Lifestyle Books

This book is chock full of excellent practical ideas for taking control of your life in every realm: physical, emotional, spiritual, relational. It is a quick, manageable method for making change in a busy mom's life, with a particular emphasis on weight and fitness. I particularly like the "one goal at a time" focus of this book. Moms need to heed this aspect, for some readers may easily get overwhelmed at all the possible changes the author outlines. Very readable, with realistic steps each reader can tailor to her own situation.
Ann Dunnewold, Ph.D. author of Even June Cleaver Would Forget the Juice Box: Cut Yourself Some Slack (and Still Raise Great Kids) in the Age of Extreme Parenting

As I started reading Debi Silber's book I was ready for some advice to incorporate into my life. I had my light blue highlighter in hand because I quickly figured out that this book is not just to be read, it is meant to be "used".... written in, highlighted and doggie-eared. It is just as much a workbook as an instructional tool, motivational tool, myth buster and cheerleading squad to boot. The problem was that I began to realize that I was highlighting the MAJORITY of each page. She has so many nuggets of INSPIRATION and tips to SUCCEED between the covers. She has so much interesting data, real numbers, trends, scientific info in understandable terms that "highlighting my book" was truly highlighting "the book!"

If you have tried everything, tried nothing, feel hopeless or hopeful about transforming your life as a mom in an effort to include more joy, balance, as well as physical and spiritual vibrancy this book is a tool for you.

Debi really wants her readers to succeed at creating a life they love. This is obvious here. It is also evident by the EXTRA BONUS she gives readers,a free audio download and the incredible website support that is available for anyone ready to dig in and create their best life and body.

This book has a heartbeat.

Debi Silber puts together an advice book on many areas of your life. What I liked the most about this book is that she doesn't ask you to radically do anything, but make decisive changes in slow steps so you really can change your life. I like she doesn't ask you to radically change everything overnight, she knows you are busy, but you want to get your life back under control.

She writes about your life in many different fascets, we are not one sided, and neither is her approach. She gives a great deal of advice on nutrition, relationships, emotions, spirituality, stress control, and yes, fitness. Her advice is basically to take baby steps to make progress, for example trying to cut back on eating? Decide how much you will drink at a party before you leave, alternate your drinks with water, cut your drinks with spritzer. Order an appetizer instead of an entree.

So often advice books ask you to make radical changes that are difficult to stick with. I think that Debi Silber has really grasped that small changes made over time add up to lasting change. I think being a mom, having children, relationships with others, are taxing enough. Putting yourself through radical change is only going to heap more stress upon you. Stick with this book and the advice given, and you will see those changes that you desire.

The Balanced Mom: Raising Your Kids Without Losing Your Self

Debi has written a wonderful resource for moms who want a healthier life. The Lifestyle Fitness Program is an innovative, holistic approach to health that will help countless moms understand and improve their eating and fitness habits. If you follow this program, you will be pleased with the results!
-Bria Simpson, MA, Life Coach, Speaker and Author of The Balanced Mom- Raising Your Kids Without Losing Your Self. [...]

Finally, a well-written, easy to read and well-organized fitness program to support a busy mom's lifestyle. The lifestyle fitness program covers: nutrition, stress control, physical fitness, emotional well being, relationship issues, and spiritual fitness. This is a workbook meant to be used, written in, shared, highlighted, noted with paperclips, and littered with post-it notes. The anecdotes, motivational tips, and inspirational insights will encourage anyone needing to transform their life.

Sibler is an expert in nutrition, a certified personal trainer and skilled whole health coach. She has worked with busy mothers for nearly thirty years and she has combined all of her years of training both textbook and on-the-job in this total resource manual. Sibler takes the many facets of being a mother and uncovers them one issue at a time. There are several caught my attention:
* recognize and fulfill the crave
* learn the words (baked, broiled, roasted, creamy, sautéed, ) that help you know if the dish is fatty or not
* control the lapse - find out why you made a relapse, deal with it, control it and make a decision to regain control
* categorize your stress, manage the issue, delegate and let go
* modify your idea of weight loss success - its not all in the poundage
* pay it forward by sharing your successes with others

THE LIFESTYLE FITNESS PROGRAM is a unique workbook that will provide eye opening advice for the dedicated mom. This is not a guide to guilt you into making changes but a motivational tool that encourages you to make incremental modifications that you can easily incorporate into your everyday life. Oh, did I mention the free audio download and emailed emotional support...more than a book it's a personal trainer/wellness coach that you can carry with you.

Deltareviewer
Reviewing for Real Page Turners

In the beginning of Pier Pressure, there are five best friends, Luna, Kanani, Cricket, Rae, and Isobel that live in Cresent Cove. Luna's parents run a surfing camp and Luna and her friends help them. The first day of the surfing camp Luna sees a guy and they indroduce themselves.
Next, Luna and the guy named David sort of become friends. However, David sort of has an attitude and couldn't surf at all, but was in the intermediant class.
Finally, David let Luna teach him how to surf. Thats not all Luna was thinking about. She remembered that The Western Championship surf competition was coming up and her mom is a pro surfer. Luna thought that she had to live up to her moms reputation. Now only with three weeks left until the surf competitionand until David has to go back to his dads, she has to try to train and stay away from David for awhile. Which of course Luna doesn't want to do. Finally, she starts training while also making a little time for David. It finally comes to the competition and she surfs with her heart and ends up, well you'll have to read the rest to find out if Luna and David ever become serious or say good bye and sort of stay in touch.

Genre: Fiction
Three sentence summary: Luna is a camp councelor at a surf camp. While there she meets a boy. They begin dating but many things go wrong.
What I liked most about the book: What I liked most about the book was how it has real life problems that you, the reader can relate to.
What I didn't like and why: I didn't like how it skipped around from person to person. It confused me.
My favorite character and why: My favorite character is Luna because she is so down to earth and knows wrong from right.
The scene, line, or passage that meant something to me and why: David and her are in the ocean playing when he grabs her hand. It's just so sweet and really grabs your attention and makes you wanting to keep reading to see where it leads.
What I would say about this book to someone else: I would say if you like romantic and adventurous books then read this because it's all about two surfers who fall in love.
One question I have after reading this book: One question I have is how old was David. They never said in the book but he semmed younger than Luna.
My strongest reason for recommending this book: I recommend this book because it catches your attention and really puts a good meaning on life.

The main chacters in Luna Bay are Luna, Rae, Kanani, Cricket, and Isobel. The setting is at North Beach in Crescent Cove. Luna's parents have a surf camp. Luna saw a boy at the surf camp that she thought looked good. But the boy really doesn't like surfing. His grandparents sent him there so he would not be board while he was at their house. The conflict is that David does not like surfing and Luna does. The lesson to be learned is that you don't have to like the samething as someone else to be there friend. The ending was really. I would not change the ending at all. I would recommend this book to pre-teen girls. I would recommend it to all my friends. I really enjoyed the book. I encourage all girls to read this book. The best part of the book was its ending. The first two chapters were really good too. I hope that all the people that read this book will enjoy it; the title of the book is LUNA BAY.

I read the book �Luna Bay.� I thought it was a outstanding book. I would recommend this book to people who surf, and that live in California. I would recommend this book to people that surf and live in California because it�s all about surfing and a little bit of horse riding. It would be a fun book for surfer girls to read.

I really liked it because I like surfing even though, I don�t surf. I watch surfing competitions on television and it looks like fun. I�ve always wanted to know how to surf and I think that I would be good at it because, I snowboard and there both almost alike. I also like it because it takes place by the ocean, and I love the ocean. When I think about the ocean it makes me feel cheerful and cool.

�Luna Bay� is about five best friends, Rae, Luna, Cricket, Kanani, and Isobel. They all love surfing together. They are all counselors of Luna�s parents, Tuck and Cate�s, surfing camp. At surf camp Luna meets a kid David she falls in love with, and they start dating, but her parents don�t want her hanging out with him because it will interfere with her training for the contest, but Luna still hangs out with him. At night when she goes out to train she doesn�t, she goes to meet David, and teaches him how to surf. On the nights she does go training she lifts weights and jogs. David doesn�t know how to surf because he lives in Florida and his dad sends him to see his grandparents for a month, and his dad signs him up to learn how to surf. Luna is so happy because she just found out that she qualified for the ASA ( Amateur Surfing Association Western Championship) at Cresent Cove right down the street from her. Her mom was the three-time champion in th world, and she wants Luna to win. Luna is very pressured about winning, so she can make her mom proud of her daughter. If Luna wins the contest the SG Magazine will have her in the magazine, but she doesn�t think she�ll win because some of the best surfers are coming to town to be in the contest.

Overall, I think this book was really good. Read the book and find out if Luna wins or if she loses the championship.

I am probably waaaaaaaaaaaay too old to even pick up this book, but since my adage is "you're never too old to read" I picked it up anyway. And even though the writing is a bit slow (but then again I'm not exactly the target-group of this book) it's pretty interesting and, parents, it is safe. No full frontal snogging here...
The parts where the author describes the surfing itself are on the other hand so interesting that I would really like to go out there and start surfing myself!!!
I can also fully underscribe the sideline-message: treat your planet with respect!
So all in all: I'd say 4 stars!! (that and I'll probably buy the next Luna bay novels)

Hats off to the author. This was indeed a Marvelous book it held my attention as well as the attention of my children...I would encourage all to pick up the book and give it a try. A Marvelous World takes you on a magical journey with tons of exciting adventures...Nothing about this book is typical....Its a great read for kids and the kids at heart.....

I'm ALMOST done with this book and am looking forward to the next book(s) in the series. Its a wonderful mix of modern American times, magic, adventure and sci fi, where a couple of young kids/tweeners learn the value of their skills and how to be unique!

I purchased this book after hearing the author talking about it on TV. My pre-teen loves this book. I have purchased books in the past but this is the first she started reading and can't stop talking about it. This was one of my best purchases and at a great price.

Wow! What a story!

Louis Proof is a teenager in East Orange, New Jersey. When the book opens, Louis one of the most popular students in his class. He is helpful, kind, and smart. He accepts an invitation to go to a wonderful amusement park where all of your wildest dreams come true. After things go a little wrong there, Louis leaves and mysteriously collapses and falls into a coma.

When Louis awakens, it is three months later and everything is different. Many adults are being replaced with replicas of themselves -- and they are a child's dream. They let their kids do anything they want. Slowly, Louis realizes that he is the earth's only chance. Earth is being taken over by Galonious, a very funny but evil person. He takes away a person's inhibitions and promises freedom. Some people steal and vandalize while others commit murder.

I spent some time speaking with my fifth-graders about this concept and I believe that they found it as scary as I did. The story doesn't come to a conclusion, as there are supposed to be sequels. The hero is also African-American, which is a first, and there are many references to popular culture which makes the story fun.

Enjoy reading THE MARVELOUS EFFECT!

Reviewed by: Marta Morrison

This is a beautifully written book that will instantly engage even a reluctant reader. It's fun, it's deep, it's alive with a lively plot and creative setting. I use it for an urban book club. Most of my kids have never read a book over 100 pages, yet they finished this book ahead of schedule. It's a very smart book with great vocabulary and themes that are rich for discussuion. This author has written a book that kids can see, hear and feel.

I gave away my old copy to my daugher when she set up her own household, and was lost without it ! This is a wonderful, easy to use cookbook, and I have yet to make any of the recipes and not love them.

I recently bought this book and I love it! The recipes are healthy and taste great! Even my husband who is not vegetarian loves them. I made several dishes and all were excellent. I am so looking forward to trying all the recipes. Buy this book, you wont regret it!

The best thing about this cookbook is it is so easy! The ingredients are readily available (which is not always the case with vegetarian cookbooks). Meals are easily and quickly made and really really good.

I have been a vegetarian for about 9 years now and have never found a better cookbook! Most vegetarian cookbooks have strange, expensive ingredients; most of the recipes in this cookbook do not. The recipes are easy to prepare and taste wonderful! Some of my favorite dishes come from this cookbook. The recipes are also very healthy. I'm a registered dietitian so I know how difficult it can be to make something lowfat, vegetarian AND tasty but this author does a fantastic job. I would highly recommend this cookbook for vegetarians and non-vegetarians.

Yes, vegetarian can also mean tasty, and it can also be easy to prepare. This is a great cookbook with tremendous variety and flair. There isn't a recipe to found here that isn't relatively easy to prepare. I love cooking meat over flame as much as the next barbeque addict, but I love this cookbook enough to give it out to friends as a gift. Forget about it being vegetarian, it just a good cookbook, period. If I were limited to just five cookbooks in my kitchen library, this would probably be one of them.

THE MUFFIN CHILD is a beautifully written book about loss andlove. Tanya, the protagonist, will steal your heart quietly andcompletely. It is the kind of story that catches up on you as you find yourself turning page after page. And when you get to the end, you'll find yourself reaching for a tissue...and wishing for more. THE MUFFIN CHILD would make a wonderful gift.

The Muffin Child is a novel of unusual beauty and power. On nearly every page, I found a phrase, a sentence, a paragraph that I read aloud to myself -- "It was one of those days that promises no sun, and then just before sundown the sun finds a crack in the clouds and glances over the countryside. The orange light caught the insects floating over the grass." Yes, exactly!

The story of loss denied was real to me. Tanya denies loss, plans for the return of her parents: "She was basking in the heat when the thought came to her to warm up the oven and make muffins for her parents. They would be hungry when they came. They would welcome a plate of hot muffins waiting for them. They would all have muffins and tea -- Tanya, her parents, and the man driving the cart."

But then there is the painful scene in the village when the cruel words and violence of the villagers brings the truth to her mind:

"They were dead. They had drowned. She'd heard the villagers say it. No one had ever come out and said it before. Now it was true.

"She knew it was true because, in a way, she'd known it amost from the beginning, as a kind of cold frightening thought in the back of her mind. In the back of her mind was a place like the well on the farm, when you leaned over its stone rim and looked down and couldn't see anything, but you felt the chill breathing up at you. Tanya had felt the chill ever since the night the river roared over the bridge."

"Now it was true." The cruel words of the villagers made it true.

Milenka, the cow, worried me at first. A cow that provides affection like a pet could easily have been very sentimental. But it didn't turn out that way. Menick carefully kept avoided that trap:

"Then she thought of Milenka. She should milk Milenka. Tanya went out and crossed the barnyard. The dawn was turning purple, with the silver of the moon like a golden weather vane on the top of the barn.

"It was warm inside the barn and it had that smell Tanya loved, the smell of cow and hay. The chickens rusted in their coop, and the geese in their pens lifted their heads and looked. Tanya heard something up in the hayloft -- the barn owl, home after a night's work.

"'Good morning, Milenka,' Tanya said, and as Milenka turned her head, Tanya felt the cow's wet breath on her arms. She reached down and pulled, and Malenka's milk squirted into the pail and smelled sweet."

A warm relationship, but, still, Milenka is a cow to be milked. And the milk makes possible those muffins.

Historical novels are not my favorite kind of reading. Some strike me as mostly "historical" and, therefore, removed from the immediacy of the lives of living human beings. Others seem to me to be modern sensationalism set uncomfortably in another time. Not The Muffin Child. The author brilliantly creates a world that is clearly very old and very distant; but he also creates a young girl who is so alive that she lives both now and then and other characters, selfish, even evil who also live in their own time but in my immediate world as well.

I understand that the final chapters of the book, where the Gypsies become major players, have caused some negative reactions. I guess I can understand that only if one forgets what the villagers do to the Gypsies, who (Anton, the knife sharpener and supposed friend of Tanya) turns out to have done the evil to the disabled child, Nikola, and why Tanya ends up with them. And, of course, the frame of the story -- a mother today telling a story to her rather disagreeable daughter, also named Tanya -- tells us at the end who the Tanya of the story was and brings the two Tanyas together:

"In the middle of the night the cow got out from under the covers. Tanya brought her back in. Milenka smelled like stale chocolate, or like a dog just in from the rain.

"Later, Milenka smelled like herself, like Milenka. The sun rose in the dark and burned the insects floating over the meadow. Tanya looked for the Muffin Child but didn't see her. The grass rustled at her feet, and she could feel Milenka's hide under the palm of her hand."

For the writing alone, The Muffin Child deserves a full five stars (six or more if that were possible). For the insights into loss and love, evil, cruelty, and forgiveness, I'd give it the Newbery Award if it were mine to give

A deceptively simple tale, "The Muffin Child" is a powerful story of loss, with its current of inner strength woven seamlessly through Stephen Menick's vivid and poetic writing style. Anyone who loves the magic of language and complexity of character, will love this book!

Tanya's life becomes entwined in the nightmarish threads of life as she strives to maintain her parents' memory. Complex and many-faceted, The Muffin Child successfully portrays the horrors ordinary people can inflict on others. It is a moving book to be enjoyed on all reading levels. Menick's brainchild is destined for a Newbery.

Stephen Menick weaves a wonderful tale in this novel for young readers. Set in the Balkans in the early days of the twentieth century, the story tells of eleven-year-old Tanya, a forthright little girl who refuses to give up hope when her parents are swept away by a raging river. At first in hopes of welcoming them back, then to brace against loneliness, and, eventually, to survive, Tanya bakes soon-to-be-renowned muffins, and learns that few things in life are as they first appear. Well-paced, masterfully told and with at times simply beautiful writing, this novel and its engaging characters (a faithful cow, meddling villagers, a blade-sharpener who speaks almost entirely in rhyme and pun, mysterious Gypsies) will surely entertain young readers for a week of rainy afternoons. Adults will admire Menick's deft handling of an intriguing plot and real-life themes that will linger in the mind and heart long after the clouds of adolescence have cleared away.

My Great Aunt Arizona is a beautifully-written, beautifully-illustrated book based on a real person, the author's great aunt Arizona. We loved the book so much we took a family vacation some years ago to see the area. The artist obviously went there and saw Henson Creek and the real places, just as we did. We saw Great Aunt Arizona's grave site, too, and met the author's mother.

We love this book so much we have donated it to a couple of libraries and given it as gifts many times. Top notch!

My Great-Aunt Arizona is an excellent book for children and for anyone who is encouraged by a positive message on education.

Gloria Houston's work is wonderful!

Read this book to your kids because it's a great story. Read it because it'll help them appreciate what their teachers do for them. And then, maybe give a copy to their teacher as a gift. This wonderful book is a tribute to those who pour their lives into children who can then go forward with dreams and the ability to do anything.

I use this book in both my reading and writing workshops for fifth graders. It's an excellent book that could be useful to 3rd-6th grade students. It's a great example of characterization.

By far, one of my favorite books for children. I love reading it to my babies. The text with the beautiful pictures will go with you in your mind forever...

Contains actionable, practical, valuable advice for women AND MEN. The recognition that "having it all" means different things to different people and still involves sacrifices and tradeoffs is refreshingly honest and realistic.

I loved the book. Susan Abram's advice is insightful and important, and her messages are very positive...absolutely inspirational! The power pointers and chapter summaries are terrific tools for busy women to carry supportive reminders with them through busy days.

New Success Rules for Women was a great read (even if you aren't climbing to the top of anything). Great anecdotes and examples from the lives of very interesting, successful people (who happen to all be women!). Full of tips and lessons for women in any field--buy it for a friend.

Women who want strategy ideas for achieving career goals will find this an important guide which gathers the ideas of presidents, vice presidents, CEOs and directors - all women in high positions in their companies. Their anecdotes serve as the foundation for practical tips by women who started at the bottom and worked their way up.

As President of The Association of Chicago Bank Women, I strongly recommend this book for both mid-career women and recent college graduates employed across all business sectors. The interviews provide thought-provoking insight into career strategies of seasoned veterans and the advice given is refreshingly down-to-earth. For example, Abrams shares the Pittsburgh Airport tip and dedicates a chapter "To thine own self be true"---common sense reminders in today's global business world. This book will be on every successful woman's desk who wants to go places in the New Millenium and is hereby endorsed by The Association of Chicago Bank Women.

This book is one of the best books I've ever read! Rosie Rushton was amazing with this book!Life of a typical teenage girl like myself!!..its a MUST read and a MUST have!!

This book is one of the best books I have ever read!!!!!!!!It describes what a lot of teens go through with their parents, boys, and school!!!!! A must have. I love this book!!!!!

OLIVA IS SUCH A FUNNY,ENTERTAINING,HILARIOUS STORY OF A TEENAGE GIRL,WHO IS GOING HER TEENAGE LIFE. I LOVE THIS BOOK! ROSIE RUSHTON CAN SURE WRITE GOOD BOOKS! IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THIS FIND IT AT A LIBRARY (IF THEY HAVE IT) OR BUY IT ,AND HOPE YOU LIKE IT. AND CHECK OUT OTHER ROSIE RUSHTON BOOKS. LOVE YA,SAM

Olivia Hunter is a normal British girl who goes through lots of normal everyday things. Examples: Her mother and her poor, her dad leaves them and hangs with the Wretched Rosalie, her boyfriend Adam dumped her (she thinks because of her thighs and looks), her friend Poppy is at a different school, and is an only child.
At the end of the book, she says to her "mum" that she realizes that life can be very ODD. Because at the end, her new boyfriend Ryan turns out to be her half-brother! Then his mum spoke to Livi's mum about her goblins being sold, by helping her to have a meeting with her friend.
And she and Livi go off to London because her mum might get lots of money for her goblins! While they're there, Livi meets and hangs with her half-brother's mum's friend's daughter, Sophie. So Livi was glad that she had met her because she is a good friend.
A friend of Livi's at school named Hayley convinces her that she should come to the Stomping Ground with the "gang"-Tamsin, Hayley, Adam, Abigail, some other peoples too. Livi sees the Ryan guy there the seocnd time. And of course, they dance.
In this book, there's a big shock about Adam...but, you have to find out for yourself, though. Sorry..
Meanwhile, Livi's mum gets a wacky lodger whose also an author named Leonora. And her dad and Rosalie of course move near Livi and her mum to Leehampton, I think. The city I mean. Livi finds herself starting to like Rosalie instead of HATE her like she wants to actually.
Then another surprise is in store for Livi about her family also. So I thought that this British novel was a captivating book. It was also cool that the author put some British words to let some of us understand. This book of the Fab Five Series was so great, I even got another one and also even want to go to England myself someday! LOL.
So read this book if you like books by Rosie Rushton, girls going through normal 24/7 things, and books that sort of relate to your original teenage life.

This book is wonderful! It applies to me and all the other 13 year old girls in the world. I recommend it to anyone else, because this is one of the best books I have ever read, and I have read quite a few. I look forward to reading more books by Rosie Rushton!

My son is 5 and absolutely loves this book. It's a story about young boy and how he must help to care for his large Italian family that has come to America in hopes of having their dreams fulfilled. Disappointment of a father leads his young son to think his job is meager. But in the end one little boy does make a difference, for without his light the whole world is a dark place. The book just gives you a warm wonderful feeling when you finish reading it. The illustrations are beautifully drawn and give you the contact to really feel what Peppe and his family are feeling.

A young boy of modest means seeks a job to contribute to the needs of his family. Initially, his father is disappointed in the lowly responsibility that his son fulfills. The young man takes inspiration from his sister's admiration of him and finds that his job as a humble lamplighter blesses others beyond his understanding. The breath-taking illustrations span the entire two-page spread. This is a beautiful story of how everyone has their important role in life and can embrace it with excellence and passion.

I purchased this book for my husband for Father's Day (he's Italian American")--I didn't really think that our then 2.5 year old would really care for the book. But he loves it! It's a good story, although at times the messages can be a bit confusing for a very young child--but my son seems to enjoys the illustrations, the sounds of the Italian names, and of course the most elemental aspects of the story.

There's a whole genre of picture books that examine the working class members of American society throughout history. These stories are usually based on the lives of the relatives and ancestors of the authors. "Peppe the Lamplighter" is no exception. Loosely based on the grandfather of author Elisa Bartone, the book examines one boy's occupation and his struggle be accepted in the eyes of his father.

Peppe lives with his sick father and seven sisters (not including the one in Naples) in the section of New York known as Little Italy. Taking place in what looks to be the 1910s, Peppe moves from store to store, attempting to find work. His father, is too sick to work himself, and all the children in the family must strive to find some kind of money. One day, old Domenico the lamplighter asks Peppe if he would light the lamps for him while he returns to Italy to fetch his wife. Peppe agrees readily and is delighted with the prospect. Delight slowly sours to shame, however, when his father is horrified by the job. Says he, "Did I come to America for my son to light the streetlamps?". As time goes by, Peppe's disenchantment with the job grows until he doesn't light the lamps at all. Only through the discovery of how important his job is to others can Peppe find the strength to return to lighting the lamps of New York City.

The pictures in this book are wonderfully rendered. Here we find the New York City tenements in all their filthy glory. At the same time, we see the strength of the people living in them. The first painting in the book shows Peppe and his family staring at the viewer as if they were posing for a formal family photograph. The light from a single latern lights them all, and illustrator Ted Lewin shows off his talents. In many ways, the book is similar to Chris K. Soentpiet's style (of "Molly Bannaky" fame). Reading this book is to actually find yourself in early New York itself. Crowds come alive and individuals display a wide range of emotions. The best picture in the whole book, to my mind, is the image of Peppe lifting his little sister so that she can light the lamp on the street herself. The light is above them, illuminating their faces with incredibly intensity. The two stare up at it, entranced.

The story itself if good, if not overwhelming. Peppe's father has a somewhat unbelievable change of heart towards the end of the tale. For a man who has harbored so much bitterness towards his son's chosen profession, he seems to come around to it mighty fast when the mood calls for it. Otherwise, it's lovely. Peppe compares the lighting of the lamps to the lighting of candles at Mass, and even goes so far as to say a small prayer for each. Small details like this truly bring the story to life.

The book celebrates one small boy who can, in his sister Assunta's words, "scare the dark away". It is a book about how every human being, if they've a mind to, can bring light into the world in their own humble fashion. Peppe may only be a lamplighter, but even his father recognizes by the end that this honest job gives safety and comfort to others. We should all be so lucky as to have jobs that do half as much.

"Peppe the Lamplighter" combines a story by Elisa Bartone with illustrations by Ted Lewin. The story takes place "[a] long time ago when there was no electricity and the street lamps in Little Italy had to be lit by hand." The hero of the book is Peppe, who lives with his widowed father and sisters in a tenement. Peppe's decision to get a job as a lamplighter leads to conflict between Peppe and his father.

This is a good story that is greatly enhanced by Lewin's superb artwork. Most of the illustrations are two-page spreads that are packed full of energy and emotion. Lewin's realistic style is well-suited to capturing many colorful details: the sausages hanging in the butcher shop, a crowded street scene, the old-fashioned iron stove in Peppe's home, etc. Overall, a memorable celebration of Italian-American history.

this one of the sweetvalley series can be read to keep in tune with the series. the book revolves around the upcomin' prom and jessica and liz's date dilemmas. jessica has an ingenious idea she along with Lila rate the dudes of SVU. liz has to choose between todd and devon whitelaw.

I can't believe that the Twins are going to be 17 and they are moving on to the 12th grade. This is quite a surprise. I don't know if you know but at the sweet vallley page they told the next super and it is called Last Wish. It is when the twins turn 17!!!! This book is great but is sad because the series is coming to a end. (thats the way they made it sound) I have ordered the 2 & 3 book in the series but what is the 4th?????? Please e-mail me if you know! Thanx

Jessica and her best friend,Lila Fowler, make a list od uncool people as dates. They don't want to date anyone from Sweet Valley High,Bridgewater,Big Mesa,Lovette Academy,and I forgot what else. Elizabeth wants to date Devin,but dance with her Ex-boyfriend,Todd Wilkins one more time. Enid Rollins's date is Tad'Blubber" Johnson

I found this book interesting at least this time 2 guys are fighting over Liz and not Jessica who is totally unpopular with the guys this minute. That rating idea was good but she and Lila got caught what a shame. It would of been interesting to see who they pick. As for Liz, she is too wishy-washy. I mean just pick one already. Todd is the one that's right for her and Devon should give Jess a chance she's not as bad as people think. They think on the same wavelength and then have their ideas blow up in their face. She could fall in love. I just want to know how Jordan is going to handle having 2 dates at the same time. I can't wait till the next one. As for Enid I think she and that Blubber guy should go out and she should give the poor guy a chance, so what if he's not a genius.

Read this,by all means,if you would like to read a good and fun SVH book.Jess and Lila try to decide who they should go to the prom with by starting a rating system,sorting hotties from losers.When the boys find out,they are furious and is Jessica still popular with boys??...Nuh-uh!!!