Reviews
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 →
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 →
“Readers familiar with the Exodus story will appreciate this accessible and enjoyable interpretation illustrated with flowing desert-hued pictures.” —The Horn Book Guide 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 →
“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 →
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 →
Sneaky Sheep
“All sorts of sheep-related dangers—from steep cliffs to wool-crazed knitters—are humorously rendered in illustrations that make effective use of white space and dialogue bubbles.” —The Horn Book Guide 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 →
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 →
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 →
Alien Contact
“Zack is recalled to duty when his boss, Sorn, goes missing. With his parents’ blessing, along with the support of a flying alien cat and a new human friend, Zack must evade enemy aliens and Homeland Security, find Sorn, and keep humanity from realizing aliens exist. The… View →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
Garbage Helps Our Garden Grow: A Compost Story
“Practical but also full of wonder, the book illustrates the whole composting cycle.” —The Horn Book Guide View →
But and For, Yet and Nor: What Is a Conjunction?
“Readers will enjoy the exaggerated humor in the illustrations.” —The Horn Book Guide View →
I Want Two Birthdays!
“Filled with satirical moments, the watercolor illustrations add to the madcap comedy.” —The Horn Book Guide View →
Are You Ready for Spring?
“The verb-heavy text and abundant photographs help readers hear the rumbling thunder or see the flashing spring lightning.” —The Horn Book Guide View →
Mallory Goes Green!
“In her thirteenth adventure, Mallory is, as always, a realistically flawed, likable heroine whose earnestness will appeal to idealistic young readers.” --The Horn Book Guide View →
Noah's Bark
“The vibrant figures in the illustrations suit the lively text, especially when the critters make the ‘wrong’ sounds (e.g., snakes saying ‘quack’).” —The Horn Book Guide View →