The Civil War letter writers grumble about poor food, tiresome marches, mindless sergeants and incompetent officers. The Vietnam letter writers (myself included) grumbled about the same things.

One anguished letter was from an officer in Vietnam who was torn by his need to hide his opposition to the war for fear of demoralizing his men. At the end of the letter is a brief comment explaining that the officer stepped on a mine and died shortly after writing this letter.

Welcome to life in the military. Welcome to war.

You should read this book if you want to see what life was like and is like in the military and in war.

Let me start this review by confessing that I am biased. One of my letters from Vietnam is included in the book. I therefore view the book differently from the average reader.

I also got an advance copy of the book a week before the official release date, and have been able to read it.

Andrew Carroll produced this book by reading through almost 50,000 letters and selected roughly 200 that best show what everyday life in the military - and in war - are like from the viewpoint of the average soldier, sailor, marine, and airman.

Andy was able to get these letters by persuading Dear Abby to publish an appeal in her column on Veteran's Day in 1998. The column urged readers to contribute these letters so that the sacrifices of the writers would not be forgotten. The result was a flood of 50,000 letters - some faded, some muddy, some blood-stained, and one pierced by a bullet. One letter was written on Hitler's personal stationary by an American sergeant who worked in Hitler's personal quarters in Germany just after WW II. What could be a better symbol of justice?

The letter writers' views are very different than the views you will get by reading the memoirs of a general or an admiral. When I was in the Army, there was a wonderful comment that explained life in the Infantry:

"The general gets the glory, The family gets the body, and We get another mission."

Your view of the military - and of war - changes depending on your position in this food chain.

Overcoming an enemy machine gun is an interesting technical problem when you are circling a firefight in a helicopter at 1,000 feet. You take a very different view of the problem when you are so close to the machine gun that your body pulses from the shock wave of the muzzle blast.

These letters were written by soldiers while they were in the military. They are describing events that happened that day, the pervious day, or the previous week. Their memories are very fresh. Their views also are very different from the views that someone might have when writing his memoirs thirty years later. In thirty years the everyday pains, problems, and terrors could very well be forgotten or become humorous.

The book groups these letters by war or police action. There are sections for letters from the Civil War, WW I (the war to end wars), WW II, Vietnam War, Desert Storm, and Somolia/Bosnia/Kosovo.

Some things never change. The Civil War letter writers grumble about poor food, tiresome marches, mindless sergeants and incompetent officers. The Vietnam letter writers (myself included) grumbled about the same things.

One anguished letter was from an officer in Vietnam who was torn by his need to hide his opposition to the war for fear of demoralizing his men. At the end of the letter is a brief comment explaining that the officer stepped on a mine and died shortly after writing this letter.

Welcome to life in the military. Welcome to war.

You should read this book if you want to see what life was like and is like in the military and in war.

If you're a beginner in tarot (like myself), than this IS the book for you. The author guides you through the book in lessons, and the best part is, you DON'T have to read each lesson. You can still have fun with your tarot deck without getting weighted down in, "tarot theory," If you forget something, you can easily look it up in this book. Joan Bunning gives GOOD and understandable meanings for each card, as well as "teaches" you how to do readings, and how to ask questions. She even has exercises, where you can practice your skills. She knows how to make tarot fun! Since I am still practicing doing readings, I use this book for referece A LOT! I am SO glad that I bought it. The only negative is that she does not review the meanings of cards being reversed. Also, she focuses on one deck, Rider-Waite, but you can use any deck with this book. It's a GREAT book and a MUST HAVE if you're a novice, and want to learn more about tarot.

Joan Bunning has written a clear, concise, understandable guide to the Tarot that has something for everyone, from beginners to experts. The 19 lessons teach everything you need to know about the Tarot, while the exercises give lots of hands-on practice. The keyword charts for the cards are a wonderful quick reference, while the in-depth descriptions of each card include opposing and reinforcing cards and a lengthy description. If you are interested in the Tarot, BUY THIS BOOK. It's the only one you'll ever need.

This is an excellent, all-purpose introduction to the tarot. The material is presented in lesson form, complete with exercises (optional) and suggested "answers." These give an overview of the tarot and many suggestions for approaching the cards for divination and personal growth. The book, however, would be most suitable for people working with traditional or Waite-derived decks, and less so for esoteric decks like the Crowley Thoth Tarot.

There is an excellent section on all card meanings, with extremeley thoughtful and descriptive key words and summaries. I personally appreciate the upbeat approach that Joan takes, not shying away from negative card meanings, but illuminating the underlying forces at work. Her viewpoint is slanted toward utilizing the challenging aspects of our personalities and fate for growth and clarification, via the tarot.

If I were to nitpick, it would be to say that I wish she had covered card reversals more extensively. Many books avoid the subject entirely though, as it is a difficult and often confusing aspect of divination that may be considered beyond the range of the beginner. I also got the feeling that she has a lot more to say, but perhaps that is what second books are for! All in all, I highly recommend this as one of the very best beginning books on tarot, and equally valuable for the more seasoned tarotist as a refresher course.

