Reviews
Sphynx Are the Best!
“Pithy blurbs provide an overview of each breed, complementing without overwhelming the highlight of the books: adorable photographs of cats…. Excellent browsing choices.” —School Library Journal, Series Made Simple View →
Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure at the Abbey Grange: Case 2
“These graphic novel–style adaptations of Holmes’s adventures are well suited to middle graders. The dialogue is reminiscent of Conan Doyle’s writing yet easier to follow. The illustrations’ cartoon characters are appealing, but the heavy black lines and dark… View →
The Absolute Value of -1
“Brezenoff explores the characters’ interactions honestly and head-on, without neat intersections or happy endings.” —The Horn Book Guide 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 →
The Freak Observer
“Woolston draws a realistic picture of a family in trouble while focusing firmly on her deeply cerebral protagonist. Readers will be won by the vivid characterization of Loa and her strong narrative voice.” —The Horn Book Guide View →
Mallory in the Spotlight
“After landing the title role in Annie, Mallory can’t figure out why her best friend, Mary Ann, doesn’t seem happy for her. Could Mary Ann be jealous of Mallory’s newfound fame, not to mention her new (and kind of mean) actress friends? Mallory learns important… View →
Give It a Push! Give It a Pull!: A Look at Forces
“Filled with large, engaging photos, each book is divided into subtopics that contain definitions, explanations, and several examples of the physical science principle. The end of each volume includes directions for completing an activity that illustrates the concept and prompts… 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 →
The Littlest Mountain
“A solid choice for Judeo-Christian collections that may be enjoyed in secular settings as well.” —School Library Journal View →
Notes from the Blender
“The swift plot and sympathetic characters result in a moving story about embracing change.” —Publishers Weekly View →
Sarah Emma Edmonds Was a Great Pretender: The True Story of a Civil War Spy
“Jones makes a confident departure from her bestselling YA novels with an entertaining and powerful Civil War–era story about living by one’s own rules…. In Oldroyd’s full-bleed spreads, characterized by strong cross-hatching and angular shapes, Edmonds’s… View →
You Will Call Me Drog
“Strange, Creepy, Amazing! Parker’s life is a blend of everyday reality and complete, unexplainable weirdness. All he wants is to find a way to be himself. " —Kathleen Duey, National Book Award finalist View →
You Will Call Me Drog
“What a great book! Drog is the anti-Pinocchio of middle school. He tells the truth! But reader beware: DROG is hard to put down. A laugh out loud story about a sassy puppet and the boy who gloved him. (Sorry, Drog made me do it!!) Kudos, Sue Cowing. You… View →
I Want to Do It Myself!
“Ross’ concept is clear and funny, and the pink- and purple-heavy watercolors maintain a light, airy feel befitting the stress-free concept.” —Booklist View →
I Love Him to Pieces: Book 1
“A hoot from opening salvo (‘JACK CHEN, YOU’RE THE FATHER OF MY BABY!’) to closing clinch.”… View →
Everything I Was
“Demas anchors this quiet, hopeful book in today’s headlines of job loss and the surprisingly vital safety nets that support families…. Never saccharine, this satisfying offering, with its solid storytelling and memorable characters of all ages, should please fans of… View →
Six Sheep Sip Thick Shakes: And Other Tricky Tongue Twisters
“Anyone who struggles with Dr. Seuss’ Fox in Socks (1965) will enjoy these silly sentences that simply must be read out loud…. Colorful, stylized illustrations feature human and animal characters, and each image and sentence form a discrete package, one to a page or to… View →
I Love Him to Pieces: Book 1
“When the two teens try to fight their way out of embattled St. Petersburg, Florida, is scary and gory and exciting but not too bloody for a middle-school audience. Görrissen’s refreshing, black-and-white art gives the story a crisp, modern feel, with clearly individuated… View →
What Can't Wait
“This solid debut deftly explores the daily struggle of some students to persevere in the face of long odds.” —Booklist View →
“Cleary and Goneau make learning about nutrition fun with silly rhymes and goofy illustrations. Food prep, portion size, vitamin values, and vegetable colors and textures are presented at just the right level for little ones, and they will delight in the antics of the brightly… View →
Afikomen Mambo
“Painted in warm, bright colors, Black’s multiethnic cast exudes familial tenderness and cheer.” —Publishers Weekly View →
Ferrets and Ferreting Out: Book 2
“The art is cool, and each story is aimed at the tween. The books are packed with searching for identity and longing for friends.” —Library Media Connection View →
The Maltese Mummy: Book 2
“Page’s black-and-white cartoon panels are full of pulpy action and visually exciting cinematography and include several ‘screen shots’ from MyBlogFace…. Good graphic fun.” —Kirkus Reviews View →
Everything I Was
“Quietly soothing and pleasantly entertaining.” —Kirkus Reviews View →