Reviews for Our Book Series

*Let’s Dance! Latin Dance
Latin dances bring extraordinary beauty, grace, rhythm, and soul to the dance world. This entry in the Let's Dance! series (6 titles) is a vibrant, engaging introduction to the world of Latin dance that will capture readers' attention from the first page. The book, designed with a clear and easy-to-read layout, begins with descriptions of different types of Latin dance such as the paso doble ("double step" or "two step"), merengue, cha-cha, and mambo. Markovics delves into the rich history of Latin dance, from its role with Indigenous peoples of Central and South America to its present-day popularity, helping readers understand that Latin dance is about not just movement but also heritage and tradition. The text also includes famous Latin dancers; the benefits of Latin dance; and fun, easy-to-follow instructions on a samba step. Gorgeous pictures of Latin dancers in movement brilliantly complement the flowing narrative and fascinating cultural details. A wonderful combination of the history, culture, and significance of Latin dance.
—BOOKLIST, Starred Review, October 2024

Let’s Dance!
”Let’s Dance” expands children’s knowledge of the history of various dance styles, and the dancers who became famous performing them. Each title follows the same formula: an introduction to the dance style, followed by its history and a spotlight on renowned dancers. The final chapter teaches readers one of the most popular dance moves from that genre. Vibrant photographs enhance the text and engage readers, while colored text boxes and background splashes make the visuals more appealing. The writing is clear, easy to follow, and thorough enough for readers who want to explore the genre.
VERDICT: Buy these titles where dance is popular or where replacement copies are needed.
—SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, October 2024

Champs! Inspirational Animals 
This series puts the spotlight on animals that thrived despite illnesses or disabilities, from a pony with a prosthetic leg to a blind rabbit who is guided by her sibling. Each book introduces several real animals, and includes descriptions of their physical limitations and the ways they have been addressed. The first animal profile is a little more in-depth, with subsequent stories providing shorter descriptions of more examples. A brief summary of how treatment has changed over time, quotations from people who interact with the animals, and examples of the work of specific animal rescue groups round out the text. Most but not all of the featured animals are depicted in photographs. Each book includes at least one photo of an animal using a specially designed wheelchair.
VERDICT: A solid presentation that will fill a subject hole in most collections and appeal to animal-loving readers.
—SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, October 2024

Power of the Pen: Black Women Writers
The lives of six brilliant Black female authors are presented in these volumes. Readers learn that Alice Walker was born in 1944 to Georgia sharecroppers, playwright Lorraine Hansberry was the first Black woman to have a play on Broadway, and Maya Angelou was a successful dancer and actress as well as author. Octavia E. Butler won the Hugo award for best science fiction story, Toni Morrison wrote Beloved to share the truths of slavery, and Zora Neale Hurston was prominent in the Harlem Renaissance. The chronological narratives are informative as well as interesting and are complemented with photographs. Personal lives and professional achievements are equally featured, making these volumes fairly comprehensive. The author is honest in the content and addresses difficult situations in a delicate manner. For instance, in the volume on Angelou, “the boyfriend touched and hurt private parts of Maya’s body.” While report writers will employ these volumes, those interested in the subjects will find them to be engaging reads. 
VERDICT: These biographies present above average narratives on the lives of important 20th-century female writers and should be considered for purchase in both school and public libraries.
—SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, April 2024

Octavia E. Butler from Power of the Pen: Black Women Writers
The relatively short but engaging books in this attractive biography series offer introductions to significant Black American women writers from the 20th and 21st centuries. Each book begins with details of the writer’s childhood before introducing the writing that won her recognition and praise. The informative narrative traces the challenges she faced, her career as a writer, and the ways in which she excelled. Octavia E. Butler presents the life and work of an innovative science-fiction writer. The use of color in design elements and photos (when available) provides a visually inviting experience for students. The choice of photos is quite good and the images’ use in conjunction with a nearby description of those pictured (the writer’s family members, civil rights leaders, or other authors that she befriended or admired) may enrich readers’ knowledge of the periods discussed. Also available are Lorraine Hansberry and Toni Morrison, two simultaneously published volumes (not seen) from the appealing Power of the Pen: Black Women Writers series (4 titles).
—BOOKLIST, June 2024

Amazing Animal Minds
From an octopus “escape artist” to grieving elephants, this set explores many aspects of animal intelligence in an engaging fashion. Apes, for example, includes examples of tool use, vocabulary, communication, and memory. Each title opens with an especially intriguing example of animal intelligence, such as dogs’ ability to understand “fairness” and sleeping dolphins that sometimes mimic whales. Quotes from scientists and descriptions of their interactions with animals provide engaging insight into how humans have identified mental achievements of animals. The role of technology is woven neatly into the narratives, from iPad-using orangutans to the use of MRI’s to study dog intelligence. A closing “Scientist Spotlight” page highlights the work of a single animal expert. Most photographs relate directly to the behavior described in the text and many show animals interacting with scientists and other humans. 
VERDICT: First-rate presentations on a fascinating topic.
—SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, November 2023

*Space Junk from Tech Bytes: Exploring Space
“With an estimated 3,000 dead satellites, tens of thousands of softball-size pieces of debris, and millions of fragmentations, there’s a lot of garbage orbiting Earth in addition to covering it. This installment in the Tech Bytes: Exploring Space series (6 titles) uses detailed text with timely examples to describe space junk and its increasing dangers. The already high-interest subject matter reaches maximum interest with further details on waste created in space (including flaming astronaut poop that burns up when returning to Earth) and other fascinating facts.”
—BOOKLIST, Starred Review, April 2023

Tech Bytes: Exploring Space
This season’s titles add six space-related topics to the series. Readers will explore black holes, the possibility of life on Mars, and amazing technology like the International Space Station. Each spread is balanced, with visuals to keep the eye entranced and text chunked for easy digestion of the information. Sidebars explore topics such as growing flowers in space or the Chandra X-ray Observatory. Text boxes call attention to extra details like the elements of a space elevator or spacesuit design. Captions on the images add even more information, while bolded terms ­appear in the glossary. The back matter includes suggestions for books, websites, and places to visit to learn more about each topic. ­
VERDICT: Excellent for lessons on engineering and design, or to update collections.
—SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, May 2023

Pinta Island Tortoise from Endlings: The Last Species
An endling is the last known member of a species or subspecies. This volume from the Endlings: The Last Species series (8 titles) spotlights Lonesome George and his longtime caretaker. A century old when he died in 2012, George was the last known Pinta Island tortoise, the giant tortoise subspecies that once thrived on Pinta, an island in the Galapagos. Looking for meat, sailors hunted these animals for centuries. Later, goats released on the island devoured the plants that had previously fed the tortoises, whose numbers dwindled during the twentieth century. Illustrated with many color photos, the presentation has a positive tone overall. Markovics notes that scientists have removed non-native animals from Pinta while working to save the region’s other giant tortoises. An attractive introduction to George, the last of his kind.
—BOOKLIST, August 2022

Hello, Body!
For such short volumes, these books in the Hello, Body! series (8 titles) pack in an impressive amount of substantive information about each title organ and its role in helping the human body function. In addition to the organs’ important jobs, the books also briefly explore what happens when a disease, injury, or imbalance gets in the way of proper functioning, making them a potential resource in the face of health challenges. While an occasional mention of feces, urine, vomit, and the gluteus maximus winks toward likely giggles, the overall matter-of-fact tone, relevant context, and sophisticated vocabulary will help keep readers focused. Alongside some stock photos, colorful diagrams and models help illustrate the organs and their place in the body. A glossary also assists with more technical terms. These informative books have a lot to offer a wide range of readers.
—BOOKLIST, November 2022

Beware! Killer Plants
These plants have more than a little bite to them! There are carnivorous, deadly, and painful plants to watch out for in this middle grade botanical series. Some familiar plants like kudzu and Carolina Reapers are included, as are lesser known plants like the mousetrap tree. The highlighted keywords are great for building vocabulary and science literacy through high-interest plant specimens. Pulling away from the thrilling and gruesome aspects of some of these plants, there is a section at the end of each title where a single plant is shown in focus, interacting with wildlife in its natural habitat. The back matter also includes a glossary, “Find Out More” section, and index.
VERDICT: A welcome addition for any life science classroom looking to introduce high-interest topics on botany.
—SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, November 2021

On the Trail: Studying Secretive Animals in the Wild
Unusual animals and the scientists who study them share the spotlight in this well-conceived series. Facts about each creature’s physical traits and behavior are smoothly mixed in with information about the conditions that make them so hard to spot in the wild. The quotes from scientists and descriptions of their work provide personal connections to both animals and people, capturing the excitement of spotting a secretive animal and learning through observation. Every spread includes a “look closer” text box with additional data. Photographs depict the animals and their habitats as well as the scientists working in the field. All of these animals face serious population threats, but readers also learn how the featured scientists are working to preserve the species through activism and education.
VERDICT: Excellent introductions to rare wildlife and how experts learn about them.
—SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, May 4, 2021

Protest: March for Change!
A chronological approach is used to describe the issues leading to major protests in the United States. Each book reaches back to the origins of the movement, the people who have influenced the cause, and the conclusion and/or future of the movement. While a few statistics and facts are provided, these short books serve more as an introduction to the protests than as resources for thorough research. Vibrant colors and photos fill the pages and a table of contents, glossary, time line, further resources, and index make these books user-friendly.
VERDICT: Young activists will find motivation and young researchers will launch their projects with this great series.
—SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, May 4, 2021

Unwrapped: Marvelous Mummies
Mummies come in all shapes and sizes, as well as natural and man-made varieties, which the Unwrapped: Marvelous Mummies series describes in general detail, so as not to alarm the curious but sensitive youngster. It is an attractive, photo-rich series that employs large font sizes, colored captions and vocabulary, and in-text pronunciation guides and stats. . . . the author shows how mummies can afford opportunities to learn about past cultures or extinct animals.
—BOOKLIST, April 15, 2021

Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selections:
Modern Architecture
Spiky Plants
Kakapos
1969 Vietnam War Protest March
Bog Mummies