by David Almond
The
Watson family moves to Stoneygate, an old coal-mining town, to care for Kit's
recently widowed grandfather. When Kit meets John Askew, another boy whose family
had both worked and died in the mines, Askew invites Kit to join him in playing
a game called Death. Kit's association with Askew takes him into the mines where
the boys look to find the childhood ghosts of their long-gone ancestors.The Giver
by Lois Lowry
December
is the time of the annual Ceremony at which each 12 year old receives a life assignment
determined by the Elders. Jonas watches his friend Fiona named Caretaker of the
Old and his cheerful pal Asher labeled the Assistant Director of Recreation. But
Jonas has been chosen for something special. When his selection leads him to an
unnamed man-the man called only the Giver-he begins to sense the dark secrets
that underlie the fragile perfection of his world.