(3) 4-6 Bad Books series. Illustrated by Juan Manuel Moreno. Clay can communicate supernaturally with all animals, but he is most fascinated by dragons. Armed with exploding gum and a technologically advanced hat, Clay finds himself on a mission to rescue his brother's friend from the evil proprietors of an isolated dragon preserve. Nonstop action, humorous footnotes, and nuanced black-and-white illustrations keep this third Bad Books story flying forward.

Reviewer: Renée Wheeler

(3) 4-6 Bad Books series. Illustrated by Juan Manuel Moreno. Clay finds a kid washed up on a volcanic island's beach and agrees to hide him in a cave near the Earth Ranch, "a magic camp for young adepts." When the castaway's wealthy dad comes ashore in search of a dragon, Clay discovers his own supernatural ability: interspecies communication. A clever, funny adventure perfect for fans of dragons and magic.

Reviewer: Barratt Miller

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Gilbert Ford. After he's falsely accused of writing "magic sucks" on a school wall, budding graffiti artist Clay tries to unravel several weird--and possibly supernatural--mysteries at Earth Ranch, a summer camp for troubled youth on an isolated volcanic island. Humorous narration, well-placed footnotes, and allusions to The Tempest will hook fans of funny mystery and adventure stories. Full-page black-and-white illustrations are appropriately offbeat.

Reviewer: Barratt Miller

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Gilbert Ford. Bosch's novel presents the story of a missing author who is in danger...or simply too lazy to finish his own book. Readers are invited to fill in the blanks and are led through the process with a series of questionnaires, exercises, and sidebars. The conceit wears thin, but there's some solid advice in the mix which may prove useful to budding writers.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Gilbert Ford. A stolen mummy with a missing finger leads Cass, Max-Ernest, and Yo-Yoji on a quest to recover the Egyptian relic and to unwrap its connection to the immortality-seeking cult that sparked the trio's earlier escapades. Secrets left unrevealed in this final volume may frustrate readers, but the series' trademark mix of mystery, puzzles, and puns should please them nonetheless.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Gilbert Ford. Adventure number four finds Cass wandering through a medieval world after eating Time Travel Chocolate, while Max-Ernest desperately searches for an antidote to return her to the present. The book's blend of mystery, fantasy, puzzles, puns, and a puckish, sometimes snarky sense of humor will keep readers engaged and eager for the next installment. Playful illustrations open each chapter.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Gilbert Ford. In Cass and Max-Ernest's third adventure, the friends pursue the Tuning Fork, a mythical Aztec cooking instrument, to save Cass's mom from her kidnapper, evil dessert chef and chocolatier Señor Hugo. Mystery, adventure, humor, and fantasy meld in this story. A surprise "to-be-continued ending"--and lots of chocolate (some recipes appended)--make this a toothsome read. Playful illustrations open each chapter.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Gilbert Ford. In this sequel to The Name of This Book Is Secret, tenacious Cass and Max-Ernest, working for the secret Terces Society, are searching for the homunculus, a five-hundred-year-old man in a bottle. Embedded in the often humorous text are interactive codes and puzzles. Fans of mystery and adventure will find this playful story, its villains, and its well-paced plot engaging.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Gilbert Ford. A Lemony Snicket–style warning begins the book: "Do not read beyond this page." What follows is the quest of eleven-year-olds Cassandra and Max-Ernest to solve the disappearance of an eccentric magician. Scattered with word games and codes, this book will delight kids who love challenges, despite its self-conscious quirkiness and an ending that doesn't quite fulfill the promise of its built-up beginning.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute