(2) K-3 Illustrated by Taia Morley. For weeks, Jack wishes for snow. Near Christmas, he and his classmates (a racially diverse cast) have a substitute teacher, Mr. Clausen, who acts suspiciously like...well, you know. Their homework--write a wish on a homemade paper snowflake--culminates in a Christmas-morning surprise: snow. Morley's textured mixed-media illustrations in bold colors have an old-fashioned look and feel in this tale imbued with holiday wonder. Paper snowflake–making instructions appended.

Reviewer: Jeannie Coutant | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2019

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Chris Raschka. With her teacher out sick, a girl writes a series of letters throughout the day, beginning: "Dear Substitute, / Wow. This is a surprise. / What are you doing here?" Scanlon and Vernick capture with humor and sympathy the indignation some kids feel when life doesn't go as expected. In his watercolor and gouache paintings, Raschka makes the mundane school setting fresh with unexpected twists.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2018

(3) 1-3 Eerie Elementary series. Illustrated by Sam Ricks. Hall monitor Sam and his friends join forces with the great-great-grandson of mad scientist Orson Eerie, the man behind the vengeful spirit possessing their school. When they attempt to use Orson's old invention against him, Orson's spirit inhabits the machine and re-creates himself as a giant robot. This sixth chapter book is filled with age-appropriate scares; black-and-white illustrations throughout add to the creepy atmosphere.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(4) K-3 I Can Read Book series. When cat Pete's mom is the substitute teacher (surprise!), the usual routine is upended. Attempts to find the art room misfire; at lunchtime, the class finds itself on the playground. Pete takes it all in stride: "Let's have a picnic." The slight but nicely circular story concludes with an art-y surprise for Mrs. Cat. Loosely rendered, laid-back illustrations help support new readers.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(2) PS Illustrated by Claudia Rueda. The offstage narrator persuades mischievous Cat (Here Comes the Easter Cat and sequels) to forego napping to substitute-teach for Ms. Melba. Underwood's clever use of page turns and comedic timing help deliver a droll story about the joys and challenges of teaching. The kitten students, with their adorable facial expressions and body language, almost steal the show from star Cat in Rueda's humorous ink and colored-pencil illustrations.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2017

(4) 1-3 My Weirdest School series. Illustrated by Jim Paillot. When the teachers at Ella Mentry School strike for a coffee machine, substitutes are brought in to help. Of course, nothing at the school is normal, and neither are the substitutes. Desperate to get their old teachers and rules back, the students go on strike themselves. The madcap plot and black-and-white cartoon illustrations are over-the-top silly, just as series fans will expect.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Kate Hindley. Protagonist Smashie and best friend Dontel investigate the class-pet hamster's disappearance, along with a missing brooch and the Mystery of the Mad Gluer. Suspects emerge: a narcissistic substitute teacher, a prankster classmate, and even Smashie herself. Readers could maybe figure out the somewhat convoluted mysteries, but they'll more likely just have fun going with Smashie's flow. Black-and-white illustrations display Smashie's individuality and verve.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2015

(2) 4-6 When her teacher goes on maternity leave, sixth grader Ally humiliates herself by giving Mrs. Hall a sympathy card. No one had discovered--until now--that Ally cannot read. When substitute teacher Mr. Daniels arrives, things begin to change. Well-developed secondary characters (mean girls, a new BFF who sticks up for herself and others, the heroic teacher) add richness to the story and help Ally grow.

Reviewer: Robin L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2015

(4) 4-6 In his second book (Just Jake), Jake's long-term substitute teacher convinces his class (and their parents) that working on her pet-grooming business is a valuable way to spend the rest of the year. The situations are unbelievable and the dialogue rarely sounds authentic. Still, readers who like wacky shenanigans will find plenty here, underscored by colorful mixed-media illustrations and photos captioned by Jake.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(4) 1-3 Ready, Set, Dogs! series. Illustrated by Heather Ross. When Kate and Lucie's substitute teacher loses control of their class, the BFFs use their magical dog-morphing abilities to help out. This sophomore entry has it all: action, adventure, mystery, and humor, but the plot lacks focus. Ross's cute, expressive black-and-white full-page illustrations and spot art add spirit. Dog jokes and author essays are included.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(3) 1-3 Katie Woo series. Illustrated by Tammie Lyon. Katie resents--and nearly sabotages--a rival dancer in Keep Dancing and tries to earn her substitute teacher's favor in Fancy Substitute. Both cheerfully illustrated stories offer short chapters that allow young readers to practice a variety of sentence structures. Discussion questions, writing prompts, and a kid-friendly art project conclude each book. Glos. Review covers these Katie Woo titles: Katie and the Fancy Substitute and Keep Dancing, Katie.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(4) 1-3 Martha Speaks series. Adapted by Jamie White. Written by Pippin Parker and Silvia Olivas. In this chapter-book adaptation of a TV-series teleplay, talking dog Martha becomes a substitute teacher at Wagstaff Elementary. When Helen's friend Alice must complete an oral report in Spanish class, Martha eats Mexican alphabet soup and becomes fluent. Contrived inclusion of Spanish phrases take over the story, but bilingual fans of the chatty canine won't mind. English and Spanish glossaries included.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Laura Freeman. Third graders Nikki and Deja are uneasy with the way their classmates misbehave for the substitute teacher. But when they get a new strict sub, classroom morale plummets as they wait for their adored teacher's return. The always-relatable duo's struggles ring true, and occasional full-page and spot black-and-white illustrations of classroom scenes break up the short, accessible chapters.

Reviewer: Amanda Mc. MacGregor

(4) 4-6 Tales from Lovecraft Middle School series. Illustrated by Eugene Smith. Robert and Glenn find themselves trapped with several other classmates in Lovecraft Middle School during a Valentine's Day blizzard. Worse still, they need to defeat an evil substitute teacher and a throng of abominable creatures. The plotting is formulaic, but light horror and goofy humor, along with black-and-white illustrations and a gimmicky lenticular cover, may attract reluctant readers to this fourth installment.

Reviewer: April Mazza

(3) 1-3 Vampire School series. In these third and fourth supernatural send-ups set at a vampire elementary school, fangy friends Lee, Billy, and Bella save the school play when the star loses her voice (Stage Fright) and investigate their werewolf substitute teacher (Teacher Screecher). The goofy puns, breezy pacing, comical black-and-white pictures, and gentle subversion of a familiar setting make these an easy sell to humor fans. Review covers these Vampire School titles: Stage Fright and Teacher Screecher.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross

(4) 4-6 Humphrey, the class hamster, works on the mystery of the missing teacher (she is home with a broken ankle) and prepares for the school's Winter Wonderland show. As in the series' previous entries, Humphrey understands the needs of the children in Room 26 and approaches each child with kindness and enthusiasm. The stories are predictable but pleasant nonetheless. Review covers these titles: Winter According to Humphrey and Mysteries According to Humphrey.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Amy Wummer. The Room 3B students all enter a poster contest, and when Harry's is dubbed the winner, jealous Mary lashes out (Scissors). It's Harry's fault when a mean substitute banishes Song Lee's origami pig to the June box ("a jail for toys"), but the kids have a plan. Kline's considerable grasp of elementary-age children's feelings is on display in these latest installments. Review covers these titles: Horrible Harry and the June Box and Horrible Harry and the Scarlet Scissors.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) 1-3 Kevin has attention difficulties and dreads doing his report on cheetahs, especially because unsympathetic "Beezer the Buzzard" is substituting while his teacher is in Africa. With help from friends, the librarian, and his gym teacher, Kevin successfully completes the assignment. Nagda's handling of ADHD is judicious, but this lively story also incorporates everyday issues of school pressures, social anxieties, and responsibilities at home.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(4) 4-6 Gecko & Sticky series. Illustrated by Stephen Gilpin. In Substitute, Dave's least-favorite teacher disappears mysteriously--only to be replaced by the ominously familiar Dr. Schwarz. Potion finds Dave and pet gecko Sticky tasked with delivering a package to dangerous Damien Black. The series continues to blend broad school-based humor with outlandish fantasy plots in winning, if a bit frantic, adventures. Review covers these Gecko & Sticky titles: The Power Potion and Sinister Substitute.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Katharine McEwen. In this follow-up to The Man Who Wore All His Clothes, Mrs. Gaskitt starts winning contests and the children get a cheerful substitute teacher who steals things. Alhberg uses his accomplished storytelling to tie these events together in a satisfying tale. The art, with its shallow perspective and childlike shapes, is as funny and offbeat as the chapter-book text.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth