Reviews
37 Days at Sea: Aboard the M.S. St. Louis, 1939
“The rhythmic flow draws the reader inside the narrative. You will want to read this book in one sitting, never letting go until the very last words. In addition, the layout and design of 37 Days at Sea add depth to the emotional events.” — Anne Dublin, retired… View →
No Known Address
“The story is unusual for its sensitive treatment of a victim whose abuse is entirely emotional and psychological, making his situation largely invisible to classmates and teachers . . . An engaging, relevant, and realistic story, recommended for middle and high school… View →
The Singer and the Scientist
“Without self-consciousness, The Singer and the Scientist recreates a time when these two communities worked together towards common goals.” — Marian Grann, retired teacher, co-author (with Janet Willen) of Five Thousand Years of Slavery and Speak a Word for Freedom:… View →
I Am Brown
“Banker and Prabhat have created an exuberant celebration of brownness in a child-sized picture book context. The presentation of the text is simple; it is a list poem that begins with the titular declaration of brown identity. Through the book, we see a little brown girl with… View →
All about Police Officers
“Beginning readers will love seeing their favorite Sesame Street characters in this series about community helpers.”—School Library Journal View →
Beni's War
“Beni’s War depicts neither an idealized Israel nor a flawed country which needs to be apologized for. Instead, it faithfully paints life as lived in a country where war is never far away.” — Marjorie Gann, retired teacher; author of Five Thousand Years of Slavery,… View →
Play Like an Animal!: Why Critters Splash, Race, Twirl, and Chase
Play Like an Animal! Why critters splash, race, twirl, and chase by Maria Gianferrari, illustrated by Mia Powell. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Millbrook (Lerner), 2020. $20.… View →
Judah Touro Didn't Want to be Famous
“Parents and teachers will be pleased to read a true story about a person who devoted his life and fortune to addressing observable problems (poverty, slavery, inequality, access to health care, for example)” — Erica Siskind, Oakland PL, BayViews View →
Taking Time
“The story celebrates the virtues of various places. Teachers can encourage students to describe specific things that bring them joy.”—School Library Journal View →
A Dreidel in Time: A New Spin on an Old Tale
SAN DIEGO – Ah, the joys of time travel! San Diego author Marcia Berneger, a retired teacher, uses this device to imaginatively retell… View →
Eek, You Reek!: Poems about Animals That Stink, Stank, Stunk
“Both educational and hilarious, this fun book of poetry written by Yolen and Stemple will not only please language arts teachers but will appease science teachers.”—School Library Journal View →
Thanku: Poems of Gratitude
“[A] thoughtful resource for poetry students and teachers.”—Publishers Weekly View →
Snack, Snooze, Skedaddle: How Animals Get Ready for Winter
“Primary grade teachers may find this picture book a useful read-aloud choice to supplement units on animals in winter.”—Booklist View →
Queer, 2nd Edition: The Ultimate LGBTQ Guide for Teens
“Not every queer kid has easy access to a family member, teacher, counselor, or friend who can help them through the coming-out process. Even when they do, NEWSFLASH, most of us don’t have all the answers! Queer is a great way for a teen, or View →
Crayola ® Boredom-Busting Crafts
“Parents, teachers, scout leaders, and camp counselors will find inspiration within these pages.”—Booklist View →
“When extraterrestrials impound a spaceship full of students and teachers 400 light-years from Earth, it’s up to Jack and his buddies to get them all back home. Life on Public School Ship 118 has been hard for Jack ever since his science-teacher father was fired and kicked… View →
Light the Menorah!: A Hanukkah Handbook
“For those looking for a more serious take on Hanukkah rituals, this self-described handbook serves as a meaningful ‘manual for the contemporary Jewish family.’ The author posits that the ‘Hanukkah rituals are worth thinking about’ and offers useful poems… View →
“Leave a copy casually open at the desk for instant circulation, or put the art teacher, language arts teacher, and this title together and wait for creative sparks to fly.”—starred, The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books View →
Can You Hear a Coo, Coo?
“This board book tells the story of Noah’s Ark through simple and amusing illustrations accompanied by a text full of animal sounds and movement words. Reading the book is a lively, interactive learning experience. As children look at the color images of the animals, they can… View →
A Side of Sabotage: A Quinnie Boyd Mystery
Middle Grade Fiction A Side of Sabotage: A Quinnie Boyd Mystery (Quinnie Boyd Mysteries #3) by C.M. Surrisi I had the opportunity to read a digital ARC of this middle grade mystery novel courtesy of NetGalley. A few years ago, I read the Maypop… View →
What Can't Wait
By day, Dr. Sarah Derry manages the SC STEM Hub and a busy family life. Still, she makes time to read each night, and her choices often involve books with a STEM element. Today, she’s sharing one of her favorites: What… View →
Meet My Family!: Animal Babies and Their Families
“[T]his will interest animal-fact lovers and primary classroom teachers alike.”—Kirkus Reviews View →
Drop by Drop: A Story of Rabbi Akiva
“Rabbi Akiva, the second century Jewish sage, is considered to be one of the greatest rabbinic scholars and was the inspiration for many legends. Jules, who previously focused on biblical heroes in Abraham’s Search for God, Benjamin and the Silver Goblet, Miriam in the Dessert, and View →