Reviews
“An exciting page-turner.” —School Library Journal View →
My Zombie Hamster
“The irreverent narrator, short chapters, and brisk pace will appeal to reluctant readers. My Zombie Hamster contains some implied violence, but nothing too graphic, making it the perfect pick for readers who are interested in zombie action, but who are not ready for… View →
Ick! Yuck! Eew!: Our Gross American History
This is a colorful and entertaining look at the grosser aspects of American history. . . . It will be an excellent addition to any collection!"—starred, Library Media Connection View →
Don't Spill the Milk!
“[A] beautifully illustrated West African story. . . . There is so much to be learned about rural Nigeria through the colorful folk art illustrations.”—starred, Library Media Connection View →
Seder in the Desert
“The natural beauty of the environment and rock formations enhance a child’s appreciation of the blessings of nature and of God. This is a wonderful read-aloud and shared resource to illustrate a unique Passover observance.” — AJL… View →
“Readers will feel unmoored until the last few pages of Oblivion, and that’s all right; so does the story’s narrator, Callie.” —starred, Booklist View →
The Whispering Town
“Both author and illustrator do an excellent job of bringing both the horror and humanity of this story to a level younger children can understand, and there is much of both: Nazis pounding on doors; Carl giving Anett his most prized possession, a heartshaped stone, a last gift… View →
“[A]n excellent choice for a reader seeking a plot-driven mystery with complex characters.” —Library Media Connection View →
The Scar Boys
“[A]n uplifting novel for students who prefer thought-provoking contemporary realistic fiction.” —Library Media Connection View →
Missing Monkey!
“With youthful language and humorous drawings, readers will enjoy the adventures of Billy and Jillian, two of the nicest Crooks you will ever meet.” —Library Media Connection View →
“[A] promising first book in a new series and will leave the reader wanting to know what happens next. Recommended.” —Library Media Connection View →
Handle with Care: An Unusual Butterfly Journey
“Detailed discussion of each stage in the butterfly life cycle—egg, larva, pupa, and adult—is accompanied by wonderfully sharp, close-up photographs that show intricate structural details.” —The Horn Book Magazine View →
The Quayside Cat
“Forward writes smoothly, combining natural-sounding dialogue with evocative sensory details of life aboard a wooden sailing ship…. A good change of pace from the usual picture-book fare.” —Booklist Online View →
“[T]his pared-down story is accessible even to toddlers. Expressive ink drawings with delicate color washes illustrate the brief text with warmth and humor.” —Booklist Online View →
“Teachers looking for picture books that reinforce the concept of ordinal numbers will find this a pleasant, lightly amusing choice.” —Booklist Online View →
“The story works on two levels: as a psychological mystery and as a story of Callie’s rocky relationships with her sister and boyfriends, always grounding her difficulties in reality. Thoroughly compelling.” —Kirkus Reviews View →
“[M]uch of the advice applies to life beyond college, too: ‘People make the most colossal mistakes when they don’t trust their gut.’”—Publishers Weekly View →
Sadie's Lag Ba'Omer Mystery
“Solving a holiday mystery is the mission of Sadie and her little brother Ori in Sadie’s Lag Ba’Omer Mystery by Jamie Korngold, illustrated by Julie Fortenberry (Kar-Ben, $7.95 pb), for early elementary-age kids. They may be familiar with… View →
The Whispering Town
“Rounding out this literary threesome of resistance and escape is ‘The Whispering Town,’ a picture book written by Jennifer Elvgren and illustrated by Fabio Santomauro. The setting is a Danish fishing village, but one of the book’s charms is how little context you View →
Can People Count on Me?: A Book about Responsibility
“Real-life topics, ranging from the specific (‘How can I make sure I don’t forget my band instrument?‘) to the general (’Why does everyone need a turn?’), are presented in a clear question-and-answer format that is instructive but not overly didactic.… View →
Where's My Tushy?
“©hildren love funny books, and this one will get many of them chuckling.” —School Library Journal View →
Jack the Castaway
“The story is a well-written debut novel and an introduction to a fun cast of characters and a series certain to be full of adventure. Pencil illustrations bring life to Jack and all of the craziness he and his family experience. This will likely entertain even the most reluctant… View →