12 year old Hope's father set off for California to find gold, and then their mother died. She and her younger brother and sister are on their own. Their uncle won't take care of them. He forces them to go live with the Shakers. Hope hates living with the Shakers. The Shakers won't allow brothers or sisters to see each other. Men and boys are separate from girls and women in everything. Will Hope's father ever return or will she have to stay in this awful place until she is an adult and the Shakers will allow her to leave on her own?

This atlas balances its maps with verbal discussions and illustrations that justify its title. The book covers historical background, geography and archaeology in sufficient detail to help the student understand the setting of the different books.

But there is more. The atlas discusses the books of the Bible, including non-history books such as the prophets, with some sophistication and learning. For example, it discusses the four-source documentary hypothesis for the Torah/Pentatuch (p. 14), distinguishes between Isaiah and Deutero-Isaiah (pp. 46 and 58), and capsulizes the differences in the four Evangelists' perspectives of Jesus (p.86). Illustrations complement the text and maps with images of photographs, diagrams (such as the Ark's tent shrine and Herod's temple) and art works. Several appendices give the reader further information, such as archaeological methods and Jewish festivals. Boxes contain appropriate quotations from both Jewish and Christian commentators.

There are other Bible atlases with more or better maps. This one, however, is probably the best single one for the Christian Bible student.

Allright, perhaps that is not such a ringing endorsment. But "Jodie Foster a Life on screen" is a fine book. It is a must read for any of Ms. Fosters fans. Indeed for anyone interested in American film. Debateably Ms. Foster is the most powerful woman in film. She is also feircely private. This makes for no easy task when one has to write a bio about someone who refuses to discuss anything about there romantic life, and has had everything else about her published in magasines. This book manages to find interesting things that I did not know about. I am a devoted fan and have read every magasine article I can find. This book provides thoughtful insights and is an interesting read. Saddly Ms. Fosters life story could not be told without including that whole "Hinkley" thing. The book does not dwell on it or give that person any more attention then he deserves. The nicest part is the way the author, Philippa Kennedy, does her very best not to trash Jodies father, Lucius, he divorced his wife Brandy before Jodie was born. He is given a chapter and allowed to present his side. Buddy Foster is also given a chapter. Saddly he has written a "tell All" biography which I, and I would hope, all other true fans, refuse to read. Phillipa Kennedy does a fine job writing the life story of a famouse person who discusses little about herself.

"Lost Johnny"

Young Elspeth and Robbie must flee Scotland when they are suddenly orphaned and will be separated by the 19th century welfare system. They escape to Canada, only to find incredible difficulties and adventures as Elspeth tries to care for wee Robbie. Each chapter brings new challenges as they join an emigrant movement to the western prairies. Will they survive? Can they manage to stay together in spite of all the forces working against them? The anticipation keeps the pages turning. Ages 11-adult will enjoy this adventure based in a historical setting.

Ben Beard's novella has a brilliant concept and an unfortunate protagonist whose every brush with the material world turns it against him. Things are in the saddle and ride Robert, the hapless hero. Hilarious encounters with talking refrigerators and menacing trousers lead from one belly laugh to another. Read this book before it gets an attitude and comes after you.

Too often, scholarly work on Kurt Weill focuses mainly on his German career in the 1920s-- "The Threepenny Opera," "Mahagonny"-- but Weill had a career that extended well into the 1940s as a Broadway composer, and Hirsch's book explores both aspects, although it is clear he's a fan of Weill's later American work.

I would recommend this book as a suppliment to Ronald Sanders' biography "The Days Grow Short," the standard of Weill biographies. However, Hirsch has access to different primary sources that Sanders did not have in the 1970s, and therefore can provide a different perspective. There is also a great deal of text devoted to Lotte Lenya, Weill's wife.

It has been criticzed that Hirsch's book deemphasizes musical analysis, which is true, but that is not the purpose. Analyse the music yourself or find the writings of Kim Kowalke for musical analysis.

I found this book enjoyable and a good supplient to many other Weill biographies on the shelves

This book contains very good tips for a landscape that can assist the environment in order to improve energy saving. Also has a very complete list of plants and it's classification according to the weather and soil requirements. It helps to understrand how landscape can contribute to the environmental control, modifying noise, wind, sunlight, and temperature.

The last summer with Maizon was a good book. The book was somewhat confusing in the being of the book. You had to figure out who everyone was and who everyone belong to. After you figured that out the book easy to read. The book kept me interest the whole time. You did not know what was going to happen next.
I thought the book was sad at different points because I did not what the childrens feeling to get hurt. I felt bad for Margaret and her brother. They did not have a dad or a mom that was around that much. I felt that her mother wanted to be there for Margaret but she could not be there because of her father being in the hospital.

This book was extremely good. The characters were well developed and believable. Though its somewhat dated, it's still really enjoyable. You truly won't want to put it down as you read about Martin and his life.

Henry W. Foster, M.D. has spent his entire professional life working to improve the health of people, especially poor people. One of his pet projects has been the "I Have a Future Program" which works to keep teenagers healthy, motivated and in school. Much of the work of the program has to do with sex education and lowering the rate of teenage pregnancy in the US. When Dr. Foster was nominated by President Clinton to be Surgeon General, he was attacked and labeled falsely as an abortion doctor. To his credit, Dr. Foster uses this book to talk about how he became interested in medicine, how he worked to get through his education, and the many aspects of his work that have motivated him, and spends little time defending his innocence. While he was disappointed that he was not confirmed as Surgeon General, he moved right on to the next goals he set for himself. Dr. Foster makes it clear just how much commitment and hard work is required to make a success of oneself, but also stresses how fulfilling it is to work for what one believes in. He also talks in detail about the life of young people, especially young people of color who fail to find something to strive for. The book is well-written and easy to understand. Recommended for young people and adults alike.