(3) YA Illustrated by Sally Wern Comport. Profiles of twelve (mostly American) women in STEM-related fields include lots of direct quotes from the subjects, making their paths to success relatable. Each chapter follows a similar format and includes a full-page portrait and personal photos. Career trajectories highlight "The Spark" and "The Eureka Moment"; notes "to Self" and "to You" and "Words to Live By" offer advice to readers. More about specific topics follow each biography (e.g., "Fission? Fusion? What's the Diff?"). Sixteen suggestions for STEM activities and a reading list conclude the book along with an index and glossary.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) 4-6 Tig Ripley series. Aleca Zamm laments being ordinary until she discovers, on her tenth birthday, that she can freeze time. Throughout these first two books, Aleca explores the benefits of being a "Wonder" (as teleporting Aunt Zephyr calls her) as well as the downsides (such as keeping her powers secret, especially from meanie Madison). Slight, lighthearted fare for middle graders wanting humor with their magic. Review covers these Aleca Zamm titles: Aleca Zamm Is a Wonder and Aleca Zamm Is Ahead of Her Time.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(4) 4-6 Aleca Zamm series. Aleca Zamm laments being ordinary until she discovers, on her tenth birthday, that she can freeze time. Throughout these first two books, Aleca explores the benefits of being a "Wonder" (as teleporting Aunt Zephyr calls her) as well as the downsides (such as keeping her powers secret, especially from meanie Madison). Slight, lighthearted fare for middle graders wanting humor with their magic. Review covers these Aleca Zamm titles: Aleca Zamm Is a Wonder and Aleca Zamm Is Ahead of Her Time.

Reviewer: Grace Enriquez

(4) 4-6 Aleca Zamm series. Aleca Zamm laments being ordinary until she discovers, on her tenth birthday, that she can freeze time. Throughout these first two books, Aleca explores the benefits of being a "Wonder" (as teleporting Aunt Zephyr calls her) as well as the downsides (such as keeping her powers secret, especially from meanie Madison). Slight, lighthearted fare for middle graders wanting humor with their magic. Review covers these Aleca Zamm titles: Aleca Zamm Is a Wonder and Aleca Zamm Is Ahead of Her Time.

Reviewer: Grace Enriquez

(4) 4-6 Tig Ripley series. In the series debut (Rebel), middle schooler Antigone (Tig) Ripley starts an all-girl band and learns what it's like to be a true leader, from confronting a toxic bandmate to handling a disastrous first gig. Tig struggles to hold band Pandora's Box together in book two (Hard Rock). The characters' voices don't always echo modern tween speech, but the timely themes and girl-power vibe are appealing. Review covers these Tig Ripley titles: Hard Rock and Rock 'n' Rock Rebel.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(4) YA Narcissistic mean girl Brinkley Harper is about to get a taste of her own medicine when, thanks to a supernatural shrink, she's forced to inhabit the bodies of her bullying victims for a time. The problems she encounters satisfyingly force her to address the root of her own insecurities; the novel's pat ending, however, is unconvincing.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(4) YA After fourteen-year-old Emily discovers a secret about a teen heartthrob, she convinces his public relations firm to represent her in exchange for her silence. Suddenly, Em is the coolest girl in school, but maintaining her new image makes her forget who she really is. The plot, though implausible, provides a mildly entertaining twist on an overly familiar theme.

Reviewer: Amanda Mc. MacGregor