Dragon of the Red Dawn (A Stepping Stone Book(TM))

Book Description

Merlin the Magician will not eat or sleep or speak to anyone in Camelot. What can be done? The enchantress Morgan knows who to ask
for help: young Jack and Annie of Frog Creek, Pennsylvania! The brother-and-sister team quickly head off in the magic tree house on another magical and historical adventure.

Their mission: discover one of the four secrets of happiness.

Their journey: to a land of fierce samurai and great beauty, the capital city of Edo (now the city of Tokyo), in ancient Japan in the 1600s.

Their tools: a research book to guide them and a magic wand with three special rules.

In Dragon of the Red Dawn, Mary Pope Osborne transports readers back to the splendor, rich culture, and magic of traditional Japan.

Customer Reviews:

dragon of the red dawn.......2007-10-15

I LIKED THIS BOOK BECAUSE It's like I'm in another world.THIS BOOK WAS ABOUT an adventure of Jack and Aaney trying to find the missing dragon.

Magic tree house #37.......2007-10-15

Magic tree house #37,I LIKED THIS BOOK BECAUSE:THEY GO ON MESHINS.
THIS BOOK WAS ABOUT:TWO KID'S GOING ON MESHINS.
I GIVE THIS BOOK:5 STARS.

migec tree house 37.......2007-10-15

I like it the book because it's cool.they went to the tree house they went tothe past.I give it 5 star.

dragon of red dawn.......2007-10-15

The book was about a dragon at ancient China. I liked this book because it descibed China's garden.

Magic Tree House #37 Merlin Misson Dragon of the red Dawn.......2007-10-15

I liked this book because we got to see a very very cool picture of Toyko.This book was about two kids who discovered about Toyko.They were trying to save Merlin to get happiness.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Average customer rating:

Sarah and the Absolutely Awful, Messed up, Hideous, Pits of a Bad Day
Timeless!
Great books
a must have
Teaching Attitude

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Judith Viorst
Manufacturer: Aladdin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0689711735

Product Description

Judith Viorst. Poor Alexander! He woke up with gum in his hair; his mom forgot to put dessert in his lunch bag; there were lima beans for dinner, and kissing on TV even the cat refuses to sleep in his bed. Some days are just like that. Alexander's awful day is the perfect lead-off for this collection of funny, touching stories about the ups and downs of childhood from imaginary monsters to saying goodbye to a family pet. Judith Viorst's insightful and humorous stories are the perfect antidote to any child's "terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day."

Amazon.com

"I went to sleep with gum in my mouth and now there's gum in my hair and when I got out of bed this morning I tripped on the skateboard and by mistake I dropped my sweater in the sink while the water was running and I could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day."

So begin the trials and tribulations of the irascible Alexander, who has been earning the sympathy of readers since 1972. People of all ages have terrible, horrible days, and Alexander offers us the cranky commiseration we crave as well as a reminder that things may not be all that bad. As Alexander's day progresses, he faces a barrage of bummers worthy of a country- western song: getting smushed in the middle seat of the car, a dessertless lunch sack, a cavity at the dentist's office, stripeless sneakers, witnessing kissing on television, and being forced to sleep in railroad-train pajamas. He resolves several times to move to Australia.

Judith Viorst flawlessly and humorously captures a child's testy temperament, rendering Alexander sympathetic rather than whiny. Our hero's gum-styled hair and peevish countenance are artfully depicted by Ray Cruz's illustrations. An ALA Notable Book, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day is a great antidote to bad days everywhere, sure to put a smile on even the crabbiest of faces. (Ages 5 to 9)

Customer Reviews:

Sarah and the Absolutely Awful, Messed up, Hideous, Pits of a Bad Day.......2007-10-18

So sure, as of this writing 142 people have plenty to say about this book.

But are they a teacher?
Did they just have a horrible, awful day where even the water in the sink flowed in the wrong direction?

I knew it was awful when the ants were in the breakfast box where we keep the morning food and none of the kids wanted to try ants for the protein. And I knew it was even worse when I had to stop singing "This Pretty Planet" to say if you do not stop knocking into your neighbor we are going to stop ROTATING when we sing 'spinning around' and the WHOLE REASON WE ARE DOING THIS IS TO ROTATE.

And I knew it was horrible when the DAD who was supposed to walk with us to the library DITCHED US and disappeared. "Watch the KIDS," I SAID....not, "Kids watch the DAD!"

And I knew it was even more horrible when five kids kicked each other and said ...no..."It's ON PURPOSE." And it was math time and we are not working on five even....

Yes it was a horrible day.Awful, awful, awful.(see slimy green algae growing gunk all over the walls of a fish tank and you got it...)
A teacher even YELLED at me in front of the class and though she is wrong, the sophistication to know that isn't in my group.. All they know is I deferred to a big bully.

And you know it's bad when you pull this fantastic book out to read it and they DON'T NOTICE you are Reading.

It's a very bad day in my hood. True no one was hit by a car today, like two weeks ago, but breaking down in tears in the library and in the room isn't "my style." And this book that tells of a child dealing with the pits of a bad day...still resonates with me. I had a "Master teacher" years ago call Viorst books "street" and still find this put down amusing. To her these kinds of feelings and behaviors should not be validated.Never written. "The end of civilization as we know it." Sure. It went a few years back....look up we don't even give HEALTH CARE to all our kids because a PRESIDENT HAS TO DRAW THE SPENDING LINE SOMEWHERE. (That's anger)
But coming to Oxnard I worked with a teacher, now retired, Barbara Bauman, and she had this (and The Pain and The Great One, Blume) and I happened in on her reading this to her 2nd graders. They loved it. She had a calm room and a fun place to be. And she reminded me by example how classic this book is.Yes, bad days happen and Presidents do foolish, foolish things.

I think if you have this book and have a son (especially) there will be a day when it is just the right book. Oh, and please read Sunday Morning. It's also remarkable.

Timeless!.......2007-10-17

This was one of my son's favorites as a little boy ~~ but I bought this for my grandson!! Little boys never change!! :o)

Great books.......2007-10-11

My sons, my husband, and I all loved this book. We still use the tag line (30 years later) as a way to say "my day was the pits, so don't even ask." Judith Viorst writes books based on her own family and life experiences for both children and adults. Alexander is, indeed, having an awful day. One thing after another just isn't working out for him, and he keeps saying that he thinks he'll go to Australia. Every kid has had at least one day like this (and so have the rest of us). In the end, his mother tries to console him with the truth we all have to learn - that "Some days are like that. Even in Australia."

a must have.......2007-10-03

Great books for boys or girls. And for a bed time even better, when parents (who had a bad day themselves) have to read it. I love it.

Teaching Attitude.......2007-09-24

Great little book that I use to tutor children to read - and at the same time teach about attitudes. They love it!

Average customer rating:

The Aeneid
Exactly what I thought it'd be!
Another atrocious Aeneid translation by an unpoetical professor
Terrific translation
sound and action

The Aeneid
Virgil
Manufacturer: Viking Adult
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0670038032

Book Description

Robert Fagles's translations of both the Iliad and Odyssey have sold hundreds of thousands of copies and become the standard translations of our era. Now, his stunning modern verse translation of Virgil's Aeneid is poised to do the same. This beautifully produced edition of the Aeneid will be eagerly sought by readers desiring to complete their Fagles collection—and the attention it receives will stimulate even greater interest in his translations of the Iliad and the Odyssey. BACKCOVER: Praise for Robert Fagles's translation of the Odyssey:
“Wonderfully readable . . . just the right blend of sophistication and roughness, it seems to me.”
—Ted Hughes

“A memorable achievement . . . Mr. Fagles has been remarkably successful in finding a style that is of our time and yet timeless.”
—Richard Jenkyns, The New York Times Book Review

“Remarkably seductive . . . In Fagles's hands, this `perennial poem of adventure' is again a work of entertainment, of majesty and epic beauty great enough to stun the senses.”
—The Philadelphia Inquirer

Customer Reviews:

The Aeneid.......2007-10-09

I have yet to read the book, but I'm very excited about reading it. The book was in perfect condition and arrived on time.

Exactly what I thought it'd be! .......2007-09-22

The book is new, just like I ordered it, and it came within a week of my online order. Great job, Amazon!

Another atrocious Aeneid translation by an unpoetical professor.......2007-05-29

I should preface this review by saying that I am fluent in Latin (or at any rate I read it about as easily as I read English or French.)

This particular translation of the Aeneid is the worst I have ever seen. The so-called blank verse is devoid of metre, and amounts to nothing more than prose - very awkward, uninspired prose - artificially chopped up into lines of a more or less constant length. This sort of travesty has been common in English translations of the classics since the 1940's or so, but Fagles adds his own inexpressible sense of bad taste. The result is absurd rubbish.

For the benefit of monolingual anglophones, I observe that Virgil is at least equal to Shakespeare as a poet. As a stylist he is far superior. Does anyone imagine that some professor in say, Egypt, could translate Shakespeare into say, Arabic, in a way that could give Arabs a sense of just how wonderfully beautiful and moving Shakespeare is at his best? Of course not. The only example in English of a great poet being translated into really great English verse is Fitzgerald's Omar Khayyam. And Fitzgerald was a great English poet, not a professor.

In American culture however, only professors get the chance to translate the Greek and Latin classics any more, for only they know the originals well enough to attempt this. Further, English poetry is virtually dead - very few people read poetry, and even fewer have any idea of what poetry is, or how it differs from prose.

The result is the worst possible cultural climate in which to translate a sublime poet like Virgil. The translators are dull professors with no real knowledge of English poetry, no knowledge of metre or rhyme, no knowledge of the resources of English poetry, and certainly no ability to innovate in English poetry without making fools of themselves.

If you really want to gain some idea of the poetical beauty of the Aeneid, don't bother reading any modern translation, or even any of the older translations like Dryden or Gawain Douglas - they are all miserable failures - though not as embarrassingly bad as Fagles. Instead, get an English interlinear of the Aeneid and a Latin grammar, and invest a few years of your spare time in learning Latin.

Alternately, you might wish to look at Edmund Spenser's free translation of Virgil's Gnat, which is among his best verse, and which gives an excellent idea of Virgil in a playful mood.

Or wait for my own translation of the Aeneid....

Terrific translation.......2007-05-13

The original author was great; this translator is superb...as exciting as anything yhou can imagine. Don't get it if you think it will put you to sleep at night.

sound and action.......2007-05-07

Fagles's Aeneid is swift, vivid, and sonorous. With his translations of Homer behind him, Fagles enjoys a surety of reference that allows him--and the reader--to concentrate on the visual and auditory and intellectual action. Fagles gets a lovely running-before-the-wind feel by alternating fourteeners and hexameter, trimming the course with pentameter. Some transitional phrases seem too smooth, as if perhaps Fagles has stolen the ball, and occasionally I missed the poetic precision in the English that more delicate translations e.g. C.Day Lewis's achieve at points. Bernard Knox's introduction is interesting and moving, if hastily written. The glossary of persons/gods and places is useful and ample and in the back of the book where it can be ignored as desired. This reads wonderfully aloud, perhaps 1/2 to 1 book per evening, aloud with friends or family or by yourself. This is delectable action poetry, to take you lands away--to Rome no less.

The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 2)

Average customer rating:

Wonderful contemporary mythology story :-)
The Sea of Monsters
THE SEA OF MONSTERS
Wow. . .what an ending!
Percy's Odyssey is another fantastic trip into modern Greek myth

The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 2)
Rick Riordan
Manufacturer: Miramax
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1423103343
Release Date: 2007-03-20

Book Description

Percy Jackson's seventh-grade year has been surprisingly quiet. Not a single monster has set foot on his New York prep-school campus. But when an innocent game of dodgeball among Percy and his classmates turns into a death match against an ugly gang of cannibal giants, things get . . . well, ugly. And the unexpected arrival of Percy's friend Annabeth brings more bad news: the magical borders that protect Camp Half-Blood have been poisoned by a mysterious enemy, and unless a cure is found, the only safe haven for demigods will be destroyed.In this fresh, funny, and hugely anticipated follow up to The Lightning Thief, Percy and his friends must journey into the Sea of Monsters to save their beloved camp. But first, Percy will discover a stunning new secret about his family -- one that makes him question whether being claimed as Poseidon's son is an honor or simply a cruel joke.

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful contemporary mythology story :-).......2007-10-19

I am reading the series to my seventh grade students. They are fascinated by the story and the wonderful inclusion of the Greek gods and goddesses and other minor mythological characters. Truly a great way to start the class with my students. (Personally, I enjoyed reading the book at home, too, and I am considerably older than my seventh graders!)

The Sea of Monsters.......2007-10-10

This book is a winner. My nine year old daughter loved this whole series and wouldn't leave me alone until I got her the 2nd (and ultimately the 3rd) book. She loved the hidden twists and turns to the story. She thought the book was quite exciting. She reads one to two 100+ books a week and this is her Favorite series, by far, of all the books she has read. She likes the mix of ancient mythology and action.

THE SEA OF MONSTERS.......2007-10-06

The Sea of Monster's was a thrilling book that is appropriate for young adults and adults. It was action packed and clever.:)Anyone who is interested in greek mythology would thoroughly enjoy this book. I'm looking forward to reading the 3rd book, and have already ordered it!!!!

Wow. . .what an ending!.......2007-09-28

This is a fabulous sequel to Riordan's first book. It is full of action, adventure, and it sparks some curiosity about future events. . . not to mention the ending will wow you!

Percy's Odyssey is another fantastic trip into modern Greek myth.......2007-09-13

In the second book of the modern Greek-mythological Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, Percy discovers that Camp Half-Blood is in danger as their borders are weakening. Even worse, his cross-dressing satyr best friend Grover is in danger of getting married. Percy, his friend and daughter of Athena, go on a quest to save Grover and retrieve the Golden Fleece, doing a great impression of Odysseus along the way. While the book isn't as imaginative and strong as the first in the series, it continues Riordan's witty prose and clever updating of Greek mythology and Greek hero quests (I just go geek for that stuff). Percy's issues with his absent father are compounded with the discovery and shame of his half-brother. Percy's father-issues reflect a very grown up issue: that of feeling abandoned by our God. At heart, this intelligent series isn't just about the greater and universal truths of Greek mythology and the problems of identity and growing up, but about family and the bonds of blood, even the most dysfunctional family in history: that of the ancient Greek divinity. Grade: A-

The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1)

Average customer rating:

Hello Percy!
READ THIS!!!!
The Lightning Thief
Gods in the Modern World
Meh

The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1)
Rick Riordan
Manufacturer: Miramax
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0786838655
Release Date: 2006-03-21

Book Description

Percy Jackson is a good kid, but he cant seem to focus on his schoolwork or control his temper. And lately, being away at boarding school is only getting worsePercy could have sworn his pre-algebra teacher turned into a monster and tried to kill him. Percys mom decides its time that he knew the truth about where he came from. She sends Percy to Camp Half-Blood, a summer camp for demigods (on Long Island), where he learns that the father he never knew is Poseidon, God of the Sea. Soon a mystery unfolds and together with his friendsone a satyr and the other the demigod daughter of AthenaPercy sets out on a quest across the United States to reach the gates of the Underworld (located in a recording studio in Hollywood) and prevent a catastrophic war between the gods. But to succeed on his quest, Percy will have to unravel a treachery more powerful than the gods themselves.

Customer Reviews:

Hello Percy!.......2007-10-15

This book was FANTASTIC! As a huge Harry Potter fan, I have been searching for a new series and this one has certainly taken Harry's place. The weaving of Greek mythology through out the story was engrossing and you come to love Percy, Grover and Annabeth just as much as Ron, Hermonie and Harry...at least I have. These books are totally different than the Harry Potter books, but Riordan has created the same type of "magical" story telling that Rowling fans love. I have read all the books now and I anxiously await book 4!

READ THIS!!!!.......2007-10-10

This book was the most terrifying and joyable book. I highly recommend reading this book and making sure that you read the rest of the series. I liked this book because of the surprizing acts of the heroic trio.
Percy Jackson, Grover, and Annabelle.

This is my son's review and he read this book when he was in the fourth grade and enjoyed it.

Biscuitnator

The Lightning Thief.......2007-10-09

Isaiah Adams The Lightning Thief By: Rick Riordan I would like to start off by saying, this book was one of the most exiting books I think that I have ever read. It always kept me on my toes. It is from the genre mythology. I would say that this book gets a five star rating. This was a very action packed book that always left you wanting more. It is all about a boy named Percy who finds out in a very dramatic way that he is a half-blood, and gets sent out on a quest to retrieve what was stolen from Zeus the god of the sky: the lightning bolt. A half-blood is someone who is half mortal and half immortal. They have to be shielded from the regular world because their scent attracts monsters. When going on the quest Percy takes this girl who he met at Camp Half-Blood named Annabeth, and he takes his friend Grover who is half donkey and half male. I can really relate to the way Percy feels a lot of the time. Like when he gets angry, he feels like doing every first thing that pops into his head. When he is sad he cannot always say exactly why. The author really uses Percy's emotions to draw you into the unique story-line and make you feel as if you were the one who had to do the quest. The writer, Rick Riordan, writes in a way that is funny yet deep and meaningful at the same time. He can make his images seem real to the reader through his imaginative descriptions and at times he had me laughing out loud. This book reminds me of another book called the series of unfortunate events. That does not mean that this book is very depressing, but Percy has to do a lot of things that are against his will and has to face things that are very difficult for him to deal with all by himself. In all I would recommend reading this book. It will take you on an exploration of drama, emotion, and comedy. Enjoy!

Gods in the Modern World.......2007-10-08

Although I might disagree that the USA is the centre of Western Culture, this is a fun read. Percy Jackson is just such an interesting character. When we meet him first he's in his Sixth school in as many years and this school is a school for troubled kids. Strange things keep happening around him, he's got ADHD and Dyslexia and his stepfather hates him

When he realises that he's the son of a Greek God and that because of this he's the subject of interest from monsters from myth and legend. He gets a chance to go to Camp Half-Blood, where Mr D (or Dionysus) supervises the half-gods. However someone has stolen Zeus' Thunderbolt and Percy is the primary suspect. Will he survive to find the real thief or will the Gods kill him.

Meh.......2007-09-27

This book is a little elementary. Also, it seems like a lot of concepts were taken from Harry Potter. I think there is even a blatent reference to the Potter novels in the book. I like the concept and the use of Ancient Greek themes, but I think the market of people who can enjoy this book is rather small: 8-12 year olds with a comprehension of Ancient Greece.

Average customer rating:

Very cute...
Great for philosophy enthusiasts of any age (and anyone who likes big pandas)
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!
Gentle way to raise issues w/ kids
A review by a five year old

Zen Shorts (Caldecott Honor Book)

Manufacturer: Scholastic Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0439339111

Book Description

"Michael," said Karl. "There's a really big bear in the backyard." This is how three children meet Stillwater, a giant panda who moves into the neighborhood and tells amazing tales. To Addie he tells a story about the value of material goods. To Michael he pushes the boundaries of good and bad. And to Karl he demonstrates what it means to hold on to frustration. With graceful art and simple stories that are filled with love and enlightenment, Jon Muth -- and Stillwater the bear -- present three ancient Zen tales that are sure to strike a chord in everyone they touch.

Customer Reviews:

Very cute..........2007-10-17

My daughter is only 2.5yrs old so doesn't understand yet alot of the meaning behind this book, but she will... and in the meantime she loves the panda. It's a keeper, for sure.

Great for philosophy enthusiasts of any age (and anyone who likes big pandas).......2007-09-22

Zen Shorts is a picture book written and illustrated by Jon J. Muth. But it's also a short story collection. And it's also a philosophy book. And it has a giant panda. Oh, and it is a Caldecott Honor book too.

The story starts when siblings Addy, Michael, and Karl meet Stillwater, a large Panda who wanders into their backyard to retrieve his umbrella. I love the opening scenes of the story. Karl, the youngest sibling, is looking out a window and telling Michael he sees a huge bear. Eventually all of the kids go out and say hello to Stillwater. Addy introduces Karl, who is "shy around bears he doesn't know." I find that phrase so enchanting. This kind of charm continues throughout the book.

The next day Addy meets Stillwater for tea. Then Michael and Stillwater hang out. Then Karl goes swimming with Stillwater.

Each outing is accompanied by an appropriate short story. The first is about a man (panda) who gives a gift to a robber. Another is about a man who knows that luck is a many-faceted thing. The final story is about a monk carrying an unnecessary burden. I'll never explain the stories as well as Muth tells them, so you should just read the book.

The illustrations of Stillwater and the children are beautifully rendered watercolors. The coloring is subtle with quite intricate line work for the drawings. The stories between the "real" story are printed on pastel backgrounds and illustrated with silhouettes so that they have a clearly different look from the rest of the book.

When you're finished you should also check out the afterward which explains the underlying philosophy for each story. (Muth has a lot of Buddhist/Taoist influences.)

This is a great book to read with older children because even if they don't get the philosophy, the stories are approachable and they'll get something from it. (Even youngsters will enjoy the pictures.) It's a great introduction to philosophy, a fact that becomes clear after reading the afterward, for "students" of any age. Muth does an admirable job creating a picture book that children and grownups can enjoy together.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!.......2007-09-19

this book has it all, great watercolor paintings (i am a classically trained artist so this is important to me), great story, and meaningfull messages. i read this to my two year old daughter who is a book fanatic and can sit quietly for more than an hour and listen to long stories. for those of you with very small kids who may just be begging to read longer stories hear is some advice 1.don't give up if your child does not sit through the whole book the first time you read it small children, like my daughter, like farmiliar things and sometimes it just takes a few passes for them to reconize and chose a certain story, 2.don't chose to read a book when your child is bubbling over with energy, and 3.with longer stories it can also help to use a lot of inflection and tone to create intrest before your little one starts turning the page. this book is moderate in wording, not super long but not as simple as short verses or ryming stories. this book has a certain eligance to it that reflectes its message. it is just beautiful.

Gentle way to raise issues w/ kids.......2007-09-18

I like to treat my kids with respect and gentleness. Books that help me are a treasure. Jon Muth is a regular source of those kinds of books. Zen Shorts is not overdone or watered down. It is simple and beautiful and useful. It makes great literature more accessible to young folks. It helps parents and kids trying to live a more mindful or aware life.

A review by a five year old.......2007-09-15

My son Tyler says:

"This book is really great. From this book I learned about friendship and kindness, even though I'm already a kind boy. And I learned that good luck and bad luck are all mixed up. Please buy this book for your child. Bye."

Average customer rating:

Pendragon rocks!
Great Book
Very good!
review by A Tran
Pendragon book

The Pilgrims of Rayne (Pendragon)
D. J. MacHale
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1416914161
Release Date: 2007-05-08

Book Description

When Bobby Pendragon first arrives on the tropical world of Ibara, he finds

paradise. As he works to uncover clues about the turning point this seemingly

idyllic territory will soon face, all he can determine is that the people of

Ibara are blissfully happy. It's not long before Bobby discovers, however, that

they are also blissfully...oblivious.

The leaders of Ibara are keeping a devastating secret from their people, one

that gives Saint Dane all the opportunity he needs to launch his final assault

on Halla.

While Bobby struggles to learn the truth in time to thwart Saint Dane, Courtney

Chetwynde desperately searches for Mark Diamond. On the heels of a shocking

tragedy, Mark has disappeared. Worse, he seems to be under Saint Dane's

influence. It's up to Courtney to find Mark and stop him from making a grave

mistake that could change the future of all existence.

Customer Reviews:

Pendragon rocks!.......2007-09-20

Another exciting chapter of the Pendragon adventure, the Pilgrims of Rayne continues to follow Bobby Pendragon, now a 17 year old boy, as he attempts to save another territory from being thrown into utter chaos by the very evil Saint Dane. As with the previous books, the twists and turns never stop! At times, what is revealed was so surprising that I had to stop and take a breather! The tone of this book shifts from the other books in that Bobby is starting to realize that his mission is about all of Halla, not just one territory. Things start to blend and shift. Victory is not as clear-cut as it was before for Bobby, and neither is defeat. And the motivations behind Saint Dane's evil acts are revealed more. Plus more time travel fun!

D.J. McHale is the master of surprise, white-knuckle suspense, as well as laugh out loud fun. This is possibly the best adventure series of all time, for both kids and adults. In my opinion, it is even better than Harry Potter. Grab all of his books today!

Great Book.......2007-08-31

This is a great addition to the Pendragon series. I highly recomend reading the first books first.

Very good!.......2007-08-17

Ok, this is book 8 and I can see major events unfolding but I'm a little frustrated as to where this whole thing is going. The territories are all mixed and there are indications of a huge grand scheme. I would like more glimpses into the grand scheme. We can go to 1000 territories and have adventures but it gets a little boring after a while when the stories don't culminate into meaning. I think it's time we enter more into Saint Dane's world and experience that a bit.

review by A Tran.......2007-08-12

You have got to read this book! When you think something will happen, the story does something totally different. I have read the whole series and I love it. It has a sense of adventure when Bobby goes to the different territories. Plus you never know what will happen. The author also uses what happens in the previous books as an effect of something a character in the story might do in another book. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys science fiction or action books. Also the author builds the energy in the story then lets it all out towards the end. Unlike other authors who build until the middle of the story, then the rest is boring.

Pendragon book.......2007-07-30

Even though there was some difficulty recieving this book the seller handeled it promptly and with Grace.
Outstanding

American Shaolin: Flying Kicks, Buddhist Monks, and the Legend of Iron Crotch: An Odyssey in the New China

Average customer rating:

American Sholin
An American's delightful stay among the Shaolin monks
Six of one, half-dozen of the other
Go to CMAOD dot com to learn Shaolin and any other martial arts style for cheap, and avoid imposter martial arts teachers!
A special book - warm, funny and thoroughly enjoyable

American Shaolin: Flying Kicks, Buddhist Monks, and the Legend of Iron Crotch: An Odyssey in the New China
Matthew Polly
Manufacturer: Gotham
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1592402623

Book Description

Bill Bryson meets Bruce Lee in this raucously funny story of one scrawny American's quest to become a kung fu master at China's legendary Shaolin Temple.

Growing up a ninety-pound weakling tormented by bullies in the schoolyards of Kansas, young Matthew Polly dreamed of one day journeying to the Shaolin Temple in China to become the toughest fighter in the world, like Caine in his favorite 1970s TV series, Kung Fu. While in college, Matthew decided the time had come to pursue this quixotic dream before it was too late. Much to the dismay of his parents, he dropped out of Princeton to spend two years training with the legendary sect of monks who invented kung fu and Zen Buddhism.

Expecting to find an isolated citadel populated by supernatural ascetics that he'd seen in countless badly dubbed chop-socky flicks, Matthew instead discovered a tacky tourist trap run by Communist party hacks. But the dedicated monks still trained in the rigorous age-old fighting forms—some even practicing the “iron kung fu” discipline, in which intensive training can make various body parts virtually indestructible (even the crotch). As Matthew grew in his knowledge of China and kung fu skill, he would come to represent the Temple in challenge matches and international competitions, and ultimately the monks would accept their new American initiate as close to one of their own as any Westerner had ever become.

Laced with humor and illuminated by cultural insight, American Shaolin is an unforgettable coming-of-age tale of one young man's journey into the ancient art of kung fu—and a funny and poignant portrait of a rapidly changing China.

Customer Reviews:

American Sholin.......2007-10-07

Very entertaining..wouldn't be surprise if a movie was made based on this experience. Good reading!

An American's delightful stay among the Shaolin monks.......2007-09-28

American Shaolin is an amusing and insightful memoir of a young American's experiences while training with Shaolin monks in the 1990s. It is the kind of book that you will read in a few hours. I especially like the author's mostly positive attitude toward his environment. I compare it favorably to Paul Shirley's memoir as a basketball player, in which Shirley mostly complains and puts down his fellow athletes. In this book, the author has respect and awe for the monks, and it is satisfying to watch him approach their level of expertise. While it is nonfiction, the book follows a narrative structure and is essentially a coming-of-age story. Frankly, I'm suspicious of his success as a kungfu kickboxer. It is hard to believe that someone with months of training can defeat someone with years of training. However I do not think that he fabricated any of the stories. Rather, he chose the anecdotes that fit his storyline of physical (as a martial artist) and personal (as a man) growth. Thus, he starts with a few missteps and then describes a few more successes. I have one slight quibble: at the end, he refers to his respect for China's devotion to its culture, which I thought he could have referenced earlier in the book, to show his progression to that respect.

Six of one, half-dozen of the other.......2007-09-06

As a travel narrative, the book is excellent. It's easy to learn a lot about the Chinese culture from this period of time, and the local characters are likable, well-written, and complex. If read as a memoir, however, it's difficult for me to get over the fact that the author just isn't very likable. He begins as a self-centered college student, and never really evolves all that much. Sure, he gets stronger and more skilled at his art, but I was never able to sympathize with him. No matter why this is the case, the book is mildly recommended if read for what it is--a light travelogue for those interested in China or martial arts. Those looking for an example to follow or a character for which to root ought look elsewhere.

Go to CMAOD dot com to learn Shaolin and any other martial arts style for cheap, and avoid imposter martial arts teachers!.......2007-08-26

Shaolin kung fu is without question beautiful and if you wish to learn complete kung fu forms for only seven ninety nine per video disc, or slightly more for English-Chinese DVDs, visit the website that begins with the first letters of "Chinese Martial Arts On Disc": CMAOD dot com. "CMAOD dot com" offers every kind of kung fu form and style you would ever wish to learn from beginning to end: traditional hong gar, almost all styles of Shaolin, Dim Mak, traditional hong fist, animal styles, many fighting self-defense videos, wudang, er mei, and dozens of other complete systems of kung fu, including weapons, forms, and self-defense. You name it, you can learn it, without having to spend thousands of dollars to learn from phony kung fu teachers. Many Americans don't know that this website allows you to buy the best instructional VCDs and DVDs available. Visit the "wushu for youth" section of CMAOD dot com and you can buy the wushu fundamentals VCDs or DVDs that will teach you from the beginning stages. Visit the Shaolin section and you will find more fundamental Shaolin VCds or DVDs taught by two allegedly real Shaolin monks called Shi De Juan and Shi De Jian. I don't know how real their monkhood is, but they are gifted martial artists, and you can learn complete forms in many styles of martial arts. You've got to see this website to believe it. The owner Bill is a great guy, and offers great discounts on his website. You've got to visit CMAOD dot com to believe it. There are literally thousands of kung fu artists here that are "at least" as good as the so-called real Shaolin monks in China and America, and many are far far better. With a few bucks, they can be your teacher. If you can't find a good teacher in person, here's your only chance to learn real Shaolin or other styles for almost nothing. Ever wish you could find "the secret kung fu manual" to teach you various styles? Well, here it is in video disc or DVD form. Buy these VCDs or DVDs and enjoy learning great martial arts from top Chinese masters without worrying about being fooled by phony kung fu masters. Finally, every American has access to real kung fu learning at his or her own pace! I have written three international cover stories for Inside Kung Fu and Wushu Kung Fu magazines (now Kung Fu magazine) and can vouch that CMAOD dot com is the best source for learning authentic Shaolin and other kung fu step-by-step without being bamboozled by and kowtowing to phony practitioners of fake kung fu styles or schools. Learn at your own pace, according to your own interests from the best Chinese masters and grandmasters for less than eight dollars for VCDs.

A special book - warm, funny and thoroughly enjoyable.......2007-08-20

This book will appeal to anyone who likes a good story and a good laugh. On the surface, the book seemingly appeals more naturally to men, but it is great book for anyone who welcomes adventure, likes rooting for the underdog, and loves great writing ala PJ O'Rourke and Christopher Buckley. Matt Polly is a great new writer -- I'm hooked.

Average customer rating:

Stands the test of time
Perfect
One of two books I'll be using for Greek myths
Highly Recommended For All Ages
Not Free SF Reader

D'Aulaires Book of Greek Myths
Ingri D'Aulaire , and Edgar Parin D'Aulaire
Manufacturer: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0440406943
Release Date: 1992-03-01

Amazon.com

No education is complete without a large slice of Greek mythology. And there's no better way of meeting that literary quota than with the D'Aulaires' book. All the great gods and goddesses of ancient Greece are depicted in this big, beautiful classic, lovingly illustrated and skillfully told. Young readers will be dazzled by mighty Zeus, lord of the universe; stirred by elegant Athena, goddess of wisdom; intimidated by powerful Hera, queen of Olympus; and chilled by moody Poseidon, ruler of the sea. These often impetuous immortals flounce and frolic, get indiscreet, and get even. From petty squabbles to heroic deeds, their actions cover the range of godly--and mortal--personalities.

The D'Aulaires' illustrations have a memorable quality: once pored over, they will never leave the minds of the viewer. Decades later, the name Gaea will still evoke the soft green picture of lovely Mother Earth, her body hills and valleys and her eyes blue lakes reflecting the stars of her husband, Uranus the sky. No child is too young to appreciate the myths that have built the foundation for much of the world's art and literature over the centuries. This introduction to mythology is a treasure. (Ages 10 to adult) --Emilie Coulter

Book Description

"For any child fortunate enough to have this generous book...the kings and heroes of ancient legend will remain forever matter-of-fact; the pictures interpret the text literally and are full of detail and witty observation."--Horn Book.

"The drawings...are excellent and excitingly evocative."--The New York Times.

From the Hardcover edition.

Customer Reviews:

Stands the test of time.......2007-09-18

I checked this book out of the library so many times as a kid. Now that I have kids, I checked it out once to see if they were interested. They weren't! But a little later they started catching on, so I bought a copy and now we are wearing it out! I find the layout handy- it leads from one story to another by way of family relations. That's a great natural story telling style. I also find that it serves as a gentle way to alert soft hearted kids to the possibility of violence in this world. It raises issues about life and death and the humor in all of it. We can read or not read as it suits us, and we can discuss and digest and ask questions. The colors and pictures give pause for thought all by themselves. The stories are in better detail than any other myth book I had come across, but then I am biased here.
It's great sharing reading with kids.

Perfect.......2007-09-15

For my money, *D'Aulaire's Book of Greek Myths* is *the* indispensable book of childhood. Every young person should have this in their home library.

One of two books I'll be using for Greek myths.......2007-09-14

I read four books of Greek myths to decide which one to use for my 7-year-olds. This book contains a much greater number of myths than most and the illustrations help to hold interest. The stories are detailed without being too detailed for children. I appreciated their use of language - it didn't feel dumbed down, and still retained an ancient feel. It can be used as a great read-aloud or given to a child to read on their own (I'd say 3rd grade at least). We'll be using this book along with Classic Myths to Read Aloud by William Russell.

Highly Recommended For All Ages.......2007-09-05

I read this book when I was very young. I was probably 8 or 9 years old. It was at a time when I loved reading about anything involving Greek mythology. Hands down, this had to have been my favorite book to read about the Titans, Hera's jealousy and even Heracles to name a few topics.

The book has a very unique illustration style. It's kind of plain but fits well with the content. The writing is awesome, and each story is conveyed to the nearest truth. Most if not all the major gods are present along with their biographies.

I've read many reviews saying it's mainly for the kids, but if you love Greek mythology as much as I do, then this book is ideal for you. I'm an adult and still love this book. If you're still a young person, pick up the book and discover the magic behind Greek mythology.

Not Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03

A reasonably gentle and good introduction to Greek mythology, with some pictures to add to the entertainment. Here you get the stories of Zeus, of Athena and Apollo, not to mention Hercules and all the other gods and goddesses and the mortals and others that they chase, fall in love with, do bad things to or any of that sort of stuff.

Average customer rating:

Book was great
Much more than a Vampire Book
One of the best "vampire" novels ever
Horror with bonus Classic Short Story
Original and thought-proking

I Am Legend
Richard Matheson
Manufacturer: Orb Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Dark | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 031286504X

Amazon.com

One of the most influential vampire novels of the 20th century, I Am Legend regularly appears on the "10 Best" lists of numerous critical studies of the horror genre. As Richard Matheson's third novel, it was first marketed as science fiction (for although written in 1954, the story takes place in a future 1976). A terrible plague has decimated the world, and those who were unfortunate enough to survive have been transformed into blood-thirsty creatures of the night. Except, that is, for Robert Neville. He alone appears to be immune to this disease, but the grim irony is that now he is the outsider. He is the legendary monster who must be destroyed because he is different from everyone else. Employing a stark, almost documentary style, Richard Matheson was one of the first writers to convince us that the undead can lurk in a local supermarket freezer as well as a remote Gothic castle. His influence on a generation of bestselling authors--including Stephen King and Dean Koontz--who first read him in their youth is, well, legendary. --Stanley Wiater

Book Description

Robert Neville is the last living man on Earth...but he is not alone. Every other man, woman, and child on Earth has become a vampire, and they are all hungry for Neville's blood.By day, he is the hunter, stalking the sleeping undead through the abandoned ruins of civilization. By night, he barricades himself in his home and prays for dawn.How long can one man survive in a world of vampires?

Customer Reviews:

Book was great.......2007-10-10

I liked how he was basically trapped in his house and how he adapted to at has happened to the world. And my favorite part was when he told of the peek hole to watch the vampires outside. And the lude acts the women vampires would do cause they knew he was watching.

Much more than a Vampire Book.......2006-12-29

This is really a gem of a short story - on par with really the best of American fiction. While it uses horror conventions and mythos as the props, on a deeper level the story is a seering examination of isolation, loss, and, perhaps most interesting, the way in which the perspective of object-subject impacts ethics and norms.

Frankly I think a movie CAN'T be successfully made of this book - it is written in the first person and it relies on the thoughts of the narrator to drive its plot forward.

One of the best "vampire" novels ever.......2006-11-15

Being such an avid reader of "horror" and "suspense" stories I am pretty much open to reading anything that falls within the abovementioned categories. However, I usually distance myself from stories about, or centering around, vampires. Why? Well, it seems that more often than not vampire novels are usually cheesy, gothic melodramas that turn the character of the vampire from something sinister into something romantic. I'm not sure if they're all like that but in my experience that seems to be the case.
However with "I Am Legend", Richard Matheson managed to take the formula of the vampire story and turn it into something different and enjoyable. The story centers around Robert Neville, the LAST man on an earth that is overrun by vampires. Now I don't know about you but the very idea of being the last human being on earth is a terrifying thought in and of itself. I think what I like most about "I Am Legend" is that it centers less on a guy killing vampires and more on a guy doing the best he can to live from day to day. Isolation, depression, happiness, desire and pretty much every other emotion that a human being can experience is touched upon in this book. You don't have to be a die hard horror fan to enjoy "I Am Legend", just someone who appreciates a great story.

Horror with bonus Classic Short Story.......2006-11-11

The title story is amazing - shocking how contemporary his writing is considerign our view of the 50s and the horror is both types: action-packed and psychological. But the real gem is in the bonus short stories: "PREY". Anyone who has seen the movie "Trilogy of Terror" with Karen Black will never forget the terrifying Zuni Devil Doll! This is THAT short story - it and the other bonus ones are phenomenal.

Original and thought-proking.......2006-11-10

This is a book that is supposedly about vampires, but in fact it really ends up being about normality and stereotypes. If you are interested in a book that turns normal genre roles on their head this will not disappoint. I am not much interested in vampire nonsense but this was so highly recommended by a friend I had to read it and it justified the praise. Interestingly enough it also deals with the question of boredom: What would you do if you had all the time in the world and no one to talk to? The extra stories at the end are quite short and look more like aborted attempts at novels, skim read over them, one or two are worth a read. However, the main feature deserves the reputation it has.

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