NB1989

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1989

Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices by Paul Fleischman (HarperCollins, $12.76, fourth-grade level). ISBN: 0060218525.

The Medalist

On the surface and maybe to the casual book-store glance, this looks merely like a series of poems about insects.

However, this is a special book for a variety of reasons. It can be used to teach language arts, dramatic arts and science at the same time. Fleischman's keen ear for the lyric quality of his verse, coupled with an entertaining sense of humor, make for an appealing package.

I never had the opportunity, but I would have loved to have taught kids to perform this as a choral reading.

In the Beginning: Creation Stories from Around the World by Virginia Hamilton (Harcourt Brace, $20.80, fifth-grade level). ISBN: 0152387404.

Honor Book

Hamilton did her homework, culling these creation myths/stories from a variety of cultures.

Hamilton does a wonderful job of focusing on how these individual cultures define their origin. It's amazing how so many ancient cultures use their own word for people to describe themselves to outsiders.

Moser is one of my favorite illustrators, mainly because he always manages to capture an intimate, human element in what he's drawing. He's at his best in these 40 or so images.

Scorpions by Walter Myers (HarperCollins, $12.76, seventh-grade level). ISBN: 0060243643.

Honor Book

Incredibly gritty story about the troubles a black 12-year-old boy faces living in a broken home in Harlem.

Gangs, violence, drugs, hookers, racism, poor schools and bad teachers are all described in painful detail. This is hard stuff to take, but many kids and teachers who work and learn in city schools will find it painfully relevant.

The reading level makes it accessible to kids in fifth-grade, but the content is a little strong by my standards. I would turn this loose only on middle school students.

If you're looking for a good novel to pair this with, try Virginia Hamilton's Sweet Whispers, Brother Rush.