The Joke War

Charlie arrives at his Aunt Edie's cottage ready for fun, but his sense of humor dwindles because of the endless practical jokes and pranks played by his cousin John. Although Charlie tries to outsmart John with a trick or two of his own, he only fuels the joke war between them, a war he is losing. Handshake buzzers, soap that turns skin green, slimy shoes, snakes in the bedJohn knows every trick there is. Then Charlie has a chance to even the odds; but he backs off, unwilling to let John be terrorized by a stunt that's all in fun but that goes too far. Namovicz has the necessary split-second timing to carry this off, even though some of her jokes are annoyingly corny. The neat finish doesn't ring entirely true, but it is satisfying and Charlie the chump is a hero worth rooting for. Ages 8-12. (September)