Book Description

Prickly Pete the packrat takes young readers into the desert to get some answers: Can desert tortoises climb out of their shells? Do Gila monsters bite and not let go? Are barrel cactuses filled with water you can drink? Are javelinas really wild desert pigs? And Pete's favorite: If you leave your watch outside at night, will a packrat take it and leave some cactus in its place?

Beautifully illustrated, this delightful full-color children's book shows that desert facts often are much more amazing than the myths (cactifracts) we've all heard! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Separates desert facts from "cactifracts"
Correctamundo!: Prickly Pete's Guide To Desert Facts & Catifracts separates desert facts from "cactifracts", that is, things lots of kids think are true about the desert but are not factual. Lively, fun, educational, and highly recommended for both school and community library collections, Correctamundo! will provide young readers ages 8 to 12 with a splendid and entertaining introduction to the flora and fauna of the desert.

Learn to tell a fact from a cactifract ...
Both of my children (ages 5 and 7) and I love this book. It is well written, amusing, creative and informative. The format is fun and inventive -- Prickly Pete (a packrat) makes a series of statments about desert creatures and then asks the readers guess whether each one is a fact or a "cactifract"(untrue), before turning the page to find the correct answer. My children love guessing and learning whether they were right. I recommend it for its entertainment value as well as for the information it contains about the natural hsitory of the desert. ... Read more

Book Description

Hair, Hair, Everywhere

Someone's been digging up Mrs. Ruston's tomatoes. She thinks it's Noelle's dog, Rover, and unless Noelle can find the real thief, Rover's in big trouble.

It's the hairiest case yet for Mr. Merlin's Third-Grade Detectives. Hair in Mrs. Ruston's tomato patch, hair in Amber Lee's hamburger -- can Noelle and Todd comb through the evidence and solve the mystery? ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Super series!!
If your kids like mysteries and learning how police use science to solve crimes, this is the series for you! It's wonderful - and non-threatening. My kids read these books over and over. They're having fun and learning at the same time.

The Mystery of the Hairy Tomatoes
My son loved this book and can't wait to read the others. ... Read more

Book Description

Hi, I'm Keesha -- one of the kids in Ms. Frizzle's class.When Ms. Frizzle announced that we'd be studying the weather, I thought it would be pretty boring.Boy, was I wrong! Ms. Frizzle promised to take us on a field trip that would give us a real jolt of excitement -- little did we know what we had in mind. Before we knew it, we'd become a bolt of lightning and we were off on an electrifying adventure!
... Read more

Book Description

Mix-and-Match

Robots come in all shapes, sizes, and combinations of parts. With this great mix-and-match book, young fans can make their own robots just by turning the pages!

Reviews (3)

Bertie is the best!
This book is perfect for Story Hour. The pictures are large and well done (the robber's hands actually have 5 digits instead of the 4 so common in cartoons); the story line is succinct, suspenseful, and with a surprise ending that will leave the children in stitches.

Fantastically funny
This book deserves six stars - it's just so funny and well-made. The story of little Bertie, who outwits a great big horrible burglar, will keep your kids chuckling for days. The pictures are gorgeous and cartoony as well.

A REAL UNDERDOG
Things aren't what they seem in this rollicking comic picture book about a gentle watchdog who, quite literally, is only the size of a watch. With tongue-in-cheek humor and zingy dialogue, author Rick Walton and illustrator Arthur Robins chuckle broadly about the night this tiny do-gooder comes face-to-face with a big, loud-mouthed burglar who taunts, teases and hoists insults at the little would-be-hero. The wickedly ironic tale is a wonderful testament to brains over brawn, and a funny ode to little guys everywhere. ... Read more

Book Description

Ms. Frizzle's class challenges Mr. O'Neatley's class to a science contest with amazing - and magnetic - results. ... Read more

Book Description

Bestselling novelist Patricia Cornwell imagines an extraordinary and beautiful land with all the appeal of a Garden of Eden in her first book for children. In a compelling fable, she explores the temptations and pitfalls that accompany freedom and choice in all our lives.

Jarrod lives far away in a land where children climb trees and soar without fear of falling, and sunlight keeps out dark shadows.

As happy as Jarrod is living with his mother and his sister, he is also curious and daring. He wonders about the mysterious pond, the one place his mother wants him to stay away from. How deep is it? Why can't he go into the water? Why is his mother so afraid for him?

One day he cannot resist going to the pond. And there he encounters the fierce, green-as-slime "god of the pond," who lives deep down in the abyss. He tantalizes Jarrod with whispered promises of giving him anything he wants if only he will come into the water. How Jarrod answers those whispers changes life not only for himself but for all the creatures who live in the pond.

The books of award-winning novelist Patricia Cornwell have received critical acclaim and become national and international bestsellers. Cornwell is the recipient of the Edgar, Creasey, Anthony, and Macavity awards, as well as the French Prix du Roman d'Aventura and England's coveted Gold Dagger.

This, Cornwell's first children's book, came about because of a visit to a second-grade classroom in Los Angeles. After reading their stories, Patricia Cornwell was asked by the class if she had written any stories for children. That started her thinking, and on the flight home, she opened up her laptop. Life's Little Fable is the happy outcome.

A portion of the royalties for this book is being donated to the Virginia Literacy Foundation and Reading Is Fundamental(R)(RIF(R)), the nation's oldest and largest children's literacy organization. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Life's Little Fable
I bought this book quite a while back for my little boys, purely because I am such a huge fan of Patricia Cornwell's books and I wanted him to read and enjoy her books aswell. When I found out that she had wrote a childrens book I ordered it straight away and it was one of the best things I did. Rhys loves it, has included it in his top ten all time favourite books, and reads it all the time. We both love the story, the fact that it is actually a poem, the way it almost sings to you and that Jarrord realises that things are OK where he is and doesn't need to know what is on the other side or anything else. Truly a wonderful, delightful and enchanting sotry. By the way my little boy is now eight years old and as I said, still loves the book. So come on Patricia write some more - Please.

Too Vague to Follow
I am very well-versed in Children's Literature and find this book a huge disappointment. While the art work is lovely, the story line is so vague and abstract, an adult can barely follow what the meaning of it is, let alone children. There is really no understanding of what takes place, the purpose of the crocodile, or the pond for that matter, or what the whole point of the story is. The meaning of all the implications in the story never come through. Cornwell is outstanding with her Scarpetta stories and I can't get enough of them! But to be so unclear in a children's book means that children don't get anything from the story, and that's a shame.

Laborious and Disjointed
In reading the book, I found it laborious. Cornwell uses figurative language and metaphorical elements in her telling of the story. It also seems choppy and disjointed throughout. As an adult, I found myself rereading several pages to clarify what exactly the meaning was. I also lost interest in the book. I think that the elements of children flying and being unbound by gravity will be appealing to children, but I think the way that she delivers the story would confuse most elementary age children. The illustrations are beautiful, but I don't really see them portraying this magical world that Cornwell created. To me it looks as though the "land of the pond" is exactly like our world. Over all I would have to say, that the book was very disappointing.

