(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Renée Kurilla. In this sequel to Zebrafish, Vita is ready to relax and enjoy her summer with her bandmates. Everyone is doing his or her own thing, but the crew also finds time to come together. It's all a little frenetic, but this graphic novel boasts likable characters doing some good.

Reviewer: Charlotte S. Huck

(3) K-3 Bertie Badger's grandfather, a retired magician, lives in a community of fellow tricksters. When their magic props disappear, Bertie's on the case. Base's familiar animal-centric illustrations, here with hidden objects on each page and a code to crack, pair well with rhyming couplets to help readers piece together the mystery's solution. A "magical code breaker" is attached to the back endpapers.

Reviewer: Charlotte S. Huck

(3) 4-6 As the village of Pinrut nears deep freeze, the Breeze family, inventors of fantastical fans, faces the tyranny of Bartholomew Tullock. Travel, struggle, illness, and near defeat mark the Breezes' travails. Williams's writing is full of vivid descriptions of a snow-covered society and a unique fantasy world.

Reviewer: Charlotte S. Huck

(3) 4-6 This story of a sixth-grade traveling basketball team from an affluent town deals with parental involvement in team sports. In alternating narratives, four teammates reveal how parental pressure or apathy affects their lives and hinders the team. The likable characters bond over their family problems, which ultimately empowers each of them. A final chapter follows up on the four in high school.

Reviewer: Charlotte S. Huck

(3) 4-6 As winners of a writing contest, eighth-graders Steven Thomas and Susan Carol Anderson travel to the NCAA Final Four as journalists. In addition to meeting college basketball celebrities, the two also uncover a plot to fix the championship game. As the fast-moving mystery takes off, the book becomes the reader's own press pass to a behind-the-scenes look at the Final Four.

Reviewer: Charlotte S. Huck

(3) 4-6 Benchmark All-Stars series. Six well-known athletes are profiled in these readable biographies. The texts, an appealing mix of personal and professional details, are accompanied by a variety of large color photographs. A couple of the books are missing up-to-date information, such as Armstrong's 2004 Tour de France win, and there's only a brief mention of Rodriguez's trade to the Yankees. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Benchmark All-Stars titles: Alex Rodriquez, Donovan McNabb, Lance Armstrong, Serena Williams, Tony Hawk, and Yao Ming.

Reviewer: Charlotte S. Huck

(3) 4-6 Benchmark All-Stars series. Six well-known athletes are profiled in these readable biographies. The texts, an appealing mix of personal and professional details, are accompanied by a variety of large color photographs. A couple of the books are missing up-to-date information, such as Armstrong's 2004 Tour de France win, and there's only a brief mention of Rodriguez's trade to the Yankees. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Benchmark All-Stars titles: Alex Rodriquez, Donovan McNabb, Lance Armstrong, Serena Williams, Tony Hawk, and Yao Ming.

Reviewer: Charlotte S. Huck

(3) 4-6 Benchmark All-Stars series. Six well-known athletes are profiled in these readable biographies. The texts, an appealing mix of personal and professional details, are accompanied by a variety of large color photographs. A couple of the books are missing up-to-date information, such as Armstrong's 2004 Tour de France win, and there's only a brief mention of Rodriguez's trade to the Yankees. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Benchmark All-Stars titles: Alex Rodriquez, Donovan McNabb, Lance Armstrong, Serena Williams, Tony Hawk, and Yao Ming.

Reviewer: Charlotte S. Huck

(3) 4-6 Benchmark All-Stars series. Six well-known athletes are profiled in these readable biographies. The texts, an appealing mix of personal and professional details, are accompanied by a variety of large color photographs. A couple of the books are missing up-to-date information, such as Armstrong's 2004 Tour de France win, and there's only a brief mention of Rodriguez's trade to the Yankees. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Benchmark All-Stars titles: Alex Rodriquez, Donovan McNabb, Lance Armstrong, Serena Williams, Tony Hawk, and Yao Ming.

Reviewer: Charlotte S. Huck

(3) 4-6 Benchmark All-Stars series. Six well-known athletes are profiled in these readable biographies. The texts, an appealing mix of personal and professional details, are accompanied by a variety of large color photographs. A couple of the books are missing up-to-date information, such as Armstrong's 2004 Tour de France win, and there's only a brief mention of Rodriguez's trade to the Yankees. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Benchmark All-Stars titles: Alex Rodriquez, Donovan McNabb, Lance Armstrong, Serena Williams, Tony Hawk, and Yao Ming.

Reviewer: Charlotte S. Huck

(3) 4-6 Benchmark All-Stars series. Six well-known athletes are profiled in these readable biographies. The texts, an appealing mix of personal and professional details, are accompanied by a variety of large color photographs. A couple of the books are missing up-to-date information, such as Armstrong's 2004 Tour de France win, and there's only a brief mention of Rodriguez's trade to the Yankees. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Benchmark All-Stars titles: Alex Rodriquez, Donovan McNabb, Lance Armstrong, Serena Williams, Tony Hawk, and Yao Ming.

Reviewer: Charlotte S. Huck

(3) K-3 Illustrated by James E. Ransome. This is the story of a lesser-known African-American athlete breaking down racial barriers. Major Taylor rose to the top of the cycling world in the early 1900s, starting out working in a bike store as a boy and ending up a world champion cyclist. The engaging narrative and rich oil paintings create an impressive portrait of an inspiring man.

Reviewer: Charlotte S. Huck

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Henry Cole. Humble Old Pat and boastful Young Tom travel to compete for the title of "Finest Harpist in Ireland." Along the way, Young Tom tries to sabotage Old Pat's chances to win, but Old Pat's kindness toward a leprechaun is rewarded and Young Tom gets what he deserves. The just ending is never in doubt in this story of kindness rewarded. The lively illustrations aptly convey the Irish setting.

Reviewer: Charlotte S. Huck

(4) 4-6 Making of a Champion series. These encompassing books explore the details, demands, and determination necessary in the making of an elite athlete. Chapters cover such topics as the sport's history, training techniques, diet and nutrition, and competitions (drug use is briefly mentioned). Photos of a variety of elite athletes--from past to present--help illustrate the text. The congested design is a drawback. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Making of a Champion titles: A World-Class Sprinter, A World-Class Judo Champion, A World-Class Mountain Biker, A World-Class Swimmer, A World-Class Marathon Runner, and A World-Class Gymnast.

Reviewer: Charlotte S. Huck

(4) PS Pepo, a pig, and his companion Lolo the chick are good friends who run, jump, and sing together. They also work through such difficulties as being angry at each other and together figuring out how to get an apple down from a tree. The stories are slight, but the sturdy pages featuring brightly colored, mixed-media illustrations of the affectionate pair will draw in toddlers. Review covers these titles: Pepo and Lolo and the Red Apple and Pepo and Lolo Are Friends.

Reviewer: Charlotte S. Huck

(4) PS Pepo, a pig, and his companion Lolo the chick are good friends who run, jump, and sing together. They also work through such difficulties as being angry at each other and together figuring out how to get an apple down from a tree. The stories are slight, but the sturdy pages featuring brightly colored, mixed-media illustrations of the affectionate pair will draw in toddlers. Review covers these titles: Pepo and Lolo and the Red Apple and Pepo and Lolo Are Friends.

Reviewer: Charlotte S. Huck

(3) 4-6 When talented but short Danny doesn't make the prestigious seventh-grade travel team, he and his dad, a former NBA player, form their own travel team. Danny's relationships with his teammates, opponents, and divorced parents all ring true. Lupica's mix of rich characterization and authentic basketball details blend to create an engaging, enjoyable story.

Reviewer: Charlotte S. Huck

(4) 4-6 Making of a Champion series. These encompassing books explore the details, demands, and determination necessary in the making of an elite athlete. Chapters cover such topics as the sport's history, training techniques, diet and nutrition, and competitions (drug use is briefly mentioned). Photos of a variety of elite athletes--from past to present--help illustrate the text. The congested design is a drawback. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Making of a Champion titles: A World-Class Sprinter, A World-Class Judo Champion, A World-Class Mountain Biker, A World-Class Swimmer, A World-Class Marathon Runner, and A World-Class Gymnast.

Reviewer: Charlotte S. Huck

(4) 4-6 Making of a Champion series. These encompassing books explore the details, demands, and determination necessary in the making of an elite athlete. Chapters cover such topics as the sport's history, training techniques, diet and nutrition, and competitions (drug use is briefly mentioned). Photos of a variety of elite athletes--from past to present--help illustrate the text. The congested design is a drawback. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Making of a Champion titles: A World-Class Sprinter, A World-Class Judo Champion, A World-Class Mountain Biker, A World-Class Swimmer, A World-Class Marathon Runner, and A World-Class Gymnast.

Reviewer: Charlotte S. Huck

(4) 4-6 Making of a Champion series. These encompassing books explore the details, demands, and determination necessary in the making of an elite athlete. Chapters cover such topics as the sport's history, training techniques, diet and nutrition, and competitions (drug use is briefly mentioned). Photos of a variety of elite athletes--from past to present--help illustrate the text. The congested design is a drawback. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Making of a Champion titles: A World-Class Sprinter, A World-Class Judo Champion, A World-Class Mountain Biker, A World-Class Swimmer, A World-Class Marathon Runner, and A World-Class Gymnast.

Reviewer: Charlotte S. Huck