As a teenager, I can relate to almost all of the fiction in this book. Every story provides at least one bit of comedy. I recommend this book to anyone purchasing a gift for a teenager.

Do you know a teen who would like to be a writer? Or do you have ambitions to write? I highly recommend this book for both groups, as well as for young adults who just love short story collections. The first story about a high school fencer, by Jerry Lubar, was my favorite. It appeals to that part in all of us that loves to root for the underdog, and see him come out on top. It's also delightfully funny! It reminded me very much of Chris Crutcher's writing. Not all of the stories are as strong as Lubar's, but I love the collection anyway. Each story is prefaced by a note from the author, telling what inspired the author to write THIS particular story. It helps budding authors to see where writers get their ideas and, perhaps more interesting, WHY they get their ideas. It also shows the aspiring writer that there are many different ways to tell a story - whether in a straight forward format (most of the stories), a prose poem interview (Mel Glenn's Kids in the Mall), or an unconventional nursery rhyme (John Scieszka's Thirteen Diddles). The prefaces also allow the reader to see the authors as real live once-upon-a-teen people, who just happened to grow up and make their living by writing. A word of warning, however - THIS IS NOT, as a previous reviewer said, a book for the Harry Potter lover. I love the Rowling books, but this is not designed to serve the reader in the same way. Don't buy it thinking that it is similar in any way to the Potter books. Do buy it if you are intrigued by the process of writing, if you like short stories, or if you enjoy learning about how authors work their magic on readers.

Thirteen authors of books aimed at adolescents contributed a story based on a true event in their lives when they were in school or, as in one case, observing students as an adult. The tales center on showing how the writers get an idea for a story based on an experience even if that incident(s) is turned into something supernatural or science fiction in nature.

The well-written stories are clearly designed for the younger reader. This collection would make a wonderful follow-up to fans of Harry Potter (the most influential books in many years by virtue of bringing literature to youngsters). This anthology provides a writer's focus within interesting stories to that same Potter age group. Along with the Weiss' previous book (see the award winning FROM ONE EXPERIENCE TO ANOTHER), young readers will gain another perspective on the non-programming written word.

When I read the book for the first time I thought that it was a wonderful book because of how all the charcters expressed their feelings throught the book. Brooke didn't want to be a dance but she also wanted her mother to be proud of her and what she chose to do with her life. It was sad when her mother had died but I was happy for the whole family when Brooke was on TV doing her dance. She also had a lot of guts to do that and try out for all those auditions and get turned down.It does take a lot of guts to do that and I think that everyone who wants to do something that big should read this book and learn what Brooke Hillary did.

Ten minutes ago i put this novel down. Reading Level 5? Who are you kidding, i would read this novel at age 20! Bonnie and Paul Zindel paired up well to write a fantastic duet story that was both passionate and foreboding. A Star For the Latecomer tells a wonderful story of a girl pressured by her dieing mom to be a champion dancer. Brooke Hillary, the star of the novel, must make up for all that her mother had lost in her own childhood, and therefore, Brooke loses her childhood as well. This powerful novel, depicts what we all feel at some time or another, to make someone proud. Brooke's character has an international appeal that every one can relate to. She shares the emotions of the world. Brooke wants to be loved, she wants to give love, she wants to live, she wants to feel complete, and at times she feels that all is lost. I personally have read almost every single title out by Paul Zindel (he is my favorite author), and let me say that this novel was no disapointment to me. At the climatic ending, i dont think i took a breath. Then at Brooke's epiphany, i symphathized with her, and felt as though she was truley real. It takes a good author, or should i say authors, to perform such an act. Kudos to both of you, Bonnie and Paul. Please write more novels like this one, it has almost become a secretive therapy of mine reading your novels!

I believe that this book will emotionally change your life. The part that was the most gut-wrenching was when I read the few last chapters. I loved this book with all my heart. As I was reading through this marveleous book I grew to know the troubles Brooke was going through and you had this certain familiarity with her life as you would read along. I was sobbing throughout this book, and for me that is not a bad thing. You , after you read this book, will know that you have grown with this experience. I think anyone that cares enough about any kind of book should read this, and experience the emotions I felt when I read this book. I would proudly reccomend this book to anyone!

For every person who likes a little twist and a mystery, The Surfing Corpse is a book that you should read. The Surfing Corpse is a book about two best friends named Mackenzie and P.C. (Peter Christopher).Their junior class trip turns into a disaster when classmate Timmy Warner plunges down a 300-foot waterfall. Soon after his funeral, Mrs. Warner's strange behaviors send P.C. and Mackenzie to Los Angeles, where they follow a twisting trail of clues involving a mysterious surfer, a murderous ghost, and some good actors. My opinion of this book is that this is a great book that will keep turning the pages until the book is finished! I could not put this book down for a second. And when Timmy Warner plunged down the waterfall, I thought for sure that he'd survive and that he jumped himself. There were a lot of times where I thought I figured out the mystery and I didn't. If you read this book it will probably happen to you to. To figure out this mystery you must read this book. If you are going to try and figure out the mystery your self, good luck trying! Therefore, this is a great book. And I think that you should read it. So. Read it!
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I am reading this title aloud to my 5th, 6th, and 7th grade students. They moan and beg for just a little more everytime I tell them that we are out of time and they will have to come back next week to find out what happens in the next chapter. They love the snappy dialogue and are now borrowing every Paul Zindel book we own or can borrow from other libraries.

P.C. and Mackenzie, along with the rest of their class, saw Timmy Warner fall to his death over a three hundred foot waterfall. But unlike the others, they don't accept it as a simple accident. When they suspect his angry mother may be involved, they follow her all the way across the country to L.A., where they meet Timmy's sister and discover that his mother is trying to use the supernatural to contact her dead son. Then one day at the beach, they see a shocking site. The dyed hair doesn't fool P.C. and Mackenzie. The surfer they saw is Timmy. At first they think the death was staged in order to collect insurance money. But the real reason will truly shock them. Fans of the first book about P.C. and Mackenzie won't want to miss this one.

This book contains some great monologues, and really makes you think. Worth the special order.

This play is in three acts. It's about three woman who are basically crazy and why they are crazy unravels as you go further into the reading. Definetly read this play. It's very very funny and cleverly written. The characters are interesting and the story is too. Another highlight is how the book gets to the point. It won't take you long to read because of how short it is but it's definetly worth your time.

It is one of the best books Zindel has ever written. The ending is surprising! P.C. and Mac are escorting a mummy and it leads to a whole lot of problems.

P.C. and Mac are thrilled when Mac's dad invites them to join him on a business trip in Monaco, where he will be a speaker at the International Psychiatric Association Conference. They spend the beginning of their trip having fun: seeing the sites, relaxing on the beach, and eating at cafes. But their vacation fun is interrupted when Harriet Epstein-Hopper, who is also attending the conference, is murdered, apparently by a vicious serial killer known as Cyrano. Even though Mac's father warns them not to get involved, P.C. and Mac can't help themselves. Along with Juliette, the inspector's daughter, they determine to find out who really is responsible. Anyone who enjoyed the first two P.C. Hawke Mysteries is sure to like this one as well.

This play does not fit the genre "preschool". In actuality, this play is about a cleaning lady in a laboratory (abadaba), that becomes attached to one of the experiments, a dolphin that has learned how to speak. She notices the mistreatment, but cannot stop it, even though she tries. It's a powerful drama that can easily keep your attention.

When Ivan Allen, one of the most famous zoologists at the Bronx Zoo, is attacked by a jaguar and then dies in spite of efforts to save him through a blood transfusion, P.C. Hawke and his best friend, Mackenzie Riggs, accompany Mac's mom, the coroner, to the crime scene. When Mrs. Riggs discovers Ivan Allen died because he was given a lethal transfusion of gorilla blood, P.C. and Mac make it their mission to find out the killer, and are thrilled when the police agree to let them help out on the case. But searching for the truth can be dangerous. As P.C. and Mac dig deeper, they discover some disturbing facts that lead them to believe that Ivan Allen's murder was an act of revenge for a tragedy fourteen years ago. I highly recommend this thrilling mystery to fans of the first three books about P.C. and Mac.

I really liked the book because it was gorey, scary, and etcitiny at the same time. It told lot's of good detail that helpp to get a clear picture. It was clear were I could under stand it all.

The best part of the book I thought was when the giant bat came down from the sky and grabed one of the workers. The giant bat ripped the workers neck open blood went all over. The canupe spelit off in to the river.

The auther had a good plot. Like when the auther gave all the details Like when the giant bat kiiled the guy and the crabs were eating him. He also did good on the setting on how they were in the jungle. It was hot and moist.