Ms. Cornwell's children's book is a dissappointing
While she gives it a good college try, I was very disappointed in this book. I had trouble reading it to myself and can not imagine reading it out loud to a group (which I do often as a librarian). The words did not flow smoothly as they really need to in a children's book. I was also disinterested in the story completely. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Parents can be forgiven for wondering what it is that appeals aboutWilliam Joyce's Ping-Pong-headed space hero, Rolie Polie Olie. But read abouthim and his family to any child under five, and there's no doubting that theattraction of the Rolie Polie Planet is powerful. In this rhyming bedtimeadventure, Olie waits for a goodnight story from Pappy (grandpa), but Pappyturns up late and befuddled after a nasty bonk on the head. Olie saves the dayby creating a sort of funny ray. (The adult but not the child will be irritatedat the inconsistencies here: in one illustration Olie is filling a bucket withtricks and treats, and in the next this has inexplicably become a bubble-gun;equally inexplicably, it's described as a ray-gun.) "Then Olie burst into theroom / and with his ray dispelled the gloom. 'I made a Pappy pick-me-up / tohelp old Pappy ungrow up.'" Shakespeare it isn't, but small kids are better thanwe are at empathizing with characters whose very souls seem to be made fromPing-Pong balls too. They love it! (Ages 3 to 5) --Richard Farr ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Sleepy Time Olie
This is a really good book! This book is about how pappy (olies grandfather) brakes his happy screw. Now its up to olie and the rest of his family to help pappy be happy again. It teaches young kids how to rhyme along with the characters and just plain have fun! I think this book is for ages 2 and up cause it even brings a happy face to a 12 year old!

Great, but not like the others
My 4 year old daughter loves this book, but I can tell by the number of requests to read it that she doesn't love it as much a Rolie Polie Olie and Snowie Rolie. It just doesn't have the same appeal to her. Maybe it's because it lacks the "catchy" rhymes of the other two or it's the story. Who really knows what goes on in the mind of a four year old. Anyway, anything with Olie and Zowie is a winner, but just don't expect a book like Rolie Polie Olie or Snowie Rolie.

Super Sleepy Time Olie Excellent!
My one year old loves this book, we have been reading it to her since she was six months old!! Every night she reaches for this book. The story is excellent, the graphics are unstopable and it is Rolie Polie Olie, what more can you say!!! If you child loves Olie, he or she will love this book.

LOVE IT!
My son (2 years old) Loves Olie, and this book is a great bedtime ritual companion. Great art, neat story. If you like William Joyce do check out Bentleys' Egg by same.

Love this book!
My 2yr.old loves this book!Beautiful illustrations and one of my daughter's favorite books to read and look at! ... Read more

Book Description

Though we often take it for granted, the sun provides the energy that powers everything on Earth, from planets and trees to machines and cities.With dazzling paintings and simple text, acclaimed author and illustrator Molly Bang takes young readers on an incredible journey that follows the light of the sun as it transformed into the energy we use every day in our homes.

From windmills and solar cells to fossil fuels and dams, here is a fascinating presentation of the way we use our amazing natural resources to light up our world. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

My four year old loves this book
The illustrations are artistic and beautiful. My four year old loves to trace the flow of electricity from its generation to its use, and my two year old likes the pictures. The book may have simplified some scientific principles; nonetheless, it is educational and interesting. It has opened up some discussions about our family's use of energy -not bad for a children's book! For older readers, there is a good afterward which goes into more detail. ... Read more

Book Description

What does an adventurous hermit crab from Folly Beach, South Carolina, do when he has outgrown his moon snail shell? Why, he goes shopping, of course! This book is a delightful story that follows Hermy on his search for a new shell. It celebrates the beauty of ocean life with 20 watercolor illustrations that entertain and educate the reader about the coastal environment of the Lowcountry. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

My Favorite Crab Story Ever!
I really enjoyed this book! What makes it even more special is that I got to visit with the author, Andie Weathers, at Christmas time. She graciosly spent the time discussing the whole process of writing and publishing a book. I highly recommend this picture book for any child who wants to learn about sea life and Charleston, South Carolina!...I thoroughly enjoyed it and learned a lot from it. I look forward to Andie's next book!

Hermy is a Hit!
This beautifully illustrated book is an engaging tale about a little hermit crab that travels to various real-life destinations looking for a new shell (because Hermy has outgrown his old shell). Like most children, my kids (ages 8, 6 and 4) love the beach, and they were captivated by the Hermy story and illustrations. The main character is a hermit crab, but the cast of characters includes some other ocean favorites, such as a sand dollar and a sea horse. The lighthouse and shipwreck captured my son's attention. The innovative format includes a map of Hermy's journey, and an informative "Hermy's Beachside Glossary" that answered many questions that my children had. There is also a detailed write-up of the biology of the hermit crab included at the end, which provided enrichment for my 8-year-old and me! My children are avid readers and it is often difficult to find new books that capture their attention---Hermy the Hermit Crab was a welcome, rare find. We have given this book to other kids for a birthay present, and it was a winner.

Hermy is Awesome!!
The book is well written for children of all ages. It is a wonderful lesson about the creatures of the sea. While it captures the true essence of the sea life of the South Carolina coast, it is a book that anyone across the country will enjoy and relate to.

However, it is the incredible illustrations that make the book come to life. The animated creatures appear human-like but do not lose their sea creature-like quality. The vivid colors and attention to detail will capture the attention of the reader (young or old) for hours. ... Read more

Book Description

What are planets, asteroids, and comets?What makes the sun shine?How much would you weigh on the moon?This large, spiral-bound board book answers these questions and more as it takes young readers on a fun and informative tour of the universe.Featuring clear and simple text, intriguing word labels, and bright illustrations covering everything from shooting stars to early astronomy and space exploration. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Not a typical children's book about the planets
Unlike many other books that focus on information about the specific entities that make up our solar system, this book expands that information in a unique way. In addition to limited information about the planets and the universe, and fairly extensive information about the sun, it includes information on the constellations, solar eclipses, telescopes, and the missions to the moon.

The information included presented in a way that makes this book appropriate for a wide age range of children. Its discussion of the sun is expanded to describe prominences, the meaning of light years and the Milky Way as well as our solar system's position in our galaxy.

The description of constellations is an overview only. The purpose of constellation is explained, but not how to find them.

The information on shooting stars, comets, solar eclipses and the phases of the moon are fairly detailed (for children). The illustrations for most of these are particularly good.

The pages covering telescopes which also covers several notable astronomers (Hipparchus, Newton & Galileo) are particularly good. Although the information is not extensive, it does cover enough detail to whet the appetite of a curious child.

The descriptions of the voyages to the moon are particularly good. The detail and words chosen are well done for young children, yet still convey the excitement of the events. Topics covered include the command module, rocket stages and even the path taken by Apollo 11 to the moon.

This sturdy board book has nice illustrations and excellent text. It's one my preschoolers request often and one that contains enough depth for them to learn more for years to come. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Great Book!
I think the story is really neat. Three boys decide to use hypnosis to win the science fair, so they try hypnotise a dog to think he's a cat. The rest is really funny. I recommend this book to a lot of people! After you finish with this book, I recommend you read the second book in the series, "I Was A Third Grade Spy. "

Would you want to hypnatize a dog to think he's a cat?
This book is very interesting. At least if you think hypnotizing a dog to think he's a cat is interesting. In this book three boys decide to hypnotize a dog to think he's a cat for their science project. I recommend this book.

This is a disgrace to all books!
This is a disgrace to all books everywhere because it simply sucks altogether! It reminds me of the book The Puppy Who Lost His Way by Chris E. Taylor because it has a boy who gives up easily. The boy in The Puppy Who Lost His Way gave up looking for Happy after an hour. He didn't put up posters or anything and he just sat on the porch like a goon and waited. So did the boy in this book. This book has a boy "society" who becomes a third grade science project. If you don't get any of this at all, you should watch Billy Madison (the movie) immediately. That's all I have to say about that.

