(4) 4-6 Hatton, a member of the lab team at the 2002 Winter Olympics, describes efforts to bust athletes who use illegal performance-enhancing drugs. Interspersed throughout are photographs of scientists, athletes, and Olympic venues, along with detailed explanations of the science. Though Hatton tries too hard to ramp up the drama, readers who follow doping scandals in the news will appreciate the book's in-depth approach. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Preston McDaniels. Nine-year-old Véro, a French girl of Vietnamese descent, has to deal with a new city, an impatient older brother, and the absence of the family's beloved maid, Francine. The two siblings form a scheme to get Francine back, but in the meantime Véro gets into one scrape after another. The story lacks much emotional depth and is sometimes stiffly written, but Véro's troubles as a little sister ring true.

Reviewer: Anne St. John