Rating: 
Summary: Terribly racist
Review: I read this book as an adult, as I was reviewing books for a school board. I gave it a pass! This book presents the typical sterotyped view of Muslims as violent, ignorant people--particularly those Muslims from the Arab world. It seems that Cooney got her information about Muslims from reading hysterical media published in the mainstream Western press, and watching movies where Arabs are all depicted as suicidal fanatics. She does not know anything about the religion, and even less about people from other cultures. Of course, there are "bad" Muslims, just as there are bad Jews, Christians, Buddists, etc. But they are a minority, not the majority. It's time that we stop promoting this type of literature. Yes, I know it is fiction, but why waste time reading such trash? Why must the terrorist be a Muslim? Avoid this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Whoa.
Review: It has been awhile since I've read this book; my initial reaction being that of a typical American- I loved it. (So you get an idea who's writing this, I am about to start my first year in college) After reading some of these reviews, however, my opinion has changed. I do not have any large problems with the characters, plot, or "confusing ways in which it was written." It is simply Cooney's style of writing; some like it, some don't. I am a big fan of hers, so I tend to like that style of 'pieces here and there' and the conclusion winds things up. From that standpoint, I really liked it. Content wise, I know there are a lot of strong feelings flying around. I am an American Jesus Freak Christian who has lived in the U.S. ALMOST all of my life. I was born overseas and lived there until I was three, and in my early adolescent years I moved to Indonesia and went to an International school there. I must say that Ms. Cooney's portrayal of International school life is far from factual. I loved living among kids from all over the world. There were not wars going on between the kids because we were of different races or religions. I had a blast and enjoyed the cultural experience. When I read this book, I did not think much about the Islam references. I am sorry to say that I do not know a whole lot about the religion, except that I lived in a dominantly Muslim country for 3 years and never saw them as the horribly violent people they were portrayed to be in the book. I have Muslim friends and they are awesome people--I agree that the book tends to stereotype the religion. My apologies to those of you who were offended--not because I had any control over the content of the book, but because I am an American who has had slight international experiance and it drives me crazy when when the Americans are portrayed as "perfect." America is not perfect. We are not the best in everything, and we are not all "upstanding and accepting and everything" all the time. I have a lot of pride for my country, but after living elsewhere (I have also done tons and tons of traveling) I have come to the conclusion that Americans are just a bit too ignorant and prideful at times. I love this country and am proud to be here, but I think inexposure is a big problem. Sorry, I am repeating myself. On the flip side, however, I want you to think about how inaccuratly (sorry, I think I spelled that wrong) Christians are portrayed on a day-to-day basis. I understand that many Muslims are offended by a 150 page book, but I know that Christians are targeted many times here in what is 'coined' to be "a Christian nation." I have felt it myself. I don't consider myself any better than any other person out there, but we as Christians are often referred to as ignorant, hypocritical, and self-involved. I know that may be a fair thought for some, but I know many others, myself included, who enjoy getting to know about different people, religions, and ways of life. I find it fascinating. There might be, by chance, other believers reading this who feel the same way. I agree with the opinion that it is a mistake to present this book to middle-school children. I know it is a 'juvenile' novel, but if you are going to read it, you should read it with the maturity to realize that it is terribly inaccurate in many different aspects. The storyline itself is suspenseful and page-turning, but the facts are sadly twisted. I apologize for any offense taken on my review, and hey, let me recommend 'Lord of the Flies'--one of my faves and no religion involved! Sorry this is so long. Oh, and feel free to respond to this through your own review- just say it's to Janie!
Rating:
Summary: This books degrades the islamic religion!
Review: This book degrades the islamic religion. It makes Muslim's look bad, in the eyes of the people. ...
Rating: 
Summary: awesome book!
Review: I bought this book last year, and I'm syill reading it. It is a fabulous book and it keeps you're attention till the end. The most interesting part was how other people in the world view americans. I suppose I was totally ignorant in thinking that other nationalities bow down to us. But I totally recommend this book and I think everyone should read it!
Rating: 
Summary: Action-filled mystery
Review: Laura Williams and the rest of her American family have just moved to London and are learning to adjust to a brand new life. Laura and her brother, Billy, attend L.I.A. Academy, an international school for children. They are learning the customs of different people around the world and making friends from many different countries. All of Laura's peers know about politics and hatred. All of them, except Laura. Laura isn't like her friends; she doesn't hate anyone. She has a loving heart and caring soul, but all people aren't like that. When her brother is killed by a package-bomb, she finds out about hatred. She finds out about evil. Suddenly, Laura is obsessed about politics. Everyone she knows is a suspect. All her friends become enemies, and she wants to know who it was that killed Billy, and who is going to be their next victim. Caroline B. Cooney's book is a combination of gripping emotion, action, and suspense. This mysterious book is a great story for teens and adults. It's a story of love and hatred, of life and death.
Rating:
Summary: Get ready for a ride
Review: Caroline Cooney has once again shown her nack for suspense. Right from the start she grabbed my attention with the horrible death of Billy Williams. The death of a sibling just scares me inside knowing that that all of this could really happen. After the incident Billy's sister Laura vows to find his killer. The book than continues with schemes of fear and betrayal. I really recommend this book to anyone wanting to move over seas. It will definitely open your eyes.
Rating:
Summary: Get ready for a ride
Review: Caroline Cooney has once again shown her nack for suspense. Right from the start she grabed my attention with the horrible death of Billy Williams. The death of a sibling just scares me inside knowing that that all of this could really happen. After the incident Billy's sister Laura vows to find his killer. The book than continues with schemes of fear and betrayal. I really recommend this book to anyone wanting to move over seas. It will definitely open your eyes.
Rating:
Summary: Regardless of a few things, it was quite good:
Review: I understand that people felt this book held discrimination, but I feel that was not the main part of the book, and I didn't like it because of that...I'm Catholic, and if she had done that with my religion, it would not have made a difference to me, it was her OPINION, so I would not worry about it. This was not disciminating your religion I believe, it was just the characters opinions on the personal level. This girl felt that marrying a man that could be her father and already had wives, and would be taking all of her money was not right for her. There will always be those who don't like their religion. You must understand that this is how many people do feel about things, in everything there will be somebody who doesn't like it one bit. This book is about a girl, named Laura, whose brother was murdered, by a terrorist...and no one seems to know the real reason, and she's determined to see who and why. The more and more she looks at it, she feels it must be someone at school...she goes through friendships in this book, and finds out who really is her friends. Laura learns who to trust, and who not to, and learns to put clues together more. Very suspenseful, and a good read if you like mysteries. It gave a view from all the characters, which was nice to see what everyone else felt...I fell that it was a very good book, and I liked hearing everyone's opinions in the books.
Rating:
Summary: The Terrorist
Review: The Terrorist Carolyn B. Cooney Laura and her family moved to London thinking it would be a nice place to live. They were wrong. Her brother Billy was known all over town. Even Laura's friends knew him. When Billy was killed in the subway, Laura's life became confusing and when her friend asked for Billy's passport so she could fly to America things get out of hand. All Laura cared about was getting revenge on the people that killed Billy. Everyone was a suspect to her including her friends and family. Maybe she was right. Perhaps it was one of her friends or family. Read this book to find out. This book picks up momentum as you read further into the book. It was an easy read, but a great book. I enjoyed reading it and I hope you will to.
Rating:
Summary: A reviwer
Review: I think that Caroline B. Cooney was acting like a Steriotype in this book. She is making fun of our Muslim Religon in this book. It says in the book,"In marriage, Jehran will dress like a vampire. A black shroud with eye slits. Nobody except her husband would see her skin". We do not look like vampires on our marriages nor do we only show our skin to our hubands. And would it not be better if we did not expose ourself, there would not be any rapes and husbands wouldn't look at other women because of their beauty. It also said, "You thought Islam was a religon that was a pact between you and god, but it wasn't. Religon was a group sometimes even a goverment. In some countries religon was goverment by the tough and cruel. Men who hated women. Men who wanted women literally locked in their clothes and in their houses". Islam doesn't teach us that men hate women and women are supposed to be locked in our houses. Islam teaches us that there is only one god and we follow him, if we had a lot of gods that would be a chaos. That one god is Allah he created everything the sky, the earth, the moon, the stars, the whole universe. If Islam was that bad why is it one of the most fastest growing religon these days. More people are converting and if we listen to Islam we get the award of paradise and I know that is true because so many miracles happened before. Not to be a racist or something but the Christians don't even know what their religon is. The Bible has been changed so many times nobody even knows. Our book the Quran has never been changed it is the original from god and will always stay the same.
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