Children Books

Robert Stanek is my favorite author and I've read just about everything he's written. Journey Beyond the Beyond is very different from his other books, but still an excellent read. The story is about Ray who must undertake a perilous journey to the place lost and deep. Ray's journey is a rite of passage for his people, and if he completes it successfully he will be seen as a man in the eye's of his people. A great story, good action, strong writing make this a good choice, especially for readers 8 to 14.

My favorites by this author are his Kingdoms and Dragons books. I love the Kingdoms and enjoy reading and re-reading the books. Magic Lands is very different from the other ones, but still fantasy. This is the story of Ray, a 13-year-old village boy who must journey to the place lost and deep. The journey is a rite of passage, and he must undertake it by himself. During the journey he has many strange encounters with the creatures living in the wild areas around his village. This is a hugely fun and fast read!

Remember those times as a kid when you picked up a book and got lost in it? Well, this is such a book. I read Journey Beyond the Beyond a few years back and I was immediately drawn in to this truly magical story. This is a thrilling, edge-of-the seat read, even for an adult like me. You'll be swept away in an amazing world and desperately desire to become part of this magical universe.

Robert Stanek writes deftly as he tells the story of 13-year-old Ray who must journey to the place lost and deep to prove to himself and to his people that he is no longer a child. Ray's journey is a rite of passage, a trial that tests Ray's strength and courage. As soon as he sets out from his village he is set upon by Old Bull, a terrifying creature with human characteristics and traits. Old Bull chases and taunts Ray every step of the journey. The journey to the place lost and deep is only the beginning, however, for Ray's dreams--dreams the village elder warned Ray about--are taking him on a much longer, darker path.

The imagery in Stanek's writing about this watery world filled with strange and wonderful creatures is deep and occassionaly dark. You can't help but worry about Ray and his safety as he faces the many perils along his journey. I was equally impressed by the illustrations throughout this over-sized book. The intricately detailed cover illustration shows Ray leaving his home village, leaving behind his friends Isaac, Tall, Ephramme, and Keene. The back cover has a detailed illustration of Ray battling a large bull. Throughout the book there are amazingly detailed illustrations as well.

If you haven't discovered the worlds of Robert Stanek yet, you should. Here's why:

1. His books have imagination. Most books written for adults are seriously lacking in both aspects. His books on the other hand have rich imagery, well-designed plots, and plenty for imagination to feast on.

2. His books have heart. The books have moral, life, and relationship lessons that are meaningful. The characters show courage, bravery, heroism, loyalty, compassion. You don't feel like you're being preached to because the writing is mature and the subjects are approached in a way that is part of the story, part of the world he creates.

3. His books are Fun with a capital F! They're fairly easy reads that you can pick up and completely lose yourself in. They're great escapes from daily life and from "heavy" literature. With series like, The Kingdoms and the Elves, and In the Service of Dragons, the books get better and better as the series progresses.

4. His books are incredibly good. We all need a little magic in our lives, and his books provide that. It's good to feel like a kid again, and for younger readers it's great to find an author that doesn't talk down to his readers. His books are written in a way that is equally adult-friendly and young people-friendly.

Highly recommended reading!

This is the first Robert Stanek book I read. Even though several years have passed since then I still remember the characters and pick up the book from time to time to re-read it. Anyone who liked Shrek the movie or books with creepy critters in them is going to love this. I totally enjoyed it and recommend it.

Jake Jr.

I thought this book was a good read in general. I liked the storyline and the characters. It's exciting and fast paced. Easy to read and understand. I strongly suggest you read this event-filled journey.

This is one of the first Holocaust survival stories that I read. It is by far one that has stayed with me in the most detail.

What a strong girl Gerda is. she was told to never give up her boots and in the end it is one thing that saved her life after marching in a blizzard half frozen to death. How she survived is nothing short of a miracle.

Reading this when you are in a hard time reminds you that you do have the inner strength to survive. If she can do that then I can face my problems. It is quite graphic and tells the truth of really happened in the holocaust.

I'm not going to give the story away I'm just going to say you will cry and rejoyce in this story. It will touch you to core of your very being.

I must read for EVERYONE!

I have read many of the holocaust books out there but this is the one I pass on to friends to read. Especially moving is the liberation of the prisoners at the end of the book. I wish all schools made this mandatory reading. What a way to learn history! This author is quite an incredible woman.

This book was gripping and I could not put it down until I finished it. It's so hard to believe the hardships so many endured for being Jewish. A must read. Beautifully written with rich detail.

I read this book a long time ago and just got done listening to the book on tape for the second time. It is the most powerful representation of the Holocaust I have found. Please read this book if you want to learn about the Holocaust from a gifted author and survivor.

Despite the horrors around her, and fellow prisoners dying and becoming mentally unbalanced every day, young Gerda Weissman managed to survive several Nazi camps from the late 1930s through the grisly end of World War II.

Imagine being a teenager, wrenched away from your beloved parents, older brother and home -- and never seeing any of them ever again. It would be enough to make anyone unstable, not to mention bitter. Yet somehow, Gerda emerges from her horrifying ordeal stronger than she began. As her body heals in a hospital run by the Allies during the spring of 1945, Gerda begins a relationship with Kurt Klein -- a young soldier who urges her to tell her story.

Now an elderly woman living in Arizona, Gerda Weissman Klein is able to see just how far she's come from the young Jewish girl living a priviledged life in Poland. Yet at the same time, her writing style allows readers to see clearly just how that same persona has managed to live such a rich, eventful life to the fullest all of these years.

I've read many Holocaust memoirs, though I must say that Gerda's story is beautifully and distinctly told.

I loved this series in middle school and would highly recommend it as a fun leisure read for children in that age bracket.

The last book of the enchanted forest chronicles, it is as funny. It is a sequel to Calling on Dragons and the end of the story is a happily ever after for a lot of characters and a not so happy ending for others. It is a book that should not be missed.

My daughters often read the four books from the Enchanted Forest series by Patricia C. Wrede. They came across the books a couple years back. They seem to check out the books and audio tapes every couple months. Over the last year I have listened to bits and pieces of the series.

Talking to Dragons is was the first book published, but it is really the fourth in the series. The hero of the story is a 16 year old boy by the name of Daystar. For the first 16 years of his life he lived on the edge of the Enchanted Forest with his mother. Then one day his mother gives him a sword and sends him out into Enchanted Forest. His mother tells him he has a mission, but won't tell him what the mission is.

Fairly quickly Daystar bumps into a fire-witch. They are both in trouble with wizards, and decide to stick together. Daystar was taught to always be polite to dragons. They come across a young dragon. Daystar is very polite and the dragon joins the group. Near the end of the book Daystar finally figures out his mission and helps save the day.

This is a fun book. It moves along well. I stayed up till midnight to finish it. If your children like fantasy, you might have them try this book.

Talking To Dragons Jane Yolen Books,
Patricia C. Wrede ISBN 0-15-284247-0

Talking to Dragons is a great book about kings, princes, princesses, dragons, and wizards by Patricia C. Wrede. It takes place in Enchanted Forest. The narrator of the book is the main character, Daystar.
One day Daystar's mom tells him to go on a quest that he knows nothing about. He started out on a quest and meets new creatures and people, some of them become his companions and some his enemies.
His companions, a young fire witch named Shiara and a young dragon, become really good friends with him. They help him on his quest. After a while he started to figure out that the sword his mom gave him was important because everybody wanted it. People called it "The Sword of the Sleeping King." All he knew is that he needed to go through a cave to be where he was supposed to.
At the end he found the Sleeping King and everybody was reunited. I recommend this book to anyone who likes fantasy and also a happy ending. I recommend reading the first three books Dealing With Dragons, Searching For Dragons and Calling for Dragons.

PR28

All the Enchanted Forest Chronicles are so much fun! Definitely at my top of Harry Potter fan recommendations. They're just such an amusing read; I even teach with them. Don't forget to read "The Frying Pan of Doom."

Guess the one to go for is the Complete three volumes opus. But if you find expensive, or not enough a fan this is the best one.
WHY?
Well, in the first place, the comments from the author are +++++AAAAA, you'll understand a lot of things only hinted at... because it is a subtle comic strip!.
If you have another paperbacks be conscientious that this book is the personal favorite RECOMPILATION by the author... of previously PUBLISHED MATERIAL!... so do not complain afterwards saying I ALREADY GOT THEM ALL!...
I enjoyed a lot the perspective seen from the horse mouth so to speak.
A GREAT COMIC BOOK.

ADB

PS: I personally think Watterson is a genius using black and white minimalist drawings (aka: C&H snowmen series).

This will always be the most treasured comic strip series for me and I'm still sad to see it gone from the newspaper strips. Calvin if newbie don't know is a young boy whose imagination is so huge, impressive, and ultimately destructive that it holds no bounds. And of course his stuffed tiger Hobbes who comes to life with the help of Calvin's imagination is while the more responsible of the two just as easily joins in Calvin's hilarious adventures. I also liked how the comics strip creator made different persona of Calvin such as Spaceman Spiff, The Noir 1950's detective, and of course the masked superhero all as memorable now as then. AS I've said before this comic strip to me is equal with the Foxtrot comics strip both will have the same eternal fame as the classic comic strip Peanuts. So for what these books are going for I say start the collection now...

I don't know if I would call myself a huge fan of Calvin and Hobbes, but everytime I pop open one of their collections I am captivated by the sheer sweetness and cleverness of Watterson's work.

This is a nice collection because we get to see a little bit into the mind of Watterson. I like seeing how he designed the characters, which comics he liked, didn't like, changes over time, etc.

Necessary for the true avid fan.

My 18-year-old daughter said, "This guy is a philosopher! As a kid I thought these were just funny."

I'll keep this short - this is one of the best collections you can own for Calvin and Hobbes. As there is a gigantic compilation that includes all of the strips ever made, you might think there is little reason to own anything else. However, this book contains insight directly from Watterson himself. It includes his own personal takes on some of his strips, how he evolved his artwork, his battle with syndication and layout restrictions, and overall a great look into the mind of a rather reclusive man.

His work is magical in every possible sense.

This book is one of the most amazing books i've ever read. it's got a great depth to it and explain in a discreet way about sociology and friendships. It's a page turner.

This book is defianitely the best book out of all the Night World books, even though each of them are excellent in their own way! I think its just the way that Jez and Morgead's love is so pure and brilliant! Also Jez is so powerful! But Jez and Morgead are so different and them being together could never work, if Morgead knew her secret, that makes me never want to put the book down!

I've been a fan of L.J. Smith's since I first read "Chosen" six years ago. I've read all of her books, including her little known play on the King Authur myth that involves the Fey. I've read all of her trilogies, and the NightWorld books at least twice a piece.

I've even gone back and reread the NightWorld books and have been pleased to see that they still hold up. Even though I'm not a 15 year old girl anymore. My mother even read them and enjoyed them.

The thing I like the most about the L.J Smith books are the heroines and the heroes. Both characters are somehow vastly appealing. Well, save the ones in "Spellbinder" and "Dark Angel".

In "Huntress" the heroine is no aception to L.J. Smith's rule. She's even more of an outsider than Rashel, and is a bit wiser than the Cat. However, she's got a bit of a wild streak, not to mention she's more cunning in her own fashion.

She's sypmathetic and strong at the same time.

However, her hero, Morgred isn't.

Usually, when L.J Smith writes "bad boys" they're so bad they're sinful. Morgred falls short of that. He seems to be a pale copy of Smith's previous heroes Ash and Quinn, except he falls short of their charisma, sympathy, and sheer sexiness. Not to mention he's lacking a personality.

The plot is good and the writing is excellent. However, Morgred keeps the book from getting a perfect rating. Sorry Jez, you tried your best.

"Huntress" is the seventh book in the "Night World" series, a range of books concerning the secret going-ons of vampires, witches and shapeshifters in our everyday world. Previously, the books were predominantly love stories between humans and Night World members, but "Huntress" is the book where things begin to get a bit more interesting...

Jez Redfern is confident in her abilities and her life - she spends her nights hunting down humans with her gang for fun, and alternatively flirting/fighting with her second-in-command Morgead Blackthorn. But then a vision disrupts this life forever: she is not a full-blooded vampire, but the daughter of a vampiric father and a human mother. As this knowledge endangers her very life, she abandons her gang, joins the benevolent Circle Daybreak and goes to live with her human relatives.

Several years later, Jez is leading a double-life: attending school by day with her annoying cousin Clare, and hunting her former allies at night under the instructions of the Circle. On this particular night she arrives home (in trouble with her family once more) to find another member of Circle Daybreak in her room: Hugh Davis. Hugh gives her the most important mission yet: a prophecy has risen that describes four "Wild Powers" that are destined to stop the coming apocalypse at the turn of the millennium.

And why has Jez been chosen to find the first of these Wild Powers? - (whose clue to their identity is used for my review's title) - Because someone has come forward claiming knowledge of the first Wild Power, and it's none other than Morgead. She must return to her gang and reclaim leadership, all the time knowing that if her true identity is found out then her life would be forfeit. And there are other darker powers looking for the Wild Power...

"Huntress" is one of the most rewarding books in the "Night World" series, concerning a desperate search, family ties, identity issues, Night World politics, and a growing sense of doom as the apocalypse ticks closer. However, don't get too involved in the characters and their situation - L. J. Smith has never published the last book in this series "Strange Fate" that wraps up the entire story (but as the millenium has come and gone without a hitch, I think we can assume that the good guys were successful).

L. J. gives some nice touches to the mix, with mentions of previous characters and events, plus the actual appearence of a character from "The Chosen", that has an unexplained burn mark that only readers of that previous book will understand. We also get another retelling of the Night World ancient history that fits in nicely to what we already know about Hellewise/Maya/the dragons and all the other eras of history.

At times it feels a bit rushed - Jez has found out her secret and moved in with her human family at the end of three very short chapters, and I'm getting increasingly amused at the ages of the vampires: despite the fact that they are immortal, all of her lamia characters just *happen* to be either seventeen or eighteen years old - where are all the grown-ups?!

I think that Lisa Jane Smith is an exceptional author! behind Tolkien. Like Francine Pascale (author of fearless) she's got this thing that makes you want to go on reading until you've finished the book.Huntress like the rest of the series is a very original story...it's too cool

Another great Alex Rider fast paced ride. Alex has grown on me, I now hear we are going to get another, I really hope they make a film of Eagle Strike, this was a great novel. Alex hanging from a hot air ballon with one arm while kicking an attacker would be great to watch. Better than James Bond.

This book is about an adventure with edge of your seat suspense. First Alex Rider starts out on vacation and then bam before you know it he's on a spy mission. He sneaks into a base on the side of a truck, saves the world, crashes Air Force One, plays in the new video game in a real life stuation, and is embarrassed in front of a huge crowd.
My favorite part of the book was when he faked the guards out and pretended that he died. They sent a clean up crew to clean his dead body but when they got there, he was gone. I also like the part when he almost suffocated but found a way out of the wall, and out of the base. I would recommend this book to people who like action or suspense in their reading.

During his relaxing vacation with Sabina Pleasure, Alex Rider is once again pulled into the world of spying. Sir Damian Cray, the pop star saint, has an evil plot to kill millions of innocent people! And the only person in the world who can stop him? Why, Alex Rider of course!

i am reading the series and i finnished this book in two days. i feel ots the best one yet. very few times when ui was reading this book i got board and when it did it would instantly be filled with awsemness and suspense. u should get it

Eagle Strike is one of the best teen spy novels in a series of books written by Anthony Horowitz. It combines action across numerous European countries, celebrities who aren't what they seem, Air Force One, politics, and enough chase scenes to keep you on the edge of your seat throughout the entire book. This undoubtedly one of the best Alex Rider adventures yet.
Alex is vacationing in France with Sabina, his new best friend, and her family, when the man he hates most, Russian contract killer Yassen Gragorovich, shows up to stir up trouble. Yassen, though, seems to be uninterested in Alex and doesn't even know he's in the area. However Alex, being a suspicious teenager, cannot help but get in Yassen's way. After going out one day after Yassen, Alex returns to find the house he's been staying in has been blown up, and Sabina's father is in intensive care. This leads to the discovery of a strange plot involving a famous singer, Damien Cray, who has developed the ultimate video game system called Gameslayer. This seems to be nothing more than a marketing move for Cray, but the more Alex Rider dives into this Gameslayer and spies on Damien Cray, the more sinister Cray's part in the events becomes.
This leads to Alex travelling around Europe with his trusty guardian Jack in search of the truth and the bad guys, but the bad guys find him first. Alex is stuck in the middle of a plan with deadly consequences. The world's most powerful celebrity has gotten control of the world's most dangerous weapons, and his intentions are unthinkable. A brilliant climax, Eagle Strike will have you on edge of your seat, waiting to know how the book ends, while learning about an explosive secret regarding Alex's history.

Scott Totten

I ordered the first two of the series.
I was pleased with the fact that they were a pretty good length, but I'm still reeling over the cost!
American dollars are bad. Very bad. Am so broke *droops*.
I love the story very much however, and Inuyasha makes a most adorable villian/good-guy. (confusing isn't it?)
I have shared it with a few of my friends. (Trusted ones mind you. Sooooo expensive to replace!)
They had a lot of reactions ranging from:
*yoink* "I'll see you after Japanese" *runs off clutching book muttering 'My preciousssss'*
To:
"Oh, they aren't very good quality drawings, are they?" *gets head bashed in by me*
And even!:
*Opens first page* "That girl looks really mad. Who is she?"
"Oh! He's a guy??? Are you sure???"
Yes. That really happened. That particular person also mistook Sesshoumaru for a female but I can forgive her for that.
I'd love to buy the rest of the series, but I'm pretty darn sure that I can live without it until the prices go down. One day.

Honestly the first time I saw this anime on T.V., I was turned off by the whole crazy psychotic demon stuff. Then I decided to give this anime a chance, and after the first episode, I was hooked. The story is about a girl who falls into a well and she ends up in feudal Japan. Bizzare? Maybe at first, but after a while you'll say, wow that well gos great with the story.
So I decided to purchase the first volume of the manga, and now I will definately say, this is one of my most favorite series. The story involving and thrilling which also leaves for many unexpected events to happen where they end up fighting countless hordes of demons. All in all, this first volume of the manga will make you want to buy volume 2 of this great series.

Rumiko Takahashi is the writer of InuYasha, which is known by fans has being a Feudal Fairy Tale. InuYasha is a story about a average schoolgirl who is taken back in time through a well on her family's property. She soon discovers many facts abut herself and her destiny that makes one realize that she in no average schoolgirl. She, with the help of Inuyasha, a half human, half demon hybrid, must gather the shards of a Sacred Jewel that gan give demons enormous amounts of power. Now, one might think that this is just a simple story, that can't be very interesting, but one would be very wrong. InuYasha is a `historical action and romance from one of Japan's most beloved creators' with a touch of gothic horror. What more could one want? With a cast full of interesting characters, and even more interesting villains, anyone reading InuYasha will instantly fall in love with at least one of the characters, and instantly hate a few has well. I myself have read all the books in this series to date (Jan. 7, 2004) that are available. But, if you want to find anymore out about Kagome and Inuyasha's adventures, well... you'll just have to read the book yourself.

Allison R.

"Inu-Yasha" has one of the best stories I've ever read. It starts off simply, maybe a bit generic. From there though, you get to know the characters, and you really do sympathize with them. The relationships between them are not rushed, and the romance is done very well. The story gets better in every volume, too.

Anyone who loves manga should try out Inu-Yasha. It's popular for a reason.

There is a little nudity, but it's not done in a sexual way. Still, it's not something for small children.

Violent, gruesome, nudity. Should be removed from the shelves. My 7 year old son told me he read one of these books that a friend in his second grade class brought in. I purchased a few books in the series and we reviewed one for content. I was horrified to see that it talked about murder, a person saves a bucket of human livers and has to move to another town because he has run out of victims. There were pictures of nude girls on a few of the pages. Although it says it is for Teen on the back cover- Young kids are reading these books. My nephews, who are teens, think these books are for young kids. Most teens are not interested in reading them. Which shows that these books although labeled for teens have a young child audience. I am bringing the books I purchased last night, back to the store this morning.

I read this book as a third grader in the seventies. I was so profoundly moved by it that I wrote a letter to the author. I got a personally handwritten letter back from her husband telling me she had passed away some years ago. His letter was so kind and appreciative, it only deepened my love for this book (and series) and helped me become an avid reader. I recommend this book to people of any faith. It is about families and growng up and being true to yourself.

I nearly fell asleep while reading this book. It only gets more than 1 star from me because of the somewhat predictable plot twist at the end.

This book is the first chapter book to interest my six year old. The characters, five sisters, each have their own personalities which are drawn in detail and carried through all of their adventures. The stories are sweet, focusing on everyday life in a poor jewish family at the turn of the century in New York (on the lower east side). The traditions will be familiar to an educated jewish reader but the setting just diferent enough to make it interesting. My daughter demands it every night and now cant sleep without her nightly dose of "naughty Henny and her sisters."

This book is just as entertaining as it was when I read it as a child! The book arrived quickly, in fantastic condition. Thanks!

All-of-a-Kind Family was a turning point in the history of Judaic children's literature - the first mainstream book with Jewish characters! In memory of author Sydney Taylor, the Association of Jewish Libraries gives out the Sydney Taylor Book Award each year to the best in Judaic children's literature. See lists of winners at www.sydneytaylorbookaward.org.

Also, you can hear an interview with Jo Taylor Marshall, the daughter of Sydney Taylor, on The Book of Life podcast's October 2007 episode "Catch Me a Classic!" Jo shares memories of the real people who became the characters in the series. Tune in at www.bookoflifepodcast.com!

Here's a book Dad's to Be and new Dad's will definately want by their bed-side. A Man's look at caring for a newborn baby & what to expect when the new little one arrives. Humerous and practical has great tips like how to construct an emergency diaper with duct tape and a few other easily accesible supplies. Be Prepared is a great resource and help for surving this trek through unexplored territory!

I'm a new dad and I love this book. I'm a younger father (25-30 range) and this book's sense of humor and direct-style really spoke to me. The info is useful and presented in a way that will help you remember it. If you're an expecting father and want the basics with some nifty bonus tips, go pick this up. You'll have a blast while preparing for fatherhood.

My husband found this at a used bookstore and the book is excellent. The cover makes it look like it's an old book but it is updated and down to earth. We have bought this book for a couple of our friends that are expecting. It's humorous and really full of information.

Funny parts..it mentions men saying "so long to the breasts for a while" because they belong to the baby. haha And even talks about changing a diaper at a football stadium.

This is the book we wish had been around when we had our children over 30 years ago. Who knew that you could quiet a colicky child by wrapping him in a warm towel and sitting on a jiggling dryer? This and many other practical (and the emphasis is on practical in this book) tips are what make this book invaluable. It's written in a humorous style with spare verbiage and fun illustrations, which appeals to many new parents (especially dads) who don't want to plow through chapter after chapter of infinite written detail. In partnership with some of the more detailed books, which a new parent can read at their leisure (if they have any), this book is a treasure. I now order it as a baby gift for every set of new parents. It's a reassuring, helpful, terrific book for parents of newborns, especially.

I bought this for my husband to announce that we were expecting. He skimmed though it once and while he found it funny, he put it on the shelf to collect dust the next nine months. Once our son arrived I blew off the dust and left it in plain sight for him to remind him he had it.
Our son is now 7 weeks old and he has read it at least 20 times cover to cover and will go back to reference it when we are facing a new baby challenge. At least daily I hear "Well, according to my daddy book...". This book has been a sanity saver for him as it puts the intricacies of having a baby into "man terms". We now buy this book for every new expecting dad we know.

Having read this book while in Vietnam in the 60's I found it to be a realistic assessment of what African Americans had to live through in America during and before that period. While racial intolerance may have been especially noticeable in the deep South, it wasn't much different in the Northern States. The elite northern academic institutions smiled politely on the surface while just below the surface could be as mean spirited as any of the worst bigots in the South of that period.

In 1969 I moved to the small town of Coushatta in Louisianna after returning from Nam. They still had white drinking fountains and "colored" drinking fountains as well as seperate sections in the restaurants. Lord have mercy if you drank from the wrong fountain or stumbled into the wrong section of a restuarant.

Ann Fairbairn's book is an excellent period piece and can be both dark as well as quite uplifting. Fairbairn does a good job exploring the African American experience through characters such as "Lil" Joe Champlin & David shedding light on the very real experiences of non-fictional African Americans up until the time Fairbairn wrote Five Smooth Stones.

This book and the story within it are kept close to my heart. When I first read it 30 or so years ago I ingested each and every word, and David and Sara became friends and family to me. Anyone could benefit from reading this story as it touches your heart and your mind and your sense of dignity and human rights. I cannot believe a movie has not been made of it, although perhaps none could do the story justice.

I read this book in graduate school 35 years ago at a critical time in my life. I was attracted to its themes of racial harmony and fighting oppression. Little did I realize that I was about to read one of the most bigoted works I would have read in my life (and like another boastful reviewer here, I too "read 200 books a year," so I have a basis of comparison). Despite its great theme of racial tolerance, much of the conflict in "Five Smooth Stones" is fueled by some of the most egregious homophobia ever put to print.

Hero David Champlim may indeed suffer from racial discrimination, but that doesn't stop him from fighting his oppressors with all the tools available to homophobic bigots -- moral outrage, disgust, slurs, threats of violence, private surveillance, exposure, professional ruination.

And who are David's oppressors? Why gay men, of course! Fairbairn peoples her novel with a host of stereotypical gay villains. Consider David's first run-in with nasty white gay duplicity. At Pengard College, our hero manfully rejects the homosexual advances of Virginia aristocrat, Randy Clevenger. Before anybody can say "tea and sodomy," David himself has been accused of perversion by the effete Dean of Men, Merriweather Goodhue (good grief!). Only by the intervention of tough but noble "Bull" Evans does our "victim" clear himself by hiring a private eye to prove that Dean Goodhue and Clevenger have been in, well, collusion. After all, isn't that what these people all do when they meet each other?

I am astonished and disappointed this evil book is still read. Rest yourself and give it a miss.

I read this book many years ago and have never forgot it. I am buying a
copy and reading it again. I want to see if I still have the same reaction to it as I did than. If not I feel it is me that has changed
and the book is still wonderfu.

The reality of all of our existneces is that they're complex. Five Smooth Stones is a stellar presentation and a fascinating read reviewing the intricacies and nuances entailed in the choices we make in life.