Fiction Books

Having read this book as a 'kid,' I hoped my kids would also enjoy it. They did. I read it to them (so I could relive it), and both daughters laughed as much as I.

The perfect book for the bored kid during summer break, etc., that likes science, detective stuff, and action/ mischief that is still on the right side of the law and morality.

Well packaged and quickly shipped.

This was one of my favorite books growing up. I really wanted to be a member of that club! I read and re-read it many times. I did have my own electronics workshop, and some of my projects were inspired by the book. I notice at the moment this book has 64 reviews and every single one is 5 stars. Well deserved, in my opinion!

As I often (probably too often) do, I just checked the ranking of MY young reader's novel, "Hubert Invents the Wheel," against others in its category and was delighted to find "Mad Scientists' Club" one slot of ahead of "Hubert." What great company to be in!

40 years ago, I read this paperback so many times that I wore the cover off and had to re-attach it with duct tape. I didn't realize it at the time, but Brinley gave me a HUGE push in the direction of my current writing career, by combining highly accurate and detailed scientific know-how with crackerjack tales of suspense, action, and humor.

I dusted off my copy of MSC a few years ago and was astonished by how up-to-date it still felt. Much of the scientific equipment mentioned is still used today (gastroscopes, thermocouples) -- one only wonders what Brinley would've had to say about the Internet!

Like several other reviews, I first read this book in a Scholastic Book Club edition as a kid, which I enjoyed and kept. I somehow later found the second book as well.

Now I've replaced them with these new hardback editions, and can now read the 'new' (to me) volumes.

As a scout, I also liked the stories where the club was shown to be Explorers. And, as a long time viewer of the Wonderful World of Disney on Sunday nights, when they showed an adaptation of one of the stories, I knew where they got the story from (which I was able to verify as an adult).

I loved these books as a boy, and I still enjoy them now. Yes, the science is a bit dated in a few places, and yes a few of the stories don't stand the test of time quite as well as others. However, the fact remains that these books mix fun, curiosity and scientific exploration in a way that is still very appealing. Get these books for your kids and for yourself!

Charles Martin is a wonderful writer. His characters are developed well and I came to love them. This is a great book!

I love laying on beach reading christian fiction. This book made me get a sun burn! Be careful, you forget your surroundings and the next thing you know you have forgotten to reapply sunscreen. It's that good, you truly have trouble putting it down. I won't discuss the contents, if I start, I might ruin it for you. NO JOKE, A MUST READ!!!

This book will grab your heart and won't let go until long after you've read the last page, leaving fingerprints as a reminder of what matters most in life. You will breathe and bleed and cry for Reese and Emma ... Reese and Annie ... Reese and Charlie ... Reese and Cindy -- each pair sharing heart-healing actions with each other.

The book's messages arrive with felt force, like the resilient beat of a healthy heart, over and over and over ... reminding us that the heart offers redemption and renewal through an unknowable life-force that transforms as it purifies. Like the heart, this book has a pulse and a heartbeat that you will feel.

Read it and be moved, from smiles to sobs. Read it and be thankful for divine coincidence (also known as answered prayers ... that lead a heart surgeon to a lemonade stand and a girl who needs a new heart, that tease him out of grief and withdrawal to use his heartfelt, God-given gifts once again). Read it and shout, Hallelujah!

Where do I begin, our bookclub at Church read this book and it was the first time I read anything by Charles Martin. The book had me from the first page. I was mesmerized by the detail and research Charles put into the book. Saturday our bookclub went to Clayton, GA where the story took place, we ACTUALLY met and got our book signed as well as purchased his latest book. What a class act! He was so personable, honest and has a great memory for names.

We met at Persimmons discussed the book, took pictures and walked where the story began (Savannah and Main). Even took pictures of the cricket box outside of Reeves. We later had lunch on the Lake. It was a wonderful day for us all.

The book hit home in many areas, friendship, forgiveness, love and restoration. I'm personally using this author for Christmas gifts this year and looking forward to reading all his other books. You won't be sorry with this purchase, it's been a long time since I found fiction to be so inspirational! Thank you Charles, the pleasure of meeting you was ours.

MJ

Fabulous book. Very little do we see in life another opportunity for redemption. When Crickets Cry is a true page turner. If you love Charles Martins' other books then you will more than love this one. I read this and wanted to tell everyone else to read it. One of those rare gifts in literature that you want to hang on to forever. It was that great! I highly recommend this one.

This third installment in the beloved Anne series is one of my favorites. Having just completed two years of teaching in Avonlea, Anne, along with friends Gilbert and Charlie, is ready to leave the Island and make her way to Redmond College. Her four years there offer quaint-seeming insights into college life a hundred years ago. After spending her freshman year in a boarding house, Anne and chums Priscilla, Stella, and Philippa move into a little house called Patty's Place. Even though they are committed to their studies, life is never dull. Anne has no lack of suitors, turning down no fewer than five proposals during the course of the story. And her summers are full of adventure, whether it's back in dear Avonlea or teaching as a country schoolmarm.

I've read Anne of the Island each year I've been in college, and as I finished it this time, I couldn't help but relate to Anne's excitement for the future, mingled with regretful nostalgia about the college life she was leaving behind. College is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Having attended a small Christian university, I relate to Anne's old-fashioned values and the safe, wholesome environment of Redmond.

Montgomery has such a pungent writing voice, alive to the quirks of human nature and the beauties of outdoor nature. She brings spice, optimism, and a touch of cynicism to the story and the characters. Anne's most personal experiences are recounted with poignancy, and are rooted in reality, although they may seem whimsical to modern readers. The ending is sweet and satisfying. I just love Anne, and especially this tale of her college experiences. Don't miss it.

Anne of the Island is the third installment of the smash Anne of Green Gables series. The book begins with Anne leaving for college to further her education the second time. When she arrives, she encounters a slew of minor domestic problems, a new group of friends, and Love. All of which she deals with using that famous atypical personality of a "Kindred spirit"



Although the book deals with more serious subject matter than the preceding books, as a reflection upon Anne's growing older, the book starts with the lighthearted catchy fun that made Anne famous in her prequels. Most of this fun is centered on the Anne's encounters with her roommate cats Rusty, Joseph, and Sarah-Cat. Anne's exclamations of fear at being stalked by the docile house cats is classic Anne and delicious fun.



The Book also dives into more serious matter, with Lets be friends-Lets be more than friends-Lets be friends-I hate you-Marry me! Gilbert abandoning his indecisiveness and aggressively courting Anne. Although this relation is of little interest to male readers, it is made a key plot element, most likely because it is attractive to the books target demographic, pre-teen girls. Luckily, most of the content on Anne's romance does nothing to affect other parts of the story much and as a result are harmless to skip when they become drab.



Anne of the Island is a solid installment in the Anne series. Although not equaling or surpassing Anne of Green Gables, "Of the Island" leaves little to be desired besides not having a near constant usage of the word "eh". If you an Anne fan, pick up her third book. Eh.

"Anne of the Island" is my favorite Anne book, and the last chapters of my copy are worn and torn because I have read it so many times. I loved it as a young girl, and I loved it again when I read it from my college dorm room (in fact, I think it's time for another rereading!). Plus, of course, a college education makes many of the literary references more relevant than they were at age 11.

Anne fans already know how wonderful are these chapters of Anne's life. This book outlines an important epoch in the series and answers the all important question of whether they will or they won't--a turning point on which the next five books hinge. And since you must start at "Anne of Green Gables" to appreciate any of it, this review cannot convince to you read just book three. It is just one more love letter to "Anne of the Island" added to this review panel.

The story of Anne continues with this work and the author stays true to her style, story line and character developement. This, like the other books in this series, have a rather timeless nature about them and a comforting charm. The reader, of course, must remember the time they were written and the style and syntax used at that time. From my own point of view, this is great. I enjoy this type of writing and certainly enjoy Ms. Montgomery's story telling abilities. In this work, Anne goes off to Redman College and her adventure continues. Recommend these books for readers of all ages. Wish there were more works out there like it.

this book never gets old. i've had it for so long and now i'm off to college and i still enjoy reading it cover to cover. anne is a great character, one who is easy to love and who explains herself well. the other characters are also quirky. something about this book is very universal, which i think explains why even in this century i still find myself being able to relate to Anne. the plot, while essentially a love story, is not overly sappy. and while most people would probably expect the ending, the twists and turns throughout the novel keep you entertained and engaged.

Every 'Valdemar' book I've immersed myself in has taken me to a wonderful world that I wish really existed.

Kerowyn, like her grandmother before her, is a strong woman, but still very much a woman, as her attraction to a certain Herald shows. She is also a woman not led around by her hormones (Thank goodness.)

A book that should be recommended to all teen and pre-teen girls as a role model.

One of the Valdemar series by Mercedes Lackey, this is the story of Kerowyn, why she became 'famous,' and how she became one of the Heralds of Valdemar. I am a big fan of Lackey's Valdemar stories, good versus evil with the use of a little mind magic and some very hard work. I think a teenager would like these stories if they would read long enough to get 'into' the story. I high recommend this series.

By The Sword is part of the world of Valdemar which Mercedes Lackey has fleshed out and detailed over many novels. This one is not actually a part of the series but it is connected to the series that precede it and it lays the groundwork for some of the stories that evolve after it.

In essence, this book is the story of Kerowyn and her life and development from the age of 16 until she approaches 40. Kerowyn is a very appealing character. She is a very strong woman who has significant skills that are typically not encouraged in the somewhat archaic world that she inhabits. She is the daughter of a minor noble so the world expects her to be married off to some other minor noble to breed children and act as the hostess of the manor. Unfortunately - or fortunately for this story - Kerowyn has no interest in that kind of life. Kero (as she prefers to be called) is a high spirited woman who has her own mind and logic about how things should be and seeks to be appreciated for who she is. The manor-lady role is not for her!

The story starts as Kero is running the kitchen in her father's household which is celebrating the upcoming nuptials of Kero's brother and his chosen bride. While the feast is going on, a band of bandits, led by a mage, attacks the keep, kidnaps the bride, kills her father, and disables all the males who are part of the party. Kero takes it upon herself to ride after the kidnappers and retrieve the bride. To do this she needs help and so she turns to her grandmother who is known to be a mage and was a mercenary band captain for help. We are now given the first magical item that will figure prominently in this story and several others in the future. Needless to say, Kero succeeds in her quest of saving her brother's bride.

Just like in real life though, being successful in a task that you are not even expected to attempt leads to both good and bad things. The good is that the wedding can proceed; The bad is that no one is willing to deal with this strange being (Kero) who did something that many men would have failed at! So, Kero decides to leave her life behind and moves in permanently with her grandmother and her friend who train her for the life of a mercenary.

A new complication arises here as Kero is paired up with the younger brother of the heir to the throne in her land. Darren is sent to Kero's grandmother for similar training as he will likely become that country's army commander in the future. As the two teenagers learn the basics of fighting, they also manage to explore each other's other feelings - and they also explore the meaning of lust and love. After three years together, Darren is recalled to the capital following his father's death, and Kero goes off to seek her fortune.

The next portion of the book details Kero's experiences as a mercenary and briefly chronicles her movement through the ranks and ends with her taking command of the company and running it successfully for ten years. A main feature of the early part of this portion is that Kero meets up with a Herald of Valdemar, rescues him from the Karsites, falls in love with him, and has to give him up to ensure his rescue.

In the final portion of the book, Kero takes her mercenaries to Valdemar to assist in the fight against Ancar. This portion ties all the disparate parts together as Kero gets to meet Talia - the Queen's Own Herald; Queen Selenay; and more Companions. It is no surprise that the book ends with her remaining in Valdemar but I will not divulge the various plot twists and turns so you can enjoy them yourselves!

It is easy to see that Kerowyn's story is the story of any strong-willed and capable woman who has succeeded despite the normal "conventions" of what a woman's place in the world is. Despite the thin veneer of a fantasy, sword and sorcery kind of world, Kero is determined to be judged based on her merits and accomplishments and she succeeds in her chosen career. The story details the struggles that ensue because of this and lays out how she juggles her career, her loves, and her positions with her family and others. It is a very positive story as Kero manages to get all she wants in the end, but the struggles she goes through are a fascinating read.

The story is also skillfully interwoven into the Valdemar storyline. Kero meets some characters that were featured in earlier Valdemar series' like Talia, Selenay, Dirk, and Elspeth. Kero introduces some plot points that will obviously be addressed in future tales from Valdemar like Selenay's marital status and the magical sword Need. While this is quite a good standalone story and book, it is clearly part of the Valdemar storyline and should be read as part of that sequence.

The story telling is at times fast and furious and at times slow as molasses. For the most part this was good as major personality developmental points deserve a very slow and methodical treatment. About the only complaint I have along these lines is that Lackey employs the internal dialog device far too frequently with Kero. It was not necessary, in my opinion, to constantly have her describe her internal debates and thoughts. I highly recommend this book!

One of her best, and a nice long book to boot. While she does get bogged down in some typical Lackey weaknesses (excessive internal dialogue, for one) the action keeps coming and the central character, Kerowyn, goes through a great deal of realistic personal growth.
I read this around the same time that I read the Paksenarrion series by Elizabeth Moon (also fantasy featuring a female mercenary soldier), and wondered if Lackey had been inspired by Moon. Moon does it better, thanks to her own military background, but Lackey deals inventively with her fantasy world and the ways in which magic can aid soldiers in their daily endeavors.

I have read just about every book Mercedes Lackey has written about Valdemar and the Heralds. It isn't possible for her to write too many of these tales. And the more she writes, the better the story becomes. There is such a richness of detail that you feel you are right there in the story. When you put the book down, you still wish you were there and can't wait to find out what happens next.
Kerowyn's Tale is just one more piece of the wonderful puzzle that is Valdemar and all the surrounding countries and cultures.

This is an amazing compilation of dramatized Narnia like you've never head it. I was a more than satisfied customer.

The audio version of Narnia is one of my favorite things :). I have found that several ages enjoy them, not only children, my whole family has listened to them several times, and I even took them to work and my co-workers listened to them. They probably would be some what scary for young children.
Aslan the lion in this book is such a wonderful picture of Jesus, I have come to love Him more, such wonderful analogizes, that challenge you and cause you to think about life. The only complaint I would have is that some times I think Aslan's voice is a little silly, not quite deep enough, but that's my only complaint.

Our family loves to listen to the Narnia CDs on all our long road trips. Great family fun.

My son loved them We have a long drive to Grandma's and these are great to fill time in the car. The dramas are well done, and more interesting to listen to than one person reading the whole story.

Everyone loves the Chronicles of Narnia. Perhaps for the action. Perhaps for the intrigue. Perhaps for the meaning of the stories.

These audiobooks bring it alive. With complete voice casts and sound effects along with a beautiful musical score, this is the next best thing to living in Narnia.

Recommended for all age groups. As a teenager in high school, I started driving last year and I have enjoyed driving around with this set in the car.

My grandson loves his monster books and this was one goes right in with them. Cute book!

i am a grandmother and thought the book was wonderful--we will have to wait to see what my grandson thinks.

My son just turned four and loves monsters. This book is adorable and fun. A great easy read before bed.

I use this book as a way to teach my first graders describing words/adjectives. Each page in the story as at least 2 describing words for the kids to identify such as color, shape, and feeling words. The kids then draw their own monsters (I give them wiggly eyes) and writing to share. A fun activity for sure!

My preschool class loves this book, and asks for it more often than any other book.

I must have read and re-read this book at least 100 times during my 1950s south-Florida childhood. Some of my friends had lost fathers, uncles,and grandfathers during WWII. The poignant ending reminded me of the joyful reunion that one had with a late-returning father who also had a boat, as we all did in those days.

My old copy sits on the shelf with more sophisticated literature, but none has given me greater pleasure.

I was fortunate enough to be acquainted with the Lion's Paw many years ago by a friend who had read it in school in Florida in the 1960's. In the late 1980's I found several copies of the book at a book store near Orlando and bought 5 copies. The brand new copies were about $10 each. I read the book to many elementary classes, particularly 5th graders and they all LOVED the book. Many parents searched and bought copies for their children. I loaned one copy to other teachers to read until it was worn thread bare but much treasured by all and we kept on reading it. I hold fast to the two copies I have now, one being brand new. The book is incredible and I never found a single student who didn't fall in love with the story. Now they return as adults, walk up to me and say, "I remember you reading us The Lion's Paw." And they recall with great details events from the story. In my opinion,as a reading specialist, it should be on the list of all time great books for children. My sincere hope is that it will come back into print and I pray fervently that no movie studio EVER gets hold of the story and ruins it as happened with many good children's books. This one should remain a reading story. For those who haven't read it, I sincerely hope you can find one and enjoy it. You won't be disappointed.

This is the book that made me a life long reader. It is the first book that showed me that reading could be a real adventure, and made me start looking for other good books. My Grandfather gave it to me when I was about 10 in the early sixties. I would love to have a copy to give to my grandchildren. I too hope it is reprinted. 50 years later I still remember the story vividly.

This is one of the few books that I have always remembered reading as a child. Now as a parent it is one that I would love to add to our collection for my daughter. I truly believe that those of us that were fortunate to grow up in Florida, really do have a connection with this story. Wish I could afford the higher price copies, but would love it to be published again.

The Lion's Paw was my most loved book of childhood. I was mesmerized by the tale of Nick and Penny and their escape from the orphanage. Together with Ben, a boy who refuses to believe he too, is an orphan, they set out to reach the Hardalee, Ben's father's ship. Ben wants to take the ship to prevent his uncle from selling it. In some way he hopes that by keeping the boat, his father will have a place to return to, even though his father has been reported lost in the war. The three manage to get the boat in open water and set off in search of the elusive Lion's Paw, a rare shell. Somehow, if they find the shell they can afford to escape and live on their own. Robb White draws from his years as a Naval officer in the Philippines during World War ll. Written in the 1950's this may have a few dated spots, but is a wonderful adventure.

I read this book when I was in school and have always remembered it. I wanted my son to read it - with the way things are, it is not all that unbelievable that it is possible.

I first read this in as an undergrad - again about 15 years later & now, again after another 15 years This is a fantastic look at what our world is becoming. Very scary but also gives some ideas for those that will have to combat the "superstructuring" of their lives that will come one day. The book should be required reading for all first year college students & we can hope that they will give it some serious thought as well as enjoy it as much as its' faithful readers do. I used to think that it would happen in my lifetime but probably not & I am so glad that it isn't our way of life quite yet. I have always been afraid that we would not end up in a Utopian lala land that is as mindless & pleasant as the book portrays. There is a wonderful kindness to all the calm, peaceful days in their lives.

I don't remember how I came to own this book, maybe through a bookclub, but I read it years ago. I loved it and re-read it several times. It is the sort of book that you can't get out of your mind. I am not a "science fiction" fan at all, but of all the books in this genre I have ever read this is undoubtably the best. ( I have read "1984" "Atlas Shrugged" etc) I have somehow lost my copy and am sorry that I didn't hold onto it. It is interestingt that the copies still around are selling for as much as a new book does these days!

At age 58 I cannot remember when I first read this book. It's not that I am losing my mind, but it was that long ago. I have haunted used book stores, flea markets and online, and have bought several hard backs and soft backs so that I am not without a copy of this book (Does this ring of the movie "Conspiracy Theory and the Catcher in the Rye"). I also shared this book with my daughter who is not as much a reader as I am and she loved it too. I cannot understand why this book has not been brought back into print, used as mandatory reading in school and also perhaps made into a movie. Ira Levin has had other books made into movies. I am not going review the story but is there anyone out there who wants it not to end when it does? I have read this book once a year for years and like a small child, keep thinking something will click and I will see whether life on the Island will improve once Chip returns...how will the untreated survive... Also I think that Chip and others due to small differences than the norm are more liable to rebel and this is what the powers that be (Programers, is that what they call themselves...hmmm) were watching for.
As a child I was a science fiction freak and I still love it if I can find a good futuristic society book such as "Beggers In Spain" and now I am a Stephen King/horror/mystery freak. But what can I say, ask me what my favorite book is and it will always be, THIS PERFECT DAY!!!

I admit it- I bought this book because I liked the cover art, and man is it great! It reminded me of the film Equilibrium, except it was written about 30 years prior. Everybody thinks or Rosemary's Baby & The Stepford Wives when they think of Levin, but This Perfect Day is his true masterpiece. Why isn't this a movie? The end where the old man's head is on the young athletic body would be so cool to see on the big screen. And many parts are very sexy. Like the organized orgies. And the women who go off the drug getting enhanced sexual desires (among other things), is really something. Just writing this makes me want to read it again...

This book belongs in every child's shelf. When I read it with my children I am transported anew.

Falliing is such a great book just like Shel's other books. I have so much fun reading it to my children. This is a wonderful collection of poetry for children. This is the perfect example of what children's books should be... fun.
Another must have book for any fan of Shel Silverstein is Boety by Beau Beaudoin. His books are often compared to Shel, Dr. Seuss and Tim Burton. What my kids love about his illustrations are they are in color.Boetry

This is a great book like all Silverstains books:
Where the Sidewalk Ends 30th Anniversary Edition: Poems and Drawings
The Giving Tree
A Giraffe and a Half

Another author tha I love is Nowiki:
Why Some Cats are Rascals, Book 2

Review of Falling Up

The poem book Falling Up is a very good book. In the book the poems are about a mix of things including important lessons and funny things. Shel Silverstein did a very good job with his books and all of the books he wrote. Falling Up is by far my favorite poem book by Shel Silverstein.

Three poems that really caught my attention are "Gardener", "Spoiled Brat", and "The Toy Eater". I like "Gardener" because it is just a funny poem about a kid making a mistake. "Spoiled Brat" is an example of a life lesson that is very well written. I thought "The Toy Eater" is a great poem about making a little kid believe something that isn't true. All of these poems are very good examples of great imagination.

My favorite poem is "Obedient". This is a good poem because it is a life lesson and a funny poem. The life lesson is that when you do something there is a consequence and in this person's case they got a taste of their own medicine. This poem is funny because the poem takes the order literally by staying in the place for forty years. "Obedient" is a really great poem so I recommend that everyone should read it.

I think this book is a very entertaining, page turning book of poems. It is a great book for all ages, I highly recommend this book.

To be frank, I get a kick out of Silverstein's work. It is always a bit quirky, always takes a couple of readings to really "get," and is very entertaining while being quite insightful as to human nature. This work is no different from his other works, same quality, same odd way of looking at life, same delightful black and white drawings. Publisher's Weekly got it pretty right here, in their usual, rather snotty way, which is one of the few reviews I have ever agreed with them on. (except their little shot at some of his art that they felt may no be appropriate for kids...obviously the author of that review has never been around kids very much). This work consists of 171 pages of poetry rhymes and drawings. I first read Silverstein in Playboy magazine years and years ago when I wasted my time with such publications. I did not particularly care for him them, but over the years have developed quite a like for his work. I truely love this book and do highly recommend it.

i really loved this book if i was born around his time i would have been his friend i love how he stood up for his beliefs and went back to school in stuff even though he didn't get to gradulate, but he still lived a great in fun life it was short but he did things with it i'm young but my aunt past away with AIDS and after reading this book it really touch me i was crying because i felt so bad what ryan went though but he didn't let it get to him. He was so strong he got people believing again.

In fifth grade we were introduced to an illness called AIDS. We also learned about a boy named Ryan White. I took an interest to this story because I have an illness called diabetes and have to deal with how different people react and treat me because of it. Just like Ryan and AIDS diabetes is not contagious and there are no know ways to prevent or cure it. I have heard many different reactions when they find out that I have Diabetes. The most commom being "Did you eat too much sugar or something?" Most of the time I just laugh at this and explain that you have no control over getting Diabetes. I took an interest in school that year and by doing so I found myself a role model...Ryan White.

When I was young I remeber a copy of People magazine that my mom had lying around with Ryan White on the cover. For some reason I always took an interest to him, and his life, and all the article that I could find on him. In high school I remeber reading part of it to do an exta credit project. Finally 2 year out of high school I decided to reread the story of his life. It is amazing how people really are. It really hit home, not living too far from Kokomo, Indiana where he was from, that people in my community would treat people this way. It is also amazing how much determination he had to be who he was and not let anyone or anything get in the way. This book is great!!!! Everyone should read it and put themselves in this families shoes!!

Today is World AIDS Day and each year I remember my childhood friend, Ryan White. His sister and I were both Rollerskaters and skated in the same skating rinks. Knowing Ryan personally and having his book for years now, it is still a story that resonates with me. It is true, thoughtful, and in his own words.

I'll never forget the hatred the spewed from the city of Kokomo against him. It was such a devastating blow to his well being. Not only did he have this death sentence, but the entire town was treating him worse than what you would treat a pig going to slaughter. I am not joking. I remember seeing him at the skating rink one day, it was a time when he wasn't as sick so he was able to be a kid. I went up to him to give him a hug because I hadn't seen him in so long and he said, "You want to hug ME?" He was shocked that someone would want to touch him. That's how bad it was.

Read his book. He is the reason people with AIDS are accepted now. This friend of mine had more courage than anyone I have ever met.

I read this book upon entering seventh grade. Ryan's story was so empowering and so honest that I often feel the need just to sit down and read a chapter by random. Everytime I read it I cry. This auto- biography has inspired me to help in the relief and research for AIDS. I have done reports on the disease and Ryan and teachers often comment about how passionate I am about the subject. This book changed the way I veiw life; a treasure that should'nt be wasted. Thank you Ryan.