From Publishers Weekly
Jennings (The Beastly Arms) launches a series of early chapter books starring siblings Ike and Mem, with this tale of a universal childhood fascination: a haunted house. "No one had ever seen a person go into the house. No one had ever seen one come out. Some of Ike's friends said the place had ghosts." The author builds tension by introducing neighbors who bully the siblings into accompanying them to the house, and the volume quietly creates suspense with other clues. Rather than a number at the start of the chapters, each begins with an illustration that hints at what will follow. For instance, a farmer's hat suggests that readers will encounter its wearer, who also happens to be the owner of the house in question. Ike and Mem do the right thing when their trespassing goes awry, and readers will likely want to follow their adventures in subsequent installments. With a simple sentence structure and gentle repetition, the author instills a sense of confidence in readers just starting to tackle longer stories. Final artwork not seen by PW. Ages 6-9.
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grades 2-4--In the first book in a new series, Ike and his younger sister accept a dare to go to the spooky Hawkins place on the other side of town despite the sign warning, "Trespassers Beware." From a shed, they hear ghostly noises that turn out to be pigeons. Dave, the ringleader, believes that the birds are trapped in the coop and throws a rock through the window. After their vandalism, the children run away, but Ike and Mem return to see if the pigeons have flown away. Mr. Hawkins appears, asks who threw the rock, and threatens to call their parents. As they return home, a pigeon follows them. When their parents notice it, the youngsters confess to their activities and apologize to Mr. Hawkins. At the story's end, Dave blames Ike for squealing, but the siblings have made a new friend in Mr. Hawkins, who invites them to visit the pigeon. This simple adventure story will ring true with any children who have been goaded by a bully into participating in an activity that they know is wrong. The actions of the characters are realistic but predictable. That they are followed home by the pigeon is a bit far-fetched, but the conceit works to tie the story together. Characters are well developed. Ike and Mem are morally strong and face up to their misdeed. Adults are fair, kind, and well-rounded. Unfortunately, the flat black-and-white sketches do not enhance the action. Although it is not divided into chapters, this story will serve collections where beginning chapter books are needed.
Alice Casey Smith, Sayreville Public Schools, Parlin, NJCopyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
