Reviews
Sedimentary Rocks: Hit the Road and Discover a World That Rocks!
“Ah, the striated beauty of sedimentary rock. If you didn’t appreciate it before, you will after reading this selection from The Rock Cycle Road Trip series . . . . [A]n effective approach.”—starred, Booklist View →
Communication through the Ages: From Speech to Smartphones
“This exploration of communication celebrates human innovation across history and provides readers with a solid context for modern-day communication.”—Booklist View →
The Doll Test: Choosing Equality
“This powerful picture book effectively documents the research that validated the substantial damage to generations of students wrought by segregationist, separate-but equal education policies . . . Suitable for kids, but deserving of a much wider audience, award winners… View →
Slippery, Spicy, Tingly: A Kimchi Mystery
“Based on Korean author and illustrator Choi’s relationship with her own grandmother, the story’s playful drawings and writing create a fun, lighthearted feel. The gentle pastel illustrations capture Halmoni’s quirky personality through her facial expressions and… View →
Indigenous Cultures Today: Protecting Native Families and Practicing Cultural Traditions
“The language is clear and concise, doesn’t sugarcoat events, and presents information not generally available for this age group.”—starred, Booklist View →
Beyoncé and Whitney Houston: Voices of a Generation
“Featuring bright photographs, colorful layouts, and energetic, informative text, this well-organized and information-dense book will help readers better understand how artists from different generations help evolve specific styles of music . . . Readers eager to learn more about… View →
Borrowing Basics: A Teen Guide to Credit and Debt
“Teens will learn how to manage credit cards and other forms of debt in this practical book from the Fund Your Future series.”—Booklist View →
Civic Minded: What Everyone Should Know about the US Government
“This even-handed book provides the reader an easy-to comprehend text supported by robust, thorough back matter. A strong choice for public and school libraries any time, but particularly during an election year.”—Booklist View →
Make a Little Wave
“This realistic portrayal of a kid who goes full steam ahead with her passion is a relatable, engaging, if sometimes frustrating, read that captures the hard-headedness of an eighth grader and provides nuance and growth for the burgeoning activist.”—Booklist View →
I Fuel: How Energy Powers Our Busy World
“Schmitt uses simple language to describe, step by step, how fossil fuels are formed, extracted, refined, and put to use in the production of both energy and various chemical and plastic goods.”—Booklist View →
A Deathly Compendium of Poisonous Plants: Wicked Weeds and Sinister Seeds
“Promising “myth, mayhem, and murder,” this diabolical botanical guide delivers on all fronts . . . Deliciously macabre and almost conspiratorial in tone, Hirsch’s coverage is nicely rounded, pulling in traditional uses of many of these plants, some of which have… View →
Good Game: A Sesame Street ® Guide to Being a Good Sport
“A winner for young sports and games enthusiasts.”—Booklist View →
Starlight Symphony
“The clever concept of comparing the natural world to an orchestra works beautifully, offering both an introduction to animal communication and a range of musical instruments. . . A pleasing and playful performance with something for everyone to applaud.”—starred,… View →
A Rainy Dragon Day
“Beautifully illustrated in a way that doesn’t just invoke dreary rainy afternoons, with water stains and colors that blend together at the edges but will also remind readers of a kind of comfortable lethargy that can cover a town or neighborhood on drizzly… View →
Being Safe Online: A First Look
“The content and text in these books are both brief and simple and are supported by cheerful photos of children and adults. Child narrators explain how they fulfill each value.”—Booklist View →
A Mitzvah for George Washington
“An effective, history-focused picture book.”—Booklist View →
Perfect Match: The Story of Althea Gibson and Angela Buxton
“Quartey’s painted scenes as well as the photos at the end capture the two in vigorous action and posing arm in arm.” —Booklist View →
They Thought They Buried Us
“Ramos (The Disturbed Girl’s Dictionary, 2018) blends themes of discrimination, income inequality, and the effects of grueling education with some of the best elements of horror in their latest. Aspiring horror filmmaker Yuiza is leaving their home in the Bronx to… View →
Best Gymnastics Teams
“The All-Access Gymnastics series will thrill readers with its comprehensive look into the legendary world of the sport. Each book takes a deep dive into different aspects of gymnastics. The series includes bright colors and photographs to draw the reader into the true stories of… View →
We Shall Not Be Denied: A Timeline of Voting Rights and Suppression in America
“The authors have successfully written a thought-provoking, informative book, providing ample information without overwhelming readers with huge blocks of text. Delightfully to the point and packed with information, this book would serve as a great starting point for students who… View →
The Rule of Three
“Wyatt’s voice is authentic and nuanced; his frustrations will resonate with middle grade readers who see the injustices around them and struggle to control their own emotions. A good SEL angle within a prose novel featuring social justice and sports View →
Rats to the Rescue: The Unlikely Heroes Making Cambodia Safe
“With Lee’s painted scenes (switching to photos in the back matter) to illustrate, the authors describe in detail how both the people and the rats are trained, how Malen and her colleagues bond with their animals, and how they carefully and systematically stake out and sweep… View →
Stokes: The Brief Career of the NBA's First Black Superstar
“Telling a moving story, Chapman and Coy introduce Stokes’ unusual combination of size, skills, quickness, and understanding of the game and then explain how differently Black players were treated on NBA teams in the 1950s. From action scenes to… View →
Defending Nature: How the US Military Protects Threatened and Endangered Species
“With an original subject, an engaging text, and a color photo on nearly every page, this book offers an intriguing look at conservation on military bases.”—Booklist View →