(2) K-3 Illustrated by Ellen Beier. It's a harsh winter in Virginia's Sioux village. When donated clothing arrives, Virginia (the Episcopal priest's daughter) gets last pick, and a flashy coat she covets goes to another girl. With its authentic portrait of a Sioux childhood and Christmas traditions (captured in watercolor and gouache illustrations) and its eventual happy ending, this is a quiet but affecting picture book.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2011

(4) 1-3 New Peach Street Mudders Library series. Illustrated by Ellen Beier. Christopher's popular sports-themed Peach Street Mudders series books are sturdily bound for library use. Though most of the stories are formulaic, with the conflicts too easily resolved, they offer enough action to satisfy younger baseball fans. Black-and-white drawings by various artists illustrate the stories. Review covers these New Peach Street Mudders Library titles: All-Star Fever, The Catcher's Mask, Centerfield Ballhawk, The Hit-Away Kid, Man Out at First, Shadow over Second, The Spy on Third Base, Stranger in Right Field, and Zero's Slider.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) 1-3 New Peach Street Mudders Library series. Illustrated by Ellen Beier. Christopher's popular sports-themed Peach Street Mudders series books are sturdily bound for library use. Though most of the stories are formulaic, with the conflicts too easily resolved, they offer enough action to satisfy younger baseball fans. Black-and-white drawings by various artists illustrate the stories. Review covers these New Peach Street Mudders Library titles: All-Star Fever, The Catcher's Mask, Centerfield Ballhawk, The Hit-Away Kid, Man Out at First, Shadow over Second, The Spy on Third Base, Stranger in Right Field, and Zero's Slider.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) 1-3 Stepping Stone series. Illustrated by Ellen Beier. In this reissued sequel to The Chalk Box Kid, Gregory paints pictures on an elderly neighbor's home in an attempt to save it from being torn down by the city. The realistic conclusion is satisfying, yet contains some unresolved conflict. The simply written text is illustrated with dated line drawings.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) K-3 Ready-to-Read series. Illustrated by Ellen Beier. This story of dog trainer Jim and the dogs who bravely saved him from drowning in an icy lake will attract the attention of young readers, especially reluctant ones. Realistic watercolors capture the drama and suspense of the accessible text. There are no sources to confirm the story's veracity, but the carefully written prose doesn't seem to fictionalize events.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) K-3 Ready-to-Read series. Illustrated by Ellen Beier. A cat saves her owner by waking him twice when he is overcome by smoke during a house fire. The story is simply written and the format is suited to very young readers. However, the watercolor illustrations are awkwardly posed, and in spite of the subtitle, there are no notes to indicate that the story is based on truth. Still, the subject has child appeal.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) K-3 Ready-to-Read series. Illustrated by Ellen Beier. Despite having lost his sight, Norman, a dog rescued from an animal shelter, saves the life of a young swimmer. Animal lovers who are just starting to read will enjoy the story of Norman's transformation from "the dog that no one wanted" to "a true animal hero." The accompanying color illustrations lack the text's inherent drama.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo

(4) K-3 Ready-to-Read series. Illustrated by Ellen Beier. When the stray cat that Carol and Ray have taken in leads Carol to a spot outside the house and starts digging, he reveals a broken gas pipe, thus saving their lives. The effort of explaining an abstract household danger in simple language results in an awkward telling, but readers will nonetheless enjoy the appealing watercolors and the true-story aspect of the tale.

Reviewer: Emma Loy-Santelli

(4) K-3 Carolrhoda On My Own Books series. Illustrated by Ellen Beier. Ludington was only sixteen when, at the request of her father, Colonel Ludington, she rode to alert Connecticut colonists that British soldiers had attacked nearby Danbury. Ludington's daring nighttime ride will intrigue younger readers, while the muted illustrations evoke the colonial period. An author's note with biographical information is included, but no sources are listed.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Ellen Beier. In this sequel to The Chalk Box Kid, Gregory paints an elderly neighbor's home. Featuring pictures from Uncle Pancho's past as well as a fantasy portrait of Pancho with his long-missing adult son, the house begins to attract media attention, but the city still plans to tear it down. The conclusion is realistic--satisfying, yet containing some unresolved conflict. The simply written text is illustrated with dated-looking artwork.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Ellen Beier. With their mother, Addie and her brother struggle to make ends meet during the Civil War, as soldiers plunder their farm, and afterward, when they learn their father has died. Addie gives up her last memento of her father--his shirt--so that her mother can finish a quilt that will pay for books for their ravaged school. Beier's expressive watercolors capture both the rural Southern setting and the vulnerability and strength of the characters.

Reviewer: Anne St. John

(4) 4-6 Creative Minds Biography series. Illustrated by Ellen Beier. This is a smoothly written, if not especially riveting, biography. Born during the Civil War to former slaves, Mary Church broke barriers by going to college, traveling widely, and focusing on a career in teaching. She married Robert Terrell, the first African American to be appointed a federal judge, and devoted her later life to fighting for civil rights and against Jim Crow laws. Black-and-white drawings accompany her story. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(2) K-3 I Can Read Book series. In 1778, when young Letty and her family flee from approaching British soldiers, she leaves a note begging them not to hurt her beloved gander, Solomon. On their return, the family finds Solomon waddling about and wearing a sack of coins as payment for the geese in the flock that did get eaten. Based on a true event, Walker's retelling includes strong details and plenty of drama. Watercolors convey the period setting in somber muted tones.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.