(4) YA After a devastating car crash, Kwan ends up paralyzed and is sent away to live with his grandmother. While interning at a stem cell research facility, he injects himself with shark cells and begins to transform into a muscular human-shark hybrid. Alten mixes genetics jargon with crackling action sequences for an entertaining (if over-the-top) mixture of science and fantasy.

Reviewer: Shara Hardeson

(4) YA In this mellow coming-out story, Alek struggles more with his imperious Armenian parents than he does with his first homosexual romance. Cultural traditions clash with modern teenage life, raising fascinating questions about family and identity. For such a sweet book so focused on confronting prejudices and correcting biased language, its discussion of gender is confused, with numerous unchecked female stereotypes and gender slurs.

Reviewer: Shara Hardeson

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Jerry Craft. When Bakari is nominated for hall monitor, he provokes hostility from his classmates Keisha and Tariq. To make matters worse, Zenon--the king of an icy zombie dimension--kidnaps Bakari and threatens to destroy humanity if a missing magical ring is not returned. Both classroom and interdimensional conflicts are quashed in this fresh (if underdeveloped) urban fantasy. The slick black-and-white illustrations are unfortunate.

Reviewer: Shara Hardeson

(3) PS Illustrated by Greg Pizzoli. When little monster Melly gets invited to her cousin's house on the scariest night of the year, she boldly decides to walk there. With each page turn, Pizzoli's uncluttered spreads begin to fill up with various creepy (but benignly illustrated) creatures until this cumulative Halloween tale is bursting at the seams with things that go bump in the night.

Reviewer: Shara Hardeson | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2014

(4) YA After being diagnosed with terminal cancer, Cam fakes his death to join an elite team of operatives committed to spending the final year of their lives as drug-enhanced spies, completing secret missions for the greater good--or so they think. Royce's vivid narrative reads like an action movie, favoring plot over characterization. A cliffhanger ending sets up the next installment.

Reviewer: Shara Hardeson

(4) 4-6 Veronica wants two things: to make friends with the popular girls at her new Manhattan private school and to adopt a beagle puppy named Cadbury. Both goals come with their own challenges. There are genuinely funny moments, but readers will be thrown off when what's packaged as comedy becomes a tragic--and melodramatic--story. Still, Veronica's journey back from grief is hopeful.

Reviewer: Shara Hardeson

(2) YA Five unsettling tales in graphic-novel format are inspired by common folkloric themes--from wolves in the woods to peculiar visitors to dark possessions. Carroll experiments with the uncanny, burrowing inside the reader's mind and twisting what should be safe into something startlingly strange. Swirling, chaotic, hand-lettered, and ink-smudged illustrations (at times reminiscent of Stephen Gammell) bring each grisly story to life.

Reviewer: Shara Hardeson | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2014

(3) K-3 Poetry Adventures series. Illustrated by Andy Rowland. In this installment, Cleary introduces the perennially kid-friendly concrete poem. The twenty-three poems and accompanying illustrations acquaint readers with the form: e.g., "Orange or blue and full of helium floating up to reach the ceili-um" is in the shape of a balloon. This amusing collection invites young readers to play with both the sound and visualization of words. Reading list, websites.

Reviewer: Shara Hardeson

(3) 1-3 Chicken Warren (Extraordinary Warren) dreams of traveling to distant lands, but he and his protégé, the recently hatched Egg, don't know how to fly. When Egg miraculously flies the coop and ends up on the other side of the road, Warren must find him. With clean-lined digital illustrations and witty dialogue, Dillard uses perspective in her graphic-panel layout to great comic effect.

Reviewer: Shara Hardeson

(4) K-3 Ready-to-Read series. Illustrated by Chris Danger. These early readers focus on real-life courageous canines and the services they provide in their professional capacities. Sadie works as an evidence-finder for a fire department; Gabe was a bomb-sniffing dog in Iraq and now does school visits. Both texts treat the subject matter seriously, presenting straightforward details and acknowledging potentially dangerous circumstances. Unfortunately, the illustrations aren't as lively as the texts. Review covers these Ready-to-Read titles: Gabe and Sadie.

Reviewer: Shara Hardeson

(4) K-3 Ready-to-Read series. Illustrated by Chris Danger. These early readers focus on real-life courageous canines and the services they provide in their professional capacities. Sadie works as an evidence-finder for a fire department; Gabe was a bomb-sniffing dog in Iraq and now does school visits. Both texts treat the subject matter seriously, presenting straightforward details and acknowledging potentially dangerous circumstances. Unfortunately, the illustrations aren't as lively as the texts. Review covers these Ready-to-Read titles: Gabe and Sadie.

Reviewer: Shara Hardeson

(2) 4-6 Thirteen-year-old Theodora Tenpenny wonders how she will support herself as well as her inattentive (possibly unwell?) mother after her grandfather's tragic death. His puzzling final words send her in search of what she believes to be a secret treasure, and she discovers what might be a lost masterpiece. Fitzgerald offers a gripping mystery with high stakes and a moving WWII historical context.

Reviewer: Shara Hardeson | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2014

(3) PS Illustrated by Adam Rex. It's Chu's first day of school, and he's nervous about meeting his classmates. The teacher asks the children to introduce themselves and say one thing they each love to do. Chu is shy at first, but when his turn comes around, he just can't contain one of his signature giant panda sneezes. Chu's reticence is relatable; Rex skillfully plays with facial expressions in his art.

Reviewer: Shara Hardeson

(3) K-3 Otter loves living with her owner--playing and singing karaoke--but gets lonely when Otter Keeper goes to work. One day, to pass the time, she opens a toast restaurant, but things go horribly awry, leaving the apartment in shambles. Garton's picture book debut, based on his popular website, puts visual irony to excellent use. Otter's innocence and naiveté make her immediately likable.

Reviewer: Shara Hardeson

(3) YA The new kid, going by "Nick" (for now), must learn to fit in without standing out--his family isn't allowed another witness protection relocation. But when a friend turns up dead after collecting some damning information on mysterious local goings-on, blending in is no longer an option. Smart, punchy teen dialogue; a strong African American protagonist; and non-stop twists and turns make this mystery pop.

Reviewer: Shara Hardeson

(3) K-3 In the canine friends' third book, Mister Bud must wear the ignoble cone to keep from scratching an irritation on his back, and ornery pug Zorro taunts him relentlessly. Goodrich balances the antagonistic dynamics of the situation with truly heartfelt moments, and he lightens the stress with expressive watercolor illustrations--particularly of Zorro's mischievous grin and Mister Bud's signature giant nose.

Reviewer: Shara Hardeson

(3) K-3 In this follow-up to Archie, the dashing canine fashionisto prepares for his coming vacation. But travel anxiety plagues him, causing him to pack for best- and worst-case scenarios until his overflowing suitcase bursts open in a four-page foldout spread. Gordon's loose watercolor illustrations and hand-lettered text capture the excitement and apprehension one often feels before a big trip.

Reviewer: Shara Hardeson

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Roland Garrigue. This book offers silly advice to children looking to rid themselves of pesky zombies. As with previous series entries (How to Mash Monsters, etc.), the text occasionally stumbles in rhythm and reason, which could be attributed to the translation from French to English. Garrigue's illustrations, heavy on shades of zombie green, capture the comically grotesque subject matter. Sticker sheet included.

Reviewer: Shara Hardeson

(4) YA With the world overrun by human-devouring Florae, Amy (In the After) managed to escape from New Hope, a not-so-safe haven, but had to leave her foster sister behind. Now she travels to Fort Black to find a friend's brother, who can help plan a rescue mission. The monsters aren't nearly as terrifying as the human brutality, and sexual violence underscores the complex conclusion to this post-apocalyptic series.

Reviewer: Shara Hardeson

(3) 4-6 Having sailed across the globe, Lucy and her assorted crew of outcasts land on the rocky shores of Clare Island off the coast of Ireland in pursuit of a pirate treasure they believe will end the Simmons family curse. Light romance, puzzling clues, pirate lore, and a taste of Irish folktales make this a strong, gratifying conclusion to a magical maritime trilogy.

Reviewer: Shara Hardeson