Reviews
The Nutcracker Comes to America: How Three Ballet-Loving Brothers Created a Holiday Tradition
“Balancing evocative turns of phrase with a crisp, forthright narrative, Barton delivers . . . a fascinating bit of artistic investigation, one with year-round appeal.”—starred, Publishers Weekly View →
The Christmas Coal Man
“Kulka’s vibrant artwork uses humor and lightly caricatured characterizations to enliven what’s initially a fairly gloomy setup—the miner’s faithful mule sports a pink hair bow and impossibly long eyelashes, while the man himself trades his miner’s hat for a View →
Hanukkah Is Coming!
“The title repeats as a refrain after each of Newman’s gentle rhymes, giving the book a soothing structure” — Publisher’s Weekly View →
Sammy Spider's First Taste of Hanukkah: A Cookbook
“Sammy is now in his second decade as an unlikely but winsome Jewish educator, and since the series kicked off in 1993 with a Hanukkah title, a holiday-themed cookbook is long overdue. Turndorf, who teaches cooking to children, has developed 17 easy recipes that kids can whip up… View →
See No Color
“Debut novelist Gibney offers an unflinching look at the complexities of racial identity. . . . Readers will finish this engaging, layered novel . . . with plenty to think about.”—starred, Publishers Weekly View →
Creatures of the Deep
"Photographs of each animal fill the pages, augmented with occasional diagrams—readers won’t soon forget the terrifying, gaping jaws of creatures like the anglerfish and goblin shark."—Publishers Weekly View →
How to Live Like a Roman Gladiator
“[An] irreverent tour of life in the Roman empire.”—Publishers Weekly View →
Game Changer: John McLendon and the Secret Game
“[A]n account brimming with suspense and emotional tension . . . skillfully highlights both the energy and importance of the game and the dangerous social climate in which it was played.”—starred, Publishers Weekly View →
Giants and Trolls
“Brief but gruesome narratives . . . mirror the action in Chilvers’s digital collages. . . . Peebles includes tips for readers who might face these creatures in the wild (hint: have salt or an arrow dipped in hydra blood handy).”—Publishers Weekly View →
The Mountain Jews and the Mirror
" . . . the illustrations bring alive the bustle of Casablanca’s narrow streets, and the couple’s expressive eyes almost dare the audience not to feel at least a smidgen of empathy." — Publisher’s Weekly View →
A Cut Too Far
“The briskly moving story spotlights the powerful ripple effect of cyberbullying, and . . . suggests one form of positive resolution for an increasingly prevalent and troubling problem.”—Publishers Weekly View →
Ship of Death
“Ample suspense and adventure, brief chapters, and Evergreen’s shadowy b&w illustrations will have readers sailing through this story and eager for Mr. Blood’s subsequent adventures.”—Publishers Weekly View →
Be a Survivor
“It’s a solid introduction to some basic, but potentially crucial, wilderness safety information.”—Publishers Weekly View →
First Man: Reimagining Matthew Henson
“As a work of fiction rooted in injustices suffered by African-Americans and indigenous peoples alike, it’s powerful and almost unbearably sad.”—Publishers Weekly View →
A 52-Hertz Whale
“A cohesive, emotionally intimate story that sensitively handles loss, grief, accomplishment, and the not-so-simple act of growing up.”—Publishers Weekly View →
Talia and the Very YUM Kippur
“It’s a fine introduction to an important Jewish holiday, as well as a reminder that intangible things like forgiveness can be as delicious as the best kugel.” — Publisher’s Weekly View →
“With something of the philosophical bent of The Little Prince, this is a treasure box of curious ideas for a thoughtful child.”―starred, Publishers Weekly View →
Trash Mountain
“A story of identity and survival develops into one of friendship, courage, and teamwork….Yolen balances the story’s more upsetting moments with humor.”―Publishers Weekly View →
The Lost Prince
“A rousing nautical adventure filled with suspense, action, and colorful characters.”―Publishers Weekly View →
Give It Up
“Moore pulls no punches when it comes to portraying teens facing harsh, perilous situations….A diverse cast, quick-moving chapters, and a hopeful tone will have readers invested.”―Publishers Weekly View →
Detective Gordon: The First Case
“Written in the style of a classic noir, but with plenty of humor and silliness….softly colored illustrations illuminate the tiny, cozy details of the forest creatures’ world.”―Publishers Weekly Online View →
An Ambush of Tigers: A Wild Gathering of Collective Nouns
“…Rosenthal and Jago’s collaboration stands out for the sheer inventiveness they bring to the subject….Witty delights abound.”―starred, Publishers Weekly View →
Anywhere but Paradise
“Bustard adeptly weaves elements of Hawaiian culture, lore, and history into an emotionally rich story.” —Publishers Weekly View →