(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Chuck Gonzales. These browsable guides shouldn't be taken too seriously. The armchair adventurer/fantasy volumes (Extreme; Weird) are more (mildly) entertaining than useful. The self-help guides (Junior; Gross; School) do contain practical information on tween-friendly topics. The books' jokey tone grows tiring, however: "Bare your teeth and make some noise, y'all." The accessible design and cartoon illustrations add to the volumes' appeal. Review covers these Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook titles: Junior Edition, Extreme Junior Edition, Weird Junior Edition, Gross Junior Edition, and Middle School.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Chuck Gonzales. This guide for "how to survive the grossest of the gross situations that life poops out at you" lives up to its goal. Boogers, barf, spit, gas, and warts are just the tip of the yuck. Amidst the not-for-the-squeamish topics, the book also offers helpful (and even hygienic) tips. Crisp book design and uniform black-blue-gray color palette help clean up the subject matter.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Erik Craddock. When a disaffected elf brings an army of deranged ninja teddy bears to life the night before Christmas Eve, only Santa's samurai skills can save the North Pole and deliver Christmas joy to the world. Despite the title, the art is not done in the traditional manga style but is instead more distinctly American, making this entertaining diversion accessible to graphic novel novices.

Reviewer: Alison Gontarz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2006