Reviews
“Though the text is simple, the author paints a clear picture….Readers of Markle’s Snow School (2013) and Waiting for Ice (2012), both illustrated by Alan Marks, will welcome this additional account of a baby animal’s growth to… View →
William and the Lost Spirit
“There’s more to the book than meets the eye, and multiple readings reveal even more subtext. What does meet the eye, though, is quite nice, thanks to Bonhomme’s impeccable linework and breakdowns, as well as clean, if traditional, layouts.” —Publishers Weekly View →
My Crocodile Does Not Bite
“Absurdity abounds in Kulka’s tale of a clever boy who knows that telling the truth—just not the whole truth—can be pretty entertaining….[T]he wicked twist of an ending should catch most readers by surprise.” —Publishers Weekly View →
Something to Prove: The Great Satchel Paige vs. Rookie Joe DiMaggio
“Cooper’s grainy illustrations look as though they are filtered through sunlight, striking a nostalgic chord, while Skead’s play-by-play… provides a riveting, baseball story about two players seeking recognition of their worth.” —Publishers Weekly View →
The Cats on Ben Yehuda Street
“Reader alert! This reviewer is very fond of cats; so, she was ready to like this book almost sight unseen. Luckily, this whimsical picture book is a delight. Ben Yehuda Street in Tel Aviv is full of cats of every shape, size, and color but Mr. Modiano, a grumpy fishmonger,… View →
The Twelve-Fingered Boy
“Shreve is an admirable, wise protagonist…. Fans of Alexander Gordon Smith’s ‘Escape from Furnace’ series (Farrar) will enjoy the fast-paced paranormal twists this novel offers, and the ending will leave them wanting more.” —School Library Journal View →
Let's Meet a Construction Worker
“Cartoon-style animated drawings in bright colors introduce diverse characters who will capture children’s interest….Additional titles where more books on community helpers are needed.” —School Library Journal View →
The Royal Treasure Measure
“This clever account, told in rhyme, alludes to the basis for most of today’s standard measurement: the human body….The exaggerated, colorful cartoon illustrations are humorous and appealing. Fans of the author’s other math concept books will be delighted with… View →
Rise & Shine: A Challah-Day Tale
“While playing dress-up in the attic with her brother Sammy, Sophie discovers a crumpled piece of paper in an old apron pocket. Unable to read the strange words, Sophie and Sammy rush to Shalom House to ask Grandma Gert for a translation. The scribbles turn out to be an old family… View →
Cheesecake for Shavuot
“Cheesecake for Shavuot is the fourth in Allison Ofanansky’s nature/holiday series that includes Harvest of Light, What’s the Buzz, and Sukkot Treasure Hunt. The text is illustrated with beautiful color photographs. The class begins by planting… View →
“Given its slightly sarcastic tone, it should find a willing audience among upper middle school through high school students and would make an excellent addition to career/job search collections.”—School Library Journal View →
Grover and Big Bird's Passover Celebration
“Why is this book different from all other Passover picture books? For starters, a giant yellow bird finds the afikomen. But what else would you expect from a seder on Rechov Sumsum, the Israeli equivalent to Sesame Street? Big Bird and his pals serve as delightful seder hosts as… View →
Oh! If Only...
“Foreman’s minimal text sometimes tumbles and dances across the page, and his watercolor-and-pastel illustrations capture both motion and dumbstruck faces hilariously. A blithe romp.” —Kirkus Reviews View →
The Future We Left Behind
“[A] stimulating read well worth contemplating.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books View →
Something to Prove: The Great Satchel Paige vs. Rookie Joe DiMaggio
“[T]his centers on a fascinating event, one that points up the racial injustice at the time; at the same time, it makes readers care about both players, and may leave kids wanting to learn more about Paige, DiMaggio, the Negro Leagues, and the integration of baseball.”… View →
A Marked Man: The Assassination of Malcolm X
“®eadable, well-designed…. Back matter is robust and should lead interested readers in further pursuit of the truth.”—Booklist View →
Hoop Genius: How a Desperate Teacher and a Rowdy Gym Class Invented Basketball
“Well researched with material artifacts and primary sources, this classic story is boosted significantly by big, blocky, muscular illustrations in muted tones that effortlessly mix tongue-in-cheek whimsy with serious action. Anybody who plays the game or watches it ought to find… View →
Overexposed
Series Review: While fairly short and to the point, this series of low-reading-level, high-interest fiction titles are interesting to read and worth having in any teen collection. The topics covered are hard hitting, controversial, and may fill a need in most teen collections. Each… View →
I Don't Want to Go to the Hospital!
Ross’s popular little princess with the yellow crown needs to go to the hospital to have a lump removed from her nose. This look at a hospital stay will comfort any child facing the same fate, yet it avoids being purposeful or didactic due to the humorous tone. The watercolor cartoon… View →
Thank You, Trees!
“In this charming story, people of different ages, gender, and races plant and take care of trees and enjoy their bounty. The lively illustrations portray people enjoying various activities, like climbing trees, having a Tu B’shevat picnic, singing, dancing, recycling, and swinging View →
It's a Mitzvah, Grover!
“With broom in hand, Grover joins his Rechov Sumsum friends Brosh, Avigail, and Mahboub in doing a mitzvah by cleaning up storm debris cluttering their playground. Working together, the amiable group picks up all the trash. Before applying a fresh coat of paint to the… View →
Stones for Grandpa
“Grandpa Duke taught his young grandson many lessons, such as how to wish on a shooting star, tie Boy Scout knots, and be brave when catching a frog. However, the hardest lesson he passes on is how to accept a loved one’s death. When the little boy accompanies his parents to the… View →