Rainbow The Books

I read this to my almost-6 yr old in one setting. She is trying to read and the book is easy enough for her to chime in with many of the words. She remembered the book and the story and the plot for over a week. I recommend it for communication with a child and just plain fun.

I love this book I have a really old copy from at least 17 years ago and since I've come to see its out of print, boy do I handle it gingerly! This story is so touching for the Holiday season or all year round. It's a tad long for some 2 year olds but my toddler doesn't care she just can't wait to see if the puppy finds a boy! "Puppy who wanted a boy" is sure to be the kind of story you carry with you always.

The Puppy who wanted a Boy is a book by Jane Thayer is a wonderful Story. It's a good story for kindergartners through second graders. The story is about a puppy that's looking for a boy. This book has a lot of things first graders will especially enjoy.

The illustrations are the cutest part .The illustrator, Lisa Mcue, did a great job. She made them so cute. It looks so realistic! Most of the pictures tell more of the story than the words do!

The puppy, whose name was Petey, is looking for a dog who'll give his boy away. But, he has no luck. All of them say, "NO"! What will Petey do? His mommy tries to help, but she had no luck either.What's Petey going to do? Read the story to find out.

Remember, this book is easy to read. A kindergartener can read it (with a little help from mom and dad of course)! There are a few hard words like perhaps, frighten, and thought. Other than that, I highly recommend it. It's a must-read!

The Puppy who wanted a Boy is the book to read. Kids who like a cute little puppy should totally take this book to consideration. Shoot, with a those cute animals you'll love it, especially if you're an animal lover! After you read it once, you'll read it again and again! Kids should definitely read this book.

This was one of my favorite books when I was little, it's so cute it's almost disgusting (it's not, though!). The illustrations are very well done, as well as the whole idea of the story itself. A great children's book for the holidays, or any other day for that matter.

This book was fun to read. Dogs looking for a boy/that's so funny! My favorite part is when the dog is chasing a car. You should really buy this book!!

Although I was initially hesitant about this book because of the "chosen child" language (Horace is told that he was chosen as an infant), I went ahead and read this with my daughter. It proved to be a breakthrough for us. We have talked about her story with her as long as we've known her, but she never shared with me her feelings about us looking different than each other. Reading this together has opened new avenues of discussing her past and has helped her process feelings and thoughts about her place in our family.

I agree with another reviewer that the use of the word "lost" in relation to the birth family is not ideal, but that also proved to be helpful in launching a conversation about the possible reasons for my daughter's relinquishment and gives me ocassion to assure her that it was and is not her fault.

I find now that my daughter is old enough to express more clearly her thoughts and feelings about having been adopted, books with less-than-ideal adoption language actually help us have some really good conversations. I'd rather her hear that language and those ideas about adoption with me than from others.

Horace is delightful. It is very simply written and simply and beautifully illustrated. Yet, it's deep. It introduces themes that are central to many, many adoptees' experience in a simple, straight-forward, and even loving way: a sense of loss, feeling different, and the need to understand who they are before/during/beyond their adopted family. Horace's parents are consistently loving and accepting. They tell Horace the truth; they seem to understand his struggle and need to search for something; and they are there loving & accepting him the whole time. The image of the little leopard trying to connect his spots into stripes touched me deeply. I read some of the negative reviews---everyone has a different opinion---but for me, at least, those very negatives were some of the most positive aspects of this gentle, truthful, reassuring read. Thank you.

This is the adoption book that most touched our adopted daughter. It addresses the issue of not physically looking like parents. Now in her twenties she still reads it like a favorite poem. We routinely purchase it as a "new baby" gift for children adopted by friends.

Holly Keller, Horace (Morrow, 1991)

Horace is another of the adoption books that's been on my plate recently, and of the batch I've read over the last month or so, I'd have to say this one's the best by a pretty wide margin. The title character is a leopard who's been adopted by a family of tigers, and after a birthday party where he's overwhelmed by the number of stripes surrounding him, he decides to go out into the world and find a place where people look like him.

Oddly, despite the fact that I really liked this, I wanted to see more of it; Keller sets up the situation in such a way that there are a pretty sizable number of neuroses that could crop up towards the end, and seeing how Horace and his family reacted to those could have made for an interesting book (though it would quickly grow much larger than your typical kids' picture book), but what's here is good for what it is-- a reassuring look at the choice adoptive parents make in choosing kids that don't look like them. Good stuff. I'm hoping for a sequel. ****

We have this book and once we have our little girl home, it will be used over and over again. The story is a great way to talk about adoption and the differences between parent(s) and child. Perfect for anyone who has adopted or will be adopting internationally. I recommend this book highly and the illustration work is wonderful!

very cute story about differences in American and japanese food etiquette, utensils, etc and overcoming differences to end in a marriage of cultures...a little questionable about the age of the girl who is dating an American sailor...but otherwise a cute story..(back then, not uncommon to get married young....)

my daughter has dozens, hundreds......SO many books......and yet she asks for me to read this one over and over again.....there is some simple sweet charm about it......and tonight, she read it to me.......i think part of the sweetness of it is the child's perspective of the parents' relationship.......i can't think of another book where a child tells about the parents falling in love.....it is unique and charming.....

This story is sweet and a great way to teach children about culture. No matter what culture you are you can learn to get along.

It's helpful that this story is from a child's point of view, but it does not excuse the generalizations. Use it as a reference - as social authentication - of multi-ethnic relationships, but it is a dated work that carries the overt stereotypes of the time. Dress, behaviors, and erroneous beliefs mark the story.

In How My Parents Learned to Eat, the author takes us on a journey to Japan in which an American sailor meets a Japanese high school girl. The narrator of the story is their daughter and she starts off saying, "In our house, some days we eat with chopsticks and some days we eat with knives and forks. For me, it's natural." The book illustrates the cultural differences and similarities of Japanese and Americans. John, the American sailor desperately wants to invite Aiko, the Japanese schoolgirl to dinner. However he is afraid since he does not know how to use chopsticks. Aiko, thinks that John is ashamed of asking her to dinner since she does not know how to use a fork and knife. Both secretly learn how to eat in each other's ways.

This book presents a very good view of life and culture in Japan (and some of America) while also introducing young children into basic table manners. We learn in the book the precise way to eat with spoons, knives, and forks, and we also learn the basics for using chopsticks. The culture of Japan is fully shown as well from all the signs being written in traditional Japanese characters to the mentioning of traditional clothes (the kimono). We are also introduced into how Asians drink soup-they drink from the bowl, which here in the United States would be considered inappropriate. Pictures of Japanese food and what they are called are also introduced to young children. The differences in how Americans and Japanese greet people are also touched upon as well. However what I liked most was the illustrations of the first and last pages of the book. The first page depicts their daughter in traditional Japanese clothing eating Japanese food with chopsticks, and with a rice cooker behind her. The last page of the book shows her in Western clothing eating steak and mashed potatoes with a toaster behind her. By this the book demonstrates an appreciation for both cultures.

"Rainbow Road" is the last in the trilogy of "Rainbow" novels by Alex Sanchez. I gave the first two 5 out of 5 stars--they truly are classic gay coming-of-age stories. I'm giving "Rainbow Road" 4 out of 5 stars. I think this is a great book and part of a classic trilogy in this genre. However, the road trip setting of this installment didn't work as well as the school/home settings of the first two. This book is great, just not as great as the other two. What makes this book as good as it is, is the ongoing development of the three very fleshed-out and highly likable protagonists. They're just so much fun and so interesting. Their trip, however, came with lessons in life that felt very forced into the narrative, sometimes just too obvious, whereas the lessons they learned and the experience they gained at and outside of school in the first two books were much more natural. And I must say the end of Nelson's journey was a bit much--I certainly wouldn't council an 18-year-old to do what he does. But that's just me, I guess. It's sweet, but not entirely realistic--or safe, for that matter. And Jason's big speech was a bit anti-climactic: Driving all the way across country for a few minutes of generalities? Ultimately, though, this is a good read. And even though it's not as good as the first two books, it doesn't leave you on a down note. It's a very up book and I recommend it. For anyone interested in gay coming-of-age fiction, "Rainbow Boys," "Rainbow High" and "Rainbow Road" are must-reads.

Even though I am in my 60s, this book which is the third in the series I have read, is well-written and would have been wonderful had it been around when I was a teen. The book deals with the three boys who appeared in the two earlier books - and this time, it would help to have read the earlier books since then you would have some idea of the problems they had had with coming out. It deals with the radical faeries (of which I have been on the edge of), and it deals with all kinds of other issues which young people, gay and straight deal with - ageism being one of them.

I left one of the earlier book for young people in Asia and the other for young people in Africa. This one is going to other readers here in North America.

I would recommend this book for every secondary school library around the world.

This book is so good that it nearly brought tears to my eyes when I finished reading it. So much happens that I can't even explain it to you all. You have to read it. When I finally finished the second book I couldn't wait to read this one. I read it in a few hours and I seriously felt every moment of this book. It was so believable and incredibly moving and sweet. Alex Sanchez thank you for writing this wonderful series. You now have a life long fan.

I am very delighted with the book Rainbow Road by Alex Sanchez. This book is a great book for those who are going through homosexual problems. Like not knowing how to come out to your family and friends. But that was mainly covered in Rainbow High. I personally love this book. It helped me understand how life is for the people who are gay. It also taught me that homosexuals are humans with feelings and go through everything we go through and more.
This book also helped me with how to approach a homosexual or how to respond to them too. In this book the three friend encounter a lot of difficult problems. They meet a whole lot of different people. They go through many hardships and other things humans go through. At the end all ends well when the trio still end up friends even though Nelson stayed in L.A. to make a new life with his new lover Manny while Kyle and Jason closer than ever make it back to D.C. Rainbow Road is a great book with a perfect ending and I loved it.

by Carmen BLA

I am very delighted with the book Rainbow Road by Alex Sanchez. This book is a great book for those who are going through homosexual problems. Like not knowing how to come out to your family and friends. But that was mainly covered in Rainbow High. I personally love this book. It helped me understand how life is for the people who are gay. It also taught me that homosexuals are humans with feelings and go through everything we go through and more.
This book also helped me with how to approach a homosexual or how to respond to them too. In this book the three friend encounter a lot of difficult problems. They meet a whole lot of different people. They go through many hardships and other things humans go through. At the end all ends well when the trio still end up friends even though Nelson stayed in L.A. to make a new life with his new lover Manny while Kyle and Jason closer than ever make it back to D.C. Rainbow Road is a great book with a perfect ending and I loved it.

This is one of many books I purchased as a learning tool for the Education Committee of our local quilt guild. It's instrumental in showing our young people some of the history of quilting. It's even fun for "older" people to read.

5. The story is sbout s young girl and she got taken away from he rmother and she was staying with her aunt but it really wasn't her aunt she was just raised around her before she got
moved too.She was trying to find a to get to her mother. She got there because it rained and no one had to work. She got there and seen her mother.
6.This story is an okay story but it wasn't long enough but it was okay. If you like picture books than you wold like this book.
7.Thsi book was also irony because I didn't thin kshe would get to see her mother.
8.I rated thisbook for four stars because it was an okay book.

A small quibble before I sink into utter praise. The cover of this book depicts the aforemention sweet Clara and her sweetheart as they run joyfully through the fields. To freedom. Running joyfully, mind you, away from the slave plantation in broad daylight. I'm not saying that there weren't a couple slaves here and there who felt complete and utter joy as they ran, but this scene is positively idyllic. Shouldn't they be afraid of getting caught? Then again, maybe it's just representing the feeling that accompanies such flight, rather than sticking to the strict facts of the matter.

In any case, I began off point and I'm bound to wander off point unless I pull myself up and mosey on over the actual point. Ahem.
ACTUAL POINT: The book is quite good. You don't see that many stories reflecting the quilts that served as maps to lead slaves to freedom. The story is a realistic one, despite everything I said about the cover. And the people are especially well represented. You like Clara. You want her to find her mother and escape off of the plantation. The illustrations are, in pure James Ransome style, beautiful. I've nothing more to say. It's a book that should belong in every library's collection. Nuff said.

Deborah Hopkinson's use of dialogue in this story is what really recommends it to be read aloud. The characters come through the story so well through their words. They usually don't come right out and SAY anything, but instead communicate vital information in a round-about sort of way. They pretend not to have a care in the world, all the while desperately plotting against their captors.

This is book would be a great tool for opening up a discussion about why people say one thing when they really mean something else entirely. Also, this book is great for discussing ways of "escaping" authority and subverting roles of apparent compliance.
Sweet Clara deserves a place on the bookshelves of young revolutionaries worldwide.

While Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt is a wonderful work of fiction, it should be considered just that.
While the horror of slavery are age appropriately described so a child can relate...poor Clara is taken from her mother...the story perpetuates a myth...that quilts were used to assist slaves to freedom.
I urge teachers not to use this book in their classrooms prior to further research. Neither Quilt Historians nor African American Studies Historians have been able to connect quilts to the UGRR, and to perpetuate the myth is a disservice to our children and the African American People.

I bought this book as a gift for my neice because it was recommended to me for my daughter. It's a great activity book that reviews things learned during the year and it actually makes learning throughout the summer fun for the kids.

I have tried every home curriculum book I have ever seen. This one is the best. My children can sit down and read the directions and complete the pages without my help. Each page has a reasonable amount of work problems on it. My children are oth working in the book that is for their own age. They do not find it challenging but Iam only looking for a review for them, not for them to be learning new information. We do not use the sticker/motivation program because I expect my children to do some work every day and I don't like them to think they need a reward for completing it.

I am so happy I bought this for my daughter going into 2nd grade. Each page just picked right up with things she'd been doing in 1st grade - but not overdoing it! This book was just right to keep the brain thinking, and yet the pages only took 10-15 min to complete. Great buy!

My husband started my son with Summer Bridge in kindergarten. He is now going into 7th grade. He's always done very well in school (straight A's) and I think SB keeps his mind fresh. We started our daughter on SB last year. There are activities for all subjects and some use of the internet is needed for research for the older kids. SB also suggests age appropriate books for your child to read. The answers are posted in the back of the book to check your child's work...let's face it, we've been out of school for a while!

Goal setting with a reward a great incentive for a few pages a day.
Thanks, I'll be sure to get next years early.

I know some of the people in this book and I can tell you I hated to get to the end!!!
A glorious, honest account of one man's life in the fast lane. His realization of how hollow it can all be is a lesson to all who only see the glamourous side of the glitz.
I highly suggest you read this facinating novel told in a humourous and fast paced manner......

So I read this book shortly after it came out...and only recently decided to pick it up again and reread it...and now I remember the obsession I had LAST time after I was finished and that obsession has returned. I LOVED the read...though somewhat simple at times, it was a fun read and I found myself laughing throughout the book. But I will say what someone else asked? Who are these people? In the days of Information overload and scandalous gossip, I can't believe that NO ONE has even hinted as to the identities of the primary Characters! Tony Somertino and Brik Moor III. Not even ONE hint in a Google search? makes me wonder if this book, is indeed based on a true story and if not then I feel somewhat duped. So that is my take. Good read but surely to goodness there would be SOMETHING OUT THERE revealing who these characters are!

I lived in the same building and ate at the French Market every morning, as Tony Somertino did, though we didn't know each other. I know who he is and who "Brik" is. Once you know who Brik is, it's easy to find out the identity of the actress he married. Brik divorced her as his career was sinking and hers was taking off. She eventually totally eclipsed him and everyone else, practically defining the 1970's with her beauty and style. She is still on the scene today, though in a diminished capacity. And Brik was indeed one of the biggest stars on television, a man making millions and millions of dollars, consistently, from the mid-sixties to the mid-eighties, in one hit series after another. Brik's career never seemed to have any valleys, only peaks, but as the 70's melted into the 80's, his long ride at the top finally began to end. I was very surprised to learn who Brik actually was at the time because there has never been a shred of gossip about his sexuality, and that's true some 20-odd years after those French Market breakfasts. (And I've read just about everything from Kenneth Anger to Boze Hadleigh.)

Tony was very cute, a bit femme, and he obviously possessed the whiptail of a stringray when riled. You can bet that Brik, 60'ish now, remarried with grown children, gave Tony an ironclad settlement agreement, which he would likely have breached had it not been for the opening "agent receiving a mysterious manuscript" bit. Tony's certainly no angel, but he's not stupid. Perhaps it was a bid for an increase in hush money. And how's that for a blind item!

God apparently doesn't hand out looks and talent simultaneously, because, even with the help of two ghosts, Both Sides of the Rainbow is as thin as silk with none of the sheen, but I think it accurately reflects the man who lived the story. I recall him as being a bit of a snob because of his status as the "manstress" of a major television star, and this snobbery shines through, even with all the editing. Yes, the cars really were beautiful. And, yes, the knee socks have got to go.

This is just my opinion, as I have given this book to a friend who really enjoyed it...however, I filled him in as to the real players' names in what was, to me, an overwrought depiction of one long, teenaged, temper tantrum (with the exception of the parts about his family, which were truly hilarious and should be cut out and expanded).

I can't believe none of the other reviews mention my two major sentiments: CURIOSITY about who Tony Somertino is supposed to be, who Brik Moore is supposed to be, who Tony's group of gay celeb friends is supposed to be. It's like a whole bunch of blind items compressed into novel form, and I'd love to know who was being described.

Also, sorry, but incredible disgust at the quality of writing and, more to the point, editing of this book. I found typos on almost every single page that wouldn't be permitted in a technical manual, let alone a published novel. And the writer, although funny, needed a much stronger editing hand to rein in the Harlequinesque style of describing love, lovemaking, and most of all, fashion.

Very entertaining cotton candy for the brain, but with all the people working on it, the final product should have been a lot more professional.

I'm a chilean woman of 45, mother of 5, open-minded, living in a very closed-minded country. I have several gay friends whom I love and respect and I've bought some gay literature not available in my country, to learn more about gay people's problems and the best way of becoming a good and helpful friend for them. Of all the twenty something gay books I've read, I recommended only two of them to straight people, and just this one to my mother. It's her first and only gay book, and she was reluctant to read it, but one night she phoned me arround 11:00 pm, and just said: "sorry, I had to call you to tell you I've been crying with laughter over the tree and the chandeliere chapters". I recommend it to everyone, gay, straight or bi.

I bought this book being recommended by others. When I said it was a long winded book by that I meant that I found the first half of the book intereting but with some off the beatin path detours and when I got past the half way point I became less interested in this book because the detours became more and more getting away from the story it was surpose to be telling. I think it was worth reading because I did get some enjoyment out of the book and think others will enjoy it also.

I JUST finished "Calling the Rainbow Nation Home"!

Wonderful insite into the life of a young woman who grew up seeing tough times, had the desire to makes some dedicated life changes, accepted Christ as her savior along the termoil that surrounded her, and sucessfully reconiled her sexuality with her faith. I am so thankful that Elaine has shared her life with the world and folks like me.

Great combination of a powerful life-testimony and scripture study. Fantastic resource for those struggling to reconcile their sexuality with their faith. Especially helpful for family who are wanting to understand the personal and spiritual perspective and tensions of a gay Christian. Smooth read and a fascinating story line.

The book touched me in deep and profound ways - more specifically GOD touched me through the book. Callling The Rainbow Nation Home has helped me learn more about my God, my journey and myself.

I found this book to be well written and very helpful. My son recently "came out" to my wife and I. One of my concerns was how he could bring his sexual orientation in line with his religious beliefs. This book showed that it can be done.

The first book that I have read on this subject that was so easy to read and understand and at the same time incredibly powerful and life changing. I always knew in my spirit that my partner and I were not wrong, but didn't have the knowledge of the scripture. It is a wonderfully powerful testimony backed with scripture and moving honesty. Where I live there is not a christian gay church so this book helped so much. If you're gay or not you should read this book.

This book is a wonderful resource that has helped me to understand the issues surrounding homosexuality and the Christian faith in an honest and scripture-based way.

Unlike Oliver's review, this book is not a "feel good" book where the author just dismisses what the Bible says about this topic, and what it DOESN'T say about it. Nor does Sundby just read the bible to only hear what she wants to. Reverend Sundby goes through ALL the motions of studying scripture accurately and with the willingness to accept the truth it is speaking to her, including a possible "anti-gay relationship" interpretation that Oliver believes is the only right interpretation.

What makes this book refreshing is not only is it scholarly, but it is written in the context of her life story. For many readers this book will help them understand a lesbian Christian's life and her quest to understand what God is saying about her life. Highly recommended!

I'm a young one and I have the book it is great. My grandmother is Native American and she thinks we need to remember the magic of our people and not live in the anger and hate of the old days. We almost lost the spirit of our people and we need books like this to remember. I find the book easy to read and great to learn from. It make my Granny smile. Wolf Mooondance is a good writer. Thank you Frank from South Dakota

This book is a contemporary teaching tool to reach out to all people that strive for a better life. Many would say that this isn't "traditional" material or that shamans don't write books. The idea of this book is to reach out to the public in a contemporary Native American spiritual way, and allow people to find happiness in a difficult world. This book accomplishes the goal, and succeeds in being an excellent healing tool. Doubt or anger is not what this book is about. It is about sharing a vision (contemporary) and helping people to have a guide for self healing and happiness. No, this isn't "tradional" Native American writing, but it IS great contemporary Native American writing. We are all on this earth to share our ideals and culture, so do yourself a favor and read all of Wolf Moondance's work. Native American's do write books and they also share their visions with the rest of the world. Remember anger and negative opinions do NOT mend the hoop. The book is a great beginning to help people get acquinted with spirituality whether it is Native American or a personal experience. The book is a quality experience and I recommend it highly.

My purpose for writing this review is by no means motivated by any intent to slander the author in any way. In fact, after reviewing the author's website and other books, I think my review can be applied to all bookstore shamans. Unforunately, it seems that many of you non-natives are unable to distinguish authentic native spirituality from this type of material. My concern is for the interests of the reader. The approach that most Native Americans have taken in response to this type of misrepresentation of culture has not been a peaceful one. There is no shortage of protests and lawsuits against mispresentation in Indian country. There are many people today who are taking advantage of Native American people through their presentations of bogus teachings. I implore you to use common sense. You must know that today, in this modern age, there are many charlatans at work, especially in this genre. I do not mean to insult the intelligence of the readers but what you have here by "Wolf Mood Dance," is a romanticized version of Native Spirituality. In a sense, maybe this book's information is what you "want" to hear. If it adds something positive to your life, ..fine. But for those of you who are genuinely interested in learning about Native Spirituality, you must approach these presentations in a skeptical manner. Real Medicine healers are few and far between. Again, you must use common sense on this one. Authentic Native spiritual leaders usually keep to themselves and live a simple life usually among their own people and not in a corporate headquarters. It would seem very fishy to my people if our spiritual leaders were to suddenly begin to write books and create websites in order to promote an image. For those of you who seek spiritual guidance from an authentic leader, I'll leave you with a few points to contemplate. In short, you must seek the authentic healer in the proper place, and that is NOT in a bookstore. Also, each tribe has its own cosmology and heirarchy of deities and spirit helpers. It is not a case of lumping a Native practices in to one group and labeling it "Native Spirituality." As I seek to bridge the gap between non-indians and my own people. I am willing to share what I have experienced and how a genuine Native American percieves life. I do not "KNOW IT All" but I do know my culture and offer my hand for the sake of helping another in life, however I can. yellowrobe@hotmail.com

I got this book Rainbow Medicine right after meeting the Author in 94. What a powerful person and book I read it over and over. The spirits in this book open doors to healing each day of my life. I will always trust the writings of Wolf Moondance. It will help all who look. Dan Bentely

I think there are a lot of ways t see a Truth and I want to say this book is full of truth. I was sad and very angery at the lies that are told about good people and the indian ways. I was lost and drunk and this book pened me up to the memories of my Grandmother and father. I remembered the love and the truth and I'm alive and teaching school because of the book. Please, if you need spirit and are looking to learn grab this one and keep it close-It is Great!!! Carol Smith

A bit of background before we begin: "Dreamhunter" first came to my attention when I was talking to "Amy" the YA librarian at my place of employ. Amy was on a committee to choose some of the best books for teens that were published recently and fought really hard to get "Dreamquake" (the companion/sequel to this novel) on the list. As a fellow fantasy fanatic she also thought I would admire the writing. I, however, did not remember to write down the title. A bit later, upon hearing about writing troubles I had been having, Amy once again recommended "Dreamhunter." This time I immediately put the book on hold. And looking back now I am ashamed that I waited so very long to read it.

"Dreamhunter" is Elizabeth Knox's first novel for a young adult audience, although I feel obligated to point out that the genre label here applies more to the fact that her main characters are teens than anything to do with the novel's subject or prose. She is also the author of several novels for adults.

Like so many great fantasy novels, "Dreamhunter" is set in a world not that different from our own. The one reminder that this novel is not like any other period book set in 1906 has to do with dreams and their tangibility in the world Knox has created here.

For a very few people, perhaps one in every three hundred, dreams really are tangible in the Place: a mysterious other-world far larger than the few acres of woodland that in encompasses in the real world. The Place hold dreams. Of the few that can enter the Place, fewer still are able to sleep there and bring the dreams back to the general public where the dreams can be performed in private residences or in a dream palace like the Rainbow Opera--a sort of theater for dreams--to benefit the public good. Dreamhunters, when they have enough skill and talent, can make their fortunes by catching the right dreams.

No one knows this better than the novel's fifteen-year-old protagonist, Laura Hame, and her cousin, Rose Tiebold. Laura's father, perhaps one of the best dreamhunters ever, discovered the Place and Rose's mother is another very skilled dreamhunter.

But, as Laura and Rose are about to learn, all is not right in their world. When Laura's father disappears under mysterious circumstances she and her cousin set out to find the secret behind not only his disappearance but also, perhaps, the very secret of the Place itself.

Aside from its thrilling plot, "Dreamhunter" is a wonderful novel because of Knox's background work. As soon as I opened this book, I felt like I was immersed in Laura and Rose's world. It didn't matter that I had never heard of dreamhunters, or Trixsie Bend, or the Grand Patriarch because Knox incorporated all of these new ideas effortlessly into her plot. I was hooked, almost literally, for the entire 365 pages of this novel (in the hardcover edition).

The writing here is rich without being overdone and beautiful without being conspicuous about it. (I really want to include some quotes to illustrate how great the writing is, but all of my favorite quotes are too much like spoilers.)

This story is open in the year 1906. The choice of time period, as well as Knox's writing style bring to mind Garth Nix's powerhouse fantasy novel "Sabriel." I loved "Sabriel" (as I love all of Garth Nix's books), but I might have loved "Dreamhunter" slightly more if for nothing save its ending--one of the best I have read of late.

Laura and Rose's story continues in "Dreamquake" the conclusion of Elizabeth Knox's Dreamhunter Duet.

A great read. I won't repeat a synopsis of the story as other reviewers have done that well.

Loved that it was a NZ author and set in an alternate NZ. Knox did not push the place because it really is not relevant. This story could happen anywhere (and is!). However, it is sad to see that some people still mistake us for Australia!!! How do they arrive at that?

Definitely an adult novel in theme but Knox obviously expects her YA readers to be intelligent young people and interested in the state of the world, as are her protagonists. She has something also to say about young people, who like Laura and Rose, are frustrated in their efforts to deal with a frightening situation by the adults who underestimate and over protect them.

Highly recommended.

i was roped in instantly. it keept my entertainment,and left me wanting the next book instantly.

Dreamhunter
Elizabeth Knox
Genre-Fantasy

Dreamhunter is a fantastic read for anyone who enjoys a page turning fantasy. The books main characters are two 15 year old cousins called Laura and Rose. Laura is more drawn back and cautious than Rose, who is outgoing and a big risk taker. They live in a world almost exactly like ours except for that it is next to The Place, an area that only a few chosen people can enter and catch larger than life dreams which can be found only in The Place. Laura's father is the legendary Tziga Hame, who first discovered The Place. Rose's mother is also one of the first dreamhunter's and both of the parents would like their daughters to Try. Every 15 year old is allowed to Try, Trying is an event held every year by the government to recruit young dreamhunter's. About 9 kids will get accepted each year by The Place, to every one else they will just walk the next step on the road and never enter.
This book relates to a trilogy of books that I read by Garth Nix because in that trilogy there was a huge wall between the Old Kingdom and The New Kingdom with evil magical creatures on the Old Kingdom side. The difference between that trilogy and this book that I just read is that in the Garth Nix books anyone could cross the wall at their own risk but in Dreamhunter only a few chosen people can enter The Place.
I think that Elizabeth Knox has a wonderful style of writing that keeps you on your toes throughout the entire story. Every part of this book was packed with exciting details and vivid descriptions of the characters and setting. I loved this book a lot and I would recommend it for readers of any age. Packed with suspense, action and mystery, it has me eagerly waiting for the conclusion of the story of Laura in Rose in the last book in the Dreamhunter duet.

As an adult with a penchant for YA fiction I am accustomed to a certain tone from these books. Upon reading "Dreamhunter" I found myself having nightmares for a few nights - not surprising given the subject matter. I wondered why one would tell such a story to children. Let me be clear that these books are a work of distopian fiction, a cautionary tale about the destruction of a society through the greed and selfishness of it's rulers. Though not gorey and certainly not horror particularly more savvy readers will definitely find this a disturbing read (it is all done in an extremely subtle way and the most disturbing aspects might be over the heads of many young readers). However, this first book especially is upsetting. As I came to the conclusion of the second volume I understood - these works are decidedly activist in the same tradition as Pullman's "His Dark Materials". Unlike Pullman, Knox is not so much trying to convey a certain theological and philosophical perspective as she has written a rallying cry for word change. Taken in the context of our current world climate - the erosion of civil liberties and the middle class in the United States - it is easy to see that this series is talking about the present day. She could certainly have marketed them as adult books with no changes, but the choice to present "The Dreamhunter Duet" to children first shows remarkable intent. Definitely "His Dark Materials good", strongly recommended.