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Book reviews for "Yang,_Richard_F._S." sorted by average review score:

Elfquest - Hidden Years
Published in Hardcover by Warp Graphics Pubns (1994)
Authors: Wendy Pini and Richard Pini
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Best in a long while
A collection of short stories, _Hidden Years_ fills in some missing spots in the storyline, mostly from the time period before the 'Shards'and Kings of the Broken Wheel timeline. It was really nice to see that a story could indeed be covered in the equivalent of one issue of a comic book. My favorites are the story depicted on the cover and the origin story for Skywise. No spoilers here, just go out and get it.

The most spectacular of all Elfquest graphic novels!
Wendy is arguably the best comic book artist of our time, and this little gem has got to be her greatest work ever. This is the very first book by the Pinis that I bought. (Which may I recommend that you don't get this first. You will be very confused, even though the stories are great in themselves.) This one book started the Elf-mania in my family. Now, I buy all of them, even the off-the-wall side stories that are more humorous than anything (see "New Blood" and "Worldpool"). It's really great artwork and rich color are the best. And Strongbow is a heartthrob.;)

Perfect 10
Wendy Pini has certainly outdone herself! Her artwork has always been versatile, changing to fit the mood of the story. In this graphic novel, she used vivid watercolors to tell the tale. It's amazing! The stories are also superb, in the honored tradition of Elfquest. My favorite story is the one about Tyleet and her adopted human cub, Little Patch. Wendy Pini is definetly my favorite artist! :)


Is God a Vegetarian?: Christianity, Vegetarianism, and Animal Rights
Published in Paperback by Open Court Publishing Company (1998)
Authors: Richard Alan Young and Carol J. Adams
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He Answered My Questions
I read Linzey's book, "Animal Gospel," in which he laid a good theological basis for humane care of animals and the practice of vegetarianism. However, he did not adequately address certain issues which were pressing to me. These included God giving Noah permission to eat meat, God providing a garment of skin for Adam and Eve, the sacrificial system of the Old Testament, Jesus eating meat and Paul's arguments against vegetarianism. Richard Young does and excellent job addressing all of these and other issues. He approaches each issue and question with straight forward honesty. Frequently, I felt as if he brought up an issue with which there was not good vegetarian response. However, he would address how it is normally read, frequently in complete agreement with the traditional reading of the passage, but then very gently present a fresh perspective.

Some Christian vegetarian groups use dubious historical documents to "prove" that Jesus and/or his disciples were vegetarian. Young does nothing of the kind, in fact, he debunks those attempts. He is very honest and straightforward in presenting his case.

I would strongly recommend this book for the Christian who is struggling with animal rights and vegetarianism from a Biblical perspective. If a Christian is not struggling with these issues, perhaps they should and this book would be a good place to start.

Exceptional
Dr. Young is much more than a relevant contemporary Christian, he is also an exceptional theologian, scholar/teacher of the Greek New Testament, and lives very much what he teaches. He was my Greek professor nearly 20 years ago and I must say his literary work has taken on a distilled wisdom. Best wishes to all who read his work.

M. Williams

Utterly fantastic!
One of the most important things about this book is that it does NOT, I repeat NOT, try to reinvent Jesus as a vegetarian. There have been some attempts to try to "prove" Jesus was vegetarian, but the author finds the evidence for such reinventions to not be compelling. The author basically concludes that some consumption of meat is biblically acceptable, so long as the animal has been treated with care and compassion during its life. On the other hand, the author also concludes that vegetarian is preferred, and factory farming would have to be contemptable in God's eyes. By the way, I'm personally an agnostic, and one of the reasons why I have turned away from Christianity is that the Christian church, in general, does not see the obvious truth to the immorality of factory farming. This book is must reading.


My Brother Kevin Has Autism
Published in Paperback by Writers Club Press (2002)
Author: Richard W. Carlson
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Kevin's Voice
This gently written, loving and accepting book is about family dynamics with a sibling who has autism. A gifted artist, Kevin provides the rich illustrations in this book and lends his "voice" to describe the world he confronts on a routine daily basis.

Autism and its related condition, Asperger's Syndrome is a series of sensory related issues. Sounds are amplified; strong aversions for vaccuum cleaners are not uncommon. One can feel Kevin's pain every time he has to endure the vaccuum cleaner and other painful sounds in his environment. Sensory modes are often heightened, people with spectrum conditions (autism/Asperger's) find coping mechanisms in facing sensory onslaught. This book provides good descriptions of these issues.

This is an excellent work that will attract all ages. It is something for all educators, parents and other interested parties to use and learn from. It is an invaluable work in seeing the rationale for the behavior of many people on the autism spectrum. Routine often provides security and changes or disruptions can often make one feel threatened. This book provides examples of this.

Richard and Kevin will remain permanently in the hearts of all who read this book. Please read this.

A Must Read
"My Brother Kevin Has Autism" sheds a profound yet simple light into the world of Autism. Richard's poems are wonderfully written, and Kevin's illustrations are ingenious. I highly recommend this book for siblings of autistic individuals, or those who wish to educate themselves in regard to Autism. A wonderful addition to our library. Bravo to Richard and Kevin!

Light verse that contains a wealth of meaning
From anyone's perspective, living with autism can be quite a challenge. Simple chores become a test of endurance for the autistic child who cannot endear the sound of a vacuum cleaner. A trip across town on a new street becomes a test of endurance for the autistic child who clings to routine for salivation from a chaotic world. Parents and siblings who live with the autistic child likewise face these challenges, often baffled at the autistic's child's reactions to a world they perceive as ordinary.

Author Richard Carlson lends his talented pen to a book of verse for young people in MY BROTHER KEVIN HAS AUTISM, capturing these challenges in a straightforward yet lovingly gentle tone that readers of all ages will appreciate. Autistic younger brother Kevin adds his illustrations, proving with each one the beauty of his gifts and the lessons he can teach us all. A must read for anyone who knows someone with autism or simply seeks understanding. Highly recommended.


The Perilous Gard
Published in Hardcover by Houghton Mifflin Co (Juv) (1974)
Authors: Elizabeth Marie Pope and Richard Cuffari
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There's a reason this is a Newbery Honor Book!
This is a wonderful book! It's not just for kids--I'm 25 and I read it for the first time yesterday.

Kate is a lady-in-waiting for Princess Elizabeth during Queen Mary's reign. Her sister gets Kate exiled to the Perilous Gard, a keep in the middle of the Elvenwood. Her new guardian, the sensible yet likeable Sir Geoffrey Heron is called away almost immediately, leaving Kate in the care of the menacing Master John. Christopher Heron, Sir Geoffrey's brother, is a myterious and intriguing shadow around the manor, and there are rumours in the castle that he killed his neice in order to protect his inheritance. The villagers have a different explanation, though: that the little girl was stolen by the Faerie people who tend the Holy Well. As Kate investigates these rumours, she and Christopher are swept into a terrifying and deadly adventure.

The characters of Kate and Christopher are wonderfully round and engaging. Kate is smart, curious, practical and sharp-tongued, while Christopher is honorable, guilt-ridden, and full of dreams. These are two people I wish I knew! Sir Geoffrey, Master John, and the minstrel Randal are also developed well. Kate's sister Alicia, and the old maid Dorothy aren't so well developed, but still serve their functions in the story. The Lady in the Green is a fascinating and mysterious character as the Queen of the Pople of the Hill.

I highly recommend this book - this book is definitely deserving of the Newbery Honor!

I wish there were more than five stars!
I'm 20 now, and I first read this book when I was about 10. I've reread it at least once a month since then (after the initial five times I read it in a row) because I absolutely adore The Perilous Guard. There's a whole host of reasons for my adoration, but the main ones are, one, that I *love* historical fiction, two, that novels set in the same time period (1558, to be exact, although anything within a few hundred years works nicely, too) are one of my favorite things to read, three, that Elisabeth Marie Pope is a fantastic storyteller, four, that I love the ballads the book is peppered with (particularly "Tam-Lin," the ballad that helps form much of the plot),, and five, because the characters are all so well-drawn. I feel as if I really know them, that I could walk out on the street and see them there (if I lived in the appropriate time period, of course). I highly recomend this book to anyone of an appropriate age (above ten, in my opinion) to read and understand it, particularly if you like historical fiction mixed with "fantasy," a term I hesitate to use (although I am doing so as I cannot, at the moment, come up with anything better) since nothing that happens in the book is presented with a very fantasy-ish tone.

a version of the Tam Lin legend
I've been interested in the Tam Lin legend since reading Jane Yolen's excellent version of it in "Tam Lin" with lush illustrations by Charles Mikolaycak (see my review). The next time I came across it was Pamela Dean's inventive adaptation of the legend for Terry Windling's Fairy Tale series (again see my review). The Perilous Gard is another fine reworking of this legend.

My email group was discussing fairy tales and fairy tale adaptations and a member mentioned this book after my post regarding the books above. I purchased it and read it. What a wonderful story. I'm always pleased to see strong female characters. For years while growing up, all I had the opportunity to read in school was books with male protagonists. That's not to say that I didn't enjoy these books, but the chance to read books with female protagonists, and strong, capable women or girls at that, is a pleasure.

It's funny, after purchasing this book, I found out that I had read another of Pope's books "The Sherwood Ring." I read it ages ago and enjoyed it very much.


From Birth to Backing: Give Your Young Horse a Head Start in Life by Using the Appropriate Body Language, from the Initial 'Join-Up' Right Through to Early Ridden Work
Published in Hardcover by Trafalgar Square (1998)
Authors: Richard Maxwell and Johanna Sharples
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from birth to backing a confidence building book
I purcased this book yesterday and i am aready done reading it! I cannot wait to read it again.
From birth to backing is with out doubt a horse training bible, there is very intelligent methods to go by from biting to rearing and halter brakeing to trail riding. I can't wait to start teaching my 5 month old belgin draft. At first I was afriad of her , she is already taller than me ( I'm 4'11") but now i feel that i am knowledgable enough to handle any situation. I really wanted to start off on a great start so i searched for the right book , I am very glad i bought this one!!

Excellent Book for foal training
This is an excellent book using Monty Robert's training. It has been (thus far) a life safer for training my young foal. Highly recommend.

Wonderful!!
This is the best foal and horse training book ever written! When I first bought it, it didn't look interesting but when I read it, I couldn't put it down!. Now that I'm buying a foal, and am going to be there when it's born, I'M PREPARED! A must have for all who are going to have foals!


Ghost Belonged to Me
Published in Paperback by Dell Pub Co (1991)
Author: Richard Peck
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This book is good
I have read the first chapter. It is about a boy named Alexander and he thinks there is something in his barn. He is to scared to go see what it is in the barn. so he tells his friend to go see. That is all i know about my book.

A spooky yet very cool book
I found this book very interesting and the characters vivid and one's I'd like to read more about. It has a very good plot with some interesting twists turns and many pieces to the puzzle. I have just finished it and I am already going to go after the rest of the Blossom Culp series. I highly recommend this book to almost anybody.

Skilfully written
I'm twenty-three years old, so not necessarily the typical age to read this book, which is aimed at a younger readership. Nevertheless, I very much enjoyed this story, whose main draw are its vivid characters with their different idiosyncrasies, especially the underappreciated Blossom and the sweetly naive Alexander.

Peck starts off by writing a summary of the story in the first chapter, which helps a lot in keeping the reader interested during the somewhat lengthy (but necessary) opening part which introduces the main characters. Ably and wittily Peck illustrates the contrasting mannerisms of Alexander's family, and his keen sense of observation makes this unlikely group seem all the likelier.

Since the title contains the word "ghost", one expects magic in this story; the magic to me is the nostalgic wholeness of a world in which despite quarrels and fights a family stays together, and where quite obviously a protecting hand brings and holds things and people together. At odds with my experience of my world, this book creates a yearning for a better place inside of me, a place where modesty, honesty and trust receive the honor and reward they deserve.


Elfquest Journey to Sorrow's End
Published in Audio Cassette by Listening Library (1997)
Authors: Wendy Pini and Richard Pini
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Really good
As a hardcore Elfquestfan I really like the whole audio version of "Journey to Sorrow's end" and as I read the Elfquest novels first I was already familiar with the third-person-view the tapes are written in. The only thing I don't really like are the voices of some of the elves. But everything else- the story, the characteres, the style... makes it wonderful!

Beautifully written, lyrical, mythical.
How do you rate something like this? Wendy Pini has an exquisite sense of pacing, a master's command of the English language, and a grand story to tell. Without hesitation I would recommend any of her works.

This is the first book in the series. Told in text form, it stands easily on its own -- people who don't have or want the graphic art series won't miss anything here. It tells the story of a band of elves who are persecuted out of their home and must find a new one before they die in the desert. Along the way they encounter a new band of elves, hostile trolls, and some even more hostile humans. Sure, they're elves and they're cute, but these elves have courage, heart, and compassion -- they are as accessible and understandable as we are, metaphors for what we wish we could be.

Unlike many novelizations of graphic art, this book is accessible to newcomers and doesn't leave out important things. It expands some parts of the graphic art series, adding details like background, private thoughts, and extra interactions.

Excellent!
Although the story is fantastical in nature, it holds the universality of wanting a place to belong, fate, overcoming fears, and the conflict between man and the unknown. Wendi and Richard's textual adaptations of their first five comics offer a new look to the story, and a great deal more detail. Written from a third-person view, it allows the reader to feel like a part of the group, while not having to feel like their suffering all he hardships that the elves feel. The biggest things that drew me to this book, were the characters. They are so complexly simple, that it's hard to remember, sometimes, that they were originally ink and paper drawings, telling their stories through pictures, as well as words. Secondarily, I was drawn by the world, itself. How clearly and vividly it's described has captured me from the first time I even heard of Abode, distinctly the fact that it was inhabited by such creatures as the elves and their bonded wolves. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed realms of magic, love, fantasy, trial, or challenge. It holds all of these, and much, much more within it's comforting arms, and is definitely an excellent escape from reality.


The Christmas Wish
Published in Hardcover by Harmony Books (1998)
Author: Richard M. Siddoway
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A very positive and heartwarming holiday tale for all
This book is excellent. The author has put together an intriguing and well-written Christmas story that has a wonderful and touching ending. I would recommend this book as a must read this holiday season.

The most touching book of the year!
This is a fantastic book. I cried at the end. It isn't often a book can move me to tears such as this. It made me think and reflect on who I am as a person. And for all that, it's a great story as well. This is THE Christmas book to read. I can't say enough good things about this book. It doesn't take long to read and yet it's worth every minute you spend reading this book. Do yourself a favor and buy the book.

BEST BOOK OF THE SEASON
If you're tired of all the murder, the violence, the anti-heros, "The Christmas Wish" is just the book for you. It starts out as a very simple story, but soon begins to blossom into an uplifting message, without being preachy. I cried so much reading the last two pages I could barely focus on the words. Richard Siddoway makes his characters seem very human and real. This book is a must-read for the Christmas season or any other time. Truly a "feel good" book!


