(4) 4-6 Mistmantle Chronicles series. Illustrated by Omar Rayyan. The always-good animals of Mistmantle eagerly help their neighbors. However, this brings Mistmantle to the attention of evil ravens who plan an attack against them. Sooner or later, our spunky and intrepid heroes will realize that the protective island-guarding mists nobody can cross get crossed in every single book, but series fans don't seem to mind this logical slip.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(3) 4-6 Mistmantle Chronicles series. Illustrated by Omar Rayyan. The fuzzy-animal kingdom of Mistmantle is beleaguered once again. This time the enemy is no evil creature, but the convergence of plague, an accidentally kidnapped princess, and the suspicions of an uneducated populace. Simple but endearing, this adventure tugs on all the right heartstrings as the squirrel Juniper and his friends come of age in trying times.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(4) 4-6 Mistmantle Chronicles series. Illustrated by Omar Rayyan. In Urchin of the Riding Stars, spunky squirrel page Urchin fulfills (maybe) a prophecy that he would unseat a great ruler. In this predictable but sweet second adventure, Urchin is kidnapped by mad King Silverbirch, and the always-good, always-cuddly squirrel rescues Silverbirch's subjects (more small, furry animals) from the greedy usurper's enslavement.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin