I really liked this one! I love that Pizzoli gave the con man a thumbprint for a face. I also loved the note at the end about how cons still go on today. Be careful everyone!

I knew someone had crossed Niagara on a tightrope, I just didn't know anything about him or her. This is the story of the Great Blondin and his multiple crossings in 1859 and 1860. As usual, the illustrations are stunning. You won't find me on a tightrope any time soon!

Thank you to the publisher for providing me a copy to review.

I didn't know anything about Dorothea Lange beyond her famous photograph. I was surprised to learn that she had polio as a child and suffered from its aftereffects her whole life. I love that this biography used faces as a way to draw people into the story. It is a trademark of her work.

Thank you Calkins Creek for sending me a copy to review.

I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as the first. This one I had to read a bit more slowly, because the Aztec names and stories were not familiar to me. I almost wish the glossary had been in the front of the book, but that would have spoiled some of the surprise. I do like that the translations of Spanish phrases continues at the bottom of the page. I also feel like I learned a bit about Aztec mythology, which was interesting. Maybe if the pronunciations had been in there as we were going along?

I will say that I still very much enjoy Raul the Third's pen illustrations. They are so unique and interesting. I'm glad I purchased it for my library.

This book was pretty cute! I am not very familiar with Clementine, but you don't need to be to enjoy this book. Waylon is a great character. He's quiet, thoughtful, mostly kind and not sporty. He just is himself. Also, the drama felt so quietly real.

I think this is one of my favorite Carrie Jones books. I love the "Men in Black" aspects of it, and I love the way the cheerleader skills help her fight off bad guys. I was hoping for a lighthearted romp and I got one!

I liked this. I'm not normally one for present tense stories, but this one didn't bother me. I liked Roz's story of adapting to your environment and fitting in. It didn't affect me as much as some of my colleagues, but I would say it was a good book.

The plot of the book is fine. I can see a lot of kids relating to the adventure, of a boy who has lost everything going after the one thing he has left.

I am left uncomfortable by the multicultural aspects of this book. I think that, at this point in time, if you are in children's literature and just going to use the term "Indian" without naming a tribe, then you're not doing enough. There is enough backlash and blogs to let you know that's not cool. If it had just been the pony, I think I would have been fine. However, I am skeptical that he wouldn't know a tribal name. Ah-Kee also left me uneasy, but I would be willing to concede that point if someone familiar with Chinese-Americans said it was fine.