A Voice of Her Own
(by Kathryn Lasky/illus. by Paul Lee, Candlewick $16.99 Score:) Here is the amazing story of America's first African-American poet, Phillis Wheatley. Sold as a slave in Boston in 1761, this is the little-known, true story of a young woman with a passion for learning and language that turned her into a young woman with a "voice of her own." 8–12.

Age: Early School Years,Later School Years. Award Year: 2003.

The Picture Book of Dwight David Eisenhower
(by David A. Adler, Holiday House $16.95 Score:) Despite an unattractive cover, the book itself is full of period photos and a lively narrative about a poor young man who entered the West Point, dreaming of being a star athlete. Although that dream failed, Ike was to become the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionry Force that led the allies to victory over Hitler in WWII and eventually our 34th President. 8 & up.

Age: Later School Years. Award Year: 2003.

Thank You, Sarah
(by Laurie Halse Anderson/ illus. by Matt Faulkner, Simon & Schuster $16.95 Score:) Meet Sarah Hale, a fiesty lady who wouldn't take no for an answer. It took her four decades and lots of rejection letters, but Sarah believed in the power of the pen. She not only worked as an editor, she wrote Mary Had a Little Lamb, children's books, novels and finally the one letter that turned Thanksgiving into a national holiday! After writing to one president after another, she eventually sent a letter to Abe Lincoln, who liked her idea. Her stick-to-it -ness saved Thanksgiving. Written in a breezy style that speaks directly to the reader while mixing past and present with dollops of humor.

Age: Early School Years,Later School Years. Award Year: 2003.

Harvesting Hope, the Story of Cesar Chavez
(by Kathleen Krull/illus. by Yuyi Morales, Harcourt $17 Score:) As a boy, Cesar knew the joy of his family and the security of living on the land. But when the drought comes, his family must become migrant workers. As he grows and sees the injustices endured, Cesar’s strength and wisdom lead farm-workers, through non-violence, to a better life. The story of the courageous American hero. 6–9.

Age: Early School Years,Later School Years. Award Year: 2004.

Luba, the Angel of Bergen-Belsen
(as told to M. R. McCann by Luba Tryszynska-Frederi, Tricycle Press $16.98 Score:) In the literature of the Holocaust, few stories have as happy an ending as this true and moving story of a courageous woman who saved fifty-four children right under the eyes of her Nazi keepers. 8 & up.

Age: Later School Years. Award Year: 2004.

Girl Wonder
(by Deborah Hopkinson/illus. by Terry Widener, Atheneum $16.98 Score:) Based on the life of Alta Weiss, who was determined to play baseball. A spirited story of a rugged individual who didn’t let being female get in the way of her ambition to play ball, and later become a doctor. 5–8.

Age: Early School Years,Later School Years. Award Year: 2004.

Ansel Adams
(by Beverly Cherman, Little Brown $19.95 Score:) Don’t be surprised if your child asks for a camera after enjoying this book. Cherman has created a very approachable biography for children of this legendary American photographer whose view of the natural world brought majesty to an art form. Each chapter is peppered with Adam’s breathtaking work and stories about his life that shaped his art. If your child already has the photography bug, Cherman’s book will be an inspiration. 9 & up.

Age: Later School Years. Award Year: 2004.

Theodore Roosevelt: Champion of the American Spirit
(by Betsy Harvey Kraft, Clarion $19 Score:) A lively and totally engrossing biography of Theodore Roosevelt, xx President of the Untied States. Kraft, a grand storyteller, uses letters, journals, memoirs and newspaper accounts to give young readers a rich introduction to the first American to win the Nobel Peace Prize, pioneered for preserving the wilderness, fought for reforms in industry and remains one of the larger than life leaders of his time. Handsomely designed with photos, drawings, and letters. 9 & up.

Age: Later School Years. Award Year: 2004.

Major Taylor, Champion Cyclist
((by Lesa Cline-Ransome/ illus. By James E. Ransome, Atheneum $16.95 Score:) At the turn of the 20th Century, Marshall Taylor was a champion cyclist but one who faced the bigotry directed to young African-Americans. While others plotted to defeat him by cheating, young Taylor rode with his eye on playing fair and succeeded. In time he not only wins in the United States, he triumphs in Europe as well. This is a handsome book that celebrates Taylor’s courage and determination. This is an inspiring biography that could well serve as a jumping off place for finding out more about this particular athlete or others who have overcome the ugliness of racism and bigotry. 7 & up.

Age: Early School Years,Later School Years. Award Year: 2004.

Fight On! Mary Church Terrells Battle for Integration
(by Dennis Brindell Fradin and Judith Bloom Fradin, Clarion $17 Score:) Born the year that Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, the daughter of slaves, Mary Church Terrell was active in civil rights all her life. She was one of the first African American women to graduate from college, was the first to be appointed to the Board of Education in the nation’s capital, and was a founder of the NAACP. Nor did she give up the struggle in the 50’s to integrate the restaurants and theatres in D.C. Well into her 80’s she continued to march on picket lines and fight for the end of segregation. Right up until the end of her 90th year she continued to crusade for the ending job discrimination in Washington. 9 & up.

Age: Later School Years. Award Year: 2004.