Magic Tree House Boxed Set 2, Books 5-8: Night of the Ninjas, Afternoon on the Amazon, Sunset of the Sabertooth, and Midnight on the Moon

Book Description

This Magic Tree House set including the following titles:

Night of the Ninjas (Magic Tree House, No. 5)
Afternoon on the Amazon (Magic Tree House, No. 6)
Sunset of the Sabertooth (Magic Tree House, No. 7)
Midnight on the Moon. (Magic Tree House, No. 8)

Customer Reviews:

My daughter loves the series.......2007-08-09

The Magic Tree House sure has the magical power to keep my daughter, a very active 7 year old, in her room for at least a few hours everyday. She just love these books! I will get the rest of the series for her very soon!

Great buy.......2007-06-27

My grandson loves this book series and was excited to get this set for his birthday.

magic treehouse books.......2007-06-04

My son checked one of these out at school. He did not put it down until he finished it and asked for more. So I gave him 3 sets. He did not like reading until he got these books. Service excellent.

Wonderful reading experiences.......2007-05-13

My grandchildren love these books. My daughter says the kids all look forward to their reading time and learn so much from these books.

The Ninja book is scary for younger children........2007-03-29

The Treehouse series is very good overall. We read 2-3 chapters a night as part of the bedtime routine for our 3 1/2 year old. The stories hold her interest and there are just enough illustrations to anxoiusly await the page to turn. Her vocabulary has also increased due to some less common words and names used as part of the stories.

A word of caution. The Ninja story is scary for younger children and the illustrations are frightening and creepy. We had to throw this book out in the trash.

Midnight (Warriors: The New Prophecy, Book 1)

Average customer rating:

perfect book,just as good as the last series.
Good to the last page and beyond
a very awsome book
BEST SERIES EVER!
Super Book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Midnight (Warriors: The New Prophecy, Book 1)
Erin Hunter
Manufacturer: HarperTrophy
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0060744510
Release Date: 2006-04-04

Book Description

Darkness, air, water, and sky will come together... and shake the forest to its roots.

The next generation of warrior cats faces a peril that threatens the whole forest in this exciting spin–off series starring the children of the original Warriors heroes.

Packed with riveting suspense, compelling new characters, and classic themes of epic fantasy, this is an adventure not to be missed for both fans of the previous six books and readers unfamiliar with the world of the warrior Clans.

Customer Reviews:

perfect book,just as good as the last series........2007-09-28

Perfect,just perfect.This book is funnny,sad,and exciting and wrapped in mystery!One cat from each clan as well as one who was curious and one who is protective,meet at mystical Fourtrees to decide what to do.Each of them(except for two)has had a prophetic dream sent by Starclan.Now they must race against time,before something terrible happens.All in all a perfect book and don't forget,there is the first series.Trust me you won't want to put it down.

Good to the last page and beyond.......2007-08-26

I wasn't sure how I would like it when Firestar was not the main character, but I soon warmed up to the new heros introduced in this book and the writing style I so loved in the first series carries through into these books. This was an excellent book and left me craving more. I am already halfway through book three of the New Prophecy books and I am loving every bit. The writing really keeps you turning the pages and I can't wait to get back to the book to find out what will happen next. I know the books say for ages 9-12 but I am 48 and cannot put the books down. They are a great read for any age, especially if you love cats and the natural world. I would highly recommend all the Warrior books. They are great.

a very awsome book.......2007-08-14

i think this book happened to be somwhat inspiering becuase when they were about to give up brambleclaw gave them hope to carry on i liked how they were always helping each other when tawnypelt got her ratbite it got infected and i thought she was going to die but there freinds all helped her and she was fine.

BEST SERIES EVER!.......2007-07-29

ok. all these people are complaning about not getting what firestar says in book 6 sunset about his quest. and people are also saying that there was a huge space in between the first series and the new one. well there is a new book coming out soon called FIRESTARS QUEST and it will explain all that stuff. and for all you people who miss firestar as the main character, he will be the main character in FIRESTARS QUEST.

THIS IS THE BEST SERIES EVER AND I THINK IT IS JUST AS GOOD AS THE FIRST ONE!

Super Book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2007-06-18

This was the first Warriors book I got and I thought it was awesome. I can't compare to the original series since i haven't read them yet. 4 chosen cats, one from each clan Must go on a long journey. Brambleclaw from Thunderclan,(who brings FireStar's daughter,Squirelpaw with him)Crow paw from Windclan, Tawnypelt from Shadowclan, and Feather tail from Riverclan(who brings her brother, Stormfur along) When they get there to listen to Midnight...well...I won't spoil the ending, but I had a big surprise. By the way, gee, thanks to all the people who sent in reveiws that either spoiled the ending or said that any of the characters were stupid, boring, idiots, wished they were dead, or said the plot was horrid. All the characters did their best. in conclusion, this book should be read by any Warriors fan, especially one who wanted more when the first series ended. Warriors (and this book) ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
p.s. [...]

Midnight for Charlie Bone (The Children of the Red King, Book 1)

Average customer rating:

Bookmom's Review - Midnight for Charlie Bone
Charlie Bone Audio Tapes
An ok read with several flaws
Good read...if not a little confusing.
An excellent start to an intriguing new series

Midnight for Charlie Bone (The Children of the Red King, Book 1)
Jenny Nimmo
Manufacturer: Orchard
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0439474299

Book Description

The fabulous powers of the Red King were passed down through his descendants, after turning up quite unexpectedly, in someone who had no idea where they came from. This is what happened to Charlie Bone, and to some of the children he met behind the grim, gray walls of Bloor's Academy. Charlie Bone has discovered an unusual gift-he can hear people in photographs talking! His scheming aunts decide to send him to Bloor Academy, a school for genius's where he uses his gifts to discover the truth despite all the dangers that lie ahead.

Customer Reviews:

Bookmom's Review - Midnight for Charlie Bone.......2007-10-05

[Fun: 4/5] [Learning: 3/5] [Suitable: 5/5]

I was pleasantly surprised by what I thought to be a Harry Potter knock-off. Though the Charlie Bone books certainly do tend to follow in the footsteps of the world-famous predecessor, Nimmo gives her own take on the "magic school" story. In Charlie Bone, students have specific magical talents, rather than everyone having the whole range; for example, Charlie's talent is to hear voices from pictures. As Charlie is shipped off to a magical academy he has no desire to attend, he discovers secrets and works to unravel a mystery. Though a work that definitely plays off of Harry Potter fame, Nimmo actually creates a book that is fun to read and, in some respects, cleaner and less dark than the Harry Potter series.

Audience:
* Middle Readers (Grades 4-7)

Positive Themes:
* Loyalty to family and friends
* Using ingenuity to do what's right

Objectionable Content:
* Use of magic
* Some dark and possibly frightening characters

My Recommendations:
* Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling, Matilda by Roald Dahl

Bookmom - Get involved in your child's reading!

Charlie Bone Audio Tapes.......2007-09-23

My kids enjoyed these tapes. They also came right away which was an added bonus.

An ok read with several flaws .......2007-08-13

As has already been mentioned in previous reviews, the similarities to the Harry Potter series are obvious, but Nimmo does not quite deliver.
The plot seems hard to follow in places and characters are at times introduced rather suddenly, deus ex machina fashion.
Still, I suspect children will be happy to read this - it is not a bad book by all means.
One thing made me quite unhappy, however and it is the reason why I gave the book only 2 stars: There is a marked absence of important, positive female characters.

Male characters:
hero - male
hero's best friend - male
first new friend at school (Fidelio) - male
group of children who save Charlie in the end (3) - male
boy who turns bad (Billy) - male
villain - male
villain's helper 1 - male
headmaster - male
helpful uncle - male
other children mentioned - mostly male
mysterious helpful stranger - male
three cats - presumably male
teachers - predominantly male

female characters:
second friend at school (Olivia) - female
girl who has to be woken (Emma Tolly) - female
her aunt (shopkeeper) - female
three evil aunts - female
evil grandma - female
mother - female
villain's helper 2 (Zelda) - female

Apart from Emma Tolly, who does not play much of a role until the end and Olivia, who plays a larger role then some of the children, but not as big as most of the boys, there are positive female characters in the book. There are a few positive adults (mother, grandmother, shopkeeper), but again these are outweighed by the males and balanced by a rather large amount of unpleasant female characters. In the final battle there are no girls involved.

All in all this is a book for boys, it seems - instead of a book for all children. Since it is a not unpleasing book it is to be hoped that the author will introduce more positive female characters in the future.

Another small caveat: The plot with Charlie's father is rather too obvious, even for kids. On the other hand, things get mentioned (such as Billy's past), but not followed up on. The author should take a leaf out of Rowling's book and use better foreshadowing techniques. Nimmo's are either too obvious or plain confusing.

Good read...if not a little confusing........2007-07-10

For readers of Harry Potter you will enjoy Charlie Bone. Admittedly he does not have the same likeably qualities we have known Harry Potter for, but him and his family have the quirky quality that is somewhat lacking in other books.

In the book, Charlie Bone's grandmother and her sisters are insisting that he attend a boarding school on the other side of town because of his gift of hearing pictures talk. The school he attends is dark and foreboding, also holding a mystery that does not become clear to the reader in this single volume.

For older readers Charlie Bone will disapoint, but younger readers will delight in the new magic and mystery Charlie Bone offers them.

All and all, it was a fast read that kept me up at night...but only for one night. The reading is easy and though good, very geared towards children. I have a feeling character development will come along more in the next few volumes and some of the mystery that came along with this book will become clear in the next of the series.

An excellent start to an intriguing new series.......2007-06-22

While ten-year-old Charlie Bone has always had plenty of food to eat, a roof over his head, and clothes on his back, his life has not necessarily been easy. His father died when he was a mere two-years-old, and, seeing that there was not enough money to pay the bills, his beloved mother and her mother, Grandmother Jones - Maisie - were forced to take a handout from the peculiar relatives of his father, in the form of the wickedly vicious Grandma Bone - aka Grizelda - and her equally putrid relatives known as the Yewbeam aunts. Charlie has never understood why Grandma Bone took his family off the street, seeing how much she seem to despise the Jones family; but he manages to put the unpleasantness out of his mind, and concentrate on having a good time with his across-the-road friend Benjamin Brown, and his rambunctious dog, Runner Bean. Everything is going fine, aside from some family fights and demands, until the day Charlie realizes that he can hear the thoughts, as well as bits and pieces of their conversations, of people in photographs. Charlie is baffled by this new revelation, and can't seem to put his finger on how the "superpower" managed to develop seemingly overnight. Convinced that Grandma Bone, along with the Yewbeam aunts, will try to use him for their own pawn, Charlie does his best to conceal his slightfly offbeat...talent. However, Grandma Bone, while old and creaky, has extremely heightened senses. And before he can deny it, both she and the Yewbeam aunts have learned of Charlie's powers, and enrolled him in Bloor's Academy, a place for gifted children. Charlie couldn't be more angry about his new enrollment. Not only will he be unable to accompany Benjamin to school each day, but he'll also be forced to learn quite a bit about music in quite a short time, having been enrolled in the music portion of the program. After Charlie meets Fidelio Gunn, a fellow Bloor's student of his age who happens to be a whiz with musical instruments, he begins to feel much more comfortable regarding his looming situation. That comfort manages to evade him, however, once he steps foot on Bloor's Academy soil. For one, the food is atrocious, and Charlie finds himself falling asleep hungry each and every night; and two, Charlie discovers that he won't be taking the bus home from school each day. Instead, he's forced to remain at Bloor's until Friday afternoon each and every week, and return to the place of drudgery in time for classes Monday morning. And, to make matters worse, Charlie has managed to make it onto school prefect - and Bloor's Academy heir - Manfred Bloor's bad side, and must spend every waking hour at Bloor's avoiding Manfred's gaze, otherwise he may find himself hypnotized. But not everything at Bloor's is bad news. Aside from Fidelio, Charlie has also made nice with an eleven-year-old drama student, Olivia Vertigo, and an albino boy called Billy Raven. But, the longer Charlie finds himself residing at Bloor's, the more he realizes that he's not the only extraordinarily gifted at Bloor's. In fact, many of his classmates have interesting talents of their own, and one, in particular is harboring a mysterious past that Charlie feels he must get to the bottom of. Now, with the help of his newfound friends, he begins snooping about to uncover the truth. But when secrets begin to surface, Charlie must figure out who the traitor is, and save himself from an untimely expulsion from Bloor's. Otherwise, he may never make it back to his true home, or his family, again.

In the same fashion as J.K. Rowling's HARRY POTTER, Jenny Nimmo has woven a compelling story that places Charlie Bone on the defense in almost every single situation he encounters. Like Harry, Charlie is constantly the victim, and must forge ahead, attempting to stay on everyone's good side, and survive the daily trials and tribulations of everyday life, simply to keep his head above water. Luckily, Nimmo, manages to assist him in doing just that. Charlie Bone is certainly one of the most enjoyable characters in today's children's fiction. His wacky family, and the kindness he extends to just about anyone he meets make him quite appealing; and, as I mentioned before, the fact that he is constantly a victim to the evil-doings of those surrounding him, make him quite simple to sympathize with. While not everyone at Bloor's Academy has "super" powers, there are a few who harbor interesting gifts - hypnosis, mental telepathy, strange feelings. These gifts are quite unique, and make for an interesting addition to the tale. However, it is also Charlie's friends that add a delightful dimension to the story, as well. Olivia Vertigo is a character you can't help but love. Olivia manages to steal every scene she appears in. Her penchant for impractical, towering high-heeled shoes is humorous; while her dramatic nature involving dying her hair all sorts of wacky colors and shades, and managing to get into odd sorts of mishaps makes her a memorable, lovable character. And, of course, provides quite a bit of dramatics to the mix. Fidelio Gunn, on the other hand, is also quite enjoyable. His large, boisterous family is irresistible; and the fact that his father loves to sing just about anything - including sentences and announcements - makes for quite a good time. I think that Nimmo's inclusion of the orphan, Billy Raven, was an interesting choice, and quite well-thought out. In today's society, it seems that not many people understand how albino's are viewed, and how society treats them. Nimmo, however, took this condition, and made it a large part of Billy's character; illustrating the trials and tribulations he must face on a daily basis simply because of the way he looks. This bit of information truly makes the reader sympathize with Billy's character, and provides a slight explanation regarding his apprehension in various situations. I can't forget Manfred Bloor, either, whose midnight black eyes, and rough and tumble personality frighten even the reader. With MIDNIGHT FOR CHARLIE BONE, Jenny Nimmo has penned a tale that is impossible to put down. An excellent start to an intriguing new series.

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

Edge Chronicles 3: Midnight Over Sanctaphrax (Edge Chronicles, The)

Average customer rating:

Grandpa Reads Grandson Reads
Missing Page
just a good book
.) .) My heart beats fast, I want it to last .) .)
Speechless

Edge Chronicles 3: Midnight Over Sanctaphrax (Edge Chronicles, The)
Paul Stewart , and Chris Riddell
Manufacturer: David Fickling Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0385750722
Release Date: 2004-09-14

Book Description

SANCTAPHRAX WILL BE destroyed by the energy of the Mother Storm. . . .

Far over the Edge, the Mother Storm is brewing—a storm more terrifying than any seen in the lifetime of any Edgelander. Sweeping in from the open sky, it must strike the source of the Edgewater River to bring new energy to the land. But in its way is Sanctaphrax, a magnificent city built on a floating rock and tethered to the land by a massive chain. Only one person can save the Edgelands from certain disaster: Twig, the young sky pirate captain who dared to sail over the Edge—and returned with his memory shattered and his crew flung far and wide. But to recover his memory and take action, Twig must first find his lost crew. And this means a journey back into the Deepwoods, and beyond. . . .

“As before, Stewart’s descriptions are brilliant; Riddell’s line drawings are exquisitely detailed and notably grotesque. . . . Altogether this series is so exceptional that if I had any chance of collecting, I’d bet good money on it still being in print a century from now. . . . When’s the next book coming?”—Interzone

“Fabulously illustrated. . . .”—The Sunday Times

“Richly inventive. . . .”—Literary Review

Customer Reviews:

Grandpa Reads Grandson Reads.......2007-01-12

The Edge series is just the ticket for a grandpa to read to his near teenaged grandson. The main theme is "Quest." The story holds its own against the high tech toys that command my grandson's attention. The wonderful drawings inform, helps to "see" the action. Believe me there is constant action, constant
challenges to our hero. It is a balanced tale about Twig's mistakes and triumphs. Paul Stewart is a master craftsman with the language. Encourages me to re-read passages that are so well written.

Missing Page.......2006-07-24

The book itself was great. I loved it. However, the book is missing a page. The pages go 225, 226, 229, 228, 229. There is another copy of page 229 instead of page 227. That is why I gave it a 4 star rating. Fortunately, you can still understand what happened even without this page.

just a good book.......2006-05-14

I think that midnight over santaphrax is a great book. Yes, so it is the last of twig's adventures, well at least know. but overall it is a super good book. any edge chronicle fan would enjoy it. i know i did and i am now on the 8th book.

.) .) My heart beats fast, I want it to last .) .).......2006-04-19

This is DEFINTELY the best Edge Chronicle ever. Twig has now fully matured (his hair is as awesome as ever) and he must embark on a mission to save his crew, which has been dispersed by the Mother Storm. Even if most of it isn't told from Twig's POV (meet Cowlquape, the biggest loser in Sanctaphrax) it's still nice to hear about Twig.

This book is pretty episodic, with Twig jumping from one place to another. Unlike "Beyond the Deepwoods" there is a purpose for all this because Twig is trying to find his crew members. In this book Twig travels everywhere: Sanctaphrax, Undertown, Great Shryke Slave Market, and ultimately Riverrise, the holiest place on the Edge. All the while he is accompanied by Cowlquape, who is such a loser it's almost insulting to Twig. Nevertheless, his patheticness makes Twig seem even larger than larger-than life, and I appreciate this.

Edge Fans (and especially Twig fans) like me will be sad to see the brave young captain for the last time. It's so sad that it has to end here. The next time we meet him he is a brave OLD captain and his hair isn't the same :(

P.S. the period/parenthesis arrangement at the top is my pathetic attempt at musical notes. It's not easy one a computer, you know!

Speechless.......2006-01-25

Would you like to go on an action-packed adventure on a flying ship that is sailing into a storm and possibly over the edge of existance? Then this book is for you.

Harry Potter aside, I've never read a fantasy novel more original. The first three installments of these series will have you hooked. You won't be able to put the books down.

In the first installment, Twig is a young boy raised by a woodtroll clan who gets lost in the dangerous Deep Woods and goes on a topsy-turvy adventure you won't want to miss. Man-eating trees, wild wolves, giant insects, gloamglozers -- who would want to miss that?

The second and third installments are twice the fun and we leave Captain Twig at the height of his grandest adventure. But the magic stops here. Be warned, folks. As the books continue on, they get less and less orginal and the stories are not at all as marvelous as they started out. They become repetitive and watered-down. To tell the absolute truth, the series should have stopped after this one. It would have been fine the way it was.

But don't miss the first three installments. You'll love them if you love adventure.

Average customer rating:

Best Book I've Read in Years!
Wonderful!
a fun, quick read
A charming book for children
Impossible things are happening every day

Bella at Midnight
Diane Stanley
Manufacturer: HarperCollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0060775734
Release Date: 2006-03-28

Book Description

In the little village of Castle Down, in a kingdom plagued by war, lives a peasant girl called Bella. Blessed with a kind family and a loving friend, she manages to create her own small patch of sunlight in a dark and dangerous world. Bella is a blacksmith's daughter; her friend Julian is a prince -- yet neither seems to notice the great gulf that divides his world from hers.

Suddenly Bella's world collapses. First Julian betrays her. Then it is revealed that she is not the peasant she believed herself to be: She is Isabel, the daughter of a knight who abandoned her in infancy. Now he wants her back, so Bella is torn from her beloved foster family and sent to live with her deranged father and his resentful new wife. Soon Bella is caught up in a terrible plot that will change her life -- and the kingdom -- forever. With the help of her godmother and three enchanted gifts, she sets out on a journey in disguise that will lead her to a destiny far greater than any she could have imagined.

Customer Reviews:

Best Book I've Read in Years!.......2007-03-23

This book is so great. I could hardly put it down. I am a mom, an English Major, and an Elementary School teacher who loves a good read. This was fantastic. It would be great for an English teacher who is teaching point of view. I read it for fun because I am always looking for good books to read to my daughters and students. Read it -- You'll be glad you did!

Wonderful!.......2007-03-17

The other reviews have all done a great job of reviewing the plot, so I won't do it again. I'll simply add my two cents. I'm an adult who has taken to reading juvenille fiction simply because of all the graphic trash out there for being sold as adult fiction. I was happy to find I need have no such reservations about this book--it was clean. To the reviewer who said that the first chapter talking about Bella's birth was inappropriate for 10-year-olds, I disagree. It was not graphic. I think few parents would find anything offensive in it--but, of course, if there is any concern, I would urge parents to read the first chapter themselves before deciding.

I know some readers might have a hard time with the fact that each chapter has a different narrator--I did not. In fact, I enjoyed getting different view points. It rounds out the story better than way. The story was not brilliant--but it was a fun read, and don't be misled thinking it's just another Cinderella story. I dislike those cheap rip-offs that require little imagination. "Bella at Midnight" much more than that!

a fun, quick read.......2006-08-12

Isabel (Bella) is an unlucky girl. At the time of her birth her mother died and her father, having loved her mother passionately, abandoned Isabel to her Aunt Maud for care. Maud placed her in a foster home, that of the Lady Beatrice (former wet nurse of the crown Prince of Moranmoor) and her husband, Martin, and son Will, and later a daughter named Margaret. Bella grew up in relative peace and comfort, never knowing that she owed her birth to a heartless knight. As she aged she grew friendly with the Prince of Moranmoor, Julian, who always called her a Princess despite her station and once gave her a thimble in a game of the faerie castle that he and Will invented for her.

Despite her pleasant upbringing there is still unhappiness brewing in the land of Moranmoor. Moranmoor has been at war with the neighboring kingdom, Brutanna, for years. Bella sees much strife in her quaint life. But suddenly peace has come to pass with the signing of a treaty between the two rivals. Unfortunately Prince Julian, as the king's youngest son, must go in to the palace of Brutanna as an amicable hostage so that peace might be ensured for the nations, but not before he mistreats Bella in a rather upsetting manor.

Shortly after Isabel's Aunt comes to fetch her. Her father has asked for her, and as such Bella has to be returned to a household she has never known. Her father has remarried a woman named Matilda who has two daughters, snobbish Marianne and mute Alice, who is still grieving the death of their father at sea. Not knowing what to do with a girl raised by peasants Bella is placed in the kitchens for lack of finesse as Marianne is placed at court. Every visit she brings a bit of gossip back home with her and one day Bella learns that Julian's life is in danger. Despite the fact that he mistreated her she has to warn him of his impending doom, and treks across the countryside to bring this news to him. But will he regard her as warmly as he once did in his youth or will his last actions to her prove that his heart has hardened against Bella?

"Bella at Midnight" is a warm and sweet retelling of Cinderella with a lot more truth and a lot less fantasy. The trace elements of magic and whimsy are at the behest of God's will. Bella herself acquires the means necessary to arrive at the "Ball" (in this case an opulent wedding) in style. The role of the fairy godmother has been taken over by Bella's kindly Aunt, and the wicked stepmother and sisters are of course in fine form, save Alice who does help out Bella at times. I'll be honest that for a while I found the book lacking in the middle. The character development is a little flat even though Stanley has chosen to break up the narration into different characters for every chapter. This actually distances the reader from the characters instead of drawing them in. However, the overall plot, the nice way she tied in the original mythos of Cinderella, and the incredible "Joan of Arc" style ending culminate in a fun, quick read. I would happily give this book 4 stars, but the character weakness that I have mention must alter that opinion a touch, so 3.5 out of 5 feels about right. I think younger folks will very much enjoy this.

A charming book for children.......2006-05-31

BELLA AT MIDNIGHT by Diane Stanley is a sweet, enchanting story filled with intrigue, chivalry and magical gifts. Young Isabel lives among the peasants of a quaint medieval village not aware that she is the daughter of a knight in the king's service. Bella, as her foster family calls her, is raised as a blacksmith's daughter to be respectful, kind and industrious. Those qualities will shine through in her time of need when she finds herself in the middle of a 100-year-old war. The values instilled by her adoptive parents and the courage given to her by birth converge to help Bella save a good friend and bring a prophesy to life.

Stanley is a prolific author with several children's publications to her credit. She is revered as a writer of talent with an interesting ability to "re-imagine" traditional folk and fairy tales. In her current release Stanley twists together the stories of Cinderella, King Arthur, and tales of fairies to create an enticing work that moves methodically through the early life of Bella as she gains maturity and poise on her way to rescuing two kingdoms from ruin.

Bella is born in traditional circumstances to a knight and his young bride. The young mother does not have the strength to survive the birth of her daughter whose fiery red hair and bright blue eyes light up the room. Bella's distraught father charges his sister-in-law, Bella's aunt, to take baby Isabel away to someone who will raise and care for her. This is accomplished by the aunt and Bella grows to the age of 16 unaware of her royal birthrights. Soon after being reunited with her father, Bella discovers her passion, courage and strength as she single-handedly ends a century-old conflict that will be the ruin of everyone and everything she loves if she doesn't intervene.

As a reader I have an awkward habit of reading the last chapter of a book before anything else. Knowing the resolution of a story helps me decide if I want to read the book and gives me a point of reference to understand how and why the author makes certain choices. Many readers disagree with this practice, and they have that right. In the case of BELLA AT MIDNIGHT, if I had started with chapter one first, I would not have continued to read. The description of Bella's birth was overdone for the minimum age/grade recommended for this book. The content was inappropriate for 10-year-olds and the sweetness of the romance throughout the story would not appeal to older readers. While the main story was inviting, the material about the birth in the first chapter didn't further the plot. The premise easily could have been explained in a first chapter minus the age inappropriate references to headfirst presentation of the baby, babies born strangled by umbilical cords, and wet nursing.

Stanley made another challenging choice. The book is written in the first-person point of view, which isn't controversial --- until an author writes from the points of view for nine different characters. We see the progression of the story from the eyes of these varied minds, and it sometimes creates an action time lapse while we wait on everyone involved to catch up because we can only read one perspective at a time per chapter. A good deal of repetition and overlap occurs while characters recount the same episode from their point of view before moving the story forward. The method proved taxing for this reader and negatively effected pacing.

--- Reviewed by Joy Held

Impossible things are happening every day.......2006-05-18

Hello, Diane Stanley. You're looking well today. Could it be the result of a new haircut? A new shirt? Or could it be the fact that you've just written a work of fiction that is getting resounding, unending, and universal applause? I think that might be the case. You look at "Bella At Midnight" and you don't exactly know what to think. It's a nice cover and all, but is it any good? Well, there's a starred review of it in Kirkus, a starred review of it in Booklist, and a starred review of it in School Library Journal. So, yes, it is indeed good. More importantly, it does something that I would have seriously doubted possible until this time. It takes that old chestnut of a Cinderella myth, pumps it full of new life and vitality, and sends it spinning off into the ether like some kind of newfangled original tale. I still had qualms with some aspects of the storytelling, but for three-dimensional characters, magnificent plotting, and a great bit of writing through and through, "Bella At Midnight" is near impossible to beat.

The child was unwanted. Her mother had died in childbirth and her father wanted nothing to do with her, so unbalanced was he by his wife's death. So it was that Isabel (nicknamed Bella) was taken from her father's home and tended to by a peasant wetnurse by the name of Beatrice who had lately tended to the prince himself. Prince Julian, the third son in his family, often comes back to visit this wetnurse of his, and over the years it becomes clear that the person he seeks most often on his visits is Bella. But it isn't until Bella is a teenager that she is told the truth about herself. The peasant family who has loved her all these years? Not her family. Without any advance notice, Bella is shipped away from everyone and everything she has ever loved to live with a father she's never known alongside a new stepmother and stepsister. Sound familiar? The story of Cinderella has been retold for a new generation and with it comes a story full of intrigue, miracles, magic, and even a pair of tiny glass slippers. It's all here. What's remarkable is how Stanley manages to incorporate all these details and never loose sight of her own original story.

In this book, each chapter is told from a different person's point of view. Once in a while a singler person's P.O.V. will occur twice in a row, but usually that's out of sheer narrative necessity. What this multiple-narrative really manages to do is give almost everyone a voice. If Bella's stepmother is vicious or her stepsister proud, you learn why that might be from their separate stories. Talk about well-rounded storytelling! Not everyone gets a voice, I'll admit. We never really get inside of Bella's father's head (thankfully!) but we can see rather clearly why he acts the way he does. And any author that is able to make a privileged prince of pure heart and mind sound like someone you'd actually want to hang out with (to say nothing of perfect beautiful Bella) is an author of finely honed writing skills indeed. Actually, extra kudos to Stanley for giving Bella a backbone and having her save the day in a particularly dramatic way at the story's end. I've always been sick of Cinderella stories where the protagonist just sits around waiting for good fortune to fall into her lap.

Then take into account the way Stanley has incorporated everything from the original Cinderella myth alongside works like Shakespeare's, "The Tempest". When we first meet the meekest of Bella's stepsisters we hit a chapter that begins with, "My father lies below the sea. Crabs scuttle over him and scatter his bones. Beside his remains, half buried in the sand, lie trinkets he was bringing home for me". Ariel's song anyone? "Full fathom five thy father lies", and all that? There are multiple examples of intelligent referencing in this book, but never presented in such a way that they jar with the book itself.

With all these laudable qualities you might wonder how anyone could find ANYTHING to object to in this book. Admittedly, I was disinclined to say anything against "Bella", but there was one repeating and ridiculous aspect to Stanley's writing. It involves her children. Now I am perfectly aware that this story takes place in some distant past and that long ago kids were required to become adults much faster than they are today. Just the same, how likely does it seem to you that a ten-year-old conversing with a seven-year-old should say something along the lines of, "And then, Bella, I was not satisfied with merely playing a great hero... Is that not prideful enough for you? Can you picture me riding into the midst of a battle and bringing armies to their knees?"? The seven-year-old Bella's reply? "If God willed it, you could! You have a pure heart, Julian, as the Worthy Knight is said to have. God could make you a champion if it was needful". I am willing to suspend my disbelief a rather great ways, but this conversation doesn't read like that of a pair of children. It reads like a pair of twenty-somethings. And, considering the course it takes, rather wise twenty-somethings at that. I've always had a dislike of books in which kids don't act or speak like real children (hence my tempestuous relationship with E.L. Konigsburg). "Bella At Midnight", commits this crime multiple times. Fortunately, by page 66 these too-knowledgeable kids have grown into their flowery tongues and the book progresses at a rapid clip.

There's something wonderful about Cinderella stories. They speak to a universal desire to be recognized beyond the state of our birth. I daresay that no author (until now, of course) has ever given a Cinderella story such care and love as is found in this newest children's book. Kids with a penchant for fairy tales (perhaps of the Donna Jo Napoli variety) will find Stanley's title infinitely accessible. She really makes you believe in the world that she has conjured up. A wonderful addition to any library and a truly enjoyable read.

Midnight On The Moon (Magic Tree House 8, paper)

Average customer rating:

A 2TG Review
kids on the moon base
Midnight on the Moon Review by Matthew Broome,
MY BOY LOVES READING IT
Very disappointed

Midnight On The Moon (Magic Tree House 8, paper)
Mary Pope Osborne
Manufacturer: Random House Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0679863745
Release Date: 1996-10-29

Book Description

Illustrated in black-and-white. Jack and Annie are whisked forty years forward in time and land at an international space station on the moon. There they don space suits and go exploring the lunar surface in search of the fourth object needed to free the enchantress Morgan le Fay from a powerful spell.

Customer Reviews:

A 2TG Review.......2007-05-15

In the beginning it was midnight. Annie was awake. She woke up Jack.In the middle they decided to go to the moon. Morgan wants them to go to the moon. At the end Annie and Jack went back home. They liked the adventure. I know they liked the adventure because they said,"The universe is filled with wonders.
by Maria

kids on the moon base .......2007-04-06

In this book Midnight on the Moon the main charaicters are Annie and Jake they found a magic tree house that will take them places all they have to do is point to the place they want to go and say "i wish to go there" and the tree house spins and takes off! they have to find four things that starts with the letter "m" and they have already found three things and now they are on the moon trying to find the last thing and when they find the last thing then it will set morgan the librarian free from her spell that she is under!the three things that they have already discovered is a moonstone from the time in ninjas a mango from the amazon rain forest and a mammoth bone from the ice age!

Midnight on the Moon Review by Matthew Broome, .......2007-02-21

Midnight on the Moon by Mary Pope Osbourne

This book was about a smart nine year old boy named Jack and his seven year old sister named Annie. I liked this book because it was very adventurious and fun to read. When I read this book I felt like I took an exciting trip into outerspace. Jack and Annie's goal on the moon was to find the last "M" thing from the four great series of books. To find out what happens to Jack and Annie on the moon, read this fantastic book. I give this book a 4 star rating because of its wonders and suspense. This is a book I would read again.

MY BOY LOVES READING IT.......2007-01-07

My 1st grader hates to put it down, he would rather read Magic Tree House books, than play video games. He even reads them to his class and explains the story for show and tell. In his kindergarten class the teacher would also let him read the Magic Tree House books out loud, not to give her a break, but to promote reading out loud. Great books!

Very disappointed.......2006-01-25

Since this series is so popular, my eight-year-old asked to get some from the library, so we checked out a few. I picked up this one, book #8, and read through it. The writing was extremely poor. I counted the statement, "Morgan nodded," six times in three pages, even though each page has very few words. Can't the author or an editor see such a glaring flaw? And there were many more flaws, extremely contrived dialogue being the worst offender.

The story was weak, and the characters were thin and hard to like. I can't see how this series became popular. We won't be checking them out again.

Midnight Pearls: A Retelling of "The Little Mermaid" (Once Upon a Time)

Average customer rating:

WAYY ENTRANCING!
Glad I didn't spend money on it
An interesting variation on The Little Mermaid
Mermaids and betrothals and mystery, oh my!

Midnight Pearls: A Retelling of "The Little Mermaid" (Once Upon a Time)
Debbie Viguié
Manufacturer: Simon Pulse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 1416940162

Book Description

"ONCE UPON A TIME"

IS TIMELESS

In a quiet fishing village seventeen years ago, one lone fisherman rescued a child from the sea. He and his wife raised the girl, Pearl, as their own daughter, never allowing themselves to wonder long about where she came from -- or notice her silver hair, usually pale skin, and wide, dark blue eyes.

Pearl grows from a mysterious child into an unusual young woman, not always welcomed in the village. As all the other girls her age find husbands, she has only one friend to ease her loneliness. One very special, secret companion: Prince James.

But their friendship is shaken when trouble erupts in the kingdom -- a conspiracy against the royal family combines with an evil enchantment from beneath the sea. Now, just when Pearl and James need each other most, bewitching magic and hints about Pearl's past threaten to tear them apart...forever.

Customer Reviews:

WAYY ENTRANCING! .......2007-10-03

As I Read this book I think I fell in love this is the first book I have read by Cameron Dokey, but it was simply tantalizing and the ending was satisfying I read it the day I got it and didn't put it down for the entire day! so GO GET IT!

Glad I didn't spend money on it.......2007-09-26

So, I got this book from my library, since they were giving it away, along with other books that were notorious for never being checked out. It looked promising since I LOVE mermaids, faefolk, and general romantic fantasies...

HOWEVER-- this book was tripe.

I'll admit I was intrigued in the beginning... Will James and Pearl realize one loves the other? If they do, will that mean doom for Kale and Fae?

When I got the answer by finishing the book, I literally threw it across the room.

This book insulted my intelligence with its Teen/Young Adult classification. All it turned out to be was pure angst with no creativity or effort in its writing.

It's no wonder why the library GAVE this book away. Please don't spend any money or time on it. It's truly a disappointment.

An interesting variation on The Little Mermaid.......2007-08-26

Being a fan of the original Anderson fairy tale, The Little Seamaid, and the Disney cartoon, The Little Mermaid, (and also enjoying the occasional young adult novel) I decided to take a chance on Midnight Pearls. Though it's not my favorite retelling, it was a good read. The author put an interesting twist on the story, adding in a little more adventure than other versions of the fairy tale. The beginning of the story especially is fascinating and very well told. The main body of the story and the ending don't have quite the depth of the original, but they are still interesting, and I think they will have more appeal to the young adult audience than the orinal might have had. My only disappointment was in what I thought to be clumsy execution of the story.

SPOILER WARNING

In the book, we're introduced to the two main characters. We learn that they've been friends since childhood and that they meet on a regular basis. It is also hinted that they have started to have feelings for each other. Both discover that their parents expect them to marry soon, and each begins to regard the other as a possible choice for that marriage. The male main character even tries to propose -- though he is interrupted. It's not until that point, around page 60 (almost halfway through the book), that two new characters enter the scene. These two, we realize, are the REAL love interests for the two main characters. This is the clumsy story telling. At this point, I'm already attached to the two main characters as a couple. Everything has hinted that they love each other, that they're meant for each other. So, as a reader, when new love interests suddenly pop up halfway through the story, I view them as intruders and immediately dislike them. I don't sympathize with them or cheer for their success. Their story seemed to come out of nowhere and blindsided me, and the love at first sight that develops with the two new characters is unconvincing in contrast to the two main characters, who seem to have the sort of love that sometimes blossoms from friendship that is also seen in a lot of fairy tales. Even though I know how the story would turn out, I still held out hope that somehow these new characters would go away and the two main characters would end up together. I thought the author could have handled that aspect of the story more gracefully -- perhaps by introducing the two love interests and their part in the plot earlier on in the book so it seemed more natural when they do meet the main characters.

However, aside from that, I did enjoy the story, and I think it will have a strong appeal to young adult readers.

Mermaids and betrothals and mystery, oh my!.......2007-02-26

This is one retelling of Andersen's fairy tale that I'm glad I didn't miss. I was skeptical about ordering, but it was a nice twist. The only objection I had is that the denouement was a bit short (i.e. the resolution of the climax of the story). I would have liked to have seen more detail than "and we lived happily ever after."

The plot change that I enjoyed was that there are two additional characters that are introduced in the middle of the story. You think you're getting to know the couple that's intended, but you discover that you aren't. It helps you to identify with the characters a bit more, I guess.

Either way, I enjoyed the book a great deal. The ending is a lot like the Disney version, though, so if you are looking for a sad ending like the original tale, don't get this book.

Average customer rating:

Still great 20 years later
This is a book you never forget
Never surpassed.
The thirteenth hour
A magical tale of friendship...........................

Tom's Midnight Garden
Philippa Pearce
Manufacturer: HarperTrophy
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0064404455

Book Description

Tom is furious. His brother, Peter, has measles, so now Tom is being shipped off to stay with Aunt Gwen and Uncle Alan in their boring old apartment. There'll be nothing to do there and no one to play with. Tom just counts the days till he can return home to Peter.Then one night the landlady's antique grandfather clock strikes thirteen times leading Tom to a wonderful, magical discovery and marking the beginning of a secret that's almost too amazing to be true. But it is true, and in the new world that Tom discovers is a special friend named Hatty and more than a summer's worth of adventure for both of them. Now Tom wishes he could stay with his relativesand Hatty -- forever...

Customer Reviews:

Still great 20 years later.......2006-09-19

I fondly remember this book from school years, and happily purchased another copy again this year. And at 35, I enjoyed it just as much! The story is beautifully written, and as a reader I feel privileged to share the story from Tom's point of view, and feel that I'm there in the book with Tom as I read. It's easy to visualise the story as it progresses. The characters are lively and the emotions change with the story, a great read.

This is a book you never forget.......2006-07-06

Like all others who read the book as a child, I like them was enchanted by this beautifully written book. I read it (shool library) when I was about 11 and I have been looking for it the next forty years...
It took the Internet and Google to give me another chance at reading the story I cherished for a lifetime.

Extraordinary...

Never surpassed........2006-02-02

I first chanced upon this book as a seven year old. I had read many books before but this one truly opened my mind to the wondrous joy of reading.

Nearly thirty years later I have not yet found a book to surpass it. Re-reading as an adult I still see why its multi-layered, perfectly self-consistent meanings entranced me.

The apparent wish-fulfilment of the story is really only the surface. Around the dream garden and its marvels flow deeper themes: of growing apart and loss of childhood, time as an enemy, and unfathomable yearning. Which is not to say that this is an overwhelmingly sad book, though it is certainly one in which childhood wishes are portrayed as tempered for the first time. Even the sadness can be beautiful because it is part of life; and the book shows that the tyranny of time can be overcome with mind.

I here have the privilege of urging parents to allow their children to discover the joys of literature through this book. It would be delightful to know that children of today could appreciate it too.

The thirteenth hour.......2005-08-23

Do you remember those old textbooks they used to hand out in fourth grade English class back in the 1980s? How they'd contain a section or a snippet out of some of the great works of children's fiction in the hopes of whetting our elementary appetites and interests so that we'd seek out the books on our own? No? Well, I do. I remember reading one of these textbooks one day and coming across a section in which a boy lives in a house where the clock strikes thirteen one night. Then he stumbles onto a magnificent eerie garden that only appears at this time. For years I carried the images from this single slight little passage with me, not knowing where they came from. It was only when I became a children's librarian that I decided to rediscover my mystery book. It didn't take long either. "Tom's Midnight Garden" is a true literary classic. Combining a British love of gardens with a bit of ghostly hauntings, time travel, and magical hours that don't exist in the regular world, the book has remained a classic, even if it has slipped out of the public eye a jot.

Tom and Peter are uncommonly close brothers. For them, summer is the time when they can play endless games in their backyard for hours at a time. Imagine Tom's sorrow then when Peter comes down with the measles right at the beginning of the warm months AND Tom has been quarantined to his stuffy old aunt and uncle's home. The boy is, needless to say, less than delighted with this chain of events. His relatives occupy the second floor flat in an old building that is separated into apartments. To top it all off, Tom has insomnia every night and finds himself wandering the building. One night the grandfather clock on the first floor starts chiming an unheard of thirteen chimes. Drawn by this peculiar number, Tom goes to the first floor, opens the back door, and finds himself facing a beautiful gigantic garden and woodsy area. This is especially odd when you consider that during the day this place is a paved over alleyway replete with garbage cans and a high fence. At night, however, it transforms into a magnificent wonderland for Tom and the girl he meets there, Hatty. Hatty and Tom become inseparable, in spite of their mutual confusion over what exactly is going on. Only when Tom is threatened with having to leave his aunt and uncle's (and thereby the garden) does he discover the source of the magic and the modern-day tie that pulls him there.

Comparisons of this book to "The Children of Green Knowe" make perfect sense. As I read this title, it didn't take much urging to be reminded of that other great fantasy in which a boy makes friends with otherworldly children. "The Secret Garden" also pops into the brain, due to its eerie ghostlike wailings and magnificent hidden garden. "Tom's Midnight Garden" is a little more methodical and (dare I say?) modern than these other books, though. Though Tom and Hatty don't initially question why a garden mysteriously appears in his backyard every night, eventually Tom must solve the mystery with a little detective work of his own. It's to the author's credit that by the tale's end, everything has been explained in a believable way. Some fantasy authors are far too willing to show something spectacular and then explain it away with the lame excuse of "it's magic!". Philippa Pearce is no such hack. This is a well-thought through book that justifies its fantasy and still remains fun.

I can't help but wish that reissues of "Tom's Midnight Garden" might consider giving it a bit of an updated cover. The original illustrations by Susan Einzig are inoffensive enough, but wouldn't this book benefit from lush full-page color illustrations from someone like Tasha Tudor, Tony DiTerlizzi, or (as long as I'm indulging myself in pure fantasy) Dave McKean? Slap a post-1958 cover on this puppy (possibly showing Tom getting his head stuck midway through the shed door) and you've got yourself a book that kids would be dying to get their hands on. Instead, you've a title that savvy adult, parents, librarians, and schoolteachers will have to coyly promote. Once the right kind of kid discovers it, however, you'll have a dickens of a time prying it from their hands. A fantasy that deserves more attention.

A magical tale of friendship..................................2005-07-10

Tom's brother Peter is infectious, so Tom is sent to live with his uncle and aunt in their flat in America.Tom is very bored because of the lack of gardens and parks nearby, so he is extremely excited when the clock strikes thirteen and he finds himself in a beautiful and magical garden that he will never forget.Tom's midnight garden is for vivid readers who will understand the friendship betwwen a modern and old world.I highly reccomend it to anyone interested in reading fantasy novels that are not too long.This book will tell you the tale of a tragic garden, a family, with a strict and ill-tempered mother and the truth of true friendship.Read this book!

Midnight's Mask (Forgotten Realms: The Erevis Cale Trilogy, Book 3)

Average customer rating:

Not good.
Good Book, but Better Series
Nothing short of exceptional...
excellent
AMW

Midnight's Mask (Forgotten Realms: The Erevis Cale Trilogy, Book 3)
Paul S. Kemp
Manufacturer: Wizards of the Coast
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0786936436
Release Date: 2005-10-27

Book Description

This is the final title in a new trilogy featuring the most popular character from the Sembia series.

The author of Resurrection concludes the tale of the Forgotten Realms most enigmatic hero, Erevis Cale. Drawn deeper and deeper into the service of Mask, Cale may find himself so lost in the shadows that he can never return.

Customer Reviews:

Not good. .......2007-05-22

I did not like this book. It was too much like "Resurrection". At the end the bad guy's motive to destroy the world is "just because". The only worse ending to a series was "Resurrection". Yet if you like dark books without any humor, very serious, and a good guy who is bad then this is the book for you.

Good Book, but Better Series.......2007-04-05

Midnight's Mask (Forgotten Realms: The Erevis Cale Trilogy, Book 3)

SERIES: A
BOOK OVER ALL: B
Story: B, Prose: A-, Dialogue: B+, Romance: C, Action: A-, Plot: C+.

This is a very good series, yet this is my lest favorite of the three books, but still worth reading. Paul S. Kemp, is one of the best fantasy writers today, certainly one of the few really good ones writing Forgotten Realms books.

PROS:

Great Characters, well developed, with interesting interplay, and good dialogue.

Vivid prose, vivid portrait of the world, vivid action!

CONS:

The evil protagonist Vhostym, is too weird and way too powerful / God like, makes the story difficult to `get in to' for me, and very unbalanced!

The setting is just to dark and dull.

Why is Erevis Cale a Cleric of Mask, he hates Mask, they don't share a philosophy, this makes little sense to me. Why dose Mask give Cale magic and promote him in his church?

Nothing short of exceptional..........2007-01-10

I've been a fan of the fantasy/D&D genre since the original boxed set of Dungoens and Dragons WAY back in the 70's, and have been a fan of the FR books since R.A. Salvatore came on the scene with The Crystal Shard. R.A. Salavatore breathed life into the Realms, but few authors have been able to give it a pulse (Ed Greenwood and very few others excepted).

Then along came Paul Kemp. I was first introduced to his exceptional writing ability in the 'War of the Spider Queen' series. After dragging myself through a couple horribly written Realms novels (if you see 'Master Of Chains' lurking on store shelves, run away screaming!), I recognized Paul's moniker on the Erivas Cale trilogy and decided to give it a try. FINALLY! This series has reinvigorated my imagination, and I find I'm eagerly awaiting more titles with Paul's name on the cover. The realms now have two master storytellers... Mr. Salvatore and Mr. Kemp. They set the bar high for any others wishing to tap into the genre. Thank you, Paul Kemp, for keeping the Realms alive.

excellent.......2006-12-13

Paul S Kemp is great. he knows how to make you really care about all the characters. excellent book. excellent series.

AMW.......2006-08-10

I do not like to criticize authors, but in this case I feel it's necessary. I obviously disagree with the other reviews on this series of books. The series was-to put it lightly-CHEESY! I like Salvatore-love Gemmell-and no disrespect to the author of this book along with one and two, but the characters were entirely laim. If you intend to buy this, get Salvatore's Silent Blade first.

Average customer rating:

Beautiful book
Adorable story and beautiful illustration

The Midnight Unicorn

Manufacturer: Sterling
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 140273218X

Book Description

A little girl who loves unicorns. A beloved statue that comes to life. An unforgettable and exhilarating journey. With its combination of magical story, stunningly realistic art, and shimmering spot-lamination throughout, this lovely picture book will enchant children again and again.
Children will feel their imagination take flight along with the title character as they enjoy Neil Reed's captivating tale of a very special midnight ride.
More than anything, Millie loves the statue of the unicorn at her park. Its closed eyes, gentle mouth, and kind smile always make her happy. Then, one day, as she presses her hands against the statue's neck, she feels a shiver run through the stone: marble has become flesh and the unicorn has come alive. And riding on his back, Millie soars up, up, up, into the sky, over forest and lakes, through storms and lighting, to the land where unicorns still play….
With images so realistic they almost seem photographed, and spot-lamination that makes the stars-and lots more on the page-shine, this beautiful story will become a perennial favorite.

Neil Reed has been illustrating books for nineteen years. His illustrations for Unicorn Dreams, by Dyan Sheldon, were praised by School Library Journal as “captivating….Reed's unicorn…will win the hearts of romantics of all ages.” Of his illustrations for Shirley Isherwood’s Something for James, Publishers Weekly raved, “Reed's radiant watercolors set off the tale like a Tiffany setting displays a gem…the cozy world that the warmly lit artwork portrays is one that readers will eagerly enter time and again.” When Neil Reed is not illustrating books for young readers, he can be found surfing with his children at beaches near their home in Cornwall, England.

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful book.......2007-06-03

Our daughter loves this book and the illustrations are beautiful. A very large hard back book. It a terrific story.

Adorable story and beautiful illustration.......2006-03-27

How could anyone NOT like a book about a little girl, her faithful dog, and a unicorn statue that comes to life. Neil Reed's story - and particularly his illustrations - are captivating. I do love the special touch about the little girl's dog. Even though she has made this fantastic unicorn her friend, she does not lose affection for or neglect her loving dog. It's wonderful to show how chidren do not have to choose between friends or favourites; these things can co-exist and compliment one another. This story calls to mind "The Dancing Tiger" where imagination and wonder create a reality all their own. And the moral in oth of them is very sweet. So if you enjoy either one of these books...you'll want to get the other one, too.

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