Reviews

Dino-Baseball

“[T]he play-by-play action in the acrylic paintings and the rhyming text (“Green Sox need to change the score. / Their only hope? Apatosaur!”) will captivate young baseball fans, while the humor in each incongruous scene will widen the book’s audience to sports-ambivalent… View →

Booklist (Mar 2010)

Does an Apple a Day Keep the Doctor Away?: And Other Questions about Your Health and Body

“This is a book that every student will want to pick up and read. The timeless questions throughout are typical of those children might have about their health and bodies, and the answers are in a format that they will appreciate.”—NSTA View →

NSTA (Feb 2010)

The Dark Divine

“Grace’s narration rings true with a simple eloquence, and her retellings of events past provide a believable motive for her connection to Daniel and her obsession with the truth….The final scene in which Jude and Daniel finally have it out is as heart-pounding as any… View →

The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (Feb 2010)

The Dark Divine

“Despain raises complex issues of responsibility and forgiveness and offers no easy answers. Atmospheric and compelling, Despain’s first novel will be popular, and a sequel eagerly anticipated.” —Booklist View →

Booklist (Jan 2010)

Snake and Lizard

“Everyone fell in love with this foolish, argumentative pair when these stories won the Book of the Year. And they continue to entrance us.”— John McIntyre, The Children’s Bookshop View →

The Children's Bookshop (Dec 2009)

“This is therefore a teacher’s dream: a high-interest sports and school story with a multicultural cast that contains entertaining science lessons while providing an accessible introduction to symbolism in literature.” —The Bulletin of the Center for… View →

The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (Dec 2009)

Looking Like Me

“The rhyme and repetition flow naturally, capturing the rhythms of everyday conversation and the hip-hop beats many children hear daily….This book is an excellent introduction to verse, for it vividly demonstrates how poetry is a vital part of daily life.” —starred,… View →

School Library Journal (Nov 2009)

Candor

“The constant threat of Oscar’s discovery, along with a rather hot romance and some key chase scenes, will keep readers turning the pages….[A]n ideal choice for book clubs.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books View →

The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (Nov 2009)

Wish You Were Dead

“This thriller will be popular and passed from one reader to another.” —starred, VOYA View →

VOYA (Nov 2009)

Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshal

“Accentuated with a palette knife, Christie’s sharply textured paintings create an impressionist background of an unformed land as well as detailed portraits of this multi-dimensional individual, his bold black hat conveying unmistakable authority.” … View →

The Horn Book Magazine (Nov 2009)

Wish You Were Dead

“A mystery set in modern technological times is a perfect fit for this ‘killer’ mystery.” —Library Media Connection View →

Library Media Connection (Nov 2009)

Looking Like Me

“Students will enjoy the jazzy rhythm and upbeat message of the poem….Highly Recommended.” —starred review, Library Media Connection View →

Library Media Connection (Nov 2009)

“Trevor’s anger and tenderness are heartbreaking, and readers will appreciate that he is realistically flawed, especially in his attempts to get into the rich crowd.” —Booklist View →

Booklist (Nov 2009)

Looking Like Me

“This very contemporary work is encouraging, energetic, and inspired.” —starred, Booklist View →

Booklist (Oct 2009)

Wish You Were Dead

“[H]is gripping plot will keep readers turning pages late into the night.” —School Library Journal View →

School Library Journal (Oct 2009)

Riot

“Myers crafts a sympathetic cast, which is excellent fodder for conversations about race and class, and the book is also a choice pick for reluctant readers who will relish both format and pacing. Once again, this master storyteller has delivered.” —starred, School… View →

School Library Journal (Oct 2009)

Looking Like Me

“This vibrant synthesis of poetry and pictures is a natural for classrooms and family sharing.” —starred, Kirkus Reviews View →

Kirkus Reviews (Sep 2009)

Wish You Were Dead

“Carefully plotted, this suspenseful novel blends the traditional with new tech details to successful end. . . . [A]n impressive number of red herrings will keep readers guessing right up to the satisfying conclusion.” —Kirkus Reviews View →

Kirkus Reviews (Sep 2009)

“Trevor instantly engages readers with a resilient and infectious can-do attitude that eventually enables him to turn the tables on his rival. Amato’s mushroom metaphor aptly fits her young hero, who emerges from unpromising surroundings.” —Kirkus Reviews View →

Kirkus Reviews (Sep 2009)

Riot

“Another innovative work by an author constantly stretching the boundaries of what fiction can be, and a natural for readers’ theater in the classroom.” —starred, Kirkus Reviews View →

Kirkus Reviews (Aug 2009)

Riot

“There are no easy resolutions, idealized characters, or stereotypes, and the conflicts are unforgettable….Great for reader’s theater, this is sure to spark discussion about race, class, conflict, and loyalty, then and now.” —starred, Booklist View →

Booklist (Aug 2009)

Candor

“[I]t’s a compelling story that quickly becomes a page-turner. Be prepared for a chilling ending.” —Publishers Weekly View →

Publishers Weekly (Jul 2009)

Let's Look at Bats

“In summary, the book has many excellent possibilities for use. It could be an easy read for a child, a great read-aloud for teachers to supplement a unit of study, an entertaining book to read around Halloween time, and/or a useful book for a research report for an early… View →

NSTA (Jul 2009)

Looking Like Me

“[E]ven the more curmudgeonly among us might appreciate the message when it’s dressed up as fine as it is in this picture book by Myers pére et fils.” —The Horn Book Magazine View →

The Horn Book Magazine (Jan 2009)