Philip Ardagh, . . Scholastic, $5.99 (144pp) ISBN 978-0-439-53759-9
In a starred review, PW called this debut tale in a trilogy starring 11-year-old Eddie Dickens, who is sent away to his mad aunt and uncle's home, "a tongue-in-cheek tale of a hapless youth. Kids who lap up Lemony Snicket's series will take quickly to this tale and clamor for the next." Ages 8-up. (Sept.)
British author Ardagh launches the Eddie Dickens Trilogy with this tongue-in-cheek tale of a hapless youth. A group of cockamamy adults manufactures most of the humor while the hero plays straight Continue reading »
This first in a planned trio of books called the Unlikely Exploits has more plot than Ardagh's Eddie Dickens Trilogy, but a bit less humor. The novel begins with Fergal McNally's Continue reading »
The second installment of the Eddie Dickens Trilogy begins as 12-year-old Eddie's home erupts in a gas explosion and Eddie meets the Great Zucchini, an escape artist whose coffin is propelled from Continue reading »
Barrett employs an Irish brogue to relate the Unlikely Exploits (the name of a proposed trilogy of tales) of the very unusual McNally family. Fans of Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Continue reading »
Marking McCartney's children's book debut, this playfully meandering tale in which good triumphs over evil was inspired by Tropical Island Hum
(2004), Continue reading »
"The novel begins with Fergal's catastrophic fall from the 14th floor of the Dell Hotel," wrote PW
. "The tragic event around which the novel Continue reading »
Novel sequels and series additions will keep young readers riveted. In a starred review of Philip Ardagh's debut title in the Eddie Dickens Trilogy, A House Called Awful End, illus. by David Continue reading »
This fall marks the return of many favorite characters. Philip Ardagh wraps up the Eddie Dickens Trilogy, illus. by David Roberts, with Terrible Times, in which Eddie, in the care of Mad Uncle Continue reading »
The second installment of the Eddie Dickens Trilogy begins as 12-year-old Eddie's home erupts in a gas explosion and Eddie meets the Great Zucchini, an escape artist whose coffin is propelled from Continue reading »
In the paper-over-board Heir of Mystery: The Second Unlikely Exploit by Philip Ardagh, illus. by David Roberts, the McNally siblings hunt down the stolen brain of their dearly departed brother, who Continue reading »
They Built Me for Freedom: The Story of Juneteenth and Houston’s Emancipation Park
Tonya Duncan Ellis
“They built me to remember.// June 19, 1865./ The day enslaved people found out the truth” writes Duncan Ellis in this moving tribute to Houston’s Emancipation Park, narrated in Continue reading »
Rhyming questions are answered with the triumphant titular cry in a work that displays the pelican’s power and balletic grace. “Who can see it’s time to eat?” Yuly begins, as Continue reading »
Almost-15-year-old Almudena meets her father for the first time in this affecting 1995-set graphic novel exploration of identity and family. When Almudena’s white mother accepts Continue reading »
City of Leafcutter Ants: A Sustainable Society of Millions
Amy Hevron
Via vivid prose, Hevron (The Longest Journey) introduces the leafcutter ants of Central America’s tropical forests, beings whose highly organized social structure supports Continue reading »