Interesting. ?áMore exciting than most of Estes. ?áI think because there is a mildly scary mystery, and the children of focus are boys. ?áAlso interesting that an attempt was made to reach modern audiences, with mention of the Beatles and their song Long Day's Night." [sic] ?á(don't know if that's Estes getting it wrong or the boys.) ?áI appreciate that Ardizzone was recruited for the illustrations, for the sake of consistency of all the books Estes set in this 'world,' but I don't know if modern children would like his drawing style, even if he did put pants instead of skirts on some of the girls.

I had a hard time warming up to Cobin because he's so domineering, so naughty. ?áBut his younger friend doesn't seem to mind being a follower, and his parents forgive him, so I guess will, too. ?áStill, it's hard for me to support anyone who disses school and tries to teach others too, as well.

Btw, there's lots of special lines and scenes - not show-offy, but an alert reader will want to underline a bunch. ?áAnd there are some special insights, including one that's rather 'in-your-face' that I would have loved to have seen when I was a child:
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To make friends, "Get to school early the first day. ?áThen you get to see everyone as they come into the schoolyard, and you don't seem like a new boy, then." "Oh, I'll be the first one there. ... I know you don't go up to a kid and say 'My name is :spoiler: What's yours? ?áThat's dopey. ?áThe thing is to kid around for a while. ?áThen it come up naturally. ?áYou say, 'Well, so long. ?áBe seeing ya.' ?áAnd he says, 'So long. ?áSee ya.' Before you know it, you have a friend... you always have a ball in your hand or your pocket, in case he may want to play catch...."
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I highly recommend that you read this book, especially if you like Ramona Quimby actually, and then decide if you want to encourage your child to read it." ( )