Issy's got it tough: a lazy, sick mother who hasn't been out of bed in years; a dad who rides the coastal steamers and is in and out of her life; and a shrivelled, prunish schoolmarmish older sister who can scarcely say a civil word to her.

There's another thing -- Issy's got a shameful secret. She can't read, and almost everyone in her tiny Newfoundland village thinks she's stupid. Most give her a wide berth; Issy is either spookily quiet, or when she's engaged or challenged by a teacher, she'll throw a massive tantrum, flee from the school (where her sister Louise is principal) and escape to "the barrens." Mostly, people just leave her be.

Issy -- short for Isabelle -- has a plan. As soon as she turns 16, she's out of there, likely gone for Toronto and a new life.

Second-time author Sheppard (her first was Seven For A Secret) has crafted a splendid tale, with wonderful, richly detailed characters in an enchanting but realistic setting.

Besides her plan, Issy has only two things going for her -- memories of her quaint, special Aunt Lady (who recently died) and Wish, a thoughtful, quiet boy who spent his childhood with Issy and then was moved away to Toronto, but who has returned to spend time with his frail, failing grandfather. Wish is a special person, and is wise enough to see through Issy's defences. However, another village girl, beautiful Beryl, might be making a play for Wish.

It seems there might be a race to see who gets to the door first, Louise or Issy. Louise makes a final attempt to teach Issy to read (so she can read prescription labels for her mom's meds, so Issy can take over her care, which means that Louise -- who is in her mid-30s -- can take off), and she discovers the reason that Issy can't read.

A lot of literature is predicated by a "telling moment," something that occurs that informs the rest of the narrative. Usually it's negative; but In One For Sorrow it's unrelentingly positive, and in a beautiful, believable way.

Happily, author Sheppard says this is the first of a seven-story series, and a seminal character, an insightful, energetic newspaper reporter, makes a cameo appearance.

Also happily, Sheppard proves the adage: Good writing is never wasted upon the young, and One For Sorrow is great writing.

One For Sorrow

by Mary C. Sheppard

Puffin Canada, $14

There's another adage about kids and reading: the only bad reading is no reading. Unfortunately, some kids are reluctant to read, and you have to find ways to entice them in.

Of course, it's good to have a "reading culture" in your house: if the kids see you reading, and if books and magazines are everywhere, they'll likely join in. Also, books about a child's interests are surefire ways to get them going. Does she like girls' hockey? Get a book on it; does he like BMX racing? Get him the book. There are books on every area of interest.

Another way is with a graphic novel. Magic Pickle is a thick, sturdy work with lots of eye-popping graphics, but there's actually a pretty zippy story happening here, and a surprising number of words -- along with lots of clever wordplay and puns.

Magic Pickle begins with a bionic, humanized pickle exploding through the bedroom floor of the sleeping Jo Jo (who is in about Grade 6), and he blasts the footsies off her pyjamas as his way of saying hello.

What ensues is the typical quest for world domination, and Jo Jo and her new cohort, Weapon Kosher, battle all sorts of evil baddies to save the world for you and I.

It's silly, it's fun, it gets kids reading. That's a win-win-win.

Magic Pickle

The Full Color Graphic Novel

by Scott Morse

Scholastic, $10.99

This is a special springtime storybook, and it's a true story, too. One that is sorrowful yet uplifting.

It's been 80 years that Canada has had official relations with Japan (one of the reasons for this book's release), and in those decades exists one of the more shameful episodes in our history.

But within the gentle, poignant pages of Kogawa's Naomi's Tree, you'll find no caustic mention of the forced internment and property confiscation of West Coast Japanese-Canadians in the early 1940s, and nary a judgment. This is the story of a much-loved cherry tree in a Vancouver family's back yard. Cherry trees, revered in Japanese culture, are linked to family togetherness and friendship.

Little Naomi was particularly fond of her tree, and she whispered to it a fond farewell as the family was taken away to the camps. "The cherry tree trembled with sadness. The branches and leaves filled with soft whisperings. Remember me Naomi. Goodbye. Goodbye."

Japanese-Canadians were dispersed across the country and it was many decades before Naomi and her brother, both elderly now, finally fulfilled a dream -- to find their family home and see if the cherry tree remained.

In an afterword, Kogawa tells how she is Naomi, and how she and her brother Tim discovered that their old family home, with the scarred and ancient tree, still stood. Happily, the house is now a famous writers' centre (kogawahouse.com), and cuttings from the original tree survive and bear fruit.

Kogawa, an Order of Canada recipient, is one of Canada's finest writers. Ohi, among my favourite author-illustrators, outdoes herself with her compelling artworks. Just as our own back yard cherry trees are now setting their fruit, with harvest in perhaps a month, reading the tale of Naomi's tree is also a fruitful journey. It begins sweetly, turns sour, and is ultimately as sweet as scan be.

Naomi's Tree

by Joy Kogawa

illustrated by Ruth Ohi

Fitzhenry & Whiteside, $19.95

Well, I'm certainly happy that Whitney won America's Next Top Model, and it sure is nice to have a winner who is realistically "booty-full," as Whitney is the first plus-size model to triumph. (Also, we were pleased when "soccer mom" Dominique got trashed.)

One thing becomes obvious when watching the show (and its Canadian equivalent): None of the contestants know beans about the fashion industry.

Passion For Fashion by Fashion TV's Beker should be required reading for anyone wanting to enter the biz.

Whether you want to be a designer, model, agent, booker, photographer, publicist, journalist, editor, illustrator, cosmetic artist, hair stylist, forecaster, colour specialist or a personal shopper, Beker can tell you how to go about it, what you should know, which pitfalls to look out for, what skills you must have.

There are all sorts of fascinating insights. For example, on a fashion shoot with a supermodel or two, a world-famous designer of haute couture, a high-powered editor of a glossy fashion mag and an agency director, who do you think calls the shots? "The photographer is ultimately the one in charge of the set ... as long as they're ultimately giving the art director, editor or client what they want."

For an in-depth look at the captivating, alluring world of fashion, this colourful, well-written work fits just right.

gcurtis@thespec.com

Passion For Fashion

Careers In Style

by Jeanne Beker

illustrated by Nathalie Dion

Tundra Books, $22.99