Contemporary Books

"Tejano and Regional Mexican Music" by Ramiro Burr represents progress toward filling an information gap in Tejano Music. The book measures up in terms of providing authoritative information about a subject that's near and dear to many Tejanos, but that has not been adequately documented. It's a fascinating look at Tejano Music by a contemporary writer who is connected to the musicians themselves, their handlers, promoters and to the members of the media who cover the subject on a daily basis. As a writer for the San Antonio Express News, Ramiro is uniquely placed to gather and then spread current information on the subject, and he did exactly that in his book. But he also provides a historical perspective. The book is a real source for today's generation and for those who follow. Thanks Ramiro.

It's great to see that "Tejano And Regional Mexican Music" is available on Amazon.com and that it can be easily accessed by the thousands of Tejanos all over the world who are hungry for this type of information.

RAMIRO BURR deserves all the good he gets from this book.It is so informative and educational for everyone to read.TEJANO AND REGIONAL MEXICAN MUSIC book brings back memories from the days i was growing up in the valley.It will be a pleasure to have this book in my home to read over and over.To whoever is thinking about buying this book go for it you will not regret it. ROGELIO LUNA Freeport,Texas

Ramiro Burr's book on Tejano and reg Mex music is the most fascinating, most comprehensive and most illuminating work in the history of this industry. If you're a novice or beginner, this book will educate you fast, with fact-based bios, tons of info and ready made lists of what CDs to buy and listen to. Or, if you're a veteran you'll get much joy of reading interesting facts and juicy biographical info on your fave artists from trio and mariachii to Tejano and norteno legends. From Adalberto, Fama, Jay Perez to Los Lobos, it has it all. As Mr. Burr oftens says, the book is important because the history of a music, a culture or a country is incomplete unless everyone's contributions are documented. Finally Tex-Mex has its due recognition.JR

Ramiro Burr's book on Tejano and reg Mex music is the most fascinating, most comprehensive and most illuminating work in the history of this industry. If you're a novice or beginner, this book will educate you fast, with fact-based bios, tons of info and ready made lists of what CDs to buy and listen to. Or, if you're a veteran you'll get much joy of reading interesting facts and juicy biographical info on your fave artists from trio and mariachii to Tejano and norteno legends. As Mr. Burr oftens says, the book is important because the history of a music, a culture or a country is incomplete unless everyone's contributions are documented. Finally Tex-Mex has its due recognition.JR

I am a freelance writer for Latino oriented publications and have found Ramiro Burr's book an invaluable reference and resource tool when writing about Tejano music.

I didn't like Gaia in this book. She thought that just because she lost one friend it meant that she couldn't have any other friends.

I'm getting tired of saying, "Gaia is changing" but that's exactly what happens in each and every book. Gaia changes... things happen, and she responds, and she learns from it.

This wasn't my favorite book. But it was definitely one that builds on Gaia's character a bit more. It built on all the characters, actually... and the ending was really memorable, so you'd better bet I'm going to read the next one right away.

fearless #9 was one of my favorites in the series so far. mary moss is dead and gaia is determined to kill the man who she thinks killed her friend. meanwhile, her wheelchair bound buddy ed is trying to get her to cope with marry's death. but gaia only pushes ed away. sam is planning on breaking up with heather, but she doesn't suspect it because her & ed are becoming close again. this book truly shows what a friend is, and that they will be by your side no matter what. i liked this one because it is filled with a lot of emotion and action. i would only suggest this book if you have read all the other ones in the series first though!

Fearless # 9 was a very entertaining book. Francine Pascal completely keeps you going with these books. She is a great Author, .. this book was well worth it!!

Mary Moss was a funny, wild, and crazy girl who taught Gaia how to have a little fun. She also taught her how to be a friend, and how to let go and love life more. Mary was once a junkie, very much addicted to cocaine until she became friends with Gaia. But now, Mary is dead. Gaia doesn't know this, but it was Loki who murdered her. By helping Gaia "let go", Mary learned some dangerous secrets about Gaia's past, which inevitably put her in danger. Loki decided that "the Mary girl" must be terminated. And Gaia couldn't save her. In this ninth volume of Fearless, Gaia is so full of anger and grief about Mary that she wants to take action. To avenge her friend's murder. Gaia thinks that Skizz, Mary's ex-dealer who was threatening Mary for money before her death, is responsible for what happened to Mary, somehow. So Gaia goes on a little mission to murder Skizz.

Wow. This book is so thrilling. The ending is great, too! It made me cry (you gotta love Ed, the sweetie!) So go out and read this book already!

mary moss has been murdered. to top it off it was done right in
front of gaia. so gaia has decided to close herself to the world
in order to hunt down this low life drug dealer who took her friend's life over a measley 500 bucks? will our heroine have
the courage to do this and face the dire consequences after?
this has to be the best fearless book to date. i know i have not
read any of the other ones besides no. 10, but this is such a
climax in gaia's life that all readers of this series should not
miss it. it has more surprises than buffy the vampire slayer's
season 6 finale.(if any of you watch that show.)suffice it to say
that this one cannot be missed.

I used to think Boynton's books were "cute." Now, I am absolutely awe-struck with her talent and genius. Boynton and Ford wrote all of the songs and had some of the best musical artists of all time sing this amazing collection. I bought it for my 4-year-old, but fell in love with it myself. Endearing and brilliant artists such as Neil Sedaka, Davy Jones, BB King and Brian Wilson perform on this CD. What an amazing accomplishment! The songs are genius and they sound like they were written and arranged by the artists who perform them. One of my favorites is the Gorilla Song, by Sha Na Na. This is the best "children's" work we've found... and I listen to it even when my kids aren't around. The book is funny, quirky and off-beat with all the adorable Boynton characters you'd expect! Highly recommended!!

My grandson loves this. He is 3 1/2 and would play it constantly if he could. I buy this often for baby gifts. The whole family can listen, and not be bored with it.

I absolutely love love love this album. O yes and I almost forgot - My child is almost 2 and loves it just as much as I do. To get him interested at first we played the songs along with the pictures in the book which he thought was very funny (especially the song about the dog's nose). It has a great range of famous artists (Including BB king) and the songs are NOT painful to listen to, even over and over and over. I highly recommend this product to anyone who cannot stand another second of boring repetitive kids songs.

I was at a concert in CT when Bobby Vee, my teen idol, introduced Sandra Boynton, the author of the songs with Michael Ford and book titled "Blue Moo" and Bobby Vee proceeded to sing the song he had sung for the CD/book. People around me instantly fell in love with his song,"With You". So, as soon as I got back home to Massachusetts, the next day, I went online to Amazon.com and ordered the CD/book. Love all the songs and drawings. Like the title says, great for kids of all ages.
Ann

Blue Moo is one of about 6 Sandra Boynton CD/books I've recently purchased. She is clearly one of my favorite authors/composers of children's music and books! What's cool about Sandra is that she writes for kids - BUT her products are just as entertaining for adults! She is one of a kind in her approach to children's learning and entertainment. I can't wait to add more to my collection and wish I'd started much sooner! Blue Moo, and all of Sandra's works, is hip and cool and so much fun for all!

This has been my favorite book since I first read it in the seventh grade. I couldn't find it until recently when Viz republished it. I love this book more now than I did then. It is a great story for any age. Thirteen or twenty.

In the land of Toyoashihara, the forces of the God of Light and the Goddess of Darkness have been at war for generations. Saya, a fifteen-year-old girl who worships the God of Light, is suddenly pulled into the conflict when she discovers that she is the reincarnation of the Water Maiden, the priestess of the people of Darkness. Saya must come to terms with her heritage and choose which side of the war she will support, for she is the priestess of the Dragon Sword, a terrible weapon that can destroy the gods themselves. Can Saya choose between the Light, which she has been raised to love, and the Darkness, which is her true family, or is she doomed to kill herself like every Water Maiden before her?

Dragon Sword and Wind Child has all the makings of epic fantasy: an exciting battle between Light and Darkness, a Chosen One, a fantastic land, and a young protagonist who is pulled straight into the center of the conflict and barely knows what she's getting in to. The problem is that after a wonderful opening hook, the story just limps along for about fifty pages. After lollygagging along, the author suddenly throws in cross-dressing, possible incest, and an extremely exciting scene that gets the reader interested again. So now the reader is saying, "Ooh, ooh, what's going to happen next?" and devouring the following sections...in which a great deal of nothing happens. Even the battle scenes are un-epic. They end in the middle or are omitted altogether in favor of overly flowery descriptions of the surrounding landscape (although the translator may be partially at fault, since Dragon Sword and Wind Child is a Viz publication and they aren't known for their stunningly faithful translations). Even the ending is a letdown because a. I saw it coming about 50 pages in and b. the author suddenly decides that the story isn't strange enough so she throws in time-traveling. Um...what?

I don't know how the translation is, since I haven't read the book in Japanese (and have no intention of doing so, since I didn't enjoy it in English). However, I can tell you that someone decided it would be cool if they didn't translate all the words...and didn't put the non-translated ones in the glossary. Thus, if you don't speak Japanese and are wondering what "sakaki branches" are, you're basically doomed. (For the record, "sakaki" is a type of evergreen.)

The characters are bland and fairly clichéd. For example, there's a couple of characters who you can tell from the moment they're introduced are going to bite it and ninety pages later...oh, surprise! They're dead! Saya is not only fairly dull, she's also blindingly Mary Sue. She has not just one guy fall in love with her, but three, two of which are immortal and oh-so-hot. (The author spends a great deal of time describing just how hot they are, so the reader doesn't assume that non-hot guys are falling in love with Saya.) What are the chances? She's also stunningly beautiful and completely useless. Princess Teruhi and Prince Tsukishiro, the immortal leaders of the army of Light, could have been interesting characters if Ms. Ogiwara had concentrated more on developing their personalities and less on describing their clothes and how smashingly beautiful they are. As is, Teruhi just seems petty and jealous of Saya's incredible beauty (which is apparently even greater than her own), while Tsukishiro is there simply to go gaga over Saya and look pretty.

The narration is extremely uneven, often spending two or three pages describing a building, field, or forest. That's great for the first couple of chapters, but when the battle scenes arrive, the author seems more concerned with describing the landscapes and Saya's clothes than the actual battle. When she finally does realize that she needs to write a battle scene, she just stops it in the middle and everything goes back to normal even though a whole bunch of people were just slaughtered.

While it has a promising premise, the story never delivers. However, it was Ms. Ogiwara's first book, so there is a chance that the later ones are better. That said, I was fairly disappointed and wouldn't recommend the book to anyone except fans of Japanese popular literature who have nothing better to read.

I first read this book when I was a child. I loved it. I checked it out of my schools library so many times they let me just keep it till the end of the school year. The story line and the people themselves are so hard to put down. The mythology in the book made me look into the shinto myths. I would recommend this book to anyone. I am twenty six now and still love this book!!

Dragon Sword and Wind Child is one of my favorite novels. What's to like? Saya is a village girl in Toyoashihara (sort of a mystical/magical Japan), a land split by the war between the Gods that created the land: The God of Light and the Goddess of Darkness (and Death). Saya has been raised to love the Light and is shocked when strange people start proclaiming that she is one of the Goddess of Darkness's people, reborn again and again to wage her battle against the children of the Light. This revelation is complicated when Prince Tsukishiro, one half of the children of the Light, comes to Saya's village, trying to woo her to the side of the Light by enlisting her as a handmaiden in his palace.

You've heard this story before, right? Honestly, I normally hate this sort of plot set up and the reluctant heroine type. However, Saya is unique to me because her reactions are understandable and even relatable; you see how she subtlely changes and how she makes her decisions and her mental conflicts. As for the plot? Not all is as it seems. Once Saya comes to the palace, she doesn't particularly fit in the whole court atmosphere and furthermore warrior Princess Teruhi is determined to catch Saya collaborating with the Darkness. Prince Tsukishiro isn't much of a help, as it seems this situation has all been played out before in Saya's previous lives (that she has no memory of), and he's still in love with Saya's last incarnation, who killed herself in the palace pond. And the Palace of Light has many sinister secrets... (The novel continues for much longer, not only through Saya's revelations, her final choice in alliances, but also to the final conclusion to the war that has engulfed the land for as long as it as existed.)

Another interesting part of this book is that it's not your usual elves, fairies, etc. Noriko Ogiwara, influenced by Western writers, used Japanese mythology to create this world. The implications of this are just obvious by the summary of the book above. This isn't Good vs. Evil, Dark v. Light of your normal fantasy epic. The issues the characters have to deal with in this book are immortality, mortality, reincarnation along with loyalty and empathy. Are we cursed to repeat the same mistakes over and over through our lifetimes? Does immortality create an lack of empathy? What is sacrificed during war, what is gained, and is it worth it?

I had worn out checking out the library copy all the time, so I was thrilled this classic finally has gone back into print. The deft translation by Cathy Hirano is still intact, except that mentions to Saya's stone has been changed to "magatama". I somewhat miss the old cover, but some interesting drawings have been added to the chapter title pages. I have heard that there are two more books in the series (about what I don't know, as the book pretty much covers all the bases and closes all plotlines), and I'm hoping the other two will finally be translated for English audiences. And I lied earlier. This is pretty much my favorite book (Tied with Dark Lord of Derkhom by Diana Wynne Jones). And I cry and laugh every time I read it.

SPOILERS
The insertion of Chihaya completely changes the landscape of the book. And amazingly, it doesn't feel random and unwarranted. Like Chihaya's the other main character, he's just been missing. The romance parts of the book are perhaps its weakest point, but understandable, and really do drive the plot.

Noriko Ogiwara creates riddles which seem unavoidable. And they are. However, like the words of any oracle, they are open to *very* interesting and unexpected interpretations.

Don't debate. Buy this book! Thank yourself later.

I jsut had to repond to the critical review at the top. I first heard this book when I was 5, and agian when I was 8. i loved i tboth times. I recently bought it (as an adult) becuase it is definately a book that everyone should own. It has a incredible magic of its own that sweeps you along.This book is a classic that every child deserves to hear.

This book taught me to go for what you want in life. It teaches that no matter how impossible it may seem, it can be done. I read this as a child, now I am 29 and I still think of it. I still like to sit down with a chunk of cheese and a loaf of bread as a snack, just like Dakin took with her on her journey. When it snows in the winter I think of the colored snow on the mountain that Dakin was determined to investigate. I have even tried to make colored snow myself. Gargoyles have a whole different charm to them once you know this story. Just from writing this I am excited to read the book all over again.

I read this story to my daughter for the first time when she was 4 and she loved it. A year later she wanted me to get it out of the library again. Recently, she insisted that we buy it. We read it through twice and now, since she is an excellent independent reader at 6, she is reading it again for atleast an hour at night to herself. Her favorite part is when the gargoyles say that they can "still feel". She has made her own stuffed gargoyles out of paper and pretends to be Dakin talking to them. This story is pure magic. It combines all of the elements of a questing story, but the fact that it is about a brave girl who knows her own mind, makes it special. There aren't many stories written for young girls like this and that makes it even more unique. I highly recommend it to anyone with a child who has a thirst for adventure and an interest in all things magical.

This adventurous, amazing, edge of your seat tale is my all-time favorite book! I've read it about three times and I've never gotten tired of it. When ever I see it in a library, I jump up and down and tell everybody "that's my favorite book!" I suggest anybody I see and all of my friends to read it. It is extremely entertaining.

I remember my mother reading this book to my twin sister and me. It was a hard back copy that she had gotten from the Library. My sister and I would come down out of our bunk beds and sit on the floor with my mother as we were enthralled to listen to her read this story. I loved the colored snow and the gargoyals. When I was married and had my first child I desired to read this book to my son and I did but it was mostly for me since he was only a few months old at the time. I will read it to him again. But I love this book. This story is a great treasure to me that I will always remember.

I was really rooting for Ruby. I did appreciate how the author connected all the dots through the many layers of Ruby story. I think this is an excellent example of domestic abuse & mental illness and how it effects everyone in the family. I really felt bad for the characters which to me shows what an excellent job Leyung Ryan did.

This is truly one of my favorite novels! This magnificent work hit home for me, I grew up with a Chinese mother in the Midwest, and felt deeply connected to the same issues of absorbing Chinese and American cultures - and finding my own identity in the middle of it. I remember so many of the traditional values of being a Chinese woman, having to be a dutiful daughter, and always putting myself last, and "Love Made of Heart" goes deep into the heart of these ideas. Ruby's growth often reminds me of my own realizations and obstacles of overcoming the past.

I highly recommend this book, it truly appeals to anyone, whether you're Chinese, a woman, or just anyone facing those past histories we often try to leave behind. We all have a journey of life, which often leads to reconciling with the things that have made us who we truly are.

LeYung's Book is excellent. I read it in two sittings. Dinner could wait. I had to find out what would happen to Ruby Lin. LeYung Ryan uses her novel to advocate compassion for mental illness and to help survivors of family violence find their own voices. I could relate on many levels to her book. I am Caucasian, way older than Ruby Lin, my family was not violent nor experienced mental illnesses and yet, LeYung's writing is so evocative, so much from the heart. . . she reaches deep and succeeds with her genuine and authentic voice. As I think about this book I read a year ago, I realize I want to read it again. Yes, it's that good.

Ruby Lin's dilemma, though specific to the individual mother-daughter issues she faces of how to support and love her mother who is plagued with mental illness, is universal to all mothers and daughters. How does one break away without breaking the love between them?

I recommend this book to everyone and especially to women who could use a good role model in finding their own personal power to stand up to men who exploit them, abuse them, cast blame or guilt or withhold their love.

Ruby Lin, in her quest to become an American Girl, learns powerful advice and strategies from the black and white American movies she watches as a child. When she steps into her own power goosebumps race.

The moments of love and surrender, and pain and abuse cause laughter and tears.

Above all this book has great heart.

Love Made From Heart made me laugh, made me think, made me cry. Author Teresa Leyung Ryan takes the reader to a vulnerable place, where she uncovers the tear in a young girl's heart. From there, she shows how to grow from a tragic experience, how to become strong, how to heal. The reader not only comes away with a better understanding of the Chinese culture, the reader comes away with a better understanding of self, and of love. I highly recommend this book to anyone who comes from a dysfunctional family.

I love Jacquelin Thomas books and this one by far is one of the most moving stories. The personification of redemption! Be prepared to stay up until 3am and pull the Kleenex out because you will need it! This book was truly a blessing to me and all my friends that I've passed it along too! I even bought a second copy as a gift for a friend =)

The book brings the stories in the bible to life...reading the book made the story of gomer and hosea make so much since. The one thing I do like is after you read the book you can turn in your bible to that story and see the similaries. God has truely given you a wonderful gift. Keep using it to gorify God

I just finished reading Redemption and I have to say i was trully touched by the way that Ms Thomas mixed in the scriptures so eloquently with the story line. Marin and Warren are two souls in love with life and themselves. I really thought Marin would pull it together and her and Warren would live happily ever after. All things weren't meant to end in pure joy and happiness. Marin's mother was a pure WITCH I don't see how Marin stood to be around her...i know..i know she is her mother but good gracious. I felt her father couldve stepped up and spoken on her behalf. This book teached a lesson of love and forgiveness that all of us could learn from.

EVEN THOUGH THIS BOOK REFLECT SIMILARITIES TO THE PROPHET HOSEA, THE STORY CENTERS AROUND IMAGES. IN THE BIBLE STORY THE PROPHET IS TOLD TO TAKE A WIFE OF WHOREDOM, WHICH IS NOT THE CASE AND THE PROJECTION OF MARIN BUT CHOICES THAT ONE MAKE WHEN THERE ARE NO ANSWERS. HER CHARACTER IS ABOUT A WOMAN SEEKING TO SOLIDIFY HER AFFECTIONS BUT CAN NEVER FIND ANYONE TO BELIEVE IN HER UNTIL THE END. BOTH SHE AND HER HUSBAND REPRESENT FOR ME THE PROJECTION OF TWO IMAGES COMING TOGETHER SEEKING TO VALIDATE WHO THEY ARE IN A WORLD APART FROM EACH OTHER. CAN THEY FIND SOLACE IN EACH OTHER AS SHE REPRESENT ONE WHO SEEKS TO BE VALIDATED AND HE AS ONE IS STAUNCH IN FAITH AND THE CHRISTIAN IMAGE TO REPRESENT EVERYTHING SHE NEED IN HER LIFE? HE FINDS HER AND SHE GRAVITATE TO THAT WHICH HE HAS OFFER AS THE LOVE OF CHRIST IN AFFIRMING HER. BUT THE TENSION COMES WHEN HE DOES NOT SEE AND UNDERSTAND THE EMOTIONAL PINING OF HER SOUL AND THAT OF BEING INSECURE. BEING THRUST INTO A REALITY IN WHICH SHE IS NEVER COMFORTABLE WITH HER ROLE, SHE ENDURES AND OVERCOME SOME OF HER FRAILTIES BY CLINGING TO HIS REALITY WHICH EVENTUALLY SEND HER SPIRALING INTO HER OWN PERSONAL JOURNEY FILLED WITH THE TREACHERY OF A DECEITFUL WORLD. THE STORY IS MOVING AND SHE FINALLY IS ABLE TO OVERCOME THE DEMON OF HER SOUL THROUGH HER OWN PERSONAL JOURNEY OF SELF DISCOVERY, CHOICES AND THEN CONSEQUENCES. A WONDERFUL STORY THAT CAN BECOME A MOVIE.

This book, I think, is her best. I have read several of her books. None of her other books had me so emotional. Great story of God's love and redemptive power.

I received this book very quickly and it was in great shape! It was a VERY good book!!

As both an author and reader of fiction, I was impressed with "Beyond the Shadows". Maybe it is because I have always enjoyed a book that could hold my attention and make me think at the same time. In a nutshell, the characters are believable and yet a little out of the ordinary and the story line unique. Give this book a try.
The Christian fiction book that I have written main story line is about ten years in the life of a little girl who was "chosen by God" to be the next Madonna in the second coming of Christ.
Tommy Taylor
Author - The Second Virgin Birth

Beyond the Shadows: A Love Story is a touching story about one woman's spiritual journey. Deborah Haskin's life was wonderful. She and her new husband, Andy, had just bought near the small town of Amethyst. Though a city boy, Andy's dream was to become a farmer, have children, and grow old with Deborah. Unfortunately, these dreams were not meant to be. After only fifteen months of marriage, Andy was killed in a farming accident. Deborah was crushed. She was angry at Andy for leaving her and angry at God for taking him.

Then Gideon Clermont came into Deborah's life. Gideon had been an army buddy of Andy's. Just before his death, Andy had asked Gideon's help on the farm. Honouring his friend's request, Gideon set out to help Andy's widow with various handyman chores around the farm.

For Deborah and Gideon, it seemed as though Andy and God had brought them together to grieve and then to live. The couple's romance blossomed and the two quickly wed. Drunk in her new love, Deborah didn't realize that she had forgotten her faith. Moreover, Deborah's wonderful life wasn't really as perfect as she thought.

Beyond the Shadows: A Love Story is a beautiful inspirational story of finding and embracing the Christian faith. I suggest this book to anyone needing a faith lift.

This was a great book from a Christian perspective on the subject of alcoholism. Robin Lee Hatcher did a very good job of bringing her experiences with a loved one with alcoholism into this book. I could relate to a lot of the book because I was once in a relationship with an alcoholic. I could relate to the anger and pain that Deborah felt, the covering up of the problem, pouring out the booze, etc. This book is real and I highly recommend it to someone with a loved one who is an alcoholic.

Deborah Haskins is devastated at the death of her young husband of only eighteen months. They had just bought a small farm that was Andy's life-long dream, and now he was gone. Deb felt she had to stay on the farm. It was what Andy would have wanted and she was determined to hang on, to keep his dream alive, despite pressure from her mother to 'move back home.'  "This is my home. It was Andy's dream."
 
When a young man appears at the farm a few months after the funeral, she remembers meeting him briefly at the graveside. An uneasy feeling creeps over her as he approaches. His name is Gideon Clermont, a man who served with Andy in Korea. Deborah learns that, in fact, Andy had saved Gideon's life, and Andy had asked Gideon to come to the farm to help with renovations.
 
Gideon's quiet demeanor lulls Deborah's caution as he steadfastly sets about fixing things on the farm, working Saturdays. As time goes on, Deborah can no longer fight her attraction. Their romance blossoms and Deborah heals as her grief fades and she looks forward to a new, happy life.
 
But she discovers her new husband has kept a terrible secret from her, and as it emerges Deborah learns that her healing came with a price. She turns to Christ for strength and guidance as she tries to cope with this new sorrow. When Gideon nearly kills their young son, Deborah knows it is time to make a decision. Has it come too late?
 
Working through her own painful experiences, Robin Lee Hatcher tells a story of hope and heartbreak, faith and second chances. She has bravely tackled a subject that all too often gets covered up and swept under the carpet. We live through the agony of the non-violent form of alcoholism in the story of Deborah and Gideon. It is hard to know which way you want Deborah to behave as you feel her anger and pain, love, hate and despair. I fell in love with Gideon and I felt myself just as angry, hurt, disgusted and hopeless as Deborah. And sometimes I wanted to shake her for putting up with it as long as she did.
 
This is Deborah's story, but Beyond The Shadows is told in a unique style, with vignettes as seen through the eyes of her neighbors, parents and her pastor. It reveals how ill-equipped the Christian family is to deal with alcoholism, or any addiction. The truth is, as Deborah discovers, we can only handle it through faith in Jesus and leaning on Him for the strength to cope. Beyond the Shadows is a gripping story, difficult to read at times as Hatcher pulls you right into Deborah's heart, head and life. Highly recommended.

This book contains most of the beadweaving techniques that I've ever heard about as well as how to combine stitches. While I would call it a reference book, for the most part, it has lots of projects as well. I haven't made any of the projects to date but think the instructions are excellent. If you need to know how to switch stitches in your off-loom work.........you won't be unhappy if you purchase this book.

GREAT!!! loved it gave great ideas to work with

I've only found 1 other bead weaving book as good as this one and it's also by Carol Wilcox Wells, "The Art and Elegance of Beadweaving". This one has great diagrams, guidance on what beads and colors to use, and a beautiful gallery of projects to do and ones to be inspired by. It is also a great buy in paperback. My advice is buy both of her books.

I love the book. It has lots of beautiful inspiring pieces. It's more of a book for intermediate and advanced beaders than beginners in my opinion, but that doesn't mean a beginner wouldn't get something out of purchasing it. I retun to the book over and over again for helpful tips and tricks and inspiration. I highly recommend it.

I have a bunch of beadweaving books, but THIS is the one I refer to when I forget a stitch or need some technical help with increasing or decreasing. Nice projects and instructions are written clearly. If you buy only one book on beadweaving, it should be this one!

"We are a band." Soren makes this statement many times throughout the book. He is telling his friends, Gylfie, Twilight, and Digger, that they are a family and always need to stick together.

This book is about four little owls. They are trying to find The Great Ga'Hoole Tree. They are hoping to find Soren's family there. I felt really bad for the little owlets because they are orphans. They are trying to survive out in the wild on their own. At least they know how to fly, hunt, and fight.

They don't end up finding Soren's family at The Great Ga'Hoole Tree. The four owls, and Soren's old nest made Mrs Plithiver, end up living there. They each go into trainings and got picked for a job. I felt really bad for Soren because he didn't get what he wanted and everyone else did.

Near the end of the book, Twilight and Digger had the job to rescue owls and put them back into there nests. Well, there were no hollows around, so they brought them to The Great Ga'Hoole Tree. Digger was on the ground and saw an owl. It was Eglantine, Soren's baby sister. This was such a happy moment in the book. I am so glad that they found her. I was really sad though to find out she is sick. Soren stayed with her day and night. The real question I had after they found Eglantine was, "Where is the rest of Soren's family?"

The book The Journey is a very well put together book. I would recomend this book to anyone who loves books about animals and adventure. This would be a good book for teenagers, adults, and even younger kids. This series also leaves you hanging for the next book. I can't wait to read them.

Cameron Sparks


IS THIS A GREAT BOOK?
"A wise old owl sat on an oak; the more he saw the less he spoke; the less he spoke the more he heard; the more he heard the more knowledge he gained; why aren't we like that wise old bird?" ~ Old English Proverb.
The Journey is one of the best books in Kathryn Lasky's Guardians of Ga'Hoole series of twelve books. This book which is a fantasy fiction is about four young owls Soren, Gylfie, Twilight, and Digger who recently escaped from St. Aggies Academy, which is a school that mistreated them. The owls go in search of the Great Ga'Hoole tree where a group of dignified owls live. The dignified owls are considered the guardian of Great Ga'Hoole Tree. It is rumored that they live in the tree; however, most owls in the kingdom do not believe that the dignified owls or the tree exist. According to legend, the four owls have heard that the dignified owls have done great things to help other owls. They believe that the dignified owls can help rescue others from St. Aggies Academy. After a long journey to the Great Ga'Hoole Tree, the four owls experience even more adventure.
The Journey to me is a really good book, and I think that this would be an excellent book for grade school and middle school students to read because of the following reasons: First, it describes the events in the story very realistically. Second, it shows good characterization of the owls and other characters that are introduced throughout the book. Third, it surprises you with events you were not expecting. For Instance, when Digger and Twilight were on a search rescue mission to bring back some injured baby owls and they stumbled upon Soren's sister who was badly hurt.
This book was a definite page turner because each chapter made me want to find out what's going to happen in the next chapter. The plot was exciting and adventurous. Even though the characters were owls, I related to them as if they were human beings experiencing the same difficulties that human beings face. I definitely connected to what they went through during their journey; especially Soren because he had a sister that he cared a lot about, like I care about my sister. The biggest surprise in the story that kept me reading was when they rescued Soren's sister. I recommend this book to kids between the ages of 10 through 13. Overall, The Journey is an amazing book and a must read!

After leaving St. Aggie's with his friend Gylfie, Soren, Ms. P., Gylfie, Twilight, and Digger leave to go find the great Ga'Hoole tree. The tree is full of magical owls who perform great deeds at night. While on the journey to this wonderful tree, the "band" stops at many different places. First, the band stops by the Mirror Lakes. This scene is summer all year long. To owls, this place is a paradise! After leaving the Mirror lakes, the four owls completly miss the great tree and run into a little home called the Narrows. Here, a group of puffins survive using certian skills to hunt and nest. After having the puffins look after them, the gang sets off once agian to find the glorious tree.
Once they reach the tree, the four owls are greeted by the king and queen of the tree: Barran and Baron. These two help find a home in the tree for each owl and show them how the tree works or operates. The next night, Soren and the band find out that they will be placed in different chaws or classes in the tree to learn certian skills. Soren is unhappy with the idea of the band being broke so he talks with the teachers of the tree to see if somehow the band could be placed in the same chaw so they could be together. The king and queen talk Soren into spitting up the band for a better cause.
Later that month, Soren's long-lost sister,Eglantine, is found. Unfortunatly, his sister is under a certian spell that almost sounds like moonblinked(when owls go crazy because they sleep at night). Luckly, the owl singer and harp player was able to brake the curse with her songs and harmonising. Now that Eglantine is cured, Soren is releived for the moment.
Suddenly, an urgent message indictates that Ezylryb, Sorens teacher of his chaw and loving, caring, mentor is missing! On a exciting search and rescue mission, Ezylryb is lost and can't be found! Will Ezylryb be found? Will Soren and Eglantine ever find their family? The story contineus in the next book of the series.

Book two had an interesting beginning but it explained a little too much of the first book. My favorite part was when Soren got picked to be a collier (who carries coals). This also required him to know the weather. I liked when Eglantine got shaken out of a trance with music.

This series has taught me a lot about owls and I'm looking forward to reading more in the series.

On their journey to the Great Ga' Hoole tree Soren, Gylfie, Twilight, Digger, and Mrs.Plithiverget moobed by crows. During the mobbing Digger gets his wing badly hurt. Mrs. Plithiver fixes up Digger's wing. The four owls and Mrs.Plithiver start back on their journey to the Great Ga'Hoole tree. While on the sea of Ga'Hoole they get blown off course to the ice narrows. When they finally get to the Geat Ga'Hoole tree they learn about navigation weather and much more. Soren along with the weather and cothering chaws go to a foresrt fir to collect coals for the Great Ga'Hoole tree. When Soren gets back he finds out that Digger, Twilight, and Gylfie are out rescuing owl chicks.