(4) 4-6 Araminta Spookie series. Illustrated by John Kelly. In her seventh story, Araminta and her friend, Wanda, become stranded during a school field trip on an island inhabited by pirate ghosts. The skeleton pirates conscript the pair to dig up missing treasure and join their crew...unless Araminta can figure out how to break the pirates' curse. Cartoonish black-and-white illustrations highlight the humor and downplay anything scary in this mildly entertaining series episode.

Reviewer: Lauren Chambers

(4) 4-6 Araminta Spookie series. Illustrated by John Kelly. A silly caper with spooky scaffolding. Araminta (known as Minty to her uncle Drac) and her dim-witted sidekick, Wanda Wizzard, run a detective agency. Naturally, their antics lead to trouble and boarding school, where bigger mysteries are afoot. The story itself is somewhat flat; still, the Addams-Family atmosphere and screwball comedy, both reflected in frequent black-and-white illustrations, make for good giggles.

Reviewer: Lauren Rizzuto

(3) 4-6 Araminta Spookie series. Illustrated by Jimmy Pickering. With her aunt and uncle out of town, Araminta Spookie is delighted to have her cool cousin Mathilda as a baby-sitter--until two teenage poltergeists try to ruin everything. Like the others in the series, this fifth story about Araminta is fast-paced, the writing is smooth, and the atmosphere's cheerful, as shown in the funny, varied black-and-white cartoon illustrations.

Reviewer: Thom Barthelmess

(3) 4-6 Araminta Spookie series. Illustrated by Jimmy Pickering. Missing frogs and an annoying cousin are two disruptions Araminta is determined to solve, but her wild conspiracy theories don’t always lead her in the right direction in these smoothly written Addams Family–esque detective stories. Though readers might need some familiarity with the series to follow the action, they'll enjoy the humorous juxtaposition of modern language and vintage writing. Review covers these Araminta Spookie titles: Frognapped and Vampire Brat.

Reviewer: Thom Barthelmess

(3) 4-6 Araminta Spookie series. Illustrated by Jimmy Pickering. Missing frogs and an annoying cousin are two disruptions Araminta is determined to solve, but her wild conspiracy theories don’t always lead her in the right direction in these smoothly written Addams Family–esque detective stories. Though readers might need some familiarity with the series to follow the action, they'll enjoy the humorous juxtaposition of modern language and vintage writing. Review covers these Araminta Spookie titles: Frognapped and Vampire Brat.

Reviewer: Thom Barthelmess

(3) 4-6 Araminta Spookie series. Illustrated by Jimmy Pickering. Two books centering on young Araminta's life in her quirky haunted house are just right for younger intermediate readers, with roomy layouts, plentiful illustrations, breezy tone, and mild subject matter (the ghosts are benevolent rather than scary). For those not yet ready for Eva Ibbotson (Dial-a-Ghost) or Harry Potter, these first two series entries are easily digested, enjoyable fare. Review covers these Araminta Spookie titles: My Haunted House and The Sword in the Grotto.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(3) 4-6 Araminta Spookie series. Illustrated by Jimmy Pickering. Two books centering on young Araminta's life in her quirky haunted house are just right for younger intermediate readers, with roomy layouts, plentiful illustrations, breezy tone, and mild subject matter (the ghosts are benevolent rather than scary). For those not yet ready for Eva Ibbotson (Dial-a-Ghost) or Harry Potter, these first two series entries are easily digested, enjoyable fare. Review covers these Araminta Spookie titles: My Haunted House and The Sword in the Grotto.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano