Flying Feet

March 1, 2011

The third in the Zigzag Kids series, which features a culturally diverse, tight-knit cast and focuses on one character per installment, turns to would-be inventor Charlie. Charlie can't wait to show off his new invention to his buddies in the after-school program. Unfortunately, the red sneakers with glued-on suction cups are about as successful at climbing walls as his Breathe-underwater Box was at supplying air. So far, his inventions aren't helping him to live up to his older brother's stellar reputation with the teachers at Zigzag School. Compounding his woes, Mrs. Farelli picks him to organize the Come as a Character Day and dress as Peter Rabbit. It's a tough week for Charlie as he struggles with self-doubt and others' expectations. As the day of the event approaches Charlie begins to feel the wonderful buzz signaling an idea for an invention. Could there be an opportunity in a huge load of detritus Jake the Sweeper's truck dumped in the playground by accident? Now he's got a plan that, if successful, could help everyone and prove that junk is in the eye of the beholder. The cheerful drawings offer levity to the spare, straightforward prose laid out in one- or two-sentence paragraphs. The tension builds mildly, exploring the concept of individuality and the expanding pressures of growing up, demonstrating Giff's keen understanding of chapter-book readers. (Fiction. 6-9)

(COPYRIGHT (2011) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

July 1, 2011

Gr 2-4-The latest adventure at Zelda A. Zigzag School stars Charlie, a budding inventor. At the after-School program that provides the setting for the various adventures of the series, a teacher asks Charlie and a few others to participate in a "Come as a Character Day." They have trouble getting their classmates excited about it, even though parents and the retired principal herself have been invited to attend. Meanwhile, two flat tires stifle the janitor's task of bringing unwanted junk to the dump, resulting in a pile left out on the playground. When the teacher organizing the event gets sick, Charlie uses the pile of junk, a bit of invention, and a lot of creativity to put on a spectacular show. The short chapters and engaging story lines will motivate developing readers to learn more about the cast of characters. Spot illustrations throughout help bring the action and kids to life.-Amy Commers, South St. Paul Public Library, MN

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2011
Charlie loves the "buzz" that comes from thinking up new inventions to share with the other kids in the Zigzag School's Afternoon Center. Most of his projects don't go very well, but Charlie keeps trying; eventually his work ends up helping both the librarian and the custodian. The story is entertaining but rather forgettable. Lively illustrations help give the characters some personality.

(Copyright 2011 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)