• Debbi Michiko Florence • 2001 Reading List •

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My 2001 Reading List

The Amazon Papers Beverly Keller Harcourt Brace & Co, 1996 YA fiction: Fifteen year old Iris gets herself into plenty of hilarious trouble when her mother goes away on vacation.
Blood and Chocolate Annette Curtis Klause Laurel Leaf Books, 1997 YA fiction/horror: Teen werewolf, Vivian, and her pack try to fit into a suburb. Klause captures teen angst and longing wonderfully, especially when Vivian falls for a human boy.
Don't Think Twice Ruth Pennebaker Laurel Leaf Books, 1996 YA fiction: In 1967, seventeen-year-old Anne is pregnant and sent to a home for unwed mothers. She keeps herself apart from the other girls, while at the same time searching for acceptance.
Rules of the Road Joan Bauer Puffin Books, 1998 YA fiction: Jenna's summer becomes an adventure when, in order to escape her alcoholic father, she accepts a driver job from her boss, the owner of a huge retail chain of shoe stores. Jenna learns much about herself and life on her drive form Chicago to Dallas. Bauer has a great sense of humor.
The Chocolate War Robert Cormier Laurel Leaf, 1974 YA fiction: Gritty tale about Jerry, who tries to take a stand in an exclusive private school run by an elite and secret "club."
Holes Louis Sachar Dell Yearling, 1998 MG fiction: In a camp where delinquent boys are forced to dig holes as a character building exercise, Stanley discovers that there is an ulterior motive for the hole digging.
Rain Is Not My Indian Name Cynthia Leitich Smith HarperCollins, 2001 MG, YA fiction: Cassidy Rain Berghoff learns on the morning of her 14th birthday that her best friend has died. During her journey towards healing, she reluctantly gets involved with her Aunt's Indian Camp. Through her discoveries and support from family and friends, she learns to cope with misconceptions and grief.
Dancing on the Edge Han Nolan Harcourt Brace & Co., 1997 YA fiction: The story of the slowly unraveling life of young Miracle McCloy. She creates a world separate, but on the edge, of reality, trying to make sense of her life.
The White Horse Cynthia D. Grant Atheneum HBooks, 1998 YA fiction: Raina writes what she can't voice out loud. She shares the gritty, unspeakable aspects of her life with her teacher, who has had her own share of disappointments. Realistic story depicting life on the street as a junkie.
Finding My Voice Marie G. Lee Laurel Leaf Books, 1992 YA fiction: Ellen Sung struggles with parental pressure to get into Harvard while dealing with racism her senior year in high school, in a small mining town where she's grown up.
Squashed Joan Bauer Laurel Leaf Books, 1992 MG/YA Fiction: Sixteen year old Ellie Morgan wants to win the Rock River Weigh In with her giant pumpkin, Max. Bauer's signature humor is evident throughout the story.
Wringer Jerry Spinelli HarperCollins, 1997 MG fiction: Palmer dreads his 10th birthday when he's expected to become a wringer during the annual pigeon shoot. His fear/dread of this event is compounded by his being accepted into a gang of boys, a friendship with a neighbor girl, and a new "pet."
When She Was Good Norma Fox Mazer Arthur A. Levine Books, 1997 YA fiction: Dark tale about a girl who lives with her mentally disturbed, controlling, and abusive older sister, and her slow recovery.
Amazing Gracie A.E. Cannon Delacorte Press, 1991 YA fiction: Gracie lives with her depressed mother and must start a new life in a new home when her mother remarries. A touching story of self-discovery.
The Music of Dolphins Karen Hesse (Newberry Award) Scholastic, 1996 MG fiction: A feral child is found living with the dolphins. Mila, as she is named is brought back to civilization to be studied and taught. Written in journal format, this story chronicles Mila's thoughts, feelings, and "development."
The Bracelet Yoshiko Uchida (Illust. by Joanne Yardley) Philomel Books, 1976, 1993 PB fiction: Well-written account of seven-year-old Emi's forced move from her home in Berkeley to a relocation camp during WWII and the bracelet given to her by her best friend, Laurie Madison.
Baseball Saved Us (Parent's Choice Award) Ken Mochizuki (Illust. by Dom Lee) Lee & Low Books, 1993 PB fiction: A Japanese-American boy focuses on baseball to help him get through internment during WWII. Touching story of strength of character and belief of one's self in the face of racism and isolation.
Maniac Magee (Newbery Award) Jerry Spinelli Little, Brown & Co., 1990 MG fiction: A fantastic tale about an orphaned boy, Jeffrey Magee, with a gift for making friends, a big heart, and fleet feet. Jeffrey turns up in Two Mills and becomes a legend on both sides of the segregated town as he searches for a place to call home. Hilarious and heart-warming.
The Dear One Jacqueline Woodson Delacorte Press, 1991 MG fiction: Engaging and touching story about 12-year-old Feni whose life is suddenly inconvenienced when her mother's college friend's pregnant 15-year-old comes to stay with them.
Backwater Joan Bauer G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1999 MG fiction: Ivy Breedlove, a teen historian in a large family of lawyers, makes a trek up a snowy mountain in search of a reclusive aunt and makes many discoveries about herself, her family, and the wilderness.
Nerd No More Kristine L. Franklin Candlewick Press, 1996 MG fiction: The story chronicles a week in the life of fifth grader Wiggie Carter and his quest NOT to be the class nerd.
From the Notebooks of Melanin Sun Jacqueline Woodson The Blue Sky Press, 1995 MG fiction: Thirteen-year-old Melanin Sun learns a shocking secret about his mother. Woodson paints a vivid picture of Melanin's life, thoughts, and feelings, and captures the confusion of adolesence.
Grass & Sky Lisa Rowe Fraustino Orchard Books, 1994 MG fiction: Eleven-year-old Timmi Lafler has to miss pitching in a big game when she and her family go to visit Grandpa Lafler on Fish Lake. When Timmi and her sister spend some time along with Grandpa, she learns answers to her long unasked questions about him and the family.
The Lady In The Box Ann McGovern (Illust. by Maris Backer) Turtle Books, 1997 PB: Ben and his sister, Lizzie see a homeless woman living in a box during the winter and do their best to try and help her.
Walk Two Moons Sharon Creech HarperCollins, 1994 MG fiction: Two stories in one: Slal travels with her grandparents to Idaho by car, wanting to make it there in time for her mother's birthday. During the long car trip, Sal entertains her grandparents by telling the a story about her friend Phoebe and her mother's disappearance.
Because of Winn-Dixie Kate DiCamillo Candlewick Press, 2000 MG fiction: Ten-year-old India Opal moves from her home to Naomi, Florida where she knows nobody, until she befriends a raggedy dog she names Winn-Dixie.
Crash Jerry Spinelli Alfred A. Knopf, 1996 MG fiction: Eighth-grader, John "Crash" Coogan enjoys crashing through life, sometimes without much regard for those around him. Over the course of the year, though, he makes some surprising discoveries about himself.
Sarah, Plain & Tall (Newbery Award) Patricia MacLachlan Harper & Row, 1985 CB historical fiction: Anna wants to be a whole family more than anything and, though she misses her mother, she is thrilled when Sarah, a mail-bride arrives to meet their father. Will life on the plains be too harsh for Sarah?
Amber Brown Is Not A Crayon Paula Danziger G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1994 CB/MG fiction: Contemporary story about third grader Amber Brown and her life long best friend Justin Daniels and what happens when she discovers he is moving away.
Marvin Redpost: Kidnapped at Birth? Louis Sachar Random House, 1992 CB fiction: Third-grader, Marvin Redpost is on a quest to discover if he is the lost son of the King of Shampoon.
Lily's Crossing (Newbery Honor) Patricia Reilly Giff Bantam Doubleday Dell, 1997 MG historical fiction: Lily spends her summer in Rockaway with her Gram and father, but the year of 1944 is one of changes and challenges that force her best friend to move to Detroit, her father to go overseas, and brings a new friend from Hungary.
Stargirl Jerry Spinelli Alfred A. Knopf, 2000 YA fiction: The very different Stargirl who wants to spread joy to others, touches the lives of many in a town in Arizona. A lesson in how people who are different can be fascinating, embraced, shunned, and immortalized.
Chasing Redbird Sharon Creech Harper Trophy, 1997 MG fiction: Thirteen-year-old Zinny feels lost in the shuffle of her large family in Bybanks, Kentucky. Zinny discovers a secret hidden trail, and is determined to make a path of her own.
Counterfeit Son Elaine Marie Alphin Harcourt Inc., 2000 YA fiction: Fourteen-year-old Cameron Miller escapes his abusive serial child-molester/murder father and takes on the identity of a former victim in an effort to find love, family, and normalcy.
Phoenix Rising Karen Hesse Puffin Books, 1994 MG/YA fiction: Thirteen-year-old Nyle has to grow up fast — she's lost both parents, and a grandfather. After a nuclear accident, her grandmother takes in two survivors. Nyle who doesn't want to get hurt anymore, wants to avoid getting attached to these new people.
Out of the Dust (Newbery Award) Karen Hesse Scholastic Press, 1997 MG historical fiction: Written in free verse, 14-year-old Billie Jo tells of her life in the Oklahoma Dust Bowl during the Great Depression. Impresive writing with emotional punch.
The First Horse I See Sally M. Keehn Philomel Books, 1999 MG fiction: Willojean is finally getting a horse. Against her grandfather's advice, she falls in love with the first horse she sees, an abused thoroughbred. Willojeans struggles to train her horse while also dealing with her often absent father.
Night Flying (Delacorte Prize) Rita Murphy Delacorte Press, 2000 YA fiction: An original tale about a family of women who have the gift of flight, and 15-year-old Georgia's initiation into solo flight. But all her preparations could not ready her for the sudden reappearance of Aunt Carmen, who had been previously banished from the family.
Many Stones Carolyn Coman Front Street, 2000 YA fiction: Berry Morgan embarks, unwillingly, on a trip from her home in Washington D.C., where she lives with her mother, to South Africa with her father to visit a memorial erected in memory for her older sister Laura.
The Killer's Cousin (Edgar Award) Nancy Werlin Laurel-Leaf, 1998 YA fiction: Seventeen-year-old David, recently acquitted of murdering his girlfriend goes to live with an Aunt and Uncle to finish high school. During his stay, he encounters his strange and hostile young cousin and the possible ghost of her dead older sister.
The Boxer (Golden Kite Award) Kathleen Karr Farrar, Straus, Giroux, 2000 YA historical fiction: In 1885, 15-year-old Johnny aches to make a better home for himself, his mother, and many brothers and sisters. While serving time, he is befriended by a former boxing great. Thus begins his career as a boxer and he tries to fight his way out of the tenements and against his own demons.
Cut Patricia McCormick Front Street, 2000 YA fiction: Fifteen-year-old Callie is in a residential treatment facility for purposely inflicting cuts on herself. She refuses to talk or participate in group, though she observes the girls around her.
Falling From Grace Ann McNichols Walker & Company, 2000 YA fiction: Cassie is the unwilling keeper of family secrets. In a small town where gossip reigns, Cassie tries to make decisions on her own while tragic events take place around her.
Hope Was Here (Newbery Honor) Joan Bauer G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2000 MG fiction: Hope's homes change with the wind as she and her Aunt Addie move from restaurant to restaurant, town to town. When they settle in a tiny Wisconsin town, Hope enters a world of politics, corruption, and friendship.
Journey To Topaz Yoshiko Uchida Creative Arts Book Co., 1971 MG historical fiction: Realistic story about one Japanese-American girl and her family's experience from the day Japan bombed Pearl Harbor to life in the internment camps to the day they finally get out.
Farewell to Manzanar Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston & Hames D. Houston Bantam Books, 1973 Autobiography: Wakatsuki tells the story of growing up Japanese-American during WWII in Los Angeles and in the interment camp, Manzanar.
Tae's Sonata Haemi Balgassi Clarion Books, 1997 YA fiction: TaeYoung Kim wants to be more "American" and fit in at her school. When she is assigned to work on a report on South Korea with the popular and handsome Josh Morgan, Tae is torn between feelings of mortification and joy. Balgassi handles Tae's Korean ethnicity and feelings of being different realistically and sensitively.
I'm Sorry, Almira Ann Jane Kurtz Henry Holt & Co., 1999 CB historical fiction: Eight-year-old Sarah and her family, and her best friend Almira Ann and her family, join a wagon train on the Oregon Trail. During the journey, Sarah's "hasty spirit" and envy towards Almira Ann end up causing trouble for their friendship.
Black-Eyed Susan Jennifer Armstrong Crown Publishers, 1995 CB historical fiction: Susie, Pa, and Ma live in a sod house on the Dakota prairie. While Susie and Pa love the vast space of the prairie, Susie knows her Ma is lonesome, and she hardly ever leaves the house.
Skylark Patricia MacLachlan Harper Trophy, 1994 CB historical fiction: Sequel to Sarah, Plain & Tall finds Sarah married to Anna and Calab's Papa. A severe drought disrupts the new family's early, happy days.
A Letter To Mrs. Roosevelt (Margueritte De Angeli Prize) C. Coco DeYoung Dell Yearling, 1999 MG historical fiction: When 11-year-old Margo Bandini learns that her home might be taken by the bank during the Great Depression, she is determined to find a way to help her parents. Based on a true story.
A Year Down Yonder Richard Peck Dial Books for Young Readers, 2000 MG fiction: In 1937 during the recession, Mary Alice Dowdel takes a train from Chicago to stay with her eccentric grandmother in a town in the middle of nowhere while her parents get back on their feet.
Locked Inside Nancy Werlin Delacorte, 2000 YA fiction: Sixteen-year-old Marnie attends a boarding school for girls. Purposely setting herself apart for the other girls, Marnie combats lonliness with an online role playing game. When she is kidnapped and locked in a basement room, she finds herself in a real life adventure.
Moonpie & Ivy Barbara O'Connor Frances Foster Books, 2001 MG fiction: Twelve-year-old Pearl wonders if her mother will ever return for her at her aunt's house. Feeling angry, isolated, and unloved, she meets a strange neighbor boy who seems to have more of a connection to her Aunt than she does.
Myrtle of Willendorf Rebecca O'Connell Front Street, 2000 YA fiction: Myrtle is a freshman in college nd not enjoying it any more than her high school years. Overweight and friendless, she tried to find herself and understanding through her art and memories of her high school friend.
The Midwife's Apprentice (Newbery Award) Karen Cushman Clarion, 1995 MG historical fiction: A homeless street girl finds shelter in a dung pile somewhere in a 14th century English village where she becomes an apprentice to a crotchety, sharp midwife.
Conditions of Love Ruth Pennebaker Henry Holt & Co., 1999 YA fiction: Freshman Sarah Morgan has a lot to handle, from her father's death, to her changed mother, to her unhappy best friend, and a first crush. Through all this, Sarah is only sure of one thing — her father's unconditional love. But then, she learns some things that lead her to wonder.
Hiroshima Laurence Yep Scholastic MG historical fiction: Novella relating the facts surrounding the A-bombing of Hiroshima during WWII.
Breaking Rank Kristen D. Randle Morrow Junior Books, 1999 YA fiction: Casey is up for the challenge posed to her by her principal. She agrees to tutor Baby (Thomas), a member of a gang called The Clan. When Casey and Baby form a friendship, relationship, they must both deal with the fall-out from their peers and family.
Battle Dress Amy Efaw HarperCollins YA fiction: Story about a female cadet attending the male dominated West Point Academy. Learning about this very different "world" was fascinating.
Absolutely Normal Chaos Sharon Creech HarperCollins, 1990 MG fiction: Thirteen-year-old MaryLou Finney has to keep ajournal over summer. When MaryLou's best friend goes boy-crazy, a cousin from West Virginia shows up to stay and brings a mystery with him, and she discovers love, she has plenty to write about, but will she want to show it to her teacher?
Sticks Joan Bauer Delcacorte Press, 1996 MG fiction: Fifth-grader Mickey Vernon wants to win the youth pool tournament more tha anything. When a stranger comes to town and offers to help him, Mickey thinks he might have a chance to win. But why does his mother seem to hate this man?
The Witch's Garden Ruth Chew Hasting House, 1978 (out-of -print) CB fiction: What happens when Josh and his cousin stumble onto the mysterious new neighbor's garden? Mint leaves that transform old into new, giant sunflower petals that fly, and more! I used to love these books when I was in 3rd grade.
Kissing Tennessee Kathi Appelt Harcourt Inc., 2000 YA fiction/short stories: It's the night of the eighth grade Startdust Dance at Dogwood Junior High. Eight short stories reveal the lives of students and how the dance touches and changes their lives.
When Zachary Beaver Came To Town (National Book Award) Kimberly Willis Holt Henry Holt & Co., 1999 MG fiction: Thirteen-year-old Toby is having a rough summer — his mother leaves, his best friend's brother is serving in Vietnam, the girl he loves doesn't know he exists, and there's nothing to do in Antler, Texas. That is until Zachery Beaver, the world's fattest boy, arrives in town.
Sights Susanna Vance Delacorte, 2001 YA fiction: Baby Girl was born with the gift of Sight, seeing into the future. But after she and her mother flee from her murderous father and end up in the small town of Cot, Baby Girl's sight is unable to prepare her for the turn of events that befall her.
The Star Fisher Laurence Yep Morrow Junior Books, 1991 MG historical fiction: In 1927, Joan Lee and her family move from Ohio to West Virginia so her father can open a laundry. Instead of welcoming townfolk and bursting business, they are faced with open hostility and possible bankrupcy. During all this, Joan battles her parents over Chinese heritage and Amerian traditions.
Comfort Creek Joyce McDonald Delacorte, 1996 MG/YA fiction: Quinnella Ellerbee and her family are suffering rough times. Recently relocated to a swamp land with no running water or electricity, Quinn and her recently unemployeed father no longer see eye-to-eye and she must make some difficult choices.

what's new?

China: A Kaleidoscope KIDS Book

—An activity book for children ages 7 - 12 about the language, history, places, food, art, and wildlife of China.

I lived in Shanghai for over a year and am excited to share my adventures with children in the United States!

Available January 2008 from Williamson Books/Ideals!