ALAN Online

Susan Gonzales Abraham and Denise Gonzales Abraham. SUPRISING CECLIA. Cinco Puntos Press, 2005. Set in the Rip Grande farming community, Surprsing Ceclia tells the story of Ceclicia Gonzalez Abraham, a bright young girl whose hard work and intelligence earn her a spot at high school. Her new eduction opens many doors for Cecilia, but it also creates conflict between her an dher mother, who thinks that Cecilia is straying too far from the

family. In the end, Cecilia must chose to follow her own heart. (M/H). Steeped in rich cultural detail, the true story of Celicia's remarkable life will inspire young readers.

Betty Levin. THORN. Front Street, 2005. Thorn is a boy with a crippled leg, a boy banished by his people who finds a new home across the sea with the People of the Singing Seals. While most of the People are unwelcoming, Thorn is taken in by Willow, a young girl who sees his importance to the tribe. (M/H). Told alternately in the voices of Thorn and Willow, the novel also switches from first to third person POV and from present to past tense. The technique creates and interesting effect but could also confused less-abled readers.

Dana Reinhardt. A BRIEF CHAPTER IN MY IMPOSSIBLE LIFE. Wendy Lamb Books/Random House, 2006. Simone is adopted. Her parents have been honest about, often mentioning the name of her birth mother, Rivka, and Simone has never been inclined to learn more. But when Simone's parents insist that she contact Rivka, Simone learns two truths—that her birth mom is very much like her and that she doesn't have long to live. (M/H). A Brief Chapter is a delight to read. Reinhardt is a gifted writer with an extraordinary ear for voice. Simone is the type of character who speaks to the reader long after the reading is done.

Elizabeth Winthrop. COUNTING ON GRACE. Wendy Lamb Books/Random House, 2006. Growing up in a Vermont mill town, Grace knows that the mills are her destiny. After being removed from her school room by a mill boss, Grace wroks as a doffer of bobbins, a grueling, dangerous job that pays precious little. Then when a machine grabs Grace's smock, she learns how dangerous her life has become. (M). Inspired by the photographs of Lewis Hine, COUNTING ON GRACE is a powerful novel that recreates the hopeless lives of young mill workers in an abusive company town. Winthrop's remarkable writing talents bring Grace—and the past—alive.

M indicates appropriateness for middle school
H indicates appropriateness for high school
RR indicates appeal to a reluctant reader (A reluctant reader is someone who can read but for whom reading is not important. There are "honor" students who fit this definition.)
* indicates available in paperback

–David Gill, "Bill's Best Books."