FINDING THE GREEN STONE

The Pulizer Prize-winning novelist tells an allegorical tale with a contemporary setting: Like everyone in their friendly rural neighborhood, Katie and her brother Johnny each possess an iridescent green stone, carried in a pocket or used for games. When Johnny loses his, he accuses Katie of stealing it; later, he tries to steal hers, but to no avail—the stone promptly loses its luster. Though others generously join his search, Johnny eventually realizes that the quest is his alone; and by the time he regains his stone, it's evident that it embodies his unique talents and integrity, and that any stone may lose its power as a result of its owner's failings, from name-calling to more serious transgressions. The focus is on several messages (including that the children's mother is a doctor, and their father is sorry that he's forced to make a living by driving a pulpwood truck), but, still, this holds attention—especially with Deeter's colorful, large-size paintings, glowing with wholesome good health; one especially appealing spread reveals that this is a multiracial but mostly black community. Heavy-handed, but enjoyable. (Picture book/Young reader. 5-10)