(2) K-3 Here I Come! series. Illustrated by Sara Palacios. This collection of poems covers Hanukkah history ("Macca-BAM! Macca-BOOM!"), eternal questions ("Applesauce vs. Sour Cream"; "Enough Food?"), and modern-day considerations ("Hanukkah Selfies"). The loosely metered poems have plenty of humor and a dash of sweetness (the eighth night features "one last ­Hanukkah hug"). The inclusive illustrations in Palacios's (A Song of Frutas, rev. 9/21) signature bold style depict a wide representation of families and friends enjoying the holiday together. A sheet of stickers is appended.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2022

(3) YA Blacktop series. Toni is one "tough-ass chick," who loves to play basketball but struggles to control her temper. Her volatile personality leads her to argue and lash out violently, a habit that threatens her whole team. Still, older reluctant readers for whom this series (Justin) is geared will warm to Toni's good intentions and her ability to make connections through basketball.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) 1-3 Haunted Library series. Illustrated by Aurore Damant. While on a trip to Seattle, ghosts Kaz and Little John and their living friend Claire investigate a haunting at the public library. Claire's older cousin Maddie has been looking forward to the library's Halloween party, but the party will have to be canceled if the ghostly misbehavior doesn't stop. The accessible text and approachable characters, shown in cartoony black-and-white illustrations, are the chapter book's draws.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(4) PS "Do you know you have a magic finger? Yes, you! Give it a wave." Readers are instructed to do things like swish their finger in the air and say "BIBBIDI BOBBIDI...BIG!" to achieve various magical ends (e.g., enlarge some books). The story recalls Hervé Tullet's Press Here without the continuity or originality, but the art has appealing razzle-dazzle.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) 4-6 The third installment picks up at the end of summer theater camp. Back at school, Jack directs and Louisa stars in an all-student version of The Fantasticks for a musical theater competition. There's drama onstage and off as the duo grapples with first crushes, each on a different boy. The fast-paced narration features many musical theater references, both familiar and deliciously obscure.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(3) 1-3 Kid from Planet Z series. Illustrated by Louis Thomas. Zeke, his parents, and their talking cat unexpectedly crash their spaceship and must acclimate to the oddities of life on Earth while hiding their identities as aliens from Planet Z. The new chapter-book series lightly and humorously explores feeling like an outsider. In the monochromatic spot illustrations, Zeke is rendered with darker skin than his classmates. Review covers these Kid from Planet Z titles: Crash! and Don't Sneeze!

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(3) 1-3 Kid from Planet Z series. Illustrated by Louis Thomas. Zeke, his parents, and their talking cat unexpectedly crash their spaceship and must acclimate to the oddities of life on Earth while hiding their identities as aliens from Planet Z. The new chapter-book series lightly and humorously explores feeling like an outsider. In the monochromatic spot illustrations, Zeke is rendered with darker skin than his classmates. Review covers these Kid from Planet Z titles: Crash! and Don't Sneeze!

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Cory Godbey. Naia and Kylan seek help from Gelfling clans to stop the Skeksis. But Kylan's song-teller skills may not protect them in unknown lands. Fans of the film The Dark Crystal should enjoy reconnecting with favorite characters in this facile but engaging enough expansion of Jim Henson's original fantasy. Full-page illustrations help draw readers into the world.

