I must admit to being surprisingly impressed by this book. After reading the Vampire Diaries, I was expecting an average to middling book, something that was quick and had some horror and teen romance. Well, two thirds of the way through the book, I realized I was in love with the villain, frightened by the story, and enraptured with the setting.

Julian, the villain of the books, has a very charming side that makes you want to like him. In fact, it makes you want to like him a lot more than you like the main character's boyfriend and "hero".

I was originally planning to give this book five stars, but after careful consideration - a few things made me change my mind. First, I feel that certain secondary characters were terribly underused. This is in stark contrast to some of LJ Smith's other works. Second, though I liked Jenny and thought she was a strong character, she was also entirely too wimpy in certain parts of the book. I would have loved to seen her tell her boyfriend off for the way he took her for granted.

Of the Forbidden Game trilogy, I feel this was the best book.

This book is the beginning of a three part series and I can't find enough good words to describe it. If you want a really good young adult book to read, I would recommend this. L.J. Smith hasn't disappointed me yet (well, except that she hasn't written another series). You'll love Julian, the Shadowman, and probably end up like me, thinking that Jenny should....oops, I don't want to ruin it for you. My recommendation? READ IT!!!

I just finished reading this book, and I love it. Smith has done it once again. I can't wait until I get the next book in the series.

Jenny is this average teenager who is trying to hide the fact that she was to busy with family and friends to plan her bf's b-day party. Jenny then goes to the bad part of town, so her friends don't find out that she hasn't done any planning. She is "chased" into a store called "More Games", where she meets this gorgous guy with dazzling blue eyes and frost- white hair, Julian :). Julian shows her different games from ones that she recognizes (a mahogany mah-jongg table) to games that she weirded out by (the Tibetan game of goats and tigers). He then "knows" what type of game that she wants (a game with "Mystery. Danger. Seduction. Fear. Secrets revealed. Desires unveiled. Temptation") even though she never mentioned that she wanted a game like that. He then gives her a white glossy game that has no words on it. She buys the games, reculently. She makes her way home, and finds that two of her good friends figured out that she had nothing planned and were there to help. She gets ready for the party, and all of the guests arrive. Her parents leave, then they open the game..

The box is opened and you find out that it is a 3ft Victorian house that needs to be put together. After you put it together, you are to draw your most scariest darkest dream on a piece of paper, and place it in one of the rooms. Then you swear that you are palying this game of your own free will, and you realize that you could die in this game.. After everybody swears this to the Shadow World, they are mysteriously whisked away to the shadow world.

There they meet the Shadow Man (surprise, it is Julian), and everybody but Jenny is taken to the place where their nightmares are. Jenny has to go through the house and "collect" her friends, before dawn. The fun part about this is that they must go through and defeat their nightmares along the way, and if you get hurt, or die in the nightmare, it really happens. Jenny is tempted by Julian to stay with him, forever, and he will realease all her friends safely. Julian kept to his promise, the game contains everything he promised, and more...

I would have loved to change places with Jenny. Julian is such a great looking guy.. I would have stayed with him though.. Maybe she will in the next 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'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.

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.

I read this book when I was 13, and I'm now 21. I have thoughtabout this book so much in the years sine I first read it. I can'tremember a lot of the detail, but I, too, remember the feeling of loneliness that accompanied this book. I loved all of Christopher Pike's books, however this one in particular is extra creepy. The books of Christopher Pike, aren't like the typical preteen books. He does not write in a condescending manner...and this is what makes his books so awesome!

I've read everything by Christopher Pike I've ever been able to get my hands on. If you've never read anything by him, try this one first. The characters are very real. I compared myself to all of them at different times. I've read Wisper of Death twice, like most of his books, but I could read it over and over again and understand it a little more each time. It gets very deep and it has some hidden morals that you might not see on the surface. You won't be able to put it down until you're done. Then you'll want to pick it up again. A message to people who haven't read any of Pike's books: Read all the old stuff first. Books like Remember Me (my favorite), Witch, Wisper of Death, and Scavenger Hunt show Pike at his absolute best.

This book was one of the strangest books I have ever read, and I loved it. I mean the story was so cool and the characters were almost alive (well for most of the book). I mean it also takes a stab and bringing something new into a story. This book has a really big issue in it that is facing alot of teens today... abortion. I am glad that Mr. Pike is not afraid to pull all the punches and treat his readers as mature people. This book was very creepy with great characters that I wish could have been in more books. A MUST!!!!

This book reminded me that siblings have the longest relationship with a person with any disability and need support - the parents lives overlap with their children to a certain extent, but a sibling's life overlaps for the whole of their lives. The sibling is just as affected as the person with a disability and their lives are changed too. The Sibling Support Project of the ARC is a great resource for kids who ahve a sibling with a disability ...

The Man Who Loved Clowns is about a girl named Delrita Jenson and her Uncle Punky. Punky has down syndrome so Delrita dosen't have many friends because she doesn't want people to make fun of his disability. It is a heart warming story and you they grow on you as if you were really friends with them. I really like June Rae Wood. She is a really good author and i love how her book are so interesting. I really like the story. It makes me feel bad that some people would actually make fun of other people because of a disease they were born with. I have read her other books and they are just as good as this one. I really like this book. Its is one of my very favorite books I have read it a lot of times. It is a really good book you should think about reading it. The only thing I would change is I wouldn't have had both of her parents die. I think it was to dramatic. It is a good book for anyone who likes a sad story.

The man who loved clowns is about Delarita Jenson and her uncle "Punkey". He has Down's Syndrum and therefore Delerita wants to remain invisible. But when a terrible car crash claims Delaritas Parents, she and Punkey are forced to live with her aunt, and her world turns upside-down. While reading this book, I couldn't help but crying. I would recommend this book to every one and any one with a heart.

The title wonderfully chosen, the voice and the mood of the author is happy and yet suprised. Beautifully written book, Amazing child, the way Fynn wrote it was like he was still under shock because of the way Anna sees the world, God was friends with Anna, they communicated everyday.Fynn learned so much from Anna. The whole book was a lesson to me and I guess to all other readers, this book teaches about kids that we cannot ignore their intelligence though Anna's intelligence was scary as it always scared the hell out of Fynn. Anna is just a kid that knows God so much, one could'nt argue with her because she knews her story, she fitted into society like a glove. No questions asked that is why Fynn kept her, she was a community builder at her age, changed peoples way of thinking, she was interested in learning new things as well, the fact that she would say 'write it down big' was amazing as you can tell that she was an interesting kid that wanted to learn things that she did not know. Kids do change peoples lives everyday that is why it is always advisable that we spend sometime with them, they are as fun as Anna was. I totally agree with Fynn that she is laughing with God now. this book I will read it over and over again and I will pass it on to my kids.

Mister God , this is Anna is a story to be read. Anna's explanations about life and God can change anyone's point of view about the true meaning of life... Each explanation is more certain than the other , for those who have read Paulo Coehlo , The Alchemist and Saint Exupery , The Little Prince , they'll love this book.

In much the same lyrical quality of Saint-Exupery's 'The Little Prince', 'Mr. God' allows us to 'get small', as Anna would say, and see the world as a still wonderful place. I first discovered this book almost 25 years ago, and have given as gifts countless copies whenever I can find it. The copy on my shelf today is from the 19th printing in 1985. I cannot think of anyone -- young, old, sinner, cynic, saint -- who would not enjoy the wit, wisdom and other-worldliness of spritely Anna and her exuberant joust with -- and quest for -- the truest reality. Anna's relationship with Old Woody is a pattern for adult-child relationships not easily surpassed. Fynn proves coming of age often means not leaving childhood behind, but hauling it with you into adulthood. If you've not yet discovered a pair of companion books -- 'Anna's Book', and 'Anna, Mister God, and the Black Knight', both also by Fynn -- seek them out and latch onto them if you can find them. If joy has a name, it is Anna.

This book is about a little girl Maureen and her brother Paul who live with their grandparents. A ship called,The Galleon has a whole bunch of ponies on it. The ship gets shipwrecked in a storm and everybody drowns except most of the ponies. The ponies swim ashore an island called Assateague Island. There they live a good life for hundreds of years until humans come. Paul and Maureen are some of them. There's a day called Pony Penning Day. A pony called, The Phantom. Paul and Maureen want want to buy the Phantom but she has a colt and they don't know if they have enough money to buy both horses. On Pony Penning Day they find out that the Phantom and her colt are already sold. They go to the fire cheif and see a young boy and his father. They stop and say they are looking for a little boy and girl whowere going to buy the Phantom and her colt Misty. I liked this book because it tells you that when you want something the best thing to do to do is heip someone. If you want to find out the end of this book ,read it !!!!!!!!!!!!

JESSICA REEVES

This book takes place both in Assateague and Chincoteague islands. Maureen and Paul Beebee happen to go to Chincoteague Island with Grandpa Beebee. As they are there they come across the beautiful wild herd of horses! Suddenly the most wild mare, The Phamtom comes racing across! As Pony Penning Day is nearing both Maureen and Paul decide to raise enough money to buy the Phantom. When Pony Penning day arrives Paul not only rounds up the Phantom herself...but her filly Misty too! As Maureen and Paul are ready to buy both the Phantom and Misty, tradgedy strikes. Misty is sold!!! How can this be? Will Maureen and Paul ever have their wish? Read and find for yourself!!

A fast paced book that you will not be able to put down! A little too predicting and easy but a great book for any horse lover. I definatly suggest you buy this book today!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~MISTY OF CHINCOTEAGUE~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

If you have a child that loves horses, you've probably already seen this book.......either brought home from the library... or in their own collection. This is one of the staples of any horse-lover's collection.

The story of Misty, a wild pony from Assateague Island off the coast of Virginia who is captured as a foal and adopted by Paul and Maureen Beebe. True story of a truly wonderful foal and her family. This story sparked three sequels that still sell millions of copies around the world.

Ramona Quimby is a timeless character. I read this book when I was a kid (too many years ago to mention) and this has to be one of my all time favorites.

Beverly Cleary is an author who really knows what kids are like. Now that I am a kindergarten teacher, I see a room full of Ramonas most every day and each character in this book, from Susan with the "boinggg" curls, to Davy, to Howie, and, of course, Ramona herself, are real!

This is a book that I pull out and read again from time to time when I need a laugh! I would highly recommend it to readers of all ages!

Beverly Cleary has presented us with a delightful, funny story about a naughty young girl named Ramona Quimby and her experiences in kindergarten. This book was first read to us by our third grade teacher, after which I read it and other books by Cleary. It reminds me so vividly about the sweet innocence of being a child and the many challenges and expectations presented by the dynamic world of adults.(p)

I think this book would be enjoyed by anyone wanting a good laugh and a healthy reminder that we were all once kids. Ramona Quimby might be fictional, but her life can be an accurate portrayal of any middle class subarbanite in the United States.

Picking up right where she left off, my favorite little girl has just started half-day kindergarten. She must deal with her older sister making fun of her, not being allowed to pull a little girl's curls and walking to school with Howie (the boy from down the street whom Ramon could do without).

Ramona is just like any other 5-year old. She gets confused and throws fits. She is such a loveable character because a most wonderful author creates her so deftly and realistically.

The text is appropriate for students in grades 2-5. It also works well in a read-aloud setting with this age group. These students (and teachers and parents as well) will get a kick out of remembering how confusing a time kindergarten can be. I recall hearing it read to me in 2nd grade and now have done the same with my students. A good laugh was heard everyday from our room.

Why 5 stars?:
Cleary repeatedly made young people reflect upon their own days as an even younger person with a string of books about experiencing the world through the eyes of a curious little girl with a will all of her own. This book is the second in the series that predates Junie B. Jones and was much better written.

After putting this book down, after reading it from cover to cover, i took a look at my life and realized how much worse it could have been. The main character, John, is not the average teenager, he is not some happy, careless kid, and thats what i like about this book. It does not glorify youth, because sometimes there is nothing to be glorified. John deals with an abusive father-figure (his step dad to be, or his mothers boyfriend), a mother who neglects him to pay more attention to her own well being and happiness, middle class poverty, school, and just trying to be a teenager, have friends, and be normal while still having everything in his life crumble beneath him screaming in the back of his mind, while he trys to live a happy life. Through the book you almost expect any time now, the mother will finally see her boyfriend as an abusive &*(^* and tell him to get out and pay more attention to her son, but that never happens. Before anyone even really sees how wrong things are with him, his step father had suverely injured him in a fight, the first time that John just didn't care anymore and stood up to this abusive man thats taken control of his life, though nearly died after having his nose curshed in, and his body beaten. He awoke in a hospitable his mother, finally there for him. And there is not really a happy ending, just more of a realization that people don't have to know him, and expecting more than dignity shown towards him is still expecting too much.

I like the unique way that the author wrote, describing other characters with cute nick names, ie, Mrs. Moonface, or others like 'the man who is not my father' the kitchen that is not a kitchen.' it's like a world created inside that main characters head while the author still creates a reality outside this world. A little strange, but i like that.

I have to admit the first time I picked up this book I was a little doubtful. The first few pages confused me so much that I nearly stopped reading. But I was intrigued so I plowed through. Never have I been happier. This book is amazing. The main character John, narrates from a second person view and it works like a charm. Basically John is a boy who lives in a home thats not a home and has friends that aren't friends. He also has a man, who's not his father, physically abusing him. Despite the serious subject the book can be hilarious at times. He uses sardonic humor to completely draw the readers in. Put simply, this book has vaulted on top of my all-time favorite list, and I've read alot of books. Hilarious and thouroughly moving to the very last page.

You Don't Know Me, written by David Klass, qualifies as one of the most realistic yet a vitriolic and humorous novel. The story revolves around a fourteen-year-old boy, John, and his struggles and problems during teen years. The book beautifully illustrates John trying to cope with problems that most teenagers face at that period of time; but a dark secret lies within him. His soon-to-be stepfather abuses him. No one seems to know about this abuse and John does not intend to tell anyone either. He thinks no one cares; including his own mother.

Everything John does backfires at him, or so how he perceives. John likes a popular girl at his "anti-school," named Gloria. When John finally gets the courage to ask her out, the date turns out to be a disaster and his love story with "Gloria Hallelujah" ends. John gets suspended from school for verbally harassing his algebra teacher and he notices that Mr. Steenwilly, his music teacher, drives by the house quiet often. John realizes that Mr. Steenwilly has an idea of the abuse and turmoil that John goes through but decides to ignore the random spying. The book closes up with John going out to a dance with one of the girls from his music class. John receives a severe beating by his soon-to-be stepfather when he arrives home late, but fortunately Mr. Steenwilly sees the torture and rescues John from being beaten to death.

You Don't Know Me creates a spell-bounding atmosphere, making it irresistible for the attached reader to put the book down. The book captures the reader's minds, transforming it into John's head and becoming a part of his daydreams, scenarios, jaded thoughts and alternative realities. This book qualifies as one of the most meticulous and it seems that Klass knows his characters inside and out. I recommend this book to anyone willing to "step outside the box," and ready to accept a little bit of teenage craziness. This book defines itself as one of the best; it is practically impossible to not enjoy it.

I really like the Heartland series, and I've read all of them up to book 6. I love them all, but this one was my favorite. It was absolutely wonderful, and I couldn't put it down until it was finished. Even after it was finished, I didn't want to put it down- I wanted to find out what happens next.
This book is so exciting. Every page is interesting.
This book is a mixture of feelings- sometimes it makes you want to cry along with Amy, or sometimes it makes your heart pound in your chest.
All in all, I loved this book and all the other ones I've read.

I don't like to tell what happens, because then it sort of takes away some of the excitement or surprise when you come to a part you already know. The end is like the best part.

If you're looking for a good horse book, but one that's really realistic, you should read the Heartland series. Especially this one. This is one of those books that really deserves 5 stars...
I simply can't wait to read #7... I really want to know what's going to happen between Ty and Amy!

Anyway, if you haven't read this book already, you'll make a wonderful decision by reading it- NOW!

Thank You for taking the time to read this. It's really a wonderful book~ love horses

I thought this book was great because I love horses. I was in a book store with my sister and I saw it and it looked like a good book so I asked her if she would buy it for me and she did and then I read it in like one week and I could not put it down. It reminds me of my friends and me becaus we like to ride and take care of horses.
The book is about a girl named Amy lost her mom and she lives on a pony-horse farm and one of the horses has a pony and she is trying to train it.Her dad does not live near them and her and her sister get a letter from him and he may come or he may not you can read the book to find out.
I would encourage anyone that likes horses to read this book. It is a wonderful book! I want to read all the other books that go along with this one becaues this one was so good.
READ THE BOOK IT IS GREAT

When I read this book I loved it! It's about Amy a girl who lives on a horse farm- Heartland- which gets bussnies by curing horses from their scars ( Scaredom, bad beahvior, and Treating badly) In this book Amy is working with a horse called Melondy which has just given birth to a foal named Daybreak. Anyway Ashley Grant - Amy's emeny- invited Amy and all her friends to a big christmas party, Amy doesn't know why intill she sees Ashley trying to get Ben- one of Heartlands 2 stablehands- to notice her. Amy then knows why Ashley invited them. Amy's best friend Soyna likes Ben too so she's very disipointed that Ashley likes Ben too.
At the Christmas part Ty- The other Heartland Stablehand- and Ben pick Soyna and Amy up- When Amy's and Ty's hands touchs she blushish, Amy doesn't know why. Ty's been Hearland's stable hand for a long time. At the Grant's party things get worse! Matt- one of Amy's friends- pulls her on the dance floor to slow dance! Amy doesn't like this, she knows Matt likes her but she just wants to be friends not boyfriend and girlfriend. But when she trys to tell Matt he goes away. Amy, Soyna, and Ty rush over to Matt when they find him dancing to not anybody but Ashley! After some time Amy and Ty dance together Amy feels strange- She just doesn't know why it was Ty she was thinking of- Ty the person who worked many years at Heartland since he was 15.

At Tys birthday he makes sure Amy's safe when Amy's older sister-Lou- is trying to find the farther who abanded them, and Amy's babysister is going on a vet meeting with Heartlands vet and Lou's boyfriend- Scott (also Matt's older brother)- When the opened Ty's gift they almost kissed! Arm to arm mouth to mouth- They were porbaly going to when the phone rang. It was a nurse at a hosptial. You see Amy's grandpa was sick. The nurse said her grandpa was geting really sick, and so Ty and Amy rush off.

If you want to find out the rest about Amy's grandpa and about Ty and Amy how now there going to get along, and about if Amy and Matt will make up and much more get the book!

The setting is in a hospital. Carley is 16 and has left deformed cheak. The reason she is in the hospital is a broken leg. In Carley's neighboring room there is a 16 year-old boy named Kyle. They became friends and even though she wasn't real pretty he didn't know. Kyle was blind because a science project blew up he his face . Carley feel in love with him. Carley finally got to leave the hospital and she visited Kyle as much could and everytime she a P.T. treatments. One day they found out that they go to the same school.So she kept visiting him and one afternoon he said he sould be getting he bandges off. That's all she could think about because they went to the same school and she was partly ugly. So....... you'll have to read the book to find out . I'll tell you this it's a very good book.

I was introduced to this book by a friend who loaned it to me. I enjoyed it so much, I later went out and bought it myself. I identified with Carley because although I don't have a scarred face like she does, I've never really thought I was pretty. Love came to her in the form of Kyle, a blind boy that she met in the hospital after she broke her leg. Will their relationship end if his sight returns? Read it to find out. This was an inspirational story. It gave me hope that if someone with Carley's problem can be loved, then I have a chance for romance too. Buy "I'll Be Seeing You" ASAP! I highly reccomend it to anyone in need of hope.

In this book I believe you will find it very interesting. It teaches you about the importance of life. Carley is the main character. She was in an accident and her face was damamged and she got a broken leg. Later a guy named Kyle, who was burned in a science experiment,is suffering from depression and pain. Carley and Kyle become good friends after Carley's one and only friend from the hospital pusses her into making friends. Carley becomes desprately in love and will do anything to win his heart. The one problem is she does not want him to see her face. The whole time Kyle has his bandages on, she lies to cover up her ugliness. Will Kyle ever get his bandages off? Will Carley ever get her wish? Will Carley ever get to change her apperance? Find out when you read I'll Be Seeing You.