(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Liz Callen. This short chapter book plays with "The Three Little Pigs." Here, the wolf is eager to give up his mean ways and live with the Pygg brothers. After concessions on both sides, the wolf takes his place at the Pyggs' table. Newly independent readers will enjoy this take on the traditional story. Lively illustrations help break up the sometimes daunting text blocks.

Reviewer: Amy Lois Cohn

(4) 4-6 New to Limbo Key, Florida, Courtney is embarrassed to be living on Cemetery Street. But through cute classmate Josh, Courtney finds her niche on the school paper and begins to fit in. Then she and Josh become involved in strange goings-on that escalate from rumors of devil worship to kidnapping. The less-than-mysterious mystery is an awkward match for the new-girl story line.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Delana Bettoli. Seabrooke hypothesizes that a Christmas Eve day errand gave Moore inspiration for "A Visit from St. Nicholas." Delicately lined paintings in pastel but Christmassy shades are pretty, especially those of Clement's twilight journey through the almost pastoral Manhattan streets; a wintry map is the book's highlight. There are no source notes (a problem, as the poem's authorship is still disputed).

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2008

(4) 4-6 Sinister figures keep Nicholas, an orphan, imprisoned in an isolated castle, subjecting him to terrifying interrogations intended to obtain information crucial to the mysterious "Synod." When Nicholas refuses to cooperate, they import Larka, a prickly street kid. Is she a friend or a spy? This promising premise, thick with tension, builds to a thrilling escape; the climax, unfortunately, is abrupt and unsatisfying.

Reviewer: Vicky Smith

(4) 4-6 Spending the summer with her father and new stepfamily, Taylor discovers that several ghosts haunt their historical West Virginia home. The story of the ghosts reenacting a Civil War love triangle that ended in murder is not particularly compelling, but the narrative nicely balances supernatural events with the trials of adjusting to a new family.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) 4-6 With her father missing in action in WWII, Abby must live with her pesky cousin Chad's family. As Christmas nears, Abby sees mysterious wet footprints in the hallway and hears the story of a girl who drowned eighty years ago. What is the ghost trying to tell her? The 1940s setting is as intriguing as the not-too-scary chills this well-told tale delivers.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(2) 4-6 When Jeff opens a trunk in the closet of his new house, he also raises Eugene, a portly, self-effacing French vampire packed away a hundred years ago by his evil bloodsucking cousin, Vennard. Although Jeff struggles with moving to a new town, the focus of this broad farce stays on Eugene, who is portrayed as ineffectual but lovable, with dialogue reminiscent of Miss Piggy.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2000

(3) 4-6 In a lighthearted sequel to 'The Dragon That Ate Summer', fourth-grader Alastair's pet dragon Spike has trouble adjusting when he's left home alone all day for the first time. After Alastair's father refuses to sell Spike to the Photon Institute for experimental purposes, two creepy dragonnappers start hanging around the neighborhood. Short chapters will make this light fantasy an especially appealing choice for reluctant readers.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.