Ok, first of all, let me point out the very well known fact that Christopher Pike, as talented as he is, does not have that much respect from the critics, much like the Horn Book review of this novel. But that's because of a couple of reasons: First of all, you have to have patience with his books. What I mean by that is, I mean that in order for you to like it, you have to read the entire book of his. And, in the entire last vampire series, I think the entire series is one book, telling one story of the same character with a bunch of unique plot twists intertwining. It's a great book, and so is the rest of the series. Sita grows from a cold blooded creature to a character that You later learn to love if you read the rest of the series. The entire series is good, buy it, read it, enjoy it. you'll like it.

All of the Last Vampire series just knocked me off my seat. I loved Seymour, I loved Sita, Ray, and even Kalika in the next few books. I've read all of them about 4 or 5 times and then I bought the collectors edition because I know that these books will be worth a lot of money in the future.

This book is great. It's a nice sequel to #1, though it does become boring in some points.. There's small sub-stories that get told inside by the characters that dont really seem like they need to be there, but nonetheless, they add to the overall effectiveness of the plot.

I read this whole book last night. I just couldn't put it down! It was about a 3 1/2 hour read without too many breaks.. I found it took me 4 chapters to realize i had to go to the restroom and to actually get up to go.

The bad guy's mother is a bit off her rocker, being as old as she is.. Really sick minded, its no wonder that the boy turned out the way he was.

Anyway, it was a good book and i just couldnt put it down. I reccommend this read to anyone who is a fan of Christopher Pike. :)

I remember watching Greg Louganis in 1988 and his last dive that gave him his fourth Olympic gold medal. I was only 7 years old and had no idea about what a struggle he had. When I found out that he was HIV-positive and gay, I was shocked. I don't know why. I read the book during my junior year in high school and enjoyed it. The information on diving was informative and I enjoyed that part. The part that surprised me the most was the way he talked openly and frankly about his lovers and his feelings for them. It was the first time I had ever read anything like that and it shocked me but then I got used to it. Sure, I've seen "Philadelphia" and the dancing scene but I always figured that they're actors and it was part of their jobs to do stuff like that. Call me naive; I was. But this, the things in the book, happened to a real person, one who is a vivid part of my childhood memories. In many parts, I was crying, trying to picture what Greg's life must have been like all those years and how it hurt him-all the teasing, taunts, rumors and other things he must have endured. I think he has a lot of courage to come out and write this book; to me it shows a person who is confident of where he is now in life and wants others to accept him for who he is.

GREG LOUGANIS' REAL LIFE STRUGGLES ARE VERY TOUCHING AND HOLD A DEEP AND PERSONAL MESSAGE FOR ALL. GROWING UP A SHY, QUIET, TALENTED YOUNG MAN AND GROWING UP TO BE THE GREATEST OLYMPIC DIVER EVER MAY SEEM IMPOSSIBLE. HOWEVER, HIS REAL LIFE STRUGGLES WERE EVEN MORE IMPOSSIBLE. I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO EVERYONE. ALSO IF YOU GET A CHANCE WATCH THE VIDEO ALSO. I RATE THEM BOTH VERY HIGHLY.

I purchased Greg's story the minute it hit the stands because Greg was my #1 sports hero as I was growing up. When I read his story, he affected my life in an even greater way. I have a brother who is gay, but he had not come out to his family yet. After reading Greg's story I knew that I needed to help my brother by supporting him now, instead of waiting until it was too late. A few days after finishing my read, I told my brother that I knew he was gay and that I loved him, supported him, and was proud of him. I got the best hug of my life. I only wish that I could've given Greg the same hug when he really needed it the most. I'm proud of the fact that he was, and still is, one of my heroes. Read the book. It is a heartbreaking and frank look at humanity.

When I read the book Eric, I had to fight to hold back the tears! He was such a gifted young man, full of promise, and to see it all wasted like that was heart wrenching. This book is very well writen. In fact, you feel as if your there with Eric while he's playing soccer, partying, or at the hospital. By going with him to Ewing 8 you meet the people who truly are heroes, the ones who have the courage to live day by day with this horrible disease.
Since Eric, medicine has improved and people have a better chance of living when diagnosied with leukimia. Eric was very determined, and knew his odds at the same time.
Every person who has had this disease or experienced it with a loved needs to read this book.

I am a 16 year old girl and I have read Eric, by Doris Lund multiple number of times and each time I read it, it touches me more and more. As I read more and more into this book I feel like I am a part of Eric and experiencing exactly what he is. His high and low points are extremely moving. This is a book that one does not want to put down throughout the course of reading it. While it does make you cry, it amazes one in how much courage and wisdom one teenager can have. Eric makes you want to try harder. It makes the reader want to find the happiness and goodness out of every situation in their own life.

I read this book as a teenager when it was first published - back in the mid 1970's. The story of Eric's struggle with leukemia moved me deeply. Little did I know that 20-some years later, grown with a family of my own, that my own teenage daughter would be diagnosed with the same disease. Had I not read it and learned the signs and symptoms of leukemia, I may not have known to get my daughter to the doctor as soon as I did. I'm happy to say that it has been 2 1/2 years since my daughter finished up a long course of chemotherapy and is doing well! If she stays cancer free another 2 1/2 years the doctors will call her 'cured'. A heartfelt THANK YOU to Doris Lund for sharing her touching story with us. No words can express my gratitude. If anyone knows how I can contact Ms. Lund, please email me - I would love to let her know how instrumental she was in my daughters diagnosis and survival.

If you are a parent or teacher this book is essential. Trelease's chapters on the value of reading are fascinating and inspirational. The list of read-aloud books children will love is absolutely accurate. Every one of these books is a good read-aloud. This will save you tons of time finding books for your children and will guide you to wonderful books you have never heard of.

I first discovered the 1985 edition of Jim Trelease's book
and ever since then have snapped up every edition.
"The Read-Aloud Handbook" is my baby-shower gift, always -- I let others bring diapers and toys and clothes for the baby's body --
this book will care for the baby's mind.

"The Read-Aloud Handbook" very neatly and simply lays out the proof that reading aloud to children is the best way to get them to WANT to read -- not merely to
think of books in association with school and dittoes and homework (as all too many children do, whose only recreational storytelling has come from a big glass box in the family room.) In simple, clear language, Trelease spends the first half of the book explaining the value of reading aloud, success stories, and practical tips on both reading aloud and curbing television usage. The second half of the book is a reference list of tested read-alouds, from board books for infants to novels for teens.

This is an invaluable reference book.

The best thing you can give your child is the love of reading. Being a good reader will not only help your child in school, but your child will have a lifetime's worth of learning nad pleasure ahead of him!

My own children are in their late teens and early 20's and I was fortunate enough to hear Jim Trelease speak at a public library many years ago, probably soon after the first edition of The Read Aloud Handbook came out. We started reading to our oldest child when she was 4 months old and as the others came along, they were read to from birth since we were reading to the older one(s).

This book is incredibly inspiring - Jim gives so many great suggestions on what books to read to your kids, and how to interest kids who may be reluctant to enter into reading themselves.

Just the list of books alone would be worth the price of this book! I know that we wouldn't have known about some of the books we read to our kids without Jim's book.

Jim Trelease also covers the issue of TELEVISION in his book. He gives very convincing reasons for turning OFF the TV and reading instead. I had already made the decision for our family that we weren't going to allow the children to watch endless hours of TV (even though all they watched was Sesame Street and Mister Rogers!), but Jim's book confirmed my decision.

My kids all enjoy reading - and my husband and I have always been readers. For me, the book was just confirming what I already knew - and it gave me so many good titles to find at the library! I remember reading "Stone Fox" to our girls and what a great experience that book was.

Public libraries are a wonderful resource, but they don't take the place of having a child OWN some books of his own. Tell family members to buy your children books for Christmas and birthday gifts. When you can, buy hardcover as they will last a lot longer. Look up some of the books Trelease recommends here on Amazon - you can read reviews and make some good choices.

Children today are TOO BUSY - most kids have more activities than anyone could possibly handle and still have time to stop and just be! 10-15 years ago, kids would play a sport, or play an instrument, take dance lessons, or be in Scouts. They might do two of these things. But I know kids who do them ALL, plus more things I haven't mentioned. And one of the things that gets cut out with all the busy-ness is READING. Meals together as a family fall by the wayside and kids and parents are so exhausted from running around with all the activities that they don't read books and the parents are too tired to read to them.

If you have young children, please consider fighting this pressure to sign your child up for every available activity. Take time to enjoy your family - the kids grow up much too fast!

And give your kids the gift of reading - buy a copy of this marvelous book, consult it often, and you'll enjoy a richness of family life that your kids will remember forever!

Gaia Moore's life is slowly being torn apart. Her official foster mother, Ella, was more then she appeared to look like. Her uncle Oliver promised Gaia they would be together to escape all this mess in New York, but for some reason he hasn't been in touch for a while. And Gaia is in more danger then ever before -- she has to find out the secrets that await her, and the revelations that will forever change her life. Sam faces a struggle with a friend battling for his life, while Heather

and Ed are beginning to find even more troubles, mainly financial status. Everything seems to be falling apart... and the answers will require more then just searching for in order to discover. Fearless #12: Killer is an amazing turning point in the series by Francine Pascal, and all the mysteries are beginning to fall into place, with danger at every turn. This was the best one yet, and teen readers of the Fearless series will appreciate this book more then any of the others in the series.

Killer was the best book in the whole Fearless series so far. It has a lot of twist and turns. In this book you see the real Ella who appears totally different. Gaia believes that her father is Loki and that it was her father who killed her mother. The best part of the book was that Gaia and Sam finally tell each other how they feel. This was a killer book and I would reccomend it to anyone because it has everything from action to romance.

This book was my favorite of the whole series. Ella turned out to be totally different than assumed, Gaia thinks Loki is her father, and she and Sam are finally together. There was a rumor that this was the last book in the series and when I found out it wasn't, I was overjoyed. I look forward to #13 when it comes out in January.

The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern caught my attention first, over many others in this series, because of the title. I couldn't figure out what it could possibly mean, and that intrigued me.
I finished this book in one sitting, in only a couple hours, and immediately began to search for the next in line.
This was a very good book; moving along at a pace that kept you interested in the story. The characters had a certain, less-than-deeply-developed charm, and Koko was a wonderful example of the kings of the animal kingdom, the cat.
I loved getting a look into the newspaper world, and into the world of interior design, all set many years before I was even born. And, although I did find myself chuckling a few times at the world created in the Cat Who mysteries, I thoroughly enjoyed my visit.
There were only a few things I had trouble with. One, some characters that were introduced briefly in the beginning, ones that turned out to be important later, well, by the time we got back to them I couldn't remember anything about them. Basically, I found the characters that did not repeat from book to book to be very forgetable, and often times dull.
Two, the plot was rather predictable. Maybe it was just me, but I didn't have any trouble piecing together this mystery.
And three, this book was too short! I was so disappointed when I finished it in under two hours. But, there are many more in the series, and I'm sure that I will enjoy them all as much as I enjoyed this one.
So, I would definitly recommend this one as a quick, fun read.

After reading Braun's first book in the Cat Who...Series (The Cat Who Could Read Backwards) I found myself longing for more Koko and Qwill. I recently obtained this book and I loved every minute it took to complete. I never miss the David Letterman show on weeknights but I skipped Fridays show to read the book. It is wonderful and ties with the first in my book. I have also purchased the next two, The Cat Who Turned On and Off, and The Cat Who Saw Red. I also found two hardbacks for a dollar less than the paperbacks. The Cat Who Tailed a Theif and The Cat Who Sang for the Birds. Those are numbers 19 and 20 but I picked them up because of the great deal. Tommorrow I will be getting numbers 5,6,7,and 8. This is truly a great series and I wish it enjoyed more publicity, like all of those Harry Potter books. They are good book in their own right but this is my favorite series hands down. Trust me and read the series in order. Hope this review persuades some of you skeptics to give the series a chance. The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern is a great book, although I don't really look at them as individual books, more like volumes.

When I first read this mystery, it was the second of a 3-volume series, the last of which had appeared in 1968. Only with the 4th book, _The Cat Who Saw Red_ (1986), did the series take off into its at-least-1-book-a-year mode, and only with the 5th, _TCW Played Brahms_, did Braun introduce Qwill to Moose County.

_TCW Ate Danish Modern_ was the first Qwilleran book I ever read, and although it's best to begin with book 1, _TCW Could Read Backwards_, I can testify that you won't be lost if you pick this up first instead, nor will you spoil the solution of the previous book.

Qwill is the type who'd probably think of himself as a dog person if he weren't a city dweller, but after the death of his landlord, he acquired custody of his landlord's closest companion: Kao K'o Kung, a Siamese familiarly known as Koko. (The original hardcover dustjacket was graced with a photograph of his namesake: the author's feline companion.) The other consequences of his landlord's death led to one of Qwill's 4 problems at the opening of the story: 1) he has to find a new place to live, 2) he wants to be in the Daily Fluxion's city room rather than on the art beat, 3) no current girlfriend, and 4) moths are eating up all his ties - so he runs the risk of being homeless, jobless, womanless, and tieless all at once. (Hey, I didn't say this was Shakespearean tragedy.)

Before Qwill can request a transfer from the managing editor, he's informed that a change of assignment is already lined up: the Fluxion is trying to divert advertising revenue from magazines to their own coffers, and so a new Sunday supplement is coming online, and Qwill will be in charge of its features. The catch? The home furnishing industry is making the advertising experiment - so the Sunday magazine, Gracious Abodes, covers the interior decorating beat. Qwill's horrified reaction is softened since the transfer includes a promotion and raise. Odd Bunsen, the Flux's daredevil photographer, is slower to overcome his resentment at his own transfer.

Up through book 4, this was the standard opening move in a Qwill story: transfer the poor devil from his current assignment to some weird beat as far from the City Room as a veteran crime reporter could imagine, and throw him in at the deep end. As with his previous assignment to the art beat, he finds the professional rivalries unexpectedly interesting.

Consider Lyke and Starkweather, for instance - Starkweather (a rather bland middle-aged executive) handles the business end while Lyke handles clients and the actual decoration jobs. Lyke's charismatic, but the depths beneath his surface charm are somewhat murky. He butters people up left and right, then sneers at them for taking him seriously. His childhood friendship - back before he moved uptown and changed his name - with Jack Baker ended acrimoniously after Jack saved his pennies, went to the Sorbonne, then returned to town as "Jacques Boulonger", the Duxburys' decorator "from Paris". (Jack's background isn't really secret, but his society clients wouldn't like to admit that far from being an exotic novelty, he's a self-made African-American from their own city.) Jack even rubbed in his success at having taken away Lyke's old money clients by moving into the Villa Verandah, where Lyke lives, but in a nicer apartment on a higher floor. :) Lyke does well enough, though, with the new money clients out in Lost Lake Hills.

By chance, Qwill starts with Lyke when seeking a big society name for the cover of Gracious Abodes' first issue, and thus draws the Taits. At first Mrs. Tait's sharp tongue seems the worst feature of the household, and Tait's obsession with his jade collection the oddest. Then the morning after the first issue of Gracious Abodes hits the street, Tait's jade collection is stolen, his wife is dead of a heart attack, and the police - and the Fluxion's competitor, the Morning Rampage - are asking why the Flux seems to be printing blueprints for burglary. (One of the elements dating the story is the Fluxion's policy of always printing names and addresses, but as you can see, its logical consequences come home to roost.)

Each of the first few editions of _Gracious Abodes_ is plagued by a different catastrophe, and Qwill faces reassignment to the church editor's beat if he can't break the jinx. Are some or all of the incidents related - and if so, who's behind them?

I recommend the unabridged audio read by George Guidall over the book on its own, although I enjoy that too. Scenes like Odd Bunsen's drunken pursuit of Koko across the balconies of the Villa Verandah must be heard to be appreciated fully. :)

"The Vampire's Assistant," book 2 in Darren Shan's Saga, starts two months after the first one leaves off. Darren and Mr. Crepsley (spelling?) return to the Cirque Du Freak, and the terror starts!!! I liked it even better than the first. I can not wait till book 3 comes out. And yes, this one also has the dreadful last three words, TO BE CONTINUED. I reccommend this book to anyone who has read "Cirque Du Freak" and enjoyed it.

Are you retculant to eat lima beans? Well, Darren Shan, the half-vampire, AKA A Vampire's assistant, is retculant to drink blood. That's right. B*L*O*O*D. His master, Larten Crepsley, the vampire AKA Mr. Crepsley, is concerned about Darren's health as he diwindles towards death-and misery.

A great book, this is. A great book, ending with a tragedy. Brr! Yet... I recommend this book for everybody who knows how to read. J/K.

This book is so cool!! I think it is better than the first. But you should read the first book frist. It has awsome parts. Cirque Du Freak is French. It means Circus Of Freaks.
Well this book is about a kid named Darren Shan who becomes half vampire. He did not want to,but he did it to save a friend. After that he becomes a vampire's assistant. Soon a noth he joins the Cirque Du Freak. And makes a friend called Evra,who's a snake boy.

When I picked up this book I honestly thought that I was going to end up reading about snobs just like Lila-but I was wrong. The story starts with Lili de Beautemps, who narrowly misses the guillotine during the French Revolution, and ends up poor. From there, it eventually goes to George Fowler, Lila's father, and goes into what happened between Lila's parents. A nice read, even though I am not one for sappy romance novels normally. I think I'll pick up a copy of "The Patmans of Sweet Valley" as well.

As a college student, I need some mental cotton candy every once in awhile. I found a few of my old Sweet Valley High books and I've gotten hooked on them like never before-- buying them at secondhand bookstores, etc. I have to say that I really love The Fowlers of Sweet Valley-- although-- it seems like in every single "Saga" book the generations-- in this case Beautemps vs. Oiseilluer/Fowler-- that preceed the SV characters we know and love come THIS CLOSE to falling in love and then die, move away, lose touch, etc. Every single generation-- in every book-- it starts to get just a little bit old. However, the only case where this is actually interesting and almost a little heartbreaking is when Isabelle marries Jacques' (oisiellur, who later changes name to Jack Fowler)friend when she thinks he is killed. I have studied the first world war in depth and there are cases like that where they think beyond a doubt the soldier has died and then he turns up somewhere. But with that-- and the background of Lila's parent's falling apart-- make this a wonderful read. Loved it when Celeste found out about her mother Lili!

The Fowlers of Sweet Valley, is, no doubt, the best book I have ever read---and that is a lot of books! I think it was even better than the Wakefield saga, which was good also. The book is truly a sweeping romance. Sensitive readers will surely cry reading this book. AMAZING WORK!

I first read this book when I was about 15 or 16 years old. I was about the same age as Meg. I am now 26 years old and still recommending it for anyone to read. This book is one of the funniest, most honest and realistic books I have ever read. Meghan Powers is the main character and if it's not bad enough that she is going through the normal teenage problems, her mother has to run for President of the United States. Her mom winds up winning and the book goes through wonderful detail about the Presidential race -- from the decision to run to the Democratic convention all the way to the actual election and the gaining of new family members -- the Secret Service. Meg has two little brothers, Steven and Neal, who cause her untold grief, just like little brothers do (I have two myself!) and they all have to adjust to living in the White House with "The Cast of Thousands" as Meg and Steven have dubbed all the White House employees. They each have to adjust to new schools and Meg especially has to deal with all the kids thinking she is a snob just because she is shy and her mom is President. The family relates to each other in silly and quirky ways -- just like any family relates to each other. Meg's dad has to deal with being the first "First Gentleman" (instead of a First Lady). All in all, this book drew my interest into politics and I highly recommend anyone of any age to read it. Ms. White wrote it so well that it isn't even really dated -- except for the music mentioned. There were times in the book where I laughed out loud and got reprimanded by my parents, teachers, etc. (yes, I am a bookworm!). And there were other times where I actually cried. Meg triumphs in this book and when I was a teenager, I really wished I could be as cool as Meghan Powers. If you can get your hands on a copy, the sequel "White House Autumn" is as wonderful as "The President's Daughter" and even takes the story one step higher, if that's possible. Enjoy this book. I have and am getting a new copy because my original copy is completely worn out. Thank you, Ellen Emerson White for two wonderful stories. I am so glad you shared your wonderful talent with us readers!

The trilogy (The President's Daughter, White House Autumn, and Long Live the Queen) are my three favorite books from childhood...and some of the only ones I've kept and continue to re-read even now, at age 26. Ellen Emerson White succeeds in capturing the complexity of growing up and of relating to family and friends. But this isn't a book full of angst and self-pity! It's a joyous, funny portrait of a young lady who is coming into her own...the bumps in her life are not glossed over, but dealt with fairly and accurately. It's a timeless story, a pleasure to read at any age. I always wished for another couple books about Meg and her family.

I am 17 years old an discovered this book, and other works by Ms. White several years ago. Despite all of my teacher's and parents efforts to got me to understand the literary device of style by using books by the likes of H. Melville, and E.M. Forrester, this book was what hammered the idea into my head. It is the story of a sophmore in high school, Meg Powers, whose stately mother runs for president, and wins. Meg deals with this change in position like any real bright teenage characte: laughing, crying, and temper tantrum throwing. This book, along with the two following it and every other Ellen Emerson White book I can get my hands on have a perminent place by my bed, and are read at least once a month

This is without a doubt the FUNNIEST mystery I have ever read! Sharyn McCrumb is a gifted author with a real flair for creating voice, character and setting. In this case, the setting is a science fiction convention and the characters range from the scholarly Dr. James Owen Mega (aka "Jay Omega") and Marion, a professor. These two literati encounter an ecelectic group of students, people dressed as sci-fi characters, authors and other interested parties. Appin Dungannon, a man small in stature and long in chutzpah and crudity dominates the convention. An angry little dynamo, he manages to deliberately rile everybody at that convention. He ends up dead and the REAL mystery is WHO DID IT?

I have never read such a hilarious mystery as this. As good as its sequel, "Zombies of the Gene Pool" is, this book is still the better of the two. The characters who have actually crossed over and believe they ARE the sci-fi characters and good old Appin himself will leave you laughing. One singularly hilarious part in the book is when Appin refuses to autograph his books. When pressed by an autograph hound, Appin signs the name of another very well known author, thus enraging the autograph hounds. This book is a work of comic art. I loved it!

The sci-fi-con murder subgenre, you ask? Well, yes, there is a whole subgenre of murder mysteries where the murder takes place at a science fiction convention. (There are similar subgenres of murders that take place at romance writers' conventions, and at mystery writers' conventions...) The worst - and therefore funniest - stereotypes about the bad habits of science fiction geeks are brought out. The costumed wackos, the people who can't stand real life and escape into Star Trek, the dedicated gamers... the slightly lost, slightly underweight guys who sometimes forget to eat...

I'd say this book is tied for my favorite in the subgenre; my other top favorite is _Sci-Fi_ by William Marshall, which takes place at a science fiction convention in Hong Kong. (It's out of print, but as of this moment, there may be a used copy available...) If you read both books back to back, your stomach muscles will hurt from laughing.

One of the things that annoyed me about the title of the book, funny as it is, is that when the book first came out, bookstores kept classifying it under science fiction instead of mystery; luckily I read both, so I found it.

Other than that confusion about the title, nothing whatsoever was wrong with this book. It was funny all the way through. So what if the nasty little author who got murdered was a stereotype of nasty, demanding, little authors? He was funny!! Our hero is a bit of a stereotype of the absentminded young professor, too, but he's funny also! Only the pickiest reader would mind a little bit of stereotyping in order to move the plot along at its hysterically funny pace.

One of my favorite bit characters in the book was the Scottish folksinger. As he's thinking about heading home to Scotland from his American gig, he's contemplating what he's going to tell his friends when they ask what he did in America: "I fed candy to the Martians." There's also a great cop, who delivers a very funny "I love this job!" There's not a bad line in the book.

I thought that Highland Laddie Gone, in Ms. McCrumb's "Elizabeth MacPherson" series was one of the funniest mysteries I'd ever read. That was until I picked up this book and spent one side-splitting night reading it.

As a person who has attended various science fiction conventions, I recognized many of the characters in the book. The characterizations are too funny and very realistic.

Dr. James Owen Mega (aka Jay Omega) is an engineering professor at the local college, and the author of "Bimbos of the Death Sun", a new science fiction novel. He is attending his first science fiction convention as a guest author, and is bewildered to discover that he has literally entered another world. Guiding Dr. Mega through the world of sci fi fandom is english professor, Dr. Marion Farley, Emma Peel fan and Dr. Mega's significant other.

The entire convention is thrown into a tailspin when the main guest of honor, author Appin Dungannon, is found murdered in his hotel room. Jay and Marion decide to help the police discover who would kill him.

A must for anyone who has ever attended a science fiction convention.