(3) YA Eric may look the part at his high school full of wealthy elites, but inside he feels different. He starts hanging out with rich boy Jordan (on whom he has a crush) and a pair of girls. Together they are "The Suicide Pack," and by building a bomb they decide to "fix" what's wrong with their school. The 365 chapters are short, tense, and cinematic.

Reviewer: David Elzey

(4) K-3 DK Readers series. In a text leveled for "beginning to read alone," five chapters explain castles' historic role as defense mechanisms, emphasizing how design evolved to protect knights, monks, and villagers in wartime. Political circumstances such as the Crusades are mentioned but largely unexplained. Well-placed, often captioned photographs introduce unfamiliar structures. Dynamic formatting (including diagrams and a mock news article) introduce additional nonfiction features. Quiz appended. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(4) YA Using the movie Scarface as his inspiration, high-school loser Adam, new to Nixon Collegiate, sets out to become popular by selling homework, arranging fake IDs, procuring liquor, and dealing drugs until he realizes his mistakes long beyond when he should have. Though many characters are unsympathetically drawn, the clipped, fast-moving narrative and mature content will interest some teens.

Reviewer: David Elzey

(3) 4-6 Emphasizing mainly Middle Eastern and African countries, photojournalist Matthews juxtaposes photographs (many posed) and case studies to introduce in each chapter a different way that sustained warfare affects children. The emotional images meaningfully capture living conditions; children's quotes particularize the content. "Photographer's Perspective" sections introduce the role of the photojournalist as a secondary topic. A "Main Conflicts" summary is appended. Websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(2) 4-6 The society of Evans has a plan to loosen the ruling dragons' stranglehold on humanity, and Al, who is unsusceptible to magic, could play a role in that plan--if he can only figure out what he's supposed to do. Colorful characters who help the young protagonist along and a plot that keeps getting bigger and bigger propel this tale to a whiz-bang conclusion.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2013

(4) K-3 Extreme Dinosaurs series. Each volume groups dinosaur species into superlative categories: extremes in size (Biggest), strange features (Weirdest), and aggressive behavior (Scariest). Two-page spreads contain high-interest text and awkward illustrations of the various species in their habitats; photographs of fossils and paleontologists are scattered sparsely. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Extreme Dinosaurs titles: World's Biggest Dinosaurs, World's Scariest Dinosaurs, and World's Weirdest Dinosaurs.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 Extreme Dinosaurs series. Each volume groups dinosaur species into superlative categories: extremes in size (Biggest), strange features (Weirdest), and aggressive behavior (Scariest). Two-page spreads contain high-interest text and awkward illustrations of the various species in their habitats; photographs of fossils and paleontologists are scattered sparsely. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Extreme Dinosaurs titles: World's Biggest Dinosaurs, World's Scariest Dinosaurs, and World's Weirdest Dinosaurs.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 Extreme Dinosaurs series. Each volume groups dinosaur species into superlative categories: extremes in size (Biggest), strange features (Weirdest), and aggressive behavior (Scariest). Two-page spreads contain high-interest text and awkward illustrations of the various species in their habitats; photographs of fossils and paleontologists are scattered sparsely. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Extreme Dinosaurs titles: World's Biggest Dinosaurs, World's Scariest Dinosaurs, and World's Weirdest Dinosaurs.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 100 Things You Should Know About series. Each of these books presents one hundred facts about the title subject. Though most of the information appears to have been randomly selected and displayed, the volumes' snippets just may entice readers to seek further knowledge. The busy pages are tightly packed with photos, cartoonlike drawings, and more realistic illustrations in addition to "I Don't Believe It!" sidebars. Ind. Review covers these 100 Things You Should Know About titles: Archeology and Gladiators.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) 4-6 What About... series. Densely packed double-page spreads cover many different dinosaurs. Page and section headings in addition to "amazing facts" sidebars help readers navigate the various topics; the question-and-answer format leads up to a quiz at the end. Extensive illustrations add interest, though they contribute to the overcrowded design and lack of cohesion. Ind.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Mike Collins. This graphic novel tells of young Arthur before he became king. The story draws from the earliest Arthurian tales and contains details not usually included. The comic-style illustrations ably convey the mystical and magical elements; however the layout is occasionally poorly executed, especially when panels span the two pages of a spread.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) YA Young Jimmu is forced into hiding after his family is betrayed by Lord Ankan, causing his father's suicide. Taught the ways of the samurai, Jimmu joins Lord Ankan's retinue and patiently waits to avenge his parents. The story provides an intriguing look at life in sixteenth-century Japan through an action-packed hero's tale of self-discovery, courage, and blossoming love.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Pavel Tatarnikov. This volume is a collection of stories about King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Readers are introduced to the people, places, and events of Arthurian legend. Each themed chapter begins with a synopsis of several Arthurian tales and is followed by one full tale. Numerous soft-toned watercolor illustrations provide a scenic accompaniment to the text. Reading list.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Tomislav Tomić. These twenty stories from various cultures include a Zuni tale about Coyote, a story about Raven and Crayfish from Siberia, and an Irish legend of Wren, who flies highest to become king of birds. Each story is skillfully told and illustrated with captivatingly intricate black-ink drawings on creamy paper with subtle watercolor borders on title pictures. There are no source notes.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) 4-6 Lexi wakes up in the woods with no memories of how she got there or who she is. She's brought to an inner-city shelter where she makes some unlikely friends who help her begin to unravel her past. Filled with mystery, this quirky novel captivates readers from the first page, but the big reveal is a letdown.

Reviewer: Aimee Chevrette Bear

(2) 4-6 Matthews presents the fashion icon Coco Chanel as a spirited girl who overcame poverty with her creativity and a lot of attitude. Chanel's confidence and originality are translated directly into her designs; the amusing pen-and-ink drawings capture her bearing and style. These selected highlights from Chanel's life present her against a backdrop of social change, celebrating her daring and independence. Timeline. Bib.

Reviewer: Lauren Adams | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2007

(4) 4-6 In a series of illustrated biographical sketches, Matthews highlights the careers of notoriously violent pirates, some who are well known (Blackbeard), others less so (Charlotte de Berry). The author's enthusiastic emphasis is on battles and bloodshed, incorporating bits and pieces of general history. The pages are busy, including many photos and illustrations; a center-spread foldout displays details of a captain's cabin.

Reviewer: Becky Levine

(4) YA Five high school misfits are selected, seemingly at random, for a school trip to the English countryside where they're sucked into a deadly parallel world. Faced with mortal peril, the teens harness their heretofore unrealized talents to effect an escape and--predictably--triumph through teamwork. Structured as a series of short game-like challenges, this is Jumanji for teens.

Reviewer: Lauren Maggio

(2) PS When the Little Red Hen's chick wants to play with the offspring of those layabouts who wouldn't help her, the hen has to reconsider her isolationist position. Yes, the theme is adult, but the telling is spare and sprightly and the primness is offset by mischievous visual details. The small, square trim size frames black woodcuts accented with red and green.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2007

(4) 4-6 When his brother's illness dictates that the family dog, Mouse, must go, John decides to go with her, taking the duo on a journey from northern England to the south. The telepathic connection between boy and dog never becomes convincing, but the happy ending is well-earned by the enlightening trek through the landscape and other people's lives.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton