A good required text for a Freshman English Composition class. A wide variety of selections that bring up a lot of ideas for in-class discussion or composition.

Truly an anthology for readers and writers, this book encourages students to think more critically about the world around them. It calls on a variety of timely themes and genres to satisfy numerous interests and tastes in literature. It also provides many helpful rhetorical strategies for arguing about literature. Freshman writing instructors should give Making Literature Matter a look; it will not disappoint.

This book is a good book because it makes you stop and think about what is going to happen next. The characters are Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose. Ruth Rose is a girl and she is very smart and adventurous. Dink is also very clever. Josh is some one who is very hungry and also very smart but is kind of funny. I really think it is an adventurous.

My 9 year old daughter started reading these books about a year ago, and has now read every book in the series!She delights in every detail, from physical descriptions of the suspects to the personalities of the recurring charaters, and relates easily to the three kids who are the detectives. She can hardly wait for the next title to be released. This book, like the others, has a plot that is believable to its audience, encourages problem solving and critical thinking, and provides a trio of heroes that your own kids would like as friends. In this volume, the reader is exposed to a museum and information about mummies, as well as given a mystery to solve. Another delight for the 6 to 9 year old set.

Hank, the Head of Ranch Security, is troubled by Eddy the Rac. Eddy is the newest addition at the ranch. Hank always seems to end up on the bad end of "moonlight madness". Will this cowdog and strange acting racoon ever see eye to eye? This is a very entertaining story; it will make you giggle and laugh out loud.

This Hank adventure introduces Eddie the Rac, a racoon who seems to have had a little too much coffee! He and Hank are a great pair, as Eddie gets Hank in constant trouble despite Hank's best efforts. A very enjoyable story.

Tom Sawyer is the story of a 12-year old boy living up to the exception of being a kid. It is a book that is great for all ages, including adults. No matter what kind of personality you have you will enjoy it.
The story is about Tom's adventures and his trickery that gets him into trouble, and out of it. Weather he's painting fences or using his imagination he always seems to have fun. Along the way he teams up with Huck Finn, the rambunctious town outcast. They are always planning new schemes, such as curing warts with dead cats or running away and becoming pirates, yet know of their adventures are as big as their mishaps with Inguin Joe, the town criminal. Tom is also always getting into trouble at school, weather he is really to blame or not. Somehow Tom always gets out of doing non-enjoyable things, like when is supposed to take painkiller but instead feeds it to the cat. All this while searching for hidden treasure.
This book taught me how to be a kid, which is now more than ever. Also, Tom sawyer taught me what it was like to be a kid with out the pressures of being a kid in this day and age. A time when it wasn't excepted of you to be well mannered, responsible, or an intelligent young adult. Tom sawyer is a delightful read for all ages.

The classic story of Tom Swayer and his best-friend, Huckleberry Finn and their adventures. From seeing a murder to finding a cave to pretending to be dead, they have tons of adventures. This is a not to be missed novel. One of my favorites since the first time I read it in elementary school, after I saw a play of it I just had to read it and I'm glad I did.

The story, Red, White and Blue: The Story of the American Flag, is a well written and interesting book. It reveiles facts one would never find out. A smart buy for anyone wishing to learn more about our counries past.

Easy, punchy, informative reading about our nations #1 symbol! Beginning readers will love it!

This sourcebook for great theology has helped me to understand the historical dynamics at work for the last two hundred years. Simple in format but not in the subjects tackled, it covers the minds that daily affect our worship. My only criticism is that too many subjects are included: a little more depth on major topics would make it even better. The sources are chosen with God in mind, and are an acomplishment in expression for the Christian faith. An excellent read, praise of Jesus Christ is throughout.

This book gives an excellent overview of reformed theological thought from its inception in the 16th century to the 18th century. I have nothing but praise for the editors' selection of works which ranges from the well known theologians such as John Calvin to the lesser known but equally important theologians such as Turretin. The selection of the works are also well balanced by not giving too much emphasis on any particular reformed theologian.

The editors are to be commended for organizing the book around the main themes of reformed thought and for the excellent introductory essay on reformed theology at the begining of the book. I believe this is a great help for those who are just begining to explore reformed theology.

Definitely a must-book for anyone who have an interest in reformed theology.

Admit it already...... when you are in the bathroom, you want something to read to help pass the time. Instead of reading the latest issue of Reader's Digest, why not learn a bunch of interesting and funny, if not just downright useless, facts?

The third edition of the popular Uncle John's Bathroom Reader brings you more (and more and more and more) of interesting tidbits and stories to help you pass the time. From a list of film terms (an oater is a western) to an inside look at the musical television group The Monkees, this book has a seemingly never ending supply of information to pass along to you. There's even an entire story about the origins of toilet paper (i.e. the Sears catalog).

There is one warning that should be mentioned here: This 3rd edition is full of spelling and grammatical word errors. Though it doesn't change how much fun this book is to read (and use), it is kind of disappointing to see so many mistakes.

This book is packed cover to cover with fun, useless drivel. You learn about everything under the sun and actually appreciate the knowledge you are obtaining. An easy read that will have you taking it everywhere with you, this book is a must-have.

I read this book after reading the numerous good reviews this book received. But, I believe some of the negative reviews more accurately represent the numerous problems this book has. The author does an excellent job making this book a quick, mindless read, but the author sacrifices realism to keep the plot moving at a frenetic pace. There are several points in the book where I just scratched my head and thought that there is no way the character would act that way. In fact, the reason the good guys are on the run is far-fetched and laughable and could have easily been prevented by the good guys talking to the police right after the incident happened instead of finding excuse after implausible excuse to do the wrong thing. I am now in the middle of a far superior novel called "The Trial" by Clifford Irving, which is a true example of fine, fast paced writing.

Gilstrap's debut novel "Nathan's Run" was the best debut in the genre for many a year .Subsequent novels have not quite matched it for pace ,power and heart but then very few could."At All Costs"is still pretty darn good and vey few who read will feel short changed in the thrills department
It is in essence a chase story."Jake" and "Carolyn"are outwardly solid reputable citizens,albeit with a troubled child prone to get involved in fights with school mates who pick on him for his trailer park life.They are ,however,on the FBI's "Most Wanted List" having been wrongfully accused of terrorism and murder several years previously
They were aided in their escape from capture by "Carolyn's"wealthy uncle who sets them up with a new identity and it is to him they turn when by accident the FBI stumble upon their true identity,and are forced ,with son "Travis"to go on the run

It is not I trust ,revealing too much of the plot to say that the frame-up was initiated at the highest level of the government and the family are chased by some very potent and resourceful enemies.However ,neither they nor the uncle is without resources and the scene is set for some high velocity thrills with two especially effective hitmen-one for each side-stirred into the mix

My one reservation is that it is "Nathan's Run"writ large.It is a family on the run ,not just a boy,the pursuers are the Federal governmentand not ,as in the earlier work,local criminals.Still,this is carping,and lovers of a good yarn well told should dive into the book with all expediency and despatch.
Strong narratives are always welcome ,and since Hollywood has abandoned them for special effects,we must rely on our writers.Gilstrap does not let us down.

while im a big fan of john grisham, as well as numerous other authors and books. however, i thoroughly enjoyed this book. gilstrap is an excellent author, and his use of descriptive language is great. often at times, i found myself gripping the pages, wanting to know what happens next.

the book is a great suspense thriller. every chapter adds to the twist of the story. read this book; it's well worth your time.

With The Hotel New Hampshire John Irving wrote one of his best books and one of my personal favorites. Although in every book several themes return (we already read about rape, wrestling and Vienna in The World According to Garp and the transsexuals from this book can also be found in A Son Of The Circus and the bears... well, you got the point now, I suppose), every work of John Irving is original, surrealistic and moving.

John Irving writes about people. And whether he writes about Owen Meany, Dhar or The Watermethod Man, he writes about life. All his characters are in a way eccentric and bizarre, but always understandable and just normal people. Irving describes their lives, their thoughts, their emotions and so tries to find the meaning and purpose of our own lives. Irving's books are in that way portraits, but not just portraits. It are portraits of colorful people, absurd, but still in a way being like us. We can see ourselves in the eyes of Irving's main characters. And that's, beside his wonderful writing style and humor, what I like about Irving and especially about "The Hotel New Hampshire" that's a fresh and imaginative dive in Irving's world and really worth reading!

With The Hotel New Hampshire John Irving wrote one of his best books and one of my personal favorites. Although in every book several themes return (we already read about rape, wrestling and Vienna in The World According to Garp and the transsexuals from this book can also be found in A Son Of The Circus and the bears... well, you got the point now, I suppose), every work of John Irving is original, surrealistic and moving.

John Irving writes about people. And whether he writes about Owen Meany, Dhar or The Watermethod Man, he writes about life. All his characters are in a way eccentric and bizarre, but always understandable and just normal people. Irving describes their lives, their thoughts, their emotions and so tries to find the meaning and purpose of our own lives.

Irving's books are in that way portraits, but not just portraits. It are portraits of colorful people, absurd, but still in a way being like us. We can see ourselves in the eyes of Irving's main characters. And that's, beside his wonderful writing style and humor, what I like about Irving and especially about "The Hotel New Hampshire", a fresh and imaginative dive in the wonderful world of John Irving.

First of all, I would like to express my outrage at the reader who was disappointed that Irving's books are formulaic. Sure, he does reiterate himself somewhat in his novels, but what author doesn't? The "one-liners" that emerge from the stories will stay with me for the rest of my life. Especially that wonderful line from The Hotel New Hampshire, "Keep Passing the Open Windows." I have read all of Irving's works, and although I hold a great deal of admiration for each one, The Hotel New Hampshire is definitely my favorite. Irving simply developed his characters better in this book than any of his others. The story in this book- though obviously borrowing some of the antidotes in Garp- is original and amusing. The best thing about this book is that it is funny. Sure, all of his books are, BUT this is the funniest. My only critique is that Irving did not develop Lilly as much as he could have. Regardless, I loved this book, and I highly recommend it to anyone in need of a good laugh and a wonderful story.

The good thing about a book, as apposed to TV or movies, is that it excercises your imagination. Some people love colorful narratives with thick imagery, plots that twist and surprise them. Some other people like a book with subtle suggestions about broader ideas/questions.

The good thing about this book, is that it does not explain the why and how of the new world... The author writes the book from the perspective of a child coming into maturity. This books has alot to say about how history is written. It is written from the perspective of the the survivors and their memories... The relationship between the children and the parents can be liken to the relationship between the average man and the governments which rule us today.

The depth and questions that this book purposes, is more than what meets the eye.

The author purposefully left out allot of detail, so you the reader have room to paint your own images and make your own inferences.

Read it more than once... Forget that you read it at school. When I was 17 or 18 years old, I didn't have the maturity nor the experience to apply to the ideas put forth. It is well worth going back to.

I am dyslexic, so if I can enjoy re-reading this, then more talented readers should have a ball!

I read this book for the first time in highschool years ago and re-read it again since.

What most impressed me was the author's ability to set up atmosphere in the novel. I still to this day, after years between readings remember images I formed while reading the novel. Grass between the toes, the nuclear wastes, the way the children formed telepathic images etc...

One thing that I remember clearly is how the novel was like a breath of fresh air, clean and smooth. There are no frilly edges and there is no attempt by the author to make the book flashy. This makes the book pure and adds to the impact of the story.

As an overview, there are a group of children who are living in Eastern Canada after some type of holocaust (this is never much of a point in the book... no one has memories of it). Their society is strongly anti-mutant with a very strict set of rules as to what is "normal" and what isn't. All of this children are normal looking but are telepathic and form a click of just a small number.

The book is their story of growing up and existing in this paranoid and highly dogmatic society without being discovered and banished or killed.

A definite classic in Science Fiction circles.

As a 9th grade student, I found this book at times confusing, but over the long run, very thought-provoking. The Chrysalids is about a group of young people with telepathic powers in a society where genetic conformity is the Will of God, and any mutant, no matter how small the distortion, is cruelly abused and ruthlessly cast out. The setting is supposed to be after a huge nuclear war, which wiped out much of the world. The rest is for you to find out. It is good to read books like these to open our minds more to what could be. A few reasons why I liked this book was because it made you think...everything wasn't all there for you to figure out. Also, the themes and ideas in this science-fiction novel are very true, shown in an interesting way. Overall, it was a great novel, and I encourage you to read it!