The Daring Nellie Bly
( by Bonnie Christensen, Knopf $16.95 Score:) Outraged by an article in the newpaper that said working women were monstrosities, Nellie Bly wrote a letter to the editor and won her first job as a reporter. Daring to go where others would not, Bly became a world famous journalist. 7 & up.

Age: Early School Years. Award Year: 2004.

Fishing Day
(by Andrea Davis Pinkney/illus. by Shane W. Evans, Hyperion $15.99 Score:) Reenie and her Mama go fishing for carp down at the Jim Crow River with corn kernels for bait. A poor white boy and his father have the wrong bait until Reenie shares some of their corn and in her own way takes the first steps toward breaking down one small barrier that Jim Crow represents. 5–9.

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

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.

My Brothers' FLying Machine
(by Jane Yolen/illus. by Jim Burke, Little Brown $16.95 Score:) What’s the old cliché—behind every successful man there’s a woman? Well here’s the story of two legendary men and their little-known but important sister. Her behind-the-scenes encouragement and support add a new dimension to the story of the Wright brothers. 7 & up.

Age: Early 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.

My New York
(by Kathy Jakobsen, Little Brown $18.95 Score:) Ten years ago this marvelous folkart tour of New York City made our top picks of the year list. Now it has been updated – a perfect example of making a good thing better. We have to admit we are totally biased when it comes to our home to wn. Giant gatefolds open for panoramic views of the Empire State building and then the view from above. There is Radio City Music Hall complete with Rockettes, the Thanksgiving Parade, Fourth of July, Rockefeller Center at Christmas and Times Square on New Years Eve. A feast for the eyes ! Whether you have visited or are planning a visit, this gem takes you to all the landmarks that children will want to visit or recall. The revised edition shows the site of the World Trade Center on the map and in the final dedication page. This came too late for our 2004 book, but it is bound to be around for years to come. We are looking forward to seeing the Christmas edition. All Ages.

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

Just Like Josh Gibson
(by Angela Johnson/ illus. By Beth Peck, Simon & Schuster $15.95 Score:) This is a younger story than Mighty Jackie, the Strike-out Queen. It’s also about an African-American girl who loves to play baseball. Growing up in the 40’s it doesn’t matter that she plays as well or better than most of the boys. That is, until the day when her cousin Danny hurt his arm and the All Star team needed a ninth player. Told as a memoir about Grandmama, there’s a bio of her hero, Josh Gibson, one of the giants of the Negro League who never got to play in the major league. 5 & up.

Age: Early School Years,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.

Kamishibai Man
(by Allen Say, Houghton Mifflin $17 Score:) Based on his childhood in Japan, Say recalls the kamishibai man who used to come to the neighborhood (much like the Good Humor Man) to sell candies along with cliffhanger stories that grew each day. TV finished this old tradition, but here the kamishibai man returns to his old neighborhood and is received lovingly by his former children and a new generation. As always, the art is splendid, while the story may interest adults more than children. 7 & up.

Age: Early School Years,Later School Years. Award Year: 2006.

Lizzie Nonsense, A Story of Pioneer Days
(by Jan Ormerod, Clarion $15 Score:) Here is Little House in the Outback . . . a charming picture book set in pioneer days in Australian bush country when Papa needs a week to travel fifty miles. That leaves Lizzie, her mom, and baby sister alone in an isolated place where dingoes howl at night, along with other dangers. But Lizzie’s imagination turns out to be just the right kind of “nonsense” to carry them through. 5 & up.

Age: Early School Years. Award Year: 2006.