K Books

I bought this book several years ago when Daniel Pinkwater reviewed it on Public Radio. It perfectly describes a relationship between parent and child, where the parent is the stable rock the child craves, the child the ingenuous spirit the adult has lost.

I don't see it as being limited to adults and children. I have many of the same feelings about some of my adult friends.

I do agree with the reviewer who suggested this is basically an adult book -- I don't think most children will understand what it's about.

The "professional" reviewer who found it overly sentimental seems to have little understanding of human relationships. This book expresses a significant aspect of them in a way I have not seen elsewhere.

This book really warms your heart. Perfect for anyone - parents and children. I give it to all of my friends who had a baby or are having a baby... It made me cry after my daughter was born because the book is so touching, yet so simple. It is one my 18 month old daughters favorite books. ENJOY!

LOVE THIS BOOK! It's a great kid-friendly story about the relationship between a parent and child. The pictures are wonderful also. Gave it as a baby shower gift to a good friend but will absolutely get another copy when I have my own children!

This book is heart moving and precious because it is so real. I can't read it without tears in my eyes.

This beautiful book expresses the love of a parent for a child so well! And because it is not gender specific, it allows any parent and child to see themselves in the story. It works as well for alternative families as for traditional families. Appropriate for single parent families, same sex families and adoptive families. It makes a perfect welcoming gift for a new child!

This book was really great. I think everybody will enjoy if they read it.
Well,the book was about this girl that's an animorph and her name is Cassie. She got tired of doing missions,so she quit her job on being a animorph. But that was not the biggest problem,the biggest problem was that a human-Controller named Karen followed Cassie everywhere. She knows that Cassie is an Andalite or human. If she tells her friends they will kill her because that's what Yeerks do to Andalites. They been in war for a long time. In story it also says that Karen followed Cassie and when she tried to spy on her she got attacked by a bear and Cassie saved her from being killed
Then they got stuck in the forest for a long time and then Cassie realizes that inside of Karen was a little girl with feelings. So she decides not to tell hey friends about Karen so they don't kill her.

BY:SELENA MARTINEZ RM:230

This book was really great. I think everybody will enjoy if they read it.
Well,the book was about this girl that's an animorph and her name is Cassie. She got tired of doing missions,so she quit her job on being a animorph. But that was not the biggest problem,the biggest problem was that a human-Controller named Karen followed Cassie everywhere. She knows that Cassie is an Andalite or human. If she tells her friends they will kill her because that's what Yeerks do to Andalites. They been in war for a long time. In story it also says that Karen followed Cassie and when she tried to spy on her she got attacked by a bear and Cassie saved her from being killed
Then they got stuck in the forest for a long time and then Cassie realizes that inside of Karen was a little girl with feelings. So she decides not to tell hey friends about Karen so they don't kill her.

Cassie is tired of the missions. She's tired of the secrecy. She's tired of being an Animorph. So she quits. But the fight is far from over. A human-controller has discovered Cassie's secret.

Wow! Iloved this Book! I think everyone was impressed because usually the Cassie books stink. This book is a turning point in the Animorph series. Cassie learns that she can't escape the war, but when she has to return, it will be even harder to fight . .

Synapsis: Cassie decides she's had enough of the war with the Yeerks and with the Animorphs, so she quits the team. She's lost the capacity to feel anything, love, hate, even fear, as it blurs into a kind of emotionless nothing within her. Unable to cope with the lies to her parents, the stress, and the inhumanities of war, she tries to leave it all behind. To make matters worse, her parents are going to lose the animal rehabilitation center which they run. Yet, even that, she finds herself unable to care about as much about it as she knows she should. Unfortunately (or fortunately for the fans of the series), things don't go anything near what Cassie plans, and she finds she has someone watching her. The watcher is revealed to be a little girl, who Cassie rescues from a bear, then finds herself swept into a river, washed into the heart of a forest. Without any idea of which way to go, against the elements, and the very real threats of dying of exposure, Cassie would normally morph and fly to civilization. To complicate things, however, the little girl is with her. It's easily discovered the child is a Controller, and the Yeerk inside her mind wants to learn everything about Cassie. Throughout revealing herself to the Yeerk, yet survive, Cassie is forced into some tough problems which have nothing to do with battle. There's also an added problem in an escaped leopard who is determined to make an easy meal out of the wounded Controller or Cassie.

This is one of the more thought provoking books of the series, and isn't focused on the battles as others have been in the series. We get a look at the Yeerk race as never before, that not all of them are the evil, cowardly creatures like Visser Three. Although not precisely nice beings, it presents concepts such as a parasites view on its right to live, expand, and experience the world of sight and colors as opposed to blindness. This is the first book of the series which introduces the idea of the Yeerk resistance members.

As for my personal opinions of the book, I'd have to say that in thinking about the entire series, this is probably my favorite book. I don't have a favorite character, because each one is great in his or her own way. There's enjoyment for me reading about each one for many different reasons. Cassie, however, has always been more or less the keeper of the morals of the group. She's always had a feeling for people's feelings, and been relied upon to help judge the right from the wrong. For her to suddenly lose her ability to care is like the character losing her own soul. From the other reviews I've seen by fans, I don't get the impression Cassie is as popular as Rachel and Tobias, but I see her as very much a critical part of the team. Without Cassie to help counterbalance Rachel, even "Xena, Warrior Princess" could easily go running headlong into decisions she'd regret later. Rachel is the group's courage, directness, and shares a bit of ruthlessness with Marco (all critical elements.) Cassie, however, helps keep the scales balanced, and never has such an in depth look been given to her character as this story. We see her make a tremendous sacrifice, and all of it, in her mind, to do nothing but make a small amount of peace between one Yeerk, one human/Animorph, and free a solitary little girl from being a Controller. In finding that one, small, fragment of peace, she's also able to make peace with herself and find where she belongs in the war. There are no easy, pat answers for her. She does, however, find a place for someone who regaurs all life as sacred -- yet is in the middle of a war to save the human race.

We also see what life is like for some of the Yeerks, some of which are equally tired of the war. Like any war, there's more than one side, and much like a common German soldier in comparison to Hitler in WWII, there's no utter black or white when you look at the big picture. This gives the series even more depth and realism overall.

The imagry of the forest is very well done in this story, as well. In the earlier Megamorphs: Time of the Dinosaurs, we were shown a world which was nearly impossible to survive in. However, that was largely due to the fact the humans went from the height of the food chain to the very bottom. In this novel, its a very mundane and normal forest which provides most of the opposition against the little girl with the twisted ankle who Cassie is trying to get back to civilization for the sake of the host ... or perhaps the Yeerk and the host... or even more possibly for herself. Cassie knows the best thing to do would be to kill the Yeerk with Kadrona starvation, or even kill host and Yeerk together. In her heart, however, she knows the "best" thing is not the right thing. This prompts long nights trapped in the wilderness which Applegate brings to life in a very vivid way for such a short work.

I found the book itself was also the typical fast paced read, although it didn't focus on fights, battles, or humor. The author moved her plot along well with a sprinkling of action here and there, keeping me interested with facts about the Yeerks or other tension which didn't have to do with physical confrontation. Highly recommended.

In short, I am an amateur historian of Russian history and found this biography to be very detailed, thoroughly researched biograaphy while at the same time reading as a top notch novel. I can't recommend it more. If you are interested in the man, this transitional period in Russian history or are after a great read, you won't be disappointed. Enjoy!

i THINK PETER MASSIE's biography on Peter tue Great is a classic book. You read it more as a novel than an historical biography. I highgly recommend it for people interest in history. Peter the Great is an icon of Russian and Universal history, with a stunnig personality, with very dark and very positive sides. It is a most for people who want to understand russian history.

Massie's biography of Peter, the Czar of Russia is unquestionably author's best book.

For nearly quarter of a century Peter strode upon his nation like a colossus.Though tyrannical and cruel Peter unlike other Russian contemporaries was broad-minded and had progressive outlook toward life.Russian Czar was dynamic had unbridled curiosity and insatiable thirst for knowledge.

Old Muscovy state ,as author rightly puts it, was conservative,xenophobic rigidly adhering to antiquated ways.Interacting with foreigners in Muscovy's German suburb Peter realised how backward his nation really was.A fact which prompted him to undertake 'Great Embassy' to the West.Peter strove to modernise Russia particularly its armed forces incorporating latest in western technology.There was hardly a sphere of human endeavour in that nation which lay untouched by Peter's reforming zeal. Czar can rightly be dubbed the architect of modern Russia.

Czar's love for war,soldiering ,sea,ships,navigation lends colour to this biography.Big events of his life was Great northern War and founding of the city of St. Petersburg along the banks of river neva.In the former case, Peter wanted to make Russia a maritime power .this was not possible as long as Russia had no natural access to sea.In the south ,Tartars blocked Russia's route to sea and in the north Swedes controlled the Baltic coast.Peter's determination to break the stranglehold led to war with King Charles XII of Sweden.

The book is also a brilliant sweep of late 17th and early 18th century history.Author narrates Streltsy revolt which precede peter's accession to power,the reign of King Louis XIV of Bourbon dynasty,splendid court life of French nobility. Religious strife ,dynastic quarrels leading to wars of succession,rise of Holland, growth of Ottoman power and Glorious revolution in England.Hence I deem this book an essential reading for History buffs.

My only grudge is bibliography which looks inadequate considering the scale of research undertaken by the author for its production.Research notes not very impressive .However footnotes adequately compensates for this lacuna.

Book carries good quality maps especially on Battle of Poltava. Reader is easily able to follow the ebb and flow of the battle ; different manoeuvres practised by Swedish and Russian infantry and cavalry units.

On the whole,Massie has done an excellent job.

Much like Pierre Berton's great Canadian history books, Robert Massie brings history to the "people" with Peter The Great. In this long but highly readable biography, Massie illumimates the distant past of a backward nation which grew into a major European power under the energetic Peter. We read about the palace intrigues in the Kremlin in Peter's early years, his rise to power, and his historic trip "incognito" through Holland, Austria and England. A major part of this book is devoted to the Great Northern War with Sweden, and the fascinating character of Swedish king Charles XII. I knew very little about that attempted invasion of Russia, and Massie paints a vivid picture of the Swedish campaign. The author also brings us inside the Ottoman Empire and the life of the Sultans and Grand Viziers. He puts Peter's life in context with the greater world and shifting alliances of Europe.

The brutish nature of life in Russia in this era is not glossed over. So many labourers died in the construction of Peter's centrepiece city St. Petersburg, and the cruel punishments of the time are depicted. Overall, this is the type of historical biography they don't write anymore. History can be and should be written to appeal to a broader audience, and also to tell things as they were, without resorting to revisionism. Books such as this encourage readers to explore history more.

I love to read history and have numerous books about many people and events that happened throughout history. But this book has to be my absolute favorite. Peter the Great was an amazing person and led a life without one dull moment. Once you start reading this book it will be difficult to put it down. Even though he did not live into old age, he lived a life full of adventure and you will never be bored while reading this book. You will find that Peter the Great is one of the best leaders of all times and I often wonder how Russian history would have evolved if Peter had lived to be eighty. It is too bad the man cannot be cloned.

I just loved this book! It is a very quick read and so enjoyable from cover to cover. It's a poignant story with a tremendous amount of affection between the two correspondents, which is ultimately very touching. I was so sorry to get to the end. I wanted it to continue with more story evolving about the lives of the characters.

I read this book around '84. In 1988, my uncle Rich, a retired college dean and my fabulous Aunt Cecilia went off to London for a year, American College, I think. I went on a road trip to the UK...England, Scotland, Wales, spent a few days with them, brought my aunt a copy of 84 Charing Cross Road. My uncle didn't get the concept, economist that he was. Letters? Who wants to read someone else's letters? Lurch forward about a month. The end of my road trip, both had read and loved this book. I gave the vid to them when it came out, it's a wonderful movie. They came home, at any gathering my Aunt Cecilia always asked...what are you reading?

84, Charing Cross Road is a delightful collection of letters chronicling the 20-plus years' correspondence between screenwriter Helene Hanff and Frank Doel, bookseller of Marks & Co. It begins with a request in which Helene inquires after a series of books she wants to buy, saying that Barnes & Nobles's sells "marked up, grimy schoolboy" copies of the books she wants (my, how things have changed!), and continues through a friendship between Hanff and Doel in which the two never meet. As their lives grow and change, Hanff and Doel's friendship remains the one constant.

It's a special friendship, and Hanff is sharp-tongued and witty, making her a delightful narrator. I have a feeling that not all of the letters are preserved here in their entirety, but they're reprinted word-for-word, including Hanff's idiosyncratic punctuation--no doubt due to the fact that she typewrote all of her letters, but nonetheless, the letters show Hanff's personality and her rather abrupt way of corresponding.

It's a short book (just about 100 pages), but it's a special book, nonetheless, about a shared love of books. 84, Charing Cross Road is a must-read for any bibliophile. It's too bad that a woman on the subway accidentally tipped soda into my bag and all over my copy of this wonderful book...

I discovered this book on a dusty HS library shelf and as in Ms. Hanff's words, devoured it "all at once" not coming up for air or cigarettes. I also bought the VHS many years ago as soon as it came available. Since then, I've gone on to go out of head for Donne, Quiller-Couch, Austen, and Blake (though not anywhere near Donne!).

In less than one hundred pages, Helene Hanff has given her readers a rare and special gift. Here in this delightful little book are the notes she exchanged with the employees of Marks & Co., a used-book store in England. Being fond of the old-fashioned yet still highly personal act of letter writing, and being equally fond of old books and used-book stores, Hanff seemed to have compiled these letters just for me. I doubt there is anyone who can read this book without experiencing a wide range of emotions complete with laughter and tears.

A lifelong letter writer, Helene Hanff studied playwriting at the Theatre Guild. She has written scripts for "The Hallmark Hall of Fame" and for "Ellery Queen." Her other writings include several children's books as well as articles for Harpers and New Yorker magazines.

Living and writing in New York City, Hanff finds herself unsuccessful in finding certain rare or out-of-print editions of books.

"Gentlemen:
Your ad in the Saturday Review of Literature says that you specialize in out-of-print books. The phrase 'antiquarian booksellers' scares me somewhat, as I equate 'antique' with expensive. I am a poor writer with an antiquarian taste in books and all the things I want are impossible to get over here except in very expensive rare editions, or in Barnes & Noble's grimy, marked-up schoolboy copies."

So begins the opening letter dated October 5, 1949, and addressed to Marks & Co. at 84, Charing Cross Road in London. What follows on the pages of this book are the letters Hanff wrote to Marks & Co., and specifically to Frank P. Dole. Also included are the responses to her requests, mostly from Frank P. Dole. Through their twenty-year relationship, the two strangers become in some ways like family. Frank introduces his family to Helene in letters. She corresponds with the family as if they are her own. Knowing that in a time of rationing, certain items are not readily available to the residents of London, she takes great care to ship Christmas and Easter gifts to the store with plenty of eggs and meat for everyone there.

The final entry, dated 1969, brings the relationship between the bookstore, Frank Dole and Hanff full circle. The twenty years between the first and last notes are fondly recalled on the pages of this book.

These short notes, her requests for specific books, the monetary transactions that took place, and the solid relationships that developed allow the present day reader to glimpse a bit of the nostalgic... a gentler time when costs were lower, trust was higher, and people were more willing to be compassionate to complete strangers.

This is a truly delightful little book that has captured my heart. And, by the way, the fact that I discovered it while browsing through my own favorite little used-book store lends a special sort of appeal to it. I treasure the gifts within these pages--the gifts of self, of the written word, and the appreciation for the simpler things in life.

by Lee Ambrose
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women

The books came in and it was like brand new....in fact if I hadn't known I ordered it used I would never have known. It was a great gift and the seller is another I would use again. The book came sooner than promised and was in even better shape than described.

Great book that had me actually laughing out loud, tearing up, and also sobbing. You go on Gracie and Dan's journey and live it with them.

It's a great book in so many different aspects. It still brings me to tears when I think of Gracie, and I have been sure to give extra loven to my Zoie, a beautiful and very mischievious Great Dane, everyday. After reading the book, I don't even mind so much now when I end up holding on to the edge of my king size bed for dear life while Zoie is spralled out taking up 90% of the bed snoring away while I haven't gotten a good night sleep in ages. I didn't even yell at her when she ate three pairs of shoes in one week. The book makes you want to be better to your dogs, do more with them and enjoy them every day. I know my life is happy and fulfilled because of my canine family and my skin family. All six of my dogs are rescues, and they are amazing and wonderful dogs just like Gracie!

This book is a really great tribute to Gracie. It also gives me tons of respect for these guys and the lengths they went thru to make her life better.
I am also impressed by Three Dog Bakery and think it was such a great idea, the American dream for dog lovers. :)

I have been trying to find dog books that were as good as Marley and Me and had no luck. I read this book in a day... which I never do. I am from KC, and had no idea before reading this book that it was written by the co-founder of Three Dog Bakery right here in KC! On the first page it talked about him griving the loss of his childhood dog Blue; my first dog's name was Blue. As I kept reading I kept finding more and more things that "spoke" to me. I think this book is BETTER than Marley and Me... both books are my top faves. I might be bias as I'm from KC and remember taking my Blue there. But hardly believe I am.... notice no rating lower than a 4 on here! This book was wonderfully written. It will make you think about life,your own animals, and how everything happens for a reason. I can't say enough wonderful things about this book. (I checked this book out from the library... but will be buying it so that I may own a copy and have others read it, and proceeds of the book go to the Gracie Foundation... to help neglected and abused animals.) This book is not just about a dog; it's how an animal no one wanted showed him how to live and love, one day at a time.

This book reads about as exiting as the monotone drone of a window box fan on a hot sweaty summer night. Gann's style seems didactic to say the least. Muddling through the first chapter I fell asleep and woke up just in time to learn of a near miss in the plane Gann was flying. However in all fairness, most books are written like this, full of details and tangents before coming to the point. Who can get through Moby Dick or Les Miserables without wondering where the authors are going? One should only read books like these if he has a bad case of insomia.

If one is looking for the plot to the movie: Fate Is The Hunter, forget it. This book has almost nothing in common with the excellent screenplay written by Harold Maud except for the title and some flashbacks. Of course it is always a disappointment when the movies don't follow the books, which are usually better than the movies; this case being one of the exceptions.

The paperback book is not an abridged version of the hardcover. So don't try searching for a used copy as I did. It's just a waste of time and money. Quite frankly, I'm sorry I bought the book.

Flight possesses a seductive mystique and "Fate is the Hunter" is one of the few books that has ever really truly captured flight's essence.

It is not only pilots that look skyward at the sound of an aircraft or slow down a little as they drive past an airfield. Similarly, Gann captures what is almost intangible and presents it to the reader with an immaculate style that will engross all who read it.

Gann carefully blends the worlds of the philosophical and aeronautical. In this mix, the reader looks out from the cockpit to at times see better within themselves.

A true classic.

Owen Zupp. Author: "Down to Earth"

www.owenzupp.com
DOWN TO EARTH: A Fighter Pilot's Experiences of Surviving Dunkirk, The Battle of Britain, Dieppe and D-Day

This is the memoir of one of the first 300 airline pilots in America. It tells the story of the development of the airline industry and the Air Transport Command during World War II. It is well-written with wit and pathos. I enjoyed the read.

One will see why this was and remains one of the best works of fiction in any genre, but especially aviation. A great book that every pilot has in the bookcase. I also highly recommend, Flying North South East and West,
a non-fiction book that I think is destined to become an aviation classic.
Flying North South East and West: Arctic to the Sahara,

This is one of those books that has a sneak ending - best appreciated by reading through at a steady rate (which only makes sense once the climax of the book is revealed). The stories, anecdotes and tales seem almost trite and mundane - but build to the showdown, for me a life lesson. Flying is revealed for the joy it is, for its wonder, the thrill of a good landing when one has fought the good fight aloft in peril of ending badly. Gann wrote the thing with a purpose - and it wasn't to entertain you. He is like a grandfather with good advice, and he hits you with a zinger to make the point. You will be grateful, either gender, any station, rich or poor.

My daughter loves this book (22 months old) and my husband and I enjoy the sing-song rhyme as well. It has a nice rhythm for reading aloud. We don't mind reading it over and over! The illustrations are great also.

My 11 month old son loves this book and has since he was little. He loves the cadence of my voice as I read the clever rhyming story and he loves the pictures. However for younger children like him this book is also available in a board book format. Just search amazon for bear snores on board book.

This book was given to us when our boy was born and it's been a favorite for his two years of life. We've given this as a gift now many times.

This book is one of our favorites. Great, original verse, lots of cute animals, and a repeating phrase make our 2-year-old pay attention. The other "Bear" books don't seem as original to me. We give this book as gifts, and everyone loves it!

i love reading this aloud. my 3 yo and i love love love this book. it's funny and cute! finally! a story and words as cute as the pictures! yea for storybooks with a backbone!

I thought that the books where wonderful!!! I loved them, great story line, and plot. Love it!!!

I've loved the Hallmark Movies and now am reading the books. The print size makes them easy reading and who would not enjoy a Janette Oake story. Amazon pricing also makes them a excellent value.

these books are so wonderful, and makes you feel like you are in the book itself.

The movies of these books are good; however, these books are better and wroth of your time to read. If you like reading books, you should concider reading these series.

I loved this series of books! Janette has such a magnificent way of drawing her readers into the past! Love it!

Book came in great condition for a used book, as good or better than advertised. Shipping was prompt. Great seller.

This was an interesting and funny book in the Animorphs series. We get to see what Ax thinks and sees for the first time, it was a really good book.

This is the first "Ax" book of the Animorphs series. I have to say it's one of the funniest Ax books. You get to see his opinion on humans, and at the end you also meet Ax's parents (kind of) and find out about Seerow's Kindness.(See the Hork-Bajir Chronicles)

It is a definate must-read for a begining Animorph fan, and even if you've read the whole series, you'll still get a few laughs out of this one!

This book is very good, he makes contact with the Andalite home world and he *almost* kills Visser Three

This is the BEST Animorphs book I ever read! Ax is just so stupid that he's funny. I kept reading the bit when Ax was at the movies again and again - I feel so sorry for him since he's all on his own on a distant planet where nobody looks like him except Visser Three who is evil :(
I liked that bit with Alloran. I read about Alloran in the Andalite and Hork-Bajir Chronicles, and I didn't really like him, but now I just think how awful and hard it must be :( (Oh no, I never want to be a Controller)
Anyway this was a great book and I'd read it a million times. ^_^

DRAGONSINGER shows off sci-fi/fantasy writer Anne McCaffrey at her best and most accessible. Of the three books which make up the Harper Hall trilogy, this one is my favorite and a book to which I've returned a bunchful of times. Only thing is, whenever I dust this off (or, come to think of it, any of the early Pern novels), I tend to go ahead and re-read the whole friggin' series. The Harper Hall trilogy, more so than any of the Dragonriders of Pern novels, is targeted towards a young adult audience, but it'll certainly charm a reader of whatever age. And if one is looking for a capable, extremely engaging role model, then look no further than Menolly of Half-Circle Sea Hold.

DRAGONSINGER picks up almost immediately from where Dragonsong left off, with Menolly arriving at the Harper Craft Hall to begin her harper's apprenticeship. A gifted songwriter/singer/musician and the young accidental mistress of nine gluttonous but ever loyal fire lizards, the shy and vulnerable Menolly finds herself near overwhelmed by her new circumstances. She's very conscious of her horribly scarred hand (which prevents her from playing her music) and her still woefully tender feet (from having outran Thread, deadly silver spores which periodically rain on Pern). At Harper Hall, Menolly meets and is intimidated by an array of stern and skeptical teachers. She faces the scorn of her fellow female students, with whom she must share room and board. Her unconventionality and her rare fire lizards mark her as a target of curiousity and envy. For Menolly, all this is almost too hard to bear. But she loves music and loves her fire lizards. And, it turns out, she has more friends than she thinks...

DRAGONSINGER, first published in 1977, is the second book in the Harper Hall trilogy, and, in my opinion, is the best of the three. It continues Menolly's coming-of-age tale and introduces the readers to a gang of winning characters, such as the quiet journeyman Sebell, the majestic, offbeat Master Shonagar, and the impish and ingratiating Piemur (who would take center stage in Dragondrums). Of course, the awesome and perceptive Masterharper Robinton figures in most of the Pern novels, and he makes his presence vigorously felt here. Who wouldn't want to work for someone like him?

Another neat thing about the Harper Hall trilogy is that it allows the reader to relive events in McCaffrey's other novels. Specifically, the timeline of DRAGONSONG and DRAGONSINGER coincides with that of Dragonquest (Dragonriders of Pern), so that, just as we revisited Jaxom's impressing of Ruth thru Menolly's eyes in DRAGONSONG, here, we get Menolly and Harper Hall's horrified reactions to F'nor's disastrous foray to the inhospitable Red Star. Later, the third Harper Hall entry, DRAGONDRUMS, would touch on events occuring in The White Dragon (Dragonriders of Pern Vol 3).

McCaffrey warmly covers a span of seven eventful days in Menolly's life, chronicling her transitioning from an uncertain, bashful young girl to a confident one with the world opened up before her. Menolly is tall and gangly and unsure, and so appealing. It's a joy reading of her overcoming her challenges, making new friends, and impressing just near everyone with her musical talents. My favorite moments would have to be the ones in which she's engaged in her music or spending time with her fair of fire lizards (and, believe me, both activities take up huge, huge chunks of the book). Scenes to look out for: the first time Menolly feeds her fire lizards at Harper Hall, the impromptu Hall concert during Threadfall, all the moments with Shonagar, and Gather Day. As ever, McCaffrey peppers her book with sightings of benevolent dragons, who constantly guard Pern against Thread, and their miniature and inquisitive cousins, the fire lizards. Actually, in this Harper Hall series, the focus is more on the fire lizards than on the dragons. McCaffrey lends Menolly's fire lizards their own distinct personalities, from the imperious Beauty to the nagging Aunties One and Two, to the beleaguered Uncle, to the aptly named Lazybones.

Compared to the other, more adult-oriented novels about Pern, DRAGONSINGER is a lighter, more intimate read, and not as intricately plotted. The stakes here don't shape the world, just Menolly's personal universe. But, I'll tell you what, you'll get caught up in it. DRAGONSINGER (and a whole mess of McCaffrey's novels, come to think of it) fits cozily on my shelf of comfort books. I normally have two copies of books which I particularly love. With DRAGONSINGER, I have three, two of which are pretty threadbare. Such a good read.

The harper Hall Trilogy is my favorite set by McCaffrey and interestingly the first books I read by her. I love dragons and there for dragon stories, particularly ones were dragons are not mindless monsters of destruction, so it would be odd for me not to like these books. The story is very original and the characters well written. If your not sure of getting into the Pern books, this is the series to read! Dragonsinger is a really strong book, despite being in the middle of a set. The story keeps going strong and the characters stay true to themselves.

I know I wasn't supposed to read this book first, but it was on the free book cart at the library. And I've wanted to read McCaffery for some time now. I'd give this book four a half stars. I'd like to have given it five. But I'll get to that in a minute. Her prose is elegant. Each of her characters is clearly defined. The main, Menolly, is strong and modest, but often bleek and insecure because of her background. Thus her behavior makes sense at times when she is overly passive when she shouldn't be. As well as apologizing for every little thing. However, her giving a shiner to Benis was priceless. I love the tiny info on the Fort Sea Hold, and look I look forward to getting clear description when I read DragonSong. The only problem I had with this book was there was no real action, besides the brawl at the Gather. Though I must say, the book was not boringt any time. But I did have to put it down from time to time because its lack of action.

Can't wait to read more McCaffery. I see why she's one of the leading authors in the SciFi/Fantasy genre.

Menolly is now at the Harper Hall. However, she is a geek/nerd and doesn't fit in with all the girls who like doing the standard chick things. Plus there just happens to be a bunch of fire lizards following her around.

She also has to deal with the problem of choosing or being asked to choose a specialisation and someone to be a mentor.

Menolly has achieved her dream of living in Harper Hall, despite the disadvantage of being born female. But she does not know how she will fit in and the fact that she accidentally Impressed nine fire lizards causes disruptions in class and jealousies from the other students. That she comes to realize her full talent as a musician, singer and songwriter and revel in the company of other musicians is the delight of this perfect fantasy novel.

This gem of a story is appropriate for creative girls and women of all ages, all creative endeavors because it says that the barriers the world puts in your way won't stand up to friendship, hard work and talent. I wore out two paperback copies before breaking down and buying it in hardback. Highly recommended.