(4) 4-6 Araminta Spookie series. Illustrated by John Kelly. In her seventh story, Araminta and her friend, Wanda, become stranded during a school field trip on an island inhabited by pirate ghosts. The skeleton pirates conscript the pair to dig up missing treasure and join their crew...unless Araminta can figure out how to break the pirates' curse. Cartoonish black-and-white illustrations highlight the humor and downplay anything scary in this mildly entertaining series episode.

Reviewer: Lauren Chambers

(4) 4-6 Septimus Heap: TodHunter Moon series. Illustrated by Mark Zug. As the spinoff trilogy comes to a close, all of Magyk is in danger unless Alice TodHunter Moon, apprentice to wizard Septimus Heap, can find a new KeyStone and restore an ancient enchantment. Perspective jumps from person to person as Sage brings together the many pieces of Tod's tale for a predictable conclusion that will nevertheless satisfy series fans.

Reviewer: Lauren Chambers

(4) 4-6 Araminta Spookie series. Illustrated by John Kelly. A silly caper with spooky scaffolding. Araminta (known as Minty to her uncle Drac) and her dim-witted sidekick, Wanda Wizzard, run a detective agency. Naturally, their antics lead to trouble and boarding school, where bigger mysteries are afoot. The story itself is somewhat flat; still, the Addams-Family atmosphere and screwball comedy, both reflected in frequent black-and-white illustrations, make for good giggles.

Reviewer: Lauren Rizzuto

(4) 4-6 Septimus Heap: TodHunter Moon series. Illustrated by Mark Zug. Tod, wizard Septimus Heap's apprentice, needs to find sorcerer Oraton-Marr to stop him from gaining mass magical powers. But when the only clue runs away, Tod must choose between staying safe or risking her and her friends' lives. Once again, the number of cameos bogs down the plot, but Septimus Heap fans will enjoy the escapades and adventure in this second spinoff.

Reviewer: Lauren Chambers

(4) 4-6 Septimus Heap: TodHunter Moon series. Illustrated by Mark Zug. After Tod's father and village are kidnapped, she must learn PathFinder Magyk and team up with Septimus to save them. Fans of the Septimus Heap books will enjoy seeing the old characters in this spinoff series, but the sheer number of cameos bogs down the plot; new secondary characters are flat, but Tod has a clear, relatable voice.

Reviewer: Lauren Chambers

(4) 4-6 Septimus Heap series. Illustrated by Mark Zug. The time has come for Septimus and the others to destroy the two-faced ring before the evil wizards trapped inside escape and exact their revenge. The plot slowly meanders, but fans of the series will be pleased with how Sage takes each character and crafts an expanded narrative to tie multiple elements together into a tidy ending.

Reviewer: Lauren Chambers

(4) 4-6 Septimus Heap series. Illustrated by Mark Zug. Just as Septimus is learning about the dark side of magic during his wizarding apprenticeship, a figure from his past returns to destroy his world. Though fans of the series may enjoy seeing so many of the characters together, their sheer number occasionally slows the pacing and hinders character development. Nevertheless, the story is well plotted.

Reviewer: Lauren Chambers

(4) 4-6 Septimus Heap series. Illustrated by Mark Zug. In their fifth adventure, Septimus and Jenna eventually wind up stranded on an island. There, they investigate mysterious (and magical) goings-on. Though the story tends to meander and the plot is more forced than others in the series, entertaining dragon-poop and cabbage-sandwich jokes abound.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(4) 4-6 Septimus Heap series. Illustrated by Mark Zug. This Septimus Heap series companion volume gives background on the characters and locations within the Castle. Included are a collection of travel brochures, diary entries, a recipe, and other ephemera. Though it's too scattered to stand alone and won't really help readers unfamiliar with the books, this volume, with its high-quality design and typical series humor, will nevertheless please fans. Ind.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(4) 4-6 Septimus Heap series. Illustrated by Mark Zug. Princess Jenna is determined to rescue her foster-brother Nicko from the past, and she needs apprentice Septimus Heap and scribe Beetle to help her. Alas, Septimus has been tricked into going on a dangerous Queste. The many subplots and secondary characters are overwhelming, but fans of the previous books should enjoy this humorous and richly textured adventure.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(3) 4-6 Araminta Spookie series. Illustrated by Jimmy Pickering. With her aunt and uncle out of town, Araminta Spookie is delighted to have her cool cousin Mathilda as a baby-sitter--until two teenage poltergeists try to ruin everything. Like the others in the series, this fifth story about Araminta is fast-paced, the writing is smooth, and the atmosphere's cheerful, as shown in the funny, varied black-and-white cartoon illustrations.

Reviewer: Thom Barthelmess

(3) 4-6 Araminta Spookie series. Illustrated by Jimmy Pickering. Missing frogs and an annoying cousin are two disruptions Araminta is determined to solve, but her wild conspiracy theories don’t always lead her in the right direction in these smoothly written Addams Family–esque detective stories. Though readers might need some familiarity with the series to follow the action, they'll enjoy the humorous juxtaposition of modern language and vintage writing. Review covers these Araminta Spookie titles: Frognapped and Vampire Brat.

Reviewer: Thom Barthelmess

(4) 4-6 Septimus Heap series. Illustrated by Mark Zug. Septimus, apprentice to the ExtraOrdinary Wizard, gets pulled into the past, leaving the usual unlikely gang of family and adventurers to rescue him. The ghost of an evil queen attempts to entrap them; meanwhile, a not very frightening disease threatens the royal palace. Despite some missed notes on the humor, this is an intricate, energetic romp of a fantasy.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(3) 4-6 Araminta Spookie series. Illustrated by Jimmy Pickering. Missing frogs and an annoying cousin are two disruptions Araminta is determined to solve, but her wild conspiracy theories don’t always lead her in the right direction in these smoothly written Addams Family–esque detective stories. Though readers might need some familiarity with the series to follow the action, they'll enjoy the humorous juxtaposition of modern language and vintage writing. Review covers these Araminta Spookie titles: Frognapped and Vampire Brat.

Reviewer: Thom Barthelmess

(3) 4-6 Araminta Spookie series. Illustrated by Jimmy Pickering. Two books centering on young Araminta's life in her quirky haunted house are just right for younger intermediate readers, with roomy layouts, plentiful illustrations, breezy tone, and mild subject matter (the ghosts are benevolent rather than scary). For those not yet ready for Eva Ibbotson (Dial-a-Ghost) or Harry Potter, these first two series entries are easily digested, enjoyable fare. Review covers these Araminta Spookie titles: My Haunted House and The Sword in the Grotto.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(3) 4-6 Araminta Spookie series. Illustrated by Jimmy Pickering. Two books centering on young Araminta's life in her quirky haunted house are just right for younger intermediate readers, with roomy layouts, plentiful illustrations, breezy tone, and mild subject matter (the ghosts are benevolent rather than scary). For those not yet ready for Eva Ibbotson (Dial-a-Ghost) or Harry Potter, these first two series entries are easily digested, enjoyable fare. Review covers these Araminta Spookie titles: My Haunted House and The Sword in the Grotto.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Valeria Petrone. This anthology--which includes both original tales and spirited retellings of such favorites as "The Little Mermaid" and "The Frog Prince"--explores different kinds of love. Zestfully illustrated, each story ends with a sometimes clichéd aphorism ("Love is learning to give" or "Love hurts"), which undercuts the sometimes subtle tale.

Reviewer: Emma Loy-Santelli