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TRE
I, Juan de Pareja (age 10+)
by Elizabeth Borton Trevino
the arts ... historical
When the great Velazquez was painting his masterpieces at the Spanish court in the seventeenth century, his colors were expertly mixed and his canvases carefully prepared by his slave, Juan de Pareja. In a vibrant novel which depicts both the beauty and the cruelty of the time and place, Elizabeth Borton de Trevino tells the story of Juan, who was born a slave and died an accomplished and respected artist. Through Juan’s eyes the reader sees Velazquez’s delightful family, his working habits and the character of the man, his relations with the shy yet devoted King Philip IV and with his fellow painters, Rubens and Murillo, the climate and customs of Spanish court life. When Velazquez discovers that he and Juan share a love for the art which is his very life, the painter proves his friendship in the most incredible fashion, for in those days it was forbidden by law for slaves to learn or practice the arts. Through the hardships of voyages to Italy, through the illnesses of Velazquez, Juan de Pareja loyally serves until the death of the painter in 1660.
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MCC
Harper Hall Trilogy (age 10+)
by Anne McCaffrey
folklore ... the arts ... fantasy ... adventure
Forbidden by her father to indulge in music in any way, a girl on the planet Pern runs away, taking shelter with the planet's fire lizards who, along with her music, open a new life for her.
title: Dragonsong
title: Dragonsinger
title: Dragondrums
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GOD
Listen to the Nightingale (age 10+)
by Rumer Godden
friendship ... growing up ... the arts
When she wins a scholarship to a famous ballet school, Lottie, an orphan reared by the costume mistress for a London ballet company, is torn between her lifelong dream and her love for other important things her life.
F
YEP
Ribbons (age 10+)
by Laurence Yep
identity ... the arts ... family
A promising young ballet student cannot afford to continue lessons when her Chinese grandmother emigrates from Hong Kong, creating jealousy and conflict among the entire family.
sequel: The Cook's Family
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PAT
The Master Puppeteer (age 10+)
by Katherine Patterson
the arts ... historical ... enterprise
Who is the man called Sabura, the mysterious bandit who robs the rich and helps the poor? And what is his connection with Yosida, the harsh and ill-tempered master of feudal Japan's most famous puppet theater? Young Jiro, an apprentice to Yosida, is determined to find out, even at risk to his own life.
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PAR
A Single Shard (age 10+)
by Linda Sue Park
the arts ... voyages/journeys ... historical ... enterprise
Tree-ear is an orphan boy in a 12th-century Korean potters' village. For a long time he is content living with Crane-man under a bridge barely surviving on scraps of food. All that changes when he sees master potter Min making his beautiful pottery. Tree-ear sneaks back to Min's workplace and dreams of creating his own pots someday. When he accidentally breaks a pot, he must work for the master to pay for the damage. Though the work is long and hard, Tree-ear is eager to learn. Then he is sent to the King's Court to show the master's pottery. Little does Tree-ear know that this difficult and dangerous journey will change his life forever.
F
NEL
Ruby Electric (age 10+)
by Theresa Nelson
the arts ... family ... humor ... authorship
Ruby is a dreamer, bringing a better kind of reality to the silver screen, at least in her mind. When the lights dim and the world she writes takes over, Ruby comes to see her own life's story more clearly.
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HOE
Hermux Tantamoq Adventures (age 10+)
by Michael Hoeye
the arts ... mystery ... adventure ... friendship
Hermux Tantamoq is an average mouse who works in his watch shop by day and spends his evenings at home. Nothing extraordinary has ever happened to him, but that changes when Linka Perflinger, daredevil aviatrix, drops off her watch to be repaired and steals his heart. But when a shady-looking rat tries to claim the repaired watch instead of Linka, Hermux knows something's gone wrong. Before long, Hermux is entangled in the convoluted schemes of an eccentric cosmetics tycoon, a sinister plastic surgeon, and a squad of ruthless lab rats. Hermux is caught up in a deadly race against time.
title: Time Stops for No Mouse
title: The Sands of Time: a [new] Hermux Tantamoq Adventure
title: No Time Like Show Time: a Hermux Tantamoq Adventure

Barron Park Elementary School, Sat Aug 25 11:55:26 2012
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