Asian-American Books

I would give this book more than 5 stars if possible. Wisconsin high school teacher James R. Ebert does a masterful job as he combines interviews and printed primary sources in this remarkable telling of the infantryman's experience during the Vietnam War. Ebert tells the story of the US Army and a few US Marine infantrymen during the Vietnam War. He takes their story from induction into the service through basic and advanced individual training, arrival in Vietnam, their first combat experiences, the first killed in action they experience, in some cases the soldier's death, and the freedom birds that take them back to the world. Ebert points out while infantryman accounted for less than 10% of the American troops in Vietnam, the infantry suffered more than 80% of the losses.

Ebert uses an interesting technique starting every chapter with a letter by Leonard Dutcher to his parents. Dutcher just wanted to do his part for God and country and go home at the end of his tour. In the last chapter, we find out that Dutcher was killed. It caught me off guard and really added to the impact of the book. Ebert takes many of the soldiers and Marines experiences word for word from the individual himself through interviews or letters. It is a collective look at similarities of the many infantry soldiers and Marines in the war. It is a very personal account from many points of view.

This is an important book in Vietnam War literature. This is what the grunts really went through. I was left with somewhat of feeling of guilt from reading the book. Why? I graduated high school in 1971. Some of my high classmates went to Vietnam and fought. My classmate Everett Maxwell was killed in action. I went to college and was ultimately commissioned a second lieutenant in the infantry, went through airborne school and served three years active duty. My becoming an officer deferred my entry on active duty from 1971 to 1975. This is the reason for my reflective thoughts.

Read and reviewed by Jimmie A. Kepler.

This is the best book by far. You get to "meet" these boys from the very beginning of their military life all the way through their hell in Vietnam. You can't help but get attached and you're cheering them on in the most horrible of circumstances. I watched the war on TV every night back then and didn't realize how much more brutal it really was. This book will open your eyes and give you a newfound respect for these teenagers caught up in one of America's worst & bloodiest wars. These are the heros that were never given a "Welcome Home". It's a must read...it will change your life.

Do you want to understand what a grunt went through in vietnam?
Then read this book. By far the best book that I have read on the Vietnam War. After reading this book, every American should thank the Vietnam Veteran for their service to our Nation.

When I first started researching the Vietman war, I happened to come across this book at the library--exactly what I was looking for since I wanted to understand the individual experience of the infantryman. I had been warned by veterans that a lot of inaccurate books were out there, and since the writer's credentials were simply that he was a high school teacher, I first read it with a somewhat skeptical eye. As I continued to read memoirs and histories and speak with veterans, though, I also kept coming back to this book. Finally I just broke down and bought it. Though I've only spot read various passages throughout the book, it is even-handed, always rings true, is consistent with other information I've gotten, and offers factual information to set things in context (I wish there were a little more of that). Ebert has done a great job getting vets to talk--not always easy--now maybe he should create an updated edition to flesh out the coming home aspects. I hope this author still teaches high school.

When I first started researching the Vietman war, I happened to come across this book at the library--exactly what I was looking for since I wanted to understand the individual experience of the infantryman. I had been warned by veterans that a lot of inaccurate books were out there, and since the writer's credentials were simply that he was a high school teacher, I first read it with a somewhat skeptical eye. As I continued to read memoirs and histories and speak with veterans, though, I also kept coming back to this book. Finally I just broke down and bought it. Though I've only spot read various passages throughout the book, it is even-handed, always rings true, is consistent with other information I've gotten, and offers factual information to set things in context (I wish there was a little more of that). Ebert has done a great job getting vets to talk--not always easy--now maybe he should create an updated edition to flesh out the coming home aspects. I hope this author still teaches high school.

For any woman whose better half is in the military and/or has served in war, this book is a must read. I just finished reading it and it has brought me more healing than I could have imagined. My better half is a Marine who lost his left eye when a bomb hit his humvee convoy in Iraq. Unlike the author, I did not live on a military base and did not have the support of other military wives to help keep me together through this experience. I had a 2 year long weight lifted off of me because for the first time I read the words of a woman who had the same thoughts and fears that I did when my Marine was in Iraq and when he came home. For the first time I did not feel alone in my experience that is often ignored and underestimated by society. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Novak for having the courage to write her story as well as encourage other military wives, girlfrieds, mothers, sisters, and daugthers to read it as they try to find comfort.

In 1989, I took a writing workshop at Simmons College in Boston, mostly because Robert Cormier, a great writer, was speaking. I wound up in a class taught by C. Michael Curtis, the fiction editor of The Atlantic(!). Every morning he'd read aloud one of our stories anonymously and we'd comment, analyze, and give our feedback, which was often very emotional and passionate. But the class was always civilized, even when the critique was not very positive. Some of the writers had been published in some good journals, unlike me. I couldn't be objective and didn't know whether I was incredibly out of my league or would be benignly considered a neophyte with some potential.

During the class I'd become friendly with a student named Marian. She was about 15 or 20 years older than me (26) yet despite apparent differences we got along well. She was emotionally honest, smart, and we had fun talking about and trying to figure out our fellow students: the Hollywood guy who had been to a million workshops and had sold a story on it's 54th submission, the literate 70ish guy who had only been writing for a few years, etc. She talked warmly about her husband. I believe they both taught at Simmons. I didn't connect as well with anybody else and like what happens during a lot of these kind of short, intense experiences away -- vacations, week-long conferences, temp jobs -- we made a pretty solid bond.

Near the end of the workshop, Mike Curtis read a harrowing story about a group of Marines, all Vietnam vets, who get together for a reunion at a hotel on the Charles River in Boston. They all fought together (if memory serves) and tell stories about the people they knew and experiences they had. But the conversation doesn't really get going until one of them says something like, "What scared you the most over there?" I wish I could tell you some specifics about those tales now but all I can say is that they were full of terror, strangeness, anguish, intense love, loyalty, and dread.

The class was pretty quiet after Mike finished. Finally we started speaking and the general consensus was that this was one of the best stories heard all week. We speculated about who wrote it. The Hollywood guy's story had been heard, the old guy was too old for Vietnam, I was too young, and the one guy left didn't seem the type.

As we went to a little lunch the college had prepared for us I told Marian all these thoughts and my confusion over not being able to figure which guy wrote the story. I was frustrated -- I'm pretty good at sizing people up, listening, and reading things that are under the surface (I became a social services family counselor right after this).

I looked at her and her face was red and her mouth was taught. "I wrote that," she said. I think now that she wasn't red from embarrassment but from something like pain, conviction, and pride. "My husband was in Vietnam when we were first married. I know all those guys or guys like them. I've heard them tell their stories." There was a tense second as I looked at her in shock and I guess she waited to see what the hell I was going to say. I laughed a little and said, after saying "Wow," a bunch of times, "You sure as hell do." She was one great writer.

Marian, if you ever read this, I hope I didn't get any of the big details wrong. Some of the quotes are correct and some are paraphrased but, I think, pretty accurate. To everyone else, at the very least, remember the last line above.

I read this book many years ago but I still recall some of the writing and how powerful and moving it was. This is a book for anyone, whether you have family in the military or not. Those who do will get even more from it.

I think this book was in great condition, and I am satisfied with it.

I've been a military spouse for 16 years now and a lot of the experiences that Marian Novak writes about, though way before my time, still ring true to this day. I found the book years ago at a local library and liked it so much that I went out and bought it. I've read the book several times since, sometimes just to remind me that there have been and are women out there in the same situation, with the same fears as me. A very informative, meaningful book for any spouse in the military but especially for those whose better half had to endure service in a war.

I bought this book from a thrift store. Every time my husband goes to Iraq I read it. He's been over there four times. Every time I read it as this war goes on it becomes more relevant as the level of discontent towards this war increases. It's the things you think and feel when your not sure your husband is coming home, but can't ever say to anybody. It's a wonderful book and I am so glad I have it. I wish it were required reading in college classrooms. Whatever your position on any war, I think people need a bit more compassion when dealing with people who are facing the possibility of death every day, It's an invisible hand that presses down on you. I would recommend it to anyone who wants a better understanding of the toll war takes on both the servicemembers and their families.

In my haste I incorrectly wrote Saipan....I meant to write Peleliu

James Johnston gave a vivid, poignant and heroic account of his life with the Marines fighting in the Pacific during World War II. It was fascinating to read how it life was for the Marines in the Pacific as like he said, the media tended to focus on the European theater and thought of the Pacific theater as "easy."

Using letters that he wrote home, Johnston managed to add a personal touch to his account. It was interesting to get a glimpse on how he felt emotionally, the friendship that was formed between the soldiers and how a lot of times, soldiers are fighting as hard as they did, for their friends because they did not want to let their them down. When Johnston was the section leader, he was able to show the burden of responsibilities as you were not just in charge of your life but of others too.
Lastly, how he was disappointed with the Marines. He found flaws with the system but at the same time, it was very much part of him.

"The Long Road of War" is a wonderfully-written, highly-emotional story of Marine Corps combat from the "flat-trajectory" soldier's perspective. Johnston shares his own personal horrific views of World War II Pacfic combat. With stirring text, he shows the sudden transformation from Nebraska teenager to Green recruit to hardened veteran. This book is an excellent addition to any historian's bookshelf, once they can find the time to put it down.

In my haste I incorrectly wrote Saipan....I meant to write Peleliu

This was a book that I could absolutely not put down. Mr. Johnston's description of his transition from a Midwest teenager into a battle hardened, front line Marine is told with a grim honesty that is seldom found in books about war. This book does away with any glorification or self-promotion and gives you the tragic, ugly truth about the war in the South Pacific.

i really enjoyed this book, i'm not even finished with it yet but some of the quality of the book was taken away by the poor editing! some of the chapters were missing entire words at the end! some of the sentences were gramatically incorrect and i kept reading them over and over saying...that's not right...we don't laid down, we lie down! stuff like that really took away from the book because it was a fantastic story. i really enjoyed the element of faith and how there are good vampires and bad vampires etc. it was realistic, like...if there WERE vampires, this is how it would be. either way, i would definitely advise this story being read, just please have an updated version!

This is a great read.

Great, because it has a common sense idea that is missing from most stories of this genre.

The genre, "supernatural horror," ultimately goes to a war between good and evil (yep, heaven and hell), because these would be the source of power in the story. So the ultimate source of power is on another level--not the level the story is about (our everyday homes and neighborhoods). But hey, the vampires, zombies, and other things have been around for a long time. And we are still here, too. Something we don't usually see in these stories must be equalizing the landscape, or else ordinary humans would have been gone a long time ago. What equalizes a vampire? They have supernatural powers, so regular folks are out-gunned. In any war, if the sides are not matched, the war does not last long. In the literature vampires, zombies, et al., have been around a long time. So what holds them in check? Doesn't have to be a "good" version of the evil creature--just something with power and method of its own that it can use to engage the enemy. That's war. Even a supernatural one would have to have this equivalence of power.

There are popular movies about renegades that have reason to hate the supernatural villains, but vampires alone would have over-run the world before most of these popular characters started. Besides, these stories are usually more about special-effects or martial arts or something--not really horror stories but more like action-adventure-martial arts-horror. Whatever. There's only one movie I've seen recently that is an exception to this, "Constantine." But since this isn't a plug for movies, let's move on... ;)

"Night Biters" revitalizes the role of the church in this type of story! Instead of the lame "Exorcist" angle in which the demons have power that is clearly uncontrollable, here the war could have lasted this long. God is on our side through supernatural beings at this level. That's what I was referring to before, when I said that ordinary humans would otherwise be gone. In run-of-the-mill horror stories a recurring theme is that the heroes are so outmatched they have to sacrifice themselves--and leave this plane of existence--in order to win. So in time they'd all have moved on, leaving us here. There must be something more powerful that fights here and wins often enough to balance the war against evil. This story touches on this with style; it's a story told intelligently in a way that makes sense.

So is it scary? Yeah, because the writer tells the tale in a way that evokes vivid images of what the characters are going through as all of these peculiar things happen. It's not a predictable story. I found myself liking some, and wondering if they'd make it...but it's war. Casualties are inevitable. How does it end?

Check it out! It's a great read!

Adrian Harper's Night Biters offers some fresh ideas to the fantasy genre. The magical compact disc is as effective a talisman as a ring or trinket in other period work of fiction. It also solidifies the effectiveness of hip hop in a way the reader will find appealing. Graffiti spray painting is also featured, skateboarding is taken to new heights and I will never see using a Super Soaker the same way.

The writer skillfully depicts the story's teens as youth who regret some of the poor choices they have made and the impact those decisions have on their families while ably avoiding stereotypes. He also offers some interesting views on vampirism viewing it more to an addiction than a spiritual damnation reminding the reader that there is always hope. Filled with clever twist and surprises, Night Biters is a delight.

This is no R L Stien! This book has a diverse group of hip hop characters from the Bay Area that are actully intelligent and not based on stereotypes. The book has teens in the Bay dealing with regular teenage issues, as well as vampires gang violence. The characters are cool, there's African American's, Vietnamese, Latino's, Filippino's, Jews, Goths, ravers, taggers and possibly dirty cops and a guy who eats a rat. If you LOVE hip hop, or you're from the Bay Area you need to read this book. I love Night Biters because it's real hip hop, it's not derogatory or dogmatic, it's just real and entertaining.

The book is written in the style of how Traffic and Crash were made as movies. A ton of individual stories, all intertwined into one explosive plot. Read this book, you won't be disappointed. The story is based on actual events in 1999 leading up to the change of the century in the backdrop of the worlds most integrated group of cities. Two teens come here to spend the summer and find that some of thier friends have become vampires and are dealing with personal issues like abusive stepfathers, drugs, gangs and police (damn taggers!). Doooooood read it!!!

Night Biters is my favorite book, I visited the Bay Area and have saw the old Montgomery Ward building. It was too scary a building for me to enter but not a vampire. I also like that us Pinoy's finally got some recognition and respect in a book. Dragonbrush is my dog I liked the way he and Tioni looked out for one another and how he showed that he really appreciated her. Jamilah is cool but too stuck up for my taste, I wouldn't want my sister taking all my favorite clothes just because she wants them. But in the end they all looked out for one another.

I Just got through reading the book for the second time,and it
was just as good to me the second time as the first.
I will never understand the disparagey in the verdicts.To me the one that was most guilty got off scott free, while the least
guilyy got the worst punishment.That militarry justicefor you though.

The reviews of Gary Solis's SON THANG are entirely accurate: the book is a masterpiece of historical research and sharp, incisive, nuanced writing. A gripping and depressing read, the book examines not only the singular horror of the Son Thang massacre (and in that it is a refreshing alternative to the incident as presented in Oliver North's white-washed memoirs, and Randy Herrod's self-serving BLUE'S BASTARDS), but also the decline in morale and professional standards during the waning days of the Vietnam War. That this decay almost overwhelmed the draftee-filled U.S. Army is an accepted fact. That an institution as proud as the Marine Corps (an institution which had upheld its highest traditions at places like Con Thien, Hue, Khe Sanh, and Dai Do from 1965-68) was also dry-rotting during the 1969-70 period is not as well known. Though a proud Marine veteran himself, the author is willing to look such ugly truths square in the eye, and SONG THANG is all the better for it. The Foreword by BrigGen E.H. Simmons, USMC (Ret), is also fascinating.

A very interesting book.The author was not afraid to put the blame where it belonged. I wonder how many more such incidents happened in the time we were in Nam.As a Nam vet I know to well what it was like to be in a situation where you are damned if you do and damned if you don't. Hind sight is always 20 - 20,but sometimes our boys were put in a situation like that and were killed if they didn't take the nescesary steps. I am not condoning any senseless killing, but when it is kill or be killed you do what you have to do.

Professor Gary Solis' "Son Thang: An American War Crime" is an excellent account of the courts-martial of four Marines for the murder of 16 Vietnamese civilians during the Vietnam War. Drawing from the transcripts from the courts-martial, the appellate record, the historical record, and interviews with many of the participants, Solis - a Vietnam veteran who served as both a military prosecutor and military judge in the Marines and who now teaches military law at West Point - gives a complete picture of the story as only a true insider can.

Although this book is history, it reads like a novel. Solis brings the tension of the battlefield and the drama of the courtroom alive in this book. And he also brings alive the legal maneuvering before each court-martial as the prosecutors, defense counsel, and - in some cases - civilian defense counsel, all "prepared the battlefield" before each court-martial.

As a former practitioner of military justice, Solis understands the nuances and intricacies of military justice, staff work on a division staff, and the actual role of commanders in the process. He methodically explains how military justice works in a deployed environment (the rules are the same, but there are many "real-world" problems such as witness production and transportation that can threaten an otherwise sound case).

Finally, Solis also gives glimpses of the bigger picture of the Vietnam War in 1970: the USMC manpower problems with Project 100,000, law of war training issues, the moral problems dealt with by Marines facing women and children fighters, etc. And, after telling the full post-trial stories of the convicted Marines (that went on for over 10 years), Solis wraps up with some conclusions about what went wrong, what went right, and suggestions for improving the military justice system (which are especially relevant now that we are again trying important courts-martial in deployed environments).

"Son Thang" is an outstanding book and a very easy read. Anyone interested in the Vietnam War, military justice, or in trial work in general should read it.

"Son Thang" is both an important work of legal scholarship and a compelling, well-written story. Col. Solis documents, step by step, exactly how the Marine Corps treated its own suspected of war crimes in Vietnam-they were quickly tried, and if convicted, imprisoned. There were no coverups and no excuses. Marines accused of killing non-combatants were swiftly brought to book and the chips allowed to fall where they may. Here, it appears that several of the Marine Corps prosecutors were out-lawyered by civilian attorneys. That doesn't matter; a trial is, after all, a contest. What matters is that the Marine Corps had-and has always had and will always have-the will to try those accused of atrocities.

In September 1971, the Army closed down the Army-Lockheed YO-3A silent aircraft night recon program and shipped it home. To bad the YO-3A planes were not involved in the An Loc battle that occured 7 months later. Many lives could have been saved with this Stealth Forward Air Control Plane. The YO-3A operated at 1,000 feet at night, flew slow, was silent had advanced night vision equipment, infrared illuminator and laser target designator and impervious to heat seeking weapons. In 14 months of operation in Vietnam, non of the 9 YO-3As were ever shot down or took a round. But the YOs sure could see what was going on in the night when the VC the NVA were moving stuff. Check out the website www.yo-3a.com

I was a YO-3A crew chief and sure would like to make contact with the author of this book.

Also see Kit Lavell's book Black Ponies that has a section on how the YO-3A located the largest Russian Trawler in South Vietnam and was instrumental in directing fire and sinking the boat.

Excellent detail of one of the most important battles during the latter stages of the Vietnam War. Focus is obviously on the ground troups. I was somewhat disappointed with the lack of detail with regards to the "gun ships" of the Navy.

I participated as a C-130E co-pilot (374 Tactical Airlift Wing) during the Battle of An Loc. I greatly appreciate this book, helping me to understand what else was happening on the ground and in the air throughout the battle. As a participant, I vouch for the excellent accuracy and honesty of the book. The book starts out a bit slow, describing the organizational structure of the Army of the Republic Vietnam and its deployment. On page 37 it goes to high intensity with the Battle of Loc Ninh, a neighbor of An Loc. Willbanks gives you great empathy for those on the ground at Loc Ninh and An Loc, who were in a desperate struggle for their lives. It was hard to put the book down, once I got to the Battle of An Loc. The book slows down again in the last two chapters and epilogue.
I am sorry that seventeen C-130E crewmembers died in the battle. I am sorry that some of our airdrops missed the drop zone and fell into enemy hands. But the airdrops that were recovered by the ARVN were an essential part of the battle.

"The Battle of An Loc" by James Wilbanks. A must have book for anyone with an interest in Viet-Nam. This is a very good read. The author, James Wilbanks, was present and wounded at An Loc. This is not only his account, but gives insights from the North Vietnamese and US Advisors after action reports plus other communist documents. The role of the unending US air support, the bravery of the US air crews, and the orchestration by the Forward Air Controllers to the battle's victory for the ARVN and US Advisors is covered in warranted great detail. The inability of the NVA to have armor and infantry work together in more conventional warfare is clearly brought to light and documented. Wilbanks gives insights into Richard Nixon's Vietnamization's perceived success by the politicians and its ultimate failures. This is a must have read and must have addition to the library for anyone with interest in the war in Viet-Nam.

Excellent book!!!


Anyone who has some basic military experience but never served abroad, and only seen movies about war or heard tidbits, would
appreciate what is in this book. The book reveals the strategy of battles, the 'mechanics' of battle (orders issued to battalions, and their officers' reactions to situations, etc) It's the real thing! And even better than the movie Platoon!

Library Journal Review of Black Lightning by Kitty Chen Dean of Nassau College:

Here 14 Asian American poets display the process of their poems and discuss their sources of inspiration,which include paintings, readings, personal encounters, countries of origin, and the sight of "dog piss." Tabios (poet and editor of The Asian Pacific American Journal) then presents drafts of poems from early stages through numerous alterations, deletions (sometimes entire pages), and additions, all with explanations. This makes for slow reading but engrossing revelations and ultimately rewarding insights into the birth of a poem. Tabios' skillful interviews help the poets reveal their modus operandi. That the writers are Asian American hardly matters; this is a valuable source for poets, aspiring poets and poetry lovers.

Black Lightning is the most important book on Asian American poetry to have been published within the last 10 years. If anyone off the street would want to know who Kimiko Hahn or Jessica Hagedorn was, they would do well in looking at Eileen Tabios' magnificently written essays/interviews in Black Lightning. A best buy book!

From A Review of Black Lightning by Douglas Spangle:

It should surprise nobody that literary criticism has been in terrible shape of late. New ideas come from unexpected places. Eileen Tabios began a series of interviews with Asian American poets which grew into this book. Tabios' method is to study the growth of individual poems from their earliest drafts through to completion, incorporating extensive interviews with the poets to detail, revision by revision, the genesis of each piece. It is an approach I only recall seeing once, in Alberta Turner's 50 Contemporary Poets: the Creative Process, which was nowhere near as extensive, intensive or various as Black Lightning. Tabios makes no attempt to prescribe or categorize, but meets all these poets on their own ground; although her tracing of process is meticulous and often requires a slow bell on reading speed, she avoids theoretical jargon and is accessible to any intelligent reader, no matter how "advanced" the poetry may be. I can now say that I have some understanding of (Mei-mei) Berssenbrugge, for instance, after reading this study -- something I despaired of ever doing. The question I've been begging all along in this review is why it took a novice to take this new approach, as much sense as it makes, to the study of poetry. Maybe it's just that the forest is so full of trees. Tabios writes that her ignorance and lack of intellectual baggage were probably a great benefit; the poets were more willing to be open and forthcoming with her because they sensed no hidden agendas, no axes to grind: "I think that towards poetry (or all Arts) one mostly needs to bring an open mind and an open heart." Black Lightning is the best possible recommendation for an open mind and an open heart. It is a magnificent specimen, an open book.

Solitude may fuel imagination, and what happens behind closed doors is often kept in secrecy by poets and writers. Black Lightning opens that door for us and lets us in to have a look at some poets' processes, almost like being allowed to sit there in their private spaces. Although we have different ways of approaching poetry and the life around it, it is still very fascinating to see the revelations of these very visible Asian American poets. It's a gem of a collection. Did I mention the very beautiful cover? Give it space on your shelf.

If there is one word that can describe Black Lightning, then perhaps the word boundless might come to mind, but even then that won't quite suffice. As author Eileen Tabios writes, "Black Lightning is many things: a miracle, an exercise in trust, a conversation, an experiment, a matter of idealism, and ultimately, a love affair." Everything from the different forms, styles, inspirations, images, and issues that worked to create the poetry filling these pages is capable of speaking to readers of all different personalities and backgrounds, "elicit[ing] different responses" at different times. But really, what makes it boundless is not just what exists on the pages we read but what exists in the spaces in between. Black Lightning is a quest for all involved to engage in this project of mapping out the human experience, mapping not only that which we can articulate in words but also that which articulates in a fashion that captures and eludes our imagination. Black Lightning is a book of the poetry-in-progress by 14 Asian American writers. Each article is rich with interviews, essays, excerpts of inspiration writings, and the reworkings of drafts of poetry towards their accomplished ends. Each is dedicated to the unique and powerful experiences and processes each writer goes through to create their masterpieces. Black Lightning belongs to a very important juncture in Asian American writing, capturing the widening scope in which Asian American writers are writing. Our concerns have expanded beyond race and ethnicity; they have even expanded beyond social and political issues although these will remain an integral part of Asian American literature. In Black Lightning, we are articulating matters such as memory, history, time, space, femininity, masculinity, sexuality, desire, spirituality, the psyche, imagination, all as integral to the Asian American experience as race is. Furthermore, in its discussion of the very act of writing a poem, Black Lightning is as Arthur Sze writes in the introduction, "just beginning to address theory and practice and the polysemous nature of the work." In this rare opportunity, we are able to share intimate moments with a fellow poetry lover as she engages in great conversation with the masters of this craft. From the very first pages, we see Tabios embark on her personal journey with insightful questions and reactions as she encounters each writer and each poem. As all poetry has its own rhythm, we hear such rhythms resonate as thoughts flow spontaneously between Tabios and these 14 poets. Tabios' interactions with the poems and their authors are intense, generating a profound understanding and appreciation for the desires, motivations, and issues that underlie the creative processes of these authors. Reading Black Lightning is like reading a personal journal - and we are privileged to be able to do so. While Black Lightning is a book that speaks of process in many ways - the process of becoming a creative writer, of becoming a careful reader, of becoming a human being - it is also a book that speaks of revelation. Tabios has created a wonderful site where experiences and intentions are unclothed and left up to the reader's interpretation in a way much different from what we are used to. Black Lightning reveals to us how ultimately the greatest lesson we need to learn is the most obvious - that poetry can be accessible to all of us. For all beginner poets, Black Lightning can be your Bible.

This book is a great addition to this series. My daughter and I have loved this book and all the others.

The 3rd in a great series, Dragon Cauldron is the further adventures of the exiled dragon princess Shimmer and her 4 companions; the Monkey wizard, Civet the Witch, and human children Thorn and Indigo. I really enjoyed this book, though I dislike the way that Shimmer played favorites with Thorn and Indigo. It's all right to help a friend feel better, but not at the expense of another friend's feelings. I recommend this book to anyone enjoys a good tale of magic and dragons.

Much as I love all types of books, fantasy has been my favorite for as long as I can remember. So, considering that I have read extensively in this field, I have read all the cleshaes to the point where I can almost guess the ending two chapters into most books. This series I'm happy to say, is in a league all it's own. It's completely unlike any series I've ever read before, and I have to say I'm releaved that there actually is a fantasy series where male and female characters treat each other equaly, and female characters can be just as strong as male characters. Anyway, in this book (which is third in this incredible series) Monkey tells the tale as the book picks up basically where the previous one (told by Shimmer) left off, as they continue their quest to try to restore the inland sea. At first I was a little irritated at having Monkey tell this segment of the adventure; I wanted more Shimmer! but I quickly warmed up to him, and to the hillarious irony with which he tells the story. This book was also largely character based, focusing a lot of the interrelations of the characters, as Monkey begins to build a bond with Thorn, a saintly young human boy, who is very jealous of Shimmer's favoritism to newcommer Indigo. (a human girl) This book also has plenty of exciting action and adventure scenes though, and tons of suspense, so fans of action will not be dissapointed either. I would recommend reading the first two prior to this one, since it will make a lot more sense that way. Also, I would recommend these books to anyone from ten years old one up since in my opinion they are quite timeless.

The 3rd book out of a great series thata started with "Dragon of the Lost Sea", and "Dragon Steel". It uses a famous chinese character called monkey,(from "Journey to the West" {an 100-chapter book written during the chinese dynasty. *rare!*)Wise-cracking, witty, and unpredictable monkey tells the story from his point of view. Great fun, a good storybook to cuddle up with. I recommend reading the first book first to understand what is going on.

This was an extremely good book. it was a fantasy, but it had a little human touch to it. For example, two of the main characters, a monkey and a dragon, constantly tease each other. The author is very skilled, making even a monkey seem wise and dignified. The storyline is a bit overwrought, relying wholly on constant action rather than suspense. However, many people enjoy that more. All in all, I would say that it was better than a similiar book, Dragon of the Lost Sea, which happens to be by the same author. The books even have the same characters. Dragon Cauldron, however, used the mystery of magic to the better advantage of the story. This adds more fantasy to the sroryline, but it also makes parts of the book extremely confusing. In all, it was one of the best fantasies I have ever read.

Or about living in Africa, or living in the past, or some sort of troubles (modern or historical). It's so nice to just see a family doing what families *do*. (They even recycle!)

My nieces ask me to read this book to them often. It's a very fast book, suitable both for very young children and for slightly older ones. We love looking at various details - like the fact that "five kinds of beans" includes JELLY beans, or the fact that the baby sits on a lap at dinner. It's just a quick, sweet book.

A very sweet and very simple book. Nice to see a family of color in a book for a change.... so my daughter gets a nice variety. My daughter's teacher requested books for the classroom as her Christmas Gift this year... so that should be a selling point! So sweet that the teacher wanted it! :)

My son actually pick this book out by himself in a bookstore when he was 18 months old. He fell in LOVE with it. We had to read it every morning. We loss it transit and I finally remember to get it from Amazon this summer. At 2 1/2 it is still his favorite book. He loves the counting and the actvities reminds him of when "Granny-Gran" comes to visit. Thank you so much for this book.

A sweet 1-10 counting book that has a nice rhyme scheme and builds its story by counting to ten, not once, but twice. The art designs feature a black extended family, however, this is not central to the story. What is emphasized is the feeling of family warmth and cooperation throughout as everyone pitches in to create the feast for ten. Children can also count the items in each picture that correspond to the poem. Well done.

This book has been around for a long time, but it continues to be a favorite in my classroom. It's one of those simple books that sparks so many different curriculum paths! Counting, number groupings, nutrition, cooperation, family activities, word choices, story writing, and more. It has also initiated collage art projects, quilt making, and paper mache vegetables! FEAST FOR 10 is a goldmine. I see that it's coming out in a board book soon, too. We have both the hardcover and several paperbacks in my class.

You would think that having everything a girl could possibly want (and that money could buy) would make life positively wonderful 24/7 and render her absolutely without care. Well, when Syrah Cheng becomes a "girl overboard," her entire worldview takes a tumble, along with her, and the slippery slopes she skis on becomes the slippery slope of her whole life. She will rehab everything, from bones to her expectations, and cross the threshold into a brand new way of life.

Justina Chen Headley's GIRL OVERBOARD is a rich, compelling and sometimes unexpected story about a girl who takes life seriously. Her enthusiastic snowboarding already has caused one very serious accident and subsequent surgery, and her favorite sport is also leading her into emotional ruin. Her boyfriend, a fop who is trying hard to impress her dad more than her, breaks her heart; a series of half-siblings finds her utterly distasteful; and her best friend's boyfriend is getting in between her and the person who she most needs to talk to during these trying times. Family obligations pull her farther and farther away from her professional aspirations, as do the repercussions of the accident for which she thinks she can buy special crutches (but she can't).

None of these problems can go away unless Syrah exercises all of her muscles --- leg, heart and brain. For a 16-year-old whose life is running in the opposite direction from what she had thought, Syrah discovers that plans are not to be put in place but rather thrown over the edge of the mountain of one's imagined life with abandon.

There are so many subplots making up the adventures of Syrah Cheng in this book that they are far too numerous to list. And besides, who wants all the fun spoiled? Suffice it to say that Syrah's journey makes stops at all the regular signposts of teen angst: social life, relationships, family situations, work, sports, the impending future. But Headley's deep-reaching prose and emotional resonance make what could have been a general young adult novel into a really special literary service to three-dimensional teen girls everywhere --- by creating a world that looks like theirs and a heroine who, although her circumstances may be more financially rewarding than most high school girls, has a heart similar to theirs beating in her chest.

Does Syrah get what she wants? Headley puts so many obstacles in her way, there is seemingly no justice to it all. Yet, in the end, the lessons learned are many, and the "Ethan Cheng Way," her father's business model, holds more truths for her than she could have realized in the beginning. It is a wondrously complicated mix of family, friends and personal desires that drives GIRL OVERBOARD and makes it a book that not only excites but also educates.

--- Reviewed by Jana Siciliano

Poised at the Edge Book Review

GIRL OVERBOARD

Justina Chen Headley


The worst part of having it all is having to deal with it all--the good, the bad, and the just plain weird. So begins the story of Syrah Cheng. Everybody assumes that life is breeze for Syrah. Her father, Ethan Cheng is famous billionaire; she lives in a veritable palace, anything she wants is at her fingertips, right? But what people don't know is she hardly ever gets to see her globe-trotting parents, her half-siblings refuse to treat her like she's part of the family, her best friend's girlfriend is sabotaging their friendship, and she just got used and humiliated by an egotistical (quasi)-pro snowboarder, who referred to her (bank account) as his "free-pass to paradise."

Life is anything but rosy for Syrah. After a serious (and seriously foolish) accident leaves Syrah with a severe knee injury, she is no longer able to escape to the mountains and snowboard. Even worse, she has to forget her dream of going pro. But down-time, and a series of astonishing events, leads Syrah down a path of self-evaluation and personal growth.

I don't want to say much more about the plot, because I want everyone to read GIRL OVERBOARD, a story so rich in plot, theme, and content, that it left my head spinning. Justina Chen Headley gracefully weaves issues of race, socio-economic class, gender, feminism, body image, complex extended family, deep-dark secrets, jealousy, and enlightenment. How did she do it? This is a smart book to be treasured by girls, and women of all ages!

Review by Melissa Jauregui

Reviewed by Emily Robbins (age 13) for Reader Views (3/08)

"Girl Overboard," by Justina Chen Headley, is about Syrah Cheng, the daughter of a billionaire, the famous Ethan Cheng. Decked out private jets, expensive designer snowboards, all of the latest hot fashions, it's all hers. She is definitely living large. The only problem is that she hates it. Instead of parties, Syrah would rather be up on the tall, snowy mountains doing what she knows best, skateboarding.

Syrah's life is just going downhill. Her best friend's girlfriend is ruining their relationship. Her knee was supposed to have healed by now, after a horrible snowboarding accident she had a while back, but it is still giving her troubles. She's also struggling with trying to figure out who her real friends are, and who she herself is.

My favorite character is definitely Lillian, one of Syrah's friends. She is energetic, kind, and seems like the best type of friend a person could have. Unlike the rest of Lillian's popular friends, she is more concerned about the sick and deathly-ill kids in the hospital than the juicy gossip her friends enjoy so greatly.

Wayne, Syrah's unkind brother, completely does not understand Syrah. He is just after his very large share in his father's very large inheritance, and making loads of cash. So, instead of trying to understand her, he is just a cruel sibling, trying to ruin her snowboarding dream. Wayne is unquestionably, my least favorite character of them all.

"Girl Overboard" was an inspiring book. I really liked how it really went into her lifestyle, trying to show you just how much she loathed it. The author did a really good job with all the diverse characters, and showing their different personalities. Some parts in the book I admit were a little dull and monotonous; in those sections I just skimmed over those paragraphs, but all in all it was an all-around great book! Two thumbs up, and I would definitely recommend "Girl Overboard," by Justina Chen Headley.

I know I am not the prime audience for which this book was written. I am many generations removed from the current youth this book was written for and about. Growing up before Title 9, I did not have the sport opportunities available to girls since that milestone legislation. Despite the lack of organized sports, I was a young female athlete, one who had set her sights on representing her country in the Olympics one day.

At that time, I chose the Olympics because it was one of the only avenues available for women athletes to perform on a high level, at least those were my dreams until I tore my ACL at age 13 and had my world tossed upside down. And so, when I meet Syrah Cheng, up and coming snowboarder, who is trying to come back from the same potentially career threatening injury, my heart is with her all the way.

I know the battles female athletes have fought and continue to fight even today and so does Justina Headley Chen, the author. Ms Headley, who says she conceived the novel as she was being trundled down a mountain by the ski patrol after having a similar accident may never have been an up and coming boarder but she knows well the struggles young girls face in our society. That is why she and several other talented YA authors have established "Readergirlz.com" a web community for "gutsy girls" wherever they may be and whatever their passions.

"Girl Overboards' Syrah Cheng has many battles to fight as she struggles to find her niche in the world. Issues of sexism, classism, and cultural identity are all handled with delicacy and power. There are no simple solutions here. Syrah may have been born into a family with many privileges but living in the spotlight of media and community scrutiny only magnifies the struggle to live up to the image of the "perfect daughter". This image includes the struggle of meeting the unhealthy demands our societiy places on the perfect, female body as well As a young female athlete trying to build a body that can meet the demands of the sport she loves, Syrah must also deal with the expectations of both her mother and potential snowboarding sponsors, an image that Syrah has subconsciously accepted until she recognizes it herself.

Which brings us to another wonderful element of the book, Syrah is also a budding illustrator and writer of Manga. In her Manga journal, Syrahs' alter ego Shiraz is able to fly high above the rest in her snowboarding exploits but also ends up teaching Syrah even more about herself.

Which brings me to my only regret about the book. It would be fantastic if future editions of the book could contain some panels representing the journal. Manga is a very hot ticket and would attract a whole other segment of readers. Perhaps there could even be a graphic novel/Manga spinoff or series based on the characters?

This is a compelling read which will speak to many girls and young women. If you have a "gutsy girl" in your life get the book for her today! She won't be sorry!

If you are looking for a rags-to-riches story, don't pick up GIRL OVERBOARD. On the other hand, if you are looking for a story about a rich girl struggling to be a normal, well-adjusted girl, than this one is for you.

Syrah Cheng is the daughter of privilege. Her father, Ethan Cheng, made the cell phone what it is today. Her mother, Betty Cheng, is the queen of charity fundraising, and demands only the best. Unfortunately, all the splendor and wealth surrounding Syrah leave her feeling uncomfortable and unloved.

Syrah's dream is to become a sponsored pro-snowboarder; however, a recent life-threatening accident has sidelined her with a bum knee. Her doctor says she is ready to resume normal activities and even some cautious snowboarding, but her globe-trotting parents have forbidden her participation in the only activity that makes her life worthwhile. She fills her days with school and manga drawings of a superheroine snowboarder named Shiraz.

Not being able to snowboard is only the beginning of trouble for Syrah. Her best friend, Age, has a new girlfriend who doesn't believe there is room in their relationship for Syrah. Bao-mu, Syrah's dedicated nanny, has announced that she is leaving to go help her granddaughter with her new baby. And to top it all off, Ethan Cheng has announced his retirement and his intention to move the family to Hong Kong.

There is never a dull moment in GIRL OVERBOARD. Syrah may seem about to give up on her dream, but she finds a way to combine her love of snowboarding with what she discovers are her many other assets, to help a new friend in need, and make her family proud of her. Author Justina Chen Headley shows her readers what truly lies beneath the glittery surface of a girl who has it all, but learns that family, friendship, and love can surprise us all.

Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"