NEW YORK - Gilda Brandman walks her fingers through a pile of books, searching for the perfect volume. She grimaces and shakes her head, still searching. You know, I think they are all gone.
Arms are outstretched, the line is deep, and some moms look forlorn.
Next to them, Annette Lawrence stands with a pile of books she can barely hold. By the time the store closes, more than 300 books have been sold to children. Books in hand, smart in their uniforms of yellow shirts, plaid ties, blue skirts and pants, they scatter off to classes. The school's elementary grades rank 40th among New York's 674 elementary schools. Its eighth grade ranks among the top in the state in reading and math scores.