"The Ride The Legend of Betsy Dowdy"

Everyone likes to think they will be brave when faced with difficult circumstances.

Unfortunately, being afraid is part of the human condition and something we are always battling against in one way or another.

Stories can act as a catalyst to summon personal courage and determination by wearing the coat of the hero or heroine in the story. Would we be as brave as the character we're reading about? Would we be as determined? What would we do if we were faced with the same circumstance?

Today's reviewed books are good examples of such stories. Ask your librarian to point you in the direction of others, because courage and determination are good qualities to cultivate.

The following book is available at many public libraries.<B>"Chicken Sunday"</B> written and illustrated by Patricia Polacco, Philomel Books, 32 pages; read aloud: age 5 and older; read yourself: age 7 to 8 and older.Stewart and Winston were Patricia Polacco's neighbors when she was a girl. Her own grandmother had died, and so the boys shared their gramma with her ¿¿ Eula Mae Walker.Sometimes on Sunday they would go to church together, and on the way home they would walk past Mr. Kodinski's hat shop so Miss Eula could admire the beautiful hats in the window. Then they'd all go back to Miss Eula's house for fried chicken dinner.One particular Sunday, Miss Eula remarked that the Easter bonnet in Mr. Kodinski's window was the most beautiful she'd ever seen.Immediately the children decided they must get that hat for Miss Eula. Unforeseen obstacles added to the mission of earning enough money to buy Miss Eula the hat, and through it all, the children learned valuable lessons in love, trust, and acceptance.A true story full of richness and strength, "Chicken Sunday" is a first-rate treasure on many levels.

<B>Library:</B> Prospect Community Library, 357 Main St., Prospect<B>Library Director:</B> Jeanne Sarnese<B>Children's Librarian:</B> Jill Hambley<B>Choices this week: "Flotsam"</B> by David Wiesner; <B>"Tudley Didn't Know"</B> by John Himmelman; <B>"How I Became a Pirate"</B> by Melinda Long

The following books are available from favorite bookstores.<B>"Ninth Ward"</B> by Jewell Parker Rhodes, Little Brown, 2010, 217 pages, $15.99 hardcover; read aloud: age 9 and older; read yourself: age 10 to 11 and older.Twelve-year-old orphan Lanesha lives in New Orleans' ninth ward with her Mama Ya-Ya ¿¿ the woman who delivered her and has cared for her since her mother died in childbirth.There is a powerful love shared between Lanesha and her Mama Ya-Ya, and nothing can break their bond.Both Mama Ya-Ya and Lanesha have the gift of "sight," and when Mama Ya-Ya has a vision of a terrible, devastating storm approaching, Lanesha must rise above her years ¿¿ both to prepare, to take care of Mama Ya-Ya and her neighbor, and to survive the terrifying hurricane ¿¿ Katrina.Beautifully written, this outstanding novel of love and family is deeply introspective and offers strong life philosophies.Exquisitely defined characters, each with their unique voice, blend together like a song, pulsating with the strength of the human will to survive."Ninth Ward" will leave readers breathless at the courage of the young heroine Lanesha who ultimately finds hope and beauty despite all she endures.<B>"The Ride: The Legend of Betsy Dowdy"</B> by Kitty Griffin, illustrated by Marjorie Priceman, Atheneum, 2010, 36 pages, $16.99 hardcover; read aloud: age 4 to 5 and older; read yourself: age 7 to 8.For more than two hundred years, an oral tradition has been repeated of one brave girl and her pony who helped change the course of American history.According to the legend, 16-year-old Betsy Dowdy wanted her freedom from England just like the other colonists in 1775. When word arrived one evening that the Redcoats were on their way, the men said it was too dark and dangerous to make the long trip to alert General Skinner and get help.Betsy knew she couldn't stop King George or serve as a soldier, but she was as good a rider as anyone, and her pony, Bess, could outrun any horse.So, Betsy took the mission upon herself, riding 50 miles to reach General Skinner's camp. As the legend goes, Betsy's message was received in time, ultimately resulting in victory by the colonial soldiers against the mighty British army.A story of courage and determination, "The Ride" delivers in every way.Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children's literature. She can be reached via e-mail: kendal@sunlink.net.

"Ninth Ward"