(4) 4-6 Jake Maddox JV series. Breakneck soccer, football, basketball, and baseball action dominate these message-driven short novels about middle-school boys who learn lessons concerning the importance of doing the right thing for your friends and yourself while seeking the glory of winning. The easy-to-read, engaging hi-lo books also include discussion questions, writing prompts, and interesting facts about each sport. Glos. Review covers these Jake Maddox JV titles: Block and Rock, Free Throw Fail, Home Safe Home, and Soccer Sabotage.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 Spine Shivers series. Illustrated by Neil Evans. This not-so-scary series has a boy haunted by a creature out of a videotape (think The Ring) and a girl trapped in a sinister Truman Show–like program. While the creep-factor may underwhelm die-hard horror fans, the suspenseful narratives will work for newcomers and/or reluctant readers. Back matter includes discussion questions, writing prompts, and brief backstory for the supernatural events. Glos. Review covers the following Spine Shivers titles: Do Not Watch and Fade to Black.

Reviewer: Sian Gaetano

(4) 4-6 Jake Maddox JV series. A mixture of fast-paced sports action and interpersonal conflicts plays out in these message-based hi-lo novels about middle schoolers on JV basketball, snowboarding, soccer, and tae kwon do teams. Readers will relate to the characters' emotions in each predictably resolved conflict. The easy-to-read books also include discussion questions, writing prompts, and interesting facts about each sport. Glos. Review covers the following Jake Maddox JV titles: Basketball Breakdown, Snowboard Struggle, Soccer Step-Up, and Tae Kwon Do Clash.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 Spine Shivers series. Illustrated by Nelson Evergreen. This not-so-scary series covers many bases: evil clowns, ghost children, a robot apocalypse, and evil mud clones. While the creep-factor may be low for die-hard horror fans, the suspenseful narratives (and hair-raising covers) will work for newcomers and/or reluctant readers. Three full-page black-and-white illustrations accompany each book. Back matter includes discussion questions, writing prompts, and brief backstory for the supernatural events. Glos. Review covers these Spine Shivers titles: Attack of the Mud Creatures, The Grin in the Dark, The Screaming Bridge, and Tech Fury.

Reviewer: Sian Gaetano

(4) 4-6 Spine Shivers series. Illustrated by Nelson Evergreen. This not-so-scary series covers many bases: evil clowns, ghost children, a robot apocalypse, and evil mud clones. While the creep-factor may be low for die-hard horror fans, the suspenseful narratives (and hair-raising covers) will work for newcomers and/or reluctant readers. Three full-page black-and-white illustrations accompany each book. Back matter includes discussion questions, writing prompts, and brief backstory for the supernatural events. Glos. Review covers these Spine Shivers titles: Attack of the Mud Creatures, The Grin in the Dark, The Screaming Bridge, and Tech Fury.

Reviewer: Sian Gaetano

(4) YA Turbocharged series. Souped-up street-racing cars play more than bit parts in these action-packed hi/lo novelettes. Teenagers with racing knowledge, motivation, and advanced auto mechanic skills try to resolve thorny family dilemmas and peer conflicts or escape dangerous situations. Contrivances and coincidences drive the quick narratives to exciting climaxes. Each story is followed by a descriptive profile of the featured car. Review covers these Turbocharged titles: Drift, Slammed, Blind Curve, and Jacked.

Reviewer: Jack Forman