(4) YA Illustrated by Bob Lea. Armed with his father's jester costume and caravan, teenage half-elf Sebastian sets out to find a job. On the way, he's beset by wild animals--and wilder men--and rescues a princess, aided by his talking buffalope and a "hip-high" warrior. Though the plot offers few surprises, the straightforward writing and snappy humor are entertaining. Occasional full-page drawings illustrate the action.

Reviewer: Becky Levine

(2) 4-6 Illmoor Chronicles series. Illustrated by Bob Lea. When ancient dark magic possesses Diek, his flute enchants animals; meanwhile, Duke Modeset fails to suppress a rat plague in the city. Rats, pipers--you know what comes next. The lighthearted tone and outsized and colorful characters might just hit the sweet spot of clever preadolescent humor.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2005