"The characters are fun, as are the angry insults and the emotional dramas. Decorated with occasional ink cartoons, including 24 small portraits of the kids, this book will be a good choice for readers’ theater and for creative-writing classes."

"Mental illness flares in a teenager transplanted from New York to Prague, and readers get the inside angle in this first-person historical novel from the author of The Shakeress(2002). ... Heuston constructs a solid cast and setting, against which her protagonist’s breakdown proceeds in a convincing way. Jude’s Mormon faith is a strong subsidiary element here, as well."

"This moving and important novel touches on a part of the Holocaust that is not often covered. ... This wonderful story portrays a part of Germany’s past about which very few Americans think. ...[I]t is a worthy purchase for any teen fiction collection."

"Townsend makes excellent use of her natural history knowledge to elaborate, yet not overwhelm this charming coming of age tale. ... Young readers, especially animal lovers, will empathize with the embattled Grace and her coping mechanisms. And older readers/animal lovers (who enjoy young adult fiction as I do) are liable to see their youthful selves reflected here."

"'Traces' is a kind of poem about the clues left behind by a world in motion — a turtle’s footprints in the sand, a frog’s air bubbles, a jet’s smoky trail. Fox’s words have a gentle repeating rhythm, as light-footed as the animal that has just left one scene: 'Something, someone was just here. Now there’s barely a trace of it.' Her observations are keen and evocative... The absence of rhyming verse is refreshing for a children’s poem and suits Fox’s quiet reflections."

"This first novel, translated from the Dutch, takes the form of a diary, and though the format is too often exploited to keep plot details from the reader (Rits gets hand cramps at a number of convenient times), his voice transcends the awkwardness with its utter believability, making for a quietly funny and heartfelt story."

"This novel is a must-read for any young adult who seriously participates in poetic writing or merely expresses an interest in it. Students in upper elementary through middle school are likely to enjoy this novel the most. Recommended."

"[T]his is an absorbing story rich with historical detail and human dynamics. It's also a subject not often treated in literature for youth but one that resonates with issues closer to home, making this an important addition to young readers' understanding of twentieth-century history. An author's note provides clear, informative background information and context."

"Boeke's smooth translation combines with Rits's vulnerability and lovable voice to allow this fictional journal to transcend cultures. ...[T]he boy's honest and often amusing depictions of his feelings and observations will leave readers smiling."

"[T]he minimal text expresses the warm, loving sentiment of a father and child playing at the end of the day... The text is printed in a large, clear font, with simple declarative sentences that will encourage youngsters to read for themselves."

"There are shelves of Holocaust books about victims, perpetrators, rescuers, and bystanders; but what about those who profited from the genocide? Pressler takes a look at the question through the viewpoint of a contemporary German 18-year-old, Johanna, who is shocked to discover that her wealthy family’s prosperous clothing store was confiscated from Jewish owners and given to her Nazi grandfather more than 50 years ago. The history and the issues will spark discussion."

"Graphically more sophisticated than most books on trucks, the artwork features clean lines, even shading, and strong compositions. ... Recommended for the many young children intrigued by trucks, this picture book offers large illustrations of a powerful red truck hauling two different trailers as well as a chance to ride along with the driver for a day."

"[T]his thoughtful and provocative volume will elicit plenty of discussion about American historical heritage as well as European, and it could therefore be an interesting partner to Mildred Taylor's Logan family saga."

"[T]his moving novel, first published in Belgium, strongly depicts the physicalness of Bing’s longing for his brother as he lies in Mone’s bed and feels the dent in the mattress."