Best Books 2002

From the more than 4400 books reviewed in SLJ's pages in 2002, the editors have selected the following 60 titles as those that represent the best of the year's picture books, fiction, and nonfiction. What impressed us the most this year was the quality of the YA fiction in terms of high-powered writing, fresh themes, and memorable characters. Historical fiction balanced well with mystery, adventure, and novels that addressed contemporary issues, while the best of the picture books offer story and art that are totally child focused and imaginatively delivered. The nonfiction titles are rich in primary-source material and carefully selected images that lend immediacy and authority to the presentations. The month in which the original review appeared in SLJ follows each annotation.—T. E. J.

See also Adult Books for High School Students

 ANDREWS-GOEBEL, Nancy. The Pot That Juan Built . illus. by David Diaz. Lee & Low. RTE $16.95. ISBN 1-58430-038-8.
K-Gr 5 –A cumulative rhyme becomes the vessel to explore the work of a master potter in Mexico. Illustrations saturated in sunset colors accompany the verses while photos and text detail the methods and materials used in this traditional art form. (Sept.)

APPELT, Kathi. Bubba and Beau, Best Friends. illus. by Arthur Howard. Harcourt. RTE $16. ISBN 0-15-202060-8.
PreS-Gr 2 –Two buddies are all a-blubber when Mama Pearl washes their beloved blankie. Featuring a twinkle-eyed baby and a floppy-eared pup, this tale pairs down-home humor with rib-tickling cartoons. (July)

ASHLEY, Bernard. Little Soldier: A Novel. Scholastic. RTE $16.95. ISBN 0-439-22424-1.
Gr 7-10 –"Rescued" from his war-torn African homeland and taken in by a London family, a ruthless young rebel is reluctantly drawn into the local turf wars when a friend's life is at stake. A powerfully written novel about loyalty and the consequences of hatred. (June)

BANKS, Kate. Close Your Eyes. illus. by Georg Hallensleben. Farrar/Frances Foster Bks. Tr $16. ISBN 0-374-31382-2.
PreS-Gr 2 –A mother tiger calms her cub's fears and coaxes him into the world of dreams. Paintings that shimmer with tantalizing color combinations and lush brush strokes enrich the soothing text. (July)

BECHARD, Margaret. Hanging on to Max. Millbrook/Roaring Brook. Tr $15.95. ISBN 0-7613-1579-9; PLB $22.90. ISBN 0-7613-2574-3.
Gr 8 Up –A sleep-starved high-school senior struggles with little support to provide a home for his baby. This heartfelt novel delves into life-altering choices with honesty and sensitivity. (May)

BLACKWOOD, Gary. The Year of the Hangman. Dutton. Tr $16.99. ISBN 0-525-46921-4.
Gr 8-10 –In this might-have-been history, the Brits win the Revolution, and a 17-year-old upper-class English ne'er-do-well who arrives in Louisiana as Benedict Arnold's captive comes to respect American principles. Plots and counterplots, spies and role reversals all play a part in this convincing scenario. (Sept.)

BOLDEN, Tonya. Tell All the Children Our Story: Memories and Mementos of Being Young and Black in America. Abrams. RTE $24.95. ISBN 0-8109-4496-0.
Gr 6 Up –Rich and varied sources document the experiences of young African Americans from the early 1600s to today. These moving portraits with fascinating archival photos and quality reproductions breathe life into our country's past. (Mar.)

BRIGGS, Raymond. Ug: Boy Genius of the Stone Age. illus. by author. Knopf. Tr $15.95. ISBN 0-375-81611-9; PLB $17.99. ISBN 0-375-91611-3.
Gr 3-6 –Young Ug drives his parents to distraction with his constant questioning of the status quo. Riotous cartoons tell the anachronism-laced, tongue-in-cheek story of one boy who thinks outside the box, e-r-r boulder, and longs for a pair of soft, warm trousers. (Oct.)

BROOKS, Kevin. Martyn Pig. Scholastic/The Chicken House. Tr $15.95. ISBN 0-439-29595-5.
Gr 8 Up –After the accidental death of his abusive, alcoholic father, a 15-year-old reader of thrillers thinks that he's gotten rid of the body and covered his tracks, but misses clues to a double cross. A dark and devilish British page-turner. (May)

BRUCHAC, Joseph. The Winter People. Dial. Tr $16.99. ISBN 0-8037-2694-5.
Gr 5-9 –When Rogers' Rangers decimate his Canadian mission village and take many captives, an Abenaki teen must summon his wits and the teachings of his elders to rescue his mother and sister. A heartrending, action-packed novel set during the French and Indian War. (Nov.)

CHABON, Michael. Summerland. Hyperion/Talk Miramax. Tr $22.95. ISBN 0-7868-0877-2.
Gr 5 Up –Ethan Feld, a reluctant Little Leaguer and an unlikely hero, is recruited to save the world in this vividly imagined exploration of myth, magic, longing, and America's favorite pastime. (Nov.)

COHN, Rachel. Gingerbread. S & S. 2002. RTE $15.95. ISBN 0-689-84337-2.
Gr 9 Up –A precocious 16-year-old with rag doll in tow copes with her self-absorbed, divorced parents and finds a sense of family in unexpected places. Her authentic voice and charged feelings will strike a chord with today's teens. (Feb.)

CREECH, Sharon. Ruby Holler. HarperCollins/Joanna Cotler Bks. Tr $16.95. ISBN 0-06-027732-7; PLB $16.89. ISBN 0-06-027733-5.
Gr 4-6 –After a series of disastrous foster-home placements, orphan twins Dallas and Florida finally find a loving if unlikely home with an elderly, eccentric couple. A supremely satisfying story, told with healthy doses of drama, suspense, and humor. (Apr.)

CRONIN, Doreen. Giggle, Giggle, Quack. illus. by Betsy Lewin. S & S. RTE $15. ISBN 0-689-84506-5.
K-Gr 2 –A vacationing Farmer Brown leaves notes for his clueless brother about minding the livestock, but a mischievous duck with a pencil sneaks in his own directives. Animated line drawings awash with warm watercolors guarantee a good laugh. (June)

THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE: THE WORDS THAT MADE AMERICA. illus. by Sam Fink. Scholastic Reference. Tr $19.95. ISBN 0-439-40700-1.
Gr 4-8 –Inspired pen-and-ink drawings infused with charm and humor interpret this landmark American document line-by-line and concept-by-concept for contemporary audiences. (Oct.)

DUNREA, Olivier. Gossie . illus. by author. Houghton. Tr $9.95. ISBN 0-618-17674-8.
PreS-K –When a gosling's cherished red boots disappear, she searches high and low, only to discover that they are adorning another little goose's feet. The endearing ink-and-watercolor art and minimal text make this small wonder a shoe-in for storytime. (Sept.)

FRANK, E. R. America. S & S/Atheneum/A Richard Jackson Bk. RTE $18. ISBN 0-689-84729-7.
Gr 8 Up –Years of neglect and betrayal in and out of foster care have brought a teen to the brink of his own destruction. His raw, heartbreaking narrative reveals his long road to self-acceptance through his trusting relationship with a steadfast therapist. (Mar.)

FREEDMAN, Russell. Confucius: The Golden Rule. illus. by Frédéric Clément. Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine Bks. Tr $15.95. ISBN 0-439-13957-0.
Gr 4-8 –A sumptuous volume about the sage, the enduring ideas that are his legacy, and how his teachings have been preserved and disseminated. An appealing mix of biography, philosophy, and the history of democratic ideals. (Sept.)

FREYMANN-WEYR, Garret. My Heart beat. Houghton. Tr $15. ISBN 0-618-14181-2.
Gr 9 Up –Three sophisticated Manhattan teens struggle with their shifting relationships and uncertainty about the future. This tightly constructed, smart novel speaks volumes about love, friendship, and sexual identity. (Apr.)

FUNKE, Cornelia. The Thief Lord. tr. from German by Oliver Latsch. illus. by author. Scholastic/The Chicken House. Tr $16.95. ISBN 0-439-40437-1.
Gr 6-8 –Orphaned brothers escape a controlling aunt and join a band of street children led by the mysterious Thief Lord. This engrossing adventure story, steeped in magic, follows the youngsters as they prowl the alleys, piazzas, and canals of Venice. (Oct.)

GAIMAN, Neil. Coraline. illus. by Dave McKean. HarperCollins. Tr $15.99. ISBN 0-380-97778-8; PLB $15.89. ISBN 0-06-623744-0.
Gr 6-8 –Opening a closed-off door in her new house, Coraline discovers that her parents are prisoners in an alternate reality and that the sinister look-alikes who have taken their place are up to no good. A delightfully creepy tale of entrapment and rescue, superbly executed. (Aug.)

GANTOS, Jack. Hole in My Life. Farrar. 2002. Tr $16. ISBN 0-374-39988-3.
Gr 8 Up –A get-rich-quick scheme gone wrong landed young Gantos in federal prison. How he extracted himself from this black hole and turned his life around makes for a gut-wrenching and reflective memoir. (May)

GANTOS, Jack. What Would Joey Do? Farrar. Tr $16. ISBN 0-374-39986-7.
Gr 4-8 –Joey makes an unlikely friend in a mean-spirited, fellow homeschooler. This affecting, often amusing story follows a resilient boy who tries to sort out his world as he struggles with ADHD and a host of dysfunctional adults. (Sept.)

GAY, Marie-Louise. Stella, Fairy of the Forest. illus. by author. Groundwood. Tr $15.95. ISBN 0-88899-448-6.
PreS-Gr 1 –A free spirit and her timid younger brother let their imaginations soar as they explore the great outdoors. Gay's winsome wordplay and sprightly artwork make magic out of an ordinary day. (June)

GRAHAM, Bob. Jethro Byrd, Fairy Child. illus. by author. Candlewick. RTE $15.99. ISBN 0-7636-1772-5.
K-Gr 2 –When a family of fairies crash-lands their tiny ice-cream truck near her backyard, Annabelle sets things to rights and invites them to tea. A whimsical tale, embellished by puckish cartoons that make the fanciful seem comfortingly familiar. (June)

GREENBERG, Jan & Sandra Jordan. Action Jackson. illus. by Robert Andrew Parker. Millbrook/Roaring Brook. Tr $16.95. ISBN 0-7613-1682-5; PLB $22.90. ISBN 0-7613-2770-3.
Gr 1-8 –An exploration of the creative process of a 20th-century artistic giant. Parker's watercolors, incorporating a minimum of line, perfectly capture the fluid energy of Pollock's unique style. (Oct.)

HILL, Kirkpatrick. Minuk: Ashes in the Pathway. illus. by Patrick Faricy. (Girls of Many Lands Series). Pleasant Co/American Girl. Tr $12.95. ISBN 1-58485-596-7; pap. $7.95. ISBN 1-58485-520-7.
Gr 5-9 –The arrival of a family of Christian missionaries is both a source of fascination and confusion for an inquisitive Yup' ik girl in western Alaska in the 1890s. An engaging portrait of a child and a culture on the eve of change. (Oct.)

HOWITT, Mary. The Spider and the Fly. illus. by Tony DiTerlizzi. S & S. RTE $16.95. ISBN 0-689-85289-4.
Gr 1-6 –Set in a decrepit dollhouse, this masterpiece stars a menacing yet debonair arachnid and a demure fly in flapper garb. Using atmospheric artwork in steely shades of silver and black, DiTerlizzi recasts an 1829 apologue as a 1920s horror movie. (Sept.)

IBBOTSON, Eva. Journey to the River Sea. illus. by Kevin Hawkes. Dutton. Tr $17.99. ISBN 0-525-46739-4.
Gr 5-8 –Orphaned Maia is sent to live with money-grubbing relatives near the Amazon and makes friends with a child actor, a boy who is mysteriously pursued, and her stern governess. A high-spirited historical adventure with despicable villains and an indomitable heroine. (Jan.)

JENKINS, Steve. Life on Earth: The Story of Evolution. illus. by author. Houghton. Tr $16. ISBN 0-618-16476-6.
Gr 3-6 –Eye-catching, textured collages and a lucid, two-tiered text explore the basics of evolution. A well-reasoned and accessible look at the scientific theories explaining the innumerable variations, mutations, and extinctions that have occurred over the millennia. (Dec.)

JOHNSTON, Robert D. The Making of America: The History of the United States from 1492 to the Present. National Geographic. RTE $29.95. ISBN 0-7922-6944-6.
Gr 5-8 –A frank, thoughtful look at the peoples and events that have shaped our nation and culture. Beautifully reproduced paintings and photos, plentiful maps, and appended documents complete this impressive overview. (Dec.)

KALMAN, Maira. Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey. illus. by author. Putnam. Tr $16.99. ISBN 0-399-23953-7.
PreS-Gr 3 –An obsolete fireboat is saved from the scrap heap and called out of retirement to battle the blazes of September 11. Kalman combines effective language with striking panoramic paintings to create a testament to the spirit of heroism. (Sept.)

KURTZ, Jane & Christopher Kurtz. Water Hole Waiting. illus. by Lee Christiansen. Greenwillow. Tr $15.95. ISBN 0-06-029850-2; PLB $15.89. ISBN 0-06-029851-0.
PreS-Gr 3 –Kept close by his protective mother, an impatient monkey must watch the larger animals drink before he can quench his own thirst. Breathtaking pastel paintings and vivid staccato verses chronicle an exhilarating day on the sun-scorched African savanna. (May)

LAWRENCE, John. This Little Chick. illus. by author. Candlewick. RTE $15.99. ISBN 0-7636-1716-4.
PreS –A plucky chick parrots the patter of each of his barnyard friends, and then recites their sounds for his mother. Bold engravings drenched in summer-bright colors and chant-along rhymes make this rollicking picture book worth crowing about. (Mar.)

LILLEGARD, Dee. Tiger, Tiger . illus. by Susan Guevara. Putnam. Tr $16.99. ISBN 0-399-22633-8.
PreS-Gr 1 –With the "swish" of a magic feather, an energetic youngster gives shape and form to a beautiful and fearsome beast that he must then control. Stunning gouache-and-pastel art maximizes light and shadow in this irresistible walk on the wild side. (Dec.)

MCCAUGHREAN, Geraldine. The Kite Rider. HarperCollins. Tr $15.95. ISBN 0-06-623874-9; PLB $15.89. ISBN 0-06-623875-7.
Gr 5-9 –To provide for his widowed mother, Haoyou leaves home with a traveling circus and finds himself performing for Kublai Khan. With plenty of action and terrific characterization, this elegant tale set in 12th-century China sweeps up readers and carries them along. (June)

MACAULAY, David. Angelo. illus. by author. Houghton/A Walter Lorraine Bk. Tr $16. ISBN 0-618-16826-5.
Gr 1-4 –A remarkable bond is forged when a master plasterer rescues an injured pigeon and nurses her back to health. A tender story accompanied by gloriously expressive watercolor cartoons that capture the light and architectural detail of Rome. (May)

MCCLINTOCK, Barbara. Dahlia. illus. by author. Farrar/Frances Foster Bks. Tr $16. ISBN 0-374-31678-3.
K-Gr 2 –Rough-and-tumble Charlotte is disappointed with the gift of a dainty-looking doll, but Dahlia becomes a cherished friend once she gets to know her. Delicately rendered illustrations and a genteel Victorian setting make a becoming backdrop for this affectionate story of mistaken first impressions. (Nov.)

MCKAY, Hilary. Saffy's Angel. S & S/Margaret K. McElderry Bks. RTE $16. ISBN 0-689-84933-8.
Gr 4-8 –When Saffy finds out that she is really the daughter of her mother's deceased twin, she distances herself from her loving, eccentric family and goes on a quest in search of her past. A coming-of-age story told with humor, sensitivity, and grace. (May)

MCMULLAN, Kate. I Stink! illus. by Jim McMullan. HarperCollins/Joanna Cotler Bks. Tr $15.95. ISBN 0-06-029848-0; PLB $15.89. ISBN 0-06-029849-9.
PreS-Gr 2 –A garbage truck with an all-consuming grin lurches, burps, and slurps up waste from apple cores to zipped-up ziti. A vehicle of monstrous size and sound effects with an urban beat roll this story right along. (May)

MEDINA, Tony. Love to Langston. illus. by R. Gregory Christie. Lee & Low. RTE $16.95. ISBN 1-58430-041-8.
Gr 3-6 –Vignettes in free verse recount the formative moments in the life of one of America's much-loved poets. Bold, angular paintings illustrate the life of a man seeking his place in the world. (Mar.)

NEWMAN, Marjorie. Mole and the Baby Bird. illus. by Patrick Benson. Bloomsbury. Tr $16.95. ISBN 1-58234-784-0.
K-Gr 2 –After Little Mole nurses an injured bird back to health, he is determined to keep it, but a wise grandfather convinces him of his caged pet's true nature. A gentle story, lovingly told and charmingly illustrated. (Dec.)

NYE, Naomi Shihab. 19 Varieties of Gazelle: Poems of the Middle East. Greenwillow. Tr $16.95. ISBN 0-06-009765-5; PLB $16.89. ISBN 0-06-009766-3.
Gr 6 Up –Evocative poems capture the rhythms of life in Jerusalem, acknowledge the divided sensibilities of people separated from their homelands, and question the elusive nature of peace. (May)

OATES, Joyce Carol. Big Mouth & Ugly Girl. HarperCollins. Tr $16.95. ISBN 0-06-623756-4; PLB $16.89. ISBN 0-06-623758-0.
Gr 8 Up –Accused of plotting to blow up his school, Matt is suspended and finds an unlikely ally in an outspoken social outcast. A thought-provoking story of false accusations, a legal battle gone awry, and a budding friendship. (May)

PARK, Linda Sue. When My Name Was Keoko: A Novel of Korea in World War II. Clarion. Tr $16. ISBN 0-618-13335-6.
Gr 6-9 –During the Japanese occupation, Sun-hee and her brother are forced to give up all vestiges of their Korean heritage, including their names. They each find a way to prove their loyalty in this compelling story of endurance and resistance. (Apr.)

PARTRIDGE, Elizabeth. This Land Was Made for You and Me: The Life and Songs of Woody Guthrie. Viking. Tr $21.99. ISBN 0-670-03535-1.
Gr 6 Up –A penetrating look at one man's passions, political views, personality traits, and indisputable place in the annals of music history. Excellent-quality photos, along with numerous sketches and quotes from the Guthrie archives, bring this American icon to life. (Apr.)

PATERSON, Katherine. The Same Stuff as Stars. Clarion. Tr $15. ISBN 0-618-24744-0.
Gr 5-8 –In rural Vermont, Angel finds the longed-for home that her unreliable parents are incapable of providing and meets her great-grandmother's son, who introduces her to the wonders of the night sky. This master storyteller subtly conveys one child's path to self-worth despite mean circumstances. (Aug.)

PHILBRICK, Nathaniel. Revenge of the Whale: The True Story of the Whaleship Essex. Putnam. Tr $16.99. ISBN 0-399-23795-X.
Gr 6-10 –In November 1820, after being attacked by an angry leviathan, the Essex sank. Through this riveting abridgement of the author's adult title, readers glean fascinating details of New England port life and whaling and experience the desperate sailors' struggle to survive. (Sept.)

PRELUTSKY, Jack. Scranimals. illus. by Peter Sís. Greenwillow. Tr $16.99. ISBN 0-688-17819-7; PLB $18.89. ISBN 0-688-17820-0.
Gr 2-5 –On this fantastical journey to Scranimal Island, a menagerie of mixed-up creatures is introduced through clever, rhymed verses. Sís's inventive depictions of such species as "spinachickens," " potatoads," and "mangorillas" are outrageously funny. (Sept.)

ROOT, Phyllis. Oliver Finds His Way. illus. by Christopher Denise. Candlewick. RTE $14.99. ISBN 0-7636-1383-5.
PreS –When a bear cub chases a yellow leaf into the woods and loses his way, he is at first frightened, but soon comes up with a plan. An empowering tale of a resourceful hero, set in a dazzling autumn landscape. (Oct.)

RYAN, Pam Muñoz. When Marian Sang. illus. by Brian Selznick. Scholastic. RTE $16.95. ISBN 0-439-26967-9.
K-Gr 5 –Imposing illustrations bathed in sepia tones capture period details and the quiet dignity of Marian Anderson, who endured racist humiliations and rose to become one of America's most extraordinary contraltos. (Nov.)

SHANNON, David. Duck on a Bike. illus. by author. Scholastic/Blue Sky. RTE $15.95. ISBN 0-439-05023-5.
PreS-Gr 2 –As Duck first wobbles, then soars on a shiny red two-wheeler, the barnyard animals keep their thoughts about this show-off to themselves, but in the end all join in the fun. Dynamic art perfectly captures the antics of this capricious crowd. (Mar.)

SLOAN, Christopher. Bury the Dead: Tombs, Corpses, Mummies, Skeletons, & Rituals. National Geographic. RTE $18.95. ISBN 0-7922-7192-0.
Gr 5-9 –An absorbing look at the rites, rituals, and funerary beliefs of ancient peoples, supported by a superb collection of glossy photos and detailed drawings and paintings. (Oct.)

STOJIC, Manya. Snow . illus. by author. Knopf/Borzoi. Tr $15.95. ISBN 0-375-82348-4; PLB $17.99. ISBN 0-375-92348-9.
PreS-Gr 2 –When Owl announces that snow is coming, the forest animals react in different ways. Golds, icy blues, and feathery whites create a backdrop for the flurry of activity that signals the onset of the season. (Dec.)

TOLAN, Stephanie S. Surviving the Applewhites. HarperCollins. Tr $15.99. ISBN 0-06-623602-9; PLB $17.89. ISBN 0-06-623603-7.
Gr 5-8 –The pragmatic daughter of artistic eccentrics must cope with the hysteria that accompanies her family's latest theatrical venture and the simultaneous arrival of a malcontent teen who shares her homeschool classroom. An uproarious and highly entertaining production. (Sept.)

WALKER, Sally M. Fossil Fish Found Alive: Discovering the Coelacanth. Carolrhoda. PLB $17.95. ISBN 1-57505-536-8.
Gr 5-9 –Maps, diagrams, and archival and underwater photographs document the trail of ichthyologists in search of an elusive creature, once thought to be extinct for 70 million years. A thrilling account of science on the cusp of one of the 20th century's most incredible finds. (May)

WAUGH, Sylvia. Earthborn. Delacorte. Tr $15.95. ISBN 0-385-72964-2; PLB $17.99. ISBN 0-385-90060-0.
Gr 4-7 –Nesta is horrified to learn that she and her parents are actually aliens and have been called back to their planet, so she runs away from her London home. A heartwarming story, laced with humor, that invites readers to consider the true meaning of love and family. (Sept.)

WOODSON, Jacqueline. Hush . Putnam. Tr $15.99. ISBN 0-399-23114-5.
Gr 6-9 –Evie and her family must rebuild their lives after being relocated by the Federal Witness Protection Program. In lyrical, measured prose, Woodson probes the profound loss that these individuals experience and how it affects their relationships and their futures. (Feb.)

WORTH, Valerie. Peacock and Other Poems. illus. by Natalie Babbitt. Farrar. Tr $15. ISBN 0-374-35766-8.
Gr 2-6 –Through fresh insight and a masterful way with words, these small gems encourage children to look at ordinary objects in a whole new light. (May)

YOLEN, Jane & Robert J. Harris. Girl in a Cage. Philomel. Tr $19.99. ISBN 0-399-23627-9.
Gr 6-10 –When Robert the Bruce is crowned King of Scotland, his 11-year-old daughter is captured by cruel Edward I of England and is prepared to die for her country's cause. A gripping historical novel with a memorable heroine. (Oct.)

Adult Books for High School Students

Our committee of school library media specialists and public librarians who work with young adults has selected 17 titles that we believe will find enthusiastic readers across the board. Ranging from books that are fun and frivolous to those that are meaningful and memorable, the list includes fiction, memoir, general nonfiction, and true adventure. Our selections of the "Best of the Year" were culled from the almost 300 reviews published in the "Adult Books for High School Students" section of SLJ in 2002. While teens' tastes defy definition, we hope that all of the young adults you work with will find something stimulating, thought-provoking, or entertaining among these choices.
—Jackie Gropman and Susan Woodcock, Chairs, Adult Books for High School Students Committee

Ansary, Tamim. West of Kabul, East of New York: An Afghan American Story. Farrar. Tr $22. ISBN 0-374-28757-0.
In a friendly, conversational style, Ansary charms readers with colorful stories of his life in Afghanistan and America and casts light on the internal logic of Muslim fundamentalism. Teens will be fascinated by this unusual narrative and will identify with the author's search for identity. (Sept.)

Bardi, Abby. The Book of Fred. Washington Square. Tr $24. ISBN 0-7434-1193-5.
Raised in a fundamentalist commune, 15-year-old Mary Fred is unprepared for the freedoms of suburban life with her foster mother and the TV culture of the woman's teenaged daughter. Although an act of violence almost kills her, the protagonist's story is told with humor and insight. (Jan.)

Danvers, Dennis. The Watch: Being the Unauthorized Sequel to Peter A. Kropotkin's Memoirs of a Revolutionist–As Imparted to Dennis Danvers by Anchee Mahur, Traveler from a Distant Future, or, a Science Fiction Novel. HarperCollins/Eos. Tr $24.95. ISBN 0-380-97762-1.
A philosopher from 1921 Russia makes a new life for himself in 1999 Virginia, and helps to heal old Civil War wounds. The fresh perspectives on contemporary American culture are challenging, enlightening, and frequently funny. (June)

Ehrenreich, Barbara. Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America. Metropolitan. Tr $23. ISBN 0-8050-6388-9.
This eye-opening and sobering report is based on the stints that the author spent in three different cities struggling to support herself on unskilled workers' salaries. Mandatory reading for anyone entering the workforce. (Jan.)

Fforde, Jasper. The Eyre Affair. Viking. Tr $23.95. ISBN 0-670-03064-3.
In a hilarious alternate 1985 England, a machine allows people to enter and change literary manuscripts, and Literary Detective Thursday Next must battle bureaucratic idiots, fanatic literary devotees, and arch-villain Acheron Hades to keep the novel Jane Eyre safe for posterity. (Oct.)

Hearn, Lian. Across the Nightingale Floor. (Tales of the Otori Series, Bk. #1). Riverhead. Tr $24.95. ISBN 1-57322-225-9.
In an imaginary country reminiscent of feudal Japan, Takeo is adopted by Lord Shigeru after his village is wiped out, and he learns that the lord may have acted out of more than compassion as he himself is heir to powerful, mysterious abilities. A riveting start to an imaginative trilogy. (Nov.)

Hickam, Homer. Sky of Stone: A Memoir. Delacorte. Tr $24.95. ISBN 0-385-33522-9.
The author recalls the summer he spent working in the mine in his West Virginia hometown. Finely honed portraits of family and a celebration of community values run throughout the humorous narrative. (Jan.)

HINKS, Brian & Schuyler Kropf. Raising the Hunley: The Remarkable History and Recovery of the Lost Confederate Submarine. Ballantine. Tr $25. ISBN 0-345-44771-9.
This story of the building of a Confederate submarine that sank the Housatonic and then disappeared for 130 years reads like an exciting adventure story, as does the remarkable struggle to retrieve it, spearheaded by novelist Clive Cussler. (Aug.)

Holthe, Tess Uriza. When the Elephants Dance: A Novel. Crown. Tr $24.95. ISBN 0-609-60952-1.
Magical folktales of family curses and the spirit world provide respite for a Filipino family and their friends amid the horror of their country's war for independence. A gripping tale of love, war, and indomitable courage. (Apr.)

Katz, Jon. A Dog Year: Twelve Months, Four Dogs, and Me. Villard. Tr $21.95. ISBN 0-375-50297-1.
A high-strung Border collie with "emotional issues" is adopted into the author's household, where two stately Labrador retrievers whose tranquil personalities perfectly mesh with the rhythms of a writer's routine are already ensconced. The resulting mix is described with wit and wisdom. (June)

Kidd, Sue Monk. The Secret Life of Bees. Viking. Tr $24.95. ISBN 0-670-89460-5.
Fleeing her father's emotional abuse, Lily, 14, and her loving housekeeper, who is recovering from a racially motivated beating, are taken in by three black sisters who hold the key to memories of Lily's mother. A story infused with the strength of female friendship and love. (May)

Martínez, Rubén. Crossing Over: A Mexican Family on the Migrant Trail. photos. by Joseph Rodriguez. Holt. Tr $26. ISBN 0-8050-4908-8.
After three brothers were killed in a border-crossing incident, the author went on a journey to their village in Mexico to learn about the way of life of those who make this dangerous crossing. In this compelling account, Martínez puts a human face on a current political crisis. (June)

Mason, Jeff, ed. 9-11: Emergency Relief . Alternative Comics. Tr $14.95. ISBN 189-1867-121.
Graphic-novel creators present their reactions to the attacks of September 11, 2001. The resulting assemblage of images ranges from straightforward reportage to profound metaphor. (Apr.)

Oltion, Jerry. The Getaway Special. Tor. Tr $26.95. ISBN 0-312-87777-3.
When a mad scientist reveals the secret of cheap faster-than-light travel, a motley cross section of humanity is soon heading off-planet in a new Gold Rush that Earth governments are unable to control. A superb science-fiction romp that's surprising, amusing, and telling. (Apr.)

Paschen, Elise & Rebekah Presson Mosby, eds. Poetry Speaks: Hear Great Poets Read Their Work from Tennyson to Plath. with CD. Sourcebooks. Tr $49.95. ISBN 1-57071-720-6.
This multimedia cornucopia of pleasurable reading and listening features the spoken words of 42 poets, plus critical essays by other poets in appreciation of their work. (Feb.)

POLK, Milbry & Mary Tiegreen. Women of Discovery: A Celebration of Intrepid Women Who Explored the World. Crown. Tr $40. ISBN 0- 609-60480-5.
An exuberant celebration of amazing and outrageous women artists, explorers, and scientists from ancient Vikings to contemporary scientists, with graphics that lend authenticity and immediacy. (Mar.)

Sebold, Alice. The Lovely Bones. Little, Brown. Tr $21.95. ISBN 0-316-66634-3.
A teen who was raped and killed tells her story from heaven. While the subject matter is grim, the narrative is light and frequently humorous, and readers will be fascinated by Susie's observation of her family's recovery, and her own. (Oct.)