(4) YA Adapted by Laurie Calkhoven. This teen adaptation of Mundy's adult book reveals the largely untold story of thousands of talented young women recruited to work as code breakers during WWII. While it's difficult to follow the large cast of characters--and the highly technical explanations of the code-breaking process--the women's unique opportunity and subsequent achievements are fascinating, inspiring examples of unsung heroism. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jessica Tackett MacDonald

(3) YA Adapted by Laurie Calkhoven. The adaptation of Solomon's adult bestseller examines the intricacies of family dynamics: how do the Columbine killers' parents cope with their children's crimes? How does a severely autistic child's behavior affect the family? With astounding empathy for both parent and child, Solomon probes the myriad ways "vertical identities" (those shared with parents) and "horizontal identities" (unique traits) intersect and diverge to make us human. Ind.

Reviewer: Rebecca Kirshenbaum

(3) 4-6 Adapted by Laurie Calkhoven. Illustrated by Drew Willis. This adaptation of Freeman's adult book Oh My Gods! covers "Gods," "Goddesses," "Heroes," and "Lovers." Longer chapters--"Hercules," "Oedipus," and "Odysseus," for example--retell those myths in greater depth. Language is accessible (Aphrodite to Anchises: "Calm down"); story variants are mentioned. A useful "Directory of Gods, Goddesses, Monsters, and Mortals" is appended, but no sources are given. Glos.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz