(4) K-3 Untidy Wendel, quick to toss his less-than-perfect inventions down the garbage chute, creates an overzealous tidying-up robot that tosses Wendel onto the scrapheap. Reusing his castoff junk pile, Wendel constructs an army of robots to combat the crazy cleaner and learns the value of recycling (through the green message seems tacked on). Engaging and elaborate illustrations animate a host of kooky robots.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(3) 4-6 Edge Chronicles series. This book follows Nate Quarter on his epic adventures through the Edge lands. The imaginative story--filled with steam-and-lightning powered ships, creatures of every ilk, and wrongs to be righted--connects the worlds of all three Edge Chronicle sub-trilogies (Twig, Quint, and Rook). Black-and-white illustrations (though they're sometimes illogically placed within the narrative) help readers more fully imagine the Edge.

Reviewer: Jenn Matters

(4) 4-6 Barnaby Grimes series. Illustrated by Chris Riddell. In Dead, tick-tock lad Barnaby finds himself fighting against an uprising of dead soldiers back for revenge. In Alley, he follows a murder trail only to learn that nothing about the case is as it seems. Both gory thrillers begin right in the middle of the action, with gruesome full-page drawings enhancing the frightening alternate-Victorian atmosphere. Review covers these Barnaby Grimes titles: Legion of the Dead and Phantom of Blood Alley.

Reviewer: Amanda Mc. MacGregor

(4) 4-6 Barnaby Grimes series. Illustrated by Chris Riddell. In Dead, tick-tock lad Barnaby finds himself fighting against an uprising of dead soldiers back for revenge. In Alley, he follows a murder trail only to learn that nothing about the case is as it seems. Both gory thrillers begin right in the middle of the action, with gruesome full-page drawings enhancing the frightening alternate-Victorian atmosphere. Review covers these Barnaby Grimes titles: Legion of the Dead and Phantom of Blood Alley.

Reviewer: Amanda Mc. MacGregor

(3) K-3 Upon waking, the "Emperor of Absurdia" encounters the "Wardrobe Monster," then goes on a "dragon hunt" in his "tricycle chair," looking under "pillow hills." Readers will guess that this world, rendered in fantastical, vaguely Seussian art, is a product of the young protagonist's mind (as is revealed at book's end), but tykes with similarly active imaginations will enjoy the ride.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) 4-6 In her second adventure, Ottoline is enchanted with her new friend, Cecily, and her new school for the "Differently Gifted." Ottoline's companion, Mr. Monroe, is impressed with neither, and he does his best to help Ottoline uncover the truth about Cecily's stories and the school's haunted corridors. Fantastical and commonplace events and visual and textual storytelling commingle in this quirky little tale.

Reviewer: Rebecca Hachmyer

(4) 4-6 Barnaby Grimes series. Illustrated by Chris Riddell. Barnaby, an errand boy, takes on a new client: a headmaster who collects stuffed birds. After delivering a rare specimen, Barnaby finds the school in a state of anarchy, under the control of a strange power. As the students commit wicked acts, Barnaby fights to solve the mystery. Striking black-and-white illustrations accompany the darkly gruesome tale.

Reviewer: Amanda Mc. MacGregor

(3) 4-6 In this strange little book, Ottoline and her guardian (a small, hairy creature from a bog in Norway) stumble upon a missing pet mystery. They investigate and solve the crime. The text is enhanced by striking black-and-white illustrations, with judicious splashes of red, that tell much of the story while displaying Ottoline's genteel daily life. Readers will appreciate the heroine's independence and guile.

Reviewer: Rebecca Hachmyer

(4) 4-6 Barnaby Grimes series. Illustrated by Chris Riddell. Barnaby, a tick-tock lad (or messenger), suspects there is a connection between recent wolf attacks and a local doctor's curative tonic after the doctor's patients start dying. Barnaby investigates and becomes a victim of the doctor's wicked scheme. Riddell's illustrations convey the Victorian setting and show Barnaby's skillful maneuvering of the city's rooftops in this gruesome start to an imaginative new series.

Reviewer: Amanda Mc. MacGregor

(2) 4-6 Far-Flung Adventures series. The story begins in folktale fashion, with a childless couple finding Hugo as a swaddled infant. Hugo's trip back to the land of his birth involves a mean-spirited editor and a story collector, who, like Stewart and Riddell, knows the true value of "once upon a time..." Riddell's playful, old-fashioned-looking line drawings and silhouettes add to the text's amiable feel.

Reviewer: Christine M. Heppermann | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2007

(4) 4-6 Edge Chronicles series. Quint joins his father, the great sky pirate captain Wind Jackal, on a quest to avenge their family's murder at the hand of treacherous, slippery Turbot Smeal. The series's ninth title is overcrowded with people and predicaments, but the strange lands, bizarre creatures, apt illustrations, and tense action scenes will continue to captivate readers.

Reviewer: Lauren Maggio

(4) 4-6 Edge Chronicles series. When the leader of the floating city of Sanctaphrax dies, his daughter is taken by scheming relatives, and his apprentice, Quint, is enrolled in the famed Knights Academy. Meanwhile, a harsh snowstorm threatens the existence of Sanctaphrax and a power struggle ensues, partially masterminded by one of Quint's conniving squire-mates. Though this epic story is slow to unfold, it is richly detailed.

Reviewer: Mark Adam

(4) 4-6 Far-Flung Adventures series. When Corby Flood and family travel on the S.S. Euphonia, she stumbles upon a mysterious singing creature and a conspiracy. Readers will enjoy the book's offbeat illustrations and humorous excerpts from a fictional travel guide, but they won’t be surprised that Corby saves the day. The authors have created another fully realized world that will appeal to fans.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) 4-6 Knight's Story series. Independent jouster Free Lance discovers intrigue on the tournament circuit. Wicked Duke Wolfhound wants him to throw the tournament, and mysterious mischance plagues the contenders. With no friends but his trusty steed and a yokel squire, Free Lance rescues the maiden and moves on to less snooty climes. Black-and-white pen-and-ink cartoon drawings suit this lightweight, over-the-top adventure.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(4) 4-6 Edge Chronicles series. In Gloamglozer, Quint helps the ruler of Sanctaphrax by undertaking a perilous trip to the core of the floating city where he unwittingly frees a deadly Gloamglozer. In Pirates, Rook makes a dangerous journey to become a librarian knight. In both books, plot development is not the focus, but the details are vivid and the spot art adds mood. Review covers these Edge Chronicles titles: The Curse of the Gloamglozer and The Last of the Sky Pirates.

Reviewer: Mark Adam

(4) 4-6 Edge Chronicles series. In Gloamglozer, Quint helps the ruler of Sanctaphrax by undertaking a perilous trip to the core of the floating city where he unwittingly frees a deadly Gloamglozer. In Pirates, Rook makes a dangerous journey to become a librarian knight. In both books, plot development is not the focus, but the details are vivid and the spot art adds mood. Review covers these Edge Chronicles titles: The Curse of the Gloamglozer and The Last of the Sky Pirates.

Reviewer: Mark Adam

(4) 4-6 Edge Chronicles series. Twig, a young sky pirate captain, must untether the anchor chain holding the floating city of Sanctaphrax in place before it's destroyed by an approaching storm. Unfortunately, Twig loses both his ship and his memory before he can perform this task. The overlong book contains too many scenes and outlandish characters, though the writing and detailed, somewhat grotesque, illustrations are evocative.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) 4-6 Edge Chronicles series. Young Twig leaves his forest home after discovering he was adopted. In the "dark and deeply mysterious" Deep Woods, he encounters many mystical creatures before meeting his natural father--a sky pirate. Stormchaser describes Twig's own adventures aboard a sky ship. The episodic narratives are overlong, but the writing is strong and the detailed, often grotesque illustrations perfectly suit the text. Review covers these Edge Chronicles titles: Beyond the Deepwoods and Stormchaser.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) 4-6 Edge Chronicles series. Young Twig leaves his forest home after discovering he was adopted. In the "dark and deeply mysterious" Deep Woods, he encounters many mystical creatures before meeting his natural father--a sky pirate. Stormchaser describes Twig's own adventures aboard a sky ship. The episodic narratives are overlong, but the writing is strong and the detailed, often grotesque illustrations perfectly suit the text. Review covers these Edge Chronicles titles: Beyond the Deepwoods and Stormchaser.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) PS With the help of his friend Echidna, Platypus prepares a birthday party for his stuffed toy platypus, Bruce. Riddell's illustrations make the most of the humorous situations (spiny Echidna is better than duck-billed Platypus at blowing up balloons, but she's not very good at playing with them) and are the highlight of the slight but cheerful story, which offers a birthday party template of sorts.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty