• Author Debbi Michiko Florence •

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My 2003 Reading List

The House of the Scorpion (National Book Award) Nancy Farmer A Richard Jackson Book, 2002 YA fiction/sci-fi: A young boy, Matt, discovers he is a clone of a rich and powerful 143 year old drug lord. Matt loves life and his unconventional family, but is horrified when he learns the truth of why he was created.
Just Imagine Pat Lowery Collins Houghton Mifflin, 2001 MG/YA fiction: Mary Francis escapes using out-of-body experiences to deal with her feelings of isolation when she, her father, and her grandmother move East, while her mother and younger brother stay in Beverly Hills, CA, in this Depression Era story.
A Corner of the Universe (Newbery Honor) Ann M. Martin Scholastic Press, 2002 YA fiction: Eleven-year-old Hattie Owens discovers she has an uncle she never knew about. Uncle Adam is "special" and Hattie adores him even as she is frustrated by the family's unwillingness to discuss his problem with her.
Cheating Lessons Nan Willard Cappo Atheneum, 2002 YA fiction: Bernadette Terrell, champion debater, is thrilled when her school places in the finals for the statewide Classics Competition against rival school (a private school). But she becomes immediately suspicious of their "smarts" even as the teacher and teammates try and convincer her otherwise. When she does discover that their beloved teacher has cheated, Bernadette must make a tough decision.
Heir Apparent Vivian Vande Velde Harcourt Inc., 2002 YA fantasy: While playing an immersion role playing came, Giannine becomes trapped within the computers and must complete the game successfully in a timely manner or she may die for real. As she tries to be crowned king while fighting a dragon and other enemies, Giannine "dies" and must start the game over and over. Time is running out, will she "win"?
Getting Near To Baby Audrey Couloumbis G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1999 MG fiction: After the unexpected death of her infant sister, Willa Jo's world changes. Her little sister stops talking, her mother seems to stop living, and her opinionated Aunt Patty comes to take her and her sister away. One morning, Willa Jo and Little Sister climb up onto Aunt Patty's roof, and despite Aunt Patty's demands and pleas, can't find the desire to climb down.
Hoot (Newbery Honor) Carl Hiaasen Knopf, 2002 MG/YA fiction: Newcomer Roy, while being bullied on the school bus, glimpse a barefoot boy running through the neighborhood. Roy's curiosity gets the best of him, and he tries to find the boy, and in the process gets entangled in a mystery involving a construction site and burrowing owls.
Seek Paul Fleischman Cricket Books, 2001 YA fiction: High school senior, Rob, writes an autobiography for an assignment and reflects on his childhood searching the airwaves for his DJ father who'd abandoned him before birth.
Lord of the Deep Graham Salisbury Delacorte Press, 2001 YA fiction: Thirteen-year-old Mikey proudly works on his stepfather's deep sea fishing charter boat. Mikey loves and respects his stepfather and works hard to learn from him. But a couple of difficult charter customers causes MIkey to have some doubts.
The Woman In The Wall Patrice Kindl Houghton Mifflin, 1997 YA fiction: Seven-year-old Anna is extremely shy and even her own family members seem to have difficulty seeing her. Anna retreats into the walls of their big rambling house, using tools to create secret rooms and passageways. There she lives until she turns fourteen and discovers a mysterious letter wedged into her wall.
Paper Trail Barbara Snow Gilbert Front Street, 2000 YA fiction: A fourteen-year-old boy tries to elude capture by the members of The Soldiers of God, a militia group he and his family were a part of. They've killed his mother, he has no idea where his father is, and somehow he must escape.
Hole In My Life Jack Gantos Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2002 YA autobiography: Autobiography of children's author Jack Gantos. In 1971, Jack was desparate to become a great writer and go to college but had no cash. For cash, he agrees to be first mate on a ship from St. Croix bound for New York with 2,000 pounds of hash. He gets caught and goes to prison. Incredible story for mature readers.
Goose Chase Patrice Kindl Houghton Mifflin, 2001 MG/YA fantasy: When Goose Girl Alexandria escapes her prison with the help of her dead mother's twelve geese, she encounters ogres and the very prince she was trying to elude. She is also fleeing a cruel king.
ChaseR Michael J. Rosen Candlewick Press, 2002 YA fiction: Fourteen-year-old Chase experiences culture shock when he moves from Columbus, OH, just 60 miles away to rural Pickway County. Trying to maintain a connection to his friends back in the city, Chase relies upon e-mails to describe his experinces out in the 'boonies.' When one of his dogs is involved in an accident involving hunters, Chase becomes obsessed with anti-hunting feelings and wants to protect the deer.
Green Angel Alice Hoffman Scholastic Press, 2002 YA fiction: A devastating disaster turns the town into a fireball, burning everything including 15-year-old Green's family. Green was left behind at home in the woods to tend to the garden and is resentful and angry. She must now somehow find the means to deal with her pain and grief and find a reason to live.
Who The Man Chris Lynch HarperCollins, 2002 YA fiction: Earl Pryor is 13-years-old, but his size makes him look like he's much older. Earl's parents no longer laugh or talk to each other, although it's obvious both adore him. Earl's solution of using his fists for every problems leads to more problems, and when he gets suspended from school, he must face his home situation.
Waiting To Disappear April Young Fritz Hyperion Books, 2002 YA fiction: When 13-yo Buddy Mullens watches her mother have a nervous breakdown and end up in an institution, she is determined to bring her mother home and "fix" her family.
Geography Club Brent Hartinger HarperTempest, 2003 upper YA fiction: Russel Middlebrook, after discovering he is not the only gay kid at his high school, forms a club with the others, calling it the Geography Club - a boring name to keep others away. The club allows new friendships to be born, and causes others to end, in a poignant and humorous story.
Among The Betrayed Margaret Peteson Haddix Simon & Schuster YA fiction: Nina Idi, an illegal third child, is captured by the Population Police and urged to betray the other illegal children locked in her cell, or be executed. The second in a series of three.
The True Meaning of Cleavage Mariah Fredericks Atheneum Books, 2003 YA fiction: Freshman Jess and her best friend Sari are at odds when Sari becomes obsessed with a senior boy from the popular set.
Dead Girls Don't Write Letters Gail Giles Roaring Brook, 2003 YA fiction: Sunny Reynolds is suspicious when her dead sister, Jazz, arrives back home. Though the misunderstanding of Jazz's death is plausible, this new Jazz looks nothing like Sunny's sister, even if she acts like her and knows everything about the family.
True Confessions of a Heartless Girl Martha Brooks Melanie Kroupa Books, 2003 YA fiction: The arrival of pregnant 17-year-old Noreen after stealing her boyfriend's truck causes the lives of several lonely townspeople to intersect and intertwine.
Lost in the Labyrinth Patrice Kindl Houghton Mifflin, 2003 YA fiction: Princess Xenodice lives in the Labyrinth and is content to look after her minotaur halfbrother. Xenodice must also contend with her bossy older sister. Soon everything she knows and loves is threatened by revenge and betrayal, and Xenodice herself must make decisions that will affect her and those she loves.
Boston Jane Jennifer L. Holm HarperTrophy, 200 MG historical fiction: Sixteen-year-old Jane leaves Philadelphia and sets sail in the mid-1800s, to meet up with her betrothed in the Pacific Northwest. When she finally arrives, he?s nowhere to be found, and she must unlearn her lady-like ways in order to survive among frontiersmen, fleas, wildlife, and Indians in Washington Territory.
I Am Regina Sally M. Keehn Puffin Books, 1991 MG historical fiction: Based on a true story, in the mid-1770s, young Regina watches Indians murder her father and brother and she and her sister are kidnapped. Regina is separated from her sister and is adopted into an Indian family and learns a new way of life.
Dark Waters Catherine MacPhail Bloomsbury, 2003 YA fiction: Col McCaan has a reputation as a trouble-maker in his gritty town in Scotland. But when Col saves a drowning rich kid from the icy waters of a nearby loch, his whole life changes.
Mixed-up Doubles Elena Yates Eulo Holiday House, 2003 MG fiction: Hank lives with his recently divorced father and two siblings. He's befriended by his nerdy neighbor and the two of them form a symbiotic relationship - Hank helps Tremont become less of a nerd, and Tremont tutors Hank. Meanwhile Hank has an idea to try and get his parents back together at a tennis tournament.
Alchemy Margaret Mahy Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2003 YA fiction: Roland, age 17, is caught shoplifting by his teacher, and when he can't explain his actions, his teacher intead of turning him in asks Roland to get to know the school nerd, Jess Ferret. Roland agrees reluctantly, but is soon intrigued by her and the mysterious voices he's always heard but are now getting louder and more insistent. He discovers that Jess is into alchemy and feels that something very wrong is going on.
Drawing Lessons Tracy Mack Scholastic, 2000 YA fiction: Rory loves art and is proud of the fact that she takes after her artist father. That is until he up and leaves her and her mother. In her anger and pain, Rory turns away from her best friend and her talent, until she's able to find her way back again.
Pictures of Hollis Wood Patricia Reilly Giff Wendy Lamb Books, 2002 MG fiction: Hollis Woods is a "mountain of trouble" ever since being abandoned as an infant. She's a runner and rarely stays in one home long. She believes she has finally found a family to love and who loves her, but Hollis Woods realizes she's wrong and she runs again. She settles in with a retired art teacher who recognizes Hollis' artistic talents, and Hollis finds a place to belong, she thinks, when she realizes the woman forgets things and needs Hollis. But what happens when the agency finds another home for her?
Wizard at Work Vivian Vande Velde Harcourt, 2003 MG fantasy: A young wizard who runs a wizard school tries to enjoy his summer break gardening, but constant interruptions and pleas for help cause him to reluctantly rescue various princesses in distress.
The Two Princesses of Basmarre Gail Carson Levine HarperCollins, 2001 MG fantasy: Princess Meryl likes to play it safe while her sister craves adventure. When Meryl's sister comes down with the incurable Gray Death, Meryl must make a decision. She, with the help of an apprentice sorcerer, goes off in search for a cure and fights a dragon and other creatures she never thought she had the courage to face to save her sister.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire J.K. Rowling Scholastic, 2000 MG fantasy: Year four for Harry Potter at Hogwarts school for wizards and this time he is entered (unknowingly) to compete in the Triwizard Tournament. In the meantime, it seems Voldemort is gaining power.
It Only Looks Easy Pamela Curtis Swallow Roaring Brook Press, 2003 YA fiction: On the first day of seventh grade, Kat Randall acts impulsively, driving by her desire and worry about her injured dog. She cuts the last couple classes of school and "borrows" a bike, intending to return it to the owner. But when the bike is stolen while she's at the vet's, Kat learns there are consequences to impulsive behavior and she earns a reputation she doesn't think is deserved.
A Stone in My Hand Cathryn Clinton Candlewick Press, 2002 YA historical fiction: The year is 1988 in Gaza City. Malaak, a young Palistinian girl watches her father leave one morning to try and find work in Israel. He never returns. Her mother and older sister try and keep things going, but her beloved brother takes up with Islamic Jihad, agaisnt his family?s wishes. Malaak confides her fears and worries to a tame dove.
Lucy the Giant Sherri L. Smith Delcacorte Press, 2002 YA fiction: Her classmates and the townspeople of Sitka, Alaska call her Lucy the Giant, due to her size. They also feel pity for her - her mother abandoned her and her father is a drunk. Lucy feels unloved and hopeless until she finds herself on a crabbing boat in Kodiak, where she finds a ?family? but struggles with the knowledge that what they know of her is a lie.
Ninjas, Piranhas and Galileo Greg Leitich Smith Little, Brown, 2003 MG fiction: Elias, Shohei, and Honoria are three best friends at a prestigious school, but this school year seems to be providing some challenges. Elias likes Honoria, Honoria likes Shohei, Shohei is driven batty by his adoptive Irish-American parents in their quest to introduce him to his Japanese culture. All this and they must prepare for the school science fair. Funny!
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix J.K. Rowling Scholastic, 2003 MG /YA fantasy: Year five for Harry Potter. Now that Lord Voldemort is back, the Order of the Phoenix, those wizards willing to fight him, has come back together. Harry wants to know what?s going on and worries about the future. As always, he gets into trouble, and is part of saving the day/world.
My Heartbeat Garret Freymann-Weyr Houghton Mifflin, 2002 YA fiction: Fourteen-year-old Ellen adores her older brother Link and is madly in love with his best friend James. For as long as she can remember, they have been inseparable and when they allow her a glimpse into their world, she feels special. But when she finally asks the question nobody else in the family dares ask about Link and James's coupledom, everything changes.
From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler E.L. Konigsburg Dell Yearling, 1967 MG fiction: Claudia and her little brother James run away from home and move into the Metropolitan Museum of Art, taking great care not to get caught. When a statue of an angel, donated by one Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, causes a stir in the museum, Claudia is determined to find out the answer to the mystery before she returns home.
The Second Summer of the Sisterhood Ann Brashares Delacorte Press, 2003 YA fiction: The sequel to The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants finds the four friends sharing the "magic" pants the following summer. Bee leaves on a quest to discover something of her dead mother by traveling to her Grandmother's (who she has not seen since she was seven) incognito. Tibby goes off to film school to face last summer's memories. Lena tries to forget her love from Greece. And Carmen, finally okay with her father and his new family, struggles with her mother's dating.
A Mango-Shaped Space Wendy Maas Little, Brown & Company, 2003 YA fiction: For all of her thirteen years of her life, Mia has seen colors and shapes associated with numbers, letters, and words. She's kept this a secret, but when trouble with algebra threatens to ruin her grades, she finally tells her parents, who have her see doctors. Mia is relieved to learn that she doesn't have a disease but is part of a small group of people who have the same thing as she does. But this new discovery causes her to isolate herself from those who care about her.
The Kings Are Already Here Garret Freymann-Weyr Houghton Miffling, 2003 YA fiction: Told in alternating POV by an aspiring ballet dancer, 15 year old Phebe, who is losing her love for dance, and a 16 year old chess grandmaster from the Soviet Union, Kolya. The two meet when Phebe spends the summer with her father in Geneva. Phebe's father is housing Kolya after his own father stopped being his trainer. Both live in an isolated world, consumed by their desire to be the best, and both open their eyes to each other enough to see that there might be more.
Fire-Us: The Kiln Jennifer Armstrong & Nancy Butcher Eos, 2003 YA science fiction: The last in a trilogy about a group of children who survive a virus that wiped out the adult population. The children come across a retirement home while on their way to Washington D.C. to find the President. There they learn that the virus didn't kill everyone. The children end up going to the Keepers' headquarters (The Keepers tried to capture the children in the previous book) and there they discover a horrible truth.
Alt Ed Catherine Atkins G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2003 YA fiction: Susan Callaway, fat and alone and bullied, is isolated from her football coach father and jock older brother, especially since her mother passed away. When she's placed in an after school alternative education group as a 'last resort', Susan is horrified. So are the others in the group, a cheerleader, a cowboy bully, a jock, a gay teen, and a rough girl. But bit by bit, they start to talk and find a little understanding. Better yet, Susan begins to find herself.
Friction E.R. Frank A Richard Jackson Book, 2003 YA fiction: Alexandra (Alex), 12 years old, adores her teacher Simon at Forest Alternative as do the other students. When new student, Stacy arrives, though, she starts spreading rumors about Simon being a pervert and giving unnecesary attention and touching to Alex. Not only do the other students start believing Stacy, but Alex begins to wonder about Simon, her beloved teacher. But what's real? And what's not? Alex learns a hard lesson is trust and friendship.
Alia Waking Laura Williams McCaffrey Clarion, 2003 MG Fantasy: Alia wants nothing more than to become a keeten, a warrior woman. Her best friend Kay is assured a spot, but Alia feels less secure. When the two girls capture two enemies, they're sure to be invited to join the sisterhood, but Alia starts to question strange events. Soon she is questioning everything - the people in her village, war, her best friend, and her desire to become keeten.
Period Pieces: Stories for Girls edited by Erzsi Deák and Kristin Embry LItchman HarperCollins, 2003 MG fiction short stories: A collection of short stories centered around a girl?s first period. Authors include Cynthia Leitich Smith, Linda Sue Park and Jane Kurtz.
Fat Kid Rules the World K.L. Going G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2003 YA fiction: Troy, 17 years old, 6 foot 1, and almost 300 lbs., lives with his former marine father and younger skinnier athlete brother, Dayle. Standing at a subway platform Troy contemplates suicide, but is distracted when a scruffy, dirty, skinny boy talks to him. Not only that but this boy is the legendary Curt McCrae, underground punk music God. Troy is suddenly swept up into a different world when Curt recruits Troy to be his drummer in his new band. Troy is suspicious and elated with this new turn of events, but Troy can't play the drums, and his father thinks Curt is a drug addict. Will his life get better? Or worse?
Keeper of the Night Kimberly Willis Holt Henry Holt & Company, 2003 YA fiction: Isabel, who lives in Guam, must at a young age play mother to her father, younger brother and baby sister, after her own mother commits suicide. In a small town where everyone knows everything. Isabel tries to maintain a front that everything is okay. But her father is rarely home, her brother is scratching words into the wall, and her sister is having nightmares and wetting the bed. Isabel is soon overloaded.
Vampire Kisses Ellen Schreiber Katherine Tegan Books, 2003 YA fiction: Being the only goth in a small town is tough. Sixteen-year-old Raven has one friend, outcast Becky. When the old empty mansion on the hill suddenly has new occupants who are never seen except at night, rumors start to spread that they are vampires. Raven wants this to be true. When she gets a glimpse of the pale faced seventeen year old boy who lives there, she is determined to get a vampire's kiss.
Rebel Willo Davis Roberts Atheneum, 2003 YA fiction: Rebel's first word as a child was NO. Never one to back down from a challenge or to be pressed into doing something she doesn't want to, at fourteen, Rebel is a handful. When she gets her parents' permission to help her grandmother renovate a mansion for boarders, Rebel is not prepared for possible romance and a mystery to solve.
Zig Zag Ellen Wittlinger Simon & Schuster, 2003 YA fiction: Seventeen-year-old Robin fears losing her boyfriend as he prepares to leave for college. She's even more upset to learn his rich parents have given him a summer in Rome as a graduation present. Listless and lonely, Robin agrees to join her recently widowed aunt and cousins on a zig zag trip across the country. During their travels, Robin learns a lot about the country, herself, and her family.
The Cannibals: Starring Tiffany Spratt Cynthia D. Grant Roaring Brook, 2002 YA fiction: Tiffany Spratt, 17 years old, head yell leader, blonde and beautiful has high ambitions - to be famous and a movie star. Her journal details her senior year where she falls in love with her "soulmate" Campbell and drives toward her movie star dreams. One blunder after another leads to hilarious consequences.
Fault Line Janet Tashjian Henry Holt & Company, 2003 YA fiction: Becky Martin, 17, aspires to be a stand-up comic. She and her best friend make the circuit at the comedy clubs, performing and honing their routines. When Becky meets Kip, another young comic, the two hit it off and fall in love. When Kip starts to make demands on all her time, Becky finds it cute. When Kip accidentally grabs and hurts her in anger, she forgives him. But when does his behavior go over the line? Becky isn't sure and has no one to turn to.
Escape From Memory Margaret Peterson Haddix Simon & Schuster, 2003 MG fiction: When Kira lets her friends hypnotize her at a slumber party, a strange memory surfaces. Kira learns that she and her mother have escaped from a forgotten city called Crythe and that other seek her for her memories. When her mother is kidnapped by someone from Crythe, Kira also allows herself to be taken there in hopes of finding out some answers about her past.

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!