Spider Stampede

August 1, 2013

Gr 2-4-In Spider, readers meet Josh and Danny Phillips, who make the mistake of visiting the backyard of their nasty neighbor, Miss Potts. The eight-year-old twins are searching for their dog when they discover that Miss Potts has developed a formula to turn humans into insects. They are accidentally sprayed and transformed into spiders. From trying to avoid being squished or eaten by a predator to finding food, the boys realize how hard it is to be a tiny spider. All ends well when they are rescued by a couple of helpful rats. The other titles follow a similar plotline: the brothers change into insects and are transformed back to humans at the end. Descriptions of their bug thoughts will hook readers. For example, who knew the smell of cake is so irresistible to flies that they are attracted to it in an almost trancelike state? Fun incidents, such as Danny as a spider taking delight in sucking the juice out of a trapped insect, will have readers giggling or completely grossed out. Amusing black-and-white illustrations are scattered throughout. This light, early chapter-book series is a great introduction to a classroom study on insects or arachnids. Fans of Megan McDonald's "Stink" (Candlewick), Tedd Arnold's "Fly Guy" (Scholastic), or Dan Gutman's "My Weird School" (HarperCollins) series will enjoy these books.-Julie Shatterly, W.A. Bess Elementary School, Gastonia, NC

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2013
A spray of strange fluid gives 8-year-old twins Josh and Danny both six extra legs and a quick trip down the bathtub drain in this icky but informative series opener. Shortly after chasing their dog Piddle into witchy next-door neighbor Petty Potts' hidden science lab, bug-loving Josh and his violently phobic brother Danny find themselves transformed into spiders. Their stereotypically spider-fearing older sister immediately sends them hurtling through the household plumbing down to the storm drains, where friendly rats Scratch and Sniff are already waiting to ferry them back outside, explaining that the effect is caused by Potts' S.W.I.T.C.H. ("Serum Which Instigates Total Cellular Hijack"). Happily, there's an antidote--which Petty Potts herself applies after saving the twins from a hungry toad with a quick stomp of her boot. Sparkes layers her lickety-split tale between a fact file about the twins and a helpful closing list of multimedia nonfiction resources for fans of all things creepy-crawly. Simultaneously publishing sequels include Fly Frenzy, Grasshopper Glitch, Ant Attack, Crane Fly Crash and Beetle Blast. A buggy blast; readers will be happy with the clear signs that that the twins' career as experimental subjects is far from over. (line drawings, glossary) (Fantasy. 7-9)

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