FIVE TO NINE
Adventure
Akiak: A Tale from the Iditarod
written and ill. by Robert J. Blake
(Philomel, 1997) $16.99, 0-399-22798-9
A determined, brave Alaska sled dog runs his third and final Iditarod race. Expressive oil painting illustrations. (6-9)
Ghost of the Southern Belle: A Sea Tale
by Odds Bodkin, ill. by Bernie Fuchs
(Little, Brown, 1999) o.p.
Beautiful illustrations add to this 1865 tale in which a young sailor finds a solution to a ghost ship?s curse. (5-8)
The Island-Below-the-Star
written and ill. by James Rumford
(HMC, 1998) $16.00, 0-395-85159-9
Five brothers set off across the Pacific to find a new island. Each, including Manu, the youngest, plays a role. (6-9)
A Traveling Cat
by George Ella Lyon, ill. by Paul Brett Johnson
(Orchard, 1998) $15.95, 0-531-30102-8
A lost cat finds a temporary loving home where she can give birth to her kittens before moving on. Handsome illustrations. (5-8)
Animals
Animal House
written and ill. by Melissa Bay Mathis
(S&S, 1999) o.p.
In a rhymed story, children seek advice from different animals on how to fashion a good play space. (5-7)
Daring Dog and Captain Cat
by Arnold Adoff, ill. by Joe Cepeda
(S&S, 2001) o.p.
A lively romp through the night with two captivating pets. Perfect for reading aloud. Playful illustrations. (5-8)
Mole Music
written and ill. by David McPhail
(Henry Holt, 1999) $16.95, 0-8050-2819-6
Fanciful illustrations show a mole who teaches himself to play the violin, and his music soon soothes the world. (4-7)
There's a Zoo in Room 22
by Judy Sierra, ill. by Barney Saltzberg
(Harcourt, 2000) $16.00, 0-15-202033-0
Meet 26 class pets in this rhyming romp through the ABCs. (4-7)
Verdi
written and ill. by Janell Cannon
(HBC, 1997) $16.00, 0-15-201028-9
A young python resists growing up. Marvelous illustrations. (5-8)
Beginning Readers BEGINNING READERS
Ant Plays Bear
by Betsy Byars, ill. by Ann Schweninger
(Dial, 1997) $12.99, 0-670-86776-4
Four more delightful episodes in the life of Ant and his older brother. (6-8)
Poppleton
(Scholastic, 1997) $14.95, 0-590-84782-1
Poppleton and Friends
(Scholastic, 1997) $15.95, 0-590-84786-4
by Cynthia Rylant, ill. by Mark Teague
Delightful stories about a lovable pig and his friends. Charming illustrations. (5-7)
Poppleton Everyday
by Cynthia Rylant, ill. by Mark Teague
(Scholastic, 1998) $14.95, 0-590-84845-3
Poppleton Forever
by Cynthia Rylant, ill. by Mark Teague
(Scholastic, 1998) $14.95, 0-590-84843-7
Two more in the series about the wonderful pig and his friends. (5-8)
You Read to Me, I'll Read to You: Very Short Stories to Read Together
by Mary Ann Hoberman, ill. by Michael Emberley
(Little, 2001) $15.95, 0-316-36350-2
Simple, entertaining stories filled with engaging pictures and catchy rhymes. An enjoyable way for a child to read with an adult. (5-7)
Fantasy
Enchantment in the Garden
written and ill. by Shirley Hughes
(Lothrop, 1997) $18.00, 0-688-14597-3
A wealthy by lonely girl cares about a lovely statue of a sea god and brings him to life with her touch. Luminous paintings. (6-8)
Nobody Rides the Unicorn
by Adrian Mitchell, ill. by Stephen Lambert
(Scholastic, 2000) $16.95, 0-439-11204-4
A child, who is used by adults to capture a unicorn, releases him and escapes to his kingdom. Exquisitely illustrated (4-6)
O'Sullivan Stew
written and ill. by Hudson Talbott
(Putnam, 1999) $15.99, 0-399-23162-5
Sassy Kate saves her Irish village by telling tall tales to the angry king. (7-9)
Pierre's Dream
by Jennifer Armstrong, ill. by Susan Gaber
(Dial, 1999) o.p.
Lazy Pierre awakes from an afternoon nap under a tree to find himself the heroic star of a traveling circus. Or was it all just a dream? Vibrant illustrations. (6-9)
Pockets
by Jennifer Armstrong, ill. by Mary GrandPré
(Crown, 1998) o.p.
A stranded seamstress creates elaborate pockets for the midwestern townspeople, transforming their everyday lives. Exquisitely told. (6-9)
The Prairie Train
by Antoine O Flatharta, ill. by Eric Rohmann
(Crown, 1999) $16.95, 0-517-70988-0
Somber, dramatic illustrations show Conor, a homesick young Irish immigrant, who travels across America on a train that wishes it were a boat. (5-7)
Raisel's Riddle
by Erica Silverman, ill. by Susan Gaber
(FSG, 1999) $16.00, 0-374-36168-1
This Cinderella's "prince" is the rabbi's son who wins her by solving her riddle. (6-9)
Raising Dragons
by Jerdine Nolen, ill. by Elise Primavera
(HBC, 1998) $16.00, 0-15-201288-5
Magical language and illustrations meld perfectly in this tale of a spunky girl who knows just how to raise dragons. (6-9)
Sector 7
written and ill. by David Wiesner
(Clarion, 1999) $16.00, 0-395-74656-6
A wordless tale that will whisk you on a playful escapade to visit the cloudmakers in the sky. (5-8)
Summer Reading is Killing Me!
by Jon Scieszka, ill. by Lane Smith
(Viking, 1998) $14.99, 0-670-88041-8
Joe, Sam, and Fred time-travel in their summer reading list. Another in the Time Warp series. (7-9)
A Summertime Song
written and ill. by Irene Haas
(McElderry, 1997) $16.00, 0-689-50549-3
A fanciful story, lyrically told, of a young child's dreamlike adventure. Exquisite illustrations. (5-9)
Weslandia
by Paul Fleischman, ill. by Kevin Hawkes
(Candlewick, 1999) $15.99, 0-7636-0006-7
The class nonconformist creates a brilliant utopia and arouses the admiration of his torturers. Clever illustrations parallel the zany, imaginative text. (7-9)
What a Truly Cool World
by Julius Lester, ill. by Joe Cepeda
(Scholastic, 1999) $15.95, 0-590-86468-8
God and Angel Shaniqua bring flowers and butterflies into the world by inventing music. Humorous, with folk art oil paintings. (6-9)
When Agnes Caws
by Candace Fleming, ill. by Giselle Potter
(Atheneum, 1999) $16.00, 0-689-81471-2
A talented young birdcaller snares a rare duck in the Himalayas and thwarts a villainous bird-hunter and stuffer. Delightful illustrations. (5-9)
When the Wind Bears Go Dancing
written and ill. by Phoebe Stone
(Little, Brown, 1998) $15.95, 0-316-81701-5
Through evocative pictures and rhymed text, a young girl transforms a storm into a wild, exciting animal romp in the sky. (6-8)
Folk & Fairy Tales
Aesop's Fables
written and ill. by Jerry Pinkney
(SeaStar, 2000) $19.95, 1-58717-000-0
"The Tortoise and the Hare" and other favorite tales. Expressive watercolors. (7-9)
The Ant and the Grasshopper
retold and ill. by Amy Lowry Poole
(Holiday House, 2000) $17.95, 0-8234-1477-9
Aesop's fable set in China extols the value of hard work. Well retold with paintings influenced by traditional Chinese art. (5-7)
Cendrillon: A Caribbean Cinderella
by Robert D. San Souci, ill. by Brian Pinkney
(S&S, 1998) $17.00, 0-689-80668-X
Creole version of the classic French tale, narrated by the godmother. Lush tropical scratchboard-and-paint illustrations. (5-8)
The Crane Wife
retold by Odds Bodkin, ill. by Gennady Spirin
(HBC, 1998) $16.00, 0-15-201407-1
Beautifully illustrated and poetically retold Japanese legend of a poor weaver and his mysterious wife. (7-10)
The Day Ocean Came to Visit
by Diane Wolkstein, ill. by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher
(Harcourt, 2001) $16.00, 0-15-201774-7
Ocean finally accepts an invitation to visit Sun and Moon's bamboo cottage with startling results. (5-8)
Days of the Blackbird: A Tale of Northern Italy
written and ill. by Tomie dePaola
(Putnam, 1997) $16.99, 0-399-22929-9
How Le Giornate della Merla came to be. Colorful and appealing illustrations. (5-8)
The Dog Who Walked with God
by Michael J. Rosen, ill. by Stan Fellows
(Candlewick, 1998) o.p.
Beautifully detailed watercolors and rhythmic text tell the Kato Indian creation myth of the Great Traveler and his dog. (6-10)
The Dragon Prince: A Chinese Beauty & the Beast Tale
by Laurence Yep, ill. by Kam Mak
(HarperCollins, 1997) $16.99, 0-06-024381-3
To save her father's life, his youngest daughter agrees to marry a fierce dragon. Beautiful illustrations. (6-8)
The Eagle's Gift
by Rafe Martin, ill. by Tatsuro Kiuchi
(Putnam, 1997) o.p.
A traditional Eskimo tale about the gift of joy. Exceptional illustrations.
Fly, Eagle, Fly!: An African Tale
retold by Christopher Gregorowski, ill. by Niki Daly
(McElderry, 2000) $16.95, 0-689-82398-3
An eagle learns to soar upward. Foreword by Archbishop Tutu encourages children to do the same. Spectacular illustrations. (7-9)
The Girl Who Spun Gold
by Virginia Hamilton, ill. by Leo and Diane Dillon
(Blue Sky, 2000) $16.95, 0-590-47378-6
Masterful retelling, majestically illustrated, of a West Indian version of the Rumpelstiltskin tale. (6-9)
The Hired Hand: An African-American Folktale
by Robert D. San Souci, ill. by Jerry Pinkney
(Dial, 1997) o.p.
A lazy son learns a hard lesson. Classic watercolor illustrations.
The King of the Birds
written and ill. by Helen Ward
(Millbrook, 1997) $15.95, 0-7613-0288-3
A story of birds searching for their king. Includes an identification key. Spectacularly detailed illustrations. (6-9)
The Magic Bean Tree: A Legend from Argentina
retold by Nancy Van Laan, ill. by Beatriz Vidal
(HMC, 1998) $15.00, 0-395-82746-9
A young Quechuan boy sets out to bring the rains back to his parched homeland. His reward, and Argentina?s, is the carob bean. (5-8)
Master Man: A Tall Tale of Nigeria
by Aaron Shepard, ill. by David Wisniewski
(HarperCollins, 2001) $15.95, 0-688-13783-0
When Shadusa tries to prove that he's the real master man, he runs into unexpected obstacles. Funny illustrations. (5-8)
The Merbaby
by Teresa Bateman, ill. by Patience Brewster
(Holiday House, 2001) $16.95, 0-8234-1531-7
When Tarron?s fishing net pulls up a merbaby, he resists the fame and fortune it could bring, risks the peril of the siren song, and returns her to her folk. (5-8)
Mouse Match: A Chinese Folktale
written and ill. by Ed Young
(HBC, 1997) o.p.
Exceptional artwork that opens like a Chinese screen dramatizes the classic tale of a mouse?s search for a bridegroom. Written in Chinese and English. (6-8)
The Night Has Ears: African Proverbs
selected and illustrated by Ashley Bryan
(Atheneum, 1999) $16.95, 0-689-82427-0
Twenty-six proverbs, serious and funny, from different African tribes. Gaily illustrated. (7-9)
Night of the White Stag
by M.C. Helldorfer, ill. by Yvonne Gilbert
(Doubleday, 1999) o.p.
A wondrous tale of a young boy in an enchanted winter forest. (5-8)
Ouch! A Tale from Grimm
retold by Natalie Babbitt, written and ill. by Fred Marcellino
(HarperCollins, 1998) $14.95, 0-06-205066-4
Delightful retelling of the tale of young Marco who goes from being nobody special to becoming king. Clever illustrations. (5-8)
The Pied Piper of Hamelin
retold by Robert Holden, ill. by Drahos Zak
(HMC, 1998) $15.00, 0-395-89918-4
Wonderful illustrations depict how the Pied Piper extracts his revenge from the greedy inhabitants of Hamelin. (6-8)
Rapunzel
retold and ill. by Paul O. Zelinsky
(Dutton, 1997) $17.99, 0-525-45607-4
Magnificently illustrated retelling of the classic folktale in which a girl is imprisoned in a lonely tower. (6-9)
The Shark God
by Rafe Martin, ill. by David Shannon
(Scholastic, 2001) $15.95, 0-590-39500-9
When their two children are sentenced to death for befriending a shark, their parents seek help from the Shark God. A Hawaiian legend. (7-9)
The Spider Weaver: A Legend of Kente Cloth
by Margaret Musgrove, ill. by Julia Cairns
(Blue Sky, 2001) $16.95, 0-590-98787-9
A talented spider teaches two weavers the Kente cloth pattern. A traditional tale from Ghana. Beautifully illustrated. (6-8)
Storm Maker's Tipi
written and ill. by Paul Goble
(Atheneum, 2001) $18.00, 0-689-84137-X
Storm Maker's gift of the tipi design to the Blackfoot Nation. (5-8)
Tasty Baby Belly Buttons
by Judy Sierra, ill. by Meilo So
(Knopf, 1999) $18.99, 0-679-89369-5
Brave Uriko gathers allies to save the village's babies from the dreaded Oni. Humorous watercolors with a traditional Japanese flavor. (5-8)
Trickster and the Fainting Birds
by Howard Norman, ill. by Tom Pohrt
(HBC, 1999/Raintree 2000) $20.98, 0-7398-1363-3
A well-transcribed series of Cree and Chippewa trickster tales. Excellent introduction and notes on each tale. (6-9)
The Two Brothers: A Legend of Jerusalem
retold and ill. by Neil Waldman
(Atheneum, 1997) o.p.
Sharing and love form the foundations for the ancient city. Soft, warm illustrations. (6-9)
The Ugly Duckling
by Hans Christian Andersen, adapted and ill. by Jerry Pinkney
(HarperCollins, 1999) $15.95, 0-688-15932-X
The outcast duckling who was really a swan. An exceptional retelling with lavish illustrations. (5-8)
Growing Up
Circle of Thanks
by Susi Gregg Fowler, ill. by Peter Catalanotto
(Scholastic, 1998, 2001) P$5.99, 0-590-10069-6
Expressive illustrations highlight this warm story of animals and people caring for one another on the Alaskan tundra. (6-9)
Circus Girl
written and ill. by Tomek Bogacki
(FSG, 2001) $17.00, 0-374-31291-5
The exciting presence and kindness of a new girl from the circus leads two boys to become friends. (5-7)
The Face at the Window
by Regina Hanson, ill. by Linda Saport
(Clarion, 1997) $14.95, 0-395-78625-8
Tender story of a young Jamaican girl learning to understand, instead of fear, a neighbor?s mental illness. Luminous illustrations. (6-9)
Freedom Summer
by Deborah Wiles, ill. by Jerome Lagarrigue
(Atheneum, 2001) $16.00, 0-689-83016-5
An African-American boy and his white friend deal with racism in a southern town on the eve of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. (5-8)
Gabby Growing Up
by Amy Hest, ill. by Amy Schwartz
(S&S, 1998) o.p.
Celebrating Grampa's birthday causes more worries and joy than Gabby expected. Expressive drawings. (6-9)
Good Luck, Mrs. K.!
by Louise Borden, ill. by Adam Gustavson
(McElderry, 1999) $15.00, 0-689-82147-6
A third-grader tells of her class and their remarkable teacher who must take a leave from school due to cancer. Enhancing watercolors. (7-10)
Gus and Grandpa at the Hospital
by Claudia Mills, ill. by Catherine Stock
(FSG, 1998,2001) P$4.95, 0-374-42812-3
Gus copes during Grandpa's heart attack and recovery, helped by his amusing dog and family's support. (6-8)
Jumping into Nothing
by Gina Willner-Pardo, ill. by Heidi Chang
(Clarion, 1999) $14.00, 0-395-84130-5
Nine-year-old Sophie faces her fear of the high diving board in her unique way. Funny and wise. (7-9)
Miz Berlin Walks
by Jane Yolen, ill. by Floyd Cooper
(Philomel, 1997, 2000) P$6.99, 0-698-11845-6
A beautiful relationship builds between a young black girl and an elderly white woman as they walk and exchange stories. Exquisite illustrations. (6-10)
Monk Camps Out
written and ill. by Emily Arnold McCully
(Scholastic, 2000) $15.95, 0-439-09976-5
Young Monk isn?t the only one who?s nervous about his first camping experience. (5-8)
Morning on the Lake
by Jan Bourdeau Waboose, ill. by Karen Reczuch
(Kids Can, 1998, 2002) P$5.95, 1-55074-588-3
An Ojibway boy learns from his grandfather about becoming one with his environment in this warm narrative. (6-9)
On Call Back Mountain
by Eve Bunting, ill. by Barry Moser
(Blue Sky, 1997) $15.95, 0-590-25929-6
Two brothers come to terms with the death of a forest ranger and family friend. Stunning illustrations. (6-9)
Pinky and Rex and the Perfect Pumpkin
by James Howe, ill. by Melissa Sweet
(Atheneum, 1998) o.p.
Rex feels ignored on a weekend visit to her friend's grandparents. Sensitively handled. (5-8)
The Raft
written and ill. by Jim LaMarche
(HarperCollins, 2000) $15.95, 0-688-13977-9
Nicky's grandmother helps him to become aware of the natural world around him. Sensitively told and beautifully illustrated. (5-8)
Sister Anne's Hands
by Marybeth Lorbiecki, ill. by K. Wendy Popp
(Dial, 1998) $15.99, 0-8037-2038-6
Young Anna is exposed to the ugly face of racism as an African-American nun comes to teach in her second-grade classroom in a predominantly white town. (6-9)
The Summer My Father Was Ten
by Pat Brisson, ill. by Andrea Shine
(Boyds Mills, 1998, 2003) P$8.95, 1-56397-829-6
A summer incident when he was ten changed the way this father lived his life. Evocative watercolors. (5-9)
Thank You, Mr. Falker
written and ill. by Patricia Polacco
(Philomel, 1998) $16.99, 0-399-23166-8
Trisha hides her inability to read, feeling worse and worse about herself, until a perceptive fifth grade teacher discovers her secret. (6-9)
Tomboy Trouble
by Sharon Dennis Wyeth, ill. by Lynne Woodcock Cravath
(Random House, 1998) o.p.
An easy-to-read, well-told tale of a non-conformist girl and how she deals with gender identity. (7-9)
True Heart
by Marissa Moss, ill. by C.F. Payne
(HBC, 1999) $16.00, 0-15-201344-X
Bee, with eight siblings to support, takes a job loading freight on the Union Pacific
Railroad in 1893. Richly illustrated. (6-8)
Turtle Spring
written and ill. by Deborah Turney Zagwyn
(Tricycle Press, 1998) $15.95, 1-883672-53-8
The gift of a turtle helps a young girl develop love for her new brother and an appreciation for the evolving seasons. Captivatingly illustrated. (5-7)
The Year of Miss Agnes
by Kirkpatrick Hill
(McElderry, 2000) $16.00, 0-689-82933-7
A small Native American community in Alaska gets a new teacher--a teacher like no other. (7-10)
Humor
Awful Ogre's Awful Day
by Jack Prelutsky, ill. by Paul O. Zelinsky
(Greenwillow, 2001) $15.95, 0-688-07778-1
A delightful, rhymed look at a day in the life of an ogre. (6-9)
The Blunder of the Rogues
written and ill. by Tim Egan
(HMC, 1999) $15.00, 0-395-91007-2
The hilarious account of the woes that befall four bowling animal-friends who decide to become criminals. (7-9)
The Bootmaker and the Elves
by Susan Lowell, ill. by Tim Curry
(Orchard, 1997) $16.99, 0-531-33044-3
Retelling of the familiar story about the poor shoemaker who is helped by elves. Set in the Old West. (6-12)
Buttons
written and ill. by Brock Cole
(FSG, 2000) $16.00, 0-374-31001-7
Three daughters set out to find replacements for the buttons that have burst from their father's breeches. Whimsically told and illustrated. (6-8)
Cinderella's Rat
written and ill. by Susan Meddaugh
(HMC, 1997) $16.00, 0-395-86833-5
The "true" story of Cinderella, with a delightful twist. Animated illustrations. (5-7)
Dusty Locks and the Three Bears
by Susan Lowell, ill. by Randy Cecil
(Henry Holt, 2001) $15.95, 0-8050-5862-1
A charming Westernized Goldilocks tale. Amusing illustrations. (6-9)
Emeline at the Circus
written and ill. by Marjorie Priceman
(Knopf, 1999) $15.00, 0-679-87685-5
Clever illustrations tell the tale as Emeline accidentally becomes part of the show when her class visits the circus. (5-7)
A Fine, Fine School
by Sharon Creech, ill. by Harry Bliss
(HarperCollins, 2001) $15.95, 0-06-027736-X
When being in school is such a fine, fine thing, why not stay there all the time? (4-8)
Good Night, Good Knight
by Shelley Moore Thomas, ill. by Jennifer Plecas
(Dutton, 2000) $13.99, 0-525-46326-7
Three little dragons are helped to go to sleep in this amusing, repetitive tale. Perky watercolor and ink drawings. (4-7)
Happy Birthday, Frankie
by Sarah Weeks, ill. by Warren Linn
(HarperCollins, 1999) o.p.
Can Frankie?s body parts be connected in time? A wacky tale with bright, cut-paper and gouache illustrations. (5-8)
Hoodwinked
written and ill. by Arthur Howard
(Harcourt, 2001) $16.00, 0-15-202656-8
Mitzi wants a pet but choosing the right one proves challenging. (6-8)
I, Crocodile
written and ill. by Fred Marcellino
(HarperCollins, 1999) $15.95, 0-06-205168-7
Napoleon finds an egocentric reptile in Egypt and captures him for a showy souvenir with amusing results. Witty and appealing illustrations. (6-9)
Kitty Riddles
by Katy Hall and Lisa Eisenberg, ill. by R.W. Alley
(Dial, 2000) $13.99, 0-8037-2116-1
What's little and soft and says, "Beow, beow"? A kitten with a cold. (4-7)
Magpie Magic: A Tale of Colorful Mischief
written and ill. by April Wilson
(Dial, 1999) $16.99, 0-8037-2354-7
An intriguing wordless caper related through fascinating illustrations. (6-9)
Martha Walks the Dog
written and ill. by Susan Meddaugh
(HMC, 1998, 2003) P$5.95, 0-618-38005-1
A talking dog finds that words can be powerful, even with a neighborhood bully. (5-8)
Me and My Cat?
written and ill. by Satoshi Kitamura
(FSG, 2000) $16.00, 0-374-34906-1
Nicholas and his cat trade places. Hilarious illustrations. (6-8)
Mean Margaret
by Tor Seidler, ill. by Jon Agee
(HarperCollins, 1997) $15.99, 0-06-205090-7
A community of animals, header by newlywed woodchucks, tries to raise a greedy, mischievous human baby. Very funny! (7-10)
You Can't Take a Balloon Into the Metropolitan Museum
by Jacqueline Preiss Weitzman, pictures by Robin Preiss Glasser
(Dial, 1998) $17.99, 0-8037-2301-6
In this wordless book, following a yellow balloon yields wonderful visual delights of the streets of New York and the Metropolitan museum. (6-9)
Past
Anna All Year Round
by Mary Downing Hahn, ill. by Diane de Groat
(Clarion, 1999/HarperTrophy 2001) P$4.95, 0-380-73317-X
A warm portrait of German Americans in pre-World War I Baltimore, drawn from a family memoir. (7-9)
The Babe & I
by David A. Adler, ill. by Terry Widener
(HBC, 1999) $16.00, 0-15-201378-4
Poignant depiction of Depression life as a young boy discovers his father, a former businessman, selling apples to support the family. (7-9)
Barefoot: Escape on the Underground Railroad
by Pamela Duncan Edwards, ill. by Henry Cole
(HarperCollins, 1997) $14.95, 0-614-28823-1
A terrified slave is helped on his way to freedom by wild creatures. Dark-toned paintings. (8-10)
Beautiful Warrior: The Legend of the Nun's Kung Fu
written and ill. by Emily Arnold McCully
(Scholastic, 1998) $16.95, 0-590-37487-7
An original story, using traditional Chinese narrative, of the travails of a young woman saved by the kung fu master. (7-10)
Caleb's Story
by Patricia MacLachlan
(Harper Collins, 2001) $14.95, 0-06-023605-1
A delicate story of accepting and loving others in spite of their flaws. Third in the Sarah Plain and Tall series. (7-10)
Cocoa Ice
by Diana Appelbaum, ill. by Holly Meade
(Orchard, 1997) $17.99, 0-531-30040-0
Life long ago in Santo Domingo and in Maine, comparing the harvesting of chocolate and Yankee ice. Vivid illustrations. (6-10)
Fannie in the Kitchen
by Deborah Hopkinson, ill. by Nancy Carpenter
(Atheneum, 2001) $16.00, 0-689-81965-X
Lively whimsical story of the genesis of the Fannie Farmer cookbook. Amusing illustrations play with images. (5-10)
A Fourth of July on the Plains
by Jean Van Leeuwen, ill. by Henri Sorensen
(Dial, 1997) o.p.
How pioneers on their way out West celebrated July 4, 1852. Warm illustrations. (5-8)
The Gardener
by Sarah Stewart, ill. by David Small
(FSG, 1997) $16.00, 0-374-32517-0
When Lydia is sent to live with her uncle, she is determined to brighten up her drab urban surroundings. Watercolor illustrations. (4-8)
Goin' Someplace Special
by Patricia McKissack, ill. by Jerry Pinkney
(Atheneum, 2001) $16.00, 0-689-81885-8
Illustrations truly capture the mood when ŒTricia Ann takes her first trip alone and faces the inequities and hurts of segregation. (5-8)
Lookin' for Bird in the Big City
by Robert Burleigh, ill. by Marek Los
(Harcourt, 2001) $16.00, 0-15-202031-4
A young Miles Davis plays his horn to New York City's beat as he searches for his idol, Charlie Parker. (6-9)
The Memory Coat
by Elvira Woodruff, ill. by Michael Dooling
(Scholastic, 1999) $15.95, 0-590-67717-9
A Russian-Jewish family journeys to America, only to face the possibility that one of them will be turned back at Ellis Island. Dramatic oil-painting illustrations. (7-9)
The Orphan Singer
written and ill. by Emily Arnold McCully
(Scholastic, 2001) $16.95, 0-439-19274-9
An impoverished family in Venice leaves their talented daughter at a foundling home where she can be trained as an opera singer. (7-10)
The Secret to Freedom
by Marcia Vaughan, ill. by Larry Johnson
(Lee & Low, 2001) $16.95, 1-58430-021-3
A slave family before and after liberation. Touching and informative. (6-9)
The Shipwrecked Sailor: An Egypian Tale with Hieroglyphs
written and ill. by Tamara Bower
(S&S, 2000) $17.00, 0-689-83046-7
A sailor finds himself stranded by a storm in a land of enchantment. Based on a story from an ancient papyrus scroll. Illustrations in the Egyptian style. (7-10)
Sky Sash So Blue
by Libby Hathorn, ill. by Benny Andrews
(S&S, 1998) $16.00, 0-689-81090-3
The harsh realities of American slavery are revealed in the poetic tale of the sky blue sash. (6-8)
So Far from the Sea
by Eve Bunting, ill. by Chris K. Soentpiet
(Clarion, 1998) $15.00, 0-395-72095-8
A Japanese American girl and her family visit Manzanar, where her father was interned as a child in 1942. Watercolor illustrations. (6-9)
Streets of Gold
by Rosemary Wells, ill. by Dan Andreasen
(Dial, 1999) $15.99, 0-8037-2149-8
Mary and her family flee from oppressive Russia to Boston where freedom and the opportunity to get an education make up for difficult conditions. Beautiful illustrations. (7-10)
Three Cheers for Catherine the Great!
by Cari Best, ill. by Giselle Potter
(DK, Inc., 1999) $16.95, 0-7894-2622-6
Sara?s Russian grandmother asks for no presents on her birthday, so Sara searches for the best present of all. Fun and warm illustrations. (6-9)
Treehouse Tales
by Anne Isaacs, ill. by Lloyd Bloom
(Dutton, 1997) o.p.
Lighthearted adventures of three children on a 19th century Pennsylvania farm. (6-9)
The Yellow House: Vincent van Gogh and Paul Gauguin Side by Side
by Susan Goldman Rubin, ill. by Jos. A. Smith
(Abrams, 2001) $17.95, 0-8109-4588-6
An unsuccessful experiment in living and working together creates a compelling story about the two artists. (7-10)
Today
The Disappearing Island
by Corinne Demas, ill. by Ted Lewin
(S&S, 2000) 16.00, 0-689-80539-X
Nine-year-old Carrie and her grandmother embark on an afternoon expedition in waters off Cape Cod. (6-9)
Goodbye Mousie
by Robie H. Harris, ill. by Jan Ormerod
(McElderry, 2001) $16.00, 0-689-83217-6
A little boy's pet mouse dies. Sensitive narrative and charming illustrations. (5-8)
Grandpa's Soup
by Eiko Kadono, ill. by Satomi Ichikawa
(Eerdmans, 1999, 2004) $16.00, 0-8028-5195-9
An elderly man recovering from his wife?s death learns to cook soup from her recipe and ends up feeding the neighborhood. (5-7)
Gugu's House
written and ill. by Catherine Stock
(Clarion, 2001) $14.00, 0-618-00389-4
Kukamba emulates her Grandma?s amazing artwork. But when rains come to her Zimbabwe home, she looks for new beauty. Expressive watercolors. (7-9)
The Journey
by Sarah Stewart, ill. by David Small
(FSG, 2001) $16.00, 0-374-33905-8
Hannah, an Amish girl, keeps a diary on her first visit to Chicago. The city sights remind her of her quiet home. Glorious illustrations. (6-9)
Madlenka
written and ill. by Peter Sis
(FSG, 2000) $17.00, 0-374-39969-7
In showing her loose tooth to her urban neighbors, a little girl enjoys visits to foreign countries. Fantastic illustrations. (4-6)
Mama Elizabeti
by Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen, ill. by Christy Hale
(Lee & Low, 2000) $15.95, 1-58430-002-7
Caring for a brother is not as easy as caring for a doll. Warm, loving text and illustrations. (5-7)
A Picnic in October
by Eve Bunting, ill. by Nancy Carpenter
(HBC, 1999) $16.00, 0-15-201656-2
On a family's annual outing to the Statue of Liberty, Tony discovers the meaning of America for new and old Americans. Fresh text and illustrations. (6-9)
Pumpkin Jack
written and ill. by Will Hubbell
(Albert Whitman, 2000) $15.95, 0-8075-6665-9
Lovely illustrations capture a boy's affection for his pumpkin "friend", and his appreciation for its natural life cycle. (4-8)
The Roses in My Carpets
by Rukhsana Khan, ill. by Ronald Himler
(Holiday House, 1998) o.p.
A moving tale of an Afghanistani refugee boy, whose courage, imagination and rugweaving talent provide hope for his family. (8-10)
The Tiny Kite of Eddie Wing
by Maxine Trottier, ill. by Al Van Mil
(Kane/Miller, 1996) o.p.
A poor boy, who can't afford his own kite, makes do flying an imaginary one that catches the attention of old Mr. Chan, the wealthiest man in town. (6-9)
Who's Whose?
written and ill. by Jan Ormerod
(Lothrop, 1998) o.p.
Simple yet immensely clever depiction of daily life with supportive and diverse family and friends. (4-6)
| 
