Orchard Books/Scholastic Inc.

Orchard Books/Scholastic Inc.

www.scholastic.com

Advanced elementary into early middle school grades will appreciate a set of leisure readers which promise high interest. Another Ricky Ricotta robot adventure is presented by Dav Pilkey in Ricky Ricotta's Mightly Robot Vs. The Urban Unicorns From Uranus (0439376467, $16.99): though Martin Ontiveros' drawings are all in black and white, their large-size presentation and cartoon style lend interest for reluctant readers. Here Ricky and his best friend robot handle issues of size and evil alike in a fast-paced interplanetary adventure. James Proimos and Andy Rheingold's When Guinea Pigs Fly! (0439518997, $14.95) tells of a little guinea pig with the pig dream of exploring the outside world outside of the pet store he inhabits. When he and his best friends achieve their wish, it's only to encounter the scary urban city. Chynna Clugston's Queen Bee (0439715725, $16.99), like Ricky Ricotta, takes on the trappings of a black and white comic book as it provides a graphic novel adventure of a former girl geek who has spent the summer changing her image in an attempt to become one of the popular oflk at her new middle school in the fall. The obstacles to success: she isn't the only new girl in town--or the only one with superpowers. Competition arises. Alison Pollet's The Pity Party (04-39681944, $15.95) is set in 8th grade, and Cass Levin's creative team for a new group project consists of a new kid, a snob, and an annoying girl. Can adversity create a new friendship? The new Charlie Bone book by Jenny Nimmo is out, Charlie Bone And The Castle Of Mirrors (0439545285, $9.95), and it's a winner. Prior fans will find the sequel to Charlie Bone And The Invisible Boy is outstanding: Charlie's at Bloor's Academy and his power is not only changing, but a new mysterious student and new leaders are affecting everything. Add more intrigue and follow-ups to the last and you have a wonderful ongoing fantasy saga. Elizabeth Kay's Jinx On The Divide (0439724554, $16.99) concludes the appealing Divide trilogy: Felix is back at school ut nothing is normal, especially when the class bully steals his magic lamp and accidentally frees the djinn in side, who takes the boy hostage unless Felix returns him to the mystical world. Not one to bottle up for long, the bully is discovering dangerous new potentials in his new bottle home. Patrick Carman's Land Of Elyon Book 2: Beyond The Valley Of Thorns (0439700-949, $11.99) tells of an unexpected threat from outside the walls of Bridgewell. Alexia becomes involved in a battle in which she plays a key role against a rising darkness: and she must confront these dark forces in order to win. Recommended for prior fans for the smoothest continuation. Laura Gallego Garcia's The Legend Of The Wandering King (0439585562, $16.95) tells of a dangerous magic carpet: a glance at it can drive a man mad, and many will risk their lives to look into its pattern for secrets. The carpet is stolen; it's up to young King Walid to recovery it in a dangerous journey through the Middle East world.