Anonymous Rex by Eric Garcia

This book is hilarious. A detective story where dinosaurs still walk the Earth disguised as humans. Very cool.

Cat's Eye by Margaret Atwood

Kind of boring story of an artist dealing with issues she has with childhood friends.

Nectar: a novel of temptation by Lily Prior

I don't know who this novel is tempting but it certainly wasn't me. The premise, an albino woman who has an entrancing scent, is interesting, but there are way too many characters and the plot leaves a lot to be desired.

Yellow by Don Lee

A collection of short stories about Asian-Americans living in the fictional town of Rosarita Bay near SF in California. Very nice.

Come Up and See Me Sometime by Erika Krouse

Great collection of short stories, each prefaced by a quote from Mae West.

Quentins by Maeve Binchy

A great novel that revolves around a restaurant in Dublin. Brings in characters from some of her previous novels.

Still Life With Woodpecker: A sort of love story by Tom Robbins

When an exiled princess meets an on-the-lam bomber, hilarity and love ensue.

I didn't like it as much as Skinny Legs and All but I could actually get through it as opposed to Another Roadside Attraction which I could not get into.

Recommended by Sarah B.

Just who the hell is SHE, anway? by Marisa Acocella

Interesting comic about the new career woman.

I read a bunch of books by Lois Lowry because I was doing a group presentation on her. She writes wonderful books.

Summer to Die- semi-autobiographical about a girl whose older sister dies of cancer.

Gathering Blue- the second in an informal trilogy of sci-fi stories that started with The Giver. A crippled girl is orphaned and then taken in by the government. Very interesting.

Nonfiction Relevant to Cultural Diversity

Multiple Authors, The World in 1492, Henry Holt and Company, 1992

Source: ALSC Notable Book 1993

Age Range: 9 and up

Quality: Well written essays on the civilizations of the different continents in 1492

Potential Use: homework, curriculum support, free voluntary reading

Child Appeal: Great for historically interested children. Also great for showing the developments outside of Europe.

Book about Native Americans

Louise Erdrich, The Birchbark House, Hyperion Books for Children, 1999

Source: ALSC Notable Book 2000

Age Range: 8 and up

Quality: Well written narrative about a year in the life of an Ojibwa family.

Potential Use: book talk, curriculum support, free voluntary reading, story time

Child Appeal: Engaging story of survival focused on the seven year-old girl in the family

Picture Book about Asian-Americans

Milly Lee, Nim and the War Effort, Yangsook Choi, Frances Foster Books, 1997

Source: ALSC Notable Book 1998

Age Range: 6-9

Quality: Engaging story and beautiful pictures.

Potential Use: story time, curriculum support, free voluntary reading

Child Appeal: Kids will relate to trying to win a contest.

Novel about Asian-Americans

Laurence Yep, Dragon’s Gate, HarperCollins, 1993

Source: Newbery Honor 1994

Age Range: 10 and up

Quality: Well-written story about the Chinese who built the railroads in the U.S.

Potential Use: curriculum support, free voluntary reading

Child Appeal: For children who are interested in the role of immigrants in the U.S.

Picture Book about Latinos

Pam Muñoz Ryan, Mice and Beans, Joe Cepeda, Scholastic, 2001

Source: ALSC Notable Book 2002

Age Range: 5-8

Quality: Simple text with Spanish mixed in and colorful, engaging illustrations.

Potential Use: story time, free voluntary reading

Child Appeal: Kids will love how the mice help prepare for the party.

Short Story Collection about Latinos

Gary Soto, Baseball in April and Other Stories, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1990

Source: Pura Belpré Honor 1996

Age Range: 8 and up

Quality: Great stories about real life from impressing a girl to playing baseball.

Potential Use: free voluntary reading, book talk

Child Appeal: Kids can relate to the situations and anxiety about growing up.

Novel about African-Americans

Mildred D. Taylor, Let the Circle be Unbroken, Dial Books, 1981

Source: Coretta Scott King Medal 1982

Age Range: 8 and up

Quality: Well-written novel that continues the story of the Logan family started in Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry.

Potential Use: curriculum support, free voluntary reading

Child Appeal: For older children and those that liked Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry.