The Boy Who Reversed Himself, by William Sleator is a science fiction novel about a boy named Omar who has the ability to enter different dimensions. Laura, the narrator, is Omar's neighbor and realizes something is different about his face. After pleading with Omar and pretending to want to be his friend, he admits that his face is reversed. He goes on to explain that he is able to visit different dimensions, and his face was reversed while he was in 4-space. Laura immediately starts to beg him to take her into 4-space, and Omar finally gives in. Laura slowly learns the ways of 4-space and it is when she reluctantly decides to take her crush in with her, that she begins the most dangerous adventure of her life.
I really liked this book because it is a cliffhanger and always keeps you reading. Because the story deals with another dimension that nobody has seen, it is really hard to imagine what is going on in the story. In 4-space there is new directions you can move called Ana and Kata, and everything you look at you see cross sections of it. You have to concentrate really hard to understand what the characters are doing and seeing. Overall I liked this book a lot becaus it really gave a new perspective on life.

This book is great for anyone who loves science fiction or for someone who has an excellent, imaginary mind. The book starts out with Laura finding a note in her locker, that is written in mirror writing. Laura has no clue who wrote it, but is determined to find out. Laura's new neighbor, Omar, is "very weird". She finds Omar very interesting and later finds out that Omar wrote the note. Omar has very special powers that Laura wants to find out more about. They both go through an adventure that is spooky. Laura really wants to get to know Omar and finds how to use his power. The Boy Who Reversed Himself is an excellent book that everyone should get the chance to read.

William Sleator does an incredible job with this book. I first read it when I was in junior high and now, more than a decade later, I still enjoy this book. It starts with Laura finding a note in her locker that is written backwards. At first she thinks it is a joke, but that starts to change as she befriends a boy who has just moved into her neighborhood. And then she discovers his secret-- the ability to travel into the 4th dimension!
After that the book just keeps getting better until the very last line! Sleator's imagination and writing is excellent. I highly recommend this book to all sci-fi fans, regardless of age-- you will not be dissappointed.
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Imagine what it would be like to be lost in the dead winter of the mountains. In the book Cold River, by William Judson, this is what happens to Lizzy and her stepbrother, Tim. When Lizzy and Tim's father (Tim's step-father) realized that that winter would be so fierce that the animal herds would never be as big again, he decided that they would go on a canoeing trip for about a week so they could experience the wilderness. This trip turned into a three-month adventure and a great effort to survive. After much preparation, Mr. Allison, the father and one of the best nature guides, made a wrong turn leading them down the wrong river. As a result he was defeated by nature. After the loss of their father Lizzy and Tim were on their own. After they loose most of their supplies their skills are at the test. Even though they grew up in the woods, have they learned enough to survive through hardships like these? This book is unforgettable just like the winter of 1932 is a winter Tim and Lizzy will never forget. Besides the story, I noticed several messages throughout the book. William Judson shows the reader why not to under-estimate the power or nature or over-estimate the skills and abilities of man. He also sends out a strong message saying that almost anything is possible if it is worked for. This book is very interesting and enjoyable. In reading the ways that Lizzy and Tim got food and shelter the reader picks up many skills for camping. For someone in search of adventure, hope, and friendship this is the book to read.

As an English teacher of 7th grade students, I am always on the lookout for good read-alouds. This book fit the requirements perfectly. Equally appealing to boys & girls, it keeps students riveted as the young brother and sister go down Cold River. There are a couple of slow spots, but in general the action is fast, the subject matter interesting, and the kids never wanted me to quit reading...which is the true test of a good book for young adults.

Imagine what it would be like to be lost in the dead winter of the mountains. In the book Cold River, by William Judson, this is what happens to Lizzy and her stepbrother, Tim. When Lizzy and Tim's father (Tim's step-father) realized that that winter would be so fierce that the animal herds would never be as big again, he decided that they would go on a canoeing trip for about a week so they could experience the wilderness. This trip turned into a three-month adventure and a great effort to survive. After much preparation, Mr. Allison, the father and one of the best nature guides, made a wrong turn leading them down the wrong river. As a result he was defeated by nature. After the loss of their father Lizzy and Tim were on their own. After they loose most of their supplies their skills are at the test. Even though they grew up in the woods, have they learned enough to survive through hardships like these? This book is unforgettable just like the winter of 1932 is a winter Tim and Lizzy will never forget. Besides the story, I noticed several messages throughout the book. William Judson shows the reader why not to under-estimate the power or nature or over-estimate the skills and abilities of man. He also sends out a strong message saying that almost anything is possible if it is worked for. This book is very interesting and enjoyable. In reading the ways that Lizzy and Tim got food and shelter the reader picks up many skills for camping. For someone in search of adventure, hope, and friendship this is the book to read.

This is a heart wrenching book. Jessica leaves Elizabeth stranded one day. Todd is luckily there, or it would be lucky except for one thing. All he has is a motorcycle. That's when this story really begins. Elizabeth decides to go with Todd. Just a short ride. What harm could it do? Suddenly, she is lying in a coma, on the brink of death and all the tearstained faces of Jessica and Todd can do is watch her pale, lifeless body. They can only await a change. A change for the good..or the worse. Finally Liz awakes from her coma. Unfortunately. She is no longer faithful, trustworthy Liz. She is a selfish, boy crazy Liz. Can Todd and her family reach her before she falls into Bruce Patman's clutches?? Read the book to find out!

This book is great. The book is about when Liz got into a motorcycle accident and started to acted like Jessica. Jessica always wanted Elizabeth to be like her. But when Liz starts acting like her ,Jessica realizes that their having different personalities is not necessarily a bad thing.My favorite part is when Liz gets better and starts acting like her old self again. If you love SVH books you will want to get this book.

Man! This book is awesome! Elizabeth gets stranded at a party and her sister Jessica left her there like she always does. Elizabeth has no choice but to go with Todd on his new bike and while she is on the bike, BOOM!!, there is an accident. Todd is left with some cuts and bruises but Elizabeth was not wearing a helmet and ends up lying in a coma. Elizabeth recovers and her good old you-can-count-on-me personality has transformed into Jessica's party-till-you-drop personality. Elizabeth goes out with every boy in town and ends up with Bruce Patman! WHAT WILL HAPPEN?

I'm using this book for my first college physics course. I find the text very dry and boring, and the problems at the end of each chapter are confusing and not well explained. For example, I'm doing my homework and one of the problems is "speculate on how gaseous diffusion works." Just that, does not explain what gaseous diffusion is. As with many of the problems in this book, the first thing that comes into my mind is "what the hell are you talking about??" Another question asks me to compare the length of something to "the diameter of a molecule." Huh? What molecule? Are all molecules the same diameter? And how the heck am I supposed to know what that diameter is? Gah. I do not recommend this book unless you like being confused.

Also, the discussion questions at the end of each chapter are very nice, but the answers are not provided anywhere. So how are you supposed to know if you answered them correctly? And another thing I really hate about this book, it will say "and why do you think this happens?" and then not tell you why. About 90% of the time my answer is "I have no clue why that happened." :/ This book makes me hate physics.

I bought this book because I thought is was "College Physics" by Sears. Well, it isn't. This looks, feels and reads like a high school textbook - if you're looking for a serious, academic-level introduction to physics, then don't buy this. Its full of pictures and "real life" examples that are intended to spare the student any effort and save him/her from abstract thought. Much is lost because of this, and we're left with a bunch of pictures and stories about the authors' flying hobby.

Don't buy this, please, I regret it everytime I see it sitting uselessly next to the open copy of the Sears book I loaned from the library.

Excellent!! I'm studying in Form 7 and going to take my Advanced Level Examinations this year. No other reference book avaliable in Hong Kong better than University Physics. The content are very well organized and the examples are extremely useful. I'm sure that you won't be disappointed after you buy this book.

This book definitely has a lot of action in it! I didn't read book 141, so I started reading to find out almost from the beginning about a new feud between Jessica and Lila, Jessica and Elizabeth, and who else but one involving Devon, Todd, and Courtney.

Lila and Jessica had both wanted to go to the prom with the same guy, so they agreed that neither would go with him. As it turns out, both went behind each other's backs and planned to go with him anyway. As you can imagine, things got rather heated when they made that discovery and he ditched them both, leaving both without a date. Next, due to a mix up on Jessica's part, Elizabeth and Devon's plans for the prom go all wrong and Liz ends up going with Todd after all. Unknown to anyone but Lila, Jessica does the twin switch and meets Devon. Meanwhile, Courtney is outraged when Todd calls to say he's not going with her after all. The creepy little rat ends up ruining everything for several of the people at the prom.

In my opinion, as much as I like (and feel sorry for) Devon, I think he should have either left Elizabeth alone rather than be so demanding and impose himself on her and almost force her into the mess she gets into, or maybe he should have left Sweet Valley completely. And though Todd seems a little boring sometimes, I feel sorry that he has to be put through everything he does. After all, it always has been Liz and Todd. Courtney is a spoiled brat that should be taught a lesson for once and for all. As for Jess and Liz... I love the action, but why can't they stay out of trouble for a while?!

This book was really exciting! Definitely a true SVH book. All the fighting makes the reader think about what's going on and develop feelings about each character. I was just a little disappointed that Jessica and Elizabeth couldn't have a perfect night to remember, but I guess in these books that never happens! You have to read this book if you enjoy following the series or if you like to read about never ending rivalry :)

The Big Night: Elizabeth Wakefield is walking on air (if that's possible!). She cannot wait to attend the prom on the arm of her sexy date, Devon Whitelaw. But when ditzy twin Jessica Wakefield forgets to deliver a message, Elizabeth finds herself swept away in a flood of memories with her ex-boyfriend Todd Wilkins. Jessica, who is better known as "Party Queen" is in no mood to celebrate! She's been ditched by her date and is dateless. So, when the chance pops up to 'borrow' her sister's date, will Jessica's scheming ruin the prom? After a wild night of twin switches, confrontations, locking ups and scheming. Todd finds himself plummeting down to the ocean, Elizabeth finds herself a hero, Lila finds Devon, meddling Courtney Kane finds herself arrested and Jessica finds herslef angry because the whole prom night has been ruined! Whatever happened to the picture perfect prom? Guess it wasn't so perfect after all, it seems! But the weekend is coming up and it looks like it'll be the weekend to PARTY!!! i've been a fan of the series for 4 years now and it gets better by each book! I love it so much, that I have a SV online club going on. It'z called the Sweet Valley Fanatics! E'mail me at mandi@hotbot.com for club details and send me your name, email, age, country, fave SV character and fave SV book!

The Big Night was a good book- I really like the author's manipulation of Courtney Kane, Devon Whitelaw, and Todd Wilkins, and of course Jessica and Elizabeth. The book shows a new side of Elizabeth that readers have never seen before-adding to the intrigue. If readers have read Please Forgive me or Picture-Perfect Prom--this is the perfect follow-up.

I had never read one of Dickens book before Nicholas Nickleby, though I had always wanted to. I particularly enjoyed this book because of Dicken's subtle sense of humor and colorful characters. It was easy to hate the villains such as Squeers or Ralph Nickleby, and laugh at the amusing chracters of Mr. Mantalini and John Brody(whom I found to be the funniest) Authenticity of personality and speech allows you to connect with the various chracters. Although he was probably the least complex, my favorite was Smike, the pitiful victim of the Yorkshire schools of the 1800s.
The one drawback was the size of this book. Dickens spent much time giving detail of many places and people (and did a good job of it), but we must draw the line somewhere. Just when one thinks enough words have been spent on one topic, it diverges into yet another irrevelant matter.
I'd recommend this book to almost anyone, unless you have a great fear of commitment. But the book has plenty of plot and satire to hold you to the end. I certainly was, but I don't think my librarian would believe me.

Nicholas Nickleby is a marvelous novel. It is the young Dickens at his best. I almost feel guilty for giving it four stars, but giving it five would be unfair, I think, because his later works, such as Great Expectations, are bettter. The novel is written enthusiastically and contains some of Dickens' best humor. I especially found funny the character Mr.Lillyvick, the revered and dignified water clerk. And I will never forget Ralph Nickleby. Mr.Squeers and Arthur Gride were detestable and colorful villains, but they pale before Ralph Nickleby. He is such a cold and heartless character that he steals nearly every scene he is in. He has a certain magnetism that most of Dickens' good characters lack. And his suicide at the novel's end is so perfectly written that I read over it several times before I finished the novel. My only problem with the book was Nicholas's lack of psychology, but let us remember that this was written by a young man, not the mature artist of Great Expectations and Our Mutual Friend. The novel's strengths easily make up for its weaknesses. Nicholas Nickleby will be enjoyed by fans of Dickens and all other readers for centuries to come.

"Nicholas Nickleby" is one of the best works of Charles Dickens overall. This novel is about the brave adventures of Nicholas, his sister Kate and their mother. The story begins at about the time Nicholas's father dies and the family has to encounter the struggle of life with no imminent prospects of fortune. At this time they make an appeal to the brother of Nicholas's father, Mr.Ralph Nickleby. From this point on, the parallel developments of the honest Nickleby family and their villanous uncle begin to unfold. With many twists and turns the story is as captivating as any of the author's best books. The tale is characteristically filled with the Dickinsian people such as Mr.Vincent Crummles and his family, in particular the "phenomenon", Arthur Gride, Newman Noggs and others. Overall, this book is a pleasure to read and I recommend it to anyone who is interested in good story-telling.

The writing is good if you take it in short small segments, but I had a hard time getting the flow of the book. Also he seemed to spend time on people who weren't the "young war correspondents" and he seemed to spend time on things that happened outside the early Vietnam timeframe. [...]

"Once Upon a Distant War," is a highly readable history of the various journalists covering America's involvement in the early years (1961-63) of Vietnam. Prochnau has produced an intriguing popular history that has some flaws, but on the whole is quite a good book.

The strength of the book is the fact that the material itself is so fascinating. Saigon, circa 1963, was an extremely exciting place for a foreign journalist. America had begun a huge build-up of forces in South Vietnam, the Diem regime was at its most oppressive, and the Vietcong were making huge gains in the rural countryside. Into this mix were thrown men like David Halberstam, Neil Sheehan, Peter Arnett, and Malcolm Brown: relatively young, idealistic reporters who were determined to get the real story. But the US officials in South Vietnam were less than willing to assist the "green" correspondents, who they claimed were not "on the team." Lied to and rebuffed by the official channels, the reporters sought out contacts in the middle of the action: South Vietnamese officers and American field advisors like John Paul Vann who were willing to tell the ugly truth. The result was a constant battle between the Saigon correspondents and the Kennedy administration, other journalists, and even their own publishers. The only people who hated the journalists more were President Diem, his brother Nhu, and most vociferously, South Vietnam's First Lady, Madame Nhu. For two years the correspondents fought for every story and risked everything, including their lives, to get what they believed was the truth about Vietnam out to the American public.

Prochnau is clearly in awe of his protagonists, but I think he still manages to give a fair account. The correspondents are not perfect: Sheehan goofs big time in his early account of My Tho, inflating the body count from 15 to 200. Halberstam was hugely influential, but as Prochnau makes clear, he was also incorrigible, uncompromising, and had a mean temper. One of the most important points that Prochnau stresses is that these men were not anti-war (certainly not at this early stage). Men like Halberstam were ardently anti-communist, and were only angry because the government was lying about a cause that mattered so much. But even the reporters' ostensible adversaries, such as Ambassador Nolting, are given full and fair treatment. (General Harkins is the one exception, but I've never read anything that suggested he was other than incompetent, blind optimist.) In addition to these detailed characterizations, Prochnau adds a wealth of anecdotes that give the book both humor and authenticity. Particularly interesting were the stories of Marguerite Higgins and her Machiavellian ways ("innocent as a cobra"), Sheehan's obsessive 16 year struggle to write "A Bright Shining Lie," and Halberstam mouthing off to high government officials ("Bull..., General! Why are you standing here telling our friend Clurman this bull...?").

My complaints are few. The first is about Prochnau's style: he is eminently readable and well suited for the material, but sometimes his tone becomes so informal it borders on cheesy ("Vietnam was not simply exotic. It was erotic. And narcotic.") My second complaint is that Prochnau glosses over many aspects of the war and does not give a very complete picture of the complex military situation. But his story is about the journalists, so maybe this is an unfair criticism. Then let me leave it as a caveat: do not read this book to gain an in-depth understanding of the political-military situation in South Vietnam, read it to learn about the tribulations of the journalists. In some ways, this book is better suited for people who already understand the history of the era and will not be confused by Prochnau's overly-simplistic (albeit justifiably so) account of the war. That said, this is still quite an entertaining look at some very interesting characters at a crucial juncture in modern American history.

Not long after I finished the book, I read that Jerry Bruckheimer ("Armageddon" and all those big-bucks Hollywood action thrillers) is planning a major movie on it. Not surprising. Prochnau's "Once Upon a Distant War" reads like an adventure novel: a half dozen young war correspondents fighting everybody -- the U.S. govt, the South Vietnamese govt, their own colleagues in the media, even their bosses -- to get the early Vietnam story to the public. It's also first-rate history. You won't learn more about how we got into the mess in Vietnam -- and learn it with such page-turning narrative drama -- anywhere else. I don't know how I missed this the first time around. It's one of the best war books I've read and the best ever about reporters. Don't wait for the movie.

You're sitting down about to read Oddballs and the first thing you see is "To my family: Please forgive me." That is a very creative start to a book. The characters include Vicky, who loves to dye her hair with grape juice, Bill, the reassuring older brother, and Danny and Tycho,the youngest of the family.

The book also has its downs.I mean one minute the chapter is the funniest, then you get to the next chapter and it is so dull. He should have thought about some of the chapters a little more carefully before writing them.

This is a three star book all the way.I would recommend this book for someone who wants a good laugh and wouldn't mind reading something a little different.

"Oddballs" is an episodic work: each chapter has its own story. While the book is about the Sleator family as a whole, William himself takes the back seat to his brothers and sisters and even to school friends (or non-friends). Raised by unconventional parents, the Sleator children are distinct individuals, and proud of it; they don't want to be cool or part of the in crowd. Not that the in crowd wanted them, except for Vicky, William's attractive sister, who refused her chance in favour of oddballdom. The Sleators call beautiful people "pituh" and give exaggerated imitations of them on buses by criticising their friend (who's part of the whole scheme). --This backfires. In a chapter reminiscent of "How NOT to have an aunt in one hard lesson" from M. L'Engle's "Meet the Austins," the mother of a school friend of William's comes over and sees the family and the house at first hand. She leaves in horror and William is down one friend. And then, of course, there's the time Tycho is hypnotized. There are parts of the book where, for several consecutive pages, there is nothing to cause the reader to laugh out loud. But that's unusual. While he makes fun of his family, however, it's obvious that Sleator loves them very much. After reading "Oddballs," the dedication to his deceased mother on the title page of "The Beasties" comes as an unpleasant surprise, a cause for mild but genuine sorrow. Sleator asks his family to forgive him for writing the book, but that's not necessary. They should be glad and amused, along with everyone else who reads it.

Oddballs is probably the most unique book I've ever read. William Sleator writes in an interesting point of view. There are many pros to the book ,and some cons. Three pros are: 1. it has very descriptive writing, 2. Sleator's writing style is very unique, and 3. he uses his smaller siblings in experiments , such as baballoo- bum. Three cons to Sleator's Oddballs are: 1. sometimes his writing style gets boring, 2. the chapters sometimes ramble on + on, and 3. it's very hard to believe some chapters. Overall, I would definately reccommend this book to readers of all ages.

Lie Down in Darkness is not a great book. But it is a very good one, and shows how William Styron, even in his youth was a talented and perceptive writer. This novel begins with the death of Peyton Loftis, and goes back in time to follow her childhood and coming of age, as well as her eventual marriage, until her death. We see these pictures through the alternating points of view mostly of her father and mother, but also of some other characters, and learn how her death was inextricably related to the slow attrition caused by stubborness, jealousy, and hate that tears apart her family. Darkness is everywhere in the novel, taking the form of guilt and personal failures that corrode the hearts of each character and make inevitable Peyton's tragic end. Indeed the predetermination is all the more evident, since we know from the very beginning that she has died.

Although Sophie's Choice shows how much more polished (and more thoughtful too, perhaps) he has become as a writer, Styron's writing is beautiful, as are the characters and the story. This may not be a necessary read, and the beginning may be slow, but it was well worth my time.

William Styron, in Lie Down in Darkness, tells the story of Peyton Loftis, the beautiful daughter of Helen and Milton Loftis, her ultimate suicide, and her family's contribution to her fate. Sad, yet compelling. As I read, my revulsion for the characters grew line by line, for they are wasted, empty, and they drown themselves in a swamp of despair and impotency. Helen is a vindictive, jealous mother who takes painful jabs at anyone in her path; Milton is an incestuous alcoholic who can't own up to his failures and who is stuck in a sort of paralyzed stupor; and Peyton, well, she is a genetic carryover of her parents-from her mother she learns revenge, and from her father, alcoholism.

The story is one of severe despondency, a portrait of lives that have lost their savor and are headed toward destruction. Of all the characters in the story, the Negro house servants come forth as the strongest. They have a spiritual strength that contrasts strongly with that of the Loftis.' The overwhelmingly best quality of the book, I believe, is the beauty of the prose. It's like an epic poem, lyrical and dramatic and sweepingly colorful. And, believe it or not, I actually enjoyed Peyton's stream-of-consciousness marathon just before she killed herself. Styron made it enjoyable and I will always remember the flightless birds and how they follow Peyton all over New York and also the $39.95 clock that Peyton perceives as her refuge from the evil world. Is this what mental illness is really like? This book is certainly one to be read again.

Never have I wanted to pound some sense into fictional characters as when I read William Styron's Lie Down in Darkness. The Loftiss family saga is sometimes hard to read because they hurt each other so easily and so often. But Styron's language is beautiful, and his understanding of the characters is deep. The account of Peyton's last day is especially heartbreaking and revealing. In short, this novel is one of my favorites simply because of its account of human frailty and the amazing way in which the story is told. Styron is one of the best.

Cleopatra may be a somewhat ambiguous female character, but I totally loved her, and Bill's portrayal of her. I don't know if he expected the reader to judge her, but I suspect not. The harshest criticism of her comes from Octavius Caesar, who himself doesn't do a single noble thing throughout the whole play. She is fully aware of the fact that she is a sensual, passionate woman- which has no negative effect on her ability to rule Egypt. Her biggest faults are her violent temper (which I suspect is just part of her passionate nature) and her tendency to lie when it suits her (either for sport or for serious politics). Antony (I feel) is actually kind of a loser compared to her. His insincerity runs deep- he marries Caesar's sister in a political move, although he had repeatedly pledged his undying love for Cleopatra. She forgives him, because she truly loves him, even though he doesn't do anything to deserve forgiveness. Antony never fully allows himself to love Cleopatra. He constantly is overreacting to the slightest indication that she might be betraying him or whatever. It is one of these overreactions (combined with an ill-timed lie on Cleo's part) that ends up destroying them both. Even in the end, Cleopatra's death is more dignified and better conceived than Antony's messy and fumbling suicide.

Shakespeare in this play shows how love is not human but surrealistic. Love does not answer reasonable questions. It is a fundamentally unreasonable attitude that brings the lovers to absurd behaviours negating all logical, political and historical values. Love has no limits even if history will prove stronger and the lovers will be destroyed. Shakespeare beefs up this theme with a language that is so rich that we are fascinated by the words, the symbols, the symbolic value of words and acts. He is particularly rich in his style that is entirely, words, poetry, actions, and even feelings, organized following some simple symbols, particularly numerical symbols. In this play Cleopatra appears as being the core of the symbolism and she carries with her the number eleven that comes from the old English runes with the meaning of fate, of fatal defeat, of a flaw that cannot be corrected or escaped. It is her destiny to bring Antony to his defeat and death, just as it is Antony's fate to be governed by this woman and led to his own destruction because of his love for her. It also shows how the Emperor is able to use this fatal situation in order to capture all powers and to impose his absolute will on the Roman Empire. He seems to be the one who plays not well but with all the assets of the game up his sleeves, and he takes them out one at a time when the situation is ripe for these assts to become the key to is ascension to absolute power by defeating those who may oppose him.

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU

Anthony and Cleopatra is one of Shakespeare's difficult plays, and so I suspect the ratings on the play are low because it's a more mature play than Romeo and Juliet. Here we have two middle age lovers who part of the time are foolish with lust/love and the rest of the time are tough minded heads of state. The "tragedy" is that they can't be both and survive. This is not a play for the young folks, I'm afraid. But if you want some heavy drama where the characters are spared nothing and given no slack, read Anthony and Cleopatra (hint: Cleopatra's suicide is more political statement than a crazy wish to die with Antony). Better yet see it performed by some real actors some time.