Young Americans Books

and all the other books she has written. This story is off the hook. Nate's story had me laughing, crying and stressing. I hope she writes a follow-up book - I want to know what happens between him and Willa.

This author can WRITE! I held my breath when Nathaniel was being interviewed by the cops. I loved the ending. And I want to visit the Apollo.

The "elements" of love: earth, water, air, fire. Fletcher's book is divided into these four parts, with elements such as hills, rivers, breath, and flames emanating from each section. An excellent companion to for any teen romance, readers will find just about every perspective of love written in differing voices. Vague language leaves room for interpretation. Highly recommended.

Sometimes poetry really strikes a chord with me, and reading this i felt like the author had not just struck a chord in me, but a whole symphany. i realize this sounds melodramatic, but that's the way that love in a teenager is. melodramatic, out of focus half the time, but real, raw, almost tangible. Mr. Fletcher somehow became a teenager again when he wrote this, because i don't think it's possible for someone over 19 to really understand the way a 16 year old loves her boyfriend, no matter how flawed he is. A masterpiece.

I got this book for my son, looking for an intelligent book with substance to it, but also something that he, as a 14 year-old, would enjoy. He never put it down--nor did I, when I read it after he did. I'd rank it right up there with Catcher in the Rye, Lord of the Flies, Chocolate Wars and other high school classics.

Butterfly Powder is one of those rare books that quickly drew me into the story community and characters. It is full of the unexpected and written to enjoy the ride. I enjoyed each page, unlike many books that weave a story but are not enjoyable reading and I only finish to find out what happened to the main character. This one is rich throughout. The story is not just sad or happy but both and yet satisfying in a positive, optimistic way. The main character, Gilbert, attends high school in a rural Iowa community in the 60's. It is a much deeper, yet entertaining story than the usual adolescent adventures. Gilbert is trying to understand his world, an impossible feat, especially in the 60's. This is one of the few books that left me wishing the story would continue. I'd like to know the events in the next stage of Gilbert's life and would look forward to another book. I would rate this book near the top of any list I'd give to friends.

Of the many books inspired by World War II, Byron Lane's personal document of his experience as a bombardier in that awesome event is the most moving, as well as the most enjoyable, account I have read. Seeing the war through the eyes of an excited and often bewildered teenager, suddenly thrust into a dangerous adult world, gave me a vicarious experience that brought that world to life.

Byron's almost daily letters to his family, along with his journal entries, terrified the parent in me; gave me a new perspective of what I always considered my reckless youth; made me laugh at exploits that took daring, imagination, and wit; and made me cry over their youthful earnestness, bravado, and self-doubt.

Lane has supplemented his personal document with vignettes of the war years that helps make that era come alive.

Perhaps most remarkable is the sensitivity, the insight, and the skill this writer manifested when he was only eighteen and nineteen years old.

Of the many books inspired by World War II, Byron Lane's personal document of his experience as a bombardier in that awesome event is the most moving, as well as the most enjoyable, account I have read. Seeing the war through the eyes of an excited and often bewildered teenager, suddenly thrust into a dangerous adult world, gave me a vicarious experience that brought that world to life.

Byron's almost daily letters to his family, along with his journal entries, terrified the parent in me; gave me a new perspective of what I always considered my reckless youth; made me laugh at exploits that took daring, imagination, and wit; and made me cry over their youthful earnestness, bravado, and self-doubt.

Lane has supplemented his personal document with vignettes of the war years that helps make that era come alive.

Perhaps most remarkable is the sensitivity, the insight, and the skill this writer manifested when he was only eighteen and nineteen years old.

tells the story of how one of the US's most profound archaeological sites almost ended up a trailer park,but was saved thanks to some efforts of concerned citizens. Then this book gives a good concise overview of the site itself.But i had some questions,at it's peak just what was the population of Cahokia. How far from the center of the Monk's Mound is the population considered to be a part?I've read as high as 38,000 and then as low as 2,000 at it's peak,about 1100.From reading this book,it seems that Cahokia actually had a very short span of influence in regard to years,how about territory as well?Then there is the question of Mound 72,where there was evidence of human sacrifice.Too often this info is pushed under the rug or dismissed as propoganda from early catholic missionaries.Actually instead of making the Amerindian look like a bloodthirsty savage the effect is the opposite.There are some accounts i've read that allude to the overthrow of the Cahokia chiefdoms because of this practice,not revelry in the ritual of holding a live beating heart up to the sun as in the case of the Aztecs.Maybe this was the reason for the short span of years for the rulership of the Cahokia chiefdoms.No book i've yet read deals in any length on this subject except a few archaeological journals,most of them only lightly.The fact that not much info is available on this could mean that maybe this although a shocking practice,it was not a frequent or popular one and this type of ceremony only took place once in a "blue moon"

The series, Digging for the Past, is always intelligible, informative and fun to read; and I found "Cahokia Mounds" is no exception to this.
The book was an eye opener to me, as it is a geographic area that I would never have expected archeologists to discover such a major site peopled by what seems to have been an advanced civilization. As in the Southwest, some of the "mystery" of the Cahokia indians appears to be similar to the Anazasi around whom there also are numerous theories of their lives and disappearance. In addition to this, the authors explain the discovery and subsequent excavations and studies in such a way as to make the mounds and the civilization they represent relevant and accessible today.
After reading "Cahokia Mounds" I would be interested in knowing more about this Native American culture that lived in the Midwest. In conclusion the book was well-written and enjoyable, and I continue to look forward to other books in this series.

Can I play, Too? is an inspiring book. It deals with the disability of a young boy named Teddy. As a teacher of the Handicapped, I chose to read this book with my 5th grade students. This book had an impact on us all! My students have learned that it is okay to be different and that acceptance is important. We also had the opportunity to meet the author. K. Scott Conover has made an impact in the lives of several children with this sensitive book. I am looking forward to the publishing of his second book!

This book is an inspiring story of a child's comeback over a leg injury and contains many characters. It is interesting to read, and would be great for any 3rd to 6th grader. As an added side note, most of the proceeds go to the K. Scott Conover foundation, a foundation designed to help children overcome crippling diseases. Buy it and you won't be dissapointed.

Everyone knows the story of Pocahontas - or at least "a" story of Pocahontas. Pocahontas WAS intelligent, capable, curious, and brave, but real life isn't as palatable or black-and-white as the Disney-ized version of the story.

Wendy Lawton continues her "Daughters of Faith" series with "The Captive Princess," a respectful portrayal of Pocahontas and the people of her world, a story that recognizes the ambiguity of life. As the great Powhatan's daughter, Pocahontas enjoys both special privilege and responsibility within her family and her tribe. When Englishmen come to the Powhatans' shores, Pocahontas is both curious and wary. She knows there will be eagerness and distrust from both those new and those familiar to the land. She works to bring peace and trust between the two, but is betrayed. As she struggles to come to terms with the "grayness" all she has experienced, Pocahontas learns, in the words of a minister who befriends her, that "we battle between what we long to be and what we fall back into." When Pocahontas learns to accept God's forgiveness, she learns how to forgive herself as well.

The Captive Princess is a must read for fans of the "Daughters of Faith" series and new readers alike. Wendy Lawton's well-researched attention to historic details and her always present glossary of terms make "The Captive Princess" the perfect choice for a fun read or as part of a larger study of American history.

Most of us studied Pocahontas and the Jamestown settlement in American History. I enjoyed going back in time with Wendy Lawton and getting to know the young Pocahontas even better. Lawton does an excellent job bringing the young princess to life and makes learning the customs and language of the Powhatan Indians and the early Jamestown settlers an enjoyable experience. History has never been so fun. Pocahontas' compassion, spirit and faith will inspire you.

You know when a book is good when your daughter knows every word to every poem in this book. She tells me every night can we read "Vespers". It is a poem by A. A. Milne for his son Christopher Robin...aka Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. The book is very special to me because it was one of my books when I was growing up and I recommend it to any parent with a young child who loves to dream.

This is my all time favorite book. I remember reading it when I was little and I still have some of the poems memorized. It is the book I want my children, my grandchildren, and every generation there after to read. I love this book. I just recently found it again and I was ecstatic. It is such a happy and heartwarming book. I recomend it to all parents, grand-parents and children of all ages.

This is another addition to one of the best literary projects to come along in quite some time...Poetry for Young People. This particular work of course deals with the works of Carl Sandburg. It is illustrated by Steven Arcella. The book, as with the others in this series, starts with an introduction to the poet. This is good stuff alone. It is good to know something about the author of the work you are reading, and children, probably more so than adults, need this information. This volume includes Sandburg's Fog, From the Shore, Young Sea, Last Answers, A Sphinx, Little Girl.. Be Careful What You Say, Margaret, Arithmetic, Plowboy, Monotone, Phizzog, Mask, Summer Grass, Summer Stars, Sky Talk, October Paint, Old Woman, Buffalo Dust, a Coin and Doors. I certainly am not going to remark on the quality of Sandburg's work. Those who read him will be well aware of this. This collection though, is upbeat, delightful and gives a pretty good view of the poet's range.

The art work which accompanies the poems is very appealing and relaxing and very well executed. Like the poetry, it has a dream like quality and is a delight.

This is a book which is perfect to read to your child or to an entire class. Poetry has fallen out of fashion in many of our schools now, which is not only a shame, but I feel almost a crime. Our kids are missing so very, very much. This little edition is an ideal start. It, and the rest of this series, should be in ever school library, in every class room and indeed, on your kid's book shelf. I do highly recommend this one.

Don Blankenship

I love this book. It I so up beat and moving. I find this book moving far into the future of young peope and i hope to see it on my childs desk.

This book is the best if you like mysteries. It drove me crazy when they thought their friend Kim Park was under doing all the odd happenings at school when she didn't do it or did she? I geuss you'll have to read the book and find out. Its great for kids and adults my mom is reading it too hope I've helped!

The Nicki Holland Mysteries by Angela E. Hunt are a powerful blend of suspense and character lessons. Hard to put down, yet easy to read, these books are excellent for the most reluctant young reader. Even the advanced reader will find it difficult to put these stories down until finished. The mixture of mystery and moral issues combine to make these books not only entertaining but also thought provoking where traditional values are concerned. Well done, Ms. Hunt