Red Sky at Morning
Published in Library Binding by Bt Bound (2001)
Author: Richard Bradford
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The turmoil of youth and war in the tops of the mountains
Bradford's RED SKY AT MORNING is unpretentious in it's aims, subtly bringing us to the world of a teenage boy trying to sort out himself and the changing world around him. Rather than the CATHCHER IN THE RYE it has been compared to, this book captures the beauty of healthy friendships with even the most unlikely--foul mouthed preacher's daughter Marcia, Romeo the sculptor, and even the local ruffian turned friend. Young Mr. Arnold's life in the mountains reflects his growth and learning, and serves as a viable backdrop to the tragedy that haunts him. I love this book and read it over and over, always touched by the sincerity and beauty of it.

"Jew are a pendejo bahstair,"...

My father read to me a passage from RED SKY AT MORNING when I was eleven. He was trying to get me interested in reading the book for myself and chose one of the more memorable scenes. I remember reading it and getting partway into the book and giving up. I just found nothing interesting to the story.

When I turned eighteen, I recalled the book my father told me about many years prior, and picked it up again. What a difference a few years made.

I've literally spent a year getting intimate with this novel. Memorizing every passage, and character development. It's a rare American novel that has very few equal. Many people compare RED SKY AT MORNING with J.D. Salinger's CATCHER IN THE RYE. Both are classic works of literature, and have a very honest look at adolescents, but that's where their similarities end. RED SKY AT MORNING is also a rich look in the life of not just one character, but an entire town as diverse as we are. We grow along-side with those from the small town called Corazon, Sagrado.

Frank Arnold decides to move his family from MOBILE, ALABAMA to a small town in New Mexico where Joshua (our Narrator) spends his Senior year of High School.

RED SKY AT MORNING can be seen as a coming of age story; but it's very much a coming of understanding story as well. The Arnolds came from a mostly White upper class background, where they were the Majority, but by moving to this small town, they are turned into the Minority overnight. Old habits die hard for some, but through exposure others come to accept those who are different.

This is a story that will make you laugh for days. It will make you cry the first time you read it, and the 9th time you read it. It's as bitter-sweet as life itself. I will never come across a book that has touched me as deeply as RED SKY AT MORNING.

"Red Sky at Morning:" An Old and Wonderful Friend
My mother handed "Red Sky at Morning" to me when I was 16. She had no way of knowing that it would become one of "those" books -- one of the books I held up as an example of near (if not total) perfection; a book that I have re-read almost every summer in the past 16 years. It is one of the most well-written and naturally funny books that exists. If you do not kill yourself laughing and suddenly find yourself crying, if you do not fall in love with Josh, Marcia, Steenie and their entire world, then you have my sincere sympathies.


The Comedy of Errors
Published in Paperback by Cambridge Univ Pr (Trd) (1992)
Authors: William Shakespeare and Richard Andrews
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accessible
this is shakespeare's most accessible comedy. it's a farce about mistaken identities among identical twins. nothing complicated here. the play has it's funny moments. it's not the bard's best comedy; that's 'much ado about nothing', imho. but this is not a bad place to start.

Shakespeare's Finest Comedy
"Methinks you are my glass, and not my brother."
So says Dromio of Ephesus, one of the members of two sets of estranged twins whose lives become comically intertwined in this delightful, ingenious, & aptly named Comedy of Errors. Being an avid Shakespeare fan and reader, I unequivocally consider The Comdey of Errors to be Shakespeare's finest and funniest comedy. Antipholus of Syracuse and his long lost twin Antipholus of Ephesus along with the two twin servants Dromio of Ephesus and Syracuse become unceasingly mistaken for each other making for a hilarious and entertaining farce of a play.

The Comedy of Errors has been copied many times since in literature, movies, & sitcoms, although it has never been duplicated.

The Comedy of Errors
There is no doubt that this comedy of Shakespeare's is delightful, crazy fun. You could call it the father (or mother) of all sit-coms. The play is suitable for middle school production and viewing, with some modifications. For my students and myself I prefer the Folger's edition of Shakespeare's plays for three reasons. First, the footnotes are easy to read and across from the text. 2. The choice of illustrations and 3. The introductory information. When purchasing for my students, though I have tried other publishers, I now always choose Folgers.


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