A CORNER OF THE UNIVERSE
by Ann M. Martin
Scholastic;ISBN: 0439388805;$15.95;2002

Twelve-year-old Hattie’s corner of the universe includes only what’s safe and familiar—her parents, grandparents, and one best friend— until she meets a mentally ill uncle she never knew she had. Martin writes with love and wisdom about each character.

Suggested for ages 10 - 14
Subjects: Family life | Mental illness

AMBER WAS BRAVE, ESSIE WAS SMART
by Vera Williams
Greenwillow;ISBN: 0060294604;$15.95;2001

A series of moving vignettes and expressive drawings captures the intimate and loving relationship between two sisters. A surprisingly powerful story of hope and love that quietly unfolds through eloquent poetry.

Suggested for ages 7 - 10
Subjects: City and Town Life | Family life | Prison | Siblings

ASK ME NO QUESTIONS
by Marina Budhos
Ginee Seo;ISBN: 9781416903512;$16.95;2006

In a timely, realistic story, fourteen-year-old Nadira strives to keep her illegal immigrant family from Bangladesh together after 9/11 when Muslim registration laws led to her father's incarceration and their near deportation.

Suggested for ages 11 - 15
Subjects: Family life | High schools | Immigration | New York (N.Y.) | September 11, 2001

BEFORE WE WERE FREE
by Julia Alvarez
Knopf;ISBN: 0375815449;$15.95;2002

Suspense and a strong sense of place permeate the story of Anita, who turns 12 during the dangerous Trujillo dictatorship in the Dominican Republic, and finds that assassinations, secret police, and plots to escape are suddenly everyday happenings.

Suggested for ages 13 - 16
Subjects: Dominican Republic | Family life | Pura Belpré Award | Refugees | Revolutions

CHICKEN BOY [AUDIOBOOK]
by Frances O'Roark Dowell
narrated by Stephen Hoye
Listening Library;ISBN: 0307246205;$38;2005

Hoye's laconic storytelling style and North Carolina drawl (the accent's on the first syllable of "police" and "ours" rhymes with "mars") suit the rural setting and the rustic sensibilities of this tale of a young boy who discovers that chickens have souls and his dysfunctional family has heart. (Ten to Fourteen)

Suggested for ages 10 - 14
Subjects: Chickens | Family life | North Carolina

EACH LITTLE BIRD THAT SINGS
by Deborah Wiles
Gulliver;ISBN: 0152051139;$16;2005

Comfort Snowberger is well acquainted with death, since her family owns a small-town Mississippi funeral home. But when tragedy touches her life, this feisty heroine must come to terms with loss as an intricate part of everyone’s life.

Suggested for ages 10 - 14
Subjects: Coming of age | Death | Family life | Grief | Humor

FIVE CREATURES
by Emily Jenkins
illustrated by Tomek Bogacki
Frances Foster;ISBN: 0374323410;$16;2001

In a family of three people and two cats, some things are alike and some different. “Four who like to eat fish. Two who like to eat mice.” Circular, soft chalk pictures emphasize unity and connections.

Suggested for ages 4 - 7
Subjects: Cats | Compare | Comparisons | Family life