(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Anoosha Syed. Amanda, a.k.a. Bug Girl, tackles her new superhero role and seventh grade, with mixed results. Her increasing powers are stymied by mean-girl drama and a growing rift between herself and crime-fighting partner Emily. These super-girls must learn to work together to save their classmates from a mysterious monster. Black-and-white, blue-accented illustrations and entomological profiles are interspersed throughout the lively superhero romp.

Reviewer: Pam Yosca

(4) 4-6 Far Out Fables series. Illustrated by Pedro Rodriguez. Each brief, accessible paneled comic retells a fable with a sci-fi twist: a bored boy in Transylvania pranks villagers about a vampire attacking (until it does), a time portal drops a T. rex egg at a modern farmhouse, etc. The unremarkable revamps are improved by thorough back matter, which notes changes to source materials and poses "visual questions" to help navigate graphic narratives. Glos. Review covers these Far Out Fables titles: The Boy Who Cried Vampire, The Lion and the Mouse and the Invaders from Zurg, The Robo-Battle of Mega Tortoise vs. Hazard Hare, and The Ugly Dino Hatchling.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) 4-6 Far Out Fables series. Illustrated by Alex Lopez. Each brief, accessible paneled comic retells a fable with a sci-fi twist: a bored boy in Transylvania pranks villagers about a vampire attacking (until it does), a time portal drops a T. rex egg at a modern farmhouse, etc. The unremarkable revamps are improved by thorough back matter, which notes changes to source materials and poses "visual questions" to help navigate graphic narratives. Glos. Review covers these Far Out Fables titles: The Boy Who Cried Vampire, The Lion and the Mouse and the Invaders from Zurg, The Robo-Battle of Mega Tortoise vs. Hazard Hare, and The Ugly Dino Hatchling.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Anoosha Syed. Amanda's fascination with insects manifests as bug-like superpowers when evil creatures invade her hometown and kidnap her mother. This origin story reveals Amanda's mother's own crime-fighting history and sheds light on the dissolution of Amanda's friendship with Emily, who is also an emerging superhero. Occasional bug facts and lighthearted black-and-white illustrations with fluorescent green accents accompany this emotionally deep, girl-power adventure tale.

Reviewer: Pam Yosca

(4) 4-6 Far Out Fairy Tales series. Illustrated by Fernandó Cano. REVIEW MISSING

Reviewer: Amy Bennett-Zendzian