I have read a number of books but none that has touched my heart as this. I bought the book at a garage sale when I was 10 years old, due to fire I lost the book a few years ago, and miss it terribly! If you have never read this book you must! Helen has done such a wonderful job at capturing the essence of her story on paper, few can match. Her story of hard times, love, and endurance is so powerful, I cried. I cry now at the thought of not being able to share such a wonderful story with my daughter. If you have a copy of this book, be sure to treasure it always.

Only my closest friends are given the privilege of borrowing this delightfully written true story; the long out-of-print and (before the days of the internet) irreplaceable book has been one of my most closely guarded treasures since childhood. Any family with several small children, of course, will have a store of hilarious anecdotes; children raised with love combine insouciant joy with freedom from adult assumptions and habits of thought, so that any house full of love and children is a house full of unpredictability and laughter. But Helen Doss, unlike most parents, can capture her children in her writing and pass the joy on to us. I don't know anyone who has managed to read the book through without at some point laughing to the point of tears.

But the book is much more than a connection of Readers' Digest anecdotes strung together. Ms. Doss reveals, through deft and honest touches, her own weaknesses and struggles, her impetuosity and her grit. She communicates with power the pain that can come in so many different ways to a woman with a tremendous need to love, especially when obstacles - infertility, unreasonable adoption agencies, poverty - rise up to keep her from satisfying that need. And the portrait of her husband Carl, who changes as much as the children do, is vivid and telling. The Carl who says, "Let's take 'em all" at the end of the book is a very different Carl from the one who agrees to the first adoption largely to humor his wife and to keep her from moping weepily and endlessly about the house, and whose annual refrain for many years is, "This is the last one!" You expect him to come on board, of course; but his path is a bit surprising and most revealing of the essence of the man. In particular his ability to close ranks against outside inteference shows the degree to which his love for his family is as strong as his wife's, however differently it might be expressed.

As a family memoir alone, it would be a classic. But because the children were of mixed racial ancestry - in the 'forties and 'fifties - the Doss family became an unwilling catalyst for the ignorance and prejudice of the time. It is part of the Doss magic that the love in the family was strong enough to triumph over the unpleasant incidents, so that those incidents enriched, rather than poisoned, the Doss childhoods. (Not that this made them less unpleasant, of course.)

The book is never preachy. Nevertheless, it is a vivid documentary of how racism was built into the attitudes of even "nice" people of that time. It is a sermon of a kind, a sermon lived out in the lives of the Doss family. It is a primer on how to overcome evil with good, a standing lesson to a nation still struggling with racial resentment.

But the genuinely remarkable thing is that, despite the frequent intrusions suffered by the family from racially prejudiced outsiders, the book is not about race. No doubt this is because the Doss family was never about race. When the book crosses your mind in the days after you've closed it - and it will, frequently - it will not be as a book about race. It will be as a book about a uniquely special family and about the triumph of love and joy and grace and laughter over whatever might vainly try to overcome them.

This is the story of a husband and wife who adopted 12 children of mixed ancestry. Often just scraping by, they had a lot of love to share. Helen relates her experiences of dragging husband Carl along in the bumpy journey of building their family. Her tales of raising so many children, several of them the same age, through all the escapades that children can think up is funny and sweet at the same time, and often poignant. At the age of 10, I ordered this book through Scholastic book services. 27 years later, that tattered, dog eared, worn out book is lovingly stored in my keepsake box, though I take it out every year or so to re-read it. I still thrill to the opening words "I didn't yearn for a career, or maids and a fur coat, or a trip to Europe. All in the world I wanted was a happy, normal little family", as I settle in for the heartwarming read this book is. Because of reading this book, adoption was not such a daunting prospect; in fact, I hoped I would be able to adopt someday, a dream happily realized with my two beautiful children. The book is also a fascinating picture of the time period in American history, during the late 30's to the mid 50's, not to mention a glimpse at the life of a pastor's family. It provides insight into the prejudices of that time as well. My only regret is that I will never get to meet Mrs. Doss to tell her how much her book means to me. I think it should be required reading for all students, if only it would return to print!

When I bought this book, I really wasn't expecting nothing out of the ordinary. But as I started to read the book it really showed that it was very unique. Victor Villasenor is the writer of "Rain of Gold". What the book talks about is his background. He descends from a mexican heritage and goes from there talking about his family's struggle to immigrate California during the mexican revolution (Pancho Villa). Throughout the whole story he focus in the importance of what his family means to him and for their generations. Also in how "love" plays a very important role in every generation. As well as respect and obidience for his ancestors.

What a privilege it was to be able to share the story of these incredible families. This is a tough story to read at times and yet it is truly beautiful the way these people kept their faith in their struggle in the United States. Often pushed aside like trash, the Mexicans in Rain of Gold showed that it took more than just macho in order to make it in the white man's world. Salvador Villasenor seems like a character out of fiction, and Lupe as well; their story matches any immigrant one I've read for the hardship and rough lifestyle they led. Read this book to find out what those people who have picked the cheap produce we eat every day have gone through to make it in this country.

Rain of Gold is a book written by Victor Villaseñor an author of Mexican Heritage. Villaseñor wrote this book when he felt the urge to pas down to his children the history behind their name. Villaseñor traveled to Mexico and after years of hard work and several conflicts he published "Rain of Gold", the biography of his family. In "Rain of Gold" Villaseñor describes with full detail the lives of his ancestors in Mexico and later in the United States. More than just a story, Villaseñor gives a vivid image of life during the Mexican Revolution {the times of Pancho Villa}. He explains how his family was forced as well as other families to abandon their beloved country because of the violence and danger the Mexican Revolution brought to its citizens. Villaseñor also explains the hardships his family had to got through to adapt and survive prejudice, hunger and unfair work in the states. Not only does Villaseñor capture the struggles of his family but also the exciting and glorious moments his ancestors lived. This book has a vivid message to everybody of Mexican background. Especially to teenagers who usually don't get the chance to be taught their history with out somebody making fun or putting down their culture. This is the first book that I have truly related to, because of my Mexican background and hardships I've faced in this country. This is a book you just can't stop reading because you get so close to the characters. By the end of the book I assure you that not only will you know all of the people in the book but you will also respect and consider them part of your family! More importantly, I recommend this book to everybody who has parents or somebody who has immigrated to this country in search of opportunities and better life.

snny's third diary wasn't as good as her second and third but it was still well written. i liked her other diaries better because they delt with more issues. there was more storylines involved that made it interessting. in her third book, the center focus was on her mom's dying. mrs. martin seemed to really prolong the death and drag it out. it got to a pont where i was sick of reading about it. i think she should of used half the book on sunny saying goodbye and her mom dying and then the other half on something else. her friends were hardly mentioned, when before they took up a lot of the book. i like hearing about the other character's in the series from each character's perspectives and that was missing from this one. i enjoy hearing what sunny has to say about her friends because she usually has a funny view on them. the book was really sad, though. i cried through the ending and the funeral. afterwards, i was sort of depressed, but i can't say i was surprised. everyone who's followed the series has known that her mom was going to die. out of all the character's, i like sunny the best. despite the fact that she seems like she should be at least 14 or 15 and not 13 (none of the characters act their ages), i think she's the most realistic. dawn is portrayed sort of babyish in her 1st and 3rd diaries (how she is so shocked to see people drinking, etc) and ducky, although he is a loyal friend, he's kind of wimpy. (i guess i don't understand why a 16 yr. old guy would want to hang out with 13 yr. girs.) maggie is kind of obsesive but amalia seems nice. her diaries are interessting to read. overall, i think the series is good and would recommend that everyone read it. it is nothing like the bsc, which is a good thing. i just wish that mrs. martin would age the characters by a couple of years and not have them repeat grades over and over again. also, i think that the next dawn book should be when dawn goes back to stoneybrook and dumps the bsc. then they should have bsc diaries from those characters pov's and have them be realistic like the cd's. i wish mrs. martin would write a 'jill' diary. she acts like a baby but maybe she's not really like that inside.

I love this book so much! When I came home from school one day I picked up this book and started reading it. I didn't stop until the end-except to get a tissue. This book was so touching. I now know how much my mom is needed and how much I love her. Sunny, Diary 3 is the best book I've ever read, and I hope Ann M. Martin writes more books as touching as this one.

When i read a book its like reading just another chapter in my social studies book. I never before had a book move me emotionally as to where i felt as though i WAS that person who's life was spilled upon those pages. In "Sunny Diary 3" I was moved to tears. The book began the way most Sunny books do. She was describing her life at that moment, her fight with Ducky, her life at School and of course her life with her mother. It wasn't until near the middle of the book when you begin to (as well as Sunny) realise how BAD Mrs Winslows cancer has begun to effect her. Before long it becomes inevident that her mother will die. And that her death is very near. It wasn't until i read "This is undoubtedly the haredest thing you will ever have to do"..."How do I prepare my good-bye to my Mother...forever". That made me sob to where i had to put the book down and cry. Its a excellent book. READ IT! EVERYONE SHOULD READ THIS BOOK! It makes you value your parents in a whole new prospective...especially your mother...the sweetest kindest creature in exsistance...imagine her gone. and Just. Cry.

This book touched my heart. It made me cry. I enjoyed this book emensley and I am in the process of reading David Pelzers 2nd book,"The lost boy"which too, touches my heart. I am a foster parent and I think all foster parents and anyone that is raising a child should read this. We all get angry at our kids, but this is the worst case I have ever heard of. I have great respect for David for being a survivor. I too have been a victim of child abuse and I am a survivor also. I am wating patiently for the 3rd book,"A Man Called Dave". Get this book and read it. You won't be able to put it down. It's the best heart breaking and heart warming story you will ever read.

This book broke my heart. To believe that a mother would do to her child what David's mother did to him is unbelievable. To find the courage to tell the world about his experiences is outstanding. David has written a book that expresses the horror of child abuse without doing so in a "pity me" manner. I found the book fascinating and sad. I highly recommend this book. It is said to be one of a trilogy. I am looking forward to reading the other two books. For those who do read it, you might find it interesting to note that he states in an interview that he went back as an adult and spoke with his mother before she died and forgave her. He said he asked her if she would really have killed him and he says that she told him the only reason she didn't was that she couldn't decide what to do with the body.

The book a child called it would have to be one of the best books that I have read in a long time. The way that this whole book is put togather is remarkable.This child went through so much and thank the lord above he is still alive today for his own safety and to write about his experience as a child to let others know of the child abuse that is happining in this world today. This book really touched me, it made me have so much anger and hate towards his mother and father. How could his father sit there and let all this mental and physial abuse just happen to his own child, his own flesh and blood. It's so ridiculous. Just reading this book made me think about all the children out there who are just like David, getting abused, it made me want to get up and try to do something about it. It made me so full of anger and sadness for David. All togather I belive this book is extrodanary and I would recomend it to anyone.

Yes...Sunny is coping with a serious crisis of her mother being ill & parts of the book are heartbreaking, but Sunny needs to grow up & start acting responsibly & realize that other people have feelings, too. I liked how she turned to Carol & found out how understanding Carol is. I f only she'd see what a wonderful friend Dawn is instead of taking advantage of her, then criticizing her for getting mad. I thought Dawn did the right thing by not letting Sunny camp out in her house indefinately. Dawn doesn't have to put up with Sunny acting selfishly & irresponsibly, then using her mother's illness as an excuse. Plenty of kids go through bad situations, like Abby losing her dad, & they feel sad & mourn, but don't fall apart & run away & throw responsibility down the toilet. I hope Sunny grows up & becomes a stronger person.

Picking between the 2, I choose Sunny #6, and here's why--This is where the big fight with Sunny and Dawn begins. Sunny made a bad decision about leaving the house to see a guy-friend outside while food was cooking on the stove. After it almost starts a fire, Dawn's entire family is mad at Sunny, most of all, Dawn. Then, later on, Sunny apologizes to everyone, and everyone, except Dawn, forgives her. Dawn made a big deal out of nothing and with all the problems Sunny is having, Dawn throws "losing a good friend" on top of it. This book rox and you should read it, too to find out the rest.

P.S. Buy Dawn #7, too just to find out what happens with the fight because it lasts through 6 books in the series.

This book totally rock. When I read it I actually felt drawn to Sunny and her denial of her life. I think that Dawn ahould have stuck by Sunny and be her friend instead of trying to be her boss. Dawn thinks that Sunny should deal with her mother but she doesn't understand the pain Sunny's in so she judges her just like everone else(except Ducky). I think that when Dawn realizes all the people that love her, she'll retaliate.

I do not know Judy Kerr personally, but I do know she has created the most honest up-to-date powerful book/bible for the beginning or working actor in America.

I was lost in L.A. until I bought this book. She has LIFETIMES of knowledge and connections wrapped up for you to read/resource. My friends who have been at the acting game for years and years know much less than me after only a month.

Judy has every tool a motivated actor needs to be successful in this book. Everything is current with incredible web-sites, phone numbers, resources, groups and written word from true professionals in the busines. Thank you Judy, you have saved me time, energy, money, frustration and given me confidence to achieve my goals. Knowing what what I know now after reading most of the book, I would have spent thousands for this knowledge.

Wow! This book was so good and it was packed with so much information. I loved it. It tells you everything you'll need to know about acting. It starts off answering the questions of what is acting and can acting be taught followed by many quotes from famous actors. It discusses all the different types of acting teachers, like cold reading and audition technique teachers, private coaches, voice teachers, etc. It also goes into talking about photographers and agents. It goes over resumes and pictures and has samples of resumes and pictures. What I was most pleased with was the fact that she named several impressive and skillful acting coaches and photographers,etc. Plus, if you don't already live in California it has a section on how and when to move to California. She was very honest and positive which I greatly appreciated. She had so much information packed in this one book. It's definitely worth it's money. I can't even begin to tell you how excellent this book truly is. If you don't already have it, I highly recommend that you buy it as soon as possible.

I find this book very useful. I don't live, nor plan to go to L.A.. I live in Miami and work for the spanish speaking market, and the information Judy provides in this book, is unbelievable. What I did was to apply the tips and information she gives, to my city. I had to do a little research for my area, but who cares if the spirit of the book is what counts.

I can't believe that someone took the time to do all the research Judy Kerr did, talk to all those people, compiled all those materials. After you read the book you will see that she didn't do this for the money, but for love of the art. If she does everything like this book, I supose she must be a profesional in the whole sense.

I recommend this book for the working actors and the serious aspiring actors. If you are not serious I advice you not to read this book, because after you finish it, you won't have an excuse to don't finding a job in acting .

Thank you Judy for this Book

I first read this book in 1986, when as a student, I acquired an advance copy of it, complete with typo's and spelling errors. Since then, Cosmic Bandito's has taken on the status of a Gutenberg Bible with me.

This tells a relatively straight forward story (hah, hah) of a Dope Smuggler's quest for cosmic philosophic enlightenment thru quantum mechanics, massive quantities of tequila, gratuitous use of high explosives, and a dog. Thus setting Weisbecker up to be my spiritual mentor.

Don't laugh, the author somehow makes it all work. Weisbecker managed to get thru a philosophy degree, several physics classes and 10 years in the military with the power of his admittedly distorted vision.

To illustrate how this works, lets use the Uncertainty Principle, typically taught with the use of Schrodinger's Cat. Weisbecker uses the Bandito Uncertainty principle, with the Observer only being able to see the outside of the Bandito filled tavern, when energy is applied (in the form of Tequila, and Dope) you can see the results visibly as Banditos are launched thru the tavern windows, or out the tavern doors. If, however, the Observer was to enter the Tavern, he or she would immediately impede the progress of the experiment as they would be in the way of flying Banditos.

This may not be for everyone, but I can assure you that once you read this book, you will never ever forget it.

In closing, I must make note of how Weisbecker has pioneered the footnote into a whole new form of literary genre. His use of the Time Traveling Footnote (TTF) has guaranteed him a place in the hall of literary heroes.

When a friend of mine approached me with an old book of his a few years ago named "Cosmic Banditos" all I could do was laugh. However, the last laugh was difinitely on me. Never had I read such a hilarious, nonsensical, and metaphysical book. If only more people had heard of "cosmic Banditos," I truly think it would have become a genuine cult classic. If you haven't read this tale of drugs, corruption, fate, and Mexican spoofs, now is the time to BUY

I completely agree with the one reader review already here for this remarkably insane, yet imminently intelligent, laugh-fest. I've never read anything like it. While many novels have made me chuckle or even bark a little, this is the only novel I've ever read that had me falling out of my chair bellowing laughter. I, too, have no idea why more people didn't find this novel. But I do know that everyone I've ever lent my two copies to has agreed with me. It's well worth trying to find through whichever means you can. Plus, it also has the best author bio I've ever read at the back of the book: "Not much is known about A.C. Weisbecker, and A.C. Weisbecker wants to keep it that way." I re-read this every couple of years, especially when I'm feeling down. It's a written anti-depressant of the highest order, and it's only side effect is laughter.

I had read "A Child Called 'It'" in three goes. I had been annoyed being left with the big Q: "Why?". But imagine how Dave must have felt then.

And I finished reading The Lost Boy in one go! Still I didn't find the answer, tho it teases the reader with a prospect of the the big A. I hope it's in the 3rd book!

I realize the simplicity of the language and the smooth storytelling make it easy to keep reading. And I was kept with the continuos suspense of anticipating a string of possible outcomes that can either be horrendous or relieving.

I hope there are no more such mothers as The Mother.

I would recommend the book for the true extraordinary story it has, the easy reading it presents, and the uncommon love it illustrates. Sure you'll either ponder at your own blessed life or get inspired by the trying yet triumphant journey, or both.

After reading A Child Called IT, I could not help but read the lost boy. And now after reading the lost boy I can't wait to read A man called Dave. The lost boy was about a boy who went through the worst childhood anyone could ever image, or even wish upon anyone else to go through. This book only covers from ages 12-18, which is a lot more pleasant that what he went through the rest of the years. After his school realized what had been happening to David, they called the police and social services and was taken away from his mother. When his mother discovered that David had revealed the family secret she was ferious. But she couldn't do anything to him, they went to court and he was warded to the state until the age of 18, so his mother couldn't get to him. Over the next five years David was stiched from foster home to foster home. A few of the places he became comfortable in but that for one reason or another was taken away. Over the years his mother had said that he was a bad child and that no one could love him. She had said it so much that he belived it. At first he would would have nightmares about her coming to take him back to "the house." His nother had a certain power over him, that was hard for him to get away from. His mother got visitation rights, so she would go and visit him at the home where he was staying, but most of the time she wouldn't even talk to him. She would talk to his foster parent and tell them to be careful because he would try to be sneaky, and that he was such a bad child when he lived with her. When she visited him she never called him by his name, instead, she would call him "The Boy." Around age 17 or 18, David hadn't talked to his father in so long that he decides to go and find him. David ends up finding him, but when he does he is not the man he remembers. He is a drunk and he has no love left in his eyes. His eyes were dark and lost. Reading this book made me realize how strong David was. He had the worst childhood that anyone could ever imagine, and he is still alive and kept his faith through it all.

This book was very touching and unbelievable that a child could survive such horrific abuse by the mother! I couldn't get over how this mom could be so loving toward her other kids, and such a monster to David, make him eat vomit, drink ammonia. tie him up sometimes in the garage, beat him and burn him badly, and you name it. As I read this true story,I wondered what it was that made her tick and why a person could have such a hate on for one of her own children. And yet, through the story, David craved his mother's love so desparately, and he did love her. As he was sent to a foster home, he still sometimes tried to return to his mothers house. And she could never ever muster the least little bit of love for David. As I read, I could not figure out why the siblings, who knew what was happening, as well as the father, didn't report her much much sooner.

This story will bring tears to your eyes. And you'll wonder as you read it, how Dave ever survived at all.

At First, when Amalia ( Who is in 8th grade ) moved to Polo City, CA everything was perfect! She had made a lot of friends at school, was a manager of a band, has a boyfriend who is a Junior, and so much else! Then her boyfriend, James becomes to protective. I don't want to tell you any more 'cause it will spoil the story. One of the best book's by Ann M. Martin!! Make sure you also read " Maggie " , another "California Diaries " book.

I loved this book, as well as the other California Diaries, because the girls' lives (like mine, me being 11) are so real. Their problems seem MUCH more real to me than the girls' problems in the BSC. The only thing I don't like about the California Diaries are 2 of the girls sound sooooo depressed (Sunny & Maggie). Amalia & Dawn seem to be the more up-beat, less depressed half of the group. This book covers the subject of abuse, which I don't think should be left alone. My mom used to run a safe-house before we moved& then I was about 7 when i realized what an important issue it was. I'm glad this book covered that subject.

I like Amalia's courage in dealing with her abusive boyfriend. Good thing she dumps him and her friends and sister stood by her! Bravo! It tells girls that no, they do NOT have to put up with abuse. This book was as good as the BSC "Claudia & the Terrible Truth" which was also about abuse. Have Amalia & Claudia met? They should, they're somewhat alike, being artistic and creative and each having an older sister. The California Diaries delve somewhat deeper because it's in a diary form, but the BSC books are just as great. What I like are the first-person accounts that make you feel as if you're right inside the main character's head. Those who claim the BSC are "goody" ought to read deeper. In some ways the BSC books are diarylike.

Today was a great day, because TODAY I received my passing CBEST scores in the mail. I owe this passing grade to my parents, who instilled in me a great work and study ethic...but next in line for gratitude is the CRACKING THE CBEST book. I looked at other books, and, in fact, a week before the test, succumbed to pressure and went out and bought the CLIFFS NOTES CBEST prep guide. What a waste of money and time! It was an outdated book which hypothesized that the test was much more difficult than it was. The Princeton Review's CRACKING THE CBEST book is the only book you will need. I read through it twice, took the practice exams, and sailed through the CBEST itself, confident that I had passed. It was practical, in that it only told you what you needed to know. Actually, the CBEST was even easier than what was in this book, but it was pretty close. Thanks Mom, Dad, and Princeton Review!

For those who wish to teach the nation's children there are numerous obstacles to overcome, and the CBEST is one of them. Cracking the CBEST truly helped me make it past this one of many steps towards my teaching degree. I live in Nevada and had to travel two and half hours to take the test, so there was a definite need to be prepared. If I failed then it would be back home to study and redo the portion that I failed (there are three portions: mathematics, reading comp, and some essays).

My advice is to get this book well in advance of your test date so that you will be able to apply the many valuable test-taking tips given by the author. Study hard and you too will be able to overcome this hurdle and move ahead to your future as an educator.

Enjoy, I know you will. With effort come rewards, and sometimes we just need a little help. Cracking the CBEST really does help you'll see....

In my opionion, "Cracking the CBEST" is the best test preparation book in the market that money can buy. I highly recommend this book because it have helped me to pass the CBEST. I want to take this opportunity to thank you the author, Rick Sliter.