(3) 1-3 Friendship Garden series. Illustrated by Éva Chatelain. After learning that honeybee colonies are dying, young gardening enthusiast Anna throws a "Bee Bash" to enlighten her friends and neighbors about the importance of saving bees. But not everyone is as enthusiastic as Anna, and she questions whether she's even making a difference. Expressive black-and-white illustrations help tell this timely story, which could inspire future activists. A story-influenced activity and recipe are included.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(3) 1-3 Friendship Garden series. Illustrated by Éva Chatelain. A school assignment helps third grader Anna make friends at her new Chicago school. With her classmates, she starts a kids' gardening club (Green) and they work together to catch the thief who stole their biggest pumpkin (Pumpkin). Likable characters in relatable situations and soft, expressive halftone illustrations make this a welcome new chapter-book series. Story-inspired activities and recipes are appended. Review covers these Friendship Garden titles: Green Thumbs-Up! and Pumpkin Spice.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(3) 1-3 Friendship Garden series. Illustrated by Éva Chatelain. A school assignment helps third grader Anna make friends at her new Chicago school. With her classmates, she starts a kids' gardening club (Green) and they work together to catch the thief who stole their biggest pumpkin (Pumpkin). Likable characters in relatable situations and soft, expressive halftone illustrations make this a welcome new chapter-book series. Story-inspired activities and recipes are appended. Review covers these Friendship Garden titles: Green Thumbs-Up! and Pumpkin Spice.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Jason Week. While trying to be popular and win the race for "class marshal" of the school Halloween parade, ten-year-old Louie, "Boy Used to Ridicule and Put-downs" (B.U.R.P), is bullied and nearly forgets his true friends. Louie is a sympathetic character, and gross-out humor and cartoon illustrations will appeal to the intended audience; references to old comedians (Chaplin, Keaton), however, may puzzle those readers.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Jason Week. In this mildly funny story about a klutzy fifth-grade boy, Louie wants to be a stand-up comedian, but he has stage fright. Also, his best friend comes back from camp with a new friend (who's a girl!); his father is having a mid-life crisis; and his sisters are driving him crazy. Some gross-out humor and cartoon illustrations will draw in the intended audience.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(2) YA Essie doesn't tell anyone that the football team's "weird" kicker, Micah (an observant Jew), is her cousin. She reluctantly keeps quiet when others ridicule him--until one boy commits a shocking act of anti-Semitism. Meyerhoff captures the melodrama of adolescence with ease. Readers will readily recognize Essie's desire to fit in, along with the courage it takes for her to tell the truth.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2010

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Jill Weber. Third grader Polly hasn't lost any teeth and still believes in the tooth fairy. Zachary teases that she is a baby, and she worries he may be right. Readers will relate to Polly's bewilderment about how to act her age. Line illustrations convey a sense of third grade, from classroom activities and recess to changing friendships and emotions.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax