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1992
Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor (Atheneum, $12,
fourth-grade level). ISBN: 0689316143. The Medalist A poor boy who lives with his family in rural West
Virginia befriends an abused dog and wins the dog's freedom
by working for his cruel owner. The author provides youngsters with strong lessons about
honesty, cruelty to animals and a glimpse of modern poverty.
It's a rare thing to read of people who are as principled as
the main character's family, but principles have a steep
price when you're dealing with lowlifes. If you're looking for novels that can provide tie-ins,
try Nothing but the Truth by Avi (Orchard Books, $13.56,
sixth-grade level). ISBN: 0531059596. Honor Book A teen-age boy, angry at the world, becomes a phony hero
that drapes himself in patriotism after a ridiculous
argument with a strict teacher. Reads like a documentary about patriotism, media feeding
frenzy, political infighting in school districts, the right
wing, silly kids, stern teachers, etc. Not great writing but
extremely topical. I could see amazing discussions being
generated by this novel, all the way from sixth-grade
through high school. The Wright Brothers: How They Invented the Airplane by
Russell Freedman (Holiday House, $10.36, fifth-grade level).
ISBN: 082341082X. Honor Book A look in words and photos at the remarkable
accomplishments of the Wright Brothers. This is another stellar biography by Freedman. He tells
the story so gracefully and simply. The photographs are
stunning. The story of the brothers inspires the reader with
awe; inspires the readers to reach for the impossible.
Copyright David Ross 2003