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SHAPE-CHANGER

Name: SHAPE-CHANGER
Author: Bill Brittain
ISBN: 0-06-024238-8

by Bill Brittain ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 30, 1994

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A slight tale of a shapeshifting extraterrestrial cop that enlists the aid of shrimpy seventh-grader Frank Dunn to repair its flying saucer and recapture an escaped prisoner. Appearing as a fire hydrant, a visiting cousin, dogs, and various household objects, the Good Guy checks out likely hideouts, helps with Frank's schoolwork, and scares off bullies; in return, Frank fingers the Bad Guy, who's masquerading as a neighborhood chum. Brittain is just going through the motions here: Both shapeshifters have arbitrary, convenient constraints on their ability; the fugitive barely appears and, though billed as a fiendish supercriminal, displays few signs of intelligence; the spaceship is repaired with janitor's tools plus two bags of coal; several scenes are obvious fillers; and the story ends precipitately after a contrived battle. (Fiction. 10-12)

Pub Date: May 30, 1994

ISBN: 0-06-024238-8

Page Count: 108

Publisher: HarperCollins

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 1994

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

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OUR ENDANGERED PLANET: ANTARCTICA

by Suzanne Winckler & Mary M. Rodgers ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 11, 1992

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A colorful, chatty look at Antarctica's history, geography, and climate, plus efforts to safeguard it from environmental damage. Curious facts abound—e.g., Antarctica was torn from South America 50 to 100 million years ago; it holds 70% of the world's water supply and has only two species of plants. Especially intriguing are the photos, drawings, and accounts of exploration: Ui-te-Rangiora, 650; Captain Cook, 1770; Scott and Amundsen, 1912; Byrd, 1929; Steger, 1989. Addresses of organizations; suggestions for activities; glossary; index. (Nonfiction. 10-12)

Pub Date: May 11, 1992

ISBN: 0-8225-2506-2

Page Count: 64

Publisher: Lerner

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 1992

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

- BOOK REVIEW
OUR ENDANGERED PLANET: SOIL
by Suzanne Winckler & Mary M. Rodgers

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POMONA

THE BIRTH OF A PENGUIN

by Catherine Paladino ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 15, 1991

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A photo essay that documents the development and growth of a black-footed penguin, raised in captivity at the New England Aquarium. The focus here is on raising the endangered penguins in captivity rather than on recording their development in their natural habitat off the coast of South Africa—with the conclusion that, ``As long as some of them live in places like the New England Aquarium, the future of this special bird will be a little bit safer''. Though the many glossy full-color photos here are appealing, the text lacks precision and word choice is occasionally awkward. A handsome map is unfortunately placed on the endpapers. Glossary; further reading; index. (Nonfiction. 10- 12)