Reviews
Seven Wonders beyond the Solar System
“This book is highly recommended for the capable and/or talented reader in middle school, and up through high school. The text is readable but the content is deep and the information is wide–ranging and detailed. It would provide many anecdotes and interesting detail for the… View →
Scorpions: Armored Stingers
“All in all, this middle school book would be a great addition to any teacher’s classroom library.” —NSTA View →
Ancient Transportation Technology: From Oars to Elephants
“The information in this series would be very good for a cross–curricular lesson, for example, relating science to social studies.” —NSTA View →
Ancient Medical Technology: From Herbs to Scalpels
“The information in this series would be very good for a cross–curricular lesson, for example, relating science to social studies.” —NSTA View →
Ancient Machine Technology: From Wheels to Forges
“The information in this series would be very good for a cross–curricular lesson, for example relating science to social studies.” —NSTA View →
Creative Kitchen Crafts
“Ross shows readers how to make accessories for kitchen use in a few easy steps. There’s cutting and gluing—but no sewing—involved in turning an old shirt into an apron, for example. Some items seem less useful (e.g., ribbon-decorated rubber gloves, paper napkins with fabric… View →
Day and Night
“Information is very brief and basic, appropriate for first report writers.” —The Horn Book Guide View →
Elmer and the Hippos
“The elephants get upset when hippos move into their river. Patchwork elephant Elmer, put in charge of finding out why the hippos’ river has dried up, enlists both hippos and elephants to help remove a pile of rocks blocking the water. McKee’s story, while a little… View →
Frozen Secrets: Antarctica Revealed
“The narrative remains lively and engaging, complemented by an array of photographs, illustrations, and maps.” —The Horn Book Guide View →
What Can Live in the Ocean?
“Simple text and large font geared toward beginning readers explain different attributes of various animals living in a particular habitat.” —The Horn Book Guide View →
What Can't Wait
“A timely, realistic and unflinching portrayal of an unfortunately pressing problem for many immigrant teens.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books View →
Six Sheep Sip Thick Shakes: And Other Tricky Tongue Twisters
“Tongue twisters constitute one of the few challenges in which failure is as much fun as accomplishment, and here Cleary offers two dozen originals that should reduce the most eloquent youngster to a state of giggling babble. . . Surely there’s a phonics lesson in here… View →
I, Emma Freke
“Atkinson’s account of Emma’s journey to self-discovery is sincere and relatable.” —The Horn Book Guide View →
Monster Trucks on the Move
“The accessible texts are simple but informative.” —The Horn Book Guide View →
Maccabee!: The Story of Hanukkah
“Appropriately for the Festival of Lights, Harrington’s use of light is the illustrations’ greatest strength.” —The Horn Book Guide View →
“Readers familiar with the Exodus story will appreciate this accessible and enjoyable interpretation illustrated with flowing desert-hued pictures.” —The Horn Book Guide View →
Faulty Hearts: True Survival Stories
“In each volume, Markle weaves stories of two or three individuals suffering from the title disease or disorder in among scientific information about the malady and its treatment. Because the personal stories are so well integrated into the text, the science won’t overwhelm… View →
Oil Spill!: Disaster in the Gulf of Mexico
“Highly relevant and informative, this book offers a valuable account of the events leading up to, causing, and resulting in what may be America’s worst environmental disaster.” —School Library Journal View →
From Jazz Babies to Generation Next: The History of the American Teenager
“Edge’s nonjudgmental history of American teenagers, from factory laborers to present-day, billion-dollar consumers, scores in both scope and level of detail…. Jazz Babies is a quick, interesting read about ’society’s trendsetters.”… View →
Everything I Was
“In areas where many children are experiencing a similar downsizing in their family’s lifestyle, this book could find its niche with readers who can identify with the protagonist.” —School Library Journal View →
Sarah Emma Edmonds Was a Great Pretender: The True Story of a Civil War Spy
“Jones succeeds in keeping the complicated narrative at a level appropriate for young readers. Based on Edmonds’s own writings as well as secondary sources, the book presents a believable account of the woman’s actions. While some speculation is included as to her… View →