Gregor and the Code of Claw (Underland Chronicles, Book 5)

Gregor and the Code of Claw (Underland Chronicles, Book 5)
Average customer rating:

Wonderful Conclusion

Another outstanding, riveting Gregor fantasy.

The last Gregor

THE MOST IMPORTANT REVIEW

Gregor and the Code of Claw

Gregor and the Code of Claw (Underland Chronicles, Book 5)
Suzanne Collins
Manufacturer: Scholastic Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 043979143X

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful Conclusion.......2007-07-10

This book wrapped up many things in the Underland and ended this fantastic series adequately. With the warrior's death prophesized and an impending doom on gregor and all of the underland this book captured emotion through suspence, action, and saying goodbye, whilling to sacrifice for the ones you love. To be honest every time gregor said goodbye to one of his friends I cried, just knowing he'd accepted that he was going to die made tears come to my eyes. The only reason I gave this book four stars was because of the ending, how he just decided to leave, what about Luxa?? HELLO??

But other than that I thought it was a great book that wrapped up the story with style. I am going to miss this series.

Another outstanding, riveting Gregor fantasy........2007-07-10

Suzanne Collins' GREGOR AND THE CODE OF CLAW presents the fifth in the Underland Chronicles': prior familiarity with the other adventures will lend a satisfying uniformity to this story of Gregor, who finds out the prophecy fortells his death - and the time is coming to face off an army of rats. Somehow Gregor must defend his home and get his family home safely; and key to this and his survival is a code which must be cracked and a war which will change his world. Another outstanding, riveting Gregor fantasy.

The last Gregor.......2007-06-08

I've read all the books in the series and read through this one in 2 days. It does a great job of wrapping everything up. The battle scenes were quite a bit more graphic than in the other books, which disturbed me a little, and a few events were not what I "wanted" for the characters, but overall it was a very logical and good way to end the series. I especially liked how Suzanne Collins addressed all the characters introduced throughout the other 4 books. This is a definite "must read" for any fan of the series.

THE MOST IMPORTANT REVIEW.......2007-05-25

Look people I'm nopt here to ruin the book but you can ovbiously tell what happens at the end. When gregor defeats the bane he goes back thinking he is dead but NO WAY. He is very alive very sore but alive many things happen between that time and the time he has to leave. Everyone who has read the 4th book knows that gregor has the hots for luxa. And when it is parting time they are both very sad. Gregor family flys off with luxa and she sees her first glimpse of the overland. Gregor kisses her goodbye and say farwell forever. He goes home depressed that the people he love are gone. He then talks to himself he convinces himsself that he does not belong in the overland he says he does not belong anywhere. So he has a nightmere the night before about how Henry died exept gregor was in Henries situation and he hit the bottom and died. He woke up frightend expecting someone to be there comforting him but knowone was there. The next day he goes the the museum to see the thing that had helped him exept the fact that he was going to die and wanted it to comfort him now. He arrives and sees the stone soldier could not comfort him anymore the soldier had tought him how to die now he needed someone to teach him how to live. Surprisingly he does not find anyone to teach him how to live unless you look really closely and read the last chapter like 10 times. Its everyone he knows is the people that have to teach him how to live boots lizzie his mom, dad mrs.cormaci anyone who has helped in the journeis through the underland do read this unless you can handle the suspense of needing another book and there not being one. When the tragic book ended i wished i hadnt even started the series if i had known how bad it was going to end adn I am 13 not like 9 i feel very sad from what happend and i think we should like beg her to write new ones so whoever is reading this come to this page and find her email or her address and we will email her until she writes another book it left me heartbroken do not read it unlkess you can handle the suspense and the sadness.

Gregor and the Code of Claw.......2007-05-18

This series is perfect for every fantasy fan. It has action and everything a fantasy series should have but it doesn't have a cheesy plot or souped up characters. The author is perfect in writing her characters in a deep and serious way. Unlike most other authors her characters are balanced and doesn't have a perfect main character. Every character is different and are essential in some way. Because of this the series has a realistic sense.
Also the way she describes the settings are incredible. She can make you imagine them in your mind with amazing clarity. The settings blend perfectly to whats happening and the characters themselves. She uses this to her advantage and creates impressive scenes complete with environments.
The blend of the story is also something that the author is very good at. As I have said before she can blend settings, characters, and plots perfectly together. That is what makes the Underland series an excellent read.

History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

Average customer rating:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers
Pants on fire?
Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed.
Very Interesting
History as Science Fiction

History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
Anatoly Fomenko
Manufacturer: Mithec
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 2913621058

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

Babylon's Ark: The Incredible Wartime Rescue of the Baghdad Zoo

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Tragedy to Triumph
Truly Inspiring
Riveting
Save a zoo! Save the world! Lawrence Anthony is a leader for us all!
Great dedication to saving animals

Babylon's Ark: The Incredible Wartime Rescue of the Baghdad Zoo
Lawrence Anthony , and Graham Spence
Manufacturer: Thomas Dunne Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Conservation | Environment | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0312358326
Release Date: 2007-03-06

Book Description

When the Iraq war began, conservationist Lawrence Anthony could think of only one thing: the fate of the Baghdad Zoo, located in the city center and caught in the war's crossfire. Once Anthony entered Baghdad he discovered that full-scale combat and uncontrolled looting had killed nearly all the animals of the zoo.

But not all of them. U.S. soldiers had taken the time to help care for the remaining animals, and the zoo's staff had returned to work in spite of the constant firefights. Together the Americans and Iraqis had managed to keep alive the animals that had survived the invasion.

Babylon's Ark chronicles the zoo's transformation from bombed-out rubble to peaceful park. Along the way, Anthony recounts hair-raising efforts to save a pride of the dictator's lions, close a deplorable black-market zoo, and rescue Saddam's Arabian horses. His unique ground-level experience makes Babylon's Ark an uplifting story of both sides working together for the sake of innocent animals caught in the war's crossfire.

Customer Reviews:

Tragedy to Triumph.......2007-10-02

I truly enjoyed reading "Babylon's Ark." The news is often full of disheartening examples of man's inhumanity to man and to animals. It's wonderful to see examples of courage and love that show us man's great humanity. Such is the case of Lawrence Anthony, a conservationist from South Africa, who felt compelled to rescue the animals in the Baghdad zoo.

Anthony pulled many strings to be able to enter a war zone in his eagerness to save these animals, but he was unprepared for the terrible condition of the animals and the places they lived. I loved his philosophy " whatever happens finish the task you start." It was his ability to concentrate on one task at a time that kept him from being overwhelmed.

The stories of individual animals are sometimes tragic and sometimes heartwarming and always interesting. And when Anthony set out to do the impossible, others joined in. A great story!

Truly Inspiring.......2007-07-26

This book was impossible to put down. It was more gripping than most fiction I read and even more fascinating given that it's a true story.

I felt many emotions while reading this book -- it was very moving, frustrating, funny, and sad -- but above all, learning about one man's gritty determination to save the animals, against all odds, was truly inspiring.

Riveting.......2007-06-11

The author's passion for animal welfare at the expense of his own safety is extraordinary. His regard for Iraqi counterparts reflects personal sacrifice and humility in the face of real danger. Unlike Matthew Bogdanos (author of "Thieves of Baghdad"), Lawrence Anthony and Graham Spence hold the reader's attention throughout "Babylon's Ark" due to a coherent writing style. Major players are identified and fully integrated into the context of the rescue mission. Also, the authors suspend political judgments. However, an astute reader can discern the foolhardiness of the Bush administration's ill equipped shock and awe campaign. This is one of those rare books that you don't put down until the last page is read!

Save a zoo! Save the world! Lawrence Anthony is a leader for us all!.......2007-05-25

I'm not much of a nonfiction reader, but after hearing about Lawrence Anthony's book on the CBS Sunday Morning News I had to have it. Ever slowed down the car to let a squirrel or goose get out of your way? Ever caught a small bird or mouse in your garage and taken it outside to set free? Although your animal-loving efforts are certainly appreciated, you will never believe the conflicts Anthony faced to save the Baghdad zoo.

Arriving on the cusp of the war, Anthony discovers most of the animals have died of starvation or been stolen by looters. With only 36 animals left, guns firing in the distance, food and supplies stolen, and only a handful of people for a staff, Anthony questions whether he should shoot the animals to end their misery or do what he came to Iraq to do. Save the zoo!

As an outsider, Anthony paints an amazing picture of a war-torn country, surrounded by American troops, but his focus stays on the animals. The story he tells of the animals that have survived, either because they have sharp claws or teeth (or both) and could defend themselves, is just haunting. His struggles to provide food, water, and safety are a never ending battle. It was also good to read how many American soldiers helped provide aide. Some soldier's bought an entire flock of sheep with their own money for Anthony to use as food for the carnivores.

Lawrence was also responsible for setting up an Iraqi SPCA which closed down a black market zoo and rescued tons of animals that were in even worse conditions. They also went in search of Saddam's million-dollar Arabian horses after they came up missing from Saddam's palace, and they rescued a pack of lions from Uday Hussein's abandoned palace. The stories and struggles are never ending, but Lawrence's determination will definitely inspire you.

So far, this is the best book I've read all year! I doubt any other book of such strength and will could ever come close! Animal lover or not, don't miss out on this story. It's a different side of the war that television and news deprives us of!

Great dedication to saving animals .......2007-05-20

I'm currently stationed in Iraq and work at the Baghdad Zoo and wanted to know what the first guys did to get this place back up and running. I heard about this book from a friend who had seen it on Amazon.com, so I thought why not try it. I began to read it and I could actually see all the stuff Lawrence Anthony was talking about. I went back to the zoo a couple days later and sat down with the director and discussed the book with him and asked alot of questions and he told me the same stories. I now have a great outlook on working with this place and the staff, thanks to this wonderful book. If it wasn't for people like Lawrence Anthony doing these amazing things the animals would have died and the zoo would no longer be a part of this city's future. I wrote to Lawrence Anthony after reading this book and told him thank you for all your hard work and dedication to the animals and now we comunicate often and he is planning another trip here to see what progress has been made. I would recommend this book to any animal lover who wants to read about the great lengths some people will go to save them. Thank you again Lawrence.

Sincerely,
SFC Herb Mowery
Baghdad, Iraq

Average customer rating:

Historical fiction at its finest
A well told story for any age

Megiddo's Shadow
Arthur Slade
Manufacturer: Wendy Lamb Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0385747012
Release Date: 2006-10-10

Book Description

Fueled by anger at the death of his two brothers in World War I, 16-year-old Edward abandons his ailing father on their farm and leaves Canada to enlist. After proving that he can tame any wild horse, he's is sent to Jordan to fight with the Cavalry.

Luckily, his horse is the extraordinary Buke; in battle, a trooper's horse is the key to life and death, and his true companion. In the harsh desert, Edward is grateful for the camaraderie of his tent mates, Cheevers and Blackburn,and letters from Emily, a nurse he met at base camp. As they close in on the enemy Edward finds that the glory and noble vengeance he seeks is replaced by the horror of war and the realization that he must fight not only to survive, but also, to kill.

Customer Reviews:

Historical fiction at its finest.......2007-07-30

Arthur Slade dedicates this novel to the memory of the five Slade men who served in World War I, his great grandfather, grandfather and great uncles. The dates of the youngest one jump out at the reader, "Private Percy James Slade, 1897-1918 (KIA.)

If my memory serves, I do not think there is a village or town in France and England that does not have a memorial to the fallen of The Great War. World War I does not loom as large in the memory of Americans. In Megiddo's Shadow, Slade takes the reader to a lesser known front of that war, to Palestine in the Middle East.

Sixteen-year-old Edward Bathe leaves his farm in Saskatchewan, Canada and joins the army after receiving the news that his beloved older brother Hector has been killed in France. All he wants to do is get to the front and kill the Hun who took his brother's life but upon arrival in England he is transfered to the Fifth Imperial Remount unit to break horses. He chafes at the assignment but does meet a horse who will be part of his future when he is reassigned to the Lincolnshire Yeomanry. Slade describes the role of these units on his website :

"Yeomanry were different than cavalry--they were trained to be foot soldiers and mounted soldiers. The idea was that they could ride quickly to their destination and dismount and fight. Or they could charge. They were even taught to get their horses to lay down, so they could use them as cover. The regiment was also trained to use the sword or lance in a charge."

Edward and his horse, Buke become part of the British Expeditionary Force in Palestine. The description of desert warfare is unforgettable.

"A month later, in July, I was sent to hell...

...We fed and watered our horses, working through the night because the day would be too hot for us to lift a finger. As the sun rose, it revealed a desolation only the Devil could've dreamed up: a low, flat valley of white marl and salt, spotted with swamp, stony plain, patches of dense scrub, and a thin layer of dry grass. The land had never know rain. Lumps of dried flesh--dead camels--lay here and there as though dropped from the sky, a sky that had never seen a cloud. A hot breath of wind drove the salty dust into my eyes. Occasionally, a thirteen-pounder gun would roar just to let the Turks know that His Majesty's troops were still here."

Very much a classic boy-goes-to-war novel in the tradition of The Red Badge of Courage (Tor Classics), All Quiet on the Western Front or Fallen Angels, Edward experiences the comradeship of soldiers, a first love and the grim reality of warfare. He faces the loss of those he loves and his faith in God as he struggles to find meaning and survive.

Slade relates his grandfather and great uncles' true stories on his website. They are as gripping and heartfelt as the novel and are very much the inspiration for this book. The letter Edward and his father receive about Hector is taken almost verbatim from the real letter the Slade family received about Percy Slade.

Moving, emotional and wrenching at times, this is historical fiction at its finest. I will be reading more of Arthur Slade's writing in the future.

A well told story for any age.......2007-01-22

A sobering story, well told. It follows the journey of 16 year old Edward Bathe, from the Canadian prairie, who joins the army to fight the Huns in France in 1917. Instead, he finds himself in the cavalry on his way to the Middle East. The story is well researched, full of details about army life, and also chronicles the emotional turmoil and growth of Edward. There are a few twists in the story and Slade's writing propels the reader forward. While intended for the young reader, Megiddo's Shadow was very much enjoyed by this 'mature adult'.

Average customer rating:

Swordbird
A little book with a big moral
Swordbird
We love Swordbird!
A group of young writers' comments

Swordbird
Nancy Yi Fan
Manufacturer: HarperCollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0061130990
Release Date: 2007-01-30

Book Description

The blue jays and cardinals of Stone-Run Forest have turned against each other. According to legend, only Swordbird, son of the Great Spirit, has the power to conquer evil and restore peace to the land. But is he real or just a myth? Can Swordbird arrive in time to save the forest . . . or will it be too late?

Twelve-year-old author Nancy Yi Fan has woven a captivating tale about the birds of Stone-Run Forest and the heroism, courage, and resourcefulness in their quest for peace.

Customer Reviews:

Swordbird.......2007-08-13

After my friend told me about this book (we're both the author's age), I was very excited to find a book that was written by someone who understands what the age group is like. Boy, were we in for a disappointment.
People all say "oh, this is a wonderful book for children!" but all the inaccuracies and predictable plotlines got annoying. It also didn't help that the book was like a spin-off from the Redwall series. Sorry, but the only good thing in it were the illustrations. Maybe there is a reason why most authors are adults.

A little book with a big moral.......2007-06-25

The story, simple as it might seem to be, contains something profound and meaningful to the world: it sows the seeds of peace and freedom in the hearts of children who read it. You can find volumes of bloody, gory battles for adults, yet you can hardly find such a story for children that, through an idyllic world of birds, so gently and yet so vividly illustrates the price of battle, the value of life, the weight of peace and freedom.

A book that's great all the way.

Swordbird.......2007-06-23

Nancy Fan is a 12-year-old author, and Swordbird is her debut novel. While reading Swordbird, I couldn't help but compare her work to that of another 12-year-old author, J R King who wrote Arianna Kelt And the Wizards of Skyhall.

Fan's book is focussed on birds who battle each other, and is mostly action-oriented. King's book is focussed in a thief turned wizard and her friends, and has action, adventure, and humor. Of the two, my family had the most fun with King's book. You can't help but laugh when Digorence the gnome makes an appearance.

I'd recommend both books to young readers. What a great time we live in when young writers like Fan and King can touch our hearts!

We love Swordbird!.......2007-06-09

A group of young writers like me regularly visit Nancy's website to chat on her message board. I want to quote some of us to share our thoughts with other kids!

I just want to say, your book was very enjoyable, and I have recommended it to all of my friends. I think you will be the most famous author in the world, next to Charles Dickens and J. K. Rowling. Well, it'll be really cool if you can email me back along with your probably other thousands of fans.
-Sunghyun Kim (10 yrs old, CA)

Isn't it just amazing to think that such an original story such as swordbird can come from someone of this age? She really captured a sense of freedom in this story and not many people can truly write from their hearts about how they feel about that kind of thing. Nancy will always remain a favorite author of mine and swordbird, a favorite book.
My favorite part of the whole book is the epilogue where Aska leaves swordbird's feather on Milton's grave and the grave seems to get brighter.
Long live Windvoice! Happy Writing!
- Emily R.

I would strongly recommend this book to ages nine and up. I think it is worth spending money for Swordbird. I enjoyed it very much. The book uses strong words that are very powerful.
This book reminded me of some events in history, slavery. I would recommend this book for those who like the Redwall and Warriors. I would also recommend this book to strong readers, people who like action, powerful words, and those who enjoy a great story.
- Kaitlyn (11 yrs old)

An outstanding book I've ever read before! Nancy Yi Fan has a amazing talent for writing. The plot was just outstanding! Brilliant work Nancy! It was worth it!
-Hazel H. (13 yrs old)

A group of young writers' comments.......2007-06-09

There are many kids like me who love Swordbird. We, a group of young writers, often visit Nancy's website to chat on her message board. I'd like to cite our comments:

I just finished Swordbird and it's an excellent book. I thought it was nice that I'm not the only one who has thoughts about peace and war. It was a powerful book. If the book becomes a movie, I think it would win an award. Great job. It gave me inspiration to turn my story into a book.
- Megan, 14 yrs old, Long Island, NY

I really like this book because it's exciting and different because the characters are all birds. The blue jays are battling the cardinals because an evil hawk is tricking them by stealing their food and eggs. The hawk is trying to build a fortress so he can rule the bird world and he makes the other birds into slaves. Swordbird is the hero in the story because he saves the other birds. The story is exciting because there are many different places in the bird world and the hawk is trying to rule it all. I also like this book because the author wrote it when she was in the sixth grade.
- Dalton Booker, 3rd grade

The book is an amazing tale filled with adventure, courageous characters and a message the whole world needs to hear: "Peace is wonderful; freedom is sacred."
Nancy Yi Fan uses such imagination and vivid detail in the story that you begin to feel as if you're in the book. Swordbird is perfect for any teenager with a good imagination and hopes for a more peaceful world.
-Taylor Glogowski (15 yrs old)

I was totally crazy about your book! I finished the book this weekend and it is amazing! I found it so amazing that Nancy Yi Fan wrote a novel that included both peace and violence. It was so impressive that Nancy wrote this when she was 11! The story is full of suspense and the characters are all birds. I would've have thought of that as a story. I hope Nancy Yi Fan continues to write amazing novels. This book should be sold in every language around the world! This book is truly 5 stars. I want Nancy Yi Fan to know that she has been a true inspiration and I hope in the future I could create a book just like this one!
-Sharon, 5th grader

Average customer rating:

5th grade Teacher--I loved this book!!
Best Dog, Period.
I applaud the spirits of both dogs and the skill with which the authors have depicted them.
A review from Deanne Apke, Most intriguing storyline
Great book!

Cracker!: The Best Dog in Vietnam
Cynthia Kadohata
Manufacturer: Atheneum
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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

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ASIN: 1416906371

Book Description

CRACKER IS ONE OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY'S MOST VALUABLE WEAPONS:

a German shepherd trained to sniff out bombs, traps, and the enemy. The fate of entire platoons rests on her keen sense of smell. She's a Big Deal, and she likes it that way. Sometimes Cracker remembers when she was younger, and her previous owner would feed her hot dogs and let her sleep in his bed. That was nice, too.

Rick Hanski is headed to Vietnam. There, he's going to whip the world and prove to his family and his sergeant -- and everyone else who didn't think he was cut out for war -- wrong. But sometimes Rick can't help but wonder that maybe everyone else is right. Maybe he should have just stayed at home and worked in his dad's hardware store.

When Cracker is paired with Rick, she isn't so sure about this new owner. He's going to have to prove himself to her before she's going to prove herself to him. They need to be friends before they can be a team, and they have to be a team if they want to get home alive.

Told in part through the uncanny point of view of a German shepherd, Cracker! is an action-packed glimpse into the Vietnam War as seen through the eyes of a dog and her handler. It's an utterly unique powerhouse of a book by the Newbery Medal-winning author of Kira-Kira.

Customer Reviews:

5th grade Teacher--I loved this book!!.......2007-07-28

One of the best youth/YA books I have read this summer. Could not put it down even though I was floating down the Trinity river. Told from both the dog perspective and that of his handler/soldier. Kids 5th and up will enjoy it especially if they enjoy war books. This is also a great book on the Vietnam war experience.

Best Dog, Period........2007-06-02

Cracker is an extremely intelligent German Shepherd. Reluctantly given to the army by a boy who could no longer keep her, Cracker ends up at Fort Benning, Georgia awaiting a handler. Feeling betrayed, Cracker is
in no mood to transfer her loyalties, which are mighty, to young Rick Hanski to whom she is assigned.Both are being trained to serve together in Viet Nam where Cracker is supposed to sniff out all the dangerous traps of the enemy. As Rick begins to win Cracker's respect, dog and man become a talented team. Rick, who is eager to serve in Viet Nam, is taken aback to learn that Cracker will never return from Viet Nam, no matter how bravely she serves. "The military considers the dogs equipment, and equipment is expendable."

Told in alternating voices, one of whom is Cracker's and one of whom is Rick's, the author has an uncanny ability to make the reader think and feel like a dog. As both characters struggle with a dangerous, chaotic
environment, this well-researched story , which pulls no punches about the horrors of war, is a smashing page-turner. There can be no happy ending for the valiant Cracker -- according to the rules of the U.S. Army.

I applaud the spirits of both dogs and the skill with which the authors have depicted them........2007-06-01

War dogs used in Vietnam were unsung heroes. Faced with intense training combined with dreadful working conditions and constant danger, they had few rewards and were often left behind to survive on their own. This incredible book, although fictional, is based on real accounts provided through interviews of Vietnam War dog handlers.

Cracker, an amazingly intelligent German Shepherd, knows more than 90 words and lives the life of royalty that she deserves. It is her birthright. She has lived with (and slept with) Willie since she was about six months old, but before she is two, her life changes traumatically. Willie's father has been laid off, and the family needs to move to an apartment --- one that doesn't allow dogs. There are few options, and, according to the shelter, Cracker probably will be put down. Unable to locate a new family or home, they come across an advertisement from the military: Uncle Sam is looking for a few good dogs. Cracker is to enlist and join the army.

Cracker mourns for Willie, certain that his young master will rescue her as she is shipped to unfriendly locations, kenneled with lots of other dogs and then given to some strange man. Cracker is paired up with Rick Hanski --- who volunteered for duty in Vietnam at the young age of 17 --- to train for locating bombs, traps and the enemy. The lives of Cracker and Rick, along with those of thousands of soldiers, will depend on the success of their training and how well they are able to work together.

Author Cynthia Kadohata carefully crafts her narrative with two alternating voices --- Rick's and Cracker's --- as she describes their bond, fears, concerns and conditions. Rick is warned that he is never to take his eyes off his dog in the field, and Cracker must learn to separate a variety of alien smells in order to determine real threats. They do not work in complete isolation; instead, they develop close relationships with several other handlers and their dogs. But it is the unique bond shared between Rick and Cracker that rises above all else. Their attachment forms from complete respect, admiration, love and trust in each other.

Cracker earns the respect of all who meet her, as she truly becomes a hero and "The Best Dog in Vietnam." Due to the subject matter, CRACKER! is an incredibly intense and emotionally challenging book. Those who share a close relationship with a dog or two will struggle at times, but will admire and applaud the spirit and intelligence of this amazing animal. I live with two gifted and affectionate Labradors (also used as war dogs) and found myself snuggling a little more closely with them while reading. My apologies to Kadohata, but shortly after beginning the book, I absolutely had to flip to the last page before resuming the story.

In December 2005 I read John Grogan's MARLEY & ME, never putting it down once started. And in February 2007 the same thing happened with CRACKER! I applaud the spirits of both dogs and the skill with which the authors have depicted them.

--- Reviewed by Patsy Side

A review from Deanne Apke, Most intriguing storyline.......2007-05-25

Magnificent Dawn of Venus, being the daughter of Felix Olympus von Braun, the great show dog, was expected to do great things. A badly broken leg that scars her for life ruins any chance of becoming a great show dog. Venus is then given to Willie. Now named Cracker, Venus's new family has to live in an apartment, but there is a strict "No pet policy". Willie's family then tries to find a new home for Cracker, but the only two places they can find are the army and the kennel. Willie would hate for his best friend to go to the kennel, so Cracker is then given to the army for the Vietnam War. Rick Hanski, 17, is just a normal guy in a normal town in a normal state who has decided to "whip the world" and he is going to do this by volunteering to be a dog handler in the Vietnam War. Rick and Cracker are then paired up for the war. They don't really trust each other and so are off to a bad start in training. After a game and a few wieners they start to trust each other and are soon at the top of the class. But when they get to Vietnam they realize that this is getting all too tough all too fast. This is war and there will be no playing around or misreading your dog's signal, for that could mean your life and thousands of others.

This book is one of my favorite books! I absolutely loved the book! I would put aside my bedtime just to read this book. It helped me understand what people and dogs would go through in the wars.

Great book!.......2007-05-16

I listened to the audio version of this book and really enjoyed it.

At the very beginning of the book when Cracker was still with Willie I almost stopped listening thinking it was too much of a kids book, but it didn't last long. About the time Cracker begins her military service I was deeply drawn into the book. I listened to the book on my commute to and from work and I found it difficult to leave the car when I arrived.

The book really gives you a feel of what it was like to be a dog handler in Vietnam. It really makes you empathize with the soldiers, the dog handlers and even Cracker.

I highly recommend this book for kids (I'm trying to think about which of my nieces and nephews won't be insulted that it's rated for younger kids) I also think it's a great book for adults who are interested in dogs as well as Vietnam.

Gregor And The Marks Of Secret (Underland Chronicles, Book Four)

Average customer rating:

enjoyable book
Another Great installment in the Underland Chronicles
My thinkin' 'bout Gregor
An Awesome Book
Gregor and the Marks of Secret

Gregor And The Marks Of Secret (Underland Chronicles, Book Four)
Suzanne Collins
Manufacturer: Scholastic Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Gregor And The Curse Of The Warmbloods (Underland Chronicles)
Gregor and the Code of Claw (Underland Chronicles, Book 5)
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The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 3)

ASIN: 0439791456

Book Description

It's only a few months since Gregor and Boots returned from the Underland, leaving their mother behind to heal from the plague. Though Gregor's family receives frequent updates on her condition, they all know Gregor must return to fulfill his role as the warrior who is key to the Underlanders' survival. Accompanied by his now-talkative, potty-trained little sister Boots, still considered the honorary "princess," Gregor joins forces with another princess -- 12-year-old Luxa -- and Ripred the rat to defend the Underlanders and the vulnerable "Nibblers" or mice, from the rat army led by (cont'd)

Customer Reviews:

enjoyable book.......2007-08-03

I loved all the codes inside this book and that everyone is keeping the phrophecy of time away from Gregor. A little child's poem becomes an awful prophecy and makes this book exciting. Although I liked this book, Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods was the best book in this series. I recommend you read them all and in order.
Amy - age 9

Another Great installment in the Underland Chronicles.......2007-05-17

Suzanne Collins has not lost her touch. Gregor and Luxa's story continues as it has in the other books with suspense, adventure and a great storyline. I still love the characters, and there are always new things in the Underland.
The only reason I gave it four stars instead of five, is because she leaves you right in the air at the end. For the most part the other books in the series wrapped up the main conflict and just left a small opening for a sequel. I loved that about them. This book leaves you right in the middle of everything, and it was very frustrating. I know a lot of publishers like that because it makes you want to go out and buy another book. I was planning to get the 5th book anyway because I love them all, but I live in a small town, and have to order those kinds of things online or drive a long way to get them. It was very frustrating to be dropped in the middle of a story, and that I will have to wait to see what will happen. I do recommend this book, but only if you already have the 5th one waiting to be read when you are done. Otherwise, wait until you have both of them.

My thinkin' 'bout Gregor.......2007-05-13

AAAAAAAAAIIIGHTT!!! I read this book along with all the other books in this series, and LOVED IT... along with the other ones too. They're all so great. Aaight? All right. It's probably my fav. book of all time... only thing I'm disappointed about is they haven't made a darn movie. Yeh, you all know it would make a good movie, eh? Antyways, I already have the Code of Claw ordered and ON IT'S WAY! YEH!! Can't wait fow it to arive. So, definitely a great read. Love it.

By the way, my name is not Elisabeth, it's Leo, I'm jus' using my mother dearest's acount. Hehe

An Awesome Book.......2007-04-19

This book is my favorite book so far. Gregor is visiting the Underland constantly to visit his mom and do many other things. Suddendly at Hazard's birthday a crown (Luxa's) drops down signaling Luxa's need with the mice. Gregor and Luxa set out the next day to Queenshead and the jungle. Then the following day the go to the Fount to find the mice. They get trapped there and meet up with fireflies,scorpians,Ripred and even find the mice. There is something heating up beetween Gregor and Luxa and Howard dissapproves of it. Ripred, Luxa, Aurora, Howard and Nike go to find the other mice while the others go back to Regalia and prepare for war. I reccomed this series to anyone who likes reading and I reccomend to read the next book.

Gregor and the Marks of Secret.......2007-04-04

I completely and totally recommend this book. I read it in about one day and started crying when I was done, because it was so good. I will definitely be ready for the 5th book, waiting with so many questions about what happens next. I suggest, if you are thinking about reading the 4th book, that you wait for the 5th book to come out so you can go right into it. Unlike me who now has to wait untill May to continue the series. Please read and enjoy the book.

Average customer rating:

WONDERFUL as EVER!
gremlins
Lacks Dahl Magic
original
At last, Disney & Dahl's lost treasure.

The Gremlins
Roald Dahl , Artists and Writers Guild , and The Disney Studios
Manufacturer: Dark Horse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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The Vicar of Nibbleswicke
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ASIN: 1593074964

Book Description

Published in 1943 and long unavailable, Dark Horse Books is proud to present this landmark book from the author of such beloved tales as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach and Matilda. Digitally restored, this remarkable presentation of Dahl's classic story, lavishly illustrated by the artists of the Walt Disney Studios, will delight readers of all ages! The Gremlins is the story of Gus, a British World War II fighter pilot, who during the Battle of Britain turned to look out on the wing of his plane only to see an amazing sight: a little man, no more than six inches tall with horns growing from his head, drilling a hole in the plane's wing. Gus was the first man to ever see a Gremlin, and what happened after that would change the war, and the world, forever. Bought by Walt Disney to be produced as an animated motion picture (and considered to be the first story featuring the mythical airplane sabotaging creatures known as Gremlins), the project was ultimately shelved and is reprinted here for the first time in over 60 years.

Customer Reviews:

WONDERFUL as EVER!.......2007-04-06

I have both the "Dark Horse" edition and the original and both are outstanding books. I got my first "Gremlins" in probably 1950 or so and find the new copy to be as good as the original.

The price on this edition sure beats the going rate for an original and the artwork is fine, at least to me. Probably a child of today won't appreciate the art and the story line but the "Gremlins" themselves are fantastic!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who remembers the original and also "the days of old."

gremlins.......2006-11-10

A wondeful discovery after 60 years. Sadly the colour quality of the full page colour pictures this 2006 edition is poor when compared with my original 1943 Christmas present. The original pictures are bright & sparkly while those of the new 2006 edition are dark & even the colours have different hue. For example the picture of Gremlin Gus on the joystick. In the original the instrument dials are all clearly legible this not the case in the 2006 edition.
However how many people are priviledged to have an original to make comparisons with?
So thanks for the dicovery, maybe now Disney will release the film.
Eric Fletcher

Lacks Dahl Magic.......2006-10-30

I'm a Roald Dahl fan but this book doesn't come close to being as good as his other stories. It reads like a rough draft of an idea he had that was never fully developed into a finished story. I'm amazed Disney decided to have it published.

The characters are flat. You never really like or dislike the gremlins, even though they are supposedly an enemy of the airforce, but later become friends. And Gus, and airforce pilot, is stupid and dull. Dahl has other stupid and dull characters in other stories but they are usually the villans and are presented with delicious, twisty Dahl humor. In The Gremlins, Gus is supposed to be a hero. The biggest disappointment was the lack of Dahl's signature humor. The story lacks so much of what you normally expect in a Dahl tale I kept asking myself with disbelief, "this is a Roald Dahl story?"

original.......2006-10-25

I have an original signed 1943 edition of this picture book, which my parents read to me as a child, and I now own as a family treasure. A treasure it certainly is...one of the most poignant children's books ever written.

At last, Disney & Dahl's lost treasure........2006-10-06

I'm a Disneyphile and I've been coveting this book ever since I first heard about it. I've scoured Australian secondhand bookstores for years, hoping, by some miracle, that I might find an original copy tucked away in a dusty corner somewhere with a $2 sticker on it, but to no avail. [...].

But recently I went to Abebooks just to check if there were any reasonably-priced copies available, and I nearly fell off my chair when I saw a copy for less than $10! Then I saw another one, and another one, and another one, and I immediately thought with great joy: "It's been reproduced!" And sure enough, Dark Horse Comics have lovingly restored and reissued this lost treasure, a fascinating collaboration between two of the greatest creative minds of the 20th century: Walt Disney and Roald Dahl. Previously only available to collectors with deep pockets, this whimsical tome is now available for everyone to enjoy, the young and the young at heart alike. Bravo, Dark Horse! My only regret is that the film version never got off the ground, but this book is the next best thing ... until maybe one day John Lasseter decides to do what Peter Jackson did with the "lost spider pit sequence" from the original King Kong and actually remake it from scratch as a labour of love.

The Last Battle: Dragonmaster, Book Three (The Dragonmaster Trilogy)

Average customer rating:

great Military strategy

The Last Battle: Dragonmaster, Book Three (The Dragonmaster Trilogy)
Chris Bunch
Manufacturer: Roc Trade
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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Fearless (The Lost Fleet, Book 2)

ASIN: 045146110X

Book Description

The Great War has ended-but there's no peace for battle-hardened Hal Kailas. In his bleak, ravaged homeland, even his marriage to Lady Khiri no longer brings solace. And Hal's worst fears are coming to pass as the dragonmasters-and the magnificent beasts they once flew-are cast off like relics of a misbegotten age. Old enemies have savagely returned. With his loyal comrades, Hal must turn back this terrible scourge that threatens man and beast alike in one last, ultimate battle- whose outcome is far from certain.

Customer Reviews:

great Military strategy.......2007-08-27

the military strategy was outstanding and throwing dragons into the mix made it more interesting.

Faithful Elephants: A True Story of Animals, People, and War

Average customer rating:

Beautiful
Have a Heart
are you KIDDING me?!!
Great book for any age read aloud!
Thought provoking

Faithful Elephants: A True Story of Animals, People, and War
Yukio Tsuchiya
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Terrible Things: An Allegory of the Holocaust
Baseball Saved Us
Bracelet,The
Rose Blanche
Train to Somewhere

ASIN: 0395861373

Book Description

A zookeeper recounts the story of John, Tonky, and Wanly, three performing elephants at the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, whose turn it is to die, and of their keepers, who weep and pray that World War II will end so their beloved elephants might be saved.

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful.......2007-03-11

I just attended a Peace Prize Forum in Sioux Falls, SD, and this book was part of a curriculum for teaching children about peace and war. I think it is one of the most powerful books I have ever read.
This is a tender book about how war affects life, in a way accessible for children, and equally vivid and profound for adults.
The illustrations are also beautiful.

Have a Heart.......2007-02-08

This is a response to Tamara Lakeman's review:

It's a shame that there are people who feel that it is necessary to censor literature which brings awareness to all aspects of war, including death, compassion, and despair. Yes the elephants died as a result of being starved to death. However, the trainers were put in a position of having to carry out an order that forever scared them thus leading them to cry out in despair of what the war had done to them, and their beloved animals.

Would the reviewer feel the same if the story was about three American soldiers who were forced to let their Japanese friends starve to death in a cell because of being on opposing sides?

Oh, let's just sweep everything about death and dying under the rug. Let's cover our children's ears so that they may be ignorant and pretend that nothing bad ever happens including the millions of animals that are euthanized yearly because of irresponsible humans!

The story calls for awareness. It's making people aware of the terrible things that happen in our world. Every once in a while we all need a little wake up call. Maybe we can help in preventing these things from happening again in the future instead of retaining an egocentric, self centered, it's all about me lifestyle.

This reviewer forgets to mention that every August 15th, "Faithful Elephants" is read over the radio in Japan in hopes of bringing awareness of the effects of war. Does the reviewer know that zoos in Iraq were abandoned during this war? Many of those animals starved to death as well. Remember... History repeats itself.

I agree that reading the book as a bedtime story would be obviously inappropriate (as with any war story), however I do feel it will bring out the compassionate side of anyone who has a heart not just reserved for his or her own corner of the world.

The only reason why I will not read this book to my students in the classroom is that I would end up crying: I will however read it to my own children. Maybe one day I will go to Ueno Zoo in Tokyo Japan and a paper crane on the three elephants' memorial.

are you KIDDING me?!!.......2006-12-04

I found this book under the 'War and Peace' section of my local bookstore. I read it just out of curiosity... and WOW... Talk about a book that probably should NEVER EVER find it's way into a child's hands. I realize that it's intention is to talk about the cruelty and savagry of war, but I still think the subject matter is highly, HIGHLY uncalled for.

Basically, here's the story. During WW2 the officials of a Tokyo zoo decide that they need to kill all the zoo animals for fear the if they do not, the zoo will eventually be bombed and the animals will run wild. Clearly the only solution is to kill them (*scoff*). Anyway, so they officials go about poisoning all the animals, however every method they try does not work with the elephants. And so, naturally, they decide that the only way to kill these elephants is to starve them to death (forget a quick bullet to the head, no, only starving them will work.. AGH!)... So the book spends a good 5-6 pages following these poor elephants over a 2 week period as they slowly starve to death.

In the end, all the elephants lay dead in the cages, with limp trunks hanging between the bars. Nice. Fantastic bedtime story for children of all ages...

.... NOT!

Absolutely horrific!! Why not just take your children to the SPCA and make them watch animals be euthanized? There are things that children just do not need to have thrown in their faces, and this is one of them. Wait until they are in their teens are are able to really grasp the concept of war and death. This book is EXTREMELY emotionally disturbing and I can see it causing a great deal of harm to a senstive child.

Steer clear!

Great book for any age read aloud!.......2006-08-28

My students love hearing this book. It is different to see a picture that is a happy/sappy tale. They really get into this book asking a ton of questions throughout the story. It is a great book to use in the classroom as it ties in with many subjects!

Thought provoking.......2006-08-28

I teach Grade 5 children and the unit of work we were studying was "World Peace". We had read "Sadako" and talked a lot about WWII - then this book was recommended to me. My students sat enthralled as I read it.(I had forewarned them that it was very sad) It produced lots of great discussion and helped re-inforce the impact that war has on people and societies. An excellent book for older students.

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