"A savory episode for noodle—er, newly independent or struggling readers. (Fantasy. 8-10)"
The archetypal babysitter introduced in Mrs. Noodlekugel (2012) takes a quartet of farsighted mice to the oculist for an exam in this equally offbeat second chapter.
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"Readers who've begun this well-written, modern kid-power mystery series will be glad to see this and eager for more. (Mystery. 8-12)"
Working frantically to save their historic school from the wrecking ball scheduled in three weeks, sixth graders Ben Pratt and Jill Acton find the first of five safeguards planted more than 200 years earlier, an ally and treasure that may also help their cause.
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"A delicious multilayered romp. (Magical adventure. 8-12)"
Myriad mysteries and long-lost treasure await the Smithfork children when they move from Brooklyn into an eccentric, historic apartment on the Upper East Side of New York City.
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Sixth-grader Ben Pratt is thrust into a mystery-adventure when his school's janitor shoves a gold coin in his hand, passing on the responsibility to save Oakes School from developers.
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"The idea of a small guard dragon is undeniably appealing, but Stower's inferior illustrations, the flat characters, shifting story line and the too-obvious message make this a disappointment. (Fantasy. 7-10)"
Nine-year-old Lucy Pennykettle's new guard dragon, Gruffen, discovers that the terrifying monster in her bedroom is really the shadow of a small bat in need of a better home.
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"Considering the authors' track record, the pace may never pick up, but the bright humor will attract and keep young pre-Potterites. (Fantasy. 9-11)"
The authors of the Bailey School Kids set their new series in a small town that is unknowingly protected from the magical creatures just adjacent by a spellcast hedge of thorns and magic.
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"The author evidently couldn't think of any other way to keep the series going—but there's a Prophecy to fulfill, and you know what that means. (Fantasy. 10-12)"
The second episode in this formulaic fantasy shifts the scene to the otherworldly Secret Country.
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A talking cat pitches young Ben Arnold into the role of semi-reluctant Hero, as a scheme to drain Eidolon, the Hidden Land, of magic by importing its creatures to this plane puts him up against his cruel uncle and a powerful, dog-headed sorcerer.
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