Clubs Books

Young readers will be stimulated by Jean Fritz's story of a young lad who wants to know all there is to know about George Washington! There's a lot that he knows, but he just doesn't know what Washington ate for breakfast.

Following from one step to the next, he researches until the mystery is solved, demonstrating that persistence brings a reward. Kids will want to read this book over and over again. (And the hoecakes aren't bad, either!)

I think this book is very awesome especially if you want to know what
George Washington ate. It talks about a boy who is named after George Washington and has the same birth date. If you want to find out more read it yourself.

This book is wonderful and engaging. It is about a little boy, George W. Allen who shares his name and his birthday with George Washington. He knows many facts about George W. but he wants to know more. One day he decides he wants to know what George W. had for breakfast and the learning adventure begins!! I read it to my boys 6 and 4 and they loved it. My sons enjoyed the facts about George W. like: he had two horses named Nelson and Blueskin. There were many "fun facts" such as this in the book. I loved it because in addition to learning about George W., it shows children different ways to search for information. George Allen first goes to the library from there to the card catalog, and then the biographies. Then his family took a trip to Washington D.C., and to George Washington's home in Virginia. It's a great addition to any family library.

I am a second grade teacher, and have a 8 and 4 year old at home. I loved this book, both at school and home. We read it every President's Day, and bake up a serving of hoecakes. It is a really fun way to teach children about the history of George Washington.

You have the wrong illustrator listed. The illustration on the cover is by Tomie dePaola and you have Paul Galdone listed.

Both the text and drawings of this book will have you in stitches, and keep you wondering. While seemingly simplistic, the small phrases like "FLEX, ELF" accompanied by a drawing of a dwarf desperately trying to muster up to large cloned muscle men are absolutely hilarious. If you love words, language, and a sharp wit, this is the book for you. Truly one you will want to return to again.

Both the text and drawings of this book will have you in stitches, and keep you wondering. While seemingly simplistic, the small phrases like "FLEX, ELF" accompanied by a drawing of a dwarf desperately trying to muster up to large cloned muscle men are absolutely hilarious. If you love words, language, and a sharp wit, this is the book for you. Truly one you will want to return to again.

this book is found in one of my local libraries and it helps me to get out of my adult depressions. I'm especially enamored of the guy in the Chinese Restaurant who's asked by the waiter, "Wonton?" and his reply is "Not now!"

Both the text and drawings of this book will have you in stitches, and keep you wondering. While seemingly simplistic, the small phrases like "FLEX, ELF" accompanied by a drawing of a dwarf desperately trying to muster up to large cloned muscle men are absolutely hilarious. If you love words, language, and a sharp wit, this is the book for you. Truly one you will want to return to again.

Palindromes. Hard to write, fun to read, especially in the expert hands of Jon Agee.

A palindrome is a word or phrase that is spelled the same way forwards or backwards, as in "Go hang a salami! I'm a lasagna hog!", which has to be one of the longest and most complicated palindromes in existence.

Mr. Agee has collected some fantastically fun and funny palindromes in this collection illustrated by the author. There is a picture of a lion on a sunny beach with a bottle of "lion oil" behind him. Winnie the Pooh is doing the hula hoop (it's "Pooh's hoop", of course!!). My personal favorite (and an exceptionally long palindrome) is of an inventor in a room full of switches, gadgets and wires. In the middle of the room sits a tiny box playing music. He exclaims, arms out, "I madam, I made a radio! So I dared! Am I mad, am I?!" Go ahead, spell it backwards...

In a world where good English skills are swiftly becoming a rarity and few folk seem interested in grammar or word games, Mr. Agee's book is a breath of fresh air. At times, the illustrations fit the palindromes so perfectly that you almost forget that these are special sentences that are quite difficult to create, and the read more like a comic strip.

Kudos to Mr. Agee for not only playing about with words to create Palindromes, but for publishing some for those struggling folk (like myself) who can't seem to come up with any of our own!! Readers may also want to check out his other book, "So Many Dynamos!"

Gail Storey is so skilled at blending wit, social commentary, and personal insight that you will find yourself completely absorbed and entertained by this novel. Time and time again I was amused and intrigued by her descriptions of Texas social life -- but the novel is so much more than that, and you should be prepared to question many of your assumptions about modern relationships. I'm very much looking forward to reading more of her work!

Gail tells a wonderful story full of balance,love and peace between two families of very different lifestyles. A book you will not want to put down!!!!

Gail Donohoe Storey has done a perfect job of describing the life of a yankee transplanted into the heart of Texas. Her eye for detail about the unique Texas class distinctions is dead-on. Any Texan, former Texan or wanna-be-Texan will love the description of the debutante ball. And any book that includes a scene about Chuy's margaritas is going to get five stars from me. Obviously, the setting was my favorite part of this charming story of love and family. By and large the characters were well-drawn, and the plot was entertaining. The title has nothing to do with the book - just a cutesy phrase unwisely appended to an otherwise entertaining read.

With sharp eyes, ears and pen, Gail Donahue Storey has captured the essence of personal relationshipsin the 90s and even better, the weirdnesses of Texas social scenes, old and new. This is a very witty, satirical book, a glorious romp I read non-stop. Can't wait for the next one!

Gail Storey's Colleen Sweeney is on another tirp in the cultural wilds of Houston and Ft. Worhth. Her off-the-wall incisive observations on the very essence of human feelings and instincts tempered with her original and very funny voice and style make for a book you do not want to miss.

The final weeks before any wedding are crammed with last-minute details. But few brides expect the groom to disappear without warning. With little evidence to suggest cold feet, bride Brandi can only speculate at what sort of foul play might have caused her groom to vanish--or is it his love of a good prank? One possibility after another unfolds as "Gone with the Groom" brings out the detective in each reader.

Gone with the Groom is a charming read. In the midst of the busyness we all experience, it is surprisingly relaxing to plunge into Annie Peterson's flurry of activity in preparation for her daughter Brandi's wedding. When the groom goes missing, readers follow amateur sleuth Annie as she tries to unravel the clues and find her future son-in-law. Author Janice Thompson keeps the reader guessing through unexpected twists and turns in this cozy mystery and she has a gift for keeping the reader engaged (pun intended) right to the end.

Annie's faith carries her through the drama along with faith reminders from dear friend Sheila, and mother-of-the-groom, Nadine. The faith example of trusting God in the midst of trials sends a message to the reader without sounding preachy.

Despite the peppering of cliché's throughout the book--whether intentional or unintentional--Janice Thompson knows how to tell a good story. "Gone with the Groom" is entertaining and alluring.

Thompson tackles this mystery with family love and fun. Annie's sleuthing to find the missing groom takes us to the edge of panic but releases us with humor and the belief that God will see Annie and her family through this. We can grasp the message of faith throughout and know it doesn't hurt to have a spunky little dachshund either

Sasha's back! Along with Annie, Sheila, and the rest of Clarksborough, PA. And like seeing old friends, we're happy they're here. After Sasha and Annie save the day in The Wedding Caper, this dachshund/mother duo now has a missing groom on their hands. Annie's daughter Brandi is just about to marry "said groom" (to use Annie's vernacular) when it happens. The devoted Christian mother of two twin daughters and a son, as well as the extremely submissive wife of Warren, Annie manages to fulfill her never ending duties as mother-of-the-bride while trying to find her missing future son-in-law, Scott.

Last time Sasha was the center of attention, involved in most of Annie's antics. But this time Sasha makes only a scant appearance in the story during the first half, even when the scenes take place in her home, where the dog should be around somewhere. Then it's almost as if Thompson remembers her mid-stream, and Sasha is rushed to the hospital after getting into a bottle of heart medication. We see for the first time in this book the love and concern Annie and Warren had for Sasha all along. And from this point on, Sasha once again becomes an entertaining and integral part of the sleuthing for the rest of the story. In fact, she ends up having an even more prominent role in solving the crime.

Annie's thoughts and observations are humorous and relatable. "A tightening in my gut signaled a problem. I shouldn't have skipped breakfast-not on a day like today. I needed protein-or at the very least, artificial sweetener..." and her well intended but unsuccessful efforts to get to the gym in order to fit into her dress for the wedding are a constant source of guilt for her, but in a funny way.

Try not to notice that although Scott's cell phone sends a few cryptic messages, the police never check for pings, which might give them its location. And we've got a cornucopia of possible suspects here. The pharmaceutical company Scott works for is having trouble getting FDA approval for its new drug, and the companies very existence depends on it. Could Scott's concerns about the dangerous side effects caused someone to get him out of the way? And what about Brandi's new job at the real estate agency, and the scam she is discovering?

Scott's mother is running for city council of her home town. Could her crooked political opponents have tried to distract her by kidnaping Scott? Could his estranged biological father, who has just surfaced after years of absence have something to do with it? Or did he just get cold feet and become a runaway groom? With the wedding fast approaching on Valentine's Day, should they cancel it or continue to pay the vendors?

There is a deep bond between the women in the story, both spiritual and emotional, as they gather around the hurting family. We see them stand by each other, forgive past hurts, hold one another up in prayer, and share each other's burdens. These women are guided by the Spirit, comforted by the Scriptures, and eventually led to the answers they desperately need. Thompson beautifully portrays a mother's heart.

With a prolonged feel-good ending, there are no loose ends left to our imagination. But it's fun to solve the crime along with Annie, as Thompson gives us just enough clues without giving it away. And there's a surprise addition to the family, who I suspect will be joining the "Agatha Annie Crime Solving Agency" next time. At least, I hope so.

--Reviewed by Carol Kurtz for TitleTrakk

Sasha and Annie Peterson are off again in another quest for truth. Janice Thompson has again given us a delightful tale as Annie seeks the real reason behind the disappearance of her future son-in-law only a few weeks before the big day. Using all the skills learned in her internet detective course, Annie sets out to find the young man. No way will she believe he simply left her beautiful daughter. When all of his and her family descend on the Peterson home a few days before the wedding, they all have their own ideas about the disappearance. Annie has a list of suspects that range from someone out for revenge against the groom's politician mother to his long lost father to his friends playing a prank. Even his boss and the company he works for come under suspicion before it's all over. Annie has her work cut out for her, but she rises to the task with her ever faithful dog, Sasha, and saves the day as well as the wedding. Get on board for a fun ride and see if you can unravel the clues Annie finds.

Reviewed by Lori Plach for Reader Views (7/07)

You are cordially invited to the wedding of Brandi Peterson and Scott Cunningham on February 14. That's only 2 weeks away and the Peterson house is very chaotic. Rather than just the regular preparations for the wedding, the family is also involved in a missing-person search. The missing person is none other than Scott Cunningham, groom-to-be.

Brandi's parents, Annie and Warren, are playing host to Brad and Nadine, Scott's mother and stepfather. Having the future in-laws staying with the other in-laws can create interesting memories. It's a full house when Annie's parents arrive from the Deep South for the big event, if there is still to be a wedding.

Annie is known to be quite a sleuth. Well, she's going to have to use all her skills and Sasa, her dachshund, to sniff out clues and find Scott before the big day. Annie is nicknamed Agatha Annie. She is not a professional detective and finds her some strange, and some very hilarious, situations along the way.

Janice A Thompson has created a wonderful book. "Gone with the Groom" combines mystery, humor, a fantastic storyline and unforgettable characters. With its many twists and turns, "Gone with the Groom" will keep you involved from cover to cover. The Peterson family's faith in God is tested throughout the book, but with the help of their church family and faith in God, they will get through this time of their life. Perhaps they will even be blessed through this trial.

Plan now to check in with the Peterson's for the biggest event in Brandi's lifetime!

This is fantastic book. The threats to the Great Bear Rainforest are increasing in 2007 and support is vitally needed. To see what is happening, go to the Raincoast Conservation Society web page and see what major threats to the Great Bear are coming in 2007.

For years, I had always heard snippets here and there about the Great Bear Rainforest of Northwestern British Columbia, supposedly even more beautiful, wild, untamed, and much larger than other gorgeous temperate rainforest locales like Olympic National Park in Washington. But I didn't really know much about it. Where exactly was it? What does it look like? Is any of it protected in province or federal park land? And many more questions.

Then, years later, I stumbled upon this book. WOW. That about sums it up. This is an amazing book about a place of transcendent, almost ethereal beauty. This book is an enchanting mix of imminently readable and interesting text and absolutely stunning photographs. It almost makes you feel like you are there, immersed in this incredible rain drenched emerald cathedral of trees.

The Great Bear Rainforest is located on the British Columbia coast. It starts a few miles north of Lund and extends all the way north in Canada to the BC's northernmost limit, around Port Rupert, and extends only a few miles inland. It is home to the largest remaining contiguous temperate rain forest anywhere in the world. You probably already know this, but a temperate rain forest is much different than a tropical rain forest because of climate. Temperate rain forests are cool and moist, whereas tropical ones are hot and moist. Anyway, enough of the obvious.

What I really like about this book is that it isn't a condescending piece of fluff, and it gave me *exactly* what I wanted from it. Even though it's no easily readable, it is no fluff piece that waxes prettily poetic but doesn't really tell you anything. It takes you on an incredibly detailed tour of nearly every major rain forest valley in the Great Bear Rainforest. And it doesn't just name-drop valleys that have no meaning to you, it provides you with maps that show exactly where it is that they are talking about. I think this is the greatest feature of the book, I've read too many books about geographical places that tell you the names of certain interesting areas, but you don't quite know where they are. Not so with this book.

Not only that, the book covers a wide range of topics concerning The Great Bear Rainforest. Ecology, economic pressures, animal and plant life, geography, even a lot of interesting history and contemporary issues concerning the First Nation (who we in the U.S. refer to as Native American) tribes who traditionally lived (and still live) in and around the Great Bear Rainforest. I found the parts about the Haida tribe to be particularly edifying. All of these facts and themes are woven into the narrative of the authors' journey through the Great Bear Rainforest (which spans many years) incredibly seamlessly - you might think it's difficult to talk about the flora and fauna of the area while giving a history lesson on the Tlinglit people, but like I said, this point interweaves all points flawlessly. It also does social justice by presenting an unflinching look at the environmental horrors that await the Great Bear Rainforest through resource extraction and recreation at the hands of an apathetic public if current trends remain unchecked.

And then there are the photos. Gorgeous. Vast stands of huge, majestic trees, so much green it's almost blinding; a spirit bear chowing down on salmon in an unbelievable action shot; stunning shots of a coastline where fjord and mountain come together; and of course, the grand British Columbia ocean itself.

This book is a real gem. It's crime more people haven't had a chance to go through it. Read it. Take your time, don't just skim through it and goggle over the pictures. Trust me, the time will be worth it, you'll be glad you did. A must-have for anyone who considers themselves an environmentalist, a nature lover, and especially for people who have stood in awe in a temperate rain forest and said "I need to know more."

A powerful book on this special place. But, now she's discovered

This book is written as a journal of a sailing voyage. Although the authors had previously visited the remarkable areas they photograph and describe six times before, the seventh visit is chronicled in these pages. Thus there is a great depth of knowledge and experience inherent to this work which transforms a simple if elegant journal into a powerful, somewhat doleful, environmental monograph.

This is a beautifully done book with many fascinating photographs of rainforest topography and the diverse life forms which abide therein. The accompanying text is well-written and consistently informative and interesting. But the overarching theme here is that pristine environments which are critical to the survival of untold species of flora and fauna are in jeopardy. Grave jeopardy. Moreover, the McAllisters take great pains to point out that the small islands of preserved and protected ecosystem created in compromise between commercial interests and environmentalists are insufficent to protect wildlife (bears, for example) that depend upon an interlinked vastness of unspoiled terrain in which to flourish.

So this book is as much an alarm and a plea for action as it is a wondrous presentation of its picturesque subject matter. As such, it is urgent reading for those of us concerned about the ravages unleashed when a society values short-term economic advantage (as when untouched river valleys are clear-cut by logging companies) over the work nature takes eons to complete.

This is a wonderful book for both nature and bear lovers alike. It is packed with beautiful color photos. Many interesting facts about the wildlife & plants of the area are detailed in the captions.

The landscape photos feature vibrant wildflowers, ancient forests, & mountains. There are also many remarkable pictures of several bear types. I loved the close-up shot of a bear eating a fish & another of a sprit bear on a log.

Stunning photos of some other animals include a puffin close-up, a bald eagle mother with baby, & an elephant seal gathering. If you can tear yourself away from the pictures, the text is equally impressive.

The authors tell of their experiences while exploring the rainforest. They also discusses the environmental concerns of the area. Journal entries from the trip are scatted throughout the book.

Melody Beattie is at her best in "The Grief Club." She used losing her son as a basis for writing this book. The stories are all very unique within themselves and offer much to the reader. As a person who is going through the grieving process right now, I didn't find this book difficult to read through. I found it comforting, though one doesn't have to be grieving to enjoy or get something out of this book. I would recommend this book to anyone and there is always something to be said about someone who uses their own trials as a means to help others.

Reviewed by Shannon Bailes for Reader Views (9/06)

I thoroughly enjoyed this book as it enlightened me to the fact that our lives are full of grief, we just might not see it that way. The chapter I most related with was the one entitled "Remembering Changes: Facing Alzheimer's Disease." My father died from complications of this disease almost 11 years ago, and I could really relate to all that was written in this chapter. It is always good to read or hear about someone else's journey through this dark tunnel where there are so many unknowns.

Another chapter that moved me was entitled "Time Changes: Empty Nest and Other Rites of Passage." While we are not yet there completely, in less than two years the last of our four sons will leave our happy, little nest, and even now I grieve about that passage.

Throughout the book, Beattie is solid in bringing out the best of all grief situations in our lives. Her writing shows that even through the worst situations, there is hope in everything, if you choose to find it. In almost every chapter we read about a seemingly lost and hopeless circumstance, but by the end of the chapter, we feel that the voyage you are on does not have to consume you, it can make you better and stronger.

I particularly enjoyed the statistics at the end of each chapter. All are enlightening, and added support to the reading of this book.

I would recommend "The Grief Club" to any person that I know, especially those who are struggling with a grief issue in their life. It is an uplifting, sometimes heart-wrenching expression of what life really brings--hardships and joys. The majority of life is filled with joy for most of us. We find while reading, that some have dark clouds and are not so fortunate. More importantly, we find between the cover of this book, that at times the only thing you have to grab onto is hope. Look for it--it is there!

I was walking through my local bookstore when my eyes caught sight of this book. The title drew me in, as I am grieving the death of my brother. I saw the author and thought, "Oh, no - not that Codependency woman..."

Melody Beattie - who was the first author I ever knew to use the term "Co-Dependent" a term that had come for many to mean "whiney person who thinks of himself/herself as a victim of everyone and everything."

I decided I would give it a "cup of coffee" dry run, to see if my assessment was correct... or not. I am pleased to announce that my assessment was exceptionally far off and this book is a resource that belongs on bookshelves across the country, since Grief is something we will all touch and the majority of us are less than well equipped to manage.

I remembered as I opened the book I had wondered where Beattie went, as I remember the early 90's and the plethora of Codependency titles I saw springing up and then... I couldn't really remember hearing of her since then. It only took a moment to see why.

Her son had died at age 12. How had I not known this, I wondered?

She wrote about this major loss with candor and frankness, without glossy coating. This is the way she tackles all the losses she discusses in the book - both her own losses and the losses of other subjects in the book.

In the back of the book there is a Master list of losses which is very helpful as an initial assessment and an ongoing tool as you read (actually, work through) the book. Each chapter includes activities to further integrate the material presented.

This is a book I will revisit right away, and then I will most likely revisit it. And I will recommend it to people regularly.

It's a club none of use would choose to belong to, yet with this book as a guide, it will feel that much more "normal."

Subtitled: The Secret to Getting Through All Kinds of Change

The New York Times best-selling author of Co-Dependent No More has lived through many crises: becoming sober, living with an alcoholic, losing her son to an accident, getting Hepatitis C, having chronic back problems--and many other losses. So she isn't writing this from a "professional or clinical viewpoint."

"Welcome to the club," someone might say to you (or at least think it) when you have something happen to you they have already experienced. You may see your life in the chapters on death, Alzheimer's, suicide, divorce, job loss, childhood grief, alcoholism, empty nest, and much more.

"Did I do something to tick God off--so that I got to join one of those clubs," we might wonder. Beattie says, whether we believe it or not, life hasn't signaled us out for tragedy, and depersonalizing a loss helps us detach and lessen the pain.

You won't catch trauma from a person grieving or in pain--and much of her book is about seeking and offering help to those who are hurting--one-on-one or as part of a support group.

The other day a woman told me her mother died seven week ago and now her friends are ready for her to be back to her old self. Obviously they are not a member of that club yet--or they'd be more understanding. Relative to grief, Bettie said, you either pay now or you pay later, and she said, "Once I cried for eight years."

She explains radical faith (vs. simple faith: If I am good, only good thing will happen to me). Radical faith means you can be good and still bad things will happen to you--and it's nobody's fault.

Every chapter ended with statistics, such as 2.5 million Americans die every year, and of that, 45-50,000 are under 25.

Well worth your read because everyone will join some kind of "loss" club--whether you want to or not.

Armchair Interviews says: Highly recommend to anyone going through grief, pain or loss--and those who want to understand better.

This is Melodie Beattie at her best relation to her own experience about losing a son. A lost loved one, a change in one's life and a move to a new city(Losing all old friendships behind) can be very traumatic.
I liked the chaper on WHAT NOT to say at funerals...like "I'm sorry"
Melody gets another thumbs up from me!!!

