(4) 4-6 Fakespeare series. Illustrated by Daniel Jennewein. Two fifth graders find themselves sucked into Shakespeare plays and must help complete the story before they can return to their own lives. Warring pizza-making families (Romeo and Juliet) and kings launching stink bombs to obscure evil acts (Hamlet) take center stage in these wacky riffs on the Bard's works. The frenetic stories are filled with juvenile humor and childlike cartoon drawings. Review covers these Fakespeare titles: Something Stinks in Hamlet and Starcrossed in Romeo and Juliet.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) 4-6 Fakespeare series. Illustrated by Daniel Jennewein. Two fifth graders find themselves sucked into Shakespeare plays and must help complete the story before they can return to their own lives. Warring pizza-making families (Romeo and Juliet) and kings launching stink bombs to obscure evil acts (Hamlet) take center stage in these wacky riffs on the Bard's works. The frenetic stories are filled with juvenile humor and childlike cartoon drawings. Review covers these Fakespeare titles: Something Stinks in Hamlet and Starcrossed in Romeo and Juliet.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(3) 4-6 Clone Chronicles series. Fisher and his clone-turned-brother Alex look forward to the opening of a new theme park designed by their parents. Fun is thwarted by a pack of beautiful alien girls--with questionable motives--forcing Fisher to work with his nemesis to save the world. This fourth entry successfully blends adolescent social hijinks with sci-fi adventure in a comic, action-packed story.

Reviewer: Pam Yosca

(3) 4-6 Clone Chronicles series. After their Hollywood heroics in Cloneward Bound, nerdy Fisher Bas and his cooler "brother"/clone, Two, return to Palo Alto to thwart Three, their evil clone nemesis seeking world domination. Two--who here gains a real identity and place in the Bas family--along with Fisher and middle-school wrestling champ Amanda Cantrell, hilariously battle evil--and middle-school drama--in this successful action-packed installment.

Reviewer: Pam Yosca

(4) 4-6 In this sequel to Popular Clone, scientific genius Fisher Bas seeks out his escaped clone, "Two," while outwitting those who suspect the secret of Two's creation. Set in star-studded Hollywood, the novel features a smart, take-charge female sidekick and fast-paced adventures involving evil robots. Quotes from Fisher's journal occasionally throw off the narrative; nevertheless, readers will root for this nerdy underdog.

Reviewer: Pam Yosca

(4) 4-6 Relentlessly bullied for his geeky reputation, scientific genius Fisher Bas has problems in middle school. Desperate for relief, Fisher secretly clones himself overnight and sends "Two" in his place--and he's much more popular. Trouble begins when evil Dr. X kidnaps Two for the cloning formula. The book contains some arguably muddled messages about bullying, but the suspenseful high-tech exploits are diverting.

Reviewer: Bethany Templeton Klem