Martin Gilbert is probably one of the most prodigious historians alive. This book required interviews with the 732 survivors it profiles ("Boys" includes both men and women) and those who knew them after the war. Some were as young as eight or nine when the war started. Many themes Gilbert covers are like those one can read in other personal Holocaust histories. But the experiences in each case are unique.

Martin provides two statistics I find particularly haunting. While 6 million Jews died in the Holocaust--including victims of pre-war pogroms, ghettos, concentration and death camps and death marches--only 100,000 survived the camps. And while Britain agreed to take in 1,000 Jewish "children" under the age of 16 after the war, only 732 could be found alive.

But for me, the most fascinating part of the book is the repeated confirmation that those who returned to their homes after the war found the same kind of murderous hatred among their former neighbors as Jan Tomasz Gross describes in Neighbors.

In other words, Jedwabne was not unique. Gross has himself said as much and plans to write more on the subject. But Gilbert also confirms that murders of Jews by locals happened during the war all over Poland, Lithuania and Latvia, and to a lesser extent, in Hungary. It also happened after the war all over Europe--especially in the East. Returning Jews found neighbors who wished them dead, and in thousands of cases killed them. The "boys", obviously, survived. But many lost brothers, parents, friends, after the war, in Poland, Hungary, and elsewhere. Sir Martin Gilbert gives us the living proof. Alyssa A. Lappen

In reading this book's 480 pages I must have said "Unbelieveable" at least 480 times. What a remarkable story. It's sad that the passing of time and the passing of the individuals who experienced and survived such an ordeal tends to soften the images of those terrible times. I am grateful to "The Boys" who contributed to Martin Gilbert's requst to write their stories down. I promise them that in the same way that they commited their lives to keeping their families spiits alive, I will do the same for them. I will ensure that my children know of the past and learn from it. This book, along with other Holocaust memorials and projects, will be read years from now and make future generations proud of their Jewish heritage. "The Boys" lives have not been in vain, they have lit a path of hope and fulfillment for all that follow

An amazing book. Gilbert did not so much write a book as he did weave together masterfully the story of 732 young people whose only connection was the terrible tragedy that befell them. Gilbert, or rather his "Boys", paints a vivd picture of pre-Holocaust Jewish life in eastern Europe and makes one realize that Hitler destroyed more than six million lives. The story is terribly depressing and yet uplifting when one realizes what "the Boys" have done with their lives since 1945

I thought it easily captured the emotions of Melanie Braderman average girl and Justin Hart teen heart throb.It was entertaining and fast moving. If you love teen romance & I do you"ll love this book

I loved the book because I love reading about teenage love and romance and seeing what happens in the end, whether they stay together or they split apart. In this book Melanie Braderman falls in love on Fire Island with "Hart- throb," Justin Hart, who is a teen actor. They meet because Mel's brother throws a frisbee and accidentally hits Justin with it, when the wind catches it. If you love reading about teenaged love you'll love this exciting book

I think this is an excillent book because it talks about teenage love an I like to read about teenage love. This is about a 14 year old girl named Melanie Braderman and she meets this boy, on Fire Island, named, Justin Hart, and she meets him by her brother hitting him on accident and when she sees him she falls in love. Mel spys on him and watches almost every move she makes. They finally meet and go out. Justin only wants to have a summer romace. When the summer is over and they move back to where they live Mel finds out that Justin was keeping a seceret from her that he was starring in a show called "It's No Joke" and he is the star of the show. When everyone finds out that Mel and Justin dated over the summer she gets so hummiliated at school in front of every one. Mel finally gets his phone number and then they spend a day together in New York city alone. If you like to read teenage romance then you will like to read this one. I think this the best book that Ann M. Martin has written and I wish there was a movie on it

It has been a long time since I have read this book, so I don't remember a lot of the details,but this is one of my favorite books. As a former teacher I tend to be very selective about books for teenagers. This is a great story. It is also very realistic. Of course, I have a personal interest in the story - my mother has cardiomyopathy, the same disease that the main character's father has.

This is one of my all-time favorite books, and this is arguably Ms. Martin's best novel ever. I cried and cried reading this wonderful story, mostly because I lost my beloved grandmother to cancer. I identified with every struggle the O'Hara family faced in the wake of the death of their father, mostly I identified with Liza and Hope, who mourned in different ways. I can't recommend this simple but powerful book enough. I don't care how old you are. It's worth it.

the first time i read this book, i was 8, and my father had just recently been diagnosed with cancer. i rediscovered it at 10 (just after his death) and in 7th grade (the age of the book's protagonist); after that i never lost track of it again. i treasured the book like a secret diary because it so perfectly fit every emotion i'd ever felt, every struggle i'd ever faced. the parallels were so great to my own story that i refused to let a close friend borrow the book because of how much about me it would reveal. this book is well-written and deserves to be back in print. my struggles would have been a thousand times harder without this book to show me just how normal all of my fears were, and it's a book that any child or preteen who has lost a parent should consider reading.

This has to be my favorite biology book. It is clear, consise, comprehensive, and all the figures and tables are very useful for studying the material. I suggest that whoever buys this book for a course, KEEP IT! Don't sell it, because it's a basic book for all biologists, past, present and future.

This text has a lot of diagrams, pictures and graphs that help the reader understand the material more fully. Also well written and easy to read. The diagrams for respiration were especially helpful.

This book wrote in easy language, easy to understand, beautiful cover and artworks, I sure that this book is excellent in every page.

The book Dreadful Sorry is one of the best books I have ever read. I liked all of the characters and each one, I thought, made the book even more interesting. The book is about a girl named Molly who is afraid of swimming because of a girl named Clementine Horn who is in Molly's very realistic dreams(or more like nightmares.) This book is very, very, very, very(you get the point) good. I was hooked from the beginning to the end. This book was very good and I recomend it to everyone. Kathryn is a GREAT author. The next book I am planning to read of hers is the glass windows book. READ THIS BOOK! YOU WILL LOVE IT, I GUARENTEE!

I read this for the first time in 6th grade. It was being sold at my school book fair, and so I was introduced to it this way. I remember in past years looking for it, and it is a little hard to find, but websites like these make it readily available so it's not as much of a problem.

Anyway, the storyline is pretty gripping, though can be a little monotonous and long. There are two styles of writing in this book. There is the third person narrative of the author in present day, and then the voice of Clementine, a girl from the past reliving her life through memories. It's not at all confusing, since it is divided into chapters and you can obviously tell the historical sections from the present day ones, but some chapters get a little lengthy.

The main character, Molly, is mentioned in other books by Kathryn Reiss. If you have ever read her other stories, you will recognize some of the character's names and attitudes/personalities. This makes it nice because you know it's all connected in some way or another. Makes it a little more predictable, but familiar. I like this quality in her books.

The storyline in general isn't all that complicated, but relies a little much on a subtle imagination. It doesn't take much to figure things out in this book, and the ending really isn't surprising at all. In fact, it's almost expected. But it's fitting and so it doesn't ruin the story at all.

I would recommend this to young adults, those who like small and simple ghost stories, or those who just want a pretty fast read to get away from things. It's pretty easy reading and goes relatively quickly, only about 250 pages or so.

This book remains one of my childhood favorites, and my friends have often noted how much they liked it in the past as well.

molly is a girl haunted by dreams of long hallways and is seeing another girls face in her mirror... plauqued with a fear of water she runs from her lessons and meets her friends cousin Jared ...memories open and when she is tossed in water and see's things she runs to her fathers house in maineand suddenly relizes she is now living in the house that is in her dreams... now seeing visions and "walking"in a ghosts shoes molly learns that by listening and searching her mind and sorondings for answers she will get the answers that she needs.

a real thriller , once you read the first chapter you cant put it down also try..Time Windows and The Glass House People also by Katheryn Reiss

The reason I rated this book a three, was because it was a good book. It explains some of the things that happen in real life. The book was also sad. I felt bad for what Amalia had to go through. I thought it was boring because it didn't have a lot of suspense. It also had to do with relationships gone bad. The women at the GEAE had been beaten, and Amalia had been in a bad relationship herself. I would recomend this book to 6th, 7th and 8th graders who like to read about romance. Most of the book is about Amalia's relationship with James. Also, a lot of the things Amalia goes through, people have to go through all the time.

