Newbery Honor author Gary Paulsen brings together original stories that talk about books by authors such as Marion Dane Bauer and M.T. Anderson in this middle grade anthology. From Jennifer L. Holm's story of a girl on Mars trying desperately to return to Earth to Gregory Maguire's domestic intrigue; from Kathleen Karr's story of a thief in turn-of-the-century Chicago to M.T. Anderson's mysterious shipboard adventure; from A. LaFaye's tale of magical wonderment to Marion Dane Bauer's story of doing good, this volume provides a full range of reading for every taste. Also featured are Joan Bauer, Ellen Conford, Margaret Peterson Haddix, and Ellen Wittlinger. Sales of this book benefit ProLiteracy Worldwide, an international network with programs in the United States and partner programs abroad, whose mission is to change lives through literacy. Editorial Reviews Introducing this anthology of 10 original stories, Paulsen (The Glass Caf , see below) declares, "I owe everything I am and everything that I will ever be to books." Those who share his passion will eagerly meet the protagonists here, young adults from the past, present and future who have been profoundly affected by particular books. In two of the selections, "Wet Hens" by Ellen Wittlinger and "The Good Deed" by Marion Dane Bauer, unlikely friendships are spawned by a common interest in a children's book. For the star of Gregory Maguire's "Tea Party Ends in Bloody Massacre, Film at 11," who would rather hide under the table with a horror story than meet the snooty, reactionary ladies who have ostensibly come to welcome her mother to the neighborhood, reading provides a much-needed form of solace. The sole survivor of a ghost ship featured in M.T. Anderson's "Barcarole for Paper and Bones" finds a way to rewrite an unsavory slice of history by creating his own fiction. Covering almost every genre of fiction, including mystery, SF, fantasy and realism, these well-crafted stories by familiar authors offer sharply drawn characterizations and intriguing premises. Other contributors include Joan Bauer, Margaret Peterson Haddix and A. LaFaye. Ages 10-14. (Aug.) FYI: Paulsen is donating all of his proceeds from sales of the book to ProLiteracy Worldwide, to which the publisher is also making a contribution. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information. - Publishers Weekly Gr 5-10-To benefit ProLiteracy Worldwide, Paulsen has assembled a stellar lineup of children's and young adult authors to contribute original short stories in which books change lives. Paulsen's emotional introduction explains how books turned his life around for the better. It is an excellent preface to a diverse, entertaining collection. Jennifer L. Holm's intriguing "Follow the Water" features the first teenager on Mars, who compares her life on the Martian colony to the description of the Red Planet from an old science-fiction novel. In "Barcarole for Paper and Bones," M. T. Anderson created an intricate mystery about the written records of a deserted ship. Joan Bauer, Marion Dane Bauer, Margaret Peterson Haddix, Kathleen Karr, A. LaFaye, Gregory Maguire, and Ellen Wittinger also contributed stories that display a wide range of emotions in a variety of genres. There is a selection in this collection that will appeal to almost every reading taste.-Edward Sullivan, White Pine School, TN Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information. - School Library Journal The ten original stories-prefaced by Paulsen's cogent memoir-in this pro-bono gathering offer universal themes in a variety of settings. The authors were asked only to include references to books or reading. The results: a jokester tries, with devastating consequences, to fake a book report in Ellen Conford's "In Your Hat"; playacting inspired by Alice McLerran's Roxaboxen helps to heal a feud in Ellen Wittlinger's "Wet Hens"; Marion Dane Bauer compares an assigned "Good Deed" to a voluntary one; Jennifer L. Holm's "Follow the Water" features an unwilling young emigrant-to Mars. Older readers will respond to M.T. Anderson's weird and eerie nautical episode, and Gregory Maguire's tongue-in-cheek encounter between society snobs and a decidedly non-average child. Paulsen's proceeds, plus a percentage from the publisher, will go to ProLiteracy Worldwide; the stodgy intro by that organization's president is the only clinker here. (Short stories. 11-15) - Kirkus Reviews