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After reading this book and doing the exercises I have become a new man!!!I have found my Life Purpose,I have developed my intuition,and am now working as a psychic! Thank you Sonia! Lets see where my powers take me! How psychic can I get? Careful,I may be watching you now as you read this! BOO!

If you are a person who is already deeply connected to yourself, this may be the book for you. However, if life has "conspired" to prevent you from feeling connected to yourself, you may be better off finding out who you really are first, THEN going into a program of psychic development like Sonia Choquette's. That said, other books have been written by people with great psychic abilities who actually address connecting to yourself through vocal toning, grounding (only minimally discussed by Ms. Choquette), and connecting with nature, all of which seem to be essential building blocks on a path toward the successful intuitive life. One of these books is The Beckoning Song of Your Soul by Nancy Marie. Another is Reconnecting with Nature, by Dr. Michael J. Cohen. Dr. Cohen's book is about "finding wellness through restoring our bond with the Earth. Most of us have been conditioned to ignore nearly 50 sensitivities that connect us to the natural world. This separation stress contributes to many of our environmental and personal problems." Including access to psychic abilities.

You may already have a great connection to yourself and to the earth. If so, go for Sonia's book!

As always, Sonia takes you on a ride worth the trouble. She is someone with a marvelous gift that she's sharing with us. I'm learning a lot.

I love all of Sonia`s books. They are the easiest to read and most enjoyable "self help" books I have ever read. I would recommend her books to anyone even if they aren't on a spiritual path to learn how to be psychic.
Her books are a gift and I am always sad when they end.

This book was gifted to me and I, in turn, bought it for a friend. The reading is very easy and enjoyable and the messages clear. For anyone who is interested in getting more in touch with herself as well as "things we don't see," I would highly recommend this book.

Should we "let go and let God", trusting Him to bring us victory in the battle for holiness? Jerry Bridges would answer this question with a firm "no." Instead, he would lead us to "grab hold and let God." In other words, Bridges charges us to take hold of the resources Christ offers us to kill sin's power and cultivate the fruit of the Spirit. In Bridges' view, holiness is not a matter of victory or defeat, but of obedience or disobedience. He teaches that victory is the byproduct of obedience, not the aim of the pursuit of holiness. Holiness is still the work of God, but we must actively lay hold of the work of God in our lives to see the fullest possible work of the Holy Spirit in us. As I consider all of the personal commands to action in the Bible regarding holiness, I am convinced that Bridges is right. Commands like, "put off your old self, mortify the deeds of the flesh, put on the new self, pursue righteousness, think about whatever is good and pure, walk in the Spirit" and many more show me that my part in holiness is to throw off everything that hinders and fix my eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith. This excellent book is best in its final half, as Bridges deals with some of the details of this walk of faith and the specifics of how to fight sin and cultivate good in your life. Highly recommended.

When I started reading this book I had the "fear" that true "holiness" was something I could never achieve. Yet scripture calls us to be holy (1 Peter 1:13-25) so it must be possible. As I went through this book and examined my heart, I realized the obstacles that stood in the way of holiness and came away from the book with a whole new understanding and sense of hope and purpose. I now encourage other men to step up and TRULY pursue a life of holiness.

Don't read this book unless you are ready to be convicted and own up to your responsibility as a Christian! I have read this book twice and am reading it again (along with the Study Guide) with my church's women's Bible Study. It is a provocative book to study alone or with a group. It lends itself to wonderful group discussions. Jerry Bridge's book, very practically written, is an aid to Christians in our understanding of God's grace on one hand and our obligation to live a life worthy of His calling on the other.

I highly recommend this book and the study guide as essential to every serious christian's library. Jerry Bridges gave me an entirely new perspective on living life as a christian that has led to a lot of positive changes in my attitude and actions. I also recommend the companion to this book, "The Practice of Godliness".

Very good book for anyone who wants to become a more mature Christian. It really helped me understand the differense and interrelation between God's provision and my responsibility for addressing sin. Direct, practical, and "to the point".

This is one of my favorite books and also of my daughters. The illustrations are beautiful, and the heart warming story of family visits, appreciation and love just makes you feel good. I like this book so much that I will add more Cynthia Rylant books to our home library.

We're from a large family and the images and descriptions of the family reunion really touched home. I've given it to two different sets of nieces and nephews, and hope they'll have the same great stories to tell about our family that Cynthia Rylant relates.

I bought this book to use for a discussion about how authors can paint pictures with their words. My first graders loved this book and we were able to talk about our favorite parts in the book and all the children can relate because they have either gone to visit relatives or relatives have come to visit them. They loved the pictures and the story!

I love this book, especially for kids with big families. As an adult from a big family it is equally fun to read. This account of the journey and the visit at the relatives' house is written from a refreshingly honest child's point of view. A completely delightful read-to book. I bought a copy for all my kids with children.

This story is about some
family members from Virginia came down to some other relatives that lived
far away and the family from Virginia was staying for a couple of weeks. They finished with eating, playing, and hugging. At the end of the story, the family from Virginia goes back to their house, and wait `til next summer.

I liked this book because the book was about family time and this book will be good for any kid at anytime.

I liked this book well enough. I think Sunny was truly unfair to her mom. I would have stuck right by my moms side. I can see why Dawn got mad at Sunny. She is incredibly selfish and VERY boy-crazy. I liked the other California Diaries a lot better. Thats why i gave it 4 stars. P.S. Maggie is my favorite character.

I think this book was poorly written. It made Sunny seem selfish and stupid. She was incredibly rude to Dawn. Also, she was treating Dawn's house like her private hotel. Also, she acted terrrible to her mom. She could have been there for her mom, knowing she had cancer. Another thing is, Sunny had so many boyfriends in this 1 book and she only cared about what they looked like. Not there personality. All in all, this book was pretty good.

Read betwee the lines

Dr. merwin has stopped talking about good signs and her mother iws never getting better.

Sunny is a selfish, boy-crazed lunatic who doesn't realise that DAWN and MRS. WINSLOW and MR. WINSLOW NEED Sunny to HELP them. SURE she DOES have her OWN PROBLEMS, that's fine, but DON"t MESS EVERYBODY else UP, Sunny, and expect everyone to FORGIVE and FORGET the way Carol, Mrs. Bruen, and Dawn's dad did about the stew pot that YOU LEFT UNATTENDED while CAROL and an unborn BABY were in the house. SUNNY IS SELFISH, STUBBORN and CONCEITED. she doesn't realise that in this time of heartbreak and upset (her mother's illness) she is NOT the only person SUFFERING. Everyone NEEDS to PULL together and SUNNY IS NOT HELPING THIS by running away with loner 17-year olds and nearly burning people's houses down!
DAWN IS THE GREATEST FRIEND< a person always there to help. I can see why she doesn't understand SUnny - sunny is so oneminded and stubborn. Dawn is just TRYING to HELP sunny and bring her back to sanity, but SUNNY PUSHES EVERYONE AWAY aND is that DAwn's fault, i think not!

Sunny #6 was a good book; it was the book in which the fight between Dawn and Sunny REALLY begins; it showed both sides of Dawn and Sunny's personalities; good and bad.
Sunny is a troubled teen dealing with the fact that she may lose her mother to cancer; she has a lot of anger, pain, and sadness to deal with. She, unfortunately, solves her problems by, as Dawn pointed out, running away; and this isn't the greatest thing to do; although one aspect of it is good; you learn from your mistakes and work on solving your problems in a different way; so truly; Sunny is experimenting with how to deal with her pain and grief. This is what Dawn, Sunny's long-time best friend; doesn't see. She sees Sunny as being stubborn, selfish, a changed person; and a person who doesn't visit her mother at all.

I would just like to point out here that Ann M Martin; the author, has done a fantastic job of making us feel sympathetic towards Sunny in this book; so much, that by the next book, Dawn #7, we feel resentful towards Dawn. Great work, Ms Martin!

Anyway, back to the Dawn and Sunny Saga : Dawn is also experiencing grief, she has a close friend and 'second mother'in Mrs Winslow (Sunny's mother), and is just as saddened by Mrs. Winslow's illness as Sunny is. Dawn is also experiencing confusion as her stepmother, Carol, is carrying her father's baby. One interesting thing is this; Dawn visits Mrs. Winslow more often than Sunny does, but Sunny gets on a LOT better than Dawn with Carol. It's almost as if they had switched mothers; and this adds to the tension and rivalry between the two girls.

I think that there are a lot of aspects to this fight; really, i don't side with either Dawn or Sunny; i just try to understand their problems and what they're feeling; the way Ducky does with Sunny.

However, i do believe that Dawn could be more understanding; she could see that Sunny doesn't know how to act because of the situation she's in; Dawn could try to understand Sunny better and empathize, not criticise. Dawn doesn't seem to realise that when people are faced with a tough problem/situation, they don't always know how they'll act; after all, when it boils down to it, this is SUNNY's mother and SUNNY has the bigger problem; her mother is dying. And Dawn may feel equally saddened by this but; she has Carol and her mother in Stoneybrook. So Dawn doesn't TRULY know how Sunny feels...she just THINKS she does.

Sunny, in turn; could also be less stubborn; she definitely let her guard down when she went out to flirt with that guy, putting Carol and her unborn baby in danger, by leaving the stew pot unattended; Sunny was definitely pretty selfish when she did this; but one thing has come of it, Sunny realises her mistakes and apologises. But i do feel Dawn's confusion that Sunny, Mrs. Bruen, Dad and Carol are all sitting around having a friendly chat just hours after Sunny made that tremendous mistake; while Sunny seems to be 'off the hook'. I can also understand Dawn's annoyance that when Sunny makes a mistake, everyone blames it on the turmoil caused by her mother's illness; again, Sunny off the hook...

I do think that Sunny needs to see what a great friend she has in Ducky; after all, he always listens and understands and doesn't judge her by her actions. He's a terrific friend, but Sunny needs to be a good friend back to him. In the book, an example of this was when Ducky was majorly upset about his depressed friend Alex, and Sunny listened for about half a second, cut Ducky off, and started chatting about her upcoming date with another guy. She asks Ducky's fashion advice in the middle of Ducky explaining a serious problem! The ONE time Ducky needs desperate help, and asks Sunny for it, she won't listen. I have to admit that when you don't help a great buddy like Ducky, that's pretty low...

However, Dawn comes across as a patron saint, as Sunny describes; Dawn blocks Sunny's view of Mrs. Winslow and starts spouting 'lies' (as Sunny thinks), "You're looking so GREAT today, Mrs. Winslow, what can i do for you, Mrs. Winslow? Today's such a pretty day, you're looking better than ever, Mrs. Winslow! Come on, Sunny, let's get your mom some food, call the nurse, give her flowers..." I can definitely see how this could REALLY get on Sunny's nerves.

So as you can see there are two very different sides to this fight...keep reading all of the California Diaries to see how it goes! And, oh; by the way, Sunny Diary Two #6, 'Waiting. Watching. Crash." is a great book, definitely worth buying, and an important milestone in the Dawn and Sunny Fight: you can't miss it!

I had not heard of James Thurber (I'm not from Northern America :)) until one of my friends on a study abroad program brought this book to our apartment and we started reading it out loud to each other. I loved it so much that I've read it three times already. Thurber's playing with the language is so amazing, cute and fascinating that it makes you speak "his way" after you read the book. :) And all his ideas are wonderful! This all makes the book one of a kind, really.

read it, lest you end up being slit from your guzzle to your zatch! a book for all ages, and any age. Fairy stories with a twist of Thurber.

I really do like this book. I like fairy tales, especially the kind like Ella Enchanted and Fairest by Gail Carson Levine. In the pictures the wicked duke looks so hilarilously silly! The prince is handsome and the princess pretty, of course! The Golux's hat is indeed indescribable and the woman Hagga cries jewels instead of tears. He! He! He!

The Thirteen Clocks, by James Thurber, is a perfect book. The only way it could be better would be by being longer. The story is classic in its simplicity, so elemental that anyone can easily find a way inside. The big setting - a castle - the big players - a Prince, Princess, and wicked Duke (very wicked) - the big themes - courage, redemption, selfless sacrifice, and just a whiff of magic. Best of all, the big problem - time is frozen. Our enterprising Prince must do the impossible to win the hand of Princess Saralinda. This is road-tested material but Thurber breathes new life into it, making it fresh and irresistible. The musicality of his language is delightful, there is so much joy and play in the words, they giggle and dance like water gliding over stones in a stream. His rogue's gallery of secondary characters is just too good; each is slightly more improbable and splendidly cracked than the last. Most of all, this story ends exactly as it should, the resolution is not forced, it's simply correct. The Thirteen Clocks is a slice of heaven that can be enjoyed by anyone able to read. Thurber, it turns out, really was as good as he claimed. This lasting jewel proves it.

Watch out for the Todal

James Thurber's The Thirteen Clocks is a delightful tale for people of all ages. I was first introduced to this seemingly conventional story at age five when my father read it to me as a pleasant bedtime story. It was not until I could read for myself that I began to notice what sets this story apart from so many other children's stories--its characters and great dialogue. Even re-reading it now, as a college student, I immensely enjoy its refreshing humor. Thurber uses a simple storyline, poetic devices, and clever characterization to make The Thirteen Clocks enjoyable to any and all ears.

The Thirteen Clocks is enjoyable for kids of all ages (meaning grown-ups as well) because it follows the basic and familiar "prince saves princess" storyline. Prince Zorn of Zorna must win the hand of Princess Saralinda by bringing back a thousand jewels to her uncle in "six and sixty days" (32). Though it seems that six and sixty days are not ample time for him to complete such a task, Zorn of Zorna miraculously succeeds. This follows the plot of most classic fairy tales I can think of (excluding Rumplestiltzkin and Beauty & the Beast). There are so many prince-princess stories because every child (and deep down, every adult, too) wants to be a prince or princess. There is something appealing to human nature about glory, fame, wealth, beauty, and general happiness, all of which are presented as direct benefits of being royalty. Also, everyone loves a happy ending where justice is served--the good guys win and the bad guys suffer. The Thirteen Clocks does indeed include a happy ending of this nature. Not only is the story simple enough, but it is also relatively short (my copy is seventy pages with fairly large text) and includes pictures. Bedtime stories are, by nature, short stories. When parents concede to read just "one more bedtime story," they do not want it to take all night. Furthermore, it is simply easier to understand a story when you sit down and read the entire thing at once. Children admittedly have short attention spans. The rest of us adults do too, but we pretend to have a more mature mind, especially when it comes to paying attention. The Thirteen Clocks appeals to everyone, young and old because it is a familiar and somewhat simple tale.

All audiences can also appreciate The Thirteen Clocks for its musical language as seen by the poetic devices of rhyme and rhythm. In the beginning of the story, Prince Zorn of Zorna disguises himself as a minstrel and sings of various things whose mention are forbidden by the evil Duke. A villager tells the Prince that one of the Duke's spies will "die because to name your sins, he'll have to mention mittens. I leave at once for other lands, since I have mentioned mittens...You'll never live to wed his niece. You'll only die to feed his geese" (17). The rhyme combined with the absolute hilarity of this statement amuses the reader and is rhythmically pleasing. Smaller children may not catch or understand the substance of this passage completely, but they will enjoy hearing the rhyme scheme (AAABB) and rhythm pattern (8-7, 8-7). Literary enthusiasts will take note and admire the patterns evident in Thurber's writing. Another great example of Thurber's amusing and rhyming style is, "'It's odd,' the Golux muttered to himself. 'I could have sworn that she had died. This is the only time my stomach ever lied'" (54). Here again, Thurber amuses his audience by using this constant pattern of rhyme and rhythm. Humans love to find patterns--it brings sense and order to the sometimes chaotic world we live in. By creating this literary and somewhat musical pattern, Thurber's tale appeals to both the young and old.

The Thirteen Clocks is appealing because its characters, the likes of which have never been seen before in literature, add excitement and flavor to this familiar story. There are three truly out-of-the ordinary characters--the Golux, who is "always on hand when people are in peril" (18), Hagga, the weeper of jewels; and the unpleasant Todal. Of these, the Todal is the most outrageous character. The Todal is "made of lip," "looks like a blob of gulp," and "smells of old, unopened rooms" (36, 29). This creature is "waiting for the Duke to fail in some endeavour such as setting you a task that you can do" and is "an agent of the devil, sent to punish evil-doers for having done less evil than they should" (29, 30). There is no monster as quirky, interesting, and terrifying as the Todal in real life or in a book. By presenting his readers with such bizarre characters, Thurber appeals to their sense of humor, as well as to their sense of terror. The creativity and flair for language possessed by Thurber are most obvious in the descriptions of his characters. This sets his tale apart from others with similar, but seemingly less lively stories. More than anything else, The Thirteen Clocks is enjoyable because of its uniqueness in characterization.

This truly wonderful and shockingly good fairy tale is full of enough excitement and goodness to be appropriate for a bedtime story. Yet Thurber's true talent lies in his creative and imaginative abilities which allow for readers and listeners alike to enjoy this book. It is set apart from other fairy tales by its clever use of words and unparalleled characters. Buy this book (though I would suggest the hardcover edition with colored illustrations) or run to your local library before the Todal gulps you!

As an elementary school counselor I used this book to help students cope with grief and loss.

I wish there was a way to promote her books more. I bought one of Jamie's earlier books for a little boy a couple years ago. Recently, I was very surprised when his Mother said that it was the only book he enjoyed reading and wanted "Where Do Balloons Go?" for a birthday presnt. This little boy doesn't read very much but spends a lot of time in front of the television or computer, so it was very uplifting to know he realized there is more to life than visuals.

Our grandson has this book & loves it so much that we purchased another as a gift for our nephew.

my daughter absolutely loves this book. the age range says 4 and up but my daughter is two and loves it and is addicted to it. she wants me to read it to her before her nap and bedtime. i would say not to leave it down where a child under 4 could rip the pages. this books verbage and artwork is so clever. my daughter and i both get a kick out of it. there are reusable stickers included in the back of the book and you can use them on the pretty inside covers in the front or back (slick surface- either cloud or space background). she always sees them when we are done reading and can't wait until she can one day play with them. she loves stickers but tends to rip them and ruin them at this age- so i'm waiting to let her play with these! i would recommend this book to anyone, and i know i will buying this as gifts!

I think every young child whose ever accidentally released a balloon into the wild blue yonder has wondered what happens to them...and this book gives kids some whimsical ideas about the secret life of balloons that should ease their minds about what happens...I suppose this is a better way for kids to think about it than just popping somewhere up there and plummeting to the ground. The words are written in silly rhymes and the illustrations are lush and whimsical...just plain silly and loads of fun for young readers. Younger kids (2-4) will like having the opportunity to explore each page and older kids (5-8) will enjoy reading all the additional text loaded onto each page (balloons writing post cards, signs for various things, ect...) that should help keep their interest when the simple rhyme is, well, too simple for them to enjoy. Each page feels rather like an explosion of art and whimsy...it is that chaotic splendor that kids can't help but love!! Where to Balloons Go? doesn't provide any scientific explanation...but it's not meant to, it's just plain fun!! Kids and adults alike will have fun reading this and diving right into the incredible illustrations...if you've got a kid 4-8, this is a must read!!

As a concierge at one of the French Quarter hotels, I recommend One Dead in Attic to any guests interested in learning the true story about Katrina. I draw the floodline line on the city map, mention Chris's book and tell them they must go on a city tour that includes the Katrina areas, only 80% of the city. The news media has certainly covered the 9th Ward but visitors need to see the rest of the city.

I tell our guests to buy an extra drink, buy another t-shirt and tip the waiter a little extra. It helps to feed a family. I wish there was a way our guests could write off their trip to New Orleans as a charitable donaton on their federal income tax return. It's better than charity.

Thanks to all the volunteers still coming down to help. We appreciate it!
Anne Brett

In those dark days after Katrina, after having moved 5 times in 10 days, after having finally settled into an environment where 10 people, 5 dogs, 8 cats and no electricity lived. But I had to have my newspaper. I had to have Chris Rose talk to me. I had to be comforted by commiserating with his words. He spoke for our beloved city. He was the comforting word of our disfunctional town that we couldn't abandon. Why, why would we stay, so many asked us. How can you abandon such a great love because she is sick and in danger of dying? Never under such terms could I leave her. Many days passed that had Red Cross food deliveries, CNN helicopters buzzing overhead and I prayed, "please don't let me be on CNN tonight as I rummage through the wreckage of my world." Spare me the humiliation. Where is Chris? Where is his column? I need to cry today, as I do everyday. I need to have his words torment me and comfort me and tuck me into bed in my FEMA trailer (that I was extremely thankful to have) I jumped up and down like a Publishers Clearing House winner when the little white box was delivered. It was the size of my walkin closet in my home, but it was the ability to stay with my city and my people that was delivered. Chris, if you ever left us, I couldn't handle that. His book is LIFE IN NEW ORLEANS after the storm. To read it, is to know our pain and to feel the shock of suddenly leaving America, to land up in a third-world country and to understand what we take for granted every day as Americans. This book describes that journey--from fat and happy American to 3rd world refugee. WE LOVE CHRIS HERE IN NEW ORLEANS. Only those who lived it will know what those newspaper columns that wound up as 1 Dead in Attic did to speak to us and to let those far and away experience our feelings.

Rose, Chris. "One Dead in the Attic", CR Books, 2006.

Feeling the Pain

Amos Lassen

I am very surprised that more books were not published about Hurricane Katrina given the literary heritage of New Orleans. There have been a few but there have not been many personal accounts. Chris Rose, a newspaper correspondent in New Orleans, put some of his newspaper columns together and gives a picture of what New Orleans was like after the storm. Reading it is painful and shocking and shows how much that we as Americans take for granted. (Believe me, I know. I was stranded in New Orleans for a little more than a week after Katrina hit).
He writes of what was once my city and the journey many of us took--from living comfortably to roaming around looking for somewhere to live. He brilliantly describes what day-to-day life was like for the citizens of New Orleans after the storm. I am sure many of you have never known what it is like to have to depend upon the kindness of others or to live on a cot in a convention center in a strange place with over 200 roommates who you do not know.
Rose gives us the anger and frustration and the sadness and the joy that we experienced and the beautiful way we were treated by people we did not know,
This is the book to read about Katrina because it is so honest and so well written. Rose accurately describes the sights and sounds of New Orleans and how it feels to see a city almost disappear. I cried and I laughed as I read.
This book is not about the levees that failed or the building that were destroyed or the ineffectiveness of the state and federal government. It is about the people who had to deal with losses which are beyond human comprehension, about loneliness and heartbreak and despair and above all, fear. But it also is compassionate and hopeful and has wicked humor.

Quite simply the best book about the aftermath of Katrina. Rose is a feature writer for the Times-Picayune, and this book is a reprint of the columns he wrote between August 30, 2005, and January, 2006. A must read.

I am a native New Orleanian. Although I evacuated for the storm, I endured all of the ongoing tortures of its aftermath. Chris Rose did an unbelievably wonderful job in this book, conveying the desperate insanity we all seem to have experienced. The two things this book does not convey (and believe me, be very, very glad of this) are the heat and the smells. The heat was constantly, unbearably oppressive. Even after Labor Day, when we usually get some small relief from the skyrocketing humidity, the weather remained like an enormous hot wet blanket weighing one constantly down. The odors best remain undescribed. THANK YOU, Chris Rose.

Wonderful! Age appropiate. My horse loving pre-teen is really enjoying them. She started with the #1 series. We are ordering 5 series at a time.

Bought this for my 15 year old daughter. She loved it and actually read it. Which is always nice to have a teenager read!

Amy has decided to take in a horse named Spartan, which is the horse that they went to save in the big storm. Spartan was in the same car wreck that Amy and her mom were in. Spartan is still scarred from the wreck. When he comes to Heartland he remembers Amy, and he doesn't like her because he remembers her from the wreck. Amy has to start working with Spartan, but it is dangerous because he keeps trying to hurt her because he is scared. At first Amy didn't want to work with Spartan, but then after a couple of weeks she decides that she will work with him. She goes into his stall and he starts kicking and raring up at her, but Amy doesn't get hurt. Amy's sister and grandpa just happened to see it all happen. They don't think that Spartan is a safe horse and they want to put him to sleep. Amy doesn't want that though, because she knows that Spartan will get better. Amy's Grandpa and Amy's sister decide to go to the movies and invite Amy to come. Instead Amy acts like she is sick and stays home so she can join up with Spartan, which means she is going to try to get him to trust her again. When they leave to the movies Amy goes to Spartans stall and takes him out to the round pin. She starts lunging him. Then she takes the lunge line off and Spartan doesn't do anything and he doesn't try to hurt Amy. When her grandpa and sister got home she showed them that Spartan wouldn't hurt her. That changed their mind about putting him to sleep. Amy started working with Spartan more and started taking him to some shows. At one show Amy finds Spartans old owner, Larry Boswell. Larry see's how good Spartan is doing and decides that he would like to buy Spartan for his grandaughter Hannah to show. And he did, and Hannah ended up showing Spartan after he was healed at Heartland by Amy.

Attention all Heartland Lovers! I have made a website dedicated to everything about Heartland. It is filled with info on all the books and the author. You also may review a book and log into the chat room. There is also a weekly poll that changes every week. I also have a little section for Chestnut Hill. The URL is http://www.freewebs.com/horse_lvr13/ . Come check it out.

This book is a very good but I think it could of had a better ending because it would be so sad to see someone read this amazing bookand end not finshing it because it is so sad and such a bad ending. Most people like a ending where the person who really wants something it better when they get it.So if you ever read this book you should finsh it to the end because there is no story better than a sad story because it exspress you r true emotions

I had purchased the book after reading a few reviews which were very positive. If you want to know more about the person, Mani Bhaumick, this book is a good one. If the topic of Quantum Physics and its journey towards explaning the universal truth in the same manner as old religions interests you, this book offers a good start. Unfortunately, I got bored reading the past of the author (which is no doubt interesting but why spend money to know this!!!). Further,the portions relating to developments of Physics went over my head - I guess this may be because I am a normal Accounting person or I am not be very intelligent. And then, there are photographs of the author with various celebreties (why was this necessary?). And I felt the end of the book was also very abrupt. The book could have been more simple and focused on the subject. I guess persons of normal intellect may avoid this book. It will be useful if someone can recommend books that are more simple (with illustrations, where possible) and where the focus of the book is purely Quantum Physics rather than spice this up with avoidable diversions.

I think this book is wonderful approach to the science of God's existence. If you've ever seen the "Elegant Universe" (I think it is called) on PBS where they delve into String Theory and explain quantum physics to the layman, this book is a perfect follow-up. I think that because I had seen this show, I absorbed much of the physics he presented very quickly. I remember stopping at one point and thinking, "this is some scientific stuff."

Even if you've never heard of String Theory or Quantum Mechanics, it is worth reading this book. Dr. Bhaumik's book presents complicated physics theories in simple terms, and then ties those principles into his statement that everything from human consciousness, to the farthest stars, to the smallest particles are all interrelated and have a single name: God.

When I got to certain points in the book, I could hear my brain frying ;-) These were some increbile points he was making and I was blown away.

The only reason I gave it four stars is because he spends a little too much time in my opinion on his upbringing in India. Yes, it helps set the stage for the life eventually goes onto, and underscores several of his ideas, but it should have been cut shorter.

Dr. Bhaumik nails this most difficult task of wedding his personal story as a beautiful metaphor, to the greatest story ever told - the unfurling of our universe. He pursues the question that his father refused to answer and aren't we lucky for it. His formidable intellect and acquired rags-to-riches wealth gives way to a humility and innocent passion that can only reflect what he is and always will be: pure unadulterated spirit. I flat out love the way he presents meditation as the sacred portal of entry to our birthing ground, the unified field. The description of our holograhic universe by using the analogy of the human genome replicating whole humans brought tears to my eyes. The implication that we ARE the united field brings me to my knees because it resonates with every fiber of my being. By celebrating the similarities rather than the differences, Dr. Bhaumik honors what we all know at some level: What we're looking for is looking for us. His is an invitation to step up to and behold an idea of God that we can all live and die with. What a wonderful additional gift for more of us to get and live the Big Idea. Thank you Dr. Bhaumik for your remarkable contributions to our little parenthesis in eternity. - Dr. Herby Bell

We live today in a world so divided by disparate religious ideas that there is a very real possibility that we as humans won't survive these differences.

The spectrum of this divde is great and varied. Extreme Christian fundamentalists longing for a biblical Armageddon promote political choices that could bring on an ultimate nuclear holocaust. More moderate Christians eschew science in favor of a literal reading of the Bible and turn a blind eye to scientific "theories" as varied as global warming, the evolution of our species or the age of the universe.

Extreme Islamic fundamentalists scoff at earthly political goals altogether and wish only to live in a world governed entirely by the Koran. Unfortunately, like the Judeo/Christian Bible, interpretation of these sacred scriptures is subject to whoever perceives that he/she has been selected by his or her god to do so. This has resulted, in many instances, in the wide-scale destruction of people by those convinced by these chosen spokesmen that they will achieve heavenly rewards by their own and their victims' deaths.

Obviously, examples like these can be found everywhere in the world and in many other religions as well.

In a fervent desire to get beyond religious misconceptions of basic spiritual concepts, many thoughtful people have followed one of two divergent philosophical paths of inquiry concerning the universe and our place in it.

Science and spirituality (as opposed to religion) both seek the answers to this most fundamental question. While never quite at physical odds with each other, proponents look askance at each other for the others' naive understandings of reality. Yet a few individuals in both camps have been able to take a "quantum leap" of understanding and realize that science and spirituality should not just "agree to disagree".

For some scientists, David Bohm, Rupert Sheldrake, Karl Pribram and others, the deeper science goes towards discovering the most fundamental nature of Matter and Energy, the more the paths of science and spirituality merge into one.

On the spiritual side, a person such as the Dalai Lama honors the discoveries being made by science; to the extent that he says that if science proves a concept that is counter to his own Buddhist tradition, then the Buddhist idea must succumb to science! Truly a remarkable statement in view of most religious orthodoxies.

Mani Bhaumik is one of these "leapers", whose early life happened to be suffused in mystical Hindu traditions. Yet, the talents for science and mathematics he displayed at a young age allowed him to escape the poverty and ignorance epidemic in his community.

Finding his way to the West and his subsequent invention of the Exemer Laser (known commercially as Lasek) culminated in his enjoying a fabled lifestyle of the rich and famous; coincidentally the name of a popular television show of the day in which he displayed his wealth. His Hollywood star-studded life of parties and luxury in Beverly Hills is the stuff of dreams.

But somewhere along the way, the dream ended. Like many others throughout history, he finally had to ask himself, is this all there is?

Even while climbing the ladder of success, however, he never forgot the ground below from where he began. His political and spiritual grounding as an acquaintance of the "living saint" Mahatma Ghandi (in the political struggle for independence by the Indians against Great Britain) demonstrated to him how true spirituality can be manifested in the everyday world.

Throughout his early life in America he used his practice of Hindu meditation as primarily a method of remaining calm and centered in the high-flying academic and business worlds he was increasingly a part of.

But when he began to ask whether "this is all there is", he wanted to explore the deeper realms of reality found through mediation; those spoken of in the Gitas, the sacred writings of his religious tradition.

As a man with one foot in Western science and one foot in mystical Hinduism, he came to realize that it was perhaps his dharma to create a bridge between the two.

The result is the narrative of a wonderful, poetic journey through his own life before he begins the even more fantastic journey into the realms of quantum theory and sublime mystical states.

In the process, he does a truly amazing thing. He makes the underlying scientific field of all physical reality--which is, in fact, non-reality--move so closely towards the highest mystical states that it makes the a non-belief in "god" the most non-rational and least plausible conclusion one could make for a human being.

As a formerly agnostic seeker of knowledge, I've spent the past few years, trying to reconcile the remarkable scientific discoveries of DNA, quantum theory and consciousness with the fantastic realms of mind explored and written about by mystics, shamans, artists, users of entheogenic plants and others throughout the ages.

Mani Bhaumik's journey is a wonderful stepping stone on our own journey through a life that offers so many unanswerable questions. I've found that the most wonderful thing about our journey is that once a stepping stone is reached, another one appears almost magically.

And it's only one step away.

Dr. Bhaumik's book should be required reading for all religions! Using the discoveries of Quantum Physics and other areas of science, he proves how the universe we know all comes from one source, Code Name God, beginning with the Big Bang. He explains the seemingly conscious evolution of elements and the universal laws that permeate and guide our universe. Then he shows that we are all made of the same material (a nucleus consisting of one up quark and one down quark and electrons). In proving the oneness and interconnectedness of all, he shows how we are truly brothers and sisters. Perhaps if we all got that, we would stop our senseless fighting revere this beautiful home we have been given and live in peace.

As a teenager coming into adulthood this book was very helpful. A basic synopsis of the book basically consists of a teenage girl who gets into a wreck and her life is changed forever. She finds out she will be in a wheel-chair for the rest of her life. Reading something like this as a young girl was very inspiring. To see someone making it through as a teen and never being able to walk again helped me see I had it easy. The author of this book did a wonderful job of putting that into perspective and in a way I feel like that was her point she was trying to make. Lindsay Caldwell, the author of the book, had a great way of putting many situations that arise in a teenager's life into view.
Setting up a book properly, at times, is the number one priority for many writers. DON'T LET ME DIE is a perfect example of that. There are four different parts to this book. With thirty-six chapters in this book having sections is the only way to mark off different and important things in the writing. Caldwell does the best job of doing this. By sectioning things off she doesn't confuse you and helps you understand the concept of the actual story. Within the first few chapters of the book you become hooked. You start to feel as if you are experiencing these things in your life. Knowing that she will never be able to walk feels real to you. The author of a writing is who determines these things. If the book is very boring and straight to the point the reader doesn't get hooked and won't.
Character arrangement is very important in writing also. If you have too many characters in your story this could cause it to not keep the readers attention and confuse them. This story has a maximum of five or six characters. You can follow all of them at the same time with the way the storyline is setup. You become attached to the characters and begin to see their side of the story. You feel there feelings as if they were your own. In a way you are in the story.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes a story that pulls you in. If you are interested in a long boring story then this isn't the one to get. Hopefully you read this book and enjoy it.

Hey!
My mom came home from the library with "Don't Let Me Die" for me to read. When I first saw it, I had absolutely no interest! I thought it was just my mom trying to get me to read a long book over the summer. But I was at least willing to give it a try since she had gone out and got it for me. Once I started I could not put it down! It was my favorite book of all time! I was soon glad that it was a 380 page book so it would last longer, I only wish there was a 2nd one. If you haven't read "Don't Let Me Die" by Lindsay Caldwell, you really should, it's an extremely moving book.

-Annie

I have never read a story this good in my life. I never wanted to put this book down.When I was done reading this book I wanted to read more! I think that everyone should read it! It's worth reading 36 chapters! hehe well i hope everyone eles liked it too!

-steph

At first Don't Let Me Die! looks like another semi-good teen book, but once you get past the title, it's really very powerful and moving. When Lucy is involved in a terrible car crash and loses control of her legs, she must make some tough decisions about what she is going to do.

The book covers it all: the accident itself, written very well; Lucy's waking in the hospital; her horror and shock when she finally sees her ruined legs; her stay at a physical therapy hospital. Her friendships with people from home change because of what has happened, not to mention her relationship with her boyfriend Dash. Even after she gets out of the clinic she can't move home with her mother, brother, and sister, so she stays with her grandparents on their isolated farm. There she makes some friends, meets a charming character on the internet, and starts working with a physical therapist - who just happens to start dating her mother. And once she moves back home, things start to look up again, until she finds out that her internet friend isn't quite so charming, and she must use her strength and determination to save herself.

Lucy's emotions are very realistic, and it is easy to identify with her. Most readers haven't been through a trauma that horrifying, but her fear, desperation, deep sorrow, and stubbornness are all excellent qualities. Although she does get better by the end of the book, and can use her legs some, she knows that for the rest of her life she'll have to use her wheelchair as well. That was the best part of the book, to me - the fact that it did not end happily ever after.

Also, the romantic component of the book is not too badly-done, especially for a teen novel. Lucy's relationships with her friends are solid and ring true to life, especially the way they act after her accident. I would recommend this book - look past the title, because it's a very good story of the human spirit, both determination and acceptance.

Interestingly, Lindsay Caldwell is the pen name of Diane Hoh, who is better known in the genre of teen horror books.

I got this book as a gift and at first had no interest in it. When I opened it up I soon realized what a big mistake it would have been to have never read it. It was so real I felt as if I was with Lucy when everything happened to her.It covers how a teenage girl with a seemingly perfect life has everything important taken away from her: her boyfriend, father, and her ability to walk. I cried through the whole book, it was so meaningful. Having gone through a similar situation, it helped me to read about someone who had gone through the worst and came out better and stonger in the end.Everyone should read this book. You have no idea what you're missing if you don't.