“Swampland” totally sucked me in. I plowed through it in one sitting — and I’m glad I was reading it during the day! This twisted tale is told by 15-year-old Marvin, who loves exploring the swamps near his Australian home in his homemade canoe — until things start to get really creepy. He comes across an odd, floating shrine, plus, something lurking in the water is trying to keep his canoe away. He suspects that connected to the weirdness somehow are his strange new neighbors — 10-year-old twins who look like nasty fish with their fat faces, bulging eyes and slicked-back hair. What finally happens in the swamp is just too, too weird. If you have a strong stomach and an offbeat sense of humor, you’ll love this book. (star)(star)(star)
“Swampland” by S.R. Martin (first book in a trilogy); $4.50 paperback, Scholastic.
“Nobody’s There” by famed mystery writer Joan Lowery Nixon isn’t a huge spine-tingler. So if you’re looking for scary, go elsewhere. But if you want a breezy yet smart mystery, here ya go. High schooler Abbie Thompson gets nailed for throwing rocks at her dad’s girlfriend’s window (you like it already, right?). The judge orders her to help an old woman run errands for a year. The woman is a cranky old bat who loves snooping into things until she goes too far and gets attacked. Can Abbie find who attacked Mrs. Merkel (yeah, she starts to like her) before the attacker turns on Abbie? (star)(star)(star)
“Nobody’s There” by Joan Lowery Nixon; $16 hardback, Delacorte Press.
What do you do with your worst enemies — in your dreams at least? Introduce them to a guy who can zap them to another planet! That’s only part of the goofy plot of “Be First in the Universe.” While staying with their hippy grand-parents, twins Tessa and Tod manage to walk into a parallel universe, meet a VERY strange guy and get swept up in a race to rescue e-pets and save themselves from nasty twins Ned and Nancy (whose own mother fears them!). With its clever story and cool writing, you can’t beat this book for fun (unless you truly know how to travel to other planets!) (star)(star)(star)
“Be First in the Universe” by Stephanie Spinner and Terry Bisson; $15 hardback, Delacorte Press.
If you’re dying to see “The Sixth Sense,” but your folks won’t let you cuz of the scary parts, you could read the novelization — but I have to tell you, I see bored people. True, it faithfully follows the movie script. And yes, the writing is competent. But it’s just not the same if you can’t see Haley Joel Osment’s weary, fearful face in his awesome portrayal of 8-year-old Cole or enjoy Bruce Willis as the concerned psychiatrist. Or maybe the book isn’t suspenseful simply because I’d already seen the movie four times before I read the book. Someone who hasn’t seen the flick, please pick up this book and let me know what you think. Did it scare — or bore — you silly? (star)(star)
“The Sixth Sense: A Novelization” by Peter Lerangis; $6 paperback, Scholastic.
Briefly . . .
Unlike `Captain Underpants,’ `Giant Robot’ doesn’t fly
Dav Pilkey’s newest book, “Ricky Ricotta’s Giant Robot,” is about a kid who doesn’t have friends. One day, he finds this robot and they become pals and he has a happy life. The story and characters are not as funny as the ones in Pilkey’s “Captain Underpants” books. “Captain Underpants” is a lot better. “Captain Underpants” rates a 10, maybe a 9. “Giant Robot” is about a 4.
“Ricky Ricotta’s Giant Robot” by Dav Pilkey; $16.95 hardback, The Blue Sky Press.
– Josh F., 9, Glenview
Ratings:
(star)(star)(star)(star) Whooosh! We were blown away by this book!
(star)(star)(star) We soaked up this book like it was a sunny, spring day.
(star)(star) If you’re feeling especially mellow, leaf through this book. Otherwise, breeze by.
(star) Getting a kite caught in a tree would be less annoying than this read.
