This spring saw many strong children’s book debuts, but for our semiannual Flying Starts, which highlight standout first books, we narrowed the field to four. The novels we selected feature a girl who embraces science one stifling summer in 1899 Texas; a boy coming of age in rural Oregon against the backdrop of war; a group of delinquent teenage boys investigating the disappearance of a friend; and a family quietly suffering an abusive father.

Spring 2009 Flying Starts: Jacqueline Kelly

Spring 2009 Flying Starts: Rosanne Parry

Spring 2009 Flying Starts: Michael Northrop

Spring 2009 Flying Starts: Thalia Chaltas