 |
|
 |
Himalayan Dhaba
Crispin/Hammer Pub. Co. First-time novelist, Craig Danner tackles themes as lofty as the peaks that tower over his characters, while grounding his story in the closely observed details of rural life in northern India. A sense of spiritual craving permeates the book, propelling the story as swiftly as a thriller. Danner skillfully entwines the urgency and occasional despair of his heroine's medical work with the majesty of the mighty Himalayas. |
 |
 |
Standing Up to the Rock
Univ. of Nebraska Press This beautifully written memoir of ten years on a cattle ranch in Hell's Canyon, Idaho, tells of a life consumed and enriched by the harsh beauty of the work and the land. It is a unique exploration and an elegant tribute to the land and the people of the Snake River. |
 |
 |
True Believer
Atheneum/Simon & Schuster In lyric free verse the reader follows the 15-year-old narrator as she struggles to transcend the ghetto and grapples with spirituality, first love and academic achieve-ment. This is an astonishing portrait and an important literary accomplishment, far beyond a young adult novel. |
 |
 |
Whale Talk
Greenwillow/HarperCollins Chris Crutcher utilizes wit and vivid characterizations to tell the story of a high school swim team composed of a group of outcast and marginalized teens in this superb young adult novel. Readers of any age will be drawn to the powerful characters and swept into the story as it builds to a "kick in the gut" ending. |
 |
 |
Where Do I Sleep?
Andrea Gabriel, Illustrator Sasquatch Books Both children and their parents will delight in this magical blend of words & illustration, a book that beautifully reflects the natural wonder of the magnificent animals that grace the Pacific Northwest. |
|