(4) YA Illustrated by Sally Cantirino. In a highly stratified society, Lyla's educational aspirations are crushed when she's caught committing a petty crime and tattooed to mark her infraction. When offered the chance to have the Mark removed, Lyla agrees to infiltrate a rebel group but struggles with the betrayals and corruption she becomes party to. Interspersed comics-style episodes offer historical background on Lyla's world. The premise is familiar but engaging nonetheless.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(3) 4-6 Desperate to join a band of women warriors, twelve-year-old Alia and her friend Kay capture two child spies from a hostile country. But when Alia is put in charge of the captives, they demonstrate that her own leader is an evil magician and the war isn't black and white. The story offers a nuanced view of conflict and an intriguing speaking-to-trees magic from first-time author McCaffrey.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam