Creature Keepers and the Hijacked Hydro-Hide

Nelson and Rao follow their Herbert's Wormhole series with this whimsical adventure, first in a planned series, in which 12-year-old Jordan Grimsley follows in his deceased grandfather's footsteps as a protector of cryptids, magical creatures of myth and legend. After Jordan's family moves into Grampa Grimsley's huge, deserted house in the Everglades, Jordan meets and befriends Eldon Pecone%E2%80%94an industrious "Badger Ranger" (with merit badges in everything from species classification to spooring) and member of the Creature Keepers, a secret organization that helps to hide such beings as the Florida Skunk Ape, Giant Desert Jackalope, and Jersey Devil. Soon, Jordan and Eldon are swept up in a caper involving the missing Loch Ness Monster and a ruthless foe who wants to exploit the cryptids. Nelson's fast-paced writing and off-kilter premise are matched by Rao's wiry b&w illustrations, which portray the cryptids as endearing and cute, if occasionally deranged. Nelson maintains an enjoyable balance of humor and action, but never loses his grip on the more serious core of the story. Ages 8%E2%80%9312. Author's agent: Tina Wexler, ICM. Illustrator's agent: Brenda Bowen, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. (Sept.)