(3) 4-6 You Choose: Fractured Fairy Tales series. Illustrated by Federica Frenna. Fairy tales told as choose-your-path adventures may be an ideal match of form and genre. Readers addressed as "you" first select one of three scenarios (including fantasy, wacky humor, and sci-fi) and make narrative choices until reaching a happy, sad, or neutral ending. Serviceable black-and-white illustrations support the texts. Background about the source tale and critical thinking questions are included. Reading list. Review covers these You Choose: Fractured Fairy Tales titles: Rumpelstiltskin and Rapunzel.

Reviewer: Amy Bennett-Zendzian

(4) 1-3 Ashley Small & Ashlee Tall series. Illustrated by Hédi Fekete. Diminutive, competitive Ashley "Ash" Sanchez and tall, shy Ashlee "Lee" Taylor, both eight, are best friends who encounter big changes when Lee moves out of their apartment building. The pat opposites-as-friends stories deal with misunderstanding, loneliness, and finding new interests. Colorful illustrations highlight the girls' personal and physical differences. Discussion questions, writing prompts, and an activity are appended. Glos. Review covers the following Ashley Small & Ashlee Tall titles: Best Friends Forever? and Brushes and Basketballs.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) 1-3 Ashley Small & Ashlee Tall series. Illustrated by Hédi Fekete. Diminutive, competitive Ashley "Ash" Sanchez and tall, shy Ashlee "Lee" Taylor, both eight, are best friends who encounter big changes when Lee moves out of their apartment building. The pat opposites-as-friends stories deal with misunderstanding, loneliness, and finding new interests. Colorful illustrations highlight the girls' personal and physical differences. Discussion questions, writing prompts, and an activity are appended. Glos. Review covers the following Ashley Small & Ashlee Tall titles: Best Friends Forever? and Brushes and Basketballs.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) 1-3 Sidney & Sydney series. Illustrated by Luisa Montalto. In book three, same-name friends Sidney (sporty boy) and Sydney (fashion-loving girl) start a dog-walking company. Sidney hopes their endeavor will show his parents he's responsible enough for his own dog, but (predictably) dog walking is more difficult than the two expect. Entertaining alternating narratives depict independent-minded third graders, but the kids seem older than eight in both the text and the abundant color illustrations.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(4) 1-3 Perfectly Poppy series. Illustrated by Erica-Jane Waters. A transitional-reader series about a typical little kid named Poppy who faces typical little-kid challenges, like eating too much junk food (Party) and not having a good idea for the neighborhood "active talent show" (Talent). The saccharine books focus on healthy living and present clear conflicts and resolutions. Each chapter is accompanied by endearing, colorful illustrations. Discussion questions and activities are appended. Glos. Review covers these Perfectly Poppy titles: Party Pooper and Talent Trouble.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(4) 1-3 Perfectly Poppy series. Illustrated by Erica-Jane Waters. A transitional-reader series about a typical little kid named Poppy who faces typical little-kid challenges, like eating too much junk food (Party) and not having a good idea for the neighborhood "active talent show" (Talent). The saccharine books focus on healthy living and present clear conflicts and resolutions. Each chapter is accompanied by endearing, colorful illustrations. Discussion questions and activities are appended. Glos. Review covers these Perfectly Poppy titles: Party Pooper and Talent Trouble.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(4) 1-3 Sidney & Sydney series. Illustrated by Luisa Montalto. This book finds the name-sharing third graders maneuvering their friendship through school challenges including a spelling bee, dodgeball, and a school play. Spunky, fashion-loving girl Sydney and easy-going, sporty boy Sidney share their breezy, entertaining stories in short alternating chapters. The kids come off as older than eight years old in both their narration and the abundant color illustrations.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan