Berkeley's (the Wednesday Tales trilogy) first offering in the Bell Hoot Fables series is a whimsical fantasy adventure in the tradition of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
and Pippi Longstocking
. No one in Bea Flint's family claims to remember entering the raffle that has won them a “Blue Moon Once-in-a-Lifetime Adventure Holiday,” but they jump at the chance for a free trip. Despite skepticism about traveling on an amphibious “busmarine” that departs from a local car wash, they soon find themselves in the land of Bell Hoot. But Bea's seven-year-old brother, Theo, has disappeared during the journey, and as Bea, a girl who “was more often to be found reading encyclopedias than anything else,” searches for him, she finds herself growing into abilities she never dreamed of. Meanwhile, one of nine local clans, the Ledbetters, is just as determined to find Theo, to whom they have laid claim according to custom. Berkeley's prose and plotting gleam with humor and originality; this fast-paced tale should readily win over readers, who will be eager for a return visit to Bell Hoot. Ages 8–12. (Feb.)
