This is the finest book on parenting I have ever read. A great follow up to his brother Ted's book "Shepherding a Child's Heart". You will be asked to look into your own heart to discover what idols lie in wait to interfere with God directed principled parenting. Then launch on a journey that will aid you in seeking out your teens and assisiting them to know themselves and the God who longs to know them This is a life changing book.

I was asked to read this book by the Youth Minister at my church because I was going to serve on the Youth Ministry team at the church. After reading this book, I wanted it to be translated into my native language: Chinese, so more Chinese Christian parents could be helped by this book. This book can sometimes be wordy, but the overall theme and style of writing are excellent. The author has invaluable knowledge on helping youngsters to turn away from destructive lives and turn toward godly living. The author seems to have succeeded in his own household with his three children. Get this book if you want true Biblical perspective on children rearing.

my wife and i have three kids. our oldest for the past two years has been rebellious (to use a mild term). we have been to many professionals, he has been tested and retested, and we have read book after book after book as we have sought to be the best parents we could be to help him (and US!) through this trying time. The book "Age of Opportunity" was recommended to us and we devoured it. We have immediately put into place some of the recommendations of the authors and it has been AMAZING how God has blessed with such WONDERFUL results. Of all the books we have read, this is the very finest. I just picked up five copies and give it as a gift to family who are in need as we are/were. Highly recommended. BEWARE: Not easy reading though as it demands that the parent do self evaluation as well as child reevaluation.

I read Molly Saves the Day for the first time when I was 9 years old. I'm now 18, and can never seem to tire of this book. Molly McIntire and her friends Linda and Susan seem more like real people and less like fictional characters in the book. Molly has her fear of swimming underwater, Susan hates canoeing, and Linda cnfides that she's afraid of bugs. Molly shows fear at first in the book, but when her whole team manages to get captured during the color war, she and Susan manage to save the day. I recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of The American Girls Collection--this one is an EXCELLENT read!

Candace

Of all the American Girls, Molly's our favorite and Molly Saves the Day our favorite Molly book. My six year old recognized that Molly, Linda and Susan, while away together at sleep-away camp, each had fears that they were forced to try to overcome. Molly is a very well-rounded character, and the fact that she is somewhat overly competitive (this shows up clearly during the camp color-wars) only makes her more realistic. She is nonetheless very likeable. Beyond Molly's character, however, my daughter simply found the book very exciting.

This was a very inspirational book. It teaches a lot of good things like team work and facing your fears. I read this book in the 5th grade and still love it! I'm in the 10th grade now!

My wife bought our family copy when it first came out in 1973. She was at a conference in Boston and saw it go on display. Our daughter, born 1971, was raised on it and both my wife and I can quote passages at the drop of a word. Favorites are "The Slithergadee" and "The common cormorant or shag...." Our daughter is now expecting her first child (our first grandchild) and we presented her with our copy. We have recently purchased a paperback copy to read when the child is at our home. Our daughter's sister-in-law read our original copy and is now looking for a copy to read to her son. It is great for teaching children reading and an understanding of art and life. (Yes, I have several Wallace Tripp illustrations.)

I came across this book when I was in graduate school--living with two commercial artists and studying for my master's in library science. We were in a book store one evening when the woman I lived with started pointing out the cleverness of the illustrations and how well they matched the poetic selections. After all these years I remember my favorite--a little racoon standing in the snow very soberly reciting "I do not like thee Doctor Fell, The reason why I cannot tell..." He is speaking to an old country doctor who is walking through the snow wearing a coonskin hat, carrying his bag, looking soooo tired--and here is this animal lecturing him--the scene is both serious and silly---and they are all like that--there is a depth, an intelligence, that brings the reader back again and again. I read my copy over and over. It was in the children's section, but the humor in the illustrations is definitely aimed at adult appreciation.

There is no way for me to convey the top notch quality of Mr. Tripp's humor and art work in the sketched scenes that decorate both front and back covers and also accompany each verse in this volume. While each of the nonsense verses are wonderful in their own right, the accompanying drawings (with the comments created by Mr. Tripp for the little animal characters he has sketched for each scene) are absolutely delightful!

I received this book as a gift from my husband many years ago and I have worn it to a frazzle enjoying it over and over; it is my healthy tension-reducer and stress manager. Although it is presented as a child's book, I am convinced it was sketched for grownups. I am at a loss for words to tell what an indescribably delicious treat you will find in this book no matter what your age!

I liked this book because it has hores, friends, adventure, and Felicity and her family. I also liked this book because Felicity is fun to read about. My favortie part is when Felicity helps a sick man who is in jail. I liked this part because then she helps the man get better. I don't think it should be changed because it is good the way it is. I read this book because the cover was nice and the title made it sound interesting.
K.D.

This is another in the American Girls Short Stories series about Felicity Merriman, a ten-year-old girl living in the America of 1775. In this book, Felicity takes care of her new baby sister and waits for the birth of her horse's foal. However, with war beginning between the American colonies and the British Empire, and with people imprisoned for seemingly no good reason, there is much that is hard. Here Felicity learns about love and loss, and about new beginnings.

The final chapter is a fascinating and highly informative look into the effects of the new war on the people of Williamsburg in 1775. I must admit that this book really surprised me. My daughter and I both like the Felicity stories, but this one was much more serious than the others, and taught some wonderful lessons.

My daughter and I both really enjoyed this book, and we both highly recommend it to you.

I rate this book ***** because i really like it becuase the author describs what eachword is example like pattens they are things you were under your shoes so they don't get dirty she decribs that that is why i like this book also on the side of the words there are things like pictures and say what they are.It is a excallent book so i would read it if you want to hear about a girl that happened real life Renee

I bought this book with the intention of giving it to my 9yr old daughter in a few years, but this book is written so well that I'm ready to give it to her now. The information contained in this book is extremely well thought out and contains a wealth of easy to read information. Good for young readers and people at all levels of magickal knowledge!

I couldn't of started Magic without this book. An Brillant book for young magicans. Talk about young! I'm 11 years old and i alredy cast some Sweet spells! Its easy to read and Undersatand. GET THIS BOOK.

I have this book and have read it. I think it's wonderful how Lilith McLelland explains the finer points in magick. She makes it easier to understand then any other book I have read. I hope she comes out with another more advanced one.

What can I say about this book? One of my child hood favorites! It has been forever since I've read it, and seemed to have lost mine a long time ago. My story is much like the lady who is just below me. A story read long ago and far away, and so much better than the drivel today! Thankfully, like The Hobbit, I never forgot the title. It made a real impression on me. One of the best parts is Gloria the little dog figurine turning into ... well, just read and you will find out. There was something about kissing elbows, and the villan's name was Belinda. I need to desperately reread it to refresh my memory, however. But this was one of the stories that stuck out most to me when I was a kid. Hardy Boys are good, but a good faerie story is always excellent. One of my chief desires is to be a published fantasy author. This is one of my inspirations. I fell in love with the characters, while at the same time desiring to create characters of mine own. This process is now in development, as I write my own (adult . . . no sex, just aimed at adult) fantasy trilogy.

For the High Schoolers, read Alfred G. Graebner Memorial High School Handbook of Rules and Regulations by Ellen Conford

I rated this book as a "5" based on the happy memories I had of it as a child. I read it during "free-read" time in 1st grade. Then I lost track of it. But I always remembered Gloria the fairy dog and the little girl who could kiss her elbow. I remembered the story as ending very sadly - with Gloria turning herself to a statue because of something Felicity did. That image - of someone being so deeply disappointed that she literally "turned to stone" haunted me for years. Recently, I found a copy of the book and reread it. To my surprise, there's a *happy* ending where everything is tied up neatly, and Gloria is not trapped as a golden dog statue forever. What a change, how different.... I actually like the way I *remembered* the ending better. But still, this is a wonderful book, Gloria is still one of my favorite characters (I remember wishing I had a tiny dog who could talk, just like Gloria). It's a good fantasy book, not tough reading, but not insultingly easy (or I would guess upon my adult rereading) for a reasonably adept beginning reader.

I was just reading all of the reviews of this wonderful book and had to add my praise. I read it in first or second grade, and loved it so much that I was constantly checking it out from the school library; then, as now, I recommended books and for several years it was on the constant reserve list as we read it over and over. My parents probably would have bought it for me, but we could never find it in our bookstore. I've been looking all of these years to find it again so that when I have children, they will be able to share in the joy of fairies and laugh so hard that they feel they will fly from the shear pleasure of it! Thank you Amazon! (Just out of curiosity, is there anyone who knows the name of a series about 5 Jewish girls who lived in NYC near the turn of the century? They had names like boys (shortened versions)- I think something like Georgie and such. If you do, PLEASE email me!)

In this book, Kit Kittredge is living during the great depression in the 1930's. She and her best friend, Ruthie, get into a fight one day and don't speak to each other. Kit has to take care of her Uncle Hendrick who is grumpy and rude and has a dog that is as mean as he is. At the end, all works out fine for Kit, and she realizes that it is not the worst Christmas ever.

Kit's Surprise is my favorite American Girl Book! The setting is nineteen thirty four in Cincinatti. Kit's dad has lost his job and her family is struggling to have enough money to pay their bills. Kit is highly discouraged because she is asked to care for her nasty uncle. He always has a list of jobs ready for Kit. She becomes even more sad because she and her best friend Ruthie get into a huge fight. Can Kit find a way to brighten up the holidays? Read this book to find out!

Kit's Surprise quickly became one of my favorite books about Kit when I read it the first time. Easily the best of the first three books about Kit, the story tells about Kit's first Christmas with her father unemployed.
Kit, like the other American Girls, has plans for a great Christmas--but she knows that there will not be many presents under the tree. Then Kit and Ruthie overhear Ruthie's father talking to Kit's parents regarding the Kittredges' mortgage. Mr. Smithens tells Kit's parents that the bank will foreclose on the mortgage if the Kittredges don't catch up on their payments.
Then kIt finds herself caring for grumpy Uncle Hendrick and his dog Inky. When she gets home for the night, she ends up having a fight with her best friend Ruthie over Kit's pride. Kit begins to feel that this Christmas will be the worst, with her best friend not talking to her, her Uncle bossing her around, and the bank threatening to take the Kittredges house. But, as a result, Kit finds hope where she least expects it.
The third book about Kit Kittredge helped develop all the characters better, and Kit's story is a great one.

I used to read this book to my son, John, when he was little and he absolutely loved it. He never tired of hearing me read it to him. John will soon be 27 years old, but he still remembers this story and so do I.

The story is funny and involves a variety of jungle animals. It is also filled with suspense. Will the elephant sneeze -- or not? This book allows the reader to use several different voices and a lot of drama, something young children love.

When my son grew older, I joined an acting troupe, memorized this story, and performed it in children's theater, with others acting out the parts of the various animals. It was always a hit!

Somehow my original copy was lost and I have searched for years for another one. No one ever seemed to know about this book. I never even found anyone else who had ever read it. I am so happy that I now have a chance to get another copy and to get additional copies for all of the nieces and nephews in my family and for! ! the children and grandchildren of my friends. It will make a fantastic gift that will be greatly enjoyed and remembered for years.

I highly recommend this story to people who have, know, or work with young children.

I used to read this book to my son, John, when he was little and he absolutely loved it. He never tired of hearing me read it to him.

The story is funny and involves lots of jungle animals. It also has suspense. Will the elephant sneeze or not? This book allows the reader to use a lot of different voices and a lot of drama, something young children love.

Later, when my son had grown older, I joined an acting troupe, memorized this book and performed it in children's theater. It was always a hit.

I highly recommend this story to people who have or work with young children.

This is a wonderful book. It's funny, full of surprises, and the rhythm of the rhyming is so well done. I read this book to my children when they were young and it was one of their favorites. Now I read it to my grandchildren and they love it as well. The humorous but touching story line and the rhyming verses make the children want to learn to read it themselves. It's a classic and should be in every child's reading library.

The Christmas story is about a young girl growing up in colonial times. Felicity is extremely excited about her invitation to attend a dancing lesson at the Governor's Palace. It is every young girls dream to be there, and Felicity has received this wonderful honor. Felicity wants the most beautiful dress to wear, like the one on her fashion doll. Knowing how much it costs and that her family is very poor she wants it anyway. Her mother promises Felicity the dress. The plan was for her mother to make the gown by hand. However Felicity's mother become very ill. Felicity is worried that her dress will not be completed on time, and she is ashamed for being disappointed about the dress when her mom is sick. On the night of the dance when Felicity has come to realize that she would not go her mother gives her a wonderful surprise. She had found strength to finish the dress that was her daughters Christmas wish. Felicity is the most beautiful girl at the party and realizes that dreams do come true.
I believe that Tripp gave a wonderful representation of that the colonial times was like. She represented Felicity very realistically. Any girl in her palace would be disappointed if she could not go to the party, yet feel a sad burden that the mother is sick as well. Felicity hoped for a miracle simply that her mother would get better not even thinking of her own wish for a completed dress and ended up getting both wishes.
I loved the American Girl books growing up specifically Felicity's stories. I am amazed that Tripp can grab children's attention book after book. And you learn so much about the time period in the process of reading. I enjoyed reading this book again.

American Girl books are great, this one included. Felicity's fear when her mother becomes sick let us realize how feelings for what is really important to us - family members, a feeling of security, friendship - haven't change a lot since Revolutionary days, both in America and worldwhile. What changes is how we live the everyday life - we drive cars and not carts, at school we learn science and not how to serve tea... Just one question, how long will we have to wait for a Native American Girl, and for a Jewish American Girl?

I read this book because I was learning about the American Revolution in class. This is a very touching book that anyone can enjoy. Learn about Felicity's dream doll at the store that she wished to get, the dance she was invited to by the mayor, the disease that her mother had. I really enjoyed this book because of the wonderfully illustrated pictures and the great story. In fact, all of the Felicity books are "da bomb"!

When Samantha stays at Piney Point with her family, she never dreams what will happen. Her mother died many years ago, but she always loved to spend time at Piney Point with her friends just like Samantha. But when she finds her mother's old sketchbook, she becomes interested. Where did her mom draw all the pictures of Samantha and her father, who also died, when she was a baby? Trying to understand her past, Samantha and her two cousins go to Teardrop Island, the place where the mystery pictures were drawn. Their grandma forbids them to go, but they go anyway. But when they get stuck on the island, they get scared and realize they shouldn't have gone. I liked this book, but it was more of a little-kid book than I expected it to be!

This book is about Samantha going to Piney Point with her aunt,uncle,cousins,and Grandmary,and the admiral. On a rainy day Samantha and her cousins go up in the attic and discover her mother's sketch book. In it there's a map to Teardrop Island. One day Samantha and her cousins go to Teardrop Island. On their way there's a narrow passageway and there are rocks under the water they couldn't see. Once they got to the island, they went to go find the pretty waterfall and her mother's sketch book. They also had a picnic there. Then it starts to rain and they try to go find their canoe but they couldn't. They become stranded and the admiral sets out to find them but he hits his head and Samantha has to save the day.

it's about samantha going to a vacation with her two other friends, they go to where her parents died because it looked wonderful, when they tried to get home, they find out that the storm swept their canoe and now they here moans for help! the rest is up to you to read.