Thirteen-year-old Robert Stevens, known as Qwerty for the mistake he made in his third grade keyboarding class, unearths in his backyard a large mysterious wooden box that has the name Thomas Edison inscribed with gold lettering.

Qwerty and his best friend Joey who lives in West Orange, New Jersey in a community called Llewellyn Park bordering the mansion that Edison once lived in,locked themselves in his room to discover what was in the aged box. To their surprise, it was Thomas Edison's time Machine.

Unsure whether to give the machine to the authorities, sell it for millions, or take it to school to show off to their friends, the boys decided to find out how the time machine works before bringing it out of obscurity.

Qwerty hooked up the wires from the machine to his computer and with a touch of a button he was transported into Thomas Edison's workshop where he helped him develop the electric light bulb. Qwerty Stevens had no problem getting there. However, he needs his older sister, whom he hardly says more than one word to, to help him return home safely.

The author cleverly depicts Edison's story while adding circumstances that bring his character into the 21st century. In addition to the text, Gutman includes a "Truth and Lies" section in the back of the book with one recommendation "Read the story first!" Also included are black and white photographs of Edison's mansion and laboratory. In the far back of the book is the chronology of Thomas Edison. Younger children will also enjoy this book as a great read aloud. Living in the next town over from West Orange, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book because the author captured the authenticity of the town. Children everywhere will enjoy this book but I know it will be a big hit in New Jersey.

It started with his poetry when I was in high school. Imediately, I was spellbound. Then I found this collection of short stories. I cannot stop reading. I love every aspect of his "craft or sullen art." When I read his works, I feel a kind of longing and comfort. The stories in this collection were taken from books that were already published, and after reading these stories, I want to read everything Dylan Thomas ever wrote. When I see his picture, I sense a bond between him and I. I see the little boy, I see the young man; I know them. Dylan Thomas' type of writing is something all writers want to achieve. His words are completely private and honest. He is an imortal legacy.

In a tangle of purple thistles, a pair of shiny black eyes blink inquisitively. Then with a sharp chatter and a flash of cinnamon stripes they disappear. This book introduces young wildlife enthusiasts to many of the creatures that live in the wilds of North America. Knowledge of wildlife is carefully condensed to a few succulent facts that entice readers to become active observers. Characterictics, habitat and environmental concerns are briefly addressed, but the focus remans on idintification. Beautiful color photographs capture the creatures in their natural environment. At the back of the book is a section that gives pointers on successful wildlife watching and additional facts. It lists animals that typically share the same habitat, and suggest locations where these groups may be observed.

Sadly, Amazon didn't post the full title of this book, so anybody who does a search for Alexander Winton won't easily find this book. The full title is: "Famous but Forgotten: The Story of Alexander Winton, Automotive Pioneer and Insustrialist."

In short, this is a biography of one of America's first automakers, Alexander Winton. Winton built his first car in 1896 after reading about the Duryea brothers win in the Chicago race of 1895. In 1897 Winton took his car on an 800 mile endurance run from Cleveland to New York to prove its durability to the public. The run was so successful that the Winton Motor Carriage Company became the leading U.S. maker of automobiles during the late 1890s (It was overtaken by the Electric Vehicle Company in 1899).

The Winton Motor Carriage Company continued making automobiles until the early 1920s. At that point the company was absorbed into the General Motors monolith, and the Winton name died. The company still exists as a division of General Motors, but today it produces only marine diesel engines.

This is a good biography of a man who deserves to be recognized alongside other early industry leaders like Henry Ford, Ransom E. Olds, and Henry Leland.

I especially like the way this book has been organized. The layout is also quite colorful with borders around the text and illustrations.

The stories included in this book:

God Makes the World
Adam and Eve
Noah's Ark
Joseph's Dream
Joseph in Egypt
Moses in the Bulrushes
The Ten Plagues
The Crossing of the Red Sea
Samson and Delilah
David and Goliath
Solomon's Judgment
Daniel in the Lion's Den
Jonah and the Great Fish
The Birth of Jesus
The Wise Men's Visit
Jesus in the Temple
The Temptations in the Wilderness
The Wedding in Cana
Three Miracles
Jesus the Storyteller
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
Martha, Mary, and Lazarus
The Last Supper
The Crucifixion
The Resurrection

There is also a section of "Who's Who in the Bible.

These are rich stories that teach children great lessons, like how to choose between good and evil. Every child deserves to hear these wonderful stories. During my childhood, the Bible stories were some of my favorite stories of all time.

Each story has plenty of pictures. If you are reading to a younger child, they can look at the pictures on the left, while you read the story on the right.

Beautiful Illustrations!

This Gangster Novel set in the mystical town of Glory West Virginia has had more than it's fair share of grinding corruption and poverty during the Great Depression.On April of 1935,3 men were released from the Glory Jail boarding a train but returning to Glory to the bank.They were carrying a satchel filled with $25,352 and 32 cents.That was Blood money for the corrupt bosses of that time.With an array of both good and evil characters,makes this an extrordinary eerie suspense novel in the same tradition of Davis Grubb's prior novel"The Night of the Hunter" which both books were made into movies.The movie classic"Fools Parade"1971 starring Jimmy Stewart,a young Kurt Russell (at the time rarely seen in a non-disney film) and George Kennedy has unfortunately never been released on video in the U S(maybe someday .... might carry it!)hopefully it might be released in the not so distant future! Meanwhile,enjoy the book!!Finally,thumbs way up for the late,great Moundsville-Clarksburg, West Virginia author" Davis Grubb" who has entertained millions with his captivating novels!!Good Show!!

Wow- This is a great family book that is sure to become an hierloom! A strong charachter building collection of short stories that can be read at bedtime or during family home-evenings! If my children learn just part of what is covered, they will be richer for it!

I have even used a couple of these as discussion topics during motivational meeting in the office.

It MAKES YOU THINK!

Grandma would have wanted you to know all of this!

"who you are is more impotant than what you possess" - page 131

Glimmer Train features up and coming talented writers, and boy have they have one in Daniel Wallace. What a great writer. The folks at the Train have the ability to spot talent, so look for these authors elsewhere for other good reads. This is the new crop of the biggies. Especially Wallace. A++

This true story of a young Mississippi boy who gets to knowCharles Lindbergh is a fun gentle history. In the increasingly fastworld of the present, Lindbergh's revolutionary flights seem quaint and old-fashioned. This is a wonderful introduction to historical biography.

Talk about a versatile author! And laugh-out-loud funny, too. Teachers in grades 1-4 are going to love reading this one in classrooms. Gooney Bird is an endearing second-grader who has a lot of practical wisdom to dispense and is able to do it with verve and self-confidence (and while wearing a tutu!) Imagination really CAN change the tone of a classroom and this charming book will show everyone just how it does.