School Time Books

This is one of my favorites by Duncan. I am amazed how she drags up good ol' Souther hoodoo in all its fluffy/horrific goodness to put in with another very understandable teenager to make a great story. Ah, this is but the magic of Lois Duncan! Here she has an incredible, descriptive Southern setting, and the fun, marvelous characters well love. Honestly, I could not guess what was about to happen in this story, and I was delighted when I realized where she was taking everything. The plot is intricate and fascinating, and Duncan knows how to keep up the pace and the character development to keep this a great roller coaster.

This book has you wondering one the very first chapter.. the ending was a little dissapointing though.

This was an awesome story. In it, a girl named Nore is the main character and she has trouble adjusting to life on Shadow Grove, which is the place she is to move. Her father has just gotten remarried to a remarkably beautiful woman named Lisette (not leslie, people!) and she also has two kids of her own, a girl - of 13, and a boy - of 17. The boy, Gabe turns out to be quite an attractive young man in the eyes of also 17, Nore. Josie (13 years) is an awkward child, probably because of her certain age - 13. She is dealing with several problems, and has an "empty hopelessness" about her age. Nore and Gabe soon become very close, an example is..."Lets just forget about this "stepbrother" thing. If you have a hometown boyfriend, I do not want to know." As they get closer, Nore likes him even more. This all changes when she finds out, he is not all nice.

He asks her to run away with him (for protection) but then when she declines to the offer, he drowns her, saying "I am terribly sorry." Of course she does think about it, "after they graduate" but this does not work out. This is very unfortunate because I was hoping they would kiss, and their love would bloom, but nay, it is not possible. Nore soon realizes the reasons for Gabe and Josie"s strange behavior and action. Lisette has a terrible secret, that of course, lands Nore and her "love-crazy" father into a whirlwind of trouble. This book also has a lot of beautiful detail, and it is really worth reading. There is also a minor character named Dave, who I think is too perfect to be real, and does not really fit in with the story.

I hate Dave. There, I said it. I love Gabe. Seriously! I just wanted to let you guys know that Gabe does REALLY CARE ABOUT NORE. He was not just pretending, and there is a lot of evidence to this statement. It is not clear that he loves her so much that he would do anything, but it is clear that he did love her. I do not know how, but love branches out in many directions. I hate Dave...

What I hated about the ending was that when Nore confronts Gabe, you could still sense love, but she was completely denying it. If I could alter the end, then I would put the last line of the book as this,

"I loved him Dave, I did. I will never forget Gabe, but that does not mean I will not love again...We have to move on with life."

Children could also like it. I know I would, but nay, I am not the writer, just a humble amateur brainstormer. *SIGH*

I hate Dave...

Locked in Time by Lois Duncan is mix of mystery, suspense and fantasy. I would only recommend to a very patient reader. The book starts out a little boring and puzzling, but once you get into it, you're hooked with suspense.

The main character is a girl named Nore, whose mother dies in the very beginning of the book. After her mother's death, Nore's father sends her off to boarding school and while she was there, her father meets Lissenett and they decide to get married. In all the excitement, they "forgot" to tell Nore (which is what Lissenett wanted). After about three weeks, her father remembers Nore and sends for her to come and live with him and Lissenett. Nore doesn't know what's going to happen. She gets a strange feeling whenever she sees her new family. They're nice, but when she sees them DEATH flashes through her mind.

The story is told in first person by Nore, which makes you feel like you are really there. As the book reaches the end, you feel Nore's tension and uneasiness until the final conclusion, which is ... (you'll have to read it to find out!).

Nore immediately thinks there is something creepy going on when she returns to a new home from boarding school and meets her recently widowed father's new wife. This woman, Lisette, is beautiful and young and has two perfect teenage children of her own. They are living with Nore's father in a beautiful old mansion in New Orleans, and he seems happy. But Nore still thinks something is wrong.

Lisette is very protective of her children. She sees her son, Gabriel, falling for Nore and immediately tries to keep them apart. She often hushes her daughter, Josie, stopping her from speaking. Nore keeps feeling like she should be noticing something strange, but at first she doesn't catch on. Then she listens carefully to the things her stepfamily is saying. Josie refers to being present at a disaster that took place forty years ago. She and Gabe both talk about time passing them by, and being stuck where they are. Soon Nore begins to suspect that her stepfamily is not aging at all, that they may have found some way to remain youthful forever. Now that she knows, Nore fears that her own life may be in danger. But how will she convince her lovestruck father that something terrifying is going on with his new family?

The characters in this story are really vivid and nicely described. I liked the ending and felt like it fit well with the rest of the story. I found it rather unbelievable, though, that if such a method for staying young existed, more people wouldn't have figured it out and used it.

I know there are probably a lot of people that would gag on the sugary sweetness of this book, but as a book for little girls it is absolutely enchanting. Even as an adult I still adore its sweet little heroine and her bravery and goodness.

The story is about Sara, a pampered little girl who travels to New York to attend school whilst her father does his work. She begins as the gem of the school, the administration falling over her, or more precisely Daddy's money. Then tragedy strikes, and Sara is left as poor orphan shuffled to the attic with the rats and the servants.

Good think she has such spunk to get through this hard time!

Don't worry, it's not entirely eye-rolling. Sara truly develops as a precocious character. While she was never villainous, we see her become kinder and more aware of the misfortune in the world around her despite her own problems.

It's an enchanting, dramatic story full of rich character and Burnett's signature gorgeous writing.

Having been already exposed to both film versions of the book, I was finally curious enough to engage myself in this classic and this time with my seven year old daughter.

Needless to say this is a fairly direct departure from the films. Sara Crewe and her world is not the sappy musical world of Shirley Temple nor the melodrama of the more recent version. This is an exploration of character. Sara Crewe is struggling with her identity and the toolkit she had built up to cope with life and discovers that poverty and cruelty cannot repair a hungry stomach or a lonely heart. Readers may be surprised by the ending which is far less melodramatic than the film and frankly much better. This book is a more gentle Oliver Twist. It is a reminder to us all that we cannot hide from the torments of the world around us. Instead we must face the trials of society if we are to make them better.
At the end of the story, Sara learns the true meaning of being a Princess and the ending is as poignant as anything I have read for it is real drama based on real situations.

Just as a caution please be aware the language is a bit dated. The term 'queer' is used to describe strange long before other meanings were added on. The term 'oriental' and 'yellow man' were used as well but this is just a reflection of the time, not overt racism.

This book is about a rightly raised little girl and how she turns out - nearly PERFECT. This goes to show parents to BE NICE TO THEIR dependant and helpless little kids - brats are raised by @sshole parents, NOT by kind and loving parents, as Sarah's dad had been. It is about a very serious battle of the Self. Sarah says to every one "me and you are the same. it just so happens that I was born rich and you born poor." It doesn't make us WHO we are." which is true, but then her self-doubt manifests "who knows? maybe I am kind and generous because I have everything I could ever want. I give someone 100 pence and I don't lose anything because I have many many more. maybe if I was poor or had to work I'd be cruel and just a total Miss Michnkin or something." Note: these quotes are not exact from the book.

at this, "the Magic" steps in so that she DOES become poor and wretched, and thus proves to herself that she is who she is BECAUSE SHE IS, NOT because of being rich and doesn't work. Being poor and wretched gives the child the opportunity to manifest her inate kindness in unprecedented ways, like giving other people food when SHE herself had been so cold, wet and very hungry. See, she could not have proven this to herself had she stayed rich, and she apparantly needed to. All in all, a beautiful story of truimph of good over evil, abundance over poverty, exuberance over stale bread, and self security over self doubt (which she didn't have before). A truimph of the SELF shown where it always begins in life - in childhood. We are used to seeing this type of stuff in adults but adults do NOT have the same battles as children do. For one, adults are not helpless, dependant, and our battles are not as serious life-and-death. so, whatever empathy we have for other adults, should be increased a thousand times for children, like this soldier this little girl. yeay!

Good to see that readers are still enjoying this marvelous 1905 book which makes it a century old. Reminiscent of Dickens, but mercifully shorter, the prose flows in beautiful rhythms keeping young readers and readers like myself who are young at heart poised to keep on reading to find out what becomes of our tough little heroine.

Sara had a charmed life as an only and beloved child which fortified her through later immense difficulties as she fell from riches to rags. Her ability to tell stories and to help others saved her from the appalling treatment she received from the aptly named Miss Minchin. The author's own life (1849-1924) as a child parallels that of her heroine.

Young readers will find Sara a loving spirit to emulate. We are truly THERE with her on every page. When she eats her hot cross buns and tea we long for the same. Although drawn out at the end, the book ends at a surprising and perfect place.

My son and daughter were both enchanted by this story as I read it to them a few weeks ago. We all fell in love with Sara and her very active imagination. She inspired us to do good, as she did.

I thought it provided an excellent opportunity for us to discuss how important it is to treat others with respect, even when you think you will gain nothing from it. Sara seemed to be nothing more than a lowly pauper, but the man who chose to provide some beautiful things for the pauper next door was so immensely blessed by having done so. Conversely, Miss Minchin thought she could treat Sara in a humiliating demeaning fashion, but it ultimately brought her harm. Thus, there is value in being kind to everyone we meet. This point wasn't made in the story (I know that would turn some people off), I just thought it worth using the story to drive home the point.

Anyway, it is worth reading for more reasons than just that it is a great story, but it definitely is that.

This book will awaken the hidden passion within. It shows what you can do if you are passionate about something. Quick read and a page turner every step of the way.

I highly recommend this book to all new entrepreneurs and those interested in learning how successful companies are formed. I also know there are alot of people out there who hate Starbucks simply because it exists and succeeded- I challenge you to read this book. The business was created from the ground up by passion and perseverence, and it deserved to succeed, and I hope it continues to succeed for a very long time.

I found this book extremely interesting from a business perspective. Would recommend this book to anyone who is starting a business or has an interest in finance. Very inspirational

I read many company books. This is one of the gems. Howard did a fantastic job in writing the history of Starbucks, its root, its spirit, and its amazing achievement.

There have been many coffee vendors. Starbucks sprinted from the pack. It actually revolutionized the coffee industry. While the business world has been looking for the next new hi-tech inventions, Howard creatively rejuvenated the coffee drinks by relentlessly pursuing the quality the culture and the experience. He did the mission-impossible in such a traditional industry. After reading this book, you will never look at Starbucks the same way. Yes, you realize that passion and quality can make a huge difference in this crowded world.

"If you pour your heart into your work, or into any worthy enterprise, you can achieve dreams others may think impossible." ~ Howard Schultz

When Howard Schultz found Starbucks he had a dream of all Starbucks could be. After bringing back ideas from Milan he planned to infuse the company with a new energy. Instead of only selling coffee beans he wanted to open stores that sold espresso. When the owners of Starbucks didn't have the same vision, he opened up his own stores and then purchased Starbucks. The story is compelling and this book is one of the most exciting books on business I've ever read.

"Without the romance of Italian espresso, Starbucks would still be what it was, a beloved local coffee bean store in Seattle." ~ pg. 53

This book explains why franchising is a forbidden word at Starbucks. It also explains how special packaging had to be made to keep the coffee fresh. Stock options and an impressive health-care package also make working for Starbucks a positive experience.

While Howard Schultz's own story is woven into the pages, this book is mostly about the positive steps that were taken to make Starbucks a success. This book will appeal to anyone with an entrepreneurial spirit.

My own experience with Starbucks has been very positive. Once a reporter talked to me on the phone while he was at a Starbucks. My family loves buying Starbucks gift cards and we always make time to go to a Starbucks whenever we get together. It is like a family tradition. Yesterday I was at my local Starbucks drinking a tall chai tea and discovered they had the most delicious vanilla scones with icing. The girl at the counter told me she thought they tasted like sugar cookies and I must agree.

If you are looking for another book about Starbucks, I can
recommend: Starbucks Passion for Coffee

~The Rebecca Review

P.S. The proceeds from this book go to the Starbucks Foundation to support literacy programs.

Half Magic
By Edward Eager

Re-reading this book has reminded me why Half Magic was always one of my favorite magical adventures. This time I listened to the book on tape.

Half magic begins with the children wondering why they can't ever have a magical adventure like the children in their library books. Their adventure begins with a shiny 'nickel' found in a crack of the sidewalk.

Jane, the oldest thinks that nothing exciting ever happens and wishes for a fire. She only gets a small fire, in a playhouse. Next, their average, un-magical mother picks up the coin to use as bus fare. When she wishes to be home from a boring visit with relatives, she finds herself half-way home.

After the children realize they have a half-magic coin, their adventures become very fun and their planning is much more thought out.
Occasionally Jane, Katherine, Mark and Martha make mistakes in their wishes, which will change history. They also appear and disappear so quickly, their poor mother believes she is losing her mind.

Children and adults will enjoy the magical summer adventures in Half Magic. You may even find yourself re-reading Edward Eager's books many times, as I have.

Jill Ammon Vanderwood,
Author of magical adventures:
Through the Rug
Through The Rug: Follow That Dog (Through the Rug)

Four ordinary children find a magical charm and discover that it grants wishes, but only in halves. Through their wishing and consequent adventures, the children realize the importance of helping others, love for each other, and what true happiness is about.

This is a humorous book that I would recommend to others. It is written in a writing style similar to that of Eleanor Estes, which suites the book well.

Edgar Eager is a master at telling a tale that is not only funny, well-plotted, but has realistic characters. In all his magic books, beginning with Half Magic, he reveals the reason why children grow up to not need magic in the overwhelming way they feel the need for it as small children.

What I will say now will not in any way ruin your delightful experience of any of the books (I remember secreting myself with provisions so that I could finish each one in one sitting). Eager very cleverly shows that magic is really not what children or adults want. What we want is happy endings and adventures--all of the tales have them. Each episode of encountering magic ends up revealing how very dangerous magic can be, since each of the children in each story ends up wishing for things before they've thought the magic's rules through. So there are exciting and unexpected turns of plot in each book.

It may seem like a criticism to say that these books reveal why children reading them can grow up out of magic of this kind. But in fact the gentle, exciting and challenging stories reveal to the children that not ony do good things happen without their help. But the magic challenges them to get involved in taking action themselves. They end up realizing that magic won't really get them everything they hope for, and it often gets them much more than they dreaded! These books reveal why Peter Pan is in the end a pathetic person, since he wants to control life and people to some degree, whereas the children in these books learn that exciting adventures can be found at any time and any place but that when all the magic's done they are understanding that growing up itself is an adventure and there really is "no place like home."

As a child I devoured these. I wish they had reprinted them earlier so my now college graduate sons could have enjoyed them at a younger age. An analogy may be helpful. My sons and I love the "Veggie Tale" stories. If they had been in preschool at the time they first saw them, they would still have loved them. The Veggie Tales came out when they were in high school--but they still loved them and continue to enjoy them with their adult perspective.

Edgar Eager must have been a very gentle, clever and kind man to write the books the way he did. He takes the reader on a wild ride, but leaves him happily on his own doorstep at the end, with the memories of their shared magic adventures. Hope you love them as much as I did...and do! God bless you!

These audio books help children that are having trouble with the written word. I also use them in the car, so each trip we hear more of the story. The kids love them and I think it makes them interested in reading.

HALF MAGIC is a fresh, charming YA story about 4 children who find a magic coin that grants wishes. The problem is, it only grants half of what you wish for, so you need to wish for twice of what you want. Now sometimes wishing for twice of what you want is easy, and sometimes it gets you into a whole lot more than twice the trouble.

HALF MAGIC, by Edward Eager, is pleasantly written in a delightful, amiable fashion, perfect for all ages. Somehow, the tone, the style, the atmosphere, the language all make this book feel a little bit like the classic THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE, by C. S. Lewis. The four children discovering their magic and then learning how to use it, the adults not believing in it, and even the magic not working for them any more after they had learned what the cosmos felt they needed to learn, all reminded me of the tale Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy. But they are very different stories, each with its own merits.

My 11 year old daughter received this as a gift and really enjoyed it. She learned a bit about fractions, too, which is always a plus. I highly recommend this book. It is sweet, fun, and full of surprises.

Still a classic. I remembered this book from when I was a child. My daughter (7) is now enjoying it on her own. I would say it's a upper elementary reading level but a great way to learn more.

received item within days of ordering
book is in great condition just what seller said.
i would buy from them again.

I love this book.

I understand it is a stereotype of the Chinese immigrant man. However, every single Chinese immigrant I know has trouble with the Rs and Ls in English, and I live in a big city surrounded by many immigrants.
Chinese Americans do not have this problem.

Tony Shalhoub (of Monk and Wings fame) does an excellent job narrating this story. His voices are right on. The cricket's voice is a little annoying, but he doesn't talk much, and he's a cricket.

I read this story when I was a child, and when my daughter read it at school a few years ago, I was so happy that she enjoyed it as much as I did. We've all (even my 4 year old) enjoyed this audiobook as well.

I preview all of the books I assign to my kids to read. I enjoyed this one. Vivid descriptions allowed me to vividly imagine the scene and hear the music the cricket plays. This is a book I will have my 11 and 13 year-old read.

So, pretend you are a girl named Suze (short for Susannah) and ever since you have been a little girl, you were a Mediator. (That means that you can talk to ghosts.)
You have lived your whole life (up until 15) knowing this, and you are starting to get sick of ghosts asking you to do favors for them, people thinking that you are crazy, talking to people who aren't there, and getting caught by the police for breaking and entering because "you were trying to stop a ghost murder." And to make it even weirder, your dead dad, who has been dead for quite some time now, pops up at random times to try and scare you. That is Susannah Simon's life. Enter a move to Florida, a new family, (new stepbrothers and a step dad,) and a new room that comes with (what else!) a male ghost named Jessie!!

At her new school, she is becoming more popular then she ever dreamed. But there are still dangers around the corner. Never knowing when she will see another ghost, she tries to get used to the fact that this "gift" is never going away. Read about how Suze does find another enemy ghost, more dangerous than anything before. You will be rooting Suze and her "untraditional" method of battling ghosts on through all the chapters. And you will be shocked at some of the interesting surprises along the way. I loved this book and this series because Suze has such a spunky personality without even trying. Meg Cabot has created something wonderful by writing these books. And I plan to read all of them.

Nora S.
Grade 6
Ms. Kawatachi

I am a book lover, and I'll read almost anything. This Book (series really) is one of my favorites. The writing isn't brillant, but sometimes the storyline counts more. Its about a girl who moves from New York to California. All she wants is to start over, but wait... there's a ghost of a 150 year old cowboy in her bedroom. It's funny, but serouse at the same time, sort of like reading a book by Fred and George Weasly. Well that was how the language was anyway.

A great start to an even better series. This book really opened the door up on this series to me. I'm only working on the third book but I know the rest of the books in the Mediator series are going to be just as great.

Suze has to move with her mom to LA with her moms new husband and 3 boys. Her dad died when she was younger and he still hasn't moved on. she meets that best looking ghost shes ever seen. And even if she won't admit it, shes totally in love with him. And he even saves her life when the ghost heather goes crazy because shes mad she killed herself and now shes taking revenge on the reason she killed herself in the first place.
I highly recommend!

This book was awesome. I enjoyed every part of it, and I was interested in the topic about mediators. The only one thing that I do have to criticize about this book is that the main character isn't catholic. I am, so in many ways, I found her beliefs conflicting with my own. It was nothing too extreme, but I wasn't fully comfortable with it.
Although, the fact that the preist was the principal made up for it. The story line is well-written. I found Suze's character perfect in the way that she was realistic and not the type where the author just makes them perfect. If you're looking for something to enjoy, pick this book up. It is finish in a day material.

This was a fantastic book. It had everything a book should have, and is a good read that will leave you wanting more.

I really enjoy Terry Pratchett's series about DiscWorld. This is one of the better books in the series. However, you need to have read some of the series in order to get all the little things about the different characters. The only bad thing about this book is that I don't really like the whole time travel concept of it. I liked seeing the characters when Sam Vimes is just starting out and is young and impressionable, but I didn't like having to go back in time and pretend to be someone else to do it. I love how Mr. Pratchett takes what's going on in our world today and gets his characters to make fun of and make statements about it. I really loved his social commentary about rebellions and political changes, not to mention how when a new man comes into an organization and slowly takes it over. I just find his series revealing about how others may see us and how we do what we do. How funny it really sounds to others. I would highly recommend this book to others who have read the series. If you haven't started the series then you definitely need to get on it.

This is my favorite book in the City Watch book and quite possibly my favorite book in the entire Discworld series. It gives you a little more background on some of the main characters(Vimes, Colon, Nobby, and even Vetinari)and makes for a thrilling read. Read it! I command you!

Being a prison guard (no, not like the ones in this book, a REAL one) I find great comfort in Sam Vimes. Moralistic humor, nice twisty view of the world, yet always trying to do right - even to himself. This book has gotten me through hard times when I needed to be reminded to be true to myself, to do what I know is right, to look to the greater picture. I adore Terry Pratchett's view and agree wholeheartedly with it. Acceptance that people are who they are, but we need to be who we need to be also. I believe all his books are quite readable, enjoyable. I am currently in the process of reading the entire discworld series in chronological order and am impressed to watch not only the characters grow, but the author also. Thank you sooooo much Mr. Pratchett! Not only are your books entertaining, but provide the view more of us need to see the world through.

I tried to read this novel as my first Discworld novel many moons ago. I couldn't get into it. Having now read all of its precursors the book is FABULOUS. It will stand up as probably one of my favorite all time Discworld books (and let's face it they are my favorite books period). I love Vimes and the City Watch so that helps. This is, in addition to the standard humor, a really touching story. (yes, I used that description about a Discworld novel. really.) The lead up to the end is not quite satisfactory, but I've realized that when humor is the primary purpose the plot will, unfortunately, have to serve the humor rather than itself... and anyone complaining about holes in a story about a world revolving on the back of a turtle (not forgetting about the elephants as well) probably needs to take a harder look at their expectations.

Night Watch is my favorite book in Pratchett's Discworld series. It's definitely not, however, the book you want to read first in this series. As it's a time travel book, too many of the giggles for it come from seeing the many characters you know in the current-day city of Ankh Morpork as they were years before.

It's a book that deals much more heavily with morality, humanity (or whatever you would call it that also includes trolls, dwarves, etc.), and doing the right thing when authority or fear says you shouldn't. It also deals with loss and sacrifice. It's much more poignant than previous (and later) books in the series, and the laughs are much more subtle. I still managed to chuckle and laugh and enjoy myself while being emotionally moved, however.

If you're a fan of Commander Vimes and his world view, this should be another good book for you.

So it's not as flat-out funny as other Discworld books, but sometimes a change of pace is a good thing. However, if you're just starting the series, make sure you read at least Guards Guards and Men at Arms before you get to Night Watch. (The more books, the better your appreciation as you'll know more characters and enjoy seeing the changes or origins.)

Still a classic after all these years - perfect for your tween-aged nieces, daughters, etc. Fun, light, clean, and easy reading for kids.

My kid's and I listened to this book on CD during our morning drive to school. I was shocked and disapointed that the author plainly tells children there is no Santa Clause (she's wrong of course). I found it reprehensible that she would take this position in a children's book.

My kids really love this book. The book keeps them interested and is very entertaining.

'Superfudge' is the sequel to 'Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing,' another classic children's story. This book would make a great gift for an older child. A funny and wierd book about two brothers. Peter the oldest brother does not get any attention, while his brother, Fudge, is wild and spoiled.

Twelve-year-old Peter Hatcher and his family are moving to Princeton for a year. Peter and his brother Fudge don't always get along. Their mother is going to have a baby soon, adding more uncertainty to their lives. Will the baby be like Fudge? What could be worse for Peter?

The story moves quickly, keeping the reader's attention, and is filled with humor. The reader will definitely appreciate Blume's talent for writing a good tale.

My daughter is in the first grade and is an excellent reader. She has literally inhaled this series of books. One of my daughter's favorite bedtime rituals is for her to read one chapter of the book to me each night. I was absolutely floored (and completely unprepared) for the revelation regarding the issue of Santa not being real along with the storyline of the main character having "busted" his parents one Christmas when he was three. My daughter is six and still firmly believes in Santa. I had to do some fast talking (and quick thinking). I think my daughter's OK but I'm absolutely traumatized!! We started reading this series upon the recommendation of her Kindergarten teacher after I expressed concern about the frequent use of slang in the Junie B. series. Junie B. is not looking so bad right now . . .

This book is in a trilogy depicting foul play in the brother relationship of Rastlin and Caramon. Raist by now has the black robes, of Paladine perhaps?

I've all the Dragonlance books by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. I don't like changing authors in a series. I believe this is one of their best. It really tells a lot about Raistlin and Caramon's affection for his brother. Have fun with this read.

I just finished reading Time of the Twins for the first time, and I am honestly impressed by the story. It is very dark, but there is plenty of plot twists, character development and complex situations to satisfy any true fantasy lover. Raistlin is truly an amazing character, he shines in every page. I highly reccommend this book, and I'm looking forward to reading the next!

Travel back in time to the reign of Kingpriest with Raistlin, Caramon, and Tas (along with the new heroine Crysiana). This story picks up after the ending of the Chronicles Trilogy, with Raistlin the most powerful mage in the land and his brother Caramon a pitiful drunk. Their adventures in Istar are exciting and the characters grow a lot (in the minds of the reader, and as people in the story). While the Chronicles were basically non-stop and somewhat predictable action, the Legends start with a more mature and emotional feel. The reader gets a deeper look into complicated dilemas going on within the characters, and you really don't know who to cheer for. You can't help liking Raistlin a lot, even though you know he is a heartless and basically evil person. While this book is a bit more sophisticated with the character interactions and feelings, there is still plenty of excitment (with Caramon becoming a gladiator and Tas's never-ending forays).

Many people say that they like the Legends trilogy even better than the Chronicles. Its a close call, but I do know that they are excellent fantasy and would be enjoyed by anyone.

After having finished the Dragonlance Chronicles, I was eager to find out what happened to Raistlin after he took what I had assumed to be Fistandantilus's place as Master of the Tower. In Time of the Twins, I was not disappointed. The authors gave brief updates on what was happening in the lives of the companions after the war, and started up another tale involving the twins.

Tas was a welcome presence in this book, as he always is. However, I was looking for something new in the main character introduced in this series, Crysanthia, Revered Daughter of Paladine. The authors did an excellent job with each of the companions in the Dragonlance Chronicles. Readers could identify with and feel close to each of the characters. With Crysanthia, I get the feeling that she was just thrown in there to create something new and to add a bit of romance to the book. Whenever I'm reading something from her point of view, I feel so...detached. I feel like I'm looking down on her and watching her go through the actions, rather than walking right along beside her, going through the actions with her.

This book is more thought-provoking than the action-packed Dragonlance Chronicles. One moment, you're wondering if Cyrsanthia's love can "save" Raistlin. The next, you're thinking that what would "saving" Raistlin be? After all, he'd never be content to just...settle down. As long as he's alive, he'll constantly lust for power. And so while on one side, you want Raistlin to accomplish his task, on the other you wonder if his death will be the only thing to bring "peace" to Krynn. And then there's the whole good/evil balance thing...

I think that to enjoy this book to its fullest, it's an absolute MUST to read the Dragonlance Chronicles. While that made this book more enjoyable for me, unfortunately I consider this to be one of the book's failings, because it is a completely new series and should be easily followed by anyone deciding to pick it up. On Caramon's and Tas's part, there is continued character development that makes their characters more complex and interesting to read. However, Crysanthia is very predictable (you can probably guess from the prologue what will happen with her) and so I hardly consider any change on her part "character development." As for Raistlin, I hope things start going wrong for him soon, because it gets a little boring reading about his (nearly) ultimate power again and again.

Arnold "Junior" Spirit, decides to take his future into his own hands and transfer to a white high school about half an hour from his home on the Rez. This smart articulate teen talks about his life, just the way it is, warts and all. He brings some of the realities about life in Indian Country to the world at large and puts it together with all the insanity that goes with being a teenager. Wonderful book!

I am 27 and I loved this book! I would tear up and then burst out with laughter. The drawings add to the charm of the book. I would gladly let my young teenager read this. It is real issues that we can all relate to. Absolutely exceeded my expecations!

Sherman is a premier Native writer at the top of his game. It just proves how far the mainstream is from Native contemporary life and issues to see how he is reviewed, but his talent with words is undeniable.

Julia Del.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian: Realistic Fiction Review

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie is quite a memorable book. The main character and narrator Arnold Spirit Jr. explained what was going on in his life with such raw honesty and crude humor I couldn't help smiling at every page. Arnold introduced himself at the beginning of the book with such a matter-of-fact tone about his medical problems and his situation living on an Indian reservation it sent me, and surely everyone else who will read this book into hysterics. Arnold's medical issues just made every problem and dilemma he faced even funnier, because he explains how fatal every thing that could happen to him is, and how much worse it could get. Arnold is the "zero" (as he refers to himself) on the reservation causing him to get beat up and called names all the time, it's a harsh reality, but somehow Sherman Alexie lightens up the story with a small, but hysterical cartoon of the situation. The entire book is in first person, so you read everything Arnold is thinking, and those thoughts are what everyone would only think and never dare say aloud, throughout the book there are little things like, "Oh yeah, did I mention, us Indians love to talk dirty," which really gets the idea across of what Arnold thinks of himself and where he comes from. Sherman Alexie definitely gave Arnold Spirit a very strong voice, which not many authors have been able to accomplish. The cartoons throughout the book make it as authentic as it is, the book has a unique plot, with a unique character and very unique doodles throughout that express exactly what Arnold is feeling, and his confusion, hoping to discover how he will ever get out of the reservation and how he will handle the white kids. Reading the blurb I expected the book to be the least bit depressing, because Arnold is in a very difficult situation trying to figure out what to do, to please both his family and white school, feeling like a traitor, but somehow Sherman Alexie manages to leave the reader feeling hopeful, to keep on going despite the obstacles we face.

I can see why this book has been winning awards. It is very creative and clever and Mr. Alexie is a very good writer. Except for the more mature language, I think it could have been a middle-grade novel (instead of young adult), because it seems almost more geered to a younger audience. But it is a good read and I am certain that whatever audience finds it will be grateful for Sherman Alexie's creation.

There is a scene early on about his dog that struck me as I read it as profound and gutsy writing. The truth of it registered in my solar plexus. I kept waiting to be touched like that again but the book seemed to take more of a comic approach after that. Perhaps that's a good thing.