The Knights of Boo'Gar

April 1, 2017
Gr 3-5-Princess Phlema's pet goat Babycakes has been kidnapped from Castle Boo'Gar, and the ransom note demands the kingdom's sacred Book of Loogey in exchange for the goat's safe return. King Mewkus summons the Knights of Boo'Gar to track down the kidnappers, but the Knights have been on furlough for so long that only one person responds to the call: a 13-year-old boy named Rowland. Undaunted by the lack of reinforcements, Rowland agrees to take on the quest, enlisting the help of his pet turtle and his trusty steed, who happens to be an ostrich. While Rowland treks through the Dark Woods, encountering dangerous obstacles and fearsome creatures, Princess Phlema takes matters into her own hands. Readers will find themselves giggling at the irreverent absurdity of the action-packed scenes and the characters' goofy exclamations. This wild romp of a story is peppered with colorful cartoon drawings and not-so-subtle references to sinus-related bodily fluids. Back matter includes facts about real medieval devices. VERDICT Give this to fans of -Captain Underpants- and gross-out, slapstick humor.-Sarah Reid, Four County Library System, NY

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2017
Knightly adventure isn't all that flows following the literal "kid"-napping of Princess Phlema's beloved goat.An outrageous ransom note demanding the priceless Book of Loogey--a volume of mystical Gazoon'Tite teachings (plus "at least one outstanding oatmeal cookie recipe")--prompts King Mewkus to summon his knights. Unfortunately, the kingdom of Boo'Gar has been at peace for so long that, of the entire order, only 13-year-old Sir Rowland remains. But even as Rowland uncertainly gallops off atop Tulip, his trusty ostrich steed, to face the huge and slimy Nose Goblins of the Boogerbald Mountains, it is revealed that the princess's goat is actually under the king's very nose, hidden in the castle by local monks Pik and Flik at the behest of conniving King Sinius of neighboring Sneezix. Fortunately, Roche digs out a generous handful of allies, ranging from the not-unfriendly Nose Goblins ("We not just scary plot device," affirms green-skinned Tony) to intrepid Princess Phlema herself, to help Rowland save the day and win a bit of self-confidence. In the frequent color cartoon illustrations, which are about as simply drawn as the plot, Rowland and the rest of the main human cast are white, but in crowd scenes at least the author does vary the skin tones of his figures. The tale's educational value is enhanced by drawings of medieval weapons and tools at the end. A definite pick for fans of goo reading. (Fantasy. 8-10)

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