(2) YA In 1941, seventeen-year-old Zenji Watanabe is recruited by the U.S. Army as a special undercover intelligence agent working in Manila. He's caught and thrown in a POW camp. When he eventually escapes, he gets lost in the jungle for months. Inspired by the real-life story of Richard Sakakida's service during World War II, it's a fascinating tale of espionage, torture, escape, and survival.

Reviewer: Dean Schneider | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2014

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Jacqueline Rogers. In his ninth book, fourth grader Calvin and his friends get hired as extras in a zombie movie being filmed on the beach. Salisbury's message about figuring out one's role in one's family and among friends is neatly tucked into this humorous story. The Hawaiian setting of this illustrated series is vividly described, and the characters are nicely individualized.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander

(3) 4-6 Calvin Coconut series. Illustrated by Jacqueline Rogers. In this seventh book in the series, fourth-grader Calvin flies to the big island of Hawaii to go deep-sea fishing with Ledward, his mom's boyfriend. Salisbury's message about respecting wildlife is cleverly tucked within an edge-of-your-seat adventure story. The illustrated series continues to feature well-individualized characters, an uncommon and vividly described setting, and a plot both involving and humorous.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Jacqueline Rogers. In his eighth book, fourth-grader Calvin is both excited and nervous that his dad is coming to Hawaii on tour with his band--he hasn't seen him in four long years. Tito the bully continues to complicate matters. This illustrated series features well-individualized characters, an uncommon and vividly described setting, and plots both involving and humorous.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander

(2) 4-6 Calvin Coconut series. Illustrated by Jacqueline Rogers. Following a tropical storm, Calvin's friend Willy falls into the flooded waters; when Calvin realizes Willy doesn't know how to avoid the current, he goes in after him. This fifth book about the real-boy protagonist again features the series' funny stories and plenty of illustrations. The rescue is also grippingly described, and young readers will relish the extra drama in Calvin's life.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2011

(3) 4-6 Calvin Coconut series. Illustrated by Jacqueline Rogers. In the sixth book in this Hawaii-set series, fourth-grader Calvin is creeped out by the new kid in class: Benny Obi wears dark shades, says he knows kung fu, eats bugs, and doesn't seem afraid of sixth-grader bully Tito. This illustrated series continues to feature well-individualized characters, an uncommon and vividly described setting, and plot lines both involving and humorous.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander

(3) 4-6 Calvin Coconut series. Illustrated by Jacqueline Rogers. Fourth grader Calvin must write an essay on the subject "What I Want So Badly I Can Taste It." What Calvin wants is a dog, but sixteen-year-old houseguest Stella, allergic to cats, insists she's allergic to dogs, too. Salisbury's Hawaiian setting and characters gain depth and interest with each series entry; Rogers's illustrations match the lighthearted but heartfelt tone of the engaging text.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander

(3) 4-6 Calvin Coconut series. Illustrated by Jacqueline Rogers. In the fourth book in the series, fourth-grader Calvin is worried his mom will make him get rid of his new pet, Streak, who's a really great but really stinky dog. Salisbury's characters, both kids and adults, are nicely varied and well developed; Rogers's illustrations bring them and the Hawaiian setting vividly and humorously to life.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander

(3) 4-6 Calvin Coconut series. Illustrated by Jacqueline Rogers. In this entertaining series opener, fourth grader Calvin has trouble staying out of trouble at home and in school. Things get even tougher when teenage Stella comes to live with his family. Through detail, incident, and dialogue, Salisbury provides a real sense of the story's Hawaiian locale. Rogers's frequent illustrations flesh out the well-developed characters and will help readers picture the setting.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander

(3) 4-6 Calvin Coconut series. Illustrated by Jacqueline Rogers. Fans of Trouble Magnet will welcome this second book about fourth grader Calvin's amusing troubles. Tired of being teased by Stella, his fifteen-year-old babysitter, Calvin gets even but then feels awful about it. He decides to get her a nice birthday present, but with what money? Salisbury's Hawaiian setting adds interest to this generously illustrated book for younger intermediate-level readers.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander

(2) 4-6 This story is based on a stranger-than-fiction episode in which the author's Boy Scout cousin survived a tsunami. Even-tempered narrator Dylan and "bad boy" Louie discover much about themselves as they help the other Scouts, but nature is the main character here. Salisbury's visual writing creates vivid scenes of water receding, giant waves advancing, and fissure edges sharp as glass.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2007

(3) 4-6 In Under the Blood-Red Sun thirteen-year-old Japanese American Tomi Nakaji's father and grandfather were arrested after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. In this sequel, Tomi has one dream: to raise and repair his father's sunken fishing boat. Covering some of the same ground as the first book (racial tensions, family honor), this story moves at a good pace and the final conflict is satisfyingly resolved.

Reviewer: Timothy Capehart

(2) YA Ten short stories feature boys whose distinctive voices attest to both the variety of their backgrounds and their individuality as characters. In two of the strongest entries, teenage protagonists get a look at war through the eyes of new recruits--one going off to World War II and one returning from Vietnam. Salisbury's Hawaiian settings are lovingly described, and he realistically captures the feelings--both universal and unique--of his island boys.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2002

(1) YA At thirteen, Mikey works as a deckhand on the Crystal-C, the charter fishing boat owned by his stepfather, Bill. When the boat is chartered by two boorish sportsmen who insist that Bill lie about the circumstances of their prize-winning catch, Mikey feels betrayed by Bill's acquiescence. This multilayered novel, a masterpiece of subtlety, features both gripping action and exceptionally supple prose.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2001

(2) 4-6 Sensitive twelve-year-old Boy Regis is ridiculed by his brother Damon, who calls him a sissy but insists on fighting his battles for him. Boy doesn't understand how his role as docile younger son has unseated Damon's singular relationship with their father. Salisbury gets the dynamic right between fathers and sons in this coming-of-age story of both brothers and also captures Hawaii's rich culture and beauty.

Reviewer: Susan P. Bloom | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 1998