(4) 4-6 Scary Places series. After brief introductions, double-page spreads focus on specific archaeological finds or sites; each volume concludes with a map showing the locations. Though the busy design--featuring photographs, illustrations, and text boxes atop blurry, eerie backgrounds--strains misleadingly for spooky effect, the text itself is informative and focuses on facts rather than speculated paranormal activity. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Scary Places titles: Lost Cities and Mummy Lairs.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(3) YA Fans of the online and Syfy channel TV series featuring Riese will enjoy this look into her past as the heir to the throne of Eleysia, a land threatened by foreign enemies and the mysterious religious Sect. Chapters set in the series' present mix with flashbacks to Riese's romantic and adventurous youth. A good combination of teen romance and fantastic adventure.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) 4-6 Stone Rabbit series. Stone Rabbit and his friends use a pair of cursed dice and are transported inside a Dungeons & Dragons–esque game where they must defeat fantastical enemies to escape. This seventh entry has its predecessors' frenzied feel, but gamers may delight in the story, and action sequences, expressive characters, and bright colors will win over the young comics-loving crowd.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) 4-6 Stone Rabbit series. Stone Rabbit and friends return in a Halloween adventure. An atomic lamp interacts with dust, creating rampaging dust bunnies. This graphic novel features potty humor and breakneck action and is bound to appeal to graduates of the Captain Underpants books. The frantic illustrations are busy and the gross-out humor is dumb, but young comics fans won't mind. Glos.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) K-3 I Want to Know About series. This superficial volume introduces twelve dinosaurs, from the Ankylosaurus to the Iguanodon to the T. rex. Each double-page spread features a brief text with random (albeit interesting) facts, a chart indicating size relative to humans, and one or two illustrations. Casual browsers will be satisfied; report writers will need additional sources. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(3) 1-3 Flying Beaver Brothers series. Beaver brothers Ace and Bub live on Beaver Island, and in these first adventures they step up to save their home from evil resort-building penguins and a mackerel-run factory producing Fish Stix (toys). Humor and wordplay in the speech-bubble text will charm young graphic-novel lovers; comics-style illustrations--with spare lines, digital coloring, and lots of energy--maintain the action. Review covers these Flying Beaver Brothers titles: The Flying Beaver Brothers and the Evil Penguin Plan and The Flying Beaver Brothers and the Fishy Business.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(3) 1-3 Flying Beaver Brothers series. Beaver brothers Ace and Bub live on Beaver Island, and in these first adventures they step up to save their home from evil resort-building penguins and a mackerel-run factory producing Fish Stix (toys). Humor and wordplay in the speech-bubble text will charm young graphic-novel lovers; comics-style illustrations--with spare lines, digital coloring, and lots of energy--maintain the action. Review covers these Flying Beaver Brothers titles: The Flying Beaver Brothers and the Evil Penguin Plan and The Flying Beaver Brothers and the Fishy Business.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) 4-6 Adventurers Wanted series. Young wizard Alex (Slathbog's Gold) embarks on another quest, this time a search for the tomb and lost treasures of Albrek the dwarf. Fans can look forward to more magical adventures and the continued development of Alex's magical powers. Static supporting characters don't add to the action, but Alex is a dynamic main character with an appealing sense of honor and adventure.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) K-3 I Like to Read series. "'I wish I were a bird!' said Fish. 'I could fly high up in the sky.'" This is an appealing if familiar story about a fish who wishes to be a variety of creatures before realizing that "it is good to be a fish." The full-spread close-up images of the featured animals are more engaging than the simple text.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) K-3 I Want to Know About series. This superficial volume introduces twelve sea creatures, from coral to octopuses to walruses. Right-hand pages typically feature a large color photo; on the left, a brief text contains a few basic facts, and a small illustration shows the relative size of each creature compared to a familiar object. Report writers will need additional sources. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) 4-6 Warriors: Omen of the Stars series. This sixth and final book in the series brings together the previous installments' characters and story lines for a volume not to be missed by fans of the Warrior cats, who will dive right into the further adventures of members of Thunderclan, Shadowclan, Windclan, and Riverclan. New readers will find the complicated relationships among the vast number of characters overwhelming.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) 4-6 Seekers: Return to the Wild series. In this spin-off series, the remaining bear friends set out to return to their homes and families. New friendships and the question of whether the different bear species should remain together provide most of the drama. Series fans won't want to miss these first (Island) and second (Melting) installments, even though the adventures, at this point, have become repetitive. Review covers these Seekers: Return to the Wild titles: Island of Shadows and The Melting Sea.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) 4-6 Seekers: Return to the Wild series. In this spin-off series, the remaining bear friends set out to return to their homes and families. New friendships and the question of whether the different bear species should remain together provide most of the drama. Series fans won't want to miss these first (Island) and second (Melting) installments, even though the adventures, at this point, have become repetitive. Review covers these Seekers: Return to the Wild titles: Island of Shadows and The Melting Sea.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) 4-6 Writing Builders series. Illustrated by Karen Lee. Each book in this series features a fictional story in which the title student duo produces a writing project. Colorful cartoon illustrations (of ranging quality) combine with perky, helpful narration to show how the multicultural cast of students organize, write, and revise; pictures, format, and tone seem aimed at an audience too young for some of the projects. Reading list, websites. Glos. Review covers these Writing Builders titles: Isabella and Ivan Build an Interview, Seth and Savannah Build a Speech, Ben and Bailey Build a Book Report, Leah and LeShawn Build a Letter, Bridget and Bo Build a Blog, and Evan and Erin Build an Essay.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) 4-6 Writing Builders series. Illustrated by Melanie Siegel. Each book in this series features a fictional story in which the title student duo produces a writing project. Colorful cartoon illustrations (of ranging quality) combine with perky, helpful narration to show how the multicultural cast of students organize, write, and revise; pictures, format, and tone seem aimed at an audience too young for some of the projects. Reading list, websites. Glos. Review covers these Writing Builders titles: Isabella and Ivan Build an Interview, Seth and Savannah Build a Speech, Ben and Bailey Build a Book Report, Leah and LeShawn Build a Letter, Bridget and Bo Build a Blog, and Evan and Erin Build an Essay.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(3) 4-6 In this fourth adventure, "Man With the Plan" Griffin Bing and his friends liberate unruly pup Luthor from the pound and must make the former attack dog into a champion show dog. Griffin's scheming ways pair well with the rivalries and competition in the world of dog shows. Korman's signature action sequences and humor will maintain readers' investment in these characters.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(3) 4-6 The Breakfast Bunch kids join Mathletes, but Lunch Lady senses something unusual about their opposing team. Next there's a rash of acne, and Lunch Lady suspects the school photographer has a maniacal plan. As usual, the kids, perceptive quasi-superhero Lunch Lady, and her sidekick Betty save the day. Rollicking action, humor, and bold cartoons deliver in these series installments. Review covers these titles: Lunch Lady and the Mutant Mathletes and Lunch Lady and the Picture Day Peril.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(3) 4-6 The Breakfast Bunch kids join Mathletes, but Lunch Lady senses something unusual about their opposing team. Next there's a rash of acne, and Lunch Lady suspects the school photographer has a maniacal plan. As usual, the kids, perceptive quasi-superhero Lunch Lady, and her sidekick Betty save the day. Rollicking action, humor, and bold cartoons deliver in these series installments. Review covers these titles: Lunch Lady and the Mutant Mathletes and Lunch Lady and the Picture Day Peril.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) 1-3 Graphic Universe: Miss Annie series. Illustrated by Flore Balthazar. Coloring by Robin Doo. Innocent house kitten Miss Annie describes her life, the people who provide for her, her friendship with a mouse, and her introduction to other cats and the world outside her master's home. Annie is appealingly drawn in these lighthearted feline coming-of-age graphic novels, but her very adventurous spirit sometimes feels forced. Review covers these Graphic Universe: Miss Annie titles: Freedom! and Rooftop Cat.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) 1-3 Graphic Universe: Miss Annie series. Illustrated by Flore Balthazar. Coloring by Robin Doo. Innocent house kitten Miss Annie describes her life, the people who provide for her, her friendship with a mouse, and her introduction to other cats and the world outside her master's home. Annie is appealingly drawn in these lighthearted feline coming-of-age graphic novels, but her very adventurous spirit sometimes feels forced. Review covers these Graphic Universe: Miss Annie titles: Freedom! and Rooftop Cat.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister