(3) 1-3 Translated by Oliver Latsch. Eight-year-old mer-kids Lilly and Fin go exploring outside their underwater city, not realizing humans Mr. and Mrs. Snorkel are lurking in the shadows to capture them. A friendly kraken helps the kids escape and then put an end to the Snorkels' nefarious plan. Finely detailed illustrations by the author, along with an appended game board and a picture hunt throughout, round out this enchanting adventure.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) 1-3 Translated by Oliver Latsch. Illustrated by Kerstin Meyer. A humorous adventure starts when Stout Sam and his deckhand, Pip, find a pig washed up on shore. They soon discover that the pig, Julie, can smell treasure. She's a pirate pig! When nasty pirate Barracuda Bill steals Julie, Pip and Sam will do anything to get her back. Lively full-color illustrations add extra sparkle to this enjoyable treasure of a chapter book.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) 1-3 Translated by Oliver Latsch. Ruffleclaw, an earth monster who's tired of living underground, moves in with his human neighbors, Tommy and his family. Spitting, messy, worm-eating earth monsters, though, do not understand human customs and manners, and Tommy must work hard to get his mother and (highly allergic) father on board. Full of kid-pleasing gross humor, the lively monster story includes black-and-white spot art by the author.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) 1-3 Translated by Oliver Latsch. Illustrated by Kerstin Meyer. While walking by the ocean, Emma and her dog discover a mysterious bottle with a blue genie inside. Unfortunately, Karim is unable to grant her wishes without his missing nose ring. The trio searches for the nose ring but quickly learns an evil yellow genie has stolen it and many other treasures. The colorful art pairs perfectly with this enchanting story.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner

(3) YA Translated by Oliver Latsch. Cursed to die within a year, Jacob Reckless (Reckless) returns to the Mirrorworld in search of a crossbow with the power to heal him. His relationship with human-vixen shapeshifter Fox deepens during the quest, as does the reader's understanding of her backstory. Funke again twists elements of fairy tales to create a chilling, mature fantasy novel for only the most attentive readers.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(2) 4-6 Translated by Oliver Latsch. Illustrated by Andrea Offermann. Jon Whitcroft, eleven, resents being sent to boarding school; he thinks Mum's new boyfriend is trying to get rid of him. After being accosted by a terrifying band of ghosts with a centuries-old ax to grind, Jon's problems get worse. Funke's consummate way with setting is well interpreted in Offermann's looming illustrations. An author's note provides some history.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2012

(4) YA Translated by Oliver Latsch. When Jacob Reckless was twelve he discovered the Mirrorworld, where reality resembles the darkest of fairy tales. Now twenty-four, Jacob must save his brother, Will, when he stumbles into the world and the Dark Fairy begins turning him to stone. This overly dense but rewarding read will appeal to twisted-fairy-tale and fantasy fans.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(4) 4-6 Translated by Oliver G. Latsch. Illustrated by Paul Howard. Two lonely children are befriended by the last true Santa (the only surviving holdout against the Great Christmas Council's heartless commercialization of Christmas) when he crash-lands in their neighborhood. Magic abounds as the three try to save the holiday from evil forces in this saccharine but entertaining tale. Generously dispersed drawings bring the season and characters to life.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross

(2) 4-6 Translated by Oliver Latsch. A bachelor detective accepts a commission to find two runaway brothers. To avoid being separated by their aunt, the boys are living in Venice with a gang of thieving orphans led by the cocky Thief Lord. They become entangled in a caper that involves stealing the magical missing piece of a carousel. The story's pace is slow, but the resonance of the carousel image creates a potent atmosphere that laces the tale with excitement.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2002