I laughed! I cried! I completely and totally LOVED this book! I couldn't put it down once I started it as it was so totally captivating.

Dan Dye is quite a talented author as well as a true animal lover. That combination (along with Gracie's story) made for such a wonderful read! I have known about the Three Dog Bakery for some time now but never knew the depth of their story. With Gracie at the helm I can see where they were destined for success from the word "go."

If you have ever loved someone or something (perhaps a dog?) then you will completely enjoy this book. It touched me so much so that my next dog will be named Gracie. Of course, my choice of breed of dog is a Chihuahua and my little Sassy is about the size of what Gracie's head must of been but the name would still be just perfect!

Thank you so much Dan for writing this book. Thank you so much Gracie for just being Gracie!

Norma Jean (and little Chihuahua dog Sassy!)

I just finished an amazing story about A white,albano dog named Gracie. Even though Gracie is deaf she still is an amazing animal. After being saved by a lonely guy named dan, she inspires him to start a bakery named Three Dog Bakery.

I laughed a lot throughout this book! It was very ffunny but at the end of this book, it can be very sad especialy if you have been with a dying dog in his or her last days. I really enjoyedreading this book this book because I am a dog lover, and this book was realy touching. So if you really want a great book, I recommend Amazing Gracie.

As a devout dog lover I couldn't pass on this one but little did I know how much I would be affected by this wonderful story of the Amazing Grace Dane. I laughed often and cried a lot. As I read, it was easy to imagine that Dan was in my living room telling me this story. The book is well written in an easy casual style and Dan's love for Grace is evident on every page. The illustations are adorable, the photos enchanting. And - don't we just love it when the good guys come out on top?

This wonderful picture book, including ten tired dinosaurs from prize-winning writer Jane Yolen and best-selling illustrator Mark Teague celebrates the funny, endearing book that most children will love for many years. I thought this book was great! My 3 year old cousin comes over every so often to spend the night, but has trouble sleeping someplace else other than his home. When I saw this book there was no contemplating buying it, since Justin (my cousin) adores dinosaurs. The pictures are fantastic and the story line is excellent. This book works great when were trying to put him to sleep. The dinosaurs are a good influence in showing children that dinosaurs also give their loved ones hugs and kisses before going to bed, and may even cry a little or throw themselves on the bed. I think a lot of children can relate to this book, and find it enjoyable, and like my cousin, can not wait until we get to read the book. This humorous bedtime story I'm sure will be a hit for anyone who has younger children.

This is one of those books that I love to give as gifts. It is great for preschoolers. My 4 children have lots of laughs and can all participate with the story. It's rhyming text makes it easy for the kids to join in. I would highly recommend this book as well as their book "HOW DOES A DINASOUR GET WELL SOON?"

This is a wonderful book. Every page has the name of the dinosaur somewhere within the bedroom. And they are also all pictured with the name below on the first and last pages of the book. It starts off with "How do dinosaurs say goodnight when (and it is papa the first half of the book and then mama) comes in to turn off the light?" The dinosaurs are in bed and are basically large children and how they either will or won't want to go to bed, i.e "fall on his covers and cry?" or "stomp hisfeet on the floor and shout I want to hear one book more." All actions that any person who has read a child a bedtime story can relate too. Every child that I know has this book and loves it. You can enjoy reading it for it is basically simple reading that a child learning to read can memorize and tell you the story. Or sometimes they will just make up new actions to go along with the beautifully illustrated pictures. And the whole time they can learn all the dinosaurs. I think that this is a must for every in house library. Any kid will love it!

This is the story of an American writer (the author of the book) who strikes up a friendship by mail with a bookseller in England. The entire book is a series of unedited and un-commented-on letters exchanged between Hanff and the Marks & Co. booksellers at 84 Charing Cross Road. Her primary pen pal is a man named Frank Doel, with whom she shares a love of old books. [Perhaps this is the point where I should say that I flatly disagree, without reservation, with the previous reviewers who believe there was a potential romantic attachment between the two of them.]

The correspondence runs from 1949 until 1969, during which time Helene and the people at 84 Charing Cross Road exchange Christmas gifts and news of their families, but never meet. At least in the early years of the correspondence, almost every year Ms. Hanff states her intention to come over to visit England, but something always comes up to prevent the trip.

In 1969, one of Hanff's letters to Frank Doel is answered by another member of the firm, informing her that Frank Doel has died.

This is a beautiful book, which can be read in 45 minutes. I suppose every reader will take his or her own lessons from the book, but here is mine: If there is something you really want to do in your life, then DO IT when the opportunity arises. Time is finite. If you keep saying, "Maybe next year," there will eventually come a time when there IS no next year. It is a painful tragedy that Helene Hanff never got to England to meet Frank Doer and the other people at Marks & Company, and that poignant sadness is what stayed with me after I had closed the book.

This charming little book is a collection of letters between New York author Helene Hanff and London bookseller Frank Doel. In the course of 20 years from Hanff's first book order from Marks & Co,, till Doel's death in 1969 they connected through the mail they exchanged and built a wonderful relationship. While Hanff became friends with Doel's family and his co-workers at the bookstore, what the two had was something special, revolving around their love of literature. Despite plans to do so, the two never met as Hanff didn't make it to London until after Doel's death and the publication of the letters. This book beautifully demonstrates the power of correspondence and how two people can connect, solely by the written word.

Heartwarming, funny, sad, all rolled in one. I went on to read other books by Hanff where she describes her trips to London. After reading her books, I too went on a pilgrimage to 84, Charing Cross Road.

I must admit I saw the movie first. Very literary unique and bitter-sweet true story which touch my soul. I found the book and it is even better with detailed description and sincerity. I particularly enjoyed reading the letter-format of it. It is so warm hearted and just like reading letters from friends. In fact I even felt a little guilty as if I am reading other people's private letters... This excellent book shines in drawing out the cultural and social differences between London and New York during the period of Frank and Helene letters correspondence. 84 Charing Cross Road changed their lives.They developed special friendship,an unspoken love and care for each other without even seeing each other.This is truly amazing! I think "84 Charing Cross Road" is one of the best book I had read. Easy to read, great story line,literary educational and most importantly touches my heart and soul.

A friend recommended Francine Rivers' "Mark of the Lion" series to me, and I am so grateful!! I love to read, but it is not often that my life is enriched by a work of fiction. From the very first book I found myself not only engaged, but challenged. Rivers begins by challenging her readers to a life committed to sharing the gospel and living Christ's love, through her main character, Hadassah. The second book takes an honest and powerful look at forgiveness, as God would have us forgive and love those who have hurt us most deeply. Finally, "As Sure As the Dawn" takes us into the heart and mind of an unbeliever who is chained by his anger. As I read of God's work in this man's life, I felt I was seeing an eye-opening perspective of my own life. Each book became so personal to me. The writing and research into each book is absolutely incredible. As a person with degree in English literature, it is so nice to read a book that I don't find myself editing as I read it!! I am certainly a new fan of Francine Rivers, and look forward to reading the rest of her work!

Francine Rivers has written a masterpiece with The Mark of the Lion series. Having worked in a library for several years I have come across many interesting books, but none of them compare to these.
The research that had to be done to write such series must have been great, but it is Francine Rivers' talent as a writer that makes this series truely great. She has made her characters come to life, and one can almost see them while reading. Each character helps to weave an amazing story; one that is historically acurate, but that can also apply to life today. I even learned some lessons by reading about the struggles experienced by Hadassah (a young Jewish slave), Marcus (a Roman who thinks like an epicurean for part of the series), and Julia (Hadassah's rich young mistress). I was also thrilled that Rivers continued the Atretes (gladiator/slave) portion of the story because she took us outside of Rome and the other cities, and to Germania and the culture that existed there.
If you haven't read this series - do. There isn't one out there I would recommend more.

Easily, the best series of books I have read in a very long time. The characters are wonderful, rich and believable. After the first chapter, which is very slow and hard to get through, the book picks up its pace and carries you along through an inspired storyline that refuses to be put aside and when I was finished I wished for more about the lives of the characters that I grew to care so much for. These books changed my perspective on life and touched my heart in way no other form of reading ever has! My wife started reading them first and was dying to talk to me as I was a book behind her. You cannot help but want to discuss what is going on as the characters develop. My wife and I have even decided to name our first daughter after the main character, Hadassah. The books are that good! Read these books, you don't want to miss out.

Let me set the record straight.

"A Voice in the Wind" is Christianity. It is history. It is romance. It is action. It is about people, and how they are interacting in arena of Ancient Rome. It displays all kinds of people. It brings out the best traits known to mankind and the worst traits known to mankind.

"Voice" is centered around two different stories: that of Hadassah, the Hebrew/Christian girl sold into slavery, and her masters, the Valerian family- stern but fair Decimus and gentle, loving Phoebe; and their children, Marcus, whose feelings for Hadassah run high over, and Julia, the girl who Hadassah serves, whose only care in life is for her own pleasure.
The second is that of Atretes, German warrior-turned-Roman gladiator. All brawn and beauty....but also vulernability and anger. The object of Julia Valerian's affections. Draw your own conclusions.

Francine Rivers is a masterful story teller, and the way she draws you into this book is amazing. It is life changing. Literally.

You love some characters- Hadassah [the obvious!] and even the vulernable Atretes and the lustful Julia. You also hate some- Caius Urbanus, Calabah Fontaine; and feel pity for some, such as Arria and Octavia, God help her.

In short, this is one of the best books of the decade...no, century...no...how about millennium!!!!!! You will be supporting one of the most talented authors on the planet by purchasing "A Voice in the Wind" and its magnificent follow-ups, "An Echo in the Darkness" and "As Sure as the Dawn".

God Bless!

A Voice in the Wind, by Francine Rivers, is a fascinating tale of true love set in ancient Rome. Far from being a sappy love story, A Voice in the Wind combines action, mystery, romance, and history to form a magnificent novel you won't be able to put down. Rivers uses her excellent skills as an author to create an intriguing and thought-provoking novel written from a Christian perspective.
The protagonist, Hadassah, is a young Jewish girl captured in Jerusalem and forced into slavery. Purchased by a wealthy and affluent family in Rome, Hadassah begins her life-changing adventures. Hadassah's love for God and the joy she finds in serving others emanate from her and impact all those who meet her. One such person is Atretes, another main character. Captured and taken from his tribe in Germania, Atretes is forced to be a gladiator. He soon learns the tricks of the trade and goes on to become the premiere gladiator in all of Rome.
One of the wonderful aspects of this book is its characterization. The characters in A Voice in the Wind are anything but flat characters and Rivers portrays them exquisitely and realistically. Though Hadassah is the heroine, she still comes across as a plausible person with real struggles. The reader feels as if he or she can truly relate to the characters and that they are actual people.
Though A Voice in the Wind contains some characteristics of escape fiction, it is creative and original. Although not interpretive, the novel is full of meaning and expression. One theme in particular is portrayed throughout the book: Serve God, love others, and your joy will be complete.
A Voice in the Wind is perhaps the most enjoyable book I have ever read. Characters such as Hadassah and Atretes and the glamour of ancient Rome will captivate you and each page you turn will be a new adventure. Meaningful and thought provoking, A Voice in the Wind is also fascinating from cover to cover and I highly recommend reading it.

The year is 70 AD. Hadassah has been captured at the fall of Jerusalem. Taken to Rome, she is bought to serve the Valerian family. The Valerians are having their own problems. Decimus, the father, is very traditional, yet his children, Marcus and Julia, embrace all the decadence Rome has to offer. Hadassah wants to share her faith in Jesus the Messiah with this family, but she cannot find the courage to do so. Meanwhile, Atretes has been captured in Germany and taken to Rome as a gladiator. As their lives intertwine, they will all face problems that will challenge who they are and what they believe.

