Seven Books

Bluford high:Blood is thicker by Paul Langan & D.M. Blackwell

The setting of this book is in a small, poverty suburbs in Detroit Michigan. This book is about a boy named Hakeem, who moves from his hometown in California, Detroit. Hakeem moves to Detroit,Michigan because his father is sick. Hakeem goes to Detroit to live with his uncle and his cousin Savon. Hakeem and savon were very close but lost contact with each other. Savon doesn't spend time with his cousin because he thinks he's to cool for that. The genre of the book is fictional. The conflict is that Hakeem has to figure out if Savon is the robber of all the stores because he sneaks out every night. Hakemm knew that all the stores on his block had been robbed, even his uncle's Jason store. So Hakeem thought it was Savon because he was sneaking out every night. The theme of this book is trust because Hakeem has to trust in himself that his dad we'll be alright. He also has to trust his cousin savon that he isn't stealing. This book has a good ending so i suggest that all middle school students should read this. I like this book because it is very interesting and it tells stories about fake people but real events.

Bluford high:Blood is thicker by Paul Langan & D.M. Blackwell

The setting of this book is in a small, poverty suburbs in Detroit Michigan. This book is about a boy named Hakeem, who moves from his hometown in California, Detroit. Hakeem moves to Detroit,Michigan because his father is sick. Hakeem goes to Detroit to live with his uncle and his cousin Savon. Hakeem and savon were very close but lost contact with each other. Savon doesn't spend time with his cousin because he thinks he's to cool for that. The genre of the book is fictional. The conflict is that Hakeem has to figure out if Savon is the robber of all the stores because he sneaks out every night. Hakemm knew that all the stores on his block had been robbed, even his uncle's Jason store. So Hakeem thought it was Savon because he was sneaking out every night. The theme of this book is trust because Hakeem has to trust in himself that his dad we'll be alright. He also has to trust his cousin savon that he isn't stealing. This book has a good ending so i suggest that all middle school students should read this. I like this book because it is very interesting and it tells stories about fake people but real events.

Bluford high:Blood is thicker by Paul Langan & D.M. Blackwell

The setting of this book is in a small, poverty suburbs in Detroit Michigan. This book is about a boy named Hakeem, who moves from his hometown in California, Detroit. Hakeem moves to Detroit,Michigan because his father is sick. Hakeem goes to Detroit to live with his uncle and his cousin Savon. Hakeem and savon were very close but lost contact with each other. Savon doesn't spend time with his cousin because he thinks he's to cool for that. The genre of the book is fictional. The conflict is that Hakeem has to figure out if Savon is the robber of all the stores because he sneaks out every night. Hakemm knew that all the stores on his block had been robbed, even his uncle's Jason store. So Hakeem thought it was Savon because he was sneaking out every night. The theme of this book is trust because Hakeem has to trust in himself that his dad we'll be alright. He also has to trust his cousin savon that he isn't stealing. This book has a good ending so i suggest that all middle school students should read this.

Bluford high:Blood is thicker by Paul Langan & D.M. Blackwell

The setting of this book is in a small, poverty suburbs in Detroit Michigan. This book is about a boy named Hakeem, who moves from his hometown in California, Detroit. Hakeem moves to Detroit,Michigan because his father is sick. Hakeem goes to Detroit to live with his uncle and his cousin Savon. Hakeem and savon were very close but lost contact with each other. Savon doesn't spend time with his cousin because he thinks he's to cool for that. The genre of the book is fictional. The conflict is that Hakeem has to figure out if Savon is the robber of all the stores because he sneaks out every night. Hakemm knew that all the stores on his block had been robbed, even his uncle's Jason store. So Hakeem thought it was Savon because he was sneaking out every night. The theme of this book is trust because Hakeem has to trust in himself that his dad we'll be alright. He also has to trust his cousin savon that he isn't stealing. This book has a good ending so i suggest that all middle school students should read this.

"That's it Savon barked, charging Hakeem like an enraged lion." This book is called Blood is Thicker by Paul Langan and D.M Blackwell.

This book takes place in a low class suburb in Detroit Michigan. It is about a boy named Hakeem who moves from California to Detroit because, his father is very sick and they cannot afford there house so, they come live with their uncle. Savon is Hakeems cousin. They were good friends when they were young but they have lost contact. We Hakeem got there he wonder why Savon was being mean to him. He also meets this girl next door who he thinks is pretty. He teaches her how to play guitar. It's a way for him to relive stress and have a fun time with her. Savon had been sneaking around came home late at night. So Uncle James asked him to find out what Savon was up to. There had been robberies almost every store on Main Street except his father furniture store. Then the real bad blood between the two begins. The ending is a shock. This is a fictional novel. I would recommend this book for any middle school student. This is the eighth book in the Bluford High series. The next book is Brothers in Arms. If you like big endings this book is for you.

I purchased the Sweep series for my 13 year old daughter in the hopes that maybe she would read. "She hated to read." Well I was amazed, and could not get her to go to sleep, as she would spend the whole night, with a night-light on reading these books. She enjoyed them so much, and could not stop talking first about Cal and then Hunter, that I had to see what all the fuss was about.
Well after two weeks, a book a day, for a girl who hated to read, it sparked my curiosity, so I started reading, and was surprised to find out how enjoyable a Teen book about Teen Witches could be. I am not really into Wicca, but these books are really enjoyable. I am on my fifth book, and my daughter read each twice, and is know on the Circle of Three Series. I have to highly recommend these books to those parents who can not get their daughters to read. These are excellent stories, full of fantasy, horror, and fun.

This one is also good...just like the other ones. Morgan is still trying to understand her powers, but doing well when she has Cal with her. But, something strange is happening that is making Morgan scared. What could it be? You will have to read and find out, just typing this review temps me to read it again. GO get this book, you wont regret it.

Morgan is a blood witch. She was adopted. Morgan's life has been changing and is changeing still. THen Hunter another blood witch enters her life. From the very first moment she saw him she disliked him but now she absolutely hates him. Hunter is saying things about Cal that hurt her. Then things take a turn for the worst and Morgan is to blame. What did she do? Read this book and find out!

Morgan's seventeenth birthday is approaching and she should be very happy. But the rest of her life is not a wonderful as it should be. Cal is great, and her anchor. But now she has learned more about her mother and her clan. Her coven is losing some members and might be losing more. Bree is still distant and is mixed up with a strange witch. Who are the strange witches and what do they have against Morgan and Cal?

Most of these questions are answered by the end of the book which culminates on the night before her birthday.

Another fine book about a girl coming to terms with the changes in her life (adoption, love, witchcraft, friends, etc.).

Morgan is still trying to piece her life together. Bree has deserted her and her adoptive family can't even begin to understand her. The only person she seems to trust and have on her side is Cal. Cal her wonderful boyfriend who believes they are murin breatha dans, soulmates. But then Hunter comes and shakes things up. He claims that he is Cal's half brother and a member of the International Council of Witches. He says that he has been sent to investigate Cal and Selene who are believed to be practicing dark magick. Morgan denies this and refuses to believe him. But she does feel that something dark and strange is going on and if she doesn't figure things out soon she could face hte same tragic death her parents did.

This book is eye-opening! I have been an avid fan of Harry Potter for years with many reads of the entire series under my belt. I teach a Harry Potter class to elementary & middle school aged kids in the summer (which is why I bought this book). It is so much fun to realize how deep the HP universe really is! I can't wait for volumes 2 & 3 to come out.

This book is wonderfully organized and easy to use. The information is totally fascinating and the questions range from moderately to extremely challenging. There are also some great pages of trivia about the trivia answers.

For all who want to explore even more into the world of Harry Potter, this book is a great buy. Highly recommended!

for someone who is wanting to enjoy a challenging afternoon this is the book for you.Rachelene Maltanese has formated her book in such a way that the beginning,casual and the serious readers of the Harry Potter series will tested in their knowledge of potions,spells,curses,witches and wizards and myriad other topics by her Salamander,Phoenix and Dragon levels.this book is highly recommended for any HP group disussion or just to bone up on your knowledge, or lack thereof.So purchase this product, sit back and enjoy

I got this book for my 3 kids, ages 11,18 and 22 who are all Harry Potter book fanatics and used to sit around and make up trivia questions to try to stump each other (especially the older 2). They all have enjoyed taking the quizzes and it is both challenging and entertaining. I would definitely recommend it for those who think they are well versed in Potter minutia--you might be surprised!

I'll come right out and admit that I expected this book to be a cakewalk. I've read the entire series of books multiple times, and I was convinced that I'd have no problem answering even the difficult questions. Well, I've been well and truly humbled.

Ms. Maltese has gathered an incredible range of facts and tidbits from seemingly nowhere. The book itself is divided into individual quests, or areas of knowledge, then further broken down into three levels of difficulty: salamander, phoenix, and dragon. I knew I was in trouble when I started missing phoenix questions!

Fortunately, the answers are supplied at the end of the chapter, along with some fun trivia bits. I actually went and double-checked some of those answers for accuracy, and the book was right every time.

This book would be a great at a party, or for a fund-raiser trivia quiz. I think this would also be a great idea translated into other languages, since many of the character names are completely different in each country.

My hat is off to Ms. Maltese and her impeccable research skills. I challenge all Potter fans to try their hand and test their Potter knowledge!

Having just finished this book, I'm going to skip ahead and say: I am delighted.


Skipping backwards, however:


- The simple skill levels provide an excellent ladder into the suprisingly voluminous information within: Young fans will be thrilled to be quizzed as Salamanders (Level 1), drawn on to learn more and graduate to Phoenixes (Level 2), and even adult fans will be challenged by Level 3, the Dragon.


- Hint boxes on almost every page make sure the reader isn't left to flounder if they're lost (or tempted to cheat!). They don't chivvy, scold, or insult, but instead encourage lateral thinking to get at the answers.


- However, the best part might be the extras. The answers are not simple, dry solutions; they are complete and filled with additional content and facts, making it a surprisingly useful reference.


- Trivia Tidbits! Never let it be said that curiosity, once fanned, was allowed to fizzle. The "tidbits" are actually quite meaty asides that often bring in real-world comparisons, point out the historical fact and mythology woven through the Harry Potter books, and encourage outside research and reading.


A wonderful idea for parents might be to purchase the book prior to a birthday and use the questions as a party game. This would work equally well for teenagers, and even adults. Harry Potter appeals to nearly everyone, and this book makes it fun to share trivia and thoughts on the series with friends.

When I was a child, no one ever wrote about Black children. We were still calling each other whenever a Black person was coming on TV, "Nat King Cole gonna be on TV tonight." Now, 53 and grandmother to a host of children, to them I can read a tale about Black girls and boys who have adventures, rise above their fears, and so help me God, save the whole wide world! And what a world! Faracadar, where the youngest child continues the bloodline and creatures do, literally, laugh themselves to death. Where people are green and blue, and music, MUSIC, saves lives and chases away evil. I had to wait 53 years before a Black girl could ride the white horse, only to have Ms. Wachspress bare the girl away on a tiger. What fun! How wonderful that a new generation of all children can read of adventures set in my culture. A children's book? Perhaps, but one that reminds us of how to live with and respect each other and the Earth, and of how to fight, and with truth and honor. The Call to Shakabaz is a true, true delight!

Reviewed by Brianne Plach (age 9) for Reader Views (6/07)

Do you want to read a good adventure book with a great storyline and no violence? If you do, you will want to check out this one. "The Call to Shakabaz" by Amy Wachspress follows four recently-orphaned Goodacre children on a mission to do something for their mother who died two months ago.

The Goodacre children named Doshmisi, Denzel, Maia and Sonjay, are living with Aunt Alice and aren't too happy about it. They were raised in the city with malls, computers, televisions and video games. Aunt Alice has none of that in her farmhouse on Manzanita Ranch. They wish they had some adventure. Be careful what you wish for, you might just find out that you have more danger than the boring countryside. The four children take along Bayard Rustin, a talking parrot who doesn't make much sense but has a mind of his own.

One midsummer day, they meet Amethyst who is the gatekeeper of Faracadar. They are armed with their amulets that were given them by Uncle Martin, Uncle Bobby and Aunt Alice. They are told to wear these amulets well and with ingenuity, creativity, compassion, courage and hunger for the truth. The amulets must never leave the neck of the children because no one can take them from them unless they would lose their life. Doshmisi is also given a healing book called Herbal which will magically open to the page of the recipe of something to heal the person.

I really enjoyed traveling with the kids to meet all the different people on their trip. There were parts of this book which were funny. Having a powder which will change you into a different color to hide you would be very fun to have sometimes. Of course, your true colors will come out anyway. There is only so much hiding a person can do. Amy Wachspress has a great imagination. I will definitely read this book again! I liked how there weren't violent scenes in the book like a lot of books out there. This book is terrific reading for ages 9-14. It is fun to see that kids our age can do something important too, even if it is a fantasy book. I could see teachers making this a part of their reading class. There is a study guide at the back of this book too. Answer "The Call to Shakabaz' and enjoy the adventure!

Note from Brianne's mother: This book is a terrific fantasy book for kids. With the popularity of the Narnia series, "The Call to Shakabaz" could easily become a favorite for students and teachers. It kept Brianne very enthused about reading and she couldn't wait to finish reading it.

Head Start administrator Amy Wachspress presents The Call to Shakabaz, a fantasy novel for ages eight to eighty following four newly orphaned children who discover a surprising secret about their family. Accompanied by a pestering parrot, they travel to the faraway land of Faracadar, and seek the immensely powerful Staff of Shakabaz in hope of using it to end the tyranny of the evil enchanter Sissrath. Their adventure carries them over land and sea, into the dungeonlike depths of the Final Fortress, and each of them must discover their own talents and gifts in order to have any hope of survival, let alone success in their mission. Highly recommended.

Colour, music, scents and sentiment spill out of this pictureless fantasy novel and sweep us into a story of suspense, self-discovery and nonviolent resistance. Our girls laughed, swooned, quaked and cheered -- then happily chirped "Satyagraha!".

Doshmisi, Denzel, Maia, and Sonjay always thought Aunt Alice's Manzanita Ranch was a great place to visit, but they never thought they would have to live there. But when their mother died unexpectedly, that's where they moved to. It hasn't been very long since then, and the kids are bored stiff. It's a good thing they have the family Midsummer party to look forward to. Although without their mom, or even the cousins who are inexplicably absent, even that might not be much fun.

What starts out as a rather dull, depressing day gets a lot more interesting with a strange lesson in family history. It turns out that the two brothers and two sisters are "The Four." Descendants of a line of four brothers and sisters who can pass through their own dimension and into Faracadar. With their mother gone, the time of their mother and aunt and uncles have passed. It is up to the new Four now.

But what is "it"? Trust me, they want to know as much as you do. Unfortunately, one of the rules is that they don't get to know much the first time around. All they know is that they have to get the Staff of Shakabaz away from a guy named Sissrath. Who that is, how they do it, why they have to, and even what Faracadar is, they'll have to figure out for themselves. They'll have to work together, learning what each of their strengths are and how to use them, and maybe they'll be able to pull it all off.

THE CALL TO SHAKABAZ is richly imagined and incredibly detailed, both land and story. At first it's a bit like a modern version of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (The Chronicles of Narnia). But by the end of the tale you realize it's so much deeper than that. This is a book about finding personal strength, in all different forms, and appreciating the talents of others, and the strength in uniting different people, and so much more! I want to buy a copy for everyone I know, regardless of age, race, or sex. It's part fantasy, part history lesson, part real life -- I can't even describe it! But, it's beautiful, and it's kind of a picture of what I'd like to see our world look like. Although maybe without the greenish sun -- that might be a little weird.

Reviewed by: Carrie Spellman

Tony has a gift he gives freely to all. He has the ability to speak directly TO THE READER. It is as if you're sitting across from him and having a conversation. 'It is estimated that about 95 percent of people can be compared to ships without rudders.'--Earl Nightingale. Tony's book is the rudder for my ship. Tony, thanks for sharing!

Great inspirational book. Helps you realize you can be better than you think and don't stop until you get there! Each principle has different applications in your life and in aggregate, create a recipe for success! Highly recommended!

Many books describe great ideas but few give an actual process to follow. Tony's book describes processes that are based on his education and experiences. Interwoven in these experiences are descriptions of family stories and strong values. He has inspired me.
Thanx, Tony
JB-MBA Pepperdine Class of 2000

The title alone should give you a hint that this is no ordinary 'self-help' book. It's filled with humor, compassion, and sincerity, which is fitting from an author like Tony Magee. Reading it is like chatting with an old friend. I laughed out loud at the stories he used to illustrate his points. I can relate to many of his experiences and therefore, I'll remember the lesson I learned from each. This book belongs in the library of anyone who wants to give their life a boost...no matter where you are in the journey to achieving your dream.

Once I picked up Tony's book...I could not put it down. It was a great read. I have read a lot of self help books but Tony's perpective ..his rags to riches story is a true American success story. I would make this a must read for anyone who wants to dream..and needs a blueprint on how to do it!

Thanks Tony!

I love fairy tales and I love when they are reimagined even though I am 32 ! This one was very well done except it does lag a bit at times! If you are looking for a classic Jack and the Beanstalk you will be sadly disappointed because while all the elements are there they are very different ! This book was fairly enjoyable and would have got 5 stars but for the lagging but it is not enough for people to skip this book because if you do you will be missing a enjoyable book!

Crazy jack was good I thought it wasn't bad. I couldn't put the book down I just keep reading it until I finish it. I thought the character was hard working and every happier. But one summer there was a drought and every farmer on the village was desperate for rain. The rain never came and jack family couldn't grow anything so his father made a trade with the other farmer for half of their farm. Jack mother was kind of angry but their nothing she can do. One day Jack was talking to his father and say that there is a plot of gold at the end of the rainbow. If they would get the gold they wouldn't have anything to worried about. So one raining night Jack father say to Jack that if Jack want to plot of gold his father will get it for him. So he left and Jack went after him trying go stop him from going to try to get the gold but he couldn't stop his father. His fathers walk of a cliff and climb the cliff until he disappeared Jack follow him, but stop half way the cliff father that he never seem his father again. In the morning he found him self-back at his house with his mom and flora. For the next seven years around autumn his would go to the same cliff and try to climb the cliff by slamming his body to the cliff and people started to call him crazy Jack. During the celebrating of autumn his mother told him to go and trade their cow for some thing good. But he trades the cow for some bean. He grows the bean and climbs the tree to the top and fined this beautiful lady up there the lady gave him a chicken. The second time a plot of gold they're more but u have to read.
I think this book is a good book to read

This book by Donna Jo Napoli is a very good twist on the classic, Jack and the Beanstalk. It's really well written. I liked this book a lot.

Crazy jack was good I thought it wasn't that bad. I would recommend this book for the fifth and sixth graded. I just keep reading it until I finish it. I thought the character was hard working and every happier. But one summer there was a drought and every farmer on the village was desperate for rain. The rain never came and jack family couldn't grow anything so his father made a trade with the other farmer for half of their farm. One day Jack was talking to his father and say that there is a plot of gold at the end of the rainbow. If they would get the gold they wouldn't have anything to worried about. So one raining night Jack father say to Jack that if Jack want to plot of gold his father will get it for him. So he left and Jack went after him trying go stop him from going to try to get the gold but he couldn't stop his father. His fathers walk of a cliff disappeared into the midst Jack follow him, but stop halfway the to cliff his father was gone. That was the last time he ever seem his father again. For the next seven years around autumn his would go to the same cliff. Jack tries to climb the cliff by slamming his body to the cliff and then people started to call him crazy Jack. During the celebrating of autumn his mother told him to go and trade their cow for some thing good. But he trades the cow for some bean. He grows the bean and climbs the tree to the top and fined this beautiful lady up there the lady gave him a chicken. The second time a plot of gold that not gold but stone the third time his found a harp.

Napoli is a master at her work, so that every time I pick up one of her books, I am astounded by its beauty and characterization, its personality and reverence for the human soul.
The Brothers Grimm will tell you what happened to Jack when he climbed up the beanstalk, but Donna Jo Napoli will actually take you there. I marvel at her well-placed words, her ingenious ideas, her deeper meanings. For example, in Crazy Jack, there is a continual allusion to rainbows, and when Jack plants the famous beanstalk, the beans he got from the fairy are violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red. After the drought in the beginning, rainbows come and dance across the sky. When Jack climbs up the beanstalk for the second time, he sees a rainbow that no one else there can see because of a former curse on the giant by a fairy whose gold he tried to plunder. The giant's domain from then on was to be only seen in varying shade of grayish-gold, to remind him of his foolish greed. But Jack can see the rainbow, indicating indirectly to us that gold is not all Jack cares about. Invariably, that rainbow above the clouds on Jack's second visit leads to a pot of gold, which Jack then steals from the giant and hurries with back down the beanstalk. We come upon a very strong symbol in every instance. Rainbows are crazy hopes and crazy dreams and a crazy wish that will never be: to find that eluding pot of gold!

Jack's father also plays a pretty big role in the story. He had worked hard, and taken wagers (gambling) when odd jobs weren't enough, but still it was not sufficient to stave off the hardships of a farmer's family during drought. When 9-year old Jack see his father climb the cliff singing and never return, he was near to driven mad by greif. Years later, he still fights against his confusion and despair, and seeks a way to, somehow, follow his father to the clouds.

The reason I so admire Ms. Napoli is for the ingenuity and passion with which she writes. Her words have such conviction, that when you are through, you are sure the whole tale must really have occurred in that far off little place in England because by that point, you are too drawn in for common sense. Once you enter into Jack's world, you won't want to put down the book for fear of missing what he might do next. You'll be rooting for him all the way up the beanstalk!

It was amazing how Neuhaus was able to eek so much out of so sparse a conversation with humanity as issued from Jesus's lips before He died. Yet, Neuhaus did just that--not inventing as much as expounding, not adding words as much as pondering and clarifying. I found the text illuminating and well worth reading any afternoon (it makes a quick read because it's hard to put down).

I first read this book the year it was published. I have re-read it every year since and I always find new insight. For those who simply cannot accept Jesus Christ and His necessary sacrifice, or do not understand what His Passion meant and still means, this book will turn the light on for you.

I bought this book as a guided meditation during Lent one year, but I have kept coming back to it year after year. Fr. Neuhaus knows how to cut to the heart of the matter and really make us think about our lives. Ever since high school, I've had a practice of "giving up something" for Lent. However, recently I've found that "adding something", especially something as powerful as the meditations in this book, help me to prepare much better for the Easter celebration.

Of course, you don't have to wait until Lent to be moved by the power of Fr. Neuhaus's message. I recommend this book at any time during the year.

My first encounter with Fr. Neuhaus's writing came through the pages of "First Things", a magazine on the role of religion in public life. His penetrating insights and carefully crafted arguments are true gems of wisdom. I've come to appreciate them and depend on his daily reflections on current issues the way some people depend on a shot of caffeine to get them through a day.

This book, however, is written in a completely different style and with a very different aim. Here we see a more spiritual and meditative side of Fr. Neuhaus, and I, for one, am grateful for this insight. Here he contemplates the seven last words of Christ, devoting a chapter to each one of them. His aim is to takes us deeper into the mystery of crucifixion and the death of Christ, and to resist the temptation to just rush over to Easter. The book can be used as a devotional aid, and would be a good companion reading material during Lent.

The meditative nature of the book does not prevent Fr. Neuhaus from making and defending some theologically strong positions. The greatest, and for non-Christians probably the most controversial, claim is that "[i]f what Christians say about Good Friday is true, then it is, quite simply, the truth about everything." The purpose of this statements is not necessarily to argue a theological position, but to bring urgency and highlight the importance of what happened on that Friday afternoon. In reading this book we can make one big step closer to that goal.

This is one of the most profoundly moving books I have ever read. I re-read it every year during lent, and it never fails to move me in the same was as before. Here is why.

In the final scene of "Saving Private Ryan," Ryan himself, now much older, is visiting the grave of the soldier who saved him. He recalls the final words of the dying soldier who rescued him, a plea to make his life worthy of the sacrifice being given. In tears, he asks his wife whether he has in fact lived his life in a way that justifies that sacrifice.

Although "Death on a Friday Afternoon" is far too complex and nuanced to be summarized succinctly, one of its objectives (which it fulfills admirably) is to look its reader directly in the face and ask, "Are you in fact living your life in a way that justifies the sacrifice that Jesus made to save it?"

Two brief excerpts provide a glimpse of this book's seriousness and importance:

"Our lives are measured not by the lives of others, not by our own ideals, not by what we think might reasonably be expected of us, although by each of those measures we acknowledge failings enough. Our lives are measured by who we are created and called to be, and the measuring is done by the One who creates and calls. . ."

"To belittle our sins is to belittle ourselves, to belittle who it is that God creates and calls us to be."

This book is a call to seriousness about living our lives in response to what God has done for us.

There is much more as well. Don't miss it.

Centuries after an asteroid destroys Earth, the Mayflower lands and the last members of the human race awaken from hibernation in a strange new place.

If you were a fan of ABC's LOST during its first season, you can expect a similar vibe from this book. A group of strangers are stranded in a bizarre environment in the wake of a terrible tragedy. They don't know where they are, and they have no home to return to. The mysterious world they've awoken in is filled with danger and secrets, and characters die unpredictably. The group of twenty or so Remnants need to figure out how to work together to survive, but politics get in the way. The Remnants compete for leadership, make friends and enemies out of each other, and divide into separate groups as their numbers begin to shrink.

It's all the tension, suspense, mystery, and action LOST possessed early in its run before the show went downhill. This series only spans fourteen books, so the action, revelations, and plot twists are provided non-stop--there's little frustrating stalling and dropped storylines here. If you loved the premise of LOST but were disappointed with the show, if you're still a fan and are interested in a similar story, or even if you just like great suspenseful stuff, you should definitely check out Remnants. It's a thrilling series, and I highly recommend it.

I bought this for my son...and it was impossible to find at a local retailer. My son enjoyed it, but said that it was a bit depressing.
Part of an excellent series, apparently.

In the first book, we left off where the Eighty humans chosen to survive an asteroid (nicknamed The Rock)when it made impact started to hibernate, and we pick up 500 years later, and they are on this strange new "planet". Most of the Eighty are dead, and there are not many essential supplies on board the ship, then on top of that, these aliens are after the Eighty.(which is more like The Twenty) Will the human race become a thing of the past?

When the world ended, "The Mayflower Project" gave eighty people the chance for survival. Shot blindly into space the eighty Remnants of the human race have now landed 500 years after the end of the world. Jobs, 2Face, Mo'Steel, Yago, and some others have survived, but many weren't so lucky. Tamara, the pregnant marine sergant, has given birth to a baby mutant. Billy, the kid who stayed awake for all 500 years of their journey is in a coma and insane. Emotions are on high and the remaning people still have no clue where they've landed on. All they know is that the conflicting landscapes can't be true. Can they survive on this strange, new world all alone? This was my favorite Remnants book out of the seven I have read so far. Kept you guessing what was gonna happen next all the time. Some parts were kinda gross but that was just how the author imagined the planet to be. Can't wait to read further installments of Remnants!

The Remnants wake up from their hibernation, and find out they've taken a 500 year "nap". More than half the Remnants are dead. They are on a bizzare planet, where nothing is realistic. There are strange aliens, nicknamed "Riders", who seem to want nothing but to ...[destroy] the Remnants. And pretty soon they find out they are not on a planet, but a ship...

I loved the book. It was very helpful in describing the men to avoid. Afraid I have dated almost all the types and some of the ones to two types together. I think it is helpful for any woman searching for someone good to date.

Like a field guide to a mushroom gatherer, this book teaches how to recognize the poisonous types. In that sense, this is a money, time and life-saving guide. Just as you would not sample The Angel of Death mushroom, you would not try out one of these guys in hopes that he is not really true to type. Nor would you take one home, hoping that with enough love and care and hope, the poison will dissolve and the mushroom will be wholesome and edible. As she explains:

"This guide does not address what you can do to make yourself more attractive to men, how to improve your own character, or guy-meeting strategies. Its purpose is to help you sort through and reject the bad apples up front. Too many bad relationships are the result of women being so grateful that some guy even looks at them, that they jump at the chance to become intimate because they fear it will be their last chance in life. They are petrified that they will be old maids, alone on New Year's Eve. They marry some unloving guy who is full of himself, and they still feel alone on New Year's Eve."

This book is intended for women who are looking for a relationship, but it may also be helpful to those who are in relationships that are not working and are wondering should they stay or leave and can the relationship be salvaged.

The Dirty Seven is exquisitely written - it will both entertain you and open your eyes into different categories of qualities that some men bring into a relationship and which will only bring you pain and heartache in time.

The author points out that there are wonderful, loving and well-adjusted men out there and there are also those who are obviously a bad relationship material. This book doesn't deal with either of those, but rather it deals with traits that may not be so obvious, unless you're informed and know what to look for, traits that may confuse you and make you wonder is something wrong with you or is it him?

You will also get insight into what can be salvaged and whether it's worth your while sticking around, or should you better leave before you get deeply entangled - in other words: what to find out before you find yourself in a deeply messy situation that may be harder and more complicated to get out of as time goes by.

At the end of the book, there is a short overview of The Dirty Seven Sisters: Men Beware. The author has also written a separate book that deals with undesirable traits women bring into a relationship and in my opinion, people of both sexes who desire to enjoy long-term relationships may want to read both books. After all, it takes two well-adjusted individuals to create a happy, loving and harmonious long-term relationship and having insight into one's own shortcomings and doing something about them is as useful as being aware of what to look for in a relationship partner.

Sharply and smartly written, The Dirty Seven: Ladies Beware! is a candid description of seven male personality types that single women searching for a serious relationship should avoid like the plague. The Dirty Seven does not focus upon criminal types, but rather men who are simply poor relationship and prospective husband material, from the Young and Poor to the Excessive Baggage man. The Dirty Seven is highly entertaining to read, but contains a very sober message and is a "must-read" for any single woman in search of a mate.

This gem of a book by June Marshall has its thumb on the pulse of why so many women spin their wheels in dead end relationships. Marshall desribes in colorful detail the characteristics of "Mr. wrong", how to avoid the endless pain and suffering that a relationship with him will bring. The Dirty Seven sheds light on the subtle and insidious elements of a bad catch that most of us easliy look over in attempts to have a man in our life. The refreshing part is that Marshall does not male bash or leave the reader feeling that a fulfilling relationship with a man is impossible. On the contrary- I left feeling empowered and ready to seek out the qualities in a partner that count such as the ability to give and good character. But aside from the invaluable information presented in The Dirty Seven, it is hilariously written. I found myself laughing out loud throughout the book!

This is a great, straightforward reference. It covers everything any person needs to know about dining etiquette without any useless "filler" material. The audio format is great and the speaker is one of the best I have listen to.

After a few months as a first year associate at my law firm, one of my former law school classmates told me that their firm had sent its new associates to an etiquette class. I decided that it might be a good idea for me to brush up on my etiquette skills as well, so I purchased this CD and also the Food Scholar Wine Basics CD. I recommend both for new professionals to prepare them for any "dining" situation they may encounter in their first jobs. These situations frequently fall into the "you don't know what you don't know" category of student knowledge.

I, for one, had very little experience in more formal dining situations upon graduating from school. This CD was just what I needed to get myself up-to-speed. It is well-organized and well-presented, covering a number of very specific situations that convey the elements of common sense and consideration that underlie all etiquette.

The author thankfully avoids spending time on how to arrange the seating at a state dinner. What he offers is practical, usable advice on the types of real social interactions that occur in all kinds of business. A very useful CD and well worth the price. Definitely five stars.

I will be graduating from college this year and have started to interview for jobs. I have a decent GPA, am in the career placement office every week for advice, and have spent hours polishing my resume. I thought that I had all my bases covered. Then I started actually interviewing for jobs. I have already had three interviews that included meals and two "mixers" with drinks and appetizers. It was a little overwhelming. I could tell there was an order to things I did not completely understand. A friend recommended this Dining Etiquette CD, so I ordered it. I had yet another meal during an interview after listening to it. It made a big difference. Knowing what to do at every turn during the meal was a confidence booster and I am sure it helped me appear more polished and professional. I HIGHLY recommend it, Two Thumbs Up.

A good etiquette book should sit on every professional's bookshelf alongside "how to win friends" and "7 habits." I purchased this book along with Essential Etiquette Fundamentals, Vol. 2: Wine Selection & Etiquette and The Etiquette Edge: The Unspoken Rules for Business Success to cover all the bases. These books do an excellent job covering the important etiquette skills often overlooked in today's environment. Although often underappreciated, exhibiting proper etiquette signals to others (especially your boss and clients) that you are well educated, care about detail, and have respect for others. I highly recommend these books for anyone new to the business world or for those of us who may need to brush up on the basics.

The last book on CD my wife and I bought was terrible: mens' voices for female characters, etc. And what's the alternative on the radio? Pop music or Howard Stern? I spend twenty percent of my waking life in my car. I might as well spend it wisely. The Food Scholar is easy listening and presented in a way that makes the information easy to learn and remember.