Simon, by author Laura Sheerin Gaus, is a great selection for classroom teachers who are interested in combining historic events with exciting reading for their 9-12 year old students. The story is based on an actual event of the author's grandfather. While it provides the reader an enjoyable trip into the past as Simon comes to America in 1849, it has a completely different education value since the O'Shea family comes, not through Ellis Island, but New Orleans. Students will relate to Simon and the new and different life he finds in America. They, along with Simon, will discover the horrors of slavery, the challenges of living in a new world, the excitement of a new trade, and the difficult decision that Simon must make; a decision which will change his life and that of his family forever. As a fourth grade teacher I loved the book and feel it would serve as a wonderful reading tradebook for 4th, 5th, 6th, and even older students in the classroom. It's no surprise that as teachers discover this book, they are making it part of their classroom collection.

SIMON is a most enjoyable book that provided the topic for an interesting and spirited discussion among three generations in our family. It began with giving the book to our grandchildren for their birthdays and ended with the kids, their parents and grandparents spending a great deal of time together talking about Simon's decision and subsequent action, exchanging views on the subject and actually listening to each other. What an unexpected and joyous bonus to receive from what is already a really terrific book. Mrs. Gaus truly rates FIVE STARS for SIMON!

Simon was packed with intresting things to learn. Every page was a learning experiance and it had a lot of detail. Everybody I mean everybody should read this book. If you are tired of reading dumb books about boys and girls kissing, read Simon. If you don't like Simon you are a psycopath.You're missing out on so much.

"The Witches' Companion" is a very exhaustive encyclopedia of all the terms, characters, locations, and events in the Lives of the Mayfair Witches trilogy (The Witching Hour, Lasher, and Taltos). Everything's included in this mammoth 500+-paged book: maps, illustrations and photos, a Mayfair family tree, bits of Anne Rice information, a chronology of important dates, in-depth character biographies, European and American history--the list goes on.

If you're an Anne Rice fan--and especially if you enjoyed the Mayfair trilogy--, then I highly recommend this official reference guide to her popular witch series. It's definitely worth owning, since it answers every question you've ever had about this trilogy and then some.

Also recommended: Katherine Ramsland's "The Vampire Companion".

Unless you have an excellent photographic memory, you need this book. It straightens out and clarifies all of the family lineage, and gives you more background information on locations, people, and objects. It also gives some much needed info on the Talamasca, which is ever-present in Rice's novels. Buy this if you like reading the Mayfair trilogy.

These books are excellent.Anne Rice is a very believeable writer. The insight into the lives of Lasher and the other Mayfair Witches are spellbounding,I could not put the books down. If you would like to read a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat,and very hard to stop reading at bed time,read the Mayfair Witches chronicles. There needs to be more of them!

I really loved this book. It was my very first book I got. Of course I got it because my name is Angelina. When I was little I used to think the book was actually about me! I own the first publication of this book and noticed that in the original one I've got it says "Santa Clause" and in the new one that my little cousin has it says "Father Christmas". I don't understand the change. Although I still recommend this book for any little girl who loves to dance, or who's name is Angelina!

I came across Angelina's books a while ago. ...Great book, speaks to the kids for real

This series is really terrific. My 4 year old daughter loves them...very high quality and well written.

These days there are those worried about this question. As a devout Roman Catholic, let me state that Kurtz's Deryni novels answer this question in the affirmative.

Her heroes are obviously devout people of Faith and of high moral and ethical standards, willing to sacrifice their personal welfare to do the right thing. They prove the value of self sacrifice again and again. The use of scripture to head off chapters is a nice touch as well.

I highly recommend this novel for anyone tired of the same old Tolkien-derived elves and goblins in their fantasy.

While most people start with "Deryni Rising", this book is what brought me into the Deryni epic, about the legendary Saint Camber, appearing as a regular man. Or as close to that as a Deryni can get, actually.

This book has action, adventure, suspense, political intrigue, and sacrifice, the last often lacking in pulp fantasy. The system of magic is based on the Ceremonial Magic of Europe, and should also be familiar to the reader.

Gwyned is clearly a anglo/celtic/welsh country, a setting close to home to almost anyone who speaks English, so you are able to step right into the mindset of the characters. That makes it an easy read on it's own.

Katherine kurtz has always been my favourite athor. Her combination of the medieval world and her deryni characters is really weel detailed and researched. There is lots of character developement and conflict. Her ideas are original and full of ingenuity. Anyone who lies History and magic will love her books!

This book is great! I have already made 3 of the menus and it was incredible each time. The book tells you everything from what type of wine, how to set the table and most importantly, what you can make ahead and how to have everything ready at the same time. For once I was drinking wine with my husband, waiting for the guests instead of rushing around at the last minute. Did I mention the meals are incredible?

In "Entertaining 101," the authors present recipes for a whole meal: appetizer, wines, entree, and dessert, so you don't have to bother figuring out what goes with what! They are themed for the holidays, and turn out tasting delicious and looking great! I have very little cooking experience, but their directions are easy to follow and very clear. Also, their food is healthy and fat-conscious without being bland or boring. This book is fantastic!

This book is an entertainers dream come true. No more backbreaking work, no more sore feet, and above all, no more feeling like I'm going to fall asleep during the party. Why does entertaining have to be so exhausting? There is no need to spend 8 hours in the kitchen getting ready for your guests to spend 3 hours enjoying. Why not just spend one hour, and enjoy yourself? This is the book for you! The recipes are easy, quick and excellent. With 52 different menus to choose from, you're set for the entire year. I found myself wishing the summer away because some of the winter menus looked so great! Now all I need to do is figure out who to invite over and enjoy myself.

I loved the witty short stories in this book. They show a more thorough and less sentimental look at past relationships. Some stories were better than others, but one thing is certain: you will see yourself in more than just one of the stories. If you enjoy reading about relationships as much as I do, you'd love this!

I began reading this book with low expectations. A number of the contributors were unknown to me, nearly half of the stories have been published before elsewhere, and "failed love" seems like such a tired theme. But after reading a few stories (specifically, by the time I finished Maggie Estep's story) I was quite impressed. It's fascinating to read these stories in sequence, to perceive the similarities. No matter how different the setting, it seems there are certain elements of tone and mood that persist from one story to the next.

My favorites were the clever, evocative pieces by Junot Diaz, Susan Perabo, and the previously unknown-to-me Evany Thomas. The book contains quite a few other gems as well, in addition to just a few failures--notably Paulina Borsook's flabby story, which for some reason is allowed not only to run 20 pages but then to leave off in the middle, to be continued online at the publisher's web site.

The editor, also-unknown Blake Ferris (pseudonym?), has for the most part chosen excellent stories, but apparently neglected to copyedit them: the book is littered with typographical and layout errors, enough to bother even such a hardcore non-perfectionist as myself. Hopefully these will be corrected in a second printing.

But despite these shortcomings, the book's marvelous, emotional moments and revelatory humor make it well worth owning, reading, and rereading. I recommend it wholeheartedly.

I couldn't stop reading...what a delicious collection of stories! I am so tired of sappy writing about love, how refreshing it was to read these smart reflections. Erotic, hopeful, sad, beautiful, wistful, happy--all tumbled into a tangle of stories connected by a theme with a twist and the keen perceptions of this talented group of writers. I am left hungry for more...

We used A Family Haggadah at the last Passover Seder. The children found it easy to follow and understand. The adults liked the special commentaries and additional information. Everyone said it helped make the Seder special.

This Haggadah was so perfect for everyone in our very diverse congregation. It contains all the traditional elements, but allows those who don't understand the Hebrew, not only to follow along, but to understand and to participate. We had so much fun, and almost everyone said it was the best Seder they had ever attended.

A RIGHT TO LEFT version Haggadah. In green, red and black text. Includes mostly English readings and translations with some Hebrew for the most well known paragraphs (Avadim Hayeenu, blessings), and English transliterations for blessings. The English in non-sexist (gender neutral) and within the grasp of school age children. Certain passages are tagged with icons to note "songs", "plan ahead activities", and "for young children." It opens with a Seder checklist to make sure you have all the items for a good seder. The seder text follows. The Four Sons are Four CHILDREN. Children are prompted to tell the table how they would explain Passover to each of the four children. Dayenu is abbreviated and in English. Includes English Grace After Meals, Counting of the Omer, and an abbreviated Hallel. Includes Adir Hu, Echad Mi Yodea, Chad Gadya, A Fifth Cup for Israel, and Hatikva. Most of the readings are in English.

This story was nominated for the California Young Reader award last year, and I read it to my 6th graders who loved it. They were always anxious to hear the next chapter, and hated to see me put it down. It is a very heart warming story! I plan to read it again to my new class.

I am a teacher, and I research my own family history. I loved this book. Children who feel cut off from their past will relate to Tyler's uncovering of her own past, and any child (or adult!) will love the well-woven story of Tyler's determination, courage, and eventual compassion.

I liked this book because it kept my attention. I like to read about the Amish. This book is from the viewpoint of an outsider. It touched many different topics; it was not just a one-theme story. I recommend it to everyone who likes realistic fiction.

Beating Depression is that rare book that is both easily readable by anyone with interest in this area, and highly accurate from a clinical and research standpoint. It skillfully blends hope, advocacy, practical information, self-help techniques and resource lists into a succinct text. The information and recommendations it contains are based on solid research evidence and current best practices. It stands out as a valuable addition to the books that clinicians can confidently recommend to patients and their families. It is also a book that clinicians with responsibilities for setting policy in health systems can use to help educate a broad range of stakeholders about important aspects of depressive illness.

I have read this clear, practical book from cover to cover. Having been a physician for 22 years, and a psychiatrist for most of that, I have seen a multitude of books, both expert and popular, on mental health.
"Beating Depression" is in a class by itself.
First, the writers have a collective wealth of clinical, academic and research experience that informs their work. Content is current and authoritative. Second, "Beating Depression" is very clear and easy to read. It is well-organized and practical, --and obviously designed to help people and their families get the care they need for depression. I use it, and highly recommend it to friends, colleagues, and patients.

Dr Jackson-Triche has written one of the best consumer-oriented guide-books on depression. In plain and understandable writing, the usually difficult-to-understand clinical definitions of depression are made clear and understandable to a lay person, without "dumbing down".

Those who suffer from depression are treated with respect and caring, and are truly given hope along with solid and trustworthy information.

Having spent decades trying to accept and understand my own depression without shame and a hopelessness, this book has helped me become proactive in my treatment. The concepts unpacked in this book are now as familiar to me as they are to my doctors and therapists, and I can ask for help in an empowered way. This is the most hopeful news I can pass on to anyone who has suffered from depression.

Highly recommended!

Forrest combines history with suspense and comes up with an interesting and very readable instalment in the Kate Delafield Mystery series. An unpopular tenant is poisoned in a slightly seedy apartment block peopled by Hollywood employees of the forties and fifties. These eccentric and enchanting characters bring to life the era of McCarthyism and the House Un-American Committee, as well as nostalgia for the glamorous Hollywood of that time. Of course, lesbian detective fiction wouldn't be complete without romance, and Kate Delafield finds that in the Beverly Malibu. This novel has a strong story line and keeps you guessing until the last moment - I recommend it.

Owen Sinclair, a B-movie director is murdered in a hideous manner. This makes Kate Delafield think the murder was one of revenge. Through sleuthing, she finds that Sinclair was a "friendly witness" during the McCarthy witchhunt era. He spoke to HUAC (House un-American Activities Committee), which was the House arm of McCarthy's own Senate hearings. Hollywood was especially vulnerable at this time. Forrest skillfully weaves in information about that period through her characters but never allows it to overshadow the mystery. There are red herrings galore and Kate lets herself get emotionally involved with several of the people and there's even a romance in it for the lonely Kate who feels that she must protect the people she loves from the horrors of her job. She is also isolated because she is gay and must remain closeted to be able to do her job. The LAPD has a policy not unlike the military: Don't ask, don't tell. Every Delafield book reveals a new facet of Kate and this is no exception. If Forrest wrote mainstream detective mysteries rather than mysteries with a lesbian heroine, she would probably be as popular as P.D. James or Ellis Peters or Elizabeth Peters. It's unfortunate because all her mysteries are first-rate. As I said, the politics never get in the way of the story, although this book did introduce me to Scoundrel Time by Lillian Hellman, which I later bought.

This, along with Nightwood, is one of the best reads in the Delafield series. The murder plot and details are simple, as opposed to those in Apparition Alley or Liberty Square, and the story of the new relationship is unforgettable.