I just read this book for the first time, and can't believe I waited so long to do so. This is an amazing novel. The characters are strong, the writing is crisp, the plots are remarkable, and the detail given to ancient Rome makes it come alive. Every time I picked up this novel, I was drawn into its world and had a hard time putting it down.

This was my introduction to the books of Francine Rivers, but by no means will this be my last. I am looking forward to finishing this series and exploring her other novels. She is truly a gifted author.

This was an awesome book. I liked it a lot almost as much as the others. it was multi-authored and had a good approach to teenagers. It had so many interesting fun stories in it that it was easy and fun to read. One of those books that I just couldn't resist to not put it down. It was seperated into catagories like love, friendship, and so on. It also contained many poems and interesting cartoons. Change for a dollar was one i really liked, but you'll just have ot read that one for yourself. Also a really sad story that made me do a lot of after-reading thinking was It happened to me. The cartoons in this one were funny I enjoyed them a lot. a really cute story for me was starlight, starbright. it was about a girl who always used her sisters everything she looked up to her for everything, this is something a lot of my friends could relate to. One thing she was good at was taking her sisters stuff. When her older siter would bring guys over she would have a lot of fun day dreaming about the hot boys. whick ones were popular and of course the fact they didn't know she exhisted until one night while siting on her porch a guy she had liked for a long time came up to her and they got to talking they saw a shooting star and he told her to make a wish. She did and at the end of the night it did come true. I'll let you find the end to that one yourself. I recomend this book to all teenagers. it really relates to life and it just might let you learn a lesson without makeing the mistake yourself.

Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul was a great book. It is filled with true stories (101 to be exact) and poems about teenagers, the troubles they faced, and how they got through them. It is truly an inspiration when you read it. This book speaks directly to teenagers and really makes the teenage reader feel like they are not the only one who feels certain ways. This book has stories about all different topics. It talks about relationships, friendships,love and kindness, family, tough stuff, learning lessons, making a difference and growing up. It touches on all different aspects of each of these topics. In one specific story, called Change for a Dollar, a boy who is slower than most kids his age is in line trying to get a dollar to go in the pop machine. He is having lots of trouble and soon everyone starts laughing at him. Then out of nowhere a girl from the popular table gets up and goes over to the pop machine. She tells him that they are sometimes hard to work and then gives him change for a dollar. This story was moving to me because it shows that you don't always have to do what everyone else expects you to do. That is just one example of a typical story in the book. I really like that one because it is something that happens everyday of my life. Kids are always making fun of other kids, and the book gives you inspiration to change that and do something about it. Many of the stories are not about everyday events though, some deal with people who have diseases or are close to someone who is dying. These types of stories can really help out someone who may be in the same situation. They may feel like they are the only person in the world who knows how it feels, but when the read Chicken Soup, they realize that other people have gone through the same things and gotten through it alright. This book is one that you can read over and over again. You do not have to read it front to cover and you can skip around or read only about topics you are interested in. You can go back and read your favorite ones over again. If you are ever feeling blue, you can just pick up Chicken Soup and I guarentee it will lift your spirits. The stories in it are so uplifting and just make you feel good. I found that once I started reading Chicken Soup, I could not put it down. Each story makes you feel so good that you just wanna keep reading. It lets you know that what we are all going through and feeling the same types of things. It makes you feel good to know that you are not alone. I think this book acts more as a friend than anything else. It is always there to comfort you and give you hope for a better future. I would definitely recommend this to all teenagers. Even if you aren't dying of cancer, there are stories in here that can relate to every teenager. And the greatest part is that the book is made up of stories written by teenagers themselves so it definitely relates to them. This book overall just gives you a positive feeling when you are done.

Chicken Soup for the Teenage soul II is a book in which different people enter stories about their life. They would enter a story from their life, which has to do with Relationships, Friendship, Love, Kindness, Tough Stuff, Family, Learning Lessons, Making a Difference, and Growing Up. People would send in stories on those topics because those are the topics that are in the book. The stories in this book are very helpful too!
This book is for both teenager's boys and girls. I could definitely say that this is my favorite book. The next book I am going to read is the first Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul. I can't wait to get started! I hope my review encouraged you to read this book!

These three books are among the best books i have ever read in my entire life, granted i am only seventeen, but reading has always been one of my passions. The Dark Tower series grabs you and doesnt let go. Obsessive would be the only adequate word to describe how i feel about the books when i am reading them- and i have read each one at least twice, the first one even three times! No matter who you are and what is going on in your life each reader can feel a connection with the characters. Thats part of what makes the books so enthralling- we see ourselves as Roland pushing forward no matter what or Eddie Dean overcoming the unthinkable and finally learning to accept himself. I dont care what types of books you read- these books are for everybody and anybody. If you are looking for truely good books that will keep you yearning for more then look no further. King throws the plot around so often youll be thinking about it every waking moment of the day. My only gripe is that King doesnt come out with them often enough- i need more!

Stephen King may not be the most profound writer of our time, but I believe this series of books will be the ones that he is remembered for. He takes us on a journy with the last Gunslinger, Roland of Gilead, who is in search for the Dark Tower. The Dark Tower is the center of time and space...mayber even a doorway to other worlds. Roland has plowed West across Mid-World in search for the Dark Tower, set on saving his dying land. Will Roland ever find the fabled Dark Tower? We all hope so as we journy with him and his ka-tet. Another great thing about this series is how King has started to tie in his other novels with Roland's world. This a must read for any King fan... and even the people that don't like King. JUST GET IT.

I'd give this series 10 stars if I could. The Dark Tower story line is incredibly complex. The characters, Roland, Eddie, Jake, etc. are so complex and brilliantly described that they feel like people you know. Stephen King is the ultimate master at creating and molding characters. The Dark Tower books change the way that I look at the universe. The Dark Tower and what it holds is incredibly complex and simple at the same time. Life. Imagine this, that we took a trip out into space, passing the planets of our solar system and eventually emerging out of the Milky way. eventually we come to a boundary where our universe ends. We break throught this boundary and realize that our universe is nothing but an atom in a single blade of grass, which belongs to another universe entirely. And when things start going wrong, it is simply because the blade of grass is drying up.

This explains what the universe is like in "The Dark Tower." Read these books. You will be amazed.

"Go then, There are other worlds than these."

"Chicken Soup for the Tenage Soul" by Wack Canifeld, Mark Victor Hansen, and Kimberly Kirberger is a great book that I highly recommend! It is a non-fiction poetry book. It is a bunch of short true stories or poems written by teenagers. There are also a few stories written by well-known people such as Bill Cosby, Jennie Garth, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and many more! I feel like it is very easy to relate to some stories and I am sure that other teenagers feel the same way. There are a variety of stories so it is kind of hard not to fing at least one that you can't relate to a little bit! The authors of "Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul" have also written many other "Chicken Soup" books that have also been excellent. These authors are the number one New York Times best selling authors. I thought that this book was exceelent and a very good idea. I personally really enjoyed reading the stories about other people's worries, problems, and achievements. It made me realize that there are many other teens out there just like me. It really made me take a reality check! I dont think that this book had any negative points! I loved it and I bet you will too!!

This book made me laugh and cry. I enjoyed it to the fullest extent possible. It means a lot to me, and says so much about the difficult stage of teenage life. I think on my next trip to the bookstore I'll pick up another book in the series! It was just that good. Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul is a book I will always refer to and cherish. A precious keepsake to treasure forever. This is a definite recommendation to all my friends. This book has helped me through a difficult time in my life, the death of my Mom. Reading the chapter "Tough Stuff" helped me to deal with this and realize I wasn't alone. This is definitely a book you can relate too! I love to read books, especially fantasy - but these real life stories topped them all! I can't wait until " A Second Helping" comes out, I hope to be the first to buy it! The experience of Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul will stay with me all my life

Here is counsel, comfort, inspiration, and encouragement at it's best. This thoughtful collection of 101 stories of life, love, and learning will touch each reader and evoke a full range of emotion. There will be laughter at many of life's ironies and tears shed at the less fortunate. To help deal with doubt, grow through self-discipline and fully appreciate the joy of accomplishment. Filled with timeless wisdom, and practical counsel this is a book you will want to read and refer to again and again. If you're a teen who doesn't know where to turn, turn to the inspiration in these pages. Cook up a batch of Chicken Soup and it will offer warmth, comfort, and healing. Read Chicken Soup For The Soul and you'll get the same.

