(4) 4-6 Jaguar Stones series. Max, Lola, and their companions continue their quest to find the Jaguar Stones. They end up on a wild globetrotting adventure that includes talking monkeys, ghost ships, ancient Central American cities, and a baseball game featuring the ghosts of Red Sox past. The whole setup is bizarre, but fans will want to keep reading to see how the exciting series wraps up.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 Jaguar Stones series. Max Murphy is a moody, selfish fourteen-year-old. When his archaeologist parents abandon a family vacation for a Mayan dig, Max's fury lasts until he's sent to rescue them in Central America. Although the characters are thinly developed, murder, smugglers, and volatile Mayan deities keep the plot moving. The extensive information on Mayan culture will appeal to history fans. Glos.

Reviewer: Bethany Templeton Klem

(4) 4-6 Jaguar Stones series. After rescuing his parents from the Mayan underworld, Max Murphy (Middleworld) owes the repulsive Lords of Death any favor they request. Max's assigned task will secure his family's freedom, but it will also grant the vile Lords omnipotent domain over Earth. Despite some plot holes, this globetrotting adventure has satisfying doses of action, suspense, and awkward adolescent romance.

Reviewer: Bethany Templeton Klem

(3) YA Oxford Portraits in Science series. This thorough account of the famous astronomer's life includes the development of the Laws of Planetary Motion and detailed consideration of the history and politics of practicing science in the seventeenth century. The readable text is sometimes grandiose, yet presents a good narrative for advanced readers with strong science backgrounds. Black-and-white historical illustrations help clarify complex scientific ideas. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford