BOOKS

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Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers' Strike of 1909

Illustrated by Melissa Sweet
Balzer & Bray
January 2013

Starred reviews, School Library Journal, Kirkus
A Junior Library Guild selection

“The zingy images masterfully (and appropriately) incorporate fabric and stitches as well as old images of checks and time cards … This book has fighting spirit in spades-you go, Clara!”

— Booklist (starred review)

“In her simple but powerful text Markel shows how multiple arrests, serious physical attacks, and endless misogyny failed to deter this remarkable woman as she set off on her lifelong path as a union activist.”

— The Horn Book



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It was chosen as one of 2013's Best Nonfiction Children's Books of the Year by School Library Journal, one of the top titles for 2013 by Book Links,and was a Nerdy Book Award winner for nonfiction.

Brave Girl was also featured in the TABLET magazine article:

"Not Just for Kids: Three Knockout Biographies Bring Three Awesome Jews to Life"

and came out in a PJ Library edition.

The Fantastic Jungles
of Henri Rousseau

Illustrated by Amanda Hall
Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
September 2012

2013 PEN/Steven Kroll Award for Picture Book Writing

Starred review, Publisher's Weekly, Kirkus, Booklist
A Junior Library Guild selection

"Markel's simple, poetic text
("tropical plants fruit and flower into garlands,
rockets, and rosettes of color")
is matched with Hall's vivid, venturesome illustrations.
The bright watercolor-and-acrylic paintings have
an impressive vitality and wonderfully channel
Rousseau's fantastic motifs and his characteristic
use of flattened shapes and perspectives.
This lovely, child-friendly biography
evokes and celebrates this fabulous naif. "

— Kirkus Reviews

“The career of artist Henri Rousseau gets a wonderfully child-friendly treatment in a book that captures both his personality and the essence of his pictures. … Markel’s text has a sweetness and simplicity that allows children to understand the story’s underpinnings, giving them someone to root for.”

_ Booklist

"This is not only a visually exciting introduction to a well-known artist, but also an uplifting model of passion and perseverance."

_ School Library Journal (Starred)

Click here for Teacher's Guide

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Tyrannosaurus Math

Illustrated by Doug Cushman
Tricycle Press/Random House

Scholastic Book Club edition: over 100,000 copies sold
Published in Japanese by Fukuinkan Shoten

"T-Math's enthusiasm for numbers and solutions to real-world problems makes this a title readers can sink their teeth into...Cushman's brightly colored acrylic illustrations nicely show readers the math involved without diminishing in any way
the personalities of the dinosaurs. The ultimate melding of a topic kids love with knowledge they need." — Kirkus Reviews

"This is a clever addition to the growing number of books that make a sometimes daunting subject both more understandable and just plain fun.


" — School Library Journal

Click here for Lesson Ideas

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Dreamer From the Village:
The Story of Marc Chagall

Illustrated by Emily Lisker
Henry Holt

A 2006 Notable Children's Book of Jewish Content
(Association of Jewish Libraries)

A 2006 New York Times Best Book
for Reading and Sharing with Children

Published in Russian by Text

“This is not a biography for reports, but rather an excellent portrait
of an artist that will open and expand children's minds." 
— School Library Journal

“Among the children's books about Chagall and his art, this is the most accessible and the closest to his artistic vision. Highly recommended for grades 3 - 6." — Association of Jewish Librarians

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Additional Titles

Dream Town, Illustrated by Rick Reese (Heyday)

The Shark That Taught Me English, Illustrated by Bo Young Kim (Lectura)

Cornhusk, Silk & Wishbones: A Book of Dolls From Around the World (Houghton Mifflin)

Gracias Rosa, Illustrated by Diane Paterson (Albert Whitman)

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Stories

"City of Dreams," The Los Angeles Times, Sept. 1 – 5, 2003
and "City of Wonders," The Los Angeles Times, Feb. 8 – 12, 2004

Two five-part creative non-fiction stories about a grandmother who introduces her grandson to fantasy buildings and architectural landmarks of Los Angeles.

"Duke," The Los Angeles Times, Aug. 16 - 20, 2004

A five part biography of champion surfer Duke Kahanamoku

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