Watch out, Captain Underpants, there’s a new superhero on the scene. After his domineering little sister Melody persuades him to sample two gross-looking homemade cupcakes, diminutive fifth-grader Horace discovers that he can fly, and breathe fire to boot. These powers eventually wear off, but not before Horace has time to get used to the dorky purple outfit Melody whips up for him, to take an aerial tour of Blootinville, and after rescuing heartthrob Sara Willow from an oncoming tricycle, to snatch Principal Nosair from the belly of a giant, carnivorous guinea pig created by malicious science teacher Norman Dienow. Though the illustrations are relatively sparse, Gott’s pop-eyed, rubbery-looking figures capture the general sense of goofiness perfectly. Horace returns to save the world from a hypnotist peddling canned Snoodles and Cheaze (“contains over one thousand chemicals, twenty nine preservatives and six kinds of plastic . . .”), as well as to make his own special cupcakes, in Episode #2: When Second Graders Attack (ISBN: 0-525-46866-8, paper: 0-14-230118-3). Necessarily resourceful, since he never knows what temporary super-power the next cupcake will bring, this caped crusader rises hilariously to meet each challenge. Bad guys better stay away from Blootinville from now on—but you know they won’t. (Fiction. 9-11)
Pub Date: May 1, 2001
ISBN: 0-525-46763-7
Page Count: 144
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2002
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A glorified view of one of the Old West's most violent and colorful characters. Hickok may not have started out wild (christened ``James,'' he didn't start out as ``Bill,'' either), but after an early series of rough jobs, including scouting and spying for the Union Army, he developed a taste for fancy clothes, hot baths, and gambling. Downplaying his reputation for brutality, the author cheerily recounts his career as law officer, actor, and celebrity, his half-legendary feats of marksmanship, and his untimely end—shot at a gaming table, holding the ``Dead Man's Hand'' of aces and eights. An oversimple, romanticized picture of life in the West and of one of its preeminent gunmen. Illustrations not seen. (Biography. 9-11)
Pub Date: Oct. 16, 1992
ISBN: 0-688-10089-9
Page Count: 54
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 1992
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
First in another formulaic series (``Pet Patrol'') aimed at middle-grade readers. Though Evie's first five business ideas have ended in disaster, she has high hopes for the sixth; she and friend Megan release nine balloons with ads for a pet-care service. They return home to find a boxful of puppies already on the porch and a note asking that they be given away by four that afternoon. Can it be done? Of course—after a few false starts and minor mishaps. A typical assortment of kindly adults and slightly differentiated children comprise the cast, while the antics of the four frisky puppies supply a cupful of humor. Mild entertainment for readers who are enjoying Roos's ``Pet Lovers' Club'' books and want more of the same. Illustrations not seen. (Fiction. 9-11)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1992
ISBN: 0-670-84346-6
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1992
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
