Starred Reviews
Wild Animal Neighbors: Sharing Our Urban World
“This successful book is worthy of a spot on any library shelf.” —starred, School Library Journal View →
Deadly High-Risk Jobs
“A thrilling, thought-provoking study of dangerous jobs, this work should appeal to a wide array of readers of both genders….This is a captivating addition to the reference shelf.” —starred, VOYA View →
A Wounded Name
“The novel is rife with ancient folklore, elements of fantasy, murder, and suspense. Each character is wholly rendered; good and evil are not labels easily affixed in this story, and the complicated family dynamics add to the drama….Readers are in for a treat with… View →
Sex & Violence
“The dialogue is organic, crisp and true. The topics are deep and relevant—sex and violence, of course, but also gender roles, therapy, PTSD, father-son relationships, class rivalry, drug use, and more. This is an amazing story, one that all older teens… View →
“Hays is a gifted storyteller, offering up an effective balance of credible emotion, understated wisdom, and gentle humor.” —starred, The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books View →
Researching Rocks
“Award-winning author Sally M. Walker has written a beautifully crafted earth science series for young readers….Informational text that is widely accessible to children is a must in every library, and this series fits the bill.” —starred, Library Media Connection View →
“Innovative and engaging illustrations feature bold colors in mixed media collage and watercolor that jump from the page. This is an excellent resource for introducing the concepts of migration and predator-prey relationships to young readers.” —starred, Library Media… View →
A Bag of Marbles: The Graphic Novel
“[M]arvelously conceived and executed….Not to be missed.” —starred, Publishers Weekly View →
Shadowlark
“With its blend of dystopian, steampunk, and generally fantastical elements, Spooner’s follow up is even stronger and more gripping than the debut and is sure to ensnare further loyal readers.” —starred, Booklist View →
The Case of the Vanishing Honeybees: A Scientific Mystery
“An excellent first purchase for reports as well as for general interest.” —starred, School Library Journal View →
Sex & Violence
“Mesrobian takes aim at big topics….By focusing on Evan, Mesrobian talks about hookup culture in a way that is character-based, not agenda-driven, and showcases a teenager who grows and changes without becoming unrecognizable or saintly.” —starred, Publishers Weekly View →
“[P]acked with incident and complex connections between a range of characters. Hays is especially strong at depicting the network of people, old and young, who help Grover and his family move through their grief and, along the way, save his beloved forest.” —starred,… View →
Don't Spill the Milk!
“The intensity of the colors used in these gouache paintings will keep eyes riveted to the pages….A satisfying story, perfect for reading aloud.” —starred, Kirkus Reviews View →
BZRK Reloaded
“Round out the experience with realistically unpredictable characters and blockbuster action sequences to complete this thoroughly enjoyable, incredibly disturbing story.” —starred, VOYA View →
Their Skeletons Speak: Kennewick Man and the Paleoamerican World
“This title is hard to put down once you start it. This would be an excellent addition to every school library.” —starred, Library Media Connection View →
Fourth Down and Inches: Concussions and Football's Make-or-Break Moment
“The book builds a damning case against playing high-risk-of-concussion sports, though the narrative doesn’t preach….[T]horoughly researched and of-the-moment.” —starred, Publishers Weekly View →
Rifka Takes a Bow
“A memoir told with love and nostalgia….Unusual and unabashedly charming.” —starred, Kirkus Reviews View →
Sex & Violence
“This is a pitch-perfect, daring novel about how sex and violence fracture a life and the painstakingly realistic process of picking up the pieces….Utterly gripping.” —starred, Kirkus Reviews View →
My Happy Life
“This simply written chapter book tenderly portrays the happiness of a child whose life is in balance, as well as the colossal, unremitting, inconsolable sorrow of one who is suffering loss. . . . The clarity and simplicity of the writing are balanced by the verve and finesse of… View →
The Saints
“Here’s our demand: deliver the conclusion yesterday.” —starred, Booklist View →
The Noisy Book
Combining the tidy trim size and young audience of a board book with the range of an encyclopedia, this celebration of sound is epic in its scope and delightful in its execution. Printed on thin but sturdy glossy paper, each spread pairs a simple declaratory sentence (“The monkey goes oo View →
Something to Prove: The Great Satchel Paige vs. Rookie Joe DiMaggio
“Cooper’s soft-edged brown, amber and green illustrations lovingly depict the action and emotions called forth in the text. A loving tribute to Satchel Paige, who never looked back in anger.” —starred, Kirkus Reviews View →
Hoop Genius: How a Desperate Teacher and a Rowdy Gym Class Invented Basketball
“Coy understands the power of detail . . . and his tight focus on the game’s initial season is immediately engrossing. Spare, precise language reflects the game’s welcome sense of order as well as its athletic appeal. Morse’s kinetic paintings, at once dynamic and View →