(2) 4-6 Eleven-year-old Bevvy, a quiet sixth grader more comfortable with kittens and fantasy novels than with her peers, finds herself drawn to a mysterious new girl, Cat. After Cat provokes a confrontation at school and disappears, Bevvy is left bewildered -- until Cat returns, pursued by shadowy forces. Fleeing through the woods, the girls leap through an opening in the air and into the kingdom of Lorelkey. The land is in chaos: the king is dead, and war looms between wielders of wild magic and a dangerous villain with dark powers. As Bevvy and Cat are reluctantly swept into the resistance, Bevvy discovers she has a gift that connects her to Lorelkey's natural forces. She begins to understand why she was brought to Lorelkey -- and what's at stake. Knudsen successfully weaves elements of classic fantasy -- portal travel, hidden royalty, a heroine who must grow into her unexpected destiny -- with themes of friendship and bravery and an emphasis on moral complexity and emotional intelligence. Her world-building is immersive, and the story balances action and magic with deeply felt emotional stakes. Bevvy and Cat's friendship is tested and strengthened through their adventures, and the novel's ensemble of magical characters adds warmth and nuance to the plot. Recommended for readers who dream of other worlds -- and wonder if they could be brave enough to face what lies within them.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2025

(2) YA Cynthia (Evil Librarian; Revenge of the Evil Librarian) and friends are focused on mundane senior-year concerns, including relationship drama and and the school's Les Misérables production. Then demon-in-librarian-disguise Mr. Gabriel escapes his prison, and Cyn must return to the demon world to defeat him for good. Buffy-worthy silliness is grounded by a strong foundation of well-developed characters in the satisfying conclusion to this horror-comedy saga.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2019

(2) YA Cyn and Ryan (Evil Librarian) just want to enjoy a demon-free summer at drama camp. Then Cyn is assigned to set-design a musical written by cute camper Peter--who turns out to be a demon. That the good guys will win and Cyn and Ryan will work it out are givens, but plenty of supernatural action, snark, and kissing build to a satisfying conclusion.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2017

(4) 4-6 Calen, captured by evil mage Krelig, must appear loyal to Krelig while he hones his magical talents and plots his escape. Meanwhile, Meg and her dragon have been training for impending war with a rival kingdom. When Meg and Calen reunite, the confrontation with Krelig plays out predictably. Nevertheless, the entire trilogy (The Dragon of Trelian; The Princess of Trelian) is an enjoyable read.

Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Matt Phelan. Marilyn waits for her monster to find her, but the two discover each other when Marilyn rescues the flying creature by untangling its wings from tree branches. Softly rendered watercolor and pencil illustrations convey Marilyn's spirited, resourceful character while adding just the right touch of drama and energy to the story. Pair with Santat's The Adventures of Beekle at storytime.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(2) YA Cynthia is an ordinary sixteen-year-old. She has a BFF, Annie; a crush on musical theater prodigy, Ryan; and a job tech-directing the school's Sweeney Todd production. But ordinariness goes to hell--literally--when new librarian Mr. Gabriel seems to be mesmerizing students. A Buffy-esque blend of supernatural-baddie confrontation, school story, and dark comedy, with a sweet romance thrown in for good measure.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2014

(2) 4-6 In this fluidly written sequel to The Dragon of Trelian, Princess Meg is now heir to the throne, but her subjects are uneasy about her relationship with her dragon. Meanwhile, deposed villain Sen Eva is once again trying to open a portal for a powerful evil mage to return from exile. Fans will eagerly await the climactic confrontation in the next book of what appears to be a trilogy.

Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2012

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Scott Magoon. Mike, "the biggest, toughest dog in the whole neighborhood," is embarrassed by the cute little bunnies that keep sneaking into his "big, mean car." However, they turn out to be good company, so Mike stops worrying about his image. This ultimately tender story's mixed-media illustrations comically play up the contrast between the adorable fuzzy bunnies and their hulking, loving bad boy.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Andréa Wesson. Each of Mrs. Henshaw's students receives a chicken egg to study for science. Sally's "looks different," and it hatches into a dragon. Knudsen's text includes lots of humor ("Don't be difficult," repeatedly responds Mrs. Henshaw whenever Sally indicates her hatchling's divergent and destructive qualities). Wesson, using impeccable lines, expertly details the implements and appliances of a grade-school science project.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(2) 4-6 Princess Meglynne reveals to mage's apprentice Calen her deepest secret: she found a dragon. While learning about the creature, they uncover a plot against the kingdom. Using their combined resources--his knowledge of magic and her mindlink with the dragon--they avert disaster. This strong debut novel featuring an endearing duo should find an audience among Gail Carson Levine and Shannon Hale fans.

Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2009

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Kevin Hawkes. When a lion appears in her library, strict head librarian Miss Merriweather has only one rule for him: "If you cannot be quiet, you will have to leave." The lion does break the rule but with good reason. The gently humorous acrylic and pencil illustrations on creamy paper add charm to the well-paced story.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo

(3) K-3 Brand New Readers series. Illustrated by Valeria Petrone. In four brief stories, Fish gets dizzy swimming in circles; enjoys hide-and-seek with Frog; makes faces in a mirror; and joins Frog in a jumping game. As with other books in the series, each repetitive mini-story has an amusing, sometimes unexpected ending that rewards the efforts of very new readers. Simple, uncluttered illustrations with droll-looking characters complete the pleasing package.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert