(2) 4-6 After his first attempt at winning his neighborhood's annual spades tournament ended in disqualification, Anthony Joplin felt as small as his nickname--Ant. Born into a long line of card sharks, Ant aims to prove to his father that he has what it takes to win. But the game requires a trustworthy partner, and Ant has conflicting feelings about both his best friend (who was recently suspended from school and probably can't play anyway) and the new kid in his fifth-grade class (a girl--not that he thinks there's anything wrong with that). His trust is also waning in his father, who has been acting strangely lately, especially when it comes to betting and drinking. As family secrets come to light, the stakes are raised for Ant, and he makes some hard decisions that he feels will help him win the tournament--and his family back. The story and its characters are compelling, as is the omniscient narrator, who becomes increasingly involved in the tale. Themes of addiction and consent are addressed honestly and compassionately, and more than enough tips are given to spark the interest of "youngbloods" in the game of spades.

Reviewer: Eboni Njoku | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2022

(1) 4-6 Illustrated by Shannon Wright. It's the first day of sixth grade for the identical Carter twins, and while Maureen is more than content to face the year with her sister the way they always have--together--Francine is ready for a change. Differing class schedules provide Francine with hopes for autonomy, and Maureen with anxiety. Separated from her sister and core friend group, Maureen has no desire to build the self-confidence everyone claims she needs until she is threatened with a less-than-stellar grade in her Youth Cadet Corps class. For extra credit, Maureen runs for president of the student council, with only one obstacle/opposing candidate in her way--Francine. Known as the "talker" as opposed to the "thinker," Francine has her own reasons for running for office, and--to the chagrin of a well-rounded cast of family and friends--a contentious political season threatens the peace in the Carter household. The story is told largely in Maureen's voice (her narration appears in rectangular boxes), and judicious use of speech bubbles, white space, and varying perspectives moves this graphic novel along without being obtrusive. Johnson and Wright have expertly teamed up to create a relatable story for all middle schoolers, with distinct reminders--from hair bonnets to an incident of discrimination in a shopping mall--that a majority of the characters are Black. Fans of Raina Telgemeier and Jerry Craft will appreciate the Carter twins' attempts to maneuver their way through middle school and the political process while learning to act with civility and, above all, as sisters.

Reviewer: Eboni Njoku | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2020

(1) 4-6 African American city manager Abigail Caldwell was forced to resign in Lambert, South Carolina, after covertly looking for buried treasure. A decade later, her twelve-year-old granddaughter Candice, an intelligent, endearing, and believable protagonist, is following the same arcane clues, hoping to uncover the Parker inheritance. Johnson's Westing Game–inspired tale is a tangled historical mystery, a satisfying multigenerational family story, and an exploration of race and racism.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2018

(4) 4-6 Spirit Animals: Fall of the Beasts series. The four heroes of Erdas are treated as pariahs and traitors when their group is blamed for destruction in the world and specifically for an attack on a council of leaders. While keeping up the formulaic action and adventure, these volumes breathe new life into the Spirit Animals spinoff series with renewed focus on the core characters. The series includes an online component for fans. Review covers these Spirit Animals: Fall of the Beasts titles: The Wildcat's Claw and Heart of the Land.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(2) 4-6 Jackson Greene (The Great Greene Heist) has retired from his con-man antics. Until...someone floods Maplewood Middle School, and a video surfaces incriminating Jackson and his diverse set of friends. Blackmail? Revenge? To clear their names, Jackson and "Gang Greene" are back in action. The smart, complicated mystery caper is reminiscent of Ocean's Eleven, Mission: Impossible, and The Westing Game. Sheer fun.

Reviewer: Dean Schneider | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2016

(4) 4-6 Spirit Animals: Fall of the Beasts series. The four Great Beast summoners continue their quest to heal the Evertree and find a cure for the parasites causing people to lose the connection with their spirit animals. This third volume in the Spirit Animals spinoff series (with an online component) is more of the same formula, but action keeps things moving and twists at the end should keep fans hooked.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(1) 4-6 Teen con-man Jackson Greene (think middle-school Danny Ocean from Ocean's Eleven) assembles a crack team of accomplices to help his friend Gaby de la Cruz run for student council president against spoiled, cocky Keith Sinclair. The lively (and racially diverse) cast of characters and the intricate plot will make this a story to read again for the sheer fun of it all.

Reviewer: Dean Schneider | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2014

(4) YA Joshua had a crush on Maddie when they were kids. When she returns to his father's church all grown-up, wearing a tight dress and purple lipstick, he begins a clumsy mission to redeem the wild, beautiful girl but ends up saving himself instead. Despite awkward characterizations, Joshua's earnest exploration of his faith is touching and authentic.

Reviewer: Chelsey Philpot