(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Jennifer A. Bell. More than anything, Mark wants a dog. His mom, the town's mayor, says no. More than anything, dog Buddy wants a boy. But hers has moved away. More than anything, shy Charles Larue wants to belong. But the town has labeled him as odd and shunned him. A chance thunderstorm fixes all their problems in this somewhat trite but sweet verse novel.

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(4) 4-6 Six Crowns series. Illustrated by Gary Chalk. In the third installment of the quick-paced series, hedgehogs Trundle and Esmeralda continue to flee from evil Captain Grizzletusk while seeking the next crown in their quest. This time they work to wake up a sleepy phoenix in an attempt to find the Crown of Fire. Exaggerated characters are sometimes more annoying than humorous.

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(4) 4-6 Sisters in All Seasons series. Stepsisters Diana and Stephanie couldn't be more different. Flung together on vacations with their newlywed parents, the new siblings must figure out their relationship while dealing with drama about animals in the area. Although the dialogue is often too stiff and the plots overly moralistic, the character development of the two girls as individuals facing a difficult transition is well done. Review covers these Sisters in All Seasons titles: Summer of the Wolves and Wild Horse Spring.

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(4) 4-6 Sisters in All Seasons series. Stepsisters Diana and Stephanie couldn't be more different. Flung together on vacations with their newlywed parents, the new siblings must figure out their relationship while dealing with drama about animals in the area. Although the dialogue is often too stiff and the plots overly moralistic, the character development of the two girls as individuals facing a difficult transition is well done. Review covers these Sisters in All Seasons titles: Summer of the Wolves and Wild Horse Spring.

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(4) 4-6 With HB Gilmour. Grace never wanted to train a service dog, but when she goes with her sister to the shelter a large dog speaks to her. Soon she is training Rex and beginning to process her father's recent death. Well-developed characters and a consistent fantasy twist make this story engaging. A complicated sub-plot involving a young gang member and Grace’s father's murder is slightly distracting.

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(4) 4-6 Mikhail protects dog Zasha after her owner's death. In post-WWII Russia, though, German shepherds are outlaws ("Only traitors would keep a German shepherd...maybe you are hiding a German, and not just a German dog"). Canine thieves, a secret Russian dog-breeding program, and a subplot involving Mikhail's missing solider-father keep the pace moving (sometimes at the expense of character development).

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(4) 4-6 Class hamster Humphrey is glad to return to Room 26 for the new school year. He hadn't realized that his beloved students would be moving on, though, and he worries that he and friend Og might be moved to different classrooms. Though it's all a little too familiar-seeming, new characters with their own struggles (lateness, nosiness) add some zest.

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(4) 1-3 Illustrated by Noah Z. Jones. This third Bed and Biscuit book is darker than the others. "Magic chicken" Malicia pulls a number of mean-spirited tricks. Ernest, valiant mini-pig, leads the gang in stopping her. There's some didacticism in the message about standing up to a bully (the magical elements add some confusion), and the animals' plan to fight back seems rather cruel. Black-and-white illustrations add levity.

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(4) 4-6 In their third Secret Zoo book, Noah, Richie, Megan, and Ella continue to learn more about the secrets of the underground zoo. The story turns darker with the dangers of the sasquatches; it doesn't hold as much fancy or delight as the earlier two books. The fast-paced adventures could use more detailed backstory.

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(4) 4-6 In their second Secret Zoo adventure, Noah, Ella, Megan, and Richie return to the hidden world beneath the public zoo. They begin their training as "Crossers," starting to learn how to protect and better understand the secret land. Emphasis on introducing new characters and details about the fantasy world leave the book light on action until an exciting ending.

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Barry Moser. Skilley the cat finds the "purrfect" job at Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese Inn. There he poses as a mouser, but he's actually protecting the large mouse community in exchange for cheese. As he befriends the mice and fights a cruel alley cat, he's drawn into the world of Charles Dickens and even Queen Victoria. Witty wordplay and detailed pencil drawings abound. Glos.

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(3) 4-6 Novice actor Stefan is excited to be starring in a science-fiction movie on location in Slovakia. When a blizzard hits the site, Stefan must save himself and three costars--a famous teen actress, a young asthmatic, and an aging star--from avalanches, illness, and vicious wolves; his survival instincts prove strong. The exciting adventure is well paced, and the characters ring true.

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(4) 4-6 Six Crowns series. Illustrated by Gary Chalk. Ambushed by Princess Esmeralda, Trundle the Lamplighter finds himself drawn into a whirlwind of adventure. Esmeralda is convinced that Trundle must help fulfill an ancient prophecy, so off the two hedgehogs go, fighting pirates, rescuing slaves, and stowing away on ships that sail through space. The action is jam-packed, but the the story's logic doesn't always keep up.

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(4) 4-6 Six Crowns series. Illustrated by Gary Chalk. Unlikely hedgehog hero Trundle (Trundle's Quest) and his dramatic but brave companion Esmeralda continue their efforts to find the legendary Six Crowns. As they attempt to locate Aunt Millie for clues and for help, they must escape the pursuit of evil pirates. The story has plenty of adventure but lacks enough detail for readers to fully buy into the fantasy world.

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(4) 1-3 Illustrated by Ann Blades. Tod and Jen hate doing their farm chores, but when the cows escape, the sibs step up to find them. The straightforward story line may attract transitional readers. However, awkward dialogue detracts from the most appealing point: the children sincerely, refreshingly dislike caring for the cows and never change that opinion. Stiff pictures display the action.

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(4) 4-6 The small town of Clydesdale has a feral cat problem. Lee paints the town's atrocities against the cats with a heavy hand; practically any imagined violence toward strays is detailed here. The kindness of two teens and of protagonist Billy eventually saves the day in a dramatic fashion. The chapters told from the cats' viewpoints are more captivating than the main text.

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Yuta Onoda. Through weird-girl Iona, Callum learns about the osprey pair living on his family's Scotland farm. Soon he's deeply involved in tracking the creatures, to the exclusion of his other friends and interests. There are some over-the-top plot twists, but intriguing details about the ospreys compensate for them by keeping the story grounded in fact. Occasional black-and-white illustrations add atmosphere. Websites.

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(3) 4-6 Shep, reluctant leader of a pack of former pet dogs, struggles to keep himself and his friends alive in their hurricane-ravaged city. Fighting off wild curs and avoiding toxic conditions, Shep's pack grows increasingly large and more confident. The depiction of natural destruction from a domesticated animal's point of view makes for an intriguing narrative.

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Amy June Bates. William's father leaves; his mother is about to have a baby; and his little sister Elinor is talking with the family's new pets--four dogs and a cat. Soon William starts hearing the animals, too, and when his father returns, the pets help keep the family together. Emotions ring true in this poignant story about family dynamics.

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(4) 4-6 Animal Tales series. Illustrated by Guy Francis. Plow horse Fred believes he is really "Federico the Dancing Horse" and searches for a place where he can dance to "the song in my heart." He ultimately ends up in a circus alongside his beloved human friend, Lena. Fred/Federico's often ponderous narration isn’t very light on its feet, but this is nevertheless a gently entertaining story accompanied by genial illustrations.

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang