It is Christmas Eve in New York City when Brian, a determined seven year old, follows the thief who took his mother's wallet, hoping to retrieve the St. Christopher's medal that he believes will save his father, who has leukemia, just as it saved his grandfather in World War II. However, the child is kidnapped by a vicious escaped convict who needs a hostage. The central characters come to life rapidly as the fast-moving story quickly builds suspense. Teens will appreciate the realistic, paradoxical description of the relationship between Brian and his older brother: caring, concerned, and name-calling at the same time.
Sweet and warm, these beautifully told tales will have wide appeal. They're touched with a bit of humor, too: for example, on arrival, one character looks around and asks, "Is this Connecticut?" Readers don't need to be religious to appreciate Rylant's spiritual, whimsical but instructive tales.
Human Vision and The Night Sky: How to Improve Your Observing Skills
This book is intended for amateur astronomers who are readers of Sky & Telescope magazine or similar astronomy periodicals – or are at least at the same level of knowledge and enthusiasm. In particular, those of us who have reached a point where enjoyment is fading because the challenges have run out will appreciate it, because it takes such people to the "next level" in observational astronomy.
The subject matter of this book is fundamental to all areas of mathematical analysis and should be accessible to students who are in the early stages of their professional training. An undergraduate course in real variables is a prerequisite, and an acquaintance with complex analysis is desirable. However, since no use is made of the Cauchy theory, the exposure to complex variables need not be extensive. To fully appreciate Chapters 3 and 4 some background in elementary point-set topology is essential.
Readings in Applied Microeconomics: The Power of the Market
A central concern of economics is how society allocates its resources. Modern economies rely on two institutions to allocate: markets and governments. But how much of the allocating should be performed by markets and how much by governments? This collection of readings will help students appreciate the power of the market.
