(3) 4-6 It's 1960, and twelve-year-old Peggy Sue's family has moved from Texas to the recently declared state of Hawaii. As the new girl, Peggy Sue is crudely pigeonholed as a haole--a non-native white person--by a bully. Bustard's historical setting adds a unique backdrop to this story of a terribly homesick girl who learns a lesson about family.

Reviewer: Sophie Williamson

(3) 4-6 Twelve-year-old Gladys Gatsby (All Four Stars) attends summer camp while also trying to continue her secret career as restaurant critic for a top-rated newspaper. Her newest assignment has her schlepping through New York City in search of the best hot dog. Readers will relate to Gladys's passion, her developing friendships, and her struggle with honesty, while foodies-in-training will appreciate her sophisticated palate.

Reviewer: Sophie Williamson

(3) 4-6 Mouseheart series. Illustrated by Vivienne To. Pet-store mouse Hopper, the Chosen One, struggles with the aftermath of the war in Mouseheart, here rebuilding the rat city of Atlantia in Brooklyn's subway tunnels. Predator-prey and enemy-ally relationships are examined as cats, rodents, and insects live in unison and discord. Fiedler's second animal fantasy is an adventurous journey propelled by courage in the midst of danger and strengthened by kinship.

Reviewer: Sophie Williamson

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by J. P. Coovert. Katie--like her bestie, Charlie Joe Jackson, and everyone in their middle-school class--texts constantly. After sending the wrong text and jeopardizing a good friendship, Katie takes a cue from her technology-hating rock-star idol and swears off screens for a week. The story feels purposeful, but Greenwald's meditation on the timely topic of technology use among tweens avoids preachiness.

Reviewer: Sophie Williamson

(3) 4-6 Saturday Cooking Club series. Best friends Frankie and Liza partner with new girl Lillian for their immigration project. For hands-on research--and with their hesitant moms in tow--the seventh-grade Brooklynites enroll in a cooking class. With several kitchen mishaps and rotating narration of the girls' perspectives, the authors skillfully use the cooking class to highlight the benefits of diversity--socially and in cuisine.

Reviewer: Sophie Williamson

(4) 4-6 Chronicles of the Low Realm series. Illustrated by Tom Lintern. After the impressive feat of pulling Ratscalibur, the legendary Spork, from the Scone, human-boy-turned-hero-rat Joey is sent on a quest to save the Kingdom Ravalon. Lieb borrows from classic legends and Tolkien with abandon; it's all a bit over-the-top, but the fast pace keeps the plot moving and Joey is a likable reluctant hero. Black-and-white drawings enhance Joey's heroic adventures.

Reviewer: Sophie Williamson

(3) 4-6 Cat Campbell's dream has come true: she's inherited the magic gene! Lowe's charming companion to The Power of Poppy Pendle features a determined Late Bloomer who faces her biggest fear in order to prove her readiness for witch-training Ruthersfield Academy. Brimming with spells, danger, and whimsy, readers will delight in this story about following one's passions. Witch-themed recipes are appended.

Reviewer: Sophie Williamson

(3) YA When a string of mysterious deaths occurs at Enchantment Lake, teenage Francie fears that her wacky aunts may be in danger. The former television detective wastes no time investigating, following her instincts rather than red herrings to find the culprit. Preus's eerie northern setting and descriptive writing breed suspense and intrigue, yielding a refreshingly clever mystery.

Reviewer: Sophie Williamson

(3) 4-6 In this gripping sequel to Lawless, M Freeman is a prisoner/soldier-in-training at her rival school and claiming to seek justice. But M's master criminal skills prove things aren't as they seem. This adventure/spy novel, with training courses straight out of a video game, has ample sources of intrigue with double agents, futuristic technology, secret objectives, and cunning characters to boot.

Reviewer: Sophie Williamson

(3) 4-6 Cupcake Diaries series. Each book (and the themed cupcakes within) are centered on a holiday--Halloween, Christmas, and Valentine's Day--with the Cupcake Club friends strongly supporting one another through crises of varying degrees: the stress of a fashion contest (Mia's), the embarrassment of a facial injury (Emma's), and a non-reciprocated valentine (Alexis's). Tween readers will relate to the rampant emotions of middle-school life. Review covers the following Cupcake Diaries titles: Alexis's Cupcake Cupid, Emma's Not-So-Sweet Dilemma, and Mia's Recipe for Disaster.

Reviewer: Sophie Williamson

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Kari Sutherland. In the final book of the trilogy, someone is sabotaging the Menagerie, a top-secret home for mythical creatures run by the Kahn family. While Logan and Zoe are determined to find out who wants to expose them, tensions rise as Logan's dad becomes a suspect and his kidnapped mom remains missing. Narrative urgency and fearless characters carry the adventuresome mystery.

Reviewer: Sophie Williamson

(3) 4-6 Neil Flambé Capers series. After dining at Chez Flambé, Lord Lane goes missing; and to Neil Flambé's dismay, the Queen of England summons the young chef and his hyper-sensitive nose to help solve the mystery. An antique jar of honey, a Shakespearean code, a kidnapping, and a tour of London's landmarks make for a captivating read for mystery fans, gourmands-in-training, and history buffs alike.

Reviewer: Sophie Williamson

(3) 4-6 Molly--a twelve-year-old not-so-wicked witch--and an evil sorceress both vie for the approval of the apprehensive minions of the magical Castle Hangnail. This is an overall amusing read, with wannabe evil minions running a would-be gloomy castle--which is surrounded by sunny dandelions. Molly is a likable, just-witchy-enough protagonist.

Reviewer: Sophie Williamson

(3) 4-6 Melody falsely interprets a rumor and fears her single dad may secretly be dating her least favorite teacher. Melody's investigation reveals his girlfriend's identity, but, more importantly, Melody learns about her mother, who died in childbirth. With a sprinkling of explanatory proverbs and idioms, a cast of amicable characters, and a happy reunion, Honey is a sweet affirmation of family and friendship.

Reviewer: Sophie Williamson

(3) YA Shana is afraid of another failed relationship and of what her father's impending blindness will mean for her family. To ward off their despair, Shana and her parents embark on a Peruvian trek that's spiritually and emotionally inspiring. Chen's Machu Picchu backdrop complements Shana's strenuous journey from a place of fear and heartbreak toward renewed trust.

Reviewer: Sophie Williamson

(3) 4-6 Gladys, daughter of fast-food-inclined parents and herself a secret gourmet chef and amateur food critic, is grounded from using the kitchen after a cooking snafu. When a top-rated newspaper mistakenly hires the sixth grader to review a restaurant in NYC, she must slyly find a way there. Friendship (both natural and coaxed) is tastefully explored as Gladys learns how to proudly pursue her passions.

Reviewer: Sophie Williamson

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Vivienne To. After escaping from the pet shop, mouse protagonist Hopper learns he is the Chosen One of the rodents living within the subway tunnels beneath Brooklyn. He befriends the rat prince of Atlantia and struggles to decipher good and evil in the dangerous and unfamiliar underworld. Hopper's journey is arduous, and the story, full of rebellion and heart, will appeal to animal-fantasy fans.

Reviewer: Sophie Williamson

(3) 4-6 Minerva Mint series. Translated by Chris Turner. Illustrated by Gabo León Bernstein. As a baby, Minerva Mint was found in a suitcase in a London train station. Intent on learning about her past, Minerva and her new friends investigate family secrets and local puzzles, calling themselves the Order of the Owls. Scenes in dilapidated mansions and eerie old lighthouses create a mysterious mood for these Italian imports, and the adventure-loving characters are brave and likable. Review covers these Minerva Mint titles: The Legend of Black Bart and The Order of the Owls.

Reviewer: Sophie Williamson

(3) 4-6 Minerva Mint series. Translated by Chris Turner. Illustrated by Gabo León Bernstein. As a baby, Minerva Mint was found in a suitcase in a London train station. Intent on learning about her past, Minerva and her new friends investigate family secrets and local puzzles, calling themselves the Order of the Owls. Scenes in dilapidated mansions and eerie old lighthouses create a mysterious mood for these Italian imports, and the adventure-loving characters are brave and likable. Review covers these Minerva Mint titles: The Legend of Black Bart and The Order of the Owls.

Reviewer: Sophie Williamson

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Brooke Boynton Hughes. Nine-year-olds Willow and Delia are excited about their annual vacation but less so about being flower girls at Aunt Rosie's wedding. Preferring the important role of chefs, the cousins blunderingly attempt to prove their baking know-how. Their eagerness and good intentions prevail when an emergency leaves the kitchen unattended. Corresponding recipes and sweet black-and-white illustrations accent the appetizing story.

Reviewer: Sophie Williamson