Reviews
Open the Jail Doors — We Want to Enter: The Defiance Campaign against Apartheid Laws, South Africa, 1952
“These series entries address three struggles in the worldwide history of civil rights. Strong texts provide readers with essential background information on such topics as the ILGWU, apartheid, and Chinese government oppression; the activist… View →
Draw the Dark
“This cold-case-meets-magical-realism narrative is a suspenseful tale and a critical examination of how history is written.” —The Horn Book Guide View →
Journey into the Deep: Discovering New Ocean Creatures
“Excellent color photographs showcase fascinating marine organisms and the scientists who found them.” —The Horn Book Guide 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 →
Lightning, Hurricanes, and Blizzards: The Science of Storms
“Each of these books focuses on a set of weather-related phenomena. Chapters are well-organized and contain clear explanations. The crisp layout contains plenty of captioned photos and diagrams, as well as sidebars that feature interesting facts and suggestions for observations… View →
Earth's Water Cycle
“First-time report writers may find this series useful.” —The Horn Book Guide 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 →
Annie Hoot and the Knitting Extravaganza
“The exuberant and joyful tale about finding one’s bliss is accompanied by watercolor illustrations full of whimsical details (knitted tennis racquet, anyone?).” —The Horn Book Guide View →
Battling Malaria: On the Front Lines against a Global Killer
“In the mid-twentieth century, malaria was severely curtailed or eradicated in many places. Now it has returned and is spreading. Eight chapters clearly cover malaria’s long history, how it is spread, why it’s resurging, and what’s being done to fight it.… View →
What to Expect When You're Expecting Larvae: A Guide for Insect Parents (and Curious Kids)
“This consistently amusing entry in the Expecting Animal Babies series presents itself as a reassuring guide for new insect parents… Heos’ humor conquers all, whether discussing a place to lay eggs (‘the dog doo of my dreams!’); urging patience (‘You… View →
Ticks: Dangerous Hitchhikers
“Markle, an award-winning science writer, is also a former elementary teacher, and in this title in the Arachnid World series, she clearly draws on her past classroom experience in a clear, conversational text that will draw young people into the zoological facts with gripping,… 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 →
The Lifesaving Adventure of Sam Deal, Shipwreck Rescuer
“With a good shot of energetic action and a focused look at a little-known slice of history, this quick story should have appeal both in and out of the classroom.” —Booklist View →
Ancient Medical Technology: From Herbs to Scalpels
“The design is modern, with text supported by sidebars, quotes, and colorful photographs and captioned illustrations. The authors (a medical journalist and a school librarian) explore not only what early health care was but what archaeology has revealed about it, and include a time 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 →
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 →
Afikomen Mambo
“Rabbi Joe Black’s infectious energy and solid musicianship have made him a popular performer for Jewish children—and their parents.” —Jewish Woman View →
“Textured, gold-hued illustrations have an organic feel that reflects the uplifting experiences of a kind-hearted man with extraordinary capabilities.” —The Horn Book Guide View →
Why Did the Pilgrims Come to the New World?: And Other Questions about the Plymouth Colony
“Filled with numerous sidebars and sometimes too-busy colorful graphics, these lively narratives detail specific events that led to the Pilgrims’ founding of Plymouth Colony, the Boston Tea Party, and the Emancipation Proclamation. Though the information is selective, the… View →
Is the Flute for You?
“Budding musicians contemplating lessons may find these thorough introductions useful in helping to choose which instrument to study.” —The Horn Book Guide View →
Orb Weavers: Hungry Spinners
“Photos go beyond the standard portraits to show, for instance, harvestmen mating and multiple shots of ticks feeding. Each volume also includes multimedia resource lists and a science activity designed to provide insight on the arachnid world without actually involving any live… View →