is a part of the mainstream of all literature. It
explores, orders, evaluates, and illuminates the human experience—its heights
and depths, its pains and pleasures. Like adults, children learn about the breadth
and depth of life from literature. Memorable children’s authors skillfully engage
readers with the information, language, unique plots, and many-faceted characters
they create. “By allowing our readers into the soul of a character we are letting
them know more than life will ever divulge about another human being”