(3) 1-3 Judy Moody and Friends series. Illustrated by Erwin Madrid. To fit in with her left-handed dad and brother Stink, Judy pledges to do everything as a lefty for a whole day. This is harder than she expected: everyday activities like eating are a complete mess. But in typical Judy fashion, she persists--and manages to make a rare hole-in-one mini-golf shot to boot. This full-color transitional-reader spinoff series has all the appeal of the Judy Moody chapter books.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) 1-3 Judy Moody and Friends series. Illustrated by Erwin Madrid. On April Fools' Day (also Judy Moody's birthday!), third grader Judy wants to fool her favorite teacher, and a stick insect gives her the perfect idea. When a fifth grader says "there's no such thing as the Tooth Fairy," Judy sets out to prove otherwise. As usual, the full-color illustrations pop and the series' characters shine in these transitional-reader spinoffs of the longer chapter books. Review covers these Judy Moody and Friends titles: April Fools', Mr. Todd! and Judy Moody, Tooth Fairy.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) 1-3 Judy Moody and Friends series. Illustrated by Erwin Madrid. On April Fools' Day (also Judy Moody's birthday!), third grader Judy wants to fool her favorite teacher, and a stick insect gives her the perfect idea. When a fifth grader says "there's no such thing as the Tooth Fairy," Judy sets out to prove otherwise. As usual, the full-color illustrations pop and the series' characters shine in these transitional-reader spinoffs of the longer chapter books. Review covers these Judy Moody and Friends titles: April Fools', Mr. Todd! and Judy Moody, Tooth Fairy.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Erwin Madrid. The day eleven-year-old army brat John Watson moves to Harlem he meets Shelby Holmes, a pint-sized modern-day Sherlock who uses deductive reasoning to solve neighborhood crimes, such as a dognapping. Readers who stick with the somewhat drawn-out plot will enjoy the references to the classic detective duo and the mystery's reveal. Pleasant spot illustrations reflect the diversity of the neighborhood characters.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(4) 1-3 Little Rhino series. Illustrated by Erwin Madrid. Though Rhino loves playing baseball with his grandpa, third grade means Rhino finally gets to join a team. This brings new challenges, but Grandpa's words of wisdom ("Your thinker is there to think the things you can't always say out loud") help in situations such as dealing with a team bully. While resolutions come too easily, game details and illustrations add appeal. Review covers these Little Rhino titles: The Best Bat and My New Team.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(4) 1-3 Little Rhino series. Illustrated by Erwin Madrid. Though Rhino loves playing baseball with his grandpa, third grade means Rhino finally gets to join a team. This brings new challenges, but Grandpa's words of wisdom ("Your thinker is there to think the things you can't always say out loud") help in situations such as dealing with a team bully. While resolutions come too easily, game details and illustrations add appeal. Review covers these Little Rhino titles: The Best Bat and My New Team.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(3) 1-3 Judy Moody and Friends series. Illustrated by Erwin Madrid. In three vignettes, Stink and Judy watch the night sky for a comet in a sweet sibling moment; Stink worries about (and prepares for) an asteroid hitting Earth; and Stink names a star. McDonald has done a stellar job of transferring the appeal of the original Judy Moody series into transitional readers; full-bleed illustrations bring the beloved characters to bright, colorful life.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) 1-3 Judy Moody and Friends series. Illustrated by Erwin Madrid. Judy navigates pet ownership in three chapters. In the first, Jaws (her Venus fly trap) is not doing well, so Judy and Stink get Jaws a plant friend. In the second, Mouse (the cat) sets up a psychic pet table. Lastly, toad Toady goes to obedience school. The easy-to-read book, with clear, supportive illustrations, works well for newly independent readers.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) 1-3 Judy Moody and Friends series. Illustrated by Erwin Madrid. In these spinoff transitional readers, Judy Moody's friends Jessica Finch and Rocky Zang share the spotlight: Judy arranges Jessica's birthday surprise and helps Rocky with his magic show. Full-bleed color illustrations (modeled after Peter H. Reynolds's originals) add to the fun. The easy-to-read books are great for newly independent readers not quite ready for the longer Judy Moody chapter books. Review covers these Judy Moody and Friends titles: Jessica Finch in Pig Trouble and Rocky Zang in The Amazing Mr. Magic.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) 1-3 Judy Moody and Friends series. Illustrated by Erwin Madrid. In these spinoff transitional readers, Judy Moody's friends Jessica Finch and Rocky Zang share the spotlight: Judy arranges Jessica's birthday surprise and helps Rocky with his magic show. Full-bleed color illustrations (modeled after Peter H. Reynolds's originals) add to the fun. The easy-to-read books are great for newly independent readers not quite ready for the longer Judy Moody chapter books. Review covers these Judy Moody and Friends titles: Jessica Finch in Pig Trouble and Rocky Zang in The Amazing Mr. Magic.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) 1-3 Judy Moody and Friends series. Illustrated by Erwin Madrid. Judy Moody's friends take center stage in two more spinoff transitional readers. As Judy provides ideas and support, budding journalist Amy hunts for news stories and Frank attempts to win a contest. Series illustrator Madrid brings the original characters to full-color life. The breezy, humorous books are great stepping stones for kids on their way to independent chapter-book reading. Review covers these Judy Moody and Friends titles: Amy Namey in Ace Reporter and Frank Pearl in The Awful Waffle Kerfuffle.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) 1-3 Judy Moody and Friends series. Illustrated by Erwin Madrid. Judy Moody's friends take center stage in two more spinoff transitional readers. As Judy provides ideas and support, budding journalist Amy hunts for news stories and Frank attempts to win a contest. Series illustrator Madrid brings the original characters to full-color life. The breezy, humorous books are great stepping stones for kids on their way to independent chapter-book reading. Review covers these Judy Moody and Friends titles: Amy Namey in Ace Reporter and Frank Pearl in The Awful Waffle Kerfuffle.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Erwin Madrid. Hard-core map and/or monster fans may pore over these illustrations of places such as the Land of Mythical Monsters or Witchfield Village, but casual readers will likely find the directions far too complex to actually complete all of the map-related tasks. Hidden objects up the fun a bit, though many are too simple for the audience age that the maps would suggest.

Reviewer: April Spisak

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Erwin Madrid. Louisa Brody is determined to prove her father's innocence against charges of stealing, and when her friend Jessamine tells her about a wee man living in the hazel grove, Louisa knows she's found the real culprit. But who will believe her? Wiley weaves an engaging story with classic elements and a deceptively simple but satisfying plot. Madrid's delicate sketches add depth and humor.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Erwin Madrid. The title character remembers idyllic times with her movie-star parents before their careers skyrocketed. Now Juniper spends her days rattling around the family's mansion and trying to figure out what went wrong. After befriending Giles, whose parents underwent similar--and sinister--personality shifts, Juniper must find within herself the strength to save them all. Compelling characterizations drive this fairy-tale-cum-morality-play.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz