(4) 4-6 Calico Chapter Books: Adventures in Extreme Reading series. Illustrated by Scott Altmann. When Uncle Dan's virtual-reality computer program that immerses readers in books is hacked, cousins Carter and Izzy head into the stories to stop the violator. Each title in this tech-savvy series focuses on a different classic novel; some may be confusing to readers unfamiliar with the original, but overall these books could serve as gateways to classic literature for children. Review covers these Adventures in Extreme Reading titles: The Calm Before the Storm, Hack Attack, Lightning Strikes Twice, and Trapped in Stormy Seas.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(4) 4-6 Calico Chapter Books: Adventures in Extreme Reading series. Illustrated by Scott Altmann. When Uncle Dan's virtual-reality computer program that immerses readers in books is hacked, cousins Carter and Izzy head into the stories to stop the violator. Each title in this tech-savvy series focuses on a different classic novel; some may be confusing to readers unfamiliar with the original, but overall these books could serve as gateways to classic literature for children. Review covers these Adventures in Extreme Reading titles: The Calm Before the Storm, Hack Attack, Lightning Strikes Twice, and Trapped in Stormy Seas.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(4) 4-6 Calico Chapter Books: Adventures in Extreme Reading series. Illustrated by Scott Altmann. When Uncle Dan's virtual-reality computer program that immerses readers in books is hacked, cousins Carter and Izzy head into the stories to stop the violator. Each title in this tech-savvy series focuses on a different classic novel; some may be confusing to readers unfamiliar with the original, but overall these books could serve as gateways to classic literature for children. Review covers these Adventures in Extreme Reading titles: The Calm Before the Storm, Hack Attack, Lightning Strikes Twice, and Trapped in Stormy Seas.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(4) 4-6 Calico Chapter Books: Adventures in Extreme Reading series. Illustrated by Scott Altmann. When Uncle Dan's virtual-reality computer program that immerses readers in books is hacked, cousins Carter and Izzy head into the stories to stop the violator. Each title in this tech-savvy series focuses on a different classic novel; some may be confusing to readers unfamiliar with the original, but overall these books could serve as gateways to classic literature for children. Review covers these Adventures in Extreme Reading titles: The Calm Before the Storm, Hack Attack, Lightning Strikes Twice, and Trapped in Stormy Seas.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(3) 1-3 Stepping Stone series. Illustrated by Scott Altmann. Magician Mr. Cigam assigns nine-year-old cousins Henry and Keats a new job: rid the local supermarket of giant slugs before the store is named a hazard zone and shut down. Delightfully, there's no logic in the absurd, slapstick messiness that ensues as the boys chase slimy critters and trash the store. Chapter book readers into yucky humor will gobble this up.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) 1-3 Stepping Stone series. Illustrated by Scott Altmann. Cousins Henry and Keats accept an odd job at Hallway House to earn money for new bikes. Cryptic instructions list daunting tasks including "battle and defeat the shark-headed zombie." With some luck--and magical aids--the boys emerge victorious after a wild but confusing day of chasing, fighting, and conjuring. The story is convoluted but entertaining; shadowy black-and-white drawings help clarify the action.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin