(4) 4-6 In 1542 Charles's supernatural abilities are misunderstood. But when a robot girl from the future tells him his powers will save the world, he smashes through time to 2042 to match wits with an evil genius. Although the narrative begins too hastily, Bly combines math, computer programming, genetics, and magic for a unique and exciting sci-fi/fantasy adventure.

Reviewer: Susan Graham

(3) 4-6 This special collector's edition includes two new short stories along with the original first volume of Hiccup and Toothless's friendship. In "How to Train Your Viking" Cowell tells a story from Toothless's perspective, and Vikings band together in "The Day of the Dreader." Cowell's crude black-and-white illustrations demonstrate humor and motion. The book jacket unfolds into a full-color poster.

Reviewer: Susan Graham

(3) 4-6 This guide "written by" Viking Hiccup explores the basics of dragon anatomy, nests, eggs, and hibernation with full-color illustrations on glossy pages. The art matches the text, with frenzied color for scarier dragons and sparser doodles for the comedy series fans expect. Species charts and a foldout map of the Barbaric Archipelago are included at book's end.

Reviewer: Susan Graham

(3) YA As seventeen-year-old Ileni's magic begins to fade, she's sent to the Black Mountain to tutor assassins in sorcery. With the help of Sorin, her student and assigned protector, she must discover who killed her predecessors before someone kills her. Ileni proves a compelling protagonist, and the blend of romance, assassins, magic, and murder-mystery consistently raises the stakes.

Reviewer: Susan Graham

(4) YA Sixteen-year-old Kyra returns five years after her mysterious disappearance and hasn't aged a day. When more superhuman capabilities emerge, she must surrender to the NSA or join the other Returned in hiding. Despite an entertaining premise and a tense reveal regarding Kyra's disappearance, an overbearing and unbelievable romance keeps the more compelling relationships with her family and the militant Returned secondary.

Reviewer: Susan Graham

(4) YA Into the Dark series. A dual narrative, this retelling of the Persephone myth follows Haden, disgraced prince of the Underrealm, in search of a key to his troubled kingdom, and Daphne, the mortal girl he must convince to follow him there to help. With its myriad characters and unwieldy subplots, the lengthy book lacks focus. However, the world-building and myth-weaving are inventive and the protagonists engaging.

Reviewer: Susan Graham

(3) 4-6 Arie Mae, twelve, wishes for "my own true friend." She writes letters to her cousin Caroline, but the letters go unanswered. Then Tom moves to town from the city, and Arie Mae finally has a partner in adventure. Set in North Carolina's mountains in the 1920s, this novel exploring friendship and country life is rich in regional dialect and a sense of place.

Reviewer: Susan Graham

(4) 1-3 Ghost and Max Monroe series. Illustrated by Kim Smith. During a stay with his grandpa Harry, Max Monroe discovers that Great-Uncle Larry was a detective who died having never solved a case. When a birthday girl disappears in the magician's box at her party, Max and ghost Larry step up to solve the case. Slow pacing hinders the quirky supernatural detective story, but silly black-and-white illustrations complement the text.

Reviewer: Susan Graham

(4) YA In a society divided into genetically superior Priors and lowly Imperfects, Prior ballerina Davis and Imp prizefighter Cole find a dangerous romance. But when Priors get sick due to their genetic alterations and the government covers it up, the two sow the seeds for a revolution. The dystopian/romance series-starter rooted in athleticism is told in alternating perspectives that complicate issues of class.

Reviewer: Susan Graham

(4) 4-6 Upon his grandfather's death, twelve-year-old orphan Vince receives his grandfather's journal filled with stories of the man's fantastical adventures. To attend the funeral, Vince escapes from the orphanage, and his journey unfolds alongside his grandfather's in alternating chapters. High-contrast black-and-white illustrations add movement and suspense to a fast-paced but fragmented fantasy at turns frightening and hopeful.

Reviewer: Susan Graham

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Scott Garrett. Science-minded sleuths Nick and Tesla are still with Uncle Newt while their parents (supposedly) research soybean irrigation techniques in Uzbekistan; these second and third capers up the ante with robotics and spy technology. The books' humor is both smart and silly, and the mysteries are surprisingly complex. Garrett illustrates tense scenes as well as instructions for the twins' experiments, which remain inventive yet simple. Review covers these titles: Nick and Tesla's Robot Army Rampage and NIck and Tesla's Secret Agent Battle.

Reviewer: Susan Graham

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Scott Garrett. In this fourth zany science-centric mystery, a science museum hires Uncle Newt and his "kinda-sorta girlfriend" Hiroko to fix life-size robot replicas of famous scientists, which are dangerously malfunctioning. But twin sleuths Nick and Tesla and their friends discover that the malfunctions are foul play. Enjoyably chaotic black-and-white illustrations and the included do-it-yourself science experiments combine to make one impressive glove.

Reviewer: Susan Graham

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Scott Garrett. Science-minded sleuths Nick and Tesla are still with Uncle Newt while their parents (supposedly) research soybean irrigation techniques in Uzbekistan; these second and third capers up the ante with robotics and spy technology. The books' humor is both smart and silly, and the mysteries are surprisingly complex. Garrett illustrates tense scenes as well as instructions for the twins' experiments, which remain inventive yet simple. Review covers these titles: Nick and Tesla's Robot Army Rampage and NIck and Tesla's Secret Agent Battle.

Reviewer: Susan Graham

(4) YA Jenna's guardian-angel brother Casey has lost the use of his wings and needs to know why he's still on earth. The siblings turn to rowdy angel Bo Shivers for answers, but he has another agenda. The journal format creates some pacing issues (e.g., Jenna rehashes events from the previous installment, The Sweet Dead Life, too often), but the characters are mildly engaging.

Reviewer: Susan Graham

(3) 4-6 Pirate Stream series. Illustrated by Todd Harris. "It is said the Bintheyr Map to Everywhere will take its possessor wherever he or she needs to go." Marrill, on a ship sailing the inter-dimensional Pirate Stream, needs to get back home. Fin, a master thief no one seems to remember, needs to find his mother. And they aren't the only ones looking for the Map. A clever, fast-paced adventure.

Reviewer: Susan Graham

(4) 4-6 In 1987, twelve-year-old Annie visits her estranged grandmother, Molly, on her deathbed and somehow time travels to 1937 to meet her as a sickly child. In homage to The Secret Garden (referenced explicitly in the text), Annie gives young Molly the courage to explore the outside world. Despite good one-liners and lots of sneaking out, didacticism dissipates the story's tension.

Reviewer: Susan Graham

(3) 4-6 Riverman Trilogy series. Set in 1989, this thriller follows Alistair Cleary as he records the life story of his neighbor, Fiona Loomis, and her travels to the world of Aquavania. As she tells of the Riverman who steals children's souls, Alistair begins to look for a real-world threat. Both thoughtful and frightening, Starmer's novel explores the nature of reality versus fantasy and the boundaries of storytelling.

Reviewer: Susan Graham

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Andy Bialk & Keith Frawley. Based on the How to Train Your Dragon film franchise's Book of Dragons, this volume profiles familiar species, including Night Fury and Gronckle, and introduces new ones such as the Bewilderbeast and the Seashocker. The simple text doesn't offer much that fans don't already know, but they'll be dazzled by this elaborate production's tactile illustrations on heavy paper stock.

Reviewer: Susan Graham

(3) YA Fire artist and athlete Aria uses her abilities to join a professional league, escape her abusive father, and create a way out for her sister. Her powers are stolen, however, and she needs to acquire her own natural fire-making magic. The story is infused with a Middle Eastern atmosphere, and Aria is her own hero, even saving her djinn boyfriend.

Reviewer: Susan Graham

(4) 4-6 Ravens Pass series. Illustrated by Amerigo Pinelli. In Cheaters, a demon terrorizes Mia, Jimmy, and Andrew for cheating on a math test. Home features Jay and Theresa as their enchanted house makes it impossible to move away. There's not much character depth or development, but the mysteries of Ravens Pass and its citizens will attract reluctant readers, as will the both comical and disturbing black-and-white cartoon illustrations. Glos. Review covers these Ravens Pass titles: Cheaters and ]cf2]No Place like Home.

Reviewer: Susan Graham