Young Adult Books

I thought when i read this that it was nice and simple, and it was. I really enjoyed reading such a wonderful quick and easy read. Thank you Kate Brian for thia wonderful quick, easy, but enjoyable series!

After reading the first 2 novels in the private series, i couldnt wait to read untouchable!! I finished it the same day that i started it; it was a great book. it was a little bit unrealistic, though. it had a few too many twists and turns and the ending sort of leaves you hanging, but i definately recommend this to anyone who enjoys the private series.

This series is really addictive, and this book has a cliffhanger ending that's a sure way to make you desperate to read the fourth book, Confessions.

Once again, I am pulled in by the story of Reed Brennan and the Billings Girls. I would definitely recommend this series to anybody...

Reed Brennan knew her life would never be the same the second she left her dysfunctional home in Pennsylvania and arrived at Easton Academy. She'd be away from her pill-popping mother, which would give her the opportunity to open up to others and have a normal social life for once. But she had no idea that her new life at Easton would be full of drama and intrigue. It all began when she caught her first glimpse at the fabulous four Billings girls -- Noelle, Arianna, Kiran and Taylor -- and everything changed the moment she became one of them. Reed's hot boyfriend, Thomas Pearson, is dead. The news, though shocking, comes as to no surprise for the student body. He was, after all, a drug dealer and a drunk, but it nevertheless stirred a tidal wave of grief and surprise among Easton Academy. Reed finds it difficult to get on with her life. It seems everything is falling apart around her. Taylor is on the verge of a nervous breakdown, Noelle is as enigmatic and controlling as ever, and it seems like the four girls are hiding something from her. The only bright spot in Reed's life is cutie Josh. But how could she move on so soon after Thomas's death? And with his roommate, for crying out loud! Things become intense during Thanksgiving vacation. Twists and turns flow in the story. It appears that Thomas was murdered... and Josh is the prime suspect. There is a lot of mystery surrounding the Billings girls as well. They are hiding something, but what?

The plot has certainly thickened in this unputdownable (not a word, I know) teen series. I find it funny that Reed has gone through so much stuff when she's only been at the Easton Academy for three months. But I am enjoying the wild ride. Arianna's ominous words to Reed, "You are one of us now," in Private, foreshadowed some rather intense drama in store for the heroine. After all, the Billings girls aren't the typical high-privilege girls. Are they simply spoiled girls with nothing better to do other than to cause mayhem around them, or are they the generous and mysterious girls that somehow manage to find themselves in the middle of the aforementioned mayhem? Hmm. There is only one way to find out. I for one dislike Noelle a great deal. She is the most malignant and, at the same time, enigmatic out of three girls -- a control freak -- and I wouldn't put it past her being the puppeteer and mastermind in all the sudden drama in Reed's life. I have purchased Confessions, Inner Circle and Legacy and look forward to reading them. I won't read them all at once though. I will take a break from them and absorb the mounting tension in this riveting YA series. However, it won't be easy to keep myself from reaching out and grabbing the next installment right away. The series is that good! I give it four stars because I wish the books were longer, but the stories themselves deserve five stars. I recommend this series most highly.

Right when Reed Brennan was accepted into the Billings Girls' clique and had finally gotten over her ex-boyfriend (if you could call him that) Thomas Pearce, she discovers that Thomas, the guy that she truly loved, was found dead. Now Reed feels guilty for ever moving on or thinking the worst about Thomas. It's hard for Reed to mourn his death since everyone around her is watching her every move and emotions. It doesn't help either that Thomas's parents couldn't care less that their son has passed away--or how Taylor, Kiran, Noelle, and Arianna are all acting very strange. Especially Taylor, who seems to be crying more than Reed over the death of Thomas.

Being at school doesn't help Reed's problems either. She can hardly focus on her school work, since her mind is always on Thomas. There are detectives there investigating Thomas's death, guessing that he was murdered, and interviewing all of the students about Thomas and his past.

But there is only one person that can actually keep Reed sane, and that's Josh. He's the only that actually makes her laugh now and she feels happy whenever she's around him. Except for the fact that he was Thomas's best friend and he did share a room with Thomas. Right when Reed begins to fall for Josh, she discovers things about his past that not only could hurt their relationship but also be the answers to all of the questions that she has.

Kate Brian does it again in this third installment of the PRIVATE series. UNTOUCHABLE delves deeper into the lives of the students that attend Easton Academy. Who knew a private school could have so many secrets? With another cliffhanger, the only thing the reader can think about is, "why is the next book so far away?"

Reviewed by: Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen

Violet is your everyday teenager. She is insecure with her body and unsure of the person she is. But all that changes when she is "discovered" working at the local movie theater. Angela her modeling agent is sure Violet is the next big thing!

Modeling comes easily for Violet, she simply can't help being herself, and the designers love it. The other models however don't particularly like being shown up by a newbie. When Violet takes the big step and moves to New York, she finds out modeling is more that walking around with pretty clothes. Violet tries to resist being swallowed whole by this new world, but in response she has turned into someone else. Will the new Violet win out, or will the old shine through?

When I started reading Violet on the Runway, I was hesitant. I didn't want another one of those books where the girl goes from zero to IT and all her dreams come true. I was for certain I had the storyline pegged, and I wasn't thrilled. Luckily for me I kept reading, because I didn't have this story pegged after all! Sure Violet gets the modeling gig, but it isn't a walk in the park. I know how she felt in the beginning, when she had to have people like her, because I was the same way. I was so happy to see her grow! She did make me mad when she ditched her true friends, but she made it up to them in the end. I actually enjoyed reading this book and I am totally looking forward to reading Violet by Design. I just hope I see some more Violet and Roger action!

Violet Greenfield is a wallflower. She feels way too tall and skinny and the only two people she feels comfortable around are her two best friends. But her life changes forever when a lady with Chanel shades comes into the theater where Violet works and tells her she could be the next IT model. Soon, Violet is on a plane to New York, with other people deciding what she should wear and how she should act. She soon realizes that the life of a model isn't always fabulous.

Violet on the Runway is an amazing book about what really takes place behind the runway, in the life of a model. The characters were realistic and three dimensional and though I know nothing about modeling, I could relate to everything Violet was going through. I must say that Violet on the Runway is way better than what I expected and it's not your normal "Not It Girl Turned IT Girl" novel. I definitely recommend picking this book up on your next trip to the bookstore.

Violet was always just your average girl, who never stood out from the crowd -- until she got the chance of a lifetime.

She was asked to become a model for an agency and move to New York, so she takes a chance and graduates high school early to move into a cramped New York City apartment.

She thinks that it will be all glamor, all the time, but what she finds is the complete opposite. As she tries to battle keeping her old friends and making new ones, things get complicated.

Will Violet become the model she always wanted to be? Or will she fail under all the pressure?

A great read!

Reviewed by: Audrey

What a great read! I love this book and couldn't stop cheering for Violet to open her mouth and use her voice! This book would make a great movie, with a wonderful cast of characters from Mario to Aunt Rita to the transformation of the double V's. I was so pleased that Melissa Walker included an excerpt for the next Violet book coming in 2008. I'm hooked!

I LOVED this book - by the time it ended, I was hoping that Melissa Walker will write another one so I can follow along and see where Violet's life is going. Very good writing, awesome book!

My 17 year old daughter read this book to me and we both really enjoyed it. Full of interesting details, the book was obviously written from the heart and is enlivened by a counterpoint between the energy of youth and the experience of a mentor. The reverence for nature and the "high country" comes across with feeling and catches you up not only with the beauty but also with the rigor and difficulties of experiencing nature and life itself.

I read this exquisite book in two sittings as I was torn between not wanting to put it down and wanting to stretch it out. It is beautifully written and weaves in significant details about ancient history, modern issues and spiritual understanding in the context of coming-of-age and appreciation of the wilderness all without sounding pedantic or preachy. It certainly deepened my understanding of hunting. It is the sort of book that would appeal to teenagers (the protagonist is a boy) and adults.

A teens' self discovery is portrayed in the backdrop of the beautiful Rocky Mountains while hunting. The story of Peter Atkins unfolds as he learns an alternative to the urban consumer-driven existence we call everyday life. In flashbacks and exciting present-tense mountain action we learn how one can step outside the mundane to experience a higher level of awareness and meaning.

A quick, thoroughly enjoyable read.... Be sure to pick up Wapiti Spirit and spend a few days winter camping in the Rockies learning lessons of quietness, ruggedness, freedom, independence and compassion. In Wapiti Spirit Michael Houston shows how allowing an animal to live a free, wild, life and be taken as quickly, humanely and unexpectedly as possible... providing pure meat... is much better than putting creatures through misery for the sake of cheap burgers... But that's just one of several neat themes in Wapiti Spirit...

Our book club, consisting of 12 mature readers (ages 50-82), found Wapiti Spirit an enjoyable, thought-provoking story which led to many lively discussions. The discussions included the importance of mentoring, remembrances of those who mentored us and how we have passed these lessons forward, respectful hunting practices and rituals, urban vs rural understanding of the food-chain, and wildlife management. We highly recommend this book to everyone especially kids who live in urban settings.

Water Warp: Daze of Reckoning blends author and professional teacher Paul Borick's twin passions for biology and language arts into an exciting adventure story for young adults. In Water Warp, ten-year-old Paul is en route to Hawaii for a family vacation when a sudden accident introduces him to a kingdom called Aqua World, inhabited by highly intelligent dolphins who find a place for him among their own. Gnik, king of the dolphins, asks young Paul to lead a three-part adventure to protect the kingdom from the ocean's predators, especially the sharks, for another thousand years. Told from Paul's point of view, Water Warp is a fantastic tour of both imagination and the precious quality of compassion for fellow life forms. Highly recommended.

It was great. It was one of the best books I have ever read. I like the part when he was chasing that other guy and sitting by the really stinky people. I also like when they called him Luap NOT paul. It was a masterpiece.

Your book was pretty good. I can't wait until the next one comes out, so I can buy it. I would give your book a 4, because I liked how its a underwater world and I like dolphins and sharks. It was cool how there was and aura force field protecting the dolphins. I also liked the funny part, when they are on the plane and they have to sit by all the smelly people.


your friend,
Eric Wolfe

Hello Fantasy readers!!!....the book you've been looking for has arrived. The book runs you through all the adventures you could hope for. It takes a human boy whose plane crashes in the Pacific Ocean. Dolphins who live in a deteriorating world called Aqua World recruit him (because they need a human) to help save their world from all the evils and perils of the ocean. Anyway, the boy is sent on a quest to retrieve a gem "the gem of Aquarius" that will help replenish a forcefield that protects them. During his quest the boy changes his form from human to part dolphin to full dolphin. The boy has to struggle through the many dangers of the ocean including the finger like plants, the twicones (underwater cyclones/tornadoes) that protect the purple caverns which house the gem that will save the dolphin's Aqua World. The purple cavern's (Wow) have many riddles that the boy has to solve on his quest to retrieve the gem. What would this underwater story be without the dolphin's natural advesary in the ocean, "The sharks". The sharks have their own vile leader "Thgin Slived" or Devil's Night once you learn what the author does with the character's names. Thgin is a nasty great white shark who uses his brute force...not his intelligence to rule the world of Sharks. His top assistant...who I think should be the leader...because he's smarter....is fearful of Thgin's Slived's strength. Anyway....the boy has a run in with the sharks on his quest to return the gem back to Aqua World. I don't want to give too much away....but ....never mind....I won't say (It's just cool with the sharks!!!) The endinig...(WOW!!!!) Never saw the twist that was coming...one of my favorite endings....makes me want the next book now...Mirror Image as book one tells you....I can't wait.
I passed the book onto my younger brother 7th grade and sister in 5th. They both are not big readers like me....but they gobbled this book up really quick. My sister loves dolphins and my brother like me enjoys fantasy. If you read just one more book this year....this should be the one....You barely need an imaginiation it is so easy to see from the authors description. Good bye....and happy reading.

I thought the superman undroos wasn't right, but it was still a little funny.The werid thing about it is how the dolphins speak.

This is the book, in this format, my mother read to me 50-plus years ago, and it is still as good. I recently purchased four copies. One each for two adult friends who are very ill. Both responded with uplifted spirits. One each for two young women who will be welcoming new "Young" ones soon.
Please note "Disbobedience" was set to music in the '60s by, I believe, the Chad Mitchell Trio, and James James Morrison Morrison Weatherby George Dupree is still warning his mother "not to go down to the end of town unless you go down with me ..."
"Vespers", at the very end, not only brings back memories of your own and your children's innocent childhoods, but also contains a very important message, "Oh, I quite forgot/God bless me."
And God bless you and those with whom you share this book.

One day, I found one of these poems running around in my head 40 years after I first began reading them to my boys when they were very young. As my older son took possession of that copy some time back, I had to order a new one for my 67-year old self just to get the lines absolutely right. It was worth it. My only regret is that I have no grandchildren to drum them into. Charming, literate and comforting.

This is one very good book and can be enjoyed by people from 2 to 92. I've read it to senior citizens as well as my grandchildren. The subjects are universal. The rhyme and rhythm are delightful.

My copy of this book is 51 years old and has my grandmother's autograph. Talk about a lasting gift! I love books as gifts, and this is my all-time favorite.

I had to read this for a little while before I got to a poem I really liked. The first 10 or so poems just seemed incomplete to me. "Independence" caught my eye first. In very few words it pretty much tells us adults that our kids are going to do what they want, despite all the things we say. It's followed by the wonderful poem "Nursery Chairs" where a child pretends the chairs in his house are different things. Then after "Nursery Chairs" is another strong poem, "Market Square" where we learn that there are things all around us in nature that we don't need to get from the market.

"Disobedience" is another interesting poem. It's kind of a role-reversal story about a kid whose mother disobeys his orders to stay away from the end of town, and she gets lost as the result of her disobedience.

"Spring Morning" emphasizes the beauty of nature to us, saying, "It's awful fun to be born at all." Next is "The Island" which has a wonderful closing message that screams, "God made it all - FOR US!" to me.

And there are so many other joyous poems in this quick read too. There's "Jonathan Jo," "Rice Pudding," "The Wrong House," "The Dormouse and the Doctor" (which has some terrific rhythm), a very touching "Little Bo-Peep and Little Boy Blue," "The Invaders," "If I Were King," etc., etc.

But perhaps my favorite poem in the collection is "Halfway Down" which is about nothing more than sitting on stairs. Man, if someone can take such a simple act and make it so astoundingly wondrous, then that person truly must be one of the greatest writers ever.

The plot of the story takes place in Holland during World War II, it shows the challenges Dutch people faced while coexisting with the Germans. One thing I disliked happened during the winter period when the oldest members of the family made the little kids go from door to door begging for food while they sat at home waiting for them. One thing I liked was when the Verhagen family took the youngest kids into the house and supplied them with food, shoes, and warmth. I also liked that they had joined into the resistance of the Nazis and took in the Jewish army men.
The setting truly showed how hard it was to live during World War II, in occupied Holland. The author showed me this by having the Dutch have a curfew. If they were caught they would be chased down until they were captured. One of the Dutch was so desperate he rode on the wings of the windmill to stay safe. The windmill also played an important roll in the story because that is where they would live and even hide people in them.
The conflict of the story is that the Verhagen family doesn't have any good crop growing soil so they can not produce any food. This conflict is man vs. man and man vs. nature. The resolution is that the Verhagen family destroys the dike and water floods the whole farming community. This in turn waters the soil so it can produce crops. Since they did this the family is rewarded with many presents like food or other household items. One thing I enjoyed about this conflict was that it was realistic and showed that anything could happen. I disliked that it was something someone would have done.

I loved The winged Watchman when I was growing up and am pleased to see that it has been reissued for a whole new generation of readers. In my opinion, it should be required reading for all kids-- it depicts a family living under Nazi occupation and facing it with courage. The Vorhagen Family lives in the Netherlands, and as the occupation and the war proceeds, the family becomes more drawn into the resistance movement.

They shelter several refugees from the Nazis-- Trixie, a baby whose mother has been sent to a conentration camp, Charles, an airman who is hiding from the Nazi troops, Koba and Betsy, who take refuge with the Verhagens because they have nothing to eat in their own home, and Hildebrand, a student who wishes to study rather than fight. With frequent visits from Uncle Cor, who is active in the resistance, the family draws together, determined not to succumb to the brutality they see all around them.

This book serves as an excellent example to children of a family's bravery and of the importance of doing the right thing. It's a terrific book and is one that will touch your children's hearts as it is teaching them a valuable lesson.

The Winged Watchman is a fictional story about a Dutch family, the Verhagens, who live in a mill in the middle of WWII. They include Mother, Father, Joris, and Dirk Jan. Throughout the process of the book there are many additions to the Verhagen family. They include Trixie (a little Jewish girl who's parents were taken away at the beginning of the war), Freya (an abused dog rescued by Joris), Charles (an English aviator), Uncle Cor (a member of the Underground Resistance Movement), Koba and Betsy (two young girls who came to stay with them because of lack of food at their own house), and Hildebrand (a young man who was interested in studying rather than working in the resistance). The Verhagen family eventually becomes very involved in the resistance movement. It is sad when Uncle Cor dies, but the book actually has a very happy theme to it. This book mixes adventure, history, and suspense, and it's okay for children. They do mention shooting and concentration camps, but they aren't graphically described. They don't happen at the same time. They are mentioned as something that happened somewhere else. This book is a perfect example of the spirit of teamwork.

This book was about how a boy, who lived in holland during WW2 survived. He took part in helping the resistance by housing a pilot and acting as a distraction. He also helped to keep Holland from flooding when the electric pumps went out. I would recommend this book to others because it was veary enteraining.

I first heard of Hilda Van Stockum when I bought a used book by her, "Pegeen" for a mere quarter a few years ago -- oh my! What a find!!! Couldn't put the book down, started researching all of Mrs. Van Stockum's books, and read them as fast as I could find them. Bought several from amazon and ebay, and they are WONDERFUL. They're written for children, but utterly held the interest of this 51 year old reader. What a shame these books aren't still widely circulated and read by today's kids. If you read the reviews posted here, you'll get an idea of The Winged Watchman's story -- a riveting account, clearly truth-based, and perfectly told. All of the Van Stockum books have made me cry with their impact, yet they are told in an utterly natural way, no grandstanding. These are the kind of characters that stay with you, in the best sense, like Francie from "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" or the Moffats, or Scarlett O'Hara. They are unforgettable. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND The Winged Watchman and all of Hilda Van Stockum's books. And you should Google her! A fascinating and accomplished person, her life will impress and inspire you. Sorry to ramble on! Thanks.

I have no earthly idea why all three books in this series are rated as five stars. After being deceived by that I bought and read this book. It was OK, a bit amateurish, and rather derivative, with very few moments of originality. Granted, I am an adult, but there is much better juvenile sci-fi/ fantasy out there, like Cofler's Artemis Fowl series or Pratchett's Tiffany Aching series.

i really enjoyed this book. it was very magical and exciting! i could just imagine myself going through the same troubles that gerald/jarret went through. such as battling the scralers to save skitter. i also wanted to get answers to the questions that gerald/jarret was asking. the strange animals were described so well, i could picture it inside my head. the ending was so unpredictable, it made the whole book turn around!i definetly want to read the next book!

One of the most unique and refreshing stories I have read in quite some time. If Wizard Chase, Wizard Girl, and Wizard's End received even a miniscule fraction of the publicity enjoyed by books from the major publishing houses, it would be an instant best-seller, and we would already have heard about who is being cast for the movie version.
If you truly love innovative, exciting stories, you'll read these books.

The book was a very very cool and awesome book, I'm 15 right now and I loved this book. This book could be read by someone of all ages. I loved the book in gereral but the only thing I didn't like was the ending. The ending was sad and there should be a way for him to go back. He should be able to go back and see his friends. I think that it would be very very cool if you made a sequel to this book in which he goes back and somehow gets away from the animals and things in his way, the gryphons. I was very mad at the ending, and hope that you will find someway to get Gerrald back to Kimyra.

A rich jewel of a series: original, imaginative, and wonderfully crafted.

If, like me, your tastes in reading lean more towards sci-fi than fantasy, don't be deterred by the title of this terrific series, which begins when a young Idaho boy stumbles upon a hidden cave. Chasing his errant cat, he soon finds that the cave is a gateway to another world, Kimyra, where talking(!) cats are joined by such strange creatures as ribeks, wallacatoons, trolls, and gryphons in a battle between good and evil `wizards.'

For the Kimyrans, everything is explainable as `magic,' but thirteen year old Gerrald, a.k.a., `Jarrett' in Kimyran, is a bit of a skeptic, less amenable to accepting explanations involving the supernatural when nature is known to have more tricks up its sleeve than an army of wizards could conjure up in a lifetime of trying. But to get back to Earth, Gerrald will need all the `magic' he can muster to steal two jewel eyes that were stolen from a stone dragon by the evil wizard Mantigore.

Together, Wizard Chase, Wizard Girl, and Wizard's End make up one heck of a good tale.

I just finshed kidnpped and i JUST LOVE it!It is a little weird if you haven't read the first series.but it's cool no AWESOME no fantastic!!!!!!!!

I love this book!!!! I would recommend this book to and child to teen of the ages 10-14!! I love this book sooo much!!

My nine year old is just starting to finally get into chapter books this series has held his interest very well. He is now moving onto more chapter books and a wider variety than just the humorous books he has been reading. I take my advise from Dr.Seuss "Fill the house with books!"

The book I read was Kidnapped:The Abduction. the author is Gordon Korman. This book was published in May 2006. I rate this book a 5 because it has a lot of adventure and it was mysterious when Meg got captured and you didn't know who captured her so it kept you wondering. It started when Meg got captured when her brother Aiden and her were walking home from school and a van pulls over and captures Meg. Aiden tries to stop the van but there's just no way. He's the only one who saw her get captured. Why was she kidnapped? Well you should read the book to find out more.

Picture this--you and your sibling are walking home from school and all of a sudden, someone is attacking you and trying to kidnap you. Then instead of taking both of you they just take your younger sibling.

Well, this happened to ex-fugitive Aiden Falconer. The FBI accused his parents of doing something illegal so they went to jail for almost a year while Aiden and Meg were running away from the police so they wouldn't have to go into a temporary home. Then the FBI figured out they falsely accused the Falconers. When they got out of jail there were a lot of people who still believed they had done something wrong. Aiden and Meg called them Falconer-haters.

One day after school they were coming home from the bus and this van drives by slowly. They think nothing of it, but then it stops and two people come out and start attacking them. They can't get Aiden, so they take Meg and drive off.

After Aiden tries to chase after the van and can't catch it, he runs home and tells his parents. They call the local police. Then the FBI gets involved, so they call in special agent Emanuel Harris--the same agent who had arrested the Falconer parents in the first place. They tell the media. They hope they can find her soon!

THE ABDUCTION is great! It is the beginning of a three book series, KIDNAPPED. Gordon Korman really knows how to write a suspenseful book and make you want to read more and more. There are so many twists and turns, this book is sure to keep you on edge!

Reviewed by: Frizzie

I read this book in a day, I could not put it down. In fact when I tried to and went to bed, I got back up and read it until 2 in the morning.
Kathy Sanders has guts and she has class!!!!! This lone woman and her dear wonderful late husband, stood upto the GOVT and demanded answers. They, or we the American People, will most likely never be told the truth of what happened in the days leading up to, the day of and the days following this horrific tragedy, but Glenn and Kathy should be commended for doing what our GOVT refused to do, investigate this terrible crime. To try to bring to justice ALL of those involved.
Everyone should read this book.Everyone should thank Kathy for doing what she did and continues to do. Everyone should have a mother/grandmother like this woman.
Everyone should visit the memorial in OKC and pay their respect to those who perished and those who survived. It could have been any of us.....

Here is a book written by a very believable grandmother of two Oklahoma City Bombing victims. Kathy has done a stalwart job of researching the OKC bombing and she presents several unanswered and very credible questions about the U.S. government's inept investigation of this case. After Oklahoma City is a culmination of Ms. Sanders becoming stronger, wiser and more passionate for the truth surrounding the death of her two grandsons; whom she dearly loved. Kathy's journey over the past ten years has strengthened her and her family in many ways unimaginable at the time of the bombing.

This book will help you learn that there is much more to the OKC bombing case than what we have been told during the past ten years. The woefully incorrect information offered by the U.S. Government is simply unacceptable.

We need more people like Kathy Sanders to take a stand for the truth. I highly recommend reading this book.

Although, I think kathy sanders is truly an impressive person, I do think that the writing was poor. At times it seemed very simple and corny. I especially think that the poems to introduce each chapter could have been so much more intersting. for example a quote from a thinker or philosopher that could have reflected the theme of the chapter.

On the hand, I do think the book had some useful information and would recommend that people read it.

Once I picked up this book I could not put it down until I finished reading it. Kathy Sanders showed great determination and courage in her pursuit of the truth despite great obstacles put before her. The author takes you on a very human journey with her, from the begining of that tragic day of April 19th, through the following years of investigations and research, until ten years later. I found this book to be a testament to a brave grandmother's faith in God, love of family, and kindness to others during the most difficult of circumstances.

Kathy Sanders has sought the truth in the Murrah Bombing since day 1. She details it thoughtfully and factually in this book. I know first hand that her accounts are true, I am her son Danny. I am the one who identifed my nephews in the rubble, and from the time I told her, the search for truth began. It takes a lot of courage to take on the United States Government. As a former US Marine, Federal Employee, and police officer I am thankful that the truth is finally out. Rate this book on the merits of the evidence, and not the ramblings of a drunk in Southeast Oklahoma who tried to ride my nephews death to gain attention in the press. I know JD Cash, he can't be trusted; but I know you can trust my mom, the greatest woman and author I know.

Most books with really good illustrations are usually a little weak in the next. Not The Ancient City. The excellent text in this book is completmented by beautiful illustrations of what is being told.

The past is another country, and the farther back in time we try to go, the harder it is to get there. If it is difficult to understand daily life in Rome and Athens today, even if we are there in person, able to see the sights and walk the streets with a native guide, then imagine how much more difficult the task to go back several thousand years. The natives are long gone, and only the shattered remains of marble buildings and monuments remain to guide us.

"The Ancient City" shows us, with a wealth of pictures and artistic reproductions, what life may have been like when Rome and Athens were the centers of their respective empires. Illustrator Peter Connolly draws on the latest archaeological finds to recreate buildings that range from the well-known, such as the Parthenon and the Colosseum, to tenements, temples, public baths and latrines (of the one in Rome -- dedicated to topping any other city -- boasted of one that featured an open-air design and over 100 seats).

Connolly also recreates statues, reliefs, frienzes and pottery, sometimes adding the original color scheme, creating a startling effect to an eye used to seeing plain white marble. The text, co-written with Hazel Dodge, describes daily life, how the people dressed, wed, entertained, worshiped and died.

Short of building your own time machine, "The Ancient World" is a worthwhile passport to the past.

The Ancient City: LIfe in Classical Athens and Rome is a good book because it has a good description of the two civilizations. Ancient Rome and Ancient Greece are two different periods, and the book divides the two with clarity and nice colorfull pictures. It will give you good information that you can't find in a encyclopedia.

I teach Classical Studies from the junior school to the senior student and am always on the lookout for resource material which can make the subject more inherently interesting. This book has it all-a wealth .of information presented in a great format with brilliant illustrations. I have posters by the author hanging in my classroom but in this production he outdoes himself. I can now readily picture what the great Panathenaic procession might have looked like , what happened in bathing establishments and how the average citizen coped with the problems of everyday life.
If anyone ever thought the Classics were dull, I would encourage him or her to peruse this book. A new adventure awaits the reader.

I wanted a basic overview text on Greek and Roman civilizations. Luckily I stumbled upon this book by Connolly and Dodge. The book is terrific. The layout is excellent. The writing is succinct and the text moves along smoothly. I now have a basic knowledge of Greek and Roman eras. I got a lot more out of this book by also reading Edith Hamilton's The Greek Way. However, I must confess, this book is far more interesting and keeps one glued. A joy to read. Very highly recommended.