He received a 2017 Newbery Honor for The Inquisitor’s Tale: Or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog (2016).

[4] Through his father's family, he is also related to Illinois GOP gubernatorial candidate and Trump appointee Ronald Gidwitz.

[7] Publishers Weekly,[8] School Library Journal,[9] and Shelf Awareness editor Jennifer M. Brown[10] named it one of the best children's books of 2010.

An animated series based on the book was one of the top ten most watched shows for kids on Netflix in October 2021.

[13][14] Kirkus Reviews,[12] The New York Times,[14] Publishers Weekly,[15] School Library Journal,[14] and The Washington Post[14] named it one of the best children's books of 2016.