(2) 1-3 Translated by Christopher Turner. Illustrated by Iacopo Bruno. Hector hopes to be a deep-sea diver like his father and grandfather, but his plans are dashed when the deceitful Amedeo Limonta opens a competing business in their small Italian village. Limonta's scheme is to find and sell a legendary pearl, purported to be in the sea somewhere nearby. After receiving a diving suit for his birthday, Hector finds the mythical pearl. This initiates a series of events that ends, appropriately, with a face-off against Limonta, in a rowboat, in the midst of a massive storm. The heavily illustrated adventure story seems a successor to William Pène du Bois's offbeat, inventive tales, with Hector's first-person narration sounding as elaborate as the exploits. ("Angry with white foam, the sea looks like a white dog, frothing at the mouth. Lightning splits the sky like a zipper.") Bruno's detailed illustrations include a carefully labeled diagram of the components of an antique deep-sea diving suit, a colorful chart of nautical flags, and a stylized portrait of the scoundrel Limonta, leaning back and looking out at us over his handlebar moustache and portly belly. This is a handsome book, printed in gorgeous, rich-hued colors, with a thoughtful hero, a first-rate villain, magic, adventure, and a convincing happy ending.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2022

(3) 4-6 Keepers series. Illustrated by Iacopo Bruno. After losing strongholds and allies, Keepers Horace and Chloe and their friends prepare to die guarding the now-weakened Mothergates. Their only hope is a mysterious, magical loom, which must be found and unlocked to save the world. Despite its high page count, series fans will move quickly through this satisfying final chapter in Sanders's Keepers quartet.

Reviewer: Jenn Matters

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Iacopo Bruno. In the 1920s, eleven-year-old Viviani Fedeler (based on a real girl) lives in the New York Public Library, where her father is the superintendent. Viviani loves to explore the building and tries--without success--to stay out of trouble, as when a prank leads to her investigating a possible ghost. Irrepressible Viviani and her story will appeal to the young reader who'd be thrilled to live in a library. Timeline.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Iacopo Bruno. During the Korean War, a U.S. lieutenant purchased a scrawny, skittish racehorse to haul supplies. In straightforward text, McCormick describes the training, feeding (eggs, coffee, Coca-Cola, and whatever else could be found), and notable accomplishments of "Private (later Sergeant) Reckless." Illustrations in a palette of predominantly greens and browns employ replicas of historical artifacts to further set the scene for this engaging historical anecdote. Bib.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2017

(3) 4-6 Keepers series. Illustrated by Iacopo Bruno. In the third Keepers book, Chloe and Horace realize their Tan'ji (talismans) may be losing power. Meanwhile, after rescuing April from evil Dr. Jericho, the kids reunite with elder Wardens to unravel the ongoing war between Keepers and the Riven. Sanders's appealing characters and engaging story line keep the middle-grade fantasy series going strong.

Reviewer: Jenn Matters

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Iacopo Bruno. Bold and spunky, Addie was always eager to "ASTONISH," "SHOCK," and "DAZZLE." Addie met magician Alexander Herrmann; they married; she became his assistant; and, after his death, Addie continued performing into the early twentieth century. Bruno's pencil and digital illustrations are rich, dramatic, and theatrically staged. This memorable and, yes, magical picture-book biography will captivate audiences, young and old. Further information appended.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2016

(3) 4-6 Keepers series. Illustrated by Iacopo Bruno. New Keepers Horace (who can see the future) and Chloe (who can become incorporeal) are joined by April, who, having found a piece of vine-like jewelry that gives her the ability to understand animals, is being hunted by the Keepers' greatest enemy: the Riven. This hefty second volume further develops the intricately designed fantasy world populated with likable and engaging characters. Glos.

Reviewer: Sian Gaetano

(4) 4-6 Sherlock, Lupin & Me series. Illustrated by Iacopo Bruno. It's spring of 1871 when Irene, Sherlock, and Lupin team up for their fourth case. This time, they're all in France, where Irene's mother is recovering from an illness. Narrator Irene is still as gutsy as ever, but the convoluted plot--featuring map fragments, a nefarious Grand Master, a sacred relic, and French politics--may leave some young American readers scratching their heads.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(3) 4-6 Enchanted Emporium series. Illustrated by Iacopo Bruno. After the latest events of the series, thirteen-year-old Scottish boy Finley vowed to never return to the Enchanted Emporium. But when Aiby sends a distress call, Finley finds himself on a quest to save her and the seven shopkeeper families from the evil Semueld Askell. This clever fourth book is bolstered by descriptive language and meticulously drawn illustrations of the magical objects.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Iacopo Bruno. Friends-turned-enemies Sophie and Agatha have parted ways; now, in this hefty conclusion to The School for Good and Evil trilogy, Evil prevails over Good and villains from the past attempt to change their tales. Chainani's fairy-tale-twisting coming-of-age story feels familiar as the characters subvert fairy-tale tropes to define their true selves. Still, series followers should be satisfied.

Reviewer: Jenn Matters

(3) 4-6 Scary Tales series. Illustrated by Iacopo Bruno. In this sixth genuinely scary installment, twin brothers Chance and Lance don't have much at home in their Texas shack, but they like exploring the nearby swamp. When they find an unusual egg and bring it home, bad things ensue for the twins and their neighbor as a swamp mother searches for her baby. Gray paper and inky-black illustrations add to the spookiness.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Iacopo Bruno. In 1778 Paris, Franz Anton Mesmer convinced many they were cured of ailments through "animal magnetism." Benjamin Franklin, Antoine Lavoisier, and others debunked Mesmer's procedure through their invention of the "blind" test and discovery of the placebo effect. Aside from the misdirection of giving Franklin all the glory, Rockliff's text is engaging and lively and pairs beautifully with Bruno's dramatic, bold illustrations. Bib.

Reviewer: Nina Lindsay | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2015

(3) 4-6 Keepers series. Illustrated by Iacopo Bruno. Horace F. Andrews sees a sign on his way home: "Horace F. Andrews." Investigating, Horace is accosted by a tall, skinny man, and he runs toward the sign (which now says "House of Answers") for safety. There begins his adventures involving a box, a warning, and a gift. Fantasy fans should find this hefty novel appealing. Glos.

Reviewer: Sian Gaetano

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Iacopo Bruno. Self-styled "solutioneer" Max Starling (The Book of Secrets) devises a plan to rescue his parents, forcibly installed as king and queen of Andesia. But after Max and friend Ari arrive, there's a snag: Max's father won't go along with the plan. Voigt brings off this trilogy-ender with consummate ease. Lively line drawings convey the team's determination while giving a turn-of-the-twentieth-century vibe.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2015

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Iacopo Bruno. A dead body washed ashore would pique anyone's curiosity, especially that of future famous detective Sherlock Holmes and his new friends. Narrated by a twelve-year old Irene Adler ("the first and only girlfriend of Sherlock Holmes"), a seaside romp ensues with the deductive reasoning expected by Sherlock fans. Adler's voice works nicely as a conceit, but plot runs a bit thin.

Reviewer: Andrea Curtis

(4) 4-6 Sherlock, Lupin & Me series. Illustrated by Iacopo Bruno. It's fall of 1870 when Irene, Sherlock, and Lupin team up for their second case. This time, they're all in London--the teenage Sherlock's hometown--when an opera composer's assistant is murdered, and Lupin's father is framed for the crime. Despite a handful of inaccuracies (anachronistic and otherwise), the mystery is action packed, and Irene's a feisty, likable narrator, with detective skills to boot.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(3) 4-6 Enchanted Emporium series. Translated by Maria Allen. Illustrated by Iacopo Bruno. In a Scottish village, thirteen-year-old Finn meets the Lily family, who runs a centuries-old shop that specializes in magical objects. Soon Finn finds himself in the midst of an ancient rivalry. The story starts slowly but builds to Finn's climactic face-off with a giant. Illustrated pages from the (fictional) Big Book of Magical Objects are interspersed in this Italian import.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(4) 4-6 Enchanted Emporium series. Illustrated by Iacopo Bruno. In book two, fourteen-year-old Finley McPhee, defender of the Enchanted Emporium (a shop that sells magical objects), looks to the Lily family for help in uncovering the identity of the mystical man behind strange goings-on in Finley's Scottish village. Short chapters and quirky characters somewhat redeem the story's truncated ending. Black-and-white illustrations of magical objects with descriptions are placed before chapters.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Iacopo Bruno. After saving their school, best friends Sophie and Agatha attempt to get back to normal life in their home village but are ushered back to save the fairy-tale world when all men (princes or not) are pitted as enemies against girls. Twisting tropes and analyzing gender roles, Chainani offers readers a second fast-paced adventure fantasy with plenty of food for thought.

Reviewer: Jenn Matters

(3) 4-6 Scary Tales series. Illustrated by Iacopo Bruno. These middle-grade horror novels focus on a possessed doll on a mission to become a real girl (Doll) and a supernatural video game so realistic it could kill you (Nightmareland). While the writing and plot construction are well suited for a young audience, there are genuinely terrifying elements in both books that make them a good match for readers who are seeking a true scare. Review covers these Scary Tales titles: Nightmareland and One-Eyed Doll.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen