(4) 4-6 Calico: Band Geeks series. Illustrated by Anna Cattish. Junior-high band-mates take on new challenges as this series continues. The young musicians deal with student teachers, side projects, interpersonal rivalries, and even a stint as music-camp counselors. While the plots are predictable and exhaustively spelled-out, the well-delineated ensemble cast, down-to-earth conflicts, and clear enthusiasm for music-geekery will keep the series' target audience engaged. Angular black-and-white illustrations enhance readability. Review covers the following Calico: Band Geeks titles: Band Camp Rules, Mr. Byrd Flies the Nest, Nothing but Treble, and Settling the Score.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross

(4) 4-6 Calico: Band Geeks series. Illustrated by Anna Cattish. Junior-high band-mates take on new challenges as this series continues. The young musicians deal with student teachers, side projects, interpersonal rivalries, and even a stint as music-camp counselors. While the plots are predictable and exhaustively spelled-out, the well-delineated ensemble cast, down-to-earth conflicts, and clear enthusiasm for music-geekery will keep the series' target audience engaged. Angular black-and-white illustrations enhance readability. Review covers the following Calico: Band Geeks titles: Band Camp Rules, Mr. Byrd Flies the Nest, Nothing but Treble, and Settling the Score.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross

(4) 4-6 Calico: Band Geeks series. Illustrated by Anna Cattish. Junior-high band-mates take on new challenges as this series continues. The young musicians deal with student teachers, side projects, interpersonal rivalries, and even a stint as music-camp counselors. While the plots are predictable and exhaustively spelled-out, the well-delineated ensemble cast, down-to-earth conflicts, and clear enthusiasm for music-geekery will keep the series' target audience engaged. Angular black-and-white illustrations enhance readability. Review covers the following Calico: Band Geeks titles: Band Camp Rules, Mr. Byrd Flies the Nest, Nothing but Treble, and Settling the Score.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross

(4) 4-6 Calico: Band Geeks series. Illustrated by Anna Cattish. Junior-high band-mates take on new challenges as this series continues. The young musicians deal with student teachers, side projects, interpersonal rivalries, and even a stint as music-camp counselors. While the plots are predictable and exhaustively spelled-out, the well-delineated ensemble cast, down-to-earth conflicts, and clear enthusiasm for music-geekery will keep the series' target audience engaged. Angular black-and-white illustrations enhance readability. Review covers the following Calico: Band Geeks titles: Band Camp Rules, Mr. Byrd Flies the Nest, Nothing but Treble, and Settling the Score.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross

(4) 1-3 Calico Kid: Libby Wimbley series. Illustrated by Alexandria Neonakis. Pig-tailed African American farm girl Libby approaches each animal-centric scenario--building a birdhouse, recusing a dragonfly from a spiderweb, teaching her goat tricks, and training her rooster to crow--with persistent problem-solving skills. Each transitional reader has five easy chapters filled with cartoonlike illustrations recalling LeUyen Pham's. The stories are facile, but young readers will be drawn to Libby's curiosity and can-do attitude. Review covers these Calico Kid: Libby Wimbley titles: Birdhouse Builder, Bug Rescuer, Goat Trainer, and Rooster Instructor.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(4) 1-3 Calico Kid: Libby Wimbley series. Illustrated by Alexandria Neonakis. Pig-tailed African American farm girl Libby approaches each animal-centric scenario--building a birdhouse, recusing a dragonfly from a spiderweb, teaching her goat tricks, and training her rooster to crow--with persistent problem-solving skills. Each transitional reader has five easy chapters filled with cartoonlike illustrations recalling LeUyen Pham's. The stories are facile, but young readers will be drawn to Libby's curiosity and can-do attitude. Review covers these Calico Kid: Libby Wimbley titles: Birdhouse Builder, Bug Rescuer, Goat Trainer, and Rooster Instructor.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(4) 1-3 Calico Kid: Libby Wimbley series. Illustrated by Alexandria Neonakis. Pig-tailed African American farm girl Libby approaches each animal-centric scenario--building a birdhouse, recusing a dragonfly from a spiderweb, teaching her goat tricks, and training her rooster to crow--with persistent problem-solving skills. Each transitional reader has five easy chapters filled with cartoonlike illustrations recalling LeUyen Pham's. The stories are facile, but young readers will be drawn to Libby's curiosity and can-do attitude. Review covers these Calico Kid: Libby Wimbley titles: Birdhouse Builder, Bug Rescuer, Goat Trainer, and Rooster Instructor.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(4) 1-3 Calico Kid: Libby Wimbley series. Illustrated by Alexandria Neonakis. Pig-tailed African American farm girl Libby approaches each animal-centric scenario--building a birdhouse, recusing a dragonfly from a spiderweb, teaching her goat tricks, and training her rooster to crow--with persistent problem-solving skills. Each transitional reader has five easy chapters filled with cartoonlike illustrations recalling LeUyen Pham's. The stories are facile, but young readers will be drawn to Libby's curiosity and can-do attitude. Review covers these Calico Kid: Libby Wimbley titles: Birdhouse Builder, Bug Rescuer, Goat Trainer, and Rooster Instructor.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(4) 4-6 Calico: Band Geeks series. Illustrated by Anna Cattish. Members of a middle school band get their moment in the spotlight in each volume of this series celebrating music, geekery, and camaraderie. The cast includes an array of personalities and backgrounds, and the plots--while heavy on lessons about honesty, bullying, popularity, etc.--generate sufficient drama to sustain narrative momentum. Angular black-and-white illustrations enhance readability. There are three other spring 2015 books in this series. Review covers the following Calico: Band Geeks titles: Dude, Where's My Saxophone?, Notes from a Pro, and Shredding with the Geeks.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross

(4) 4-6 Calico: Band Geeks series. Illustrated by Anna Cattish. Members of a middle school band get their moment in the spotlight in each volume of this series celebrating music, geekery, and camaraderie. The cast includes an array of personalities and backgrounds, and the plots--while heavy on lessons about honesty, bullying, popularity, etc.--generate sufficient drama to sustain narrative momentum. Angular black-and-white illustrations enhance readability. There are three other spring 2015 books in this series. Review covers the following Calico: Band Geeks titles: Dude, Where's My Saxophone?, Notes from a Pro, and Shredding with the Geeks.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross

(4) 4-6 Calico: Band Geeks series. Illustrated by Anna Cattish. Members of a middle school band get their moment in the spotlight in each volume of this series celebrating music, geekery, and camaraderie. The cast includes an array of personalities and backgrounds, and the plots--while heavy on lessons about honesty, bullying, popularity, etc.--generate sufficient drama to sustain narrative momentum. Angular black-and-white illustrations enhance readability. There are three other spring 2015 books in this series. Review covers the following Calico: Band Geeks titles: Dude, Where's My Saxophone?, Notes from a Pro, and Shredding with the Geeks.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross