This magical book has lived large in my mind for the past 30+ years: I've been able to quote the last page since I first read it. It's characters were so vivid to me I consider them true childhood friends. When my sister admitted to owning the only copy in our family and to being unwilling to part with it since it is one of her all-time favorites as well, we set out on a mission to find a copy for me. We used every resource we could think of, including used bookstores, antiquarian dealers, estate sales, libraries of all sizes and shapes: all to no avail.

About 3 years ago, in desperation, she photocopied hers for me at a local copy shop (violating all sorts of copyright laws, I'm sure!) so I could share the story with my children. The final chapter to this saga was written about ten minutes ago when my husband said "honey, I just found the coolest site..." and we put in its title "just for grins and chuckles" -- I began crying when it popped up as a 1997 republication, and laughing when I began reading all the other reviews: I am not alone, and I never was! We have all shared a timeless book, and many of us have endured frustration and crazy looks from those who have not been lucky enough to read it for themselves, when we have tried to obtain an elusive copy for ourselves.

I am overjoyed and humbled by this morning's events! Proof exists that anything is possiible if you live long enough. I go now to order one for myself, and one for my sister!

I read this book 31 years ago (at age 10) and was so moved by it that I wrote Marian Cockrell to request a sequel, unbeknownst to my family. What a great tale this is of a magical land, filled with fantasy, adventure, romance, and suspense. It is well written and deeply engrossing, grabbing even the attention of the most casual reader. I was so enthused that I envisioned the further adventures of the characters and would often dream of them as time passed. If you know have someone you love and want to share a unique book with them, send them a copy of Shadow Castle!

I read this book when I was a young girl, and checked it out of the school library so much, that when it became a little tattered around the edges from my constant reading, the librarian gave it to me for $1.00 and a smile.I was always happily entranced, following the exciting adventures with Bluebell, Robin, Mika and Gloria..but the dream ended 2 years later when I lost my only copy during a trip to Maine. 16 years later, and I'm still searching for another copy of Shadow Castle to no avail... but I never lose hope in finding the book and becoming entranced again with it's magical story.

When I first read this book it was 1997 and I was only 14. Even then it impacted greatly on my life and made me want to read more of L. J. Smith's books. This book relates more to me then any of her other ones. When Cassie was caught in the lie with Faye as her capture it really felt like me at that time (this was in the 2nd book in this trilogy). Now that I am 17 I want to rediscover these books and so I am reading them in a new unit of time. It's incredible how much more I am getting out of them. It feels like I relate more to Cassie than any other Smith character. Stefan Salvatore in the "Vampire Diaries" Series is a character that kind of reminds me of Adam in this trilogy as they both have such a gentleman kind of nature until their girl is attacked, in which all hell breaks loose. When Cassie is being brave she at the same time is feeling so insecure and the normal teenage shyness but doesn't let this stop her determination to prevent her father's evil from being released into the town of New Salem! All in all I really recomend this book to all teenagers who feel a little withdrawn from the world. It gave me the strength, not to be someone as strong as Cassie but, to stand the existence of the social world. A huge thanks to L. J. Smith for writing this book, and all of her others, and I hope this trilogy becomes a series like the "Night World" Series.

Here is the conclusion to the trilogy and it continued where the second left off. Black John now holds a position of power in the town. He uses the people as puppets.

Faye is rebelling from the Circle at the most critical time in its history. All members are needed to defeat Black John ... and quickly! A hurricane, that would have down graded to a tropical storm or veered away from land, is being controlled by Black John. If it hits land, millions will die! There is no time to evacuate. Even if there had been, Black John made sure no one could leave the area!

The Circle has only three choices: 1. Give in to Black John's power 2. Let millions die 3. Pray for an inspiration to win the ultimate battle between good and evil!

***** This was the best of the three! I hated to see the trilogy end! L.J. Smith is one fabulous author! *****

This trilogy is amazing. I love the imagery that Ms. Smith uses throughout the story. If you pay attention to detail everything is there from the beginning. I might be able to shed some light to all the fans out there looking for these titles. The first book was just reprinted, and word has it through Harper that a reprinting of the rest is most likely. I work for a book company and I had a friend check around for me. I am quite pleased. I have to say that I would have loved for Ms Smith to do one last book to this series, because you never quite know what happens. Such as, does the coven forgive Faye. And how does Cassie's mother explain Black John as being her father. For all of you who haven't read the book, sorry, but I let go of a secret in the book. But I would so READ THIS SERIES! Nick is great, and you can't help but laugh at the Henderson brothers. But Adam and Cassie, sigh, that's just another happy ending. :)

The Secret Circle carries LJS's mark all the way. You've got the strong female lead ... the beautiful (and wicked) enchantress ... the equally beautiful "good fairy" type ... the dark, brooding bad boy (the highlight of every LJS book). You just can't get enough of the woman's work - even if some of it sounds awfully similar to her other books.

In The Initiation, it is exactly as the title suggests: Cassie is initiated into the Secret Circle, a coven of witches in New Salem, after many trials. Then she realizes that the guy she'd been obsessing over for the entire summer it seems like is her new best friend's boyfriend. Worse, the real "witch" of the witches - Faye, reminiscent of Blaise and Maya - finds out that Cassie's messed with her almost-sister's guy - and she starts to blackmail her. Meanwhile, an old evil has been released...

For some good old-fashioned LJS delight, read this!

This book is abosolutely great! I've read this a week ago and the two book followed. It's an awesome trilogy and it's my favorite now. LJ Smith is an ezcellent writer.
*****Cassie Blake didn't want to move to New Salem, Mass. and have to leave her home towm in California. But her mom told her they have to because her mother(Cassie's Grandma) is sick. When Cassie had a vacation with her mom a week in Mass. before they really moved there, before her mom broke the news, Cassie met a mysterious guy with red-wine hair. She thought she saw a silver-cord connection between them. Cassie moved into the new town, and thought that she would never see the handsome stranger again, but when she enter the new school, she did see him. He belonged to a club and had a girlfriend, Diana. Diana was nice to Cassie, and Cassie felt warmth toward her. But Diana's cousin, Faye, was cold and mean and nasty to her. Cassie met the rest of the gang: tough-girl Deborah, boy-crazy Suzan, weird Sean, nice Laurel, interlectual Melanie, crazy-and-wild Chris and Doug Henderson, Faye's-wannabe Kori Henderson, cold-and-distant Nick, who had a warm side toward Cassie that no one know of. Cassie became Diana's adopted-sister but feeling like an outcast compare to the closeknitted club members. The club was already full until one of the club member died and they needed another person, and Cassie's it. She discover that she's a witch and the club is not and ordinary one, it's a witch club, where all members are witches. Cassie felt torn because of Adam being her favorite person's boy friend. She felt that Adam's her soulmate but because Diana that Cassie have to back off. Will she ever fit into such a new surrounding? Would she be accepted by her new clubmates?

Cassie's life is turned upside down when her mother decides they are moving in with her grandmother. Cassie must leave all her friends behind and start at a new school in the town of New Salem. She has trouble fitting in at first. A group of witches have decided to make her life a living hell. Her luck changes when she makes friends with the leader of the coven. Diana is the best friend that Cassie could ever hope for, there's just one problem... she's in love with her boyfriend!

I loved pretty much everything in this book. The characters, plot, and romance were all great. I look forward to learning about more of the side character in future books. I usually like the first book in all of L. J. Smith's series the best but I think this series can only get better. L. J. Smith is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors and I want to read every book she's written.

The book Say Goodnight,Gracie by Julie Reece Deaver takes place in all times of the day, in school, at Morgan's, Jimmy's, and aunt Lo's house, in the tryouts at Shubert, as well as other places in the city. The main characters are Jimmy and Morgan, two really best friends since they were very little. Their friendship is so big that they share everything and trust on each other a lot. It seems to be as if they were married because they are jelous if the other person has a boyfriend or girlfriend. They have decided to be best friends instead of boyfriends since being boyfriends wouldn't be the same. The book is about all their experiences together. Jimy works hard towards the goal of becoming a professional dancer. Morgan still was in school and tried to help Jimmy in all the ways she could. Jimmy and Morgan pass through many things together but all of these adventures would end one day. I really enjoyed this book and will recommend it to everybody since the plot of the book is different to all the other books I have read. This book tells you from the beginning Morgans memories with Jimmy and how badly hurt she was. I like the way the book was written , like a type of dairy. What I didn't like was that the memories were too long. This book tells me to treat everybody like my parents in my best since they will not always be next to me.

Once a good friend mentioned that she was reading a book called Say Goodnight Gracie, and that it was one of the best ones she had ever read. I was a bit skeptical at first but I decided to look into it. After reading this book, I was astonished as to how many emotions and how much love was put into it. I have now declared this as the best book I have ever read.
The first line in the book, I believe, says more to me, and to others, than any others books could even get close to. "There are friends, I think, we can't imagine living without. People who are sisters to us, or brothers." This book is about two teens, Morgan and Jimmy, who have been best friends since the day they were born. They never thought anything would bring them apart. Nothing could ever damage their friendship because it was just too perfect. Nothing could ever ruin it, that is until the day that Jimmy was killed by a drunk driver.
Morgan thought her life was coming to an end. This is the worst thing that could have ever happened to her, and she just wondered why. Why Jimmy? Why not her? It took her a long, long time to realize that Jimmy was going to be gone and never come back again. Many people tried to reach out and try to help Morgan, but she wouldn't let anyone come too close. She just wanted to isolate herself, and not want to deal with it. She went through a period of time where she wouldn't sleep at night, wouldn't go to school, and thought that she was basically becoming a zombie. But considering the circumstances, her becoming like that was understandable.
Morgan would never forget Jimmy, but she finally realized that it was time to move on, and he would never come back. She knew that if he were up in heaven, looking down upon her, he would be upset seeing her mope like this. So she decides to go back to school, she even makes a new friend, and just decides to move on with her life again, but she will never ever forget Jimmy.

I highly recommend this book! The friendship and love that Morgan and Jimmy possessed was so grand. Whenever Jimmy drove his car somewhere, I would be afraid to read on, because he is supposed to get killed by a drunk driver. I couldn't stop crying after Morgan heard that Jimmy had been killed. She lost herself after Jimmy's death and had so many people to help her through it. She just hadn't realized it till afterwards, when she gets herself together. This is truely a well-written book! I'd definately read it again soon!

While reading Christy, I couldn't help but wish I could be as bold and courageous as this nineteen-year-old missionary teacher. Christy, a young woman beginning her journey in faith as she moves from a well-respected town into a mountainous chaos, has always felt she was more than just a nice dress at fancy tea parties, and proves herself true in this inspirational story. Defying her parent's wishes, Christy leaves her home and moves to Cutter Gap, a crude community in which the children are in deep need to learn. The people of Cutter Gap are extremely proud of their heritage and wonder about this new woman from the city coming to teach their children. Ms. Alice Henderson, a woman who helps with the mission, is Christy's inspiration to keep going even when she believes failure has beaten her. David Grantland, the preacher of the town, is immediately drawn to Christy's courage and independence. Dr. McNeil, the only doctor in the community, is also drawn to Christy and the light that shines through her as she finally becomes an accepted part of Cutter Gap. As she teaches a classroom full of encouraging young faces, she also learns herself that you have to keep trying and never give up on your dreams. When tragedy hits her with all its might, the love for one man will bring her back to the world, to him. This tale of courage and love will pull at your heart!

And that's saying something! :)
I'm definitely not saying it's anything *similar* to LotR, because it's not, I'm just saying that it's *almost*
as good. It's about a 19-year-old girl named Christy Huddleston who goes to teach school at a mission
in a place called Cutter Gap in the Great Smokies of Tenessee. The year is 1912. This is an incredible
book about a citified girl who finds adventure, hardships, challenges, maturity, God, joy and (of course)
romance. It's very wonderful to find such perfect balance of all elements. It's quite rare to find a book
that actually mentions, (gasp!) *GOD* that is not way overboard and in the preachy department. In fact, I
think the way that religion was tied in was just perfect. Then, my favorite part would have to be the
romance. A very frustrating one, one of those where she thinks she's in love with one, but is actually in
love with the other. Not too frustrating though. I've read plenty of those (Anne of the Island, cough
cough!). My brothers, who are adamantly against romance, and always bury their heads in pillows when
anything romantic comes up anywhere. In Christy's story, they are fascinated, and my youngest brother,
who at first really didn't like Christy, says that "I only keep going to see who Christy marries," :)
The thing is, the romance is only a big thing if you make it so. There just happens to be a cute young
preacher and a hot doctor with a sexy Scottish brouge in the vicinity, both of whom have a major crush
on Christy! :)T his is by no means a romance novel. I just personally am a fan of one of Christy's
admirers, (who is, dare I say it, hotter than Aragorn:)
But more than the romance, this is an incredible story and the characters are so real to me now. I'm actually now doing some research on Catherine because I'm so interested in this whole story.
A must-read!!!...

Christy
By Catherine Marshall

Christy, by Catherine Marshall, is about nineteen year old Christy Huddleston, who gives up her life of comfort in Ashville, Tennessee to serve as a teacher in the impoverished community of Cutter Gap, Tennessee in the early nineteen hundreds. In this book, Christy Huddleston learns to love the people of Cutter Gap unconditionally, and to serve others around her. Christy also struggles to sort through the romantic feelings she has toward the doctor and the minister.

After hearing a presentation by Dr. Ferrand, a non-denominational Christian missionary, Christy was challenged to move to Cutter Gap to teach at the mission. After packing her bags, Christy moves to Cutter Gap, Tennessee to find herself surrounded by the superstitious, poverty stricken, and illiterate people of the cove. Christy is determined to improve their way of life.

While struggling to gain respect from the school bullies, and dealing with the unsanitary ways of the people, Christy finds herself looking at her new life in discontent. She is overwhelmed by the duties and responsibilities she encounters. Christy questions if she made the right decision by coming to Cutter Gap. Miss Alice, a Quaker woman who is there to help run the mission, is always filled with advice and encouragement and helps Christy realize that she did not come here seeking a better life for herself, she came to serve others so that they might have a better life and also have a chance to be eternally redeemed. She learns patience by waiting for opportunities to serve, and develops a sense of victory every time she knows she is useful to someone.

Besides gaining a friendship with Miss Alice, Christy also gains friendships with the stubborn minister, David Grantland, and the prideful, Scottish-Irish physician, Dr. Neil McNeil. Christy expands her insight and gains clues to the destitute mountain people through the minister and the doctor. As Christy learns more, and knows more about the two men, she begins feel affection for both of them, and Christy must sort through her feelings to see if she is in love with either of them.

Christy Huddleston's faith is severely tested when Fairlight Spencer, Christy's closest friend, dies of typhoid and pneumonia. Christy can't understand why God can let there be so much pain and suffering in the world. She questions God about how He, the creator of the universe, can let Fairlight die. Christy struggles with her belief in God, but when she seeks Him in the words of the Bible, those words speak straight to her heart. Christy is assured that God is real, and that He works in mysterious ways.

This book also shows how God can use something negative to bring others to Him. Birdseye Taylor, a cold-hearted man who lives in the cove, and several other men, become mixed up in illegal distilling of whiskey. While a typhoid epidemic spreads through Cutter Gap, Birdseye is accused of murdering a man who was also tangled in the bootlegging. Birdseye retreats into hiding. When he finds out that his son, Lundy, is ailing with typhoid, he returns to the cove to see him. Lundy Taylor, dies, but through the tragedy, the Lord uses this situation to change Birdseye's heart and to eventually bring Birdseye to Him.

I recommend this book because it shows, through the eyes of a young teacher, how God can work mysteriously to turn something negative into something positive. It also shows how someone can unconditionally love even the unlovable. I'm convinced that this book will change your outlook on life. I was challenged to be a more unselfish, humble person.

Just As Long As Were Together was a pretty close to real life kind of book. Friends get into fights, right? I found the book a really realistic book. I did because it sounds like most girls' lifes in this world. This book, is about young girls' who are bestfriends, then a girl moves into the condo (I think it was) across a pond from one of the girls. They end up getting into a fight and then become friends once again. They get into so many incidences,and are into this guy that goes to their school.The first sentence "Stephanie is into hunks", kind of caught me off gaurd. Not many books, or authors actually start off a book like that. That's why I thought it would be a pretty interestiong book to read, and boy was I right! Any book that starts off like that can grab your attention and grab you in. I loved this book and I highly recomend it to everyone, that likes Judy Blume or not. It's sophisticated yet, childish, so it's a perfect book!

I read Just as Long as We're Together whenI was in 7th grade. I'm now 23 years old and I have to say that I have grown up reading Judy Blume. Just as Long as We're Together was such a great book for me as I began Junior high school. everything Judy addresses in the novel is ultimately true. I cannot believe that some parents are so afraid of such honesty. But then again parents who have to read books before their children do are letting their children miss out on a lot of wonderful novels if they decide that their children are not to read them. At an age where kids are experiencing sex issues at younger ages, books like Just as Long as We're Together by Judy Blume, offer new insight to these issues and often the only advice that some children are able to receive. Thanks judy for helping me through!

This book was incredibly nice! I've never read a book written by Judy Blume but know I know she is a very good writer This book tells about life. I think it is like real life because it talks about three ordinary girls that have some problems. Stephanie and Rachel are best friends until they meet a Vietnamese girl named Alison. These friends have to face some problems that can end their friendship. The book was easy to read. It kept me very interested and I didn't want to stop reading it. I think I can compare these friends with the friends I have. I also have best friends but not only one. I also have many other friends that are really great. The story was very realistic because It talked about changes that happen during the ages of 12 and 13 years old. I hope that who ever reads this review will read this book Just as Long as we're together. How I said before it was a GREAT book.

I purchased a signed copy of Eragon from the author at the Northwest Bookfest last month in Seattle. I was intruiged by this young man dressed in a Renaissance-era outfit. He was personable and talked me into getting a book. How could I not buy his book? It's not every day you meet an 18 year old who has a book published.

I read the first two chapters while eating at the Bookfest. I brought the book home and my children, 8 and 10, wanted to know what the book with the blue eye was. That night I read the first two chapters to them as their bedtime story. They wanted me to keep reading. Instead, I promised to read Eragon to them each night.

That was two weeks ago. I have held myself back from jumping ahead to find out what adventure Eragon, Brom, and Saphira have next, so I can read to the children their bedtime story.

Soft light shines into their bedroom while Eragon is read. The children never want me to stop reading. From dinnertime to bedtime, they constantly are asking when can we go upstairs to our bedroom to hear the next installment of Eragon.

The children are so taken with Eragon and Christopher Paolini, they ask questions about who he is, where he lives, what he eats, what color pen or pencil does he write with, does he use a computer? They never stop.

When I read to them at night, Eragon is a novel in technicolor. We all see the story in our mind's eye. I feel like I go about my daily business with an Eragon DVD inserted into my head.

I want to know how Eragon finishses, but we are savoring each chapter like fine wine. I love this book!

Eragon is a story that you will read every spare moment until you're done with the book. Christopher Paolini (can you believe this kid is only eighteen!) has written a story that will last the test of time because it has all the classic elements: an event at the beginning that starts a series of situations and adventures, love, a coming of age story, an inheritance, bad guys (Urgals) and good guys, not the least of which is a brilliant blue dragon, Saphira. I really don't want to give away much, because you just have to read this book for yourself too see what I mean.

I loved this book. I think this author has hit a home run. I am still chasing the ball and loving the journey. I finished the book two weeks ago, yet the "world" that Paolini has created in Eragon still sticks with me. I can see it in my mind's eye. I find myself wondering about the characters, and when the next book will be ready.

Elves, dwarves, dragons, evil Urgals and terrifying shades, love, revenge, and adventure all wrapped up into one intricate tale of enchantment that leaves the reader breathless and wishing for more--this is Eragon, by Christopher Paolini.

Right away I was pulled in by the professional and artistic cover, the giant blue eye of the dragon Sapphira drawn by the author himself, and when I opened the book, I was not in the least disappointed. Once you pick this book up, you can't put it down. Immmediately you are swept off into the vast world of Algaesia and into the life of a young fifteen year old boy, Eragon; his path takes you to new and fascinating places filled with magic and mystical creatures.

I finished this book in three days--going to school full time and trying to stay awake after reading until one or two in the morning. I am sure I would have finished in a day if it hadn't been for school.

I would absolutely encourage spending the money to buy this book. You will be pleasingly surprised by his new, fresh style, as well as his deep understanding for the realm of fantasy and his apparent love for writing.

But be warned, this story is addicting!

Diana Wynne-Jones has a well-deserved reputation for funny, well-plotted, keep-you-riveted-to-your-chair fantasy stories. Here she provides an unusual sorcerer, an unlikely heroine, and a lot of sly winks at fantasies and fairy tales. Very entertaining.

Sophie Hatter is the eldest of three daughters, which in this fantasyland means that she's the one who doesn't have an astounding "fortune" to seek. Instead she's stuck at the hat shop. One day a plump, very rude woman comes to see the hats, and Sophie uncharacteristically insults her. Unfortunately, this woman is the Witch of the Wastes, and responds by aging Sophie into a crone. Peeved out of being shy and retiring, she tramps off to the "Moving Castle" of the supposedly evil wizard Howl, who reportedly [steals] out the souls of young girls.

After arriving at the castle, she encounters Howl's pleasant apprentice and contracted fire demon Calcifer (who promises to disenchant Sophie if she breaks his contract). Though she annoys the rather self-absorbed Howl and drives Calcifer almost nuts at times, Sophie becomes the cleaning lady at the Moving Castle. She begins searching for the chewed-up hearts of the girls, only to find something a lot more bizarre -- including her own peculiar magic.

If you've ever read a fairy tale -- Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast -- you'll know that the youngest kids are always are the favored ones. They go on to marry princes or princesses, become wealthy and beloved. Jones mocks this and many other fairy-tale cliches, such as the hilarious scene where Sophie lurches around in seven-league boots. There's even a brief homage to J.R.R. Tolkien.

It's certainly an interesting twist to have a not-so-evil evil-wizard, a harried apprentice, and a heroine who appears to be in her nineties. Similarly, the ideas of the "Moving Castle" with its doors to other places (including modern Wales) is very original. That's not even mentioning the attacking scarecrow.

Until she's aged into a crone, Sophie isn't much of a heroine; she's too timid and dull to be of interest. Post-aging, she becomes interesting and delightfully pushy. Howl is not what you think of a "bad" wizard as; his tantrums over things like hair dye are hysterically funny, and he's also immensely attractive to the opposite sex. Michael is a good sidekick, with the common-sense that Howl lacks; Calcifur the fire demon is one of Jones' most memorable characters, especially when Sophie bullies him.

While it isn't quite as spectacular as Jones' Chrestomanci Chronicles, "Howl's Moving Castle" will appeal to those who liked fantasy spoof "Dark Lord of Derkholm" and "Year of the Griffin." A funny, thought-provoking magical ride.

Could you ever imagine a world of magic, talking fire, wizards, moving castles, witches and much, much more? Well, if you can't imagine that you should read this book. It has magic, talking fire (hard to believe), wizards, moving castles, and witches. This book is called Howl's Moving Castle and Diana Wynne Jones is responsible for writing this book.
This book is mainly about Sophie getting to be young and Calfifer being free. Sophie wants to be young again because The Witch of the Waste was not pleased with the bonnet that she wanted and turned Sophie into an old lady. Sophie goes to a moving castle and pretends to be a maid. In the castle she finds a young wizard in his twenties, his name is Howl. Sophie also spots a fire demon, Calcifer. Calcifer and Sophie promise each other that Sophie would break his contract and free him. Calcifer promises Sophie that he will change her back.
*I you want to find out if Sophie breaks the spell, you should read this book. I won't give away the ending, but in the end there is a lot of people apologizing and asking to be their wife or girlfriend.

Sophie lives in a small village in the magical land of Ingary. Her village fears the heartless wizard, Howl, whose dark castle insists on circling the village--but it is a wicked witch who suddenly places an aging spell on Sophie, causing her to leave the village and, exhausted, take refuge in Howl's castle.

Filled with finely drawn characters, this is a book accessible for all ages. Perhaps the best part is when the characters visit our world, and we see things through their perspective.

Jones includes bits and pieces of standard fantasy, from fire demons to seven-league boots, but what results is, as always, entirely her own.

Highly recommended. Jones is finally starting to get her due as an author, and this is a good place to start reading her works.

In Michelle Magorian's novel Good Night, Mr. Tom, she brilliantly illustrates the hardships of a young child growing up post World War II after having being abused and abandoned by his mother, the one person who was truly supposed to love him. After being shipped from London to the English countryside to live with Mr. Tom, Willie has to adjust to living in a world he never knew existed. A world in which love, affection and friendships flourish. Magorian uses what she knows to set the plot, being that she was born and raised mostly in England. Her parents met each other during the World War II and perhaps she was reflecting on her own issues because as a child she lived a couple of years in Singapore and Australia. She eventually came back to England when she was 9 years old, but had already been moved around a lot, as did the main character in the book. The New Yorker called Magorian's novel "An engrossing and poignant story, with much sunlight to balance the darkness." Jim Trelease from The Read-Aloud Handbook said it was "powerful." And that, it is.

"Good Night, Mr. Tom",is an excellent historical novel, by Michelle Magorian, set in World War II. This is a wonderful and touching story, about a small boy, named Willie Beech, who is evacuated from London to live in Little Weirwold with a complete stranger, Mr. Thomas Oakley. Tom is an old man, not used to children (he had a baby bay that died, but that was his only child), but he is kind to Willie. Willie is a deprived and abused child, and he is afraid of everything, because he wasn't let outside much in his earlier life. Slowly, Willie starts to think on his own, and he forgets the hate and despair of his past. Tom comes to love Willie like a son. Then a telegram comes, and Willie must return to his abusive mother in London, but weeks pass and Willie doesn't come back, so Mr. Tom goes to London to try to find the boy he has come to love so much. I would recommend this book to anyone young or old wo wants to read an excellent book. I hope all who read this book enjoy it as much as I did.

The book Good Night Mr. Tom by Michelle Magorian, was a book I extremely enjoyed reading. When I first looked at the title, I wasn't too attracted to reading the book but once I caught the basic idea on what it was about on the inside, I was eager to read it. I'm glad I did, because this book is one of the most heartbreaking stories I have read. The story starts out very nicely, introducing the main character, William aka Willie aka Will. Unlike some books, the beginning of the story catches your attention and does throughout the whole book. The sad part is, Will is an evacuee and constantly gets seriously abused by his mother. With no father to help him out and his mother not willing to take him during a war, Will is sent house after house with other children to be accepted somewhere else. Will's mother is a religious type but takes everything to another dangerous and extreme level that hurts herself as well as her son. Will is very lucky and ends up in a small town named Little Weirwold with Thomas Oakley, or whom Will learned to call, Mister Tom. Hardened by the loss of his son and wife, he gradually starts to accept Will and in a way, takes him in as his own son. After making friends, discovering talents, creating memories and going on wild adventures, he slowly regains the childhood that he missed. Learning that his before life was not suppose to be, Will is reluctant to return to his mother because she is "sick." The rest of the story is something you need to find out yourself. Even I cannot express the joy and sorrows with reading this heart touching story. Only the readers can feel this by encountering it for themselves. The reason this book received the rating it did is because it was so nicely put together, it makes the reader see the innocence of Will when it's such a heart break just to see him learning new things that are common to us. Michelle Magorian also brought out the infinite patience and love of Mister Tom. This made the story even more special because of the hero role he plays to Will. Another reason is because she makes the conclusion and ending worthwhile the read. It was as if the only reason I was reading the book was to get to the end. The final important reason was because the whole book was exciting. I cannot remember one moment in the book where I wanted to stop. The experiences little William became a part of me and I wanted to encourage this character as he went struggling through his rough life. Overall, this book was very satisfying. I hope to read more books like this in the future... a true heartache. (Very special book)

i shouldnt be rating this (i haven't finished it yet!), but it is wonderful so far. i'm just at the part where poppy dies and phil goes into a rage. what i'm really rating, tho, is the book in this series called "Soul Mates." i would rate it at its page, but i havent found its page! the book is about Thierry (1st made vampire, oldest guy vampire, lord of the night world) who tries to find Hannah (hana of the 3 rivers, thierry's soulmate). there is a small problem, though - hannah gets upset over something thierry did the very 1st time they met (hannah's had lots of past lives) and Maya (world's oldest vampire, wants thierry for herself) messes w/ hannah's head. it really is a great book and i give it *****. you should try to find it someplace and read it, if you like secret vampire. i'd list other books, but, so far, i've only read those 2. feel free 2 email me at lis5998@alloymail.com. - :)

LJ Smith has been one of my favorite authors since I was in junior high school. Her books are all about the supernatural, but you don't have to be a science-fiction, horror story lover to enjoy them. The Night World is a series about vampires, witches, shapeshifters, and the humans who know about them. However, don't be turned off if this isn't typically your thing. They are more love stories between teenagers who hapen to be supernatural beings than they are books about supernatural beings who happen to fall in love. The characters are easy to relate to because they have the same types of problems that normal teenagers have, fangs and all.
Secret Vampire is one of the best Night World books in the series. James is a vampire whose human best friend, Poppy, is dying of cancer. He has to choose between breaking the laws of his people or letting Poppy die. He also has to face the obstacles of Phil, Poppy's possessive twin brother, Poppy's stubborness, and Ash, James' ruthless vampire cousin.
I would recommend Secret Vampire for any teen girl, because in encompasses a wide variety of genres into one book without going too heavily into any of them.

The Night World is a secret society of vampires, werewolves, and witches. In the first book in the series, teenage Poppy discovers she has terminal cancer. Things look pretty bleak for Poppy till her best friend and secret crush, James, reveals that he is a vampire and that he wants to make her one as well. Poppy isn't out of the woods yet, by making her a vampire James has broken the laws of the night world which could cost him and Poppy their lives.

This is probably the best L. J. Smith book I've read so far. I enjoyed it so much I read it practically in one sitting. The characters, plot, and pacing were all perfect and the writing was very emotional as well. Smith's vampires are different from any I've read about before. She's also created a very intriguing world that makes me want to track down the rest of the series. Fans of teen horror, vampire fiction, or even just good romance should give this one a try.