Selected
Critical Praise

"Often praised as the best science writers for middle-grade readers and young adults…"
-- Something about the Author. Ed. Alan Hedblad. Vol. 124. Detroit: Gale Group, 2002. p. 188.

"This winning combination of thorough research, clear and concise writing, and attention to detail as well as readability has made the Silverstein team a cottage industry in the field of science writing for young readers."
-- Something about the Author. Ed. Alan Hedblad. Vol. 124. Detroit: Gale Group, 2002, p 192.

"[Their] work is carefully organized and written in a clear direct style, and is dependably accurate…The more complicated subjects are not always covered in depth, but they are given balanced treatment, and the Silversteins' writing usually shows their attention to current research and always maintains a scientific attitude."
-- Zena Sutherland and May Hill Arbuthnot, Children and Books.

"Reading audiences find the Silversteins' treatment of complex, scientific information to be clear, concise, and comprehensible."
-- Horton, Nancy. Continuum Encyclopedia of Children's Literature, Letter S, p718-719.

A Star In The Sea
"In a Star in the Sea, the life cycle of the starfish is told simply but in an interesting way, with superb illustrations. This is science as it should be."
-- Christian Education Findings, 1969

Germfree Life
"the straightforward, brisk writing is lucid, the material neatly organized, the subject, one of the most intriguing on the biological frontier."
-- Zena Sutherland, Saturday Review, Vol LIII, No 34,August 22, 1970, p. 53.

Tuberculosis
"a fine overview of a once-feared and deadly disease"
-- Martha Gordon, School Library Journal, April 1994, p. 166-167.

Common Cold and Flu
"comprehensive, easy-to-read overview of the history, causes, prevention, and treatment"
-- Martha Gordon, School Library Journal, July 1994, p. 113.

Cystic Fibrosis
"wealth of information…an easily readable format"
-- Mary Ojibway, Voice of Youth Advocates, October 1994, pp. 235-236.

The Digestive System / The Excretory System
"offer solid information for reports and projects…These texts are lucid to the point, and highly readable."
-- Denise L. Moll, School Library Journal, March, 1995, p. 219.

The Spotted Owl / The Red Wolf
"typical Silverstein evenhandedness."
-- Frances Bradburn, Booklist, April 15, 1995, p. 1496.

The Circulatory System / The Respiratory System
"high quality of research and lively style"
-- Carolyn Angus, School Library Journal, April 1995, p. 146.

The Muscular System / The Nervous System
"the science of life accessible to young readers"
-- Kathleen McCabe, School Library Journal, May 1995, p. 115.

The Reproductive System / The Skeletal System
"chock-full of detail and are written in a lively readable manner."
-- Christine A. Moesch, School Library Journal, May 1995, pp. 115-116.

Hepatitis / Mononucleosis
"provide information on medical problems frequently encountered by adolescents that young people could read and understand."
-- Sue Krumbein, Voice of Youth Advocates, October 1995, p. 188.

The Manatee / Black-Footed Ferret
"sound research and lively writing"
-- Amy Adler, School Library Journal, January 1996, p 126.

Sickle Cell Anemia
"thorough and well-written book"
-- Christine A Moesch, School Library Journal, February 1997, p 125.

The Mustang / The Florida Panther
"the texts move logically from an explanation of the problems causing the animal to be endangered to possible solutions… these through clearly written titles are excellent choices for reports."
-- Susan Oliver, School Library Journal, June 1997, p. 146.

Measles / Rubella
"readable and authoritative."
-- Janice Hayes, School Library Journal, May 1998, p. 160.

Photosynthesis / Symbiosis
"These books are well researched and interesting and the format is inviting for both general-interest reading and research."
-- Carolyn Angus, School Library Journal, February 1999, p. 127.

Snakes and Such
"As one would expect from the Silversteins, the text is very cogent and lively."
-- Ilene Cooper, Booklist, August 1999, p. 2055.

A Pet or Not?
"A breeze to read and a treat to browse."
-- Deborah Stevenson, Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, September 1999, p. 31.

Clocks and Rhythms
"well-written, well-researched."
-- Carolyn Angus, School Library Journal, October 1999, pp. 175-176.

Leukemia
"a concise well-written discussion of the disease,"
-- Martha Gordon, School Library Journal, September 2000, p. 257.

Lyme Disease
"well-researched, clearly written, topical"
-- Catherine Andronik, Booklist, October 15, 2000, p.433.