Young Adult Books
Many young teens are reading adult novels as well as books specifically written for this age group. In addition to recently published books, young adult readers may be interested is some of the "classics" specifically titles such as The Deerslayer, Robinson Crusoe, Rebecca, A Raisin in the Sun, Kon-Tiki, Mutiny on the Bounty, and The Bridge of San Luis Rey.Our reviewers always recommend that you know your readers, especially when it comes to young adult books. We have tried to identify those that raise issues that may elicit discussion in the classroom or with an older family member or friend.
Reviews
Anastasia's Album
Hugh Brewster
The sad story of the last of the ruling Romanovs has been told many times, but this book provides a personal, intimate glimpse of the family through the photographs, drawings and writings of Anastasia, youngest daughter of the Tsar. It reveals a close family, full of life, but perhaps too ignorant of social events unfolding around them. Well worth reading and a great addition to history and social studies collections. 1996, Hyperion, Ages 12 up, $17.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
Been to Yesterdays
Poems of a Life
Lee Bennett Hopkins
Bleakly meaningful poems of a small boy whose life is constantly wracked with change and pain --a father who leaves, poverty, frequent moves, new schools, his grandma's death, and a desperate wish to buy for his mother the one thing she craved. Not a happy book, but one which opens a clear window on a youngster determined to succeed, "to make this world a whole lot brighter" by becoming a writer. Spare illustrations by Charlene Rendeiro help set the tone for some of the poems. 1995, Wordsong/Boyds Mills, Ages 12 up, $14.95. Reviewer: Judy Chernak
Black Water
Rachel Anderson
Set in the 1800's, Albert and his mother move into a new boarding house, one in an increasingly shabby string of rooms they have inhabited. Albert isn't sure why their fortunes are sinking, but suspects it may relate to the times he "goes away." Albert doesn't have a name for his problem, he just knows that he is often enveloped in a swirling darkness and awakens hours or days later, frequently with bumps, bruises and sore muscles. Later, he comes to realize that he suffers from the "falling sickness," what we today call epilepsy. At that time, however, epileptics were thought to be insane. His royalty-obsessed mother desperately seeks a cure. An engrossing glimpse into another era, with a peek at the life of an adolescent who is different, an outsider, for reasons outside of his control. 1995 (1994 in UK), Holt, Ages 12 up, $14.95. Reviewer: Dr. Judy Rowen
The Block
Collage by Romare Rearden
Poems by Langston Hughes
Sections of Rearden's six-panel collage, "The Block," form the backdrop for twelve Langston Hughes poems celebrating the vitality of the culture that spawned the Harlem Renaissance. This is definitely a book that adults will need (and want!) to read with their children; the longer poems, in particular, contain difficult language, some mature themes, and images that may have to be teased slowly out of the text. But there probably are few more rewarding uses of your time than working your way through this magnificent book together with your child. Hughes is one of the finest poets of this century; these selections give a clear sense of his ability to capture the joys and trials of urban life. Rearden's Harlem collages are beautiful, complex, and provocative. 1995, Viking, Ages 12 up, $15.99. Reviewer: Andrea Brott
The Bottle Imp
Robert Louis Stevenson
Illustrated by Jacqueline Mair
Reminiscent of Gauguin, Mair has used rich jewel tones to illustrate Stevenson's romantic story of Keawe and Kokua. Set in Hawaii, Keawe has purchased a magic bottle, which grants wishes. Stipulations with the bottle are that it will not provide immortality; that should the owner die before passing it along, he will "burn in hell for ever"; those not content with its gifts will experience tragedy; and it must be resold at a loss. Love involves sacrifice, as the reader quickly discovers. 1996, Clarion, Ages 12 up, $16.95. Reviewer: Mary Sue Preissner
Danger Zone
David Klass
International Youth Basketball, death threats, racism, poverty, and romance are the interwoven issues in this fast-paced sports novel. Jimmy Doyle, known as the Snowman by his teammates, is honored to be selected to represent the U.S., but he gets more than he bargains for when accepts. As the only white and inexperienced member of the team, Jimmy must prove himself a worthy. Klass has a way of giving blow by blow descriptions of the basketball games that thoroughly involves the reader. He broaches many important topics with candor--Neo-Nazism, race relations in Los Angeles and in Europe, and the ethics of the media and politicians. He also provides a personal flavor to the novel by revealing the Doyle family's struggle to deal with the death of Jimmy's father and the bankruptcy of their family business. An intriguing novel that has a lot to say to today's young adults. 1996, Scholastic, Ages 12 up, $16.95. Reviewer: Alexandria LaFaye
Dangerous Skies
Suzanne Fisher Staples
Young Buck and Tunes Smith share a last name, but that's only because Tunes' family took on the name of their owners when they were still slaves. As people react to the accusation that Tunes committed a murder, Buck discovers that his family doesn't respect Tunes and her father Kneebone. When Tunes goes into hiding, Buck's family refuses to let him off their land. They suggest not only that he should end his friendship with her no matter what happens, but that they believe she is guilty. Buck and Tunes struggle to prove her innocence. In the end, Tunes is acquitted for lack of evidence and moves away because the townspeople will not drop their suspicions or end their discrimination against her. This novel takes a frightening look at the depth and effects of racism in modern society. It is a powerful and painful tale of a young boy's personal exploration of prejudice, friendship, and honesty. 1996, Farrar, Ages 12 up, $16.00. Reviewer: Alexandria LaFaye
Dangerous Wishes
William Sleator
Sleator has taken us back to Thailand, home of Bia, the exchange student in his earlier book, The Spirit House. This time the adventure takes place entirely in Thailand, where the mother, father, and Dominic, brother of the first book's heroine have come while his mother can do some research on the role of women in Thai society. Sleator's picture of a foreign family's arrival in Bangkok is right on target. And his portrayal of an English-speaking young Thai who can help the family adjust to life in this very different society is perfect. The story involves an amulet and angry spirits, very odd and very Sleator. A good read, and it's not necessary to have read The Spirit House. 1995, Dutton, Ages 12 to 15, $14.99. Reviewer: Judy Silverman
Do Angels Sing The Blues?
A. C. LeMieux
Seventeen year old Bong and Theo, his talented, good-natured neighbor have been best friends and blues band members for several years. Their easy going relationship is challenged and changed by the arrival of a new girl to their small New England city. Carey, the new girl, is bright and attractive, but also lonely and alienated from most of the other students who are not at all accepting of her nonconformist ways and unconventional family life. Carey is so unsure of herself and her future that she uses a ? for her middle name. One thing that is certain however, is the attraction and growing affection that Carey and Theo feel for each other. This young adult novel is convincingly written from Bong's point of view, and the author does a good job of developing the characters of his family and friends, with an intriguing blues band and high school milieu. It is easy to identify with Theo and the pain he feels when tragedy strikes. 1995, Tambourine, Ages 13 up, $14.00 Reviewer: Gisela Jernigan
Don't Scream
Joan Lowry Nixon
The school year is looking up with not one, but two new boys in school, and one of them living next door. Through a series of mysterious and frightening events, Jess and Lori are not sure which, if any, of these boys they can trust. Mix in the Federal Witness Protection Program with a revenge motive and you have another exciting mystery from the master of young adult mysteries. 1996, Delacorte, Ages 12 up, $15.95. Reviewer: Mary Sue Preissner
Don't You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey
Margaret Peterson Haddix
Haddix tells a story that immediately captures the reader's interest. Many of Tish's concerns are "typically" adolescent-- school, job, sexual harassment--as well as one that is not at all typical. Tish's mother has abandoned her and her younger brother Matt. Tish is trying desperately to do the child-rearing that her mother should be doing. When her English teacher assigns a journal, Tish is sure she won't write at all, but once she starts, she finds writing cathartic, especially since Mrs. Dunphrey keeps her word and doesn't actually read anything that the girl tells her not to read. A totally happy ending would be unrealistic, but there is hope that Tish and Matt will have a better life. 1996, Simon and Schuster, Ages 12 up, $15.00. Reviewer: Judy Silverman
Fire in the Hills
Anna Myers
It is 1918, in the hills of Oklahoma. Sixteen-year-old Hallie's mother dies, leaving her to care for five younger siblings. Hallie must learn to juggle mothering, cooking and housekeeping, and her own desire to better herself in an environment confused by the Great War. Hatred of both German-Americans and conscientious objectors figure in this story which also includes several instances of near-rape by the local lout. Hallie and her story have touching moments (reminiscent of Where Lilies Bloom), but there's an awful lot packed in here. 1996, Walker, Ages 12 up, $15.95. Reviewer: Kathleen Karr
The Fire Pony
Rodman Philbrick
Roy Dilly would still be in a foster home if his older brother Joe had not come one day to rescue him. Joe takes good care of his younger brother and has a sixth sense when it comes to understanding and communicating with horses, but his obsession with fire keeps both brothers on the run. Roy wants to settle down when they reach the Bar None, where he falls in love with a very special pony named Lady, but the past seems to have a way of catching up with the two brothers. Reminiscent of S. E. Hinton's style of realistic language and theme of rebellious adolescents without a parental figure, this action-filled book would be a good choice for the reluctant reader. 1996, Blue Sky, Ages 13 up, $14.95. Reviewer: Tim Whitney
Get It While It's Hot, Or Not
Valerie Hobbs
When 13 year old Meg and her three friends, Kit, Elaine, and Mia, swear to remain "friends to the end", they do not realize how challenging this vow will become as they mature and their problems become more adult. Now, in their junior year of high school, Meg, with some help from Elaine and Mia, must juggle school, a boyfriend and family with her efforts to care for troubled, immature Kit, who is going through a difficult, unplanned pregnancy. The characters are varied, interesting and believable, and the uncertain future of Kit and her baby is realistic and thought provoking. The book manages to combine many aspects of the problem novel, with the strong character growth of a coming of age novel and the dynamics of a story about friendship. 1996, Orchard, Ages 12 up, $16.95. Reviewer: Gisela Jernigan
The Girl from Playa Blanca
Ofelia Dumas Lachtman
Elena Vargas and her little brother Carlos leave their aunt's house in the Mexican seaside village of Playa Blanca to find their father in Los Angeles after he abruptly stops writing to them. In Los Angeles, they are unable to locate their father or anyone with information as to his whereabouts. However, with her ability to speak English very well, Elena is hired by a wealthy Mexican-American family. As she works to solve the mystery regarding her father, Elena finds adventures, surprises, enemies, and even love. Girls will relate well to Elena as she sorts out the pieces of the mystery and establishes her own identity. 1995, Piñata Books, Ages 12 to 16, $7.95. Reviewer: Tim Whitney
Great African Americans in Literature
Pat Rediger
From the beginning, this book with its captivating color and black and white photographs will grab your attention. Rediger has gathered together several African-American authors including Ralph Ellison, Zora Neale Hurston, James Baldwin, Alice Walker and Mildred Taylor. Each of these authors' early life is discussed, as well as their special achievements. Rediger discusses the obstacles these authors surmounted and how their passion for writing fueled their success. Some of the short biographies include brief descriptions of an author's work. A judicious use of side-bars and inserts avoids cluttered pages. This layout makes the book easy to read and facilitates finding specific information. There is only one author in the collection who writes specifically for children and therefore, this book is more appropriate for young adults. 1996, Crabtree, Ages 14 up, $7.95. Reviewer: Karen Moroughan
Imitate the Tiger
Jan Cheripko
In Cheripko's first young adult novel, we meet Chris Serbo who is describing events that led to his being placed in a rehabilitation program for alcoholics. A high school senior, Chris loves to play football more than anything else, but even the camaraderie of his football team and a championship season cannot compensate for his internal emptiness. Alcohol becomes Chris' way of trying to forget his unhappiness. As Chris' life deteriorates, we see his defensiveness as people try to help him. Cheripko brings his experience as a teacher of at-risk children into this novel, which shows no mercy for Chris and in doing so creates a fascinating portrayal. The story provides a unique view into the life of a young man in crisis. 1996, Boyds Mills, Ages 12 up, $14.95. Reviewer: Rebecca Joseph
Inside the Walls of Troy
Clemence McLaren
At the beginning of this two part novel, twelve year old Helen of Sparta is already famous for her great beauty, but she would rather ride her horse or play knucklebones with her cousin Penelope than fulfill her destiny as the most beautiful woman in the world. Told in the first person, we first identify with Helen as she becomes the unwilling cause of the Trojan War. In part two, we identify with the Trojan princess Cassandra who foresees the tragedy that Helen will bring Troy, but is won over by Helen's charm and innocence and becomes her friend during the long, terrible years of the Trojan War. The author convincingly retells the myths from a feminist perspective. An epilogue provides historical information on the period and events. 1996, Atheneum, Ages 12 up, $16.00. Reviewer: Gisela Jernigan
John Hawk: A Seminole Saga
Beatrice Levin
Thirteen year old John White is a slave returning from a visit with his mother on a neighboring plantation, when he meets and makes friends with a young Seminole who becomes the famous chief Osceola. When he decides to join Osceola, he changes his name to the "freer sounding" John Hawk and accepts both the pleasures and challenges of a life of freedom. Unfortunately, the challenges to the Seminole are almost constant as the United States government tries to force them to give up their homes and move west. This well researched historical novel follows John Hawk's life from age 13 to his mid-thirties, and presents a fascinating account of Seminole life at that time. 1995, Roberts and Rinehart, Ages 12 up, $9.95. Reviewer: Gisela Jernigan
John Steinbeck
Catherine Reef
Catherine Reef and her publisher have been producing the most attractive and intelligent author biographies around. Reef's Walt Whitman was a pleasure to read for any age group, and this book continues the fine work. Steinbeck explains the writer and the man within his milieu, and is particularly good in evoking the Depression era that inspired The Grapes of Wrath--complete with sharply reproduced Farm Security Administration photos by Dorothea Lange and Arthur Rothstein. While John Steinbeck is a less cuddly subject than Whitman, one still comes away with an understanding of and an admiration for his work. 1996, Clarion, Ages 12 up, $17.95. Reviewer: Kathleen Karr
The Kidnapped Prince Olaudah Equiano
Adapted by Ann Cameron
Olaudah Equiano was born in the kingdom of Benin, the child of local royalty. He was kidnapped and sold into slavery, first within Africa and then in the New World. Despite the difficulties he faced, he learned many skills--including the crucial ability to read. The injustices, terror and cruelty that slaves suffered were detailed in his memoirs which were published after he bought his freedom. Ann Cameron has adapted his narrative by shortening the text and updating the language. The cadence of the times is retained, and the book remains a riveting portrait of the horrors of slavery. 1995, Knopf, Ages 12 up, $16.00. Reviewer: Dr. Judy Rowen
Like Sisters on the Homefront
Rita Williams-Garcia
Unable to raise her headstrong 14-year old daughter in New York, Mama sends Gayle and her infant son on a one-way trip South, to the family home. The formidable minister-uncle and his prim and proper wife provide Gayle with a home, rules, responsibilities, and a new exposure to life, including their knee-sock wearing, 16-year old, Jesus-praising daughter "Cookie". As Gayle blends into this extended family, she is chosen by Great (her great-grandmother) to be the keeper of the family's oral history. The power of family and accurate portrayal of teenage girls are sure to make this one a hit with young adult readers. 1995, Lodestar, Ages 13 up, $15.99. Reviewer: Mary Sue Preissner
Loch
Paul Zindel
Zindel knows how to capture a young man's life and thoughts to perfection. Loch is Loch Ness, but it's also Luke Perkins' nickname. When Luke was six, he had an encounter with a beast at Loch Ness, but no one believed him, and by now, ten years later, the whole episode seems like a piece of childish imagining. Since then, his sister Zaidee has been born, and his mother has died. And now the family is in Vermont, where his father has joined an expedition to search for wildlife in a mountain lake. There's a mild romance, Loch's relationship with his sister and the relationship of the two kids with their father is perfect, and the blood-and-guts (literally) search for monsters is just right. The intended audience is kids in grades 6-12. Sixth graders might never go swimming again, and twelfth graders might think the romance too tame, but it's a good read. 1995, Hyperion, Ages 12 to 15, $4.95. Reviewer: Judy Silverman
The Maestro
Tim Wynne-Jones
A piano soars like an eagle against the sky. A shower of flame shoots from the roof of a lake side cabin. Some images from Wynne-Jones's lyrically written book will remain engraved on the reader's mind. When 14-year-old Burl runs away from his brutish father, he finds a place that feels like paradise. An eccentric composer, nicknamed Nog, uses the place as a retreat. But Nog can't hide from his world any more than Burl can hide from himself. When tragedy strikes, Burl must take action--first by reinventing his past, and then by confronting it. At the center of this coming-of-age novel are the troubled boy's relationships with the crusty old musician and with his own father. The weakest scenes are those in the city. Like Burl, Wynne-Jones seems more comfortable amid the pines, with the majestic chords of a piano swelling on the wind that ruffles the surface of a sky-blue lake. 1996, Orchard, Ages 12 up, $16.95. Reviewer: Catherine Petrini
Margaret Bourke-White: A Photographer's Life
Emily Keller
Margaret Bourke-White is best remembered for her work as a photographer for Life magazine. She was an adventurous and successful woman who traveled around the world and across the nation to capture the major events of the 1920's, 30's, and 40's. Accompanied by many photos of Margaret and by Margaret, the text provides more than just a snapshot of this photographer's life. It delves into her personal life and explains historical events that impacted her career. This biography leaves the reader with a sense of admiration for Margaret, a leader in a time when women were not career-minded or independent. 1996, Lerner, Ages 12 up, $22.95. Reviewer: Tim Whitney
Middle Passage: White Ships, Black Cargo
Tom Feelings
This beautiful, wordless book captures the silent scream of Africans on their way to the institution of slavery. Using pen and ink and tempera on rice paper, Tom Feelings hauntingly captures the pain of enslaved Africans as they journeyed through the middle passage from Africa to America. He tells the story in black and gray on white. These muted colors express the story of the Africans' loss of freedom. The wordless plot includes the attack, capture, forced march, branding, life in the ship's hold, death at sea and auction on land. The power of the book lies in its silence. It speaks for a people who were not permitted to speak for themselves. 1995, Dial, Ages 16 up, $40.00. Reviewer: Karen Williams
Midget
Tim Bowler
Midget is the stuff nightmares are made of. And yet, a truly mature teen could handle its vision of a deformed child whose birth killed his mother, the hidden-to-the-world but murderous resentment of an older brother, and the detachment of the father who believes that his older son is a loving brother. Fantasy takes over when Midget--his real name is never mentioned--finds his mind games coming true. But will he kill his brother as he knows his brother would--no, will--kill him? The ending is devastating. 1995, McElderry Books, $15.00 for ages 12 and up, according to the jacket. Reviewer: Judy Silverman
Moon Dancer
Margaret Rostkowski
As a refreshing twist, this teenage love story is actually the back drop for a journey of discovery as a group of young adults search for the ceremonial rock paintings of the Hisatisinom, ancestors of the Hopi. Emily, the expedition's rigid and competent leader, is researching the discoveries of Kate Weston, who toured the canyons in the 19th century. Emily's cousins Mira and Jenny have joined the expedition , but Jenny isn't happy with the rugged life involved in hiking. Mira on the other hand becomes enthralled with the stunning images in the paintings. Mira's also fascinated by Emily's rock climbing guest, Max, and his respect for the earth and the Hisatisinom. The book ends with Mira's realization that the physical, emotional, and intellectual challenges of the trip have opened cultural, historical, and romantic doors she never wants to close. 1995, Browndeer, Ages 12 and up, $5.00. Reviewer: Alexandria LaFaye
Moriah's Pond
Ethel Footman Smothers
Annie Rye (the author's childhood nickname) and her sisters spend the summer with their grandmother, Moriah. She cooks and cleans for the white family that owns the property on which she lives. The sisters stick together, even when the results are potentially disastrous. The uneasiness of race relations in the South in the 1950's is an undercurrent of the story. The narrative is told entirely in dialect, which is so well done that the reader may surface from the tale with a few new phrases to use in conversation. 1995, Knopf, Ages 12 up, $14.00. Reviewer: Dr. Judy Rowen
Mr. Was
Pete Hautman
After Jack witnesses his mother's brutal murder by his alcoholic father, he travels through a mysterious door in his grandfather's home and ends up in an earlier time. He decides to grow up there, so that in 55 years he can prevent his mother's death, but a jealous friend and World War II stand in his way. The story is told very effectively by a series of four notebooks found in 1952. Suspense and mystery will keep the reader glued to this book until the end, when all of the pieces of the puzzle eventually come together. Fans of science fiction and the theme of time travel will love this book. 1996, Simon and Schuster, Ages 13 and up, $16.00. Reviewer: Tim Whitney
The Music of Dolphins
Karen Hesse
The stories of children raised by animals are often heartbreaking, but the animals are usually apes, or bears, or wolves. Mia has been raised since the age of four by a pod of dolphins, and when she is discovered by humans she has no memory of any other family. Her story is beautifully written in three voices from the same source. Mia's thoughts when she writes as a dolphin are printed in italics, and she is articulate and fluent. As she learns English, the print is large and the language childish. Gradually she adjusts to life on land with its rules and restrictions. The print changes to normal type size as her language ability changes. The scientists who have been studying her begin to demand behavior she can't reconcile with her dolphin ways. She begs to be set free to live her real life--in the sea, with her dolphin family. 1996, Scholastic, Ages 12 up, $14.95. Reviewer: Judy Silverman
Parrot in the Oven: Mi Vida
Victor Martinez
"Miracles don't wait for doubters," says Manny Hernandez, this book's main character and a youth worthy of our attention. This account of his life is a miracle of its own--powerful and poignant, stunning in its simplicity. Although it introduces some very heavy issues, including Manny's sister who miscarries her child at home and his father's alcoholism and abusiveness, its approach makes this book appropriate for even the youngest members of its intended audience: it never slips into the calloused tones of a cynical adult; every page resonates with Manny's voice. Given the book's subject matters, it is an excellent resource for classroom discussion, on the topics of spousal abuse, gangs, and racism. 1996, HarperCollins, Ages 12 up, $14.95. Reviewer: Sherri Byrand
Prophecy Rock
Rob MacGregor
Sixteen year old Will Lansa has spent most of his life in Aspen with his Anglo mother, so he feels somewhat apprehensive about spending the summer with his police chief father on the Hopi reservation in northern Arizona. Besides getting to know his father and coming to understand and appreciate his Hopi background, Will soon becomes involved in trying to solve a mystery and apprehend a murderer who believes that he is Pahana, the legendary savior of the Hopi. The author does a good job of weaving Hopi beliefs and traditions into a fast-paced, mystery-adventure novel that should appeal to young adults of both sexes. A glossary of Hopi words is included. 1995, Simon & Schuster, Ages 12 up, $16.00. Reviewer: Gisela Jernigan
The Queen of Dreamland
Ingrid Tomey
Fourteen-year-old Julie knows she's not the angel that her adoptive parents think she is, and when she gets a card that invites her to meet Loretta Young, a palm-reader and self-styled psychic, she's determined to go to the house called Dreamland. Her experiences there are more than she could have imagined--Loretta is her birth mother. Now Julie, or Jewel, to give her the name Loretta chose for her, has a secret to keep from the family she's always considered hers. This is a rather sad growing up story; Julie is left with no illusions, but she finds a solid, loving, caring, true family. 1996, Atheneum, Ages 12 up, $15.00. Reviewer: Judy Silverman
The Rifle
Gary Paulsen
Paulsen writes wonderful stories about teen boys overcoming hardships in physically and emotionally challenging situations. In The Rifle there is a major change. The main character is not a boy at all, but a rifle. Not an ordinary, modern one. This is a revolutionary-war-era handmade "sweet" gun. Its making is described as carefully as the gun itself was made. Its history is documented up to 1993, when the plot twists satisfyingly. 1995, Harcourt, Ages 12 up, $16.00. Reviewer: Judy Silverman
Rosie the Riveter: Women Working on the Home Front in World War II
Penny Colman
In 1943 while America's fighting men were on the front lines in World War II, millions of the nation's women valiantly filled vital defense and civilian jobs, from riveting airplane parts and reconditioning machine gears to driving buses and becoming police officers. This is their story, a saga of the homefires they kept burning for the war effort while they simultaneously secured the very fabric of American society. It explores how women chose their jobs, the pride they felt for their mighty contributions and how the experience changed their lives forever. The book's illuminating text combined with more than 60 archival black and white photographs, famous posters and ads makes it a must for home and school libraries. 1995, Crown, Ages 12 up, $16.00. Reviewer: Marilyn Bagel
Rhythm of the Reef: A Day in the Life of the Coral Reef
Rick Sammon
Travel around the world stopping to visit several coral reefs depicted in magnificent full color underwater photographs by author/photographer/explorer Rick Sammon. The day starts in the Red Sea with its dazzling colored fish and dozens of sea anemone varieties. Moving east, readers journey to the Truk Lagoon to see how the relentless sea has taken over the sunken ships and planes from W.W.II and created a haven for corals, sponges, oysters, algae, and fish. The next stops are Cocos Island and Bonaire where you can wonder at the abundant sea life and the diversity of camouflage patterns on the fish. Sammon also talks about the future of coral reefs and the necessity for reef conservation. A suggested reading list and index round out this beautiful book. 1995, Voyageur, Ages 12 up, $29.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
The Sea King: Sir Francis Drake and His Times
Albert Marrin
"Greatness from small beginnings" is the motto on Sir Francis Drake's coat of arms. Marrin's biography of the man the Spaniards knew as El Draque, the Dragon, traces Drake's life from his early years on the edge of the North Sea, to his death as a disillusioned old man. But this book does more. It is crammed with information and descriptive passages that bring to life the period in which Drake lived. This is a book to be read and reread. Each new reading will yield fresh perspectives on a time of excitement and danger, of savage battles and a man whose story has passed into the realm of legend. Sources are meticulously documented. 1995, Atheneum, Ages 12 up, $18.00. Reviewer: Uma Krishnaswami
The Secret of Two Brothers
Irene Beltrán Hernández
Beaver has just returned to his West Dallas barrio after serving time in prison for a crime he did not commit. He is trying to start a new life under the watchful eye of his parole officer. During his older brother's absence, Cande has had to fend for himself against his father's physical abuse after his mother's death. The two are successful in avoiding their father and in becoming a family again. However, Cande is involved in a car accident from which the abuse, along with the brothers' living situation, are discovered. Rich in references to the Mexican-American culture of which these boys are a part, this uplifting story is about two brothers who work hard and fight against the odds that society imposes. 1995, Piñata, Ages 13 up, $7.95. Reviewer: Tim Whitney
Slow Dance Heart Break Blues
Poems by Arnold Adoff
Artwork by William Cotton
Here's a book of poetry that breaks all the rules. It doesn't rhyme (well maybe there's one here or there), it's not organized in stanzas (maybe one or two--and they're numbered), and you don't necessarily read the poems top to bottom (column by column can be fun). These poems explore the frequently harsh realities of love, school, acne, and drugs in a teenager's life. The world they speak of is painful, challenging, isolating, and ultimately hopeful. They celebrate the individual, acknowledge the pain of daily living, and are accompanied by photographic collages filled with mundane items in a fragmented format that reflects the divided lives of the intended readers. This book challenges readers to go the extra mile to do the right thing. 1995, Lothrop, Ages 12 up, $14.00. Reviewer: Alexandria LaFaye
Stone Water
Barbara Snow Gilbert
Fifteen-year-old Grant Hughes' Grandpa is hospitalized and unable to communicate. Grant must read a letter which Grandpa hid, with instructions that the letter was to be read when Grandpa is moved into the "other part" of the nursing home. The letter retells the story of Stone Water, a young Indian brave who assists the tribal Chief's suicide. Grandpa has also written in his letter " ... If you know what it means--the story that is ... and what I'm askin' of you--then you're old enough for the job ..." With that, Grant must explore the request, its implications, and his own role in the family. The author sensitively handles the issue while leaving room for questions. She admits herself that she isn't writing to take a stand, but rather, to tell a story. The story includes a well-defined young man as well as many stock characters--all of them believable. 1996, Front Street, Ages 13 up, $15.95. Reviewer: Karen Moroughan
A Time For Dancing
Davida Wills Hurwin
Sam and Jules, otherwise know as Samantha and Juliana, are vivacious high school students and best friends who share everything. That is, until Jules is diagnosed with cancer. In alternating chapters for each girl, the novel explores courage and reveals the girls' innermost thoughts and feelings with candor. Presented in three distinct sections, the first introduces the characters and weaves the springboard for the remainder of the story. The second section chronicles each girl's attempt to face the harsh realities brought to their lives by this menace, and the changes each is reluctantly forced to recognize. Sam and Jules, in the third section, reconcile themselves to their ever-changing worlds, rekindle their friendship, confront their fears, and learn to let go. This is a tender tale of friendship and dealing with grief. 1995, Little, Brown, Ages 14 and up, $15.95. Reviewer: Mary Sue Preissner
The Tuesday Cafe
Don Trembath
Harper has a lot of problems. His parents are too wrapped up in their own lives to give him the time and respect he deserves. Harper sets a small fire in school to get attention. The attention he gets includes probation, a court order for community service, and he must write an essay on how he will turn his life around. To help him complete the essay, his mother enrolls him in a writing group called the Tuesday Cafe. With their assistance, and that of the school counselor and his parents, Harper discovers ways to change his life and fill the emptiness inside him. The innovative setting provides an intriguing and fresh look at a coming-of-age story. 1996, Orca, Ages 12 up, $6.95. Reviewer: Alexandria LaFaye
We Shall Not be Moved
Joan Dash
The woman's factory strike of 1909 is the story of thousands of young women (most of whom were below 18 years of age) who fought a sexist and dangerous labor system in a time before women had the right to vote. This history book has a lot within its pages that speaks to modern readers and Dash does so with a fluid and lyrical style. The pictures that accompany the written text allow readers to put faces to the names Dash mentions and they give readers a "bird's eye" view of the abysmal factories the striking workers faced where they worked for pennies an hour. Dash has highlighted an important event in US labor history, and made history entertaining and interesting in the process. 1996, Scholastic, Ages 12 up, $15.95. Reviewer: Alexandria LaFaye
Zero at the Bone
Michael Cadnum
This is a gripping account of a family's ordeal when their eighteen year old daughter Anita fails to come home from work one night. The story is told by her younger brother Cray. As the days stretch on, readers experience Cray and his parents' emotions as they cope with Anita's disappearance. 1996, Viking, Ages 13 up, $14.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
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