- 2004 ALA. Newbery Honor Book Award
- 2004 ALA. Robert F. Sibert Informational
- Book Award
- National Book Award Finalist Medal
- NCTE Orbis Pictus Award
- An ALA Notable Children’s Book
- A YALSA Best Book for Young Adults
- A SLJ Best Book of the Year
- Blue Ribbon, Bulletin of the Center for
- Children’s Books
- An Editor’s Choice, Kirkus Reviews
“Nobody does juvenile nonfiction better than Murphy.”
—The Washington Post
“A mesmerizing, macabre account that will make readers happy they live in the 21st century. Powerful, evocative prose carries the compelling subject matter. Stellar.”
—Kirkus Reviews (starred)
“Superbly written…extremely accessible and readable. Represents nonfiction at its best.”
—Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
“Murphy chronicles this frightening time with solid research and a flair for weaving facts into fascinating stories.”
—School Library Journal (starred)