Best of the Best
Outstanding Books of 1997 to 2008
From the 1998 to 2008 editions of The Best Children's Books of the Year
Under Five | Five to Nine | NINE AND UP | Twelve and Up | Special Interests
Nine and Up
Adventure and MysteryBackwater
by Joan Bauer
(Putnam, 1999)
A sixteen-year-old searches for her reclusive aunt and discovers the importance of family, forgiveness, and acceptance. Funny and insightful. (10-13)
The Crow-Girl
by Bodil Bredsdorff
(FSG, 2004)
A lonely orphan's long and difficult journey brings her new friends and experiences and ultimately, a new name. (9-12)
The Invention Of Hugo Cabret
written and ill. by Brian Selznick
(Scholastic, 2007)
A twelve-year-old boy uncovers secrets from the past, told through drawings which alternate with text in silent film style. (8-12)
Kensuke's Kingdom
by Michael Morpurgo
(Scholastic, 2003)
Washed overboard while sailing around the world with his parents, Michael survives on an island aided by its sole inhabitant. (10-13)
Minnow on the Say
by Philippa Pearce, ill. by Edward Ardizzone
(Greenwillow, 2000)
A mystery which includes two boys in an English village, and exploration on a river. Lots of pleasant puttering with an old canoe. (9-12)
The Misadventures of Maude March
by Audrey Couloumbis
(Random , 2005)
Eleven-year-old Sallie, an orphan, follows an adventurous trail in search of a long-lost uncle. Hilarious. (10-13)
Red Midnight
by Ben Mikaelsen
(HarperCollins, 2002)
Twelve-year-old Santiago and his little sister flee civil strife in Guatemala in a homemade kayak.
(10-14)
Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief
by Wendelin Van Draanen
(Knopf, 1998)
Sammy, who lives with her grandmother, spots a robbery and finds herself in the middle of big trouble. (9-12)
Sammy Keyes and the Skeleton Man
by Wendelin Van Draanen
(Knopf, 1998)
Feisty Sammy solves the Halloween break-in! (9-12)
Sea Legs
by Alex Shearer
(S&S, 2005)
Twin sons of the steward on a luxury ocean liner stow away--and face assorted adventures including modern "pirates" in this rollicking tale. (9-12)
Skellig
by David Almond
(Delacorte, 1999)
A mysterious stranger (a bird or an angel?) in the garage of a family's new dilapidated house. Lyrical prose. (9-12)
Spring-Heeled Jack
by Philip Pullman, ill. by David Mostyn
(Knopf, 2002)
The adventures of three orphans in Victorian England. A high-spirited spoof with an abundance of comics-style illustrations. (8-10)
The Wanderer
by Sharon Creech
(HarperCollins, 2000)
Crossing the Atlantic in a sailboat with her uncles and cousins challenges thirteen-year-old Sophie and reveals her past. (9-13)
ANIMALSEye of the Wolf
by Daniel Pennac, ill. by Max Grafe
(Candlewick, 2003)
A mystical, absorbing story of a young African boy's rapport with zoo animals and with one wolf in particular. (8-12)
FANTASYThe Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents
by Terry Pratchett
(HarperCollins, 2001)
Maurice the cat and his troop of talking rats plan a Pied Piper scam in the town of Bad Blintz. (9-12)
Birdwing
by Rafe Martin
(Scholastic, 2005)
With one arm still a swan wing, Ardwin turns the Queen's spell into a blessing. Based on Grimm's fairy tale. (10-14)
The Book of Story Beginnings
by Kristin Kladstrup
(Candlewick, 2006)
Stories come to life when Lucy discovers a notebook with a link to the 1914 disappearance of a great uncle at the age of fourteen. (9-14)
Colman
by Monica Furlong
(Random, 2004)
Colman and his cousin, Wise child, use their developing magic powers to overcome evil Meroot and Gray Knight and restore Juniper's Cornwall kingdom to her brother. (10-12)
Dark Lord of Derkholm
by Diana Wynne Jones
(Greenwillow, 1998)
Griffins, dragons, and wizards combine forces! A rollicking adventure. (10-14)
The Dragon of Lonely Island
by Rebecca Rupp
(Candlewick Press, 1998)
A kindly dragon's legends link three modern siblings to history and their own family's past. Set on a remote island off the Maine coast. (9-11)
Fly By Night
by Frances Hardinge
(HarperCollins, 2006)
In an imaginative world where books are dangerous, can a girl, a goose and a con-man stop a war? (10-13)
The Flying Bed: A Magical Adventure
by Nancy Willard, ill. by John Thompson
(Blue Sky, 2007)
Lush paintings of Florence, Italy illumine this superb, modern fairy tale. (8-12)
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
J.K. Rowling, ill. by Mary GrandPré
(Scholastic, 1998)
Raised by non-magical muggles (humans) after his parents' death, Harry learns his true destiny when a mysterious letter arrives. (10-13)
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
by J.K. Rowling, ill. by Mary GrandPré
(Scholastic, 1999)
The further installments of Harry's adventures as he fends off the disciples of the evil Voldemort. Irresistible and great fun! (9+)
The Healing of Texas Jake
by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, ill. by Alan Daniel
(Atheneum, 1997)
Superb tale of cat leaders, followers and dangers. Vibrant drawings. (9-12)
The Hunting of the Last Dragon
by Sherryl Jordan
(HarperCollins, 2002)
With clever, courageous Jing-wei, Jude fights his inner dragons as well as a beast that has devastated Medieval England. (9-12)
King of Shadows
by Susan Cooper
(McElderry, 1999)
Chosen to play Puck in an American company at London's new Globe theatre, Nat falls mysteriously ill -- and awakens on stage withWilliam Shakespeare. (9-13)
The Mouse of Amherst
by Elizabeth Spires, ill. by Claire A. Nivola
(FSG, 1999)
After forming a literary friendship with Emily Dickinson, a mouse named Emmaline begins to compose her own poetry. (9-12)
Princess Academy
by Shannon Hale
(Bloomsbury, 2005)
Miri learns about the world outside her poor mountain town at a school for princesses. (10-12)
The Queen of Attolia
by Megan Whalen Turner
(Greenwillow, 2000)
Eugenides uses guile and cunning to prevent the conquest of the coastal countries. Sequel to The Thief. (11-14) M
Straw into Gold
by Gary D. Schmidt
(Clarion, 2001)
What if Rumpelstiltskin kept the baby? An old story with new depth and pace. (10-14)
Sword of theRightful King: A novel of King Arthur
by Jane Yolen
(Harcourt, 2003)
Superb storytelling gives vigorous identity to Arthur and his court with a twist on the legend of the pulling of the sword. (10-14)
The Tale of Despereaux
by Kate DiCamillo, ill. by Timothy Basil Ering
(Candlewick, 2003)
A small mouse, who loves light, music and a princess, becomes engaged in a desperate adventure which tests his valor. (8-11)
The Unseen
by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
(Delacorte, 2004)
Xandra, the fifth of six children, uses magic to escape from her perception of the difficulties in her life. (10-14)
Varjak Paw
by SF Said, ill. by Dave McKean
(David Finkling, 2003)
An outcast Mesopotamian Blue cat, with help from friends and an ancient secret, battles an evil cat snatcher. Lush illustrations. (9-12)
Wabi: A Hero's Tale
by Joseph Bruchac
(Dial, 2006)
Wabi's transformation from owl to warrior makes him Village Guardian and the successful suitor of Dojihla. An Abenaki Indian legend. (9-12)
The World According to Humphrey
by Betty G. Birney
(Putnam, 2004)
Humphrey, a hamster, transforms the lives of children and adults when he enters their classroom, homes and hearts. (8-10)
FOLK AND FAIRY TALESCoppelia
as told by Margot Fonteyn, ill. by Steve Johnson, and Lou Fancher
(Gulliver Books, 1998)
Richly illustrated with oil, acrylic and fabric, freshly retold, this is a ballet story of Swanilda's efforts to win Franz who has fallen in love with Doctor Coppelia's daughter, a doll. (7-12)
Echoes of the Elders: The Stories and Paintings of Chief Lelooska
edited by Christine Normandin
(DK, Inc., 1997)
Beautiful, evocative paintings accompany the retelling of ancient legends of the Pacific Northwest Coast Indians. Includes CD. (9+)
The Hero and the Minotaur: The Fantastic Adventures of Theseus
written and ill. by Robert Byrd
(Dutton, 2005)
The quests of Theseus in his encounters with a princess, Icarus and the Minotaur. Pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations. (9-12)
Journeys with Elijah: Eight Tales of the Prophet
by Barbara Diamond Goldin, ill. by Jerry Pinkney
(HBC, 1999)
In these stories from religious traditions all over the world, Elijah appears as a symbol of hope and peace. Luminous illustrations. (10-13)
Kibitzers and Fools: Tales My Zayda Told Me
written and ill. by Simms Taback
(Viking, 2006)
Thirteen humorous traditional Jewish tales each followed by a saying. Expressive illustrations capture the spirit of the stories. (9-13)
The Legend of Hong Kil Dong: The Robin Hood of Korea
written and ill. by Anne Sibley O'Brien
(Charlesbridge, 2006)
The son of a powerful minister and a commoner fights injustice and defends the peasants. Ink and watercolor illustrations. (8-11)
Mythical Birds and Beasts From Many Lands
retold by Margaret Mayo, ill. by Jane Ray
(Dutton, 1997)
Ten magical tales of a unicorn, mermaid, and other imaginary animals, lyrically narrated and lavishly illustrated. (8-11)
Quiver
by Stephanie Spinner
(Knopf, $15.95) 0-375-81489-2
Brilliant sly retelling of the Atalanta myth with cameo appearances by Apollo, Artemis, Aphrodite and Eros. Greek society with all its beauty and violence. (10-13) M
Solomon and the Ant and other Jewish Folktales
retold by Sheldon Oberman, commentary by Peninnah Schram
(Boyds Mills, 2006)
Forty-three stories full of wisdom, riddles and tricksters. (10-13)
Sun, Moon, and Stars
Mary Hoffman, ill. by Jane Ray
(Dutton, 1998)
Myths from all around the world about the celestial bodies, well-told with stylized illustrations. (9-12)
The Troll with No Heart in His Body and Other Tales of Trolls from Norway
retold by Lise Lunge-Larsen, ill. by Betsy Bowen
(HMC, 1999)
Troll tales drawn from Asbjornsen and Moe's classic collection of Norwegian folktales. Striking woodcut illustrations. (8-12)
GROWING UPAl Capone Does My Shirts
by Gennifer Choldenko
(Putnam, 2004)
In 1935 Moose and his family, including his sister who needs a special school, move to Alcatraz when his father gets a job as a prison guard. (9-12)
Any Small Goodness: a novel of the barrio
by Tony Johnston
(Blue Sky, 2001)
Growing up in East Los Angeles, Arturo Rodriguez is sustained by his loving Mexican family. (9-12)
The Ashwater Experiment
by Amy Goldman Koss
(Dial, 1999)
A seventh grader, finally allowing herself to make friends, is sorry when her family must move on once again. (10-14)
The Aurora County All-Stars
by Deborah Wiles
(Harcourt, 2007)
In a small town in Mississippi, a hopeful twelve-year-old baseball player must find courage to deal with life and death messages. (9-12)
Autumn Journey
by Priscilla Cummings
(Cobblehill, 1997)
A young boy shoots a migrating goose and overcomes his self-reproach with the help of family and friends. (9-11)
Because of Winn-Dixie
by Kate DiCamillo
(Candlewick, 2000)
Ten-year old Opal, motherless and lonely, adopts a needy grinning dog and collects some surprising friends. Humorous and heartwarming. (8-11)
Becoming Naomi León
by Pam Muñoz Ryan
(Scholastic, 2004)
When her mother appears after a seven-year absence, Naomi's world is threatened and she must summon all her courage and self reliance. (10-12)
Bird
by Angela Johnson
(Dial, 2004)
Running away in search of her stepfather, a thirteen-year-old girl discovers unconditional love and truth. (10-14)
Bird Springs
by Carolyn Marsden
(Viking, 2007)
Gregory learns how to cope with his family's break-up and the move from their Navaho reservation. (8-12)
The Birthday Room
by Kevin Henkes
(Greenwillow, 1999)
Ben reconciles his mother with her long-estranged brother and begins to accept himself as an artist. (10-13)
Blister
by Susan Shreve
(Scholastic, 2001)
Ten-year-old Alyssa struggles with family problems and a new unfriendly school. Her spunky grandmother is an important ally. (9-12)
The Boyfriend Rules of Good Behavior
by Catherine Bateson
(Holiday House, 2006)
Millie is trying to cope with many changes in her life including her mother's new boyfriend. Moving and poetic. (10-13)
Brendan Buckley's Universe and Everything in It
by Sundee Tucker Frazier
(Delacorte, 2007)
Biracial ten-year-old Brendan loves scientific investigation. Can it help him understand why his Mom will have nothing to do with her father? (9-12)
Charlie's Raven
by Jean Craighead George
(Dutton, 2004)
Following Indian legend, Charlie brings home a baby raven to help cure his ailing grandfather. (9-13)
Chicken Boy
by Frances O'Roark Dowell
(Atheneum, 2005)
Tobin finds it easier to deal with family and school issues after a boy obsessed with chickens shares his friendship and interests. (9-12)
Circle The Truth
by Pat Schmatz
(Carolrhoda, 2007)
When Rith finds a staircase, he begins to learn something about his "dead"father, his family and himself. (9-12)
The Composition
by Antonio Skármeta, ill. by Alfonso Ruano
(Groundwood, 2000)
Both overtly and covertly, a military dictatorship impacts the daily life of a young boy and his classmates. (8-11)
Cornelia and the Audacious Escapades of the Somerset Sisters
by Lesley M.M. Blume
(Knopf, 2006)
The lonely eleven-year-old daughter of two famous concert pianists is befriended by her New York City neighbor, a glamorous author who is one of the adventurous Somerset sisters. (9-12)
each little bird that sings
by Deborah Wiles
(Harcourt, 2005)
Funerals are the family's business, but Comfort still must struggle to come to terms with the deaths of two close relatives as well as her abandonment by her best friend. (9-12)
An Early Winter
by Marion Dane Bauer
(Clarion, 1999)
Wishing to prove that his grandfather has not lost his ability to function, Tim embarks on an outing which courts disaster. (9-12)
The Empress of Elsewhere
by Theresa Nelson
(DK, Inc., 1998)
A monkey leads to the exploration of a deserted island and the revelation of old family secrets.
(9-12)
Feather Boy
by Nicky Singer
(Delacorte, 2002)
An unpopular boy discovers courage and confidence when he befriends an elderly woman and decides to help her. (10-13)
Figuring Out Frances
by Gina Willner-Pardo
(Clarion, 1999)
Ten-year-old Abigail adjusts to estrangement from her closest friend and to her grandmother's advancing Alzheimer's. (8-12)
Forgive the River, Forgive the Sky
by Gloria Whelan
(Eerdmans, 1998)
In learning to deal with the death of her father and the loss of her river home, twelve-year-old Lily Star helps others as well. (10-13)
Frenchtown Summer
by Robert Cormier
(Delacorte, 1999)
Eugene's twelfth summer, as he becomes aware of himself and the people and places around him. Spare, lyrical free verse. (10-13)
Friends and Enemies
by Louann Gaeddert
(Atheneum, 2000)
William is torn between the pacifism of his Mennonite friends and the patriotic fervor engendered by World War II in rural Kansas. (9-12)
Gentle's Holler
by Kerry Madden
(Viking, 2005)
When her sister is blinded and her father injured, Livy fights to restore happiness to her mountain valley family. (9-12)
Getting Near to Baby
by Audrey Couloumbis
(Putnam, 1999)
Twelve-year-old Willa Jo and Little Sister, trying to cope with their family's tragedy, won't come down from Aunt Patty's roof. Poignant, but humorous. (10-12)
Grandfather's Dance
by Patricia MacLachlan
(HarperCollins, 2006)
The conclusion to the Witting family's tale of life on the prairie brings to life the special qualities of family and the simple reality of death. (8-10)
Granny Torrelli Makes Soup
by Sharon Creech
(HarperCollins, 2003)
Granny's stories help two twelve-year-old neighbors stay best friends. (8-11)
Halfway to the Sky
by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
(Delacorte, 2002)
After two family tragedies, twelve-year-old Dani and her mother come to understand each other and the pain each has endured. (9-12)
Happy Kid!
by Gail Gauthier
(Putnam, 2006)
After being unjustly tagged as a trouble maker, Kyle negotiates seventh grade with the help of an unusual book. (9-11)
Holes
by Louis Sachar
(FSG, 1998)
Good-natured but unlucky Stanley and his stay among bizarre adults running a juvenile detention camp. Dark but warm humor. (10-14)
Ida B: and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, and (Possibly) Save the World
by Katherine Hannigan
(Greenwillow, 2004)
When her world turns upside down, Ida B. gets angry, very angry...until, with the help of a wonderful teacher, she calms down. (8-11)
Inside Grandad
by Peter Dickinson
(Wendy Lamb, 2004)
Their loving relationship enables Gavin to help Granddad after his stroke--with the help of the Selkies. (10-13)
It Only Looks Easy
by Pamela Curtis Swallow
(Roaring Brook, 2003)
Seventh grader, Kat "borrows"a bicycle from the schoolyard and suffers the consequences when it disappears. (10-13)
Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key
by Jack Gantos
(FSG, 1998)
A first-person narrative of a boy struggling with attention deficit disorder. Funny, as well as serious and compelling. (9-12)
Junebug and the Reverend
by Alice Mead
(FSG, 1998)
A ten-year-old boy adjusts to a new neighborhood, new friends and his mom's new life. (9-12)
Junebug in Trouble
by Alice Mead
(FSG, 2002)
Growing up is hard and Junebug and his family make difficult choices against the backdrop of poverty and racism. (9-11)
Leaving Emma
by Nancy Steele Brokaw
(Clarion, 1999)
With the support of her great-aunt, Emma discovers resources within herself as, one by one, people important to her seem to be leaving her. (8-10)
Little Klein
by Anne Ylvisaker
(Candlewick, 2007)
Nine-year-old Harold's big brothers always come to the rescue. Will he be able to help them when they get into trouble? (8-11)
Locomotion
by Jacqueline Woodson
(Putnam, 2003)
After the death of his parents, Lonnie Collins endures separation from his sister and life in several foster homes until he finds his poetic voice with aid of a gifted teacher. (9-12)
A Mango-Shaped Space
by Wendy Mass
(Little, 2003)
No one can understand thirteen-year-old Mia's colorful world until a doctor's diagnosis allows her to accept herself and her special gift. (10-12)
Me and Rupert Goody
by Barbara O'Connor
(FSG, 1999)
Jennalee comes to terms with feelings about friendship, jealousy, family, and life. A poignant and funny tale set in the Smokies. (10-12)
Millicent Min, Girl Genius
by Lisa Yee
(Scholastic, 2003)
A brilliant eleven-year-old, in her last year of high school, must learn to overcome her inadequate social skills. (9-12)
Minik's Story
by Jennifer Owings Dewey
(Cavendish, 2003)
The journey of a nineteenth century Inuit toward womanhood as she battles the harsh environment and conflict wih another culture. (10-13)
Minn and Jake
by Janet S. Wong, ill. by Geneviève Côté
(FSG, 2003)
Two very different fifth-grade outsiders find each other's strengths and become friends. Humorous poetic prose. (9-12)
The Misfits
by James Howe
(Atheneum, 2001)
Four seventh graders, friends for years, form a new political party for Student Council, based on no name-calling and respect for all. (10-13)
Moon Shadow
by Chris Platt
(Peachtree, 2006)
A roundup of wild horses in Nevada gives thirteen-year-old Callie the challenge of caring for an orphaned filly. (9-12)
Mountain Pose
by Nancy Hope Wilson
(FSG, 2001)
Diaries written in code by a great, great grandmother give Ellie a powerful connection to past generations. A heartwarming story. (9-13)
My Louisiana Sky
by Kimberly Willis Holt
(Holt, 1998)
Twelve-year-old Tiger Ann grows up quickly over the course of one Louisiana summer. (10-13)
Nine Man Tree
by Robert Newton Peck
(Random House, 1998)
This nicely woven, poignant story comes to life as Yoolee struggles to protect his family from abuse, alcohol, and a mysterious swamp creature. (9-12)
The Ocean Within
by V. M. Caldwell, ill. by Erica Magnus
(Milkweed, 1999)
A long-time foster child, prickly, self-protective Elizabeth, resists the kindness and love of a family who adopts her. (10-13)
Olive's Ocean
by Kevin Henkes
(Greenwillow, 2003)
Summer vacation at her grandmother's beach house takes some unexpected turns when twelve-year-old Martha discovers eerie parallels between herself and a dead classmate. (10-13)
Ophie Out of Oz
by Kathleen O'Dell
(Dial, 2004)
When Ophie's ruby slippers no longer fit, she realizes that she really has left her old life behind. (8-11)
Period Pieces: Stories for Girls
selected by Erzsi Deak, and Kristin Embry Litchman
(HarperCollins, 2003)
The wonderful-terrible time for girls in transition between childhood and womanhood with the differences over time and place. (9-12)
Pictures Of Hollis Woods
by Patricia Reilly Giff
(Random, 2002)
A twelve-year-old orphan yearns to belong to her adoptive family, but filled with self- doubt, she runs away. (9-13)
Reaching Dustin
by Vicki Grove
(Putnam, 1998)
In the course of interviewing a troubled classmate as part of an assignment, sixth-grader Carly learns the impact of her thoughtless act years earlier. (10-13)
Robot Dreams
written and ill. by Sara Varon
(First Second, 2007)
The love and agony of a new friendship between a dog and the robot he created is shown in expressive, almost wordless graphic panels. (8-11)
Saffy's Angel
by Hilary McKay
(McElderry, 2002)
An adopted daughter's quest to define how she belongs to a wildly eccentric "artistic"British family. (10-14)
Sahara Special
by Esmé Raji Codell
(Hyperion, 2003)
A troubled fifth grader and her classmates acquire an unusual new teacher. Sensitive and hilarious.
Silent to the Bone
by E.L. Konigsburg
(Atheneum, 2000)
Connor works hard to reverse his friend's sudden muteness, which has set in after his baby sister slips into a coma. (9-12)
Silk Umbrellas
by Carolyn Marsden
(Candlewick, 2004)
In Thailand, Noi helps her struggling family while achieving her dream of becoming an artist. (9-12)
Sketches from a Spy Tree
by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer, ill. by Andrew Glass
(Clarion, 2005)
Ann Marie's family moves from sad times to a new start. Poetic text with pencil, oil and collage illustrations. (9-12)
The Skin I'm In
by Sharon G. Flake
(Hyperion, 1998)
Seventh-grader Maleeka becomes aware of her power to cope with unrelenting pressure and humiliation from her peers. (9-12)
Skinny Melon and Me
by Jean Ure
(Henry Holt, 2001)
Pre-teen Cherry keeps a diary about her new stepdad and the expected sibling. Humorous writing and line drawings. (9-12)
Some Kind of Pride
by Maria Testa
(Delacorte, 2001)
Extremely talented eleven-year-old Ruth, confident about becoming the first female major league baseball player, begins to doubt herself. A moving story of a motherless girl. (9-11)
The Song of the Molimo
by Jane Cutler
(FSG, 1998)
At the 1904 World's Fair, Harry befriends an African pygmy whose playfulness and intelligence make Harry aware of exploitation and racism. (9-12)
Sonny's House of Spies
by George Ella Lyon
(Atheneum, 2004)
A family in a small southern town in the 1950s faces desertion by the father, "adoption"by the town baker, and confusing sex and race relations. (10-12)
Spider Sparrow
by Dick King-Smith, ill. by Peter Bailey
(Crown, 2000)
An abandoned boy, who communicates with animals better than with humans, gains acceptance in his rural English community during WWII. (11-14)
Stand Tall
by Joan Bauer
(Putnam, 2002)
A boy nicknamed Tree learns to cope with his height, his awkwardness, his beloved grandfather's illness and his parents' divorce. (10 - 12)
Surviving the Applewhites
by Stephanie S. Tolan
(HarperCollins, 2002)
An eccentric family takes in a troubled teenager whose experiences at their Creative Academy help develop his acting talent. (9-12)
The Tiger Rising
by Kate DiCamillo
(Candlewick, 2001)
Twelve-year-old Rob and his new friend plan to free the tiger they come upon in the woods. Sensitively told. (9-12)
The Trolls
by Polly Horvath
(FSG, 1999)
The Anderson family is turned upside down when their outrageous Aunt Sally visits and enthralls them with amazing tales of their family. (9-12)
Trout and Me
by Susan Shreve
(Knopf, 2002)
After Trout, labeled a bad kid, comes to his school, Ben finds a true friend and also realizes his own inner strength. (9-12)
Wringer
by Jerry Spinelli
(HarperCollins, 1997)
In this challenging book, Palmer's dread of turning ten and becoming a wringer is made more awful by his growing fondness for a pigeon that comes to his house. (9-12)
Zazoo
by Richard Mosher
(Clarion, 2001)
Zazoo, a Vietnamese girl living in France today with her aging grandfather, deals with the hatreds and losses of World War II. (10-14)
HUMORThe Blues of Flats Brown
by Walter Dean Myers, ill. by Nina Laden
(Holiday House, 2000)
Fantastic story of a talented dog and the music he creates. (8-10)
Circle of Doom
by Tim Kennemore
(FSG, 2003)
A hilarious tale of magic potions, their consequences and of the difference between magic and coincidence experienced by three very individual siblings. (8-12)
Donuthead
by Sue Stauffacher
(Knopf, 2003)
Franklin is afraid of everything, then tough-as-nails Sarah enters the fifth grade. Hilarious story of unexpected friendship. (9-11)
Gypsy Rizka
by Lloyd Alexander
(Dutton 1999)
A rollicking tale of a spunky girl who uses her wits to deal with some odd and difficult people. (10-13)
Hoot
by Carl Hiaasen
(Knopf, 2002)
A boy tries to fit into a new place that includes a bully, burrowing owls and a junior eco-terrorist. (10-14)
A Long Way from Chicago: A Novel in Stories
by Richard Peck
(Dial, 1998)
During Koey and his sister's yearly visits to their larger-than-life grandmother's home, they continue to be surprised by strange and funny occurrences. (10-13)
The Manny Files
by Christian Burch
(Atheneum, 2006)
Often compared to his too-perfect older sister, third-grader Keats is helped to gain confidence by his innovative, unconventional male babysitter. (9-12)
Miss Alaineus: A Vocabulary Disaster
written and ill. by Debra Frasier
(Harcourt, 2000)
A delightful delivery of dictionary and daffy definitions. (9-11)
No Talking
by Andrew Clements, ill. by Mark Elliot
(S&S, 2007)
Dave learns about Mahatma Gandhi and a whole new world of communication (and competition with the girls)opens to him. (8-11)
Once Upon a Marigold
by Jean Ferris
(Harcourt, 2002)
A troll, a lost boy, an unhappy princess, and a selfish queen mingle in a nontraditional love story. (9-12)
The Teacher's Funeral: A Comedy in Three Parts
by Richard Peck
(Dial, 2004)
In rural Indiana in 1904, fifteen-year-old Russell's dream is humorously upended by the death of the teacher in the one-room schoolhouse. (9-13)
The Transmogrification of Roscoe Wizzle
by David Elliott
(Candlewick, 2001)
Eating too much fast food turns a normal ten-tear-old into a giant bug. A suspenseful and very funny fantasy. (8-11)
Up On Cloud Nine
by Anne Fine
(Delacorte, 2002)
Ian describes his quirky friend and the ups and downs of their relationship in this unusual story. (10-13)
A Year with Butch and Spike
by Gail Gauthier
(Putnam, 1998)
Perfect student, Jasper, becomes involved with the dreaded Cootches. (9-12)
PAST Across the Lines
by Carolyn Reeder
(Atheneum, 1997)
During the Civil War, a young slave and his master discover the meaning of war, freedom, and friendship. (9-12)
Ain't Nobody a Stranger to Me
by Ann Grifalconi, ill. by Jerry Pinkney
(Jump At The Sun, 2007)
Gran'pa shares memories of his daring escape from slavery to freedom on the Underground Railroad. Watercolors of today contrast with sepia tones of hardship. (9-11)
Aleutian Sparrow
by Karen Hesse
(McElderry, 2003)
After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, the Aleuts were transported to relocation centers where their lives were changed forever. Told in unrhymed verse. (11-14)
Always Remember Me: How One Family Survived World War II
written and ill. by Marisabina Russo
(Atheneum, 2005)
Rachel is old enough to learn about the tragedy in her grandmother's photo album about the Holocaust. (9-11)
At the Sign of the Star
by Katherine Sturtevant
(FSG, 2000)
In seventeenth-century London, ten-year-old Meg loses her inheritance and struggles to make a place for herself in the literary world. (9-12)
Bat 6
by Virginia Euwer Wolff
(Scholastic, 1998)
In the aftermath of WWII, a small Oregon community is confronted with lingering anti-Japanese sentiments. (10-13)
Battle Cry
by Jan Neubert Schultz
(Lerner, 2006)
The friendship and survival of two boys, one part Indian, are severely tested when a Dakota conflict erupts in Minnesota in 1862. (9-12)
Blizzard's Wake
by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
(Atheneum, 2002)
A severe, dangerous blizzard in March 1941 brings together a widower and his children and the man who accidentally killed their mother four years before. (9-12)
Blood on the River: James Town 1607
by Elisa Carbone
(Viking, 2006)
Twelve-year-old Samuel travels with Captain John Smith into James Town and learns to survive the hardships of the wilderness. (9-14)
Bread and Roses, Too
by Katherine Paterson
(Clarion, 2006)
Teen-aged Rosa is terrified because her mother and older sister are marching in a 1912 strike against corrupt mill owners. (9-12)
The Cats in Krasinski Square
by Karen Hesse, ill. by Wendy Watson
(Scholastic, 2004)
Although the Gestapo have discovered a plan to smuggle food into the Warsaw Ghetto, a young girl finds a way to save the day. (8-10)
Chase
by Jessie Haas
(Greenwillow, 2007)
Witnessing a murder by an Irish secret society member, Phin flees, pursued by a detective and his horse that tracks like a bloodhound. (9-14)
Dancing at the Odinochka
by Kirkpatrick Hill
(McElderry, 2005)
A girl of mixed Russian and Athabascan heritage grows up at the time when Russian Alaska becomes an American territory. (10-14)
Darby
by Jonathon Scott Fuqua
(Candlewick, 2002)
A small South Carolina town copes with racial inequality in 1926. A moving first person account. (9-12)
Daughter of Venice
by Donna Jo Napoli
(Random , 2002)
In 1592, Donata, sheltered by a noble family, is determined to discover the world forbidden to her and finds more than she expected. (10-13)
Dave at Night
by Gail Carson Levine
(HarperCollins, 1999)
A feisty, adventurous orphan in 1920s New York City refuses to let circumstances dampen his spirits. (8-12)
Dear America - A Picture of Freedom: The Diary of Clotee, a Slave Girl
by Patricia L. McKissack, photos
(Scholastic, 1997)
Fictionalized diary accounts, with excellent historical detail and moving characterizations.
(9-12)
The Deep Cut
by Susan Rosson Spain
(Cavendish, 2006)
In a small Southern town during the Civil War, Lonzo faces the war's horrors and finds his own strengths. (10-13)
The Earth Dragon Awakes: The San Francisco Earthquake of 1906
by Laurence Yep
(HarperCollins, 2006)
A Chinese and an American family survive the huge San Francisco Earthquake of 1906. Accurate facts, photographs and references. (8-10)
Eclipse
by Andrea Cheng
(Front Street, 2006)
Peti struggles with the intrusion of recently emigrated relatives and his grandfather's entrapment behind the Iron Curtain in 1952 Hungary. (9-12)
Escape to the Forest: Based on a True Story of the Holocaust
by Ruth Yaffe Radin, ill. by Janet Hamlin
(HarperCollins, 2000)
A Polish family help over a thousand Jews survive the Holocaust. (9-14)
Fever, 1793
by Laurie Halse Anderson
(S&S, 2000)
Graphic, moving description of the Yellow Fever epidemic in Philadelphia, as narrated by a fourteen-year-old girl. (10-13)
Freedom on the Menu: The Greensboro Sit-Ins
by Carole Boston Weatherford, ill. by Jerome LaGarrrigue
(Dial, 2005)
An eight-year-old girl witnesses one of the significant events in the fight for integration. Soft, muted paintings. (8-10)
From the Lighthouse
by Liz Chipman
(Dutton, 2004)
Weezie's courage and Dad's strength enable the Blooms to survive the realization that Ma is not coming back. (9-12)
Frozen Summer
by Mary Jane Auch
(Holt, 1998)
Faced with her mother's increasing frailty, Mem shows grit in coping with the challenges facing the pioneers of Genesee Country in 1816. (10-12)
Fruitlands: Louisa May Alcott Made Perfect
by Gloria Whelan
(HarperCollins, 2002)
An account of Alcott's experiment in communal living told through ten-year-old Louisa's secret journal. (8-11)
Girl in a Cage
by Jane Yolen, and Robert J. Harris
(Philomel, 2002)
Although Edward, King of England, can't capture Robert Bruce, self-proclaimed King of Scotland, Bruce's eleven-year-old daughter makes a defiant captive and fascinating heroine. (11-13)
The Girl Who Ate Chicken Feet
by Sandy Richardson
(Dial, 1998)
Poignant, glowing stories of the South in the 60s, as seen through the eyes of a fourteen-year-old girl. (10-14)
Hear the Wind Blow: A Novel of the Civil War
by Mary Downing Hahn
(Clarion, 2003)
During the Civil War, a southern farm boy uses his ingenuity to survive and reunite what's left of this family. (10-13)
Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story From The Underground Railroad
by Ellen Levine, ill. by Kadir Nelson
(Scholastic, 2007)
An enslaved man escapes to the north in an unusual way. Based on a true story. Expressive illustrations. (8-12)
Hitler's Canary
by Sandi Toksvig
(Roaring Brook, 2007)
During World War II a Danish theatrical family must face Nazi occupation and decide how to fight the persecution of the Jews. (9-14)
House of the Red Fish
by Graham Salisbury
(Wendy Lamb, 2006)
When a Japanese-American in Hawaii during World War II decides to raise his father's sunken fishing boat, he faces both encouragement and violent discrimination. (10-13)
James Printer: A Novel of Rebellion
by Paul Samuel Jacobs
(Scholastic, 1997)
A Nipmuck Indian, who has lived and worked with the Green family for many years, has his allegiance challenged by the Indian wars. (9-12)
Jericho Walls
by Kristi Collier
(Henry Holt, 2002)
A preacher's daughter has trouble adjusting to a small-minded Southern town in the 1950s. (10-14)
Joe Louis, My Champion
by William Miller, ill. by Rodney S. Pate
(Lee & Low, 2004)
A young African American wants to be a boxer like his hero, Joe Louis. (8-12)
The Keeping Room
by Anna Myers
(Walker, 1997)
When his family is imprisoned by the British in 1780, Joey vows revenge. (10-12)
Lightning Time
by Douglas Rees
(DK, 1998)
A 14-year-old Boston boy encounters John Brown, the complex antislavery crusader of the late 1850s. (10-14)
Listening for Leroy
by Betsy Hearne
(McElderry, 1998)
A richly textured story of a sensitive girl's struggle to grow up in the rural south of the 1950s before desegregation. (9-12)
Lord of the Nutcracker Men
by Iain Lawrence
(Delacorte, 2001)
When his toymaker father leaves to fight in World War I, Johnny reenacts the battles with his toy soldiers and believes he is influencing the course of the war. (9-14)
Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom
by Carole Boston Weatherford, ill. by Kadir Nelson
(Hyperion, 2006)
How Harriet Tubman's faith in God moved her along the Underground Railroad. Told with stunning paintings and emotional prose. (9-12)
Nory Ryan's Song
by Patricia Reilly Giff
(Delacorte, 2000)
Heart-rending picture of a girl and her family during the Irish famine of 1847. (10-13)
The Notorious Izzy Fink
by Don Brown
(Roaring Brook, 2006)
In the 1800s, Sam weaves his way through the streets of New York City with its gangs and multiethnic population. (9-12)
On the Wings of Heroes
by Richard Peck
(Dial, 2007)
In a small Illinois town during World War II, Davy describes the home front chores and poignancy of an older brother going off to war. (9-12)
Out of the Dust
by Karen Hesse
(Scholastic, 1997)
After her mother's accidental death, Billie Jo struggles with her grief and anger towards her father in the 1930s Oklahoma Dust Bowl. Lyrical telling. (11-14)
Patrol: An American Soldier in Vietnam
by Walter Dean Myers, ill. by Ann Grifalconi
(HarperCollins, 2002)
The moving story of one soldier's harrowing thoughts and experiences for a few hours in an endless war. Magnificent illustrations. (9-12)
Pharaoh's Daughter: A Novel of Ancient Egypt
by Julius Lester
(Harcourt, 2000)
Vivid re-creation of the Egyptian world centering on the life of Moses' sister. Compelling, provocative. (11-13)
Play to the Angel
by Maurine F. Dahlberg
(FSG, 2000)
As the Nazis approach Vienna in 1938, talented twelve-year-old Greta helps to save the important people in her life. (9-12)
The Robber and Me
by Josef Holub, trans. By Elizabeth D. Crawford
(Holt, 1997)
Young orphaned Boniface, living with his uncle in a remote German village, finds the courage to reveal the innocence of an accused man. (10-12)
Rodzina
by Karen Cushman
(Clarion, 2003)
As a lonely, scared twelve-year-old travels west on an orphan train in 1881, she discovers her inner resources and strengths. (9-12)
Seesaw Girl
by Linda Sue Park, ill. by Jean and Mou-Sien Tseng
(Clarion, 1999)
Quiet story of a young girl growing up in seventeenth-century Korea who yearns for knowledge of the world outside her cloistered home. (8-11)
Shadow Spinner
by Susan Fletcher
(Atheneum, 1998)
Thirteen-year-old Marjan, a crippled servant girl, rescues the fabled Shahrazad from her husband, the Sultan's, cruelty in this suspenseful, adventure. (9-14)
Show Way
by Jacqueline Woodson, ill. by Hudson Talbott
(Putnam, 2006)
Pieces of a quilt reflect the path from slavery to freedom through nine generations. Multimedia artwork. (10-13)
Singing Hands
by Delia Ray
(Clarion, 2006)
Plucky twelve-year-old Gussie atones for misdeeds against her deaf parents and others as she defines her personal integrity. (10-13)
A Single Shard
by Linda Sue Park
(Clarion, 2001)
In twelfth-century Korea, a young homeless boy finds work with a master potter. (9-12)
Stealing South: A Story of the Underground Railroad
by Katherine Ayres
(Delacorte, 2001)
An engaging teenage hero helps rescue a slave family in Kentucky. (10-13)
Stopping to Home
by Lea Wait
(McElderry, 2001)
After the smallpox epidemic of 1806 in a Maine seaport, eleven-year-old Abbie draws on her own resourcefulness to care for herself and her brother. (9-12)
The Strength of Saints
by A. LaFaye
(S&S, 2002)
Fourteen-year-old Nissa rebels against racial prejudice in 1936 Louisiana. A sequel to The Year of the Sawdust Man. (10-14)
Torchlight
by Carol Otis Hurst
(HMC, 2006)
In the 1850s, two girls develop a friendship despite the prejudice of a Massachusetts town against Irish immigrants. (9-14)
The Travels of Benjamin of Tudela: Through Three Continents in the Twelfth Century
written and ill. by Uri Shulevitz
(FSG, 2005)
The travels of the intrepid Jewish explorer throughout the Medieval world. Brilliant acrylic paintings. (8-12)
trouble don't last
by Shelley Pearsall
(Knopf, 2002)
A young slave unexpectedly finds himself following the Underground Railroad toward Canada and freedom. (9-12)
Turtle Clan Journey
by Lynda Durrant
(Clarion, 1999)
Adopted by Native Americans as a child, an English boy is torn between the two cultures in pre-Revolutionary America. (9-11)
Uncommon Faith
by Trudy Krisher
(Holiday House, 2003)
In 1837-38, the various residents of Millbrook. Massachusetts, including a spunky rebellious teenager named Faith, fight for women's rights and against slavery. (11-14)
Under the Shadow of Wings
by Sara Harrell Banks
(Atheneum, 1998)
During World War II, young Tattnall struggles to protect her brain-damaged older cousin. (9-12)
Voyage of Midnight
by Michele Torrey
(Knopf, 2006)
Despite the horrors of a slave ship, a fourteen-year-old boy learns about freedom and humanity. (9-14)
Walk Across the Sea
by Susan Fletcher
(Atheneum, 2001)
Eliza, daughter of the lighthouse keeper, learns the difficulties involved in protecting a Chinese boy against racism. (9-12)
water street
by Patricia Reilly Giff
(Wendy Lamb, 2006)
A close Irish family in 1920s Brooklyn encourages thirteen-year-old Bird to discover her strengths and decide about her future. (9-12)
Weedflower
by Cynthia Kadohata
(Atheneum, 2006)
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Sumiko and her Japanese-American farm family are interned on an Indian reservation. (11-13)
The Well of Sacrifice
by Chris Eboch, ill. by Bryn Barnard
(Clarion, 1999)
The narrative of an eleven-year-old, ninth-century Mayan girl who possesses great courage and heroism. (9-12)
Where the Ground Meets the Sky
by Jacqueline Davies
(Cavendish, 2002)
The atomic bomb's development through the eyes of a physicist's brainy and high-spirited daughter. Thought-provoking. (10-14)
Where You Belong
by Mary Ann McGuigan
(Atheneum, 1997)
In the racially divided Bronx in 1963, 13-year-old Fiona finds her black friend Yolanda to be her path to self-discovery. (10-14)
The Willoughby Spit Wonder
by Jonathon Scott Fuqua
(Candlewick, 2004)
In 1950s Maryland, Carter Johnston deals with his father's terminal illness by modeling his actions after the comic book superheroes he admires. (9-13)
Wind Rider
by Susan Williams
(HarperCollins, 2006)
A girl's domestication of a horse in prehistoric times deeply affects those around her. (9-12)
Witness
by Karen Hesse
(Scholastic, 2001)
In spare free verse, eleven characters tell of a Vermont town in 1924 and the impact of discrimination and the arrival of the Ku Klux Klan. Suspenseful and moving. (10-14)
A Year Down Yonder
by Richard Peck
(Dial, 2000)
During the 1937 Depression, Mary Alice is forced to stay with her grandmother and gains respect for the feisty old woman. Warmhearted sequel to A Long Way to Chicago. (11-14)
The Year of the Sawdust Man
by A. LaFaye
(S&S, 1998)
Eleven-year-old Nissa comes of age in 1930s Louisiana as she faces her mother's abandonment in their rural, conservative town. (9-12)
SCIENCE FICTIONEager
by Helen Fox
(Wendy Lamb, 2004)
EGR3, a new experimental robot, helps Garvin and Fleur uncover troubling truths which could endanger their world. (10-12)
Starbright and the Dream Eater
by Joy Cowley
(HarperCollins, 2000)
A twelve-year-old girl born under mysterious circumstances is the only hope of saving our planet from a destructive alien life force. (10-12)
Trapped Between the Lash and the Gun: A Boy's Journey
by Arvella Whitmore
(Dial, 1999)
Involved with a street gang, twelve-year-old Jordon goes on an adventure-filled time trip during which he learns that slavery can appear in many guises.
(9-12)
The True Meaning of Smekday
written and ill. by Adam Rex
(Hyperion, 2007)
Fully illustrated, this funny tale of alien invasion depicts the unusual friendship of Gratuity Tucci and the Boov, J.Lo. (9-12)
SPORTSDefending Irene
by Kristin Wolden Nitz
(Peachtree, 2004)
Irene, a visitor from the United States, tries to single handedly "integrate"an all-boy's Italian soccer team. (9-12)
the rhyming season
by Edward Averett
(Clarion, 2005)
A quirky coach leads the varsity girls' team to self-knowledge and a winning season. An unusual mix of poetry and basketball. (10-14)
TODAYAlice Yazzie's Year
by Ramona Maher, ill. by Shonto Begay
(Tricycle, 2003)
The dreams and everyday life of an eleven-year-old Navajo girl. Poetic text and strong, impressionistic illustrations. (9-12)
All Alone in the Universe
written and ill. by Lynne Rae Perkins
(Greenwillow, 1999)
The ins and outs of friendship in junior high, told with wry humor and a sure voice. (9-12)
The Blessing of the Animals
written and ill. by Michael J. Rosen
(FSG, 2000)
Jared must decide if a Jewish boy can take his dog to be blessed by a Catholic priest. Touching and intelligent. (8-11)
A Blizzard Year
by Gretel Ehrlich, ill. by Kate Kiesler
(Hyperion, 1999)
A thirteen-year-old's journal describing her family's struggle to save their Wyoming cattle ranch ravaged by winter storms. (9-13)
Brothers in Hope: The Story of the Lost Boys of Sudan
by Mary Williams, ill. by R. Gregory Christie
(Lee & Low, 2005)
Sudanese boys uprooted by war eventually make new lives in the United States. Based on real events. Powerful acrylic paintings. (9-12)
A Crooked Kind of Perfect
by Linda Urban
(Harcourt, 2007)
Zoe wants a piano and gets a second hand organ. Her performance at a competition, amidst difficult family circumstances helps her achieve her dreams. (10-13)
Doll Baby
by Eve Bunting, ill. by Catherine Stock
(Clarion, 2000)
Being a teen parent creates hardships for both a girl and her family. Simply and eloquently told and illustrated. (8-12)
The Friends
by Kazumi Yumoto and trans. By Cathy Hirano
(FSG, 1996)
Three boys in Tokyo, who spy on an ailing, elderly man, learn about death.
How I Became a Writer and Oggie Learned To Drive
by Janet Taylor Lisle
(Philomel, 2002)
Archie chronicles the difficult year in which his parents separate and a street gang threatens him and his brother. (10-12)
Iqbal
by Francesco D'Adamo, trans. by Ann Leonori
(Atheneum, 2003)
The life of a Pakistani child forced to become a "carpet maker slave"to settle a family debt. Based on real life. (10-14)
Joey Pigza Loses Control
by Jack Gantos
(FSG, 2000)
His attention deficit disorder is managed by medication, but Joey faces new challenges when he goes to stay with his estranged, hard-drinking father. (10-12)
jumping the scratch
by Sarah Weeks
(HarperCollins, 2006)
When Jamie moves to a trailer park, his disabled aunt and a female classmate bring healing and humor into his life. (10-12)
Jungle Dogs
by Graham Salisbury
(Delacorte, 1998)
A young Hawaiian boy struggles to keep his older brother from slipping away from the family into a world of gang violence. (10-13)
Lunch Money
by Andrew Clements, ill. by Brian Selznick
(S&S, 2005)
A middle-schooler interested in making money clashes with a competitor until they join forces in a successful venture. (8-12)
The Million Dollar Putt
by Dan Gutman
(Hyperion, 2006)
Bogie, a blind teenager, and Birdie, who lacks self-confidence, tackle a golf tournament -- with remarkable results. (9-13)
No Turning Back: A Novel of South Africa
By Beverley Naidoo
(HarperCollins, 1997)
Twelve-year-old Sipho runs away from an abusive stepfather to the streets of Johannesburg. (9-12)
Nothing Wrong with a Three-Legged Dog
by Graham McNamee
(Delacorte, 2000)
Being the only white boy in an inner-city school is only one of the burdens Keath copes with in this gently humorous story. (8-10)
The Other Side of Truth
by Beverley Naidoo
(HarperCollins, 2000)
Two children, political refugees from Nigeria, are abandoned in London. A powerful and dramatic account. (9-12)
Project Mulberry
by Linda Sue Park
(Clarion, 2005)
Korean-American Julia worries about ethnic misunderstandings and other complex issues as she and her friend Patrick work on a silkworm project for the state fair. (9-12)
Reaching For Sun
by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer
(Bloomsbury, 2007)
Thirteen-year-old Josie shares her year of growth as she deals with cerebral palsy and lessons from the family garden. In free verse. (10-14)
Rickshaw Girl
by Mitali Perkins, ill. by Jamie Hogan
(Charlesbridge, 2007)
Naima, a resourceful Bangladeshi girl, steps out of traditional women's occupations to help her family while using her artistic talents. (8-10)
Rules
by Cynthia Lord
(Scholastic, 2006)
Catherine's relationship with her autistic brother and their parents deepens when she befriends a physically disabled boy. (10-14)
Something about America
by Maria Testa
(Candlewick, 2005)
A young Serbian immigrant struggles with the angry bias of a small local group. Based on an actual event. (10-14)
The Trouble Begins
by Linda Himelblau
(Delacorte, 2005)
A Vietnamese refugee, reunited with family members after many years, struggles to adjust to life with them in the United States. (10-12)
Under the Persimmon Tree
by Suzanne Fisher Staples
(FSG, 2005)
During the 2001 Afghan war, Najmah and her friend help each other and plan for the future. (10-14)