A terrific, laugh-out-loud science fair starter!
In a time when we sometimes take ourselves too seriously, I Was A Third Grade Science Project comes to the rescue! Before you start this year's science fair project, you've got to read this! No more fizzled volcanoes or boring bean plants, this one will get your creative ideas popping and give you a few hours of rolling-on-the-floor laughter! ... Read more

Book Description

In 2120 AD, the barren surface of the moon is the only home that three generations of earth's survivors have ever known. Towns, called Daroks, protect inhabitants from the extreme lunar temperatures. But life is harsh. Hank Havant, a young scientist is secretly perfecting SH33, a drug that eliminates the body's need for water. When his First Quadrant laboratory is attacked, Hank saves his research onto a memory card and runs from the enemy. Aided by Will, his teenage nephew, and Madde, Will's computer-wizard classmate, Hank must conceal SH33 from the dreaded Fourth Quadrant. But suddenly Will's life is in danger. Who can Hank trust-and is the enemy really closer to home? ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Out of this World Sci-Fi
H.J. Ralles is the author and creator of this science fiction book for kids. However, Darok 9 certainly can hold its own in the adult world as well. This very entertaining book is hard to put down. Once you start reading it you just want to know how it will end. Filled with action and surprises around every bend this book keeps your attention.

Darok 9 is set in the no so terribly distant future of 2120. The setting is a settlement on the moon. Humans were forced to leave the earth after a devastating nuclear war, but the fighting has not stopped and the hardships continue.

It is up to Hank Harvard, a young scientist to find the answer to the shortage of water with his top secret formula, SH33. His task is made even more difficult by the attacks and the danger he has placed his family in. Can Hank find the answer before his nephew falls deathly ill? Who is behind the plot to steal his formula? Can war be diverted? Or will humans finally do themselves in?

While, Darok 9 is certainly written for the younger generation sci-fi fans of any age will find this story entertaining and delightful. My only concern about the book is the glorification of computer hacking. In these very trying times where kids know more about computers than most adults is it really wise to let them think it is a courageous act to hack into government computers? All in all it is an interesting look into what life on the moon could be. And I look forward to reading H.J. Ralles' other book, Keeper of the Kingdom.

from Beyond the Words...
DAROK 9 is another wonderful science fiction book for young adults by H. J. Ralles... Filled with nonstop action and suspense, it tells the story of a young scientist, Hank Havard, and his quest to keep his big discovery out of enemy hands.

World War III has been fought, and has rendered the Earth uninhabitable. The surviving humans have divided the Moon into four quadrants, and each of these quadrants are divided into cities, called Daroks. All are dependent on large shipments of water from Earth, and this must be decontaminated before it can be used. Hank has developed a vaccine which eliminates the human body's need for water. But his research is incomplete, although he has discovered that he has to keep the vaccine at a temperature of no more than forty degrees Fahrenheit for it to work.

The Fourth Quadrant was the last one settled and is the poorest in resources. ...
The language in this book is clean, as it was in KEEPER OF THE KINGDOM, something I found refreshing. Also, the message that violence doesn't pay is strong. The characters are believable, and the plot is solid. DAROK 9 is a can't-put-it-down, go-away-and-let-me-read science fiction thriller, sure to please any reader of any age!

A recommended novel for science fiction enthusiasts
Creative writing workshop educator H.J. Ralles as set her science fiction novel Darok 9 in the year 2120. This is an exciting post-apocalyptic story about the Earth's last survivors, barely enduring on the harsh surface of the moon. A top scientist perfects a drug that removes the body's need for water, making survival that much easier; but his discovery brings treachery and murder, and the teenagers Will and Maddie get swept up in a dangerous game with the welfare of humanity's legacy at stake. An enjoyable and recommended novel for science fiction enthusiasts.

Cool book
Darok 9 is another wonderful book for children by H.J. Ralles. As with Keeper of the Kingdom, the story is fast-paced, the action is relentless and the excitement of the story carries you right through to the end. The gripping plot combines the mystique of the lunar environment with computer wizardry in a way that cannot fail to captivate today's high-tech kids. The strong role of 13 year old Maddie is a delight to see in a science fiction novel. I bought this book as a present for my niece who had persuaded me to read Keeper as an example of what a "cool book" is "these days". I was just going to read a few pages but found I couldn't put it down myself!

SPACE AGE ADVENTURE - LET'S ROLL
H.J. Ralles' science fiction novel, DAROK 9, propels the reader into a lunar setting where life-sustaining use of water impels the Quadrants to wage war on fellow Quadrants, rendering the ten Daroks (cities) and their inhabitants expendable. Central to the story is Hank Havard, a twenty-four-year-old vonderkind scientist who is on the brink of perfecting his SH33 formula which will enable humans to recycle water within their systems. Hank and his lab assistant, Linda Grant, plus the head of the science agency are the only persons who know of this classified formula. War breaks out, with Quadrant 4 on the rampage for power and supremacy over the other three Quadrants. Or perhaps their motivation is getting the formula. During the attack, Hank manages to secure 12 vials of SH33 as well as to download the formula onto two memory cards. He and Linda escape, taking the Bullet train to their Daroks. But in the pandemonium, Linda gets separated from Hank, who can only hope she made it onto the train. From this point on, Hank's life is rife with harrowing experiences which convince him that someone has leaked the secret of the formula and is out to get it...and him. To the rescue come two thirteen-year-olds, Hank's nephew Will and his young friend Maddie, who ply their knowledge of computers and work undercover to assist Hank from allowing the evil perpetrators to obtain the vials and the formula. Hank's sister Rachel plays a heroic part in hiding two vials of the precious heat-sensitive formula in the morgue cooler at the hospital where she works. The fact that the formula is untested and that its composition alters with any increase in temperature are critical factors in the story. Will gets inoculated with the untested formula and nears death. Will Hank save his nephew? Will Hank prove that his formula works? Will the perpetrators be caught and punished? Will Quadrant 4 be suppressed?
DAROK 9 brings a lunar environment and a time period three generations beyond the nuclear destruction of earth smack dab into a science fiction setting perfect for this gripping story. Domes provide a livable environment by using liquid crystal sandwiched between layers of silicon which act as insulators by either reflecting or absorbing sunlight. Bullets and Hoppers and Lunarjets provide transportation. Cloned soldiers provide needed numbers to bolster troop levels. Transport ships sent to earth return with radioactive water which must be distilled through a long and tedious process. With thousands of lunar inhabitants needing fresh water, the demand outstrips the output. Even allowing only one glass of fresh water every two days per person, can't lessen the demand.
The author incorporates space-age apparatus and a time period of circa 2120, slotting her novel into the science-fiction niche. By using the control of water as a central theme, she provides a built-in vehicle for tension. Her characters ring true to their actions, making them believable. The author's rapid-pace use of action scenes keeps the story skyrocketing to its climax and resolution. The author's use of clean prose hones the dialogue razor sharp. This novel meets the reading needs of adults as well as young adults. I highly recommend this book.
Sally A. Roberts
Author of the middle-grade historical, THE LEGEND OF CRYSTAL LAKE, published by Eakin Press, April 2001.
ISBN 1-57168-369-0, HB, 6X9, 136 pages, glossary, illustrations, RL grades 4-6, $16.95 ... Read more

Book Description

Andrew, his cousin Judy, and super-smart robot Thudd hitch a ride out of the kitchen on the back of a fly and end up in the garden. The view is awfully nice from the head of a daisy, but time is running out. . . . They have to get back to the Atom Sucker and unshrink themselves before it’s too late! ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

Bennet and Pete are back. They've named their Deep Doo-Doo Web site after their escapades during the last governor's election. Now all they need is some great news to post on it. Their wish comes true when, one morning, a pumpkin appears on top of the courthouse flagpole. The town is buzzing with questions: Who put it there? And why? Things really heat up when the local newspaper offers a five-hundred-dollar reward for solving the mystery. The cybersleuths are determined to find out, and they have some clues. Someone keeps sending them weird e-mails. And the boys figure the prank has something to do with the upcoming mayoral election. It smells like a cover-up to them.

