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Publishers Weekly Children's Features

Harcourt Makes a Move for Kids At Risk
Heather Vogel Frederick -- 5/4/98

In an effort to reach the kind of at-risk children depicted in Eve Bunting's new book, Your Move -- children whose families are unlikely to be able to afford a hardcover picture book -- Harcourt Brace has arranged for a 5000-copy paperback edition that will be donated to gang prevention centers nationwide.

"We want the book to get into the hands of kids who can really benefit from it," explained senior publicist Sarah Shealy, who spearheaded the project. Illustrated by James Ransome, Bunting's story tells of a 10-year-old boy who is eager to prove himself cool enough to hang with a gang called the K-Bones.Accompanied by his tag-along younger brother, Isaac, James passes muster one night by "tagging" (spray painting) a highway sign with graffiti. Following a confrontation with the rival Snakes that puts Isaac in danger, James has a change of heart and, for his little brother's sake, finds the courage to say "no thanks" to the K-Bones.

"It's the perfect book for a project of this sort," Shealy said. "Everyone I've contacted has been so receptive to it. It's not preachy -- it's just an open dialogue that talks about choices."

Harcourt's special print run of Your Move will be distributed this month to youth centers in 10 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Chicago and Detroit.
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