The Horn Book Guide

EASY READERS

Wallace, Carol

The Pumpkin Mystery

40 pp. | Holiday | September, 2010 | Trade ISBN 978-0-8234-2219-7 $15.95

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Steve Björkman. With so few pumpkins in their garden, Aden and Leah's plans for a Halloween party are ruined. Their cat, Scruffy, and dog, Mocha, come to the rescue by discovering a field of pumpkins growing from last year's seeds. Illustrated with pleasant, cartoonlike watercolors, the story benefits from its gentle humor, loyal animals, and portrayal of family cooperation.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow