Reviews
Change of Heart
“McClintock keeps tensions high, and Robyn is a winning heroine….Like Nancy Drew and Veronica Mars before her, Robyn’s investigations are addictive.” —Publishers Weekly View →
Zoo Station: The Story of Christiane F.
“Although Christiane’s message to readers is, without a doubt, ‘Do not follow me,’ she synthesizes moments of beauty and joy alongside those of horror, resulting in a deeply observant look at the search for love and meaning amid chaos.”—Publishers Weekly View →
The Twelve-Fingered Boy
“It’s a little bit Shawshank Redemption, a little bit X-Men, as adult author Jacobs (This Dark Earth) launches a promising trilogy about superhuman teens… [T]he premise is sound, Shreve’s hard-edged narrative voice is strong, and Jacobs skillfully builds tension… View →
Thank You, Trees!
“Tu B’Shevat is the Jewish Arbor Day, and families can celebrate its message with this charming and colorful board book for youngest readers. Karwoski (Seaman, the Dog Who Explored the West with Lewis and Clark) teams with educator Gootman to provide easy-to-say (or repeat) rhymes… View →
The Normal Kid
“Holmes constructs a sturdy story that examines preconceptions and the sting of social rejection, combined with credible character development. Sylvan and Charity’s alternating perspectives reveal how taking chances on friendships can broaden and enrich one’s awareness… View →
Dear Teen Me: Authors Write Letters to Their Teen Selves
“The breadth of emotion and experience the entries cover guarantee that almost any reader will identify with some of the situations and anxieties expressed.”—Publishers Weekly View →
Regine's Book: A Teen Girl's Last Words
“[A] rare, valuable window into life with a terminal illness.”—Publishers Weekly View →
Four Secrets
“[A] meticulously detailed and psychologically astute story with the feel of a procedural drama.” —Publishers Weekly View →
“Bringing to mind the oeuvre of Kevin O’Malley, Hiti, a comics artist making his children’s book debut, goes for broad humor—visual slapstick (Waga sliding through a house’s plumbing system), comedic sturm und drang (Waga’s curly ears vibrate in fright at… View →
Infinity and Me
“Hosford’s (Big Bouffant) story is as much a look into the interior life of a sensitive girl as it is a meditation on a mathematical concept—a task for which Swiatkowska’s (This Baby) idiosyncratic portraits are perfectly suited.”… View →
H.O.R.S.E.
“This wonderfully inventive, mordant duel of words offers both an advanced discussion of a particular sport (basketball) and flights of big-talking fancy….An excellent readaloud for kids who scorn fluffy-bunny books and want to play like the big kids.” —starred,… View →
Emanuel and the Hanukkah Rescue
“In this beautifully illustrated and evocative tale set in the 18th century, Emanuel is a Jewish boy living in the whaling town of New Bedford, Mass. Emanuel’s father, a merchant near the sea who lived as a secret Jew in Portugal until he immigrated to America, still suffers from… View →
The Count's Hanukkah Countdown
“Some of Sesame Street’s favorite characters and their Israeli friends join together for a Hanukkah party in this delightful number story, the first of four books in the Shalom Sesame series. As Grover prepares for and participates in a holiday party, the Count joins in the… View →
Jeremy's Dreidel
“Endearing illustrations highlight this sweet Hanukkah story about a boy who creates a special dreidel for his father. As the children gather at the Jewish Community Center for dreidel making, Jeremy meets some friends who have come with innovative plans to craft the traditional… View →
Dino-Football
“Gott’s high-energy cartoons place readers right in the football action, with dinosaur tackles, touchdowns, and a rousing halftime show.” —Publishers Weekly View →
The Day Louis Got Eaten
“The hilariously preposterous chase unfolds quickly in Fardell’s panel illustrations, and Sarah shows bravery, ingenuity, and determination every step of the way.” —Publisher’s Weekly View →
A Game for Swallows: To Die, To Leave, To Return
“Abirached’s b&w inks offer a stark contrast in hard, geometric patterns that make images at once abstract and fully representative of her childhood memories. The characters, despite their cartoonish nature, show a variety of emotions, and Abirached’s gift for… View →
Fly, Chick, Fly!
“Unlike the signature, comedic style of cartooning Ross uses in the Horrid Henry and Little Princess books, his textural pastel illustrations in this story about a baby barn owl are delicate and quiet, an excellent match for Willis’s lyrical text…. A conventional but… View →
“Melmon’s tender cartoons seamlessly integrate the counting lesson into the narrative.” —Publishers Weekly View →
Oh No, Jonah!
“The biblical story of Jonah the reluctant and cranky prophet is retold in gorgeous color and catchy rhyme…. Jago’s illustrations make the story child-friendly.”—Publishers Weekly View →
Sammy Spider's New Friend
“In this addition to the Sammy Spider series, bright colors and an easy-to-follow plot work together to teach children the importance of the Jewish custom of hospitality. When a new family moves to town, Josh Shapiro and his parents immediately set to work preparing… View →
“Quizzes, recipes, and tips for starting a babysitters club should entertain and ease readers into their first gig.”—Publishers Weekly View →
Little White Duck: A Childhood in China
“Liu is a calm storyteller whose words are enlivened by Martinez’s enthusiastic and energetic art, and their respective tones complement each other fluidly. Martinez’s work is a loving depiction of his wife in childhood, providing atmosphere through not only his period… View →