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CROSSING THE TRESTLE

This slow-moving story that, for all its unconventional elements, may not satisfy readers, stars Petey, a child with a fear of heights. In rural 1944 West Virginia, however, he has no choice but to walk across a high and narrow train trestle to get to school, and he cannot do it alone. All the members of his family are suffering: his sister, Loni, a talented artist who lost an eye a year before in the car crash that killed their father, refuses to return to school; their mother, Alita, still loves and mourns her dead husband. Stone, an artist who takes Loni under his wing, is a psychologically damaged former POW, but he is also the catalyst to pushing the family across a metaphorical trestle. Slate lightens the atmosphere considerably through Alita’s quirky, often incomprehensible language (her favorite expression is “Geeszoy!”), and the family’s journey is one of small, realistic steps: Petey copes with a bully; Alita confronts their tyrannical landlord when he accuses Stone of molesting Loni; Loni get a glass eye; Petey is thereby inspired to conquer his fear. Stone asks Alita to marry him, and the family looks forward to a new life in Seattle—a sweet ending to a story that has a lively narrative style and a loving family at its center. Patient readers will be rewarded. (Fiction. 10-15)

Pub Date: Oct. 1, 1999

ISBN: 0-7614-5053-X

Page Count: 144

Publisher: Marshall Cavendish

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 1999

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THE COLORS OF US

This vibrant, thoughtful book from Katz (Over the Moon, 1997) continues her tribute to her adopted daughter, Lena, born in Guatemala. Lena is “seven. I am the color of cinnamon. Mom says she could eat me up”; she learns during a painting lesson that to get the color brown, she will have to “mix red, yellow, black, and white paints.” They go for a walk to observe the many shades of brown: they see Sonia, who is the color of creamy peanut butter; Isabella, who is chocolate brown; Lucy, both peachy and tan; Jo-Jin, the color of honey; Kyle, “like leaves in fall”; Mr. Pellegrino, the color of pizza crust, golden brown. Lena realizes that every shade is beautiful, then mixes her paints accordingly for portraits of her friends—“The colors of us!” Bold illustrations celebrate diversity with a child’s open-hearted sensibility and a mother’s love. (Picture book. 6-8)

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1999

ISBN: 0-8050-5864-8

Page Count: 28

Publisher: Henry Holt

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 1999

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THE QUILTMAKER'S GIFT

A sentimental tale overwhelmed by busy illustrations and rampant pedantry. A gifted quiltmaker who makes outstanding quilts never sells her wares, but gives them away to the poor. A greedy king so loves presents that he has two birthdays a year, and commands everyone in the kingdom to give him gifts. Everyone brings presents till the castle overflows; the king, still unhappy, locates the quiltmaker and directs her to make him a quilt. When she refuses he tries to feed her to a hungry bear, then to leave her on a tiny island, but each time the quiltmaker’s kindness results in her rescue. At last, the king agrees to a bargain; he will give away his many things, and the quiltmaker will sew him a quilt. He is soon poor, but happier than he’s ever been, and she fulfills her end of the bargain; they remain partners forever after, with her sewing the quilts and him giving them away. The illustrations are elaborate, filled with clues to quilt names. A note points to the 250 different quilt names hidden in the picture on the inside of the book jacket. (Picture book. 6-10)

Pub Date: Oct. 1, 1999

ISBN: 1-57025-199-1

Page Count: 32

Publisher: N/A

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1999

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