Publishers Books

I just came across this book at a garage sale last week. I liked the title and the art work. (Yeah,I'm guilty of judging a book by it's cover art) I've only begun reading it, but if a prologue and the first chapter can get me intrigued to read on, then I'm banking on it being a great way to spend my 50 cents. I'm a page away from chapter 2. So far, so good, and I'm sure it'll be worth 5 stars. Di's books will no doubt be favorites for me to look for, and I'm eager to catch up on the ones I've missed.

This story is full of enchantment and will keep you in another time and era until the end! A must-read indeed!

I came across this book by accident and couldn't believe what a superb story it was. Like others who have read it, I didn't want it to end. It was enchanting and so unpredictable, which is great. Di Morrissey is an excellent writer. I have looked for her other books but were told they're not available in th U.S. I can't wait until they are.

I was so enthralled with Tears of the Moon that the day I finished reading it I went on a search for more books by Di Morrissey. She is a phenomenal storyteller! It is rare to read a book and not figure out where the author is headed, but Lily's story was wrought with twists, turns, and unexpected connection throughout her life's story. I loved it so much I convinced my 17 year old daughter to read it for her next school review...she did and loved it as much as I did.

This author is a born storyteller. She weaves a spellbinding story of a young woman, Lily Burton who, upon the death of her mother, embarks upon a search for her roots. The only link with her past is a beautiful mother-of-pearl pendant with distinctive markings. Her voyage of discovery takes her to western Australia and a town called Broome. It is there that she finds her great-grandmother Olivia's diary and discovers the rich, though startling, truth about her family and its heritage.

This is a vastly entertaining book that transports the reader to the hardscrabble world of late nineteenth century western Australia, which finds young, pregnant Olivia Hennessey and her husband, Conrad, newly arrived from England, embarking upon a journey and adventure of a lifetime. There, they would meet Captain John Tyndall, a handsome and dashing adventurer with whom they would forge a thriving business alliance that would later transform itself into something else for both Olivia and the Captain. These star-crossed lovers would find that the path to true love is not an easy one.

This is an exciting story told against the backdrop of Australia's pearling industry of the time. It is an adventure story laced with romance, as well as an epic family saga. It is a story that will keep the reader riveted to the pages of this book, as Lily's search for her family's heritage unfolds. This book is an enthralling work of romantic historical fiction.

This story takes place in a mountainous region of rural Kentucky around 1881. For our main character we are introduced to Copper, a red-haired sixteen-year-old girl struggling through her teenage years. After causing the readers to become familiar with the current setting and family structure, Ms. Watson transports the readers back in time using a wonderful technique called flashback. Through this process, we become over-filled with emotion as we meet Will (Copper's father), Julie (Copper's mother), and Grace (Copper's step-mother). We are then returned to the current time and place with a strong emotional attachment to all characters in this book and then the story continues...

From the moment I opened this book and read the first paragraph I was captivated and knew that this book was to be refreshing. Full of love, heartache, laughter, and tears. Boy, was I right! Troublesome Creek is the best fictional novel that I have had the pleasure of reading in a very long time and I could not and would not put it down until I reached the end.

This novel was full of plot-twist, family devotion, faith, humor, tragedy, forgiveness, and romance! I found myself crying & spontaneously laughing out loud. Not only do I recommend Troublesome Creek, but I can not wait to read the following two books in this series. Willow Springs and Torrent Falls.

I was very happy with this book and anxious to read the next two. I was not disappointed. This series was excellent.

This first book by Jan Watson is enthralling, heart warming, and just plain great! You get so involved in Copper's life that you can't stop reading. Jan totally nails the language of the people in the hills of Kentucky and describes the area so well, you think you're there with Copper and her family. I loved this book and can't wait for Jan to write more!

Everything is in this book: romance, faith, tragedy,danger.

A coming of age story taking place in the late 1800s in the mountains of Kentucky at Troublesome Creek. The story centers around Copper, a teenager who lives with her Dad, Stepmom, and younger twin brothers.

There are many funny happenings in this story especially because of the young twins, Willy and Daniel. They are quite humorous.

Copper loves living in hese mountains and is very close to her young brothers and very helpful to the whole family. These people have a great faith and always looking for ways to live the way God wants them to.

Copper faces the biggest crossroads of her life when she meets young Dr. Simon Corbett. Her passions run as deep as Troublesome Creek, but will her heart lead to calmer waters?

This is the first of a trilogy. Book 2 is "Willow Springs" and Book 3 is "Torrent Falls".

Looking forward to reading these books as soon as I can.

This book has touched me in such a deep, incredible way. I'm not one to cry in books, but this one had me crying all the way through! The characters are so alive and so real. The stories are so sweet and so tragic and so incrdibly touching. The book touched a spot in my heart that hasn't "felt" in a long time. I HIGHLY recommend this book, and I cannot wait to begin reading the swquel.

The book really speaks to the most urgent problem in todsy's workplace in my view: lack of trust. As we are all asked to do more with less (time, people and money), it is more important than ever to establish and sustain trust in the workplace. The techniques and skills set forth in the book are applicable to every walk of life. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to improve their relationships with others, as well as with themselves.

Hi - this book has helped me explain to my employees and colleagues the importance of trust in the work place and how we can enhance it.

We've probably all experienced that really bad job that drained every bit of creativity, energy, and enthusiasm we had. Perhaps you had that overbearing boss who had unrealistic expectations or that supervisor who wouldn't just trust you do your work. Maybe you worked in a place where suggestions or attempts to solve problems were quickly quashed or met with anger.

Trust and Betrayal in the Workplace unequivocally illustrates that such situations not only make the job a hassle but also inhibit the potential productivity of all employees. Basically, as the employee realizes that he or she (or others around them) is being devalued, he or she becomes less committed to doing the best job possible.

Dealing with the resulting morale issue is extremely challenging. Even if the actual problem is addressed, often lost trust is difficult to repair. For instance, if the company attempts to encourage employees to report potential problems, few will likely come forward because they can't possibly believe that they won't get yelled at or have their issues ignored once again. Trust and Betrayal in the Workplace explains that this situation need not be futile. There are ways to rebuild trust and address past issues to create a stronger, more productive business.

This is an excellent work that cuts through the typical babble that fills many pages of others books on the subject of trust. The content is exceeding meaty. The organization of the material is first-rate. One of the very best books on the subject. Highly recommended!

The Reina's develop understandable definitions and offer a well researched and thought out framework for both the development and practice of trust. They also offer practical and accessible vignettes and case studies illustrating the 'trust behaviors' that are so crucial to effective organizations and relationships.

Probably the most powerful part of the book is the section on Betrayal. Betrayal is a huge factor in our lives and we rarely talk about it. This book offers a language, method, and solution for both talking about betrayal and beginning the process of healing from it.

This is an important book for people interested in getting to the root of systemic problems in institutions, families, and relationships.

I highly recommend it!

Although I wasn't bored with this book, I felt that it missed a lot of potential and ended anticlimactically. What could have become a story of international intrigue was ultimately just another Christian romance novel. It's too bad the Christian book world rarely dares to be more.

Lara is a young woman who just lost her husband to cancer. She desperately wants to have HIS baby. So, after a few months have passed, she approaches her doctors to use frozen sperm and fertilize her egg so she can have this dream child. Unknown to her, a billionaire who wants to live forever, has bought his way into the lives of those around her, and she ends up deceived, used and humiliated.

On the run, Lara never forgets the neighbor man who delivered her baby and she returns to him for help. A high profile trial is probably the peak of this book.

Angela Hunt certainly knows how to write a mystery book!!!

Angela Hunt is one of my favorite Christian authors! THis book keeps you going to the end.

"The Truth Teller" is a great novel. The characters are very believable and the dialogue is well done. The story involves a young widow who wishes to have a baby. Her late husband has left a sperm sample, but he died of cancer. Should she risk the pregnancy? Complicating it all is an evil and rich man. This smooth operator with a hidden agenda plans to use and exploit Lara, by having her become pregnant with DNA from an "iceman" who froze to death thousands of years ago.
The story is GREAT! Many plots twists and turns. I loved it.

This is a fun read for everyone. The fight of the "regular man" against the rich-and-above-the-law is similar to the style of John Grishm. The science fiction resembles a mix of Jurassic Park and Charmed. Theologians are given many deep levels and thoughtful questions to ponder. Christians will appreciate the positive representation of the Bible-believing faith.

These books are good, even if you are really interested in historical accuracy. The great thing about them is they can really inspire one to do their own research and learn themselves about what was going on during that time. The interactions between the characters and famous historical figures aren't factual, of course, but the major events are accurate. These books really inspired me to do my own research and to visit the cities that the characters inhabit. I really enjoyed reading them, so if you love history, don't let the fiction aspect scare you away, it often serves as a fun backdrop in which real learning can take place.

If you start reading this series, you will not be able to put the books down! Against the backdrop of pre-WWII Europe, the Thoenes create characters that are true to life, and that you can't help but root for -- or against. These books are incredibly well-researched and well written, and a great investment of your time and money. You won't be disappointed!

I'll say that the books are interesting. They definitely have that in their favor. However, I have just finished reading some of the other online reviews for the Zion Covenant Series, and it seems that everyone loved them instantly, without finding anything to criticize about them. Well, I'll give you a more critical opinion to help guide you in your book purchases:

If you DON'T care for books in which....
1. ...the characters are very stereotypical;
2. ...the authors take great liberties with the thoughts, words, and actions of actual historical figures and make them say and do things that you know they never did, or would have done;
3. ...the main characters are great pals with the actual historical figures, and are rich, are beautiful, are witty- in short, have absolutely everything they need to accomplish the story and aren't very believable;
4. ...the plot isn't believable;
Then, these books might not be just right for you.

Yes, the books are very interesting. The plots aren't very believable, but they are interesting. The history contained in them is written well, and the books are worth reading for that alone. Unfortunately, these books are more of the same historical fiction in which overall unbelievability prevails, and that spoiled the books for me. Now, if you are not picky about having great people in history meddled with (for example, at one point in the third book Winston Churchill gets involved in a plot to kidnap the heroine, because she would be so exceedingly valuable as a spy for the Allies), and you don't worry about the other points in my list either, then you probably will like the books. For reading for amusement, they are fine. But if you want really great historical fiction, I wouldn't suggest the Zion Covenant.

Vienna Prelude is the first book in an amazing series. The characters are intriguing and Thoene's ability to show the struggle of the Jewish resistance in pre-WWII Europe is incredible.

I have only recently been introduced to Bodie Thoene, but I became an instant fan with Vienna Prelude. Some of the twists in the book had my mouth dropping open. In the world of espionage, you don't know who to trust and who not to--these books brought that alive. They are written about a time before even my parents were born, and it's mouth-droolingly interesting to see what could have happened in this totally foreign world. I've never read anything like these and am in the process of buying all of Thoene's books. I'm even buying for my mother and telling everyone else about them. OUTSTANDING READ!

Like millions of others, I read this book for the first time when I was in the Fourth grade and I absolutely fell in love with it. I felt like I had been transported in time and I wished that I could take a journey like Maureen did. (This could account for my love of victorian houses) I checked this book out of the library so many times that the Librarian had to convince me to read any other books. As an adult I went in search of it again only to find it was out of print. I checked amazon.com over and over again, hoping it would be reprinted and to my surprise I found it!!! Only it is no longer called "Wicked Pigeon Ladies in the Garden" it can now be found under the title "The Wicked, Wicked Ladies in the Haunted House". It is the same great story, only it has a new name. Personally, I prefer the original title, but I am happy to have it in my hands once again. Go forth and find it and may your children (or inner child) enjoy it as much as I do.

