"Gloriously figurative language...brilliantly evokes both time and place...both beautiful and emotionally honest, both funny and piercingly sad." Kirkus Reviews, Starred
"a powerful tale of friendship and coming-of-age...haunting combination of fact and fiction has a powerful and tragic climax." Booklist, ALA, Starred Review
"an evocative novel...with fully developed, memorable characters...fascinating, little-known piece of history...will leave a powerful impression on readers." School Library Journal, Starred
"Schmidt fictionalizes a true event... vividly realized...fully credible...subtly drawn." THE BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S BOOKS Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates)
"historical incident ignites a rich novel...a drama that examines the best and worst of humanity." HORN BOOK Horn Book