(4) 1-3 Illustrated by Shearry Malone. The third installment about EllRay Jakes's sister focuses on the social changes that occur when one of Alfie's second-grade classmates decides to have a sleepover but only invite some of the female students. Although Alfie's preconceived ideas of gender seem old-fashioned--and are left unexplored--her earnest personality and supportive family relationships add appeal to the story. Grayscale line illustrations break up the chapters.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Shearry Malone. African American second-grader Alfie (little sis to Warner's EllRay Jakes) always has a plan, but things seldom go the way she imagines in these amiable realistic stories about family, school, and friendship. Malone's comical loose line drawings deviate from the EllRay books' aesthetic, establishing a fresh look for this new spinoff series. Review covers these titles: Absolutely Alfie and the First Week Friends and Absolutely Alfie and the Furry Purry Secret.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Shearry Malone. African American second-grader Alfie (little sis to Warner's EllRay Jakes) always has a plan, but things seldom go the way she imagines in these amiable realistic stories about family, school, and friendship. Malone's comical loose line drawings deviate from the EllRay books' aesthetic, establishing a fresh look for this new spinoff series. Review covers these titles: Absolutely Alfie and the First Week Friends and Absolutely Alfie and the Furry Purry Secret.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Brian Biggs. When "pre-basketball" is offered, eight-year-old African American boy EllRay jumps at the chance; he learns that practice, support from friends, and self-confidence help him "stand tall" on and off the court. Like other EllRay books, this warm ninth volume centers on friendship and navigating one's place in the world as EllRay helps his little sister, Alfie, and his new friend Marco.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Brian Biggs. EllRay decides he needs a "spare" friend; in search of one, he creates a new recess game. It backfires, though, and another attempt at making friends ends up causing a third-grade brawl on the playground. As usual for this series, EllRay's story gently demonstrates that life isn't always simple, and readers will appreciate the likable kid's honest narration. Biggs's black-and-white illustrations capture the action and emotions.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Brian Biggs. In a holiday-themed episode, EllRay finds himself the emcee of his school's Winter Wonderland show. When he accidentally hurts a friend's feelings, it results in an exploration of friendship, values, and race perfectly pitched for middle graders. EllRay must ultimately make a difficult choice and stand up for what he knows is right. Biggs's black-and-white illustrations capture all the emotional nuances.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Brian Biggs. When a school talent show is sprung on the students, EllRay's class concocts a plan to make sure no one in the third grade has to perform. Despite the plan, EllRay's magic act gets picked, and he has to find the courage to perform. EllRay discovers more than just his talent in this sweetly illustrated sixth book, the most charming episode yet.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Brian Biggs. In his fifth outing, when EllRay's best friend Kevin skateboards with class bully Jared, EllRay resolves to learn how to skate; meanwhile, he works on a school project on fairy tales and realizes that heroes--both literary and real-life--aren't always what they seem. EllRay's voice is a tad too sophisticated but nevertheless likable. Biggs's illustrations capture his ups and downs.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Brian Biggs. When EllRay's little sister Alfie is bullied by a classmate, EllRay decides it's up to him to teach her how to stand up for herself. Eight-year-old EllRay's narrative voice is still too mature, but what works well in this solid fourth book are the imperfect characters (even parents) working through their faults. Changes in typeface and Biggs's black-and-white illustrations add levity.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Jamie Harper. Starting with (accidentally) killing his class's pet fish, EllRay Jakes suffers repeated embarrassments at school and worries about his classmates' reactions. Just as in the first two books, the protagonist's voice isn't convincing as a third-grader, but the situations are relatable. Issues of race are touched on lightly. Occasional changes in font, along with the black-and-white spot illustrations, further lighten the story's tone.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Jamie Harper. The star of EllRay Jakes Is Not a Chicken! tries to become more popular at school by giving away his geologist father's crystals. When his plan backfires, EllRay must dig his own way out of a hole. The third-grader's narrative voice isn't believable (he sounds much older), but fans of the first book will appreciate his inventiveness. Black-and-white spot art appears throughout.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Jamie Harper. EllRay gets to go to Disneyland if he can behave at school. It's tough not to fight back, though, when you're being picked on. The Jakes family is African American, and issues of racial prejudice are very vaguely touched on. EllRay's narration sounds older than a third grader, but readers may find him relatable nonetheless. Black-and-white spot art reflects the characters' emotions.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Jamie Harper. Emma is horrified to learn that her mother is dating. She tells a lie hoping to keep her mother away from the new man, but slowly and realistically Emma warms up to this change. Emma is a likable heroine, and readers will find it easy to empathize with her woes. The black-and-white illustrations help break up the text in this book for older chapter book readers.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Jamie Harper. In her fifth story, third grader Emma wants to impress her long-distance, divorced father. She hopes winning a prize during Winter Games Day will do the trick. But the pressure of competition is getting to all the kids, even temporarily coming between Emma and her best friend. Breezy black-and-white illustrations keep the book light as the text deals with its weighty issues.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(3) 4-6 Twelve-year-old Skye is sent to live with her grandmother while Skye's brother recovers from a debilitating car crash. Her love of art enables her to make new friends, defy bullies, and get into some trouble. Warner deftly handles Skye's anger toward her brain-injured brother, also infusing her with a convincingly developed sense of compassion. Witty line art decorates some pages.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Jamie Harper. When a new girl arrives in third grade, Emma is determined to claim her as a best friend before archrival Cynthia does. This campaign threatens to alienate Emma's real best friend. In her fourth book about the dynamic Emma, Warner presents a realistic depiction of elementary school rivalries. Harper's hip illustrations help keep things light.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Jamie Harper. Emma jumps in to defend classmate EllRay from a bully, but her bravery backfires because EllRay is embarrassed by Emma's actions. This third book about Emma tells a strong, immediate story about the intricacies of third-grade classroom dynamics. Emma is a likable heroine, and Harper's sketchy illustrations make the book approachable.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Jamie Harper. Eight-year-old Emma, an only child, has a lot to adjust to when she and her single mother invite Anthony, four, to live with them temporarily. Emma's self-centeredness and insecurities ring true, and her reaction to a new child in the house is realistic. The breezy, easy-to-read novel is heavily illustrated with line drawings, which humorously exaggerate the story's broad emotions.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) 4-6 Dilly's mother died six years earlier, and twelve-year-old Dilly still feels angry at her mother. While Dilly searches for a misplaced letter Mummie wrote to her before her death, Dilly finally comes to terms with her grief and learns to forgive her mother for dying. The prose can be flowery and the letter, when found, is anticlimactic, but the characters are believable and the narrative is satisfyingly resolved.

Reviewer: Kristin Cashore

(4) 4-6 After her parents are killed and she's disfigured by a drunk driver, Janey and her perky, unharmed younger sister, YoYo, move to California to live with their grandfather and great-aunt. Janey copes with intergenerational conflict, insecurities about her appearance, and inexpressible grief. Although the novel's flashback ending is abrupt, the characters and their relationships are well developed.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl