Reviews
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
Emanuel and the Hanukkah Rescue
“Light performs multiple roles in this fascinating glimpse at a little-known slice of Jewish American history, beautifully rendered in chalk pastels.” —The New York Times Book Review View →
Book of Styling: An Insider's Guide to Creating Your Own Look
“There are many, many girls out there who are going to read this cover to cover, especially when they’ve finished this month’s Teen Vogue.”—Booklist View →
Decoding Our DNA: Craig Venter vs the Human Genome Project
“Ballen clearly lays out both sides of the issues as well as the story’s eventual resolution.” —Booklist View →
Zoo Station: The Story of Christiane F.
“Disturbing but compelling.”—Kirkus Reviews View →
Emanuel and the Hanukkah Rescue
“Emanuel and his family are part of a group of Jews that have been forced to flee Portugal and have come to live in the whaling community of eighteenth-century New Bedford, Massachusetts. While his father runs a whaling supply shop on the wharf, nine-year-old Emanuel prefers to… View →
Izzy the Whiz and Passover McClean
“Izzy’s brand new invention, the Super-McDuper Passover McClean, can suck up all of the books, rugs, curtains, lamps, tables, chairs, toys, and dishes and spit them back out clean, washed and dried without a trace of hametz. More amazing still, Passover McClean puts everything back View →
Sammy Spider's New Friend
“Friendly and curious, Sammy Spider learns about the Jewish custom of welcoming new neighbors in this successful addition to the well-loved series. Josh is helping Mrs. Shapiro bake a cake for the Israeli family moving in next door and Mr. Shapiro suggests that they also take over… View →
Food: The New Gold
“An informative, well documented resource on a timely topic.” —starred, Booklist View →
Food: The New Gold
“[Food: The New Gold] is ideal for school reports or other assignments on this topic, and middle school readers will find themselves engrossed once they begin reading this honest and interesting text.” —VOYA View →
Four Secrets
“These middle school kids encounter drugs, alcohol, sexuality, and violence, but Willey sensitively and skillfully reveals not only the details of their drastic act, but also the secrets that the three friends and their victim harbor, secrets that shape who they are and what their… View →
Plague Riders
“The short text (approximately fourth-grade reading level) and intriguing design of these books will appeal to challenged and reluctant readers in middle and high school.” —School Library Journal View →
A Game for Swallows: To Die, To Leave, To Return
“While this thought-provoking memoir educates American readers on this foreign war, it also encourages them to appreciate their own freedom, safety, and comforts and to build their own communities. One night can change a lifetime.” —Foreword Magazine View →
Four Secrets
“This novel will make students think, and would be good for discussion.” —VOYA View →
Their Skeletons Speak: Kennewick Man and the Paleoamerican World
“Enhanced by maps and diagrams as well as photos of discovery sites, remains, and scientists at work, this account imparts a clear sense of how hard and subtle that work is—and how exciting, too.” —Booklist View →
Sex & Violence
“Sex & Violence is an absolutely unrelenting look at life after physical and emotional trauma. It’s dark and sometimes painful to watch, but it hurts even more to look away. Evan’s story will sit with me for a very long time.”—Trish Doller, author of… View →
Emanuel and the Hanukkah Rescue
“Local children will love this story, set in New Bedford, Mass., once known as the whaling capital of the world. Nine-year old Emanuel Aguilar knows a lot about whaling because his father, Aaron, owns a store where many of the town’s whalers purchase supplies. Emanuel talks with… View →