(4) 4-6 Based on a True Story series. Illustrated by Clint Hansen. These historical fiction stories introduce middle-grade readers to the experiences of real children. Written under one pseudonym by different authors, the novels, accompanied by black-and-white drawings and archival images and photos, are accessible if not riveting entrées into their subjects' lives. (Jemison's use of savage, true to the times, would have benefited from some contextualizing.) Each entry includes an author's note separating fact from fiction. Clem and Jemison contain glossaries. Review covers these Based on a True Story titles: John Lincoln Clem, Mary Jemison, Nettie & Nellie Crook, and Sybil Ludington.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 Foundling Margaret trades her crutch for a magic mirror and sets out to pursue her heart's desire. Her quest quickly becomes entangled with the stories of other familiar fantasy types, each driven by their own desires. Aside from Margaret, characters are broadly drawn, and the meandering plot is over-reliant on coincidence; but Long's prose sparkles, and the medieval setting is drawn with engaging detail.

Reviewer: Amy Bennett-Zendzian

(2) 4-6 It's 1924, and thirteen-year-old Clem must quit school and join his father in the lead mines. Clem hates every moment underground, a feeling Long skillfully conveys by re-creating the claustrophobic setting. Clem befriends another outsider, Lindy; both want to escape their lives but are caught in desperate situations. The nicely integrated setting and strong main characters carry readers to another time and place.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2014

(3) K-3 I Can Read Book series. Illustrated by Margie Moore. In the latest Ruby Raccoon book, Ruby wakes up expecting to have a perfect day, but one by one her friends say they're too busy to hang out with her. Ultimately, it is a perfect day--"for being all by myself!" This tribute to self-reliance has substance beneath its deceptively simple sentences. The art is sweet and delicate without being too precious.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 I Can Read Book series. Illustrated by Margie Moore. Raccoon Ruby's animal friends complain that she hasn't captured their best features in her painting. But after a thoughtful look, Fox, Bunny, Duck, and Crow agree that she has "painted the very best part of [them]": their happy, smiling faces. Despite the story's sappy message, beginning readers will easily master the repetitive text and will appreciate the amiable illustrations.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(3) K-3 I Can Read Book series. Illustrated by Margie Moore. When Ruby Raccoon asks her friends how to bake a cake, each animal suggests a favorite ingredient, including snails and worms. Ruby takes all their suggestions, with unfortunate results. Nevertheless, her true-blue friends all find something to compliment--such as the cake's shape, color, and juiciness. Ruby's unappetizing creation is amusing, and the soft, amiable illustrations add to the friendly mood.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(4) K-3 I Can Read Book series. Illustrated by Lydia Halverson. Despite the blatant commercial ploy to milk the success of the Stuart Little movie, itself an exploitation of the book by E. B. White, these easy readers (two play off Stuart's small size; Hides Out plays off his relationship with the cat Snowbell) feature action, simple yet natural writing, and effective story arcs. The realistically styled artwork shows Stuart and his human family. [Review covers Stuart at the Fun House, Stuart Hides Out, and Stuart Sets Sail.]

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) K-3 I Can Read Book series. Illustrated by Lydia Halverson. Despite the blatant commercial ploy to milk the success of the Stuart Little movie, itself an exploitation of the book by E. B. White, these easy readers (two play off Stuart's small size; Hides Out plays off his relationship with the cat Snowbell) feature action, simple yet natural writing, and effective story arcs. The realistically styled artwork shows Stuart and his human family. [Review covers Stuart at the Fun House, Stuart Hides Out, and Stuart Sets Sail.]

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) K-3 I Can Read Book series. Illustrated by Lydia Halverson. Despite the blatant commercial ploy to milk the success of the Stuart Little movie, itself an exploitation of the book by E. B. White, these easy readers (two play off Stuart's small size; Hides Out plays off his relationship with the cat Snowbell) feature action, simple yet natural writing, and effective story arcs. The realistically styled artwork shows Stuart and his human family. [Review covers Stuart at the Fun House, Stuart Hides Out, and Stuart Sets Sail.]

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam