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Fall
2001 Children's Book Sense 76 Picks
Unique and provocative
selections from a great diversity of voices...all personally recommended by
the independent booksellers of America.
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| For Middle Readers, Ages 8 - 12 |
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 Color
of My Words, The
by Joseph,
Lynn
(Ages 8 - 12, HarperCollins, $14.95, 0060282320) "12-year-old Ana watches
the world from up in a tree, composing poems and stories in her head. Her mother
tries to protect her from learning so young the political power words can have
in a country where speaking out can be very dangerous. Set in the Dominican
Republic, this book is dappled with poetry, pain, and promise." - Laura
Hansen, Bookin' It, Little Falls, MN
 Dancing
in Cadillac Light
by Holt,
Kimberly Willis
(Ages 8 - 12, Putnam, $15.99, 0399234020) "Holt's description and characters
take you right into the 60's South. You can taste the dust and feel the pain
her characters go through as they struggle to put the pieces back together after
Grandpa passes away. Jaynell and Racine dream of much more for themselves, but
can they escape the legacy their Grandpa has left them?" - Sarah Parker,
Scott's Bookstore, Mt. Vernon, WA
 Gawgon
and the Boy, The
by Alexander, Lloyd
(Ages 8 - 12, Dutton, $17.99, 0525466770)
"I had a beloved aunt who traveled to exotic places and had a sharp mind. She had much in common with Alexander's own Aunt Annie, the model for the Gawgon in his new novel. Using autobiographical material, Alexander is sharing his aunt's brilliance, humor and spirit with all of us, while creating a fine tribute to her memory." - Ellen Davis, Dragonwings Bookstore, Waupaca, WI
How Tia Lola Came To Stay
by Alvarez, Julia
(Ages 8 - 12, Knopf, $15.95, 0375802150)
"Alvarez's newest book is a wonderful story lovingly told. Truths are understood in English and Dominican Spanish while love is universal. I wish there were more Tia Lolas in the world, but for now I am comforted and encouraged by the one Julia Alvarez sent to our bookstore." - Margaret Poppe, Books & Books, Coral Gables, FL
 Sailor
Returns, A
by Taylor, Theodore
(Ages 8 - 12, Blue Sky Press (Scholastic), $16.95, 0439248795)
"The characters are thoroughly believable and there is somebody that everyone can relate to. Great lesson of tolerance for all ages, and terrific for reading groups or for reading with your child. A real winner!" - Dan Smith, Cornerbooks, Canal Winchester, OH
School
Story
by Clements,
Andrew, illustrated by Brian
Selznick
 (Ages
8 - 12, Simon & Schuster, $16.95, 0689825943) "When Natalie writes a story
and shows it to her best friend Zoe, she's sure it would make a good book. Zoe
cooks up a scheme to get the book published for real. Zoe has a plan involving
alias names, an office rental, and getting an agent!" - Dominique Hutches,
Giant Steps, Fremont CA
Shipwrecked: The True Adventures of a Japanese Boy
by Blumberg, Rhoda
(Ages 8 - 12, HarperCollins, $16.95, 0688174841)
"We follow the life of a 14-year-old castaway who becomes the first Japanese person to enter the U.S. and later becomes an honored samurai. The gripping text sheds light on a variety of historical topics; this is inspiring, fast-paced adventure." - Jane Baldus, Anderson's Bookshop, Naperville, IL
 Transmogrification
of Roscoe Wizzle, The
by Elliot,
David, illustrated by Vladimir
Rudinsky
(Ages 8 - 12, Candlewick, $12.99, 0763611735) "A cross between Roald Dahl
and Franz Kafka, this is a FUN book about changing, but it's also reassuring
to children that everything really will turn out OK. It is just the kind of
wacky book kids of all ages will gobble up and laugh over for weeks."
- Katharine Nevins, Main Street Book Ends, Warner, NH
Two Princesses of Bamarre, The
by Levine, Gail Carson
(Ages 8 - 12, HarperCollins, $15.95, 0060293152)
"The kingdom inhabited by humans, dragons, specters, fairies, ogres, and sorcerers must be saved from the Gray Death, and only the bravest will survive and save the kingdom. An exciting adventure for any fantasy lover." - Kathy Taber, Kids Ink Children's Bookstores, Indianapolis, IN
 What
Every Girl (Except Me) Knows
by Baskin, Nora Raleigh
(Ages 8 - 12, Little, Brown, $16.95, 0316070211) "Baskin has tackled a tough
topic with enough wit to make it uplifting. In this first novel, Gabby Weiss is
trying to grow up as best she can without a mother. I would recommend this book
to all 11 and 12-year-old girls." - Susan Avery, Ariel Booksellers, New
Paltz, NY
Wolves
of Willoughby Chase, The
by Aiken,
Joan
(Ages
8 - 12, Yearling, $4.99, 0440496039) "When I was 9, I discovered the storytellin g
of Joan Aiken. Now, nearly 40 years later, another generation can experience
the melodramatic, tongue-in-cheek adventures of cousins Bonnie and Sylvia as
they foil the dastardly plot of their evil governess." - Tula Patterson,
The Children's Corner Bookshop, Spokane, WA
- Watch out for our interview with the wonderful Ms. Aiken, coming up soon
on BookSense.com
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