Lauri Barwick, A Whale of a Tale Children's Bookshoppe, Irvine, Calif.

When the galley of Tunnels by Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams (Scholastic/Chicken House, Jan.) arrived at the store, the eerie cover caught my eye and made me want to read it. Already a bestseller in the U.K., Tunnels is sure to captivate readers 10 and up, especially boys looking for a fresh, adventure-filled story. A blend of reality and fantasy, Tunnels takes us into the world of Will Burrows, a British teenager whose life consists of going to school and digging tunnels. Will's excavations—and his milky-white hair and skin—make him something of an outcast. But when his archeologist father disappears, Will and his only friend, Chester, are plunged into a dangerous journey. The action drew me in immediately. The story held my attention with its unexpected twists and spine-tingling exploits. I look forward to sharing it with our customers.