I VE JUST READ CD#4. IT IS WONDERFUL.probably one of the best books in the seires.i read sunny &dawn,s diaries first.then ducky &maggie. i never thought that amalias diaries were worth reading.But then i decided to give it a try. iread cd#14 first.and to my surprise i liked it a lot.soi decided to buy another one. this was #4.it was a great success too,because i loved amalias style in writing in her journal,like the drawings.[i LOVE to draw,too].i was glad she got rid of james .i liked it when she decides to face him.ilike her strong personality.i also loved linda and her son mikey. Ann Martin did a wonderful job on that book.what i like most about CALIFORNIA DIARIESis that every one has a different story,problem,style,feelings,circumstances,ideas&personality. ann martin enables the reader to go deep into all this stuff.in amalia diary one we get to know alot about her. she is strong,caring,sarcastic,and awonerful daughter,sister&friend. but ann ,here,in amalias diaries is highligting very serious problemS LIKE BEING of another color[in cd#14and the racists]but in cd#4 she highlights the problem of selfishness which is naturally leading to the idea of OWNING PEOPLE. BETWEEN AMALIA AND JAMES AND its complications of course.selfishness is the problem.every one wants what ishis mind ,like james and LINDAS HUSBAND. BUT IN THE END SELFISHNESS NEVER WINS. CD#4 IS A WONDERFUL BOOK. I RECOMMEND IT TO ALL TEENS.WELL DONE,ANN. AND KEEP THE GOOD WORK.

I like Amalia's courage in dealing with her abusive boyfriend. Good thing she dumps him and her friends and sister stood by her! Bravo! It tells girls that no, they do NOT have to put up with abuse. This book was as good as the BSC "Claudia & the Terrible Truth" which was also about abuse. Have Amalia & Claudia met? They should, they're somewhat alike, being artistic and creative and each having an older sister. The California Diaries delve somewhat deeper because it's in a diary form, but the BSC books are just as great. What I like are the first-person accounts that make you feel as if you're right inside the main character's head. Those who claim the BSC are "goody" ought to read deeper. In some ways the BSC books are diarylike.

I am really in the debt of Terry Deary. If it weren't for him and his wonderful "Horrible History" series, I would never have been introduced to history. I first read his work when I was only ten. Seven years later, I'm still enjoying his work. Yes, childish, but it is so much fun. I now want to teach, to make history fun to others. I wouldn't have known it possible if it weren't for Deary. Right next to my "Measly Middle Ages" and my "Woeful Second World War" is my John Keegen and William Manchester.

Onto "Measly Middle Ages". I really enjoy this book. Both irreverent and insightful at the same time, this book really shows the reader how horrible the middle ages actually were. I've read several works on the era, and this book nicely fills in the basic details, with out bogging it down with the details that us history dorks love. A great book for kids, a great book for people who both enjoy history and enjoy having fun.

"The Measly Middle Ages" is a really funny book! I can hardly believe it's true, after reading all those "boring history books!" Anywayz, I'll have to try and read the rest of the "Horrible Histories" series. Just can't wait!

This great, enchanting, and captivating series attracted me since i was a child. Not only is this an educating experience, this also provides information in a very enjoyable way. Attractive to the most intelligent minds, and interesting to every child, this makes a great gift and also a great reader.
It will make you smile and even laugh out loud as you read book after book. My only question is, why would they ever stop priting? I ask Scholastic to continue print so all who desire a book can recieve one. Thank you.

Journey with a guy with much testosterone, but a HUGE heart. I was not looking forward to reading this book for my 18th Century British novel class, but upon starting to read I found it to be a pleasurable story. This piqaresque novel has a humor that I have seldom encountered in other narratives. What is ironic is that Fielding wrote this piece during one of the most traumatic periods of his life. His wife just passed away, his daughter was dying, and he was inflicted with the gout. One would never think it from the clever way the book is written. The point of view gives us an in so that we feel as if we ourselves have roles in the storyline. Rooting all the way for Tom despite his flaws, we find out more about human nature along the way. A good read, light a candle and sit down with some wine like they would've and enjoy this classic comical delight.

It was about time I read "Tom Jones." Fielding's 1749 novel gives us a panoramic view of 18th century British life. Its titular hero journeys among the low- and high-born trying to find his way in a world in which he occupies a precarious position. Fielding uses the sprawl of 800 pages to explore a multitude of social, political, and literary issues, gluing them together with an exquisitely outlandish, fully embodied sense of humour.

The action of the novel begins with a view of the Allworthy family, a landed gentleman, Thomas Allworthy and his sister, Bridget. Into this family is dropped an orphan, a foundling - a child, if you will, of questionable parentage. This child, Tom Jones, is raised alongside Bridget's child, Blifil, as relative equals. Both are tutored by two ideologues, the philosopher Square and the theologian Thwackum. Jones is a precocious, free-spirited youngster, spoiled by Allworthy while Blifil, the heir apparent to the estate, becomes the favourite pupil and spoiled accordingly by his mother. As the two youths age, Tom develops a fondness for the neighbour's daughter, Sophia Western.

Tom's sexual development begins to get him in trouble, as it tends to throughout the novel, and as a result of one such incident, coupled with the goading jealousy of Blifil, Tom is driven out of the Allworthy home, left to seek his fortunes in the world. Meeting his supposed father, Partridge, on the road, the two begin a quixotic ramble across England. Sophia, meanwhile, pressured into marrying Blifil, runs away from home, beginning her own voyage of discovery.

"Tom Jones" begins with the narrator likening literature to a meal, in which the paying customer comes expecting to be entertained and satisfied. All 18 books of "Tom Jones" start out with such authorial intrusions, each cluing us into the writer's craft, his interactions with his public, and various other topics. This voice is actually sustained throughout the novel, providing a supposedly impartial centre of moral value judgments - each of which seems to tend toward enforce Fielding's project of a realistic, and yet, didactic portrayal of a world full of flawed characters.

Some of the issues the novel deals most extensively with are modes of exchange, anxieties over female agency, and the power of rumour and reputation. Exchange and the ways in which value is figured include a wide range of goods - money, bodies, food, and stories - and are integral to the story. The treatment of women is a great concern in "Tom Jones": from Partridge's perpetual fear of witchcraft to the raging arguments between Squire Western and his sister over how Sophia should be treated, to general concerns about sexuality and virtue. A novel that can be in turns hilarious, disturbing, and provoking, "Tom Jones" is never dull. Despite its size, the pace of the novel is extremely fast and lively. So, get thee to a superstore and obtain thyself a copy of this excellent and highly entertaining novel.

I first picked up Tom Jones because to put it bluntly I am a bibliophile and it was a cheap book. However, I was suprised at how engaging and hilarious the story was despite the claims on the back cover, which are often far off. To tell the truth I did not expect to make it through this extremely lengthy tome, I only wanted to satisfy my curiousity.

Although I am a fan of Jane Austen I was shocked by the freshness and wit that Fielding's writing still retains. Every book in the novel begins with an essay by the author. Do not skip these, they are one of the best features of the book. My favorite is the essay before the ninth book which explains the purpose of these introductory chapters. What a riot!

The story of big hearted and big appetited Tom Jones and his adventures and misadventures is one long satirical gem. Fielding's interpretation of morals, piousness, love, and high society is still as hilarious and relevant as it was in the 18th century. For anyone who appreciates wit and history, this is a must read.

I read The Crying Heart Tattoo with the highest expectations. I had heard rave reviews and was prepared to read a compelling love story. I was sorely disappointed. The author sets up the female character to appear confident, worldly and strong, yet he has her act weak and pathetic. Her so-called backround was unbelievable when compared to her actions. I never felt an unbreakable bond between the two characters. The writing was obvious in some instances with too many cutsey lines repeated a bit too often. The ending felt tacked on, as if Mr. Martin just ran out of story. The book lacked depth and all in all was just not a compelling read.

When I read this book and reviewed it shortly afterward, I don't think I gave it fair due. As time goes on and I think back to this book I love it more and more.

This is the story of Felicity and Sonny.....life-long lovers with a turbulent and sometimes downright heartbreaking relationship. Felicity, 20 years Sonny's senior, is brazen and even loopy at times. She lends a great deal of humor to the story as well as veiled sadness.

Sonny, on the other hand is a huge jerk throughout most of the story as he becomes more and more bitter and jaded. Felicity seems to be the only spark left in his life...a spark which he almost puts out.

Running parallel to the story of Sonny and Felicity is the tale of Gravelda and Genipur. They are two rather primitive tribal people who are hauntingly similar to their modern-day counterparts. It's a story that Felicity tells to Sonny in chunks over the years as their meetings become fewer and farther between. The story allows Felicity to quietly vent her feelings about her relationship with Sonny.

This is a book that, even if you become a little dazed about in the process of reading, will stick to you long after you've read the last page. Far be it from me to withold credit where credit is due....and I must admit, this book is a jewel.

I first read this book in 1995. I was thinking of getting a tattoo and was drawn in by the title. Little did I know that I would grow to love this book. I have read it every year since then and everytime it gets harder and harder to put it down. I find the characters wonderfully written. When I discuss this book I feel like I am talking about my friends. I did not enjoy reading until I found this book. I am constantly returning to it every summer and am still captivated by its magic.

Hattie Owen is a 12 year-old girl who enjoys life just the way it is. Then before she knows, everything changes. An uncle she never knew existed comes to live with her grandmoter. His name is Adam,and he has "mental problems". At first,Hattie is not sure what to think about Adam, and then she grows to love him. As Adam and Hattie grow more fond of eachother, Hattie starts to think that she and Adam are a lot alike. One night she sneaks Adam out of her grandmother's house and takes him to the carnival. They ride the ferris wheel, but they ride gets stuck when they are at the very top. Adam cannot control himself, and opens the restraining bar and tries to jump out of the car. Hattie and her friend hold on to Adam's ankles for dear life. That is just one time whem Adam blows little things out of proportion. Later on, he gets really depressed and things get serious. To find out what happens, read "A Corner of the Universe" by Ann M. Martin. It will change your perspective on things and touch your heart.

Hattie's universe is permanently altered the summer she turns twelve, when for the first time she meets her 21-year-old mentally ill Uncle Adam, of whom no one in the family had ever mentioned previously. His presence disrupts the orderly life of her wealthy and controlling grandparents, who are left with no other option than to accept him back into their home when his school closes. Hattie, an introspective only child with few friends, feels alternately enchanted by Adam's childlike exuberance and concerned that she might be somehow "like him." She becomes protective of him as she witnesses the cruel reaction of those who deem him a "freak."

Ann Martin's authentic writing takes us back to 1960 with such details as rickrack as a fashion statement, nylons and garter belts, and "Dobie Gillis." Her sympathetic treatment of the characters draws the reader into this poignant story, earning a well-deserved Newbery honor for 2003.

Though the reading level is listed as 9-12, I would offer a caution that the emotional content is rather mature for this age group. I consider this appropriate for middle school and older. Younger readers might find Betsy Byars' "The Summer of the Swans," a book with similar themes, to be a bit more emotionally on target.

Hattie lives in a typical small town in the 1950s and 60s United States--everyone knows all the gossip by sundown. And when Hattie's unknown Uncle Adam comes to stay for a while, the news spreads quickly, as usual. Adam is different--they aren't sure what is wrong with him, other than he has a mental disability. Hattie finds she really likes her young uncle (he's 21, she's 12), and wishes she could help him more. Ann M. Martin has created a realistic world in this book. Throughout, Hattie goes through a range of emotions when dealing with her family. The reader is able to understand where Hattie is coming from, and why she acts and reacts the way she does. Martin also captures history in this book--from the carnival, to the grandparents' idea of what is proper, to the everyday activities of Hattie's life--without making the reader feeling disconnected. Martin also manages to convey that families should talk about issues, instead of ignoring them, without sounding preachy. Overall, this book will move you, if you let it.