(2) K-3 The young narrator receives a dragon the first night of Hanukkah, a rainbow the second night...a time-travel machine to visit the Maccabees on the fifth night. It's all fanciful, but with holiday details woven into the text and winsome illustrations. The dragon's name is Nerry (ner is Hebrew for candle); the horses on a gifted merry-go-round sport dreidel letters on their saddles. Finally, it's time to clean up for the eighth night, "the most magical night" in this child's home because family and friends come for a holiday feast. Engaging back matter is framed as a cartoon discussion about Hanukkah.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2024

(3) 4-6 Whatever After series. This fifth entry focuses on the prickly dynamic between Nory (who turns into hybrid animals such as a "squippy"--half-squid, half-puppy) and Willa (who makes it rain indoors) plus their caught-in-the-middle friend, Elliot. As usual with this entertaining series set in a magic school, each character is fully rounded, with alternating perspectives providing broader pictures of the various classmates.

Reviewer: Amy Bennett-Zendzian

(3) 4-6 Whatever After series. When Abby and Jonah find themselves in "The Princess and the Pea" (Pod), Abby spends a restless night on a precarious stack of mattresses and is promptly appointed the swamp kingdom's new ruler. In Red, they land in "Little Red Riding Hood" and intervene on Little Red's behalf. As usual for these entertaining fairy-tale takeoffs, the sibs must set the stories straight and learn gentle lessons in the process. Review covers these Whatever After titles: Seeing Red and Two Peas in a Pod.

Reviewer: Amy Bennett-Zendzian

(3) 4-6 This fifth entry focuses on the prickly dynamic between Nory (who turns into hybrid animals such as a "squippy"--half-squid, half-puppy) and Willa (who makes it rain indoors) plus their caught-in-the-middle friend, Elliot. As usual with this entertaining series set in a magic school, each character is fully rounded, with alternating perspectives providing broader pictures of the various classmates.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) 4-6 Whatever After series. Instead of going through the magic mirror into a classic fairy tale with her brother, Abby this time story-travels with her friends Robin and Frankie and stuck-up frenemy Penny into Alice's Adventures in Wonderland; as usual, the original story gets mixed up. This longer "special edition" includes appended activities, though it's also more meandering than previous installments; nevertheless, Abby's fans should gobble it up.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(3) YA Despite her mother's unraveling mental health, nineteen-year-old Sydney goes on a summer trip to Europe with her best friend Leela. The course of the getaway veers when Leela's cheating ex-boyfriend and his hot friend end up on their flight to London. Mlynowski's new-adult travel romp is full of romance, clever banter, frolicsome sightseeing, and jokey travel tips. Good escapist fun for aspiring jet-setters.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(3) 4-6 Whatever After series. In their latest fairy-tale adventure, Abby and Jonah land in the story of "Hansel and Gretel." Those folkloric siblings--ringers for Abby and Jonah--escape through the magic mirror, leaving Abby and Jonah to be captured by the kid-eating witch. Like its predecessors, this installment is funny and a little scary, and it delivers a gentle lesson, this time about appreciation.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(3) 4-6 At Dunwiddle Magic School, Nory, Bax, and the other kids with "wonky" powers face new challenges and triumphs in this sequel to Upside-Down Magic. First everyone's stuff is turned to stone, then Marigold accidentally shrinks mean-girl Lacey (she recovers), leading to a student-body backlash against the Upside-Down Magic Class kids. The coauthors have created another entertaining, light, yet thought-provoking fantastical school story.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) 4-6 The Upside-Down Magic class of fifth graders with "wonky magic" prepares for the Dunwiddle Magic School talent show. Pepper has been working on controlling her animal-scaring ability. If she can't, Nory, who changes into (wonky) animals, might have to sit out. Meanwhile, Nory is stressed about her father's arrival. Loyalties are tested, and new friendships deepen this breezy third entry.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) 4-6 Whatever After series. Siblings Abby and Jonah's latest adventure lands them in "The Frog Prince," where they meet the eponymous frog and the princess who's supposed to transform him. In a characteristic twist, neither frog nor princess is who they appear to be. The experience teaches Abby that perhaps the school bully is "mean because he's upset"--a welcome and gently delivered lesson about empathy.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(2) 4-6 Nory's father, a Flicker (he turns things invisible), is headmaster of Sage Academy of Magic and Performance. Nory's own magic is wonky, and after a disastrous showing at her Sage Academy entrance exam, Dad sends her to a school that offers a special program. This seamless collaboration is light but not inconsequential; its multicultural and differently-abled cast will be welcomed by a broad audience.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2015

(3) 4-6 Whatever After series. In Abby and Jonah's fourth adventure through their magic mirror, they inadvertently involve Abby's friend Robin. When they arrive in Sleeping Beauty's story, Robin pricks her finger and falls asleep, leaving Abby, Jonah, and the real Sleeping Beauty to figure out how to wake her. Like its predecessors, Dream's delightful alteration of the original tale will keep young readers entertained.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(3) 4-6 Whatever After series. Abby and Jonah travel through their magic mirror to the story "The Snow Queen" (which may be unfamiliar to readers, though they learn it was an inspiration for the film Frozen). They befriend a reindeer, escape from robbers, and confront the misunderstood Snow Queen. This sixth fractured fairy tale will keep readers chuckling as it delivers a subtle lesson about friendship.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(3) YA After they receive contaminated flu vaccines, an entire homeroom of Manhattan high-school students develops telepathy. The "Espies" (named for their ESP) can hear one another's darkest, most embarrassing thoughts--and those of their parents, teachers, crushes, and friends. Mlynowski explores the consequences of her premise with humor and sympathy, creating characters who are indeed "just regular sophomores" despite their paranormal talents.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(3) 4-6 Whatever After series. Abby and Jonah's fifth trip through their basement's magic mirror lands them in the story of Rapunzel; the tale goes astray when Abby gives Rapunzel a haircut ("The bangs weren't my best idea"). As usual, the twists are unexpected and entertaining and the humor is pitch-perfect; some just-scary-enough moments, featuring a giant tarantula and a mean sorceress, complete the package.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(3) 4-6 Whatever After series. Abby and her brother Jonah (Fairest of All) again travel through their magic mirror to interfere in classic fairy tales. In Shoe, they risk Cinderella's impending marriage but help her discover her entrepreneurial side; in Sink, they try to prevent the original unhappy ending of "The Little Mermaid." These light, age-appropriate send-ups feature a feminist perspective and plenty of laughs. Review covers these Whatever After titles: If the Shoe Fits and Sink or Swim.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(3) 4-6 Whatever After series. Abby and her brother Jonah (Fairest of All) again travel through their magic mirror to interfere in classic fairy tales. In Shoe, they risk Cinderella's impending marriage but help her discover her entrepreneurial side; in Sink, they try to prevent the original unhappy ending of "The Little Mermaid." These light, age-appropriate send-ups feature a feminist perspective and plenty of laughs. Review covers these Whatever After titles: If the Shoe Fits and Sink or Swim.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(3) 4-6 Whatever After series. Ten-year-old Abby and seven-year-old Jonah discover a mirror that transports them into Snow White's fairy tale. They save Snow from the queen but realize the events change the happy ending everyone expects; the siblings race to resolve everything before their parents discover them missing. This entertaining, breezy modern take on a classic fairy tale will leave readers clamoring for another installment.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(3) YA Sixteen-year-old April moves in with a friend whose mother is traveling. Household tasks like running the dishwasher and cooking seem challenging, so April really finds herself in too deep when she gets a cat, throws a party, buys a hot tub, and has sex. In her quest for maturity and freedom, April's experiences, and their consequences, are by turns humorous and heart-rending.

Reviewer: Amanda Mc. MacGregor

(3) YA After dropping her cell phone in a fountain, high school senior Devi is magically able to call her freshman-year self. Older Devi instructs younger Devi on her every move, hoping she can change the present concerning boys, friends, and school. Altering the past has major consequences and doesn't guarantee happiness for either Devi. Though occasionally confusing, this modern twist on a wishing well has broad appeal.

Reviewer: Amanda Mc. MacGregor