Book Review
Catchin' Cooties Consuelo
Most parents know the frustration of taking children shoe shopping. Just about any child will declare earnestly that the flashiest pair fits perfectly, that is until they become dirty. Then they skulk, uncomfortable but no longer...
Book Review
Alec's Primer
A bloodstained primer and a jarful of pennies represent freedom in this story about the real-life Alec Turner, who was born a slave in Virginia in 1845. Based on the recollections of his daughter Daisy, young Alecs journey takes shape in...
Book Review
Chicken Soup for the African American Soul
A fourteen-year-old from inner-city Chicago becomes a millionaire. The murder of a child inspires her mother to renounce drugs and become an inspirational speaker. An old lady’s gift of one dollar reminds a college student not to take...
Book Review
The Secret of the Dread Forest
As if being new in town-or, more accurately, in the woods-isnt enough, Keelie Heartwood learns that shes been dumped by her sexy elven boyfriend at her own welcome party. Half-human, missing her mom, and still new to life with her...
Book Review
So Punk Rock
Determined to improve his social life and attract the girl of his dreams, Ari Abramson launches “Operation Make Me Cooler” by starting a punk rock band with himself as lead guitarist-even though hes only been playing since camp. His...
Book Review
The Cat Who Invented Bebop
This whimsical story imagines the invention of bebop music as the production of jazz-playing cats who “were so cool they had their own language.” It chronicles the adventures of one Stringbean McCoy, a “cool kitten” born to a...
Book Review
The Civil War
In his college application essay, seventeen-year-old Ruchir Shah, the author of three historical comic books, writes that he was inspired to make history more interesting for children by portraying it in comic form. “As exciting as it...
Book Review
Amadi's Snowman
When Amadi defiantly tells his mother, “I’m an Igbo man of Nigeria…I’ll be a trader. I don’t need to read to do business,” the shakiness of claiming manhood when still a foot shorter than his mother jumps out at the reader...