SHAPE-CHANGER

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)