(2) PS Bruce the bear's family of mice and geese tries to get him in the Halloween mood by acting out "The Legend of Soggy Hollow." Mouse Nibbs is the Horseless Horseman (complete with jack-o'-lantern head) and reluctant Bruce plays protagonist "Icky Bob." A romantic scene with Camilla the moose sends him fleeing from her into the forest...alongside the real Horseless Horseman of Soggy Hollow. This tongue-in-cheek retelling of Washington Irving's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" is cleverly faithful to the source material and an excellent addition to the Mother Bruce series. Amusing speech-bubble dialogue, animated character reactions, and seasonally hued action-packed panels help build Higgins's story to a spirited ending for all involved, including readers.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2023

(4) 4-6 Calico Chapter Books: Adventures in Extreme Reading series. Illustrated by Scott Altmann. When Uncle Dan's virtual-reality computer program that immerses readers in books is hacked, cousins Carter and Izzy head into the stories to stop the violator. Each title in this tech-savvy series focuses on a different classic novel; some may be confusing to readers unfamiliar with the original, but overall these books could serve as gateways to classic literature for children. Review covers these Adventures in Extreme Reading titles: The Calm Before the Storm, Hack Attack, Lightning Strikes Twice, and Trapped in Stormy Seas.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(4) YA Abbey (The Hollow, The Haunted), destined to become a Shade like her ghostly soulmate Caspian, desperately tries to delay her death. A group of Revenants protects her, but rogue Revenant Vincent just wants to use Abbey. Scenes of Abbey and Caspian enjoying the one day a year he becomes corporeal are a bit long and indulgent, but romance fans won't mind.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(4) YA Months after the events of The Hollow, Abbey is convinced that her relationship with ghost Caspian was a delusion. Just as the two are reunited, revenants arrive to kill Abbey and bind her spirit to Caspian's for eternity. As in the previous installment, spunky Abbey makes a compelling heroine; the Legend of Sleepy Hollow connection is somewhat better developed here.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(4) YA Having vanished near Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Abbey's best friend Kristen is presumed dead. Desperate for clues, Abbey reads Kristen's diary and uncovers her secret life. Abbey also accrues some secrets of her own: a mysterious boyfriend, late-night visits to the cemetery, two elderly friends. This supernatural romance falters with a stretched connection to Washington Irving's classic tale, but Abbey herself is compellingly real.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(4) 4-6 Graphic Planet: Graphic Horror series. Illustrated by Jeff Zornow. These comic-book versions of classic and original horror tales are generally well served by the format (though the font is tiny). The dark-toned illustrations help build suspense, and characters are clearly delineated as good or evil. Readers unfamiliar with the originals may be inspired to seek them out. Most stories feature violence but not an abundance of gore. Review covers these Graphic Planet: Graphic Horror titles: Frankenstein, Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, The Creature from the Depths, Mummy, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and Werewolf.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(3) 4-6 "Wash" is best known for his Sleepy Hollow and Rip Van Winkle tales. Here, readers also learn about his personal life: he was named for (and met at age six) George Washington; he knew Aaron Burr, Lord Byron, and Mary Shelley; he had close scrapes with pirates. Quotes from Irving are included among the illustrations, which are packed with historical details. Timeline. Bib.

Reviewer: Nancy Hull

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Leonard Everett Fisher. Don't be fooled by the title, which suggests a sequel: this is a straightforward (if wordy) retelling of Washington Irving's classic cautionary tale about the dangers of lazing one's life away (although Kimmel does give Rip the opportunity to redeem himself). The accompanying paintings, with key characters and objects smartly outlined in black, are historically accurate.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) YA World Writers series. The author of "Rip Van Winkle" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" is profiled in a flattering biography that focuses on his life as a writer and as the American envoy to Spain. Although the prose is capable, the book doesn't explore Irving's literary work with any depth, nor does it adequately explain its continuing popularity. Black-and-white reproductions, a time line, and a list of major works are included. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta