(3) YA At the same time his girlfriend is dumping him over lunch, Seth discovers his (married) father dating another woman, fueling resentment in the lead-up to a father-son golf tournament. Documenting his views on love via a podcast, Seth realizes that all relationships are more complicated then they seem. Seth's casual, authentic voice gives the plot enough lift to keep readers engaged.

Reviewer: David Elzey

(4) YA Katey attends the Game--a video-game-centric school run by corporations and located in a mall. She's intrigued by encounters with a rebel group called the Unidentified and falls in with their leader. Readers may enjoy the story's punchy language and its many technological references (Facebook, iPods, Twitter, etc.); however, the stakes never rise high enough for Katey’s mission to feel that important.

Reviewer: Tori Funkhouser

(3) K-3 Shy cat Henry has a crush on rabbit classmate Chloe and doesn't know what to do about it; a blueberry muffin ultimately helps. McCarty shows genuine respect for children's interpersonal relationships. Not a stroke of his pen is superfluous: delicate ink with modest watercolor shading sits on warm cream-colored pages.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(2) PS Illustrated by Jim McMullan. An outsized Sauropod looking for his herd runs into some seriously scary dudes--predators with "FANGS! CLAWS! SPIKES!" Accompanied by spirited cartoon illustrations, slangy, colloquial first-person narration walks readers through our large friend's self-defense tactics. Readers will be happy to see what works for this gentle giant, from whom the fanged, clawed, spiked, yet puny bullies turn tail.

Reviewer: Christine M. Heppermann | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2010

(4) PS A mother lovingly chases after her little boy as he explores his world. This paean of praise from mother to son (father has his parenting time, too) is tender and heartfelt, if adult-centered. The warm, dark-outlined illustrations, including lots of white space, echo the text's affectionate tone while incorporating some of the humor and chaos involved in a typical toddler's day.

Reviewer: Amy Kellman

(2) YA Vampire Doug, destined for eternal tubbiness despite his liquid diet, tries to attract girls with his sense of humor. He doesn't exactly succeed, but Adam Rex does, with this funny, biting foray into vampire lit. Rex's story is a lot like his main character: a little flabby, but worth sticking with for the often-comical philosophical insights it tosses your way.

Reviewer: Christine M. Heppermann | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2010

(3) PS In a neat reversal of roles, a young hippopotamus shows his father the right way to do things; for example, how to get dressed, water the flowers, and give hugs. The sky-blue hippos, with lima-bean-shaped heads, are juxtaposed against a variety of eye-pleasingly clean, crisp, minimally decorated backgrounds.

Reviewer: Amy Lois Cohn

(3) 4-6 Eleven-year-old Gopal and his family hope moving from the country to Mumbai will save them from starvation; unfortunately, their misfortunes only intensify. Gopal is sold into child labor, spending grueling hours making picture frames. But as he befriends other workers and begins telling his kahanis (stories) he builds both his self-worth and plans for freedom. Sheth's unique voice is as compelling as her characters. Websites. Glos.

Reviewer: Katie Clausen

(1) 4-6 Ten-year-old Mo intercepts a letter that she fears means an end to her neighborhood. When Mo's father starts talking about leaving Fox Street, Mo clings tighter: searching for the fox she swears she can hear calling her, and finding, everywhere, memories of her mother. In Springstubb's sensory-rich, action-packed narrative, Mo is an intensely real character readers will root for.

Reviewer: Nina Lindsay | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2010

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Daniel Jennewein. Though he's hairier than everyone else and too big for the swings, Buffalo successfully navigates kindergarten. He gets over his shyness, fear of scissors, and temptation to improperly use his horns by following the rules and remembering that everyone is different. Expressive childlike drawings illustrate this playful take on the first-day-of-school-jitters story.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(2) K-3 Cat the Cat series. Cat the Cat gives her animal friends the heads-up that bedtime is nigh, helping each with some part of the going-to-bed process (e.g., she makes sure Shark the Shark has his stuffed animal). Momentum comes to a crashing halt when Cat happens upon Owl the Owl. Uncluttered pages help the newest readers focus on the words, speech balloons, and expressive characters.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2010

(2) PS In this last Knuffle Bunny book, the family goes to the Netherlands to visit Trixie's grandparents; while contentedly drinking chocolate milk with Oma, she realizes someone never got off the plane. Trixie finds comfort dreaming of Knuffle Bunny, as shown in an expansive double gatefold spread--just one of the many smart design choices this series has made, hip and homey in equal measure.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2010

(2) K-3 Cat the Cat series. In That, Cat the Cat happily introduces her many friends--Mouse the Mouse, Duck the Duck, Fish the Fish--to readers. In Fly, she meets all sorts of flying animals. Most of the words are sight words or are easily decoded. Bright colors, funny situations, and a cameo appearance by a certain Pigeon will keep readers captivated and amused. Review covers these Cat the Cat titles: Cat the Cat, Who Is That? and Let's Say Hi to Friends Who Fly!

Reviewer: Robin L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2010

(2) K-3 Cat the Cat series. In That, Cat the Cat happily introduces her many friends--Mouse the Mouse, Duck the Duck, Fish the Fish--to readers. In Fly, she meets all sorts of flying animals. Most of the words are sight words or are easily decoded. Bright colors, funny situations, and a cameo appearance by a certain Pigeon will keep readers captivated and amused. Review covers these Cat the Cat titles: Cat the Cat, Who Is That? and Let's Say Hi to Friends Who Fly!

Reviewer: Robin L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2010

(3) K-3 Cat the Cat series. Cat the Cat asks her friends what sounds they make. It's an easy question for Hound, Chick, and Cow to answer, but what about Bunny? Thinking fast, Cat decides Bunny sounds like he needs a hug. This amusing book features bold black lines, eye-catching colors, and repetitive text--all on target for the easy reader set.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(3) YA Jessamine and her father are fascinated by Weed, an enigmatic young man with astonishing botanical knowledge. Jessamine's father, who keeps a locked garden of poisonous flora, tries to learn Weed's secrets. Jessamine falls in love--until she gets sick, and Weed must turn to the dangerous poison garden to heal her. A suspenseful, eerie historical novel with an extrasensory twist.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(2) 4-6 Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place series. Illustrated by Jon Klassen. Miss Penelope Lumley is governess to three uncivilized (understandably, as they've been raised by wolves) children on a full-of-secrets country estate. Let the over-the-top characterizations, ludicrous situations, and tongue-in-cheek humor begin! This first installment is practically all setup, settling Penelope in and introducing various mysteries. Like Lemony Snicket, Wood has the gift of simultaneously sending up and inhabiting the story she's telling.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2010

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jen Corace. Young sheep Mathilda's world is filled with "Gray skies. Gray stones. Gray sheep, gray sheep, gray sheep." When an orange balloon floats by, Mathilda's imagination fills with color, as she realizes "anything was possible." Corace's uncluttered illustrations with lots of white space match the simple story and capture the optimism of the buoyant (literally) little sheep.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(2) 4-6 Healing Wars series. Nya can draw pain out of a sufferer--and push it into another person. When her sister disappears, Nya will do anything to find her, including selling her own talent to an unscrupulous pain merchant. Nya's distinctive voice, strongly personable with a wry sense of humor, draws readers in, while the hard-charging plot makes the pages fly by.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2009

(3) K-3 These brief stories introduce excitable Mimi, who often gets carried away, and sensible Lulu, who figures out how to respond to her. In interactions that may well be familiar to readers, the friends disagree, make up, and say goodbye for the day. In most spreads, the girls communicate across facing pages in the uncluttered illustrations; they end each episode--appropriately--on the same page.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert