(4) YA Illustrated by Bob Lea. Armed with his father's jester costume and caravan, teenage half-elf Sebastian sets out to find a job. On the way, he's beset by wild animals--and wilder men--and rescues a princess, aided by his talking buffalope and a "hip-high" warrior. Though the plot offers few surprises, the straightforward writing and snappy humor are entertaining. Occasional full-page drawings illustrate the action.

Reviewer: Becky Levine

(4) 4-6 Gerbil Obi's owner has taken off for vacation, and Tad the pet sitter doesn't know he's supposed to feed Obi. Obi's ingenuity helps her survive until she can get a message to Tad. Though the story starts slowly and then meanders, animal lovers will enjoy the exploits of the gerbil, three cats, an old dog, some fish, and a parrot.

Reviewer: Becky Levine

(4) 4-6 Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles series. Nick and Laurie are back, taking over giant-hunting from Noseeum. With Jules and Cindy, the kids lure the giants away and save the town from destruction. While the plot is bland, fans will be glad to see Nick and Laurie starting to work as a team. Black-and-white full-page drawings and spot art illustrate much of the action.

Reviewer: Becky Levine

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Pascale Constantin. A "just small enough boy" has no facts about himself. The mysterious Facttracker promises to help him search, but the fact factory blows up and Ersatz the liar builds a liebrary to replace it. How the boy saves the world from lies and learns about himself is the core of this lively story, told with mischievous humor.

Reviewer: Becky Levine

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Victoria Jamieson. Gil Goodson has three things to prove: he's smart and athletic, and he's not the son of a crook. He enters the Gollywhopper Games, a contest of wits and agility sponsored by the huge toy company that accused his father of embezzlement. Readers will enjoy the light adventure, engaging characters, and descriptions of toys. Black-and-white illustrations accompany each chapter.

Reviewer: Becky Levine

(4) YA In this third book about teenage forensics prodigy and coroner's assistant Cameryn, her mother becomes a murder suspect. Cameryn must decide whether to hide her own involvement or tell the police. Though the protagonist's crime-scene poise is still difficult to buy, her emotional conflict adds depth to a tense, absorbing story.

Reviewer: Becky Levine

(3) 4-6 Stoneheart Trilogy series. In this sequel to Stoneheart, the Gunner has been captured, and George and Edie have barely caught their breaths before they're separated. All three battle their way through the story, struggling to save themselves and one another. The book is tightly paced and filled with layers of characterization and plot that make it even more exciting than its well-conceived predecessor.

Reviewer: Becky Levine

(4) 1-3 Illustrated by Erik Brooks. Jason has to write a report about some guy he's never heard of--Alexander Fleming. While doing Internet research, Jason comes across an exciting story about Fleming, then must backtrack to determine if it's true. While much of this process is realistic, Jason's growing excitement about homework is less so. Clear black-and-white drawings illustrate some pages. Bib.

Reviewer: Becky Levine

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Mia Posada. A second-person text ("You jut out your long toothy lip...") and collage-like illustrations take readers through a dragonfly's stages of growth from egg to nymph to adult. The presentation is effective, but the text tries too hard to be lyrical and the refrain--"Hello, growing dragonfly nymph!" "Hello, hungry dragonfly!"--quickly becomes tiresome. Back matter provides more information about the subject.

Reviewer: Becky Levine

(3) 4-6 New Yorker Maddy (Vampire Island) and her family of fruit bat–vampire hybrids are back. This time they're battling the evil Knaveheart, who's searching for an heir. When he picks her sister, Maddy steps up, coming to Lexie's rescue and making her first New World friend. Maddy's energy and humor will satiate vampire fans and readers who enjoy light horror.

Reviewer: Becky Levine

(4) 4-6 In her latest adventure, Emma wants the nanny (instead of Mom) to come to her travel soccer game in Washington, DC. Plus, Emma and her sibs want to get more pets though their parents say no. Emma tends to be too whiny, but her story moves quickly and readers may enjoy seeing how her creative schemes pan out.

Reviewer: Becky Levine

(3) K-3 Who Lives Here? series. Illustrated by Pat Stephens. These books describe the animal inhabitants of two habitats. After a general introduction about the habitat, each double-page spread highlights a specific animal, providing enough detail to hold readers' interest without overwhelming them. Muted illustrations, including a large main picture on the left and three smaller ones on the right, effectively supplement and help explain the texts. Review covers these Who Lives Here? titles: Polar Animals and Rain Forest Animals.

Reviewer: Becky Levine

(3) K-3 Who Lives Here? series. Illustrated by Pat Stephens. These books describe the animal inhabitants of two habitats. After a general introduction about the habitat, each double-page spread highlights a specific animal, providing enough detail to hold readers' interest without overwhelming them. Muted illustrations, including a large main picture on the left and three smaller ones on the right, effectively supplement and help explain the texts. Review covers these Who Lives Here? titles: Polar Animals and Rain Forest Animals.

Reviewer: Becky Levine

(4) 4-6 Warriors: Power of Three series. Jaypaw, Hollypaw, and Lionpaw return to the lake, stepping back into clan life and wrestling with their knowledge of the prophecy. Sol, a loner, brings warning of an eclipse, and his presence threatens to break up the clans. The familiar cats are as engaging as always, but without a concrete quest the story feels disconnected.

Reviewer: Becky Levine

(4) 4-6 Warriors series. Illustrated by Wayne McLoughlin. This volume features descriptions of the different clans and one-page biographies (accompanied by dramatic portraits) of important cats within each, as narrated by Rock, the keeper of the feline underworld. Though series fans won't learn much new information, they'll welcome the book into their collections.

Reviewer: Becky Levine

(4) 4-6 Warriors: Power of Three series. Apprentices Hollypaw, Lionpaw, and Jaypaw all feel a pull to the mountains and the Tribe of Rushing Water. There, they help the tribe build a new territory and fight off intruders. This book's plot is weaker than Hunter's usual standard, but readers will eagerly turn pages to watch the cats explore their own destinies.

Reviewer: Becky Levine

(3) 4-6 The Beaumont family is special. So special, in fact, that they each boast a supernatural talent called a savvy--from Rocket's way with electricity to Fish's power over wind and rain. What will Mibs's savvy be, and how will it help save her father? With a rhythmic, musical voice, Law takes readers on a fast-moving, fun-filled adventure, including lots of diverting detours.

Reviewer: Becky Levine

(3) K-3 Holiday House Readers: Nonfiction series. Illustrated by Diane Dawson Hearn. This book explores the plant and animal life in the world's rainforests, breaking them down into specific forest layers. The easy-reader text uses vocabulary that is basic enough for beginning readers while also incorporating content-area words (understory, epiphytes). Acrylics-painted illustrations show dozens of plants and animals. Two pages comparing and contrasting tropic and temperate rainforests are appended.

Reviewer: Becky Levine

(3) YA Alexandra's mother dies before explaining the full power of Alexandra's heritage. Alone, Alexandra must find her strength, rescue her brothers who have been turned into swans by their wicked stepmother, and restore health to the kingdom. Marriott's evocative prose and cleverly twisting plot develop her strong heroine beyond the confines of a fairy tale.

Reviewer: Becky Levine

(3) YA Janie is pulled into other people's dreams and nightmares. They want her to save them, but she doesn't know how to help. Janie can't tell anyone, and she feels all alone until meeting two others who can also walk in dreams. The story, told in terse language that alternates with more floridly described dreams, moves powerfully and quickly.

Reviewer: Becky Levine