(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Leigh Walls. Following their last time-travel adventure (Chronal Engine), Max and Petra set out to rescue the teenage versions of Max's uncles, who are stranded in prehistoric times. Their dangerous mission is complicated by a revenge-seeking adventurer who blames Max for her father's demise. Despite flat characters and a sudden ending, the time travel, action, dinosaurs, and high-octane illustrations will satisfy returning readers.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Andrew Arnold. The Mercury Inn, owned by narrator Aidan's parents, boasts an ideal vantage point for launches from the John F. Kennedy Space Center. A blackout interrupts one countdown, and a large, glowing aircraft hovers above the motel. Tourists, the media, government agents, and UFO fanatics swarm the Mercury. Cartoon spot art with a retro space-age feel works well with the wacky characters and situations.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2014

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Blake Henry. When three teenagers visit their eccentric grandfather, one of them is kidnapped and taken back to the prehistoric era. The other two, along with a new friend, use their grandfather's time machine to rescue her. Though the characters never fully come to life and the resolution is a bit abrupt, the action, mystery, and dinosaurs are great draws.

Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Steve Björkman. Alfie is scornful of his little sister Noelle's belief in Santa and determines to expose this fraud to the world: "'Wake up and smell the cookies!' he posted on the World Wide Web. 'At least they're for real.'" But Alfie gets his just rewards--as does Noelle--when Santa steps in. The dialogue-driven story is neatly structured, and Björkman's line-and-wash pictures have plenty of sprightly holiday accents.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2006

(3) 4-6 Seventh-grader Elias has a crush on his friend Honoria, who has a crush on their friend Shohei, who is too busy dealing with his adoptive parents (obsessed with keeping him in touch with his Japanese roots) to have a crush on anyone. Hardworking Elias, brainy Honoria, and slacker Shohei take turns narrating this amusing first novel about life at a science magnet school in Chicago.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander