(4) 4-6 Thea Stilton series. In their first graphic novel, the Thea Sisters (five mice students who aspire to be journalists), look into a whale's odd behavior and the disruption of a Mouseford Academy ritual. Advanced language and an extensive back story from a related series make a poor starting place, but the illustrations' light, warm palette and a style reminiscent of classic adventure comics make this story appealing.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(4) 4-6 Dance Class series. Illustrated by Crip. These installments in the graphic novel series follow a group of teen dancers as they travel to St. Petersburg to perform The Nutcracker with the famous Mariinsky Theater (Russia) and then to London to audition for a holiday musical (Christmas). The humorous comic-strip vignettes are somewhat disjointed; friendship, dating, competition, and responsibility are themes throughout each volume. Review covers these Dance Class titles: A Merry Olde Christmas and To Russian, With Love.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(4) 4-6 Dance Class series. Illustrated by Crip. These installments in the graphic novel series follow a group of teen dancers as they travel to St. Petersburg to perform The Nutcracker with the famous Mariinsky Theater (Russia) and then to London to audition for a holiday musical (Christmas). The humorous comic-strip vignettes are somewhat disjointed; friendship, dating, competition, and responsibility are themes throughout each volume. Review covers these Dance Class titles: A Merry Olde Christmas and To Russian, With Love.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(4) 1-3 Translated by Joe Johnson. Illustrated by Marc Boutavant. In this French import, Ariol and his friends are regular school kids who happen to be various animals. The episodic stories in this loosely drawn graphic novel generally depict Ariol in a benignly funny social interaction. Readers used to stories that pack more of a punch may feel let down by these barely rising and falling arcs.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(4) 4-6 This graphic novel includes six Smurf stories in which they help a sickly Santa with his rounds, save talking snowmen and an enchanted tree, rescue Lazy Smurf, and, of course, foil the wicked Gargamel's plans; all but one story ("Ogre") sticks to the collection's holiday theme. Devoted fans will appreciate the recognizable art but may need help reading the tiny print.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner

(4) 4-6 Sybil the Backpack Fairy series. Illustrated by Antonello Dalena & Manuela Razzi. To help with her report on Napoleon, Nina's fairy Sybil magically transports her into her history book. While away, the troublemaking fairy of Nina's nemesis casts a spell on the book forcing Nina and Sybil to continuously travel through time, encountering monsters at every turn. The story can be difficult to follow, but the graphic novel's action-packed art helps resolve some confusion.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner

(4) 4-6 Dance Class series. Illustrated by Crip. REVIEW MISSING

Reviewer: Amy Kellman

(4) 4-6 Dance Class series. Illustrated by Crip. These graphic novels offer somewhat fractured comic strips loosely held together by the ballet class's (wacky) production of "Romeo and Juliet" and then their letting loose with African dance; the climaxes are both unexpected and humorous. The tiny cartoons of teen characters, focus on dating in the stories, and occasional innuendos are aimed at older middle-schoolers. Review covers these Dance Class titles: African Folk Dance Fever and Romeos and Juliet.

Reviewer: Amy Kellman

(4) 4-6 Classics Illustrated series. Adapted by Rodolphe Meyrand. Illustrated by Estelle Meyrand. Condensed graphic-novel versions of Stevenson's novel and two of Dickens's works (including the less well-known Mugby Junction) give reluctant readers an entryway into classic literature. The retellings are only adequate, but the illustrations and pacing of the graphic novels serve the material well. While not a substitute for the originals, these books retain some of the tone and flavor. Review covers these Classic Illustrated titles: Scrooge and Kidnapped.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) 4-6 Classics Illustrated series. Adapted by Mike Vosburg. Condensed graphic-novel versions of Stevenson's novel and two of Dickens's works (including the less well-known Mugby Junction) give reluctant readers an entryway into classic literature. The retellings are only adequate, but the illustrations and pacing of the graphic novels serve the material well. While not a substitute for the originals, these books retain some of the tone and flavor. Review covers these Classic Illustrated titles: Scrooge and Kidnapped.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) 4-6 These quirky comics feature two kids and their friend, a drawn monster who comes to life and becomes their pet. Adventures abound as the protagonists face, in two different volumes, mutated farm animals and an arena hosting the Huge Dinosaur Tournament. Equal parts bemusing and entertaining, these books will appeal to a specific kind of reader with a high tolerance for the strange. Review covers these titles: Monster Dinosaur and Monster Turkey.

Reviewer: April Spisak

(3) 4-6 These quirky comics feature two kids and their friend, a drawn monster who comes to life and becomes their pet. Adventures abound as the protagonists face, in two different volumes, mutated farm animals and an arena hosting the Huge Dinosaur Tournament. Equal parts bemusing and entertaining, these books will appeal to a specific kind of reader with a high tolerance for the strange. Review covers these titles: Monster Dinosaur and Monster Turkey.

Reviewer: April Spisak