Reviews
Free Kid to Good Home
“[A]ppeals to young readers looking to tackle a longer book; they will be rewarded by getting to know this can-do narrator.”—The Horn Book View →
Belinda the Unbeatable
Nordling, Lee Belinda the Unbeatable 32 pp. Lerner/Graphic Universe 2017. LE ISBN 978-1-5124-1331-1 PE ISBN 978-1-5124-5413-0 Ebook ISBN 978-1-5124-4880-1 (3) 1-3 Illustrated by Scott Roberts.… View →
The Cricket and the Ant: A Shabbat Story
Source: The Horn Book Guide to Children’s and Young Adult Books Title: The Cricket and the Ant: A Shabbat Story Reviewer name: Sarah Hannah Gómez Spring 2017 In an Israeli retelling of “The Ant and the Grasshopper,” Cricket plays music all week and leaves… View →
The Glee Cast: Inspiring Gleek Mania
“Thirteen actors from the TV show are superficially profiled in what amounts to an extended magazine article. In fact, related USA Today articles—about the actors and about issues such as obesity and gay teens—serve as sidebars to the main text. Glee fans… View →
Secret Diary: Book 1
“In these French imports, twelve-year-old Lou ponders problems such as being teased at school, experiencing unrequited love, and having an underemployed single mom who is a writer/couch potato. The format makes them look like picture books, but the stories are told in comic panels; View →
Queen Latifah: From Jersey Girl to Superstar
“Each book contains background about social movements, fashion, and musical influences, plus excerpts from USA Today articles. Queen Latifah’s childhood and family life, as well as Lady Gag’s development of her persona, are covered in detail, while topics… View →
Steve Jobs: Technology Innovator and Apple Genius
“A valuable introduction to [Jobs’] life and legacy.” —The Horn Book Guide View →
Alien Investigation: Searching for the Truth about UFOs and Aliens
“With a surprisingly even-handed tone, this book uses an interest in aliens to inspire scientific inquiry. It discusses the history of UFO sightings, crashes, and hoaxes, providing thoroughly researched, factual information while remaining non-judgmental… View →
Spotty, Stripy, Swirly: What Are Patterns?
“An engaging introduction to patterns as observed in science, math, and art.” —The Horn Book Guide View →
The Girl Who Owned a City: The Graphic Novel
“This graphic novel adaptation of Nelson’s 1975 story maintains the original tension and finds room for political discourse.” —The Horn Book Guide View →
No Crystal Stair: A Documentary Novel of the Life and Work of Lewis Michaux, Harlem Bookseller
“Opened at the end of the Great Depression, Michaux’s National Memorial African Bookstore became a central gathering place for African American writers, artists, intellectuals, and political figures. In this extraordinary, inspiring book, short chapters are written in… View →
The Not-So-Perfect Planet
“Over-the-top silly and brimming with cliffhangers, the fast-paced sibling adventure demonstrates problem-solving, kindness, and teamwork.” —The Horn Book Guide View →
Can You Tell an Ostrich from an Emu?
“Varied close-up and annotated photographs point out the many differences between the two largest species of birds on earth, in various categories such as habitat, physiology, and reproductive habits. Although the layout is colorful, it’s a little busy, but nature fans won’t… View →
What Are the Articles of Confederation?: And Other Questions about the Birth of the United States
“Informative sidebars and colorful graphics enhance these lively narratives. Salem and Oregon Trail especially stand out because they give young readers an understanding through the eyes of people who lived at the time. Articles is a more linear, factual account, clearly showing… View →
Can You Tell a Cricket from a Grasshopper?
“Varied close-up and annotated photographs point out the differences and similarities between these two often-confused insect species. Readers learn how to distinguish between grasshoppers and crickets as well as how they sing, chirp, and grow. Though busy, the colorful layouts… View →
Can You Tell a Gecko from a Salamander?
“Varied close-up and annotated photographs accompany a lively text that compares and contrasts geckos, which are reptiles, with salamanders, which are amphibians. Areas covered include birth and growth cycles, physical differences, and defensive techniques of each species. The… View →
Death of a Dreamer: The Assassination of John Lennon
“Beginning with the announcement of Lennon’s death on December 8, 1980, the author then adeptly presents two chronological biographies of Lennon and Mark David Chapman and comes full circle with a more detailed telling of the events leading up to the assassination. Black-and-white… View →
Meltdown!: The Nuclear Disaster in Japan and Our Energy Future
“Bortz clearly explains the science underlying the 2011 disaster at Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. After a discussion of earthquakes and tsunamis, the focus shifts to nuclear physics, notorious disasters (including Fukushima), and the debate about the safety of… View →
Street Art
“Edgy topics with ‘pros and cons’ will provoke discussion. The daring art represents whimsical self-expression in a variety of wacky forms. The chaotic page design may challenge some readers. The many flavors of hip ‘street style’ include branding (like Coke View →
Graffiti Culture
“Edgy topics with ‘pros and cons’ will provoke discussion. The daring art represents whimsical self-expression in a variety of wacky forms. The chaotic page design may challenge some readers. The many flavors of hip ‘street style’ include branding (like Coke View →
Elmer and Super El
“Super El’s costume tore on a thornbush, so Elmer the patchwork elephant helps him reach Aunt Zelda, who can mend the costume. But to get there, Elmer must devise ways to sneak Super El past all the other animals so they won’t laugh at him. The bright gouache illustrations… View →
“Escaping evil Lady Gall, Jasper’s family flees by ship, mistakenly leaving him behind. Boarding an odd vessel called the Traveling Restaurant, Jasper learns more about his family’s role in the Great Accident that removed magic from Fontania and his own potential role in restoring… View →
The White Zone
“Cousins Nouri, a Shiite, and Talib, half Sunni, describe life in Baghdad amid the second Iraq War, during which Iraqis also fought amongst themselves over religious differences. But in winter 2008, snow covered the city for the ‘first time in anyone’s memory,’ sparking View →
Emma's Easter
“Emma’s story reflects her family’s African American and Russian American heritage (no mention that Russian Orthodox Easter usually falls on a different date than other Christian sects). Rashad and his Muslim family observe Ramada. Sarah prepares for her role in asking the… View →