'Uses of Enchantment'

By Heidi Julavits

Doubleday, $24.95

If a textbook about psychology were made into a novel with excellent and sometimes humorous dialogue, it would be "The Uses of Enchantment."

Heidi Julavits tells the story of a girl whose emotions go underground when her mother refuses to hear the truth: An older man, a friend of the family, has kissed her.

When the girl is in high school, she disappears for a few days. Was she kidnapped? Did she make up the abduction to hurt her family?

Eventually, after a lot of talking, the reader learns what really happened. — Susan Whitney

'How to Spell Like a Champ'

By Barrie Trinkle, Carolyn Andrews and Paige Kimble

Workman, $10.95 (softcover)

This book is aimed at children age 9 and older who are preparing to perform in spelling bees at any level.

The authors, who have had extensive experience with spelling bees, lay out some basic rules and exceptions of spelling and useful tips and advice from previous National Bee winners.

They also offer many pages of skill-building puzzles and games. The book comes with a 75-minute audio CD narrated by Jacques Bailly, the official "pronouncer" at the National Bee. The CD tells a fictional story of one girl's preparation from her classroom bee to the National Bee in Washington, D.C.

This may be the first "manual" anyone has produced for spelling bees — and looks like a good one. — Dennis Lythgoe

'Power, Freedom and Grace'

By Deepak Chopra

Amber/Allen, $18.95

Deepak Chopra, a prolific psychologist and philosopher, presumes to help the reader find and understand "our true nature, which is a field of pure consciousness."

He believes all his readers are asking these questions, "Who am I? Where did I come from? Where do I go when I die?"

Chopra says there are no answers to those questions — but considering them can help lead us to appreciate the human condition. According to Chopra, "When we understand our true nature, we begin to live from the source of lasting happiness" — something he calls "Pure inner joy."

He adds, "By knowing who we are, we no longer interfere with the innate intelligence of the cosmos."

For earnest Chopra fans, there is much to chew on here. — Dennis Lythgoe