(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

(3) 4-6 The Wishing Day trilogy--about how three sisters use their traditional three wishes when they each turn thirteen--concludes. Myracle introduces Emily, who was "erased" decades ago by an unfortunate wish, and elevates Ava, the youngest Blok sister, who by building on previous wishes aspires to set things right for two generations of women. Nuanced treatment of ruptures among mothers, daughters, and sisters gives this fantasy rewarding heft.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(4) 4-6 Three sisters share in a local tradition that grants girls three wishes when they turn thirteen. Oldest sister Natasha's gone-awry wishes (Wishing Day) haunt middle sister Darya. In this sequel, Darya wrestles with how to spend her wishes, her absent mother's secret return, and who new girl Tally really is. The poignant family drama leaves readers in suspense with a cliffhanging conclusion.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(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

(4) 4-6 Local tradition grants thirteen-year-old girls in Willow Hill three wishes, and Natasha wonders how to use hers. As the wishes loom, they influence realistic conflicts with her sisters, aunts, best friend, and new crush; most important is a wish concerning her missing mother. Myracle's adroit exploration of Natasha's relationships is undercut by an abrupt conclusion.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(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) 1-3 Illustrated by Jed Henry. Ty is excited that his best friend Joseph is finally coming back to school after being in the hospital for a long time. Things don't quite feel normal, though, and Ty struggles to figure out why. Ty's authentic narrative voice continues to shine, while the black-and-white spot art captures his personality. Fans will want to stick around for Ty's next adventure.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Jed Henry. In his second illustrated chapter book, second grader Ty struggles to complete his school assignment to perform"non-random acts of kindness" while also trying to fulfill a promise to get his baby sister Maggie a pet. Ty is instantly lovable, due to Myracle's strong writing; the narrative voice is authentic, and young readers will connect with Ty's thoughts and observations.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(4) YA Now at college, Angela, Zoe, and Maddie (ttyl; ttfn; l8r, g8r) keep each other updated on their lives through (gimmicky and tiresome) IMs, texts, and tweets. Maddie wants them all to try new things (YOLO!), and college brings no shortage of new situations. The girls navigate sex, drinking, hazing, jealousy, depression, and more in this frank look at transitions, identity, and friendship.

Reviewer: Amanda Mc. MacGregor

(3) YA Charlie and Wren start dating just after high school graduation. They have an immediate intellectual bond, sharing secrets and dreams, as well as a quick sexual connection. They spend the summer growing closer, uncertain of what will happen when fall comes. The explicit but tender sex scenes feel honest in this story of love, trust, and finding your path.

Reviewer: Amanda Mc. MacGregor

(3) 4-6 When it looks like new-girl Hayley is making friends with mean-girl Modessa, Yaz steps in, hoping Hayley will choose her flower friends instead. Meanwhile, all of the girls are keeping secrets these days, creating friction within the group. In their fourth outing, Myracle's diverse and distinctive fifth graders show how complicated lives can be--and how important friendship is--at their age.

Reviewer: Amanda Mc. MacGregor

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Jed Henry. In this Winnie Years spin-off series opener, seven-year-old Ty is adjusting to life with a new baby around. After Ty steals a penguin chick from the aquarium, his older sisters Winnie and Sandra help him take responsibility and come to terms with his role as a big brother. Laugh-out-loud first-person narration and black-and-white illustrations both capture Ty's vigor as he navigates elementary-school life.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) 4-6 Changes are in store for the girls in this third Flower Power book: Violet's mom is home from the mental hospital; Milla wants to save a classmate from going down the mean-girl path; Yaz longs to step out of her comfort zone; and Katie-Rose worries about everyone maturing and changing. Myracle continues to thoughtfully capture the complex feelings of tweens.

Reviewer: Amanda Mc. MacGregor

(3) 4-6 In this prequel, bright and feisty Winnie Perry (Eleven, Twelve, Thirteen, Thirteen Plus One) is thrilled to turn ten. Summer vacation is spent traveling, swimming, and going to camp. But fifth grade brings changes, including bullies, gossipy girls, and boy-crushes. With help from her family and friends, Winnie successfully--and satisfyingly, for readers--navigates the early double digits and stays true to herself.

Reviewer: Amanda Mc. MacGregor

(3) YA Sixteen-year-old Cat's gay friend is in a coma, the victim of a hate crime. Her search for the perpetrator leads to disturbing revelations about her friends in their rural impoverished North Carolina town. Cat's authentically Southern, lyrical narration captures tough realities like prejudice, drug use, and abuse (emotional, sexual, and physical) but ends on an optimistic note.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(3) 4-6 In this sequel to Luv Ya Bunches, the fifth graders navigate the rocky road of friendship. Violet copes with her mother's mental illness, a meddlesome classmate comes between Yasaman and Katie-Rose, and insecure Camilla accidentally kills the hamster of a boy she likes. The girls come together to campaign for healthier snacks at school as well as sort out their realistic and relatable problems.

Reviewer: Amanda Mc. MacGregor

(4) 4-6 This fourth book about Winnie (Eleven, Twelve, Thirteen) covers the end of her eighth-grade year and the summer before high school. Winnie struggles with typical issues surrounding friends, school, and boyfriends. Her self-absorption and adolescent angst are believable, but Winnie's friends and family members remain little more than types.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) 4-6 Fifth graders Katie-Rose, Camilla, Violet, and Yasaman are unlikely friends, who bond over the discovery of the class queen bee's manipulations. They also find common ground in their worries about friends, school, and family. Realistic dialogue; diverse, likable characters; and generous use of screenplay format, blog posts, and instant message conversations bring energy to a straightforward plot.

Reviewer: Amanda Mc. MacGregor

(2) YA Sophomore Carly is determined to hold onto "realness"--a challenge in her wealthy Atlanta suburb. She's eager to show her little sister the ropes, but Anna, with her new "Hooters-esque boobs," gets plenty of attention on her own. With humor and empathy, Myracle explores the hazardous trails of evolving friendships and devastating crushes--and the elastic bonds of sisterhood that outlast them all.

Reviewer: Lauren Adams | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2009