(3) 4-6 Humans have left Earth, but the animals that remain keep their memory alive through myth--as Old Devils, Skinless Ones, Companions. A crashed spaceship leaves one young human survivor; three loners (bear Casseomae, rat Dumpster, and dog P) help guide him toward safety that may not exist. A gracefully executed combination of sci-fi and animal fantasy, told through sympathetic but believably wild protagonists.

Reviewer: Bec Schaffner

(3) 4-6 Una is "Written In" to the land of Story, where children train as characters. She and friends Peter and Sam (a cat) investigate her mysterious arrival and unearth the administration's lies about missing Muses and a king no one remembers. Storybook themes and a game heroine may win Inkheart fans.

Reviewer: Bec Schaffner

(3) YA Accused of witchcraft in the midst of political unrest, Tess escapes execution--and a life of beatings. Befriending Wilde Island's missing prince and discovering her half-fairy parentage, Tess throws herself into danger for friends and country. Carey avoids every pitfall of her premise; the narrative benefits from excellent prose, a tough heroine, and few easy answers.

Reviewer: Bec Schaffner

(4) 4-6 Because of his birthmark, bookish Walker is declared a Chosen One by the aged king of the underground city of Nebula. Along with his not-a-girlfriend Frankie and disgraced Nebula prince Eddie, Walker reluctantly finds himself fighting the dark power threatening the city. Despite minimal character development and familiar story lines, there's some good action and commentary on willful ignorance.

Reviewer: Bec Schaffner

(4) 4-6 Ninevah Redstone must find Simeon Dark (the last living sorcerer) and stop evil Mr. Strood and his army of Tiger-men from destroying the land of the Drift--but her enemies are ruthless and determined to stop her first. Though overpopulated and frenetically paced, this alternately funny and terrifying story will appeal to fans of the first book, Seven Sorcerers.

Reviewer: Bec Schaffner

(4) YA Ellie lives in her older brother's shadow until, visiting their grandmother in Norway, she learns that she is a Valkyrie of Norse legend. Should she join the other Valkyries in building ancient god Odin's army, or stand against him? Tension slackens since all of Ellie's potential challenges are swept away with mystical powers, but this is nonetheless an enjoyable mythology-imbued adventure.

Reviewer: Bec Schaffner

(3) 4-6 Ashtown Burials series. In this fast-paced sequel to The Dragon's Tooth, siblings Cyrus and Antigone want to become Explorers in the Order of Brendan, but treaties between the Order and transmortals collapse. Well-grounded prose and complex, quirky characters give heft to a story predicated on the mythic heroism of explorers like Smith, Livingstone, and Boone.

Reviewer: Bec Schaffner

(4) YA Undertaken Trilogy series. With his father missing, Silas and his mother return to the family's ancestral home of Lichport, a place haunted by ghosts, graves, and talking corpses. Silas learns of his magical birthright, but he must contend with a murderous relative. Berk's gothic novel is slow paced, but it's filled with intriguing ideas and genuine creepiness.

Reviewer: Bec Schaffner

(3) 4-6 Accidental Adventure series. Illustrated by Jonny Duddle. In their second story, couch potatoes Oliver and Celia Navel take a trip to the Amazon (with a reality TV star) to find their missing explorer parents and the Lost Library of Alexandria. Despite a questionable cover and title, London consistently subverts stereotypes (spoiler: the cannibals aren't cannibals). His reluctant heroes are resourceful and engaging, their adventures well-paced and perilous.

Reviewer: Bec Schaffner