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A student of mine brought this to class to share. After reading it aloud to my K/1 class, I ordered one for the classroom and one for my aide, who fell in love with the story. A winner, for sure!

This is a great children's book that, I think, helps children develop empathy for other animals. Very sweet book.

Judy Schachner in her pre-Skippyjon Jones days, created a memorable, touching, loving picture of an old, old cat that gains new purpose when he's introduced to a spunky new Siamese kitten. I fell in love with the book when I borrowed it from my local library and had to get a copy of my own. When I read this to the kids at the school where I work, they fell in love with Simon as well. Schachner has deep insight into cats and kittens and it comes through beautifully in this must read book.

Who'd a thunk the author of Skippy John Jones (psycho kitty) would also be a softy. I truly love this story since we have an ancient cat and a rambunctious kitten ourselves.

The Grannyman, by Judith Byron Schachner is one of the better children's cat books out there. I was absolutely delighted and I must admit a bit surprised when I read this one. Schachner is the author of the Skippyjon Jones books, which are on my favorites list and I am not sure how she was able to transition from cat stories about a little kitten who is a complete mess, to one about a lovely old cat like Grannyman. First, I must admit to being able to relate to both the characters of Skippyjon and to Grannyman. When I was a kid, I could well have been a prototype for Skippyjon and now that I am old, I fit the profile of Grannyman pretty well.

Anyway, this is the story of a very old Siamese cat by the name of Simon. He is blind, deaf and his bones ache and creak. Simon has lived a long life with a very loving family and now spends most of his time in his calico chair looking out into space and dreaming of his life since he was a kitten. The book reviews this old cat's life from the time he was a kitten to the resent. Delightful pictures and wonderful text tell his story. Then, feeling absolutely useless in his dotage, one Tuesday night, Simon sticks his bony old legs in the air and breaths his last....or so he thinks!

Suddenly, plunk, his loving human family drop a new kitten right on Simon's belly. Simon suddenly has a new life. This new little member of the family becomes Simon's charge and Simon his teacher. This is absolutely wonderful.

While this is the story of an old cat, living in a loving home, it is actually the story of all of us, or how all of us should be anyway, as we grow older. What an excellent way to teach children of the aging process in a very gentle and happy way. It is also an excellent way to teach those of us well in to our dotage that life is not over until it is over.

Splendid and lively art work is found in this work and while not as wild as that found in Skippyjon books, it is quite appropriate for this particular story. The text is very well done. I, like another reviewer was hesitant at first about reading this one as I felt it was going to have a sad ending and I avoid books like that at all cost. I was very well pleased and I need not have feared. This work is a must for cat lovers of all ages in particular, animal lovers in general, and all good hearted people. Most importantly though, the kids all seem to love it. I should also not that this author wrote I know n Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie which is a wonderful work also.

This is a book I'll recommend for everyone that wants to make it in life to read. It is a life changing book. I am bless tremendously by reading. I intend to buy more and give to my friends.

this is a book that everyone should read and students should be required to read before graduating from school. if we all followed these lessons, life would be a lot better for everyone.

I found this book to be both inspirational and educational.
Inspirational : I found myself connecting to Urban's life story and was inspired to do several of the excercises he recommends. The book is very well written and requires alot of introspection after reading. For every lesson, I found myself reading, re-reading, and re-re-reading. I read this with a pen in hand and jotted down thoughts as I read. After re-reading my thoughts on each section, I started to think deeply of what matters in my life and was inspired to think of my actions, thoughts, beliefs, etc. in a different way.
Educational: A great aspect of this book is the way Urban injects the works of so many other authors into his own. I found myself writing down the names and titles of many of Urban's cited works. His use of other's ideas to further explain and strenghten his own motivated me to further my knowledge base on the subject. For an author to actively tell the reader to go and look for other's insight only proves to me the author's good intentions and credibility.
Overall - I highly recommend this to anyone who is looking for some help on the road of life. Urban does a great job explaining his 20 lessons, and he does an even better job in making the reader want to think about his or her own goals and rules of life.

I got this book as a present for my husband for Christmas. We always try to keep some positive reading around. He enjoyed it very much and has since passed it along to a friend. It's a very cost-effective but impactful gift and a simple, useful read.

As you read this book you find yourself growing with it.
20 simple lessons to follow. the overwall lesson is to learn to enjoy life .. and you will

I was given this book by my mother who knows I love Maupin's writing. What I don't think either of us knew is that once I starting turning the pages on this great book, I could not put it down and I stayed up all night reading about this character that touched my heart.

I was so pleasantly surprised by this story. It actually has made a lasting impression on me. I was truly impacted in a positive way. Enjoy it. Make sure to have a free day or two to enjoy it fully. Highly recommended!

My title says it all. I'm not going to write a long, involved review. Suffice to say, I read a lot. A LOT. And this one is definitely in my top 5.

I noticed below under "tag suggestions" that it has "gay fiction" and "gay classic" (I assume because the author is gay), and I want to point out that (from what I remember) there is no homosexuality in this book. (Not that there's anything wrong with homosexuality, yada, yada, yada...)

It's funny and touching. I've read it several times over the years, and it's always stayed with me.

His "Tales of the City" books are great too, but this one just stood out for me as an all-time great.

I did not care for this work about the drarf although I imagine she like so many people who are different had a very difficult time in life the suibject matter was not my cup of tea as to reading material. It's a well written piece of work if you're into dwarfs' life stories.

Received this book out of the blue from a seller on Amazon who bundled this with an order I placed. Tossed it aside for half a year before I sat down to read it last night and did NOT put it down until the last page -- then went back to the beginning once more. Touching, warm, creative, full of personality. At worst, it's entertaining. Do read it.

This is one of the best fiction books I have read. As an average sized person, I found this extraordinarily enlightening as to the difficulties and prejudices that little people go through each and every day. It was one of the most unique love stories ever and it really, truly made me feel the full gamut of emotions. If you buy one fiction book in your life, this is the one.

You have to keep going. It's a way of living, a way of proving you're alive. A perfect life can change in the blink of an eye. You don't forget, but you don't shut down. You keep going.

In Susan Haley's Rainy Day People, Amber's story is about life. The highs and the lows happen; the promises of life are lived then withdrawn. And out of this, Amber learns to let go of the past and discover a new life and a new love.

After the death of her husband, Amber finds herself settled in a quiet, solitary life on the Florida coast. Much of the story that follows is about meeting Ben. Amber and Ben are drawn to each other, but these complex, rainy day people have much to consider.

To me, Amber's story shows the kind of courage that we often need as we go through life. At the same time it helps if we keep our perspective, enjoying the small things. Amber loves rainbows, nature, and driving fast in her convertible. She's a tiny, feisty, sometimes fun and always interesting heroine, someone that I wanted to know.

Above all, what Rainy Day People has going for it is truth. People who are rebuilding their lives have more than attraction to consider in new relationships. But then, let's not be too quick to discount attraction.

This is a rich story that kept me constantly involved. I highly recommend Rainy Day People.

Michael Durr
Author: My Brain, My Future

When viewing a Chuck Close canvas, one needs to step back a bit to appreciate it full essence. Such is the case with the power of this wonderful novel. A riveting story is only part of what makes Rainy Day People such a success. The artistry involved in crafting this work enticed me to move from audio to hard copy, then back to audio once again. Through these dual modalities of sight and sound, I was flooded with the very emotions this author's words were meant to evoke. All sensibilities were heightened: sight, sound, touch . . . but foremost, the all-to-human feelings surrounding the experiences of love and vulnerability. Susan Haley is one talented writer. Keep an eye on her. I know I will.

Lois W. STern
Author of SEX, LIES AND COSMETIC SURGERY

The writer understands the meaning of life and how we are all connected and how to put that meaning into print to touch a person soul. This is a must read even if the author is currently maybe unknown will some day be a great author. After reading this book you become hungry for a new novel by this author. We read the book and listend to the audio and both were great. The book lets you stop and reflect on a certain part but the audio lets you paint a true picture in your mind. The narrator was excellent and a true story teller. I know that you will love it and you to will find your rainbow.

Although Rainy Day People comes under the genre of fiction, this story is based on real-life happenstance. Susan Haley transports her readers on an incredible journey that runs the gauntlet of life's emotions and it does not stop until the story ends. Ms. Haley's love of the ocean and the majestic beauty of the land, her love of animals, whether it's a wild bear, a snake, or a six-week-old kitten is manifested in the persona of Amber, the main character. Very briefly, Amber, a widow, meets Ben Riley. Together they embark on a journey which takes them from the warm waters of Florida to the bone-chlling nights of Maine. Amber's love for Ben sustains him as he is dying from cancer, which is unbeknown to Amber. This heart-warming love story ends like a thriller novel. I strongly recommend it.

This heartwarming story of love for all things living was like a hug from my mother. She was a horse whisper and introduced me to nature spirits many years ago. I identified with the magic of this story. When you open your eyes to what is really around you, you will see miracles every day. Ashley in the book claims that there are no coincidences. By the end of the book you realize that what she means is that they are really just God's little miracles.
Rainbows are signs of love and hope in this fantastic book. I saw a completely round rainbow. I happened to look straight up to the sky and there it was, above my head. It was so far away that it was a small circle but all the colors were clearly visible. It too gave me comfort as I was adjusting to widowhood.
Susan Haley is an outstanding writer. Her ability to capture you made the book one of those you can't set down. The clever way she wrote and wove the ending shows why this is an award-winning book. This love story is based on her life experiences. It touched my very soul. I look forward to reading this book again so I can take the time to reflect on the spiritual insights expressed in the conversations between Ashley and Ben.
I recommend this book of courage, love, and of being in touch with all that is. It's like a spiritual awakening.

i had to read this book twice because i was so surprised by how good it was. i dont usually relate to the characters that i read books from, but it was like i was reading about my own life and my own feelings. this book is one of those books that will stay with you years from now.

this fantastic novel is about a girl named deena, who gets caught having sex with a boy, by her father...now if that doesnt make you want to read the book i dont know what will..lol. anyways, 3 years later her father still cant look at her, everyone at school has their own version about what happened and refer to her as "the school slut", and on top of it all, shes just trying to find herself and move on but cant, because no one will let her forget about her past.
in the summer she finds a job, only to find out that the other person working there is none other than the guy she slept with, and also who spread rumors about her.

this book is full of drama and sitting on the edge of the seat kind of book...well for me atleast. you never know whats going to happen.

this book has really taught me a lot. it taught me that you cant always care about what people think because you cant make everyone happy, and not everyone is going to like you.

this is why i love reading books, it teaches you something and takes you away. if theres a book that deserves more than 5 stars, than this is it.

(reviewed by melody age 13)
This story pulled you in from the very first page. It told a story of a girl trying to find her way through life, with a reputation from her past that everyone in town knew about, even 5 years later. Deanna wanted to prove to people that her past shouldn't control who she is now, but the hardest person to convince is her own father, who had seen it happen with his own eyes. Since her older brother and his girlfriend had a baby, it's hard for her dad to believe that Deanna wouldn't end up with a baby, too.
Deanna also struggles with friendship; her only two friends are boyfriend and girlfriend and jealousy seems to appear. Deanna begins to feel as if she can't be a good friend, and this could ruin their friendship.
Deanna develops a lot as a character and soon enough the people around her begin to respect her more and more. I could not wait to pick up the book again every time I had to put it down. I hope others will enjoy this book as much as I did and I encourage people to read it.

I literally read this book in 2 hours. I am a fan on YA books and absolutely loved this book. Great read!!

Very realistic book! Not only did Story of a Girl explore the troubled lives of teenagers, it showed the impact the importance of the support of family and friends. When I first ordered this, I thought it would be just another melodramatic book jam-packed with teen angst, but the plot delved much deeper than I expected.

I'd definitely recommend that you read this book.

This book weaves the tale of a girl who cannot shake a bad reputation. However, though the premise may seem simple, the characters, actions, and motivations behind their actions are not. The style of writing and topic make it a quality story about forgiveness and growing up.

This is a delightful intro to the world of Thor McGraw and his funny family and friends. From the quirky neighbor, Mrs. Plum to his parents being in the witness protection program, the events of the mystery are intertwined with everday life. It leaves me waiting for more from "Detective" McGraw!

With a smooth into and a high-speed chase, this one is no bore,
It was a pleasure meeting Mrs. Plum, Sabrina, and investigator Thor.
With great characters and thrilling action, it left me wanting more,
The adventures of Prof. Thor will soon be the stuff of legend and lore.
Oden would be proud.

Interesting mystery with a good mix of characters and humor to match. The content keeps you motivated to keep reading. Will be a hard book to put down. Looking forward to reading more. I give this a two thumbs up!!!

The start of this excerpt highlights a fantastic family relationship. The easy connection between Thor and his daughter Bree is nice to read about, and I like the communication that passes between Thor and his dog, as well. This seems like a happy home, despite the hint of something amiss with Thor's wife.

The interaction between Thor and Mrs. Plum was interesting and infuriating. I like that Thor is completely baffled by the way she manages to work everything around to her advantage, and I am curious about the favors she will ask Thor to do in return for the ones she has done for him in this first meeting.

Molly's conversation with Thor is painful, especially as we realize that she is moving on with her life and leaving Thor pining after her. Some nice suspense is built up as I wondered what it was that would have landed Thor's name in the paper.

The scene of the bald man trying to run down Thor is exciting and tense, although the foreshadowing of it is a bit heavy-handed. Peter saying a big bald guy with a broken nose was looking for Thor and then announcing that he told the man that Thor always goes running in between classes meant I wasn't terribly surprised to find a car bearing down on Thor during his run.

This excerpt is intriguing. I'd be eager to learn more about Thor's mystery situation and to see if things work out between him and Molly.

Thor McGraw and the Ice Man Murder by T. Drennan presents the most unlikely of sleuths: a single father academic type with allergies to cats and perfume and is still love sick over his ex-wife. Oh yeah, and he happens to be the son of one of Boston's most famous police detectives.

The bulk of the excerpt introduces us to Thor and his life. His morning routine of breakfast with Bree (Sabrina), his 6-year-old daughter, is interrupted by an impossible next door neighbor. Thor's allergic reactions are detailed to Mrs. Plum's perfume and cat, and I except they'll play an important role later. Then a phone call from his ex, Molly, to apologize for a reference to Thor in Philip's ('Philip? Who was Philip?') article in today's paper. Unfortunately Thor can't read it because 'his' paper is covered in mud from Mrs. Plum's garden.

Once the interruptions are over, he moves on with his day. Thor drops Bree off at school and heads to his teaching job. When he goes for his jog after the first class, he is ruthlessly chased by a bald man in a Cutlass, who then unleashes a Rotweiller on Thor. What did he do to deserve this?

With Thor and most of the main characters introduced, the mystery is set to unfold. This excerpt was both an engaging example of 'regular guy' character development and intriguing murder mystery. I can't wait to see what happens next.

Mr. Shannon shows himself to be an excellent storyteller with a writing cadence that quickly pulls you into the lives of the characters and their unique relationships. A must read about the good, the bad and the ugly of our prison system. Poses many questions about relationships between the imprisoned and their interactions with the system and all those who work in it. First novel is a winner!

Great story- It is one I would definitely pick when I browse the book stores. It leaves you hanging- I look forward to the rest of the story. I like the writing style too- I am not big into lengthy descriptions- but I really enjoy great use of the English language and a reading challenge. So far this is right up my alley. Keep up the good work.

Prison life is one in which I have always wondered about. While reading the small portion of this book, I found myself disappointed that I did not have the rest of the story in front of me. I am looking forward to meeting the rest of the characters and seeing what it was like being on the inside.

This book excerpt gives a glimpse of prison life at Attica Corrctional Facility and the uprising of the inmates decades ago, from the perspectives of a guard, a teacher and an inmate. Through their eyes we begin to see the horror of prison life, and can only guess at the tragedy that is about to unfold. A compelling beginning to what will likely be a riveting story.

In a world of virtual this and surreal that, Kevin Patrick's descent into the Attica rabbit hole is the type of reality check that we sorely need. From the bleak despair of the grey walls to the shocking blasts of vulgarity, from the 13th slam of the locked doors to the lingering images of an "LT" with a knife at his throat, this gripping excerpt draws the reader into the dark side of humanity and leaves aside the myths of prison life. One can only hope that the better angels of the narrative prevail to see, freely, the light of day. I wonder if Mary ever learns of the journey from whence her Kevin would someday emerge...

The first part of Loiselle's novel certainly made me want to read more. She writes about a topic often dismissed in Literature, yet it involves a large portion of the population who live within our communities. I found the descriptions of the elderly often disturbing, but that is what makes the novel so powerful. Ignoring the aging, or failing to show the true nature of nursing homes would be far easier than capturing their true essence. In contrast, I think Loiselle takes on the challenge with grace and does, in fact, create a true and vivid description of seniors. She also writes a believable main character who is both naive and pretentious as she starts to understand a more complex and disturbing world in which she lives. I'd love to read the rest of the novel!

Beth is a bright, well-intentioned, and hard-working college student who is home for the summer and decides to work in a nursing home--mostly because of the attractive wage it provides, but also because of the hint of selflessness it suggests about her.

In this excerpt, Ms. Loiselle deftly creates a world where the melancholy air is tinged with the smell of a place where no one wants to be. Where youth and idealism are set on a collision course with frailty and callousness in a way that urges the reader on to find out what a place like this does to a girl like her.

Ms. Loiselle immerses us in a world not often even glimpsed, the world of aging without grace, of nursing homes and bed pans and bodily fluids and dementia. Her character Beth is plunged into this world straight from the rarified atmosphere of Brown University, with as little preparation as the reader. She is a keen and straightforward observer, a wonderful main character, just a down to earth college student who needs a decent- paying summer job, but also hopes to make a difference in the lives of the residents of a pretty dismal nursing home.
Ms. Loiselle's descriptions are grainy, gritty, a little like an 8 mm film, a raw pleasure to read. I would like to see more of Beth's dark humor, though, only glimpsed and not fully developed in this excerpt. I found myself wanting some relief from the grimness, and a slightly less solemn Beth. Would love to see more, in spite of that one quibble.

Ms. Loiselle's fiction is gripping in that it takes a seemingly mundane (even somewhat uncomfortable) setting and draws you into the world of nursing home care. In just this short segment of the book, one is afforded a glimpse at Ms. Loiselle's formidable prose - her sharp descriptions, her already complex characters, and her economical use of words to create a new world ready to be consumed by her readers. I look forward to learning about Beth and the rest of her summer.

Wanting to earn money for college while she's helping people, Beth accepts a job at Liberty Home. She really didn't think the job would be that hard after having a Freshman year at Brown, one of the nation's most challenging schools.

"If the new girl shows up..." Beth overheard as she walked into Liberty Home for the first time after her training to become a Certified Nurse's Aide. She vowed she'd finish the summer, but she didn't know what she was getting into even if the training itself was rough.

There are hints here of racial tension. Well, and working class working girl versus privileged college kid who's living at home just making money for next semester. Coming of age in an old folks home is clearly not going to be easy. People only pretend to care about old folks because it sounds good--most just want to avoid the subject.

The excerpt is interesting and well-written. For the most part, it just needs a final read and a bit of polish before it's submitted. I think this is going to be a tough, but memorable read for those who choose to finish the book. I wish the author every success on this endeavor.

This is a great read. It brings another perspective on the war in Iraq.

First off, full disclosure. I have met Kimberly, and we have exchanged emails. I respect her as a journalist, and now as an author.

Her book is a quick read, but not always a pleasant one. In her brisk style honed as a broadcast writer conveys a candid and authoritative narrative. I found three themes of particular interest.

Her description of military medical practices is fascinating. She gives a detailed yet comprehensible explanation of the life-saving methods practiced by corpsmen and medics on the battlefield. Procedures immediately after the explosion are clearly spelled out, and I think that has to be a comfort to anyone who has a friend or relative in harm's way.

She also tells us about the long and agonizing rehabilitation process from start to finish. Too often we only hear about the tragic incident and then the outcome, whether it's happy or bittersweet. The gut-wrenching middle gets left out or short-changed. But Kimberly clarifies the recovery process without being maudlin or grotesque. This book is highly recommended for anyone facing long recovery from serious injury (and for their family and friends).

Kimberly's decision regarding the choice of psychotropic drugs versus counseling is instructive and can be a guide to others in similar situations. She recognized, or perhaps just sensed, that she did not need drugs. Of the three states of mental health problems -- stress, distress and disorder - she was battling the first two, but not the third.

