The town of Lawnville has many secrets; among them are the forest that hides itself from all but a select group and The Order of Physics, part of an arcane union that explores the sciences. Things start to break apart in Lawnville, however, when a sixth-grader named Simon Bloom (so ordinary that people often forget his name) comes into possession of a large book labeled Teacher’s Edition of Physics. Pursued by a brilliant villain named Sirabetta and her not-so-bright sidekick, Mermon, Simon teams up with fellow sixth-graders Owen (easily frightened but resourceful) and smart, mouthy Alysha. Told in a series of amusingly titled chapters with occasional commentary by the (unseen, but omniscient) Narrator, this tale plays fast and loose with fantasy and science-fiction conventions—with great success. The action is fast-paced; there is lots of slapstick humor; and things do work out in the end. The last chapter even hints of a sequel. Tweens who enjoyed Lemony Snicket will be equally amused by this lightweight but swift and funny read. (Science fiction. 12-14)
Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2008
ISBN: 978-0-525-47922-2
Page Count: 256
Publisher: Dutton
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2008
Four fifth-graders are recruited by a scheming magician in this hefty bonbon from the author of the Fablehaven tales. At first, Nate, Summer, Trevor and Pigeon think they have it good. Having asked them to help her recover a hidden treasure that (she says) belongs to her, Belinda White, friendly proprietor of a sweets shop that has just opened in their small town, provides some uncommon candies—like Moon Rocks, that give them the ability to jump like grasshoppers, and literally electrifying Shock Bits. When she begins asking them to commit certain burglaries, though, their exhilaration turns to unease, and rightly so; Mrs. White is actually after a draft from the Fountain of Youth that will make her the world’s most powerful magician. And, as it turns out, she isn’t the only magician who’s come to town—not even the only one whose magic is tied to sweets. Filling out the supporting cast with the requisite trio of bullies, plus magical minions of various (and sometimes gross) abilities, Mull trots his twist-laden plot forward to a well set-up climax. Leaving the door open an inch for sequels, he dishes up a crowd-pleaser as delicious—if not so weird—as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory . (Fantasy. 10-13)
Pub Date: Sept. 12, 2007
ISBN: 978-1-59038-783-2
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2007
Hillenbrand takes license with the familiar song (the traditional words and music are reproduced at the end) to tell an enchanting story about baby animals picked up by the train and delivered to the children’s zoo. The full-color drawings are transportingly jolly, while the catchy refrain—“See the engine driver pull his little lever”—is certain to delight readers. Once the baby elephant, flamingo, panda, tiger, seal, and kangaroo are taken to the zoo by the train, the children—representing various ethnic backgrounds, and showing one small girl in a wheelchair—arrive. This is a happy book, filled with childhood exuberance. (Picture book. 3-6)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-15-201804-2
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1999
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