Reviews
Netta and Her Plant
" ‘It’s Tu B’Shevat today,’ the teacher explained. ‘Your name, Netta, means ‘plant,’ and now is the time to plant.’ So opens this picture book about the Jewish New Year for Trees, celebrated on the fifteenth day of Shevat. Although Tu B’Shevat isn’t explained within the… View →
The Scar Boys
“Harry’s obsession with punk music will appeal to music lovers, while his journey to accept himself for who he is—scarred face and all—is one that will likely resonate with any teen trying to find his way in the world.” —Booklist View →
Welcome to the Tribe!: Book 1
“Bannister’s anime-influenced style makes for some adorable characters with vivid colors and cartoony scenery. The book is full of charm and sets the groundwork for future adventures in what will hopefully be a long-running series.” —School Library Journal View →
Jack the Castaway
“If you want to laugh until your sides hurt, rush out and find a copy of Jack the Castaway by Lisa Doan…I’m looking forward to more adventures and misadventures—assuming Jack and Loco get off that island.”―Margaret Nevinski, author of Floating View →
Mumbet's Declaration of Independence
“Vividly colored illustrations reflect the generally hopeful tone of the story, while bold compositions and thickly layered paint suggest folk art. Freeman’s strength of character is reflected in her determined facial expressions and strong stance.” —School Library… View →
Tabula Rasa
“Sarah is an impressively fierce heroine with personality to spare. A page-turning adventure that will leave readers hoping for a sequel.” —The Horn Book Magazine View →
Wild Animal Neighbors: Sharing Our Urban World
The content holds obvious appeal, and Downer’s presentation is clear and engaging….[A] useful and thought-provoking book that will prove to be a hit with city-dwelling animal lovers and wannabe wildlife scientists." —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s… View →
A Bag of Marbles: The Graphic Novel
“The book’s relatively busy layout is balanced by Bailly’s gorgeously detailed illustrations…[A] welcome addition to the rich Holocaust literary canon.” —The Horn Book Magazine View →
Fourth Down and Inches: Concussions and Football's Make-or-Break Moment
“[T]his is an informative and useful book on a topic of crucial importance to young athletes.” —The Horn Book Magazine View →
The Shibboleth
“Shreve’s inner dialogue and snappy one-liners ring both true and trenchant: ‘In and down I go, into Schneider’s brainmeat, into his unconscious, like some psychic cliff diver in a Speedo.’” —Kirkus Reviews View →
A Really Awesome Mess
“[A] journey of self-discovery coupled with humorous teen antics, as well as overcoming personal obstacles. This book touches on relevant teen issues such as cyberbullying, adoption, eating disorders, anger problems, suicide, and depression. It offers hope to those who are facing… View →
A Summer of Sundays
“[A] good selection for independent reading or a class read-aloud.” —Library Media Connection View →
Upside Down Babies
“Willis and Reynolds conclude with a punchline that will tickle any readers who already think of their younger siblings as being part ape.” —Publishers Weekly View →
Netta and Her Plant
“Gellman’s (Jeremy’s Dreidel) gentle, serious prose conveys profound respect for Netta’s unwavering stewardship as well as her changing emotional states. Ugliano (Benjamin and the Silver Goblet) is very much in sync, with quietly reassuring scenes of modern Jewish View →
The Other Way Around
“Debut author Kaufman does a great job of depicting young people who have opted out of conventional middle-class values.” —Publishers Weekly View →
K-Pop: Korea's Musical Explosion
“Though technically a book about a specific genre of music, this straightforward text also serves as a history of modern Korean culture and the phenomena of globalization.” —Booklist View →
The Other Way Around
“Road-trip rebellion with romance….The dynamics of the group, combined with quirky characters met along the way, provide a certain fascination.” —Kirkus Reviews View →
Traumatic Brain Injury: From Concussion to Coma
A lot of ground is covered in this slim volume, but it is a solid introduction to the topic. It makes good use of graphics, photographs and sidebars to deliver complicated information….An efficient survey of a timely topic." —Kirkus Reviews View →
Game of Clones
“Once again, this Clone Chronicles novel strikes just the right balance between over-the-top adventure and real-life middle school drama. A character-driven, action-packed success.” —Kirkus Reviews View →