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Winter
2001 Children's Book Sense 76 Picks
Here are the 76 most
noteworthy new and recent children's books, as compiled from hundreds of recommendations
by independent booksellers across America. One bookseller's quote has been
chosen to represent each of these top vote-getters.
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| New Books for Ages 9 - 12 |
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Amazing
Maurice and His Educated Rodents
by Pratchett,
Terry
(Ages 9 - 12, Laura Geringer Books/HarperCollins, $15.95, 0060012331) "I
ventured into this book timidly; I don't read a lot of fiction for this age
level. I shouldn't have worried. Pratchett has combined the essential ingredients
(great story, great characters, humor, suspense) and crafted a marvelous book."
- Carrie Elizabeth, Inklings Bookshop, Yakima, WA
Amber Was Brave, Essie Was Smart
by Williams, Vera B.
(Ages 9 - 12, Greenwillow, $15.95, 0060294604)
"Poetry seems to be taking center stage in children's books these days, and this touching story of two sisters deftly weaves together the story of two girls and the heartbreak and joy they go through as they see their family through some very hard times." - Sarah Parker, Scott's Bookstore, Mt. Vernon, WA
 Blister
by Shreve, Susan
(Ages 9 - 12, Arthur Levine/Scholastic, $15.95, 0439193133)
"I ached in recognition at some of the things Blister does in this book to try to keep her family together. Anyone who has ever done the wrong thing for the right reasons will appreciate her wry humor and real life idiosyncrasies. An enormously appealing, marvelously crafted story." - Alex Pippard, BookPeople, Austin, TX
Catherine Certitude
by Modiano, Patrick, illustrated by Jean-Jacques Sempe
(Ages 9 - 12, Godine, $17.95, 087923959X)
"This book about a young Parisian girl is sublime! It embraces reality and paradox with a touching elegance that brought a smile to my heart. The illustrations are perfect for the book: in tone, color palette, and composition." - Dawn Martin, University Book Store, Seattle, WA
 Dovey
Coe
by Dowell, Frances O'Roark
(Ages 9 - 12, Aladdin, $4.99, 0689846673)
"High-spirited and independent Dovey Coe isn't afraid to speak her mind. Everyone in town knows she doesn't like rich, conceited Parnell Caraway, who has been hanging around her older sister. When he is found dead and Dovey is nearby, she is accused of the murder. Dovey will definitely remind you of that other great southern heroine. A must read!" - Martie Amador, Education Express, San Rafael, CA
Flipped
by Van Draanen, Wendelin
(Ages 9 - 12, Knopf, $14.95, 0375811745)
"In a change of pace from her Sammy Keyes mysteries, Van Draanen tells the story of two young people at a crossroads in their lives." - Tracy Wynne, Cover to Cover Booksellers, San Francisco, CA
 Heverly
by Yagher, Kevin
(Ages 9 - 12, Seastar, $15.95, 1587170620) "Not since The Dark Crystal
have I seen such attention placed in an original fantasy for children. The
detail and work that Yagher put into making this book lifted my spirit. The truth
of life he portrays in his story brought tears to my eyes. So few stories provoke
such emotion that I feel I need to share them; this is one of those books."
- Jennifer Seymour, Stacey's Bookstore, Cupertino, CA
Homeless Bird
by Wheelan, Gloria
(Ages 9 - 12, HarperTrophy, $5.95, 0064408191)
"A young girl in India with a talent for needlework is married, widowed a few days later, and then abandoned by her in-laws. Her determination to make a future for herself wins out over despair at being left in a strange city. A strong, courageous heroine who knows how to follow her heart." - Erin Ostrander, Secret Garden Bookshop, Seattle, WA
Kidchat: Questions to Fuel Young Minds and Mouths
by Nicholaus, Bret and Paul Lowrie
(Ages 9 - 12, Questmarc, $8.95, 0963425161)
"This is a great book for both parents and teachers, full of thought-provoking questions that will start a good dialog between adult and child." - Rita Moran, Apple Valley Books, Winthrop, ME
 Lady
of Ten Thousand Names, The: Goddess Stories from Many Cultures
by Muten, Burleigh, illustrated by Helen Cann
(Ages 9 - 12, Barefoot, $19.99, 1841480487)
"Beautiful illustrations and wonderful stories about goddesses who are wise, strong, and powerful. It's the perfect gift for the goddess in every young girl." - Suzanne Coopersmith, R. J. Julia Booksellers, Madison, CT
Lord of the Nutcracker Men
by Lawrence, Iain
(Ages 9 - 12, Delacorte, $15.95, 0385729243)
"A British father goes to war in France and writes letters back to his son describing his days in the trenches. Most of the time the letters are upbeat but some reflect the true horror of war. Johnny replays the battles in his backyard. Wonderful use of language; a great discussion starter." - Scott Meyer, Merritt Bookstores, Millbrook & Red Hook, NY
 Monsters
of Morley Manor, The: A Madcap Adventure
by Coville, Bruce
(Ages 9 - 12, Harcourt, $16.00, 0152163824)
"How can anyone put down a book when the first sentence is 'If Sarah hadn't put the monkey in the bathtub, we might never have had to help the monsters get big.' A wonderful adventure with determined, clever aliens and a spunky brother and sister team who possess great courage, loyalty, and humor." - Janis Irvine, The Book Bin, Northbrook, IL
 Moonshiner's
Gold
by Erickson, John R.
(Ages 9 - 12, Viking, $15.99, 0670035025) "From the author of the popular
Hank the Cowdog series, here is an excellent novel set in the Texas Panhandle
that brings to life a time when the opening of the last frontier fostered self-reliance
in young people." - Jan Owens, Millrace Books, Farmington, CT
My Kingdom for a Horse: An Anthology of Poems about Horses
by Schwartz, Betty Ann, illustrated by Alix Berenzy
(Ages 9 - 12, Holt, $17.95, 0805062122)
"Luminous images and evocative words summon up our love for horses for kids of all ages." - Anna Moscicki, Two Ocean Books, Dubois, WY
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