The Liberation of Gabriel King

Title: The Liberation of Gabriel King

Author: K. L. Going

Publication Date: 2005

A Michael L. Printz honor book, The Liberation of Gabriel King is a must-read book set in Alabama during the Civil Rights movement.  Gabriel King and his best friend Frita are an interesting pair.  He is white and timid; she is Black and spunky.  The summer before entering fifth grade they decide to overcome their fears.  They make a list of the things that scare them the most and set about to face their fears.  Well-written in a realistic Southern drawl, the story is touching and inspiring!

The Wide-Awake Princess

Title: The Wide-Awake Princess

Author: E.D. Baker

Publication Date: May 2010

The wide-awake princess is a smart and insightful young character who can perceive not only the presence of magic, but also the true character of the people she meets.  A very enjoyable read, this fractured fairy tale works in characters from many well-known stories, by twisting things around to make them new.  When her sister Gwendolyn pricks her finger on a minute little spinning wheel, Anabelle (aka Annie, or the wide-awake princess) has to travel to far away lands to break the curse that will leave all the inhabitants of her father's kingdom asleep for one hundred years.  That she is able to succeed without the aid of magic, but by relying on her intelligence rather than her beauty, is a testament to the ability of the nobler sex.  An excellent read!