ALIA WAKING by Laura Williams McCaffrey (Clarion, 2003). In this debut novel, Alia, 12, hopes to be chosen as a keenteen, or warrior woman, when she turns thirteen. But then Alia and her best friend, Kay, capture two of the enemy, a boy and girl about their age, and are assigned to care for them in prison. As she gets to know the prisoners, Alia is forced to question her own assumptions and prejudices. A fast-paced adventure for fantasy fans. Ages 9-up. Recommended by Frances Hill, author of THE BUG CEMETERY, illustrated by Vera Rosenberry (Henry Holt, 2002).

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