(3) YA Orphaned siblings Indi, Beleza, Oscar, and Zulu sail the Mediterranean Sea slaying monsters and searching for the particular creature they think killed their parents. But instead of revenge, Indi really longs for a fabled treasure and eventually a simpler life for himself. Moskowitz manages to create an intimate-feeling narrative and moving family dynamics amid fantastical sea-faring adventure.

Reviewer: Jenn Matters

(3) 4-6 Gods and Warriors series. Hylas and Pirra, separated at the end of the prior novel, find their fates still intertwined as they both end up on Thalakrea, an island on the verge of volcanic destruction. New and old friends and enemies vie to avenge wrongs and fulfill prophecies. History, mythology, and good storytelling make for compelling action that propels the novel to its cliffhanger ending.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Henry Cole. In the series finale, adventurous cat Bo outwits hijackers in the Mediterranean and returns to England, where she meets the Queen of England and is reunited with her brother Maximillian and her parents. The pacing perfectly mirrors a cat's activity: bursts of action followed by more leisurely stretches. Full-page and spot illustrations show boat scenes, London landmarks, and playful cats.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(3) 4-6 In Mycenaean Greece, young goatherd Hylas and priestess Pirra are on the run from the same enemy. The pair is forced to join together to accomplish their own goals. Along the way, they learn to trust each other and eventually become friends. Bronze Age gods, fierce warriors, and heroes-in-the-making take center stage in this action-packed story.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 World Historical Atlases series. Each of these books gives a brief history of the featured regions, including key dates, historic locales, and notable personalities. The series's principal weakness is that its scope is too broad for the abbreviated format. However, the books will prove helpful to those who know little about the subject. Sidebars, maps, and well-reproduced color art appear throughout. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these World Historical Atlases titles: The Ancient Mediterranean, The Ancient Near East, and The Medieval World.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg