Upcoming Publications:

Eliza's Kindergarten Pet (Due Fall 2010, Marshall Cavendish, Illus. Nancy Speir)

New Releases:

Darwin (April 2009, Houghton Mifflin Children's Books, Illus. Mary Azarian)
Buy the Book at Amazon | Teacher Activity Sheet

2010 Orbis Pictus Honor Book

Starred Reviews in Booklist, School Library Journal, and Kirkus Reviews

Kirkus says: "An accessible and thoroughly engaging biography of the much-profiled scientist, this easy-to-follow narrative is enriched by striking illustrations and excerpts from Darwin’s own writings. Exquisite and enlightening."

Booklist says: "McGinty does a fine job of communicating Darwin’s personal humility as well as his passion for exploring the natural world, his tireless work to understand it better, and his reluctance to publish a theory that seemed to contradict religious teaching. The interplay of the clearly written third-person text with Darwin’s own words and occasional quotes from his contemporaries creates a multifaceted view that leads to a broader understanding. Biographies of scientists can be challenging to write for an audience unfamiliar with their research, but this one succeeds in introducing Darwin and his work to a surprisingly young group."
- Carolyn Phelan

Wired Magazine says: "Though aimed at the young evolutionary (ages 6 to 9), Darwin is a surprisingly sophisticated biography, incorporating verbatim excerpts from the naturalist's own letters and diaries." (January 2009)

Eliza's Kindergarten Surprise (2007, Marshall Cavendish, Illus. Nancy Speir)
Buy the Book at Amazon | Parent Activity Sheet | Teacher Activity Sheet

"Eliza is going to school for the first time ever, but she doesn't want to leave Mommy."

"This encouraging tale emphasizes self-reliance as young readers anticipate their first separation from home."
- Kirkus Reviews

"McGinty avoids overly sweet cliches with a strong concept and smooth telling, and Speir's cartoonlike illustrations balance scenes showing Eliza's anguish with brightly colored views of a welcoming classroom and pictures of a loving mother and daughter that reinforce the warm, reassuring words."
- Booklist

Thank You, World (2007, Dial Books, Illus. Wendy Anderson Halperin)
Buy the Book at Amazon | Teacher Resource Sheet

"Eight kids... eight countries. Celebratory rhyme and glowing pictures show that life's greatest pleasures are the simple ones."

"The gentle, uplifting narrative begins each phrase with "Thank you," as the children express their appreciation for special things and happy moments (e.g., the sun, a swing, kites, mothers, etc.). [...] The book will appeal to [children's] curiosity about other youngsters and will enforce the concept of celebrating similarities and giving thanks for everyday things."
School Library Journal

"[A] marvelously conceived volume"...
Kirkus Reviews

Other Publications:

Ten Little Lambs (2002, Dial Books for Young Readers, Illus. Melissa Sweet)

"Ten little lambs who won't go to sleep. What will they do all night?"

Rosen Publishing / PowerKids Press:

The Library of Author Biographies:

Sharon Creech (2005, Gr. 6-9)
Katherine Paterson (2005, Gr. 6-9)
Cynthia Rylant (2004, Gr. 6-9)

About the Author (2002, K-4)

Meet Daniel Pinkwater
Meet Jane Yolen
Meet Jerry Spinelli
Meet Gail Carson Levine
Meet Laurence Yep
Meet Eve Bunting

The Library of Food Chains and Webs (2002, K-4)

Producers
Herbivores
Omnivores
Carnivores
Scavengers and Parasites
Decomposers

Hairy Scary Spiders (2001, K-4)

The Wolf Spider
The Black Widow
The Tarantula
The Jumping Spider
The Crab Spider
The Orb Weaver

Careers in Software Design (2000, 5-9)

Mission San Gabriel Arcangel (1999, 4-6)

Dogs Helping People (1998, K-4)

Police Dogs
Sled Dogs
Sheepherding Dogs
Detector Dogs
Guide Dogs

The Library of Healthy Living (1997, K-4)

Eating Right
Sleep and Rest
Let’s Exercise
Dental Care
Good Hygiene
Personal Safety

Celebrating Champaign-Urbana History (2000 and 2006, Quasar Strategies, Inc.)