This is a special book for everyone who wants to keep their minds and brain alert and full of life. This book is just a resource for those who want to try some brain games, physical exercise and leisure activities that would or might stimulate your brain to keep you alert and on the ball. Remember, before starting any physical exercise program you need to discuss it with your doctor no matter how old you are for your own safety and health. Dieting does help when you need to lose those extra pounds that you don't want. Check with your doctor to make sure that the program you start is the right one for you. I DID This book includes great research done by many prominent doctors in the field of Alzheimer's and dementia. There are many studies that I sited and several that I feel will help not only seniors but young adults and even kids understand the importance of keeping active, reading, writing, doing puzzles and other activities that will keep you out of your chair and active outside and inside.

The second issue of MJ Magazine includes featured authors RaeAnne Thayne and Rita Plush, author of the month, Tess Gerritsen. Reviews and interviews including Mark Rubenstein interviewing M.J. Rose and Christoph Fischer interviewing Paulette Mahurin, Ada Winder and DM Lee. The featured new author this time is Timothy Louis Baker, plus articles by Mark Rubenstein, Brian Hayden and Donald Riggio.

Welcome to the first issue of MJ Magazine - created by authors for authors. This issue includes interviews with Jon Land, Steve Berry and R.J. Ellory as well as book reviews, writing tips, Fran's pick of the month and much more. Authors are encouraged to read the magazine and then send their writing for possible inclusion in the next issue.

"As a career educator, Fran Lewis has keen insight into the hearts and minds of children. Beyond Fran's professional service to children, she is personally dedicated to taking on the growing problem of bullying and abuse. Fran not only touches lives through her personal commitments, but reaches many more people through her writing, which both entertains and educates." - Michael Tabman, Retired FBI Agent Author of crime novels Midnight Sin and Bad Intent; and non-fiction, Walking the Corporate Beat: Police School for Business People http: //www.michaeltabman.com Bertha and Tillie find fun in doing just about everything together. But, sometimes Bertha is overwhelmed by the pressures of school, getting only A's and competing with her friends for their attention. When Bertha's cousin Penelope Mia decides to target her and make her feel small in many ways Bertha rebels. In Bertha Fights Back, find out what happens when she joins a gang and gets involved with the wrong kids. Learn about her tolerance and understanding program. Then read what happens when she goes to Dancing School, takes Ice Skating Lessons and Tillie goes to modeling school. Bertha and Tillie - Sisters Forever is filled with stories based on real life events experienced by the author and her sister, Marcia Joyce. The first half of the book is based on the author's experiences as an educator in the NYC Public School System as a reading and writing Staff Developer and Dean. ..".This book is an innocent slice of a young woman's life and harkens back to an era when manners were king. Ms. Lewis crafted a piece of Americana for young women to read and reflect upon, similar to the American Girl series without the cloying over-sweetness."- Bennet Pomerantz columnist, Amazon.com and A Piece of the Page

Bertha and Tillie have done some really fun things in their lives and would love to share them with readers. Bertha is your narrator and she will share her feelings, her thoughts dealing with weight issues, bullying, feeling alone and having a sister that was always there for her every step of the way. Although at times it might sound as if Tillie (her sister) is part of the group picking on her, she is not. Tillie is smart, cute, thin and always wanted to be a Broadway star. But, fate steps in and things change for everyone in her family. These stories are told in no particular order. They were put together by the author in the order she wants them read. The stories are based on real life incidents that happened to us growing up. From my sister trying to teach me how to cook, to cleaning our room, we had some really fun times together. My sister passed away and I lost my partner in crime, antics and the one person who called me every morning to brighten my day. This book is dedicated to her and all sisters to let you know that you are blessed and lucky to have a sister in your life. My sister was my best friend, co-conspirator and champion. Some of the proceeds from this book will go to Montefiore/Einstein Hospital for a fund set up in memory of my mom, Ruth, who had Alzheimer's, and The Kessler Foundation who set up a fund in memory of my sister and best friend, Marcia Wallach. Marcia, Bertha and Tillie Forever is for you

The choices that you make today are the ones you will live with forever. As I drive through many different cemeteries you will hear the voices of those behind these stones. Some are old and worn while others are just beginning to fade as the memories of those teens whose names are on the stones. Bad Choices are made when teens become despondent, feel all alone, do not fit in or even just want to become popular at any cost to themselves or others. The ground is flat and filled with mold and mildew on some of the plots and stones while others are covered with moss. The newer graves that have just been dug have no bushes or grass as the occupants have just arrived and their graves have yet to settle. Get in the back seat of the limo and join the driver and find out just why each of these teens wound up behind the many different stones in the many different cemeteries you will be visiting. Bad Choices: we all make them but some are more costly than others. Open the door the driver is waiting and maybe you won't wind up as a face behind the stones.

Driving down the rocky path I saw the overgrown grass, weeds and poison ivy overtaking the outer perimeter of the bushes. The smell of mildew, the stench of the dried bones of animals killed by cars along this dirt road coming up from the ground, the sadness on the faces of the drivers in the cars behind us; you could feel the pain and sorrow. As you looked inside the cars and saw the faces of the drivers, you began to wonder what they were thinking, their thoughts and feelings as they travelled down life's highway, possibly for the very last time. What stories lie behind the faces behind the wheel of each car? What stories lie hidden? Faces...so, so many stories. Here are seven that will make chills run down your spine and make you wonder: What lies behind the stones? Who lives there? Only the Faces Behind the Stones Know the Answers

This is a special book for everyone who wants to keep their minds and brain alert and full of life. This book is just a resource for those who want to try some brain games, physical exercise and leisure activities that would or might stimulate your brain to keep you alert and on the ball. Remember, before starting any physical exercise program you need to discuss it with your doctor no matter how old you are for your own safety and health. Dieting does help when you need to lose those extra pounds that you don't want. Check with your doctor to make sure that the program you start is the right one for you. I DID This book includes great research done by many prominent doctors in the field of Alzheimer's and dementia. There are many studies that I sited and several that I feel will help not only seniors but young adults and even kids understand the importance of keeping active, reading, writing, doing puzzles and other activities that will keep you out of your chair and active outside and inside.

Bertha, a thirteen old teenage girl, living the South Bronx, is having trouble dealing with everyday issues that children face in school and just growing up. Bertha is uncoordinated, not very pretty and has trouble doing any physical activities. Bertha has a sister named Tillie who is very pretty, very agile and has no problem making friends or doing all of the things that Bertha cannot do. They are total opposites. Tillie and many of Bertha's cousins enjoy laughing at her when she tried to ice skate; take dancing lessons or even bowl. Bertha attempted to do all of these things but could not. However, she is smart, sassy and has a great sense of humor, which helps her to deal with these experiences and others. Growing up can be difficult when you are over weight or not really good at sports or dancing. I hope you will learn from reading my book that you can be anything that you want to be and no one can stop you from reaching your goals and dreams. Not everyone is born athletic, beautiful, thin or a genius. However, every one is smart or excellent in something whether it is drawing, jumping rope or even running track. Who you are as a person is what makes you special. I hope that you enjoy reading about Bertha and Tillie and learn that there is a little bit of Bertha in everyone. My first two books send a positive message to children. They both deal with real life issues that children face today. Being over weight, bullied in school, and not very pretty made life hard for me. I know that it makes it even more difficult for children growing up today. In Bertha Fights Back Bertha learns that following the path of others and not being true to who you are can be costly in many different ways.

Dear Bertha, Falling in the hole must have been painful. I know it hurt a lot when I broke my arm playing baseball. You were brave to stay in the hole all night and not get too scared. Love, Casey Dear Bertha, I am so sorry that you could not dance. I am not so great either. Love, Dani Dear Bertha, So what if you will never be an Olympic skater. You are really smart in school. That instructor needs to learn to be nicer to his students. Love, DJ Dear Bertha, You see, there are nice boys in the world that judge girls not by how they look but by how nice they are. Just like you Love, Katie and Carly and Cade Dear Bertha, You are a great puncher. Who cares if you can't run fast you always get a homerun. Good Job. Love, Josh and Jake Hi I'm Bertha, Thank you for your encouragement. I am ten years old and not matter what I do I can never get it right. Whether it is dancing lessons, ice skating or just playing punch ball, I poor Bertha can never win. Either I would fall down, trip over my feet or want to hide under the covers and never come out. Dancing lessons were a nightmare because standing on toe shoes required 5 people to hold me up to prevent me from falling. Skating lessons were hazardous to the instructor and even trying to convince my mother to let me my own outfit for my first dance took all of my powers of persuasion and a whole lot more. These are stories of me ten year Bertha who had a tough time growing up. I was over weight, not very pretty and got teased and picked on. For anyone who has ever had someone make fun of them, I hope you will learn from me Bertha that who you are inside makes the person, not what you look like on the outside. Love, Bertha

About the book Growing up was difficult for me being overweight, too quiet and really afraid to speak out in order to defend myself. In this book Bertha learns that she needs to let her voice be heard and no longer allows herself to be the scapegoat. Not everyone is beautiful, looks like a model or even dances like the pros, but everyone in the world every child and adult is good at something. Find out what your strengths are and build on them and success will be yours. Bertha also learns in this book how to deal with a family member s disease and how she and her sister Tillie work together to help the other members of her family when grandma gets Alzheimer's. I hope that you enjoy reading about Bertha and Tillie and learn that there is a little bit of her in everyone. Love Bertha, Tillie and Fran Lewis