(4) 4-6 Daughters of fairy-tale icons attend middle school in NYC. Sleeping Beauty's daughter, Aria, dreams of being a clothing designer, but her parents--understandably!--have something against needles (Fairest). Before the dance, Rosie White Charming, descendant of Snow and Prince, gets a makeover with help from her mom's magic compact (Charmed). Despite superficial fashion details and muddled lessons on beauty, the breezy takeoffs have appeal. Review covers these titles: Charmed, I'm Sure and Fairest of Them All.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) 4-6 Daughters of fairy-tale icons attend middle school in NYC. Sleeping Beauty's daughter, Aria, dreams of being a clothing designer, but her parents--understandably!--have something against needles (Fairest). Before the dance, Rosie White Charming, descendant of Snow and Prince, gets a makeover with help from her mom's magic compact (Charmed). Despite superficial fashion details and muddled lessons on beauty, the breezy takeoffs have appeal. Review covers these titles: Charmed, I'm Sure and Fairest of Them All.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) YA After hackers target Samantha's family (her dad is the CEO of a beleaguered bank), Sammy's online diary is exposed to the public, turning an already stressful junior year into a humiliating one. It gets worse when Sammy learns her mom has cancer. A cute guy and new friends help Sammy cope--and gain maturity--in this issue-laden but ultimately uplifting novel.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(3) YA Fifteen-year-old Lara's cyberbullying-provoked suicide attempt leaves no one unscathed. First-person narration shifts between Lara, her ex–best friend, and each girl's eighth-grade sibling as they recount the events that led to the bullying and experience its aftermath. An unusually nuanced look at bullying's effects on whole families, in which all characters are flawed yet none are vilified.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(3) YA Abby meets and falls in love with "Luke" online. Then she disappears, leaving everyone to agonize over her whereabouts and safety--but also their own guilt. Perspective switches between Abby and her loved ones; impersonal police reports help readers understand the danger and trauma of the sexual exploitation Abby undergoes. Littman avoids preachiness in this disturbing cautionary tale about online predators.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) YA Terrorism and a financial crisis in Dani's native Argentina force her family into poverty and her dad into a depression. They eventually emigrate to America where Dani feels like an outcast until she connects with siblings affected by a similar act of terrorism: 9/11. Her father's instantaneous recovery feels rushed, but many will relate to the relevant topical issues.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) YA Through journal entries and conversations, sixteen-year-old Janie, a bulimic, describes her stay in a psychiatric hospital. The story centers on Janie's therapy sessions and the conflicts between patient groups (e.g., the Barfers and the Starvers). While Janie's recovery is a bit too quick, Littman's portrayal of the issues surrounding eating disorders is honest and effective. Reading list, websites.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) 4-6 Jussy, eleven and Jewish, decides to become Catholic, even setting up a confessional in her closet, with her teddy bear as Confessor. She eventually talks to a priest who convinces her to explore her own religion. Tonally uneven and trying too hard with the jokes, this book nevertheless presents a likable portrait of a girl in search of God.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt