Reviews
The Normal Kid
“Holmes is a capable and affecting stylist… Readers may enjoy the dynamics of the school story, and they’ll appreciate the message that even difficult transitions are survivable.” —Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books View →
Their Skeletons Speak: Kennewick Man and the Paleoamerican World
“[F]or serious readers who delight in forensic investigation or perhaps consider a future in the field, this material will push their understanding further than most titles on this subject for youth readership.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books View →
Raining Cats and Detectives: Book 5
“Young mystery readers will enjoy the story, fans of the series will love the animals’ antics and the story’s ending, and adults reading to younger kids will enjoy the humor.” —Booklist View →
Infinity and Me
“Even for adults, this is an enormously complex idea—scientifically, mathematically, philosophically—but Hosford smoothly distills it to a manageable serving that will both engage and challenge kids. Swiatkowska’s art, too, is remarkable at this elucidation, illustrating the… View →
H.O.R.S.E.
“This crowd-pleasing picture book will appeal to young children who will enjoy the whimsy, and to older readers who will appreciate the escalating wordplay in the boys’ challenges to each other.” —The Horn Book Magazine View →
“[T]he creators haven’t skimped on the drama, humor, and history of the original, making this a great introduction to the classic story.” —Booklist View →
Their Skeletons Speak: Kennewick Man and the Paleoamerican World
Chance discovery of human bones on the banks of the Columbia River prompted a police investigation and led to the discovery that the bones were more than 9,000 years old! “Even though this narrative begins with the discovery of bones, it is ultimately the tale of a human life, of a View →
Your Circulatory System
“Photos are crisp and vibrant, diagrams are simple yet informative, and there are images of specific body parts. This is an informative series for the inquisitive reader who wants to know basic facts about how our body works.” —Library Media Connection View →
Holy Spokes!: A Biking Bible for Everyone
“Clearly written and packed with useful information, this handbook will be helpful to novices and more experienced riders alike.”—Booklist View →
Dear Teen Me: Authors Write Letters to Their Teen Selves
“[A]long with plenty of (now) amusing anecdotes and hard-won insights, the letters dish up proof that, as Mike Jung puts it, ‘time was on your side, though, and you made it!’”—Booklist View →
Cloneward Bound
“The heart of the story, however, is what makes this book special, and it resides with Fisher, who struggles mightily with his own sense of self-worth when faced with a mirror image of himself that seems to have it all. A successful balance of fizz and substance.”… View →
In Too Deep
“As always, McClintock keeps her narrative and sentence structure simple, fitting nicely with the just-the-facts-ma’am detective genre and making her story accessible to less skilled readers. She makes these accommodations so skillfully that her traditional-style mystery… View →
Let's Make a Circle Graph
“This series is a wonderful addition to any primary classroom library…. [A] rarity in its field.” —starred, Library Media Connection View →
Little White Duck: A Childhood in China
“This is a beautiful introduction to a China that few of us will ever understand.” —starred, Library Media Connection View →
The Sin-Eater's Confession
“Bick’s compelling tale manages to be a blistering confessional and a page-turning whodunit (or maybe what-really-happened) all in one… Readers won’t be able to look away even if they find they don’t much like—or trust—Ben.” —starred, Kirkus… View →
Change of Heart
“McClintock keeps tensions high, and Robyn is a winning heroine….Like Nancy Drew and Veronica Mars before her, Robyn’s investigations are addictive.” —Publishers Weekly View →
“Distinctive and full of sly humor…. This is the kind of picture book that families fall in love with.” —Publishers Weekly View →
Zoo Station: The Story of Christiane F.
“Although Christiane’s message to readers is, without a doubt, ‘Do not follow me,’ she synthesizes moments of beauty and joy alongside those of horror, resulting in a deeply observant look at the search for love and meaning amid chaos.”—Publishers Weekly View →
Thank You, Trees!
“Tu B’Shevat is the Jewish Arbor Day, and families can celebrate its message with this charming and colorful board book for youngest readers. Karwoski (Seaman, the Dog Who Explored the West with Lewis and Clark) teams with educator Gootman to provide easy-to-say (or repeat) rhymes… View →
The Twelve-Fingered Boy
“It’s a little bit Shawshank Redemption, a little bit X-Men, as adult author Jacobs (This Dark Earth) launches a promising trilogy about superhuman teens… [T]he premise is sound, Shreve’s hard-edged narrative voice is strong, and Jacobs skillfully builds tension… View →
Emanuel and the Hanukkah Rescue
“This daring adventure set in Colonial America is a welcome addition to the collection of Jewish historical fiction for young readers. Set in New Bedford, Massachusetts, during the 18th century, it tells the story of the religious freedom that Portuguese-Jewish immigrant families… View →
Oh No, Jonah!
“Oh No, Jonah!, by Tilda Balsley, illustrations by Jago. A straightforward verse retelling of the story of Jonah, with a refrain younger kids will love to chime in on: ‘Oh no, Jonah!’ (Jonah screws up a lot.) I appreciated that the text correctly… View →
The Normal Kid
“Holmes constructs a sturdy story that examines preconceptions and the sting of social rejection, combined with credible character development. Sylvan and Charity’s alternating perspectives reveal how taking chances on friendships can broaden and enrich one’s awareness… View →