Full Winter 2002 - 2003 Children's Book Sense 76 -- With Booksellers' Recommendations

November 01, 2002

1. A HOUSE CALLED AWFUL END: Book One of the Eddie Dickins Trilogy, by Philip Ardagh; illus. by David Roberts (Holt, $14.95, 0805068287) Ages 9-12. "All you fans of Mr. Snicket and Mr. Dahl, here you go! Mr. Ardagh is here with a new series about kids persevering despite some dire straits. Here's the first ridiculous, witty, and fun installment. Enjoy!"—Carol Schweppe, Hicklebee’s, San Jose, CA

2. A CORNER OF THE UNIVERSE, by Ann M. Martin (Scholastic, $15.95, 0439388805) Ages 9-12. "Based on a secret in the author’s own family, this story works on many levels. Martin opens our eyes to shades of gray, where it’s hard to make choices and live with the consequences. A great choice for mother/daughter book clubs."—Valerie Koehler, Blue Willow Books, Houston, TX

3. FEED, by M.T. Anderson (Candlewick, $16.99, 0763617261) Teens. "Anderson has created such a convincing future world complete with so many provocative ideas and sly commentary, I marveled at how he fit them all into one book. I think teens will really enjoy this one. It’s a very deserving finalist for the National Book Award, with more awards likely."—Carol Chittenden, Eight Cousins Bookshop, Falmouth, MA

4. TOOT & PUDDLE: TOP OF THE WORLD, by Holly Hobbie (Little, Brown, $15.95, 0316365130) Ages 4-8. "Toot’s off again, so, knowing what his best friend loves to do, Puddle hops trains, planes and bicycles until he finds Toot in a French café. Then, off they go to Nepal for the biggest adventure of them all. Complete with beautiful watercolor illustrations, this one should get you hooked on these irresistible characters!"—Mary Fellow, Annie Bloom’s Bookstore, Portland, OR

5. FIREBOAT: The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey, written and illustrated by Maira Kalman (Putnam, $16.99, 0399239537) Ages 4-8. "This is a classic that will be just as powerful 50 years from now. I am immensely grateful Kalman had this book in her. Portions of the proceeds of sales of this book will be donated to the Twin Towers Orphan Fund."—Tony Miksak, Gallery Bookshop & Bookwinkle’s Children’s Books, Mendocino, CA

6. THE HOUSE OF THE SCORPION, by Nancy Farmer (Richard Jackson Books/Atheneum/S&S, $17.95, 0689852223) Teens. "Two-time Newbery honoree Farmer is back with a futuristic tale about a strange place and time. This wonderful novel has strong characters, provocative and timely ideas, and a gripping plot."—Susanna Nawrocki, The Twig Book Shop, San Antonio, TX Also a National Book Award Finalist.

7. THE SANDS OF TIME, by Michael Hoeye (Dutton, $14, 0399238794) Ages 9-12. "Another delightful adventure with Hermux Tantamoq, the mouse watchmaker we met in Time Stops for No Mouse. He is back with his friends in search of an ancient civilization of mythical creatures called ‘cats.’ Did these fearsome beasts actually exist? Travel with Hermux through another exciting exploit and find out."—Mary Swanson, The Bookloft, Enterprise, OR Also a Listening Library Audio (0807208833)

8. NEW YORK’S BRAVEST, by Mary Pope Osborne; illus. by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher (Knopf, $15.95, 0375821961) Ages 4-8. "Osborne has done it again. This book is a wonderful, heroic tale that will inspire and excite all who read it or have it read to them. Osborne never talks down to her audience, and, as a result, her story pulls the reader/listener into the adventure and makes him/her one with the action."—Marge Grutzmacher, Passtimes Books, Sister Bay, WI

9. THE SPIDER & THE FLY, by Mary Howitt; illus. by Tony DiTerlizzi (Simon & Schuster, $16.95, 0689852894) Ages 4-8. "In this delightfully ghoulish picture book, the classic morality tale of the spider and the fly is played out with the sparkling, delicate illustrations of the talented DiTerlizzi. The spooky dream-like tone of the backgrounds is a perfect match to the growing troubles of the fly. Sure to be a storytime favorite."—Alex Pippard, BookPeople, Austin, TX

10. CATALYST, by Laurie Halse Anderson (Viking, $17.99, 0670035661) Teens. "I inhaled this in one sitting. High school senior Kate Malone, daughter of the local minister, keeps her motherless family together and deals with the struggles of one of her classmates. This is a touching look at how important it is not to judge someone by what his or her life looks like on the outside."—Mary Ellen Kavanaugh, My Sisters’ Words, Syracuse, NY Also a Listening Library Audio (0807209392)

BUSY MONKEYS, by John Schindel (Tricycle Press, $6.95, 1582460825) "I love this book for the full-color photos and rhyming appeal for small children. Kids can act out what they hear, such as "Monkey yelling, monkey smelling" and "Monkey slurping, Monkey burping." Better yet, adults can, too!"—Kristin Keller, Wild Rumpus, Minneapolis, MN

KNICK-KNACK PADDYWHACK, by Paul O. Zelinski (Dutton, $18.99, 0525469087) "Zelinski has created a masterpiece of moving parts to the well-known children’s song. With every reading, you see new things and understand more of this brilliant author’s sense of humor and knowledge."—Lisa Schmitt, Wild Rumpus, Minneapolis, MN

See also the Top Ten above.

ALPHABOAT, by Michael Chesworth (Farrar, $16, 0374302448) "Punctuation and poetry pack this tale of Captain C, the Alpha-crew, and Admiral T in their search for the treasure of Mister E! A combination of sly visual and verbal puns makes this rollicking read-aloud as much fun for the grown-ups as for the small fry. One of the cleverest picture books we’ve seen in quite a while."—Diane Danielson & Vincent Desjardins, Snow Goose Bookstore, Stanwood, WA

ANOTHER PERFECT DAY, by Ross MacDonald (Roaring Book Press, $15.95, 0761315950) "Things are going well for your average superhero during his daily routine, until things suddenly go awry. This charming story is about a little boy’s dream as he struggles to wake up on a bright, sunny morning. With totally cool retro illustrations, this will have young and old laughing"—Liz Morgan & Kimberly Hughes, Village Bookstore, Menomonee Falls, WI

BAGHEAD, by Jarrett J. Krosoczka (Knopf, $15.95, 037581566X) "Okay, so there has been a haircutting incident in my family, so maybe that’s why I got such a good laugh from this fabulous read-aloud. But I think all parents and children alike will enjoy this fresh new voice in children’s picture books."—Sarah Parker, Scott’s Bookstore, Mt. Vernon, WA

THE BOOKSTORE MOUSE, by Peggy Christian (Harcourt, $5.95 paper, 0152045643) "This 1996 gem is finally out in paperback. Perhaps one of my family’s favorite books of all time, it’s the story of a bookstore mouse, an illiterate cat, and an adventure in words. There’s a giant named Jargon, a dragon named Censor, and a scribe named Cervantes. A great read-aloud for all ages."—Nancy Tebeau, Not Just for Kids Bookstore, Wake Forest, NC

THE COLLIE OF CASTLE HILL, by Christine Reilly Carter (Polt Mountain Press, $16.95, 0971796408) "Based on a true story, this book is about the wonderful relationship between a child and a dog. The pencil illustrations beautifully bring the seasons and holidays on their farm to life."—Lorilee Buzby, Califon Bookshop, Califon, NJ

COURAGE, by Bernard Waber (Houghton Mifflin, $12, 0618238557; Nov.) "Add my vote to the many that this special book will receive. Waber has given us a humorous but poignant look at some very real aspects of courage in an accessible presentation. This is a book that educators, parents, and friends will be sharing for years to come. One of the best books on the subject in a long time."—Sheilah Egan, A Likely Story Children’s Bookstore, Alexandria, VA

DEAR MRS. LARUE: Letters from Obedience School, by Mark Teague (Scholastic, $15.95, 0439206634) "What a witty book! Little dog Ike has been sent to obedience school by his owner, and his letters home make it sound like a prison. But the funny illustrations show us otherwise."—Kara Luger, Chinook Bookshop, Colorado Springs, CO

EPOSSUMONDAS, by Colleen Salley; illus. by Janet Stevens (Harcourt, $16, 015216748X) "The single best read-aloud this year. Master storyteller Salley’s tale begs to be read with an accent, but suffers nothing without one. Janet Stevens, one of our favorite illustrators, provides utterly fun and fabulous pictorial life to young Epossumondas, who follows directions all too well. Three thumbs up!"—Melissa Mytinger, Cody’s, Berkeley, CA

IGNACIO’S CHAIR, by Gloria Evangelista; illus. by Cathy Morrison (Fulcrum, $17.95, 1555919669) "The life and times of an antique chair from the 16th Century to the present age are chronicled in this impressive picture book. Kings, pirates, and immigrants all play a part in this remarkable chair’s story."—Dana Harper, Brystone Children’s Books, Ft. Worth, TX

MOLE & THE BABY BIRD, by Marjorie Newman; illus. by Patrick Benson (Bloomsbury, $16.95, 1582347840) "Simple and beautiful language reveals a universal truth: If you love something, set it free."—Adrianne Harper, Brystone Children’s Books, Ft. Worth, TX

MRS. BIDDLEBOX, by Linda Smith (HarperCollins, $15.99, 0060286903) "Did you ever wake up in a dreary little funk? Mrs.Biddlebox is having a perfectly awful day, but, instead of grumbling, she comes up with a truly extraordinary idea: Why not take all the ingredients of this dismal day and bake them into a cake? What a fun book to share with anyone having ‘one of those days.’"—Marilyn Smith, Hawley-Cooke Booksellers, Louisville, KY

THE NIGHTINGALE, by Hans Christian Andersen; illus. by Jerry Pinkney (Phyllis Fogelman Books, $16.99, 0803724640) "Pinkney chose to move this familiar tale to exotic Morocco, filling his pages with lavish palace gardens, richly patterned clothing, and lush landscapes. The cultural richness of his artwork brings a new warmth to this story, and every page is a gift."—Ellen Davis, Dragonwings Bookstore, Waupaca, WI

PLANTZILLA, by Jerdine Nolan; illus. by David Catrow and Paula Wiseman (Silver Whistle, $16, 0152024123) "When Mortimer adopts the class plant for the summer, he gets a little more than he bargained for in this wacky tale. It quickly grows to ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ proportions and begins to dominate the household. The story is told entirely through letters, an always delightful format, and the detailed illustrations are hilarious."—Kate McNally, Bookshop Benicia, Benicia, CA

THE POT THAT JUAN BUILT, by Nancy Andrews-Goebel; illus. by David Diaz (Lee and Low Books, $16.95, 1584300388) "Readers will enjoy this book on several levels: the familiar, bouncy rhyme on the left-hand pages that tells the true story of Juan Quezada’s renaissance of Mexican pottery; on the right hand pages, Diaz’s glowing illustrations."—Rory Walsh, Kids Ink Children’s Bookstores, Indianapolis, IN

RACCOON MOON, by Nancy Carol Willis (Birdsong, $6.95 paper, 0966276132) "A heartfelt story of a raccoon family’s first year together. This charming book has facts incorporated in the story, so you are learning while enjoying."—Joy Winslow, Danner’s Books, Muncie, IN

THE RANGE ETERNAL, by Louise Erdrich; illus. by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher (Hyperion, $15.99, 0786802200) "This is Erdrich’s lyrical, touching tribute to the heart of her childhood home: an old-fashioned, woodburning cookstove which the family took for granted until it was gone. A great book to share on the cold winter nights to come."—Barb Bassett, Red Balloon Bookshop, St. Paul, MN

RUBY’S WISH, by Shirin Yim Bridges; illus. by Sophie Blackall (Chronicle, $15.95, 0811834906) "This beautiful book is set in China at a time when education was considered only the birthright of boys. Happily, for one young girl, the patriarch in the story recognizes Ruby’s talents and her eagerness to become educated."—Judy Hamel, Childrens’ Corner Bookshop, Spokane, WA

WHEN MARIAN SANG, by Pam Munoz Ryan; illus. by Brian Selznick (Scholastic, $16.95, 0439269679) "Ryan’s words and Selznick’s art powerfully combine to bring to life the story of Marian Anderson’s incredible triumph in the late 1930s: Finally being allowed to sing before an integrated audience on the Lincoln Memorial steps."—Candace Moreno, San Marino Toy and Book Shoppe, San Marino, CA

UG: Boy Genius of the Stone Age, by Raymond Briggs (Knopf, $15.95, 0375816119) "Briggs’s new book is fun, wonderfully illustrated, and full of his warm and quirky charm. Ug’s story is the story of each of us, at one time or another, as we’ve tried to discover our way and fit in a world that doesn’t always make sense."—Herman Fong, Odyssey Bookshop, South Hadley, MA

ZATHURA, by Chris Van Allsburg (Houghton, $18, 0618253963) "Open this book and you’ll immediately realize you’re in for a strange and imaginative adventure. Van Allsburg strikes the perfect balance between the everyday world of sibling rivalry and a world where anything can happen. I loved this as much as his Jumanji!"—Harvada Elisberg, Children’s Bookshop, Appleton, WI

JUDY MOODY SAVES THE WORLD, by Megan McDonald (Candlewick, $15.99, 0763614467) "The third installment in the Judy Moody series is perfect for 2nd and 3rd graders. Judy is on a tear about recycling and the environment! A fun read and a spunky little heroine."—Diane Smith-Hill, A Children’s Place, Portland, OR

The latest in Bruce Hale’s hilarious Chet Gecko, Private Eye series is just out: THIS GUM FOR HIRE (Harcourt, $14, 0152024913)

Featured Author: Roderick Townley

INTO THE LABYRINTH (Atheneum, $16.95, 0689846150) "In this sequel to The Great Good Thing, the characters who live in the storybook are rushing to keep up with the many readers they get when the book is republished, and it becomes even more difficult when the book is loaded onto the Web. There are many funny scenes—Sylvie the Princess persuades the Writer to add a new character who can teach yoga to the cast to relieve their stress—and lots of adventure in cyberspace."—Nancy Felton, Broadside Bookshop, Northampton, MA

The first fun book is now out in paper: THE GREAT GOOD THING (Aladdin, $4.99 paper, 0689853289) Also a Listening Library Audio (0807204854)

Some Lovely Rediscoveries:

THE MELENDY QUARTET, by Elizabeth Enright (Holt, $16.95) "It’s great to have these wonderful books about the wonderful Melendy family out again in new editions!"—Elizabeth Bluemle, Flying Pig Children’s Books, Charlotte, VT
THE SATURDAYS (0805070605)
THE FOUR STORY MISTAKE (0805070613)
SPIDERWEB FOR TWO (080507063X)
THEN THERE WERE FIVE (0805070621)

THE LITTLE BRUTE FAMILY, by Russell Hoban; illus. by Lillian Hoban (Farrar, $5.95 paper, 0374444838) "The reissue of a favorite book is like an old friend coming back to visit. In The Little Brute Family, originally published in 1966, a clan of appealing little ‘brutes’ discover that mean feelings breed meanness and good feelings breed goodness."—Beth Puffer, Bank Street Bookstore, New York, NY

RIO GRANDE STORIES, by Carolyn Meyer (Gulliver, $6 paper, 0152000666) "In this book originally published in 1994, 7th grade students delve into their family folklore to create a book as part of a class project about their unique traditions and relatives. Melding together stories—from the Hidden Jews to the first black explorers—each student discovers something special to contribute that speaks to the beauty of our nation’s multicultural identity."—Joe Cedillo, PAGES: Books for Children and Young Adults, Tarzana, CA

See also the Top Ten above.

BEHIND THE MOUNTAINS, by Edwidge Danticat (Orchard, $16.95, 0439372992) "A 13-year-old Haitian girl is encouraged by a teacher to begin keeping a diary about the time when Haiti’s presidential elections caused violence and uncertainty. This is a gem that makes real for students the experiences of those forced from their beloved and familiar lives by political and economic complications."—Margi Shindler, Ecola Square Books, Cannon Beach, OR

BOSTON JANE: WILDERNESS DAYS, by Jennifer Holm (HarperCollins, $16.99 0060290439) "This is the second Boston Jane tale, told by Jane herself. Spunky Jane survives many adventures out on the rough Western frontier, attempting to do the right thing. Tension is provided by a misunderstanding between Jane and Jehu, a solid, quiet man who loves her and always appears at the right times. An engrossing story."—Sue Carita, Toadstool Bookshop, Milford, NH

CECILE: Gates of Gold, by Mary Casanova (Pleasant Co., $7.95 paper, 1584855185) "As the ‘American Girl’ series places a fictitious girl in American’s past, the ‘Girls of Many Lands’ series places one in another country in a fascinating time period—in this case, a young girl in the court of 1744 Versailles."—Janet Bibeau, Storybook Cove, Hanover, MA

DOLORES: Seven Stories About Her, by Bruce Brooks (HarperCollins, $15.95, 0060278188) "I have sold tons of Brooks’ classic work, The Moves Make the Man. His latest is the coming-of-age saga of a brainy, beautiful loner, who resists caving to social pressure and physical threats. A very empowering but credible role model for early adolescent girls."—Mary Taft, Prairie Lights, Iowa City, IA

THE FROG PRINCESS, by E.D. Baker (Bloomsbury, $15.95, 1582347999; Nov.) "This is an innovative twist on the original fairy tale, and it’s absolutely enchanting."—Julie Heidtman, Page One Books, Albuquerque, NM

HARMONY, by Rita Murphy (Delacorte, $15.95, 0385729383) "An entertaining coming-of-age novel with an unusual but wonderfully loving family, a believable touch of magical realism, and an intelligent, good-hearted girl struggling to find her place in the world. I was touched by Harmony’s desire to rid herself of her inexplicable ‘powers’ so that she could be ‘normal, and I was moved by her realization that a curse can sometimes be a blessing in disguise."—Alison Morris, Wellesley Booksmith, Wellesley, MA

I SMELL LIKE HAM, by Betty Hicks (Roaring Brook Press, $16.95, 0761317481) "Nick is worried about his appearance, girls, making the basketball team and missing his mother. He also has concerns about his new stepfamily, mustard dispensers and his best friend's angry family. This is a funny, poignant and true look at being a middle school kid."—Rene Kirkpatrick, All for Kids Books, Seattle, WA

PARVANA’S JOURNEY, by Deborah Ellis (Groundwood, $15.95, 0888995148) "Parvana is separated from her family in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, so she heads to Kabul to find them. This is a must-read for the many fans of the bestselling prequel, The Breadwinner."—Carol Stoltz, Concord Bookshop, Concord, MA Proceeds from this book go to Women for Women, a relief organization for women in Afghanistan.

QUIVER, by Stephanie Spinner (Knopf. $15.95, 0375814892) "Moving at a swift pace, Spinner pulls the reader right into ancient Greece with Atalanta’s demand for the deaths of her suitors. With its musical prose, Quiver brings life to the deities of ancient Greece."—Katie Abbot, Scott’s Bookstore, Mt. Vernon, WA

THE SAME STUFF AS STARS, by Katherine Paterson (Clarion, $15, 0618247440) "Angel and her brother are deserted by their mother, so they are left in the care of their great grandmother, who is very poor. Angel, who is 11, has to be adult and parent, too; her burdens seem positively overwhelming. But she manages to find some joy in life as she discovers the stars with the help of an elderly man in the trailer next door. A very compelling story."—Kim Dalley, Toadstool Books, Peterborough, NH

A WEEK IN THE WOODS, by Andrew Clements (Simon & Schuster, $16.95, 068982596X) "Mark didn’t ask to move to New Hampshire or to go to a hick school. Now the whole school is headed out for a week of camping. As Mark begins to open up to life in the country, he decides it might be okay to learn something new. It might even be fun. But things go all wrong. Clements asks— and answers —questions about first impressions, fairness, loyalty, and courage, and exactly what it takes to spend a week in the woods."—Margaret Poppe, Books & Books, Coral Gables, FL Also a Listening Library Audio (0807209619)

See also the Top Ten above.

THE ANGEL FACTORY, by Terence Blacker (Simon & Schuster, $16.95, 0689851715) "A strange and thought-provoking book about Thomas, who seems to have the perfect life until he discovers that his parents are angels. But what exactly is an ‘angel,’ why are they here, and what role do they expect Thomas to play in their Project? This book will keep you wondering until the very last page."—Katherine Bryk, Learned Owl Bookshop, Hudson, OH

BLOODY JACK: Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary Jack Faber, Ship’s Boy, by L.A. Meyer (Harcourt, $17, 0152167315) "Jacky Faber is a 13-year-old with spirit and grit. She’s an orphan living on the streets of 18th Century London, begging for food and dodging danger. When a warship comes to shore looking for ship’s boys, Jacky disguises herself as a boy and sets out on a high sea adventure in search of pirates. This one will keep you reading!"—Valerie Lewis, Hicklebee’s, San Jose, CA

BREATHING UNDERWATER, by Alex Flinn (HarperTempest, $7.99 paper, 0064472574) "Nick appears to have everything going for him: intelligence, popularity, wealth, but his father’s violent temper colors his whole life. His journey of self-discovery is chronicled in a court-ordered journal he is required to keep. This book was difficult to put down—a thought provoking read for mature teens."—Pam Stilp, Harry W. Schwartz Bookshops, Brookfield, WI

CITY OF THE BEASTS, by Isabel Allende (HarperCollins, $19.99, 006050918X) "For the young and the young at heart, this story about the relationship between a nerdy boy and his adventurous grandmother is priceless. The adventure story has just enough magic to make it thought-provoking fiction, but not so much to make it a flat-out fantasy. A wonderful book."—Jeanne Michael, Odyssey Books, Grass Valley, CA Also a HarperAudio (0060510765/ and in Spanish, Ciudad de las Bestias, 0060510773)

EDGEWATER ANGELS, by Sandro Meallet (Vintage, $13, 037572561X) "This book is a gem. Meallet’s language is truthful and the emotions honest as he captures the lives of these teens growing up in the projects without fathers. This book was a big handsell in our store last year in hardback, and we are looking forward to selling many more now that it’s in paperback."—Sarah Wingfield, M is for Mystery/ K is for Kids Bookstore, San Mateo, CA

A STEP FROM HEAVEN, by An Na (Front Street, 15.95, 1886910588) "A Masterful writer, Na describes the struggles and joys of a Korean family living in America, creating memorable characters and a novel worthy of awards."—Andrea Hein, Kids Ink Children’s Bookstores, Indianapolis, IN

NANCY DREW is on tape for the first time, marvelously read by Laura Linney. Pure nostalgia for you 40+ kids; pure fun for a new generation. (All from Listening Library at $18.)

#1: SECRET OF THE OLD CLOCK (0807207543)

#2: THE HIDDEN STAIRCASE (0807207578)

#3: THE BUNGALOW MYSTERY (0807207608)

#4: THE MYSTERY AT LILAC INN (0807207632)

Classic Roald Dahl favorites, now reissued on tape with FANTASTIC new readers. Check these out:

THE BFG, read by Natasha Richardson ($22, 0060091150)

BOY, read by Derek Jacobi ($22, 0060091223)

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, read by Eric Idle ($24, 0060510641; also on CD, $25.95, 006051065X)

GEORGE’S MARVELOUS MEDICINE, read by Richard E. Grant ($12, 0060510781; coming in Dec.)

GOING SOLO, read by Derek Jacobi ($24, 0060510536)

REVOLTING RHYMES & DIRTY BEASTS, read by Alan Cumming ($12, 0060091274)

THE TWITS, read by Simon Callow ($12, 0060091266)

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