Best Books 1999

Trev Jones, Luann Toth, Daryl Grabarek, Barbara Auerbach and Joy Fleishhacker -- School Library Journal, 12/1/1999

If you thought that the spate of mergers and buyouts among book publishers would lead to fewer and better books issued for young readers--guess again. In 1999, SLJ reviewed more that 4,000 new titles, preschool through grade 12. After reading and re-reading through the vast outpouring, our Book Review Editors have come up with 62 titles that rise above the others as our topflight choices. The picture books on this list were chosen for their "read-it again" potential, supported by strong art. In fiction, you'll find some great new fantasy, adventure, and mystery, in addition to books of a more serious nature. Recurring themes of developing a sense of self, resilience in the face of adversity and loss, and coping with tough choices make for meaty and meaningful offerings. Nonfiction offers a range of topics, some seldom encountered in books for young readers, many featuring innovative approaches to the exploration of their subjects. It is our hope that this list will help you find books that entertain and inform the young people you serve and enrich their lives. Following each annotation, you will find a citation to the issue of SLJ in which the full review was published.--T.E.J.

ALIKI.William Shakespeare & the Globe. illus. by author. HarperCollins. Tr $15.95. ISBN 0-06-027820-X; PLB $15.89. ISBN 0-06-027821-8.
Gr 3-6 --This captivating biography introduces the real-life players and masterfully scripts historical events. Engaging illustrations and an impressive amount of information make this presentation a hit. (May)

ALMOND, David. Skellig. Delacorte. Tr $15.95. ISBN 0-385-32653-X.
Gr 5-9 --Two lonely children form a bond when they secretly take on the care of a crusty, otherworldly old man living in a ramshackled garage. A mystical story of love and friendship. (Feb.)

ANDERSON, Laurie Halse. Speak. Farrar. Tr $16. ISBN 0-374-37152-0.
Gr 8 Up --A ninth grader becomes a social pariah when she calls the police to bust a summer bash and spends the year coming to terms with the secret fact that she was raped during the party. A story told with acute insight, acid wit, and affecting prose. (Oct.)

BARTOLETTI, Susan Campbell. Kids on Strike! Houghton. Tr $20. ISBN 0-395-88892-1.
Gr 5-8 --Through personal narratives and powerful photographs and reproductions, this book tells the dynamic story of child labor in America and the efforts to organize to achieve social justice. (Dec.)

BILLINGSLEY, Franny. The Folk Keeper. S & S/Atheneum/A Jean Karl Bk. RTE $16. ISBN 0-689-82876-4.
Gr 5-8 --A young orphan charged with placating the volatile Folk, believed to control her people's fate, discovers the world of the sea and begins to understand her mysterious heritage. A gripping gothic romance and selkie tale rolled into one. (Oct.)

BRIDGES, Ruby. Through My Eyes. Scholastic Press. RTE $16.95. ISBN 0-590-18923-9.
Gr 4-7 --Readers walk shoulder to shoulder with six-year-old Ruby as she begins the ugly and traumatic process of school integration. Adding historical perspective and adult reflection to her childhood perceptions, this powerful memoir is living history. (Dec.)

BRIGHTON, Catherine. The Fossil Girl: Mary Anning's Dinosaur Discovery. illus. by author. Millbrook. PLB $21.40. ISBN 0-7613-1468-7.
Gr 2-4 --With a comic-book layout, staccato prose, and sun-drenched illustrations, this real-life adventure of a curious English girl is an exciting introduction to the 19th-century paleontologist. (May)

BROWN, Margaret Wise. Another Important Book. illus. by Chris Raschka. HarperCollins/Joanna Cotler Bks. Tr $15.95. ISBN 0-06-026282-6; PLB $15.89. ISBN 0-06-026283-4.
PreS-K --Energetic artwork and vivacious verse delineate the wonders children discover and the milestones they reach, from ages one to six. A joyful book with a timeless theme. (Sept.)

CLEMENTS, Andrew. The Landry News. illus. by Salvatore Murdocca. S & S. RTE $15. ISBN 0-689-81817-3.
Gr 4-6 --A fifth grader's scathing editorial criticizing her burned-out teacher spurs him to take his duties seriously. A terrific read about free speech, the power of the pen, and the need to temper truth with mercy. (July)

CORMIER, Robert. Frenchtown Summer. Delacorte. Tr $16.95. ISBN 0-385-32704-8.
Gr 6 Up --In taut verse, Eugene provides verbal snapshots of his town, the enigmatic adults around him, and his own growing sense of self. A lyrical tour de force that packs an emotional wallop. (Sept.)

COULOUMBIS, Audrey. Getting Near to Baby. Putnam. Tr $17.99. ISBN 0-399-23389-X.
Gr 6-8 --When their baby sibling dies, two sisters are sent to stay with their domineering Aunt Patty. A poignant and uplifting novel told from a child's wise and down-to-earth perspective. (Oct.)

CURTIS, Christopher Paul. Bud, Not Buddy. Delacorte. Tr $15.95. ISBN 0-385-32306-9.
Gr 4-7 --Motherless Bud shares his amusingly astute rules of life as he hits the road to find the jazz musician he believes is his father. A medley of characters brings Depression-era Michigan to life. (Sept.)

DESSEN, Sarah. Keeping the Moon. Viking. Tr $15.99. ISBN 0-670-88549-5.
Gr 7 Up --Formerly fat Colie cannot shed her poor self image until she spends the summer with her eccentric aunt and develops a friendship with two worldly waitresses. A story heaped with crackling dialogue and sharp humor. (Sept.)

ENGLISH, Karen. Francie. Farrar. Tr $16. ISBN 0-374-32456-5.
Gr 5-8 --Waiting for the day her Pullman porter father will send for the family, Francie bides her time in her small-minded Alabama town. An absorbing picture of the past, populated with courageous characters pursuing a dream. (Sept.)

FEIFFER, Jules. Bark, George. illus. by author. HarperCollins/Michael di Capua Bks. Tr $14.95. ISBN 0-06-205185-7; PLB $14.89. ISBN 0-06-205186-5.
PreS-Gr 2--A lovable pup tries to bark, but all that comes out are other animals' sounds, until a cathartic trip to the vet unleashes the problem. A pack of fun, with droll illustrations and deadpan text. (Sept.)

FLEISCHMAN, Paul. Weslandia. illus. by Kevin Hawkes. Candlewick. Tr $15.99. ISBN 0-7636-0006-7.
K-Gr 4 --Young Wesley, who marches to a different drummer, decides to create his own civilization. Glowing acrylics highlight the cookie-cutter conformity of his neighborhood and the extraordinary and exotic details of his new and flourishing domain. (June)

FLEMING, Candace. When Agnes Caws. illus. by Giselle Potter. S & S/Atheneum/An Anne Schwartz Bk. RTE $16. ISBN 0-689-81471-2.
K-Gr 3 --World-class birdcaller Agnes Peregrine treks through the Himalayas in search of an elusive species and--through luck and pluck--the girl gets her duck and foils her dastardly rival. Captivating artwork makes this a comedy of uncommon caliber. (Feb.)

FREEDMAN, Russell. Babe Didrikson Zaharias: The Making of a Champion. Clarion. Tr $18. ISBN 0-395-63367-2.
Gr 5 Up --An insightful look at an athlete with exceptional natural ability and the personal drive to dodge convention and aspire to greatness. Animated writing and action photographs capture the energy and indomitable spirit of a true champion. (July)

GEORGE, Kristine O'Connell. Little Dog Poems. illus. by June Otani. Clarion. RTE $12. ISBN 0-395-82266-1.
PreS-Gr 3 --Enchanting poems and winsome watercolors paint a picture of the special bond between a young girl and her beloved pet. Balancing simplicity with eloquence, the haiku-like verses make an inviting introduction to poetry. (May)

GOLDIN, Barbara Diamond. Journeys with Elijah: Eight Tales of the Prophet. illus. by Jerry Pinkney. Harcourt/Gulliver. RTE $20. ISBN 0-15-200445-9.
K-Gr 6 --Multilayered stories lead to some unexpected settings and rekindle a belief in this prophet who symbolizes hope and goodness. Lush watercolor and pencil paintings dramatize these rich tales. (June)

GRAHAM , Bob. Benny: An Adventure Story. illus. by author. Candlewick. RTE $16.99. ISBN 0-7636-0813-0.
PreS-K --Ousted by his magician master for upstaging him, a downtrodden pup roams far and wide to find his place in the world and a loving family. A masterful mix of melodrama, humor, and marvelous cartoon art. (July)

Graham, Joan Bransfield. Flicker Flash. illus. by Nancy Davis. Houghton. Tr $15. ISBN 0-395-90501-X.
Gr 2-5 --Bold graphics and concrete verse come together in this collection of playful reflections that highlight the different types of light. (Dec.)

GREENE, Stephanie. Owen Foote, Frontiersman. illus. by Martha Weston. Clarion. Tr $14. ISBN 0-395-61578-X.
Gr 2-4 --Following in the footsteps of their hero, Daniel Boone, two modern boys use ingenuity, wilderness know-how, and newfound nerve to protect their tree fort. A funny, fast-paced adventure. (Oct.)

GROVE, Vicki. The Starplace. Putnam. Tr $16.99. ISBN 0-399-23207-9.
Gr 6-9 --Frannie learns hard truths about racism in her small Oklahoma community when she befriends a black girl who is new in town. The balanced narrative incorporates serious issues, adolescent angst, and the transcendent power of friendship. (June)

HAAS, Jessie. Unbroken. Greenwillow. RTE $15. ISBN 0-688-16260-6.
Gr 5-8 --Harriet copes with her mother's death and her unyielding aunt while training the unruly colt that remains a symbol of her old life. A nurturing story of healing, filled with raw emotion and crystal-clear imagery. (Apr.)

HASKINS, James & Kathleen Benson. Bound for America: The Forced Migration of Africans to the New World. illus. by Floyd Cooper. Lothrop. Tr $18. ISBN 0-688-10258-1; PLB $17.93. ISBN 0-688-10259-X.
Gr 6 Up --This engrossing and detailed account of the Middle Passage evokes powerful images through full-page oil paintings, riveting reproductions, and maps. A moving story told with authority and sensitivity. (Jan.)

HEST, Amy. Off to School, Baby Duck! illus. by Jill Barton. Candlewick. Tr $16.99. ISBN 0-7636-0244-2.
PreS-Gr 1 --Apprehensive Baby Duck is helped through an intimidating new experience by her loving family in this reassuring remedy for first-day jitters. (Sept.)

HOLT, Kimberly Willis. When Zachary Beaver Came to Town. Holt. Tr $16.95. ISBN 0-8050-6116-9.
Gr 5-8 --A humdrum Texas summer is transformed when Toby and Cal befriend a surly sideshow star, arguably "the fattest boy in the world." Holt deftly fleshes out her characters and expands their worldview beyond the borders of their small town. (Nov.)

HOWE, James. Horace and Morris But Mostly Dolores. illus. by Amy Walrod. S & S/Atheneum. RTE $16. ISBN 0-689-31874-X.
K-Gr 3 --The friendship of three mice is put to the test when Horace and Morris join a boys-only club, and Dolores must hatch a plan that transcends gender boundaries. A jaunty tale, complete with comical collage art. (Mar.)

HUSH, LITTLE BABY: A FOLK SONG WITH PICTURES . illus. by Marla Frazee. Harcourt/Browndeer. RTE $15. ISBN 0-15-201429-2.
PreS --A lively, down-home interpretation of the traditional Appalachian lullaby. Bold and engaging illustrations maximize the folksy details and star a resourceful little girl who is sure she knows how to calm a howling infant. (Oct.)

JENKINS, Steve. The Top of the World: Climbing Mount Everest. illus. by author. Houghton. Tr $15. ISBN 0-395-94218-7.
Gr 2-6 --A windfall of facts about Everest and the daring mountaineers who have attempted to reach its summit. Breathtaking cut-paper collages capture the dramatic vistas and the frightening realities of high-altitude climbs. (May)

JOHNSON, Scott. Safe at Second. Philomel. Tr $16.99. ISBN 0-399-23365-2.
Gr 7 Up--A star pitcher's best buddy must find a way to help his friend and redefine his own goals when a line drive injures the athlete and dashes their dreams of glory. A tough and tender coming-of-age story with plenty of play-by-play action. (July)

JORDAN, Sherryl. The Raging Quiet. S & S. RTE $17. ISBN 0-689-82140-9.
Gr 8 Up --When a headstrong young woman accused of witchcraft befriends a deaf young man believed to be possessed by the devil, a turbulent yet deeply satisfying romance evolves. Richly realized and evocative. (May)

KOSS, Amy Goldman. The Ashwater Experiment. Dial. Tr $16.99. ISBN 0-8037-2391-1.
Gr 4-6 --Hillary learns about the give and take of friendship when her peripatetic, hippie parents put down temporary roots long enough for her to get to know her classmates. A wise and witty exploration of a girl learning about herself and others. (Aug.)

LESTER , Helen. Hooway for Wodney Wat. illus. by Lynn Munsinger. Houghton/A Walter Lorraine Bk. Tr $15. ISBN 0-395-92392-1.
PreS-Gr 3--A shy rat who can't pronounce his r's rises to the occasion and outsmarts a new student who terrorizes the classroom. An ego booster for any child who has ever been bullied or teased, with illustrations that exude charm and personality. (May)

LEVINE, Gail Carson. Dave at Night. HarperCollins. Tr $15.95. ISBN 0-06-028153-7; PLB $15.89. ISBN 0-06-028154-5.
Gr 5-9 --By day, Dave is a downtrodden orphan at the Hebrew Home for Boys; at night he mingles with the movers and shakers of the Harlem Renaissance. His hardships and comic escapades create a fanciful tale of New York in the 1920s. (Sept.)

LISLE, Janet Taylor. The Lost Flower Children. illus. by Satomi Ichikawa. Philomel. Tr $16.99. ISBN 0-399-23393-8.
Gr 3-6 --After their mother's death, Olivia and her troubled younger sister are sent to their elderly Aunt Minty's house, where an old storybook inspires a magical quest that begins a journey of healing and discovery. (June)

LONG, Sylvia, sel. Sylvia Long's Mother Goose. illus. by sel. Chronicle. Tr $19.95. ISBN 0-8118-2088-2.
PreS-K --Lavishly illustrated with vibrant watercolors of animal characters festively dressed, this treasury offers a fresh approach to the beloved rhymes, cleverly linked by visual details. (Dec.)

LOWERY, Linda. Aunt Clara Brown: Official Pioneer. illus. by Janice Lee Porter. Carolrhoda. PLB $14.95. ISBN 1-57505-045-5.
Gr 2-3 --Clara, a freed slave, traveled west where she helped others build new lives and tirelessly searched for her daughter, who was sold as a child. Powerful primitive paintings in earth tones illustrate this triumphant, easy-to-read biography. (Nov.)

LUM, Kate. What! Cried Granny: An Almost Bedtime Story. illus. by Adrian Johnson. Dial. Tr $14.99. ISBN 0-8037-2382-2.
K-Gr 3 --A resourceful Granny fulfills each of her grandson's bedtime needs in the most outlandish manner. The bright acrylic cartoons are in perfect sync with this zany putting-off-bedtime adventure. (Mar.)

MCKAY, Hilary. Dolphin Luck. S & S/Margaret K. McElderry Bks. RTE $16. ISBN 0-689-82376-2.
Gr 4-7 --Mistaken identity, a wish-granting sword, and a too-successful burglar trap all figure into this family story about some very unusual and perceptive children who take on the world with joie de vivre. (July)

MATTHEWS, Tom L. Always Inventing: A Photobiography of Alexander Graham Bell. National Geographic. RTE $16.95. ISBN 0-7922-7391-5.
Gr 4-7 --Informative engravings, journal sketches, and family photographs illustrate this handsomely designed book about one of the 20th-century's most creative geniuses. (Mar.) 

MYERS, Christopher. Black Cat. illus. by author. Scholastic Press. RTE $16.95. ISBN 0-590-03375-1.
Gr 2-5 --A rhythmic ramble through an urban landscape led by a sleek and savvy feline. Striking collage paintings and hip verse pulsate with the sights and sounds of the city. (Mar.)

O'CONNOR , Barbara. Me and Rupert Goody. Far-rar/Frances Foster Bks. Tr $15. ISBN 0-374-34904-5.
Gr 4-7 --Escaping her boisterous household, Jennalee forges a special friendship with the owner of the local general store. When Rupert Goody appears and claims to be his son, the spirited girl fights for her place in Uncle Beau's establishment and in his affections. (Oct.)

PALADINO , Catherine. One Good Apple: Growing Our Food for the Sake of the Earth. photos. by author. Houghton. Tr $15. ISBN 0-395-85009-6.
Gr 4-8 --An alarming account of the environmental and health concerns associated with pesticides, tempered by hope for the future through organic farming. Outstanding full-color photos illustrate this compelling expose. (Apr.)

QUINTANA, Anton. The Baboon King. tr. from Dutch by John Nieuwenhuizen. Walker. Tr $15.95. ISBN 0-8027-8711-8.
Gr 8 Up--Half Kikuyu and half Masai, Morengaru belongs to neither world. Gravely injured while living as an outcast, he is taken in by a troop of baboons. The visceral descriptions, explorations of the animals' psychology, and realizations about his own humanity make this a memorable, even mystical novel. (June)

REICH, Susanna. Clara Schumann: Piano Virtuoso. Clarion. Tr $19. ISBN 0-395-89119-1.
Gr 5-8--A compelling portrait of the 19th-century child prodigy who became a remarkable composer and performer, enlivened with personal letters, paintings, and photographs. (Apr.)

ROCKLIN, Joanne. Strudel Stories. Delacorte. Tr $14.95. ISBN 0-385-32602-5.
Gr 2-5 --Beginning in the old country and ending in modern-day America, a cherished recipe is passed from one generation to the next, including the most important ingredient--the tales told by the cooks. The stories are sweetened with humor and sprinkled with unforgettable characters. (Jan.)

ROWLING, J. K. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. illus. by Mary GrandPre. Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine Bks. Tr $17.95. ISBN 0-439-06486-4.
Gr 3-8 --With a year at Hogwarts School under his belt, Harry expects the new term to go smoothly, but a wizard's share of surprises and adventures await the likable lad and his friends. Rowling works her magic and leaves readers begging for more. (July)

RYDEN, Hope. Wild Horses I Have Known. photos. by author. CIP. Clarion. Tr $18. ISBN 0-395-77520-5.
Gr 4 Up --Based on three decades of observation, Ryden shares her thoughts about the origins, nature, and habits of wild mustangs. The grace and spirit of these free-roaming creatures are beautifully captured in her striking photos. (Apr.) 

SANDBURG , Carl. The Huckabuck Family and How They Raised Popcorn in Nebraska and Quit and Came Back. illus. by David Small. Farrar. Tr $16. ISBN 0-374-33511-7.
K-Gr 4 --The proud Huckabucks are forced to leave their farm and try their hands at other ways of life before making their way back to the land. The eye-popping ink-and-watercolor artwork is as bright as a summer morning and as expansive as a Nebraska cornfield. (Aug.)

SAY, Allen. Tea with Milk. illus. by author. Houghton/A Walter Lorraine Bk. Tr $17. ISBN 0-395-90495-1.
K-Gr 6 --When her Japanese-born parents leave America for their homeland, an independent girl reluctantly follows and melds her experience and her heritage to find a new meaning for the word "home." This perfect marriage of artwork and text offers readers a window into a different place and time. (May)

SHANNON, David. David Goes to School. illus. by author. Scholastic/Blue Sky. RTE $14.95. ISBN 0-590-48087-1.
K-Gr 3 --A pesky though enthusiastic young scholar exasperates his teacher but wins her over with his unexpected charm. Filled with sophisticated stick figures and colorful backdrops, the exuberant paintings depict a boy who's in a class by himself. (Sept.)

STANLEY , Diane. Raising Sweetness. illus. by G. Brian Karas. Putnam. PLB $15.99. ISBN 0-399-23225-7.
K-Gr 3 --An orphan adopted by a kindhearted sheriff helps reunite her new Pa with his long-lost sweetheart. A laugh-out-loud tale,  style="mso-spacerun: yes"> narrated in a droll Texas drawl and illustrated with cartoon collages. (Jan.)

STURGES, Philemon, retel. The Little Red Hen (Makes a Pizza). illus. by Amy Walrod. Dutton. Tr $15.99. ISBN 0-525-45953-7.
K-Gr 3 --Clever collage art spices up this version of the classic tale that features a self-sufficient hen with a penchant for shopping and an uncooperative dog, cat, and duck who savor a satisfying snack. (Dec.)

SWINBURNE, Stephen R. Once a Wolf: How Wildlife Biologists Fought to Bring Back the Gray Wolf. photos. by Jim Brandenburg. Houghton. Tr $16. ISBN 0-395-89827-7.
Gr 5-8 --Drawing on myth, legend, history, and science, Swinburne recounts the efforts of conservationists to reintroduce the wolf to the American landscape. Stunning photographs reflect the quiet dignity of this much-maligned creature. (May)

UPDIKE , John. A Child's Calendar. illus. by Trina Schart Hyman. Holiday House. RTE $16.95. ISBN 0-8234-1445-0.
Gr 1-5 --A year in New England as seen through a child-focused lens. Month by month, season by season, the poet's words and the expressive paintings create images that are reflective and playful, perceptive and pleasing. (Sept.)

VANDE VELDE, Vivian. Never Trust a Dead Man. Harcourt. Tr $17. ISBN 0-15-201899-9.
Gr 6-9 --When a teen is accused of murder, he teams up with the unlikable victim's ghost to find the true killer. A tongue-in-cheek medieval farce and a supernatural mystery. (May)

WIESNER, David. Sector 7. illus. by author. Clarion. RTE $16. ISBN 0-395-74656-6.
K-Gr 4 --A playful mist transports a schoolboy from the observation deck of the Empire State Building to a colossal cloud factory. Intricate watercolors convey the wonder and whimsy of this magical adventure. (Sept.)

WINTON, Tim. Lockie Leonard, Scumbuster. S & S/Margaret K. McElderry Bks. RTE $16. ISBN 0-689-82247-2.
Gr 5-9 --An adolescent surfer and his "Metal Head" friend set out to clean up their polluted Australian harbor. These unlikely friends and even more unlikely heroes will win readers over with their big-hearted actions and their hilarious repartee. (June)

WITTLINGER, Ellen. Hard Love. S & S. RTE $16.95. ISBN 0-689-82134-4.
Gr 8 Up --John, "a witty misanthrope," meets and falls for zine writer Marisol, a "rich spoiled lesbian private-school gifted-and-talented writer virgin looking for love." A bittersweet tale of self-expression and the struggle to achieve self-love. (July)

ZIMMERMAN, Andrea & David Clemesha. Trashy Town. illus. by Dan Yaccarino. HarperCollins. Tr $14.95. ISBN 0-06-027139-6; PLB $14.89. ISBN 0-06-027140-X.
PreS-K --Sporting big gloves and a friendly smile, Mr. Gilly drives his garbage truck about town. An exuberant crash-bang refrain and bold, blocky illustrations will have preschoolers chanting along and clamoring for more. Good clean fun. (May)