Dreadful Acts

Ardagh reintroduces Eddie Dickens (no relation to Charles) and the motley gang from his previous work, A HOUSE CALLED AWFUL. Eddie is up to his usual antics as he narrowly averts disaster dealing with his troublesome relatives, such as Mad Uncle Jack, and the equally riotous friends he makes along the way in Victorian England. Martin Rayner keeps Ardagh's sprightly work lively as he delivers puns, author asides, and jokes aplenty. In addition to enjoying a nutty story, young listeners will add to their vocabularies by listening to words used and defined within the story. Also, quite cleverly, Listening Library notes that a glossary from the book can be found on its Web site. The perfect learning tool. S.G.B. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine

September 1, 2003
This fall marks the return of many favorite characters. Philip Ardagh wraps up the Eddie Dickens Trilogy, illus. by David Roberts, with Terrible Times, in which Eddie, in the care of Mad Uncle Jack and Even Madder Aunt Maud (if one can call it that), sets out for America and washes overboard-will he ever cross the pond? PW said in a starred review of the series' launch, A House Called Awful End, "Kids who lap up Lemony Snicket's series will take quickly to this tale and clamor for the next."

May 1, 2003
Novel sequels and series additions will keep young readers riveted. In a starred review of Philip Ardagh's debut title in the Eddie Dickens Trilogy, A House Called Awful End, illus. by David Roberts, PW said, "Adult fans of Bleak House and Oliver Twist will appreciate Ardagh's clever crafting, and kids who lap up Lemony Snicket's series will take quickly to this tale and clamor for the next." Well, here's the next: Dreadful Acts. First, 12-year-old Eddie's home erupts in a gas explosion. Then, he meets the Great Zucchini, an escape artist whose coffin is propelled from the back of a passing hearse by the force of the blast.

March 1, 2004
Gr 3-6-The sequel (Holt, 2003) to Philip Ardagh's A House Called Awful End (Holt, 2002) retains the arch tone of the first, with Victorian-era boy hero Eddie Dickens once again in peril. It all begins when an accidental explosion at Eddie's house leads to the appearance of a renowned escapologist named The Great Zucchini. Due to this encounter, Eddie meets and is enchanted by the "camel-faced" Daniella, kidnapped by escaped convicts with names like Bonecrusher, spends a night in jail, digs up part of a graveyard, and helps to solve a mystery. The plot moves quickly and characters such as Mad Aunt Maud are colorful, but the story depends entirely on its humor. Listeners will either go along with it or find it really annoying. Many references to events in the first book may be confusing to those who have not read it, but will not detract significantly from understanding this one. Actor Martin Rayner gives a spirited reading, employing a number of voices and British accents, while maintaining a jocular, winking tone throughout. Those familiar with Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events titles (HarperCollins) will recognize many similarities between the two series. This is not an essential purchase although it may appeal to reluctant readers.-B. Allison Gray, John Jermain Memorial Library, Sag Harbor, NY

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