Reviewer: Jenn Matters

(4) 4-6 Fantastic Frame series. Illustrated by Samantha Kallis. On her eightieth birthday, neighbor Viola's magical picture frame sucks Tiger and his friend Luna (and Chives, Viola's faithful pig butler) into Georgia O'Keeffe's Red Hills with the Pedernal. The trio rushes to locate Viola's long-lost son atop Pedernal, a New Mexico mesa. Cartoon-style illustrations incorporating O'Keeffe's art add to the otherwise slight gimmick of this series' fourth installment; "About the Painting" details appended.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(3) YA Eighth grader Sophie isn't sad when her alcoholic mother leaves for a month and her aunt comes to visit. Auntie Amara is a strong black woman who imposes her ways on Sophie's life, but paradoxically, this supportive structure allows biracial Sophie to bloom. This coming-of-age story, a companion to Sayre's first novel (Husky), encourages readers to think about the true meaning of beauty.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(3) 1-3 Here's Hank series. Illustrated by Scott Garrett. In his ninth chapter book, NYC second grader Hank helps at his mother's deli, The Crunchy Pickle, for Take Your Child to Work Day. Hank, who has learning disabilities, makes more than a few mistakes, but the good-natured kid bounces back, as usual. Grayscale spot art breaks up the approachable underdog story. The typeface used throughout is designed to benefit dyslexic readers.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(3) 1-3 Here's Hank series. Illustrated by Scott Garrett. Hank makes the second-grade basketball team, despite his inability to dribble or shoot a basket. He displays a talent for passing and proves his value to the team, but Coach Adolf in unconvinced. Can Hank help PS 87 win the big game? Fans of the series will enjoy another fast-paced, approachable school story in easier-to-read "Dyslexie" font and illustrated with grayscale spot art.

Reviewer: Pam Yosca

(4) 4-6 Once again, authors--including Meg Medina, Varian Johnson, and Steve Sheinkin--share real experiences, followed by fictional stories inspired by those experiences; this time, everything revolves around some aspect of school. This second compilation includes less varied approaches to the prompt than the first Been There, Done That, which better demonstrated the many ways authors can alter real life to create fiction.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(3) YA Blacktop series. This gritty series-starter follows African American fifteen-year-old Justin through Oakland, where he and friends learn to scheme and swindle; the story culminates in a basketball showdown with a rival neighborhood. The book contains true-to-life flawed characters--including adults such as Justin's alcoholic father--who struggle to make good choices. Accessible prose (with profanity) and fast-paced action make this suited to older reluctant readers.

Reviewer: Lauren Causey

(3) 1-3 Haunted Library series. Illustrated by Aurore Damant. Ghosts Kaz and Little John and their human friend, Claire, solve another mystery together. Their most recent case about a ghost in a tree house may very well lead to solving another puzzle: where is Kaz and Little John's mother? The accessible text and approachable characters, shown in cartoony black-and-white illustrations, are the chapter book's draws.

Reviewer: Sian Gaetano

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Piper Thibodeau. The rhyming story reveals a group of top-secret ninja elves, led by Santa's sensei, who perform random acts of kindness. However, the ninjas need help and choose the reader to join them through covert acts such as secretly shoveling snow or donating unused items. The book's heavy-handed delivery weighs down the warm holiday message, despite the clever ninja twist and glowing, soft-edged digital cartoons.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Kate Wetherhead. In this fast-paced, character-driven sequel to Jack & Louisa: Act 1, the titular friends are excited for their middle school's production of Guys and Dolls, but the new director, threatened by Jack's Broadway credits, bullies him through rehearsals. Lou stands up for him just in time for opening night. Though unrealistic, the story boasts many musical theater references that will delight Broadway fans.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Cory Godbey. Young Gelfling Naia's brother is missing and believed a traitor. To clear his name, Naia travels to meet their matriarch. Trouble is also brewing in Naia's homeland, all signs pointing to the Skeksis Lords as the cause. While slightly confusing, especially for readers unfamiliar with the film The Dark Crystal, this is still a vividly imagined return to Henson's fantastical world. Full-page illustrations are included. Glos.

Reviewer: Sian Gaetano

(4) 4-6 Just Jake series. Illustrated by Victor Rivas Villa. It's summer break, and Jake is relaxing and earning money through innovative online sales when his father decides they will attend a survival camp hosted by a celebrity. His sister and the bratty quadruplets she babysits tag along. None of this is believable, but Jake is likable, the action is funny, and mixed-media illustrations and photographs add dashes of additional humor.

Reviewer: Pam Yosca

(4) 4-6 Fantastic Frame series. Illustrated by Samantha Kallis. A magical picture frame sucks Tiger and Luna into famous paintings to rescue a trapped boy: they meet the ferocious tiger of Rousseau's Surprised! (Danger) and face a bully in Seurat's A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte (Splat). Gimmicky and lightweight, the stories include cartoon-style illustrations that incorporate the paintings; "About the Painting" details appended. Review covers the following Fantastic Frame titles: Danger! Tiger Crossing and Splat! Another Messy Sunday.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger