Bridges Books

I'm a longtime fan of Pullman's "His Dark Materials" series who recently read "The White Mercedes". Upon reviewing that rather interesting book, Amazon showed me this little book in my recommendations. The excellent price and intriguing description made me purchase it. I am pleased to say that I was not disappointed in the least.

"The Broken Bridge" is a really great novel for young adults about fitting in and dealing with family. Ginny's life, which she's rarely questioned, comes into question when she discovers a brother, a best friend's older sister, and her own past. Ginny is a pretty cool character, in that she's really easy to relate to. Her awkwardness at times and fears are realistic. Her anger makes sense. She's a perfectly constructed person, living inside a book. Other characters are equally real.

I liked Ginny's development over the summer, emotional and otherwise. She's a bit impulsive and that makes for an interesting read. Thankfully, this novel is very teen-friendly (minus a few swear-words) and should pass any "appropriateness" test, though it deals with serious subjects very well. It will capture the reader quickly and strongly, until you really want to know what happens. And the ending does not disappoint.

"The Broken Bridge" manages to deal with a number of serious issues quite well. Ginny, as a mixed-race teen, faces a number of racial insecurities, living alone with her white father and white community. Her strong artistic bond to her mother is meaningful as well, and this artistic aspect to the novel should draw in (no pun intended) artists as well. The way she views the world is quite special and unique.

Mysterious, well written, and absolutely enjoyable, "The Broken Bridge" is not the same fantasy Pullman, but still the same fantastic Pullman. Highly recommended!

Not up to the same standard as 'His Dark Materials' but it's aimed at a different market, I guess.

I found the writing good, creating that dreamlike, unreal, almost nightmarish feeling when your world is suddenly turned upside down.
The book grips you and you feel dragged along with our heroine as she tries to make sense of what is happening and the 'visions' she has; the only failing is the ending which seems a bit of an anticlimax.

Nevertheless, a very good read.

This is a wonderful book. I think it will resonate with many readers, who might relate to it even though the circumstances are unique.

Philip Pullman has a powerful gift. It convinces us to not only enter into the minds of his protagonists with sympathy, but to emerge actually caring about them. I really miss Ginny now, having finished the book. I try, in my imagination, to watch her grow up. I think she'll be brilliant, just like many of the readers who can relate to her and her step-brother.

As you begin reading the book, you're not told a whole lot; and I liked that. It made me more alert to cues in her thinking, watching her moods and the things that happen around her that she doesn't quite pay enough attention to.

On the other hand, the things she *does* notice are with the eyes of an artist, and one with a creative imagination. Readers who also like to draw and paint will find lots to like about the way Ginny thinks. It's a view of an artist's way, from an artist himself... and just like the best art, it moves something in us in a very subtle but profound way.

The book deals with feelings of isolation, which many of us encounter through race issues but everyone *could* understand, given a writer like Pullman. And then there's the matter of growing up. What happens when Ginny's secure world seems too small, but getting out of it is too scary? What happens when what she thinks she knows is not half of what's really there beneath her nose? Pullman makes her story a lot like our own story. We're hooked.

Her growing awareness of others' lives, her ability to move from a genuine and thoughtful sympathy to actual empathy - putting herself in their shoes, rather than looking at their shoes from her perspective, so to speak - is handled so well, I can't help but think we readers all benefit too.

Philip Pullman will probably always be best known for the "His Dark Materials" trilogy. This may be appropriate, as this trilogy - The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass - are superior fantasy. But there is more to Pullman than these three books. The Broken Bridge is a standalone novel that shows Pullman's skills go beyond just a single genre.

The Broken Bridge is the story of Ginny, a black (actually mixed-race) sixteen year old girl living in Wales with her white father. Despite the disadvantages of having a long-deceased mother (who came from Haiti) and being one of the very few non-whites in her coastal community, Ginny is reasonably well-adjusted. This stable life comes to a close, however, when a social worker appears at her house. Shortly thereafter, her father reveals something that will completely upset her life: her father had a son by another woman; the woman is dying and soon her half-brother will be living with them.

This revelation is only the first of many that will completely turn Ginny's life upside-down and make her question everything and everyone she has known. The most damaged relationship, however, is with her father who still has a number of other secrets that are beginning to leak out. But there are other truths that will be learned too, regarding her friends, her grandparents and her mother.

This is classified as a "young adult" novel, as most of Pullman's books are, but like his other works, these can actually appeal to any adult readers. I would guess it gets this classification because it is tame from a sex, violence or language standpoint, but the topics - including racism, adultery and even murder - are not exactly "childish."

Pullman is as a good a writer as always. The only disappointment readers are likely to experience is if they expect something like His Dark Materials. Outside of possibly one scene, this story is completely non-fantasy. But if you realize that Pullman can do more than just that one genre, you will find this is another is another good book by him.

The Broken Bridge is a beautifully written book about a girl named Ginny Howard, who is one of the very few black children in Wales. Ginny lives with her father, striving to reach her goal of becoming an artist. Then she finds out that she has a white half-brother named Robert. Even worse, she is illegitimate. Knowing that her father may not be telling her the whole truth about her own life, Ginny decides to find out all that she can about herself and her mother. The plot is embellished with Ginny's unique ideas about herself and also her artistic views. This book was very inspiring and I find that I can associate many of the things discussed in it with my own life. I am definitely better off from reading it.

I recently finished reading the book, Brush Meditation: A Japanese Way to Mind and Body Harmony, by H. E. Davey. The book is excellent. I am novice (hardly even that, actually) when it comes to Shodo (having only recently begun studying Shodo), but your book provides a very smooth introduction, and does a great job of getting across the relationship between it and the other Japanese cultural arts (chado [tea ceremony], budo [martial Ways], kado [flower arrangement], etc).

It is written in a very positive way and contains many beautiful pieces of artwork. I very much enjoyed the "four experiments toward a positive mind," these are great examples of introspection. Though I am far from an expert in budo, I have spent many years training and researching this topic, yet several of the explanations, provided for terms such as fudoshin, hara, and ki shed new light on these concepts, beyond just their relationship to Shodo.

Chapters three and four provide a very gentle introduction to the physical techniques while also providing an overview of the relationship between good posture and the proper state of mind. The importance of the coordination of mind, body, and spirit is presented in a way that should be easy for someone that is new to the Japanese cultural arts to grasp and understand.

I am again impressed with Davey sensei's ability to communicate a complex subject in an interesting and informative way that maintains the readers interest, while still capturing the subtleties of the topic.

From a beginner's perspective, this is an excellent reference, and I highly recommend it.

Reviewed by Olivera Baumgartner-Jackson for Reader Views (4/07)

Once in a while I find it very helpful to venture outside of the realm of things that normally interest me and that I have some knowledge about. Learning about new things is a very stimulating experience and it seems to me that it keeps my brain in good working order. As far as the Japanese art forms are concerned, I am vaguely familiar with the flower arranging, but that is where my knowledge - and even real awareness - of such art forms end. Picking up H.E. Davey's "Brush Meditation: A Japanese Way to Mind & Body Harmony" was a real eye-opener.

The author begins this book with explanation and history of shodo, continues with the complex connections of mind, body and brush, and finishes with simple step-by-step exercises for the basics of shodo. The illustrations and the photos would certainly be very helpful for anybody who intends to try their hand at this ancient art form.

Mr. Davey's writing is fluid and engaging. He does not get overly technical and is easy to understand. The book kept my attention and made me wish for more balance in my life. Let me give an example of Mr. Davey's writing here:

"The kanji, or written characters, used in both Japan and China have transcended their utilitarian function and collectively serve as a visually stirring piece of fine art. Shodo allows the dynamic movement of the artist's ki ("life energy" or "spirit") to become observable in the form of rich black ink. In great examples of shodo, you can sense both the rhythm of music as well as the smooth, elegant, and balanced construction of refined architecture. Many practitioners of this art feel that the visible rhythm of Japanese calligraphy ultimately embodies a "picture of the mind" - and accomplished calligraphers recognize that it actually discloses your spiritual state. This recognition is concisely summed up by the traditional Japanese saying: [...] If your mind is correct, the brush will be correct. "

Although Mr. Davey stresses several times that one needs to find an instructor to truly begin the exploration of shodo, I found "Brush Meditation" to be an interesting book for anybody who would like to learn at least the basics of shodo as well as anybody who just wishes to become more familiar with the traditional Japanese arts and way of living.

After reading several books on the technique (really a NO technique) of Zen brush work, this book really dealt wll with the emotions and feeling underlying this incredible art. A very good read.

I recently finished reading the book, Brush Meditation: A Japanese Way to Mind and Body Harmony, by H. E. Davey. The book is excellent. I am novice (hardly even that, actually) when it comes to Shodo (having only recently begun studying Shodo), but your book provides a very smooth introduction, and does a great job of getting across the relationship between it and the other Japanese cultural arts (chado [tea ceremony], budo [martial Ways], kado [flower arrangement], etc).

It is written in a very positive way and contains many beautiful pieces of artwork. I very much enjoyed the "four experiments toward a positive mind," these are great examples of introspection. Though I am far from an expert in budo, I have spent many years training and researching this topic, yet several of the explanations, provided for terms such as fudoshin, hara, and ki shed new light on these concepts, beyond just their relationship to Shodo.

Chapters three and four provide a very gentle introduction to the physical techniques while also providing an overview of the relationship between good posture and the proper state of mind. The importance of the coordination of mind, body, and spirit is presented in a way that should be easy for someone that is new to the Japanese cultural arts to grasp and understand.

I am again impressed with Davey sensei's ability to communicate a complex subject in an interesting and informative way that maintains the readers interest, while still capturing the subtleties of the topic.

From a beginner's perspective, this is an excellent reference, and I highly recommend it.

For any person that practices shodo (meaning `way of calligraphy' ), sumi-e or any form of art that requires full concentration, I highly recommend to read this book. I practice sumi-e and shodo and I have books that cover the techniques in detail, but none of them goes beyond and get to the heart and true reason of this art, which is to achieve a state of mind and body harmony that led us to a form of spiritual realization.

The book talks `briefly' about the history of calligraphy, the Japanese aesthetics and principles (wabi and sabi), it's relation to the Zen philosophy, and it includes a chapter on how to make the first moves with the brush by practicing `the enso' (a zen character).

However, the main theme of this book is the meditative aspects of shodo. How to get a perfect posture to practice, how to use the mind with full concentration, how to `educate' our body, all this to become one with the brush and transcend in a spiritual way.

I do not know if this is the best book that deals with this aspect of shodo (I haven't seen more), but is a very good one, I can assure that.

Having worked with troubled youth for years it wasn't until I read one of the essays in this book did my job become easy. I get incredulous looks when I tell people what I do for a living. They think it is hard or difficult dealing with that "type" of person. Using the information in this book not only makes it easy but fun too.

One of my favorite lines goes something like this:

"The main problem with children is how to live with them. The adult is the problem in child raising, not the child. A good, stable adult with love and tolerance in his heart is about the best therapy a child can have."

When this piece of advice is taken to heart the most troublesome (previously that is) youth become a joy to work with. You don't have to believe it. Just read the book and try some of the techniques out for yourself.

Sincerely,

A Reader

This book has helped me in raising my own kids. It contains theory about children, as well as practical application for helping children through the difficulties of life.

Great book!

I've recently gotten married and with that became a very young step mother. Not knowing how to deal with an 8 year old, I picked up this book and read it. To my amazement, it works! I am developing a strong, loving relationship with my new daughter.

I loved this book. It gives so many practical suggestions for dealing with kids. In today's world where there seems to be escalating violence and drug abuse among children, it's really important to have solutions that actually work. ....

I first read this book years ago when expecting my first child, and I continue to re-read parts of it whenever I feel I need some more support.

The beginning essay, "How to Live With Children" is truly wonderful. My viewpoint on children didn't necessarily change from reading this book, but was certainly strengthened. Children aren't animals to be trained, they don't "belong" to their parents (they are individuals with rights of their own) and they deserve to be treated with respect.

It is true that children can try a parent's patience, though, and the author, a father himself, was well aware of that. He provides some very simple, wonderful methods for handling common problems that children and their parents can have.

For instance:

What do you do when you give your child a new toy and he immediately breaks it?

What do you do when your child gets hurt and doesn't cheer up for too long afterwards?

What do you do when your child acts up in order to get attention?

What do you do with a child who is angry and rebellious, or who has suffered losses and is stuck in grief?

With 6 young children, these things are important for me to be able to handle successfully. My kids are very able, happy, well adjusted children, and this book has a great deal to do with my overall success as a parent.

I recommend this to anyone who deals with children in any measure!

Like most people, as you get older your hearing gets worse and worse but you place the blame on the movie makers or the failure of people not speaking loud enough. This book gives excellent information and advise on hearing loss. Some of the information on hearing aids is a little dated but you can find that with a little research on the internet. My new hearing aids from America Hears are fantastic. I can even hear the birds chirping again.

Covers the subject clearly. Recommend for anyone who is having hearing problem and doesn't know where to turn.

Kudos to clinical audiologist Richard Carmen for assembling this all-star cast of experts. I found this affordable, accessible volume to be loaded with interesting and practical information for us hard of hearing. Audiologists and scientists discuss the psychology and management of hearing loss, and new hearing technologies, and answer lots of questions: What causes ringing in the ears? How do aging, drugs, and noise affect hearing? What are the varieties of hearing aids now available? What cool new hearing assistance technologies might improve my life?

What a book this is. When I found out that I was going to need hearing aids I was thrilled and scared to death. How was this really going to change my life? Well this book (both editions) helped ease my fears. With the group of experts that the author brings together many questions are answered and one realizes that they are not alone. One thing that I found was that although the second edition was improved, some of the articles in the first edition that were deleted from the second was very helpful also; Great book(s)!

This book covers so many topics in such an empathetical way -- extremely well written. This book will help you if you know you are losing your hearing and are downright scared/nervous about seeking help. Understanding the hearing loss is important. This is not just for the person who has suffered hearing lose and needs help, but also for the rest of the family who needs to support and help as well. This book really cannot go recommended enough!Some of the greatest scientists/audiologists that there is have come together to share in good basic English to help. Exceptional!!

Fantastic! If you want to find out more about yourself and others then read this book and others by L.R. Hubbard. I assure you If your looking for answers you have come to the right place.

Hubbard wrote this book prior to the publication of his complete text entitled 'Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health'. It was an introduction to this brand new subject, and it gives a great overview of the basics of Dianetics. Here one can get a good understanding of how the mind works, and how it causes man so much unhappiness, and how this can be resolved quite easily. You can see Hubbard's early discoveries and how these led him to his brilliant research that brought into being an entirely new science. 'Dianetics: The Evolution of a Science' is a layman's text on how the mind is structured so that one can do something about it! This book is a very good preamble to 'Dianetics the Modern Science of Mental Health', and I highly recommend it. This is Hubbard's concise introduction to the subject. You will enjoy this book if you haven't read it.

This book covers the background of Dianeics - how it all began. It gives the basics of Dianetic therapy, the basics of how the mind works, a concise explanation of what occurs when people are injured, and how this negatively affects us. And what to DO about it!

I highly recommend this for anyone interested in the mind, and who is curious about Dianetics.

Hubbard wrote this book to create a better and clear understanding of the main subject of Dianetics for the public to learn how the research came about. He keeps it very simple and straight forward in a way that every one can get it. It is in fact a major breakthrough in the science of understanding how the mind works and how it can be cleaned of the clutters that inhibits us to have a full awareness of what are the causes of our stress, fears, anxieties and depression. It is unlike any other self help book ever written on the subject for the main purpose of reaching the common man to live a fuller and heppier life. Don't underestimate it by its simplicity. Read this book first and then read Dianetics, the modern science of mental health, and you will never be the same, nor will you ever agree with the falsehood that has saturated our environment regarding the sources of our troubles.

Hubbard wrote this book to create a better and clear understanding of the main subject of Dianetics for the public to learn how the research came about. He keeps it very simple and straight forward in a way that every one can get it. It is in fact a major breakthrough in the science of understanding how the mind works and how it can be cleaned of the clutters that inhibits us to have a full awareness of what are the causes of our stress, fears, anxieties and depression. It is unlike any other self help book ever written on the subject for the main purpose of reaching the common man to live a fuller and heppier life. Don't underestimate it by its simplicity. Read this book first and then read Dianetics, the modern science of mental health, and you will never be the same, nor will you ever agree with the falsehood that has saturated our environment regarding the sources of our troubles.

I found this to be the best book to improve bridge for an intermediate player. I've read it four times and learned from each chapter each time. Since one plays defense on half the hands, it provides the best time investment to improve one's bridge play. It is also an entertianing read. I have recommended it to the bridge players I mentor.

Kantar is exceptionally readable, with a sense of humor which makes a difficult subject enjoyable. He goes through much material, but quite thoroughly and clearly. It's a book that needs to be studied - not merely read - but a good student will gain enormously from Kantar's work.

Kantar today is more noted as a bridge instructor than a bridge player. But one must remember that he is both and his latest book demonstrated both the instructional and practical sides. It is (as usual) clear, concise and ro the point. I like Kantar's prose, his ease of explanation and the way he sets just the right tone. Of course, he discusses the bid, the opponent and, most important, keeping track of the play while counting the cards (the one thing that separates the professional from the amateur). Good book with tons of examples.

This is a great book on defense, because Kantar covers almost every intermediate situation comprehensively and give you black and white rules for every situation. He doesn't in this book consider varied leading/signalling conventions but just gives one way to play, but that's fine as he explains his method clearly and shows why he recommends everything he does. I'd recommend it to every player.

The book focuses on leads, signals (Attitude, Count, Suit Preference), and how to card (what card to play in 2nd or 3rd spot), rather than general defensive principles.

The content is excellent, well presented (humorous!!), and best of all, has lots of quizzes. None of this skimming a section and figuring you know it, the quiz will let you find out for certain.

2 warnings:

1) make sure your partner is using the same techniques, otherwise you may get worse results. Its not that the ideas in the book are radical, they are mainstream. But if pard doesn't understand your signal, they may do something weird and you will be worse off.

2) The book is a bit technical (5 situations where this is a suit preference signal. If Dummy wins with a Q then signal count, otherwise ... If you can see the X in dummy then pard will know to do this, else that, etc.
You will need to reread it several times, and probably make notes.

VALUABLE STUFF, but ONLY as part of a partnership that understands each other.

This little book has been really helpful to me in dealing with others.

It explains where people are at emotionally - how to tell where they are at - and how to get your communication across to them.

I took communications courses in college, and this information has been far more valuable to me, in terms of practical use.

If you have ever experienced trying to communicate with another person - and ending up feeling like understanding just didn't come about, no matter how hard you tried - then get this booklet! It explains why this happens, and how to overcome the barriers. It's universal, too - you don't need to give someone a lengthy personality quiz to understand them better! Just by observing the person you can figure out how to communicate with them. It's a gem of a book!

This is fundimanetal, and important data, anyone can use to improve thmeselfs and deal with people around them.
How would you like to be able to handle that obnoxious co-worker? that rude salesperson, or even a family member.
Find out what chronic tone people operate in every day, and how you can be cause over them, and help them too.
People who give false data, and negative viewpoints on this technology have something to hide, and are often distructive to society.
Find out about those type of people by reading "overcoming ups and downs in life" also by L. Ron Hubbard. This will compliment the Tone Scale Booklet

This is a hands-on utility manual for anyone interested in people. It is a totally workable and useful booklet which, when applied to real people, in real life, with people we meet and come in contact with everyday, we are given a tool not only for understanding people's emotional behavior, but it allows us to interact powerfully with people and communicate with them in ways that make a difference. A must-read, and a must-apply easy-to-grasp manual of human relationships.

If you want the truth, here it is. Swallow hard, open your eyes, and look: this is how things work. These basics are very easy to read, and open up worlds of practical application for you to discover on your own. Make sure you do not go past any misunderstood words. Very simply, the data in this booklet came to light after hundreds of thousands of years or religion, philosophy, and science. It is not an add-on, but a resolution of questions and problems - do not treat it lightly.

I learned how to talk to an angry person. That sometimes comes in handy. It's common sense because it works and is natural. Try it.

Consider this book if you are in a marriage/deep relationship and you are seeking to learn more about the disease of alcoholism. Perhaps you are in a 12 step program, if so, that is great. Either way, this will help you begin to understand the disease or advance your knowledge. The chapters are organized in a way that are simple and easy to read, skip around.

THIS IS BY FAR THE BEST BOOK EVER WRITTEN FOR THE FAMILIES OF ALCOHOLICS AND ADDICTS. FOLLOW THIS PATH AND GET SOMEWHERE. PLAIN SPOKEN AND EASILY UNDERSTANDABLE. A HOW TO.

This book is for you:
- if you feel depressed because you emotionally can't leave
- if you have left and gone back
- if you're scared that if you leave, he'll get sober, and then you'll be sorry you left
- if you are separated and your anger has cooled down and you miss him.

This book tells EXACTLY what keeps us attracted to alcoholics; HOW to detach; HOW to make decisions about separation; what makes us keep going back to alcoholics.
This book is a God given must read for all. To read free excerpted book chapters you can visit Toby's website at GettingThemSober. It is winner of AOL's best website for families of alcoholics. The best information for families who suffer from this HORRIBLE disease is on this site.

I have been married to an alcoholic 28 years. My deceased father was an alcoholic and now my 37 yr old son is an alcoholic. After reading numerous books over the years I finally found one that made sense. This book gives practical advice to the person living with an alcoholic. I thank God for the insight provided by Toby Rice Drews! I strongly recommend this book for everyone that has been or will be involved in the life of an alcoholic!

Toby Rice Drews is in a class by herself. She is an absolute sanity saver and a restorer of health and equlibrium. I have been blessed with knowing Toby, and she is in person as she appears in all of her books--warm, gentle, loving, and a true giver. I have given her books to friends and family and they have found them indespensible. One slept at night with her Bible on the pillow next to her and Toby's books on top.

"Kisses From a Distance" was recommended by a friend and I'm thankful to her for that! It's a very readable memoir, touched with humor and filled with first-hand stories handed down to Raff Ellis. His narrative flows easily and the photos add much interest. I drew many connections to my own Irish great-grandparents' experience. They immigrated to NYC during the Irish Potato Famine. I just wish I had the treasure trove of letters and photos that Raff has. They are priceless. All Americans are descended from immigrants, so we can all identify with "Kisses From a Distance," no matter our ancestors' ethnicity. Kudos to Raff for this labor of love.

I so much enjoyed this book so much I found myself slowing down towards the last pages because I didn't want it to end! Someone recently said facts are numbers, dates, and events . . . the "story" is something else altogether. As a first born child of immigrant parents, it brought my own family history to life while helping me to fill in many gaps. "Kisses From a Distance" is filled with many interesting historical facts . . . but the author's true gift is his ability to bring the past to life in an objective and hearfelt way as he tells his family's "story!" Liked it so much bought several copies to give to others.

Raff Ellis's story of his family's immigration experiences can be read as if it is an engrossing novel in today's market of published written works. Combining his miraculous discovery after the death of his mother, of a cache of over 200 letters, extensive research and visits to Lebanon, the author is able to tell in narrative form the family's trials and tribulations. I found myself continually referring to the family trees to keep track of all of its members and their interactions.

The highlight of the story for me was in the fact that I discovered more about one of Raff's brothers, Al, (like how he got his name) with whom I worked for 5 years in our parish in Andover, MA. This past June I also visited him in South Africa where he is pastor of a mother parish with three "outstation" Zulu parishes. I came to realize that we all have family and personal backgrounds that make us who we are. Don't miss this fascinating tale of one family that journeyed to America, becoming a part of the whole of our nation of immigrants. You won't be able to put it down. The story will be circulating in Andover and wherever else it finds its way. Pass it on, for that is what storytelling is all about!

I teach a course, Writing Your Memoirs, in which I not only encourage and instruct students in writing their own stories, but to read the stories of others. I read a lot of published memoirs---in fact, it is one of my favorite genres---and provide my students with bibliographies of Recommended Reading.

Raff Ellis' "Kisses from a Distance," the life stories of his immigrant parents who came to America from Lebanon, is a book I'm definitely adding it to my Recommended Reading list. It's a good story, very readable. It is obviously a long labor of love, good writing, and much research.

Especially interesting is the way this author interweaves the past, the lives of his parents, and the present, his commentary on the research, talking with relatives and others in Lebanon who knew his parents. I hope he will now write of his childhood growing up Lebanese-American, and bring the story up to the present.

I highly recommend "Kisses from a Distance" to everybody who likes to read memoirs, is interested in the immigrant experience, and who appreciates history and good research.

Raff Ellis has done an incredible job of chronicling the struggles, courage and dreams of immigrants coming to America in the early 20th century.
After discovering numerous letters written to and from his mom he was able to put together this historical and fascinating sequence of events that led to his fated life as an American. His eloquent writing style makes this story interesting, enjoyable and a great lesson in American history.
This is a must read for anyone, but especially for those who've had family members migrate to America from foreign lands.

This book is Great. It involves two characters by the name of Lexie and Casey. The suspense is killing. It might Force you to read the next chapter. John Prophet also did anexcellent job describing whatever he was describing with great detail. He also has a whole series of books that you can read once you've read this one. I know i want to read more.

The book "Mystery at Salt Marsh Bridge: A Casey Miller Mystery (Casey Miller Mysteries)" by John Prophet is a great book. The suspense and all of the surprises with Casey and Lexie's findings. The whole idea with flashbacks and foreshadowing is great! The details in this book are perfect. John Profit does a wonderfull job with describing all of the places and settings in the mystery. I also can connect with the relationship between Lexie and Casey; something that I love. Casey and Lexie at first want nothing to do wtih eachother and, by the end of the novel, they cant stand being apart. I'm sure all teenagers can connect. Well, I DEFINITELY recmmend this book to anyone who likes suspense novels and mysteries.

-- Karissa Oliveira

This is one of the best books I've ever read in my life. It is one of those books that I never want to put down and keep reading until I fall asleep at night. John Prophet is an excellent author that keeps you on your toes as you read each chapter. With all the excitement throughout each chapter it makes you feel like you're actually there watching everything happen. I would recommend this book to anybody who enjoys reading adventures and mysteries or to anybody that just likes to read! Enjoy.

Don't miss this mystery book - it's going to put both Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys out of business. My seventh graders couldn't put it down, and many of them, previous R.L.Stine only readers, went on to read the whole series. Even those avid Dan Brown readers dove into the adventures of Casey and Lexie and tried to figure out one turn after another of thier mysterious adventures ... then they'd write to John and make suggestions for other books. You can contact the author through his website, too: www.authorsden.com/johnprophet This is a great book and the first in a fantastic series. Read it, have fun with it - we even made game boards and played it!

This is a book I really enjoyed and I couldn't put it down. Casey and Lexie try to solve a hundred year old mystery. While they try to solve it the janitor from the library, Jake Colby, tries to get in there way so they can't solve the mystery and even sends them a life threatining note. Casey also promised a friend in the town he used to live that he would never tell anyone an important secret that they kept between thenselves about the death of another boy.