The Very Dangerous Sisters of Indigo McCloud

Indigo McCloud seeks to save his schoolmates from the machinations of his manipulative older sister Peaches in this unwieldy comedy from Hearne. Peaches, who is highly regarded by adults, requires regular tributes from local children and exploits her enemies’ worst fears in fanciful, complicated schemes planned from an underground lair. She’s backed up by hench-sisters Berry, Root, and Su, whose arrayed talents make them a formidable crew. Most recently, Peaches has become set on dominating a calendar-selling competition, threatening any who refuse to peddle calendars in her name or fail to meet their quota. When Peaches menaces a new neighbor and imperils the lone child who stands up to her, Indigo realizes that he must do something. The substantial action unfurls in Blunt, a town home to myriad peculiar industries (hairy spiders, plastic Christmas trees), as “skilled watcher” Indigo, who has parkour-like rooftopping skills, works with research pro Polly to oust Peaches. Add in a bumbling police inspector, an outrageous wigmaker, and a whole lot of geese, and the effect is a raucous read with notably Roald Dahl–leaning social sensibilities. Characters largely cue as white. Ages 8–12. (Feb.)