Deep Doo-Doo

Delaney's (Henry's Special Delivery) mildly amusing story of boy inventor Bennet Ordway's interference with an upcoming gubernatorial race is liberal politics lite. Frustrated with the incumbent's hypocritical ""family values"" platform, 12-year-old Bennet and his friend Pete use a souped-up television transmitter to interrupt the governor's speeches with clever commentary on the importance of funding health care, education and the environment. Bennet, signing himself ""Deep Doo-doo"" after Watergate informant Deep Throat, sends his newspaper-reporter father hints on the hot story. The broadcasting scenes sparkle with swift action and political puns, but the end result is anticlimactically humorless-the bad guy loses the election and Mr. Ordway learns he needs to spend more time with his son. Characters are a bit hollow, defined chiefly by token qualities: Bennet has a stutter and always wears the same hat, while Pete never leaves home without his Frisbee. Still, the premise is delivered with enough punch that this romp may be enjoyed by junior inventors, future reporters and those who can overcome their embarrassment at reaching for a book with ""doo-doo"" in the title. Ages 8-11. (Nov.)