As in the Carlsons' Shining Pool (p. 391, J-99), a teenage boy (Andy here) first becomes aware of an intelligent creature's presence deep in a pool, and later brings a physically handicapped girl (Jill) to the mystery spot. Like the Carlsons', Churchill's It is never seen as anything more distinct than shimmering color, but instead of being a seductive menace this It turns out to be pleading harmlessly for help against some menacing hooded creatures who seem to have followed It from another world. And Andy and Jill, who are 16 but seem about 12, are in consistent agreement about wanting to provide that help. Jill sends down primary-school readers with an idea of teaching It to communicate, but It sends back a strange rippling picture showing Andy how to hold a magic ring between moon and water, thus allowing the rainbow-like It to whoosh through the ring and escape into space. The chief difference between this silly book and the other is that where The Shining Pool is cluttered with highbrow quotations the vacuity here is unadulterated.