Look to the lady.
- response to Lady Macbeth's fainting fit, MACBETH, act II, scene 3

"We can't fight a ring like this forever. It's incredible; they're too strong."
"There is the point which resolves the whole question into a neat 'what should A do?' problem. We've got just one chance, old bird - otherwise the project wouldn't be worth fighting and we should not have met. The rules of this acquisitive society...are few, but they are strict. Roughly, what they amount to is this. All members' commissions - they have to be for things definitely unpurchasable, of course - are treated with equal deference. The best agent is chosen for the job; unlimited money is supplied; and there the work...ends until the treasure is obtained...However - and this is our one loophole - should...the owner of the treasure in question kill [their agent] to save it - then they leave well alone, and they look out for somebody else's family album."
"Who is the agent employed to get the Chalice?"
"That's the difficulty. I don't know...so you see what a mess we're in."
- Val Gyrth and Albert Campion

While the U.S. title - THE GYRTH CHALICE MYSTERY - is easy to associate with the events of this book, it's something of a misnomer; this is more an adventure story or a thriller than a mystery, and in a way, it's the reverse of a mystery. Campion's ultimate goal isn't to *solve* a crime, but to prevent the theft of a national relic by any means necessary, beginning with unearthing and joining forces with Val Gyrth, the estranged only son of the family devoted to protecting the Chalice on behalf of the Crown. Val - destitute to the point of being out on the street in the wake of a failed marriage - is to come of age in a few weeks time and be initiated into the Gyrths' deepest family secrets, and has become a target of the anonymous society of wealthy collectors whose current target is the Chalice. Campion and his valet Lugg together manage to locate Gyrth, establish that he hasn't been corrupted, and explain the danger to the Chalice in an extended sequence that alternates between comedy and suspense, beginning with Val escaping arrest as a vagrant on his own doorstep, identifying himself by the tailor's label in his decrepit suit, and dodging an unsuccessful kidnap attempt before fetching up at Campion's flat in response to a mysterious trail of messages.

Campion, with Val and Lugg in tow, is soon installed as a guest at the Tower at Sanctuary, the Gyrth family home in Suffolk, Val's quarrel with his father only having dragged on this long through his own stubbornness. Not that there isn't plenty of conflict and excitement to spice up matters when the Chalice almost immediately goes missing from its supposedly burglar-proof niche in the family chapel. That turns out to be a fairly clever move on the part of one of the family, though it almost immediately backfires (only the first of several such reverses in the story, which is full of alternating comic and dramatic episodes).

"'...it's like a Welsh rarebit nightmare with you as the hero.'
'With me as the *rabbit*,' said Mr. Campion feelingly."

As for the original U.K. title of LOOK TO THE LADY, the story has an unusual number of women in supporting roles, such as: Val's foolish aunt Diana (New Age and fancies herself as a patron of the arts, with a number of suspect hangers-on); his charming and tough sister Penny and her best friend Beth Carey (daughter of an American professor eager to study the Chalice); Mrs. Dick Shannon, an obnoxious local horse-breeder whose shadier racing associates are becoming obtrusive; and Mrs. Sara, an old friend of Campion's who with her family are part of a large group of gypsies camping out near the Tower. Blessedly, none of the players are saddled with ridiculous cooing dialogue as are some of the characters in such stories as THE CASE OF THE LATE PIG.

I highly recommend the unabridged recording narrated by Francis Matthews, who does an amazing job with Lugg and the varying Suffolk accents of the Gyrths' neighbours, though he has a tougher time with the New England accents of the Careys. In either written or audio format, the story is a romp, a comedy and a thriller by turns; just don't expect it to be a conventional mystery.

Drive-in totals:
- Two deaths.
- Three kidnappings with unlawful imprisonment.
- Two riots.
- One "secret room" with family "secret", the existence of which is actually common knowledge, though not the details.
- Two alternate identities of Campion's, complete with their own names.
- One of Allingham's "darkest England" episodes, involving some creepy bits of local superstition (with some *very* funny reactions by Lugg, who disclaims any belief in such stuff despite his obvious discomfort with it). There are also some very moving scenes involving the Gyrths' secrets and their devotion to the relic.
- Some very entertaining and enlightening exchanges between Lugg and the Gyrths' butler Branch, an old acquaintance with an only slightly more respectable background. "You'd be doin' me a service, Mr. Lugg, if you'd refrain from referrin' to me as number 705."

"The Gyrth Chalice Mystery" was the first Allingham mystery I read. By coincidence, I was then the same age Allingham was when she wrote it (despite there being several wars in between). I was immediately taken with the story with its heady mix of adventure, English snobbery, humor and the supernatural. When I was done reading I was a British mystery addict and an eternal fan of Albert Campion, Allingham's detective.

I am much older now, and this is the third or fourth time I've reread this novel. I can only report that it gets better with age. Unlike some authors whose work is best remembered rather than reexperienced, Margery Allingham's works are every bit as much fun now as they were then. Perhaps the secret of their long popularity is that they are the highest order of entertainment, full of adventure and humor.

In 'The Gyrth Chalice Mystery' Campion's assignment is the protection of the ancient Gyrth chalice from theft by a nefarious ring of art collectors. The secret of the chalice is passed from fathers to sons on their 25th birthday, and this is the time that the chalice is most vulnerable. Campion must first track down the current heir, Percival, and bring him home for the ceremony. No sooner is this accomplished when Percival's somewhat flaky aunt is frightened to death by the 'chalice monster.' With that we are off and running.

Allingham does her usual best to delight and bemuse, mixing forgers, racing people, gypsies, academics and other English country folks of every sort and form into the heady stew which is a Campion adventure. Campion has matured tremendously since the first novels and is in full possession of his role as the somewhat zany yet brilliant master of the chase. Allingham doesn't write mystery stories as such. Often she gives the villain of the piece away and the real mystery is how Campion will manage to save the day. "The Gyrth Chalice" is just such a tale. The ending comes as a complete surprise and adds a dimension to the tale, which makes it especially remarkable and memorable.

A mystery without a murder, Albert Champion's 3rd quest is to prevent a crime. LOOK TO THE LADY, by Margery Allingham is a fresh delight away from grizzly murder and mayhem. This title is my first experience with Albert and Lugg, it won't be my last.
Ms. Allingham's take on the Grail legend and the quests it entails is funny, adventurous and an outstanding puzzle. All the elements of a great mystery without a murder. The current name for this genre is cozy, but there is a movement afoot to change it to "classic" mystery.
If you've never read Allingham, pick up one today and you'll be a fan of the solution, the quest, the characters, the location and the writing. All of which are what keeps her title in-print so many years after her death.
Nash Black, author of WRITING AS A SMALL BUSINESS and SINS OF THE FATHERS.

An early entry in the Mr Campion saga. He is young and rather obnoxious, irritating all and sundry with his (often hilarious) brand of humour. The opening of this book is superb - an empty envelope bearing his name leads a downandout toff to a restaurant that just happens to be open at 2 am... The rest of the book contains many superb set pieces and unexpected characters: a witch, a likeable professor, a jewelry expert whose ancestors "talked to the Almighty". The ending is a stunner and a puzzle. What is the Gyrth treasure exactly? Why is Mr. Campion intimately connected with it? Who is its Guardian? The Professor has the tantalising last word.

Allingham is without a doubt, the best mystery/suspense writer that ever lived. I don't say this lightly. There is absolutely no one that can compare to her and to her hero, Albert Campion! I had read most of the Allingham stories a very long time ago, but when I checked there were some that I missed, so I decided to make up for that oversight. The Gyrth Chalice Mystery is one that I somehow missed. I am very glad that I made up for that oversight now. If you have not read an Allingham mystery, then you do have a treat in store for you. I heartily recommend that you begin to read them all as soon as possible. How else can we have a benchmark to grade the authors that have come afterwards. As far as I'm concerned, Allingham is in a class of her own. Her books are thrillers really more than mysteries, but what wonderful stories they are! In this book Albert connects up with a young kinsman of his to help protect an ancient relic that the young man's family has been responsible for for hundreds of years. We also are treated to large doses of the wonderful Lugg - Albert's man of many talents. I'm not going to say any more about this wonderful book. You must read for yourself, and be prepared to be awed!

Great book. Great story. Great pictures. My son loves all of Syd Hoff's books.

This is my favorite childhood book. I am now 26 and was discussing favorite childhood books with my husband when he said he had never heard of Chester. I ordered the book, we read it together, and he's now a Chester fan too. Can't wait to share this with our future children!

In this book, I learned not to belive in what other people say. Chester was a wild horse, he lived with other horses out in the west. Chester wanted for someone to take care of him but the other horses said that it was better to be a wild horse. Then people with ropes came and Chester asked them if they could take him but they did not take him they took the other horses. So it is better to do what you want, not what other people say.

In this book, I learned not to belive in what other people say. Chester was a wild horse, he lived with other horses out in the west. Chester wanted for someone to take care of him but the other horses said that it was better to be a wild horse. Then people with ropes came and Chester asked them if they could take him but they did not take him they took the other horses. So it is better to do what you want, not what other people say.

