(4) 4-6 Borden's admiration for American Pete Seibert's skill as a skier and his heroism as a WWII soldier in the Italian Alps is clear, but her writing is uncharacteristically colorless. However, text laid out as free verse makes for extremely accessible reading, and archival photographs appear prominently throughout the spacious design. There's not a ton of information here, but back matter directs readers to more in-depth material. Timeline. Bib.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Allan Drummond. In 1940, the Jewish Reys barely managed to escape the invading Germans--on bicycles. An early draft of Curious George was one of the few items they carried with them as they fled occupied France. Borden's quietly dramatic text is enhanced by well-integrated historical and family photos and documents. Drummond's watercolor-enhanced sketches nicely complement Hans's art. These smaller paper-over-board and paperback editions include "A Conversation with Louise Borden" and activities. Bib.

Reviewer: Joanna Rudge Long | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2005

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Genevieve Godbout. After he finds a penny, Theodore experiences a day full of good outcomes: the weather improves, he succeeds at tetherball, etc. Readers expecting a twist of fate won't find one, but they'll witness a rousing example of generosity: having realized his good fortune, Theodore leaves the penny behind for someone else. The cheery colored-pencil illustrations have an ultra-gauzy look.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Raúl Colón. This poetic celebration of America's game, honoring everything from the diamond and ballparks to players' and spectators' emotions, has a freewheeling, sometimes disorganized feel. Colón's scratchlike colored-pencil art highlights the expansive grass, chalk lines, and base paths and the drama of a fastball and a double play. A foldout near the end with nods to specific players feels tacked on.

Reviewer: Robin L. Smith

(2) YA In Hungary in 1944, Wallenberg became involved in trying to save the Jews of Budapest and in so doing became "the world's conscience and voice." In this thoroughly researched and well-documented volume, Borden uses the power of free verse and vigorous language to infuse the text with an energy perfect for revealing Wallenberg's deeds. Appended with "more on Raoul Wallenberg's story." Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Dean Schneider | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2012

(3) PS Illustrated by Emma Dodd. In an awestruck tone, Nicholas describes all that his older brother does for him. This includes teaching him to count backward and tipping him off that "big brothers don't take naps"--as Nicholas will soon find out firsthand. Rather ingeniously, the book speaks at once to younger and older sibs. With its rushed-looking lines, the digitally rendered art has a childlike appearance.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Joan Rankin. In alphabetical order, twenty-three first-grade students; their teacher, Mrs. Miller; bus driver, Xavier; and Mr. Zimmerman, the principal, prepare for first grade. A variety of morning experiences are described: Ben's mother calls him "Mr. Handsome First Grader," Claire poses for a picture to mark the big day, and Ignacio practices his English. Soft, comforting watercolors reflect the reassuring tone.

Reviewer: Betty Carter

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Adam Gustavson. Lucy is bummed that "every second grader in Room 19 had already lost some baby teeth. Everyone but me." The story compassionately follows Lucy's anticipation (and trepidation) about losing her first tooth. Her personal story weaves into her class's story in an idyllic picture of second grade that will be appreciated by many readers. Watercolors reflect the warmth of the classroom setting.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Adam Gustavson. Third-grader Sean is afraid he won't be able to learn cursive writing. But his teacher's patience and her promise of induction into a special club lead to success. There's not much dramatic tension in this gentle, reassuring story; Sean does fine, and everyone in the class gets to join the club. Watercolors depict a busy classroom and the kids' evolving penmanship.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Adam Gustavson. Gracie and Zach come to school early every day with their teacher mom and love to help Mr. Carillo get the building ready. Gracie comes up with a way for the whole school to tell Mr. Carillo how much he is appreciated. The book is overearnest and static (a quality not helped by the well-executed but dark illustrations), but it's an admiring tribute to school custodians everywhere.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(1) 4-6 Illustrated by Erik Blegvad. Spare prose outlines John Harrison's forty-year quest to determine longitude on a moving ship. Although the emphasis is on Harrison's doggedness, Borden presents the scientific problem deftly. Blegvad decorates the pages with both general scenes of the times (early eighteenth century) and specific incidents from the narrative. An afterword tells the fates of the principal players.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2004

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Niki Daly. After a neighbor is arrested for radioing messages in early 1942 Holland, Piet, only ten but "a strong skater" with "a quick mind," guides the man's two children to safety on skates. The verse-style narrative is set on broad, snowy pages. Daly's colored-pencil and watercolor illustrations evoke the story's drama and its seriousness. This carefully researched book makes a fine introduction to the period.

Reviewer: Joanna Rudge Long | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2004

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Peter Fiore. Graceful narration in free verse conveys both historical details and the excitement of two of the Wright brothers' significant public demonstrations in 1909: Wilbur's flights at the Hudson-Fulton Celebration in New York City and Orville's in Germany. Colorful, slightly impressionistic illustrations clarify the text, which never loses trajectory though its details range from family relationships to a crown prince passenger. Epilogue, maps, timeline.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 1-3 Illustrated by Adam Gustavson. Third-grader Eddie and his school prepare carefully for a visit from an author, with the plot hinging on whether or not Eddie will get to ask the author how she writes books that speak to him. After considerable build-up, the answer seems a bit anticlimactic, but the generously illustrated book still holds much appeal.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Teresa Flavin. The story of Bessie Coleman, the first African-American woman pilot, is told in sometimes stilted free verse, with brightly colored, simple gouache illustrations that depict scenes from her life. Bessie's commitment to her goal and willingness to work hard to achieve it are highlighted in the lengthy yet fast-moving narrative, which concludes with her tragic death in 1926 at the age of thirty-four.

Reviewer: CHristine Sarrazin

(2) 1-3 Illustrated by Robert Andrew Parker. Henry can't test his new sled on Boston Common because British troops have camped there. He confronts General Thomas Gage, and a compromise is reached that reflects both colonial tenacity and English indulgence. The narrative is artfully written, and the illustrations' sketchy style conveys action and a sense of immediacy. An author's note attributes the story to "local folklore," but no specific source is named.

Reviewer: Mary M. Burns | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2000

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Adam Gustavson. Ann loves her third-grade teacher, who makes every child feel special and who introduces subjects with great zest. When Mrs. K. has cancer surgery the students are sad, but they (and their teacher) survive the year to return in the fall. A text rich in detail brings the characters to life, and the illustrations use perspective to mirror emotion--in Mrs. K's absence, the children are seen only at a distance, without the coziness of the classroom.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Ted Lewin. In an unusual approach to celebrating the individuality of all humans and fostering understanding of a larger-than-life historical figure, a boy who shares Abraham Lincoln's birthday draws parallels between his own personality and abilities and that of the revered American president. Full-color paintings depict action in the present while charcoal sketches depict Mr. Lincoln himself.

Reviewer: Amy Lois Cohn

(3) K-3 In 1929, a boy named Gil Wickstrom gets the thrill of a lifetime when the aviator Charles Lindbergh lands his biplane in a pasture near Gil's father's farm and camps overnight. In the morning Gil helps hold the wings of the 'Curtiss Falcon' steady as the famous pilot prepares for take-off. Illustrated with muted colored pencil pictures, the story, based on a real event, captures the excitement of a bygone time when flying was still a daring feat.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.