(4) 1-3 Calico Chapter Books: Ghost Detectors series. Illustrated by Howard McWilliam. In books seven through ten, young ghost detectives Malcolm and Dandy encounter bubblegum that tries to chew them up, a haunted school bus, a not-so-sweet sugar-factory ghost bent on revenge, and a pharaoh's curse. Stilted dialogue aside, the large print, simple plots, and comic-style illustrations make these light books accessible for those not ready for Goosebumps. Review covers these Calico Chapter Books: Ghost Detectors titles: Curses!, Honk!, Never! Never! Never!, and Pop!.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(4) 1-3 Calico Chapter Books: Ghost Detectors series. Illustrated by Howard McWilliam. In books seven through ten, young ghost detectives Malcolm and Dandy encounter bubblegum that tries to chew them up, a haunted school bus, a not-so-sweet sugar-factory ghost bent on revenge, and a pharaoh's curse. Stilted dialogue aside, the large print, simple plots, and comic-style illustrations make these light books accessible for those not ready for Goosebumps. Review covers these Calico Chapter Books: Ghost Detectors titles: Curses!, Honk!, Never! Never! Never!, and Pop!.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(4) 1-3 Calico Chapter Books: Ghost Detectors series. Illustrated by Howard McWilliam. In books seven through ten, young ghost detectives Malcolm and Dandy encounter bubblegum that tries to chew them up, a haunted school bus, a not-so-sweet sugar-factory ghost bent on revenge, and a pharaoh's curse. Stilted dialogue aside, the large print, simple plots, and comic-style illustrations make these light books accessible for those not ready for Goosebumps. Review covers these Calico Chapter Books: Ghost Detectors titles: Curses!, Honk!, Never! Never! Never!, and Pop!.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(4) 1-3 Calico Chapter Books: Ghost Detectors series. Illustrated by Howard McWilliam. In books seven through ten, young ghost detectives Malcolm and Dandy encounter bubblegum that tries to chew them up, a haunted school bus, a not-so-sweet sugar-factory ghost bent on revenge, and a pharaoh's curse. Stilted dialogue aside, the large print, simple plots, and comic-style illustrations make these light books accessible for those not ready for Goosebumps. Review covers these Calico Chapter Books: Ghost Detectors titles: Curses!, Honk!, Never! Never! Never!, and Pop!.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(4) 4-6 Drought has brought hard times to 1883 Texas, and Jesse's family is suffering. When his rebellious older brother is banished from the family, Jesse must cope with extra work and a mysterious stranger who might be a Texas Ranger. The historical setting is well sketched, but the characters and plot are a bit dry and dusty, and the wrap-up is too tidy.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(3) 4-6 Janine feels smothered by both the Texas heat and having to care for her sickly brother. Then Mr. Lunas appears, a stranger who saved Janine's father during WWII and seems to hold the key to the struggling family's salvation. The mystery of Mr. Lunas combined with the text's moon-phase imagery gives the story a magical feel, but Janine's growing self-perception is very real.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(4) K-3 Illustrated by T. Kyle Gentry. At Oldman's Antiques, young Lizzie is dusting the wares when Mrs. Bradley Larchmont III, with her poodle Giselle, attempts to buy Lizzie's snoozing grandpa. Rejecting increasingly tempting offers, Lizzie finally rings up "No Sale" to end the book. This odd story is fleshed out with exaggerated mixed-media illustrations that make effective use of both jewel-toned color and black and white.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian