Darcy Burdock

Gr 4–8—Darcy notices things. "Have you ever noticed your noticing?" begins this fast-paced, humorous book, which Darcy points out is not for babies. Darcy wants to be a writer, and the loose plot is based on the accounts she writes of her experiences. Tangents include tales about a sworn enemy, her friends, her family, and a pet sheep that doesn't bleat. A surprise party, a Halloween get-together, and a plan to run away are fodder for her stories, and a chapter that describes Darcy's sister's dance audition is touching and moving. Darcy's distinctive perspective will appeal to those searching for fun and quirky protagonists. Dockrill as narrator is wickedly funny; however, some young listeners may have difficulty keeping up with the pace of the narration. British terminology is sprinkled throughout the novel ("spyholes," "knuckle of bread," "fried egg and chips").