Announcing the Book Sense Easter and Passover Top Ten

Here are independent booksellers' picks for the Top Ten Easter and Passover titles for 2005. This list was developed by Book Sense in collaboration with the Association of American Publishers' Get Caught Reading initiative, an ongoing project.

Many thanks to all the independent booksellers who contributed a wealth of enthusiastic nominations for this list. Pads of the list will be included in the February Red Box.

To download this list in PDF format, click here.

The deadline for the Spring History Top Ten is Friday, February 11. The focus of the History list -- again compiled in association with The History Channel -- will be on President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the politics of his time. Booksellers are encouraged to nominate frontlist or backlist titles, in hardcover or paperback on either FDR or the key issues of the day, such as World War II, the Depression, or important social changes. The History Channel is scheduled to air "FDR: A Presidency Revealed" on April 17 - 18; please check local listings to confirm date and time.

To nominate titles for the Picks lists, just e-mail a few sentences about the title to dan@booksense.com, or use the convenient Web form at www.bookweb.org/read/6305.

1. THE SECRET SEDER, by Doreen Rappaport, Emily Arnold McCully (Illus.) (Hyperion, $16.99, 0786807776) "Written from the point of view of a French boy whose family is forced to hide their Jewish faith, the story pays tribute to bravery and the proud celebration of religious tradition in the face of horrific acts of genocide. Well-written and featuring beautiful illustrations, this book is terrific." -- Jan Loveland, Cranesbill Books, Chelsea, MI

2. THE LITTLE RABBIT WHO WANTED RED WINGS, by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey, Jacqueline Rogers (Illus.) (Grosset & Dunlap, $3.49 paper, 0448190893) "A rabbit who wants to have beautiful red wings like a cardinal is granted his wish -- but discovers that everything is not as wonderful as he had imagined. This is a sweet story with a wonderful message for all of us." -- Terry Dallas, Armchair Books, Pendleton, OR

3. THE GOLDEN EGG BOOK, by Margaret Wise Brown, Leonard Weisgard (Illus.) (Golden Books, $8.99, 037582717X) "Margaret Wise Brown tells the story of a bunny who learns that an egg won't hatch till it's ready. This classic story is as bright and sweet and wholesome as a child's Easter should be, and it's charmingly illustrated by Leonard Weisgard." -- Laura Huemer, Goldfinch Books, Maplewood, NJ

4. THE DAY CHRIST DIED, by Jim Bishop (HarperSanFrancisco, $13.95 paper, 0060608161) "Written in a 'you are there' format, this book enables readers to accompany Christ hour-by-hour on the last day of his earthly life. The author has included information about the Roman world that allows us to understand the political and physical environment in which these events happened. Bishop's book helps strengthen our own faith and help us appreciate the real meaning of Easter." -- Elizabeth Hamilton, Portland State Bookstore, Portland, OR

5. THE BUNNY WHO FOUND EASTER, by Charlotte Zolotow, Helen Craig (Illus.) (Houghton Mifflin, $5.95 paper, 0618111271) "This is the sweet story of a lonely bunny on a quest. It's tender and warm, with charming illustrations. A perfect read-aloud!" -- Jacqueline Sams, Bound to be Read, Albuquerque, NM

6. MARY, CALLED MAGDALENE: A Novel, by Margaret George (Penguin, $16 paper, 0142002798) "This is a great read for Easter and Passover, as much of the first part of the novel focuses on Jewish rituals and Passover. With the growing interest in Mary sparked by The Da Vinci Code, Margaret George offers her usual well-researched, and very readable, theories about Mary." -- Rona Brinlee, The Book Mark, Atlantic Beach, FL

7. MIRIAM'S CUP: A Passover Story, by Fran Manushkin, Bob Dacey (Illus.) (Scholastic, $15.95, 0590677209) "This is a beautifully illustrated children's book that tells the story of Miriam, sister of Moses, and of her courage and faith. In this retelling of the Passover story, the role of Miriam is emphasized, as is the joyful nature of the celebration." -- Terry Lucas, The Open Book, Westhampton Beach, NY

8. THE INNER EXPERIENCE: Notes on Contemplation, by Thomas Merton (HarperSanFrancisco, $15.95 paper, 0060593628) "This book offers a glimpse into the life of a contemplative. A perfect book to read and think upon during the Lenten season. It is a wonderful addition to the Merton canon." -- Jack Gillard, Shaman Drum Bookshop, Ann Arbor, MI

9. EXODUS, by Brian Wildsmith (Eerdmans, $20, 0802851754) "Exodus is a great book for Passover and is beautifully illustrated with colors of desert orange, green, and beige with a touch of gold to make it truly elegant." -- Gussie Lewis, Tree Top Toys and Books, Washington, DC

10. HOW DO YOU KNOW IT'S EASTER?, by Dian Curtis Regan, Fumi Kosaka (Illus.) (Little Simon, $7.99, 0689861559) "We like to give this book as a welcome alternative to candy in the basket for a little one. You can also read it for a quick snuggle up with mom as the days count down. The lift-the-flaps make it all the more enticing for the toddler set." -- Valerie Koehler, Blue Willow Bookshop, Houston, TX