Malcolm Under the Stars

Reviewed by: Jan Hamilton - Long Creek Center, South Portland, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: August 25, 2015

Review

"Malcolm Under the Stars" is a sequel to an earlier title published this year. As a new classroom pet Malcolm is finding his way while developing relationships with students (nutters), teachers (lankies), and the other classroom pets. This adventure story has a slow start when the lights go out in the old school auditorium. The storyline is straight forward; the School Board wants to close the aging school but the pets and students want it saved.

Several interactions between the outside animals and inside critters are amusing but only a few human characters are as clearly depicted. The illustrations by Lies enhance the text, giving life various animals. Intermediate grade media centers may want to add this to their collection especially if they have the first Malcolm title.

Overall Book Score: good