The moral of this surreal episode would run something like this: never patronize a fast-food restaurant built where giant mutant bugs can crawl into the meat grinder. Young Roscoe learns this disgusting lesson almost too late when, after six months of nightly Gussy’s “Jungle Drum” burgers, he suddenly discovers that he’s beginning to resemble a praying mantis. Luckily, and despite the best efforts of Gussy’s CEO and cohorts to hush the whole thing up, Roscoe’s genius best friend Kinshasa Rosa Parks Boomer winkles out the cause. Also luckily, once Roscoe modifies his diet, the changes reverse. Elliott (Cool Crazy Crickets, 2000, etc.) is far from the first to take on a “boy-into-bug” premise, and though he introduces a memorably quirky cast, he doesn’t give it much to do besides solve the mystery of why this is happening to Roscoe and others. The high gross-out factor will draw some readers, but they’ll only find characters in search of a story. (Fiction. 10-12)
Pub Date: May 1, 2001
ISBN: 0-7636-1173-5
Page Count: 128
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2001
A brisk but thorough and informative history of the Lakota (Teton Sioux), with a glance at the present: How they got to the Great Plains, life before and after the advent of horses, and various ceremonies (though the deep religious motivation characteristic of these people is not conveyed). A brief detailing of struggles with white men includes the greats: Red Cloud, Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, Big Foot. There's also a quick look at the massacre at Wounded Knee and at the Ghost Dance (its universal appeal and hysteria are explained only by saying that it ``renewed the hopes of many Native Americans''). Wolfson explains that half the Teton Sioux are now on reservations and that life ``can be hard,'' but that old ceremonies are still maintained despite modern ways. The legend of White Buffalo Woman is included as a last chapter. Illustrations range from garishly tinted engravings to photos of crafts and of chiefs; only two depict the present. List of important dates; glossary; excellent bibliography and index. (Nonfiction. 10-12)
Pub Date: Feb. 1, 1993
ISBN: 1-56294-077-5
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Millbrook
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1993
BOOK REVIEW
A smiley-face sports mystery in which three Little Leaguers band together to find out who's stealing their equipment—and finally catch Nong Den, their own leadoff hitter, using the missing supplies to teach baseball to the younger Cambodians in his run- down neighborhood. With the championship game coming up, the Sluggers persuade the league commissioner not to suspend Nong Den and—charged with community spirit—organize a used-equipment drive. The happy children are outfitted with their wealthier neighbors' castoffs; a previously menacing Cambodian street gang appears with garden tools to clear off a field; and the Sluggers' Club carries their team to victory. Walker mixes his cast well (there's even a girl on the team) and, in traditional fashion, blends moral and social issues—albeit on a very superficial level- -with the sports action. Still, the bland, everyone's-a-winner plot is bound to weaken reader response. (Fiction. 10-12)
Pub Date: March 1, 1993
ISBN: 0-15-276163-2
Page Count: 160
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1993
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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