(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Monica Arnaldo. Child Lucy builds a spaceship that accidentally carries her dog, Laika, into outer space. Because time passes differently in space, Lucy lives a whole lifetime and is an elderly, Nobel Prize–winning scientist when she's finally reunited with her beloved pet. Told from Lucy's and Laika's alternating perspectives, the plot meanders, but Buckingham's precision with language results in beautiful descriptions. Expressive grayscale illustrations are included.

Reviewer: Renée Wheeler

(4) YA After being diagnosed with terminal cancer, Cam fakes his death to join an elite team of operatives committed to spending the final year of their lives as drug-enhanced spies, completing secret missions for the greater good--or so they think. Royce's vivid narrative reads like an action movie, favoring plot over characterization. A cliffhanger ending sets up the next installment.

Reviewer: Shara Hardeson

(3) 4-6 After moving to Richland, near a nuclear research facility, Teddy quickly realizes that something weird is happening. His investigation reveals that all of his new friends actually disappeared from the town decades ago and that a giant sycamore tree is somehow responsible. Teddy fights to save himself and the others from the tree's grasp in this strange and eerie page-turner.

Reviewer: Randy Ribay

(3) 4-6 Sam and PJ run into a goblin who has found a secret tunnel from underground. Joining forces with the human Guardians who work to keep the Goblin hordes from discovering the way out, PJ must rescue Sam and possibly fulfill his own destiny. Though its gross-out cover may dissuade everyone except middle-grade boys, this book's action, adventure, and humor will entertain a wider audience.

Reviewer: Betsy Murray

(4) 4-6 With the "help" of three incompetent minions, Nat has been guarding a houseful of demons since his mentor died. But when Nat leaves to go on a date, disaster strikes: the terrifying beast from the basement escapes. With frenetic comic dialogue and some caricatured players, Buckingham steers this wild chase through Seattle to a satisfying conclusion.

Reviewer: Amy Lee Bennett

(4) 4-6 Eyewitness Books series. Loosely organized, busy double-page spreads combine color photos with a clear but technical narrative describing how photography began and developed, how and why photography works, and how today's digital techniques and formats affect our lives. The overly ambitious attempt to capsulize the history, art, and science of photography will be best for readers with previous knowledge. Timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jack Forman