Reviews
“Multimedia collages illustrate the news reports’ fanciful elements as effectively as they express the story’s rather bleak setting and its darker edge.” —Booklist View →
Jumping Jenny
“With its bright, child-friendly cartoonlike illustrations, the book succeeds in reminding children to recognize their own gifts and to remember to give to others.” —School Library Journal View →
“Newman’s simple story (with its frequent ‘Eyn ba’aya’ refrain) will appeal to young listeners, and Gutierrez’s pastel, cartoon-style illustrations are well suited to the laid-back, yet upbeat, story.” —Booklist View →
“Debut author O’Neal offers up an appealing blend of political intrigue, emotional drama, magical elements, and just a touch of romance.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books View →
The Ferret's a Foot: Book 3
“The mystery, while uncomplicated and dotted with humorous moments, still allows for some basic deductive reasoning as readers search for the culprit…. Kids who have a thing for pets (which is a sizable group) and a hankering for humor will likely take to this title.”… View →
The Maltese Mummy: Book 2
“Those who want plots that are more Scooby Doo than Nancy Drew will enjoy this silly romp of a mystery.” —School Library Journal View →
The Daytona 500: The Thrill and Thunder of the Great American Race
“While not as heady as the scent of hot engine oil or as dramatic as a 10,000 rpm engine at full throttle, this colorful entry should still have young race fans wheedling for a ‘Speedweeks’ vacation and dreaming of a place in a pit box.” —School Library… View →
Lost in the River of Grass
“Factual details about local flora and fauna make this more than just a survival story, creating an intimate portrait of the Everglades.” —School Library Journal View →
What Can't Wait
“This strong first novel makes an excellent choice for populations with large numbers of immigrant students.” —School Library Journal View →
Spiky, Slimy, Smooth: What Is Texture?
“A variety of textures and surfaces is shown and contrasted in this casually structured visual feast…. Not really a book on the sense of touch and not really a book on adjectives, this amalgam will work in either science or language arts classrooms. But just browsing and… View →
You Will Call Me Drog
“Drog gives new meaning to the phrase ‘hand-puppet’ as he attaches his ancient self to a bewildered boy in this inventive tale of puppetry and empowerment.” —Richard Peck View →
What Can't Wait
“Peréz’s debut is a realistic portrayal of challenges faced by immigrant families and conflicting cultural norms, as well as a sensitive exploration of teen pregnancy (Marisa’s older sister and Alan’s younger sister become pregnant in high school). Strong-willed… View →
You Will Call Me Drog
“I could come up with a boatload of glitzy stuff to say about You Will Call Me Drog. Truly, it would be a pleasure. But I’m going to keep it simple. I loved this book because it engaged my emotions. And that’s why I read, to be moved, to be touched. This book… View →
“Blended shades of blues, purples and greens done in watercolor, pen and pastel illuminate the old Israeli scenes integral to the narration. Heartwarming for Jewish collections and religious-school settings.” —Kirkus Reviews View →
Yuvi's Candy Tree
“Large, mostly double-page paintings in soft yellow, tan and blue hues on a textured canvas reflect the intrigue, emotion and difficulty of the journey. Uncomplicated language expressed in a direct and honest voice plus vibrant illustrations make Israel’s Operation Moses… View →
Spiky, Slimy, Smooth: What Is Texture?
“Bright, attention-grabbing, and, in some cases, enlarged photographs of hard candies, duck slippers, stone walls, and other common objects give viewers the impression that they can reach out and touch them…. Clever, indeed.” —Booklist View →
Elephant Talk: The Surprising Science of Elephant Communication
“Well-chosen color photos appear on nearly every page, transporting readers from American zoos to African wildlife preserves to an Indian festival celebrating the birthday of the Hindu god Ganesh…. This wide-ranging book is always engaging and informative.”… View →
Sarah Emma Edmonds Was a Great Pretender: The True Story of a Civil War Spy
“Accessible to younger children than most books on the Civil War, this would be a good addition to many collections.” —Booklist View →
It's Tot Shabbat!
“A straightforward and reassuring account of ways children celebrate Shabbat.” —Publishers Weekly View →
A Tale of Two Seders
“Mindy Avra Portnoy’s A Tale of Two Seders, also offers a different take on the classic family themes of the holiday. The story follows a little girl who after her parents divorce spends one Seder at her mother’s and one at her fathers. Over the years the Seders vary and… View →
Afikomen Mambo
“A newcomer to the Passover scene is the colorfully appealing Afikomen Mambo, by Joe Black and illustrated by Linda Prater. Sold together with the book is a CD with performance by Black, who is well known for his music. Geared to the 3–7 set, this playful combination of… View →
Jumping Jenny
“Bari’s story of one girl’s approach to the Jewish principle of ‘tikkun olam’ (literally, “repair the world”) will resonate as readers watch Jenny achieve her exhausting, triumphant success." —Kirkus Reviews View →
“The illustrations are simply delightful.” —Chicago Jewish Star Magazine View →