(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Adam F. Watkins. This second browsable volume of horror poetry covers hungry giants, malicious fairies, a devil possession (on school picture day), nefarious neighbors, and more. With a variety of rhyme schemes, the poems stick to scary subject material, with occasional hints of humor to lighten the mood. Watkins's creepy pencil drawings recall Stephen Gammell's in Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.

Reviewer: Sian Gaetano

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Chuck Gonzales. These browsable guides shouldn't be taken too seriously. The armchair adventurer/fantasy volumes (Extreme; Weird) are more (mildly) entertaining than useful. The self-help guides (Junior; Gross; School) do contain practical information on tween-friendly topics. The books' jokey tone grows tiring, however: "Bare your teeth and make some noise, y'all." The accessible design and cartoon illustrations add to the volumes' appeal. Review covers these Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook titles: Junior Edition, Extreme Junior Edition, Weird Junior Edition, Gross Junior Edition, and Middle School.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Adam F. Watkins. A collection of thirty scary poems is accompanied by truly spooky, atmospheric illustrations that, when combined, make for an unusual horror collection. The poems edge toward humor on occasion but mostly stick to frightening topics. The sameness of the format (poem on verso, illustration on recto) makes this a better choice for dipping into rather than reading through.

Reviewer: April Spisak

(3) 4-6 The students of Mary Todd Lincoln Middle School (The Secret Life of Ms. Finkleman) return to solve another mystery. When a trophy is stolen, Principal Van Vreeland cancels the eighth grade's beloved trip to Taproot Valley, and it's up to Bethesda to save it. The story's many different points of view work well to heighten tension and explore motivation.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(3) 4-6 A social studies class assignment prompts seventh-grader Bethesda to dig into the true identity of her unassuming music teacher, Ms. Finkleman. Bethesda uncovers more than she'd bargained for, as her investigation reveals surprising details about Ms. Finkleman's rock-and-roll past. Humorous and entertaining, the story will appeal to mystery lovers and music fans alike.

Reviewer: Aimee Chevrette Bear