(3) 4-6 Seventh grader Wylie blows a musical-theater audition but is then inspired to start an a cappella group. In the process, she overcomes her stage fright and learns hard lessons about friendship. The first-person narrative is interspersed with tween-y text messages. With the feel of television's Glee, this breezy read has just a hint of romance among the middle-school dramas.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(4) 4-6 Avalon wins a photography contest and a coveted spot on a spring break retreat hosted by the creators of the PhotoReady app for its "most active junior high...users." Avalon and her new friends roam NYC, taking selfies and getting into mild tween mischief. The fluffy story includes a cute boy, giggling friendships, spontaneous new experiences, and almost no real-world concerns.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(3) 4-6 After starting her own accessories-consulting and -lending business, twelve-year-old Tess realizes a family heirloom is missing from her collection. The tween fashionista must recover it before her parents and beloved grandmother notice. The initially breezy chick-lit story is deepened by exploration of some not-so-light topics such as Alzheimer's disease, jealousy, and broken friendships.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(4) 1-3 Illustrated by Stevie Lewis. Mandy Berr stomps and roars through two more adventures, both featuring her trademark enthusiasm and troublemaking ways. Gutknecht's heroine frequently crosses the line from sassy to intolerable, but there's just enough redemption to balance the tally sheet by the end. Lewis's black-and-white line drawings add comic relief, and Mandy's "List of Lessons" summarizes what she has (reportedly) learned from her escapades. Review covers these titles: Pizza Is the Best Breakfast and Never Wear Lipstick on Picture Day.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(4) 1-3 Illustrated by Stevie Lewis. Mandy Berr stomps and roars through two more adventures, both featuring her trademark enthusiasm and troublemaking ways. Gutknecht's heroine frequently crosses the line from sassy to intolerable, but there's just enough redemption to balance the tally sheet by the end. Lewis's black-and-white line drawings add comic relief, and Mandy's "List of Lessons" summarizes what she has (reportedly) learned from her escapades. Review covers these titles: Pizza Is the Best Breakfast and Never Wear Lipstick on Picture Day.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(4) 1-3 Illustrated by Stevie Lewis. Second grader Mandy endures a series of social tribulations, from the revelation that her underwear can be seen through her pants to being denied the starring role in the Presidential Pageant. Gutknecht's sassy heroine and Lewis's spot cartoons will appeal to fans of Junie B. Jones and the like, though the plot--and accompanying lessons--feel formulaic.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby