(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Barbara Fisinger. In their third madcap adventure, Gizmo the "Evil Genius" guinea pig and his oblivious cape-wearing nemesis, corgi Wedgie, go on a family camping trip that has their youngest human, Jackson, feeling left out. All the series' hallmarks are present--alternating pet narrators, humorous spot illustrations, one of Gizmo's evil plans gone wrong--but it's the distinct, funny voices of Wedgie and Gizmo that are the selling point of this zany series.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(3) 4-6 Five socially awkward sixth graders in Seattle learn they have more in common than they thought while they gather ingredients for sleepover soup--a soup, blessed by the Hawaiian gods, that grants wishes. This delightful modern adaptation of "Stone Soup" steeped in Hawaiian folklore is narrated by Leilani, an oversharer who immediately draws readers into her story with her chatty impulsiveness.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Barbara Fisinger. Gizmo, an "Evil Genius" guinea pig, and his blissfully ignorant cohabitant/nemesis, corgi Wedgie, return in a standalone adventure centered on the school pet parade, the neighbor's pet pig, and (of course) Gizmo's plan to take over the world. Alternating chapters highlight the distinct and hilarious voices of the two pets. Scriptlike human dialogue and slapstick-filled spot illustrations add to the funny plot.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(4) 4-6 Though she's never been on a horse before, nineteenth-century city slicker Lucky, new to Miradero, Texas, has an instantaneous connection with a wild stallion, which enables her to ride him bareback at a gallop to rescue a couple of girls from peril. This slight novelization is a spinoff of DreamWorks' animated historical movie and subsequent Netflix series.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) 4-6 Spirit Riding Free series. Libraries with horse-obsessed middle-grade patrons will welcome Selfors's second novelization of DreamWorks Animation studio's Spirit Riding Free TV franchise. Other readers may be skeptical of the Lassie-like devotion and communication between supposedly wild mustang Spirit and young Texas girl Lucky. Verisimilitude is hardly the point, though. A female friendship dilemma and an animal welfare project round out the action.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Barbara Fisinger. When Elliot's dad marries Jasmine's mom, the family pets must learn to get along. While Gizmo, Elliot's guinea pig, is plotting a "dastardly Evil Plan," Jasmine's enthusiastic corgi Wedgie is busy protecting his pack. The titular animal characters have distinct and hilarious voices as each narrates in alternating chapters. Script-style dialogue and comical illustrations add to the fun in this series-opener.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(4) 4-6 Ever After High series. In the latest fairy-tale school story, long-locked blogger and aspiring author Holly O'Hair looks forward to fulfilling her mother Rapunzel's legacy. However, when Holly's hair shortens and her short-haired twin Poppy's hair grows like gangbusters, Holly wonders if fate has other plans. Readers not distracted by the overly decorated pages will find that the series' fairy-tale-themed clichés and puns make way for honest problem-solving.

Reviewer: Jeannie Coutant

(3) 4-6 Imaginary Veterinary series. Illustrated by Dan Santat. After reporting to Dr. Woo's hospital for imaginary creatures as apprentices, Ben and Pearl find they're the only ones available to help a dying rain dragon in the Imaginary World. Acting on guesswork and luck, the children complete their mission. This third entertaining tale is filled with implausible fun and expressive black-and-white illustrations. Interesting information about the fantastical creatures and activities are appended.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(3) 4-6 Imaginary Veterinary series. Illustrated by Dan Santat. While Ben is spending the summer with him, Grandpa's cat catches a baby dragon. Ben and local girl Petal take it to the only vet around, Dr. Woo's Worm Hospital, which is actually a secret haven for imaginary creatures; a wild search mission for an escaped sasquatch, captured exuberantly in Santat's illustrations, ensues. Information on fantastical creatures and related activities are appended.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(3) 4-6 Imaginary Veterinary series. Illustrated by Dan Santat. Ten-year-olds Pearl and Ben start their apprenticeships at Dr. Woo's hospital for imaginary creatures and are told to stay inside. But when Pearl sees a huge lake monster outside, she and Ben simply must investigate. This entertaining tale, illustrated with verve by Santat, combines fantastical creatures, a wacky veterinarian, humor, tension, and implausible fun. End matter includes activities and information about the creatures.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(4) 4-6 Homer hoped membership in the secret society known as L.O.S.T. (Society of Legends, Objects, Secrets, and Treasure) and that treasure-sniffing Dog would help him find missing pirate treasure. But his sworn enemy Lorelei and her own organization, FOUND, will foil his quest--unless they band together. Slow-going at first, this silly third adventure (Smells like Dog; Smells like Treasure) eventually finds its groove.

Reviewer: David Elzey

(3) YA Emmeline, born into low society and with a misshapen foot, has always felt unwanted, but when a dairyman's son discovers her miraculous ability to turn cream into chocolate, she becomes the most desired woman in Anglund (where chocolate has been a legend). Selfors's fantasy world springs vividly to life through skilled prose; Emmeline is a brave heroine; and the romance is touching and thoroughly believable.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter

(4) 4-6 Homer (Smells like Dog) gets a much-anticipated invitation to join the Society of Legends, Objects, Secrets, and Treasures. He finds himself facing an unexpected challenger for the position left open by his late uncle. With treasure-sniffing Dog, Homer sets out to win his place. The somewhat muddled adventure takes its time getting underway, then moves at a good clip.

Reviewer: David Elzey

(4) YA Alice is busy concealing the fact that her mom, a famous romance writer, is a patient at a mental hospital. But she's more frantic after she meets Errol, a.k.a. Cupid, who demands that Alice write his story before he dies. Some supernatural elements--e.g., Alice's ability to see people's auras--go unexplained and are superfluous to the otherwise solid love story.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(4) 4-6 Homer dreams of adventure beyond his farm duties. This wish comes true after his explorer-uncle, who is eaten by a tortoise, bequeaths his dog to Homer. With his sister, Homer must outwit the villainous museum director who may really have murdered Homer's uncle for secret treasure. The narrative can be unwieldy, but the silly premise allows for some entertaining moments.

Reviewer: David Elzey

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Catia Chien. For orphaned ten-year-old Isabelle, life in Runny Cove is miserable. The weather is unrelentingly dreary, her factory job is grueling, and the proprietor of her boarding house is a miserly scoundrel. Luckily everything changes when she learns of her long-lost family's magic-growing farm. Offbeat characters, shown in black-and-white chapter-opener illustrations, pepper Isabelle's encounters in this light fantasy.

Reviewer: Amanda Mc. MacGregor

(4) YA Katrina leaves food and coffee for the homeless guy sleeping in the alley. The guy, a handsome angel, rewards her good deed by granting her a wish. Despite the hokey supernatural romance, more realistic plot elements--Katrina discovering what she's good at, almost losing a friend, rescuing her grandmother's struggling coffeehouse--give the story substance.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(4) YA Seventeen-year-old Mimi despises playing Juliet against a self-centered celebrity Romeo. After a magical charm transports them to Shakespeare's Verona, Mimi realizes she has the opportunity to change Juliet's fate. Despite hammy prose and a lack of convincing historical and theatrical details, this costume drama is an enjoyable romantic fantasy.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Catia Chien. Boom Broom is coping with the loss of his mother (who disappeared in a tornado) and its effects on his father and sister, who refuse to leave the house. Everything changes, though, after he finds a merbaby and decides to care for it. The quirky premise is hampered by some uneven pacing. Humorous but muddy black-and-white illustrations open each chapter.

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