Any newcomer to sf looking for a place to start could do no better than 'The Science Fiction Hall of Fame Volume I.' The collection includes some of the very best sf stories from 1929 to 1964, as nominated by members of SFWA (Science Fiction Writers of America) and chosen by editor Robert Silverberg. They include such classics as:

"Nightfall" Isaac Asimov (perhaps the most famous sf story ever)
"Scanners Live in Vain" Cordwainer Smith
"The Nine Billion Names of God" Arthur C. Clarke

"Flowers for Algernon" Daniel Keyes
"A Rose for Ecclesiastes" Roger Zelazny
just to name a handful

So many other powerhouse writers are also represented: Ray Bradbury, John W. Campbell, Robert A. Heinlein, Clifford Simak, Theodore Sturgeon, James Blish, Alfred Bester, Damon Knight...the list goes on and on and on.

If I could only have one book of sf stories, this would be the one. A classic.

672 pages

Any newcomer to sf looking for a place to start could do no better than 'The Science Fiction Hall of Fame Volume I.' The collection includes some of the very best sf stories from 1929 to 1964, as nominated by members of SFWA (Science Fiction Writers of America) and chosen by editor Robert Silverberg. They include such classics as:

"Nightfall" Isaac Asimov (perhaps the most famous sf story ever)
"Scanners Live in Vain" Cordwainer Smith
"The Nine Billion Names of God" Arthur C. Clarke

"Flowers for Algernon" Daniel Keyes
"A Rose for Ecclesiastes" Roger Zelazny
just to name a handful

So many other powerhouse writers are also represented: Ray Bradbury, John W. Campbell, Robert A. Heinlein, Clifford Simak, Theodore Sturgeon, James Blish, Alfred Bester, Damon Knight...the list goes on and on and on.

If I could only have one book of sf stories, this would be the one. A classic.

672 pages

If you ever had an interest in science fiction, you simply must go out and find these books. Classic, defining stories from the days of science fiction when giants walked the earth and there were no special effects, just ideas and the need to tell a story in less then 5000 words.

Read classics like "Flowers for Algernon" and "The Cold Equations" and see what visionaries some of these authors were. Read "Nightfall" and see Isaac Asimov in his prime, or "Mimsy Were The Borogroves" and muse on the time when sci-fi wasn't written to fit on a Taco Bell cup.

Any one of these stories is worth the price of the book. Nothing else to say. Find it, buy it, read it, keep it.

Terrific story and illustrations, harmonizing into a wonderful melody that serves the entire family! "Holding hands, laughing, and giggling" is music that we should teach our children and grandchildren. We should model it for them. I've given Shalamazoo to grandchildren, nieces and nephews -- and to our library. Get it, read it, believe it!

Speaking on behalf of the child that lives within me as well as the adult I am becoming, Shalamazoo is an adventure in a vividly illustrated world which mirrors that of humanity, allowing us to remember the importance of companionship, equality, and learning...all the while dancing through a rhythm of storytelling which ignites emotion and laughter for children and adults alike. Any night stand would be deprived without a copy residing atop it.

Forget the battery-operated toys, and stimulate the natural battery that exists in the form of a child's imagination. It begins with page one of Shalamazoo...

I don't even have children and I loved this book. I must admit that I still read children's books. There's something innocent and charming about them. This on fits the bill. I'm getting two for my nephews. I'm sure they will love it too.

I especially enjoyed Jessica Churchill's illustrations. They are unlike any I've seen! I hope to see more of her art.

I read this book years ago, about 1964. It has been an all-time favorite. Beautifully written. Anyone who reads this book is going to love George the Stegosaurus and his two friends, Joey and Joan, the children who found him. This is a wonderful book to read to your older children, age 10 more or less. I suggest we all read this book again for old-times sake!! Enjoy.

By Christie Schultz I'm currently looking for titles by an author that I remember with fondness from my own childhood. I am a teacher, and have been trying to find them for my students, and my own son. E.S. Lampman wrote not only about Native Americans, but about fantasy worlds which put science fiction effectively into the hands of young people. The first two are the "Shy Stegosaurus" books. I found one of them listed and it is "hard to find"; the first is "The Shy Stegosaurus of Indian Springs". It's about a stegosaurus which not unreasonably has a weird liking for bananas (the more ripe, the better), and at some point it is labled as an Indian spirit by the local Native American Shaman. You're right, it's a great story! The second book is "The Shy Stegosaurous of Cricket Creek", the story line of which I forget other than a brother and sister find the last living dinosaur, and it can talk to them. The children are out riding horses in the canyon, and suddenly they see the rock face move...the dinosaur has to live near a mineral spring to survive.... Lampman effectively uses biological concepts like natural camoflage of animals as plot devices, makes reasonable guesses about their dietary needs, and as well she shows an effective grasp of Native American cultural issues. One of her later sci-fi books, "Rusty's Spaceship", was pure fantasy with the weird visits to various planets in the solar system, but it is such a ripping good story that questionable science facts become immaterial! (Jules Verne wasn't accurate either, but he's still in print!). In fact, reading it as an adult, I see it for what it is, the book is a child's dream of what might really be on Jupiter (creatures made of gas bags) or on Mars (armies of flying ants) or how it might be to take your homemade spaceship into space. Another title by this author is "City Under the Back Steps", and it's a precursor to "Honey I Shrunk the Kids" and a semi-steal from L.F Baum's "Policeman Bluejay" (another rarity from 1910 or so). Storyline: two children are bitten by the Queen ant and shrink down to ant size....and learn a good deal about the life of a hive of ants. Lampman had a very pithy sense of humor I thought at the time, and I enjoyed these books, and others by her, very much as a child. I wish they were around for youngsters today.

What's amazing is that there are five other reviews here of this obscure children's book, which has to be almost 40 years old. One reviewer here recalls reading the book back in 1964, which is about the year I would have read it. And we all seem to have fond memories of reading this delightful book. This story about George the shy stegosaurus was one of the most entertaining children's books I (and apparently, all the other reviewers here, too) ever read, which, from the title, you might think we were all nuts. But back in the early 60's this was state-of-the-art for children's books, and it really was a great little book. It skillfully integrated a dinosaur theme with the story of the curious little brother and sister who discovered his hideaway, and things take off from there. I understand there are occasional rare, used copies available--but unfortunately they're not cheap.

Lampman also wrote several other books, Rusty's Spaceship, one other shy stegosaurus book, The Shy Stegosaurus of Indian Springs, and The World Under the Back Steps. Rusty's Spaceship was another one of my favorites. In this book, Rusty and his alien friend, Tipia, go gallivanting around the solar system, having various adventures, before returning to earth, where they have a few more in their invisible spaceship.

All these are great books for your kids. If you can find reasonably priced used copies, they're all worth picking up.

This book is great! Strange Forces takes all the Strange Matter books and rolls them into one astounding novel. As far as I know, there are four of these books, Strange Forces 1,2,3, and Strange Forces: The Last Buru. People didn't buy these books enough and apparently, the creators went out of buisness. I wish more people had known about them, then the book would have gotten more sales and it would have stayed in buisness. Strange Matter was a great series, and I know quite a few people who want to see Strang Forces, and all the other Strange Matter books, make a comeback. I would reccomend this book to anyone.

Engle & Barnes could stomp the competition such as Goosebumps and Ghosts of Fear Street, if people would just read their Strange Matter series. They don't let us down with the newest addition to Strange Matter- Strange Forces. This book takes us to a new level of terror and suspense because this book isn't the usual 120 pg. Strange Matter. This time we leap into an epic story that lasts 269 pg. of terror. From the get-go, Engle & Barnes keep us in suspense when they introduce a new character named Rilo Buru. He has escaped from his master The Collector, and trying to find an ancient item that can give The Collector power over all supernatural beings, in Fairfield, the city where Strange Matter books take place. Rilo Buru has stolen The Collector's only source of finding the item, the Ceques. The kids who have encountered monsters, ghouls, and ghosts, in Fairfield come together to help stop The Collector from finding the item that will let him control all strange forces

When I first started these books I loved them! I couldn't get enough of em'! At 10 times better than Goosebumps, it's hard to say you don't like these books! They're a fast-paced rip-roaring thriller! Wish the publishers would get some stock of these amazing books. How could you possibally not love em'. If anyone was wondering my favorite characters are Michelle and Morgan. Actally, I'd even say these books tops Animorphs also! I don't know why people don't buy these books like they do Animorphs and Goosebumps. There just sooo good they scare me! Actually, another reason I love em' is cause there wonderfully cool, but not scary. Well, not scary enough for you to wet your pants! I'll admit at 11, I can still wet my pants if the books scary enough! Remember: READ STRANGE FORCES! See ya!

Rae has two people she has been able to rely on, Anthony, who knows her secret, and Yana, who doesn't. When Rae helped Anthony get a football scholarship at Sanderson Prep, she never expected she'd lose him, to the very people who abandoned her when she needed them most - her former friends. So now, Rae and Yana are on their own, trying to find out who's after Rae. They figure the best way to do that is to investigate the New Age group Rae's mother was in before Rae was born. There are people out there that know the full truth about all the strange things that went on in the group, but they are afraid. When a man who worked at the center where the group was held offers to meet with Rae and tell her everything, she jumps at the chance, not knowing that she and Yana may be getting themselves into more trouble than they can handle. I can't wait to read the next book in the series, and the wait until it is released is way too long! All readers who enjoyed the first three books in the Fingerprints series must read this one.

In "Secrets" Anthony starts to go to school at Sanderson Prep. He hopes that this will get him and Rae even closer. However things are way different then he expected. He is befriend by Rae's old friends, the very ones who abandoned her. It seems that Jackie Rae's old friend seems to be hitting it on with him making him very uncomfortable. What he doesn't realize is how Rae is feeling as their misunderstanding grows deeper.

Rae feels Anthony has abandoned her. It seems he never has time for her problems anymore since he keeps blabbering about how there is something seriously wrong with Jackie. Whats more it seems like he has befriended her old friends. Now she only has one person who cares about her---Yana. As she and Yana dig into Raes mom's past they get themselves closer to danger as they look into the New Agey Group Rae's mom particpated in.

Just when Rae has gotten pretty close to the truth Jackie is sent to the hospital on overdosige of aspirin. Rae realizes how wrong she was and decides to repear her friendship with Anthony.

However just when things are getting much better between the two of them Rae disappears with Yana. Can Anthony figure out he clue she gave him and find her in time?

Rae/Anthony fans will be very happy in the end when they...Sorry! You will have to read it to find out!

After Rae discovered her gift to read people's thoughts through their fingerprints, Rae realizes that she owes her life to Anthony... In "Trust Me", Rae tried to help Anthony by finding his father, and then she helped him get into Sanderson Prep... but by doing this, she bent their relationship too far...

In "Secrets", Anothony befriends Rae's old friends at his new school, and Rae is left with only one friend- Yana. While Rae and Anthony are barely speaking, she and Yana search for answers. They come upon the building where her mother went to her mysterious "group meetings"... Rae knows all the answers can be found there, but blinded by her excitement, Yana and Rae fall into a trap where their only chance of escape is Anthony... Will he come to her rescue?

Fingerprints is one of the best series out there... Rae and her quest to find out her mother's past is thrilling and exciting... The relationship that develops between Rae and Anthony was set perfectly... They didn't become BEST friends in one book, but like in real life, it developed over time, where eventually their trust and feelings for each other were able to grow stronger. This book, as well as all the past and future books to come, places you with situations you never dreamed... I suggest reading this suspenseful book and fall into Rae's world- who knows how long it will last...

The stories in this volume show how difficult it is to be gay -- that is, to be a human being. The characters are basically all the same person: a bright, loquacious, ironic Aerican gay male who may be white or black, Asian or Hispanic, 22 or 42, who deals with society, family, and the culture of the mass media with humor, compassion, and a touch of self-pity. I liked the story about the gay punk rock band the best, but the story of the closeted gay cowboy ranch manager was also very affecting, especially in light of the fact that it takes place in Wyoming after Matthew Shepard's murder. The author seems to like women and old people, too -- or his characters do. A nice, pleasant read. I laughed aloud a few times, and it usually takes a lot to get me to do that.

Although some of the stories are kind of experimental and use techniques I think they don't really need, I think this is a wonderful collection of stories about gay relationships and cultural identity. Grayson's couples are usually interracial or intercultural -- black/white, white/Asian, Asian/Hispanic, Jewish/Indian, punk/cowboy -- and their conflicts are played for witty comedy and clever dialogue. There's also a very poignant strain in memories of experiences of loss, including those friends who've died of AIDS. The author seems to be trying to use gay relationships as a way of dealing with our current obsessions: the Internet, wealth, ethnic identity, and pop culture -- not to mention dieting (a lot about food in this book, including ethnic stuff). The best story is "Boys Club," a hilarious look at the gay punk subculture.

The author's weird sense of humor and roundabout way of tellinga story, with lots of asides and non sequiturs, reminded me of DaveEggers or David Forster Wallace. The characters here have no boring coming-out problems (except maybe the cowboy in Wyoming, but who can blame him) or typical gay situations. You get the feeling they care more about witty conversation than sex, but the humor doesn't seem very gay. It's kind of a bizarre take on gay relationships, often online ones, and the book drags in spots. But then you get these incredible riffs that really sparkle, particularly in the title story. "The Silicon Valley Diet" knocked me out when I first read it ... and it holds up great on the second reading.

This book is nothing short of wonderful. It took a long time for me to find a copy after first hearing of the book. Finally I found a copy in my library. Each time I read it I find some new detail. It is very disarming. I wanted to buy a copy and was very glad to discover the British paperback version is available through Amazon.uk. The paperback version is the same size. Reading it will be an annual treat for me. I also learned plans are underway for making a 20 minute animated feature of this story for BBC this Christmas. What a treat that will be! Just hope Knopf prints again and the VHS is available through Amazon.

Adults...don't even THINK of the "I'm buying it for the kids" routine. Buy it for yourself and ENJOY it! This is an absolutely wonderful book. Yeah, share it with the kids, but enjoy it for yourself. Don't hide behind adulthood. The book is a wordless story about giving and about true character..doing good when you think no one else is looking. Destined to be a Christmas classic and hopefully, like one of his other books "The Angel And The Soldier Boy", a video as well.

I first came across this book when working as a nanny for two little girls. They received this book from their grandma for the holidays and I looked through it. This book literally took my breath away.

This book is the essence of "a picture is worth a thousand words". The story is told in pictures only, no words whatsoever, and I continue to find something new in the details every time I look at the pictures.

The story of a poor gypsy woman who uses her last bits of strength in a bid to stay alive on Christmas Eve. Destitute, no help in sight, she saves a Nativity set in a church when it is knocked over by a vandal, and comes to have her own life saved in return.

The artwork is superb, I shared the book with people at work, all of whom said they would be going out to get copies of the book for their own families. This book is ageless, appeals to all, and will remind you and yours of the true spirit of the holiday season.

This book is no "Small Miracle."

It's 1814, and America is at war with Britain. Elizabet Holder's father, a ship owner and captain, has been captured by the British. Now, she must go from Boston to New Orleans to live with her aunt and uncle. But, when she arrives, she finds that her uncle has died, leaving stories of a secret map hidden in the house. On top of that, her aunt is away caring for a sick relative and she is expected to work in her aunt's bakery to earn her keep. Before this tale is over, Elizabet is threatened by a mysterious stranger and meets the famous pirate, Jean Lafitte.

This is the first book in the History Mystery series from American Girl. My daughter and I read it together and I know she enjoyed it because she never wanted to stop no matter how late the hour. Don't get me wrong, these stories aren't in the same league with Harry Potter. Someone has described them as "thinly plotted". From an adult perspective, this may be true, but they're not written for adults. For most kids in the 9 to 12 age group, they're just fine. In addition, the young heroines of these stories are great examples for young female readers, and the historical settings and themes provide a learning experience, as well.

All in all, these are good books for kids. This is our second one (although it's actually the first in the series) and my daughter has very much liked both. I highly recommend this book to young readers and their parents. Though, as I wrote above, these books aren't the equal of Harry Potter, but this one is one of the best in this series. Rated at 4+ stars.

In 1814, after her father is captured by the British, eleven-year-old Elisabet Holder must leave Boston to live with her aunt and uncle in New Orleans. When she arrives, she learns her uncle is dead, her aunt has gone to Baton Rogue, and she is expected to work in her aunt's bakery like a servant. When Elisabet learns of a treasure her uncle hid before he died, she decides to search for it so she can ransom her father. But that's only the beginning of the story. THE SMUGGLER'S TREASURE is an exciting combination of mystery, adventure, and history. I immensely enjoyed it and look forward to future books in the HISTORY MYSTERIES series.

At first I was a little skeptic about this book; I thought it was slow in the beginning. But as soon as I got farther and farther into it, I realized it was really cool. It's informative and suspenseful. It's also unique... you barely read books where the main character works in a bakery!

Elisabet Holder's father is kidnapped by the British in the war of 1812. Because she has no other family members, she has to move to New Orleans and live with her Aunt and Uncle. When she arrives, she finds mystery... there's talk of pirates, smugglers, and treasure. If she finds it she could buy her father's freedom... will she find it before anyone else does? Will she be hurt or even killed in the process?

The Smuggler's Treasure is like a great invitation to the History Mysteries... after you read this you're compelled to read the others! I plan to collect the whole series (there are six more I need). The main characters of the stories are so clever and brave, you can really look up to them. It is nice that the authors make the girls seem realistic (with strengths and weaknesses) and not stuffy and perfect. Read them!

This book is the most unique gift I have ever received. Ever since my daughter gave it to me, I can't put it down. I was touched by her wish to have me preserve things about my life. It is such a wonderful idea and the questions have brought a flood of memories. Now I feel I can say everything I want to say to my children and grandchildren. I recommend it for anyone.

The story of a lifetime is a wonderful book. Not only is the flow of the book very easy to follow, it can be started at any point in life. Whether you want to keep an ongoing story of your life, or just want to remember and leave behind a legacy. The questions are clear and simple yet very thought provoking. An excellent gift to or from parents. I love the fact that all of the questions are already there, it's up to the writer to answer the questions he or she wants. I am definitely looking forward to leaving this reminder of me to my family.

I got this book for my mother-in-law and she loves it. The first day she had it, she spent almost the entire day writing. She's told all of her friends and they are now wanting the book for themselves and their parents who may still be living. What better way to tell someone you care than to let them know you want to know all about their lives and want your children to know as well, so it will never be forgotten how wonderful they are. Now the only problem is, which grandchild gets the book when she's done!

A rollercoaster, hysterical, adventurous ride through two characters' quest for revenge. A slapstick love story that will tickle your funnybone while warming your heart. Randi and Mac start cross-country with the worst intentions and end up in the best situation. You will love this book (and never quite look at squirrels the same way again). This is a terrific story and a great read. Thank you Advocate.

This is a wonderful book full of rolling on the floor laughs and tears. I laughed so hard that I indeed cried. It is truly a love story with a twist. A must read...

This is one of the funniest book I've ever read in a long time. It's even better when I read it the second time. It's a story about two women that have nothing in common fall in love with each other through their hilarious trip across country only for one petty revenge. It's sure put a smile on me everytime I take a trip across country. I highly recommend it if you need a good laugh and a happy ending story.