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40 pp.
| Houghton/Versify
| April, 2019
|
TradeISBN 978-1-328-78096-6$17.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-358-05761-1
(1)
4-6
Illustrated by
Kadir Nelson.
Alexander and Nelson honor the achievements, courage, and perseverance of ordinary black people as well as prominent black artists, athletes, and activists. Alexander's free-verse poem conveys a sense of pride at what his "unflappable" and "unafraid" predecessors have accomplished and what people continue to do today. Nelson's realistic oil paintings depict racial oppression in the past and present--demonstrating that racism remains deeply entrenched in America today.
Reviewer: Jonda C. McNair
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
March, 2019
32 pp.
| Groundwood
| May, 2019
|
TradeISBN 978-1-77306-104-7$19.95
|
EbookISBN 978-1-77306-105-4
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Natalie Nelson.
Wishinsky's straightforward, text-heavy picture-book biography places particular emphasis on Roebling's critical role in bringing her husband's engineering feat, the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, to completion after he fell ill. Taking inspiration from nineteenth-century newspapers, Nelson's collage illustrations draw from photographs, giving the book an air of historical authenticity. Speech bubbles with imagined dialogue make Roebling and her milieu accessible to today's readers. Reading list. Bib.
32 pp.
| Groundwood
| May, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-1-55498-912-6$17.95
|
EbookISBN 978-1-55498-913-3
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Natalie Nelson.
In each of fourteen dapper mixed-media spreads, Lukoff christens an animal group with a collective noun reflecting their attributes--e.g., "The ostentation of peacocks suspected an intruder in their midst" shows a modestly plumaged bird crashing a peacock party. Some readers of this There Is a Tribe of Kids read-alike may wish for a spread-to-spread narrative link; most will revel in the clever wordplay.
(3)
PS
Illustrated by
Jonathan Nelson.
In Diné (Navajo) culture, the First Laugh Ceremony "expresses the parents' hope that their child will always be friendly, kind, and caring." This story about a baby growing up in the city but with grandparents on the Navajo Nation offers a not-often-seen glimpse of contemporary Native American life. Pencil, ballpoint-pen, and Photoshop illustrations contrast urban and rural living. Appended notes include other traditional baby celebrations.
32 pp.
| Golden
| September, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-1-5247-6621-4$10.99
(3)
PS
Illustrated by
Marybeth Nelson.
Julia may play differently than most kids, but Elmo doesn't mind: both like building blocks, toy cars, and tablet games. While swinging (another favorite), Abby joins them on the playground. Elmo's casual description of Julia's autism emphasizes his organic acceptance of her, which helps Abby and Julia become friends, too. This Sesame Street story positively models inclusion, as do the recognizable illustrations.
32 pp.
| Groundwood
| April, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-1-55498-929-4$17.95
(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
Natalie Nelson.
Young Holland gets caught stealing one too many times and joins the army instead of going to jail. Sent to a sumptuously tropical location, he becomes captivated by its beautiful fish and replaces petty theft with a new hobby: painting. The overall tone of the book, based on Lawson's uncle, is irreverent, due largely to Nelson's playful digital collages (which incorporate found photography) and energetic ink drawings.
Reviewer: Minh Lê
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
May, 2017
32 pp.
| Dial
| June, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8037-3700-6$17.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Kadir Nelson.
Spare, powerful prose presents the American flag and the American landscape and people in parallel: "Sew together one nation / So together one nation." Evocative paintings portray the natural scenery as well as images from history, including civil rights marchers, long rows of pioneers in covered wagons, and men walking on the moon. A refreshingly unsentimental yet hopeful look at America.
(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
Natalie Nelson.
In the story, as in life, young Flannery O'Connor collects birds of all kinds until acquiring the King of Birds himself, a peacock. The story departs from life (and ethology) in some rather ginned-up suspense about the peacock not displaying its tail (the reveal of which is worth waiting for thanks to Nelson's mixed-media collage illustration). Otherwise the story and art are lighthearted and whimsical.
Reviewer: Roger Sutton
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2016
283 pp.
| Dial
| January, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-1-101-99388-0$18.99 New ed. (1976)
(2)
4-6
Illustrated by
Kadir Nelson.
Introduction by Jacqueline Woodson. This anniversary edition of the Newbery Medal book and second novel in the Logan family saga contains a new introduction by Jacqueline Woodson, Mildred Taylor's twenty-fifth-anniversary-edition foreword, reproductions of Taylor's family photos on the endpapers, and stunning cover art and an opening color plate by Kadir Nelson.
(4)
4-6
Spine Shivers series.
Illustrated by
Nelson Evergreen.
This not-so-scary series covers many bases: evil clowns, ghost children, a robot apocalypse, and evil mud clones. While the creep-factor may be low for die-hard horror fans, the suspenseful narratives (and hair-raising covers) will work for newcomers and/or reluctant readers. Three full-page black-and-white illustrations accompany each book. Back matter includes discussion questions, writing prompts, and brief backstory for the supernatural events. Glos. Review covers these Spine Shivers titles: Attack of the Mud Creatures, The Grin in the Dark, The Screaming Bridge, and Tech Fury.
(4)
4-6
Spine Shivers series.
Illustrated by
Nelson Evergreen.
This not-so-scary series covers many bases: evil clowns, ghost children, a robot apocalypse, and evil mud clones. While the creep-factor may be low for die-hard horror fans, the suspenseful narratives (and hair-raising covers) will work for newcomers and/or reluctant readers. Three full-page black-and-white illustrations accompany each book. Back matter includes discussion questions, writing prompts, and brief backstory for the supernatural events. Glos. Review covers these Spine Shivers titles: Attack of the Mud Creatures, The Grin in the Dark, The Screaming Bridge, and Tech Fury.
(4)
4-6
Spine Shivers series.
Illustrated by
Nelson Evergreen.
This not-so-scary series covers many bases: evil clowns, ghost children, a robot apocalypse, and evil mud clones. While the creep-factor may be low for die-hard horror fans, the suspenseful narratives (and hair-raising covers) will work for newcomers and/or reluctant readers. Three full-page black-and-white illustrations accompany each book. Back matter includes discussion questions, writing prompts, and brief backstory for the supernatural events. Glos. Review covers these Spine Shivers titles: Attack of the Mud Creatures, The Grin in the Dark, The Screaming Bridge, and Tech Fury.
(4)
4-6
Spine Shivers series.
Illustrated by
Nelson Evergreen.
This not-so-scary series covers many bases: evil clowns, ghost children, a robot apocalypse, and evil mud clones. While the creep-factor may be low for die-hard horror fans, the suspenseful narratives (and hair-raising covers) will work for newcomers and/or reluctant readers. Three full-page black-and-white illustrations accompany each book. Back matter includes discussion questions, writing prompts, and brief backstory for the supernatural events. Glos. Review covers these Spine Shivers titles: Attack of the Mud Creatures, The Grin in the Dark, The Screaming Bridge, and Tech Fury.
63 pp.
| Darby Creek
| September, 2015
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-4677-5726-3$17.32
|
PaperISBN 978-1-4677-8089-6$4.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-4677-8661-4
(4)
4-6
Dark Hunter series.
Illustrated by
Nelson Evergreen.
These hi-lo horror tales pit the Dark Hunter and his two young assistants, Mary and Edgar, against a vampire, a witch, and a demonic ship. Fueled more by suspense than gore, each slight story employs action and stripped-down dialogue to hook reluctant readers. Frequent illustrations and roomy layouts light on text will keep readers moving. There are three other fall 2015 books in this series. Review covers these Dark Hunter titles: Ship of Death, The Red Thirst, and The Stone Witch.
63 pp.
| Darby Creek
| September, 2015
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-4677-5727-0$17.32
|
PaperISBN 978-1-4677-8090-2$4.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-4677-8660-7
(4)
4-6
Dark Hunter series.
Illustrated by
Nelson Evergreen.
These hi-lo horror tales pit the Dark Hunter and his two young assistants, Mary and Edgar, against a vampire, a witch, and a demonic ship. Fueled more by suspense than gore, each slight story employs action and stripped-down dialogue to hook reluctant readers. Frequent illustrations and roomy layouts light on text will keep readers moving. There are three other fall 2015 books in this series. Review covers these Dark Hunter titles: Ship of Death, The Red Thirst, and The Stone Witch.
64 pp.
| Darby Creek
| September, 2015
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-4677-5725-6$17.32
|
PaperISBN 978-1-4677-8088-9$4.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-4677-8659-1
(4)
4-6
Dark Hunter series.
Illustrated by
Nelson Evergreen.
These hi-lo horror tales pit the Dark Hunter and his two young assistants, Mary and Edgar, against a vampire, a witch, and a demonic ship. Fueled more by suspense than gore, each slight story employs action and stripped-down dialogue to hook reluctant readers. Frequent illustrations and roomy layouts light on text will keep readers moving. There are three other fall 2015 books in this series. Review covers these Dark Hunter titles: Ship of Death, The Red Thirst, and The Stone Witch.
80 pp.
| Abrams
| April, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4197-0179-5$19.95
(3)
4-6
Illustrated by
S. D. Nelson.
This anthology presents profound, expressive, and hauntingly honest voices of Lakota youth on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Moving pieces are presented by theme: Natural World; Misery; Native Thoughts; Silence; Spirit; Family, Youth and Dreams; and Language. This attractive book includes bordered pages, Nelson's Lakota-themed art, and eloquent notes from the editor introducing each section. Ind.
(2)
4-6
Illustrated by
Kadir Nelson.
In superlative oil paintings, Nelson brings to life this famous speech. He begins with Dr. King at the Lincoln Memorial addressing the crowd; literal illustrations of his words (e.g., his "four little children") follow. Visually, this is a stunning accomplishment that embodies the thrilling inspiration of Dr. King's words. The complete text of the speech is appended; accompanying CD included.
40 pp.
| Dial
| January, 2011
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8037-3167-7$17.99
(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
Kadir Nelson.
On the eve of WWII, Joe Louis squares off against formidable German Max Schmeling, a symbol of the Nazi regime. De la Peña's free-verse narrative heightens the historic sporting event's suspense. Nelson's oil paintings vividly capture not only the drama of the fight scenes but also the entire nation waiting with bated breath and quickened pulse for the outcome.
Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
January, 2011
32 pp.
| Shadow
| June, 2010
|
TradeISBN 978-1-60641-671-6$17.99
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Casey Nelson.
After she breaks the cookie jar while trying to sneak a treat, a girl tells her dubious mom an elaborate whopper. The rhymes have adequate punch when not contorted with preachiness ("I've learned a big lesson about fibbing today. / I will never tell lies--it's the truth I will say!"). Likewise, the illustrations have verve, if not always grace.