School Time Books

I'll admit -- I put off reading THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN for well over a year, in favor of more "exciting" books. Boy, what a mistake I made!

Told from the perspective of thirteen-year-old Arnold Spirit, an intelligent, observant, sarcastic Indian born with encephalitis and a love of cartooning, Sherman Alexie takes us along with him as he moves away from a circumscribed, oppressive life on the Spokane reservation towards a more promising future by attending an all-white school thirty miles away.

Never one to get bogged down in sentiment or self-pity, Mr. Alexie refuses to present Arnold's friends and family as one-dimensional stereotypes, nor is the world beyond "rez" borders portrayed as the Great White Hope. Arnold's family has problems, to be sure: an alcoholic father, an enabling, codependent mother; a near shut-in older sister. But their love for each other is evident through their words and actions. And despite the ostracism and ridicule heaped upon him by former friends and other tribe members, Arnold reacts with biting wit rather than total despair.

This has to be one of the best books I've ever read in my life, so I hope everyone gives it a try.

Reviewed by: Cat

Everyone else is right. This is a fantastic book. I teach a college class in Young Adult literature and this is is one of the best I have read. The strength is the authenticity of the voice of the narrator and honest, brash, and funny way that the author communicates what life for American Indians is like. The only think I have a problem with is the tired idea of everything coming to a head in the "big game." Sometimes it's a beauty contest or a science fair, but it seems as if there has to be something like that to bring the plot to a head. Adults might feel a bit uncomfortable with the frank way that masturbation is dealt with and some of the language, but I don't think the teenage boys who this book is aimed at will.

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.

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.

This first came to my attention as an audiobook. I was checking out the public library for suitable listening material for my two youngest children, and noticed this intriguing title on the adults' audiobook shelf. Hmmm. What on earth could a book with such a title be about? Well, one way to find out, and fortunately it's free at the library, so I took it home with me.

Two chapters later and I was hooked on the #1 Ladies' Detective Agency. Incidentally, if you have not yet heard the audiobook, I recommend it, too. It's read by Lisette Lecat, a talented South African actress who does all the voices and accents, making you feel as if you were really there. In fact, all the books in this series are available on audiobook read by Miss Lecat.

I still recommend "The Kalahari Typing School" as a first-read when telling people they really HAVE to discover this series. However, I will say that as in several other well-known series, it doesn't much matter where you start, since each book subtly refers back to the previous ones throughout the story. This is especially helpful when encountering the main characters for the first time in each book.

I read this for a book club selection. Unfortunately probably the best I could say is that it is generally a feel good book, and since we had traveled there, it was remotely interesting because of its placement in Botswana. It is a quick read, but I would not recommend it to most people.

What I love about these books is the immersion into the Botswana way of life from the Botswana point of view. McCall Smith not only visited Botswana, he lived there for some time, and it shows in every detail. The main character's being a detective lets us pry into the lives of others in her culture. As always, the Kalahari Typing School for men is not "about" having Mma Ramotswe solve a tricky locked-room mystery. It's much more about the interleaving of Western and African cultures. For example, a detective agency replaces a combination of the village grapevine and village leadership. In this installment and the previous three books, Mma Ramotswe's personal life and those of her friends gets more than equal time with the cases she solves.

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series is my favorite of the four series by McCall Smith that I have sampled. His gentle tone and leisurely pace fit the setting perfectly. I would recommend a new reader begin with the first book, as there is not a lot of explanation as to who all these characters are and how they got to where they are. Not only that, The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency sets the mood for the series perfectly.

If you are not a fan of crime stories, don't let that put you off. This is a charming fiction set in another culture with an unforgettable main character.

THE KALAHARI TYPING SCHOOL FOR MEN by Alexander McCall Smith. It's copyright 2002, and it was (is?) apparently a phenomenon of some sort, so you may be thinking, "Poor Michael. Living in Asia so he doesn't know what's going on anymore." Nah. I was the same way in North Carolina.

And hey, I just read about somebody who didn't read a single word of Harry Potter until the seventh was published. Then he sat down and read the entire series in a few weeks without having to wait a year between each book. Cool. Being behind the times has its advantages.

Anyway, I lived in the US for 36 years and never met an African. I met a few in China. None in Thailand yet that I'm aware of. But I have read their literature and seen their films, and I get the impression that Africa is warm, welcoming, open and beautiful. I get that from this book as well.

Set in Botswana, it features The #1 Ladies Detective Agency. The name of a business is very important, which is why The #1 Ladies Detective Agency is so successful. The name tells you everything you need to know. Whether you love a mystery or couldn't care less, you'll enjoy this book. I did.

The Kalahari Typing School for Men by Alexander McCall Smith is a delightfully charming book and is just as good as the other books in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series.

Taking place in Botswana, Precious Ramotswe runs the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency with the help of her assistant, Mma. Makutsi. They now share an office with the Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors company, owned by Mma. Ramotswe's finace', Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni. The clients of Mma. Ramotswe have the typical problems including cheating spouses and missing persons. Her biggest case in Typing for Men involves her client, Mr. Moletelo. He wronged two individuals twenty years ago and he now wishes to make amends. It is up to Ramotswe to find these two people.

The character of Grace Makutsi plays a more central role in Typing for Men. She now works part-time for the detective agency and part-time for the Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors company. She is struggling financially and fears that there is not enough business between the two companies to keep her employed. She has the idea to establish a typing school for men. She observed that men who use computers don't know proper keyboarding, but would be reluctant to attend a regular secretarial school. The school also provides a love interest for Makutsi, which gets a bit complicated.

For the first time, the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency faces some competition when Mr. Buthelezi, a former CID, opens the Satisfaction Guaranteed Detective Agency. Mr. Buthelezi purchases advertisements and gives interviews critical of amateur women detectives (a thinly veiled reference to Mma. Ramotswe). But Ramotswe can tell him why women make excellent detectives. "The trouble with men, of course, was they went about with their eyes half closed for much of the time. Sometimes Mma. Ramotswe wondered whether men actually wanted to see anything, or whether they decided that they would notice only the things that interested them."

Typing for Men is a book that is beautiful in its simplicity--in the scenery of Botswana, in the characters, in the dialog and especially, in the simple lessons and common sense throughout. I heard a rumor that Smith's books are going to be made into a television series. If so, it will be something worth watching.

I loved this book and Marianne Curley's writing style. The story is exciting and sweet, and both Kate and Jarrod were easy to like as characters. I think teens will find it easy to relate to them. I would've loved to give this book 5 stars instead of 4, except that I thought the author could've made the story a bit longer, and developed it better. There were some parts, which I felt was just too rushed and too short. Old Magic is definitely a great read and I enjoyed it a lot.

I read this book at least three times when I was in the eighth grade and I absolutly loved it! This book allowed me to fall into the story and forget about my own surroundings. As a fourteen-year-old girl, I felt as though the characters were real people and as though the story could actually happen. Now I am studying to become a teacher and I am looking for some of my favorite books from when I was in middle and high school to help to entice reluctant readers to pick up a book.

This book was ok. I got it b/c of the reviews on Amazon, but it was just alright for me.

I found this to be a thoroughly enjoyable examination of young love and witchcraft. The text does get somewhat too fantastic in the second half, but the basic moral is quite appropriate for teen readers. It also deals in a somewhat realistic manner with being an outsider in a very cliquish setting.

This book was alright. I didn't love it or hate it. Overall kinda dull...Kate was the least magical 'magic' person I've ever read about. And this take on time traveling wasn't very interesting or exciting. Eh.

Of the eight Discworld novels I've read so far, this is the best. It reminds me of Monty Python, but produces Pythonesque absurdity while keeping the characters a good deal more realistic than Monty Python.

I Love Rincewind and Cohen, and Here they are.
This one is based on and in Asia.
So, Funny!

Rincewind, a notably unsuccessful wizard but a very successful survivor (nearly always by running away at top speed), was the protagonist of the first Discworld novel, The Colour of Magic, and has appeared in several more books since. I can't say he's my favorite character, but this one is pretty good anyway. Lord Hong, a schemer after power in the Agatean Empire (pictured as a mixture of Chinese and Japanese culture) that makes up the Counterweight Continent, has sent to Ankh-Morpork for "The Great Wizzard" (yes, with two Z's), a figure in ancient legends. It's all part of his convoluted plan to become emperor when the current one dies (with Lord Hong's help). As it happens, Rincewind, who acted as guide to Twoflower, an Agatean tourist in his first outing, is the likeliest candidate for Great Wizzard and off he goes to the Empire. Where, of course, because of his pre-emptive karma, he quickly becomes caught up in the power struggle, gets saddled with a not very convincing cadre of underage revolutionaries, loses The Luggage, and crosses the path of the Silver Horde. The latter is a group of six geriatric barbarians led by Cohen the Barbarian (a/k/a Genghiz Cohen), an occasional character in several other Discworld books. Here, Pratchett uses the very straightforward barbarians -- who have gotten to be very old precisely because they're very good at what they do -- as a balance to the scheming, underhanded, poison-preferring, untrustworthy Agateans. And Twoflower reappears, too. Not a great book, but perfectly readable.

This was about my 12th or 14th Pratchett novel. I enjoyed it and enjoy his all of his story lines but prefer the character development in Night Watch to that of Interesting Times. As are most of the plots involving the reocurring character Rincewind, there is lots of escaping, vicious villans and amazing magical events that keep your attention. This one spoofed revolutions, revolutionaries and Asian culture. Cohen the Barbarian and the silver hoarde were quite refreshing and represented a style of working man's thinking that has almost died out. This was an good read and up to to Pratchett's usual quality.

This is the second book I've read featuring Rincewind (the other being "The Last Hero"). Admittedly, I could be wrong, but I strongly suspect a formula here: Rincewind is always in the wrong place at the wrong time, does everything wrong yet comes out ahead (thanks to outside help) despite himself. Something like that would get old REAL FAST, but fortunately, not all Discworld books are based on that pattern. Plus, I'm early enough in my reading that I haven't surpassed my threshhold for "Rincewind-Ex-Machina."

I called this book a "guilty pleasure" and stick by it. I suspect if a different author had written something like this (without the rich flavor of Discworld to spice it up) I would have been a bit harsher in my review. However, it's Pratchett, who is always a pleasure to read: insightful AND funny. If you like the series as a whole, you'll most likely enjoy "Interesting Times."

I am a reading coach and used this book for summer study for dyslexic middle school students. It was recommended by Sally Shawitz in her book Overcoming Dyslexia. It proved to be quite effective. The students thoroughly enjoyed the book. Several parents came to me saying that this was the first book they actually witnessed their young adults enjoying. The students asked to read more by this author. How wonderful!
Carolyn

Something Upstairs by Avi is a frightening, suspenseful, and heart-pounding story about a boy that moves from California to Providence, Rhode Island, changing his life forever.

Kenny spends most of his days at the Library, interested in finding more about his new house, which dates back to the 1800s. When Kenny asks the librarian which way to the history section, he takes a wrong turn and enters a room with a very pale man by the name of Pardon Willinghast sitting in his office chair. Kenny soon finds out that Pardon Willinghast is not just a historian, as they meet again in another place and time.

Meanwhile, at home sleeping one night, Kenny hears a noise coming from the room next door. He slowly creeps into the miniature room and peers inside. Kenny sees a ghost-like figure rise from the blood stain on the floor. The ghost needs Kenny's help to set him free. The quest to help save the ghost from being murdered one night, by going back in time to the 1800s, is just one of Kenny's problems. Kenny also doesn't know that the enemy is closer than he thinks.

Lucas R., Ryan I., and Helena C.
Grade 6
Ms. Kawatachi

I really enjoyed reading this book. I think it was very good and a lot of people will like it. I think the book made your mind boggle and made you wonder what's going to happen next.
-Lucas R.

Avi's writing made me feel like I was Kenny, in a time not my own trying to help some ghost that just appears in my room one night. This book just sucks you in and you will find yourself turning page by page to find out what happens next!
-Ryan I.

I enjoyed the book very much. It was a very detailed and clear page turner, and every chapter left you wanting to read more. It is one of my favorite books, and I will definitely recommend this book to anyone.
-Helena C.

i read the book called something upstairs.this book is about a yong boy named kenny who just moves into a new house.the house is hounted and the goast needs help.kenny gose back into calebs time so find calebs merder.my favorit time in the book was when kenny gose back into calebs tome.i like this part because it describs how everything was back then.also that thats when the misteries start to happen.out of all of the books that i have read something upstairs is one of my faverits because its not boreing.In this book u never no really what is going to happen and u are always wondering how the book is goin to end.

Moving to a nice peaceful house, maybe not. Kenny was a 13 year old boy who had just moved from a big city to a small historical town. When Kenny was exploring his room he saw two small rooms. In one of the rooms there was a stain on the floor and what kenny didn't know was at night a ghost (Caylob) comes out of the stain and haunts the the small room. That very night Kenny heard a noise in one of the rooms Kenny checked the bigger room... nothing then he checked the small room, to his surprise there was a boy about the same age crawling out of the glowing stain it was Caylob. As Caylob look's for a way out of the room Kenny talks about finding Caylob's killer and Caylob wants Kenny to help. Will Kenny regret ever trying to help Caylob or will Kenny succeed on his journey? The theme of Something Upstairs is ghost,horror or adventure. The author of my book is Avi, Avi may have written this book to tell about when he moved into a a big haunted house and there was a ghost upstairs. Many people claim they have seen the ghost! "Thes's something Upstairs." This quote is significant because it starts out the hole book and say's the title. I recommend this book to someone who likes adventure and ghost stories and maybe someone who likes to learn about black history and slaves. Something Upstairs is a great book!

I think that this was a good book although there was some scenes that I didn't get and wern't very exciting either but I did like the parts that had a choice to make or a part where something happened to a character.One of the choices was kill a friend or become a ghost and I really liked those of course you could always guess what would happen but it is how they turn out like it is always solved but in a complex way and so I enjoyed this book.

We visited Galapagos recently and saw the island where most of the story takes place, but were not allowed to land. Although visiting the islands gives you a feel for the location, it is not necessary to enjoy the book. The findings of the research on the finch beaks were very enlightening, explaining how evolution can take place quite quickly. The size of the beaks of the finch would fluctuate back and forth, depending on the climate. It is explained very well.

Beak of the Finch appears to be unique among popular evolution texts in the way that the author illustrates his points by highlighting measurable changes in the physical attributes of animals to prove the validity of Darwin's thesis: that plants and animals, through selective breeding, sprout biologically advantageous features.

His main subject are (no surprise) the finches first recorded in detail by Darwin in the 19th century. A band of researchers making meticulous observations and measurement over three decades, have compiled a catalog of data so extensive that meaningful averages have been firmly established to show how certain species of finch have responded within a handful of generations (or less!) to pressures exerted on them by their local environment. Clear variations in beak depth and width have been observed in response to adverse weather, bountiful food, scarce food, plant changes, nesting habitat availability and more. Such factors have directly altered these finches -- within the scale of far less than a human lifetime -- where it was once thought that "evolution in action" could _never_ be observed. True, the measurable average change is neither enormous nor startlingly obvious, but it's real none the less.

Interspersed with this tale of observation and measurement is a good narration of how Darwin himself gradually shifted from pious adherence to Creationism to a truth he could no longer deny in the face of what he considered to be incontrovertible evidence.

A good book, but it loses steam towards the end as the observations of the finches is not quite meaty enough alone to fill an entire book. The author moves on to some other notable examples of observable evolution such as moths and apple flys. This material, while casually interesting, made for less compelling reading.

A serious effort to educate the layman about the intricacies of evolution, against a historical background, with the emphasis on Darwin's thoughts and the work of the Grants. I had two problems with the book. The best part was the description of Daphne Major, the logistics of working there, and the amazing findings of the Grants. The continual references to what Darwin thought quickly became tedious, and seemed irrelevant. I felt much the same about the way the author broke away from the Grants to discuss other similar studies, because they seemed much less interesting, and were distracting, almost like filler, though I realize they were part of the book's educational element. So, I found the basic organization of the book unsatisfying. A more in depth account of the Galapagos and the Grants would have been preferable. The second gripe I have is not the fault of the author, it's just the way science goes. The book is seriously outdated now, since there is no mention of evo-devo, which has emerged as a powerful paradigm in evolution. This would not be such a big problem if the author had stuck with the Grants. Their story is never going to get old, that's the way it is with adventure, geography, and biographical accounts of amazing people.

This is one of the worst books I've ever read. I strongly recommend against reading it, especially for the science folks or lay people who are not stupid. That was a joke; in my opinion, no one on Earth who is actually interested enough to read a book on this topic will be such a poor thinker that a book in this style is appropriate for them.

Specifically, this book is:

* Repetitive -- on the same page, the author will often have multiple paragraphs saying exactly the same thing; within these paragraphs, sentences repeat each other as well. If this sounds outlandish, it is. The author was either talking down to the audience, trying to fill space, trying to explain the content to his own dense self, or some combination.

* Incorrect -- in the world of science writing for lay people, some simplification of the material is necessary and of course good (so lay people can access the material!). But this book presents material in such a warped, compressed manner as to be simply WRONG. For example, the author explains that researchers created and validated a predictive computer model using the same set of field data. That would be like a person who had seen one screw that tightened when turned clockwise, developing a prediction that all screws tighten by clockwise motion, and then testing the prediction by trying it out on the same screw. Clearly that is not something Harvard researchers were doing.

* Trying to hard -- it does not let the awesomeness of evolutionary study stand for itself. It has to develop drama by telling stories only in little broken bits, it constantly restates things (in what I took to be an attempt to find a particular phrasing that struck a given reader as poignant), etc.

In summary, it was an awful read. It was too bad that it did indeed explore some of the coolest evolutionary biology around, but in such a terrible fashion.

Brilliant writing and organization shows that evolution can occur in as short a time frame as two years. Never boring. The non-scientist will find this book of our changing world a good read.

Reluctant gumshoe Hermux Tantamoq is a person--er, mouse--who shows his true capabilities when placed in an unusual situation. Fashionistas, noir references, and ethnobotany seeem like unusual subjects for a child's story peopled--er, moused--with fuzzy characters, but it works.

I found an old copy in a store's sale bin, and couldn't decide if it was for adults or children. Still can't--it's great for children and adults alike. How impressed am I? My son gave up videos and computer to hear more "Hermux." We had to pause occasionally to explain some vocabulary and situations, but for older children (say age 8 and up)this is fantastic, imaginative storytelling.

There is a successful author (who shall remain unnamed) who has made his name by inserting rodents into medieval/fantasy epics, and honestly I have never particularly cared for his work. Imagine my surprise when another author (who shall be named Michael Hoeye) inserted rodents into an almost Hitchcockian setting and presented the world with a romp combining James Bond, Stewart Little, and The Number One Ladies' Detective Agency . . . all right, I've gotten ahead of myself, but the mix is a bit like baking soda and vinegar. It seems strange, but it sizzles.
Hermux Tantamoq is a watchmaker with heart and an unexpected nose for mystery. When a beautiful she-mouse leaves behind a severely damaged watch but no other trace it is up to Hermux, with the help of his pet ladybug and other friends, to foil the plots of an evil plastic surgeon and a garish cosmetics tycoon to save the lady and the day.
Where these books achieve most is tone. They are beautifully and intriguingly written. One not quite weak, but indeed curious, part is Hermux's journal where he thanks "something" for good things, like sun and friendship and ladybugs. I'd like to know whom he is thanking. However, the book holds up well and is a quick, joyous read.

This book is very confusing and it does not have anything to do with the story until page 60. There was a watch fixer named Hermux. A lady named Mrs.Perflinger came in with a brken watch. Hermux fixed it and Mrs.Perflinger never came back for it. Where's she. Friends will betray. People will trick others. OMG. HOLLY COW.

-Nelly

From what I have read from this book, I think that it is interesting because it is telling a part of a mouse's life. I enjoy fiction books and sometimes when I read a part of a fiction book, I want to read more to know what will happen.In this story you can see different types of attitudes or ways of being. This might help people because when they grow they ask themselves why are people this way or that way and sometimes end up following the wrong way to act.
I think this book is an expectacular book even though long.

When one character accuses another of being a "horrible little...rodent...[a] nasty little vermin!" in Michael Hoeye's Time Stops for No Mouse, on some level, there's a bit of truth to it. That's because this juvenile fiction book is populated by mice, rats, moles, squirrels, minks, and other assorted furry creatures.

A clever mystery novel at heart, Hoeye's debut introduces us to Hermux Tantamoq -a big name for a little guy...er...mouse. Hermux is a solitary watchmaker in the quaint city of Pinchester (location unknown). Ruled by his passion for precision and his orderly jacket and bowtie, his world is turned upside-down by a new customer - aviatrix and adventuress extraordinaire Linka Perflinger. He is smitten with her beauty and zest for life, and out of a general goodness of character and an attraction to this beguiling stranger, he becomes involved in a dangerous game of cat and mouse...well, it's really just mouse and mouse.

I loved this book for so many reasons. First of all, it's just smart. The writing is clever and straightforward. There is no sense of "talking" down to the young audience, and yet it is open and inviting enough for readers of all ages to enjoy. And it really is a fun mystery. What I appreciated most of all is that Hermux is Hermux throughout all of his adventures in detective work. He doesn't morph into the bumbling Joe totally out of his league (although he does have his moments!!), nor does he unlock his hidden "James Bond" and become a super sleuth. Somehow Hermux transforms into something he was all along - a mouse that has a little more strength than he knew, a mouse that has a little more smarts than he knew, and a mouse that appreciates beauty in ways unique to his own set of eyes. There is a sweetness to this story that is a valuable lesson for everyone.

I also have to say, I love the book's dimensions and typeface. Little things to some, but it's not always so bad to judge a book by its cover! (or font!)

To be practical, there's nothing completely unpredictable about this story, but it is certainly fun to wind and wend through the various twists. And one tiny distraction: all the crazy names!! It took some time for me to let go of wanting to know ~exactly~ how to pronounce all of them. You won't blame me when you see names like Pup Schoonagliffen, Tucka Mertslin, and Ortolina Perriflot. I suppose it all just feeds in to the whimsy of the book.

I was surprised to find that Mr. Hoeye is an Oregonian himself, so I'm pleased and excited to be supporting a local author! I also have the next two books in the Hermux Tantamoq series on hold at the library, and I'm looking forward to getting to know this mouse much better!

Just over a year ago, I was walking through Borders when I noticed this book and laughed to myself at its prominently displayed and clichéd promise of MAXIMUM GRADES.

"Oh great, I've seen this before," I thought. "Only suckers and suckers' parents buy these books, anyway." I walked away.

After all, who doesn't want maximum grades? Or, for that matter, a shorter waistband, to become a magnet for beautiful women, or to have an instant multi-million dollar bank account?

This was some kind of scheme, right? WRONG!!! VERY, VERY WRONG!!!

I was not a bad student when I bought What Smart Students Know, but I certainly was not a SMART student either. I can proudly say, as a soon-to-graduate high school senior who has meticulously applied Robinson's methods in my own life (and seen my grades go up DRAMATICALLY as a result), that THIS IS A BOOK THAT CHANGES PEOPLE- NOT JUST ACADEMICALLY, BUT PHILOSOPHICALLY AND EVEN EMOTIONALLY.

Perhaps the single most powerful element of Robinson's book is his promise of OPTIMUM LEARNING. Not the most readily graspable concept, I understand. But it's there... AND HE MEANS IT.

At a time when more and more students are applying to Ivy League colleges and when universities are becoming increasingly discerning of high school performance, it's easy to loose sight of what's really important in the rat race for an A.

Robinson refuses...no... DEMANDS his readers to preserve, both in themselves and their communities, the understanding that grades are nothing more than a necessary evil, and that they should not dictate either a student's self-esteem or his drive to learn, challenge, and better himself.

For those of you who at this point are thinking exactly what I was when I first saw this book, take note:

I speak NOT from the view of a student who was desperately failing in school when he bought this book- quite the contrary- but from that of a CONVERTED SKEPTIC who has found a textual diamond in the rough. I've never liked school, but this book taught me how to handle and exploit it without wasting any time.

Top FIVE Lessons I learned from What Smart Students Know:

5. The first step in the learning process is about recognizing one's purpose in learning: Why am I studying zoology, anyway? What do I already know about zoology? Is the primate chapter more or less important that than the amphibians one?

4. How to listen in class... Not all lectures were created equally. Crazy as it now seems, I used to delude myself that they were.

3. How to take notes... don't waist your time rewriting everything... repetition, obsessive re-reading, and, worst of all, rote memorization can get you good grades- maybe even perfect grades- but they can only erect an illusory monument of REAL, LONG-LASTING, PERSONALLY MEANINGFUL LEARNING.

2. Attitude is everything. Don't get me wrong, School sucks. But that shouldn't get in the way of your education (c.f. Mark Twain)!

1. YOU ARE YOUR OWN BEST TEACHER... PERIOD.
Near the beginning of the book, Robinson aptly quotes Winston Churchill in saying, "I am always ready to learn, but I do not always like being taught."

Churchill's call should resonate with every high school and college student in America.

What is the educational crisis really about? Robinson asks. It is the fruition of a long history of misconceptions about how students think and learn. Education begins with the STUDENT, not the system that "educates" him.

In What Smart Students Know, readers of all levels ("whether you're getting straight A's or struggling for C's") will meet their ally in Robinson. His aim is to debunk conventional wisdoms and rewire students, academically and philosophically, to learn with SELF-SUFFICIENCY... and teach them to get straight A's along the way without it becoming an all-consuming motive.

I was skeptical about this book when I received it, my brain yelled waste of money and time (properly due to its ridiculous subtitle). This nagging thought stayed with me through the first few pages where the author raved on and on how much my life would improve due to his little book. But I persisted and alas I cannot find words to express how happy I am about this choice.

The author shows you how to learn any subject so it sticks, without the classical emphasis on repetition. Here for the fist time was I explained how to positively control and use the thoughts that hurl though my head when I read something. How to keep up focus when the text is just plain boring and keep your head clear when you are absolutely lost in a hard subject.

Not a simple feat and I am baffled as to why one can go though almost 20 years of public school, high school, college and university without ever being thought how to learn efficiently.

I often get remarks from my colleagues about how I master my field, and just how smart I must be, but all I can ever tell them is that I am as stupid (or gifted) as the rest of you. The only difference is that when I now open a book, I do it with a purpose, with a plan. I am going to rule this subject and master it completely.

Since reading this book I have begun telling everyone about it (to the degree where I even thought about mailing a copy to the ministry of education) - it really is that good. So If you want to go into the exam room with that extra zing of self consciousness, knowing that you cannot fail, that the best grade is marked for you, then read this book.

Although the author have good intentions, the author had clearly been out of college for a long time before writing this book. He suggests that students approach every reading assignments as a twelve-step process. He asks you to write down what you already know about the subject, what you expect to learn, read the assignment 3 separate times, write and rewrite your notes, create charts and graphics, pictures, and devise mnemonics to memorize concepts.

This might help a highly-ambitious high school student with nothing productive to do with his time, but it is impossible to apply in college. The author gives a 1 page sample and spends 200 pages explaining how to take notes on this single page. Doing every steps he advocates takes hours for a single page; how can you expect to do all this if you have to read thousands of pages, which is what colleges usually require. This book does not delivers on it's title.

For a good study-guide written by an actual college student who describes methods that are successfully used by real students and not a simple hypothetical method, get Cal Newports How to Become a Straight-A Student: The Unconventional Strategies Real College Students Use to Score High While Studying Less.

Adam Robinson presents some interesting advice. However, the book keeps repeating itself and it seems to assume that we have infinite time to study. It is better suit to high school than college.

I got this book along with The Rocket Review, The Rocket Review Revolution: The Ultimate Guide to the New SAT (Third Edition) (Rocketreview Revolution: The Ultimate Guide to the New SAT) which I wrote a review on as well, because it really is my favorite SAT book. Either way, I never made time to read "What Smart Students Know" until I was bored on the train coming home. I usually never buy into these books that promises improvements in grades or even SAT's instantly, but this is actually a book that I ended up taking to college because I found it so useful.

The way the author writes is straight, so there isn't time wasted on trying to figure out what the author is trying to tell you, it is easy to follow. The graphics are great, it's funny and I will be honest it really does show you most efficient way to learn as much as you want to learn, and get whatever GPA you want to get. It is a book that I strongly recommend and because it isn't expensive and it isn't a hard read or long I don't understand why anyone wouldn't spend $15 and actually get a book that, depending on what you want to do with it, will help you save time, and open your eyes in school. In my class I had a really good friend, who never studied yet, would come into class, finish a test in half the time and get an A. While I study for hours at night, and wake up early in the morning to study one more time so its fresh in my head. I started reading this book, and it essentially became my guide because it is a book that you don't have to sit and read through all at once but you can use it as a reference and that is why it is so useful, it lowers stress for studying because it tells you what is most effective in order to get that A.

Bottom Line: You don't buy the book to get a 200 on your IQ test, rather, it is a book that teaches you how to get the best grades in school and not have to spend hours.

As with all of Ms. Cooneys books this one was awesome! A wonderful addition to the Time series. I will probably be rereading these books all over again soon!

I have read many of Caroline B. Cooney's books, and this, is not what I would showcase as her best. The characters and situations were sort of thrown at the reader, and little background was given. You were just supposed to feel what the emotions of the characters were on your own.

She did compare the ideals of the present day to the past frequently. Annie, the main character, wants to live in the past because she would have less responsobilties, but at the same time wants woman rights. I think this shows how much society has changed.

Unfortunatley, I don't believe she was going after politcal views, but where her true focus was is still kind of blurry. Her descriptions were vague, and characters were sort of tossed around like salad condiments. Throwing in scenes here and there, just overall making it confusing and uninteresting.

This book was a great read. It had suspence, adventure, love, and truths about life. I loved this book for its comparisons to life today in the nineteen nintys and life in the eighteen nintys. It is a superb sequal to Both Sides Of Time in all of its glory.

I love how Caroline B. Cooney compares the lives of woman in these two times. They are very much different, but in a sense the same. A story of true girl power. The styles of idealism in society are different and what would be considered crazy or abnormal.

A pure delight to read. You will be consumed by time with this book and you won't want to put it down.

I love these books (Both sides of time; out of time; prisoner of time; for all time).The books feature Annie Lockwood of 1990s and Strat (Hiram stratton junior) of 1890s. Annie traveled back in time and they fell in love. In this part of the books strat is put in an insane asylum after annie leaves, insisting she was from the 1990s. I LOVE THESE BOOKS I HOPE SHE WRITES A 5TH ONE!!!

This book has excellent pacing and no waste of words. Annie Lockwood, a girl from the 20th century, makes her way back to 1895 to be with Strat, a young man she met during her first travel back in time. She thinks it will be a romantic romp but before she knows it, she's on her way to an insane asylum to break out Strat. Dastardly Walker Walkley is hot on her heels and you can almost hear the thundering piano.

Sure the story is a bit melodramatic, sure the author gets a bit preachy about women's place in society (some of the men's opinions are two-dimensionally barbaric, you can almost see them twist their mustache), but supporting characters like Strat's sister Devonny and several others are so well-crafted they jump off the page. The danger Annie, Strat, and Harriet are in is palpable. These two factors alone make up for the less-than-stellar bits.

My only true complaint with the Time series is that the author doesn't seem to be on Annie's side. Ms. Cooney seems to be telling the story from an adult's point of view, exasperated with Annie for being a flighty teenager.

Otherwise I recommend this book for those who want to read a good chase. The ending is a tad ambiguous, but satisfying.