(4) K-3 Illustrated by K. G. Campbell. Little orphan "Wee Sister Strange" roams the woods at night, free-spirited yet seeking something unknown. She finally finds it when she overhears a mother reading a book (Sister's own story) to her child. Sister snuggles to sleep in a leafy bed outside their window. The watercolor and colored-pencil illustrations and the twee verse's cadence both evoke an eerie tone--effective if questionable for bedtime reading.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(3) 4-6 League of Beastly Dreadfuls series. Illustrated by Josie Portillo. This third hilarious adventure has Anastasia (The Dastardly Deed) still searching for her missing family members. She and her friends (a.k.a. The League of Beastly Dreadfuls) must also open the magical glass cabinet of Calixto Swift, the wizard who ignited the war between witches and the people of Nowhere Special. Detailed language, suspense, and appealing black-and-white illustrations provide additional enjoyment.

Reviewer: Grace Enriquez

(3) 4-6 League of Beastly Dreadfuls series. Illustrated by Josie Portillo. Having escaped kidnappers in the first book, Anastasia is taken to her family's secret subterranean home, where she learns of her royal lineage and of the Dastardly Deed that imprisoned her grandfather. With help from Ollie, Quentin, and a Gorgon named Gus, Anastasia embarks on a hilarious, magic-filled quest for the Silver Hammer that can free her grandfather. Whimsical black-and-white illustrations appear throughout.

Reviewer: Grace Enriquez

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Josie Portillo. Almost-eleven newly orphaned Anastasia McCrumpet has been adopted--that is, kidnapped--by her bloodsucking aunts, Prim and Prude. With help from two shadowboys, a librarian, and a baron, she plots her escape. Influences of Roald Dahl and Lemony Snicket are unmistakable. Scatalogical humor is well-tempered by the melodramatic Victorian narration ("Dear Reader," etc.). Whimsical illustrations and a Victorian "Etiquette Manual" are included.

Reviewer: Lauren Rizzuto