Top of the Stacks 2021

“There is plenty of room for readers to think about and celebrate their own ways of seeing, collecting, and cataloging the world—and to celebrate an endless variety of possible museum exhibits around them. Poetic, intriguing, and charming.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“A marvel of creativity.”
— ALA Booklist (starred review)

“An enticing spur to scientific philosophy and creative contemplation that echoes children’s openness of thought, using accessible and specific detail that likely overlaps with youngsters’ own metaphysical inquiries.”
— Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)

“Perkins connects with readers who daydream, validating that act as a way to see the world and learn of its many interlocking pieces, and makes imaginative mental musings into a story, and an artform. Pure fun.”
— School Library Journal (starred review)

“A perfect lead-in to a museum visit or a STEAM-based contemplation titled the ‘Museum of Things I Wonder About.’”
— The Horn Book (starred review)

“Full of heart and depth.”
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Henkes is a master of characterization.
—The Horn Book (starred review)

“A first-rate choice for reading aloud.”
— ALA Booklist (starred review)

“Henkes’s phenomenal ability to tap directly into the hopes, fears, and annoyances of an eight-year-old boy with beautiful clarity make this not only relatable for young readers, but for adults as well.”
— School Library Journal (starred review)

“The understated plot allows new readers to focus on the well-chosen words and meaningful emotional arc, and Ruzzier’s slightly bonkers visual world-building keeps things fresh.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“A captivating new duo.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Fish and Sun are two delightful characters who will touch readers’ hearts. The perfect story for emergent readers and developing visual learners.“
— School Library Journal (starred review)

“Uncluttered watercolor illustrations, in Ruzzier’s always imaginative, slightly off-kilter style, reinforce the playful action; the natural language and phonetic patterns will serve readers well; and the emotional drama is just right.”
— The Horn Book (starred review)

“The mixed media drawings, alive with wonderful textures and soft colors, show Mel executing an impressive aerial somersault before blithely hurtling headfirst in parallel with the tree trunk as inhabitants below are thrown into comic panic, convinced that Mel’s dive-bombing will result in disaster…. ‘Hope’ may be the thing with feathers, but Mel proves that ‘gutsy’ can be, too.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Young people, who find themselves on the precipice of new activities, routines, schools, and challenges so frequently, will savor this little kingfisher’s success and perhaps feel they can right themselves the next time they fall into a downward spiral….Encourages children to feel brave, to try, and to believe they can soar.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“There’s a good deal of humor in this lighthearted story… Tabor’s relaxed, loose-lined illustrations capture the energy of the fall as well as Mel’s endearing, determined personality.”
— The Horn Book (starred review)

“Detailed writing brings the past to life in this delightful time-slip story populated by an array of outsized figures from history. . . . Thoroughly charming.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Murdock keeps her story fresh with tight, fast-paced writing that incorporates history by bringing it engagingly to life and tying it meaningfully to the present. . . . [an] inspired foray into the Renaissance and beyond.”
— ALA Booklist (starred review)

“A fanciful, middle-grade alternate history . . . A story about selflessness, friendship and the importance of seeking unity through difference.”
— Shelf Awareness (starred review)

“Henkes’ familiar stealthy craftsmanship is on display as the story structure creates a rhythm that breaks up into happy surprise and new patterns . . . Viewers will . . . appreciate the blossoming (including literal blossoms) of a house into a home.”
— Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)

“The style conveys Henkes’s (2020 winner of the Children’s Literature Legacy Award) signature elegance; and the ending will have children pondering precisely what makes a ‘house’ a ‘home.’ Brilliant.”
— The Horn Book (starred review)

“Accessible and Resonant”
— School Library Journal (starred review)

New England Book Award Winner!

A Junior Library Guild Selection!

“LaRocca’s historical novel in verse takes the reader through Reha’s past and present, flowing as seamlessly as many of the songs often referred to within the poems. Readers will be changed by her story.”
— ALA Booklist (starred review)

“LaRocca showcases the best of what verse can do, telling a story that is spare, direct and true, every word and idea placed with intentional care. A sensitive coming-of-age story with all the makings of a new middle grade classic.”
— BookPage (starred review)

“Pinkney’s recognizable illustrations affirm the closeness of this Black family and paint an empathetic picture of one kid’s resistances, fears, and joys.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Pinkney excels at seeing the world from a . . . [child’s] point of view, portraying the distinctive ways that Kenny interacts with different family members . . . . Small, everyday events contain plenty of humor and action, conveying throughout the sense that Kenny is cherished and his concerns are honored.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“An excellent choice for both emerging readers and preschoolers. . . . The illustrations . . . portray, understatedly but definitely, the warmth of this family’s relationships. . . Delightful.”
— The Horn Book (starred review)

“This family-focused story will interest mostly very young children in the early preschool years; however, the simple, clear text is also accessible to emerging readers. [An] essential purchase.”
— School Library Journal (starred review)

“Young readers will revel in the humor this chapter book offers: the wordplay, the nicknames, and Jo Jo’s irrepressible narrative voice. A joyful book about growing up Native in a loving community—not to be missed.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“In a winning, straightforward voice, Quigley adeptly creates strong classroom scenes that convey an inclusive student body’s realistic dynamic and an endearing, assured seven-year-old protagonist who appreciates her cultural identity.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Jo Jo’s magnetic personality and liberal humor should endear her immediately to readers struggling to sort out their own worlds — she is sure to be young readers’ new ‘book best friend.'”
— Shelf Awareness (starred review)

“In eight brief yet eventful chapters, we follow this seven-year-old Everygirl through a relatable and entertaining series of misadventures and misunderstandings. Through it all, the first-person narrative is consistently engaging, with just the right touch of primary-grade silliness to balance out Jo Jo’s fears about friendship. Audibert’s cartoony illustrations add humorous layers to this exemplary transitional reader.”
— The Horn Book (starred review)

“A sweet, slice-of-life series debut. Readers will love Jo Jo and want to be her friend.”
— School Library Journal (starred review)

“The unifying lure of paleta love underscores the joys all people—regardless of differences—have in common.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Filled with life and joy, this story is an upbeat, multi-sensory experience that honors the breadth and harmony of multiculturalism in Diaz’s LA hometown.”
— School Library Journal (starred review)

“A wonderfully executed treat of a book with a sweet community focus.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Depicts wonderful examples of kindness, community, and delicious paletas.”
— ALA Booklist (starred review)