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Matchmaker Lauren Holbrook is happy after putting together four successful couples. That is, until the tables are turned and she’s on the receiving end of the matchmaking!

Lauren and her boyfriend, Ryan, devise a plan to make it look as if they’ve broken up so people will get off their backs about marriage. No problem, right? That’s of course until Lauren realizes she’s in love.

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 "totally awesome!" 2009-09-01
By Aerial Mitchell
This book is one of the best books EVER!!! its sweet and totally HYSTERICAL!! I loved

the characters and the plots....I only wish I could have this much fun LOL!!

 "My daughter loved this book." 2009-02-06
By L. Johnson (CA)
My daughter had read the other books in this series, and she couldn't wait to get it. When she got it she couldn't set it down. The only problem is now, she's finished it, and she has to wait for another either in this series, or from this auther.

 "great ending for this series!!!" 2009-01-28
By jennifer E. (Saint Clairsville, OH USA)
Loved this series. You definitely need to start with the first book which is called Miss Match. It is a great g rated love story with some great twist and turns. I highly recommend and I am already patiently (or not so patiently) waiting for her next series to start.

 "A satisfactory ending to the series" 2008-12-26
By Novel Teen Book Reviews (USA)
Review by Gigi Hoffman



Match Point, the third and final book in the Lauren Holbrook Novel series by Erynn Mangum, is a satisfactory ending to the series.



Laurie's matchmaking skills have paid off--four of the couples she's matched are now married, and it's just time before another couple gets engaged. With all her friends married and her singles' Bible study basically the couples' Bible study now, there's no one left to matchmake. What's a girl supposed to do?



While Laurie is trying to find others to play Cupid with, the friends she's matched turn on her, and play matchmaker with her and her boyfriend, Ryan. Laurie's not sure how she feels about that. One matchmaker is enough, and she's already got that role filled. To get away from the constant discussions and pressuring toward marriage, Laurie and Ryan pull a fake break-up. It's a great plan until Laurie realizes one very important thing--she's in love.



This book wraps up everything in the series. Some parts seem to drag a little, but it's got the same fun parts like the previous novels--coffee, chocolate, and chick-flick quotes. If you've read the previous two books, the third one is a must.

 "Simply Amazing" 2008-06-22
By Susan Katz (Ambler, PA USA)
I read the first two Lauren Holbrook novels and was anxiously awaiting the release of Matchpoint. Well, my wait was ended beautifully when I received my copy. I devoured it right away, couldn't put it down. There were times when I just wanted to jump in the pages and tell Laurie she was being so totally clueless but I knew I had to wait and see what happened. I was not dissappointed with this book at all!


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The Teenage Liberation Handbook: How to Quit School and Get a Real Life and Education

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An estimated 700,000 American children are now taught at home. This book tells teens how to take control of their lives and get a "real life." Young people can reclaim their natural ability to teach themselves and design a personalized education program. Grace Llewellyn explains the entire process, from making the decision to quit school, to discovering the learning opportunities available.
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 "Buy one for every kid you know" 2009-03-07
By Alan Morse (Maine)
I'm a former teacher in both public and private schools, the doting father of a teenager, a multi-term school board member, and a graduate of an "excellent" urban high school who went on to what some consider the top college in the country and two masters programs after that...so don't accuse me of bearing some grudge against the system for past failures or toying with the future of others' kids. If anything, I know just a tad too much about schools---even "good" schools---from continuing personal experience, and I would buy this book in a second out of my own pocket for any teen in my district who promised to read it. I've read most of it more than once myself, kept returning to it as a reference, given away copies, and recommended it publicly just yesterday to a roomful of juniors at my high school...thus my return here to check again its availability and price.



If you are a kid who can't think for yourself, don't waste your money. Stay where you are. You and your school deserve each other, and I wish you a happy life.



If you are a parent who thinks it risky giving this to your child, I would suspect you have a short, selective memory and a fear of conflict. Maybe you won't agree with everything in here, but what the hell do you risk to lose opening up an honest discussion with your kid? It might be a life changing event for both of you. Buy two of them so you can both read it at the same time and mark up your own copies. Maybe both of you will agree it's not for you, but you'll be much closer for opening the door, and school will then be more positive for being a considered choice rather than a forced obligation.

 "Think for yourself" 2009-02-23
By T. Arnold (Pennsylvania)
I am a middle school English teacher, and I use this book to teach the importance of thinking for yourself--but probably not in the way it was intended. When teaching a unit on non-fiction, I always address the importance of being able to determine fact vs. opinion--and this book is rife with examples of the latter. It is clear that the author had a very, very bad experience with school. It is also true that school is not for everyone--as a teacher I can say that with confidence. It is also true that many people would benefit from being self-taught or home-taught. But there are books about those things that do not do what this book does--make one feel like an idiot for doing anything other than dropping out immediately. I hate to use the word brain-washing--because ironically, this is just what Llewellyn is claiming schools do--but to base a major life decision such as dropping out of school on such an extremist book is to succumb to the same kind of crazy coercion that schools supposedly are using to `keep kids down'. If you go to far to the end of any spectrum, oddly, you wind up at the same place--to blindly accept everything about the public school system is just as stupid as blindly accepting the half-truths and poorly written opinions of this woman.

In addition, I feel that the examples given by Llewellyn are rather extreme--in fact, feel free to read this book, but then I urge you--think long and hard about whether or not your particular school functions in the same way. If your school and school life honestly resembles what Llewellyn describes, then go for it and drop out. I probably would--and I'd certainly take my own child out of such an environment. As a teacher, I can promise that my school and my classroom resemble the nightmare experience not at all--kids are treated with respect and in turn show respect back to their classmates and their teachers--amazing but true--and in a middle school!

 "17 Years Too Late For Me...." 2008-11-30
By K. J. Wagner (St. Louis, MO United States)
I love this book. Would have been The Best Thing back in the day, but alas, it was published the same year I graduated high school, and I never heard of it until now.



This book is full of wild and vibrant ideas, I read it and I checked it out last week from the library for my own mom. While I may have gotten out of school 17 years ago, I have two little kids who are just at the right age to start school, and I find myself very reluctant to put them into that situation.



We all carry scars around from our school years, everyone has horror stories of what school was like. What if we could have stepped out of that? For so many people, they don't even realize that there could be a different option. The idea that this exists is beyond them.



This also opens a whole new world of what it means to homeschool. I always thought of it as a (yes, ultra-religious) kid sitting at the kitchen table while mom lectures and hands out worksheets. Ew! This book instead focuses on living in the world, not the school.



If this author is too flighty, so be it! After having bicycled across six different European countries, earned a college degree (graduating cum laude from a private, four-year university) and founding my own business, I think the author is truly onto something here. I think the criticisms of being too flighty probably translate into the criticism of "not knowing your place." Thank goodness so many people in the world have the fire to go after what their passions dictate, and not what everyone else dictates.

 "weak, effeminate, lacks seriousness" 2008-10-06
By T. Johnson (U.S.)
I thought the author was a bit immature. I found the author's lack of seriousness to be a serious conflict to my real interest in accomplishing something in the world via educating myself. The author is a wanderer who wants to follow ever passion that comes her way.



The real issue with quitting school is discipline and purpose. If you don't have a lot of both then it seems foolish and could easily end up in vain. The author does not advise caution nor does she provide a voice of reason and wisdom.

 "good resource" 2008-08-18
By A. Willson
Read this book with the idea that whether or not you agree with everything, it will provide many opportunities for reflection. The author seems out-of-touch, a bit, with the current generation. Her ideals and opinions about "school" sometimes come off as flaky. For example, she's disappointed that someone would leave public school for another way to meet school requirements. Even though that person is just fine with that, her disappointment is over not choosing her definition of "unschooling"--as if they still don't get how brain washed they are.

Bottom line, if one has reservations about the public/traditional education offered, this book might be just the needed inspiration to seek an alternative. The second part is especially useful. Use it as a resource, but don't overlook others. If you are seeking validation to challenging the institution of school, there are other better written books.


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Buy The Teenage Liberation Handbook: How to Quit School and Get a Real Life and Education Now

The Teenage Liberation Handbook: How to Quit School and Get a Real Life and Education

Buy Cheap The Teenage Liberation Handbook: How to Quit School and Get a Real Life and Education

Buy Low Price From Here Now
An estimated 700,000 American children are now taught at home. This book tells teens how to take control of their lives and get a "real life." Young people can reclaim their natural ability to teach themselves and design a personalized education program. Grace Llewellyn explains the entire process, from making the decision to quit school, to discovering the learning opportunities available.
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 "Buy one for every kid you know" 2009-03-07
By Alan Morse (Maine)
I'm a former teacher in both public and private schools, the doting father of a teenager, a multi-term school board member, and a graduate of an "excellent" urban high school who went on to what some consider the top college in the country and two masters programs after that...so don't accuse me of bearing some grudge against the system for past failures or toying with the future of others' kids. If anything, I know just a tad too much about schools---even "good" schools---from continuing personal experience, and I would buy this book in a second out of my own pocket for any teen in my district who promised to read it. I've read most of it more than once myself, kept returning to it as a reference, given away copies, and recommended it publicly just yesterday to a roomful of juniors at my high school...thus my return here to check again its availability and price.



If you are a kid who can't think for yourself, don't waste your money. Stay where you are. You and your school deserve each other, and I wish you a happy life.



If you are a parent who thinks it risky giving this to your child, I would suspect you have a short, selective memory and a fear of conflict. Maybe you won't agree with everything in here, but what the hell do you risk to lose opening up an honest discussion with your kid? It might be a life changing event for both of you. Buy two of them so you can both read it at the same time and mark up your own copies. Maybe both of you will agree it's not for you, but you'll be much closer for opening the door, and school will then be more positive for being a considered choice rather than a forced obligation.

 "Think for yourself" 2009-02-23
By T. Arnold (Pennsylvania)
I am a middle school English teacher, and I use this book to teach the importance of thinking for yourself--but probably not in the way it was intended. When teaching a unit on non-fiction, I always address the importance of being able to determine fact vs. opinion--and this book is rife with examples of the latter. It is clear that the author had a very, very bad experience with school. It is also true that school is not for everyone--as a teacher I can say that with confidence. It is also true that many people would benefit from being self-taught or home-taught. But there are books about those things that do not do what this book does--make one feel like an idiot for doing anything other than dropping out immediately. I hate to use the word brain-washing--because ironically, this is just what Llewellyn is claiming schools do--but to base a major life decision such as dropping out of school on such an extremist book is to succumb to the same kind of crazy coercion that schools supposedly are using to `keep kids down'. If you go to far to the end of any spectrum, oddly, you wind up at the same place--to blindly accept everything about the public school system is just as stupid as blindly accepting the half-truths and poorly written opinions of this woman.

In addition, I feel that the examples given by Llewellyn are rather extreme--in fact, feel free to read this book, but then I urge you--think long and hard about whether or not your particular school functions in the same way. If your school and school life honestly resembles what Llewellyn describes, then go for it and drop out. I probably would--and I'd certainly take my own child out of such an environment. As a teacher, I can promise that my school and my classroom resemble the nightmare experience not at all--kids are treated with respect and in turn show respect back to their classmates and their teachers--amazing but true--and in a middle school!

 "17 Years Too Late For Me...." 2008-11-30
By K. J. Wagner (St. Louis, MO United States)
I love this book. Would have been The Best Thing back in the day, but alas, it was published the same year I graduated high school, and I never heard of it until now.



This book is full of wild and vibrant ideas, I read it and I checked it out last week from the library for my own mom. While I may have gotten out of school 17 years ago, I have two little kids who are just at the right age to start school, and I find myself very reluctant to put them into that situation.



We all carry scars around from our school years, everyone has horror stories of what school was like. What if we could have stepped out of that? For so many people, they don't even realize that there could be a different option. The idea that this exists is beyond them.



This also opens a whole new world of what it means to homeschool. I always thought of it as a (yes, ultra-religious) kid sitting at the kitchen table while mom lectures and hands out worksheets. Ew! This book instead focuses on living in the world, not the school.



If this author is too flighty, so be it! After having bicycled across six different European countries, earned a college degree (graduating cum laude from a private, four-year university) and founding my own business, I think the author is truly onto something here. I think the criticisms of being too flighty probably translate into the criticism of "not knowing your place." Thank goodness so many people in the world have the fire to go after what their passions dictate, and not what everyone else dictates.

 "weak, effeminate, lacks seriousness" 2008-10-06
By T. Johnson (U.S.)
I thought the author was a bit immature. I found the author's lack of seriousness to be a serious conflict to my real interest in accomplishing something in the world via educating myself. The author is a wanderer who wants to follow ever passion that comes her way.



The real issue with quitting school is discipline and purpose. If you don't have a lot of both then it seems foolish and could easily end up in vain. The author does not advise caution nor does she provide a voice of reason and wisdom.

 "good resource" 2008-08-18
By A. Willson
Read this book with the idea that whether or not you agree with everything, it will provide many opportunities for reflection. The author seems out-of-touch, a bit, with the current generation. Her ideals and opinions about "school" sometimes come off as flaky. For example, she's disappointed that someone would leave public school for another way to meet school requirements. Even though that person is just fine with that, her disappointment is over not choosing her definition of "unschooling"--as if they still don't get how brain washed they are.

Bottom line, if one has reservations about the public/traditional education offered, this book might be just the needed inspiration to seek an alternative. The second part is especially useful. Use it as a resource, but don't overlook others. If you are seeking validation to challenging the institution of school, there are other better written books.


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Buy The Teenage Liberation Handbook: How to Quit School and Get a Real Life and Education Now

A Celebration of Hand-Hooked Rugs X

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It has been 10 years since Rug-Hooking began the competition and book series A Celebration of Hand Hooked Rugs, and this year the title couldn't be more appropriate. Rug hookers worldwide have reason to celebrate the existence of this fine series and many of the rugs in this edition celebrate . . . celebrations! Holidays, birthdays, weddings, and other special occasions are featured in the juried work of this book. The jury selected hooked rugs in Celebration X are presented as full views and close-ups. This edition presents a variety of styles and subjects from finely shaded classic portraits to bold, exuberant primitives. The artists of the winning rugs explain in detail the designing, dyeing, and hooking process integral to the creation of these works of fiber art.
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 "Another wonderful collection of hooked rugs" 2001-07-22
By Rosemary A. Strube (Green Valley, AZ USA)
This annual series of hooked rugs is always inspirational. But then I'm a little prejudiced as one of my hooked pieces is in this issue. The photography is first rate and you get a 2 page description/picture of each juried piece. There are 36 total pieces featured.


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We Are All Welcome Here

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 "Do read" 2009-09-05
By Reading Teacher
I didn't want this one to end. I was hoping for a sequel until I got to the end and realized it wasn't going to happen. Enjoy it!

 "good read" 2009-08-28
By Nancy Miller (cincinnati, OH USA)
I had to read this book for school and it was easy to read and pretty good

 "Pushing the Limits: An Inspirational Tale..." 2009-05-26
By Laurel-Rain Snow - Raine- (Fresno, California)
It is 1964, in Tupelo, Mississippi, and a young mother, Paige Dunn - paralyzed by polio while pregnant with her daughter Diana - lives a life limited by her condition and as a single mother. But because of her inner strength and determination, she is raising her daughter, now entering her teens. Paige's in-home help (she is a quadriplegic) consists of a young black woman (Peacie) who comes in the daytime, and another helper who comes for part of each night.



Against this backdrop, Peacie and her husband LaRue, also constrained by their own limitations of race during a time of segregation, are equally determined to push for a life beyond its limitations. While Peacie cares for Paige, LaRue decides to help with the voter registration cause, involving himself in protest marches and placing himself at risk.



Gradually, things begin to unravel for these characters: LaRue is arrested, Peacie bails him out with money loaned by Paige - who can ill afford it - and someone has called to report the family to social services for having "insufficient help" in the home. Peacie's occasional absences have taken a toll.



Throughout the dire series of events that lead to what might seem a hopeless situation, Paige maintains her faith and hope, determined to find the help she needs so that she can finish her job parenting her daughter.



What unexpected events turn this disaster on end? And will Diana's father be of assistance? Will Peacie return in her role as caretaker? Or will Paige have to finally give in to her limitations?



Just when they are all about to give up, an unexpected visitor appears - someone who owes Paige a debt of gratitude for something that occurred many years before - and their lives are all blessedly improved.



An inspirational story based on true events that have been fictionalized, We Are All Welcome Here: A Novel sends a message of hope to all those who have almost given up on the circumstances that seemingly control their lives.



Laurel-Rain Snow

 "Medical treatment for Polio, Psychology & Beauty" 2008-07-18
By Fred W. Hood
Upon first reading this wonderful story of Medical care, Psychology & Beauty I became saddened. I wondered how it could become more compelling? As got the teenager Dianna who had been born in her mother's Iron Lung, I noted she came to be the narrator. Her Mother, Paige could only move her head requiring the continual respirator and personal care day and night.



Her care-givers were Peacie a loving black woman during the day. Mrs Gruder at night along with Diana, who always awakened during the early hours to her Mother's voice. Every few weeks the Social Worker Susan, came by to check on Peacie, Paige & Diana. It was during those times that Peacie & Diana lied about who was taking care of Paige during the night.



Each person expressed their feelings of love and cocer for each other. I noted the author's use of psychology in the relationships of Diana & her friend, Suralee. They created plays about their neighbors, enemies and shop owners related to their parents.



Iris Johanson created a sub-plot of Civil Rights' marches which LaRue & Li'l Bit joined for voters' rights! Crucial times were all contrasted with the peacefulness of Paige, Peacie & Diana. Not long after this the family was forced to find new care-takers.



When I came to the surprise ending, Paige is able to enter College and graduate. There are hopeful scenes of "redemptive beauty" as Paige comes to "see the light everywhere!" In spite of all her obstacles she succeeds in seeing the inner beauty of life! With gratitude,

Retired Chaplan Fred W Hood

 "Picked up on a whim, no regrets" 2008-06-20
By M.V. (TX, USA)
I picked this up off the discount table at the bookstore, was headed out for summer vacation and it looked like an interesting read for the beach. I have to say I don't normally read this author but the premise for this book sounded interesting to me. I was not dissappointed, really enjoyed the story and when I realized it was based loosely on a women's real past history, that just made it even more interesting. It was a quick read, which will leave you somewhat sad, and wondering how would I have dealt with something like this.


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We Are All Welcome Here: A Novel

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Elizabeth Berg, bestselling author of The Art of Mending and The Year of Pleasures, has a rare talent for revealing her characters’ hearts and minds in a manner that makes us empathize completely. Her new novel, We Are All Welcome Here, features three women, each struggling against overwhelming odds for her own kind of freedom.
It is the summer of 1964. In Tupelo, Mississippi, the town of Elvis’s birth, tensions are mounting over civil-rights demonstrations occurring ever more frequently–and violently–across the state. But in Paige Dunn’s small, ramshackle house, there are more immediate concerns. Challenged by the effects of the polio she contracted during her last month of pregnancy, Paige is nonetheless determined to live as normal a life as possible and to raise her daughter, Diana, in the way she sees fit–with the support of her tough-talking black caregiver, Peacie.
Diana is trying in her own fashion to live a normal life. As a fourteen-year-old, she wants to make money for clothes and magazines, to slough off the authority of her mother and Peacie, to figure out the puzzle that is boys, and to escape the oppressiveness she sees everywhere in her small town. What she can never escape, however, is the way her life is markedly different from others’. Nor can she escape her ongoing responsibility to assist in caring for her mother. Paige Dunn is attractive, charming, intelligent, and lively, but her needs are great–and relentless.
As the summer unfolds, hate and adversity will visit this modest home. Despite the difficulties thrust upon them, each of the women will find her own path to independence, understanding, and peace. And Diana’s mother, so mightily compromised, will end up giving her daughter an extraordinary gift few parents could match.
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 "Do read" 2009-09-05
By Reading Teacher
I didn't want this one to end. I was hoping for a sequel until I got to the end and realized it wasn't going to happen. Enjoy it!

 "good read" 2009-08-28
By Nancy Miller (cincinnati, OH USA)
I had to read this book for school and it was easy to read and pretty good

 "Pushing the Limits: An Inspirational Tale..." 2009-05-26
By Laurel-Rain Snow - Raine- (Fresno, California)
It is 1964, in Tupelo, Mississippi, and a young mother, Paige Dunn - paralyzed by polio while pregnant with her daughter Diana - lives a life limited by her condition and as a single mother. But because of her inner strength and determination, she is raising her daughter, now entering her teens. Paige's in-home help (she is a quadriplegic) consists of a young black woman (Peacie) who comes in the daytime, and another helper who comes for part of each night.



Against this backdrop, Peacie and her husband LaRue, also constrained by their own limitations of race during a time of segregation, are equally determined to push for a life beyond its limitations. While Peacie cares for Paige, LaRue decides to help with the voter registration cause, involving himself in protest marches and placing himself at risk.



Gradually, things begin to unravel for these characters: LaRue is arrested, Peacie bails him out with money loaned by Paige - who can ill afford it - and someone has called to report the family to social services for having "insufficient help" in the home. Peacie's occasional absences have taken a toll.



Throughout the dire series of events that lead to what might seem a hopeless situation, Paige maintains her faith and hope, determined to find the help she needs so that she can finish her job parenting her daughter.



What unexpected events turn this disaster on end? And will Diana's father be of assistance? Will Peacie return in her role as caretaker? Or will Paige have to finally give in to her limitations?



Just when they are all about to give up, an unexpected visitor appears - someone who owes Paige a debt of gratitude for something that occurred many years before - and their lives are all blessedly improved.



An inspirational story based on true events that have been fictionalized, We Are All Welcome Here: A Novel sends a message of hope to all those who have almost given up on the circumstances that seemingly control their lives.



Laurel-Rain Snow

 "Medical treatment for Polio, Psychology & Beauty" 2008-07-18
By Fred W. Hood
Upon first reading this wonderful story of Medical care, Psychology & Beauty I became saddened. I wondered how it could become more compelling? As got the teenager Dianna who had been born in her mother's Iron Lung, I noted she came to be the narrator. Her Mother, Paige could only move her head requiring the continual respirator and personal care day and night.



Her care-givers were Peacie a loving black woman during the day. Mrs Gruder at night along with Diana, who always awakened during the early hours to her Mother's voice. Every few weeks the Social Worker Susan, came by to check on Peacie, Paige & Diana. It was during those times that Peacie & Diana lied about who was taking care of Paige during the night.



Each person expressed their feelings of love and cocer for each other. I noted the author's use of psychology in the relationships of Diana & her friend, Suralee. They created plays about their neighbors, enemies and shop owners related to their parents.



Iris Johanson created a sub-plot of Civil Rights' marches which LaRue & Li'l Bit joined for voters' rights! Crucial times were all contrasted with the peacefulness of Paige, Peacie & Diana. Not long after this the family was forced to find new care-takers.



When I came to the surprise ending, Paige is able to enter College and graduate. There are hopeful scenes of "redemptive beauty" as Paige comes to "see the light everywhere!" In spite of all her obstacles she succeeds in seeing the inner beauty of life! With gratitude,

Retired Chaplan Fred W Hood

 "Picked up on a whim, no regrets" 2008-06-20
By M.V. (TX, USA)
I picked this up off the discount table at the bookstore, was headed out for summer vacation and it looked like an interesting read for the beach. I have to say I don't normally read this author but the premise for this book sounded interesting to me. I was not dissappointed, really enjoyed the story and when I realized it was based loosely on a women's real past history, that just made it even more interesting. It was a quick read, which will leave you somewhat sad, and wondering how would I have dealt with something like this.


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We Are All Welcome Here: A Novel (Random House Large Print (Cloth/Paper))

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Elizabeth Berg, bestselling author of The Art of Mending and The Year of Pleasures, has a rare talent for revealing her characters’ hearts and minds in a manner that makes us empathize completely. Her new novel, We Are All Welcome Here, features three women, each struggling against overwhelming odds for her own kind of freedom.
It is the summer of 1964. In Tupelo, Mississippi, the town of Elvis’s birth, tensions are mounting over civil-rights demonstrations occurring ever more frequently–and violently–across the state. But in Paige Dunn’s small, ramshackle house, there are more immediate concerns. Challenged by the effects of the polio she contracted during her last month of pregnancy, Paige is nonetheless determined to live as normal a life as possible and to raise her daughter, Diana, in the way she sees fit–with the support of her tough-talking black caregiver, Peacie.
Diana is trying in her own fashion to live a normal life. As a fourteen-year-old, she wants to make money for clothes and magazines, to slough off the authority of her mother and Peacie, to figure out the puzzle that is boys, and to escape the oppressiveness she sees everywhere in her small town. What she can never escape, however, is the way her life is markedly different from others’. Nor can she escape her ongoing responsibility to assist in caring for her mother. Paige Dunn is attractive, charming, intelligent, and lively, but her needs are great–and relentless.
As the summer unfolds, hate and adversity will visit this modest home. Despite the difficulties thrust upon them, each of the women will find her own path to independence, understanding, and peace. And Diana’s mother, so mightily compromised, will end up giving her daughter an extraordinary gift few parents could match.
Readmore

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 "Do read" 2009-09-05
By Reading Teacher
I didn't want this one to end. I was hoping for a sequel until I got to the end and realized it wasn't going to happen. Enjoy it!

 "good read" 2009-08-28
By Nancy Miller (cincinnati, OH USA)
I had to read this book for school and it was easy to read and pretty good

 "Pushing the Limits: An Inspirational Tale..." 2009-05-26
By Laurel-Rain Snow - Raine- (Fresno, California)
It is 1964, in Tupelo, Mississippi, and a young mother, Paige Dunn - paralyzed by polio while pregnant with her daughter Diana - lives a life limited by her condition and as a single mother. But because of her inner strength and determination, she is raising her daughter, now entering her teens. Paige's in-home help (she is a quadriplegic) consists of a young black woman (Peacie) who comes in the daytime, and another helper who comes for part of each night.



Against this backdrop, Peacie and her husband LaRue, also constrained by their own limitations of race during a time of segregation, are equally determined to push for a life beyond its limitations. While Peacie cares for Paige, LaRue decides to help with the voter registration cause, involving himself in protest marches and placing himself at risk.



Gradually, things begin to unravel for these characters: LaRue is arrested, Peacie bails him out with money loaned by Paige - who can ill afford it - and someone has called to report the family to social services for having "insufficient help" in the home. Peacie's occasional absences have taken a toll.



Throughout the dire series of events that lead to what might seem a hopeless situation, Paige maintains her faith and hope, determined to find the help she needs so that she can finish her job parenting her daughter.



What unexpected events turn this disaster on end? And will Diana's father be of assistance? Will Peacie return in her role as caretaker? Or will Paige have to finally give in to her limitations?



Just when they are all about to give up, an unexpected visitor appears - someone who owes Paige a debt of gratitude for something that occurred many years before - and their lives are all blessedly improved.



An inspirational story based on true events that have been fictionalized, We Are All Welcome Here: A Novel sends a message of hope to all those who have almost given up on the circumstances that seemingly control their lives.



Laurel-Rain Snow

 "Medical treatment for Polio, Psychology & Beauty" 2008-07-18
By Fred W. Hood
Upon first reading this wonderful story of Medical care, Psychology & Beauty I became saddened. I wondered how it could become more compelling? As got the teenager Dianna who had been born in her mother's Iron Lung, I noted she came to be the narrator. Her Mother, Paige could only move her head requiring the continual respirator and personal care day and night.



Her care-givers were Peacie a loving black woman during the day. Mrs Gruder at night along with Diana, who always awakened during the early hours to her Mother's voice. Every few weeks the Social Worker Susan, came by to check on Peacie, Paige & Diana. It was during those times that Peacie & Diana lied about who was taking care of Paige during the night.



Each person expressed their feelings of love and cocer for each other. I noted the author's use of psychology in the relationships of Diana & her friend, Suralee. They created plays about their neighbors, enemies and shop owners related to their parents.



Iris Johanson created a sub-plot of Civil Rights' marches which LaRue & Li'l Bit joined for voters' rights! Crucial times were all contrasted with the peacefulness of Paige, Peacie & Diana. Not long after this the family was forced to find new care-takers.



When I came to the surprise ending, Paige is able to enter College and graduate. There are hopeful scenes of "redemptive beauty" as Paige comes to "see the light everywhere!" In spite of all her obstacles she succeeds in seeing the inner beauty of life! With gratitude,

Retired Chaplan Fred W Hood

 "Picked up on a whim, no regrets" 2008-06-20
By M.V. (TX, USA)
I picked this up off the discount table at the bookstore, was headed out for summer vacation and it looked like an interesting read for the beach. I have to say I don't normally read this author but the premise for this book sounded interesting to me. I was not dissappointed, really enjoyed the story and when I realized it was based loosely on a women's real past history, that just made it even more interesting. It was a quick read, which will leave you somewhat sad, and wondering how would I have dealt with something like this.


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