(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Ben Costa. Following events in The Road to Epoli, undead-skeleton/bard Rickety Stitch and his sidekick, the Gelatinous Goo, continue their quest to discover Rickety Stitch's identity, this time venturing down the deadly Middle-Route Run. Vibrant colors, movement-filled panels, fantastical creatures, deadpan humor, and exuberant protagonists combine to create an entertaining adventure story in graphic-novel format.

Reviewer: Jessica Costello

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Ben Costa. Minstrel skeleton Rickety Stitch and his loyal sidekick, an animated sack named Gelatinous Goo, embark on a quest in faraway lands populated with ogres, gnomes, and other friends and foes. The irreverent graphic-novel comedy blends music and fantasy into a contemplation of the skeleton's former life, clues to which arrive in black-and-white dream sequences; otherwise the art is brazenly vibrant as the farcical quest advances.

Reviewer: Lauren Causey

(3) K-3 Penguin Young Readers series. Illustrated by Marta Costa. The biblical story of Noah, his ark, the animals, and the flood are recounted in easy-reader format with simple words and declarative sentences tailored to an emergent reader. Reed manages to convey the religious essence of the story--God's miracle and Noah's unswerving faith--without oversimplifying, while Costa's colorful cartoon illustrations keep the mood appropriately light for the audience.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter