Lost in the Library
(Ready-To-Read: Level Two)

K-Gr 2--The Junior Monster Scouts--Franky, Wolfy, and Vampyra--love to read. They are in the library of Castle Dracula when Wolfy hears what sounds like a piano. The group follows the noise, revealing a hidden passageway. Behind a secret door, the trio discover the source of the music: a ghostly girl, unable to speak, playing the piano. She passes them a note, which explains that her name is Bella and that she is a Banshee, but she lost her voice as it became lonely from lack of use and ran away. The Scouts are determined to reunite their new friend with her voice, and they devise a clever solution. Through the use of story time, and with support and patience, Bella's voice returns. Each page contains three to five sentences that include approximately five to 12 words apiece. Long's signature cartoonlike illustrations portray the monster pals as friendly and nothing to fear. VERDICT This series is monstrous fun for emerging reader collections.--Olivia Gorecke