After watching a violinist on TV, Mole decides to improve his life by learning to make his own music. He sends away for a violin and through perserverence he learns to make his violin sing. The TV he used to watch every night grows cobwebs as he polishes his skills. While he fiddles away, he imagines that his music would entertain and move people, while improving their lives. Unbeknownst to him, there IS a whole other story taking place above ground, where his music does indeed make the world a better place. I love this book! It's message of the power of one active person to change his/her world for the better is inspiring to children and adults alike. My 7 year old nephew got the message on the first reading, and finds new things to love about it each time he reads it....and he reads and rereads it every chance he gets!

In the past 2 months, we've bought about 100 children's books, increasing our selection for toddlers to over 250 and out of all of those, together with those I've read from other sources, I would rate this as one of the best, especially for our 28-month-old son who has a special love for music and dance (yes, I think all-around, it's even better than Gustav Mole). The values in this book (including hard work, practice, humility and peace) are outstanding without being heavy-handed or even obvious, making it a great book for all young children. The story and illustrations are sweet and charming.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank David McPhail's parents for having a child who grew to write this book. MOLE MUSIC will surely be a classic, loved by future generations of creative dreamers. Seldom does such a simple story resonate so deeply. It takes a great talent to wield so few words to mean so much.

When Mole sees a violinist on television he is so touched by the music he wants to make beautiful music of his very own, so he orders a violin for himself. When it arrives he can only cajole it to make horrid, screeching sounds. But Mole, the industrious, kind-hearted and hard worker that he is continues to practice (and practic and practice). After many years his music is even more lovely than the violinist he saw so long ago. Dear, dear Mole wishes he could change the world with his music--and Mr. McPhail shows the change that occured because of Mole's efforts strictly through the art. I won't give it away, but it is a great change indeed, and all the more touching because Mole played his music not for fame, but for the love of the music itself and a desire to share beauty with the world.

The words and art blend seamlessly together, one never overshadowing the other. This book is as a bright star in the world of Children's literature. I can only imagine that Mr. McPhail himself is like Mole--for who else could write a book like this? It's a visual song from the heart that could possibly change the world by inspiring young children to create some lovliness of their own. Thank you David McPhail--and thanks to your parents too.

I enjoyed this book because it was fun to understand a little about what the people I know from the seris went through as a person my age.

Breakaway is such a good book. I am ten years old and I don't like soccer, but I was really into the book. I felt like I was Luke. The book was well written. Breakaway even made me feel like I wanted to play soccer. Thank you, Ms. Little, for writing this book. I enjoyed it very much.

I believe that this was a very good book because I like to learn about my favorite charater, Deanna Troi. She learned a very important lesson about aliens. I am only 12, but I know a good book when I see one. -Elizabeth Keeler

This is a fantastic book! My six and three year old children are already on their second copy - we wore out the first! Both of my daughters love to read it - actually sing it - over, and over, and over. They're fascinated by the pictures as well.

Of course, once they learned to sing the song, it was so easy to introduce them to the music of Louis Armstrong. This book was the perfect bridge. Now my six year old asks me to play "Lewis" for her when we're in the car.

I first saw this book being read/sung to the children in my preschooler's class. I purchased the book for my son and to my amazement,my 1 year old LOVED it as well. The illustrations are bright and captures my baby's attention, he'll sit and "read" the book for minutes! Now, whenever my kids are starting to "meltdown" all I have to do is start singing the song and they both immediately search out this book!

The lyrics to the song, "What a Wonderful World" by David Weiss and Bob Thiele come to life as Ashley Bryan imagines a wonderful world and creates this image in the form of a puppet show. Through the puppet show and the bright colorful illustrations the young audience is captured and can easily relate. It is a great book for young children! It is a book of hope for children and the world!

Note to teachers: This book is great for teaching diversity. Use the book and set it to the music of Louis Armstrong. The children will love it and adults will be moved. Let your children create props for their own puppet show or let children illustrate the book and put together for a class book. Then use Louis Armstrong's music again with the children's class book.

"Reluctant Return" by David Weiss presents the intricate emotional landscape of a Holocaust survivor compelled by the sincerity and heart of a new Christian sect to return to his Austrian hometown of Wiener Neustadt on a mission of reconciliation. Ichthyus, a new Christian sect devoted to repairing the deep wounds caused by Christian anti-Judaism and anti-semitism, begins from the dreams and visions of a minister's wife, Uli Eiwen, who feels led by God to uncover the truth of 1000 years of Jew-hatred in her hometown, and to work to forge a reconciliation. Uli's visionary experiences lead her to the belief that God has abandoned Christianity because of two thousand years of Christian anti-Judaism. Recognizing her God as the God of the Jews, she feels that God's covenant with Abraham speaks directly about Christians in particular in the statement, "your enemies shall be my enemies." She convinces her husband, Helmuth, of the power of her beliefs after a chilling vision of the Nazi swastika during a mass he leads drives her from church screaming. He discovers the horrible history of Lutheran complicity with the SS in his hometown, resigns his ministry, and starts Ichthyus. Weiss and other Jews from Wiener Neustadt are convinced to return by the simplicity and honesty of the Eiwens, much to their own surprise. Weiss's mapping of the intricate and complex emotions he feels during his return has much to say about the destructiveness of prejudice and hatred, and the difficulty and beauty of forgiveness. Weiss writes with a pained lyricism in this profoundly moving book. I have used this recently in a course on religious autobiography (college level), and it has been a powerful source of knowledge and reflection for my students. Very highly recommended.

This is an astonishing work -- deeply revealing, personal, and yet universal in its message. David Weiss uses language with precision, describing complex emotions and internal conflicts with grace and originality. This book, regardless of our associations to the Holocaust, is one that we can all learn from. It reminds us that each human being must be judged as an individual, even when circumstances make it difficult for us to do so. For those of us who search within to overcome old biases and hatred, this book can be an epiphany. For any thoughtful person, it can illuminate a black period in history and inform our responses to it.

David Weiss opened his heart and soul with "Reluctant Return" and I was drawn into his life and experience so deeply that I finished the book in one sitting (with a dinner break). We all have our ghosts and parts of our past we have buried or refuse to acknowledge and we live our lives fully, successfully and quite happily. David Weiss lived like that until he was forced to take another look at his feelings about Austrians and growing up in antisemitic Austria. He shares his own survival experiences during the 1930-45 period and his feelings about pre- and postwar Germany, Germans, Austria and Austrians. He points out that Germany and many German people have openly acknowledged their role in the holocaust whereas Austria and the Austrian people are barely beginning this process. He describes his experiences and deepest feelings when he is returned to the town of his youth. Then how he shared his life and these feelings with groups of Austrian school children whose history books have deliberately omitted their country's role in the holocaust. The children start to realize and accept that their elders committed terrible crimes against other humans whose only error was to try to live peacefully in this small town in Austria.

If this book were published by a BIG NAME publisher, it would be an instant best seller. I believe that "Reluctant Return" will take a path similar to "Under the Tuscan Sun" and "The Perfect Storm" and grow to be a classic.

As a teenager, I can relate to almost all of the fiction in this book. Every story provides at least one bit of comedy. I recommend this book to anyone purchasing a gift for a teenager.

Do you know a teen who would like to be a writer? Or do you have ambitions to write? I highly recommend this book for both groups, as well as for young adults who just love short story collections. The first story about a high school fencer, by Jerry Lubar, was my favorite. It appeals to that part in all of us that loves to root for the underdog, and see him come out on top. It's also delightfully funny! It reminded me very much of Chris Crutcher's writing. Not all of the stories are as strong as Lubar's, but I love the collection anyway. Each story is prefaced by a note from the author, telling what inspired the author to write THIS particular story. It helps budding authors to see where writers get their ideas and, perhaps more interesting, WHY they get their ideas. It also shows the aspiring writer that there are many different ways to tell a story - whether in a straight forward format (most of the stories), a prose poem interview (Mel Glenn's Kids in the Mall), or an unconventional nursery rhyme (John Scieszka's Thirteen Diddles). The prefaces also allow the reader to see the authors as real live once-upon-a-teen people, who just happened to grow up and make their living by writing. A word of warning, however - THIS IS NOT, as a previous reviewer said, a book for the Harry Potter lover. I love the Rowling books, but this is not designed to serve the reader in the same way. Don't buy it thinking that it is similar in any way to the Potter books. Do buy it if you are intrigued by the process of writing, if you like short stories, or if you enjoy learning about how authors work their magic on readers.

Thirteen authors of books aimed at adolescents contributed a story based on a true event in their lives when they were in school or, as in one case, observing students as an adult. The tales center on showing how the writers get an idea for a story based on an experience even if that incident(s) is turned into something supernatural or science fiction in nature.

The well-written stories are clearly designed for the younger reader. This collection would make a wonderful follow-up to fans of Harry Potter (the most influential books in many years by virtue of bringing literature to youngsters). This anthology provides a writer's focus within interesting stories to that same Potter age group. Along with the Weiss' previous book (see the award winning FROM ONE EXPERIENCE TO ANOTHER), young readers will gain another perspective on the non-programming written word.

I loved this book it is an awesome book. It is the best book i havent read in my life. If u like all that stuf of stoping time and making fun of people while u are moving and their not. I think this is a book for all ages not only for 9-12. I think that teenagers and adultst also have a good imagination and they like to have fun with things that are crazy or almost imposible to do. U will have a grate time reading this novel. I suggest that when u finish reading it see the movie. It would be fun because u will see what u imagine while u where reading the book. Dont think it anymore AND BUY IT.

Have FUN.

If you like movies and books like The time machine and Back to the future then I have one thing to say to you............. GET THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!It is full of adventure,love,danger,and excitement. I had a great time reading it and so will you.

When Sabrina catches a twenty-four hour virus called Spellfluenza, her powers transfer to the nearest mortal - Libby, Westbridge High's richest and snobbiest person! When Libby realizes her magical powers, she wants nothing less than global domination. Therefore, she makes a plan to steal the powers of Drell, head of the Witches' Council. Once done, Sabrina, her aunts, Salem, and a now mortal Drell must pass three tests or the universe will become one big shopping mall dedicated to Libby!

[5 stars]I was enchanted immediately! I found myself giggling aloud at some points and committing unladylike LOUD laughter at others! Don't miss out on this one!

I loved this book! It had a fabulous plot. The witch virus Sabrina catches, spellfluenza, is defined very originally. This is a wonderful book to add to the series. I recommend this book to anyone who likes Sabrina or witchcraft and magic. This is a very well-thought book. Kudos to the authors!! In the book, Sabrina gets a nasty witch virus known as spellfluenza. When Sabrina sneezes at someone, she loses her powers to them. At first, Sabrina sneezes in pairs, but then, Libby gets in the way of one sneeze. Sabrina tries to stop Libby, knowing that Libby will find out she has powers sooner or later and who knows what she'll do with them? Can Sabrina, a mere mortal, outsmart Libby, the witch??? Read the book and find out!!!!!

I read this book two times, cause it was so good! Sabrina gets a serious case of spellfluenza, and she sneezes her powers into Libby! Well, Libby also gets Drell's powers, and now Sabrina, Hilda, Zelda, Salem and Drell have to complete three tasks in Libby's infinite shopping mall (In the Other Realm) to get to meet her and get her powers back! I recomend this book for everyone! IT'S GREAT!

Being a beginner at Cold Fusion, this book was a life saver as I began to build dynamic intranet applications. After familiarizing myself with the background to database connectivity using ODBC, I was able to jump into the meat of the book -- developing database driven apps quickly and effeciently. I have found the tag and functions index in the book to be a true friend on several occasions.

I highly recommend the book to anyone who wants to learn Cold Fusion Programming. It is a great stand alone resource -- and even better if used in conjunction with the manuals supplied by Allaire with the purchased product.

I'm not a progammer, but a Project Manager with NO programming training, so I needed major help in learning how to write SQL scripts. The first day I got Ben's first book, it paid for itself!

Thanks to his ability to clearly communicate, with solid sampling, I am now proficient in developing dynamically generated web sites.

Ben's books are by far, the best on the market!

This book was fantastic. Sure there are the few editing errors common with computer books. I knew NOTHING about Cold Fusion or database connectivity to the web before I got this and now I've written a dozen or so Cold Fusion applications for the UPS intranet. An EXCELLENT resource for beginners and professionals with a tag index for quick referencing. A chapter on SQL also for those who don't know it. It will teach you everything you need to know to get your application online and running. Great Great Great!

To start with Sabrina is told by her aunts [Hilda and Zelda] that she is a witch! Surley not, Sabrina thinks that they are just playing a trick on her so packs her bags ready for school. within one lesson Sabrina has already made friends and enemies. Theres Harvey who she has not realy spoken to yet becouse Libby quickly snatched him away, and Jenny who was the new girl last year. Sabrina finally believes that she is a witch when she wishes dead frogs back to life in Biology and it happens!!! Sabrina faces many chalengies through the book ,which make it interesting but parts of it , like the Rudy Kazootie episode got a bit boring. I liked the book and would recomend it to people aged nine to fourteen .

I loved this book! Hilda and Zelda have to tell Sabrina that she is a witch! (And she does not beleve them at first!) Then she starts doing magic when she does not really want to. Very funny. It's good.

I really loved the book, it was awesome!!!!! I loved the man dough part! I also liked when Sabrina babysits the little boy and turns him into a full grown man!!!! I also found the start very interesting when Sabrina finds out she's a witch and her cat, Salem, talks!!!!! I have to give it to ya author(s), you really caught my eye on that book!!!!!!!!! Thanx for the great interest and keep writing!!

Karli McKinnon age 10

For those who love Key West, this book will confirm that affection. It will also offer insight into what it's like for those who arrive, fall in love with Key West, and decide to stay. The twenty delicious stories include one called "Leaf Woman," by Margit Bisztray, a revealing oblique peep into the interior life of a woman who typifies one of the many young people who swarm to Key West to find the only work available is low-end drone jobs. The cover with the Key West row house with the rooster perched on the railing of the porch is quintessential Key West.

I have read this book , and once again the authors from key west have brought me back to the Island that I long to call home. Especially Bruce Weiss's piece " Chicken Wars " was fabulous In my opinion Bruce is one of the best new authors of our time , and I can't wait to see what his next novel to read. Also David Kauflet piece was also excellent. Once again proving that he still has a great depth of talent to pull from. Definitely a book worth reading.

The third and latest short-story collection by a diverse and dedicated group of Key West resident-writers continues to keep a finger on the pulse of this tiny, delightfully deranged island. Their latest offering is whimsical, entertaining and right on target.