Issues Books

This book was an interesting companion to The Giver and Gathering Blue. In answer to the questions about Gabe and Jonas they both survived and arrived together on the sled. Jonas became leader and Gabe is the mischievous eight year old student that mentor is tutoring early in the book as he has not attended his studies enough and instead has concentrated on playing. He is only mentioned for this couple of lines but the age and name mean that it must be referring to the child Jonas rescued.

All I can say is: READ THESE BOOKS - you will not be able to put them down. They capture your heart and mind, and, what a wonderful time you will have reading Lowis Lowry. You dont have to be a child to read these books, I am not a child and I throughly enjoyed these books.

I remember that my brother bought The Giver for school and he told me it was actually good (which is rare since he doens't like to read) so I decided to read it. I was absolutely emerged with it and keep the name of the author in my mind. One day I saw Gathering Blue and noticed it was by Lois Lowry so I read it without realizing it was a "sequel." I read it and loved it as well and then noticed that the inside flap had The Messenger, so of course I had to read it as well. It was when I finished the last book that I realized it was a trilogy. I loved how she wrote all three books because regardless of having read all three books or not you would not even notice they are related to each other as she writes the books as stand alone pieces. I highly recommned anyone to read these books as they deal with issues that make you think while enjoy a great story.

I think Lois Lowry is an amazing writer. My favorite book of all time is The Giver.

All three of these are wonderful children's books! Having the three in a set together makes a great gift also.
I suggest them for advanced 4th graders up to around 7th grade.

Great advice put in the style of a children's book! Simple, well stated, and super to use as a gift for a graduate, a child, or just to keep for yourself and read over from time to time.

This is the perfect gift for someone going on to bigger and better things in life (Graduation, Promotion, etc.). Love the book!

I gave this book to my 31 year old nephew who, after getting his BA in English, decided to be a high school English teacher. So, it was back to more college courses and a very difficult test to pass before being certified in Texas. I realize that YAY, YOU is really written on a child's level, but the message remains the same: It's a big, wide world out there, so soar as high and as far as you can when you can and have fun doing it. I am a retired teacher of 30 years who would use this book with my 4 year old granddaughter as well as my 31 year old nephew and any age in between and older.

I purchased this book as a high school graduation gift for my neice's boy friend, and the kids loved passing it around. It may be a children's book, but you're never too old for the message or to enjoy Boynton's artwork.

I have bought multiple copies of this book for my kids' friends for graduation gifts. I also bought it for my aunt when she recieved her doctorate degree. I decorated the inside of the kids' books with pictures throughout their kindergarten and Pre-K years at school. It has the best ending telling the person that no matter what they do in life they are special!

This story takes place at the Comfort Zone Camp. Teens talk about how they miss each of their parents and how losing a parent can affect your whole life. They help each of the teens with their struggles. They all share each of them stories that remind them of their parents.
This is a heartwarming story! They explain how always remembering you parent help. I know how it feels because losing my dad was I very hard thing for me and this book help me through hard times because knowing that there are other kids and teens that they are going through the same thing I'm going through. And somehow that helps me!
I think anyone who had lost a parent should read this book because they will know that a lot of teens have feelings after a loss of their parents. And that every person should be heard.

I'm biased as a longtime volunteer at CZC who travels 13 hours from Toronto, Canada every year just to be a part of this wonderful place. I purchased the book and read it cover to cover in one morning, took me about 2 1/2 hours. I sat down and was compelled to write Lynne a very personal four page letter expressing everything that came to mind reading the book and how much she (and the camp) means to me. It was an awesome experience as much because alot of the names & stories are familiar to me and because I can relate personally to almost every chapter but truthfully it's because I found answers to questions I had been asking elsewhere in my life, even at my age (36). I'm also a survivor of childhood loss, losing my dad at the age of 12 years old. I Highly recommend this book as a resource for parents, caregivers & teens alike!

As someone who has had the privilege of volunteering with Comfort Zone Camp and who also experienced the death of a sibling during childhood, I am more than impressed with "You are not alone: Teens talk about life after the loss of a parent." Throughout the book, Lynne does an amazing job of conveying the stories that numerous teens have trusted her with. The book is amazingly honest and powerful. As always, I am impressed with the campers, volunteers, and everyone who is a part of Comfort Zone Camp.

All other books that I've read about this subject EXPLAIN teen grief... but none that IDENTIFY with it. This book did that. Excellent!! *****

I was 20 years old when I lost my parents within 9 months of each other. Lynne's book as been a great help to me despite this happening to me and my siblings a long time ago. I am a big buddy at the Comfort Zone Camp and it's one of the most fulfilling things I have ever done. Now with Lynne's book all children can be reassured that in time they can heal and have a happy and healthy life. We are the proof of that.
Great job Lynne!

We bought two of these for our 17 year old daughter & her boyfriend to work on together. Great workbooks!

This is the companion workbook for The 7 Habit of Highly Effective Teens book The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective Teens

This combination is very good for middle and high school age kids. It gives them a direction and a way to plan how they live and interact with other teens and adults. Used together they are very effective.

Nice workbook with alot of interesting information. Nice guide for ANY teenager who wants to do something with their life.

I use this book in my clinical practice. It allows my clients to make positive changes in thier lives. It is user friendly and easy to use and understand.

This book provides a great opportunity to discuss with young teens important habits and goals in life and how to achieve them. The format and approach are appropriate for younger teens to appreciate and enjoy. The examples are helpful and relevant. OVerall a good discussion book for and with younger teens.

A fascinating look into the man behind such a creative literary & scientific mind! He is quite 'bare bones' about himself. Also suggested bio.: "The Lost Notebooks of Loren Eisley" ed. by Kenneth Heuer.

Thoughtful writing, and interesting, but Eiseley sure was a bitter and despairing fellow. He held grudges forever and never forgot a slighting, even from childhood. It appears that he wrote this at an advanced age, when his friends and associates were dieing off seemingly all around him, and he wasn't very happy about it and his own mortality. Interesting, but definitely a downer.

An excerpt from 'All the Strange Hours'

"...Oncoming age is to me a vast wild autumn country strewn with broken seed pods,hurrying cloud wrack,abondoned farm machinery,and circling crows..."
Frankly I lost my reference notes.But this is a wonderful read.You enter deep into the thinkings and passions from the heart of one man.Eiseley will invite you into his thoughts and observations about life and people like a quite and unassuming gentlemen.These stories bring you deep into the core of the Midwest cast of mind.
Great Read

There are few books written today that I don't want to rewrite. All the Strange Hours is one of them. This is the real thing- forget "Magical-Realism" and forget all other memoirs. This is unlike any memoir, or book I've ever read before, and should be getting out to a larger audience. You don't need to be into science, archeology, or even know who Eiseley is to appreciate this work. His writing is so good that it doesn't matter.
He also doesn't delve into the mundane things that most writers would- in fact, you go through the entire book, and you don't even know his wife's name. If I met Eiseley, I'd feel that I'd know little about what he likes to eat, or what kind of music he enjoys, or if he's a morning or night person. But none of that matters- because I feel like I know him on the inside. People who knew Eiseley say that those who read his works often knew him better than those who knew him in person. I'd list Eiseley easily as one of the greatest writers of all time, and at minimum I'd put him in the top 3 of great prose writers. Check him out, and you'll see. You won't be disappointed. Trust me- - I don't like most contemporary stuff, and if you don't either, this is great literature for you.

This is a beautifully written personal meditation on the impermance of life against the passage of time and the attendant sense of loss by a deeply compassionate existentialist who searches for the meaning within the design of nature. There is a palatable sense of both truth and despair. There is also a consistant thread of both awed respect and admiration for the immensity of "the terrible beauty" of existance. If you are looking for a book that balances the invisibly fine line between the light and the dark of insight from the perspective of a honest man who grasps both, this is your book.

If more people took the time to educate themselves about horses and horsemanship in general and Xenophone's book in particular, perhaps we not see so many "show horses" of various popular breeds so physically manipulated by in breeding for only one or two specific traits rather than breeding for the whole horse. What was true in Ancient Greece is truer still today - without good feet, balance in the body and common sense a horse is worthless. Bravo to Amazon for bringing us this excellent book dirt cheap!

The material in this book is thousands of years old but amazing in how modern the approach is to horsemanship. Most of Xenophon's advice is timely even today. It shows how little has changed over the centuries.

This is a must if you are passionate about horses. It is so clear and to the essential point that it is a pleasure to read.

Xenophon covers several aspects of horsemanship, from grooming, leading, and choosing a horse, to mounting, riding, and training a war mount. Very, very interesting to see what is still applicable today. While this isn't a "training" or even a "horse care book," its a great historical reference from those interested in how horses we cared for and trained 2000 years ago. However, for those looking for a story or a book to teach riding skills, I suggest you look elsewhere. Those interested in dressage will find this worth-while, as it is considered the oldest text on the subject.

Xenophon's philosophy and many techniques, though tailored for the development of a war-horse, demonstrate the ageless capacity for human empathy toward the horse. The horse centered work makes the goal of a harmonious partnership attainable. The book interweaves aspects of barn management, riding technique, and early human psychological insights. The translation keeps this work relevant and vibrant. The overriding theme is one of responsibility for the education and wellbeing of the horse. It is, if nothing else, a comfort to read that some horses in the ancient world were treated humanely in the training process...even if under the unfortunate auspices of a warrior culture. Kurt Hartle, Reydon,Suffolk. UK

By revealing some of the mystery behind the spirit, mind, body connection (based on her own experiences), the author makes the point that healing from IC involves more than just healing the body. There is much to think about in this book, and it may trigger some healthy self-reflection. For those who believe in God, the references to "God/the Universe" may be unsettling, and are probably made to appeal to a wider audience. But the principles mentioned are universal in nature.

Catherine brings the human aspect of IC to the reader, as she has lived this painful illness. Her tenacity to overcome is remarkable. Catherine's story is written from the hand of expertise, as she has had to fight for an answer to her pain and suffering. Catherine's story is one of courage and filled with hope for others who suffer from IC.

As her other two wonderful books, this one also offers you with hope. She writes about how the mind, body, and spirit are connected and how she came to understand how she "drew" IC to her and how she used it to help her heal the rest of the way. I find this book to be comforting and inspirational and greatly recommend it. Once again, thank you Cath for the hope you give us!

This is Catherine Simone's third book describing her battle with Interstitial Cystitis. In this one, she lets her readers know that she is still doing great but addresses spiritual, emotional, and mental issues that can attribute to/stem from the disease. Many people who have recovered are finding that although the physical symptoms are gone, the fear, anxiety, etc., tend to linger. This book perfectly complements her other two, bringing her work full circle. I am so thankful for this book...an excellent resource for every IC patient.

Being diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis and feeling completely alone in a world where no one understands your pain, grief, and fear Catherine Simone provides hope and friendship through her writing. In her third book Awakening Through The Tears she leads you through her story of how she "healed the rest of the way". Unlike in her first two books Simone goes into great detail regarding the mind/body/spirit relationship to IC and the hormone connection, both of which led to her healing. Due to Simone's honesty and desire for IC sufferers to learn from her experience, I feel as if so many of the "mysteries" of my body have been revealed to me. This book has also provided my husband, friends, and family with a vivid picture of what it is like to live through IC. With all that I have learned from Awakening Through The Tears, I now have hope that I too will be "healed the rest of the way" with my Interstitial Cystitis.


Valerie Farley


Catherine Simone's book, Awakening Through The Tears, is one that should not only be read by those who suffer from Interstitial Cystitis, but also by their family members. I am one of those "family members". My wife has been struggling with IC for the past year and we have felt as if we are totally alone. Nobody seemed to understand what it is like to live each day with IC. Simone's third book completes her series and certainly offers hope for those who have Interstitial Cystitis and to their family members. This book is a must for anyone who has IC or who knows someone who is suffering through this disease.

Kevin Farley

since we all know what this book is about already I want to take this opportunity to express where I see each of these baby sitters 15-20 years later:

claudia and stacey living sharing a fancy apartment in new york with claudia being an art teacher, jewelry designer or fashion photographer; or stacey and claudia getting into fashion design and starting a line together

kristy coming out of the closet(come on we all know she's gay!) and playing sports in women's teams, or becoming a social worker

Mary Anne becoming an animal doctor

Dawn becoming trailer trash and marrying a rich old yuppie

mallory becoming a book writer of some sort or a journalist

jessi becoming a famous broadway star in local ballets and musicals and also doing some hip hop and becoming a back up dancer for a famous artist

shannon becoming an astronomer or a drama teacher

Logan being in college for 10 or more years and being all pimped out and the ladies man


there you have it, remember THIS

This book is very cool.The baby-sitters are at Kristy's house for a sleepover and they have to think about there mosst vivid memory. All of the baby-sitters tell about there memories, Stacey tells about tough times in New York, Dawn tells about her paents divorce, Jessi tells about her baby brother,and all different times. If you buy this book, you will enjoy it and never put it down. Enjoy!

I remember the day I received this book as a gift from my cousin as an addition to my already huge baby sitters club collection. It was the original copy with the gold cover and the baby sitters club necklace included with it. The baby sitters club are having a sleepover and are remembering their most vivid memories. Kristy talks about her first baby sitting job, Claudia talks about her first art class homework at school, Stacey talks about how badly she was treated when she was diagnosed with diabetes, Dawn talks about the divorce and moving to Stoneybrook, Mallory talks about meeting her favourite book writer, Jessi talks about the birth of squirt, Logan talks about meeting Mary Anne, Mary Anne talks about a fun weekend with her friends, and Shannon talks about a snobby new girl at school. They are all written descriptively and beautifully, my favourite ones to read about were Kristy's, Claudia's, Stacey's, Mallory's and Shannon's. I also like how not long after this book, Ann M Martin started the Portrait Collection BSC books in which each member writes their autobiography, the 8th grade ones anyways.

The teachers at SMS have assigned homewqork to do over the summer. How mean! Plus, the essay topic is so boring: What i Did this Summer. If Kristy were teacher, she'd choose something much more interesting. Like writing about your most vivid memory. Which get the Baby sitters thinking....

I very much enjoyed reading this book. Ms. Martin thought of a wonderful idea-- each member of the BSC remembering something that happened in her/his life. This way the author could tell us about each character, but for once not going by a chronological order like she usually does.

There were some chapters that I liked more and some chapters that I liked less. For example:

I found it strange that when Dawn's parents were getting a divorce, their conversation with Dawn and Jeff was almost identical to the conversation Stacey's parents had with Stacey when they were getting a divorce, back in the book "Welcome Back, Stacey!". It couldn't be (or could it?) that all parents who get divorced say the same thing to their kids, and that all kids whose parents are getting divorced react the same. This is the place for creativity, or else the readers get bored with the same material.

Speaking of the same material, there was another disturbing thing in the book. Logan's chapter. Logan described the time when he just met Mary Anne. I believe this story was frightfully unecessary since it is already described in great detail in book #10: "Logan Likes Mary Anne". The only difference is that this time it's from Logan's point of view instead of Mary Anne's.

I liked Stacey's chapter. In almost every book she explains about her diabetes, and the awful life in New York when she was first diagnosed with the disease, but only in a few words. In this chapter she gave us the story like it was happening in the present, full with emotions and feelings. I was very sad to see how bad her life was.

Kristy had a good chapter, too. She described her first baby-sitting job ever, when she was in the fifth grade. For one thing, she was so adorable as a ten year old! I enjoyed that. Secondly, writing about Kristy's first job is interesting since she's the founder of the club.

I also enjoyed reading Jessi's entry. She describes the time when Squirt was born. I liked reading about her life in Oakley, NJ, since she hardly ever talks about it. The author picked a good topic for Jessi because I, for one, am tired of hearing about ballet. I'm also glad Ms. Martin didn't choose to write about the move from Oakley to Stoneybrook because she'd just stick to how her family was run down by the white neighborhood, and them being black. The author chose something special.

Mary Anne's chapter was also fun to read. It was a simple story, but nice. And not depressing like about her mother's death, or her father's strictness (much).

Mallory's entry was fun , and Claudia's was incredibly touching.

I recommend this book. It is wonderful and deserves five stars.

Henry Brinton has been tackling challenging issues for many years. His church, in Northern Virginia, is in the midst of the DC Beltway ethos of compromise and euphemism, however, he maintains a uniquely clear and accessible perspective. He has honed his insight as a frequent contributor to the Washington Post.

Pastor Brinton provides a gyroscope for many of the dividing issues within mainline Protestantism. Following traditions like Jacques Ellul - he uses the tension between issues of Liberty and Obligation as glue instead of as a wedge.

Henry provides a perspective that every lay person needs in order to arrive at a sure foundation in uncertain times.

I want to commend Henry Brinton for his successful effort to define the critical issues the Presbyterian Church (USA) and other "main line" churches face today and into the near future and encouraging us to zero in on these issues in the every day life of the church. John McLellan

I have long enjoyed Henry Brinton's columns in The Washington Post and USA Today. Balancing Acts is another outstanding example of Brinton's understanding of the spiritual crisis in America created by our own diversity and certainty in our own opinions. This is honest, straightforward, and necessary talk about the division so prevalant in Christianity on both theological and social issues. Brinton does not simply offer these topics lip service--he offers practical examples of how to bring about unity in a faith divided. This should be required reading for pastors and lay people alike.

Pastor Brinton does an excellent job of describing Obligation (the individual with God) and Liberation (the individual with the unknown masses). What is missing is the individual with family.
Our God has revealed Himself to us as Father.
Not Hermit-Monk (Obligation) or social-Christian reformer (Liberation).
Our culture minimizes the role of Father and reduces it to a sitcom. Thereby, the clever devil undermines the paradigm of God the Father.
I challenge Pastor Brinton to write a book on "Intentionally Unfruitful". How can we moderns understand God's revelation if we had no father, were abandoned by a father, or choose to flee from responsibilities of fatherhood?

Henry G. Brinton, pastor sequentially of two medium to large mainstream churches in the northern Virginia suburbs, writes with engaging nuance of one of the most complex jobs around.

"What does God require of pastors?" seems to be the underlying question. Brinton's answer: "balancing acts." The image evoked for me was of a high-wire artist, juggling a red-hot pole with a cluster of strongly held beliefs dealing with "obligation"--purity, moral clarity, exclusiveness--on one end, and a cluster of beliefs-in-progress, dubbed "liberation"--diversity, charity, inclusiveness--on the other end.

These theological tensions, as mediated by pastors, are the meat of the book, "a balancing act between the truth of God and the grace of God." (Brinton, quoting Rev. Dr. Susan Andrews, former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church (PC(USA)).

The analytic use of moral categories like Obligation (Abraham, covenant) and Liberation (Moses, exodus) is designed to help us understand a source of conflicting group passions in theologically and demographically diverse congregations, in cultural politics, and ecumenism. In this genre, the Berkeley linguist, George Lakoff's "strict father"/"nurturant parent" come to mind, or Jack Haberer's five types of "God Views."

Brinton opens up (a) mismatches between young pastor expectations and deep-seated ways of doing that involve comfort, maintenance, tradition; (b) the impact of wholesale incorporation of immigrant groups into progressive churches; (c) the ambivalent reception by committees on the preparation for ministry of the flood of women inquirers and candidates; (d) government faith-based involvement; (e) relation with other denominations; (f) gays and lesbians; (g) youth and mission; (h) the unchurched and self-help spirituality; and (i) living in a nation at war.

The text is sprinkled with insights from the Pulpit & Pew research project at Duke (where 46-year-old Brinton did his undergraduate work; his M.Div. is from Yale), and from his wide-ranging reading. Parishioneres and leading lights, academic and ecumenical, serve as quotable resources in Brinton's conversation with the reader.

Things 'get in balance', in Brinton's view, when people work together, learn to respect one another in outreach and church work, and in loving, joyful worship. The chapters are thematic and lend themselves to good small group discussion.

This is a wonderfully written book. I think it is a must have for women everywhere. I never thought to read labels on make up or shampoo and now I do it without even thinking about it. I highly recommend this book; it is an easy read and full of powerful insight and information.

Ever wanted to get back to the basics? This is step by step introduction into natural beauty treatments you can prepare for yourself and even save money. There are so many helpful hints to inspire you to use natural treatments for your body.

This book is awesome. It really brings out the true beauty of a woman in her spirit and her flesh. Don't let the cosmetic industry pull one over on you anymore. Get this book and look better and feel better for less. Less on your pocket book and less toxins in your body.

This is a very informative book showing you how to create your own skin care treatment from organic products. They have worked well on my skin and saved me money! The devotional section is wonderful in helping me view myself the way God does!

I read this book within 3 hours and came out renewed!

My thought process on beauty reorganized & re prioritized thanks to her simple, Godly devotionals. And although I do make an effort to live healthy there are occasions when I'm tempted and give in to our commercialized garbage at the store...whether it be food,body care,clothes,etc.

I went shopping the day after I read the book and bought her beauty recommendations...all of them! ...food and all :) I should also add that while you read my review note that I'm bi-racial (bl/wh) and battle dry skin everywhere and have frizzy,bushy,slightly wavy hair. :)

It's only been a couple of days but I already feel better. I feel better just knowing that I have the absolute best yet surprisingly cheapest beauty routine that money can buy, my energy is up thanks to the organic nuts and raw honey and fruit, and my hair smells FABULOUS!! I ended up buying Aubrey Organics hair products and my scalp feels wonderfully fresh (no dandruff) and my hair is silky.

I used the facial wash recipe and followed with the honey & olive oil and within hours noticed that there was less redness. My pores shrank and my skin glowed! My favorite part was that I didn't have to be sure not to get nasty soap in my mouth or eyes...I actually licked my cleanser,toner, & moisturizer and went...MMMMM, YUMMY! My tip with the olive oil is to put it on a damp face so it redistributes better and your not left with oily spots.

Her website offers even more information. You can download invitations,recipes,and tip sheets to host your own Beauty Secrets of the Bible party. Sounds like fun! I'd enjoy doing that with my church women.

Now to go get a job just to afford the essential oils...BUT, then again I would've saved myself literally hundreds of dollars last year had I used this regimen instead, making the expensive oils pennies in a bucket.

If you're like me and possess a 'thing' with the lips...RUN, don't walk, RUN to the store and get yourself her fabulous tip of Burt's Bees lip products...balms,glosses,sticks. They ROCK!