(3) K-3 Glossy black pages showcase striking enlarged photos of some bioluminescent species of plants and animals, mostly marine, both familiar and rare. Simple large-font text explains why they glow--to hunt, hide, trick, invite, alarm, and more--while smaller-size text identifies each pictured species and goes into greater detail about its bioluminescence. The actual sizes of the creatures are noted at the end. Bib.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Brian Lies. Rat Malcolm (Malcolm at Midnight) belongs to McKenna Elementary's Midnight Academy, a secret society of classroom pets that solves the school's problems at night. When the school board threatens to close McKenna, Malcolm turns to the mysterious "Striped Shadow" and an old enemy to save his beloved community. This combination of animal fantasy, school story, and mystery integrates interesting animal facts into an engaging narrative.

Reviewer: Morgan Stewart

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Brian Lies. Malcolm is a class pet who stumbles upon a midnight meeting of all the school's pets. But unlike the rest--rabbits, mice, fish--Malcolm is a rat, and rats have a bad rap. Malcolm struggles with his identity and escapes many close encounters to prove that he has McKenna School's best interests at heart. An age-appropriate if somewhat derivative story about believing in yourself and building meaningful friendships.

Reviewer: Sophie Williamson