(4) 4-6 House of Secrets series. Illustrated by Greg Call. With Chris Rylander. When threats from the book worlds start entering the real one, the Walker siblings (who can travel between worlds) split up to seek the Worldkeepers--each hidden in a different book--and restore the boundaries. The low-hanging humor, clichéd emotional beats, and convoluted plot endemic to the series undermine its conclusion. Still, creative, adrenaline-filled action sequences will hook adventure fans and please series followers.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Greg Call. Book two of this family adventure finds the Walker siblings fighting ancient Roman gladiators and WWII-era Nazi cyborgs in an effort to get home by way of their evil nemesis's magical book. The narrative careens between action set pieces and expository dialogue, and its MacGuffin-laden twists eventually lose impact. However, visually imaginative world-building makes for many memorable, cinema-ready scenes.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Greg Call. Moving into a new house launches three siblings into cinema-ready hijinks. Transported into a mash-up of the former owner's fantasy-adventure books, they are charged with finding a powerful (and evil) book. Part Inkheart, part Lemony Snicket, this whirlwind nonsensical tour of adventure-novel clichés prioritizes action over character development but turns out enough impressive set pieces to win over genre fans.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross