Young Adult Books

I have to say I just read this book last night (yes I read it in a day) & I thought it was AMAZING!! I love mysteries especially when they're so good you can't put them down & this was definetly one of those books, You should definetly read this book if you get the chance!

The book Fake ID by Walter Sorrells is a great book about a teenage girl who's mom suddenly goes missing on her sixteenth birthday. She now has to find her mother; find out why they were always running and moving to different cities. The city that Chastity and her mother now are living in is High Hopes, Alabama.. Her and her mother change there ID's like they do whenever they move to a different city. Chastity, if that is even her real name asks her mom who her dad is, why they are always moving and why she can never listen to music and sing songs like she loves to do. There is all these questions and Chastity can't find any answers until her mom goes missing and she will have to figure out everything in order to find her mother. This is a very mysterious book that is non linear that will make you think and want to keep reading.
I think Fake ID was a really good quick reading book that always made you wonder what was going to happen next. I like mystery books like this one because it is fun to read. I am a person that likes to read but I don't read a lot because I have to find a book that I'm interested in. I like books that can kinda be realistic and have to do with someone my age; that I can relate to. I thought this book was awesome.
Chastity is the main character of the book. She is a young sixteen year old girl who just wants to stay and make friends at her high school. Her mother which you will find a lot about in the middle of the book kept a lot of secrets from her daughter. They are really close and in the book Chastity knows that her mom didn't die and she has to find her before she has to go live somewhere else.
Ben which is another character in the book is Chastity's closest friend for a long time and will help Chastity throughout the book. He is a really nice guy and is there for her when her mother goes missing. Rachel which is another character in the book is a popular cheerleader at school who Chastity doesn't like that much. Though she doesn't like her she also ends up helping Chastity find her mother,.
In this story you learn that when someone you love goes missing that you will do anything in world to find them. It's sad when you lose someone but you are so happy when you get them back. When your parents don't want you to do something or don't want to talk about something they have a reason for it. Like Chastity says in the book-" Mom is weird about music. Like she won't listen to it. I mean, at all she says music is bad luck." This is how it all starts and you will find out why this is so important when you read the book Fake ID.

The two books in the series are great! Its about this girl and her mom moving from place to place. Read it if you a fan of suspenfull mysteries. Trust me and a bunch of other readers: THIS BOOKS ROCKS.

I loved this. It was fast-paced, suspenseful, and really interesting. You just want to know what happens next! I was so shocked, and yet strangely it felt like it was so obvious all along. I cannot wait to read the sequal!!! This was really exciting.

On one hand, this was a great book! I love this genre and I couldn't put the book down! A true page turner! An easy and fast read!! I imagine everyone who loves mysteries would enjoy reading this book! Creative and original!

However, there were unfortunate distractions that totally undid the enjoyability. I've never read a book with so many flaws in continuity and character. For example, the lead character, a budding musician, distinctly has to leave her prized guitar behind in a car used to kidnap her. Yet, her guitar is with her when next she needs it. Impossible. Then, in one paragraph, she is riding in a convertible Mustang and on the same page, just a couple of paragraphs later, the same Mustang is said to have a "sun roof." Again, impossible. In another section, a teacher tackles the lead character in the school library in order to get her to turn off her cell phone. That is implausible. Besides these and other obvious flaws, all characters except the lead are stereotypical, totally predictable, and one dimensional.

At the end of the book, the bad guys survive what should have killed them. This felt like a weak, obvious gimmick to get a second book going for the character where she must face these bad guys again. Why?

I don't know whether these are problems because the author has a poor editor, or because the author is cranking out books too fast to stay on top and keep the plot details tight and consistant. [On his Web site, the author says that he wrote 4 or maybe 5 books last year...he can't really remember which because he's writing so much he can't keep track.] The author obviously CAN concoct a GREAT plot (an EXCELLENT plot) and tell a great story (an AWESOME story) that keeps readers' attention. There is no excuse for the flaws.

This collection, as the other 4, are one of the best comics you can read! Great! Yuo must have it!

gary larson is one he best cartoonists ever! you have to travel to the far side! all of his comics will have you thinking! its great! buy it, you'll love it!

As a satirical cartoonist, Gary Larson has no peer. His biting and hilarious insights often require a great deal of thought before you get the point. If you are not familiar with the reference used to create the cartoon, it is unlikely that you will get the point.
For example, on page 42 there is a cartoon showing deer engaged in an excavation project with a mounted cowboy observing them while perched on a hill. The caption is "Where the deer and the antelope work." If you do not know about the song, "Home on the range", then you will not understand the joke. Another example on the same page shows three frogs lying among cattails holding wine bottles. The caption here is "Yeah, I remember Jerry. Good friend of mine ... You know, I never understood a single word he said, but he always had some mighty fine wine." Once again, if you are not familiar with the song "Joy to the World" by Creedence Clearwater Revival, the joke will most likely pass you by.
Gary Larson is a genius, where that quality is manifested in ways that are twisted, yet profound. This book is hilarious.

Here's another omnibus edition of Gary Larson's weird, wacky and utterly hilarious cartoons. To enter Larson's world is to enter a world where animals have meaningful conversations, bugs make their homes in nice suburban houses, flies fly planes etc, etc. Certainly not the mainstream kind of cartoon but for anyone who likes 'off the wall' type humour this is a 'must buy'. Absolutely hilarious.

Larsen is the world's greatest cartoonist. Too bad he retired. I have envelopes filled with his cartoons clipped out of the newspaper (10+ years ago!) that I still can't bear to throw away. So I suppose this book was a good idea. It will take up less space than several bulging envelopes.

For younger people who can't remember his cartoons in the paper every day, you need to hurry up and start collecting his books so you can always be within arm's length of a smile or a laugh.

Also, I love the story about the "Jane Goodall Cartoon"

--George Stancliffe

Rae Voight knows that Anthony is still mad at her for going behind his back to find out about his dad and he even tries to avoid being paired with her in group therapy, but they get stuck telling each other about their hopes and dreams. Rae is surprised when she finds out that Anthony really wants to go to Sanderson Prep, her own high school, so that he can play football there. Anthony knows that he can never go there because it is way too expensive and he can barely read, let alone pass a bunch of tests. But Rae is determined to make this dream come true. She helps Anthony study and learn to read better and sets up a tryout practice with the coach at Sanderson Prep. Before he knows it, Anthony is on his way to the rich kids' school and he gets to play on the best football team in the area.

Rae is so happy to have Anthony at Sanderson with her - now she will finally have a friend at school! However, things don't turn out the way that Rae planned. She is shocked to discover Anthony hanging out with her old group of friends - even Marcus, her ex-boyfriend who is trying to get her back! Rae doesn't know what to do and she finds herself leaning on Yana, her only girlfriend, more and more as more strange stuff happens. First she gets some fungus on her tongue and is worried that she is developing the same symptoms her mother did before she died. Then there is the creepy teacher, Mr. Jesperson, who always seems to be watching her. And Rae still doesn't know anything more about her mother and the New Agey group that she was involved in before she was committed. Rae has a feeling that she is finally going to find some answers when she finds out her mother's group used to meet at Wilton Community Center. However, when she goes to the center and meets Aiden Matthews, she ends up having more questions than she did before. Rae desperately wants to go over everything with Anthony - but all he ever talks about is football and Jackie, one of her ex-friends from before. How can she deal with all of these secrets on her own?

This is the fourth book in the Fingerprints series and if you have read the first three before this, than this one just keeps drawing you in deeper. Every time Rae finds out something about her mother there are a ton of other questions that pop up and the reader is really kept guessing as to what is going to happen. And its not like Rae can just worry about her mom, she has to worry about not having any friends at school, whether she should get back with Marcus or not, what the heck she is supposed to do about Anthony, typical, normal life stuff. Just be advised that the book has a total cliffhanger ending AGAIN - make sure to have book #5 ready to go!

Rae Voight with help from Yana now knows about her mother. She gets many messages from the person who is trying to kill her, saying "stop asking questions". She knows that if the person wants her to stop she must be getting close. She is so determined that she will go see this man that she and Yana have only met once. When her and Yana get there it is not at all how they planned. Rae and Yana need Anthony's help but, will he figure out how to help them in time? Read this book to find out!

This book is very interesting. It has a nice mixture of mystery and romance. I really enjoyed this book I hope you will too.

In this book, Secrets, Rae tries as hard as she can to find out about her mother and her past. Because she knows her ability is somehow connected to her mother and if she dosen't hurry her own body will beat her stalker in killing her. Usually she would run to Anthony and ask for help but he seems to have more important things to do ever since he started at her school. Rae is furious at him. It looks like it's just Rae and Yanna now to solve the ongoing mystery but Rae could be walking into a trap. THis book was great. Melinda Metz once again delivers suspense, romance, and mystery in book [amt]. I can't wait till the next book, Betrayel, comes out. I hope it's just as good as this one. I reccomend Secrets to anyone who's a fan of the series and wants to read more. Have fun!

Rae Voight has finally discovered the truth about her mother -- and has even found a horrifying revelation about herself. It still seems apparent that those that are after her, because of her extraordinary ability to touch a fingerprint and read the thoughts of the person who left it behind, aren't giving up on her yet -- and it seems that more actions are being taken by the ones who hide in secrecy. Anthony has just gotten into Rae's school, Sanderson Prep, and is finally happy with his place in society. But at school, there's a girl named Jackie -- who is looking for danger. Anthony has to figure out the truth about Jackie fast, before something bad happens. But more so, Rae has an even bigger agenda -- it's finally time to search for her mother's past. There are many secrets to uncover, but little does Rae know how much the danger is growing. Fingerprints #4: Secrets is the thrilling continuation of the exciting Fingerprints series by Melinda Metz, and the most harrowing book in this intense series yet.

In "Secrets" Anthony starts to go to school at Sanderson Prep. He hopes that this will get him and Rae even closer. However things are way different then he expected. He is befriend by Rae's old friends, the very ones who abandoned her. It seems that Jackie Rae's old friend seems to be hitting it on with him making him very uncomfortable. What he doesn't realize is how Rae is feeling as their misunderstanding grows deeper.

Rae feels Anthony has abandoned her. It seems he never has time for her problems anymore since he keeps blabbering about how there is something seriously wrong with Jackie. Whats more it seems like he has befriended her old friends. Now she only has one person who cares about her---Yana. As she and Yana dig into Raes mom's past they get themselves closer to danger as they look into the New Agey Group Rae's mom particpated in.

Just when Rae has gotten pretty close to the truth Jackie is sent to the hospital on overdosige of aspirin. Rae realizes how wrong she was and decides to repear her friendship with Anthony.

However just when things are getting much better between the two of them Rae disappears with Yana. Can Anthony figure out he clue she gave him and find her in time?

Rae/Anthony fans will be very happy in the end when they...Sorry! You will have to read it to find out!

I personally find this book to be the best book i have ever read in my entire life. I'm pretty picky about what i read, but this is so spectacular and the writing is incredible! It's better than Warriors, better than Avalon, better than anything and everything. I read this book in only 3 days because it was so good. It's 498 pages long, but it goes fast. It has such a rich and vivid plot and each chapter is full of mystery. It would be good for a book report because, even after you read this long book, you still remember everything about as if you just started to read it.

It takes place in Scotland during the time of Norse Raiding (FYI)

One of my favourite books - if not my favourite!

I adored reading this book. The first time I read it I was gripped from start to finish. I recommended it to my friend and she too fell in love, stating it'd had been while since a story had her so excited. As an animator, she mused the idea of this being another 'Lion King'. We really wish someone at Disney would read 'Fire Bringer'! Though this deer story is far edgier then your average 'Bambi'.

i loved this book!!! it was so creative and i could never put it down!!!

I have read through the novel The Sight, which touched my heart and left me almost crying at the end. Then I decided, mostly from reviews saying it was even better than The Sight. But when I actually read David Clement-Davies earlier animal fiction novel, Fire Bringer, I was left with a letdown.
Many plot twists were expected, while one was plain morbid. Unlike The Sights' deaths, Fire Bringers' deaths were sudden, leaving me angry. Another thing in Fire Bringer was the prophecy. One of the lines was "Sacrifice shall be his meaning." Rannoch, the Larry-Stu main character, never sacrificed anything at all. I guess Clement-Davies' work will just get better with experience.
Despite the good reviews, I would advise people to read The Sight instead of Fire Bringer. Though some parts were gripping, most were dragged out.

The term 'instant classic' is over-used, but here is a truly worthy candidate for that honorific. The author takes elements of the Arthurian legend, the myth of Prometheus, the story of Moses, and the life of Christ, and blends them into a can't-put-it-down adventure/quest novel that is appropriate for children from 9 to 109. David Clement-Davies also takes Mary Shelley's thesis from 'Frankenstein' and boldly restates it: science and reason, without love and soul, become dangerous. Is this also an allegory of World War II, as some people feel is 'The Lord of the Rings'? That case could be made as well.

Some will say this is a copy or knock-off of 'Watership Down'. I see it as an upgrade, even though I loved 'Watership Down'. But, even without all of the possible deeper meaning to it, this book is a well-crafted emotional roller-coaster with well-written characters. It remembers what Hollywood often forgets - a good story doesn't have to have a completely happy ending. When the movie is made (Bet on it!), I hope that it isn't softened and instead retains the tragic beauty of this wonderful work. If you understand the etymology of the term 'masterpiece' you will recognize this book as fitting into that category. I hope that this is just the beginning of a long line of books from David Clement-Davies.

This is a good source book on firecrackers from China to the world. It was well organized with large pages of colorful photos in rare package labels. The chapters on the origin, evolution and manufacturing of firecrackers were concise and informative. Of significance was the chapter on Chinese celebrations. For more than a millennium, firecrackers have been there from weddings to dragon dances, from funerals to store openings (p.27). For the Chinese, firecracker is a must for festival tradition celebration especially to welcome the Chinese New Year (same as firing guns at New Year Eve).

However, Chinese Christians celebrate Christmas with firecrackers (p.36) is a doubtful assertion as the authors failed to provide where, China or US. The same page said firecracker is celebration and sadness. To Chinese, firecrackers never are associated with sadness. It can mean scare off the evil spirit, negative chi and bad luck.

It is a great book to read and enjoy the colorful labels and package with different themes, ranging from Chinese mythology and folklores to western tradition. The Chinese knows the American market well. The nude angel with wings (p.76) is a case in point; others included are battleship (p.121), Red Devil, thunder cloud, dinosaur, Robinson Crusoe, King Kong, cowboys, Indians, aquatic animals, astrospace and explosives (atomic bombs), bullfight, woman boxers, baseball, football, circus, auto race, military and Dixie boys. The un-named artists were impressive. Labels from Guatemala, Indonesia and India are included as well. Of special meaning were the two package labels related to WW II - four Chinese soldiers with weapons on hand, a firing tank, a Chinese flag and three double decked fighter planes heading East resisting Japanese aggression (p.100); a young Chinese soldier in green uniform, gun at back and bullet case belt with a raised right hand V finger sign, an obvious V- J Victory celebration (p.101).

This book gave good information. However, the authors failed to mention that firecrackers and fireworks, the Chinese invention are intended celebration for prosperity, happiness, luck and peace as well. But once introduced to Europe, they were turned into weapon to wage war against Chinese as recorded in history 150 years ago under the free trade in China's favor excuse.

Next time, when you light up a package for July 4 celebration, think about the excitement and joy this Chinese gift brings.

This book shows great insite into the history of the firecracker and the intricate artwork involved with the packaging of them. The clarity of the illustrations are wonderful, its hard to believe some of the labels are as old as they are. I highly recommend this book to anyone who can remember the excitement of being able to "set off" these firecrackers on the 4th of July, without worrying about breaking the law. Those of you who were not as lucky to experience this thrill, will definitely find this book fun.

My husband was looking for a book on firecrackers and I tried the local book stores, i.e. Barnes and Nobles, Bookmart, Books a Million, but no luck. I browsed the internet and the reviews on firecracker reference materials were few and far between. Finally I came across this book on Amazon and took a chance it would please him.....he's quite picky about his reference library. This soft-cover book is GREAT! It is packed with beautiful, vibrant full color photos of the common labels all the way up to the very rare. The book layout is dotted with photos and the glossary is helpful to even the intermediate collector. The section "Interview with a Collector" gives a nice insightful look into the pursuit of fireworks labels. The history of firecrackers is also discussed, giving the collector a great back-story to the industry. No price guide, but that is fine with my husband, as it tends to date a book after a couple of years. This is an informative addition to the Hubby's library......he's happy and I'm glad.

Excellent beautifully illustrated book well worth the money. The illustrations and layout are extremely well done. This is easy reading that covers some terrtory not well documented anywhere else (Vietnam.) Some historical inaccuracies especially in the history of the manufacture of "Chinese" crackers in the 20th century. Overall an excellent job! Highly reccomended to anyone who has an interest in the subject, or who just likes the imagery of the old labels.

Bright, colorful pages packed with color illustrations and photos chart the art and history of the firecracker, from their construction and advancement to the making of labels and items promoting them. Beautiful drawings pack an illustrated history which invites leisure browsers as much as researchers, and which is very highly recommended for general library collections.

The action in FLYING BOATS & SPIES takes off before chapter one ends. An elite plane lands at a small airfield in California. Unbeknownst to Nick Grant, the occupants are none other than Charles and Anne Lindbergh. A secret request by Anne is asked of Nick. Nick is to deliver a map case to a Mr. Grooch aboard the North Haven. What starts out as a simple request turns into murder and spy intrigue.

Set in the early 1930s, before the war, Japan and America are spying on each other. Nick just happens to have landed in the middle of the intrigue. The depression is in full bloom and Nick's family is in danger of losing their home to foreclosure. His father has traveled to Oregon in search of work, leaving Nick, his sister, and mother alone in California. Nick is still in high school, but does all he can to help earn money. When he is asked to deliver the map case to the ship, he decides he will try to join on to earn money. Upon delivering the case, he lies about his age and his name, and they bring him aboard.

Before the ship sets sail, Nick imagines he sees someone in the shadows watching him. But he shakes the thought away, finding it too impossible to believe. Only after he reads the news when the ship docks in Hawaii does he realize that more may be at stake. His boss at the small California air strip has been murdered. He is sure it has to do with the Lindberghs' and the map case, but who will believe him?

As the story unfolds, the reader learns about the early days of air travel. Though a fiction novel, it paints an amazing portrait of the hard work that went into creating the ability to navigate around the world by air. Nick does backbreaking work on his adventure, all the while smack dab in the middle of the Japan versus America chess board of the early 1930s. The reader learns of the strategic importance of placing air strips on the remote islands of Wake and Midway.

For anyone that has an interest in early air flight, history, or spy novels, this story will not disappoint. The chapters are short, allowing younger readers an easy time to enjoy the story as well. The novel ends with the idea that there could be a sequel. If there is, I know I would definitely pick it up and travel with Nick on more adventures!

Reviewed by: Jaglvr

I loved Flying Boats & Spies. Once I started it I couldn't put it down. Even in the slowest parts its still fun and inviting. As a teen its hard to find books that interest me, but this is going on the shelf next to Harry Potter.

My 15 year old and 12 year old son loved it as did I (forty something Dad). Great book for family trip and excellent fast paced action throughout. Looking forward to the next Nick Grant adventure!

I loved this fast-paced tale! Flying Boats and Spies combines thrills, espionage, and coming of age against the backdrop of an era usually only remembered for the Great Depression. Remarkably detailed characters come to life from the page. Thanks for this great story!

Did you ever wish your child or grandchild had a flesh and blood teen role model whose actions and life taught self reliance, responsibility, citizenship and resourcefulness without having the powers to swing from building to building on a self generated web or some other super power? Did you somehow hope without hope that your charge might even learn about entrepreneurship, sacrifice and history that made America great while having a rollicking good time reading the adventures of a flesh and blood teen that they could identify with? Did you ever wish that you could give him or her that perfect read that might even pull your young adult away from the video game and the TV--if even for a little while? If so, then, look no further, and give him or her a copy of Jamie Dodson's Flying Boats & Spies that does all of this at the same time teaching them the pure joy of reading that should be the norm for all of today's youth.China Diaries: A novel

I honestly think this is the best book yet! This spellbinding book had me on the edge of my seat the whole time! I really appreciate Patricia's hard work and effort in writing this series. Keep up the good work!

"Forgotten" has got to be the best so far in the entire Jennie McGrady series. I first started reading these when I was 11 I am now 19 and although this may be a little old to be reading them I think they are a great series especially considering the disgusting rubbish that is around these days for teenagers. The books are a good clean exciting christian read. "Forgotten" had that extra element of excitement and interest for me the idea of making Jennie lose her memory was a really good idea and kept u on the edge of your seat. It also gave me an insight into what it must be like to lose your memory especially when she was trying to remember her family. I really hope that Patricia continues this series. An excellent read!!!!

I really loved this book! The more you read into it, the less you can put it down! It takes twists and turns in the plot that you would never expect, and holds your attention the whole time. I read it in less than 24 hours! I loved the way that the mystery started out as something sort of small, and then built right up to the climax. It's a MUST READ!!!

I have been reading the Jennie McGrady series since I was 12. Along with the Helen Bradley also. I find both series very interesting. Patricia Rushford writes beautifully. I only wish I had her talent. Not too long ago I got to meet her personally. She visited me and my family to come talk to my school about being an author. Along with writing books. She is a wonderful bubbly person who has an excentric personality and energy to do anything. I found that she is a lot like her characters. The first book I ever read was #3. It was addicting. I had to start from the beginning. So I did I have now read every one except for her latest McGrady book. I know that I will also enjoy this one as well. So please read her facinating books. All of the series!

This book is one of the best books in the series. It is a frightning but also entertaining book. A great read. I recomend that no one under about 8 or 7 years old should read this. I am 9 years old, and it was a tiny bit scary in some parts like when.. oh I probably shouldn't tell you if you're going to read it, and those of you who aren't, well you'll have to find out for yourselves! Enjoy!!

I'm a gay teen who didn't know anyone who was gay and really needed to know that I was the only guy out there going through this stuff. Free Your Mind is an awesome book in many ways, because it's so full of comments and stuff from other people who share similar experiences, that it's hard to feel so alone and different after reading the book. The authors, as well, are really nice people, I've e-mailed them several times and they are incredibly friendly, supportive and loving. When I got it, I kinda hoped that Free Your Mind would provide me with all the answers... it doesn't, nothing can, but it provided me with a sense of hope, pride and one really intensely important message : I am not alone.

Thisis an excellent resource for the family with gay members, or for those who want to better understand gay teens, such as educators or social workers. It is great for gay teens also. I especially liked the sidebars which mention prominent gay people and their contributions to society. I also very much liked the chapter on community support and their suggestions on making the schools more accepting of gay students.

It was really great to read this book.. I was confused, sad, angry.. but this book teached me a lot of things.. To hear other experiences was excellent.. I cried when I saw that other people lived what I lived.. Thank you Ellen and Kate..

I bought this book for my parents and myself shortly after I came out, and I think that it was the best purchase I've made in terms of books regarding gay youth. I've lent it to several of my friends as well, when they've need help in their own coming-out process. It's just enormously comprehensive, and it's extremely interesting and uplifting too. Every gay youth should own this book.

This is simply the best book resource available for gay and lesbian young people - and those that want to give them support.

It offers practical advise not only for youth, but also gives space to parents, educators, and other adults who want to lend support to bisexual, gay, and lesbian youth. It features personal comments from teens who have been there/done that - including two persons who grew up to be instrumental in the popular XY magazine for gay teens.

While not a cure-all, this book can help young people accept themselves, make rational decisions on coming out, and deal with parents, friends, faith and religion, and many other topics... and serve as a primer for those adults who would like to help gay teens, but aren't quite sure how to go about it.

Well researched, well presented, and of all things, still current in terms of content and resources both, this book is the Bible for gayTeenresources.com

OK, this is pretty good. GALAHAD 1: THE COMET'S CURSE is popular Denver radio host Dom Testa's first foray into writing Young Adult sci-fi, and if the sequels are anywhere near as good as this one, then this bodes to be a whale of a series.

In the near future, a comet passing too near the Earth may have doomed the human race. Strange particles left in the comet's wake suddenly begins to have a lethal affect on most of the world's population, the only ones immune being those younger than eighteen years of age. In desperation, to ensure the survival of humanity, the massive space ship Galahad is constructed, this intending to house 251 kids gathered from around the globe. The Galahad's destination is a distant star system which boasts two habitable Earth-like planets in its orbit.

There are two arcs told in this book, with the brief chapters alternating from one to the other. One storyline chronicles the comet Bhaktul's arrival and horrifying impact on Earth's world population and follows Dr. Wallace Zimmer's herculean efforts to build Galahad and select its teenaged crew. Sounds dry, right? But Dom Testa does a good job of making Zimmer a sympathetic (and ultimately a tragic) character and you do get caught up with what he goes thru (he didn't exactly receive unanimous support). You also become immersed in the minutiae of the ship (and, specifically, Roc) being put together, and with the first chronological sightings of Galahad's key crew members.

The other storyline begins some years after Bhaktul's passing, as Galahad finally launches. And almost immediately an unsettling mystery surfaces, that Galahad just may be harboring a dangerous stowaway and saboteur. With deep trouble brewing, the ship's Council - consisting of five teenagers tasked with governing the crew - is put to the test sooner than they'd expected. But the burden of responsibility weighs heaviest on Triana Martell, the captain of Galahad. Testa's sensitive unveiling of Triana's heartwrenching past and of her reserved but vulnerable personality right away has you caring for her and hoping that she'll be able to stand up to what's ahead. But as resilient and engaging as Triana is, the character I ended up liking just a wee bit more is the very cool and cheerful head engineer Gap Lee, who's cool and cheerful unless he's wallowing in his crush for a crew member, in which case he's reduced to your typical anguished and pining teenager. And if it's not Gap Lee, then the most popular character in the book has to be that irrepresible and pretty dang wonderful sentient computer, Roc. Roc not only keeps the ship going but tends to be funny at the drop of a hat.

But you know what I like best about this book? It's that the author presents teenagers as smart, capable, and accountable. Of course, these young space explorers all boast monster I.Q.s, but still... Yes, there's teenage angst here, of course. 251 teens isolated in a vessel hurtling thru space equates to lots and lots of raging hormones and plenty of drama. Testa keeps one turning the pages, intriguing the reader with the shipboard soap opera and creating tension with the shadowy skulker, who, as time goes on, becomes even more threatening. The book kept me guessing and, when it was over, made me want to immediately sink into the sequels. GALAHAD 1: THE COMET'S CURSE is a short but captivating read, and I'm not at all surprised that it's garnered several awards. And, with years to go before that oh-so-distant star system is reached and with so many possibilities up in the air, Dom Testa has ample opportunity and hopefully plenty of novels up his sleeve to keep us updated on the further exploits of the Galahad. Count me in for the long haul.

The Galahad series, so far:
- GALAHAD 1: THE COMET'S CURSE
- Galahad 2: The Web of Titan (Galahad)
- Galahad 3: The Cassini Code (Galahad)

I decided to read the series after listening to Dom on the radio for years and I can't believe I waited so long. What a great series. I picked up the first book and couldn't stop reading. I've now read all 3 books and am sad that I have to wait for the 4th. I think this series is great for all ages. It is a very interesting story with likeable/believable characters and keeps you drawn in from beginning to end. While reading you can just imagine yourself on this exciting journey right there along with those kids.

This series of books is fantastic! I read the first one out of curiosity because I have listened to Dom Testa (the author) on his radio show for years. Within minutes of starting the first book I was hooked. I read all three books in the series in a day and a half, and now I'm just stuck waiting for number 4. I highly recommend this series.

This is one of the few great books that I have ever read that have kept my interest.
I would reccomend it to anyone and it is a great book for kids.
It keeps you guessing until the very end.
It makes you want to keep reading and it allows you to feel like you are really in the story.

One of the best buys for kids out there.

Galahad was amazing. It kept me guessing until the end! Galahad is a ship with 251 teens on it. A comets tail passed through earth and all the adults are dying. Galahad was built to transport teens to a new planet so they could start a new race of humans. Triana will have to bring the teens together to stop a major threat aboard the ship. Galahad was and still is breathtaking!

A harrowing tale of life in Occupied France that reveals, to a greater extent than anything else I've read, the experience of life Behind Enemy Lines. Some of what the author describes is so horrific that it's hard to believe he wasn't writing a movie script. But his matter-of-fact tone and attention to detail leaves no doubt as to his veracity which makes the book all the more sobering.

In spite of its grim tale, this book is a GREAT read, especially his triumphant description of the liberation of his home town of Dijon. My cynical and "hip" generation no longer ascribes great heroism to the Allied side of World War II, focusing instead on the self-interested motives of many of those nations. But DeAnfrasio shows what it meant to him, his family and his fellow Dijonnais to have the Americans and Free French forces march into their city after four years of Nazi tyranny. That moment is so powerful, after having vicariouosly experienced his suffering beforehand, that I almost started shouting for joy on the beach!

This book is a timely reminder that "tyranny" and "liberty" are not merely empty phrases used by venal politicians only interested in furthering their own careers. DeAnfrasio shows their real meaning by emphasizing what extraordinary courage it took to live an ordinary life during the darkest days of WWII. We Americans need to be reminded of this every once in awhile, since we haven't experienced occupation since the War of 1812.

I recommend this book HIGHLY!!

The wonderful endurance and courage of a young boy is both exciting and inspiring reading.

Great book! A very descriptive story about a boy growing up during the war and facing hard times. I finished the book in two days and could not put it down. This book would make an excellent movie; It's a story that needs to be told. It's definitly a story for posterity.

This autobiography is an extraordinary account of a young boy during the Nazi Occupation of France. Roger de Anfrasio captivates the reader and makes us proud that there are men like him who stood up proudly with immense courage against the Nazi occupier. I am happy to know Roger de Anfrasio and his son Dominique they both have my admiration. "A Garden of Thorns is a must" and particulalry for young people.

I have read many World War Two books...but none have been asinteresting as, "A Garden of Thorns." Having my father meetand associate with Mr. de Anfrasio, it made me like the book evenmore. It is touching and has a way of capturing you mind and it makesyou think a little more about life and what we take for granted.