(4) K-3 Illustrated by Steve Björkman. Warm, loose-lined ink and watercolor illustrations accompany the teen sisters' original song about fun at the beach. It works better as a song, but plenty of sisterly affection shines through text and images. The funny ending is both a surprise and perfectly in keeping with the chorus: "Just use your imagination / You can have a dream vacation / In the waves, in the water."

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(4) YA Amanda Project series. Illustrated by Brian Floca. When their classmate Amanda goes missing, three otherwise unconnected students are left to analyze the many clues she left behind. Amanda had always been cryptic, but sketches, handwritten notes, and other remnants reveal lies and provoke more questions. The first in a proposed eight-book series, this opener is gimmicky but engaging. An interactive website extends the mystery.

Reviewer: Amanda Mc. MacGregor