(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Anoosha Syed. Amanda, a.k.a. Bug Girl, tackles her new superhero role and seventh grade, with mixed results. Her increasing powers are stymied by mean-girl drama and a growing rift between herself and crime-fighting partner Emily. These super-girls must learn to work together to save their classmates from a mysterious monster. Black-and-white, blue-accented illustrations and entomological profiles are interspersed throughout the lively superhero romp.

Reviewer: Pam Yosca

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Anoosha Syed. Amanda's fascination with insects manifests as bug-like superpowers when evil creatures invade her hometown and kidnap her mother. This origin story reveals Amanda's mother's own crime-fighting history and sheds light on the dissolution of Amanda's friendship with Emily, who is also an emerging superhero. Occasional bug facts and lighthearted black-and-white illustrations with fluorescent green accents accompany this emotionally deep, girl-power adventure tale.

Reviewer: Pam Yosca

(4) 4-6 Batman & Robin Adventures series. Illustrated by Luciano Vecchio. Batman and the Boy Wonder defeat familiar foes in these accessible books. Simple story lines--featuring comic book–style sound effects ("KAH-RACK!") within the text--combine with rapid pacing and playful banter for slight but entertaining reads. Snazzy colors and popular characters will likely appeal to reluctant readers. Discussion questions and writing prompts are appended. Glos. Review covers these Batman & Robin Adventures titles: Harley Quinn's Crazy Creeper Caper and Catwoman's Purrfect Plot.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) 1-3 DC Super-Pets series. Illustrated by Art Baltazar. "'Using my incredible shrinking ray, I've kenneled canines from around the galaxy!'" These action-packed stories, told in three chapters, combine the right amount of humor and comic-book hyperbole to entice animal-loving reluctant readers with the superhero bug. Each book begins with a two-page introduction to the "starring" creatures and their origin information. The colorful cartoon art pairs well with the exclamation-point-heavy good-versus-evil texts. Review covers these DC Super-Pets titles: Starro and the Space Dolphins, The Amazing Mini-Mutts, and Super-Pets Showdown.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski

(3) 4-6 This book turns the conventional step-by-step guide on its head--literally (see: "land a handstand fingerflip," "perform a barracuda," "perfect a back walkover," etc.). Activities are grouped by category: amaze, investigate, create, explore, cook, move. Since the logic behind the volume's organization isn't obvious, it's best to just go with the flow. Success relies heavily on the copious (and stylish) owners-manual-type illustrations.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz