Escape from the Past: The Kid (book 2)

Time-traveling gamer, Max, embarks on a harrowing journey through the Wild West of 1881! After a huge fight with his parents, Max tries to return to his love and his best friend, Bero, in medieval Germany. Instead he lands in 1881 New Mexico. Struggling to get his bearings and coming to terms with Dr. Stuler’s evil computer game misleading him, he runs into Billy the Kid. To his amazement Billy isn’t at all the ruthless killer history made him out to be. Trouble brews when a dying Warm Springs Apache gives Max a huge gold nugget to help his sister, Ela, escape from Fort Sumner. Shopping for supplies Max attracts the attention of ruthless bandits. Before Max can ask the Kid’s help, he and Ela are forced to embark on a journey to find his imaginary goldmine. This is book 2 in the Escape from the Past trilogy.

"What a fun summer read! The Kid is an artful combination of science fiction and historical fiction that come together in a fantasy that is believable enough that the suspension of disbelief is possible and make the reading truly enjoyable. What a wonderful way to bring history to life, re-imagine the past, and imagine the future all at the same time!" --Patrice W. Hallock, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Education, Chair, Educator Preparation & Psych-Child Life, Utica College

"Escape from the Past: The Kid is a magical fictional mystery interwoven with historical facts and exciting adventures. The reader experiences the twists and turns of the story while gaining a greater appreciation of the challenges of life in the Wild West during the late 1800's. It's a thoroughly enjoyable experience you will not want to miss."  --Richard Rafes, Ph.D., J.D., former President of East Central University

"As an English teacher of 43 years and as a life-long student of the Wild West and Native Americans, I found Annette Oppenlander's, The Kid, to be an accurate, well-researched and thoroughly entertaining novel for young readers. Ms. Oppenlander has a keen eye for detail, and her ability to create cliffhanging situations of high suspense makes for a great read. I strongly recommend this novel for any imaginative young reader who likes to have one foot in fantasy and one in reality." --Bill Hays, English AP/Honors Teacher, Retired, Bloomington North High School

Growing up in Europe, I have always been fascinated with the Wild West. So when it came time to decide where and when "Max Nerds" may travel into history, the tragic figure of Billy the Kid alias Henry McCarty came to mind. After reading several books about Billy and trying to decide at what time Max should meet him, I learned about Warm Springs Apache Chief Nana who, during the summer of 1881, embarked on a vengeance war against the U.S. Army.

Chief Nana was nearly 80 years old and took a dozen warriors 3,000 miles across New Mexico, never to be caught. Naturally, I wanted Nana in my story.

In the spring of 2015 I spent 10 days crisscrossing New Mexico to travel in the footsteps of my protagonist and the story's main characters. I visited Fort Sumner, Lincoln, Chloride, Silver City, explored the Rio Grande and spent one entire day, driving 48 miles across the Gila wilderness, the former home of the Warm Springs Apaches or Red Paint People.

I hope you'll enjoy the story as much as I did writing it.

Annette Oppenlander writes historical fiction for young adults. When she isn’t in front of her computer, she loves indulging her mutt, Mocha, and traveling around the U.S. and Europe to discover amazing histories.

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The Rough Guide to Travel Health 2 (Rough Guide Travel

The Rough Guide to Travel health is the definitive health handbook wherever you are travelling. Now in its second edition, it is fully updated making it more indispensable than ever. The guide includes practical details on pre-trip planning, with advice on immunizations, medical kits, air travel and tips for travellers with specific needs. The heart of the guide is an A–Z of potential problems and treatments, including homeopathy, herbal medicine and other complementary therapies. Written in a down-to-earth style and avoiding medical jargon, the guide gives the complete lowdown on health risks and vaccinations worldwide, plus comprehensive listings of international travel resources, websites and clinics. As well as this wealth of general advice, there are safety tips for specific types of trips, such as active travel – skiing, scuba diving, climbing – together with a handy section on first aid. Sometime, somewhere, you’ll need this book – don’t leave home without it.

Dr Nick Jones is a GP, living in Bath, who in the course of his travels has gained first hand experience of illness off the beaten track.

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The Rough Guide to Cape Town and the Garden Route

Make the most of your time with The Rough Guide to Cape Town, the Winelands & the Garden Route.

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Knock Knock On-The-Go Game Pad 2, 60 Sheets

Sometimes you just need a little fun to keep occupied until the bus arrives or the movie starts, so Knock Knock created the On-The-Go Game Pad original and version 2. Packed with five fun activities, both pads are the battery-free, all-paper antidote to boredom and ennui. Knock Knock is an award-winning purveyor of witty books and paper products based in Venice, CA.

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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful.
Nice Assortment
By L. Vaughey
Rather than use the paper placemats to play tic-tac-toe while we're waiting for the wait person, the grandchildren (10 and 13) have a variety of games "at the ready" that we can play and still talk to one another! Electronics not allowed at meals thank goodness. So they stay engaged and the grownups at the table have a little fun too!

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful.
Looking forward to having fun with kiddos on bad weather days!
By KMS
I was looking for a NON-ELECTRONIC game activity for the precious children in my life -- especially when we have a few moments of non-school or non-extra curricular activity time. (A good, fun game booklet for times when I'm stuck waiting in the car with antsy children!)

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful.
good easy fun
By Amazon Customer
Provided good fun for our 10 hour ride from Chicago to Arkansas. Kids had a fun time with the games.

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The Rough Guide to First-Time Latin America, Edition 2 (Rough

Packed with essential information in a clear, concise format and delivered in an engaging manner, the second edition of First-Time Latin America helps prepare readers planning their trip. It includes information on what tickets to buy, where to stay, what to eat and how to stay healthy. There are insightful overviews of each Latin America country highlighting thes best places to visit with country specific websites and necessary budget information. It is designed to answer the ''soft'' issues not addressed by country-specific guides, for example, how to lessen the culture shock of your very first night in Latin America; what to think about if you''re considering travelling on your own and what to do when you return home. This edition includes an expanded chapter on working and studying in Latin America. This guide is designed for the weeks/months before you get on the plane.

Polly Rodger Brown was a contributor on the sixth edition of The Rough Guide to Mexico and has travelled widely in Latin America. James Read is an experienced travel writer and has both worked and travelled in the region. He currently works for the BBC World Service as a writer and researcher.

This book is intended to prepare you for your trip, whether it’s a couple of weeks on the beach in Cancún or a twelve-month journey from Mexico down to Tierra del Fuego. It’s a book to read before you go rather than an on-the-road guide, a planning handbook to help you decide on the kind of trip you’d like to make and prepare you for your journey. The first thing you’ll need to decide is which countries and regions in Latin America you want to visit and which places to skip: the possibilities are outlined in Where To Go, the opening section of the book. The book focuses on the twenty countries of Central and South America plus Mexico, and thus includes several countries – Belize, Guyana, Suriname – that are not strictly speaking part of Latin America, and excludes others – namely Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Puerto Rico – that are. We’ve chosen to do this because travellers visiting several countries on the mainland may well include non-Spanish- or Portuguese-speaking countries on their itinerary, while most people visiting the Caribbean island nations tend to do so without visiting the mainland. If you’re intending to visit one of the Latin American Caribbean islands mentioned above, however, you’ll find much of the general information and advice we give is also relevant there. For each country covered, you’ll find a profile outlining what the destination offers first-timers, including a roundup of the main highlights and suggested itineraries, as well as a selection of personal recommendations and more out-of-the-way attractions.

The middle section of First-Time Latin America, The Big Adventure, deals with the practical details of travel in the region. This is where you’ll find chapters on how to choose the right ticket and which guidebook to use, advice on how long you can afford to stay away and what you need to take with you when you go, and a selection of books and films to inspire your travels, along with lists of useful websites to consult. This section also looks at life on the road in Latin America, giving you an idea of what to expect in terms of transport and accommodation, advice on how to stay safe and healthy while you’re away, and tips on how to avoid the potential hassles and hazards that await the unwary traveller. Finally, the Basics section at the back of the book is packed with useful addresses, websites and phone numbers for further information on everything from discount flight agents and specialist tour operators to jungle equipment suppliers and volunteer work opportunities. Even after you’ve read through this book, we can’t guarantee that you’ll avoid every potential pitfall on the road, but hopefully you’ll feel well prepared for what awaits you and excited at the prospect of travelling in Latin America. When you return home, be sure to send in your own anecdotes and travellers’ tales for inclusion in the next edition.

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18 of 18 people found the following review helpful.
Great book for travelers planning their first trip to the region.
By Sarah
I bought this book when I first began planning my trip to Latin America. I hadn't ever been to the region and wanted to know as much about it as possible. When I bought the book, my prior travels included the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, and I knew that Latin America would be a bit different! It's a great book for travelers planning a first trip to Central or South America, and also a great guide for first-time travelers in general. I think people of any age would find this book helpful, too--it's information that any traveler will find useful.

There is a chapter on each country in the region with highlights to consider visiting, plus practical information on what to take, how to get around, routes to consider, visas, health, safety, and lots more. It's not a book you will probably take with you when you leave, but one you'll want to read in the beginning or mid-stages of planning your adventure. It'll answer a lot of your questions and concerns and help you have a better idea of what to expect.

I'm definitely glad I bought and read this book as it prepared me well for my three month adventure in Central America and addressed many of my concerns and questions. Recommended for everyone considering or planning a trip to Latin America.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful.
Buy this first!
By J. L. DeBiase
A great book to start with. We bought First-Time Asia before we took off to Asia for 6 months and it was extremely useful to help with all the planning and decide where we wanted to go. This time we know we want to go to Latin America but have no idea how south we will go or what so this book is great for the rampant changing of minds that occurs while we plan trips bc the information is so broad and covers everything. But it's just the basics. You will need a guide for each country you go to to take with you (we usually buy them used and trade them in when we arrive). Leave this one at home.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful.
Good book but....
By sarah
This book is a really enjoyable and rather helpful. However, defs not a travel guide for south america. Buy the lonely planet shoestring. Really, more of a pleasure read for background information than anything. Still, a really fun read! However, not entirely essential. Word to the wise about south america, keep your wits about you, but it's really not as scary as lonely planet makes it seem. Also, learn some spanish if you haven't already, your language skills are the number one most helpful thing you can bring with you.

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The Dream Killer (The Dreamer Chronicles) (Volume 2)

When the world's greatest minds lose their wits, only one girl can bring them back ...

12-year-old Sarina wants one thing and one thing only: to win a place at a prestigious art school in Paris. Delayed by her dreamlike heroism in a parallel world, she must now double her focus on reality. But dizzy spells and blackouts plague her efforts, and she fears she'll be confined to an institution like her two mentally ill great aunts.

When her friend Nathan and his mentor Professor Harrison make a shocking scientific discovery, Sarina may be the only person who can save the world's greatest minds. She must make a choice: concentrate on her impending art finals, save the world, or somehow retain her sanity while attempting to do both.

The Dream Killer is the second thrilling installment in the sci-fi/fantasy series The Dreamer Chronicles. It features wall-to-wall action, heart-pounding suspense, and a whiff of mystery mixed in with compelling science, art, and magic. Kids aged 9 and up, as well as adults, will love a series that's full of delightful surprises. Add the book to your digital library or your bookshelf today!

Born in Australia, Robert was whisked back to England where he spent his childhood. After many years complaining about the weather, he did the only sensible thing, and moved back to Australia. Queensland actually. Where he enjoys walks along the beach with his wonderful family.

(Pssst. He still complains about the weather if it gets too cold!)

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful.
Strongly recomended for young science readers.
By Rod Matthews
I was keenly anticipating the sequel to Sarina's Nightmare. In The Dream Killer, we find our heroes - Sarina and Nathan - caught up in a mystery that threatens to affect the intelligence and creativity of everyone on planet earth.

Once again, Sarina is forced to put her art ambitions on hold as we follow her in an adventure that keeps accelerating her further and further into peril.

I loved this follow-on from the first episode of the Dreamer Chronicles. The characters are every bit as believable as before and are forced to confront their own fears in what becomes a gripping sci-fi thriller. Kids will love it, bring on Dreamer Chronicles Part III.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful.
Love this sequel!
By hathahealing
Sarina's back and we thoroughly enjoyed following her adventures again. We normally read these books before bed and my niece is getting ready a little faster to give us time to get an extra chapter in! She loves these books for the action & suspense. I have to say one of my favorite parts was the Fact or Fiction Author's Notes at the end. Scanlon explains real scientific references used throughout the book and gives links for further information. These books are fantastic for getting young readers excited about real science. Careful you may find yourself accidentally watching Contact Juggling videos on YouTube for hours!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful.
Sarina's adventures continue ... leaving this reader eagerly anticipating the next episode
By Kay
I am glad there will be more to this story in the (hopefully not too distant) future ... The second installment of The Dreamer Chronicles delivered everything I had looked forward to since reading the first book, and more ... Robert Scanlon's writing is full of delightful surprises - his books have something for readers of all ages. I loved the inclusion of the end notes and the fact that through artful storytelling Robert is inspiring young readers to learn, grow, imagine, create ... These books deserve a wide and large audience.

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1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2–12 (123 Magic)

This revised edition of the award-winning 1-2-3 Magic program addresses the difficult task of child discipline with humor, keen insight, and proven experience. The technique offers a foolproof method of disciplining children ages two through 12 without arguing, yelling, or spanking. By means of three easy-to-follow steps, parents learn to manage troublesome behavior, encourage good behavior, and strengthen the parent-child relationship—avoiding the "Talk-Persuade-Argue-Yell-Hit" syndrome which frustrates so many parents. Ten strategies for building a child’s self-esteem and the six types of testing and manipulation a parent can expect from the child are discussed, as well as tips on how to prevent homework arguments, make mealtimes more enjoyable, conduct effective family meetings, and encourage children to start doing their household chores. New advice about kids and technology and new illustrations bring this essential parenting companion completely up-to-date.

"An excellent, workable, and supportive resource for parents and educators."  —Booklist

Thomas W. Phelan, PhD,

is a clinical psychologist and a nationally renowned expert on child discipline and attention deficit disorder. His books include 1-2-3 Magic for Teachers, All About Attention Deficit Disorder, and Surviving Your Adolescents. He lives in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.

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385 of 403 people found the following review helpful.
Changed my life!
By Stephanie
I have a really independent and strong willed little girl who is pretty sure she knows everything already and is in charge of the home. I also inherited a bad, bad temper from my own father, and a set of unproductive and rage-fueled methods for handling discipline in the home. I was terrified I would squelch my daughter's independence and irreparably damage our relationship, until I read this amazing book. It's a simple, incredibly effective technique that gives parents a rapid response to quietly and calmly shut down any obnoxious behaviour, along with encouragement to provide constant positive reinforcement and love. It has revolutionized my relationship with my daughter, who now knows exactly where the boundaries lie and what to expect when she violates them. I haven't slammed a door since I read the book, and I no longer fear that I'm perpetuating a cycle of anger and harsh punishment. Highly recommend it.

108 of 129 people found the following review helpful.
A MUST read for every parent
By Jerry FLA
My son will be 12 in a couple of weeks and he still instantly responds whenever he sees a my index finger. I first read this book and put it into action when my son was probably between 4 and 5 years old.

My wife never read this book but saw the amazing results I was getting and I soon heard her saying "one... two...". Neither one of us has gotten to "three" since establishing the 'baseline' when we first started using this system.

Here's basically how we put it to work: When our boy misbehaved I held up one finger and said "one". He had a second chance "two" but at three he got an instant 5 minute time out.

My son found those 5 minutes excruciating and figured out VERY quickly that:

1. He received consistently INSTANT punishment at "three".

2. His punishment time was extended for "bad behavior" while in time out.

3. Most importantly, he figured out he had the ability to avoid any consequences by modifying his behavior.

Fast forward 8 or so years to the present. My son has never been spanked or otherwise punished physically. He just got another straight A report card - his usual since he started school. The comment I hear most often from his teachers is that he is a "joy" in the classroom. He's polite and kind and no pushover either: he just earned a second level karate black belt.

I could go on for an hour but needless to say he's turning out to be an amazing person.

I still use the system but nowadays it's usually a discreet flash of a "one" or perhaps a "two" to let him know a course change is recommended. The only "three" he has seen in years is fair warning that his dad is about to pounce on him and tickle him until he begs for mercy.

Of course my wife (who never did read the book) will still yell "TWO" when she wants him to do something - but it still works for her.

Finally, use this book - it worked for my family. My only advice is to be certain to "set down the rules" early and consistently and then let your kid decide what course they take.

UPDATE Summer 2014:
Well, my son will be getting his driving permit soon and he qualified for placement in the "advanced technology" program in school having transferred with a 4.0 from private school. This young man is destined for success. I attribute his school success with the fact that his mother spent literally hours with him every evening working on homework. At this point he has developed excellent study skills that will serve him well.

As for behavior, he is a wonderful young man (and typical 15 year old). I am convinced that the 1-2-3 method - actually the idea of the method - has been instrumental in his becoming who he is. The idea of course, is that you are not forcing behavior but allowing the child to learn to make advantageous choices. THAT's the important message of this book.

Today I see my son making choices all day long (as we all do) but he (usually) consciously weighs the pro/cons and options before taking action. He truly is a joy to watch as he gets older. And I still squeeze him when I get the chance.

260 of 321 people found the following review helpful.
Undertones of disrespect in an otherwise valuable system
By N V-meyer
As a public school teacher and a mother (2 preschoolers and an infant), I struggled with this book. While I find some incredibly valuable principles in the 1-2-3 Magic system, there are several underlying assumptions (some of which are stressed repeatedly by the author) that don't sit well with me at all.

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE
-Dr. Phelan describes 3 major parenting jobs: 1. Controlling obnoxious behavior, 2. Encouraging good behavior, and 3. Strengthening the parent-child relationship. This feels backwards. It seems to me that these three jobs ought to be prioritized and implemented in reverse order, because a child who feels loved and secure will naturally exhibit less obnoxious behavior.
-Dr. Phelan repeatedly warns parents against thinking of children as "little adults" who will act cooperatively if they have the proper information and sound reasoning, but instead suggests visualizing ourselves as "wild animal trainers." (Are adults all predisposed to cooperation based simply on years??) I will readily admit that my home sometimes sounds like a zoo. However, my children (even at ages 2 and 4) demonstrate to me over and over again the depth and beauty of their spirits, and the complexity of their thoughts and emotions. I want to foster an environment in which my children know that their feelings matter to me, and in which respect grows out of love and trust rather than effective crowd control.
-In an attempt to keep things light and humorous, Dr. Phelan's directions to parents sometimes come across as condescending. For instance, he describes a scenario in which "dad asked the world's dumbest question, 'What's going on in here?'" Levity can be achieved without resorting to insults and sweeping generalizations. Furthermore, I believe this kind of rhetoric will pass right down into the parenting if the parent follows Dr. Phelan's system without challenge.

WHAT I LIKED
-My favorite thing about the "no talking, no emotion" system is that it keeps kids' little mistakes little. Sometimes in the exasperated moments of parenting I find myself saying things like, "C'mon guys! Can't you see that I'm...." or "Why can't you just..." A simple and clear "Too loud. Strike one." gives my 4-yr-old a chance to change his behavior without feeling like he's ruined mommy's day. He frequently apologizes immediately and peace is restored. It also removes the unnecessary vocabulary and verbosity that can overwhelm my 2-yr-old.
-The distinction between "stop behaviors" (fighting, whining, jumping on the bed) and "start behaviors" (getting dressed, brushing teeth, finishing dinner) was a big light-bulb moment for me. Separating the tasks at hand into these two categories has drastically simplified my instructions.
-The use of timers is very helpful as it removes all the parent-child tension from "start behaviors" like finishing dinner. There are no longer arguments about whether or not my 2-year-old should get dessert after taking 97 minutes to down a single serving of veggies. The timer does the talking, and nobody can argue with the timer.
-One-on-one time with each kid is such an overlooked necessity. Just as my husband and I feel like passing ships when we don't manage to squeeze in a date together for months at a time, my kids must experience that same kind of relational depletion when they get lost in the endless whole-family activities.

Overall, I am grateful for the bits that I am able to apply effectively, but I prefer to build my parenting philosophy on a different foundation. Out of the stack of parenting books I recently checked out of the library (including this one), I'd sooner recommend "How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk."

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