Scott McCloud does a fantastic job explaining the history, potential, and inner workings of comics as a medium. I was especially impressed with his concise descriptions of visual theory and its particular applications to comics. Occasionally I felt that McCloud's treatment of a topic could have been more fleshed-out (the chapter on color, for example, or his concluding idea of comics as a particularly good form of communication) or that he made some unnecessary generalizations (his definition of art was a bit trite and even misleading). On the whole, though, McCloud's ideas are sophisticated and he is able to communicate them with surprising eloquence to both the art historian and the general public. In fact, though I am an art historian, I learned a good deal from this book.

McCloud's decision to use the comic format to present his ideas is ingenious, and I doubt that prose alone would have been able to deliver his messages with such clarity. The one drawback to the format is that I fear it will only appeal to those who already value comics, and that as a result those who most need to hear what McCloud has to say never will!

A very unusual book from McCloud, the writer/artist of the comic Zot! In fact, I'm amazed that McCloud doesn't have a more extensive bibliography, given the wealth of information and insight presented in this volume. Succinctly, this book explains how comics work. Not how they are made, per se, but why the sequential images of a comic are an art form different from books or TV. And McCloud accomplishes this using the very medium he is examining.

I'm a comics fan that stopped buying them because they were putting me in the poor house. McCloud here explained to me how I was initially sucked in by the medium and why I kept reading some of the "worst" examples even while my artistic tastes were changing in other media. While I doubt that I could recreate the same Glen Cox who once wrote letters to comics, I can now reconcile myself with the Glen who still enjoys Howard the Duck and Cerebus (not to mention Zot!).

My friend Phil Yeh has been on a literacy campaign for over five years now, and he gives the following reason for why he dedicated himself to it. He said that he saw the literacy figures for America, and the downward trend, and realized that he was losing more and more of his audience. He felt that the American disdain for comics was missing the point--children who read comics are still reading. Although McCloud makes a strong case for the comic being different from prose, I don't think that he would disagree. And, if the interplay between words and pictures keeps a child reading, what is wrong with that?

Scott McCloud's "Understanding Comics," a creation that sits roughly between comic book and historical literary criticism, is an indispensable work for anyone interested in studying funnybooks seriously. Along with Will Eisner's seminal works on the subject (which I have not read all the way through), "Understanding Comics" uses the graphic-text art form to dissect one of the most rapidly growing trends in both art and literature. In an accessible, readable style, McCloud takes the reader through the history of comics, the definition of comics as a sequential art form involving symbols, and examines several major trends in modern comic-dom.

While there's plenty here for both the casual reader and someone interested in more scholarly study. While it's more of an introduction than an in-depth exploration of comic study, McCloud provides enough resources for someone to continue study on his or her own, and enough seeds to begin sprouting ideas about the funnybooks. Occasionally, he misses the mark - his definition of art, for example, is a little broad - and "Understanding Comics" isn't nearly as well-cited as it could be, but these are easily overlooked flaws.

Especially beneficial is his comparison of Japanese Manga comics with traditional American graphic storytelling, because the two are basically the same medium but evolved almost entirely independent of each other, until the last 15 years or so. I wouldn't recommend it for the Sailor Moon fans, but those that enjoy anime and Manga will find much useful information here, in particular the comparisons between the two comic forms (not so much in any actual study of Manga in and of itself).

I highly recommend "Understanding Comics" to anyone who wants to - well - understand comics. Whether you are interested in the ways Alan Moore tells a story, or want to deconstruct the use of movement in Dave McKean's artwork, or you want to learn why Spiegelman chose certain symbols and styles in his work, "Understanding Comics" gives the reader an excellent springboard to further study.

Final Grade: A-