(4) 4-6 Arrested for a stagecoach robbery involving his murderous father, Kid Cody escapes from jail (with help from a mysterious man dressed in black) and pursues an honest life. But danger lurks in every step of this convoluted, action-packed Western-meets-supernatural story, as Cody is kept in constant fear of his no-good pa, who's after a treasure map of the fabled city of El Dorado.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(4) 4-6 Edge Books: Monster Wars series. This series matches up characters adored by monster buffs to see who would emerge victor in a fight. Several pages outline specific features of each monster, giving way to a battle (with a clear winner announced). Gory photographs (primarily movie stills) will easily draw in readers who (undeterred by the busy layout) may be inspired to imagine alternative outcomes. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Edge Books: Monster Wars titles: Sea Monsters vs. Dragons and Zombies vs. Mummies.

Reviewer: April Spisak

(4) 4-6 Edge Books: Monster Wars series. This series matches up characters adored by monster buffs to see who would emerge victor in a fight. Several pages outline specific features of each monster, giving way to a battle (with a clear winner announced). Gory photographs (primarily movie stills) will easily draw in readers who (undeterred by the busy layout) may be inspired to imagine alternative outcomes. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Edge Books: Monster Wars titles: Sea Monsters vs. Dragons and Zombies vs. Mummies.

Reviewer: April Spisak

(4) 4-6 Edge Books: Dinosaur Wars series. You might call this "fantasy dinosaur wars" since the combatants in both books lived at different times. These scenarios pitting the two title dinosaurs against one another reveal their size, agility, strength, speed, weapons, attack style, and defenses. Absurd premise aside, the details of the play-by-play are fascinating and instructive. With toothy action sketches ("Get Ready to Rumble") and very brief sidebars. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Edge Books: Dinosaur Wars titles: Triceratops vs. Stegosaurus and Tyrannosaurus Rex vs. Velociraptor.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 Edge Books: Dinosaur Wars series. You might call this "fantasy dinosaur wars" since the combatants in both books lived at different times. These scenarios pitting the two title dinosaurs against one another reveal their size, agility, strength, speed, weapons, attack style, and defenses. Absurd premise aside, the details of the play-by-play are fascinating and instructive. With toothy action sketches ("Get Ready to Rumble") and very brief sidebars. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Edge Books: Dinosaur Wars titles: Triceratops vs. Stegosaurus and Tyrannosaurus Rex vs. Velociraptor.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 NFL Today series. Telling the stories of NFL franchises, each book begins with background about the team's early beginnings and home town. Major coaches and players are then discussed (off-field player antics are largely omitted). "On the Sidelines" sidebars and large, vivid photographs bring fans onto the fields and into the conversations about football legends and future stars. Ind. Review covers these NFL Today titles: The Story of the Oakland Raiders, The Story of the Chicago Bears, The Story of the New England Patriots, and The Story of the Indianapolis Colts.

Reviewer: Nancy Hull

(3) 4-6 Graphic Library: Inventions and Discovery series. Illustrated by Ron Frenz & Charles, III Barnett. The life of this snowboarding pioneer, from recreational "Snurfer" (snow surfer) to entrepreneur, is told in comic-book format--an apt match of form and content, as the exhilaration of the sport is well captured by the colorful panel art. An afterword acknowledges that no one knows who invented the first snowboard and gives a broader overview of the sport's history. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: David Elzey