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1986

Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan (HarperCollins, $11.96, fourth-grade level). ISBN: 0060241012.	The Medalist A man searches for a wife using a newspaper add, then brings her to his pioneer home where she quickly learns to love him and his two children on their farm. This is a warm, wonderful book with excellent characterizations. Sarah is a fabulous character. The film version of this book is well-done, too.
Commodore Perry in the Land of the Shogun by Rhonda Blumberg (Lothrop, Lee & Shepherd, $15.76, sixth-grade level). ISBN: 06880337232.	Honor Book A historical look in photos, illustrations and simply written text at Perry's successful attempt to open Japan to the West in the mid-1800s. Wonderful book that clearly explains an important event in simple terms. The illustrations from the Japanese perspective are amazing. Reminds me of the historical writings of Newbery winner Russell Freedman.
Dog Song by Gary Paulsen (Atheneum, $12.80, fifth-grade level). ISBN: 068983960X.	Honor Book An Eskimo boy turns 14 and uses guidance from an old man to become a man by recapturing his culture's traditional ways. Paulsen is at his best here, using his crystalline prose to bring the Artic to life. He draws from his years of experience running the Iditarod sled race. This is an exciting story, almost mythic in style and content.

Copyright David Ross 2003