(4) K-3 Illustrated by Larry Johnson. In this Civil War-era story based on actual people and events, slave Alec Turner's hard work, perseverance, and willingness to fight for his dream help him reach freedom in Vermont. Stiff illustrations provide a sense of history as they accurately convey the characters' emotions. A detailed author's note includes a photograph of Turner and lends continuity to the story.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Lydia Dabcovich & Lydia Dabcovich. In this retelling of a tale passed down in the author's family, a young girl works at a Quebec farm, where one of her duties is cleaning candle wax from the hearth. When she dies, another servant girl takes her place, and after she cleans the hearth, candle wax mysteriously reappears on the fireplace stones. Although not strong in ethnic flavor, the story is smoothly told and illustrated with evocative paintings.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta