(3) K-3 Illustrated by Joe Berger. Pressured by his teacher, the narrator becomes pen pals with an alien. The two exchange ostensibly off-putting gifts that end up cementing an unlikely friendship. The stranger the action the straighter Smallcomb plays it, making the story all the funnier. Berger keeps up with the text, right down to depicting the "disgusting glob of something" on the boy's sister's head.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Robert Weinstock. Outgoing and imaginative, Evelyn is a lot of things that her practical friend, the unnamed narrator, is not: e.g., fashion guru, artist, circus performer. The narrator recognizes that their unique qualities are what make the two great friends. Spare but animated illustrations (replete with amusing speech bubbles) lend additional humor to the witty narrative, reminiscent of James Marshall's George and Martha books.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2011

(4) 1-3 Illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld. Faced with spending her vacation at a lake cabin with her preoccupied parents, Marlon signs up for pirate camp. Three scruffy pirates show Marlon--the sole camper--the ropes, including climbing the rigging and walking the plank (with a life vest, of course). Though the reformation of a class bully and of Marlon's parents are both too abrupt, the lighthearted telling will amuse readers. Spirited black-and-white drawings accompany the text.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl