(3) 4-6 Sherlock Holmes and the Baker Street Irregulars series. Illustrated by Greg Ruth. Mack and Citrin flesh out the role of Sherlock Holmes's ragtag band of boys known as the Baker Street Irregulars as they help solve a circus family's murder. Holmes, Dr. Watson, and Professor Moriarty make appearances, and Ruth's drawings are appropriately dark and sketchy. Appended "facts and practicals for the aspiring detective" include a cast of characters, slang glossary, and historical context.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(4) YA During winter break from school, eighth-grader Joseph Diamond makes a video documentary about his New York City neighborhood, befriends a homeless girl, and contemplates how his family has begun to fall apart since the recent death of his older brother. Extraneous characters and issues prevent the novel from coming together as a cohesive whole, but the simply written story contains affecting scenes.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) 4-6 Like her father, Rory's always been an artist; but when her parents separate, her bitter feelings overwhelm her, and she thinks she'll never paint or draw again. The first-person narrative is laden with arresting poetic images, which occasionally seem too sophisticated to be uttered in the voice of a seventh-grader but are beautiful nonetheless.

Reviewer: Christine M. Heppermann