(2) 4-6 Six months ago, evil interdimensional aliens called the Old Ones kidnapped Nikola's father (A Problematic Paradox). Now Nikola has settled into her new life at the Plaskington International Laboratory School of Scientific Research and Technological Advancement, alongside parahuman classmates and fellow uber-intelligent humans. Sappingfield balances the heavy stuff with plenty of humor, dishing up inventive sci-fi fare with a whopping side of silliness

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2019

(2) 4-6 Before evil interdimensional creatures who have abducted Nikola's father can also snatch her, she's whisked off to take courses at the Plaskington International Laboratory School of Scientific Research and Technological Advancement...until the Old Ones surface again. Sappingfield excels at world-building, keeps action popping, and takes playful potshots at the sci-fi and fantasy genres. This funny, imaginative, and outlandish novel is also a heartfelt tale of navigating friendships.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2018

(4) YA After volcanic activity upends Snub's gorilla family in prehistoric Africa, Snub cares for her baby brother and abandoned "not-gorilla" Orphan (a human girl). But Snub's other interactions with the new, two-legged predators turn violent. Unlike Schrefer's previous three volumes (Endangered and others), this novel is in free verse with a third-person perspective. While not entirely convincing, the narrative provides an intriguing glimpse into gorilla consciousness and prehistory. Reading list.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) 4-6 Lost Rainforest series. Illustrated by Emilia Dziubak. Panther Mez discovers she is a "shadowwalker," gifted with hidden magic. Boa constrictor Auriel asks Mez to join other "eclipse-born" and prevent the evil Ant Queen's return. Mez befriends some fellow recruits but soon discovers Auriel's ulterior motives. While the plot drags, the story's engaging friendships, action, and suspense may garner fans for this new animal-fantasy series. Includes a Q&A about Schrefer's research in the Amazon.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(3) K-3 Did You Know? series. Illustrated by Aaron Spurgeon & Mauricio Abril. As this wide-ranging, humorous book filled with cartoonish animals makes clear, robots actually can dance but, as of now, only if humans program them that way. The book discusses other amazing things that robots can do (e.g., perform surgery, play chess) and how computers have changed modes of communication (phone, radio, TV, movies, GPS) and transportation (cars, airplanes). Random "Fun Facts" are appended.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) K-3 Did You Know? series. Illustrated by Aaron Spurgeon. Loosely linking quirky, random facts about sports, Eliot begins this survey with baseball ("Did you know that a 'meatball' is an easy pitch to hit?"). The conversational text then moves on to bowling, soccer, ice hockey, team mascots, and more. Colorful cartoony panels show zany animals engaging in various games and traditions. "Fun Facts" are appended.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(2) YA Schrefer (Threatened; Endangered) vividly portrays a sibling-like relationship between John and the orangutan John's father brought home from Indonesia. After John's parents' divorce, he moves across the country with his mother while Raja stays behind. The two are dramatically reunited after Raja ends up in a roadside zoo. Schrefer gives readers a complex narrative that brings animal-rights issues to the fore. Reading list.

Reviewer: Monica Edinger | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2016

(4) K-3 Did You Know? series. Illustrated by Aaron Spurgeon. This compilation of dinosaur facts conveys information in an informal tone: "Do you know what 'prehistoric' means?" "Can you name a scaly reptile?" The cartoony illustrations make no attempt to be accurate. Animals dressed up as scientists and dinosaurs in assorted get-ups cavort across the busy pages. The whole is an adequate introduction. "More Fun Facts" are appended.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) K-3 Did You Know? series. Illustrated by Pete Oswald & Aaron Spurgeon. These numerous bites of musical information appear in a catchy Q-and-A format that is only occasionally distorted to achieve the gee-whiz factor (e.g., a "frog" is a component of the cello bow, but the animal doesn't play the instrument). Colorful cartoon animals aptly illustrate the information with a light touch, and the direct-address format and colloquial style are accessible. "Fun Facts" are appended.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) K-3 Did You Know? series. Illustrated by Aaron Spurgeon. Loosely linking quirky, random facts about food, Eliot begins on the farm ("Carrots and peas help each other grow"). The conversational text then samples "movie foods" (popcorn, candy), ice cream (and "brain freeze"), toast, Granny Smith apples, and more (including dishwashers and Mr. Potato Head). Colorful cartoony panels show zany animals eating, cooking, and dressing up as vegetables. "Fun Facts" are appended.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) 4-6 Spirit Animals: Fall of the Beasts series. In this spinoff series, four children along with their spirit animals find their world in danger again. Enemies new and old present the heroes with more challenges, while themes of death/rebirth, trust, and hopelessness carry over from the Spirit Animal series. Familiarity with the previous books helps as character development is reserved for new characters; there's little backstory on the main characters. An online component extends the story.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 Spirit Animals series. The four heroes and their spirit animal companions have been scattered. They must find a way to reunite, fight the Conquerors, and regain the holy talismans. Along the way they learn to work together again, even while dealing with shocking losses. Though the separation/reunion theme is becoming well worn, the action and adventure (and the series' online component) will keep readers' interest.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) K-3 Did You Know? series. Illustrated by Pete Oswald. Each volume presents select trivia about a variety of creatures. For example, the peregrine falcon is the fastest animal on earth, diving at two-hundred miles per hour (from Chickens); and ants take about 250 one-minute naps a day (from Hippos). While the cartoon illustrations make no attempt to be accurate, they add even more humor to these jocular, enjoyable collections. Review covers these Did You Know? titles: Chickens Don't Fly and Hippos Can't Swim.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(3) K-3 Did You Know? series. Illustrated by Pete Oswald. Each volume presents select trivia about a variety of creatures. For example, the peregrine falcon is the fastest animal on earth, diving at two-hundred miles per hour (from Chickens); and ants take about 250 one-minute naps a day (from Hippos). While the cartoon illustrations make no attempt to be accurate, they add even more humor to these jocular, enjoyable collections. Review covers these Did You Know? titles: Chickens Don't Fly and Hippos Can't Swim.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(4) K-3 Did You Know? series. Illustrated by Pete Oswald & Aaron Spurgeon. These numerous bites of transportation-related information appear in a catchy Q-and-A format that is only occasionally distorted to achieve the gee-whiz factor (e.g., the illustration of wildlife crossing bridges relates rather confusingly to the text). Colorful cartoon animals aptly illustrate the information with a light touch, and the direct-address format and colloquial style are accessible. "Fun Facts" are appended.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) K-3 Did You Know? series. Illustrated by Pete Oswald & Aaron Spurgeon. This hodgepodge of solar system facts conveys solid information in an informal tone: "Neptune...is called an 'ice giant' because it is made mostly of... That's right! Ice!" The cartoony illustrations make no attempt to be accurate: animal astronauts and scientists (and some green aliens) cavort across the busy pages. The whole is an adequate introduction. "More Fun Facts" are appended.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) K-3 Did You Know? series. Illustrated by Pete Oswald. These numerous weather-based bites of information appear in a catchy Q-and-A format that is only occasionally distorted to achieve the gee-whiz factor (e.g., the South Pole's rainfall height but not its volume equals "2 tall glasses of water"). Colorful cartoon animals aptly illustrate the information with a light touch. Unfortunately, there's an incorrect transposition of North and South Poles. "Fun Facts" are appended.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(2) YA Gabonese teen Luc assists the mysterious "Prof," a self-described "world-renowned expert on chimpanzees." Sturdy and determined, Luc becomes an astute chimp observer. Schrefer, in this carefully researched companion to Endangered, gives readers an exciting adventure story while deepening their understanding of primates. The book is filled with sensory detail, and the characters, human and nonhuman alike, are well drawn. Reading list.

Reviewer: Monica Edinger | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2014

(2) YA When Sophie, fourteen, arrives for her yearly visit to her Congolese mother's animal sanctuary, she becomes attached to a baby bonobo. So when the political situation destabilizes dangerously and she's scheduled to be airlifted back to Miami, she can't bear to leave him behind. Schrefer packs a wealth of incident into a compelling survival story set in contemporary conflict-ridden Congo.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2013

(4) YA After finding her sister Maya's cell phone next to Jefferson Andrews's dead body, Abby vows to protect Maya from the police. This murder mystery thriller skips along at a fast pace, weaving in some convoluted details and two-dimensional characters who pose as suspects. Once the killer is revealed in the surprise ending, readers will look at the characters in a whole new light.

Reviewer: Marika Jeffrey