Five years ago I found an ad in FOCUS POINT, requesting writers who wanted to contribute to a book for gay and lesbian youth. I contacted Larry Dane Brimner and as time passed, my essay "Addressing Harassment: You've Got to Be Carefully Taught" was accepted for publication in LETTERS TO OUR CHILDREN.

It was an honor, not only to be included in this collection of essays to ease gay youth into the acceptance of the difficulties they face as they come out, but to see so many other fine contributions in this book. When I was coming out in the late 1970s, there were many similar stories, but nothing of this nature was available to me. Thank goodness, Brimner decided to put this material together for all of you, because, hopefully, it will have a positive effect on everyone who reads it, and will make the coming out process easier for the new generation of gays and lesbians.

In 1995, I read an article in FOCUS POINT, a local gay publication, regarding contributions to a book for gay youth. I applied and sent an essay I'd just completed titled "Addressing Harassment: You've Got to be Carefully Taught." What a surprise to find that I would be a part of Larry Dane Brimner's book, LETTERS TO OUR CHILDREN.

Since then, I've read and reread this book, and have shared sections with people. Everyone who's read my essay has complimented me on it, and it was truly an honor to be part of this experience.

Growing up in Wisconsin during the 1960s and 70s, there were no outlets for gay youth. Fortunately that has changed, and the contributors to this book all share things they've been through, because each and every one of us believes that no one else should go through the same experiences without knowing it's happened before, and furthermore, learning how to cope with the situation.

LETTERS TO OUR CHILDREN is a terrific book, and I'm proud of my part in it!

This book is a basic introduction to the theory of astrological cycles. It is a basic reader for anyone who is interested in the new astrology called 'Humanistic Astrology'. The author's contributions to the theory and practice of astrology have resulted in astrology being updated to modern times by incorporating new concepts from analytical, depth and transpersonal psychology. The ancient concepts of 'square' and 'opposition' have been redefined as events that occur in every cycle--whose purpose is to build structures (relationships) from the new moon beginning to the full moon culmination and back again to the next new moon. By identifying the personality type that we are most readily understand emotionally, The Lunation Cycle provides guidance for the reader to reassess their horoscope in the light of concepts that empower one to validate their own individual, emotional perspective on life. It goes further to redefine the Part of Fortune and discusses the progressed lunation cycle.

I don't know if lunation technique is popular in modern astrologers or not since I am just enjoying astrology for myself. But this technique Rudhyar reveals in this difinite work really works. Along with his another difinite work, "Astrological Mandala", this book will be a very good spiritual navigator for your life, I believe.

This is the easiest to understand information to inspire anyone to give up dairy or continue with the uncomfortable knowledge of what they are really ingesting. If you've ever wondered whether nature intended us to consume what is meant to create rapid cell growth in a baby calf- this book will answer your questions. Add to that an unveiling of modern use of hormones and antibiotics. I gave it up 6 years ago and with it gave up sinus problems and headaches.

What many people don't know about dairy is revealed in this book. And not many people will believe it til they try first hand going with out it for a while. I tried it and it changed my life! I used to get sick all the time as did my daughter. We are now non dairy and never sick! Our doctors are amazed and applaud me on this decision. I urge everyone to please read this book and at least try going without it for a while. I used to have skin problems, sinus infections, bronchitis and other problems. I no longer suffer from this! My daughter used to have ear infections and colds alot and no longer gets those either. She also had a behavioral problem, and the doc said he could not figure it out. She no longer has this problem and HE AGREES it had to have been the dairy. The book dicusses this as well.So please read this book. If you are worried about calcium, you will be amazed at what this book says about that too. Milk actually DAMAGES your body! Stop being lied to. Read about the "udder side of dairy" Take care and be healthy.

I won't waste a lot of time but I will say that you shouldn't live life without reading this book. Buy it - You'll be glad you did!!!

This parody will keep you laughing cover to cover. It contains not only life's little destructions, but life's little white lies and excuses, life's little self destructions. I brought this book to a party and everyone wanted to see it. It was a hit! After reading this book, you might get a few ideas of your own

THIS BOOK WILL BRING BACK MANY MEMORIES OF THOSE WHO LIVED THROUGH THE DEPRESSION. IT IS STORIES OF THREE GENERATONS OF VETERINARIANS AND HOW THE CARE OF ANIMALS CHANGED THROUGH THE
YEARS. ALL THREE DOCTORS WERE AVID OUTDOORS MEN WHO LOVED TO
HUNT EVEN WHEN THEY HAD TO SNEEK IN THE TIME.

This is a good book. If you like stories about animals and vet practices you will really enjoy it. This was writen by my grandpa and he was a great story teller. I drew some of the pictures in the book along with my cousins and family. You will enjoy each and every storie in there.

This history of the AIDS Quilt is a poignant and moving look at how America reacted to the HIV epidemic and how the gay community mustered its own resources to educate and deal with loss when others, especially Christian America, turned its back. I shared this book with my 12-year-old son, for its message is one of compassion and understanding. I recommend it to all middle-school (and older) children.

Brimner focuses on the AIDS Quilt from its very earliest beginnings. In clear, candid language, he discusses the prejudice AIDS sufferers faced and the inaction of a government that simply didn't care when it came to a much-ignored minority within our population. The book is both touching in its depth of emotion and incredible when it comes to the reaction of mainstream Americans to the eipidemic. This title should be required reading in every elementary school across America. Unfortunately, I doubt it will be given the attention it deserves because of its "sensitive" subject matter...and that is the saddest indictment of all against our American culture.

Brimner's Raindrops is a gentle, poetic tie-in to primary science units about the water cycle. Big and bold illustrations by David Brooks in soft, pastel colors are dreamy--as if seen through a soft rain. Brimner, who is one of the best loved writers for kindergarten and first grade, has a winner here. Like this one and you'll enjoy some of his other emergent readers--Cowboy Up!, Nana's Hog, Firehouse Sal, How Many Ants?, and the hysterical duo Max and Felix. Kids love them (and so do their teachers).

A first-grade team teacher, I find Brimner's emergent reader to be a useful tie-in to our science unit on the water cycle. Although he doesn't clobber readers over the head with scientific facts--it is, after all, fiction--the cycle is there for young readers to discover and enjoy. An excellent choice for anyone wishing to tie scientific fact to the realm of young fiction.

"A rich collection that does much to lay out the range of work in the field. Claussen demonstrates a keen sense for the issues in this collection that includes a broad cross-section of method, theory, and writing style . Well structured, engaging, entertaining, and thought provoking. It would serve [as] a substantive reader on the topic for an academic audience or as a text for senior/graduate level students in an appropriate course."- Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly

"A superb integration. [This] book is an unsurpassed reference source for sociology of religion. I will begin using it immediately in religious studies classes and in religion in media classes."-Allen Podet, University of Potsdam

"A rich collection that does much to lay out the range of work in the field. Claussen demonstrates a keen sense for the issues in this collection that includes a broad cross-section of method, theory, and writing style . Well structured, engaging, entertaining, and thought provoking. It would serve [as] a substantive reader on the topic for an academic audience or as a text for senior/graduate level students in an appropriate course."- Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly

"A superb integration. [This] book is an unsurpassed reference source for sociology of religion. I will begin using it immediately in religious studies classes and in religion in media classes."-Allen Podet, University of Potsdam

THIS BOOK HAS BEEN AVAILABLE IN PAPERBACK SINCE NOVEMBER 2002

I have never had so much fun dreaming the possibilities of life. This book encourages one to Dream Big while not forgetting the little things. I wish I had bought several copies to give to friends, now that it's out of print...

Alison's Puppy by Marion Dane Bauer is a beginning chapter book appropriate for children ages six through eight. In the book, Alison's birthday is coming up and she really wants a puppy. Her family members do not want a puppy because puppies are messy and noisy. Alison's grandfather comes up with a very creative way to help her birthday wish come true and still respect the opinions of the other members of her family. Alison's Puppy focuses on family and pets, themes that children will find very familiar. The storyline progresses quickly and holds the reader's interest and the surprise ending is funny and clever. The author does not describe the characters in great detail but readers learn about them through their dialogue and actions. The illustrations in the book as well as the layout, with small sections of text rather than large blocks of text, make this book a nice transition from picture books.