Book Description
The story of a lost dog, and the discovery of first love on the streets of Jerusalem are portrayed here with a gritty realism that is as fresh as it is compelling.When awkward and painfully shy sixteen-year-old Assaf is asked to find the owner of a stray yellow lab, he begins a quest that will bring him into contact with street kids and criminals, and a talented young singer, Tamar, engaged on her own mission: to rescue a teenage drug addict.A runaway bestseller in Israel, in the words of the Christian Science Monitor: "It's time for Americans to fall in love with Someone to Run With."
Customer Reviews:
An excellent book.......2007-09-28
First of all, let's start out by discussing the translation - this is a translated book. In its original Hebrew, "Someone to Run With" has a very distinct style of long sentences and a strange, but perfect, flow. The English translation sort of breaks up this flow, but maintains the FEEL, maintains the overall impression, one that is entirely favorable.
The story is a fascinating and engaging one. It begins with 16-year old Assaf running with a dog. Or, rather, chasing a mad dog. Soon, Assaf's story begins to unfold and it becomes clear that he has no idea what he's getting into. Similarly, Tamar's story begins and the reader realizes that Assaf is being thrust into something far bigger than he expects.
This is a story about many things. It is a mystery story, an adventure tale, and in some respects just a perfect young adult book. It is appropriate for teens and above. The characters are perfectly real and enjoyable. The book sucks you in and captures you. There really is no way NOT to like this book. The constantly shifting views will keep you on your toes, not knowing what might happen next. The different times of the two overlapping stories will keep it interesting.
Assaf and Tamar's stories are two fascinating tales of teens forced to grow up, of friendship and of love, and of family. It is an incredible book that will hold you tight and is thoroughly satisfying. Well-written, emotional, and powerful in addition to simply interesting, "Someone to Run With" is an essential read for any true book lover.
Highly recommended!
Heart Filling.......2007-05-15
I did not know about David Grossman, maybe because as I understand it, he only writes in Hebrew (this book was written in 2000 and translated into English in 2004). I first heard of him when he was interviewed on TV regarding his son, who was killed recently in Lebanon. This is a beautiful, mature (as opposed to "adult") love story written with such purity that I would be happy to recommend it to my grandchildren. The kind of experience of young true love that some of us remember, where sex was just the icing on the cake; at the end of this book, the cake was not even iced yet. I was very sorry to see it end, but not for that reason. The character development was so well done that I felt I was beginning to have some new frienda that I wanted to know better. David Grossman must know a lot about music. As an intrumentalist and sometimes performer, his descriptions of feeling involved in the music performing process rang a lot of familiar bells. He, of course, knows a lot about writing too. His two main characters, the boy (think Koontz Odd Thomas) and the beautiful 16 year old runaway singing genius girl, were developed like two alternately played musical themes in a symphony, tied together by a third theme, the dog, who loved them both before they met. Grossman must know a lot about dogs too. Indeed he knows a lot about life, and how to express it in print. A lot of surprises too, with hints dropped along the way that something is coming up - the other shoe is going to drop. A great, heart-filling read - I hope to find some more Grossman in the future.
A thrilling, wonderful book.......2007-05-08
This book is bound to delight both teenagers and adults. A thrilling adventure, a tender love story, an honest look at the dark side of life, a study of what it means to be an artist, a story of commitment, dedication and courage - this book has them all. Grossman is a very talented writer, and this is his most accessible book. Having read it first in the original Hebrew, and realizing what a difficult task its translation would entail, I was curious to read the English version, and found that the translators had done an admirable work, solving remarkably well most of the problems which seemed insurmountable to me. The omissions and errors are negligible. Highly recommended.
Definitely a book to run with all the way...........2007-01-02
In his usual way, David Grossman weaves a marvelous tale of the lives of seemingly ordinary people and the extraordinary events that happen to them--or that they make happen.
In this wonderfully crafted novel, it's a teenage boy--the shy Assaf, somewhat of a loner who doesn't think much of his accomplishments as an amateur photographer, but who is also a devoted employee in his summer job as a municipality employee. So much so, that when he is assigned the task of finding the owner of a lost dog to slap him with a fine, Assaf runs after the dog for days until he finds that owner.
Woven into the story--and not less important--is the background story of Tamar, a teenage girl set to leave her home and live in the streets. She has a higher goal in this, but if I told you it would be a spoiler.
Set against the landscape of Jerusalem with its array of idiosyncratic characters that can only be gathered in this holy city, Assaf finally finds the dog's owner, Tamar, and together they discover something larger than both their lives apart.
Some good moments, but don't think about it too much.......2006-12-03
Because if you do, the story loses some plausibility and credibility. On the face of it, Grossman presents a very well crafted urban tale with some very touching characters. The themes of loyalty, courage and honesty are clearly presented for the reader--for the young reader especially. The action/story line is both the book's strength and weakness. Even with the frequent chronological switchbacks, the plot is effectively advanced. Where I had problems with the book was in accepting the absence and or disinterest of the parents of the protagonists. Unfortunately, those absences and disinterest were necessary to allow the teenage principals to move toward the story's climax. In retrospect, this device was hard to credit.
In general, an okay story, especially as a kind of coming of age tale for teenagers.
Average customer rating:
- It made me very happy
- Should Have Been Good - But It Wasn't
- Solid Start to Wonderful Series
- Written on the Wind - Daughters of Fortune Series
- What a great book!
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Written on the Wind (Daughters of Fortune, 1)
Judith Pella
Manufacturer: Bethany House Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Mystery | Literature & Fiction | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Romance | Literature & Fiction | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Historical | Fiction | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Mystery | Fiction | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Pella, Judith | ( P ) | Authors, A-Z | Romance | Subjects | Books
General | Historical | Romance | Subjects | Books
General | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
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Somewhere a Song (Daughters of Fortune #2)
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Toward the Sunrise (Daughters of Fortune)
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Homeward My Heart (Daughters of Fortune)
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Beloved Stranger
ASIN: 0764226088 |
Book Description
What Costs Will She Risk to Prove Herself?
In Written on the Wind, Cameron Hayes' determination to distance herself from her famous father and establish herself as a journalist finds her back in her beloved Russia, now threatened by Hitler's greed. In Moscow she meets Dr. Alex Rostov, a once-prominent US surgeon who has been forced to return to his Russian homeland. Anger over the politics of war brings Alex and Cameron together, but will tragedy ultimately drive them apart?
Cameron's sisters, Blair and Jackie, have each set out on paths certain to dismantle a family already fragmented by turmoil, within and without. Long-held secrets shimmer just beneath the surface of a family united only in name...will the trauma of war be the catalyst for peace?
Customer Reviews:
It made me very happy.......2006-12-17
It made me very glad that charcters from the series "The Russians" were put into the books. (The Russians is a very good book series you need to read) I thought Written on the Wind was very good and belivable. True it does leave you hanging on the end so I am very excited to get the next book so I can see what happens.
Should Have Been Good - But It Wasn't.......2006-06-26
This SHOULD have been a good book. The story was decent, the characters had potential... But the writing was ghastly, particularly the dialogue. For some reason, Pella shuns contractions and insists on dropping a name of direct address into every line of dialogue. Clunky, to say the best. One expects more from an author as prolific as Pella.
Oh, and would somebody please tell me what the title has to do with anything?
Solid Start to Wonderful Series.......2006-06-15
Pella excels at history. Therefore, it's no surprise that her books tend to contain a lot of it. This makes them both great and a bit slow at times. If you're willing to wait out the fascinating and thorough political intrigue and history stuff, the stories pay off in the end.
Not much is resolved in this book, but that's because it's really only part one of a larger story. Stand alone humph, this book is meant to be read in conjunction with the other 3. I promise things are resolved by the end of the series (believe me I just finished reading the last one about a day ago).
Written on the Wind introduces us to Cameron, Blair, and Jacki - this one's mainly about Cameron and her verbal duels with her father and struggles to make it in the man's world of journalism circa 1940. If you invest enough of your time reading this book, you'll be slowly draw in and captivated by the realistic characters.
Written on the Wind - Daughters of Fortune Series.......2005-07-20
Judith Pella is an amazing author! I have read her work for years now, and she is at the top of my list. Written on the Wind is a spectacular book. Action, romance, faith; just enough of each one to keep you in suspence of what will happen next. The series "The Russians" is my favorite all time series from her. I thought it absolutely fantastic that she intertwined some of the characters from that series into The Daughters of Fortune series. (If you have not read "The Russians" you must!!!! It will help you understand more of the Russian history that is talked about in Written on the Wind.) Daughters of Fortune series is a must read! I can't wait to finish the series! You will fall in love with the characters of the story. She makes you feel like you are a part of the story! Once again, 5 stars!!!!
What a great book!.......2004-01-23
I have to admitt that I had never read a Christian Fiction book before I read "Written on the Wind" by Judith Pella. The main reason that I bought it was that it was set during World War 2. But after starting the book, I was very sorry that it me so long to read it. Ms. Pella is truly a great writer that is able bring the characters to life. She is also is able to show that during war-time faith is something that is needed for survival. This is a book that should not be missed and I look foward to read the other books in the "Daughters of Fortune" series!
Customer Reviews:
The second in the Sisters of the Ark trilogy.......2005-08-30
Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques
Chief Warrant Officer Vickey Mabrey has been chosen for a new mission. Due to her Native American heritage she has been selected to search for a powerful totem item belonging to the Eastern Cherokee. The fact she's recently been having disturbing dreams featuring that very item convince her that this mission is to be nothing like her others. When she finds out who her partner is to be, she is furious as she is still affected by something that happened several years ago.
Chief Warrant Officer Griff Hutchinson has just transferred the jungles of Peru to work with the elite Black Jaguar squadron. His new mission appeals to him until he finds out who he is to be working with. Vickey has never forgiven him for an incident in flight school several years ago where Griff took part in a plot to get all of the women in the program expelled. The years have changed him though and he hopes to prove to her he is a different man. This mission to track down a crystal star seems like just what he needs to prove himself to her.
Danger abounds around every corner though as they must battle the employees of Robert Marston, who will do anything to get the prized item to their boss. Vickey and Griff must put their past behind them if they hope to win this battle.
This is the second story in the Sisters of the Ark trilogy by Ms. McKenna. As with the first one it is satisfactory, but nothing extraordinary. The lot is sound and interesting, using Native American beliefs and magic to develop and progress the plot. Readers will enjoy the glimpse in to that way of life, and will find many details from which to learn. While the books are stand alone, there are a few references to the first book to help readers know what is going on, but not enough to make the story hard to follow if reading just this one.
Readers also get a chance to visit briefly with the hero and heroine from the preceding novel. New characters are introduced in addition to Vickey and Griff to advance the story and give another look at the personalities of the lead characters. The added tension of their past history provides for the conflict between them. However, this reviewer felt that Vickey held on to her grudge far longer then she needed to, holding Griff responsible. The fact that she has progressed through the ranks even faster then he did, and the fact that she is his superior, should be enough of a slap in his face for her. Her constant complaints about what happened got old after a while. Also, she came across as trying to hard to be tough. If Vickey had called one more person "dude" this reviewer would have screamed and thrown the book against a wall. Griff is believable however, his remorse over the role he played in past events was quite evident. He had learned his lesson and that same lesson has followed him all throughout his military career.
This reviewer does look forward to the final story in the trilogy, to see how the overall story pans out.
© Kelley A. Hartsell, May 2005. All rights reserved.
vapid book.......2005-04-14
For a while I really enjoyed books by Lindsay McKenna. But in recent years either her style or my interest has changed. I find her settings well-researched. However, the male characters especially don't come across as "real". The man and woman are always talking about innermost feelings. Now, perhaps we wish men did this, but I have never, ever met a man who speaks as the men in McKenna's books speak. In fact, much as I hate to admit it, her men come off as "wimps" to me. The male characters in this series aren't any different. They are in a war zone and sitting there thinking and talking about feelings. It doesn't ring true to me.
exciting paranormal military tale .......2004-11-14
Flying the dangerous mission along the Peruvian-Bolivian border to stop drug traffickers, US Army Chief Warrant Officer Vickey Mabrey is stunned and irate with her new orders. Apparently, she has been singled out because of her nightmares as a key person due to her Native American blood to retrieve the stolen Ark of Crystals that can be used for healing as much as killing. The assignment would be odd but tolerable even in her sleepy deprived state except that Warrant Officer Griff Hutchinson will work for her. Four year ago at Fort Rucker flight school he and his cronies tried to destroy the new female aviators including Vickey.
Vickey does not trust Griff who vows to himself that he will prove he his is worthy of her. He has never forgiven himself for going along with what took place at Rucker. No matter how Vickey may feel, she knows that they will need to team up and depend on one another when they take on dangerous Robert "global coyote" Marston
This is an exciting paranormal military tale that has touches of intrigue, Native American mysticism, and romance. The story line is character driven as the sexism that occurred at Rucker still grips victims like Vickey. The action-packed thriller moves forward from Lima through the remote jungle taking the audience on quite a ride, but the novel is owned by the relationship between a betrayed Vickey and a remorseful Griff.
Harriet Klausner
Average customer rating:
- Sweet book
- I'm the author!
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The Seven Gods of Luck
David Kudler
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Stories | Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
Asia | Fiction | Explore the World | People & Places | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
Picture Books | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0395788307 |
Book Description
On January first, everyone in Japan celebrates a birthday, no matter when they were born. A great feast is made, but this year Sachiko and Kenji's mother can't afford special soups and tasty fish for the traditional New Year's meal. The children have an idea: they will sell their crafts in town to earn money for the feast. They are unsuccessful at the market, but a chance visit to the Shrine of the Seven Gods of Luck and a thoughtful gift lead to a welcome New Year's surprise as the magic and generosity of the season end up providing for all. This year, may the Seven Gods of Luck visit you!
Customer Reviews:
Sweet book.......2000-10-24
My daughter loves this book; her kindergarten teacher read it just after New Years and she made me buy it. The pictures are delightful and the story heartwarming. I lived in Japan when I was a kid, and I love the pictures of street life in Japan!
I'm the author!.......1998-06-28
This story was adapted from a beautiful Japanese folk tale. Linda Finch, who did the lovely illustrations, was born in Osaka (her mother is half-Japanese); the detail she managed to bring to life in throughout the book are marvelous. The School Library Journal said, "The well-paced, carefully plotted text has a sprightly partner in its stylized, gently colored illustrations." Booklist calls it "a fine addition to holiday story hours."
Book Description
When we came out we walked a long way, and when we asked a policeman he said we'd better go back through Smithfield. So we did. They don't burn people any more there now, so it was rather dull, besides being a long way, and Noel got very tired. He's a peaky little chap; it comes of being a poet, I think.
Download Description
When we came out we walked a long way, and when we asked a policeman he said we'd better go back through Smithfield. So we did. They don't burn people any more there now, so it was rather dull, besides being a long way, and Noel got very tired. He's a peaky little chap; it comes of being a poet, I think.
Customer Reviews:
Children of the New Forest.......2005-11-01
I've read this one. It's by Captain Marryat http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1853261106/qid=1130814728/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-3667137-5119336?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
A historical fiction of 4 wealthy children left poor orphans during the English civil war. Quality piece of literature, that is. There is also a video of the story.
A GREAT BOOK -- and a comment on the references.......2005-09-14
I find it odd that a book should be faulted because a reader doesn't understand all the references. For me as a child, puzzling out what phrases like "Let dogs delight" meant was fun -- even when I never did figure it out, or didn't figure it out until years later when I came upon the source. That was fun, too: to be reading something else or traveling in England and suddenly get the reference -- and think "So THAT's what she meant!"
But the references are a minor detail.
This was one of my favorite books as a child and I now think it is one of the greatest books ever written for children: funny, insightful, well-written, inspiring -- and unexpectedly moving in places, too. I still laugh out loud when I read it, and I still admire the children enormously: for their imaginations, resourcefulness, kindness to each other, loyalty, and, perhaps most of all, for their very English courage -- the way they deal with what drearier people would complain about.
Philosophically, I very much object to the idea that everything in a book should be easy to understand and known already to the readers. Surely one of the joys of reading is to be exposed to new ideas, people, places -- to learn?
Another great writer for children, PL Travers, the author of MARY POPPINS, writes about the enormous pleasure and stimulation she (as a child) derived from trying to puzzle out the meanings of phrases in adults' conversation, such as "she lived on her capital." (She phrases it better than I do here -- but she as a child imagined this aunt as a sort of ogress, nibbling on her own fingers and toes during an afternoon nap.)
It's probably true that E.Nesbit's writing is not for everyone-- but what is? I for one think it's great that children still love her -- and despite all the efforts that have been made to dumb their books and everything else down,that they still enjoy puzzling out (or simply accept and move on from) what they don't understand at a first glance.
Many authors -- Noel Streatfield and CS Lewis to name two more - have paid tribute to E.Nesbit. Noel Coward kept copies of her books by her bed. She still makes me laugh out loud, and very few authors from any era can do that.
Cultural Reference "Let dogs delight...".......2005-07-31
Some of the cultural references in the book are obscure, but finding what they mean can be a lot of fun. Here is the context of "Let dogs delight..." It is from an old hymn to encourage children to get along with each other. Here is the text:
Song 16. Against quarrelling and fighting. (8,6,8,6)
Let dogs delight to bark and bite,
For God has made them so:
Let bears and lions growl and fight,
For `tis their nature, too.
But, children, you should never let
Such angry passions rise:
Your little hands were never made
To tear each other's eyes.
Let love through all your actions run,
And all your words be mild:
Live like the blessed Virgin's Son,
That sweet and lovely child.
His soul was gentle as a lamb;
And as his stature grew,
He grew in favour both with man,
And God his Father, too.
Now, Lord of all, he reigns above;
And from his heavenly throne
He sees what children dwell in love,
And marks them for his own.
Funny in an Original Way........2005-03-16
The Treasure Seekers is written from the point of view of a young British boy trying along with his siblings to recover "the lost treasures of the house of Bastable."
The book is crammed with hilarity. To begin with, the speaker says that he will not give away who he is - "While the story is going on you may be trying to guess, only I bet you don't." Throughout the book, he makes little digs about his siblings, and adds things like, "Oswald often thinks of very intersting things. And directly he thought of it he did not keep it to himself, as some boys would have, but he told the others."
His writing is very straightforward and honest (if biased), like a boy. And he does not try to be funny at all. Some ironies are obvious to the reader, making us chuckle while Oswald is very serious about them.
On the whole, Oswald is very likeable and understandable and creative, as are Dora, Dicky, Alice, Noel, and H.O. They get into scrapes with their good intentions, but the ending (in Oswald's words) "is like what happens in Dickens's books; but I think it was much jollier to happen like a book."
Classic amusing (very English) adventure.......2004-08-14
The Treasure Seekers
The six Bastable children are determined to restore their family fallen fortunes. They do not know exactly what it was that made their fortunes "fall" but it had something to do with mother dying, father being sick and his business partner running away. This depressing information is brought about casually and is merely the background for what is about to follow - a (very funny) treasure hunt practiced upon in different ways. Dora, Oswald, Dicky, Alice, Noel and H.O. all have different plans to get to their goal, ranging from helping an elderly gentlemen in distress (absence of apparent distress is a small obstacle) to answering a newspaper ad promising 2 pounds a week earned in your spare time - and are about to systematically try out all of them.
The story is told by one of the Bastable children, one that does not wish to reveal his identity. It is a great wonder therefore that Oswald gets such a favorable description..."Oswald put lumps of coal on the fire with his fingers, so as not to make a noise. He is a very thoughtful boy, and he did not wipe his fingers on his trouser leg as perhaps Noel or H.O. would have done..."
This is a lesser-known story of Edith Nesbit but is the first book published by her and a real masterpiece. This book is just as lovely as her more famous "Railway Children" and like that story works on both the adult and the child level. The book is full of detailed descriptions of conversations, food (very British), grave decisions and pretend play. The Bastable children do not feel miserable unless reminded and the book is a great, very amusing read. The language (which can sometimes be quite difficult for the modern reader) is, as Oswald explains, sometimes taken out of books and especially the "Jungle Book" ("Good Hunting" they wish each other). Contrary to other reviewers, I enjoyed the "air of another time" even if I did not always understand all the expressions.
This is a story of children in another era, trying to entertain themselves when they cannot afford school and need to struggle alone without the presence and explanations of adults (their self made explanations to unclear expressions, such as "seven times removed from the queen" are hilarious). The story is very cosmopolite in the sense that these are really stories of human kindness and nobility in all its forms. This is something adults and children alike can share, each according to his perceptions. The story is so rich with a sense of a different time, adventure, humor and human sociology that anyone can find something to suit his heart.
Average customer rating:
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Fortunes
Vera Cowie
Manufacturer: Dutton Adult
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Contemporary | British | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
General | Contemporary | Romance | Subjects | Books
General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0525245707 |
Product Description
4 Titles By S.B. Hough (aka Rex Gordon) : Dear Daughter Dead Fear Fortune, Father Sweet Sister Seduced The Tender Killer. four mmpb books.
Average customer rating:
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Fortune's Sisters
Robin St Thomas
Manufacturer: Zebra
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0821726161 |
Customer Reviews:
"Wow, Wow, Wow"!!!!!!.......2006-01-04
I stumbled across this book years ago, and I'm so glad I did. Sadly though, I can't remember the names of the characters except a man named Genesco. The story is about a woman and her two daughters. One daughter becomes an actress, and the other daughter becomes a writer ( If I remember correctly). The mother fusses over the daughter that becomes the actress because, she (the mother) aspired to be an actress so she's living her dream through her daughter, and neglecting the other daughter. The daughter who becomes the writer, is a frump growing up, so noone pays much attention to her. But she grows up to be a very beautiful woman, who falls in love with the guy named Genesco. If all of this is some what confusing, please forgive me, because it's been years since I've read this book. See, back in the 1980's, I went into a well-known bookstore to just look around. I came across Fortune's Sisters and fell in love with the book. The storyline grabbed my interest, and I just couldn't put the book down. Sadly, I have been unable to locate anymore novels written by Robin St. Thomas. I've gone from bookstore to bookstore.....no luck, but my journey continues. Anyone who happens to read this book, I hope you enjoy it. I sure did. Robin St. Thomas if you're reading this, I'm truly looking foward to reading your next book.
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