Middle Readers    It can be a real challenge to find books appropriate for the 8 to 12 year-old kids. It is a time of big changes; physical growth, an awakening of self, new schools, independent reading, and broader interests. Books can provide lots of interesting factual information and great escapes into fantasy worlds. Among the many classic books available such as The Door in the Wall, The Matchlock Gun, The Black Stallion, Anne of Green Gables, The Borrowers and Charlotte's Web, there are lots of new books. Among the many available, Children's Literature reviewers particularly enjoyed and recommend the following. Children's Literature can provide these and many other titles. Mention our web site and get a 15 percent discount. American Environmental Heroes: Collective Biographies Phyllis M. Stanley    Ten American men and women, from Thoreau and John Muir of the 19th and early 20th centuries, to present day heroes like Frances Moore Lappe, are presented in this readable, inspiring collective biography. After reading these ten informative, lively chapters, some young readers will probably want to learn even more about these dedicated people. Includes black and white photos, index, bibliography, chapter notes and a guide to National Parks. 1996, Enslow, Ages 11 up, $16.15. Reviewer: Gisela Jernigan Belle Prater's Boy Ruth White    In this beautifully written novel, Gypsy tells the story of her sixth grade year when her cousin Woodrow comes to live next door. Woodrow's mother Belle had mysteriously disappeared earlier that year and everyone in this small Virgina town has a theory about what happened to her. Gypsy befriends her cousin and attempts to solve the mystery. The closer she gets to the truth, the more memories of her own father's tragic death surface, forcing her to face the facts about his demise. By coming to terms with her own situation, Gypsy realizes that Woodrow and his mother Belle have developed their own ways of dealing with painful memories; a painful yet liberating realization. 1996, Farrar, Ages 10 up, $16.00. Reviewer: Rebecca Joseph Beware the Ravens, Aunt Morbelia Joan Carris    Great Aunt Morbelia may be a senior citizen, but she has enough spirit and energy to keep her grand nephew Todd Fearing and his friend Jeff on their toes during a visit to her ancestral English home, Harrowood. As soon as they arrive, croaking ravens and other odd occurrences cause them to wonder if perhaps Harrowood has too much spirit, the ghostly kind, that is. Their quest for a solution to an old family mystery also leads them to London and the Natural History Museum. Good-natured banter between Jeff and Todd and their impressions as visitors to England, help make this nonviolent tale a good choice for beginning mystery fans. 1995, Little, Brown, Ages 8 to 12, $14.95. Reviewer: Gisela Jernigan Beyond Providence Steven Schnur    Nathan lives with his father, older brother, and cousin Kitty on a farm that is just a day's sail from Manhattan. It is through Nathan's voice that the personal events following his Mother's death, are deftly transcribed. After Nathan's mother leaves and then unexpectedly dies, Nate is left to take her place as the peace keeper for his father and brother Eric. Nate continues to shoulder the responsibility of trying to placate his father's angry and sullen temper after Eric abruptly leaves home. A well-told story about a boy's coming to terms with his life when all around him seems to be coming-apart. A sense of rural farm life is realistically presented through the depiction of the daily struggles to stay ahead and the cycles of seasonal labor. Through hard work and determination Nate triumphs and learns to understand his family and their personal struggles. 1996, Harcourt, Ages 11 and up, $6.00. Reviewer: Judith Gravitz Billy Lazroe and the King of the Sea Eric Kimmel Illustrated by Michael Steirnagle    A Russian folktale is given a Pacific Northwest setting in this darkly romantic tale by noted folklorist Eric Kimmel. Billy Lazroe was born to be a sailor. He loves the sailor's environment, life-style, and music. Billy loves to play his concertina and sing about the sea. His music catches the attention of Davy Jones, the King of the Sea and that's where Billy's troubles begin. The distinctly Oregon setting brings immediacy to this timeless tale of love, loss, and longing. 1996, Harcourt, Ages 9 and up, $16.00. Reviewer: Judy Katsh Blue Sky, Butterfly Jean Van Leeuwen    Twig's world is falling apart. Her father has moved out, and her mother is too depressed to cook dinner. In an act of desperation, Twig asks her grandmother to come quickly. Long after she is gone, and all the frozen casseroles are eaten, another present from Grandma Ruthie begins to take root and thaw the icy chill gripping the household. Twig's anger, her brother Nathan's sadness and firm resolve, and their mother's immobility are vividly depicted. The conclusion is hopeful without being unrealistic. 1996, Dial, Ages 10 up, $14.99. Reviewer: Dr. Judy Rowen Chattanooga Sludge Molly Bang    Over a 200 year span, Chattanooga Creek accumulated large amounts of 33 different industrial poisons, earning the title "most polluted waterway in the southeastern United States." Could clear waters ever again fill the creek? A man known for the creation of "Living Machines," that use flora and fauna to digest sludge, was invited to see if he could help restore the creek. Using cartoon frogs posted at various spots along the margins to offer commentary, Bang takes an otherwise complicated topic and makes it entertaining, informative and visually appealing. The story of Chattanooga sludge presents an example to young readers of how intellect and creativity can help solve real-life problems. 1996, Harcourt, Ages 8 to 12, $16.00, Reviewer: Dia L. Michels The Children Next Door Jean Ure    Ure profiles eleven-year-old Laura, a bashful girl who has moved to a new neighborhood in London, only to discover that the children she hears playing in the yard next door aren't really children anymore. Intrigued by what she sees and hears, Laura wants to meet these children, but eventually she learns that they don't exist in her time. Instead, they are images of people who are either elderly or no longer living. The magical quality of the book takes a fresh look at the possibility of there being ghosts of the living. 1996, Scholastic, Ages 8 to 11, $14.95. Reviewer: Alexandria LaFaye Children of the Longhouse Joseph Bruchac    While the basic story may not be particularly unusual, Bruchac's conversational style and knowledge of the Mohawk tribe make for an interesting book. Ohkwa'ri is a skilled Tekwaarathon (lacrosse) player who sometimes acts before he thinks, while his twin sister, who is destined to become the clan mother, is thoughtful and skilled in the ways of the tribe. Together they overcome a bully and his cohorts who plan to seriously injure Ohkwa'ri. Lots of information about the Mohawk culture and the game called Tekwaarathon and the way that the good kids prevail over the bad provides a story that should appeal to both boys and girls. A glossary and pronunciation guide and list of additional readings can be found at the end of the book. 1996, Dial, Ages 10 up, $14.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot Crash Jerry Spinelli    Penn Webb and Crash Coogan are unlikely to become friends. Penn is new to town, puny, wears clothing from the second hand store, is a vegetarian and a Quaker. Crash is the star running back of the school football team, bullies others, and inflicts his opinions on everyone. For many years, Crash has bullied Penn. But during 7th grade, while coping with his sassy save-the-earth younger sister, overworked parents, the "hots" for a certain cheerleader, and an ill grandfather, Crash comes into his own. Spinelli humorously tells this coming of age story. 1996, Knopf, $16.00, Ages 11 to 14. Reviewer: Mary Sue Preissner The Desert Fox Family Book Hans Gerold Laukel    Laukel saw his first desert fox as a child, when he visited the Frankfurt Zoo. He began dreaming of visiting these animals in the Sahara and in this book, one in the Animal Family Series, readers can share in the realization of that dream. The text is informative and personal, and the breathtaking photographs introduce children to the desert fox, or fennec. As the smallest and most captivating member of the fox family, the fennec has soft, sandy fur, a sweet, almost catlike face, enormous black eyes, and even more enormous ears. They are also some of the most difficult animals to track, considering their remote and harsh desert habitat. Follow a mother fennec and her children at rest, at play, hunting and eating in this spectacular book with phenomenal photographs. One that will be read again and again. 1996, North-South, Ages 8 to 12, $17.95. Reviewer: Catherine Campbell Wright The Down & Up Fall Johanna Hurwitz Illustrated by Gail Owens    Hurwitz's humorous series featuring the friends Bolivia, Rory, and Derek is now completed. As Bolivia spends this school year living with her aunt and uncle, while her parents travel to Turkey for an archeological dig, the three are united and divided over a litter of kittens, a puzzling rash, DeDe and Aldo, after-school clubs, and where to eat Thanksgiving dinner. Can friendship withstand possessiveness? Can you make new friends but keep the old? How did the science teacher create that simulated rain forest in an empty classroom? 1996, Morrow, Ages 8 to 12, $15.00. Reviewer: Mary Sue Preissner Following My Own Footsteps Mary Downing Hahn    In this sequel to Scott O'Dell Award winner Stepping on the Cracks, we learn what happens to Gordy Smith after his abusive father went to jail and his mother moved the remaining family south. Gordy's grandmother does not exactly welcome the motley crew with open arms. She does, however, clean, feed, and apply regimen where it is sorely needed. Little June blossoms, while Gordy attempts to retain his tough-guy stance. This attitude is sorely tried by his friendship with William, a polio victim living next door. Barriers begin to drop when brother Donny appears home from the war, not the hero anticipated. When the "old man" turns up as well, Gordy must rethink his assumptions and priorities. Gordy's struggles are finely drawn in this well- written story. 1996, Clarion, Ages 10 to 14, $13.95. Reviewer: Kathleen Karr The Ghost of Grania O'Malley Michael Morpurgo    What do a 13-year old Irish girl with cerebral palsy, her visiting American cousin, the old and crazy man who lives in a shack, a greedy prospector, and the ghost of an infamous pirate queen have in common? It's the "love" of Big Hill on Clare Island. Readers will be drawn into this magical story of perseverance, strength, and common bonds as today's inhabitants of Clare Island join with the pirates, cutthroats, and other ancestors of its past to preserve their future. 1996, Viking, Ages 9 up, $14.99. Reviewer: Mary Sue Preissner Going Back Home Toyomi Igus Pictures by Michele Wood    African American artist Woods took a journey to the South to better understand herself and her heritage. The story of her family and her personal journey are accompanied by boldly patterned and vividly colored paintings. Each painting fills a page while the text on the opposite page is set off by one of four bold border patterns. Her unusual art begs closer examination and is bound to provoke discussion. 1996, Children's Book Press, Ages 10 up, $15.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot Haunted Summer Betty Ren Wright    Nine-year-old Abby is facing a long, dull summer with her teasing older brother and a babysitter even more timid than herself. That's before she figures out that the gift of an old music box brings a ghost with it. Unfortunately, it is not a nice ghost. Abby must learn self-confidence to deal with the situation to everyone's benefit. This is a nicely written story that uses its supernatural mystery to larger purposes. 1996, Scholastic, Ages 9 to 12, $13.95. Reviewed by Kathleen Karr Hostage Edward Myers    Fate is either working against Alyssa, or determined to teach her an important lesson. One moment surrounded by annoying people and boring dinosaur fossils, the next dragged along on a hiking tour of the Utah desert, she is both detached and bitter. Alyssa had come to the desert from New York to escape an abusive father and to witness the beauty of the landscape for its artistic inspiration. She wanted to be someplace else. Unfortunately, her wish was granted. When the group stopped to help a man dig his Jeep out of the mud, Alyssa noticed more than his irate ingratitude. This man had stolen a precious fossil from the museum. Determined to foil his plan, Alyssa stole it back. In a quick turn of events, Alyssa and Rob, a farm boy know-it-all, became hostages of a man who forced them through the endless desert at gun point. Alternating points of view allow us to explore diverse reactions to the same experience. From the characters, we learn much about tolerance of others, the strength of those in crisis, and the importance of working together. 1996, Hyperion, Ages 11 up, $15.95. Reviewer: Leslie Verzi Julian The Leaving Summer Donal Harding    Eleven-year-old Austin Carroll knows that the summer of 1958 is going to be out-of-the-ordinary when the convicts that his father has brought to work on the family's North Carolina farm run away shortly after their arrival. When Austin later discovers one of the convicts, Bass, seriously injured in the woods of Yankee Hill, he struggles with the decision of whether to help the man. Under the dark of night, Austin and his Aunt Ada bring Bass to the shelter of her basement. They soon realize that their decision to help the wounded man has placed them in danger, especially with their spying neighbor, Bell Hitcher, who is on Bass' trail. Austin is a likable narrator of this suspenseful tale with a surprising, yet happy, ending. 1996, Morrow, Ages 10 up, $15.00. Reviewer: Tim Whitney Masks Gloria Hatrick    Will Chisholm is an active, fun-loving boy until Guillain-Barré Syndrome suddenly attacks him, leaving him paralyzed and weak. Opening his eyes even becomes an effort. The doctors and nurses seem to know little about the disease and continually talk of Will as a patient and not as a person. His brother Pete is the only one who is able to communicate with Will inside the motionless body. Through their father's masks, Pete enables Will to take journeys of the spirit and in the end the two journey together to save Will's life. This beautiful, heartwarming story told from Pete's perspective is hard to put down. 1996, Orchard, Ages 10 up, $14.95. Reviewer: Tim Whitney Pleasing the Ghost Sharon Creech Illustrated by Stacey Schuett    Many people say that laughter is the best medicine and Creech certainly takes this to heart. Dennis is frequently visited by ghosts, but not the ghost he wants to see the most- that of his father. Instead, Dennis is visited by the ghost of strangers and his Uncle Arvie. His uncle stays for some time because he wants Dennis to finish the tasks he left undone. This book takes serious and painful situations-death, stroke related speech problems, and the anger involved in grief -and makes them funny. This approach may help young readers who are dealing with these issues to relieve some of their tensions through laughter. 1996. HarperCollins, Ages 8 to 12, $13.95. Reviewer: Alexandria LaFaye Remembering Mog Colby Rodowsky    Although Annie Fitzhugh is about to graduate from high school, and has been accepted by several colleges, she feels very confused and uncertain about what to do with her life. This is a result of a family tragedy that occurred just two years earlier, when her older sister Mog was murdered. Besides missing Mog, Annie feels disloyal because she is about to move on in her life without her sister. Although her mother's way of handling grief through denial makes things harder for Annie, gradually, through the help of other family members and a counselor, she comes to terms with her loss. 1996, Farrar, Ages 11 up, $14.00. Reviewer: Gisela Jernigan Shiloh Season Phyllis Reynolds Naylor    This sequel to the Newbery Medal winning Shiloh is set in rural West Virginia. The story continues the saga of the Preston family, especially 11 year-old Marty and his dog Shiloh. Marty rescued Shiloh from an abusive owner, Judd Travers. Judd, a solitary character who drinks too much, resents losing his dog and torments Marty and his family through increasingly serious deeds against them. Just when resolution seems impossible, Marty and his father, aided by Shiloh, rescue Judd from a truck accident. Their kindness to Judd during his recuperation helps Marty overcome his negative feelings about the man. A realistic portrait of rural life and its culture. 1996, Atheneum, Ages 8 to 12, $15.00. Reviewer: Meredith Kiger Some Friend Sally Warner    Twelve year old Case, his younger (and often annoying) sister Lily and his loving, hard-working mother, have many difficult adjustments to make following his father's incarceration. Aside from limited and difficult communications with his father, and having to move from a comfortable home to a cramped Philadelphia apartment, Case becomes involved in trying to help his best friend Ned when his grandmother/guardian is hospitalized and Ned is sent to live with a foster family. Case's efforts to hide a runaway Ned seem realistic and sometimes amusing. Case, Ned and the other characters are mostly likable and well-drawn. 1996, Knopf, Ages 10 up, $13.00. Reviewer: Gisela Jernigan Spotting the Leopard Anna Myers    Myers delivers a solid story as a sequel to her previous novel, Red-Dirt Jessie. Jessie's younger brother, H.J., is the hero of this exciting tale set in Oklahoma near the end of the Depression. Well-paced and plotted, the story balances realistic descriptions of family relationships and boyhood pranks with less-believable, but rousing elements. H.J., anxious to help Jessie realize her improbable dream of attending college and becoming a veterinarian, becomes fascinated with a leopard, Lucky, he sees at the Oklahoma City zoo, especially when the big cat escapes its dismal cage to become a hunted wild animal once again. H.J. is a nicely drawn character, an authentic combination of mischievous prankster, caring brother, concerned animal-lover, and self-reliant young man. The book combines excitement and heart to make for an interesting, quick read. 1996, Walker, Ages 9 up, $15.95. Reviewer: Donna Brumby Taxi Navigator Richard Mosher    While it isn't unusual, living through the divorce of one's parents isn't easy. Kyle is lucky, he has unconventional Uncle Hank who drives a taxi in NYC. They spend lots of time together and meet a fascinating group of people, including an old woman who skates in Central Park, her granddaughter Ruby, and her Moroccan mother Lydia. As Hank and Kyle drive around town, their lives intertwine with these new friends, and they discuss the meaning of life and death. It is both amusing and poignant. 1996, Philomel, Ages 8 up, $15.95. Reviewer: Charles Wyman The 13th Floor: A Ghost Story Sid Fleischman Illustrations by Peter Sís    Fleischman, who won a Newbery with The Whipping Boy, is always worth reading. This adventure transports a very modern Buddy Stebbins back to 1692 to meet his Puritan ancestors. On the high seas, Buddy learns the ropes of sailing and pirating, while returning to the home port of Boston gets him involved with a witch trial involving his feisty ten-year-old grandmother (many times removed). This is a funny, non-scary ghost story that makes one actually grateful to live in the twentieth century. 1995, Greenwillow, Ages 8 to 12, $15.00. Reviewer: Kathleen Karr Tornado Betsy Byars Illustrated by Doron Ben-Ami    Pete, a farmhand-storyteller, comforts and amuses a boy and his family anxiously waiting out a tornado in their storm cellar with tales of his dog, named "Tornado", so named because he and his doghouse were blown into Pete's yard during a twister when Pete was a boy. While the storm rages above, Pete describes how Tornado almost swallowed a pet turtle and how he performed his one card trick. The seven, brief chapters, written in simple but humorous language, make this a good beginning chapter book. 1996, HarperCollins, Ages 7 to 10, $13.95, Reviewer: Gisela Jernigan The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963 Christopher Paul Curtis    The story of the Weird Watson family of Flint, Michigan, as told by ten-year-old Kenny Watson, is achingly funny. Kenny's is a middle-child's view-wrapped in the warm presence of his quirky family and yet in many ways, feeling like an alien. Kenny's story is also a heartbreaking look at one child's attempt to cope with a crisis of spirit after a shattering racist event in Birmingham. In his first novel, Curtis has created a voice of extraordinary force. 1995, Delacorte, Ages 9 up, $14.95. Reviewer: Victoria Crenson The Well Mildred Taylor    With this book, Mildred Taylor brings us a prequel to the saga of the Logan family. Ten year old David and his brother Hammer take us through a dry, hot summer when all the wells run dry except the one on their family's land. In contending with the mean-spirited Simmses, the boys struggle with the undercurrents and overt suspicions that define race relations in the old South, as well as with the heart-rending injustice of the times. The adult characters are finely etched, especially the mother and feisty old grandmother. The persistence of familial history and memories is beautifully delineated. Above all, this is a book about pride. It's hard to put down, as are Taylor's other books, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry and Let the Circle Be Unbroken. 1995, Dial Books, Ages 10 up, $14.99. Reviewer Uma Krishnaswami Wiley and the Hairy Man Retold by Judy Sierra Illustrated by Brian Pinkney    Rumor had it that Wiley's daddy had been carried away by the Hairy Man, an ogre who lived in the woods and was known for capturing children in his croaker pack. Wiley's mama warned him to be careful. As fate would have it, Wiley did meet up with the mean creature one day when he was unprotected by his hound dogs. Whereas the Hairy Man had size and strength, Wiley had wit. Not only did Wiley trick the hoofed bully on this day, but also on two other occasions, leaving the Hairy Man with no choice but to leave Wiley and his mama alone forever. The language of the story is rich and warm with colloquialism. The oil paintings are vivid, vibrant, and seem to glow with excitement. 1996, Lodestar, Ages 8 up, $15.99. Reviewer: Leslie Verzi Julian Yang The Third And Her Impossible Family Lensey Namioka Illustrated by Kees de Kiefte    In this sequel to Yang The Youngest And His Terrible Year, the third youngest child of the musical Yang family, Yingmei, struggles to make friends and adapt to her new Seattle home and American ways. Yingmei changes her name to Mary, quickly increases her English vocabulary, and tries hard to follow American customs, but her family often embarrasses her by continuing to follow the traditions of their native China. The novel focuses on the problems that arise when Yingmei, in an effort to make friends with the popular Holly, adopts one of Holly's kittens, and then must hide it in the basement because pets are not allowed in her family. This is an excellent multicultural novel, with appealing, believable characters, whose struggles to adapt to a new culture are humorous, poignant and realistic. 1995, Little, Brown, Ages 8 to 12, $15.95. Reviewer: Gisela Jernigan To stay up to date on new books on this topic, consider subscribing to The Children's Literature Comprehensive Database. For your free trial, click here.