(3) K-3 Penguin Young Readers series. Illustrated by Sam Ricks. In his fourth early-reader adventure, sports-loving Mo Jackson (Don't Throw It to Mo! and others) takes to the soccer pitch. He needs practice, and Mom and Dad are happy to help. During the big game--Billy Goats versus Pups--Mo has some ups and downs, but he (sort of inadvertently) scores the winning goal. Mo's underdog status and his try-try-again attitude, reflected throughout Ricks's unfussy illustrations, continue to have appeal.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(2) K-3 Penguin Young Readers series. Illustrated by Sam Ricks. In his third easy reader (Don't Throw It to Mo!; Get a Hit, Mo!), Mo has a new sports obsession: basketball. Diminutive Mo struggles to connect (literally) with his teammates when passing the ball; with extra practice and encouragement, he shines when his team needs him the most. Intentionally repetitive sentences, engaging illustrations, and a large typeface make the humorous story comprehensible for new readers.

Reviewer: Eric Carpenter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2018

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Sam Ricks. Though the brigade of wily badgers was jailed at the end of Badness of Badgers, the bandits escaped with a Monopoly-esque "Get Out of Jail Free" card. But our hero Stinkbomb and his sister, Ketchup-Face, are once again on their trail, now aided by a ninja librarian, a disguised rabbit, and a banana-eating shark. This quest-fantasy send-up's nonstop metafictive silliness has enormous kid-appeal; spot illustrations add to the hilarity.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(3) 1-3 Eerie Elementary series. Illustrated by Sam Ricks. Hall monitor Sam and his friends join forces with the great-great-grandson of mad scientist Orson Eerie, the man behind the vengeful spirit possessing their school. When they attempt to use Orson's old invention against him, Orson's spirit inhabits the machine and re-creates himself as a giant robot. This sixth chapter book is filled with age-appropriate scares; black-and-white illustrations throughout add to the creepy atmosphere.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Sam Ricks. On a quest to get King Toothbrush Weasel to rid the kingdom of Great Kerfuffle of robber badgers ("Think about it. They do bad things because they're badgers"), Stinkbomb and his younger sister, Ketchup-Face, end up pursuing the bandits themselves. Brief chapters are chock-a-block with nonstop silliness, snarky fairy-tale tropes, playful type, and exuberant illustrations. This is literary candy for kids, especially reluctant readers.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(3) K-3 Penguin Young Readers series. Illustrated by Sam Ricks. A baseball-season follow-up to Geisel Award–winning Don't Throw It to Mo!. Still the smallest on his team, African American boy Mo will bat last and play right field in the game. But Mo listens carefully to Coach Marie and watches his teammates--and eventually has his big moment. Accompanying the perfectly pitched leveled text, Ricks's illustrations capture Mo's feelings and the game's movements.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(2) PS Illustrated by Sam Ricks. Young Danny isn't ready to pee in the potty, so the thin-skinned toilet, feeling unappreciated, heads dejectedly out into the night. The next morning Danny is willing, but "there's only one problem"...and mother and son embark on a frantic search for their AWOL bathroom fixture. The potty humor flows freely in Ricks's expressive digital illustrations. Apple's restrained text helps the preposterous scenario float.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2016

(3) 1-3 Eerie Elementary series. Illustrated by Sam Ricks. For children ready for chapter books, this slightly spooky series about a personified school contains plenty of action and just enough plot complication. The third book finds hall-monitor hero Sam and friends chasing a soccer ball into the creepy woods along school grounds, where sudden fog and a strange swamp make for some narrow escapes. Shadowy black-and-white illustrations appear on every page.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) 1-3 Eerie Elementary series. Illustrated by Sam Ricks. For children ready for chapter books, this slightly spooky series about a personified school contains plenty of action and just enough plot complication. The fourth book finds hall-monitor-hero Sam and friends preparing a strange volcano for their school science fair. Explosions, chases, and an earthquake lead them through some narrow escapes. Shadowy black-and-white illustrations appear on every page.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) 1-3 Eerie Elementary series. Illustrated by Sam Ricks. The fifth entry in the early-chapter-book series finds hall monitor Sam and friends trapped inside their school--a "living, breathing" building made animate by mad scientist Orson Eerie--during a huge blizzard. The story contains just enough tension and fright for young readers; an accessible text rife with energetic sound effects is further enlivened by shadowy black-and-white illustrations.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(3) 1-3 DATA Set series. Illustrated by Sam Ricks. Cesar, Gabe, and Laura, three inquisitive, STEM-savvy second graders, are happy to meet their scientist neighbor, Dr. Bunsen--and thrilled to help him test his latest invention, a growth-ray-emitting gadget, on their toys (Beasts). His next invention transports them to prehistoric times (Dinosaurs). Abundant black-and-white illustrations help newly independent readers follow all the action in these sci-fi chapter books. Review covers the following DATA Set titles: Don't Disturb the Dinosaurs and March of the Mini Beasts.

Reviewer: Pam Yosca

(3) 1-3 DATA Set series. Illustrated by Sam Ricks. Cesar, Gabe, and Laura, three inquisitive, STEM-savvy second graders, are happy to meet their scientist neighbor, Dr. Bunsen--and thrilled to help him test his latest invention, a growth-ray-emitting gadget, on their toys (Beasts). His next invention transports them to prehistoric times (Dinosaurs). Abundant black-and-white illustrations help newly independent readers follow all the action in these sci-fi chapter books. Review covers the following DATA Set titles: Don't Disturb the Dinosaurs and March of the Mini Beasts.

Reviewer: Pam Yosca

(3) 1-3 DATA Set series. Illustrated by Sam Ricks. The DATA Set--second graders Gabe, Laura, and Cesar, with new team member Olive--return for three more science-filled adventures. Under the tutelage of bumbling Dr. Bunsen, the kids invent an alien communication device, battle robots overtaking their school, and deal with pesky clones. The lighthearted stories contain genuine science and technology interwoven with loopy characters and silly hijinks. Black-and-white illustrations are included. Review covers the following DATA Set titles: A Case of the Clones, Robots Rule the School, and The Sky Is Falling.

Reviewer: Pam Yosca

(3) 1-3 DATA Set series. Illustrated by Sam Ricks. The DATA Set--second graders Gabe, Laura, and Cesar, with new team member Olive--return for three more science-filled adventures. Under the tutelage of bumbling Dr. Bunsen, the kids invent an alien communication device, battle robots overtaking their school, and deal with pesky clones. The lighthearted stories contain genuine science and technology interwoven with loopy characters and silly hijinks. Black-and-white illustrations are included. Review covers the following DATA Set titles: A Case of the Clones, Robots Rule the School, and The Sky Is Falling.

Reviewer: Pam Yosca

(3) 1-3 DATA Set series. Illustrated by Sam Ricks. The DATA Set--second graders Gabe, Laura, and Cesar, with new team member Olive--return for three more science-filled adventures. Under the tutelage of bumbling Dr. Bunsen, the kids invent an alien communication device, battle robots overtaking their school, and deal with pesky clones. The lighthearted stories contain genuine science and technology interwoven with loopy characters and silly hijinks. Black-and-white illustrations are included. Review covers the following DATA Set titles: A Case of the Clones, Robots Rule the School, and The Sky Is Falling.

Reviewer: Pam Yosca

(3) K-3 Penguin Young Readers series. Illustrated by Sam Ricks. Mo loves football, even though he mostly sits on the bench with Coach Steve. The other team doesn't think Mo, the youngest and smallest kid on his team, stands a chance to catch the ball, but Coach Steve has a plan. Simple text, an exciting story, a lovable underdog, and charming illustrations combine to make this easy reader a winner.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) 1-3 Eerie Elementary series. Illustrated by Sam Ricks. For children ready for chapter books, this slightly spooky first series adventure involves a personified school that gobbles up kids. Sam, hall monitor hero, gradually figures out what's going on and what to do to save the day. Playground quicksand and a peanut butter explosion ("KA-BOOM!!!") are examples of the noisy, rollicking action enlivened in plentiful shadowy black-and-white illustrations.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) 1-3 Eerie Elementary series. Illustrated by Sam Ricks. Sam and Antonio set out to rescue their friend Lucy, who has been swallowed up by her locker. For children ready for chapter books, this barely scary second adventure in the series involves crawling through the dark and slimy inner workings of Eerie Elementary School. Lots of explosive action ("SLAM!"; "POW!"), enlivened in shadowy black-and-white illustrations, will keep pages turning.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo