SAM AND THE TIGERS
by Julius Lester
illustrated by Jerry Pinkney
Dial;ISBN: 0803720289;$15.99;1996

Julius Lester and Jerry Pinkney recast Helen Bannerman's tale of "Little Black Sambo" in a colorful world where animals and people live harmoniously together--although the tigers are still after Sam's clothes.

Suggested for ages 5 - 8
Subjects: Fiction | Humor

FRINDLE
by Andrew Clements
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers;ISBN: 068906698;$15;1996

Nick didn't set out to become famous, but when he replaces the word "pen" with "frindle," it's not long before kids all across the country are doing it too.

Suggested for ages 8 - 11
Subjects: Dictionary | Fiction | Schools | Students | Teachers | Words

THE THIEF
by Megan Whalen Turner
Greenwillow;ISBN: 0688146279;$15;1996

For Gen--a master thief with a big secret--there is only one way out of the king's prison, and that is to accompany the king's scholar, the magus, on a daring quest of thievery. An absorbing adventure/fantasy/mystery.

Suggested for ages 13 - 16
Subjects: Adventure Stories | Fantasy | Fiction | Newbery Honor | Robbers

THE MAESTRO
by Tim Wynne-Jones
Orchard;ISBN: 0531095444;$16.95;1996

The image of a piano being transported by helicopter into the wilds of Canada encapsulates young Burl's search for a place in the community. An engrossing novel of a young man's coming of age in a harsh and unsympathetic environment.

Suggested for ages 14 - 17
Subjects: Child Abuse | Fathers | Fiction | Runaways | Sons