Reviews
Don't Call Me Grandma
“Nelson (The Book Itch) sensitively conveys the complexity of intergenerational relationships while celebrating a grandmother whose individuality hasn’t diminished one iota over the years.”—Publishers Weekly View →
The Colors of Israel
“The photographs are vibrant and exciting and will surely stimulate little minds to ask questions about all the geographical locations and Hebrew signage, along with teaching the important vocabulary of colors in Hebrew. More than just a color concept book, this one is a sure… View →
Jodie's Shabbat Surprise
“Jodie’s Shabbat Surprise is the newest addition to a series of picture books about Jodie, who wants to follow in the footsteps of her archaeologist father. This one has her (and her dog, Digger) finding an ancient wine press in an Israeli park not far from her home. View →
3 Falafels in My Pita: A Counting Book of Israel
“Set in Israel, the simple text of this counting book highlights locations (such as Masada, Tel Aviv, Eilat, and the Western Wall) to teach numbers one through ten. All of the cheerful, brightly-colored illustrations, ending with ten multicultural youngsters dancing the hora, are… View →
Mazel Tov! It's a Boy/Mazel Tov! It's a Girl
“Fans of flip picture books, k’vel! Here is a well thought out, useful, warm, happy picture book with a sound life-cycle topic. Excellent photographs and sweetly chronological events capture the thrilling experience of welcoming a new baby, one way for girls, flip! the other View →
“Tommy Hays has quietly but steadily established himself as one of the South’s finest novelists, and now he has written his best book yet. What I Came to Tell You is a great-hearted novel filled with wisdom and truth.”―Ron Rash, The New York Times… View →
“This two-in-one flip book features the story Alef is for Abba. Turn the book upside down and Alef is for Ima is on the other side. Hebrew words that begin with the letter alef are included on each page. The Hebrew word, the transliteration, and the… View →
Detective Gordon: The First Case
“The full-color illustrations add whimsy to the tale and perfectly complement this gentle read….Hand this one to precocious readers who have graduated from early chapter books but aren’t ready for too much strife in their novels.”―School Library Journal View →
One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia
“This handsome presentation of grassroots environmental activism is certain to inspire young readers.” —The Horn Book Magazine View →
I Remember Beirut
“[T]he author revisits that era in a loosely connected series of sobering vignettes and impressions, each beginning with the phrase ‘I remember’…. In one particularly striking spread, Abirached envisions the family’s many relocations as the squares of a… View →
Alice + Freda Forever: A Murder in Memphis
‘Alice + Freda Forever’s’ Alexis Coe on a Shocking, Forgotten Case of Teenage Lesbian Murder Books | By Karen Abbott | October 9, 2014 Karen Abbott, the author of the new Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy: Four Women Undercover in the Civil War, and Alexis Coe,… View →
“Writing an ABC book has its challenges, as the end of the book may involve a xylophone, yogurt and a zebra; Kafka’s story is refreshingly unarbitrary. Fortunately, the author had to work with only one letter of the alphabet, the Hebrew View →
Fat & Bones: And Other Stories
“Tonally these read a bit like folk or fairy tales, but the edges are sharp; the dark, ink-blotted design and pen-and-ink art make this an object to admire as well as read. Strange and strangely compelling, this is one of those books that needs the right reader—who will eat it… View →
Mumbet's Declaration of Independence
“Woelfle keeps the spotlight on Mumbet and brings her to life as a strong, smart person. Using a vibrant acrylic palette, Delinois highlights the brilliant greens and blues of the Berkshires setting and allows the light to play on Mumbet’s face to show both her humor and… View →
Mitzi's Mitzvah
“A sweet board book, age-appropriate for the youngest listener, introduces an adorable dog who is searching for her role while visiting a nursing home with her family. The adventure begins with a happy, excited dog looking out the back window of the family car. As the family… View →
The Whispering Town
“Rounding out this literary threesome of resistance and escape is ‘The Whispering Town,’ a picture book written by Jennifer Elvgren and illustrated by Fabio Santomauro. The setting is a Danish fishing village, but one of the book’s charms is how little context you View →
Where's My Tushy?
“©hildren love funny books, and this one will get many of them chuckling.” —School Library Journal View →
The Milo & Jazz Mysteries: The Case of the Superstar Scam, Lewis B. Montgomery, 2013. Ages 7–11, 112 pp., $6.95 paper. ISBN 978-1-57565-519-2. The Kane Press; www.kanepress.com. Second- and third-grade students would love to follow Milo and Jazz,… View →
Gabriel Gets a Great Deal
For Math Awareness month, check out three series that guide students on the path to financial literacy. In Lisa Bullard’s Gabriel Gets a Great Deal (Ill. by Mike Moran, Millbrook Press, 2013, 24 p. 978-14677-0766-4), Gabriel needs new sneakers, but the ones he wants cost too much.… View →
The Purim Superhero
“Look on any bookseller’s website and you’ll find a long list of books about children with same-sex parents. Some attempt to explain how children were conceived or adopted, and others reassure children that having a family that’s different is okay. As a gay… View →
Sammy Spider's First Book of Jewish Holidays
“Kar-Ben, Sylvia Rouss, and Katherine Janus Kahn, the long-time successful and marvelous Sammy Spider team, have now brought Sammy and the Shapiros to the toddler crowd in a new sturdy board book. Bright, colorful illustrations, Sammy-style, attract little eyes and hands and… View →
Secrets of the Sky Caves: Danger and Discovery on Nepal's Mustang Cliffs
“The book design is attractive and accessible and includes quality photographs and clearly labeled map. The book will enlighten young readers to one of the most fascinating explorations and discoveries happening today. . . . This well-executed narrative envelopes readers in a… View →
The Only Alex Addleston in All These Mountains
http://bookegg.blogspot.com/2014/01/its-monday-january-13th-what-are-you.html Monday, January 13, 2014 It’s Monday, January 13th What Are You Reading? It’s Early… View →
Sex & Violence
http://earlynerdspecial.wordpress.com/2013/12/11/book-review-sex-violence-by-carrie-mesrobian/ Book Review: Sex & Violence by Carrie Mesrobian Posted on December 11, 2013 by Clementine Bojangles Evan Carter has always found one thing to be true for himself: he… View →