(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Valeria Docampo. Fourth grader Penelope Crumb juggles the complexities of co-ed gym-class square dancing and cruel social dynamics in this book. Partnered with sweaty Hugo Gordon (a fifth grader!) and dubbed "Wartgirl" after a failed attempt to get out of gym, Penelope's take on her troubles makes enjoyable reading. Though a number of side plots are left dangling, this is a satisfying fourth installment.

Reviewer: Julie Roach

(2) 1-3 Illustrated by Valeria Docampo. Never without her deceased father's old toolbox, Penelope knows all about trying to hold on to those you've lost, but when her best friend buys a "friends forever" necklace with another girl, she discovers that even living people are hard to hold on to. Penelope comes more into her own in this breezy chapter book sequel to Penelope Crumb.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2013

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Valeria Docampo. In this third installment, fourth grader Penelope Crumb worries about "the Bad Luck." Desperately wanting to drive the Bad Luck away, she gets into trouble assisting a retired Coney Island fortuneteller. The first-person narrative magnifies the wacky humor of Penelope's unique observations and phrasings, and readers can compare her (not-always-reliable) perspective with that shown in the occasional spot art.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2013

(3) 4-6 Not-So-Ordinary Girl series. Illustrated by Angela Martini. Previously published as Fiona Finkelstein, Big-Time Ballerina!! and Fiona Finkelstein Meets Her Match!!, these two retitled reissues remain otherwise unchanged. Fiona is an entertaining protagonist, and Martini's black-and-white illustrations play up the humor of these amiable stories about navigating the challenges of school, family, and friendships. Review covers these Not-So-Ordinary Girl titles: Ballerina Weather Girl and Miss Matched.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) 4-6 Not-So-Ordinary Girl series. Illustrated by Angela Martini. Previously published as Fiona Finkelstein, Big-Time Ballerina!! and Fiona Finkelstein Meets Her Match!!, these two retitled reissues remain otherwise unchanged. Fiona is an entertaining protagonist, and Martini's black-and-white illustrations play up the humor of these amiable stories about navigating the challenges of school, family, and friendships. Review covers these Not-So-Ordinary Girl titles: Ballerina Weather Girl and Miss Matched.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) 4-6 Not-So-Ordinary Girl series. Illustrated by Victoria Ying. In her third adventure, nine-year-old Fiona Finkelstein desperately wants to grow up so she can fly alone to visit her actress mother in California. She gets a dog-walking job to earn money for her ticket, and, along with befriending a boy and his chicken, she learns about responsibility and patience. Black-and-white illustrations depict scenes from the pleasant, if tensionless, story.

Reviewer: Amanda Mc. MacGregor

(2) 1-3 Illustrated by Valeria Docampo. Fourth-grader Penelope Crumb joins the growing party of precocious, idiosyncratic girls starring in early chapter books. Penelope wants to be an artist, believes aliens abducted her older brother, struggles to fit into the classroom environment, and has just embraced the reality of her very large nose. Occasional spot art offers visual perspective as first-person narrator Penelope seems prone to exaggeration.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2012

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Angela Martini. This sequel to Fiona Finkelstein, Big-Time Ballerina!! pits the title character against Milo, a new boy in school. When a series of events reveal that Fiona and Milo have more in common than the two have differences, they come to an understanding. Stout continues to develop her protagonist in this entertaining installment.

Reviewer: Amy Kellman

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Angela Martini. Fiona's stage fright has led her to boycott recitals. Now a chance to appear in a production of The Nutcracker in a beautiful costume motivates her to find a way to overcome her fears. As the story progresses, readers learn more about Fiona, her fractured family, and her best friend. Spirited black-and-white illustrations play up the story's humor.

Reviewer: Amy Kellman