Book Description

Not many months have passed since teenager Alexander Cold followed his bold grand-mother into the heart of the Amazon to uncover its legendary Beast. This time, reporter Kate Cold escorts her grandson and his closest friend, Nadia, along with the photographers from International Geographic, on a journey to another remote niche of the world. Entering a forbidden sovereignty tucked in the frosty peaks of the Himalayas, the team’s task is to locate its fabled Golden Dragon, a sacred statue and priceless oracle that can foretell the future of the kingdom.

In their scramble to reach the statue before it is destroyed by the greed of an outsider, Alexander and Nadia must use the transcendent power of their totemic animal spirits -- Jaguar and Eagle. With the aid of a sage Buddhist monk, his young royal disciple, and a fierce tribe of Yeti warriors, Alexander and Nadia fight to protect the holy rule of the Golden Dragon.

Isabel Allende once again leads readers on a fantastical voyage of suspense, magic, and awe-inspiring adventure in this riveting follow-up to City of the Beasts.

Reviews (4)

Has a freaky attitude
Isabel Allende's "Kingdom of the Golden Dragon" seems like a cool book at first. It has a village of yetis, indomitable Buddhist monks, and a talking statue made out of gold. Though her writing drags, she has some good ideas.

But she really puts out some weird and disturbing ideas as well. Allende seems to have a problem with Americans in general. Her ideal 'Forbidden Kingdom' is a benevolent dictatorship, where the king gets to tell people how to dress, restricts what Western influences they get to see, and generally controls their lives according to his whims. The sheep like subjects all like that. And this is shown as a good thing. Call me a materialistic, soulless Westerner, as I'm sure Allende would, but I call that a lack of freedom and rights.

Who knows why Allende doesn't think much of Americans. But it's weird that she puts forward an ideal civilization that is far from ideal. And unfortunately, the Forbidden Kingdom wrecks the rest of the book.

captivating
My mom and I both read this book and Allende's previous City of the Beasts. I read it in a few days which is very fast for me. I recommend this book for anyone who likes a great mystical adventure. I never found myself bored or not liking Allendes writing.

This "Kingdom" doesn't rule
Someone stop Isabel Allende before she writes more fantasy. The reknowned author of "House of the Spirits" is out of her element in her second excruciating fantasy for teens, "Kingdom of the Golden Dragon." Tepid thrills, horrible love stories and constant preaching bog down a thin plot until it collapses.

In the Himalayas, Buddhist monk Tensing and his crown-prince sidekick encounter the legendary Yetis, and save the meager tribe from extinction. Elsewhere, Alexander Cold (who now insists on being called "Jaguar") accompanies his grandmother to the Kingdom of the Golden Dragon, a place that allows virtually no outside (read: American) influence inside. Nadia comes along with them.

But things take a nasty turn when Nadia and a bunch of other girls are kidnapped by the Sect of the Scorpion, a band of vicious warriors. Alexander goes after his friend, only to stumble into Tensing, who has rescued Nadia. Then they uncover a sinister plot to kidnap the king, and that the Sect is planning to make off with a magical statue that tells the future.

In "City of the Beasts," Allende couldn't stop preaching. In "Kingdom," she's gotten even worse. While talking about how wonderful the isolationist dictatorship Kingdom is, she condemns the materialism of (yes, again) the nasty nature-destroying Western civilization. And again, there are more hairy subhuman beastie tribes -- although the "army of Yetis" scene is more funny than thrilling.

Her preaching doesn't end there, either -- her slobbering monologues on the tenets of Buddhism get old fast, like listening to someone reading from a religious pamphlet. And with a complete lack of subtlety, she makes the villain a cartoonish megamogul, and the heroes a band of pure-hearted, nature-loving pacifists.

Does Allende's writing salvage the wilted plot? In a word... no. Her writing is tepid and lacking in detail, the pace is glacial, and the attraction between Nadia's pal and the prince turns into true love in about five pages. Perhaps the most annoying fact is that the characters are never really in danger. Whether it's invincible martial arts, healing with "the energy of the universe," telepathy or turning invisible, the heroes have a superpower for every occasion. I have yet to meet a Buddhist monk who could do half the things Tensing does.

Allende seems reluctant to spend any time actually developing the characters. Alexander and Nadia, being "pure of heart," are about as fun as dental surgery. Alexander in particular has shed any skepticism and quirks, and now believes everything he hears. In short, he has essentially become a male version of Nadia, who dazzles the idiot natives with her little tricks. And super-monk Tensing drops strings of cliches ("We are what we think. Our thoughts construct the world") before sauntering off to kick butt.

Isabel Allende's sophomore excursion into the world of young adult fantasy proves that "City of the Beasts" was not a solitary flop. With hideously bad characters, a dull plot and plenty of magical saves, "Kingdom of the Golden Dragon" is one for the reject pile.

Fantastic Sequel to 'City of the Beasts'
Sixteen-year-old Alexander Cold, and his partner in adventure, Nadia Santos, are back, only this time their journey takes them someplace a lot colder, and much less wet. The two of them are traveling to the frosty peaks of the Himalayas. Using their acquired power from the totemic animal spirits, the Jaguar and the Eagle, the two of them are forced to not only locate, but to also fight to protect the kigdom's sacred treasure, the Golden Dragon, before it is too late, and it is destroyed by a greedy, power hungry individual, who is an outsider to the Himalayas, and a threat to everyone occupying the frosty peaks.

After reading CITY OF THE BEASTS, I had doubt in my mind that Allende would be able to caupture the essence of another adventure featuring Alexander and Nadia. However, I will admit, I was very wrong. KINGDOM OF THE GOLDEN DRAGON was an amazing book, filled with mystery, mayhem, and adventure, that will have readers clinging to their seats in anticipation of what is to come next, and unable to put this gripping novel down at all. Fans of Allende's previous book in the series, CITY OF THE BEASTS, will find that KINGDOM OF THE GOLDEN DRAGON is an enchanting thrill ride. I'm only sorry to see it end, and I hope to be able to read more about Alexander and Nadia's adventures in the future. Great work, Ms. Allende!

Erika Sorocco ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Can't wait for Monkey
Bought this book for my daughter.She couldn't put it down and finished it in one day.I asked her to "pass it on" to a friend she told me "no way".I snuck a peak at the first chapter before handing her the book and found it to be immensely enjoyable.

Whew!Exciting!
Tiger, Jeff Stone's children's adventure story, is the first of a series about five young warrior monks in 17th century China.

The cover has a powerful illustration and raised lettering of the Chinese characters for tiger. It's a "wow" book from the cover to the too-quick ending.

Author Stone paints some amazingly clear pictures of these young monks and their kung fu fighting. I felt like I was in the midst of every fight, and in every perilous predicament.

Fu, also known as Tiger, is 12 years old, like his four monk brothers. They survive an attack on their secret temple by an evil 16-year-old monk. When Tiger and the other young monks realize that everyone has been massacred, they know they must hunt down and regain possession of the temple's scrolls. Why? The scrolls contained special kung fu fighting techniques only known to those monks.

Each monk takes on the persona of his corresponding animal, and future books in the series will be called Crane, Monkey, Dragon and Snake. Young readers will enjoy the energetic fight scenes, the young monk's cunning, and most of all, their commitment to each other and their grandmaster.

Children who are involved in the martial arts will immediately become fans and will love every moment in this page-turning book. I can't wait for the next one due in September 2005.

Warning from this reviewer: It's been eons since I've read to a child, or been involved in their video games, so I don't know what level of violence is acceptable. I was a bit taken aback by the graphic violence in the book. It is geared to 8-to-12-year olds but I think it should be 10-12.

If You Like Kung Fu and Humor, Read This Book
This is the first book of the series "The Five Ancestors."

The book is about five orphan boys who live in the secret Cangzahen temple that teaches monks the martial arts of their animal style (like hawk or dear).Those boys are the youngest masters of their animal style.Those are: Tiger, Monkey, Snake, Crane and Dragon.Their names are: Fu, Malao, Seh, Hok and Long.When ex-monk Ying destroys the temple, the grandmaster tells the boys to retreat and find out about their life, right before he and all the other monks die.

This book is good for people who like Kung-fu action and humor.I recommend it for kids 10 and older.

Tommy

WOW!!!
I bought this book for my son, and he wouldn't put it down! He finished it in just over a weekend and is already eager to read the next installment. What an exciting adventure!

Kids loved it!
Very action oriented book!Lots of Kung Fu, a little bit of blood and gore, bit of fantasy (animals behaving in sympathy with humans) a litte (not too accurate) culture thrown in, definitely some mystery and good vs. evil.My 10 year old read it and REALLY loved it...he can't wait for the next book to come out. Consider that very sensitive children might be bothered by multiple deaths and violence.Resistent readers may be inspired by this book with very appealing characters and a clear sense of conflict re: obeying, thinking for oneself, appropriate use of violence. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

a loving Mom
It is essential that every child and mother should own Wee Sing Bible Songs!

Great Collection of Childrens Christian songs.
In preparing music for childrens programs, this book/cd collection is a great way to get started. The book contains the music for many traditional childrens songs. It has guitar chords and melody notation for all songs. For songs in a difficult key for beginng guitarists, it has alternative chord combinations to make playing easier. I purchased the CD version of the package so I can listen to a particular song without having to search for it on the tape.

One of the things that children really enjoy about this collection of songs is the hand motions/actions for many of the songs.

This was a great collection for an amature guitarist like myself to use to prepare childrens music for a variety of programs. ... Read more

Book Description

IN THE LIBYAN CITY of Ghadames, Malika watches her merchant father depart on one of his caravan expeditions. She too yearns to travel to distant cities, and longs to learn to read like her younger brother. But nearly 12 years old, and soon to be of marriagable age, Malika knows that—like all Muslim women—she must be content with a more secluded, more limited life. Then one night a stranger enters her home . . . someone who disrupts the traditional order of things—and who affects Malika in unexpected ways.

"I was enchanted by this story of a brave Berber girl who dares to dream and its filigree of details about harem life, ancient trade routes, goddesses and healers. The real beauty of The Shadows of Ghadames is that it transcends the exotic to explore universal truths about the condition of being human."—Suzanne Fisher Staples, author of Newbery Honor Book, Shabanu: Daughter of the Wind ... Read more

Book Description

Target age 6-12 years. isstamped "Holy Bible." Modified J-wrap with spine copy. J-wrap istargeted toward kids (kids pictured, New International Reader's Version spelled out, list of features, text sample, Zonderkidz logo). Zonderkidz stamped on spine of Bible. Page edges isstained gold for burgundy and white leather-look editions and silver for navy. Front matter will include: 3 maps, presentation page, "A Word About the NIrV," and "Three Ways to Read the Bible." Back matter will include a dictionary, "About the Bible," "Who's Who in the Bible?", "Great Bible Stories," "Teachings of Jesus," "How to Lead a Person to Faith in Christ," and 3 additional maps. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

childrens bible
I bought this Bible for my 6yr old daughter for easter and was amazed at the content and structure. The language used is kid friendly. The detail of indexes and maps are great. A great gift item for any child which they will treasure forever God willing.

Beyond 5 stars for content; 3 stars for production
The NIrV Personal Gift Bible has the same content as the NIV, NASB, KJV, NKJV, etc. The content of this Bible is fantastic. It is considered to be about a 3rd grade reading level and it is good for children and less educated adults. The only problem I have with it is the small print size. I believe it is difficult for young children and older adults to read this small print.
However, if one can read the print, it is very easy to read and understand. I do recommend this Bible or the adult version in hardback.

nice starter
I wanted a bible for my children to start reading. I bought this very one for my ten year old son last December and he loves it. It is easy to read, understand, and has suggestions on how to set a goal to read the bible for example grouped by story similarity or by subject. Since he enjoyed his copy so much I am purchasing another for my daughter. The one problem I have is that it cuts out some of the detail but I think this is done to make it smoother reading. Overall it has become a great tool in our families quest to learn the word of God. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

An Absolutely Beautiful Book
This wonderful book is deeply spiritual without advocating any one religion. A Christian family could read it together and take as much from it as a Jewish or Pagan family could.

A simple walk in the woods with Grandad plants the seeds of prayer in a young boys heart, seeds which help him grow when his grandad has passed and feels very alone.

"Each living thing gives its life to the beauty of all life, and that gift is its prayer," Grandad teaches gently.

The words are a bit difficult for the very young, but the gorgeously detailed watercolor illustrations seem to facinate all. I would recommend this book to all families who experience a loss of a loved one or who wish to introduce their children to prayer. Bereaved adults might also benefit from this book; reading it brought back memories of my father and walking and talking with him.

Buy this book for your children and read it to them for yourself. You won't regret it.

Grandad's Prayers for the Earth
Heartfelt and warm, without going overboard on the emotions. I especially liked the way this book showed the love of the Grandfather for his grandson and vice versa. It's portrays a lasting and wonderful relationship. Perfect for my teenage boys. One of the best picture books I have read. I am sure this will become an instant classic that will stand the test of time. Douglas Wood's writing is concise with perfect timing, he carries the reader immediately into a quiet walk where you can practically smell meadow flowers and hear the trees growing. P.J. Lynch's illustrations are more than beautiful, they carry the tone perfectly and add individual touches of poignant reality to the script.

What a beautiful book!
I love this book. The illustrations are gorgeous! I love how the boy starts out as a young boy and at the end of the book he is a teenager...this isn't a book for little kids, in fact I'd say it would be over the heads of most kids under age 9 or so.

I did not find it to be "new agey" at all. The author has purposefully written it so that people of all faiths can enjoy it. Yes, there is a section where the Grandad suggests that prayer is not just to get what we want...but to help us change ourselves. That is the theology I've been taught...after all, God doesn't need our prayers...He already knows what we need before we ask. Prayer is as much for our benefit as for anything God gets from it.

This idea is depicted in the end. After the Grandad dies, the boy is so sad that he stops praying. After awhile, he prays again, and feels a peace that he has been missing since his Grandad's death. I recommend this book highly...especially if you teach 9-12 year olds in church. It's a great supplement to a lesson about prayer.

Remembering Dad
I first read this beautiful book at my church. I was drawn to it and read it several times when I had a few moments to spare. Each time I read it I was reminded of my Dad and the 8,000 trees he had planted for his grandchildren to enjoy. I gave Dad this book for Christmas of 2001 and wrote inside the cover saying that he should read the book to his grandchildren. Though we always thought Dad would live to a very old age we knew that he would be gone one day. Dad died just before Christmas of 2002 at the age of 74 and my mother gave the book back to me a couple of months later. I am a stepmom of three grown children and my first natural child will arrive next month. I was able to tell Dad that he had another grandchild on the way, but she will never get to meet him on earth. I will share the book with my older children, but I will read the book to my new daughter. I know I will cry when I read the book to her, but it will be a wonderfully touching way to remember Dad and help her to understand the wonderful Grandfather that will never be able to tell the story in his own words.

Just a warning to parents...
The illustrations in this book are breathtakingly beautiful. That makes the reality of the text even more painful. If you have any type of faith that there is a higher power, this is NOT the book to buy to help explain prayer to your kids. It very subtly implies that there really is no one to whom we pray by overtly stating that there are no answers to prayers, but that we change ourselves when we pray. If you subscribe to a New Age-y type thought, then this book will fit well with your beliefs. However, if you have any theistic perspective, this may not go so far as to offend you but will certianly undermine your belief in such a gentle way, you might not notice. I think the review in which the person said the book would work for a Pagan or Jew was telling. How can a book affirm both belief sets? It can't. And this book does not. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Some originals of the earliest Chinese-Buddhist sutras still exist--printed in gold ink on deep indigo paper. To see one is to sink into it. Demi, devout Buddhist and illustrator of children's literature, recreates the stories in the form of a children's book with smooth writing and stunning brushwork. These moral tales, taken from Jataka literature of Buddhism, relate engaging incidents among humans and animals that highlight a valuable lesson, each complete with a final moral. Children are sure to fall in love with this masterful combination of art and moral education. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

This is a wonderful book
My five year old son loves listening to these stories. I have long been looking for books that help children understand moral values. This is my favorite Demi book.

Buddha Stories
An excellent book. Most of the stories have a theme of wonderful compassion and it is set out in such way that children are encouraged to think about what is really of value in life. We borrowed this book from the library many times.

Good collection but poor choice of colors for illustration.
This is an excellent collection of about 10 jataka tales of Buddha's past lifetime, in about one page per story. Younger children, however may not enjoy reading the book on their own because of the color illustration quality, i.e., light gold on black paper. ... Read more

Amazon.com

"May every creature abound in well-being and peace."(Buddhist)

Around the world and throughout time, people have found words for comfort,strength, rejoicing, and mourning. Prayers, proverbs, poems, songs--everyculture has these simple gifts. In this beautiful, oversized volume, ReeveLindbergh, daughter of Anne Morrow Lindbergh and Charles Lindbergh and author ofmany picture books, including TheCircle of Days, gathers 77 poems and prayers in this warm, lovelycollection. Each of the four sections (For the Day, For the Home, For the Earth,and For the Night) is illustrated by a different contemporary artist. Sometwo-page spreads consist of just one poem with a big, gorgeous illustration swirlingall around. Others fit two, three, or even four proverbs or verses, nestledgracefully among the pictures. The book will make a lovely gift for familiesthat want to embrace spirituality in many forms, from Christian to Papago toJewish to African to Sioux to Hindu to Celtic, and beyond. Featuring well-knownprayers and poems (from the Bible and Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass) andless familiar words (from Lao-Tzu and Hildegard of Bingen), this anthology, withits wonderful variety of colorful illustrations, will bring joy and beauty toevery home forever and ever. Amen. (All ages) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Beautiful Gift
If you are looking for "spiritual" instead of "religious" this is a beautifully illustrated and touching book that makes a perfect gift for new parents, baptisms, etc.

Disappointed Parent
I wanted to read easy-to-understand payers and verses to my 6-year old son, so I searched Amazon and reviewed many books on this subject. I was sold on this book's illustrations and was not disappointed on that score: The Illustrations are wonderful. However the "take a closer look" guide did not offer an opportunity to review the text or prayers themselves. The pictures alone piqued my son's interest and we bought the book. Unfortunately, many of the prayers are long and tedius, losing a younger child's interest within the first six lines. The text content is incongruent with the illustration's message of young, light-hearted, age-appropriate prayer. The attempt at multiculturalism and non-demonitionalism misses the point of delivering short, sweet, enjoyable verse suited for children; prayers that will encourage children to want to pray instead of associating prayer with tedium and boredom. The book review should have indicated an age-appropriate range. My son is a smart and attentive kid who loves to listen, but he grew quickly disappointed with and disintersted in the prose.

for the young at heart
A wonderful book, and not just for children! Charming illustrations by several artists and 70 beautiful prayers from around the world. Anyone interested in spirituality should love this book.

Wonderful!
This is a fabulous book that shares spiritual words from many worldwide religions and uses beautiful illustrations to accompany them! As a person who embraces different aspects of many religions, I found this to be a valuable resource for teaching my child. And after reading the book, you get a sense of how all religions are very similar and striving for the same things - peace and harmony with all that is around us and with our Higher Power.

A breath of fresh air
This is a timely book with contents from a wide range of sources. It is well arranged and well illustrated. People tend to forget that they all have the same God. If some of the book's contents were quoted without noting the source, people might have difficulty identifying the religious origin. While the book is written for children, I would recommend it for the entire family. Perhaps it is time for people to consider that their beliefs are not very different. Perhaps children can learn to accept each other, and the next generation can learn to coexist in peace. One can always hope for the best. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (7)

Koja makes the Best of the Year list. Again.
Kathe Koja, Buddha Boy (Farrar, Strauss, and Giroux, 2003)

I got to the point about eight years ago where I finally gave in to the temptation to predict an author. After the back-to-back triumphs that were Skin and Strange Angels, I figured that from here on out, anything Kathe Koja would release would be brilliant, and every book she released would find its way onto my top ten for whatever year in which I read it.

Then she started writing kidlit. I approached Straydog with some trepidation, but it not only made last year's best-of list, it topped it. So I had no such qualms hunting down her second piece of young adult fiction, Buddha Boy. Needless to say, I wasn't surprised, at least not by the quality.

Justin is an Everyman in an Everyman's high school; if you went to high school in America, you'll probably recognize all the archetypes to be found here. The school gets a new student, Jinsen. To call Jinsen, an aspiring Zen monk, different would be the understatement of the year. And we all know what happens to different kids in high school.

Justin, however, assigned to a class project with Jinsen, discovers that Jinsen is one of the finest artists Justin has ever come across, and thus grudgingly befriends the kid the others at school call Buddha Boy. From all this springs this small, delicate tale.

Koja's writing is, as usual, short and to the point. Even the slowest reader will probably get through Buddha Boy in no more than a couple of days. Most people will be able to find someone here to identify with (though many won't like what they see in the book's looking-glass), and the story is compelling enough to draw the reader through, perhaps in a single gulp. Nothing surprising there.

What is surprising, perhaps, is the language she chooses. It seems, especially in comparison with Straydog, that Koja's language is slipping back towards that she used in her adult novels. Not that she talked down to the audience in Straydog or that she elevates them here; it's a slight difference in tone, a barren quality from Skin and Strange Angels that was (despite the painfulness of Straydog's subject matter) absent from the previous book.

She's got a new one coming out any day now, The Blue Mirror. I can't wait. **** ½

Buddha Buddy
When a new artistically talented boy shows up at Rucher high, calling himself Jinsen instead of his real name, and acting "strange", sophomore classmate Justin doesn't understand why, but he also doesn't know why Jinsen tolerates the continual harassment by the other students without complaint. More of a portrayal of friendship than of Buddhism, Buddha Boy shows how the practice of religious tenets can turn a person's life around. Koja manages to do this in a non-preachy way, noting through Justin's observations that "all religions are about the same thing" but that religion "doesn't seem to make any difference" in making people better or changing the way they act. Several chapters begin with Justin's comments on karma or other issues and then flash back to the events that formed them. Justin's growing concern about the way his classmates treat his friend, and how the school officials ignore it to serve their own interests, trigger actions that result in "karma" for both of them.

Buddha Boy
In the novel, Buddha Boy, Kathe Koja describes the life of two boys in high school. Justin had never been popular, but he has always had two great friends. Everyone had been talking about a weird new kid at school, but Justin hadn't seen him until lunch that same day. A boy came up to him, and asked him for money, and that's when he got his name Buddha Boy. Justin becomes friends with Buddha Boy and starts hanging around him. Buddha Boy gets invited to a very famous art school, and has to make a banner for the school to use to make sure he's ready for the challenge. The day of judging comes but things go terribly wrong. In the novel, Koja teaches that everyone's different, but you should still accept him or her. Find out what happens in Buddha Boy.

Great book for all ages... or at least tweens
There are coming-of-age books that deal with some things that are simple -- like love and sex. And then there are those that handle the harder topics - such as fighting cliques, going against the social order, or confronting inertia. This book is in the latter category, and is more about Justin, than about Jinsen (the Buddha Boy). Jinsen is harrassed daily by his classmates. This is half high school tale and half mystery, as new facets of the chracters are revealed in each chapter. There is also a dollop of karmic buddhism to give the story some uniqueness. The author has created a realistic story of Jinsen, a teenager who decides to live as a monk with a shaved head, calming smile, new name, and begging bowl. Justin, who is assigned to an Econ class project with Jinsen, must then face guilt by association, and decide what choices to make when confronting his parents, teachers, class leaders, bullies, drama club members, and friends. What sounds like a canned stereotypical story turns out to have much deeper nuances.

Devoured it in one sitting.
Great book--similar to Stargirl by Spinnelli in that it portrays an individualistic teen who flaunts the established social behaviors. Would be great for discussion! ... Read more

Book Description

Dreamy Asian shadow puppet illustrations enliven this whimsical tale of an enchanted mouse who turns into a cat. Seeing the bliss of the cat,young readers will be fascinated by the idea of becoming someone else, to walk in another's shoes, or paws. Told as an endless loop (the end of the story becomes the beginning again) it's a metaphor for change. It's also a subtle introduction to the idea of interdependence, an original example of what Zen Buddhist Master Thich Nhat Hanh calls Interbeing. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Delightful graphics, great story, fantastic ending!
I just received this book yesterday, and read it to my 8 year old daughter last night. The illustrations and story kept both of us engaged throughout the book.

We found ourselves completely involved in the story, and my daughter particularly delighted in the way the story ended. "You see, Daddy, it goes on..."(I won't spoil it, but I highly recommend buying this book!)

The illustrations are just wonderful, and we both found the story very engrossing.

Bravo for a very well written and illustrated book!

... Read more

Book Description

"Inside me, in a new place, sore with growth, I felt the solid weight of strength holding me up, pushing me forward to face what was sure to come next."

Nissa Bergen is growing up...and finding that she's growing apart from childhood friends and facing adult decisions. Her hometown is changing too. Northerners have settled in Harper, Louisiana, and have opened a cannery. With the new population, new resources -- like more schools --are needed. But there's growing racial tension, with threats of violence that may come back to hurt Nissa, who created the town's "separate-but-equal" libraries.

Nissa is faced with a chance to be a hero, and like a true hero, she just wants to do what's right. But doing what's right is never easy. Not even for saints. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The best yet
Nissa's story keeps getting better. From The Year of the Sawdust Man to Nissa's Place to this book, Nissa has grown quite a bit, learning to accept her family's odd makeup. She still holds out the little-girl hope that her bohemian mother and more conservative father will find a way to get back together again, but with Papa and new wife Lara having a baby, the hope seems slimmer. Nissa's mother is more present in this book and she has grown quite a bit as well. I was struck by how well the adults are described in this book--from a child's eye view and yet I think Nissa understands them--and so does the reader. Nissa's industrious projects (so reminiscent of her mother) result in the East and West Harper libraries, a terrific analogy for the racial divide in the South of this time period. A. LaFaye is quickly becoming one of my favorite writers--her books are filled with humor, serious subjects, and a main character who walked off the page and into my heart. I heartily recommend this book.

A Story of Strength and Triumph
LaFaye continues with Nissa's story of self-discovery and independence in The Strength of Saints. Here, Nissa is in the process of discovering the fact that she is indeed her own person. As Heirah points out, Nissa is neither like her, Ivar, or Nissa's new step-mother, Lara--she is a unique and truly wonderful individual. Her mother's free spirit, Ivar's strength, and their combined belief that all human beings are created equal are forces which have helped give Nissa the freedom to be who she is--the founder and librarian of the East and West Harper Libraries, where everyone is welcome. Lara's presence has heped Nissa to understand that it is her own family who is "out of the ordinary." Through this understanding, Nissa is able to come to terms with the beliefs and actions of Lara and other members of the community and view them with a new perspective. Nissa's narative takes us deep into the turmoil that is created when the Yampells, who come from the north, build a cannery and hire blacks and whites alike, expecting them to work side by side. This causes the powerful members of Harper, angry over the idea of blacks being treated as equals, to stir up Klan tensions, which eventually leads to the sparking of both a literal and metaphorical fire. This fire turns the cannery into ashes, leaving the townspeople without the jobs they so desperately needed, and leaving behind a heavy smoke of hatred and mistrust. Nissa's thoughtful examination of these events and how they affect both herself and those around her are focused through the decisions that she must make concerning her libraries, and how these decisions will effect not only herself and her family but the entire town of Harper. In this novel, Nissa, hoping that she will have the strength of saints--the strength to do the right thing no matter what the consequences--forges forward into young womanhood with strength, character, individuality, and purpose. Despite all of the turmoil, Nissa manages to be mindful of angels and stay on course, leaving behind a story that no doubt makes Ivar, Heirah, and Lara proud, and will keep many a reader--young and old alike--turning the pages. ... Read more

Book Description

Isaac Williams, twelve-year-old son of American doctors at a mission hospital in Java, Indonesia, is certain that his friendship with Ismail Sutanto is as solid and enduring as the majestic flame tree in the yard. But the haven of their small world is shattered when a fundamentalist Islamic organization begins to threaten the hospital. Terrorists infiltrate, the State Department orders an evacuation, bombs ex-plode, and Isaac is taken hostage.

The experience embitters Isaac. He knows that he should forgive those who have hurt him, yet he doesn't think that he can. His life is changed forever, but will it be forever crippled by his bitterness?

Set against the backdrop of September 11, 2001, The Flame Tree is a fierce novel of friendship, faith, and forgiveness. Richard Lewis tells a story that is at once timely and timeless, one that has the power to move hearts and open eyes. ... Read more

Book Description

The Angel with the Golden Glow is based on the true, heartfelt story about a special little boy and his family. Lessons of life and beyond are portrayed beautifully in this magical children's for all ages. Join the Angel with the Golden Glow on his journey of love, joy and courage. Discover with him the power we all have to warm the hearts of those we touch.

As you and your child experience The Angel with the Golden Glow, it will evoke discussion and help instill the basic premise, "everyone has a purpose." ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Lisa from the North Shore
What a beautiful story...This book was so touching I have started reading it to friends and family that come to visit my new baby. A book that touches each person in their own way. I could never have imagined a nicer way to explain to a child and of a lost loved one. The "Angel with the Golden GLow" is the most special story I have ever seen.

What a wonderful story
This book was recommended by my sister who had read it to her children. Our close friends had lost a special 8 year old girl and a couple of years later had a new baby boy. We wanted to give him something that would also include his sister and this book was it. My children are older, 21,19,and 17 and all read it and felt good after. It is a very special book.

A perfect choice for any parent of a terminally ill child
We first received this book from our hospice nurse when our 8 week old son was diagnosed with Type I Spinal Muscular Atrophy (Please visit www.curesma.com to learn more about SMA). We found the message in this book to be powerful, beautiful, and comforting in a time of great sadness in our lives. This story could have been written for our son, without having to change a word. I have purchased several of these books for close friends whose children are dying of SMA, or have passed away from SMA. The book has received nothing but positive feedback from all of them. Elissa, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for sharing this story with us. You have allowed us to turn a heart wrenching experience into one of hope and love. We highly recommend this book, in loving memory of our own "Angel with the Golden Glow".

Perfect for families of pediatric hospice patients!!!
Any family dealing with the loss of a child needs this book. This is especially true if the child has special needs and/or is in a pediatric hospice program. This book would be an excellent choice for families who can and will have another child after the loss of one. Through touching language and adorable illustrations, the book conveys beautiful messages about God's purpose for the presence of these children in our lives. Adults will be overcome with emotion when reading this book, and children of all ages will be able to understand it's message. All readers will remember that we love one another even when we are apart, and that we will all be together again. Having recently lost my two year old daughter after many long months in hospice, I found this book touched my heart like no other.

A must read book for all ages!
As a mother dealing with the birth of my fourth child born with severe neurological problems this book was just what I needed to help answer my children's questions about our little angel. I cried through the whole book because it was as if this book was written about my little Benjamin. Such a well written, feel good story that can apply to so many real life situations. Thankyou for writing and sharing this beautiful story. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The ethnic artwork of Vo-Dinh Mai is a perfect complement
In The Hermit And The Well, Vietnamese Buddhist monk, poet, scholar, and human rights activist Thich Nhat Hanh has written a story of a young Vietnamese boy who climbs a mountain in the hope of meeting a famed hermit that lives there. What the boy finds is the secret of his own happiness. The ethnic artwork of Vo-Dinh Mai is a perfect complement to Hanh's marvelous tale showcasing the importance of slowing down and appreciating the beauty that is always around us -- if we would only see it. ... Read more

Book Description

Tomie dePaola's glorious paintings are as luminous as the farolitos that light up the Plaza in Santa Fe for the procession of Las Posadas, the tradition in which Mary and Joseph go from door to door seeking shelter at the inn on Christmas Eve.

This year Sister Angie, who is always in charge of the celebration, has to stay home with the flu, and Lupe and Roberto, who are to play Mary and Joseph, get caught in a snowstorm. But a man and woman no one knows arrive in time to take their place in the procession and then mysteriously disappear at the end before they can be thanked.

That night we witness a Christmas miracle, for when Sister Angie goes to the cathedral and kneels before the statue of Mary and Joseph, wet footprints from the snow lead up to the statue. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

a story to read to y our child each December
a wonderfu story with beautiful illustrations by Tomie DePaola. Share it with your children. you will both enjoy it!

Feilz Navidad!

The Night of Las Posadas
Mr. DePaola has outdone himself this time. All of his books are wonderful, but this Christmas story is more than that. The illustrations are pure DePaola; they are clear and colorful. The story is simple, yet for children, unpredicable. The story is set in Santa Fe and shares an Hispanic custom with the reader; the Posadas held at Christmas time. I teach a whole class of Mexican ESL students and this book is perfect for my Christmas collection of books with Hispanic characters. This book, along with other DePaola books, and others, will add to my students' enjoyment. ... Read more

Amazon.com

It's been so long since it's rained, young Elsina can't even rememberwhat rain is like: "BLUE. Only blue and the sun. Another day withoutclouds. I can't remember clouds." Her family needs the rain desperately,as her mother's crop has died and her father's goats are starving. As we learn in a two-line introduction to this small, square book, theBasotho women of southern Africa decorate the outside walls of theirhouses in hopes that their ancestors will send rain. Elsina dreams ofthe pictures she will paint on the house someday, and when Papa adds aroom to the house to make room for a new baby, she finally gets to painther first wall. She paints all day, and even dreams about painting atnight: "I see the far-off mountain./ I see the sweet sorghum./ I see thespiny spiderweb." Weeks pass without rain, until, finally, "Plop!" andthen "SPLAAASH!" Mama tells Elsina that the ancestors heard her prayers.The cycle continues every season... and the ancestors listen. Childrenwill appreciate the fact that Elsina is not only allowed to expressherself creatively through her paintings, but also to make acontribution to the family. Jeanette Winter's clean, colorfulillustrations are framed by geometric borders, echoing traditionalAfrican designs. (Ages 5 to 8) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (63)

Review for Armageddon Summer
I like to compare this reading experience to riding a bicylce for the first time. At first, I found it difficult to enjoy, but as I continued reading the intriguing characters and plot became more entertaining. The more you get into it, the harder it is to put down. Armageddon Summer was interesting to read, and the depth of the characters were exciting to discover.
This book holds the strange exciting story of two young teenagers who are forced against their will to follow a religious cult to the top of a mountain. When Jed's dad and Marina's mother become Believers of Beelson's flock, the children have to leave their home and friends to join the rest of the believers on the top of Mount Weeupcut. Jed is a nonbeliever and feels like he's surrounded by crazy people. Marina wants to believe but doesn't know if it's really in her heart. The teens are strangers at first, but soon meet and eventually fall in love. Other supporting characters bring life to the story as well. For instance, the insanely believable Reverand Beelson. You want to hate him, but can't because he makes you believe that he really cares about all of his followers. You almost think that maybe the world really is coming to an end and it's scary because there really are cult leaders out there like that. It's too real. Jed's father and Marina's mother seem so naive to be caught up in all of this. But it's interesting to analyze their personalities and see how they change throughout the story.
Armageddon Summer takes place mostly outdoors on the top of Mount Weeupcut. The surroundings are mountainous timber country. Many animals are around, but none of which live in the camp. The believers are fenced in a perimeter so they do not get to explore the rest of the mountain. Each day, chores are assigned that keep the follower's busy. The only time they are indoors really is to eat during a designated time or sleeping in tents at night. They are far from the hustle and bustle of large cities. It seems so peaceful and beautiful. Especially at night when Jed takes the oppurtunity to star gaze.
The chapters were fun to follow, going back and forth between characters so that you know what's going through both of their heads'. The newsletters and radio interview added a unique style to the writing that I found to be quite effective. The actual content of this story didn't really grab me until half way through. I found it interesting but couldn't really get into it until Marina and Jed actually met. I think I'm a hopeless romantic which would explain that. And any oddball like myslef could appreciate a strange story of a religious cult and the end of the world. I'm not even a religious person myself, and I found the story to be quite entertaining as well as educational. I found it fun to try and read deeper into the context for more clues of what would happen next and where the story would take me. Although, it was a serious book containing real issues of torn families and personal trials and tribulations, a light sense of humor made it not so depressing to read.
I did get off to a slow start with reading this one. I felt that the authors, Jane Yolen and Bruce Coville, could have grabbed me a little more in the beginning instead of starting off slow to build it's way up. However, I did stick with it and found that the story was rich with adventure, and passion, and love. The end of one chapter left you with suspense and anticipation to go on and read the next. Once I concentrated more on what was going on and tried to get in deeper, I started to really enjoy it. Despite a weak ending, and slow start, Armageddon Summer was an interesting find if nothing else. However the beginning and end are supposed to be something to be remembered. You should go out with a bang and start with an attention getting chapter or two. The book itself was fun and easy to read. All in all, my feelings toward Armageddon Summer are good. I've read better books, but this is definitely one that you will remember for being unique.

THE END OF THE WORLD IS THURSDAY, JULY 27 2000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I've just completed reading this book! When I first read the plot, I was eager to go ahead and read the rest of the book. What an exciting plot! The story was told from two people's point of view in short, alternating chapters. That was my favorite element of the story. If you got bored of one person, the next person's story was only a page or two away. One was a 13 year old girl named Marina and the other a boy named Jed. The basic plot was that these kids' parents belonged to a new faith called the "Believers." The Believers believe that the world will END on July 27, 2000. Only a couple of weeks away! They believe that at the termination of the world, the earth will go up in flames and everything will burn and die. Everyone- except for the Believers- because they'll be safe on Mount Weeupcut. ONLY 144 Believers can be saved on the mountain...and their duty would be to save the earth when the fire was gone. While waiting for the end of the world, the Believers prepared for what was to happen. Armageddon Summer was a truly suspenseful novel. I was begging for the end the entire time, would the world actually end as the believers thought? Would everything burn up EXCEPT for the mountain they were on? Jed and Marina, the ones telling the story, had so much in common and had very similar reasons for "being" a Believer and for being on the mountain. The ending of the book, (which of course I wouldn't share with you!) was okay. It's hard to explain... it was predictable, yet I was suprised- and I was disappointed. I think there could have been a better ending,.. after all, that's the whole point of reading the whole rest of the book! With the year 2000 coming up in less than 2 months, there has been a lot of talk and controversy about the end of the world. A lot of faiths have said what needs to be done and when. This book compiles a lot of faiths and beliefs together to come up with some new faith- The Believers. This story was, for the most part, realalistic- and it could actually happen. So, here's a question- will the world really end? Find out when you read this book! :)

err.....
this book is like many others and the characters emotions just don't speak to me. it seemed like a kind of uniform book. If you want GOOD end of the world themed books you should try the Fire-us trilogy.

Will The End Come?
"Armageddon Summer" is one of the best novels I have had the pleasure of reading. A young girl named Marina and a guy named Jed have one word that describes their lives "insanity". After the Pastor of the church declares the end of the world, Jed and Marina are forced to move onto a mountain with their families, where supposedly they will be safe. On top of the mountain Jed and Marina meet eachother and fall in love while the world below could or could not be destroyed. Jed is suspicious of this prophecy but Marina tries best to follow her beliefs even though her father chose not to come onto the mountain.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is so amazing and heartstopping. Right from the beginning the mystery of whether or not the world will be destroyed captures your imagination. The book's format is also very interesting as it splits chapters between Jed and Marina. The only thing is that the emotions the author used with the characters about the world ending weren't genuine. Otherwise this book was amazing. I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a gripping suspense novel or maybe just anyone in general. It raises some major questions of faith and it is amazing to follow the swaying of Marina and Jed's beliefs.

Armageddon Summer
The book I read was called Armageddon Summer. IT is a bout a group of religious people believing that their world is going to end on July 27. They are called the believers. Marina and Jed who come from two different worlds, are brought to a mountain top where the believers think they will be saved. They meet and they fall in love, all the while, the world a round them is falling apart. Not physically, but verbally.
I didn't like this book because the story was really bad. I do not mean the words and the text but the true meaning of each words. It was really religious and everything but they made fun of God like in this quote, "True, they would be spending their summer vacation in top of this mountain, waiting for God to bring destruction to our world." I mean go on with your story without that sarcasm. It really makes the character seem almost satanic talking about God that way.
The two main characters look at God like a joke. Another quote that supports my thoughts is: "God, I prayed silently, save my mother. Not on this walled in stranger mountain. But if he heard me, he sure took along time answering it." I mean the first part is good and sweet, but it again seems like a joke. The all time character to support my though is one if the two main characters. Jed. He is a horrible little devil. Well, maybe not little, they're in their teenage years but he just acts so much like a little whinny boy.
My favorite part was the part where all the believers find out that the idea was all some joke and went there for no reason. I also liked the little action that was in the book but unfortunately some one dies. I liked these two parts because it was the only real important thing. All the rest of the book was how the two main characters feel about each other and how they feel about themselves. I mean, please, I don't care what they think I care how they feel, I care about what happens. For these reasons I liked these parts in the book. ... Read more

Amazon.com

From the creators of the Caldecott Honor book The Gardener comes a handsomestory about a young Amish girl's first visit to a big city. Each night Hannahwrites to a "silent friend" (her journal) about the thrilling sights in Chicago:"If I stacked our home, the barn, and my one-room schoolhouse on top of eachother, they wouldn't even reach the fourth floor of one of those hugeskyscrapers! The city has more of everything. More buildings. More carsand buses. More people--all kinds of people--with almost all the colors of aquilt in their different clothes and faces." Her exuberance is tempered only byher homesickness, which is beautifully portrayed in illustrator David Small'spictures of Hannah's rural home, alternating with the exciting, strangelyparallel depictions of city life. In the illustration for the above journalentry, for example, readers see the gridwork of city streets, with blockyskyscrapers in the background. On the next two-page wordless spread, Smallreveals a view through Hannah's mind's eye of the women of her community workingtogether on a similarly gridlike patchwork quilt. Hannah is an appealing guideto the city; readers will be mesmerized by her unique perspectives. (Ages 6 to10) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Seeing life through new eyes
Hannah has traveled with her mother and her mother's friend Maggie to the city. For an Amish girl from a small community, the city is big and full of strange and wonderful things. They go to the top of hig buildings, to marvelous stores, to big parks, the aquarium, the atr museum,on a boat ride and into a grand church. While Hannah is enchanted and enthralled by all the new sites, each new site reminds her of things at home she loves. Written as diary entries by Hannah during her adventures, this book manages to capture the wonder of a young girl in a new enviroment, and her thankfulness for the simple ways at home. Once again Sarah Stewart has crafted a wonderful storyline and David Small has turned what is in the mind's eye into enchanting illustrations. A wonderful book to read aloud, and to be enjoyed by all ages.

Wonderful.....
"Dear Diary, The luckiest girl on this good earth is writing to you tonight..." So begins The Journey, Sarah Stewart's lovely story of Hannah, an Amish girl on her first trip to Chicago. Each night, before she falls asleep, Hannah writes about her day and marvels at all the wonders of the big city, the fancy department store with it's frilly dresses, the aquarium and public library, the enormous cathedral with its loud choir, the cars and hundreds of people rushing here and there... And each makes her remember and appreciate something from her simple life at home, trying on a homespun dress, fishing in the pond, praying silently in the small wooden church, quilting with the ladies from other farms... David Small's expressive and detailed artwork take readers from the busy, brightly colored streets of Chicago, to the quiet, softer and subdued life of Hannah's Amish farm. Together, this award winning duo of Stewart and Small have authored a gentle, understated picture book, perfect for youngsters 6-10, that is sure to become a treasured classic in the years ahead. ... Read more

Book Description

When Truth Hopkins's father dies, she goes to live with her uncle and his family on their North Carolina farm. Like Truth, the Bardwells are Quakers. They oppose slavery but refuse to take up arms in the civil war that is now being waged to end this inhuman institution. Then one day, a runaway slave takes refuge on the Bardwell farm and, to Truth's amazement, her uncle hides him from the slave catchers. Even more puzzling, he asks her to accompany him when he deliverswagonload of hay to a neighbor late: that night.

This ride, and the wagon's real cargo, involve Truth in a mysterious and dangerous underground movement -- and reveal how she can help further the cause of freedom without the use of a rifle.

Patricia Beatty, best-selling author and winner of the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction, takes readers on an unforgettable trip aboard the Underground Railroad. Her powerful story of the Civil War captures the secrecy, suspense, and heroism of this little-known chapter in America's history and will long be remembered by readers.

Reviews (3)

... Review
This book was good i liked the part where Robert got captured and got put in the army.then he ran away from them and then got caught again and got put in prison.My favorite character was Robert because he was the bravest out of all the characters that's why i liked him.It was a very good book and everyone should read it.

Quaker Girl
Truth Hopkins, a twelve-year old Quaker, is forced to leave her father and move to South Carolina with her Aunt and Uncle. At first she is not well received and thought of as a kettle cousin, or a person who just going to eat food and not help. Soon though, she proves herself. She finds out that her relatives are conductors on the Underground Railroad. She travels with her Uncle on the underground railroad to New York to retrieve her cousin, who was captured by the Union when he was forced to march in the front of the Confederate lines at Gettysburg.

Patricia Beatty's story is very fast paced, and major events are happening all the time. This makes for a very quick read. I like her writing because she describes the setting, before she tells you what is happening. She is also very descriptive. This book was very interesting, and a great historical fiction, but I didn't care much for the particular area of the Civil War it is about, so that made it hard for me to like it much. I recommend this book to intermediate grades and above, because I doubt anyone younger would be interested, or be able to comprehend much of it.

Loved the Book!
Truth Hopkins is an orphan and now living with her aunt,uncle and two cousins. When she finds out they are a station on the underground railroad she does everything she can do to help them. This is an exciting story about the Civil War and the QUakers who did not believe in war. The book shows how one girl van make a big difference. I like it when Truth saves her cousin from a prison in the North. It is a wonderful way to learn about the Civil War from different points of views. ... Read more

Reviews (19)