MISS PICKERELL TAKES THE BULL BY THE HORNS

Times change, and now even Miss Pickerell is resisting the march of science--which, of course, undercuts the folksy/futuristic juxtaposition that made her a character. Specifically, she's organizing protests against the new state law making uncloned animals illegal, and as soon as Miss Pickerell gets straight on just what cloning is (readers can't miss the explanation, as far as it goes, for it's repeated endlessly throughout the book), her objections are muddle-headed but strong. Miss P.'s letter to the local paper inspires an editor desperate for an issue, her friend Professor Humwhistel fears a cloning bill for people, and together they persuade the governor to veto the bill. Meanwhile, Miss P.'s own loved cow Nancy Agatha is kidnapped by the clonedbull breeder (producer?) responsible for the legislation. More updating of sorts is evident in the villain's apprehension by a ""lady assistant sheriff,"" but that can't compensate for the falling off in fun.