A Books

Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul Volume 2 is an inspirational and enlightening book. Being a teenager myself I can relate to a lot of the stories told in this bestseller. The first time I read this book I was younger and didn't understand what the authors in the book were saying, but when I revisited it this year I actually understood it and connected more to the stories. This book has inspired me to write about my personal experiences and really look back at the good, bad, or in between as a way to learn from my mistakes. Instead of breaking down I decided to write. This book has taught me and helped me through some rough times. This book is great and I recommend it to anyone. Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul is not just for teenagers, I have even read some stories with my friends and family. This book has been a real joy and inspiration on all aspects of my life. Thanks Chicken Soul and I hope all readers out there will get a chance to read this delightful, motivating, and wonderful book.

This is a great book for every teenager. Every teen goes througha tough time at least once in their life and this book can really help. It has stories on things from teenage romance to suicide. This is a great book for everyone from teenagers to adults.

Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul 2 is a great book for teens because it is something we can relate to. It is filled with short anecdotes written by teenagers or once-teenagers about their adolescent experiences. It is inspirational and teaches us about who we are, about people, and about life in general. I recommend this book for all teenagers.

I think that this book was a very good and fun book to read. Anyone who enjoys hearing about different teens telling their own stories would greatly enjoy this book. While I was reading it, there were times when i felt like laughing and other times when I felt like crying too. The things that teenagers go through are so hard and alot of adults do not understand this, that is why this book is so helpful. It is a very good book to read and I would recommend it to anyone, espically teens.

Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul ll is a great book written by teenagers and some adults about life. It teaches us about life and how to deal with it. It shows us that no matter where you came form, what you look like, or how you act, almost all teenagers are the same. This book is an inspiration to everyone.
This book influences me because it inspires me to become a better person. Before I read this book I thought, "Oh this book is just some boo full of made-up stories", but as I continued to read into it more, I thought" Wow this is a really great book". This book tells you that all teens go through the same stuff. It shows you that your not alone, and with faith and courage you can overcome most obstacles. This book is filled amazing stories of love depression, and hope. I encourage everyone to read this book.

I decided to run a marathon, but did not think I could do it. I am an avid amazon dreamer. My wish list is too long to mention! While searching for help I came across this book. I am so glad I did. This book gives you all the tools you need to complete a marathon and helps you built your self-esteem to let you know you can!
Go for it!

This is the ultimate marathon training book!!! And it's the 3rd one I've ordered. My friend swore by this book when she was training for the Tokyo Marathon such as I did when I trained for the Marine Corps Marathon. Amazon got the book here quick too!!

My sister-in-law and I are training to run a half marathon. This book is like our bible. We are following the training advice to a tee and really enjoying the workouts. I am highly recommending this book to anyone who isn't a runner and is training for a marathon. We both love this book and know that we will be successful when it comes time to run the marathon thanks to this book!

I just completed my first marathon (Rome 3-16-08).
This book gave me all I needed to train and
complete this marathon. I started from not being
able to run for 30 minutes straight to running
a marathon within 6 months. If you follow this
book you will be able to train for and run a marathon!

The writers are very motivational. There is a 16 week
program that guides you through your training
week by week. I cannot recommend this book enough
for anyone who has ever wanted to run a marathon!

I bought this book accidentally... and I gave it to my husband. He said he likes the book so much. It gives him a lot of idea on how to run in a marathon! ;)

John Marsden has done an excellent job creating a great and exciting story about friendship, war, and love. I have read all the books in this series and I was so mad when it ended. You feel so close to the charactors that when it's over, its heartbreaking. I wish I could meet every one of the charactors on the book. This series truly has changed my life. I've learned so much and it has changed the way I feel about a war. Now that I know first hand what people go through in a war, I'll never doubt the affects again.

I wouldn't have gone for this book if it was pitched to me: a group of teens laugh, fall in love, and grow up in the context of suddenly having to survive as guerrillas. Yeah, right.

But I think Marsden held this together surprisingly well - there are a few strengths to the book (I was about to continue this sentence along the lines of, `that explain the popularity of the series', but there are way too many examples of popularity not reflecting quality).

Ahoy - spoilers ahead.

I liked the very deliberate way Marsden gave us several chapters of these teenagers simply being recognisable Australian kids. Admittedly he did open with the teaser - the hint of something big and dark - rather than totally selling this as a teen romance/coming of age story before the shocking twist. I could have coped without the early promise of more, but tell me he wasn't consciously thinking he didn't want to lose some year nine boys before they got to the shooting (`Is this a kissing book?'). Actually, you don't have to tell me: he's totally open about consciously writing for this market in his preface. That being said, he does only hint, and then spends some time on getting his target audience of Oz juveniles to identify with the main characters. Hence the greater potency when their world is changed in a moment. It probably resonates far more with old folks like myself who already subscribe to this notion, but it would be great if even a few complacent Australians were woken up to the fact that wars don't happen to qualitatively different people - people that you somehow think, you know, them having their homes bombed and being refugees is the sort of thing they just take in their stride. Reminds me of Steely Dan's potent `Third World Man', where Fagan twists familiar suburban images into those of war, for example, "Johnny's playroom, is a bunker filled with sand," "I saw fireworks, I thought that I was dreaming, `til the neighbours came out screaming'" (OK, it works better with Larry Carlton's exquisite solo). So, sure, hats off to Marsden for putting more of a familiar human face in something usually seen as alien.

But once the invasion occurs our plucky kids don't suddenly morph into a crack military unit (well, they do a bit), nor does the book simply shrink into an ugly Tom Clancy/Chuck Norris jingoistic potboiler. Somehow he keeps the teen (dare I say, the `girly' teen) thing happening: introspection with occasional passable insights (eg. people don't really see things because they give them names - once something is named - such as the canyon `hell', they only perceive their projections in the misleading word; animals aren't so easily fooled), and classic - but realistic - boy/girl confusion over infatuation (save me from the appalling romance of just about any fantasy writer: McCaffrey, Kerr, Goodkind, Kay ... ugh. A legion of teenage readers swallowing supposedly profound relationships that haven't a hint of authenticity or beauty). Marsden doesn't play it for voyeurism, but you do get lines you might expect in Grey's Anatomy preceding a jet firing missiles. There's even time for a little historical detection with regard to the enigmatic hermit - who would have thought it? There's also a usable range of characters with far more depth and room for development than many purportedly adult novels. What? A Christian and a stoner that can't merely be summed up in those words. Blimey.

Realistic? Well, sure it's a bit of the old villain saying, "We could have succeeded in our evil plans if it wasn't for you pesky kids!", and that's attractive to some of his audience - it makes for a more enjoyable story than the naked realism of fly-ridden bloody corpses. But while he crosses the line here and there Marsden quite deliberately has the kids lower their expectations from movie ones, and will have a hero go into shock after a near miss rather than rip off their shirt and run unscathed through a hail of bullets slaying faceless hordes (this would also be problematic as some of the more central fighters are girls). This is refreshing. While he's also been careful not to demonise the enemy, I'd be interested to find out if the rest of the series goes as far as the leap to realising the `enemy' may actually have had as little choice as you about being in this dangerous situation.

The book is not a breathtaking achievement, but it is a solid one on a hazardous premise. A lot could have gone wrong that didn't, and there's a lot that goes right.

I really enjoyed this book and plan to buy the rest of the series. It has a good mix of adventure and romance so it will appeal to most of my high school students. The characters have distinct personalities and all of them show strengths in the story which could be a great jumping off point for a discussion on how we are all different and how our differences make society function better. Aside from thoughts about teaching, I simply couldn't put the book down because I wanted to know what happened next.

Tomorrow When the War Began is a great book for 8th grade through high school readers. It starts off with Elie and a group of friends that camp at a place that has never been searched. They have a great time and want to stay there longer because they now feel as if its their own place. When Elie and her friends arrive back at home something terribly different has happened and nobody is there.

This book tells about how Ellie and her friends survive and take leadership within each other. They also learn how to do things on thier own to survive. I think it is amazing how they work together and do what they have to do.

I think this book is one of my favorite books because it has the action and thriller that makes me want to keep reading it. It is also one of those books that is hard to predict what is going to happen so you always have to be ready. I thought for sure that I knew what was going to happen and then it took a different turn and suprised me. I thought this book was exciting and fun to read besides the first two chapters. I think the first two chapters are boring because it introduces everybody and starts off slow but im sure that any body else who read this book would agree with me. I also like the way the author words the text too. The author lets you know what the main character, Elie, is thinking through out the book which I think is cool.

Don't forget to read the rest of the series if you like this one like me.

Ellie is so articulate, bright, and caring that she makes what would have been an average story into an amazing and believable account of eight young adults out to save their families and ultimately their homeland.

Once I got used to the Australian vernacular, I read this book at an amazing pace because I simply couldn't put it down.

I can't wait to hunt down the rest of this series.

My 2 yr old loves this book and constantly requests to have it read to him. He tries to participate with every page. Very fun, very family friendly book. Would highly reccommend.

We got this book for my daughter when she was a baby, and it became a family favorite almost immediately, especially when I imitated Grover's voice and read it to her. "Read it again, Daddy" was the inevitable response I would get after finishing the book, and there were times where "Grover" would read it 3-4 times a night. We gave the book away years ago, but my daughter -- who is now 18 -- said she always remembered me reading that book to her in Grover's voice. A couple of years ago, I surprised her with a miniature version of the book as a Christmas present, and we substituted the traditional family reading of "Twas The Night Before Christmas" and sat down and read the book -- in Grover's voice. Her two younger cousins, who weren't around when I read this to my daughter, laughed with their older cousin as their uncle used Grover's voice to read the story. There are so many great memories my family has of this book, and it's a fun read -- even if you can't do Grover's voice.

My kids loved this book so I purchased multiple copies for friends Kids. Great if your kids are having questions/fears about monsters. The more dramatic your reading style, the more they'll love it

I bought this for my 20 month old and he just isn't that interested yet. He doesn't get the humor or the anticipation yet. I will hand on to it until he is older.

This book allows the reader to have fun with the story too.
A great book.

I first read this book when I was eleven years old, and have loved it ever since. I cannot even count the number of times I have re-read it. It is excellently written with a deep plot, well-made characters, and an amazingly believable feel of the world of Ancient Egypt. Even if you are not a fan of ancient Egyptian books, you will soon become interested in the characters and before you know it, caught up in a whirl-wind of spies, secret plots, Pharaohs, and above all, the love story of two young Egyptians.

I have loved this book since i first read it so many years ago. Mara, its lead character, is a joy to get to know

This is a wonderful little book. It is mainly geared to female readers, boys will not enjoy the romance (IMHO). Mara is resourceful, spunky and at times self serving. Above all she is a survivor. Nice romance with a girl power theme.Interesting Egyptian setting which is different from the usual Celtic/British background for so many of these novels.If you enjoyed this, older teens and adults will enjoy Judith Tarr's Lord of the Two Lands.

This novel is excellent for a number of reasons. I recieved it as a gift, and I read it in one day.
Pros:

Mara (the heroine) is a character with a distinct personality. She jumps out at you on the page rather than just sitting there as a bunch of words jumbled together.

The descriptions are vivid and exact, and the writing style flows effortlessly.

The story is gripping and intriguing and takes a few unexpected twists.

It seems very historical, though I am no expert on ancient Egypt.

The cover is very beautiful for those who like "pretty" books.

Cons:

None that I can think of.

I highly reccommend this book to avid readers, young or old!

I liked this book because it's an espionage and a love story that is sure to capture its readers attention. It is definitely a five star adventure story that is sure to have you guessing from start to finish. Mara is a slave girl that is bought and becomes a spy for two people. She finds herself stretched between two contenders for the throne. I think that most people would think that this book would make a good movie. -12 year old boy in the 6th grade

This is a great book for adults and children alike. We had to put our 9 year old dog down and our 4 year old daughter just did not understand. this is a such a great book. it helped both our daughter and me and my husband heal. I suggest this book for sure!

I was in Books-A-Million browsing the children's books when I picked this one up. Although I am 25 years old I was intrigued by the title and the beautiful picture on the front. I just lost my best friend, my yellow lab of 12 years, in August 2007. I read through this book and bawled the entire time. Not because it made me sad, but because it made me so happy and it was absoultely touching. It is the perfect book for anyone who has lost their best FURiend. :o) CHildren would love it and so would adults. It also talks about dogs who never had homes on earth, which was so special to me because I am an aniaml lover, not just a pet lover. I highly recommend this book for ANY age group.

Our beloved family member (dog) of 16 years recently died. We have two small children 9 & 5 who have loved her all their life. This was a great way to explain to the children what had happended. It was also good for our dogs best friend and he loved it too. Great book.

I own this book and share it whenever a friend loses a dog.

This simple book has a wonderful message, comforting illustrations, and had helped me thru the loss of many of my beloved companions over the years.

This book (and Cat Heaven) is worth keeping in your personal library, and perhaps ordering a few extra copies to share. It's the best.

"Dog Heaven" and Cat Heaven, both written and illustrated by Cynthia Rylant, should allay the fears and reward the wish that dogs and cats do, indeed, go to heaven. And just how does Ms Rylant know, when the Bible makes no mention of animals in heaven?

The artist used the color palette that God gave artists--vibrant, vivid, and various! The cover illustration gives an idea of this vibrancy. It also shows the first reward God gives dogs in heavens--open fields to run and run and run in. No fences, no leashes, no limits--just freedom to run and chase and dream. There are also clouds turned inside out for the comfort of dog naps and no bad dreams!

Look at the dogs running along the banks of a lake, barking and yapping away at the hissing geese, safely paddling in the waters. And over there, peeking from behind the tree is God Himself, enjoying the sight of such sheer joy! In the kitchen God makes treats for happy dogs and never runs out.

If a dog wants to go back to Earth for a visit to his old home, an angel accompanies him. When the dog is satisfied that all is well, he and the angel return to Heaven. The strays who had no homes are given ones in Heaven, where angel children tell them what good dogs they are all day long.

If someone you love loses a dear and fine cat or dog, a gift of one of these books would do much to lessen the emotional pain of that loss. The ashes of my beloved Marie, a marmalade and white tabby, who died after seventeen precious years with me, rests in a treasure box next to my bed, while her spirit soars in Cat Heaven.

A cute concept and gentle story. However, our 25 month old guy never gets past the second page before casting it aside and going for Duck in a Truck, The Going to Bed Book, Goodnight Moon or Where's My Dog Scruff.

Try as I do to make this story more engaging for him by pointing, asking him to find things, imitating animal noises, etc., it just doesn't appeal to him.

Perhaps when he's older and understands the joke better...

My son just turned one and this is his first favorite book! We've already broken the binding on our first copy (my son gets so excited to point to the gorilla he manhandles the book) so now I'm going to order the box set with the book and the toy gorilla. This has also become MY favorite kids' book. It is so clever and I just love the sneaky gorilla character who just wants to snuggle up in bed! I am still noticing new elements in the pictures after reading it dozens of times. In the future I will definitely buy this book as a gift. It is just so darn cute.

This book was a long time favorite of our son's. It was a regular request at story time, and always brought a smile to his face. Great for infants and up starting on their first board books.

This has become, far and away, my favorite picture book of all time! Now I need a large hard cover format to be happy! Kudos!

I have lost track of how many copies I have bought of this title! It is my MUST gift for baby showers. I recently ordered ninety copies for a project called BOOKS AND BIBS. Every child born at our local hospital will receive GOOD NIGHT, GORILLA and a bib that has "Read to Me" on it! I am a retired elementary librarian and I can guarantee a positive response to this book used as a read-aloud. My not-quite-two year old granddaughter came home one evening and went all through her house calling "Rilla! Rilla! Where are you?"

I read this book years ago when faced with my father in law's illness. Not knowing we would be burying all four parents within four years of his death. Very valuable read for anyone going through this end of life process. I bought these copies for friends.

This book is a MUST READ for anyone caring for the terminally ill or for anyone who has already experienced taking care of someone who was terminally ill. I have purchased several of these books to give away because they are so good.

Very good book. If you are interested in souls and where they go and what happens, this is a good place to start

this book is a quick read. read it in a day prior to leaving to see my father for the last time. it was informative and gave me a greater sense of peace allowing me to concentrate on being w/ my dad @ the hospice center rather than reading their literature.

The authors are so convinced that all of these experiences prove that there is life after death. I have experience with many deaths as an ICU nurse, as well as with family. These experiences are not universal, though this was not addressed in the book. The majority of people who die are much older than those presented in these cases. The experiences may be fiction; probity is dubious, or accepted through a leap of faith on the part of the reader.
I don't know what happens after death, no one knows with certainty what happens.
Why are the healthy not visited by deceased loved ones? Are those who die in accidents excluded from these experiences?
Perhaps my terminally ill father will display signs as described in the book....If so, I'll post an update. In my experience, most do not.
Granted, my own experiences are only anecdotal, as are the stories in this book, which the reader should keep in mind.
I give this book one star because it may help people to feel better. Keep in mind that the authors are making money on this book. I say browse it in your local bookstore and then leave it on the shelf.

lots of books like this not many ever stand out. This one is cute but blends right in to most other books in my daughters collection. Dr. Suess still hits a home run in my house everytime

I love this book. I love to read it to my little boy before we go to bed. It is a nice, short, sweet little book going through the bedtime routine of a bunch of cute little animals. It rhymes and flows well. I really have nothing bad to say about any of Sandra Boynton's work. In the three years we've had it the cover has worn a lot, but the inside pages have held up really well and are in great condition.

Cute bedtime book! My child liked it, but we lost it while traveling already :( I'll have to pick up another copy sometime.

We like most of Sandra Boynton's books. This, is not my favourite but we were looking for bedtime books so this one works well for that. I just hope the baby outgrows it before I have to explain why they go exercise AFTER they get ready for bed - LOL

Beautiful! An instant hit with my 9 month old grandson, who loves books but is already selective. Simply written, illustrations perfect and capture the story. Loved it.

I first read "Wait Till Helen Comes" over 16 years now and it's a book I still think about. I re-read it about 3 years ago and might have even loved it more the second time. I recently passed it on to a little girl who also loved it. It transcends time and is fantastically haunting.

You can't help but engross yourself in the book from page one and I constantly flipped back and forth from where I was in the story to the map. Helen is an amazing character as they all are and who didn't want to give Heather a big kick in the butt. Soooooo good!

Sure it's a young adult's book but the plot and characters will never be forgotten in my mind. I only hope one day this is turned into a movie because if done correctly it would be amazing. LOVE IT! LOVE IT! LOVE IT! A must read.

i was searching for a totally different book from my childhood for my 5 year old daughter (a version of stone soup with two traveling pigs who happen up on a village of other animals... i can't remember the author, so i'm having quite a bit of trouble), when this book suddenly came to mind. i enjoyed it so much 20 years ago, i thought i'd see if it was still in print today. to my delight, it was and i just ordered a copy for myself. can't wait to read it again!

Oh! The memories I have of this book from when I was young. This was one of my favourite spooky treats when I was in grade school. I remember reading it every year at Halloween, it always gave me chills!

I remember reading this book when I was in the 3rd grade. There are times that I still read this book even at the age of 29! It's a great ghost story. I would suggest anyone to read it. You know it has to be very special if a grown up still reads it!

This book started out slow and picked up after the first chapter,but lacked imagination further into the plot, and the author wrote as if hurrying to finish so actually skipped whole scenes and jumped from one scene to another leaving the reader confused and having to go back and re-read but still, I gave it a four star becuase as far as CHILDREN'S books goes, it was scary in parts and would do for the age group it's intended for.