Curse of the Red Scorpion

May 1, 2006
Gr 2-5 -Graphic novel meets hi-lo reader in these three hyperkinetic entries aimed at reluctant readers. In "Scorpion", Mitchell is bored on a museum field trip until the guide relates a legend connected with a jeweled statue: - -&if you dream about the Red Scorpion, it will come for you. - After a terrifying nightmare, the boy is convinced that the evil effigy is really haunting him. In "Zombies", Trevor returns from a restroom break to find that a mad-scientist substitute teacher has hypnotized the rest of the class into homework-loving drones. The only way to cure his friends, Trevor reasons, is to -un-brainwash - them with the complete opposite of school -video games, mindless television, and junk food. In "Snapped", Tom, Willy, and Grace plan a Mother -s Day surprise while Mom is out. They try painting their room (bright blue), bathing the dog (with Mom -s favorite perfume), and baking chocolate-chip cookies (until the bowl tips over). By the time their mother returns, chaos reigns. These -graphic short stories - feature raucous humor and brief, undemanding plot action, told almost entirely in dialogue. The books are designed in comic-book style, with splashy cover art, illustration panels, speech balloons, and graphic sound words ( -SPLAT! -). The flat cartoon pictures are amusing but not particularly distinguished. An additional purchase where there is an especially high demand for lower-level graphic fiction." -Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL"

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