Lifestyle Books

Henry Builds a Cabin is a delightful little book, that playfully riffs on themes from Henry David Thoreau's classic work "Walden, or, Life in the Woods." Henry decides to build a small cabin along the side of Walden pond, and his friends Emerson, Alcott and Lydia worry that it won't be big enough. He reminds them, gently, that there is space enough outside, and that we live narrow lives when we consider that we can only be at home when we are indoors and confined.

The illustrations are nice, a whimsical variation on cubist style. What is most impressive is how simply the story is told and how much of Thoreau's character and background and thinking the author is able to pack into just a few easy sentences. Johnson is clearly well-versed in Thoreau's background, and clearly admires him -- and at the same time treats his story with a light and silly touch that is very appropriate for a children's book. Highly recommended.

I'm 12 but I really like this picture book. I learned a lot about what Henry Thoreau was trying to do when he built a cabin by Walden Pond, and it was fun learning it through this book. The illustrations are funny and I like how Henry solves his problems. I also like Henry Hikes to Fitchburg, which is even funnier because Henry makes his friend learn a lesson in a funny way. I also recommend another great book about Henrey Thoreau, that especially girls of all ages will like, Louisa May and Mr. Thoreau's Flute. It talks about how Henrey Thoreau helped Louisa May Alcott learn to like the outdoors and learn to like writing. Henry's funny in that book too so I think readers will like it too.

Henry, a sturdy looking bear wearing a large hat and workclothes, is building a cabin in the woods. He borrows an ax and cuts down twelve trees for framing, buys an old shed, takes it apart and uses the wood for the walls and floor. He builds a front door, finds two used windows and some old shingles for the roof. As he's building, friends stop by to look at the cabin and check on his progress. Emerson comments that it seems too small to eat in. "It's bigger than it looks," replies Henry and shows him his garden out back. "When it's finished, this will be my dining room." Friend, Alcott thinks the cabin will be too dark to read in, but Henry shows him a sunny spot right outside. "This will be my library." And when Miss Lydia shows concern that there won't be room for dancing, Henry shows her the pathway down to the pond, his grand stairway to the ballroom. On July 4th, Henry's cabin is finished and he moves in. He eats in the "dining room", reads in the "library" and dances in his "ballroom". When it begins to rain, he hurries back to his cabin, where in a very wise and amusing way he shows us that his new home is just perfect..... D.B. Johnson is back with a marvelous sequel to his award winning first picture book, Henry Hikes To Fitchburg, based on the life of Henry David Thoreau. His simple and inspiring text is sure to be a springboard to interesting and thoughtful discussions. What does a home really need, and how big does it have to be? Mr Johnson's creative and expressive, light-filled illustrations enhance the story beautifully, and capture the imagination. With an author's note at the end "About Henry's Cabin", to help fill in the details of how and why Thoreau built his cabin, its cost, and his two years living at Waldens Pond, Henry Builds A Cabin is an engaging and unique little treasure youngsters 4-8 shouldn't miss. "Most men appear never to have considered what a house is, and are actually though needlessly poor all their lives because they think they must have such a one as their neighbors have."

We borrowed this book from the library and I must buy a copy for my 3yr old. He loves it. The illustrations are unique and so pleasing to the eye. They are a little abstract but not too much so you can't see what is being conveyed.

Henry builds a cabin but his friends doesn't think it's big enough. Henry says it's big enough for all kinds of things. In the end, you find out what the cabin is perfect for.

Delightful read and a sure bet for a Baby Shower Gift!

What a delightful book! Based on Henry David Thoreau's time at Walden pond, this simple, direct little tale first recounts how and with what he built his cabin. By emphasizing Thoreau's skill and his use of recycled old house parts, the book enlivens his self-sufficiency and his critique of materialism.

The best parts are the three guests who interrupt Henry's work, each one suggesting some shortcoming in Henry's construction. The cabin is too small to eat or dance in, they suggest, too dark to read in. Each time, Henry beautifully and effortlesy turns these criticisms upside down. He patiently (and with quiet enthusiasm) explains that by living in nature he has annexed all of the space and sun and beauty around him. His cabin is the entire woods and the whole pond. Thoreau's individualism emerges through these confounding, whimsical dialogues.

D. B. Johnson, the author, conveys all of this in graceful, clear, subtle little exchanges. The talk is all quite concrete and easily grasped, so kids have no problem with the story. Yet Johnson's language also carries Thoreau's deeper meaning, in clever and refreshing ways.

The zestful, kinetic pictures provide rich pleasure. Click on the sample pages and see for yourself! Reminiscent of early cubism and of the figurative work of Kazimir Malevich, the illustrations divide the picture plane into coutless little segments. Johnson blends them pleasingly yet also uses them to demonstrate the wonder that every little corner of nature holds for the alert eye. In his fragments of the field of view, Johnson might include a butterfly, a squirrel, a rabbit, a cardinal or bluejay, rain drops, falling leaves, on and on. Trees and pond, sky and clearings all appear active, filled with spirit. Kids will love finding and noticing and searching, for these illustrations continually surprise: they make your eyes think! Pieces of nature intersect through the cabin windows, and the wonderfully broken view swirls around Henry and his visitors in a vivid depiction of our connectiveness to nature--one of Thoreau's central beliefs.

In sum, an efficient and expressive meeting of story, thought, and imagery.

Jeannie Baker is no novice to this kind of subtle-changes-on-each-page book. However, her book "Window" --quite similar in approach-- left me feeling quite down and thwarted by urban overdevelopment and the loss of rural life. Quite opposite, "Home" bolsters one's spirits by depicting an area of urban decay turning gradually, over the period of some 20+ years, into a lovely urban oasis, complete with many trees, flowers, and shrubs and the reappearance of birds and animals. What's even better - it shows a family growing and thriving in the same environment and taking an active role in the neighborhood's change.

My four year old has asked for this book every day since we checked it out of the library, and I love it, too. A book that can appeal to multiple generations is a hands-down winner in my eyes.

A very good book to read on the subject. Well written and informative.

Jeannie Baker's "Home" is a model for a book without text: The pictures are compelling, the story flows easily, and there's enough intrinsic narrative to stimulate discussion. Although much of the material is relevant to social and economic issues, the gorgeous collages and everyday scenes will appeal to infants and toddlers, as well as older siblings and adults. Publisher Greenwillow displays its usual excellent production values.

Baker shows the progression of a rundown neighborhood to the small city equivalent of a town square, as well as the maturation of the female protagonist ("Tracy") from newborn to mother. Baker cleverly shows this--"Rear Window"-like-through Tracy's upper floor apartment window. From this perspective, we view the changing interior (a window ledge and some of the wall), the adjoining backyards, and the stores and dwellings at the intersection. When Tracy is born, the backyards and large apartment building are run-down, and graffiti ("DAMAGE," "PAIN ") reveals residents' frustration and anger. You get the feeling that the people, too, are neglected objects.

As the young girl grows, she and her environment begin to change. It starts small: The girl plants some flowers, a wall is fixed, and eventually someone puts up a sign: "Reclaim Your Street." Gradually, more and more people enact the spirit of that sign as they rebuild their houses and yards. Residents make a small common area in a former driveway/vacant lot, and newer buildings replace old ones. On a larger scale (one that may be appreciated by grade- and middle-school kids), economic and perhaps political forces begin to shape the neighborhood: The apartment building is renovated, the streets are lined with plants, and a large complex in the background is torn down-revealing a beautiful lake that was previously hidden from view. Meanwhile, the young girl makes friends, goes to school, and later falls in love, marries, and has a baby.

The changes are gradual and believable: They apparently spring from residents' desire to fashion a better place to live. A couple of times, Baker "cheats" just a bit by painting the sky overcast on one page, and then a clear light blue as the intersection improves. For the most part, however, the book doesn't take the easy way out-not everything is perfect in the end, nor is everything simply a "slum" in the beginning. Neighborhood improvement is not necessarily equivalent to "neat and tidy" either: By the end of the book, large, varied, and somewhat overgrown foliage blocks the view.

"Home" is a beautiful picture book with exceptional composition and colors. It is bright and pleasant to look at and it's fun to compare the subtle on each page. It is also heartfelt, as Ms. Baker, in an afterward, discusses how the term "home" once encompassed the entire neighborhood. This is a superb book that with appeal to many different age groups, each of which will experience it in a different way. That quality makes "Home" a small treasure.

Wow, wow, wow! Another reviewer said this was the best picture book of 2004 and I'm inclined to agree: it's simply a fabulous book, beautifully produced and rich in meaning (even without text!) The book takes us through a neighborhood in transition, from a slum to a service area to a vibrant, tree-filled paradise. Through it all, the story of a young girl growing up weaves it together and provides a timeline that is easy for small children to comprehend. It's a simple story but eloquently presented to viewers through the incredible collages of paper, fabric, and pressed plant materials that are rich in detail and meticulously arranged. The author closes the book with a beautiful passage, "People are discovering the need to nurture and to be nurtured by the unique character of the places where they live. It takes time, as this book shows. But the choice is ours to make - having simply a place to live or, by understanding the land and caring for it, belonging to a living home." While this book would be read and read again by young children, it would also be a useful addition to art curriculum for older youth.

Without question, the most beautiful picture book of 2004. No other contenders come half so close. Author/illustrator Jeannie Baker has somehow managed to create a deeply moral book without placing even a sentence of dialogue or text into her tale. "Home" is a simple story that follows the circular nature of life and regeneration by paralleling the growth of a single young girl with the restoration of an urban neighborhood. What follows is a gorgeous story about what we owe the places where we live, and how best to interact with our environments. All that and it's still a fun book for Kindergartners to flip through repeatedly.

Almost every page of this book is the exact same shot again and again and again. We are initially looking out of a house's window onto a grimy city street. In the first picture, a mother and a father cuddle their new baby daughter within their enclosed yard. The scene is gritty but, because of the couple and their daughter, touching as well. The next two page spread takes place two years later. It's clear that the couple have recently put down new sod, though the neighborhood still hasn't changed much around them. Next door, an old man works on his garden. With every turn of the page, another 2 years passes. Right before our eyes we watch the girl, whether she's in the yard working on her bike or in the house waving to some approaching friends. She's getting older and more mature. Soon it becomes clear that there's a concentrated "Reclaim your street" effort on the part of the other people in the neighborhood. A dingy old lot across the way starts getting painted and given new green trees. The street itself looks nicer and before you know it a megamall has been torn down, giving the house a beautiful view of a nearby lake. The girl, Tracy, gets older and eventually marries in a ceremony in the street. And before you know it, she has a new baby of her own, and a job as a local native plant specialist where once a used car lot used to be.

The story in this book is told entirely through complex collaged images. I referred to Jeannie Baker at the beginning of this review as an "illustrator" but I think that term does her an injustice. She would more rightly be called an artist of the finest pedigree. I do not know how you go about creating full images like this from just snips and spots of paper and cloth. Yet every single picture in this book is filled with hundreds of delicate details. Baker gives these scenes a great deal of depth, both literally and figuratively. If you've ever seen a book by Anno or spent some delightful hours with a kid while they attempted to locate a tiny detail on an enormous image, this book will not fail to impress.

I loved the lesson of this story as well. As Baker herself explains in an afterword to the text, "In some cities...communities are finding ways their streets can once again become part of people's sense of home and play a part in their sense of belonging". In these situations, people will act similarly to the characters in this book. They'll reintroduce native plants and animals. They'll spend a lot of time revitalizing run down areas. They'll create safe spaces for kids to play and for old folks to sit and relax in the afternoons. "Home" is the ultimate fantasy. One in which a dirty city area becomes tamed by the efforts of the people who know how to love it.

Which leads to the inevitable will-kids-enjoy-this-book question. The answer is a resounding yes. They'll love it. They'll try to find the old lady in the purple dress on every page, or try to figure out exactly when that tree was planted and that highway was rerouted. Best of all, they'll look at the cover of this book and realize that it is actually the moral of the story. High above, you can see the neighborhood as the book leaves it at the end. There are green things growing, childress playing in the streets, and a young woman relaxing in a hammock. And not that far away, where the used car lot used to stand, is a building entitled, "Tracy's Forest". You can't read this book and not be impressed by it. I couldn't read this book and not love it immediately. The most impressive book created in years and years.

This book spoke volumes to me as I raise my older teenagers. With practical suggestions based on sound biblical teaching, this is a Godsend for any parent. The chapters on parental self control and dealing with teenage anger were especially constructive. The hope which permeates this book is that parents can make an enormous, life-changing difference in their child's life regardless of the outside influences. Highly recommend this book and only wish I had read it years ago.

This book has had a profound effect upon our home life. My son was diagnosed with depression several years ago and nothing seemed to be helping at home. Since reading this book and applying Dr.Campbell's suggestions for physical contact, eye contact, communicating anger constructively, and consequences, there has been an unbelievable change in the relationship with our son. I wish that I had found this book sooner.

This is a fantastic book for anyone looking for clear, practical advice on having a good relationship with their teenager. The author is a psychiatrist who writes on a simple level that anybody can understand. He helps you understand what your teen is going through and how to relate in a positive way. Very practical and down to earth. A definite five-star read, even if you don't have teenagers!

A life-rope to parents experiencing difficulties with their teenager. A practical, easy-to-read, "book of hope".

I wish I had read this when my child was 12 instead of 16 but I find it helping me to be a better parent and only hope that I will eventually reach my daughter using his sensible approach. There are a few jewels in this book that I had missed in guiding my children.

Married Men!

Has your romance gotten stale with your wife? Get the book! If you will read it and follow the recomendations it will bring back the spark to your marriage. It may not bring it back overnight, but if you will practice the principals it will cause your wife to blossom into a brand new woman. Be patient, it will work.

This book helped me to see my wife in a different light. It was a bit wordy in some areas but what they said was good. I actually got hooked on romance and began reading other books out there. A really outstanding one is The Romantic's Guide. I actually saw the author on Orprah.

I love this book. First and foremost, unlike most other books for romantically-underdeveloped men, this one is written by two very intelligent women, who support their recommendations with actual research and statistics. Right now, I am re-reading this book because I don't want any of its wisdom to elude me. I believe that now, having read this wonderful book, I am able to develop into a better boyfriend and future husband for my One and Only.

This book works! I have read it myself and so has my husband and it rings very true. It takes time though but, it is very much worth it! If you are looking to have your man understand you and relate to you then this is your book!

This book was a blessing! It helped me reevaluate who I was, how I treated my wife and what my priorities were in my marriage. Had I not read this book, my marriage would be in shambles, but instead, my wife and I are happier and enjoying our most nurturing relationship ever! No matter what your backgroud or current level of relationship with a woman, this book provides just the information you've been looking for. Whether you're a sensitive, romantic or a quiet, conventional guy, this book is worth its weight in diamonds, flowers or love letters. I found myself reading chapters over and over, and even taking notes. Authors Lucy Sanna and Kathy Miller have written a real winner! This book is a must for every Gentleman's library

This book is very helpful in forming a coherent, persuasive and meaningful application statement. Michael Mason was my senior AP English teacher, and speaking with him in person is even more beneficial! If possible take one of his writing workshops, he is one of the most inspirational people I have ever met. If you can't find a workshop to take, at least pick up the book!

This book has greatly helped me out. I mean, this is simply the best book for people who have questions regarding personal statements. The techniques, the attention grabbers, the rules, and the humanity shockers all those are shockingly persuasive, and it difinitely improves my chances of getting into UCLA. Thancks Mason.

Of the many books on college that I've brought home for my offspring to look at, _How to Write a Winning College Application Essay_ is the first that my daughter read.

The book is well organized and has interesting topics. My favorite was the chapter of essays gone wrong, and the intelligent discussion of what went wrong with them. My daughter spent hours on the writing exercises--though she hates her writing about herself--and I think they helped her. The tone of this book is helpful, not the least bit condescending, as it points out errors of content, style and tone that can hurt the applicant's chances.

This best part of this book is that it has a large section (50+ pages) on how to gather the raw material on your life that can help you find the material for your essay. If you have no idea who your hero is or what adversity you've overcome, this will help you find your story and the supporting antecdotes that make your essay stand out. Mason also gives very specific instructions on how to write a good essay. This would be a good book for someone who wants some guidance turning ideas into a workable essay. It also has short chapters in writing essays for the SAT II English test, graduate school admissions and scholarship essays.

MY name is.... I was born and raised here. I have 2 brothers and 3 sisters. I know that if i get accepted into this college or one like it I will do my best and keep my grades up. I have a 3.725 right know in middle school for my G.P.a and right know i'm working on getting my 4.0 and see if i can keep it all the way through high-school. I would be honered to be accepted into this college and do my very best for you. well please read this very carefully i have never had to write anything like this or actually i haven't been taught how yet. I just started writing out of my head and tryed to figure it out by myself if you could, could you maybe help me out if I am way out of reach with this thank you....

This story shows a little of what it was like decades ago in the heartland. Great artwork too.

I grew up a voracious reader and somehow, I missed this gem of a book! We checked it out from the library and now must have it. Sandburg's writing is reminiscent of Dr. Suess in novel word usage and syntax and the story telling reminds me of NPR's A Prairie Home Companion. A great tall tale that enthralled my 6 year old twins and 4 year old and that I enjoyed reading WAY too much! Add to your collection!

When my mom read this book to my sister and me, it had already entertained young readers for about 50 years. How lucky were we that this story had been preserved for the purpose of delighting us to the very core of our young beings? The idea of a popcorn farm catching fire was thoroughly thought provoking for an already thought-filled pre-schooler.

When I recently purchased it for my own little girls, I must admit that I suffered a major disappointment. You see, the Huckabuck family has a pony faced daughter named, "Pony Pony Huckabuck." Unbeknownst to me (and in my honor) every single time that my mom read this book, that daughter became "Joanie Joanie Huckabuck." Now, I can't decide if I should be upset that Sandburg didn't really name one of his main characters for me, or that my mom re-named the "PONY FACED" child after me.

In any case, I highly recommend this book to any parent who would like to share a very interesting story, told with interesting language, with their children.

Carl Sandburg's Huckabuck Family will delight and charm children of every age with a story of family pride and optimism. When the Huckabucks Nebraska barn burns down and all their popcorn pops, they decide to go on the road and wait for a sign to tell them when to come back home. Each year they move to a new town and Papa finds a new job. The Huckabucks may have good luck, or bad, but they always have each other. David Small's illustrations add just the right touch to the story and are so detailed that even the farm animals have facial expressions. So, sit down and take a trip across the country and back with the Huckabucks. I promise, you won't be disappointed. This is a wonderful book the whole family can share.

This book is a satisfying follow-up to David Small's last twobooks, The Gardener & The Library. Though this is an old story its optimistic message suits Small's whimsical style beautifully. I'm thoroughly confused by the review in Kirkus that criticizes the repetitive nature of the names--this is part of Sandburg's poetic form--as well as the "pointless" nature of the Huckabuck family's travels, which is actually the whole point of the story. One must take a change in luck in stride, go out and find one's new fortune, and you may even find yourself back home having learned a thing or two. Cheers (& 5 stars) to the Huckabucks, Sandburg, and David Small.

My little horse-obsessed 4yr old loves her new book. She received several for her birthday, but this one is requested multiple times a day. It's a cute, quick read and we notice new details of the illustrations each time.

A young girl relays to her father her dream of being a cowgirl in the Wild West rather than a good girl, a nice girl, or a school girl who reads or plays nicely indoors. Whimsical watercolor and ink illustrations bring the rhyming text to life by turning a shaggy rug into a pair of chaps, Daddy's fedora into a cowboy hat and a stray dog into a piebald mare. Lazy clouds drift in and out of shapes - cattle, cowboy hats, cacti and covered wagons - to illustrate the girl's imagination. The city-country contrast is deftly played out in subtle details like skyscrapers shaped like cacti and a junk heap that takes the form of a heard of cattle. An excellent read for imaginative children, especially girls, everywhere. Ages 4-8.

This book brings back memories of my own childhood. I love to read it to children. It is full of imagination and fun. I also recommend 10,000 White Horses by Betsy Lee which you can get at Amazon.com.

Under a city sky scuttled with cactus shaped clouds a dissatisfied little miss stoutly declares that she doesn't want to be a good girl, but a cowgirl instead. Surrounded by books and needlework in her 20th floor apartment she observes that good girls have absolutely no fun, and she does this in lilting rhyme: "I don't want to be a girly girl, Who likes to sit and chat. I just want to be a cowgirl, Daddy, What's so wrong with that?"

Vested and hatted Daddy thinks this is a really absurd ambition. Nonetheless, off his little daughter goes to Texas, to the wild, wild west. As it turns out, she doesn't go alone.

Tony Ross's inimitable boldly colored illustrations add another dimension of fun to this lively tale of a little girl's dream.

- Gail Cooke

As our young narrator tells us in no uncertain terms, she's not interested in being a good girl, or a girly girl, sitting around with friends chatting, having tea parties, and playing with dolls. That's not her idea of fun. She definitely doesn't want to have her head in a book, or cook, clean, and sew. And as for high-rise living in the big city, well this young lady yearns to live on the prairie, breaking broncos, driving cattle, twirling her lasso, and sleeping under the stars. And that's just what she plans to do. "I've got my shiny spurs and boots,/I've got my cowgirl hat-/I'm leaving for the Wild, Wild West./Now what's so wrong with that?" Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross have authored an imaginative and humorous ode to the wild, wild west, with a very satisfying, feel-good ending, that's sure to become a read aloud favorite at your house. Ms Willis' rhyming text is entertaining and engaging, and begs to be read with a lilting western drawl. Mr Ross' charming and creative, cartoon-like artwork is rich in expressive, wild west images, and sharp eyed readers will enjoy poring over the illustrations and finding all the special and amusing details in each picture. Perfect for youngsters 3-7, I Want To Be A Cowgirl is a rootin' tootin' good time for little cowpokes with big dreams of their own.

Fortunate enough to come across this book, its make an enjoyable read, providing some insight into the minds and traditions of families from around the globe. "You are what you eat" - Praise to the authors for this approach.

This book is enlightening because the recipe givers are from so many different cultures. It is a book for all levels of cooks from the Moroccan orange slices that need no cooking to the more intricate recipes from Germany and Iran. I especially like the Scottish Steak Pie, which I made for my family, and they ate every bit of it--and I don't even like to cook! This book is a keeper.

This is one of the few cookbooks that is fun to read from cover to cover, learn about other cultures and cuisines, and be inspired to write down your own kitchen memories. There are pages at the end of the book to write your own recipes and a web site called familyfoodmemories where you can ask questions - I like this book!!!

All cooks enjoy reading cookbooks; but not all cookbooks are truly good reads. "Kitchen Memories" is a treasure trove of recipes passed down through generations from a variety of cultures and countries. Moreover, it's filled with wonderful vignettes that capture the history and love that make the recipes special. Well done!

Kitchen Memories is a history lesson and travel guide with fasinating short stories and, OH YES, it's a marvelous cookbook which I have read from cover to cover and enjoyed every minute of.

The Mom's Choice Awards® honors excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. An esteemed panel of judges includes education, media and other experts as well as parents, children, librarians, performing artists, producers, medical and business professionals, authors, scientists and others. A sampling of the panel members includes: Dr. Twila C. Liggett, Ten-time Emmy-winner, professor and founder of Reading Rainbow; Julie Aigner-Clark, Creator of Baby Einstein and The Safe Side Project; Jodee Blanco, New York Times Best-Selling Author; LeAnn Thieman, Motivational speaker and coauthor of seven Chicken Soup For The Soul books; Tara Paterson, Certified Parent Coach, and founder of The Just For Mom Foundation(tm) and the Mom's Choice Awards®. Parents and educators look for the Mom's Choice Awards® seal in selecting quality materials and products for children and families. This book has been honored by this distinguished award.

Wonderful read for horse lovers everywhere. Very exciting and entertaining, truly a book to get lost in. Must have for any young reader.

Most horse books are designed for children, and that's exactly who enjoys them. But Lady's Big Surprise is enjoyable for anyone of any age. You don't even have to be a horse person to understand it; Dawson explains all the horse terms she uses and even has an informative glossary at the back. This book is a great read, and I myself learned a lot of horse sense from reading it!

For all of you who haven't read lady's big surprise you need to go buy it. JoAnn has a wonderful story about her and her horse along with her best friend and her horse.
I read the book and it was the best book I have ever read. It made me want to cry i loved it though. JoAnn is selling her books at borders starting 0ctober 10, 2004.
You will love this book expecially if you love horses!!!
Melissa Proctor
age 12

I sent this book to my neice as a Christmas present. She isn't one to like reading but she finished this book and re-read it several times. After I read it, I understood why. The author created believable characters and situations that children AND adults can identify with. There's a terrific glossary of terms in the back of the book for people who have never been on a horse. Can't wait for the rest of the series.

In found this book to be full of emotions. Lara was really having a tough time over the Jake ordeal and with Jake liking Kate this is becoming impossible. It is SOOOOOOOOOO obviousthat the relationship between Lucas and Zoey is falling to pieces. Thenthere's the decessed relationship between Nina and Benjamin.Ireally thought that Clare and Aaron were very cruel to their parents but i wouldn't want to give anything away. I really and truely thought this was a very good book like many of Katherine Applegate's book

Trying my best not to give everything away this was a great book. I think that this book is a great lead up to the next book Two-Timing Ashia. Applegate gets more into the relationship of Ashia and David and there is a suprise at the end. I'll just let you decide.

Not if Lara has anything to do with it! This book makes a good read as it continues the many subplots in this series. For example, the crew get their college acceptances and Ben and Nina's breakup blues continue. Claire and Aaron continue to plot against their parents pending marriage and I guess you'll have to read this book to find out if they are successful. However, the sexual tension between those two is still there, as is between Aisha and the Physics geek, David. I guess Aisha's forgotten that she has a boyfriend! Poor Jake is unlucky in love after being turned down by Kate who was unknowing he was her rescuer at Ben's party. Will Kate and Jake ever get it together? Enter Lara, the girl who is willing to do anything to keep Kate from her crush, Jake, even if she has to use her siblings or friends to do it. Her scheming has some not so pretty consequences that leads into the next book, Two Timing Aisha.

I just want to say "Making Out" is my favroite series, and if Katherine Applegate ever stopped making "Making Out" book's, I'd die. Anyways I'd only read half of the book, but it is really good so far, Lara is gettin pissed at Kate cause she likes Jake. Zoey (ughhh) and Lucas are gettin futher apart, Claire and Aaron are tryin to get there parents to brake up. I just wanna say., that I think Claire and Laucas should get back together, they were a good couple. =]

I'm not going to give away TOO much, but I DO have some comments. I really want Aaron and Claire to get back together. Even if he is an @$$hole, their still made for each other. It's also totally obvious that she's going to confess about the letter. You can tell that Zoey and Lucas are going to break up for the millionth time. They break up and make up in every book. I'm wondering whether Aisha is going to choose Christopher or David.(I don't really care) But if she does choose Christopher, her past "experiences" with Jeff are going to haunt her. It's also totally obvious that the truth will come out about Lara's scheme. Jake and Kate are totally going to get together. Now the important topic, my favorite characters, BENJAMIN AND NINA!!!! Nina finally came to her senses and realized that there was nothing for her on Catham Island. But when everyone finds out she's gone, they'll totally freak! ESPECIALLY BENJAMIN!!!!!(Can you tell that I want theses 2 to get back together or what?) All in all, it was an awesome book! Read the whole series! I can almost guarrantee that you'll love it!