(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Matthew Cook. When Smalls, a sun bear, and his misfit animal friends are abducted by despicable Claude Magnificence, a story of circus animal abuse ensues. As Smalls's group learns to perform tricks, they make friends with two children and slowly build enough trust with the other circus animals--the "Lifers"--to plan an elaborate escape. Occasional pen-and-wash illustrations help ground the over-the-top story.

Reviewer: Sophie Williamson