In this book, I learned not to belive in what other people say. Chester was a wild horse, he lived with other horses out in the west. Chester wanted for someone to take care of him but the other horses said that it was better to be a wild horse. Then people with ropes came and Chester asked them if they could take him but they did not take him they took the other horses. So it is better to do what you want, not what other people say.

Our young daughter asks us to read this book on a daily basis. So, although this book has been around for decades, it seems to transcend time.

There is something so warm and comforting about the illustrations and the gentle, fun dialog. Somehow the pictures give a sense of stability and safety. It is a brilliant marriage of text and illustration.

The understanding and humor that passes between the three generations speaks to the intricacy of relationships and the intelligence that young children possess. The author knew how to communicate her story without being condescending to children or adults.

I highly recommend this book. It is especially effective as a bedtime book because it has such a calming effect.

Another fun, sweet story about little bear and his family. My son (almost 3 years old) and I have been reading this book every night since I gave it to him.

My kids have been captivated by this book from the time they were barely old enough to look at the pictures. My oldest is almost five, and she still asks me to read this book, even though she has it memorized! It is a charming tale of Little Bear's visit to his grandparents' house. The love in this bear family is so heartwarming, and the sense of fun so nicely realized that adults will love it too. Maurice Sendak's illustrations, which have a 19th Century feel, are the perfect complement to this story. My only complaint is I can't find this book in hardback, and our paperback version is worn out! Two other books in this series - Little Bear and Little Bear's Friend are also great for kids from age 2 to around 7.

There are four separate but related stories in this "I CAN READ Book" and they are all delightful. They flow from one to the other so that first story has Little Bear visiting his grandparents, while the second and third stories are tales that Little Bear's grandmother and then grandfather tell him. And the final story has Little Bear's parents coming to take him home after a wonderful, but tiring day of fun.

To parents and other caregivers this structure means is that we can read/or be read to big chunks or small.

Contents:

Grandmother and Grandfather Bear
Mother Bear's Robin
Goblin Story
Not Tired

Now my children like all these stories but there favorite is the one about the goblin who jumps out of his shoes. It never fails to get a howls of laughter from them.

Five Stars. Great artwork by Maurice Sendak. The stories are heart touching and humorous. The book is a Great Read-aloud and a more challenging reader for young children.

The reading level on this book is higher than some of the other Little Bear books and it is listed as 2.3 or suitable for a child reading at the second grade level. There is more vocabulary, more dialog, and more text per page.

~a review by Pam T.~

Our 3-year-old granddaughter just spent almost two weeks with us. Reading to her has been both a daily (several times a day!) ritual since she was a baby...as well as a source of delight for both her and us. Her favorite story is still the "Goblin Story," which appears in this book. You can easily read it to your young one so that he or she is excited, giggling, and having a wonderful experience with you!

Your book review was really great! I think that this book would be a really interesting book to read! You don't look the type of person that would be an author, but it turns out that you make a very good author! Good luck on your next book! Hope it goes as good as this one is!!!! GOOD LUCK!

CHRISTY, MALLAURIE, YOLANDA

Good work Mrs. Bailey. This is an excellent book. The characters seem so lively and the book is full of suspense. This one will truly keep you on the edge of your seat, and keep you wondering what is to come. I can't wait until your next book..

GOOD WORK!!!!!!

I loved the book "IF I SHOULD DIE" by Sharon Bailey. Once I started reading it I couldn't put it down. I especially enjoyed the clean language. It was full of mystery and keeps you on the edge of you seat. I started the book one evening and tried putting it down and going to bed but couldn't stand it so I got up at 4 a.m. to finish reading it. I gave several copies as Christmas presents. I am looking forward to her next book.

I found this to be a compelling, exciting novel. It contains the rare elements of the character's minds to bind you to their personalities and lives. It will take you from tears to laughter while totally absorbing your attention. It has a story line that keeps you in anticipation page by page. The suspense keeps you both anxious and surprised. I read the novel in one sitting, I simply couldn't put it down. It has the gripping qualities of a Jeffery Deaver novel. This novel shows immorality and bad language are not necessary to create an exciting read that will keep your adrenaline racing to the last page. This is a novel that will satisfy anyone who loves to read. I am anxiously looking forward to the sequel.

The characters in this novel are so realistic, you feel as though you know them personally when you have finished reading. The suspense kept me up until I had read the very last page! I cried off and on all through the book, but it had a fabulous ending! I am anxiously awaiting the sequel. This book is a must read for individuals who enjoy a good mystery romance! I highly recommend the book.