Girls Books

This book was a lot of fun to read, i learned so many new things. The thing i really like about it is all the info it gives, i had no idea about almost all of the trix. I will make a potion or something this weekend. I really liked it! There really was nothing that i didnt like about the book.

This was a really good book! I did some of the recipes with my friend and we both really liked them.

I liked all of the hints and beauty trix! I couldn't find anything I didn't like about the book. It is a great book for teens!

I loved how the different scents and such were all tied in together, like if you found one you liked you could make a whole bunch of things using that scent. I also loved the ideas that I had never thought of before. I tried the decoupage nail idea and I loved it! I tried another nail idea (the one for the stickers) but I didn't have any nail stickers, so I used star-shaped confetti and it worked great -- with tons of clear polish all over!!

This book is great! It has 96 pages of full color! Caroline Naylor, the author, gives advice, tips, tricks, quizzes, and fun ways to add that extra something to your style! I definitly recommend this book as a gift for girls who enjoy style!

Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill is the third book in the timeless Betsy-Tacy-Tib series. In this latest chapter in the trio's childhood, the girls begin to develop with age and maturity. First the girls turned ten which is a big deal for them, especially for Betsy. They finally have two numbers for their age. The second big moment for the girls is they develop their very first crush on the newly annointed King of Spain named Alphonso. And the third pivotal moment in their young lives is when they meet a community of Syrians in Deep Valley who has not exactly been greeted warmly by its natives. It is so much fun watching the girls grow up in this series. The tone of Bets and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill is slightly more somber yet realistic than the previous two books since it briefly touches on prejudice and unrequited first love. Even as an adult, I still like to pick up and re-read my Betsy-Tacy books for fun.

I adore Betsy-Tacy books, it's wonderful classic girl story but i think it can be interested for all children at all. If u like trhis book i think u will love Annaluisa and Anton story too(Kastner).

This is my personal favorite of the Betsy-Tacy series (although picking a favorite is akin to naming your favorite child). It chronicles a pivotal year for Betsy, Tacy and Tib, when they finally have "two numbers in their age". Betsy prophesizes that their tenth year marks the beginning of great things for the trio, like falling in love and traveling the world.

Providentially, the handsome young Alphonso the Thirteenth is crowned King of Spain, giving the girls a convenient target for their first crush. While busily writing a love letter to their idol, the three stumble upon a colony of Syrian immigrants, who aren't always treated so well by their neighbors in Deep Valley. Betsy, Tacy and Tib proceed to make many new friends and learn a few lessons about prejudice and the American dream in the process.

MHL's gift for weaving together uplifting moral lessons with high-spirited adventure makes this a truly special book. She always somehow manages to get across a spiritual message without being heavy-handed, sentimental, or pedantic. Above all, her books are great fun and a pleasure to read.

I bought this book for two french childs to test american literature with young non-english-spoken childs. I must admit I read it before. It's out of time and pleasant for anyone. But it's readable for any child around the planet.

When Maud Hart Lovelace first wrote the "Betsy-Tacy" series, did she know how much so many people, from children to adults, would love them? The series has at least one book that anyone of any age can relate to. 10-year-olds will love "Over the big Hill," high-schoolers will love the books about when Betsy was attending Deep Valley High, etc. And it doesn't end there! Even if you're not the age that Betsy was in one of the books, you can still love all of them! Maud has a way of capturing real feelings and experiences--even bad ones--and turning them into works of art. The "Betsy-Tacy" series really is a work of art, even if it was painted with a pen, not a paintbrush.

So happy with this book! Learning a lot. Thank you so much!!

All Moms....if you're even remotely interested in this book, I would recommend it very highly. My daughter & I began to have many conflicts before she became a teenager. I kept hoping things would get better eventually, but they weren't. I really felt like I was at my wit's-end. In my online searching, I purchased this & read it as soon as I got it. I am not saying it has solved all problems between my daughter & me, but it has really helped me to understand things from her point of view. It is so well-written & so insightful! I am definitely going to order some as gifts for my friends who have daughters. I could go on & on but I'd rather just encourage you to get on with ordering it.

Wow! How close can you get without actually being a part of something. This book really gets you involved and does a great job of relating the feelings that are there between a mother and her daughter. A must buy, 5 star book.

I've bought many books trying to understand this passage in my and my daughter's life, and I needed to buy only this book. It confirmed with text what I was feeling and thinking and gave me a better perspective of her teenage life, which I had either forgotten or not come to grips with in these millennium years. I say the same about Wonderful Ways to Love a Teen, a companion book.

This book is a true one-of-a-kind. Open, honest, and real, this book is full of practical ways that mothers and daughters can learn from each other to create a strong and loving relationship during the teen years. Each chapter begins with a true senerio that all mothers and daughters can relate to, (like the desire for body-piercings, learning/teaching to drive, dating/boys, etc.) then Judy and Amanda take time sharing each of their perspectives on the situation. The wonderful thing about this book is that it has both the mother's and the daughter's voice. The book is also beautifully designed on the inside with quotes, interesting facts, quizes and activites for mothers and daughters to enjoy together. I gaurentee that all teenage girls and their mothers will love this book!

This book has a wealth of information for girls. There are a lot of quizzes that encourage a child to participate and buy into what they are reading. It covers more topics that I would even think to instruct my daughter about. I am very impressed with this book and would highly recommend it as required reading for tween to teen girls.

As a new volunteer Big Sister, I hoped this would help break the ice with my "little." We pass the book back and forth every week, each of us doing the exercises and writing comments in the margins. I can barely keep up with her! The author has perfect pitch when it comes to keeping girls interested, enthusiastic, and building self awareness and confidence.

Brave New Girls can really build self-esteem and self-confidence. The tone is upbeat and honest, never condescending, and occasionally conspiratorial. Many of the exercises help to see other people's point of view; also included are exercises to help girls value their own opinions. Many of the activities and exercises focus on thinking a problem through, using common sense, and figuring out what kind of person you are. This book suggests all kinds of possibilities for public library programming.

I am a teacher of troubled middle and high school girls and boys. I have used this book with some of my students. It has given them new perspectives. It is so easy and dangerous to live life according to the assumptions of one's particular culture. This book helps them see beyond that. It helps girls especially see that they can achieve their goals by following the simple exercises. It brings awareness to them of the methods of the media which attempts to characterize them into a single mold. It is introspective and enlightening. I recommend this book for anyone who works with young people and those who care about their welfare.

I was highly impressed by this book and can't wait to use it with my teen-age Girl Scout troop. My daughter (13) picked up the book and read it through. She thought the exercises were interesting, up-to-date and ones that she would like to do herself and with her friends. The situations are very true to the lives of teenagers today and the language is not "preachy" or "fake". I would highly recommend it to any teen-age girl.

Sarah Goltzman
"The Bread Winners"
Arvella Whitmore
Houghton Mifflin Company
© 1990
Realistic Historical fiction


The Bread Winners

In this book the main characters are Sarah Puckett, Mama (Lucy) and Daddy (Frank). They are very poor. Almost everyone was poor at that time. That is because it was the Depression. Before the Depression they lived in a farm house and they weren't poor. Because of the Depression they had to move to Shantytown. They moved into a shack. Sarah was a smart girl. In her new school she got a 100 on her first test. She was a blue ribbon 1st place baker. She was tough and brave enough to fight bullies and thieves when she was attacked or robbed. She was creative enough to start her own baking business. Mama is a quiet sweet and caring person. She makes sure her family is taken care of but she is always worried about money. Without money they would have to live in the poorhouse which scared them. And daddy was always looking for work but could only find odd jobs which paid very little. He felt very bad that he could not support his family.

The story took place somewhere in the Midwest in a farming area. There was a modest sized city (Waheegan). It was during the Great Depression. Many people where living in shacks and some had to live in the poorhouse because they had no money. There were some people who had good jobs and lived in a nice part of the city. Many people were wearing ragged old clothes. Often people could be found in the back of stores and restaurants picking through the garbage for scraps of food to eat.

The Pucketts were on the verge of losing their shanty house. They were behind on the rent and the electricity was shut off. Sarah and Mama were terrified of the winding up in the poorhouse. Frank was so desperate to find work that he left his family and rode on boxcar trains out West all the way California. But he found no work. He could have been killed traveling that way. He was robbed once on the train back to Waheegan. Sarah and Mama were worried that something terrible happened to him. Eventually he came home.

Sarah started selling her bread by taking it to church and walking door to door. She found that it was easy to sell her bread. Everyone loved her bread. Everyone loved Sarah. She sold here bread for 15 cents a loaf which was a lot of money at the time. She and her mother figured out a way to sell enough bread so that they could pay their bills and have a little money left over. Through the good graces of other folks, they were able to get a storefront on Main Street in town to sell their bread. Daddy joined the family business. A tornado came and destroyed their house. They were able to move into the back of the store where they sold the bread. They also sold cinnamon rolls. They had a successful business by the end of the story. All thanks to Sarah's baking skill.

If I had to rate this book on a scale from 1-10 (10 being the best) I would definitely pick 10 because it was an edge of your seat story. It was hard to put the book down because I wanted to see what was going to happen next. At first the Great Depression sounded boring but now I really want to learn more about it. I feel very bad for people who lived during the Depression. When their house was destroyed by the tornado I felt so w if they would live or die in the tornado. They faced a lot is their life. It was as if it happened to someone I really know. It was suspenseful because you didn't know this 138 page book is 3 days because it was so good. I encourage people to read this story.

This is a great book and you should really read it.
It tells the story of a girl who lives with her mama and daddy in Waheegan. This book takes place during the depression. After having to leave their farm, Sarah Puckett moves to Shantytown. She learns to deal with bullies, and worrying about going poor.
While her dad is looking for work, Sarah and her mother bake bread and eventually make a living out of it. Sarah, Mama and Daddy go through sadness, hopfulness, happiness, fun, and a bit of a suprise. Please read this great, great book.

In this book the main characters are Sarah Puckett, Mama (Lucy) and Daddy (Frank). They are very poor. Almost everyone was poor at that time. That is because it was the Depression. Before the Depression they lived in a farm house and they weren't poor. Because of the Depression they had to move to Shantytown. They moved into a shack. Sarah was a smart girl. In her new school she got a 100 on her first test. She was a blue ribbon 1st place baker. She was tough and brave enough to fight bullies and thieves when she was attacked or robbed. She was creative enough to start her own baking business. Mama is a quiet sweet and caring person. She makes sure her family is taken care of but she is always worried about money. Without money they would have to live in the poorhouse which scared them. And daddy was always looking for work but could only find odd jobs which paid very little. He felt very bad that he could not support his family.

The story took place somewhere in the Midwest in a farming area. There was a modest sized city (Waheegan). It was during the Great Depression. Many people where living in shacks and some had to live in the poorhouse because they had no money. There were some people who had good jobs and lived in a nice part of the city. Many people were wearing ragged old clothes. Often people could be found in the back of stores and restaurants picking through the garbage for scraps of food to eat.

The Pucketts were on the verge of losing their shanty house. They were behind on the rent and the electricity was shut off. Sarah and Mama were terrified of the winding up in the poorhouse. Frank was so desperate to find work that he left his family and rode on boxcar trains out West all the way California. But he found no work. He could have been killed traveling that way. He was robbed once on the train back to Waheegan. Sarah and Mama were worried that something terrible happened to him. Eventually he came home.

Sarah started selling her bread by taking it to church and walking door to door. She found that it was easy to sell her bread. Everyone loved her bread. Everyone loved Sarah. She sold here bread for 15 cents a loaf which was a lot of money at the time. She and her mother figured out a way to sell enough bread so that they could pay their bills and have a little money left over. Through the good graces of other folks, they were able to get a storefront on Main Street in town to sell their bread. Daddy joined the family business. A tornado came and destroyed their house. They were able to move into the back of the store where they sold the bread. They also sold cinnamon rolls. They had a successful business by the end of the story. All thanks to Sarah's baking skill.

If I had to rate this book on a scale from 1-10 (10 being the best) I would definitely pick 10 because it was an edge of your seat story. It was hard to put the book down because I wanted to see what was going to happen next. At first the Great Depression sounded boring but now I really want to learn more about it. I feel very bad for people who lived during the Depression. When their house was destroyed by the tornado I felt so bad it was as if it happened to someone I really know. It was suspenseful because you didn't know if they would live or die in the tornado. They faced a lot is their life. I read this 138 page book is 3 days because it was so good. I encourage people to read this story.

The Bread Winner is a preety good book. Some of the main characters are Parvanna, Nooria, Mother, Father and Ali.Father gets arrested and everybody in Parvannas' family does what they can to get him back making sacrifices on the way.I think this book is good for all ages.

This book is a wonderful book for young girls to read. This story is about a girl and her family and about their many struggles through the Great Depression but through it all they learned the true meaning of love and sacrifice. The young girl in the story learns how she can use her talent to help her family out and by doing that she is a blessing to the many people around her.

Dunn gives her readers two books in one. She warmly writes about her childhood in suburban New Jersey during the 1980s. Her friends and family could easily have been cast in any John Hughes film of that decade. She reminds us that the 1980s were all about having an endless supply of cassette tapes for the boom box, Bruce Springsteen concerts, tanning with baby oil, and using an entire can of Aqua Net to keep your perm firmly in place.

She also provides sly instructions on the fine art of the celebrity interview such as:

How to sneak a peak inside Madonna's bathroom and Dolly Parton's kitchen;
How to appreciate the grooviness of Lenny Kravitz and Lisa Bonnet;
How to politely decline a rock star's offer of heroin; and
How interviewing Barry White can heal a girl's broken heart

Dunn knows how to get the story and, in But Enough About Me, she proves that she can deliver it as well.

This book had me giggling the whole way through. I grew up in a small New Jersey town as well, and Jancee reminds me so much of myself. At one point I think she described herself as a nerd with a little bit of old lady thrown in, which resonated with me perfectly. Woven into the memoir are celebrity interviewing tips, which are hilarious. And who knows-- maybe they will come in handy someday!

I loved this book. It's a nice story and laugh out loud funny. I've sent it to 3 people and they all loved it too.

Confession: I'm only 2/3s of the way through the book and for all I know it could go off the rails...but I really doubt it. Her story's a hoot. I'm not from Jersey but I did finish up high school in CT a few years after her and I've met her kind. Had I moved from California to Jersey instead of Westport, CT I probably would have a had a far better time or at least better stories to tell, although I wouldn't have let big hair happen to me.

I'll be lending this book to my other gal pals who came of age in the mid to late 80s, and who also enjoyed an extended adolescence.

Jancee Dunn isn't your typical starlet. She's from the unglamorous New Jersey, where she lives with a bizarre family who snack on sugar sandwiches, and worship J.C. Penney - the store, and the man behind the store. Like I said, she's no starlet, but Jancee Dunn has enough spunk in her pinky finger alone to entertain the reader, and make you envy her as she takes on the entertainment world, one celebrity at a time, via her stint at the legendary Rolling Stone magazine.

If there was one thing Jancee Dunn was from a young age, it was being obsessed with music. Her bedroom was cluttered with cassette tapes depicting everything from Madonna to Bruce Springsteen; her boombox was constantly blaring - much to her parents chagrin; and her weekends were full of music concerts. Music aside, however, Jancee was a typical eighties teenager, complete with a perm that was held in place with countless cans of Aqua Net hairspray; and tanning with whole bottles of baby oil. The oldest of three children, Jancee was a musical influence on her younger sisters, and tried to instill a love of song in the both of them - in-between her impromptu bedroom garage sales, that is. As Jancee gets older, she stops her late-night Jersey partying, snags a job at Rolling Stone Magazine, and begins hobnobbing with the rich and famous. Making peanut butter fudge with Loretta Lynne; scurrying around Star Jones' glamorous New York apartment; shopping with Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen; and being offered drugs by Scott Weiland of the Stone Temple Pilots. Even with her celebrity partying, Jancee doesn't forget her family, and spends much time communicating with them via telephone - in the midst of other things, of course, such as working at MTV2 and Good Morning America. But as years pass, and Jancee gets older and older, she realizes that maybe being a Rock Chick isn't something that should last past a certain point, and contemplates settling down - or, at least, cutting back on her partying.

I will be the first to admit that I am not a memoir/biography reader. In fact, I rarely read anything but fiction. That said, there was something about Jancee Dunn's BUT ENOUGH ABOUT ME that called out to me, and reeled me in; refusing to release me until the last page was read. Dunn is, perhaps, one of the most humorous writers I have ever encountered. Her memoirs kept me up long into the night, giggling at each memory of her crazy parents, her eighties wardrobe, and her celebrity mishaps. Each of Dunn's bizarre encounters with celebrities provide a shocking, oft-times humorous glimpse into the world of how the other half lives; while Dunn's take on all of her interviews, as well as the advice she doles out regarding dealing with celebrities couldn't be more enjoyable. Celebrities aside, Dunn's family life, and talk of her childhood is just as humorous as her adventures in the entertainment world. The scenarios involving her worrywart parents are always humorous; while the appearances by her sisters Dinah and Heather make the reader just as much a fan of them, as Dunn, herself. BUT ENOUGH ABOUT ME was certainly not enough for me - I want more Jancee!

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

I teach reading, and I like Rylant's work. For me, BIBBA was personal. Rylant grew up near where my father's family lived for generations. My Dad left to escape the poverty-- he didn't want to be a miner like his Dad. As I grew up in Utah, I knew very little about my Dad's early life.
BIBBA was a wonderful read, especially since Rylant is only a few years older than me. I vividly remember Bobby Kennedy's charisma, and the shock of his death. There are many places in BIBBA to cry-- when Rylant's father dies just before she is to see him for the first time in many years, for example. There is also the simple joy of that first kiss, and all those little moments of growing up. Read this book!

If you loved sharing Cynthia Rylant's Henry and Mudge books with your kids, do yourself a favor and read this memoir of growing up in Appalachia. I was delighted to find Ms. Rylant's talent for telling tales of simple magic at work again in this personal story. You might also enjoy reading Missing May, and CYnthia Rylant's other books for older children and young adults. She is a very special writer whose writing for kids is clearly not her only gift.

Focusing almost exclusively on her childhood and adolescence, Rylant describes growing up in the small town of Beaver, West Virginia. She was abandoned by her beloved father, an alcoholic, at age three, and sent to live with her grandparents between the ages of four and eight, while her mother went to nursing school. The heartbreak of losing her parents so young is the reason she became a writer: to help her make sense of life. Rylant discusses her passion for the Beatles, Bobby Kennedy, and kissing. A sensitive, often humorous piece of self-revelation by a fine writer. Includes personal photos and drawings that evoke the Beatles era in a scrapbook style.

"But I'll Be Back Again" is the autobiography of Cynthia Rylant, who writes books for young people. In BIBBA, Rylant recalls her childhood and adolescence in West Virgina. The book opens with her mother's separation from Cynthia's alcoholic father. Rylant goes on to discuss her extended family, her friendships, her heroes, her youthful sexual awakening, etc.

One intriguing aspect of the book is the way Rylant reveals how people and issues from her childhood eventually were reflected in her works of fiction. This is a short book, but well complemented by 16 pages of photos and documents from Rylant's childhood. Rylant's style is frank and direct, yet also demonstrates grace and tenderness. Overall, a fine book.

Any young person who admires Cynthia Rylant's books should treat themselves to this book. Anyone who writes, or who wants to write, should read this story of a young girl who becomes a writer. Full of wonderfully detailed stories and snippets of her life; this book is a joy.

My ten-year-old granddaughter just loves the Callahan Cousins series. I gave her the first book and, at her request, rushed her the second. The third is now in her eager little hands. Her mother (very knowledgeable about books for girls) loves the series, too. It's great to find such enjoyable, well-written fare for the little ones.

The Callahan cousins' summer with Grandmother Gee continues in this third book of the series, which is Kate's story. It opens with Kate, an ardent cook, recording notes on housekeeper Sheila's excellent recipes. While she writes, Kate reflects that she is lacking in comparison to her accomplished cousins: exotic Neeve, brave and athletic Hillary, and gorgeous, intelligent Phoebe.

Girly-girl Kate realizes she's a daydreaming homebody with tons of friends. But she also feels stressed by the events of the summer and by the way others perceive her. The cousins tease her about her timid and persnickety mannerisms --- and the worst part of the teasing is that she believes them.

Gee asks the girls to help her gather donations for a raffle and auction to benefit the local medical clinic. The other cousins love the idea, but Kate is terrified at the thought of approaching adults to beg for things. Ugh. She fakes enthusiasm, though, to please Gee. Kate's dread escalates when mean girl Sloan threatens the cousins with "problems" if they ask for donations in places where Sloan has connections. Since Sloan is local, Kate knows she has connections everywhere. Oh, dear.

The cousins tease Kate so much about fearing Sloan that Kate determines she will become an entirely new person. She'll show her cousins! She'll transform herself into a model of not only courage and athleticism, but the epitome of coolness. She'll actually wear her bikini (that she's been too embarrassed to be seen in) and acquire hobbies that are not old lady-like, such as her beloved knitting. When she requests help from her cousins on her transformation, they agree to assist her.

Despite Kate's plans to be a brave new person, she panics when she realizes the cousins must split up to approach businesses and individuals for donations. There is no way she can do it all by herself. Yet she must --- or admit she will never change.

Kate's quest for donations turns out to be even more challenging than she feared. She has difficulty even speaking to the shopkeepers; sometimes she can't quite force out her request. Sloan appears, easily and smoothly retrieving prizes while cowing Kate. Kate yearns to be as cool as Sloan. Is it possible to learn good traits from the surly local? As Kate advances step by baby step toward her goal, is she heading down the wrong path?

Kate's story is filled with genuine conflict any reader can identify with, making KEEPING COOL a page-turner. The coziness, emphasis on family, and lovely descriptions continue to form an appealing backdrop to the plot. I particularly appreciate the emphasis on Kate becoming "healthier" rather than "more in shape." One quibble: an adult character spells out "the lesson learned" in rather long-winded detail, which is certainly unnecessary given the intelligence of the readers (and of Kate herself). But that's just one tiny blip in a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining story, which is excellent escape fiction.

This book, like the previous two, features a group of supportive cousins the same age, a separate fabulous Dorm for the girls to live in, a gorgeous island setting, and a grandmother with a benign hands-off policy, which all add up to a dream come true for any tween girl. Add the character of Kate --- growing and changing in a most satisfying manner --- plus a theme of self-acceptance, and you have yet another Callahan Cousins winner.

--- Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon (terryms2001@yahoo.com)

this was the best book i have ever read and i am positively sure that you will LOVE it and I highly reccemend it!

this is the best book I have ever read. I have read all three of the Callahan Cousins books and they are sooooo cool! It's about four cousins who just turned twelve at the same time, and the family tradition is that when you turn twelve you go to Gee's (grandma) house on the island for the summer. So these four cousins, Hilary, Pheobe, Neeve, and Kate get to go to their grandma's mansion. It's a small little island though, so they ride their bikes throughout town. Each book has one of the four girls narrarating it so you get to hear their story.

I highly suggest this book, it's awesome for anyone to read.

The Callahan Cousins: Keeping Cool is part of a series, each of which features one of four strong, talented and nice female cousins.

The cousins: Neeve, Kate, Hillary and Phoebe, are still at their kind and wise grandmother Gee's estate on Gull Island. They all live together in the Dorm (guesthouse) which they've remodeled for their summer stay.

The Callahan Cousins: Keeping Cool is told from Kate's perspective. Kate enjoys cooking, decorating and knitting. The cousins consider her interests to be those that only 'old ladies' enjoy and have begun to tease her daily.

Shy Kate decides to become "cool." Her changes challenge the
cousins' relationship and cause Kate to question if she is being true to herself.

Raising funds and obtaining donations for the island medical clinic
places Kate in unfamiliar and terrifying territory and brings her to a
greater understanding of herself and the mean-spirited Sloan (who
makes another appearance in this book).

The Callahan Cousins: Keeping Cool is another delightful romp with the cousins. They are friends, but they are family first and trusting and caring for each other is the most important thing to them.

Armchair Interviews says: We love the strong moral compass of these
positive books, especially in an era where young adult books lean
toward the dark, gritty and dangerous. This is a breath of fresh air
and a series anyone would want and encourage their children to read.

There are two books that target teen girls who love to play volleyball -- and this is the first one. [Well, if there are more books out there, I haven't been able to find 'em...] My teen identified with the characters and was also inspired by the meta-level message.

The book Can I Play was a great book that is hard to put down. I bought this at a tournament in Chicago. The beginning of the book is kind of boring but in the middle and end the book really gets good. I have lent this to many other people and they feel the same way about the book. I would not reccomened this book to parents who have kids under 10, but I do for older teens. I would also reaccomend parents read this to, I believe you will enjoy reading this.

She's almost 13 and volleyball player...she wouldnt put it down. That's enough for me, but it's also a values book and something girl athletes can readily relate to. Hopefully there are other books in a series.

OMG this book is the best!!!!!! if your looking for the volleyball athletic situation type of book, i would recommend this book... i've read this book 5 times total and i just cant wait for the next novel to come out... CHOOSE THIS BOOK!

If you liked this book try reading the next novel We Are A Team..... coming in Dec 20, 2005

This book captures real emotions,real situations and team concepts that could apply to any high school girl who loves to play volleyball. I recommend this book to any girl volleyball player that is entering high school or that is in high school already and those that play club volleyball too. Its an easy read and hard to put down once you have started. My daughter is now reading the book too. I can't wait for the next book to arrive.

This is an excellent book. ...I would recommend this book to those suffering from an eating disorder, or to the friends and family of a sufferer as it gives great inssight.

eating disorders are often romanticised; few know of the realpain which they cause, and courage which they demand, in both thesufferer and the family members and friends. this touching documentary of a young girls struggle with, and eventual defeat by anorexia nervosa is openly told by her mother and accompanied by excerts from her diaries. as the book so truthfully details catherine's behaviours, it may be disturbing to the unaware, tear-wrenching to those directly/indirectly affected but yet also so critical to the understanding of the seriousness of these psychological disorders.

This book tells of the reality of anorexia nervosa. The stress on the family; the ineffectiveness of treatment (which still goes on today); the states of the Catherine's mind. It's one for the parents of eating disorder children.

I thought that I would be shocked by this book, and touched to a new level. I was. I was shocked by how any person could ever feel the way Catherine did and also shocked that there was a book written by a Mother about her daughter dying. Howvever, it was so incredibly moving and it reduces me to tears every time I read it. Bettered only by Love Story (Segal).

I read the novel 'Catherine' a few years ago, and it deeply saddened me. 'Catherine' is written by the mother of a twenty-two year old girl who died of anorexia nervosa in 1984.

The testimony is a brave and frank account of Catherine's terrible illness which gripped her from the age of fifteen years old. It intersperses extracts from Catherine's diary, which show the tragic mental and physical effect this illness had on her. Her diary records her food intake, and her weight, which tragically plummets to 3 stone when she dies.

It touches on her childhood days, where Catherine was a happy and bubbly child, and continues throughout the development of her illness.

I would recommend this book to anyone, especially young girls considering dieting. It shows how out of hand dieting can be, and certainly a great help to those suffering from anorexia. I myself suffered from this illness, and this book gave me some strength to battle with it. I didn't want to die like Catherine, and the many other girls who die each year from this horrifying condition.