(2) K-3 Illustrated by April Harrison. In this story of giving, James Otis marvels that Mama is contributing to the church's "love box" for a family in need when they have so little themselves. But hearing "what is given from the heart reaches the heart" helps James Otis start thinking differently about what he does have. Detailed, highly textured, strikingly patterned collage illustrations invite readers to linger over the pages and add depth to the characters.

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2019

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Christopher Cyr. Kind barn mice nurse a sick cat back to health, but, once recovered, it shows its true nature. Their attempts to attach a belled collar to the cat's neck to warn of its approach fail until a human family moves to the farm and the daughter takes a shine to "kitty." Cyr's use of light draws viewers' eyes toward the thoughtful mice, but when the sharp-clawed menace attacks, expect startled squeals.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2018

(4) K-3 Famous African Americans series. Each simply written title in this updated series (originally published in 1991 and 1992) provides an adequate introduction to a notable African American. Archival photographs, mostly black and white, and mediocre color illustrations appear on every spread. Large type and short sentences make these books suitable for use with reluctant readers. There are six other spring 2013 books in this series. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Famous African Americans titles: Carter G. Woodson, George Washington Carver, Louis Armstrong, Marian Anderson, Mary McLeod Bethune, and Paul Robeson.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(4) K-3 Famous African Americans series. Each simply written title in this updated series (originally published in 1991 and 1992) provides an adequate introduction to a notable African American. Archival photographs, mostly black and white, and mediocre color illustrations appear on every spread. Large type and short sentences make these books suitable for use with reluctant readers. There are six other spring 2013 books in this series. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Famous African Americans titles: Carter G. Woodson, George Washington Carver, Louis Armstrong, Marian Anderson, Mary McLeod Bethune, and Paul Robeson.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(4) K-3 Famous African Americans series. Each simply written title in this updated series (originally published in 1991 and 1992) provides an adequate introduction to a notable African American. Archival photographs, mostly black and white, and mediocre color illustrations appear on every spread. Large type and short sentences make these books suitable for use with reluctant readers. There are six other spring 2013 books in this series. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Famous African Americans titles: Carter G. Woodson, George Washington Carver, Louis Armstrong, Marian Anderson, Mary McLeod Bethune, and Paul Robeson.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(4) K-3 Famous African Americans series. Each simply written title in this updated series (originally published in 1991 and 1992) provides an adequate introduction to a notable African American. Archival photographs, mostly black and white, and mediocre color illustrations appear on every spread. Large type and short sentences make these books suitable for use with reluctant readers. There are six other spring 2013 books in this series. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Famous African Americans titles: Carter G. Woodson, George Washington Carver, Louis Armstrong, Marian Anderson, Mary McLeod Bethune, and Paul Robeson.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(4) K-3 Famous African Americans series. Each simply written title in this updated series (originally published in 1991 and 1992) provides an adequate introduction to a notable African American. Archival photographs, mostly black and white, and mediocre color illustrations appear on every spread. Large type and short sentences make these books suitable for use with reluctant readers. There are six other spring 2013 books in this series. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Famous African Americans titles: Carter G. Woodson, George Washington Carver, Louis Armstrong, Marian Anderson, Mary McLeod Bethune, and Paul Robeson.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(4) K-3 Famous African Americans series. Each simply written title in this updated series (originally published in 1991 and 1992) provides an adequate introduction to a notable African American. Archival photographs, mostly black and white, and mediocre color illustrations appear on every spread. Large type and short sentences make these books suitable for use with reluctant readers. There are six other spring 2013 books in this series. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Famous African Americans titles: Carter G. Woodson, George Washington Carver, Louis Armstrong, Marian Anderson, Mary McLeod Bethune, and Paul Robeson.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Eric Velasquez. On October 13, 1741, heartless moneygrubber John Leep sets out to evict the Widow Mays. After being chased by a ghostly echo of horses' hooves, John arrives nastier than ever--he steals a coin from the widow's rent payment. Little does he know it's the last cruel deed he'll ever commit. The dark, muted shades of Velasquez's oil paintings enhance the hair-raising text.

Reviewer: Shara Hardeson | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2013

(3) YA In this final book in this trilogy, the ragtag band of humans, clones, and cyborgs are concluding their fight against oppression both on the battlefield and in the courtroom. At the novel's core are discussions of what constitutes life and what it means to be human. With actions echoing the civil rights movement this thrilling adventure puts a futuristic spin on an age-old issue.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(2) YA Illustrated by Randy DuBurke. This enticing historical-fiction graphic novel reminds readers that not all cowboys were white. Born a slave in 1854 Tennessee, Nat Love gains his freedom, then gains respect and acceptance as a cowboy. While the story integrates maps, letters, and longer stretches of prose, the book knows when to rely on the power of image to move the story forward.

Reviewer: Robin Brenner | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2012

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Leo Dillon & Diane Dillon. In 1725 Mali, Dinga the Blacksmith calls upon the Mother Elements to help him raise his boy, Mustafa. When Mustafa disappears, Wind, with help from Earth, Fire, and Water, travels to a blacksmith shop in Charleston, South Carolina, where Mustafa has been enslaved. The Dillons' rousing illustrations--at once bold, complex, and lucid--impart dramatic conviction to McKissack's free-verse text.

Reviewer: Barbara Bader | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2011

(3) YA In this follow-up to The Clone Codes, teen "cyborg kid" Houston Ye and his allies, including "illegal" clone Leanna, revolt against their oppressive society. Social-reform-minded readers will be gratified to recognize that some of their actions echo the U.S. civil rights movement. Houston and Leanna continue to be compelling, sympathetic characters surrounded by action-packed events.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) YA In 2170, America has a new slave class: clones. Thirteen-year-old Leanna begins to question this order when her mother is arrested as part of a "terrorist" organization promoting clone rights. Obvious historical parallels are heavy-handed and sometimes supersede the logic of the authors' future world, but the action-filled plot and sympathetic characters make this parable readily accessible.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Cozbi A. Cabrera. Baby Girl is learning to quilt. She finds "the heart" of her quilt in the colors, fabrics, and, especially, the stories of women who gather to sew and sing and talk. Rich naïf-style paintings in warm, deep hues bring the writing to life, reflecting its tone and spirit. An informative introduction and an author's note round out the book.

Reviewer: Robin L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2008

(2) 1-3 Scraps of Time series. Illustrated by Gordon C. James. Gee's baseball-obsessed cousins' lives get interesting when their parents rent a room to Negro League slugger Josh Gibson. After getting caught trying to sneak into a game, they have to clean up the stadium, but they also get to practice with their hero. Sprinkled into the story are interesting subplots about life in Nashville during the Jim Crow period. Timeline.

Reviewer: Robin L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2009

(2) 4-6 In 1955, Rosemary is the lone black child in her classroom, and her voice rings with excitement and anxiety. Racist Grace is in her class, but when the sixth-grade queen bee tries to humiliate them, Grace and Rosemary become friends. McKissack's secondary characters are complex, conflicted and imperfect but full of wisdom. As Rosemary's mother says, "It's the little victories that win the war."

Reviewer: Robin L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2007

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney. Despite the Depression, middle sister Nella wants a store-bought doll for Christmas. When Nella's wish comes true, her sisters try to claim Baby Betty. Nella prevails but discovers that playing alone isn't as much fun as sharing. McKissack's characters' feelings are universal, and Pinkney's warm watercolor and pencil illustrations portray the family's poverty yet glow with what it is rich in: love.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2007

(3) 1-3 Scraps of Time series. Illustrated by Gordon C. James. Gee tells her grandchildren the story of Aunt Lilly Belle as a young girl during the Harlem Renaissance. This historical fiction chapter book introduces readers to real personalities living and working in Harlem, most notably Zora Neale Hurston, who teaches Lilly Belle's writing class. The text is informative and accessible. Sketchlike illustrations help bring the story to life.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(1) 4-6 Illustrated by André Carrilho. In ten original trickster stories, the child narrator either believes in the trickster when no one else does, or alone sees through him. "A Grave Situation" is a cliffhanger; "The Best Lie Ever Told" scores on its crafty staging; and the two-part story about rascally Cake Norris is a humdinger. Grandly melodramatic black-and-white illustrations capture the stories' moods.

Reviewer: Barbara Bader | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2006