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Am I Blue? was a recommended title for my Adolescent Literature class. I picked it up, not knowing what to expect, and found that I absolutely loved it; so much, in fact, that I recently bought my own copy and sent it to a friend who has been dealing with his own homosexuality. This is not only a book for homosexual teens, but also is for their family, friends, and confidantes, both gay and straight. Each story has its own strong points, from the title work's stereotypical portrayal that somehow is not so, to "Parents' Night" and its proof that parents can accept, no matter how difficult, their children's sexual preferences. Definitely a must-read :-)

Am I Blue? is a compelling anthology which explores lesbian and gay themes among teenagers. Some characters are dealing with being gay or lesbian themselves, and others are dealing with gay or lesbian parents or friends. As with any anthology, some stories are more detailed than others, but overall the collection is superb. My personal favorites among the stories were "Am I Blue?" by Bruce Coville, "Parents' Night" by Nancy Garden, and "Michael's Little Sister" by C.S. Adler

_Am I Blue?_ is a brilliant YA anthology that should be required reading in every classroom! Dealing with homosexuality in teenagers and their parents and friends, these stories will move any reader--gay, straight, questioning, or bisexual. This anthology helps gay kids understand that they are not alone, while shining a light on what it feels like to be homosexual for straight readers. The stories have similar themes, but range in genre, giving every reader something to thoroughly enjoy. I can't recommend it strongly enough!

My only complaint is that there were no stories that really focused on a bisexual character.

When my children fell in love with Nicholas, I sent copies to every friend I knew with a young baby. I was so disappointed when one friend seemed unenthusiastic. Her copy came just as they were leaving for bridge, and the baby sitter took first crack at it. "It only took 2 minutes to read - there is not much to it".

Two days later my friend called to apologize. When she read the book to her little one, the first time thru took 2 minutes, but then they snuggled together on the couch while every page was reviewed, every leaf questioned, every butterfly named, daffodils and dogwood and acorns admired. The baby need not understand the answers - the charm and the pictures encourage long loving perusal together.

I have to admit that I was forced to buy a butterfly guide just to name each pretty one the little finger touched.

This book has only a few short sentences, 1 per beautiful page, and the order your baby turns the pages matters little. If you both enjoy a nice long cuddle, this book is wonderful. I am now buying it for my grandchildren and friends with young grand babies.

I remember the first time my grandmother read this book to me in 1969. The year my baby brother was born. As we turned the pages thru the four seasons in Nicholas Bunny's life she would encourage me to smell the field of daffodils, to pick out a favorite butterfly, to actually "blow the dandelion seeds into the air", and for me to take notice of how happy the toad appeared to be in the rain under his toadstool. My husband and I sometimes laughingly burst forth in reciting "I Am a Bunny" from memory because we have read this dear children's book to all of our six children repeatedly. And we too encourage them to "blow the dandelion seeds into the air."

I first bought this book because I loved its vintage look (note to Golden: please re-release more of these classics!). The beautiful illustrations have the same feeling as Mary Blair/Disney from the 1950s--lush, saturated colors with charming creatures inhabiting a happy world. Sadly, you don't see this type of art in a lot of kids books these days. But the REAL REASON you should buy it is how much kids love it....my 14.5-month old daughter is completely addicted to this book. She insists we read it again and again, loves pointing out Nicholas on every page and even tries to sniff the springtime flowers.

To her credit, one of my favorite Zen Buddhist Teachers, Joko Beck, has confessed scepticism that enlightenment is a genuine human possibility. To my own credit, I contemplated for some time the possibility that she might well be correct. Then I read Sri Nisargatta Maharaj's book of oral talks entitled "I am That." This is without a doubt the greatest work of human wisdom that I've so far encountered, and I can only hope it reaches the widest possible audience. As a veteran spiritual seeker I can say with conviction that the majority of people I've encountered on the path are seeking to enhance their lives in some way. This is not at all the message of Sri Nisargatta, however. What he is proposing is that we have the courage to loose our lives altogether -- which obviously is no easy thing. If, however, you understand this imperative, then by all means read his book. You will surely be carried farther than you have so far imagined possible.

Well, when you're ready to go to the core, have seen how you are perhaps using spiritual seeking and books as entertainment, and are now damned serious about waking up, AND you've grasped a least some parts of A Course in Miracles and know they are true even if you can't yet believe them, take on this: I AM THAT.

A dear friend (whom I sometimes wonder of he actually believes any of this) passed this along sometime ago, but that is a side story. My copy is worn and in tatters from some much reading and re-reading. I keep it bedside as nightly reading to remind me of who I am, as we are bound to forget from moment to moment.

One can pick up this book and open to any chapter and proceed reading. It is a BRILLIANT work, and perhaps, the last book you or I will ever need if you take it to heart as did Nisardagatta take his Guru's simple instruction to heart.

It truly is the last book to be read for a purpose. If you find yourself still looking for more spiritual literature, after having read this book, re-read it. You may have missed the point. There is nothing to seek. This book is the best pointer to reality. I urge you to own it, read it, and remember it all the time.

I love this book! It is inspiring and truly entertaining. It's the first book I've read cover to cover without stopping since my Golden Books days. I'm sending copies to my best friends.

This is a brilliant, compassionate, funny, inspired, dedicated quick read! It is, I believe the best book about relationships I've read in a very long time. Leah Komaiko says what I think but have never been able to verbalize much less write and put out into the public! When is her next book out?

I am so impressed by the honesty of the author, Leah Komaiko--her fear of being old and her sense of insecurity. I am also pleased that she found a way to go through her fear. I am so sorry to know that Adele (the 94 years old lady in the book) was abandoned by her family with no particular reasons. I remember my 89 years old father told me that the worst thing to be old is... you were young not too long ago. And when you get older you would prefer to be with your family. I can imagine how Adele felt when she was left at a nursery home by herself with no visitations from her family... It is a wonderful book!

Once you begin this book, you will not be able to put it down until you finish it. Chapman grabs the reader on many fronts: with a compelling story; with beautiful writing full of creative imagery and insight; and with lots of food for thought. Motherland holds appeal for many different types of readers. It is simultaneously a book about the Holocaust, the intricacies of mother-daughter relationships, and most importantly, the effects the past can have on the present and future.

I laughed and cried many times as I read this exquisitely-constructed book. And now that I have finished it, I continue to think about it. Motherland is very easy to read, but there is nothing light about it. I know it will stick with me for a long time to come.

This book is easy to read but difficult to put down. It is also historically compelling yet has the ability to slap the reader with emotion. It is a story about the healing of two generations, a mother and daughter, during a trip back to memories that were buried deeply in the mother's mind. By returning to Germany, the mother is finally able to begin to heal, and the daughter is able to begin to understand a mother she knew only superficially. This author has bravely shared with us an unforgettable story.

A Wonderful Book!
Beautifully written. So much to talk about!

A mother daughter story of understanding and forgiveness.
The author, Fern, grew up in a home where the past was not discussed. Not until she was an adult, and pregnant with her third child, was her mother, Edith, willing to discuss her childhood. Fern and her mother travelled back to Germany together to see where Edith grew up, as one of two Jewish families in a small town where her family had lived for over 200 years. Edith's parents sent her out of Germany, to live in safety with relatives in Chicago, just before Kristallnacht.
Whether this was the ultimate act of unselfish parental love, or whether it was cruel makes riveting conversation between Fern and her mother.

This book is wonderful for book club discussions.
It is a memoir that reads like fiction.
Beautifully written, a good read, but not difficult.
Many topics to discuss - mother/daughter relationships on many levels, the sacrifices we make for our children, what we pass on to them intentionally and unintentionally. Survivor guilt versus escapee guilt. The burdens - positive and negative- that we carry from our past.

Vivid characters, stunning descriptions, can't put it down dialog. I can't wait for her to write another book!

I was concerned that it might be holocaust heavy, but it is not.
I have recomended Motherland to readers of all ages and religions, and everyone has loved it. It has quickly become the hot book club book in the Chicago area. So many book clubs around here have discussed it, and are raving about it. Stores can't keep it on the shelves.

It appeals to all of us, who are mothers and daughters.

For background, see the discussion guide, or go to the author's website.

Don't miss Motherland as an outstanding book club choice.

I have read the autobiography, I Am Jackie Chan.This book is some three-hundred pages long but good from page one.I liked this book because it was very well written by the person who actually lived it.This book takes you all through the life of a small poor Chinese boy who worked his way up and went on to become a well known movie star.It all started with his living in the emporer's castle, his dad being the cook and his mom the maid.On ascale from one to ten I give it a ten because it kept me interested the whole time and I never wanted to put it down.Jackie Chan had many experiences in his life that we will never have. He attended the school of the Peking Opera in his days as a child.Also a student at the opera was NBC's hit show Martial Law's star, Samo Hung.Jackie started out as a stuntman, constantly searching for work. He became known for his stunts and began getting bigger and bigger pieces of movies,and in more famous movies themselves.If you look carefully you can find Jackie Chan in Bruce Lee's famous movie, Enter the Dragon.(My personal favorite)To sum this all up I'm just going to say that this book is great and beyond a shdow of a doubt well worth reading.

I have been a big fan of his movies, but I did not know much of his personal life other than that he was a former Chinese Opera performer. This book describes his life, from his childhood growing up as the child of a cook and maid to an ambassador in Hong Kong, getting into trouble and having problems with school. It then goes through his ten years of life at the opera academy, and went into great detail to explain the tough life of exercise, training, and rehearsals that went into this. The book goes on to describe his rough start in the movies as a stuntman and his climb to the top, ending with his then current project at the time--Rush Hour.

At first, I wasn't sure how much I'd like this book, but Jackie's honesty and openness about his feelings throughout his life and hardships that he had to go through was very endearing. He admits to being a cocky person when he first tasted success, causing him to lose one of the loves of his life. I really enjoyed reading about his evolution from that person to a more humble, yet ambitious veteran actor which he is now.

For fans of his movies who have seen his bloopers and mistakes at the end of the film, we read how all of the work through his childhood to early stardom to the present has gone into it. I almost felt that I could truly understand what went behind the movie and stunts that we might take for granted.

In any case, this book is a must for any Jackie fan, and is also inspiring as Jackie shows that hard work and a dream can often lead to great things.

I am a fan of Jackie Chan and I read this biography one year ago. When you read this book you almost have a feeling like you are watching a Jackie Chan movie. Normally I do not read so much but when I started to read this biography I could not stop it because Jackie Chan's life was and still is full of action. It is fascinating how he grew up from a stuntman to a very famous filmstar. And it is also interesting how he managed the problems he had in his career when he was younger and not so famous. So if you are a Jackie Chan fan you must buy this biography because it is a "crime" :D if you do not so. Have fun reading the book!

Imagine you were living in the late 1700's and your white man's name was changed, would you want that name? How would you feel if you and your sister were kidnapped? That's exactly what happens to Regina Leininger and her sister Barbara in the novel I am Regina by Sally M.Keehn. Regina's life is perfect that is until her father and brother are killed and she is forced to live with a Native American tribe. Regina must learn how to survive in this new way of life. Regina repeats her name throughout the book so she doesn't forget her past. Regina's name was changed to Tskinnak which means blackbird. She was only ten years old when she was captured. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning about Native Americans and their lifestyles.

Book Title: I Am Regina Author: Sally M. Keehn Reviewed by:Heather R. Lang and Kerry Beekman Book Rating: 9+ Book category:Historical Fiction We read this book and we want to review it. I Am Regina is a true story. It is such an exciting story!. But we wish Sally M. Keehn would tell more about what happened to Wolfin, the old Indian woman that raised Regina for the ten years that she was living with the Indians. We also would have liked to know more about Quetit the white girl. We are curious about her past and if she ever found out who she really was!?! We gave this book an excellent rating because of it's great plot!!!!!!

Title:I Am Regina Author:Sally M. Keehn Reviewed By: Veronica Rossi and Alexis Umowski Rating:9 Category:Historical Fiction We read this book and we want to review it. This story is mainly about a girl named Regina getting captured by the Allegheny Indians. When she was captured she had to walk on a long journey to her new home in an Indian village. Regina begins her new life with an Indian woman named Woelfin who shelters her as her daughter. Nonschetto became a friend to Regina and gave her one of the puppies her dog had. Regina named the puppy Tummaa. We think the author did a good job because she made us realize how it felt to be an Indian during that time through the main character, Regina. The white men were bad because they stole the Indians land. The white men thought the Indians were savages. If we had to change one part it would be when Woelfin and Tummaa ran in to the woods. We would change it by saying that Woelfin and Tummaa ran into the woods and then found their Indian tribe and lived there. We liked the way the author handled the climax. It was so exciting at the end when Regina got reunited with her mother!

I AM OF IRELAUNDE is a story about Patrick and Osian and to a lesser extent Osian's father Finn Mac Cool and the Fenian warriors of Ireland who flourished around two centuries before Patrick Christianized Ireland. It is a novel which mixes a few historical facts with Irish folk tales and Celtic myths. The author is a good writer who is primarily a folklorist.

If you are at all interested the history of Ireland or the life of Saint Patrick, you will love this book! The author takes the few facts that are actually known about St. Patrick and the Irish legend Finn Mac Cool and from them weaves a lyrical, engaging story. The characters of Patrick and Osian are completely believable and the stories they tell are inspiring and meaningful. The book revisits all the old Irish mythology (like the story of Dhiarmaid & Grainne) and makes it very human and believable. It then adds the struggle of St. Patrick to understand the natives of Ireland and teach them about his God. The stories tie together perfectly, and the book resonates with meaning. I had tears in my eyes at the end of this novel. It's an incredible read.

In the interests of full disclosure, I should say that I am a friend of the author, Juilene Osborne-McKnight. As a writer myself, I'm also green with envy at her achievement. She has woven the very human story of a saint, Patrick, into the ancient myths of Ireland. And vice versa. Osian tells these magical legends to Patrick not just for their own sake: they serve a crucial function. Stories, in this book's world, have life-changing power. What I love about this book is the way it conveys a sense of a person's individual destiny, of the meaning behind even the most apparently incongruous events in Patrick's life. But this is all done with a light touch, through the power of story combined with a strong vein of humor: Patrick, a wonderful, irascible character, does not go willingly towards his life's purpose. In this he's thoroughly human and he tells his own story in a unique, even curmudgeonly voice. In this book Patrick and the ancient legends of Ireland are brought together--and brought to life. It's a wonderful read.

First, let me say that I am an evangelical pastor who has the greatest respect for Billy Graham. I believe he has done more to further the gospel message in America than any single evangelist of our time. Second, it seems that my review will be in the minority as it seems to have been given 5 stars by everyone else who has read it.

With that said, I eagerly opened this book hoping for insight into his life. How he dealt with struggles. How he dealt with marriage and travel in the midst of his extensive ministry. What I got instead was an itenerary of his travels and very few insights into the difficult decisions that must have been made in his life. There is a great deal of humility within these pages, but very little vulnerability.

While I respect this man as much as any Christian that has lived in my lifetime, I found this book hollow.

I am one who received Jesus Christ into my heart 31 years ago at the invitation of Billy Graham (on TV, no less). Therefore, I have great admiration for this man of God. There is no doubt in my mind that he has accomplished much for the cause of Christ.

I decided to read this book (700+ pages) after Billy came to my hometown of San Diego in the spring of 2003 for his final Southern California appearance. I also recenly saw a play on the life of Ruth Graham, which finally prompted me to pick this book off my shelf and begin to read. The first half of the book was especially interesting to me, as I knew little to nothing about how Billy was able to become the so-called pastor to the presidents. I was fascinated at how he was able to rise so quickly to the point where he could call the White House and get a return phone call from whomever was the president, whether Democrat or Republican. And how he was able to preach the gospel without losing his position of authority was fascinating.

To me, the second half of the book reads more like a journal of his many cursades than flowing stories that made up the book's first half. I did enjoy his chapters on each of the presidents, from Truman to Clinton. These were my favorites. One disappointment in his book was how little Billy really talked about his family. He did have one chapter (39) where he admitted to having regrets regarding his family (i.e. not spending enough time with them, neglect due to the ministry, etc.), but I wished that he would have spent more time giving reflections on his five children throughout the book. I suppose I could read Franklin's autobiography to learn more about that child, for instance, but I was hoping to learn more about Billy's perspective about the rebelliousness that took place with Franklin. Perhaps Billy didn't want to get too personal, but I think this could have been a beneficial part to a fairly revealing book.

And I would agree with Billy in that he lost out in watching his kids grow up. It seemed every chapter talked about his playing golf with this president (he apparently played a lot of golf) or having tea with that queen, but I am disturbed that his family took second-class status. Still, they all turned out to be fine people, and most of them are involved in the Christian ministry, so it all did work out in the end. It's just that, had I been in his situation and the ministry was going to take such a front seat to my life, I probably would have reconsidered having such a large family in the first place. Since I am involved in Christian ministry myself, I realize how difficult it can be to juggle the ministry with family. I am doing everything in my power, to the best of my ability, to make sure my three girls are not neglected by a father who chose to have them. Perhaps looking at Graham's story will motivate me to be an even better father.

One other thing that I have concern with is the fact that Graham desires ecumenical peace so much that the gospel almost seems to be diluted. Don't get me wrong, as I am not a "fundamentalist" by any stretch of the imagination. I just think it can be dangerous to try to not offend anyone that soon you offend noone. By nature the gospel is offensive, and I wish Billy would not have been so willing to be ecumenical when it came to associating himself with those who are clearly not orthodox in their Christian way of thinking.

I have a Mormon friend who went to all of the training seminars to become a counselor at our recent "mission" in San Diego. Because my friend did his workbook and attended the meetings, he told me that he received a certificate saying that he was qualified to councel at the mission. Now, I can't verify this, but if merely taking an evangelism course and saying that a person has accepted Jesus into his life (which my friend was able to say, because in his mind he is a Christian), then there is probably something wrong here.

One other note. This book was written after certain Nixon tapes came out (where Graham apparently said derogatory things about the Jews). Billy does admit in the book that Nixon secretly taped their conversations. I appreciate Graham's desire to be honest and apologize about something said 30 years ago, but you wonder how a man of the cloth could get himself into such a situation. Billy says he did not remember the conversation, but I feel this is a stain in an otherwise stainless reputation.

Despite my complaints, this is a worthwhile look into the life of a godly man and is well worth a read. It is quick reading and can be completed in less time than the 700 pages indicates.

Graham's autobiography is refreshingly candid and the author pulls no punches over the struggles he experienced while growing up and resisting the call to the ministry.

The writing style is simple and unpretentious, just like the author! Among the many interesting experiences in his life mentioned in the book include:

1. Growing up in the Charlotte NC area and his salvation experience while attending a revival.
2. The struggles of resisting the call to ministry and wondering why God would choose him.
3. The work involved in preparing for his crusades and the resulting fruits of his labor.
4. Friendships with presidents, heads of state, celebrities, and the common person.
5. Relationships with his family and struggles they faced when he was away from home.
6. Development and expansion of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
7. Early days at Youth for Christ and college.
8. Courtship of Ruth Bell.

After reading this wonderful book, is it any wonder why God would use a humble and ordinary man to draw millions to Jesus Christ?

Read the book and be encouraged!

Why oh why do U.S. publishers insist on retitling classic European books? As "I Am David" this book successfully explores far more profound questions than freedom. David's journey is a process of self discovery and a self-imposed restructuring of a broken human spirit. Though told in the third person, the narrative invites us into David's young mind and allows us to see the wonder of objects and concepts that we all take for granted but which are new to the young escapee. Music, play, the taste of an orange, the feeling of being clean, language, colour! David's voyage of discovery is a bitter sweet mixture and we learn the awful truth about his past during his trek across Europe at the same pace as he does himself.

I have read this book with classes of children from fourth to seventh grade, as well as with adults. It is a book for all seasons, and I can still turn the pages with pleasure and wonder.

The wonder of realising what it is to say "I Am David" is what the book is all about! "North to Freedom" is a lousy title - meaningless in fact, David's first steps to freedom take him south! But this should not dissuade anyone from reading Anne Holm's book. The greatest children's story to come out of Denmark since Hans Christian Andersen.

North To Freedom is a wonderful book. It tells about a twelve year old boy, David, and his escape from a concentration camp where he has been since before he can remember. He is on a dangerous journey, and he can trust nobody. He meets many people, learns new words, discovers how to smile, and finds his mother. On the way he makes good friends with Maria, and young girl whom he saved from a fire, he calls her "the little girl who looks so like a flower". David also makes friends with the dog, King. David is not used to dogs because he only knew of the mean one's in the concentration camp, but King is different, kind and gentle, and wants to protect David. King is greatly involved in the end of the story, read the book to find out more. This book is also good for class liturature. My class has used it in sixth grade, but I would suggest it in fourth grade because now it was really easy to read. This is a very touching story about a boy struggling for life, proving his strength, making friends, and proving his is smart and clever in ways unimaginable. I suggest it for anyone, even if it is a quick read!

I have a copy of this book from the UK that is called I Am David. It starts with a man telling David, "You must get away tonight. Stay awake so that you're ready just before the guard is changed. When you see me strike a match, the current will be cut off and you can climb over -- you'll have half a minute, no more." This starts David's journey not just to freedom and home, but also to learning how to live as a regular kid after only living in a concentration camp. It's a serious book but one that should be read.