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This classic story carries a message, not only for children that don't want to help with their chores, but for anyone who hasn't quite got into the gardening mood. This book is all about helping, sharing, and making an effort in your own behalf. I bring it along with me when doing presentations on gardening and food security, and the grown ups pick it up read it, and they really get it. Great for families and class rooms . . .

This fable tells about the lazy animals who did not want to help the hen. They let her do all the work, but did not do a thing themselves. Then at the end when the hen reaps of the fruit of her labor, all of a sudden they want to share in that fruit. However, the hen gets it all to herself and they get nothing.

This version is a classic one. The story and illustrations are very inviting for any child. I love the classic moral of the story too.

I purchased this book for my children and did it bring back memories! I had it read to me when I was little. So the story line is cute and teaches a valuable lesson with the moral the lazy cat, dog, and mouse do not get the snack. All of my children from 2-6 love this story, it never grows old.

Her ability to cook empowers this little red hen to motivate her housemates. Help me with some of the housework if you want cake. A final illustration shows all the animals working, sweeping and dusting!

After reading the story as it is written, follow along with Heather Forest's Little Red Hen from the album, Sing me a Story. End on that final illustration with her words, "Sharing the work makes working fun."

Different versions may use different characters. This one uses the traditional Dog, Cat, Mouse.

The Man Called Cash is a very good book. very informative.I think a child 11-12 years old could read it and beable to understand what they are reading.I think it gose behond some of the other books I have read on Johhny Cash.I would recomend it to any one who is interested in seeing where Johnny Cash were he came from and the legacey he left.

I am a legally blind man and and I usually get my books to listen to through the library, but after I saw the movie walk the line I felt I had to know more about the ledgend of Cash through an audiobook if I could find one. I was lucky to find this one. I love the way Kris Kristofferson reads the book. Since he was a friend of cash's, he put feeling into the reading like no other person can. Through the author's extensive research on Cash, I found out things I never knew about him. The Movie is good, but if you really want to know who Cash is, just by this and Listen to Kristofferson tell you about his friend. The man in black.

I learned a lot about Johnny Cash, as well as people like Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, and many others who were the ones that generated so much buzz about music in the 1950's. Toward the end of the book, I was sad because I knew that it would speak of his death. I found myself not wanting to hear about it, because I had loved learning about his life so much.

My favorite story in the whole book was about a prayer he prayed at dinner. His dinner guest recalled the story:

Cash prayed and said, "... and we thank you Lord for this food, and we ask that you would bless it to our body. We pray these things in Jesus' name, Amen. When he finished praying he winked at me and said, "I still miss the drugs though."

It is precisely that juxtaposition of piety and weakness that I think I love about him. It reminds me of another man who is known well for his writing when he said:

I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do ... What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?

In case you didn't catch that, the other man to whom I referred is the Apostle Paul. He happened to be one of Cash's favorite people for obvious reasons. I have wondered why I am so enamored by people like Johnny Cash and Paul; these men of such conviction, but at the same time so open about their transgressions. I think it is because they knew themselves well, and they never allowed the good in them to elevate them to a place where they could look down at others. They knew the darkness, and that it was always waiting if they would just relent and turn to it.

Cash turned to it a lot. However, like Paul, he also said:

Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

At the end of his life, after June Carter died he hung around for a few months more. He could barely walk, was in massive pain, and was eighty percent blind. In this state, however, he still had the Bible enlarged big enough so he could read it. Others spoke about his love of Jesus, his kindness, his generosity, and his faithfulness to June.

So many want to be cynical about people who struggle, fall, get up, and fall again. They like to point and yell to expose someone else's flaws. I am more convinced that the ones who yell the loudest are the ones who are the most scared of having their flaws exposed.

One of my favorite lines in music comes from a song sung by Cash. It was written by Bono and performed with U2 (yeah, I know big surprise). The line goes:

I went out there,
In search of experience,
To taste and to touch,
And to feel as much,
As a man can,
Before he repents.

Isn't that all of our stories? I know it's mine. I also know that it is mine everyday. I walk around, and like a little kid test the boundaries of God's love. Some days, I may not go far, other days I may feel restless and I just want to run. Yet each time I return home to talk with God I find myself speaking the words of Paul:

Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

I usually don't read many biographies, but I received this one for Christmas one year since I am a huge Johnny Cash fan. I was glad to see that this book was very well written and also a very easy read. I knew it was going to be good when the first chapter was pretty emotional, as it starts off with June Carter Cash dying. The book also focuses well on some key moments in Johnny Cash's life that made the most significant difference - the first being the death of his brother, Jack, and the others that revolved around June. Like other reviewers have stated, Walk The Line used a lot of moments from the book and I would recommend reading the book as well as watching the movie. I think what was great about Johnny Cash, and what we can all relate too, is how open he was with how he was a sinner and how he had made a lot of mistakes (ie. drugs, affairs, etc.), but he changed his ways when he fully committed himself to Jesus and his faith. I think this book can be a great tool to those who have struggled and have difficult pasts because Cash showed that it doesn't matter what you have done, that you have forgiveness and that you can always start over. Great message and this book has a lot of interesting and funny stories that will want to make you laugh, smile, shake your head, or make you feel sad. Steve Turner has done a great job and had made me rethink biographies. If you're a Johnny Cash fan, this a must-have!

Before I read this book, THE MAN CALLED CASH, by Steve Turner, from 2004, I had also read the 1997 book called CASH: THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY (with Patrick Carr). They both cover similar ground. The 1997 book seems more homey, like Johnny Cash is talking to you, but this book, by Steve Turner, seems more accurate.

Having know Johnny and his family for over a decade, author Steve Turner was actually hired to help write another autobiography, but June and Johnny died unexpectedly, and the book turned into an in-depth research research project, instead of just helping Johnny write with decent grammar, or whatever it takes two authors to do with an AUTObiography.

Both books seem to be equally long in content, though the page counts and page sizes differ between the hardcover of this book and the small paperback of THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY book that I read.

Though both books cover a lot of the same incidents from Johnny's life, this book, THE MAN CALLED CASH, features some highly interesting coverage of the last living days of June and Johnny, before they both passed on in 2003. There is also plenty of more in-depth coverage of events told in THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY, and there are also plenty of events from Johnny's life that are not mentioned in the 1997 autobiography. I recommend that you read both books, actually.

The author also points out that since he had to do research, instead of just typing out whatever Johnny told him, he has discovered that Johnny Cash never had trouble telling a good story, or making a good story even better! For example, Johnny Cash has written and talked about how rowdy he was in the Air Force, fighting with the military police, etc., but Steve Turner points out that the people who were in the Air Force with him don't remember any of that kind of rowdiness from Johnny, who never got into much trouble, and would have been widely known on the air base if he HAD fought with the guards, etc. This book also tells about how Johnny would play music with other airmen in his dorm, and Johnny was the worst of the bunch, learning a lot from the others!

There are many interesting b/w photos, although mostly small, but in high quantity! There is a photo of his brother Jack, whose childhood death affected Johnny for the rest of his life.

This book also has a chronology of major events in Johnny's life, and a discography of his primary releases, which is good to use as a shopping list, for me.

This book does have some distracting typos that I hope get fixed in future printings. On one page the same sentence appears twice in a row. In the Chronology, the death of his father, Ray Cash, appears twice on the list, in 1985 (correct), and then again in 1993 (incorrect). This is unfortunate, but these two are the worst distractions that I found without even trying.

It is also interesting to see how the movie WALK THE LINE compares to what is contained in both of these books! For instance, both books say that June Carter never really met or toured with Johnny until he was a big, established star, years into his music career, while the movie gives me the impression that they met on Johnny's first fledgling tour.

THE MAN CALLED CASH gives information about the the saw accident and his brother Jack. This book says that actually there was another 12 year old boy there, who witnessed the event, and Johnny suspected him of being involved in a bad way, though none of the adults thought so at the time, or ever! Both books mention how Johnny would see Jack appear in his dreams for the rest of his life, always a few years older than Johnny at whatever the age Johnny dreamed the appearance.

This book talks about Johnny's friendship with the evangelist, Billy Graham. I personally enjoy Johnny's Gospel albums and projects, but I am a little bit disappointed over the wasted years of drug abuse and family neglect from Johnny, who thought of himself often as a lost Christian, but a Christian none the less. What do you think about that?

The Bible says, "What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice." -- Philippians 1:18. Using this Bible verse as a model, it tells me that Johnny Cash's Gospel works, as good as they are, are also totally legitimate as long as they correctly preach the Word of God--regardless of the depths of sin and abuse that Johnny heaped upon himself and his loved ones.

As long as Jesus Christ is being preached correctly, the sins of the messenger do not negate the message itself (and we are all sinners, just not as extreme as Johnny was, I suspect)! I do not and cannot condone his sinful abuses, (though I have done most of them myself, before I got Saved 8 years ago), but I will let God judge his own servant, and I will continue to enjoy the many beautiful Gospel projects which Johnny Cash was always eager and happy to work on!

GOSPEL GLORY is my favorite Johnny Cash Gospel CD, so far. His movie, THE GOSPEL ROAD, is on DVD and is also really cool! My favorite Gospel project from Johnny Cash is his spoken word reading of the entire NEW TESTAMENT on 16 CDs, very affordably priced from amazon.com, and all three of these items come highly recommended by me!

I can recommend both of these books for anybody who enjoyed the WALK THE LINE film.

Bottom line: read CASH: THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY for a fun time spent with Johnny Cash in his own words, then read this book, THE MAN CALLED CASH, for the REAL story on how many of those stories actually went down!

This book is a true page turner. I couldn't put it down. Tales from his childhood were very interesting. I was especially interested in the story about how Li and his friends were shot at (by the guards at an abandoned airport), as they were trying to find used charcoal. Tears came to my eyes when he later describes flying back to his village so many years later, and discovering that they had landed at the very same airport.

I also enjoyed reading about how his family treated his wife, when they met her for the first time. They went out of their way to treat her like a longtime member of the family, even though they had just met her.

Mao's Last Dancer by Li Cunxin is the memoir of a famous Chinese international ballet dancer (now retired) who struggled from poverty to reach soaring heights. I was enraptured from page one, when Li describes a traditional Chinese wedding that seems like it is irrelevant to his story but is in fact the wedding of his dear niang and dia (mother and father), whose love for him leaps in bounds.

Li grows up in the Li Commune in the Qingdao (or Tsingtao, named after the Chinese beer) province in China. He has many brothers, and his niang and dia struggle everyday to make ends meet. Chairman Mao is at the height of his power, and so all his teachers indoctrinate Li and other children about Mao's Red Book and the Communist ideals. At age 11, Li is chosen to attend Madame Mao's Dance Academy in Beijing, where it is a totally different world from the fields that he lived in. There, he suffers intense homesickness and torn hamstrings as he and his classmates go through rigorous dance training.

Li meets many friends and teachers that influence and support him, especially Teacher Xiao and his words of inspiration about a mango. Li eventually gets to go to America to dance with the Houston Ballet under Ben Stevenson, and that trip of freedom changes his life forever as he realizes that for years, Chairman Mao manipulated all of China with his communist ideals and twisted portraits of capitalist America. In America, he meets even more people that shape his tumultous life as he finds international success in the dnace world and his true love.

From his parents' wedding to his own, I was never bored for a single moment. His journey from a poor peasant to international success is amazing because the reader never knows what is coming up next! Li inserts a lot of anecdotes and Chinese stories/fables that his dia or someone else told him. His emotional outbursts will evoke the reader's own emotions as he struggles through excruciating pain, humiliation, homesickness, his feelings of love, and his confusion about capitalism and communism. I cheered him on when he has his first taste of freedom in America. Also, the reader reads about the importance of a cohesive family. When there is nothing, one will always have family to love and support, and his large loving family is the biggest supporter Li has.

Li's poignant memoir is one of the best in its field. It is easy to read and enjoyable. It is not short (445 pages) but the pages will go by in the blink of an eye because this story of a remarkable Chinese dancer is so fascinating and awe-inspiring. Highly recommended!

I have a deep interest in Chinese history & am always on the look out for good books written on the subject.

This particular book is a very heart-warming book indeed. After having read so many positive reviews about it, I decided I had to buy it. It was one of those books where you just have to read it from start to end. The story itself is quite incredible & told from the heart. The endurance, strength & courage of Li Cunxin in the backlight of the decline of Mao's power & the ascent of Deng Xiaoping really makes this a must read for anyone interested in Chinese history!

Richard

I've read many, many memoirs about life in modern China, however, I've never read one with such a dramatic tale to tell, and I've read very few books in general as well written as this one. This is a true rags to riches story---starting out in a commune as poor as it could be and ending up world famous.

It was very interesting to read a book set during the Cultural Revolution from the perspective of someone from the class that was suppposed to be the one being glorified at that time---the peasants. It's amazing to see Cunxin's progression from true devotion to Mao to realization of how much he was lied to and manipulated.

This is also a love story, the story of the love between Cunxin's parents---an arranged marriage which became a true love match, and the pride and happiness despite their very tough lives they had in their seven sons. It is obvious the author cares so very much for his whole extended family. The speech his usually quiet father gave at a family wedding is one of the most touching passages I've ever read.

I hope Li Cunxin writes more. I would love to hear more about his life in Australia with his wife and children, and to hear about their journey with their deaf daughter. He is obviously a gifted writer as well as a gifted dancer. Highly recommended to all.

I must join in on the praise for this wonderful memoir. Li Cunxin's account of his early life in China was so vivid that I literally shed tears for him. Later,I found myself cheering his brilliant successes in the ballet world. I could not put this book down, as I felt compelled to find out what was happening to Li Cunxin. The pages of pictures contained in the book added much to the telling of this story. You must read it.

This was one of the first Marilyn books I owned and I have to say it still stands out as one of my very favorites because it is so intimate, and the pictures show a very down to earth Marilyn that you feel like you could reach out and touch. George Barris was actually a long time photographer of Monroe, he had the pleasure of catching some of her most iconic moments on camera such as the famous shirt blowing scene from THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH and many more. These are by far his best of her though and I personally favor pics from Marilyn's later years (60's). I love the stories that Barris tells and I am getting ready to reread this book as it has been a few years, I think it is the type of book one can read over and over anyhow. As I have said all the pics are amazing especially the ones of Marilyn on the beach. These however are not the very last pics taken of Marilyn, just the last photo session. The very last shots of her can be found in the book "Mr. S.: The Last Word on Frank Sinatra" when she was on a yacht with Sinatra and at the Cal-Neva Lodge & Casino shortly before her death. Over all though this book is HIGHLY recommended and is essential for any Marilyn fan!

I was surprised at this book in Marilyn's own words. This interview was only a few weeks before her death. The pictures were amazing and beautiful. She did not seem at all depressed and was looking forward to the future. Makes you wonder if she was murdered. Surely seems that way after I read the book and looked at those pictures. It almost seems to say "see I want to live" and little did she know that her life was in danger! Poor Marilyn. I hope wherever she is, she knows that some people believe that she did not kill herself. And I hope she is at peace.

This book is unique in that it comes from George Barris's last days spent with her. I love the photos because they are candid not posed. This bok also includes the last photo ever taken of her. I'm on my way to own almost every Marilyn book and Im am pleased with this one.

This was indeed a touching tribute. I felt very connected to Marilyn while reading her stories. The photos were just as gorgeous. I could have gone without George Barris' interjections as they usually just repeated what Marilyn said. But it was his book and she was apparently his friend, so I suppose he deserves some spotlight too.

Add this to your Monroe collections! It's a definite keeper.

I have to say that it is just amazing how after 44 years Marilyn Monroe is still considerd one of the most beautiful women to ever live. After seeing the photographs of Marilyn Monroe taken by Mr. Barris in this book I am not suprised that people are still captivated with the beauty of Marilyn Monroe. The pictures of Marilyn in this book are amazing and beautiful. Marilyn shows her true character in the most natural looking pictures I have ever seen of her. Each picture tells a story and shows you the woman Marilyn really was. Marilyn truely was a naturally beautiful woman and it shows in this book. This great book also lets you read and learn about the real person Marilyn Monroe was in her own words. Marilyn tells her life story in this book, taking you through her young years as Norma Jean to her Hollywood life as Marilyn Monroe. When you are reading this book it is very interesting to hear Marilyn talk about her life in her own words. Marilyn takes you along her life journey through the pages in this book. The only sad thing is when you are reading this book you wish Marilyn's life story would continue past the inevitable days of Marilyn's death on August 4-5,1962. I alreadly knew Marilyn was going to die before reading but it really made me sad because after reading this book it makes you feel like you actually knew Marilyn personally. That just goes to show how well written this book is. I have to say Mr. Barris you have done a great job writing this excellant book. Marilyn would truely have been happy with this book. Whether you are a Marilyn Monroe fan or you are just curious about this iconic Hollywood actress this book will definitely be intresting to read. Before I read this book I thought Marilyn Monroe was all Hollywood glitz and glamour. After reading this book however I found that Marilyn was a sweet down to earth woman who just wanted to be loved. I only hope Marilyn made it into heaven, because in her life most of the people that said they loved her and called themselves her friend only used and betrayed Marilyn. I hope that one day Marilyn's death will finally be proven as murder and this case of wrong doing can be closed so Marilyn can finally rest in peace.

Seeing that I'm not an adolescent anymore, the brief introduction to the story didn't really leaving me yearning for more. I'm not sure what classifies this as a sci-fi/fantasy novel. The characters seemed very scripted, almost ridiculously. I am still wondering what the story is about, but I will not feel incomplete if I don't finish the novel.

This excerpt includes some great interaction between Mel and her mother in the first scene. I like seeing an adolescent who isn't so full of angst she can't be pleasant to her mom on the first day of school.

The dialog between Mel and Tucker is well written, getting across their easy friendship as well as some important details about their physical appearance and their family situations.

The descriptions of the dorm and its inhabitants were interesting and struck a good balance between painting a picture and not bogging down the story.

The mysterious voice that explains why Gina's eyes don't match her smile might be interesting, although it's a bit abrupt and Mel is far too quick to accept it. If I heard a strange voice speaking to me while the world around me remained frozen, I'd be pretty freaked out.

I'm not sure how much I believe Gina's prissy attitude. Hasn't she had roommates in the past at this school? Would she still be so set in her ways, especially about sitting on the bed, after living with someone else for the last year, and maybe more?

This story has an interesting plot so far and is filled with interesting characters, but there are just those couple of things, Mel's acceptance of her strange voice and Gina's uptight attitude, that strike me as strange.

At last an interesting book which deals with real social skills and real feelings of the young adolescent. Ms Clark has created a fun story while modeling excellent writing skills and appropriate language for these readers. Cheers. This is a book parents and grandparents can buy for their kids with pleasure. I can't wait to see "the rest of the story."

You had me at Tangerine! I appreciate the mental stimulation the reader obtains through clever and creative wording to promote a truly vivid world. The characters are well developed and the personalities are very intriguing; I am able to "picture" each character in detail.

Writing a good novel about teenagers is harder than writing just about anything else. There are heavy expectations of a "coming of age" saga and all too many authors think that by saying the character is thirteen and adding a little magic they've created a competitor for Harry or for Holden. I sighed when I saw this was set at a boarding school but the author has hooked me with her characters. I can see each one clearly in my mind's eye: the leggy Mel, her sidekick Tucker, her reserved roommate Gina. My own school had its born politician like Patsy Plaidy (and I laughed hard at this point) and all of us have had a Tiffani Boomshot inflicted upon us at some point (and I groaned in memory).

The author's sure touch and deft humor has me hooked and the material she uses is this: a girl arrives at school, drops in to her new dorm room and meets her new roommate before going to dinner. And I'm riveted just by this! Here is a writer who doesn't have to orphan her character to create a little sympathy or to resort to criminal gangs or violence to create tension. Mel's fingers tingle on occasion and she's heard a mysterious voice. Now I'm concerned...what's behind this? I have to know more!

Having spent 10 years of my life as a career adviser, I can more than appreciate the smart tips and comprehensive information contained in Monster Careers. Well written, laid out in a way that makes it a breeze to explore and digest, filled with effective career strategies and techniques, this book will lead you to your next dream job and help you stay there. Jeff Taylor and Doug Hardy have put together a new classic in the job-hunt genre. Get one for your soon-to-enter-the-workforce son and/or daughter... and pick up a copy for yourself as well.

I've used this book extensively in the last 3 months. It helped me construct a great resume, coached me on interview techniques and etiquette, advised me about salary negotiations, and just centered me in general when I was feeling adrift after a recent, unexpected layoff. I gave this book to a friend in the same situation and she has also found it incredibly helpful. I got my first offer yesterday and I know that I will keep this book as a resource long after I land my next job!

I found "How to Land the Job of Your Life" to be the most valuable resource I used in my job search. I also felt that it would be invaluable for my college aged children to keep as they begin their future job searches. The book kept me motivated during the difficult times and helped to keep me focused. I think everyone should read this book and make it part of their permanent library!

Few people know more about finding the right job than Jeff Taylor, founder of Monster, the world's leading career Web site. Taylor leaves no contact unused in this comprehensive guide, discussing every step of finding a new job, from writing a winning resume to avoiding mistakes during salary negotiations to building a productive network. In addition to his experience, he presents advice from recruiters, human resource professionals and Monster employees. So if he directs you to Monster's Web site a little too insistently, you can forgive him, because his book is so well written, easy to read and full of good advice. It includes a good resource list of books, Web sites and services, as well as useful exercises. We recommend this 400-page monster especially to first-time job seekers, although experienced employees seeking more money, prestige or career satisfaction may also find its tips helpful.

I highly recommend this book for anyone in a job search. The exercises in part 2 "Preparing Your Search" have given me so much more confidence by helping me understand my own accommplishments and value to employers.

It's a little annoying that the book refers to worksheets online that don't appear to actually be available.

About 2 years ago Iread the original Mysterious Benedict Society to my sons and they enjoyed it. Now they are 9 and 10, and I think this sequel was an even better story to share with them. In the original book, there is a series of challenges, puzzles or tests that had to be solved by the protagonists. My boys really enjoyed trying to puzzle these out. After that it was something less of an audience participation mystery. In the Perilous Journey there are clues that Mr. Benedict has hidden for his proteges, that they have to solve if they are going to save him and Number 2 from the clutches of Ledroptha Curtain, Mr. Benedict's nefarious brother. These are spread evenly throughout the book, and with some good old fashioned puzzling and talking we were able to solve them all. My sons really loved this part because it made them feel like they could join the Mysterious Benedict Society themselves. Now I am impatiently awaiting a third installment (and Mr. Curtain's escape virtually assures of another sequel), and looking for other childre's books based on mysteries with clues a young reader can solve for themselves. The only qualm I have with this book at all is that in order to finally escape, Mr. Benedict had to badly trick SQ Pedalian, perhaps ruining his sense of trust, and we never did find out if he was rescued from the island (surely Mr. Benedict would have tried!) or was swept up into Mr. Curtain's circle again. Poor SQ! My sons really liked his bumbling friendliness. I hope Mr. Stewart is gentle with him in the next book.

If you like a refreshing, relaxing read, a bit of whimsey, this might be what you'd want to pick up. Following the the footsteps of first Mysterious Benedict Society book, the youngsters set out on a journey across the ocean to try to solve a puzzle left for them by Mr.Benedict before his kidnapping by his evil twin.

This is the second book of an absolutely wonderful series that I have read aloud to my family. By reading aloud I have (perhaps inadvertantly) developed and created voices for all the different characters that have stayed with us long after we finished the book (which is quite a task!).

Reynie, Kate, Sticky, and Constance have a short period of time to find and save Mr. Benedict. They travel amazing distances in their adventure, and work together by relying on each of their own strengths. If you have not read the first book, I strongly suggest that you start there because it provides information you should know for this book (but is not necessarily required).

I really liked this book for the story and character development. My, how these kids have matured in their respective ways. In particular, I love how Constance grew (emotionally, of course) in this book and how her special talent is in process of being recognized. There is a wonderful tenderness and vulnerability about her in this book that picks up where the first book ended. As a parent, I found myself near tears when reading some of the lines dedicated to her. But it must be said that all the kids grew in this book. Kate, oh how we love Kate, for her athletic ability and I-can-do-this-despite-the-overwhelming-odds attitude. She shines. She makes us laugh. At the end of the book, she demonstrates great wisdom by making a choice that would be hard for any adult to make (or any modern viewer of action films, for that matter). She is simply amazing. My own daughter has taken to carrying her own version of Kate's bucket everywhere she goes. Really. Reynie, too, has a lot to learn in this book. His lessons are layered and multi-faceted. He is a very special person who wrestles with trust and meaning. That is quite a burden for such a guy. He wants to figure things out NOW! Sticky, on the other hand, was not as well developed in this book as the others were. However, that is not to say he didn't mature, he just was a little more smug after being a year away from their triumph at the institution. Sticky does show great fortitude at the end of this book, fully aware of what he beleives he has done to his friends.

There is a darker side to this book that I believe is necessary. The Ten Men are sinister and represent what is known AND what is unknown about the known. There is a very effective shadow that they cast in this book.
And what is to be said about Mr. Curtain? He has great plans, as always. Not good plans, mind you, but great plans for himself.

I was especially interested in S.Q. He is a likable fellow, who was a bit of comic relief in the first book, but has made some choices that he must now learn to live with. There is an especially poinient and painful moment in this book that surrounds him. I am very curious to see where this goes.

Which, as with any good series, is what these two books have developed into. I feel a bit like I did when the orginal Star Wars movies came out, especially after the second one which left us in limbo. I look forward to the next book in great anticipation at the very elusive Curtain and his schemes supported by his cast Ten Men and other agents. However, I also think these kids must save up their energy for whatever is coming next, and to let our own heart rates slow down a bit. Bravo. Well done! This is an excellent read, and should be on your bookshelves!

It's been a year since the Mysterious Benedict Society was last together. Reynie was adopted by his dear tutor, Miss Perumal, Constance was adopted by Mr. Benedict himself, Kate was reunited with her long lost father, Milligan, and Sticky returned to his parents.

Now Mr. Benedict has planned a special surprise for the children in honor of their one year anniversary and as a chance for the four friends to see each other again. Everything goes wrong when Mr. Benedict and one of his trusty companions, Number Two, go missing. The children know that this is the dastardly deed of Mr. Curtain, the same man that caused all of the trouble in the children's last story. With no other option, the children set off on yet another adventure, this time to save the man that they have come to love. With clues left by Mr. Benedict before he was captured and the aid of many friends, the children set off on a great journey in search for Mr. Benedict while being pursued by many of Mr. Curtain's henchmen.

I really enjoyed this book. It definitely lived up to the first book and may have even surpassed it. The magic of the first book returned and I fell in love with the author's style. His choice of words was great and the character development in this book was much better. The only issue I had with this book is the pace wasn't consistent. I felt like at some points I was completely riveted to the book and couldn't put it down, but there were other times where I just couldn't get into the story.

I really liked the way the characters came together in this book. They all had personality and were very likeable. I also loved the adventure the kids went on. They traveled the globe and I was able to learn quite a few things from their different adventures. Another great thing about this book is that it's not necessary to read the first book in the series. While there are a few pieces of information that aren't included, they're not crucial to the story and this book can totally stand on its own.

While this was a middle grade novel, I think older readers will also enjoy it. I know I did. Overall, I really liked this book and I recommend it to you all.

Reviewed by: Tasha

I loved the 1st Mysterious Benedict Society Book. The second one is no let down. It keeps you on the edge of your seat and is worth the read. The riddles Mr. Benedict leaves for the children are so clever I doubt anyone else could come up with the answer. This is a very well written book.

This book is a must read...a great story that is wonderfully written. Anyone who loves a good love story, whether you like historical romances or not, will be quickly captivated. The way the author moves quickly from the past to the present, keeps you turning the pages. Rarely do I find a book, as this one, so well written that I wouldn't changed a thing. You will fall in love with the characters; I'm sure, as I did. I couldn't wait to start to read the next one, "On Sparrow Hill".

This story also has wonderful teaching lessons for living a God, honoring life. Lessons we could all learn from. After reading this book, how could one not view others with disabilities and their families, differently? This book will make you cry and laugh.

I'll be looking forward to reading more of Maureen's books in the future.

I read the first chapter of this book online several weeks ago, and was finally able to get it from inter-library loan this past week. I started the book last night, and could not put it down. I did sleep, but once I woke up this morning, I did not even get on my computer. I just read, stopped to make a PB&J and read. It is now almost four in the afternoon and I am finished. Maureen Lang has quite the affinity for story telling. I was completely entranced by the family heritage story that she was unrolling and could not stop until there was no more. (I'm glad there is a sequel!) As a genealogist myself, I'm very interested in learning of other peoples adventures into their heritage through newspaper entries, letters, or in this case an old diary.

Natalie, or Talie as everyone calls her is the modern mom of America. She attends her contemporary church with her husband and enjoys having her mother and sister near. Mom and baby's social group turns out to be less than she expected... and then she finds a box of heirlooms including a diary. The family legacy lies within the pages and it is not what Talie expected, but it turns out to be a curse that Lord can make into a blessing.

Other than genealogy, at one time I fancied a future as a nurse and genetics is something else that I have found intriguing. This story is one that all families should read. If something comes at you that seems terrible, there is a chance that there is good to come from it. Look for your lemonade in your lemons, and your blessings in your supposed curse.

With her book The Oak Leaves, Maureen writes a compelling tale that most women can relate to. We're nurturers. We want children. Healthy children who will one day give us healthy grandchildren. I know a family who had a daughter who was deaf. Everyone but the parents knew it for years before they had her tested and got her hearing aids. One of my son's didn't talk until he was three. He was my fourth child so I didn't think anything about it until his grandfather started worrying about it.

So I understand when Maureen's character Talie denys that her precious son, Ben is anything but just a little slow. I understand how she wants to protect Ben, her husband and herself from reality as long as she can.

And when she reads her ancestor's diary and learns about the Kennesy legacy, she can deny the truth no longer, I understand why she wants to protect her sister from the Kennesey "curse."

The story leads us though the present day with Talie and takes us back to 1849 as she reads Cosima's journal, making this a parallel story. Cosima wisely writes ". . .love is stronger than fear." This, I believe is the message Maureen would like us to take with us as we finish reading this inspiring book.

Oak Leaves
By: Maureen Lang
This story is as beautiful as the rich gold of oak leaves on an autumn tree. This book is almost like two in one. Maureen mastered the art of telling family history within a modern story in such a way that made all characters, both present and past real.

Talie Ingram found a family treasure, the journal of her great-great grandmother. She discovered within the pages a history of her family. As she began her journey into the past her heart thrilled at the chance to find out about her Irish heritage. But the joy was short-lived. Within the pages she discovered a sad family history which unraveled the very fabric of her life.

She and Luke had the perfect marriage and a beautiful son and another baby on the way. But what she read within her ancestor Cosima Escott's journal threatened to destroy her world. Was it possible that she passed the frightening genetics to her children?

Maureen Lang has written a story from her heart directly to yours. It is written to the place in every heart that looks to God with doubt and frustration when life does not go as planned or expected. And within this story that crosses generations and enters its precious message into the reader's heart that with God we can grow through all and whatever comes our way.
Chandra Lynn Smith

I am a mother of 2 children with fragile X syndrome. This book hits the emotions on the head. And then it's not just all about fragile X. Its about a pure love that can be found in our life. Everyone could enjoy this engaging novel.

Unbelievably inspiring. I challenge you to compare his reading with any one else's or your own in your head. He makes it alive. Not perfect, mind you. You'll find yourself suggesting to him in certain spots that he missed the meaning by putting some emphasis or other on the wrong words. Nevertheless, you know you couldn't do better overall. A real treasure.

Great for a long drive or while driving cross town in Manhattan. You can debate the issues of suffering with Milton in your head.

Sure do wish it were the whole work.

Contains extensive information in the introduction that is lends an understanding to anyone reading any of Milton's work. This particular version is very inexpensive, and contains everything one would need to understand PL. Excellent!

My review is of the library binding edition released by Buccaneer Books. It is a very plain and small volume which is wonderfully bound. It contains nothing but the poem itself (including the prose arguments) with the original spelling and punctuation. That means no notes, commentary, or introduction, so if you're looking for lots of in-text help, this isn't what you want. The Fowler, Hughes, or Norton editions are all laden with helpful material like that. But if you just want to experience Milton's masterpiece alone, this is a lovely edition. I found that the book could be purchased much more cheaply if I ordered directly from the publisher's website.

Milton in Paradise Lost unfurls a morning star banner heralding the cosmic story of the fall of angels and men in language eminently civil. I am sure that Homer and Dante were Milton's schoolmasters yet Milton almost exceeds them in the slendid language and poetry of this epic creation. Philip Pullman said "No one, not even Shakespeare, surpasses Milton in his command of the sound, the music, the weight and taste and texture of English words". This is a poem of majesty and sublime lyricism as in Milton's description of Mulciber falling:
"from Morn
To Noon he fell, from Noon to dewy Eve,
A Summer's day; and with the setting Sun
Dropt from the Zenith like a falling Star".
Each book of Paradise Lost is introduced with an argument, or summary. These arguments were written by Milton and added because early readers had requested a guide to the poem. Milton's purpose in this masterpiece is to tell about the fall of man and justify God's ways to man. When the angels battle in heaven at one point they pull up mountains and hills and throw them at each other: "So Hills amid the Air encounterd Hills Hurl'd to and fro with jaculation dire, That under ground, they fought in dismal shade." After their coup attempt in heaven Satan and the other rebel angels are lying stunned on a lake of fire. Satan rises from the lake and makes his way to the shore. He calls the other angels to do the same, and they assemble by and above the lake. Satan tells them that all is not lost and tries to cheer his followers. Led by Mammon and Mulciber, the fallen angels build their capital and palace Pandemonium. They decide to get at God through his new creation and Satan sets off on this mission. In reading Paradise Lost the poem reads the reader while being read. What I mean is that Milton lets his readers go awry in their affections and he corrects and instructs those misreadings as well as anticipates them. In this way the poem becomes a live text with meaning apprehended through the interplay between the peruser of the poem and the text itself. Milton allows the reader to subjectively question the justice of the current religious paradigm and then leads them back to the perspicacity of deity. Ultimately Paradise Lost is Milton's paean to a vast pattern in the universe, the disruption of that pattern by rebels, and the weaving of those rebellion threads back into an ever more beautiful tapestry.

This is a great book about the simplicity of prayer, anytime... anywhere..
Joyce's teaching has impacting me in a great way and this book is solid teaching on prayer.

The chapter on love has answered many questions I had. I am a Christian seeking to be more and more like my Divine Father and this book has helped me. I recommend this book to anyone who is a christian and those who has an open mind to Divine truths and who seek a deep fellowship with God.

I know the title might not sound that juicy. Prayer is not that exciting. Wrong! Read this book if you want to wash away all the garbage you believe about not praying good enough or correctly. Joyce encourages us to identify the originator of all those thoughts and he lives down below. An encouragment to read.

Joyce Meyer has a great way of getting her point across in this book. She is so down to earth and explains things so clearly for everyone to understand. I know how to pray but I have learned so much more from reading this book.
Everyone should spend the time and the money to read this book it will open many doors for you to GOD!!!
Please read it is.... sensational!!!

I really Loved this Book it helped alot.I need a note book for all i learned and want to high light!!recommend greatly!!!

If you are a dormant Christian as I am and are looking to ignite your spiritual life, this is a great book to start with. I accidentally ran in to this book when I needed it most. I could say, I had hit rock bottom, and this book gave me a lift. I am now in a mission of reading all of Joyce Myers books and finding the purpose of my life.

Thank you Joyce!