Michael Delaney's raucous humor is just right for middle-grade readers as he pokes fun at political chicanery and dirty tricks in the computer age. Another zippy read for election time or anytime. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

DEEP DOO-DOO AND THE MYSTERIOUS E-MAIL
Sixth grade is turning out to be the trickiest year ever for Bennet, Pete, and Elizabeth. Bennet and Pete are best friends, Bennet and Elizabeth hate each other, and Pete has a huge crush on Elizabeth. Got that? Things are even more complicated because the kids have similar interests that put them in competition with each other, whether they like it or not. Bennet and Pete run their own news website called Deep Doo-Doo, and Elizabeth is the editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, The Purple Patch.

So when somebody climbs up the flagpole in front of the Town Hall and sticks a pumpkin on top of it, Bennet and Pete post the story on Deep Doo-Doo immediately --- but Elizabeth scoops them with a news flash from The Purple Patch. When Bennet cleverly scoops Elizabeth's scoop, he makes her seriously furious. They fight a war of whispers in social studies class, which gets some unwelcome attention from their teacher. He decides that a fitting punishment is to make them partners on their Civil War project. He says they have to work together to solve the Great Pumpkin Caper. What's that got to do with the Civil War? When Bennet and Elizabeth try to work together on anything, it's a civil war!

Well, with their teacher cracking the whip, plus a $500 reward offered by the town's newspaper to anybody who can find out who planted that pumpkin, Bennet, Pete, and Elizabeth start solving the mystery as a team. Pete, of course, is in seventh heaven around Elizabeth. Bennet has to grudgingly admire her detective skills. And she's a terrific reporter.

As they begin to gather all the facts and come up with some suspects, they get a little help from some mysterious e-mails sent to Deep Doo-Doo. At first the e-mails just seem like bad poetry, and they don't even make any sense. Until Elizabeth cracks their code and the kids realize that the poems are clues to the pumpkin mystery! When the kids narrow down the suspects and interview the top person on their list, they get into some really deep doo-doo. They find out that new mysteries mixed together with old ones can send folks off the edge. What will Bennet, Elizabeth and Pete do when they discover the secret of the pumpkin on the flagpole? And will they all end up friends? Find out in this fun whodunit.

--- Reviewed by Tamara Penny

An entertaining read
Election politics and cyber sleuthing make this a timely and entertaining read.
Pete and Bennet are best friends and run the Deep Doo-Doo website.They live to be the first to break a story. Someone stuck a big pumpkin on top of the Town Hall flag pole.How did it get up there?Who did it?Are the mysterious coded emails coming in to the website a clue? Mysteries abound in the context of the town's mayoral election. Good fun.

Fun Book
I thought this book was very fun to read because I like mystery books. The way that Pete, Bennet, and Elizabeth found out the mysterious e-mail was very interesting. They should also make this book into a kid's movie. I think it will be fun to watch how Pete, Bennet, and Elizabeth solve the mystery instead of just reading about it.
I think this is a good book for kids my age who are 8-12 years old. It is easy to read and very easy to understand. I wish that there were pictures in the book so that I could see some of the scenes from the story. I want to see the scene where Pete types a message in the car window. I also thought it was really cool how Elizabeth knew what the mysterious e-mails meant. Go and read this book! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Not Bad For The Classroom
Holt published this as an add-on for their Middle-Grades Science textbook series.Stories are devided into physical sciences, life sciences, and earth science.

You have classic Bradbury with "All Summer In A Day" and "There Will Come Soft Rains.Also Arthur Clarke's "The Sentinal".kids respond well to Bisson's "They're Made Out Of Meat" and Watt-Evans "Why I Left Harry's All-Night Hamburgers"; Sanders' "The Anatomy Lesson" is also good fun.

Two old ASTOUNDING pulp stories, Stanley Weinbaum's "Mad Moon" and Clifford Simak's "Desertion" hold up really well after all these years, and modern students still respond well to them. ... Read more