(4) 4-6 Friends for Keeps series. Elizabeth, Ida May's former best friend who moved away, joins the gang at camp--but Ida has a hard time forgiving Liz for not staying in touch and their rift affects the entire bunk. The characters in this series remain unmemorable, but the girls' week full of typical summer activities is diverting and the friendship struggles ring true.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(3) K-3 My First I Can Read Book series. Illustrated by Pat Schories. Though they beg, rambunctious Biscuit just can't seem to stay out of the kids' baseball game; eventually, it's the ball that pays the price. The basic text features "woof, woof"-ing from the pup on nearly every page; the repetition combined with Schories's cute illustrations featuring puppies and ball-playing tots make this a solid Biscuit offering for preschoolers or very early readers.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(3) 4-6 Benjamin Pratt and the Keepers of the School series. Illustrated by Adam Stower. This third volume in the series advances the mystery hidden within the old Oakes School; adds a third, unexpected keeper to Ben and Jill's partnership; further develops the kids' personal story lines; and continues their plot to stop greedy developers from turning the valuable seaside parcel into an amusement park. Stower's retro-looking spot illustrations enhance the fast-moving installment.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Kelly Murphy. Fifth-grade genius Alex constructs a time machine out of duct tape, some mirrors, and an iPod--in doing so, he saves his brother from evil kidnappers from the future; launches his father's writing career; and inadvertently makes his dog the first domesticated pet in the prehistoric world. A clever and entertaining time-travel adventure.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) 1-3 Heidi Heckelbeck series. Illustrated by Priscilla Burris. Frequent illustrations punctuate zippy early chapter books about spunky eight-year-old Heidi Heckelbeck. Lucy Lancaster befriends the formerly homeschooled Heidi, but Melanie Maplethorpe is inexplicably mean toward Heidi. Heidi's big secret is that she and her mother are actually witches, but this twist comes late in the first story (Secret) and seems almost superfluous. Review covers these Heidi Heckelbeck titles: Heidi Heckelbeck and the Cookie Contest, Heidi Heckelbeck Casts a Spell, and Heidi Heckelbeck Has a Secret.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) 1-3 Heidi Heckelbeck series. Illustrated by Priscilla Burris. Frequent illustrations punctuate zippy early chapter books about spunky eight-year-old Heidi Heckelbeck. Lucy Lancaster befriends the formerly homeschooled Heidi, but Melanie Maplethorpe is inexplicably mean toward Heidi. Heidi's big secret is that she and her mother are actually witches, but this twist comes late in the first story (Secret) and seems almost superfluous. Review covers these Heidi Heckelbeck titles: Heidi Heckelbeck and the Cookie Contest, Heidi Heckelbeck Casts a Spell, and Heidi Heckelbeck Has a Secret.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Thomas F. Yezerski. Pinch, who looks as if he hasn't missed many meals, wants soup, but he's too lazy to make it. His svelte next-door neighbor Dash is making "skinny soup…soup with not much in it." Friendship and collaboration are seasoned with a touch of spicy humor in this early-reader buddy book. The sprightly pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations match the text's companionable tone.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Susan Mitchell. Word-aficionado Daisy loves collecting words and organizing them into lists. When her favorite teacher announces she's moving, Daisy realizes the best going-away present would be the perfect word "chosen specially for her." Buoyant in tone, the quick, readable chapters share Daisy's enthusiasm with classmates, teacher, and readers alike. The frequent black-and-white drawings are friendly and inviting.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) 4-6 Unlike his police detective dad, Brendan (Brendan Buckley's Universe and Everything in It) is interested in science, entering observations into his trusty log book; caring for his anole lizard; and joining the rock club. New girl Morgan becomes his partner in a national science competition and his potential girlfriend--but is Brendan ready for that? A little message-heavy but engaging.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(3) 1-3 Zigzag Kids series. Illustrated by Alasdair Bright. Zigzag Afternoon Center's surprise camping trip at the nature center doesn't excite Mitchell--and not only because it interferes with his birthday plans. He's scared of camping, bears, and sleeping outdoors. Luckily, the trip is full of unexpected surprises, new friends, and even an upside-down birthday cake. Frequent halftone illustrations punctuate the short, entertaining chapters.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(3) K-3 I Can Read Book series. Illustrated by Anne Kennedy. Meg, Jill, and Annie--the "Pony Scouts"--have fun with the ponies on Jill's farm. But Meg keeps managing to get the girls into trouble: forgetting to latch frisky pony Sparkle's stall and encouraging her friends to take a trail ride without permission. Simple stories, jovial illustrations, and the attention-grabbing subject matter will draw new readers in. Glos. Review covers these I Can Read Book titles: Pony Scouts: Runaway Ponies! and Pony Scouts: The Trail Ride.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(3) K-3 I Can Read Book series. Illustrated by Anne Kennedy. Meg, Jill, and Annie--the "Pony Scouts"--have fun with the ponies on Jill's farm. But Meg keeps managing to get the girls into trouble: forgetting to latch frisky pony Sparkle's stall and encouraging her friends to take a trail ride without permission. Simple stories, jovial illustrations, and the attention-grabbing subject matter will draw new readers in. Glos. Review covers these I Can Read Book titles: Pony Scouts: Runaway Ponies! and Pony Scouts: The Trail Ride.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(3) 4-6 Wilma and dog Pickle stumble across a mummified hand clutching a key outside a mansion and get embroiled in another mystery, complete with a phantom, hidden treasure, and the usual cast of wacky characters. Wilma proves how much she's learned as an apprentice detective and makes strides toward solving the mystery of her birth in this witty, satisfying third series entry.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) 4-6 Lobster Chronicles series. Illustrated by Shelagh Armstrong. Budding marine biologist Graeme's lobsterman father catches a huge, record-breaking lobster. In order to get at that crustacean, crafty cannery scion Norris exploits Graeme's desire to raise funds to visit the Big Fish Aquarium. There's also a classroom mystery, and the plot is a bit muddled. The maritime North Atlantic setting is vivid in this first entry in a planned trilogy.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) 1-3 Katharine the Almost Great series. Illustrated by Phyllis Harris. Third-grader Katharine always tries to do her best but isn’t entirely successful at following the rules. However, she is kind and loving to live-in cousin Crockett, even if she's not so tolerant of classmate "Miss Priss-A-Poo" Vanessa. Although her adventures are bland, the illustrated stories are easy to read and the situations are relatable. Review covers these Katharine the Almost Great titles: The Artsy-Fartsy Auction, The Ding Dong Ditch-a-Roo, The Purr-fect-o Present, and The Write Stuff.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) 1-3 Katharine the Almost Great series. Illustrated by Phyllis Harris. Third-grader Katharine always tries to do her best but isn’t entirely successful at following the rules. However, she is kind and loving to live-in cousin Crockett, even if she's not so tolerant of classmate "Miss Priss-A-Poo" Vanessa. Although her adventures are bland, the illustrated stories are easy to read and the situations are relatable. Review covers these Katharine the Almost Great titles: The Artsy-Fartsy Auction, The Ding Dong Ditch-a-Roo, The Purr-fect-o Present, and The Write Stuff.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) 1-3 Katharine the Almost Great series. Illustrated by Phyllis Harris. Third-grader Katharine always tries to do her best but isn’t entirely successful at following the rules. However, she is kind and loving to live-in cousin Crockett, even if she's not so tolerant of classmate "Miss Priss-A-Poo" Vanessa. Although her adventures are bland, the illustrated stories are easy to read and the situations are relatable. Review covers these Katharine the Almost Great titles: The Artsy-Fartsy Auction, The Ding Dong Ditch-a-Roo, The Purr-fect-o Present, and The Write Stuff.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) 1-3 Katharine the Almost Great series. Illustrated by Phyllis Harris. Third-grader Katharine always tries to do her best but isn’t entirely successful at following the rules. However, she is kind and loving to live-in cousin Crockett, even if she's not so tolerant of classmate "Miss Priss-A-Poo" Vanessa. Although her adventures are bland, the illustrated stories are easy to read and the situations are relatable. Review covers these Katharine the Almost Great titles: The Artsy-Fartsy Auction, The Ding Dong Ditch-a-Roo, The Purr-fect-o Present, and The Write Stuff.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) 4-6 Rebel gets stuck baby-sitting for her sister Lynette's son Rudy in a Virginia mobile home community instead of spending her summer at paleontology camp. She enters a pageant in hopes of winning the money to attend; she ends up learning more about Lynette and Rudy, a new friend, and herself than expected. Southern quirkiness abounds throughout the mildly amusing but unsurprising tale.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(3) PS Illustrated by Brian Biggs. Brownie and pet cat Pearl go for a spin to the mailbox in a little pink convertible. But when they're done, it takes some coaxing to get Pearl out of the car; Brownie brings her a snack, which they share together on the lawn. The simplicity of the story, the page design, and Biggs's bright digital illustrations make this a preschool-perfect offering.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin