Schools Books

Tyler is incredibly focused. He is determined to make baseball his life. Even though he is only thirteen, he already has a plan to get noticed at home in his California high school during the school year, but then to also make a name for himself during the summers playing in a New York City league with his cousin. He is certain this summer he will make the New York all-star team and begin getting noticed.

Right away, though, there is a problem. Tyler has a terrible temper that causes him to get into fights with other players, on the other teams as well as his own. When something gets to him or he feels he's been treated unfairly, he simply explodes. He thought his abilities on the field would get him onto the all-star team, but the coach almost immediately pulls him aside and tells him that unless he can show a little maturity, he has no chance.

At first Tyler is even more furious at the coach for telling him he's not in control. But then he decides to do something to change the coach's opinion of him. It's not easy to reign in his temper, and a lot of the time he's just acting relaxed instead of really feeling it. But then he begins to reflect more on his life and the lives of his family members and their connections to violence and war. Eventually he begins to view himself and those around him in entirely new ways.

I liked the connection to the Vietnam War, although at times I thought the book lost its focus and the author couldn't decide between a story about baseball and a story about the effects of the war.

Unfortunately, I really didn't like the character of Tyler. I found him irritating and wasn't really rooting for him to be successful.

I started reading "Over the Wall" on a Saturday, and could hardly put it down until I finished it on Monday.

Like John Ritter's other books, "Choosing up Sides" and "The Boy Who Saved Baseball," this is a well written and very entertaining story. I especially identify with Tyler's struggle to replace anger with empathy, despite what other people might think about him. I tend to react with anger, at least at first. Anger is the "easiest way out." Identifying with people and understanding their side is much more difficult

Tyler strives to become a better baseball player to compensate for his parents' mental absence and to rekindle their interest in his life. Tyler's strenuous quest is expressed with foreshadowing. This occurs early on when he disputes the umpire's bad call when he knows he was safe.

All of these writer's craft techniques: foreshadowing, comparing and contrasting between characters, and having the minor characters take control of the greatest part of the plot, are brilliantly expressed. "Over the Wall" by John H. Ritter was one of the greatest books I have ever read. Now I can't wait to read "Under the Baseball Moon" next.

Tyler is a great shortstop and a terrific all around baseball player. He only has one flaw, he has anger issues. After every bad call he gets angry and is involved in a fight. Sometimes he gets in fights because people make fun of his bright orange hair. Tyler's coach, Coach Trioli, tries to help him by showing what happened in the Vietnam war. Now Tyler knows his coaches secret past and why he is so nice, but will Tyler get over his anger problems or will he be kicked of the and kicked off the league forever.

Hi, my name is A.C. Murphy and I thought that "Over The Wall" by John H. Ritter was a good book. My Favorite character would have to be Tyler's cousin Louis. Louis is my favorite character beacuse he plays 2nd base just like I do. In the beginning of the book, Tyler comes from San Diego and goes all the way to New York City. While Tyler is in New York City, his cousin asks him if he wants to play on his baseball team. So Tyler decides to play. They have a really good team. But in one game, Tyler gets in a fight and is kicked off of the team and reuins his chance on making the all star team. Towards the end of the book, Tyler apologizes to his coach and his coach gives him a spot on the all star team. If I were to rate this book on a scale from 1-10, I'd rate it a 10 because baseball is my favorite sport, and I've playing since I was three years old.

I think that John H. Ritter is one of the best authors and I really liked Over The Wall. The reason why I liked the book was because it's about baseball, and it's my favorite sport to play. I think that my favorite character would have to be Tyler's cousin Louis because he was tough and he played 2nd base. I play 2nd base also. If I were to rate this book from a scale of 1-10, I'd rate it a 10 because it was a really good book.

I love this whole series of books. As an individual who has always been interested in the anthropological and archeological study of the Native American people, I find the whole series of books to be well written with just enough historical evidence to form characters and be intriguing and interesting but without being so crammed full of information the story is lost. Another job well done.

I have read all of the current books in this series and by far this ranks as my all time favorite. There are also follow-ups that accompany this book, the Anasazi Mystery Series that greater explains in detail about events that actually led up to this book. If I could go back, I would have read those in succession first and then this book. All in all, this book has all of the great elements that I love to read about in a book. It has romance, betrayal, mystery, and complexities that are much like the human experience that occur sometimes in life. It is about the intense love shared by two people and what they sacrificed to finally be together. The consequences for their actions greatly influenced their entire community.

Engaging novel set among the Anasazi of the 1200's. Probably as close to an actual living breathing recreation of that culture as anyone will ever write. These authors do not begin with a modern Christian perspective and proceed from there, they take the good and bad, humorous and shocking of a past nation and tell it like it was, "warts and all.'

at first it was hard for me to get in this story but after a 4th to half of the book it got better and I could not put it down. this book goes good with the new book MOON and the Anazazi triogy books.

I really enjoy this series in my oppion it is best to read the series starting with Book 1 so that you know what is being talked about. If you are a Indian or love to read about Indians and their history then this is a Great Series of Books to read. It gives great in sight to the beliefs of the Indian Nations and their ways of life.

Amazon asked me to review this book, which is funny, considering I still haven't received the copy I ordered more than a month ago! If you really want this book, you might try getting it elsewhere.

I found this book to be a wonderful book that takes you into the world of a passenger on the Titanic and his journey through the disaster. It was a wonderful book with great illustrations that really helped my students look into the events of the Titanic.

I liked the story because when Polar was lost he was reunited with his owner at the end of the story. The person that read me the story said that this story was true because the granddaughter of Polar's owner found this story in her attic and wrote a book about it.

the name of this book is polar the titanic bear.It was a very,very good book. IT IS A TRUE STORY.I is about a stuffed bear that is "alive" and has a very good connection with his master.His master's family was a very rich family,so they traveled alot.The two were on the titanic,& this book has real pictures of the titanic & his family.(masters family)

This book has much to offer, for young readers and for adults. It is a wonderful glimpse into history, told from the perspective of a Steiff polar bear, who is very much a part of the life of young Douglas Spedden. His family's travels and his young life unfold in a beautiful text that is illustrated with sensitive illustrations and historical photographs. The Speddens traveled on the ill-fated Titanic. The incredible drama of that event unfolds in the most personal narrative. The magnficent beauty of the ship is conveyed as the family enjoys its commodious luxury. The drama of its sinking is compelling as well as touching in the describtion of the heartbreaking separation of Polar from young Douglas. This is how a young child would remember such an event. Fortunately, Polar is found and reunited with his friend.

The story behind the story is as wondeful as the book itself. Leighton H. Coleman III found this wonderful manuscript in his grandfather's barn. It was written by his cousin, Daisy Spedden. How brilliant of a mother to convert a traumatizing event into a story for her little boy! Her tender insight, the wonder of discovery and the perfect blending of history and narrative--ocean liners, wonderful bears--all of these components make this a perfect children's book that is both educational and entertaining (for parents, too!). I have given scores of copies to my friends with children and to my many adult friends who are fascinated by ocean liners and the Titanic. The book is well-crafted with much to offer.

The book was a gift and it came in time for Christmas.

Struggling to find her love Rye, Poppy (a mouse) has to stop the beavers from making dams. She also has to stop them from turning the beautiful little pond to a big and dirty lake. Rye (a mouse) is trapped inside a dam and cannot get free. So Poppy is not only trying to stop the beavers and set free Rye, Poppy has a wild adventurer with her friend the porcupine, Ereth to tell Ragweed's parents (Rye's brother) is dead. Can Poppy stop the beavers as well as set free Rye and deliver the news? To find out, the call number is AVI and the author and illustrator is Avi and Brian Floca. You need to read this book along with the other great adventures with its series. "Ragweed," "Poppy,' "Poppy and Rye," Ereth's Birthday" and "Poppy's Return." This author has written many great books especially this one. So please, read this book. "Poppy and Rye" is a book for anyone. It has adventure, describing and wow words and many more! Here are some describing and colorful weird words said by Ereth. "Oh, fox flip," the porcupine growled. "Sticky roach toes," Ereth muttered. "Crabgrass up their snoots," Ereth snapped. Avi has a great word choice that makes you picture everything but with words. He really uses his imagination when it comes to writing words. This book I think everyone should read. So please try it!

An absolutly stunning childrens book, Avi makes it an exciting and addicting read. Very powerful read aloud to young children. It is the best book in the series, in my opinion. I highly recomend it.

Poppy has done it again ! Not onley does she save Ragweed's brother ,Rye , from a nasty batch of beavers ,
but she also saves Ragweed's family as well. I'd say this book is for someone who likes animals that's
proabaly why I like it so much.

Wow, What an Amazing Book
Hi, the book I'm reviewing is Poppy and Rye. The authors name is Avi. The location were the book mostly takes place is the brook. Another location is the beaver's lodges which you will find out were that is later in the book.

Things from the story
One of the very important things is when Poppy the mouse was about to make a trip to Ragweed's old house so she could tell Ragweed's parents why Ragweed would never return. Poppy called her best friend Ereth the porcupine old because she was apologizing because Poppy had been begging Ereth to come with her. Then Poppy said she was sorry for not respecting the elderly. Then Ereth got the impression that Poppy was calling him old. Another thing was when Poppy and Rye met. They met when Ereth was sleeping and Poppy was supposed to be sleeping. Poppy was dancing with a daisy and Rye asked if he could join. There's a beaver who's named Cas and he's got plans to make the brook into a lake. They have also captured Rye! What will happen to him????

Things I Liked
Some of the things I liked about this book are that the author gave so many details for example: the author described the grass in Dimwood as moist, the trees leaves delicious and the stars dancing in beauty and grace. When I read this book I couldn't stop reading until I figured out what happened to the character that was in distress. The book is a very good book. I also liked how the mice were braver than humans at times
For example: a 3 inch tall mouse has the courage to go in a beaver lodge when the beaver's are 2ft. and have giant tails. I thought it was pretty much fiction but, it was still fun to read.

My Ratings
I give this book, without a doubt, a 5 star rating because it's just a great book. I think this book is meant for kid's ages 9-13 years old.

This book is a great thriller. It kept me on my toes and wanting to read more. This is definetly a hard book to put down. I would reccomend this book to anyone who likes science fiction.

Prowlers is a rip-roaring horror thriller with touches of the 1987 movie The Lost Boys and Dean Koontz's Twilight Eyes. It's not a sweeping, apocalyptic novel set on a grand stage but, rather, is more of an intense and personal study on loss and grief, offset with grim, no-quarter-given skirmishes between average but resourceful Jack and the relentless Prowlers.

Jack Dwyer is a hardworking 19-year old, who helps run the thriving Bridget's Irish Rose Pub with his co-owner and older sister Courtney. His social life is basically nil. The few times he goes out, he does so in the accompany of his best friend Artie and Artie's girl Molly. One night, he is set up with Molly's friend Kate and they double date with Artie and Molly. Tragedy strikes when, on their way home, Artie and Kate are savagely attacked and killed.

The weirdness begins when Artie's ghost manifests and warns a still grieving Jack of the true nature of his and Kate's slayers: the horrific, shafeshifting Prowlers. Jack's newfound knowledge puts him in deadly peril as he confronts the ravenous pack of monsters, who quickly become aware that Jack knows more than he should. Very, very soon Jack, Molly, Courtney, and bartender and close family friend Bill Cantwell will be furiously fighting for their very survival against insatiable, superhuman creatures who stalked the earth before man ever crawled out of the ocean.

Christopher Golden takes a slightly slanted approach with this "werewolf" tale. In his take, Prowlers aren't humans who are bitten and then transform into cursed werewolves, but, rather, are murderous, inhuman creatures who assume the identity of humans to blend in with their unwitting, chosen prey.

Prowlers is an addictive, stay-up-all-night kind of read. Golden does take some time to set the stage and introduce the pertinent characters. But, oboy, once he revs up that engine, this novel is a non-stop thrill ride. Golden uses simple, straightforward, yet effective prose to relentlessly drive the storyline. Because Golden makes very sure to emphasize and dwell on the close-knit relations of Jack and friends, the reader invests more into the characters, especially in scenes where they are put in grave jeopardy. Maybe, too, because of the extra exposition at the start, his main protagonists Jack and Molly have substance and thus seem very real to the reader. Needless to say, Courtney and Bill are also very easy to root for.

And here's the good news: Prowlers is the introductory novel to thus far a four-book series. The sequels, in sequential order, are titled Laws of Nature, Predator and Prey, and Wild Things. And if you like the way this prolific dude writes, also check out his Shadow Saga, the Menagerie series and Myth Hunters (book 1 of the Veil series).

Author Christopher Golden puts his own twist on the werewolf story (and then cleverly proposes his "reality" as the genesis of the mythos) in Prowlers, the first entry in a series. Jack Dwyer, 19 (and not Ed Gorman's P.I. of the same name), and his sister Courtney, five years his senior, have lost both of their parents -- their father left and their mother died -- leaving them in charge of the family business, a Boston pub called Bridget's Irish Rose.

After a double date with Jack, a new girl named Kate, and Jack's best friends Molly and Artie, Kate and Artie are savagely murdered on the way home. As if it weren't bad enough that Jack and Molly have lost their best friends, now Jack is also being visited by Artie's ghost.

Artie refuses to "go on" until Jack does something about the creatures who killed him -- the Prowlers. The Prowlers are creatures that are fully animal, but can appear human. Though the police seem to know of their existence, the Prowlers have never made the newspapers because, after every murder committed by them, the Boston police swoop in to clean everything up quickly, making sure that no one tells what they say ... because who would believe them anyway? So now it's up to Jack and Molly to rid Boston of the Prowlers, especially pack leader, Owen Tanzer -- scion of a Prowler dynasty -- and his bloodthirsty (and rather cocky) followers.

After fifty slow pages of exposition, I almost gave up on Prowlers, but it picks up speed soon after. Golden keeps the plot moving briskly but doesn't neglect his characters' inner thoughts or relationships. His ability to get into the minds of young adults in remarkable -- all of his characters are realistic. Though they are caught up in an unreal situation, these characters behave and respond like real people -- albeit ones a bit more heroic than average. This is the first full-length novel I've read of Golden's (I'd previously read the novella included in Four Dark Nights, and it's made me eager to find others. Luckily, to begin with, there are three more novels in this series, beginning with Laws of Nature (Prowlers #2).

You don't want to miss this series. Yet another inventive look at a classic monster mythos by Christopher Golden. Start here and make sure you read the rest of the series, not a bad book in the bunch!

After finishing PROWLERS, the first book in this series by Christopher Golden, the only question I have is why it's proclaimed to be a young adult read. I guess it's because the main character, Jack Dwyer, is nineteen--but besides their age, there's nothing about this book that would make it strictly for young adult readers!

Jack's life is pretty predictable. Ever since the death of his mother in a car accident that also injured his sister, Courtney, the two have run Bridget's Irish Rose Pub together, making it into the type of pub/restaurant that their mother would have been proud of. Jack didn't attend college after high-school, but he's part owner of the Pub, has a number of friends, and is basically content with his life. He's even gotten a date with Kate, a friend of Molly's, who dates Jack's best friend, Artie.

Life is good, until after their double-date, when Jack and Molly have been dropped off at their respective houses, and things get ugly really quickly. Kate and Artie are found dead--mutilated and brutally murdered. The cops don't know what to make of it, and Jack--along with Molly--are existing in a sort of limbo, trying to come to terms with the death of their friends and loved ones.

And then Artie comes back--as a spirit from the Ghostlands, the place where spirits reside until they're ready to move on--to warn Jack about the Prowlers. Prowlers--monsters in human clothing, a lot like werewolves but different, who prey on humans and who are responsible for Kate and Artie's deaths.

What is Jack supposed to make of this? First, he can suddenly see ghosts. Secondly, there's monsters roaming the streets of Boston, and he feels compelled to bring them to justice. With cops covering up the murders that are soon piling up in town (including a nasty dispatch of some security guards at Fenway Park), Jack has no one to turn to except Molly, his sister Courtney, and the Pub's bartender, Bill Cantwell.

A fast-paced, compelling, thrilling, and often greusome read, PROWLERS was absolutely awesome! Action, the paranormal, the story of love and friendship, all weave together to make this a book you won't be able to put down once you start reading. I highly recommend it, and can't wait to read the next book in the series.

Ari delivers a very passionate and convincing argument against the current direction of public education in America. Ari uses excellent examples from his experiences as a teacher to substantiate his opinions. A very interesting read on a most important topic. I hope, as Ari, that his words have an effect on the future of education in America.

Mr. Kaufman brought forth an issue that many parents and taxpayers, who fund our public schools, may be somewhat aware of...but don't truly understand. Mr. Kaufman's accounts of things such as imparting political philosophy towards primary school classes, and the power of teachers unions to block initiatives that help students in order to protect their own interests; they are clear, concise, and very intriging to read. Through strong, mostly first-person accounts, Kaufman "opens the book", so to speak, on some of the corrupting influnces that are affecting the public education process in today's society. The content in the book forces the reader to engage and think about what kind of role, if any, they can play in a process that does seem very important to our country's future.

If there's one quibble - it's that broader opinion and facts from more numerous, and other reliable sources would've served to strengthen support for Kaufman's points even more. But hopefully, even though he has left teaching as a day-to-day vocation, Mr. Kaufman will continue to build up contacts "inside the education sanctum" and research the trends further - so he can continue communicating his succinct thoughts on this topic.

by Everett J. Nienhouse Ph.D
Ellsworth, Michigan


A read of Ari Kaufman's Reclamation, provided a stroll back into my
career as a college professor at a state-supported institution of
higher learning that was unionized. Some of Mr. Kaufman's experiences
were in place nearly 40 years ago, and some not. His experiences are
not confined to K-12. Rather, it has invaded all levels of education
from pre-school to elementary, secondary, and higher education as well.

Although the first 6-7 years were replete with wonderful rewards from
my classroom efforts, associate professor in two years, youngest full
professor in the history of the college, Distinguished Professor of
the Year, no truly evaluative tenure policy was in place and course
evaluations were voluntary. How then could a teacher's effectiveness
be assessed? One answer was a student-generated booklet which was
published providing information on teachers to assist new and
continuing students in making careful course and teacher choices. The
booklet rated each instructor from 1-5 and added comments such as
"enthusiastic, skilled teacher, tests fair but hard", or "avoid if
possible!" Competent department heads did sit in and evaluate their
charges and such information was provided in their annual reports to
their deans, V.P. of Academic Affairs and President.

However, "tenure" was a joke and was affectionately known as "five
year" to those dedicated teachers desiring evaluation of their
abilities to increase their effectiveness in the classroom. As a large
group of us approached the recognition of the five years spent at the
institution to be held at a year-end banquet, we contemplated ripping
up our "tenure certificates," delivered to us with much hoopla, in
protest as they were, in effect, meaningless! But, judgment prevailed
and we were accepted into the "elite group."

Since institutional priorities were continually called into play, some
areas suffered while others thrived i.e. athletics over supporting
Arts and Sciences, leading to major confrontations between the faculty,
administration and Board of Trustees. This eventually led to
unionization. When a work-stoppage (that's pc for "strike") occurred,
lazy faculty members would crawl out of their comfortable holes and
perform "heroic acts" in support of union demands, the only true "work"
they'd perform in an entire semester! Further, unionization brought
protection of the incompetent and few rewards for quality teaching.
Does this sound familiar? If so, reread Mr. Kaufman's book.

Pay raises were given only to those faculty receiving a promotion in
rank, leaving dedicated, outstanding, and enthusiastic competent full
professors with modest annual increases. Only later, when this
ridiculous policy was brought to the attention of the administration,
merit pay was restored and provided to dedicated instructors. Serious
tenure review was finally installed.

As eloquently pointed out by Mr. Kaufman, political correctness entered
the academic arena. Sensitivity training was encouraged. Compulsory
attendance was required at certain events including an address by "Miss
Blue-eye, Brown-eye," a 60's teacher from Iowa who had conducted a
study of her students. This 40 year old study included the statement,
"And so, I have come to the decision that all white males are bigots!"
This statement prompted me to stand up, throw my hands towards the
speaker, and lead a walk out with scores of other faculty members
attending this "enrichment lecture."

Later, I caught a student electronically cheating for which he was
dismissed not only from my class, but from the curriculum in which he
was engaged. But, I was called into the dean's office and told that
the word "cheater" was "far too harsh" and from now on will be referred
to as "academic dishonesty!" Grade inflation followed with my dean
calling me in for giving out too many D's and F's, stating that a C
grade has replaced failures!

I held on for another couple of years before taking an early retirement
after a thirty year career. Mr. Kaufman's tenure in elementary school
teaching ended after three. I felt that if I stayed on much longer,
the "sweetness" of my teaching career would turn to a very sour taste,
something that I wished to avoid.

Truly, Mr. Kaufman's Reclamation should be required reading for all
seeking a career in teaching at all levels. It serves as a primer for
"the politics of education" which most teachers, new to this great
calling, are rarely apprised of as they begin their careers.

Living in Los Angeles not far from where Mr. Kaufman taught, I had a keen interest in picking up a copy of this book. As I also have a four year-old daughter and two year-old son who may or may not enroll in LAUSD sometime soon, this book was certainly an important read.

Many of my fears of the immense bureaucracy, overwhelming and unnecessary union involvement (these political activities and monetary greed will help my kids learn how?), and teachers with belief sets that clearly run antithetical to the real world I reside in, were confirmed. But I also gained some hope; hope that, with more teachers opening their minds and thinking about how to better the educational world in the same way that Mr. Kaufman has, our students can in fact succeed.

One issue that comes to mind, as it has also been discussed recently by politicians, is private school vouchers. I cannot fathom how any sympathetic person can be against them, but school districts and most Democratic politicians currently are. If our schools in the inner cities are failing---and they are---what better way than to aid these kids who want to learn, than to give them this opportunity at a better school via private, religious or charter school type vouchers? These work, and should be implemented. Opposing these, when their urban constituencies strongly support them, shows these school boards and local politicians are tied together to perpetuate failure. That's both sad and troubling.

Kaufman's book is thorough, well-documented and forward-looking to the future, which is key. I highly recommend it, especially if you find your life in the same spot I now do, as numerous other reviewers noted. We seem to be the folks Kaufman is writing to aid, not the teachers, who will denounce this book without reading.

Reclamation is a compelling read and I'd recommend it for both teachers and parents who send their children to public schools. If your child has even wondered (the way I did) why his/her younger (read: "likely non-tenured") teachers are generally better prepared and more interesting--well, this book is the answer. If you are a staunch, card-carrying member of the teacher's union, then perhaps this book can educate you as to why tax-payers are increasingly frustrated with the public education system. Personally, I have a lot of respect for individuals who enter the the public school teaching arena. I also believe the best classroom educators should be compensated accordingly. Responsibility. Accountability. Conscientiousness. These are ideals we all hope to instill in our children. As Reclamation details, it's high time our public educators and their unions get a lesson in them. For pulling back the curtain WHEN he did, A.J. Kaufman deserves a lot of credit. The easy, self-preserving path would have been to button his lip, work hard for two years, get tenured, then start to writing these opinions of how California's educational system needed change. But rather than hypocritically accepting what he saw around him, he spoke up. That takes real courage.

A couple caveats: 1) while Reclamation's content was generally interesting and persuasive, I found the starting of each chapter with a past newspaper article to be problematic. It made for a choppy read and caused Mr. Kaufman to continually point back/forward to a past/future dialogue. The chapters themselves seem well thought-out, but I think re-writing each newspaper article would allow for the narrative to flow much smoother. 2) At times (especially in the chapter entitled "Lean Left or Else"), Mr. Kaufman goes well-beyond the scope of what I read to be his thesis--namely that the public education system is broken as a result of unmotivated teachers, misguided teacher's unions and a failure to consistently put the student's education above all else. Mr. Kaufman himself is clearly frustrated by the P.C. environment created by teachers and the materialism of today's teenagers. He fails, however, in making a strong case that either of these factors contribute to the broader problems of overall student learning or the profession's failure to attract, motivate and retain the "best and the brightest" young professionals.

The story starts out with Teresa running away with a change of clothing in her overnight bag. She picks up two hitchhikers which she wouldn't normally do. But, there was *something* about them. Coincidentially enough, they are all headed up north. Teresa is not exactly sure where she is going, but she wants to make a new start. As the story unfolds, you find that she is leaving an ex-boyfriend, and ex-friend, and unsupportive parents behind.

As the road stretches out before them, they have no need for "canned entertainment" as Freedom Jack puts it, they can tell stories to each other. He begins to weave the tale of Candy and John, as Poppy Corn sits in back, smoking her cigarette and correcting Free's story at various times.

Teresa feels that these two are connected in some way, but she is not sure how. Brother and sister? Scorned lovers? They reveal much about Candy and John, but little about themselves.

Teresa shares her own story about being the victim of betrayal, but she still holds secrets that she doesn't even know yet.

This page turning story takes place in one night as they head through California and encounter a castle with a fortune teller and a strange church at 5 in the morning where people are wandering around and the mass is in Latin.

Will Teresa find a place to go or is she on a "road to nowhere?"

The story was almost perfect for me. The buildup was amazing as it only took me three hours to read. The ending, though not as exciting as the story and something I saw coming, was still entertaining. I was impressed with Pike's ability to keep me enraptured the entire time.

Highly recommended as one of Pike's best!

Life couldn't have been any better. You have a caring, wonderful boyfriend, a awesome job, and a best friend that could have been no more perfect. At least that's how it seemed to Teresa until, she found the truth. Christopher Pike's Road To Nowhere is a book that can keep you guessing for miles. The events take place in the southern part of California on some back roads that hold no traffic. Most of the book it is raining and when it's not raining it still seems like it is. The three main characters are Teresa, Freedom Jack, and Poppy Corn. Teresa is running away from home and picks up two hitchhikers along the way to somewhere she doesn't even know. The three begin to tell stories. Teresa about her past relationship, Freedom of a boy named John and Poppy of a girl named Candy. The story gets deeper and deeper as the flashbacks go on.

Pike puts some hints to the end in the middle and the beginning of the story without actually giving the ending away. What seems to be a mystery soon turns into a horror. The action really doesn't kick in until the second chapter but it is completely worth the wait. Pike knows how to show the emotions of the characters to where he makes you feel the same way. This book makes you want to drop everything else and read until the jaw dropping ending. The twist and turns the book takes are just like road in the story...unpredictable.

I would recommend this to 7th grade and up. I would also recommend some of Pike's other books. Such as The Hollow Skull and Monster. So hop in the car and join the road trip as you let some harmless stories unfold on to your lap.

Christopher Pike has done it again, His Novels keep you reading untill the very last page, his story lines capture you and you know you just want to find out what happens in the end. Road To Nowhere is yet another one of these books I had to read it all in one sitting. The day it arrived in the mail I started to read and I couldn't put it down... Road To Nowhere rocks!!!

I am sure if any of you love this book you will love his other books the Immortal, Whisper Of Death,The Starlight Crystal, Execution Of Innocence, The Visitor to name a few and The Season Of Passage and The Listeners for Adults also by Christopher pike

I am not a fan of Christopher Pike because in most of his books it starts out good and then toward the middle he goes off subject and start talking about Aliens, Monsters and Outter Space. But this time Chis Pike actually STAYED on subject, and this book was out of this world!
The main character Theresa is a run away after finding her boyfriend cheating on her with her best friend. While driving in the rain, Therea spots 2 Hitch Hikers ( Poppy Corn and Freedom Jack) she desides to pick them up (big mistake)... I am not going to tell what else happened in the book because you have to read it yourself.
This book really makes you think about Life after Death, Heaven and Hell and Angels and Devils.

Ok, imagine this. Your just found out that your boyfriend is dumping your for your best friend. Your totally pissed so you decided to take off. You pack some clothes, grab some cash, and your gone. Then along the way you meet two peps with totally screwed up names Freedom Jack, and Poppy Corn. you agree to give the hitchhikers a ride. along the way the three of you beging to tell stories. You tell of your boyfriends betrayl, and they tell of a guy and girl they once knew.
Along the way you begin to feel an undeniable attraction for Jack which is finally consummated at his "mother's" House. You then procede to travel on and meet Poppy's "father" the priest. then you continue to drive despite the fact you now feel sick. Then the memories of what else happened that night slowly come back to you, and you relize that your two hitchhikers are not what they seem, that the stories they told are closer to them then you ever relized, and now you are in a battle for your very soul...

Cute adventure/mystery featuring the watchmaker turned amateur sleuth mouse, Hermux Tantamoq. Very lively story with plenty of action, suspense, and humor. This would be a great read-aloud. Although obviously the second book in the series, it wasn't too difficult to jump right in and follow Hermux on his adventures. I didn't feel like I was missing too much by not reading the first one yet. Recommended.

This was a cool book about the watch fixing mouse, Hermux Tantamoq! It is the second in a series about him, but it's just as good as the first book(which doesn't happen very much)and I loved it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It all starts when Mirrin Stentrill, puts on an artshow in the museum. When Mirrin was blind, she saw many visions and so when she recovered from her blindness, she decides to paint pictures of what she saw when she was blind. But it turns out that the pictures she paints are cats- a word no one likes to use in the city of mice and rodents. Then along comes Birch Tentintrotter, an old chipmunk, a friend of Hermux's father. He tells a secret to Hermux; a secret no one knows about, and about a map he had found in a library years ago. Birch believes that cats really did exist. To prove that, Hermux, Birch, and their friend, Linka Perflinger, set off on a journey to the Kingdom of Cats. On their journey, Hermux and his friends uncover the evidence that cats once had mice as slaves. Now, Hermux doesn't know if he's doing the right thing to find the whole truth about them.
Michael Hoeye describes all his characters and the scene very carefully and really well. I like the way he gives a personality to a character and he sticks with it. He doesn't mix Hermux and Mirrin's personality together. It's just Hermux. And it's just Mirrin.
I really enjoyed this book because of the great journey that Hermux and his friends went on. It was so exciting and I really loved how Michael Hoeye made me want to keep reading more and more!

Hermux Tantamoq, a distinguished mouse who lives in the heavily populated city of Pinchester, is sailing through life day in and day out, in his watchmaking shop, until one day, an old, weather worn chipmunk missing an ear stops by, says his name is Birch Tentintrotter, and he would like to speak to Mr. Tantamoq seinor. Hermux's father had passed away five months ago, and no friend of his from college would look like that old wreck!
Meanwhile, Hermux's friend Mirrin Stentril's first art show is causing tremendous uproar. She's been painting CATS!!! Everyone (the hamsters, mice, ferrets, squirrels etc.) knows they're not real, right? Well Hermux, Birch and aviatrix Linka Perflinger are out to prove those art critics wrong!
Michael Hoeye combines detail, vocabulary and suspense in this stunning sequel to Time Stops For No Mouse, proving never to overlook history, even if you are afraid.

Watchmaker-extraordinaire and resident cheese lover, Hermux Tantamoq, is in for the surprise of his life, when his good friend, Mirrin Stentrill, reveals the scandalous work being featured in her new art show: cats! After all, mice don't want to hear about cats, even if they never actually existed, and the entire town of Pinchester is up in arms over the showing. Then a long lost stranger known as Birch Tentintrotter, a chipmunk, visits Hermux and lets him in on a very important secret: cats DID exist, and Birch has the facts to prove it. So, on a split second decision, Birch, Hermux, and he lovely aviatrix, Linka Perflinger, set out to the desert to find the lost Kingdom of Cats. While there, Hermux learns many new things about the history of mice, things different than what he was taught as a child, and he begins wondering whether it is really necessary to bring these truths forward.

As a fan of the first Hermux Tantamoq novel, TIME STOPS FOR NO MOUSE, I knew that I had to check out Michael Hoeye's latest contribution to the series, THE SANDS OF TIME, and I was not at all disappointed. Young Hermux is as adorable as ever, in his quest to find out about the lost civilization known as cats; and his sidekicks, both new and old, are perfect. The wonderful story that has been crafted will delight readers of all ages, and keep them begging for more Tantamoq. A must have!

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

Words cannot describe how I feel about this book; I read it in high school, and it's phemonenal, it's fantasic, it's amazing. It's a story that takes place in 1987 Long Island, which is the best possible time for this story. The town the characters live in is a fictional town called DeWitt, but it is right next to Seaford, which is actually a real town. The entire story has a good, homey feel to it and it was just a pleasure reading. It needs to go back in print. I'm two seconds from starting a petition.

OK, to everyone reading this review of the book. Listen - this is one of the best books that you will ever read. It is a book for young adults that you will read many, many times and enjoy more each time. It is a very funny but down to Earth book in a homely setting in Long Island. Just the fact that it is out of print is a crime. This book needs to be put back into print. I would like to see more of Raymond Jardine, although I do not know if I would like to see a movie of it because I'm pretty comfortable with what I envision in my head about this book. A sequel, however, would be welcomed. In conclusion, read this book. You'll thank me.

While this is not Korman's best work, it was the first indication that he could do something more complex, and more serious, than the Bruno and Boots series that made him famous.

Korman was one of the few authors that I looked forward to reading when I was getting too old for kids books and was still too young for adult novels. His appeal is his humor, which is sophiticated enough to appeal to jaded teens.

This book is full of that same quirky humor, which is embodied in the nonsensical poetry that is just obscure enough to sound "deep" and therefore avoid criticism:

Registration Day

On registration day at taxidermy school
I distinctly saw the eyes of the stuffed moose
Move.

The plot revolves around Sean Delancey and his trouble-courting friend Raymond Jardine, who find themselves getting sucked in deeper and deeper in an attempt to bring an obscure dead author back to life. Seemingly innocent white lies compound, until they're forced to take drastic measures to avoid severe consequences.

This book is good because the quirky characters and "prank" style action keep the pages turning, and the humorous writing doesn't get in the way of the interesting story. I wouldn't recommend that you make this your first Gordon Korman book (No Coins Please is probably a better place to start, depending on how old you are), but if you're a fan of his writing, this is another solid entry in his work.

This book is about a teen. Sean Delancy the main person of the book. He is trying to win a trip to Theamelpos which is a Greek island. The class he is trying to win it in is English class. He must write a essay to be able to win the trip. His luck is bad. You must read the book to yourself to be able to find out if he win the trip or not. I would recomend this book to any one whose life is hard as an eleventh grader.

This book is one of the greatest. Gordon Korman is, in my opinion, the best fiction author of the 20th and 21st centuries. I LOVE his books, and wish all the great old ones were back in print. I highly recommend his books to all the readers I meet. Thankfully, among my siblings and I, we have several of the old books, but I wish they were all more readily available, as we don't have some of our favorites. I don't think words can adequately express how beloved these books are; they are a delightful read. The person who decided they should go out of print must be insane or have no taste. If I were a school administrator, I would have all the children read these books, especially this one. They are a shining star among the trash that is out there today for young people.

This book needs to be read by everyone especially by all those over 13. I read it frequently and every time I am more amazed by John's incredible greatness, sacrifice, courage and love of children. I am also very thankful that his family, friends, professional co-workers et.all were there to help him. Even Dr. Johnson contacted medical assistance all over the country to help him. It is more tragic that his form of cancer is now much more treatable. The last line says that Coach Baker turned tragedy into an enduring legacy. Amen! The Duke City Dashers and the children of Aspen were so so blessed by their "Coach Baker." My paperback from 1982 has been replaced by a hardcover. Aspen, by his children was named "John Baker Elementary" in tribute to this great man and their "teacher" Words really can't describe him. I am so thankful that Mr. Buchanan has told all of us the life of one of the greatest people that I have ever known and heard about. Truly, Coach has received in heaven all of the crowns, trophies, medals that the Lord provides to His good and faithful servants!!Five stars all around to everyone involved in John Baker's legacy and William J. Buchanan. Coach Baker's story needs to be told even 38 years later!!

I originally read this book about John Baker's life and impact on young people when I was in grade school. I still had it on my bookshelf when I was in college in 1988. I felt a lump on my testicle and immediately saw a doctor. The diagnosis was malignant testicular cancer, but thanks to God and the fact that I had re-read John Baker's story so many times, I caught it early and am completely cured. John's life continues to have an impact on many people long after his tragic death.

I first read this book when it was passed on to me in high school by a friend. The story of John's life and battle with cancer is something that really makes you put your life in perspective and is truly inspirational. I don't know anyone that has made it through the book without some tears...just reading through the reviews here, I found myself with tears streaming down my cheeks. If each of us could do 1/2 the good in our lifetimes that John Baker did in his that ended much too soon, imagine how much better the world would be.

This true story of a runner and coach tugs at your heart strings. It is so sad , at times I could not see the page because of my tears. Mr. Buchanan does a remarkable job of painting the portrait of this young man's life in a realistic manner. Very well written - THIS WAS A GREAT READ!!!

I was 8 years old when John Baker passed away but, I do remember when they changed the name of the school to honor this hero. This book is chicken soup for the human soul. This book belongs in everyone's personal library and it should be read at least once a year to remind us that every little thing counts.