(4) 4-6 Vega Jane (The Finisher; The Keeper) and companions survived the Quag only to become lost in True, where residents are entranced into peaceful complacency. Vega Jane now faces a battle that carries the fate of the whole world. Baldacci's third installment struggles with uneven pacing and unusual dialect that can pull readers out of the story; a strong, endearing heroine helps compensate for these flaws.

Reviewer: Jenn Matters

(4) 4-6 In the sequel to The Finisher, Vega Jane, her best friend Delph, and dog Harry Two leap free of the walled village of Wormwood in search of truth and history, only to face more dangerous obstacles in the terrifying wilderness called the Quag. The action can feel relentless, but Baldacci's characters and world grow more complex with each page turned.

Reviewer: Jenn Matters

(4) 4-6 Vega Jane works hard as a Finisher in an artisan factory in the village of Wormwood. After a friend disappears into the dangerous forest surrounding Wormwood, she delves into the truth behind her town and its Council--and what she finds unravels everything she's ever known. Baldacci presents a strong, intelligent heroine, but the book's uneven pacing and unusual dialect are disorienting.

Reviewer: Jenn Matters

(3) 4-6 39 Clues: Cahills vs. Vespers series. Siblings Amy and Dan reach a breaking point when they discover the Vespers' fatal plan (Trust). In Doom, the two face the near-impossible task of destroying a Doomsday device and shutting down the Vespers indefinitely. The final two entries in this suspenseful series are more focused and deliberately paced than previous books, which helps bring the story to a satisfying conclusion. Review covers these 39 Clues: Cahills vs. Vespers titles: Day of Doom and Trust No One.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(4) 4-6 Freddy and the French Fries series. Illustrated by Rudy Baldacci. Nine-year-old dork Freddy Funkhouser and his family, who own the unpopular Burger Castle, must produce a parade float that will outshine that of a rival restaurant. Enter the Fantastic Four-like Fries, human-size French fries that Freddy has created with potatoes and nanotechnology. Readers who relish triumphant underdogs and retread humor will be in paradise.

Reviewer: Nell Beram