I too, have fond memories of reading this book waaay back in the 4th grade...It was the first book which really made me feel like I was THERE...in a different time and place. Now that I have a 4th grade daughter who also loves to read as much as I do, I'm happy to see that this title will be back in print. I can't wait to read it again !

I bought a new, hardcover copy of this book from Powells.com, with the title "The Wicked, Wicked Ladies in the Haunted House." The price was approximately $16.00.

Like everyone else, I came to this book in the mid-70s when I was in about 4th grade. I got it from Scholastic Books back then.

Unlike most everyone else, I just found the book in my parents' attic, and screened it before considering reading it to my five-year-old. The tale is suspenseful without being violent, and that is quite an accomplishment. Also, the protagonist is a 9-year-old, which helps kids relate even better. My five-year-old looks forward to our nightly readings, and there are just enough drawings to stimulate his imagination further. (He's made it through "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" and "The Magician's Nephew" already, so he's able to handle the fantasy storyline.)

I would recommend the book for children that are able to handle scary situations without falling apart. The language is also easy but not "dumbed down" for kids, so any child who reads the book should feel good about finishing such a grown-up type book. It will stimulate the imagination, and the "time travel" section does a good job of suggesting a late 19th century reality, which is even FURTHER removed for today's kids than it was for me and many of the reviewers that preceded me.

So, for all you who remember Ingrid saying over and over "Give me my bracelet," good luck finding the book and passing it on. I'm lucky enough to be doing so already!

In 1988, when I was attending the fourth grade, our teacher (name long since forgotten) began reading us a story that has stuck in my mind ever since. Over the years I remembered odd snippets of the story. The old abandoned house. The portraits of beautiful women that moved. The shoe repairing leprechaun in the garden. It was only recently that I decided to track down this story and reread it for myself. You see, my fourth grade teacher never finished "The Wicked Pigeon Ladies In the Garden" (since renamed "The Wicked Wicked Ladies In the Haunted House") and, when last heard from, the heroine of the story was in dire straights.

In this tale, a bratty young girl gets the ultimate comeuppance. Having broken into an abandoned old mansion, she quickly finds herself at odds with the horrible inhabitants. When Maureen (the aforementioned girl) steals a bracelet belonging to one of the long lost daughters of the house, she sets off a chain of events that takes her back in time. Along the way, she makes the acquaintance of a leprechaun, who offers her the only way possible back home to her family.

So I reread the story in its entirety. Originally published in 1968, I was disappointed to find the writing mediocre. For some reason, author Mary Chase was excellent at making memorable characters and plot points while not being particularly good at writing itself. In this story, seven vain sisters from the Victorian era break their parents' hearts by turning themselves into pigeons and flying away. The leprechaun muses that perhaps a greater good will come of it. Unfortunately, that greater good is apparently the same moral Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz" learned. Namely, teaching our heroine that there's no place like home. So ruining the lives of two people is worth one young bratty girl learning a lesson. Mmm hmm. There are other problems as well. I remember being very confused as a child as to the fact that the girl, Maureen, is never helped by the one pigeon lady who she was nice to. And then there's just the writing itself. It's not awful. But any kid who's suddenly thrown into the past is going to catch on pretty quickly that they aren't in the present day. For Maureen, it takes roughly 36 hours.

This isn't a terrible story, mind you, but there are better ones out there. Still, there's no arguing with the fact that this book made a huge impression on me when I was young. For the kid interested in mysterious goings on and ladies in beautiful evening gowns, this book is a great read. So sayeth my former 10 year-old self.

This is one that you want to savor and read again and again. Well written, it evokes the sights and smells of the South and Caribbean in the early days. You hate to see the characters grow old and things change as Wilder weaves you into the lives you are loathed to leave. I will keep this one close, to reread often.

The book is BIG, but is easy reading, and the characters soon seem more like friends. You'll find yourself continually referring to the family tree.

I bought my book at a Daytona Beach flea market for 10 cents. The price on the cover of this 1964 Bantam Book is $1.95. But it's well worth todays price!

Thank you Robert Wilder (1901-1974) for one of the best books ever written!

It was lying on the floor. I picked it up while waiting for the dryer to finish. In those 15 minutes I got hooked, and never stopped reading for three days. That was about 40 years ago, I know it was in the 1960s. Most marvelous story book I ever have read. Would like to read it again, since after so long it would be a new book again. Lucky you if you have not read it yet. Enjoy pls.

As my eyes were scanning the final sentences of this epic tale, I somberly realized that I was at the last moments of saying goodbye to a new friend, wishing that we had just a few more minutes together. I whimsically bought this book, having never heard of it and without reading any review. Immediatley, I experienced that feeling of pleasant surprize as I held in my hand a treasure I had accidently unearthed. The characters are superbly developed and subliminally creep into your thoughts hours after you put the book down and as you go about your daily affairs. You wonder what Bahama and David will do next, or what spellbinding adventure Juan Cadiz will embark upon when the sun rises again. To me, the mark of a good book has always been to what extent you vicariously identify with - or aspire to emulate - the characters. As this book nears its end, you are left with a papable sense of nostalgia, yearning to, again, re-live life with these wonderful people. Now, I glance at the bookshelf often to find that re-assurance that my friends, the Cameron family, et al, are still there waiting for our next visit together! READ THIS BOOK.

A wonderful book, anyone who has been to the gorgeous,
captivating waters of the Bahamas ... Exumas will find
a special tug at their hearts in this book. Anyone who
had family that left the states seeking another way of
life will feel the magnetic pull of this book. Anyone
who ever dreamed of living in the almost indescrible
beauty of the islands will understand it all. One of my
favorite books of all time, it is an unforgetable journey
when you travel with the characters in this book. The best!

This is the wrap-up volume of the author's "Bromeliad" trilogy (the title of which has to do with tiny Amazonian frogs living in tree-top flowers, who know nothing about the world at large, or even that it exists) -- though it runs parallel, actually, to the second volume, which followed the exploits of Grimma and the nomes who stayed behind at the quarry while Masklin and a couple of others went to investigate the nearby airport. Now it turns out that, in their quest for the Ship waiting for thousands of years somewhere out in space, the three bickering adventurers have managed to stowaway aboard the Concorde and have gotten to Miami and then to Cape Canaveral. There, they meet other nomes, much more widely traveled than themselves (thanks to migrating geese), get close to a rocket launch, and make use of the Thing to contact the Ship. As always, Pratchett tells a delightful, very humane story with lots of humor (the nomes tend to be VERY literal), while at the same time commenting on subjects like interspecies relations, religious dogma, and the whole point of society. Written for adolescents but enjoyable for any thinking reader.

DON'T READ THIS BOOK INTILL YOU READ THE FIRST TWO BOOKS IN THE BROEIMLEAD TRILOGY. This book is about when Masklin (a nome) trys to find this one ship that while supposedly send the nomes to a different planet. This ship is faster than light. The one thing that leads them their is a thing. This thing is like a box with lots of electric inside, and only if this thing is by something that is powered by electric it works. Now in this book Masklin, Gurder, Angalo, and the thing go out to find the ship. At the beginning they fly on a airplane to Florida. When they get their they find more nomes (which they never knew that there was any other nomes). Now they have get the ship to them somehow. Read this wing of a book to find if they find the ship.

My Dad has been reading Terry Pratchett books and he thought I'd like this one. He was right! You should read this book , because it is very funny and exciting. The book is about three nomes that got stuck on Earth and need to take a space shuttle home. The nomes get a lot of useful help from Thing, a machine. But too bad when Thing runs out of "pow" (power)!
I don't have the first two books from this trilogy but I am getting them next!

In Diggers, the nomes living in a quarry found themselves besieged by humans. In the end, Masklin rescued them with nothing short of a miracle. This book is the story of that miracle.

This book is so funny that I often found myself laughing out loud while reading it. Not only that, the action is gripping, and the ending is touching. This book is a wonderful buy.

The Bromeliad trilogy soars to a grand finale with "Wings," the companion volume to "Truckers" and "Diggers." This tale runs parallel to the second book of the series, and brimming over with Terry Pratchett's usual wit and satire... and a mild dose of insanity.

Now that humans are returning to the quarry where the tiny nomes live, the nomes must somehow find a new place to live -- and fast. So Masklin is following the instructions of the Thing (a computer who is smarter than all the other characters put together) and going on a secret mission with Angalo and the Abbot to Florida.

After they sneak aboard the Concorde, freak out the stewardess and hijack the plane, the nomes learn that none other than Richard Arnold (grandson of Arnold Bros, founder of The Store) is on board. Now they must somehow send the Thing into space, so it can contact the spaceship and whisk the nomes away. Easy? No way.

Technically, anybody who has read the end of "Diggers" will know exactly what will happen in "Wings." But like flying on the Concorde, it's the ride that's half the thrill. "Wings" is a little tighter and funnier than its predecessors, partly because it has a much smaller cast -- the small bickering trio, plus the Thing. It doesn't get much better than that.

The nomes are fun protagonists, partly because they're so likably naive about the world in general. If they were left alone, they would probably produce a cute little civilization, and their naivete produces plenty of entertaining humor (Concerning the sound barrier: "All right, own up. Who broke it?"). Pratchett manages to make us laugh with the nomes, not at that.

The long-suffering Masklin has a new slew of problems the moment he leaves, ranging from the Thing refusing to talk to him to Angalo razzing the stewardesses. Atheistic Angalo and the abbot just avoid biting out each other's throat. But it's the Thing's dry, superior guidance that really steals the show.

Pratchett brings his Bromeliad trilogy to a close full of action, suspense, and frogs. A witty and wild ride on the Concorde, and not one to be missed.

Simplicity. Clarity.
Beautifully put together book. One of the best I have ever red.
Speaks for itself.
Nothing more to say.

My husband bought this for me for Christmas. We're faced with giving birth in February to a child who will require several open heart surgeries. I've been struggling with the anticipation and fear - mostly of the unknown. It's made the days hard to get through.

I've picked up this book no less than 10 times in the few hours since he's given it to me, and each page contains a small wisdom that reminds me to focus on where I am at this moment - even if it means embracing the anger and the fear. Each page is a gentle reminder that the moment is where we are; to dwell in the unknown is to miss living fully in the now. All the rest, everything before and beyond the now, is out of our control - and this book makes that concept a little less frightening.

Highly recommended.

I'm very happy to have encountered this little book... its size is conversely related to the wisdom of its content.
It has openned my eyes to a "new" reality and little by little is opening my heart to the present moment and nothing else.
The quotes or stories come from very different backgrounds and authors, all pointing to the same direction (or no direction at all) No matter what you believe or don't believe please allow your heart to enjoy the wisdom that you will find in this book, or more accurately, in you own heart.

Very inspiriting. Great read daily to give a person focus.

I love Josh Baran's 365 Nirvana Here and Now. The first time through, I read it linearly. Now I pick it up when I desire a dose of truth, a moment of contemplation. Each of the short selections is rich in an of itself. Additional golden nuggets from Baran provide a deepening of experience, a context that reaches across traditions. A comprehensive, thoughtful and lovely book.

Thirteen-year-old Mary Chilton has lived in Leyden, Holland almost her entire life; she was not yet three years old when her family fled England in search of religious freedom. But neither England nor Holland feels like her real home to Mary. She has always longed for a place to truly belong. When her parents decide to join other English Separatists living in Holland who are planning to settle in the New World, she feels a mixture of sorrow at leaving behind friends, neighbors, and her three adults sisters, and joy at the thought that she might finally find a place to call home. But the sea voyage on the Mayflower is long and dangerous, filled with storms and sickness, and the difficulties do not end when they finally reach the New World.

Wendy Lawton has brought to life the story of Mary Chilton, a real girl who was a passenger on the Mayflower in 1620. I really enjoyed this book, and I highly recommend it to readers who enjoy historical fiction, particularly those who have a special interest in the Pilgrims or Colonial America.

Wendy Lawton transports us back to the voyage of the Mayflower through the eyes of young Mary Chilton. Her experiences and those of her family give us a first hand look at the trials and obstacles that had to be overcome for them to reach this country. Not usually a reader of historical fiction, I was captivated by the well-written and accurate story of the Chilton family. Wendy Lawton had done her homework! Her extensive research not only informs the reader but educates the reader about his heritage in a fast-paced and easily followed style. Definitely a good read for old and young!

I was hooked from the first page. These books are a joy to read. They keep you interested and inspired. I think every young person should read at least one in this series, when they read one they will want to read more. I plan to pass my copies to all my friends.

"The last time Mary saw her English home she stood tiptoe on a wooden crate so she could peer over the salty-tasting rail. ...The stone walls and arched bridges guarding the town of Sandwich eventually faded into the shimmer of water as the flap, flap, flap of sails being unfurled signaled that she was headed into the unknown."

Wendy Lawton is fast becoming a favorite author due to her exquisite storytelling skills. Through the eyes of thirteen-year-old Mary Chilton, we experience the struggles and triumphs of the Separatists (early Pilgrims) in ALMOST HOME, the third tale in the "Daughters of the Faith" series published by Moody. Lawton expertly handles historical details with insight and sensitivity, such as how the Church of England, "though still called a church...was not a place where people often met Christ or deepened their faith." And later, when the Mayflower lands at Plymouth and the newcomers fear the natives, Mary and her friends conclude, "Some of the stories of savagery may be true, just as they are for our people. Other parts of the stories may arise from lack of understanding...who is to say that God, if we are indeed following His leading in coming here, is not, even now, working in the hearts of some of these who look like savages to us?" This sets the stage for Samoset and Squanto, Native Americans who later assist the settlers. This type of careful thoughtfulness flows just under the surface of this well-written account.

Lesser known facts appear as well, such as the travelers starting their voyage with two ships, but serious leakage problems on the Speedwell force all 102 passengers onto the Mayflower. We also catch a glimpse of the conflict between travelers on board, widely divided by their beliefs--the religious Separatists and the non-believing Strangers.

This book is excellent for discussion about religious freedom, learning about the sacrifices and lives of the early settlers, studying geography (the route of the settlers), and discovering turns of phrases unique to that time period (daydreaming = "woolgathering"). Lawton includes an epilogue and interesting glossary of words. The cover is beautiful full-color, and makes a delightful gift for yourself and/or those you love. In the end, Mary Chilton discovers that "home" is not a place after all. Read ALMOST HOME to find out what it is. Get this book!

Kimn Swenson Gollnick ...

This is the second book by Wendy Lawton that I have read with my classroom in mind. It is a great read for both the young and the vast majority of us older adults. Almost Home is the story of May Chilton and her wondrous voyage to America on the Mayflower! Well written with just enough dialogue to make the characters come alive, the book is not overly "wordy" for children. The plot is great and the theme warm...this tale definitely keeps the audience captive. As with many other books by Lawton, this too has a delightful moral. The greatest part of this well researched book is that it is biographical and thus opens a dialogue between adults and precocious children. Not only about the Mayflower and the founding of america but also family value, I recommend this book for both the night stand and also the classroom.
Way to go Wendy!