(4) 4-6 Jake Maddox Girl Sports Stories series. Illustrated by Katie Wood. These sports-themed stories starring girls highlight important skills necessary for success at a skate park (Longboard), a ranch (Cowgirl), on the ice (Ice Rink), and with the cheer squad (Squad). Fast pacing and black-and-white digital illustrations keep the predictable plots focused and easy to follow. Discussion questions, writing prompts, and facts about the sports are appended. Glos. Review covers these Jake Maddox Girl Sports Stories titles: Cowgirl Grit, Ice Rink Rookie, Longboard Letdown, and Squad Struggles.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) 4-6 Jake Maddox Girl Sports Stories series. Illustrated by Katie Wood. These sports-themed stories starring girls highlight important skills necessary for success at a skate park (Longboard), a ranch (Cowgirl), on the ice (Ice Rink), and with the cheer squad (Squad). Fast pacing and black-and-white digital illustrations keep the predictable plots focused and easy to follow. Discussion questions, writing prompts, and facts about the sports are appended. Glos. Review covers these Jake Maddox Girl Sports Stories titles: Cowgirl Grit, Ice Rink Rookie, Longboard Letdown, and Squad Struggles.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) 4-6 It Girl series. Anna (The It Girl) continually finds herself in embarrassing situations while struggling to prove that she is actually worthy of her newfound fame following her father's engagement to a famous actress. Volunteering for team captain at her school's sports day seems promising until her lack of athleticism gets in the way. Despite a superficial premise, Anna's self-deprecating humor offers a refreshing take on popularity and celebrity.

Reviewer: Rebecca Kirshenbaum

(4) K-3 Curious Pearl, Science Girl 4D series. Illustrated by Stephanie Dehennin. On a weekend trip to the lake, Pearl and friends Sabina and Sal consider the ways in which light interacts with everyday materials. Readers can use the publisher's downloadable "4D app" to augment the information about sources of light, reflection, and color. Despite the frame story's awkward illustrations and dialogue, the kids' scientific-observation techniques are solid. A science activity is appended. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 Curious Pearl, Science Girl 4D series. Illustrated by Stephanie Dehennin. Pearl and friend Sal investigate earth science concepts related to the position of the sun and earth by making observations and modeling the geometry with a globe and light bulb. Despite the frame story's awkward illustrations and dialogue, the kids' scientific-observation techniques are solid. Readers can use the publisher's downloadable "4D app" to augment the information. A science activity is appended. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 American Girl: Tenney Grant series. This journal captures a momentous year in the life of contemporary twelve-year-old singer-songwriter Tenney Grant. The story is slight, and readers unfamiliar with this American Girl might wish for more background information on certain characters; but Tenney's fans will enjoy the closer look into her friendships, artistic dreams, and developing skills. The scrapbook-style layout includes doodles, photographs of Nashville landmarks, recipes, and more.

Reviewer: Mariko Turk

(3) 4-6 Girl vs. Boy Band series. In this second entry, Lark's friend/love interest Teddy is now a bona fide teen idol, and "Songbird" (a.k.a. Lark, on YouTube) is rapidly becoming a country music sensation. When Abbey Road (Teddy's band, produced by Lark's mom) asks Lark to be its opening act, she battles stage fright. Music lovers will delight in the world of fandom and in watching Lark follow her dreams.

Reviewer: Rebecca Kirshenbaum

(4) 4-6 Jake Maddox Girl Sports Stories series. Illustrated by Katie Wood. These sports-themed stories starring girls highlight important skills necessary for success at a skate park (Longboard), a ranch (Cowgirl), on the ice (Ice Rink), and with the cheer squad (Squad). Fast pacing and black-and-white digital illustrations keep the predictable plots focused and easy to follow. Discussion questions, writing prompts, and facts about the sports are appended. Glos. Review covers these Jake Maddox Girl Sports Stories titles: Cowgirl Grit, Ice Rink Rookie, Longboard Letdown, and Squad Struggles.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) 4-6 Jake Maddox Girl Sports Stories series. Illustrated by Katie Wood. These sports-themed stories starring girls highlight important skills necessary for success at a skate park (Longboard), a ranch (Cowgirl), on the ice (Ice Rink), and with the cheer squad (Squad). Fast pacing and black-and-white digital illustrations keep the predictable plots focused and easy to follow. Discussion questions, writing prompts, and facts about the sports are appended. Glos. Review covers these Jake Maddox Girl Sports Stories titles: Cowgirl Grit, Ice Rink Rookie, Longboard Letdown, and Squad Struggles.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(3) 1-3 Gumazing Gum Girl! series. With Luke Reynolds. Gum Girl is Gabby Gomez's superhero alter-ego. Her dentist father doesn't approve of gum-chewing, so she has to keep her identity secret while dealing with a bully at school, defeating a villain, and being a good sister. Assisted by black, white, pink, and purple comic book–style illustrations, this second installment maintains the series' over-the-top tone. The fast-paced text includes scattered Spanish phrases.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) K-3 Bel the Weather Girl series. Illustrated by Renée Kurilla. "Weather isn't so scary once you understand it," says Bel. In these books, she and her cousin, Dylan, experience various weather events, and Bel explains each occurrence to allay fears. Information is presented clearly, but the texts are stilted; additional facts appear in sidebars. The family dog and anthropomorphic weather elements in the cartoonlike illustrations add humor. An activity/experiment is appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Bel the Weather Girl titles: A Party for Clouds, A Snowstorm Shows Off, Raindrops on a Roller Coaster, Spinning Wind and Water, The Sky Stirs Up Trouble, and Weather Clues in the Sky.

Reviewer: Nancy Sheridan

(4) K-3 Bel the Weather Girl series. Illustrated by Renée Kurilla. "Weather isn't so scary once you understand it," says Bel. In these books, she and her cousin, Dylan, experience various weather events, and Bel explains each occurrence to allay fears. Information is presented clearly, but the texts are stilted; additional facts appear in sidebars. The family dog and anthropomorphic weather elements in the cartoonlike illustrations add humor. An activity/experiment is appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Bel the Weather Girl titles: A Party for Clouds, A Snowstorm Shows Off, Raindrops on a Roller Coaster, Spinning Wind and Water, The Sky Stirs Up Trouble, and Weather Clues in the Sky.

Reviewer: Nancy Sheridan

(4) K-3 Bel the Weather Girl series. Illustrated by Renée Kurilla. "Weather isn't so scary once you understand it," says Bel. In these books, she and her cousin, Dylan, experience various weather events, and Bel explains each occurrence to allay fears. Information is presented clearly, but the texts are stilted; additional facts appear in sidebars. The family dog and anthropomorphic weather elements in the cartoonlike illustrations add humor. An activity/experiment is appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Bel the Weather Girl titles: A Party for Clouds, A Snowstorm Shows Off, Raindrops on a Roller Coaster, Spinning Wind and Water, The Sky Stirs Up Trouble, and Weather Clues in the Sky.

Reviewer: Nancy Sheridan

(4) K-3 Bel the Weather Girl series. Illustrated by Renée Kurilla. "Weather isn't so scary once you understand it," says Bel. In these books, she and her cousin, Dylan, experience various weather events, and Bel explains each occurrence to allay fears. Information is presented clearly, but the texts are stilted; additional facts appear in sidebars. The family dog and anthropomorphic weather elements in the cartoonlike illustrations add humor. An activity/experiment is appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Bel the Weather Girl titles: A Party for Clouds, A Snowstorm Shows Off, Raindrops on a Roller Coaster, Spinning Wind and Water, The Sky Stirs Up Trouble, and Weather Clues in the Sky.

Reviewer: Nancy Sheridan

(4) K-3 Bel the Weather Girl series. Illustrated by Renée Kurilla. "Weather isn't so scary once you understand it," says Bel. In these books, she and her cousin, Dylan, experience various weather events, and Bel explains each occurrence to allay fears. Information is presented clearly, but the texts are stilted; additional facts appear in sidebars. The family dog and anthropomorphic weather elements in the cartoonlike illustrations add humor. An activity/experiment is appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Bel the Weather Girl titles: A Party for Clouds, A Snowstorm Shows Off, Raindrops on a Roller Coaster, Spinning Wind and Water, The Sky Stirs Up Trouble, and Weather Clues in the Sky.

Reviewer: Nancy Sheridan

(4) K-3 Bel the Weather Girl series. Illustrated by Renée Kurilla. "Weather isn't so scary once you understand it," says Bel. In these books, she and her cousin, Dylan, experience various weather events, and Bel explains each occurrence to allay fears. Information is presented clearly, but the texts are stilted; additional facts appear in sidebars. The family dog and anthropomorphic weather elements in the cartoonlike illustrations add humor. An activity/experiment is appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Bel the Weather Girl titles: A Party for Clouds, A Snowstorm Shows Off, Raindrops on a Roller Coaster, Spinning Wind and Water, The Sky Stirs Up Trouble, and Weather Clues in the Sky.

Reviewer: Nancy Sheridan

(4) 4-6 Jake Maddox Girl Sports Stories series. Illustrated by Katie Wood. Text by Leigh McDonald. These sports-themed stories highlight important skills necessary for team activities, specifically self-confidence (Pool) and teamwork (Volleyball). Fast pacing keeps the predictable plots focused and easy to follow; black-and-white digital illustrations reflect reality with diverse characters. Appropriate for discussions about character building and social skills. Discussion questions, writing prompts, and facts about the sports are appended. Glos. Review covers these Jake Maddox Girl Sports Stories titles: Pool Panic and Volleyball Victory.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(4) 4-6 Jake Maddox Girl Sports Stories series. Illustrated by Katie Wood. Text by Leigh McDonald. These sports-themed stories highlight important skills necessary for team activities, specifically self-confidence (Pool) and teamwork (Volleyball). Fast pacing keeps the predictable plots focused and easy to follow; black-and-white digital illustrations reflect reality with diverse characters. Appropriate for discussions about character building and social skills. Discussion questions, writing prompts, and facts about the sports are appended. Glos. Review covers these Jake Maddox Girl Sports Stories titles: Pool Panic and Volleyball Victory.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(4) 4-6 Snap Books: Girl Talk series. Illustrated by Julissa Mora. Aimed at a female readership, this is a lively and helpful series about everyday social topics that preteens struggle with. Using photographs and cartoony illustrations, the question-and-answer format covers a wide range of issues, from handling conflict to friends and family. A colorful (if excessively frilly) layout adds appeal. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 Snap Books: Girl Talk series. Illustrated by Julissa Mora. Aimed at a female readership, this is a lively and helpful series about everyday social topics that preteens struggle with. Using photographs and cartoony illustrations, the question-and-answer format covers a wide range of issues, from family changes to honesty and trust. A colorful (if excessively frilly) layout adds appeal. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee