(3) K-3 Illustrated by Paul Hoppe. Javaherbin dynamically relates Brazilian soccer star Neymar de Silva Santos Jr.'s biography through Neymar's imagined first-person perspective. He practices with his father, joins a local youth team, and as a teen plays professionally for Real Madrid until homesickness leads him back to Brazil to join Santos FC's team. Hoppe's illustrations reflect the story's fast pace and Neymar's loving family life. Glos.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Paul Hoppe. In this installment, both sets of grandparents are visiting for Thanksgiving, Lola has agreed to dog sit, and she's completely ignoring the giant knot in her hair. Loose, cartoonish illustrations provide visual breaks and clues for new chapter-book readers, who will enjoy exuberant, impulsive Lola's humorous narration, her desire to be a big kid, and her mistakes despite good intentions.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(4) 1-3 Illustrated by Paul Hoppe. Lola reluctantly agrees to dress up as the third Cupcake Queen for Halloween with Jessie and Amanda, much to her friend Savannah's disappointment. Meanwhile, Lola gets the lead in the class play and is struck with stage fright. While this third book's language is as cutesy as ever, readers will relate to Lola's feelings of wanting to fit in. Emotive black-and-white illustrations appear throughout.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner

(4) 1-3 Illustrated by Paul Hoppe. Lola's best friend, Amanda, has been spending more time with Jessie and Savannah than with her, and Lola's jealousy leads to some bad behavior. Eventually, she learns that saying you're sorry--and showing it--yields better results than being a "rotten tomato." Although the lesson in this second book is a little heavy-handed, readers will relate to Lola's feelings. Black-and-white illustrations appear throughout.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner

(4) 1-3 Illustrated by Paul Hoppe. In this humorous chapter book, second grader Lola wants to beat ex-best-friend Amanda in the Going Green contest. After the class votes Lola's compost idea the winner and the project begins, Lola realizes that winning isn't the same without her friend. The story includes useful going-green tips, but treacly language (with frequent mention of candy) is distracting. Simple black-and-white pen drawings appear throughout.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner

(2) YA Illustrated by Paul Hoppe. In this introspective graphic novel, Sadie breaks the ice with her new classmates by casually dropping hints about her severe peanut allergy. There's just one problem: Sadie isn't really allergic. This secret, shared only with readers, places Sadie in a series of increasingly awkward situations; underneath the many funny moments runs a poignant current. Pen-and-ink drawings capture nuances of a wide range of emotions.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2013

(4) YA Illustrated by Paul Hoppe. Barton profiles ten people throughout history who have used false identities to their advantage. For some it's a life or death situation (e.g., Solomon Perel escaping Nazis); for others it's a tool to pull cons or fulfill a dream (e.g., Keron Thomas driving the subway). Short "What Happened Next?" epilogues follow each story. The second-person narration gives the text a sometimes confusing Choose-Your-Own-Adventure-ish feel. Bib.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Paul Hoppe. Devon is fascinated with the "metal man," a local urban sculpture artist; his mother less appreciatively calls him the "junk man" ("That ain't art, it's junk"). Devon gets the chance to create his own work of art, and his mother comes around. The mixed-media limited-palette illustrations emphasize the story's focus on mentorship.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith