Johnston, Julie. Hero of lesser causes.

Tundra. 222p. c1992. 0-88776-649-8. $9.95. J *

Originally published about ten years ago, and a winner of the Canada Council for the Arts Governor General's Literary Award, this gem of historical fiction presents the polio scare in a personal and engrossing narrative. It is the summer of 1946 and spunky, curious and delightful Keely Connor looks up to her serious, wiser older brother. She is 12 and Patrick is merely one year ahead; the sibling connection is based on mutual devotion and energetic competition. Courage plays a major role in this tale as Patrick is stricken with polio and their family life is altered permanently. The guilt of watching a loved one suffer is accurately described as well as the frustration of helplessness. Outside influences, including friends on the cusp of adolescence and horses in this rural setting, play minor roles in comparison to the familial bonds that are so honestly etched. Enter the figure of Peggy, the nurse, who holds the key to living with this dreadful disease in her charming hands--and a romantic mystery fueled by Keely moves the narrative in a believable fashion. I highly recommend this as a natural choice for a myriad of subject booklists for middle schoolers; from siblings, to health issues, to heroes and historical fiction. Nancy Zachary, YA Libn., Scarsdale P.L., Scarsdale, NY

J--Recommended for junior high school students. The contents are of particular interest to young adolescents and their teachers.

*--The asterisk highlights exceptional books.