Reviews
The Maypop Kidnapping: A Quinnie Boyd Mystery
“Quinnie is a memorable protagonist with an engaging voice. . . . Surrisi’s debut novel is a delightful cozy mystery, snugly mixing intrigue and humor, with an unpredictable and satisfying resolution.”—Kirkus Reviews View →
The Black Dragon
“[Danny’s] depth makes him a laudable and likable hero. The unusual location, intriguing characters, and a fast-paced plot further set this series opener apart. A clever mashup of crime drama and magical realism makes for an auspicious series start.”—Kirkus Reviews View →
Feminism: Reinventing the F-Word
“This small, colorful book introduces readers to the complexities of an ever evolving movement . . . cover[ing] an enormous breadth of material . . . A good starting point for discussions.”—Kirkus Reviews View →
Elmer and the Flood
“So many picture books promote the joys of friendship that it’s refreshing to find one celebrating ‘the bliss of solitude’ in such a cheerful way. . . . A fresh, amusing addition to the Elmer series.”—Booklist Online View →
Collateral Damage
“This entry in the Support and Defend series will draw military and nonmilitary teens alike. The high/low story is full of action and raw emotion that will engage reluctant readers.”—Booklist Online View →
On the Road with Mallory
“[F]ans of the long-running Mallory series will enjoy reading about this soon-to-be fifth-grader, her initially unbearable cousin, and her sometimes inscrutable older brother.”—Booklist Online View →
Shalom Everybodeee!: Grover's Adventures in Israel
“The best way to experience this book is to find someone who does a really good Grover impression for a read-aloud. Grover has one of the most distinctive voices in the history of children’s television, and all Sesame Street fans will hear that voice in their heads as soon as View →
Their Great Gift: Courage, Sacrifice, and Hope in a New Land
“Coy (Hoop Genius) and photographer Huie (Looking for Asian America) . . . deliver a visual smorgasbord that informs young readers—and reminds older ones—how the United States was and continues to be made.”—starred, Publishers Weekly View →
A Place for Elijah
" . . . the arrival of the final guest, a young African-American newsie whose name is revealed to be Elijah, suggests that honoring the spirit of a tradition is just as valuable as following it to the letter." — Publisher’s Weekly View →
Sammy Spider's First Taste of Hanukkah: A Cookbook
“Making his 15th appearance, ‘Sammy Spider dangled from his web as Mr. Shapiro told Josh the story of the Maccabees and the miracle of the oil.’ While spiders don’t celebrate the holiday, Sammy could certainly watch as all the cooking began! In this latest… View →
The Way Back from Broken
“This book is a heartbreaker, but any reader can benefit from its message of honesty, resilience, and courage.”—VOYA View →
“Written in diary format and harmlessly fun, the short, easy-to-read books focus on friendships, family relationships, and innocent romantic attractions. Happy endings prevail. Preteen and early teen girls will probably relate well to these stories.”— View →
Either the Beginning or the End of the World
“[This book] moves quickly with well developed characters and fluid dialogue. Farish has written a thoughtful and lyrical novel. Teens desiring a higher work of literature will not be disappointed while reading this.”—VOYA View →
Over the Tracks
“This tightly-crafted . . . highly engaging series deserves shelf space in classrooms, as well as school and public libraries, and would make a great gift for that special reluctant reader.”—starred, VOYA View →
This tale of a young Canadian immigrant who gets a longer for but unexpected chance to join a local team will score an easy goal with younger or less expert readers mad for hockey. Money is so tight since Paul’s divorced dad went back to Trinidad that the equipment and registration costs View →
Dead Zones: Why Earth's Waters Are Losing Oxygen
“[T]he straightforward, unsparing text will encourage students to think critically about their own choices, even if they live far away from the ocean. An illuminating introduction to a complicated, dire ecological problem that deserves more attention.”—Booklist View →
Space Junk: The Dangers of Polluting Earth's Orbit
“Clearly written and concise, the book lays out the problem without sensationalizing it, while including human-interest details. . . . A natural for booktalking to STEM-minded kids, this slender volume belongs in many libraries.”—Booklist View →
The Ebola Epidemic: The Fight, The Future
“Though it doesn’t make light of the very real and devastating effects Ebola can have on families and entire communities, this is also careful not to contribute to sensationalism. . . . A solid, valuable look at a still-mysterious illness and a tumultuous time in recent… View →
Just My Type: Understanding Personality Profiles
“Examples [of personality tests] are sprinkled liberally throughout the text . . . adding an appealing level of interaction. . . . Ultimately, a fascinating guide to a high-interest topic.”—Booklist View →
Game Changer: John McLendon and the Secret Game
“It’s a great story. . . . [Use] for a readaloud on teams who challenged segregation.”—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books View →
Ebola: Fears and Facts
“[A] story not just of medical crisis but of cultural conflicts and xenophobic mistrust as well. . . . While Newman’s unsensationalized account leaves room for hope, it refuses to whitewash grim news.”—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books View →
Either the Beginning or the End of the World
“Give this to readers who enjoy sophisticated literary prose and a narrative where love is as strong and complex as the many forces that work against it.”—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books View →
The Anatomy of Curiosity
“The Merry Sisters of Fate . . . return with another book of instruction and support for aspiring authors . . . [which] has broad applicability for realists and fantasists alike.”—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books View →
Sadie and Ori and the Blue Blanket
“The realistic depiction of a contemporary grandparent – she not only teaches the children to cook but also gets down on the floor to play and runs alongside their tricycles – as well as the sensitive treatment of aging, make this a recommended addition to school and… View →