everything in the world rejoices in the touch and everything in the world laments the losing.
593158
There is so much to love about this based-on-fact historical fiction story. Of course, it has the usual suspects: adolescents who aren't blinded by the prejudice that adults have aplenty. Its the kids who teach the grown-ups lessons about life, death, tolerance and forgiveness. More than any other Newbery winner that I can remember, this story also contains some really lovely examples of personification, (p 53) They played across the coast all through the night, until the soft new day shrugged itself awake, tried on amethyst and lavender for a while, and finally decided on pale yellow, (p 79) The moon had roused herself fully out of the sea and was tossing her silver bedclothes all around, and (p 126) the sea breeze stole the gold from the maples, the silver from the aspens. The oaks browned; the beeches paled. And in a general disheartening, the leaves let go, twirled and somersaulted, and finally settled down to sleep.

The story is about a young boy named Turner Buckminster, son of a minister, who arrives with his family in Phippsburg Maine after his father is hired on as deacon of the local church. Not unexpectedly, he has a hard time fitting in. Being a ministers son subjects him to teasing and his first attempt at playing baseball doesnt go as planned.

The family soon sees the small towns biggest conflict, that of the bad feelings of the whites who live on the mainland towards the blacks, squatters, they believe, who mind their own business and make do, while living on Malaga Island. When the higher ups decide that the only way to bring business to the town is through tourism, they concoct a scheme to rid the island of its inhabitants. Although the boys father seems open-minded and tries to impart this upon his son, initially, he goes along with the townspersons wishes.

Turner becomes enamored with a resourceful, skilled at baseball (and other things) 13-year-old girl named Lizzie Bright, who rows around in a skiff trying to find food in the sea to feed her family. Although adults tell him to stay away from the girl, he cant. Together, the two get themselves into some situations that land them in trouble. Eventually, things go from bad to worse and the girl needs help, which he is happy to try to provide. But with everyone else against them, the Buckminster family has a hard time trying to get by. Finally, a mixed blessing. A woman who hes won over after being forced to read to her as punishment for misbehaving bestows a gift upon him, allowing him to offer aid to another friend while serving to embolden town leaders even more against him. The adults finally figure things out but not before a significant amount of controversy and sad situations. In summary, an excellent story about love, friendship and the importance of tolerance. Also excellent: Al Capone Does My Shirts by Geniffer Choldenko, Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli and Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis.
565307
You will feel all of loves joy, frustration, confusion, and pain right along with every character in this story. They pulled my heart strings and soothed my soul.
1863454
In a time when so many are suffering from the loss of homes, jobs, health, and lives of loved ones, Camelot brings us hope for a better tomorrow.  All we have to hear is this "Once upon a time" story of King Arthur and the Round Table brought to life to feel good again. Nothing can touch this filmic and musical masterpiece of the musical theater and the still timely message that reminds us all why we must continue to believe in dreams, in that which is unseen, in faith, loyalty, friendship, honor, truth, wisdom, peace, and in the ideal.
2681137
The combination of Evan's lyrics and emotional guitar speak to the grey areas between the simple sweet glory days and the gritty pursuit of satisfaction in a very different world. Every track on this album takes me back to a different place that satisfies my restless soul.
628348
Reading of Mary's shame and how God gave her ultimate victory was very touching and a reminder that with God all things are possible.
3780781
The characters lose their jobs, homes, money and everything material and come to realize what is really important and worth holding on to.  An interesting set of books with lots of heart.
1867660
This book offers a look at the pain and joy of an eternal life. The interweaving of the lives of characters touched by Wil reminds one of the sacredness of each of pur life joirneys.
57815
Everything is awesome. Everything is cool when you're part of a team. When you're living a dream. It is green.
2469243
This is a rather personal review, in that I am a small part of this story, and it details an extremely sad and stressful period of my life, albeit with a message that is uplifting and perhaps comforting.  It can be viewed as an allegory since there is nothing as awesome and terrifyingly beautiful as the flames of a forest fire, the full fury of Nature sweeping its destructive scythe across the most beautiful landscape, and yet somehow, after the fury and horror of its effects, it is Man as a part of Nature who can emerge to continue working, and growing, building and loving, recovering from disaster, and affirming the possibilities and the beauties of Life.  Melissa captures that duality in her narration, the devastation of loss, and the promise of rebirth that for me included the death of my mother, and the comfort of her memory in work that one must do to continue, to move positively in the pursuit of what is meaningful.

The book is beautifully printed, with pictures, paper, typeface that mirrors the beauty of the story --- her life of Zen contemplation and work being suddenly interrupted by the power of a massive forest fire, threatening all of the mountain with complete destruction.  She starts with her identity as a mother of two vibrant young girls and her relationship with leader of the Zen Center.  And as quickly as one gets to feel her aspirations, you are interrupted by the reality of the Mountain Fire, a massive forest fire started by a malfunctioning well pump, and growing to one of the biggest in the history of the San Jacinto mountains where the Zen Center had been established over many years of careful and beautiful work. As she and all were evacuated, one senses the possibility of utter and complete loss, yet even as the fire rages, Melissa and her extended family move with a calm determination to do what can be done, to comfort each other, and prepare for what must be.  And so, as all watch the possible destruction of the mountain, wait for the results of the battle by Man to direct or mitigate that destructive force . . . much as I watched my mother (Melissa's close friend) in the last days of her life of beauty, and then, after we were able to return to the mountain, note the efforts to recover and rebuild. The pictures that are in the book show the destruction and the beauty.  The story establishes the truth that love and beauty can be recovered even in the face of utter loss.  And the Zen Center is being rebuilt with the sureness that Life prevails, even after a massive forest fire.  And the loss of a dear friend.  The story is a love story, and how one must love the Life that can inspire us, in the rocks and trees, in the mud slides, and the heat of a fire, in the efforts and success that hard work can deliver, in the beauty of a painting or a beautiful structure,and even in the death that must claim us all.  Thank you Melissa, for this book of Beauty and Love.
3437422
This book puts life into a perspective of goodness and is what this world needs.
3215401
This album is beauty and pain, triumph and tragedy,  a warning cry and a lighthouse beacon. This album is everything.
2683489
A joy to read from cover to cover, "All the World" doesn't just enthrall my children, it reminds my wife and I of what is special, what's really important, and it fills our hearts with love each time we read it.
1537097
Inspiringly optimistic. The world is becoming a better place.
2422721
I found this book to tug at the heart strings for all the injustices in the world in times past and in the present by those in positions of authority and judgement.
2638442
Every situation touched my heart. It was lovely to read. Every ounce of sadness was eventually transformed into joy. Just absolutely wonderful.
2426029
There is good in every person you just have to see past the prejudice.
3821885
Danny Collins speaks to all of us who have experienced disappointment, whether as the cause or the recipient. The story reminds us that none of us are perfect, and all of us are capable of dispensing and receiving grace. Funny, too. Everyone did a fabulous job in this movie.