(2) 1-3 Illustrated by Hannah Shaw. In these seven connected short stories, ordinary kid Archie always seems to be in the middle of crazy events, but his mother, unaware of the exciting happenings, is only exasperated that he has failed to complete his errands. Accompanied by humorous illustrations, this British import is easy enough for young chapter-book readers but complicated enough to tickle those who love mystery.

Reviewer: Robin L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2012

(3) 4-6 A boy and a bear find themselves on a voyage on the high seas. At times they test each other's patience but become close friends as together they surmount various obstacles. While their destination is unclear, the mysterious quality of their adventure only adds to the richness of their burgeoning friendship. Illustrations range from small vignettes to full-page art.

Reviewer: Pearl Higgins

(3) 4-6 Verity Gallant (Mistress of the Storm) faces another danger from the Keepers of the Elements. Again searching for clues in ancient books, Verity and friends try to stop the vengeful Earth Witch, who's ravaging their harbor town of Wellow and attempting to wipe out all happiness. An evocatively described seaside setting, mystical elements, and a tense climax will enchant fantasy lovers.

Reviewer: Brittany Schlorff

(4) YA Stopmouth (The Inferior), leader of the primitive tribe near the earth's surface, travels to the technologically sophisticated world Upstairs. When he finds the Roof almost empty of life, Stopmouth must find his love Indrani, avoid the tyrannical Commission's hunters, and save both worlds. The blend of primitive and high-tech worlds is still appealing in this violent, somewhat difficult-to-follow sequel.

Reviewer: Jenn Matters

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Oliver Jeffers. Noah, eight, "couldn't bear to stay [home] any longer." The bulk of the book consists of dialogue between Noah and "the old man," a puppet maker. Noah's troubles emerge in response to the man's parallel experiences; meanwhile, Pinocchio references accumulate. Like Collodi's classic, this story is weighed down by its message. Still, it's briskly told and provides a sympathetic take on a sober topic.

Reviewer: Joanna Rudge Long | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2011

(2) YA Mikey and Ellie are drawn together despite circumstance: Mikey's sister has accused Ellie's brother of rape. While Mikey knows who Ellie is from the beginning, she's initially unaware of his identity. Downham provides an intriguing look at the crisis from the siblings' perspectives. Omniscient narration describes their separate thoughts and feelings, sharing a united experience as unlikely partners, equal victims, and parallel protagonists.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2011

(2) 4-6 At thirteen, Andi's passion is basketball; the arrival from the Philippines of her older eight-foot-tall half brother Bernardo is mostly a distraction. Gourlay's light touch allows the relationships to develop and the story to be revealed delicately, layer by layer. It's a complex yet highly accessible and engaging novel that lends itself to discussion both of concrete topics and abstract ideas.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2011

(2) 4-6 When Martha's alcoholic dad hits rock bottom, she and her brother are sent to live with their strict maternal grandparents. Martha escapes her dreary new life by acting in her flamboyant friend's brief remakes of famous movies. Mason shows keen insights into human foibles and family dynamics in this humorous and poignant portrait of a believable girl and her imperfect but loving family.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2011

(2) 4-6 With his WWI widow mother having trouble making ends meet, eleven-year-old scam artist Johnny places adverts for gullible newspaper readers. (Want your baby to stop wetting the bed? Send an SASE and one shilling for the answer.) He also unwittingly gets his mother charged with murder. The mystery-story plot moves convincingly and quickly, layered with thought-provoking questions about respect and civility.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2011

(4) 1-3 Pocket Cats series. Illustrated by Joanna Harrison. Maddy is delighted when her tiny ceramic cats (from Paw Power) work their magic again. Black cat Nibs helps her prevent cousin Chloe from running away (Shadow), and tabby Ollie gives Maddy's best friend confidence to show off her ballet skills (Charm). These simple, illustrated chapter books are appealing, but Briticisms may be confusing. Review covers these Pocket Cats titles: Feline Charm and Shadow Magic.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) 1-3 Pocket Cats series. Illustrated by Joanna Harrison. Maddy settles for three ceramic cats instead of the real thing and is soon surprised when one of them--Greykin--comes to life. The magic cat's mission is to help Maddy confront the school bully and discover her own inner strength. Though the text is cutesy, the book, with its large type and numerous illustrations, will appeal to newly independent, cat-loving readers.

Reviewer: Aimee Chevrette Bear

(3) 4-6 Ignored and unpopular, Verity lives invisibly until the Storm docks in the local harbor. Then a vicious, otherworldly grandmother makes life unbearable. Armed with two friends, a strange book, and a mysterious talisman, Verity must find strength to reshape her life's tale. Rich characters and a credible seaside location weave a satisfying narrative of greed, ambition, and the power of stories.

Reviewer: Bethany Templeton Klem

(3) YA After the world floods, X Isle is supposed to be a refuge for the young men chosen to go there. Baz and Ray's delight over being picked quickly changes to horror when they realize that the island is a forced labor camp run by a madman. The characters are well realized, and issues of starvation, murder, and camaraderie heighten tension.

Reviewer: Lauren Chambers

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Mini Grey. Aurora, Storm, and Any Eden thought their troubles were over at the end of Into the Woods, but no. A witch needs a new heart and sets her sights on Aurora's; Any is turned into a frog; Storm must return the Pied Piper's pipe to the Underworld. The fractured fairy-tale stew is more haphazard here, but it's a well-conceived and entertaining mash-up nonetheless.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2010

(2) 4-6 Jim and Charlie discover that two of their teachers are evil aliens--then Charlie disappears. What follows is a madcap action romp that includes a motorcycle chase, rock climbing in Scotland, and a change of scene to outer space. Through derring-do, cliffhangers, and wisecracks, the narrative manages to be both a send-up and a celebration of classic sci-fi.

Reviewer: Sarah Ellis | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2010

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Peter Bailey. Twins Toby and Tess share their lunch with an old man named Teller; in return he spins them a story in rhyme. Over subsequent meetings, the bearded man (eventually revealed as Merlin) tells the children four more tales knit together by prose. Old-fashioned-looking silhouettes and black-and-white line drawings illustrate the well-designed volume.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(2) YA "Trash boys" Raphael Fernandez and his friend Gardo never find anything of value...until one day they do. A leather bag containing a wallet, money, map, and key sends the young men off on a life-changing quest. The setting (an unnamed third-world country in the not-too-distant future) and characters are vividly realized, and the story is hugely entertaining.

Reviewer: Dean Schneider | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2010

(3) 4-6 Charlie's mother has a breakdown following the stillborn birth of her baby and the end of a serious relationship. Charlie struggles to make sense of the drastic changes in her life, but while trying to help her mother cope she also makes some interesting discoveries about herself. This well-written story offers insight into the mother-daughter relationship.

Reviewer: Aimee Chevrette Bear

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Pam Smy. Lucy and her grandpa share a special bond, strengthened by their love of growing things and their belief in Lob, a magical "green man" who helps tend Grandpa's garden. When Grandpa dies, Lucy and Lob's connection eventually brings them healing and renewal. Despite its contemporary British setting, this gentle fantasy has an appealingly old-fashioned sensibility. Rustic black-and-white drawings illustrate every chapter.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) K-3 Glass bottles are waiting for the recycling truck. Speech balloons convey the younger bottles' fears and the older ones' reassurance that atoms compose everything in the universe and that they've been here before ("The Earth recycles atoms"). It's a creative approach, if confusing to follow. Colorful drawings with yellow highlights emphasize the conservationist message.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian