(3) 4-6 Mallory series. Illustrated by Jennifer Kalis. Fifth grader Mallory's new neighbors offer her and a friend a babysitting job for their five-year-old twins. While thrilled with the responsibility and opportunity, Mallory discovers how difficult it is to manage the adorable boys while also balancing school work and other interests. The upbeat, fluffy twenty-seventh Mallory story is complemented by black-and-white spot drawings, text-message screenshots, and appended babysitting tips.

Reviewer: Pam Yosca

(3) 4-6 Mallory series. Illustrated by Jennifer Kalis. Mallory decides to make Thanksgiving extra special by running a food drive for needy families at her school. The project, while well-intentioned, causes unexpected conflict within Mallory's friend group and the whole school. Creative problem-solving and teamwork prevail, and the students' hard work leads to a successful project. An as-usual amiable installment, twenty-eighth in the series; includes black-and-white spot art and tips for community service.

Reviewer: Pam Yosca

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Kathryn Durst. The Christmas family loves Christmas: their bright lights short out the neighborhood's electricity, their tree dwarfs all others, and they buy tons of gifts. The excess doesn't jibe with daughter Mary; after a heart-to-heart with a mall Santa, she convinces her family to share their abundant holiday trappings with the town. Bright mixed-media illustrations add festive warmth and humor, and they reinforce the message about true Christmas spirit.

Reviewer: Rebecca Kirshenbaum

(3) YA Mostly Miserable Life of April Sinclair series. On the brink of April's fifteenth birthday, her beloved grandmother is hospitalized, and her extended family mobilizes to care for Gaga to the end. As April navigates her teenage relationships, platonic and romantic, Gaga's death shapes April's feelings toward others and also helps her express difficult emotions. The eighth series entry is moving and mournful but not without hope.

Reviewer: Pam Yosca

(3) 4-6 Mallory series. Illustrated by Jennifer Kalis. It's the summer before fifth grade, and Mallory's family is taking a road trip to the Grand Canyon. But Mallory is less than thrilled about her know-it-all cousin, Kate, tagging along, plus Mallory's big brother Max seems to be hiding something. The illustrated-travel-journal format includes facts about local landmarks and offers a nice change of pace for this amiable long-running series.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(3) YA Mostly Miserable Life of April Sinclair series. In this sixth series entry, April's relationship with her childhood friend further deteriorates when Brynn's romance ends, leaving April unfairly tangled in the middle. While the teenage-girl drama is predictable, the dynamics between April and other characters, especially her younger sisters, are well drawn, making this a resonant demonstration of the importance of nurturing loving relationships while also forging one's own independence.

Reviewer: Pam Yosca

(3) 4-6 Mallory series. Illustrated by Jennifer Kalis. Mallory experiences a rocky start to fifth grade as her best friend distances herself and excludes Mallory from plans. But through trial and error, Mallory establishes a strong group of friends, both new and old. Friedman's focus on the changing nature of friendships adds depth to this longtime series. Black-and-white spot illustrations expand the story, along with text exchanges and diary entries.

Reviewer: Pam Yosca

(3) YA Mostly Miserable Life of April Sinclair series. Shocked by her grandmother's cancer diagnosis, April is confused by her decision to not seek treatment and instead take an extended family ski trip. April is saddened by her closest cousin's sudden standoffishness and is thrown off course on the slopes by peer pressure. This seventh series entry is a nuanced, warm exploration of a family's reaction to a looming loss amidst everyday teenage drama.

Reviewer: Pam Yosca

(3) 4-6 Mallory series. Illustrated by Jennifer Kalis. It's the end of fourth grade, and that's just one of many changes affecting Mallory's life: she's moving across town, away from her best friends and next-door neighbors; her cat is sick; and another friend is spending the summer with her grandma. Previous series installments have focused largely on friendships; this one offers a nice change by focusing on Mallory's relationship with her mother.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Teresa Murfin. In occasionally uneven verses, self-proclaimed expert Percy (from Back-to-School Rules and Thanksgiving Rules) offers rules for enjoying birthdays. Most aren't surprising, but he does provide a useful message about getting older: "Discover life's possibilities! / Have fun, try something new." The jaunty illustrations feature plenty of eye-catching patterns, including lined notebook and graph papers--fitting with the "rules" theme.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) 4-6 Mallory series. Illustrated by Jennifer Kalis. Mallory is psyched about her town's new girls' basketball league but dismayed when her best friends don't share her enthusiasm. Mallory joins anyway, and even though she's not the best player, she moves outside her comfort zone and makes new friends. Readers will learn a little about basketball and may be inspired to try something new. Friedman's long-running series continues to be enjoyable.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(3) YA Mostly Miserable Life of April Sinclair series. April navigates the trials and tribulations of teenage friendships and family life in these third (Truth) and fourth (Love) books. Realistic scenarios aren't solved too neatly, and secondary characters complement April's introspective journal entries. Romantic entanglements (by Love, she's officially dating hot neighbor Matt) are more sophisticated and colorful as April nears high school. A natural choice for fans of the Alice series. Review covers these The Mostly Miserable Life of April Sinclair titles: Love or Something Like It and Truth and Kisses.