NB1966

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1966

Editor's Note: Many of the books are out of print. The header information will be as complete as I can make it.

I, Juan de Pareja by Elizabeth Borton de Trevino (Farrar Straus Giroux, $16, fifth-grade level). ISBN: 0374335311.

The Medalist

The fact-based story of a slave that became the great assistant of the Spanish master painter Diego Velazquez.

This is a wonderful story about art and politics in that it has relevant material about slaves and racism. Seventh-grade social studies teachers will find strong historical references for 17th-century Spain.

Kids may be interested, too, in tracing the relationship between the two main characters. They may find parallels between their relationships to teachers and parents.

The Black Cauldron by Lloyd Alexander (Henry Holt, $18.95, fifth-grade level). ISBN: 0805061312.

Honor Book

A commoner who guards the sacred pig oracle embarks on a set of adventures in an ancient fantasy world.

This part of the Prydain Chronicles series, which is sort of a moron's version of Lord of the Rings. It is dull, derivative stuff. This is better than The High King, though, which isn't saying much.

The Animal Farm by Randall Jarrell (HarperCollins, $15.95, fourth-grade level). ISBN: 0062050885.

Honor Book

A hunter who lives alone on the shore of a distant sea "marries" a mermaid and raises various animals and a shipwrecked boy.

The story is obviously a fable but the author makes some wonderful observations about families and how they function. Despite the oddity of the pairing, this is a fine example of how a man and woman and child can get along in peace. The text has perfect rhythm and reads like a dream, befitting Jarrell's skill as a poet.

Noonday Friends by Mary Stolz (HarperCollins, $15.86, fifth-grade level). ISBN: 0060259469.

Honor Book

Two preteen girls are friends in a working-class, immigrant New York neighborhood.

The protagonist's painter father can't keep a job until he finally gets a break. Good story of friendship and re-enforcement of family togetherness.

The experiences of the kids will ring familiar to immigrant children, regardless of their land of origin.

I, Juan de Pareja by Elizabeth Borton de Trevino (Farrar Straus Giroux, $16, fifth-grade level). ISBN: 0374335311.	The Medalist The fact-based story of a slave that became the great assistant of the Spanish master painter Diego Velazquez. This is a wonderful story about art and politics in that it has relevant material about slaves and racism. Seventh-grade social studies teachers will find strong historical references for 17th-century Spain. Kids may be interested, too, in tracing the relationship between the two main characters. They may find parallels between their relationships to teachers and parents.
The Black Cauldron by Lloyd Alexander (Henry Holt, $18.95, fifth-grade level). ISBN: 0805061312.	Honor Book A commoner who guards the sacred pig oracle embarks on a set of adventures in an ancient fantasy world. This part of the Prydain Chronicles series, which is sort of a moron's version of Lord of the Rings. It is dull, derivative stuff. This is better than The High King, though, which isn't saying much.
The Animal Farm by Randall Jarrell (HarperCollins, $15.95, fourth-grade level). ISBN: 0062050885.	Honor Book A hunter who lives alone on the shore of a distant sea "marries" a mermaid and raises various animals and a shipwrecked boy. The story is obviously a fable but the author makes some wonderful observations about families and how they function. Despite the oddity of the pairing, this is a fine example of how a man and woman and child can get along in peace. The text has perfect rhythm and reads like a dream, befitting Jarrell's skill as a poet.
Noonday Friends by Mary Stolz (HarperCollins, $15.86, fifth-grade level). ISBN: 0060259469.	Honor Book Two preteen girls are friends in a working-class, immigrant New York neighborhood. The protagonist's painter father can't keep a job until he finally gets a break. Good story of friendship and re-enforcement of family togetherness. The experiences of the kids will ring familiar to immigrant children, regardless of their land of origin.