(3) K-3 After his cousin lures him to the city with tales of urban grandeur, the country mouse escapes a dangerous dog attack and learns to deeply appreciate the comforts of his own home. In her visually breathtaking retelling of Aesop's fable, Ward's watercolor illustrations use striking imagery to describe the lush countryside and bustling city (here New York City at Christmastime).

Reviewer: Nicki Richesin

(4) YA This is a touching biography of the great jazz pianist who triumphed over adversity to become a legendary artist. The absorbing but lengthy volume, most appropriate for teens, will foster appreciation for Peterson's hard work, as well as for early founders of jazz, including Peterson's mentor Norman Granz. Small, grainy black-and-white photographs break up the text-heavy chapters. Discography is appended. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Nicki Richesin

(3) 4-6 Eighth-grade clarinetist Tatum longs to be in District Honor Band, but new student Michael is tough competition for a coveted spot--and for BFF Lori's attention. Along with this jealousy, Tatum deals with an awkward potential romance and her parents' divorce. Dominy ambitiously takes on many issues, but her handling of them (especially changing friendships and competition) is spot on.

Reviewer: Nicki Richesin

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Christine Davenier. In her third Miss Lina book, Maccarone envisions a ballet school in melodic rhyming verse reminiscent of Madeline. Disappointed with the casting of Sleeping Beauty, Regina wishes her fellow dancers become ill so she can shine on stage; remorseful, she's relieved to find her friends ready to perform on opening night. Davenier's soft illustrations capture the graceful movement of ballerinas. Glos.

Reviewer: Nicki Richesin

(3) 4-6 Thirteen-year-old Bohemian immigrant Katerina longs for her former home as life in early-1900s Colorado proves to be difficult, but she works hard to help her coal-miner father realize his dream of buying a farm. Interlaced with the historical narrative is a fantastical folktale of a magical carp that grants wishes. A touching story of persistence in the face of great hardship.

Reviewer: Nicki Richesin

(3) YA In this modern-day Turn of the Screw, Jack spends the summer on a remote island looking after two children. He slowly unravels a series of mysteries about his young charges and their house. The story is told through letters from Jack to his girlfriend; Prose effectively re-creates the original tale's chilling mood, and her fans will enjoy this outing.

Reviewer: Nicki Richesin

(3) K-3 It's Fun to Write series. These useful, inventive books offer creative writing activities for budding young authors eager to develop their skills. Illustrated with whimsical cartoons, retellings of fairy tales and original adventure stories are followed by entertaining writing tasks and project ideas encouraging readers to adapt the tales or write their own. Each is appended with a section of more writing ideas and a "grammar glossary." Review covers these It's Fun to Write titles: Adventure Stories and Fairy Tales.

Reviewer: Nicki Richesin

(3) K-3 It's Fun to Write series. These useful, inventive books offer creative writing activities for budding young authors eager to develop their skills. Illustrated with whimsical cartoons, retellings of fairy tales and original adventure stories are followed by entertaining writing tasks and project ideas encouraging readers to adapt the tales or write their own. Each is appended with a section of more writing ideas and a "grammar glossary." Review covers these It's Fun to Write titles: Adventure Stories and Fairy Tales.

Reviewer: Nicki Richesin

(4) K-3 Big Buddy Books: Explore the United States series. These state overviews provide general information on important cities, state history, geography, natural resources, industry, and famous residents, while final sections summarize facts such as population, motto, state flag, etc. Generic spreads include "Did You Know?" sidebars and lackluster photographs. Overall the volumes are bland but may be useful for school reports. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Explore the United States titles: Alaska, California, Colorado, and Florida.

Reviewer: Nicki Richesin

(4) K-3 Big Buddy Books: Explore the United States series. These state overviews provide general information on important cities, state history, geography, natural resources, industry, and famous residents, while final sections summarize facts such as population, motto, state flag, etc. Generic spreads include "Did You Know?" sidebars and lackluster photographs. Overall the volumes are bland but may be useful for school reports. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Explore the United States titles: Alaska, California, Colorado, and Florida.

Reviewer: Nicki Richesin

(4) K-3 Big Buddy Books: Explore the United States series. These state overviews provide general information on important cities, state history, geography, natural resources, industry, and famous residents, while final sections summarize facts such as population, motto, state flag, etc. Generic spreads include "Did You Know?" sidebars and lackluster photographs. Overall the volumes are bland but may be useful for school reports. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Explore the United States titles: Alaska, California, Colorado, and Florida.

Reviewer: Nicki Richesin

(4) K-3 Big Buddy Books: Explore the United States series. These state overviews provide general information on important cities, state history, geography, natural resources, industry, and famous residents, while final sections summarize facts such as population, motto, state flag, etc. Generic spreads include "Did You Know?" sidebars and lackluster photographs. Overall the volumes are bland but may be useful for school reports. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Explore the United States titles: Alaska, California, Colorado, and Florida.

Reviewer: Nicki Richesin

(3) 1-3 Adventures of Jo Schmo series. Illustrated by Frank W. Dormer. Superhero fourth-grader Jo Schmo and her faithful mutt Raymond are endowed with special powers in time to stop a villain who is terrorizing San Francisco with dead dinosaurs. Next, Jo and Raymond travel in a time machine to the Gold Rush days to find infamous outlaw Wyatt Burp. Dormer's wry illustrations of the duo's antics are especially amusing in this winning new chapter book series. Review covers these Adventures of Jo Schmo titles: Dinos are Forever and Wyatt Burp Rides Again.

Reviewer: Nicki Richesin

(3) 1-3 Adventures of Jo Schmo series. Illustrated by Frank W. Dormer. Superhero fourth-grader Jo Schmo and her faithful mutt Raymond are endowed with special powers in time to stop a villain who is terrorizing San Francisco with dead dinosaurs. Next, Jo and Raymond travel in a time machine to the Gold Rush days to find infamous outlaw Wyatt Burp. Dormer's wry illustrations of the duo's antics are especially amusing in this winning new chapter book series. Review covers these Adventures of Jo Schmo titles: Dinos are Forever and Wyatt Burp Rides Again.

Reviewer: Nicki Richesin

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Christian Robinson. This picture-book biography of songbird Florence Mills highlights her humble beginnings as a "daughter of former slaves, who grew up in a teeny-tiny, itsy-bitsy house" before chronicling her rise to fame during the Harlem Renaissance and the strides she made for African American artists. Robinson's inventive mixed-media art beautifully complements Watson's lulling prose. An author's note expands on Mills's benevolent spirit.

Reviewer: Nicki Richesin