(3) 4-6 Enchanted Files series. Illustrated by Paul Kidby. For a sixth-grade biography assignment, Cody interviews his father's employee, Ned, night watchman at Grand Central. But when he learns that Ned is a troll from the Enchanted Realm, Cody also uncovers his own family's magical roots. This light standalone installment, a collection of documents, diary entries, letters, etc., focuses on Cody's and Ned's growing confidence, while gags like rose-scented troll farts keep the laughs coming.

Reviewer: Lauren Chambers

(3) 4-6 Enchanted Files series. Illustrated by Paul Kidby. Gerald isn't sure he's a very good griffin. Anxious, he runs away to the forbidden human world, where he meets boy Bradley. The pals' trials, growth, and true bond are at the heart of this lighthearted modern fantasy. Told in diary entries and letters, the story's humor and dynamic format keep the pace moving at a fast clip.

Reviewer: Lauren Chambers

(4) 4-6 Fauna (Goblins in the Castle) embarks on a perilous quest to rescue her kidnapped friend William, one that involves magic spells and devices, goblins, ghosts, giants, and evil wizards. The pace is a tad frenetic, the characters are many, and the plot is overstuffed; but the engaging voice, kid-friendly approach, and overall cheery tone will carry readers through to the surprise twist at the end.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(3) 4-6 Enchanted Files series. Illustrated by Paul Kidby. Angus the brownie leaves Scotland to look after Alex, an extremely messy American girl. When a curse on both their families turns Alex's brother and dad into terrible poets, she and Angus search for a way to break the curse before it destroys their lives. Told in journal entries and letters and illustrated with detailed line drawings, this series-starter is a funny, lighthearted fantasy.

Reviewer: Barratt Miller

(3) 4-6 Aliens infiltrate a small town in this alternately humorous and intense series. Sixth grader Peter encounters an interplanetary council intent on destroying Earth (Glows). The adventure continues in Flunked where, after an upsetting tour of human atrocities, Peter and his friends must convince the aliens that the planet is worth saving. Young sci-fi fans will enjoy the trip. Review covers these titles: My Teacher Flunked the Planet and My Teacher Glows in the Dark.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) 4-6 Aliens infiltrate a small town in this alternately humorous and intense series. Sixth grader Peter encounters an interplanetary council intent on destroying Earth (Glows). The adventure continues in Flunked where, after an upsetting tour of human atrocities, Peter and his friends must convince the aliens that the planet is worth saving. Young sci-fi fans will enjoy the trip. Review covers these titles: My Teacher Flunked the Planet and My Teacher Glows in the Dark.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Anthony Lewis. Amber, her mom, and her new stepfather are moving to a new house, and Amber does not want yet another change in her life. Nor is she thrilled to include her father's new girlfriend in their weekend time together. Like the original Amber Brown stories, this is a readable, realistic look at life from one spunky, likable child's perspective.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) 4-6 When a baby left on Jake's doorstep turns into a monster, Jake and his friend Lily are propelled into another world where humankind's worst nightmares are stored. To save the baby and their world, they must evade horrifying monsters and get home. Told in Lily's and Jake's voices (often with little difference between them), the story races from one perilous episode to another.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Tony Ross. Coville and Levy, friends of the late Danziger, continue her legacy with this new Amber Brown story. Here the topic is Amber's mom's remarriage--an event fraught with practical and emotional complications. As always, Amber navigates her days with humor. The authors get the tone just right, and Amber is as spunky as ever. Breezy black-and-white line drawings enhance the chapter book's mood.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) 4-6 Unicorn Chronicles series. Cara and her companions try to save Luster from the vengeful Beloved and her mighty Hunters. The story's classic epic fantasy structure harks back to past works in the genre, giving it an old-fashioned (sometimes derivative or clichéd) feel. Readers may have trouble following the multiple main characters' story lines.

Reviewer: Thom Barthelmess

(3) 4-6 Nine short stories (six previously published and three brand-new ones) showcase Coville's versatility in writing engaging stories about subjects odd and eerie. By turns creepy, funny, and thought-provoking, these atmospheric tales run the gamut from mystery and sci-fi to fantasy and horror. This volume has broad appeal for middle-grade readers; the stories would also make fine read-alouds.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) 4-6 Unicorn Chronicles series. In her third book, Cara is on a quest to visit the centaurs, while her father tries to free her mother from the Rainbow Prison. Frustratingly little is revealed about the mysterious side characters or subplots, leaving much open for the next book. Rich in unicorn mythology, the series will continue to entice high-fantasy genre fans.

Reviewer: Thom Barthelmess

(3) 1-3 Moongobble and Me series. Illustrated by Katherine Coville. In their fifth lively adventure, magician Moongobble and his assistant Edward try to figure out how to reverse a spell on their formerly human, now ogre-like friend Oggledy Nork. Graphite illustrations show many of the humorous creatures they encounter while traveling to Flitwick City and through the Forest of Night.

Reviewer: Amanda Mc. MacGregor

(3) 1-3 Moongobble and Me series. Illustrated by Katherine Coville. Now a member of the Society of Magicians, Moongobble's first assignment is to return a mischief monster to her home. Edward and the gang go along, discovering the Rusty Knight on his own quest nearby. Filled with Coville's usual humor and silliness, the story will entertain old and new Moongobble fans. Graphite drawings every few pages illustrate events.

Reviewer: Becky Levine

(3) 1-3 Moongobble and Me series. Illustrated by Katherine Coville. In this second book in the series, Edward and the magician Moongobble are off on another quest, capturing tears from the Weeping Werewolf. The adventure moves along at a good pace, and Coville's trademark humor is given a light touch for the intended audience. Graphite sketches illustrate the story.

Reviewer: Becky Levine

(3) 1-3 Moongobble and Me series. Illustrated by Katherine Coville. To perform the all-important Third Task and gain admission into the Society of Magicians, Moongobble must rescue a stolen jewel from elves who have gone bad. The latest in the series has magic, adventure, and humor, all delivered with a light touch suitable for neophyte fantasy fans. Black-and-white pencil drawings illustrate each chapter.

Reviewer: Becky Levine

(3) 4-6 Magic Shop series. Shy Juliet suddenly has an annoying throng of admirers after a strange woman gives her a magical amulet; even more alarming is the fact that she can't take off the necklace. With the help of talking rats Jerome and Roxanne, Juliet meets several Greek gods and goddesses who enable her to uncover the locket's secret. The lighthearted fantasy will entertain fans of the popular series.

Reviewer: Anne St. John

(4) 1-3 Moongobble and Me series. Illustrated by Katherine Coville & Katherine Coville. Edward lives a lonely life in his small town until Moongobble, an aspiring magician, makes him an assistant on his quest to confront the Dragon of Doom. Although the modern comic dialogue jars a bit with the medieval setting, this chapter book with a not-as-it-seems ending is lively enough to keep readers wondering what the next spell will produce. Black-and-white drawings accompany the text.

Reviewer: Sam Bloom

(4) 4-6 Magic Shop series. Illustrated by Katherine Coville. The first of Coville's Magic Shop books is slightly revised to make it more consistent with other volumes in the series. The plot remains unchanged: fifth-grader Russell Crannaker buys a ring at Mr. Elives's shop and acquires the ability to turn into a monster. He wreaks havoc at his classroom Halloween party and later gets even with his nemesis in this fast-paced, if somewhat slick and predictable, story.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) 4-6 Anthony and his sister's newly purchased monster figurines come to life. Frozen for fifty years, the creatures have only a short window of time in which they can return to their human shape and foil the dastardly plans of evil aliens. Coville's rollicking tale has an unbelievable plot and exaggerated characters, but this is exactly what makes it so entertaining.

Reviewer: Anne St. John