(2) K-3 Fred thinks school is boring--and is convinced that his teacher is a robot intent on turning Fred and his classmates into boring robots as well. Fred unsuccessfully tries to convince his classmates (and the reader) of Mr. Bailey's nefarious plan. Brown's signature comics style is on vivid display in his first picture book. The vibrant spreads are full of details that kids will pore over.

Reviewer: Eric Carpenter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2019

(4) 4-6 Lucy & Andy Neanderthal series. A clan of early humans joins the Neanderthals (Lucy & Andy Neanderthal) as temperatures drop with the impending Ice Age. As the children deal with overcrowding, cave bears, incessant snow, and incompetent adults, it's difficult to track all the new characters and their relationships. This sequel's black-and-white, child-friendly graphic-novel panels once again depict modern-day paleontologists making interstitial appearances to explain facts and dispel myths.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(3) 4-6 Siblings Lucy and Andy experience life in the Stone Age and encounter many everyday prehistoric quandaries: creating tools, deciding which animals to select as pets, and treating maladies such as toothaches. Brown's black-and-white graphic novel is rich with archaeological and prehistoric scientific facts, imparted via asides from a couple modern-day archaeologists with cartoon imagery and slapstick humor.

Reviewer: Lauren Causey

(4) 4-6 Star Wars: Jedi Academy series. In his third year at Jedi Academy Middle School, Roan's days are busy. He has his first date with Gaiana, endures a spate of pranks, takes a field trip to Coruscant, survives the Obstacle Challenge Trial, and manages to graduate. Although the story lacks much depth, series fans will enjoy reuniting with Roan's classmates and teachers through his journal entries, cartoons, and "holomails."

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(4) 4-6 In this third collection of Star Wars' spoof comics, young Luke, Leia, Han, and Chewie engage in ordinary kid activities--playing on the playground, teasing one another, going to school--that are comical when set amid the landscape of the Star Wars galaxy. With a decidedly adult sensibility, the book is a pleasant diversion for fans.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(4) 4-6 Roan's second year at Jedi Academy is unexpectedly challenging. Star pilot flight training frustrates him, but sustaining worthy friendships is even harder. A field trip to the planet Hoth, a droid-building competition, and some spats on Holobook (a futuristic Facebook) round out the year. Brown uses comic strips, journal entries, class notes, and more to present his humorous if slight school story.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(4) 4-6 In this companion to Darth Vader and Son (with the same adult perspective), Brown imagines life for Princess Leia if her father, Darth Vader, had raised her. Episodic comic panels provide an amusing mash-up of stereotypical father/daughter behavior and movie story line (Leia: "I hate you!!" Vader: "Yes! Use your hate!").

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter

(4) 4-6 Roan's experiences as a new student at the Jedi Academy turn out to be much the same as those anyone might face when starting middle school, albeit learning to use the Force and building a light saber sound snazzier. Told via cartoon strips, journal entries, letters, emails, and more, this is a slight, conventional school story of finding friends and building self-confidence.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac