Puddlejumpers

May 1, 2008
Gr 4-8-Shawn, whose mother died in childbirth and whose father, Russ, is a kind and conscientious Illinois farmer, is kidnapped at six months of age by Puddlejumpers, 11-inch-tall elflike creatures who live in an underground cavern complex and recognize Shawn as their "Rainmaker." Shawn is happily raised by them until age three when, chased by evil Troggs, he is lost and eventually left on the doorstep of the Lakeside Home for Boys near Wrigley Field in Chicago. Renamed Ernie Banks and in constant conflict with the cruel administrator, he is, at age 12, unknowingly farmed out toyou guessed itRuss. Shawn/Ernie arrives to find drought and the evil Holsapple family ravaging the region and threatening his father. Their stinking oil wells pollute the landscape. Following well-established formula, Shawn/Ernie and his new friend Joey venture underground where they rediscover his roots. Events culminate in a Big Battle. Consumed by Hagdemonia, an enormous female oil refinerysort of an anti-Mother Earth, Ernie dies, but because he still possesses the critical blue acorn crystal...you can imagine the rest, as this seemingly made-for-TV story ends happily, conveying that evil can be defeated by hard work, pluck, and determination. Reminiscent of T. A. Barron's "The Ancient One" (Philomel, 1992) in its combination of realistic initial setting and fantastical invented world of small humanoid creatures, this is a fast-paced, adventurous fantasy with interesting characters and an explicitly green environmental theme."Joel Shoemaker, Southeast Junior High School, Iowa City, IA"

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