(4) YA Sick of her conservative father and boring friends, seventeen-year-old Emma befriends Siobhan, a charismatic troublemaker who promises to show Emma a good time. While Emma struggles to shed her good-girl persona, the girls' friendship turns slowly destructive. Some conflicts lean too heavily on preventable misunderstandings, but Emma's strong narrative voice propels this private-school romp to a harrowing, violent conclusion.

Reviewer: Jessica Tackett MacDonald

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Francesca Carabelli. Mr. Modiano owns a fish store and hates cats. His neighbor, Mrs. Spiegel, loves her cat. The two are brought together when Mrs. Spiegel's cat goes missing and Mr. Modiano searches the streets of Tel Aviv to find the missing pet. The cartoon-style illustrations capture the humor of this predictable story.

Reviewer: Amy Kellman

(4) YA Gabby wakes up in the hospital with no memory of the car accident that landed her there. As she recovers and returns to school, Gabby aches to reunite with her privileged, probation-breaking boyfriend. Her first-person narration can be jarringly caustic and the twist is obvious, but it's a fascinating glimpse into the lives of rich and careless Beverly Hills teens.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Carol Liddiment. The shah decides to test a poor Jewish shoemaker who is rich in faith. First he outlaws shoe repair, then prohibits water peddling (the resourceful man's second employ), and finally forces him to act as palace executioner. The shah gains wise council from the man, whose faith and ingenuity remain steadfast. Rich-hued paintings highlight the characters' goodheartedness while incorporating culture-specific details. Source note appended.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2012

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Eugene Yelchin. In this venerable Yiddish tale, a prince throws off his clothes and acts like a rooster. Cures fail, but an old man has a plan: by imitating the boy, he lures him into conversation. Stampler's witty storytelling nicely dramatizes such concepts as excess and compassion. Yelchin underlines the tale's subtlety and humor with apt caricatures rendered in minimal line and vivid gouache.

Reviewer: Joanna Rudge Long | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2010

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Marsha Gray Carrington. Emily Beekman, reluctant to go to school for the first time, makes her mother promise to go with her forever. When Mrs. Beekman discovers how much fun school is, both Emily and her teacher find it difficult to persuade her to stay home. Colorful cartoon illustrations will engage young audiences, but the lengthy text is a bit labored.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jacqueline M. Cohen. The village tinker tricks lazy Shlemazel into believing an old spoon will bring luck. But it's the work Shlemazel does with the spoon that leads to life's sweetest rewards--a worthwhile job and marriage to a good woman. Colorful folkloric illustrations tilt and swing across the page, perfectly complementing the well-told tale. An author's note describes the story's origin. Glos.

Reviewer: Amy Lois Cohn

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jacqueline M. Cohen. A dog moves from the noisy city to the quiet country only to have his newfound peace shattered by a trio of rowdy cats. The clever canine quickly devises a plan, and the three marauding felines leave him forever. Wildly colorful illustrations in brilliant hues add extra zip to a tale well told.

Reviewer: Amy Lois Cohn