Max Lucado shows in this inspirational book the benefits and dangers inherent in this life. He shows children in a clear and easily understandable way that the Savior is the only voice that is safe for them to heed. Children of all ages will enjoy learning about the courage of one knight as he safely makes it back to the king's presence. This title is one that will become a family favorite and a memorable addition to the family library.

when i read sven's bridge. it was a colorful story that i could not wait to turn the page

One character in this book is the Swoose. A swoose is half goose and half swan (except the swoose's name is "Fitzherbert.") Fitzherbert is the color white. The swoose wanted to visit the queen and see her father who is a swan. I like Fitzherbert and want her to be my friend. She also met a water-vole on her way to see the Queen and her father. You should read this book. I like it.

Jane Yolen is one of those authors who can effortlessly give a new spin to an old story. Here she makes a rather worn area of fantasy seem new, in "Sword of the Rightful King." There's magic, treachery, a bit of romance and plenty of suspense and humor.

Arthur has been king of all Britain for four years now, but not everyone is willing to accept him as their king. The most dangerous among these is the North Witch, Arthur's half-sister Morgause, whose four elder sons are heading to Arthur's court -- and there is an assassin among them. (Gawain seems very loyal but might be bewitched by his mother; his brother Agravaine is almost insanely aggressive, and the twins are ditzy). What's more, the old mage Merlinnus encounters a young boy in the forest who has a mysterious past and a grudge against Gawain.

So Merlin concocts a means of solidifying Arthur's kingship -- a sword embedded in a stone, that can only be pulled by the true king. Arthur pulls it from the stone, and everyone accepts him as king. Simple, right? Except that the North Witch is still spinning her spells, and she plans to get her hands on the sword first -- no matter what.

Though there's no real connection between the two books, I felt like I was reading a sequel to Yolen's previous novel "Dragon's Boy." Perhaps it was the portrayal of Merlin and Arthur -- they have a sort of father-son bond, and even though Arthur often doesn't listen to Merlin they obviously care about each other. And Merlin, although a bit decayed physically, is still the sharpest knife in the drawer. Though this book has magic (including a homicidal dagger) and the other didn't, it felt very much like a follow-up.

Yolen's writing is quick and fast-moving, with excellent dialogue and some very good descriptions of things like the eerie May Queens. She carefully presents what was very touchy at the time, such as the unacknowledged rivalry of old religions like Mithras-worship and the newer Christianity. And she mixes in the more medieval stuff with historical details, such as the Picts.

Arthur is a likable guy here -- not perfect, but nice and friendly and honest. Gawain is similar in personality; Gawen is never less than endearing, and his secrets turn out to be... well, a lot different than anyone would suspect, especially when you consider who gets married at the end. Agrivaine seemed a little too nuts at times, but he was supposed to be that way. Merlinnus is the lovable old mage who knows how the world works; Morgause is nasty and cold-hearted, and Yolen isn't afraid to show her at work.

For an old tale told a bit differently, "Sword of the Rightful King" doesn't even falter. Expect to be surprised by quite a few aspects of this story, and to enjoy the humor and poignancy. Thoroughly enjoyable.

My children and I were so suprised to find a book that spoke to all of us. The characters were exotic and familiar at the same time. The storyline was unusual and touching. The illustrations were so detailed and fun that we spent hours scanning the pages. I highly recommend this book to any family that believes in the power of love.

What do you get when you take a strange land called Pickleberry, inhabited by an emperor and his brother, the janitor, a very wise bird named Lou and Lou's, Aunt Millie, a half invisible man with half a large mustache, a traveling salesman and a bear who's lost his tail? Easy...a charming, creative, laugh-out-loud picture book by award winning author and illustrator, Uri Shulevitz. And Mr Shulevitz has done just about the impossible, woven three seemingly unrelated nonsensical stories together and made it work. His wonderfully absurd text, full of imagery, made-up words and wild, ridiculous events is only outdone by his truly inspired and magical artwork and youngsters will be mesmerized by the colorful, detailed, expressive illustrations. What is a Wise Bird Like You Doing in a Silly Tale Like This? is a very special story, really three special stories, that's perfect for children aged 4 and older. Uri Shulevitz never disappoints and he's not starting now!

This is a wonderful story of three children, who inadvertantly bring Morgan le Fay back into power. Based in Oxfordshire, it utilises a famous stone circle, the Whispering Knights.

Written in the typical Lively easy to read style, it's a great children's story with a good mix of magic and modern sensibilities. It has long been one of my favourites and still gets a re-read even though I'm 20 years past the demographic.

I was very impressed by this book. Not only does it present Richard III in an educated light but it also presents Jane Shore as more than just a harlot. As a fan of historical novels I would have to say this can be considered one of the best. The people are brought to light surrounded by facts and writers of the day giving history a more realistic and less flat feel.

When I ordered this book, there was no other review for me to go upon. I judged this book solely on its cover and I am very pleased. The pictures are beautiful (in an ordinary way) and fit the story very well. However, they are not in the same league as K.Y. Craft or Mercer Mayer's fairy tale work. One thing that I found very helpful within this book for a classroom is the diversity pictured. The King and Queen's friends are all different colors and different cultures, which teaches young children an important lesson. My favorite is Maya Monsoon. The story also teaches children the importance of compromise and settling arguements with words not actions. The story is a creative way to explain the changing of the seasons and weather, with the neat addition of the King and Queen's friends. This book does a nice job explaing something quite complicated to young children. Enjoy!

Mia Thermopolis is just an average 14 year old girl; she is considered a freak by most of her peers and just wants to fit in, hates her looks, and is flunking Algebra. However, Mia's life starts to get interesting when her mom begins dating her teacher and her dad shows up and tells her that she's a princess. Unlike most girls who dream of becomming a princess one day, Mia is horrified. She doesn't know of anyone who is more unprincess-like than she is. Much to Mia's displeasure, her spiteful grandmother begins giving her princess lessons, which of course Mia despises. Throughout the novel, Mia has to make some tough decisions but is visibly maturing. She learns how much her friends really mean to her and that no matter how much you change on the outside, you're still the same on the inside. Meg Cabot does a great job of writing in a teenagers voice and uses many modern-day references that any teenager can relate too. However, I felt that the ending was left incomplete and the reader was left hanging. If someone doesn't read the sequals, they may be wondering what happened to all of the fun-loving characters.

I was recommended this book by my cousin, and was interested because I know that Disney now has a movie version of it. The book's plot centers around Mia Thermopolis' diary entries each day, things that every average teenage girl writes and worries about like that horrible popular girl (Lana Weinberg, in this book) and that amazingly handsome guy that never seems to notice you. Mia thinks that her life is about as bad as it gets, failing algebra, her mother DATING her teacher, etc. Then comes along the big news from Mia's father. He is a prince of Genovia, a small but rich country, and she is the one and only heir to the throne, making her Princess Amelia. All of a sudden, Mia finds the popular people dying to sit with her at lunch, and the guy she has been dreaming of for months sitting right next to her, smiling. Could it all be a dream?

This book is really, very fun to read, and kept me entertained the whole way through.

I'll admit, I'm a college student who loved the movie surprisingly enough, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to read the book when I found a cheap copy of it. I was again surprised when I loved the book as much as the movie.

With style and humor, Cabot creates a charming modern fairy tale that never goes too far out to not be reasonable. Who hasn't been in Mia's shoes? Gawky, unpopular, and just trying to make decent grades in school, Mia is the embodyment of the typical teenager. With a sparkling sense of humor and more than a few charmingly messed up friends, Mia stumbles through life until she is told that she is indeed royalty. Like any other teenager whose life has been turned upsidedown, Mia struggles with her new found fame and trying to keep her new self true to her old self. A stylish haircut doesn't change what's inside, and Mia is a real gem. Hopelessly in love with the most popular boy in school and trying to fight a growing attraction to her best friend's brother, Mia's plight is fantastic yet still real.

Now for the charming supporting cast. Grandmere of Genovia is a dragon in a purple silk dress. Terrifying and comical at once, Grandmere Clarisse is proud, arrogant, and insensitive yet still inadvertantly humorous. The tattooed eyebrows have to be one of the funniest discriptions I've ever read.

Mia's best friend Lily is brassy and opinionated. She tries just as hard to stand out as Mia tries to fit in. Sassy and intelligent, Lily, as bold as she is, is still someone you want on your side.

Michael. Michael has to be my favorite character of all. What girl doesn't want a Michael in her life? Cute, kind, and independent, Michael is perfect boyfriend material whether he knows it or not. Who wouldn't want someone as subtley devoted to Mia as Michael is? That and he looks good with his shirt off.

Needless to say, I'm addicted to these books now. I rarely find a novel I like so much and want so much more of.