(3) K-3 Illustrated by John Manders. One summer day, four bored kids start a watermelon-seed-spitting free-for-all. The fun begins at home but eventually leads them to the village square, where even the mayor gets in on the action. The rhymes are airtight, and the watermelon pink–tinged cartoony illustrations do their job by capturing all the mischief-making.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Jackie Urbanovic. Peace-loving Minuette is sent to her uncle Sir Horace the Horrible while her daddy recovers from the flu. Trying to convince her uncle that she'd rather have a hug than witness his heroics, such as slaying a dragon and vanquishing an army, she eventually persuades her fierce but clueless uncle that arms are for hugging. The story may be treacly, but the animated watercolors show a plucky, diminutive Minuette.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) 4-6 For fourteen-year-old Celie, "someday" always meant that faraway time when her home in the Swift River Valley in Massachusetts would be flooded to create a reservoir. That day arrives in 1938, forcing Celie, her mother, and grandmother to face the inevitable. The juxtaposition of society's advances with Celie's own march toward adulthood create a coming-of-age story rich in historical detail. Bib.

Reviewer: Betty Carter

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Janet Pedersen. When rabbit Peter becomes annoyed with his baby sister's antics, he takes her around the neighborhood looking for someone who wants to buy her. The amusing text and the sunny watercolor illustrations show the beguiling toddler charming her big brother, if not the neighbors. Peter finally returns home, happily convinced that while "nobody needs a baby," little Emily needs him.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(4) 1-3 Stepping Stone series. Illustrated by Anne Reas. When Mole overhears that Buzzard is "having Rabbit and his family for dinner," he fears Rabbit will be Buzzard's main course. Shrew has doubts but agrees to help her friend investigate. Mole's frequent verbal mix-ups are mildly amusing, although young readers will likely find sayings such as "you're all wet" just as perplexing as Mole does. Textured black-and-white illustrations accompany each chapter.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(3) 1-3 Stepping Stone series. Illustrated by Anne Reas. In this genteel comedy about new friends, Mole moves into Shrew's neighborhood when relatives invade his old home. Shrew eventually welcomes him when she finds out that he is a good neighbor, despite his habit of misunderstanding some common sayings. This first chapter book will inspire quiet chuckles, and the detailed pencil drawings evoke tradition and good feelings.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Marcia Sewall. This book honors the Narragansett Indians' ancient harvest celebration, Nickommoh. Each double-page spread depicts the celebrants in action, preparing sweat lodges, painting their skin, and ends with the cry "Nickommoh!" The sprawling earth-toned illustrations capture the festive atmosphere, and the text is lyrical if occasionally awkward: fragments and sentences such as "Venison and turkey the People will eat" abound.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) PS Illustrated by Anna Grossnickle Hines. Bouncing on the bed, sliding down the stairs, and wriggling in his seat are just a few of the activities an energetic toddler engages in throughout the course of his day. The rhythmic, repetitive text bounds along with him, but the muted watercolor illustrations are unfortunately not quite as lively, and they verge on being overly precious.

Reviewer: Christine M. Heppermann

(2) PS Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. Seven mischievous monkeys wreak havoc as "one monkey too many" climbs first onto a bike made for one, then into a golf cart for two, then into a canoe for three, and so on. Pastel watercolors paint the monkeys in casual toddler clothes with innocent, nothing's-going-on-here facial expressions as they hoodwink the larger animals (adultlike lions and pigs) who dictate how many monkeys each scene can contain.

Reviewer: Mary Burkey | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 1999

(3) YA An English class journal assignment causes Luke to document the risk-taking behavior and bad choices that have made him withdraw from his family, girlfriend, and wrestling team. The project also dredges up painful memories of the incident that left Luke blind in one eye. The novel presents a strong portrait of a teenager careening out of control, and the efforts he must make to put his life back together.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.