Ally Sheedy Books

The publisher claims that this book is "a work of fiction".
If only that were the case. Then the contents in it wouldn't break your heart. Save for her poem on abortion ("Local Anesthesia"), I believe everything to be true, based on her own experiences. It is obvious to me that there is no role she can play whose life experiences would be more horrific than her own. Ally's poems on domestic violence give you a vision of pure hell.
She is a survivor. She gives a new definition to the word. If you are a fan then this book is a must. Your heart truly will be extended to her as you read her book. And when you watch her movies you will look at her with heartfelt compassion. This is the affect that it has had on me. Be prepared to cry.

This book was published (back in 1991) to cash in on the author's fame as a movie star. It consists of free verse meditation on Ms Sheedy's inner feelings--- which sounds like it should be hideous. However, she has a good ear, and she is a relatively intelligent movie star, and the poems are actually interesting.

critics were prepared to pan this because it was written by a famous actress. the work, however, is honest with brillant imagery and keen insight. I have used the book in college courses and find it inspiring.

Intially I read the book my senior year in high school when it first appeared in 1991. I still adhere to my original opinion and find the work painfully raw which in most cases would drown the message out in other books, but here in so few pages is a honeycomb; filled with both the sting of life's hardships and the rich of their rewards. Where most poets would leave off their insecurites and misfortune, by cleverly disguising with metaphore and carefully constructed phrases. This poet manages to create out of a lifetime more than just a story but a journey of the lonely pilgrimage in which we all quest. There's an overwhelming sincerity in each line, granted there is no regard to basic poetic structure but only a scholar would notice. Most people who have read the book would enjoy what I enjoyed about it: human struggle.

Emotionally raw and free of standard poetic justifications Ms. Sheedy delivers to us in quite simple honesty all the angst and despair of addictions and cages, both those placed upon her and those she's adopted as her own. Some passages are haunting, giving me cause to pause and wonder if she had lead specific moments of my own life, and undoubtedly moments from scores of others. I applaud this work, not completely on artistic merit, but more importantly for its depth and the author's ability to convey to us, the average reader, what an unsettled existence all the so-called riches of life can bring. I look forward to reading her next volumn.

I was a bit stunned when I read this book. I had gotten it from the library on recommendation through a history program we were using for my 3rd grader and couldn't believe it was intended for that age group or any kid for that matter!

Parts of the book referred quite freely to Queen Elizabeth's "love" life. It mentioned the Queen's "favorite" was a man named Essex and how he was the first to dance with the queen, eat with the Queen and even sleep with her. The mouse narrator goes on to describe an evening in the Queen's bedchamber where Essex was hiding under the Queen's bed all the while she was getting undressed. The mouse described everything the Queen took off and when she was in her robe, Essex came out from under the bed and surprised her. The Queen was upset but soon invited Essex to stay. The mouse discreetly left, but went to bed thinking about what the Queen and Essex were doing just then.

In a later part of the book, the mouse narrater is asking another mouse what happened between the Queen and Essex the night before in her bed chamber (a different night)and the mouse said he didn't know, he didn't stay to watch. The mouse narrater teases the other mouse saying he'd make a poor envoy.

Throughout the book Essex shows interest in the Queen's niece and the Queen gets jealous. The struggle with this love triangle is part of the storyline.

I just thought those kinds of things were inappropriate for this age group. I realize it's not far from the truth, but it's too early to be exposed to those kinds of things. I can't fathom a parent letting their 12 yr. old publish such stuff, much less a publishing company taking it on.

-Jeanne

This a book about England's glory days and one of the few women who ruled England alone. It also tells a story of the mice who lived in the palace and witnessed all that went on inside. It begins with a mouse who lives in a house near Buckingham Palace. She recieves an old diary of one of her ancestors, who lived during the rein of Elizabeth the First. The story tells of Elizabeths's life and the political situation at the time, and also of the way she protected the mice who lived in the palace. The story has some twists, and also details the lifestyles of the court. I would reccomend this book if you like children's fiction, have an eye for detail, and enjoy stories of the Middle Ages.

I read this book when i was 14. I found out that Ally was only a child herself when she wrote it and that alone encouraged me to write. I think this is a great influence to use with children to let them realize that they can do some things just like adults, and get paid for it if they just put their imagination to work. I've since forgotten most of the book, i remember it was a bit beyond my comprehension at the time. But i do remember i enjoyed it.

From a mouse-eye point of view, tales are told of fun and folic in Queen Elizabeth I's court. It seems that Queen Elizabeth had a liking for mice, hence the mice's fascinating involvement in the court. This book is a wonderful read for all ages, a splendidly vivid, magificantly creative endeavor. The drawings are delightful and the prose is fluid, witty and wry. Sheedy is brilliant; the book is perfect. "She Was Nice To Mice" is a majorly enjoyable book that should be a classic along the lines with with Stuart Little.

While I agree that this may not be one of his greatest, I enjoyed the book. I try not to compare all of his books with his Cross series, because many of them lose hands down, but in his typical way he put out any fair read (albeit a rewrite). I like is short chapters. Patterson writes good "waiting for the doctor" books as I don't have to worry about having to stop in the middle of the chapter when my name gets called.

I really enjoyed the book, it's a real page turner. The overall story though, was a bit brief.

This book was the first Patterson book I read and I couldn't put it down. It was a true page turner that left me satisfied at the end. If you are looking for a quick read that will not disappoint this is it.

I Loved this book, I thought JESTER another of my ALL TIME favorites of Patterson's was one of his best, simply because its not in the norm for his writing style. He usually covers crime and serial killers which are also great. But when I need a break from real life stuff, his books like Maxium Ride series and Jester were perfect. Cradle and all is an interesting twist on a ''new coming of christ'' and I think he put an extremely interesting and creative twist on a difficult subject. You dont have to believe in christianity to read this book, it simply covers the grounds of what if a messanger of god was born? I recommend this and also Jester(which covers the holy crusades)

After having been a devoted fan of James Patterson's books, and not only his Alex Cross and "Women's Murder Club" series, I was terribly disappointed and frustrated with this book. I bought it without having read the synopsis, since at the time I automatically pre-ordered all Patterson's novels.

The book seemed to hold some promise at the beginning, but any hope of improvement quickly dissolved. To me the whole idea was strange. Two 15 year old virgins, one supposed to be pregnant with God's child, the other with the child of the Devil! One girl comes from a rich American family, the other a poor Irish village. The pregnancies are followed closely by the catholic church, in order to find out which girl is giving birth to the Saviour and vice versa.

At the same time the world is struck with plagues and disasters, a further sign of a threatening struggle between good and evil.

I have never liked religious fantasies, and found this book simply awful. Religion mixed with supernatural phenomena and media frenzy. The powerful Vatican and almost hysterical worship by Irish catholics. A nun turned detective did not sit well with me either. An attempt at something new, perhaps, but not a successful one.

When I read this book, I had of course come to rely on James Patterson for first class intelligent entertainment, masterfully written. The more huge the disappointment.

There have been other Patterson disappointments after this one, most of them written together with co-authors or, to my knowledge, simply only edited by Patterson and carrying his name on the cover. "Step on a Crack" together with Michael Ledwidge is the only book I have enjoyed the last couple of years. Far from Patterson on top form, but passable.

How I wish James Patterson would get back to write as he did when he gave us red roses, blue violets etc. Such a talented author and all this rubbish. Sad.

The book jacket is very beautiful though.