Reviews
Fortunately, Unfortunately
“A fresh and welcome alternative to a perennial crowd pleaser that has become a period piece.” —Kirkus Reviews View →
Gracie the Lighthouse Cat
“Brown’s elegant pictures (no one does cats quite like her) suggest, in the best possible way, Classics Illustrated comics, and her story is similarly robust and interesting.” —Kirkus Reviews View →
Blood on My Hands
“A great deal of dialogue, short chapters, and straightforward diction will make this a quick read for students who enjoy murder mysteries.” —VOYA View →
Cool! Whoa! Ah and Oh!: What Is an Interjection?
“The level of Cleary’s inventive verbal humor is greatly magnified by Gable’s madcap drawings of dressed animals dramatizing the sentences with cartoon-style exaggeration. . . . Language-arts teachers will appreciate the variety of examples, while children will enjoy… View →
“The real treat here is the Dodger-blue-and-graphite kineticism of Morse’s stylized, limber figures and dynamic layouts. Consider this book as a leadoff hitter to set the table for the slugger, Kadir Nelson’s We Are the Ship (2008).” —Booklist View →
Gracie the Lighthouse Cat
“Attractive, painterly renditions of the treacherous sea as well as the emotional features on the faces of the animals will draw children into the suspenseful tale.” —School Library Journal View →
I, Emma Freke
“A well-paced story told with heart and humor.” —School Library Journal View →
Seven Wonders beyond the Solar System
“Both newly starstruck readers and confirmed students of the heavens will find plenty to marvel over in these volumes.” —School Library Journal View →
The Freak Observer
“Loa’s voice is the story’s strength. She’s wry, observant, and honest in her narration. . . . This melancholic contemporary novel has many stellar moments that will appeal to issue-driven novel readers, but will need to be handsold through booktalking to reach a… View →
The Sunflower Sword
“The cheerful patchwork illustrations painted in bright, springtime colors add touches of humor to the story…. Children will appreciate the idea that fighting is not the best alternative and that an enemy can become a friend.” —School Library Journal View →
Fortunately, Unfortunately
“Such a convoluted chain of events could easily be weighed down by visually cluttered illustrations, but Foreman employs a light touch with his bright watercolors, and the eye follows exactly where it needs to go.” —School Library Journal View →
I Want to Do It Myself!
“The charming pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations and clever play between words and pictures help set the tone to keep the story fun. Fans of the series will be pleased to have another installment.” —School Library Journal View →
The Talent Show
“From the crooning moose to the singing hippo in a boa, the illustrations don’t miss a beat of humor. Read this aloud with soft but bouncy jazz in the background, and your crowd will cheer as well.” —School Library Journal View →
“Mayan Death Lords, a deadline to find a precious stone to stave off the end of the world, and lots of Mayan lore make this a fact-packed, thrilling ride. Rick Riordan fans will love it.” —Booklist View →
Michael Jackson: Ultimate Music Legend
“Krohn has a knack for honing in on kid-friendly details . . . a snappy read with some fine back matter, too.” —Booklist View →
Brooklyn, Burning
“Steve Brezenoff’s gorgeous, sad and hopeful Brooklyn, Burning will make you want to walk out the door and fall in love right now. It will also remind you that it’s totally possible. It’s a love letter to Brooklyn, a love letter to music booming from the… View →
“Morse’s dramatically grained, exaggerated artwork plays up the intensity of the era’s racial tensions and the dynamism of the game, while Krensky adeptly moves between the action on Ebbets Field and Matty’s conversations with his father. An intimate and powerful… View →
Fortunately, Unfortunately
“The repeated use of the two title words . . . creates a seesaw effect that encourages chiming in, and the jaunty art adds laughs.” —Publishers Weekly View →
I Want to Do It Myself!
“With gestural strokes, Ross’s ink and watercolor illustrations play up the princess’s impudence; readers should relate, while recognizing that a little assistance never hurts.” —Publishers Weekly View →
Elmer and the Rainbow
“Elmer will continue to brighten his friends’ lives.” —Publishers Weekly View →
“Krensky creates a multilayered recounting of a seminal moment in the history of baseball and America. He incorporates background information while carefully and accurately describing the play-by-play details of that first game, and he also manages to capture the mood of the… View →