Selected Reviews
The End of Apartheid in South Africa
“An excellent in-depth overview, one of the best on the subject....Never simplistic, it is an outstanding overview for teens new to the subject; for those who know something of the history, it fills in the big picture with depth and detail about both leaders and ordinary people, what has changed, and how much still needs to be done.” — Booklist (starred review)
A to Z of Native American Women
“Sonneborn's writing is passionate while debunking the 'popular fiction' of Sacagawea and Pocahontas, and the reader is drawn into caring about each biographee....This fascinating, well-written resource will find use from middle-school to adult collections.” — Booklist
“Collections...will want to acquire this new biographical gem.” — Women's Studies Librarian
“I wish I had had this volume for the 9th grade unit on Native Americans last year....[T]he book is attractive, sturdy, and a pleasure to read—a fine addition to any high school library.” — Book Report
The Ancient Kushites
A 2006 Children's Africana Book Awards Honor Book
“Lavishly illustrated and filled with details which bring history to life for middle school students.” — African Studies Association
Canada
“Although the book covers an enormous amount of detail, it never becomes boring or dreary. Sonneborn has a genuine connection to Canada and to what it means to be Canadian....An excellent resource.” — School Library Journal
The American West
“This attractive book looks at the American West as a physical place, with magnificent vistas and extremes in weather, and also as an idea, a land of promise and new beginnings....A first-rate, engaging offering.” — School Library Journal
“Fifty-two-thousand years of history are crammed into a brief book that manages to be an engaging, interesting, and fairly informative treatment....[W]ith many sidebars and boxed highlights, the book is visually appealing enough to invite both browsing and serious reading.” — Booklist
The New York Public Library's Amazing Native American History
A 2000 Parent's Choice Award Winner
“Rather than a comprehensive study, this book addresses frequently asked questions about Native cultures....The format will appeal to many readers and will serve teachers well for quick facts and discussion points....This appealing exploration of cultures should spur interest in the subject.” — School Library Journal
A to Z of American Women in the Performing Arts
“This well-written and interesting book...provides accurate and readable information that would aid any student researcher, making it an outstanding choice for any secondary library. Highly Recommended.” — Book Report
“The lively, engaging style is perfectly suited to the report-writing, source-seeking student as well as to the casual reader....Highly recommended.” — Library Journal
“The writing style is simple, yet thorough...[T]he book is an engaging text well suited to junior-high, high-school, and public libraries.” — Booklist
A to Z of American Women in the Visual Arts
“Well-written...[an] excellent resource...an educational must-have.” — VOYA
“[T]his is a well-written reference tool that gives a good deal of information in a relatively short space....[H]igh-school, public, and academic libraries that wish to expand their coverage of American women artists in the visual arts will find this a useful addition.” — Booklist
Chronology of American Indian History
“Extremely useful....The author's understanding of the subject matter is keen and precise.” — VOYA
“It is difficult to perceive any bias in the entries because they are presented factually with a recognizable deference to maintaining the integrity of the American Indian point of view on their own history....[T]his book is recommended for large public, secondary, and college libraries. It gives straightforward initial information that might entice a college or secondary student to investigate further and find a suitable topic for a research paper.” — Booklist
Mark Twain
“Sonneborn deals with her material well, hitting all the highlights and keeping the narrative moving along. Good use of details adds interest, such as the origins of the famous white suit. A critical section in the last chapter puts the controversy around The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in context. A solid purchase for libraries needing new biographies of this report stalwart.” — School Library Journal
Murder at the 1972 Olympics in Munich
A 2003 Notable Book of the Association of Jewish Libraries
"Sonneborn gives us an informative and highly readable account of the murder of eleven Israeli athletes at the 1972 Olympics....[T]he author does a good job of providing context for the event." — Association of Jewish Libraries
The Cheyenne Indians
“[T]his carefully written text illustrates the unique strength of the Cheyenne people....What is clear in Sonneborn's work is her respect for the young reader and her enthusiasm for her subject. In sum, Cheyenne Indians is an enjoyable, well-developed book depicting the Cheyenne tribe in a sensitive, developmentally appropriate manner—an inviting text that will attract children again and again.” — American Indian Culture and Research Journal
Clara Barton
“This book reveals...interesting anecdotes as it describes the life of Clara Barton....Here are described the difficulties encountered by a strong-minded woman who battled her way through a man's world to convince the establishment of the need for an organized humanitarian agency....[W]ell-written.” — Science Books and Films
The Star-Spangled Banner
“What's outstanding about The Star-Spangled Banner: The Story Behind Our National Anthem is the discussion of each verse by author Liz Sonneborn....This analysis of all four verses alone makes this a must-have book.” — General Music Today
“An excellent in-depth overview, one of the best on the subject....Never simplistic, it is an outstanding overview for teens new to the subject; for those who know something of the history, it fills in the big picture with depth and detail about both leaders and ordinary people, what has changed, and how much still needs to be done.” — Booklist (starred review)
A to Z of Native American Women
“Sonneborn's writing is passionate while debunking the 'popular fiction' of Sacagawea and Pocahontas, and the reader is drawn into caring about each biographee....This fascinating, well-written resource will find use from middle-school to adult collections.” — Booklist
“Collections...will want to acquire this new biographical gem.” — Women's Studies Librarian
“I wish I had had this volume for the 9th grade unit on Native Americans last year....[T]he book is attractive, sturdy, and a pleasure to read—a fine addition to any high school library.” — Book Report
The Ancient Kushites
A 2006 Children's Africana Book Awards Honor Book
“Lavishly illustrated and filled with details which bring history to life for middle school students.” — African Studies Association
Canada
“Although the book covers an enormous amount of detail, it never becomes boring or dreary. Sonneborn has a genuine connection to Canada and to what it means to be Canadian....An excellent resource.” — School Library Journal
The American West
“This attractive book looks at the American West as a physical place, with magnificent vistas and extremes in weather, and also as an idea, a land of promise and new beginnings....A first-rate, engaging offering.” — School Library Journal
“Fifty-two-thousand years of history are crammed into a brief book that manages to be an engaging, interesting, and fairly informative treatment....[W]ith many sidebars and boxed highlights, the book is visually appealing enough to invite both browsing and serious reading.” — Booklist
The New York Public Library's Amazing Native American History
A 2000 Parent's Choice Award Winner
“Rather than a comprehensive study, this book addresses frequently asked questions about Native cultures....The format will appeal to many readers and will serve teachers well for quick facts and discussion points....This appealing exploration of cultures should spur interest in the subject.” — School Library Journal
A to Z of American Women in the Performing Arts
“This well-written and interesting book...provides accurate and readable information that would aid any student researcher, making it an outstanding choice for any secondary library. Highly Recommended.” — Book Report
“The lively, engaging style is perfectly suited to the report-writing, source-seeking student as well as to the casual reader....Highly recommended.” — Library Journal
“The writing style is simple, yet thorough...[T]he book is an engaging text well suited to junior-high, high-school, and public libraries.” — Booklist
A to Z of American Women in the Visual Arts
“Well-written...[an] excellent resource...an educational must-have.” — VOYA
“[T]his is a well-written reference tool that gives a good deal of information in a relatively short space....[H]igh-school, public, and academic libraries that wish to expand their coverage of American women artists in the visual arts will find this a useful addition.” — Booklist
Chronology of American Indian History
“Extremely useful....The author's understanding of the subject matter is keen and precise.” — VOYA
“It is difficult to perceive any bias in the entries because they are presented factually with a recognizable deference to maintaining the integrity of the American Indian point of view on their own history....[T]his book is recommended for large public, secondary, and college libraries. It gives straightforward initial information that might entice a college or secondary student to investigate further and find a suitable topic for a research paper.” — Booklist
Mark Twain
“Sonneborn deals with her material well, hitting all the highlights and keeping the narrative moving along. Good use of details adds interest, such as the origins of the famous white suit. A critical section in the last chapter puts the controversy around The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in context. A solid purchase for libraries needing new biographies of this report stalwart.” — School Library Journal
Murder at the 1972 Olympics in Munich
A 2003 Notable Book of the Association of Jewish Libraries
"Sonneborn gives us an informative and highly readable account of the murder of eleven Israeli athletes at the 1972 Olympics....[T]he author does a good job of providing context for the event." — Association of Jewish Libraries
The Cheyenne Indians
“[T]his carefully written text illustrates the unique strength of the Cheyenne people....What is clear in Sonneborn's work is her respect for the young reader and her enthusiasm for her subject. In sum, Cheyenne Indians is an enjoyable, well-developed book depicting the Cheyenne tribe in a sensitive, developmentally appropriate manner—an inviting text that will attract children again and again.” — American Indian Culture and Research Journal
Clara Barton
“This book reveals...interesting anecdotes as it describes the life of Clara Barton....Here are described the difficulties encountered by a strong-minded woman who battled her way through a man's world to convince the establishment of the need for an organized humanitarian agency....[W]ell-written.” — Science Books and Films
The Star-Spangled Banner
“What's outstanding about The Star-Spangled Banner: The Story Behind Our National Anthem is the discussion of each verse by author Liz Sonneborn....This analysis of all four verses alone makes this a must-have book.” — General Music Today