(4) 4-6 Fans of Surviving the Applewhites and Applewhites at Wit's End should agreeably accompany the quirky crew on their coast-to-coast, marginally educational bus trip in this third book. Those not well acquainted with the family may be less amused by their idiosyncrasies and foibles. E.D. and Jake alternate the focus in each chapter as they (somewhat tiresomely) navigate hormonal infatuations and learn to appreciate true friendship.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(3) 4-6 To save their home after a financial swindle, the creative, quirky Applewhite clan (Surviving the Applewhites) hilariously bands together to run a summer camp for talented kids. The influx of rebellious brainiacs and a mysterious inspector tests then expands everyone's abilities. Each character sparkles and gets a turn in the spotlight.

Reviewer: Brittany Schlorff

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Amy June Bates. Third grader Max, new in school, the victim of bullies, and dealing with his parents' divorce, retreats into a make-believe world. Longing for a dog, he imagines a shop called Wishworks where wishes come true. Max's relationship with his sister and mother as they adjust to the divorce is touching, painful, and believable. Bates's soft, realistic illustrations help tie the story together.

Reviewer: Robin L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2009

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Margie Moore. After being invited by an angel "to the stable," Bartholomew Mouse follows the other animals toward the new star in the sky. The writing is a bit precious, but the religious aspects of this Nativity story never overwhelm the text, and readers will be drawn to the delicate illustrations and to Bartholomew's struggle to carry his small gifts for the Prince through the snow.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) 4-6 Twelve-year-old E.D. Applewhite is the sensible, organized sister in a free-wheeling family of artists and writers. Juvenile delinquent Jake comes to stay with--and be homeschooled by--the Applewhites after he's kicked out of yet another school. In this warm and amusing romp, E.D. and Jake come to recognize their own talents--and better understand each other--while working on a chaotic community theater production of The Sound of Music.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) YA The Filkins family, religious fundamentalists featured in Save Halloween!, return in a novel that addresses conflicts between science and faith. Eighth-grader Mark, chafing at being an identical twin, befriends a Nobel-winning scientist, who has returned to Bradyville to die. Mark attempts to save Colin's life through sustained prayer. The novel presents an even-handed and thoughtful examination of a complex issue.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) 4-6 Fifteen-year-old Jared moves in with the actor father he's never met and gets a part as one of the doomed princes in his father's production of Shakespeare's Richard III. A malevolent theater ghost stokes the hostile rivalry between Jared and his spoiled half-brother, leading to a narrowly missed tragedy mirroring the bard's play. Drama buffs will especially enjoy this well-paced ghost story despite its two-dimensional characters.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute