Listen, I have been around a long time and read every true crime book on the market. There hasn't been a book in a long time which effected me as much as A Reason To Live. Beginning with page 1, the authors grabbed me and I couldn't let go, and I am telling you, it was like an emotional roller coaster from then on. I wanted to scream when Woomer and Skkar did the things they did and cry when Wanda Summers and the others suffered and died the way they did. At the end of the book, I stood up and cheered Wanda and Jimmy for not letting Woomer ruin their lives. My husband thought I had gone nuts, but I couldn't help it. This book is written so well it makes you do crazy things. A THOUSAND THANK YOUS goes to the authors for bringing this story to light. And I SALUTE THE COURAGEOUS HUMAN SPIRIT of Wanda Summers and the countless other victims who have suffered like her.

There were many expectations as to how Dale Hudson and Billy Hills would handle their second true crime book. After all, their first, An Hour To Kill, with all its controversy and popularity, would be a hard book to follow. It was no surprise however, to find that their new book, A Reason To Live, is filled with so much more than ever was expected.

In Hudson-Hills style, not only does the reader get an inside detailed and sordid crime story, but also an inside look at victimization at its finest. The story, which revolves around Wanda Summers is an inconceivable story of valiancy and determination. In 1979, Wanda Summers became the unfortunate victim of Gene Skaar and Rusty Woomer, two men with no consciousness. Wanda, along with her friend Louise, was kidnapped, brutally raped and then shot in cold blood, left to die. She and Louise were not Skaar's and Woomer's first victims however, they would be the last. Shortly after their crime spree, Gene Skaar killed himself before being apprehended by police, and Rusty Woomer was arrested and charged on numerous counts.

Hudson and Hills provide a spellbinding story by introducing the reader to Wanda's life of victim and survivor, which is a rarity in true crime books today. As many books mainly focus on the crime and criminal, once again Hudson and Hills provide readers with a different look at a crime through the victim's eyes. The reader has the ability to feel the emotions that Wanda has been going through years after the crime occurred. Not only the emotions keep the reader wanting more either, the facts of the case and the determination by Wanda to change victim's rights is truly an act of bravery; after so much endurance of pain and frustration through years of legal mishaps during penalty phases for Woomer.

While many readers of the true crime genre wonder what happens to the victims of violent crimes, A Reason To Live makes sure the reader is satisfied with the results of the victims afterwards, instead of leaving the reader unsettled. There is no doubt that this book will also catapult among the true crime genre population with great strides. A Reason To Live is poignant and courageous and will leave you ready to read Hudson and Hills next book.

Wanda Summers...what a courageous young woman. This is an incredible and inspiring story of a victim who wouldn't give up in spite of being raped, shotgunned and left for dead on a cold, deserted road in Pawleys Island, South Carolina. Having been a victim myself, I can empathize with Wanda and her family, and know perfectly well what all she went through just to be normal again. America, when are we going to wake up and take notice of what happening in our society? Criminals get better

treatment than their victims. Thanks to the writing team of Billy Hills and Dale Hudson for bringing us another good story of American justice. They are carving a niche out in the true crime genre which seems to be read and appreciated by everyone. I will be first in line to buy their next book.

It seems quite a few of us were introduced to this wonderful book in the same way -- having it read to us in the third or fourth grade. My elementary school principal read it to us in third grade, a chapter a week. He was a tall, affable man, and to me he -was- Arthur Price, the teacher (what's your name?) At least, until the first plot twist hit us. What disturbing imagery! What true fear we felt for Ellen! What feelings we had as she walked through the school as an outsider trying to fit in. It's a true shame this book went out-of-print long ago and hasn't been rediscovered since. Those of us who know, however... we know well. When was the last time you checked any personal items for obsidian?

My elementary school librarian began reading this book to our 5th grade class just before school let out for the summer, and didn't have time to finish it for us. I didn't get to hear the ending, but I never forgot the beginning. Ellen finds the crown on her pillow, goes out for a walk, and comes back to find her house burned to the ground and her family gone. Then she is on her own. For fifteen years I never forgot this book and wondered how it ended. Unfortunately, I didn't even know the name of its author. One night I wandered into amazon.com, tried searching for it by title, and arrived here. I am overwhelmed by the number of people who also remember it. I was lucky enough to track down a used copy and persuade the seller to hold it for me. By the time I collected it he told me that the book was extremely well-sought after and that he could have sold it at least forty times over. I finished reading it tonight, fifteen years later. Someone needs to wake up, buy the rights to it and reissue it. It would make an excellent movie also. In fact, I'm going to bookmark this page and keep checking back to see what else people have to say about it in the future.

Like many of you, I was in fifth grade (mid-1960s) when I discovered this book. Our school librarian knew I loved books, and she pressed this one into my hands as soon as she received it. :) Along with _The Phantom Tollbooth_, The Silver Crown is one of my most memorable childhood reads. I don't remember the plot so much as the imagery -- dark, tense, and electrifying. I looked it up today thinking it's something my 12-year-old might like to read while he waits for the next Harry Potter book. I'm so sorry to see it's out of print. I guess I'll read through the rest of the customer reviews to see if anyone else has been able to find it. Judging from the lasting impression it made on the pre-Gen X consciousness, it looks like the publisher would do well to re-release it!

I read Angel Unaware as a senior in high school in 1966. It stayed in my book collection as I moved to various states throughout my adult life. Then, thirty-one years later (8/26/1981) to the day of Robin's birth (8/26/1950), my "Angel" was born. I knew I had the book somewhere stored away. When Julie was 2 months old, I found the courage to look for it and stood right there in the basement by the open box of books and reread and cried as I realized that she and Robin shared the same day for their birthdays. We have come a long way, both in medical and personal support for persons with Down syndrome. But through the years, I have gone back and read the book again feeling a connectedness of Robin's "Angel spirit" to that of my daughter.

My mother remarried when I was almost 12 years old. My sisterand I stayed with family friends while she was on her honeymoon. Theyhad a copy of "Angel Unaware". I read it everyday after school that week. It was one of the most beautiful stories I have ever read. I have never been able to get it out of my mind. I am absolutely thrilled to see it in print again. I spent several years before the internet looking for a copy. If you haven't read it you need to put it on your "must read list". You'll never be able to forget it either.

I read this book as a little girl blind to what troubles that others had. Thanks to this inspiring heartfelt portrait told through Robin's eyes, I became aware of the world beyond my small circle. I hold it and Helen Keller's story highest in my wide range of past reading. I bought both for my two daughters in hopes that it might teach them the compassion and acceptance I value so deeply. Now at 30 I have been diagnosed with MS and I feel that the experience of these books have truly helped me to endure the drastic changes in my life. Every child should read this book. They might see things a little clearer if they did. Thank you Mrs. Evans for sharing your beautiful ANGEL with the rest of us!

Every self help book says to make goals for yourself. Each job interview asks, "So, Where do you want to be in five years?" My answer has always been "I don't know!" Finally, a book that doesn't make you feel like an idiot for wanted to take each day as it comes. Each day brings new opportunities. I finally found a person (MAX) that say's the same thing! Great - now I don't feel like I'm insane. Each person is their own best motivator and this book really hits home for normal, everyday people! Extremely easy reading - read it in one day! Can't believe this never hit the Best-Seller List. Felt down in the dumps - My husband bought it for me and I can't tell you what a difference this book has made. Giving it as a gift for x-mas! Read it and you won't be sorry!

The first business book I've read that comes close to describing what really happens behind the scenes of success stories. "Experiments never fail" is this books mantra, making the case that success is discovered and maintained by experimentation, not by rigid goal setting and endless self-analysis. Refreshing! The first book I have bought for peers and given away with unreserved enthusiam

I dug out this book recently, 3 yrs after buying and reading it. Looking back, can't believe how much this book has influenced my thinking and direction in life. I guarantee that all those seeking a breakthrough in their lives will find this book most relevant and applicable. Among all the leading-edge business and management books I've bought and read, this one contains some of the most lasting ideas and concepts... This book is for next-generation entrepreneurs, visionaries, leading-edge thinkers and innovators; not for readers looking for conventional ideas and strategies. Get a head start - Buy and read this book to prepare yourself to thrive in the new digital economy.

One word......AWESOME!!! Dale Jr. takes on a wild ride through his rookie season running with the Big Dogs in the Winston Cup. Not only does he give us an insider view of what happens on race day, he takes us behind the wall and gives us a look at a driver off the track. This is the closest I've felt to the real life of the guys I watch on Sunday. Driver #8 is a great read full of emotional highs and lows. I found myself laughing in some segments and nearly crying in others. Even if you aren't a fan of Dale Jr., I encourage you to read this book. You'll have a whole new respect for what these fellows do and a whole new respect for them as people.

This is a wonderful read for all NASCAR fans even if you are not a Dale Jr. fan. I was glad to find that Dale Jr. divulged emotions regarding the death of Dale Sr. appropriately and respectfully while conserving the privacy that he and all NASCAR drivers fight daily to preserve. As a twentysomething NASCAR fan I naturally related to his new millenium attitude and approach to the industry, his career, and often complicated issues such as media infringement, sponsor committments and unstable fans. Additionally, this book provides the reader with fantastic play by play descriptions of the races along the NASCAR circuit of his Rookie season with driver oriented explanations of various technical issues of the cars and tracks.
Overall, I rated this book 5 stars for its easy readability and attention keeping entertainment factor. By the end of this book you'll be ready to invite this guy over for a cold Bud!

Hi,

I am a new fan of NASCAR. My dad has always been a fan esp of Dale Earndhardt. I came across this book and decided to order it. I have read the whole book in over a week; which is fast for me. I have greatly enjoyed this book. Not only do you get to know Dale jr. a little better you get to see the world of racing through his eyes. I have learned about the sport from this book. If you are looking for a bio on Dale Jr this is not the book for you. If you are looking for what life was like with Dale Sr. this is not the book. You will get a breif background on his life and yes he talks about his dad alot in the book, but it's mostly for the boss - driver aspect.

weather or not you are a fan of Jr or not this is a great book for any race fan. It gives you the fly on the wall look at the ups and downs of a Wiston Cup season.

It is extremely difficult to find someone who has not read or did not like the Harry Potter books. And why should that be surprising? These action and magic-filled books are completely original and spark the imagination. The zany school Hogwarts, so much like regular school (teachers, homework) and yet so different (magic, Quidditch) is an amazing setting. The characters are realistic enough to be the kids you sit across from on the school bus. I do have one question, though: Does anyone else out there think that by now, with fourteen year-old characters, someone should have a crush on someone?

It'll be a long wait for the 4th book, and I STRONGLY recommend checking out other fantasy books written by either Philip Pullman (The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife) or T. A. Barron (The Lost Years of Merlin epic). Pullman's books are more thrilling, darker, and with more danger and less of Rowlings colorful, flowery magic, so for all you older readers... T.A. Barron's Lost Years of Merlin books are about Merlin as a spirited teen just discovering his magic and the history of his past. I actually liked T.A. barron's books better, because they seemed more serious about magic, and the action was really exciting (not that HP-3 wasn't exciting). ....

There's a reason the Harry Potter books are so popular with an adult audience--they're wonderful! And Jim Dale brings Harry's world to life in the audio versions--I pity readers who have ignored these outstanding tapes. Thankfully, they're unabridged. You won't want to miss a word.

The third installment in the series is far and away the best (so far), full of surprises and twists. The first two books follow a pretty simple formula and felt like children's books--I was beginning to fear the entire series would follow the same predictable format. But Rowling's readers are growing older along with her protagonist, and the plot of this one is subsequently more sophisticated.

Like the rest of the world, I am eager for the fourth book, but willing to wait the extra time for the audio version. Mystery readers should try this series--although the books are known as "fantasy" novels they are also cracker-jack mysteries, complete with clues, surprise revelations, and adventure.

Those of you who are too embarassed to be caught reading a "children's" novel have probably also missed out the best fiction of C.S.Lewis and Madeline L'Engle. Don't deny yourself these literary pleasures!

Here's the perspective from a parent educator who is also a mother of four: I've read all three Harry Potter books to my older children (ages 8, 10, 12) and I think that Harry's a worthy Hero. He's an everyday kid - a bit unsure of himself, he makes mistakes, but he also makes good decisions. He has friends, but there are also kids who don't like him. He's average looking, a bit clumsy and wears glasses. He has courage, but he also gets scared. This ordinary kid gets to have extraordinary adventures. And even after goof-ups and enemies along the way - he always ends up successful in reaching his main goals - which are always for the greater good. These books are also packed with creative imagination that kids love: life-sized chess pieces that move themselves, invisibility cloaks, magic pets, secret passageways with mysterious passwords. Harry Potter books have enough mystery, intrigue and adventure to keep my 8-year-old ball-of-energy enthralled enough to sit still no matter how long I read - and always begging for more. Yet the books are fascinating to my 12-year-old bookworm who re-reads them numerous times.

Okay, the good points first. Harry Potter is an above average fantasy for young readers. The wonderful details are probably the best point about the story. (Take the game of Quidditch for example, the owls, the centaurs, the wands and broomsticks, the giant motorcycle that appears only once, and try reading the inscription around the Mirror of Erised backwards.) It is also funny at times in Roald Dahl's style (though inferior to his books). It is even a bit exciting, especially towards the end. I can understand the way all the eight-year-olds, even 13-year-olds are all crazy for it, but adults? What did they see in it? I was a bit disgusted to see all the reviews by adults saying this was their favorite book ever. (They must not have read The Golden Compass.) It really is no more than a slightly above average, rather amusing fantasy. It started out well, but as stereotype after stereotype and cliche after cliche of character and plot were introduced, I began to be turned off. Take Malfoy for example, the 100% evil and cruel bully who has henchmen to stick up from him and teases the other kids about being poor (and of course you can tell he's bad just by looking at him). How ridiculous and boring. Hermione. Another genius/nerd that studies all the time and can solve all the technical problems for the heroes and be groaned at for being so stuffy. She is also nearly the only female character. Hagrid, the big strong giant who turns out to be nice, though a bit stupid, and has a soft spot. I really agree with the reader called Magda from Neptune who said, "I didn't like the idea of Slytherin. It seems like the author just wasn't thinking when she decided there would be a whole house for the "bad guys". I think that's a shallow idea and also kind of cruel. Could you picture standing there and finding out from the Sorting Hat (which NEVER lies) that you're evil? I think Slytherin was probably the biggest mistake in Harry Potter." Go ahead and read Harry Potter, because if all these other people liked it there must be something there, and you might get it too. But read critically. Don't just blindly adore it (or any book, for that matter.) And I'm warning you, if you haven't read The Golden Compass and The Subtle Knife yet, you're wasting your time with anything else.

Harry Potter thought he had a fairly normal life (aside from living with his aunt and uncle who hated him), but he was very wrong. On his 11th birthday he learned that he was a wizard and had been invited to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Suddenly, Harry is plunged into an entirely new world of magic. At Hogwarts Harry has friends for the first time in his life. Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger are his best friends at the school and they are the ones who help Harry through all of his troubles. From the very beginning though, Harry is slightly aware of something strange going on at Hogwarts. Harry pieces together the mystery slowly throughout the school year in while he isn't busy working on schoolwork or Quidditch (a magical game played on broomsticks).
My favorite part about this book was the world that J.K. Rowling created. While it would have been easy for her to just set the story in a school where the kids learn magic, she didn't. Things like Diagon Alley, which is where all of the students go to get school supplies, allow her to add so much more to the magic world just through descriptions of things Harry sees. Quidditch also makes the world seem much more real.
I originally read this book because I needed a young adult book for class, but I ended up enjoying it far more than I thought I would. I can't remember the last time I actually read much outside of school, but after reading this book I read the other three and am now anxiously awaiting the fifth book. I would recommend this book to pretty much anyone. It's obvious that it was aimed at younger readers, but I found I enjoyed it as much at 17 as my sister did at 11.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is a fascinating read for children and adults alike. You will be pulled deep into the story of young, orphaned Harry and his many escapades at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

This story, and the ones that follow it, are superbly written. The vocabulary is perfectly suited for its intended target audience, children ages nine through twelve, but still not so simply worded that it becomes boring in the least for its adult readers. This is a perfect book for reading aloud to your children. The hardest part for most parents will be resisting the urge to cheat and read ahead after the kids fall asleep.

In the Harry Potter series, J. K. Rowling has created a masterpiece that will stand for all time beside such notables as C. S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia and Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. Rowling blends reality and fantasy with a deft touch, making the reader wonder whimsically if Hogwarts truly exists, if wizards and Muggles are real, and maybe, just maybe, if you look hard enough, you might see wizard children playing Quidditch in rural fields.

Even those readers who do not typically enjoy fantasy will love this book. There are elements of nearly every genre in existence flawlessly woven throughout the story. Suspense, humor, mystery, Rowling does justice to them all.

I cannot recommend this book, indeed this whole series, highly enough. This is one of those stories that, at the last page, leave you both satisfied with the conclusion to the story and frantic to read more about the characters involved.

I would, however, like to leave you with a warning about the Harry Potter series. They are highly addictive. Once you read one, you will want to read them all. This reader, for one, is counting the days until the next volume is released.

The great strength of Rowling's works is her conscious effort to never let the messages in her stories overshadow their readability and sense of fun. All books should first and foremost tell the story, and Rowling never forgets that. That said, her latest installment, The Goblet of Fire, takes us back to Hogwarts for another year of magic, danger and intrigue. This book is the pivotal part of Harry's seven year tale, and ends on a note that many readers may find unsatisfactory, as the issue of accountability and leadership in the Ministry of Magic comes to light.
Goblet of Fire reads on many levels; younger children will delight in the fast and inventive pace of the plot and storytelling, and older readers will find themselves waiting to see how the issue of Voldemort's true return and the Ministry of Magic's reaction are resolved or expanded in book five.

Well, I must start this review by saying that I am not 9 or even 12. I am a twenty-seven year old who recently returned to grad school.

I started Year 4 on Saturday morning. I read, almost non-stop, all day long literally glued to the book (resenting any of the banal trivialities of life--i.e. food, commitments, etc. that took me away from it) until at 9:30 p.m. Saturday night I reached the riveting last page.

In my opinion, this is the best book of the series (I recently re-read books 1-3 to regain a sense of continuity). Rowling continues to grow and develop the characters--Hermione becomes an object of desire for both new and old characters; Harry and Ron struggle with the awkwardness of growing boys to develop new relationships with girls and to deal with the expression of their feelings for the girls around them. Fred and George begin to prepare for life after Hogwarts in a way which provides a lot of fun and amusement. Draco Malfoy gets a come-uppance in one of the funniest ways impossible (I laughed out loud delightedly).

In this book, Harry Potter struggles with his fame--he almost loses friendships because of it, and he has to deal with the vicious press. He encounters an unscrupulous reporter who attempts to destroy both his reputation and the reputations of others close to him.

Of course, Voldemort is again back trying to regain power. The whole book has a sinister undertone because of the question about who in Hogwarts in helping him. The clues are sparse so the reader is left with a sense of dread.

This book does contain death, but the impact of the death is mitigated by Harry's nobleness in dealing with it.

The best part of this book is that it leaves me hungering for another. Late developments in the book with Cornelius Fudge and Severus Snape leave plenty of chaos to be mopped in the next book. In fact, at the end of book four, the future looks very bleak for good wizards and witches.

Like the others, the rich description and humor of the book as well as the real-life parallels make the place and time come alive. Hagrid, Dumbledore, the Weasleys, Sirius Black, and all our other favorites are back, better than ever.

This book is the greatest of the series! I can't wait to read the next 5,6,and 7!

Every harry potter fan should read it. However if you have just started reading harry potter, I recommend that you read the first 3 before this.

If you think that this book is anti christian or if you think that it makes fun of religion, than you are very wrong.

I am an 11 year old kid from St. Petersburg, Fl and before I started to read the Harry Potter books, I hardley read any books.

In this book, harry wakes up with his scar hurting one night after haveing a dream about He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. He sends an owel to Sirius Black (his godfather). That very day, Harry receives an owel from Ron inviting to come to the Quittage world cup with him. Uncle Vernin reluctantly accepts.

Harry goes to the mach between Ireland and Bulgaria. Ireland wins, but later that night they wake up hearing marching Death Eaters (the dark loards followers) rioting. Harry, ron,

Hermione, Ginny, Fred, and Goerge flee while Mr. Weasly, Bill, and charlie fight off the death eaters. Later they see the Dark Mark (a symbol that the dark loard conjouin after a murder).

You'll have to read more to mind out more, but one thing you should know is; The Dark Loard, he-who-must-not-be-named, Loard Voldimort, Comes back to Power!

What positive values can be derived from JK Rowling's second Harry Potter book besides "fun"?

Well, as compared to the first book, the treatment of Muggles by the magical folks were less stereotypical. Arthur Weasley, father of Ron Weasley, best friend to Harry Potter, offered an alternative perspective. The Muggles, unable to do any spells, came up with non-magical solutions to handle problems in life. An example was the development of lock-picking skills - something which apparently never occurred and a source of facsination to wizards who had become accustomed to using spells to overcome obstacles.

The author also showed the prejudice is a prevalent human nature that exists not only by Muggles like Harry Potter's guardian family against the magical folks, and vice versa, but also among magical folks between those whose antecedents were magical and those whose antecedents included Muggles.

For those who had read the first Harry Potter book, they might appreciate that JK Rowling added further development to her characters in the second book. The principal characters showed either they learnt from the experiences from the earlier book, or revealed characteristic weaknesses in failure to wise up.

Plot-wise, unlike other authors who tried to re-use the formula of an earlier success, JK Rowling took the story through a different plot. In reminiscent of good old traditional mysteries, more clues compared to the first book were scattered through the book on the identity of a mysterious adversary who plagues Hogswart, the school of magic.

What is similar to the first book was that the school staff at Hogswart maintaining an official denial to the source of the threat. In the first book, the Philosopher's Stone (renamed the Sorceror's Stone in the movie) was a closely guarded top secret. This time, it was the Chamber of Secrets which was relegated to the classification of myths and legends. Harry Potter and friends must track the mysterious monster released from the horror by a mysterious Heir of Slytherin which threatened to exterminate students whose antecedents included Muggles.

New characters along for the ride was the flamboyant new teacher Lockhart who taught Defence Against the Dark Arts, younger sister of Ron Weasley, Ginny, who adored Harry, and Lucius Malfoy, father of Draco Malfoy who antagonised Harry and friends in the first book.

Harry and friends had a hard time tracking the elusive culprits, and things never looked more bleak when the greatest defender of Hogswart, Dumblemore, was suspended and sent away from the school. Rowling managed to weave dramatic suspense into the finale.

No doubt, impressionable minds (which included more than just children) could be heavily influenced or seduced by lure of the supernatural, as charged by Anti-Harry-Potter activists.

Whether Harry Potter is a brilliantly packaged trap to lure the innocent to ungodly witchcraft is probably a question which JK Rowling knows the answer best.

However, the ultimate responsibility is on the reader to develop his or her own discernment and this is not likely to happen by banning of books and failure to expose or to prepare the mind to face new challenges.

Harry Potter is orphaned as a baby and raised with a mean aunt and uncle and their incredibly spoiled son. However, his parents were a witch and a wizard, and he is destined to be a wizard. Despite the attempts by the aunt and uncle to suppress Harry's magical side, he ends up going to Hogwarts School of Magic. In "The Chamber of Secrets", Harry survives another awful summer and finally gets to return to Hogwart's for his second year. However, evil forces are out to either destroy or vilify Harry, and adventures abound.

"Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" has the makings of a genuine classic, although it is a little more sinister than the first book in the series. What I found surprising is the fact that I, at age 41, enjoyed it as much as I did. The writing is nearly flawless and, while reading it, the only thing that reminds you that this is a children's book is how quickly the pages fly by. Some of the humor is also definitely aimed at ages 9 to 12, content-wise, but not to a point of being a distraction.

While I would not automatically endorse a book that is widely read by children and has generated as much interest in reading as has the Harry Potter series, I would definitely be predisposed to liking such a book. "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" fulfills the hope that started in me when I saw hordes of children lining up to buy books. This is good fiction, and can lay the groundwork for later introduction of more mature mythical reading, like "The Lord of the Rings".

Some adults are concerned about the Harry Potter books because of the magical, supernatural content. This surprises me, as children are routinely bombarded with fictional characters and unreal stories, without adults organizing protests. Parents need to sit down regularly (not once) and discuss what the difference between fiction and reality is, including the much more realistic-appearing but fictional violence children see frequently on television and in movies. If a child reads a Harry Potter book and believes the magical content, then his or her parents have inadequately addressed the fiction-versus-reality issue with them. And, such a child, who believes the fiction he or she sees is real, is going to be harmed much more by other fictional content available to him and her than he or she is by Harry Potter and his very fictional-appearing magic. My recommendation: Relax, explain the concept of fiction to your children, label Harry Potter as clearly fictional, and let your children enjoy good, imaginative writing.

I thoroughly enjoyed Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets! There is still a magical charm that lures you in, and keeps you begging for more. Reading this second book has definitely set my determination in reading the remainder of the series. After Goblet of Fire, I will anxiously await the release of the new books.

This book starts with the same scene as in the first book...Harry Potter is staying with his relatives, The Dursleys, over summer break. They treat him the same, while fearing his magic at the same time. During the summer, Harry doesn't receive any letters from Hermione, Ron, and Hagrid, and believes his friends to have deserted him. Then, a little house elf named Dobby comes to Harry and begs him not to return to Hogwarts because he is in danger. Dobby also reveals that he has been intercepting Harry's mail. After Harry stays firm on returning to Hogwarts, Dobby causes havoc with the Dursleys, causing them to lock up Harry. The Weasley boys rescue Harry and they start off the year together.

Right off there are some mishaps, and changes that everybody has to deal with. Some include the flying car that crashes, the arrogant new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, and Ron's broken wand.

Then, something terrible starts happening. Students (and a cat) have been turning up...petrified; practically turned to stone! People begin suspecting Harry as the Heir of Slytherin, who can open up the Chamber of Secrets and release whatever is attacking the students. Harry finds a diary from 50 years before, and it turns out to explain much more than first appearance.

Truly marvelous tale! Rowling has such a unique and intrigueing imagination, and she shows it through this wonderful, fictatious boy named Harry Potter.

At the beginning of a Dale Carnegie Course, we were given three books: "How To Stop Worrying and Start Living", "How to Win Friends and Influance People", and "The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking". Out of these books "How to Stop Worrying and Start Living" hits home with most individuals that worry too much about the past and future. This book shows examples and ways to overcome the sickness of worry that occures in our everyday lives. Thus, how to live a happy and healthy life. While reading "How to Stop Worrying and Start Living" you'll notice a lot of what is written applies to people you know and yourself. Again, best self-enhancment book read so far!

This book contains not only the steps for a worry-free living : when applying its techniques and principles in your day-to-day, you start to notice that you are a new person, with much more capacity, and the results of your acting became surprisingly better. It's probable that if you learn and apply correctly what Dale Carnegie wrote many years ago, you will solve very old problems, those very complex problems that you had already given up(ex. relationships with people in family and work, general organization of your life, bad memory, backwardness, etc.). You will be able to do what you believed was an unchangable weakness of yourself, and this will increase your self-confidence.You may ask how can a book be so miraculous. The answer is : this book is based in the toughts of the most wise men of all times, including Jesus Crist, Willian James, Benjamin Franklin, Thoma Edison, and many others, together with the real experiences that Dale Carnegie made in his "lab of how to stop worrying". Thus, in spite of not solving all the problems of our lives, this book certainly contains precepts that every person should know, and is an obligatory reading for those who are not completely happy with their lives.

...why doesn't everyone following them? Because that's the biggest knock I've heard regarding this book. Some people are reading each chapter and coming away saying "well that's obvious." Folks, there isn't anything groundbreaking about this book. There isn't some type of genius method of instantly transforming your life around. It was written decades ago but the solid principles still apply today. For example, if you want to add years to your life, take a nap for an hour each day. Carnegie is then going to tell you exactly who did this and how it helped them transform their life. Read this book once, then twice, then a third time and start living these principles. They are simple but effective and they will, as the title implies, help you start living your life.