FOR MADDIE'S GHOST
2024 Midland Authors Award for Children’s Fiction
2025 Eric Hoffer Award Category Finalist
“An irresistible narrative, rich with exciting clues.”—Editor’s Pick, Publishers Weekly Booklife
“A fine mystery with winsome characters and a complicated old house.”—Kirkus Reviews
“An exciting exploration of history, justice, and the long-lasting impact of the past.”—5 stars, Readers’ Favorite
FOR EDDIE’S WAR
★ “A poignant look at boyhood before and during the long years of World War II. . . . In spare language and remarkably short sketches, carefully selected details effectively portray well-rounded, interesting characters. . . . Much more an emotionally resonant coming-of-age tale than a war story, this will be an easy sell for those seeking a quick, excellent read.” — Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Books of 2011
★ “Beautifully written prose vignettes” (Outstanding Merit) — Bankstreet Best Books of 2012 (Ages 12-14)
“What I, personally, consider the greatest YA titles entering the marketplace this year. . . . Eddie’s War by Carol Fisher Saller shows us the impact of WWII on a farm boy in the Heartland. True and tender.” —Author Nikki Grimes, National Book Award Judge for 2011, from “Nine Not-to-Miss Novels,” the poetry zone
“Beautifully phrased and vividly revealing of character . . . an authentic window into the past that recalls the narrative power of Karen Hesse’s verse and the moral debate in Mary Downing Hahn’s Stepping on the Cracks.” — Horn Book
“Free verse vignettes will appeal to reluctant readers. Compare to Robert Cormier’s Frenchtown Summer or Rick Beck’s Necking With Louise. Very highly recommended.” — Children's Literature
“The narrative’s steady progression focuses on a boy’s maturation into his teen years. . . . Eddie’s reflections . . . connect the larger peaceful aspirations of a postwar world with the simple individual dreams of a teen.” — School Library Journal
FOR THE BRIDGE DANCERS
Winner of the 1991 Carl Sandburg Award for Children's Literature.
“A complex picture book for readers young and old.” —School Library Journal
“Saller transports readers to another time and place through this convincing, first-person narrative. . . . An affecting short story in illustrated book format and a good choice for reading aloud.” —Booklist
FOR THE SUBVERSIVE COPY EDITOR
“This is the book Oprah would write if her vocation were saving writers from embarrassment, rather than saving the whole world . . . Messrs. Strunk and White will find Saller to be good company.” — Jennifer Balderama, The New York Times
“Saller writes with wisdom and a great generosity of spirit in this singular survival guide to the copy editor’s trade . . . Improbably fun text . . . An ideal complement to any style guide: practical, relentlessly supportive and full of ed-head laughs.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) Pick of the Week
“I wish I had had this book 30 years ago; it could have saved me from any number of rash actions and missteps.” — John E. McIntyre, Baltimore Times
“An entertaining trip even for those who never plan to lift a red pen or use the editing feature of a word-processing program.” — Thomas Frisbie, Chicago Sun-Times
“A delightful book. I haven’t had this much fun reading about things editorial since devouring Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird.” — Stephanie Deming, Science Editor
FOR CAROL
“Carol Saller is a treasure. Carol visited the class in a virtual ‘book club’ meeting, and the students loved meeting her and asking her questions. Thank you, Carol!”—Andy Bechtel
“Highly recommended! Our class in New Zealand was lucky enough to start our day with a virtual visit from Carol today. She is so wise, warm and open.”—Theresa Crewdson
“Witty, engaging, and clear-eyed, Carol Saller speaks right to the heart of anyone who loves the written word.” — Sarah Grey
“Carol has a reputation among writers and editors as being smart, witty and gracious. The room was completely engaged with her, laughing and nodding. We all walked away having learned something, too. And we felt valued by her — because she connected to us. She is always authentic, kind and insightful, whether talking with a person one-on-one or being at the front of the room.” — Gael Spivak
“I can’t tell you how entertaining you were in that polished presentation . . . Any conference would be lucky to have you. Writers will definitely benefit from your expertise and humor!” — Author Chelsea Starling
“You took made us laugh and enjoy. You tricked us into learning a few things and I’m so grateful! Please don’t change anything about your presentation!” — Author Heather Hildenbrand