Schools Books

This book is one of my favourites out the whole series. Unlike alot of readers, I really like Alisa - I think she adds a strange kind of innocence to the books that instead of being annoying is quite good - it adds some light for a change. Even though the way in which she finds out about being a half witch is very repeative and simliar (and a bit cheesy) to how Morgan found out she was an adopted blood witch, i still liked it because like I said, I like Alisa and the innocence and light she adds to the story. I think it was a very good idea to have Alisa save the day rather than Morgan for a change. I think that it was a good idea of Cate Tiernan's to have the spotlight shared by two characters because she has avoided the irritating predictable problem some books suffer from where there is always one heroic character who saves the day every time. This time, it is alot more varied.

So this book, eclipse, is really good! It shares the point of view with Morgan who is ususally the narrator, and Alisa, who you haven't heard from. Alisa's relationship with Morgan is that she is Morgan's little sister Mary K.'s best friend (getting a little Jerry Springer...) anyhow, Alisa is a blood witch. Mordan's killer father, Ciaran McEwan is trying to destroy Widows Vale with the *ominous music* DARK WAVE! Morgan finds Ciaran and her boyfriend, Hunter, stripps his magick. But the dark Wave is still coming! Will they be able to stop it in time? *FORESHADOWING*

I purchased the Sweep series for my 13 year old daughter in the hopes that maybe she would read. "She hated to read." Well I was amazed, and could not get her to go to sleep, as she would spend the whole night, with a night-light on reading these books. She enjoyed them so much, and could not stop talking first about Cal and then Hunter, that I had to see what all the fuss was about.
Well after two weeks, a book a day, for a girl who hated to read, it sparked my curiosity, so I started reading, and was surprised to find out how enjoyable a Teen book about Teen Witches could be. I am not really into Wicca, but these books are really enjoyable. I am on my fifth book, and my daughter read each twice, and is know on the Circle of Three Series. I have to highly recommend these books to those parents who can not get their daughters to read. These are excellent stories, full of fantasy, horror, and fun.

over here in the uk sweep is called WICCA. i am a wiican and 14 and im a beginner and i do like these books. it is fantasy wicca but it is buult over fact.
if u want real wicca after u have read these books check out silver ravenwolf, starhawk, dorothy morisson etc.
These books are great 2 read even if ure not wiccan they are action packed.
this book in particular is probably one of the best and at the time of writing this is the latest one published in the UK but i know the other 2 plus super edition will be even better.

Morgan is back and so is Alisa. For those who don't remember, Alisa is the girl who is scared by Morgan because strange telekinetic things happen when they are together and she feels Morgan is unable to control her power.

One day, at practical magic, Morgan picks up a Book Of Shadows from the seventies. This is actually on we have seen excerpts from in a previous book. But when Alisa is visiting Mary K. (Morgans younger sister), she steals the book.

The book winds up revealing things about Alisa's family and just who Alisa is. As Alisa begins to deal with her situation, she gets caught up with Morgan, Hunter and Hunter's father as a new and serious danger threatens them and much of Widow's Vale.

The story switches back and forth from Morgan's point of view to Alisa's. There are no excerpts starting each chapter, but there are some interesting quotes. A good book that seems to really move the series towards a conclusion.

On a side note, does anyone else thing the town should change its name to Widowers Vale? Morgan, Alisa and Hunter are all missing mothers. Plenty of widowers and no widows.

... this one is for you. Ever feel like the girls around you live on some other planet? Do you yourself feel like an alien in your own environment? This book may give you hope that one day even you will feel at home in your own skin.

Emma-Jean Lazarus (what a delicious name!) is not quite like her seventh grade peers. While a keen observer of their behaviors and social interactions, she nonetheless remains a little aloof from them all. Highly literal, and almost painfully logical, Emma-Jean doesn't really attract the friendship of her peers either -- they think her just a tad weird and mostly remain indifferent to her. However, one day, Emma-Jean finds a fellow classmate crying in the bathroom, and Emma-Jean perceives (in the classmate's various wailings about a best friend's betrayal) a plea for help. Ever the logical problem-solver, Emma jean applies her analytical mind to the issue and soon comes up with a, frankly, morally dubious solution. However, to Emma-Jean, it seems she's done just the right thing -- solved her new friend's problem.

Emma-Jean soon finds other problems to solve for her classmates, but doesn't realize the ripple-effects her various unusual-if-logical solutions are creating. It seems that there is one problem Emma-Jean hasn't been able to puzzle out quite yet -- the mysteries of the human heart and mind.

This book is charming and chuckle-worthy (with the occasional laugh-out-loud moment), but without stooping to humor at the expense of others -- especially the rather obvious target of Emma-Jean. Emma-Jean, while not formerly diagnosed, would be familiar to most reader's who know someone diagnosed with some of the milder forms of Autism or Asperger's syndrome. While the humor often derives from the disconnect between how Emma-Jean perceives her world and how the world is really structured (a sort of dramatic irony), the subtle jabs are more often aimed at the rather silly ins and outs of "normal" human behavior, rather than Emma-Jeans clearly logical analysis.

Emma-Jean is a very short read, but manages to pack lots of action, humor, and even several very touching moments into a small little package. The pacing is great (and I don't often concern myself with pacing), but Emma-Jean's larger-than-average vocabulary will rule out reluctant readers, and some portion of its target audience who doesn't want to read with a dictionary handy. Frankly, it may be one of those children's books that has more appeal for its adult readers... but then again, that's what I am!

This was a quick, easy read. And for the kids that would find its theme of friendship interesting, its a gem of a story. It may not be for all readers, Emma Jean is a compelling, but very different kind of main character.

Its well written without having to resort to cliche attitudes, expressions, or some of the other formulaic child meets friend, helps friend, gets into to trouble middle grade plots. (And for some middle grade readers, that might be too much of a step outside their comfort zone!)

Check it out. You'll be surprised.

This story begins Emma Jean Lazarus opens a door. Literally, it's the door to the girls' bathroom at school, where she finds Colleen Pomerantz (a kind, sensitive girl and not one of the usual 7th grade criers) sobbing over a problem with a friend. Figuratively, it's the door we all open when we make the sometimes scary decision to reach out to another human being. This is a big deal for all of us, but especially for Emma Jean, who's one of those brilliant, wise-beyond-her-years kids who seems to watch everything from the sidelines. She reminds me a lot of Lisa Yee's Millicent Min, Girl Genius. Because Emma Jean is brilliant at math and logic, just like her father who died two years ago, she uses logic to find solutions to her classmates' problems, with results that are hilarious and heartwarming.

There's a lot to love about this book. If you're a writer, you should read it because it's a fantastic example of how to pull off changing points of view in third person narrative. If you spend any time in a middle school, you'll love it because the characters are so real. As a middle school English teacher, I recognized these kids. I've seen Emma Jean watching the other kids at lunch. I've comforted Colleen when one of her friends was mad at her. And I've seen them all in their specially picked outfits at that first middle school dance. Author Lauren Tarshis has nailed middle school to a tee; she even understands one of the great secrets of school hallways: that the custodians are the real heroes.

Emma Jean Lazarus goes out on a limb in this middle grade novel (and yes, she really does fall out of a tree). Her journey is one that manages to be funny and sad and uplifting and true, all at once. You'll love this book.

Tarshis, Lauren. Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree. Dial Books for Young Readers, 2007

Emma-Jean Lazarus is in the seventh grade at William Gladstone Middle School where she observes rather than interacts with her classmates. Her father, who died in a car accident a couple of years ago when she was only 10, had been a successful mathematician who influenced her to want her world to be logical and rational, "Emma-Jean had observed her peers closely over the years. Her painstaking research had given her a much clearer understanding of their complex emotional lives and surprising sensitivities." When Emma finds a classmate crying in the girls' bathroom, she decides to use her excellent problem solving skills to intervene behind the scenes to fix Colleen's problem. A series of unfortunate events ensue until Emma finally understands that some of her well-intended actions have had negative consequences. Emma is a combination of thoughtful and naïve as she struggles to deal with the damage she has caused; fortunately facing up to her role in some troublesome events enables her to grow significantly as she learns how to interact more wisely with her peers. Woven in to this story about a child who is dealing with the death of a parent is a sweet subplot that has an older student, Vikram Adwani from Mumbai, India who is studying for a PhD at the local University, board with Emma and her mother. Emma really likes this gentleman, in fact, they spend many afternoons talking and cooking fragrant curry meals after she gets home from school, until she realizes that her mother and Vikram are growing maybe too fond of each other. Now Emma decides to intervene to help Vikram's mother find him a lovely Indian bride. Emma is a very appealing character in this wonderful story that blends humor with poignancy.

My children read this book over and over and talk about the darling little creatures they have come to know and love. Very nicely illustrated and interesting.

My older children read this book to themselves and were not impressed, BUT when I read it outloud with a british accent they were mesmerized. It's now one of our favorites. The pictures are delightful. Now my five year old is a Redwall fan too!

This book shows the talent of Chris Denise. Being the cover illustrator of the American Redwall books, he shows his work again in this very neat picture book. All the animals are so cute in this book, like hamsters, and it shows you how they prepare, what to prepare, and what to do in the abbey feasts. I recommend this book for all ages.

Fabulous illustrations occupy most of the page in this 64-page poem of 101 six-lined stanzas with an AACBBC rhyming scheme. The story incorporates many of the series' favorite characters, including Matthias and Cornflower, and depicts not only the preparations of a wonderful Redwall feast by hares and mice and otters, but includes a riddle as well.

This book is really beautiful and should be read aloud.

I bought this book because my oldest son (5 years old) saw a part of the Redwall series on PBS. He loved it but the book series is too old for him yet. This book is a great introduction! The pictures are gorgeous and the language and imagery are exquisite. I highly recommend this book and I hope there will be more like it!

This is a great book for boosting morale on any campus at any level. The ideas are fresh and enlightening for building relationships and team building. This book would be a great way to boost staff development, and active participation from all staff members.

This is a wonderful resource for Staff Development. If you are tired of having teachers yawn through your important presentations, this is a book full of ideas to help add fun to your work. The activities keep the audience involved, listening and learning throughout your presentation.

This book gives the administrator and anyone who supports the teachers in a school some great things to think about and ways to help the teachers on a day to day basis.

thanks for a wonderful job, the book and the service is excellent. well done

I had the honor to see Ms. Connors speak at a teacher conference this past week. I was feeling a bit jaded over the profession of teaching after completing my second year of teaching and after completing a research study proposal on the sad state of teacher retention due to low administrative support. I was at an oh-too-typical low point...

Ms. Connors' words (both in spoken and written form--I flew through her book after listening to her speech) really hit home. This is a book that every teacher and every administrator should read. It gives simple solutions that could and would make a big impact upon the current state of education today. I encourage every person involved in teaching students to read this book and think about the roles they currently play and the role they could play. THANK-YOU MS. CONNORS for humorously yet seriously pointing out both the problem and the necessary solutions.

Lottie's real name is Charlotte, but noone calls her that..... until this 'horrible' new teacher Mrs Beckworth arrives, and doesn't let her sit next to Lisa (who Lottie has saved the best place for), but makes poor Lottie sit next to that swot Jamie. Lottie hates Mrs Beckworth, and sends around humorous poems about trains and teases about Jamie. Lottie's teenage mum, Jo, is having problems with work but suddenly Mrs Beckworth gives the class a project. it is about the victorians and Lottie writes a diary about it. she buys Jamie, who comes her friend in the end, some postcards and everything but then Jo gets a nerdy man called Mark as a boyfriend because she babysits his son, Robin, who is small and shy and has a little stuffed robin toy that his mum made for him before she died. lottie lets him use her felt pens but he just draws a house and his mum and dad and himself. when Jo and Mark go on a love ride on a picnic where Robin is sick, Lottie sees them kissing and bullies poor robin until he runs away from home and then there is a search party because everyone is worried and he gets found and put in hospital and lottie makes him a cake and draws him pictures of birds. lottie suddenly feels bad and crys in her bathroom because she doesn't feel old and hates herself. she even needs the comfort of her old barbies, which are packed away in her drawer and she and jo used to dress them and drive them to posh parties to make them dance, and jo enjoyed this more than lottie! you should read these other books too:
Best Friends, Diamond girls, the bed and breakfast kid, sleepovers, the suitcase kid, the lottie project, clean break, the worry website, girls in love, girls out late, the dare game, the story of tracy beaker, vicky angel, cliffhanger, the illustrated mum and girls in tears, the cat mummy.
I have 56 jaqcueline wilson books because i am a major bookworm and book collector. i have read over 8 billion books in my 10 years of living, and so has my best friend.
so girls, get readin'!

This is such a fantastic book! It's about Charlie who lives with her mum Jo in a flat. Her mean teacher, Miss Beckworth wants the class to do a school project on the Victorians.
"Boring!" she thinks at first, but gradually she likes it more
and more. She writes a project and wants to keep it private.
Her project is about Lottie and how she copes with her frustrating life. First she's an ordinary eleven year old girl
living with her family in a cottage but then she has to leave school and get a job as a nursery maid. The children she looks after are such naughty little monkeys and she doesn't lke this job.
Stupid snooty swotty boy Jamie Edwards is so annoying to Charlie. YOU'VE GOT TO READ IT IT'S SUCH A BRILL BOOK!!!!
Don't call this book stupid. Honestly, don't. If you think it's
stupid, read "Best Friends" or "Vicky Angel" or "Girls in tears". THEY'RE the stupid books. OK, so that's all I want to say.

charlies life is really changing. Her teacher is mean, makes her sit next to Jamie Edwards,and assigns a "dreary" projecton the "dreary" victorian period. So charlie decides to create a diary for her project, and creates Lottie, a Victorian nurserymaid, and history comes to life.

charlies mom is also causing trouble in her life. Charlie thinks she has a boyfriend, and that can't happen!!!!!

i loved this book and how Charlie brought Lottie to life.
i would recamend this book to anyone.

~tara~

I have read many books from Jacqueline Wilson, and have admired her ability to express how kids feel, what they want. This is all true. Being a kid, i have lots of friends that match those in the story. This book, Lottie Project, is one of my favourite books she wrote. I know how it feels to be forced to write a project, but i have never wrote a project, that like Charlotte's, matches my own daily life.
In school, i have just learnt about the Victorians, and told my teacher, Miss Battram, about the book. She too admitts that it is a good book and should be added into the Victorian learning program for year 5 next year.
Everyone can see that Jacqueline Wilson has shown us how an 11year old girl's life can be similar to a maid in the Victorian times, and how they coped with it.
This book is really great for everyone to read, maybe single parents should take a peek in this book too as it will tell single parents how their child feels when they start dating someone else. then, they can talk it through with their child, so mistakes like in Lottie Project, that Charlotte Enright had to cope with, will not happen.
Furthermore, this book is very good to be used in Victorian sessions in school, seeing as the book is very funny, and still useful in teaching about a 11 year old girl's life in the Victorian times.
Rita Teo Bangkok Patana school, Thailand

This is definitely one of my favorite books. I guess sixth graders will enjoy it most, but parents will also enjoy it too. Jacqueline Wilson really knows how to get into the world of 11-year-olds.

Charlie Enright has a lot of problems at school. Her new teacher is strict and mean. She assigns the sixth-graders a Victorian project right at the beginning of the year. Also, she makes Charlie sit next to Jamie Edwards, which Charlie isn't sure she likes or hates.

She also is having problems with her friends. They have abandoned the 'We Hate Boys Club' and are now very interested in boys and not paying much attention to her.

And her home lifes not that wonderful either. Her single mother has just lost her job, but she finds another one quickly. It turns out that she has fallen in love with her boss and Charlie has got to stop her. Somehow. Someway.

Will Charlie's problems ever end? Read this great book to find out!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Maple Dale. Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. I'm also a riding instructor and could relate to Leah's passion for her horses as well as her relationships with her students. I look forward to reading more stories from MaryAnn.

This book was such a fun read! I own horses and can relate to the story as our barn was sold to developers. I could not put this book down and finished it in a day. The characters are so real and the writing creates a vivid picture for the reader. I think anyone who enjoys a good mystery and loves horses will be thrilled to own this book!

My authors of choice are Stephen King and Anne Rice, so when I was introduced to Maryann Myers by way of Call Me Lydia I'll admit it took me awhile to pick it up and start reading. I am so very glad that I did! Maryann has a wonderful way of making you care about her characters...the cast of Mapledale is no exception. A half dozen very different people drawn together by a single force and you can't help but turn the page to see how their struggles will be settled. The force is Mapledale, the relationships numerous, and the emotions heartfelt (whether it's pride, concern, joy, or contempt). On top of everything else it is simply a really GOOD story. It may be getting colder outside now, but there is a very inviting fire burning between the pages of this book - I suggest brewing a cup of tea and settling into the warmth that is Mapledale. Enjoy! And thank you, Maryann!

From someone who doesn't read much, I found I couldn't put this book down. I just had to find out what would happen next. Maple Dale will make you laugh and cry but thru it all you'll find a character you can completely relate to. A true story with real emotion, at the end you'll just want more. I have given the book as gifts several times and everyone has agreed, this IS a great story. I hope that MaryAnn gives us many more great books, readers need more wonderful stories like hers. What an imagination!

MaryAnn Meyers is a true artist. Maple Dale, as with the other books I have read by MaryAnn, is a canvas on which she has painted her characters in livid fashion. She stirs emotion with a heartwarming story line that floats like the spirit of the main character, Leah. You find yourself despising the villan, feeling empathy for the young equestrian and demanding justice for the headmistress of Maple Dale.

Although I know very little about horses and riding, Maple Dale was a wonderful read and continues to solidify my position as a true MaryAnn Meyers fan.

As a homeschool parent and teacher this book has been a wonderful resource. My nine year old son, Jack, and I love using it. I tell all my homeschooling friends about it as well as friends whose children struggle with math in school. When I asked Jack about a review, he said, "You must tell everyone that I love this hands on approach!" I also tutor a young lady who admitted that she hated math, but I convinced her to have a go by using Math in Motion and she now loves to fold, feels she can can attempt a math problem without falling apart and is open to a hands on approach to learning about place value,which we have just started. Thank you, Ms Pearl

The content of this book was rich with so many ideas.
It can be used as a springbooard for numerous
hands-on activities--great for kids of all ages, full of
practical and fun concrete methods to demonstrate
abstract concepts especially for specail education
students. The multicultural expericence integrates
a variety of prosocial behaviors that supports
how other cultures contribute to our society.

I purchased Math in Motion for my first semester of student teaching. One of the students in the Learning Support Class has Asperger's Syndrome. He was especially agitated and noncooperative and the only thing he responded to was when I started to do origmai. He was fascinated with the Jumping Frog and the movements and the patterns. Now I use it as a reward. It helps him to calm down and focus on the activities. I let him choose something else from the book and next we are going to fold the Whale. It has become the highlight of our day!

Although I am neither a teacher nor a grade schooler, I found exceeding pleasure, while reading "Math in Motion," in brushing up on aspects of math that I had long ago forgotten. But beyond the math, I thoroughly enjoyed making the origamis depicted in the book. While using this book to create each of the origamis, I found the instructions easy to both read and follow. (Of course, the spiral binding is yet another much-appreciated feature.) I had never been successful in Japanese paper folding before in my 60+ years, even though I had attempted it several times, and so it was exciting for me to complete my very first origami!
Written primarily as a teacher's guide, I still highly recommend "Math in Motion" for anyone between the ages of 5 and 105! If you are looking for a way to spend a marvelous afternoon at home, I suggest purchasing, reading, and using "Math in Motion." The author, Barbara Pearl, is a jewel! Thank you, Barbara, for this wonderful gift - a book to treasure, to use, and to share with friends and family alike.

Several years ago I never would have bought a book or attended a workshop like Math in Motion because I did not think it was relevant. But from the moment we started, Ms. Pearl made us all feel so comfortable-an ideal environment for learning, especially a subject like mathematics, which may be stressful. I wanted to create the same atmosphere and remove the fear element from learning mathematics. The workshop experience made us feel like we were a team. I felt like I could do anything. And it gave me the motivation to try more. Ms. Pearl's book outlines lesson plans that support NCTM Standards and has teaching scripts and tips for developing a warm and inviting hands-on learning environment that is educational and fun. The multidisciplinary approach connects math to other subjects including reading, science, and social studies. The step-by-step directions are clear and easy to follow. Multicultural activities teach an appreciation of other cultures from exploring tangrams to writing Haiku. The three most exciting words from my students were, "I did it!" I think this is also great for building kids' self-esteem. The book encourages you to have students write down on their paper manipulatives math vocabulary that helps them to remember it--younger kids can trace the place with their fingers as they say it. Now, I know that math is not BAD. When adults feel good about what they are teaching, children will feel better too. I know this book will help you create a room where children (and adults too) will love to come to learn and grow.

Monroy's debut novel, Mexican High, is a dark and wise coming of age novel. The protagonist, Mila Marquez, attends high school in Mexico City, along with the children of drug lords, foreign service officers and Mormon missionaries.

Monroy's vivid descriptions of Mexico City evoke a dark setting perfect for the situations her protagonist finds herself in. She experiments with drugs and sex while trying on several identities. This is more than a rendering of drugs and sex. It's also a story of a young woman struggling for independence from her loving, if distrustful mother.

I read it in one afternoon, unable to put it down. Highly recommended.

As a non-drug user and one who has spent little time in Mexico, I was not sure how I would like this book. As other reviewers have pointed out, there are lots of drugs featured, and yes, quite a bit of sex too. Yet, this coming of age novel also has a lot of heart, and a real story. The main character, in spite of her indulgences, is likable and very real. I could not put this down.

I started this novel and thought well of the writer's way of putting everything assuming the age of the character and potential readers, and novelties not only of Mexico but life itself until the description of drug experiences overwhelmed me and made me think What made this book so popular?
I picked it at the local library marked as New Novel worth reading and glad did not spend a penny on it. Sure doing drugs might be so fun and exciting especially under the "missing Dad" excuses but it does not make it a good piece of literature for me.

Same school, different era. Liza Munroy captures a completely familiar high school social scene except for the drugs. I remember that drinking was totally accessible and in excess during my years at "Mexican High." So was fun. With JFK being shot in November of our junior year and worldwide socio-political upheaval gathering momentum, we of the class of '65 still managed to remain self-absorbed except for our fearless president of student council who became boisterously pro-Goldwater. Is that why he still resides in high school (now in upstate New York) as a Spanish teacher? God bless Roberto. I managed only 20 years in a similar teaching role in an equally remote state and am now retired. Although Munroy never mentioned whether or not Young Life continues at our alma mater, I read each page of this riveting tale as a memoir... if not Liza's, mine.

a lit. critic i am not, but I LOVE this book! I read it outloud while nursing my newborn, which was a great way to really hear and appreciate Ms. Monoy's voice. Mila is a layered and real character, her adventures made me cringe, laugh and cry...and perhaps slightly nostalgic for my own high school days (and love affair with Nirvana.) The last time I turned pages this quickly, I was reading The Lovely Bones. I will be anxiously awaiting Ms. Monroy's next book!

Gaia's in Europe. Sam is being accused of a crime he didn't commit. And things between Ed and Heather are starting to get rocky...

Plot developement... even more! I am pleased with the way this series is turning out... beginning to wonder where everything will get solved though, because I'm not sure I want to read all thirty-something books...

I picked up Fearless books in bookstores for a while before I finally bought one and I am now hooked. This girl is so much like me it is scary the way I think and the way I physically look, the books decribe me perfectly. I even had a friend read her decription and he agreed. If the made a movie I could so play her. I have read up to 14 in about a month in a half. I look forward to reading more.

after a rocky start, gaia finds herself on a plane with her father and not her uncle. they talk and finally make up and go
to paris to live happier than they have in 5 years. meanwhile
back in new york ed is given the chance he has always wanted.
a chance to walk again. sam is being harrassed by police officers
over the death of his suite mate and this story is just too good
to put down. can't wait to read number 15.

This book made me want to cry I was so happy! It took me about 4 hours to read it, I could NOT put it down.
In this edition of the Fearless series, Gaia gets everything she's ever dreamed of. She gets her beloved Sam, and she gets her father, Tom. Tom and Gaia rebuild their relationship in Paris, while Sam struggles with the death of his close friend, Mike Suarez, not to mention the constant visits by the police. Ed and Heather's relationship is on the rocks (yes!) and Ed finds himself yearning for Gaia, yet again!
Ever since the first Fearless book, I've been obsessed with Gaia and Sam getting together, and in this book they finally do. I was so happy! And for those of you who can't stand Heather(she is pure evil!), you might find pleasure in her struggles in this book. I know I did.
Every Fearless book I read leaves me wanting more. Keep up the good work Francine!!!

Gaia Moore has finally made the life-changing decision to leave New York, and board a plane to Germany with her Uncle Oliver. However, while onboard, she finds that she is actually on a plane headed to Paris with her biological Father, the one she thinks murdered her beloved Mother, Katia, in cold-blood. During the course of the flight, Gaia's Father explains the entire story to her, and when they finally land, Gaia is happier than she's ever been in her life, and knows that she can easily put the last five years behind her. Meanwhile, back in New York, Sam is being harassed non-stop by police officers who believe that he is responsible for the murder of his roommate; and Ed is given the chance that he has only been able to dream about: he may be able to walk again.

In this fourteenth installment of Francine Pascal's FEARLESS series, readers are treated to various wonderful surprises, that will have long-time FEARLESS readers jumping for joy. We are able to finally see Gaia happy, and I mean really happy, as she usually is so angst-ridden, and full of hate due to the hardships she has had to endure in her past, but in MISSING she is all smiles. We also see Ed ecstatic about his newfound progress in walking, and a new, even more conniving Heather than ever before. And Sam. Well, Sam is Sam. He's a great guy, but in MISSING we see him meet up with a new someone who may or may not be too good for him, and we also see a different side to him. One that's more angry, and for a good reason: he's being accused of murdering his friend. Overall, this was a wonderful book, that can easily be labeled as one of the best installments in the FEARLESS series. A must-have for anyone who has adored reading about Gaia's previous adventures.

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

This book is undoubtedly one of R.L. Stine's finest anthologies. It is chilling and fun. Many of the stories are really good. Here are some my favorites:

"Pumpkinhead" 9/10: Great story. I won't give too much away, but it's about a kid, his friend, and his brother who get more than they bargained for when they go pranking in a pumpkin patch.

"Nightmare Inn" 10/10: What can I say? This has it all. Werewolves, creepy inns, and weird receptionists. Great ending, by the way.

"I'm Not Martin" 10/10: This was my all-time-favorite of the book. My score really doesn't do it justice, seeing how absolutely nerve-wracking and disturbing this story is. I won't ruin it, only that you, no matter how much you are desensitized to horror, even you will get at least a moderate fear of hospitals. This will scare you even more than that buckets-of-gore movie "Hostel". This should be make into a big blockbuster summer movie.

"Afraid of Clowns" 9/10: Let's just say you won't want to be a clown's "assistant". EVER.

"The Dead Body" 9/10: Definitely had an awesome twist ending. That alone is worth reading this story for.

Also, the other stories in this book, with a score but no comment:

"Alien Candy" 8.8/10
"The Most Evil Sorcerer" 8.3/10
"The Black Mask" 8.5/10
"Make Me A Witch" 8/10
"The Ghostly Stare" 8.5/10

That, in a nutshell, is what I think of the book. At first, I thought it was just a little kid's horror book; but after reading it, I loved it. Definitely one of the, if not the best R.L. Stine anthologies ever. I thought I have just one more thing to say: BUY IT. NOW.

This is a really excellent short story book. Each story is very original, and the art is really crazy for the books. The story synopsis are below, and the rating, just to give you an idea of what they're about.

1. Pumpkinhead: 5/5 - A crazy tale of three kids who go to a pumpkin patch at night, and the terror that lurks within. A pretty awesome tale.

2. Alien Candy: 4/5 - A strange and bizarre tale of an alien lover's club and the truth behind the kids.

3. The Most Evil Sorceror: ?/? - This probably doesn't help, but I didn't read this one. Oops!

4. Nightmare Inn: 5/5 - A pretty humurously scary tale of an abandoned inn where a young girl and her mom are renovating, and the truth about what lies within, and the truth about the nice woman who owns it, Priscilla.

5. I'm Not Martin: 6/5 - Super original tale that is so deeply distrubing because it COULD HAPPEN TO YOU!!!

6. The Black Mask: 5/5 - Almost like a mini book about a group of friends who feel that they can see the fatal past of a group of kids through a black mask found in the basement of the main character's new home.

7. Afraid Of Clowns: 4/5 - Me, being a total freak-out when it comes to clowns, didn't want to read this story, but when I finally did, it was pretty crazy!

8. The Dead Body: 5/5 - This one had a very Twilight Zone-esque feel to it. It was pretty awesomely put together.

9. Make Me A Witch: 4/5 - A pretty freaky tale about a girl who wants to become a witch. Pretty freaky!!

10. The Ghostly Stare: 4/5 - A pretty awesome story about what happens in a graveyard at night, told from the POV of a girl and her brother. The ending is pretty strange and a little unexpected, but still a great story.

Sorry about number 3. I'm gonna read it right after this review. Otherwise, I hope you get the picture and buy the book because it's really awesomely cool and fun and terrifying to read at night!

This was a really fun book to read. Each story is different. Each story is scarey. If you loved Goosebumps... this is better. Highly recommended.

R.L. Stine is one of the best authers that i have had the pleasure of reading. Even though this book is for kids, i am still reading it at the age of 16. i still get goosebumps from reading his stories.

Genre: Scary
Three Sentence summary: There were a lot of character but the main ones were Pumkin head, The black mask, and The ghostly lady. The problem was that they were scaring people and being thiefs. The last time they were seen was in a dark cemetary.
What I liked most about the book: I liked the stories in it because they felt real.
What I didn't like and why: I did not like the ending of some stories because they were not that good.
My favorite character and why: My favorite character were the allien bugs because they were bad and thiefs.
The scene,line,or passage that meant something to me and why (page#): "He was a very good friend". Because it tells you there are good friends and bad friends and you have to appreciate the good ones. Page.121
What I would say about this book to someone else: I would say that this book is worth reading because it keeps you in suspense, and it will scare you.
One question i have after reading this book: How does R.L Stines come up with this book.
My strongest reason for recommending this book: It's a good, mysterious book that will scare your pants off.