(4) YA Suspended series. Fast-paced, slangy first-person narratives focus on the story behind each protagonist's suspension and touch on issues such as bullying, racism, cheating, and coming out. Short chapters and wide margins make this school-centered, high-interest series a good choice for low-reading-level teens, even if the moral messages are heavy-handed. Covers feature edgy photos of a diverse selection of teens. Review covers these Suspended titles: A Cut Too Far, The Confessional, Testing the Truth, Over the Tracks, and High Drama.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(4) K-3 Monster Buddies series. Illustrated by Chiara Buccheri. Popular monsters made famous in movies and folklore are explored in these slim volumes perfect for young ones dying to learn about their favorite creepy characters. Facts include multicultural origins and variations (no sources are cited for such information) along with how to defeat these ghouls. Slick digital cartoons contribute to the friendly feel. There are four other fall 2014 books in this series. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Monster Buddies titles: I'm a Midnight Snacker!, I'm Fearsome and Furry!, I'll Haunt You!, and I'm Undead and Hungry!.

Reviewer: April Mazza

(4) K-3 Monster Buddies series. Illustrated by Chiara Buccheri. Popular monsters made famous in movies and folklore are explored in these slim volumes perfect for young ones dying to learn about their favorite creepy characters. Facts include multicultural origins and variations (no sources are cited for such information) along with how to defeat these ghouls. Slick digital cartoons contribute to the friendly feel. There are four other fall 2014 books in this series. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Monster Buddies titles: I'm a Midnight Snacker!, I'm Fearsome and Furry!, I'll Haunt You!, and I'm Undead and Hungry!.

Reviewer: April Mazza

(4) 4-6 Six Questions of American History series. Filled with numerous sidebars and sometimes too-busy colorful graphics, these lively narratives detail specific events that led to the Pilgrims' founding of Plymouth Colony, the Boston Tea Party, and the Emancipation Proclamation. Though the information is selective, the volumes provide accessible introductions to American history. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib. Review covers these Six Questions of American History titles: How Did Tea and Taxes Spark a Revolution?, When Were the First Slaves Set Free During the Civil War?[cf21], and Why Did the Pilgrims Come to the New World?.

(4) 4-6 Fantasy Chronicles series. These accessible but uneven texts give overviews of how elements of fantasy developed while discussing their roles in history and the modern world. Though perhaps too focused on the West, the books do include some creatures and conjurers from around the globe. Illustration reproductions include early representations of magical creatures and contemporary cartoonish ones. Reading list. Bib., ind. Review covers these Fantasy Chronicles titles: cf2]Wizards and Witches, Fairies and Elves, and Fantastical Creatures and Magical Beasts.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(4) 4-6 Fantasy Chronicles series. These accessible but uneven texts give overviews of how elements of fantasy developed while discussing their roles in history and the modern world. Though perhaps too focused on the West, the books do include some creatures and conjurers from around the globe. Illustration reproductions include early representations of magical creatures and contemporary cartoonish ones. Reading list. Bib., ind. Review covers these Fantasy Chronicles titles: cf2]Wizards and Witches, Fairies and Elves, and Fantastical Creatures and Magical Beasts.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(4) K-3 Yo solo festividades series. Illustrated by David L. Erickson. Knudsen shares Easter celebrations from countries around the world including Switzerland, Ethiopia, Egypt, and Mexico. Informative illustrations depict the various traditions, often including special clothing. The translation is mostly accurate with the exception of one word, cuclillo, which is not commonly used by native Spanish speakers, and one page seems to be missing text. A map and recipe are appended.

Reviewer: Alissa C. Salamone

(4) K-3 On My Own Biography series. Illustrated by Mark Oldroyd. These brief easy-to-read biographies introduce independent readers to three historical figures. The dry overviews cover each subject's childhood and adult accomplishments, discussing how each came to be a leader. The short lines of text and competent color illustrations on every page are appropriate for the reading level. Timeline. Review covers these On My Own Biography titles: Leif Eriksson, Sojourner Truth, and Cesar Chavez.

Reviewer: Elizabeth Shaver

(4) K-3 On My Own Holidays series. Illustrated by David L. Erickson. Each author provides a detailed explanation of the featured holiday or, in the case of Easter, describes how the holiday is celebrated in diverse lands, from Sweden to Ethiopia to Colombia. Some books' illustrations are less accomplished than others, but the short sentences in these thorough offerings are just right for beginning readers. Chinese and Cinco contain glossaries. Review covers these On My Own Holidays titles: Veterans Day, Easter around the World, Chinese New Year, Cinco de Mayo.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Pull Ahead Books series. Useful for beginning readers studying community helpers, these books provide very basic introductions to some familiar professions. Vocabulary words are printed in bold and defined in a glossary. Supported by photos of people at work, the books also contain a brief list of historical and career facts. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Pull Ahead Books titles: Firefighters, Doctors, Police Officers, Librarians, and Teachers.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow