(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Jeff Himmelman. In this unusual fantasy, bullied boy Jat meets a giant who has been banished from his home for introducing reading and science. The pair's budding friendship is interrupted by the arrival of other giants bent on destruction, leading to lots of action. The basic premise (an investigation of power and respect) is worth exploring, and John Himmelman's world-building is inventive.

Reviewer: Sarah Ellis

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Jeff Himmelman. This picture book biography explains how a Haitian-born Jewish pirate provided General Andrew Jackson with information that helped him win the Battle of New Orleans. The lengthy text makes a complicated life and its historical context accessible for middle graders. Illustrations with loose background strokes and muted colors create a sense of the largely nautical setting.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax