It's about time someone wrote a story on early America for young people to grab and enjoy! An avid Michener reader, I always hoped someone would intrigue young Americans the same way, on their level. Roy Ewers does this very well, weaving exciting fiction into early American history. We see the docks of Norfolk, early medicine, wilderness survival without the stoves and packaged foods, the American Indian, and corrupt settlers. I lived in western Virginia and easily imagined the settings as each unfolded. This book should be incorporated into the lesson plans of all teachers instructing Early American history! I hope Roy Ewers follows up with another!

Great book! I personally found it refreshing and insightful, and have enthusiastically recommended it to my students. Two thumbs up!

Great action of post revolutionary war. Never lost my attention. Great attention grabber. I recommend this to all young adults and adults.

This book is a must read for those suffering with a chronic illness. Pauline makes such a creamy smooth blend of part memoir and part self-help that you don't even know where one leaves off and the other begins. Written in everyday understandable terms, I found it very easy to read. She writes how her faith has opened many doors and paved the way to a happy and wholesome lifestyle. Surrounded by family and friends, she exudes warmth, courage and selflessness. I highly recommend this book "Removing The Sting".

Being the daughter of such an incredible woman is not easily put into words. The pain that my mother has gone through has made her the wonderful woman she is today. After reading Removing The Sting, I have a new understanding of who my mother is, and what a wonderful story she has written. It is hard to understand Parkinson's but this book not only helps those with Parkinson's but the family dealing with this disease as well. I recomend this book to everyone, it will make you appreciate everything that you have in this life so much more. Thank you Mom for writing this book, I am very proud of you and always will be.

I devoured this book in one sitting and came away feeling refreshed and uplifted. I admit to being a bit biased as I know the author, Pauline Neck, personally as she is a member of my writing group, but feel I know her much better now.
I think this book would be helpful to anyone familiar with not only Parkinson's disease, but any kind of discouraging medical diagnosis. Pauline's determined positivity is a real asset to coping with life, in whatever way it presents itself. Her decision to redeem adversity by encouraging others is inspirational.
While the book chronicles Pauline's personal journey, it also includes a useful appendix of Parkinson's disease-related organizations. It would make a great gift for anyone with a similar diagnosis. Besides the appendix, the book is accented with photographs, prose and poetry, and inspirational text.
A great first, Pauline. Let's hear some more.

Richard Kramer has written one of the most moving and beautiful narrations about the cultural dichotomy between post-WW II Japan and a post-Cold War American trying to bring comfort and love to a hard and unforgiving culture.

I have read few books in my life that have moved me as much as "When the Butterfly Sings". Kramer has truly written a masterpiece - and I look forward to the broad distribution of this piece on a national/international level.

Kramer is most definitely a superstar in the making. It is exciting to see a work of art like "When the Butterfly Sings" in anticipation of what is to come from this future literary genius.

I ordered this book 1 month ago and have already read it 2 times. Both intriguing and informative, "When the Butterfly Stings" paints an intimate portrait of Japanese culture and politics. Richard Kramer is undoubtedly a rising star in a long list of great authors. I can't wait for his next work! I strongly urge anyone with the desire to expand thier mind and enlighten thier soul to read this book. Bravo!

Kramer's book spreads light on a problem that is often overlooked in Japan. It seems to be divided into 2 sections: the first describing his experience as someone unfamiliar with Japan as he becomes acquainted with the new culture and the second, building up to the murder and exposing some of the darkness behind the glittering reputation of the Japanese education. Far more detailed and thought-provoking than Memoires of a Geisha, it is both an excellent guide for anyone attempting to grapple with living ina foreign culture and an excellent picture of Japan. I really enjoyed it.

I was pleasantly surprised at the strength of character this and the whole series brought out. Paul Hutchens books captured my 10 year olds imagination. While these aren't huge novels, they are just the right size for a 10 year old's attention span and the central theme never gets lost. This is a great reinforcement for any parent trying to present the correct values in todays world.

As the first in the Sugar Greek Gang series, The Battle of the Bees sets a standard that the author never broke throughout the whole series. That standard is, in a nutshell, to: Give teens something that is wholesome, and good for Christian reading (as well as non-Christian readiing!).

These books not only include a great set of characters, but also good moral standards that would impress anybody.

This particular book is set in the mid-west of the USA in a little town called Sugar Greek (so named for the greek that flowed peacfully through it).

As the book opens, and the plot begins, you will notice that it doesn't sound like anything you ever read before; something most books after this genre fall short in. There is very little repetivness in the book, and the story plot flows smoothly along at a pace that isn't to fast. However it is not so slow that you get bored with the book.

Bill Collins (who the book is about) "tells" you the story, in that it sounds like like he is talkign to you, rather then you reading about him. This gives the reader a differant perspective on the story, and makes things very clear.

One thing that I personally really liked about the book was the fact that, unlike alot of Christian Teen novels, this perticular one had very little girl/boy relationship material in it. However, while it doesn't have that, it has a very exciting plot, plenty of action and adventure, and great kids. The author made every one in the Sugar Greek Gang a hero, and even the reader begins to feel that he or she may have been a hero along with them!

The only thing that I have against the book is the fact that it is to short. There really should be more. At least there is quite a long series here! I strongly recommend getting all of them! You will not be dissapointed in the least!

-Dan Van Nattan
Aka: Danazer

I would recommend this book for 5th graders who like basketball. This book is about a boy named Daron. He has a bad attitude problem. But one day the coach can't take it anymore so he threatens Daron to kick him off the team. I chose this book because it is about basketball and tells you how you can handle things when you are a jerk.

Matt Christopher is one of my 2 favorite authors, the other being J.K. Rowling. Center Court Sting is about a guy who has problems with his language. And as a result of it, everybody hates him. He goes through people doing pratical jokes on him and being teased. This book taught me 2 things. 1 is that people can change, and 2 is that what goes around comes around.

This book is perfect for kids and not bad for adults either. It is very clearly written and has outstanding illustrations. The health strategies and tips provided are done in the context of prevention... But things happen, accidents occur, kids get hurt. This book helps you and your children learn/know what to do in these situations. A fun, interesting, read.

I have 2 young children (ages 5 and 9 yrs old) myself and helping them understand what happens to their bodies when they hurt themselves is tough to do. Not to mention what to do when they are injured. Sometimes it is more "scared about the unknown" than anything. This book really helps the child research and learn how their bodies tell them when they are hurt and how to take care of the simpler injuries themselves. Plus,the format of the book draws them into learning about their bodies before an injury occurs. The illustrations are funny and help drive the points home in a kids kind of way. Great book and my daughter is already trying out the different first aid techniques in advance. Teach the child and you have taught the adult forever!

J.M. Dillard once again, in Star Trek First Contact proves why they go to her for the movie novelizations. This is the perfect accoutrement to the movie. It gives us great incite into what the characters might've been thinking. It also gives us some of the scenes that were left on the cutting room floor. Again, a great book that should definitely be read if you've enjoyed the movie!

'FIRST CONTACT' IS A WONDERFUL STAR TREK NOVEL. IT EXPLORES THE FEDERATION'S GREATEST ENEMY - THE BORG. THE NOVEL VERSION HAS MUCH MORE DETAIL/MATERIAL THAT IS NOT FOUND (BECAUSE, I AM SURE, OF TIME/LENGTH ISSUES) IN THE EQUALLY WONDERFUL MOVIE. (ALTHOUGH, I WISH THAT THEY WOULD HAVE INCLUDED IN THE MOVIE DENISE CROSBY [THE LATE, GREAT LT. TASHA YAR] MAKING A CAMEO, OR EVEN USING FLASHBACK MATERIAL FROM THE TNG EPISODE 'THE NAKED NOW', WHEN DATA IS MENTALLY RE-LIVING TASHA YAR'S SEDUCTION OF HIM WHILE SHE WAS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF THE PSI 2000 VIRUS.)

'FIRST CONTACT' IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF BUYING THE HARDCOVER EDITION (AS OPPOSED TO THE SOFTCOVER) IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO KEEP THIS NOVEL. THE COLOR, GLOSSY PHOTOS (ESPECIALLY OF THE BORG QUEEN) ADD AN ENTIRE EXTRA DIMENSION TO THE ALREADY-EXCELLENT NOVEL. A MUST HAVE FOR ANY STAR TREK FAN!!!

Star Trek - The Next Generation: First Contact a novel by J.M. Dillard based on the film Star Trek: First Contact story by Rick Berman, Brannon Braga, and Ronald D. Moore is a book that combines one of the Federations greatest threats the Borg with Earth's first warp flight and the U.S.S. Enterprise and her crew.

As the relentless Borg work their way toward Earth, the only hope to stop them rests with the U.S.S. Enterprise and her crew. Now, the Borg are even more dangerous... stronger and have a devious plan. As the Borg begin to launch their plan of attack against the Federation, a startling confrontation will take them back in time as Earth's first warp space flight is about to take place.

This is a fast paced book and the narrative is spot-on as the character-driven plot makes its way throughout the book. We read about Zefram Cochrane and the Phoenix on the eve of the first warp flight from Earth, the relentless Borg and their Queen as she now wants the U.S.S. Enterprise for herself and of course the "First Contact" with the Vulcans.

