From Publishers Weekly
Nolen's (Raising Dragons) catchy debut installment of a beginning reader series introduces Max and Jax, alligator twins who are obviously very devoted to each other. As second grade draws to a close, the siblings each look forward to a big event: for Jax, a sleepover party with her classmates and, for Max, a fishing trip with his father. Though he is historically a far less successful angler than his sister, Max hopes he will catch a big fish this time, since he has just sent away for a new lure, "guaranteed to work." But the "lucky fishing bait" that Jax has thoughtfully made for him using her special recipe (printed on the back cover) is what finally reels in a whopper, which he proudly and gratefully presents to Jax when he returns home. Though Max is in the spotlight here, Jax (who happily hugs her rainbow trout while her friends squeal at the sight of it) emerges as the more distinctive and multi-dimensional character. Some chapters feature very brief chunks of text while others ramble on, but Schmidt's (What Do You Love?) boldly hued, animated cartoon art will serve as bait to lure beginning readers back for more. Ages 6-9.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grades 1-3--Second grade is just about over and the alligator twins are looking forward to summer vacation. Jax is planning her sleepover party and Max is anticipating a fishing trip with his father. The colorful new lure that he ordered by mail will hopefully allow him to fish as well as his sister. Just in case, Jax puts together her secret bait recipe for him. Schmidt gives readers a playful peek at this bacon bit, peanut butter, and wormy combination. As this beginning chapter book proceeds, Max discovers his sister's homemade concoction to be far more effective than the "Guaranteed to work" mail-order lure. When he catches a big, beautiful rainbow trout, he gives it to his sibling. As in her magically tender Raising Dragons (Harcourt, 1998), Nolen shows a gift for straightforward dialogue that leaves readers feeling enchanted without being otherworldly. Schmidt's appealing artwork matches this tone perfectly, creating playful characters that are distinctively human in nature and alligator in form. Young children are sure to find the colorful clothing and smiling faces of the alligators endearing. The uncontained pictures of fish, writings, and numbers that swirl around many of the pages meld the text and illustrations seamlessly.
Louie Lahana, New York City Public SchoolsCopyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
