Young Adult Books

As well as being a page turner filled with interesting characters and intrigue, this is a great story for teens who need to see that there are always consequences to the decisions they make. A friend used to say to his kids and mine, "You can make any decision you want, but you have no choice over the consequences." THE SHADOW OF THE BEAR reinforces that adage with a wonderful mix of mystery, danger, and romance. In my conversations with the author about this books' moral premise (see my book "The Moral Premise: Harnessing Virtue & Vice for Box Office Success") we came to an early determination that in "BEAR" sisters Blanche and Rose can be considered one character because they are nearly of one consciousness and goal, and that together their decisions (along with the decisions of the others in the book) center around this ONE THING, this moral premise, which describes naturally occurring causes and their consequences: "Foolishness and timidity lead to what is dark and dangerous, but courage and wisdom lead to what is light and life." For a book aimed at teen girls, this 61-year old male was absorbed in the storytelling of a great writer. Bravo!

With a snowstorm raging outside and her mother long overdue from work, Blanche anxiously awaits her mother's return. After all, this is New York City. Her sister Rose, on the other hand, is contentedly reciting poetry instead of studying her trigonometry.

Suddenly, a car door slams and a woman cries out. Blanche leaps to the window to see two dark shapes struggling in the swirling darkness. Is their mother okay? Out of the swirling darkness, enters Bear, changing their lives and home forever.

Who is this mysterious young man? Why does he have such an unusual name? Why is he out alone in the middle of a blizzard at night?

In this story of mystery, intrigue, and romance, Rose and Blanche, two teenage girls, strive to live their faith in modern day New York City. Faced with the typical problems of teenage life of wanting to be popular, follow the "in" crowd, and be accepted, the girls are faced with some tough choices.

How they deal with these situations is what sets them apart. In one particularly dramatic moment, Rose confronts Rob, a cocky, popular student, who all the girls pine after, and tells him in no uncertain terms what a "real" man is. In a world where immoral choices are considered the norm, this book is a refreshing treasure.

Unique and distinctively different, Rose and Blanche are real personalities. Blanche, who is shy and sensitive, wishes she was more like her younger sister Rose, who is more flamboyant and bold. However, it is Rose's curiosity, trusting nature, and desire to be popular that gets her into some rather serious tight spots. Fortunately, her spunk, creativity, and moral fiber, not to mention, God's Providence, get her out of them.

Hard to put down, my daughters read this story over and over again. This contemporary rendition of the Grimm's Fairy tale, includes true-to-life characters, who are real heroines, and a multi-level plot that is thick with mystery, intrigue, and healthy romance.

I think "The Shadow of the Bear" is a nice story. I didn't know the story of Snow White & Rose Red as sisters, so I didn't know what was going to happen.

I am a mid-20's Catholic youth minister and I enjoyed it. I would recommend it to my students as a quick read. It shows teenage girls living a life of faith modestly, and the two main characters have opposite personalities, so girls should relate to at least one of them.

I look forward to reading the sequel.

If you are looking for a wholesome and entertaining adventure book to give a girl who is starting to be interested in boys (I'm thinking ages 12 to 16) you don't want to miss this one. By a Catholic mother of (at last count) six children, The Shadow of the Bear is the first in what recently became a trilogy that continues with Black as Night and Waking Rose.

My 15 year old daughter tore through the first one in about a day, finished the second the next day, and asked how soon we could get the third, which we recently obtained. She has lent the first one to a friend, who also loved it and is asking for the others. Her twelve year old sister is now reading them, too.

I have finished the first two and, while they may never be studied in great literature classes, they were competently written and engaging. They were a little too heavy on descriptions of clothing, feelings, and relationships for this middle aged man, but I suspect that is part of their appeal to my daughters. The heros and heroines are virtuous, reverent, and chaste, and respect each other for it. They also all seem to be fans of G.K. Chesterton.

The books are based on Grimm's fairy tales, and I enjoyed seeing how the characters are translated to a modern setting. For example, the seven dwarves in the forest become seven friars in the south Bronx (who bear a suspicious resemblance to the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal founded by Father Benedict Groeschel). The fairy tale origin has a few minor drawbacks. For one thing, since the characters in those old fairy tales always seem to be getting betwitched and falling into a deep sleep, the people in the books fall into and emerge from perhaps one too many comas. I doubt that this will bother many young teens, though.

I wish there were more books like this. If you know of any, for girls or boys, please tell me about them.

Some books just fall into your hands, and instantly become treasures you want to share with all you know. This is one of those books. It is a modern retelling of the story from the Brothers Grimm, of Snow White and Rose Red. It is the story of two brothers and two sisters, all of whom have lost much in life and are not fully what they at first appear. The sisters have lost their father and had to move back into New York City. The brothers have lost their mother and have both been convicted of drug charges. Then one fateful night their fates become somehow intertwined.

The sisters are Blanch and Rose, two girls who grew up in the countryside, and who now reside in the city. They live with their mother and attend secondary school. The first of the brothers we meet is named Bear; he has dreadlocks, is big and tough, yet upon spending an evening with the Brier sisters and their mother he reveals different parts of his past. He has a passion for life, loves poetry and takes the girls on outings. But there is always a dark side to a Bear and this one is no different. He has secrets and his story and journey are still unfolding. The mystery revolves around a murdered priest, an abandoned church and the school the sisters are attending.

This story is wonderfully told. The author draws you in and keeps you captivated from first page to last. Each chapter begins with a quote from the original fairy tale, and foreshadows what is coming, yet in New York the mysteries and magic of a fairy tale are very different from the German countryside. Regina Doman is a true storyteller, not just an author. His skill with the pen makes you see the action as it is taking place, and you feel so drawn into the story that you feel like a character sitting on the sidelines waiting to see what will happen next.

This is the first book in a trilogy and I cannot wait to lay my hands on books two and three. This story was so captivating that it left me wanting more immediately. If you are looking for some great summer reading this term, give this book a try.

My husband gave me this book for Christmas last year, because months ago I had mentioned that it was one of my favorite childhood books and I was very chagrined that evidently I had not saved it. I read it again, about 47 years after my first reading, and loved it just as much, maybe even more.
Before I read it, for extra interest I tried to remember everything I could about it. It was amazing to me that I could remember so many little details, even some of the expressions that the children used.
I intend to read it to my grandchildren when the time comes.

This is by far my most favourite book from my childhood. Your child will fly away with the children and visit all the exotic times and places. I great jumping point for parents to explain history in more detail to their kids.

Great for ages 7/8 and up.

This book was my all time favorite children's book. My mother had it as a child and read it to me when I was around three. Once I learned to read I re-read it several times. I most recently read it again this summer and I can't wait to read it to my future children.

I read this book as a child,simply for the story. Now, as an adult, and a would-be educator (wannabe, really) I find myself coming back to the story of the children and their magic ship again and again. As I grew older, I read grander tales of more complicated magic... and greater historical scope... but every now and then, I would return to this story. It gives a different taste of magic... the Norse tradition is too little explored, at times; and a smattering of several interesting periods in history... Norman England, Egypt in the time of the great pharaohs.... even a visit to the Norse gods themselves. Age constraints notwithstanding... a good literature is good literature. Given the current resurgence in magic in children's literature... this deserves a reprint!!

This is a wonderful book, which I've read dozens of times, and it still moves me. I first read it 40 or more years ago, and when I found it again recently, I was just as enchanted by it, and now appreciate it on other levels. I still want to wander a tiny English seaside town and find my own magic ship.
I recommend it to anyone-children, teens, adults, seniors. It has something for everyone.

A research partnership trying to build a better spectrometer gets in over their heads. One partner went to the Yakuza for funding, and then brought in Lionel Luthor, neglecting a few details.

Lex is showing Clark around Metropolis, so we end up with a Luthor/Yakuza problem, and Clark needing to pull off a few bits and pieces of the superheroic type. Some of which take place at Ordway docks, and the Neo-Tokyo precinct.

Smallville fans will love this book, this book stays true to the characters and gives us more insight on the life of Lex Luthor.
The book is mainly focused around Clark and Lex getting into some trouble in Metropolis.

WHat's wrong with most TV Tie-in books is: characterizations get lost and twisted... plot is lost in a sea of .. how to put this *for a lack of a better phrase* senseless crap (characters have no motive or reason for what their doing, details brought up but not explained, etc.)

This book got everything right though. The characters retained their warmth and personalities from the show... the plot had many levels and good one-liners in there.

We get to see the strong friendship between the boys and how Lex knows Clark has secrets but doesn't trust him with them.
I was shaking my head at how Clark screwed up yet again with Lana... saving the world is noble and all, but *smacks Clark upside the head* if you keep ditching someone like that they won't stick around for long.

This book keeps you flipping the pages. It's hard to put down, the pace never slows or drags/gets boring. The twist on who "Agent Green" thought the alien was and the bit at the end when we learn where he's going after the hospital were hilarious (to me anyway).

Go out and pick up this book now! Definitely worth your hard-earned dollars :)

If you are a true Smallville fan like myself, you will really enjoy this book. The characters (especially Lex Luther)are authentic..they hold true to the television show.
The book is basically about Clark accompanying Lex to Metropolis only having to safe his life from an Asian gang. In addition, Clark finally has a date with Lana but like always, he ruins it BIG TIME. You really need to check out this book..it's more than worth the six dollars you paid for it.

for once an author has decided to show more of the character of lex luthor. lex has to go into metropolis for a few days and asks clark to come along. after some arguement his parents consent.(the only part of the book i really could not see them doing.) as lex tries to show clark a good time, they get involved in a bunch of trouble from japaneese mafia to secret agent who thinks he has found an alien in the mix. how that turns out is worth reading the book by itself. the author gives good insight into the characters of our 2 heroes and adds a few thoughts on the character of lex. it is a beautifully written book and definilty worth the money for smallville fans.

This may very well be the best spidey story ever told, and that is very strange considering how low on the pole Kraven ranks among Spideys villains. However, Kraven becomes an empathetic character in this story, and watching his dissent into madness from panel to panel is a work of art. The story has a few moments that spidey fans will remember forever, and that's pretty impressive considering the characters history. Every Spiderman fan needs to have this in their collection, Nuff said.

the only thing to dissapoint me about this book was the 'hype'-if i can call it that.nearly all 5 stars (reviews here) means a damn good book,and i felt like maybe it was a bit less than amazing.that said i will read it again and never let it go.awesome cover art but inside it is still a 20 year old story (give or take)

Great read here! If you like Spider-Man, comics, or just a good read, make sure to pick up this story. It's got action, drama, emotion...so many things on so many levels. The dialog flows, the art is beautiful, and the story has real meaning to it. Be cautioned: The story is dark. The web-spinner lacks his usual wit and humor. He doesn't have time for it...he's fighting for his life! Hardboiled, gritty, and just plain good. Highly recommended.

This story is an absolute masterpiece, the art is superb and the story, well its just fantastic. It gives the reader a very interresting villain, whom you might be temped to cheer for. This story is about honour, revenge and having a second chance (spidey after getting out of the grave changes).

Extremely recommended to EVERYONE

This was a very entertaining read. The story was very good and the art was even better. It does a great job of putting you into the mind of Kraven. You really get both sides of the story which really makes you have to pick either Spidey's or Kraven's side. Great read.

I found out this book is still being sold by Amazon on their Canadian and U.K. websites (amazon.ca and amazon.co.uk). If you're in the U.S. you can order it from those sites, but the postage will be a little higher. There are lots of other Nick Butterworth books on those sites as well - some which you can't get on the U.S. site.

Great story rhythm. Pictures are charming, mixing the past with the familiar present items the children will recognize easily. Just the right mix of text and pictures. I read this to my son when he was 5 or 6 years old and when he could read, he read this by himself. Now I want to give my grandkids the chance to read and fall in love with this book, just like we did so many years ago. It is a classic!!

I bought The Lost Sheep and House Upon the Rock 15 years ago for my children. I have tried to find more of the books since I now have grandchildren. I was very excited to find The Stories that Jesus told. My grandson, 6, and I enjoy reading it every night when he comes for a visit. We love the humor and the illustrations! Please bring more of these books back. We want more.

Stories Jesus Told is a fantastic book with clever and humorous illustrations. It impacted me and my children through the stories and vivid illustrations. My kids just keep asking to hear the stories over and over again. That in itself speaks volumes. The stories gave me a deeper understanding of the spiritual principles Jesus taught in the scriptures.

I purchased several copies of this book years ago for my own children and to give as gifts. It is my godchild's favorite book to read at night. The familiar parables are given an amusing twist with illustrations which enhance the story line and strengthen the underlying lesson. I love this book for both the content and the illustrations and would love to see it reprinted.

I was hooked from the very first chapter. I bought a copy for my sister and told my friends about it. I believe that young people could easily get lost in the story and wish they were right there with the characters. I can't wait for the next book to see what happens to everyone. Keep up the good work.

If you've ever read a book about magic and liked it, this is the book for you. Not only does the magical atmosphere and simple wonder of this book draw every young and old reader inside it's pages, its original and exciting storyline holds them there. There's a character in there somewhere that everyone can relate to and they wide variety of magical-life can put a smile on anyone's face! Most people's minds will immediately go to Harry Potter if they hear about a book about magic, but don't be detered by that! This book is completely orignal and it's ideas are refreshingly new. Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down, and I only wish I could've given this reveiw sooner!

The Stormholder, by Tricia Boone and Melissa Thomas:

Reviewed by C.S. Marks

Katie and Jack seem to be fairly typical eleven and thirteen year old kids; they play soccer, they argue with their parents about having to learn herb lore, and they tease and play and poke fun at one another. But there is one thing that separates them from most `ordinary' children: they are learning magic. It seems that Katie and Jack have a destiny awaiting them...one that leads them into the richly-imagined world of August in search of their missing parents.

August is peopled with strange and intriguing creatures, and it would be both difficult and undesirable to describe them here, as part of the joy of the book is in the discovery. Every page introduces a new and fascinating life-form (to my delight); it was as though I was opening up a new and exciting doorway with each successive chapter.

I would prefer to not reveal much of the story here, only to state that this is a tale of exploration and discovery, both of the new and magical world, and of Katie and Jack's abilities, history, and destiny. All is not as it has appeared, nor as they would have ever imagined.

This book is suitable for nearly any age reader...provided one enjoys tales of wizardry and magic. It flows well, and moves along at a smart pace. There is, at times, a distinctly Hogwarts ambiance, but not to the point of obscuring the book's own unique flavor. I enjoyed the exploration of wizardry in August, and found myself turning the pages to ask: `What's next?'

As to the actual execution of the book, I noted several points of interest. It was written by two authors, and at times I thought I could detect slight differences in style and word usage between them. The writing is generally solid and is an easy read. The use of words is colorful and rich.

The principal characters are interesting and well developed. One can tell that the authors understand young people; the dialogue and mannerisms of Katie, Jack, (and their friends, including my favorite character, Abby) is realistic and appropriate.

I believe that this book would be a welcome addition to the library of young people (as well as adults who enjoy YA fantasy), particularly if they are into magic (with a little bit of whimsy), wizardry (with a hefty dose of intrigue), and the enchantment that comes with a good, light-hearted story. Recommended.

A great story for everyone, you'll like the way it hooks you in. The Stormholder is a book about two normal kids, or so it seems. The Stormholder is filled with many twists and surprises. the way the author shapes the story is remarkable! The way the book ends will want you to read the next book.

My friend said......Marie, I think you will like this book.
Well, my fingers stuck to it as though Raam were barring me from entering a forbidden portal! A hint of C. S. Lewis and a smidgen of J.K. Rowling. This is analogous, however, to comparing Liz and Linda based on the fact that they both have blue eyes. "The Stormholder", aside from the "hint" and the "smidgen", is a whimsical fantasy both unique and original.

From the onset, the story pulls one into a magical funnel. "The Stormholder" introduces the young reader to herbs, to astronomy via Andromeda, to inspiration via Maya Angelou and physics via Einstein.....at times succinctly, but significantly.....at other times constructively didactic. Youngsters will revel in the mystery of the Black Hole and ponder the existence of the Wormhole whilst conjuring up images of elves, giants and witches. This book is more than delightful reading, it is a true learning experience. There will be those who dash to the computer or to Mom and Dad for more details, and there will be those who simply continue reading. The latter, most assuredly, will retain those golden nuggets deeply imbedded in their gray matter only to recall them in later studies. "The Stormholder" is, quite simply, a gem.

Eagerly await a re-visit to Coffer Cove and August. Precipa Mundo !
CMHD (Color Me Hook-ed)

I know the book says for TEENS, but why wait????
My granddaughter's birthday is in July. Facing 10 and the next grade and struggling somewhat through the end of the last semester, I wanted her to have a view of the 'big picture' that she would be ready to take on the challenge of the critical years to come.

This book is about empowerment. Helping a child form their own opinions and allowing them to mature without encumbering them with mixed messages during a difficult time.
I have only been working with her a month, but she now understands WHY she WANTS a clean room. She has already developed some of her OWN goals and is even forming ideas about what she would like to be when she grows up.

Since the book is written by peers, it gives kids tools and examples in their own language.
She has come to understand that class projects are not something to be done casually, but with consideration and forethought.

Even MORE important is the sense of SELF she is discovering and, as an amazing side benefit, HAPPINESS.

Maybe they should have called this Stop the Mope, Learn to Cope.... I DID read the book WITH her to help her feel more empowered and teamed up with an ally.
I also figured this would be the best way to PREPARE ME for the changes she would get from this book.

Ready for a re-birth? Make this book a family event and grow together.

This book was perfect for my daughter who is struggling to figure out what life is all about. Once she started reading this book, she couldn't stop talking to me about what the book said. The book really helped her understand things that I couldn't help her with. I am very happy that I purchased this book for my daughter. I highly recommend it for anyone who has a teenage that is struggling to figure out life.

Wow, I devoured the book "The Success Principles for teens" in 3 days and I am absolutely amazed how you are able to attack EVERY SINGLE negativity a teenager could possibly have. That fear, excuse, or problem - all answered. I have to admit, besides completely revamping my whole outlook on life, this IS the best book I've read in all of school.

Read about those who did what they wanted to do despite their realistic external conditions or situations. The Authors have studied those people who did what they wanted to do, even those who did something that no one had done previously. The Success Principles are a result of those studies.
Is there something you want to do? Is the next step reading, learning and applying The Success Principles to your own life? You've got the potential, just the same as those examples in the book who succeeded in doing what they wanted.
It's up to you......!

The Success Principles for Teens is a phenomenal book! I wish I would have had a copy as a pre-teen or teenager. It would have saved me a lot of needless pain & suffering. This book teaches teens how to take responsibility for their lives, set goals, and establish healthy self-esteems and healthy self-perceptions. It encourages the reader to be persistent and to give their best no matter what. Each chapter is sprinkled with inspiring stories that back up the 20 principles. It is extremely fun and entertaining to read while teaching important life skills. I am 27-years old and was motivated to take the suggestions in the book. Implementing these suggestions has absolutely changed my life for the better. I am now goal oriented and have a much more positive outlook on life. This book made me feel that I finally have the tools necessary to deal with the real world.

I decided to read this book because I've been impressed with Talbot's work in Gaiman's Sandman series, and I was surprised at how much I liked it. It addresses the important issue of sexual abuse in a way that makes it very personal. It also cleverly worked in the synchronicity between the protagonist's life and that of Beatrix Potter. My only criticism is that sometimes the theme of abuse wasn't brought in subtly enough, but overall this was an excellent graphic novel.

I bought this book to write a research paper for my PhD course. My personal impression is that young readers prefer to see more visual material even when 'reading'. This is a great source to inform and educate them on the events that happen in the story. Also the preword and the epilogue are very useful.

This fine graphic novel is a stellar example of what comics can do better than any other artform. Prose by itself wouldn't convey the combined power of text & illustration Talbot uses to such stunning effect. Beginning with the Beatrix Potter-style cover art, he offers layers of emotional & artistic meaning, utilizing flashbacks, fantasy, and harsh realism to tell the story of a damaged but ultimately victorious young woman -- and he's able to tell it from both the inside & from a more omniscient viewpoint. His detailed & expressive faces provide nuances that would do many accomplished actors proud.

What makes this work is that it's not just A Very Special Episode sort of story. Helen is an individual, not a case study, for all the extensive background material. Her story is not simply about healing & recovery, but about the importance of art, as well as the struggle towards wholeness that every human being must undergo. And the lush, colorful art only adds to the richness of this work, which rewards many rereadings. Highly recommended!

I've seen several people criticizing the cover art of this book, and I think this needs clarifiction.

If you read Beatrix Potter books as a child, as I did, you would have recognized immediately that the cover is a direct homage to the classic white covers of the little books. The plain white background, centered watercolor illustration, and even the title font is a faithful echo of every tale she ever published. Go check out one and see if you don't revise your opinion. I was, in fact, drawn to the book immediately BECAUSE I recognized it as a Beatrix Potter concept.

Oh, and the story is a very good one, and timely. :)

Like Spiegelman's Maus and Satrapi's Persepolis books, this graphic novel shows how powerful this genre can be in dealing with brutality, in this case with childhood sexual abuse as well as with animal experimentation, social isolation, homelessness, and a horrifying family life. As society and family prey on Helen, the protagonist, she thinks, she reads, she develops her own thoughts and insists on going her own way--and on getting others, including readers, to think differently about their own preconceptions and assumptions as she sheds her abusers.

Take the example of rats--far from being reviled at best and something to be experimented on at worst, Helen shows other characters and us, the readers, that they're intelligent, amazing creatures that should be respected and even worshipped, as in Hindu religion. What's especially great about this novel is the way that it mixes an unflinching look at horror and brutality (Helen being abused by her father and rejected by her mother; fantasies of suicide; scenes of sexual predation as she hitchhikes; and much more) with a clear appreciation for the power of art and thinking (as well as the positive example of another assertive individual, Beatrix Potter) to help someone come into her own and leave her abusers behind.

Ibtisam Barakat skillfully and meticulously described the typical life of a Palestinian child and the life of the Palestinian's living in the villages and towns of West Bank after the Israeli occupation.

If I wasn't sure Ibtisam is not one of my siblings, I would swear we grew up in the same house.

This book is simply magnificent. Thank you Ibtisam.

If you've lived a middle class existence, this book will make everything you've ever complained about seem very small and ridiculous. No car when you were 16? Sharing a bathroom with your siblings? Boo hoo. Ibtisam Barakat grew up with real problems. Violence, war and famine were never very far from her front door.

Despite this, Ibtisam Barakat is able to recount her childhood growing up in Ramallah without an ounce of self-pity. What could be a maudlin tale is told from the eyes of a child who simply knows nothing else. She plays up the street with her brothers, has pets, and finds comfort and whimsy in a piece of chalk.

Barakat is also largely able to sidestep the politics that infuse the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and present a simple story--growing up as a child, surrounded by war and uncertainty.

This sweet memoir of Palestinian experience is written with so much creatively poetic description that one can get lost in the beauty of the words. The story of a little girl and her family set around the Six-Day War with Israel is a gently written narrative of displacement and loss, family ties, and Palestinian culture that is a rare look at a part of the world and a situation that we Americans generally know little about. I did wish to learn more about the parent's thoughts and how they avoided feeling hatred for their enemies. This is a nonpolitical story, however, and readers are left fascinated by the cultural details and impressed by the perseverence of this close-knit family as they struggle with the realities of war. The author chooses to remember in order to "give my story to the world in the hope that no others ever lose their home, and that the world would lend them a hand if they fell." Amen.

At three and a half, Ibtisam lives in Ramallah, West Bank in her happy home at the top of an isolated hill with her parents, her infant sister, and her two older brothers. Basil is six, and Muhammad is five. Every
evening, she runs barefoot to meet her indulgent father at the end of the gravel path when he comes home from work with sweets in his pocket. But when father comes home on June 5, 1967, he scares Ibtisam by
yelling for her to turn back and run. He rushes into the house shouting that the war has started. After a frightening night in a trench on the property, her parents decide to join the refugees streaming past the house heading for Jordan. Her mother tells Ibtisam to grab her shoes. Having trouble with the laces on one shoe, the child loses sight of her parents in the stream of refugees and runs down the road to find them with one shoe off and one shoe on.


Countless children have been lost forever in the eternal streams of war refugees. By her own stubborn refusal to stop walking, despite a severely damaged foot, this tiny child finally caught up with her distraught
family on the second day. Her terror, however, which comes to life in this memoir, never leaves her. Eventually returning home, her childhood can never return to the idyllic. In the straightforward, linear text,
the author shares her frightening experiences. They are universal to the experiences suffered by children everywhere who are trapped in the machinations of adults waging war. Children have no politics.




APPROVED

There aren't many books on the Palestinian situation available for children, and fewer still that are memoirs. I actually managed to pick up and read Ibtisam Barakat's, "Tasting the Sky: A Palestinian Childhood," without ever realized that it was more than mere historical fiction. As a bilingual author and poet, Ms. Barakat could have written a straight up autobiography, but somehow the memoir is just as moving and intense a portrait as anyone could ask for. It gives her struggles a weight, balance, and arc that wouldn't necessarily belong in a standard series of personal facts. Tracing her life from just before the Six-Day War when she was three to her state as a teenager, Ibtisam remembers her struggles in an occupied Palestine and draws strength from her past.

Facts guide Ms. Barakat's pen, and the horrors of the Six-Day War speak louder than anything else. If dehumanizing occupation is inherently political, then yes, there are politics in this book. More than anything, though, I was struck by Ms. Barakat's ability to write without pointing fingers or blame. Her primary goal is to attain peace in the land of her birth. Mentions of things like bulldozers are only brought up in the beginning. In the past, Barakat will show small beautiful things, like a fig tree with a single early ripe fruit on it. There is no mention of what might happen to that tree in the future.

The prose itself is pretty good too. An Israeli soldier butchering his Arabic pronunciations makes, "the words sound like they have been beaten up, bruised so blue they can hardly speak their meaning." When shouting down a well she says, "We called out one another's names; the echoes returned to us as though our voices had grown older than we were." I liked that the teenaged Ibtisam felt so claustrophobic under her mother's attentions that she wrote, "Mothers and soldiers are enemies of freedom. I am doubly occupied." You learn things too. At one point we learn that the Arabic word for "imagine" is "batkhayyal" which means, "to see the shadow of a thought."

Of course, you want to know more. If we understand that this book is a fictionalization of Ms. Barakat's own life then we want to understand how she came to be a resident of Columbia, Missouri after a childhood as a refugee. The answer to this lies in two parts. In a final note in the book that reads "Giving Back to the World" she writes, "Without the help of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency ... millions of other children and I would not have gone to school or learned to read, write, and use our pencils to clear a tiny path through the wreckage of refugee life..." Later in the backflap of the book we learn too that the author, "grew up in Ramallah and has a degree in English literature from Birzeit University in the West Bank. She came to the United States in 1986 for an internship at The Nation magazine." Considering the number of starred professional reviews (at least three as of this review) "Tasting the Sky" has received already, not to mention its inclusion more than a few Best Books of 2007 lists, Ms. Barakat might wish to consider penning a sequel to her story. Perhaps one that follows her heroine through her tricky years of a teen. Such a novel might make for a lovely companion to Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis, if nothing else.

Given the subject matter, I was intrigued by the suggested reading list at the back of the book. Barakat deals with some difficult issues, and I wanted to know which children and teen books she felt would best complement her own take on the conflict. The list consists of seven selections, both books and films, each one discussing the nature of peace and how to attain it. Each one also gives voice to the Palestinians living in the region, most also offering an Israeli perspective as well.

For many kids, the conflict in Palestine is a difficult topic to grasp. That probably goes for teens and adults as well, I'd wager. What Barakat's book offers is a modest introduction to the history behind some of the troubles via her own personal history. People who would like to include this in a unit for teenagers could consider pairing it with Joe Sacco's graphic novel Palestine for a more recent look at the problem. We may or may not see an answer to the hostilities in an occupied Palestine in our lifetimes, but at the very least we can know that there are voices out there like Ibtisam Barakat who are striving for a peaceful solution. As she says at the beginning, "Many countries have an intense involvement with the Israelis and Palestinians. But the approach of siding with one group or the other, caring about only one rather than both, seems to add to the strife." Let's hope she has more stories in her to tell.

From the moment I first read the synopsis I was intrigued. Time travel, a Scotsman, fantasy and true love are all wrapped into one novel.

In Time Masters we discover that there is a Creator God who created races both Muiraran and Human. Then he ordained that they must co-exist and intermarry in a very unique way for the future of both races. Muirarans contain special abilities, that when placed in loving submission to a human mate can change the course of history.

Time Masters: The Call is a fast paced and interesting story centered around two individuals, one human and one Muiraran, who are destined to change the world. Only together can they stop a great evil.

While being drawn up into a fascinating story, I also found myself captivated with the spiritual concepts in Time Masters. The spiritual concepts were told in a subtle way and beautifully woven into the fabric of the story.

Another thing that I loved about Time Masters was the depth of the characters. My favorite character was Shona, the Muiraran maiden. Everything about Shona's character makes you desire to see her protected and cherished. This adds to the suspense of the story as forces conspire to capture, control and even experiment on her. This also draws the reader into the conflict and heightens the intensity of the struggle. Dallan becomes a larger than life hero, as despite his struggles and bitterness over his situation, he begins to uncover his desire to protect and cherish Shona.

Time Masters captivated me and I highly recommend it. I found the premise creative, the theme of virtue uplifting, the writing descriptive and the story highly engaging.

When I first read this book's description, I thought it reminded me a little of Doctor Who. Timelords, Time Masters, sound kind of similar? Sure.

The comparison may stand, but you'll need to add a few random elements to the mix. A fierce Highlander, a dozen cats, a grinning African, several worried chaperones, chocolate chip cookies, an antique weapons shop, an alien race, a gruesomely evil villain and his clueless hirelings, and a plentiful supply of cliffhanger climaxes. And that's not even the half of it.

You will need to be fairly tolerant of grammar and sentence structure best described as "original". However, this is certainly part of the author's effervescent style, even if it tends towards chaos at times. The rambunctious storyline is so ''out there" that its daring expressiveness is just one more aspect to leave you shaking your head in disbelief. But dinna fash yerself - the writing style is certainly vivid and gripping, including a particularly evocative rendering of the hero's Scottish dialect. Good job!

The plot will keep you on your toes for sure. You can sense how the author must have had an exciting time writing it. There are many scenes that are curiously poignant, and many profound allegorical images of things like justice, sex, music, faith. But the deepest comments are those regarding the state of being in love, being intended for the other, giving your heart away, and finally sharing one heart. All this across the breadth of three time periods - a distant past, an even more distant future, and one something like our present day.

A zany mix of cliches and genres, often hilarious, quite possibly the wildest journey of your life, aud certainly anything but predictable. If you are able to turn a blind eye to a few anomalies, I think you'll enjoy this rip-roaring tale very much indeed.

The story moves so swiftly that I had to catch myself reading too fast and had to slow down. Each sentence kept me in anticipation and each chapter delivered. It DID satisfy. I was thrilled to have read a great story that left some things to your imagination. It did not include vulgar and nasty details of sex and murder. These are things that really take away from a story. Instead, the author brilliantly wrote the details and climaxes to affect your heart, mind, imagination, and dare I say, soul?? I found myself lost in each character. There is depth. A book about battling evil, virtue, loyalty, strength, true love, a Creator, masculinity, femininity, meaning and purpose. I absolutely cannot wait for the next in the series. Meanwhile, I will read this book over again. I highly recommend this read. Is it possible to be satisfied AND want more??

Book One of "The Call" series, Time Masters is a fantastic, sweeping epic. In the year 3698, a terrible civil war is on the brink of erupting. To prevent unthinkable ruin, Dallan MacDonald must inherit the responsibility of being a Time Master - yet to earn the title he must earn the love of the nigh-otherworldly Muiraran Maiden. Stolen away as an infant and hidden in another time, she rejects the truth of her nature, and earning her love will be no small task! A race against time to prevent the destruction of civilization ensues, in this dramatic and absorbing saga of heroes, villains, love, and hatred.

Time Masters was a really fun adventure, surprisingly so. When I saw that it was over 500 pages, my heart dropped. I thought,"Oh, no. It better not be boring or I'll never get through it." Hurray! It as anything but boring. I was excited about getting back to it when I had to pull myself away for duties like meals and sleep (but I didn't do much of that). I found it easy to become immersed in the world of the 3600's and the different time/cultures that Dallan and sweet Shona inhabited. I was impatient to see them finally get together and save the world...or would they be able to do it in time? Marvelous character development. I see this as a book for both teens and adults. Now I am looking forward to the second book in the series.