What I found to be a most pleasent surprise was that between the book v. movie is that the book gave far more detail. As you read about the characters you get a feel for their emotions and their train of thought. Of course, there are scenes in the book that weren't in the movie, making the book flow much smoother.

The book works on detail and the characters are robust and this makes the story engagingly fascinating... the Borg say, "Resistance is futile," that may have been so, until they came in contact with the Enterprise and her crew. Another wonderful feature in this book is the color pictures of the movie and there is an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film.

This is an excellent book with a lively portrayl of vivid characters.

Fantastic photography in another large book from Versace. This book captures the 'rock chic' glamourama which the late Versace excelled at creating. The association between 'Rock and Roll', and art is full indulged here creating a empirical illusion to the Versace dynasty. The glossy presentation of the images also adds to an overall feeling of luxury. The only reason I have not given this book the top rating is for its inclusion of Elton John - who makes me sick. So what if its expensive, luxuries like this don't come cheap. ciao,

Maureen Farquhar (maureenfarquhar@yahoo.com)

Gianni Versace was a designer who loved to push the envelope. His clothes were a mixture of extremes: sexy, sleazy, colorful, tacky, and elegant. One adjective you'd never find in a sentence with the word Versace is "boring." His clothes commanded--and often got--attention, which is why he was such a favorite among celebrities such as Madonna, Elton John, Liz Hurley, Courtney Love, Prince, Jon Bon Jovi and even Princess Diana. This book is a fabulous, eye-opening collection of vivid photographs of models and rock stars in Versace: from Prince to the members of British boy band Take That. Some outfits are more releaving than others, but they're all unmistakably Versace. Diana herself is also included in the book, along with a few words of praise for the designer. Tragically, Versace was murdered in the summer of 1997, but his spirit and influence live on. This book comes highly recommended. Drop it on your coffeetable, and your guests won't want to put it down.

A must have book for all Versace fans.

Having been born and raised on a cattle ranch(not in Texas however)there is so much to relate to in the Hank books, we have rattlesnakes too, and learn to look very carefully before reaching for anything lying around in the summertime. My 8 year old loves me to read the Hank books to him,(I do a real good Drover) soon we both become part of the story, and lose track of time. Even if you've never had a cowdog, or lived on a ranch, you'll love this book, but if you have,you'll be hooked for life on Hank the Cowdog! We are.

I would recommend Hank the Cow Dog Case of the Double Bumblebee Sting because it's funny. Hank thinks two bumblebees have bitten him but it ends up that it was a rattlesnake. His face swells up like a balloon. He says, "It weighs 250 pounds". Drover keeps on saying that it was a rattlesnake, but Hank will be Hank - stubborn as a donkey. Hank keeps on saying, "it was 2 bumblebees in that pipe". Drover just goes with the flow and says "OK". I recommend this book to you and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

This book is about a dog named Hank. Hank lives on a ranch, and is head of ranch security. Drover is another dog that live on the ranch. In this book Hank gets bit by a rattlesnake, but he thinks it's a bumble bee. Sally May his owner takes him to the vet to get a shot. In the end Hank finally get's better. I reccomend this because it's funny and thrilling to read.

he plays for us all. Sting's song is a haunting, beautifully composed melody from one of the most intelligent song-writers of contemporary times; beautifully if not always ideally complemented by Picasso's artwork. The marriage of poetry and art was slightly more successful in the case of Matisse and Leonard Cohen (Dance Me To The End of Love), and in the case of Cummings and Chagall (May I Feel? Said He), but it is still of a very high standard. Had I not already experienced the other two books, I would certainly have believed that this was the best of its type. The layout and font is as always, perfectly chosen, and the book is a great pleasure to look at, like all the books in this series. It is a must-buy by any standard, anyhow! A friend tells me that this is the song played in the film "Leon", so there's a film which I must watch in the future! I hope that everyone who enjoyed this book goes on to find the rest of the books in this sequence, and discovers what a really good combination of words and images can be like.

Okay, so Sting and Picasso didn't really collaborate together on this, but the combination of Sting's lovely lyrics and Picasso's abstract art results in an absolute treasure of a book. This beautiful book is a wonderful way to appreciate (or be introduced to) the work of two diverse artists. In this context, Sting's lyrics really demonstrate their worth as poetry.

Parents beware, however, that some of the art work contains some of Picasso's dark images and some nudity. It may not be something you leave on the coffee table, though it is a beautiful book.

The Art and Poetry Series is a great idea, well executed. I recommend picking up other titles in the series.

I bought this book for a friend of mine. It was a perfect mix of art and words. The Picasso's are perfect for the lyrics. I have a few of these books and they are nice for any art lvoer's collection.