The Life of Stephen Lawrence
Verna Allette Wilkins
(Tamarind, £10.99, 020-8866 8808)
Age 9-12 yrs

Stephen Lawrence's death catapulted him to public attention, not as his parents, family, friends and teachers knew him, but as a potent symbol of racial violence. If anything is to be learnt from the murder, it is important to remember that he was a boy like many others - lively, likeable, mischievous and beloved. This book, based on the memories of many of those who knew Stephen, puts the tragedy in a more human perspective. Media attention was, of course, justified, but for children it may have been a distraction from the heart of the matter - a terrible waste of a promising young life.

Brothers
Ted van Lieshout, translated by Lance Salway
(Collins, £4.99)
Age 13 yrs +

When Luke's mother decides to mark the six months since the death of his brother, Marius, with a bonfire of his possessions, Luke rescues his diary. When he begins to read his brother's words, he adds to them, establishing a silent dialogue, providing his own insight into Marius's retellings of shared experiences. He learns that his brother knew that he is gay; indeed, they both were. This is a moving and honest portrayal of a frighteningly fractured family, ending with revelations that make a kinder, more understanding future faintly possible. Written in Dutch, it has won awards in Holland and Germany - and deservedly so.