(4) 4-6 American Girl Mysteries series. Rebecca's trip to see Houdini perform in Times Square leads to a series of misadventures involving stolen goods, fortune-tellers, scams, and real danger. Her close-knit Jewish family is warmly portrayed, as is the early 1900s Lower East Side setting. Secondary characters are less well developed, and the plot is overly busy. A historical note is appended. Glos.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Deborah Melmon. Having just moved to the U.S. from Israel, Tommy is teased by classmates because he has difficulty speaking English. When a police officer visits their class with his bomb-sniffing dog, who (conveniently) only understands Hebrew commands, Tommy has a chance to shine. Friendly illustrations, featuring giant-headed children and a playful yellow Lab, add liveliness to a gentle but purposive plot.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Doug Chayka. Rafael and his orchestra conductor father live as conversos (Jews who practice their faith in secret) in sixteenth-century Barcelona. The text describes how Rafael manages to blow the shofar for Rosh Hashanah right under the city leaders' noses. The story is intriguing, but the telling is a little stiff. Well-composed gold-hued paintings illustrate the tale. An author's note gives more information.

Reviewer: Amy Lois Cohn

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Judith Hierstein. Nathan sets out with Grandpa to look for a Hanukkah menorah of his own. He finally finds what he wants in an antique shop; inspired by Grandpa's tales of purchasing from peddlers years ago, Nathan procures it after a session of spirited bargaining. This warm, though wordy, story is accompanied by stiff but otherwise competent illustrations.

Reviewer: Amy Lois Cohn

(4) 4-6 Code Red series. Twelve double-page spreads introduce each disaster, give some background, and describe reactions and changes in public policy in response to the events. While the writing never completely conveys the enormity of these catastrophes, the photographs show some of the drama. A final spread briefly profiles three or four people with roles in the events. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Code Red titles: The Exxon Valdez's Deadly Oil Spill, Emergency at Three Mile Island, The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, The 2001 World Trade Center Attack, The Great Chicago Fire, and The Texas City Disaster.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) 4-6 Code Red series. Twelve double-page spreads introduce each disaster, give some background, and describe reactions and changes in public policy in response to the events. While the writing never completely conveys the enormity of these catastrophes, the photographs show some of the drama. A final spread briefly profiles three or four people with roles in the events. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Code Red titles: The Exxon Valdez's Deadly Oil Spill, Emergency at Three Mile Island, The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, The 2001 World Trade Center Attack, The Great Chicago Fire, and The Texas City Disaster.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 America's Animal Comebacks series. Using glossy close-up photographs and accessible text, these books offer readers a clear chronicle of the animals' struggles and successes. Authors clearly outline the threats and what humans have done to help (after, in many cases, causing the problem). Readers studying conservation will gain valuable information. Statistics and facts about other endangered animals are appended. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these America's Animal Comebacks titles: Black-Footed Ferrets, American Bison, Florida Panthers, Florida Manatees, Gray Wolves, Grizzly Bears, and Southern Sea Otters.

Reviewer: Betsy Murray

(4) 4-6 First Book series. Accompanying Little Man, a young Abenaki boy, to a powwow, Greene discusses various aspects of the Native American gathering and provides basic history and background information. Color photographs enhance the dry text, which lacks the energy of other books on the same topic, such as George Ancona's Powwow. A list of organizations and websites is appended. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Debbie Reese