Seven Books

I have been looking for this book EVERYWHERE! My problem was that I didn't remember the title correctly. I first read this book 13 years ago when I was 12. I remember Just falling in love with it. the next 3 years I would go back andre check it out several times. I know it is probably a simple read for me now, but its one of those books that I loved so much, I memorized the whole story.
I love the characters and their special bond with each other. In the beginning, you get to see how normal they are. they're just teens with the normal stresses of other teens(except for the prince who has to deal with all the pressure that brings)
and its interesting how their"episodes" just become a normal part of life. I could go on and on and basically retell the story, so all I will say, is that it is an easy read that you won't be able to put down.

Connie ("I hate Constance") Hendrix and Rudolph (Rudy) - the crown prince of the ficticious Thulgaria - were born at the same moment, with brain waves that are nearly identical, though this is theoretically impossible. These similarities, besides making them the best of friends, even across vast distances, also give them the special gift of sharing their minds by telepathy. It was during one of these involuntary sharings that Connie is witness to Rudy's kidnapping and is the only one who can help him.

Although the plot is fantasy / sci-fi in nature, just about anyone will enjoy this wonderful story. In fact, I think this is probably the first fantasy book that I read. Hmm, and ten years later I'm still reading it! Definitely a must read!

I read this book as the mother of an advanced reading 8 yr. old and was very pleased to see a book with action and adventure WITHOUT the sex, swearing and other things so many today think is necessary to tell a story. I'd like to write the author personally to thank her!

it was pretty short, but completely aweseom! i enjoyed every words of it. Connie and Rudy are so neat. i loved the idea of sharing minds! DEFINATELY RECOMENDED!!!!!!!!!

One of the many books that pushed me into enjoying the science fiction genre. The concept for this book is incredibly original and really appealed to me when I was younger and still appeals to me many years later.

This story alternates between the point of view of the two main characters - Connie, a typical American teen and Rudy, the crown prince of a small (fictional) European country. They share a secret bond that no one else is aware of - they suffer headaches and fainting spells, but when one passes out they enter the other's mind and share what they see and hear. The 'visitor' cannot communicate with them, but the 'awake' teen is aware of the other's presence in their mind. Both guard their secret relationship fiercly until one night Rudy is kidnapped while Connie is 'with' him and she has to convince her family, and his, so that she can help to rescue him.

Connie and Rudy are both extremely well developed characters. The plot is well developed and keeps the reader involved to the very end.

Something about the idea of occasionally co-existing with someone from so far away and sharing a relationship that is so close and so private is really appealing, despite the problems it caused the main characters. Every kid wants a friend who truly understands them and this is a great manifestation of that desire.

Most books that deal with drug use gone seriously wrong only touch the surface of what the family, friends, and even victims go through before and after. But BLOOD BROTHERS by Shirley Harazin shows a realistic portrayal of the terrible after effects of drug use. From the very first page I was hooked.

BF's Clay and Joey have been through alot of history. Clay still remembers the first time they met when his father lost his job and he shows up at their house one Christmas Eve. Joey's parents have Clay, his sister, and father sleep in the shed which horrifies Clay's sister. Joey loves it. Later Clay's family leaves, but Clay comes back and becomes 'blood brothers' with Joey.

Their friendship lasts until that one fateful day. Blame it on a girl. Or a party. Something terrible happens to Joey that has Clay questioning whether or not he is to blame. Clay watches in horror as his once charismatic friend slowly slips away. What happened that one night? Clay vowes to find out. The answer will change Clay forever.

I loved this story. Powerful writing grips the reader with an intense tale of friendship and loss. Shirley Harazin does a great job showing the pain Clay feels watching his BF slowly die from an overdose. The hospital scenes were strong and kept me on the edge of my seat. What I really loved was how Harazin shows us both boys and the love that's between them. I cared for Clay and felt his pain, anger, and loss. A very haunting tale that's guaranteed to stay with the reader. I recommend this book to those looking for not just the usual friend-takes-PCP-freaks-goes into coma-dies story. No, this story is much more. I can see why it's nominated for the Edgar award. Very powerful story that will have you say, "Wow."

Bad Girls Club

Every teen needs a place to call home and someone to believe in them and love them. Clay has never really had that. His father has emotionally abandoned him and forced him to help pay rent. So Clay has found his home in the hospital where he works and this gives his life meaning. Other than that, there isn't much that holds his life together.

But he has Joey. His bestfriend has helped him for a long time but Clay's life changes when Joey ends up in a coma and it looks like maybe he's not coming back.

I am amazed by Clay's resilience and ability to keep going even though everything is against him. I do love survivor stories and this is one you might like, too! I needed to know what happened at the end and worrying about both boys pushed me to read on, quickly, and find out.

Joey Chancey is the perfect friend, smart, handsome, rich, and athletic all in one package. He was both Student of the Year and Valedictorian, and plans to head to Duke in the fall. He's everything Clay Gardener is not. Yet they've been best buds since Clay was seven and Clay's family arrived at the Chancey's doorstep.

Clay has always measured himself against Joey. Unlike Clay, Joey has parents who cry when Joey gets awards, who watch when they boys ride down the road on their bikes, and who are fiercely protective of their only son. Clay was raised by his older sister and has never known his mom. His dad drives a garbage truck and otherwise snores his life away, while Clay works as the hospital as an orderly to help pay the rent. He rides his bike everywhere because he can't afford a car. He and Joey are so different, yet Jody still calls Clay his best friend.

The two boys have been training for months for a cross-county bike trip. They plan to leave on Clay's 18th birthday after dipping their tires in the Atlantic Ocean. Instead they fight over a girl. Clay's girl. Who now wants Joey. All the girls like Joey. But does he have to take Michelle, too?

When Clay goes over to the Chancey's to talk, he finds Joey in the shed naked, and acting crazy. Joey comes after Clay with a hoe and Clay must defend himself. Now Joey's in the hospital with tubes snaking everywhere. As far as Clay knows, Joey has never and would never take drugs. Clay bathes his unconscious best friend and vows to find out what happened.

BLOOD BROTHERS by S. A. Harazin is one of those books you simply cannot put down. I had to stop in the middle and couldn't wait to finish it. The author immerses the reader in the world of an orderly in the ER from the first page without intimidating the reader with excessive hospital jargon. The reader sees what Clay does not. Clay is thoughtful, kind, sensitive, and thorough. The reader has no doubt that, one day, Clay will be a doctor. Clay is everything he sees in Joey. And more. This is a fabulous read. Well done!

"Blood Brothers" by SA Harazin captured my attention at the beginning of the book. It is fast paced and keeps the reader's interest at all times.
The story has a meaningful message to young adults. I felt this was an exceptional story and I look forward to future novels by Ms Harazin.
I've ordered several copies to give as gifts, and I think the parents of the young people will appreciate the book.

I don't have nearly enough time to read, but this book captivated me. I put aside my own writing to read it, and finished it in just two days. It reminded of SE Hinton - a good kid from a bad background, still trying to do what's right. The end made me cry. Highly recommended!

What's fascinating about Mr. Wirthwein is that he comes from the world of B2B scientific and technical advertising/marketing. We don't hear from too many people with his background and expertise - and there are lessons to be learned. (Seven, he says - but there are actually dozens.)

I'm a sucker for anybody steeped in the history of advertising, and Chris liberally quotes Claude Hopkins, Rosser Reeves, David Ogilvy, Bill Bernbach, and others.

Not to put you off - but this marketing guru also draws inspiration from Shakespeare, Maslow, and a few hoity-toity folks I'd never heard of.

The best part: Chris Wirthwein is a top-notch writer. He knows how to tell stories, keep you engaged - rare for a business book.

And Chris can be quite entertaining. His take on ROI dogma is just short of hysterical, referring to it as Return On Illusion. I may steal that.

Brand Busters will be around for quite some time. Probably longer than most - since it's been selected as a Classroom Resource by The Advertising Educational Foundation.

Enough said. Very entertaining, a fast read, and drives home critical points with a solid punch. Chris Wirthwein has written a gem here that gets to the real issues of executing effective marketing more effectively than any other book I've read.

Chris wrote a very effective book to help all of us remember that most of what is common sense is not common practice. Especially when we are involved in business areas such as marketing and sales, it is so easy to lose sight of the basics that make you successful. If your just beginning your career in Marketing / Communications this is required reading and very conscice and easy to digest. I have given it to our Summer Interns and they have learned a great deal from reading Brand Busters.

If you have been at your career for many years, as I have, this book is a wonderful refresher that is well worth the time required to read - and it really is a very quick read. Much like going to a Pro to improve your golf swing and game, Brand Busters is a great tool to help us focus on a few things that really do improve our game.
Mark Mongin
SePRO Corporation

Mr. Wirthwein does a very nice job of outlining common topics that will occasionally trip up most marketers and entrepreneurs involving how to position your products in the eye of the customer. Brand Busters has a place on my bookshelf. I will make a point of picking it up every few weeks to skim through the chapters to make sure that I have not lost touch with the basics. A quick read.

For a pre-novice - someone not yet in the scientific and technical advertising field - this book is a fantastic introduction to concepts and practices that marketers use. Not only that, but the lighthouses that Wirthwein places on the craggy rocks near the shores of successful marketing serve as bright and entertaining warnings to potential marketers. Five stars for humor, story-telling, composition, and content.

This book covers alot of important issues for teens in a way that appeals to them. I purchased the book for myself as a teacher but ended up buying more to satisfy the requests of a couple of teens. Pictures are good and cues for the poses are simple and clear.

I just graduated from college and I'm not new to yoga, but this warm and friendly book got me into practicing yoga again. The approach is inviting, not intimidating, and although the instructions are perhaps a little too basic for someone who's used to seeing a set of at least 5 steps for a single yoga pose, they are concise and thorough enough to appeal to a teenager or someone who gets confused by long instructions (like me!). The fun and colorful layout is appealing and easy to follow. The book is also full of compassionate advice on how to incorporate the components of yoga into your daily life.

This small, short book gives a user-friendly survey of yoga that is appropriate for teens and tweens. Frankly, I think the younger audiences will gravitate more to this than the over-thirteen set, who might be a little put off by the very "fun" tone.

This book is not going to give an exhaustive introduction to yoga. It provides information on some of the benefits, some of the styles, and some of the uses for yoga (stress reduction, weight management, supplement to sports-training, etc.). There is some information about breathing, but it's pretty light, which is probably the biggest disappointment of the book.

My other gripe about the book is that while there is quite a bit of talk about body acceptance, most of the models used seem to be of the standard willowy and thin type, even if they don't all have model looks (which is a relief). Since there is talk about weight loss and management, I'd hate to think that the use of these models give teens the idea that they can attain that kind of body through the use of the routines the author describes.

It is a colorful, inviting release, but it won't and shouldn't be the only guide you'll need, even as an introduction.

This a great book for young teenage girls (no boys are pictured). The young models are all very pretty, but also very natural and "real," a refreshing departure from the overly made-up and airbrushed models we are used to seeing. This is a great book for promoting true self-esteem in girls. The yogic principles are presented in a way that teens can easily understand and apply to their lives. This is a very well-designed and possitive book for teens. For younger kids, please take a look at this: Power Brain Kids

This book is a little treasure for teenagers, whether or not they have experienced the incredible benefits of yoga. It combines the ancient wisdom of yoga and the author's sound advice for teenagers growing up in a complicated world. Parents who missed the message growing up will benefit too! The DVD is a great bonus. A special gift for any teengager you know.

In the 106 pages of THE BURNING TIME, Carol Matas is able to take you through tremendous tragedy. And hope.

Rose's mother is a midwife who is known for her great gift of healing, and Rose oftentimes helps her mother. Rose's father dies unexpectedly, leaving just she and her mother to take care of themselves and the land he left them in his will.

Her father's relatives are not happy that they did not receive the land upon Rose's father's death. One uncle in particular feels it should be his and is willing to do about anything to get the land for himself. This is where the historical travesty against women during that time period becomes so real--Rose's mother is accused of being a witch. If you think you know what happened to women accused of being witches during that time, you will still be moved by what happens in this book.

Carol Matas has taken such a historical event and put such closeness to it with her characters. No longer is France in the 16th century something read about in a history book, but rather real people let us into their lives and we experience a different kind of world. A different kind of society.

As a teacher I recommend this book often and every student of mine who has read it absolutely loves it. It is a quick read with a powerful punch.

Reviewed by: Dianna Geers

[Quote]very interesting book but later when it got to the to tourture I thought that that like come on ok thats enough! but then again at a point I was interested in what they were doing to the women back then . overall its a very good book i reccommend it for girls and boys 12 and over[/Quote]

I dont understand what you mean by torture since there isnt alot in this book. Two quick segments and the rest of the book is child free. Your a noob.

on a winter day my teacher thought about reading us a book so she picked this one, the burning time; when she started off it seemed like a very interesting book but later when it got to the to tourture I thought that that like come on ok thats enough! but then again at a point I was interested in what they were doing to the women back then . overall its a very good book i reccommend it for girls and boys 12 and over.

A touching, sad, suspenseful and truth-filled story of a teenager named Rose, and her mother who helps to heal people. And an angry group of people against them. And a terrible, powerfull man who comes to their town.
This is story involves risk, love, betrayal, you name it... This book has it all. I highly reccomend it.
However, only for teenagers and very mature children. It is based on the horrid witch hunts and does include some disturbing things.
If you have a chance to read it, do! I could hardly put it down. The suspence will catch you and hold you. A great tale.
It also brings truth to what really happened in the witch hunts so long ago... A must-read.
Enjoy!

Carol Matas, best known for the "Of Two Minds" novels and her various Holocaust fictions, has created a shocking novella about two women who find themselves trapped in a witch hunt in Renaissance France.

Suzanne Rives, a beautiful and fiercely independent widow and skilled midwife, refuses advances from two men to live with her daughter, the main character Rose. People have already been suspicious of her herbal treatments, but when a witch hunter spreads terror in the town comes, Suzanne's fate is sealed.

However, Rose still has some allies: Sylvie, a plucky castle maid whose motives are revealed later, and Raymond, a young man. Suzanne is subjected to horrifying torture by the cruel witch hunters and fanatics.

The violence is bloody and shocking, but never goes over the top. This book is well written, taut and poignant, about a mother-daughter relationship that must overcome the cruelties of the day.

I was never interested in reading books about slavery. But not this one. I liked it.

This book is a life of experience through a boy sold into slavery. Experience the Middle Passage, know what it is like, learn how slaves are sold, how cruel owners treat these what-they-once-called "animals." Walk with him. Run with him. And learn how a great writer put the events into words.

The historic-fiction The Captive written by Joyse Hansen is a phenomena and an anecdote to a third world country, indeed, it is a flashback into how slavery was performed and portrayed in Africa in the midst of the 1780's at the Ashanti kingdom located in West Africa. This book takes place in Africa then travels along the Atlantic Ocean to the Americas; however, it is about a young prince by the name of Kofi Kwame Paul member of the royal Ashanti family that was an inheritant of his fathers throne as a major chief in his tibe and all of a sudden he is captured in the hands of deceitfulness, vast lies, and adversity caused by their former slave Oppong. This becomes the moment when his life is transformed thoroughly from a prince to an enduring slave, and he feels like he has totally lost dignity as an inheritant of the throne, and has been stolen his integrity as an human being.

He penetrated a new world which he recognized it wasn't his home and all of a sudden he realized that his future was absolutely shattered. He was betrayed by his slave Oppong, who he thought highly of and unfortunately he killed his father the great chief and also his brother. He was taken away from his family; yet, his family had no prior knowledge of where he was. As a result, he was abducted by a slave trader; therefore, Kofi tries to come up with a strategic plan for escape. Later, he is shifted to the Americas to a farmer and learns English. In short, all he has to survive is his flute and his English speaking skill. The diverse settings of this book are the ones that give the reader momentum into continuing reading it. For the fact that is fulfilled of so many turning points that leaves you wanting to read more...
-Maria

In the book The Captive, the plot line takes many twists and turns that can be sad, or can be full of action. It takes its first twist when Kofi Kwame Paul, the main character, witnesses his father and brother get shot by their betraying servant, Oppong. This event causes Kofi and his other brother, Kwesi, to be left with a slave trader. The slave trader allowed Kofi to prove his brother and himself a part of the royal Ashanti family. On this mission Kofi finds himself escaping from a trading post he went to to get his flute back. He was caught and sent on a ship to Salem, MA with African slaves. When he arrived there it was to his misfortune that he had become a slave to a farmer. After working there he ran away to Boston, MA with the other slaves to have freedom. Although the twists and turns seem to lead somewhere different, it all ends up in one place.

Captive is a great book that is definetly worth reading. The author puts a visual in your head that makes you feel as if you are actualy there whitnessing the story.the story is about an African American Kofi who gets taken out of his home and is shiped to an owner to be his slave. his only possesions are the clothes on his back and a flute. On the ship the author describes his frusteration and confusion wtih not being able to talk to any one.He meets two other boys and they get sold to a master. his master beats him and tourchers him.The masters wife however teaches him to speak to learn and to write English. Then him and his two friends dreanm of being free again and plan to ecscape. Will Kofi and his friends ecscape?Will Will kofis dream of being free someday come true?
I enjoyed reading this book and I hope you will too.It has all the things that I like in a book action suspence and emotion. so if you are looking for that kind of book this would be a good one.

Captive is a great book that is definetly worth reading. The author puts a visual in your head that makes you feel as if you are actualy there whitnessing the story.the story is about an African American Kofi who gets taken out of his home and is shiped to an owner to be his slave. his only possesions are the clothes on his back and a flute. On the ship the author describes his frusteration and confusion wtih not being able to talk to any one.He meets two other boys and they get sold to a master. his master beats him and tourchers him.The masters wife however teaches him to speak to learn and to write English. Then him and his two friends dreanm of being free again and plan to ecscape. Will Kofi and his friends ecscape?Will Will kofis dream of being free someday come true?
I enjoyed reading this book and I hope you will too.It has all the things that I like in a book action suspence and emotion. so if you are looking for that kind of book this would be a good one.

I recomend the christy miller books! there my fave books! ive had book 2-10 and read them over 4 times now...i finaly ordered the books i was missing (#1, 11, 12, the diary depature and the college years) and i cant wait to read them! i know there good! i love them so much and they make me think about God alot and make me a stronger christian! like how my life resembles hers or her problems with guys and God. READ THEM!!!

I recomend the christy miller books! there my fave books! ive had book 2-10 and read them over 4 times now...i finaly ordered the books i was missing (#1, 11, 12, the diary depature and the college years) and i cant wait to read them! i know there good! i love them so much and they make me think about God alot and make me a stronger christian! like how my life resembles hers or her problems with guys and
God. READ THEM!!!

i love the books. i have read all but the last one and the 2nd college year book made me cry several times. i loved it and if u liked the christy miller series books than u are going to love these. i sure did! enjoy

I've read all of the books in the Christy Miller series, and am waiting to get the ones in the Christy and Todd series. I can't wait to read them, honestly.

If you are a typical teenage girl...which if you're over 13 and a girl that shouldn't be too hard...then I TOTALLY recommend these books. They have taught me SO much about God and relationships.

If I could rate this more than five stars, I would. I think these books deserve about 100 stars!!!!! A GREAT and 'AWESOME'(to use Doug's word) read.

I love these books, all of them. I just finished the third one of the College Series, and Im really.. sad!!! Its so sad! I love the books they are awesome and i wish that she writes a 4th one.. because theres so many things i want to know! Like Doug and Tracys baby Daniel, and If Christy and Todd have a kid, and how their apartment is, and if Marti gives herself to the lord like Bob! And Katie and Rick, are they in love? Are they gonna get married? AHH! Im so sad.. i wish she writes a fourth!

Definately the best book in the series. In this book, a ton of things happen. Kate finally reveals her involvement in Wicca to her parents, and the blow a fuse!! While she's telling this to her parents, Cooper's going through a rough spot too. She's suspended for coming to school wearing her necklace that has a pentacle on it. She takes the problem to the school board, but they tell her that she can't wear it. She gets a petition signed to get a revote, and with a little help from Sophia, she wins and is alloud to wear her pentacle. This book was definately the best in the series, and I've read them all. I would definately read this book! Not just this book, the whole series!!!!!!! They're the best!!!!!!!

The Five Paths in the Circle of Three series is the one that deals with the controversy that arises from one of the three heroines - Cooper - wearing a pentagram symbol of her Wiccan religion. However, this does not go down well with her environment at school, and eventually her determination to wear a symbol of her religion leds her into serious trouble. This is a very important book in the series dealing with free-will, religious rights and personal expression, and thankfully the author gives a good account of BOTH sides of the arguement. As much as Wiccans hate it, the pentagram is also a symbol used by Satanists and people will continue to identify the pentagram with them. However, this book helps teach the ignorant that the importance is not the symbol itself, but what it means to the person who is wearing it.
Unfortunatly the entire premise is based on the possibility that wearing a pentagram symbol will led to outrage, violence, court-cases, newspaper articles and un-founded prejudice. I won't deny that there is prejudice against all religions in the world, but I found it hard to believe that all the negative events that occured in the book were simply because one high-schooler wore a pentagram necklace.

This book is about the contraversy of the pentagram and religious freedom and freedom of speech. This hit very close to home for me. I deal with this contraversy everyday and the book pointed out quite a few details about both sides of the story. It went into detail about the kind of things kids now deal with and the kind of persucution people like me face. So, it wasn't just fiction, it was fact. It's a must read!! It was by-far the best book written and I give it 5 stars.

This is the best book in a great series.

Very realistic. Presents both sides of the argument. Doesn't make any false promises that magick will fix every problem in your life or make it go away with a snap of the fingers--but does show that through magick and faith, good things can be accomplished. The girls face very realistic hurdles due to their Wiccan involvement.

Re: the prior review--I don't think all the difficulties came about solely due to the necklace. Kate had hidden her Wiccan involvement from her parents until this issue made them ask questions. Annie's family already knew and didn't care, but she had not told her boyfriend yet, then chose to come out Wiccan in the school paper. All these experiences are quite realistic and young Wiccans may have to deal with one or all of them at some point.

After reading this far in the Circle of Three books I've seen the exampls of witchcraft and the effects they have on people. This book has opend the eyes of people including me. In the book Cooper decides to show her belifes freely by wearing her pentacle star which is one of the greatest symbols involved in the Craft. Most are very unconfortable when they see her star. Will Cooper have to give up the pentacle? Meanwhile Kate is haveing trouble telling her parents about her involvement in witchcraft. Will she lose all she's worked so hard for? Also Annie decides to express her belifes in witchcraft freely. Will
her decision bring her world crashing down on her?
I rated this book a five because even though these books are about the girls and their expieriences this one really opened my eyes. And I'd just like to say that Cooper, Kate,and Annie are right, most don't truley know what witchcraft is and what it stands for... it's completely harmless unless you don't know what you're doing. And I know that some wish to make sure their children aren't invovled with the Craft, and I respect that but sometimes the best way to "protect" something, is to set it free.

Have you ever wondered how it might feel to have your marriage arranged for you by your parents and relatives? Have you ever imagined permanently living under the same roof as your extended family? Have you ever known the desperation of living without rights or a voice of your own? If so, Padma Venkatraman's "Climbing the Stairs" is the book for you.

This book gives readers a glimpse into what it means to live in a traditional Indian joint family and of the restrictions imposed on people due to social and cultural norms. It speaks to the searing pain of oppression and the struggle for independence, both national and personal. Vidya, the protagonist of this story, is a curious girl who tries to make sense of the changing world in which she finds herself. India is in the midst of its freedom struggle against British rule and there are strong opinions on how this must be attained. Vidya grapples with the question of "means and ends" and "love and loyalty," while trying to remain true to her still formulating beliefs. Despite circumstances that unalterably change the course of Vidya's life, this courageous spitfire of a girl navigates her circumstances to uncompromisingly reach for her goals. Venkatraman's "Climbing the Stairs" is a fast paced book full of memorable characters, a strong story line, and a satisfying conclusion. I highly recommend readers accompany Vidya on her journey; they will be changed just as she is.

I shared the book with my mother(Usha) and my daughter(Arathi). All three of us found the plot very engaging and could not put the book down till we finished it. Each of us could identify with Vidya in different ways. The author's narration is so vivid and spontaneous that the characters come to life. The experience of growing up in a 'joint family' is described most realistically. It brought back memories, good and not-so-good, of summer vacations when a whole host of cousins, uncles, aunts would descend on us. The covert hierarchy that exists in extended Indian families is also portrayed very well. In my own family, the more 'successful' and prosperous members were accorded more respect and treated better than the others. They also tended to be about as nasty as Vidya's periamma.
I look forward to reading more books by Padma.

A family tragedy gives Climbing the Stairs its running start. Vidya is a thoughtful and intelligent fifteen-year-old girl growing up in colonial India who dreams of a college education until her father is so badly beaten by British soldiers during a peaceful demonstration that he is brain damaged. She and her mother and brother must then go live in her grandfather's home, where she has to play the Cinderella to her nasty, domineering aunt. Only by "climbing the stairs" from the first floor, the women's quarters, to the library in the second floor, the men's quarters, can Vidya find sanctuary and the books she craves.

Venkatraman writes vividly and with great authenticity about the mood of the times. Indian life, with this Brahmin family's practice of Hinduism, its holidays, prescribed customs and rigid class structure, is portrayed particularly well and she highlights the spiritual struggles of her characters in a way not usually featured in young adult novels. The account of young Vidya's time spent in isolation from the rest of the family in the "outhouse" set aside for menstruating women is worth the price of the book.

The author has based this serious novel on the life of her mother, who grew up in India during that period. Her writing is clear and elegant, and perhaps her story might have been a little more illuminating if she had been able to tell it outside the box of her mother's voice. Nonetheless, there is enough household drama in the lives of Brahmins living on the brink of an India about to change forever to rush the plot forward to Vidya's double happy ending.

Vidya dreams about going to college. She likes to read and enjoys school, and unlike other girls around her she doesn't want to get married. Vidya isn't a typical Indian woman.

Everything is going well for her, until the day her father is brutally beaten by an English soldier. With her father unable to work she must move into her grandfather's house which is occupied by an interesting cast of characters. Vidya's life is miserable and the only solace she finds is going upstairs to the library where she reads for hours. But going upstairs into the men's quarters is forbidden.

While in the library Vidya meets a young man named Raman. He's unlike the others in the household because he treats her like an equal and encourages her to read. As time goes on Vidya begins to develop feelings for Raman but she doesn't know if she is willing to give up college for a man.

What was different about this book compared to so many that I read set during World War II was this book took place in India. Ms. Venkatraman does an excellent of immersing the reader in Indian culture. She explains the foods, festivals and different customs. The caste system is explored in this book as well as the gender roles.

The only drawback to this book is there was no glossary. The author uses so many Indian words, which is wonderful, but I think the addition of a glossary would have helped students.

Overall, I enjoyed this story and I think it would be an excellent book for a social studies teacher to use. So many topics are coved in this book that it would be an excellent teaching too. Teens who want to read about history, politics and other cultures will enjoy this novel.

Padma Venkatraman artfully weaves the large issues of freedom (and the vigilence it requires), monotheism, gender, self-possession, pacifism, and the deep well of literacy into a charged narrative of a young woman's coming to terms with her changing world and her distinct inner laws. The novel takes place in the early years of WWII when Japan was pressing India. A terrific book for anyone interested in the domestic Indian landscape; for anyone interested in a young woman's rise to self-possession. Hopefully this is the first of others!

This book is packed with wonderful ideas. While there are ideas using a different types of paints, pastels, crayons, and also different kinds of paper, you can get started with a minimum of materials. I like how the book is divided into sections based on the type of medium used. That makes it easy to find projects that you have the materials for. This is a great price for a whole lot of great art ideas.

Wow! What a great book. I am THRILLED I got this book for my 4 and 5 year old. I order a ton of art supplies from discountschoolsupply dot com and now I have a structured and organized book of ideas! YAY! If you are on the fence, this is a beautiful book. Every page has gorgeous, colorful illustrations. The paper feels wonderful. Each project is laid out in a simple format and will make working with kids on these projects so pleasant. Usborne books are awesome - I am finding a solid product with every Usborne I buy. What a great brand!

This is a great book for techniques for art for all ages projects can be tailored for a variety of age groups.

This is an absolutely wonderful book packed with lots of different techniques and ideas. It's much better with a hard cover though. Worth the money.

This book has a great variety of projects using many different techniques and media. Full color photographs and explanations for each project make them easy to duplicate. Also, there are many pictures of other projects done using similar techniques. As a homeschooling parent of elementary-age students, I found this book to be a great addition to our art curriculum. I can teach art concepts and then find projects from this book to reinforce those concepts. I highly recommend this book.