Adam Cole's THE MYTH OF MAGIC is a very entertaining, in-depth, and well thought-out first novel. The essence of the story is that magic, like storytelling or music, is something used for rituals and entertainment. It augments emotions, but does not do things such as cause people to turn into frogs or fly on broomsticks (Harry Potter fans will be disappointed, but the more discerning readers will enjoy this break from the cliché). The use of magic in this way is a metaphor for disciplines that have lost their favor in the public eye, or at least their mystique. The magicians are outcasts, not because they trade in the occult, but because they have devoted themselves to something archaic-not arcane. I see this as an allegory for certain religions, Judaism perhaps, as well as such archaic disciplines that we tend to adopt out of interest in beauty or the past. It certainly fits with any ethnic group that has been persecuted because of different beliefs or other traits that society finds unusual.
While the story is centered around the apprenticeship of a young boy, the novel is not a children's story. Parallel plots concern the politics of the town and involve adult characters whose motivations show humanity at its worst and best.
Cole's detailed description, lively dialogue, and sense of the symbolic enhances a unique and entertaining story. THE MYTH OF MAGIC is a piece of fantasy that is unusual in the best way. It is original, which is rare in this genre.

Reading aloud to your children opens their eyes to new worlds. Even, in this case, to unknown worlds right next door. How does life look through the eyes of a bright young African-American woman, raised in a junkyard of broken hopes and frustrated dremas? How did the lessons in integrity learned in that environment carry her to a position of high visibility in the White House? How do you deal with the unintentional slights thoughtlessly handed out by the dominant culture, while yet retaining your own sweetness of spirit?

Beautiful. Expresses the themes and feelings that come from an identity with a particular place which is a universal experience. Love, home, self, loss, wonder, birth, time, the sweet and sardonic goings on of one's community, and one's own life there. Taha may be Palestinian, but to me he is affiliated with the monks of Tibet who sit on platforms in the Himalayas, on the roof of the world, and chant, constantly, weaving us with their chests and humming into the rythms of order in universe. And if you ever have the chance to see and hear him, you'll agree, I think.

My daughters and I enjoy this heartwarming story about a little girl who finds cleanliness to be quite loathsome. Brock Cole's illustrations are warm and depict Jessie's personality perfectly. After running away from home and "living" with a few farm friends she may find that baths aren't the worst things in the world-are they?

This book not only takes a fresh and thoroughly readable look at two extraordinary lives -- it also includes some excellent assessments of their songs. I've read most everything published on these two men and found this book worthwhile and highly enjoyable. If only all composer bios were so intelligently handled!

This book is one of my favorites. I am buying another as I have worn down the original paperback that I found in a used bookstore. The book follows the life of Noel Wien from his beginnings in rural Minnesota to his eventual ownership of the largest Airline in Alaska. If you are a pilot or if you are an aviation afficianado, this book will appeal to you. The stories are very readable and the writer does a great job of making them storylike. He ties Wien into Alaska's history, especially the early days of aviation.

This book has adorable illustrations which make it easy for younger children to follow along the storyline of Norma Jean (a Kangaroo)who learns the hard way that there is a time and place for everything. The easy to read format makes it a good choice for beginning readers. Also, adults will like this story as it is just the right length for a bedtime story.

If your a Christian Parent or Youth Worker, then this is the book for you. Even if your not a Christian this book is very informative. It really opens your eyes to the growing problem of Drug use amoung our teenagers. It gives you prime examples of what can happen and does happen everyday in the Christian family. Many people think that drug use doesn't occur in their families. Read this book and find out the truth. Even children who grow up in the best of homes, make mistakes and get involved sometimes very heavily in drugs. I speak from expierence not only from my own life but from reading this New Book. This book will aid us all in combating this problem. (The War on Drugs) A must read.

I once bought a book from a puffin For a sandwich and half of my muffin These rhymes are absurd You aquatic bird I'll tell you that much for nothin.