Children Books

A long-time master of mystery, murder and mayhem, Christopher Pike has been publishing what most people think of as "teen thrillers" since 1985. However, to label Pike's haunting, ingenious stories as "teen thrillers" is to miss what makes his work so unusual, for his stories occupy a strange liminal space between adolescence and adulthood. It is, perhaps, more accurate to say, as Pike himself admits, that he tends to write about teens, not to teens. Either way, he was decades ahead of his time, anticipating the subject matter and themes of today's best-selling young adult writers, albeit with one crucial difference: He is not afraid of copious amounts of blood and gore, and he is not afraid to kill off his creations. Indeed, in Pike's twisted world the only thing rarer than a happy ending in is a middle-age narrator.

Luckily for me, Pike began publishing his famous vampire series about the time I graduated from high school in the mid nineties. During that gloomy, pre-Amazon technological Dark Age, I was already an avid Pike fan, weekly checking the local drugstore for my next literary fix. What made me spend my hard-earned waitressing tips on his slim volumes? Pike was unlike any other writer I'd encountered, perhaps because his stories of teens facing down vampires, demons, serial killers, bloodthirsty aliens, and horrific, supernatural creatures touched a deep psychological nerve. I have forgotten many books over the years, but I have never forgotten Pike's exhilarating, fiercely unsettling stories.

This is especially true of his "Last Vampire" series (there are six books in all), which tell the tale of Sita (aka Alisa Perne) who is the last vampire on earth, or so she believes when we first meet her. An extraordinary being with the experience and wisdom of five thousand years, Sita is neither entirely evil nor entirely good, and as such she sometimes recalls the haunted, melancholy Louis (from Rice's 1976 Interview with the Vampire). She also prefigures such creations as Angel (from Buffy The Vampire Slayer), although she has no problem killing innocents when she is threatened, and Buffy, in that she is appears to be a petite, young, gorgeous blond, but is actually a killing machine of enormous strength.

Pike is a terrific storyteller and his "Last Vampire" series is a page-turner full of bloody chases, gruesome killings, big explosions and elaborate fight sequences. People die. A lot of people. I especially like how unpredictable Pike's plot twists are; Sita's tale starts off at a dead run and doesn't let up until the last sentence. Good luck trying to figure out where it's going; I certainly couldn't when I was re-reading it last week.

However, I also like how he often weaves myth, science, and religion into his stories, and "The Last Vampire" is no exception. One of the best parts about this series are Sita's flashbacks as she remembers key moments from her amazingly long life, especially the day she met God, or, as he was known at that time, Krishna. The Hindu beliefs, legends, stories and myths anchor Sita's tale and make a nice contrast with her experiences in the modern world. In addition, they allow Pike to speculate on spiritual matters, such as the nature of good and evil.

As an adult reader, though, I must admit that some aspects of his writing leave much to be desired. It's true that he does do a good job quickly developing protagonists you care about. Sita is a well-rounded, complex character capable of generosity, compassion, and love, but also cruelty, torture and murder. She is, in the words of Pike, "A lover who hates, a saint who sins and an angel who kills." However, sometimes minor characters are incredibly stereotypical and he tends to rely on types: "the school nerd," "the FBI agent," "the donut-eating cop," "the snuff-film, frozen-corpse-loving homicidal maniac," etc.

After a while such stereotypes just get old.

Also, Pike's prose is, well, unsophisticated at best, and, at times, downright bad. (This is the reason I reluctantly gave him four stars instead of five). For example, his series is full of vile descriptions, such as the following sketch of a serial killer from the second vampire book: "But it is his eyes that are the scariest. The green centers look like cheap emeralds that have been dipped in sulfuric acid and left out to dry in a radioactive dust storm."

Um, what?

But there are worse sins a writer can commit then an over-reliance on clichés, mixed metaphors and over-the-top descriptions. In the end, Pike's imagination makes up for his prose, and most of the time I can ignore his flawed writing because I am so caught up in his exciting tales. Certainly, "The Last Vampire" is a wildly original, breathtakingly suspenseful ride that will appeal to sci-fi, fantasy, horror and thriller fans alike.

Last week I was going through an old box of books and I found my carefully preserved Pike stash. Sitting there in the dusty attic I began to re-read Sita's tale and, although it was early in the morning, I found myself reading into the wee hours of the night. I just couldn't put her story down until I had read the last page. If that's not a testament to Pike's power, then I don't know what is.

This is a phenomenal series. I have read itat least 3 times. If you have any interest in vampires, as well as thrillers, read this series. You will not be disappointed. It is most certainly for mature readers, as it is very graphic on all accounts. However, Pike's writing style is phenomenal. When I read this series for the first time, I couldn't put it down and I'm looking forward to reading it again soon. The characters are strong, the descriptions are amazing and it is simply fantastic.

Now, if only they would turn it into a movie or television series. It has incredibly high potential to be done very, very well...

I read this book as a child and it has always been my favorite. I figured... now 22, I might find the books childish in some regard, yet afetr re-reading the series almost 10 years later, I still feel they are the best books I have ever read.
They are filled as much as can be expected with action, adventure, mystery, horror, and some moments of sadness. Rarely do you come across a book that fulfills all qualifications of perfection... but this series does.
Sita is the most amazing character I have ever encountered in fiction. There is nothing she cant do, and the problems that she faces are extrordinary.
Thank you Mr. Pike for the best books in all of existence.

I've read several vampire series, but these 6 books were my favorite. I've read the series several times. It's sad books like these go out-of-print. I bet people would still buy them...I would recommend these books to anyone. It doesn't matter what age you are, you will enjoy these books.

I truly think that this is the best vampire book ever made.
This book is a must have for any vampire story lover! I read this book when I was in 6th grade and omg it literally changed my life. I was a very bad reader as a child but this book opened a door and introduced me to the wonderful stories books could actually tell. Don't think this is just a kid's book because it isn't, its so much more! Everyone no matter what age can enjoy this book and I hope it brings you as much joy as it did to me.

When I need a a reliable, good tasting recipe, this is the cookbook I use. The recipes are easy to follow and good tasting. Simply, this is the best cookbook in my kitchen.

Continuation of Volume I. This volume has breadmaking for one that wants to duplicate wonderful French bread. Unless you live near a fabulous bakery, the recipes in the bread and pastry section will make life better.

Both Volumes I and Volumes II are must have and make absolutely wonderful gifts for any new bride.

Wonderful book especially as it is up-dated for current use since new equipment has been introduced as well as new products. Even if I don't use it to cook, it makes wonderful reading.

This is the classic cook book, and anyone building a library should have it. More easily digestible than other classics like Larousse's Gastronomique; while less rudimentary than The Joy of Cooking. I covers essential culinary classics and maintains the original recipes' integrity. This book is the jumping off point for those whose want to create the classics, and have the fundamentals to add their own flavors and flair. Julia is all about loving to cook.

Being french and a lover of cooking, and living in United States for the last 15 years, I was intimidated by this thick and presumably academic American Cook Book, until I read "my life in France" also written by Julia Child.
In this book,the way she describes how she wrote "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" was so lively and appealing that I decided to give it a try.
And I was not disappointed.
Not only she gives all the equivalent proportions, quantities and temperatures, but she explains very clearly and simply how to make a dish a success. I tried several of the recipes, my best being a "souffle with orange and Grand Marnier" .
To get the most of her explanations I also borrowed a couple of DVDs of her first cooking shows from my local library, and I got the same good feeling.
The reason I gave only 4 stars is because of the presentation of the recipes, with a very detailed master recipe, and just a few lines for the variants. That makes a little bit uneasy to go back and forth during my usual rush cooking time. But that is part due to my own lack of organization.
I was so thrilled by this book that I also gave it , as a gift , to a friend who loves cooking.

I love this book. It provides a wonderful way for me to share a glimpse of heaven with my children, showing them where we believe there brother now lives.

I bought this book shortly after losing our first daughter, 40 minutes after her birth. It brought as much comfort to me as it did tears. 6 years later, i still have it. I bring it out on her birthday or anytime that I feel the need to have a really good cry because I am missing her so much.

This book has been very helpful. Anytime I get worried about my babies (twins) being okay or not, I read this book and feel much better.

This book is amazing! I bought this book after my infant son was born early and died. I was inconsolable, but this book helped me to see that my son was in Heaven with Jesus. The illustrations are amazing and this was also a great way of explaining to my two other sons where their brother was and how he was happy, healthy, and well up in Heaven. The book is told from the perspective of the child and is simple, yet powerful. Anyone who has lost a child would appreciate and find healing by reading this book.

The pictures in this book are beautiful. I was hoping that the book would give some practical advice to readers about coping day-to-day, but it really didn't. Still, it's a helpful book.

Golly By Golly!!! This book is off the charts!!!

I can't tell you how many times I smiled, laughed out loud and paused and scratched my head in wonderment that this isn't yet at the box offices!

It's written for children and although the targeted group is 8 to 13 years of age. Adults will thoroughly enjoy this as well! I did! This book is an amazing tale of a boy who writes a comic strip. And low and behold one of them comes out his computer and the adventure begins!

The characters are all so well depicted that I found myself visualizing this as if it already were a movie! And that isn't anything special on my part mind you, because I am quite sure that who ever else reads this will find themselves imagining it as a movie as well!

Speaking of movies, Hollywood really must be a sleep at the wheel to not be acting on this one!

It is like a children's version of "The Matrix" and I am sure with the "Computer Graphics" they have now they could make this one into another timeless classic comparable to "Back To The Future" ET, Bridge To Terabithia and yes, even the Wizard Of Oz!

Those are the kind of feelings it generates in the reader:)

It's also chalk full of wisdom and most importantly, how the adults in this book work together and find out things about one another as well as allowing the children to solve things and thus learning how to do things on their own.

The Toonies?

I can already see them being handed out in Happy Meals at McDonalds:)

Dab was quite the villain and Doog and all the others are so well described that you can imagine them yourself but the book also has illustrations by Kristine Soza Arizzone, this incredible author's granddaughter that wonderfully show this cast of characters and melt your heart as well!

If you happen to read this review and you are a librarian, I highly suggest you order this for your libraries!

The kids will love you for it!

It's an epic adventure that concerns saving the very world and I imagine even kids that don't like to read, will get hooked on this one! And adults as well! I know I am anxiously awaiting the sequel!

Buy this book for a child you love and do read it yourself for the child in you!

I'm sure you'll loved it and after reading, ask yourselves what I began this with...

Why isn't something this great and wholesome and what children really should be seeing and reading a movie???

Chase Von

Your Chance to Hear The Last Panther Speak

The Toonies Invade Silicon Valley proves that Betty Dravis has more than enough talent to spare. Dravis writes this book with all the energy that will attract a curious, fun loving child and once children start reading this they'll never put it down! Betty Dravis writes well and she also uses her extensive knowledge of computers to keep the story spirited, interesting and timely.

The action starts when a young boy begins to see and interact with cartoon characters that pop out of his "Orange" computer! We soon find out that even in the world of cartoon characters there is both good and bad; and although there are a few darker passages in this book children shouldn't be too frightened of them. The Toonies Invade Silicon Valley is THAT good.

I should also mention that the illustrations are very carefully done and they enhance the book very nicely.

Overall, Betty Dravis scores a homerun with this imaginative, clever children's book. I notice that Toonies is out of stock at the moment; only selling on the secondary market. The good news is that it's being republished with a new cover in the very near future. I'm happy to hear that because every child should have a copy of this on their shelves to enjoy over and over again. I highly recommend this book.

THE TOONIES INVADE SILICON VALLEY is a very fun, extremely charming YA fantasy novel by versatile author Betty Dravis. TOONIES is based on the original premise that if humans are sad enough and in need of sympathy, then the cartoon characters on your computer screen can talk to you, can actually leave your computer, and can join you in the real world. Dravis is clearly a very talented and imaginative storyteller. She not only makes this wild and wacky idea completely believable, she makes it plausible as well. As Dravis weaves her wonderful web of words, you find yourself immediately drawn into the vivid world of the story, caring for her colorful characters and their predicaments, and quickly turning the pages to see how it all turns out.

As the parent of two daughters, ages 11 and 3, I would like to commend Ms. Dravis for one important aspect of this YA novel. In almost every story where the kids are the heros, the parents are either dead or they are evil (think Harry Potter or almost any Disney story, both of which I love, btw). However, in TOONIES, the parents are not only alive, they talk to their son, he goes to them for advice, and they have a wonderful family relationship based on love and respect. Yes, the family has its issues and misunderstandings, but they work together to resolve their problems. I am absolutely thrilled to see such positive family behavior and values modeled here. This key element alone would have me singing the praises of Ms. Dravis from the highest mountain tops. The fact that it comes wrapped in a grand adventure is just the icing on the cake.

I am going to give this book to my 11 year old to read next. I am certain she will love it. I think you will, too. THE TOONIES INVADE SILICON VALLEY is highly recommend for children of all ages.

Jeremy Kerns is a bright and imaginative thirteen year old cartoonist, whose cartoons are featured weekly in the newspaper.

As Jeremy's parent Arthur and Jessica's arguments have been escalating, Jeremy copes in a constructive manner. He writes and illustrates his own problems on his comic strip with Doog, the red haired boy with stars and stripes suspenders as the main character.

One particularly unnerving day of parental disagreements, Jeremy blocks his ears with his hands to try blotting out their fighting.


Jeremy pushes his chair away from the computer in exasperation, when suddenly a voice summons him. It's Doog, straight out of Cartoon Land. Jeremy is startled and distracted when Doog and Uncle Wom (a.k.a. wise old man) Jeremy learns that he must keep The Toonies a secret. Only Buddy and Ashley meet them, until...

Jeremy's unsuspecting and curious dad marvels at his son's cartoon drawings, then turns on Jeremy's computer.

This is where the Mischief Makers led by Dab (bad spelled backwards)are let loose into the Kern's home and Silicon Valley.

Mischief and mayhem follow in a funny and very, very original story.

One of my favorite events is when Jeremys mom Jessica and friend Ashley make shoes out of tin foil so the light weight little Tonnie Doog can walk more like a human than hop around.

Through Betty's highly descriptive, skilled writing, we envision the comical, colorful Toonie characters, all of whom have distinct personalities and charms. The dialogue is hysterical and we quickly become absorbed into The Toonies adventure.

This is a classic!

I recommend this book highly to both young adults and children. It will steer young people into dealing with stress in a productive manner. Because its extremely insightful, it can have a therapeutic effect on children and teach them new coping skills. For parents, this book will remind them of how positive influence can have a great impact on children.

Once upon a time I taught YA readers in junior high, which is now more often called "Middle School."

There seemed to be a dearth of suitable books for this age group back then. By "suitable" I mean many characteristics:

1.Full of free-flowing fantasy to allow young minds to go far away into safe mind-expanding places
2.Morally acceptable but not promoting a certain sect that would be questioned by the public school administration
3.Free of adult sexual encounters
4.Not loaded with the-ends-justifies-the-means morality
5.Having a plot line that YA readers cannot resist
6.Logical in sequence
7.Appealing to the imagination of young readers
8.Not being a waste of time
9.Encouraging readers to stretch their reading skills
10.Showing the development of the characters in the novel
11.Nurturing the character traits of the young tender minds
12.Simply entertaining

The Toonies Invade Silicon Valley by Betty Dravis qualifies.

I find it so appropriate that if it had been available way back then, I would have acquired permission to teach it to all my YA classes.

It would make an unforgettable class project - an interactive unit that would lead the young people to learn. The students would love making their own pictures of the Toonies to be posted in the classroom. They could also draw their own Toonies cartoons based on the text. Reading facility would result.

There are some questions I would like to discuss related to the story with young people:

--What are some creative ways to deal with family conflict?
--How did Jeremy use his creativity to gain peace of mind while his parents argued?
--How else could the book end?
--Why was the ending that Ms. Dravis chose the best one?
--How did the different characters solve their problems?

The author demonstrates in this book her skill and ingenuity. The Toonies is an enjoyable book for YA readers and for children of all ages. Thanks, Betty, for sharing!

This is essential reading for the parent of any teen. It helps put your teen's crazy behavior into perspective and helps to let you focus on the issues that need watching. It also helps you see what a great, normal kid you have rather than the sulky stranger that has taken over his body.

As your child begins to change going into adolescence, this should be required reading. It illustrates both your childs behaviour and teaches you how to parent in such a manner that your message actually gets across and does some good. If you want to stop pushing your kid away and start reconnecting with the child that you love, read this book. It is not magic, it does not work overnight, it takes a good deal of energy, but if you follow the ideas, in 3 to 4 weeks, you will see a dramatic change in the relationship you have with your child.

PS It does make you take a very hard look at yourself in the mirror as to how much respect you are required to offer your teen and how you discipline and parent.

This book is 100% counterintuitive of everything I ever knew about parenting, but it works!! I am the single parent of a teen with a man who does not believe in co-parenting. I thought my daughter and I had a normal parent/child relationship, but when my child finally returned from a visit this summer- severely brainwashed and alienated- it was the techniques in this book that broke down the walls - almost immediately. Now, it didn't cure everything, but it helped me to make that first crucial inroad into her world to try to repair the damage done over the visit by her father and his family who are actively grooming her hate me, actively undermining my authority in my home, all in an attempt to change custody. Since I have already gone down this road with her older sibling, I recognized what is going on behind the scenes early this time around.

I am now in counseling to assist me in changing my parenting style and my child will start with her own counselor soon. It is my sincere hope that between the advice of Dr. Bradley, through his book and website, and professional counseling we can get our relationship back on track. Like every parent all I want is for my child to grow into the best person she can be. Someone with compassion, respect for herself and others, goals, etc.

Thank you, Dr. Bradley, for this lifeline when I thought I was drowning in a sea of confusion, disrespect, personal attacks from all sides, and a growing chasm between myself and my child. Only time will tell what the outcome will be, but I believe we have made a good start. Our home is peaceful again. We laugh together and enjoy each other's company again. She is more respectful of the home boundaries and less prone to sulking because she didn't get her way.

I highly recommend this book.

If you are reading these reviews, then you are most likely the parent of a teen and you need some support right now. I work with teens. I wrote a book for teens. Teens talk to me. Parents of teens talk to me. Most importantly, I am a mom of teens.

What I can tell you is that parenting teens can be HARD. We all know parenting is the hardest job in the world and parenting teens is the hardest part of parenting. Michael Bradley's book, "Yes, Your Teen is Crazy!" is worth its weight in gold. I have read it and I recommend it very highly. (Read the whole book, not just parts!)

Bradley supports you with stories that let you know you are not alone in the struggle to grow your teen safely. He uses humor and he doesn't hold any punches, he tells it like it is even though it may be hard to hear.

Be ready for some self-examination. We are doing our best to grow our teens but in the process we are meant to grow as well. You may need to heal some of your own wounds from the way you were raised. You may need to develop new parenting skills. The good news is that you CAN do this. You are not alone. Yes, your teen is crazy AND you can get through this in spectacular ways.

One of the things Bradley wrote that is really sticking with me and that I've shared with a lot of other parents already is that your shining moments as a parent are not the happy, easy times. They are the challenging times when you rise. If you can stay calm in the face of insanity, those are your shining moments as a parent.

Read this book from cover to cover and then do it again as needed. We all fall on our face as parents AND we can get up and try again and do a little better each time.

Big blessings for a great relationship with your teen!

Aunt Laya
Mom to teens, and the author of the self-help book, "You Don't Have to Learn Everything the Hard Way."

Amazing book! It has not only helped me with my 16 year old - but is helping me change my relationship with my 14,10 and 8 year old boys for the better. I've already sent copies to friends with younger children - to give them a head start.

I have read this book cover to cover and I think the book covers pretty much every aspect of parenting teenagers - I've got two in my home. I bought the "Yes, Your Parents are Crazy" for my teens, as well. I wish Dr. would have mentioned something about cell phones, but I think I can figure them out, too with the help of other info. in this book. I have found some excellent ideas in this book and it has definately helped me maintain my inner "dispassionate cop" when dealing with those inevitable teen moments as well as help my sense of humor resurface. I have often been heard saying that there are lots of similarities in raising infants to teenagers including the number of people giving you unsolicitated advice. I think this book provides more then just more advice; it provides prospective.

There are two sides to every story, and Regina Leininger experienced the conflicts between Indians and white settlers from both perspectives. In I am Regina (Philomel Books, 1991), author Sally M. Keehn presents a fictionalized account of one girl's Indian captivity based on the true story of Regina Leininger. Ten-year-old Regina's journey begins on her family farm in Pennsylvania in 1755. She lives a comfortable life, but the threat of attacking Indians constantly looms in Regina's mind. She takes comfort in the safety and security offered by her family, by the big Bible that Father reads from, and by the hymns Mother sings. Then one day, two Indians come to the family's home. The Indians kill Regina's father and one of her brothers and take Regina and her sister, Barbara, as prisoners. Regina is soon parted from her sister, but finds companionship in another prisoner, a toddler she names Sarah. Taking on the role of parent to the little girl, Regina sings Mother's hymns and tells stories from Father's Bible to the little girl during their hard journey to Ohio. Their Indian captor, Tiger Claw, takes them to his village, where both girls are adopted into the community and into Tiger Claw's family. Living is hard in the Indian village, but as the years pass, Regina adjusts to her new way of life. As conditions worsen for her Indian community, Regina's loyalties are torn between the life she once knew and the community of Indian villagers she has come to appreciate.

Told in beautifully descriptive language, I am Regina paints a portrait of life among white settlers and Native Americans that portrays kindness and cruelty on both sides. Regina reaches no easy conclusions about her dual citizenship in the two cultures. I am Regina is the story of one girl's struggles to fit in to a new culture without losing her identity, but it is also the story of the demise of one native community in the rise of a new country.

German immigrant Regina and her family have settled into Pennsylvania in 1755 in Sally M. Keehn's, I Am Regina. Regina finds herself orphaned after Indians attack and kill her brother and father after her mother and other brother have gone to the mill. She and her sister, Barbara are kidnapped from their home, along with the other children from their village, so that the Indians can adopt them. The two sisters are separated and Regina, along with a little girl she has named Sarah, are forced to follow the cruel Tiger Claw to his village. Once there, the girls are reassigned new names and punished if they act in a way in what the tribe views as white. Regina, now referred to as "Tskinnak", and Sarah, who becomes "Quetit," slowly become a part of their tribe until one day the lines become blurred, and Tskinnak can no longer remember who she once was.

Though Regina's father and brother are killed within the opening scenes of the novel, the story is a bit slow to start as Regina merely recounts the events in a journalistic fashion. Rough transitions from flashback to present once they are captured also hinder the flow of the story, but everything picks up a fourth of the way into the novel when Barbara attempts to save everyone. A few of the important events are also glossed over, such as Regina becoming fluent in a new language and Regina's emotions after her father and brother's deaths reads almost mechanical.

Readers interested in Native American culture will be particularly impressed with this novel, as Keehn has done her research and manages to present both sides of the struggle between the Indians and the English. Ultimately, I am Regina is about a young girl who loses her identity, gains a new one in a different culture, and is then forced to reclaim her childhood, which all makes for an engaging story.

I Am Regina by Sally M. Keehn (Puffin, 1991) begins in 1755 Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, where young Regina is a happy, normal girl living with her sister, brothers, mother and father. Her world is turned upside down when Indians enter their home and kill her brother and father. The Indians kidnap Regina and her sister Barbara. Only her brother John and her mother are safe, for they have gone off to town. They are soon separated, and Regina is dragged off to an impoverished Indian camp. At first, Regina resists, angry and full of hatred for the people who killed her father and brother. Regina is renamed Tskinnak and treated like a slave. She struggles to hold on to her memories of home and forget the gruesome murders of her father and brother. As she becomes more accustomed to the Indian ways, she must force herself to remember passages from the Bible. Eventually, Tskinnak can no longer recall her past life or speak English. She is an Indian, a daughter to an Indian woman and a sister to Quetit, a young girl kidnapped at the same time she was. So, when the French Indian war ends and they are taken back to meet their families, Tskinnak is torn between her Indian family and a mother she can barely remember from her past. Who will Tskinnak chose?

Based on the true story of 10-year-old Regina Leininger, this book is historically accurate and sensitive. It makes great reading material for middle-schoolers interested in history. Although the novel can be slow at times, getting to the end is worth the wait, as Tskinnak's story is completed and the reader will be satisfied with the conclusion.

I picked up this book when I was 12/13 (for some reason I want to say I was younger) on one of my family's trips to Barnes and Noble. Once a week I'd pick out a new book to read and from the time I picked up this book it has been one of my all time favorites. I'm 21 now and still love it, I have reread it numerous times. Some of the other reviewers on here seem to think it's increadibly graphic for the age group but when most families live in different rooms with each a tv I think I would much rather have my child read a book with an inspiring storyline than a gory cop show or playing shootem up video games! Most young adult novels now adays share adult themes. When I was 15 I watched the Grapes of Wrath in a History class and I KNOW that is an adult book. People need to give their children more credit and realize that reading this book is just preparing their children for reading mature intelligent books.

In I am Regina, Sally M. Keehn tells the story of a ten-year-old girl who is taken captive by Native Americans after they brutally kill her brother and father. In their village, Regina is given a new name, Tskinnak, and slowly adapts her new way of life. This young adult novel is well-crafted in terms of structure; it has a sound arc of conflict sustained by a strong narrator and cast of fascinating supporting characters that all possess individual goals and desires. Keehn masterfully juxtaposes Native American culture and the ways of the "white man" through the eyes of Regina/Tskinnak, her innocent narrator. As time progresses in the book, so does Regina/Tskinnak's understanding and acceptance of Native American culture. Though this transformation occurs slowly, the soul of her very being is forever altered. She is able to see the war amongst white men and Native Americans from both sides, and finds herself questioning where she truly belongs, a question that resonates in the minds of children and young adults of today. The only inconsistency in the book occurs during shifts in time. Keehn shifts in "moons" and at times it is confusing to judge how much or how little time has passed since the last scene. Keehn began the story using short choppy sentences, but as the book progresses, it outgrows this simplistic structure and evolves into a well-written text. I am Regina is a powerful and moving story that will captivate readers right down to the final sentence.

I love this book! The message is wonderful and the pictures are great. Despite what the other reviewers (and even the back of the book) say, there is nothing in the text or pictures that says the child is a boy. I love reading this to my daughter. (Note: Apparently the board book is an abridged version, so maybe the full version is more specific).

I bought this for my 3 year old son after reading it in our pediatrician's waiting room. My son thinks it's hilarious and it's one of his favorites. It helps show him that moms love their kids no matter what, while keeping his interest with its silliness.

I just love reading this book to my grand child. It is a great introduction to unconditional love. This book should be on every bookshelf! All of us have times when we wonder if we are loved. It would do us well to remind children, starting at a very young age, just how special they are to us. I Love You Stinky Face

I love this book!! It is a must have!! This book is great for all ages and it has a great message! There are little puppets that can be purchased to go along with this book; they are really cute and get students really engaged.

The best childrens book ever! I almost cry everytime I read it to my daughter. She loves the illistrations and the story will melt anyones heart.

An excellent book dedicated to two people stood up for life when others looked the other way. My children and I enjoyed reading this book together.

Visitors are coming for seder dinner and Marissa wants to know who they are!

An eight-year-old Jewish girl, Marissa, is sitting down with her family for the Passover seder. This year it is not only her family at the meal, but two guests, an older couple named Alex and Mela Roslan. At her Uncle David's prodding, Marissa's father, Jacob, tells the story of why he is so honored to have the Roslans as his guests. It all started long, long ago, when Jacob was just eight years old.

Jacob and his family lived in Warsaw, Poland, at the start of the Holocaust. His mother died giving birth to his youngest brother, but the rest of his family was well off, with servants and a nice house. Everything changed when the Nazis invaded. All of a sudden all of the Jews were put into a ghetto. The men of the family escaped the country before then, believing the women and children would be safe. Jacob's aunt managed to find places for his little brothers, Sholom and David, in the country. Jacob, however, stayed in the ghetto. Life was hard but livable. Then, his aunt began to worry about the fact that so many people were being arrested and taken out of the ghetto each day. She found a place for Jacob to live, with Alex and Mela Roslan and their two children, a family of Christians.

Throughout the war, Jacob lived with this courageous family, a family who put their own lives at risk to save the life of someone they had barely known.

This is another true Holocause story, and another one that makes the reader see there were some good people out there, surrounded by the bad. I liked that this book showed that helping Jacob was a difficult decision for the Roslans to make. They probably saved his life, but they still were concerned about their own lives and their own children. I would have liked to have seen more of what the Roslan children were thinking during this time. It would be interesting to get the point of view of the children who were involved because of a decision of their parents.

This is an amazing story of a young Jewish boy during the Nazi occupation of Poland. Jacob is his name, and he is given a chance to live with a brave Polish family. The Roslan family takes Jacob in and protects his brothers and him. This now united family must go through many hardships throughout this story, but there is still happiness and gratitude flowing in the text. Alex the father is the bravest of them all. He keeps the family alive and healthy.
This book tells a well rendered real life experience of a very brave family. It explains what was going on in Poland from the peoples view not the generals prospective. In this book Jacob tells this story to his daughter. Think of finding out that your father was living through an adventure story that had dire conflicts.
What I'm saying is if read this book if you want a idea of what happened to people that were brave and fought in their own way during World War 2.

PR2

In this story called Jacob's Rescue a Holocaust Story, Jacob is a Jew. He finds out that he has to go away from his Aunt and his grandma, to live with a German. The German's name is Alex. He hides Jacob from the Germans, or any other people who don't like Jews. Jacob becomes family to Alex and his wife and kids. Throughout the whole story Jacob is scared and frightened by the Germans. He doesn't want to get caught.
I absolutely loved this book. I couldn't keep my hands off of it. It was that good. I am really interested in the holocaust, so I enjoyed reading it very much. Anyone who likes reading about history or the holocaust, this is the book for you. This is based on a true story. That makes this book a lot more interesting to read.
By: Tenille

Jacob's Rescue by Malka Drucker and Micheal Halprin is an awesome book to read. It starts with Jacob getting captured by the Nazis and being put in a ghetto but for most of the story he is kept in a small apartment.

This book is about an 8 year old boy named Jacob and the extremely brave people who rescued him, Alex and Mela. There were also two brave kids the son and daughter of Alex and Mela. Jacob is one of the Jewish people who got put in a ghetto. In this story Jacob loves to play cards and do math. The whole story starts when Jacob gets put in a ghetto. Their problem is they have to find a way to stay safe without getting caught and being killed. My favorite part is when he escapes from the ghetto and goes with Alex to his new home.

I gave this book five stars because many of you know how many Jewish people got killed because of the war. This book is about the few people who went way out of their way just to save two Jewish boys life. I think that just to know that people would be so giving is a great thing. I think that Malka Drucker and Micheal Halprin did a great gob on this book and I hope that there are more books of theirs that I can read. I would recommend this book to a friend because I think that it's cool to know that two boys' lived through a war because of two people that saved them.

I really enjoyed this book the first time I read it in middle school. I was a very big christopher pike fan back then. i liked the way the plot progressed and became so complex and intricate. and the way it works itself out it reminds me of the terminator movies in a way. one action changes the course of history kind of thing. it just shows the imagination this author has. although I think he may have run out of ideas for "the hollow skull". I think "the starlight crystal" was one of his best works. If you liked this novel, try some of his other books like "The Last Vampire" series. That was good too. If you didn't like "the starlight crystal" chances are that either 1) you're not a fan of sci-fi or 2) you have no imagination. That's just my opinion.

The best thing about this book is definitely the plot - Christopher Pike does a wonderful job of weaving a complex story. However, some of the physics in this book were inaccurate - in the middle, it seems Paige witnesses "the Big Crunch" from some faraway vantage point. Not only is the Big Crunch unlikely to happen, it would be impossible to escape it. Also, it's unlikely that humanity will survive 200 years into the future - our resources are likely to be gone by 2050.

Another problem I had with this book was it was just cheesy - "love conquers all" and "we are all one with everything" are overused themes. And love at first sight? Can we please save that for fairy tales and trashy romance novels?

I read this book a good decade ago, and the story has stuck with me since. I've never forgotten it, but until now never really remembered to buy it, either.

Now I've got my own copy again, and after reading through it I can feel how some of the writing is more...immature than I remember, it's still one of those stories that you'll never quite forget. It has an immense feeling of...time and of emotion that I haven't quite felt in a lot of books. If you're into sci-fi and want to read a story that encompasses the entire life of the universe, try this one.

I read this book when it first came out, and I cannot tell you how many times I have read it since. List another reviewer said, this is not a science fiction story, but a spiritual journey told through science fiction. It is one of the few books I have read that I have to put down while reading to think about its message before continuing. The lessons that you learn in this story can be put to use at all times, and this book is definately not just for young adults.

I read this book many years ago and it is by far one of my very favorites.

Louisa County High School recommends that you read Baby Alicia Is Dying. We all agree that if you read the book then you would think before you made a bad action like Alicia's mother did. Many of us cried in the end.

Baby Alicia is Dying by Lurlene McDaniel is a great book. Well I want to tell you a little bit about what this book is about.It's about a girl named Desi who is hiv free and is trying to stop smoking and who wants a baby who is hiv positive and who wants to take care of that baby.In my opinion i think this book is exciting to me because it tells you the problems Desi is having and what she does And how she's gonna stop doing what she is doing.I recommend this book to people who like exciting books about drama and that tells you about people's lives.

This book is the greatest book in the WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! its happy and sad at the same time. i could read it 10,000 times and never get bored of it!!!

I liked this book bacuase is told me about a little girl that was born with HIV. Also that seh was born HIV positive. I liked this book also becasue it has great details of what the young girl went through since she was born. I mostly liked this book bacaue of the was it decribes the characters are doing, and what is on in their mind at that time and place in the book. The sadest part was that when i read this book that I have felt the same pain as Alicia does in the book because my grandma Burger died of being HIV positive back in January of 2005.

Alicia was a unique and really nice baby. I didn't really think she should of got putt in the hospital because her mom didn't want her. The book teaches us that anyone can help the hospital and help little kids. It also teaches us that even though you got put in a hospital because your mom didn't want you, don't mean you're not a nice person. One example was when people started to tease a girl because she helped the hospital take care of kids.

Alicia was a great baby. She loved everybody. She knew what was wrong and what was right. Even though, she was only two.

This is a great book for ANYONE to read!