November 15, 2001 The Winter 2001/2002 Children's Book Sense 76 1. THE DINOSAURS OF WATERHOUSE HAWKINS, by Barbara Kerley; illus. by Brian Selznick (Scholastic, $16.95, 0439114942) Ages 4-8. "This stunning picture book reveals the amazing true story of an unknown figure in the history of dinosaur research. A brilliant, fascinating book!"-Dana and Marianne Harper, Brystone Children's Books, Fort Worth, TX (See next page for more about the beloved Brian Selznick.) 2. OLIVIA SAVES THE CIRCUS, by Ian Falconer (Atheneum, $16, 068982954X) Ages 4-8. "I love this even more than last year's Book Sense Illustrated Children's Book of the Year winner, Olivia. Her irrepressible character is so perfectly portrayed."-Rose Joseph, Magic Tree Bookstore, Oak Park, IL 3. YOU READ TO ME & I'LL READ TO YOU: 20th Century Stories to Share, selected by Janet Schulman (Knopf, $34.95, 0375810838) Ages 4-8. "What a joy! A true treasure that not only includes No Kiss for Mother but also Flat Stanley with the original illustrations by Tomi Ungerer. So many great stories, and a tremendous value to boot!"-Amy Nina Baum, Red Balloon Bookshop, St. Paul, MN 4. A FINE, FINE SCHOOL, by Sharon Creech; illus. by Harry Bliss (HarperCollins, $15.95, 006027736X) For ages 4-8. "A proud principal thinks his school is so fine, it should be open every day! Until Tillie visits his office and tells him that other kinds of learning no longer occur. A delightful, funny cautionary tale."-Karen Miller, Anderson's, Naperville, IL 5. BECAUSE OF WINN-DIXIE, by Kate DiCamillo (Candlewick, $5.99 paper, 0763616052) Ages 9-12. "India Opal is one of the strongest, most sensitive and sensible heroines since Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird. Kate DiCamillo's first novel is a marvel. Not to be missed!" -Collette Morgan, Wild Rumpus, Minneapolis, MN This was the winner of the 2001 Book Sense Award for Children's Literature. Also a Listening Library Audio (0807261866) 6. FAIR WEATHER, by Richard Peck (Dial, $16.99, 0803725167) Teens. "Once again Peck takes us back in time. This time it is to the summer of 1893 to the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Rosie Beckett and her family are invited to Chicago by her Aunt Euterpe, but she wasn't prepared for the uproar this would bring to her life. Another great story from an outstanding author."-Dyana Ely, Little Professor Book Co., Fort Wayne, IN 7. THE WATER HOLE, by Graeme Base (Abrams, $18.95, 0810945681) Ages 4-8. "Here is a treasure of a book to come back to again and again. With each reading, I find more details in these stunning illustrations which surprise and delight in this story of a disappearing water hole. This multi-layered creation combines counting and hidden pictures, geography and zoology, an important environmental lesson, and exquisitely detailed art."-Mari Enoch, The Bookloft, Great Barrington, MA 8. STAND TALL, MOLLY LOU MELON, by Patty Lovell; illus. by David Catrow (Putnam, $14.99, 0399234160) Ages 4 -8. " A sweet storybook saved from being too sweet by the funny illustrations. The important message: Be true to yourself and proud of yourself."-Leslie Reiner, Inkwood Books, Tampa, FL 9. DIAL-A-GHOST, by Eva Ibbotson; illus. by Kevin Hawkes (Dutton, $15.99, 0525466932) Ages 9-12. "This is for the many kids, big and little, who love to read about ghosts. A magically funny fantasy about ghosts trying to find the right home. What a cool book!"-Sylvia Beringer, Harry W. Schwartz Booksellers, Milwaukee, WI 10. FAIRY HOUSES, by Tracy Kane (Great White Dog Press, $15.95, 0970810458) For ages 4-8. "The colorful pictures and the magic of the fairies had my daughter entranced, but what makes this a winner is the fact that kids immediately want to go outside and build their own fairy house. What?!? Play outside in this day and age? Aren't we skipping the whole video game step? It was great. We went outside, got dirty, and built the best fairy house ever."-Shawna Elder, Iowa Book, Iowa City, IA FOR INFANTS AND PRESCHOOLERS ANIMAL ANTICS (Now I'm Reading Series, Level 1: Short Vowel Sounds), by Nora Gaydos; illus. by B.B. Sams (Innovative Kids, $14.99, 1584760737) "Perfect first readers, from the packaging to the great illustrations. The progressive organization of the phonetic skills is perfect for those starting to read."-Nancy Tebeau, Not Just For Kids Bookstore, Wake Forest, NC FARMER WILL, by Jane Cowen-Fletcher (Candlewick, $14.99, 0763609889) "A little boy wants to be a farmer, so when he steps outside, he becomes Farmer Will and his stuffed animals come to life. A wonderful story to remind us of the joy and energy in a child's imagination."-Yvonne Kaiser, The Bookworm, Omaha, NE IT'S OKAY TO BE DIFFERENT, by Todd Parr (Little, Brown, $14.95, 0316666033) "Featuring his trademark bold, bright colors and silly scenes, Parr cleverly delivers an important message."-Sue Griepentrog, Little Read Book, Wauwatosa, WI KISS GOOD NIGHT, by Amy Hest; illus. by Anita Jeram (Candlewick, $15.99, 0763607800) "This is a sweet children's story about a little bear who isn't ready to go to sleep until Mrs. Bear gives him many goodnight kisses! Anita Jeram is the illustrator of everyone's favorite, Guess How Much I Love You. I predict this will turn into a favorite bedtime story for preschoolers."-Mary-Ann Frischkorn, The Learned Owl Book Shop, Hudson, OH SHEILA RAE'S PEPPERMINT STICK, by Kevin Henkes (HarperCollins, $6.95, 0060294515) "This is the first of five holiday board books by Henkes featuring Sheila Rae, Owen, Wemberly, Julius and Lilly. It is as sweet as peppermint candy, and not sticky at all!"-Deb Woolsey, Dragonwings Bookstore, Waupaca, WI SIT TRUMAN!, by Dan Harper: illus. by Cara and Barry Moser (Harcourt, $16, 0152026169) "You can almost feel the drool as you sit down to read this one! The illustrations are wonderful and the simple text make it a great read-aloud for the younger ones in the family."-Kim Soyka, Book House at Stuyvesant Plaza, Albany, NY Some Favorite Books in New Editions HONK THE MOOSE, by Phil Stong; illus. by Kurt Wiese (Trellis Publishers, $18.95, 1930650361) A Newbery Honor Book in 1938, now back in print. For ages 4-8. "A wonderfully funny story about a small town in northern Minnesota. Beautiful vintage illustrations add charming character to the book. This is sure to delight readers of all ages!"-Beth Plattner, Fishing With Your Mind, Walker, MN THE MOUSE AND HIS CHILD, by Russell Hoban; illus. by David Small (Scholastic, $16.95, 0439098262) Originally published in 1967. For ages 9-12. "An enchanting tale about a clockwork toy's quest to become self-winding. Hoban delights in the juxtaposition of supreme silliness and philosophical ideas of zenlike beauty and simplicity. A most entertaining and soul-satisfying book."-Jean Matthews, Chapter One Book Store, Hamilton, MT THE OWL WHO WAS AFRAID OF THE DARK, by Jill Tomlinson; illus. by Paul Howard (Candlewick, $15.99, 0763615625) Ages 4-8. "A young barn owl does not like the dark, but meets several people who help him discover the night's wonder. Howard's soft, lush illustrations are comforting, and parents and children alike will enjoy this reissue of a classic 1968 book."-Tami Edwards, The Children's Corner Bookshop, Spokane, WA BOOK MOST LIKELY TO FILL THE HARRY POTTER VOID THIS FALL SPELLFALL, by Katherine Roberts (Chicken House/Scholastic, $15.95, 0439296536) Ages 9-12. "What a book! This encompasses everything a diehard fantasy fan (or Harry lover) is looking for: a strong lead character, spirits, magic, spells, an evil villain, faithful sidekicks, and action galore. Once again, a British writer transports her readers to another world with her vivid imagery and stellar command of language! We were worried about what a year without Harry would mean to our young readers, but I believe Spellfall will fill that vacancy."-Kathleen Caldwell, Readers' Books, Sonoma, CA TWO FOR A WINTER'S DAY BLIZZARD YEAR: Timmy's Almanac of Seasons, by Gretel Ehrlich (Hyperion, $5.99 paper, 0786812451) Ages 9-12. "Just reissued in paper, this is a beautifully written story of life on a Wyoming ranch as told by Timmy, who takes in stride all that nature offers and copes with grace and good humor."-Sue Carita, Toadstool Bookshop, Milford, NH STOPPING BY WOODS ON A SNOWY EVENING, by Robert Frost; illus. by Susan Jeffers (Dutton, $15.99, 0525467343) Ages 4-8. "Combine one of America's best loved poems with one of its favorite illustrators, and you have a surefire bestseller. This updated classic, in a new gift edition, will appeal to both children and adults."-Betty Bennett, Bennett Books, Wyckoff, NJ FEATURED ILLUSTRATORS Brian Selznick "Selznick's fantastical illustrations breathe life into the characters and images in a variety of settings, drawing the reader's imagination deep into the text of the story. We are big, big fans of his work!!"-Susan Kent, Treehouse Readers, Kingwood, TX. In addition to his new book, named to the Top Ten on p. 1, here are two examples of Selznick's work now in paperback. THE HOUDINI BOX (Aladdin, $4.99 paper, 0689844514) Ages 4-8. THE BOY OF A THOUSAND FACES (HarperTrophy, $5.95, 0064410803) Ages 9-12. David Small EUTALIE AND THE HOPPING HEAD, by David Small (Sunburst, $5.99 paper, 0374422028) Ages 4-8. "Ah, David Small. The Caldecott-winning illustrator has a fantastically weird sense of humor, and it certainly shines through here."-Kara Luger, Chinook Bookshop, Colorado Springs, CO THE JOURNEY, by Sarah Stewart, illus. by David Small (Farrar, $16, 0374339058) Ages 4-8. "Through the entries in her diary, we discover the joy and wonder of Hannah, an Amish girl seeing big city life in Chicago for the first time. Small's alternating illustrations of Chicago and Amish life wonderfully reflect Hannah's thoughts and feelings. Every Stewart/Small picture book has been a joy to read and recommend and this one is no exception!"-Joanne Bibeau, Storybook Cove, Hanover, MA A GREAT SERIES FOR AGES 4-8 NOW BACK IN PRINT "A grand adventure series written by Edward Ardizzone between 1936 and 1977. Brave little Tim sets out to sea, having one triumphant adventure after another. The illustrations are fresh and fine, and the writing is simple and fun."-Elizabeth Bluemle, The Flying Pig, Charlotte, VT All are from HarperCollins in $15.95 hardcover editions: TIM IN DANGER (0688176755) TIM AND GINGER (0688176763) TIM'S FRIEND DOWSER (0688176771) MORE PICTURE BOOKS FOR AGES 4-8 ANTONELLA AND HER SANTA CLAUS, Barbara Augustin; illus. by Gerhard Lahr (Kane/Miller, $14.95, 1929132131) "What a great Christmas book; it really brought tears to our eyes. The spirit of Christmas lives in this book. Hopefully, after reading this book, everyone will get that spirit of giving."-Kelly Peroni, High Sierra Books, Portola, CA AUNT CLAIRE'S YELLOW BEEHIVE HAIR, by Deborah Blumenthal, illus. by Mary Grandpre (Dial, $15.99, 0803725094) "A wonderful introduction to family history and getting to know those who preceded us. Another verification that human beings are marvelously unique individuals."-Janice Card, BYU Bookstore, Provo, UT AWFUL OGRE'S AWFUL DAY, by Jack Prelutsky; illus. by Paul O. Zelinsky (Greenwillow, $15.95, 0688077781) "I loved this book of great read-aloud poems featuring a truly awful main character, an ogre so awful that he has a skunk living in his nose! So get out your weasel grease (the really smelly kind) and prepare yourself for a funny book; a real one of a kind!"-Vincent Desjardins, The Snow Goose Bookstore, Stanwood, WA BUDDHA IN THE GARDEN, by David Bouchard; illus. by Zhong-Yang Huang (Raincoast, $19.95, 1551924528) "A beautiful and simple tale of a young orphan in a Buddhist temple and how he finds enlightenment. The story is heartwarming and magical. One of the best of the year."-Lynn Dixon, Cook Inlet Book Company, Anchorage, AK JUST THE TWO OF US, by Wil Smith; illus. by Kadir Nelson (Scholastic, $16.95, 0439082929) "This is such a positive book about a father-and-son relationship."-Michele Lewis, Afro American Book Stop, New Orleans, LA "LET'S GET A PUP!" SAID KATE, by Bob Graham (Candlewick, $14.99, 0763614521) "Kate and her parents pick out an exuberant pup named 'Dave' at the Rescue Center, but they must go back to also adopt 'Rosy' who is old and calm. A poetic story with delightful pictures that add humor and charm."-Janet Bibeau, Storybook Cove, Hanover, MA MICE AND BEANS, by Pam Munoz Ryan; illus. by Joe Cepeda (Scholastic, $15.95, 0439183030) "This brightly illustrated picture book is a joyful celebration of food and family. Rosa Maria has a big heart, 'and when there's room in the heart, there's room in the house, except for a mouse.' This book is a perfect read aloud for ages 4-8."-Carolyn Harrington, Great Horned Owl Bookstore, Louisville, CO MOTHER MOTHER I FEEL SICK, SEND FOR THE DOCTOR QUICK QUICK QUICK, by Remy Charlip and Burton Supree; illus. by Remy Charlip (Tricycle Press, $16.95, 1582460434) "This hilarious and unusual book just begs to be read aloud! Adults will enjoy it as much as children will, with its striking silhouette art against vintage wallpaper backgrounds. Try it; you'll feel better!"-Harvada Elisberg, Children's Bookshop, Appleton, WI PEEF AND HIS BEST FRIEND, by Tom Hegg; illus. by Warren Hanson (Waldman House, $15.95, 0931674492) "Everyone should have a Peef in their life."-Becky Smith, Town Crier Bookstore, Emporia, KS PETE SEEGER'S ABIYOYO RETURNS, by Pete Seeger and Paul DuBois Jacobs; illus. by Michael Hays (Simon & Schuster, $17, 0689832710) "The Abiyoyo is magically brought back to help the community build a dam so there will be water in the summer for irrigation. Pete's message is that communities that share good food and song accept differences and make everyone welcome. What a sweet tale."-Marian Fleischman, Sedalia Book & Toy, Sedalia, MO THE TIN FOREST, by Helen Ward; illus. by Wayne Anderson (Dutton, $15.99, 0525467874) "This is a very, very special picture book: warm and sweet, simple enough to be read to a 3-year-old, yet wondrous enough to be loved by adults, too. It gave me that 'most magnificent book I've seen in years' chill up and down my spine."-Merrilee Wilkerson, Book People, Austin, TX TUB-BOO-BOO, by Margie Palatini; illus. by Glin Dibley (Simon & Schuster, $16, 0689823940) "While taking a bath, Henry tries to stop a drip with his big toe and gets stuck in the tub. Everyone who comes to the rescue makes a tub-boo-boo and becomes stuck, too! Henry's big sister, Lucy, comes to the rescue."-Lorilee Buzby, Califon Book Shop, Califon, NJ TROUBLE ON THE TRACKS, by Kathy Mallat (Walker, $15.95, 0802787711) "This is an adorable book about a mischievous cat named Trouble whose mission in life is to upset a young boy's carefully crafted toy train world. My little girl requests this book daily!"-Cathy Zehms, Little Professor Book Center, Green Bay, WI THE WARLORD'S BEADS, by Virginia Pileard; illus. by Nicolas Debon (Pelican, $14.95, 1565548639) "Kids will say, 'Aha-I know!' to this puzzle in a story with terrific illustrations. How do Chuan and his father count the warlord's treasure and protect the father from suspicion of theft?" -Becky Milner, Vintage Books, Vancouver, WA YOKO'S PAPER CRANES, by Rosemary Wells (Hyperion, $15.99, 0786807377) "That adorable cat Yoko is back. Wells combines stunning illustrations (collages made with origami paper, goldleaf, and paint) with a story about love for a grandmother far away. Each page is strikingly beautiful in color, design and simplicity. This is one of my favorites of the season."-Beth Puffer, Bank Street Books, New York, NY Two from Roddy Doyle THE GIGGLER TREATMENT (Scholastic, $3.99 paper, 0439163005) "This book has the kind of gross nonsense humor that children and adults can really giggle about."-Joyce Smith, University Bookstore, Laramie, WY ROVER SAVES CHRISTMAS (Arthur A. Levine/Scholastic, $14.95, 0439305306) "Rudolph has the flu, so Santa asks Rover to pull the sleigh. Bad geography, dueling commercials, a wise-cracking dog, and a smart aleck narrator manage to pull off a zany Christmas read-aloud."-Ellen Davis, Dragonwings Bookstore, Waupaca, WI TWO FAVORITES FROM RECENT YEARS FOR AGES 9-12. BELLE PRATER'S BOY, by Ruth White (Yearling, $5.50, 0440413729) "This Newbery Honor Book is both touching and hilarious. The story revolves around Woodrow, an introspective, clever and a fully developed character whom you are always rooting for. The best part of the book is the surprise ending!"-Courtney Martell, Skylight Books, Los Angeles, CA THE VAN GOGH CAFÉ, by Cynthia Rylant (Apple, $4.99 paper, 0590907174) "A beautiful chapter book appropriate for about 4th grade and up, and for dreamers of all ages. 10-year-old Clara and her father Marc run the Van Gogh Café in Flowers, Kansas. Magic things happen there in a series of short interconnected stories. The Star is one of the most moving children's stories I've ever read. Not to be missed."-Ellen Skagerberg, Copperfield's, Sebastopol, CA TWO NEW SERIES FOR AGES 9-12. The Belltown Mystery Series, by T.M. Murphy (J.N. Townsend Publishing) "The Belltown books are great favorites of ours. They're on the order of The Hardy Boys or The Three Investigators. The sleuth is a high school kid, Orville Jacques, who's always finding reasons to investigate long-unsolved cases. He's always hoping to get together with a girl and routinely bumbles the approach. But he's sharper than many of the other local characters, and out-gumshoes 'em every time. The stories have made readers of many reluctant 8 to12 year-olds."-Carol Chittenden, Eight Cousins Bookstore, Falmouth, MA The Belltown Mysteries series debuted in 1996 with The Secrets of Belltown, and Townsend Publishing is re-releasing the first four of the mysteries along with new books in the series starting with book #5. All are $9.95 paperbacks: THE SECRETS OF BELLTOWN (#1; 1880158345) THE SECRETS OF CRANBERRY BEACH (#2; 1880158361) THE SECRETS OF CAIN'S CASTLE (#3; 1880158388) THE SECRETS OF PILGRIM POND (#4; 1880158396) THE SECRETS OF CODE Z (#5; 1880158337) THE BUCCANEERS, by Iain Lawrence "Lawrence has written these three tales about life at sea in the early 1800s. We meet pirates and unsavory sailors and learn about ships and sailing. But most important of all, the reader becomes part of a swashbuckling adventure. For those pirate and adventure lovers fourth grade and up."-The Staff at Butterfly Books, De Pere, WI THE WRECKERS (LaurelLeaf, $4.99 paper, 0440415454) THE SMUGGLERS (Yearling, $4.99 paper, 0440415969) THE BUCCANEERS (Delacorte, $15.95, 0385327366) NEW BOOKS FOR AGES 9-12. AMAZING MAURICE AND HIS EDUCATED RODENTS, by Terry Pratchett (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 Vera B. Williams (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 Susan Shreve (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, Book People, Austin, TX CATHERINE CERTITUDE, by Patrick Modiano; illus. by Jean-Jacques Sempe (Godine, $16.95, 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 Frances O'Roark Dowell (Aladdin, $4.99 paper, 0689846673; in stores Nov.) "This is an incredible first novel that reminded me of To Kill A Mockingbird. Dovey Coe is falsely accused of murder, so she's got to find out who did it. A wonderful page turner."-Kim Neath, K&M Books, Shaker Heights, OH FLIPPED, by Wendelin Van Draanen (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 Kevin Yagher (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. Some 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 Gloria Wheelan (HarperTrophy, $5.95 paper, 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 Also a Listening Library Audio (0807261815) KIDCHAT: Questions to Fuel Young Minds and Mouths, by Bret Nicholaus and Paul Lowrie (Questmarc, $8.95 paper, 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 THE LADY OF TEN THOUSAND NAMES: Goddess Stories from Many Cultures, by Burleigh Muten; illus. by Helen Cann (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 Iain Lawrence (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 THE MONSTERS OF MORLEY MANOR: A Madcap Adventure, by Bruce Coville (Harcourt, $16, 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 John R. Erickson (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, ed. by Betty Ann Schwartz; illus. by Alix Berenzy (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 FOR TEENS BELLE TEAL, by Ann M. Martin (Scholastic, $15.95, 0439098238) "You will love Belle, her mom, and Gran. This family of women knows how to raise a young one to stand up for what's right, so Belle knows exactly how to be gracious and kind when her all-white 5th grade class is integrated."-Mary Ellen Kavanaugh, My Sisters' Words, Syracuse, NY BORN BLUE, by Han Nolan (Harcourt, $17, 0152019162) "Janie's strength has always been her powerful voice and music. They have sustained her throughout all of her childhood when she was abandoned, kidnapped, and finally left to fend for herself. Nolan has created this strong female character to help us realize that our strengths can be what save us and those we love."-Kathy Taber, Kids' Ink Children's Bookstores, Indianapolis, IN DANIEL'S WALK, by Michael Spooner (Holt, $16.95, 0805067507) "Excellent historic adventure of a young man's coming-of-age."-Heather Fierst, Book Bag, Valparaiso, IN ECHO, by Francesca Lia Block (Joanna Cotler/Harper Collins, $14.95, 0060281278) "Echo feels overlooked by her dying artist father, but when he leaves her a box of his paints, she uses them to see as he did. In what may be her finest book, Block uses colorful magic and simple, striking prose to explore the inner emotions of a girl struggling to find her way in life."-Joe Beine, Tattered Cover Book Store, Denver, CO THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER, by Stephen Chbosky (Simon & Schuster, $12 paper, 0671027344) "This book was recently banned by a New England school. I found it to be one of the most eye-opening books I have read in a long time. Honest and sweet, the narrator of this book is a 15-year old who is writing down his daily experiences in the form of letters he is sending to a 'friend'. Changing the names to protect the innocent, he chronicles the lives of his friends & family. Does the book depict sexual situations? Yes. Do drugs play a large role? Yes. Is this an important book for parents, teachers, and kids to read and discuss? YES!!!"-Nikki Mutch, UConn Co-op, Storrs, CT TRUE BELIEVER, by Virginia Euwer Wolff (Atheneum, $17, 0689828276) "A sequel to Make Lemonade and just as good. Verna LaVaugh is a most appealing and strong character, but not without her flaws. Kids will easily relate to her and her struggles. This is a terrific read."-Carol Stoltz, Concord Bookshop, Concord, MA A National Book Award Finalist.