(4) K-3 Graphic Universe: Mr. Badger and Mrs. Fox series. Illustrated by Eve Tharlet. Sick of the long, cold winter, everyone in the Fox/Badger household is getting cross and cranky. When the Fox grandparents arrive, they suggest a carnival to banish winter. Now both children and adults are energized as they make costumes and plan the festivities. The story's pace is slow, but the animal characters that populate this picture book in graphic-novel form are appealing.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(4) 4-6 Graphic Universe: Chicagoland Detective Agency series. Illustrated by Tyler Page. Middle-school witch Luna's potions go missing, and sleuths Megan, Raf, and Raf's talking dog Bradley are on the case--with hilarious results when Megan drinks a potion that makes her fall in love with Bradley. The black-and-white graphic-novel panels can be hard to follow, but this sixth book continues to gently push boundaries with a same-sex crush and characters who celebrate difference.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(4) YA Graphic Universe: My Boyfriend Is a Monster series. Illustrated by Kristen Cella. In these lightweight graphic novels, amateur witches accidentally reanimate Incan mummy Pachacutec, who falls in love with high-schooler Staci (Wrapped); popular Serena is involved in a love triangle--with strange parallels to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Loves Me); and Glory gets with new-kid Gabriel, who may just have a heavenly mission (Match). Holes in logic detract from what should be breezy reads. Review covers these Graphic Universe: My Boyfriend Is a Monster titles: Wrapped Up in You, He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not, and A Match Made in Heaven.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(4) 4-6 Graphic Universe: The Elsewhere Chronicles series. Illustrated by Bannister. The kids' adventures in another world continue as one of their own is struck by an incurable illness, and only the Master of Shadows, a terrifying force, can change her fate. Rich, dramatic illustrations and a quick pace make this graphic novel exciting, though the action can occasionally be hard to follow; those new to the series will find this outing rather baffling.

Reviewer: April Spisak

(4) YA Graphic Universe: My Boyfriend Is a Monster series. Illustrated by Xian Nu Studio. In these lightweight graphic novels, amateur witches accidentally reanimate Incan mummy Pachacutec, who falls in love with high-schooler Staci (Wrapped); popular Serena is involved in a love triangle--with strange parallels to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Loves Me); and Glory gets with new-kid Gabriel, who may just have a heavenly mission (Match). Holes in logic detract from what should be breezy reads. Review covers these Graphic Universe: My Boyfriend Is a Monster titles: Wrapped Up in You, He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not, and A Match Made in Heaven.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(4) 4-6 Graphic Universe: Chicagoland Detective Agency series. Illustrated by Tyler Page. A canine race from another planet is looking for Earth's best detective, and talking-dog Bradley fits the bill. Megan and Raf get in on the action, too, as the trio rescues the extraterrestrial canines' princess from the clutches of evil nemesis, Dr. Vorschak. Like the other graphic novels in the series, this kooky book is a light read, despite hard-to-follow visual details.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(4) 1-3 Graphic Universe: Guinea Pig, Pet Shop Private Eye series. Illustrated by Stephanie Yue. Absent-minded pet shop owner Mr. Venezi is behind in his rent; Charlotte the bookstore owner next door has too many books. They like each other but may have to move apart, unless Sasspants the guinea pig detective and sidekick Hamisher can figure out a way to help. Although the quirky graphic novel has appealing, emotive illustrations, the convoluted plot is difficult to follow.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(4) 4-6 Graphic Universe: On the Case with Holmes and Watson series. Adapted by Murray Shaw. Illustrated by Sophie Rohrbach & JT Morrow. Also adapted by M. J. Cosson. These graphic novel–style adaptations of Holmes's adventures may appeal to middle graders not quite ready for Conan Doyle's originals. The dialogue, though over-explanatory, is easy to follow; appended "How Did Holmes Solve It?" pages spell things out even further. The illustrations are atmospheric but a little too caricaturish (check out Holmes's chin). Reading list, websites. Review covers these Graphic Universe: On the Case with Holmes and Watson titles: Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of Black Peter and Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Cardboard Box.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) 4-6 Graphic Universe: On the Case with Holmes and Watson series. Adapted by Murray Shaw. Illustrated by Sophie Rohrbach & JT Morrow. Also adapted by M. J. Cosson. These graphic novel–style adaptations of Holmes's adventures may appeal to middle graders not quite ready for Conan Doyle's originals. The dialogue, though over-explanatory, is easy to follow; appended "How Did Holmes Solve It?" pages spell things out even further. The illustrations are atmospheric but a little too caricaturish (check out Holmes's chin). Reading list, websites. Review covers these Graphic Universe: On the Case with Holmes and Watson titles: Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of Black Peter and Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Cardboard Box.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) YA Graphic Universe: My Boyfriend Is a Monster series. Illustrated by Natalie Nourigat. In these lightweight graphic novels, amateur witches accidentally reanimate Incan mummy Pachacutec, who falls in love with high-schooler Staci (Wrapped); popular Serena is involved in a love triangle--with strange parallels to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Loves Me); and Glory gets with new-kid Gabriel, who may just have a heavenly mission (Match). Holes in logic detract from what should be breezy reads. Review covers these Graphic Universe: My Boyfriend Is a Monster titles: Wrapped Up in You, He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not, and A Match Made in Heaven.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(4) YA Graphic Universe: My Boyfriend Is a Monster series. Illustrated by Janina Görrissen. Nora falls in love with Tom, a goodhearted ghost trapped in her family's Victorian house. Together they rid the house of angry spirits and ultimately free Tom's soul. The against-all-odds romance is too familiar, but it will appeal to fans of this supernatural graphic novel series. The wide-eyed characters bring an innocence to a tale that might otherwise feel more sinister.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(4) 1-3 Graphic Universe: Miss Annie series. Illustrated by Flore Balthazar. Coloring by Robin Doo. Innocent house kitten Miss Annie describes her life, the people who provide for her, her friendship with a mouse, and her introduction to other cats and the world outside her master's home. Annie is appealingly drawn in these lighthearted feline coming-of-age graphic novels, but her very adventurous spirit sometimes feels forced. Review covers these Graphic Universe: Miss Annie titles: Freedom! and Rooftop Cat.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) 1-3 Graphic Universe: Miss Annie series. Illustrated by Flore Balthazar. Coloring by Robin Doo. Innocent house kitten Miss Annie describes her life, the people who provide for her, her friendship with a mouse, and her introduction to other cats and the world outside her master's home. Annie is appealingly drawn in these lighthearted feline coming-of-age graphic novels, but her very adventurous spirit sometimes feels forced. Review covers these Graphic Universe: Miss Annie titles: Freedom! and Rooftop Cat.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) 4-6 Graphic Universe: Lou! series. In these French imports, twelve-year-old Lou ponders problems such as being teased at school, experiencing unrequited love, and having an underemployed single mom who is a writer/couch potato. The format makes them look like picture books, but the stories are told in comic panels; the dialogue and illustrations are lively, the concerns familiar (although overly focused on stereotypical romantic situations), and the characters appealing. Review covers these Lou! titles: Secret Diary and Summertime Blues.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 Graphic Universe: Lou! series. In these French imports, twelve-year-old Lou ponders problems such as being teased at school, experiencing unrequited love, and having an underemployed single mom who is a writer/couch potato. The format makes them look like picture books, but the stories are told in comic panels; the dialogue and illustrations are lively, the concerns familiar (although overly focused on stereotypical romantic situations), and the characters appealing. Review covers these Lou! titles: Secret Diary and Summertime Blues.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 Graphic Universe: Lou! series. These third and fourth French-import graphic novels focus on thirteen-year-old Lou's continuing angst. In Dumps, Lou is moody: she's having friendship drama and her mother is distracted by a new boyfriend. In Summer, Lou chooses between two boys during vacation as her mother contends with success as a writer. Although lighthearted and contemporary, these books rely heavily on gender stereotypes. Review covers these Graphic Universe: Lou! titles: Down in the Dumps and The Perfect Summer.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 Graphic Universe: Lou! series. These third and fourth French-import graphic novels focus on thirteen-year-old Lou's continuing angst. In Dumps, Lou is moody: she's having friendship drama and her mother is distracted by a new boyfriend. In Summer, Lou chooses between two boys during vacation as her mother contends with success as a writer. Although lighthearted and contemporary, these books rely heavily on gender stereotypes. Review covers these Graphic Universe: Lou! titles: Down in the Dumps and The Perfect Summer.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 Graphic Universe: Chicagoland Detective Agency series. Illustrated by Tyler Page. In their third adventure, Megan, Raf, and their genius talking dog, Bradley, find themselves on the case of a missing puppy. In a bizarre twist, they uncover a pack of werewolves and have to find a way to turn them back into boys. The black-and-white manga-style illustrations complement the diverting-if-not-completely-satisfying story's odd, dark ambience.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(4) 4-6 Graphic Universe: Chicagoland Detective Agency series. Illustrated by Tyler Page. In this fourth adventure, Megan has been kicked out of Stepford Prep, so she, Raf, and genius talking canine Bradley check out boarding school Pine Lake Academy. In their effort to exorcise the school's haunted plumbing, the crew gets possessed by plucky century-old ghosts. Though they're difficult to follow, the black-and-white manga-style illustrations embody the story's spookiness--and wackiness.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(4) 1-3 Graphic Universe: Guinea Pig, Pet Shop Private Eye series. Illustrated by Stephanie Yue. After Sasspants, the pet-store guinea pig detective, is sold, she misses her sidekick, hamster Hamisher. Sasspants and Hamisher figure out independently what happened to a missing cat; they're joyfully reunited as they solve the case. This installment in the quirky graphic-novel series still strains for humor, but the zany antics are brought to life in the (slightly crowded) comic panels.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley