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July-August 2004: Myth and Magic/Fantasy for Young Readers

Fantasy is a perennially popular genre among young readers, but in recent years it has enjoyed an even higher profile. This month's Showcase features books with mythical or fantasy elements that have a unique ability to capture the imaginations of readers of all ages.

Note: Showcase titles are selected by the books' publishers, who provide cover art, interior art, and descriptive information.

1-2-3 Draw Mythical Creatures, by Freddie Levin. Ages 6 and up. Starting with simple shapes, young artists learn to draw creatures from myths and legends around the world. Step-by-step lessons are designed to encourage success. (Peel Productions, Inc.)

Abarat: Days of Magic, Nights of War, written and illustrated by Clive Barker. Coming in October, with more than 125 new full-color paintings, the much anticipated second book in Clive Barker's New York Times best-selling Abarat series. (Joanna Cotler Books/HarperCollins Children's Books)

The Conch Bearer, by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. Ages 8 and up. Action, adventure and magic are combined in this exotic, compelling quest set in contemporary India. (Roaring Brook Press)

Draw Alien Fantasies, by Damon J. Reinagle. Ages 9 and up. Step by step instructions guide young artists in the creation of impressive drawings of weird alien heroes, helpers, villains, space stations, ships, and more! (Peel Productions, Inc.)

Draw Magical Fantasies, by Damon J. Reinagle. Ages 9 and up. With step by step instructions, young artists learn to draw colorful characters such as trolls, faeries, elves, wizards, and other inhabitants of magical worlds. (Peel Productions, Inc.)

Draw Medieval Fantasies, by Damon J. Reinagle. Ages 9 and up. Step by step instructions and tips help young artists create lively, imaginative characters and scenes featuring knights, villains, castles, dragons, and more! (Peel Productions, Inc.)

These books are available at your local bookstore. Check the ABA's directory of member bookstores for a bookseller near you. You may also purchase these books at BookSense.com.

Gifts, by Ursula K. LeGuin. Ages 12 and up. A beautifully crafted story of how hard it is to grow up, and how much harder still it is to find, in the world's darkness, gifts of light. (Harcourt Children's Books)

A Hat Full of Sky, by Terry Pratchett. Ages 12 and up. The boldest heroine ever to confront the Forces of Darkness with a frying pan is back in the spine-tingling sequel to The Wee Free Men. (HarperCollins Children's Books)

The Hollow Kingdom, by Clare B. Dunkle. Ages 12 and up. "Clare Dunkle brings a fresh new voice to the high art of fantasy. She creates a world filled with intense excitement, terror, beauty, and love-a world as persuasive as it is remarkable. Splendid!"-Lloyd Alexander (Henry Holt Books for Young Readers)

Jack and the Seven Deadly Giants, by Sam Swope, illustrated by Carll Cneut. Ages 7-10. A reinvention of a favorite folktale hero. (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, Inc. Books for Young Readers)

Merlin and the Making of the King, retold by Margaret Hodges. All ages. The renowned team behind the Caldecott Medal-winning Saint George and the Dragon celebrates the legend of the once and future king in this collection of three Arthurian tales. (Holiday House, Inc.)

The Merlin Conspiracy, by Diana Wynne Jones. Ages 10 and up. "Diana Wynne Jones is, quite simply, the best writer of magic there is, for readers of any age." --Neil Gaiman, author of Coraline. (HarperTrophy/Greenwillow Books)

Myths and Monsters: Secrets Revealed, by Katie Edwards. Ages 7-12. Ever wonder why ancient greeks believed in the Cyclops? They discovered elephant skulls whose trunk holes were mistaken for eye sockets. Discover more monstrous facts. (Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc.)

The Oracle Betrayed, by Catherine Fisher. In Book One of The Oracle Prophecies, Seth and Mirany might not know what the future holds, but they know they hold it in their hands. (Greenwillow Books)

The Princess of Neptune, by Quentin Dodd. Ages 10 and up. The laughs keep coming in this science fiction comedy from the winner of the first Eleanor Cameron/Golden Duck Award. (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, Inc. Books for Young Readers)

Rowan of Rin, by Emily Rodda. Rowan of Rin is the first book in this fast-paced, five-book fantasy adventure series from best-selling author Emily Rodda. (Avon/Greenwillow Books)

The Saint of Dragons, by Jason Hightman. Drawing on classic dragon lore and quest literature, here is a bold modern day fantasy about the last descendents of England's legendary Saint George. (Eos/HarperCollins Children's Books)

The Shamer's Daughter: Book 1 of The Shamer Chronicles, by Lene Kaaberbol. Ages 11 and up. Who dares look into the Shamer's eyes? (Henry Holt Books for Young Readers)

Showcase Archives

Black History Month 2005

Holidays Around the World 2004
Nonfiction Picture Books
Myth and Magic/Fantasy for Young Readers
Rites of Passage
In the Kitchen

Holidays Around the World 2003
Wonders of the Heavens/Books about Space
Summer Reading
Friends in the Animal Kingdom
Children's Poetry 2003
Learning about Families

Art, Artists and the Worlds They Create
Back to School
Exploring the Natural World: Ecology and the Environment
Spanish Cultural Heritage
Children's Poetry 2002
Historical Fiction for Young Readers

Holidays around the World 2001
Children's Creepshow
Worlds of Belief
Heroes, Dragons, and Wizards
Children's Poetry 2001
Helping Children Cope

Holidays Around the World 2000
Gothic Tales for Children
International Folktales
Summertime Reading
Children's Poetry 2000
Multicultural Books

Holiday Books 1999
Mysteries
Humorous Titles
Poetry Titles
Math and Counting
Folk and Fairytales
Biographies
Paranormal Phenomena
Summertime Reading 1998
Historical Fiction Titles
Holiday Titles (Christmas, Chanukkah, and Kwanza)

The African-American Experience
Books on Friendship
Nature and Science
My First Book
Fantasy/Science Fiction
Paper-Engineered Books

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