Starred Reviews
Nearer My Freedom: The Interesting Life of Olaudah Equiano by Himself
“[T]he story makes for compelling reading that moves quickly. . . . This important and unique work introduces this pivotal man to a new audience and will make for interesting classroom discussions.”—starred, School Library Journal View →
Patterns Everywhere
“With content that will appeal to a wide range of readers, this beautiful book about patterns is an excellent choice for elementary libraries.”–starred, School Library Journal View →
Rise to the Sky: How the World's Tallest Trees Grow Up
“Hirsch teaches basic plant biology through the example of the world’s “tallest living thing”—trees—in this awe-inspiring text. . . . Washed in earthy browns and vivid emerald greens, Posada’s expertly rendered cut paper collage provide texture that feels… View →
The Bear and the Wildcat
“Elegant, understated spreads over scumbled black backdrops by Sakai divide the story, the first half dark with Bear’s misery, the second half dawning with light. Hirano’s fine translation renders Bear’s transition in simple, natural-sounding English, and… View →
Roads to Family: All the Ways We Come to Be
“Within each chapter, Ginocchio tells engaging, lengthy stories, based on interviews, of several racially and ethnically diverse parents, from same-sex relationships to individuals who wanted to be parents to heterosexual couples struggling with infertility, and how they brought… View →
Nearer My Freedom: The Interesting Life of Olaudah Equiano by Himself
“Monica Edinger and Lesley Younge—former fourth grade co-teachers—brilliantly transform the autobiography into ‘found poems’ by cutting and rearranging Equiano’s original into verse . . . Their deft transformation of Equiano’s odyssey is well-equipped to… View →
Indigo and Ida
“Indigo is a relatable and sympathetic character, and the social justice issues she champions at her school are timely and ring true. Readers will be inspired by Indigo’s passion and compelled to read more about Wells, too.”—starred, Booklist View →
Rise to the Sky: How the World's Tallest Trees Grow Up
“A well-focused, beautiful, and informative introduction to the arboreal world.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews View →
Stars of the Night: The Courageous Children of the Czech Kindertransport
“A necessary and inspirational book about a little-known light amid a dark period of history, this book should find a home in all libraries.”—starred, School Library Journal View →
Nearer My Freedom: The Interesting Life of Olaudah Equiano by Himself
“In this unique work of nonfiction, Edinger and Younge transform the words of Olaudah Equiano’s 1789 autobiographical slavery narrative into found-verse poetry. . . . [An] absorbing, singular creation.”—starred, Booklist View →
Never Give Up: Dr. Kati Karikó and the Race for the Future of Vaccines
“Bright, beautiful illustrations are rendered in pencil and finished digitally. . . . Informative as well as inspiring, this book shows how Karikó’s tenacity is proof to never give up. A first purchase for all biography collections.”—starred, School Library Journal View →
Nearer My Freedom: The Interesting Life of Olaudah Equiano by Himself
“Without losing the source text’s emotional heft, Edinger and Younge’s visceral poems respectfully provide an effective entry point into the seminal work.”—starred, Publishers Weekly View →
Stars of the Night: The Courageous Children of the Czech Kindertransport
“Quiet but immediate. . . . The in-the-moment text combines with emotional acrylic, colored-pencil, and collage illustrations in Alko’s signature style to create a dreamlike atmosphere.”—starred, The Horn Book Magazine View →
Hidden Creature Features
“High marks for presentation and showy cast alike.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews View →
Nearer My Freedom: The Interesting Life of Olaudah Equiano by Himself
“Highly readable as well as informative. An excellent way to understand a remarkable individual and his times.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews View →
Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants
“A book that is entirely in a class of its own, this belongs in every collection for teens.”—starred, School Library Journal View →
Where We Come From
“Outstanding in all ways, this title deserves a place in most collections and adds a wonderful opportunity for upper elementary students (and higher!) to unpack our complicated histories.”—starred, School Library Journal View →
Stars of the Night: The Courageous Children of the Czech Kindertransport
“A not-to-be-missed, inspirational book about courage, heart, and the necessity of caring for others.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews View →
The Lady and the Octopus: How Jeanne Villepreux-Power Invented Aquariums and Revolutionized Marine Biology
“An illuminating work on a scientist in the same league as Maria Sibylla Merian and Mary Anning.”—starred, Booklist View →
The Bear and the Wildcat
“Quietly contemplative, mingling hope and healing, this is a book that will offer comfort to many.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews View →
Wonderful Hair: The Beauty of Annie Malone
“Gorgeous paintings of industry and determination, set to a story of a practical young woman who wanted people to feel good about themselves and was a pioneer of natural Black hair care products, this is a good choice for the elementary biography section.”—starred, School View →