(3) YA High-school seniors Lauren and Kady are on the brink of musical stardom (thanks, YouTube) when Lauren, stricken with severe food poisoning, damages her vocal cords. Kady goes solo and mysteriously vanishes a few months later, leaving Lauren as the prime suspect. The taut thriller features alternating (and not always reliable) narrators who, bit by tasty bit, reveal details of the girls' fraught friendship.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(4) YA Life isn't proving easy for lovers Lily and Calder: Lily's mermaid-to-human transition is still painful, a family heirloom is giving her nightmares, and Calder's sisters are vying to control the Lake Superior mer-clan. In this jam-packed conclusion (Lies Beneath; Deep Betrayal), the interlocking mermaid relationships are deeply delved into and the world-building is expanded, but this will only resonate with dedicated followers.

Reviewer: Sian Gaetano

(4) YA About to graduate from high school, Lily has a big secret: her dad and boyfriend are mermen. These aren't the creatures of fairy tales but mer-people on the brink of war, a war Lily herself must learn to fight. This installment doesn't stand alone and Lily's narration can be unfocused at times, but fans of Lies Beneath will be pulled right into this sequel.

Reviewer: Margaret Nell Becker

(3) YA Merman Calder and his sisters can dive deep to investigate sunken ships in Lake Superior or change into human form and meander the streets of Bayfield, Wisconsin. Charged with luring human Lily's father (who they think killed their mother) to the water, Calder grapples with his sisters' cruel intentions and Lily's lovely aura. Readers will appreciate the unique twists on relationships and acceptance.

Reviewer: Nancy Hull

(4) YA People in the News series. Each title touches on the public figure's early years, later life, and achievements. Though the writing tends to be overly laudatory, difficult issues are occasionally addressed, especially in the Karzai volume (e.g., corruption allegations against him, his increasing criticism of the West). Sidebars cover more general topics, adding some context. Many photographs are included. There are eight other fall 2011 books in this series. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these People in the News titles: Katy Perry, George Lopez, Sonia Sotomayor, Lady Gaga, and Hamid Karzai.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) YA Diseases & Disorders series. One common foreword and a short volume-specific introduction lead to chapters defining each condition and explaining symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and current research. The writing is straightforward but not particularly engaging. Some photomicrographs and charts are included, but most of the illustrations are generic photos. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Diseases & Disorders titles: Multiple Sclerosis, Migraines, Speech Disorders, Sports Injuries

Reviewer: Gail Hedges