(4) 4-6 When TV-obsessed Annie's best friend Savannah--who's not only popular, pretty, and smart, but talented, too--wins a starring role in a local web show, their friendship is suddenly at risk. Annie is jealous, and not even her habit of making up commercials for imaginary made-for-TV products brings her joy. An amiable if typical growing-up narrative is interspersed with Annie's humorous television ads.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Karl James Mountford. "Maurice was not like the other Beasts." The well-mannered, smiley vegetarian is sent to the Abominable Academy for Brutish Beasts, where Maurice's differences save the day from an infiltrating "creature" (a puppy) and even spark progressive changes ("He led a campaign to add kale to the lunch menu," etc.). Illustrated with more-cute-than-frightening mixed-media art, the lighthearted story conveys its you-be-you message without didacticism.

Reviewer: Lauren Chambers