It's always hard to choose the ten best books of the year, when there are so many great ones to choose from! This year it seemed an even more awesome task: the events of September 11th and the ongoing war have put everything in the world into a new perspective. But after hours of brainstorming (and bickering), Kidsreads came up with a list of the books that made us cry, laugh...and believe. We hope that we inspire your must-read lists and your holiday wish-lists.

THE AMBER SPYGLASS by Philip Pullman Random House ISBN: 0679879269 Fans of the HIS DARK MATERIALS trilogy won't be disappointed with this final book. Lyra and Will travel between many worlds, in the end setting out to make their most haunting discovery yet, a discovery that will forever change their lives.

ANGEL ON THE SQUARE by Gloria Whelan HarperCollins ISBN: 0060290307 ANGEL ON THE SQUARE brings history alive through Katya, a girl entering her teen years in the turbulent times just before the Russian revolution.

THE GAWGON AND THE BOY by Lloyd Alexander Dutton ISBN: 0525466770 As David recovers from a serious illness, he needs to stay out of school and be tutored. Just when David imagines that the tutor will be strict and crabby, he's pleasantly surprised when Aunt Annie turns out to be his most amazing --- and most fun --- teacher ever.

MIRACLE'S BOYS by Jacqueline Woodson Putnam ISBN: 0399231137 Author Woodson has a wonderful talent for writing about kids in tough situations---and the three orphaned brothers in this tale certainly are in one.

SLAP YOUR SIDES by M. E. Kerr HarperCollins ISBN: 0060294817 There have been many tributes to the veterans of World War II, but this troubling and enlightening book tells the story of brothers Jubal and Bud, and how their lives change when Bud refuses to serve in the army because of their Quaker religious beliefs.

TAGGERUNG by Brian Jacques Philomel ISBN: 0399237208 TAGGERUNG is the 14th Redwall adventure, by bestselling author Brian Jacques, and it's got everything a Redwall lover could want---evil weasels, a fiesty mouse and a prophecy!

THE TIGER RISING by Kate DiCamillo Candlewick ISBN: 0763609110 Twelve-year-old Rob and his best friend Sistine face big decisions when Rob discovers a caged tiger in the Florida woods one morning. A great story of friendship, trust and powerful emotions from the author of BECAUSE OF WINN-DIXIE. Back to top.