Young Adult Books

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 Wind on the Moon (New York Review Children's Collection)

Believe it or not, I read it as a child in my native Romania, in Romanian translation. The book had its original format and illustrations. I was totally enthralled by the book, and read it over and over again. I even brought it with me to the U.S., planning to translate it... back into English for my own children, when I found out that it has been re-published! I hope that there are new generations of children who will enjoy this book as much as I did.

"When there is wind on the moon, you must be very careful how you behave. Because if it is an ill wind and you behave badly, it will blow straight into your heart, and then you will behave badly for a long time to come." These words uttered by Major Palfrey, Dinah and Dorinda's father, is a foretelling of a year's worth of naughtiness for the two girls. With their father gone, they do their best to make mischief as when they try to do good they end up getting scolded anyway.

First the sisters eat too many pies, steaks and bread to blow themselves up into the shape of balloons. Then, after the village kids prick them with pins to see if they would burst, they cried themselves thin. Their real adventures begin with thoughts of revenge.

With the help of Mrs. Grimble, they bewitch themselves into kangaroos ("I have often wondered what I shall be when I grow up, whether a teacher of dancing, or a circus rider, or a mother of ten, but never, never, never did I expect to be a kangaroo."). With kicks, leaps and bounds they terrify the village people. But their rampage is short-lived. Lassoed by the zoo's owner and caretaker, they are caged and tended as other zoo animals. Here, they solve the mystery of lost Ostrich eggs and free two beasts who become their loyal friends.

Their appetite for naughtiness and cleverness whetted, they turn their attention to freeing their beloved dancing teacher from the county jail. All this is just preparation for the greatest escape adventure of all, rescuing their father from the castle dungeons of a far country.

Eric Linklater's humor shines and the plot zigs and zags unexpectedly. Dorinda and Dinah will be the envy of any child who yearns to take their naughtiness to a higher level.

Caution: Some sentiments in the book may be offensive to some: that fat people are ugly or a person whose face is blackened by dirt looks like a 'negro'.

Overall it is a fun romp with two very naughty girls. Just one thing boggles this reader's mind: Why doesn't their mother ever notice them missing for days or weeks at a time?

This was one of my favorite books as a child. I found it in a dusty corner of the library, and I think I was the only one to have checked in out in years. When I was a teenager, I found it in a booksale at the same library and bought it for 50 cents. I later realized it's a copy from the first printing. As such, it's in really bad shape - especially having once been a library book. I was so glad to hear it was being reprinted.

This story is just magical - I remember getting lost in it. It's one of those classics like the Narnia Chronicles and Harry Potter - a story you can literally sink into and forget where and who you are. These are the types of books that instill a love of reading in kids. I hope to one day give the Wind on the Moon to my own children.

As a child living temporarily with my mother in London, four books got me through: The Wind on the Moon and also The Pink Ballet Slippers by Evelyn S. Dehkes and Ballet Shoes and Theatre Shoes by Noel Streatfeild. However, as others have commented, The Wind on the Moon is the one I've reread the most. My old hardcover edition is well-loved, and it is probably no coincidence that my all-time favorite book also is about two sisters: The Old Wives' Tale by Arnold Bennett. It is wonderful to see The Wind on the Moon back in print and to give it as a gift for today's children to discover and enjoy. It is absolutely magical.

My Mum gave me this book when I was about ten. It had been given to her when she was a girl by her sunday school group for attendance. I loved it!
I lost it though, and have grieved quietly for the last 20 years. This is an unreal childrens book, and one that I look forward to reading to and with my children. I just wish I still had the original hard cover that belonged to my late Mum. It was something we shared.
My favourite bit was in the back of the specially packed lorry where they had their own house amongst the furniture. I used to rearrange our loungeroom, and Mum would help stuffing cushions and towels and draping tablecloths until I had my own little world.
I'm not going to spoil it by giving away the storyline, but it was written with real imagination and a fantastic sense of childhood adventure. An absolute must for any classic collection.

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.

This is the companion workbook for The 7 Habit of Highly Effective Teens book The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective Teens

This combination is very good for middle and high school age kids. It gives them a direction and a way to plan how they live and interact with other teens and adults. Used together they are very effective.

Nice workbook with alot of interesting information. Nice guide for ANY teenager who wants to do something with their life.

I use this book in my clinical practice. It allows my clients to make positive changes in thier lives. It is user friendly and easy to use and understand.

This book provides a great opportunity to discuss with young teens important habits and goals in life and how to achieve them. The format and approach are appropriate for younger teens to appreciate and enjoy. The examples are helpful and relevant. OVerall a good discussion book for and with younger teens.

This book is fantastic! Was great assistance for my neice who is getting ready to finish High School. Very well written and easy to read.

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.

Where i live, in NYC, i see many homeless people struggling on the streets, begging for money on trains and sleeping in the worst places possible. Murmurs and disgusted looks coming from passersbys are not uncommon. Yet in Almost Home, we are given insight on these people.

The story begins with Young Eeyore, running away from her comfortable yet unforgiving life with her family to join Tracy, a mysterious girl that brings her into a street family of people just like her, running away for a better life. Blank tells the story through the eyes of all the misfits in the family, whether it be a heroin dealer, an adventure seeking girl or a broken hearted teen. Yet, the bond that this society has formed is far from indestructible, and the result's are shocking.

Well written and suspenseful, Jessica Blank exposed a world to readers. Ones that most never dare to approach. One almost Home.

Jessica Blank writes a gritty, raw novel of life on the street for a mismatched group of young kids. Oftentimes graphic and bleak, she crafts a story that reads like a documentary of life on the streets in L.A. Seven individual paths are interwoven with each other, showing that you can touch more lives than you realize.

Eeyore, aka Elly, is the youngest of the bunch. After an embarrassing encounter at school, street smart Tracy takes her under her wing, and Elly runs away from home. Eeyore is not only running from the humiliation of school, but from a horrible home secret that no one would believe.

Rusty is in love with his male teacher, Jim. They were found out and Jim told Rusty to go to Hollywood and he would meet him there once he ties up all the loose ends at home. But it's been over a month and Jim isn't returning his calls and he's running out of money and options fast.

Critter is a drug dealer who has also taken Eeyore under his wing. She adores him and follows him around like a baby bird. Critter tries to protect her from the seedier side of life on the street - drugs and pimps.

Tracy is the weak thread that intertwines through all their lives yet has an unknown quality that captivates everyone. With stringy hair, bad teeth, and empty eyes, Tracy has seen far too much for her young age.

Along with these four and three others, the rough, harsh life of runaways and throwaways is written in a bleak style in ALMOST HOME. Told through the eyes of each of the characters, the reader is left with a new awareness of the realities that can cause young adults to run away from home and family. Many are hoping for a better life from the one they knew, only to find that there are different problems that they will face, such as homelessness, hunger, and poverty.

Reviewed by: Jaglvr

Why would anyone choose to live on the streets? There is Eeyore, just twelve years old when she runs away from her priveleged home, harboring a secret she's too ashamed to tell anyone. Rusty is a sensitive gay teen who winds up alone when his older boyfriend ditches him in Hollywood. Squid has gone through too many foster homes to count. There's Scabius, a delusional punk from Utah who takes the "me against the world" motto to dangerous extremes. And Critter is a heroin dealer with movie star looks and a vulnerable heart. Laura should be home studying, but she can't face another one of her mom's boyfriends. And then there's Tracy, the damaged thread that ties them all together, irrevocably changing each person's life she touches. This unlikely band of characters form their own dysfunctional family, complete with love and belonging, abuse and betrayal. Each will make their way home, wherever it may be.



This book really opened up my eyes to the horrible plight of homeless teens out there. I did know that they existed, but I don't think I've ever seen a story quite like this one that really brings it to life and brings the point across so well. Told through 7 different narratives, but all part of one big story, this is one amazing novel. Each character has their own distinct voice when they step up to the plate and tell their perspective on everything going on. Their stories are all unique, and given some twists. This novel should be read by everybody. Two disclaimers I'd make is that it does have some mature themes in it, so be sure you're ready for them, and also if you're one who likes a balance between dialogue and description, this may not be the book for you. Dialogue is very sparse throughout the novel, and relies more on each character's thoughts and backstory than anything else.



Note: Book description above taken from Amazon.com

This is one of those books that caught my interest from the first page due to its subject matter. I work with at risk teenagers, so anything relating to their lives draws me in immediately. "Almost Home" is the story of seven teenagers in Los Angeles, who call the streets their home.

The story is told through the eyes of seven very different teens, with one thing in common. Each of them has opted to leave their abusive (or in one case, boring) home life and try to make a life for themselves on the streets of LA. Their lives consist of panhandling for change, avoiding cops, dumpster diving for their next meal, seeking out safe places to sleep and their relationships with each other, a necessity for some to survive.

The story is written for young adults, and I honestly plan to leave the book at work where the kids can read it if they'd like. It's a story of survival. Rather than romanticizing what life on the street may be like, it is honest, raw and brutal. It's a true account of the day to day problems and dramas that homeless teenagers face, once they take that step and run away from home. Stories of drugs, violence, rape and the things a person is forced to do to survive, not knowing where the next meal may come from.

"Almost Home" is gritty and edgy. Better yet, its REAL. It's a great read, and I'd recommend it to anyone who has any interest in the teenage mind.

"Almost Home" is a terrific novel with great characters, I'd love to see this become a film!

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.

Addy has always been afraid of things; but ever since she and her mother moved she has been afraid to leave her own house. She can't find the nerve to tell her brave mother.
Addy has also been hearing voices and then she starts seeing things. She thinks she is insane.
But once Addy is able to come to terms that she isn't crazy she is able to solve more problems then her own.
It is a wonderful book about: strength, fear, friendship, family, and speaking up.

If you liked this book you should also read: Dark Garden, The

A Review by Carol
This story is about a 15-year-old girl named Addy Jarrick. Her parents split up and her mom and her moved to Winnipeg. She moves into an apartment building. Addy hears voices of the old lady who used to live there. She hears these voices through a parrot named Victor who makes the story humorous. I think that this story is so great because of all of the different emotions in it. I never wanted to put the book down. You have to use your imagination to really enjoy this book. Some things that happen aren't very real but the whole situation and conflict is very good and interesting. I would recommend this book to teenagers. The feelings change throughout the book. It is sad because Addy has agoraphobia, a fear of going outside. It is also scary because she hears voices but that's what makes the book so interesting. The book was pretty easy to follow, easy to understand and very efficient. I could read this book over and over again!

Angels Turn Theirs Backs is beautifully written, and it is also fast-paced, a powerful combination for readers. It is the sensitive portait of a girl facing deep emotional problems after her parents separation. The characters are very real, while the parrot Victor offers great humor as well as important information about the past. It's also an excellent ghost story. The rich colors that fill the story are still with me a week after reading it. I highly recommend it.

This book is absolutely amazing. The moment I picked it up in the bookstore and ran my hand over its silky smooth cover, I knew at once that book was going to be great. I read it, never stopping, until I finished it. Once I did, I was awestruck. What a perfectly remarkable book! I've read it at least five times and my mother has read it too. Great book! A must read for kids thirteen and up!

This was an....interesting book. The story is well enough-- a 15-year old girl (Addy Jarrick) is sent all to the way to Edmonton (much to her dismay) when her parents split up and her mom pursues a film making career. Tending to spend a lot of time to herself, Addy isn't exactly one to write the book on making friends, so her first day at school wasn't exactly that enjoyable. Later in the book she develops agoraphobia --- a strong fear of going outside.

Yeah, that's basically the whole plot. Though a little..er.. simple, Ms. Buffie pulls it off with a various assortment of characters. The characters are mostly humourous, if not sometime moody, but somehow I felt the book lacked a sense of reality. I mean, Sean was a little too cocky and Addy a little pessimistic.

But, just because I pointed out some bad parts doesn't mean this isn't a good book. I found it strangely colourful (even if it isn't truly realistic) and well, your typical happily ever after ending story(kind of). So all in all, this book is worth a read!

Primarily a pictorial of weapons and equipment of the Confederacy apparently compiled by Time-Life while doing their series on the Civil War. The photography is excellent and the quality of the book is unquestionable. Well worth it if you are a Civil War buff.

Arms and Equipment of The Confederacy is a wonderful volume in the three volumes Civil War set by Time Life. While I am normally not a big fan of tthe Time Life books, I must admit that they did quite a nice job on this one, as they did with the other two volumes. Unfortunately, this book is no longer in print, but it certainly would be worth the time to find a copy. The companion boo, Arms and Equipment of the Union and the Illustrated Atlas of The Civil War make up the other two books in this set and are of equal quality.

As the title would suggest, this work covers the uniforms, small arms, equipment used by various elements of the Confederate Army during the Civil War. The uniform section goes from regiment to regiment, from geographical area to geographical area. It covers ever thing from head gear to boots, including spurs, and all in between. Small arms, including rifles, pistols, knives, swords, etc. are covered in detail and their usage is well covered in a well written and detailed text.

In addition to the personal equipment used by the individual soldier, there is a rather nice section on emblems, medals, rank insignia, and buttons. Included is another very nice section on the various battle flags. Personal items such as pipes, combs, sewing kits, playing cards, match cases, writing material, liquor flasks and snuff containers are covered as well. No service is left out. We have the cavalry, infantry, medics, band, artillery, and navy well represented.

This book is made up of almost entirely high quality photographs of original equipment, old photographs from that era and a few (very few) paintings and sketches, and which, when known, names the individual to whom the uniform belonged along with his or her regiment or unit. This is not only interesting, but helpful.

While there are many, many books out there that cover this subject, some in more detail, you never the less would be hard put to find a more detailed and appealing introduction to this subject. This would be a wonderful addition to any collection of Civil War books.

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks

Here it is: the holy of holies. ECHOES OF GLORY is it for the Civil War re-enactor. From the major items such as jackets, muskets, and pants to smaller items like eating utensils, smoking devices, and gambling implements, it's all here. Everything (almost) a soldier of the Confederacy might have had during the period of 1861 through 1865 is here, in beautiful color.

The introduction is a well done over history of the Confederacy's need to self-equip and arm for the conflict. Each chapter has it's own dialogues, each pertaining to the subject matter, but also well written. But, the real wealth is in the photos. Hundreds of them, each beautifully detailing artifacts from the War Between the States.

Re-enactors should especially note the sections on jackets, trousers, and shirts (let's face it, we're limited on musket choices due to the inablilty for most of us to make our own; clothing is something we can better control!). It's obvious several of the better hat makers for re-enactors raided these photo galleries to create their wares.

For the non-re-enactor, there is plenty here to keep your intrest. However, as a former re-enactor myself, I found this tome invaluable during my four year run.

I'm a history teacher and this is the book I use the most in my Civil War research. Very clear and descriptive photos of "authentic" weapons and uniforms. Excellent reference for the reenactor.

What a fascinating and interesting book this is. It provide invaluable material to anyone who has a serious interest in the Civil War. This book was made by the editors of Time/Life and I must say that they did their research accurately. This book describes the arms (weapons) and the equipment (from canteens to buttons) that the average Confederate enlisted soldier to the Confederate General used during the Civil War.

Each section of the book is divided into weapons (Pistols, Rifles, etc) and tells not only the type (with great photographs that are in color) but who issued them as well. From Rifles, Guns, Knives, Swords (Officer and Enlisted), to regualar camp knives, they are in this book if they were issued by the Confederate Government. Even those that were homemade are listed in here as well.

The most interesting parts in my opinion are the Uniforms that the Confederate Soldier wore and the flags that were flown by individual regiments. The Confederate Soldier wore a uniform that was diverse as to the regiment each one served in. From home-spun uniforms to those acquired overseas and in stylish clothing stores, those that the editors could find and be able to use are in here (alot of Uniforms, Flags, etc were supplied for the book by the Museum Of The Confederacy). Some of the hats that are in this book, show the holes where bullets either killed the wearer of the hat, or made it a VERY close call. Uniforms great and small are in this as well.

There is also a narrative throughout the book that is easy to follow and VERY interesting. There is a background story to some of the uniforms that tell of the wearer of them, if they died in battle, or lived to a prosperous old age.

The division/regimental flags are also in here and give the story to how they were made, if they were captured, or if they survived the war.

What a great book this is, and it is an absolute must have to any Civil War enthusiast, as well as those who have anytype of interest on the War fought between the states.

Highly recommended!!