Bennett Books

I think this book was read to me in school many many years ago. I remembered it as an adult and purchased it for sentimental reasons. I think it reminded me of The Secret Garden in a way. The seashell cottage was the perfect hideaway that every little girl could dream of making her own. I loved the story of Mandy and found myself wistfully wishing that I had a place like that as a child. What a wonderful story that Julie Andrews has created. I will cherish it always and keep it to pass down to the young girls in my family.

I read and reread this book about 5 or so times as a child. I simply loved the adventure of it all about the protagonist discovering a home away from home that she could call her very own. This is a fascinating tale for children who love to live in their adventurous daydreams and who love secret hiding places of their own where they can just "be". Although this is a book I would reccomend to children, I wouldn't reccomend it to adults as the plot and drama is very minimal. Adults would be bored of this whereas most children, especially little girls, would be fascinated by the simplicity and beauty described within its pages.

Mandy is obviously the protagonist of this story. She is an orphaned child living in an orphanage with other children of the state. She has a friend that she bonds with over time and gets along farily well with eveyone else, as well as the staff, until the day that mandy climbs over the wall of the orpganage and discovers an abandon cottage! She decides from that moment thatthe cottage is hers and her secret hideaway. She begins to do things that are uncharacteristic of her such as lying about where she has been, stealing from the orphanage supplies to take and supply her new home with, and is suddenly secretive with everyone, even her best friend. Read on to find out about Mandy and what she goes through as a child trying to make a cottage into a home and keep her secret place just that... secret.

Although this book is aimed to appeal to girls approximately between the ages of 7-13, I was in college when Mandy was first released. Being a hugh fan of Julie Andrews, I of course bought the book and was amazed that I could not put it down! To me, a great book has the ability to transport the reader from their day-to-day life into another time and place. I was mesmerized by this charming story from beginning to end as I am sure every child who reads it will be. Mandy is not only a sweet, likeable orphan, but she is very positive role model for children, showing that if you try hard enough, you can make your dreams come true. I admire Mandy's spirit and courage to go after her dream of someday having a real family.
I had read that because Julie Andrews lost a bet to her teenage step-daughter Jenny, that her forfeit was to write her a story, which turned into this wonderful book! Lucky for us readers, the result of that bet gave us our first glimpse at yet another one of Julie Andrews' many talents.
It's been 30 years now since I first read Mandy and I still have my original version of this book in a prominant place on my bookshelf, along with a hardback copy of Mandy and each updated version that has been printed. All the young girls in my family have read this classic book and loved it as much as I do. I only hope someday a movie version of this beautiful story is produced.

I purchased this book with my own money when it first came out thirty-six years ago. I was eight years old. I still have it on my bookshelf and shared it with my own children. This is truly a classic and I hope that someday it will be adapted for the screen!

This book reminds me a lot of "The Secret Garden" without being quite as preachy and overly descriptive. My two daughters absolutely love this book and consider it one of their favorites.

Valley of Vision is an incredible collection of Puritan Prayers that can serve as a great devotional for the true Christian. The humility, praise, and love for the Lord expressed by these Christians is awe inspiring and truly uncommon in this day and age. I whole-heartedly recommend this collection of mediations for the Christian following hard after Christ.

Are there times when you have difficulty going to the Lord in prayer? Begin reading this collection, pick any page and begin. These prayers will inspire your own prayer life and help you articulate your humility and your desire to honor, glorify and please God. There are prayers for repentance, conviction, awareness of the Holy Spirit and many others as well as morning and evening prayers. You'll be awestruck by the language of the authors as they go to the Lord in prayer.

Wonderful service and product. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a supplement to their daily devotion.

I bought this book for myself but I have found that it is great for family prayer times. The prayers remind me of so many facets of my faith, my walk, and my God that I come away every time I read with a more firmly established belief in the power of God.

This is a wonderful book if you have never read it. I was very pleased with the copy I received, and it was a great price. Thanks for always being a main competitor in the "book world"

This book literally changed my life. As someone with a deep interest in Anne Frank and the Holocaust, I began reading it with some concern. I have read several books involving time travel and there is nothing that irks me more than a romanticized version of Anne Frank's life. However, this is a book that brings her and other victims of the Final Solution to life for me, and it is one of the best books I have ever read. I can clearly see how easily it could have been me and my family in the Holocaust, instead of someone else. The story also does a brilliant job of linking everyday events with those of the Holocaust. I can only imagine how survivors view modern life after what they went through. It makes you think about what is really important in life. I literally began thinking about how materialistic and selfish I can be, and how little that I really worry about is of any importance.
The title is misleading however; Anne Frank does spark the story and end it, but she is really not the driving force behind the book. She appears in the Holocaust flashback for only a few pages, though those pages are tearjerking.
Nevertheless, there is a great deal of information about the Holocaust in this book. It is extremely well-written, an incredible page-turner. I almost find it difficult to believe that it is a work of fiction, it seems so real. It is a slightly more mature book, recommend at least for teenagers. Aside from the age issue, this is a story that comes highly recommended. It will alter your life forever.

I loved this book! As i was readig it i thought what does it have to do with Anne Frank but as i kept reading the book got more interesting and i found out what it had to do with her.

This was the best book I ever read and i plan on reading it again. i recomend it to everyone.

Anne Frank and Me was an emotional story about a girl in present day and in the time of the Holocaust. If you do not like books that will make you cry, then do not read this one. The author uses very realistic details about the Holocaust so that you feel like you are really there in the story. Anne Frank and Me is exciting from the very beginning. You do not have to read for hours just to get to an exciting point in the book. I highly recommend Anne Frank and Me because it is an emotional book, and it is based on a horrible but real event that happened not too long ago.

Anne Frank and Me was an exceptional book and I enjoyed it very much. I can't imagine how anyone wouldn't love following Nicole through her journey starting in the 90's and ending up in year of 1942. I've read it twice and I know I'll set it down for a few months, then read it again! I recommend this to anyone with a heart! Enjoy Anne Frank and Me.
Stephanie A.
Tustin, CA

I would have to say that Anne Frank and Me is a very well written book about a modern girl trapped in a world shattered by the Nazis. Very realistic, I must say. Cherie Bennett makes it feel as if you are actually THERE. The characters are very original. The ending is very shocking and also well written.

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my daughter really liked this story and would recommend it for others to read and enjoy

Searching For Davids Heart is the best book I've ever read.This book is about a girl named Darcy and her brother Derek.Life is rough at Darcy's house,money is tight and her parents fight alot.The day of Darcy's birthday Derek brings his girlfriend which makes Darcy very upset.After the party Derek and his girlfreind go to the park at the bench.Whenever Darcy overhears them talking something tragic that Darcy never even pictured happened and she ......well she blaims herself.

This book is about a girl named Darcy, who loves her big brother......until he gets a girlfriend. Darcy doesn't like that David is not spending time with her anymore, so she runs away. David is hit by a car and dies. Darcy knows it's her fault, so she finds a way to apologize....she must find his heart, even though it's beating in someone else's body. The rest of the book is a quest that Darcy and her best guy-friend, Sam, take in order to find David. The rest of the book, I will not tell, you must read it! I will say, though, I cried during most of it!

Book Review on "Searching for David's Heart"

Emily Simons
6th Grade
Oshkosh WI


"I don't see why Mrs.Pritcher is making us give stupid speeches in front of the entire class," I groaned to my big brother, David, & my best friend Sam Weiss." Is how the book Searching for David's Heart by Cherie Bennett begins. In the book Darcy adores her big brother David. But when David gets a girlfriend & David starts treating Darcy like a pest things go haywire. On Darcy's Birthday David brings his girlfriend Jayne. Darcy doesn't like Jayne because she's getting all of David's attention. David & Darcy get in a huge fight and Darcy runs away. David decides to follow her and something that Darcy never pictured happens and she blames herself.



In this book the theme is tied in between three different things. Courage- Darcy is leaving home to find the 12 year old who has her brother's heart. Braveness- She's leaving home & not telling anyone & will bring Winston to her parents. Love- "He smiled thorough his tears Merry Christmas Dee-Dee." Merry Christmas. I think all these different themes tie up the book.

The characters in this book are Darcy the main character, a sister who loves her brother more than the world. David as you probably guessed is the second main character, David is know for how great he is at collage football. I think that Jayne would be the third main character, because she in some way is part of David's death. Dad would come before mom, because of his work problem. Now, of course we have mom. Meemaw also know as grandma would be sixth because she is just lying in bed all day & is only mentioned a couple times. Last but not least we have Andy the little brother.

My next topic is the setting of the book. The main setting is Darcy's house. There always at her house. Sometimes in the book there at school. Or they could be visiting grandma, or on the bus to mami, Appleton park, or and Sam's house.

So in conclusion, Searching for David's Heart is a good book. I recommend this book to all ages, & all who enjoy a little sadness and adventures in a book. There is a lot of interesting stuff in this book. So it all comes down to one question Darcy's lost her brother but can she find the only one part of him that still remains? Find out when you read Searching for David's Heart!!

Darcy is in sixth grade and she feels very awkward. She stutters when she gets nervous, and she finds it hard to talk to people. Her younger brother is a brat, her father always seems to be angry at her, and her grandmother is in a coma at a nursing home, where the children have to go visit her. But Darcy's big brother David is perfect. He is strong and sweet to everyone. Everyone likes him and he can get along with anyone, but he is especially good to Darcy. There is no one in the world she loves more.

Then David gets a girlfriend. She may be perfectly nice, but Darcy hates her and the fact that she seems to be taking David away. One night in a fit of fury after a ruined birthday celebration, Darcy yells at David and his girlfriend that she hates them and wishes her brother were dead. Then she runs off. As David is chasing after her, he is hit by a car and he dies.

Darcy is riddled with guilt. She feels that she is a murderer, that David's death is her fault. She doesn't know what to do, and her family is falling apart now more than ever. Then Darcy makes a decision. She knows that her parents donated some of David's organs, including his heart. Darcy decides to find the recipient of that heart, to maybe see if that person now has a little bit of David in him or her. Darcy and her best friend Sam set off on their journey to track down David's heart.

I liked the character of Sam, and the way he related to Darcy. I liked how the story was resolved at the end, and I liked how the father's prejudice was explained and dealt with. I thought that Darcy's parents were pretty horrible throughout most of the story, though. They should have been able to do something to help Darcy.

This book helps see into the confused world of mental illness like no other. Wonderful & hopeful!

This is a book that not only educates but provides the reader with a new compassion for those who deal with mental illness. Ms. Schiller presents a very complete picture of the sufferings of the mentally ill. From her writing, I gained a new perspective- including greater compassion- for those who are victims of this awful illness. I have only the highest praise for her honesty, her insight and her struggle. She is to be highly commended. A definite read.

Primarily Lori Schiller and Amanda Bennett, but also Lori's family, Dr. Doller et al did an excellent work to open the window to the rest of us, socially acepted as "sane", to have a view into the mechanics of an actually "crazy" mind. I hadn't read a book like that for a long time, not a single sentence in this book is fluff! There is also an excellent movie in this book
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Lori, sweetheart, you are brave!!! Not only for fighting your sickness to a manageable state yourself, but also for being bravely honest to narrate your inner world despite "the voices"
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My son, also in his teens, started acting very weird and I thought he was just a spoiled brat, till my wife pointed out to me the obvious; "he wasn't OK" and he started to talk about "voices" and very similar things.
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I didn't really know what to do (he came from overseas to live with me, so I basically didn't know him). I fell like I had gone to a foreign country and would see signs I could not really comprehend. Lori helped me understand things better. I found clear answers to some very concrete questions I had myself about clinical craze
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Thank you Lori Schiller
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This is a unique and beautiful book. Any person with interests in Psychiatry or Mental Health issues must read it. It's the first time I experienced what a schizophrenic felt first hand. A must-read!

Schiller writes grippingly and insightfully of her experience of schizophrenia including the "cold wet packs" of ice water soaked sheets used to restrain and calm her psychotic outbursts and her times in hospital "quiet rooms". The writing style is journalistic and factual when dealing with intense emotions and experiences. She is wonderfully descriptive in explaining the reality of her delusions and hallucinations, the experiences of pychotherapy, suicide attempts, cocaine use, psychiatric hospitals and half way houses. Eventually clozaril helped (with psychotherapy) to bring her back from the abyss of severely disabling schizophrenia. Her full diagnosis is "schizoaffective" disorder as her illness includes a bipolar disorder component. The accounts by Schiller, her family members, doctors and friends lend insight to the course of her disease especially as experienced by her family. I was particularly struck by her parents' progress from denial and resentment of both her diagnosis and her doctors to growing insight into schizophrenia and eventual recognition of the illness in their family history. While the multiple accounts make the narrative more difficult to follow they also add greatly to the story. Highly recommended!

Delightful stories of the Hundred-Acre Wood and all of its lovable characters. Pooh and friends have quite a few adventures (or misadventures) in this collection of Winnie-the-Pooh stories. The stories remind me of childhood, making them special each time I reread them. I wouldn't even be able to choose my favorite chapter in this book -- each one is full of wonder, laughter, and Pooh.

The charming and timeless story of Christopher Robin, Winnie-the-Pooh, their friends and their adventures. I truly enjoyed this more than I thought I would. After all the years working at TDS where we had the Disney version of Winnie-the-Pooh shoved at us from all directions, I'd taken to having a distinctly soured view of the bear and all his friends.

It occurred to me one day that I had never actually read the original, and thought maybe I should give that a chance, and am glad that I did. It's a simple and direct story, and proved to be a joy to read.

What does it say of a reader who, as an adult, reads 'Winnie the Pooh' for the first time - and - and - feels it one of the best novels he ever read.
So pristine, so perfect - would I have appreciated it as a child? Who knows (I was too busy feeding my literary hunger with comics). Anyway I have my copy of 'Winnie the Pooh' on the top shelf of my book case, next to the others I consider great (Ulysses, 1984, Great Expectations ...) for all to see.
And who can contest that for "I am a bear of very little brain, and big things bother me".

My 2 1/2 year old loves this! It is soooo much better than letting her watch tv as this uses her imagination. I'm very happy I bought this.

This book was such a sweet little something to come home to at night. This book isn't just for kids, but for adults too! relax and enjoy!

The gals at "Hair It Is" love Jennie's Reprisal. Jennie Gravatt's journey from Atlantis to Eternity has a compelling realness. And facts regarding our town of Ashtabula, presented during Jennie's lifetime in the early 1920s, made the story even more real to us. This is truly a great book.

Reading this fascinating and diverse story, I found myself amazed at the depth of life's lessons.  I was entertained and educated.  If I have to come back to this world again, I hope to find my Raimone.

Just finished reading Jennie's Reprisal and I love it!  Carol Bennett's words touch my heart, stimulate my mind and other body parts, and help me to remember.  The Epilogue is one of the most incredible passages that I have ever read.  Anyone who reads this book will be lucky and blessed.

The fascinating premise of Jennie's Reprisal held my interest from start to finish.  I really became involved with Jennie in all of her manifestations.  Movement back and forth, from the present time to the distant past, evoked feelings of timelessness.  Scenes are creative and extremely sensual.  A beautifully inspiring book that gives hope for the future!

JENNIE'S REPRISAL is one of the rare books that makes a compelling case for reincarnation. This book not only resonates with the truth that awaits us all, but gives us insight into our very existence.

Zink by:Cherie Bennet was the best book ever.I love the author. She is the best.I'm realy looking forward to reading another one of her books.

I am not a very emotional person, and I found myself crying at least once every chapter. This is a very sad book. I don't recommend it if you are under the age of 10, because the words are small, and the emotions just make you want to reach out. I am very touched by this book. It is DEFINITLY A MUST READ. This is my favorite book I have ever read - and I have read ALOT OF BOOKS

I thought this book was very good. It talked about a girl who ends up getting a form of cancer called leukemia. She meets people in the hospital who like her and don't like her. During her difficulties in the hospital some zebras come to her and she thinks their not real but what she comes to find out is that she is the zebras assigned human. She goes back and forth to her assigned zebra herd. This is a great story for people who like to act like their in the book.

I have had the book since it first came out. My book is so worn from reading it over and over again. I read probley every six monthes. Now I need by another because it is so used it is falling apart.

This book goen into depth just how bad cancer can be. You may car at the end. When I frist read it I did the way she dies is so sad. Anyway you get to see how things work for getting rid of cancer. You also will see how couagre is thouht and how Becky stands up for herself. This such a good book! I think there should be a second one to it. It would tell what happens after Zink and how her faimly is doing.

I've read Zink countless times since I got in the 4th grade. Every night, I sit down and go to my favorite parts of the book, and then shead a tear or two as I lay down to sleep.

Ever since I first read Zink, I started looked at my own life closer. I noticed how lucky I was to have my hair, not be sick all the time, and not always have Lukemia on my mind. This book is so inspiring for everyone. And in more ways than one. Ever since I read the book, I have been planning my own book to write about Lukemia, called Bald and Beautiful. Although no book could top zink, I think I will give my planned book a shot.

True courage is admitting that you are scared but continuing to fight. I have applied this to every day life, from math tests to track meets, riding rollar coasters to standing up in front of a bully. Every day, when I'm about to face something scary, I try to have true courage. And before I read Zink, I never knew what true courage was.

Zink is a great book that I reccmond to all my friends. I actually like how Becky dies at the end, though it is very, very, sad. Before you protest and stop reading this review, please listen to my reason. Two years ago, my best friend was diagnosed with Lukemia. And today, sadly to say, she isn't hear anymore. Not all people will live, and Zink teaches you that.

Knowing what Chemo is like, the book does a great job of telling people all the horrible, horrible details. I was with my friend almost every day when she was having Chemo, and I was right outside her room when she was having her TBR. And I remember when she got her BMT so clearly, that just reading this book brought back so many memories.

All in all, if you want a really good read, with totally real facts and plots, than Zink is for you.

This is the ONLY book I remember from my childhood. I checked it out of my elementary school library as many times as I was allowed. As an adult, I found it at a garage sale for a nickel and snatched it up.

Perhaps it was feeling that I was in the wrong family by some evil accident. I've been in therapy for many years, and needed every minute of it, so that feeling was accurate.

Perhaps it was the feeling, which also proved accurate, that my life would improve as soon as I got my own friends who cared about me which happened in early high school.

I held fiercely to the spirit of this book for many years.

When I found it, I took it to my therapist to prove to her that, even when I was little I felt strongly about these issues.

I also loved school and considered it my saving grace.

I read voraciously as soon as I learned how. And this is the only book from early on that I can clearly remember.

Anyone who wants to start a lovers of Little Witch club, get in touch with me.

I still read LOTS of fantasy books.

I have vivid memories of reading this charming book. The author was the Children's Librarian of the library I practically lived in as a child in Northport, NY. She was perfect in that job. Knowledgable, enthusiastic and devoted to creating life long readers. She certainly helped me become a passionate reader for life.
I can't wait for my granddaughter to be old enough ot understand this story. It will be a "must read" at Halloween.

I, too, read this book countless times as a girl, at least 45 years ago. One of my favorite things to do on a rainy or snowy day was to get in bed and enjoy this story. I would get the warmest feeling from the way the story turned out, but also found the situations where Minx and her friends fooled around with the potions to be very exciting! I found a copy in our library about 15 years ago, but no more, so I started the quest to find one for my daughter, not knowing the author. My daughter's name is Anna Elizabeth - could it have been in my sub conscience? Hurray for used book sellers!

I read this book for the first time almost twenty years ago and have very clear memories of checking it out from my school library. I absolutely adored it as a child ... and then forgot about it for years.

Then, one day not long ago, as I was making a rather boring lunch, I remembered something about peanut butter and lettuce sandwiches. Where on earth did that crazy notion come from? I tapped my fingers on the counter and mused about it. And then, I remembered: I had gotten the idea from a wonderful book about a little girl who grew up as the daughter of a witch. A family befriends the girl, named Minx Snickasee, and feeds her those peculiar sandwiches ... and I had so wanted to be like Minx that I drove my mother crazy with a peanut butter and lettuce phase of my own.

I tracked down the book again and unearthed the most enchanting old library copy. I've since read and re-read it, and I adore it as much as when I read it as a child. As an author of books for children (and frankly, as a quintessential nostalgist), I can't tell you how much I admire what Ms. Bennett has done. 'Little Witch' is an imaginative, funny, tender story that does not condescend to its audience, which is so very important in books of this genre. I can't recommend it enough.

And Snickasee! What a delicious name. The whole story is such a treat.

I wish I could give it 10 stars!!! I fell in love with this book the first time I read it. It tells the story of a little girl who has a real Witch for a mother. All she wants is to be normal and finally gets a chance at it. Her adventures and struggles are heartfelt and engaging and I found myself wanting to be her friend. The fact she only had one dress didnt stop her determination to get to school and as an adult I love the message it sends to children. I read this book so many times as a child, I lost the cover to it and was surprised to see it again after all these years. It is truly wonderful to find others with an affinity to peanutbutter and lettuce sandwiches also. Hahaha. I recommend this book to anyone whether you have kids or not. I gave my copy to my niece, who loves it as well, in hopes she would share it with her younger sister. She lost it when my sister moved so I am buying another one today to keep the tradition going. The Little Witch has been always been one of my favorites and should be mandatory reading material in schools to teach compassion and to stimulate the imagination. How many times have you looked in a mirror, made a wish and just knew somewhere deep in your heart it would come true?

I read these books and decided to donate this set to each of the four high schools in our area from our Federated Republican Women's Club Literacy Program. This is a set I suggest you buy for your family library. Written by William Bennett, former Secretary of Education and author of The Book of Virtues, it is our country's history in a brief and non boring form. It is a great starting point for anyone wanting to familiarize himself with events from our country's past. It's readable history written by a patriot.

Mr. Bennett has a gift for making history come alive. It is very interesting and enjoyable to read.

Hi I highly recommend reading these american history books to ANYONE! The books are well written naratives of the United States unique and special place in history. While not bashing America as the great satan they at the same time the remain accurate in pointing out this nations flaws, which for the most part seem to consistently get righted. Evil flourishes when good men do nothing. ENJOY!!!

This series of texts should be required reading for all American children of high school age.
The writing is first class and the entire presentation flows in a professional, polished way. An excellent read.

I just finished Volume 1 and am amazed at the history I was never taught in public school. It gives a balanced view of facts and tells stories in an engaging way and shows the good while not hiding the poor choices that we made as a nation becoming. The characters were presented as real people wise and not so wise. We do live in the greatest nation on earth and can learn much from the deeds and misdeeds of those who gave much that we can enjoy the liberties of today. May we never forget and always be. Thank you Mr. Bennett. Looking forward to beginning Volume II.