Spoken from the Heart

This book is so moving in many ways. I have laughed and cried while reading it. Laura Bush has gone from the small oil town of Midland, TX, to the Governor’s Mansion in TX, to the “White House,” as our First Lady. I want to emphasize Lady as she is gracious, charming, elegant, smart and beautiful. She did not use her book as a platform to knock all of those who have said such terrible things about President Bush or herself.

I had no idea how much was expected from a First Lady until I read this book. Nor did I realize how little private time they have for their family and friends. Laura Bush has worked hard to make people aware of the basic needs that everyone should have around the world. Women’s rights in Afghanistan, to literacy, both here and abroad. These are just a few of the many things she has done. To list them all would take up several pages. But she points them out in her book in hopes that others will still get on board and help.

Laura has really opened up and shared a large part of her personal life with us in this book. While there were others who wanted her to be something different than what she was; Laura Bush stayed true to who she is. She is still the girl next door and a loyal friend.

I feel honored to have had her as our First Lady, and all that she has done. Laura Bush has “true grit” and it doesn’t come any better than that.

Rated G

Oregon Trail

Oregon Trail
Rick Steber
Bonanza Publishing
Box 204
Pineville, OR 97754
1-800-399-3115
www.ricksteber.com
ISBN: 0-945134-01-0
$1.99 at B&N
58 pages


This book is an excellent book for teachers to use as a tool, for teaching young minds about our country and its beginnings. The “Oregon Trail,” tells how hard it was for early pioneers to travel to the N.W. Each little story is only a page long, which will hold the attention of younger school age children.

Even adults can enjoy some of these stories. I found it funny that ox's went crazy when they smelled or saw buffalos.

Sandra Heptinstall