Timmy Failure: We Meet Again

Gr 3–7—Timmy Failure is back along with his business partner, Total, a 1,500 pound polar bear; the tangerine scented "criminal mastermind" Molly Moskins; his best friend, Rollo Toukas; and his arch nemesis Corrina, Corrina. When readers catch up with Timmy this time around, he has been placed on academic probation and the one thing that can save him is the infamous Miracle Report. A report of legend, for it is the only time an assignment has received an "A +++++." Timmy gets paired with the Beast (aka Corrina, Corrina) as his report partner, his mother is dating his little league coach, an evil cat and dog duo are staying in his apartment, and to top it all off, the Scum Bolo Chihuahua that eats children lives in the redwood forest where Timmy has to go for a field trip. Pastis's lovely balance of quirky cartooning and quick-moving text makes this an enjoyable, laugh-out-loud read. Highly recommended for kids who love Bill Watterson's "Calvin and Hobbes," Jeff Kinney's "Diary of a Wimpy Kid," Lincoln Peirce's "Big Nate" Rachel Renée Russell's or "Dork Diaries." This book and the entire series are a perfect go-to for reluctant readers.—Krishna Grady, Darien Library, CT