Media Books

And Quiche was a great kick-off to start this series. Great characters, good mysteries, fun protag. Just a good read all the way 'round.

As a devoted fan of M. C. Beaton's Hamish Macbeth series, I was intrigued to keep reading reviews of Hamish Macbeth books by people who claimed they liked the Agatha Raisin series better. But every time I contemplated the title, Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death, it just seemed too tongue in cheek to be possibly any good. Well, I was wrong. Although the book couldn't be any more satirical and much punnier than it is, the book works very well both as a straight story and as a satire. It's like getting two books for the price of one.

Since the Hamish Macbeth series started first, let me address Hamish Macbeth fans first: Think of Agatha Raisin as being one of the optimistic incomers to Lochdubh who hope for peace and tranquility without realizing what village life in Sutherland is really like. But Agatha has mostly good intentions (except towards the women in the area who drive her batty) instead of being an incipient homicidal maniac like the incomers in Sutherland. Agatha is also her own woman, and not about to take any prisoners she doesn't have to. Like Hamish, she has a crime-solving partner, Bill Wong (of the local detectives), who helps her in ways she doesn't always appreciate (like Priscilla Halburton-Smythe does for Hamish). Agatha is based, however, in the gentle Cotswolds so there won't be too many stories about brutal winter blizzards in this series. You won't miss hearing about Strathbane.

In this inaugural book, Agatha has just sold her PR firm in London (where she succeeded by being a blunt instrument in plying journalists with meals and drink and then shaking them down for stories) and decided to retire to a cottage in the Cotswolds, an area she had once visited as a child. Naturally, she has a romanticized view of what life there will be like. Having been a busy businesswoman, she now finds herself not quite sure how to fill her time. Although she had made no friends in London, she expects to make many in rural Carsely. People nod and are friendly, but it goes no further. Agatha soon makes an enemy of her next door neighbor by stealing her housekeeper. While catching up on her reading of Agatha Christie mysteries, Agatha decides she needs to get everyone's attention. Why not win a prize for baking?

Plotting her strategy, Agatha invites the quiche competition judge, Reginald Cummings-Browne, and his wife, Vera, to an expensive dinner (expecting to curry favor as it were in the quiche wars). Agatha instead ends up with a very large bill and a not very high opinion of the Cummings-Brownes. Agatha makes a quick foray to London to buy a wonderful spinach quiche that she enters as her own.

But her plot is soon foiled when the woman who always wins the quiche competition once again triumphs. Agatha leaves her quiche behind in disgust, and Vera Cummings-Browne takes it home as a snack for her husband. That night, he eats the quiche and dies of poison! Naturally, there's a police investigation and Agatha has to confess that she cheated.

Feeling like she will never make it in Carsely after such a large faux pas, Agatha begins to think she should move out and go back to London. Soon, she's between two islands of discord and not sure what to do.

The police decide that the poisoning was an accidental death, but Agatha's not so sure. Before long, she starts acting on her urge to detect . . . with consequences that definitely heat up the story.

Where most detective stories are mostly about a crime and the process of uncovering the criminal, that element retreats into the background in this book. Instead, Agatha's search for happiness is the main focus of the story. The crime and its solution are merely incidents along the way. I liked that element. In fact, this would have been a very entertaining story even if it hadn't contained a mystery.

Any time your attention threatens to flag, you can just sit there and chuckle over the outrageous satirical elements. Although you know they are overdone, you can't help but laugh . . . as you might at good burlesque sketches with imaginative pie throwing.

Although I haven't read past this book in the Agatha Raisin series, I would have to say that Agatha could displace Hamish as number one in my affections for M. C. Beaton characters.

Enjoy!

This is the very first Agatha Raisin book. In it we meet Agatha, retired early from the London PR firm she owned, and ran with an iron hand. Agatha grew up in the Birmingham slums, and dreamed that one day she would live in a Cotswold village and no one would ever know she had been poor. In order to escape the slums, she learned to be tough and hard-headed, and never had a friend in her life. Now she wants to be someone important in her new hometown. She has never cooked or baked, or planted a garden, but has learned through hard experience how to get by: with ingenuity and a little cheating. When the judge of a local baking contest dies after eating the quiche she submitted, the truth comes out: she bought the quiche in London. Now she must deal with utter humiliation and try to clear her name, and in the process she begins to thaw out and make friends for the first time in her life. What a great book!

As a devoted fan of M. C. Beaton's Hamish Macbeth series, I was intrigued to keep reading reviews of Hamish Macbeth books by people who claimed they liked the Agatha Raisin series better. But every time I contemplated the title, Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death, it just seemed too tongue in cheek to be possibly any good. Well, I was wrong. Although the book couldn't be any more satirical and much punnier than it is, the book works very well both as a straight story and as a satire. It's like getting two books for the price of one.

Since the Hamish Macbeth series started first, let me address Hamish Macbeth fans first: Think of Agatha Raisin as being one of the optimistic incomers to Lochdubh who hope for peace and tranquility without realizing what village life in Sutherland is really like. But Agatha has mostly good intentions (except towards the women in the area who drive her batty) instead of being an incipient homicidal maniac like the incomers in Sutherland. Agatha is also her own woman, and not about to take any prisoners she doesn't have to. Like Hamish, she has a crime-solving partner, Bill Wong (of the local detectives), who helps her in ways she doesn't always appreciate (like Priscilla Halburton-Smythe does for Hamish). Agatha is based, however, in the gentle Cotswolds so there won't be too many stories about brutal winter blizzards in this series. You won't miss hearing about Strathbane.

In this inaugural book, Agatha has just sold her PR firm in London (where she succeeded by being a blunt instrument in plying journalists with meals and drink and then shaking them down for stories) and decided to retire to a cottage in the Cotswolds, an area she had once visited as a child. Naturally, she has a romanticized view of what life there will be like. Having been a busy businesswoman, she now finds herself not quite sure how to fill her time. Although she had made no friends in London, she expects to make many in rural Carsely. People nod and are friendly, but it goes no further. Agatha soon makes an enemy of her next door neighbor by stealing her housekeeper. While catching up on her reading of Agatha Christie mysteries, Agatha decides she needs to get everyone's attention. Why not win a prize for baking?

Plotting her strategy, Agatha invites the quiche competition judge, Reginald Cummings-Browne, and his wife, Vera, to an expensive dinner (expecting to curry favor as it were in the quiche wars). Agatha instead ends up with a very large bill and a not very high opinion of the Cummings-Brownes. Agatha makes a quick foray to London to buy a wonderful spinach quiche that she enters as her own.

But her plot is soon foiled when the woman who always wins the quiche competition once again triumphs. Agatha leaves her quiche behind in disgust, and Vera Cummings-Browne takes it home as a snack for her husband. That night, he eats the quiche and dies of poison! Naturally, there's a police investigation and Agatha has to confess that she cheated.

Feeling like she will never make it in Carsely after such a large faux pas, Agatha begins to think she should move out and go back to London. Soon, she's between two islands of discord and not sure what to do.

The police decide that the poisoning was an accidental death, but Agatha's not so sure. Before long, she starts acting on her urge to detect . . . with consequences that definitely heat up the story.

Where most detective stories are mostly about a crime and the process of uncovering the criminal, that element retreats into the background in this book. Instead, Agatha's search for happiness is the main focus of the story. The crime and its solution are merely incidents along the way. I liked that element. In fact, this would have been a very entertaining story even if it hadn't contained a mystery.

Any time your attention threatens to flag, you can just sit there and chuckle over the outrageous satirical elements. Although you know they are overdone, you can't help but laugh . . . as you might at good burlesque sketches with imaginative pie throwing.

Although I haven't read past this book in the Agatha Raisin series, I would have to say that Agatha could displace Hamish as number one in my affections for M. C. Beaton characters.

Enjoy!

...And great fun to read! Agatha first comes across as hard to take, but pretty soon we begin to appreciate her vulnerability. Set in the Cotswold villages of Britain, Agatha's adventures are closely tied in with her inability to safely navigate normal social life amongst the village. The supporting cast is wonderfully diverse, and the humor that is liberally sprinkled throughout Agatha's observations and experiences kept me thoroughly entertained chapter to chapter. I don't much care for series, but look forward to reading more in this one. I appreciated that it was PG rated, and that the main emphasis was on characterization and solving the mystery. No blood and guts.

Is there *anyone* on the planet who doesn't like Beverly Cleary's books and the wonderful characters she created?

Beezus and Ramona (along with Henry Huggins and the rest of the gang on Klikitak Street) were part of my childhood. 40 years later, they were just as appealing to my own son. And don't tell anyone -- although we bought these audiobooks when he was about 8, at 12 he still likes to put these on ocassionally and listen. Why? In large part because of Stockard Channing's masterful performance here. Her rendition of Ramona is EXACTLY how we imagine this impish little creature would talk.

I highly recommend these books, both because of the delightful stories and characters that Mrs. Clearly created for us, and because Stockard Channing has brought them to life so perfectly here. The stories are reminiscent of simpler times and will take parents back to their own childhoods while providing toddlers to tweens with good, wholesome entertainment.

We listened on road trips, and unlike certain kids entertainment (a certain purple dinosaur comes to mind), you won't want the kids to wear headphones to preserve your sanity. You'll want it on the main speakers for everyone in the car to enjoy.

Five stars!

If you have a little sister and think she's annoying, think again. Does your sister think Bendix is the most beautiful name in the world? Does she ruin your birthday cake--twice?! Sometimes little sisters are annoying, but Ramona is impossible! Beezuz, Roamona's big sister finds out that no matter what happens in her childhood with Ramona, they will think it funny when they grow up. I hope you'll enjoy this book!

Beezus really got annoyed with Ramona, she wrecked the art class, she bite into all those apples,etc. I would have probably screamed if I had Ramona for a sister! I like Beverly Cleary's books. I own this particular book of hers, and I read it again and again! It's awsome! I totally recomend it, along with Cleary's other awsome books!

I recently read this to my 8yo daughter (who has a 4yo brother) and she loved it even moreso than some of the more Ramona-centred book, I think because she could relate so much to Beezus's feelings. She was particularly taken with the first story about Ramona's obsession with the libary book as we have similar issues with The Very Hungry Caterpillar at our house.

Ask any older sibling about younger siblings, and you'll get one common answer...they're A-N-N-O-Y-I-N-G. They steal your toys, throw tantrums, and constantly steal the spotlight. But, even the most perturbed older siblings know that, deep down, it's impossible not to love younger sisters and brothers - sometimes.

Nine-year-old Beatrice "Beezus" Quimby has always been a quiet soul, content with spending her time embroidering pot holders, helping her mother do the sheets on Saturday's, and reading the countless books she checks out of the Glenwood Branch Library on a weekly basis. Unfortunately, her four-year-old sister, Ramona, is the exact opposite of her. Ramona has one thing on her mind, and that's making as much noise as possible, and driving the whole family out of their mind. Beezus can't stand it, especially since the responsibility of taking care of Ramona, and ensuring that she behaves, is often delegated to her, so that her parents can get their work done. Ramona, however, refuses to obey Beezus. Unless, of course, she's reading one of her favorite books - The Littlest Steam Shovel, or Big Steve the Steam Shovel - to her. But even that doesn't keep Ramona occupied for long. When Beezus is in the midst of creating pictures for her art class, Ramona is there to cause a mess, and challenge Beezus' imagination. When Ramona is offered two marshmallows as a snack, she uses them as powder puffs, as opposed to putting them in her tummy, where they belong. During checkers games with Beezus' pal Henry Huggins, Ramona destroys the checkerboard, and wreaks all sorts of havoc - even some involving Henry's beloved dog Ribsy. In Beezus' eyes, she can't win - even when it's her birthday. But as she gets older, and learns more about her mother's relationships with her siblings, Beezus begins to realize that, as obnoxious as Ramona is, she's still her sister. And even though she may become angry at Ramona for her crazy antics; she still loves her - just not all the time.

I fell in love with Beverly Cleary's RAMONA books when I was five-years-old, and now that I have decided to re-read them, I'm finding that I can't help but fall in love with them all over again. I feel as if I have reverted back to my five-year-old self, and can actually relate to the mishaps that continually take place during both Ramona, and Beezus' lives. Beezus is such a fun character, who seems wise beyond her years, and is serious to a motherly extent. Ramona, on the other hand, is carefree and impossible to handle. Her wacky thoughts, and determination to always have her way is humorous; while some of the debacles she finds herself in are downright cringe-worthy. Cleary has penned a book here that is essential to read aloud to both older and younger children. The message of love is clear on every page, and truly helps to bring siblings together. Clever, funny, and irresistible.

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

I bought this book for my 4 yr old son. He has learnt to draw many animals from this book. He is able to follow directions and draw all by himself. He has been doing a pretty good job too. This is a good book if you or your child need step by step instructions to draw animals.

I bought this book for my 4 1/2 year old but really for myself since I'm a horrible artist! This book allowed us to draw the animals together and he was able to follow the steps easily. If you can write the letter "D", "C" and stright and squiggly lines you can duplicate any animal is this book. Pretty cool since my son used to not like art of any sort but now he is in this drawing phase. I'm going to buy some other of these books in the series.

I love this book. I had this book as a child (in the 80's) and I was so excited to see that I could purchase one for my daughter. My child is in pre-school and has been practicing drawing basic shapes. Ed Emberley's book teaches children (and adults) how to draw animals by piecing together basic shapes such as squares, circles, triangles, etc. The directions are easy to follow, and show you step-by-step how to combine different shapes into a final product. I would recommend this book for any age group, from a child who is just learning to draw to an adult who loves to doodle.

I had this when I was growing up and wanted to share it with my toddler. It is great because although he is too young to draw these things, he recognizes them in the book (and when I draw them) and we can make up our own stories together. When he gets a better handle on drawing for himself, the book will grow into that role. Yay!

Ed Emberley has a wonderful way of teaching not only children but artistically challenged adults (like myself) how to produce simple, but adorable drawings of animals. Personally, I can barely draw stick figures, but I was actually able to follow Emberley's easy instructions and ended up producing drawings that actually looked like the instructional examples in the book! Both of my children loved this book and I'd recommend it to anyone wanting to learn the basics of drawing.

"The Fires of Merlin" was about the great adventures that Merlin had when he was a kid. This book was the third of five books in the Lost Years of Merlin series. This book deals with Merlin losing his power. He had to confront an evil dragon that his grandfather had put into a deep slumber. To add to all this, there were ancient bat-looking creatures that stole magic. They were supposedly extinct. There was an evil group on the island that wanted to destroy all magic. The evil group started to raise the bat-like creatures. The group and their bats were responsible for what happens to Merlin's powerful necklace. If you want to find out what happens to Merlin and if he finds his power read the book yourself.

"Sometimes it's easier to see someone else's dragon than your own." "The Fires of Merlin", is an exciting tale of the unforgettable Legend of Merlin. The story tells of Merlin's dangerous quests for others and confrontations to himself. He must also defeat the dragon Valdearg, who had been under a deep sleep for thousands of years, and had now suddenly awakened to cause havoc on the lands of Fincayra.
Before he can face the rampaging dragon's fire, he most face other fires, including the fires within himself. He most avoid or confront the magic-eating Kreelixes; discover the secrets of the Wheel of Wye, and take back his treasured Galator from the evil hag, Domnu. On his quest, he discovers his true magic was not in his staff but within his heart and soul. He learns this through his tragedies and the people that he meets. For example he learns that there is more magic within himself than any within his staff. To understand both sides of this problem he cannot not to judge someone for being related to one of evil doings, for even he has the blood of the once evil ruler of Fincayra, Stangmar, and Merlin's father.
This stunning work of art is an exciting fantasy about confronting yourself and discovering what you are really capable of. It shows the meaning of bravery and the meaning of the heart. The author uses descriptive words and sentences so the reader can understand and get a distinct picture in their head of a scene or speculation. In my opinion, the author really made his point to his readers and wrote from his heart. I recommend this book to all people who enjoy creative fantasies and luminous stories.

Extraordinary ride through a magical journey with unique creatures with an imagination that nevers stops!!! Very moving and speaks to the heart!!!

Make sure to read all 5 books, you'll not be disappointed!!

i loved it.........but it does not compare to seven songs of merlin in any way. the dragon of fincayra's children have been killed (except for 1). now he is on a wraging rampage. the only one who can stop him is merlin. but merlin is fighting simply to keep his magic.

Do not view these as five individual books, but as five pieces of a whole saga. To read only one would be to cheat one's self of seeing an entire picture.

The epic begins with an child with no memory being raised by a mysterious woman in a small village. Both of them are regarded as local oddities and driven to live in a convent. The boy is known as Emrys, but never feels that that is his true name. As he matures, he develops gifts and wonderous powers, along with an increasing need to know who he is. Eventually, he goes upon a quest in search of his heritage, one that will lead him to the lands his mother's stories spoke of, the Hidden World outside of time and this life. He finds himself in the midst of a battle between warring demigods, and finds a new name for his own, Merlin.

As Merlin journeys through the five books, he makes new friends and bitter enemies. This is a world filled with dragons, witches, goblins, and lost treasures. Secrets that are as powerful and painful as a two edged blade are discovered. Otherworlds are crossed, time itself bends to give the boy a glimpse of his own destiny, and choices musst be made that will affect far more than just Merlin.

***** Elements of other classics are hinted at, but applied in new ways and familiarity only serves to endear. This is a grand saga without the weightiness of other epics. Rather, it is easy to read and charming. This Merlin can stand alongside Tolkien's hobbits or Harry Potter proudly. *****

Reviewed by Amanda Killgore.

Charlie has to look after his little sister and give her dinner. Unfortunately, Lola is a very picky eater, and we have to sit through the entire list of things she won't eat. ESPECIALLY not tomatoes.

So he decides to "play a good trick on her" and tell her that all these foods she "won't eat" are really *different* and exotic foods that she's sure to love. (Are you sure you don't want these green drops? I'll eat them, then, they're very rare!)

Predictably (to us grown-ups), she gobbles all these foods up, and then turns the table on her brother by asking for the tomatoes (These? Are you sure you want THESE?) declaring that they're "moonsquirters" and saying "You didn't think they were tomatoes, did you Charlie?"

What's interesting is that this technique is actually recommended for both child and adult picky eaters. Oh, not the trickery, but the use of pleasant sounding names to make foods sound appealing. (And really, Lola wasn't tricked at all, was she?)

Cute illustrations and clever text. May not change the mind of a dedicated vegetable-hater, but they'll enjoy it.

I love this book. It is so cute and even convinces my three-year old to eat foods she doesn't want to!

This book should be read by fussy readers everywhere -- and I have a few adults I know who belong in that category!

The illustrations are delightful, showing pictures of the food against interesting textures and colors. This book will have a positive effect on the fussiest eater.

Funny, heartwarming and highly recommended!

I got this for my daughter, who absolutely adores Charlie and Lola and simply loves the TV episode that complements this book. The sparse text and colorful pictures made reading less intimidating for her, and for a paperback, the book is very sturdy and well put-together. Great book - I definitely recommend!

I disagree with those who have reviewed this book as suitable for unexperienced programmers. Java 2: A Beginner's Guide is a solid and well written book but in my opinion it is not a book for someone who has no or very little programming experience.

The first couple of chapters are fairly easy to follow but later chapters become somewhat difficult for the novice. I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who has prior programming experience in Fortran or C but if you are looking to learn Java as your first real computer language you should look elsewhere first.

I would compare Java to learning calculus. Something you really should not do before completing arithmetic or algebra. I would recommend getting your feet wet with something like RealBasic (www.realbasic.com) which, for example, introduces the concept of classes in a much more manageable format. Another great approach would be the programming language of 4D (www.4d.com). Both of these are available as free full working demo downloads and would give you an easier slide into the programming world.

After taking a class on Java, I bought this book to review based on other reviewers comments and it's low used price. I was not disappointed. This is an excellent value for the beginner/intermediate. Written clearly and plainly there is no wasted space in the book. You will need another source for swing/graphics (perhaps the newer editions?) but as a beginner's guide this book truly delivers.

If Herb Schildt wrote it, it's gotta be good. I find his explanations very accessible and easy to follow for this non-programmer. If it weren't for the explanations and examples in his book, I'd never have gotten a passing grade in my class. It was far more useful than the textbook (or the professor, for that matter).

I use this book as an alternative source for students in my introduction classes. They repeatedly give me excellent comments about this book. They consistently find the book helpful.

This is very easy to follow and does not assume any previous prgramming experience for real and gives very good explaination chapter wise.

I started reading R.L. Stine books over a year ago. This was a great one. Well, actually most of them are good! WARNING: DO NOT GET Fear Street Nights. Thos are crapy books. Don't get Feer Street Cheerleaders either. Anyway, I have to admit, it's probably been aout a year since I've read this. I should really start selling my BIG libray of R.L. Stine books. If you ever se my name for buying a book, get it. I do NOT lie about the conditions of my books and most of them look new. All the ones that I didn't buy used, all look brand new- and I'M NOT KIDDING! Anyways, from what I remember, a boy named P.J. and can't tell you much else with out giving anything away. Just buy it :)

This book was the best! I loved it. It goes from a party to kids at school to people in the street to a suprising ending. The best part is the ending, it was so unexpected. The murderer was a stone-cold killer, twisting their heads all the way around. I'm REALLY looking forward to reading another R.L. Stine book.

Best Book
The book the New Years Party written by R.L Stein was a thriller book. This book mostly takes place at a party, school and many more. This is the best book I've ever read.
A Thriller book
This book is mostly about a couple of people who hang out with the new girl and her brother who seem nice. So they start to show her around. Then they get in a fight later in the story. One person from the group of girls tries to not be in a fight with the new girl anymore. The ending I thought was kind of scary and exciting at the same time. What happened I didn't expect it at all.
Exciting
This book had some pretty gross moments. I would recommend that you don't read this book during the night because you might have night mares. I loved this book because it kept you wanting to turn the page. For example when they we're in the restaurant, they went outside and found a body in the trash can. I loved it so much. Another reason I liked it is because when you would stop reading it for 10 minutes, you want to pick it back up and keep reading it. I also thought that the front of the book looked interesting and scary. I thought I would read it because I like scary books and if you do then this book is perfect for you.
Nice but Not Nice
Something else I'd like you to know about this book is that the beginning is kind of boring but the middle of the book and the end are great. If you decided to read this book then hears something you should hear just because someone seems nice doesn't mean that they stay nice.
Good or Bad
I would give this book 1 millon star if I could but since I can't I would give this book 5 stars. I loved it so much. I hope you read it and enjoy it as much as I did.

THIS IS SUCH A GOOD BOOK!!! THE KILLER IS SUCH A BLOODY SURPRISE!!!

This book was about a group of friends on New Year's Eve who are about to count down the New Year, but something's gone wrong. Someone is crashing the party and one boy gets offended by it. It's icy on the road so he goes for a drive. Now no one can find him. Now you have to go read the book to figure out everything else and see what happens to him and his friend Beth. I recommend this book strongly to people who like horror books and books that have a lot of suspense. This book makes you want to read ahead the whole time to see what's going to happen. That's why I like this book a lot. I would tell anyone to read this book. There wasn't anything I didn't like about it. The book was really cool because the time base was 1965 and it was really cool to see how something really haven't changed from now and then. Sometimes in this book I could picture myself there at the party as scared as they all were. The end and close to the end of the book is really surprising and kind of hard to believe. That's why I loved it. This book is now of my favorites and I like it a lot like I have already said. So that's why I suggest you go and buy this book! (:

Jamie is a normal 17-year-old girl. Well, not completely. Her dad is dead, and her mom is a big-time lawyer. The only real friend she has is Webb, her sort-of boyfriend. But, he's off backpacking in Europe, and Jamie has to follow her mother to Chicago, where a HUGE trial is going on.

Jamie does NOT want to be there. She would much rather be with Webb. In fact, she wants to be with him so much, she starts to daydream about him while riding a rented bicycle down the streets of busy Chicago. But this isn't any normal daydream. She feels like she is really at the beach, with Webb. She can smell the salty air, and feel Webb's hands as they braid her hair. HONK!! Jamie is jolted out of her daydream, right into a moving car! Could Jamie really space out that much? Why did her daydream feel so real? And why does everyone stare at her whenever she comes out of one? Is she really talking out loud to Webb? Shouldn't he be in Europe? What at first seems so innocent, just like a few daydreams, turns out to be more sinster then Jamie, or anyone, could ever imagine.

This has got to be one of the most spectacular books out there. The characters are handled so well, and the plot is nothing short of stupendous. You have to read this book at least twice to catch all the clues dropped in by the author. I recommend this book to everyone!

Excellent. It starts off slow, but as you progress it gets better and better. It surprised me at the end, that something that seemed so unimportant became such a big plot point. Very surprising ending. This book is recommended for teen readers.

Julie Reece Deaver's The Night I Disappeared was a great fictional book. She has a lot of imagination, which makes this book very interesting.

It tells about a girl, Jamie Tessman, who just left her hometown in California to go with her mother to Chicago on a business trip. Her mother is a successful and famous attorney. Everyone knows Jamie for that, but She is way different from her mother. Her father died when she was young, and ever since then she hasn't fit in anywhere... except when she is with her, sort-of boyfriend, Webb. They are so perfect together and she could be with him forever, until she finds out that he has never really been there for her at all. With the help of her new (and only) friend Morgan and Morgan's aunt she discovers a secret that has been keeping her separate from the rest of the world. She starts seeing things in Chicago, and she starts to think that she is slowly becoming crazy. When she finally gets the help she needs, she has to choose between Webb and reality.

At first when I started reading this book I didn't quite understand but then I learned that the whole point of the story was for Jamie to overcome her fears. I felt like I was with her through every step of the way, and every time she got just a little bit closer to reality. I thought this was a great book and really enjoyed reading it. I will never forget this book.

I love this kind of book, and I had to read this for school, so I was happy! This is one of the best books i have ever read. Its a heart warming story about a girl and and horrible night. I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!

The Night I Disappeared is mostly about a normal teenage girl named Jamie. But really Jamie isn't normal at all or had a normal life.
Jamie's mom is a lawyer that is non stop. Her mom gets all the publicity a famous person does just on a court case. Well Jamie's mother has to go live in Chicago to do a famous murder trail. When stress is put on Jamie because she misses her friends and boyfriend everything gets out of control.
Jamie starts to have dreams or `clips' in her mind about her boyfriend Web. Soon the dreams become a hassle for her. Her mom very concerned about her healthy, she sends her to a physiatrist. Jamie went ahead and agreed so it wouldn't put even more stress on her because of the case. When Jamie soon finds out things her life, her family is hit like a bolt of light hitting the earth. Jamie soon finds out that her life isn't what she thought it was.
I really liked this book because it has a twist in it. It leaves you stunned because people's lives can be like that. It leaves you sitting on the edge of your seat. You can also make so many comparisons and you can understand what Jamie has to go through.
My dislikes are how the book goes back and forth from her dreams and her real life because it can confuse you. Other than that I wouldn't say anything else bad about it.
I would recommend this book to any person. A person who really loves mystery or Rebecca Davis books would also enjoy this
I hope you enjoyed this review and go out and check and read this book. I will defiantly leave you stunned.

I have purchased the entire set of these books from Amazon. They were all delivered in great condition, not to mention how exciting it is to read about the "olden" days and how life was lived before trains, planes, automobiles, stupid music and electricity!!! WHAT????..No washer?..Go to the river! No dryer?..Wait for the sun to shine!...No toilet paper?..use your own imagination on that one! And get hooked on these great books.

Though the book does follow the basic formula of the other books in the series, it has quirks and differences that make it absolutely hilarious and engrossing. Not that the book is a comedy, but the way the characters interact is priceless.
I admit, I'm pretty bored with the basic plot of these books -- variations on Young Person Runs Away From Arranged Future (or abusive tribesmember) -- but even if this series has left you cold due to the politics (if that's the case, just ignore the beginning), get this book! A well-turned tale, with wonderful, sympathetic characters and a wonderful tour of maybe a third of North America.

But I have loved all the books in the series. That being said, this one was fabulous. They Gears do a good job of making the stories interesting and entertaining but if you are into the pre-history there is so much information in there well placed in broad daylight but it all blends together beautifully.

I've loved everything I've read by the Gears and I've read just about everything they have published. Wonderful interposing of fiction onto the facts! They use their expertise as anthropologists and as story tellers to combine what really has been found about North American Indians and interpose a very believable story onto it. They really make the past come alive! The inclusion of what has really been found by anthropologists adds tremendously to the books!

If you like the Gears and haven't read it you need to. If you haven't read the Gears try this one. This was the first one I read and I had a bit of a problem at first following there style of writing a book...but I got over that fairly quickly as things progressed and I realized what and how it was written.

These characters are absolutely endearing. Based on historical facts of the Hopewells it is a marvelous journey based on suspense, humor and the supernatural. It made me addicted and craving more of there books! Try it out, as you can see I am not the only one telling you you won't be disappointed!

Helen Lester's books all combine sweet stories with terrific humor that both children and adults can enjoy. The stories are just the right length and have a nice hidden message as well--you may be different but that can be a plus! The whole Tacky series is wonderful.

I love this series. Besides being silly and fun to read, they also point out that it is ok to be different. This is a great message for kids, especially with the terrible shootings that have plagued our country. A message of acceptance is needed for all. Of course, my class just loves Tacky. He is a character everyone must get to know.

Very cute story, very engaging with hilarious illustrations. This is a great book - we travel alot so I tend to purchase a lot of paperback picture books (portable!) and this is one of our favorites.

It's been many, many years since I read this book, the last time being in my childhood. It's been a while, but I still remember Tacky with fondness. In fact, I was just thinking about him earlier today. I loved this book sooo much when I was a child, and highly recommend it for both kids and parents alike.

My son from an early age marched to a beat of a different drummer. We discovered this book when he was 5, and it was a great thing in his life. I was recently asked to name the most influential non-religious book in our lives and believe it or not this was it. Tacky helped our son believed that there was a place in the world for both the straight-laced run-of-the-mill kids and the more creative types. He is leaving to college today, his third year , and I just had to write this review in thanks. Our son has a lot of self-esteem and this book helped him find it. If you have a quirky kid, this book is a must. If you have a 'normal' kid, but they have a quirky friend this is a good book too, because it doesn't put down either sets of people, or penguins as the case may be. We of course have the whole book memorized and can make any of us smile by starting any of the phases in the book. If we save one of the children's books in our library, Tacky would be by FAR it.