When I was in the eighth grade, my counselor suggested "The Creation" as a selection for me to read in the UIL Oral Reading competition. I didn't win the competition, but I fell in love with the poetry of James Weldon Johnson. I was delighted to see a quality picture-book version of this colorful, winning account of the creation story. Perhaps the most wonderful thing about Johnson's approach is that he makes God appear "personal" rather than "human". His poetry seems to share God's heart, and captivates the reader and listener alike. The story-telling nature of his poems remind me of Rudyard Kipling's "Just So Stories", which I also treasure. I highly recommend this book.

In this book Kate O'Connel learns what it means to be kind to someone even when they're mean to you. I like how she turns to God in all that she does. It's also very exciting to read and try to figure out the mystery of the missing ring. Kate also trys to find out where the little kitten keeps going. I also think that this book deserves 10 stars!

Fascinating history of the witch trials from their beginning in the hands of two monks trying to 'civilize' relatively pagan regions like the Alps and Pyrenees until their peak at the time of the deaths of Galileo, Descartes, and Kepler, and the birth of Newton. One learns that the Swedish Cristina, who attracted Descartes to Stockholm as her philosophy teacher, put the end to the witch trials there, after her father had contributed to the world the Thirty Years War. A good starter for anyone interested in the intermittent decline of the influence of religion in the west as the enlightenment caught steam.

Interviews are a very rare genre in literary criticism. However, Salusinszky created an astounding gathering of the top critics in the U.S. The book is not based necessarily on individual interviews, because the points of view of one critic about the others are included. This, of course, allows a clear, direct source on the opinions that Said has on Bloom or Lentricchia on Hartman. A must have for anybody looking for a comprehensive and personal approach to contemporary critics.

This is one of the best fictional books about Missions trips that I have ever read! The story follows the Brio gang (except for Solana) as they go to Venezuela for a two week mission trip with Brio magazine. The group gets separated, and the story follows Hannah and Jacie. The two work on a skit to perform on the street corners of Venezuela, and that is where Hannah begins to get mad at God because she feels that He isn't helping her on her quest to convert a certain amount of Venezuelans to Christianity. She can't seem to get her part right for the play, and her testimony on stage actually scares the people away. Hannah also encounters more disasters, such as an unexpected period, bad encounters with Venezuelan men, and she finds herself doing guard duty for the groups bags. Jacie, on the other hand, gets sick with bronchitis and finds herself mad at God as well, but because she envies another girl on the trip whose father came along--something of which makes Jacie miss her dad all the more. Jacie too, has some bad experiences, including two guys who like her and of whom she doesn't like back, and a bitter 24-year-old missionary who tells her his deepest secret. The main point of the book is where they learn about following God and listening to Him instead of doing what they think He wants them to do. The end result is that the girls find other ways to witness to others, and Jacie finally finds a Father.

A great study of the psychodynamics and recruiting techniques of cults, includes treatments of Berg's Children of God and the Jonestown fiasco. A must for anyone seeking to understand what makes cults so attractive and why their appeal is so insidiously effective in cultures of relative isolation and deracination like this one.

I use this book in my classroom as a cooking center. The illustrations and words are easy enough for a kindergartener to use and create a wonderful snack. Some great examples are gingerbread and cherry cheesecake. All of the recipes can be done using an electric skillet, kitchen cups and a few ingredients.

I read this book when I was 13 (17 yrs. ago) and it is the one book that I've never forgotten! It involves two runaway girls, Summer and Winter, who long for the glamour of the world. They fall into the hands of pimps who make them believe that they are actually model agents and want them all for themselves. These girls witness murder and beatings. This book delves deep into the minds of not only a young runaway girl, but also those around her and reveals the streets for what they are today. Cold and hungry for fresh young blood. Unfortunately, this book is one of the hardest I've ever tried to find again and do wish that it would come back into print as I'm sure it would be among the top books made available. If you can find it, grab hold and don't let go - this is one book you must read. You'll never look at life the same way.

Rinnah Two Feathers is looking forward to her summer vacation. She and her two best friends, Tommy Red Hawk and Meagen Paige, are staying in a cabin in Spearfish Canyon as guests of Meagen's dad. But on the first day, Rinnah is handed a note from a nervous, mysterious woman who says "They're after the rose," before taking off again. Then the woman is found face down in a pond. The note is confusing, but the trio is determined to discover what it means. With every clue they piece together, they discover they're in more danger. Meanwhile, Meagen is having a hard time adjusting to the new woman in her dad's life. This summer is shaping up to be anything but restful.

This is the second in a new mystery series for kids. I'd enjoyed the first, and this one didn't disappoint me in the least. The characters are real kids with strengths and weaknesses. The plot left me confused until the end. Mr. Johnson skillfully weaves sub-plots into the story and pulls off several tense, atmospheric scenes. I was turning the pages quickly for the last 50, trying to find out what would happen next.

Kids ready to move on from the Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew will love this new series featuring great characters, plot, and writing. My only complaint? The third one isn't out yet!

I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It will bring back pleasant and fond memories of childhood. It also gave me alot to think about. The book focuses on the role the father in the child's life. It reminded me that mothers should be careful in selecting a father for their children because of the seriousness of this position in the child's life. It is a good book for everyone especially mothers and fathers. The stories were so real that I coulld emphathize with sad stories and was emotional over the happy stories. It is hard to put down and can be read in one sitting.