(3) YA Star Wars series. Set before the film Solo: A Star Wars Story, this novel relates how characters Han and Qi'ra became unlikely friends while trying to survive after a botched mission. Carson develops their distinct personalities via alternating narration, and she brings the planet of Corellia to life through vivid descriptions of the aliens and disreputable places the teenage "scrumrats" encounter throughout their action-packed adventure.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter

(4) 4-6 Star Wars series. Illustrated by Annie Wu. Fourteen-year-old Mattis joins the Resistance to become a hero fighting the First Order. But first he and his troublemaking fellow recruits will have to become a team. This decent if uneventful new series set in the Star Wars universe focuses on establishing characters rather than on actual adventures, though a climactic encounter with monstrous rancors and a cliffhanger ending nicely set up the next installment.

Reviewer: David Elzey

(3) YA Journey to Star Wars: The Last Jedi series. Sixteen-year-old Princess Leia is training to pass three rigorous challenges so she can be decreed rightful heir to Alderaan's throne. But she also desires to help her parents as they secretly develop a rebellion against the Empire. Gray compellingly fills in Leia's backstory with friendships and a romantic relationship, and through her protagonist's courageous actions, Gray repeatedly hints at the great leader Leia will eventually become.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter

(4) 4-6 Star Wars: Jedi Academy series. Victor returns to Jedi Academy (A New Class) and erroneously assumes he'll get the drama club lead, but more troubling is the inexplicable cyberbullying of his older sister. A dramatic revelation about their father brings the siblings together and showcases their friends' loyalty. Krosoczka's comedy relies heavily on franchise references; the graphic panels, school newspaper columns, and "Stargram" photos generate a quick pace.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(3) 4-6 Journey to Star Wars: The Last Jedi series. Illustrated by J. G. Jones. Deckhands aboard a transport barge hear six short stories about Jedi Luke Skywalker; the framing story helps tie the overall narrative together. Using different perspectives, Liu creatively relates both familiar and new events to further illuminate Luke's character. Preceding each legend are quotes from Star Wars films and Jones's full-color illustrations, which pay homage to Ralph McQuarrie's conceptual illustrations for the original movie trilogy.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter

(3) 4-6 Star Wars: The Last Jedi series. Illustrated by Phil Noto. Rose Tico and her older sister, Paige, help crew the Resistance bomber Hammer. During a recon spy mission to the Atterra system, local freedom fighters ask for their help, risking war with the powerful First Order. Wein's succinctly written story directly precedes The Last Jedi film and compellingly develops the siblings' bond, enhancing Rose's tragic backstory. Three black-and-white illustration spreads highlighting key moments are included.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter

(4) 4-6 Star Wars: Jedi Academy series. Krosoczka takes over from Jeffrey Brown, introducing a new protagonist in this fourth series entry. Victor Starspeeder transfers to Jedi Academy but struggles to use the Force productively (especially in drama club), make friends, and pass his classes. Krosoczka attempts to sustain continuity with previous volumes, albeit using his own looser art style and different fonts, but the plot and conflicts feel recycled.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(3) 4-6 Star Wars series. Illustrated by Tyler Scarlet. Droids, bounty hunters, scrap dealers, robberies, theft, and a fable...slices of life in a galaxy far, far away. The six short novellas in this collection build on minor characters and settings from the motion picture Star Wars: The Force Awakens, though the stories can each stand alone. And beware: some of these tales can lean a tad toward the dark side.

Reviewer: David Elzey

(4) 4-6 Star Wars: Jedi Academy series. In his third year at Jedi Academy Middle School, Roan's days are busy. He has his first date with Gaiana, endures a spate of pranks, takes a field trip to Coruscant, survives the Obstacle Challenge Trial, and manages to graduate. Although the story lacks much depth, series fans will enjoy reuniting with Roan's classmates and teachers through his journal entries, cartoons, and "holomails."

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(3) 4-6 Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens series. Illustrated by Phil Noto. Franchise fans hungry for female heroes will relish Moving Target, in which Leia undertakes a decoy mission after the Rebel Alliance is ousted from Hoth. In Smuggler's Run, an old smuggler relates a story he's heard about Han Solo and Chewbacca (savvy fans will guess the man's identity). Occasional black-and-white, red-accented illustrations accompany the quick-paced tales featuring strongly developed characters. Review covers these Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens titles: Moving Target and Smuggler's Run.

Reviewer: David Elzey

(3) YA Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens series. Thane and Ciena joined the Academy to follow their lifelong dream of flying for the Empire. But Thane becomes disillusioned and joins the Rebellion, forcing Ciena to choose between her loyalty to the Empire and the friend she loves. Setting up events of the franchise's latest film, The Force Awakens, the fast-paced story seamlessly builds onto the Star Wars universe.

Reviewer: David Elzey

(3) 4-6 Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens series. Illustrated by Phil Noto. Franchise fans hungry for female heroes will relish Moving Target, in which Leia undertakes a decoy mission after the Rebel Alliance is ousted from Hoth. In Smuggler's Run, an old smuggler relates a story he's heard about Han Solo and Chewbacca (savvy fans will guess the man's identity). Occasional black-and-white, red-accented illustrations accompany the quick-paced tales featuring strongly developed characters. Review covers these Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens titles: Moving Target and Smuggler's Run.

Reviewer: David Elzey