Away

The Farthest Away mountain, is by far one of my most favorites of all time. Reading it in grade school and then again in high school, even now in college give great dreams. This fantastic tale of a young girl and her aspirations is a treasure for any age. Young and old alike have enjoyed it and found it powerful, and awe inspiring.

As the short novel unfolds, the author's gifted ability to draw a reader into the plot is illustrated. I was enthralled in every colorful page, although it was easy reading. The depth could've been deeper, yet would have taken away from the breath taking fantasies drawn out in my mind. I was deeply disappointed when the last page was turned, but was forever imprinted by Bank's rich sense of imagery and personification. I am reminded of other fantastic fantasies, such as "Midnight is a Place" and the classic time traveling books by L'Engle, but none quite reach the level of illusion Bank's achieves in "The Farthest away Mountain".

I didn't know if I was going to enjoy this book. But once I picked it up, it just grabbed me from the beginning. Mike is a WWII avaiation vet who has just recieved notice that he has 3 to 6 months to live. Mina is a professor who has just been forced to retire after 41 years as a music teacher at a college. Fate brings them together and forces them to acknowledge their own shortcomings and accept their faith in God's methods. Mina forces Mike to look to God for the answers and Mike forces Mina to actually live.

The story has wonderful characters--especially the grandkids. The world does look different through the eyes of children.

I would recommend this book to anyone--but have a box of kleenex near by--one just won't cut it!

The humanity of the characters allows each of the readers to identify with one of them. Is faith enough to stir us to action, to get us through the rough times and to help us encourage others? After reading "Fly Away" there will be no doubt about the strength and faithfulness of our God. You don't have to be a 'Super Christian' to share your experience and to lead someone to the Lord. A quick read and definitely not a "romance" story. Do remember to pick up at least one kleenex though

Gary Savage has added new fuel to the fire with this publication. In addition to the great photos, many previously unseen, the folks who "hit the ground running" on 11/22/63 add new insight into the type of character Lee Harvey Oswald was. I particularly enjoyed some of the "in passing" things that were said about Oswald (i.e., hair pulling, flippant attitude, etc.) after his arrest and have since added them to my own Oswald file for future reference. It appears that the DPD did have enough physical evidence to secure a conviction, but I'm sure the conspiracy theorists will beg to differ. All in all, JFK FIRST DAY EVIDENCE is an excellent reference and sort of vindicates the work of the DPD, even though their work became tarnished when they threw Oswald to the wolves that Sunday morning.

Evidence gathered within hours or shortly after a crime is committed is the most reliable. Physical evidence, eyewitness statements, and the recollections of investigating police all go toward the overall "brief of evidence" which determines whether a matter is to go to Court or if further investigation is required. Gary Savage shows us this "First Day Evidence" - not tainted by time, memory loss or fabrication. The evidence from the Book Depository as it was collected on 22 November 1963 is presented in a clear, concise and chronological way. Along with many photographs not previously published and taken by Dallas Police as a result of their evidence gathering, this is an excellent book that dispels the myths that have been perpetuated over the past 3 decades, and shows that had Oswald not been shot by Jack Ruby - that the Dallas police had more than enough evidence to have Oswald convicted "beyond a reasonable doubt" in any trial that would have been forthcoming.

This book was just okay. Try finding something else before you buy it. Its like a "last-resort" purchase.

really helped me with all my problems
-O.J. (last name omitted to protect anonymity.)

This is not a classic...but a good, simple tale. Both the text and illustrations are pretty basic. A little girl is missing her best friend but finds a new one. My daughter (4) is reassured by it, after having her own best friend move away.

I don't know why books now have to be so big, with so many big illustrations...and so few words! But, with that said, this is a pretty book, with lots of simple illustrations...similar to Apple Farmer Annie (which I also reviewed). This book tells a story of a little girl who's best friend moves away. She recounts all the good times they had together. The story has a happy ending, showing there is life after a friend's departure. If your child has had a friend move away, this would be a great book to help him/her through that time. Lack of text gives the reader a chance to get the child involved in explaining what is going on on each page -- some pages have several small illustrations.

A prospector's travails trying to make a few ounces of gold with more than an ounce of integrity and heart. Opportunities abound but so do the bad guys and conspiracies. Told in the easygoing style of humorous stories around a campfire, I was sorry for the book to come to an end.

It was full of suspense. I thought I had identified the bad guy, but I was wrong. A great book. Could not put it down until I found out who the bad guy really was.

I believe this book to have been to hard to follow for the most part. While this is true I did enjoy it and I grasped the idea that, in this instance, one individual person has to suffer for all others to experience eutopia.

I believe that the ones who walk away from omelas take a look inside themselves and discover that their happiness is not worth sacrificing another human life. The event of the Festival of Summer is about a celebration of life and yet they are sacrificing one life for the happiness of the town.

The illustrations tell an emotional story of sailing, but the text is a little thin to hold the interest of a young child. The style of story-telling utilizing visual effect to create all the drama misses the opportunity to build an engrossing tale around the art. It took about 10 minutes with my 6 yr od son to "finish" this book.

My 3 year old son loves this book. He often goes sailing with his Uncle in Sydney Harbour. This book helps him recall those special times with his Uncle. He adds to the story with his own memories. We have checked this book out from the library twice, and I now think that it is something that we need to buy.

I am glad I was reading this book in the mornings because it gave me a lift for the entire day. I was given permission to fall apart and ideas on how to pick myself up again. I loved the chapter about "How to be a Perfect Mother and Other Big Laughs". I just felt like I could get rid of all the Killer To-Do lists, say an occasional NO to the I SHOULDS and make peace with where I've been.

There are many real life, creative suggestions presented in an inspirational context that is just a joy to read. I am so inspired I almost think I could write a book about it!

I feel confident enough to tell my family to give me some space and get out of my face - to make time for me without being last on the list. I came to realize that if I don't devote some time and energy to feeding my soul I am not as much good to those around me that I am trying to take care of daily. I learned how to make my own quiet time and find my own space, even if it is just a big, comfy chair.

This book is a real blessing to me and I really recommend it to other Moms or as a very nice gift for a Mom!

This book is terrific! I found it at a garage sale, of all places, but am so grateful I bought it on impulse. For any Christian woman, or mother, this book resonates like few others. It is sassy, humorous, insightful, and right on target. It has been a book I have routinely reread. I found it especially helpful to get through the early years with my children. Hope she keeps writing!

Without wasting my time giving an aivd description of how the movie and books affected me, I shall simply say that they are enjoyable by anyone with imagination and a love of the exotic. For those who fit the criterea, it's worth every penny

This is the fifth and final volume in the manga version of Hayao Miyazaki's anime "Spirited Away," winner of the 2003 Oscar for Best Animated Film of the Year. Now is the time for Sen to solve the riddle of Haku the dragon and finally confront the sorceress Yu-baaba in order to free her parents, win back her name, and find a way back home from the wonderful and frightening land of the spirits in which she has been trapped. The moody little girl named Chihiro that we met at the beginning of this story has become a brave and most resourceful child and the story of "Spirited Away" is going to deservedly become a classic.

This manga version should not be seen as a substitute for the film, which is now available on DVD. But for those who love the film and admire the mastery of Miyazaki-sama, who has brought us "Castles in the Air," "Kiki's Delivery Service," and "Princess Mononoke" in the past, this is another way of cherishing the film. Remember that these volumes are meant to be read "back" to "front" (i.e, right to left, like the above title for this review), so do not make the mistake of opening up to the ending now that you are up to the final volume. The artwork consists of cels taken from the film, with the original Japanese sound effects included. While you relive the wonderful story you can also enjoy the details Miyazanki works into the artwork as well as his marvelous use of color.

This is clearly Miyazaki's masterwork to date, which means that if you have enjoyed any of his previous films or any other example of anime or animated film in your entire life, you will want to see this film. It also means that with this master filmmaker, there may well be better anime yet to come.