The award, established in 1966, is a citation given to an American publisher for a children’s book considered to be the most outstanding of those books originally published in a foreign language in a foreign country, and subsequently translated into English and published in the United States. The Association for Library Service to Children gives the award to encourage American publishers to seek out superior children’s books abroad and
to promote communication among the people of the world.

BRAVE STORY tells the adventures of Wataru, a meek and unassertive 10 year-old elementary school student with mediocre grades and little aspiration. Things get worse for the boy when his father runs off with a mistress. Shocked and depressed, Wataru’s mother is hospitalized after a failed suicide attempt. Bewildered and seemingly alone, Wataru finds refuge in a half constructed building in his neighborhood that is supposedly haunted. But the building actually is the entrance to an alternate world called Vision, filled with fantastic creatures both fierce and friendly. Wataru must master magic techniques and collect hidden treasures on his journey to the Tower Of Destiny where a goddess of fate awaits, who it is believed, can make wishes come true. With winged dragons, corkscrew wolves and other intriguing life forms around every corner, Wataru realizes the task may be tricky. Before long, he acquires a band of loyal cohorts, including Kee Keema, a quirky lizard, and Meena, a circus cat. Only when Wataru has completed this journey and collected five elusive gemstones will he posses the Demon’s Bane, which is the key to unlock the future. And to complicate matters Wataru must also outwit a merciless rival from the real world. Charity, bravery, faith, grace and the powers of darkness and light are the provinces of each gemstone and Wataru must learn important lessons about each during his quest. When finally brought together, the stones have the power to finally reunite Wataru’s family.