Patricia Reilly Giff's "eleven" is about a boy who finds disturbing evidence of his past in a locked chest in the attic and his search to uncover the truth.

Successfully straddling the hurdles of life takes courage, honesty, soul-searching and determination. Sometimes it also requires looking at life from a different perspective.

Books can be instrumental in this regard, and that's precisely what you'll find in today's reviewed selections: courage, facing fears and finding one's place.

Life is growth, not a stationary place. Check out the books reviewed below for older readers and see how they may plant an idea, suggestion or new point of view. Try others. Read — it helps all of us grow.

The following book is available at many public libraries.<B>"Sheep"</B> by Valerie Hobbs; Farrar Straus Giroux; 115 pages; read aloud: age 8 and older; read yourself: age 9 to 10 and older.When the dog was born, he waited excitedly for the day he could join the older dogs and help herd the sheep, and when that day came, it was glorious. At that moment, the young dog knew this was what he was meant to be, but not long thereafter, his life changed dramatically.Torn from his family and in a strange place where there are no sheep, the young dog begins his journey, deciding that somehow, even if it takes the rest of his life, he will find his family and the sheep again.An extraordinary novel on multiple levels, "Sheep" is a must read.

<B>Library:</B> Butler Area Public Library, 218 N. McKean St., Butler<B>Library Director:</B> Nancy Gresko<B>Youth Services Librarian:</B> Lori Campbell<B>Choices this week:</B> <B>"The Mouse and the Motorcycle"</B> by Beverly Cleary; <B>"Pocket Poems"</B> selected by Bobbi Katz; <B>"Fun Dog, Sun Dog"</B> by Deborah Heiligman

The following books are available at favorite bookstores.<B>"Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow"</B> by Jessica Day George; Bloomsbury, 2008; 328 pages; $16.96 hardcover; read aloud: 10 and older; read yourself: age 11 to 12 and older.The woodcutter's daughter, known only as "the lass," agrees to accompany a great white bear to his castle for one year. She believes she is doing the right thing. Her family is very poor, and the white bear promises great riches for her family if she stays true to her word. While she lives in the great castle in abundant luxury, the lass is lonely and soon grows discontent. Her actions and disloyalty unravel an old curse, leaving the lass to venture to the far corners of the world to save the man that is her one true love.Based on the Nordic fairy tale, "East of the Sun, West of the Moon" and incorporating other fairy tale themes, readers will be thoroughly absorbed throughout all 328 pages.<B>"eleven"</B> by Patricia Reilly Giff; Wendy Lamb Books, 2008; 165 pages; $15.99 hardcover; read aloud: age 8 and older; read yourself: age 9 and older.On the eve of his 11th birthday, Sam McKenzie scours the house looking for his hidden gifts. When his search leads him to the attic, what he finds shocks and disturbs him greatly. A locked box with a newspaper hanging halfway out of the lid reveals a picture of Sam as a little boy. Sam wants to know what the article says, but Sam can't read. The only words he can make out are "missing" and his first name, Sam, but a different last name — Bell.What does this mean? Has Sam's life been a lie? Is his gentle, loving grandfather, Mack, really his grandfather? And why does Sam keep dreaming about the number eleven?Sam needs the help of someone he can trust to read the article to him. Caroline, the new girl at school, agrees to help Sam unravel his past, and as they work together, they forge a friendship that neither one had ever had before nor believed could happen.Rich and satisfying on multiple levels, "eleven" is full of suspense and certain to capture the attention of readers beginning to end.Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children's literature. She can be reached via e-mail: kendal@sunlink.net.