(3) 4-6 Magnificent Mya Tibbs series. Illustrated by Eda Kaban. An adorable new baby sister leaves African American Mya feeling overlooked. A school project might just be the perfect opportunity for the now-middle child to distinguish herself. Meanwhile, Mya is also in the middle when her besties, twins Skye and Starr, become close with Mya's estranged friend, Naomi. The quirky, relatable Texas girl's third story probes the evolution of family and friendship with compassion and heart.

Reviewer: Rebecca Kirshenbaum

(3) 4-6 Magnificent Mya Tibbs series. Illustrated by Eda Kaban. Mya has competing priorities: spending quality time with her mom before the birth of a baby sibling, studying so she beats her rival at a school quiz competition, and making the best-tasting chili in Bluebonnet's annual cook-off. Mya's personality is big as ever; folksy language, fast-paced drama, and gently offered lessons on family and friendship make this second installment about the African American cowgirl a winner.

Reviewer: Lauren Causey

(3) 4-6 Magnificent Mya Tibbs series. Illustrated by Eda Kaban. In this high-energy school drama, after nine-year-old wannabe-cowgirl Mya is paired with Mean Connie for Spirit Week (Mya's favorite week), her new friendship with Naomi is on the rocks. Meanwhile, the Bluebonnet, Texas, school is busy with cowboy-themed Fall Festival preparations. This first installment drops readers into Mya's world, where there are endless reasons to fret but also to laugh and cheer.

Reviewer: Lauren Causey

(4) 4-6 Hiding her aspiration to be a baseball pitcher, thirteen-year-old Laura is mocked by her classmates because she is overweight. Furthermore, the slave shack on her grandmother's property is embarrassing; it represents dark days in history. When both gorgeous Troy and her teacher take an interest in the shack, Laura confronts her weaknesses and family history. The story line is predictable, but Laura's transformation is believable.

Reviewer: Nancy Hull

(3) 4-6 Thirteen-year-old Lamar lives for bowling, so much so that he's easily convinced that joining up with a hustler to bowl for money will get him everything he wants. When his partner gets caught and their activities are exposed, Lamar has to make things right with his friends and family. Lamar's voice is quirky and authentic and his right-and-wrong struggles are diverting.

Reviewer: David Elzey