Home and Family Books

Wonderful book stuffed full of easy and practical advice. I couldn't put it down. It's fun writing style makes turning each page a treat in itself. It's obvious why this book won the 06 ASA Literary Work of the Year. It's a gem! ENJOY!! Joanna Keating-Velasco, Author, A Is for Autism, F Is for Friend.

Quit reading these reviews and get this book! Every parent or professional who advocates for individuals on the autism spectrum needs to read, underline, and share this book with someone else. Parents will realize they are not alone in their feelings and experiences and professionals will gain much needed insight into the lives of the families who sit with them in IEP meetings and parent-teacher conferences.
I can't say enough good things about the practical advice in Ms. Sakai's book. For example, her chapter on tools for building a relationship with the school is priceless.
"Finding Our Way" is a unique resource that earns a spot on the "must have" list of books about Asperger Syndrome.

It takes a wise person to see the good news in the great struggles of living and Kristi Sakai has done it. Without offering any pat answers or any new "isms" she is able to show families with children with Asperger Syndrome what it means to not only survive but thrive. There is nothing in this book but good news and authentic observations. Obviously adept in the clinical and psychological issues affecting persons with AS, Mrs. Sakai takes you into her home and her heart and wants you to know that there is genuine hope and real help for you. Get it while you can. It's going fast, folks!

This is an excellent teaching tool for families with children who have Asperger's Syndrome. Kristi Sakai, the mother of three children with Asperger's provides excellent tips; explanations and vivid vignettes describing spectrum behavior. The book also includes funny little drawings that are clear and direct and people on the spectrum should have no difficulty decoding their expressions. I love this book!

Kristi Sakai was blessed with the gift of humor. Humor is one impetus that keeps this book rolling. I love her quick quips for judgmental comments people endure when their child is suffering during a meltdown or having trouble navigating on social territory. This book really is a Godsend!

One part that made me laugh was when Sakai wrote about a boy who disliked baths because of sensory issues and provided very real, very legitimate reasons for why he resisted enduring them. I also like the way she provided an alternative approach to ensure his cooperation during an unpleasant activity. The part that had me laughing was when she said her daughter Kaede, upon being needled about not liking to have her hair washed, said she didn't have to suffer that unpleasant activity - she poured the shampoo down the sink! (Sounds like the kind of thing I would have done - only I poured shampoo in the toilet at that age or in the tub and said it was bubble bath). In all honesty, hair washing is about the least favorite activity of many, myself included.

Regardless of where on the spectrum you are, on or off or someone directly involved with people who do have Asperger's, you will get a lot of mileage out of this book and will often turn to it. It is one of the best teaching guides I have ever come across.

This is a must read for anyone who loves or cares for a child with asperger syndrome, be they parent, teacher, paraprofessional, babysitter, grandparent, Sunday School teacher or doctor. Written by one who has been down in the trenches and knows, this book is packed full of logical, doable and compassionate systems which parents can easily master in order to facilitate a more enjoyable existence for the whole family. You will feel like you have a found a new friend as you laugh at her poignant insights and find comfort in the shared experiences of aspergers. Evaluators and doctors would do well to hand this one out to parents of newly diagnosed children to serve as a soft cushion to ease the fall from what can be a devastating diagnosis. Ms. Sakai is a true friend who will help light a path to a way through what can be a dark time and find solace on the other side. Bravo!

As soon as I opened "Give God The Glory! Called To Be Light In The Workplace" by Kevin Wayne Johnson, I knew that this was going to be one of the most inspirational book reads of my life. Kevin Wayne Johnson sums up all of a worker's desires, and wants as one takes on responsibilities in the workplace. However, this book is told with the kind of clarity, spiritualism and focus that will lead readers to carry the book around like a bible in the workplace for all to see.

Kevin Wayne Johnson's book heralds what a modern day worker should aspire to be, from the moment one walks through the workplace door, takes on the role of being a leader for the well being of all, and of course serving God as one's only source of inspiration, hope and guidance who embodies all that is precious and good.

Then and only then, will a worker be able to displace negativity with growth, stamina, will power and the determination to succeed. I was inspired by the cartoon depictions, and powerful quotes in this professional and spiritual book of guidance, such as " I missed more than 9000 shots in my career, I've lost almost 300 games, 26 times, I've been trusted to take the winning shot, and missed. I've failed over and over again in my life, And that is why I succeed," as quoted from the legendary Michael Jordan himself.

The care and authorial symbolism constructed in this treasure is a journey every person on their way to success should take and keep in mind like Attorney Johnny Cochran, Jr. has mentioned as well, "People are successful not because of what they say, but because of what they ask." You will ask many questions as you read Give God The Glory: Called To Be Light In The Workplace, but of yourself and place in society along with God.

There are also, spiritual quotes from the bible and soul-filled messages by Kevin Wayne Johnson himself, who is not only on his way to completing 9 books for The Give God The Glory Series, but helping folks from around the nation to develop a personal relationship with God to find inner peace, success, and the will power to enhance one's life with daily prayer. I am a believer in this man's work, and like T.D. Jakes and others who have taken a leading role to use the written word to influence a nation, I believe that Kevin Wayne Johnson is on his way to being a leader of our time. "Give God The Glory: Called To Be Light In The Workplace" is a powerful message YOU must not miss.

There is a song I remember from childhood, with the words 'rise shine give God glory', and this book brought this memory to mind, but I digress. GIVE GOD THE GLORY is much more than a song or a memory. It is a wake up message about family.

GIVE GOD THE GLORY: The Godly Family Life is Johnson's teachings on the family unit according to the dictates of God. He believes there is a formula for living and it starts with family. He focuses first on the persons who make up the family base; fathers. The father is the foundation of the family, family is the foundation of the church and the church is the foundation of the Body of Christ.

But GIVE GOD THE GLORY talks about every component of the family unit. It is sectioned in three distinct parts 'The Significance and Role of the Father', 'The Impact and Role of the Mother', and 'The Phases and Role of the Child'. With the use of scriptural men, biblical scriptures, his own life experiences and indisputable statistics, he substantiates his beliefs. Johnson envisions this book will change lives.

This is the fourth book, of his Give God the Glory series, and he believes this may be his most compelling. He forecasts that if the principals taught in this book are applied, they will strengthen existing families and serve as a guide to those who want to start successful families. Along with his messages he has included worksheets at the end of each chapter for personal accountability. This is a thoroughly inspirational read.

Reviewed by aNN
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

Deacon Johnson has used his own walk with the Lord and scriptures from the Bible to assist in teaching us how we should Glorify the Lord.
This book can be enjoyed by the seasoned Christian reader as well as the novice. All of the scriptures have been so eloquently broken down in language that we can all understand. "Give God The Glory", will put a fire under you to get out and spread the Word.
The scriptures tell us that we each are given spiritual gifts. This book expounded on those gifts and helps us to identify our spiritual gift or gifts. Also, how we can use them in our everyday life.
References to the scriptures, the men in the Bible and what steps we all need to take to become stronger Christians are all included.
The thought provoking questions provided at the end of the chapter helped to reinforce the learning process.
Pick up a copy of this book and grab your Bible. This book is an excellent study guide to add to your library.

Kevin Wayne Johnson's Give God the Glory is a wonderful instructional book broken up into two parts: KNOW GOD and DO THE WILL OF GOD. In Part One, he teaches readers how to glorify God at all times, comprehend that they are "called" whether they realize it or not, and learn how to recognize and utilize their personal spiritual gifts. In Part Two, he teaches readers to spread the gospel, stand tall, and be a blessing to others.

While those may seem like simple requests, most people do not act upon them daily and Give God the Glory shows us how we can make it a habitual part of our lives. Each chapter ends with a list of questions to consider, which enables readers to analyze what they have just read and fully acclimate it into their souls.

For those searching for an easy-to-read guide on spiritual enhancement, Give God the Glory is a wonderful selection. It is extremely positive to see a young African American male pen such a book because our male youth need more mentors to look to for assistance in their spiritual growth.

Reviewed by Zane

Have you ever asked yourself what it means to be a Christian and how can you
glorify God and do his will? These are the questions that Kevin Wayne Johnson
tackles in his first book, Give God the Glory.

The language used in the book is descriptive, understandable and clear. For
each topic that is discussed, the reader is provided with Old and New Testament
Biblical references. In addition, the author provides contextual information,
references and lots of easy to understand definitions. The book provides a
blueprint of how to strengthen your Christian walk.

One of my favorite parts of this book was the section that covered spiritual
gifts. In this section, different types of gifts were identified and
explained. This section led me to ask myself, "What are the gifts that God has
given me and am I using them or letting them go to waste?"

This book will have you grabbing pen and paper so that you can take notes. It
is thorough and inspiring. The book raises a lot of tough questions that need
to be addressed by Christians. You will find yourself searching your soul as
you try to answer the questions he raises. Most important, reading this book
can help put you on a path that will help you strengthen and further develop
your relationship with God. I am sure that if you read this book with an open
heart and answer the questions to consider that the author has listed at the
end of each chapter, you will be touched. This was an excellent book and I
hope that Mr. Johnson continues his writing for the Lord.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay

I purchased this cookbook because I worked at a Harley Davidson dealersip for 3 yrs. This book is not only a wonderful cookbook, but also loaded with pictures, and history of the Harley-Davidson families. I also ordered a couple of the cookbooks for friends of mine who are avid Haryley Davidson riders. If you are a Harley-Davidson Fan... men or women, Get the book!!!!!
Thanks,

Being from the Midwest originally I felt such a homey feeling reading this book. It is well laid out an filled with amazing SCRUMPTIOUS recipes. Additionally it is a trip through time with the Harley & Davidson families that any Harley Lady should have and know about. You will smile and feel good inside curling up looking at the recipes, pictures and historical info. Blessings & Ride Free!

This book is much more than a cookbook! It evokes the feel of a walk down a tree-lined street of yesteryear. Filled with sepia toned images and intriguing narrative, it is a book to savor. It reads like a personal glimpse into the lives of the Harley and Davidson families and chronicles the lifelong friendship of William S. Harley and Arthur Davidson.

The book emphasizes the fact that Harley Davidson Motor Company was indeed a family affair, only twice as good with two families of friends. Images of family always include food and the Harley's and Davidson's are no different. Two granddaughters, one of Harley (Margo Manning) and one of Davidson (Carol Lange), compiled this collection.

With categories such as "Kick Starters," "On the Course and On the Trail," and "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Mixology," the volume contains recipes for all types of food. Manning and her cousin John Harley traced Harley family ancestry to Littleport, England and farther back to Bavaria. Bavarian recipes handed down through the family dot the pages as well as a number of Carol and Margo's moms' recipes that reek of 50's cocktail parties and dinner parties.

With recipes such as Curried Artichoke Rice Salad, Comfort Casserole and After-the-Ride Punch, there is something here to please every palate. On a personal note, I had sworn off cookbooks as my collection had taken over my home. I had to break my rule and get this one as much for the feel and the story as for the fabulous food!

I bought this for my husband, being a Harley fan, he loved all the old facts and actual pictures of the Harley and Davidson Families. It makes for a good history lesson. The recipes are pretty good too, but if your someone who needs pictures. There aren't any pictures of the recipes.

This book gets you excited about cooking again! It has great recipies in several catagories such as "Kick Starters: Treats to grease your bearings and get your motors running" and "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Mixology: Specialty drinks and beverages with a splash of history". All of it revolving around family was great and with summertime right around the corner, cookouts are too! The book even included the family trees of the Harley and the Davidson families. It was an inspiration to gather the family and make our own family history cookbook; that way we never forget where that awesome Banana Pudding came from or how to make grandma's famous Thanksgiving stuffing.

OK, I do not do reviews that often. But, this book needed one!! My son had 4 double ear infections between 3-5 months of age. We met with the ear doctor on 5/7. She said he needed tubes asap b/c of some hearing loss due to the fluid in his ears. We set the surgery for tubes up for 5/15.

I got the book that afternoon and read it on the 7th and 8th. I scheduled an appointment for the doctor and I to sit down and talk on the 9th b/c I decided that maybe tubes was not the answer....yet. After meeting, the doctor was still set on tubes. I thought about it over the weekend and on Monday 5/12 I cancelled the appointment for the 16th. It is now the 23rd and the fluid has gone away in one ear completely and the other still has fluid but it has only been a few weeks.

This book not only tells different things to do to alleviate the problems it also tells you the risks involved. The doctor did not tell us these things and when I brought them up, she downplayed them. Two of the risks were weakening of the eardrum in up to 40% (I think) of the patients which could lead to ear drum rupture later in life. My husband had had 3 ruptured ear drum incidents and he had tubes as a child. Hmmmmmm. The other was issues with scar tissue hardening around the incision. I don't know if I am explaining that right. I don't have the book in front of me. Anyway - they were serious issues.

So, I am having his ears monitored for 4-8 weeks and if they don't get better, I will have the tubes put in. But, one is better already.

READ THE BOOK BEFORE YOU PLAN THE SURGERY!!!!!

This book reviews many different alternative medicines and therapies for healing ear infections. It covers the over all health and nutritional needs of children and how they relate to the healing process of ear infections. The homeopahtic information was a bit generic and left me needing more information on which medicines to choose from. Over all I found it to be a very good book.

My 4 year old daughter was diagnosed with reduced hearing 7 months ago; turned out she had fluid in both ears. The ENT (ears, nose, throat specialists) put her on antibiotics. Did nothing. Then we went away for a month and upon our return, we had her checked again. Fluid had decreased in 1 ear but was still strong in the other. ENT feared it would impact her learning (the decreased hearing) and lead to ear infections (they couldn't believe she hadn't had any, to my knowledge,since she was about 2). In the meantime, my 1.5 year old son also had 1 ear infection after the other, and when we returned from our trip he also was checked - fluid in both ears, plus a lingering infection they treated with antibiotics. They strongly urged me to get tubes in their ears. Our niece had them inserted and my sister as well as everyone else said it's no big deal, the worst part is seeing your child unconscious as it's general anaesthesia, but they bounce right back. I made the surgery appt and then my dad sent me an article from the Wall Street Journal citing studies that concluded the tube surgery is done way too often, and unnecessarily. Since this was coming from my very conservative dad, I thought I'd better question establishment. So I got this book, "Healing Childhood Ear Infections" by Dr. Schmidt. After 1 chapter I canceled the surgery. Instead, I got them into chiropractic care, removed dairy (cows milk) from their diets, and took them to a naturopath who put them on 3 supplements: minerals for their immune systems, and something to thin the mucous. Today I took my daughter to the ENT for a check-up (1 month after trying alternative treatments) and they were shocked - no more fluid, perfect hearing! You should have seen how proud she was when they told us. My son still remains to be checked, but knock on wood, has been infection-free since I started all this. The kids love the chiropractor - my son screams when his turn is over - and there are plenty of dairy alternatives out there (soy is also to be avoided or at least moderated but my son loves goats milk yoghurt). The supplements mix in with their juices so they don't even notice them. Anyway, I'm telling you this so that you question your own kids' treatments. According to this book, once a kid is on antibiotics it's very likely he'll develop another infection (ear) soon thereafter. In most countries, they're not even prescribed unless the baby is under 1 or has had a high fever (over 101) for 3 days. Plus, this book stated that most US children have a very nutrient-defficient diet and in particular lack minerals such as magnesium & zinc, which are very important for the immune system. Hopefully you can all benefit from this - and although I don't know which of my 3 forms of treatment did the trick with my daughter, I'm going to continue all 3. Thank goodness for this book, which gave me the tools and the courage to try safer alternatives.

I was so impressed with this wonderful treatment of every aspect of the causes and treatments of this common childhood ailment. A "must" for every parent's library!

This book was just what I was looking for! My son was battling repeated ear infections and I knew there had to be other options than antibiotics and ear tubes. I am so glad I read this before we progressed to surgery. I am now an active homeopathic user, and my son has been earache free for months!
I thank the author for presenting all the options available.

Hey i loved reading the boook Heven Shop, I never wanted to put it down it rocked it was so fantasicing!!! I have loved all of your books that I have read!!!
Carly.....13yrs Ontario

The heaven Shop, By Deborah Ellis is about a 13- year old girl, Binti Phiri who works at a popular radio show called, "Gogo's Family," to help earn for the family. Binti lives with her brother, Kwasi, her older sister, Junie and her father, who earns money for the family by making coffins at his shop, The Heaven Shop. Binti's mother had died of AIDS when Binti was a child. As a responsible and typical child, Binti is shocked to hear her father has also passed away, because of the same horrible disease: AIDS. Now, Binti is only an AIDS orphan, separated from her Kwasi and forced to live with her Uncle Wysom and Aunt Agnes. Junie's fiancé's, Noel, breaks up their engagement because as said by Noel her family had been "tainted by AIDS." At Binti's new home she and her sister are treated worse than slaves and are forced to give up all their belongings to Aunt Agnes' daughters. Leaving school, Junie runs away from her new home at the urge of finding a new job and leaves a note commanding Binti to go to her Gogo (grandma) who is looking after a group of AIDS orphans and young homeless people (pg. 105). Once again at a new home, Binti meets 13 year old Memory, who already has a child due to Memory's uncle (an HIV positive), who thought raping a virgin will cure AIDS. Binti learns her sister had become a prostitute at one point (pg. 169) and takes help from Jeremiah, an HIV positive man, who helps Binti, find Junie (now HIV Positive) and Kwasi. Kwasi, Junie, Memory and Binti now start a profitable business of coffins to help improve the condition of the AIDS orphanage. They name their business, The Heaven Shop.

The story of Binti a young radio actress. She has no mother and her father dies. Her family is split between relatives, can she get them together again?
A wonderful book. I gives you a childs point of veiw of the aids crisis.
It is well written and apropriate for children and adults alike.

This book is about a girl Binti, living in Malawi in Africa. Her mother died from a disease called Aids. She comes a poor family. She has a brother Kwasi, sister Junnie and her father in her family Every Saturday she goes to her radio studio and earns some money for the family. Her father runs a coffin shop, which is called "The Heaven Shop."

When her father dies of Aids she has only enough money to pay for his funeral. But when her grandmother Gogo says that her father died of Aids she is treated badly by all her relatives. Her whole family is split apart and Binti vows that she will find her brother who as been sent away to their Aunt. But from now on Binti is sent to live with her Aunt and Uncle who are incredibly rude and obnoxious and will not go near her just in case she might have Aids. Their children play horrible tricks on her. She gets hit with a fly swatter almost every day. "No!" she said that was enough so Binti and her sister decide to run away. But her sister has to find work and Binti has to go on her own to Grandmother Gogo's house.

Binti has to find her way to safety but without her sister or her brother. It's very hard for her and she has to face many challenges. When she gets to grandmother Gogo's house she meets a girl who has Aids. She didn't get treated differently because of her positive attitude and she wouldn't let herself feel different to anyone else. So I think the moral of the story is no matter how different the person may look or if they have a disease or anything that makes them different you should always treat them the same
"Treat others the way you would like to be treated."

My favorite quote in this book was from grandmother Gogo it is
"In the old days, when there were still lions around, if a lion came into our village and carry away our young, we did not keep silent! If we were silent it would keep eating our children we had to make noise. We banged pots and yelled, there is a lion in the village! Then we could get rid of the lion and save our children. There is a lion in our village now. It's called AIDS. It carries away our children and our adults."





This is a very gripping book and it is very intense you will never want to put it down. It carries you away to another world. Here we are thinking that a holiday is fun and there they are thinking that getting some food is amazing! When you compare your life to theirs it makes you think how lucky you are and it makes you appreciate your life and the world around you.

How would you feel if you had AIDS and you were treated differently to others? I can tell you that. I would feel awful. I would feel as though I've been thrown into a ditch and left there. But like Binti and Memory I would pick myself up and carry on and not let myself or anyone make me feel different or be treated differently.

By: Rima (New Zealand)

This book is about a girl named Binti. Her father owns a shop called the Heaven Shop. Her mother died of a disease called Aids. Binti works for a radio show called Gogo's family. then her father dies of Aids. Her sister and her brother loose everything. Her sister and Binti go to their Uncle's,where they work in the bar that they own. Their brother on the other hand got to their Aunts where he gets caught stealing and gets sent to jail.He only stole the food because they were starving him, he was better feed in the jail.Everyhting goes to their releatives, they manage to save alot of money and then of course they find it. Binti and her sister escape and got in search for their grandmother, Gogo. Her sister takes of elsewhere. Later she comes back HIV positive. Binti meets a girl her age Miracle that has AIDS and is still strong. She even has a baby with AIDS. in the end they all get united. t didn't matter that her sister was HIV positive and that their parents both die of AIDS. When you read this book it will take you on an adventure that discovers that it doesn't matter if you have AIDS or your HIV positive, just live your life to the fullest because you never know when it might end. Your still the same person inside whether you have a disease or not.Trust me you will not want to put this book down i know i didn't.Go ahead take a chance read it it will truly change the way you think about something.

Began as e-mails back home to family, this book's strength is the description of day-to-day life in Israel through good times and bad. For the book, Gordis intersperses the letters with political commentary to give some context to the letters' time of writing. More personal than David Horovitz' A Little Too Close to God, it is similar in bringing the political and personal together as a family debates the wisdom of staying in Israel when the peace process goes bad. You will get drawn into experiencing the emotions and ambivalences the Gordis parents and children have about their life. Very readable!

I wish there were words to describe how great this book was. It is so hard to find a book about everyday Israeli life. In fact, is there? I saw Rabbi Gordis speak in NYC in 2004, and bought the book after his great speech. When you read this book, you feel like you are actually living in Israel. He describes every emotion he and his family is going through, the good and the bad. He is a great observer of human nature, and good writer. A must read for those you yearn to learn about contemporary life in Israel

I've read hundreds of books on Israel -- internal politics, religious strife, relationships with Palestinians, with neighbors in the Mid-East, with American Jews, with the US Congress, etc. This book covers these same issues, less academically but with a human face. The good and the bad. Gordis writes with passion, but not an agenda. An excellent read for anyone who cares about Israel, especially if you have ever considered living there -- or want to better understand why so many Jews have exchanged the security and prosperity they had in the diaspora for life in the Holy Land.

Home to Stay is a must-read for anyone interested in Israel. It's a moving account of one American family's move to Israel, beautifully written. Rabbi Gordis has a gift for selecting a telling anecdote about family life or a personal observation and relating it to the broader panorama of life in Israel today. I also enthusiatically recommend Rabbi Gordis' previous books, especially "If a Place can make you cry...".

Excellent real story with extreme passion, love and deep understanding. A MUST READ for everyone.
The Jewish State for the Jews, a people so scarified, so much exterminated all over the centuries, in Europe and especially in the Arab world, world that by the beginning of the 20th century decided to exterminate, destroy and kill every single Jews in their countries, destroying as a result communities of 2500 years, reason why these Jews came to Israel our beloved land and home.
Bravo for Daniel Gordis.
BRAVISSIMO !!!!!!

John Riley's Daughter is one of those edgy, suspenseful novels that keep you reading once you start. The Southern atmosphere is right on the mark, and the characters get up and walk off the page. I loved it from the beginning, and have already read it again!

Recipient of the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association's Best Children's Book by a Northwest author 2001 award. Also named to School Library Journal's Best Books 2000 list.

After Memphis says harsh words, mentally handicapped woman Clover disappears and Memphis finds herself the source of renewed trouble in her grandmother's home. This tells of a grandmother's undisguised resentments, a granddaughter's loneliness, and a broken family reunited in a different manner. Unexpected twists and turns keep this lively and inviting.

A great read about family life in the south; mystery,love,adventure,abandonment; a typical southern family. I am a southerner. Altho written for young adults all ages will enjoy Kezi Matthews word pictures that bring Memphis to living color.

Few southern authors truly manage to capture the rhythm and flavor of southern life. Kezi Matthews has done it! Her voice rings so true, page after fabulous page.

Young Memphis Riley, motherless and unwanted by her next of kin, carries the burdens of a harsh and cruel world upon her fragile shoulders. Bearing the pain of abandonment, Memphis arrives on her grandmother's doorstep and struggles to find her place in a home that has no love to spare. The story unfolds in a tumultuous storm of anger and sweltering bitterness.

[excerpt] "My guitar!" she yelled. "Mine!" Her stiff, misshapen words flew at me on a thick spray of saliva. Then she turned and stomped down the steps. She was twenty-nine years old, but small and angular as a child. I watched her march across the yard and out of sight down the road, the tail of her ratty old coonskin cap flipping around as though it was still alive.

Her spittle clung like snail spoor to the outside of the screen. A fly circled the wet strings, then took off as I began to beat against the doorframe with my fist. This time she'd gone too far--way too far. [end of excerpt]

Kezi Matthews weaves a spellbinding tale of innocence and sobering reality in this debut novel. Her memorable characters will tug at your heartstrings and pierce the solitude of every silent moment, long after the final page is read.

_John Riley's Daughter_ is an excellent choice for a teen's personal collection. My copy is proudly shelved next to Ruth White's _Belle Prater's Boy_ and Kimberly Willis Holt's _My Louisiana Sky_, all three deserving of multiple reads.

What a wonderful choice for a classroom read-aloud--a great selection for both teens and young adults! Order a copy of this engaging novel into your home, and don't forget to order one for your local librarian. She'll thank you for it!!

This is easily the most inspirational book I have ever read in my entire life. I picked it up to read to my little brother, thinking it was a cute children's book. However by the end of the book I was crying. It is the best book purchase I have ever made; I've owned it for about a three weeks now and I've read it every single day. Twenty dollars seems pricey, but for this book twenty dollars is more than worth it.

This book is lovely, charming and funny. I'm a psychologist and I will be reading it for my clients who are in group homes or foster homes.

Touching and beautiful both visually and in its text. A special book that invites you to be a part of it as you flip through the pages of different shapes and colours.

My parents bought this book for me when I was a little girl, in the 1970s. It had a powerful effect on me. I felt that someone, at last, understood what *I* experienced - the feelings of abandonment, of not fitting in, of not being liked, and of not giving up despite all of that...

Aside from the emotional impact, it was a fun book to read, almost a three- dimensional puzzle. The pages come in different shapes, and have a variety of cut-outs. It's fantastic! I have read this book so many times, I had to tape most of the pages back together.

I have treasured my very well-worn copy of LOVE for decades, and I have searched the used-book stores for another copy. I never found anyone who had even heard of it.

I am so excited to find that LOVE is available again! I hope you'll enjoy the book as much as I have, and share the feelings of the little girl in the story. With the right attitude, it *is* an abundant universe.

someone lend me this book, I thought it was just another "visually beautiful' book, until I started reading it and was totally engrossed in it, I cried when I read the last page, tears keep flowing down...amazing and magical how that few words touched me! It was a book that has little words and beautiful graphics, the story was told in an almost simple and straight forward way. The story about an orphan girl, who was abandoned by the parents at the age of nine, basically nobody like her and she was unattractive on the outside, doing many things that pissed people off..well I think she was trying to protect herself and distanced herself from people around her, it seems that she had given up hope on people, until the last page you realised that special thing that is always in her that she treasured and kept safe...it's like the whole world had let her down and she received no love at all from others, but she did not give up, she had hope and love in her, even though she was given none...I have no idea how to describe how the book touched me, it certainly touched me deeply, I wil never forget this wee girl...never ever...

this book has changed me inside out. I wished I had read this in my teenage years.

I hope the authors know how many people they have helped with this book. Perhaps they can update it for the latest stresses that the accelerated information age and the post-September 11th world have brought.

As others have said, I wish I had read this book in my teenage years.

It's unusual for me to read chapters of a book out of order. Had I read this book from front to back, I would have angrily tossed it out when I hit chapters 3 and 4. The authors have not had the pleasure of grasping the virtue of selfishness. Instead, they occasionally apologize and appease. In these early chapters they recommend "unconditional positive regard" stating that it's "not selfish, nor egoistic" to have this attitude towards ourselves. This chapter is a philosophical junkyard. They ask why we admire a Mother Teresa and answer that it's because she sacrifices herself for others. They ask "Would you admire her if she sacrificed herself for something worthless?" and omit the possibility that she is not admirable because she lived a life of sacrifice by choice and encourages others to do likewise. The authors also invent the contradictory concept of the "unselfish I."
So heaven help me! Why would I recommend such a book? I recommend it because it is chock full of simple good tips - e.g., good study skills, identifying and pursuing healthy goals to bring you pleasure, keeping friendships fair - with a lovely undercurrent of egoism despite occasional nosedives. For example, "Cultural attitudes, including religious ones, seem to make rewarding oneself seem bad..." (Were it my book, I would omit the "seem to") - or "Do not make a virtue out of being a martyr." The mix of good and bad ideas in this book makes me wonder if one author was philosophically healthier than the other one. This book offers valuable thinking skills. I recommend skipping chapters 1-3. This is a good book to keep in your reference library. If you are having difficulty with a particular issue in your life, read the chapter on that. Some skills that are helpful include:
- "swat" the NATs (negative automatic thoughts)
- distant elephants (do not commit yourself to unimportant activities no matter how far ahead they are)
- focus on important but non-urgent activities, rather than urgent non-important activities
- avoid "pressurizing" words: "should, must, have to, ought" which drain motivation
- avoid avoidance - actively solve your problems rather than run from them
- reduce the "inside" load of stress by changing attitudes
- learn how to unpackage your fears
- motivate yourself by focusing on the personal benefits of your success

a very clear and concise book. One of the best "self-help" books i have read. Intresting and fast, dosent preach like other books. No religious mumbo jumbo about god being your savior. If there is anyone who can help you, its you. They show you how.

Great educational read. Stimulating. Straight forward and easy to read chapters. This book helped me through one of the worse times in my life.

Eleven-year-old Molly Moon, hypnotist and time-traveler, has recently found her parents and learned she has a twin brother, kidnapped shortly after birth. Along with her friend Rocky and canine pal Petula, Molly plans to go back in time to rescue her brother. There is no time to tell her parents, and they would just try to talk her out of it. So, armed with a compass, a ketchup sandwich, her time-travel crystals and not much else, the three set off to find the brother Molly never knew about, much less knew.

Molly, Rocky and Petula travel back in time to the hospital where the twins were born. Present-day Molly has no trouble finding herself and her twin brother or spotting the moment he is taken from the nursery. But the kidnapper is a skilled time-traveler, and to save her brother, Molly and her friends have to travel hundreds of years into the future. There they find Micky Minus, as the twin was named by his captor, hostage of the evil Princess Fang who forces him to study science and philosophy only to suck out his knowledge with a giant mind machine.

The action is swift and non-stop as Molly tries to free her brother from Princess Fang's clutches. She meets up with a sympathetic nurse and a mutated and ousted royal family who lend their help. But are they a match for the demented child princess who has hypnotized an entire country and brutalized countless others? Along the way Molly discovers she has the power to read minds, which, along with the help of the quirky supporting cast, just may save them all.

Molly is brave but humble, a heroine of character and kindness. Her adversary, Princess Fang, is cruel and bizarre and a great villain to root against. MOLLY MOON, MICKY MINUS AND THE MIND MACHINE is a fabulously irresistible page-turner --- a fun and action-packed story about family, friendship and the powers residing in even the most unlikely child.

--- Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman

I love long books so Molly Moon is one of my favorite series. I've read 4 of them.I never dreamed Molly
would have a brother . Georgia Byng has a wonderful imagination. Princess Fen Fang Feng Yang Yong Yin
Ying Kai-Ying is a dangerous 6 yr. old.I like professor Selkeem AKA Meekles. Molly Moon is a great series.

Yes, Molly Moon is back! But this time, only Petula is on her side. Rocky is hypnotized, everyone else is at home, and Molly is up against her twin and his evil guardians! Bratty Princess Fang has drained Molly's power, her twin Micky hates her for crashing into life as he knows it, and just as Molly and Micky are on the same side, the controlled Rocky ruins it with his hypnotism. How will Molly return to her normal life?

Another great book in the Molly Moon saga-filled with action and suspense. It ends withe the hint that this isn't the last. My kids and I are excited!

I bought this book for my 12 year old son. He has read all of the Molly Moon books. He thought it was as good as the other books in the series. If you are a Molly Moon fan, the book is a must!