November and December 2003

Wolves In The Walls (HarperCollins, $16.99)
Written by Neil Gaiman; Illustrated by Dave McKean

Another masterpiece form the creators of Coraline and The Day I Swapped My Dad For Two Goldfish. This delightfully creepy tale tells the story of Lucy, who hears wolves inside the walls of her family's big old house. No one heeds her warnings and at last the wolves come out of the walls, and everybody knows that when the wolves come out of the walls, it's all over; until Lucy decides to take back her home, with the help of her mother, her father, her brother and her beloved pink pig-puppet. Gaiman's simple story-telling and McKeen's haunting and fascinating illustration make this one of my favorite picture books this year. (Ages 7 and up) -- Emma Casale

Not Quite A Stranger (Farrar, Strauss and Giroux, $16.00)
Written by Colby Rodowsky

Not Quite A Stranger is a touching, realistic novel about thirteen year old Tottie Flannigan whose family undergoes a sudden, dramatic change one ordinary Saturday afternoon. Told in alternating voices, the story unfolds as Tottie and seventeen year old Zach relate their very different experiences of the same event. Although the subject is serious and thought-provoking, this book is very humorous and enjoyable to read. Recommended for young adults middle school age and up. --Jennifer Williams

East (Harcourt, Brace and Jovanich, $16.00)
Written by Edith Pattou

In East, Edith Pattou creates an original world of fantasy and adventure and at the same time relies heavily on traditional fairy-tale lore (East of the Sun, West of the Moon, and Beauty and the Beast). Told from several points of view (chapters told by different characters), this well-written, engrossing story will captivate the older fans of fantasy.

Rose, a young woman, is restless, adventurous, romantic, and brave. She needs all of these qualities to solve the mystery of the enormous white bear whom she has allowed to carry her off in the middle of the night to a new land and huge castle.

Set in the icy lands of the far north, skillfully described by Pattou, East includes unforgettable characters ranging from troll queens to superstitious mothers, huge white bears to softskins (humans). Intriguingly constructed, this sophisticated novel makes for a fantastic read. --JoAnn Fruchtman

America the Beautiful (Putnam, $16.99)
Illustrated by Wendell Minor; Poem by Katharine Lee Bates

Katharine Lee Bates' 19th century poem, which has stirred hearts for generations, is beautifully illustrated in this book with Wendell Minor's stunning paintings celebrating American landscapes and historical moments of our nation. Biographical information about Bates and Ward, whose music the poem has been set to, is included. Picture book for all ages. --Debbie Nelson

Granny Torrelli Makes Soup (HarperCollins, $16.00)
Written by Sharon Creech

Another winner by Sharon Creech! Granny Torrelli Makes Soup is the story of twelve year-old Rosie, who was born one week after Rosie and Bailey, with whom she has been best friends her entire life. Bailey is blind and Rosie has always wanted to help him and protect him, although Bailey often ends up helping and protecting her. Suddenly Rosie starts to have new feelings for Bailey and when a new girl on their street starts paying too much attention to Bailey and Rosie becomes jealous, Granny Torrelli steps in to show the way. Making soup and pasta turns out to be a very good way to learn about love, life and friendship. Ages 10 and up. --Lisa Cody

Breath (Simon & Schuster, $16.95)
Written by Donna Jo Napoli

Breath, a retelling of the Pied Piper of Hamlin, is one of Napoli's best fairy-tale retellings. Set in Hameln in 1248 and narrated by Salz, it tells the story of a town's strange affliction: a plague of rats, livestock suffering from a disfiguring and fatal illness, humans suffering from horrifying fits and paralysis. Napoli weaves elements of the fantastic into the fascinating historical setting of the tale, which provides an interesting look at life in a medieval town and the way people react when threatened with a crisis they cannot understand. Napoli explains the historical and scientific background of the story in an afterword that is as interesting as the book itself. This story will appeal to lovers of historical fiction and fantasy alike. (Ages 10+) --Emma Casale

The Adventures of Samuel Blackthorne Book One: The Case of the Cat with the Missing Ear (Simon & Schuster, $15.95)
Written by Scott Emerson

Samuel Blackthorne is a yorkshire terrier of small stature but incredible intellect; he is the Sherlock Holmes of the canine world. The story is a mixture of Sherlock Holmes and Philip Marlow and is set in turn of the century San Francisco, complete with dock workers, casinos and crooks. Blackthorne and his friend, Dr. Smithfield must follow the trail of a missing greyhound accountant; it is a trail that leads to kidnapping, conspiracy and murder. The story will keep you in suspense until you find out how Blackthorne unravels the mystery. Middle grade fiction. --Lisa Cody