Stone Books

Eases the reader gradually through the foundations of ICA and treats various published methods in a contrasting manner. No other reference is needed while reading the book; he even gives the pronounciation of some of the greek letters in footnotes.

This excellent book introduces the reader in the field of Independent Component Analysis providing the necessary fundamentals to understand and apply the different methods. The book also makes interesting links to other techniques. The author has succeeded at writing a very didactic text, not an easy task given the complexity of the matter, and at transmitting his enthusiasm to the reader.
I've enjoyed this book, which has been not only an introduction to ICA but which has brought me into ICA, stimulating my own experimentation with the technique.

Without this book I would never have understood the basics and finesses of ICA. Even if readers ar highly skilled in math reading this book will set out mile'stones' that will enhance the understanding of the ICA- problem, -tools and -possibilities.

Dr. G. Otte

I can't stress how reader friendly this book is. It is by far the best introduction on component analysis. It is written in such a way that those with a weaker math background can understand it while those with years of experience will not be bored, at certain times it even reads like a story.

It addition to being readable the book contains an impressive amount of content for its size. This content is presented in an organized manner, and in such a way that the user can immediately apply the techniques to their own problems.

If you are interested in independent component analysis or one of its relatives I highly recommend this valuable, reasonably price book.

James Stone's monograph is a refreshing new book amongst the many other `new books' on Independent Component Analysis (ICA). The author brings his teaching experience to present the theory and practice of ICA in a highly accessible form using a duplication of words and straight-forward mathematics.

Particular attention is given in the earlier chapters to the description of the linear signal mixing process giving the Reader a good basis for understanding the fundamental assumptions upon which ICA and its application to Blind Source Separation are based.

The book is aimed at the Reader with a technical but not necessarily formal mathematics background. Illustrative examples and functional algorithms in MatLab are frequent and references are made to the author's available electronic resources. As such it is suitable to both the newcomer to ICA, and to the more expert engineer or scientist.

This Reviewer rates this book very highly.

This book is a fascinating read. Adrian Stone does an excellent job writing about everyday life in high school while slowly revealing the painful conflicts so many young people face. He paints an accurate picture of the often cruel conflicts between different social groups in school, the distress teenagers can experience in their relationships, and their frustration over lack of support from adults who matter to them. The book shows vividly how these challenges can result in tragedies that could otherwise be avoided.

I am a sociology professor and I teach and write about school violence. I was also a social worker,teacher and guidance administrator in New York City high schools for 11 years. This book is important and insightful and could surely help bring greater awareness to the roots of school violence. I hope many young people, parents and school professionals will read it.

I guess I went through high school with my eyes closed. I didn't see this stuff happening. Talking to friends after reading this I find out that I must have been blind because they said it was right on the nose. I have only been out a couple of years so my memories are fresh, but this is scary. Wow, I hope people pay attention to this and dig under the surface to see what is really going on.

I have two high school age children and it was a little scary to read this because I see some of these things going on in there school. We all want to believe "It won't happen to my kids," Or "My school is safe." But even the smallest schools face these same issues. The drinking and drug use was a wake up call for me. I am watching a lot closer now. Even the best kids feel the pressure to conform and be a part of the "In" crowd. I hope this opens some eyes to what is really going on.

I am a high school student and this book nails it! We are assaulted from every angle and the pressure to be popular and perfect is sometimes unbearable. We all put pressure on each other and you have to conform or be shunned. It is a sick little society of its own. This book exposes it. Thanks.

This made me take a serious look at my, and society's, role in school violence and the precipitating factors leading to it. Now that I have stepped back and taken a look I see these same things happening in my community. Scary.

This book, A is for AARRGH, is one of the best books I have ever read! It has a great plot, it is funny, has a bad character, and there is just enough suspense to keep the reader hooked.. The only thing I don't like is how there is romance in it. If you are an adult who is looking for a book to read to your kids, read this to them. They will love it!

I really liked this book because it was exciting and left me cliff hanging every time I put it down. My favorite part was when Drog came back with "Greenbacks" and nobody really knew what they were. The reason I gave this five stars is because it had a great plot. Also, I liked that they had villages and it was set back in the time of Cave Men. I would reccommend this book to anyone who enjoys action and adventure. Reviewed by Sam McEntee

I like this book because it was realy funny,in the first paragraph mog threw a rock to og from 25.000 miles away and he still mist hem that was realy funy.
The best psrt of the book was wen mog deliverd the messages to the people that weare realy important and that they needed to know wat was going on.The worst part of the book was wen they send mog to do things that he did not wa net to do
Well ilike the book because the author wrote the book reelly god that i could read it thats why i like the book .

The first time I read this story, I loved it and got it from the library again and again. It has become my favorite book, and William J. Brooke has become one of my favorite authors. I love his creative and original ideas of how words were invented! I think it would get lots of kids to enjoy reading because it's easy to understand, it's exciting, and it's HILARIOUS! It's great for both boys and girls, and I'm sure even adults would love it too! I told my mom one of the parts, and she couldn't stop laughing.Now she can't wait to read it herself!

I am in the habit of previewing my 10-year-old's reading, because he can read beyond his grade level, and I don't want him getting into inappropriate material. As I read this book, I chuckled and chuckled -- and then listened to him squeal and hoot with laughter as he read it!
There's more to this book than humor, though. It gets at some pretty profound concepts -- the purposes and functions of language, the origin of grammar, the development of religion and of politics, and the birth of written language. Not bad for a piece of witty juvenile literature, huh?
I've already checked out William J. Brooke's other books from the library, and I'm looking forward to reading them with my son. I sincerely hope that Mr. Brooke follows _A is for AARRGH!_ with other books in a similar vein.

Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (3/07)

"Japanese Yoga: the Way of Dynamic Meditation" introduces the form of Shin-shin-toitsu-do, which means "the way of mind and body unification." The author describes it as "the direct investigation of universal principles for living." He believes that we can transform our lives by following this practice. It was created by Dr. Nakamara Tempu, also a sensei, when he went to India in the early 1900's to study yoga. In developing Shin-shin-toistuo-do Dr. Tempu incorporated his knowledge of martial arts, western medicine and psychology, and healing into this form.

Shin-shin-toistu-do is different from Indian yoga. It uses a variety of stretching exercises, breathing methods, methods of seated and moving meditation, massage-like healing techniques, auto-suggestion techniques, and mind and body coordination drills. Included are also principles for the unification of the mind and body. This practice is very practical and can be used in our everyday life.

We are encouraged to use this practice because it will teach us to transcend our bodies and it places a higher importance on mental and physical health over material wealth. In reading and learning about this practice, I appreciated the humbleness of Mr. Davey. He encourages the reader to look inside ourselves to find truth, not at him.

I think that this is a great book for anyone interested in meditation and healing techniques. I think that people with a passion for the Japanese martial arts will really benefit from the training. It is in no way difficult to follow and Mr. Davey keeps it very interesting. He also provides resources to accessing instruction and supplies, and a glossary for quick reference.

My personal interests lie in Japanese martial arts and healing. I am pursuing my third degree black belt in karate and have been attuned to mastery level in Reiki. I was very excited to read "Japanese Yoga," because I felt that in addition to assisting me with my everyday life, it will also help me to achieve my next levels of training in the other art forms. Physically and mentally, I will benefit, especially as I feel myself physically aging. I also think that incorporating something new into my life will bring an additional excitement to my training.

One of the key principles of Japanese Yoga or shin-shin toitsu do is being and staying positive. When you stay positive, the ki or the energy starts to flow in you. When you turn negative, the ki stops flowing. It is as simple as that! H. E. Davey writes in a simple and most effective manner to instill in one this simple principle.

If you are practicing Yoga for some time, you will know that Yoga is not all postures. Living life to its maximum is yoga; letting that universal energy flow through you uninterrupted is yoga. The author writes about the teachings of his master - Nakamura sensei. While acknowledging the roots of Japanese Yoga lies in the ancient practice from India, Nakamura sensei went on to form the foundations of Japanese yoga through his own interpretations and experiences.

As with staying positive, concentration of the mind is a big part of the book. There are several exercises/techniques (candle gazing, listening to the fading of the ringing bells to eternity) explained in the book and how, with such exercises once can connect to the universal energy. The exercise with a pendant is a simple and profound way to illustrate the effects of the mind on the body. You will find the many gentle stretching and ki stimulating exercises easy to learn and practice. This is one of the yoga books that I could read through without the express need to 'know' the steps of postures, the sequences and combinations of different categories of postures, etc, etc.

