High quality fiction for children and young adults and sophisticated picture books from here and abroad
Front Street's young adult fiction often deals with children in crisis or children at risk, offering hope and succor, however difficult the subject. Our picture books emphasize art and design. We strive to expose young readers to the best literature available in other countries, cultures, and languages.
"Definitely writing for readers with short attention spans, Osterweil laces his narrative with middle-grade–style yuks and injects frequent reviews of events into his breathlessly paced tale." —Kirkus Reviews
"[T]here are a number of funny lines, which, along with the manic illustrations, should keep young readers laughing." —Booklist
"Strongly drawn characters…come alive on the pages of this debut novel. … A tribute to the power of story, this is ultimately a tale of hope and redemption. Zoë Royster, peer to the literary heroines she so loves, is as memorable in her own way as the Great Gilly Hopkins, Opal Buloni and Anne Shirley." —Kirkus Reviews
"In her debut novel, Carmichael gives a familiar plot fresh new life in this touching story with a finely crafted sense of place. Zoë’s first-person narration alternates with the observations of a feral tomcat who provides hints to the past, and an array of welldrawn eccentric characters add additional sparkle to the magic-touched story. Zoë’s fierce, funny voice is compelling, whether she is describing tense standoffs or moments of rare vulnerability that go straight to the heart. Carmichael uses a sure, light touch to portray the gradual blooming of trust among the story’s many wild things in this satisfying tale." —Booklist
"I don't like to pull out the term "a little gem of a book" too often, for fear of overusing the phrase, but if ever a title earned it, it's Wild Things by Clay Carmichael. Entirely enjoyable for kids and adults alike." —Elizabeth Bird, School Library Journal Blog & Publishers Weekly Mobile Blog, A Fuse #8 ProductionShow All Reviews
"Strongly drawn characters…come alive on the pages of this debut novel. … A tribute to the power of story, this is ultimately a tale of hope and redemption. Zoë Royster, peer to the literary heroines she so loves, is as memorable in her own way as the Great Gilly Hopkins, Opal Buloni and Anne Shirley." —Kirkus Reviews
"In her debut novel, Carmichael gives a familiar plot fresh new life in this touching story with a finely crafted sense of place. Zoë’s first-person narration alternates with the observations of a feral tomcat who provides hints to the past, and an array of welldrawn eccentric characters add additional sparkle to the magic-touched story. Zoë’s fierce, funny voice is compelling, whether she is describing tense standoffs or moments of rare vulnerability that go straight to the heart. Carmichael uses a sure, light touch to portray the gradual blooming of trust among the story’s many wild things in this satisfying tale." —Booklist
"I don't like to pull out the term "a little gem of a book" too often, for fear of overusing the phrase, but if ever a title earned it, it's Wild Things by Clay Carmichael. Entirely enjoyable for kids and adults alike." —Elizabeth Bird, School Library Journal Blog & Publishers Weekly Mobile Blog, A Fuse #8 Production
"It's hard to resist the voice of 11-year-old narrator Zoë, who stars in Carmichael's swiftly-paced first novel, alongside a supporting cast of eccentric characters nearly as wild as she. ... This cluster of quirky, winning characters will feel like a throng of old friends by story's end." —Shelf Awareness
"Carmichael’s beautifully written story is wonderful. It pulls the reader into the lives of these interesting characters and their small town. Readers both young and old will find Zoe a likeable and touching character and will be moved by the people who try to help her. This novel is a wonderful addition to any fiction collection." —Voice of Youth Advocates
This wonderfully rich and layered novel is filled with real and symbolic "wild things." —Children's Literature
"McGuigan is as adept at evoking the class consciousness and racial politics of '60s New York as she is the horrors of adolescence, including insecurity and helplessness. With the twin evils of domestic violence and President Kennedy's assassination looming in the background, the author's portrait of the chameleonic nature of teenage girls builds aggressively to a powerful finale." —Kirkus Reviews
"McGuigan’s writing is spare and low-key, and her metaphors are acute: ‘When you’re not wanted somewhere,’ she writes, ‘the feeling fills the place like a smell.’ History buffs will appreciate the visceral reminder of how much Kennedy’s beliefs meant to the black community, and how devastating was his death." —Booklist
"McGuigan has created rich characters and tackles several uncomfortable social issues. ... [T]he novel offers insight into a turbulent era." —School Library Journal
"McGuigan is as adept at evoking the class consciousness and racial politics of '60s New York as she is the horrors of adolescence, including insecurity and helplessness. With the twin evils of domestic violence and President Kennedy's assassination looming in the background, the author's portrait of the chameleonic nature of teenage girls builds aggressively to a powerful finale." —Kirkus Reviews
"McGuigan’s writing is spare and low-key, and her metaphors are acute: ‘When you’re not wanted somewhere,’ she writes, ‘the feeling fills the place like a smell.’ History buffs will appreciate the visceral reminder of how much Kennedy’s beliefs meant to the black community, and how devastating was his death." —Booklist
"McGuigan has created rich characters and tackles several uncomfortable social issues. ... [T]he novel offers insight into a turbulent era." —School Library Journal
