It can be such a battle to get a junior high or high school student to write a book report. I've found that if you help the student to choose a book that is interesting enough to keep him drawn in until the end of the story, the job is much easier. "Captured by Indians: The Life of Mary Jemison" is a fabulous example of the many, many enjoyable--and suitable--books that are available to the young reader. History is full of fascinating stories, and our own country's history provides so many stories worth reading. That Mary Jemison was a real person and not just a character created by a writer makes this book an even easier "sell" to the student. It should be emphasized that Karen Zeinert's edition of the transcript of Mary Jemison's life story, which she told in 1823, has many excellent features. For example, Zeinert includes an extremely helpful timeline incorporating the major events of Mary's life with major historical events (dates treaties were signed, etc.), which enhances the reader's understanding of the time period. Also included are hand-drawn maps, a few photographs, several (period) hand-drawn portraits of people who are part of the story. A very helpful glossary of terms appears at the end of the book--another item most useful to today's young readers. Note to teachers and/or parents: Zeinert has carefully edited out the sensationalism that was very much a part of the original work, and she points out in the "Background" section that author James Seaver was hired in 1823 to interview Mary Jemison in order to produce a "captive story"--a popular genre of the period--and that captive stories were often used as propaganda against the Native Americans, who were normally portrayed as savages in such works. Finally, a personal note: I found it utterly fascinating that in 1823 Mary Jemison made a most prophetic statement: "He (her son John) fell victim to the use of liquor, a poison that will soon exterminate the Indian tribes in this part of the country." Although she couldn't read or write, Mary Jemison was an intelligent, strong, and very brave woman. Her story is one that is worth reading. She shouldn't be an obscure figure in American history. She should be more widely known. Recommend this book to the young people around you!

Both a statement on the keeping wild animals in captivity and a psychological novel about the after-effects of acts of violence, Rivers has written a tense and tight novel about freedom. Two Canadian teens struggle to cope with a shocking incident at a childhood field-trip to the Seaquarium. Holden, newly reunited with his ailing and addict mother, fears water and seeks escape in painting and abuses alcohol. Cassie, emotionally estranged from her naïve psychiatrist parents, dances and suffers from nightmares. Imprisoned by the memories that haunt them, together they find catharsis that leads to healing through their art, through talking, and through their relationship with one another. The author's agenda to raise awareness is very clear, yet never overpowers the story. A zealous anti-captivity science teacher provides a natural opportunity for Cassie and her friend Sina to talk about the situation of killer whales in aquariums. The book has a few minor flaws. In spite of the fact that Holden's mother is dying of AIDS, condoms are never mentioned in the sparsely detailed, brief and fluid sex scene between Holden and Cassie. Cassie's parents are unbelievably inconsiderate at every turn, almost Dahl-esque, but Holden's parents make up for it by being more complex. Impressively, each detail, scene and character has a purpose, furthers the plot, and is pertinent. The novel ends on an hopeful note for the characters, but the epilogue has an ominous tone for the thousands of mistreated whales still kept in confined in too-small pools. Surprisingly, no contact information for animal rights activist groups is provided. Is it a coincidence that Orca books published this one?

The excellent Cornerstones of Freedom series provides more information about key events and people in American History book than students or teachers will find in their textbooks. The scope of the series has expanded as evidenced by this particular volume, which actually came out the year after "The Mississippi Flood of 1993." This book offers stories about the places flooded and the people affect during what was the worst flood in U.S. history. The book is filled with photographs of flooded homes and businesses as well as people trying to fight the river and help each other survive. I was surprised they did not include some of the satellite photos I remember showing the Mississippi before and during the flood; even from space the difference in the river was astonishing. Karin Luisa Badt provides a nice cross-section of what happened along the 2,340 miles of the river. Also, because the book came out so soon afterwards, young readers will not find complete statistics on all the damage caused by the flood.

Northern Botswana has a harsh environment, with torrid summers, chilly winters, unreliable rainfall, and infertile soils. Yet it is home to the Okavango Delta, which is one of the greatest havens for wildlife in Africa. Karen Ross has produced a wealth of information about the ecology, geology, and history of this important area.