WEMBERLY’S ICE-CREAM STAR
by Kevin Henkes
HarperFestival;ISBN: 0060504056;$6.99;2003

Clever thinking helps a patient, worried Wemberly to resolve her sweet-tooth dilemma on a hot summer day in this child-centered board book with engaging and expressive characters and a well-paced text. “Delicious!”

Suggested for ages 2 - 5
Subjects: Board Book

BRUNDIBAR
by Tony Kushner
illustrated by Maurice Sendak
Michael di Capua;ISBN: 0786809043;$19.95;2003

Two children trying to earn money for milk for their sick mother are thwarted by the wicked organ-grinder Brundibar. A story about the power of hope and community, based on a 1938 Czech opera, with allusions to Hitler and the Holocaust in both the powerful text and compelling illustrations.

Suggested for ages 7 - 10
Subjects: Holocaust, Jewish (1933-1945)

GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER: THE TRUE STORY OF THE EMMETT TILL CASE
by Chris Crowe
Phyllis Fogelman;ISBN: 0803728042;$18.99;2003

The infamous murder of a black boy and the Jim Crow racism of the 1950s seem as real as today’s headlines in this vivid yet balanced report of an early event in the civil rights era.

Suggested for ages 12 - 16
Subjects: Race Relations

THE WEE FREE MEN
by Terry Pratchett
ISBN: 0060012366;

The tiny, wild, blue Nac Mac Feegle help Tiffany rescue her little brother, kidnapped by the Queen of the Elves and spirited off to her dream world in this memorable and witty adventure.

Suggested for ages 12 and up
Subjects: England

MY HEARTBEAT [AUDIOBOOK]
by Garret Freymann-Weyr
narrated by Christy Carlson Romano
Listening Library;ISBN: 0807212431;$30;2003

This delicate exploration of sexual identity is told through the voice of 14-year-old Ellen as she follows her older brother Link and his best friend James into the uncharted territory of adolescence. Romano’s quick, light narration captures Ellen’s earnest, introspective voice perfectly—a ceaseless stream of ideas, questions, witty observations, wry commentary, and bewilderment.

Suggested for ages 14 and up