1. Sarah Darnell is a thirteen-year-old girl who used to live in Texas. When she was living there, she almost drowned in a lake nearby her house. Ever since the incident, she had been hearing whispers in her house. She later finds out that the whispers are coming from a ghost that had been following her around ever since her incident. Years later, she moves to a new state, and the ghost moves with her. Soon after she moves, she hears whispers again, only they're in Spanish. She believes that this ghost could bring her great danger...
2.I liked this book because it was exciting and it kept you guessing until the end.
3.This book is kind of related to "A Murder in the Doll House" because they both have ghosts following people around in both stories.

This Book was Terrific!!!!! It was REALLY good!!! It was the third book i have ever read of Joan Lowery Nixon's books. I say it was probably the second best!!!! (my favorite was "The Other Side Of Dark" so far, check it out, it is the BEST) This book contains some scary parts so if you get scared easily, please don't read this book (unless you can concer not being scared).
This book is about a sixteen-year-old girl named Sarah. When coming close to death in the water, she believes some sort of shadow is following her. The docter says that it is a "hauted feeling" and that she needs to concer her fear (in this case of drowning). But, for Sarah this isn't easy. But, finally the feeling starts to wear off and one day she thinks it is gone. Her father has been given a promotion that involves them having to move to Houston, Texas. When looking for a house he was for some reason giving a low payment on a big one. So, they move into that house. As soon as Sarah sets foot in the door, she knows something is weird about this house.Pretty soon she hears a voice saying "help me" in Spanish. Sarah's father comes home one day and tells them why they had gotten this house for such a low price...two years ago a murder had taken place in the very house they are living in. Read on as Sarah unravels the mystery about what REALLY happened at the house that day of the murder. But, will history repeat itself, this time involving Sarah as the next victim?
This book is REALLY GOOD, and I suggest that you read it and find out what happens. It is full of suspense, and keeps you on your toes.

Mystery, excitement, and intrigue, this book has it all. It's about a teenage girl named Sara who has a life or death experience. Soon after she starts hearing noises, whispers, and odd sounds when she is alone in the house. Sara quickly separates herself from her friends after telling them her insane secret. After going to several shrinks, her parents move her to a different town so her dad can get a job. Sara and her family are often looked at strangely. They soon find out the truth behind the under priced, beautiful house. Someone was murdered in it! Her parent's forget about the strange murder but Sara finds it to odd not to investigate. Sara's just a teenager from a different town trying to unravel the secret of a mysteries murder. She turned the town upside down only to find that the true murderer is right under her noise and he's as angry as ever. Will she excape? To find out, you'll have to read " Whispers from the Dead " now showing at a library near you. I recommend it. Bye-bye.

So you've always been that one freak in a bunch? The one who continually drives their friends off the deep end because of your knee-bending worship to antique toys, stoneware or blanket chests? Well if this is you, take heart! Now, with this book, the Keno twins have finally brought the enthralling world of Americana to a popular audience. They are sure to convert a whole new generation of antiquing freaks with their pulse-quickening stories of adventuring over land and across seas for that perfect piece of American furniture history. No longer will you feel a fool for dragging some uninterested friend or family member to a local museum or flea market only to hear them complain of the heat. Soon they will be joining you with entusiasm, as the dusty world of antiques is bound to take on a new brand of chic with the success of Hidden Treasures. If you're a seasoned professional with hunting stories of your own, you'll feel right at home with the descriptive images of the chase. But beginners are not excluded either, as each chapter is interwoven with priceless tips of the trade and heartening twists that make even a baffled amateur feel empowered to take up the hobby and run with it. Kudos to the Kenos!!!

Antiques Roadshow twins Leigh Keno and Leslie Keno take readers on a fascinating journey through their early childhood and adult life of antique collecting. From digging up old bottles in a creek and collecting rare bits of stoneware to the vast international world of high stakes antique collecting-this book will have you enthralled for hours-even if you don't care for smelly old furniture! By the time one is half way through their book one can feel the excitement starting to catch on. Who knows? Someone who reads this book might be motivated enough to become the next Sotheby's or Christie's president!

"Hidden Treasures" is a friend for anyone whose pulse has ever reacted to the sight of a grand piece of antique furniture. For those who have ever become breathless or teary-eyed over fruniture, it should be required reading. The most appreciated surprise of "Hidden Treasures" is how generous the Kenos are with their knowledge -- reading this book is almost like being enrolled in an advanced course in American furniture complete with field trips and historic background. There's even a textbook like glossary for quick reference to terms.

The world of the Keno brothers is one of extreme privilege and yet, as we travel from their modest and nurturing childhood to the decisive playgrounds of the wealthy -- Sotheby's, Christie's, and the Winter Antiques Show -- we feel welcome, if not at home. That is, perhaps, the most endearing charm of these identical gentlemen -- they are seemly unaffected by their palacial world -- driven primarily by their passion for historic masterpieces of American furniture and a childlike enthusiasm for the hunt. The honesty and power of their passion ignites every page of their book as it does everyday of their lives. And, it is so infectious that many will be inspired to begin plotting their first five, six, seven, or eight-figure purchase of Americana.

My only slight disappointment was with some of the writing. The masterful talent of Thatcher Freund, author of "Objects of Desire" could have been put to good use on this project. I only wish he would have been part of the team. Then, the book would have been perfect -- an American Masterpiece.