Children of the Midnight Sun

Corral's (My Denali) glorious photographs bring an intimacy to Brown's eight diverse profiles of Alaskan children, from northernmost Barrow to the islands of St. Paul and Prince of Wales to modernmost Anchorage. The range of landscapes and, consequently, living conditions alone makes for absorbing reading, but the essays tend to bog down in myriad facts. Brown's writing is strongest when she focuses on the details of daily life, as in the profile ""Russian Christmas on the Kuskokwim River."" Unfortunately, the book's organization doesn't allow for any overarching conclusion among the recurring customs and cultural themes throughout the profiles--such as the recent renaissance across Alaska of Native arts and languages, and the impact of non-Native settlers on the region. Nonetheless, Corral's memorable images will draw readers in as his camera captures the meshing of modern and ancient worlds: an I upiat Eskimo boy wears a cartoon character on a T-shirt as he cuts up pieces of whale skin and blubber for a snack and, clad in sneakers and blue jeans, a Haida Indian girl poses next to the row of totem poles that adorn her school grounds. Author and artist successfully communicate the common thread linking these eight lives: the importance of Native traditions, family bonds and the wisdom and experience of preceding generations as they navigate in modern times. Ages 6-up. (June) FYI: A portion of the author's proceeds benefits the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage.