Reviews
The Sin-Eater's Confession
“Bick proves again she is a writer to her core, never at a loss for things to say and uninterested in easy answers. Her handling of Ben’s increasing paranoia and delusion is nimble, making this a violent, and very smart, take-no-prisoners experience.” —Booklist View →
Speak Up, Tommy!
“Tommy’s classmates tease him about his quiet voice and his Israeli accent. He doesn’t like reading to the class, and stays by himself at recess. One day, Officer Sweeney and his police dog, Samson, pay a visit to Tommy’s class. Tommy instantly feels comfortable with Samson, who… View →
Your Pajamas Are Showing!: Book 1
“The episodic stories, translated from the original French, employ universal humor relating to family and school. The colorful, cartoony art adds to the laughs, while the simple panels and word balloons help young, novice readers negotiate the comic-book pages….Young readers… View →
The Future We Left Behind
“Lancaster’s science fiction novel is a read as quick and compelling as its predecessor, Human.4.” —Library Media Connection View →
William and the Lost Spirit
“[T]he art is intricate and gorgeously lit. The realism lends weight to the time period and the fantasy elements….For readers willing to let go of preconceptions, this will provide an engaging journey.” —Booklist View →
Mallory and Mary Ann Take New York
“From the girls’ success when they work together to their discord when one pressures the other, this high-energy chapter book hits both the high and the low notes of friendship. Many grayscale drawings illustrate the action in this lively addition to the Mallory McDonald… View →
Miracle Mud: Lena Blackburne and the Secret Mud That Changed Baseball
“The colorful, exaggerated paintings artfully (and comically) capture the full allure of ballpark ambiance by including plenty of behind-the-scenes activity. The information provided in the minimal text is bolstered by a solid two-page author’s note.” —Booklist View →
Hoop Genius: How a Desperate Teacher and a Rowdy Gym Class Invented Basketball
“The fun here is in the contrast between Coy’s straightforward narration and the stylized mayhem of Morse’s cast of maroon-shirted, all-American-looking college guys.” —Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books View →
Cookie, the Walker
“Monroe proves here again that she is a master of understated absurdity and quirky humor….The amusingly goofy text and absurd asides will appeal to a wide age range of kids. Monroe’s detailed illustrations, which frequently utilize comics-like panels and word balloons,… View →
My Happy Life
“The illustrations complement the narrative well, and will enable younger readers to feel a sense of accomplishment for tackling a lengthy chapter book….The difficult subjects are handled gracefully, allowing children to realize that happiness comes and goes, and that… View →
Spider Stampede
“A buggy blast; readers will be happy with the clear signs that that the twins’ career as experimental subjects is far from over.” —Kirkus Reviews View →
Fly Frenzy
“Readers will suck up this quick and gooey adventure like the ‘fly-spit smoothie’ that it is.” —Kirkus Reviews View →
A Match Made in Heaven: Book 8
“Proving that the power of teen love trumps even Heavenly directives, a budding graphic artist hooks up with an ethereally handsome new classmate….Another fresh and funny outing in a mostly solid satiric series.” —Kirkus Reviews View →
The Pets You Get
“Taylor’s children have a sweet sibling relationship… while page turns nicely build suspense.” —Kirkus Reviews View →
Under Pressure
“Elise’s deteriorating physical and emotional conditions are effectively sketched in this fast-paced, slim novel….Berne’s discerning tale combines vivid sports descriptions with a compelling storyline.” —Kirkus Reviews View →
William and the Lost Spirit
“A sprawling, richly imagined medieval adventure….This epic, detailed journey moves swiftly, punctuated by largely wordless and often glaringly bloody action scenes…. Like many other adventure tales, this examines questions of good and evil, but in William’s… View →
Miracle Mud: Lena Blackburne and the Secret Mud That Changed Baseball
“Kelly provides information about an unusual aspect of the game in a sprightly, entertaining story with a great ‘aha’ moment. Dominguez’s bright, expressive double-page spreads follow the events closely and make them live.” —Kirkus Reviews View →
The Mitzvah Magician
“Gabriel’s overzealous wand-waving gets him into trouble when he plays magician: he knocks things over and pokes his sister in the tummy. Mom helps him redefine the role of magician. ‘Good magicians do things that make people happy, not sad. They do mitzvot–that’s a Jewish… View →
You've Got Spirit!: Cheers, Chants, Tips, and Tricks Every Cheerleader Needs to Know
“A brief but strong list of recommended reading and websites is included. Youngsters would enjoy this guide.” —School Library Journal View →
The Sin-Eater's Confession
Reminiscent of Bick’s Drowning Instinct (Carolrhoda Lab, 2012), the story is told in flashback, this time in diary-type letters….This novel should be in all YA collections, and would be interesting reading for members of GSA’s." —School Library Journal View →
Something to Prove: The Great Satchel Paige vs. Rookie Joe DiMaggio
“The author builds suspense with dazzling descriptions of Paige’s ‘wobbly ball’ and ‘windmill wind-up’ that even nonbaseball fans will appreciate….[T]he action-filled poses are consistently dramatic, and the portraiture is outstanding. Use this… View →
Miracle Mud: Lena Blackburne and the Secret Mud That Changed Baseball
“Dominguez’s illustrations, which are painterly in style, look as if pastels were used to draw the dramatic baseball poses in a variety of perspectives….This accessible story will be enjoyable to a larger audience than just baseball fans.” —School Library… View →
Hoop Genius: How a Desperate Teacher and a Rowdy Gym Class Invented Basketball
“Morse’s energetic illustrations add an old-fashioned charm to the narrative….This entertaining and informative story will delight young sports fans.” —School Library Journal View →