We are planning a trip to Sicily for a week to 10 days. We are planning to rent a house for the time we are there. Any suggestions as to the best area to stay to take advantage of the island in a week? Thanks!

If staying in one place, the eastern end makes the most sense as you would be within driving distance of Siracusa, Mt. Etna, the Baroque towns (Noto, etc.) and perhaps even a day's drive from Agrigento. I would split the trip in two because there is a lot to see in the center of the island. You might want to take a look at my trip report, skipping the medical details; click on my name to find it. We covered the island in nine days, which was a little too short, so that we missed Noto and the other near-by towns.

You really need at least two bases, one in the east and one in the west, unless you do only have a week, in which case which side you stay is a toss-up. There is a great deal to see each side.

Besides finding a guide book (I think Lonely Planet still publishes one, and Rough Guide has an ebook), take a look at the Sicily TRs here to get an idea of what to see. (Click on my name for mine.)

With only 10 days, you'll have to be extremely selective. Like thursdaysd, I recommend that you get a good guidebook or two (or spend some time with a few in your local library), identify the things you most want to see in each location, note their opening/closing times, and mark them on a calendar. Then pencil in your transportation and see how things fit together.

And in addition to trip reports, look at planning threads, which often include a wealth of information.

I agree for the need to split the island into east and west segments.