(3) 4-6 This epistolary novel vividly depicts the hope and spirit surrounding the first moon landing in 1969. Ten-year-old Mamie writes to Michael Collins, the astronaut who remains in orbit while Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walk on the moon. This theme resonates throughout the book as winsome, resourceful Mamie also "stay[s] with the ship" when her distracted family members temporarily abandon her at home.

Reviewer: Renée Wheeler

(4) YA If Only series. Katie and Drew fall in love despite the fact that their parents are both running for president of the United States (Red). Holly can't believe that the rich and famous Malik Buchannan is in love with her--or that she's stupid enough to keep lying to him (Everything). Both romance novels have breezy, accessible plots, but readers wanting emotional depth should look elsewhere. Review Covers these If Only titles: Red Girl, Blue Boy and Everything But the Truth.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(4) 4-6 Sisters Eight series. Illustrated by Lisa K. Weber. With Greg Logsted and Jackie Logsted. After months of living at home alone, the Huit octuplets discover their missing father is in a snow globe; they must use their special powers to get into the globe and rescue him, as well as their mother. Conveniently, they know just what to do to accomplish this crazy feat. Whimsical spot art captures the humor of the predictable installment.

Reviewer: Amanda Mc. MacGregor

(4) 4-6 Sisters Eight series. Illustrated by Lisa K. Weber. With Greg Logsted and Jackie Logsted. The Huit octuplets are anxious when Rebecca receives her magical powers. Her super strength and ability to shoot fire from her fingertips prove disastrous, and her sisters sequester her. On her own, and apropos of nothing, Rebecca solves some family mysteries. As usual, draggy patches slow the action, but series fans may enjoy the story.

Reviewer: Amanda Mc. MacGregor

(4) YA In nineteenth-century England, Bet's decision to impersonate a boy and attend boarding school leads to an unexpected set of learning experiences, since bullying and sports have too prominent a place in the curriculum. Like the Shakespearean and Dickensian heroines she admires, however, Bet is graced not only with energy and wit, but a string of improbably fortunate plot-twists that enable her to triumph.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(4) YA Thirteen-year-old Lucy Sexton's world is upended when her mother's previously unknown identical twin appears one day and takes up residence. When her aunt and mother are viciously attacked and one is murdered, Lucy must determine the true identity of the survivor. Though the gothic tone is somewhat overdone and Lucy's romance feels contrived, the mystery is engrossing.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(4) 4-6 Sisters Eight series. Illustrated by Lisa K. Weber. With Greg Logsted and Jackie Logsted. In their sixth book, the eight sisters travel to France for a family wedding and learn some surprising facts about their relatives. Worrywart Petal discovers her ability to read minds. The prologue provides a brief recap of the first five books, and while the premise of octuplets with magic powers is engaging, like the previous books, the story is ultimately disappointing.

Reviewer: Amanda Mc. MacGregor

(4) 4-6 Sisters Eight series. Illustrated by Lisa K. Weber. With Greg Logsted and Jackie Logsted. "The Eights," as the Huit octuplets are known, still live alone after the mysterious disappearance of their parents. In these volumes, it's Georgia's and Jackie's turn to discover their special powers (invisibility and super speed, respectively), gifts they use to defeat an evil substitute teacher and principal. The stories, though entertaining, continue to feel like brief, unresolved episodes. Review covers these Sisters Eight titles: Georgia's Greatness and Jackie's Jokes.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) 4-6 Sisters Eight series. Illustrated by Lisa K. Weber. With Greg Logsted and Jackie Logsted. "The Eights," as the Huit octuplets are known, still live alone after the mysterious disappearance of their parents. In these volumes, it's Georgia's and Jackie's turn to discover their special powers (invisibility and super speed, respectively), gifts they use to defeat an evil substitute teacher and principal. The stories, though entertaining, continue to feel like brief, unresolved episodes. Review covers these Sisters Eight titles: Georgia's Greatness and Jackie's Jokes.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) YA Aurora Belle and Lucius Wolfe are both new in school. Pretty Aurora quickly becomes popular; Lucius is an outcast, in part because he has hooks in place of hands. The two characters are inexplicably drawn to each other, as described in shifting first-person narration. This modern-day "Beauty and the Beast" interpretation suffers from melodramatic writing, but the characters' relationship is compelling.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(4) 4-6 Sisters Eight series. Illustrated by Lisa K. Weber. With Greg Logsted and Jackie Logsted. The aptly named Huit octuplets live alone (with their eight cats) after their parents disappear. The seven-year-old sisters discover they each have a secret power that will help find their folks. Unfortunately, only one girl per book makes her discovery, and readers may not have the patience to get all the way through the projected series. Occasional black-and-white spot art has some style. Review covers these Sisters Eight titles: Annie's Adventures and Durinda's Dangers.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) 4-6 Sisters Eight series. Illustrated by Lisa K. Weber. With Greg Logsted and Jackie Logsted. The aptly named Huit octuplets live alone (with their eight cats) after their parents disappear. The seven-year-old sisters discover they each have a secret power that will help find their folks. Unfortunately, only one girl per book makes her discovery, and readers may not have the patience to get all the way through the projected series. Occasional black-and-white spot art has some style. Review covers these Sisters Eight titles: Annie's Adventures and Durinda's Dangers.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin