 |
Winter
2002 Children's Book Sense 76
Unique and provocative
selections from a great diversity of voices...all personally recommended by
the independent booksellers of America.
|
|
| Even
More for Ages 9 - 12 |
|
 The
Angel Factory
by Terence
Blacker
"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
 Behind
the Mountains
by Edwidge
Danticat
"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
"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
"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
"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
"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
"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
"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
"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
 Quiver
by Stephanie
Spinner
"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
"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
"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
|
|
Top