By Megan Ciskowski, Associate Publicist
Lerner Publishing Group always strives to provide the highest-quality nonfiction and fiction content for children and young adults that will help them navigate the real world. This year, our titles have received thirty-two starred reviews and we’d like to celebrate these stars with you! Read on to find a complete list of Lerner titles that received starred reviews or awards.
Titles from Lerner Publishing Group
Fiction
Amazona by Canizales
This singular graphic novel by Canizales follows Andrea, a young Indigenous Colombian woman, who has returned to the land she calls home. She comes to mourn her child—and to capture evidence of the illegal mining that displaced her family.
Starred Reviews
★”Simply powerful, Colombian artist Canizales’ illuminating, expressively rendered graphic novel translated from the Spanish contains moments of great beauty (particularly Andrea’s memories of her husband and father) among numerous scenes of deep anguish . . . A brutal, vital text.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews
Awards
- YALSA Great Graphic Novels for Teens
The Deep Blue Between by Ayesha Harruna Attah
In 1890s West Africa, twin sisters Hassana and Husseina are torn apart by violence and must build individual lives for themselves an ocean apart. But the choices they make may eventually reunite them. Author Ayesha Harruna Attah gives readers a powerful portrait of fiercely independent sisters offers a rare glimpse of empowered young women in 19th-century Ghana, Nigeria, and Brazil.
Starred Reviews
★”This sweeping story is rich in detail, and the settings are vividly evoked. . . . A successful exploration of rich cultural experiences and enduring familial connections.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews
Gold Mountain by Betty G. Yee
Debut author Betty G. Yee provides a suspenseful depiction of a pivotal point in US History. In the 1860s, Tam Ling Fan needs money to help her father. Disguised as a boy, she travels from China to America to take a dangerous job as a laborer on the Transcontinental Railroad.
Starred Reviews
★”An exceptionally told story that will satisfy readers of history, mystery, and adventure while providing food for thought.”—starred, Booklist
Awards
- YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers Nominee
Torch by Lynn Miller-Lachmann
When 17-year-old Pavol fatally sets himself on fire in Prague in 1969 to protest the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia, he leaves behind three friends whose lives are changed forever. Stepan must conceal his sexual orientation from a government that’s already suspicious of him. Tomáš faces judgment for his own unacceptable “abnormality” (which today would be identified as Asperger’s syndrome). And Lida is pregnant with Pavol’s child, branding her a traitor by association.
In the aftermath of Pavol’s death, all three must decide whether to keep struggling to survive in the country Pavol died hoping to save. . . or risk a perilous escape to the other side.
Starred Reviews
★”[T]his story of revolutionary hope confronts dehumanizing forces through its resilient characters’ deeply held friendships. An astonishing and gripping read.” — starred, Booklist
★”Equally terrifying and captivating.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews
★”Miller-Lachmann deftly balances moments of happiness and hope within an ominously rendered narrative marked by fear and potential catastrophe. This captivating political thriller is perfect for Ruta Sepetys fans.” — starred, Publishers Weekly
Nonfiction
Call Me Miss Hamilton: One Woman’s Case for Equality and Respect by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Jeffery Boston Weatherford
Award-winning author Carole Boston Weatherford tells the story of Civil Rights activist Mary Hamilton, a Black woman who took a stand for respect—with a case that went all the way to the Supreme Court of the United States—and won. The distinctive digital scratchboard illustrations from Jeffery Boston Weatherford paired with archival photographs, honor this unsung heroine.
Starred Reviews
★”Weatherford introduces young readers to this lesser-known changemaker who challenged the court system for due respect. . . . Lending to this powerful story is mixed-media artwork that blends expressive black-and-white scratchboard illustrations with tinted photos from the time period.”—starred, Booklist
Awards
- 101 Great Books for Kids
- Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books
Make Way for Animals!: A World of Wildlife Crossings by Meeg Pincus and illustrated by Bao Luu
Around the world, roads have cut off animals from the resources they need to survive. Fortunately, this problem has also inspired some creative solutions! Author Meeg Pincus and illustrator Bao Luu take readers on a tour of wildlife crossings from badger bridges to penguin pipelines.
Starred Reviews
★”Everything readers need to know about wildlife crossings—what they are, why they are needed, who makes them happen—in a book all libraries should own.”—starred, School Library Journal
Not Done Yet: Shirley Chisholm’s Fight for Change by Tameka Fryer Brown and illustrated by Nina Crews
Even as a child, Shirley Chisholm was a natural-born fighter who wanted things to be fair. At first, she thought she could help lift others by becoming a teacher. So she did. But she wasn’t done yet. Stirring free verse chronicles Shirley’s journey from teaching to entering politics, eventually becoming the first Black woman ever elected to Congress—and, in 1972, the first woman of any race to seriously run for president. Through poetry and digital illustration, author Tameka Fryer Brown and artist Nina Crews celebrate Chisholm’s determination and her commitment to working for rights for all. Although Chisholm is gone, her legacy lives on, continuing to inspire those who fight for fairness and change.
Starred Reviews
★”The tone of the book is inspiring, but Brown doesn’t shy away from the mistreatment Chisholm encountered . . . Crews’ vividly textured illustrations positively sing, enhancing the text and making for a perfect introduction for young readers everywhere. As powerful as the woman it profiles.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews
Awards
- Kirkus Best Children’s Books
- Kirkus Best Picture-Book Biographies of the Year
A River’s Gifts: The Mighty Elwha River Reborn by Patricia Newman and illustrated by Natasha Donovan
A mighty river. A long history. For thousands of years, the Elwha flowed north to the sea. The river churned with salmon, which helped feed bears, otters, and eagles. The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, known as the Strong People located in the Pacific Northwest, were grateful for the river’s abundance. All that changed in the 1790s when strangers came who did not understand the river’s gifts. The strangers built dams, and the environmental consequences were disastrous.
Sibert honoree Patricia Newman and award-winning illustrator Natasha Donovan join forces to tell the story of the Elwha, chronicling how the Strong People successfully fought to restore the river and their way of life.
Starred Reviews
★”Effectively using a compelling story to illustrate the concept of rewilding, this informative, striking presentation is powerful in its hopeful story that integrates history, environmental appreciation, and explanations of the interdependence of species in a landscape and the politics necessary to save them.”—starred, Booklist
★”Beautifully illustrated and informative.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews
Awards
- Eureka! Children’s Book Award
- Kirkus Best Children’s Books
- Orbis Pictus Award Recommended Book
- SCBWI Russell Freedman Award for Nonfiction for a Better World finalist
Resistance to Slavery: From Escape to Everyday Rebellion by Cicely Lewis
In addition to slave uprisings and escapes on the Underground Railroad, enslaved people also resisted their mistreatment through small acts in their everyday lives. Discover the many forms of resistance to slavery in the latest series from Read Woke ™ Books.
Starred Reviews
★”[A] compelling shift in how this period of American history has traditionally been told. . . . An excellent starting point for researchers.”—starred, Booklist
Washed Ashore: Making Art from Ocean Plastic by Kelly Crull
In this inspiring picture book, author and photographer Kelly Crull combines biology and art in with photos of incredible animal sculptures created from ocean trash. The sculptures are accompanied by key facts about the featured animals and tips for how to reduce plastic use.
Starred Reviews
★”An excellent work on an unusual topic and a must for school and library shelves.”—starred, Booklist
Awards
- 101 Great Books for Kids
- Good Housekeeping Children’s Book Awards
Where We Come From by John Coy, Shannon Gibney, Sun Yung Shin, Diane Wilson and illustrated by Dion MBD
In this unique collaboration, four authors lyrically explore where they each come from—literally and metaphorically. Richly layered illustrations connect past and present in this accessible and visually striking look at history, family, and identity.
Starred Reviews
★”Outstanding in all ways, this title deserves a place in most collections and adds a wonderful opportunity for upper elementary students (and higher!) to unpack our complicated histories.”—starred, School Library Journal
Yuck, You Suck!: Poems about Animals That Sip, Slurp, Suck by Heidi E. Y. Stemple and Jane Yolen and illustrated by Eugenia Nobati
This appealingly icky poetry collection presents animals that suck—quite literally! From the mosquito and elephant to the lamprey and pigeon, discover how and why these animals sip, slurp, and suck.
Starred Reviews
★”A delightful book that amuses and educates.”—starred, School Library Journal
Awards
- School Library Journal Best Book
Attention Hijacked: Using Mindfulness to Reclaim Your Brain from Tech by Erica B. Marcus
For years, scientists have warned that too much screen time negatively impacts our health. Attention Hijacked explores exactly how technology affects consumers, dispels misinformation, and helps readers make personal usage decisions. Author Erica B. Marcus has spent over 15 years as a classroom teacher, mindfulness educator/director, and a wilderness youth therapy field guide.
Starred Reviews
★”Cover[s] various aspects of mindfulness, with Marcus advising students what to do about all the busyness we face in this tech-fueled world. . . . lively and deeply relevant work that is a must for school and public libraries.”—starred, Booklist
Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer, Monique Gray Smith, and illustrated by Nicole Neidhardt
Drawing from her experiences as an Indigenous scientist, botanist Robin Wall Kimmerer demonstrated how all living things—from strawberries and witch hazel to water lilies and lichen—provide us with gifts and lessons every day in her best-selling book Braiding Sweetgrass. Adapted for young adults by Monique Gray Smith, this new edition reinforces how wider ecological understanding stems from listening to the earth’s oldest teachers: the plants around us. With informative sidebars, reflection questions, and art from illustrator Nicole Neidhardt, Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults brings Indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge, and the lessons of plant life to a new generation.
Starred Reviews
★”Both an urgent, essential call to action and an uplifting love letter.” –starred, Kirkus Reviews
★”Smith smartly streamlines language while staying true to the narrative’s core concepts by adding brief sidebars that explain featured terminology, pose reflection questions, and highlight important passages, inviting collaborative discussion and acting as a call to action.”—starred, Publishers Weekly
★”A book that is entirely in a class of its own, this belongs in every collection for teens.”—starred, School Library Journal
Awards
- NSTA/CBC Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12
- Parents Magazine Best Kids’ Books
- Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
How to Be a Difficult Bitch: Claim Your Power, Ditch the Haters, and Feel Good Doing It by Halley Bondy, Mary C. Fernandez, Zara Hanawalt, Sharon Lynn Pruitt-Young
In the past, being a “difficult bitch” was bad. Girls weren’t supposed to call people out for their BS, stand up for themselves, or do their own thing. This book embraces the insult with irreverent humor, encouraging readers to be themselves no matter what, including an exploration of the ways this phrase can be interpreted differently among people of different backgrounds.
Being a powerhouse is a choice. It’s a lifestyle. It’s a code of ethics. It takes work, a thick skin, and perseverance. In this book, you’ll learn the ins and outs of being a Difficult Bitch, from school to friends to body to life.
Starred Reviews
★”A thoughtful, engaging, bad-ass crash course in moxie, self-confidence, and self-love.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews
I Could Not Do Otherwise: The Remarkable Life of Dr. Mary Edwards Walker by Sara Latta
As a teenager, Mary Edwards Walker determined she would no longer wear the confining corsets and long skirts society dictated women wear at the time, setting the stage for her lifelong controversial efforts to change expectations. One of the first women to earn a degree in medicine, Walker championed women’s rights, social justice, and access to health care. She became a Civil War surgeon and a spy, was captured and arrested by the Confederacy, and she is still the only woman to have been awarded the Medal of Honor. I Could Not Do Otherwise brings to light an amazing historical figure who broke gender norms and fought for issues that are still relevant today.
Starred Reviews
★”[A] fascinating introduction . . . Latta utilizes primary sources, from contemporary newspaper articles to photographs, to make Walker’s remarkable life come alive for readers.”—starred, School Library Journal
Awards
- School Library Journal Best Book
The Lady and the Octopus: How Jeanne Villepreux-Power Invented Aquariums and Revolutionized Marine Biology by Danna Staaf
Jeanne Villepreux-Power was never expected to be a scientist. Born in 1794 in a French village more than 100 miles from the ocean, she pursued an improbable path that brought her to the island of Sicily. There, she took up natural history and solved the two-thousand-year-old mystery of how of the argonaut octopus gets its shell.
In an era when most research focused on dead specimens, Jeanne was determined to experiment on living animals. And to keep sea creatures alive for her studies, she had to invent a contraption to hold them—the aquarium. Her remarkable life story is told by author, marine biologist, and octopus enthusiast Danna Staaf.
Starred Reviews
★”An illuminating work on a scientist in the same league as Maria Sibylla Merian and Mary Anning.”—starred, Booklist
★”This author is as resourceful and ingenious in relating the story of her subject as Jeanne Villepreux-Power was in her scholarly endeavors. . . . This life story of an important female pioneer in the sciences is highly recommended.”—starred, School Library Journal
Awards
- School Library Journal Best Book
Notes from a Sickbed by Tessa Brunton
In 2009, Tessa Brunton experienced the first symptoms of myalgic encephalomyelitis (also known as chronic fatigue syndrome). She spent much of the next eight years unwell, in a medical holding pattern, housebound and often alone. In 2017, she found a strategy that helped reduce her symptoms, and soon began creating the first installments of a graphic memoir. Notes from a Sickbed collects previously released and brand-new, unseen comics that recall her experiences with honesty, a pointed wit, and a lively visual imagination.
Starred Reviews
★”Painfully real.” –starred, Kirkus Reviews
Quiet Fire: Emily Dickinson’s Life and Poetry by Carol Dommermuth-Costa and Anna Landsverk
Emily Dickinson is revered as one of America’s greatest and most original poets. Using primary source materials, including the poet’s own letters and poems, authors Carol Dommermuth-Costa and Anna Landsverk present the life and art of Emily Dickinson to a new generation.
Starred Reviews
★”Dommermuth-Costa and Landsverk’s research on the nonreligious, nature-loving, and doting daughter is revelatory; their back matter is impeccable; and the fascinating portrait they paint of the often misunderstood author is mesmerizing. . . . An excellent biography for all YA collections.”—starred, School Library Journal
Science and the Skeptic: Discerning Fact from Fiction by Marc Zimmer
Fake news and pseudoscience have unprecedented reach on social media platforms. Chemistry professor Marc Zimmer explains how science is done, why some people want to trick others, and why false information is dangerous. He empowers readers to identify trustworthy sources with 25 easy-to-follow rules.
Starred Reviews
★”[D]oes a thorough and extremely effective job of explaining the difference between scientific fact and fiction. . . . A very helpful guide for a very timely problem.”—starred, Booklist
★”This slim but rich book on approaching science news with healthy skepticism would be an excellent and welcome addition to junior high or high school nonfiction collections.”—starred, School Library Journal
Awards
- SCBWI Russell Freedman Award for Nonfiction for a Better World
Where Have All the Birds Gone?: Nature in Crisis by Rebecca E. Hirsch
In the face of rapidly declining bird populations, author Rebecca E. Hirsch shares the vast impacts birds have on ecosystems, food systems, and our mental health and what we can do to protect them.
Starred Reviews
★”Coverage of each topic smoothly incorporates history, science, case studies, and/or work being done to address the problem. . . . It’s impossible to read this and not recognize the seriousness of the problem, but Hirsch also highlights birds’ resilience when given a helping hand.”—starred, Booklist
★”This pithy book more than fulfills its promise to introduce readers to the importance of birds, the state of avian research, and how they can contribute to birds’ well-being. . . . Well-informed inspiration.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews
★”Scientist and naturalist Hirsch uses a clear and straightforward style to describe factors leading to the loss of three billion North American birds since 1970 and the meaning of such a catastrophic loss to the environment. . . . [E]asy to read and understand on many levels, including for those beginning to study environmental issues.”—starred, School Library Journal
Awards
- SCBWI Russell Freedman Award for Nonfiction for a Better World finalist
Titles from Kar-Ben
Fiction
The Button Box by Bridget Hodder and Fawzia Gilani-Williams
With the help of a magic button, Jewish Ava and Muslim Nadeem go back in time to ancient Morocco to help Prince Abdur Rahman escape to Spain and fulfill his destiny. Fawzia Gilani-Williams and Bridget Hodder bring this magical tale to life!
Starred Reviews
★”Both the modern and medieval characters are presented in emotionally charged language as unique individuals with strong personalities.” —starred, Kirkus Reviews
Raquela’s Seder by Joel Edward Stein and illustrated by Sara Ugolotti
Joel Edward Stein’s picture book follows Raquela, a young girl who yearns to celebrate a Passover seder, but Inquisition-era Spain is a time when Jews must hide their religion. Her clever papa, the best fisherman in town, creates a unique celebration for his family.
Starred Reviews
★”Thoughtful and tender, this beautiful story of hope is a valuable addition to all collections.”—starred, School Library Journal
For more stars and awards visit our recently recognized page!