Death-and-Dying Books

This book was aswesom. I just loved it. I would read it more then once. This book to me would be for mostly just the girls. You really get into Pam's life when reading this book. This book was sad and parts funny. But altogether a good book. Reading about the character and what all happened in her life like this, it touched my heart! I loved reading about her father and his new girlfriend and her nana. How her best friend went weird and turned back and wanted to be her friend again. A popular girl at school has a boyfriend who whice Pam falls in love with. It's a vvery exciting book. A thriller and a book to read over and over again!!!!! ASWESOME BOOK!!!!!!

Dear Katherine Holubitsky,

I want to say that I have enjoyed reading your story, "Alone at Ninety Foot". I liked it because it was very sad. It reminded me of my friend's grandmother. I realized how it feels to lose someone special. My friend's and Pamela's actions were the same. It made me want to read the story even more. It is very depressing knowing that you can't replace a loved one. Therefore my opinion on the story is that it is very touching. You can go through a lot of pain and grief losing a loved one.

I like to commend youfor such a good job on organizing the story. The character development was great. It made the story easier for me to understand. I like how you organized the character's roles.

In conclusion, I want to say thank you for doing a great job and letting me to enjoy a wonderful novel.

Truly yours,
Manly Lau(Francis Libermann Catholic High School)

Have you ever felt lonely? Have young ever lost someone you love? Katherine Holubitsky takes you through the exciting life of Pamela Collins. For being Katherine Holubitsky first book it is really good. The book has lots of wonderful characters like Pamela who is the principal character, her father, the boring girl friend of her father, and the other people at school.
Pamela is about 14 years old. She likes to sped most of her time at a mountain called Ninety Foot, she likes these place because she uses it as a hiding place when she escapes from school and it also reminds her of her mother. For Pamela this mountain is special but for the other people in town no because lots of people have gone missing and lots of murders have take place in there. Pamela is affected because of her mothers death how jumped of a bridged because of the depression of her lost child. After the sad death of her mother Pamela finds out that her father is dating a women but for Pamela these is not a problem because he doesn't last much with her. After one more women Pamela's father ends up with a women, which results to be a banker and a nerd.
Pamela at school is a lonely girl who doesn't likes to socialize just with her friends. Pamela has problems with the most popular girl at school because she is very stuck up. Pamela hates to hear stories about people dieing or committing suicide because it reminds her of her mothers death. Pamela is having problems because she is experiencing the development of her body. During the book Pamela struggles during her teen-age life.
I like this book because it made me read and read until a finish it. I also liked it because it has good descriptions. I hope you read this book.

The main character is very real, a junior high girl coping with the suicide of her mother. She has a normal circle of peers, who can be supportive or just plain mean. Dad is starting to date which creates another set of challenges. Excellent story - think our Girls' Book Club will love it.

As a hospice worker, I have carried this book with me since it was released. I also recommend it to all new hospice volunteers, it is essential information and a great companion book to "Sacred Dying".

As a former hospital chaplain, a pastoral caregiver and a hospice volunteer I have used Megory Anderson's "Sacred Dying: Creating Rituals for Embracing the End of Life" as a valuable resource. I ordered "Attending the Dying: A Handbook of Practical Guidelines" with high expectations and am not disapointed. Having read it, I enthusiastically recommend this information-packed little book to all who have occasion to care for or visit the dying, especially clergy who visit terminally ill parishioners. I have recommended this book as required reading for those who will attend vigilling training with the hospice I serve.

Nora Wilson, Deaconess

Attending the Dying, A Handbook of Practical Guidelines, Megory Anderson, Morehouse, ISBN 0-8192-2108-2. pp. 109. $9.95

Anderson writes that "death is more than just a monitor going off or the last breath. The place of death is still a sacred space. Witnessing a death is a profound experience for family members as well s health professionals. When you have sat vigil with a dying soul, you are forever changed. You have experienced a great mystery. Dying is like being born. It is a miracle in its own right." The author is the director of the Sacred Dying Foundation in San Francisco and trains others in the art of being present with the dying. This is a very practical and concise handbook of what to expect, how to respond to the dying, and how to support the dying person so that the process is as sacred as possible. The book can be used by people of any faith tradition and would be helpful to chaplains, social workers, hospital personnel, as well as friends and family of the dying.

Rev. Joanna J. Seibert M.D.
Little Rock, Arkansas

This small volume, so sensitively written, offers a clear understanding of how to be present and support someone through the dying process. More importantly, it helps to bring the sacred back into this time in a person's life. Written especially for those who attend the dying, chaplains and pastoral caregivers, it is nonetheless easy for anyone to read, to understand, and to put into practice. It is small enough to tuck into a purse or pocket, for easy review in the moment of need. A practical companion to Megory Anderson's beautiful work called "Sacred Dying," it is a priceless pearl.

I bought this book along with Death of a Husband and I am so glad I did. I only wish I would of read her previous book called Widow. I still may buy it. So many of the things in this book have happened to me and I think it will help all those who aren't sure what to do next.

Wow, it is 2001, 15 years after my Mom left this world and here I sit with technology that did not exist when she was living. I thought for kicks that I would look up her name and her last book popped up. She finished it the day before she died! She was one of the most extraordinary humans I have ever met. I hope her words continue to help those in need - they helped me!

Jon Caine, Son of Widow!!!

When my husband died, a friend brought me this book. I felt the last thing I wanted was a book about widowhood. But, when I opened the cover and started reading, I knew I had found what I needed. Lynn Caine knows how it feels to lose a husband. She offers a practical and understanding approach to being a widow. I now pass this book on to other widows.

Answers important question widows face.
Another great another book for widows is Write from Your Heart, A Healing Grief Journal. This book lets your emotions flow onto the pages. It creates a memory journal when you are done.

This book was fun to read, and it was interesting to learn how David Paterson himself was the inspiration for Jess in the book. It's not quite as in-depth as I hoped it would be (it's not even very thick), but if you love the movie it's fun to have.

If you have seen the updated version of "Bridge to Terabithia," then you probably know what a rare, landmark film it really is. Geared for children, yet easy for people of all ages to identify with, it is one of those special stories that sticks with you.

The writing of an appropriate screenplay was possibly the most important element of making this a successful transition from the popular children's book, and nobody was more qualified for the job than David Paterson, the son of the author Katharine Paterson (not to mention the inspiration for the Jess Aarons character).

Not many people know just how much anguish this man has gone through with the true-to-life events of the book and movie, but a somewhat stronger image is painted through this book. Though it is short, it is a nice companion to the film and goes behind the scenes from David's point of view. There is some information about Josh Hutcherson and AnnaSophia Robb, two gifted young actors who essentially carried the entire film with their dead-on performances in the lead roles. I truly believe that the movie could not have been made nearly as well without them--particularly Josh Hutcherson, whose obvious connection with this character is evident from beginning to end. You hear about actors who have the gift of communicating a message with their eyes and facial expressions, but this young actor really has it down cold. I give him a lot of credit for what he did with this character.

This book also talks a bit about the film's special effects, the cast and crew, and the inevitable challenges that came with putting the movie together. It was not enough to just get the cast and start filming; it was a deliberate process, and with a story as important as Katharine Paterson's, it needed to be done the right way. With David's well-written script--along with the hard work and talents of everyone involved--they managed to get it just right, and it is one of the rare book-to-film cases that does genuine justice to the original author.

All in all, this is a great book to buy if you are (like me) a huge fan of the movie and would like a little something more. It includes a lot of nice pictures, along with some brief quotes from both the book and movie. Throughout it all, though, the prominent voice is from David Paterson himself, who really is the heart and soul of the entire thing. There's one line of his from this book that says it best: "When people meet me today and learn about the connection between my life and Bridge to Terabithia, many times their response is 'Wow. You're the original Jess. That's cool.' They mean it in a positive way, but it's like seeing a scar on somebody and remarking that the scar looks cool. They don't understand the pain that caused it."

Indeed, David's story is bittersweet, and this book is one way to get a little more insight on what this man went through when he lost his own "Leslie Burke"--his best friend. Nothing hits home quite like a film that reflects a true story, and through the tragedy of it all, this memorable story was able to be written. A lot of people have come to know Terabithia and be inspired by its message, and when you think about how beautiful that is, it truly starts to make sense when David Paterson says that "some gifts come in two forms."

I highly recommend this item, as well as the book and movie that made it possible in the first place. Terrific job to Katharine and David Paterson for bringing the story to life, and may it continue to touch people's lives for years to come.

This is a great book to understand the story behind the movie, and the story behind the story as well.

You want to be on the "in" to knowing about all things Terabithia? Well, be sure to get this book. Make sure you have read the book, "Bridge to Terabithia" as talking about events which take place both in the book and in the movie will spoil what happens if one is already not familiar with the book. The pages are filled with photographs, both of filming and behind the scenes. This book is nicely done and was written by David Paterson, the person who wrote the screenplay of the new movie, who is also Katherine Paterson's (the author of "Bridge to Terabithia") son whom the Newberry winner book was partially dedicated to in addition to another person. My one complaint, if I had a complaint, would be that I wish that this book was longer though it is 47 pages long-which is long for a behind the scenes type of book. I throughly enjoyed the book and I am in my early twenties. My niece who is eight, read the book this afternoon and enjoyed it as well. The back of the book says that it is for ages eight and up which I think is appropriate given the sensitive nature of the book that the movie is based on and the fact that they reference events from the book and movie in this companion book. Excellent for those who are awaiting the movie's release!

This book really helped me when caring for my Grandmother. The tips in the book were helpful in everyday living. This book in particular helped so much since my Grandmother had Dementia. It is very USER FRIENDLY whether you read it completely or just skim through and use it as a tips guide. You can tell that the author had a real background in caregiving. The Illustrations and song titles were absolutely precious and and very appropriate, each chapter having its own song that identifies with the Baby-boomer population. So many of that generation are now looking at caring for their loved ones. Five stars to the author and illustrator for their creativity and real help for those of us now caring for their loved ones. I enjoyed the book and was helped enough by it that I purchased her other 3 books, "Caregiving Tips A-Z", "Hospice Care at Home", and "The Caring Caregivers Guide to Dealing with Guilt". (Five Stars for those books too!)

Starr has outdone herself with this book! All of the tips are "real life" answers to everyday problems in dealing with the elderly, and people of all ages. Her tips and sugestions don't require additional money or effort, they incorporate everyday scenarios with everyday ideas. Loved it!

This book is indeed "a practical guide" for getting through each day-- in a way that only caregivers can understand. The information in it has made my days better than they would have been otherwise. The chapters on communication and behavioral changes have helped in developing caregiver skills; and there are other helpful chapters on improving the home set-up and managing problems with family members. I was especially impressed with the detailed information put into this book on everything from adult role changes to getting the keys back from your parent. It worked for me!

Linda Owen
-author of LADY PRESIDENT

I lost my grandfather recently to Alzheimer's disease and am currently repeating the same terrible ordeal with my grandmother. It is a long, long, painful journey and many questions and concerns have burdened my family while dealing with this affliction. Ms. Calo-oy's book provides an exhaustive reference for the myriads of scenarios and situations a caregiver will encounter. This book is written from a sensitive and respectful point of view that not only addresses the loved one's many needs, but the often unknown and misunderstood needs of the caregiver as well. I found this book very encouraging and uplifting. I recommend this book to any individual or institution that is involved with caregiving!

i randomly picked this book off of my school library and i luv it! It's a sweet story about a girl named Carolina who has to suffer through amny things that we should be glad we have. She has lost a father and an older sister that was like a best friend to her. my absolute favorite part was the end when Carolina caught Mara and Garret. I was grinning, ear to ear, and smirking, litterally scaring the heck out of my family, mentally screaming 'YES!! YES!! IN YOUR FACE!' hahaha. it really is a great book and i thik it'll make u stronger if you'll just walk up to your closest library!

Dealing with the loss of loved ones is hard enough, but Carolina is also having to deal with the pains of betrayl and first love. This book handles both topics with great sensitivity and realism. Carolina is a wonderful character who will capture your heart and leave you hoping for a sequel.

The book was about a girl named Carolina McKinney. She lives with her mom after her father and sister died in a plane crash.Her character is very emotional and thinks that her father and sister are still alive. She has a boyfriend named Poindexter who lives right next door from her. Her best friend's name is Mara who is a big backstabber...
My favorite part of this book was when Carolina and Poindexter were running and Carolina fell and got hurt then Poindexter helped her get back home. I also like the part when her mother and her were hugging in the middle of the street while it was raining. It was so sweet and I wish that my mother and I can do that too. The only thing I do not like about the book are when Mara flirts with Poindexter a lot! It is not right to do that while your so-called-best-friend is there.
I personally think that people should read the book because it is so wonderful! It touches your heart.

Carol Lynch Williams certainly understands teenagers and knows how to bring them characters they can identify with and learn from. Carolina Autumn is no exception! I read the first chapter aloud to a group of junior high girls taking a Creative Writing class from me, and they laughed in all the right places, then shared the similaries in experience with Carolina as she gets her first bra. I remembered well my own feelings of uncertainty in budding teenage romance and the fears of my best friend "taking him away." A great book to help teenagers deal with death, as well. This book's short length makes it perfect for the reluctant reader.

good information on dying and transitioning into the process

Co-written by professional counseling staff members Moira Cairns, Marney Thompson, Wendy Wainwright and sanctioned by the Victoria Hospice Society, Transitions In Dying & Bereavement: A Psychosocial Guide For Hospice And Palliative Care walks the reader through the stages that chronically ill and dying individuals and their families must progress through, from diagnosis to death to bereavement. The most effective interventions for easing stress and confusion are clearly explained, along with sample dialogues that reveal the issues and challenges at each step. Chapters include notes on multicultural and interdenominational perspectives on death and dying, perspectives on body image, intimacy, and sexuality in the dying, ways to help alleviate feelings of anxiety, fear, burnout, denial, and powerlessness, ways to help in planning for death, and much more. A must-read for aspiring or practicing hospice counselors.

This book is a great resource for anyone in hospice or palliative care. By following the structure of the Palliative Performance Scale, this book will guide you through the varied experiences of people who are dying and their loved ones. The authors do an excellent job of portraying the confusion and stress that surround many families from the point of diagnosis until the final phases of grief, while also giving professionals the information they need to provide comfort and reassurance in this difficult time.

This book should really be considered the Hospice Bible, or at least one volume of it. I have never seen a book so clearly laid out, so encompassing of the psychospiritualsocial concerns and strengths for hospice patients and their families! Our hospice bought it after I fell in love with it. Now our social workers and I (grief specialist and death educator) are using it to train our interdiscplinary team on 1. sensitivity, 2. helpful interventions, 3. understanding family AND team dynamics, and 4. understanding the range of care and history that each patient brings with them (such as their previous experiences with the medical, social services, spiritual, and psychological/psychiatric communitites).

At a time when hospice is changing so radically (with so many for profit hospice and so many agencies "pretending to do hospice under the guise of home health" it is refreshing to see a group who has been able to embrace the totality of palliation and hospice in such a humanistic and holistic way!!!

Kudos to the staff at the Victoria Hospice Society. I hope you know how many other lives you changed as this book was published!!!!

Very helpful as resource material though a bit stretched in it's assumptions of certain myths. All together a good read.

This is literally an encyclopedia of LBGT stuff! If you ever wanted to know anything about Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, or Transgender subjects, this is the only book you might ever need!

This book is much more than an exhaustive reference relating to the personalities, events, processes and movements within lgbt spirituality, it is a pure pleasure to read (or in my case, browse through). It tells a far different story than the exclusively heterosexual roster of saints, sages, demons, demigods and deities that we've all had to memorize - and this pantheon is far more fascinating. Just read the entries on the "World Homosexual Movement," the "Order of Chaerona," and the "Han Temple" and you'll realize quickly that we've barely begun to scratch the surface of our old queer race's involvement with the world of the spirit.

A Treasure Trove of Queer Esoterica!

This book is much more than an exhaustive reference relating to the personalities, events, processes and movements within the realm of gay and lesbian spirituality, it is a pure pleasure to read. The product of meticulous research, this encyclopedia offers detailed yet concise, cross-referenced entries and an index of attributes and traditions as an encouragement to both quick reference and casual browsing. Beyond its obvious usefulness to scholars, this work aims to inspire, entertain and empower, and it is hugely successful in that effort.

It tells a far different story than the exclusively heterosexual roster of saints, sages, demons, demigods and deities that we've all had to live with - and this pantheon is far more fascinating.

The 1,500-odd alphabetic entries ranging from "Aakulujjuusi" to "Zeus" reveal our history, deeply encoded in sacred texts and all-but-forgotten traditions. Just read the entries on the "World Homosexual Movement," the "Order of Chaerona," and the "Han Temple" and you'll realize quickly that we've barely begun to scratch the surface of our old queer race's involvement with the world of the spirit.

A very praiseworthy work!

Ocean Blues

Cheat the Moon is a book about two siblings whose mother died and their dad hasn't been home for 21 days. Gabby is the older of two, who is invited to go on a trip to the ocean with her friend in June. She really wants to go for she has always wanted to see the ocean.
The only problem is her dad hasn't been home for a while , and she can't leave her brother home alone.

I liked this book because it made you think it could be a true story, and when I read it I felt like i was standing next to the characters. It had rich description which made me feel that way. I also like that the book was written in first person. So, I don't only feel I'm standing next to the characters, but there also telling me the story of part of their life.

Cheat the Moon is a book about two siblings who's mother died, and their dad hasn't been home for about twenty-one days. Gabby is the older girl who is invited to go on a trip to the ocean with her friend in June . She really wants to go, for she has always wanted to see the ocean, but her dad hasn't been home, and she can't leave her little brother alone for that long.
I liked this book because it was dealing with real life situations, and when I read it , I felt like I was there standing next to the characters because it had rich description. I also liked that the book was written in first person. So I don't only feel like I'm standing next to the characters, but I also feel like there telling me a story of part of there life.
I do recommend this book if you like a book written in first person. Cheat the moon doesn't have much action but it still is a good book. I gave it five stars because the ending turned out good and not so upsetting.

Gabby is a 12 year old girl that has a 6 year old brother named Will. Their mom passed away and their dad is a drunk. He is hardly ever home. Gabby's friend, Mallie, is going on a vacation to the ocean. Gabby was invited to come along, and Gabby wanted to go. Gabby's dad came back from being gone for 22 days. He promised her he would stay for good, so she could go on the trip. Then one day Clara, a lady that helped them out came over and stayed with them. If you want to find out the ending, read the book.

This is the wonderfully written story of Gabby, a stong and independent 12 year old girl who is essentially raising herself and her six year old brother, Will. Their mother is dead. Their father is an alcoholic who is away on drinking binges for long periods of time. Gabby stubbornly keeps her family's problems private, and does not allow social workers or neighbors to help them.

When her father reappears after 22 days of heavy drinking, he promises to stay for good this time. Gabby's heard this countless times before, and is doubtful. Will, on the other hand, naively trusts his father to stick around. Their father tries very hard to make things up to Gabby and Will. He finds a job, and buys them food and clothes. He even reconciles with the grandmother who raised him, Clara, so that Gabby and Will might have more family than just their father. Gabby doesn't expect her father to stick around, but it comes as a shock when he is killed in an accident at the m! ill where he works.

Gabby, who has always been strong, tries to deal with her loss in a matter of fact, practical way. She insists that she and Will can live on their own, without help. Eventually, Clara helps Gabby realize her sorrow, and persuades Gabby to accept her offer of taking care of them. Only after mourning her father does Gabby learn what her mother meant long ago when she told Gabby to "cheat the moon."

This book is beautifully written, the story is realistic and compelling. The reader grows to understand the characters and their faults, and grows to love them faults and all. Even Gabby's father evokes sympathy rather than scorn. The author expertly weaves together an array of feelings. The story is at once sobering and inspirational, sorrowful and hopeful.

The story is written simply enough for 12 year old readers, and the serious subject matter is dealt with in a manner appropriate for that age. Older readers will be able to appri! ciate this book on many other levels; there many subtle the! mes throughout including coming of age and learning to let go. Although the character of Gabby is 12, she is mature enough to appeal to a wide age range of readers, including high school age. The writing is excellent, and could also be appreciated by adult readers.

My Sister and I both owned this book and read it to each other over the phone (we live in different towns) so that we could make sure we were both viewing our Mother's death in the same way. I was actually caring for her, but she was very involved with my endless decisions I had to make. That was very helpful in showing me I wasn't alone.

Now, unfortunately, I have to use it again because my dear Sister is dying. I have recommended this book to her 6 children who will be caring for her. This guide will help them as it did me, when they have a question in the middle of the night, or on the weekend when they can't reach the doctor. I know I would have made it without this book, but it sure made my life better!

The overall description of this book in the Review section seems to describe the contents and features of this book quite well, so I will simply add my impressions.
I have recently begun sharing caregiver duties for a terminally ill parent and recommend this book as perhaps the best single introduction I have found. Looking at thirteen years of full-time undergraduate and post-graduate work, I found I had not a single hour of instruction in how to navigate the emotional and technically difficult art of caring for a terminally ill patient. Such caring is not given much coverage in today's world, and I have to admit I was nearly clueless as the process began. I would not hesitate to recommend this book to those who are beginning this potentially beautiful yet potentially treacherous path, either as a caregiver or a patient. The book is a tremendous "how-to" resource and elementary caregiving, and it provides a decent list resources for further information. I hope to use the book to prepare my own way as well. My only criticism is it gives little help in things like preparing eulogies or funeral etiquette, and it gives little help in managing the sibling difficulties which can arise during the process of caregiving.

As a professional in the medical field and as a lay person, I found this to be the most educational, practical and comforting book I have read on this subject. This book contains information, resources and references for every aspect of caring for the seriously ill. The layout is organized and finding topics is effortless. Everyone should have this book, preferably before they need it. This book touched my heart and my mind.

This extremely comprehensive handbook "traces the sequence of events common to a life-threatening illness and examines the innumerable concerns and crises that arise along the way." Caring for the seriously ill has not been a concern for several years. High technology, new drugs, and caregiving organizations have taken this burden off of the loved ones of those whose life is being threatened. In the early part of the century, families knew what had to be done and took care of the sick in their homes. They made do with what they had, rearranged rooms and furniture, and tried to make life as comfortable as possible for those who were seriously sick. With the AIDS epidemic, taking care of the seriously ill at home has made a come back because no one wanted to deal with an individual who had such a misunderstood malady. A large majority of these individuals did not have the ways and means to be able to afford any other kind of care except what could be given by the loved ones around them. This remarkable book is for those people who are faced with taking care of someone they love. These individuals become advocates for the sick person. "the term advocate sounds more daunting than it really is. Simply, an advocate is the person who looks out for the patient's best interests and sees to it that his or her needs are met."

Part one, "Caring for the Sick," provides useful information that will be of initial importance to anyone faced with caring for someone seriously ill. The 11 chapters cover: "The Hospital and the Medical Team: Who's Who and What's What," "Dealing with the Doctors," "The Everyday Angel's Cram Course in Essential Nursing Skills, 101," "Matters of the Heart," "Mustering the Troops," "The Caregiver as Consumer Activist," "Care for the Caregivers," "Paying the Bills," "Preparing for the Worst," "Journey's End," and "Aftermath." The second part, "The Everyday's Angel's Cram Course in Adult Medicine," covers 9 illness that affect a large number of people: cancer, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular stroke or traumatic brain injury, emphysema and chronic bronchitis, diabetes, AIDS/HIV, liver disease, kidney disease, and progressive neurological disease. Each chapter describes the disease, provides symptoms, treatment regimens, complications, what can be done, and much more, ending with recommended readings.

The three appendices are useful resources: "Recommended Resources," "Miscellaneous Resources," and "For Referrals to Home Health Care, Hospice Care, Long-Term Care, Adult Day Care, Respite Care, and Rehabilitation Facilities." This is one of the best books available on caring for the seriously ill and should be available to anyone who has the responsibility of doing the caring. It is a highly recommended book for all public, academic, and medical libraries.