Her counseling references also are in stark contrast to the situation for many active military personnel. DOD recognizes other mental health professions for independent insurance reimbursement, but not certified counselors. This is a disturbing disincentive, particularly at a time when the shortage of mental health care services for military personnel and their families is well documented. Maybe her book will prod (or shame) the military establishment into making counselors more readily available to service personnel and their families.

Her editors let her down in a few places (dropped words, redundant passages), but otherwise "Breathing the Fire" is a good story told well, with interesting information and revelations for just about any reader.

This is an excellent book, contemplative and moving in its detailed descriptions of a U.S. news reporter's first hand experience of war. Dozier's discussion of her near death and recovery from severe injury and loss is as captivating as it is frightening. Written in the prose style of a scrupulous reporter but with the rhythm of fiction, the book brings the reader into places of desire, anticipation, shock, betrayal, anger and triumph.
Breathing the Fire is recommended for anyone concerned about the Iraq war -- a real war that permanently affects the lives of journalists and photographers, soldiers, translators, health care workers and their families.

Remarkably unflinching - Kimberly Dozier's narrative voice in "Breathing the Fire" describes her road to recovery after being seriously injured on Memorial Day 2006 by a horrific car bombing in Iraq which killed four others, including the CBS cameraman and soundman she worked alongside. In meticulous detail, Dozier dissects the details of the bombing and day-to-day decisions around her medical care and rehabilitation, and punctuates them with her observations and feelings, allowing a rare peek into the mind of someone who has survived an extremely traumatic experience. Even after she learns how to walk again and returns to the newsroom - the author learns that there is no textbook for adjusting to a "new normal" and how to respond to people as they react to seeing a walking miracle. The book sheds light on the experiences of many struggling to recover from the wounds of war. You also learn what drew her to journalism and led her to be a foreign correspondent in a war zone. Readers are introduced to a wealth of supportive people who played pivotal roles in her recovery - from Iowa National Guardsman Staff Sgt. Jeremy Coke who tied the tourniquet on her leg after the bombing that saved her life, to her friends at CBS, innumberable medical and rehab personnel, her parents, and her boyfriend, Pete. Destined to become one of the critical memoirs chronicling the Iraq War.

I read this book thinking, "I am not sure if I can relate to this". War stories are not my reading genre of choice. But, I had met Kim over the phone one day and so received an e-mail from her letting me and all her address book addressees that her book had been published. So, I ordered one from Amazon not quite knowing what to expect. This book is so NOT a war story. It is the courageous story of a woman with a goal who achieved that goal, a goal which led her into combat where a life-changing event changed her life forever, as well as so many other lives. I was drawn in the moment I started reading. Kim's writing is clear, concise, factual, with just the right amount of emotion and personality. She lets people in to her very personal yet very public experience without a hint of self pity or any reference to a "poor me" attitude. The book is an inspiring one about a woman of intelligence, bravery, dedication, and love who dared to follow her dream, went through a nightmare, and is today a source of strength to people chasing a dream or living with their own struggle.

A novel that's instantly engaging. A classic situation - fantastic perhaps but, all conditions prevailing, nonetheless frighteningly believable, and we can easily identify with the heroine's nightmare of disbelief and helplessness.Narrative is intriguing and compelling, with pacy action,sharp, economical dialogue, and indicators of subsequent interlocking plotlines.I'm convinced ensuing chapters will continue to feed the reader's eagerness to discover Marielle's eventual fate.

I was so involved in the story I forgot I was actually reading a text. The writing is clear and moves at a good pace, establishing sympathy and intrigue about the lead character. I would be fascinated to know what happens to her and confident that the author will carry the book with considerable elan, right to the final page.

great read. on the edge of my seat from the begining. cant wait to read the whole book.very soon i hope

As i got to the end of the extract, i found myself on the edge of my seat, fists clenched, desparately wanting to find out more!!
The author's style takes the reader on Marielle's journey via all her emotions and thoughts. This for me is very hard to find in a book, so after this 'taster', i definitely want to read the rest, and wouldn't hesitate in buying a copy!

The author just doesn't let up, ratcheting up the tension paragraph by paragraph until the reader on the rack screams for release. Not only readable, but buyable. This novel will be the talking point of many conversations in the months to come and ensure its success.
Terse, compact writing fills the movieolas of the mind with images to rival top-flight film directors.