(2) K-3 Illustrated by Guy Francis. This super-entertaining book reveals the science behind Santa's Christmas Eve magic. Holly, part of a team of tech-savvy elves, takes us on a tour of Santa's workshop (which must produce over a billion presents a year); garage (run by Mrs. Claus, where they've built a sled equipped to carry a million tons of toys and stop in the space of a single roof); and loading dock (where Santa dons a special suit designed to handle the g-forces of traveling 730,000 miles per hour). Flying from east to west across the International Date Line, he's able to complete all his deliveries and--jangling jingle bells!--make it back to the North Pole to start the process all over again. Double-page spreads full of bustling activity and humorous details add to the appeal.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2021

(3) 4-6 Monstertown Mystery series. In Were-Hyena, when Carlos and Benny's favorite teacher starts acting strangely (growling, laughing uncontrollably, etc.), they recruit help from a local comic-store owner to stop Mr. Chu from turning into a were-hyena. In Mutant, things get weird again at Monterrosa Elementary when kids notice aggressive lunch ladies and large bugs in the cafeteria. The boys' genuine friendship shines through in these offbeat horror-lite stories. Review covers these Monstertown Mystery titles: The Curse of the Were-Hyena and Mutant Mantis Lunch Ladies!.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) 4-6 Monstertown Mystery series. When students and teachers start raving madly then slipping into comas, Benny and Carlos (Mutant Mantis Lunch Ladies!) know that another supernatural evil is afoot at Monterrosa Elementary. With help from Tina and new student Esme, the boys are again thrust into monster-hunting as they confront a scorp-lion infestation. This series continues to be at once spooky and silly in the best possible way.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(4) K-3 I Can Read Book series. Illustrated by Guy Francis. As Book Report Day approaches, Clark the Shark is sure he'll give "the best report ever!" But when Clark stands up in front of his class, he freezes. Drama builds throughout the accessible easy-reader text, but the resolution comes too easily. Francis's full-bleed illustrations reflect Clark's oversized personality and expand slightly on the narrative. Shark facts are appended.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(3) 4-6 Monstertown Mystery series. In Were-Hyena, when Carlos and Benny's favorite teacher starts acting strangely (growling, laughing uncontrollably, etc.), they recruit help from a local comic-store owner to stop Mr. Chu from turning into a were-hyena. In Mutant, things get weird again at Monterrosa Elementary when kids notice aggressive lunch ladies and large bugs in the cafeteria. The boys' genuine friendship shines through in these offbeat horror-lite stories. Review covers these Monstertown Mystery titles: The Curse of the Were-Hyena and Mutant Mantis Lunch Ladies!.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(4) K-3 I Can Read Book series. Illustrated by Guy Francis. On a class trip to the undersea farmer's market, Clark the Shark gets separated from his classmates and learns a muddied lesson about remembering what he's told and following rules (even though breaking the "inside voices" rule is how Clark is located). The cartoony sea creatures--and the didacticism--of Clark the Shark picture books are present and accounted for in this beginning reader.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Guy Francis. Clark the Shark spends so much time wondering who will buy his gift, he forgets to buy a present for his class Secret Santa. After giving up the comic he bought for himself, Clark is happily surprised to receive the same gift in return. The illustrations of goofy sea creatures are mildly amusing in this somewhat trite meaning-of-Christmas series entry.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(3) 4-6 School for S.P.I.E.S. series. Illustrated by Brandon Dorman. Max is forced to work undercover for LOTUS after the evil spy agency destroys the School for S.P.I.E.S. On the run, the students and teachers hatch a plan to rescue Max and stop LOTUS's plot against the British government. With a diverse cast of characters and non-stop (delightfully implausible) action sequences, the final book in this spy-themed adventure series won't disappoint readers.

Reviewer: Barratt Miller

(3) 1-3 With nods to film noir and slapstick, classic fairy-tale figures become suspects and familiar plots get flipped in this chapter book. Falsely accused of destroying the houses of the Three Little Pigs, Big Bad Wolfgang gets one day to clear his name, with the fourth pig sibling as his sidekick. Occasional pencil drawings add to the humor and appeal.

Reviewer: Grace Enriquez

(3) PS Illustrated by Guy Francis. Clark the Shark, that well-meaning but sometimes-too-rambunctious fish, is back to learn another school-based lesson: sharing, both of toys and of the limelight. There's no disguising the story's intent, but the message goes down easy through Clark's silly antics, which are reflected in both the lively text and the just-as-spirited-as-Clark undersea illustrations.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Steve Breen. One day sweet baby Sammy morphs into Bad Baby, a monster who treats real cars like toys, draws all over tall buildings, and otherwise terrorizes the town. His plot to take over the world is thwarted by his mom, who knows his kryptonite: his blankie. In the tradition of Hawkes's The Wicked Big Toddlah, this irresistible comedy features uproarious illustrations of the diaper-clad Baby-zilla being something less than neighborly.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) 4-6 School for S.P.I.E.S. series. Illustrated by Brandon Dorman. Max Segredo and his classmates at School for S.P.I.E.S.--a.k.a. Merry Sunshine Orphanage--come to the rescue when competition from enemy spy organization LOTUS and a Ministry of Health audit threaten to close the school for good. Tweens with a passion for espionage (and an ability to suspend disbelief) will love this fast-paced adventure story.

Reviewer: Barratt Miller

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Guy Francis. Big, strong showboater Clark the Shark fears only one thing: girls. Clark tries to impress Anna Angelfish with grand gestures--winning a race, saving the school boat--but as each ends in a flop, Clark finally listens to advice from friend Joey Mackerel ("sometimes the best things...come in small packages"). Underwater school-time illustrations provide an entertaining twist on a well-worn conflict.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(3) 4-6 School for S.P.I.E.S. series. Illustrated by Brandon Dorman. Thirteen-year-old foster kid Max gets sent to the Merry Sunshine Orphanage, which is secretly a school for spies. While Max enjoys developing his intelligence-gathering skills and going on secret missions, his main priority is finding his father. Some quickly developed plot elements require suspension of disbelief, but fans of espionage stories will enjoy the engaging characters and plentiful action.

Reviewer: Barratt Miller

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Guy Francis. Clark loves school so much he can barely contain his excitement, but a shark his size spinning out of control intimidates the other fish, so he has trouble fitting in. With the help of his teacher, Clark slowly learns how to "stay cool" when it counts. Overlooking the precious rhymes and overt lesson, Francis skillfully captures the heart of Clark's exuberance (and his classmates' wide-eyed trepidation).

Reviewer: Shara Hardeson

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Dave Garbot. The mystery: all of the Halloween candy has been stolen. The suspects: Vampire Bob, Willy the Werewolf, Joey Bones, and more. Each of eleven spreads, boisterously illustrated with smiley, blobby ghosts and silly monsters, contains clues to the theft. The final spread reveals the culprit, along with "Bonus Search" items. This seek-and-find book provides Where's Waldo?–esque Halloween fun.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Shane Hillman. In this fourth Underwhere adventure, Fitz the cat steps up as the hero, battling an evil mastermind who's preparing a nasty surprise for Fitz's human friends. Parts of the story set in the real world are presented in text, while the Underwhere sections are shown in graphic novel format. Though the humor can be forced, Fitz offers an entertaining perspective on humans.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(3) 4-6 Chet Gecko Mystery series. Detective Chet Gecko investigates the cause of a massive stink bomb and other unpleasant incidents at school. All clues seem to implicate the friendly janitor, but Chet isn't convinced. The gecko detective's fans will continue to appreciate his humorous narrative voice and running commentary on school life (readers will likely recognize their own schoolmates among the animal-character types).

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(3) 4-6 Chet Gecko Mystery series. With Emerson Hicky Elementary's students acting like they're "hopped up on s'mores and sleeplessness," PI Chet Gecko wonders if they've been hit with a Wiccan hex. Or were their lunches spiked by the Munchmeister 2000's inventor or a bitter ex-employee? Chet's nonstop wisecracks and sidekick Natalie's jokes are, per usual, giggle- (and groan-) inducing. Black-and-white illustrations display the animal cast's antics.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Shane Hillman. Twins Zeke (who narrates Prince) and Stephanie (Pirates) fall into Underwhere, an underground kingdom whose inhabitants think Zeke is a prince. In each book, the texts are interspersed with comics-style panels and screenplay scenes that continue the action. Though the plots are forgettable, the dynamic format may appeal to reluctant readers who might also enjoy the frequent puns and underwear humor. Review covers these titles: Pirates of Underwhere and Prince of Underwhere.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister