Reviews
Gangsters, Bootleggers, and Bandits
“The articles are colorful and visually interesting. The topic is also sure to be a good fit as a high interest low reading level addition to any school library.” —Library Media Connection View →
Sadie's Almost Marvelous Menorah
“The family from Sadie’s Sukkah Breakfast and Sadie and the Big Mountain again demonstrates how kindness and creativity can overcome small (but they seem huge) setbacks. Illustrations filled with Hanukkah cheer capture both the bustling and the… View →
Army Delta Force: Elite Operations
“These eye-catching titles, each written in five short chapters, will be attractive to reluctant readers….The risks and destructive nature of the jobs aren’t sugarcoated, but the texts are not graphic.” —School Library Journal, Series Made Simple View →
Can You Tell a Stegosaurus from an Ankylosaurus?
“By encouraging readers to notice similarities and differences, the set engages them with age-appropriate critical thinking, making this set a natural choice for Common Core use.” —School Library Journal, Series Made Simple View →
Energy and Waves through Infographics
“Each title does offer sheaves of basic information in particularly concentrated form…and the resources lists are above average.” —School Library Journal, Series Made Simple View →
Fun Food Inventions
“This set is a browsers’ delight as well as a rich resource for science or pop-history report writers.” —School Library Journal, Series Made Simple View →
The Brain-Boosting Benefits of Gaming
“Young gamers who wonder what’s inside their Xboxes or how those dramatic graphics are created will come away from these satisfying volumes with plenty of facts.” —School Library Journal, Series Made Simple View →
Dance Is Fun!
“Clean, crisp design supports the easy-reader format of this set, as does the repetitive, simple texts….Color photos of diverse children (including a girl in Football) illustrate each point and enhance the basic information.” —School Library Journal, Series… View →
Ski Superpipe
“Overall, this set uses a positive tone and conveys enthusiasm for these athletics, emphasizing that readers can practice them while keeping as safe as possible. Thumbnail sketches of innovators and youthful superstars will keep young readers engaged.” —School Library… View →
The Case of the Vanishing Honeybees: A Scientific Mystery
“[The title] stands as fine example of science writing for newbie science readers—and teachers extending their use of trade books under Common Core.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books View →
Esther's Hanukkah Disaster
“Esther, a purple gorilla, tries to be a good friend for Hanukkah, but the gifts she picks out are all spectacular failures, from huge socks for her diminutive monkey pal, Sarah, to a jogging suit for slow turtle Josephine. Esther feels terrible – until on the last night of… View →
The Other Way Around
“Freegans, dumpster diving, and a van named Shirley. I seriously would follow this motley crew of performers anywhere. Andrew’s journey across the country, into love, into friendship, into a community unlike any he’s ever seen, was riveting . I am so glad Andrew got in… View →
Bone by Bone: Comparing Animal Skeletons
“I’ve been longing for another kind of picture book: one that appeals to young children’s wildest imagination in service of real evolutionary thinking….Bone by Bone, by veterinarian and professor Sara Levine, fills the niche to near perfection.”… View →
Odd, Weird & Little
“Jennings does not skip a beat as he builds realistic relationships and problem-solving around an outrageously funny premise.” —starred, Kirkus Reviews View →
Pre- and Re-, Mis- and Dis-: What Is a Prefix?
“Budding wordsmiths in particular will benefit from this lively look at one of language’s most versatile transformative tools.” —Booklist View →
Hey, Charleston!: The True Story of the Jenkins Orphanage Band
“Rockwell (Truck Stop) keeps the story focused and lively, with just enough social and emotional framing (Reverend Jenkins ‘was always looking for a way to turn bad into good’ is a recurring refrain) to add resonance. Bootman’s (Love Twelve Miles Long) sepia tones View →
The Cats on Ben Yehuda Street
“This very nicely illustrated story is an engaging tale about friendship and pets.” —Library Media Connection View →
Sex & Violence
“The dialogue is organic, crisp and true. The topics are deep and relevant—sex and violence, of course, but also gender roles, therapy, PTSD, father-son relationships, class rivalry, drug use, and more. This is an amazing story, one that all older teens… View →
Super Pop!: Pop Culture Top Ten Lists to Help You Win at Trivia, Survive in the Wild, and Make It Through the Holidays
“Fun and witty, historical and current, this volume will find an appreciative audience.”—School Library Journal View →
Deadly High-Risk Jobs
“A thrilling, thought-provoking study of dangerous jobs, this work should appeal to a wide array of readers of both genders….This is a captivating addition to the reference shelf.” —starred, VOYA View →
Gangsters, Bootleggers, and Bandits
“This series is very visually appealing and fits easily into the preferences of style common to today’s readers by using concise text with easy-to-read language that features interesting voice….This set is a great way to add some fiendish fun to a collection of… View →
Cookie, the Walker
“Though the illustrative style and storyline will make this book a favorite for younger children, this ‘be careful what you wish for’ tale has several themes that will provide topics for classroom discussion with older children.” —Library Media Connection View →
“Innovative and engaging illustrations feature bold colors in mixed media collage and watercolor that jump from the page. This is an excellent resource for introducing the concepts of migration and predator-prey relationships to young readers.” —starred, Library Media… View →