February 1, 2011
PreS-K-Thumby, the smallest duckling on the team, is starting in his first opening-day baseball game for the Webbies. The story begins at the top of the ninth, with the opposing team at bat. The artwork is stronger than the text. Morrison provides painterly renditions of the action and draws some scenes with a unique perspective to show how it feels to be a rookie at the plate waiting for the pitch or a novice fielder hoping to catch a ball to make the third out. Readers will sense Thumby's anxiety as he is often portrayed with his thumb in his mouth. Humorous batting tips are sprinkled throughout. New players will enjoy the traditional happy ending with the bons mots on the final page.-Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA
Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
April 15, 2011
Grades 7-10 Kendall, her new boyfriend, Patrick, and the ghost-busting gang in contemporary Radisson, Georgia, are back to deal with a malevolent spirit residing in a Civil Warera childs doll, who starts picking off the high-school students who innocently took its picture as part of a social studies project. Haitian voodoo practice, Underground Railroad stops, and a new romance for the main character make comfortable bedfellows in this installment, which avoids being overearnest or taking itself too seriously. Enough background is included that new readers can dive in, and dedicated fans will welcome the latest adventure in the Ghost Huntress series.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)