(3) YA A witty, artistic teenage boy named Max resists the government of his city when he notices his fellow students becoming docile and obedient. The strengths of this dystopian novel include a creepy premise and Max's strong first-person narrative voice pointing out wry humor in the most dire of situations.

Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Virginie Egger. Through a series of comparisons, a child reveals the differences between the Egyptian goddess Isis and his cat named Isis. Mixed-media art captures the spirit of ancient Egyptian wall paintings; the photographic collages are less successful. Though the parallels--and differences--are amusing, this is more an affectionate, offbeat paean to a pet than a real story.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) 4-6 Sixth-grader Becky's new neighbor seems too perfect to be true: "By the time the lunch bell rang, she was the most popular girl in Becky's class." Becky and Violet end up best friends and face new challenges together. While their idyllic suburban life seems oversimplified, Becky and Violet's ordinary conflicts and triumphs ring true. Black-and-white doodles decorate the pages.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee