THE CUT-UPS CUT LOOSE

With their supplies all together—two rubber rattlesnakes, five rolls of caps, three boxes of premade spitballs, half-a-dozen stink bombs and a real tarantula—dedicated cutups Joe and Spud are ready for school. Unfortunately, school is also ready for them. New principal Lamar J. Spurgle, thanks to a previous run-in (The Cut-ups), is on to them instantly, anticipating their every move, catching them in the act again and again. Not even the fiendish Mary Frances Hooley escapes Spurgle's sharp eye; though she goes to St. Bridget's across town, Spurgle snags her on public-school property and confiscates her souped-up soapbox racer. Never fear, Mary Frances has a secret weapon—Sister Aloysius (a.k.a. "Big Al"). As usual, Marshall's colorful, comic illustrations complement a b fie f text with additional detail and continuity. A funny, satisfying companion to the classic Miss Nelson stories, featuring slightly more sophisticated wish-fulfillment.