(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Yoko Tanaka. Theodosia heads to Egypt with her mother on an archaeological dig. While trying to evade the Serpents of Chaos and keep the Emerald Tablet safe, Theodosia befriends a boy who just might be the last in a line of Egyptian pharaohs. There's plenty of magic and intrigue to keep series fans interested in this fourth installment.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(3) 4-6 Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist series. Illustrated by Kelly Murphy. Though Nathaniel hopes to focus on finding wicked Obediah Fludd, who may have information about Nathaniel's parents, he and Aunt Phil are called away on assignment to aid a guivre and a unicorn. Is it good fortune or bad luck when Obediah finds them? Development of secondary characters provides opportunities for humor and makes this fourth book as fresh as the first.

Reviewer: Rebecca Hachmyer

(3) 4-6 Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist series. Illustrated by Kelly Murphy. Though he's a beastologist in training, Nathaniel Fludd is nervous about accompanying his aunt on her mission to capture a runaway basilisk. Will Nathaniel and his pet gremlin have what it takes to face the creature and its venomous gaze? This sequel to Flight of the Phoenix is tidily crafted.

Reviewer: Rebecca Hachmyer

(3) 4-6 Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist series. Illustrated by Kelly Murphy. Just when Nate thought that he, his aunt, and his pet gremlin were due for some downtime, they find Aunt Phil's home ransacked then receive word that wyverns are rampaging in Wales. Might the intruder and the wyvern-disturber be one and the same? And could that person be a renegade Fludd? The series' overarching mystery continues to develop alongside clever episodic adventures.

Reviewer: Rebecca Hachmyer

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Yoko Tanaka. Theodosia and a group of street rats are on the hunt for Egyptian occult magic, with two secret societies following them. Theodosia is beset with problems: a cursed brother, an obtuse boss, and distracted parents. A comedic subplot and brilliant final reveals make up for a cast of poorly developed secondary characters. Tanaka's exquisite acrylic on board illustrations heighten the book's mysterious mood.

Reviewer: Thom Barthelmess

(3) 4-6 Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist series. Illustrated by Kelly Murphy. When his adventurer parents are declared lost at sea, Nathaniel Fludd is sent to live with an unusual relative. He promptly finds himself on a rickety plane to Arabia where he helps birth a phoenix, befriends a gremlin, and finds out exactly what it means to be a Fludd. LeFevers's droll text is accompanied by Murphy's well-textured black-and-white drawings.

Reviewer: Rebecca Hachmyer

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Yoko Tanaka. Eleven-year-old archaeologist Theodosia (Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos) is gallivanting about London, for there is a new mystery afoot: mummies are going missing, and her father is under suspicion. Only Theodosia can bring to justice the secret criminal organization behind it all. The bad guys are a bit two-dimensional, but the plot is lively in a deliciously stuffy Victorian way.

Reviewer: Thom Barthelmess

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Yoko Tanaka. Theodosia Throckmorton has an uncanny ability to detect curses and black magic. This skill leads her to the Valley of the Kings to return an artifact that threatens the fate of the world. Though some characters are wooden (the villains are of the mustache-twirling variety), the story is bolstered by fast-paced action and fascinating Egyptian lore.

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(4) 4-6 Removed from the guardianship of his strict uncle just before he turns thirteen, Luc discovers his dead father's hidden identity and his own dormant (until now) heritage. But even among fellow werewolves he's an outcast, and his arrival brings danger to the community. The brisk adventure holds attention and stirs excitement, but the lack of resolution may frustrate readers.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross