From: Clare Ferguson <clare.ferguson>
Date: Mon, 04 Dec 2000 18:51:00 -0500

There is no way to limit my favourites to one book this year because it is the year that I really decided to focus my reading on children's books. After many years off I had lots of catching up to do. Here is a list of books I really enjoyed.

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson A ninth grader is ostracized by her classmates and most of the school because she called 911 at the end of school party in June. No one knows she was raped and panicked and simply walked home. Very moving.

Tangerine by Edward Bloor

I loved this book, partly because of the sense of humour of the main character. He is a visually impaired middle school student who moves to Tangerine, Florida. The book is about class struggle, consumerism, disability awareness, sibling rivalry, all without preaching. Really great book.

Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes - This was the first book I read by Chris Crutcher and I ran out and got all the others. I think my favourite is actually Ironman. I wish I had read books like this when I was a teenager.

Bone Dance by Martha Brooks

This book was just so beautifully written that I couldn't get enough of it. I also enjoyed Being with Henry by the same author.

Angus, Thongs and Full Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison

I laughed out loud all the way through this. Someone suggested that if I liked this book I would like Bridget Jones' Diary and I did. I love British humour. It's so scathing.

The Dark Is Rising series by Susan Cooper - Jonathan Hunt recommended these to me and they are fabulous, great fantasy.

Clare Mom to 4 kids aged 4 to 12 aspiring writer (very slow going - could be something to do with the 4 kids)
Received on Mon 04 Dec 2000 05:51:00 PM CST