(4) 1-3 Class Pets series. Illustrated by John Kanzler. Sister and brother mice settle into new surroundings at an elementary school. Cheerful Molly makes friends with the class pets, especially two lovebirds and the ghost of a hamster. Jake winds up having an adventure of his own with a cat. Second in a series, this chapter book is likable and fast paced, but the combination of realism, animal fantasy, and ghost story doesn't quite jell.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke

(3) 1-3 Class Pets series. Illustrated by John Kanzler. Jake and Molly (two mice who live at P.S. 42) show the new class pet, a gerbil named Dexter, how to survive outside his cage. After being caught in a mousetrap, the trio gets separated; Molly is captured by the janitor, while Jake and Dexter are flushed down the toilet, threatened by sewer rats, and attacked by a vengeful cat. Asch's story is filled with suspense and movement. Black-and-white drawings accompany the simple text.

Reviewer: Mark Adam