(3) 1-3 Ana & Andrew series. Illustrated by Sharon Sodo. In each of these short chapter books, siblings Ana and Andrew enjoy family and learn a bit about their history. With extended family, they visit the National Museum of African American History, celebrate Carnival, make snow cream, and visit their grandparents in Savannah, Georgia. The books feature breezy dialogue, text-supporting illustrations, and informative if not in-depth storytelling. Review covers these Ana & Andrew titles: Dancing at Carnival, A Day at the Museum, A Snowy Day, and Summer in Savannah

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) 1-3 Ana & Andrew series. Illustrated by Sharon Sordo. In each of these short chapter books, siblings Ana and Andrew enjoy family and learn a bit about their history. With extended family, they visit the National Museum of African American History, celebrate Carnival, make snow cream, and visit their grandparents in Savannah, Georgia. The books feature breezy dialogue, text-supporting illustrations, and informative if not in-depth storytelling. Review covers these Ana & Andrew titles: Dancing at Carnival, A Day at the Museum, A Snowy Day, and Summer in Savannah

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) 1-3 Ana & Andrew series. Illustrated by Sharon Sordo. In each of these short chapter books, siblings Ana and Andrew enjoy family and learn a bit about their history. With extended family, they visit the National Museum of African American History, celebrate Carnival, make snow cream, and visit their grandparents in Savannah, Georgia. The books feature breezy dialogue, text-supporting illustrations, and informative if not in-depth storytelling. Review covers these Ana & Andrew titles: Dancing at Carnival, A Day at the Museum, A Snowy Day, and Summer in Savannah

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) 1-3 Ana & Andrew series. Illustrated by Sharon Sordo. In each of these short chapter books, siblings Ana and Andrew enjoy family and learn a bit about their history. With extended family, they visit the National Museum of African American History, celebrate Carnival, make snow cream, and visit their grandparents in Savannah, Georgia. The books feature breezy dialogue, text-supporting illustrations, and informative if not in-depth storytelling. Review covers these Ana & Andrew titles: Dancing at Carnival, A Day at the Museum, A Snowy Day, and Summer in Savannah

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) 4-6 Calico: Band Geeks series. Illustrated by Anna Cattish. Junior-high band-mates take on new challenges as this series continues. The young musicians deal with student teachers, side projects, interpersonal rivalries, and even a stint as music-camp counselors. While the plots are predictable and exhaustively spelled-out, the well-delineated ensemble cast, down-to-earth conflicts, and clear enthusiasm for music-geekery will keep the series' target audience engaged. Angular black-and-white illustrations enhance readability. Review covers the following Calico: Band Geeks titles: Band Camp Rules, Mr. Byrd Flies the Nest, Nothing but Treble, and Settling the Score.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross

(4) 4-6 Calico: Band Geeks series. Illustrated by Anna Cattish. Junior-high band-mates take on new challenges as this series continues. The young musicians deal with student teachers, side projects, interpersonal rivalries, and even a stint as music-camp counselors. While the plots are predictable and exhaustively spelled-out, the well-delineated ensemble cast, down-to-earth conflicts, and clear enthusiasm for music-geekery will keep the series' target audience engaged. Angular black-and-white illustrations enhance readability. Review covers the following Calico: Band Geeks titles: Band Camp Rules, Mr. Byrd Flies the Nest, Nothing but Treble, and Settling the Score.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross

(4) 4-6 Calico: Band Geeks series. Illustrated by Anna Cattish. Junior-high band-mates take on new challenges as this series continues. The young musicians deal with student teachers, side projects, interpersonal rivalries, and even a stint as music-camp counselors. While the plots are predictable and exhaustively spelled-out, the well-delineated ensemble cast, down-to-earth conflicts, and clear enthusiasm for music-geekery will keep the series' target audience engaged. Angular black-and-white illustrations enhance readability. Review covers the following Calico: Band Geeks titles: Band Camp Rules, Mr. Byrd Flies the Nest, Nothing but Treble, and Settling the Score.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross

(4) 4-6 Calico: Band Geeks series. Illustrated by Anna Cattish. Junior-high band-mates take on new challenges as this series continues. The young musicians deal with student teachers, side projects, interpersonal rivalries, and even a stint as music-camp counselors. While the plots are predictable and exhaustively spelled-out, the well-delineated ensemble cast, down-to-earth conflicts, and clear enthusiasm for music-geekery will keep the series' target audience engaged. Angular black-and-white illustrations enhance readability. Review covers the following Calico: Band Geeks titles: Band Camp Rules, Mr. Byrd Flies the Nest, Nothing but Treble, and Settling the Score.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross

(4) 1-3 Calico Kid: Libby Wimbley series. Illustrated by Alexandria Neonakis. Pig-tailed African American farm girl Libby approaches each animal-centric scenario--building a birdhouse, recusing a dragonfly from a spiderweb, teaching her goat tricks, and training her rooster to crow--with persistent problem-solving skills. Each transitional reader has five easy chapters filled with cartoonlike illustrations recalling LeUyen Pham's. The stories are facile, but young readers will be drawn to Libby's curiosity and can-do attitude. Review covers these Calico Kid: Libby Wimbley titles: Birdhouse Builder, Bug Rescuer, Goat Trainer, and Rooster Instructor.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(4) 1-3 Calico Kid: Libby Wimbley series. Illustrated by Alexandria Neonakis. Pig-tailed African American farm girl Libby approaches each animal-centric scenario--building a birdhouse, recusing a dragonfly from a spiderweb, teaching her goat tricks, and training her rooster to crow--with persistent problem-solving skills. Each transitional reader has five easy chapters filled with cartoonlike illustrations recalling LeUyen Pham's. The stories are facile, but young readers will be drawn to Libby's curiosity and can-do attitude. Review covers these Calico Kid: Libby Wimbley titles: Birdhouse Builder, Bug Rescuer, Goat Trainer, and Rooster Instructor.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(4) 1-3 Calico Kid: Libby Wimbley series. Illustrated by Alexandria Neonakis. Pig-tailed African American farm girl Libby approaches each animal-centric scenario--building a birdhouse, recusing a dragonfly from a spiderweb, teaching her goat tricks, and training her rooster to crow--with persistent problem-solving skills. Each transitional reader has five easy chapters filled with cartoonlike illustrations recalling LeUyen Pham's. The stories are facile, but young readers will be drawn to Libby's curiosity and can-do attitude. Review covers these Calico Kid: Libby Wimbley titles: Birdhouse Builder, Bug Rescuer, Goat Trainer, and Rooster Instructor.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(4) 1-3 Calico Kid: Libby Wimbley series. Illustrated by Alexandria Neonakis. Pig-tailed African American farm girl Libby approaches each animal-centric scenario--building a birdhouse, recusing a dragonfly from a spiderweb, teaching her goat tricks, and training her rooster to crow--with persistent problem-solving skills. Each transitional reader has five easy chapters filled with cartoonlike illustrations recalling LeUyen Pham's. The stories are facile, but young readers will be drawn to Libby's curiosity and can-do attitude. Review covers these Calico Kid: Libby Wimbley titles: Birdhouse Builder, Bug Rescuer, Goat Trainer, and Rooster Instructor.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(4) 4-6 Calico: Game Face series. Illustrated by Tim Heitz. The hi-lo series continues with four more facile sports books, these all featuring girl protagonists: rhythmic gymnast Louie Lin (Balancing), softball catcher Rana Parisi (Softball), sports reporter Maya Esposito (Report), and ice-hockey player Alana O'Brien (STEAM). Each first-person narrative pulls readers through the activity's anxieties and thrills. Silly, juvenile cartoons feel mismatched with the straightforward middle-school sports stories. Review covers these Calico: Game Face titles: Balancing Act, Softball Surprise, Sports Report, and STEAM & Ice.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) 4-6 Calico: Game Face series. Illustrated by Tim Heitz. The hi-lo series continues with four more facile sports books, these all featuring girl protagonists: rhythmic gymnast Louie Lin (Balancing), softball catcher Rana Parisi (Softball), sports reporter Maya Esposito (Report), and ice-hockey player Alana O'Brien (STEAM). Each first-person narrative pulls readers through the activity's anxieties and thrills. Silly, juvenile cartoons feel mismatched with the straightforward middle-school sports stories. Review covers these Calico: Game Face titles: Balancing Act, Softball Surprise, Sports Report, and STEAM & Ice.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) 4-6 Calico: Game Face series. Illustrated by Tim Heitz. The hi-lo series continues with four more facile sports books, these all featuring girl protagonists: rhythmic gymnast Louie Lin (Balancing), softball catcher Rana Parisi (Softball), sports reporter Maya Esposito (Report), and ice-hockey player Alana O'Brien (STEAM). Each first-person narrative pulls readers through the activity's anxieties and thrills. Silly, juvenile cartoons feel mismatched with the straightforward middle-school sports stories. Review covers these Calico: Game Face titles: Balancing Act, Softball Surprise, Sports Report, and STEAM & Ice.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) 4-6 Calico: Game Face series. Illustrated by Tim Heitz. The hi-lo series continues with four more facile sports books, these all featuring girl protagonists: rhythmic gymnast Louie Lin (Balancing), softball catcher Rana Parisi (Softball), sports reporter Maya Esposito (Report), and ice-hockey player Alana O'Brien (STEAM). Each first-person narrative pulls readers through the activity's anxieties and thrills. Silly, juvenile cartoons feel mismatched with the straightforward middle-school sports stories. Review covers these Calico: Game Face titles: Balancing Act, Softball Surprise, Sports Report, and STEAM & Ice.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) 1-3 Calico: Ghost Detectors series. Illustrated by Dave Shephard. Young ghost detectives Malcolm and Dandy encounter a doll-obsessed poltergeist (Dolled), a haunted mini-golf course (Lies), a dance teacher running rehearsals from beyond the grave (Kick), and a ghost zookeeper with a full complement of ghost zoo animals (Lions). Stilted dialogue aside, the large print, simple plots, and comic-style illustrations make these light books accessible for those not quite ready for Goosebumps. Review covers these Calico: Ghost Detectors titles: All Dolled Up!, As It Lies!, One, Two, Three, Kick!, and Lions, Tiger & Bears, Oh My!.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(4) 1-3 Calico: Ghost Detectors series. Illustrated by Dave Shephard. Young ghost detectives Malcolm and Dandy encounter a doll-obsessed poltergeist (Dolled), a haunted mini-golf course (Lies), a dance teacher running rehearsals from beyond the grave (Kick), and a ghost zookeeper with a full complement of ghost zoo animals (Lions). Stilted dialogue aside, the large print, simple plots, and comic-style illustrations make these light books accessible for those not quite ready for Goosebumps. Review covers these Calico: Ghost Detectors titles: All Dolled Up!, As It Lies!, One, Two, Three, Kick!, and Lions, Tiger & Bears, Oh My!.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(4) 1-3 Calico: Ghost Detectors series. Illustrated by Dave Shephard. Young ghost detectives Malcolm and Dandy encounter a doll-obsessed poltergeist (Dolled), a haunted mini-golf course (Lies), a dance teacher running rehearsals from beyond the grave (Kick), and a ghost zookeeper with a full complement of ghost zoo animals (Lions). Stilted dialogue aside, the large print, simple plots, and comic-style illustrations make these light books accessible for those not quite ready for Goosebumps. Review covers these Calico: Ghost Detectors titles: All Dolled Up!, As It Lies!, One, Two, Three, Kick!, and Lions, Tiger & Bears, Oh My!.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(4) 1-3 Calico: Ghost Detectors series. Illustrated by Dave Shephard. Young ghost detectives Malcolm and Dandy encounter a doll-obsessed poltergeist (Dolled), a haunted mini-golf course (Lies), a dance teacher running rehearsals from beyond the grave (Kick), and a ghost zookeeper with a full complement of ghost zoo animals (Lions). Stilted dialogue aside, the large print, simple plots, and comic-style illustrations make these light books accessible for those not quite ready for Goosebumps. Review covers these Calico: Ghost Detectors titles: All Dolled Up!, As It Lies!, One, Two, Three, Kick!, and Lions, Tiger & Bears, Oh My!.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay