Cricket Books

Fabulous book. Very little do we see in life another opportunity for redemption. When Crickets Cry is a true page turner. If you love Charles Martins' other books then you will more than love this one. I read this and wanted to tell everyone else to read it. One of those rare gifts in literature that you want to hang on to forever. It was that great! I highly recommend this one.

This book is charming. It warmed my heart and touched my soul. Get it, Read it....A story that will stay with you always!

Charles Martin's books are the best I have found in a long time. Each one is different, but the development of the story and character bring you right into the story, and you don't want to put the book down! When Crickets Cry is an amazing story of love and faith. His books are different. Even though I don't like to say good-bye to characters at the end of a good book, I have grown tired of Christian fiction that turn books into never-ending series. Mr. Martin is able to develop his characters fully, as well as a story that will tug at your heartstrings, bringing many emotions to the surface, tears of sadness and also tears of joy. As Christian fiction, the characters are not sugary sweet, they have faults and doubts and fears like normal people do. But through all the trials, you can see their faith, even as they struggle with it.

I can't wait for his next book!

After a personal tragedy struck many years ago, Reese has taken up a hermit-like existence. Holed up in his lakeside home with only his friend Charlie to keep him company, Reese seems destined to live out the rest of his life as a bitter and isolated man. But one morning on a brief visit to town, he meets a little girl called Annie. Soon Reese is forced to confront his past and is slowly drawn back into the life he thought he left behind.

As might be expected from the subtitle, When Crickets Cry is indeed a novel of the heart. The book is devoted to both the physical and emotional kind of heart, specifically those that are diseased or broken.

That theme permeates everything from detailed descriptions about how a heart works (Martin obviously did his research), sentimental musings about how non-physical hearts heal, to the addition of calorie ridden burgers called Transplants at the local bar.
In the back of the book, there is even a page from the author about a When Cricket's Cry heart care fund.

On the plus side, Martin does populate his book with a cast of quirky characters. Shadowy Reese, garrulous Charlie, long suffering Annie, fiscally struggling aunt Cindy, and David Stipes, the owner of a Christian "bar" all help to keep the reader's interest and move the story along.

However, a collection of small issues kept me from fully enjoying in the book.

Martin tends to tell us how much pain the characters feel rather than show it. Or when they do show it, they do so in floods of tears. Cindy, in particular, spends half the book crying on Reese's shoulder on the verge of a breakdown.
They seem to stumble upon the answers to their problems rather than proactively seek them. Instead of truly getting a change of heart, Reese seems to rather be forced to change by circumstance.

We are filled in on Reeses's past in a series of flashbacks. The first few are informative but the rest tend to just add filler.
Unfortunately, all the time spend on the past shortchanges the ending which is resolved in a very anticlimactic and quick manner.

As a whole, the prose flows quite well but there was a tendency toward odd and unwieldy metaphors and similes.
For example, "then lightning lit the night sky like an angry woman shaking her fist",
"she cried and shook her head as though bees were stinging her face",
"if Annie had knocked on my city gate that day at the lemonade stand, then she'd just splintered it with the battering ram that was her heart."

Only recommended for staunch fans of inspirational fiction or sentimental drama.

Don't know what happened to the Kindle version, but it is a mess. At the beginning of each chapter, it skipped to unrelated text for a paragraph, then went back to the flow of the story. These were not lovable people for me. Cindy is a taker, latching onto a stranger. She apparently wore out everyone in town, leaving no one to drive her around - not one friend. And why the tornado?

It's simple: this is BY FAR the most constructive, step-by-step, easy to apply, and effective book I've read in regards to ACTUALLY WORKING as an actor. Bonnie has an ingeniously funny, yet professional, way of phrasing her sagacious advice for us. Thank you for putting it all into one little bound piece of gold!

Being the parent of a young actor, this book is a priceless addition to my library. I can not say enough good things! If you are an actor, and if you only buy one book this year, make it this one!

If you are an actor, regardless of how many other 'how to' books you've got on your book shelf, this is a book that you NEED. It's well written, to the point, and Bonnie "gets" it. Follow Bonnie's tried and true advice, and you'll "get it", too! Bonnie's writing is upbeat, positive, supportive, and clever. Invest in this book ~ it's sure to become one of your favorites.

This book literally changed my approach to my acting career. It is so chock full of great advice and insider information that you would be doing yourself a disservice if you didn't read it right now!

Self-Management is THE BEST book out there teaching you step-by-step the ins and outs of selling yourself as an actor. Bonnie Gillespie makes Hollywood (and other markets) accessible for not only newbie actors, but for veterans of the industry as well.

READ THIS BOOK, you can thank me (and Bonnie) later!

Written by casting director, career consultant, and former actor Bonnie Gillespie, Self-Management for Actors: Getting Down to (Show) Business is a straightforward guide to managing one's own career as an actor, whether for more control over one's offers, save money, or other reasons. Now in an updated second edition, Self-Management for Actors covers the necessary mindset to be one's own acting career management; the preparations and training that will be useful; how to smoothly interact with other people in the trade such as agents, casting office personnel, and publicists; how to fit in time and energy for "survival jobs" that keep a steady income; and much more. Now in a newly updated and expanded second edition, Self-Management for actors is strongly recommended reading for aspiring actors, even for those who don't plan to represent themselves, since any actor's current representative could choose to leave or unfortunately be fired at any day.

This rhyming children's book is terrific toddler reading. The drawings are beautiful and our kids have both loved it. Our two year old loves the animal illustrations and verses. A great pick!

We recently ordered 5 copies of Quick as a Cricket for our grandson and as gifts for other children. Our kids grew up with this book and it is timeless. All the copies we ordered were paperback but one arrived supersized. The pages are 15 x17 which is wonderful. The pages of the smaller books are 6x6. Both sizes have their uses but we really enjoy the wonderful illustrations in the larger format.

My children love this book (they are 5, 3 and 1). The illustrations are amazing and the words are few, but very creative. It's very fun to immitate the pages as well.

Cute book! There are puppets that can be purchased to go along with the story, they are great for kids to keep them engaged and involoved.

I used to use this book while teaching children at a learning center, and now I use this book to read to my daughter before bedtime. The pictures are great! The read is short which is great for kids with short attention spans. Absolutely a must have!

I have a friend whose grandson loves dinosaurs. I bought this book and "The Enormous Egg" for him. He will enjoy both. I've read both books to my class and they have liked them.

All throughout elementary school, I took this book out of my school library so many times that the librarian used to make me wait a few weeks between each borrowing so other kids could read it too. All these many years later (I'm 44 now) I've asked my husband to buy it for me for Christmas so I can share this wonderful story with my two daughers. They don't make them like this anymore. A truly delightful and heartfelt story that will make you laugh and cry and be so happy that you read it.

I, too, loved this book as a shy-ish kid and am so glad to see it re-printed so I can share it with my grandchildren. I really, really wish someone would reprint "City Under the Back Steps", also by Lampman.

I had this book in a Paperback Edition when I was in elementary school. That was back in the early 1960's. Unfortunately I lost the book and was never able to find it again. Then I joined Amazon and did some book looking and I found this book. It is brand new and a hard cover edition as well. I am extremely pleased with my purchase.
William Zinner

I got this book when I was a kid (about 30 years ago), but never got around to reading it. I was looking around the bookshelf for something to read a few days ago, and came across it. I figured, well, why not read it? It's about twelve year old twins, Joan and Joey, who discover a stegosaurus living on their ranch. He has been alive for millions of years, and he can actually talk. But he's shy, you see, and doesn't want the kids to tell anyone else about him. I won't give away any more of the plot, but I will say that this is an enjoyable kids book.

I am an adult, but once I picked this book up, I could not stop reading. The Boy Trap is entrancing, clever, unpredictable, and unique. Well done, Ms. Matson!

Great book. Thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm a grownup but read the books my kids read all the time so I consider myself somewhat of an authority. My all-time favs include the whole Harry Potter series (of course), Holes, Youth in Revolt (one of my favorite books period), Epileptic (graphic novel from David B.).

I love the book, The Boy Trap. Why did you write it? Are you working on another book? What were you thinking about when you wrote the book? I think it wasn't very nice saying boys were a waste of human life.
Your friend,
Aaron Nesselroade
(Ness sil road)

Dear Nancy Madison,
What's your favorite book you wrote?
What was the name of the first book you wrote?
How many books have you written? I wanted
to hurt Emma when she said that boys are a
Waste of human life. But I loved the rest.


Your friend,
Spencer

The boy Trap is definately my all time fvaorite book.
I like how Emma and Louise try to prove that girls are
superior to boys. It's something every kid will want to read
again and again...Like me.

This book is jam packed with great information! As the parent of child actors, I wanted to get the scoop on what casting directors are thinking. On auditions, parents wait in the reception area while their kids meet with casting directors in a separate area. Most of the time, the parents do not meet the casting director at all. So I never really get to see how the process works.

By reading "Casting Qs", I got all of my questions answered, without having to nag my kids for info! The best part is that even after reading the book from cover to cover, I can go back use the book as a reference if my kids have a meeting with one of the CDs interviewed. I think that this book is a MUST READ for any parent of a child actor, seasoned, or just starting out. I wish that I had read it even sooner!

With all the research that has been done for me in this book I've been saved a lifetime. I've just started utilizing some of the words of wisdom gathered and have a new perspective and energy on the industry because of it.

Bonnie Gillespie's "Casting Qs: A Collection of Casting Director Interviews" is the most important book to have on hand if you are an aspiring actor in the entertainment industry. This book has been referred to numerously by myself and my daughter, a child actor. Bonnie's format is non evasive yet to the point - a perfect blend of insight for a new person to this business or a seasoned professional. This book should be in the hands of everyone with a true passion for "making it". Each Casting Director that is featured offers an enormous amount of hits and misses to their daily grind. Anyone wishing to embark on this business would be a fool to ignore the straightforward words from these top casting directors....I give it two thumbs up...but if you ask our whole family (immediate and who have read it) WE give it 10 thumbs up!!!

Bonnie Gillespie's book "Casting Qs" is a totally invaluable resource if you're an actor in LA. Every actor needs a leg up and every casting director is different - how great to have a resource that allows you to differentiate yourself while appealing to the Casting Director's own sensibilities! I go to this book every time I read for a new casting director, and also for ideas on how to gain access to casting directors I don't know yet. It's not what you know, it's who you know - so why not learn how to know the people you need to know? This book helps you do that. One casting director says flat out to send in your headshot with Casting Qs on the outside of the envelope, he'll know you know a little bit about him and he'll take a look at you. I took him up on the offer, and he's serious! But you'll have to buy the book to find out who.

The most fascinating book on auditioning that I've ever read. Nearly 100 casting directors share their thoughts on what they like, hate, and everything else that falls inbetween. The most incredible aspect of it all is how often the casting directors say the same things.

I learned things in this book I wouldn't (and couldn't) have possibly learned without it.

When a few friends and I decided to explore commercial acting, we needed a roadmap. This book is it! There are a lot of acting books out there, but Stuart's stands out by explaining the process of breaking into commercials from the ground up without talking down to his reader. Concise, highly readable, and, most importantly, backed by Stuart's knowledge as both a working actor and casting director, this book teaches you how to be a professional and hit the ground running in a very competitive business.

This book is short and to the point. Sometimes when people write these kind of books, they elabroate forever. Not this one. There's not a lot of wordy explanations. I appreciate that. Info very precise with good advice and techniques pertaining specifically to commercials. Stone not only deals with the audition process, he helps you avoid making mistakes and falling for scams as well as showing how to market yourself.
I have not seen a more detailed or informative book on the subject.

This book is very short and the information is very general. Only a few things pertained specifically to commercials at all. There are much more detailed and informative books out there.

I read Stuart's book and became so motivated to get out and start making things happen for myself with reagards to my acting career. He give excellant advice on what to do and how to do it. Anyone reading this book, will not want to put it down. It truly is the best book ever!

Industry Insight - "Acting Out"
By Holdon Log, LLC

If you are looking to work as a successful actor in commercials, or perhaps you already are and are in need of a brush up, we'd like to point you in the direction of Acting Out written by Stuart Stone, CCDA (Commercial Casting Directors Association) and Clio Award winner and Dennis Bailey.

If you haven't had the pleasure of meeting Stuart at an audition or in a class, reading the book he co-authored, Acting Out, will offer you guidance and give you insight on what is expected before, during and after a successful audition. More importantly, as mentioned on Stuart's Web site (www.CommercialActing.Info) is how to "turn callbacks into bookings."

Several of us at Holdon Log (from all different backgrounds and at various stages in our commercial acting pursuits) recently read Acting Out and we agree that more Industry mysteries had been revealed, explained better and reinforced while turning the pages of this easy-to-read guide book complete with cleverly depicted moments that happen in real commercial casting sessions.

SOME HIGHLIGHTS

Before Meeting A Prospective Commercial Agent:

"When you get an appointment with an agent you should call and confirm the night before, for a morning appointment, and the morning of, for an afternoon appointment. This effort will show them you are responsible. Many actors forget the business part of the equation; your professionalism will set you apart from the actor wannabees. Dress like you would on a general commercial call-with a leaning towards upscale casual. Avoid perfumes or colognes. Bring an up-to-date picture and resume with you. If you have a demo reel of your commercials, bring that as well. Arrive twenty minutes early to secure a parking space and find the office. Do not be late. And call if you have any problem keeping your appointment. The agent is taking time from his or her busy schedule to meet with you. DO NOT keep them waiting."




While Preparing For Your Photo Shoot & What To Look For While Selecting Your Headshots:

"The most important thing to remember is this: You want your picture to look like you do when you walk into any given audition. We can't stress that enough, so we're going to repeat it. You want your picture to look like you do when you walk into any given audition at any time. Not how you'd like to look after a visit to the plastic surgeon, not how your mother tells you how you look when she pinches your cheek, but how you really look."


During The Commercial Audition:

"It is imperative that you establish a beginning, middle and an end to your actions. This is a hard and fast rule in approaching any type of audition. You are, in a sense, performing a complete, short scene for the camera."



"While working, whether alone or with a partner, do not memorize the lines. Fully familiarize yourself, stick an operative phrase or two in your head, but do not commit the pages to memory. Unlike a theatrical audition where you have leeway to rehearse and memorize, the time you have with commercial copy is minimal. Most actors try to impress the casting director by having the dialogue memorized but they end up trying to remember the copy and are not able to act at all. They end up leaving the acting out, which is 50% of the work. Once in the audition room there will be a cue card with the copy clearly printed in bold magic marker situated on and easel next to the camera. Use it. If you memorize the copy, it's almost impossible to use the cue cards to help you out if you forget memorized lines. Instead, develop the skill of cue card reading."


During The Callback:

"No matter how many people are crowded into the room, focus your attention on the director. He or she is in charge this time around."

"It is generally important to wear the same clothes and hairstyle you did on the original call. (Click Here To View An ActorTrack Software Tip) "



When You've Worked The Job You've Booked...Before You Go:

"Then before you climb into your car, circle the set and thank everyone. Everyone. Not only is it just good manners-personal and professional-it is good business. Human nature being what it is, people like to work with actors they know are talented and personable...Kindness and integrity-as well as talent-are remembered."

[...]

This book lets us in on the secret that it is in our darkest times that the light comes through. I recommend it highly.

The "One-legged Cricket" is a book that needs to be in everyone's library. No, it is not a children's book; it is for adults of all ages and that includes teenagers and seniors. It is a story of true romance, a disastrous loss, uncontrollable grief and the best kind of encouragement. Some may call it a fantasy because a one-legged cricket give advice and teaches us how to live. To me, the cricket is not a fantasy, but rather a metaphor for our subconscious mind, or our spiritual side that lets us (and the heroine, Julie) listen to God when we face unbelievable problems, a heavy depression or insuppressible grief. Of course there are many books written to help us face such problems. Unfortunately, most are like medicine, hard to get down and easy to forget. C.J. MacGenn has a combination of intelligence, imagination and artistry to make this book a fast enjoyable read. It really is a page-turner and a conversation-starter. More importantly, you taste only the sweetness of the sugar, none of the medicine. I highly recommend this book to all.

Lee Ellis, retired editor, narrator, and journalist.

I couldn't put this book down. It made me laugh and cry. It is inspiring and it fills your heart with hope. Whimsical. Enchanting. Possible. It leaves you with a smile. Thank you C.J. Macgenn, for writing this endearing, empowering story.

This is a wonderful book for anyone who has lost someone and found new life in the search for healing. It is a tale about a one legged cricket and how it helps teach healing and renewal to a woman who has lost her way after the death of her spouse. It is told in a very upbeat metaphoric way that is a wonderful afternnon's read. The author also has an email address where you can share your thoughts with her and she responds. I really found this book a wonderful story with terrific healing thoughts.

I have read 'Cricket' twice now and it was even more moving and insightful the second time. The heavy, irrepairable weight of the loss of a loved one paralyzes us but to share someone's difficult journey to recovery shows us that it is possible for all of us to go on,in fact, to become stronger. Who is Ulysses? It's not really important - it only matters that he was her guide back to life when it threatened to squash her mind and her spirit. A One-Legged Cricket maps one woman's discovery of her inner strength. In time, each of us will need to find our own Ulysess. This book should be kept within easy reach to be read over and over again.

I have used the remedies in this book for years. It has helped with asthma, allegies and colds and healing injuries faster.
I lent it to someone and never got it back so I am ordering another copy. The only bad review it got here must have been from an MD or western pharmacy person. The remedies work and will save you pain and money. The book is easy to use and I have never seen this topic put out there in this way.
Try it you won't be disapointed.

Lynn Capehart has a gift for healing! My life was taken from me and she got it back! I took a risk and trusted her knowledge and now I will be forever grateful for the rest of my life! She makes miracles happen.

"Vitamin Remedies That Really Work" saved my life! Lynn cured me of Rheumatoid Arthritis. I was headed right for a wheelchair when I came to Lynn for help. She gave me my life back. This book has been a miracle and helped me tremendously. All of her remedies work! People do not have to live with their illness. This book gives hope to many people!

I didn't believe it when a friend called to tell me that she had used the remedy in this book to get rid of asthma symptoms in 7 days, and was able to regain her professional singing career, which she had given up four years earlier because of lung problems. In all that time, she had never been able to find anything that worked for her. She invited me to her comeback debut, and I went, fully expecting it to be a practical joke on me. But when she took the stage and sang, in full throated and velvety tones, hitting all those high notes that sent chills through me, I was so happy I cried. I was amazed! Then I started talking to other people at the event in North Hollywood, and was introduced to a man who had halted Alzheimer's and regained his memory--in a month. (I wish someone would tell Mr. Charleton Heston about this amazing book, because this man's friends say his memory was partially gone when he started the remedy and he got it back completely.) Another woman had been scheduled for a spinal tap because doctors didn't know what was causing her ear problems. She said it took two weeks to completely heal the problem following the instructions in this book, and she didn't need the intrusive spinal tap procedure. That was enough for me. I ordered the book from Amazon.Com and began treating painful bursitis in my knees and elbows (thanks to way too agressive tennis playing, I had messed them up). It worked. It took just three days for the pain to stop waking me up every night. Now, I take the remedy before I play, and I haven't even felt a twinge in weeks. I am so grateful to Lynn Capehart. I contacted this gifted author through her publisher to inquire how she was able to cure so many different ailments so easily. She gave me an explanation that made sense even though I can't repeat it now--something about Einstein and a constant universe and the fact that only a handful of things go wrong with the body even though they manifest as hundreds of different ailments. By now you have guessed that I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who is tired of being sick and taking medications that don't work and that have unsettling side effects. Give it a chance, please. You have nothing to lose except your pain and illness. Plus there are eleven great personal stories about people who have used them successfully. All in all, this book is a God send.

My wife and I found this a very helpful book of practical vitamin advice. Ms. Capehart's practical advice, based upon her actual experiences with vitamins, is straight forward and understandable. We found the novel format intuitive and well indexed. We thought enough about this advice to have shared it with friends and relatives alike. The book is quite readable, and we particularly liked the select anecdotal stories of life's experiences from this courageous author's life. Best of luck to Ms. Capehart with her next useful book.

John Riley's Daughter is one of those edgy, suspenseful novels that keep you reading once you start. The Southern atmosphere is right on the mark, and the characters get up and walk off the page. I loved it from the beginning, and have already read it again!

Recipient of the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association's Best Children's Book by a Northwest author 2001 award. Also named to School Library Journal's Best Books 2000 list.

After Memphis says harsh words, mentally handicapped woman Clover disappears and Memphis finds herself the source of renewed trouble in her grandmother's home. This tells of a grandmother's undisguised resentments, a granddaughter's loneliness, and a broken family reunited in a different manner. Unexpected twists and turns keep this lively and inviting.

A great read about family life in the south; mystery,love,adventure,abandonment; a typical southern family. I am a southerner. Altho written for young adults all ages will enjoy Kezi Matthews word pictures that bring Memphis to living color.

Few southern authors truly manage to capture the rhythm and flavor of southern life. Kezi Matthews has done it! Her voice rings so true, page after fabulous page.

Young Memphis Riley, motherless and unwanted by her next of kin, carries the burdens of a harsh and cruel world upon her fragile shoulders. Bearing the pain of abandonment, Memphis arrives on her grandmother's doorstep and struggles to find her place in a home that has no love to spare. The story unfolds in a tumultuous storm of anger and sweltering bitterness.

[excerpt] "My guitar!" she yelled. "Mine!" Her stiff, misshapen words flew at me on a thick spray of saliva. Then she turned and stomped down the steps. She was twenty-nine years old, but small and angular as a child. I watched her march across the yard and out of sight down the road, the tail of her ratty old coonskin cap flipping around as though it was still alive.

Her spittle clung like snail spoor to the outside of the screen. A fly circled the wet strings, then took off as I began to beat against the doorframe with my fist. This time she'd gone too far--way too far. [end of excerpt]

Kezi Matthews weaves a spellbinding tale of innocence and sobering reality in this debut novel. Her memorable characters will tug at your heartstrings and pierce the solitude of every silent moment, long after the final page is read.

_John Riley's Daughter_ is an excellent choice for a teen's personal collection. My copy is proudly shelved next to Ruth White's _Belle Prater's Boy_ and Kimberly Willis Holt's _My Louisiana Sky_, all three deserving of multiple reads.

What a wonderful choice for a classroom read-aloud--a great selection for both teens and young adults! Order a copy of this engaging novel into your home, and don't forget to order one for your local librarian. She'll thank you for it!!