This Year's Starred Reviews… So Far!

 ★ "A heartwarming story celebrating Hanukkah that is both cheerful and informational." — School Library Journal, starred review 

 ★ “Laced with references to historical figures, movements, and events, Ho’s rich, mesmerizing text begs to be discussed; educators will appreciate the detailed backmatter, which unpacks each stanza, offering historical context and guiding questions. Ho’s verse is brought to vivid life by Phingbodhipakkiya’s arresting, vibrant images of people set against backdrops teeming with traditional cultural motifs.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

 ★ "The dare-to-be-different picture book blends beautifully with the kids-to-the-rescue story in this offering centered around an unconventional garden tended by a Wednesday Addams look-alike." —Shelf Awareness, starred review 

 ★ "This offers an accessible and fresh perspective and should be considered for most collections." — Booklist, starred review 

 ★ "This fast-paced early chapter book is the first in a new series and takes readers on a fantastical adventure into a magic school that feels somehow both familiar and brand new." —School Library Journal, starred review 

★ "Wise foolishness from the master." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ "In a thrilling, white-knuckle set piece, Gratz (Captain America: The Ghost Army, 2023) recreates the attack and Frank’s and Stanley’s harrowing experience of it." —Booklist, starred review

★ "Comical, nuanced, and visually engaging." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ "A must-have for all middle grade collections, Timid is sure to fit right in next to other popular contemporary graphic novels such as Jerry Craft’s New Kid, Allergic by Megan Wagner Lloyd, and Guts by Raina Telgemeier." —School Library Journal, starred review

 ★ "Smartly crafted, this is a modern Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret told with verve and humor, and can be shared with all students." —School Library Journal, starred review

 ★ "Readers with physical disabilities will find instant resonance here; any teen or tween reader will also likely appreciate." —School Library Journal, starred review

 ★ "A riveting, seamless combination of fact and historical fiction; recommended for all middle grade collections." —School Library Journal, starred review

★ "Give this story to children everywhere. A powerful story of finding your voice and using it to advocate for yourself." —School Library Journal, starred review

 ★ "A story that needs to be remembered, this works equally well as an introduction to Anne Frank as it does as a fictional supplement to readers already familiar with her diary. Adult support of readers’ questions and emotional responses to the book may be needed." —School Library Journal, starred review 

 ★ "A terrific book that uses horror to discuss the importance of family, remembrance, and the matrix of support needed to thrive in this world and beyond." —School Library Journal, starred review 

 ★ "A timely, heartbreaking, and ultimately hopeful memoir that powerfully illustrates the resilience and enduring spirit of the Native American people." —Booklist, starred review 

Stealing Little Moon has received four starred reviews. 

 ★ "Collaboration toward a common goal and themes of weathering emotional and physical challenges lay the groundwork while found family dynamics, modeling of adaptive coping mechanisms, and open-minded characters delighting in possibility make for a story that encourages acceptance and inclusivity. " —Publishers Weekly, starred review

 ★ "Pizza Face is a fresh take on the age-old crisis of puberty that will help adolescents feel more empathetic and less alone while navigating their own physical and emotional changes." —Bookpage, starred review 

 ★ "A Japanese American 13-year-old questions her identity and loyalties when the two countries go to war in this emotional and riveting story of perseverance." —Publishers Weekly, starred review 

Pearl has received five starred reviews. 

 ★ "Ojibwe creator Mukwa clearly and concisely communicates the nature of being two-spirited in this dazzling graphic novel debut." —Publishers Weekly, starred review 

 ★ "Salazar writes from a place of abundant empathy. . . . Another heartfelt and accessible tale of growing up from one of the best in modern children's literature." —School Library Journal, starred review

Ultraviolet has received four starred reviews. 

 ★ "Talented artist and aspiring scientist Sofiya, 12, narrates Lucyk-Berger’s adroit debut, set in 2014 Sevastopol on the Crimean Peninsula." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

 ★ ★ “A Deaf girl in an abusive situation has a chance at a new home . . . While the issues Effie faces are huge, the story avoids didacticism; this poignant and compelling book is meant for anyone, yet it is accessible to kids who, like Effie, struggle with reading. Quietly extraordinary.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

 ★ "Faker is a story that's part ethical drama, part pre-teen romp, and all heart." —Shelf Awareness, starred review 

 ★ "Amultilayered account of the effort to save the Lipizzaner horses of Vienna during World War II." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ "Delicately limned characters brimming with tenable desires and fears provide the foundation upon which Donnelly presents life lessons about chosen family, self-empowerment, and personal truth, and levying moments balance this dreamy, sublimely written tale." — Publishers Weekly, starred review

 ★ "Sixteen-year-old Darius Logan is given a second chance at life by working at Super Justice Force Headquarters in this gripping, superhero origin story." —Shelf Awareness, starred review 

 ★ “This page turner…is warm, funny, and even instructive at times.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

 ★ "Vivid and well worth a look from new and returning fans alike." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review 

 ★ "Stork once again delivers an impactful and ambitious work as he combines his penchant for Latin American narratives with a classic noir detective story." —Booklist, starred review

 ★ "A must-read, this novel is full of charming dialogue, romantic-tension scenes, and heart-melting moments." —School Library Journal, starred review 

 ★ "In Ruin Road, supernatural chills effortlessly share the lane with equally scary real-life horrors: blatant racism and microaggressions, malevolent power, and instigated suffering.... This thriller is unsettling, fast-paced, and shrewd." —Shelf Awareness, starred review 

Ruin Road has received four starred reviews. 

 ★ “Andrew tackles the protagonists’ predicaments with maturity and complexity, and employs lush and exquisite writing to distinguish this gothic tale.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

 ★ "Manga-style art animates this charming story of self-discovery." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review 

 ★ "An important addition to all library shelves to demonstrate how one person’s actions can change a nation and change the world." —School Library Journal, starred review 

 ★ “[A] spellbinding and fantastical queer coming-of-age love story.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

The Deep Dark has received four starred reviews.