Birney, Betty G. Humphrey’s Creepy-Crawly Camping Adventure. illus. by Priscilla Burris. 96p. (Humphrey’s Tiny Tales: Bk. 3). Putnam. May 2015. Tr $14.99. ISBN 9780399172274; pap. $4.99. ISBN 9780147514608.

K-Gr 3 –You can’t keep a good hamster down. Humphrey, the hamster who lives in Mrs. Brisbane’s class and who first appeared in The World According to Humphrey (Putnam, 2004) pops up again in the latest installment of a spin-off series that’s ideal for novice readers. Here, Humphrey heads home for the weekend with Heidi for a camp-out sleepover. Heidi and pals are psyched—until the boys show up and the night takes a turn for the scary. Small but mighty, Humphrey is an endearing and earnest narrator whose gentle but on-the-nose observations will resonate with budding readers.

Cammuso, Frank. The Misadventures of Salem Hyde: Dinosaur Dilemma. 96p. (The Misadventures of Salem Hyde: Bk. 4). Abrams/Amulet. 2015. Tr $14.95. ISBN 9781419715341; pap. $7.95. ISBN 9781419715358.

Gr 2-5 –When Salem decides that the “Dinosaurs Alive” exhibit at the museum is misleadingly named, the young witch rectifies things, bringing statues of prehistoric creatures to all-too-vivid life. When she comes across a baby velociraptor, she knows the success of her science project is assured, but her talking feline sidekick Whammy’s not so sure. Fans of the likes of “Calvin and Hobbes” will inhale this comic strip–style graphic novel series. Mischievous and impulsive, Salem is a Calvin-esque heroine for the next generation, and the book is pure gleeful fun, laced with heart and some food for thought.

Earhart, Kristin. Welcome Home! 128p. (Marguerite Henry’s Misty Inn: Bk. 1). S. & S./Aladdin. Jun. 2015. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781481414135.

Gr 1-3 –Adults who grew up reading Marguerite Henry’s Chincoteague stories will be excited to share a taste of that world with young readers not quite ready for Misty of Chincoteague and its sequels. This new chapter book series introduces Willa Dunlap, who has just moved to the famed island with her parents and younger brother. Though she’s read all of the “Misty” books and loves animals, she longs for her friends back in Chicago. Short chapters and gentle pacing make this ideal for equestrians, animal lovers, and readers who enjoy realistic, family- and friendship-centered stories.

Elliott, Rebecca. Owl Diaries: Eva Sees a Ghost. 80p. (Owl Diaries: Bk. 2). Scholastic. May 2015. Tr $15.99. ISBN 9780545787840.

Gr 1-3 –A highly illustrated chapter book for newly independent readers. The excitable little owl, Eva, explains how, after her teacher reads a spooky story, she sees a real ghost. Unfortunately, no one seems to believe her. Along with her best friend, Lucy, she goes on a ghost hunt in order to get the evidence she needs. The narrative is written as short diary entries on lined notebook-style pages. There are word balloons with dialogue as well as several sidebars with checklists and a questionnaire that Eva develops. Chock-full of full-color illustrations on every page, the book features plenty of visual appeal.

Green, Poppy. The Emerald Berries. illus. by Jennifer A. Bell. 128p. (The Adventures of Sophie Mouse: Bk. 2). ebook available. S. & S./Little Simon. 2015. pap. $5.99. ISBN 9781481428354.

Gr 1-3 –Sophie Mouse lives in a sweet and whimsical world of adorably anthropomorphized woodland creatures. In this adventure, the tiny rodent desires a particular kind of berry that will create a paint color unlike any other. Adults may blanch as Sophie tells a small lie, treks through a “dangerous” part of the forest with her friend Hattie, and follows a strange squirrel back to his home for tea. Issues of “stranger danger” aside, most independent readers will enjoy this gentle tale featuring charming black-and-white illustrations throughout.

Gr 3-5 —In this UK import, each book in the series features alternating chapters narrated by one of three chums: Daisy, Erika, or Phoebe. The preteen plot lines include jealousy over new friends, minor mysteries, and lots of texting. The girls and their classmates are realistically diverse. Though the books include black-and-white drawings sprinkled throughout, the dense blocks of text and she-said, she-said drama make this most suitable to slightly older readers who may be struggling and looking for a shorter, breezier read than most middle grade offerings.

Klise, Kate & M. Sarah Klise. The Loch Ness Punster. 144p. (43 Old Cemetery Road: Bk. 7). HMH. 2015. Tr $15.99. ISBN 9780544313378.

Gr 4-6–When author Ignatius P. Grumply first moved into the Spence Mansion, he came across two very unlikely writing collaborators: an abandoned preteen, Seymour Hope, and Olive, the ghostly former inhabitant of the house. In this outing, the death of Ignatius’s uncle Ian sends Seymour and Olive to Scotland to check out the castle Seymour’s just inherited. Meanwhile, Ignatius copes with an expensive missing tortoise and a visitor: the ghost of Uncle Ian. Told entirely through letters, instant messages, drawings, and other ephemera, this sweetly spooky romp will have reluctant readers and bookworms chuckling.

Klise, Kate. Pop Goes the Circus! illus. by M. Sarah Klise. 144p. (Three-Ring Rascals: Bk. 4). Algonquin. May 2015. Tr $15.95. ISBN 9781616204648.

Gr 2-5 –In the fourth installment of this delightful series, Bert the circus mouse accidentally gets carried away by a balloon, though his friends in Sir Sidney’s Circus have no idea—they think he’s hiding after an argument with sister Gert. Elsewhere, Flora Endora Eliza LaBuena LaPasta is reluctantly preparing for the arrival of a new sibling. In a fortuitous turn, the mouse and the girl meet up and madcap adventure ensues. Engaging black-and-white illustrations, with loads of word balloons, and charming humor make this another winning addition to the series.

Myracle, Lauren. Friends of a Feather. illus. by Jed Henry. 144p. (The Life of Ty: Bk. 3). ebook available. Dutton. 2015. Tr $12.99. ISBN 9780525422884.

Gr 2-4 –Ty’s best friend Joseph is coming back to school after spending months in the hospital being treated for leukemia. Ty is beside himself with excitement, ready to jump back into favorite activities with his pal. Unfortunately, Joseph is the center of attention in their second grade class and Ty finds himself frustrated and maybe a tiny bit jealous. As in the past entries, Ty’s warm-hearted attitude and authenticity shine through. A generous typeface, sporadic illustrations, and short chapters make this series a fine choice for independent readers .

Pakkala, Christine. Last-but-Not-Least Lola and the Cupcake Queens. illus. by Paul Hoppe. 168p. (Last-but-Not-Least Lola: Bk. 3). Boyds Mills. Oct. 2015. Tr $16.95. ISBN 9781620915967.

Gr 2-4 –Life is hard when you’re alphabetically the last kid in your second-grade class, but Lola Zuckerman takes it in stride. As with previous volumes, Lola faces problems that young readers will find all too relatable, from a lie about a dog that snowballs to school play woes to Halloween costume drama. Depicted through Hoppe’s black-and-white spot illustrations, frizzy-haired, freckled Lola is an endearing protagonist, and this installment will is sure to garner fans.

Warner, Sally. EllRay Jakes the Recess King! illus. by Brian Biggs. 176p. (Ellray Jakes: Bk. 8). Viking. May 2015. Tr $14.99. ISBN 9780451469113.

Gr 2-4 –What’s eating EllRay Jakes? No, it’s not the fact that he’s the smallest kid in his third-grade class; though he’s likable, EllRay’s bummed that he doesn’t have more friends. He sets his sights on becoming a social butterfly, but it’s not long before his best-laid plans go awry. Sprinkled here and there with cheery spot images and EllRay’s trademark lists, this is a simple but charming tale, full of realistic dialogue and marked by the author’s genuine understanding of the elementary school set.