The Women Who Raised Me: A Memoir

Book Description

The story of a remarkable woman's rise out of the foster-care system to attain the American dream—and of the unlikely series of women who lifted her up in marvelous and distinctive ways

Born as a ward of the state of Maine—the child of an unmarried Yankee blueblood mother and an unknown black father—Victoria Rowell beat the odds. Unlike so many other children who fall through the cracks of our overburdened foster-care system, her experience was nothing short of miraculous, thanks to several extraordinary women who stepped forward to love, nurture, guide, teach, and challenge her to become the accomplished actress, philanthropist, and mother that she is today.

Rowell spent her first weeks of life as a boarder infant before being placed with a Caucasian foster family. Although her stay lasted for only two years, at this critical stage Rowell was given a foundation of love by the first of what would be an amazing array of women, each of whom presented herself for different purposes at every dramatic turn of Rowell's life.

In this deeply touching memoir, Rowell pays tribute to her personal champions: the mothers, grandmothers, aunts, mentors, teachers, and sisters who each have fascinating stories to tell. Among them are Agatha Armstead, Rowell's longest-term foster mother, a black Bostonian on whose rural Maine farm Rowell's fire to reach for greatness was lit; Esther Brooks, a Paris-trained prima ballerina, Rowell's first mentor at the Cambridge School of Ballet; Rosa Turner, a Boston inner-city fosterer who taught Rowell lessons of independence; Sylvia Silverman, a mother and teacher whose home in a well-kept middle-class suburban neighborhood prepared Rowell for her transition out of foster care and into New York City's wild worlds of ballet and acting and adulthood.

In spite of support from individuals and agencies, Rowell nonetheless carried the burden of loneliness and anxiety, common to most foster children, particularly those "orphans of the living" who are never adopted. Heroically overcoming those obstacles, Rowell also reaches a moment when she can embrace her biological mother, Dorothy, and, most important, accept herself.

Ultimately, The Women Who Raised Me is a story that belongs to each of us as it shines a glowing light on the transformational power of mentoring, love, art, and womanhood.

Customer Reviews:

Review.......2007-09-07

This was a well written book. The author gives a heartfelt account of her life in foster care. She begins her story as a small child in rural Maine and concludes as an adult actress in Hollywood. This is a great book that deals with foster care, mental illness, achievements, and adversity in a young woman's life.

Wanted more of an autobiography.......2007-08-16

I know the title says the women who raised me, but I really wanted to read more about how she got into acting, what it was like to be on the young and the restless and work with dick van dyke. She spends many chapters about her ballet years, but doesnt mention what it was like to get into tv acting, which is really her career, not ballet. She is known for being a TV star. She did a great deal of research into her families/friends - I think too much. I had to skip many many pages because it got boring. She mentions her marriage, but never talks about getting divorced. I never knew if she married Wynton or not, had to look it up on the net. She doesn't get into her relationships with men much or her children. I got the impression Wynton was raising her son? but who knows. She seems very multi talented though and it was great that she put so much time into writing a book in addition to her other charities/career.

Intriguing,surprising insights about foucs & tenacity.......2007-08-10

This is an exceptionally touching journey through the life of a foster child that was exposed to a number of phenomenal women.

All their lives were woven together beautifully by the author [Rowell]and revealed that despite backgrounds that were so different, these women all exhibited determined, giving spirits through their own talents.

A must read!!

The Women Who Raised Me.......2007-07-28

A very touching story , well written and informative. So sad at times. I loved that there were pictures of these incredible women to put faces on the heroes! Inspiring too, that with love and guidance, our children can thrive in difficult life situations.
As a grandmother to a mixed race child, very distubing also, that we still have so far to go in the US.

A wonderful book.......2007-07-01

I could not put down Ms. Rowell's life journey. I knew very little about her, only that she was an actress in a soap opera. She is an incredibly strong woman. I have great admiration for her. She could so easily have turned her back on her painful past and distanced herself from orphans; but she chose not to. She embraces her birth mother and all who assisted her.

Average customer rating:

Best of Victoria Hanley
Best book of the trilogy!
light of the oracle
As good as the others . . .
Another Great Book from Hanley

The Light of the Oracle
Victoria Hanley
Manufacturer: David Fickling Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0385750862
Release Date: 2005-05-10

Book Description

Bryn is the daughter of a humble stone-cutter. So no one is more surprised than she when the Master Priest seeks her out to become a student at the famous Temple of the Oracle; a training school for future priests and priestesses.

But her innately gifted nature proves a threat to the evil embedded within the Temple, and Bryn encounters unimaginable danger. Is she able to struggle with the unknown and to save the whole world from untold misery? Or will the powers of darkness succeed?

Customer Reviews:

Best of Victoria Hanley.......2007-07-21

I found this book better than The Seer and The Sword and The Healer's Keep. I felt so much sympathy for Bryn when she was cursed. I think the end could have been a teensy-weensy bit improved and you can't rate things a 4.5 here although that is exactly what my rating is. The whole feathers, wings and curses thing seemed a bit repetitive to me, but that's my opinion. I would totally recommend it and hope that other people who read this book feel that it was a good use of time.

Best book of the trilogy!.......2007-03-12

The three books that make up this trilogy are very loosely related, and they're all great. (You don't really have to read them in order, but it does help.) This one was immediately my favorite though--it is very imaginative and detailed. I'd recommend it to any fantasy reader.

light of the oracle.......2007-03-10

It was a good read. She keeps the dialog moving, the action filled with adventure and the storyline intriguing.

As good as the others . . ........2007-01-20

Hanley has kept up the good work with this book. The story is very well written so you don't feel things are just added in just so you can get from point A to point C in record time. The characters very interesting, even the ones you don't like. It is a pretty traditional fantasy story, but it different enough to pull you in and make you wonder what is going to happen next. If you like reading The Seer and the Sword and The Healer's Keep, you will definately like this book. If you haven't read Victoria Hanley before, but like light fantasy, you should like this book. You can really read the books in any order as they do not really follow each other like a series, but are companion books.

Another Great Book from Hanley.......2006-08-07

Light of the Oracle is the third book Hanley has set in the same fantasy universe - and aside from that, the three books could hardly be more different, and all are excellent. The Seer and the Sword is a political-military novel, with relatively little magic and a lot of action. Healer's Keep is a save-the-world novel almost entirely about magical warfare between the protagonists and Ultimate Evil. And this one is an "academy" story about relationships among students and faculty at an institute organized to control prophecy. Others have summarized the plot; I'll just say that I've loved all three books, and that based on her start Hanley is fully worthy to be mentioned in the same breath as Tamora Pierce, Jane Yolen, Sherwood Smith, and Diana Wynne Jones. She doesn't have anything like their body of work produced yet, so I can't say if she'll sustain it as well, but so far so good.

Average customer rating:

Not the greatest
Great Book!
And they lived happily ever after.
Better than I expected but worse than I hoped...
One of the best books I have ever read

The Seer and the Sword
Victoria Hanley
Manufacturer: Laurel Leaf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0440229774
Release Date: 2003-04-08

Book Description

Legend states that there exists a mighty sword that makes its possessor invincible to his enemies. But there is a curse on anyone who lifts the sword for conquest. King Kareed of Archeld goes after this sword anyway, winning it from the King of Bellandra. When he returns home from battle, he brings his daughter, Princess Torina, two special gifts. One is a unique crystal, in which she can view visions of the future. The other gift is the defeated king’s son Landen, who is to be her slave. Torina immediately releases Landen, who becomes a member of the King’s army and her close friend.
But trouble is lurking in the kingdom of Archeld and people are accusing Landen of plotting against the King. Torina refuses to believe he would hurt her family. Then Torina begins seeing deadly visions in her crystal. Can she save her father’s life and the future of her kingdom?

Customer Reviews:

Not the greatest.......2007-09-08

I found this book very disappointing. The characters are flat and not fully developed, and the book is very predictible. The plot is okay--it is a good story, but the telling of it could have been executed better.

This book is definitely not a must-read, there are far better books to spend your time reading.

Great Book!.......2007-09-05

I read this book when I was fifteen. It was perfect for someone my age. I could really relate to the characters.

And they lived happily ever after........2007-05-16

Don't let this dumb cover fool you. I seriously wasnt even intrested when I saw the lame artwork of the cover. After getting over that I decided to read it and was truly amazed. This book turned out pretty good. LIke the saying goes :Don't judge a book by its cover...

Better than I expected but worse than I hoped..........2007-05-06

This book is what I call and "Okay" book. So If any of you fans are mad that "Okay". I just think that this book is not the best. It's a fine book to read and I suggest that you read it but it DOES have it's low points. So please read this book. I'm just giving my personal opinion, not a fact at all.

Torina is a princess and when her father comes home from yet another victory he brings her a gift. When he killed the king of Ballandra he brought the Kings son, Landen. He gives him to Torina as a slave but...she sets him free.

Meanwhile the king has brought a great sword from the city. A magical sword with powers more great than imaginable. The sword belongs to Landen and he wants it back. As Landen trains with the other boys he needs to know what he's going to do.

Hopefully you'll try this book and like it more than I did.

One of the best books I have ever read.......2006-09-02

My friend brought this book to church one day, and I asked her if it was good. She said yes, but I didn't really think it would be that great. But I was really bored, so I asked her if I could read it while she was doing something else. I started to read it, and it was everything I thought it wouldn't be. Just the first few pages captivated me and made me want to read more. Unfortunately, I was only able to read a few pages, because my friend had to take the book home, but she said she would bring it next Sunday. I couldn't wait that long and luckily my library had it, so I checked it out after school was done.I started to read it and couldn't stop. There was a party that night and since I was still reading the book, I told told my mom I was too tired and skipped the party. This is very unusual for me, because I love parties. But the book was just so good. It is about a princess named Torina who's father(the King of Archeld) brought war upon the peaceful land of Bellandra. He killed the King of Bellandra and enslaved the now orphaned Prince Landen of Bellandra. The king gave Landen to Torina as a slave, but she sets him free. The king gives her another present: a crystal ball . When she looks into it she finds that she can see the future. That gift leads her to become best friends with Landen. When they grow apart she falls in the hands of evil. This book is filled with action, evil, romance, death, and so much more. It has a wonderful plot and is one of the best,if not the best book, I have ever read. My friends and I enjoyed this book immensely, and we also enjoyed all of Hanley's books and hope that she will write more.

Confessions of a Teen Nanny #3: Juicy Secrets (Confessions of a Teen Nanny)

Average customer rating:

LOVE IT!!
Courtesy of Teens Read Too
The latest in this teen series
...a pinch of money, and a whole lot of back-stabbing that will leave you foaming at the mouth, and wanting oh-so-much more

Confessions of a Teen Nanny #3: Juicy Secrets (Confessions of a Teen Nanny)
Victoria Ashton
Manufacturer: HarperTeen
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0060731818
Release Date: 2006-08-22

Book Description

"I was meant to be the committee chair of the benefit, and I will be," Cameron Warner announced. "And you're going to help me."

"No way, Cameron," Adrienne Lewis said.

"We had a deal, remember?" Cameron pointed her perfectly manicured finger at Adrienne.

"What deal?" Adrienne asked innocently, but she cringed inside. She'd hoped Cameron had forgotten their conversation at the Manhattan Cotillion.

"You help me dethrone Princess Mimi," Cameron crooned. "And I let you in on the secret Parker Devlin is keeping from your gal-pal Liz. And, believe me, this is something she oughtta know."

Adrienne sighed. Cameron could make her life hell, as she had in the past.

"Fine, I'll help you," Adrienne said. "So what is this secret of Parker's?"

"No, no, no." Cameron smiled her evil, megawatt smile. "First you help me. Then I help you."

There are secrets everywhere . . .

After-school nanny Liz Braun's wealthy boyfriend, Parker Devlin, has a secret—one so scandalous that he won't share it with Liz. When the secret is finally blown wide open on the evening news, all of Parker's so-called friends dump him. Hurt, Parker pulls away from Liz—the one person who can actually help him.

Eight-year-old Emma Warner, the little girl Adrienne Lewis takes care of after school, has a secret too. And she says it's about Adrienne! What could Emma know?

Evil Cameron Warner has many secrets, but her two juiciest ones are about Parker's sordid extracurricular activities and about Adrienne!

Customer Reviews:

LOVE IT!!.......2007-07-31

I love every book in this series, but Juicy Secrets is the best! I stayed up until 3 a.m. reading it, and I couldn't stop. This is one of the most addicting books I've ever read. Anyone who hasn't read this book is missing out on a lot.

Courtesy of Teens Read Too.......2006-11-19

This third novel by Victoria Ashton, JUICY SECRETS, is another great addition to the CONFESSIONS OF A TEEN NANNY series. In this book, many things change! There is also a huge cliffhanger for what will happen in the next book! I would only read this book if you have read the first two books, which are equally as phenomenal. If you don't read them in order they might not make a lot of sense.

Many secrets about people in the book are reveled and some odd couples get together. (Hint: They are two people you never would have expected!) Liz's relationship with Parker Devlin takes a bad turn! A very odd secret about Parker's father comes out and it totally crushes him!

Emma, the little nine-year-old whiz kid that Adrienne is a nanny for, becomes obsessed with the television show, CSI! Her new spy skills earn Adrienne some very interesting information about her new boyfriend.

You will just have to read the book to find out what else happens!

Reviewed by: Taylor Rector

The latest in this teen series.......2006-08-24

Victoria Ashton scores again.

I am an adult who enjoys a good YA novel and the entire series Confession of a Teen Nanny is quite entertaining.

Certainly, this novel can be considered lightweight, but the characters, the writing and the storyline are so entertaining that you forget that you are not reading "high" lit.

Juicy Secrets involves more romance, more gossip and more disgusting deeds by those "other, richer sider of the world".

Buy this book - its fun - but it is a little too short - as is most of the books in this series.

...a pinch of money, and a whole lot of back-stabbing that will leave you foaming at the mouth, and wanting oh-so-much more.......2006-08-23

Teen nannies and society girl wannabes Adrienne and Liz finally have everything they've ever dreamed of. At least, that's what they think. While Adrienne's relationship with Brian, her boyfriend of two-years, is over ever since he kicked her to the curb to creep around with rich girl debutante, and celeb wannabe, Cameron Warner, Adrienne doesn't mind flying solo for awhile. But when Graydon "Gray" Warner, begins making advances towards Adrienne. Advances that seem much more sincere than the ladies man has ever displayed before, she begins falling for his charm. However, when Adrienne's charge, and Graydon's half-sister, whiz kid Emma Warner, begins putting her detective skills to the test, she discovers some very unsettling news about her new crush, that leave her wondering whether she's being played for a fool. Liz, on the other hand, feels that her relationship with Parker Devlin, wealthy heir, and handsome guy to boot, is going strong. That is, except for the fact that one day he's excessively attentive, and the next, he's running on cold, and dodging her phone calls, e-mails, and text messages, leaving her wondering what else is going on in his world of wealth. As if that weren't bad enough, Liz has got to deal with a fretful nine-year-old, whose supposed Child Psychologist extraordinaire mother seems to feel that the best way to compete with other society parents is by forcing her skittish child into taking horseback riding lessons, and competing in horsemanship shows. Now, the two girls (along with a handful of their friends) must get to the bottom of all of the secrets surrounding them, before someone ends up with a broken heart. Or, even worse, an unkind blurb on Page Six that could ruin their reputation forever.

Victoria Ashton never ceases to amaze me with her creative writing skills, and downright juicy characters. The fact that she combines uber-wealthy characters, with those who have to "work hard for the money" gives readers a chance to view both sides of the spectrum, and how hard it is for the working-class to win a chance to play in the world of the rich. Adrienne is an interesting character, whose kind, yet inquisitive nature make her appealing; while the various tricks she constantly has up her sleeve provide for some juicy entertainment. Though, I must admit, the character after my own heart is actually her charge, eight-year-old Emma Warner, whose intelligent lingo, and crazy schemes always leave me wanting more. As with the previous installments in this can't-miss series, Ashton has combined a pinch of money, a dash of fashion, and a whole lot of back-stabbing scandal that will leave you foaming at the mouth, and wanting oh-so-much more.

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

Average customer rating:

Bravo!
De Nile's Not Just a River in Egypt
Miss Bee's tangled life
A good book
really good book

Victoria and the Rogue
Meg Cabot
Manufacturer: HarperTeen
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0060753218
Release Date: 2004-12-28

Book Description

Victoria

Growing up in far-off India, wealthy young heiress Lady Victoria Arbuthnot was accustomed to handling her own affairs -- not to mention everyone else's. But in her sixteenth year, Vicky is unceremoniously shipped off to London to find a husband. With her usual aplomb, however, Lady Victoria gets herself engaged to the perfect English gentleman, even before setting foot on British soil.

The Rogue

Hugo Rothschild, ninth earl of Malfrey, is everything a girl could want in a future husband: he is handsome and worldly, if not rich. Lady Victoria has everything just as she'd like it. That is, if raffish young ship captain Jacob Carstairs would leave well enough alone.

Jacob's meddling is nothing short of exasperating, and Victoria is mystified by his persistence. But when it becomes clear that young Lord Malfrey just might not be all that he's professed to be, Victoria is forced to admit, for the first time in her life, that she is wrong. Not only about her fiance, but about the reason behind the handsome ship captain's interference.

Download Description

Capturing all the famous, girly gleefulness of the Princess Diaries, Meg Cabot turns her eye to historical romance. Nicola Sparks, sixteen and an orphan, is ready to dive headlong into her first London Season. A whirlwind of fashionable activities awaits her, although nabbing a husband, ordinarily the prime object of every girl's Season, is not among them. For Nicola has already chosen hers: a handsome viscount by the name of Lord Sebastian. Everything is going well, until the infuriating Nathaniel Sheridan begins to cast doubt on the viscount's character. Nicola is convinced Nathaniel's efforts will yield nothing. But when she begins to piece things together for herself, the truth that is revealed has as much to do with the viscount as it does with Nicola's own heart.

Customer Reviews:

Bravo!.......2006-07-26

Well, i read Nicola and The Visicount, Meg Cabot's other historical book, and i didnt like it all that much. So i didnt really feel like reading this one. However, i saw it at my local library and i picked it out to read. I loved it! It was much better than the pther book and was funny, interesting and had memorable characters. It's more like Meg Cabot's other books than like the Nicola book. It's enjoyable and funny, so i'd reccomend it to all Meg Cabot lovers. Dont overlook this book just because you didnt like the other historical book. This one's actually good. :)

De Nile's Not Just a River in Egypt.......2006-07-18

Sixteen-year-old Victoria Arbuthnot, daughter of the deceased duke and his wife, has grown up headstrong with her three uncles in India. Now at a marrigable age, Victoria has been unceremoniously shipped off to England to see her relatives, the Gardiners. Uncle John wagers she won't get a single proposal for another year-but even before she sets foot on shore, the handsome, though not wealthy, Lord Malfrey, proposes dramatically on the ship /Harmony/. At which moments, a certain sneering young captain, Jacob Carstairs, interupts a rather tender moment. Victoria and the captain are not on good terms, or so she claims. But when she accepts Lord Malfrey's offer, she finds that Jacob Carstairs is fast becoming more than a nusisance-and will say so to anyone who asks-he is determined to convince Victoria not to marry Malfrey. After much exchange of witty, sarcastic banter, Victoria realizes that, annoying as Carstairs may be, he may just be /right/-Lord Malfrey may have something to hide. But she realizes this too late, and risks having her reputation dragged in the dirt and across the streets of London-will strongheaded, stubborn Victoria be able to pull through Lord Malfrey's devious scheme? And what of Carstairs? Find out yourself. ;P

Miss Bee's tangled life.......2006-03-24

I was surprised with the knowledge Meg Cabot has, knowing about India and how London was in the 1800's.

In the story, Victoria the main character, was raised by her uncles in India and she is now returning home to London to find a husband. On the shop ride she becomes engaged to an Earl, but the annoying Captain Carstairs has been going out of his way to ruin her fun. Captain Jacob Carstairs goes as far as talking to Victoria's Aunt and Uncle to have the wedding called off. Stubborn Victoria refuses to listen and abide by what others tell her. Instead she arranges others lives and soon learns the life she needs to organise the most is her own.

A good book.......2005-10-10

Not as good as Nicola and the Viscount, but it was good, though, she was a bit of a spoiled brat, and her character did not change at the end of the book. I think Carstairs might be able to improve on that though!

really good book.......2005-07-07

Victoria Arbuthnot, the daughter of a duke, has lived with her uncles in India since both of her parents died when she was very young. She is now 16 and has been sent back to England to stay with her aunt and cousins. On the journey there, she becomes engaged to Hugo Rothschild, the ninth earl of Malfrey. The young captain, Jacob Carstairs, has been annoying Victoria the whole trip, and now that they're in England, he's been trying to break up her engagement, telling her that Hugo is a rogue and isnt an honerable man. She doesnt listen to him because why should she listen to someone who is such an "insufferable man" who has very un-stylishly low collar points. Despite her hatrid for Jacob, she starts to fall for him and once she finds out the truth about Hugo, she has to do something about it and give in to her stubborn feelings and admit to herself what she really wants. This book is really good and so are Meg Cabot's other books, so i would reccomend reading them all!

The Old Testament: Retold for the Young Reader With Context Facts, Notes, and Features (The Children's Illustrated Bible)

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The Old Testament: Retold for the Young Reader With Context Facts, Notes, and Features (The Children's Illustrated Bible)
Victoria Parker
Manufacturer: Lorenz Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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The New Testament: Retold for the Young Reader With Context Facts, Notes, and Features (The Children's Illustrated Bible)

ASIN: 1842151878

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The Healer's Keep
Worth Every Word
possibly the worst-written book that I have read
Good, but could be better
The Healer's Keep

The Healer's Keep
Victoria Hanley
Manufacturer: Laurel Leaf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 055349435X
Release Date: 2005-02-08

Book Description

Something is threatening the legendary Healer’s Keep, where students gifted in the healing arts are trained. Will they learn enough in time to keep the darkness at bay? Or will the Shadow King turn their gifts against them and once again walk the world?

“This complex and engrossing companion to The Seer and the Sword can be read independently. Lovers of fantasy will gravitate to its magic, its compelling characters, and its classic struggles between good and evil. Recommend this fine offering to fans of Diana Wynne Jones and David Eddings.”—School Library Journal

“Four young people divided by geography, class, and philosophy come together in the dream realm to fight the powers of darkness. . . . The tale works well both as a sequel [to The Seer and the Sword] and on its own. Solid and satisfying.”—Kirkus Reviews

Customer Reviews:

The Healer's Keep.......2006-07-05

I loved this book! It is a companion to The Seer and The Sword and the storyline is just as great as the first book. Victoria continues to develop her characters really well also. Highly recommend this to all readers who like fantasy, young adult and grown-ups alike.

Worth Every Word.......2006-06-19

This book hits a nerve with me! Evil people can prey on the innocent. What happens when they do? What kind of character is needed to overcome the experience of being preyed on? This book addresses these questions. It's so important for kids to learn about these sorts of things. I felt the characters were real people kids could relate to--and so could I, (an adult), which is why this book went so deep with me.
A correction on the previous review is due to the cover artist of the paperback version of Healer's Keep, Greg Spalenka. The previous reviewer mistook Mr. Spalenka's fantastic original artwork for 'computer graphics'-art credit listed in the book. (They also mistook Ms. Hanley's wonderful storytelling for 'bad writing'.)
This is an excellent book that I think offers great insights into the world today. Well-written and very entertaining!

possibly the worst-written book that I have read.......2006-06-17

I read _The Seer and the Sword_ largely because I was attracted to Trina Schart Hyman's lovely cover art, and found the book mediocre. I liked it enough, however, that I ventured to try the sequel, in the hope that it might improve over the first book. _Seer_, although the plot became bogged down in the middle of the book, had some genuinely interesting characters and events; it had believable moral dilemmas and suspense. The characters in _The Healer's Keep_, on the other hand, were flatter than paper, indistinguishable from one another. The author seemed to think that announcing an associated trait for each character was enough to give them individuality, without actually doing the work of constructing separate personalities. The plot, meanwhile, is rote, predictable, and uninteresting; the world feels like a collage of fantasy tropes. Worst of all, however, is the tortured, stilted prose. This book reads as though it was written by an 11-year-old for a school assignment. With the current boom in appreciation for children's and YA fantasy, there are many more interesting, original, and well-written books in the genre available, both newly written and reprinted. I'm glad that the latest edition of _The Healer's Keep_ sports a bland computer-graphic cover rather than the enticing art of the original jacket--it's much more true to the reality of the book.

Good, but could be better.......2006-05-29

It's been said in other reviews, but I'd just like to reiterate, and hopefully, in doing so, validate the claims of a few other reviewers. While this book has numerous positives--a well-thought out story line, full of action and fantasy--there are several "flaws" I noticed while reading that, I feel, kept this book from equalling Hanley's first book of the trilogy.

First and foremost, I found, was the lack of depth in the characters. Jasper was interesting and likeable, I'll admit... and I liked Maeve as well. But some things I just didn't quite buy. Sara seemed capable of unbelievable warrior abilities for virtually no reason. Dorjan discovers the extent of his dream powers in the nick of time, even in the midst of crisis, and just happens to stumble upon the Sliviian beach not far from his sister. Maybe it's just me, but I found the characters of Jasper/Dorjan and Maeve/Sara to be too similar. Their abilities were, of course, completely different, but their personalities lacked enough distinction to seem "real" to me as a reader, even though the novel was a length capable of developing each individual which a distinct personality more fitting to their character.

Evan was a different matter. He was the most one-dimensional of all, hardly saying anything throughout the course of the novel or serving any purpose until 2/3 the novel had gone by, where he became the motivation for the others to rescue him and eventually kill Morlen. (In fact, I had begun to wonder if Hanley hadn't just added him as an afterthought for this single purpose.)

I found the villainy of the storyline to be somewhat confusing too. There were a few times where I'd just skim through because I wasn't exactly sure what was going on. I never quite grasped just what the Shadown King was and why Morlen was involved. Same with Bern. His "lack of conscience" also made for a weak villain, seeing as how he had no inner force driving him to do good, but was a virtual puppet in the hands of the Shadow King.

Overall, it just seemed that there were too many ideas with not enough depth to back most of them up, where quality was sacrificed for quantity. Perhaps a longer novel would have helped this out, especially towards the end, where I felt a lot more could have been explained to tie up the loose ends.

I hope this hasn't discouraged too many from reading this book; on the contrary, I hope readers give this novel a chance, bearing in mind that it might not live up to your expectations that it surpasses The Seer and the Sword. This novel was very enjoyable despite its potential to do better. The rating I gave reflects the interesting storyline more than anything else, which, in my opinion, made up for most of the doubts I had after reading this novel.

The Healer's Keep.......2005-12-10

I love fantasy a lot...and to tell you i have read quite a lot! so... this is one of the best fantasy books i have
ever READ! itz very good....

itz creative....very unique and it has a little romance in it... so all fantasy-lovers will definitely like this! I GAURANTEE IT! after i read this book i wanted to read other Victoria Hanley books! it's really good and whne i finished it i was actually depressed!

so wat r u wating for?? buy it, borrow it or do whatever so u can read it!

thanx~ :)

Average customer rating:

Very Good, but very simple
Not just for teens!
great for teens
An impossible read
A Wonderful Story....

Shackleton's Stowaway
Victoria Mckernan
Manufacturer: Laurel Leaf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0440419840
Release Date: 2006-10-10

Book Description

On October 26, 1914, Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance set sail from Buenos Aires in pursuit of the last unclaimed prize in exploration: the crossing of the Antarctic continent. The crew stood on deck to watch the city fade away. All but one.

Eighteen-year-old Perce Blackborow hid below in a locker. But the thrill of stowing away with the legendary explorer would soon turn to fear. Within months, the Endurance, trapped and crushed by ice, sank. And even Perce, the youngest member of the stranded crew, knew there was no hope of rescue. If the men were to survive in the most hostile place on earth, they would have to do it on their own.

Victoria McKernan deftly weaves the hard-to-fathom facts of this famous voyage into an epic, edge-of-your-seat survival novel.

From the Hardcover edition.

Customer Reviews:

Very Good, but very simple.......2007-10-21

This is a very light read about a pretty dense topic. It is very fun book, but if you are a history buff, or a Shackleton lover, this book isn't for you. If you are looking for a fun, easy, book about the Endurance, this book is probably for you. All in all, a good book, but too light for as dense a topic as it is.

Not just for teens!.......2007-07-04

In 1914, 18-year-old Welshman Perce Blackborow and his American shipmate Billy Bakewell find themselves stranded in Buenos Aires after losing their berths to a shipwreck. Famed British polar explorer Ernest Shackleton's ship Endurance is in port, and needs replacements for two drunken crewmen. Billy gets hired because of his already rare (even this close to the golden age of sail) experience with sailing vessels; but Perce, who has nothing to offer except youth, strength, and willingness to work hard, only manages to join the expedition by hiding in another sailor's footlocker until the ship is too far at sea for Shackleton to do anything except put the stowaway to work. The great man, whom Perce holds in awe, warns the youngster that in times of desperation stowaways are always eaten first!

So begins Victoria McKernan's novel based on the real Perce Blackborow, who did everything ascribed to him in her book except keep a journal. She takes the carefully researched facts of this adventure (chronicled by Shackleton himself in South) and writes them from the viewpoints of the men involved, and the result enthralled me. This is listed as a novel for teens, but I found it well worth an adult reader's time. I especially appreciated the author's notes at the book's end, in which she identified the few points at which she took liberties with known facts (mostly a matter of tweaking the time line to give her story a smoother flow). Hopefully many readers in her intended audience will go on to read South, and wind up - like me - hooked on such books for life.

great for teens.......2007-01-26

I teach 8th grade English, and I have used this book in class as part of an independent reading unit (I allow the kids to choose a title from a preselected list) for the last two years. The students who choose to read this book LOVE it. I have not heard one negative comment (and my students are not shy about it when they dislike a book), and some students have reported that it is one of the best books they have ever read. This includes boys, girls, strong readers, reluctant readers, you name it. It's a solid introduction to the story of *The Endurance* and her crew. The fact that it's narrated by a teenager/young man makes the story more approachable for kids. I enjoyed it, too. Personally, I preferred Caroline Alexander's *The Endurace* but McKernan's version is more appropriate for the average 13/14 year-old.

An impossible read.......2006-04-21

Victoria McKernan's book is a disappointing read. I have already enjoyed Jennifer Armstrong's Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World : The Extraordinary True Story of Shackleton and the Endurance and found it a much better telling of this extraordinary tale. McKernan's writing did not flesh out the characters and her choppy pacing did not convince this reader to finish the story.

A Wonderful Story...........2005-12-23

"Shackleton's Stowaway" is a fabulous piece of historical fiction. Well-researched, the characters come alive in this compelling story of survival, hope, and courage. The writing is excellent, and the story a real attention-getter for children. The virtues of another time come to life under McKernan's creative crafting of an unforgettable story.

Encyclopedia of Youth And War: Young People as Participants and Victims

Average customer rating:

Encyclopedia of Youth And War: Young People as Participants and Victims
Victoria Sherrow
Manufacturer: Oryx Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1573562874

Book Description

The horror of war and its profound impact on children are presented dramatically in the Encyclopedia of Youth and War. This unique encyclopedia offers behind-the-scenes accounts of how young people were both victims of and participants in wars of the 20th century and before.

Average customer rating:

A teen as appealing as Holden Caulfield
Courtesy of Teens Read Too

The Virtual Life of Lexie Diamond
Victoria Foyt
Manufacturer: HarperTeen
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0060825634
Release Date: 2007-03-13

Book Description

Lexie Diamond loves her computer. She loves to surf the Web more than anything else—and to the exclusion of a social life. Beyond being just a computer geek, Lexie has developed a unique philosophy that the essential truth about life is found on the Internet, which she navigates with the expertise and finesse of a true believer.

Then a tragic accident rocks Lexie's cyber-driven world and forces her to navigate the real world after all. With the aid of an unexpected ally—her first actual friend—not only is Lexie drawn into a mystery surrounding the accident, but she discovers more magic in the Web than she ever dreamed possible.

Along the way Lexie's beliefs are challenged, her family is turned upside down, and her future is threatened. In this visionary tour de force by a promising new novelist, Lexie must decide what is real and what is virtual: Her life depends on it.

Customer Reviews:

A teen as appealing as Holden Caulfield.......2007-03-24

This is a terrific piece of work, an engaging and original
combination of coming-of-age drama, detective story and magic realism
with strong elements of comedy. Lexie Diamond, the 13-year-old narrator
of the story, copes with the death of her mother, her father's
developing romantic relationship, and insecurity about her relationships
with peers. So compete is Lexie's immersion in the virtual world of
computers and the internet that she sees the world and other people in
terms of computer and web metaphors.
The reader fears for Lexie's mental health at times (because
of her obsessiveness about the cyberworld), but we are made to care as
deeply about her as readers a half century ago did about J.D. Salinger's
Holden Caulfield
Ms. Foyt's courage and sheer nerve are wonderful to behold,
and this book offers great inspiration and understanding to girls at
this awkward stage of life.

--Judith Searle, author of The Literary Enneagram

Courtesy of Teens Read Too.......2007-03-14

THE VIRTUAL LIFE OF LEXIE DIAMOND is a suspenseful "whodunit" from actress and screenwriter Victoria Foyt, a first novel that effectively covers a wide gamut of emotional ground.

Fourteen-year-old Lexie copes with alienation at school and her divorced parents' disappointment with her computer-driven life. When her mother is killed in a mysterious car crash, Lexie finds credible evidence of foul play and is forced to adapt, change, and grow as person in order to follow the clues.

Lexie's suspicions grow as her father's fiancé shows her dark side after a series of private confrontations, actions which drive Lexie to make contact with her mother in cyberspace. To further complicate her life, Lexie must learn to trust people in "real time;" both her hunky neighbor and a popular "diva" at school, both of whom wish to be her friend.

Foyt adroitly welds the ether world of cyberspace with many common teen issues in both of Lexie's worlds. Her teen protagonist must use her strengths and weaknesses to solve the mystery of her mother's death and to save her father. As a result, the author has created a compelling character and an electrifying story that will hold younger readers until the last page.

A must-read! 5 stars.

Reviewed by: Mark Frye, author and reviewer

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