Reviews
Blazing Courage
“With an accessible, straightforward first-person narrative, this high/low title will be a good selection for struggling readers. Annie’s heartening connection with horses and the nicely crafted narrative, however, would make this appealing for anyone who enjoys a good horse… View →
Freedom Flight
“This high/low, fast-paced read about military life is part of the Support and Defend series and will be popular with many YA readers.”—Booklist View →
Meg Goldberg on Parade
“Using rhyming couplets, Rosenbaum introduces readers to the annual Celebrate Israel Parade, held every spring in New York City. Meg and her family drive in from the suburbs and watch from the sidelines, until the wind magically sweeps Meg up high, giving her a chance to… View →
Nonna's Hanukkah Surprise
“References to King Antiochus, panettone, lasagna, and latkes are seamlessly woven into the story, and young readers will readily absorb new information along with affirmations of tolerance and acceptance. Illustrations in muted warm colors create a cozy feel and help make this a… View →
The Book Itch: Freedom, Truth & Harlem's Greatest Bookstore
“This companion to No Crystal Stair (2012) introduces younger readers to Nelson’s great uncle, Lewis Michaux Sr., owner of Harlem’s National Memorial African Bookstore. . . . [T]his moving tribute should be a welcome addition to almost any… View →
The Great Monkey Rescue: Saving the Golden Lion Tamarins
“Told in an engaging manner, the tamarin rescue story is enhanced by large, brilliant photos that appear on every page. From its endearing cover image onward, the book encourages readers to learn about this little-known species and care about its future.”—Booklist View →
The Nutcracker Comes to America: How Three Ballet-Loving Brothers Created a Holiday Tradition
“Even readers familiar with The Nutcracker will probably learn a good deal from this engaging picture book. Bravo! Brava!”—starred, Booklist View →
What Makes Sports Gear Safer?
“By focusing on the myriad ways young readers experience the useful application of STEM concepts every day, this title . . . will likely pique interest in the scientific method and expand the scope of readers’ career aspirations.”—Booklist View →
A Spectacular Selection of Sea Critters: Concrete Poems
“This exploration of marine animals around a coral reef is a clever blend of eye-catching pictorials and jaunty, concrete poems. . . . [T]his book’s playful design will likely make a splash among young readers.”—Booklist View →
Out of Darkness
“Elegant prose and gently escalating action will leave readers gasping for breath at the tragic climax and moving conclusion.”—Booklist View →
Being a Good Citizen: A kids' guide to community involvement
The Start Smart: Community series offers readers a way to think about where they live, who helps them, and what it means to be an effective part of their communities. Being a Good Citizen explains in simple language hwo their world is arrange and advises kids on how to find way… View →
Smart and Spineless: Exploring Invertebrate Intelligence
“Lucid and well organized, the writing grips readers with a combination of facts and related narrative accounts of scientists at work. . . . A fascinating book for science fans.”—starred, Booklist View →
Detective Gordon: The First Case
“This involving, thought-provoking chapter book is utterly charming. Nilsson…creates endearing characters and a childlike sensibility through writing that is clean, precise, and amusing. A wonderful choice for independent reading, particularly for kids who become accomplished View →
Exposing Torture: Centuries of Cruelty
“Marcovitz avoids sensationalizing the topic, treating both it and his readers seriously….This is a good pick for schools or those interested in current events.”―Booklist View →
“The fourth installment of Friedman’s series is as breezy and funny as previous volumes, and April’s determination to remain true to herself in spite of her complicated emotions will resonate with readers.”―Booklist Online View →
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 →