(3) 1-3 Horse Diaries series. Illustrated by Astrid Sheckels. Black Cloud, a mustang colt in 1951 Nevada, is rescued by a girl named Annie after most of his herd is slaughtered. He gradually adjusts to life behind fences and learns that humans can be good or bad. The horse is a convincing narrator in this engaging story rich with historical details. An appendix provides background on mustangs.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) 4-6 This cheerful Emma Dilemma book focuses, gratifyingly, more on young Emma than on Annie the nanny. Emma is desperate to save Rooney, a horse at a nearby stable. Her schemes lead to one misadventure after another, until (almost) everything is resolved. Fans will enjoy Emma's characteristic pluck and the story's ups and downs.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 Emma and her family are spending the summer in Maine. Against her parents' orders, Emma sneaks along one of her beloved ferrets. She also interferes with the neighbors' land-clearing plan by refusing to leave her favorite tree. The nanny is less of a character here, and the plot elements are too neatly resolved, even for this lighthearted series, but fans won't mind.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 In her fourth book, Emma's new set of worries includes her beloved nanny Annie's new boyfriend (does Annie still love Emma?) and her best pal's changing interests. As usual, Emma's attempts to solve her problems lead to complications and then to life lessons. Though the story's drama is bland, Emma continues to be spunky and likable.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(3) 1-3 Horse Diaries series. Illustrated by Ruth Sanderson. Quarter horse Koda, born in 1840s Missouri, describes traveling with his (human) family along the Oregon Trail. The story has moments of tension, and the foal's engaging voice smooths the mild historical lesson and inserted facts about quarter horses. Black-and-white drawings that strive for realism accompany the text. An appendix gives more background.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) 4-6 In her latest adventure, Emma wants the nanny (instead of Mom) to come to her travel soccer game in Washington, DC. Plus, Emma and her sibs want to get more pets though their parents say no. Emma tends to be too whiny, but her story moves quickly and readers may enjoy seeing how her creative schemes pan out.

Reviewer: Becky Levine

(4) 4-6 Emma has to deal with one nanny leaving and another starting; with a borrowed book that gets destroyed; and with a cat that needs a home. The many story lines are fairly bland and the problems are resolved too quickly, but Emma's busy family is entertaining and her quick thinking will make readers want to see what happens next.

Reviewer: Becky Levine

(3) 4-6 Missy's life seems out of her control: her mother is declining due to mental illness, and Missy can't go swimming with her friends because of their skin color. Hermes's atmospheric novel, set in 1940s Mississippi, is suffused with the sadness of a child growing up in a time when racism and mental illness were not talked about. This sensitive novel's ending is especially satisfying.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) 1-3 My America series. In this third book about Joshua, the nine-year-old diarist records his experiences living on a claim with his family in 1849. The concise, simply written narrative describes Joshua's fears when his younger sister disappears in the woods while under his care, as well as his excitement upon learning he will soon be attending school in Oregon City. A note on pioneer life and photographic reproductions place events within historical context.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) 1-3 My America series. After surviving the settling of Jamestown and the terrible winter that followed, ten-year-old Elizabeth Barker records her thoughts and feelings as she adjusts to the prospect of a stepmother, makes new friends, and finds ways to soften the harshness of the new governor's rule. Brief diary entries and Lizzie's engaging voice make this third book (after Our Strange New Land and The Starving Time) highly readable.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(3) 1-3 My America series. Joshua, whose family traveled the Oregon Trail in Westward to Home, continues recording his experiences in a diary. Throughout the fall and winter of 1848, the McCulloughs claim land, build a house, welcome a new baby, and lose a family member in a tragic accident. Joshua's concisely written narrative captures the hardship and hopefulness of pioneer life. A note and reproductions place events in context.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) 1-3 My America series. In a series of journal entries, young Joshua McCullough tells of his family's journey along the Oregon Trail in 1848. Joshua's candid, believable voice brings the frontier experience to life on a personal, everyday level, as they face hunger, blistering heat, torrential rains, and both "hostile" and "friendly" Indians. A historical note provides additional information as well as period photographs and drawings.

Reviewer: Erica L. Stahler

(3) 1-3 My America series. This sequel to Our Strange New Land is well written and easy to read. The diary continues the story of nine-year-old Elizabeth Barker, who has stayed with her family in Jamestown, Virginia, while Captain Smith returns to England for provisions. The struggles they face--cold, starvation, disease--are clearly described as Elizabeth tells her story. A historical note illustrated with archival drawings is appended.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(3) 4-6 My America series. These offshoots of the Dear America series offer history lessons in diary form. Two girls comment on events in history--the Jamestown settlement and the Civil War--as they affect their lives. Historical facts and fictional characters and scenerios are well integrated. Each book contains a historical note that fills in some background. My Brother's Keeper includes the text of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(2) 4-6 In a bittersweet tale, twelve-year-old Gabby would like to vacation at the ocean with her best friend's family, but worries about leaving her six-year-old brother with their often-absent, alcoholic father. In an authentic first person voice, Hermes communicates Gabby's lack of trust and hope--and her eventual discovery of her own voice and worth.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.