The Beast Boy Who Cried Wolf

Gr 2–6—The next installments in the long-running series based on the Cartoon Network TV show, these titles bring nothing new to the franchise, but are nonetheless enjoyable and will circulate well with fans of DC Comics. Torres is an experienced writer in the superhero genre, and he flexes his muscle in these new stories. The author doesn't reinvent the wheel with established, beloved characters such as Robin, Starfire, Cyborg and Raven but makes them approachable to the audience as young superheroes facing everyday challenges. In these two titles, Cyborg learns the difference between being "cool" and being "lame," and the team does not think Beast Boy's jokes are as funny as he does, as they are frequently his victims; both are themes to which kids will relate. The illustrations are finely crafted and enhance the narratives, making them more appealing to reluctant readers. These books will have broad appeal, and are a safe bet for children's or graphic novel collections.—John Trischitti, Midland County Public Libraries, TX