FICTION

Freddie Mole: Lion Tamer

by Alexander McCall SMITH
illus. by Kate Hindley. 128p. Delacorte. Jul. 2018. Tr $15.99. ISBN 9781524713775.
COPY ISBN
Gr 2–5—Freddie Mole is a 10-year-old boy eager to support his parents as they struggle to make ends meet. Through happenstance, he lands a job cleaning at the local circus. Little does he know that the circus will provide much more than income: he makes new friends, learns how to work the trapeze, and even meets a few lions. Freddie is a highly lovable character who demonstrates compassion, courage, and grit. His story is wonderfully complemented by Hindley's cartoonish illustrations that grace nearly every page. The circus makes for a perfect illustrative backdrop: lush costumes and bold patterns plunge readers directly into scene. In addition to the clear and direct narrative, McCall Smith inserts unusual verbs and adjectives that will challenge and sharpen comprehension skills.
VERDICT Fast-paced and engaging, this is sure to delight either as a read-aloud with an adult or as a selection for strong independent readers.
Reviewed by Katherine Hickey, Metropolitan Library System, Oklahoma City , May 01, 2018

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