Reviews
Red Bird Sings: The Story of Zitkala-Ša, Native American Author, Musician, and Activist
“An important figure of myriad talents, Zitkala-Ša and her life and works are brought to needed attention here.” —Kirkus Reviews View →
Say Something, Perico
“A welcome…tale of belonging and bilingualism.” —Kirkus Reviews View →
Is the End of the World Near?: From Crackpot Predictions to Scientific Scenarios
“Attractively designed and handsomely illustrated, this informative text introduces teens to many intriguing angles on a high-interest topic that should inspire many to further explore the subject.” —Kirkus Reviews View →
Ruby, Violet, Lime: Looking for Color
“This eye-catching, language-rich book offers youngsters a sensory, mind-stretching treat.” —School Library Journal View →
The Queen Who Saved Her People
“Gentle humor, clever rhyme, dynamic illustrations, and biblical accuracy deliver an energetic, age-appropriate holiday story through a dexterous narrative that converts to a drama script. Author Tilda Balsley gifts the picture book crowd, their teachers, and parents with an… View →
Jumping Jenny
“Jenny loves to jump. She is constantly jumping over cracks in the sidewalk and over fences with and without her pogo stick. Her jumping gets her in trouble in school, where she knocks over a box of caterpillars in the science room and bumps into the hot lunch cart in the… View →
“Campers Carly and Sara become fast friends. Carly volunteers to bring Sara her mail, and she is very excited to learn that Sara’s last name is ‘Frankfurter.’ But when she says ‘like the hot dog,’ Sara is insulted and does not want to be friends. As… View →
Engineer Ari and the Hanukkah Mishap
“A camel, a train mishap and the holiday of Hanukkah bring together a Bedouin and a Jew in acts of kindness and camaraderie. Eager to celebrate with friends in Jaffa, Ari balances an armload of sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts), dreidels, menorah, bottle of oil and… View →
Nathan Blows Out the Hanukkah Candles
“The traditional family Hanukkah celebration is here adjusted to include an autistic boy’s interpretation. Jacob’s brother, Nathan, can be quite vexing, especially when he repeats himself constantly. Jacob’s mother has explained that Nathan’s ‘mind is wired… View →
“The Chumash tribe thrived on the Pacific’s bounty in California’s mild climate, but its people were decimated by European diseases and forced labor in Spanish missions. Sonneborn describes the origins, traditions, and culture of the Chumash, who still survive and are… View →
“Ella, along with her parents and her stuffed animal Koofi the Kof (monkey), fly to Israel. On the plane Ella spills mango juice on Koofi. As the smiling stewardess wipes the juice off Koofi she says, ‘Eyn ba’aya. No problem,’ which becomes a refrain throughout… View →
The Absolute Value of -1
“At times raw with emotion…, the story compellingly explores how teens connect with one another and how they view themselves. Many readers will relate to the feelings of isolation and lack of hope portrayed here. Edgy and gritty, Brezenoff’s YA debut reads like a cross… View →
Brooklyn, Burning
“The question raised by all this is not whether their love will last but, rather, do their genders and sexual identities matter.” —Booklist View →
Free Running
“This entry in Lerner’s On the Radar: Sports series captures the adrenaline-fueled energy of runners, using bold graphics, bright colors, and short interviews to showcase professionals, demonstrate moves, and trace the origins of free running.” —Booklist View →
“Will’s philosophical waxings on societal and historical changes never become didactic. Moodily atmospheric, like the cold, gray London it describes, with a gentle, nongraphic romance and a powerful revenge motif, Wignall’s teen debut presents a vampire with… View →
Elmer's Christmas
“McKee’s cheerful gouache illustrations in double-page-spread format have their usual naïve charm with flattened perspective and profile portraits of Elmer’s animal friends. Simple enough for younger preschoolers, but charming enough to please Elmer’s devoted fans View →
“In this sequel to the Sydney Taylor Honor Award winner Engineer Ari and the Rosh Hashanah Ride, Engineer Ari drives his train from Jerusalem to Jaffa, stopping along the way to collect fruit, branches, and a lulav and etrog from the friends he has made along his new… View →
The Shabbat Princess
“Meltzer (Mezuzah on the Door) illuminates the concept of hiddur mitzvah, the idea that using objects of beauty during religious observances enhances religious practice. Young Rosie wants to make her family’s weekly observance of Shabbat extra special by doing… View →
The Lonely Beast
“Judge, based in Dublin, tells a familiar tale but illustrates it with uncommon style and verve. Readers will want to know where the Beast ends up next. Friends, after all, like to keep in touch.” —The New York Times Book Review View →
Ultraviolet
“Anderson, a Canadian author of fantasy, is an assured storyteller with a knack for creating memorable characters. The barren, northern Ontario setting—where NASA astronauts once trained for moon landings—slyly accents a twisty plot refreshingly free of YA View →
Tricky Coyote Tales: Book 1
“These 64 pages give readers an entertaining and even well-rounded look at Coyote’s personality: the trickster, fool and occasional wise man of tradition…. So what if the tone isn’t completely authentic—who doesn’t like to see a coyote fall off a cliff?”… View →
“Ofanansky and Alpern offer a fresh take on Rosh Hashanah with this picture book tour of a bee farm. Readers follow a children’s class as students are shown how bees make honey. Color photographs and a running narrative combine to produce an easy-to-grasp book that is about science View →
Brooklyn, Burning
“A lyrical, understated punk-kid love song to Brooklyn and to chosen family…. The tone is as raw, down-to-earth and transcendent as the music Scout and Kid ultimately make together.” —Kirkus Reviews View →