Young Adult Books

I have read the entire Lurlene Mcdaniel series, and the 'Clearwater Crossing' series. Lurlene Mcdaniel's books were such an inspiration, and it is an awesome series, as soon as you lift up the book, you can never put it back down. It's almost impossible to expect to read one of her books, and drop the series alltogether. This is for all ages, mostly teens, and helps out more than ever. She is an inspiring writer, and many writers should more often be like her, and writing books that do effect teens, and can help them.

Carrie Blake is a fifteen-year-old who was diagnosed with leukemia three years ago. At that time, she also had to deal with her parents' divorce. She meets Keith Gardner, an athlete at her high school, who also had cancer, Hodgkin's disease. Both are in the hospital support group. They are both assigned to work on the picnic for cancer patients. As they get to know one another, both become great friends. Keith has a wonderful family who treats Carrie very kindly, while Carrie's parents are both seeing other people. But not everything is perfect for the Gardners. Soon, Keith's cancer returns, and there is nothing that can be done. Keith's family, and Carrie, have to learn how to live without him. This is a really great story, with plenty of emotion, as all of Lurlene McDaniel's books are.

As I sit here I have just finished the book not 10 minutes ago. My face is still tear stained. The book shook me to the core and mand me cry MANY times and is the best book i have ever read. The whole book tought me so much and opened my eyes. My dad has always told me 'the worst thing in the world for a parent to do is bury a child' and this book made me leave my room crying and hug my mom. Its so undiscribeable how this book touched me and how it made the think. This book is something every person should read adults and teens alike.

I LIKE ALL OF LURLENE MCDANIEL BOOKS AND I ESPECIALLY LIKE THIS ONE. IT IS TRUE THAT PARENTS WHO DON'T GET ALONG OR DIVORCE DO EFFECT US. CARRIE HAD MANY FAMILY ISSUES AND THEN SHE MET KEITH WHO HAS A ALMOST PERFECT FAMILY. SHE REALLY STRUGGLES BECAUSE HER DAD AND MOM DOESN'T GET ALONG EVEN THOUGH THEIR DIVORVCE. THEY BLAME EACH OTHER AND I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THEY BARLEY EVER WENT TO THE HOSPITAL TO SEE HER WHEN CARRIE WAS SICK. PARENTS ARE PARENTS AND THEIR SUPPOSE TO LOVE THEIR CHILD/CHILDREN. AREN'T THEY THE ONE WHO BROUGHT US INTO THIS WORLD. SO WHY DON'T THEY TAKE CARE OF US AND LOVE US....

i have read all of the lurlene mcdaniel books and i loved all of them!this one really got my attention though!its about a girl named carrie.her parents just got a divorce and it was tearing her up.Carrie was diagnosed with leukemia and went to a support group.there she gets to know keith gardner.his family becomes quitte close to carrie.keith gets an x-ray and finds he has a tumor in his stomach.the family goes to a camping spot while keith starts to slip away.in this carrie learns what a true family is.i realy recomend this book to all preteens and teens!10-17it really is a 5 star book!

When I first got the book, and met Mrs. Rhone, I was thinking in my head, Oh gosh the Academy of Dreams brought in an Author for our guest speaker, how boring, But I thought wrong. When she started talking, and telling us about her book, I was like Wow! Very interesting!
Then I started reading the book, and I could not stop, I was like the Energizer Bunny, I kept on going on and on and on and on. I would stay up really late on school nights just to read the book, and my mom would come in and tell me "go to sleep right now." It only toke me a week to finish the book.
All I have to say is that I really enjoyed PREMATURE PLEASURES. It is a wonderful book and I think every Young Girl should read it, because I think they would enjoy it and can relate to some of the events and conflicts in the book, because I know I did.
I can not wait until Mrs. Rhone writes more books, because I am going to own and read every single one.

Premature Pleasures was a well-written novel. It involves a pre-teen girl growing up in a world without guidance at a crucial time in her young life when she really needs one. Her mother cannot be there for her when she is dealing with issues because she is dealing with her own depressing life. Tre's brother, who seems to be in search of the same guidance but on a different level, also isn't the one person she can lean on. Even though she knows right from wrong, the antagonist continues to reach out for love from anyone who will give it to her, just like her own searching friends.

Reminiscent of The Coldest Winter Ever by Sistah Souljah, Premature Pleasures was written in contemporary language where anyone, adults and youths, can relate to the situations, especially those young girls contemplating which way to go in life. I really enjoyed this novel because of the realness of the problems teenagers are facing today. Mrs. Rhone did an excellent job on developing the characters into people whom we can relate. I, at times, sympathized with Tre because she had an innate leader-type quality within her but she didn't realize that her independence was all that she needed at times. Most importantly, I enjoyed how Trekela made it through all of her tribulations with issues of sex, trying to fit in with a crowd, reaching out for love, but yet, still found God in the end through her "angel" that saw herself in Trekela, Ms. Denise.

-NM

Premature Pleasures is absolutely amazing! I worked with inner-city youth in Houston for 3 years and the reality of their world saddens me. They are faced with abusive and neglectful relationships everyday and to escape this they find comfort in each other. This book portrays the reality of our society and the issues that our children are dealing with on a daily basis. Despite the tough issues of family, feeling unloved, abuse and sex, Alexus Rhone shows that there is hope through Jesus Christ. This book is a must read for anyone who desires to work with children and teens.

Ms Rhone,

I just completed your book "Premature Pleasure". I was truly impressed and enjoyed it thoroughly. First of all, I am a single parent of 2 teenagers and you visited my sons school, Kimball High School in Dallas a few months ago. When he came home he asked could I buy the book for him and come to the
book signing at Black Images. Unfortunately at the time I did not have money to do so. However, it stayed on my mind. You see, my son has never asked me to purchase a book for him (other than one he has lost at school) >:-)!! So, when I was able to I bought for him and he read it in a matter of a couple days. He enjoyed reading it.

You see, my children and I have not had the easiest of paths and I have tried to instill Christ in their lives as well as mine. I have tried to teach my son how to deal with his anger and put God first no matter what. That's not always easy for a 16yr to do. I think that after him reading your book it gave him a little more encouragement.

I want thank you for sharing with the youth a very real and uplifting story.

May God continue to bless you.

Ms Lucretia S Johnson

Alexus does an amazing job of portraying everything that makes Trek's decisions so difficult-- not just growing up and her friends, but also her home life. Most impressive of all, though, Alexus manages to condemn Trek's early choices without ever condemning Trek herself at all-- we sympathize and empathize with her every step of the way. Well done!

I find that the manga of this series is a lot more entertaining and a lot more interesting than the infamous anime. The first volume is actually cool because Utena hasn't come to the academy yet; she and a friend of hers figure out clues she's been sent over the years to find that her 'prince' is at the academy. You find out that she has an aunt she's been living with up to then and that she's not a complete orphan. Then of course she goes to the academy and is thrust into this very strange and seperate world of duelings and winning the Rose Bride as a prize as a step towards "revolutionizing the world." The drawing can be a little wierd, people's faces for exampe are very long and even the women can look a little "mannish." Utena and Anthy as prince and rose bride have a very cute relationship together and along with Chu-chu Anthy's best friend and pet monkey it's all very adorable. As I said though, I like this manga mostly because I can actually make some sense out of it and the mysterious plot lines, unlike the anime which had me banging my head on the wall.

Going on fromwhere the 2nd book leaves us off on:
IS TOUGA UTENA'S PRINCE?!!!
I'll give you guys just one little spoiler...he's not.
n this volume it basically talks about the Rose Bride and Utena's determination to go through any kind of challenge to see her prince. Deception and Manipulation. The question in this book is who's telling the truth. Most importantly, is Utena so desperate to find her prince that she'll belive just about anybody? We also find out more about Anthy and her brother. Including more in depth detail about World's End. Why the Dios has the power to revolutionize the world. And the most impotant part... Iwillnotspoilthestory Iwillnotspoilthestory..... OK I won't give you a spoiler but it deals about Anthy and her heart "belonging to no one."
AND WHO COULD FORGET THE COMIC RELIEF OF CHU CHU IN THE END?! ( Chu ) All in all this manga is just awsome.The artwork has gotten better and I rccommend it to all shojo or just any manga fan. GO AND BUY IT NOW!

This is a series like no other. Deeply symbolic, nearly every person, object, and incident means something else on a higher level in addition to the face value. The characters are not just human--they *represent* humanity, both good and bad. They highlight our weaknesses and emphasize our strengths. In this world, power means everything and concepts such as friendship, devotion, and love mean almost nothing. In the pursuit of power and prestige, families and friends are sacrificed for desires. And the life and happiness of one girl are bound to the power to change the world.

This is a controversial series dealing with life, death, change, love, betrayal, belief, truth, and more material concepts such as sex, attraction, and adventure. It messes with your reality, rights it, then scrambles it up again.

For those prudes and parents out there, be forewarned--this does contain incest (love between brother and sister), rape (can you call it that?--Anthy doesn't fight when it happens to her), and lesbianism. That's not to say that it is a bad series--just be warned that their are some controversial themes recurring in the story.

Read this manga or watch the TV show or watch the movie--you will never look at anime or manga the same way again!

I have seen the series in its entirety, and the movie, and I have seen the Japanese manga. Finally READING the manga is a treat.

Having seen the series and movie (I'm praying that they translate the movie manga!), I was prepared for the extremely controversial themes that make this a milestone in the history of anime and manga. There is incest, which is where a brother and sister are a little bit closer than need be; rape (I call it that since Anthy just accepts it as a part of her duties as the Rose Bride ;she's not unwilling, and she's not willing--she's just there)and lesbianism (those of you who have seen the movie know what I am talking about). Death is abstract here; I can't tell you anything more without spoiling some major details of the story. Reality is twisted, as evidenced by the Castle of Eternity, which floats upside down in the air above the dueling arena. Love and friendship come up very rarely, and usually only when dealing with Utena. Power is the ultimate prize--indeed, a girl's life has been sacrificed for the pursuit of power.

The characters play upon each other's emotions, hopes, dreams, insecurities, and fears. Utena fights to protect Anthy, but wavers when Touga implies that he may mean more to her than she thinks. Miki's insecurities and fear drive him to challenge Utena, while Juri's jealousy and hatred are what cause her to raise her sword. Saionji is obsessed, and in his slight insanity, loses reason.

You need to read this series, if only to see what everyone is talking about.

The 3rd volume of the RGU series has turned out to be the best thusfar... For those of you who were disappointed by the 2nd volume, be prepared for the trip of your life with this one. It. Is. Fantastic. You'll read it more than once, I can guarantee it.

The plot flushes away its fluffy-sweet, gaggingly-predictable overtones to reveal an underlying storyline that gets more dark, horrific, and complex with each passing page (while still keeping an innocent PG rating! Now that's talent!) You learn more about all of the character relationships (and I'm happy to say that Juri is less of a joykill in this one) including the practically unmentioned one between Anthy and her older brother, Akio (who you can't help but love.) Our favorite little Dios boy in the sky also makes a guest appearance, which always calls for extra brownie points, though most readers will get mixed signals about Touga and what his motives really are (I'm trying to avoid spoilers. Can you tell?) The whole story becomes an enigma!

Prepare to be drowned in symbolism and rich imagery--and watch out for that killer cliffhanger at the end. It'll leave you BEGGING for the release of the 4th volume! The artist, Ms. Saito's drawing technique has also changed vastly AND apparently...the images have improved so much that you'll feel HONORED to own a piece of her work! You'll definitely start to appreciate how truly talented and professional she is. Even if you've already seen the series and know the ending (which is going to be interestingly warped by the 5th volume anyway) you'll still get a kick out of this book and the memorable circumstance between Wakaba and Utena as it was meant to be. And, of course, there's a funny little bit about Chuchu at the end and character profiles (of Miki, Juri, and the members of Be-papas) scattered throughout the book.

It's a great buy. No regrets at all. Just mix the right amount of fantasy, romance, slapstick comedy, mystery, and plain old talent, and you'll get the miracle that is RGU 3: To Sprout. :D It's so cool. Really, it is.

This book is a wonderfully drawn and written manga(comic) by Naoko Takeuchi. Sailor Moon really shows how much she has matured over the time. It shows you death really is a part of a fight. Love and action is all thourghout this book making you sometimes very sad. If you like the Japanese anime (cartoon) version you'll love this book. I recommend you buy the books in order though.

I thought this was a good book. The writer is a faboulus story writer. I liked the first and second one more than this one though.

This particular story (they don't seem like comics to me) is very emotinal, and (yes!) it has Sailor Saturn in it! Although a little confusing, this story is very exciting, touching, sad, and, as always, there shines a ray of hope for Sailor Moon to save the world! Read it!

the main stories a bit short and theres a "minimoon" bouns tale and the books seem to be geting smaller but maybe thays just me

This is the book where they fight Mistress 9. I have also seen the anime version of it, and I liked the part where Sailor Saturn appears better in the manga. It was longer, in the anime she was just there for about a minute. However, I liked the part where they were fighting Mistress 9 better in the anime because it's not as confusing. The manga is different than the anime because in the anime Mistress 9 looks like Hotaru with longer hair but in the manga it destroys the body so the Sailor Soldiers are fighting a monster instead of Hotaru. All of the Sailor Soldiers are in this - Usagi/Sailor Moon, Minako/Sailor Venus, Ami/Sailor Mercury, Rei/Sailor Mars, Makoto/Sailor Jupiter, Haruka/Sailor Uranus, Michiru/Sailor Neptune, Setsuna/Sailor Pluto, Mamoru/Tuxedo Mask, Chibi-Usa/Sailor Chibi Moon, and Hotaru/Sailor Saturn. (But the English names are used for the Inner Senshi and Chibi-Usa and Mamoru.)
Everything I just wrote probably doesn't make sense if you haven't read the book or watched the anime, so now I'll explain it. Usagi is Sailor Moon, the Princess of the Moon, and the leader of the Sailor Senshi. Minako, Ami, Rei, and Makoto are the Inner Senshi, and they are also from the moon. Mamoru is Tuxedo Mask, Usagi's boyfriend in her past life on the moon. Chibi-Usa is Usagi and Mamoru's daughter from the future. Setsuna, Haruka, Michiru, and Hotaru are the Outer Senshi. Setsuna/Sailor Pluto was originally supposed to guard the door to the future and Haruka/Uranus and Michiru/Neptune had similar jobs. Hotaru/Saturn is supposed to end the world when she awakens in this book. All of this will make sense if you read the entire series in order. Also there are three talking cats, Luna, Artemis, and Diana. Luna lives with Usagi and Artemis lives with Minako. Diana is Chibi-Usa's kitten from the future and the daughter of Luna and Artemis.
Anyway, in the third part of the Sailor Moon series, their enemies are the Death Busters, Eudial, Mimete, Tellu, Viluy, Sipren, and Professor Tomoe. Hotaru is Proffesor Tomoe's daughter. Their family was caught in a fire when Hotaru was younger and her mother died. Professor Tomoe turned her body into a machine and put an egg in her body so she would become Mistress 9. Now the Sailor Senshi have defeated Eudial, Mimete, Tellu, Viluy, Sipren, and Kaori Knight, Proffesor Tomoe's helper. But then, in the last book, Hotaru took Chibi-Usa's soul (Heart Crystal in the anime) and used it to become Mistress 9. Now in the start of this book she also killed Minako, Ami, Rei, and Makoto (but somehow they came back to life - I don't remember how.) Hotaru is trying to get rid of Mistress 9 and save Chibi-Usa and stop Mistress 9 from destroying her body. Eventually Hotaru escapes with Chibi-Usa's soul and brings her back to life. Meanwhile, Mistress 9 ripped apart Hotaru's body and the Sailor Senshi are fighting with him.
In the end there are facts about all the Sailor Senshi, even Hotaru. There is one more book after this, #11, then SuperS 1-4 and StarS 1-3. There are also five seasons of the anime - Sailor Moon, Sailor Moon R, Sailor Moon S, Sailor Moon SuperS, and Sailor Moon Stars. But the American version is bad - they made it for children, took out episodes, and gave Ami, Luna, Makoto, and Usagi annoying voices. However, you can buy DVD sets in Japanese with English subtitles to see the real Sailor Moon. This is also the only way to see Stars. I haven't seen it yet (actually all I've seen is Season 1, and I haven't watched all of it yet, but I have seen the American version - about half of season one, a few episodes of season two, most of season three, and part of season four. Season One in Japanese is a lot better than in English.) I'm not sure if Stars has the English subtitles or not since I haven't seen it, but I think it does.
Also there are guides to 5 of the characters, fashion dolls, 8 novels, and 18 manga books like this one.

This was a cool book about the watch fixing mouse, Hermux Tantamoq! It is the second in a series about him, but it's just as good as the first book(which doesn't happen very much)and I loved it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It all starts when Mirrin Stentrill, puts on an artshow in the museum. When Mirrin was blind, she saw many visions and so when she recovered from her blindness, she decides to paint pictures of what she saw when she was blind. But it turns out that the pictures she paints are cats- a word no one likes to use in the city of mice and rodents. Then along comes Birch Tentintrotter, an old chipmunk, a friend of Hermux's father. He tells a secret to Hermux; a secret no one knows about, and about a map he had found in a library years ago. Birch believes that cats really did exist. To prove that, Hermux, Birch, and their friend, Linka Perflinger, set off on a journey to the Kingdom of Cats. On their journey, Hermux and his friends uncover the evidence that cats once had mice as slaves. Now, Hermux doesn't know if he's doing the right thing to find the whole truth about them.
Michael Hoeye describes all his characters and the scene very carefully and really well. I like the way he gives a personality to a character and he sticks with it. He doesn't mix Hermux and Mirrin's personality together. It's just Hermux. And it's just Mirrin.
I really enjoyed this book because of the great journey that Hermux and his friends went on. It was so exciting and I really loved how Michael Hoeye made me want to keep reading more and more!

If you like mice or anything small you will love this book. If you read Time Stops for No Mouse it is related to this book. A new chipmunks arrives.The things that are intresting about him is he has a missing ear and a rusty-colored cordury jacket. He is so intrested in cats that he wants to find a library. I am not going to spoil the adventure for you. So the only thing i have to say to you is READ IT.

Hermux Tantamoq, a distinguished mouse who lives in the heavily populated city of Pinchester, is sailing through life day in and day out, in his watchmaking shop, until one day, an old, weather worn chipmunk missing an ear stops by, says his name is Birch Tentintrotter, and he would like to speak to Mr. Tantamoq seinor. Hermux's father had passed away five months ago, and no friend of his from college would look like that old wreck!
Meanwhile, Hermux's friend Mirrin Stentril's first art show is causing tremendous uproar. She's been painting CATS!!! Everyone (the hamsters, mice, ferrets, squirrels etc.) knows they're not real, right? Well Hermux, Birch and aviatrix Linka Perflinger are out to prove those art critics wrong!
Michael Hoeye combines detail, vocabulary and suspense in this stunning sequel to Time Stops For No Mouse, proving never to overlook history, even if you are afraid.

Watchmaker-extraordinaire and resident cheese lover, Hermux Tantamoq, is in for the surprise of his life, when his good friend, Mirrin Stentrill, reveals the scandalous work being featured in her new art show: cats! After all, mice don't want to hear about cats, even if they never actually existed, and the entire town of Pinchester is up in arms over the showing. Then a long lost stranger known as Birch Tentintrotter, a chipmunk, visits Hermux and lets him in on a very important secret: cats DID exist, and Birch has the facts to prove it. So, on a split second decision, Birch, Hermux, and he lovely aviatrix, Linka Perflinger, set out to the desert to find the lost Kingdom of Cats. While there, Hermux learns many new things about the history of mice, things different than what he was taught as a child, and he begins wondering whether it is really necessary to bring these truths forward.

As a fan of the first Hermux Tantamoq novel, TIME STOPS FOR NO MOUSE, I knew that I had to check out Michael Hoeye's latest contribution to the series, THE SANDS OF TIME, and I was not at all disappointed. Young Hermux is as adorable as ever, in his quest to find out about the lost civilization known as cats; and his sidekicks, both new and old, are perfect. The wonderful story that has been crafted will delight readers of all ages, and keep them begging for more Tantamoq. A must have!

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

In Screenwriting for Teens, Christina inspires young and old to dive into the film craft. The book's depth of information allows for it to transcend the high-school age group. One of the unique aspects of the book is the subject chapter exercises which prove both helpful and challenging. Participating in these exercises will enhance one's film craft. Highly recommending the book.

The idea of any kind of guidebook normally gives me the "ho-hums", but I must admit that this was a pleasant (and educational!)surprise. Christina Hamlett's Screenwriting for Teens is fun to read; it's pleasing and practical and comes across as more of an on-line chat with one's mentor than anything resembling a "how-to" text. And yet, this book is totally to be taken seriously!

Christina Hamlett knows writing, and she knows movies. She also knows how to speak to a young audience (though I feel this book would be invaluable to beginning writers of all ages). And, most importantly, she knows what it takes to make a good start as a writer. Her wise advice? It's all about you and your writing (and reading), NOT about how to make money, achieve fame, and create blockbusters.

Screenwriting for Teens is a nice visual package, as well, both structurally and graphically. I myself wish Ms. Hamlett had been my tutor in high school - she could've taught me how to do a proper outline! This book can be read effectively in its entirety, or section by section; the blocky layout is great for kids, who we all know can be (ahem) a bit impatient. Another plus for kids is the fact that Hamlett's voice is conversational yet professional, and not "teacher-ly". She's not trying to get young people to slog through yet another textbook, after all. This is about real world goals and practice.

Hamlett also offers great advice for beginning writers of all stripes, not just budding screenwriters. For example, she explains the differences between story and plot, how to write for various genres such as comdey, sci-fi, etc. And yet her advice for screenwriters is priceless - my own favorite Hamlett topic is "Characters Shouldn't Use Dialgoue to Explain Things to Each Other That They Already Know" (she proceeds to cite some dialogue from a Harry Potter film, but she's right so we must forgive her).

So, if you are a teen writer or an adult just fumbling around getting started, pick up this book, sit down, and learn, learn, learn! Screenwriting for Teens is enlightening, sensible, and FUN!

Screenwriting for Teens, The 100 Principles of Screenwriting Every Budding Writer Must Know, is an in- depth, yet easy to read book for writers of all ages. Christina Hamlett motivates any promising screenwriter, with her humorous writing style and detailed, informative understanding of the craft.

To call the book a complete "how to" manual would be a vast understatement. At the end of each chapter, a section called Brainstorming, provides writing exercises to reinforce the core concepts introduced in the chapter. Also included, is a Look and Learn section that references films, television shows, books and websites that highlight the focal points contained in the chapter.

Offering more than just helpful hints for those with the dreaded "writer's block", Screenwriting for Teens is a comprehensive guidebook that covers all genres. Whether writing a Drama, Comedy, Action Adventure or Sci-Fi Film, this is the book to begin or develop your skills.

It will be first on my recommended reading list for the Screenwriting Program that I will be offering at my local community college. Thanks a million, Ms. Hamlett, for your brilliance and encouragement, supporting all those with the courage and vision to put their pen to paper, move forward and to not give up!

Screenwriting for Teens is the quintessential guide for taking an idea and turning it into a film. The book stresses that it's necessary to understand the story process before you can understand the specific formatting of a screenplay. Christina Hamlett's no-nonsense delivery is refreshing as she instructs writers, newbies and veterans alike, on some of the basic concepts of writing a screenplay - though these concepts really apply to any kind of writing. Principles such as knowing your medium (and which one works best for your story), understanding high concept, knowing your characters and their voices, and understanding the art of dialogue are but a few of the many this book covers in detail.

Screenwriting for Teens also covers how these principles apply to us on a personal level and not just that they're the 'right' thing to do if we want to sell our script. A lot of experts talk about how making a script presentable by spellchecking and using the right font size is important, but not everyone explains the 'why' of it. Christina likens it to someone you've been interested in for a long time. They finally ask you out on a date and you spend the entire day fretting about your clothes and hairstyle. When the person arrives, not only are they late but they look like hell warmed over. The whole experience is rather deflating and frankly, disappointing. That's how directors, producers, and agents feel when they get a script from a writer that didn't take the time to polish it.

The book doesn't quibble with the fact that Hollywood is a tough business. Many writers spend their whole lives looking for that one big break while some get lucky their first time out. What's important to remember is that writing isn't meant to be a 'get rich and famous quick' kind of gig. It's about being the best writer you can be because that's what you want to do. If you want to succeed at writing, then this book is just the catalyst you need to get moving. After all, writers write. That particular maxim will be the most repeated advice anyone will give. Take it to heart, because practice (and Christina's book!) makes perfect.

Screenwriting For Teens is an extremely useful book written by Christina Hamlett. It breaks down the art of writing a script into easily digestible, little bit-sized morsels. It's incredibly jammed packed full of information yet its conversational tone helps to not overwhelm the reader. The book is broken down into 100 lessons, each starting with a concept. The author gets the concepts across by speaking in layman's terms, not making you feel like you are assembling Ikea furniture. She consistently sites examples that are up-to-date, making them easily recognizable.

In one concept, the difference between "reel" time and "real" time is being explained. She uses the example of the way reel time is used to condense days and years of characters' lives to keep the audience interested and, in contrast, how "real" time can increase agitation in the audience in such movies as Titanic, where we are living out the sinking of the ship, minute by minute, with the crew.

The second part of Christina Hamlett's lesson is "Look & Learn". In this part of the lesson you are asked to do mental exercises. To substantiate her idea of one of the key concepts "Knowledge = Credibility", she sites the opinion that lawyers don't like to watch TV courtroom dramas because the simple fact that they know courtrooms don't play out the way they are depicted on TV. Then she goes forward to test the readers' knowledge of the courtroom by giving a crime scenario and asking the reader to identify as many goofs as possible. The answers, thankfully, are at the bottom of the page so as not to drive the readers nuts, keeping us wondering.

The last sections of her lessons are called "Brainstormers". These are actual exercises that are expected to be completed. They are far from the boring ho-hum assignments that you would expect in a textbook. In one exercise where we are learning about Shorts, she gives the writer a scenario where they are to write a 60 second commercial advertising window cleaner, with no dialogue, the only actors being Paris Hilton and Darth Vader. How fun!

Although the title of the book gives a strong sense that it is a teen-only book, I am confident in saying that this book can be read by any beginning or novice screenwriter, whether they be 14, 26 or 75 years old. This book would also do wonders if it were to supplement any scriptwriting teacher's course of study. It is incredibly thought provoking and full of eye-opening knowledge.

Tears of a Dragon definetly deserves the motto of the company it's published by..."Writing worth Reading". It is amazing how Bryan Davis can mix Christianity, mythology and adventure to keep readers on their seats.
I feel like I'm really there, and the ending is brilliant. I don't see why this isn't a movie, but reading Tears of a Dragon is worth it!

Tears of a Dragon definetly deserves the motto of the company that
published it... "Writing worth Reading". It's amazing how Bryan Davis can
mix Christianity, mythology and adventure to keep readers on the edges of
their seats. I feel like I'm with the characters the whole time. It is a
wonder that this is not yet a movie, but reading Tears of a Dreagon is worth it!

Dragons in Our Midst (Dragons in Our Midst, Volumes 1-4)
These books are great. My 11 year old son loves the stories and as a parent I love the fact that I do not have to worry about what he is being exposed in this series. These are great for the entire family to read aloud together.

I've enjoyed this series as a whole, but there were many elements of the final story that bothered me. Mostly, the overuse of the death/resurrection plot point. The savior-like death and resurrection of a character is a common point of fantasy books, and a Christian fantasy book has a little more reason to use that plot device, but this series has used it time and time again. And I felt like when a character actually died at the end, it was a token death. And also, though Bonnie is supposed to be an inspirational character, and in previous books, she's had her own struggles and trials, I felt like in this concluding book and in the third one, she was a Mary Sue, or a character who is too perfect.

The way that the author incorporates the mythical and the inspirational is, as in the other books, very satisfying. There was a lot I liked about the book. But I found myself reading faster and faster in order to just be done, not because I was so enthralled. Also, I got really really tired of all of the prophecies written in fairly mediocre verse.

Would I still recommend the book? Yes, but not to everyone. This book and series is mostly good for a lighter read, even with its weightier themes.

Bryan Davis starts with a great series and does the almost impossible. Each book and episode just keeps getting better. The thrills and tensions just keep being ratcheted up. Every book does the near impossibility of always raising the bar. There is no weak moment or book in the entire series. This finale is a classic example of plotting, pacing, atmosphere, characterization and expanding our knowledge of dragons and myth. A genius is a work here. Don't miss a book, sequel or prequel. AND THERE IS MORE TO COME!!!

I became a vegetarian a few months ago, and coming from a carnivorous family, problems immediately arose. Suddenly, I needed to learn how to cook protein/iron rich dishes for myself and discover meat substitues. I looked through a lot of books for this, and The Teen's Vegetarian Cookbook has definately been the best.

It addresses teen-specific problems, like how to make really quick, easy, nutritious dishes, eating vegetarian in the cafeteria, and myriads of tips, info, terms, etc.

It's not so big that it's overwhealming, but it's not to small that it's limited. It's perfectly organized and easy to navigate.

It makes foods you didn't like before delicious. I used to hate tofu, but after making some of the recipes in the book, I am a fan.

There are really nice charts to help you figure out how to get all of the important daily nutrients you need, so you don't become anemic or get porous bones and such.

It talks about meat-alternatives that you most likely would never have found out about on your own.

It uses really relaxed, genuine language without ANY straining to be hip and cool to appeal to the youth -- this is so common in books for teens and it is so degrading and stupid. This book has none of that, thank God.

I've made a lot of the recipes and they turned out wonderfully. The rest of my family totally stole my marinated tofu out of the fridge the other day. Which really says something, in my humble opinion.

Easy recipes for adults. Still haven't gotten my 14-yr-old, newly turned vegetarian to read it, but perhaps she'll take it to college.

I purchased this book for an 11 year old vegetarian as a christmas gift. She loved it, and began choosing recipes that she wanted to try immediately. After looking at it, her college age sister asked if she could have a copy. When the non-vegetarian rest of the family tried the foods created from the recipes this book became an instant family favorite. Recipes are clearly written, easy for even a child to follow, creative and tasty enough for adults to love. Teaches many basics of nutrition and cooking. Vegan and non-vegan choices are given for many recipes. Lots of the recipes are developed by real teens.

I got this book for my eleven year old daughter. Ever since we have been enjoying great meals, such as Thai Coconut Curry, on Sunday nights when it's her turn to cook. The recipes are easy enough for her to follow without much help, yet hard enough for a challange. She is sure to grow up to be a great cook and not someone who is afraid of any recipe with more than five ingrediants.

I LOVE this book! Being the only vegetarian in my family (and also being a 'kid')makes it really hard to find things to eat that are healthy that I still like. The Teen's Vegetarian Cookbook is the best cookbook I've ever used. The format is fantastic, the instructions are really simple to follow, the recipes don't usually include strange things or anything that no one would actually eat. If you're vegan, there are lots of really good recipes that don't contain any animal products at all. This book isn't just for vegetarians, though! I got my whole family eating some of it. They added meat to theirs, but they still love the pizza dough. I even make the Chocolate Coma Pie for a party and everyone ate it and enjoyed it. Whether you're a teen, a parent, someone hoping to eat more healthy but still delicious food, or you were just dared to be vegetarian for a week, this book is the ULTIMATE!

You'll love it! What a fun, frightening, captivating, creative, well-written page-turner of a book. Thoroughly refreshing and entertaining. Surprising twists, well-written. Absolutely fabulous what else can I say? I loved it and started TRAVELING WITH THE DEAD immediately following which I'm enjoying just as much. They both gave me scary nightmares and I'm 37 yrs. old!

I really like this book. The vampires are so "real." Much better than the vampires of Ann Rice. The story is good, the ending leaves you wishing there was more. Read Traveling With the Dead also. More about James and Lydia in it.

I picked up Barbara Hambly's vampire novels in a fit of boredom, and was unable to put them down. They are dark and rich as a Black Forest cake. The characters, human and inhuman, are enticingly complex and fascinating. Unassuming professor James Asher, erstwhile spy, makes a dogged if reluctant sleuth. His wafelike bride, Lydia, has guts, heart, and brains. And Don Simon Ysidro, who blackmails Asher into helping him hunt a murderer of vampires, shimmers with compelling menace. And between Asher and Ysidro grows a bond as strong as it is macabre.

Even tangential characters come alive under Hambly's artful pen, especially Don Simon's companions in immortality. And the killer of vampires, and the mad, fragile stranger to whom Asher and Ysidro turn for help, are perhaps the most fascinating characters of all.

All, from the Master Vampire of London to the stevedore on the quay, move against a rich tapestry of historic Europe that invites you to believe.

Try, if you can, to read each novel in one sitting -- alone.

Well, what can I say that hasn't already been said? I absolutely loved this book from the first few pages, and I absoluely deplore its current inavailability. Hambly crafted a thrilling tale, using stunning writing, great logic, and memorable characters.

When I rave to my friends, I always stress Hambly's genuis at writing this fine peice of literature. She weaves a beautiful tapestry of words. She strings her sentences like fantastic jewels on a priceless necklace. The setting was so realistic, the people so intriguing, the story itself so engrossing, that I'll be rereading this book till the day I die.

Hambly dealt with vampirism very intelligently. Few authors actually try to explain that state, and I think Hambly offers the best explaination, a combination of science and fantasy. Her vampires are believable, something I require when dealing with fantasy and science fiction.

Don Simon Ysidro has made his way into my personal hall of fame. He refreshingly offers no apologies for what he is, and doesn't go around biting at every other neck he sees. Forget Dracula...compared to Don Simon, he's a dead corpse. While the rest of the main characters--James and Lydia Asher-- perhapse pale against the magnetism of Don Simon, they are nevertheless well-drawn. James and Lydia both have their own voice and personalities, as do all the minor characters that populate this book.

I enjoyed Those Who Hunt the Night better than its sequel, Travelling With the Dead, but I'd abvise anyone who loves vampires and well-crafted tales to read both. I can only hope that Hambly will eventually return to the characters she created in late eighteenth century London.

Without writing a long winded review, I will keep it short. If you only read 1 book on vampires in your life, this is the one you read, nothing like it except possibly its sequel. Ms. Hambly ruined me from this genre since I have never found anything else that can compare.

This book was great! It's about two twins who were separated, Elizabeth and Isabel when their parents split up. So when Isabel dies, Elizabeth goes to live with her father and pretents to be Isabel since no one knows she's dead and since here father's recently had a heart attack, he doesn't really remember stuff. Then, Elizabeth and Rob, which was Isabel's boyfriend fall in love and he finds out that Elizabeth isn't Isabel and then he tells her that he loves her and they know that Isabel is up to something but...it leaves you on a cliffhanger and you have to buy book 2, which is Twin Terror.

Its about two girls Isabel and Elizabeth. That ELIZABETH
takes over her boyfriend, friends,and her things. But at the end does she find out that her sister was not really dead.
This book is a really great book because it leaves you hanging at the end of the story. You just want to keep reading it.

this book is about twin sisters elizabeth and isabel!iz and liz for short!anyway isabel is murdered or so they think and liz takes her place to see if she can figure out who muredered her sister!!i couldn't put this book down and i am dying to read the sequel!!i hope you like it as much as me!the sequel is called TWIN TERROR!!
krysti

this is a really good exciting and thrilling book!
it makes you want to keep reading and turning the pages from the beginning until the very end!
it's a great horror book, and it was definitely one of the best I've ever read
i hope u enjoy Twin Sisters, and that this review has helped!

Twin Sisters by Janice Harrell is a AWESOME book! It keeps you in suspense throughout the whole thing! It was very well written and I couldn't put it down! Anybody from the ages 10 to about 20 would enjoy this book. It's about 2 twins that were separated when they're parents divorced. One day, one of them died, so the other one, goes 2 live with her dad. Scary and creepy things keep happening @ her sisters house...find out what happens by reading it yourself. I KNOW YOU WILL ENJOY IT!