(3) 4-6 Medal of Honor series. Montgomery, a Cherokee first lieutenant fighting in Italy during World War II, and Pitts, an enlisted sergeant fighting in Afghanistan are two of approximately 3,500 American soldiers who have been awarded the Medal of Honor. These biographies, accompanied by context-setting sidebars and captioned black-and-white photographs, compellingly relate each soldier's heroic battlefield feats despite injuries, and recount their lives before and after. Bib., glos. Review covers these Medal of Honor titles: Jack Montgomery and Ryan Pitts.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) 4-6 Medal of Honor series. Montgomery, a Cherokee first lieutenant fighting in Italy during World War II, and Pitts, an enlisted sergeant fighting in Afghanistan are two of approximately 3,500 American soldiers who have been awarded the Medal of Honor. These biographies, accompanied by context-setting sidebars and captioned black-and-white photographs, compellingly relate each soldier's heroic battlefield feats despite injuries, and recount their lives before and after. Bib., glos. Review covers these Medal of Honor titles: Jack Montgomery and Ryan Pitts.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) YA In 1941, fifteen-year-old Henry Forrest runs away from his abusive father to join the Marines and is stationed in the Philippines. When U.S. forces surrender to the Japanese, Henry and his fellow prisoners of war endure brutal treatment during what became known as the Bataan Death March. The characters lack dimension, but copious historical detail and intense battle action may satisfy historical fiction fans.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) 4-6 Twelve-year-old Anton and his Ukrainian Jewish family take refuge from the Nazis in 1942 in the Priest's Grotto, a series of (real-life) underground caves. Anton sneaks out each night to search for water and must constantly outwit villainous Gestapo officer Major Von Duesen. Spradlin takes artistic liberties in this rather violent, loosely historical cat-and-mouse thriller, with alternating chapters from Anton's and the major's perspectives.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(3) 4-6 Separated from their parents for three years after the evacuation of the Pacific Islands during World War II, twelve-year-old Patrick and his younger brother, Teddy, set out to find them. With the help of a kind Marine, the two brothers stow away on the doomed USS Indianapolis and find themselves stranded in unfriendly seas, hunted by sharks. A harrowing first-person narrative and relentless action will please fans of the I Survived series.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) 4-6 I, Q series. Q and Angela are united not only as step-siblings but also as covert agents working for the president of the United States. Here intrigue follows them to San Antonio, Texas, where they once again encounter a dangerous terrorist cell. A list of characters and a preface bring readers up to speed for this suspenseful and thrilling fourth book in the series.

Reviewer: April Mazza

(4) 4-6 Youngest Templar series. While delivering the Holy Grail to Rosslyn, Templar Squire Tristan battles the Shire Reeve in his friend Robard Hode's home of Sherwood, fights corrupt Templar Sir Hugh, and ponders his own unknown parentage. The tossed-salad plot sometimes wilts into lugubrious melodrama, but the rest of the time the characters' wisecracking voices keep the action moving.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Layne Johnson. Spradlin describes, day by day, the first eleven-day run of the Pony Express, starting on April 3, 1860. The enterprise required planning, stamina, bravery, and multiple skills, all of which the detailed oil illustrations show in darkish hues. After a brief introduction, the text uses present tense to describe the daily challenges of the riders. Endpapers feature a map and timeline. Reading list, websites. Bib.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Macky Pamintuan. A good take-along for a first-time outing to the baseball park, Spradlin's book packs in plenty of useful information, starting with A for ace: "the best pitcher on each team." Pamintuan's illustrations showcase the players' athleticism and are chock-full of action, humor, and expression.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) 4-6 Youngest Templar series. Shipwrecked in France, Tristan--Knight Templar and keeper of the Holy Grail--falls in love with a Cathar girl. With his companions, archer Robard Hode and assassin maid Maryam, Tristan helps defend the Cathar fortress Montségur. Meanwhile, grail-hungry Sir Hugh is still on his trail. The expansive plot is heavily contrived at points, but fans will enjoy the fast-paced action and sassy comic dialogue.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Roxie Munro. In picture book format, this volume provides a cursory history of the celebrated Texas lawmen from their beginnings in 1823 to the present. Vignettes of several men who played major roles in the organization are presented, including the two men who brought Bonnie and Clyde to justice. The conversational text is accompanied by cartoon-style colored-ink illustrations.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Ard Hoyt. Captured by Shawnee warriors in 1778, Daniel Boone persuades their chief to spare his men. He lives for months as a Shawnee before escaping to protect his family from an attack. Crosshatched watercolor, colored-pencil, and pen-and-ink illustrations capture the drama. Though an epilogue gives more history, the vague text raises more questions than it answers.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(4) 4-6 Youngest Templar series. Abbey-raised orphan Tristan joins crusading Templar Knights bound for the Holy Land. After Acre falls to siege, Tristan is entrusted with the Templars' greatest treasure: the Holy Grail. Joined by a king's archer and a girl assassin, Tristan must keep the Grail from his nemesis, Sir Hugh. Uneven in tone and narration, the book nonetheless contains enough adventure to hold readers' interest.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) YA Spy Goddess series. In a poorly titled novel that has nothing to do with shopping, juvenile delinquent Rachel finds herself sent to Blackthorn Academy, a very unorthodox boarding school. Sassy and sarcastic Rachel quickly finds herself in the middle of an action-packed if over-the-top mystery, heading up a mission to find the missing headmaster. This new series's best feature is its strong female protagonist.

Reviewer: Amanda Mc. MacGregor

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Ronald Himler. Based on Spradlin's informed opinion that the warrior Blue Jacket was a white man who had been captured by the Shawnee as a boy, this book imagines Blue Jacket's years among "the People." Supported by Spradlin's introductory and concluding notes, Blue Jacket's lengthy first-person narrative is informative but rather distant. The accompanying illustrations reflect events in the text.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn