(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Dave Phillips. Nosewise, wizard Merlin's eager dog, narrates this tale about magic, Fae, and the legendary Sword in the Stone. Nosewise loyally attends Merlin's magic lessons for apprentice Morgana, so this dog knows more than the usual canine tricks. When Merlin is kidnapped by Fae, Nosewise leaps to the rescue (with help from young Arthur). Humor and action dominate this lively middle-grade take on the legend.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(3) 4-6 Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates series. Illustrated by Dave Phillips. Recently turned freelance pirate, Hilary Westfield challenges Captain Blacktooth for leadership of the League, a proposition that requires extensive support and draws in even the primmest-seeming characters. Like the previous installments, this trilogy-ender comes with high stakes but also plenty of humor and cheery spot art to keep things light; documents and letters add interest to the narrative.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(3) 4-6 Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates series. Illustrated by Dave Phillips. Amid accusations of insufficiently piratical conduct, pirate Hilary Westfield must decide if she should risk her reputation in the League by rescuing Enchantress of the Northlands, Miss Pimm. Fans of the first installment will find the same combination of silliness and well-plotted adventure, complete with cheerful chapter-opening spot art and letters whose formality belies their absurdity.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(3) 4-6 Familiars series. Illustrated by Dave Phillips. The familiars--cat Aldwyn, frog Gilbert, and blue jay Skylar--are framed for a curse on Queen Loranella. To clear their names and save the ailing queen, the trio escapes imprisonment to search for a cure within the perilous land of dreams. The signature mixture of dry humor and gripping action makes this a worthy addition to the series.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(3) 4-6 Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates series. Illustrated by Dave Phillips. Piracy-obsessed Hilary clearly doesn't belong at her over-the-top finishing school, so she and her talking gargoyle run away the first chance they get and join a ragtag group of pirates. The ensuing quest rewards the careful reader with absurd humor and playful characters who are more than they first seem. Spot art and faux documents punctuate the madcap tale.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax