Great Britain


38
Andersen, Rachel
Warlands
Oxford : Oxford Univ. Press, 2000. – 114pp
ISBN 0-19-271817-7
Vietnamese orphan - Adoption - Nightmare - Memories
When Ho, a Vietnamese orphan boy, was adopted by Amy's grandparents, he had no language to articulate himself – only screams (»Ho-yells«), and no memories to share – the past only visited him at night with haunting, terrible nightmares of flames, smoke, death and mutilation. But his new family knows that »everybody needs to know the story of their life, even if it has to be invented«. So, they piece together fragments of information, constructing stories of »what might have been«. In this multiple viewpoint novel contrasting different versions of the stories (terrible night-time tales, happy endings, conflicting personal memories), Andersen reflects on our need to understand our past by telling stories – and its healing or damaging impact. (12+)


39
Burgess, Melvin (text)
Brown, Ruth (illus.)
The Birdman
London : Andersen Press, 2000. – [28pp]
ISBN 0-86264-976-5
Boy - Bird - Freedom - Ownership - Imprisonment
»The Birdman« is a picture book for older children. Brown's mystically subtle and beautiful illustrations perfectly complement a gothic tale of transformation. The Birdman, who sells caged birds, shifts between villain and hero as this tale interrogates the moralities of freedom and ownership. The boy who buys a caged bird intending to give freedom then becomes entrapped in the desire to own the bird. He is gradually transformed into a bird, and must then endure the knowledge of imprisonment. The Birdman emerges as a moral teacher. This is a fascinating and challenging illustrated text. (8+) ¤


40
Chambers, Aidan
Postcards from No Man's Land
London : Bodley Head, 1999. – 336pp
ISBN 0-370-32376-9
Time-slip - World War II - Amsterdam - Identity
This award-winning title is a time-slip novel set
in contemporary Amsterdam and Arnhem during World War II. An adolescent boy returns to the site of his grandfather's war-time experiences and in doing so discovers the key to his own identity. The ghosts of war are laid to rest as the boy learns of the loves and losses fought for in war-torn Holland. Past and present are melded together in a novel which brings human understanding to a point in history where civilian and soldier are caught in conflict which is none of their making. (14+) <> 
(Carnegie Medal; 1999)


41
Henderson, Kathy (text/illus.)
The storm
London : Walker, 2000. – [28pp]
ISBN 0-7445-7827-2
Storm
This remarkable picture book tells of the awe-inspiring encounter between a small boy and a
big storm, between man and the forces of nature. The superb mixed media illustrations set it apart from most books for the very young: Henderson experiments with watercolour, opaque white and various printing and crackling effects to capture the force of the gushing water, the splashing waves and the howling wind. A fascinating doublespread witnesses the rising tides of the sea in three dramatic phase pictures. But there are also warm and soft tones to convey the feeling of safety and comfort. (4+)
(Kate Greenaway Medal [Shortlist])


42
Hughes, Shirley (text/illus.)
The Shirley Hughes collection
London : Bodley Head, 2000. – 352pp
ISBN 0-370-32682-2
Stories - Children's poetry
The Shirley Hughes' Collection brings together time-proven favourites for younger children as well as new work for older readers. Hughes' closely observed illustrations capture a view of life which is particularly English. Her famous Alfie stories depict childhood from the child's and the adult's perspective. Her realistic illustrations subtly portray the loves, trials and tears of the child's world with a deep and gentle understanding. The new Sylkie story for older readers is a mystical tale of the sea, and longing and love. Hughes' verbal and pictorial narratives enable the reader to enter the text as a maker of meaning. (4+)


Special Mention
43
Pullman, Philip
The amber spyglass
London : Scholastic Children's Books, 2000. – 548pp
(His dark materials ; 3) (David Fickling Books)
ISBN 0-590-54244-3
Good - Evil - Quest for paradise
»The amber spyglass« completes the trilogy »His Dark Materials«. This postmodern science fiction novel journeys between fantastic worlds, including a version of Hades, as Lyra, (the new Eve), and her helpmates seek her dead friend, and the secret of the mystery of »dust«, the source of life. The context is the moral battle of the heavens bringing together Angels, Witches, Ghosts and Bears, in the venture. Pullman spins together moral, philosophical and environmental concerns in lyrical prose which resonates with intertextual references to Milton and Blake amongst others. The parallel narratives produce a gripping adventure story which deals with love, death, loss and a vision of a New Eden as the children venture into their future. (12+)


44
Wilson, Jacqueline (text)
Sharratt, Nick (illus.)
Vicky Angel
London : Doubleday, 2000. – 154pp
ISBN 0-385-60040-2
Grief - Death - Feelings of guilt - Self-affirmation - Friendship
Vicky has died but returns as a ghost to haunt her best friend with feelings of guilt. Jade has to learn to cope with grief and to live her own life. This »deadly funny« and subtle book doesn't only confront the reader with the death of a bright, young girl but also with wit and (at times black) humour – which might seem oddly out of place. But Wilson has a rare gift for writing amusingly about sensitive issues: She uses the comic element and the saucy colloquial tone to explore complex emotional themes. The unusual and sometimes unsettling blend of wit and warmth makes this a remarkable read. (10+) ¤

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