(3) 4-6 Duncan has two secrets: he speaks Cat and he's highly intelligent. His mother, for reasons he doesn't understand, insists that he pretend to be average. But a perfect score on an aptitude test catches the attention of a villainous earl, who kidnaps Duncan for a dangerous voyage. Strong prose, humorous feline allies, and seafaring action enhance this tale of secret identities and birthrights reclaimed.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(3) 1-3 Stepping Stone: Magical Mix-Ups series. Illustrated by Brandon Dorman. After Tate falls into a well and accidentally swallows its magical water, she's suddenly able to think and read faster, but she's also inexplicably drawn to water. Unfortunately, her siblings experience the same side effects, and it's up to Tate to think fast when they fall into the nearby river. The Willow sibs' fourth action-packed story includes illustrations of their magical adventure.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Brandon Dorman. Abner Willow is scared to lead the town's parade, so his sister Tate encourages him to strengthen his bravery by eating roasted grasshoppers. But the bugs from the kids' yard possess magic; soon Abner bounces into a test of true bravery. Dorman's lively illustrations complement the chaotic fun in this clever third romp (Hamster Magic; Lawn Mower Magic) with the Willow sibs.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Brandon Dornam. In their second story, the Willow kids (Hamster Magic) try to solve the family's broken-down lawn mower problem with the help of a mower that's been rusting in their shed. But they quickly learn that it possesses magical powers--and an insatiable appetite for grass. "Mowey" drags the kids, sometimes literally, through funny backyard hijinks, depicted in Dorman's energetic drawings.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Jonathan Bean. Emmy Addison and her friends, who happen to be magical rats, are lured to Schenectady by a rodent villainess determined to regain her human form. This third entry includes many flashbacks, which can slow the action, but the characters continue to have heart, and Bean's flip-book art in the margins is an entertaining bonus.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Brandon Dorman. Wishes are not to be taken lightly, especially when they're granted by a hamster. Tired of being the youngest child, Celia wishes to be big. Humorous problems arise for Celia's siblings as they try to hide their sister-turned-giant-hamster from their parents. Dorman's drawings of Celia as she discovers her new hamster abilities will tickle young readers.

Reviewer: Sarah Novogrodsky

(3) 4-6 Ten-year-old Christina has been overprotected by her emotionally distant father since her mother's mysterious death. She now finds herself dragged into a sinister mining enterprise that exploits orphan labor to extract "zoom," a volatile and valuable fuel source. Science fiction, determination, loyalty, and a smattering of music blend together well in Jonell's story.

Reviewer: Bethany Templeton Klem

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Jonathan Bean. Emmy (Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat) rejoins her talking-rodent friends to defeat her evil nanny, Ms. Barmy. This time, besides outwitting the nasty nanny, Emmy is trying to save Ms. Barmy's previous victims while also attempting to make friends with the girls in her neighborhood. Black-and-white flip-book-style illustrations decorate the pages of this imaginative text.

Reviewer: Lauren Maggio

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Jonathan Bean. Emmy is ignored by everyone except her scarily perfect nanny, Miss Barmy. A rascally class pet rat introduces Emmy to a magical rodent subculture, which helps her discover the truth about her suddenly aloof parents and Miss Barmy. With its sinister elements beneath a light writing style, the imaginative plot is reminiscent of Roald Dahl. Black-and-white running-head illustrations create a flipbook effect.

Reviewer: Lauren Maggio

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Petra Mathers. Illustrated in the appealing stick-figure-and-crayon mode distinguishing Jonell and Mathers's previous collaborations, this observant family story follows Mommy's crummy mood as it passes along to one of her two sons. Only when Robbie declares himself a prickly "borkupine" does Mommy realize how her unexplained irritation has been worrying and rubbing off on those around her.

Reviewer: Christine M. Heppermann

(2) PS Illustrated by Petra Mathers. Mom is so busy preparing a holiday dinner that Christopher and Robbie decide to make a pie of what they want most, with ingredients such as Mom's snuggly slippers and her soft gloves. "'Mom pie is not good to eat,' said Christopher. 'It is good to touch and to smell.' 'And to snuggle with,' said Robbie, 'when you are busy.'" In words and pictures, Jonell and Mathers respectfully portray the small dramas of a child's world.

Reviewer: Lauren Adams | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2001

(3) PS Illustrated by Ted Rand. A boy cries, "Let's play rough, Daddy!" and jumps on his father, who responds enthusiastically. When the roughhousing becomes a bit overwhelming, the boy calls a halt, whereupon Daddy stops and offers a hug. Reassured, the boy begins another bout of rowdy play. Wavy lines of type reflect the rambunctious mood, which is further enhanced by uncluttered illustrations.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(2) PS Illustrated by Petra Mathers. Jonell and Mathers once again go straight to the heart of the child's experience in this story of sibling dynamics. Christopher, the small boy from Mommy Go Away!, is getting bigger and is now contending with little brother Robbie (last seen in I Need a Snake). Mathers's kindergarten-crayon drawings capture all the emotional drama between the brothers and add unremarked-upon details of the birthday-party setting.

Reviewer: Lauren Adams | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 1999

(3) PS Robbie insists that he needs a snake, and library books and trips to the museum and pet stores do not satisfy the need. Finally Robbie solves his problem by finding snakes around the house--a shoelace, a belt, and a jump rope. With the same childlike art and very simple storytelling style they used in 'Mommy Go Away!', Jonell and Mathers have created a story that will ring true with both parents and kids.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.