(4) 4-6 Misadventures of Max Crumbly series. With Nikki Russell. Immediately following his first journal-style book (Locker Hero), middle-school geek Max recounts his attempts to stop a trio of dopey burglars from stealing the school's computers. Meanwhile, Max's crush, Erin, remotely hacks the building's security system to provide assistance. Despite the book's repetitive, over-the-top Home Alone–type clashes with the robbers, tween readers will enjoy this wacky school adventure, decorated with manga-style drawings.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(4) 4-6 Misadventures of Max Crumbly series. With Nikki Russell and Erin Russell. Eighth-grade geek Max records his attempts to navigate a new school, a first crush, and brutish bully Doug, who traps Max in his locker over the long weekend. When he escapes, Max stumbles upon a robbery in the school computer lab. Many tweens will enjoy the over-the-top, sitcom-style drama; the Dork Diaries author employs similar handwriting-like font and manga-style drawings in this new series.

Reviewer: Russell Perry