From: Almagor, Lelac <LAlmagor>
Date: Fri, 20 Jan 2006 13:10:29 -0500

I recently read and loved The Keeper, a new first novel by Mal Peet -- magical realism, ambivalent allegiance to cultural heritage, and a whole lot of soccer.

Locomotion, by Jacqueline Woodson, is deeply emotional in a way that I think appeals to boys particularly.

Bud, Not Buddy, by Walter Dean Myers, is a classic, and boys love writing their own set of rules.

Julie of the Wolves, by Jean Craighead George, has lots of interesting survivalist details and is a good way to get over the "boy books don't have girls in them" problem. Boys who enjoy it might challenge themselves by proceeding to Jack London.

Guys Read is a great collection of personal stories from male writers -- by turns ribald, strange, brutally funny, and sweetly moving -- though maybe a bit mature for fourth grade.

I think the girls will enjoy these as well, though the extended play-by-plays in The Keeper may be a bit tedious for the unathletic of either gender.

Let us know what you choose!

Ms. Lelac Almagor Grade Five English Writing Center National Cathedral School for Girls www.ncsforgirls.org/lalmagor/ lalmagor at cathedral.org 202-537-2312
Received on Fri 20 Jan 2006 12:10:29 PM CST