The Toymaker's Apprentice

Praise for The Toymaker's Apprentice: An absorbing tale of adventure, invention, family loyalty, and sly humor. . . . Bursting with unforgettable characters. -School Library Journal, starred review Men and mice engage in mortal conflict in this multilayered retelling . . . . A fast-paced adventure. -Kirkus Reviews An inventive fantasy. -Booklist Smith manages to tease out the darker elements of her inspiration, the Nutcracker, while still maintaining a sense of whimsy, resulting in a story that blends wonder, melancholy, and adventure. -Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Exceedingly well done, this is a great fantasy novel and is highly recommended for middle grade readers, fans of fantasy, and lovers of The Nutcracker. -VOYA Smith's usage of elements from Hoffmann, Dumas's later adaptation, and the perennially popular Nutcracker ballet is extremely clever. -Publishers Weekly Smith threads a wondrous tale which salutes The Nutcracker stories and ballet while carrying readers off on enchanting new adventures. -School Library Connection Praise for Orleans: CCBC Choices (Cooperative Children's Book Center) 2014 CBC Best Books of the Year for Children and Young Adults BCCB Blue Ribbon Book 2013 Westchester Fiction Award Honorable Mention 2014 (California) Junior Library Guild Selection This version of NOLA reads like a twisted love letter to the original as Smith mines its famous landmarks and traditions for a dark revision . . . Smith's vision of the future is terrifying. -BCCB starred review Compelling and disturbing . . . Alternating chapters of Fen's strong and often lyrical voice and a third-person account from Daniel's point of view move the complicated plot briskly. -Booklist, starred review Gritty and dark, with plenty of glimmers of humanity . . . a book that will fly off the shelves and thrill readers of realistic, as well as science, fiction. -VOYA Praise for FLYGIRL: California Book Award Gold Medal winner 15 State Award nominations YALSA Best Book for Young Adults The Washington Post Best Kids Book of the Year Children's Indie Next List ALA Amelia Bloomer Project list Capital Choices Notable Book for Children CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Book CCBC Choices (Cooperative Children's Book Center) This breakthrough title adds a new story to the shelves of World War II books . . . an unforgettable climax. -Booklist, starred review It was hard not to find myself cheering Ida Mae on. Hard not to get an itch to fly after reading this. Sherri Smith is a truly talented writer and Flygirl is a wonderful story. -Jacqueline Woodson, National Book Award- and Newbery Honor-winning author of Brown Girl Dreaming A dynamic, heartfelt novel. -The Washington Post