(4) 4-6 Guardians series. In this conclusion to the epic saga, Jack Frost--once an immortal Guardian named Nightlight, now a half-human residing on Earth in 1933--leads the Guardians in a final battle against the evil Pitch. However, readers must wade through various characters' lengthy backstories before they can engage with Jack's own origin story or the current conflict. As in previous books, copious black-and-white drawings enhance the creative world-building.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(4) K-3 Guardians of Childhood series. Illustrated by William Joyce & Andrew Theophilopoulos. Formerly known as Nightlight, Jack Frost got his new name when he fell to Earth after saving the Man in the Moon from Pitch, the Nightmare King. Jack's role as a Guardian of Childhood is ill-defined and the story is undeveloped, but the draw of the series has always been the lush romanticism of the mixed-media illustrations, here credited to Joyce and Andrew Theophilopoulos.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton

(3) 4-6 Guardians series. The Guardians face their biggest challenge yet, rescuing Katherine from Pitch the Nightmare King, who escaped via Mother Nature's mysterious force. Their only hope may be to recruit the Sandman, Sanderson Mansnoozie, for his abilities to make wishes come true in the dark. The old-fashioned, whimsical charm continues in the series featuring rethought characterizations from childhood folklore. Black-and-white illustrations lend atmosphere.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(3) 4-6 Guardians of Ga'Hoole series. During the War of the Ice Claws in the Northern Kingdoms of Ga'Hoole, Whiskered Screech Owl Lyze grows from hatchling to cadet and joins the struggle against Bylyric the Orphan Maker. His strategic mind propels his rise through the ranks as he revolutionizes owl warfare. Fans of the Ga'Hoole franchise will love this solidly plotted prequel venture into the world of militaristic owls.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) 4-6 Guardians series. In this sequel (Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King), villainous Pitch has the children of Santoff Claussen village in his underground lair. With the help of E. Aster Bunnymund, "a robe-wearing Rabbit Man who time travels and likes eggs," North and Katherine execute an adventurous rescue. Russian motifs in the black-and-white drawings add atmosphere to this quirky fantasy.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(3) 4-6 Guardians series. The Guardians continue their quest to save childhood from evil Nightmare King Pitch. The newest heroic icon, the Tooth Fairy, is in possession of all happy childhood memories held within the teeth she collects, and Katherine hopes Toothiana can help her remember her parents. The good-against-evil theme continues amid the fantastical backdrop; ethereal black-and-white drawings enliven the story.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(4) K-3 Guardians of Childhood series. This sequel to The Man in the Moon tells the origin story of the Man's earthly helper, the Sandman, "Lord High Protector of Sleep and Dreams." Faux-archaic language and resplendent Golden Age illustrations make the book seem more substantial than it actually is.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton

(4) K-3 Guardians of Childhood series. An arduously constructed creation story for Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, etc., posits that the Man in the Moon (whose own biography takes up most of this volume) enlisted them to make life better for Earth's children. The neo-retro art is as extravagant as the text is belabored, but its sentimental lushness will appeal to Joyce's many fans.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton

(3) 4-6 Guardians series. Illustrated by William Joyce. Pitch, King of Nightmares, escapes imprisonment. It falls to wizard Ombric and Russian bandit Nicholas St. North to protect the world's children from nightmares wielded by Pitch and his evil troops of Fearlings. A familiar figure is entertainingly redrawn in this fantasy adventure that supposes a disreputable past for jolly St. Nick. Atmospheric black-and-white drawings illustrate key scenes.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(3) YA Guardians of Time series. Isabel and Ethan, members of "The Named," are sworn to fight the Goddess of Chaos. These time-traveling teenagers, along with Isabel's brother Matt, now embark on a mission to save their kidnapped wizard-mentor Arkarian. With dual narrators, wide-ranging settings (from ancient Rome to the underworld), and a busy plot, this dense, challenging series installment has an epic quality.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta