Gr 3-8-These hi/lo graphic novels feature a diverse group of middle school kids who champion ecology and fight property development. In Panic, the Riders try to get signatures for a petition to stop the planned housing that will take over their biking hill. When the developer sets up a paintball tournament, three members of the group participate (the others won't use guns) and a fiasco ensues, yet all ends well as townspeople decide against the developer: "We don't want this paintballing nonsense every weekend." In the second title, the children go on a hunger strike (which they promptly break) and stage a "tree-in." It ends when Andy, who is deaf, falls and lands in a pond in which protected wildlife is discovered; most of the property then becomes a sanctuary. In both books, the dialogue flows like natural speech, color cartoon illustrations enhance the text, and back matter includes discussion questions and writing prompts.-Bobbee Pennington, Bryan Public Library, TX Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.