I found the book to be simple and devoid of the numerous asanas that one needs to learn to 'practice' yoga. You need to read quite a bit of the book to get a sense of what Dynamic Meditation is. That's how this book is different. If Yoga were to be condensed into a two-page booklet readied for a crash course, then there wouldn't be so many books on the subject. Each author and each way of yoga uses a different and often unique way to get the message across. H. E. Davey speaks from his own experience and practice in writing this book and in it you will find a different and welcome way of practicing yoga. This book will be a unique addition to your Yoga library.

`Japanese Yoga' is comparatively an easy book to read and to follow. The author has a good gasp of Japanese culture and its philosophies. His explanations are relatively easy to follow. I think the paradox of Japanese is that they don't say much as most of their communication is through their actions and Davey has managed to explain many of demonstrated action into simple words. Although the book has fewer illustrations of yoga techniques which was rather disappointing but the explanation behind `Japanese Yoga' concept was well handled by the author. I will certainty recommend this book to any student who is keen to understand the basic principles and the source behind various exercises discussed in the book and those who are keen to understand the primary connection between the body and mind.

'Japanese Yoga' is a surprising book that affects your daily life from day one that you practice it.
The fact that i keep on practicing it everyday is a solid proof that the exercises are helpful in many ways.

The author H.E. DAVEY reveals in a clear and instructive way the teachings of NAKAMURA TEMPU SENSEI.
Both the psychological and spiritual background of his method are written in a down-to-earth way and without acting as a 'guru'.
Each of the principles has a PRACTICAL pendant as an exercise or test to make you really feel what is meant. In this way these principles are not mere assumptions, but become true and real, here and now.
For example : the principle that the mind moves and controls the body : the author includes several tests and exercises to make you find out for yourself what is meant.

The practice of Japanese Yoga has a lot to offer : stretching exercises, improvement of posture and breathing, centered movement, healing skills, meditation etc. These are not too difficult for most people, if practiced in the right frame of mind. And they are beneficial indeed.

The author suggests that there could follow a second volume of this book. i would be very pleased to read and learn more about Japanese Yoga.

H.E. Davey also wrote "Living the Japanese Arts and Ways", 45 paths to meditation and beauty. This volume
further explores the Japanese Ways (do) and is equally interesting and revealing. It looks at "body-and-mind-

unification" through the traditional crafts and arts of Japan.

If you're just interested in whether I liked this book or not, I'll get that out of the way first. I enjoyed this book and I expect to read it again in the near future.

I should mention, before discussing the contents, that this book is well-constructed. I like to read on airplanes and took this book on several short trips. It not only fits well into carryon luggage, but also withstands the rigors of travel and hotels extremely well.

This is not just a how-to type of book. Readers will not be overwhelmed by images of slim, svelte individuals in contortionist stances or situations. Rather, this book discusses the mental process of meditation. Any physical postures or exercises mentioned seem to be designed to facilitate the meditation process, not merely to lose weight or
fit in with the burgeoning yoga crowd.

I don't think there is any one good manner of addressing the mental processes, especially those of meditation. It is just too complicated an area. This author takes the approach of discussing some of the short-term goals of the incremental steps of his method, Shin-shin-toitsu-do, rather than ephemeral discussions of long-term, years-down-the-line goals. He
repeats important points, usually from different angles and perspectives. This approach can be heavy-handed and burdensome, if not done correctly.
Mr. Davey keeps his approach light. Just when it seems he is going to spoil things, he is off on another tangent that brings the reader back to the same goal.

I couldn't read this book in one sitting, although it is not a ponderous tome. I felt the need to break it into many short, educational readings. Sometimes just a snippet, sometimes reading longer. The material was presented in an easy manner, free of self-importance, yet not disrespectful. I know I probably didn't pick up all the important material
discussed, but I put it down with the feeling that I had found something that was important. I will read this book again, soon.

What a fascinating book to read! I loved sharing Shakti's journey of discovery with her. It was fun to read from cover to cover in addition to being an invaluable resource book for anyone who wears, buys, or creates jewelry.
The astrology information was so simply explained, clarifying many questions I have always had about the stars.
Before you purchase another piece of jewelry, you must read this!

Shakti Navran has created a book as beautiful and radiant as the gems she describes so perfectly. This book certainly did delight my eye as well as my mind and my heart. And, it did affirm the connection between my body and my soul... so much so that I will be much more conscious of chosing the jewelry that I wear. Thank you Shakti for recognizing and teaching us about the beauty and healing that nature provides. This is an amazingly accurate reflection of the beauty and healing that you share with the world in so many ways.

Donna Bradley/ Radiance Center

JEWELRY & GEMS FOR SELF-DISCOVERY: CHOOSING GEMSTONES THAT DELIGHT THE EYE & STRENGTHEN THE SOUL provides a different focus on jewelry, discussing 'soul jewelry' and using the author's thirty plus years of experience in both jewelry design and astrology to fine purpose. This discussion of the metaphysical properties of over sixty precious stones makes for an outstanding guide perfect for new age libraries.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

This book is informative and very innovative in the way it links the love of
gemstones to astrology. I highly recomend it.

I just want to thank you for writing this book! You can tell that you poured your heart and soul into it! I have recently become interested in astrology, but have been overwhelmed by so much information. This book made it all very much easier for me to understand. I have also recently been interested in crystals and gemstones and their unique qualities. This book is revolutionary in that it easily puts the two worlds together in an amazing way! I got an incredible amount out of reading this book and I know that you will too! Happy reading...and thanks again Shakti, the book is truly amazing ; )

This is phenomenal book! There's a slight bit of difficulty with so many Indian names, which are unfamiliar to Western ears and a bit difficult to keep track of. My solution was to turn around when I finished the book and immediately re-read it. I was totally unaware that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands even existed until reading this book, and now I'm mad to see them for myself. The story of the destruction of these ancient tribes over the last 200 years is one of the saddest things you will ever read, and it makes you root even harder for those people on Sentinel Island, who have resisted all attempts at contact by the "civilized" world and are shooting Stone Age arrows at our airplanes when they fly over. Let's hope they're able to maintain their independence--

Madhusree Mukerjee's writing is so compelling I didn't want to stop reading. The historical background she relates is based on solid scholarly research, but the book should easily appeal to popular audiences. Readers will admire the author's persistence on her visits to the Andaman Islands in striving against bureaucratic resistance and other difficulties to search out, experience, and report on the current situations of the aboriginals.

In reading the book, I continually found myself, as the author did, identifying with the native peoples in their confrontations and interactions with the invading visitors, settlers and administrators. Mukerjee has an excellent way with words, including the manner in which she describes the many ironies and the bunglings by the governing bureaucracies. Regarding the resulting messes, she uses perfect imagery: "One could always blame the previous administration, a long line of pointing fingers fading into history."

It's unfortunate and sad how, over much of the world, so-called civilized outsiders continue to arrogantly and ignorantly devastate other lands and their inhabitants, intentionally, unintentionally, and through greed and indifference. Even though the facts recounted in the book eloquently speak for themselves, the manner in which Mukerjee frequently relates her own reactions and feelings on her visits seems entirely appropriate. Hopefully, this book will draw considerable attention, both in India and worldwide among concerned citizens and officials positions to influence policies.

The book is excellent, beautifully written, even poetic in places. The author describes the history of contact by the 'civilized world' with the people of this lost world on the Andaman Islands, a world about which I knew nothing. She uses an interesting novelistic device of weaving together past and current events to described the world of the Andamanese and of her trials and tribulations of trying to work through an uncooperative bureaucracy to meet the fascinating original inhabitants. The cast of characters is huge and includes historical figures from as far back as 1771 to people of today. The role of the author is that of compassionate observer. Ultimately the tale is sad; thoughout I kept asking, "What are we doing?".

Discussions of endangered peoples often invokes stories about Amazonian natives, Kalahari Bushmen, and Australian aborigines to name a few. The people of the Andaman and Nicobar islands are seldom mentioned however. Mukerjee does a great service to the indigenous people of these islands by exposing the destruction wrought upon them by modern intrusions.

The Andamanese and Nicobarese have lived in isolation from the modern world in the Bay of Bengal for thousands of years. They were portrayed in travelogues, including Marco Polo's, as ferocious, cannabilistic, and uncivilized to the highest degree. These impressions were often based not upon direct interaction but rather on distant observation of a unabashedly naked people with a hunter-gatherer culture. When actual interaction did occur primarily by the British, the Andamanese and Nicobarese were often ferociously defensive as can be expected when confronted by an imperialist power intent on conquering and also gathering human specimens to study and display on the mainland. Even in the face of these dangers, they attempted to maintain some peaceable interaction with their conquerors and displayed the great attributes of their cultures.

Mukerjee spent some time in the islands in an attempt to interact with the Great Andamanese, Onge, Jarawa, Nicobarese, and Sentinelese and in the process, has exposed the Indian government's wrongheaded and destructive policies toward these indigenous peoples. It is apparent that most Indian bureacrats in the islands are there to live the easy life and make a quick buck, and the few who desire to make change often are faced with insurmountable obstacles in their attempt to improve policy toward the natives. Mukerjee describes her subjects in affectionate detail, and her love for them and her sorrow for their plight are evident throughout the book. Her feelings for them culminates as she approaches the Sentinel Islands, home to possibly the most undisturbed culture on earth. As her boat nears the islands, she begins to regret her intrusion and thinks to herself "Please please please, let us not destroy this last haven."

Unfortunately, disease and war has wiped out most of the islands' population. Construction and deforestation is wiping out native habitats. The islanders are impotent to change the situation, and the Indian government will ultimately be responsible for protecting these vulnerable and beautiful people.

I highly recommend this book to anyone concerned with the disappearance of a people who have not been able to fight back and are quickly disappearing from our earth.

_The Land of Naked People_ by Madhusree Mukerjee is an interesting and informative account of one of the last stone age peoples in the world (or what is left of them), native peoples of the Andaman Islands, a archipelago located north of the Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal in the Indian Ocean, a people that according to archaeologists, linguists, and geneticists have been isolated from the rest of the world for tens of thousands of years. Mukerjee interwove personal accounts of travels to the islands and interviews with government officials, researchers, activists, local residents, and the tribesmen themselves with vivid historical narratives of early contact situations, warfare with, and research on these aboriginal peoples.

The people of the Andamans, long known to Asian and European travelers, were feared for centuries as cannibals and headhunters. They were often referred to as "dog-people," as sub-human; in the nineteenth century some were displayed in the Calcutta zoo, where Bengali visitors took them to be descendents of the monkey god Hanuman, and as late as 1925 a paper published in _Man_, a journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute, defined the Andaman as a new species of human, _Homo mincopoeus_. Simultaneously intriguing and repulsing Arab, Chinese, and British travelers by their casual nudity (the natives wore virtually no clothing), ferocity towards outsiders (many of the historical accounts are of hostile first encounters and "punitive expeditions" against islanders), and their physical features that were more African than Asian, the islanders were little bothered for centuries, the islands mostly unsettled despite being located on major trade routes between India and China. Though outside civilization has become increasingly dominant in the last 200 years or so, there are still remote areas in the archipelago; the one hundred or so individuals who make the island of North Sentinel their home are still very much a stone age people (though many technically no longer use stone but rather work metal from nuts and bolts that wash up on their shores into arrowheads) who may be among the most isolated humans on earth (though how long they will stay isolated is a matter of some concern).

Mukerjee divided the Andaman islanders into four groups. About ten tribes (at one time during colonial times comprised of as many as 5,000-8,000 people) made up a group called the Great Andamanese, occupying most of the Great Andamans (the South, Middle, and North Andaman Islands) and several adjacent smaller islands. They were at war with the elusive Jarawa, a small group that numbered at one time as many as 600, a group that lived in the dense western forest of South Andaman. Seven hundred or so Onge tribal members lived on Little Andaman, a sizable island farther south, and a hundred Sentinelese lived on the eighteen square miles of North Sentinel off to the west.

The author painted a vivid picture of an interesting group of people. Though only distantly related to the Congo Pygmies, they were originally similar in many respects; they lived in dense, moist tropical forests in small bands, had peppercorn hair, painted their naked bodies with clay (a practice which the author discussed at length), used bows, arrows, and nets to obtain food, and had extraordinary botanical knowledge. Hunter-gatherers, they subsisted on a variety of plant products, fish, sea turtles (a favorite), dugongs (now virtually extinct in the islands), and a number of forest animals, the most favored of which was the wild boar, believed by some to have descended from the southern Chinese pig. The natives cared greatly for children; among the Great Andamanese it was considered a compliment and a mark of friendship if a married man, after paying a visit, asked his hosts to adopt one of their children; these parents would in turn not only visit frequently their own but adopt others. Several of the groups had taboos against killing certain creatures. The Great Andamanese for instance ruled that it was taboo to kill a certain spider, a type of beetle, two bird species, two fish species, a certain mollusk, and two types of trees. Cicada grubs were much coveted in several of the islands as food, but many were fearful of upsetting Biliku, the northeastern monsoon wind, whom the cicada was the child of; the islanders would be "silent as a mouse" during early morning and late evening singing of the cicadas, not doing any work or making any noise.

Unfortunately much of the book is about the very sad state of the Andaman Islanders. Massive, often illegal, deforestation, even in the protected tribal reserves, has resulted in huge erosion problems, silt runoff that has killed nearshore corals and local fisheries, and deprived the islanders of much food and shelter on every island but North Sentinel. Only 42 Great Andamanese remain, most of them alcoholics (a dependency on alcohol and other substances in the past deliberately encouraged by the authorities), suffering from malnutrition thanks to a diet largely of oil and starch, and many of the children fathered by the welfare staff who are supposed to care for them, Mukerjee documenting how the social workers sometimes took cruel advantage of them. The remaining 100 or so Onge are only a little better off. Disease in the past devastated the islanders and still thins their numbers to this day as they are a people without previous exposure to such illnesses as pneumonia, mumps, and even the common cold. The Jarawa are famous for their resistance, having fiercely fought logging and road construction in their forests, killing laborers and travelers as recently as 1998. Much feared, laborers required guards, police had to escort travelers on the road through their forest; one person told the author, if asked if he ever saw a Jarawa, replied, no, "To see is to die." Though there have been some reverses in favor of the Jarawa in the end it seems that they are doomed to be assimilated into Indian culture if they don't perish from disease and deforestation first.

Beautiful, large pictures of finished designs and step by step instructions. Oriented toward the beginner rather than the professional. Just being able to point to a picture and say "That is what I want" is worth the price of the book. I want to go out and build a stone path right now!

Beautiful book, well put together, LOTS of pictures. I especially liked the way the author covered different styles of stonework. I'm not a fan of very formal design and he included examples of more informal, earthy landscaping.

Pick this up if you are always at Menards, Home depot, or you just like to play with rocks, on a friday night. It did occur to me after I read this, that my friends may think that I am wierd, because I read a book about rocks and how to place rocks, all on a...you guessed it...FRIDAY NIGHT! LOL! I am not cool!

What beautiful and innovative designs this book has. My husband and I wanted to landscape much of our property with stone. We actually did more than planned because we were so impressed by much of the ideas in this book. A concern of ours was the price. Much of the simpler projects you find you can do yourself (such as the small retaining wall around the garden), which saved on additional labor costs. We were guided which stones to use, and stones that could be found around the property. For the work that was a bit more extensive we called in a professional and showed him from the book what we wanted. He was very much impressed with this book himself.

From single stone placements to walkways, patios and garden rooms, this book will provide you with endless ideas and inspiration. The instructions are thorough yet easy to follow. A must for a resplendent garden!

The book being used was in fair shape but is an excellent book to read especially if you are familar with the Tennesse area.

I read this book when it first came out, then again a couple years ago. I love anything I can get my hands on, on the subject of the Civil War. After I read a story, I want to visit the area. There are so many emotions we still carry over that war, proud that we could come back together, but a sadness at the cost of life it took. This is a book that will have you doing a lot of thinking about life.....

Absolutly gripping, could not put this book down!
Awesome details of historical accuracy.
I literraly fell in love with the characters, could feel their pain, longing, and laughter.
One of the best books I have ever read.
BRAVO Mr Wright!!!

This is a great novel. Recently an old REAL plantation, known as the 'Fairview' Farm was purchased and is now being developed with expcnsive homes and the title the develepment is 'The Last Plantation'. It is located just South-West of Gallatin, TN. We need to have this novel republished and the author, Mr. Wright, is presently the Mayor of Gallatin. This old plantation, Fairview Farm, is not the one Mr Wright writes of (I think) but it really existed and still does. My mother and grandfather worked on this farm in the 1910-1920 period. Thank you. (I wish I had a hundred copies of it) (I have one on order and will try to have Mr Wright autograph and send to my sister in Shawnee Mission KS) If this can be reprinted it is more than twice the price shown.

This book should appeal to many different types of readers. Civil War buffs will love it. The war is much more real to me now. It should definitely be read by anyone living in Middle Tennessee, especially Sumner County. There's action and romance. I can't wait to read the rest of Don Wright's books.

Disney does a great job with their Fairy books. Each story teaches children things; not to lie, etc. My daughter loves to read them and now has her friends reading them too.

My nine year old daughter loves books about Tinkerbell and all her friends. She absolutely devours them as soon as I get them. What a boost for her imagination!

We own all of this series! Started reading them when my daughter was 4 (she just turned 5 now), and they are age appropriate. Not too scary and always a happy ending. One book only takes us about 4-5 nights worth of reading together. The longer ones are good too "Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg" and "Fairy Haven and the Quest for the Wand", but they are a little bit scarrier than the short books (more appropriate for ages 5-7 I would think).

Opinion: I liked this book more than The Trouble with Tink, but not as much as I liked Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg and Vidia and the Fairy Crown though. Lily is much better than I imagined her to be and so is her story. Lily's friend Iris is funny and sensitive, making the story have a deeper meaning than just what you're expecting. This made the sory mean more to me.

Summery: Lily is on a walk, she told her "friend" Iris she was looking for possum ferns just to get away from her. Although she does see a possum fern, she also finds a strange seed. Being a garden talent fairy, Lily can't help but plant it. Since Iris dosn't have a garden, Lily decides to let Iris help her out. But, although Lily and Iris would be heart broken to uproot the plant, they might not be able to help it. Although all the garden talent fairies are trying to defend her, Queen Clarion and the other fairies want it uprooted now! But, the garden talant fairies and Tinker Bell can't outnumber the rest of the fairies, so they might lose, especially if Vidia can help it. Vidia hates this "vile" plant. But is it really what they thought it was? This will ever puzzle them by the mysterious plants likeing and life cycle.

Reporter's Opinion: I thought that this was one of those books that you can't put down no matter what! I really couldn't put it down, so I read it all in one night! I was a really, really great book!

Summary: Lily is one of the best Garden-talent fairies in all of Pixie Hollow. When she was walking in the forest, she found a seed that she never heard of. She decided to plant it in her garden. The next day after she planted it, all of Pixie Hollow smelled bad because of it. The next day, it let off pink pollen that made everyone and everything in Pixie Hollow pink and sneeze. The fairies and sparrow men were about to cut it down, but Lily said to let it live one more day. That evening, it grew fruit. She tried it, and it was delicious. Lily told the fairies and sparrow men to try it, and they all loved it! After you pi a fruit, another one comes in it's place. Lily asked her Garden-talent fairy friend, Iris what kind of tree it was. Iris looked in her book and it was an Ever Tree. All of them were destroyed, but now they know that there is one left. Everyone comes to get fruit from it. It was a good plant after all!

These books are great for kids who are picky or have difficulty getting into books and love comedy.

I love this book!It is one of my favorite Marvin Redpost books!It is fnny.They think that the rock Casey has is a magic crystal. It even looks like one too.They keep trying to make wishes on it.Read this book if you want to find out what happens. I love this book so much!

This book once again earns five stars!This book is so awesome because Marvin is going to Casey's house!That's so weird.Casey invited him over to look at something.(And I thought he hated her.)At the end something REALLY weird happens.SO READ IT AND FIND OUT!!

I read Marvin Redpost, A Magic Crystal? It was a good, funny, exciting, COOL book. Do you think that others will read it? Well I hope that people will read the book because its fun to read it! Kids can read this book when they are in first through third grad!! You can get other book of Marvin Redpost books in you local library!

It all started with Casey Happleton. She was the most unusual girl Marvin Redpost had ever met. She lived in an old fire station. Actually, it had been remodeled and on the inside looked pretty much like a regular house, except for the fire pole right in the middle of the living room. The pole went all the way up to the fourth floor and Casey was allowed to slide down on it. And, she had a big secret...a magic crystal. It used to be a normal rock, but had been struck by lightning in the storm the night before and now, if you made a wish on the magic crystal, it would come true. Casey had already tested it out. She had wished that Marvin would come over to her house and he had. Marvin was pretty skeptical about the magic and so he decided to test it himself. He wished that everyone would be in school the next day, no absences and the next day, everyone was in class. Then Casey wished for homemade cookies for an afterschool snack and a plate was waiting for them when she and Marvin got to his house later that day. Marvin figured the magic could be a coincidence and was pretty iffy. Casey was beginning to get on his nerves, always babbling away about the magic crystal and wishes and he finally got so angry that he wished she'd just shut up. And she did. She stopped talking completely. Now Marvin is starting to panic. No sounds are coming out of Casey's mouth and he doesn't know what to do..... Louis Sachar has written a delightful, silly and endearing story youngsters 6-10 will really enjoy. His writing is funny and true to life, his characters real people that kids can identify with and his scenes are vivid and at times laugh-out-loud funny. A Magic Crystal is a wonderful addition to the Marvin Redpost series.