Project Jackalope

April 1, 2012
Be afraid of the horned bunny. Homicidal rabbits are an important part of Western culture. Think of the killer bunny from Monty Python or the vampire rabbit in Bunnicula. Jack is not, technically speaking, a rabbit. The antlers growing out of his head suggest he's a jackalope. Professor Twitchett is too sensible to believe in mythical creatures, so he just calls Jack "one of my experiments." And his experiment is ruining Jeremy's life. The professor has disappeared, and now Jeremy--who hasn't even finished junior high--is on the run from the men in black, with an "animal hybrid" in his backpack. It might sound like a screwball comedy, and there are several funny bits of slapstick (flying pans, a vomiting giraffe). But, surprisingly, Jack is offstage for most of the novel, which seems like a waste of a perfectly good jackalope. Still, the conspiracy elements make this book a very satisfying thriller (although alert readers will have figured out the villains' identities long before the end of the book). Jack does sing a hilarious chorus of "Happy Trails." And when he finally gives in to his violent tendencies, he establishes himself as a worthy member of the comic tradition. Jack may not make it into the pantheon of great killer rabbits, but many readers will still be eager for a sequel. (Caper comedy. 8-12)

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June 1, 2012

Gr 5-8-Jeremy is completely content with his life, running the odd errand for weird Professor Twitchett and sliding by at Buckram County Junior High relatively undisturbed. His troubles begin when Twitchett disappears, leaving behind his latest experiment for Jeremy to protect. What the professor failed to mention is that said experiment happens to be a ruthless, killer jackalope, and just about everyone wants to get their hands on it. Jeremy is forced to enlist the aid of Agatha Hotchkins, junior high science whiz and all-around grump; with jackalope in tow and secret government agents on their trail, they embark on the longest day of their lives. Project Jackalope is fast-paced and generally enjoyable but lacks a certain spark to set it apart. The characters are interesting but rarely show any depth, and they sometimes make decisions that run counter to their established motivations. Jeremy never takes charge of his situation and seems happy to ride the wake of Agatha's more forceful personality. There is a definite thinness to the plot and characters at times, but there is also a good deal of action, humor, and fun, and the book will keep readers smiling to the very end.-Erik Knapp, Davis Library, Plano, TX

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