Reviews:

★ "Alexander's at the top of his poetic game in this taut, complex tale of the crossover from brash, vulnerable boy to young adult." - Washington Post
★ "This novel in verse is rich in character and relationships... Poet Alexander deftly reveals the power of the format to pack an emotional punch." - Kirkus
★ "Alexander fully captures Josh's athletic finesse and coming-of-age angst in a mix of free verse and hip-hop poetry that will have broad appeal... This will inspire budding players and poets alike." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
★ "The poems dodge and weave with the speed of a point guard driving for the basket, mixing basketball action with vocabulary-themed poems, newspaper clippings, and Josh's sincere first-person accounts that swing from moments of swagger-worth triumph to profound pain." - Publishers Weekly
★ "Alexander has crafted a story that vibrates with energy and heat and begs to be read aloud. A slam dunk." - School Library Journal
★ "Concrete poems that simulate on-court action, the novel's organization into "four quarters" (plus "warm-up" and "overtime") and a smattering of their father's 10 rules of basketball - as applicable to life as they are to the game - will draw in less avid readers, and the fully-fleshed characters and Josh's spellbinding wordplay will keep all readers riveted to find out if the brothers can mend the breach in their once iron-clad bond." - Shelf Awareness
★ "An accomplished author and poet, Alexander eloquently mashes up concrete poetry, hip-hop, a love of jazz, and a thriving family bond. The effect is poetry in motion." - Booklist
★ "The Crossover is destined to reach—and touch—readers who never gave basketball or poetry a second thought until now. It's tough, muscular writing about a tender, unguarded heart." - BookPage
★ "Since poet Alexander has the swagger and cool confidence of a star player and the finesse of a perfectly in-control ball-handler, wordplay and alliteration roll out like hip-hop lyrics, and the use of the concrete forms and playful font changes keep things dynamic." - Horn Book Magazine

Reviews:

★ "Hauntingly beautiful." - School Library Journal
★ "Villasante writes of first love with an authentic voice, beautifully capturing its nervousness, excitement, and awe ... A story worth reading." - Booklist
★ "In her debut, Villasante captures the pressures of internalized racism in immigrants ... Will grip readers and provoke empathy." - Kirkus Reviews
★ "Villasante’s novel is for the reader who wants to get down and dirty with the emotional landscape, who wants a romance that is hard-earned and sweetly won. The Grief Keeper...[creates] a realistic yet still hopeful world seen through the gaze of an intelligent, curious protagonist." - Shelf Awareness
★ "An engrossing debut ... Villasante builds her novel about undocumented immigrants into a suspenseful story with credible relationships, satisfying character development, and elements of science fiction." - Publisher's Weekly
★ "Villasante tackles some interesting issues, especially about power and privilege, in this sci-fi touched tale of contemporary realism ... the compelling issues and main character will keep readers absorbed and give them plenty to discuss." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Reviews:

★ "Tenacious, vulnerable, and gritty, Sir Callie is a hero that belongs on every library shelf. This is an important book that will capture every reader's heart and imagination." — SLJ
★ "In this uplifting debut, Symes-Smith skillfully crafts an emotionally rich adventure starring an intersectionally inclusive cast of courageous characters." — Publishers Weekly
★ "A can't-miss, one-of-a-kind (for now!) page-turner, bursting with heart... Among the best of the year — and a debut, no less." — Booklist
★ "Fierce, heartfelt and determined... Callie and their friends refuse to give up or stop questioning the discrimination within their society." — Kirkus Reviews

A 2024 ALA Notable Children's Book
A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
A Shelf Awareness 2023 Best Books of the Year
A Kirkus Best Book of 2023
A Junior Library Guild selection
Best Book of 2023 by Common Sense Media
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Book of 2023


Reviews:

★ "Santat unpacks his transformational experience with vulnerability and raw honesty - the sincerity is heartening and the outcome inspiring." - Shelf Awareness
★ "A relatable story of self-discovery... the perfect balance of humor and poignancy." - Kirkus
★ "A great read among a crowded field, especially for sensitive middle-grade boys." - Booklist
★ "A thoughtful memoir with lots of humor and heart." - School Library Journal
★ "Emotionally perceptive." - Publisher's Weekly

* New York Times bestseller
* #1 IndieNext Pick
* Publishers Weekly Flying Start
* Entertainment Weekly Best 10 YA Books of 2017
* Amazon Best Book of the Year
* Barnes & Noble Best Book of the Year
* BuzzFeed Best Book of the Year

★ "The Hunger Games meets The Night Circus. Grade: A-." ―Entertainment Weekly
★ "Impressive, original, wondrous." ―USA Today
★ "Spellbinding." ―US Weekly
★ "Magnificent." ―Publishers Weekly
★ "Like stepping into a living dream." ―Stacey Lee, author of Outrun the Moon
★ "Destined to capture imaginations." ―Kirkus Reviews
★ "Ideal for fans of The Night Circus, Stardust, and The Hunger Games." ―School Library Journal

Praise:
A Newbery Honor Book
Winner of the Schneider Family Book Award (Middle School)
Winner of the Josette Frank Award
Winner of the Sunshine State Young Readers Award
Wall Street Journal Best Children’s Books of 2015
New York Public Library’s 100 Books for Reading and Sharing
Chicago Public Library’s Best of the Best Books 2015
Publishers Weekly Best Books of 2015
Kirkus Best Books of 2015
Horn Book Fanfare Book 2015

★ "Achingly lovely . . . Nuanced and emotionally acute, this vivid tale from the wartime home front will have readers ages 10-14 wincing at Ada’s stumbles and rejoicing to the point of tears in her victories." - The Wall Street Journal
★ "Ada’s voice is brisk and honest; her dawning realizations are made all the more poignant for their simplicity. . . . Things come to an explosive head, metaphorically and literally. Ignorance and abuse are brought to light, as are the healing powers of care, respect and love. Set against a backdrop of war and sacrifice, Ada’s personal fight for freedom and ultimate triumph are cause for celebration." - Kirkus
★ "Proving that her courage and compassion carry far more power than her disability, Ada earns self-respect, emerges a hero, and learns the meaning of home." - Publishers Weekly
★ "Involving, poignant, nuanced . . . This is a feel-good story, but an earned one . . . distinct and powerful in its own right." - The Horn Book
★ "There is much to like here—Ada’s engaging voice, the vivid setting, the humor, the heartbreak, but most of all the tenacious will to survive." - School Library Journal
★ "The home-front realities of WWII, as well as Ada’s realistic anger and fear, come to life in Bradley’s affecting and austerely told story, and readers will cheer for steadfast Ada as she triumphs over despair." - Booklist
★ "Skillful, smooth . . . Ada’s tough journey from brokenness to healing is poignantly credible in its development and emotionally satisfying outcome. . . . The feel-good appeal of the rescue fantasy combines with the increasingly tense World War II backdrop to make this an effective page-turner." - BCCB
★ "Expertly operating on many different levels, this exquisitely written novel incorporates themes of self-discovery and self-worth, strength of family, the power of love, and the many different kinds of courage ... Heart-lifting." - School Library Journal