Amazon.com Review
The scheming, spiteful little antiheroes of
Rare Beasts--terrible twins Edgar and Ellen, a sort of
Pugsley and Wednesday Addams duo--return for a second book in Charles Ogden's goth-themed, tongue-in-cheek series.
Tourist Trap begins as Edgar and Ellen revel in their gloriously sinister home and the nearby "Gadget Graveyard," ripe with possibilities for misanthropic mischief. But the twins' beloved junkyard--and even their towering, mansion home--might be threatened by the pretentious plans of pompous Mayor Knightleigh, who hopes to get the town of Nod's Limbs on the National Registry of Historic Treasures. Edgar and Ellen, of course, immediately set out to thwart the mayor's plans by sabotaging a visiting tour of VIPs with monster attacks, insect sandwiches, and even a devilishly clever scheme involving the biggest piece of French toast in the universe.
The fun format--forty-four short chapters, interspersed with Rick Carton's creepily cool pen-and-ink illustrations--makes for a quick read, and while the while the book never quite reaches Lemony Snicket levels of genius, kids will still love the many jokes and the twins' escalating, Grinch-style meanness (which, thankfully, never gets too mean). Watch for a third installment, Under Town. (Ages 9 to 12) --Paul Hughes
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From School Library Journal
Grade 4-6–Edgar and Ellen's hometown, Nod's Limbs, is about to become a prime tourist destination unless the twins can do something to stop the success of the mayor's high-profile publicity campaign. Determined to keep their home-by-the-cemetery and their favorite junkyard safe, the siblings launch a plan to hijack the mayor's tour group and make sure that no one ever wants to visit again. This is the second in the series featuring the mischievous and devious brother/sister duo, but readers will enjoy
Tourist Trap regardless of their familiarity with the first book. Ogden's satirical humor will keep them laughing, and Edgar and Ellen's elaborate schemes will keep them turning pages. Carton's illustrations have an Edward Gorey meets Lane Smith feel that works well with the text.
–Kelley Rae Unger, Peabody Institute, MA Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
