(3) K-3 Illustrated by Greg Ruth. In spare poetic verse, Messner pays tribute to U.S. military veterans. On his motorcycle, Vietnam veteran Grandpa meets his war buddies for the Rolling Thunder Ride for Freedom demonstration. They ride into Washington, DC, where Grandpa is joined by his family at "The Wall" to honor those who lost their lives. Ruth's muted, somber illustrations capture the emotions of the experience.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Greg Ruth. With questions in their hearts, a group of people of various ages and races searches for Old Turtle. Upon finding her, each asks a question--about purpose, happiness, evil, and more--and the giant turtle sagely responds. Warm-toned, dreamlike pencil, watercolor, and digital illustrations reflect the hopeful words, but (as with previous Old Turtle books) the appeal to children is limited.

Reviewer: Nancy Sheridan

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Greg Ruth. This fourth collection contains ten boy-aimed science-fiction and fantasy stories from popular contemporary authors such as Rick Riordan, Rebecca Stead, Neal Shusterman, and Shaun Tan, plus one from Ray Bradbury, an inspiration to editor Scieszka. Though most of the tales here are entertaining and "mind-expandingly fun," Shusterman's and Bradbury's especially stand out as intriguing, suspenseful, and thought-provoking.

Reviewer: Randy Ribay

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Greg Ruth. During the Chinese Cultural Revolution, Tai Shan's father is sent to a labor camp outside the village, but they stay connected by flying kites on their far-apart hillsides. The vivid kites, appearing in red and blue in the muted-tone art, resonate as symbols of freedom and connection between the father and son. An author's note details Jiang's real-life inspiration for the powerful story.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Greg Ruth. "Captain" Red and his friend Molly engage in an epic playground battle amidst hordes of imagined pirates on the open sea. The pirate-speak-heavy text reinforces the immersive feeling of the pair's game. Ruth's art provides sweeping perspectives and uses color versus shades of gray and brown to distinguish real figures from imaginary. A glossary of pirate vocabulary follows the story.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(3) YA Secret Journeys of Jack London series. Illustrated by Greg Ruth. While returning home from the Yukon, Jack is abducted by pirates, whom he soon discovers are werewolves. Jack's humanity is challenged by the savagery of the supernatural crew, but he maintains that their human sides can best the beasts within. Fans of The Wild will enjoy this exciting second installment in the adventure series.

Reviewer: Juliet S. King

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Greg Ruth. In 1893 New York City, thirteen-year-old Maks hawks newspapers for eight cents a day. A street gang is roughing up the newsies; Maks's sister has been arrested for theft; and his father is about to lose his job. Avi's fast-paced, muscular prose, along with his Dickensian cast of characters and a mystery of comfortable complexity, make this a gratifying adventure.

Reviewer: Dean Schneider | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2011

(3) YA Secret Journeys of Jack London series. Illustrated by Greg Ruth. Seventeen-year-old Jack London heads to the Yukon Territory in search of riches and adventure. He encounters friends, foes, and supernatural forces that complicate his journey, all the while battling nature, humankind, and self to return home a new man. It's not deep, but adventure seekers will enjoy the tale's frozen North action. Occasional full-page black-and-white illustrations help set the scenes.

Reviewer: Juliet S. King

(3) YA Illustrated by Greg Ruth. "It was time to stop waiting for Orion's return...It was time to go after him." Meg's older brother has been missing for six months, having vanished from the rooftop of their London home. Meg must use her wits--and the resources of enigmatic family friend Charles Dickens--to find Orion. Buzbee uses Victorian literary style to good effect in this engaging mystery.

Reviewer: Rebecca Hachmyer

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Greg Ruth. In pirate parlance, a boy narrates his first day of school. The full-color illustrations include ghost-like sepia-toned pirates mirroring the boy's actions throughout the day, romping through lessons and bus rides with swords in hand and a parrot in tow. The whole is a bit forced, but swashbuckling pirate aficionados will gladly jump onboard this "jolly boat" "double quick." Glos.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Greg Ruth. This text is comprised of excerpts from President Obama's inaugural speech. The selections reflect his awareness of connections throughout history, his faith in Americans, celebration of the multiculturalism of today's society, and recognition of youth as the country's future. In dramatic paintings showing sketchlike figures and sweeping colors against white backgrounds, Ruth reflects the significance of Obama's words.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(3) 4-6 Sherlock Holmes and the Baker Street Irregulars series. Illustrated by Greg Ruth. Mack and Citrin flesh out the role of Sherlock Holmes's ragtag band of boys known as the Baker Street Irregulars as they help solve a circus family's murder. Holmes, Dr. Watson, and Professor Moriarty make appearances, and Ruth's drawings are appropriately dark and sketchy. Appended "facts and practicals for the aspiring detective" include a cast of characters, slang glossary, and historical context.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger