(4) 4-6 Sci-Finity: Bug Team Alpha series. Illustrated by Patricio Clarey. An elite Earth-based Special Ops force, each member's genes grafted with different insect DNA, patrols the galaxy. The books feature a racially diverse rotating roster of lieutenants under Commander Dragonfly. Heavy on adventure, if light on character depth, this Star Trek–meets–G.I. Joe series is a good bet for reluctant or struggling middle-grade readers. Each volume includes discussion questions and writing prompts. There are three other fall 2017 books in this series. Glos. Review covers these Sci-Finity: Bug Team Alpha titles: The Dig, Juggernaut, and Stranded.

Reviewer: Jeannie Coutant

(4) 4-6 Sci-Finity: Bug Team Alpha series. Illustrated by James Nathaniel. An elite Earth-based Special Ops force, each member's genes grafted with different insect DNA, patrols the galaxy. The books feature a racially diverse rotating roster of lieutenants under Commander Dragonfly. Heavy on adventure, if light on character depth, this Star Trek–meets–G.I. Joe series is a good bet for reluctant or struggling middle-grade readers. Each volume includes discussion questions and writing prompts. There are three other fall 2017 books in this series. Glos. Review covers these Sci-Finity: Bug Team Alpha titles: The Dig, Juggernaut, and Stranded.

Reviewer: Jeannie Coutant

(4) 4-6 Sci-Finity: Bug Team Alpha series. Illustrated by James Nathaniel. An elite Earth-based Special Ops force, each member's genes grafted with different insect DNA, patrols the galaxy. The books feature a racially diverse rotating roster of lieutenants under Commander Dragonfly. Heavy on adventure, if light on character depth, this Star Trek–meets–G.I. Joe series is a good bet for reluctant or struggling middle-grade readers. Each volume includes discussion questions and writing prompts. There are three other fall 2017 books in this series. Glos. Review covers these Sci-Finity: Bug Team Alpha titles: The Dig, Juggernaut, and Stranded.

Reviewer: Jeannie Coutant

(4) 4-6 Batman & Robin Adventures series. Illustrated by Luciano Vecchio. Batman and the Boy Wonder defeat familiar foes in these accessible books. Simple story lines--featuring comic book–style sound effects ("ZWIIIIP!") within the text--combine with rapid pacing and playful banter for slight but entertaining reads. Snazzy colors and popular characters will likely appeal to reluctant readers. Discussion questions and writing prompts are appended. Glos. Review covers these Batman & Robin Adventures titles: The Joker's Magic Mayhem, Scarecrow's Nightmare Maze, Clayface's Slime Spree, and Two-Face Face-Off.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) 4-6 Batman & Robin Adventures series. Illustrated by Luciano Vecchio. Batman and the Boy Wonder defeat familiar foes in these accessible books. Simple story lines--featuring comic book–style sound effects ("ZWIIIIP!") within the text--combine with rapid pacing and playful banter for slight but entertaining reads. Snazzy colors and popular characters will likely appeal to reluctant readers. Discussion questions and writing prompts are appended. Glos. Review covers these Batman & Robin Adventures titles: The Joker's Magic Mayhem, Scarecrow's Nightmare Maze, Clayface's Slime Spree, and Two-Face Face-Off.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) 4-6 Scooby-Doo! Comic Chapter Books series. Illustrated by Scott Neely. Scooby-Doo and the gang investigate a theater-haunting ghost and an animal spirit disrupting an archaeological dig in a hybrid series that mixes prose with comic-book art. All the elements of a Scooby-Doo Mystery Inc. story are present: fast-paced action, slapstick comedy, and supernatural hoaxes; however, the text-heavy hybrid format feels unbalanced, resulting in a disjointed reading experience. Includes extension questions and jokes. Glos. Review covers the following Scooby-Doo! Comic Chapter Books titles: Curse of the Stage Fright and Legend of the Gator Man.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(4) 4-6 Far Out Fairy Tales series. Illustrated by C. S. Jennings. Each brief, accessible comic retells a fairy tale with a sci-fi/fantasy twist: Jak and her robot friend Cow ride an elevator into space, zombies Hansel and Gretel try to eat the witch's brains, etc. The unremarkable revamps and panel illustrations are improved by thorough back matter, which notes changes to the source material and poses "visual questions" to help readers navigate graphic narratives. Glos. Review covers the following Far Out Fairy Tales titles: Jak and the Magic Nano-Beans, Hansel & Gretel & Zombies, Sleeping Beauty, Magic Master, and Goldilocks and the Three Vampires.

Reviewer: Amy Bennett-Zendzian

(4) 4-6 You Choose: Batman series. Illustrated by Ethen Beavers. In these brightly illustrated plot-your-own stories, readers guide the Dark Knight through Gotham City, chasing down villains on crime sprees via decisions made at crucial junctions. All lead to infallible Batman saving the day, which makes the You Choose series model feel like just a gimmick. Still, Batman's fans will probably enjoy the ride-along experience. Glos. Review covers the following You Choose: Batman titles: Super-Villain Smackdown and Terrible Trio.

Reviewer: David Elzey

(4) 4-6 You Choose series. Illustrated by Ethen Beavers. In this interactive tale, the Joker turns unwitting Gotham City citizens into criminal accomplices. Readers are called on to select weapons and make decisions for Batman as he chases down "the fiendish felon." Unlike many "choose-your-own" books, here readers aren't the main characters, nor are there any negative outcomes: Batman wins in all twelve endings. Insatiable Batman fans won't mind.

Reviewer: David Elzey

(4) 4-6 Comic Chapter Books series. Illustrated by Luciano Vecchio. Superheroes battle well-known foes in good-versus-evil scenarios. The lure of the occasional comics-style illustrations may be enough carrot for comics fans, though the formulaic stories lack depth and character development. Excessive use of sound effects ("FWOOOSH!" "KABOOM! KABOOOM!") is true to the comic-book genre. Back matter includes sketches and context questions. Glos. Review covers these titles: Prisoner of the Penguin! and The Real Man of Steel.

Reviewer: David Elzey