Women Books

I did not want this book to end! It is a fascinating, fair, well-written book about all of the Kennedy women, their men, and the lives they led. I gained new insight, especially, into Kathleen Kennedy, Rosemary Kennedy, and matriarhc, Rose.

"For the most part Rose grandchildren observed and respected and obeyed her, tiptoeing around her life as if she were an exquisite piece of porcelain. She had led such a decorous life, blocking out the untoward, the ugly, and the unacceptable, that her eyes no longer saw the darker colours of the spectrum. "Pat drank a bottle of wine in the morning," Rose was told. "That's impossible" Rose replied, Pat doesn't drink"

I was glad that I read this book because it has helped me to understand so much more about this so much talked about family. In Mr. Leaner's book we get to know about the Kennedy women's personal thoughts and the correct stories of the daughters and daughters-in-law. Mr.Leamer has given us indept portraits of these women and my favourite is Rose Kennedy the Matriarch of the family. For Rose was a woman so strong and who suffered great disloyalty by her husband which she took all gracefully all for the sake of her family and what she supposed the public expected of them. She was a stern Catholic and gain her strength through her prayer and trust in God.
Also portrayed are Joan Kennedy; Ted wife who had a problem with alcohol. Jackie Kennedy Onnassis; the President's wife who remarried after the President's death to a Greek tycoon. Pat Lawford; married to a Hollywood star and spent most of her time in Los Angeles. Eunice Shriver, who was always working for the handicapped and underprivileged and was one of the Kennedys with great patience and common sense. Ethel Kennedy, Robert Kennedy's widow and Jean Smith.
The Kennedys pushed their tragedies to the inner recesses of their minds.They refused to let others see the negative side of their lives, and carried their problems and burdens inwardly taking pains not to show their broken hearts. To some this might seem pretentious, but they honestly had their reasons. After all they were special in the eyes of America.
Whenever tragedy struck it was not unusual for them to suddenly get physical by taking walks, riding, swimming and any form of exercise. Rosemary the eldest daughter who was mentally retarded was isolated from the public eye and sent to Wisconsin where she was looked after by those of the Sacred Order. This book has helped me to understand so much more about the choices they made and the reason they made them, though tragedy seem to follow them everywhere.

Mr. Leamer has pulled out all the stops in the brilliantly written book, and I would not hesitate to read anything by him in the future. Bravo! Bravo! Heather Marshall 04/04/04

This book arrived in good condition and in a timely manner just like the seller promised! A++

I found this book about the Kennedy family women a very interesting read. The only problem with it is that it is so long. At over 900 pages Mr. Leamer could have written three books and had them in instalments about one pericular Kennedy family women instead of tying to write so much about so many interesting people.

This book relates details of the lives of the many Kennedy women, from Bridget Murphy Kennedy, born in Ireland, through Caroline Kennedy, John F. Kennedy's daughter. Leamer describes the rise of the Kennedy family from the hard luck tales of newly-arrived Irish immigrants through the dynasty years in Hyannisport. While the book presents many of the historical events of the lives of political Kennedys, the viewpoint is always that of the women, and how these events affected their lives. We hear about the Kennedy women's efforts in John's political campaigns, or how the stress of campaigning contributed to Jacqueline's miscarriages. Leamer includes both women born as Kennedys and women who became Kennedys by marriage. Much of the book, however, focuses on two women who married into the Kennedy family, Rose Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. The book is also about the family structure of the Kennedy's and portrays some of the sinister aspects of Joseph Kennedy as well as the positive traits.

Many times I've heard the Kennedy family referred to as a "dynasty". However, it has never been clear to me why an American family would be called a dynasty. In this book, Leamer describes why this group of people is more than simply a family. He describes the relations between Joseph Kennedy's children, and how Joseph and Rose's parenting style contributed both to their children's closeness and competitiveness, and how their own aspirations were realized in the accomplishments of their children. He also relates the difficulties that Jacqueline had as an outsider in establishing a position in the family. The book provides a unique viewpoint on the political events of the 1950s and 1960s whose legacy continues to permeate our society.

Ms. Palmer paints a visual masterpiece of love, loss and revitalization. From the onset I was drawn to the solid imagery and heartfelt rendition of "True" love. Would love to see this work expanded. The Letters sparked my interest in getting to know Edward and Marie better. Great story.

Marie lost her beloved husband Edward and is terribly sad because she misses him so much. While searching through Edward's things, she comes upon a chest under his desk. Opening the trunk, she finds letters Edward had written to her over the years but had never given to her. As Marie reads the letters, her life with Edward rushes back to her; the joy and love of this man. The letters are accompanied by paranormal happenings, including the sensation of the presence of Edward. As she sits with the letters scattered about her feet, she knows he is with her always.

THE LETTERS is a well-written short story by Pittershawn Palmer. Her descriptions are so good, it is as if you are there with Marie, suffering her sorrow as well as rejoicing in her happiness. It is an uplifting story about love and loss, sorrow and joy, and above all else, hope. It is a story anyone who has ever lost a loved one can relate to and appreciate.

Reviewed by Alice Holman
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Reading "The Letters" is somewhat like standing in the middle of a tug of war between bitter weeping sorrow and sweet triumphant Love. The very balanced sense of Love as a haunting from the past and as a healing comfort for the present is exquisitely sublime. What makes this story a small masterpiece, I believe, is the pulse of regret and joy that throbs and glows through every meaningful detail. Pittershawn Palmer is a truly notable talent who has provided readers with a memorably brilliant work of short fiction.

Aberjhani
author of The Harlem Renaissance Way Down South
and ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE

Can our past somehow awaken the present, so that we can traverse a future that we can not now imagine, because of the death of a loved one? How can I or anyone comprehend the abyss that the soul must seek out in trying to find meaning, when love ones transcends the now into the realm of the everlasting eternity of the grave. Marie like others who have had to experience the pain and cacophony of voices, asking why and what has her union meant, with the man she so admired, for his devotion to what he consider as the Goddess(Good) of his entire being.
Heavenly, Godlike, supremely good and Devine, adjectives that now can only accurately describe a dream of the man she knew as Edward. In Pittershawn's box of letters Marie comes to understand how Edward's devotion and love can never die in her heart because of these letters. Marie has found out even in death Edward has found a way to envelop her into a spiritual embrace that strengthen her for the tomorrows. One has to ask, why and how did this wonderful writer Pittershawn Palmer come up with this ideal of these letters? Could they possible suggest past memories in a previous life with someone who meant so much to Pittershawn? Could she be tapping into the genetic collective to resolve the love story asking to be told? Mental transmutation or psychic science which even today is perplexing the psychologist speaks to the inquiring mind that endeavors to read these letters. Pittershawn left me wanting more of these letters, letters that Sade describes in her song as "No Ordinary Love." Reading these letters by Ms. Palmer, I wanted to become a psychoanalyst prying more words from her pen. I could then know more of the love, hurt and redemption of Marie's heart because Edward's soul has found a way to extend a love that has never died. In the end curiosity killed this black cat because of Pittershawn's box of letters. Letters this brother can not wait to open.

[...]

Pittershawn Palmer's elegant short story gives the reader a rare and wonderful journey with a true literary writer. Why have I not read her work before, I asked myself as I read her deeply moving tribute, her extraordinary expression of loss. Ms. Palmer uses the English language as if she owns it, and perhaps she does, for her words are at once paintings, shadows, sunlight and stinging arrows. Some of her phrases jumped out at me, and I still remember them. Writing at its best. Gwynne Forster

Good for you Crystal for losing 167 pounds. I don't blame you for writing about it either, something this dramatic needs to be shared. What I really liked about this book was that it did not pressure the reader into losing weight. Diets these days are very stick: don't eat this, you must eat this, that and nothing else. Crystal shows us that you can lose weight your own way and it's up to you to set the pace.

I would like to give this book 3 1/2 stars but there aren't any 1/2's so I have written it. I really enjoyed her story and how she worked thru her struggles. It was a little unorganized but still enjoyable.

I,JUST PURCHASED CRYSTAL'S BOOK ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO,AND I LOVED IT.I CAN'T WAIT TO GET STARTED,USING HER SUGGESTIONS AND IDEAS
I'M PRAYING EVERYDAY THAT THE LORD WIL GIVE ME THE STRENGTH AND THE CURAGE TO SUCEED.
I HAVE NOT BEEN TOO SUCESSFUL IN THE PAST.
CRYSTA IF YOU READ THIS,GIRLFRIEND,PLEASE KEEP ME IN YOUR PRAYERS
I KNOW I CAN DO THIS.
LOOK FOR THOS BEFORE AND AFTER PICTURES,IN THE FUTURE.
LADY DI.

This book allows one to understand that the challenges of temptation for those struggling with weight loss is normal.

Some people kick themselves for backsliding on the diet trail. But this is verifivation that you still can continue and get over those mental humps.

This is chrystals everyday challenges that gets her through the storm. She begins to see that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

I admire her because she experimented and found a method that was good for her. She teaches that there is no "blueprint" available for everyone.

If this book taught me anything it was the power of jeeping a journal. It will help you see where the problem lies and how to get through; and it will enable you to identify what is causing you to stifle your plans. It may be mental, physical or spiritual.

I use this book strictly for motivation. It's nice to read the words of someone who has been there.

I'd like to see her now! I hope she has kept up the good work.

"The Me I Knew I Could Be" is Crystal Phillips' journey from 292 lb (size 26) to 138 lb (size 6). I believe Crystal's obesity and binge eating would probably fall into the worst case category so I couldn't identify with Crystal's struggles, but I was inspired by her committed plan to lose weight. Apparently, the 292 lb was a result of her continuous binge eating (4 steaks, entire peach cobbler, and much more in one setting) causes my emotional issues (anxiety induced by grandfather, death of her brother, volatile marriage, and insecurity) she refused to deal with. Instead of just waking up one morning stating "I'm going to lose weight", Crystal learns the real reason she binged and began to deal with it. She uses typical weight loss techniques that can be found in any book, but what sets this story apart is her true story (complete with journal entries) that describes how she worked through the emotional problems to stop the emotional eating. At times, Crystal discusses how she came to a crossroad had to make the decision on whether or not to emotionally eat - sometimes she did, most times she didn't. When she did emotionally eat, she didn't give up but got refocused. Never does she say she's cured of binge-eating but offers ways to prevent to urge, i.e., after a big family gathering give leftovers away or only buy the smallest portion of a snack item. Her story is very honest.

Included in this book: recipes, before-after photos from her workshop participants, several exercises, and much more. The one unique item I found is the contents for a Survival Kit - a bag packed with healthy food and water that prevented Crystal from stopping at fast food restaurants.

This book is invaluable in increasing awareness and education about breastfeeding. It also exposes the negative social and financial implications our country suffers from not placing the needs of parents and families first. I really appreciate that its underlying focus is on the family. This book incredibly informative on a variety of issues all directly related to breastfeeding and the consequent emotional and psychological health of not only the baby, but the mother and entire family as well.

I was raised in a "breastfeeding family" but this book still was amazing. It should be required reading for college students in business ethics courses. Students majoring in health education, nutrition, family sciences, and women's issues, all should read this during their coursework.

The statistics and studies cited, and information contained, are invaluable in understanding how we came to be a formula-feeding society. And they are the nuggets of how we can reverse that situation. Inform yourself! And you'll begin to be able to inform others, too [given opportunities]. I'm amazed how many people don't recognize the duplicity of formula companies in their product marketing, here and in the Developing World.

I can go over all the reason why to read this book, but it's easier to say you have to read it! If you have come across this book, you must be interested in breastfeeding, this book won't tell you how to do it, but it will tell you why and give you a much greater feeling of how to promote it to others!

I'm shocked that a book like this can be around, it's sad that there is enough anti-breastfeeding companies etc. to warrent the book.

This book should be on every mother-to-be's MUST READ list. It goes into great detail about breastfeeding in other cultures, how the medical establishement derails a mothers efforts before she can even get started, and the overly agressive marketing tactics of the formula manufactures.

There are heartbreaking tales of the number of babies who were killed by artifical feeding.

I cannot reccomend this book enough! Read it before you have children, it will make you see formula (and the Nestle corporation) in a whole new light.

This definitive history of formula, pharmaceutical companies and infant death is highly readable, despite its depressing topic. While it would be comforting to think that formula fed babies only die at a higher rate than breastfed in places without access to clean water that just ain't so -- never has been, never will be, and the companies which make formula know that. Which is why the code of advertising (which formula -- which is to say, pharmaceutical -- companies continue to violate) adopted in the early years of the boycott applies around the world, including in the U.S.

Along the way, Baumslag and Michels include some really amusing sidelights like the invention of the stroller by a New York man, and its adoption by Queen Victoria. One tiny snit: they're anti-swaddling, considering it a barbaric, backward practice that only occurs in backward, barbaric places and should be stamped out.

"And a child shall lead them" -- Oni Vitandham begins her real life story as a child, of resilience and survival surrounded by constant death, destruction, danger, and unimaginable horror. Although dealing with a conflict over 30 years removed, this book could not have arrived at a more poignant time. At its core, the political themes are as relevant today as they were then in stemming the flow of innocent blood.

This book should further resonate with recently honed political sensibilities (per Abu Graib, Iraq, etc) and serve as inspiration to us all not only as citizens but as human beings to stand up for justice and equality (even in the face of dire political rhetoric).

Oni's story reminds us how truly blessed we all are and of our universal responsibility to prevent these horrors from re-occurring.

"Evil prospers because good men do nothing." Edmund Burke

This is a wonderful book and easy reading. I would recommend it to anyone and I am going to refer it to my friends. Take the time to read it, it's definitely worth your while.

A reading of Oni Vitandham's "On the Wings of a White Horse" is an inspiring experience to say the least. It is a tale of immense pain and suffering, yet courage in the face of failure and despair. It is the story of a life that may never have been but for the love of family and friends. A theme that seems often lacking in our world today. It is not an easy book to read. Indeed, it is often violently confronting. However, it is certain, that the reader will leave with a greater sense of compassion, love and hope for the future of humanity

Oni's is a powerful, at times confronting and terrifying story that delves into the subjects that have all too often been left to the back pages of history. From the fall of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia, to the Communist movements in Laos and Vietnam, and beyond to a new life in America, Oni's journey often reads like a political history of South-East Asia during the 1970s. For one young girl to be at the centre of some of the most desperate struggles of the decade, and to emerge not only alive, but also so incredibly empowered, seems almost beyond comprehension.

Yet this is what makes Oni, and her story, so enthralling. To quote the saying, "whatever doesn't kill us, makes us stronger" seems almost inadequate to describe this story. Indeed Oni tells her life as it is, with little attempt to shield use from the intense pain and suffering that she herself has had to endure. At first this seems almost to hard to bear. However as even Oni herself tells us at the start of the book; these are her childhood memories. It is this thought enough that inspires the reader to continue on.

Indeed Oni stands for an idea that is greater than her own personal story and even greater than her desire to see a prosperous and peaceful Cambodia. She believes in the right of all people to have the chance to grow up in peace and happiness. She believes in the power of the individual and the immense capacity that humans have for spreading happiness in their world.

A reading of Oni's "On the Wings of a White Horse" will leave the reader inspired. Indeed it is a story that enters through the heart and leaves through the head. One cannot read it and not be inspired to get up and care about the plight of the millions of people who are so less fortunate than ourselves.

This is one of the most fascinating books I have ever read. From the beginning of her life in a cave to the constant struggle for suvival, Oni describes her ordeal, an ordeal no one would have dreamed could ever actually happen. Her life could have ended many times if it were not for the caring people around her and for her own perseverance. Oni is one strong, determined lady and her story needs to be told to the world. If you only read one book a year, this should be the one!

This Book is one of the best book i have ever read. Oni, the author has such a sad story in her life that really touch your heart. Those who survided the 1975 Holocoust you might want to consider read this book. as young child Oni was taken to the Killing camps along with her family, she suffered many death and very harsh treatment. However that did not stop her to become the great person she is today. I Love her book it is a really good book.

I read "Sushi For One" about three weeks ago and couldn't wait to get "Only Uni" - but a part of me kept thinking that it wasn't going to be as good as the first book - WRONG! In fact, I truly loved this book more than the first one.

I would love to see the series continue and to include that little snot of a cousin "Mimi" - maybe if I knew why she was such a brat, I could at least like her! Who's with me? =)

Again, Camy surprised me. This book was spiritually challenging for myself, but was daring in the twist it took towards the end. It was realistic and teaches even the reader about God's grace and love as we watch Trish as she grows in her trust of God. I can't wait to read number three, and although I borrowed these books, I want to own them for myself!

This book was hard to put down. Considering that I do not read "chick lit" I think that is a ringing endorsement. Despite me being a middle aged married woman with children, it was easy to root for the heroine, Trish, in all her trials and triumphs. Tang manages to mix up the story line enough that you can never really anticipate what she is going to throw at you but when she does, it is all too real a possibility. Looking forward to her next book due in September.

Camy Tang has another winner with Only Uni. As with the first book, my 13 year old daughter finished it before me (and she never reads). I loved Trish and enjoyed her many disastrous church volunteer endeavors. What a twist at the senior home (I won't give it away)! Can't wait for Single Sashimi to come out.

I would see advertisements for Sushi for One and its sequel, Only Uni in a mail order catalog I get regularly. I kept thinking they looked interesting, but never picked them up. About a month ago I finally read Sushi for One, which was good. I liked the characters, but it made it so that I couldn't wait to read Only Uni. I was surprised to find that I liked Only Uni much better than Sushi. I was able to relate to Trish more than sports-crazed Lex. The writing flowed better, and of course I still wanted to whack Grandma Sakai in the head. I can't wait to read Venus' story in Single Sashimi. These next 4 months will be torture.

I found this book (a first edition) in the dusty corner of a library in New York. The title intrigued me, so I had to check it out. I honestly do not think I have ever read a more enjoyable memoir....and about such a subject. There is absolutely no other book out there that describes a patients stay at a TB sanatorium. Sure, there is the Magic Mountain and various others that are tiresome and not REALLY and simply about a stay in a sanatorium....interesting, because so many people had that experience-and no, not everyone died. This is the only book of its kind and I am thrilled and honored to have accidentally discovered it. I was even more shocked to find out that she was Mrs. Piggle Wiggle...hey, I grew up with her!

If there's anything good about a disiplinarian TB institution in the 30s (not 40s), it's the opportunity to meet so many different kinds of people. Macdonald is an observer and nailer of people's quirks on a level with Dickens (both of them, Charles and Monica). I love this book. There's one thing I would like explained, though. American readers talk as if Macdonald's "racism" was an understood and obvious thing. I see no racism in this book. OK, she calls somebody "coloured" and another girl "black". She also mentions that her roommate is Japanese and her workmate an Eskimo. Is she racist for not using today's PC terminology? She praises the institution for accepting everybody and mixing them together. She quotes some racist comments from other patients, but doesn't say she condones them, in fact "Betty" in the book answers back and disagrees. Please, please, somebody tell me why it is currently PC to say Macdonald is racist?

I read this book long ago, have forgotten a lot of it, but just about every December I find myself singing "Deck the Halls in Old Crepe Paper, fa la la" etc. Used to confuse my kids no end. For those who haven't read it yet, look for the scenes of holiday celebrations in the old TB sanitaruims-- sad & funny.

as "The Egg and I"--her statement in that book that "I do not like Indians and I think we did a good thing in coming over and taking this beautiful country away from them." made my part-Cherokee blood boil--could write another that was so UNracist. While the author does use terms like 'colored' and 'Negro', those were (one can understand) the accepted terms in the 1930s, and while she records the racist attudes of some of the patients and staff, she apparently does not agree with them. She formed a close attachment with a Japanese patient--whom she later urges to go to college--and when an African-American (to use the accepted term of today) patient tells her that she doesn't mind being in isolation because the white patients don't want her as a roommate anyway, she thinks this absurd.

It is difficult for us today to understand how very scary TB was back then. While TB is not unknown today, if caught early it is easily treated with appropriate medications; not so, then. The only treatment was a rest-cure with pallitive measures; many people recovered, but many did not. There were some surgical treatments (collapsed lung), but they were painful and not terribly effective. It was known to be contageous, although not nearly as contageous as many people thought it was. The nearest modern equivalent might be HIV/AIDS, except that the latter is always fatal.

As other authors have mentioned, one hardly thinks that such a story would be funny, but BMacD is able to find humor in any situation. I've read all four of her books for adults and enjoyed them very much--even 'Egg'. That she was able to be discharged from the sanitarium after only about a year shows that laughter is, indeed, the best medicine.

This book is filled with an off beat sence of humor. It isn't the slap you in the face kind of humor but rather the kind of humor that hits you later. For example, I found myself smilingat something I read earlier in the day while cooking dinner. At the end of this book you feel like you know each of the people personally. I wanted a follow up to find out what happened to each person. It's that good.

Basically this book is about Betty MacDonalds stay in a sanitorium while she had TB. She can take such a serious topic that could be pretty morose and turn it into something interesting and funny.

I hardly ever read fiction, but this one intrigued me. I heard it was life-changing for many readers, but since my life was in a ministry transition as it is, I simply related. It's about life, stuff and purpose. It asks questions we all need to find answers for. It made me laugh and cry. It made me more ready to serve the sick, not just hang out with the healthy. I liked the title and it made for a relaxing summer read.

Lisa Samson has quickly become one of my all-time favorite authors. In this book, Heather, the main character, is a well-to-do shopaholic with a terrific kid and married to a handsome surgeon who is nuts about her. She lives in a house that most people only dream of, furnished with the best of everything. On the surface, life is grand. But are all the `things' merely anesthetic for a pain too deep to be faced? In order to find the peace to move ahead, she must confront her own shameful past. To do that, she finds help from some unlikely sources - among them a nun, and a couple of ancient Quaker women.

Quaker Summer is one of those books that captivates you so deeply and draws you into the story so masterfully that you can't put it down. It changed the way I think - about a lot of things. It's beautifully written, and full of so much wisdom I wanted to grab my highlighter as I read. I challenge you to read this book and not come away changed. It's never preachy (I detest preachy books), but the message is powerful and profound. Samson spins a wonderful tale with strength and skill.

I thought it was an excellent book for our book club as it had many thought provoking episodes to recall.

This book is among the best I've ever read! Samson's characters are real, down to their doubts and spending habits. This book is not only entertaining, it is convicting. If you want a book that will open your eyes and change your life, read this one!

Heather Curridge is going crazy; at least that is what her husband Jace, son Will and her friends seem to think. And at times Heather thinks so too.

On the outside Heather seems to have it all, a loving doctor husband, a great fifteen year old son, a house by the lake and things, possessions but all of a sudden Heather starts questioning why she puts her husband through all her spending, spending, spending. Up till now she's justified it well saying she likes to help people but really it's just a way to move up to more, more, and more and the big question as to why she needs so much.. Jace tries to work hard to pay for it all but he's wearing down and wants to go back to his life's dream which he feels he can't tell Heather about.

Than one night Heather crashes her big Suburban on the way home from yet another St Matthews' dinner for the private school she insisted Will attend, and makes her way to the home of Annie and Liza ninety some year old sisters. Heather finds being with them having a calming effect upon her as well as questioning her walk with God.

While Jace is out of town and Will stays with his grandparents Heather spends a few weeks with the ladies who are Quakers, and comes in close contact with an inner city nun and the people living there. Heather begins to come to terms with so many things her past, her dad, the possessions and the rat race of life.

Christy award winning author Lisa Samson does an amazing job with Quaker Summer, her first novel with WestBow but her nineteenth overall. A definite 5 plus wow factor as you'll find yourself within the pages of this page turner that you won't be able to put down. The story unwinds and is so real you'll think you are Heather or she's your best friend, an awesome character we all can relate to.

Voted 2007's Women of Faith's Novel of the Year tells you how amazing this book is ( Women of Faith is an organization dedicated to encouraging women of all ages to grow in faith and spiritual maturity with Christ ). There is even a reading group guide in the back of the book as this book would be perfect for reading groups. You'll love the mixture of everyday life with the Bible and how each section ties in with the Beatles such as "Fool on the Hill" and "the Long and Winding Road", even if you don't know who the Beatles are you'll catch the comparison. Actually the style of writing puts the reader in mind of the writings of Erma Bombeck, an awesome writer of the seventies. A must read for adult women, especially those who question life and God. So come on an amazing journey and give this book a chance, listen to God and your heart it will really set you free!

If you're a girl who dreams of writing books, check out this cool one by a 12-year-old. Read it from cover to cover. Look at the photos. See how it's organized. You'll not only get inspired and get a feeling for what it takes, you'll also learn alot about soccer. Good job, Leah!--Catherine Dee, author of The Girls' Book of Wisdom and The Girls' Guide to Life

As an author, I meet many, many people who tell me, "Oh, I'd love to write a book!" But they never do it. They need to take lessons from Leah Lauber. She wrote a book chronicling her amazing journey following the extraordinary accomplishments of the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team. Passionate about soccer, Leah attended many of the history-making soccer matches not just as a fan, but also as a reporter. She interviewed her role models: Mia Hamm, Lorrie Fair, Cindy Parlow, Briana Scurry, and many other team members. Leah incorporated these interviews and game coverage into articles she wrote for Florida's largest newspaper, the St. Petersburg Times.

These accomplishments are admirable. But there's more to this story ... Leah did all this when she was just 12 years old!!! By following her twin passions for writing and soccer, Leah first achieved her dreams of meeting and talking with her heroes, attending the Women's World Cup, and reporting for a major newspaper. Then she reached her dream of writing a book. And what a book! Colorful photos and vivid writing truly bring women's soccer to life.

As you read "Soccer Dreams," you'll get caught up in the excitement of the sport and the thrill of the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team victories -- whether or not you're a fan. Leah's book makes you feel like you're right there in the middle of all the action. The book brims with added bonuses. Page 6 features reproductions of autographs Leah obtained from members of the national teams from both the U.S. and Norway. Section 3 is an absolute goldmine -- here's where you'll find Leah's unedited interviews with the national soccer team players.

Get this book for your daughters, it will inspire them to follow and reach their dreams. Get this book if you love soccer. Get it if you enjoy the thrill of a game, a good read, or a close look at sports history. I give this book 5 stars plus. An inspiring, motivating masterpiece!

-- Graciela Sholander (...)

I began this book with some skepticism. I'm not at all a soccer fan and was afraid I'd find it boring -- or poorly written, given the author's young age. But Leah Lauber won me over by the second page! Her fresh voice, enthusiasm for the subject matter, and beyond-her-years writing skills make Soccer Dreams a pleasure to read. I was hooked by her chutzpah in dreaming big dreams and finding ways to make them come true. And I learned a lot about the sport and the women who play it. Lauber's book gave me a new respect for these outstanding athletes, not just for their prowess on the soccer field but for their character, loyalty, and sense of teamwork and camaraderie off it. Lauber's journey covers not only her trek across the country to follow the team through the realization of its dreams, but her own increasing skill and confidence as a writer. I expect we'll see more great things from this talented young author.

When I got ready to read Soccer Dreams, I wasn't sure if it was something that would interest me. I'm not much of a sports person and know almost nothing about soccer. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I didn't need to know anything about sports at all to enjoy the book.

While the book is about 12-year-old Leah's experiences reporting on the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team for the St. Petersburg Times, it is also about a girl following her dreams. Leah takes the reader with her as she applies to be a reporter for the newspaper's X-Press Team -- a select group of kids who write a special section of the paper on various topics for other kids. A soccer player since she was seven, Leah is able to meet the players, cover the team's practices and be there for their victory at the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup Championship. Like any good book, the story has its ups and downs, its victories and defeats, but it is real life, and seeing it through Leah's eyes makes it all the more real.

I very much enjoyed reading the book, as well as seeing the letters and newspaper columns she wrote, the tickets she saved, and the color photographs her father took of her adventures. Her writing style is clear and natural and she knows how to tell a good story. If she writes like this now, I can't wait to see what she will do in the future!

Twelve year old Leah Lauber was more than an enthusiastic soccer fan -- she also landed a job as a Junior Reporter for the St. Petersburg Times covering the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cub. Soccer Dreams is the unique story of how for one year, a young girl covered the story of how the team prepared for the event, and how they went on to win this prestigious soccer event. Written with the help and assistance of her family (Leah's yonger sister Nicole and her grandmother, Nanny Pat Lauber, transcribed hours of Leah's interviews and recorded comments during seven different sessions with almost every member of the women's team, and her mother, Rya, worked on the book's cover design and her fahter sorted through hundreds of photos and scanned them into the computer for use in illustrating the thoroughly engaging text), Soccer Dreams is "must" reading for all young soccer enthusiasts and would be a popular addition to any gradeschool, junior high, or community library Sports collection.

This story was extroadinary, my first time reading a book by mcbridge...not the last the chracters seem to come alive...great story

Great book! Could not put it down. I'm off to find more that this author has written....

Entertainer Leslie Uggams, who started in network TV at age 6, has decades of experience on TV and Broadway. Uggams' voice translates well to audio, enlivening the story of a pre-Civil War slave breakout and a beautiful prophetic black slave who escapes only to evade an unusually dangerous pose of men. Historical events blend with a passionate tale of change and courage in an audio highly recommended for any general-interest listening collection.

First book I read on my Kindle and what a delight. This well written story flows well. Great character development. Excellent editing. Couldn't put it down.

Song Yet Sung is beautifully-written. It does an amazing job of bringing to life slavery, the quest for freedom, and the effect of both on people involved. This is, in a way, the defining story of American culture, and I look forward to the day when we've work out enough of our racism issues so that it's more fully explored in American literature.

I guess my only complaint about the story is that it was so wound up in current racial issues that it distracted from the story. I mean, seriously, we're following all these awesome characters chasing each other through swamplands, and all of a sudden we have to hear about how modern rap lyrics are too angry.

Hopefully we'll get to a place as a culture where we can have stories and movies about runaway slaves that are just high adventure, making every kid dream of planning an escape with her friends.