Callie Barkley

Friendships and animal fun mix with a creature fitting to Halloween and will have the first thoughts of organizing a party, too.

This is the first time I've met this fun bunch, and even though this book comes very late in the series, it wasn't a problem to sink right in. It definitely can be read on its own. This book also nods towards Halloween and that without spooks and chills, making it very fitting for the age group and even more so for sensitive readers. While Ellie takes center stage show more in this read, the friend group and their relationships shines. It's goodness pure as they work together, find ways to come to agreements, and remember to think of others along the way. In other words, there are wholesome aspects, which mix right into the cheerful atmosphere.

To match the Halloween season, this installment takes a look at a bat, who has found its way into the Club's barn. Information about bats, what to watch for, and their habits are presented and explained, but never in a boring way. The facts weave into the story smoothly, letting the rest of the story (organizing a Halloween party) flow right along with it.

The text is very age appropriate and great for those readers, who are pretty good with their words. The large font and spacing makes reading easy. Illustrations offer help with the scenes and let the characters shine.

It's an entertaining bunch, which will have readers wishing they could have their own Critter Club, and at the very least, get ready for their own part. I received an ARC and enjoyed the fun and educational twist on Halloween. show less

This is a new beginning chapter series from Simon and Schuster. Amy is a bit upset about being left at home while all her friends go off to fun places on Spring Break, but she helps out her mom at the veterinarians' clinic and comes upon a missing puppy. As she tracks down clues, she discovers that the puppy's owner, Ms. Sullivan, isn't as mean and scary as everyone thought. One by one her friends come back and help her and in the end they discover the puppy and with Ms. Sullivan's help show more decide to start The Critter Club animal shelter and help animals.

This is a cute and fresh series that kids will enjoy reading. There are excerpts from a Nancy Drew story that Amy is reading throughout the book (they're really simple, so either made up or from one of the Clue Crew books I would guess) and Amy and her friends are pretty typical beginning chapter book series friends with an identifying characteristic (and race) for each friend - looking at my vendor, it looks like each following book is about a different friend.

The story is formulaic, but that's what kids at this age enjoy and want to read. Mysteries aren't the most popular genre, but the animals aspect of it will pull up the popularity a bit and the pictures are very cute but not too young. I also really appreciate that they're bringing a big chunk of the series out in paperback all at once, since that's how I buy my new series.

Verdict: If you're looking for new beginning chapter series about girls, this will be a good choice. Hand it to fans of Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew, Princess Posey, and Puppy Place.

ISBN: 9781442457690; Published January 2013 by Simon & Schuster; ARC provided by the publisher at ALA Midwinter 2013; Added to my series purchase list for October show less

Valentine's Day is approaching! To raise money for a charity called Puppy Love, Ellie comes up with the idea for the Critter Club girls to sell singing telegrams.The girls have a lot of fun writing and performing the telegrams, but all the holiday spirit makes Ellie wish someone would send her one, too! Will Ellie get her wish?

Ellie, a second grader, wins the starring role in the school play, but she gets so involved in it that she forgets her day to help at the Critter Club. She also learns a big secret about Ms. Sullivan, who owns the barn where the Critter Club Animal Rescue is housed. Nice for when a girls' group has had a misunderstanding about something and are "on the outs."