Gr 2-4–A quirky adventure that will capture the imagination of readers. Senan feels comfortable experiencing life from his house or yard, searching for the mysterious Shy Town. Outspoken Gran lives with the family and is good company for Senan. Next-door neighbor Joshua loves adventure and is always eager to do something exciting, and decides they must go on a quest to find Shy Town. As the trio sets out, the friends encounter a boy made of paper and a beetlelike creature called Pearl. The troupe has whimsical experiences: soaring through the air attached to Gran’s wheelchair, with Paper Boy as a sail; sleeping in a tent under the stars; watching flowers and a gnome pop out of Pearl’s shell. When they finally reach Shy Town, they learn the real name of the place is Perfection. Initially, Perfection seems to live up to its name; but the town has a dark problem that the troupe must help solve. This is a great introduction to chapter books. The chapters are short, filled with adventure, and each one ends with a teaser that will make readers eager to continue. The vocabulary is age-appropriate, and words are often repeated for emphasis. Hand-drawn illustrations enhance the text and help children imagine what is happening in the story. The characters are fun and eager to tackle the next obstacle. This story—in a simple way—explains the difficulty of trying to achieve perfection.
VERDICT This book is entertaining, full of adventure, and one that will hook readers from the first few chapters.
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