(3) K-3 Illustrated by Neil Numberman. Inspired by TV superheroes, sand shark twins Flip and Fin decide to heroically return a beach ball to the shore--where they don't get quite the reception they expect. Eventually they decide it's the ball people are afraid of, not them. A general goodhearted goofiness pervades both the story and the action-packed cartoon illustrations in Flip and Fin's second book. Sand shark facts are appended.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Neil Numberman. Sand shark Flip wants to take the stage at school Joke Day, but he just needs a little practice. On the big night, Flip is struck with stage fright, but his twin Fin is there to help. This book is filled with so many fishy puns and visual quips that more than one read is sure to be demanded. Brief marine animal facts are appended.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) 1-3 Joey Fly, Private Eye series. Illustrated by Neil Numberman. In his second graphic novel, private investigator Joey Fly looks into another crime in the "bug city." Butterfly actress Greta Divawing has disappeared on the eve of her opening-night performance of Bugliacci; the suspects are other members of the cast. Varied cartoon-panel illustrations feature details of bug life that add interest and humor to the mystery.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(3) 1-3 Joey Fly, Private Eye series. Illustrated by Neil Numberman. In this graphic novel comic-drama, Joey Fly and his young assistant Sammy the scorpion solve the mystery of a missing pencil box and save a friendship gone wrong. Readers learn some tricks of the detective trade along with often-clumsy Sammy in this mock-noir satire of life in "the bug city." Sepia and blue-tinted illustrations feature exaggerated insect caricatures, ratcheting up the humor.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister