(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Gillian Johnson. Adam Melon, a.k.a. Melonhead, and best friend Sam are whisked off to Paradise, Florida, to stay with Melonhead's grandparents, and they quickly launch a search for a pet to bring home. Kelly's deceptively simple plot works on multiple levels and never loses the rhythm of Melonhead's hilarious narration. Johnson's spot sketches echo the rapid-fire pace of the boys' escapades.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Gillian Johnson. In his fifth book, Melonhead and best friend Sam damage a family heirloom and decide to raise repair funds by doing odd jobs. Undeterred by their lack of knowledge and experience, the buoyant troublemakers unleash their assistance on their neighbors and somehow manage to salvage everything in the end. Johnson's spot art reinforces the humor, and, while the plot lacks cohesion, this is an entertaining pick for reluctant readers.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Gillian Johnson. Adam Melon, a.k.a. Melonhead, finds himself stuck with a terrible fifth-grade teacher and also victim to his mother's new health kick. In order to avoid eating Mom's vegetable experiments, Melonhead hatches a plan that, of course, goes terribly wrong. And he's forgotten all about his homework! The universally boyish Melonhead is as relatable as ever in this light, humorous installment.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Gillian Johnson. In this Melonhead and the Big Stink follow-up, the title character and his friend Sam are FBI Junior Special Agents. They spy on a suspicious person, botch their investigation, and accidentally solve the wrong mystery. Melonhead continues to be amusing, but this set of misadventures is a little long and convoluted. Elderly friend Mrs. Wilkins steals the show.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Gillian Johnson. Accidental troublemaker and would-be inventor Melonhead makes some unusual friends in his second book. On his best behavior pending a much-desired trip to see the titan arum, the world's stinkiest flower that only blooms every seven years, he still gets into trouble at every turn. Lighthearted gray-scale illustrations depict the entertaining adventures of Melonhead and his knucklehead ways.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Gillian Johnson. In this Lucy Rose spinoff, energetic ten-year-old Adam Melon, a.k.a Melonhead, has a knack for trouble (e.g., he gets stuck in a tree, requiring a Jaws of Life extraction). Also a budding inventor, he helps with his class's "reinvention" contest, making something new from recycled materials. Adam's good-natured hijinks, shown in spirited black-and-white spot art, make for an entertaining read.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Peter Ferguson. Quirky, spunky Lucy Rose is as busy (and exhausting) as ever. It's hard work helping family friends open a bakery while coping with the "dreaded" Ashley who's forever picking on her. Playful language and clever use of idiom add sparkle to the oft-used diary format as Lucy Rose struggles over whether to get back at Ashley and how to keep the friends she has.

Reviewer: Betsy Murray

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Adam Rex. In this third Lucy Rose installment, the bubbly, "super busy" fourth-grade palindrome lover copes with the dramas of nine-year-old life (trying out for the school musical, dealing with a dating parent, confronting bullies). Lucy's first-person storytelling, relayed in hyper run-on sentences, will either exhaust or delight young readers. The detailed pencil drawings are humorous but too dark for the book's tone.

Reviewer: Elizabeth Shaver

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Adam Rex. After her parents separate, eight-year-old Lucy Rose and her mom move to Washington, D.C. Through her diary, Lucy Rose keeps track of daily challenges--class pets, troublesome boys, friendships--in these readable books that exude third-grade appeal. Though simple resolutions at times make the books tedious, Lucy Rose's snappy spirit is appealing. Rex's black-and-white drawings enhance the text. Review covers these titles: Lucy Rose: Big on Plans and Lucy Rose: Here's the Thing about Me.

Reviewer: Lauren Rizzuto

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Adam Rex. After her parents separate, eight-year-old Lucy Rose and her mom move to Washington, D.C. Through her diary, Lucy Rose keeps track of daily challenges--class pets, troublesome boys, friendships--in these readable books that exude third-grade appeal. Though simple resolutions at times make the books tedious, Lucy Rose's snappy spirit is appealing. Rex's black-and-white drawings enhance the text. Review covers these titles: Lucy Rose: Big on Plans and Lucy Rose: Here's the Thing about Me.

Reviewer: Lauren Rizzuto