Reviews

Awesome book!, September 22, 2010
My 9-year old son's first Club Penguin book. I'm sure many will follow. He loves this book, and has been reading it every day for almost a week. He even reads it on the schoolbus. There is just the right mix of text and colorful pictures to keep him interested. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

The Excellent Teach Your Kids (Or Teach Yourself) Programming In The Python Language Book., May 11, 2009
This attractive and moderately-sized volume gets elementary through high school education in programming computers right, and makes the best use of the universally available (and free) "batteries-included" language--Python. In the early days of personal computers (about 1978), everyone and his brother had a Teach Yourself Basic on the TRS-80 or Apple-II programming book that got you and your kids up to speed in the Dartmouth-developed (Digital Equipment Corporation-improved) BASIC computer programming language. At that time, you were lucky if at the conclusion of the book you could produce a simple-minded character-based Tic-Tac-Toe game (or self-prompted lessons in the multiplication tables). With excellent pedagogy and the libraries (like PYGAME) now available for the modern Python programming language this book enables the home-schooled student (or timid grandparent) to build sophisticated simulations and graphical entertainment (like a virtual pet) at least equivalent to the commercial games available in that era.

Due to the excellent tools and step-by-step examples given by Warren and Carter Sande the young reader, or his/her parent, is well prepared for a modern college level course in Data Structures or Algorithms with well illustrated examples of Lists, Modules, Event-driven and Object-Oriented Programming. The use of GUI-builders and programming libraries enable the novice to achieve impressive results within the course of a few short months of self-instruction.

The book is well illustrated, and the examples and tools downloadable from the book's web site run correctly without the need to fix typo's.

All in all, the book is an excellent read for a 12-year old, or an adult novice, and will provide superb instruction and entertainment for its readers.

--Ira Laefsky

Excellent but designed for PC not Mac, July 24, 2009
I have been programming and teaching programming at the university level for 25 years and I have been looking for years to find a book for children, like my 10 year old son, who wanted to learn about programming but were not up to the high school reading level. This book perfectly fills the niche. With clear writing, well thought through examples and gentle humor, it is superb for the young learner. My son has taken over my PC since I gave him the book. So, it is safe to say it can hold a child's attention.

The fact that it is good for a young audience does not mean that it is dumbed down too far to be useful for any age. The depth and pace of the material is appropriate for anyone, starting from scratch, who wants to learn to program from lots of examples. Actually, it sets the stage nicely for someone who is anxious about needing to learn programming at the university level.

The only real down side is the support for Mac. The book uses Python which works on Mac, Windows and Linux but a couple of the components used in the book do not have good instructions for the Mac on the books website. For example, they are written for older Mac OS or require you to dig deep in the system files to find the directories where things belong. The forums on the website will help but expect to need to dig around a bit, especially if you use Mac OS 10.5 (Leopard), until the author(s) fix the main Mac instructions.

Even though I had to poke around a bit to make sure the Mac would behave, I still love this book. Setting aside the fact that this fills a badly need gap in programming instruction for kids, this book is just great with a wonderful ratio of code snippets to explanations and clear concise discussions of both basic and fairly advanced concepts (like object oriented programming).

What a great book for kids!, June 1, 2009
My husband's a computer programmer, and my nine year old son told us he wants to learn how to write computer programs too. I did a lot of looking around for something that would be suitable for my son to use, and finally discovered this book.

We had to wait a while for this book, as the release date was changed and there were other problems, but this was definitely worth the wait. My son read through the book in no time flat, and definitely understands what's in it.

The next step is for the two of them to sit down and go through the code examples together.

Mr. Sande (young and old), thank you so much for writing this book!

Great educational fun, July 14, 2009
My daughter and I have been enjoying working through this book together. The choice of an open, multi-platform language is nice, as almost anyone with a computer can take advantage of what it has to offer.

Python has many great libraries and the use of Pygame makes possible some projects that would be much too difficult for this level of work. That really hooked my daughter, the ability to make her own games. We've been having a blast working through the book together.

There are tons of learning opportunities that take things well outside the realm of just 'programming'. I recommend this book to anyone with kids that are inclined towards doing more with a computer than just running applications.

Great Book for Kids!, May 8, 2009
The authors have done a wonderful job introducing the basics of computer programming through Python. I gave this book to my 9-year-old, and he's hooked! The exercises are fun and engaging, and the text and graphics are easy for him to follow.

This book comes highly recommended!

Anyone Can Do It, January 9, 2010
This book is one of the best programming books I've ever read. OReilly books are very informative but extremely boring. I'm 24 and know nothing about programming and those other books did nothing to excite me in my endeavor. However after getting half way through this book I am amazed at how easy the concepts are taught. Elementary kids should be taught this, and they can without being bored. I'm very happy I bought this book even though at the time I considered myself too mature for it.

Great start!, August 25, 2009
I gave this book five stars because it is incredibly beginner friendly which is very rare for a programming book. There are many lessons that cover the basics of the Python language and even full games. There is no disc with the book but you can download the extra content and lessons from the books website.

For those who are comfortable with the basics of Python there might not be much need to read this book. Hello world is an excellent start but you will definitely need something more solid after reading it.

Excellet Book For Kids and Adults, August 13, 2009
Programming is not for everyone, but for those who are passionate about creating new programs and using their creativity to solve problems, there is nothing like it. A lot of people have this notion that you have got to be young or under a certain age to be able to pick up programming. That couldn't be further from the truth. As long as you are passionate about writing programs and solving problems, the sky's the limit. That's why I love Hello World! As an experienced computer scientist, I loved the fact that it focuses on the fundamentals of programming that everyone needs to know in order to become a decent programmer. A lot of people in the IT complain about a lot of programmers not knowing their basics, but with this book, you are going to learn how to get started with programming without cutting corners.

Here is what's covered in this book:

1. Programming Fundamentals
2. Memory and Variables
3. Data Types
4. Loops (all kinds)
5. Lists and Collections
6. Objects
7. Graphics
8. Events
9. Multimedia & Graphics
10. Handing Strings
11. File I/O Management
12. GUIs and More

Please note that this book is written for absolute beginners. So do not expect heavy duty graphics programming to be discussed in this book. At the same time, if you have no idea how to get started with programming, you are going to enjoy reading this book. Python is a nice language to get started with. The book has a very fun tone to it, and it doesn't go over your head. You can easily follow the instructions in this book and even test yourself in each chapter.

It's never too late to get started with programming. You can always jump in and pick up a more advanced book, but if you want do things the right way and start with the fundamentals first, Hello World! Computer Programming for Kids and Other Beginners is a very good book.

Good Principals - Bad Timing - Poor Focus, July 17, 2010
The programming principals in the book are sound and valid. However, the book was written based on Python 2.5 instead of Python 3.0 which is a sticking point; I say this because the original release date in late 2008 would have allowed for for at least Python 2.6, but I digress. Each project in the book builds upon the previous module that was covered which is good, however the opportunity to teach core programming principals at one time in the beginning is missed. The text is easy to read and the syntax is explained well with relevant explanations. By the end of the book, the reader should be able to make a text-based programs, a windowed program, and different forms of arcade games. I was very pleased to see the layout for a card game which no one else has done to date. However, the author presents a lot of various graphic user interface mechanisms and doesn't really focus enough on them before moving on. Several editors for python are covered as well; some are challenging to install and configure which could be discouraging. I would like to point out that the author's use of EasyGUI is great because it is easier to use than Tkinter that comes standard with Python and allows the user to make text based programs more user friendly. However, he moves from EasyGUI to Pygame (which could be a book unto itself) and then to Python Card (which needs another module wxpython). My point is that it would have been better if he had stuck with EasyGUI and focused more on one of the graphic modules instead of dabbling with all of them. I was fortunate that the book was offered at my local library. If you dont get this book, then I would recommend "Invent Your Own Computer Games with Python, 2nd Edition" by Al Sweigart which is written in Python 3 (and available as a free PDF) or "Game Programming: The L Line, The Express Line to Learning" (The L Line: The Express Line To Learning) by Andy Harris even though it's written with Python 2.

Very Good Intro to Programming Book, May 10, 2010
My 9yr old son who has had his own computer for several years recently showed an interest in programming and understanding how computers work. I found this book and purchased it for him. He couldn't wait for it to arrive and kept asking every day until it showed up. Once he started he was halfway through the book in no time and was writing his own programs. Being a software developer myself I had to coach him through a few things but for the most part he was able to learn from the book.

I also liked how the book chose Python and stick to the basics rather than get lost into creating fancy graphical interfaces right away. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Packed with tips, quizzes, and "What would you do?" scenarios, this book can help girls be smart--and safe--Internet users. Parents can find great advice for teaching girls what to do (and what not to do) on the Web: from e-mail and instant messaging to blogs and social networks. Includes journal pages for recording favorite Web sites. ... Read more

Reviews

A Smart Read to Stay Safe, Connected and Informed!, August 28, 2009
Leave it to American Girl to release the most complete guide to helping girls connect with friends, find what they need and stay safe online. I absolutely love everything about this book!! It's an engaging quick read and handy resource complete with a quiz to test if you are ready to connect and how private are you? These topics are vital in today's world: releasing personal data online, meeting offline, tech talk, email do's and don'ts, instant messaging, blogs, bullies, social networks and so much more! It's the 411 for staying safe, connected and informed!

Great advice for girls...without having to hear it from Mom & Dad, September 1, 2009
You're a parent and you want to keep your kids safe online...but you don't want to scare the daylights out of them. A Smart Girl's Guide is a great place to start, helping your daughter(s) understand more about how the Internet and technology work, why it's not smart to share personal information online, and how to get the most out of the Internet and technology. This book will help protect your kids without terrifying them about Internet predators (we parents worry about that enough) and gives girls smart, practical ways to handle themselves in situations ranging from how to cope with a cyber-bully to how to use the Internet for homework and research. Best of all, it reinforces the bond between child and parent, and gives parents a way to talk about these important issues in a way girls will respond and relate to.

Terrific!, August 28, 2009
Just what I needed for my 'tweens'. It's filled with useful information that even I can use. Great for children of all internet ages. Thanks American Girl for another fine book. You chose a great subject.

A Smart Girls Guide to the Internet, December 23, 2009
I purchased this book for my granddaughter's 12th birthday and she was delighted with it and felt that it helped her become a smarter user of the internet.

Good info if they are not teaching internet safety in your school, May 31, 2010
Very informative and smart book. A lot of the topics had already been covered by my daughter's computer class at school, but I know not all schools are covering these Internet Safety topics.

Great Read, April 19, 2010
I bough this for my friend Steve. He is not the smartest when it comes to internet etiquette. It has helped him/her steer to the safe sites and out of harms's way. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

Richie's Picks: THE MYSTERIOUS UNIVERSE, June 3, 2008
"'If it weren't for supernovae, we wouldn't exist,' says Alex [Filippenko]. 'The carbon in our cells, the oxygen that we breathe, the calcium in our bones -- all were cooked up in the stars and expelled in to space by these explosions.'
"The heat and pressure in stars fuse simple atoms, tiny particles of matter that make up everything we see, into other, more complex atoms. Without supernovae, these larger atoms, such as carbon and iron, would stay locked inside the stars forever. But when supernovae explode, they scatter these atoms throughout space.
"Eventually the atoms created in supernovae swirl together like water in a whirlpool to form stars and planets, such as Earth. Carbon and other atoms come together to make up our bodies and the bodies of the plants and animals we see around us. Without supernovae, there would be no flowers or forests, no hummingbirds or humans.
"Supernovae are also helping scientists understand a mystery that lurks in space. The discovery of a new substance called dark energy has stunned the scientific world. Until the 1990s, no one knew this strange energy existed. In fact, if you had asked a scientist about dark energy twenty years ago, you would have been told to stop watching so many science fiction movies. In contrast, today astronomers think it's very real."

This stuff is all so amazing! When I consider how little of the information in this book I knew --- when you consider how little of this information anyone knew until recent years -- you come to understand why it is so essential that dated science books be constantly removed from libraries and classrooms in order to make room for such exceptionally engaging, up-to-date, and stunningly beautiful, informational books as THE MYSTERIOUS UNIVERSE.

"According to Carl Sagan, a well-known astronomer, the total number of stars is greater than all the grains of sand on all the beaches of Earth combined."

THE MYSTERIOUS UNIVERSE is out of this world! Similar to what I've found from reading other volumes of the noted SCIENTISTS IN THE FIELD series, I just learned a wealth of mind-blowing facts -- this time about the universe and matter -- by following an inspirational scientist doing his thing. As noted in the book's fore-matter, Dr. Alex Filippenko is a Berkeley prof who has been voted the "Best Professor on Campus" five times. We trail Alex and one of his student assistants to their nights of observations at the twin Keck telescopes which are perched 13,796 feet above sea level at the peak of Hawaii's Mauna Kea volcano. Then we ride shotgun as Alex heads up to the Lick Observatory on Mount Hamilton, to the east of Silicon Valley.

"A teaspoon of material from a neutron star would weigh more than a pile of a billion cars."

It's all in the presentation: I can just imagine how boring this subject matter could have been presented if it had been done Twentieth-century institutional-text style. Instead, you have a work of art that is dominated by the craftsmanship of award-winning photographer Nic Bishop (and whatever higher power may be responsible for setting in motion the process that results in spectacularly stunning supernovae, along with dark energy and black holes). The actual text here takes up roughly thirty percent of the book. The remainder is a rich mix of vivid, captioned photos. The book concludes with resources, bibliography, glossary, and indexing.

Scientists now hypothesize that 96 percent of the universe is composed of dark matter and dark energy. If you only know about the other four percent, you definitely need to take a serious look at THE MYSTERIOUS UNIVERSE. ... Read more

Editorial Review

To save a prominent scientist and his son from a corrupt government's agents, the Net Force Explorers embark on a terrifying virtual hunt for their enemies--before it's too late. ... Read more

Reviews

The future of the Net we know?, May 10, 2000
These Net Force books are all short, easy to read, and interesting. Like the others that I have read, this one fulfills the promise of the creaters. In this book, Maj's life becomes even more interesting than usual when a younger visitor comes to her home - as an escapee. Her interaction and work with other Net Force Explorers adds character and excitement to the book. Creative design on the Net and action-adventure combine to make this one more in a good series to get and read, for both parents and children. If this is how and what the 'Net' will become, I am all for it. I especially like the values transmitted by the authors in these books. I only wish that I had, again, a younger child to share these with now. I plan on keeping them for my future grandchildren. Maybe by then these books will read like 'history'. Keep it up, authors.

GREAT!, October 9, 2000
This book was, once again, a great Net Force book. Maj, a net force explorer, gets a visitor from a different country, whose dad works for the government. to keep his invention of a microp that destroys harmful micro-organisms out of the wrong hands, he sends it to america with his son. Now, the people who are trying to capture his dad, reverse the programming of the microps through the net. now maj and the other net force explorers are in a race against time to save their friend from the harmful microps. this book is a lot of fun and i highly reccomend it! ... Read more

Editorial Review

Charlie McButton likes computer games so much, he never playswith anything else. When a thunderstorm knocks out the electricity,his tech empire comes tumbling down, and his whole worldloses power. Charlie needs batteries—FAST! But the only triple-A’s he can find are in his little sister’s talking doll. Will he resort todesperate measures and cause his sister to have a meltdown of herown? Or will he snap out of his computer craze long enough torealize his sister might be fun, even if she doesn’t come with batteries?Collins and Lester team up for a hilarious and timely tale thatwill crack up young computer addicts and those who love them! ... Read more

Reviews

Refreshingly original and moving!, June 14, 2005
Charlie loves computer games so much, he never plays with anything else - so when the power goes out, he's really in the dark. His desperate search for batteries involves his sister's toys and some nasty behavior before he settles down to realize what's truly important in his life. Deftly written by Suzanne Collins and nicely illustrated by Mike Lester, When Charlie McButton Lost Power is refreshingly original and moving!

BEST BUY!, November 17, 2008
I purchased this book for my 7 year old son for Christmas. It was a huge hit. I have four boys from 6-13 and we all loved it. It's a hilarious, sweet book. I'm so glad I found it!

Fun Book, July 4, 2008
Great read for kids, you can make a correlation between kids playing video games today and making their own fun like we did way back when

McMommy, October 21, 2007
I love this book and so do my children, I would love to find more from this author, Your child will love it too. Buy it you'll be glad you did.

D Bradley

A Rhythmic, Fun Read!, July 10, 2007
I read this book with a class of kindergarten-aged children. They repeatedly ask to read and re-read Charlie McButton, and enjoy it every time. The rhythmic quality of the book makes it fun to read and easy for the children to remember what is going to happen next. The children relate amazingly well to Charlie McButton and both his dilemma (the power went out and he can't play video games) and the way that Charlie interacts with his little sister (first with disdain, then with a cute and playful understanding).

Just the kind of book I love to read to my kids, June 13, 2010
Charlie McButton is a boy who loves his technology. He lives for his computerized games until he's forced to live without what he loves most.

"then one day a thunderstorm blows through town,
and brings his tech empire tumbling down.
A lightening bolt struck an electrical tower,
And Charlie Mcbutton?
His whole world lost power."

Told in wonderful rhyming verses, Charlie looks around at his world and sees that his little sister has batteries! I won't give away what happens, but suffice it to say, Charlie learns a valuable lesson. The illustrations, by Mike Lester a cartoonist, are so alive with color and detail drawn in a way that will have the kids asking for this book over and over.

Suzanne Collins, a prolific and inspired writer, has also written a very popular series for middle-schoolers called Gregor the Overlander, and Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane.

When I Dream

Review from Books That Heal Kids, June 2, 2010
This an important read for the littles. Okay, so we've all heard the awful statistics about kids watching too much TV, addicted to their XBoxes and PS3's, and setting world records text messaging. So as the school year wraps up, I've been sharing Charlie McButton with students as a reminder to get out there this summer and MOVE and UNPLUG. When I asked kids why they thought video games and TV could be harmful to kids - you wouldn't believe the responses. They know EXACTLY why too much technology can be a negative thing in their lives. This story is funny and such a great conversation starter about the importance of unplugging.

funny, adorable story, June 22, 2009
When you read the title, you expect it to be mostly about Charlie learning how to fill his time without his video games. The most wonderful surprise about this book, however, is how it goes into his relationship with his little sister. The rhyming is great to read out loud, and the illustrations are perfect. My eight year old always gets emotional at the picture of Charlie's little sister when she gets her feelings hurt. The kids, (and Mom), love it.

When Charlie McButton Lost Power, March 20, 2007
I read When Charlie McButton Lost Power by Suzanne Collins. I would recommend this book because in the book Charlie lost power and he went crazy. It was very funny. In the book I read "He looked left ,he looked right, his heart filled with dread. The TV, lights, and his clock were all dead." This helped convince me that it was a good book.

When Charlie McButton Lost Power, March 20, 2007
I read When Charlie McButton Lost Power by Suzanne Collins. I liked the book and would recommend this book because when a storm came in the power went out and Charlie was left in the dark. In the book I read that Charlie McButton loved video games so much that when the storm came and the power went out . He could not play video games anymore. This helped convince me that it was a good book . ... Read more

Editorial Review

When you enter Free Realms, you become part of a fantastic world -- one where fairies and other mystical creatures mix with humans. You can go on unforgettable quests and unlock secrets and surprises, all while making friends from around the world. Plus you can master several careers to give you an edge. This handbook and strategy guide outlines everything you'll need to know about thegame. From learning basic skills to completing quests, to getting to know Free Realm's characters and creatures, with the help of thisguide you'll be a Free Realms expert in no time! ... Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

A "Must Read" for teens and adults who want to know about cyberbullying and the law, January 27, 2010
Judge Jacobs "gets it"! He explains complex legal cases on a level that teens, parents, and educators can all understand without a law degree! Not only that, the reader comes away with a good feel for why it is important to know what these cases are about, and how they might relate to you personally. He frequently asks the reader, "How does this decision affect you?" and "How would you decide this case?" He explains "The bottom line," and suggests additional "Things to think about." Educators or parents could easily use those sections to turn any chapter into a classroom activity or to start a conversation with their teenagers around the dinner table. That is why Judge Jacobs "gets it": This book is a great tool to provoke dialogue between teens and adults and help bridge the huge "digital divide" between us. As a professional in the cyberbullying field, a big "thank you" to the Judge for this much-needed-tool.

Teen Cyberbullying Investigated, February 16, 2010
This book is a great resource for schools that are
taking an active role in bully prevention. I think
all faculty should read it and discuss an action plan
to take to prevent bullying of all kinds. This resource
along with Bullycide in America would be an excellent
kick off to an anti-bully movement. Great Resource!
I highly recommend it!

Susan Bowman, Ed.S., LPC ... Read more

Editorial Review

At a holographic "old timer's" baseball game, Matt Hunter and several other Net Force Explorers are thrilled to see Babe Ruth swing for the fences. But when Ruth does his famous routine of pointing to the stands, four people dressed in 30's-style outfits stand up and open fire with Tommy guns! Even virtual bullets can kill you. Matt and his friends know that these "virtual vandals" must be stopped. But the stadium stunt is just the beginning. And even the teens of the Net Force might not be able to stop them next time!. ... Read more

Reviews

Interesting YA Novel for Computer Geniuses, March 16, 2004
The year is 2025, and computers rule the world. Which is why the Net Force was formed. To protect the United States of America from all online criminal activity. But there is also a group of teenage computer geniuses who sometimes know more than adults, who are known as the Net Force Explorers.

While watching a holographic "old-timers" baseball game, Net Force Explorer Matt Hunter, and several of his Net Force Explorer friends are filled with excitement at seeing the legendary Babe Ruth come up to bat, but while doing his well-known routine of pointing to the stands, a group of four people dressed in outfits from the 30's, stand up and open fire on the entire stadium with Tommy guns. Everyone knows that virtual bullets can kill you, and Matt and his Net Force Explorer friends know that this group of vandals must be stopped. But the stadium shoot-out is just the beginning. Now Matt and his friends are worried that perhaps even the legenday Net Force Explorers will be unable to stop them next time.

I found that the first installment of TOM CLANCY'S NET FORCE was both intriguing and interesting. The fact that VITUAL VANDALS takes place in the year 2025 will gain fans from the futuristic and science fiction fans, and all of the talk about the Internet and computers will intrigue the so-called computer geniuses of the world. The characters are intelligent, and computer-savvy, who embark on numerous adventures throughout the novel, and will have the reader rooting for them from the very first page until the very last page. A must-have.

Erika Sorocco

A good read for young science-fiction fans, July 21, 2005
Matt Hunter, an enthusiastic Net Force Explorer, and his friends are sitting in the stadium of Camden Yards watching a holographic baseball game. There are only a few people who are physically present at Camden Yards, because most spectators have bought a virtual seat and are watching the game from their home, while at the same time being represented as holographic images at the stadium. Suddenly four virtual viewers stand up from their seats and start firing at the audience with machine guns. One of Matt's friends is hit by a holographic bullet and struggles for his life. Matt starts to wonder how it is possible that people can get hurt by virtual bullets. With the help of the Net Force Explorer team he starts his investigations and soon reveals something that is much bigger than what that vandal's prank might seem at first sight.

Virtual Vandals is a decent and well-written science-fiction story that will definitely serve as an enjoyable read for many youngsters. The main theme is virtual reality, but as opposed to another Net Force book titled The Deadliest Game, this time the storyline is not entirely submerged into a virtual world. Typically of a virtual world is that everything can happen and nothing needs to be explainable. The authors have not stepped into this trap and have kept the suspense into the 'real' world, which is in my opinion the better choice. The story contains a few twists that might not all be as convincing, but they keep up the pace so that Virtual Vandals can be called a real page-turner.

Excellent! A great book to read!, June 18, 2000
Since Virtual Vandals was the first Net Force book I ever read, what I didn't know was that is was the third in the series. After reading it, I was so amazed, I would probably read it all over again. An excellent book, definitely worth buying and would recommend to a colleague!

Best book ever!, June 10, 2001
Being a teenager, I often cant find reading material that strikes me as something I might want to read over. This book, however struck me as being one of those typs the moment I started reading it. I would highly recemend this book to anyone.

Well, it was ok., September 7, 1999
Listen, I love Tom Clancy's books, but I shouldn't be considered a fan. I only read one of his other books, Rainbow Six(and it was damn good!). And as for this book? Well, it had it's moments. Pretty exciting, but just a little predictiable. Clancy, if you're out there, you can do better.

What is wrong with this book?, April 5, 1999
Firstly I would like to object to the people that rated this book poorly. Obviously these people were hardened Tom Clancy fans and were expecting the same high level of sofistication that were present in his previous books but I would like to point out that this book was written for teenages so you would not expect it to be as complex. I thought that this book was great and I highly recomend this book to anyone. It was so thrilling that I just couldn't put it down!

The Best Book I Ever Read, Must Read Book, November 15, 1999
I really love this book. You feel like you'r really there. This is my first Tom Clancy book, now I feel like reading the rest of them. Including the rest of his Net Force books, FOR SURE. GREAT JOB Tom Clancy. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Combining text with photographs and illustrations, this book provides children with a global view of history, from the creation of the Earth to the beginning of the 21st century. It also includes hundreds of web site addresses for further research. It features easy access to Web sites and free downloadable pictures and maps with test covering events from the Big Bang to the dawn of the 21st century. ... Read more

Reviews

Adds the benefits of the Internet to a traditional book!!!, August 7, 2001
This book is a comprehensive survey of history from the creation of the Earth to the begining of the Millenium.It is divided into 4 sections:Pre-History, Ancient World, Medieval World, and the Last 500 years. It is a very visual book, with lots of photographs and illustrations to complement the concise text...But what makes it an INCREDIBLE resource is that it is internet-linked. There are hundreds of websites listed in the book that expand on the information presented. The research team at Usborne books has come up with age-appropriate websites from extremely reputable universities, museums, and institutions throughout the world to complement what is in their encylopedia. Let me give a few examples. For Ancient History there is a link to the University of Pennsylvania where a person can print out his/her name in hierglyphics. For modern day, there is a fabulous site at the BBC where you can read about the rise of Hilter and take a quiz afterwards. There is another site where you can listen to famous speeches throughout the ages. IT IS SO INCREDIBLE. And the best part is you can access all the listed sites through Usborne's website. The publisher's site will keep the links up to date if addresses change. This is a terrific resource for any student.

Best Available Home School History Book, July 24, 2009
We are Christian parents homeschooling our two girls using a trivium-based curriculum of our own design. If we had to limit ourselves to one history book it would be the Usborne Internet-Linked Encyclopedia Of World History (Hardcover).

We also use Parragon and Kingfisher World History books, Usborne Atlas of World History, Usborne History Dates, and the Mystery of History. I also use Cracking the AP World History Exam (by Princeton Review) as an aid in linking key history concepts when putting our history lessons together.

Because we are using the Well-Trained Mind to guide our homeschooling I have looked at Story of the World several times but can't bring myself to like it. I feel it (and Mystery of History) are inadequate for use as a history spine, although we occasionally use Mystery of History as a supplement. One reason Mystery of History is inadequate is that it's 50/50 religious/secular history, crowding out to much world history in the process. We do our Bible study in addition to history rather than trying to kill two birds with one stone.

The Parragon book is similar to the Usborne book and, though not as complete, it provides a very good complement. The Kingfisher was intended to be our primary history book for grades 5-8. It is more detailed and requires a higher reading level but overall doesn't flow nearly as well as the Usborne World History. I expect to lean primarily on the Usborne EWH again in grades 5-8 while still using the Kingfisher as a supplement. We'll just use it more often than in grades 1-4.

The Usborne Internet-Linked Encyclopedia Of World History has great maps, great graphics, and well-written text. The sections are complete and it does a decent job of connecting the dots from one civilization to the next. It's also been very helpful in building a history timeline. Our Amy Pac timeline figures are really not that great and have numerous errors, so being able to download graphics from the Usborne Encylopedia has been very useful in generating our own timeline figures. The Usborne internet links provided are generally pretty good and are maintained current. Sure you can Google for similar content but it doesn't take long to realize how much time gets eaten up sorting through sites looking for something worthwhile. Using the Usborne-quicklinks is a no-brainer and time-saver.

As noted by other reviewers the first 100 pages covers creation to the dawn of man, including changes to the earth and life on it. It's well done and what we used for our daughter's Kindergarten "history" lessons. The girls always looked forward to the readings and, other than a few skipped pages, we had no trouble reconciling Usborne's pre-history with our Christian faith.

I spend a fair amout of time each week putting together history lessons using multiple resources, so I agree with the reviewer that wished for something better but wrote that it's the best history currently available. I'm also confident that if our girl's history lessons consisted of nothing more than reading from the Usborne Encyclopedia Of World History they would still love history and easily learn more about it than 98% of our country's children.

Superb, An excellent, Concice History, July 21, 2006
This is an excellent introduction to history. This is a must for homeschoolers, particularly those of a young age.

There are pictures and drawings and photographs that illustrate intersting points in history. There is basic information about how the archeologists have surmised what they know.

The children and I have found it fascinating.

It does once in a while touch on subjects that we discuss or skip over. It is so mild it is difficult to think of an example up front. However, the books is well worth the money and I would buy it again.

It is educational, interesting, clearly written and concise yet it is not boring.

Religion aside, this is a useful tool and a great resource, March 30, 2010
To touch on other comments: there is some religion. There are a few links that don't work anymore. Yes, you can find some of the links yourself. The type is NOT too small.

We used this book AND the kingfisher book for 6 months within our studies of ancient history at a 3rd grade level. Our family of 5 unanimously agreed that this usborn book is far superior to the kingfisher book.

There is a timeline on the bottom of every page for the spatial learner to see where they are within the context of time. The pages are illustrated nicely and appropriately. Items are labeled for the compulsive reader. The index is comprehensive. The breadth of information is appropriate for kids, under the heading of "put it before them and let them feast." If there is something your child wants to know more about it, for all means, look it up online or in other resource books. Many of the links provided will yield endless hours of additional information (and while you can look them up yourself with a search engine, I have three kids and am not interested in searching through pages of links, and I found it very helpful to have a ready-to-go link handy).

The comments about religion vs evolution are interesting... I personally don't think it is possible to provide a comprehensive overview of history without some sort of slant. We are a Christian family who also believes in science and evolution, and I am competent and smart enough to use the information in these books as a tool with my kids to teach them about what OUR beliefs are. People who are blaming the information in this book are perhaps expecting this book to parent their kids for them.

After six months of side-by-side weekly usage between this usborn book and the kingfisher book, this is - in the opinion of our household - a better book, with more interesting illustrations, better written text for kids, and providing in general a better single resource. If you are comparing the two books, this review was for you.

Excellent History book for young kids, July 26, 2006
This is an excellent History book for kids who like to read and see pictures. The pictures are not only beautiful, they help kids to transport themselves to the times of History they are reading about. The internet links information is very useful, but if your child is too young to surf the internet, the book itself has enough historical information for young children.
It is a very good buy if you want to give your child a classical education.

Excellent history overview, July 10, 2006
This book provides an excellent history overview for children with engaging illustrations. The chronological sequencing of the book helps provide an illustrated and written time line of the world that is helpful for children to see events in relation to one another. The book has many layers of educational opportunity. With a younger child you can read the pictures they are interested in, with an older you may read all of the text and use the internet links for additional information. I highly recommend this book.

I use this as the spine of my homeschool history classes, July 25, 2008
I teach history classes for homeschool junior high students and use this book as the spine of our program. The paperback's font is way too small-- I recommend the hardcover.

The book is divided into 4 sections: prehistoric, ancient, medieval, and modern. The Ancient and Medieval sections are available as stand-alone volumes from Usborne. But, you have to purchase this thick encyclopedia if you want the first and fourth sections. For my kids, we purchased the large hardcover and had our local Kinkos slice the spine off the book and spiral-bind the four sections into 4 different books that were much smaller and more manageable.

I give it only 4 stars. It's the best history encyclopedia available, but I hope something better will someday be available.

PROS: great review of ancient and medieval history, great illustrations, good readability. Internet links are fun and easier than googling.

CONS: Insufficient coverage of 20th century and *WAY* too much time spent on prehistoric life. I'm not anti-evolution (I haven't yet made my decision on this topic). I simply feel the the information would be better suited to an earth science book rather than a history book. It's simply a waste of money for parents to pay for 1/4 of a book not even used in the majority of history studies. I suppose Usborne wrote the book from the perspective of "Earth's History" rather than the history of just humans on the earth.

The binding is almost gone!, September 29, 2005
I bought this book for my kids 5 years ago, they are now 9 & 11 yrs old. They have used it so much the binding is almost worn off. The best thing about this book is how it lets the kids get as in-depth with a subject as they want. They can just glance over it without being overwhelemed or delve into a subject for weeks without running out of information. Great buy! It is one of 2 books I bought at the time that the kids still use, the other one was Usborne's Internet-linked Encyclopedia of World History.

Amazing homeschool prehistory-modern history resource, October 7, 2008
My first grader, a very visual learner, loves this book. He asks for history first thing every morning because we use this book as our primary resource to study prehistory. To be precise, pages 12-101 offer a highly visual overview from the birth of the Earth to the first farmers.

We read a double page spread every day or two, then I'd type out his brief oral narration. As a treat, we'd visit the Quicklinks every Friday to further delve into what we'd read the whole week. Like another reviewer mentioned, the Quicklinks clearly set this encyclopedia apart.

My son was so enthralled by this book that he wanted to create a Prehistory Timeline of his own and we adapted the text from this book for notes for our timeline. We are now stepping into the study of the Ancient Civilizations and I must say this book is proving to be a winner in this area too.

It's such value for money because it can be used for at least 4 years of world and American history studies. That's great news whether or not you intend to follow the Classical Method's 4-year history rotation.

Many thanks to Usborne for creating this gem and helping to plant a passion for history in my son's heart.

USBORNE HISTORY, March 12, 2007
I heard so many raves about this book, so I bought it for my 10 year old.
The information to me was sparse, the printed words in the book are so tiny, I almost pulled out my magnifying glass for my child. The internet links, are links you can find on your own, by typing the subject in google. The price for this paperback book is riduculous. Very disappointed, ended up buying the Kingfisher history book, which I found so much better in reading quality and price, especially since it is a hardback and the Usborne book I bought was a paperback. Check if they have it at the library or school to see if, it is what you want, before you waste your money. ... Read more

Editorial Review

This book leads readers on an in-depth tour of Club Penguin, letting them in on tricks and shortcuts. Readers will get tips on how to play games on the site, how to adopt a puffle, decorate their igloo, and much more! ... Read more

Reviews

Great Book, July 2, 2009
I got this book a few months ago, and I just started playing Club Penguin then, so I enjoyed learning about decorating my igloo and playing the games. This is a good book for Club Penguin beginners, and also fun to read for Club Penguin experts, since it has great tips on the games, and things to do with your friends. I didn't get it from Amazon though, I got it from a book order from my school. If you love Club Penguin, then you should get this book. I hope they make a volume 2 soon.

Fun stuff!!, January 18, 2009
If you have a kid in love with club penguin - they will love this guide.
It's full of club penguin "secrets"!! My 8 year old daughter is excited everytime she reads something new.

great, May 6, 2010
My son wanted this with his own money he had saved and said it was just what he needed to go with the game.

Club Penguin is fun!, March 19, 2010
My son and his friends LOVE Club Penguin! He loves this book and is always perusing through it! He brings it to school to share with his friends and discuss. Good, clean fun!

Club Penguin Ultimate Official Guide, January 27, 2010
Purchased for my 7 years old daughter. She loves this book. This book has good tips and information about Club Penguin and their games. It is useful for people new to Club Penguin. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Editorial Review

These books are without a doubt the definitive and most entertaining biographies of scientists for young readers. Author and artist Mike Venezia provides hilarious, cartoon-style illustrations to complement his easy-to-read text and full-color reproductions of the scientists' sketches and notebooks. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Essential strategies to keep children and teens safe online

As our children and teens race down the onramp to the Information Superhighway, many parents feel left behind in the dust. News stories about online sexual predators, child pornography, cyberbullies, hate groups, gaming addiction, and other dangers that lurk in the online world make us feel increasingly concerned about what our children are doing (and with whom) in cyberspace. In Cyber-Safe Kids, Cyber-Savvy Teens, Internet safety expert Nancy Willard provides you with need-to-know information about those online dangers, and she gives you the practical parenting strategies necessary to help children and teens learn to use the Internet safely and responsibly.

Parents protect younger children by keeping them in safe places, teaching them simple safety rules, and paying close attention. As children grow, we help them gain the knowledge, skills, and values to make good choices--choices that will keep them safe and show respect for the rights of others. In Cyber-Safe Kids, Cyber-Savvy Teens, Willard shows you how those same strategies can be translated from the real world to the cyberworld, and that you don't have to learn advanced computer skills to put them into effect. As you work on these strategies with your child, you will also discover that remaining engaged with what your children are doing online is much more valuable than any blocking software you could buy.

"Willard blends the perspectives of a wise parent and a serious scholar about issues related to Internet behavior and safety. . . . Pick up the book, open it to any random page, and you will find on that page or nearby a wealth of helpful advice and useful commentary on the cyberreality facing our children and on how to deal with any of the issues she's identified."
--Dick Thornburgh, J.D., former U.S. Attorney General; chair, National Academy of Sciences Committee on Youth Pornography and the Internet

"Simply put, this book is a must-read for anyone--parents, educators, law enforcement, and policymakers alike--concerned with the critical issue of children's internet safety and what to do about it."
--Douglas Levin, senior director of education policy, Cable in the Classroom ... Read more

Reviews

Important Book for Parents and Teachers, March 20, 2007
I wish there had been a book like this when my two boys were exploring the internet in the 90's. Things have gotten even more troubling for parents today and this book will help guide them through the difficult job of parenting in our new online world.

It is filled with great suggestions and a lot of information---and to be honest, some of it is very frightening from a parent's point of view. But if knowledge is power, this is a book that all parents should have when trying to navigate the very difficult job of parenting in this new and rapidly changing online world. There are sections for parents of younger children, 8-10 year olds, 11-13 year old, and 14-18 year olds. There are suggestions for "teachable moments" and how to guide your children to ethical and safe uses of this technology.

In my opinion this is a "must buy" book for parents and educators. Thank you, Dr. Willard.

Cyber Savvy Parents (and Teachers), March 26, 2007
Most folks are aware of such internet dangers as free-flowing pornography reachable by kids, but how many are aware of all the other dangers facing young ones such as identify theft, addictive gaming schemes (as time wasters and replacement for real world activities), the ability to down load term papers and other works so as to avoid homework, or, again, the rights of sites to do whatever they want with up-loaded materials, a condition which can cause extreme embarassment and even financial loss? Willard's excellent text deals with each potential danger accoding to type and age group. Each chapter begins with an incident demonstrating the danger (an excellent awareness-building tool, especially for those of us who had no idea this particular danger existed)followed by an analysis of what is involved in the danger, and then positive and usable advice for parents on how to prevent their children from falling prey to the danger. But make no misake, Willard is a strong advocate of the benefits of internet participation for children when they are properly supervised, and that does not mean peeking over their shoulder all the time. This positive attitude towards the internet, the while recommending non-invasive supervision is a remarkably well-developed strength of her book. She is not whining about the dangers or urging censorship as so many gloom and doom critics do; she is providing a positive means for parents to help their children make the most of their web experience, an experience critical to every youngster in this age of the cyper-reality of communication. (A prototype parent-child agreement is included, and should be a valuable tool for developing cooperation among family members). As an educator, I find this book an essential tool for all teachers and school administrators, and, of course all librarians, who need this background to appreciate the pitfalls which may occur in classrooms and reading areas and how to be aware and prevent them. And a school board will find this study an excellent reference for developing appropriate policies for the district.

A must-read for concerned parents, June 23, 2007
I've worked with kids and computers since 1979. Nancy Willard is my go-to authority for encouraging children's safe and responsible Internet use. Her latest book is theoretically sound, well-researched and comprehensive (including the very latest technologies) and offers a practical approach to this serious issue. It's also well-organized, with recommendations for specific age groups. Nancy knows all about the dangers and benefits of going online, and CYBER-SAFE KIDS will help parents act as guides and mentors, not cyber-watchdogs.

A Voice of Reason, October 22, 2007
I read Nancy's latest book, Cyber-Safe Kids, Cyber-Savvy Teens, on a flight this past week, partly because it's been sitting on my shelf for way too long, and partly because I knew I would be speaking a few days later to youth at a regional church meeting about technology in their lives. It is a great book on the Internet for parents, and don't miss the good material that she provides at her related website, www.cskcst.com, that you can download and distribute for teaching.

My audio interview with Nancy last year is here: http://audio.edtechlive.com/NancyWillard.mp3.

Excellent resource for parents/teachers, July 16, 2008
This book is a great guide for parents moving kids through the "web" of the internet. She gives specific suggestions for young kids (e.g., Have all of their kid-safe sites bookmarked. They can only go to bookmarked pages w/o mom or dad.) through late teens (Let them make mistakes on the 'net while still at home w/our support!). Perfect resource for me. Quick read. Reminds me not to blow up when a kid comes to me with some issue- or they won't come to me again! Nice parenting advice and cyber-guide. Recommend. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Every kid knows playing video games is fun, but making them is serious business! Cool Careers for Gamers offers readers an introduction to the world of game development by profiling professionals with jobs kids can relate and aspire to. How about making sure golf superstar Tiger Woods looks as lifelike as possible, or picking out songs for a new iteration of Guitar Hero? Someone has to do it! This book shows that the challenge of creating games can be just as much fun as playing them.

... Read more

Editorial Review

"Filled with exotic aliens, dangerous situations, and fast-paced adventure. Younger sci-fi fans will happily hang in with JT." — BOOKLIST

Thirteen-year-old Johnny Turnbull has always known there was something different about him. It turns out he’s the first-ever human softwire —- able to enter and communicate with computers with his mind. Now that JT and two hundred other orphans have been put to work in alien factories on the first ring of Orbis, things are going very wrong. The "perfect" central computer is malfunctioning, and suspicious eyes are turning to JT. Could he be the one responsible? ... Read more

Reviews

A Wild, Intergalactic Ride!, September 4, 2006
PJ Haarsma has written an exciting and thoroughly convincing rollercoaster of a story that successfully navigates the classic pitfalls of first time novels and of science fiction in general, creating a story that moves quickly, characters that are as intriguing as they are unusual, and a world that I can't wait to explore in future books.

The challenge I find in most science fiction is whether the author has struck a balance between too much information and not enough. "Too much information" means the writer is spending pages describing the intricacies of unimportant details in the mistaken belief that an encyclopedic discussion of, say, the ancient sewer system in one of the more remote reaches of the galaxy will create a believeable "world". Ultimately, this just bogs down the momentum of the plot and the book winds up on the slag heap.

"Too little information", however, is when so little is explained that the world doesn't seem real, in which there are no restrictions or rules, with the result that when anything can happen, nothing has any value: the reader finds it hard to invest emotionally in the characters, and the author finds it hard to create any meaningful tension for the plot.

But somehow Haarsma has found the balance - giving just enough information to make the world believable, but never letting the pace of the plot slow down - especially in the last 50 pages which are full of surprises, twists and turns and which, like everything else in "Virus on Orbis 1" make you anxiously anticipate the next installment in the series!

Kudos, Mr. Haarsma!

Couldn't put it down! Excellent read!, November 9, 2006
This is the first book by PJ Haarsma and is the first of a series. I read it from cover to cover as soon as I recieved it after intending to only begin it. The story is engaging and kept me wanting more throughout the entire book. The story is also readily accesible to younger readers that might have some interest in science fiction. The hardest thing about reading this book is waiting for the next installment! There is also an online community and web based game for the story at ringsoforbis.com if people would like to know more and get a feel for the universe created by PJ Haarsma.

This Book Rocks!!!, September 8, 2006
I've never really been a fan of science fiction books. They all seemed to have the same infallible heroes, saving the day at the last moment, telling us how life should be...snooze. But I read The Softwire at the suggestion of a friend, and I found an author who, through the creation of another world, held a magnifying glass up to our own.
My hat's off to Mr. Haarsma.

wondercon discovery, August 30, 2006
i met author pj haarsma at Wondercon in Anaheim this weekend. I just had a one day pass and was trying to take it all in when i came to mr. haarsma's booth and saw this amazing 6 foot artwork depicting some sort of beautiful and hideous aliens from a distant world...so i had to stop. he started telling me about his book Softwire --The Rings of Orbis and i was immediately into it. A spacecraft full of orphaned children coming to a distant world where they will have to work as slaves for these grotesque bullying aliens really grabbed my attention. i started reading on saturday night and finished sunday morning and it was just packed with everything i love about science fiction. the writing was fast and furious, the aliends were horrific and real, the kids were fun and the hero was kid who could interface with computers -- the softwire of the title -- and he possessed the power to flip out the aliens and destroy their world. but i won't tell you anymore..just read the book...

Great read - especially for those who generally don't like Sci-Fi, September 25, 2007
I've always liked to read science fiction but for the most part you had to read through the tedious technical description of a whole new world. While I think it has always been worthwhile to stick with these books anyway, I can relate to young adults who - for that reason - don't.
This is exactly why The Softwire: Virus on Orbis 1 is the perfect book for reluctant readers. The story is fast paced, the characters draw you in and the new world PJ Haarsma created is complex and fascinating - but it doesn't overwhelm you and, more importantly, - the lack of overwhelming technical details leaves enough room for ones's own imagination and suspense. In fact, it does exactly the opposite: it leaves you wanting more, both of the story and this newly discovered world.
The book touches upon a variety of subjects like growing up, taking responsibility and standing up for one's ideas which make it both interesting for young adults and grown-ups.
With Christmas again not so far away (again), it's the perfect book to give away as a present!

Courtesy of Teens Read Too, April 9, 2007
I'm the first to admit that science fiction has never been my favorite genre, but I wanted to give VIRUS ON ORBIS 1 a try. I have to say that I'm very glad I did. Besides having an interesting and entertaining story, the true beauty of the book, at least for me, is the fact that I never felt so overwhelmed with the new world the author created that I wanted to give up. There weren't a thousand crazy names I had to figure out how to pronounce, or a million-and-one gizmos and gadgets that made no sense. With this book, Mr. Haarsma has created a world that even young teens will relate to, and that adult fans of science fiction are sure to enjoy, as well.

Johnny Turnbull, thirteen, is a resident of the seed ship Renaissance, along with his eight-year-old sister, Ketheria, and about two hundred other children. Children, and no adults, since all of them died and left the children as orphans. In Johnny and Ketheria's case, their parents had signed a contract to work on the Rings of Orbis (four rings surrounding a wormhole) for four years. Unfortunately, since the children have been on a ship with only a computer called Mother supervising them, no one knows what will happen once they finally arrive at the Rings of Orbis. They do know, though, that they'll be at the mercy of its citizens.

There's a problem, though, as there usually is. Johnny has recently discovered that he's a human Softwire - the very first human able to directly communicate with any computer using just his mind. He's been trying to warn the citizens of Orbis that a virus is attacking their central computer, but few are willing to listen. Actually, few are willing to even take the fact of his being a Softwire seriously at all. But it is that fact that could possibly be the only thing that will spare Orbis -and its inhabitants, including the orphans - from destruction.

VIRUS ON ORBIS 1 is the first book in THE SOFTWIRE series, and it will be interesting to see where the author takes Johnny next. The majority of this story features him battling both the Trading Council and Orbis's rulers, the Keepers. After reading this great first installment, you'll definitely be ready for the next book in the series. I know I am, and I'm not even a science fiction fan!

Reviewed by: Jennifer Wardrip, aka "The Genius"

Exciting Series Debut, February 16, 2007
The adults on the seed ship Renaissance have all perished. In their place, two hundred orphans arrive at the Rings of Orbis to meet their destiny. Among their number is Johnny Turnbull, a boy who can connect with computers using his mind--not that more than a few other children believe him.

The children didn't know what to expect at the end of their journey, but they never imagined enforced labor. Worse, Johnny's talents as a "Softwire" are exposed, and a series of catastrophic events make the Citizens of Orbis afraid of him. The central computer that keeps the Rings in a precarious orbit over a wormhole has been infected with a virus, but nobody believes Johnny. Rather than accept that the central computer is compromised, the public blames the Softwire. If he doesn't figure out what is causing the malfunctions, panicked Citizens will demand his head--if they survive.

Young adult sci-fi fans will find a lot to love in this series debut. Haarsma has created an amazing new world built on high tech and sweat. His brilliance shines through in his creation of setting, where he maintains the critical balance between showing his world and avoiding "info dump."* The characters are engaging and fun, with each one possessing a unique set of personality traits that sets them apart from everyone else. With a great setting and super characters, Haarsma builds a plot that will keep the pages turning.

This promises to be an outstanding series. I highly recommend it to all sci-fi fans over the age of twelve.

(* "Info dump" occurs when authors describe their world with more detail than necessary, therefore drawing readers out of the story.)

Reviewed by Christina Wantz Fixemer
02/16/2007

A Voice for All Children, August 30, 2007
The Softwire: Virus on Orbis 1 revolves around an imaginative world of computers, fantasy creatures, kids banding together in crisis, and a boy struggling to find his purpose in life amid adversity. It includes themes of facing fears, importance of "family," kindness versus cruelty, self-reliance and the power of a positive attitude. What more can you ask for in a young adult reader?

The main character is immediately appealing. In JT, the author has found the voice for all children struggling to deal with self-consciousness towards their unique qualities. Most children can identify with this, but especially kids who face challenges. For this reason, the book has a strong drawing power for youngsters who have difficulty reading. Just like the "hero" in the book, they usually feel less worthy. Further enhancing the appeal for reluctant readers is the fact that there are no long, drawn-out descriptions to drag the story down. The book gives enough information to spark the imagination, but does not overdo it. Rather, the action moves along at a fast clip from the outset, building and building to the exciting and surprising ending.

The author has created Rings of Orbis, a free online videogame based on The Softwire book series, to grab the attention of those kids who would never pick up a book for recreation. Answers to questions in the game are found within the book, encouraging the players to read. What an innovative idea for improving literacy among children!

The Softwire: Virus on Orbis 1 is the perfect book to give kids who could benefit from a strong protagonist who overcomes adversity with grace and perseverance. And it's a fun read for adults as well.

Softwire : Virus on Orbis One review by Jericho, September 5, 2007
The Softwire: Virus on Orbis 1

The Softwire: Virus on Orbis 1 is an excellent book. I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. P.J. Haarsma is obviously a very talented writer, he manages to keep the reader enthralled throughout the novel. The Softwire is a brilliant story filled with original ideas and characters. I particularly liked the Keepers. With plenty of suspense, unanswered questions and mysteries I can't wait for the future installments. Turning the books into a movie series would be a great success as I am sure they will maintain the very high standards set by The Softwire: Virus on Orbis 1.
Jericho

Great read For Young Adults, August 31, 2007
I've never really been a fan of science fiction books. They all seemed to follow the same recipe. They all had the same heroes, saving the day at the last moment, telling us how life should be...That gets boring and predictable.I read The Softwire at the suggestion of some good friends, and I found an author who, through the creation of another world, created a bok that was fast paced without giving the reader too much information all at once making it hard to comprehend for the younger reader. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Here comes a Clancy first: a new series of novels for young adults starring a team of troubleshooting teens--the Net Force Explorers--who know more about cutting edge technology than their teachers! ... Read more

Reviews

Best Sci-Fi Virtual Reality book I've Ever Read!!!!!, July 20, 1999
I think this book is awsome and is a great book for people who are into tech stuff. I thought the last 100 pages were so exiting and freaky that I couldn't put the book down!! Everyone who likes the idea of VR should get a copy of this book and read it as many times as seen fit.

DFF as Tyrone would say in NET FORCE, July 10, 1999
it is very intruiging of what happens to net force in a peroid of 15 years later ... i was very surprised Jay Gridley became head of net force .. although not surprised given his computer talents he displayed in the Net Force Novel and the second title .. Hidden Agendas i have purchased and read all 4 of the Net force explorers seris so far and very happy with it so far but more so i am more eager to read the next installment of the net force novels following Hidden Agendas.. i love it

The Deadliest Game is a deadly game, January 2, 2003
when i read this book i went through many stages excitment sadness climax denoument i fell in love with this book i recommed this book to everyone and now im hooked to the series and cant stop reading

Take a break, March 25, 2004
Control your armys, crush your foes, and strike fear in the eyes of those who oppose you. Then log off, brush your teeth, take a break then lunge back into the world of Sarxos. Tom Clancy really grasps the world of science fiction in his Net Force book The Deadliest Game. I would recomend this book for one and all. The mystery lover, to the action seeker, all readers can love this book many times over.

Book Fan, April 2, 2000
This is a great story! It tells about the future, during which a giant online computer game causes someone to get angry and attack people because of the game. If you like books, then you need to read this.

Tom Clancy really knows how to capture his readers., December 17, 1999
Tom Clancy did an amazing job on the young adult Net Force series. The technology is amazing in this book. He also makes it so that you feel like you're actually are in the scenario. When I read this book, I felt like I was actually playing the game. This book is a book that will make a perfect gift for any young adult sci-fi reader. Definitely 5 stars. There was one con though. It was a little confusing in one part, but not all that much.

A great deadly game, March 9, 2001
I read the book The Deadliest Game from the series Net Force. It was a book about two kids who fight online crime. And in this book they get a very dangerous case. In this case they try to catch a guy who has taken an online virtual reality game to serious. This guy is ruining other contestant's computers and even hurting others. I liked this book very much I thought it did a great job in conveying the futuristic virtual reality Internet. Also it did a great job in creating a great suspense mystery. This story takes many interesting turns. If you were interested in reading a future set mystery I would definitely recommend this book. I think in this book having teenagers be the detectives are a symbol. A symbol for teenagers and kids becoming more smart then the adults. So if you want a book to read check out The Deadliest Game by Tom Clancy

The Dominion of Sarxos will never be the same, March 6, 2001
The Dominion of Sarxos is a virtual reality game where people go there to get away from the real world or to meet up with people but the real purpose of the game is when many different armies lead there team into battle but everything is becoming to real people that have beaten a team named Argath the captain of that team have been getting bounced and attacked, Megan o Malley and Leif Anderson both net force explorers are asked to investigate by john winters net force official, they must travel around the game and warn other army captains about the attacks and tell them to look out for themselves Megan and Leif both warn a army captain about the attacks and tell the player to watch out for herself well the player does not take this warning seriously the next day the player was brutally attacked by the bouncer and in the hospital unconscious Megan and Leif was find this bouncer fast before the game really begins. I would highly recommend this book to a person that is into VR games and likes awesome technology you will not want to stop reading this book. It is a very good mystery novel that is suspenseful and interesting it may be hard to understand it but if you look back in the book and read it very carefully you will understand it and start to get very hooked to it. Hey I am not some kind of writer but if you ask me I would definitely give this book a tow thumbs up.

One of my most favorite Net Force Explorer's books!, October 1, 2002
In the year 2054, virtual game the Dominion of Sarxos is the most popular wargame on the Net. Thousands of thousands of people spend hour after hour playing Sarxos, either leading armies into battle or doing hundreds of other activities. But something terrible and sinister is going on. Some Sarxos players' computers have been destroyed by burglars; one player is even attacked outside of the Net! The Net Force is worried about these players being 'bounced', what if someone gets killed in these attacks? So they send in Net Force Explorers Megan O'Malley and Leif Anderson to investigate. But they must be extremely careful if they themselves do not want to be the next targets...

The Net Force Explorers is a great Young Adult fiction series, especially those with a love for computers and the Internet. Since the Net presented in the books have no boundaries, you will never know what to expect next. With a well-thought out plot, this story has plenty of twists and turns, having the whole plot well balanced with mystery, excitement, and adventure. But I can't really say any more or I would ruin the story! :)

The characters of the book is what really makes the book more fun to read. Meg O'Malley is a terrific Net Force Explorer with her quick wits, sharp tongue, and martial arts talents. I especially found her very cool and I loved the part where she jokes about her brothers. Leif Anderson, though not really as tough as Meg with her fighting abilities, is more computer literate and has a special flair for different language. Meg and Leif are a great team and I wish there was a bit of romance between though the story the way it is is very satisfactory. I can't wait to read more about them in the series!

The series is for Young Adults and I strongly recommend only older kids read it since there are many occasions where a few bad words are sprinkled here and there. Not that bad but still in a way a bit annoying to have them in the book. But I still highly recommend it for older kids for I'm sure you'll love it!

Real view of VR future, July 6, 1999
This books shows you, how the world is changing and what could be the result of those changes. You can look into sometimes scary world of games and VR.

Great book, I really enjoyed it. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Arthur loves playing games on his mother's computer, but when he uses it without permission, chaos ensues. Arthur and his cohorts search desperately for a solution, and in the process learn a lesson about following rules and respecting others. Text copyright 2004 Lectorum Publications, Inc. ... Read more

Reviews

Arthur does it again!, April 11, 2000
This is such a good story that kids today can really relate to. It teaches that even when you disobey and mess something up, you should always 'fess up. Most often, the parents are able to fix things back. I'm glad, too, that the author included a suitable punishment for Author's misbehavior, so that the readers might understand that even though adults can fix things, he still had to suffer the consequences.

For non readers only, December 19, 2001
Book is on the level of SEE SPOT RUN. Not for young readers. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Playing detective in a mystery simulation, Net Force Explorer Matt Hunter investigates the high-profile murder of a wealthy young socialite. ... Read more

Reviews

This book is only good for starting fires., November 24, 2001
Ok I love Tom Clancy's books, but this one (disappoints). If you are going to read the Tom Clancy Net Force series, only read the adult level books. These younge adult books (stink) and are an embarrassment to Tom Clancy's name. The only good books are #1-6, dont waste your time reading anything after that.

Major disappointment, July 26, 2009
I also chose this book because I have liked all the other Clancy books I have read. This one was a definite disappointment. None of the excitement or intrigue of his other works ..... makes me wonder if he even wrote it. Too bad. Tom Clancy is one of my favorite authors

Cold Case, March 27, 2002
I choose this book because I like Tom Clancy novels. Although I like Tom Clancy novels I think this one could have had more action in it instead of trying to solve an easy mystery. Perhaps if this book were more of an adult book than it would have been much more interesting.
The book is mainly about a team of Net Force Explorers who find themselves in a homicide case. The only thing they have as a lead is a paper with addresses and numbers that were scratched out.
IF you would like to read this book go ahead but I don't recommend it.

Very poor work, July 27, 2003
I am very confused with this Clancy attempt at what it would seem as teen literature. A very dull story, almost obvious. Too boring for adults, yet confusing and truculent for kids.

Another entertaining net force book., October 10, 2001
Join the Net Force Explorers on their latest adventure as they try to solve a 40 year old murder.

This is another great Net Force book. The Net Force series is aimed at the younger reader, but even so it was a very entertaining book to read.

Buy this book today, you won't be disappointed.

One of the best!, August 5, 2001
You've got veeyar, snow and ice, trucks running off bridges and 'accidents' which are quite suspicious. A good book, even though you've got an idea whodunnit before the last few chapters.

net force, October 21, 2001
net force is about net force explorers who solve crime ... Read more

Editorial Review

Yip Turner spends more time playing computer games than with other kids. For him, virtual reality usually beats reality! So when his dad, a movie special-effects designer, brings home new software for creating virtual actors, Yip is psyched. He and his sister create 'Victor,' a boy who is smart, handsome, and charming-perfect in every way. But when Victor leaves cyberspace and invades their world, Yip realizes that there are bugs in the virtual-actor software. Now his family-and possibly the whole country!-may be in danger. . . . ... Read more

Reviews

Pretty Neat Book (Virtually Perfect), May 11, 2000
This book is about kid nicknamed Yip who creates a character on his computer. This isn't any old character-this one is almost human. The trouble begins when Yip pulls Victor (the character) out of the computer. Victor is very, very, VERY smart and handsome. Although Victor doesn't let Yip know it, he actually isn't his friend and Yip has no power over Victor. Victor can morph himself into any character. Victor morphed himself into a grown man and robbed a bank. The bad thing is Victor morphed himself into himself again and the police can't catch him. Worse than that, Victor doesn't have a conscience and doesn't care he did something wrong. Then he tells Yip he is going to Washington to do some buisness. He won't tell Yip why. Yip finds out that Victor is going on the same day the president is making a speech. And Victor has the power to kidnap the president and take over! None of the ways Yip can think of to delete or destroy Victor works! Yip thinks there is no help. But then...

Totaly awsome groovy book, May 20, 1999
"Virtualy Perfect" is the story of a family that moves into a town that has movie companies near it. Yip the teenager is a "nerd". His sister Paige is popular. The grandfather is a retired special effects artist or F/X who worked in the 1930s and 1940s on movies. Yips mom makes the best cookies in town. His dad is a special effects artist also, but he uses computers, the technology of the 1990s.

One day Yip comes home to find blood spots on the floor and a arm sticking out side of the living room door. He walks over to find his grandfather on the floor with a knife in his back. He was scared; he went for the phone when his grandfather jumped up and scared him. He was doing one of his special effects acts.The grandfather and his dad always argue over which F/X is better computers or live stunts,the grandfather proved his F/X is better,

One day Yip decides that he wants to create an actual computer person. So, he creates a person that looks, talks and walks like a real person. He names it Victor. Victor jumped out of the screen and Yip and Victor became friends.

After awhile Victor becomes very different. His face starts changing shapes. And he starts doing crazy stuff. He robed a bank of thirty thousand dollars and puts it in a mailbox and leaves it. Then he starts kissing girls just for the fun of it. Yip became fed up with him and decided to get rid of him.

Finally, Victor and Yip came home to find blood on the floor and an arm outside the door. Victor goe over and sees the grandfather on the floor bleeding. Victor reaches for the phone and dials 911. Victor has a short circuit and is froze. Yip pours water on him and he blew him up. Fireballs were all over the place like fireworks on the 4th of July.

I like this book because i like scientific movies and novels. And a computer generated person jumping out of a screen is pretty scientific.

Further more this is my review on the book Virtualy Perfecy.

It was a good book!, November 8, 1999
The book was about a kid who made a computer generated person, and it came to life and tried to ruin everyone else's life. I thought it was a good book, it needed more action, and adventure in it thought, because it got kind of boring at the end. I would reccomend this book for ages under 14. ... Read more