Book Description

This classic reissue from the Wee Sing collection offers holiday songs and fingerplays guaranteed to provide hours of parent-child interaction. Every child's favorite seasonal song can be found in this jolly compilation, from "Here We Come A-Caroling" to "The First Noel" to "Here Comes Santa Claus," and the one-hour CD or cassette can be used to follow along with the book or on its own. No Christmas would be complete without this Yuletide treasure! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The Only Wee Sing tape I still listen to.
What a great compilation of holiday songs. When I was two, my Mom bought Wee Sing and Play, Wee Sing Nursery Rhymes and Lullabies, Wee Sing Silly Songs, and a gazillion other tapes in the Wee Sing series, including this one. I still have all of them. I'd have to say that this one is my favorite. I'm 22 now, and Wee Sing For Christmas is the only Wee Sing tape I still listen to. Unlike many of the other Wee Sing tapes, with this one, adults join in on the chorus on most of the numbers making it sound almost like a choir. Some of the songs are sung only by adults. All of the well loved Christmas songs are on here, there's songs about caroling, Jesus's birth, and finally Santa Claus. You are sure to find your favorites here. Even if you're into your sixties and don't have any children, buy yourself a copy. But beware! Wee Sing for Christmas is only for the young, and the Young at Heart.

good collection
This is a good collection of many Christmas songs. I'm not particularly fond of the tape, not liking the arrangements and children's voices all that much. But the music book that accompanies the tape is well worth having--useful season after season, with 58 different songs. Secular songs like Here Comes Santa Claus, Up on the housetop, We Wish You a Merry Christmas, Jolly Old St. Nicholas, Deck the Halls, Here We Come A-Caroling, O Christmas Tree, and of course Jingle Bells. More traditional songs, too, like the Twelve Days of Christmas, The First Noel, Joy to the World, We Three Kings, O Come, All Ye faithful, Silent Night. And some children's favorites like The Little Drummer boy, Children, Go Where I send Thee and Go Tell It on the Mountain. There are also some unfamiliar songs, like 'Twas in the Moon of Wintertime (a Huron Indian carol which is beautiful) and Three Great Kings (fingerplay) and Must Be Santa.
I recommend getting this, for the season, the mood and the kids to have their own Christmas music. ... Read more

Book Description

Read by Kerry Beyer
4 hours 30 minutes, 4 CDs

Stanley Yelnats isn't so surprised when a miscarriage of justice sends him to a juvenile detention center. After all, his family has been ridden with bad luck ever since a one-legged gypsy put a curse on his great-great grandfather. He is told that the hard labor he must perform...digging 5 foot holes in the dried up soil where Green Lake once sat...is meant to build character. But is soon becomes clear to Stanley that the warden is really using the boys to search for something very valuable. The story of the hidden treasure, alone with the warden, Stanley's friend Zero, and the curse on the Yelnats family are all part of a compelling puzzle that has taken generations to unravel.

... Read more

Reviews (2566)

My Opinion of Holes
Holes is a book in which everything is a circle or is the shape of a circle. It is challenging in its own way. It forces the reader to make conclusions by foreshadowing events. The way this book is written shows thought, effort, and many revisions. Using flashbacks to foreshadow events is a brilliant method and definitely worth considering using in your own writing. This book is about a boy named Stanley Yelnats. Notice "Stanley" backwards makes "Yelnats." He is cursed with bad luck, just like the rest of his ancestors. He is accused of a crime he didn't commit, and is forced to go to Camp Green Lake Juvenile Correctional Facility. Here, he must dig a hole 5 ft deep and five ft wide in every direction everyday for 18 months, including Saturdays and Sundays. After much work and toil, he finally leaves Camp Green Lake. This book is very good and is undoubtedly one of the best books I've ever read. I recommend it to people from the age of 12 and up.

This book has holes, but they will be filled in.
Stanley Yelnats is unlucky because of his no good dirty rotten pig stealing great-great-grandfather. An old fortuneteller, named Madame Zeroni, cursed him, and all of his descendants. One day a pair of tennis shoes fell out of the sky onto Stanley's head. His father is trying to invent a used for old shoes, so Stanley brings the shoes home. He is convicted of stealing the shoes, which belong to a famous baseball player. He is sent to Camp Green Lake, a work camp that is located in the middle of the dessert, instead of jail. The boys at Camp Green Lake wake up early to avoid the hottest part of the day. The holes must be five feet deep and five feet in diameter. If anything interesting is found, it must be reported to the warden. After finding something, Stanley gets suspicious. He realizes what it is and understands why they are digging. There are many flashbacks throughout the story of Camp Green Lake 110 years ago. Zero, another boy at camp, quickly becomes friends with Stanley. Stanley teaches Zero to read in exchange of Zero’s help on digging his holes. Many adventures come of their friendship, including surviving in the dessert without water and deadly lizards. This book is great for children, teenagers, and even some adults. It keeps you on edge at all times, and you will never want to put it down. I read this book in 3 days, and it usually takes me a week to read you will never want to put it down. I read this book in 3 days, and it usually takes me a week to read a book at that length. Sachar makes so many great twists in the plot that all tie together for a great ending. That is why I recommend this book.

Classic....
Holes is one of my favorite books...Stanley Yelnats...man youll feel bad for this poor guy.

The characters in this book are great...and so funny.
Zero was my favorite character even though I found him a little annoying. The book has a great story and a great ending.

If you like books with dark humer...I guess this book has dark humer and a great story get HOLES..The movie is also great....

Check it out...It's really good.

5/5...

Later...

Saw the movie first
I made the mistake of seeing the movie before reading the book. The book is good but the movie is better. I think if I had read the book first it may have been a better choice.

HOLES ROCKS
holes is GREAT!!! the funny thing in this book is when stanly always blames his great great pig-stealing grandfather.i would not like to go to camp green lake. it was torture. it wasnt fair wat the boss did to everybody that ever went there. holes was great cause there was so much action and adventure. when u read holes it feels lke u went into a different world like dimension x. ... Read more

Book Description

In Hot Pursuit, Volume 41 in the Adventures in Odyssey audio series, can now be heard on CD and repackaged cassette!In the latest Adventures in Odyssey collection, Connie, Whit, Joanne, and the whole Odyssey crew is back for exciting, cross-country adventures! Favorite Odyssey characters visit Washington, D.C., West Virginia, and even foreign lands where they face challenging situations dealing with friendship, teamwork, judging others, forgiveness, and more. In the end, they walk away with valuable lessons that will last for a lifetime.

Volume 41 includes many entertaining episodes, including:

• “Hindsight”
• “The Taming of the Two”
• “Black Clouds”
• “Silver Lining”
• “Teacher’s Pest”
• “Pink Is Not My Color”
• “Something Blue, Parts 1 & 2”
• And many more!

Book Description

The first audiobook in a thrilling new trilogy about an apprentice magician and the powerful djinni he summons.

Nathaniel is a young magician with only one thing on his mind: revenge.

As an apprentice to the great magician Underwood, Nathaniel is gradually being schooled in the traditional art of magic.All is well until he has a life-changing encounter with Simon Lovelace, a rising, star magician.When Simon brutally humiliates Nathaniel in front of everyone he knows, Nathaniel decides to speed up his magical education, teaching himself spells way beyond his years.Eventually, he masters one of the most difficult spells of all: summoning the all-powerful djinni, Bartimeus.

But summoning Bartimeus and controlling him are two very different things--and Nathaniel may be in way over his head. ... Read more

Reviews (81)

The Best of it's kind
I know it's unoriginal to compare children's fantasy to Harry Potter. But when said young wizard is the standard practically all authors in the genre have to live up to it's hard to avoid comparison. The Amulet of Samarkand is the first book in the 'Bartimaeus' trilogy and it's definitely more sophisticated than Harry Potter or Artemis Fowl.

The story is of a 12 year old boy called Nathaniel who is adopted by a sour, strict magician at the age of five to train as magician himself. In this world the Houses of Parliament is full of magicians and they run the country using their own reckless methods, much to the distain of the commoners (Muggles in the Harry Potter world). As a way of getting revenge on his cruel master, Nathaniel summons a cynical, sarcastic djinni called Bartimaeus to steal an apparently ordinary amulet (of Samarkand) from his master's colleague's house to frame him.

But the Amulet of Samarkand is a very special artefact indeed and is the centrepiece of a sinister plot hatched by evil magician Simon Lovelace. Of course Nathaniel realizes this all too late as he's soon in the middle of Lovelace's evil plan. Though he does have Bartimaeus under 'verbal contract' and with the help of this disgruntled djinni he attempts to foil Lovelace.

The story is told from two narrators. Nathaniel's part is typical 3rd person perspective and Bartimaeus is first person. The book regularly switches between them after every three or so chapters. There's a lot of pathos to be had in Nathaniel's side of the story and he's definitely a stronger character than Harry Potter or Artemis Fowl and Bartimaeus's version of events are always interesting especially with his often amusing footnotes at the bottom of every page.

Stroud's world seems much more probable than JK Rowling's too. The word wizard is only mentioned twice in this book (tho it would have made more literal sense to have not been mentioned at all) and no one uses wands (magic is either done with the hands on inside pentacles with incantations instead of spells). Plus Stroud seems to stick to ancient middle-eastern mythology as his source of inspiration rather than just make up silly sounding words to add a bit of light humor (the Harry Potter books are extremely guilty of this). His cold London winter setting and slightly oppressive tone make this harder than normal children's fantasy and (for a first novel in a series) it's a highly detailed world to be immersed in. Giving the impression that Stroud thought about all this beforehand and it's not something he'll develop as he thinks about it over the course of three books.

The Amulet of Samarkand is a long book. And takes some time to get thru. I was a little put off by the middle of the book, which sagged somewhat. For this reason I cannot give the book 5/5. But it's still the most superior and intelligent children's fantasy I've read. I eagerly await 2 and 3. My copy is signed by the author.

clever, original, witty--highly recommended
As I've said in previous reviews, if you're going to set your book in England and have as a main character a young boy learning the art of wizardry, you've guaranteed yourself a comparison to Harry Potter. With The Amulet of Samarkand, Jonathan Stroud can proudly say, "bring him on--wands at 15 paces!".
With so much pallid fantasy out there, Amulet is a breath of fresh air, told in a witty, original voice within a well-constructed plot and structure focused on two complex characters. Amulet is set in an alternate England ruled by magicians whose powers come from their ability to conjure demons. The society is beset within (by a resistance movement of "commoners" as well as by the murderous in-fighting among the ruling class magicians) and without (at war with Prague). Nathaniel is a young magician's apprentice who, after being publicly humiliated, seeks revenge via the demon Bartimaeus and a powerful talisman--the book's namepiece. By the time the book closes, it will involve murder and mayhem, betrayal, the attempted overthrow of the government, ancient (and I mean ancient) grievances, several tense chase scenes, various escape attempts, political commentary, the searing intensity of unassuagable guilt, and more.
Despite all that is crammed in here, the plot moves along briskly for the most part (this despite its complexity and the use of footnotes). Nathaniel is a complex character, giving us easily as many reasons to dislike him as to sympathize with him. He is no paragon of heroism or innocence. The other and much more likable main character (or perhaps more accurately the true main character) is the demon Nathaniel summons and the trilogy's title character. Unlike Nathaniel, whose section is told in 3rd person, Bartimaeus gets to tell his section of the book himself, lending us a more intimate view and thus allowing us to empathize more directly with him. Even better, his is a wry, cynical voice, bitingly funny. He also has the advantage of centuries of experience to call upon for more material with which to sharpen his wit. His sections are simply a pleasure to read. He too is more complex than is typical in these works. For instance, a scene where he somewhat blithely is willing to kill three young teens with little remorse reminds us he is no tame funny pet for either Nathaniel or the reader.
While Nathaniel's main antagonist, an evil wizard whose plots really aren't that out of character for magicians in general it turns out, is perhaps one of the weaker characters--a bit bland in both villainy and dialogue, the various demon antagonists of Bartimaeus are all wonderful creations, especially his two long-running nemeses whom he comes across several times.
The structure moves back and forth skillfully between Bartimaeus's first person narration and the third-person description of what is happening with Nathaniel, pulling away from one to the other at just the right moments to create the greatest suspense. It is all deftly handled with no confusion whatsoever.
The story itself is well-paced and complex enough to keep the reader guessing. It ends independently but with enough loose ends to point to an obvious sequel, which I for one eagerly await. Very highly recommended.

highly original book
I'm a science fiction/fantasy fan and read books like shannara, harry potter, lord of the rings, bartimeaus, and eragon. This book was highly original in the power of magicians. It's not just like using magic to do everything and being in secret from non-magic people. the structure of it is cool because of the way it has two main charaxters and switches views. Since magicians don't actually use magic, (they summon demons and the stronger the demon, the harder he is to control so you need to be a strong magician to control strong demons) Bartimeaus is actually the one with all the power, not Nathaniel (the magician). I loved the ending of the book because of the strategic plans the main characters come up with. BOTTOM LINE-------- if you're a fantasy fan, READ THIS SERIES.

The most fun I've had in years.
"The Amulet Of Samarkand" is a truly great novel, filled with adventure, mystery, mysticism, and... humor! Jonathan Stroud brings his magic touch to a modern-day London run by wizards and over-run by demons. "The Amulet Of Samarkand" is one of those books that truly takes you out of your skin and plants you right in the story, sort of like the "scrying discs" in his book, you feel you're there, going through everything with the characters. Every aspect of this book is great, but it's the little things that make a book great, and Jonathan Stroud clearly understands this.

Firstly, the footnotes inserted in the chapters narrated by Bartimaeus (the leading demon in the story) were genius, witty, and gut-wrenchingly funny. He gave Bartimaeus an attitude filled with wit and wisdom at the same time. What's so great about the characters in this book, is that it feels the two main characters reverse position. The boy, Nathaniel, is actually difficult to like, whereas the demon in the story becomes the most beloved personality.

I can't wait for the next book in "The Bartimaeus Trilogy". Keep it up Jonathan Stroud! You're books are great. I recommend this book for people of all ages (excluding perhaps young children). You won't be disappointed.

Wonderful audio book!!!
I checked the audio version of this book out of the library for my kids to listen to in the car. It is fantastic. The narrator captures the character of Bartemaeus perfectly. Even if you've read the book, I would recommend checking out the audio edition, you won't be disappointed. My son and I were "fighting" over our walkman to see who got to listen to the tapes out of the car. ... Read more

Book Description

Tommy Nelson proudly introduces two new audio volumes, each packed with approximately 6 hours of stories featuring "Heroes" of the Bible. Scripture "comes alive" for children as they listen to these fully dramatized stories while traveling, during Sunday school, or at bedtime. Each volume features stories from the old and new testaments. ... Read more

Book Description

Once there was a little boy who played the ukelele. Wherever he'd go he'd play, Clink, clunk, clonk. His father was a magician. Wherever he'd go, he'd make things disappear, Zoop! Zoop! Soon the townspeople grew tired of the boy's noise and his father's tricks, and banished both of them to the edge of town.

There they lived, until one day the terrible giant Abiyoyo appeared. He was as tall as a tree, and it was said that he could eat people up. Everyone was terrified, except the boy and his father, and they came up with a plan to save the town....

Pete Seeger's storysong, made up for his own children, finds its perfect match in Michael Hays's masterful paintings. As a special bonus, this edition includes a CD of Pete performing two different versions of "Abiyoyo." You'll love to follow and sing along as you listen to Pete tell this richly vivid and exciting story. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

my son loves this book
This book was read to him on an episode of reading rainbow. He sang ABIYOYo all day and weeks after that. He loves this story. It's great for your little ones because it's folklore stories... and it keeps mom interested too.

Childhood favorite
This book contains many elements that would make for an enjoyable child reading experience. These elements include wonderful illustrations, a terrible evil character, and characters of many ethnicities. The element that stands out the most from this story is the incorporation of music and sounds. A song fills at least six pages of the text and is a central factor in the story. Also, the use of onomatopoeia pervades the story with words like "zoop," "ztt," and "clunk." These are great at engaging the senses and the participation of young children. I also like the idea of showing unlikely heroes prevailing over evil in the end.

Abiyoyo
I am a teacher in a daycare and my kids love this book we use it to teach personal hygiene and relationships with parents. The copy I had was James Earl Jones narrating. A must have!

abiyoyo
Chrildren at my nursery school beg to hear this book over and over,I also love it and readily comply. We have the audio recording by Pete Seegar to accompany this story, he is a joy to listen to.

Wonderful story and lullaby
My boys discovered this book at their preschool - both my two year old and the four year old adore the story and love the song that goes along with it (it's a Pete Seeger classic)! We now have a copy at home and it gets read aloud at least once a day. I highly recommend this book to anyone with young children - I just wish you carried the version with the audio tape and song. We can't seem to find it anywhere. ... Read more

Book Description

'A classic recording for children,' is what School Library Journal said about this award-winning recording. Also included on the tape are Outside Over There, In the Night Kitchen, and The Nutshell Library.

... Read more

Reviews (3)

"Please don't go, we'll eat you up, we love you so!"
I personally never liked Sendak's WTWTA. Or In the Night Kitchen. Or Chicken Soup with Rice. Or anything ever illustrated or written by him. So, I'm not a fan. Got it?

But WOW, was I ever wrong. I just didn't get it before, but listening to Tammy Grimes narrate and with the addition of Herr Mozart, it's like being transported into what must have been a fascinating mind who could write so well for children.

Buy this CD for your 4 year old + child with imagination to spare and he'll be begging for it. It's become a TREAT 'round these parts.

Even as adults, it's still amazing to me and my siblings
My siblings and I listened to this wonderful cassette as children and to this day treasure it. We have passed it's wonders onto our own young relatives and soon to our own children. It will stay with you forever for the words of Maurice Sendak make your imagination take flight and the voice of Tammy Grimes is so captivating; the best I have ever heard these fabulous stories read! The addition of the music of Mozart truly inspires the mind of children and adults alike.

A Wonderful Reading by Tammy Grimes
The Sendak stories read by Tammy Grimes capture the spirit and fun of the text and pictures without "talking down" to children. My kids have loved it from age 18 months to 7 (and counting). A wonderful interpretation of wonderful stories. ... Read more

Book Description

The highly anticipated new addition to the #1 best-selling Artemis Fowl series.

Criminal mastermind Artemis Fowl is back... and so is his brilliant and dangerous enemy, Opal Koboi. At the start of The Opal Deception, Artemis has no memory of the fairy people and has returned to his unlawful ways. In Berlin, he is preparing to steal a famous Impressionist painting from a German bank. He doesn't know that his old rival, Opal, has escaped from prison by cloning herself. She's left her double behind in jail and, now free, is exacting her revenge on all those who put her there, including Artemis.

Meanwhile in the lower elements, Captain Holly Short of the LEPrechon fairy police is framed for a heinous crime, yet she manages to elude her captors and escape to the surface to rescue Artemis. But before Holly and Artemis can get away, Opal arrives and abducts them both, forcing Artemis to go head to head with an enemy who plans on destroying the fairy world forever. ... Read more

Reviews (55)

Very Intense, Definately the Best in the Series
I am a huge fan of the Artemis Fowl series, and this one is in my opinion the best one yet. It is very intense, especially since it's supposed to be a kids book. All the main characters are back, and become closer together after the whole incident unfolds. I recommend it to everyone who loves fantasy books. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat. I couldn't put it down.

Great
My literary choices do not normally include flatuent dwarves or evil 14 year old geniuses, but how could you not like this book?

I was very sceptical when I read the first book in this series but I love all the books now.

Artemis Fowl, the evil 14 year old genius has been mind wiped and can no longer remember his experiences with faeries...

ok, I'm a terrible reviewer, I don't want to summarize the book, I just want to give my opinion.

This book is a must read for any Artemis Fowl fan. I would recommend it to most audiences as it is highly entertaining no matter what your reading preference is.

I must say that the ending was a bit weak in comparision to the highly thought out intricate plots previously foiled in the series. Opal was a genius she shouldn't have been so easy to beat.

Anyway, this probably isn't a very informative review, but I enjoyed the book and I recommend it.

Ok but not great (a bit fluff heavy)
An entertaining read to be sure but, still, you would think that for a plan that took over a year to formulate it wouldn't have fallen apart quite so quickly.

Essentially, 3/4ths of "The Opal Deception" is about Opal escaping from the hospital, Opal trying to get revenge and Artemis, Butler and Hollie trying to escape from Opal's traps. A measly 1/4th deals with the grand finale - Artemis et. al. thwarting Opal's scheme.

For my taste, I'd hoped for a more "balanced" book. Maybe half dealing with the escape and avoiding Opal's little traps and the other half dealing with actually stopping her grand plan. Better yet, reverse the ratio - 1/4th to the escape et. al. and 3/4ths on stopping Opal's scheme.

Just my 0.02 cents.

The Best of the Artemis Fowl series
The Opal Deception is the fourth book in the Artemis Fowl series.In this book, Opal - the villain in the second book (The Artic Incident) - was captured and is in a self-induced coma. But, because her mind is still active, she figures out how to escape without being noticed. She also plots to kill Artemis, Holly, and everybody else who stood in her way on her last villainous attempt.
Meanwhile, mind-wiped Artemis Fowl is back to his criminal ways. He is preparing to steal a famous painting called "The Fairy Thief" . . . Little does he know that there is a lot more than a painting in store for him! And, in the Lower Elements, Captain Holly Short is up for a promotion to Major. Before she gets promoted she and her Commander investigate a jail breakout by a goblin, which is very strange because goblins are less intelligent than most humans. Then she gets accused of murder. Why? Read the book and find out! (...)

a si fi fairy book
this book is filled with adventurs and tceongloy that any si fi kide would like. ... Read more

Book Description

This resource is directly related to its literature equivalent and filled with a variety of cross-curricular lessons to do before, during, and after reading the book. This reproducible book includes sample plans, author information, vocabulary building ideas, cross-curriculum activities, sectional activities and quizzes, unit tests, and ideas for culminating and extending the novel. ... Read more

Reviews (338)

Pretty good but a little old fashioned and slow
I am an Elementary education major and had to view the video and compare it to the book for a lesson plan. I thought it accurately depicted a lot of things but was incorrect in a lot of other ways. It did bring the characters to life but left out some key scenes. Rontu in the movie was not one of the wild dogs from the island but was left by the Aleuts whereas in the book he was described as one of the wild dogs. Other than that I found it a bit slow and old fashioned. Overall I thought it was good and would use it with a class to view critically and to compare to the book.

Island of the Blue Dolphin
You Know what a good book is? Island of the Blue Dolphins. Scott O'Dell does a wonderful job telling this girls story of survival, physically and emotionally. This young girl's tribe is forced to leave their island after the Alutes came and killed most of the men in their tribe. The day they are set to leave, this girls little brother is not on the boat and the boat is already pulling away from the cove. So she jumps off and swims to the island to stay with her brother. Soon after she is abandoned, her brother is killed by a pack of wild dogs. Now she is all alone on the Island of the Blue Dolphins.
Scott O'Dell does a wonderful job with this book. This young girl is truly pushed to the limits. Seeing as she is living on her own for years. Her character is such an inspiration. She over came many obstacles to survive. She definitely faces conflict when her brother dies. This was probably her biggest obstacle.
I personally enjoyed this book. I found it truly inspiring. I have never read any of Scott O'Dell's books before. I believe that his other books will be just as good as this one. This story has such a good story line to it. It kind of reminded me of Cast Away. The main characters both had to survive by them self's for a while before getting rescued.

Goes beyond the typical survival book
"Island of The Blue Dolphins" is a classic in every sense in my opinion. After most of her people are killed by some Russians called the Aleuts, Karana has to live on The Island of The Blue Dolphins. While there, she has to learn how to survive alone by making shelter, her own food, etc. She also has to find a way to fend herself of the wild dogs should they turn to attack her, while also watching the seas to make sure the Aleuts don't come back. Will she be on the island alone forever? Will she be rescued by a ship? Karana has to find a way to survive long enough to find out.

"Island of The Blue Dolphins" is one of the best books I've ever read. Unlike many stories of survival, the author, Scott O'Dell doesn't ever sympathize much with what Karana has been through. In the end, it makes the book even better that he didn't reflect too much on Karana's losses. Once you get to a certain point in the story, it will grip you into reading it and not let go until the book is over. There's a lot of things about the book that you probably won't ever forget once you read it. It's pretty much a great and unforgettable book about survival and it couldn't have been written any better if you ask me.

I recommend anybody who likes great books that are about survival to get "Island of The Blue Dolphins." It's so good that it goes beyond the typical survival book, and you'll know what I mean when you finish reading it. It has elements of many other kinds of stories, and it's very compelling. It's a 5 star book without a doubt.

Pretty Darn Dull!
My daughter had to read this book this year in the 4th grade. She was so bored by it, that I had to read it aloud to her so that she could pass the weekly chapter quizes. About the only interesting or exciting events were Karana's experiences with the wild dogs. Her trip away from the island in the canoe went on for about 10 pages, and all it was about was the canoe leaking. If these are the types of books that are supposed to motivate kids to become interested in reading, I'm afraid we are going to alot of non-reading adults. UGH!

Not Quite Perfect
I read Island of the Blue Dolphins for a required reading book. The book is really good and exciting most of the time, but the end is really bad. It literally ends right in the middle of the book. Nothing is explained and it really doesn't make sense. That is why I give this book 3 stars. ... Read more

Book Description

When Eragon finds a polished blue stone in the forest, he thinks it is the lucky discovery of a poor farm boy; perhaps it will buy his family meat for the winter.But when the stone brings a dragon hatchling, Eragon realizes he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Empire itself. Overnight his simple life is shattered, and he is thrust into a perilous new world of destiny, magic, and power.With only an ancient sword and the advice of an old storyteller for guidance, Eragon and the fledgling dragon must navigate the dangerous terrain and dark enemies of an Empire ruled by a king whose evil knows no bounds. Can Eragon take up the mantle of the legendary Dragon Riders?The fate of the Empire may rest in his hands….


From the Hardcover edition. ... Read more

Reviews (860)

A (Self-consciously) Precocious Debut
This book was disappointing. As stated in other reviews, it was derivative and cliché. It had all of the same elements as every other bland fantasy book, along with the extra baggage of a teen-aged writer trying to flex underdeveloped vocabulary muscle--one gets the feeling that Paolini wrote the book with his high school vocabulary lists on one side, a dictionary on the other, and classic fantasy books in his lap. The dialogue was stilted and unnatural, and the reader finds it hard to care about any of the characters because they're not well developed. One of the review blurbs on the dustjacket's back calls Eragon a "precocious debut." I think that's true; but Paolini's quite aware that he's out of his league, and tries to compensate for his uninspired vision by using big words as well as stereotypic characters and generic action sequences. Unless Fox makes some drastic changes in dialogue and character development in its upcoming film adaptation, the movie will flop due to poor critical reviews and snickering, exhasperated audiences. Hopefully the rest of the planned trilogy will improve the story and make "Inheritance" worth the readers' time and money.

Eragon
<br /> Eragon is a wonderful book about a boy named Eragon who discovers a dragon egg, and soon finds himself in a world of magic, wars, and adventure. He travels with his dragon to safety, while seeking revenge on the evil king, Galbatorix, for killing his uncle. With elves, dwarves, and warriors, Eragon and his friends help defeat the orcs sent by Galbatorix. <br /> I highly recommend this book to anyone ages 9 and up.

An enchanting and heroic battle between two forces
This is one of the greatest books of all time. One might call it good against evil, but the good aren't that heroic. It is a coming of age story where the main character struggles with himself and his own feelings as well as his enemies. A great epic novel much like The Lord Of The Rings, except it is not as hard to follow.

It doesn't matter if you like fantasy or not. Eragon RULES!!
The suspencful and thrilling story of Saphira and Eragon is amazing, detailed, beautiful, and everything else. It was so(...)etc. GREAT and possibly the best book I have ever read!!! Why? I can't name them all but I can name a few. 1. It talks about dragon in a positive way and I love dragons alot. I'm obssessed. 2. The style of writing is great. 3. The descriptions are amazing. 3.PLEASE do yourself a favor and read this book! I can't wait for Eldest to hit the stores!!!!!!!!!!!!

TOTALLY 100% FANTASTICLY AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This book is definantly the best I've read since Lord of the Rings! It's totally full of action with just a hint of some romance, but it definantly does not overdo it so you will not get bored. It's filled with everything a good story needs, dragons, elves, dwarves, a little bit of magic, a totally evil villian, and a hero you will just fall in love with. You would never be able to tell that he was only 15 when he started to write it. Whoever reads it will not be able to put it down, and those who haven't, YOU HAVE TO GET IT. Can't wait for the other two books in the series. They ROCK! ... Read more

Book Description

General FictionLarge Print EditionIt was a dark and stormy night when Meg Murry, her brother Charles Wallace and her mother came down to the kitchen for a midnight snack and were upset by the arrival of a most disturbing stranger. The unearthly stranger spoke to them and told them there was such a thing as a tesseracta wrinkle in time . . .A Wrinkle in Timewinner of the Newbery Medal in 1963tells of the adventures of Meg, Charles Wallace and Calvin OKeefe as they search for Megs father, a scientist who disappeared while trying to solve the tesseract problem . . .  ... Read more

Reviews (787)

Space Travel at It's Best
"A Wrinkle in Time " tells the story of Meg and Charles Wallace who, with their friend Calvin, decide to look for their missing father. They meet three mysterious alien women who aid them in their search by giving them interesting powers. With the help of their new alien friends, the children enter a tesseract, a short way of traveling between worlds. They go to a world terrorized by the evil It. Their father is on this world and the children devise a plan to safely leave with him. Their plan goes terribly wrong.

This book has lots of action and it' s characters are children whose reactions are very realistic in their situations. If you like science fiction and love to read about time travel, you will love this book.

An outstanding Sci-fi!
Do you know those books where you accidentally yell out loud to a character to run or hide because you're so tied into the book? Well if you do, this book is definitely one of those. The book started me off confused with Mrs. Whatsit and her involvement in the book, but soon enough the unique characters of the three children and the odd supernatural women made me want to read more.

I loved how Madeleine L'Engle wrote about the aliens and their planets. Most people believe that aliens are much smarter and stronger that us, but she described them different than us, but with a reasonable intelligence level. It makes sense that she made Earth a clouded planet because compared to Ixchel, our planet is full of hate and evil. The only downside of the book for me was the ending. I expected a showdown between good and evil in the last heart stopping scene, but the book came to an ending with the usual 'love is the best power of all."

Looking at this book and comparing it to Harry Potter wouldn't be fair. First of all because after reading both books the overall excitement of Harry Potter way beyond that of A Wrinkle in Time mostly because of the size of the book. I t would also not be fair because Harry Potter, when I was reading it, was the best book of all time and the excitement in the writing was just incomparable. If you're looking for a good Sci-fi book though to read on your free time you will love it. Then again, I guess what I am trying to get to you is that if I were to choose to read the fifth Harry Potter book or all four of the Wrinkle in Time books (I think they are about the same amount of pages) I would definitely choose Harry Potter.

Hope this helps,
Travis Robinson

Really good!!
I read this a long time ago, but it's still really good! Read it! Anyway, that's not my real point.

Would all those people who are complaining about the "lack of scientific substance" stop?!?!?! This isn't supposed to be a scientific journal! It's a NOVEL! What do novels do? Tell stories! NOT give scientific facts.

So, with that aside, I recommend this book to everyone.

Have fun reading!

A Wrinkle in Time
A Wrinkle in Time is a fantastic Sci-Fi young adults book. It is about discovery of one's self and accepting yourself as you are.

The story follows Meg, her brilliant brother Charles Wallace, and her new friend Calvin as they journey through space and behind an evil cloud to find Meg's father. They are assisted by Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which, who show the children that they can do anything with the talents (and weaknesses) they have.

The reason it didn't receive 5 stars is because the story fell flat in certain places and many times it seemed rushed. Also, my favorite is A Swiftly Tilting Planet, and comparing this book to that one, this book falls short, but only just a little bit.

Challenging and thought-provoking for all ages
This is one of those amazing kids books that can be read on all different levels by people of all different ages. Is it the story of a bunch of spunky kids out to save their father? Or is it one big metaphysical metaphor?

When gawky Meg, "new" Charles Wallace, and popular Calvin O'Keefe get whisked off across the universe to rescue Meg and Charles Wallace's father, they have no idea that they are part of the greater battle between good and evil.

The amazing thing is that this book does not talk down to kids. It is chock full of graduate-level science, religion, and philosophy. Classical poets and thinkers are quoted without a second thought. A relatively obscure sonnet from Shakespeare serves as an important plot point. But although it challenges, it also rewards. It is never difficult to read or understand.

I have always thought that this book would be a great starting point for a discussion if read alongside Lois Lowry's "The Giver." Both are about dystopias where there is no such thing as individuality and privacy. How are the two worlds different, and how are they the same? "Aberations" are dealt with in surprisingly similar ways. What is the role of "love" in both books? What does Meg mean when she screams "Like and equal are not the same thing" and how does that relate to the snobiness that Jonah's "parents" show towards some professions?

Everyone over the age of 10 should read this book. Grown-ups should not consider it a "kids book," because it can be read on so many different levels. It is a classic, thought-provoking book that will be read again and again. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (3)

One of hte best parenting books!
You can find a lot of books about parenting, but many of them are just pop psychology, the solitary opinion of the author.
Gottman is definitely not one of them. He is known as one of the leading psychologists in the area of family and marriage psychology. This book presents the essence of his research findings about raising emotionally intelligent children.
His advise is surprisingly easy and is based on a 5 step model:
1. Be aware of your child's emotion
2. See your child's emotions as an opportunity to be close together
3. Actively listen to your child and validate the feelings
4. Help your child to verbalize his feelings
5. Help your child solve problems, while setting clear limits

Gottman clearly explains how you can implement this 5-step-model in daily life and what to do when problems arise. His real life examples make reading really fun.
All in all, an excellent parenting book! As a supplement, I can also recommend the book by M. Seligman: "The optimistic child"

A fantastic audio book every parent should have!
This audio book has opened my eyes to what children are really thinking and how to deal with them. I have tried the recommended ideas with my own daughter and it has worked wonders. It can be difficult at first, but with patience, these ideas will create a bond between you and your child that you may not have known could exist.

Marvellous!
"Emotional Intelligence" has recently been recognized as an important life skill. A combination of important traits (including self-discipline, ability to handle anger appropriately, self-esteem, empathy, and social skills), emotional intelligence allows one to handle life's frustrations and to "work and play well with others." These skills have been shown as more important than I.Q. as predictors of success in one's personal relationships and career. This wonderful book teaches parents how to raise their children to have emotional intelligence. The book sees children's problems and frustrations as opportunities for "emotion coaching" - helping them learn how to deal with their emotions. The book also identifies four "parenting styles" - two of these styles react negatively to chldren's negative emotions, one style accepts them but doesn't help the child deal with them, and the "Emotion Coaching" style accepts the emotions and teaches the child what to do with them. I wish my parents had had this book - I was a "difficult" child, prone to tantrums, etc., but much of my difficulty came from feeling frustrated and not knowing what to do about it. My parents were loving, but didn't really know how to handle the problem. This book will create greater understanding between parent and child, and will help the child grow up to be an emotionally healthy adult. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Great story!
This is fantastic telling of Homer's Odyssey. Bodkin regales us of Homer's adventures, beginning with a scene inside the wooden horse of Troy, through confronting the Cyclops, battles with cannibals, and his long awaited return to Ithaca. Bodkin gives each character a distinct voice and develops moods and transitions with his guitar in the background. The changes in voices are so intricate that when I first listened to the tape, I thought Bodkin had put the recording together by blending several independently recorded tracks. But if you listen closely, you can hear coughs in the background, evidence that this was a recording of a live performance, and Bodkin managed to create all of the rich sounds found on the tape while reciting in front of a live audience.

I managed to escape reading the Odyssey while I was in school. On the one hand, that's too bad, because now, having heard this story, I realize what a tremendous influence the story has had on all literature that followed, and how much I have missed over the years by not having any familiarity with the Odyssey. But on the other hand, it was fitting to have my first experience with Homer to be this one- -this story was meant to be shared orally, rather than read. And Bodkin is a master storyteller, who has made the tale come alive. Now that I've heard the story properly, I think I'm ready to study it more thoroughly with a book.

Hear the Odyssey
Your English teacher was wrong: Homer did not write the Odyssey. He sang it. Actually, scholars are still debating whether the blind mythic poet called Homer ever existed at all, but they do generally agree on two things: the Odyssey is one of the greatest stories surviving from Graecian antiquity, and it was originally meant to be sung, not read. Ancient bards, called rhapsodists, wandered through the hoods of ancient Greece, chanting their stories to all who would listen. Hundreds of generations later, we're still listening. Just two months ago, I listened to Odds Bodkin's rendition of the 2500-year epic on my car CD-player.

Homer's Odyssey depicts the 10-year wanderings of Odysseus, as he tries to go home after he and the Greeks successfully sacked the city of Troy. Bodkin's version pares down these 10-year wanderings to a 4-hour audio presentation, but many of the signature adventures are retained (Included are: the Lotus-Eaters; Polyphemus; the Lystrigonians; Circe; Scylla & Charybdis; Calypso; Princess Nausicaa; plenty of storms and waves, crashes and crushes, and a lot more).

What I don't like about this recording is that Bodkin has about three different voices that he uses for scores of characters; after a while, things start sounding familiar... Also, his attempts at female voices are a misfire; they all sound like Ms. Piggy with a sore throat.

What elevates this recording beyond puppet-show drama, I think, are three things: Bodkin's enthusiasm, the musical track, and his sense of story. The soundtrack, a combination of 12-string guitar and harp, is soothing, mystical, rejuvenating, otherworldly; it could be sold separately. And, while most of the drama is shallow, I still have to admit there are moments when I was truly moved by this story.

Know this -- Bodkin's version of the Odyssey is an adaptation, meaning he may skim here and embellish there, but he has full poetic license to do so, because he is adapting the work for children (and adults who love a good story), and for listening. As for the critics who bash this because it's not "true to the original," they, I would say, are missing the point.

Some people just like to hear a good yarn. If you're in the mood for a funny and talented storyteller to make an ancient story sing again, check this out.

The Odyssey Suite
This is a retelling of Homer's great story by an actor/storyteller, and lasts just over four hours. By way of contrast, Ian McKellen's reading of Fagles's translation of The Odyssey clocks in at 13 hours, 10 minutes. One would think, then, that this version must leave lots out. Well, yes and no. It covers all the main adventures Odysseus has, nor does it hurry over them. (In fact, the Trojan horse sequence, which is just alluded to briefly by Homer, starts the story here and is given an expansive treatment, much of which actually comes from later writers.)

So, Odds Bodkin tells Odysseus's story in full in four hours. Then what does he leave out? He leaves out Homer's expansive way of telling a story by means of repeated heroic epithets and extended dialogs. He leaves out the gods, mostly: their part of the story is brief indeed. All the careful planning that went into the defeat of the suitors is left out as well. It leaves out the adventures of Telemachus. All Odysseus's entertaining fabrications during his travels, these have been excised. And, as this version is intended for children, it leaves out the gruesome scenes at the end where the unfaithful servants are killed.

You might say that it leaves out most of the matter that locates the story in a certain heroic pre-classical culture. Yet some flavor of that culture remains, and the well-known incidents in the story are certainly given their due. Thus we have, in addition to the Trojan Horse, Scylla and Charibdis, the visit to the Underworld, the cattle of Helios, the Sirens, the Isle of the Lotus Eaters, the Cyclops, the misadventures on Circe's isle, and the long languishing on Calypso's isle. And it finishes up with a bang as Odysseus strings his mighty bow and lets fly an arrow through all the aligned ax-heads, then, revealed, turns in wrath upon the suitors who have been besieging his wife.

This is certainly an entertaining version, and an excellent way to learn the story ' for child or grownup. Odds Bodkin is good at voices, so he can differentiate his characters well. This adds to the fun as he mixes accents and verbal mannerisms (Polyphemus reminded me of the Cookie Monster) in an energetic and colorful telling. It also helps that there is a more-or-less continuous musical background. Celtic harp and 12-string guitar are rarely obtrusive, but rather provide push to the narration.

Anyway, to us, The Odyssey is a story, not a guide for living, but it is one of the central stories of our culture. And here we get that story (without undergoing trial by recitation), which is all that most of us want, really.

Strip-mining the Spirit
Talent and vision do not always travel together. The actor-storyteller performing this theatrically unfaithful adaptation of "The Odyssey" is technically gifted, but you and yours will receive in the end an over-orchestrated and hyperbolic insult to your intelligence and to the narrative, spiritual and psychological richness of Homer's great tale. The voices chosen for so many of the characters completely miss the mark. I enjoy dramatic chutzpah, and I don't insist on purity of text, but the incredibly vulgar and low-brow characterizations of Polyphemus, of Odysseus' shipmates, and of the suitors not only wear thin, they absolutely contradict these richly ambiguous characters' contributions to the story. The actor has little feeling for his feminine characters, producing shrill, breathy or whiny voices for the most part that are grossly inaccurate in the given (and important, I would think)contexts of these characters'personalities. And then, and worst of all, we have the belittling, undignified, sneering portrayal of the various divinites. One needn't be a latter-day Olympian to expect a sense of respect for one of the world's great spiritual and philosophical heritages, particularly from an artist who is mining one of its greatest and deepest legacies. This performance out-Disneys Disney in its dumbing-down of the divine.

If you want to introduce your children, or anyone else's children to Homer, consider Padraic Colum's beautifully written "The Children's Homer," available through amazon, and written in short segments that work very well for evening, bedtime, or even car trip readings. You don't need 37 or 137 or even 7 voices to hold a listener's attention: you just need to trust the tale and respect your listeners' imaginations, two qualities lacking from this audio assault. As my son said when he heard a brief portion of the over-the-top performance on this cassette, "Dad, this is embarrassing." True enough.

A wonderful performance of a classic journey
This is storytelling at its very best. While those unfamiliar with the Iliad and the Odyssey might need a bit of explanation regarding how Odysseus came to be inside the Trojan Horse at the start of the tape, the quality of the performance will rapidly grab the attention of the listener. Purists should be aware that this is a performance of the Odyssey, not a simple dramatic reading of the text. We found it a great way to introduce the classics to our children in a format that was enjoyable for the entire family. That said, parents should recognize that there is some violent content in the story which might not be appropriate for younger kids. ... Read more

Book Description

When David finally has a chance to climb the mountain behind his new home he has no idea he is about to meet a fabulous mythical creature. Even if he had known, who could have guessed that a Phoenix would turn out to be so stuffy, so pompous—and so utterly endearing? (To say nothing of its fondness for Aunt Amy's sugar cookies!) When the Phoenix decides to take a hand in David's education the adventures—and the hilarity—really begin. Alas, the wonderful visits to gryffons, sea monsters, and banshees will come to a crashing halt if the scientist stalking the Phoenix is successful… A tale filled with high humor and deep humanity, this much beloved classic springs to new life in a full cast recording that features the author himself as narrator. ... Read more

Reviews (71)

Memorable cast of characters, unforgettable ending
"The Phoenix caught David's glance, cleared his throat several times, and looked apologetically at the Sea Monster. `Monster, old chap,' he said soothingly, `I am deeply sorry for having doubted you just now. Deeply sorry.'
`Quite all right.' said the Sea Monster stiffly.
`Yes,' the Phoenix continued, `we both know that you have passed through perilous times, through dangers which (I must confess) would have left me a shattered wreck.'
The Sea Monster sighed sadly, but its whiskers were beginning to rise again."

David has just moved with his family to a new home at the base of a mountain, and he can't wait to explore its heights. While wandering the mountain, he comes upon the Phoenix, a man-sized bird who loves cinnamon and mangles his latin studies. While the Phoenix resists the idea, he soon agrees to give David lessons in life.

This is a great story, because much of it is lighthearted and silly, but then suddenly a very forbidding element enters in the form of the Scientist, who is intent on capturing the Phoenix for his own evil purposes. The book is unexpectedly bittersweet, which makes it very gripping emotionally.

The language is clean and crisp, and the author obviously has fun with the stodgy old bird who uses british phraseology and is comically indignant whenever he is offended.

Another nice touch is the chapter names, which are teasers for what is to come. For example, one chapter is "8, In Which David and the Phoenix Visit a Banshee, and a Surprise is Planted in the Enemies Camp." I wish all children's authors would include names for their chapters; when I was a boy, I distinctly preferred them, as they just seemed to add a bit of flavor to the text.

This is a great read that any young reader will enjoy.

Unforgettable story
This book is dearer to me than any other I've ever read.It was recommended to me by my best friend when I was in sixth grade (1964).I was an avid reader, even as a child, and this was the first book ever to make me cry.As I grew to adulthood, I forgot all about it.Then one day I found myself in Acres of Books, the most amazingly cavernous used book store located in Long Beach, CA.I wandered into the youth fiction area, and suddenly the title came back to me.I knew I had to find that book again, but the books were arranged by author name, and I had no idea who wrote it.I determined I would comb the shelves, book by book, until I found it -- when I literally looked up and there it was in front of me! -- with no dust jacket, just a faded yellow hard cover.I immediately purchased it.Later that summer, as I was on a weekend campout with the Girl Scout troop I led (the girls, including my daughter, were probably 9 & 10), I decided to read it to them.I read half of it the first night, and the other half the second night.Those who were still awake when we finished shed tears as I did while reading.It was a great experience.I later gave the book away to the now-adult friend who had originally recommended it to me.She was thrilled, and still has it.Today I just ordered another copy -- a limited edition hard cover, signed by the author.I hope to read it to my grandchildren some day.

Five Stars Is Not Enough
I am also one of the Weekly Reader veterans. And I danced and sang when I saw that David & the Phoenix had been re-issued. I don't either sing or dance that well, but I tried!

You must read this book. You must read it to your children, you must read it for yourself. It has that element that is so strangely missing from most kids' adventure stories: humor. Yes, there is threat. Yes, David must help his friend escape the threat, even though it costs David dearly.

But mostly, this is a very funny book! If you can get through David's first encounter with the Phoenix without laughing --? Well, you need a vacation!

It's funny, it's wonderful. For so long, I thought it had vanished forever. Now it's back. Please, anyone, read this book.

(And "Follow My Leader" was awfully good, too. Has some bright person finally figured out to go back to Weekly Reader? Can I hope for Danny Dunn?)

The Best Children's Book Ever
My second-grade teacher, Mrs. Osborne, had a yellow hard-cover copy of this book and, as was the custom at the time, read a chapter a day to the class just after lunch. It is because of the yellow book that I will never forget Mrs. Osborne. This book was long out of print and I went to a lot of trouble finding a copy in the used book market. I had to have a copy to read to my daughter so that she would have the same wonderful experience with David that I had many years before. The adventure is remarkable, the characters are alive and the story is top-notch. I now look forward to reading it to my grandchildren and I will do it, too. Do yourself and your children a favor and buy two copies. Put one in the safe deposit box in case it goes out of print again. Or, better yet, buy one copy for each of your children and one for the safe deposit box. That way, many generations will have you to thank for one of the best literary experiences that they will ever have.

Dusting Off My Memories
In 1958-59, when I was a third grader, my teacher read this to our class at Lawrence Elementary which today is a suburb of Indianapolis. I have never forgotten this book and also became a teacher because of the teacher who first read this to us. I believe that every child who longs for a friend, real or imagined, may identify with David and his love for his phoenix. I remember the tears welling up in my eyes as the book neared its conclusion, and it definitely left an impression on me in becoming a sensitive and caring person. I hope this book continues to be shared in homes and in classrooms for many more years to come. ... Read more

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The world of modern art is a mystery to many. But for Jim Qwilleran, it turns into a mystery of another sort when his assignment to the art beat for The Daily Fluxion leads down the path to murder. A stabbing in an art gallery, vandalized paintings, a fatal fall from a scaffolding--this is not at all what Qwilleran expects when he turns his reportorial talents to art. But Qwilleran and his newly found partner, Koko the brilliant Siamese, are back in their element--sniffing out clues and confounding criminals intent on mayhem and murder. ... Read more

Reviews (50)

The Cat Who Could Read Backwards
If you are a cat lover and enjoy light reading books, especially mysteries, I highly recommend that you start the "Cat Who"... series. This is the first book in the series, so begin with this one. I was not able to put it down until I was finished! I just had to find out "who done it". Thanks to the Siamese cat Kao K'o-Kung, Qwilleran, the art editor of the Daily Fluxion, is able to solve the murder of the VERY CRITICAL art critic George Bonifield Mountclemens who also happens to be his landlord.....

WONDERFUL!
I have read all of The Cat Who... books by Ms. Braun and am now in the process of re-reading them again. You might think this is strange, but my cat, Quebie, only nibbles on the covers of Ms. Braun's books! Do you think he knows Koko? These books are very well written, fast reads and extremely entertaining for cat lovers as well as anyone else who enjoys a good mystery book. I consider these books as "light" reading. They don't scare me, just simply entertain and are hard to put down. I've read most of her books in about 2 days! Ms. Braun is a fabulous writer and I'd like to know how she got the idea for these books. I'd also like to read an interview about her. My advice is to read all of her books, starting with this one, then go down the line and finish them. Each one is as good as the next. I promise you will enjoy them.

Not quite there still
The author has the ability, in all her cat mysteries, to meld an interesting set of characters with a realistic if rather non-specific atmosphere. And I don't have a problem with the whimsical aspect of a cat "who" can read (or whatever), although I am somewhat taken aback by the pronoun in the titles, "who" as opposed to "that."

Where this and the other cat books fall a bit short is in the plotting, more specifically in the outcome or denouement. Somehow I feel empty handed as I turn the final page. Without giving away the plot, this was especially true here, in the first of the feline puzzlements. If the cat mysteries just had a better explanation of events and motives, they would be worthy of five stars.

Nonetheless, for pure reading enjoyment the cat books are way, way above most current mysteries that are about as much fun to read as watching a toenail fungus cure commercial on TV.

The first book. . .
. . .in a charming series of mysteries intended especially for cat lovers.

In this volume, we are introduced to James Qwilleran, formerly a top reporter, but struggling to make his way back, following a divorce and a battle with alcoholism. In his first new assignmet, Qwilleran is assigned to cover the "Art" beat for the "Daily Fluxion" newspaper -- a subject about which he knows absolutely nothing.

We are also introduced to the remarkable Kao Ko Kung -- a remarkable Siamese cat belonging to a local art critic. After a rather bizarre murder, the old reporter in Qwilleran comes to the fore and, with the help of Kao Ko Kung (aka Koko) solves the mystery.

Gastronomes will love this series of books as much as cat lovers, due to the luscious descriptions of food and drink described.

This book is one of the best of the series, and is well worth the time.

Fine 1st entree in long running series for cat/ mystery fans
With nearly two dozen novels in "The Cat Who..." series, Braun has obviously struck a chord with mystery and cat lovers. Almost a classic yarn in the ilk of Elliot Queen, there's no sex and no profanity in this nice clean straightforward story of three murders -- a puzzling whodunit. Jim Qwilleran is introduced as the leading man; an accomplished journalist, he takes an "Art Beat" job with a small paper for which he's hardly qualified but makes the best of it. He hears so much about the paper's hated official art critic, one G.B. Mountclemens, that he can't wait to meet him. Ironically, he likes the guy and decides to rent out his lower apartment. His low rent paves the way for quite a bit of cat sitting, and so we meet the brainy Siamese "Koko", who in addition to normal feline fickleness, independence, and fastidiousness, is a bit of a sleuth himself (in addition to reading newspaper headlines!). When the owner fails to return from a trip and winds up murdered, our hero starts sifting for clues along with his reporting chores. Between his twitchy mustache and hints from the cat, the case is solved quite neatly in just a couple of hundred easy to read pages.

Braun has cats of her own, undoubtedly the inspiration for her series, and cat lovers will be amused at the Koko's antics and the spoiled treatment he is accorded. He eats much better than most humans! But the story doesn't just rest on the cat -- Qwillerman is a likable guy who pursues his puzzles doggedly, while he and we learn a little about art and art galleries along the way. His interviewing skills and easygoing manner with people make him a natural at sniffing out the truth. For a few hours of fun relaxation and entertainment, try this tale! ... Read more