The Fall 2002 Children's Book Sense 76

1. THE THIEF LORD, by Cornelia Funke (Chicken House/Scholastic, $16.95, 0439404371; just out) Ages 9-12. "Angels, dragons, and winged lions watch over Venice as six children sneak into houses for goods to steal and sell. On the run from a wicked aunt and uncle, they discover the magical powers of an old carousel and what people will do for eternal youth. Full of mischief, adventure, heroes, and magic, this is one of those books that will be read and loved by people of all ages!"—Nikki Mutch, UConn Co-op, Storrs, CT Also a Listening Library Audio (0807209767)

2. MERCEDES AND THE CHOCOLATE PILOT: A True Story of the Berlin Airlift and the Candy that Dropped from the Sky, by Margot Theis Raven; illus. by Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen (Sleeping Bear Press, $17.95, 1585360694) Ages 5-10. "A very touching story. It shows that even in the toughest times, there are those who perform great acts of kindness. You will be left with a great sense of hopefulness."—Lisa Fabiano, Hearts & Stars Bookshop, Canton, MA

3. WESLANDIA, by Paul Fleischman; illus. by Kevin Hawkes (Candlewick, $5.99 paper, 0763610526) Ages 4-8. "An innovative story about a young boy who, shunned by his peers, taps into his own creativity. He establishes a new food crop, new language, and, in the end, a new civilization. Very highly recommended."—Joseph Lappie, Danner’s Books, Muncie, IN

4. THE TREE, by Dana Lyons; illus. by David Danioth (Illumination Arts, $16.95, 0970190719) Ages 4-8. "The illustrations are beautiful, the text is simple, and the message clear: It is our place to protect our natural resources. This book is very beautiful and moving."—Julie Heidtman, Page One, Albuquerque, NM

5. STAND TALL, by Joan Bauer (Putnam, $16.99, 039923473X Ages 9-12. "Bauer tells the story of an eighth-grade boy nicknamed ‘Tree’ due to his unusual height. He constantly feels awkward and alienated from his peers. When a massive flood threatens to wipe out the town, Tree rises to the occasion and finally finds his place among friends and family."—Rebecca Mullin, Kids Ink Children’s Bookstores, Indianapolis, IN

6. STOWAWAY, by Karen Hesse (Aladdin, $6.99 paper, 0689839898) Ages 9-12. "Finally in paperback, here’s a riveting adventure on the high seas, based on the actual diaries of Nick Young, an extra passenger on Captain Cook’s ship. A great introduction to an amazing man and an amazing time period, it should have been a Newbery Award contender!"— Barb Bassett, Red Balloon Bookshop, St. Paul, MN Also a Listening Library Audio (0807261696)

7. PICTURES OF HOLLIS WOODS, by Patricia Reilly Giff (Wendy Lamb Books/Delacorte, $15.95, 0385326556; just out) Ages 9-12. "Twelve-year-old Hollis Wood is an artistic, determined foster kid. Giff paints a picture of her troubled past and current struggle to find a family rich with feeling, life and characters. Her ability to draw the reader into her tender writing never failed to thrill me, both as a bookseller and a reader." —Jonatha Foli, Copperfield’s Books, Sebastopol, CA

8. THE TIGER RISING, by Kate DiCamillo (Candlewick, $5.99 paper, 0763618985) Ages 9-12. "DiCamillo has a way of getting under the skin of her characters in just a few well-chosen words. The Tiger Rising brings the reader into a magical story of loss, love and friendship. I’m so glad I came upon this author early in her career so I can read every new book of hers as they come off the press."—Fred Powell, Main Street Books, Frostburg, MD Also a Listening Library Audio (080726188X)

9. CRISPIN: The Cross of Lead, by Avi (Hyperion, $15.99, 0786808284) Ages 10-14. "Avi has done it again! He has created a story of interest to a wide range of ages. We are taken to Medieval England, and through the eyes of a serf, we see the effects of the plague, the social order of the day, and a political change for equality. Not to worry; the story is full of intrigue and excitement!"—Jen Butler-Brown, Grass Roots Books & Music, Corvallis, OR

10. OF BEETLES AND ANGELS: A Boy’s Remarkable Journey from a Refugee Camp to Harvard, by Mawi Asgedom (Little, Brown, $9.95 paperback, 0316826200; just out) Teens. "Asgedom gives eloquent voice to his Ethiopian family and their new life in America. Living in poverty and confronting racism, he still looks for and finds beauty in other people. An inspiring true story."—Linda Ramsdell, The Galaxy Bookshop, Hardwick, VT

ABU AND THE 7 MARVELS, by Richard Matheson; illus. by William Stout (Gauntlet, $21.95, 1887368493) "Acclaimed writer Matheson’s first foray into the field of children’s fantasy is a howling success. Poor Abu must complete an impossible quest, aided only by his little brother, an unraveling magic carpet, and the world’s most decrepit genie. Funny, clever, exciting, and gorgeously illustrated to boot, this one is destined to become a classic."—Linda Thomas, Hawley-Cooke Booksellers, Louisville, KY

ABARAT, by Clive Barker (Joanna Cotler Books/HarperCollins, $24.99, 0060280921; due out Sept. 23) "This blew me away. Still a master of twisting, turning plots, Barker now shows himself to be master of a new world. Candy Quackenbush, an unhappy teenager, stumbles into Abarat as unexpectedly as Alice tumbles into the rabbit hole. And like Alice, Candy discovers that, in this world, nothing is as it seems. This book should win Barker a whole new set of fans!"—Karen Miller, Anderson’s Bookshop, Naperville, IL Also a HarperCollins Audio (0060510757)

CORALINE, by Neil Gaiman; illus. by Dave McKean (HarperCollins, $15.99, 0380977788) "A perfect book for anyone who loves to be frightened. It scared the heck out of me, and I loved it. Coraline is a great heroine for young men and women alike."—Nick Pharris, Little Professor, Aberdeen, SD Also a HarperAudio (0060504544; CD, 006051048X)

HOOT, by Carl Hiaasen (Knopf, $15.95, 0375821813; due out Sept. 10) "Hiaasen hasn’t written down to his youthful audience; he’s just written, and it works beautifully. He deftly juggles the ‘work-within-the-system/subvert-the-system’ points of view, and has done a great job with the kids, including the bully. What a great book." —Susan Scott, Secret Garden, Seattle, WA Also a Listening Library Audio (0807209228)

SUMMERLAND, by Michael Chabon (Talk Miramax, $22.95, 0786808772; due out Sept. 17) "I absolutely loved this lush, lyrical, and beautifully written book. I love that it is filled with things we love: baseball, summer, American folk heroes, and fairies and small folk. I felt like I was living in the story from the first page. All the staff here is talking about it."—Rene Kirkpatrick, All for Kids Books and Music, Seattle, WA Also on Highbridge Audio (1565117204; CD, 1565117212)

Diana Wynne Jones

Booksellers have loved Jones for years, and she is now getting the attention she deserves in new paperback editions. "These are smart, sophisticated, and witty fantasy books, and her Wizard’s University setting was penned pre-Potter. Don’t miss this author!"—Judy Hamel, Children’s Corner Bookshop, Spokane, WA

A selection of her most popular works, from Greenwillow in $6.99 paperbacks:

CASTLE IN THE AIR (0064473457)
FIRE AND HEMLOCK (006447352X)
HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE (006441034X)

Coming in Sept., in paperback and hardcover:

HEXWOOD (0064473554)
THE TIME OF THE GHOST (0064473546)

And 2 other classics of hers (HarperTrophy, $6.95):

YEAR OF THE GRIFFIN (006447335X)
DARK LORD OF DERKHOLM (0064473368)

Diane Duane

THE WIZARD’S DILEMMA: Book 5, by Diane Duane (Magic Carpet/Harcourt, $6.95 paper, 0152024603; just out) "This is a very intense book, the latest in the excellent Young Wizards series. Nita’s latest assignment as a wizard is her hardest yet, as her mother is in the hospital facing surgery, and Nita must put her own life and magic powers on the line to save her. I’ve enjoyed all four previous books in this series; they just keep getting better and better. In this fifth book, the author has outdone herself."—Katherine Bryk, Learned Owl, Hudson, OH

The previous 4 paperbacks in the Young Wizards series ($6.50 ea.):

SO YOU WANT TO BE A WIZARD: Book 1 (015216250X)
DEEP WIZARDRY: Book 2 (0152162577)
HIGH WIZARDRY: Book 3 (0152162445)

(There’s a boxed set of the first 3: DIANE DUANE’S BOX OF WIZARDRY ($18.95, 0152045821)

A WIZARD ABROAD: Book 4 (0152162380)
And…Book 6 is due out in Oct.: A WIZARD ALONE (0152045627; $17)

MISS BINDERGARTEN TAKES A FIELD TRIP WITH KINDERGARTEN, by Joseph Slate; illus. by Ashley Wolff (Dutton, $16.99, 0525467106) "The class sets out to visit a bakery, firehouse, post office and library. Like all the Miss Bindergarten books, this is a delightful picture book."—Lynn Sturertz, Book Stall at Chestnut Court, Winnetka, IL

COUNTDOWN TO KINDERGARTEN, by Alison McGhee; illus. by Harry Bliss (Silver Whistle. $16, 0152025162) "Hysterical! A young girl hears erroneous information about kindergarten from a first-grader, and nervously awaits the start of school. Hilarious illustrations (you have to read the cereal box!) combine with simple text in this tongue-in-cheek take on first-day jitters! Parents will love this, too!"—Kathleen Carey, The Little Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza, Albany, NY

See also the Top Ten (top of page).

ALPHABEASTS, by Wallace Edwards ( Kids Can Press, $15.95, 1553373863; just out) "This is a charming, almost gothic, picture book. ‘T is for Tarantula, arriving for tea.’ A delight!"—Becky Milner, Vintage Books, Vancouver, WA

THE BIRDWATCHERS, by Simon James (Candlewick, $15.99, 0763616761) "The illustrations will make you feel as if you’re out in the woods with Jess and his grandfather. A sweet, simple story filled with wonder at the natural world and infused with whimsical humor."—Harvada Elisberg, Children’s Bookshop, Appleton, WI

EARTHQUACK!, by Margie Palatini; illus. by Barry Moser (Simon & Schuster, $15.95, 0689842805) "The illustrations would be enough reason to buy this book! Moser puts fear in the face of a chick, alarm in the countenance of a goose, and the author takes ‘The Sky is Falling’ to a new high, with a lot of clever wording and rhyming. What an immensely fun read-aloud!"—Mary Burns, The BookWorks, Marysville, WA

FAIRY BOAT, by Tracy Kane (Great White Dog Press, $15.95, 0970810474) "An excellent follow-up to the enchanting Fairy Houses of last year."—Becky Smith, Town Crier Bookstore, Emporia, KS

HUNTER’S BEST FRIEND AT SCHOOL, by Laura Malone Elliott; illus. by Lynn Munsinger (HarperCollins, $15.99, 0060002301) "Stripe and Hunter are the very best of friends and love to do everything together, but one day, Stripe starts misbehaving. The pictures are endearing and this look at peer pressure is believable, making this the perfect book to read to pre-school and primary classes."—Sheilah Egan, A Likely Story Children’s Bookstore, Alexandria, VA

JAKE GANDER, STORYVILLE DETECTIVE: The Case of the Greedy Granny, by George McClements (Hyperion, $15.99, 0786806621) "Fractured fairy tale fans will love this. Adults will love the references to their favorite detective stories, and kids will enjoy figuring out the ending."— Valerie Koehler, Blue Willow Books, Houston, TX

KITE FLYING, by Grace Lin (Knopf, $14.95, 0375815201) "A family buys sticks, paper, glue, and paint to make kites, and everyone has a job in preparing their dragon kite for flight. Bright colors and subtly exquisite patterns make for an enchanting new book."— Herman Fong, The Odyssey Bookshop, South Hadley, MA

THE LITTLEST WOLF, by Larry Dane Brimner; illus. by Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey (Harper Collins, $15.95, 0060290390) "Whimsical paintings depict the kinetic energy of a little wolf’s actions, as well as the knowing wisdom of a compassionate father, in this tender story. Big Gray encourages the little wolf to show him what he can do, and counters his son’s self-doubt with humor and gentle reassurance."—Mary Alice Garber, Politics & Prose, Washington, DC

MICAWBER, by John Lithgow; illus. by C.F. Payne (Simon & Schuster, $17.95, Book and CD, 0689833415; due in Oct.)

"Lithgow has written, as only he could,
a Seuss-like homage to fine art:
His squirrel, Micawber, an amateur dauber,
Discovers that doing is more fun than viewing.
The text is quite fine, from the very first line;
And Payne’s illustrations are simply divine—
This truly will steal your heart." —Merrilee Wilkerson, BookPeople, Austin, TX

MUD IS CAKE, by Pam Munoz Ryan; illus. by David McPhail (Hyperion, $15.99, 0786805013) "A spectacular trip to fascinate any child. Ryan’s rhythmical verse and McPhail’s delightful paintings whisk a child away to a land of countless possibilities."— Ellen Mager, Booktenders Children’s Bookstore, Doylestown, PA

THE SCRAMBLED STATES OF AMERICA by Laurie Keller (Holt, $6.95 paper, 0805068317) "Keller’s sense of humor is on target with jokes so bad, they’re HILARIOUS! It’s so entertaining that you’ll end up wanting to read it over and over again. But beware: This masterful author might just sneak up and teach you all of the states!"—Robin Cabot, Wild Rumpus, Minneapolis, MN

SISSY DUCKLING, by Harvey Fierstein; illus. by Henry Cole (Simon & Schuster, $16, 0689835663) "Elmer is a sissy duckling, and proud of it. He likes to paint and put on puppet shows. The boys in his flock make fun of him, and his own father is ashamed of him for not acting like a regular drake. But the day comes when Elmer, who always knows he has value, proves his worth to everyone. Power to the sissies!"—Carolyn Sweeney, Chesterfield Books, Chesterfield, MI

SMILE A LOT, by Nancy Carlson (Carolrhoda, $15.95, 0876148690; just out) "Great illustrations and a wonderful positive message with humor. Love, love, loved it."—Sally Cropper, Bookshop, Pompton Plains, NJ

SQUEAKY CLEAN, by Simon Puttock; illus. by Mary McQuillan (Little, Brown, $13.95, 0316788163) "After I finished reading this one to our store’s storytime group, the kids shouted ‘Read it again!’ Lots of smiles are guaranteed from this wonderful read-aloud about some very grubby piglets who learn to love getting all ‘splishy, splashy, sploshy’ in the bathtub."—Vincent Desjardins, Snow Goose Bookstore, Stanwood, WA

THE THREE QUESTIONS, by Jon J. Muth (Scholastic, $16.95, 0439199964) "Based on the Tolstoy story, this is a beautiful tale with a moral. The illustrations help reveal the simple wisdom of this book." —Caroline Green, Malaprop’s, Asheville, NC

THE TURTLE SAVER, by Laurie Parker (Quail Ridge, $16.95, 1893062325) "An engaging tale that reminds us to pay attention to the little things, and that no deed is too small to not have far-reaching effects. I will keep this one on my bookshelf next to my (well-worn) copy of The Quiltmaker’s Gift."—Katie Sondergaard, Howard Street Booksellers, Hibbing, MN

WHEN LIGHTNING COMES IN A JAR, by Patricia Polacco (Philomel Books, $16.99, 0399231641) "If you have ever read any of Polacco’s work, you know that she always weaves a great tale involving childhood stories full of love and warmth and lots of relatives. This is no exception! A young girl learns from her Gramma how to catch lightning in a jar at their family reunion. What a wonderful family!"—Monica Capra, Scott’s Bookstore, Mt. Vernon, WA

THE WHOOSH OF GADOOSH, by Pat Skene; illus. by Doug Keith (Illumination Arts, $15.95, 0970190700) "The rhymes are reminiscent of Dr. Seuss, and the illustrations are bright and humorous. You will laugh your way through this delightful book about the healing power of laughter."—Joan Gannon, Old Sperryville Bookshop, Sperryville, VA

LEO, THE LIGHTNING BUG, by Eric Drachman; illus. by James Muscarello (Kidwick, $18.95 book with CD, 0970380909) "This book has been flying off our shelves. This littlest lightning bug can’t make his light work, but mom’s advice is time, practice, and believing in yourself. A great book for children and parents to read and heed the lessons in today’s high-pressure world."—Cathy Crymes, Grrreat Bears and Childhood Delights, Baltimore, MD

TANGLE FAIRIES, by Steve Tiller; illus. by Rob Cremeans (MichaelsMind, $6.95 paper, 097045970X) "One of our favorite kid’s books! Parents and children who have awakened to the mystery of knotted hair will appreciate this playful rhyming tale of fairies’ night-time antics."—Holly Stewart, Phoenix and Dragon Bookstore, Atlanta, GA

WALTER THE FARTING DOG, by William Kotzwinkle and Glenn Murray; illus. by Audrey Colman (North Atlantic, $15.95, 1583940537) "This book is an absolute delight. It is tear-inducingly funny, visually clever, and wonderfully familiar. For all who want a deliciously enjoyable, if not redolent, treat, this is your book."
—Meg Kaufman, Eagle Harbor Books, Eagle Harbor, WA

See also the Top Ten (top of page).

OSTON JANE: An Adventure, by Jennifer Holm (HarperTrophy, $5.99 paper, 0064408493; just out) "It was a long way from Miss Hepplewhite’s Young Ladies Academy in Philadelphia to the savage land of the Pacific Northwest. Set in 1854, this is the story of young Jane Peck’s struggles with herself as well as the conditions of her journey to meet her fiancee. Jane is a heroine you’ll laugh at, get angry with, and eventually cheer for. She’s definitely one you’ll remember."—Kathy Carrigan, Harry W. Schwartz Bookshops, Brookfield, WI

ESPERANZA RISING, by Pam Munoz Ryan (Scholastic, $4.99 paper, 043912042X) "How do you think you would adjust if you were forced to work in a farm labor camp? Esperanza had a privileged upbringing in her native Mexico in the 1930s, but events conspire to rob her of all that is familiar and she must go to California to work to survive. Aside from being a terrific story, this makes this period in history come alive."—Carol Stoltz, Concord Bookshop, Concord, MA

SILENT TO THE BONE, by E.L. Konigsburg (Aladdin, $5.99 paper, 0689836023) "Branwell’s baby sister is in a coma after being dropped, and he has been struck dumb. He is suspected, but his friend, Connor, is searching for the truth. Thirteen-year-old Connor proves to be more capable and determined than the adults around him, discovering secret plots and scandals as he brings his friend back from his abysmal silence."—Rory Walsh, Kids Ink Children’s Bookstores, Indianapolis, IN

THE YEAR OF MISS AGNES, by Kirkpatrick Hill (Aladdin, $4.99 paper, 0689851243) "Told from the point of view of 10-year-old Fred (short for Frederika), this is the amazing story of Miss Agnes Sutterfield. She has come to the one-room schoolhouse in an Alaskan fishing village in 1948, transforming her students into curious, questioning learners who love school. Fred is feisty, and there is inevitable conflict, doubt, and a great ending."—Jenn Fontaine, Bookrack and Childrens Pages, Essex, VT

Jon Scieszka

"The Time Warp Trio series is just plain fun!"—Mark Globensky, Forever Books, MI
Here are the latest, in $4.99 Puffin paperbacks:

SEE YOU LATER, GLADIATOR (0142300691)
SUMMER READING IS KILLING ME! (0141308206)
IT’S ALL GREEK TO ME (0141310979)

Coming in Oct.: SAM SAMURAI (0142302139)

Gregory Maguire

THE GOOD LIAR (HarperCollins, $5.95, 0064408744) "France during World War II is the setting. A boy pushes the limits while his father is away fighting, only to find that his mother is more in control than he suspected."—Dara LaPorte, Politics & Prose, Washington, DC

More from Maguire, in a different vein; paperbacks from HarperTrophy:

FIVE ALIEN ELVES (0064407640)
SIX HAUNTED HAIRDOS (0064407209)
SEVEN SPIDERS SPINNING (0064405958)

TUCK EVERLASTING, by Natalie Babbitt (Farrar, $5.95 paper, 0374480133) "This is one of those books that asks a question equally profound for children and adults, namely: Do you really want to live forever? It’s beautifully written and is at the very core of a quality children’s collection. The characters are memorable and the action is entirely plausible. For all we know the Tuck family is still out there—and always will be."—Carol Chittenden, Eight Cousins Bookshop, Falmouth, MA

DILLON DILLON, by Kate Banks (Farrar, $16, 0374317860; just out) "Here is a book I can’t wait to recommend to customers. As 10-year-old Dillon comes to terms with who he is, he finds his life parallels that of the family of loons that fascinate him. It’s a truly wonderful story of tenderness and transformation."—Beth Puffer, Bank Street Books, New York, NY

DOUBLE FUDGE, by Judy Blume (Dutton, $15.99, 0525469265; just out) "Hurrah! Fudge is back! And he is better and funnier than ever! But be warned: it might be that Fudge has met his match in a newly discovered cousin who ‘stole’ his name. Double the Fudge means double the laughs and you’ll be laughing out loud!"—Deborah Woolsey, Dragonwings Bookstore, Waupaca, WI Also a Listening Library Audio (0807209422)

INDIGO, Alice Hoffman (Scholastic, $16.95, 0439256356) "Oak Grove is a dry and dusty place, and everyone who lives there likes it that way, except the McGill brothers. They prefer anchovy pie to blueberry, pour salt into their water, and have faint blue webbing between their fingers and toes. Like Aquamarine, this is a mysterious and magical tale that will delight its readers."—Mary Kooyman, Scott’s Bookstore, Mount Vernon, WA

THE JACKET, by Andrew Clements (Simon & Schuster, $12.95, 0689825951) "This is an excellent book to get middle-schoolers thinking about racism and the subtle ways it affects our thinking. After accusing a black student at his school of stealing a jacket, a fifth-grader realizes he is prejudiced and decides to do something about it. Clements has once again succeeded in creating strong characters kids can relate to while exploring an important issue."—Philip Schweiger, Children’s Corner Bookshop, Spokane, WA

SAFFY’S ANGEL, by Hilary McKay (McElderry Books/S&S, $16, 0689849338) "Saffy has been adopted by her artistic, loving aunt. Her cousins/siblings, each named after a color on an artist’s palette, are quirky, good-natured and talented. With the help of a new friend, she has a hilarious adventure to retrieve a gift her mother left for her. Great fun!"—Amy Rosenfield, Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Cleveland, OH Also a Listening Library Audio (080720823X)

AFTER HAMELIN, by Bill Richardson (Firefly, $8.95 paper, 1550376284; published in 2000) "Mysteriously struck deaf the day the Pied Piper returns to pipe away Hamelin’s children, Penelope cannot hear the tune and is mercifully left behind. It becomes her responsibility to enter a fantastical dream-world to get her friends and family back. A wonderfully written story with a delightful heroine."—Sara Yu, Bank Street Bookstore, New York, NY

ALONE ACROSS THE ARCTIC: One Woman’s Epic Journey by Dog Team, by Pam Flowers with Ann Dixon (Alaska Northwest Books, $15.95 paperback, 088240539X; from 2001) "Flowers is the tremendous human being who completed this journey with her dogsled team, meeting many perils along the way. What a fascinating and fulfilling read; I am still in awe of this courageous journey!"—Dana Harper, Brystone Children’s Books, Watauga, TX

TAGGER: Alone Along the Mystic River, by J.A. Louthain; illus. by Andrea Eberbach (Alexie Books, $14.95 paperback w/CD, 0967941601; Dec. 2001) "An historical novel about a young lady sold into servitude in 1828 Connecticut. Escaping, Tagger becomes a female Horatio Alger-type character. The author tells this story in such a delightful way, showing kids what’s possible in life."—Bob Spear, Book Barn, Leavenworth, KS

See also the Top Ten (top of page).

ALL-AMERICAN GIRL, by Meg Cabot (HarperCollins, $15.99, 0060294698; just out) "Just as much fun as The Princess Diaries. She definitely knows how to create characters that readers care about and hate to see go once the book is over. I already miss Samantha and all her crazy adventures."—Maggie Spitz, Quail Ridge Books and Music, Raleigh, NC Also a Listening Library Audio (0807209015)

HORSE THIEF, by Robert Newton Peck (HarperCollins, $16.95, 0066237912) "Yes, a cowboy story, but set in Florida. A rodeo is closing down and the horses’ futures are uncertain, and young Tullis intends to take care of matters. Peck’s language and characters are delightful and, at times, laugh-out loud funny." —Martha Nelson, Butterfly Books, DePere, WI

THE LIGHTKEEPER’S DAUGHTER, by Iain Lawrence (Delacorte, $16.95, 0385729251; just out) "This intense family drama plays itself out through flashbacks that solve the mystery of how the lighthouse keeper’s daughter became pregnant and how her brother died. Written in beautiful prose and astonishingly precise metaphors that help the reader see and feel what the characters experience, the book explores deep psychological themes related to the family that are at once biblical, Freudian, and utopian. The book is pure reading pleasure! What a superb author."—Betty Renner, Merritt Bookshops, Millbrook, NY

911: The Book of Help, ed. by Michael Cart with Marc Aronson and Marianne Carus (Cricket Books, $17.95, 0812626591; just out) "Leading young-adult authors such as Katherine Paterson, Avi, and Naomi Shihab Nye put their hearts and souls into this book of healing. It is very powerful and sincere."—Iris Yipp, The Magic Tree Bookstore, Oak Park, IL