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234 pp.
| Disney/Hyperion
| June, 2014
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4231-7829-3$15.99
(2)
4-6
Illustrated by
Greg Swearingen.
Quinny, who rivals Junie B. Jones in both volume and breeziness, moves next door to quiet, analytical Hopper the summer before third grade. He's initially baffled (and a little appalled) by Quinny's loudness, but she eventually wins him over--until snooty Victoria barges her way between them. Schanen nicely balances the protagonists' alternating perspectives; Swearingen does a great job of depicting their emotions.
(2)
4-6
Illustrated by
Greg Swearingen.
After poking around her self-described "friggin' genius" father's laboratory, Libby finds herself able to communicate with animals--and in possession of "lifting soda," which carries her into the city. There she encounters a pigeon-cum-blue jay, a cat with nine "lies," and a troupe of circus performers. Occasional black-and-white drawings ground the story in its contemporary setting while preserving the tale's fantastical elements.
(4)
4-6
Illustrated by
Greg Swearingen.
Forced to spend four weeks with their eccentric uncle Gideon, Tyler and Lucinda soon discover the fantastical secrets of Ordinary Farm. After a slow start, the story's strange creatures and portals into the past generate plentiful action and intrigue. The open-ended conclusion will leave readers wanting more.
32 pp.
| Whitman
| April, 2004
|
TradeISBN 0-8075-5182-1$$15.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Greg Swearingen.
After Kevin begins seeing a therapist, he learns that his worries and odd behavior are called obsessions and compulsions. The story is obvious and agenda driven, but anthropomorphizing obsessive-compulsive disorder as a little man who keeps calling Kevin with worries may be helpful to young sufferers. Pleasant illustrations and a note to parents and teachers accompany the text.