Reviews
Trash Mountain
“Beloved children’s author Yolen offers a fable about accepting others in spite of their differences and respecting the natural environment….[A] perfect selection for the reader who is new to novels.”―Booklist View →
Prairie Fire
“Johnston’s solid writing will keep [readers] engaged with her smooth blend of fantasy and realism, all anchored by Siobhan’s determined personality and her solid friendship with Owen and his team.” —Booklist View →
Returning to Normal
“[T]he gritty, realistic story should appeal to older readers in need of simpler writing that can keep them engaged through short chapters and relevant content.”―Booklist Online View →
Place Hacking: Venturing Off Limits
“This look at the controversial but endlessly fascinating pastime of urban exploring should have readers scanning their skylines, checking out dilapidated buildings, and even eyeing manhole covers in a new light…. High-interest stuff that appeals to both the intellect and the View →
Tear You Apart
“Twisting together the tales of Snow White and Rumpelstiltskin—with a dash of Romeo and Juliet and Hades and Persephone—this fantastical mash-up is full of angst, star-crossed romance, and magic. There’s plenty of high-stakes drama to keep readers engaged.”… View →
Your Head Shape Reveals Your Personality!: Science's Biggest Mistakes about the Human Body
“This pithy book, from the Science Gets It Wrong series, gives readers a look at some of the mistaken notions that seem amusing now but resulted in untold deaths…. Source notes and a bibliography will lead on students, many of whose curiosities will be piqued.”… View →
Saturday Night Live: Shaping TV Comedy and American Culture
They say dying is easy; it’s comedy that’s hard. And writing about comedy is hard as well. Kaplan does a fine job of detailing the history of the iconic TV show Saturday Night Live, introducing some of the cast’s biggest stars over the eras. But chronicling their… View →
Fat & Bones: And Other Stories
“Bloodthirsty young readers will revel in Theule’s anthropomorphic short stories…. Doyle’s black-and-white, pen-and-ink illustrations complement the stories with just the right amount of gloom and whimsy.” —Booklist View →
BirdCatDog
“The bird’s peril adds just enough drama for young readers, and the wordless story allows them to make up their own dialogue and narrative based on the pictures. Bosch’s colorful illustrations add lots of humor, too, for eagle-eyed kids who like to spot details.”… View →
I Remember Beirut
“Abirached’s childlike memories altogether compose a deeply personal portrait of Beirut unlike any historical account, and for readers curious about conflict in the region, it will provide a useful, humanizing entry point.” —Booklist View →
Perfectly Good White Boy
“This slice-of-life novel should appeal to mature readers who are puzzling through their own nexus of paths towards the future.” —Booklist View →
Transgender Lives: Complex Stories, Complex Voices
“In this collection of narrative and photographic portraits, Cronn-Mills introduces her readers to individuals who defy generalization in their lives spanning the transgender spectrum….Even readers familiar with transgender narratives will grow with deeper understanding and… View →
Daisy to the Rescue: True Stories of Daring Dogs, Paramedic Parrots, and Other Animal Heroes
“Individual stories of animal derring-do, illustrated with pencil portraits, make for quick, compelling reads that prompt the reader to wonder what really goes on in an animal’s head and heart. Give this to anyone from middle school to adult who shares that… View →
Tabula Rasa
“[It] pulses with vivid, original details, engrossing readers and leaving them begging for a sequel.” —Booklist View →
“[T]his venture into magical realism for young readers is a lush adventure reminiscent of a gentled Roald Dahl tale. Annie’s day leads her to explore not only nature but also loyalty and family and what it truly means to be brave.” —Booklist View →
“The colorful, expressive art is highly detailed but very clear, and chapter introductions help keep the reader on track with the complex story. This is an accessible introduction to a Chinese classic.” —Booklist View →
Playing Pro Basketball
“With such a popular subject and wealth of action images, this seems headed toward immediate popularity for browsing and independent reading…. A solid gateway book for readers interested in the NBA.” —Booklist View →
Mallory McDonald, Baby Expert
“Delicately handling the feelings young children have upon the arrival of a baby, this is another quality addition to the Mallory series…. Filled with cheery black-and-white illustrations, this is perfect for beginning chapter-book readers.” —Booklist View →
From Plastic to Soccer Ball
“Colorful page design, large type, and clear photos make the series an attractive choice for young readers.” —Booklist View →
“Readers will feel unmoored until the last few pages of Oblivion, and that’s all right; so does the story’s narrator, Callie.” —starred, Booklist View →
Mud Truck Racing: Tearing It Up
“Readers will rev up over this title, feeling the engines thrum and the mud splatter on every page. . . . Grab this one for aspiring racing buffs, but don’t be surprised if it comes back showing signs of ‘field research.’”—Booklist View →
Poison Alert!: My Tips to Avoid Danger Zones at Home
“[Y]ounger readers will find healthy doses of useful information about good practices, safe storage of potential poisons, and what to do in case of emergency—all delivered with melodramatic relish . . . rather than bland, forgettable cautions.”—Booklist View →
“[T]here’s a pugnacious grit and scrappy energy to the prose, and the general theme—who, if any, of these raiders can be trusted?—will keep readers on their toes until the final pages.” —Booklist View →
“Whether or not readers are already acquainted, there’s plenty here to compel them to share the character’s joys and angst.” —Booklist Online View →