Boys Books

Evison has got something going here, and I am looking forward to reading more of him.

This debut book has got something special going for it and I can see why it has become so popular and brought Evison into the spotlight. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy. There is something about humor - not the guffaw, guffaw type, but the laughter through tears variety - that can't be forced, and Evison is gifted in seeing the poignant but true silliness we all put ourselves through. It is, first of all, in the voice of young Will, our narrator, in the running *likeability* of that narration that the reader relaxes and allows the first chuckles to appear. But it secondly, and more to the point, in the truth of what is said in this story that makes the humor more than just a cheap laugh, but a laugh of recognition.

I am not saying that it is not a funny book, per se. You must read it to see what I mean.

I also find it an intriguingly American book. I remember the times well - post Hippie, proto Reagan - and as young Will gets some wheels, moves out of the house and into the world of community college and his own empty box of an apartment, and his horizons open up, it is behind the steering wheel and out on the interstates that this coming of age story really happens. I recognize this arc - the references to happy meals and Thai sticks - so maybe the laugh is on me in the end.

I liked this book. I liked the story, and I liked the characters. I liked the author. And I wished the story had gone on more. Looking forward to reading more of this world called Evison.

When his mother dies, seven-year-old vegetarian William Miller stops growing. His father, a bodybuilder named Big Bill, redoubles his own efforts in the gym, dragging Will and his younger twin brothers, Doug and Ross, along. But nothing Big Bill can do eases the pain of their loss. As William tells it, "My mother had a way with Big Bill. It's not that she outsmarted him --- I could've done that --- it's the way she outsmarted him, the way she did everything, like she was dancing with life and let life lead, doing everything life did, only backwards and in heels." In short, she is irreplaceable, and while Doug and Ross fall in with their father and his workouts, Will drifts.

Three years of resisting his father, resisting meat, resisting growth. Then Big Bill remarries and along comes Lulu, a fascinating new stepsister. Will and Lulu form a delightful, exclusive and, for Will, all-consuming bond, which he documents in countless notebooks. He discovers his literal voice as well and adopts radio as an ancillary passion. Their happiness endures until Lulu goes away to cheerleading camp one summer and returns only to inexplicably push Will away. Will must grow up without his one consolation, and how he manages forms the core of this funny, wise book.

Author Jonathan Evison tells the story in Will's fresh, sardonic voice, and the backdrop of the book --- 1980s Los Angeles --- pervades without intruding. The descriptions are gem-like, brilliant and concise. At a bodybuilding competition, the green room "smelled strongly of coconut and armpits. Nearly every mirror was occupied." (Let's see, 1980s, bodybuilding --- yes, Arnold, the Arnold, is there, too.) Will's love for his stepsister continues unabated, and he's reduced to staring at the crack of light under her door.

Big Bill and Lulu's mother, Willow, struggle to keep their marriage afloat. After high school, Lulu flees for college in Seattle, leaving Will to his job at Fatburger and his discovery of philosophy at community college, where he comes to revere his teacher, Gerard Smith. "His clogs walked on air, high above the vagaries of day-to-day life. Even Sartre could not deflate his billowy sleeves."

Lulu returns, leaves, writes letters, and occasionally lets Will close when her pain is too great to bear alone. Will makes friends with her discarded boyfriend Troy and starts a hot dog stand in Venice Beach with "a little potato of a guy," Eugene Gobernecki, a Soviet defector turned hyper-capitalist, and his former Fatburger manager, Acne Scar Joe.

Doug and Ross surprise Will and actually grow up into independent, thinking beings. All the while, Will's heart yearns for Lulu. Through letters and occasional visits and finally a crisis, we eventually learn why she had to turn away and get to know a different side of Big Bill.

In his first novel, Evison handles all these threads so well we don't even realize it until the last poignant page. It had me chuckling and feeling like I'd met the characters, even the "minor" ones, like the girl with the poodle hair who bestows on Will his first kiss. ALL ABOUT LULU is funny, smart and moving, literary but compulsively readable. I highly recommend it.

--- Reviewed by Eileen Zimmerman Nicol

Reminiscent of Jim Lynch's "The Highest Tide," Jonathan Evison delivers a hilarious and heartbreaking coming-of-age novel that anyone who grew up as the "normal" one in a weird family could relate to. "All About Lulu" is packed with laugh-out-loud dialogue, vulnerable and sympathetic characters and surprising story twists. This book is a gem to be read and passed on!

Many have already praised the technical and literary genius of this book. However, for me, the true test of a novel is how the characters stick with me through time. Driving out to the desert I passed Cabazon I remembered some story about dinosaurs there that a friend told. Only, it wasn't a friend, but the distinct voice of Will, the narrator of All About Lulu. Evison adeptly creates a character, so human, so complex, that you forget he only exists in a book.

It is a joy to read an author who is able to dialogue with literary legends such as Dickens and Salinger while still creating a story and a voice that is fresh and reflective of his own generation. By doing so, he bridges the gap between the generations that grew up with Holden and their successors by creating a new version of the American anti-hero, a new American classic.

Ok, sadly I got the idea of titling my review from a beer commercial but it really makes sense for this novel. From the moment you open it up the prose is so readable and compelling that you are almost forced (unknowingly) to read the entire book in a single sitting. I believe it to be unreasonable and misleading to compare this novel to previous works such as Lolita and Catcher in the Rye. Sure Lulu has an odd sexual plot line and it is somewhat of a coming of age story but that is the end of the similarities. It is a work that can and does stand easily on it's own.

Evison, in his debut novel has created something that entertains and will keep you thinking after you have placed the book back on the shelf. There is really something in this novel that allows it to cross the lines of genre, age, gender. It's a book about life for all to enjoy.

Quite unfortunately, I found this book before any of its successors, so I read the whole thing (with few stops, mind you) without an inkling who Jacky was. But it was great all the same. Now I plan to read the first two books! Extremely good, recommended for anyone! But mind the common vulgar speech.

Jacky Faber, fresh off a very famous whaling ship, goes to meet her beloved Jaimy, but sees him with another woman. Jumping to conclusions, she runs off and suddenly finds herself pressed back into the King's service aboard a ship under a cruel and mad captain that threatens Jacky's honor. Jacky's wit and sea knowledge and ability to gain the respect and admiration of her fellow seamen soon causes her to become captain of the ship. Jacky's adventures take her on a dangerous journey, dealing with spies and even a price on her head for piracy. Jacky, as always, must deal with being a woman in a world that grants her very little respect, freedom, or power, but constantly threatens her. It is an older, wiser, wilder, and more hardened and lonely Jacky that we meet in this book, as she has been burned in love, swears off all men, but surrounds herself with them. But it is still the wonderfully complex, strong, fierce heroine that we all love and admire. This book is one of the strongest in a perfect series full of high adventure, complex and loveable characters, and a detailed and beautiful historical landscape. Jacky's wonderful voice and the author's daring, unabashed look at her world and her dangers makes this a fantastic read for adults as well as older teenagers. Grade: A+

The best one yet! Jacky Faber gets herself into the craziest most exciting adventures in this one. I loved it!

Under the Jolly Roger is my favorite bloody jack book yet! It has pirate adventure, romance and everything else a good adventure needs to have. The plot is she leaves Boston and goes to find her love Jaimy. When she finds him he is with some other girl. Then she gets taken by a naval press gain. The next thing that she knows the captain of the wolverine wants her in his bed! She goes and does what she does best; get in trouble and this time with all of England!

It's a fun fast paced book that I could not get my nose out of. I have read all of the Bloody Jack books and this one by far is the best. I can't wait for the 6th book to come out in September. If you are looking for a good pirate books then I would defiantly put this on you list!

Under the Jolly Roger was the third in the series of the adventures of Jacky Faber, authored by L.A.Meyer. I'm looking forward to reading the remaining books in Mr. Meyer's series. Although these books are recommended for young adults, as a "senior citizen", I have been pleasantly pleased with the three books I have read in this series. I enjoy historical fiction, and learned much about sailing in Europe in the early 1800's. The author certainly imparts a good sense of humor in his main character, Jacky Faber. As long as Mr.Meyer continues writing new novels in this series, I will definitely continue reading these delightful adventures of Jacky Faber.

Genre: Self Help/Teens

Title: What Your Mother Never Told You: A Survival Guide for Teenage Girls

Author: Richard Dudum

The teen years are filled with questions. Author Richard Dudum does not give us all of the answers but he certainly does help guide us in the right direction.
Mr. Dudum does not soften his words. The advice comes across like a warning. He prepares you very well for possible future situations, and then tries to give advice that will keep you out of trouble. He helps you avoid these situations and if you can not avoid them, then you will be well equipped to handle them as they come. He seems to understand the troublesome problems that present themselves to a teenage girl.
Topics covered in the book include: Mean Girls, Confidence, Respect, Attitude, Media, and Relationships to name just a few. Subjects like knowing yourself, how you present yourself to others, the people around you and the consequences for your actions are covered in depth. Also the impact you have on others and the impact others have on you. My particular favorite was how you will be remembered after high school.
Most of the perspective is female however he does cover the male perspective in a few chapters. The chapters on sex are most direct, enlightening and definitely educational.
The Author, Richard Dudum is the father of four children, three of them teenagers. Parents and teaches might like this book as a communication tool.

All in all I found the book to be helpful, interesting and easy to read. The vocabulary is understandable and topics easy to relate to. It is a valuable guide for all teenage girls and highly recommended by Haley Hodge, Allbooks Review.

Being a teenager has to be one of the most difficult ages. You have the body and hormones of an adult and unfortunately you don't have the experience that you do when your older. I think this book is a great source as a guide to open discussion with your teenager, or younger family member.

What I liked about this book was the way the topics were grouped together. I liked that this book went through a variety of issues, such as sex and dating and did so bluntly. For example one of the best bits of advice was that teenage boys will say anything to get what they want from you physically and it was put very bluntly. Most books like to dance around the real issues.

While I may not agree with every point that is made, but I am hopeful that it will open dialogue with other teenagers or even another adult. I think this is a good book to read if you are an adult with a teenager in your life, because it may remind you of what a difficult time it was, and it may help you give better advice. If you are a teenager, I think this is a good book because it is frank and tells you like it is.

Richard Dudum does a fantastic job of talking to young women in this book. The language, on occasion, is blunt and may put off some parents reading this book, but please do not let that stop you.

I have a 14 year old daughter who will be starting high school in the fall and she WILL be reading What Your Mother Never Told You this summer. Mr Dudum makes so many great points in this book. This book is broken up into 10 parts (11 if you include the section of Appendices) beginning with "Perceptions and Communication Skills" which deals with, in part, "Body Language". I think few girls understand that how they dress and act (flirting, etc) effect how boys will treat them. Should everyone treat everyone else the same, yes, do they, no.

With other subjects, such as "Your Parents", Mr Dudum let's the girls in on the secret that they didn't come to us with a manual. We don't know what we're doing most of the time; most of us are winging it. He gives them tricks and tools for dealing with us.

In the Prologue Richard M Dudum states his wish that this book would become required reading for middle school girls. I wholeheartedly agree with him. This book is chock full of helpful and important information for young girls/women. In my humble opinion, this book should be in every middle school library for 8th grade girls to read. It should be in every high school library as well. What Your Mother Never Told You should become a reference book for these young women. A book to turn to when they are having trouble, because let's face it, as much as we wish and want our children to turn to us when they have a question, they don't always feel like we'll listen to them. With this book in your home, you have a tool for your girls to begin a dialogue with you in an effortless manner (leave it out in the living room/kitchen with a bookmark in the appropriate chapter).

Thank you Richard M Dudum!

I must admit when I first received this offer I was intrigued because I've read lots of books for teenage girls, mostly when I was a teen, but never one written by a guy. So I was very interested in reading what a guy had to tell a teenage girl.

This is the BEST guide for teen girls I have ever seen and even though my kids are only 1 and 2, I'll be saving it for when they are teens. I wish I had this guide when I was younger.

This is a no-nonsense, no-bull&*%! book that tells it like it is, which is exactly what teen girls need and exactly what all the other guides are lacking. As a parent of a teen, you may be shocked at what the author says but you would need to realize that teens aren't stupid and they know when you are just giving them lectures disguised as advice.

For example, most books tell teens they shouldn't drink and why. This book tells you that AND says that if despite all this info, you still decide to drink (because let's face it, many will,) than at least drink SAFELY and here's how.

Also the author helps the teen think about how the parents feel or think and to consider that when they decide to do something or not.

Each chapter is short, which is good because talking too much on one tough subject will just make the teen tune out. Here is a brief list of topics covered: Body Language, Never Assume, Mean Girls, Confidence and Self-Esteem, Stereotypes, How to Tell Your Parents (anything), Watch Your Back, Gossip, Sex, Alcohol, Drugs, Facebook/Email/Webcams, Porn, Free Will, Love and much more. You will also find some appendices with these titles: Specific Drug Details, Sexual Assault - Steps to Take, Signs to Watch For, A Friend in Need and Take Some Time.

I cannot make it clear enough how much EVERY teenage girl needs a copy of this book. If you think that having your child read about alcohol, drugs and Sex or talking about it will make him or her try it, you are mistaken. Statistics have proven that having an open conversation and not holding back on real facts will help your teen make better choices.

If you happen to be a teen and are reading this, you NEED this book. If you have money, buy it. Otherwise ask a trusted adult to get it for you as a gift.

This is a warning that the review you are about to read is not my typical review. Every once in a while you read a book that is so powerful and touches you in such a way that you must talk about it in that fashion.

Such is the case with "What Your Mother Never Told You: A Survival Guide for Teenage Girls" by Richard M. Dudum.

When I began reading this book I kept thinking, "Gee, all this advice sounds like common sense. Why would anyone want to buy it?" But I'm a month shy of 40 years old, of course it all seems like common sense to me; I've already lived through it.

As soon as I got to the section titled How to Handle Yourself, however, everything changed. Suddenly, I was no longer a wife and mother with all my wordly experiences. I was back in high school trying to fit in, struggling to figure out who I was while dealing with the loss of my mother who died of cancer my freshman year. I had no confidence, no idea what I should or shouldn't be doing, and no one to guide me into adulthood because my father and I rarely spoke.

What a difference this book would have made in my life had it only been available back then!

"What Your Mother Never Told You" teaches young women about the importance of self-respect, removing themselves from situations they have no business being in, and how to get out if they happen to find themselves in one of those sticky situations. It talks about sex, drugs, alcohol, boys, personal safety, Internet safety, and many other topics that young women must know about in order to survive and thrive in today's world.

Dudum should be applauded for his dead-on, practical advice that he shares in a direct manner that young people will appreciate. There's no hand holding going on here, just a straightforward approach that reaches right to the hearts and minds of young women everywhere.

Also included are five Appendices including links to specific drug details; steps to take if the reader or someone she knows has been assaulted; signs to watch for that will help the reader identify if one of her friends is participating in self-destructive behavior; how to help a friend in need; and the lyrics to a song written by the author's son that summarizes the messages Dudum is trying to impart to the reader.

"What Your Mother Never Told You" is a must read for every young woman and should be available in school libraries and at your high school's guidance office. I encourage parents and daughters to read it together. I'll be tucking my copy away so that I can share it with my daughters when they are old enough.

These final words come from Page 221 and 222 of "What Your Mother Never Told You" and sum up my exact thoughts on how I feel as a mother of two girls growing up in a world that is sometimes less than safe:

"I want you to have fun, go to parties, meet boys and girls, dance, laugh, sing, and have a great time. At the same time, I want you to always anticipate and avoid potentially harmful people, places, situations, and the type of fun that can blur your reputation. I want you to always be smart and safe...I want you to be confident, elegant, and hold yourself to the highest standard, a standard that is beyond compare. A standard that YOU can and will always be proud of...I want you to always respect yourself."

Each chapter reminds you of a time in your own life, and makes you ask yourself "what did I learn from that experience" and what about that situation makes me who I am today. You can't help but stop and think about the things in your life that really matter. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to develop, inspire and laugh.

Reading this book brought back memories and the emotiions of a youth growing up and learning not just about the world but more importantly the people in it. This book is a must read to individuals who wish to re-experience the joy of youth and the challenges it brought.

What an experience seeing these stories in print! They hit very close to home. In fact, they were FROM my home. Growing up in our home was a trip!. We were all very different, yet very much alike. Shared experiences have created a bond like nothing else. Our parents had a great impact on who we all are today. I'm proud to be Joe & Barbara's daughter, and Phil, Mark & Dan's sister. Phil's book created the same emotions in me as it has for many others. The tears and laughter were there, but I also feel the pride of being Phil's sister. As I read the book, many of the chapters reminded me of other stories he could have included (and some I'm glad he didn't!). Thanks for the stories Phil, you always were full of them!

After hearing Phil speak so many times, I didn't think it could get better than that, until this book. It was if he was right there telling me his stories personaly and touching my heart with everyone of them. The book is so easy to read and draws every reader back into their childhood. I love the way he tied the entire book together to end with such an inspirational feeling that there is hope in this world if parents would take the time to spend time with all of their own (little Joe's boys and girls)

This book is a Trojan Horse -- it looks like a warm, homespun book full of humorous down-home anaecdotes. But in reality it is a book of wisdom gleaned from rural roots and applied to the corporate boardroom. Phil Van Hooser has done a marvelous job of telling stories that have point.

Anyone with a background in Boy Scouting will love and appreciate this book. Oh my gosh, the memories that it brought back. I will definitely read this again.

A great read, very uplifting.
Captures the positive difference that Eagle Scouts and Boy Scouts create in our world.

This is a priceless book for someone who is into scouting or who is an Eagle Scout. I bought this book for a family member who was extremely pleased. I would highly recommend purchasing this book!

A second class scout, I left Scouting at 16, became a father at 21, joined as an adult leader when my eldest of two sons turned 11. Two months later, the Scoutmaster announced at a Court of Honor that his job had gone away and I was taking over as Scoutmaster, and I was too surprised to say no. Steve came home from his first meeting and announced that he was going to be an Eagle Scout as soon as he could, and two years and 4 months later, his mother pinned his Eagle on his shirt, and I, as his Scoutmaster, MC'd his Eagle Court of Honor. His younger brother took a longer route, with more encouragement, and after I despaired of his ever getting there, he decided he also wanted the honor, and had his board of review the eve before his 18th birthday. I bought 3 copies of the book, after reading it, to give one each to my two Eagles, and one to the troop, which I still serve as a troop leader and counselor for several merit badges, in the hope that it will encourage several more boys to achieve. Years later, their Eagle awards opened doors for my sons, and in a way, I am still "paying thier dues".
As an adult leader, I have organised and led our sons and others to most of the high adventure bases, and many other high adventure trips, and as many of those quoted in the book, get more out of Scouting than I put in.

Legacy of Honor: The Values and Influence of America's Eagle Scouts This is a great book for all Eagle Scouts, both new and old. Makes a great gift for a new Eagle. Solidifies the importance of the rank of Eagle latter in life. I bought two and gave them to knew Eagles. It was a great hit. Not likely to be a duplicate gift and something to refer back to as the scout gets older.

My book was about the senior year when the guys finally meet the girl of their dream. This guy name Jeremy meets the girl of his dream her name is Jessica Wakefield, who has a twin sister name Elizabeth Wakefield. But their is a little problem that jeremy has everytime he wants to go out with Jessica something has to go wrong. they never get to see each other until the last minute. this book is very interested for young girl like me, i guaranteed that you will enjoy reading this book. if you really want to know what your senior year will kind of be when you finally get there or if you are already their you make think its kind of what you went thru.

This book is a great book. It is about highschool students and their lives. If you like this book you will like the other SVH books. There are lots of other Books like Sweet Valley university and elementary and you get the idea.

I love the whole jessica and jeremy thing, i think he is really good for her. i just wish she would get over will, he is a jerk. i feel bad melissa tried to kill herself, but i mean over a guy? really... melissa is supposed to be super cool, but why is it everytime her and will break up she goes mental? she is not exactly stable... conner is annoying and liz is annoying for trying to be with someone like that. he isn't worth her or maria's time.

This was a really good book. It just didn't have enough Liz/Connor interaction for me. I think Connor is being a jerk at the end. I like how it ended with Jessica and Will makin up and Jessica and Jeremy getting together though. I also like the friendship developing between Ken and Maria. Overall, a very good book.

Following the events in "Your Basic Nightmare" (#6), "Boy Meets Girl" (#7) makes some interesting changes in the main character's lives. For starters, Jeremy Aames finally asks Jessica Wakefield out on a few dates after their first kiss in the previous book. However, their dates never seem to go as planned, and they both begin to have their doubts about whether or not they should continue seeing each other. Plus, there's that added tension with Will Simmons showing up on one of their nights out. His appearance would seem harmless (after all, Jess swears she's over him), but if you read on, you'll see why it's not.

Next up is Melissa Fox, who is hospitalized after trying to kill herself in book #6, right after Will Simmons broke up with her. Most everybody feels guilty about this incident, especially Jess and Will, yet that's not stopping either one of them from thinking about each other. Could there still be some possible chemistry between these two? (I hope not. Jess seems happy enough with Jeremy, without Will ruining things.)

And lastly: Maria Slater had caught Elizabeth Wakefield and Conner McDermott kissing, and now she's not speaking to either one of them, mostly Liz though. And not surprisingly, Conner is now avoiding Liz, too, so she can "work things out" with Maria. More like so he can leave the "relationship" quietly.

There were some really good lists, journal entries, and assignments in "Boy Meets Girl", in particular Liz's freestyle writing assignment about the meaning of love and Maria's "Why Books Are Better Than People" list (my favorite). This is probably one of the better books I've read so far in this series. Jessica is finally back to her old self, worrying about boys and appearances, plus being more assertive, which was the biggest character trait missing in the previous six SVHSY books. "Boy Meets Girl" is worth reading if you finally want to see Melissa get her comeuppance and Jessica land on her two feet again. For readers age 12+

Living Literature: Using Children's Literature to Support Reading and Language Arts

The prior reviews on The Wednesday Wars are astonishingly positive, and with good cause. If anyone knows Gary Schmidt's writing from Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy, the no one should be surprised. Schmidt is masterful at metaphoric language. In both novels, I found myself pausing in my reading at times, simply to reread and savor something amazing in the writing.

Set in the 1960's, The Wednesday Wars is both funny and heartwarming. Readers rally for, and sympathize with Holling who, because he's the only non-Catholic and Non-Jew in his class, is left alone every Wednesday afternoon when all other students are at Hebrew school or catechism. He believes his teacher must hate him. After all, without him, she'd get a planning period. Somehow Holling gradually falls in love with Shakepeare - an unlikely happening for a 6th grade boy in the 1960's. And, that his peers will not understand makes perfect sense if you lived through those times (as I did).

It would be an understatement that I think this book is terrific.

Wendy C. Kasten, Ph.D., Professor
Kent State University
Co-Author (with Kristo and McClure), LIVING LITERATURE (Pearson Ed, 2005).

It was somewhat entertaining. It's not one of those novels that you simply can't put down, but I still enjoyed reading it.

Holling Hoodhood is Presbyterian. Normally that isn't a problem, except on Wednesday afternoons when the Jewish and Catholic kids go to religion classes. That leaves just Holling in Mrs. Baker's 7th grade class at 2pm, much to her chagrin. Initially she tries to send him back to 6th grade math, but when that fails she puts him to work. She has him pounding the chalk dust out of the erasers (they used to do that back in 1967) but that ends up in a minor disaster. So she decides they will spend their time more productively by reading Shakespeare. Holling isn't convinced this is a productive use of his time, but he learns to appreciate it in different ways and learns a few other - more important - things as well.

Told from Holling's perspective, this is the kind of book I loved to read as a kid but doesn't come along often enough. It'll have you alternately laughing out loud and drying your eyes as he goes through the 7th grade year. He's convinced Mrs. Baker hates him, his older sister wants to be a "flower child," his dad is consumed with building his achitectural business, and his friends are mad at him because he got a creme puff. And wait till you hear what he has to wear! Whether you grew up in the 60s or are growing up now, this book will resonate with some of the ridiculous situations we occasionally find ourselves in, and the sometimes painful process of finding our way in the world. Parents and kids alike will love this book and I'm planning to get it on audiobook for the car on our next family trip. Very highly recommended!

I loved this book! I bought it because my kid will be on the Pentathlon Team at school and she needs to read it for competition. I thought I'd start reading it just to get an idea of what she would read and I couldn't put it down! It gives a great feel for what life was like growing up in the sixties (that's 1960s) through the eyes of a middle schooler. If you lived through the 60s, it's a great look back, and if you weren't there in the 60s, it gives an idea of what life was like.

I went to a presentation by the author, I sat next to a kid who probably didn't think reading was cool, and going to see the author was less cool. I asked him which book he'd read, he said the Wednesday Wars. I said what did you think? He said it was good, you know, for a book. After the author finished discussing the Wednesday Wars and his inspiration for the book I elbowed the boy next to me and said What do you think now? He said I think I like, you know more than before.

This book is just what I like, it makes you laugh, it makes you cry, it makes you think and it makes you smile. I read Macbeth for the first time in 7th grade, I had to read a play for school, and my dad handed me MacBeth and said I think you'll like this, I groaned heavily, but I read it, and then I read the rest of Shakespeare's plays. I got an A for being the only kid to tackle Shakespeare. I will leave all the other reviews to disect the plot for you. I think to really benefit from a book this good both the young adult and the parents should read it. As for Mr. Schmidt he is still one of my very favorite writers for young people, and I hope he writes for a very long time!

Hat's off to Mr. Elliott for putting together such a true to life story about young boys coming of age after WWII . He takes you back in time to when life was simple but harder . A story about an area and time not so much different from my own childhood in the midwest .Sedwick had me asking myself , why I hadn't talked to my own father more about his own WWII experiences when I had the chance The book is filled with elements of both joy and sadness .Along with some thoughts to live by.I found a lot of pleasure in reading this book, and I hope to find out how John Walters does in life as an adult .

I lived in Mr. Elliot's geographical and emotional era, and shared with many others his source of inspiration. The elders of our era greatly affected our lives, as they had fought the great wars, and lived through the great depression.

Ray does an excellent job of describing the feelings of those who lived through those times. His local descriptions are true to his early formative years, both in the people and the farms and small villages that surrounded him. Reading this book reveals an insight into the source of the values of people who live in mid-America.

As I read the book, I kept thinking about Thomas Wolfe's "You Can't Go Home Again", as the style of melding autobiography and fiction is similar. Not only is the style similar, the quality of descriptive passages and the expression of personal philosophy urges the reader to become personally involved in the book.

Ray shows us through this work that our lives today are not that much different from the 1950's, it was just that our lives now move at such a much faster pace and those threats that seemed so far away back then are now much closer and personal.

Just as the general store that is presented in this book is now torn down, and the bridges described are replaced by modern structures, this way of life is also gone. Read this book to learn what formed all of us into what we have become, and discover more about our common roots. The people that are described are the people that helped make America great, the people who helped secure our liberty in the past.

Ray Elliott's novel brought to life many characters and events from my roots and childhood experiences in a similar Midwest rural environment. Vivid characterizations made the storyline especially poignant for me. I heard the author speak in the fall of 2005 @ The Memphis Peabody Hotel on a panel with Larry Heinemann and Ron Kovic (who was connected via a conference phone line) during a James Jones Literary Society symposium. The author's empathetic and perceptive analysis of people, places and events from WWII through the Vietnam era were astounding. I highly recommend this novel and I look very forward to Mr. Elliott's next novel which I understand gives a treatment to the characters and drama of Iwo Jima.

With „Wild Hands Toward the Sky" Elliott closes the circle from Mailers „The Naked and the Dead" and James Jones` „The Thin Red Line". He shows us the fears, hopes, feelings and problems of those who stayed home and those who came back from WWII. For me, as a student of American Studies in Frankfurt, Germany, „Wild Hands Toward the Sky" also gave me an excellent insight to language of the Midwest.

Ray Elliot's novel is an interesting first work in very much the same way as James Jones's THEY SHALL INHERIT LAUGHTER. Although the style is more accomplished and even than his predecessor's first unpublished work, WILD HANDS TOWARD THE SKY perhaps contains too much descriptive detail rather than a distinctive voice the author should work towards. But, despite containing problems affecting every novelist's first work, WILD HANDS TOWARDS THE SKY remains memorable as a insightful chronicle of southern Illinois in the postwar period and a record of a lifestyle which will change as succeeding decades pass.

EllIot adopts a realistic style to narrate his own version of a touching "Bildungsroman" romance of a young boy who has has lost a father he never knew during World War Two and surrounded by a walking wounded community of survivors and bereaved relatives. Although one might see traces of Bobbie Ann Mason's IN COUNTRY, Elliot wisely avoids the "don't mean nothing" syndrome which can lead to ahistorical, postmodernist appropriation. The war has meant everything to its survivors who sympathize with the bereaved John Walter. Although they do not engage in "Phony War" stories, they act as moral guardians of a growing boy doing their utmost to deglamorize war using everyday, low key statements in the hope that he will learn indirectly from their experiences.

Southern Illinois is, of course, the home territory of James Jones whose influence casts a deep shadow over this novel both by reference to the man himself and the deep changes every character faces in the novel whether they have participated directly in the conflict or not. Ray Elliot charts his own direction but acknowledges indirectly the important role of his predecessor. WILD HANDS TOWARD THE SKY is an important novel of local history. Hopefully, it will represent the first in a series of works where the writer will explore themes more intuitively with the development of his own particular style which will come by constant practice over the years. This novel definitely represents a "first" and deserves acclaim as an important achievement in its own right. But a "first" often leads to much better things and this novel reveals a promise which the author will probably fulfil in his later works in the fullness of time.

A "must read" for any boy who craves adventure stories. No elves or dragons or monsters - just a real picture of life of a small boy on the Indiana frontier. If you enjoyed the Little House on the Prairie books you'll love this.

This is such a good book to share with modern Hoosier children. It gives them a taste of what life was like for some of the early pioneer children living in Indiana. I have read this book to my fouth grade classes for years, and they always love it.

The Bears of Blue River is a book I can heartily recommend parents to buy and read to their children. This book, about the many pioneer outdoors experiences of young Balser in the 1820's, is a great way to introduce youngsters to life in a simpler, yet challenging time. My children are captivated as they hang on every word of Balser's bear hunting exploits in the forests of the then-young State of Indiana. My Mother, who is 91 years of age, purchased the book for my young son, and wrote in the forward "Your Grandpa Wayne liked these stories when he was a boy". Eighty-five years later, his 12 year old and 4 year old grandsons are equally enthusiastic. Don't miss this one for your sons!

What a great book! My husband enjoyed the book when he was a boy. We shared it with our children. They loved it,too! Great adventures.

In 1953 I started first-grade in southern Indiana. My teacher, Pearl Monroe, read Charles Major's 1900 Bears of Blue River to us. She, also, read it to my father in a one-room school house. It was my favorite book. There was one sad part in the book where Mrs. Monroe always cried. She would have an older student finish the chapter. In about 1980, I read it to my kindergarten age son. I also cried when the Polly died in an explosion that killed the dreaded Fire Bear. About five years ago, in a used book store in Colorado. I read it to my father who was in his 80's. Together we enjoyed the memories it brought back. This year I started teaching fourth-grade at the Odessa Christian School here in Odessa, TX - having just retired after 21 years with the pubilc schools. I just finished reading this marvelous adventure story to my class. They all acclaimed that it was the best book they ever heard read. I highly recommend this book and the sequel, Uncle Tom Andy Bill. Donald Potter

Many of the preceding reviews .... "a page turner" and "can't put it down" may be trite but are on target. The setting here is the main campus of the University of Texas at Austin. Jennifer Cave, a wayward but nice girl from Corpus Christi, TX is brutally murdered. The perp is an equally wayward but decidedly not nice quiff from Little Rock, AR Carlton Pitonyak. There is a sense of dread early on. The reader may quickly realize that something horrible will happen to poor Jennifer. A relentlessly negative portrayal of both UT and the city of Austin amplifies this effect of impending doom. The later part of DH deals with how- or if- the spinning wheels of justice will close in on Carlton. Authoress Casey definitely maintains reader interest far into DH, even throughout Carlton's trial. Many such proceedings are cut and tried affairs in true crime land, but not here. This reader was waiting for Carlton's lawyer to pull a rabbit out of a hat. There are 2 minor sidebars to DH: The first is that Casey manifestly became very close to the Cave family, perhaps a tad too much so. The second is that the trail of justice actually crosses the Rio Grande into Piedras Negras, Mexico! This reviewer was reminded of the quandary faced by John Wayne in "Rio Grande". How does the Law deal with that pesky flowing border? The bottom line is that "A Descent into Hell" is a winning true crime tale and a perfectly save choice for aficionados. This reviewer is compelled to state that the "Ann Rule Rule" is once again in effect. The centerfold photos and especially the back cover reveal too much. Readers should ignore both until finished with the text.

This story is so heartbreaking and the crime so repellent that I wasn't sure I wanted to read it. The writing is so superb though, that I couldn't put it down. The author brings the people involved to life. Any book by this author is well worth the money. I hope she continues to write since I know have all her books.

I read the author's other book about the serial rapist and the wife about a week ago and was blown away with the authors writing style

I don't read many true crime except for an ocasional Ann Rule book.

Enough about me, Kathryn Casey is the type of writer that can take a story with hundred's of facts, details, characters and make you really "feel" the whole experience and drama without getting lost or bored. I only bought this book on the strength of reading one of her other stories just to see if it was just a fluke that what I read was her best writing. Well, this book topped that book.

I RARELY/NEVER shed a tear reading books. What can I say, I'm a man. I actually shed a tear 2 times and semi-cried one time reading this story. I'm glad I was alone because my wife would of thought I was losing it.

I plan on reading all of her stories now. If you read True Crime either casually or often READ THIS BOOK.

but this is one of the best true-crime books I have ever read. Almost any standard we could use to typify the genre is at work here, redoubled: the mashalling of hundreds of little facts of college-student life and leisure at the mammoth main branch of the University of Texas (Austin); the precision with which the characters (and their background) are drawn; the feel of each town the characters live in; and the psychological pressures and doubts that even the minor characters face in this complex, but enthralling real-life drama.

Best of all, IMHO the conclusions to be drawn from DESCENT INTO HELL are honestly won, based on factual detail and without attitudinizing on author Kathryn Casey's part. Never did I get the feeling that the shy, late-blooming college student at the center of this book had been "broken" from surviving a divorced household, for example; nor did I feel that the promising business student turned drug-dealer was doomed by virtue of his upper-middle-class upbriging. This is a truly fascinating saga that Casey has wrestled into readable form, and without trading on easy stereotypes. An intelligent book that will make its readers feel more intelligent as well as thoroughly engrossed.

One aspect of this book that has largely escaped attention is the manner in which modern state "megaversities" are administered, if that's the word. San Marcos State Teachers College held only a few hundred students when Lyndon Johnson got his degree in the 1930s; by the turn of this century, at the time the victim in the book studied there briefly, it had changed its name to "Texas State University" and held over 27,000 students. With over fifty thousand students, U. Texas' crown jewel and the setting for most of this book's plot, the Austin campus, offers a bewildering variety of choices for the undergraduate/consumer. Nearby, main avenues are loaded with pricey boutiques and restaurants; on dingy side streets all manner of illicit drugs are available, from pot and $3-per-pill Ecstasy to prescription painkillers, even heroin.

Nowhere did I get the notion that some interested and non-related adult was on hand to suspect the incipient pathology of the book's killer. Not a tenured faculty member, dean's assistant or college counselor figures into the story, probably because so many "best and brightest" State U. campuses have evolved such efficient mechanisms to keep the professoriate away from the undergrads. I'm not saying that if a little bit of in loco parentis had been there, the murderer would have been stopped ahead of time; but I was struck by the number of people whose acquaintances consisted of several "gangs" (including at least one literal gang) of non-overlapping young adults. I can't help thinking it's a pity.

The things wrong with this book:

1. The title. I mean, A Descent into Hell? Really? It sounds like a title that the Lifetime TV movie people rejected as too trite. At least Baby Monitor: The Sound of Fear and Ski Lift to Death (hey, look them up if you don't believe me) had some character.

2. The subtitle. "An Altar Boy" and "a Cheerleader"? Need I say more?

3. The pacing. This is a story about a murder, people. Let's at least bring the pacing up to the level of an episode of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. If the narrative had been any slower, I would have had to don my gorilla suit and read the book while marching back and forth across the room to Sousa marches just to keep myself mildly entertained.

4. The editing. I actually started marking the diction and grammatical errors just because it was a lot more interesting than trying to keep my mind on the book. Examples: "disinterested" instead of "uninterested"; getting one's car "out of hock" to mean getting it out of an impound lot ("hock" means you sold it to a pawnbroker, duh). And I've rarely encountered a tin ear for dialog like the one on display here. A representative sample:

"Finally, she grabbed the arm of a young man in a uniform, shouting, 'Is my sister all right?' [At least it doesn't say "alright" -- I'll give the author that.]
'Your sister's dead,' he said, pulling away.
When the man walked by again, Vanessa, sobbing, yelled, 'You don't know how this feels.'
'I do,' he said, more kindly. 'My sister jumped off a mountain in Greece last summer. All I can tell you is it will get better.'"

Uh. HUH. And:

"Vanessa's entire body ached. She'd never felt so alone."

Whoa, ace narrative technique there, Hoss! Maybe soon you can graduate to having one of the subjects of the book drop a family portrait so that the glass in the frame shatters.

5. The blurb by Ann Rule saying, "Kathryn Casey is one of the best true crime writers today." This statement is wrong on so many levels that I won't even bother to deconstruct it, but I will say that either the state of true crime writing is worse than I thought or there's some serious logrolling going on here.

Oh, I know, I know. This is what I get for reading true crime. You're probably right. Now excuse my while I go flip though In Cold Blood to get the taste of this thing out of my mouth.