News

The audio version of Jennifer Gooch Hummer’s VERIDIAN STERLING FAKES IT got a great review from AudioFile Magazine:
“Narrator Emily Lawrence uses an energetic voice as Veridian, a recent Rhode Island School of Design graduate who is looking to have her work shown at an art gallery in New York City. Lawrence’s voice matches Veridian’s flagging optimism after several rejections…Soon, Veridian finds she’s in deep with the wrong people in this perfectly paced adventure.”

Karen Swanson was interviewed on Fox 32 Chicago for SWINGING INTO HISTORY

Stephanie Kiser’s WANTED: Toddler’s Personal Assistant has been getting wonderful accolades!

Andrew Bridge’s THE CHILD CATCHER received a 5-star review from Readers’ Favorite

Jennifer Gooch Hummer’s VERIDIAN STERLING FAKES IT was included in Brit + Co’s summer reading roundup

Jennieke Cohen was interviewed for GeekOUT for MY FINE FELLOW

Linda Lodding’s FLIPFLOPI has been shortlisted for a Red Dot award and has also been named a 2024 Skipping Stone Honor Awardee

Shelley Sackier was selected as one of the finalists for Writer of the Year for the Bourbon Women, Women of Whiskey Awards

Jennifer Gooch Hummer’s VERIDIAN STERLING FAKES IT has been getting a ton of attention on Instagram and The Nerdy Book Club had this to say:
“I loved this story set in the world of art forgery and NYC galleries! The mother-daughter relationship was written with such depth, and I loved the reality that was portrayed about the cost of art school and the actuality of life after graduation…This is a really fun mystery-esque read for anyone who likes books such as Mother-Daughter Murder Night, Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers or Juniper Bean Resorts to Murder.”

Jennifer Gooch Hummer’s VERIDIAN STERLING FAKES IT is an Amazon First Reads and Bestseller: #1 in Amateur Sleuth Mysteries, #2 in Mothers & Children Fiction and #2 in Coming of Age Fiction

WANTED: TODDLER’S ASSISTANT by Stephanie Kiser got a great Kirkus review: “Humor and wit pervade her page-turning tales, allowing a lightness to peek through her poignant, pertinent employment experiences… A unique examination of persistent wealth inequality in the U.S.” WANTED was also chosen as an Official Selection by Zibby Owens as a Summer Read and made the Goodreads Big Books of Summer list!

Cliff Lewis’s WE THE FUTURE is both a Panda award nominee and Indies Foreword nominee.

Karen Swanson’s picture book biography, SWINGING INTO HISTORY: Toni Stone: Big-League Baseball’s First Woman Player was called “a welcome addition to the annals of women’s sports” by Kirkus

Diane Muldrow’s MEOWLOWEEN is a CBC Teachers Pick

Both Ji Lee’s LET READ ANIMAL WORDS and Sue Fliess’s CICADA SYMPHONY were chosen as Best Books of the Year by Bank Street!

Rebecca Siegel’s LOCH NESS UNCOVERED got great review coverage in PW:
“…engaging foundation upon which Siegel sets this amusing examination of mythical lore and fact that expands on media’s history of misinformation and its consequences.”
and School Library Journal:
“Tweens will enjoy the fresh approach to the Loch Ness Monster phenomenon; instructors seeking engaging, unconventional books on the topic of fake news will find this an excellent fit”

Brian Yanish’s SWEET & SOUR got a great Kirkus review:
“Though many children may dislike pickles (or perhaps haven’t yet tasted them), they’ll feel reassured by this humorous story about opposites discovering commonalities and becoming friends.  Emergent readers should find the simple text easy to navigate. The colorful illustrations are lively; the unconventional protagonists are engaging, their body language and exaggerated expressions speaking volumes. Readers definitely won’t sour on this sweet friendship tale.”

Sue Ganz-Schmitt’s picture book biography SKYBOUND delusively : Starring Mary Myers as Carlotta, Daredevil Aeronaut and Scientist has been garnering fabulous attention: it made the list of 40 New Non-Fiction Picture Books You Need to Read in 2024! And also got a STARRED review from Kirkus:
“Loaded with information, this meticulously researched tale about one high-flying woman’s exploits will captivate readers…This fascinating book flies high and definitely rises to the occasion”

Linda Lodding’s FLIPFLOPI is a nominee for a 2024 Big Splash Award and was named as one of three “Honor Books” for the 2024 Children’s Africana Book Award (CABA)

Sue Fliess’s CICADA SYMPHONY was chosen as a 2023 Blueberry Honor Book

Moira Donohue’s TAPPING FEET has been selected as the Bronze medal winner in the 2023 Florida Book Awards Older Children’s category

Samantha Hastings ONCE UPON A MURDER has been selected by the Amazon Editors as a Best of the Month pick for February in Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense – New and continuing series

Sue Fliess’s Cicada Symphony has been chosen for the 2024 Texas 2×2 Reading List and as an ALA Notable Book

Francesca Grossman’s NOT WEAKNESS is a finalist for a CIBA Journey Award

Rebecca Siegel’s LOCH NESS UNCOVERED got a great Booklist review:
“Offering a world-class case study in ‘fake news,’ Siegel analyzes in depth how the legend of a creature hiding in the murky waters of Loch Ness got started…. It’s hard to imagine a timelier theme.” —Booklist

A number of Unter Agency authors have been nominated for Cybils awards! In the nonfiction category: Sue Fliess’s CICADA SYMPHONY and Linda Lodding’s FLIP FLOPPI. In the fiction category: The Park sister’s GRANDPAS SCROLL, Linda Lodding’s WHEN WE HAD TO LEAVE HOME, and Amanda Davis’s MOONIGHT MEMORIES.

Kiel Phegley’s Strikers: A Graphic Novel has been selected as a 2024 Michigan Notable Book and The Detroit Free Press has published an article highlighting the Michigan Notable Books for 2024. It was also featured in the holiday gift guide issue of Sports Illustrated for Kids.

Courtney Pippin-Mathur’s IT’S HOLI! got a nice review from SLJ:
“A helpful pre-school read-aloud to introduce the holiday, or to soothe kids who get nervous when group play has the potential for mess and chaos”

Amanda Davis’s Moonlight Memories won the Hindi’s Library Females of Fiction Award for Best Picture Book!

Sue Fliess’s latest book in the Kid Scientist series got a lovely review!

A NYT article featured Melissa Bond’s BLOOD ORANGE NIGHT

IT’S HOLI by Courtney Pippin-Mathur and Sanyukta Mathur received a lovely Publisher’s Weekly review:
“…vibrant introduction to the Hindu spring festival of Holi in this experiential accounting that takes into account one child’s sensory concerns.”

Samantha Hastings’s ONCE UPON A MURDER received good reviews from Kirkus: “An admirable cross between a thorny mystery and a love story, with plenty of historical tidbits adding interest.”
and Publisher’s Weekly:
“Mystery fans who prefer their whodunits with a dash of romance will savor this.”

Sue Fliess’s Cicada Symphony was selected for Chicago Public Library’s Best of the Best Books of 2023 (specifically – Best Informational Books for Younger Readers of 2023)

Great reviews and mentions for Diane Muldrow’s MEOWLOWEEN from Bookriot, and SLJ which mentioned both MEOWLOWEEN and HOW TO SPOOK A GHOST by Sue Fliess

Children’s Book Council interviewed Linda Lodding and Dipesh Pibari for FlipFloppi

Kiel Phegley’s STRIKERS! has gotten great reviews:
–“While the story spends a lot of time on the ice with both games and practice, the interpersonal relationships, razzing, and camaraderie among the characters draw more attention. . . Readers who like their sports comics with both lots of action and vivid emotional dynamics are the best audience for this.” — Booklist
–“Persistence in the face of defeat and disappointment defines a season of sports and adolescent life.” — Kirkus Reviews
–“As the team bonds on and off the ice . . . they find support and stability in their relationships with one another while striving to get that elusive W.” — Publishers Weekly

Sue Fliess’ Insect Experts in the Rain Forest, has been selected by the Junior Library Guild as a JLG Gold Selection book

Melissa Hart’s Daisy Woodworm Changes the World has won the silver medal in the 2023 Moonbeam Awards for Pre-Teen Fiction

Cliff Lewis’s We The Future is a silver medalist in the 2023 Moonbeam Awards for Pre-Teen Fiction

Melissa Hart’s Daisy Woodworm Changes the World is a Preliminary Nominee for the Missouri Association of School Librarians Truman Award!

Melissa Bond’s BLOOD ORANGE NIGHT was chosen as a Barnes & Noble nonfiction book of the month for August!
She also wrote a B&N guest essay and was chosen by the New York Times as a paperback to read!

Diane Muldrow’s MEOWLOWEEN got a nice review from SLJ:
“The use of wordplay and made-up words adds to the whimsical element of the narrative, engaging young readers and tickling their sense of humor…This delightful Halloween adventure is ideal for a quick holiday story time session.”

Ji Lee’s LET’S READ ANIMAL WORDS was chosen by Amazon Editors as a pick for July BEST BOOKS OF THE MONTH in the ages 3-5 category!
It also got a lovely SLJ review: “The graphic style is spare, allowing the letters to take center stage, whether they are upside down, stretched, or conjoined, in order to form each animal…this book will be fun to share with younger elementary children, who will enjoy searching and finding each letter, and talking about which letters portray which body part.”
And a great Kirkus review! “An inspired and visually creative take on the ABCs.”

Emily France’s Daughter Dalloway is one of @bookbub‘s “15 Smashing Books Set in London”

Starred PW review of CICADA SYMPHONY by Sue Fliess!
“Euphonic rhyming couplets sing in praise of cicadas alongside details about their life cycle in this vibrant picture book… Fliess informs while maintaining a light, adoring tone that reveals cicadas’ remarkableness.”

Sue Fliess’s BEATRICE BLY’S RULES FOR SPIES was named to the 2023 Delaware Diamonds book list

Kirkus had this to say about Moira Rose Donohue’s TAPPING FEET: How Two Cultures Came Together to Make an American Dance
“Inspirational and informative, this tale of two cultures might spark a love of tap in young readers.”

Diane Muldrow’s MEOWL-O-WEEN got a great Kirkus who called it “A seasonal story with nary a scare, suitable for tiny tot cat fans”

Kiel Phegley’s STRIKERS was selected for Junior Library Guild’s fall clubs

Melissa Hart’s DAISY WOODWORM CHANGES THE WORLD is the silver medalist in Juvenile Fiction in the 2023 IPPY’s Awards

Kirkus called Ji Lee’s LET’S READ ANIMAL WORDS “An inspired and visually creative take on the ABCs.”

Kirkus called Sue Fliess’s HOW TO SPOOK A GHOST “A lively celebration of a popular holiday with some craft ideas and history.”

Melissa Dassori’s J.R. SILVER WRITES HER WORLD and both Sue Fliess’s RUMBLE AND ROAR and BEATRICE BLY: Mystery Goo (book #2) have all been named a Bank Street Best Book of 2022! You can access the full list here.

ENSPIRE Mag ran a special feature on Emily France’s DAUGHTER DALLOWAY

GRANDPA’S SCROLL by Ginger and Frances Park got a lovely review in PW:
“In conversational first-person text, the Park sisters turn a sad event into a thoughtful opportunity to deepen connections”

Amazon has chosen A NOVEL DISGUISE by Samantha Hastings as an Amazon Editors Best of the Month Pick for May in the Mystery, Thriller & Suspense – New and Continuing Series category and Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Series of 2023 So Far

School Library Journal called Cliff Lewis’s WE THE FUTURE “A quick, smart read that will inspire lots of discussion”

Farhana Zia’s LALI’S FLIP FLOPS got a nice review from the Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books:
“Zia’s zesty text uses strategic repetition, bouncy rhythms, and entertaining onomatopoeia to create a spirited tale with broad read-aloud appeal.”

Both DAISY WOODWORM CHANGES THE WORLD and LEARNING TO FALL have been included in the Maine Student Book Award reading list for 2023-24

Imagination Soup called Sue Fliess’s CICADA a stunning new animal and nature nonfiction title

Linda Lodding’s FLIP FLOPPI got a great review in Publisher’s Weekly

Samantha Hastings’s A NOVEL DISGUISE has been getting great reviews like this one from Kirkus Reviews:
“Class differences, prejudice, and the lack of women’s rights drive this enjoyable mystery.”
And this one from Publishers Weekly:
“Rich with detail about life in the 18th century . . . Wildly enjoyable.”

Melissa Hart’s Daisy Woodworm is a finalist in the 2022 Foreword INDIES Awards

Linda Lodding and Dipesh Pibari’s FLIP FLOPPI was featured on AALBC’s “Top 80 African-American Picture Books for 2023” list, selected for the Children’s Book Council’s March Hot Off the Press reading list and received a lovely review on the Nothing But Picture Books blog:
“Every significant change begins with one person, and Flipflopi, with stunning illustrations by Michael Machira Mwangi, tells one such heartwarming story that sowed the seeds of a plastic revolution in East Africa.”

Emily France’s DAUGHTER DALLOWAY is a Barnes & Noble Favorite Indie Book for March/April and was named a best new historical fiction novel of 2023 by POPSUGAR

Cliff Lewis’s WE THE FUTURE got a lovely Publishers Weekly review:
“Environmental justice themes buoyed by friendship and community care infuse Lewis’s impassioned, lightly speculative debut. . . . [T]he protagonists’ tenacity, paired with Lewis’s dynamic text, delivers a thought-provoking read.” 

GRANDPA’S SCROLL by the Park Sisters got a great Booklist review:
“A subtle color palette and vivid emotions in the expressions of the characters complement the quiet tone of this bittersweet but touching story, which captures the love between Lily and Grandpa, pen pals immortalized through art and poetry.”

The Cooperative Children’s Book Center at the University of Wisconsin included Sally Englefried’s LEARNING TO FALL on their Children’s Choices list, recognizing excellence in literature for children and young adults

Dr. Dana Dorfman did a TV appearance on KATU “AM Northwest” for WHEN WORRY WORKS

South Carolina Association of School Librarians included Moira Donohue’s STOMPIN’ AT THE SAVOY on their SC Book Award nominee list for 2022-2023 and Sue Fliess’s SADIE SPROCKET BUILDS A ROCKET on their nominee list for 2023-2024

Jennieke Cohen’s MY FINE FELLOW won the 2023 Sydney Taylor Book Award Silver Honor Book

Kirkus Reviews called LALI’S FLIP FLOPS by Farhana Zia a “visually and textually engaging tale”

Linda Lodding’s PAINTING PEPETTE was chosen for Elephant Books subscription program with a profile in the post

Linda Lodding’s FLIPFLOPI received an excellent Booklist review:
“Flipflopi is an account of many things: inspiration, collaboration, and ingenuity, as well as the dire need for humans (particularly those who use the most plastic) to reduce the harm we do to the environment when we throw plastic away. A useful and timely supplement to a social studies or science curriculum.”

Emily France’s DAUGHTER DALLOWAY is a readnook pick & got a great review from The Historical Novels Review:
“Woolf would appreciate France’s novel because it, like Mrs. Dalloway, explores the same existential question: how should we live our life? [France] leavens her novel with a mystery that the reader will find satisfying.”

Dr. Dana Dorfman had an article published in Newsweek and was interviewed in Westchester Family for WHEN WORRY WORKS

Sue Fliess’s BEATRICE BLY’S RULES FOR SPIES 2 was longlisted for MPIBA’s Reading the West Award.

Sally Engelfried’s LEARNING TO FALL received a lovely SLJ review:
“An authentic and hopeful look at a young girl with a passion for skateboarding who is struggling to understand and forgive an alcoholic parent with the support of family and friends.”

Dr. Dana Dorfman was interviewed by Authority Magazine for WHEN WORRY WORKS

Melissa Bond’s BLOOD ORANGE NIGHT is included in Canadian retailer Kobo’s Best Biographies and Memoirs of 2022 and Hudson’s Best Books of 2022, and was also chosen as one of the best audiobooks of 2022 by both Zibby Mag and the New York Times

Manhattan Book Review featured Melissa Hart’s DAISY WOODWORM CHANGES THE WORLD on their front page with a great review:
“Hart’s experience of having a brother with Down syndrome and her own lisp brings authenticity. The writing is lively, the dialogue genuine, and the story and characters believable and complex.” —Manhattan Book Review

Sally Engelfried’s LEARNING TO FALL has been selected as a Middle Grade finalist in CALIBA’s 2022 Golden Poppy Book Awards

Melissa Hart’s DAISY WOODWORM CHANGES THE WORLD was named one of the best kids books of 2022 by Powell’s Books
and also got a great School Library Journal review:
“Readers will relate to Daisy’s worries and triumphs. Portrayals of teens with Down syndrome are sympathetic and realistic. . . .This realistic fiction title skillfully discusses a number of topics relevant to today’s young readers, and belongs in most collections.”

G. D. Falksen won the 2022 Connecticut Book Award for YA fiction

Hudson has selected Melissa Bond’s BLOOD ORANGE NIGHT as one of their best books of the year

Rochester CITY News did a piece about Brian Yanish and his Shark & Bot series

Melissa Hart received a lovely review from Publisher’s Weekly for DAISY WOODWORM CHANGES THE WORLD:
“Hart highlights the importance of disability representation and self-advocacy with thoughtful realism, and explores Daisy and Squirrel’s sibling bond with nuance.”

Sally Engelfried’s LEARNING TO FALL is a Common Sense Selection for Families with 5 stars

Sue Ganz Schmitt’s MONSTER ON THE BLOCK is the top award winner for Picture Book Humor, and also won the award for a Distinguished Picture Book for All Ages in the 2022 NYC Big Book Awards

Sally Engelfried’s LEARNING TO FALL received a great Booklist review:
“Most stories about alcohol addiction don’t always focus on the complexities of recovery and forgiveness like Engelfried does, and the theme of family resonates throughout as Daphne navigates the instability of an alcoholic parent and her anger and resentment towards her father.”
and was also prominently featured in #22Debuts and From the Front Porch podcast

The Secret Life of Kitty Granger by G.D. Falksen is a finalist for the 2022 Connecticut Book Awards

DAISY WOODWORM SAVES THE DAY by Melissa Hart got a great Kirkus review:
“Hart, who has a lisp and a brother with Down syndrome herself, sensitively explores topics such as bullying, economic hardship, and forgiveness….An uplifting story of family, community, and friendship.”

NOW I’M A BIRD by Sue Ganz-Schmitt won the Story Monsters Approved Book of the Year Award for 2022

Sue Fliess’s KID SCIENTIST series got a great Booklist review for the two latest titles:
““The Kid Scientist series uses fictional stories to introduce how scientists employ the scientific method in their fields. While the scientists are actually racially diverse children, depicted in cheery, colorful scenes, their settings and work are realistic. While these books put forth the idea of one scientific method rather than scientific methodologies, they remain entertaining ways of showing these practices in action.”

Melissa Dassori’s J.R. SILVER WRITES HER WORLD recommended by the Washington Post and got a great review from the School Library Journal:
“Dassori combines predictable preteen angst about changing friendships and coming of age with a little bit of magic in this well-crafted text. Fans of E.L. ­Konigsburg’s novel will enjoy the descriptions of the Met and its many rooms. ­Well-paced chapters and captivating characters will keep readers entertained and may also inspire some writing.”

Melissa Bond’s BLOOD ORANGE NIGHT featured in the NY Post

The Daily Beast excerpted Shelley Sackier’s MAKE IT A DOUBLE: The Place Where I Learned How to Make a Scotsman Blush

The New York Times Book Review included BLOOD ORANGE NIGHT in an online round-up of “8 Audiobooks to Listen to Now”

Shelley Sackier’s MAKE IT A DOUBLE got a great review in Publisher’s Weekly

Rebecca Siegel’s TO FLY AMONG THE STARS is on A Mighty Girl’s 2022 Summer Reading List

Melissa Dassori’s J.R. WRITES HER WORLD received starred Booklist review:
“In Dassori’s story, the magical events triggered by J.R.’s writing are as convincing as the nuanced portrayals of J.R. and her classmates. A promising first novel.”
And a great Publisher’s Weekly review:
“Balancing realistic relationship drama with magical undertones, debut author Dassori deftly threads references to From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler and the Metropolitan Museum of Art into a bustling city-set cautionary tale.”

MOUSE WATCH by Jason Lethcoe was chosen as an Editor’s Pick by Amazon for Best Books ages 9-12

Melissa Bond’s BLOOD ORANGE NIGHT was included in Barnes & Noble Reads’s round-up titled “Our Most Anticipated New Book Releases of June 2022”, calling it “An extraordinary memoir of an accidental addiction, and what it took to recover… Propulsive and vivid.”
It was also chosen as an Editor’s pick for Amazon’s Best Biographies & Memoirs of the Month.

Melissa Hart featured on CNN in regard to book banning: ‘I refuse to surrender,’ says author fighting to keep gender identity issues in books for young adults

Shelley Sackier’s MAKE IT A DOUBLE made it on to the Richmond Times’s Hot List!

Melissa Dassori’s J.R. SILVER WRITES HER WORLD received a wonderful first review from Kirkus Reviews:
“J.R. emerges sympathetically as a quiet, thoughtful, sensitive, somewhat nerdy girl whose world is reinforced by textual references to popular middle-grade literature, especially her touchstone, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. An intriguing, credible tale of friendship and coming-of-age.”

G. D. Falksen’s THE SECRET LIFE OF KITTY GRANGER selected for the Bank Street Children’s Books Committee’s Best Books of the Year list (12-14 year-old category)

Sue Ganz-Schmitt’s NOW I’M A BIRD received its 4th award, chosen as the Story Monsters Approved book of the year!

Sue Fliess’s MARINE BIOLOGISTS ON A DIVE (Kid Scientist series) got a great review from Kirkus:
“A highly simplified but inviting overview of marine biology.”
and from Booklist: 
“The instructive text is educational and entertaining, and young readers will thrill in seeing the diverse group of kids take the reins of scientific discovery. Playful illustrations capture the cool, endless depths of the ocean and the bustle of a busy lab, and discussion of the scientific method and ways to pursue an interest in marine biology round out the back matter. A charming introduction to marine biology and scientific inquiry from the Kid Scientists series.”

Melissa Bond’s BLOOD ORANGE NIGHT got a great review from Booklist:
“An eloquent cautionary tale.”
and from Kirkus:
“A harrowing memoir about a class of drugs as dangerous as opioids… Bond’s sharp critique of big pharma and the broken American health care system sounds an urgent alarm. A vivid chronicle of suffering.”

Jennieke Cohen’s MY FINE FELLOW featured and reviewed by the Jewish Book Council

Melissa Bond Starred Publishers Weekly review of BLOOD ORANGE NIGHT

Moira Donohue’s STOMPIN’ AT THE SAVOY has been selected as the silver medal winner in the 2021 Florida Book Awards Younger Children’s Literature category

Jennieke Cohen’s MY FINE FELLOW featured in BUZZFEED’s Best Books out in January

Melissa Bond’s BLOOD ORANGE NIGHT was selected for PubLunch Buzz Books panel hosted by Emma Straub and as Gallery Books’ featured title for Winter Institute

Jennieke Cohen’s MY FINE FELLOW featured in BUZZFEED’s Must Read YA Before Spring

Sue Schmitt’s MONSTER ON THE BLOCK won 3 Firebird Awards and Royal Dragonfly Book Awards

Jennieke Cohen’s MY FINE FELLOW featured in POPSUGAR’s Best YA Books of 2022

Sue Fliess’s RUMBLE AND ROAR: Sounds Around the World got a lovely Booklist:
“This satisfying picture book about sound comes from the author-illustrator team who created Flash and Gleam (2020), a book about light. This nicely complements introductory science units and will also remind readers to slow down, take a minute, and listen.”

Jennieke Cohen Starred Publishers Weekly review for MY FINE FELLOW

BOOKRIOT included MY FINE FELLOW in its Ultimate Guide to New Winter YA Books

BUSTLE included MY FINE FELLOW in its roundup of the Best YA Books out in 2022

Sue Schmitt won the Female of Fiction Award for THAT MONSTER ON THE BLOCK!

School Library Journal review of RUMBLE AND ROAR by Sue Fliess
“Readers journey around the world in this rhyming romp. This beautifully ­illustrated rhyming text will make a good read-aloud and can be used to spark conversations about sounds in the world.”

Kirkus review of RUMBLE AND ROAR by Sue Fliess
“The spare, rhyming text, consisting largely (but not exclusively) of onomatopoeic words, is enhanced by colorful, panoramic, scenic illustrations created with mixed media and Photoshop. A lyrical soundscape that leaves room for observation and makes space for scientific discussion.”

GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE ENGINEERS by Sue Fliess made the A Mighty Girl’s 2021 Books of the Year

STARRED Kirkus review of MY FINE FELLOW by Jennieke Cohen
“A sparkling retelling of My Fair Lady set in an alternate 1830s London in which Princess Charlotte lives to become queen…Cohen seamlessly weaves historical facts about England’s Jewish communities throughout her novel, and readers will connect to both Penelope’s and Elijah’s desires to remain true to themselves in a world that would prefer them to stay on the margins. A compelling novel that showcases the diversity of 19th-century England.”

Kirkus review of THE MOUSE WATCH IN SPACE by J. J. Gilbert
“The Mouse Watch returns for more… This third entry in the series stands tall upon the shoulders of its predecessors. The characters are limber, the plotting is excellent, and the blend of humor and action provide the crisp read fans of the series have come to expect…This proves promising for future Mouse Watch titles, a series that has improved with each outing. The Saturday-morning–cartoon flavor is a tricky one to pull off, but the author has managed to turn this series into a true delight. A heck of a two-fisted action-adventure story.”

NOW I’M A BIRD by Sue Ganz Schmitt won a Gold Award from Mom’s Choice Awards

KITTY GRANGER by G. D. Falksen nominated for YALSA’s Best Fiction for Young Adults 2022

SADIE SPROCKET BUILDS A ROCKET by Sue Fliess chosen as one of the best picture books of 2021 so far by The AV Club

Kirkus review of HAPPY DIWALI by Courtney Pippin-Mathur
“A buoyant introduction to Diwali that acknowledges the diversity of Hindu traditions.”

Kirkus review of STORY OF YOU by Lisa Ann Scott
“The rhyming stanzas make this an enjoyable read, and the unique but simple concept offers a thoughtful way to begin ongoing discussions about choices with young people.”

Starred Kirkus review for Brian Yanish’s SHARK AND BOT Volume 2: SLEEPAWAY CHAMPS
“Yanish’s second graphic novel for new-to–chapter-books readers is even more fun than the series opener. The unlikely duo of Shark and Bot (with Batty the wombat in tow) inhabits large, colorful panels full of fourth-wall–breaking humor and wombat facts. Age-appropriate, deadpan shark—er, snark at its best.”

LIONS & CHEETAHS & RHINOS OH MY! by John Platt and Moira Rose Donohue was selected for the 2021 Green Earth Book Award Long List

FLASH AND GLEAM by Sue Fliess made the Capitol Choices 2021 list of Noteworthy Books for Children’s and Teens and was selected for the 2021 Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC) Choice’s list!

Kirkus review of MOUSE WATCH Book 2 by Jason Lethcoe
“Readers with a healthy appetite for Saturday morning cartoons will find much to engage with here, and returning readers will be pumped to see that this sequel boasts more of Bernie and Jarvis’ endearing friendship and the propulsive set pieces that made the first entry such a winner.”

Booklist review of THE SECRET LIFE OF KITTY GRANGER by G.D. Falksen
“All in all, this rip-roaring tale starring a compelling heroine will satisfy anyone looking for a fun, quirky adventure.”

Publishers Weekly review of BEATRICE BLY’S RULES FOR SPIES by Sue Fliess

Kirkus review of BEATRICE BLY’S RULES FOR SPIES by Sue Fliess
“Readers will be eager to see more of this spunky, confident, daring character.“

Kirkus review of GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE ENGINEERS by Sue Fliess

SLJ review of THE SECRET LIFE OF KITTY GRANGER by G.D. Falksen
“It is intriguing to follow Kitty, a teen on the autism spectrum, as she navigates post-war Britain. Her obliviousness and resentment of her disorder provide eye-opening insight into how a person on the autism spectrum may have viewed themselves before autism became a more understood disability. Kitty is a nuanced character—she is brash and headstrong, but brave and genuine…A fun thriller spotlighting a neurodivergent protagonist, appropriate for middle school readers.”

Kirkus review of THE SECRET LIFE OF KITTY GRANGER by G.D. Falksen
“Curiosity can kill a Kitty in this swinging ’60s spy novel…Swiftly trained and sent into the field to investigate a fascist plot, Kitty capitalizes on her attention to patterns, ear for accents, and experience with hiding her real self as she is finally allowed to embrace her quirks as assets rather than deficits…Falksen delivers a ripping read that is historically grounded, drawing a direct line from past events to current debates over diversity, immigration, and the eternal peril of fascism…Nail-biting fascism-fighting featuring an atypical heroine.”

Publishers Weekly review of SADIE SPROCKET BUILDS A ROCKET by Sue Fliess

STOMPIN’ AT THE SAVOY by Moira Rose Donohue featured on Celebrate Picture Books blog

Publishers Weekly review of STOMPIN’ AT THE SAVOY by Moira Rose Donohue “Colorfully accentuated onomatopoeia and musical notes punctuate this profile of brilliant self-taught drummer William “Chick” Webb…”

Kirkus Reviews calls Sue Fliess’s SADIE SPROCKET BUILDS A ROCKET “Inspiring, adventurous fun for aspirational kids.”

MAYFLOWER by Rebecca Siegel was chosen as a California Reading Association’s 2020 EUREKA! Nonfiction Children’s Book Honoree

School Library Journal review of FLASH & GLEAM by Sue Fliess
“An illuminating choice for STEAM storytimes.”

MOUSE WATCH by J. J. Gilbert chosen for the Winter 2020-2021 Kids’ Indie Next List

Kirkus Review of STOMPIN’ AT THE SAVOY by Moira Rose Donohue
“Freeman’s illustrations are full of movement, musical staves and notes swirling across the spreads in visual accentuation of Webb’s swing beat… An effervescent celebration.”

The San Francisco Book Review gave LIONS & CHEETAHS & RHINOS OH MY! by Moira Rose Donohue a 5-Star review!
“This is a gorgeously illustrated work of non-fiction. The students’ pictures are exquisitely crafted and add a rich quality to the text… Additionally, teachers of science, social studies, and language arts will find this a valuable resource for their classrooms.”

THAT MONSTER ON THE BLOCK by Sue Schmitt won the Northern Lights Book Award in the Humor Category

School Library Journal review of SHARK & BOT by Brian Yanish
“Wackadoo humor…  Accessible and energetic…. Shove Shark and Bot into the bottomless pit that is the elementary schooler’s appetite for funny graphic novel chapter books.”

School Library Journal review of RARE & BLUE by Constance Van Hoven
“Filled with dreamy watercolor images of nature and bite-sized information to encourage thoughtful reflection, this title is a solid purchase for elementary nonfiction collections, especially where nature and life science texts are popular.”

Kirkus review of RARE & BLUE by Constance Van Hoven

School Library Journal review of LIONS & CHEETAHS & RHINOS OH MY! by John Platt and Moira Rose Donohue

Kirkus Review of THAT MONSTER ON THE BLOCK by Sue Schmitt
“This humorous, fast-paced story, narrated with clipped sentences, conveys an important, unsubtle message about the importance of accepting diversity…This entertaining tale about making new friends may also help readers conquer their fear of clowns.”

New York Times review of LALI’S FEATHER by Farhana Zia
“This circular story has the ring of an Indian folk tale. Its art strikingly contrasts the warm bright colors of silks and spices with the lush turquoise of peacock feathers.”

Kirkus Review of SHARK AND BOT by Brian Yanish
“A funny tale of awkwardness overcome in big, inviting panels.”

Roarbots Review of MOUSE WATCH by J. J. Gilbert

SLJ Review of MOUSE WATCH by J. J. Gilbert
“The gasp-worthy escapades are over the top, but ­Gilbert makes it work with trademark covert terminology worthy of a James Bond flick. Plus, he adds in plenty of cheese; swiss, cheddar, camembert, bleu, and brie. Embedded is a message about not stereotyping others and learning to recognize real friendship. The cute little world of mice is an odd mix with advanced spying, giving this a somewhat cinematic vibe. VERDICT: A dashing fluff adventure with appealing miniature heroes and villains.”

TO FLY AMONG THE STARS named one of Amazon’s Editor’s picks for Best Books of the Month – Nonfiction for Kids category

Starred Booklist Review of FLASH AND GLEAM by Sue Fliess
“This lovely picture book introduces young readers to the many manifestations of light in our daily lives. This has multiple STEAM applications, from poetry and creative writing to introductions to energy and light to how the sun affects human life, and doubles as a great read-aloud or a starry bedtime story (“Gleam / Bright / Say good night”).”

Booklist Review for LALI’S FEATHER by Farhana Zia
“The musicality of the prose, dotted with Hindi expressions, lends a folkloric tone to this whimsical tale. The illustrations are lush and cheerful, countering the idea that the loss of the feather is to be mourned. A surprise ending will have readers predicting the sequel to this just-for-fun story.”

Publisher’s Weekly Review of LALI’S FEATHER by Farhana Zia
“Buoyant…a prime candidate for reading aloud.”

Kirkus Review of MOUSE WATCH by J. J. Gilbert (a.k.a. Jason Lethcoe)

Kirkus Review of LALI’S FEATHER by Farhana Zia

Kirkus Review of THE PRINCESS AND THE PETRI DISH by Sue Fliess

Kirkus Review of KRIT DREAMS OF DRAGON FRUIT by Emily France and Natalie Becher

Kirkus Review of FLASH & GLEAM by Sue Fliess

Starred Booklist review of TO FLY AMONG THE STARS by Rebecca Siegel
“Individually moving, the collective accounts of the Mercury 13 women offer an eye-opening view of pervasive gender prejudice and its costs. [T]his riveting chronicle of the early years of manned space flight also presents captivating stories of women left behind.”

Booklist review of DANGEROUS ALLIANCE by Jennieke Cohen
“Contemporary fans of the Austen novels and their screen adaptations will relish this rousing, late Georgian romance.”

KRIT DREAMS OF DRAGON FRUIT by Emily France featured in Pub Weekly about religious publishing for children

School Library Journal review of PEPE AND THE PARADE by Tracey Kyle
“With so many cultures introduced in this pleasant picture book with lively comic-style illustrations, readers may be inspired to explore a particular culture in depth.”

RAVE Reviews’ review of DANGEROUS ALLIANCE by Jennieke Cohen

Publisher Weekly’s review of DANGEROUS ALLIANCE by Jennieke Cohen

Featured in Children’s Book Council’s September Hot Off the Press reading list: PEPE AND THE PARADE by Tracey Kyle

Booklist review of ALPACA PATI by Tracey Kyle

Kirkus review of LITTLE RED RHYMING HOOD by Sue Fliess

School Library Journal review of BETTER WITH BOOKS by Melissa Hart

BETTER WITH BOOKS by Melissa Hart won an Honor Award from Skipping Stones Magazine

READING THE WEST award from Mountains & Plains Independent Book Sellers: ZEN AND GONE by Emily France

Bank Street College’s list of Best Books of the Year: MRS. CLAUS by Sue Fliess

Booklist Review of BETTER WITH BOOKS by Melissa Hart
“High school libraries will be well served by this youth-focused resource, whether for collection development or reader’s advisory.”

School Library Journal Review of NINJA CAMP by Sue Fliess
“A recommended purchase for any library, this book will have kids asking when they can enroll in Ninja Camp!”

Publisher’s Weekly Review of THE EARTH GIVES MORE by Sue Fliess
“Genuine celebration of nature.” 

Booklist Review of NINJA CAMP by Sue Fliess
“The coloring is full of wonderfully saturated rusts and blues, and the
triumphant story is satisfying.”

Booklist Review of A PAINTBRUSH FOR PACO by Tracey Kyle
“A bright, engaging story about a boy who finds something that’s worth paying attention to.”

USA Today included MRS. CLAUS TAKES THE REINS by Sue Fliess in a roundup on holiday picture books!
“This extremely cute exercise in feminist heroics delivers a subtle message through clever rhymes and good-natured humor.” — order accutane online uk USA Today

Kirkus Review of THE ANTIDOTE by Shelley Sackier

Kirkus Review of NIXIE MAKES WAVES by Lisa Ann Scott

A mention of The Parents’ Guide to Climate Revolution by Mary DeMocker in a New York Times article and a glowing review in Sierra magazine online

MRS. CLAUS by Sue Fliess is featured in the Hot Off the Press September listing from the Children’s Book Council

Washington Post Review of ZEN AND GONE by Emily France

Kirkus Review of AN UNLIKELY BALLERINA by Krystyna Poray Goddu

Kirkus Review of FOOD FIGHT FIESTA: A Tale About La Tomatina by Tracey Kyle

Starred Publishers Weekly review of ZEN AND GONE by Emily France

Kirkus Review of THE BLACK COATS by Colleen Oakes

Kirkus Review of PIRATE CHICKEN: ALL HENS ON DECK by Brian Yanish