Again The Magic

Book Description

She gave him her innocence . . .Lady Aline Marsden was brought up for one reason: to make an advantageous marriage to a member of her own class. Instead, she willingly gave her innocence to John McKenna, a servant on her father's estate. Their passionate transgression was unforgivable -- John was sent away, and Aline was left to live in the countryside . . . an exile from London society . . .and he took her love.

Now McKenna has made his fortune, and he has returned -- more boldly handsome and more mesmerizing than before. His ruthless plan is to take revenge on the woman who shattered his dreams of love. But the magic between them burns as bright as ever. And now he must decide whether to let vengeance take its toll . . . or risk everything for his first, and only, love.

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Customer Reviews:

One the most romantic book ever!.......2007-09-06

I love this book. I actually read the Wallflowers series (one the best series ever) first so I was interest in how Lord Westcliff's sister story. This story is so sweet and romantic. Some part the story really made want cry and the end I was so happy for Aline and Mckenna. This book is definitely a keeper.

Extreme Emotion.......2007-08-24

I cry very easily so this book had me hauling for the tissues. I liked the story, but I thought that it was too much. It was way too complicated when it could have been simplier. I didn't really believ the love that much because if Aline truely loved McKenna she would have disclosed her secret long ago!
Other than all that emotion and angst, it was good.

Not the greatest...........2007-08-16

Started out fantastic! I loved the cheesey little romance that developed between the two main characters. I don't think it was cheesey in a bad way... it really did make me fall in love with Aline and Mckenna and provided that sorrow effect when Mckenna was driven away. However, after that I was really disappointed by the second story that seemed to be thrown in there. I'm refering to the romance between Aline's sister, Livia and Gideon. I don't think the romance itself was disappointing, but the fact that it was thrown into this book was rather distracting. It really took away from the passion and further development of the other characters that this book is suppose to be about! I felt like this was more like two short stories in one...I didn't particularly care for it. The plots themselves were solid, but conducted poorly. And Aline was a little over dramatic about her accident...though, that is how most of these romance novels are...most of the dilemas can alwasys be solved with one simple conversation.

Overall, not the greatest, but if you don't mind reading two stories in one...pretty good. I think Livia and Gideon need their own book.

This one is a keeper.......2007-06-12

This book is definitely a keeper. I was so caught up in the story of Aline and McKenna that I read it in one sitting. It was such a heart reching story of fordidden love that brought tears to my eyes. Mixed in with their story is also the parallel story of Aline's sister Livia and Gideon, and American friend who came with McKenna on his venture for revenge against Aline, whom he thought used and betrayed his love for her.
Both stories were wonderfully written and intertwined beautifully.

Not My Favorite Kleypas, But Still Enjoyable.......2007-05-06

I got really excited when I read the back of this book and saw the name "Marsden," since I'd just finished reading the Wallflowers Series and realized Lady Aline Marsden is the sister of the hero of one of those books. I did enjoy the story of Lady Aline's forbidden love for a former servant, but I think the whole "we can't be together because of a terrible secret that's really not that big-a-deal" story line was dragged out. I got more into the story within a story of Lady Aline's younger sister, Livia, and Gideon Shaw. I would have much rather read an entire book about the two of them and the serious issue they faced. However, it was a good read and I'll definitely keep reading Lisa Kleypas!

The Great Easter Egg Hunt (Look Again Book)

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The Perfect Gift To Leave In Your Young Readers' Easter Basket This Year...

The Great Easter Egg Hunt (Look Again Book)

Manufacturer: Puffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0142407534
Release Date: 2007-02-01

Book Description

With its suspenseful treasure-hunt plot, this magical picture book set in the land of the Easter bunnies offers more than two hundred hidden objects to find, puzzles to solve, and intriguing clues that lead to a surprise ending—a meeting with the Great Easter Bunny himself! When Tommy receives an invitation from his eccentric aunt Jeanne, he immediately sets out to find her, but he discovers instead the Easter egg factory, a wild jelly bean machine, the place where chocolate bunnies are created, and much more. Brimming with extravagant detail, Michael Garland's bright illustrations will keep eagle-eyed readers busy for a long time after the last fuzzy chick is found and the last puzzle is solved.

Customer Reviews:

The Perfect Gift To Leave In Your Young Readers' Easter Basket This Year..........2006-01-19

Young Tommy awakes on Easter morning to find that his clever Aunt Jeanne is leading him on another one of her holiday-themed journeys. This one, however, leaves Tommy following a white rabbit in a pink vest through an Easter wonderland. Throughout Tommy's adventure, he meets up with a 10-foot-tall chocolate rabbit, encounters an egg factory, is introduced to a noisy jelly bean machine, and even attends an Easter Parade down Fifth Avenue. One that features many things that don't belong, such as Santa Claus, and a leprechaun. But it's not until Tommy makes it to the egg-shaped palace of the Great Easter Bunny that he is reunited with his beloved Aunt Jeanne.

Michael Garland is not only a talented artist, but wonderful at creating a holiday-themed I SPY-esque book that will keep young readers occupied for hours upon hours as they search for various hidden pictures. Tommy is a fun character who follows an adorable white bunny - a la ALICE IN WONDERLAND - in an attempt to meet up with the Great Easter Bunny himself, as well as his aunt. Garland shows here that he is a talented prose-writer, and weaves an entertaining story that must be read over and over again. THE GREAT EASTER EGG HUNT is the perfect gift to leave in your young readers Easter basket this year.

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

Average customer rating:

Great 'Charmed' Adaptation :)
no Prue?
Charmed Again
no more prue
Perfect Book For Charmed Fans!!

Charmed Again
Elizabeth Lenhard
Manufacturer: Simon Spotlight Entertainment
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0743442644

Book Description

CHARMED AGAIN
In this night and in this hour
I call upon the Ancient Power.
Bring back my sister,
Bring back the Power of Three.

Piper and Phoebe Halliwell are devastated by the loss of their big sister, Prue. But even in their grief they can't forget that they, too, are in mortal danger. The power of the Charmed Ones has been broken, leaving them prey to every form of evil. Even Leo, their Whitelighter, and Cole, Phoebe's demon boyfriend, can't protect them.

In frustration and despair, Piper casts a spell to summon a lost witch and bring back her beloved Prue. The spell does work, but not as Piper intended. A lost witch is found -- heir to a shocking Halliwell family secret. But can Piper and Phoebe persuade her to assume her powers and complete the Power of Three?

Customer Reviews:

Great 'Charmed' Adaptation :).......2005-05-26

This book is based on the first two eps of Season 4 and part of the episode 'All Hell Breaks Loose' from the end of Season 3.

Great telling of how Paige became part of the Halliwell clan. I love the character of Paige, reminds me of Phoebe from the early season of Charmed. Better than how they made Phoebe later on in the show, did they think a family colud only have one free spirit?

I also like how they included a bit of what happened between the gaps of the season 3 finale and the beginning of Season 4 but it would been better if they would had a book based on this ep as well.

Anyways, aside from a couple typing errors... this is one of the best Charmed books out now. Only complaint is that they didn't mention Prue's name alot :(.

Highly recommend to 'Charmed' fans! *G* Along with 'Soul of the Bride', this author and Diana Gallagher (sp?) get the personalities/quirks of the Halliwells and their family/friends just right.

no Prue?.......2004-11-18

I kind of feel that Prue was killed off too easily. Amd the whole Paige-situation just doesn't make sense...how could there be a power of three with Paige in the picture? And how possible is it to hide things from Them? Paige's powers are just a stronger form of Prue's. And I also think that Paige is sort of un-Paige-like in this book. She's not the same Paige on the TV series.

Charmed Again.......2004-06-07

The book was alright, It tells of how Paige became a charmed one, and of Piper and Phoebe dealing with the loss of Prue, it's alright but my only complaint is they didn't mention Prue much.

no more prue.......2004-06-04

this book is based on the first two episodes in series four, after prue has died. this book introduces the newbie paige really well my one complaint is that prue isn't mention much as if the auther was afraid to write the name because they do go into how pheobe and piper would be feeling well. i would say if you haven't seen the show this book would be a bit confusing but still a good read

Perfect Book For Charmed Fans!!.......2004-02-08

While mourning over their sister's death from the source the Halliwell sisters call opon an ancient power to restor their sister's life but the spell backfires and they find out they have a half-sister named Paige Matthews who has some special powers of her own. So the Source thinks The Charmed Ones aren't a threat now that their sister Prue died. He was wrong!

Find Out More When You Read Charmed Again!!

Average customer rating:

Barrel Rider
Tolkien at his best!
The Hobbit
--
Tolkien Set the Stage

The Hobbit: or There and Back Again
J.R.R. Tolkien
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0618002219

Amazon.com

"In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort."

The hobbit-hole in question belongs to one Bilbo Baggins, an upstanding member of a "little people, about half our height, and smaller than the bearded dwarves." He is, like most of his kind, well off, well fed, and best pleased when sitting by his own fire with a pipe, a glass of good beer, and a meal to look forward to. Certainly this particular hobbit is the last person one would expect to see set off on a hazardous journey; indeed, when Gandalf the Grey stops by one morning, "looking for someone to share in an adventure," Baggins fervently wishes the wizard elsewhere. No such luck, however; soon 13 fortune-seeking dwarves have arrived on the hobbit's doorstep in search of a burglar, and before he can even grab his hat or an umbrella, Bilbo Baggins is swept out his door and into a dangerous adventure.

The dwarves' goal is to return to their ancestral home in the Lonely Mountains and reclaim a stolen fortune from the dragon Smaug. Along the way, they and their reluctant companion meet giant spiders, hostile elves, ravening wolves--and, most perilous of all, a subterranean creature named Gollum from whom Bilbo wins a magical ring in a riddling contest. It is from this life-or-death game in the dark that J.R.R. Tolkien's masterwork, The Lord of the Rings, would eventually spring. Though The Hobbit is lighter in tone than the trilogy that follows, it has, like Bilbo Baggins himself, unexpected iron at its core. Don't be fooled by its fairy-tale demeanor; this is very much a story for adults, though older children will enjoy it, too. By the time Bilbo returns to his comfortable hobbit-hole, he is a different person altogether, well primed for the bigger adventures to come--and so is the reader. --Alix Wilber

Book Description

J.R.R. Tolkien's own description for the original edition: If you care for journeys there and back, out of the comfortable Western world, over the edge of the Wild, and home again, and can take an interest in a humble hero (blessed with a little wisdom and a little courage and considerable good luck), here is a record of such a journey and such a traveler. The period is the ancient time between the age of Faerie and the dominion of men, when the famous forest of Mirkwood was still standing, and the mountains were full of danger. In following the path of this humble adventurer, you will learn by the way (as he did) -- if you do not already know all about these things -- much about trolls, goblins, dwarves, and elves, and get some glimpses into the history and politics of a neglected but important period.

For Mr. Bilbo Baggins visited various notable persons; conversed with the dragon , Smaug the Magnificent; and was present, rather unwillingly, at the Battle of the Five Armies. This is all the more remarkable, since he was a hobbit. Hobbits have hitherto been passed over in history and legend, perhaps because they as a rule preferred comfort to excitement. But this account, based on his personal memoirs, of the one exciting year in the otherwise quiet life of Mr. Baggins will give you a fair idea of the estimable people now (it is said) becoming rather rare. They do not like noise.

Customer Reviews:

Barrel Rider.......2007-10-11

"The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien is commonly referred as a classic. While this is an often over-used term, it definitely applies in this case. Of the four books Tolkien is known for primarily, "The Fellowship of the Ring", "The Two Towers", "The Return of the King" and "The Hobbit", this is the most satisfying. I t introduces and sets up key characters for "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy consisting of the three books previously named.

In Tolkien's Middle-Earth, the principle races are men, elves and dwarves. There also goblins (orcs), giants dragons, wizards and assorted odd characters and fantastic beasts. Then there are hobbits who have as little to do with the rest of Middle-Earth as possible.

They like it that way.

Hobbits are interested in green growing things, eating and smoking pipe weed. When they aren't being industrious, they enjoy their comforts. They are very short in stature and move through the woods efficiently and silently. This isn't so they can sneak up on someone so much as it is to stay out of adventures.

Of these conservative, predictable folk, there is one Bilbo Baggins. The Bagginses are prosperous and respectable as hobbits go. Which means Bilbo is perfectly happy leading his boring comfortable life. The only mild eccentricity noted in Bilbo's line is he's related to the Tooks through his mother. Tooks had been known to get into little adventures from time to time and as such were of questionable respectability.

Central to this connection is Gandalf the Grey, a wizard. For some reason he has developed a curiosity and a fondness for these little people. Maybe it`s because in his adventure-filled life, it's nice to have a little peace and quiet. Gandalf is also renowned for his fireworks of which everyone enjoys.

One day the family friend shows up on Bilbo's doorstep. Shortly after this, Bilbo finds himself hosting not just Gandalf but also twelve dwarves lead by Thorin Oakenshield. Not long after this, Bilbo finds himself `assigned' to this motley crew as a "Burglar". They are on a quest to recover Thorin's lost fortune.

This is when the book really begins. This is a journey tale. That means Bilbo goes through transformation in the process of this quest. Relationships are developed and tested in a way none can predict. This being a fantasy they see and do fantastic things.

Eventually Bilbo returns home no longer respectable. Along the way he has picked up a ring...........

Tolkien at his best!.......2007-10-09

As the prelude to the Lord of the Rings, the Hobbit or There and Back Again, is a magnificent tale of magic, fantasy, and adventure. I found that I could not set this book down. With each page, I was that much more drawn into the realm of Middle Earth, and I made myself put the book down for a little bit in order to enjoy it.

The characterization in this book is phenomenal. Both the protagonists and antagonists throughout the novel help creat the landscape of the book, as well as set the foundation for Middle Earth. Bilbo Baggins, the hobbit, displays the ideal character in that he is forced into a world of adventure of magic. As an innocent creature unaware of the outside world, Bilbo matures throughout the book, and is a classic example of a character who, by the end of the book, has developed into a great intellectual character. Bilbo continues to display this intellect throughout the Lord of the Rings.

I have experienced many a conflict with other readers who did not enjoy the Hobbit, and I'm not saying that this book is in everyone's favor, but any reader of fantasy, magic, and adventure will love this book. I recommend the Hobbit to every person no matter what age. As a timeless tale of Tolkien, I give this book five stars (although, it probably deserves more).

The Hobbit.......2007-10-06

This book was boasting with the great imagination of J.R.R Tolkein. About 60 years before the lord of the seires Bilbo Gandlaf and a gang of Dwarfs travel through the misty moantians to get to a treasure stolen from the Dwarfs. As the gang travels through the land they meet tons of epic characters (elfs dwarfs goblins trolls). Tolkein could have written more voilence like its sequel Lord of the Rings. Overall it was a epic classic.

--.......2007-10-03

I generally do not read books if there is a possibility of a movie being made on the same. However, this is a really very interesting book. You can not keep it down once you start reading.

Tolkien Set the Stage.......2007-10-02

Though I grew up reading fantasy, playing Lone Wolf books and sometimes joining an AD&D game, I had never read any of Tolkien's works until recently. The Hobbit sat on my bookshelf for seven years because I couldn't get past the first chapter. Now I breezed through it, soaking in the rich world of Tolkien's imagination and discovering where most modern fantasy has its roots. Though I've seen the first two Lord of the Rings movies, I'm now going to get and read those books and anything else JRR Tolkien wrote in the way of fantasy.

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What happened with this series?
THE FINAL REMNANTS BOOK
Pretty decent ending for awesome series...
Not a fulfilling ending
The End of the Beginning and The Beginning of Something New

Begin Again (Remnants No. 14)
K.A. Applegate
Manufacturer: Scholastic Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0590877372

Book Description

The end of the world has come and gone, leaving only ruins, and the Remnants. This is the final chapter in their saga. The Remnants, Marauders, and Alphas are being summoned by the Source. Unsure of the future, and weary from the past, the group travels.But not everyone trusts the power and promise of the Source. Can it truly bring life back to planet Earth? Will the Remnants survive to tell the tale of the Rock--the times before and the times after? Only the Source knows if the universe will end, or begin again. All will be revealed.

Customer Reviews:

What happened with this series?.......2005-07-21

I am a fan of K.A. Applegate's series. Animorphs, Everworld, Remants--all are good. I enjoyed this whole series even halfway through this book, but the ending itself was not satisfying at all. The only reason I gave this book 2 stars instead of 1 is because, unlike Animorphs and Everworld, it at least had an actual ending. But so many things go unanswered, it's debatable if it counts as an actual ending. I'll warn you now, if you want to read this book and be surprised, stop reading by review here.

First, I don't really get how Billy was able to use Mother's technology to bring Earth back to life, but I'll accept that on the grounds of science fiction. What really irked me was the unanswered questions. What actually caused all these weird mutations? What happened to the Shipwrights, and how did one end up taking over Tamara's baby? It was never really defined who or what this "Ancient Enemy" was, either.

The Missing Five's fates seemed to me to be just a huge cop-out. Their consciousness was somehow mysteriously integrated into Billy's mind? How did this happen? And their bodies had to actually go somewhere, so where were they? This just made me think the author was just tired of writing at this point. Also, unless I miscounted, there was one Remnant we never actually met. 34 Remnants woke up aboard Mother, including the baby. The Missing Eight disappeared from the Mayflower, and then five others were left still sleeping when the Riders attacked. We found out the Missing Eight were divided between the Troika and the five others inside Billy. Kubrick and his dad were two of the five left behind, and then there was Noyze and Dr. Cohen. Doesn't that leave one Remnant still unaccounted for by the end? My only guess is that we're supposed to assume that this unaccounted Remnant was eaten by the Troika when they devoured all the other life forms aboard Mother.

The last thing that really annoyed me was how it all just seemed to wrap up so nicely. Don't get me wrong, I wanted a happy ending, but not only is Earth restored, the mutations the Remnants had fade with time as mysteriously as the came. It's like the author's saying, "It doesn't matter how they got the mutations because they're gone now. Everything's peachy!"

All in all, this book was a let down and weak ending to a series I enjoyed reading. Hopefully, if K.A. Applegate does another science fiction series like this, we'll get an actual ending that has the answeres we've been looking for.

THE FINAL REMNANTS BOOK.......2003-11-08

I'm so sad that this series is over, but at least Katherine gave us a much better ending that she did for Animorphs and Everworld. They ended on such huge cliffhangers that I almost screamed in frustration: I'm the kind of person who always has to know what happens.

The book was very good, but not as good as SURVIVAL, which was soooooooo good, man! It dragged a little, and they sat around a lot trying to decide. . . well, just read the book, BUT ONLY IF YOU'VE READ ALL THE OTHERS, that's the only way to fully enjoy it.

There were many unanswered questions, such as: how did they restore life on earth? This was never explained at all! All we know is it involved Billy, Mother/ Daughter, and Echo's baby. Whatever happened to the Beasts and the other Alphas? How exactly did Tate manage to travel back in time? And at the end she makes it seem like they're all dead and just in heaven! Sort of, anyway.

AND THERE WAS NO WORD ON D-CAF! Whatever happened to him? He was my favorite character, and he was almost completely cut out of the last few books!

But it was really beautiful how she finished 2Face's story, and it was a far more finalic ending than for her other series.

All in all, it was a page turner, for me at least, and, while not the best ending in my opinion, it could have been worse. So, I'll give it four stars. I would give her three for all of the stuff above, but she gets some points for the final ending.

Pretty decent ending for awesome series..........2003-09-08

The ending of Remnants versus the ending of Animorphs? Remnants wins, hands down. Most exciting ending? Animorphs. But I liked the fact that KAA actually ENDED Remnants. I think that may be the reason for the void of continuation fanfics on fanfiction.net like those that dominate the Ani-fandom. Remnants was an awesome series. I loved the different characters, the different settings, the strange mutations...everything. And I even kind of liked the ending. I just wish it had been a little more exciting. But I do recommend this book to any Remnants fan; you've gotta read this one. How else will you know how it ended?

Not a fulfilling ending.......2003-08-28

This book was ok, but the last book had more of a attention getter. This book was slow and then it ended slowly. It never really got exciting during the whole story until they find Tate's last message to them and then it is a little more entertaining but still slow and kind of boring. I had to read it because the last book was so cool and I had to know how it ended. Animorphs and Everworld at least had an open ending which made you think what happens now. With Remnants it is, this happens and that's it. The end. They never actually tell you exactly what happens to get the ending of this book. You will turn the page and start thinking "I can't wait to see what happens next" and then its ten years in the future and Jobs tells what its like now and that all the ending is.

The End of the Beginning and The Beginning of Something New.......2003-08-22

The Remnants, Maruderors (I know I did not spell that right but who cares), and a few Alphas have finally reached the Source, which turns out to be Mother/Daughter. Inside, they find two old friends, who speak to them and tell them that using three things, they will be able to make the Earth green again. As most the group makes sure everything is ready for the 'regreening' ceramony, some meambers of the group make plans to stop the ceramony. Will these characters accomplish their plans to ruin the ceramony. And even more important, is Echo willing to give up the thing that is most precious to her in order to try to bring her friends a better life?

An awsome book with an awsome ending to an awsome seires!!! The last chappie was my favorite!!! GET THIS BOOK OR BAD THINGS WILL HAPPEN TO YOU!!! ^-^ ^-^ ^-^ You'll be glad you read this seires!!!

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If we live again, or, Public magic and private love: Poetry
Jane Roberts
Manufacturer: Prentice-Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

20th Century | Poetry | United States | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Love Poems | Poetry | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0134506197

Average customer rating:

A riveting story.

In Which a Good Premise Falls Flat
Journey to the Blue Moon: In Which Time is Lost and Then Found Again
Rebecca Rupp
Manufacturer: Candlewick
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic | Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
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The Waterstone (Reading Together)

The Return of the Dragon (Dragon of Lonely Island)

Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich

Clementine

The Dragon of Lonely Island Reissue (Dragon of Lonely Island)

ASIN: 0763625442
Release Date: 2006-09-12

Book Description

Time gets out of hand in a witty, suspenseful new fantasy from the author of THE DRAGON OF LONELY ISLAND.

Choose time or lose time. The inscription on his grandfather's pocket watch has always confused Alex. But now that Alex has lost the heirloom,
time is all he can think about — time slipping through his fingers. That's when an encounter with a strange lady clues him in to the Blue Moon, a place where earthlings search for what they've lost. Soon Alex is in a rickety spaceship hurtling toward a topsy-turvy world of eccentric characters — from Miss Mumsley, who lost her heart to a prospector, to a medieval scholar who lost his way while calculating pi. It's a perilous journey, plagued by Time Eaters, who suck up their prey's time. How will Alex ever find the watch — and the sense of direction — he's lost? From Rebecca Rupp comes a fast-paced fantasy honoring friendship and courage.

Customer Reviews:

A riveting story........2006-12-10

Rebecca Rupp's JOURNEY TO THE BLUE MOON tells of a confusing heirloom watch which gives Alex a mysterious message - and then vanishes. His chance encounter with an old lady leads to a ride on a rickety spaceship journeying to the full Blue Moon in this zany fantasy packed with unexpected twists and turns of plot.

In Which a Good Premise Falls Flat.......2006-12-06

After Alex loses the pocket watch he inherited from his grandfather, he becomes obsessed with the loss of time. Seconds turn into minutes, which turn into hours, and so on. School assignments become pointless when one considers all the minutes and hours that are ticking by.

In the public library, Alex meets an old woman who speaks of the Blue Moon, where lost things can be found. Incredibly, Alex and his dog hitch a ride with a group of industrious rats. He begins his search little knowing what to expect.

Alex makes friends and discovers enemies on the Blue Moon, all while discovering an entire new world where lost or unfinished things make up a landscape populated by lost people.

Rupp's imaginative world of the Blue Moon is a promising concept. Where DO all our lost and unfinished things go? (Is my husband's lost PS2 DVD remote on the Blue Moon?) She builds on an interesting premise by introducing places such as The House of Records, the Inn of Abandoned Plans, and the Pointless Tower. The villains hold potential, as well. Unfortunately, these aspects only loosely gel together. It is a readable story with a well-formed beginning, middle, and end, but the entire package is somewhat flat.

JOURNEY is a passable read, but not up to the standards of classics like THE WIZARD OF OZ or even the Harry Potter series.

The publisher recommends this title for Age 10 / Grade 5 and up, but I think kids older than eleven or twelve are likely find this too young for their tastes.

Reviewed by Christina Wantz Fixemer
12/05/2006

Average customer rating:

And back again

Hobbit: Or There and Back Again
J. R. R. Tolkien
Manufacturer: Tandem Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: School & Library Binding

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General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Customer Reviews:

And back again .......2005-02-05

"The Hobbit or There and Back Again" is the first story of Middle-Earth that was ever read by the masses. And to this day it remains a beloved favorite due to Tolkien's exceptional writing, realistic and lovable characters, and the fantastic, complicated world with its unlikely hero: a fuzzy-footed hobbit.

Bilbo Baggins lives a pleasantly stodgy and dull life in the Shire, in a luxurious hole under a hill. ("It was a hobbit hole, and that means comfort") But his life is completely turned upside-down by the arrival of the wizard Gandalf and thirteen dwarves. The dwarves, led by the exiled king-in-waiting Thorin Oakenshield, want to regain the Lonely Mountain (and a lot of treasure) from the dragon Smaug, who drove out the dwarves long ago. Why do they want Bilbo? Because Gandalf has told them that he'd make a good burglar (even though Bilbo has never burgled in his life).

So before Bilbo is entirely sure what is going on, he is being swept off on a very unrespectable -- and dangerous -- adventure. Bilbo and the Dwarves battle goblins and spiders, are nearly eaten twice, are captured and Bilbo is forced to riddle with the treacherous, withered Gollum, and ends up escaping with a magical Ring. But even after these obstacles, the dragon Smaug is still in the Lonely Mountain, and Bilbo is not entirely sure what to do to deal with this enemy.

Author J.R.R. Tolkien had been crafting his mythos of Elves, Dwarves, Wizards and Men for years before writing "The Hobbit," but "The Hobbit" is the first story that people had the opportunity to read. It began as a line scrawled on a sheet of blank paper, and then into a bedtime story for his children. And even though it's overshadowed by "Lord of the Rings" and "Silmarillion," this book is an essential link. It's definitely sillier and lighter, but it provides the springboard for a lot of the stuff in "Lord of the Rings" -- especially the magical Ring that Bilbo finds in Gollum's cavern.

The concept of hobbits started in this book -- the quintessential peaceful "wee" people, based on British countryfolk, with simple pleasures and unexpected depths of strength and resourcefulness. And, of course, fuzz on their large feet. Tolkien's Elves are a little more ethereal and less dignified, and his dwarves are a bit more comical and less grim. But Elrond hints at the full majesty of the Elves, and Thorin Oakenshield is still the most dignified, proud and impressively flawed dwarf there is. The last chapters of the book hint at the epic majesty of "Lord of the Rings," and some of the same victory/loss themes. And of course, the idea that even little people -- like a hobbit or a bird -- can change the world.

Tolkien's writing is quick and light, while providing sufficient detail to let you picture what's going on. The dialogue is less influenced by Old English, and the pace is a lot faster (not surprising, since it was originally read to his kids before bedtime). Bilbo is a likable little guy -- he seems to be the last person whom you'd expect to be a courageous hero, but he shows incredibly strength and smarts when he's under pressure. Supporting characters like Thorin, Bard the Guardsman-turned-King, the king of the wood-elves, and even Smaug himself are never cookie-cutter, but multidimensional and immensely interesting to read about.

"The Hobbit" was written for children, but adults can appreciate and enjoy it just as much. So read this book, then scoop up "The Fellowship of the Ring" and continue reading. A timeless treasure and classic.

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Trollz: Oops! I Polluted Again (Trollz)
Tisha Hamilton
Manufacturer: Scholastic
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0439700035

Book Description

All of the trollz in Trollzopolis love riding around town on their skoots. But when soot storms start polluting the city, tween trolls Sapphire, Ruby, Onyx Topaz, and Amethyst have to figure out a way to stop the smog from taking over.

Worst Witch Strikes Again, The (Worst Witch)

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Mildred Hubble and Neville Logbottom
Best of the Lot
Go, Mildred!
More fantastic Mildred!
The Worst Witch, Not So Bad

Worst Witch Strikes Again, The (Worst Witch)

Manufacturer: Candlewick
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0763612553
Release Date: 2000-06-19

Customer Reviews:

Mildred Hubble and Neville Logbottom.......2006-08-16

Well, now that I have recalled this wonderful series again, I have recently come to the conclusion that the people that compare Harry Potter and Mildred are wrong. It is Mildred and Neville Longbottom that are the similar characters. Mildred is horrible with spells, and is said to be the worst witch to grace the school in years. Neville is only really good in herbology, his spells are said to go wonky, and he screws up majorly in most of his classes. Mildred anyone?

Regardless of who came first and who inspired whom, this is a great series that I loved this series as a kid, and will continue to have fond memories of the Worst Witch. One day, I hope to have kids that I can share this wonderful series along with Harry Potter to. Both are worth the price of the books.

Best of the Lot.......2005-05-26

STRIKES AGAIN is pretty much the best of the WORST WITCH books published so far, though the most recent one (ALL AT SEA) is pretty amusing too. But nothing beats STRIKES AGAIN for hilarity. Though often compared to the Harry Potter books, Jill Murphy's series about a young witch is very different and plays up the laughs and jokes much more than the Rowling tales, which include elements of horror and suspense noticeably, and happily, absent from Murphy. THE WORST WITCH was written when the author was fresh from school herself, at age eighteen, and she published it long before she even thought of having any children herself. It has some of the freshness and high spirits of other books written by teens and young children (say, THE YOUNG VISITERS). You feel that anything could happen in these books.

In STRIKES AGAIN Mildred is once more embarrassed by being so bad at everything she does, and constantly put to shame by girls who are more together. And yet she learns not to doubt herself, and her self-esteem rises like a magic potion. Mildred learns that adults and teachers aren't always right, and sometimes you have to learn to lead with your heart. The scenes at school are priceless. The movie version isn't bad either and it stars the divine Fairuze Balk from RETURN TO OZ and THE CRAFT.

Go, Mildred!.......2004-05-11

I think the worst pupil in Ms. Hartbroom's class, Mildred, does not cause all the trouble. This book was funny and exciting, and discouraging, that is if you are an Ethel-fan. Great reading for second grade!

More fantastic Mildred!.......2000-10-15

Mildred Hubble is the original Harry Potter. Returning for the second year at Miss Cackles Academy for Witches Mildred and all her friends are back, and so is (Undfortunatly) Ethel. But this time they are second years and there are a new batch of first years. Mildred and her friends are in for another adventure in this book, equally as brilliant as the worst witch.

The Worst Witch, Not So Bad.......2000-06-02

As childrens book serries go this is one of the best. The worst witch is a precurser to the Harry Potter serries. Like Potter are heroine is sent to a boarding school that specializes in the teaching of magic. She is the worst student that has ever come through the school, but her heart is in the right place and she strives to improve. She may not be the best witch, but she's the witch that wins your heart. These books will fascinate youngsters and give them something to occupy their imaginations over the long months to follow July 8th

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