Arab American Book Award (Hands Around the Library)
Notable Social Studies Trade Books (Hands Around the Library)
Bank Street College Best Children's Books (Hands Around the Library, Malala Yousafzai)
CCBC Choices (Hands Around the Library)
Notable Books for a Global Society: International Reading Association (Hands Around the Library)
National Council of Teachers of English Orbis Pictus Nonfiction Recommended Book (Hands Around the Library)
Children's Africana Book Awards - Best Books for Young Children (Hands Around the Library)
Middle East Studies Association Best Picture Book (Hands Around the Library)
California Reading Association Eureka Silver Honor Award (Malala Yousafzai)
IBBY Sweden Peter Pan Prize for Books Translated into Swedish (Malala Yousafzai)
Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Picture Books in Spanish (Malala Yousafzai)
Journalism Awards - Chesapeake Associated Press Broadcasters Association, Maryland State Teachers Association, Education Writers Association
Reviews Hands Around the Library: Protecting Egypt's Treasured Books
★ "Freedom and libraries: an essential combination...Roth’s exuberant collages capture these heady moments, blending photos, papers and fabrics to bring the people’s positive actions and the building’s intriguing facade together in a celebration of patriotism and libraries. Extensive and accessible backmatter...A stunning visual recreation of a recent historical event." Kirkus Reviews
"Roth and Abouraya invest this story with emotion and suspense by adopting the point of view of a ... librarian at first caught up in the excitement of the march, then worried about the library, then proud of her countrymen for this act of love and peace." School Library Journal
"Readers will find much to celebrate in this heartening story... Information on the artwork, the history of the library, and the events in Egypt is included in several pages of author and resource notes." Publishers Weekly
"Karen Leggett Abouraya and Susan Roth both do a phenomenal job of introducing a serious and complex topic in a simple and accessible way for children and adults alike. Homegrown Reader
"A stirring informational picture book...direct and moving prose...This multi-layered text is wonderful vehicle to launch discussions of democracy, conceptions of freedom, the power of voting, and the importance of access to information." Classroom Bookshelf
"I especially like how there is such extensive back matter explaining the background of Bibliotheca Alexandrina, as well as actual pictures of the library..." Gathering Books: Nonfiction Wednesday
"After reading this book, we suggest that you go to your local library and look around at all it has to offer with a renewed sense of gratitude." Washington Post KidsPost
"...nonfiction picture book by Dial Books would make an excellent read aloud to stimulate discussions with children about the importance of books and libraries to our society....Picture books are an excellent way to relate heavy subjects to students in a manner they will understand, and there are many powerful messages that young readers may take away from this story." The Nonfiction Detectives
Malala Yousafzai: Warrior with Words
★ "Available in both English and Spanish, this contemporary biography is excellent for conversations about the power of words, resilient, and the ability of one person to inspire meaningful change."School Library Journal
"A superior telling of Yousafzai’s life and work thus far." Kirkus Reviews
"...this reads like a story and would be enjoyed by a younger audience of 9-12 year-olds. It would also be an enjoyable read aloud with discussion questions to follow. I also like how the author includes details about Pakistan, the Taliban, the Malala fund and other humanitarian efforts, many of which were initiated by young people."LitPick Review