(4) 1-3 Makers Make It Work series. Illustrated by Anthony Lewis. In each of these early-reader stories, the main character learns a makerspace skill--woodworking, robotics, 3D printing, and baking--to solve a problem. If the child's first effort fails, he or she persists to achieve success. The various illustrations (by different artists) are serviceable and the stories are fairly engaging, but kids will likely be more interested in the included hands-on activities. Useful for early-elementary classrooms and makerspaces. Review covers these Makers Make It Work titles: Double or Nothing, The Color Day Coach, Robot to the Rescue, and The Runaway Chicken.

Reviewer: Janet Dawson

(4) 4-6 Who HQ: Who Was...? series. Illustrated by Gregory Copeland. Grosset's long-running Who Was...? series is re-branded. These readable, informative biographies are marred only by the caricatured cover illustrations (typical of the classic series) and interior pencil illustrations that are inconsistent in style. Otherwise, these will give young readers a good sense of who these people were (or are). Occasional full- and double-page text boxes successfully illuminate related topics. Timeline. Bib. Review covers these Who HQ: Who Was...? titles: Who Was Jane Austen?, Who Was Chuck Jones?, Who Was Coretta Scott King?, Who Is Ralph Lauren? Who Was Alexander Hamilton?, Who Was Lewis Carroll?, Who Is Pope Francis?, and Who Was Andrew Jackson?.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) 1-3 Animal Planet Adventures series. Illustrated by Bryan Langdo. Word puzzles (Zoo) and a riddle (Puppy) are featured in two mild mysteries, both involving missing animals. Scattered throughout the stories are single- and double-page spreads of photographs and facts about habitat, animal care, veterinarians, zoo employees' duties, and more. Full-color cartoon illustrations accompany the fictional stories. Review covers these Animal Planet Adventures titles: Zoo Camp Puzzle and Puppy Rescue Riddle.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 Stepping Stone: Totally True Adventures series. Illustrated by Michele Amatrula. Readers who enjoy true-life adventures will find this title engrossing. Several early failed expeditions are described, touching on their inadequate equipment and unrealistic expectations. Herman then focuses on Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay's successful 1953 climb. The dangers and satisfactions are well described, and the immense contributions of Sherpas are acknowledged; black-and-white illustrations set each scene. Final sections touch on more contemporary events. Reading list, websites.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) K-3 All Aboard Reading series. Illustrated by Stacy Peterson. Annie is dreading second grade: not only are her two best friends in another class, but the new second-grade teacher's name is Ms. Toady, and rumor has it that she's as unpleasant as her name. The premise is slight and the happy ending predictable, but the prose is swift and clean, and the flat illustrations of a hip, enviably well-dressed cast will lure emerging readers.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) 1-3 When his mom marries Mr. Jordan, Michael Brown becomes Michael Jordan. Hampered by a name he can't possibly live up to (he can't shoot a basket or hit a baseball), Michael searches for a way to fit in at his new school. Young readers will empathize with Mike as he struggles to make friends and begins to develop a relationship with his stepfather. Realistic black-and-white drawings accompany the story.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo