Starred Reviews
Plotted: A Literary Atlas
“[A] rewarding excursion across the literary landscape that will be cherished by map enthusiasts as well as bibliophiles.”—starred, Publishers Weekly View →
See No Color
“Transracial adoption is never oversimplified, airbrushed, or sentimentalized, but instead, it’s portrayed with bracing honesty as the messy institution it is: rearranging families, blending cultural and biological DNA, loss and joy. An exceptionally View →
The Nutcracker Comes to America: How Three Ballet-Loving Brothers Created a Holiday Tradition
“Even readers familiar with The Nutcracker will probably learn a good deal from this engaging picture book. Bravo! Brava!”—starred, Booklist View →
The Way Back from Broken
“With a cast of diverse well-rounded characters, poignant relationships that never become schmaltzy, and a compelling high-stakes adventure, this vivid, moving exploration of grief and recovery hits all the right notes.”—starred, Booklist View →
The Book Itch: Freedom, Truth & Harlem's Greatest Bookstore
“From the author’s heart to America’s readers: a tribute to a man who believed in and lived black pride.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews View →
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 →
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 →
I'm Casting a Spell!: Meet a Fairy-Tale Witch
“[A] wonderfully inventive series. . . . The multicultural approach creates opportunities for students to make connections and gain deeper understandings. . . . Media specialists and teachers can use these to introduce genre units, and they are sure to attract… View →
Game Changer: John McLendon and the Secret Game
“This book offers a slice of history and an inspiring portrait in courage . . . [An] exciting account of a landmark game played ahead of its time.”—starred, Booklist View →
Remaking the John: The Invention and Reinvention of the Toilet
“The details of sanitary progress are carefully described, with humor when appropriate. . . . [A] nicely paced, informative book which can be the basis for reports and for enjoyable browsing.”—starred, School Library Connection View →
Smart and Spineless: Exploring Invertebrate Intelligence
“Lucid and well organized, the writing grips readers with a combination of facts and related narrative accounts of scientists at work. . . . A fascinating book for science fans.”—starred, Booklist View →
Either the Beginning or the End of the World
“Farish’s writing is haunting. . . . An excellent choice for readers seeking a less than neatly packaged love story or a glimpse into the complicated lineage of war-torn areas.”—starred, School Library Journal View →
Ada Byron Lovelace & the Thinking Machine
“A splendidly inspiring introduction to an unjustly overlooked woman.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews View →
“Fans of Richard Scarry will feel an instant affinity for this ambitious effort. . . . This is one to pore over—visually appealing, intellectually satisfying, and fun to boot.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews 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 →
The Great Monkey Rescue: Saving the Golden Lion Tamarins
“A page-turning narrative young zoologists will not be able to put down. . . . An animal conservation tale with a happy ending . . . and a must-read for monkey lovers.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews View →
’The winsome illustrations perfectly capture the pull and tug of high philosophy and…quintessential early-grade chuckle[s]….Gentle humor pervades this father-son tale in the nicest way."―starred, Kirkus Reviews 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 →
“[T]iny tales that will sometimes elicit conversation, sometimes a knowing smile or an outright laugh….This gem’s childlike warmth, whimsy, and wisdom bring to mind The Little Prince.”―starred, Kirkus Reviews View →
Out of Darkness
“Pérez deftly weaves [an] unflinchingly intense narrative….A powerful, layered tale of forbidden love in times of unrelenting racism.”―starred, Kirkus Reviews View →
Out of Darkness
“This book presents a range of human nature, from kindness and love to acts of racial and sexual violence. The work resonates with fear, hope, love, and the importance of memory….Set against the backdrop of an actual historical event, Pérez…gives voice to many… View →
When Lunch Fights Back: Wickedly Clever Animal Defenses
“This combination of storytelling, scientific fact, and attractive photographs will appeal to many readers, especially boys….Highly Recommended.”―starred, Library Media Connection View →
Fuel under Fire: Petroleum and Its Perils
“In a clear, cautionary presentation, Goldstein takes readers into the world of fossil fuels….a stellar treatment of energy issues. A top-shelf explication of the energy world, measured but pulling no punches.”―starred, Kirkus Reviews View →